AFBF: Encouraging New Rules for CAFO’s

AFBF: Encouraging New Rules for CAFO’s

Thebeefsite.com

The AFBF, along with the EPA, are evaluating a new rule for livestock farms – the rule on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations.

The federal rule on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations published on October 31st sets new environmental standards for America’s livestock farms and represents a significant policy shift. The rule is the result of a 10-year process at the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is evaluating it closely.

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Consider Storage Options when Feeding Distillers Grains

Consider Storage Options when Feeding Distillers Grains

Cattle Today

You’ve decided to start using distillers grain in your feeding program. Now the questions are how do I store it, where do I store it and what’s the best storage strategy for my operation? According to Dr. Simone Holt, Beef Nutritionist for Hubbard Feeds, the answer depends on several factors. What type of product you purchase and the number of cattle you’re feeding will be the biggest indicators of how and where you store the distillers.

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High-moisture corn has some advantages

High-moisture corn has some advantages

The Green Sheet Farm Forum

High-moisture corn offers many advantages for producers who feed beef or dairy cattle, according to a North Dakota State University livestock expert.

“However, successfully using high-moisture corn requires attention to storage conditions, feeding management and processing,” says Greg Lardy, NDSU Extension Service beef cattle specialist.

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CDA releases all trich quarantines

CDA releases all trich quarantines

High Plains Journal

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has released all bovine trichomoniasis quarantines in the state.

“While this is good news for Colorado’s cattle producers, continued vigilance is important to protecting this state’s herds,” said Commissioner of Agriculture John Stulp. “I encourage ranchers to keep informed and continue testing their herds to help prevent the spread of this infection.”

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Missouri next beef audit should be telling

Missouri next beef audit should be telling

Julie Harker

Brownfield Network

The Missouri Beef Industry Council, or the “beef checkoff”, is gearing up for its new beef audit, based on the latest Census of Agriculture numbers now becoming available from 2007. Council executive director John Klieboeker says the audit is done every five years and looks at the basics of production in Missouri. He says it will be interesting to see the differences between 2002 and 2007, “One thing we all anticipate is that the cow numbers are certainly down. What kind of impact has that had on the basic beef economic model on the state of Missouri? And that’s what this audit really out to put out for us.”

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Q&A: The term ‘hay belly’ – what does it mean or what is the cause?

Q&A:   The term ‘hay belly’ – what does it mean or what is the cause?

Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science, Animal Science, University of Nebraska

A:   Hay-belly is a slang term used in the beef cattle for an animal who’s stomach (rumen) is appears very full at all times. These animals are not bloated as the fullness or distended area is not just on the left-side of the animal.

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Cow delivers Itsy Bitsy, Teeny Weeny surprise

Cow delivers Itsy Bitsy, Teeny Weeny surprise

Good Morning Tri-State

A few Sundays ago, Todd Kelsey drove out to check on his hundred head of cattle on the family farm north of Albion, Ill., and found a sickly looking newborn calf lying in the pasture.

“I’ve got a half pointer and half black lab dog, and that calf was smaller than him,” Kelsey said. “As small as he was, I figured his mom had given birth to twins and the other calf didn’t make it. I looked around for the other calf and couldn’t find it anywhere.”

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Packer’s growing clout vexes ranchers

Packer’s growing clout vexes ranchers

Cattle growers fear a less- competitive market if JBS acquires more processors.

Steve Raabe

The Denver Post

For nearly 100 years, Gerald Schreiber’s family has been raising cattle on the plains north of tiny Last Chance.

If the next century passes without another big merger in the meatpacking industry, that’ll be just fine with Schreiber and many of his ranching compatriots.

The recent announcement by Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS that it intends to acquire two big U.S. beef processors has cattle ranchers and feeders on edge, fearing a loss of competition in the market.

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Determine supplement needs to help control winter cattle feeding costs

Determine supplement needs to help control winter cattle feeding costs

David Burton

Springfield News Leader

Winter feeding costs can account for up to 70 percent of the annual feed expense of a beef cow.

So figuring out where to spend your money on supplements is an important decision, according to Wesley Tucker, agriculture business specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

“Developing a good supplementation program is a simple four-step process that each producer can do themselves,” he said.

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Fall-Calving Cows In Marginal Body Condition Are “On the Bubble”

Fall-Calving Cows In Marginal Body Condition Are “On the Bubble”

cattlenetwork.com

November marks the beginning of the college basketball season.  It is a long time until “March Madness”.  However, some fall-calving beef cows are already “on the bubble”.

Body condition at the time of calving is the most important factor affecting rebreeding performance of normally managed beef cows. Body condition changes before and after calving will have more subtle effects on rebreeding especially in cows that are in marginal body condition. Body condition changes from the time the cow calves until she begins the breeding season can also play a significant role in the rebreeding success story. This appears to be most important to those cows that calve in the marginal condition score range of “4″ or “5″.

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Escherichia coli O157:H7 Frequently Asked Questions

Escherichia coli O157:H7 Frequently Asked Questions

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging cause of foodborne illness.

Theindychannel.com

An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 cases of infection occur in the United States each year. Infection often leads to bloody diarrhea, and occasionally to kidney failure. Most illness has been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef. Person-to-person contact in families and child care centers is also an important mode of transmission. Infection can also occur after drinking raw milk and after swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water.

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Agribusiness fights California proposal that expands animal rights

Agribusiness fights California proposal that expands animal rights

Julie Schmit

USA TODAY

A California ballot measure to improve conditions for farm animals has generated national opposition from agribusiness interests.

If passed Tuesday, Proposition 2 would prevent California farmers from confining egg-laying hens, pregnant pigs and veal calves in ways that don’t allow them to lie, stand and extend their limbs.

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Minimal composting of beef cattle manure reduces antibiotic levels

Minimal composting of beef cattle manure reduces antibiotic levels

High Plains Journal

Composting beef cattle manure, even with minimal management, can significantly reduce the concentrations of antibiotics in the manure, according to an Agricultural Research Service pilot study. The scientists found that composting manure from beef cattle could reduce concentrations of antibiotics by more than 99 percent.

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Brasher: Cattle producers like McCain but won’t endorse him or Obama

Brasher: Cattle producers like McCain but won’t endorse him or Obama

Philip Brasher

Clarion Ledger

For farm groups like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, there is a lot to like about John McCain as a presidential candidate.

He doesn’t like ethanol mandates. Check.

He’s promised to preserve the North American Free Trade Agreement, which cattle producers consider a boon to beef prices. Check.

He wants to slash the estate tax to 15 percent. Check.

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Beef Chief Broadens Students Scope

Beef Chief Broadens Students Scope

Association President: Industry Feeling Pressure

Tom Mitchell

Daily News Record

According to Andy Groseta, a bond between America’s beef trade and youth is invaluable.

“You have a lot of fresh ideas and enthusiasm,” said Groseta, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, to more than 30 FFA and 4-H members from Rockingham and Augusta counties Wednesday. “We need you and you need us.”

Groseta, 58, a cow-calf rancher from Cottonwood, Ariz., spoke to both groups of students for nearly two hours at Farm Credit and Country Mortgage.

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