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We’ve been experiencing some abnormal weather in the plains of
Eastern Colorado. It began raining this spring and just kept coming. The
latest storm started out as rain, and proceeded to give us 2½ in. of
rain. Then it turned to snow and proceeded to give us 14 in. of wet snow
on top of the mud. Suddenly winter has arrived.
I suspect we’ll get some reprieve, enough to get windbreaks built,
waterers winterized and the like, but it seems just a little too early.
After a decade of drought, I'm not really complaining. I promised I’d
never complain about moisture, but it’s amazing how a mere six months
can change one’s perspective. I actually caught myself wishing for
sunshine toward the end of the summer and through the early fall.
I was always a little jealous of my friends in wetter environments, but
I have a new appreciation of the benefits of living and working in arid
country, as well.
This blast of winter wasn't welcomed by feeders placing freshly weaned
calves, and it will slow down corn harvest even more. But, ultimately
these early fall snows are too short-lived and temperatures still too
warm to cause many long-term problems.
I think it is Mother Nature's way of sending us a wakeup call, kind of a
warning shot across our bow, so to speak. With my new-found respect, I'm
just hoping she gives me time to get prepared for the real winter
that’s coming.
But, I have to admit that this recent reminder that winter is
approaching did have me daydreaming about ranch properties in Texas and
Oklahoma yesterday.
-- Troy Marshall
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CRYSTALYX® is the original low-moisture block supplement program
designed to get results AND save you time and money. For better
performance out of your cattle and better use of pasture grasses, hay
and other forages, the choice is clear. CRYSTALYX.
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I hate to admit it, but negativity is easy. Just stop in at the
local café and or feed store, and the odds are that you’ll hear
discussions about high costs, low prices, meddlesome government, etc. In
fact, I find myself writing more about the negatives than the positives,
and Lord knows it’s a lot easier to shoot down an idea than come up
with a great idea of your own.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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Private property rights somehow just don't have the sex appeal of
taxes, food safety, the environment or animal welfare. Partly that’s
because private property rights have always been seen as foundational to
capitalism, free enterprise and the American ethos. As a result, most
folks find it difficult to believe the right to private property could
really be in jeopardy. I’m willing to wager that any opinion poll
would conclude overwhelming support among Americans for private property
rights.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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Advantages Of Grass Planted With Alfalfa
High-quality grass can help increase ration fiber content without
lowering protein, improve drying time and increase yields. Grass also
fills in bare areas, chokes out weeds, reduces winter injury, leaf
diseases, leafhopper damage and lodging and is more palatable to
livestock. Geertson Seed sells high-quality grass and alfalfa seed. Call
us at 800-843-0390 or learn more about seeding grass with alfalfa at www.geertsonseedfarms.com.
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Ellen Hoffschneider, Arlington, NE, Malorie Bankhead, Livermore, CA,
Rebecca Vraspir, Laramie, WY, Jackson Alexander, Anadarko, OK, and
Mandy-Jo Laurent, Winnsboro, TX, were chosen as the 2010 National Beef
Ambassador Team winners at the annual competition held earlier this
month in Fort Smith, AR. Contestants were judged in the areas of
consumer promotion, classroom presentation, media interview technique
and issues response.
Contestants from throughout the country vied for a place on this elite
team of ag advocates and $5,000 in cash prizes sponsored by Groseta
Ranches, LLC. Additionally five educational scholarships totaling $3,750
were given by the American National CattleWomen Foundation, Inc.
While preparing for this national beef promotion and education
competition, youth across the nation learn about beef and the beef
industry within their family and with support from state CattleWomen,
Cattlemen’s associations and state beef councils. The preparation
highlights industry issues of current consumer interest. Winners of the
state competitions compete at the national level receiving additional
media training. After the event, as youth ambassadors, they speak to
industry issues and misconceptions, while educating peers and others
about food safety, nutrition and the Beef Checkoff Program at consumer
events, in the classroom and online.
For more information, visit www.BeefAmbassador.com or
www.MyBeefCheckoff.com.
-- Cattlemen’s Beef Board
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Time, observed Sir Francis Bacon, is the greatest innovator. While
that may be, a dose of cowboy logic can certainly help things along.
Take, for instance, the concept and practice of artificial insemination
(AI). It's been around awhile now, and innovation over time has improved
its ability to help cattlemen breed better cattle. Now, splice in the
cowboy logic, supplied in this instance by Carl Hansen, his brother
Chris and dad Ed, who comprise both the brain trust and the elbow grease
on the Hansen Ranch, a 350-head commercial cow-calf operation in
northern Colorado near Livermore. While they've been easing into an AI
program with their mature cows the past five years, they've approached
it with a slightly different twist.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Burt Rutherford
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 Right Today. Right
Tomorrow.
Actual feedlot performance data clearly shows performance always pays.
Recent data on over 100,000 head of steers demonstrates today’s ideal
steer gains 3.5 lbs. or more per day, finishes at 1,400 lbs. and
qualifies for additional premiums paid for high quality carcasses.
To read the entire white paper, click here. >>>
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The latest USDA Crop Progress Report indicates that as of Oct. 18,
only 17% of the U.S. corn crop had been harvested, compared to 28% a
year ago and 46% average for the previous five years. Harvest has only
just started in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin, and only 11% of
the crop has been harvested in Illinois, the second-largest corn state,
compared to the 68% average for the previous five years. Meanwhile,
Indiana and Iowa are at 15% and 10%, respectively.
Futures jumped higher in response to harvest delays and prospects of
more wet weather in the forecast. December corn closed on Oct. 21 only
2¢ shy of the $4/bu. mark. In early September, December futures were a
little over $3/bu., with plenty of speculation about sub $3 corn going
into a harvest that was expected to produce the largest corn crop ever.
The latest USDA and private forecasts continue to indicate a record corn
crop but the market is skeptical given the harvest delays and the
potential for output loss. The concern isn’t just over the
accessibility to the crop by combines due to wet and muddy conditions
but also the ability of farmers to dry a crop with a very high moisture
content.
-- CME Daily Livestock Report
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A few seats still remain on the 2010 Beef Study Tour to South
America. Travelers on the Feb. 2-15 tour sponsored by the Montana Beef
Quality Assurance (MBQA) program and BEEF magazine will visit ag
and tourist sites in Brazil and Argentina.
Tour hosts Clint Peck, MBQA director, and Burt Rutherford, BEEF
senior editor, will lead the tour along with travel coordinator Renata
Stephens of Brazilian Liaison. Stephens is a Brazil native with
extensive experience in South American ag excursions.
The tour will begin in São Paulo, Brazil, the biggest city in South
America then venture off to Campo Grande, the capital of Mato Grosso do
Sul state in Western-central Brazil, the #1 State in beef production
with 50,000 producers and a herd of 120 million cows.
The group will meet with researchers of EMBRAPA (Brazilian Enterprise
for Agricultural Research) and have an orientation meeting about the
beef industry in Brazil. An evening at an auction follows.
Experience the natural beauty Brazilian ranchers are using in order to
have a sustainable operation, including a rural/eco tourist program to
their ranch activities. A prime destination is Fazenda Rio da Prata,
where travelers will spend the day. We will have a conversation with the
manager, be taken on a toured horse-back ride Brazilian cowboy-style,
taste regional food and go snorkeling down the Prata River, known for
its crystal blue waters and diverse species of fish.
The Pantanal region is a unique kind of marshland in the world where
beautiful sunsets and wildlife are part of the scenery. Here travelers
will experience the “pantaneiro” hospitality. Among the visits are
the Paraguayan-border historic town of Bela Vista where beef production
is a tradition transferred through generations; travelers will spend a
day on a family-owned and operated ranch and learn how they live and
work.
Visitors will also meet with local producer associations before heading
to Rio de Janeiro for an overnight at a hotel on the legendary
“Copacabana Beach” and visit the “Christ The Redeemer” statue,
one of the seven modern wonders of the word.
The rich Pampas area of Argentina offers not only the Cactus feeding
operation, but also the remarkable Liniers Market. Meet with local
ranches and beef producers. Visit a supermarket to see how they sell
their beef. The tour will end in Buenos Aires with a day for relaxation,
fine dinner and a Tango Show.
“Our goal is to show the whole chain of the beef production and
market, from genetics to seedstock, while immersing into the South
American culture with must-see tourist stops with fun and relaxation in
two busy weeks. Be prepared to savor a decent amount of beef, including
the tantalizing Brazilian Churrasco – served on big skewers, and
Argentinian ‘Asado,’ a true experience of the South American
flavorful cuisine,” Stephens says.
Tour cost is estimated at $5,500/person (double occupancy and based on
25 participants), which includes all international airfare, in-country
air and motor coach transportation, 12 nights of business-class lodging
and most meals – along with local guides and translators.
For more info, contact Stephens at renata@brazilianliaison.com
or call 763-972-8080. A tour itinerary can be viewed at www.brazilianliaison.com.
-- BEEF magazine
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The U.S. average price for regular gasoline at retail jumped 9¢ for
the week ending Oct. 19 to $2.57/gal., 34¢ below a year ago and $1.54
less than the record high on July 7, 2008. Meanwhile, the national
average price of diesel jumped 11¢ to $2.71/gal., but 78¢ below last
year and $2.06 below the all-time high on July 14, 2008.
Gasoline was up in all regions but the West Coast, where it dipped 2¢
to $2.87/gal. Otherwise, the East Coast shot up 11¢ to $2.53, the
Midwest 10¢ to $2.54, the Gulf Coast 12¢ to $2.44, and the Rocky
Mountain region 4¢ to $2.52. California was down 3¢ to $2.99.
Diesel was up across the U.S. The East Coast was up 11¢ to $2.72/gal.,
while the Midwest and Gulf Coast each added 11¢ to hit $2.69 and $2.64,
respectively. The Rocky Mountains added 5¢ ($2.70), and the West Coast
9¢ to $2.82. California was up 8¢ to $2.87.
-- U.S. Energy Information Administration
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The 2009 Husker Nutrition Conference is set for Nov. 6 at the
University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center near
Mead. The program begins with 8:15 a.m. registration and the morning
program includes presentations on: Adapting to changing market dynamics
– the opportunities ahead, Algae for energy, Impact of distiller’s
grains on beef, and winding up with feedlot scholarship presentations.
Following lunch, the afternoon will focus on: Improving feed efficiency,
Use of ethanol byproducts in the Southern Plains, Meta-analysis of using
distiller’s grains, and research updates. The meeting adjourns at 4
p.m.
Registration is $25/person (payable on site) and attendees are asked to
register by phone, fax, e-mail or mail by Nov. 2. For more info, contact
Galen Erickson at 402-472-6402, fax to 402-472-6362, or email geericks@unlnotes.unl.edu.
-- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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 The Alliance Yellow Pages is the industry's
most complete listing of marketing options for your calf
crop.
The annual listing of industry alliances is categorized by consumer
based programs, where the focus is on finding, feeding and marketing
cattle according to predefined consumer product specifications, or
calf-based programs, where calves are procured to fit specific value
requirements. The listings provide the contact information and
specifications for the industry's top value-based marketing programs.
The Alliance Yellow Pages are sponsored by Elanco Animal Health.
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Interested in heading to the "land down under" to learn about the
food and agriculture industry in the Oceania region? Seats remain for
the Kansas State University Master of Agribusiness (MAB) trip to
Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, New Zealand; and Sydney, Canberra
and Brisbane, Australia. The tour is scheduled for April 16-May 1, 2010
and is open to anyone with an interest in international agribusiness.
The tour includes stops at cattle, deer and sheep farms, dairies, fruit
and vegetable farms, grain and cotton farms, as well as ag- and
food-related industries.
For more info, visit mab.ksu.edu/Alumni/ANZ.html
or contact Mary Bowen at 785-532-4435 or mjbowen@ksu.edu.
-- Kansas State University news release
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The Kentucky Large/Food Animal Veterinary Incentive Program may
repay up to $6,000/year of outstanding student loans of eligible
veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists who
practice mostly large/food animal medicine. The new program is now
accepting applications, says Richie Farmer, Kentucky ag commissioner.
“This program is important to Kentucky’s animal agriculture industry
and our food supply,” Farmer says. “Veterinarians are leaving
large-animal practices faster than they can be replaced. Livestock
account for about $3 billion/year in farm cash receipts, so it’s
important to Kentucky’s economy that we have enough veterinarians to
serve the large food animal industry.”
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians and technologists may apply within
the first two years after they graduate. Preference will be given to
Kentucky residents working in an area of defined need. A committee made
up of representatives of livestock groups and other agricultural
organizations involved in the initiative will select up to three
recipients a year. Recipients may receive payments up to three years as
long as they continue to practice mostly large/food animal medicine.
A completed application and supporting materials must be submitted to
the Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) State Office in Louisville for an
applicant to be considered for the program. Applications must be
postmarked no later than Dec. 1 or delivered to the KFB State Office by
that date.
For more info, or to download an application, go to www.kyfb.com/federation.
-- Southeast Farm Press
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A University of Missouri (MU) animal scientist, along with a team of
international researchers, created a very accurate and widespread
“family tree” for cows and other ruminants, going back as far as 29
million years. Jerry Taylor, a professor of animal science in the MU
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource and lead author of the
study, says the genetic information could allow scientists to understand
the evolution of cattle, ruminants and other animals.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
release by University of Missouri
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The Mexican government says it will join Canada in moving forward
with a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement process against
U.S. mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL). Canada and Mexico,
together, accounted for 59% of total U.S. beef, beef variety meat and
processed beef product export revenues last year.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) expressed extreme
concern that these WTO cases “could lead to damaging retaliatory
actions against U.S. beef.” NCBA is urging USDA to reinstate a joint
Agricultural Marketing Service study to help gain a better understanding
of COOL's effects on U.S. producers and the entire beef chain.
The study entitled, "Economic Analysis of Country of Origin
Implementation Costs for Producers and Processors in the Beef, Pork and
Lamb Industries," was supposed to be completed in cooperation with the
Livestock Marketing Information Center, until the FY 2010 Agriculture
Appropriations bill did not direct USDA to reinstate the funding for
this important study.
-- NCBA Capitol Concerns
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Get ready for another onslaught of news on livestock and climate
change. A paper entitled “Livestock and Climate Change’ by Robert
Goodland and Jeff Anhang is now claiming that cows, pigs and chickens
are the key actors in climate change. Fossil fuels and SUVs are
now off the hook.
The authors contend that “uncounted, overlooked and misallocated
livestock-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)” vastly
underestimate the environmental impact of the lifecycle and supply chain
of animals raised for food. They say such emissions account for at least
half of all human-caused GHGs. This contrasts greatly with an earlier UN
Food and Agriculture Organization estimate that set the level at 18% of
annual worldwide GHG emissions as being attributable to cattle, buffalo,
sheep, goats, camels, pigs, and poultry.
Meanwhile, EPA says all agriculture in the U.S. generates only 7% of
GHGs in the country. In fact, GHG emissions from all livestock manure
management systems (not just feedyards, but dairy, hog and poultry)
account for 0.8% of all U.S. emissions, the agency has said, while
manure-management systems from the beef sector, according to EPA data,
account for only 0.12% of total GHG emissions.
Goodland and Anhang claim their analysis says livestock and their
byproducts actually account for at least 32.6 billion tons of CO2/year,
or 51% of annual worldwide GHG emissions.
“If this argument is right, it implies that replacing livestock
products with better alternatives would be the best strategy for
reversing climate change. In fact, this approach would have far more
rapid effects on GHG emissions and their atmospheric concentrations –
and thus on the rate the climate is warming – than actions to replace
fossil fuels with renewable energy,” the duo says.
Goodland is a retired lead environmental advisor at the World Bank
Group. Anhang is a research officer and environmental specialist at the
World Bank Groups International Finance Corp.
Access the paper at: www.worldwatch.org/node/6294.
The duo writes that “livestock (like automobiles) are a human
invention and convenience, not part of pre-human times, and a molecule
of CO2 exhaled by livestock is no more natural than one from an auto
tailpipe.”
The authors contend “an effective strategy must involve replacing
livestock products with better alternatives, rather than substituting
one meat product with another that has a somewhat lower carbon
footprint.” Their suggested “better alternatives” are, of course,
soy-based meat substitutes and other plant foods.
Even buying their hypothesis, the authors don’t consider the effect of
technology. As Dave Sjeklocha, DVM, writes in the March issue of BEEF,
“The madness over methane” (beefmagazine.com/cowcalfweekly/0227-the-madness-methan/):
“In the mid 1970s our [U.S.] beef cattle population peaked at 130
million head. In 1980, it was 111 million head, from which we produced
21 billion lbs. of beef. In 2007, our population was 97 million head,
which produced 26 billion lbs. of beef. Thus, in the last 27 years,
we’ve reduced these methane producers by 14 million head and increased
total beef production by nearly 5 billion lbs.!
“But cattle are still being blamed for the increased methane
production. On top of that, less forage is being fed to cattle today
than just 20 years ago, let alone 40 years ago. So, not only do we have
fewer methane producers, but each of them is producing less methane!
“Truth is, cattle production is the low-hanging fruit. Activists see
us as easy pickings. We’ve made food production so efficient that
increasingly fewer people are needed to produce it; the result is the
majority of the population has very little idea of the origin of their
food. Now those people are being duped into believing livestock
producers don’t care about the environment or their livestock.”
-- Joe Roybal
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A new Pfizer Animal Health (PAH) was unveiled last week as Pfizer's
acquisition of Wyeth, including its subsidiary Fort Dodge Animal Health,
was completed. PAH is now the world’s leader in the discovery,
development, manufacture and sales of veterinary vaccines and medicines
for livestock and companion animals, a company release says.
Pfizer says its acquisition of many of Fort Dodge’s U.S. products
allows it to greatly diversify its U.S. portfolio, as well as broaden
its offering in all animal health segments. PAH now offers an enhanced
portfolio in beef, dairy and companion animals, as well as a redefined
product line for swine, equine and poultry.
Here is a summary of PAH’s new U.S. product portfolio on the cattle
side:
“As the leader for beef and dairy animal health solutions, Pfizer will
further enhance its position with the addition of FACTREL® (gonadorelin
hydrochloride) and the proven and well-recognized pioneer line of
SYNOVEX® implants. These products complement the current U.S. cattle
portfolio that includes DRAXXIN® (tulathromycin), DECTOMAX®, EXCEDE®
(ceftiofur crystalline free acid), EXCENEL® (ceftiofur hydrochloride),
BOVI-SHIELD® GOLD, LUTALYSE® (dinoprost tromethamine), ORBESEAL®
and SPECTRAMAST® (ceftiofur hydrochloride). Pfizer Animal Genetics
also continues to explore opportunities to apply genomics technology to
livestock health and management solutions.”
For more info on the PAH portfolio in other livestock, as well as
poultry, equine and companion animals, go to: www.PfizerAnimalHealth.com.
PAH also announced that all current U.S. pricing, product distribution,
programs and policies for PAH products, including the acquired Fort
Dodge products, will remain in place through 2009.
-- Pfizer Animal Health news release
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Get the latest on pasture management, herd health, grain outlook and
other livestock related topics at an Ohio State University (OSU)
Cow-Calf School planned for November.
The school will take place on Mondays from November 2-23 at the OSU
Extension Belle Valley Regional Office in Belle Valley. The school
begins at 6 p.m. each day.
Topics being covered include:
- Nov. 2 – Water systems, pasture and grazing.
- Nov. 9 – Herd health, vaccinations and health-related issues.
- Nov. 16 – Mineral supplementation and cow winter supplementation,
and a grain outlook.
- Nov. 23 – Feeding options for wintering calves and yearlings.
Registration is $5/person for all four classes. For more info, contact
Steve Schumacher at 740-695-1455, Mark Landefeld at 740-472-0810, Clif
Little at 740-732-5681, or OSU Extension at southcental@ag.osu.edu.
-- Ohio State University release
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If African farmers and the world’s hungry are to climb out of
their misery and become more productive citizens, technology must pave
the way, says Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Forrest Laws, Farm Press
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A tick-borne disease known as equine piroplasmosis has been
confirmed on a ranch in South Texas. Additional testing is being done to
determine the extent of infection, and horses on the ranch have been
quarantined to their premises.
Equine piroplasmosis can affect horses, donkeys, mules or zebras and
cause clinical signs common to many diseases, including poor appetite
and weight loss. Death losses can occur. Some infected equine animals
may exhibit few or no signs of disease. Animals that survive the acute
phase of infection may continue to carry the parasite (identified as
Theileria equi, formerly known as Babesia equi) for long
periods of time.
Bob Hillman, Texas’ state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal
Health Commission, says equine piroplasmosis isn’t considered to be
endemic in the U.S., but a case was detected in Missouri in June, with a
related case found in Kansas. In 2008, the infection was detected in
Florida. All these cases have been closed.
Hillman says that as many as 15 tick species are capable of carrying and
transmitting the blood parasite responsible for causing equine
piroplasmosis, and the species of tick responsible for transmitting
infection on the South Texas ranch isn’t yet known.
There is no vaccine for equine piroplasmosis, and treatment generally
isn’t effective. So, to avoid spread of the disease, it’s important
to eliminate contact with ticks and prevent the transfer of blood from
one equine animal to another, he says.
“Equine owners may want to consult with their veterinarians for
recommendations on preventing tick infestation,” Hillman says. “If
equine animals exhibit signs of illness, a veterinarian should be
contacted, so appropriate samples may be collected for laboratory
testing. Currently, we have no indication that this tick transmitted
disease has occurred at other sites in Texas, but maintaining vigilance
for this blood parasite is necessary in determining the extent of this
disease situation.”
-- Texas Animal Health Commission
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National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) members are
encouraged to apply for individual and chapter awards under the Yamaha
Motor Corp., U.S.A. scholarship program. ACT is a national college
student association aimed at fostering professional development.
The Yamaha-ACT Scholarship Program offers two individual scholarships
and one chapter scholarship. All three scholarships are aimed at helping
students attend the annual Agricultural Media Summit (AMS), a
professional development and networking opportunity.
Applicants are judged based on merit, need and quality of submission
materials by a review committee consisting of Yamaha representatives and
members of the American Agricultural Editors’ Association and the
Livestock Publications Council. The 2009-2010 application process will
run through the end of February and winners will be announced in early
May 2010.
For more info and an application form, go to www.nactnow.org.
-- www.yamaha-motor.com.
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U.S. Producers Need To Call Spade A Spade
Regarding "What Canada’s WTO Request Means” (Oct. 16 BEEF
Cow-Calf Weekly): Why don't we cut the crap and call a spade a spade
– the U.S. cattle industry will do whatever it takes to obstruct,
prevent and limit the supply of Canadian beef into the U.S. market.
It's okay if Canadian cattlemen ship their cattle to the U.S. to fatten
up, but if these same cattle are to be slaughtered for American
consumption, well, that's a whole other story. That takes away the
possibility of an entirely American animal being used instead, and we
can't have that, can we?
Until the U.S. industry wakes up and acknowledges what free trade really
is, we can look forward to never ending World Trade Organization
disputes, rulings, interpretations of the rulings, and
obstructionism.
And American cattlemen wonder why their beef is kept out of places like
Korea, Japan or Taiwan. No ID and no traceability means no entry into
those lands. It’s as simple as that.
-- Len Shara, Montreal, Quebec
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