Beef producers and specialists alike are confronted with mountains of information that is often presented as stand alone facts and principles. This information needs to be integrated and applied according to economic priorities within the cow-calf enterprise. Prioritizing management activities and aligning the industry’s information resources with these priorities is, thus, an important step toward improving producer profitability. Results: Based on the responses of more than 200 successful producers and beef industry specialists, the findings of the survey are detailed below. The table provides a list of the primary management categories in order of priority ranking. The most important subcategory within each management area is also shown.
Video Feature:NJ farmers rally to oppose end of state’s Ag department
More than 500 farmers and their supporters in the agriculture industry business rallied in Trenton this morning against Gov. Jon Corzine’s plan to eliminate the state Department of Agriculture and scatter its duties throughout the state government. (Video by John O’Boyle)
Statement by USDA Secretary Ed Schafer On Congress’ Announcement Of A New Farm Bill
USDA
In January 2007, the President put forward a farm bill proposal that represents fiscal responsibility, would improve the safety-net for farmers and move current programs toward market oriented policies. Our proposals were warranted and timely considering that 2008 net farm income is forecast to be $92 billion - 51 percent above its 10 year average.
“Today, the United States House and Senate announced the completion of a farm bill that unfortunately fails to include much needed reform and increases spending by nearly $20 billion. At a time of record farm income, Congress decided to further increase farm subsidy rates, qualify more people for taxpayer support, and move programs toward more government control. We should not remove farm commodities from market forces and make them dependent upon government support programs.
Communicating seedstock ownership transfers to the proper breed associations sets the stage for satisfying relationships between commercial cattle producers and their genetic suppliers. Transferred registration certificates and performance records authenticate pedigree, performance and genetic information. Those documents communicate genetic merit and provide essential information for maximizing returns from seedstock investments.
BeefTalk: Cow Size – Big and Very Big Cows Do Exist
Average Cow Weights Average Cow Weights
Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service
As pastures dry and feed sources increase in cost, managers need to review what cows should stay and what cows should go.
A 1-inch crack in the asphalt made me think this dryness is getting serious. Some have received some spring rain, but many have not, so the waiting continues.
However, the wait does not need to be passive. Planning, adjusting and implementation of managerial inputs should be ongoing.
The new generation of calves is expected to use grass and milk to grow fast and big to pay the bills this fall. To keep the bottom line in the black, producers need to be concerned about expenses.
As pastures dry and feed sources increase in cost, managers need to review what cows should stay and what cows should go. Most producers affected by nagging droughts have sold the old, late-calving, open and other unsound cows.
As many of our cool-season forages (ryegrass, fescue, orchardgrass, etc.) start to mature and the weather continues to get warmer, hay producers throughout the county start making plans to get into the hay field. This includes everything from getting equipment ready for the field to watching the weather forecast.
The goal of most producers is to get up enough hay to feed their livestock throughout the winter months. With last summer’s drought, we were all reminded about the importance of having enough hay, but we also need to keep in mind the quality of the hay that we are storing away.
Teddy Allen: Don’t cuss a farmer with your mouth full
Shreveport Times
The above is one of my favorite bumper stickers.
In my book it actually IS acceptable to cuss a farmer if he’s driving bad and you’re stuck behind him. And I don’t care if he’s driving a tractor or a truck.
But I always wait until I’m through chewing before I do.
This week Louisiana Ag Credit held its annual split meeting for its stockholders, which means our local farmers were bunched up on a couple of evenings, like ears of corn in a crib. One meeting was in Bossier City and the other was in Ruston. Steak suppers both nights, and I was privileged to attend each. One word: glory hallelujah. I haven’t eaten steak two nights in a row since I sold my Broadmoor-area cattle farm.
Statement by USDA Secretary Ed Schafer on HSUS animal cruelty video
AG Professional
Statement by USDA Secretary Ed Schafer on HSUS animal cruelty video:
“Late last week, the Humane Society of the United States notified me that they were in the early stages of an investigation into the mistreatment of farm animals transported to livestock auctions and stockyards.
The dairy cattle shown in the video were non-ambulatory and were abandoned in parking lots of these auctions and yards. These animals were not in slaughter facilities. However, even though this is not a food safety issue, these actions of animal cruelty are not acceptable.
“USDA’s authority to regulate the treatment of animals includes the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and the Animal Welfare Act. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act protects animals when they are presented for slaughter at federally inspected establishments. The Animal Welfare Act allows us to ensure the proper care of live animals when used in biomedical research, testing, and exhibition. When animals fall within our authorities, USDA has acted to prevent animal cruelty such as this.
Canada has confirmed a rare case of bovine tuberculosis in a five-year-old beef cow from a herd in Manitoba, the country’s food safety agency said on Thursday.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said no part of the infected cow entered the human or animal food chain and that there is no public health risk associated with the case.
“Canada’s status for international trade of animals and animal products is not affected by this finding,” it said in a statement.
CFIA, which is working with the operator of the affected farm, said all the animals that could have been exposed to the disease will be destroyed to prevent an outbreak.
Carroll County Auction Rejects Animal Cruelty Allegation
Jeff Hager
Abc2news.com
He’s seen a lot in the 35 years that he’s auctioned livestock, but Norman Hoff says he’s never seen a cow walk off of a trailer and collapse before.
It took several men to drag it out of the way.
“…and we put her right here out of the way, and she lied down like a normal cow and that’s where she rested,” said Hoff, “and I figured the next morning she was going to be dead, you know.What else you gonna do with her?”
Acting on a tip, members of the Humane Society of the United States videotaped the struggling cow intermittently throughout the night.
The animal rights activists then featured it in a video along with similar downed cattle from three other states.
Most producers will agree that having a short breeding and calving season has advantages. Research has shown that controlled calving improves weaning weight, reproductive rate, cow performance, production efficiency, and profitability. Even though most producers would like to have a short, controlled calving season, most find it difficult to accomplish.
Most cow/calf producers in the country are facing one or more of these scenarios:
1. Late summer and fall grazing on pastures that continue to drop in nutrient quality as plants mature;
2. Early feeding of hay forced by drought conditions, where, with spring-calving herds, the need is to feed relatively inexpensive, low-quality forage now, so better hay can be saved for late gestation and lactation;
3. Planning for maximum utilization of failed crops or crop residues.
Korea Asks US to Help Dispel Anxiety Over Imported Beef
Jung Sung-ki
The Korea Times
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan asked Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte for the U.S. government’s help to defuse mounting concerns about the dangers of mad cow disease.
In a meeting in Seoul Thursday, Yu and Negroponte discussed ways of dispelling growing worries among the Korean public about the safety of U.S. beef. “I asked for the U.S. to play a role in calming the people’s worries,” Yu told reporters after a breakfast meeting with Negroponte at a hotel. “He said the U.S. government would do everything possible.”
The U.S. official arrived in Seoul Wednesday for a two-day visit as part of his East Asian tour that will also take him to Japan and China. FULL STORY
The heads of two beef packing operations, including Wesley Batista of JBS Swift & Co., said Swift’s pending purchases of National Beef Packing and the Smithfield Beef Group would not have an effect on market competition during a hearing at the U.S. Senate.
Batista was joined by Steve Hunt, CEO of U.S. Premium Beef in the hearing before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee Wednesday. The meeting was called by U.S. Sen. Herbert Kohl, D-Wis., before the Senate’s Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights subcommittee.
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