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I've always wondered if those who heard Abraham Lincoln give his
Gettysburg Address, saw the first cell phone, or gazed at Jesus Christ
crucified upon a cross, really realized at the time that they were part
of something historic. These are events that altered the world, but
their significance probably wasn't completely understood at the time.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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- Use right before breeding to protect against key reproductive
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© 2008 Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.
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Vira Shield is a registered trademark of Novartis AG. Vira Shield
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The Bush Administration sent the House and Senate Ag Committees its
"Parameters of a Successful Farm Bill." The parameters outline the
offsets the administration would be willing to accept and the reforms
needed to complete the farm bill.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C. correspondent
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For some, it's a lifelong dream -- escaping the traffic and
congestion of city life and moving to the country. For others, it may be
a passion to restore a historic family or purchased home.
While the idea of having a pond, woods, a crop field, or cattle herd
next door may seem idyllic, there are things that newcomers to country
life should consider, says Kansas State University (KSU) Extension
specialist Morgan Powell.
To address those topics, Powell and his colleague Kerri Ebert developed
a new KSU Extension publication entitled, "Living in the Country." It
includes sections on risks and rewards, government, legal issues, public
services, buying or building a home, utilities, ag, trash removal, being
a good neighbor, and others. The 15-page booklet also contains a list of
resources, as well as common acronyms used in everyday conversation by
country dwellers.
Download it at www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/
and type in MF2798 before pressing "Go."
-- Kansas State University release
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The American Angus Association (AAA) has created an online tool to
help commercial cow-calf producers identify the most important
management priorities for their individual operations. The interactive
tool allows producers to assess strengths and weaknesses in their
management strategies to determine where they should place their
management priorities to increase profitability.
The program is based on the results of a 2006 study conducted by
Colorado State University professor Tom Field titled "Priorities First:
Identifying Management Priorities In the Commercial Cow-Calf Business."
The online tool helps producers rank the 15 management categories
spelled out in the study, then indicates the five areas of greatest
weakness where the producer should place more emphasis.
Access the document (American Angus Association's Producer Priority
Finder), as well as the 32-page management priorities study report, at
www.angus.org.
-- AAA release
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The national average retail price for regular gasoline rose
3.2¢/gal. to $3.162 for the week ending March 3, 65.7¢ above
a year ago. Meanwhile, the U.S. average retail diesel price advanced
10.6¢ to $3.658/gal., an all-time high in consecutive weeks, and
$1.032 over a year ago.
For gasoline, prices on the East Coast rose 2¢ to $3.168/gal.,
67.7¢ above last year. The Lower Atlantic added 2.4¢, to
$3.177, while the Midwest price was unchanged at $3.08, and the Gulf
Coast increased 3.2¢ to $3.088. The Rocky Mountains added
3.7¢, to $3.088, the same level as in the Gulf Coast. West Coast
prices surged 12.1¢ to a record of $3.386 for the region 0.8¢
above the previous set on May 14, 2007. California regular grade jumped
13.1¢ to $3.459.
Meanwhile, diesel set all-time highs in all regions. The East Coast
added 9.2¢ to $3.70, or $1.096 above last year, while the Midwest
jumped 11.4¢ to $3.639, $1.033 over a year ago. The Gulf Coast
added 9.9¢ to $3.609, $1.022 above the year-ago level, and the
Rocky Mountain region added 10¢ to $3.573, or 91.5¢ above last
year. The West Coast surged 12.7¢ to $3.736, 94.1¢ above a
year ago, while California added 13.1¢ to $3.803.
-- Energy Information Administration
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www.angus.org
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The second edition of the book, "Breeds of Cattle," first released
in 1987, will be available next month. The revised and expanded text
includes 12 additional breeds, bringing the total of cattle breeds
illustrated in the book to 45.
In addition to essays on the origin and history of those 45 breeds, the
book contains 400 photos and illustrations, some dating back to the 19th
century. For more info, visit www.breedsofcattle.net.
-- Burt Rutherford
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The House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations
Subcommittee voted to subpoena Steven Mendell, president of
Hallmark/Westland Meat Company, to testify at a food-safety hearing next
week. Mendell had been invited to testify last week but didn't respond
to the committee request.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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A team of USDA Ag Research Service (ARS) and University of
Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) scientists say switchgrass, when used for
cellulosic ethanol, yielded more than five times more energy than
required to produce the fuel.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
ARS news release
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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told the Senate Banking
Committee that there should be a reduction in the import tariff on
Brazilian ethanol. He said, "As you know, I favor open trade and I think
allowing Brazilian ethanol, for example, would reduce costs in the U.S."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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Retail food prices surged in 2007, according to the Omaha Branch of
the Kansas City Federal Reserve, posting their highest gains in almost
two decades. What's ahead for the rest of 2008?
Jason Henderson, economist and executive of the bank's Omaha branch,
says food-price inflation in 2007 rose twice as fast as overall
inflation, accelerating as the year progressed. In 2008, food price
inflation is expected to ease but remain high by historical standards.
In analyzing the factors driving the surge, Henderson found marketing
costs (the non-farm portion of retail food costs) have risen sharply
over the past 50 years, consuming a greater share of the retail food
dollar. Labor costs have emerged as the biggest component of the retail
food dollar, fueling continued food price increases. Higher energy
prices also are a large component of the retail food dollar, being
quickly passed through to higher retail food prices.
What's more, Henderson found the recent sharp rise in farm commodity
prices may signal a new era of higher food prices. Increased demand for
farm commodities outside retail food production, rising food demand from
global population growth and rising incomes worldwide will further
support higher prices.
To see the complete report, go to www.kansascityfed.org/RegionalAffairs/MainStreet/MSE_0108.pdf.
-- Kansas City Fed release
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 A Piece of the Puzzle is Just a Click Away.
MCC's Annual Bull Sale -- March 12 in Burlington, CO.
Selling 80 SuperMama-Makin Angus Bulls and 25 Stout SimAngus bulls.
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USDA Secretary Ed Schafer named Joe Glauber USDA Chief Economist.
Glauber has served as the deputy chief economist for 15 years. This is
considered a good appointment by the ag community.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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It';s estimated that nearly 8% of U.S. beef herds and 22% of dairy
herds are infected with the bacterium that causes Johne's disease, an
illness whose annual toll is millions of dollars in animal mortality,
lost productivity and treatment.
An international consortium of scientists has come together to explore
control and prevention measures, and they'll share their research
findings with farmers, agribusiness reps and other individuals April 18
during "New Horizons in Johne's Disease Control," a 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
educational program in Michigan State University's (MSU) Henry Center.
The presenters are among the scientists from 21 universities and
governmental agencies who have formed the Johne's Disease Integrated
Program (JDIP) to conduct studies aimed at preventing and controlling
the bacterium that causes Johne's. JDIP participants will discuss
research results and best practices in testing strategies, and assess
recommended management practices, current and future vaccines, and the
status of Johne's funding.
The $10 registration includes lunch and proceedings. To learn more,
visit www.jdip.org, or contact Dan
Grooms at 517-432-1494 or e-mail groomsd@cvm.msu.edu.
-- Michigan State University release
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Hay growers should be aware of possible toxicity issues in legumes
and grasses, reminds Mike Murphy, a University of Minnesota DVM. For
example, yellow or white sweet clover that molds after baling can cause
bleeding in cows and calves, he says.
Mold converts coumerol, a natural component in sweet clover, to
dicumerol, which causes bleeding by reducing clotting factors in the
blood, Murphy says. Cows that consume the moldy clover may bleed at
calving and have weak calves. Horses can also have bleeding problems.
Hay containing sweet clover should be core-sampled to test for
dicumerol. Testing can be done at the North Dakota State University
Plant Diagnostic Lab, Murphy suggests.
Alfalfa and clovers infested with a mold called Cymodothea
trifolii can cause sun sensitivity and liver damage in horses. When
the plants are moldy, an unknown toxin causes the liver damage that
results in swelling and blistering in light-colored horses exposed to
the sun. While black horses may suffer from liver damage, they may not
show the tell-tale blistering and swelling signs, Murphy says.
Animals fed clovers infested with the mold Rhizoctonia
leguminicola can suffer from a condition known as "slobbers," which
causes excessive salivation. The mold is characterized by a black patch
on the plants. It normally occurs when the temperature is above
80o F. and the humidity exceeds 60%. The mold often runs its
course in two to four weeks, depending on the weather, he says.
To learn more, contact the Minnesota Vet Diagnostic Lab at 612-625-8787.
-- eHay Weekly newsletter
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The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and the American
Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently filed a friend-of-the-court brief
in Oklahoma's Federal District Court in a case brought by the Oklahoma
attorney general against Tyson Foods. The case deals with the
environmental implications of spreading poultry waste on ag lands.
In the suit, the Oklahoma attorney general (AG) has asked the courts to
issue an emergency injunction to ban spreading chicken litter under the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The request is part of the AG's
broader strategy to seek damages under Superfund laws for alleged
pollution to a watershed, according to AFBF.
However, the brief said the practice is highly regulated. "The spreading
of manure and chicken letter is already highly regulated under the Clean
Water Act and state laws," said AFBF General Counsel Julie Anna Potts.
"Adding regulations on the use of fertilizer is unnecessary and does not
help the environment."
NCBA and AFBF filed the brief because an adverse ruling could spark
similar attempts in other states, which potentially could prohibit
spreading manure -- an important source of fertilizer.
-- AFBF release
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What tasks need to be done to help assure a successful breeding
season this year? Let's start with the bulls.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by W. Mark Hilton, DVM, Purdue University
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The person who first uttered those famous words, "if a little bit is
good, a lot is better," probably didn't have a pistol-grip syringe in
his hand. But, within reason, applying that thought to your branding and
weaning calf-health program may not be such a bad idea.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Burt Rutherford
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A move by Texas Ag Commissioner Todd Staples to stop certain
Canadian cattle from passing through the state's export facilities into
Mexico received support from the state's major livestock organizations.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), Texas
Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) and Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) this week
said they stand behind the move.
"It is imperative that Mexico accept all U.S. breeding cattle consistent
with OIE standards, including cattle older than 30 months, so that U.S.
beef producers continue to have an equal and open market with Mexico,"
the groups said. "If Mexico can accept breeding cattle from Canada, they
should accept them from the U.S."
The agreement between Canada and Mexico would allow trade in certain
beef and dairy cattle less than 30 months of age, including breeding
stock. "I am deeply disappointed that Canada signed a live cattle
trading protocol with Mexico that is inconsistent with international
standards," Staples said.
Staples closed the export facilities earlier this week, saying that USDA
had not approved the pact. "I have instructed Texas Department of Ag
(TDA) employees overseeing the agency's livestock export facilities
along the Mexican border to not facilitate the trade of any Canadian
cattle that would be inconsistent with the protocol for exporting U.S.
cattle to Mexico," Staples said. Currently, Mexico will only allow the
importation of U.S. diary heifers under 24 months of age, according to
TDA.
-- Burt Rutherford
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The 61st annual meeting of the Western Society of Weed Science
(WSWS) is in Anaheim, CA, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County Hotel,
March 11-14.
The program offers 182 weed science research presentations and posters
as well as discussions on weed issues affecting western crops,
rangelands and forests, wetlands and wild lands, and educational
outreach programs. Following the meeting, a special symposium will be
held on the reed grasses Arundo and Phragmites -- two of the most widely
distributed invasive reeds in coastal riparian and wetland ecosystems in
North America.
Learn more at www.wsweedscience.org, or
contact Phil Banks at 505-527-1888.
-- Western Farm Press
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"Beef Up Your Forage Management" workshops are set for Iowa on March
20 in Delta, at 5:30 p.m. at the Junction Bar and Grill; and March 27 in
Bonaparte, at 10 a.m. at the Opera House. Pre-registration is required
two days prior to the workshop dates.
Byron Leu, Iowa State University Extension beef specialist, says
producer attendees will obtain tools to help optimize forage production,
make adjustments to their operations, and reduce costs. Topics to be
covered include: year-round forage management; ways to increase forage
production; adding inputs that can reduce production costs; and tips on
management throughout the cow's production cycle.
To register for the Delta workshop, call 800-515-2680 or e-mail xkeokuk@iastate.edu. For the
Bonaparte workshop, call 319-293-3039 or e-mail smclain@iastate.edu.
- www.iowabeefcenter.org
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