Ethanol and beef production

Ethanol and beef production

Droversjournal.com

With rapid growth in the use of corn for ethanol production, beef producers in some areas will rely more on ethanol co-products such as distillers’ grains as feed ingredients. Iowa State University’s Value-Added Agriculture Program and the Iowa Beef Center have organized a conference to address this trend and explore opportunities for beef producers. The conference will take place June 5 in Des Moines. For a program and registration information, follow this link.

Stocker cattle performance on novel endophyte fescues

Stocker cattle performance on novel endophyte fescues

May 17, 2006 9:35 AM

By David Bennett Delta Farm Press Editorial Staff

As Paul Beck speaks at numerous cattlemen meetings, the topics covered make it clear that Arkansas is a cow/calf state. As such, “we have to plan research that’s applicable to most cattlemen,” said Beck, a University of Arkansas Extension animal scientist. “A lot of people hear what I have to say about stocker cattle operations and (how they can) apply to the cow/calf producer as well.

FULL STORY

Stop leafy spurge now before it spreads

Stop leafy spurge now before it spreads

May 18, 2006
Gothenburgtimes.com

Leafy spurge is an aggressive weed that continues to spread in Nebraska, greatly reducing the carrying capacity of grazing land.

The weed is more common across northern Nebraska, but can be found elsewhere says Troy M. Walz, UNL Extension educator.

Leafy spurge is a perennial and reproduces from seed as well as from buds on its deep, extensive root system. It reduces forage production and cattle avoid grazing infested areas.

FULL STORY

Organic sales continue to grow at a steady pace

Organic sales continue to grow at a steady pace

Meat at 55.4%

Organic Trade Association

CHICAGO, Illinois (May 7, 2006)—Preliminary findings from the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2006 Manufacturer Survey released today at OTA’s All Things Organic(TM) Conference and Trade Show at McCormick Place show U.S. organic food sales totaled nearly $14 billion in 2005, representing 2.5 percent of all retail sales of food.

FULL STORY

Cattle Alert: ORIgen & Bovigen Reach Marketing Agreement

Cattle Alert: ORIgen & Bovigen Reach Marketing Agreement

Cattlenetwork.com

Huntley, MT; April 17, 2006 – As part of ORIgen’s continuing efforts to provide the latest tools to its members, partners and customers, it has reached an agreement with Bovigen to market the industry leading GeneSTAR® and SireTRACE® DNA products. The GeneSTAR products were recently selected by BEEF MAGAZINE for its 2006 Most Promising New Products list. ORIgen is committed to creating and capturing greater genetic value and to doing so in a way that benefits the industry and the “Original” genetic producer. “What better way to do that, than by providing tools to more fully evaluate each animal’s genetic potential at the DNA level.” commented ORIgen General Manager, Bobby Fair.

FULL STORY

Now fresh from the farm: Meat

Now fresh from the farm: Meat

Local farms cash in on the growing organic trend by offering ‘ethical’ meat

By ERNESTINE BOUSQUET
for The Associated Press / Bend Mail-Tribune

BEND — For 10 years, Janelle Livingston gave up red meat, until pregnancy cravings kicked in two years ago.

Since then, the 35-year-old mother and her family regularly chow down on steaks, hamburgers, bacon, ham and sausage at their Bend home, eating meat at least once a day.

“I had not eaten meat in so long,” she said. “The sausage is fabulous.”

But Livingston wouldn’t be eating beef and pork with such gusto, or frequency, if she and her husband John, 32, weren’t able to buy hormone-free, grass-fed meat straight off a farm in the nearby community of Alfalfa.

FULL STORY

Nebraska meatpacking plants approved to supply Japan; talks proceed

Nebraska meatpacking plants approved to supply Japan; talks proceed

Lincoln, NE Journal-Star
By The Associated Press

Eight Nebraska meatpacking plants have been audited and approved to supply Japan as soon as Japan reopens its doors to U.S. beef.

Two of them are closed.

More than three dozen plants nationwide have been checked for their ability to meet Japanese standards for protection from mad cow disease.

FULL STORY

Johanns Releases Risk Management Paper; First of 2007 Farm Bill Theme Papers

Johanns Releases Risk Management Paper; First of 2007 Farm Bill Theme Papers

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns released a risk management analysis paper, the first in a series of papers intended to provide factual information and continue the national discussion about best policy approaches in preparation for the 2007 Farm Bill.

“Our purpose with these analysis papers is not to suggest policy but to inform and educate the public. Creating the next farm bill should be a transparent process and I encourage everyone affected by farm policy to be actively engaged and to work with Congress on the next farm bill,” said Johanns. “The first step is to ensure that we have all the facts on the table and that is the goal of this paper. My hope is that this analysis will help to focus our national conversation as we work with Congress to develop future farm policy.”

The risk management paper is available on the USDA Web site. Transcripts of the Farm Bill Forums and the 41 Farm Bill comment summary papers are also posted there. Go to the USDA Web site to read the full release.

Belted Galloways are a special breed

Belted Galloways are a special breed

Tuesday, May 16, 2006
By Stephanie Corbin
Agri News staff writer

PLAINVIEW, Minn. — Randy and Pam Speltz solved their problem of having too much grass to mow by getting beef cattle.

About 11 years ago, the couple bought Alice, who was a yearling Belted Galloway heifer, at an auction sale in Beloit, Wis.

“We both grew up on dairy farms,” Pam said. “We thought we could handle beef cattle.”

The farmer was dispersing his Belted Galloway herd. Randy said they knew another man at the sale, and he offered to transport Alice to their home in rural Plainview.

FULL STORY

Illinois beef farm wins national honor

Illinois beef farm wins national honor

Farmweek
Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Ken Nimrick, Western Illinois University (WIU) assistant agriculture professor, and his wife, Sara, recently were named the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) commercial producers of 2006 at the BIF Research Symposium and annual meeting in Mississippi.

It was the first time in 35 years an Illinois commercial cow-calf farm has won the award presented to top seedstock and commercial beef cattle herds in the United States and Canada.

FULL STORY