Video Feature: Demonstration of Boning and Yield of an 1108 lb. Utility Cow

Video Feature: Demonstration of Boning and Yield of an 1108 lb. Utility Cow

This video demonstrates the yield of an 1108 lb. live-weight processed at Lambert Meat Laboratory, Auburn University

 

The Gas Tax: EPA May Cost $175 Per Cow

The Gas Tax: EPA May Cost $175 Per Cow

Thebeefsite.com

The internet lit up last week about a possible Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) green house gas (GHG) tax on dairy cows that would amount to a $175 per cow annual fee simply for ruminating.

The urgency of the proposal, which was flitting around the web at byte speed, was fueled by the fact that comments on the proposal are due this Friday, November 28. The proposal, issued in an “Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,” is a mere 168 pages in the Federal Register, says Jim Dickrell, Editor of Dairy Today.

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Expanding U.S. beef trade is vital to the industry’s future

Expanding U.S. beef trade is vital to the industry’s future

Southwest Farm Press

At the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) Annual Convention in Grapevine, Andy Groseta, the president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), said his “number one goal is to continue to grow and expand our beef export market.”

While U.S. beef exports are closing in on a return to pre-December 2003 levels, Groseta said, “We need to continue to fight for fair and reliable trade because, as we all know, exports are one of the most important ways to add value to our cattle.”

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Anti-quality Factors in Beef Cattle Diets

Anti-quality Factors in Beef Cattle Diets

Beef Magazine

Simple management practices often can be implemented to reduce the risk of diet-induced production losses.

Under certain conditions, beef cattle may be exposed to forages and feeds containing toxic or harmful compounds. When consumed, these antiquality factors can result in reduced cattle growth, depressed reproductive performance, poor health, and even death, say Jane A. Parish and Justin D. Rhinehart, in a Missippi State University Extension Service publication.

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Livestock Angles: Tight cattle squeeze packers

Livestock Angles: Tight cattle squeeze packers

Joe Teale

Thelandonline.com

The cattle market is struggling within itself as we move into November.

This period should have the tightest numbers of available cattle while at the same time demand has become a real question mark. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cattle on Feed Reports and the placements recorded in previous months, numbers of market-ready cattle should be at their tightest now into December.

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Replacement heifer sale draws sharply lower prices

Replacement heifer sale draws sharply lower prices

The Monett TImes

The 297 bred heifers that were part of a University of Missouri Extension program produced an average sale price of $1,069 per head at the first Show-Me Select replacement heifer sale this fall, held at the Joplin Regional Stockyards.

A similar sale last fall averaged $1,427 on 174 head.

The top lot of four heifers in the sale averaged $1,500 dollars per head for Ladd Ranches in Sparta. Another pen of five heifers from the Ladd family took second high at $1,475. On their 34-head total consignment, they averaged $1,265.

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Sparks critical of livestock tax plan

Sparks critical of livestock tax plan

Montgomery Advertiser

Alabama agriculture commissioner Ron Sparks said a proposed livestock tax proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should raise alarms.

He said the levy would effectively put livestock farmers out of business by taxing them for supposed greenhouse gas releases by the animals.

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Profit strategies highlight Livestock Symposium

Profit strategies highlight Livestock Symposium

Mindy Ward

Iowa Farmer Today

Producers are struggling to secure a profit while raising cattle this year.

“Profit is on the mind of every producer,” says Lee Leachman, general manager of Leachman Cattle of Colorado.

Leachman comes from a long line of cattle breeders in Colorado and Montana. He operates Leachman Cattle of Colorado based at the Horton Research Station in Wellington, Colo.

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Gorman Farm meat has foodies lined up to buy it

Gorman Farm meat has foodies lined up to buy it

Eric Bradley

Cincinatti.com

Pamela Meyers is a big fan of the meat from stock grown on Gorman Heritage Farm’s rolling, 120-acre spread.

“There’s a different flavor that’s just richer,” said Meyers, 57, of Evendale, a volunteer at the farm.

Since buying her first chicken this year, Meyers reported that she now almost exclusively gets her chicken supply from the farm, describing it as “leaner” than what you can find in a supermarket.

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‘Super reputation’ draws foreign breeders to Canada

‘Super reputation’ draws foreign breeders to Canada

Lara Abu-Ghazaleh

Leader-Post

International visitors have travelled far and wide to buy purebred Canadian cattle genetics at the Canadian Western Agribition (CWA).

Canada has a “super reputation for cattle,” said Jack Henry, an independent cattle breeder from the U.K. His business partner, Peter Whittaker, also mentioned that Agribition is a great way for them put faces to the breeders he does business with online.

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Feds Propose Taxing Cow Flatulence

Feds Propose Taxing Cow Flatulence

Texas Farm Bureau says would be devistating for ranchers

Jim Forsyth

Q101.9

  In the classic song “Tax Man,” Beatle George Harrison wrote, ‘if you want to drive they’ll tax the street, if you want to walk, they’ll tax your feet.’

But not even the visionary Harrison could have ever imagined this.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now serious considering taxing cow farts.

Seriously.

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UT Bull Test Open House a success

UT Bull Test Open House a success

Southeast Farm Press

Dozens of commercial beef producers, as well as purebred cattle breeders, recently converged at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center near Spring Hill for the 2008 Bull Test Open House.

The event began with educational presentations from University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Professors, Neal Schrick and David Kirkpatrick, as well as Kevin Thompson, the director of genetics for Tennessee Livestock Producers. The presentations focused on cattle herd improvement through good management, bull selection and striving for herd uniformity.

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Stocker, yearling management strategies for 2008 calf crop

Stocker, yearling management strategies for 2008 calf crop

Shaun Evertson

The Lingle Guide

Volatility in cattle and feed markets, concerns about a possible world-wide economic recession and tightening credit availability are prompting many beef producers to take a closer look at marketing options as their 2008 calves reach weaning, said University of Wyoming Beef Specialist Steve Paisley in a Nov. 5 presentation to the 2008 High Plains Ranch Practicum (HPRP).

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Cow Tax? EPA looking into regulating greenhouse gases

Cow Tax? EPA looking into regulating greenhouse gases

WAYNE STEWART

The Palestine Herald

An effort to possibly regulate greenhouse gases by the Environmental Protection Agency could have far-reaching effects on the bottom line for local cattle producers.

The EPA has issued an “Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” and in so doing is seeking public comment on a plan to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles under the Clean Air Act, though an EPA spokeswoman said the agency is still in the data collection stage.

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Beef Cattle Seminar will feature specialists

Beef Cattle Seminar will feature specialists

Victoria Advocate

To better assist clientele in their management of beef cattle and pastures Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Bee, Goliad and Refugio counties have collaborated to sponsor a Beef Cattle Seminar. The seminar will be Dec. 5 starting at 8 a.m with registration at the Bee County Expo Center, located on state Highway 351 just west of Beeville.

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Angus Association Posts Arthrogryposis Multiplex Information

Association Posts Arthrogryposis Multiplex Information

The American Angus Association® today posted a summary on its web site, at www.angus.org, to respond to questions commonly asked by Association members regarding arthrogryposis multiplex (AM). A video is also available of Dr. Jon Beever’s presentation given during the Angus Education Center, hosted in conjunction with the Association’s 125th Annual Meeting in Louisville, Ky. To view the summary and the video, visit www.angus.org/ccs_info.html.

Video Feature: Live Animal and Carcass Evaluations-Beef Cattle

Video Feature: Live Animal and Carcass Evaluations-Beef Cattle

This video demonstrates the meat grading system for market beef cattle, market lambs, market meat goats, and market hogs. A NLGMA Workshop.

Planning Fencing Systems For Controlled Grazing

Planning Fencing Systems For Controlled Grazing

Susan Wood Gay, Extension Engineer; S. Ray Smith, Extension Forage Specialist; and Gordon E. Groover, Extension Agricultural Economist; Virginia Tech

Controlled grazing can be an economical way to provide forage to grazing animals. Utilizing pasture as a major portion of the forage plan can significantly reduce feed costs during the grazing season. Virginia’s soils and climate are especially favorable for the growth of a wide range of productive, high-quality grasses and legumes suitable for grazing. However, optimizing a controlled grazing system requires careful planning and good management of a fencing system.

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EPA wants to Charge for Livestock Emissions

EPA wants to Charge for Livestock Emissions

Matt Kaye

Hoosier AG Today

The American Farm Bureau is strenuously opposing a U.S. EPA greenhouse gas proposal that would tax livestock producers for their animals’ emissions. AFB says it doesn’t even pass the smell test, let alone the straight face test. But EPA is considering steep fees based on animal emissions that Farm Bureau says would force many livestock producers out of business. American Farm Bureau lobbyist Rick Krause says it’s no laughing matter.

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Controlling Trich

Controlling Trich

Meghan Richey

Angus Beef Bulletin

With estimates as high as 16% of Western bulls infected with trichomonosis (trich), it’s easy to understand why 11 out of 19 Western states have implemented trich control programs and state regulations. Requirements and procedures vary greatly by state, but few states have seen much reduction in the disease, which wreaks financial havoc for producers by causing early-term abortions, resulting in reduced calving percentages and extended calving seasons.

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