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Everyone is talking about the political consequences and the mood of
today’s electorate following the stunning upset in Massachusetts this
week when a little-known state senator claimed the U.S. Senate seat
formerly held by the late Ted Kennedy. This article is meant to head in
a little different direction.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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Last Monday was Martin Luther King Day, so my three kids were home
from school. I enjoyed the three additional “hands” to help me get
ready for calving season. We also used the day to move cows around, wean
the fall calves, and do a whole host of things that had been on my to-do
list long enough to move from the “important” category to
“urgent.”
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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Politicians on both sides of the aisle are criticized for using fear
to achieve their policy goals. The financial crisis, climate change, the
list goes on. The beautiful thing about creating fear is people will not
only accept that something must be done, but – if enough fear is
created – they're usually willing to act without even contemplating or
debating the direction.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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 SEEDSTOCK NEWSLETTER BARN –
29 Genetic Newsletters – Under One Roof.
The Seedstock Barn is a multi-breed collection of breeder and
association newsletters assembled in one convenient location.
Newsletters provide valuable information into personal producer
philosophy and herd management tips. Producer and association
newsletters foster the sharing of educational and best practice
information vital to improving our most important product, BEEF, in an
effort to keep our most important customer, the CONSUMER.
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If you’ve received your latest issues of your industry
publications, you probably saw the cool-looking ad with the little
flaps. The ads are part of the rollout by Intervet/Schering Plough
Animal Health for its new products Resflor Gold and Nuflor Gold.
Resflor Gold combines the new Nuflor Gold product with essentially the
same drug in Banamine in one SubQ dose. Nuflor Gold is different in that
it now has FDA approval for the treatment of Mycoplasma bovis.
Admittedly, these new products are more about combining existing
products into an easier-to-use form, and new claims, than a new
antibiotic, but it has to be considered a positive that something can
still clear FDA hurdles. Many experts were of the opinion that animal ag
would be facing fewer treatments not more. Hopefully this product
rollout indicates that new and improved products will have the ability
to reach the marketplace. Only time will tell if these new products are
just another tool in an ever-expanding treatment arsenal, or the last in
a line.
-- Troy Marshall
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The CBS Evening News plans to air a story on antibiotic use
in livestock and poultry production next week, reports
meatingplace.com. The segment, originally set for broadcast this
week, was preempted by coverage of aftermath of the Haiti earthquake.
CBS anchor Katie Couric reportedly visited Koch's Turkey Farm in
Tamaqua, PA, which raises its turkeys free-range and antibiotic-free.
The segment is also expected to include footage on Applegate Farms, a
New Jersey producer of antibiotic-free, ready-to-eat foods including
deli meats, bacon and hot dogs.
CBS has been to Missouri, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Denmark to
research this story and is expected to focus on antibiotic use in pork
and poultry production, according to industry groups that have been
contacted by CBS.
-- Meatingplace.com
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 Social Networking For Beef Industry
Professionals
BEEF content is available on Facebook, a social networking tool
increasingly used by beef industry professionals. Interact with readers
and editors, participate in discussions and keep up-to-date with
industry happenings. Become a
fan of BEEF!
BEEF is also on Twitter, a micro-blogging site that provides
brief status updates on people, groups or organizations. Users can
"follow" people or groups, including news organizations that they want
to keep up-to-date with. Follow BEEF on
Twitter!!
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U.S. beef and pork exports continued to rebound from the slump
earlier in the year, with pork exports reaching their highest level of
2009 in November while beef exports edged 4% above year-ago levels,
according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
release by U.S. MEF
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Weak-born calves can be caused by a number of different infectious
and non-infectious conditions, with such conditions this spring most
probably related to the physical condition of the cow, says Charles
Stoltenow, North Dakota State University Extension DVM.
Writing in the Ohio Beef Cattle Letter, Stoltenow says the
thinner the cow or heifer, the more likely the occurrence of weak
calves. But, that's only the first hurdle. The second will be the immune
status of the calf during the early days of its life.
“Neonatal calves depend on the cow for all physical and mental
development prior to calving. All muscle tissue, nerve fibers and energy
reserves present in the calf are dependent on the nutritional status of
the cow. Cold weather and snow have significantly increased the protein
and energy requirements of the cow,” he says.
The best cure for weak calves is prevention. Cows and heifers in a good
body condition score (BCS) of 5-6 have stronger calves than thin cows
and heifers (BCS 3-4). Calves stand quicker and nurse sooner.
“Cows and heifers in good condition also produce more colostrum than
cows and heifers in thin condition. For adequate production of muscle,
nervous tissue, and energy reserves in the calves, cows and heifers need
adequate protein and energy in their diet,” Stoltenow says.
Whether or not a calf is born weak, all calves require colostrums soon
after calving to have a fighting chance of survival. Colostrum, the
first milk from the dam, is high in antibodies, which bolster the
newborn’s limited immune system.
A calf needs to consume 5-6% of its body weight within the first six
hours of life and again before 12 hours of life, Stoltenow says. For an
80-lb. calf, that’s 2 qts. of colostrum/feeding.
“This is important because the calf's digestive tract undergoes
‘intestinal closure,’" Stoltenow says. “Specialized absorptive
cells in the calf's gut are sloughed and the transport of antibodies
from inside the gut to the circulatory system inside the calf is no
longer possible. Since the calf can’t produce its own antibodies until
4-6 weeks of age, it’s totally dependent on antibodies derived from
the colostrum for protection in its early life.”
Before going into calving season, Stoltenow says producers should
identify a source of colostrum in case it’s needed. Colostrum can be
stored by freezing, and can be obtained from late-term cows or heifers
with stillborn calves, from heavy-producing cows (but make sure her calf
receives adequate colostrum before taking any), or from some dairy
farms. There are also colostrum supplements available from veterinarians
and veterinary outlets that can provide substantial doses of antibodies
to newborn calves, he says.
“Whatever the colostrum source, the same time constraints are in
effect. The colostrum should be consumed within the first 6-12 hours of
life of the calf. The key to assuring adequate colostrum for your calf
crop is being prepared,” Stoltenow says.
-- Ohio Beef Cattle Letter
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 Profitability in a Turn-Around Economy – February
10, 2010 at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA.
BEEF magazine has put together a lineup of speakers, that will help
cattlemen not only understand the challenges facing cattle producers in
2010 and beyond, but plan to succeed in a business faced with new and
different challenges. The BEEF Seminars are sponsored by Avitrol, Allflex USA and Kooima Company
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The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public
Lands Council (PLC) are strongly supporting a joint resolution by
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and others, to
reverse the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recent finding that
greenhouse gases (GHG) are an "endangerment to public health and
welfare." NCBA filed an appeal in the DC Circuit Court last month
challenging EPA's finding, due to a lack of science showing that
greenhouse gases are the result of manmade activities, rather than a
naturally-occurring phenomenon.
EPA’s “endangerment” finding provides the foundation for the
agency to regulate GHGs from small and large sources throughout the
economy – including farms, hospitals, office buildings and schools –
under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The CAA is ill-equipped to address
climate change, and it was never the intent of Congress that it be used
for this purpose, the groups say.
NCBA President Gary Voogt says EPA’s finding lacks scientific
justification and the Obama administration’s decision to trump
Congress and unilaterally regulate GHG emissions “will stifle U.S.
economic growth and development."
Voogt adds: “Before jeopardizing the ability of the U.S. to remain
competitive in the global marketplace, we’re asking the courts to
re-examine the science behind EPA’s claims.”
For more on NCBA’s petition for appeal, visit www.beefusa.org/.
-- NCBA release
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Tri-Western Meat Packing Co. says it plans to build a new cattle and
hog slaughter plant in Willcox, AZ, about 80 miles east of Tucson. City
officials recently approved the company’s petition by a 6-1 vote,
according to local news reports.
Tri-Western, former owner of a packing plant in Tolleson, says it plans
on slaughtering more than 100 cattle and about 260 hogs/day. According
to reports, the plant will employ 85 people, with the plant, located in
a former apple warehouse, expected to be operational in the next few
months.
-- Southwest Meat Association InfoMeat
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The latest research on grazing, nutrition and weaning are among the
topics at a daylong beef cattle workshop Feb. 11 at the Doublewood Inn
in Bismarck, ND. A collaborative effort of the North Dakota State
University (NDSU) Animal Sciences Department and North Dakota Stockmen's
Association, “Beef College” is designed to inform producers of the
practical application of NDSU beef research as well as lend perspective
to change and issues being faced by the state's cattle producers, says
Charlie Stoltenow, NDSU Extension Service veterinarian.
Some program highlights include: late-season grazing alternatives,
feeding cull cows, effect of animal disposition on carcass traits,
natural vs. conventional finishing of feedlot cattle, fetal programming
effects of gestational nutrition, and weaning age and backgrounding
alternatives.
Registration is $25/person before Jan. 29, which includes lunch, or $35
at the door and does not include lunch. Student registration is $10
before Jan. 29. For more info, call 701-231-7522 or 701-223-2522, or
email charles.stoltenow@ndsu.edu
or nsda@ndstockmen.org.
-- NDSU Ag Communication
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The USDA Risk Management Agency announces availability of
scholarships to attend the “Women Managing the Farm Conference” Feb.
5-6 in Wichita, KS. Full scholarships, which cover the cost of
registration and a one-night hotel stay, and partial scholarships (cost
of registration OR a one-night hotel stay), are available. Apply online
at www.womenmanagingthefarm.info.
Click on “Conference,” and choose “Scholarships.” Awards will be
based on need and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Keynote topics include money management, tax planning, health and
wellness, legal issues and tips for telling the story of ag and its role
in daily life. Breakout sessions will focus on a variety of topics that
range from estate planning to farm safety and beef quality assurance.
Registration is $99 before Jan. 25, and $120 after that date, while
single-day registrations are available for Feb. 5 ($85 before Jan. 25,
and $105 after) and Feb. 6 ($75 before Jan. 25, and $95 after).
For more info about the conference or scholarships, contact Pam Rolfes
at 320-224-0154 or atwmf@ksu.edu.
-- Kansas State University release
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The U.S. Supreme Court granted Monsanto Company's petition for
review of a federal district court order that halted planting of Roundup
Ready® alfalfa in 2007, pending completion of an environmental impact
statement (EIS) by USDA.
"USDA's regulatory approval process was short-circuited without any
hearing to consider the views of impacted farmers and consideration of
sound science," said Stephen P. Welker, Monsanto alfalfa and sugarbeet
lead. "We view the Supreme Court's action to hear our appeal as
important for American farmers and look forward to presenting our case
to the Supreme Court in the coming months. We believe alfalfa growers
deserve choice in the products that are available to them."
Monsanto filed the petition in October 2009, arguing that the 2007
injunction by Judge Charles R. Breyer shouldn’t have been ordered
without first holding an evidentiary hearing. As a result, the ban
imposed unnecessary restrictions and costs on alfalfa hay and seed
growers. Monsanto and Forage Genetics petitioned the appellate court
twice between 2007 and 2008 to fully consider the scientific evidence
and tailor any relief ordered pending the governmental agency completion
of an EIS.
Roundup Ready® alfalfa was reviewed by the Food and Drug
Administration and approved by USDA before it first went on the market
in 2005. Prior to the injunction, Roundup Ready® alfalfa was planted by
5,500 growers across 263,000 acres. Although alfalfa is the
fourth-largest crop grown in the U.S. with 23 million acres grown in 48
U.S. states annually, only 1% is currently Roundup Ready®.
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service completed a draft EIS
in late 2009 and a 60-day comment period is open until Feb. 16. For more
on Roundup Ready alfalfa, including how to submit a comment to USDA,
visit: www.roundupreadyalfalfa.com.
-- Monsanto Company release
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Michael R. Taylor has been appointed as the deputy commissioner for
foods at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is a new position
created by the Obama administration to oversee all of FDA’s many food
and nutrition programs as an alternative to creating a new agency to
combining many of the government’s food functions, according to the
National Meat Association.
This position was brought forth to Congress as part of a compromise
legislation, already headed for passage, to invest more food authority
and money in FDA functions instead of a new agency. The legislation is
also expected to grant FDA the power to recall suspect foods, require
manufacturers to establish plans to prevent contamination, and increase
food inspections. However, if Taylor proves unable to reduce the growing
number of food recalls, the idea of a separate food agency may be
revisited, according to the New York Times.
Taylor is a nationally recognized food-safety expert, having served in
numerous high level positions at FDA and USDA, as a research professor
in academia, and on several National Academy of Sciences expert
committees. Taylor began his career as a staff attorney at FDA and has
held various positions, including deputy commissioner for policy. He
served as administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service and
acting under secretary for food safety at USDA in the Clinton
administration. Prior to returning to FDA in July 2009, Taylor served as
research professor, School of Public Health and Health Services, at
George Washington University.
-- National Meat Association Lean Trimmings
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The U.S. average price for regular gasoline dropped 1¢ to
$2.74/gal. for the week ending Jan. 18 (89¢ higher than a year ago),
while diesel also shed 1¢ to average $2.87 for the week, or 57¢ above
the year-ago price.
For gasoline, the East Coast and Gulf Coast were flat at $2.75 and
$2.62/gal., respectively, while the Rocky Mountains jumped 4¢ to $2.62
and the West Coast shaved 1¢ ($2.95) for the week and the Midwest
nearly 5¢ ($2.68). California shed 2¢ to $3.03.
Diesel on the East Coast was unchanged at $2.92/gal., while the Midwest
slipped 1¢ to $2.83, the Gulf Coast and West Coast dropped 2¢ to $2.83
and $2.95, respectively, and the Rocky Mountains climbed 1¢ to $2.83.
California dipped 2¢ to $3.01.
-- U.S. Energy Information Administration
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“One Health: Implications for Animal Agriculture” is the theme
of the 2010 Annual Meeting of the National Institute for Animal
Agriculture (NIAA), set for March 15-17 in Kansas City, MO. Early
registration for the event ends Feb. 12.
"One Health is a worldwide initiative focused on the interdependencies
of human, animal and ecosystem health, and, with this concept comes
significantly expanded roles and expectations placed on animal
agriculture and professionals within animal agriculture," says Tony
Forshey, co-chair of NIAA annual meeting co-chair. “The general
sessions and committee meetings will explore how the initiative may
impact the various species and segments within production animal
agriculture and animal health management.”
An agenda is available at www.animalagriculture.org
or call 719-538-8843.
-- NIAA news release
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