Using byproduct feeds

Using byproduct feeds

David Bennett

Delta Farm Press
For the last decade, at least, Paul Beck and colleagues have been studying how to best utilize byproduct feeds on cattle operations. Current economic conditions — with both expensive fertilizer and feed — mean it may be the right time to check the data again.

With growing cattle, “we must look at the value of what we’re producing in relation to the cost of production,” said Beck, a University of Arkansas Extension animal scientist, at the Livestock and Forestry Branch Station field day outside Batesville, Ark., on April 15. “Right now, it’s anyone’s guess what next year’s production will be worth. That’s why there must be a lot of risk

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Getting the Upper Hand

Getting the Upper Hand

Walt Barnhart

Beef Magazine

Despite setbacks in 2007, beef industry leaders believe they’re doing a good job of keeping pathogens at bay when it comes to their products. They also think there’s a great system in place for addressing E. coli O157:H7 and other potentially harmful E. coli bugs.

Challenges caused by huge recalls and questionable company practices and recordkeeping will remain, however, as the industry attempts to put last year behind it and get back on a positive path. Topps Meat Co. of Elizabethtown, NJ, provided an ignominious cap to the year, with the 67-year-old company going out of business in October after being forced to recall 21.7 million lbs. of frozen ground beef patties due to E. coli O157:H7 concerns. It was the second-largest beef recall ever.

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NCBA: Proper Animal Care & Handling

NCBA: Proper Animal Care & Handling

cattlenetwork.com

“We are committed to working with every segment of the food production chain to ensure all livestock are treated humanely, and we strongly support strict compliance with and enforcement of all state and federal animal welfare laws. Appropriate cattle care includes close supervision of cattle health and wellbeing. We believe it’s important to promptly attend to animals that appear non-ambulatory.

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Beef industry facing challenges

Beef industry facing challenges

Feed, fuel, fertilizer remain top concerns for cattlemen

Kevin Welch

Amarillo.com

Beef leaders are on tour to update producers on the challenges the industry is facing and successes it is enjoying.

Most of the audiences along the way are concerned with “the three Fs,” said Eldon White, executive vice president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

“Feed, fuel and fertilizer – I think those are on the top of their minds,” he said. “We’re all being hit by that pinch in the pocketbook.”

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DNA-Traceable Meat Technology Enters U.S. Market

DNA-Traceable Meat Technology Enters U.S. Market

By Brian Charlton

Manufacturing.Net

An Ireland-based company that uses DNA technology to test and track meat to the original animal and prove that it’s what the label promises is now targeting U.S. retailers.

IdentiGEN Ltd., which has opened U.S. operations in Lawrence, Kan., wants retailers here to use its DNA TraceBack technology on hamburger, steak, pork and other meats that end up in stores. The company says the technology can determine not only where the meat came from, but whether it’s organic or Angus or whatever the label says.

IdentiGEN, which takes DNA samples at slaughterhouses and again in stores, has been using its technology since 2000 in Europe, where company officials say they’ve made a major impact improving customer trust since the mad cow outbreaks. Now, it has the approval of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Farmers looking for ways to cut costs

Farmers looking for ways to cut costs

Amy Ohler

News 10 Now

For the past 40 years, Donald Holman has been operating his beef cattle farm pretty much the same way. But with fuel costs at an all time high, he has to change the way he does business.

“We have to figure out different ways of doing the same thing. Getting the crops planted, harvesting the crops with this increase price of fuel and still be able to eat it until the price of cattle improved to where it reflects those in cost,” said Holman.

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TSCRA, national groups respond to HSUS criticism

TSCRA, national groups respond to HSUS criticism

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

At noon today, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a long-time critic of animal agriculture in this country, released a video and news release calling attention to the alleged mishandling of downer cattle at livestock auction markets in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Texas.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), responded to the report on the incidents in the four auction markets, putting these cases into the larger national perspective.

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Smithfield Beef sale good or bad? Witnesses divided

Smithfield Beef sale good or bad? Witnesses divided

Ellyn Ferguson

Press-Gazette

A Brazilian company’s plans to buy two major U.S. meatpackers would continue consolidation in the industry, but witnesses at a Senate hearing today were divided about its long-term effect on cattle producers and consumers.

Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., who presided over the hearing, said he would request an investigation by the Government Accountability Office into whether past agribusiness mergers have led to price manipulation and higher costs for consumers.

Kohl also urged the Justice Department’s antitrust division to scrutinize JBS Swift & Co.’s proposal to buy Smithfield Beef Group of Green Bay, Smithfield’s Five Rivers Ranch Cattle Feeding and National Beef Packing.

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Cattle Cross Into Mexico; Country Relaxes Ban

Cattle Cross Into Mexico; Country Relaxes Ban

Jenn Dombrowski

KFOX

Breeding cattle were finally allowed into Mexico Wednesday after years of restrictions following a case of mad cow disease back in late 2003.

Mexico granted permission for 37 black angus bulls to cross the border.

The bulls were checked by a Mexico approved veterinarian and tagged for export at the livestock border crossing in Santa Teresa.

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Missouri to Host National Junior Salers Show

Missouri to Host National Junior Salers Show

Cattle Today

American Salers juniors are making plans to have a kickin’ good time at the 2008 American Salers Junior Association (ASJA) Junior National. The Missouri and Arkansas Salers Associations will host the ASJA Junior National June 24-28. Salers junior enthusiasts from across the country will be “Kickin’ It Up In The Ozarks” at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield, Mo. This year’s event is packed full of junior and family fun events for everyone!

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Video shows sick cow at Pa. livestock auction

Video shows sick cow at Pa. livestock auction

Amy Worden

Philadelphia Inquirer

Four months after inhumane treatment of cows revealed at a California slaughterhouse led to the largest meat recall in U.S. history, the Humane Society of the United States yesterday released new undercover videos of crippled cows at livestock auctions in four states, including Pennsylvania.

The Humane Society says the videos, showing five cows and a calf unable to stand, demonstrates a lack of federal or state oversight at auctions and stockyards – the intermediate point from farm to slaughterhouse, where regulations rules require cows to be inspected.

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Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV)

Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV)

cattlenetwork.com

For many years, the feedlot industry identified a respiratory problem in cattle that was diagnosed as an allergic reaction to changes in feed. Because of the microscopic lesions found in the lungs, a virus was suspected, but when tissue samples were submitted to the laboratory, no virus could be found. It was later determined that the virus would not survive the transport techniques. Only after taking the lab to the field was the virus isolated. When grown in the lab, the virus caused specific changes in the culture cells; the same changes found in the microscopic lesions of the lungs. The lesion, called a syncytium, became incorporated into the common name of the virus. A virus causing lung disease in the bovine and producing syncytial lesions became known as the Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). After many years of research, several vaccine manufacturers developed vaccines, introduced diagnostic laboratory tests, and began extensive marketing campaigns. BRSV infections appear to be common in the United States. Nationwide studies have shown that BRSV is present in 38% to 76% of beef and dairy herds.

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The International Brangus Breeders Association Announces International Issue of the Brangus Journal

The International Brangus Breeders Association Announces International Issue of the Brangus Journal

Pr.com

The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA), along with Brangus Publications Inc (BPI), is currently in production of its inaugural international issue of the Brangus Journal. With the March 27, 2008 announcement that Mexico would be easing import restrictions for US cattle, the IBBA will be providing a unique opportunity for its members to expand their relationships throughout Latin America.

“IBBA needs to be one of the first breed associations to make a major organized push to show our cattle to the Mexican cattleman and to demonstrate commitment to this idea,” stated Dr. Joseph Massey, Executive Vice President of the IBBA. The issue itself will contain several features on current export regulations, and a thorough perspective on experiences working with the Latin American market.

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Vigilance vowed over U.S. beef

Vigilance vowed over U.S. beef

Tulsa World

South Korea’s president said Wednesday that his government would halt imports of U.S. beef if it endangered public health.

“If the opening of the beef market results in a threat to the people’s health, we will immediately suspend imports and work out countermeasures,” President Lee Myung-bak told provincial officials in Seoul.

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