8 genetic selection mistakes
Kindra Gordon
Cattle Business Weekly
With the bull buying season about to begin, it may be wise to arm yourself with some advice before going out to spend your hard earned cash. Colorado-based cattleman Lee Leachman recently shared what he sees as the 8 most common genetic selection mistakes made by commercial cow-calf producers.
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BeefTalk: Your Bill Is $52.87, So Pay Up
Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service
$52.87 Per Cow Transportation Costs $52.87 Per Cow Transportation Costs
We strive to understand the difference between market value and net dollars.
Most producers know inventory reduction is not free. The costs associated with a sell- down, while not a surprise, are informative.
Trucking expenses from a central location for the 420-mile trip for a load of 37 cows (46,305 pounds arrival weight at harvest) to the processing facility were $47.24 per cow. The processing costs (buyer fees, yardage and documentation) totaled $19.13 per cow for a total of $66.37 per cull cow sold.
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A life on the land: five things learned from a life of farming
Paul Sloth
Journal Times
On a crisp, gray November morning, 83-year-old Bill Noble waited for the frost to thaw. In the fields, the combines waited, too.
Once the frost had disappeared, Noble would be back out picking up another load of newly harvested corn that would end up in the dryers at Noble Grain Farms, 1211 English Settlement Ave., the farm three of his children now run.
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Report claims big farming is ‘Eating our Future’
The Cattle Business Weekly
It is just one more wave to add to the rising tide that has been threatening agricultural production systems. Freshly released, “Eating our Future: The environmental impact of industrial animal agriculture” is a look at how meat and milk production is set to double by 2050 and the supposed negative effects it will have on the world.
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Hoosier Beef Congress features new programs in ‘08
Dave Russell
Brownfield Network
One of the Midwest’s largest cattle shows is going to be held December 5-6 and 7 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Julia Wickard, Executive V.P. of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association tells Brownfield the 22nd Annual Hoosier Beef Congress (HBC) is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever, with cattle numbers up slightly from last year, and she says there are several new events planned, including a rookie program.
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Jean Barton:Ranch brands, vaccinates calves
Tehama Daily News
Veterans Day was a school holiday, and the second day of branding at Antelope Creek Cattle Company.
Roping were Walt, Danny and Wyatt Brown, Bailey Miller, Chuck Morris, Sr.; Dave Bennetts, Blake and Body Davies, Don and Jody Brown, Dusty Brown, Zach Brown, Jerritt and Cetara Rohl, Harry McClure and Lance Root.
The ground crew included Boomer Hethcoat, Zane Kittle, Patrick Froome, Logan and Cole Robinson plus those that weren’t roping in that round.
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Weighing the value of organic foods
Judy Foreman
Los Angles Times
Food produced without most conventional pesticides or fertilizers are perceived to be more healthful, but scientists have yet to offer proof.
With the recession breathing down our necks, many people are looking for ways to cut the household budget without seriously compromising family well-being. So here’s a suggestion: If you buy organic fruits and vegetables, consider switching to less pricey non-organic produce instead.
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Feed Quality, Feed Storage, and Feed Loss Management
University of Nebraska
Uniformly mixed rations are important to maximize intake and performance of feedlot cattle. Total mixed rations should be precisely balanced for maximum performance, and the mixing of ingredients should be thorough and consistent. Performance can also be affected if ration ingredients are of poor quality. In addition, it is important economically to avoid overfeeding expensive nutrients, or have the risk of nutrient deficiencies (Doran and Loy, 2008).
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Producers Work For Better Beef in Alabama
Cattle Today
Performance Data, Ultrasound Scans, EPDs, DNA Markers. Sound like a mouthful? In a way, it is. These and other technologies are being put to use every day by cattlemen in Alabama to be sure consumers have access to the most mouthwatering and nutritious beef available.
“In recent years, cattle production really has gone high tech. We know what consumers want and we have the technology at our fingertips to select the types of animals that will produce beef that will give our customer the great eating experience they’re after,” says Orland Britnell, a cattleman from Russellville and President of the Alabama Cattlemen’ s Association.
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Farmers warned about climate regulations
Philip Brasher
DesMoines Register
Farmers are being warned that they could pay stiff prices for their contributions to global warming.
That could happen if the Environmental Protection Agency goes forward with regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the federal Clean Air Act, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department.
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Hansberger farm raises grass-fed animals for healthier beef product
HEATHER CHAPIN-FOWLER
MorningJournal.com
Cattle-farmers Gary and Pam Hansberger are raising a healthier beef product by having grass-fed animals.
“There are so many good beef markets in the area. People should buy local if they can. It’s a better product. And it’s more healthy,” said Pam Hansberger.
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Cow tax could milk farms dry
PAUL POST
The Saratogian
Insane, ridiculous, unbelievable — just some of the words used to describe a federal proposal to regulate greenhouse emissions by taxing dairy farms $175 per cow.
New York Farm Bureau says the fee would cost the state’s struggling dairy industry $110 million per year, possibly forcing some people right out of business.
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Cow/calf symposium scheduled
The Hays Daily News
The Russell County Extension will host the Central Kansas Cow/Calf Symposium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Russell 4-H Building.
Speakers will cover profitable livestock topics and you can hear a panel discussion on “Can Wind Energy Keep Your Bottom Line in the Black?” The day also will include a trade show, cattle displays and door prizes.
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N.J.’s agriculture secretary leaving amid discord
Philadelphia Inquirer
For seven years, New Jersey’s agriculture secretary helped farmers overcome major challenges – from nationwide scares over tainted spinach and tomatoes to damage from Asian longhorned beetles, hail, and droughts. Charles Kuperus oversaw the preservation of tens of thousands of acres of farmland, implemented an agricultural smart-growth plan, and enthusiastically promoted Jersey produce, seafood and nursery products.
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Obama is booting a chance for reform in agriculture
Jonathan Hiskes
Crosscut.com
When even David Brooks is openly cheering Barack Obama’s transition appointments, it’s clear the new guy is on a roll. Obama has so far managed to stock his Cabinet with reputed moderates and pragmatists, without ticking off the political left that feels he owes them.
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