BeefTalk: The Willow Stick and Water – Can’t Live Without It

BeefTalk: The Willow Stick and Water – Can’t Live Without It

Seasonal Distribution of Annual Precipitation Seasonal Distribution of Annual Precipitation

Water was and still is the major source of life.

By Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

Most of us know of the water witch. The water witch was someone who cut a suitable willow (or some other tree) branch into the shape of a Y and went looking for water.

The water witch would hold one hand on each segment of the Y and begin walking with the longer tail of the Y in front. Once water was found, the tail of the willow stick would point down and a well was dug.

For early settlers, the water witch was important. Without water, there was no reason to set up camp and plan a home. Water was and still is the major source of life.

Throughout history, water has been a gathering point. Perhaps the most poignant scene in older movies is a caravan of people struggling through the heat of a desert and coming upon an oasis.

The discovery of an oasis is a life-sparing event and is followed by overwhelming joy. The oasis is capable of growing plants in a desert.

Water is near or at the surface, allowing plants, animals and humans to replenish their need for water. Many old Western movies had plots built around water rights. Even today, water is in the news on a regular basis.

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Yield Grade and Dressing Percent

Yield Grade and Dressing Percent

Angus Journal

by Paul Dykstra

Quality grade is the big driver in marketing cattle on a grid. We all know that the consumer will pay more for well-marbled beef. That’s why there’s often a wide price spread between cattle that grade USDA Choice vs. those that grade Select, the fi rst step in creating premiums at most packing plants. Upper Choice, Prime and certain branded beef labels command further premiums, but there’s more to grid marketing than marbling.

Let’s take a closer look at a couple of other factors that play key roles in grid formulas.

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Grazing is part of the solution

Grazing is part of the solution

Western Livestock Journal

Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) is a member organization dedicated to the preservation of ranches and rangelands in Nevada. The association supports and represents ecological and environmentally sustainable ranchers that operate on both private and public lands. As an association, we seek to create a stable business climate for our members in which they can run these viable operations.

Over the past several years, fire has played a large role in Nevada, largely in the Great Basin ecosystem. The state of Nevada can be a harsh environment for those who work the land. Cattlemen are susceptible to wildfire on public and private grazing lands. When fire moves through rangelands across the west, vegetation communities change from shrub-dominated to annual cheatgrass-dominated landscapes. Not only do the vegetation communities change, but the fire cycle increases, habitat for wildlife is decreased, and forage for both domestic livestock and wildlife is greatly reduced throughout the year.

Reducing fuels before the fire season using prescriptive grazing, brush thinning, green strips, and spring grazing on already cheatgrass-dominated areas will help reduce the catastrophic fires that have moved through Nevada over the past few summers.

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USDA Gives $22.7 Million in Value-Added Grants

USDA Gives $22.7 Million in Value-Added Grants         

Missouri Ruralist

USDA has awarded 162 grants through the Value-Added Producer Grant program totaling $22.7 million. The grants will go to individuals and organizations in 40 states and Puerto Rico.

“These grants support farm families in rural America by helping them market their commodities and increase their financial returns,” Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns says. “I’m also pleased that some of these funds will help develop alternative fuels from renewable energy sources as part of President Bush’s comprehensive national energy policy.”

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Weaning – Cows

Weaning – Cows

Ropin’ the Web

Management objective: Evaluate production and shape herd for future management and marketing decisions

Points to Remember

    * Performance records in commercial herds allow for improved productivity of the herd as a whole. Records can be as simple as a count of the number of calves born each 21 day interval during the calving season to give an indication of the reproductive performance of the herd.

    * Those wishing more detail may tag the cows and new born calves and take weaned weights and possibly birth weights to allow for culling and selection for growth potential. The records pinpoint areas of opportunity to change the management strategy to improve growth and fertility and thereby increase profit.

    * Pregnancy testing as a routine practice is an important tool in the efficient operation of a beef cow herd.

    * the cost of carrying open cows for a full year without any return should be carefully considered compared to the loss in depreciation of that cow now that she is open.

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Elanco Names Mies Global Feedlot Consultant

Elanco Names Mies Global Feedlot Consultant

Cattlenetwork.com

GREENFIELD, Ind., Sept. 20 2007 – Elanco Animal Health has announced the hiring of Dr. Bill Mies as a beef feedlot consultant – global beef group. In this role he will work with Elanco’s marketing-and-sales teams, providing technical support to feedlots in North America and other locations throughout the world. Mies will work from his home office in College Station, Texas.

Most recently, Mies worked in integrated beef production and animal-data management after having taught livestock marketing and feedyard management at Texas A&M University in College Station. Before that, he gained experience managing a beef-production company, a commercial feedyard and an experiment station, as well as working in the research and development of new animal drugs. Mies earned a doctorate in animal science from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.; a master’s degree from Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont.; and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill.

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Beefed Up Tax Credit

Beefed Up Tax Credit   

Missouri Ruralist

Missouri beef producers will get a real boost from the “Qualified Beef Tax Credit Act,” signed into law by Missouri Governor Matt Blunt in early August.

The Qualified Beef Tax Credit Act, which was part of the Economic Development bill sponsored by Representative Ron Richard, passed during a special legislative session. Representative Charlie Schlottach sponsored the beef tax credit portion of the bill. Representative Brian Munzlinger and Senator John Griesheimer also championed the bill

“We are very grateful to our legislators for passing the Qualified Beef Tax Credit Act,” says Merrel Breyer, president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. “The tax credits will keep cattle in the state longer, which will boost Missouri’s cattle industry and our state’s economy.”

The legislation adds value to Missouri feeder cattle, reports Jeff Windett, MCA executive vice president. “Every year, between 1.5-1.7 million calves leave the state to be finished in feedlots. By adding more weight to the calves, Missouri producers will capture more value before the calves leave the state. Missouri already produces some of the best genetics in the world, now producers can capitalize on their investment,” he notes.

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Does Temperament Effect Carcass Quality?

Does Temperament Effect Carcass Quality?

by: Heather Smith Thomas

Cattle Today

Many cattlemen have suspected that disposition — the mental and emotional attitude of cattle — has an effect on how well they do in the feedlot, having an impact on gain. The nervous, flighty animal doesn’t spend as much time at the feed bunk. This suspicion has been confirmed, thanks to several studies focusing on the effects of disposition on cattle performance. Results of these studies have also shown a very measurable effect on carcass quality.

Dr. Rhonda Vann, animal scientist at Mississippi State University, has been studying cattle behavior for three years, in collaboration with Texas A&M University. Her research has shown that temperament has a direct effect on weight gain or loss and that wild cattle have very little chance to acheive top carcass quality. For instance, docile calves go through weaning with very little setback, compared to nervous individuals that are more stressed. Flighty calves don’t eat as well, losing weight for a longer period instead of gaining, and are also more susceptible to illness since stress hinders the immune system.

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ND Angus Carcass Challenge

ND Angus Carcass Challenge

KFYR-TV

Twenty-two commercial and registered producers entered a total of 110 Angus sired cattle into the second annual North Dakota Angus Carcass Challenge.

First time participant Larry Scanson of Grace City, North Dakota, and his pen of Angus steers won the contest.

Cattle from Gene Harris of Killdeer won second place, Derrick Dukart of Manning took third and Reed Kramer of Towner won fourth place in this year`s contest.

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NCF: Beef Industry Scholarship Application Deadline Approaching

NCF: Beef Industry Scholarship Application Deadline Approaching

Cattlenetwork.com

Oct. 5 Postmark Deadline for Applications and Essays

DENVER (Sept. 20, 2007) -  Applications are still being accepted for the 2008 Beef Industry Scholarship Program, sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and the CME Group. But all entries must be postmarked by October 5, 2007.

Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to young people pursuing careers in the beef industry. The program encourages talented and thoughtful students who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in the beef industry, either through classes, internships or life experience. Graduating high school seniors or full-time undergraduate students enrolled at a two-year or four-year college for the 2008-2009 academic year are encouraged to apply.

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Chuck Conner Named Acting Secretary Of Agriculture

Chuck Conner Named Acting Secretary Of Agriculture

Cattlenetwork.com

Charles F. Conner was sworn in as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture on May 2, 2005, by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.

Mr. Conner’s love for agriculture goes back to his childhood, growing up on his family’s farm in Benton County, Indiana. There, he worked with his father and brother raising corn, soybeans, and cattle. Mr. Conner’s brother, Mike, still operates the family farm.

Since coming to the Department, Mr. Conner has worked tirelessly to develop and promote the Administration’s farm policy. Along with former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, Mr. Conner led farm bill listening sessions around the country, hearing first-hand from farmers and other stakeholders about their likes and dislikes with the current farm bill. He also led the Department’s review of over 4000 comments which were used to develop a sound policy direction for the future of American agriculture. Mr. Conner continues to lead the Administration’s efforts for farm policy reform.

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Johanns resigns as US agriculture secretary

Johanns resigns as US agriculture secretary

By Charles Abbott

Reuters

WASHINGTON, Sept 20 (Reuters) – Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns resigned after nearly three years in office on Thursday, clearing the way to run for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska, where he was a popular two-term governor.

President George W. Bush announced the decision by Johanns, the latest in a series of senior officials to depart the administration including Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Bush’s longtime political advisor Karl Rove.

Johanns was expected to announce his candidacy as early as Monday for the seat being vacated by fellow Republican Chuck Hagel after two terms. Analysts say Johanns would be the front-runner of four men seeking the party nomination in the Republican-leaning state.

“If it’s Mike’s decision and Nebraska’s choice, he would make an outstanding member of the United States Senate,” said Bush.

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Clovers Can Make Big Contribution to Forage Program

Clovers Can Make Big Contribution to Forage Program

Cattle Today

Clovers are wonderful plants that can contribute greatly to forage/livestock programs, to soil stabilization, and to other situations in which plant vegetation is desired. Benefits clovers can provide include improved forage quality, increased forage yield, biological nitrogen fixation, extension of the growing season, soil improvement, and land beautification. However, the characteristics of clover species differ. Some are more tolerant of certain climatic conditions, soil conditions, and/or management regimes than others. Furthermore, clovers may also differ with regard to the particular benefits they provide (for example, if forage growth is desired at a specific time, one clover may be a much better choice than another).

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Make bull choice carefully

Make bull choice carefully

By GARY TILGHMAN

Glasgow Daily Times

When deciding on a new bull for your cattle operation, remember that there is no one-size fits all approach. Buying a bull that fits your needs and operation is very important and decisions will be different for every farm.

Looking at all the traits for each bull you are considering and determining which one best fits your needs is the right approach. Using tools such as Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) will help in the decision-making process. Two traits often mentioned by Kentucky producers among the most important are calving ease and temperament.

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How Many Cows Will You Feed This Winter?

How Many Cows Will You Feed This Winter?

by: Kyle Stutt

Noble Foundation/Cattle Today

With the end of the spring breeding season coming to a close, it’s time to start planning the next step for the cows in your herd pregnancy evaluation. Pregnancy evaluation in cattle is an important and valuable management tool. Checking the pregnancy status of your cow herd allows you to make timely culling decisions and focus your resources on the sound, reliable breeders in the herd.

I hope “preg checking” is an annual ritual for your herd. If you have not incorporated this management practice in the past, the dry conditions this year and the need to get rid of a few cows may force you to do so. When it comes time to cull cows from your herd, pregnancy status is one of the first criteria that will determine whether a cow stays in the country or goes to town.

According to the results of a survey conducted by the National Animal Health Monitoring System, fewer than 20 percent of beef cow calf producers used pregnancy testing or palpation in their herd. However, the benefits of this practice are fairly simple to realize. First of all, pregnancy diagnosis allows producers to identify “open” or nonpregnant cows that won’t behaving a calf next year. Compare the roughly $5 per head cost of a pregnancy exam with the $100 per head cost of hay alone to feed an open cow through the winter (if you can find hay for $30 per roll). It is easy to see that pregnancy testing quickly pays for itself.

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