Your field of dreams may be for the public to come to your ranch or
farm to enjoy a hayride, cut a Christmas tree, watch birds or partake in
any number of outdoor activities. But improper planning could make it
your nightmare, says Miles Phillips, a Texas Cooperative Extension
recreation, parks and tourism specialist.
"We've launched an online service to help people plan and develop nature
tourism businesses," Phillips said. "It will help users make a very
simple revenue and cost projection for their tourism products." To
read the complete article, click on the headline above.
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Q. How do I find land to farm or ranch? Competition for land is
fierce, and it’s so expensive.
A. The biggest hurdles for beginners are land and financing (often the
same thing). There are a number of programs like our Land Link that
match beginning and retiring farmers – most are listed here: www.farmtransition.org.
However, most transfers happen between people who already have some
connection to each other. To get into that network, tell everyone you
know that you’re looking. Folks who know your abilities and interests
won’t hesitate to recommend you. And you can start small and build a
reputation with one landowner, which will grow around the neighborhood,
opening up more opportunities.
Q: Where do I start with my ideas for a farm business?
A: You’re right to consider a farm-based enterprise as a business. You
have to make enough money to support yourself and pay the unavoidable
costs (like taxes), or someone else will soon be working your land.
To read the complete article, click on the headline above.
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| advertisement |
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 Fresh water on demand, 24 hours
a day.
Ritchie manufactures a complete line of livestock watering products with
the highest specifications in the industry. Ritchie fountains are
available in stainless steel, heavy-duty poly or both and backed by a 10
year limited warranty. Contact us at 800-747-0222. www.ritchiefount.com
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The National Centralized Ultrasound Processing (CUP) Lab has
announced the Summer 2008 field technician training and certification
dates.
The Beginner Ultrasound Training Course will be offered at Iowa State
University (ISU) in Ames, Iowa, and will cover the proper collection and
interpretation of ultrasound images for both feedlot and breeding
cattle. To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
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The 2008 Pacific Northwest Livestock Judges and Show Management
School is sponsored by Washington State University (WSU), the University
of Idaho and Oregon State University and serves as a learning
opportunity for new and experienced judges, show managers, fair
superintendents, livestock sale committee volunteers, 4-H leaders, FFA
advisors, parents, producers and livestock enthusiasts.
The event has been organized to improve the livestock industry by
developing participants’ skills to effectively and accurately evaluate
exhibition food animals; promote positive youth development; and
showcase the benefits of animal agriculture and youth development
programs. To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
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| advertisement |
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 Express® Vaccines are now
USDA-approved for use in whole-herd vaccination programs. This option
greatly improves flexibility in vaccinating pregnant cows and their
nursing calves. The Express® FP vaccine family protects against not
only the persistent form of BVD, but also IBR, BRSV, PI3,
Campylobacter fetus (Vibrio) and leptospirosis. The Express®
and Express® FP vaccine families are considered safe to use in
pregnant cows, and calves nursing pregnant cows, provided the cows have
been vaccinated prior to breeding with any Express® FP vaccine.
Learn more online at
www.productionvalues.com
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Developing personal leadership skills is one of the most valuable
benefits of being a member of the National Junior Angus Association
(NJAA). One event that allows members to develop their leadership
skills while building friendships to last a lifetime is the annual NJAA
Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference. This year’s
LEAD is set for Aug. 1-4 in Billings, Mont. To read the complete
article, click on the headline above.
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The South Dakota and Minnesota Limousin associations will host the
National Junior Limousin Show and Congress (NJLSC) at the W.H. Lyon
Fairgrounds and the Sheraton hotel and convention center in Sioux Falls,
S.D., July 12–18. The weeklong, family-oriented event will include
membership meetings, social activities, cattle shows, showmanship
competitions and a variety of satellite educational events. It all helps
North American Limousin Junior Association (NALJA) members have fun
while learning about the beef industry, public speaking, marketing and
leadership. To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
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As corn prices rise a common question among cattle feeders is, How
much can I feed?. The desire to feed higher levels has been tempered by
concurrent increases in the prices of corn coproducts. However as of
early 2007, wet CGF, modified DG and wet DG are priced at 75-85% of the
price of corn, adjusted for moisture. DDG and dry CGF were approximately
100 and 90% of the corn price respectively. Any time the net cost of
distillers grains in the feedbunk, adjusted for moisture, is less than
the cost of corn, then the incentive is to feed levels beyond meeting
the protein requirement. To read the complete article, click on the
headline above.
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The beef industry, through the checkoff-funded BQA (Beef Quality
Assurance) program and the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA),
recently released an auction market BQA training DVD titled “Focal
Point, an Auction Market BQA Guide.” Given recent events at the
Westlake/Hallmark packing plant in California and the resulting
increased regulatory and media attention given to animal handling
throughout the livestock industry, it is more important than ever that
livestock markets do all that they can to reinforce proper animal
handling techniques and practices at their facilities. To read the
complete article, click on the headline above.
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| advertisement |
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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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At first glance, it might seem impossible for a person entrenched in
ultrasound to publish any article about DNA testing without sounding
biased towards ultrasound. Breeders often consider the two technologies
as bitter rivals fighting for the same prize.
However, a more in-depth look at each carcass tool reveals that
ultrasound and DNA rarely compete directly with one another. Each
technology can be aimed at the same genetic “question,” but give
entirely different “answers.”
Breeders and bull buyers alike need to be aware of what the results
mean, not just what they say. To read the complete article, click on
the headline above.
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High feed and fuel costs will have many ranchers eager to put cows
out on grass as soon as possible this spring. But SDSU Extension Range
Livestock Production Specialist Eric Mousel cautions that early spring
grazing typically has negative effects on season-long forage yields
unless managed carefully.
Mousel cites research from North Dakota which suggests that grazing
native range before the third leaf stage can reduce carrying capacity by
up to 50% in some situations.
“The effects of early grazing on improved pastures are likely not as
pronounced due to differences in management, climate, and level of
agronomic inputs, but a reduction of 10 percent to 30 percent in
carrying capacity is not out of the question,” Mousel says. To read
the complete article, click on the headline above.
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