Video Feature: Animal care through good nutrition

Producers relate the different and varied ways how they provide feed for their cattle.

more about “Animal care through good nutrition“, posted with vodpod

What’s A Feed Tag Telling You?

What’s A Feed Tag Telling You?

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

When looking at a feed tag, there is some information that is mandated by law that the feed manufacturer has to provide on a feed tag. A custom formulated feed would be the only exception to the mandated law.

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Politics Have Become Part of Industry

Politics Have Become Part of Industry

Oregonlive.com

Summer is supposed to be beef’s best-selling season. But for many ranchers, the recession puts pressure on an industry trying to find its place in a new age. Ups and downs are expected in agriculture. But this time, the economic downturn hits at the same time the government is moving toward tighter regulations, consumers are getting choosier and environmental concerns are growing.

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Farmers, activists at odds over animal treatment

Farmers, activists at odds over animal treatment

DAVID EGGERT

Captial Press

Michigan farmers and animal rights advocates are fighting over the treatment of farm animals, a conflict that ultimately may be taken to voters.

The farm lobby is backing bipartisan legislation that would put into law the agriculture industry’s guidelines for farm animals’ health and welfare, and require audits of livestock farms.

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Frankly My Dear, I Don’t Give a D—

Frankly My Dear, I Don’t Give a D—

Matt Muller

Voices of Agriculture

These are the unspoken words being told agriculture. Congress is pushing at warp speed to forever shackle our industry to the regulatory whims of EPA and FDA.

In the name of global warming, clean water and safer food they boldly charge. What is our response? "The costs of these burdens will be unbearable."

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There’s an App for That

There’s an App for That

Charleston Orwig

Every Christmas and birthday my sisters and I try to convince my dad he needs a cell phone. Yes, he’s a dairy farmer and one that isn’t quite up to speed with technology. However, according to a recent article, Smartphones  may be the next trend “down on the farm”, and why shouldn’t they be?

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Can Farm Groups Kill the Climate Bill?

Can Farm Groups Kill the Climate Bill?

CHRISTA MARSHAL

New York TImes

Despite a much-publicized deal struck for agriculture in the House energy and climate bill, many farm groups are lining up against the legislation emerging from Congress.

The reluctance of groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Pork Producers Council to get behind the measure threatens to kill it in the Senate, according to some political analysts. On Friday, the House passed legislation, 219-212, setting up a mandatory nationwide cap on greenhouse gases.

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So Three Cows Walk into Court . . .

So Three Cows Walk into Court .  .  .

Wesley J. Smith

The Weekly Standard

Animal-rights extremism in the Obama entourage is no joke.

Imagine you are a cattle rancher looking for liability insurance. You meet with your broker, who, as expected, asks a series of questions to gauge your suitability for coverage:

Have you ever been sued by your cattle?

If the answer is yes, what was the outcome of that suit?

Have you received any correspondence or other communication from your herd’s legal representatives threatening suit or seeking to redress any legal grievance?

If you think that’s a ridiculous scenario, that animals suing their owners could never happen, think again. For years, the animal rights movement has quietly agitated to enact laws, convince the government to promulgate regulations, or obtain a court ruling granting animals the "legal standing" to drag their owners (and others) into court.

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USDA Reinstate’s Montana’s Brucellosis Class Free Status

USDA Reinstate’s Montana’s Brucellosis Class Free Status

Beef Today

The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) announced that the USDA-Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reinstated the state’s Brucellosis Class Free Status.

 "We’re pleased with APHIS’s quick decision regarding Montana’s brucellosis status," said state veterinarian Dr. Marty Zaluski. "It’s a testament to all of the hard work the state’s livestock producers put into getting our Class Free Status back as soon as possible."

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Following the path to health through a cow’s stomach

Following the path to health through a cow’s stomach

Barb Kromphardt

Bureau County Republican

About 50 people gathered under the shady trees at Meadow Haven Farm in rural Sheffield Tuesday to learn more about the connection among soil, cows and human health.

It was the University of Illinois Extension’s seventh annual tour highlighting sustainable agriculture operations around Illinois, and on Tuesday morning, it was Meadow Haven Farm’s turn in the spotlight. Meadow Haven Farm is owned by Allan/Jeanne Sexton and Jeremy/Cherie House, and they raise certified organic grass-fed beef and pastured poultry.

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Following a system

Following a system

Man dedicates life to polyculture farming

By AMANDA SMITH-TEUTSCH

Mobile Tribune Chronicle

When he started out farming, Aaron Miller fed his beef cattle a grain diet like most everyone else. He’d started raising cattle in 4-H as a child, helped by his parents, who were part time farmers in addition to having full time jobs.

In 1999, however, he was having troubles with cholesterol, leading his doctors to prescribe statin drugs.

"I realized those drugs weren’t really good for me," he said.

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Friendlier farming: Program protects both livestock, environment

Friendlier farming: Program protects both livestock, environment

TED POTTS

The Tribune-Democrat

At Bill and Debbie Snyder’s farm, a new project is protecting both the livestock and the environment.

The Snyders’ Town’s Edge Farm in Ligonier Township is in an Environmental Quality Incentive Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Loyalhanna Watershed Association.

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Oregon’s cattle country is on the ropes

Oregon’s cattle country is on the ropes

Amy Hsuan

The Oregonian

There once were just cowboys, cattle and wide open space, rambling across an eastern Oregon landscape too hot for most humans, too dry to grow much other than sagebrush.

Now, Oregon steaks are served in South Korea and ranchers fret over cattle damage to streams.

To hear rancher Ken Holliday tell it, the romance of ranching has long been gone. But the constant roller coaster ride that sapped the thrill is on a downhill run with the recession, leaving ranchers feeling beaten.

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Its Gut Check Time on Your Performance Goals

Its Gut Check Time on Your Performance Goals

BEEF Magazine

Yikes. Where does time go? We’re now officially halfway through the year. Are you halfway to your annual goals?

In 1996 I heard about a tremendously successful business owner in California. I flew to his office and spent the day studying his operation. I observed several things I could take back and use in my own.

At the end of the day I came straight out and asked him, “What do you think makes your operation exceptional?” Without hesitation he responded, “We have four good quarters.”

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Study: Health care costs strain farmers, ranchers

Study: Health care costs strain farmers, ranchers

Capital Press

 A new report says farmers and ranchers often can’t afford the health insurance offered to small-business owners.

The report from The Access Project says family farmers and ranchers are insured at a rate higher than the general population, but that 10 percent of them were uninsured, or had an uninsured family member, sometime during the previous year.

The report was based on data gathered through a 2007 survey of farm and ranch operators in seven Great Plains states including Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.

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