PETA takes anti-circus effort to children

PETA takes anti-circus effort to children

Stephanie Green

Washington Times

Editor’s Note: Could we see this tactic employed next against the beef cattle industry?

Look both ways before crossing the street, never accept candy from a stranger … and when the circus comes to town, stay home.

As the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus rolls through the area, activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are urging that last message on elementary school-age children in an aggressive advocacy campaign against purported animal cruelty practiced by the circus.

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Herd bulls – A cattleman’s best investment

Herd bulls – A cattleman’s best investment

Amanda Nolz

Tri State Livestock News

In these tough economic times, input costs are escalating, food prices are skyrocketing and there is little extra money that finds its way back into the pockets of ranchers. With the challenges of the future hard to predict, it’s a difficult time to navigate through a rancher’s many options for survival. While it’s increasingly important to minimize costs and increase efficiencies, there is one investment cattlemen shouldn’t shortchange on – herd bulls.

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Assessing heifer reproductive soundness

Assessing heifer reproductive soundness

Dr. Bob Larson

Angus Journal

Selection and development of replacement heifers should start by selecting heifers born early in the calving season from dams and bulls likely to produce calves that have sound feet and legs, good udders, and appropriate size and milking ability for the available forage. Approximately six weeks before the start of the breeding season, heifers should undergo a thorough physical examination, including determination of body weight and palpation of the reproductive tract. Confirming that a high percentage of replacement heifers are cycling prior to the start of the breeding season as well as identifying and removing freemartins, very immature heifers, and pregnant heifers will increase the success of an estrous synchronization and AI program and allow more appropriate management of these nonbreeding animals.

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Vet Association Calls For Mandatory NAIS

Vet Association Calls For Mandatory NAIS

Southern livestock Standard

A mandatory animal identification tracking system is the most effective way to minimize an animal disease outbreak.

That was the message Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, CEO and executive vice-president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), delivered to Congress on Wednesday.

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS), a program run by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is an information system under which food animals are tagged so that their movements can be tracked in the event of a disease outbreak.

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Farm Bureau to Congress: Oppose Anti-Antibiotics Bill

Farm Bureau to Congress: Oppose Anti-Antibiotics Bill

Hoosier AG Today

  The American Farm Bureau Federation is expressing strong opposition to legislation that would remove and restrict important antibiotics for veterinary and farm use. In a letter to Congress, AFBF President Bob Stallman said the bills (H.R. 1549 and S. 619) would handicap veterinarians and livestock and poultry producers in their efforts to protect the nation’s food supply and maintain the health of their farm animals. He said, – in order to raise healthy animals, we need tools to keep them healthy.

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Matching Genetics to Production Goals

Matching Genetics to Production Goals

Dr. Doug Parrett

Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, University of Illinois

            The profit equation in the beef business encompasses many production stages. Cattle must be low cost to maintain, reproduce with a high level of efficiency, grow rapidly, and produce a palatable, high quality product consistently. The American beef producer has an advantage because historically, they have been low cost producers of a high quality product. In the 21st century, it will be important for producers to develop cattle with the end product in mind.

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How the 2009 federal stimulus package will affect agriculture

How the 2009 federal stimulus package will affect agriculture

University of Minnesota

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2009.  The $789 billion legislation includes tax cuts, additional spending programs, aid to states, students, schools, the unemployed and communities. This legislation is intended to impact many areas of the economy including the agriculture industry.

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A Guide to the Golden Age of American Meat

A Guide to the Golden Age of American Meat

Francine Maroukian

Esquire

At Chapel Hill Farm in Berryville, Virginia, Joe Henderson is reviving Randall Lineback cattle, a breed listed as “critically rare.” Originating in New England, Randalls result from the colonial farming practice of mixing European breeds to meet New World conditions.

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Battle over antibiotics in livestock feed returns to Congress

Battle over antibiotics in livestock feed returns to Congress

JESSICA NUNEZ,

Scripps Howard News Service

A Texas feedlot owner thinks a bill banning the use of antibiotics on animal farms would mean bad business for him and others in his industry.

“It would add to our costs and eat into our profit,” said Glenn Polhemus, owner of the San Angelo Feed Yard in Miles, Texas.

He uses antibiotics as additives in animal feed to keep his animals healthy, which he believes is common practice on operations like his. Taking antibiotics out of the equation would mean more animals lost to death.

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Beef Adds Strength to Economy

Beef Adds Strength to Economy

Western Livestock Journal

Oklahoma’s cattle operations are dollars on the hoof for the state economy, valued at more than $2 billion annually.

Randy Pirtle, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension director for Washington County, believes it is a fact that state residents should take a moment to consider as National Ag Week activities highlight the importance of agriculture to everyone, everywhere.

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Federal study suggests eating too much beef can be hazardous to your health

Federal study suggests eating too much beef can be hazardous to your health

Celinda Emison

Abilene Reporter News

Beef will still find its way on the dinner tables of folks in the Big Country despite a report released Monday saying too much could be hazardous to one’s health.

The study echoed earlier reports saying that diets that include large amounts of beef, ground beef, cold cuts and bacon are not safe.

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Cattle Feed Byproducts: Storage & Handling

Cattle Feed Byproducts: Storage & Handling

cattlenetwork.com

Most dry-milling co-products procured in amounts typically required by feedlots are available from ethanol plants, brokers, and local feed elevators, especially those co-products that contain little moisture. When wet co-products are sought, certain purchasing restrictions may apply.

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A cold war is being waged between the U.S. and the European Union

A cold war is being waged between the U.S. and the European Union

Mark Macmurdo

Isureveille.com

A cold war is being waged between the U.S. and the European Union. The weapons of choice?

Beef and cheese.

Since the late ’80s, a sore spot has existed in trade relations between the two communities, stemming from a ban of U.S. imported beef treated with hormones. Since then, the U.S. has retaliated with various tariffs on European imports.

The latest tariff, put in place by the Bush Administration, targets Roquefort cheese — a revered French blue cheese known for its strong taste — with a 300 percent added cost.

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Local ranchers feed appetite for sustainable beef

Local ranchers feed appetite for sustainable beef

Laura Casey

Bay Area News Group

Chef Isaac Miller of the San Mateo restaurant 231 Ellsworth wanted to meet the man who provides his rib-eye steak — and even meet the cattle.

“I figure if I have a face attached to a product I am using, I am less likely to mess it up,” Miller says.

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Cattle Rustling Plagues Ranchers

Cattle Rustling Plagues Ranchers

New York Times

Crashing through a gate in the dead of night, thieves using trucks and trailers recently robbed a farmer here of 53 Brahman crossbreed cows valued at some $50,000.

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