Summer seems to have disappeared and the "to do" list for fall seems
to be growing by the minute. In this issue, we share some ideas that
will hopefully help as you prepare to wean and market calves for fall.
Our Beef & Business columnist Jason Ahola gives some great strategies in
working together on calf marketing pools. There are also a number of
upcoming events for just about every subject. Growing interest in goats
for meat production is a hot topic and below you'll find information on
an upcoming meeting South Dakota is hosting on that subject.
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Here we share John Crabtree's letter to Iowa Senator Tom Harkin
about the kind of farm bill that rural America truly deserves:
The farm bill debate in the U.S. House of Representatives has been, to
say the least, disappointing. Increased and weakened farm payment limits
will mean larger subsidy checks to the nation's largest farm operations
being used to drive more of their smaller neighbors out of business. The
following are excerpts of a letter I wrote on behalf of my family to
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) earlier this
year.
Senator Harkin, no one will ever farm our farm again after we leave, not
if things remain the way they are now. Of course, someone will till the
soil, plant, and harvest. But no one will farm here; no one will live
here.
... The current farm bill has driven up land costs to the point where
young farmers have no chance. The only so-called "farmers" who are still
buying land are mostly speculators or very large operators that do not
even live around here.
We own some of the best land anywhere. There should be lots of farms
with kids and with livestock and lots of building for the future.
...To read the complete article, click on the headline above.
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Today's rapidly-changing market for beef calves is still most
favorable to cow/calf operators who market calves in truckload lots.
Not surprisingly, calf buyers like to purchase and transport calves in
groups large enough to fill a commercial cattle truck (also known as a
cattle "pot" or "pot belly") to save on freight.
In most states, a cattle truck is legally allowed to haul about
48,000-50,000 lbs of cattle, with some states allowing 60,000 lbs or
more. Therefore, in addition to the forces of supply and demand, cost of
freight has a substantial affect on calf price, especially when diesel
is $3 or more per gallon!
In order for one owner to market 50,000 lbs of cattle (commonly known as
a "load lot"), he would need to have at least 80 calves weighing 600 lbs
each. This requires a cowherd of nearly 200 cows (or more, if the lot is
uniform and all the same sex). Fewer cows may be needed if calves are
heavier, sold later (and are heavier), and not uniform in size, age,
breed, or sex.
Despite the fact that most marketing options cater to large operators,
nearly two-thirds of U.S. cow/calf producers do not have enough weaned
steers to market them as a truck-load lot (65.9% own less than 200
cows). As a result, most cow/calf producers market their calves in small
groups through auction markets.To read the complete article, click on
the headline above.
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Vaccinations are an important key to proper animal health, and herd
health management. And, to ensure that vaccination is as effective as
possible, proper vaccine handling and administration is very important.
The following tips from Dale Grotelueschen, DVM and veterinarian with
Pfizer Animal Health, will help get you on the right path to better herd
health management:
1. Consult your veterinarian to develop a protocol that fits the health
goals of your operation.
2. Select a quality product. Consult your veterinarian to ensure you are
selecting the right products for your use. It is important to purchase
only federally licensed vaccines from a reliable source.
3. Carefully read the label to maximize the value and effectiveness of
the vaccine.To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
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The American Angus Association and Angus Foundation will conduct two
Cattlemen's Boot Camps this fall. The Boot Camps will be hosted by the
University of Kentucky in Lexington, and Pennsylvania State University
(Penn State) in State College.
Boot Camps are two-day educational programs open to all cattle producers
and cover all aspects of the beef industry, from basic production
practices to the end product. All participants must preregister by the
set deadline, and a minimal fee of $75 is charged to offset meals and
materials.
The University of Kentucky Boot Camp is set for Sept. 21-22 at the
Fayette County Extension Center in Lexington. The Boot Camp at Penn
State is Oct. 29-30 at the Beef/Sheep Unit on the Penn State Campus.
To read the complete article, click on the headline above.
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The 2007 Rural Women's Conference is set for Sept. 14-15 at the
Spearfish Holiday Inn & Convention Center. The event will kick-off Sept.
14 with a keynote panel session on "taking charge of tomorrow" that
deals with the experiences of rural women and how they persevered
through tough times. Friday's 11 a.m. session will look at biosecurity
on the ranch with Clint Peck, director of Montana Beef Quality
Assurance.
After lunch and round table discussions, Friday afternoon will offer a
choice of breakout sessions. South Dakota State University Extension
Veterinarian Russ Daly will deal with vaccines and other animal health
issues. SDSU Extension Educator Heather Gessner will discuss family
meetings as the first step in successful farm transitions. To read
the complete article, click on the headline above.
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An Oct. 5-6 conference in Aberdeen, SD, will discuss production of
goats for meat. The event at the Brown County Fairgrounds is open to
anyone interested in meat goat production. It will feature a range of
sessions on production strategies and techniques.
Richard Browning, Tennessee State University, will be the featured
speaker for the event. Browning initiated meat goat breeding and science
at Tennessee State University in 2001. Presentations will include herd
health strategies, starting a meat goat enterprise, managing your range
resources, and breed evaluation for economically important meat goat
production traits. To read the complete article, click on the
headline above.
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 Gallagher has a field staff of 26 fencing professionals
willing to come to your farm or ranch to review your needs,
troubleshoot your problem or simply discuss your future plans.
Rotational grazing, predator problems, horse fencing or any fence
related issue; we will likely be able to provide you with an effective
and affordable solution!
Check out the Gallagher web site for the professional
nearest you.
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Becky Plattner is "up" on farming and the Grand Pass farmer is
helping youth stay upbeat about the future of agriculture. It's not easy
being a farmer or rancher these days. Those who live off the land today
worry about more than just weather and markets. Today's world is more
complicated, and so is farming.
But Becky knows the benefits outweigh the headaches. She hopes high
school students interested in an agricultural career heed the call to
"Farmer Up!"
"Farmer Up! is a statement for all who work in the field of
agriculture," says Becky. "When you seem to be going through something
tough and want to get out of farming altogether, I say 'farmer up' and
work that much harder. It is the surviving for centuries that has given
many of us the very privilege of saying that we are Missouri Farmers and
proud of it." To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
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