Association Posts Arthrogryposis Multiplex Information
The American Angus Association® today posted a summary on its web site, at www.angus.org, to respond to questions commonly asked by Association members regarding arthrogryposis multiplex (AM). A video is also available of Dr. Jon Beever’s presentation given during the Angus Education Center, hosted in conjunction with the Association’s 125th Annual Meeting in Louisville, Ky. To view the summary and the video, visit www.angus.org/ccs_info.html.
Susan Wood Gay, Extension Engineer; S. Ray Smith, Extension Forage Specialist; and Gordon E. Groover, Extension Agricultural Economist; Virginia Tech
Controlled grazing can be an economical way to provide forage to grazing animals. Utilizing pasture as a major portion of the forage plan can significantly reduce feed costs during the grazing season. Virginia’s soils and climate are especially favorable for the growth of a wide range of productive, high-quality grasses and legumes suitable for grazing. However, optimizing a controlled grazing system requires careful planning and good management of a fencing system.
The American Farm Bureau is strenuously opposing a U.S. EPA greenhouse gas proposal that would tax livestock producers for their animals’ emissions. AFB says it doesn’t even pass the smell test, let alone the straight face test. But EPA is considering steep fees based on animal emissions that Farm Bureau says would force many livestock producers out of business. American Farm Bureau lobbyist Rick Krause says it’s no laughing matter.
With estimates as high as 16% of Western bulls infected with trichomonosis (trich), it’s easy to understand why 11 out of 19 Western states have implemented trich control programs and state regulations. Requirements and procedures vary greatly by state, but few states have seen much reduction in the disease, which wreaks financial havoc for producers by causing early-term abortions, resulting in reduced calving percentages and extended calving seasons.
Matt Hersom and Todd Thrift, University of Florida
Breeding bulls, purchased or home-raised, are large capital investments. However, the bull is often the nutritionally forgotten or most marginalized component of the beef cattle enterprise. This is unfortunate because proper bull management, particularly nutrition, is vital to ensure the long-term viability of the beef cattle enterprise.
When I say Alvin was a cowboy, I mean in the most basic sense. With a horse and a rope, a box of matches and a cinch ring, a pocket knife and a piggin’ string, he could do the job!
Q&A:How many bulls should you run in a pasture with 110 pairs? What should the age difference, if any, should there be between bulls?
Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science, Animal Science, University of Nebraska
A:Bull to cow ratio has a lot of variables that includes size of pasture, terrain, and others. The bull to females ration is related to the age of the bull.
Country-of-origin labeling (COOL) became mandatory Sept. 30, but it won’t be fully enforced with citations and fines until April 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Instead, the marketing program will be operated under an “informed compliance approach,” says Agriculture Undersecretary Bruce Knight. Suppliers and retailers of covered commodities are still expected to maintain records of origin, but for the time being USDA will focus on industry education and outreach.
Susquehanna County farmer John Benscoter used to plow his fields before planting corn. “I love to plow,” Benscoter said. Then he learned about the no-till method, which involves planting crops without disturbing the soil. He now plants his corn that way. In addition, Benscoter has fenced in the creek running through his farm, keeping livestock from damaging the grasses growing along the bank.
Researchers to discuss feeding distiller’s grains to beef cattle in the Southern Plains
Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M University
Southwest Farm Press
Nutritionists and producers alike will meet for a distiller’s grain feeding update on Dec. 9 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd. in Amarillo.
The program will provide up-to-date results of research conducted by university and federal scientists related to the feeding of distiller’s grains to beef cattle in the Southern Plains, said Dr. Jim MacDonald, Texas AgriLife Research beef nutritionist.
Researchers to discuss feeding distiller’s grains to beef cattle in the Southern Plains
Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M University
Southwest Farm Press
Nutritionists and producers alike will meet for a distiller’s grain feeding update on Dec. 9 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd. in Amarillo.
The program will provide up-to-date results of research conducted by university and federal scientists related to the feeding of distiller’s grains to beef cattle in the Southern Plains, said Dr. Jim MacDonald, Texas AgriLife Research beef nutritionist.
Researchers to discuss feeding distiller’s grains to beef cattle in the Southern Plains
Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M University
Southwest Farm Press
Nutritionists and producers alike will meet for a distiller’s grain feeding update on Dec. 9 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd. in Amarillo.
The program will provide up-to-date results of research conducted by university and federal scientists related to the feeding of distiller’s grains to beef cattle in the Southern Plains, said Dr. Jim MacDonald, Texas AgriLife Research beef nutritionist.
Lisa Wingert will jokingly tell people that her daughter Kristen has “a little background” when it comes to the beef industry.
The Wingert family, with 150 head of cattle, runs Beaver Ridge Beef near Plainview. Outside sits the trailer that Kristen, 17, won a year’s use of after her dairy steer took home Grand Champion honors at the 2008 Minnesota 4-H Beef Show. In the Minnesota 4-H Purple Ribbon Livestock Auction, her steer went for $8,000.
Unfortunately we find ourselves in a real bind this year. With no rain there is very little pasture, hay production is almost nonexistent, and beef cattle prices are down significantly.
Daily energy intake is the primary limiting factor affecting beef cattle performance on forage diets like coastal hay or pasture or even native grasses. This energy intake can be further limited when forages supply an inadequate amount of crude protein.
The USDA has proposed some changes to the National Organic Standards in an effort to clarify pasture requirements. The changes specify the length of the growing season during which animals will need to be on pasture. They also require organic dairy and livestock farmers to provide access to pasture 365 days per year and maintain a “sacrificial paddock” for time when the animals may damage pasture sod. It also appears the changes would eliminate the use of feedlots for finishing organic beef cattle.
Farmers, State officials concerned over EPA proposal
WSFA
A proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency could mean tougher times for farmers across the state.
State agriculture officials are now worried a plan to clean the air may put farmers in jeopardy.
The Federal Government wants to require permits for livestock producers and dairy farmers who raise large numbers of hogs and cattle, setting fees that would cost thousands of dollars for some farmers each year.
