Christmas greetings to all on this Christmas Eve. May we all take
some time to ponder family, friendships and hope and peace as we look to
the start of a New Year.
A sidenote: In the enewsletter earlier this month, there was a mistake
in the link to the online survey regarding the unwanted horse issue. The
correct address is: survey.ictgroup.com/uhcsurvey/.
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This Christmas season has blessed me with a gift that a farmer can
truly appreciate. Some 60 years ago a shiny little (by today’s
standards) red Farmall A came off the assembly line and ended up in
Sangerfield, NY on my Grandfather Jim Steele’s farm.
In combination with horses, it worked hard in the local farming
community running the ensilage cutter, thresher and buzz saw. Because
my grandfather’s farm was a small grass-based dairy, little Red had an
easier time of it as far as tractor lives go. She got exceptional care
and was an integral part of a small family.
To read the complete article, click on the headline above.
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 It’s a New Day in the Sun! Join your fellow cattle
producers in Phoenix, AZ for the 2009 Cattle Industry Annual Convention
& NCBA Trade Show. January 28th -31st. If you’re in the cattle
business you don’t want to miss the largest, most important meeting of
the year. For more information or to register visit www.beefusa.org or call 303-694-0305.
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Since midsummer new-crop December corn futures prices have declined
more than $4 per bushel from the $7.88-per-bushel high. During the same
time, November feeder cattle futures prices declined more than $20 per
hundredweight (cwt) from highs of more than $119.
This relationship is usually the opposite between feeder cattle and corn
prices. So what is making the shift occur this year? North Dakota State
University's Tim Petry a Livestock Economist and Crop Marketing
Economist Frayne Olson offer their thoughts:
To read the complete article, click on the headline above.
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It’s been a roller coaster ride for the overall economy, and the
beef industry, these last few months – and the uncertainty and
volatility are expected to continue as we move into 2009. Despite the
challenges, there are some opportunities to be had for those who can
adapt to the changing environment.
Looking ahead to the New Year, specialists at the Iowa Beef Center
developed this list of resolutions for beef producers. While you may
already be doing some of these management things, they offer good
reminders of areas that should continually be re-evaluated. To read
the complete article, click on the headline above.
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South Dakota hosts holistic management speaker Jan. 6
Kirk Gadzia, Bernalillo, NM, will be speaking on Wealth Generation &
Financial Planning for ranch families through the use of holistic
management principles. The workshop will be on January 6, 2009 at Cedar
Shores Resort at Oacoma, SD.
Summit on conservation work slated Jan. 8-9 in Chico, CA
The California Rangeland Conservation Coalition will host its 4th Annual
Summit on January 8-9, 2009, at California State University in Chico,
California. In addition to a slate of speakers relating examples and
opportunities for ranchers and environmentalists to partner toward joint
ecological success, the Summit is expanding to include a second day for
a field trip to allow participants to get a first hand experience of one
such partnered scenario.
NE, IA, KS, MS plan Four-State Beef Conference
Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri cattlemen can receive an annual
update on current cow-calf and stocker topics during the 25th annual
Four-State Beef Conference Jan. 14 and 15.
Heart of America Grazing Conference headlines Joel Salatin
The Heart of America Grazing Conference will be Jan. 21-22, at the
Holiday Inn Conference Center in Columbus, IN. This five state
conference includes Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri, and
is hosted by Purdue Extension.
Management and Marketing for Grass-fed Beef in the Northeast
On Jan. 31, a Pasture to Profit seminar will be held at the Century
House in Latham, NY. Speakers include Kit Pharo, Colorado rancher,
seed-stock producer, grazier, outspoken proponent of least-cost
production and ranching profitably. Also Dr. Allen Williams, Chief
Operating Officer, Tallgrass Beef Co., Researcher and Professor of Meat
Science and Animal Science/Genetics.
Wisconsin Grazing Conference is Feb. 19-21
“Valuing the Past, Growing our Future” is the theme of the 2009
Wisconsin Grazing Conference to be held Feb. 19-21 in Stevens Point.
For details for each of these events, click on the headline
above.
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Reproduction is often called the most important element for cow-calf
operations – because without a successful breeding program there is no
live calf to sell. In early December, Colorado State University hosted
its bi-annual Robert E. Taylor Memorial Symposium with the focus of this
year’s program on improving the understanding and application of
reproductive technologies, including AI, estrus synchronization and
factors affecting male fertility. Over 20 speakers were featured on the
two-day program. Following are highlights from some of the
presentations.
As we move into calving season for most Midwestern cow-calf operations,
Rick Funston, University of Nebraska Extension reproductive
physiologist, reminded participants of the importance nutrition plays on
reproductive performance.
Funston said that research indicates, “It is better to have cows and
heifers in good condition before calving than to play catch up after
calving.” He recommended that cows be in a body condition score (BCS)
of 5 to 6 prior to calving.
To that end, he said, “Balanced nutrition is the key to optimizing
production.” On his list of nutrients to consider were protein,
energy, minerals, vitamins and water. Some tips that he highlighted to
achieve this balance:
To read the complete article, click on the headline above.
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