Tennessee Animal Science Update Available

MAY UPDATE- ANIMAL SCIENCE

UT Extension
University of Tennessee
May 2006
This Animal Science Update contains timely information on beef cattle, horses, sheep
and related 4-H programs. Use this material as you determine it would compliment your
Extension educational program. This material could be used for local news articles, radio
programs, newsletters and formulating recommendations. Be sure and circulate a copy to
appropriate members of the county Extension staff.

Adobe PDF File Click HERE to View

US Retail Meat: Costs, Traditions Mean Retailer Choices

US Retail Meat: Costs, Traditions Mean Retailer Choices

Cattlenetwork.com

KANSAS CITY (Dow Jones)–The interplay between wholesale costs for beef, pork and chicken and seasonal consumer demands mean retail grocers are forced to make some decisions about what to feature in the weeks through the Independence Day holiday, market analysts said.

Prices for most of the advertised items will be dictated by a number of factors including purchase cost and knowledge of what the market will bear and generally will fall into a narrow range for decision-makers. And since the price is a little less flexible, the decision comes down to what will be featured, not at what price it will be featured.

FULL STORY

Live Hereford 101 Webinar May 18 – 7 p.m. CDT Watch in the comfort of your home

Live Hereford 101 Webinar May 18 – 7 p.m. CDT Watch in the comfort of your home

The American Hereford Association (AHA) is webcasting Hereford 101 using the LiveAuctions.tv Web site on May 18, 7 p.m. CDT. Jack Ward, AHA chief operating officer/director of breed improvement and Dr. Dan Moser, Kansas State University, will cover the changes being implemented in the next genetic analysis and their impact on resulting EPDs. These changes will reflect updates of age of dam/calf adjustments of measurements, trait heritabilities and correlations.

In order to view the video, your computer needs to have a broadband connection to the Internet. Dial up Internet will allow you to participate, but will only facilitate the audio portion of the Webinar.

If you go to LiveAuctions.tv, you will see an item in the calendar (list of sales) for Hereford 101. Click on it and you will be prompted to enter a user name and password. If you haven’t previously set up an account you can do so via the Web site. It only takes a minute or two; just click on the appropriate link. It is strongly suggested that you set up an account before the night of the Webinar as many participants are expected.

Is It Time to Rethink Heifer Development?

Is It Time to Rethink Heifer Development?

By Kindra Gordon
Angus Journal

Traditionally, the golden rule in heifer development has been to develop heifers to 60%-65% of their mature weight by the start of the breeding season. But, new research suggests producers should reconsider that recommendation.

FULL STORY

Simple Goals, Complex Route

Simple Goals, Complex Route

Story & photos by Becky Mills
Angus Beef Bulletin

There’s nothing terribly complicated about Charles Conklin’s goals for his cattle operation. “We want to take care of the earth, and we want to use our genetics to produce a superior product,” says the Thomasville, Ga., producer. Actually, there is one more pesky detail — he has to make a living off that same operation.

FULL STORY

Management of First-Calf Females

Management of First-Calf Females

by Rick Rasby, Beef Specialist, University of Nebraska
American Chianina Journal

Some feel first-calf heifers should be restricted in feed prior to calving to decrease the size of the newborn calf. Even though feeding heifers to achieve good body condition (condition score 5.5) by calving may increase calf size slightly, research consistently shows that calving difficulty or dystocia is not increased. What is often encountered in this feeding management practice is a weak heifer at calving trying to give birth to a slightly smaller calf. Instead of starving calving difficulty out of the 1st-calf-cow, her ability to become pregnant with her second calf is greatly compromised. As suggested in the research, 89% of the 1st-calf- cows became pregnant with their second calf when fed to achieve a BCS of 6 at her first calving as compared to 78% and 65% for those heifers fed to achieve a BCS of 5 or 4, respectively, at their first calving.

FULL STORY

Western Grassland introduces new brand names

Western Grassland introduces new brand names

(MEATPOULTRY.com, May 4, 2006)
by Keith Nunes

VINA, CALIF. — Western Grasslands, Inc. has launched two brand names, Panorama Natural Grass-Fed Beef and Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Beef, for its lines of natural and organic fresh beef. The products were formerly marketed under the Western Grassfed Beef name.

FULL STORY

Research Roundup at Montana State University (#259)

Research Roundup at Montana State University (#259)

May 04, 2006 — From MSU News Service

Trouble in Paradise?

Cattle ranchers in the Paradise Valley say shipping weights have declined since wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995. They say their cattle stay close to gates instead of grazing entire pastures. Wary animals tend to eat less than relaxed animals.

FULL STORY

Animals beware: Toxic plants loom out there

Animals beware: Toxic plants loom out there

By MINDY POEHL
Central Texas Edition, countryworldnews.com

Farmers and ranchers are busy identifying toxic plants that are specific to Central Texas, at a Toxic Plant Management Workshop held in Stephenville. The farmers and ranchers learned about the damage that toxic plants can cause to livestock.
— Photo by Robert Scott, Erath County Extension agent

May 4, 2006 – Many acres of Texas’ rangeland contain plants that contain compounds that are toxic to livestock. When the toxic plants are eaten, they can cause lower reproduction rates, increased supplemental feeding or even death for grazing animals, which result in economic losses for ranchers.

FULL STORY

S. Korean experts to inspect U.S. meat processing facilities

S. Korean experts to inspect U.S. meat processing facilities

Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) — South Korean inspectors plan to look at 37 U.S. meat processing facilities that want to export beef to South Korea, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said Thursday.

FULL STORY