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Happy Valentine's Day! In this week's issue of American Cowman
Update, our columnist Bill Henning shares a "heartfelt" story about
old versus new. It's the perfect sentiment for the holiday and those of
us who love working in agriculture. We also spotlight a Montana woman
who has devoted over two decades of her time to being a champion of the
beef industry. She was deservingly honored this month by the American
National CattleWomen.
Be sure to visit the American Cowman website (www.AmericanCowman.com) for all
the latest information from the recent Cattle Industry Convention in
Nashville. Several new informational articles on cattle health,
nutrition and genetics have also been posted, as well as a feature on
new fencing products from one of our sister publications, Hay and
Forage Grower. See the products at this link: americancowman.com/featured_product/2007_fence
This month American Cowman is also launching a blog so that we can hear
from our readers and you can share ideas with one another. We want to
know what challenges you face -- or have overcome -- as a small beef
operation, and what your outlook is for the future. To share your
comments click on this link: blog.americancowman.com/community_blog/
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In the last five years our little farm has experienced some
'internal growth' in that we have built one new barn, built three new
additions and completely changed the use of another.
All this led to the need of an extra fork. Being short on time -- my
excuse for a lack of common sense -- I went to a feed mill, all the
local ones are gone, and bought a pitchfork. With my wallet lighter by
$35 I proudly went home with my brand new tool.
Several days later my wife and I were bedding down the cow shed. She had
the brand new fork. It only took about a minute before she exclaimed,
"Just using this fork is enough to make you want to quit farming!" We
promptly traded forks. I promptly agreed with her and went to get
another old fork.To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
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Supplemental feeding of dried distiller's grains to cattle can help
produce more beef in grazing programs, says Jim MacDonald, a Texas
Agricultural Experiment Station beef nutritionist.
After a summer and fall feeding study done with both heifers and steers,
MacDonald said he believes this by-product of ethanol production will be
useful in more than just feedlot or dairy operations.
In the next few years, an additional 200 to 600 million gallons of
ethanol are expected to be produced in the High Plains, MacDonald
reports. Production will utilize up to 214 million bushels of corn or
sorghum and result in 1.71 million tons of distiller's grains.
"A majority will likely be utilized by feedyards and dairies, but due to
the sheer increase in availability, there should be opportunities for
cow/calf and stocker operations to use it as well," he says. The most
promising opportunity may be in the situation where lightweight calves
are held for a couple of months before they go onto wheat. To read
the complete article, click on the headline above.
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Paulette Keller of Lloyd, MT, was named the 2006 Outstanding
CattleWoman of the Year during the American National CattleWomen's
awards reception on February 1 at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention
in Nashville. Of her enthusiasm for the beef industry, Keller says, "I
feel like it's my job to help promote my industry when the need calls,
whether in the grocery store or in the schools."To read the complete
article, click on the headline above.
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A new beef checkoff-funded Web site tells the beef production story
-- often in the words of beef producers themselves. The site, www.BeefFromPastureToPlate.org,
covers the entire production chain, from gestation to dinner
presentation, and features producer profiles, a live "Ask a Producer"
page, fact sheets, recipes, safety tips and even beef trivia. The Web
site gives beef producers, along with other segments of the beef
production chain, an opportunity to share their heart-felt passion for
their livelihoods and the beef they produce for families around the
world.
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The North Dakota State University Extension Service has scheduled a
series of workshops for livestock producers in February and March to
discuss cost control and risk planning.
Special emphasis will be placed on expanding ethanol production and
rising corn prices, says Cole Gustafson, NDSU agriculture economist. The
workshops will address energy-related issues affecting production costs,
such as feed resources, risk management tools and financial management
strategies.
Some of the major topics include becoming a low-cost producer, managing
pasture and range costs, managing rising energy costs and personalized
cost-control strategies.
Workshops dates and contacts are:
Feb. 26 Upham (ND) American Legion; Raquel Dugan-Dibble, (701)
537-5404
Feb. 27 Hettinger (ND) Research Extension Center; Dan Nudell, (701)
567 4323
Feb. 28 Ellendale (ND) Fireside Steakhouse and Lounge; Eugene Elhard,
(701) 349-3249
March 1 Watertown (SD) Event Center; Don Guthmiller, (605)
783-3656
March 2 4-H Fairgrounds, Mitchell, SD.; Heather Gessner, (605)
425-2242
Other workshop sponsors are South Dakota State University, Montana State
University, National Crop Insurance Services and USDA's Risk Management
Agency.
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The Tennessee Beef Agribition will be held in Murfreesboro, March
9-11 at Middle Tennessee State University's Livestock Center. The annual
three day cattle show and sale event traditionally features one of the
largest cattle trade shows in the Southeast, giving producers a look at
new products and the direction of the industry. The trade show portion
of the event will be conducted March 9-10.
Ten different chartered beef breeds are represented and more than 20,000
people are expected to attend Agribition. Breed shows begin Friday at 11
a.m. with sales for each breed immediately following that breed's show.
To learn more about Tennessee Beef Agribition, contact Quintin Smith at
615-444-8701.
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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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Noted Nebraska humorist, rural celebrity, and author Roger Welsch
has written a new book, Forty Acres and a Fool: How to Live in the
Country and Still Keep your Sanity.
Inside, Welsch elaborates the principles of feng shui for the farmhouse,
barn, and farmyard. And he draws on a lifetime's worth of experience to
counsel prospective immigrants to rural America on what precisely not to
do. Learn from the mistakes of a master and laugh harder than you
thought possible while doing it.
The 288-page hard cover book, published last October, retails for $21.95
and is available at bookstores and through www.voyageurpress.com. Welsch is
the self-claimed, second most prominent citizen of Dannebrog, Nebraska.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that preliminary results of
a survey indicate that the number of farmers markets nationwide
increased more than 7% between 2005 and 2006.
The new numbers are based on an update of the National Farmers Market
Directory by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The updated
directory lists 4,385 farmers markets currently operating in the United
States, representing a 7% increase from 4,093 farmers markets in 2005.
As a result of the strong growth in the number of farmers markets, total
sales volumes are estimated at about $1 billion for 2005, significantly
larger than the estimated sales volume of $888 million in 2000.
Nationwide, average sales at individual farmers markets in 2005 totaled
about $245,000; average annual sales per vendor totaled $7,108.
The revised version of the National Farmers Market Directory can be
accessed on-line at www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/map.htm.
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The 27th National Beef Cook-Off, funded by the Beef Checkoff, has
begun accepting entries for the Sept. 11-13 event in Chicago, IL.
America's premier amateur beef-cooking contest is focusing on a 'Seize
Life' theme, encompassing the essence of the contest's new categories
and the role that beef plays in an active lifestyle.
This year's Cook-Off will demonstrate how beef satisfies consumers'
appetites, enabling them to enjoy the food they're eating and also to
feel good about the choices they've made.
Underscoring the industry's commitment to innovative beef dishes, the
Cook-Off is introducing four new categories: New Dynamic Beef Dishes,
Nuevo Latino Beef Recipes, Kids in the Kitchen, and 'Small Plates, Big
Taste' Grilled for Everyday Entertaining.
Twenty-five national finalists, including five parent/child teams, will
compete for the "Best of Beef" grand prize of $50,000 and eight other
cash prizes -- with a total of $110,000 up for grabs. Family chefs are
encouraged to enter their original beef recipes by March 31, 2007. For
entry information, go to www.beefcookoff.org, or call
303-850-3441.
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Researchers at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary
Medicine have recently completed a study designed to determine how
common BVD Persistent Infected (PI) individuals are in Oklahoma cow
herds. The study involved testing all of the 2006 calf crops from 30
herds in Southern Oklahoma with the ear notch test. Herds included in
the study ranged in size from 14 cows to over 500 cows. The study
showed that 16.7% of the ranches had at least one PI calf in the 2006
calf crop with some ranches having as many as 10 or 12. To read the
complete article, click on the headline above.
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