|
Successful producers in the beef industry - whether they are large
operators or small - tend to agree that the secret to their success is
running their cattle operation like a business. In that vein, we are
introducing a new columnist to American Cowman. He is Jason Ahola
an Extension beef specialist with the University of Idaho. His column
will appear monthly and is titled Beef & Business. He will offer
ideas and strategies for keeping that business angle in tact with your
beef operation. In this issue of the newsletter, he compares the value
of artificial insemination to natural breeding with a bull only. For
more about Dr. Ahola's background visit the following link: americancowman.com/business/.
In this issue of the newsletter, we also thank Terri Lemmon of Amelia,
NE, for sharing a poem with American Cowman. It captures what
many of us sense when we are out on the land, but don't know how to put
into words. Also, be sure to visit our webiste at www.americancowman.com to see
the latest "Real Cowman." We're featuring a unique couple from Oklahoma
who raise Longhorns.
Finally, May means Memorial Day and the start of summer. In this issue
of the newsletter you'll find some great tips for grilling "the perfect
steak!" Enjoy!
^ Back to Top
|
It's a hard feeling to describe,
this emotion that swells inside.
Each time I fondly gaze,
on the land where I was raised.
I see memories of happy times,
and hear the laughter so clear.
I smile as I remember --
and can almost touch the images so near.
To read the complete poem, click on the headline above. See more
poetry or share some of yours with us by visiting www.americancowman.com and
clicking on Rural Life Poetry on the left.
^ Back to Top
|
I often hear cattle producers suggest they can't afford the added
time and expense of AI for their breeding program. And it's a sentiment
that appears to be pretty widespread across the beef industry as a
recent USDA survey indicates only about 13% of beef producers use
artificial insemination (AI).
But are producers leaving money on the table by failing to tap into this
technology? I like to use the adage "You've got to spend money to make
money" -- and in the case of AI, that's pretty accurate.To read the
complete article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
A unique farm market bus tour to showcase agritourism in Michigan is
planned for June 12-13. Departing from Benton Harbor, tour goers will
visit several of southwestern Michigan's finest farm markets and
agritourism operations in what promises to be an engaging and
educational experience for those interested in learning more about
managing a successful and profitable farm market or agritourism
business. The tour will provide a forum to share ideas and network while
visiting a variety of farm markets and agritourism operations throughout
the state.
"Michigan is unique because it has so many types of agritourism venues,
from the U-pick fruit farms to farm tours to corn mazes and haunted
barns to farm museums and pumpkin patches, and the list continues to
grow," says Patrick O'Connor, MI-FMAT Association executive
director.To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
^ Back to Top
|
After the nation celebrates the 4th of July holiday, Hereford
families will load their trailers and head to the Mile High City to take
part in "A Hereford Celebration" at the National Western Complex.
National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members are gearing up for
the Vitaferm(R) Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), July 7-14, in
Denver , Colo. The Western Hereford Breeders are hosting this event in
which hundreds of Hereford youth will not only exhibit close to 1,200
head of cattle, but also compete in numerous leadership and personal
development events. More than 3,000 spectators will be in attendance
throughout the week making this event one of the largest of its kind in
the United States.
"The Junior National Hereford Expo highlights the best of both cattle
and kids," says Chris Stephens, American Hereford Association director
of youth activities. "This is the culmination of months of hard work and
it is rewarding to see the future of the Hereford breed coming together
to compete and make life long friends in an enthusiastic
atmosphere."
The week long event has something for everyone from 3-on-3 basketball
competition to a white water rafting adventure. Participants not only
show cattle, but also compete in educational contests, interview for
college scholarships, run for leadership positions and network at social
activities. In short, the event helps prepare NJHA members to be leaders
in the beef industry and their respective communities.
To read the complete article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
Hay for horses is big business -- 30 million tons of hay are
marketed in the U.S. through horses each year. The industry is seeing
some new innovations for the equine market.
A Riverton, Utah company called Certified Utah Medallion Alfalfa (CUMA)
Products is now packaging 45-55-lb. bales of quality hay in neat
cardboard containers. Recognizing that 80% of the people who handle or
own horses are women, company owners Ken Ashby and Lonny Adams says the
boxed bales offer a convenient, easy-to-handle product that isn't messy
to haul in a sport utility vehicle or live-in trailer.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.
|
With Memorial Day upon us, it's the first big weekend of summer for
grilling steaks. Most people who grill steaks often have a special "art"
to their technique. Some say to season the steak just so; others claim
the secret is in flipping the meat just once during cooking; and still
others swear by keeping to grill lid open -- or closed.
Research from South Dakota State University is taking some of the
guesswork out of grilling. Rather than an art, these researchers say
there is some science to grilling the perfect steak on a gas grill.
To come up with the new grilling guidelines, SDSU meat scientists
grilled more than 1,400 steaks and presented them to a taste panel of 12
people, who evaluated the steaks for tenderness, juiciness, and beef
flavor intensity.To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
^ Back to Top
|
The 2007 Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide from the
American Meat Institute are now available. The guidelines, written by
Temple Grandin, animal-welfare specialist at Colorado State University,
are an updated version of the 2005 guidelines and have been revised
based upon feedback from the field.To read the complete article,
click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
Spring is an important time to think ahead for the pre-weaning phase
and calf management. At branding plan for:
1) dehorning and castration (if it hasn't already been done at birth);
2) administering a primer dose of
* 7- or 8-way clostridial/blackleg;
* IBR-BVD-PI3-BRSV viral vaccination; and
* Internal/external parasite control.
These strategies are all a fundamental part of the preconditioning
package.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
|
The basics of grass-fed systems will be explored June 8 and 28 in
workshops held in Missouri and Colorado. The workshops will cover topics
such as forage and grass management, paddock design and fencing, water
sources and riparian management, economics of grass-fed production and
integrated livestock systems.
To be held at Whole Foods Market stores in St. Louis, MO, and Highlands
Ranch, CO, the workshops will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m and cost
$25. To register, visit www.americangrassfed.org and
click on "Grazing Missouri" or "Grazing Colorado." Fax a completed form
to 303-777-3401, or email Course@americangrassfed.org.
For more information, contact Joy Schomberg at 706-542-8084, or joy@engr.uga.edu, or Julia Gaskin at
jgaskin@engr.uga.edu.
The events are sponsored by the American Grassfed Association, the
Animal Compassion Foundation of Whole Foods Market, Georgia SARE,
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Fort Valley State
University Cooperative Extension, the Southern Sustainable Agriculture
Working Group, and the Agricultural Research Service.
^ Back to Top
|
|
|
