Video Feature: USDA Grass-fed Beef Standards

Video Feature: USDA Grass-fed Beef Standards

Explains the new USDA grass-fed beef standards and seal.

Importance of DDGS in Livestock Diets

Importance of DDGS in Livestock Diets

Thebeefsite.com

The price of distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is developing a somewhat predictable pattern — at least relative to corn prices. The graph at left shows the weekly ratio of per-pound DDGS and corn prices. The ratio falls during summer months and increases in the fall. We believe these changes are the result of higher DDGS demand in winter months for cows and calves on pasture. That need, of course, declines in the summer months, causing DDGS prices to fall relative to corn.

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Feeding value of light test weight corn

Feeding value of light test weight corn

Steve Paisley

Tri State Livestock News

Fall has presented several challenges for corn producers in the northern great plains. While corn prices dropped from their summer record highs, much of the corn remained in the field, seemingly refusing to dry down to acceptable moisture levels. For those that are fortunate enough to be completing corn harvest, light test weights have also created marketing problems for many producers.

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Meat Export Numbers Very Positive for Pork and Beef Producers

Meat Export Numbers Very Positive for Pork and Beef Producers

Hoosier AG Today

  While the U.S. agriculture community undoubtedly has been feeling the significant effects of the global economic downturn, the export numbers for October continue to show progress over the previous year. Pork exports in particular held up extremely well, posting the third-largest monthly volume on record that equates to a 46 percent volume increase over exports from October of 2007 and a 55.5 percent increase in value.

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Hoof Health and Reproduction

Hoof Health and Reproduction

Dr. Bill Ayars

Select Sires

Have you ever arrived home at the end of the day and your feet were so sore you could hardly stand? Imagine how your cows must feel when they have sore feet.

Most producers are aware that hoof problems can decrease productivity, but did you know that they also can disrupt reproductivity? Routine hoof trimming can alleviate and prevent the development of painful hoof lesions, and improve reproductive performance.

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Vilsack not likely to take USDA in radical direction

Vilsack not likely to take USDA in radical direction

PHILIP BRASHER

Des Moines Register

Iowa has long been the giant of U.S. agriculture, not just in producing grain and livestock but also in collecting federal crop subsides.

Now with Tom Vilsack as agriculture secretary, the state will have one of its own at the helm of the department that dispenses those subsidies, controls nearly 2 million acres of Iowa land through a single conservation program and regulates the state’s many meatpackers.

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Horse cents, drawing the line between pet owners and real farmers is tricky

Horse cents, drawing the line between pet owners and real farmers is tricky

Ross Courtney

Yakima Herald-Republic

 The state Revenue Department wants to extend farming tax breaks to those who have animals but don’t necessarily breed them — think 4-H horses — but drawing the line between pet owners and real farmers is tricky

Gary and Lynn Glover call their three horses pets.

Growing up, their daughters, Stephanie and Amanda, showed horses for 4-H and rode them in barrel racing. Today, the family members ride them for fun now and again, pet them for relaxation and, twice a day, feed them hay and grain.

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Cold Snap Changes Cow Energy Requirements

Cold Snap Changes Cow Energy Requirements

Tyler Melroe

Marshall County Journal

I guess it really is winter now. Maybe it was the late corn harvest or a lot of the other fall projects that still haven’t been completed, but it seems like it came too quick. As the temperature drops it is important that we realize the change in nutrient requirements for our beef cattle, principally when temperature drops below the average cow’s critical temperature around 32° F.

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How Do I Feed The Pregnant Cows To Help Prevent Calf Scours?

How Do I Feed The Pregnant Cows To Help Prevent Calf Scours?

cattlenetwork.com

Depending on the size of the cattle, 1.5 to 2.0 pounds of crude protein should be fed per cow per day during pregnancy. On permanent pasture this intake will be easily met as the crude protein levels will exceed 15% and the cattle will often consume 25 pounds of dry matter each day—over 3.5 pounds of crude protein per day.

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Argentine cattle move from Pampas to feedlots

Argentine cattle move from Pampas to feedlots

Nicolas Misculin

Reuters

Cows grazing freely on the vast Pampas have long been part of Argentine tradition. Now that view is changing as ranchers herd their cattle into feedlots.

Breaking with a history of cattle roaming the plains, feeding on grass and herded by gauchos, many farmers are looking to increase efficiency and free up land for the profits of grains.

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Vilsack sees Ag Sec nod as recognition of ‘teamwork’

Vilsack sees Ag Sec nod as recognition of ‘teamwork’

DesMoines Register

THOMAS BEAUMONT

Des Moines Register

President-elect Barack Obama said today that Tom Vilsack brings an authentic appreciation for rural America and a forward-looking approach to agriculture in announcing the former Iowa governor as his choice for agriculture secretary.

Obama made the announcement in Chicago this morning, along with naming Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar as his choice for Secretary of Interior. The announcement fills in two Cabinet appointments who will play a big part in carrying out his energy policy.

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Preparation & Vigilance Prevent Cold Weather Livestock Injuries

Preparation & Vigilance Prevent Cold Weather Livestock Injuries

cattlenetwork.com

While it might be tempting for livestock producers to snuggle up to the stove during subzero days, that’s when it’s most important for them to be caring for their livestock, says a North Dakota State University veterinarian.

“Prevention is the key to dealing with hypothermia, frostbite and other cold weather injuries in livestock,” says Charlie Stoltenow with the NDSU Extension Service. “By the time symptoms are noticeable, it’ll probably be too late for producers to provide much help.

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New Venture Capital Fund Will Focus on Agriculture

New Venture Capital Fund Will Focus on Agriculture

Hoosier AG Today

  Building on the growing life sciences venture capital market in Indianapolis, today agribusiness venture capital firm IN Partners LLC announced the successful initial close of its inaugural $27.8 million MidPoint Food & Ag Fund. The fund will focus its investments in bio-based products and processes, human wellness, food safety, animal health, environmental technologies and production technologies, according to Inside Indiana Business.

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Iowa Ex-Governor Picked for Agriculture Secretary

Iowa Ex-Governor Picked for Agriculture Secretary

JEFF ZELENY and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN

New York Times

President-elect Barack Obama has selected former Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa to serve as his agriculture secretary, according to officials familiar with the decision, and will make the announcement on Wednesday as he works to round out his remaining cabinet nominations.

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EPA calls talk of a tax on cow flatulence a bunch of hot air

EPA calls talk of a tax on cow flatulence a bunch of hot air

By MATT SCHOFIELD

The Kansas City Star

The cow flatulence tax is not real.

Kansas City Star

Comedians might wish it were. Ranchers may find sweet release in yelling about it. Congressmen might see it as an easy issue to gas about.

But the Environmental Protection Agency is not — repeat, not — working up a tax on cow emissions.

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