Fawn Calf Syndrome

 Fawn Calf Syndrome

David Steffen DVM Ph.D., University of Nebraska

American Angus Association

As we continue our work to characterize and head off emerging problems, we are also carefully monitoring a non-lethal condition referred to as fawn calf syndrome (FCS). Calves suspected to have FCS have been reported in Angus calves in Australia for many years and researchers there have identified the condition as an inherited trait allegedly tracing to U.S. sires. If the Australian hypothesis is correct, and there is strong evidence that it is, there are almost certainly cases unintentionally not being reported in the United States. FCS calves are normally born alive and most can walk, suckle and survive. The birth weight of FCS calves is normal.

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Photos of calves afflicted with Fawn Calf Syndrome

Video Feature:  Fawn calf syndrome in angus calves

Note: There is no audio track in this video

Footage of the symptoms of fawn calf syndrome in angus calves as well as information on clinical features, genetics and clinical progression at the end of the video

Fewer Inputs, More Profits

Fewer Inputs, More Profits

Mick Kreidler

Beef Today

Converting to grass-fed beef was a gamble that has paid off well for Kirk Bruns. In the past nine years, the Bloomfield, Neb., beef and dairy producer has switched most of his row crop acres to grass for his 150 Angus beef cows and 60 Jersey milk cows. The forage-based system of grasses and legumes has resulted in better profitability for both his dairy and beef operations.

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Pennsylvania Producers Add Value with Feeder Calf Pool

Pennsylvania Producers Add Value with Feeder Calf Pool

Sara Gugelmeyer

Hereford World

More and more producers are pooling their efforts and their cattle to help increase profits. They are also using Hereford bulls to take advantage of the extra pounds heterosis provides. Pennsylvania cattlemen have been working to add value with the Pennsylvania Feeder Calf Pool since the program began in 1995, and they have reaped the rewards.

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Gelbvieh Approves Aggressive Policy To Eliminate AM Gene

Gelbvieh Approves Aggressive Policy To Eliminate AM Gene

Lori Maud

Southern Livestock Standard

    The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Board of Directors recently approved an aggressive plan and policy to eliminate the Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM) gene from the Gelbvieh herdbook. Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM) is a genetic defect found in certain lines of Angus cattle. The Balancer® cattle registered with the American Gelbvieh Association have the possibility of being AM carriers if the Angus genetics used in the hybrid seedstock carry the AM gene.

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Bad Actors Not Good For Either Side of CAFO Debate

Bad Actors Not Good For Either Side of CAFO Debate

Gary Truitt

Hoosier AG Today

From time to time people ask me where I come up with the topics for this column. This one came to me while sitting in the basement of the Indiana Statehouse attending a House Ag Committee hearing on livestock legislation. Yes, I admit my mind was wandering and my attention had slipped away from the testimony that was taking place. That was because I had heard it all before. Not just the same arguments, but the exact same words – delivered by the exact same people. Just a week earlier, I was in another room in the same building as the Senate Environmental Committee took testimony on different livestock bills.

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Q&A: Will a 15 month old bull be able to cover 31 females?

Q&A:  Will 15 month old bull be able to cover 31 females?

Dr. Matt Spangler, Assistant Professor, Beef Specialist, Beef Breeding and Genetics

University of Nebraska

A:   Bull:Cow ratios can be calculated by assuming that a bull can cover one female for every month old he is. In your case you have a 15 month old bull so he should be expected to cover 15 females.

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More than 6,200 cattle removed from TB-affected area in NW MN

More than 6,200 cattle removed from TB-affected area in NW MN

Detroit Lakes Online

Producers participating in the state’s bovine tuberculosis (TB) buyout program loaded the last of their animals today, marking the completion of a nearly year long effort to reduce cattle numbers in the bovine TB Management Zone. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health received 46 herd buyout contracts from area producers, who agreed to remove or slaughter approximately 6,200 head of cattle by Jan. 31, 2009.

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Improving Reproductive Efficiency

Improving Reproductive Efficiency

Kindra Gordon, Shauna Rose Hermel, Tosha Powell & Troy Smith

Angus Journal

Nearly 200 producers, veterinarians, researchers, artificial insemination (AI) technicians and Extension specialists met in Fort Collins, Colo., Dec. 2-3 to discuss ways to control and improve reproductive success in beef cattle. Presentations at the “Robert E. Taylor Memorial Symposium: Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle” (ARSBC) ranged from improving pregnancy rates in natural-service programs to opportunities for using DNA technology to improve reproductive efficiency.

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Stigma slows new Chino meat-packing plant’s growth

Stigma slows new Chino meat-packing plant’s growth

DOUGLAS QUAN

The Press-Enterprise

The owners of American Beef Packers Inc. in Chino knew they were taking a gamble last year when they took over a meat-packing plant that had been at the center of the largest beef recall in U.S. history.

But they didn’t expect it would take this long to lift the cloud of suspicion.

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Wisconsin program offers young ranchers aid, loans

Wisconsin program offers young ranchers aid, loans

NATE JENKINS

Dallas Star Telegram

To pay the bills, Richard Cool drives 45 miles down a lonely highway from the family ranch to a small-town auto parts factory where he works the overnight shift.

Like others with country roots, the simple love of working outside with cattle is what appeals to Cool. For years, his dream of doing it full-time seemed unattainable.

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Preventing Damage From Liver Flukes

Preventing Damage From Liver Flukes

cattlenetwork.com

Hopefully, we will have a wet and warm spring this year to fill up the reservoirs and get the grass going. One of the potential problems with weather like this is that liver flukes can be very active. Just the thought of these creatures makes you a little bit uneasy. The idea that a microscopic creature on a blade of grass can end up as a large parasite in the liver of your cattle sounds like something out of a science fiction novel. However, that is just what happens on a continual basis in most all of California.

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Kristy Lage: President of national cattlewomen

Kristy Lage: President of national cattlewomen

North Platte Bulletin

Kristy Lage of Arthur was elected the 58th president of the American National Cattle Women, Inc. during the organization’s annual meeting Jan. 27-30 in Phoenix, Ariz.

The American National Cattle Women, Inc. is a voice for women who support and promote the beef industry.

Lage chose the theme “BEE-Fit” as she represents cattlewomen across the nation. She encourages members to showcase the power of protein as part of a healthy, physically fit lifestyle, and to gain a current and accurate knowledge of beef issues that consumers need to understand in a changing environment.

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A Competitive Edge, for Florida’s Steve Hines

A Competitive Edge, for Florida’s Steve Hines

Eric Grant

Cattle Today

For Steve Hines, who runs about 800 head of commercial and registered Angus cattle near High Springs, Fla., the advantages of AngusSource are clear.

When he first enrolled in the program three years ago, he wasn’t sure it would make that big of a difference when it came to building demand for his calves.

But a year ago, when a repeat buyer snatched up three potloads of his calves at a $3/cwt. premium over the market, Hines knew his efforts to improve his commercial marketing practices were paying off.

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Where’s the beef?

Where’s the beef?

President refused billionaire’s longhorns; nobody knows what to do with animals

Gallup Independent

Kathy Helms

When Texas billionaire B.J. “Red” McCombs donated 10 Texas longhorn cattle valued at $10,000 to the Navajo Nation in 2007, he reportedly did it because he loves the breed and wanted to help the Nation establish a herd.

The same month McCombs committed to donate the cattle, Navajo Enterprises — a company owned by McCombs and partner Bob Honts — entered into a non-binding agreement with the Nation which gave the company the right to do full feasibility studies on many trust and fee properties, including Big Boquillas Ranch near Flagstaff, with the possibility of future development projects.

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Consistent Performance for US Beef

Consistent Performance for US Beef

Thebeefsite.com

Total U.S. beef exports registered gains of 10.8 percent in volume and 16.5 percent in value in December versus one year ago.  For the calendar year, export volumes rose 28 percent to 984,712 metric tons (nearly 2.2 billion pounds) while values jumped 38 percent to $3.6 billion.

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