Baxter Black: ATV EXCITEMENT

Baxter Black: ATV EXCITEMENT

Cattle Today

There has been much made of the adaptation of machinery to handling cattle. 4-wheelers, jet boats, pickups, duallys, helicopters, ultra lights and even motorcycles have encroached themselves into the equine domain.

To me there is also a difference in mindset. Rancher or farmer.

I myself prefer the rancher/cowboy way of working cattle; with horses. But I have no gripe with those who are more comfortable in a gas-powered unit. It could be they like the mechanical methods of working cows because it is less exciting. Some would question whether working cows should be exciting, but I’m a cowboy poet so I have my own reasons.

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Although Difficult, Producers Can Improve Fertility in Summer’s Heat

Although Difficult, Producers Can Improve Fertility in Summer’s Heat

Select Sires

While decreased production and weight gain often are immediate side effects of summer heat, decreased reproductive performance is another outcome that can cause long-term economic losses for producers. In addition to adopting management techniques that help reduce heat stress, producers can improve reproductive efficiency by implementing strategic estrus-synchronization programs, using artificial insemination (A.I.) and breeding cows with highly fertile semen.
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National Junior Angus Show Slated for Des Moines

National Junior Angus Show Slated for Des Moines

The 2008 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) is set for July 13-19 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. More than 750 young Angus enthusiasts from 37 states have entered 1,595 entries into this year’s cattle show. In addition to the four days of showring competition, the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members have the opportunities to compete in 13 educational and life-skill contests during the week.

“The NJAS is so much more than a cattle show,” says James Fisher, director of junior programs for the American Angus Association®. “The NJAS provides the opportunities to gain skills in public speaking, photography and writing, while learning to work as a team in the contests like team sales and quiz bowl. Finally, youth build life-long friendships as many of them travel to the junior show annually.”

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Cattle Preconditioning: Vaccination Guideline – Weaning Time

Cattle Preconditioning: Vaccination Guideline – Weaning Time

cattlenetwork.com

Designing a vaccination program from the multitude of immunization products currently on the market can frustrate anyone who wants to obtain maximum protection BCH-3015 1. BCH-3015 Product of Extension Beef Cattle Resource Committee Adapted from the Cattle Producer’s Library at a reasonable cost. The following is a vaccination guideline that will fit most cow-calf operations. Much of this information comes from a management guideline put out as a joint effort between the National Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), and is modified to meet the needs for a commercial cow-calf operation. Keep in mind that the following are general guidelines. Specific recommendations, particularly those in the optional category, should be made by your veterinarian because some products that may be needed in your herd are not listed (i.e., Redwater vaccine).

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International Limousin Conference Held May 20-28

International Limousin Conference Held May 20-28

Cattle Today

Genetic improvement, new technologies and new markets were among the topics discussed at the 18th biennial International Limousin Conference, May 20–28 in Italy. Kent Andersen, Ph.D., executive vice president for the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF), addressed the conference’s “Future Perspectives of Limousin in the World” technical session, which was May 25 in Florence. He explained how the U.S. Beef Industry Whole-Genome Selection Project will enable and enhance genetic evaluation.

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Herr Angus Farm to Host Pennsylvania Field Day July 26

Herr Angus Farm to Host Pennsylvania Field Day July 26

Angus breeders and beef industry enthusiasts are invited to the 2008 Pennsylvania Angus Association and Pennsylvania Cattlemen Association field day, July 26 at Herr Angus Farm, Nottingham, Pa.

Those in attendance will hear from many speakers discussing various aspects of the beef industry. Embryo transplant, utilizing by-products in feed rations and grazing land issues are just a few of the topics that will be brought forward. Jim Herr, founder of Herr Angus Farm, will tell about his unique feedlot operation that utilizes by-products from Herr Snack Factory to feed his Angus cattle. Participants will also be treated to a tour of the Herr Snack Factory and farm.

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R-CALF: To USDA: Reallocate NAIS Funds To Continue Brucellosis Vaccination, Surveillance

R-CALF: To USDA: Reallocate NAIS Funds To Continue Brucellosis Vaccination, Surveillance

cattlenetwork.com

Recent discoveries of brucellosis in a cow near Paradise Valley, Mont., and in cattle from a Daniel, Wyo., ranch have prompted the R-CALF USA Animal Health Committee and the R-CALF USA Animal Identification Committee to – yet again – request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) keep brucellosis vaccination and surveillance programs in place across the U.S., and to pay for such activity by diverting funds from the agency’s National Animal Identification System (NAIS). R-CALF USA also requests USDA to implement and fund brucellosis surveillance in all other states where cattle are present, but no formal testing program is in place.

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Cattle Producers Urge Senate to Evaluate Renewable Fuels Policy

Cattle Producers Urge Senate to Evaluate Renewable Fuels Policy

Cattle Today

Livestock producers have been dealt more harsh news this week with regard to feedgrain supplies. Persistently wet conditions in parts of the Midwest have worsened, with some areas suffering catastrophic flooding. These events continue to paint a very dark picture for fall grain harvest projections, intensifying pressure on feedgrain prices and supplies.

“Cattlemen are now looking straight down the barrel of $7 corn, and that may just be the beginning,” said Gregg Doud, chief economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “We already saw a lot of acres migrating away from corn this year, and that was before the wet spring pushed into June. By the time conditions improve in many of these fields, planting corn will no longer be an option.”

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Little old, little new: Davis Creek farmers struggle to meet demand

Little old, little new: Davis Creek farmers struggle to meet demand

Mike Morell

Nelson County Times

“We have the best of the old and the best of the new,” Elizabeth Van De Venter, owner of Davis Creek Farm, said. “We raise our cattle and chickens in the old way and market them in the new way.”

Davis Creek Farm, tucked back in a hollow in central Nelson County began its business about seven years ago and is now struggling to keep up with demand.

“We started out selling eggs at the Nelson Farm Market,” Van De Venter said. “From there it grew into chickens and beef.”

Van De Venter, a native of Louden County, and her husband Tim Di Chiara moved to Nelson County because they wanted to live and raise their children in a rural atmosphere.

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Cattle Handling: Crowding Pen Or Crowding Tub

Cattle Handling: Crowding Pen Or Crowding Tub

cattlenetwork.com

Use a crowding pen to funnel cattle into the working alley and chute. Handle small groups in crowding pens, eight to 10, instead of 20. For construction with straight fences, build one side of the crowding pen straight. The other side should be at an angle of about 30 degrees. Make the large end of the funnel 8 to 12 feet wide. Although it is harder to build, a circular crowding area with solid sides works best. Pre-built crowding pens can be purchased from cattle-handling equipment vendors.

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Q&A: How do I predict mature weight in my bulls and cows assuming they are in a correct BCS?

Q&A: How do I predict mature weight in my bulls and cows assuming they are in a correct BCS?

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

A: If you do not have a scales and want to predict weight, then you could use frame size. The table uses frame score at different ages and relates the frame score to body weight. It is assumed that the body condition of the cattle is BCS 5 in the 1 to 9 scale when the frame score is measured.

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Wet distillers grain storage highlighted

Wet distillers grain storage highlighted

KTIC

LINCOLN, NE – Wet distillers grains and other corn co-products are a tremendous feed option for cattle producers, but storing the nutritious co-products for a long period of time has proved to be a challenge because they can begin to spoil within a few days or a couple of weeks.

“That doesn’t mean wet distillers grains and similar co-products can’t be stored. It just means care needs to be taken to make sure feed quality is maintained,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, ag program manager for the Nebraska Corn Board.

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International Brangus Breeders Association Prepares for Annual Summit in Nashville

International Brangus Breeders Association Prepares for Annual Summit in Nashville

PR.com

In partnership with the Southeastern Brangus Breeders Association, the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) is preparing for the 2008 Summit, to be held in Nashville, Tennessee August 7-9 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The Summit includes educational programs with industry-leading, innovative and visionary cattlemen designed to provide direction and assistance to Brangus breeders throughout the United States.

This meeting is being held in August in hopes that this will be an event the entire family will enjoy and attend. Planned events include dinner and entertainment on the General Jackson Riverboat, Tickets to the Toyota Tundra 200 Craftsman NASCAR Truck Race, and the option to attend a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

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Tyson to sell Canadian beef operation to XL

Tyson to sell Canadian beef operation to XL

Reuters

Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it is selling its Canadian beef operation to XL Foods, a Canadian-owned beef processing company, for C$107 million.

Tyson said XL Foods plans to continue operating the facility, Lakeside Packers, located in Brooks, Alberta, after completion of the sale, which is expected to be in September.

Lakeside employs 2,300 people and has the capacity to slaughter and process 4,700 cattle per day, according to a press release.

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