Fighting Another Dairy Herd Buyout

Fighting Another Dairy Herd Buyout

Beef Magazine

Just as historically short cattle numbers are adding support to the topsy-turvy cattle markets, the dairy industry is seeking to make a buy-out program for that industry part of the nation’s economic stimulus package.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) sent a letter to the Senate last week opposing the proposal.

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Don’t let ‘articulated’ vehicle laws park farm trucks

Don’t let ‘articulated’ vehicle laws park farm trucks

AG Answers

Farmers who transport crops, livestock and other agriculture-related items should start the new year on the right side of the law, said a Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service specialist.

Indiana State Police are enforcing state and federal transportation laws covering commercial motor vehicles, including pickup trucks that pull trailers for farm purposes, said Fred Whitford, coordinator of Purdue Pesticide Programs. Trucks with attached trailers are known as “articulated” vehicles, he said.

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Q&A: Is there a base analysis of baled corn stalks feed value (C.P./TDN) that I can use?

Q&A:   Is there a base analysis of baled corn stalks feed value (C.P./TDN) that I can use?

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

It is best to get the corn stalk bales analyzed for moisture, energy (TDN), and protein. We have tested some corn stalk bales that were similar to average grass hay and some that tested like wheat straw.

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The Changing Face of US Livestock

The Changing Face of US Livestock

Thebeefsite.com

U.S. livestock production has shifted to much larger and more specialized farms, and the various stages of input provision, farm production, and processing are now much more tightly coordinated through formal contracts and shared ownership of assets.

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Do I need to vaccinate my cattle for brucellosis?

Do I need to vaccinate my cattle for brucellosis?

Extension.org

It depends. We have almost completely eradicated the disease here in the United States, so it is unlikely that your herd will ever be exposed to the disease or need the protection afforded by the vaccine. Even so, it is very important that we continue to implement a control program to protect the national herd from future outbreaks of this disease. If you choose to vaccinate, remember that this is a calf-hood vaccine that must be administered according to state and federal regulations.

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Renovating pastures? Try frost seeding

Renovating pastures? Try frost seeding

AG Answers

Frost seeding is viewed as a low-cost method for livestock producers looking to renovate pastures while increasing yields and improving quality with little commercial nitrogen.

Frost seeding involves broadcasting a grass or legume seed over a pasture and letting the natural freeze/thaw cycles of late winter and early spring move the seed into good contact with the soil. The best time to frost seed is usually from mid-February to the end of March.

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Calls for Obama to Stop US Animal Identification Rule

Calls for Obama to Stop US Animal Identification Rule

Thebeefsite.com

The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund called on the new administration to permanently halt a U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed rule that would effectively mandate the implementation of the first two stages of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) for thousands of Americans.

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Ranchers Using Wind Power to Expand Profits

Ranchers Using Wind Power to Expand Profits

Del Williams

Cattle Today

Ranchers and rural landowners often rely on ponds or dugouts to supply their livestock or farm animals with fresh drinking water. While these bodies of water can be a valuable natural resource, too often they become stagnant, algae-filled financial sinkholes.

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Cattlemen told of corn fed beef program successes

Cattlemen told of corn fed beef program successes

Janet Richards

The Community Press

A program to promote corn fed beef produced in Ontario has “taken off” and includes Loblaws and markets in the United States among its customers.

The program’s success was one of the topics discussed at the annual meeting of the Hastings County Cattlemen’s Association held in Tweed Jan. 22.

Dan Darling, a Northumberland County beef farmer and a director with the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA), told The Community Press that the number of corn fed cattle being slaughtered has significantly increased over the past two years and is now up to about 1,400 a week.

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Record red meat production during December

Record red meat production during December

John Perkins

Brownfield Network

U.S. red meat production hit a new record in December, according to the USDA. The increases came on the good demand for less expensive cuts of meat and more available work days in December 2008 than December 2007.

Red meat production totaled 4.163 billion pounds, up 8% from the December 2007 total of 4.06 billion. That brings the 2008 total to 50.230 billion pounds, an increase of 3% from 2007′s 48.684 billion pounds.

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A Foray into Locally Grown, Grass-Fed Beef

A Foray into Locally Grown, Grass-Fed Beef

J.C. Reid

Houston Press

The freight train that is the slow / local / sustainable / organic / community-supported food revolution continues to barrel ahead into the consciousness of Houston food lovers.

A recent visit to several of Houston’s farmer’s markets found them bustling with vendors and customers alike with an outstanding selection of produce, dairy and meats.

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National Limousin Sale Averages More Than $7,200

National Limousin Sale Averages More Than $7,200

KRVN

The National Limousin Sale was Jan. 12 in the Beef Palace Auction Arena at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colo. The 22.25 live lots grossed $162,645 for a $7,229 average. In addition, five embryo lots averaged $2,000.

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Regaining Market Share

Regaining Market Share

Rogue Pundit

As concerns over the safety of American beef have subsided in South Korea, sales have risen.

    Last year, anti-government protests in South Korea erupted after President Lee Myung Bak lifted a ban on imports of American beef. Demonstrators believed U.S. beef imports were tainted with mad cow disease. Consumption of U.S. beef subsequently declined during that period. But U.S. beef is now once again South Korea’s top imported meat.

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Tyson Crows About Its Future

Tyson Crows About Its Future

Miriam Marcus

Forbes

Meat producer has a bigger-than-expected Q1 loss but sees a return to profit later this year.

Chicken feed took a bite out of Tyson Foods’ fourth-quarter results, but the meat producer is strutting confidently into 2009 with a brighter outlook for the year.

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Online Beef Quality Course Offered To Texas Cattlemen

Online Beef Quality Course Offered To Texas Cattlemen

cattlenetwork.com

Texas cattlemen can now become certified Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) producers by simply logging on to http://www.bqaonline.com and completing an interactive online training course.  Part of the Texas Beef Quality Producer program, the free online training allows producers to learn BQA practices at their convenience.

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