|
January marks the start of a new year, and for many of us, it often
includes the promise of a new start toward business and
self-improvement. Whatever your goals, January is a good time to look
ahead to the next 12 months and plan for success.
On the beef business side of things, January is an important month with
the industries two largest cattle organizations -- R-CALF USA and NCBA
-- holding their annual conventions. With high corn prices, falling
feeder calf prices, drought, and a new farm bill will all impacting
cow-calf producers in the future, it's important to take the time to be
involved with organizations like these to help shape the future.
R-CALF USA will host it's convention in Denver, CO, from Jan. 17-20. For
more information visit www.r-calfusa.com or call
406-252-2516. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association along with the
Cattlemen's Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, Cattle-Fax and
the National Cattlemen's Foundation will hold their Cattle Industry
Convention and Trade Show Jan. 31-Feb. 3 in Nashville, TN. For
information visit www.beefusa.org
or call 302-694-0305. Angus Productions Inc. will provide real-time
coverage of the event at www.4cattlemen.com.
More upcoming state and regional conferences are highlighted below in
the Industry Events section of this newsletter. These events offer a
real opportunity to enhance your beef cattle knowledge and add
efficiency and profitability to your farm or ranch. So if they are in
your region, consider taking time to attend. Additionally, we hope the
American Cowman website is becoming a resource for your
information needs offering industry news, as well as information on
cattle health and nutrition, range and pasture management, consumer
trends, and much more. Visit the site weekly at www.americancowman.com to view
the "Tip of the Week" and read the latest industry news, and look for
your next issue of the American Cowman Update newsletter on
Wednesday, Jan. 24. We wish you success in the New Year!
^ Back to Top
|
President Bush has signed emergency declarations allowing federal
aid to help Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas recover from back-to-back
blizzards that shut down highways and knocked out power to tens of
thousands of homes in late December.
The move opens the way for FEMA to reimburse local governments and some
civilian agencies for snow removal, police overtime, shelter operations
and emergency medical care.
Colorado's request for economic relief for ranchers at risk of losing
cattle because of the storms remains under review, according to FEMA
congressional affairs specialist Thomas Glen.
Reports of total livestock losses in the areas is still unclear, but
some anticipate the number could set a record. A blizzard in 1997 killed
about 30,000 cattle and set the livestock loss record at $28 million.
The National Guard has ferried several hundred bales of hay to drop-off
sites in southeastern Colorado to try and save stranded livestock.
^ Back to Top
|
The Beefmobile is gearing up to hit the road for 2007 and has named
two new "Wranglers" to join the effort. Created to provide information
about beef and the checkoff's $1-per-head assessment to producers and
consumers, the Beefmobile program has made more than 450 stops in 43
states since attending its first event in January 2004 -- mostly at
livestock auctions, but also at conventions, meetings, tours, and stock
shows.
In its first year out, the Beefmobile attended 100 events with one
"Wrangler;" last year, two Beefmobiles attended 250 events with three
Wranglers -- a task the program will repeat in Fiscal 2007.To read
the complete article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
"Sound science" is a phrase often used to defend the use of
pesticides, drugs, and other chemical concoctions used in today's
society. For me, upon hearing the phrase "sound science," the DDT
catastrophe and thalidomide babies often comes to mind.
The Food and Drug Administration continues to re-label or restrict drug
use -- after the drugs are on the market. Our society is also plagued
with reports of numerous abnormalities including higher rates of
attention deficit syndrome, autism, and decreased testosterone levels,
not to mention an epidemic of obesity. This list could be expanded upon,
but the point is made. The causes of many of these abnormalities are
still perplexing. If "sound science" exists what is it doing?
Before proceeding, let's be clear about one thing -- this article is not
anti-chemical. Different folks have different preferences. We use
chemicals on our own little farm. The issue here is the use of the term
"sound science" in the defense of using certain technologies.
Should "sound science" take precedence over common sense?To read the
complete article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
Beef producers now have an online calculator to help estimate
subprimal yields and their approximate values, based on current market
prices, before their cattle go to market. To read the complete
article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
With family living expenses increasing, many farms strive to get
larger, reports NDSU's Cole Gustafson. But he suggests farm families
really need to evaluate if this strategy will produce enough extra
income.
He cites data collected from the North Dakota Farm Business Management
Education Records that indicates large farms are not that much more
profitable than a mid-size or small farm.To read the complete
article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
| advertisement |
|
 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.
|
Illinois hosts Heart of America Grazing Conference
The Heart of America Grazing Conference will take place Jan. 24-25
at the Mount Vernon, IL, Holiday Inn. Purdue is a conference sponsor,
along with The Ohio State University Extension and three other Midwest
land-grant universities and 13 agricultural and government
organizations.
Those attending the Heart of America Grazing Conference will hear forage
and livestock specialists address such topics as grazing livestock on
pasture with organic inputs, stocking rates, legume utilization, tall
fescue management, grazing and crop rotation, and fencing.
Advance conference registration runs through Jan. 12. Early registration
is $50 for both days or $30 for one day of the conference. Registration
after Jan. 12 is $60 for both days and $40 for one day. Registration
includes a dinner, lunch and program materials. To register online, log
onto web.extension.uiuc.edu/HOAGC.
For more information about the conference, including a complete speaker
schedule, visit www.livestocktrail.uiuc.edu/pasturenet
and then click on the conference link or contact Justin Sexten,
University of Illinois Extension beef specialist, at 618-242-9310 or by
e-mail at sexten@uiuc.edu.
Kentucky Beef Conference is Jan. 23
The University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture will host the
Kentucky Beef Conference Jan. 23, 2007, to help producers take advantage
of marketing opportunities. "Planning Today for Tomorrow's Markets" is
the title of this year's program.
Speakers include Randy Blach, executive vice president of Cattle-Fax and
CF Resources Inc., and a Colorado native who was raised in the cattle
business. Blach will give a marketing overview and discuss long-term
trends and strategies for 2007. Harlan Hughes, professor emeritus at
North Dakota State University, will present a discussion titled
"Cow-Calf Operators' Place in the Cattle Cycle."
Marketing trends and strategies for backgrounders will be discussed by
Derrell Peel, professor and Extension livestock marketing specialist at
Oklahoma State University.
The conference will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fayette County
Cooperative Extension office in Lexington. Registration is $10 and can
be paid the morning of the conference. For more information contact UK
Extension educator David Herbst by phone at 270-384-2317
Holistic management workshops planned across South Dakota
The South Dakota Grassland Coalition, in partnership with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will host five free workshops on
holistic resource management across South Dakota in January, February
and March. Holistic Resource Management is a goal-centered, decision
model that includes balancing People-Resource Base-Money.
The featured speaker is Wayne Berry, a life-long livestock producer and
educator from Williston, North Dakota. Berry is an associate professor
at Williston State College where he teaches economics and farm
management. He has a master's degree in agriculture economics and is
certified by the Center of Holistic Management in Albuquerque, NM, as a
holistic educator.
The workshop will focus on managing resource profitability which
includes the process of setting the three-part goal, making consistently
sound decisions and monitoring for continuous improvement. This workshop
is highly recommended to producers, conservationists, students,
educators and agency people.
Workshops are set for Jan. 25-26 in Ipswich, SD; Feb. 20-21 in Rapid
City; Feb. 22-23 in Bison; and March 7-8 in Mitchell. An advanced-level
workshop is scheduled for Feb. 6-7 in Kadoka. For more information
about these workshops, contact Kelly Stout, Rangeland Management
Specialist with NRCS, Pierre, at 605-224-1818 ext. 5, (kelly.stout@sd.usda.gov) or
visit your local NRCS office in the respective towns.
Farm management conference for women scheduled Feb. 9-10 in
Kansas
A farm management conference for women is scheduled Feb. 9-10, 2007 in
Hutchinson, KS. With the theme, "Moving Ag Women Forward," sessions will
focus on risk management and business strategies in effective farm
management. The conference also offers an opportunity to network with
women who are facing similar issues and concerns.
Whether a landowner, leader or helpmate, women attending the conference
will learn up-to-date agribusiness strategies, practical tips and rural
life lessons in sessions such as:
From Ag Women to Managers: Wealth Creation as a Valid Objective in
Agriculture, presented by Vincent Amanor-Boadu, a visiting professor in
agribusiness and strategy in the Department of Agricultural Economics in
the College of Agriculture, Kansas State University.
Who´s Hiding the Humor? and The Top Ten Stupid Things Families Do
To Break Up Their Business each presented by Jolene Brown, speaker on
agriculture and farm life from West Branch, Iowa.
Seeing Rural Communities with New Eyes, presented by Marci Penner,
executive director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. Penner is an author
and co-chair of the Governor´s Rural Life Task Force Committee.
Twenty breakout sessions and a resource fair will complete the
conference program. The cost to attend the two-day conference is $65, if
registration is received by Feb. 1. The late registration fee is $80,
and a single day registration is $50. Registration or more information
is available at 1-866-FARM-KSU or 1-866-327-6578 or www.womenmanagingthefarm.info
.
Cowboy poets to gather in Elko, NV
On the lighter side, January also brings the National Cowboy Poetry
Gathering Jan. 27-Feb. 3 in Elko, NV. This event is a weeklong
celebration of life in the rural West and includes poetry, music,
storytelling, and photography. More information is available at www.westernfolklife.org.
For more on upcoming beef events across the country, click on:
http://americancowman.com/calendar/
^ Back to Top
|
Growth implants are commonly used in the cattle industry with little
regard to how they influence marbling," says Gary Fike, feedlot
specialist for Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB).
"For every dollar invested in an implant, the return could be more than
$6 in increased weight and efficiency in today's marketplace," he says.
"Most producers can't afford to leave that kind of money on the table,
but if the implants aren't used properly, they could cost significant
dollars in lost grid premiums."
Implants shift nutrient use to lean muscle, rather than marbling or
intramuscular fat, which decreases quality grades.
"The degree to which implants suppress marbling can be minimized," Fike
says, "if used judiciously and in harmony with nutrition, timing and age
of the cattle." To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
^ Back to Top
|
| advertisement |
|
Two million calves have been
enrolled.
One more reason why yours should be next.
NEW! Age
and source verification, an optional program enhancement.
- Convenience -- Sell to more than one packer or feedlot
without additional paperwork.
- Confidentiality -- Prevent access to sensitive
records.
- Flexibility -- Cattle enrolled in AgInfoLink's PVP for age
and source verification may be eligible for multiple PVP and Quality
System Assessment (QSA) programs.
Enrolling in SelectVAC® has never been easier. Visit www.selectvac.com or contact your
veterinarian or animal health supplier.
SelectVAC is a registered service mark of Pfizer Inc. © 2006
Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. SVC06041
|
|
|
