Ohio Beef Newsletter Available

The August 8, issue # 548, of the Ohio BEEF Cattle letter is now posted to the web at: http://fairfield.osu.edu/ag/beef/beefAgst8.html

With a few showers scattering around Ohio in recent weeks, now’s the time to think about beginning  the forage “stockpiling” process with a timely application of nitrogen. Read more in this week’s letter.

And . . . don’t forget to stop by the OCA Steak Barn outside Voinovich between 10:30 and 3 tomorrow (August 9) . . . under the guidance of one Francis Fluharty, the OSU Beef Team will be at your service!!!!!!!!

Articles include:
* Forage Focus: Stockpiling Fescue
* Harvesting ‘Forage Oats’ . . . When and How?
* Electric Fence Review
* Distillers Grains Fact Sheet Now Posted On-line
* Make Your Reservations for the OCA Roundup Today
* Weekly Roberts Agricultural Commodity Market Report

Stan
———-
Stan Smith
Program Assistant, Agriculture
OSU Extension, Fairfield County
831 College Ave., Suite D
Lancaster, OH 43130

e-mail:  smith.263@osu.edu
voice:   740.653.5419 ext. 24
fax:      740.687.7010
Visit:
Fairfield Co. OSU Extension – http://fairfield.osu.edu
OSU Beef Team – http://beef.osu.edu

Implant Strategies for Grid Marketed Cattle

Implant Strategies for Grid Marketed Cattle

Court Campbell, Ph.D., Fort Dodge Animal Health

INTRODUCTION

With the introduction of grids back a few years ago, the job description of the feed yard manager/owner changed. For sure, the duties and responsibilities didn’t decline. Along with the duties and responsibilities you had back in the 80’s and early 90’s, you were also given the task of maximizing cattle profitability based on what you thought a set of cattle looked like under the hide.

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What is Age and Source Verification?

What is Age and Source Verification?

Scott P. Greiner, John B. Hall, and Laura Marks Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, VA Tech

Age and Source Verification has been a topic of increasing interest in the beef industry, as the Japanese and other foreign markets have reopened to US beef.  Beef export regulations have clearly defined the meaning of Age and Source Verification, as age and source claims must by documented and verified through a recognized USDA program.  These programs include the USDA Process Verified Program (PVP) or a USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA).

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Future of Montana’s cattle industry could depend on negotiation

Future of Montana’s cattle industry could depend on negotiation

High Plains Journal

HELENA, Montana (AP)–The future of Montana’s cattle industry could depend on negotiations between the U.S. government and a ranching couple.

Ranchers and livestock groups from around the United States are anxiously watching talks between Jim and Sandy Morgan and federal officials over the couple’s quarantined cattle herd.

Seven cows from their ranch tested positive for the cattle disease brucellosis in May, and Montana could lose its coveted brucellosis-free status if the herd is not slaughtered within 60 days of that discovery–or by July 17.

Brucellosis, which causes pregnant cows to abort their calves, was widely eradicated from livestock in the last century but has persisted in wildlife such as elk and bison.

FULL STORY

Drought Management Strategies for Beef Cattle

Drought Management Strategies for Beef Cattle

Johnny Rossi and Robert Stewart, Extension Animal Scientists, university of Georgia

Drought conditions are a yearly occurrence in Georgia and every cattleman should have a plan in place to minimize the effects of drought on the farm’s finances. Drought conditions can cause several problems such as reduced pregnancy rates, lower milk production which lowers weaning weights, and loss of body condition of the cow, which leads to a higher supplementation bill in the winter. Animals must be supplemented with purchased feeds if adequate animal performance is going to be achieved. Supplemental feeding will add to the cost of production. Therefore, supplemental feed costs need to be kept as low as possible and feed purchased should be kept to a minimum.

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Prussic Acid Poisoning

Prussic Acid Poisoning

Dr. Charlie Stoltenow, Extension Veterinarian

Dr. Greg Lardy, Extension Beef Specialist

Prussic acid, cyanide, or hydrocyanic acid are all terms relating to the same toxic substance. It is one of the most rapidly acting toxins which affects mammals. Cyanide is a lethal ingredient that has been used in rodent and vermin killers.

Understanding Prussic Acid Poisoning

A number of common plants may accumulate large quantities of prussic acid (cyanogenic compounds). Sorghums and related species readily accumulate these compounds. These cyanogenic compounds are located in epidermal cells (outer tissue) of the plant, while the enzymes which enable prussic acid production are located in the mesophyll cells (leaf tissue).

Any event that causes the plant cell to rupture allowing the cyanogenic compound and the enzyme to combine will produce prussic acid. Plant cells can be ruptured by cutting, wilting, freezing, drought, crushing, trampling, chewing, or chopping. Once plants containing prussic acid have been consumed, the toxin rapidly enters the blood stream and is transported throughout the body of the animal. Prussic acid inhibits oxygen utilization by the cells in the animal’s body. In essence, the animal suffocates. Ruminant animals (cattle and sheep) are more susceptible to prussic acid poisoning than non-ruminant animals because the ruminal microorganisms have enzymes which will release prussic acid in the animal’s digestive tract.

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Issues concerning criminal tax evasion

Issues concerning criminal tax evasion

Western Livestock Journal

For people in the farming and livestock industries, the main worry in an IRS audit is the hobby loss rule and whether certain farm losses will be allowed as tax deductions. For some people, however, in all walks of life, a greater concern exists: the possibility of being indicted for tax evasion. Under Section 7201 of the Internal Revenue Code, it is a federal crime for anyone to willfully attempt to evade or defeat the payment of federal income taxes. By “attempt,” the statute means that the individual knew or should have known that he had taxable income which he was required by law to report during the tax years involved, but failed to report the income.

Many people manage to elude authorities by channeling money into banks located in offshore tax havens such as the Bahamas, where banking privacy laws make it extremely difficult for the IRS to get information.

FULL STORY

Talking and listening on the farm is an essential ingredient to management success.

Talking and listening on the farm is an essential ingredient to management success.

by Kindra Gordon

Hereford World

You’ve likely seen a ranch-related cartoon poking fun at two fenceposts talking to each other — neither of them is saying a word. Ron Hanson, University of Nebraska farm management specialist, has seen that same scenario among many a farm and ranch family — and it’s no laughing matter.

To drive the point home, Hanson, who makes several motivational presentations to ag groups across the country each year, has titled one of them “Fenceposts Talking To Each Other.” In this particular presentation, Hanson emphasizes that most family business disagreements are rooted in poor communication and are often the result of misunderstandings.

FULL STORY PDF

The Right Stuff

The Right Stuff

by Ed Haag

Angus Journal

Experts agree, today’s commercial beef producers want more than bulls from their seedstock suppliers.

Seasoned beef production specialists from North Dakota, Ohio and Oklahoma are listening to what their commercial cow-calf operators say they want from seedstock producers, and what they’re hearing is “service, service and more service.”

The requests might differ by region, but the common denominator is that calf producers have less interest in one-time bull purchases based on visual presentation and more interest in establishing long-term working relationships with seedstock producers who can consistently supply them the information and the animals they need to help their businesses grow and flourish.

FULL STORY PDF

This doc made some moove

This doc made some moove

By Karen Tina Harrison

amNewYork

From patients to pastures

The Big Career Switch: From Brooklyn doctor to upstate beef farmer

Who Pulled It Off: Ken Jaffe, 57

What He Does: Jaffe raises natural, grass-fed beef at Slope Farms in Meredith, NY.

What He Used To Do: Jaffe was a family physician in Park Slope for 25 years.

Why He Switched: “I felt I was working for the HMOs and not for my patients. When the system made it impossible for me to deliver quality medical care, I had to opt out. And I’m still helping people, because grass-fed beef is so much healthier.”

How He Did It: “Like a lot of doctors, I fantasized about being close to nature as a farmer. I already had a house in Meredith and bought more property. I opened Slope Farms with 10 cattle. Now I have 63 and breed my own hardy grass-fed variety.”

FULL STORY

Around the Farm : Reweighing the 900-pound cow

Around the Farm : Reweighing the 900-pound cow

ROBERT L. SEAY

The Benton County Daily Record

A recent article regarding the efficiency of the 900-pound cow served to stir the pot, which was the idea all along. As one fellow noted, “ You didn’t cover all the angles about that cow. ” So let me try to reweigh the issue.

A number of research stations and breed associations have noted some inherent efficiency of lighter-weight cows. However, other facts become obvious to cattlemen, such as the fellow noted above. The first is that for any light-weight cow to develop and then top the chart for weaning weight through at least the two calving schedules mentioned, the producer had to be furnishing some pretty good year-round groceries.

Feed and forage serve to be the largest fixed cost and therefore items which every producer attempts to manipulate in order to reduce annual expenses. However, it is yet to be proven that a profit can be starved out of cattle, so there are limitations to what can be done in this regard.

FULL STORY

BeefTalk: Wrecks Are Not Desirable; Vaccinate Your Calves Now

BeefTalk: Wrecks Are Not Desirable; Vaccinate Your Calves Now

By Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

Check Which Diseases Your Calves are Protected From: Check Which Diseases Your Calves are Protected From:

The bottom line is that the need for preconditioned calves is now the norm, not the exception.

The process of getting calves ready for market is not simple. In days past, calves generally were not handled or worked prior to shipping in the fall. Instead, they were gathered, sorted and hauled directly to the auction barn.

Calves would not be separated from their mothers prior to sale and the bawling of fresh-weaned calves echoed from the local sale barns. These calves did well and many returned to the countryside for a more leisurely feeding period in smaller lots or pastures.

FULL STORY

Nitrates in Oklahoma Sorghum Forage Hays

Nitrates in Oklahoma Sorghum Forage Hays

G. E. Selk, G. L. Strickland, and D. G. Wagner

Story in Brief

Samples (n=1918) of sorghum forage hays were collected from three Agronomy Research Stations in two years. Forty varieties in 1990 and 34 varieties in 1991 were being evaluated for yield potential and nitrate accumulation. Forage types included in the data were: 1) Sorghum x Sudan; 2) Sorgo x Sudan; 3) Sudan x Sudan; and 4) Pearl Millet. Field locations were Eastern Oklahoma Station, South-Central Oklahoma Station, and the Southwestern Oklahoma Station. Nitrogen was applied as split applications of 50 lb of actual nitrogen per acre at planting and after each harvest. Planting occurred in late May and harvesting was done as plants reached pre-boot to boot stage of seed head development. Plants were harvested by hand at approximately 4 inches above the ground. Two or three cuttings were made at each location each year. Sun-cured samples (approximately 1 lb) consisting of leaves and stems were obtained from each plot. Nitrate content was determined and adjusted to 100% dry matter forage. Varieties within forage type were not different from each other. Significant location x type interaction existed. Pearl Millets had greater concentrations of nitrate at all locations. The magnitude of the difference was greater when all plants were stressed resulting in large amounts of nitrate in all forage types. The relationship between forage yield and nitrate content was positive, but very small. A much greater proportion of the Pearl Millet samples had greater than 10000 ppm nitrate and would be considered toxic to ruminants. 

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Nevil Speer, MMP: There’s More Than One Kind Of “Producer”

Nevil Speer, MMP: There’s More Than One Kind Of “Producer”

Cattlenetwork.com

June’s summer lows proved to be nothing more than a speed bump.  July opened sharply higher and sustained $89-90 trade through most of the month.   And the month ended even better by tacking on an additional $1-2 allowing feeders to garner $90-91.  August took another step forward as negotiations settled mostly $92-92.50.   Packers did manage to win back some ground during the second week of August with trade slipping to the $90-91 mark. 

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National ID Is The Tale Of A Two-Tiered Market

National ID Is The Tale Of A Two-Tiered Market

Beef Magazine

Troy Marshall

It struck me this week just how much dichotomy we’re seeing in the beef industry over the whole question of national livestock ID. This week, the American Angus Association announced its partnership with Tyson for AngusSource®-tagged cattle and also its partnership with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to help promote premise registration. (See “Angus Makes News With USDA, Tyson & Pfizer” elsewhere in this issue.”) This is just one example of how those involved in the value-added, consumer-oriented side of the market are embracing age, source and process verification, along with product traceback and accountability.

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Cattle sale bum steer for state

Cattle sale bum steer for state

Montgomery Advertiser

It was with extreme disappointment that I learned that Bert Ousley, agricultural program director with the Alabama Correctional Industries, has decided to sell the Fountain Correctional Facility cattle at an out-of-state livestock market. The apparent reason is that the sales commission at Lucedale, Miss., is $3.39 less per head than the Farmers Coop Market in Frisco City, Ala.

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Steak lovers have beef with Prime prices

Steak lovers have beef with Prime prices

High price of corn creates sticker shock at local restaurants

By JOHN KESSLER

The Wagyu strip steak at Chops restaurant is a thing of beauty — marbled, juicy, long on flavor. Everything a steak lover could desire. It’s also $85. You want potatoes with that? Yep, $8 extra.

The going price for steaks around Atlanta have climbed to an all-time high — to numbers that would signal a joke were they not in plain print on menus. Joël offered a $58 filet mignon before closing for renovations last week. The dry-aged porterhouse at the new Kevin Rathbun Steak goes for $64, and while it should feed two, more than a few diners go solo. The porterhouse for two at chain steakhouse Ruth’s Chris tops out at $79.

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Yattle What?

Yattle What?

Two Farmers Raising Cow-Yak Hybrids Are Curious to See Who’ll Bite

By Jonathan Mummolo

Washington Post

Spying three intruders inside their grassy sanctuary, a herd of horned bovines immediately went on the defensive. They grouped together and charged full speed across the field to within 10 feet, dropped their front shoulders and dared anyone to take another step.

“That’s the yak in them,” farmer Pete Mentzer explained.

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Gelbvieh Fits Varied Management Strategies

Gelbvieh Fits Varied Management Strategies

By Lori Maude

Gelbvieh World

In the southeastern United States you will find fall calving herds, spring calving herds, or herds with both calving seasons. Some producers wean off the cow and sell at market; other producers will private treaty sell weaned calves. Regardless of the management system, Gelbvieh sired calves are working for the bottom line of these three producers in western South Carolina and northeastern Georgia.

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