U of I Extension Plans Eight Seminars Focusing on Ethanol By-Products

U of I Extension Plans Eight Seminars Focusing on Ethanol By-Products

Grainnet.com

Urbana, IL — Eight seminars have been set this winter to help cow-calf producers utilize by-products from ethanol production, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

“With the expansion of ethanol plants in Illinois and the Midwest, the production and availability of corn co-products, mainly corn gluten feed (CGF) and distillers dry grain solubles (DDGS), will play a major part in reducing the cost of beef cattle diets,” said Dave Seibert, U of I Extension animal systems educator based in East Peoria, IL.

“However, it is important for producers to have a good understanding of these and other by-products, transportation costs, and feeding guidelines.”

Currently, six ethanol plants are located throughout central and northern Illinois.

Two plants are under construction and two more are being expanded. There are also two corn processing plants that do not produce ethanol but periodically have co-products available.

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Workshop set to focus on pest management

Workshop set to focus on pest management

Delta Farm Press

Soybean rust, crow control in commercial pecan orchards, and termites are among the topics that will be discussed in the upcoming Integrated Pest Management workshop in Raymond, Miss., on Jan. 24.

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Mississippi State University’s Extension Service is sponsoring the General Pest Management Workshop at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center. Registration is $10 and begins at 8 a.m. for the full-day event that will be held in the auditorium.

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USDA’s farm animal ID program gets mixed reception

USDA’s farm animal ID program gets mixed reception

eastbayRI.com (RI)

Is it just more government intrusion or common sense? That’s the argument shaping up over a new U.S. Department of Agriculture farm animal identification program. The program, which is so far voluntary, would make it possible for the government to trace an animal’s origins.

If there is an outbreak of bird flu or mad cow disease, knowing where an animal came from makes it easier for the government to trace the source and stop a disease from spreading.

Local farmers gathered at the Dartmouth Grange on Dec. 11 to find out more about the program and get answers to their questions.

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Vet’s Corner: With a united effort BVD can be eradicated in the near future

Vet’s Corner: With a united effort BVD can be eradicated in the near future

By David Barz, D.V.M., Northwest Vet Supply

Tri State Neighbor

Every day of warm weather this winter is one day less of cold for producers and their cows.

Most cows in this area are still in winter grazing and lots of stored feed has been saved for later feeding. Calving season is beginning for some and soon it will be here for everyone.

Yearly, researchers unravel more of the complexity of the Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) infections in cattle. Our herds are relatively isolated here in South Dakota and we tend to believe our vaccination programs will handle any challenge facing our herds. We are realizing that we need more than good vaccination to control this common problem.

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US Meat Group Downplays S. Korean Dioxin Find

US Meat Group Downplays S. Korean Dioxin Find

Cattlenetwork.com

KANSAS CITY (Dow Jones)–The American Meat Institute on Thursday downplayed the importance of South Korean scientists finding trace amounts of dioxin in a shipment of U.S. beef.

“Dioxin is ubiquitous in the environment,“ the AMI said in a release attributed to president J. Patrick Boyle. “In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the leading source of dioxin today is backyard refuse burning.

“Dioxin can be found in many food products at de minimis levels that are far below any cause for public health concern,“ Boyle said. “Unfortunately, the Korean government is demonstrating that they have no real desire to resume full and fair trade with the U.S., as the product they tested for dioxin had already been rejected for other reasons.“

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Do distillers grains affect beef quality?

Do distillers grains affect beef quality?

Successful Farming

Recently, Certified Angus Beef commissioned a white paper to evaluate factors affecting beef quality. This study was conducted to review factors that may be involved in a recent decline nationally in beef quality grades.

A number of factors were identified including cattle health, feedlot size, steam flaking of corn and implant programs.

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Survey to examine use of ethanol co-products

Survey to examine use of ethanol co-products

by Peter Shinn

Last week, the Nebraska Corn Board announced it had gotten $135,000 in funding from USDA to conduct a survey of 9,500 livestock producers in 12 states about how, or if, they use ethanol co-products like dry distillers’ grains (DDGs). Kelly Brunkhorst, ag promotions coordinator for the Nebraska Corn Board, told Brownfield the survey has a single focus.

“Their usage of the co-product that’s coming out of the ethanol industry,” Brunkhorst said. “If they are not using it, what are some of those barriers to their usage, so we get a great foundation of information that we can move forward with.”

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the survey. And Joe Prusacki, Director of the Iowa NASS Field Office, told Brownfield there’s no question the survey is significant.

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Maryland Farmer May Sell Cloned Cows Before FDA Gives OK

Maryland Farmer May Sell Cloned Cows Before FDA Gives OK

Cattlenetwork.com

WILLIAMSPORT, Md. (AP)–A Maryland dairy farmer strapped for cash said he may have no choice other than to sell his two cloned cows for use as food.

Food and Drug Administration officials say food from cloned animals appears to be safe, and the FDA is close to making a formal pronouncement. But big food companies worry that consumers’ concerns about animal cloning will prompt them to reject meat and milk.

Greg Wiles is facing eviction from his Williamsport, Maryland, farm in a family business dispute and needs the money. For nearly four years, Wiles has complied with a voluntary ban on food from cloned livestock.

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IBCA names Marketing and Consumer Education Director

IBCA names Marketing and Consumer Education Director

by Dave Russell

Brownfield Network

The Indiana Beef Cattle Association (IBCA) has named Joe Moore, Marketing and Consumer Education Director. “I am really excited to have Joe on staff,” said Julia Wickard, Executive V.P. of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association.

In his new role, Moore will coordinate beef and veal promotion programs in the areas of retail, foodservice and advertising. “Joe will take the beef message into classrooms across the state, into different workshops, whether its teacher workshops or professional development workshops and he will work with our friends in the dietary industry,” said Wickard.

Before joining IBCA, Moore worked for over 25 years for Marsh/O’Malia’s Supermarkets.

Cattle Update: Beef 706 Course to be Held in February

Cattle Update: Beef 706 Course to be Held in February

Cattlenetwork.com

Kearney, NE (December 21, 2006) – In a collaborative effort between Nebraska Beef Council, Nebraska Cattlemen and the University of Nebraska, a Beef 706 course will be held February 13-15, 2007 at the University’s Animal Science Complex in Lincoln.

The three-day hands-on workshop will involve approximately 35 participants representing all segments of the beef business and allied industries. Participants evaluate live animals, and then follow the same animals through the fabrication process to thoroughly evaluate the carcasses.

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Intermountain Cow Symposium Slated for January 3-4 in Twin Falls

Intermountain Cow Symposium Slated for January 3-4 in Twin Falls

Cattle Today

Twin Falls, Idaho — Western cattle producers will learn about topics that are crucial to today’s successful operations when the University of Idaho’s 2007 Intermountain Cow Symposium convenes Jan. 3-4 in Twin Falls.

Conducted by the UI College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Idaho Cattle Association and Idaho Beef Council, the symposium will convene from 9:30 a.m. Jan. 3 through noon Jan. 4 at the College of Southern Idaho. Participants will hear the cattle industry outlook and learn about the 2005 National Beef Quality Audit and opportunities for export growth. They’ll find out how to speak up for beef in a changing consumer marketplace and how to apply bovine virus diarrhea control strategies in beef herds.

Speakers will suggest management programs for grazing crested wheatgrass and practical and profitable reproductive strategies to improve cow herd performance. They’ll discuss new approaches to supplementation in nutrition programs and describe the opportunities and benefits of age and source verification in beef herds. They’ll present the lessons learned through A to Z Retained Ownership, Inc., and update participants on Idaho beef industry rules and regulations.

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Schiefelbein Farms works because all work together

Schiefelbein Farms works because all work together

By ANDREA JOHNSON

Minnesota Farm Guide

KIMBALL, Minn. – If you’ve attended college to study agriculture, you’ve probably heard of the Schiefelbein brothers.

Colorado State University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, North Dakota State College of Science, Texas A&M University, and the University of Minnesota – these are the colleges attended by the sons of Frank II and Frosty Schiefelbein.

With family values, education, a strong work ethic, and the desire to farm together, the Schiefelbeins have developed a major seed stock and cattle feeding operation in the Upper Midwest.

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Iowa Coalition helps 220 livestock farmers in 2006

Iowa Coalition helps 220 livestock farmers in 2006

Brownfield Network

by Jerry Passer

More than 200 Iowa farm families received help growing their livestock farms responsibly and successfully from the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) in 2006, bringing the total number of farmers served by the organization to more than 570 since its launch in 2004.

Those receiving assistance included families involved in all methods of livestock farming – from the use of open lots and pasture to indoor, climate controlled hog, cattle, turkey and poultry barns. The Coalition’s efforts focused on helping farmers exceed regulations, identify the best locations for new farms and enhance relations with neighbors and friends.

“Farm families who raise livestock generate economic activity on main streets, create employment for thousands of Iowans and spur development of Iowa’s renewable energy industry, said CSIF Executive Director Aaron Putze. “Vibrant livestock farms are also proven to benefit communities by boosting K-12 school enrollment and keeping young people closer to home. Helping livestock farmers grow responsibly is good for Iowa and CSIF is pleased to be a part of this effort.”

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2006 was a year of challenges and rewards

2006 was a year of challenges and rewards

Minnesota Farm Guide

Our Views

There are many factors that make production agriculture different from other industries. Perhaps the biggest difference is that production agriculture is so diversified compared to other industries that are more single-minded in scope.

For example, the oil industry rises and falls largely on how many barrels a day are produced, and then consumed. The same can be said for other industries, like coal and diamond mining, for example. But it’s different for agriculture.

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Voluntary with a capital ‘V’: USDA changes course

Voluntary with a capital ‘V’: USDA changes course

By Anne Keller

The Prairie Star

After a recent announcement by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, participation in an animal identification system is a choice entirely up to individual livestock producers in all but a handful of states. That’s a significant departure from previous USDA statements on this initiative, which is aimed at identifying and tracking livestock to help contain any animal health challenges.

Secretary Johanns said recently that USDA is altering its initial goal of establishing a mandatory national animal identification system and instead supporting a voluntary system. That is a significant shift in thinking that comes on the heels of a vocal minority of individuals voicing opposition to any system.

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New farm legislation will focus on renewable energy

New farm legislation will focus on renewable energy

By DALE HILDEBRANT

Farm & Ranch Guide

Plans to have new farm legislation signed by President Bush before the current bill expires on Sept. 30, 2007, were outlined by newly elected chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Collin Peterson, during a telephone news conference on Dec. 8.

Peterson, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District, said there has been some preliminary work already done on a bi-partisan basis, and he expects that cooperation between the aisles to continue as details of the 2007 Farm Bill are hammered out. However, he pointed out budget issues need to be addressed first.

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