Video Feature: How have fitting and showing techniques changed over time?

Video Feature: How have fitting and showing techniques changed over time?

Purina Mills

How To Handle A Gentic Disorder

How To Handle A Gentic Disorder

Mick Kreidler

In mid-September 2008, the American Angus Association (AAA) announced that a genetic disorder had been identified in a specific bloodline of Angus cattle. The disease, Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM), previously called Curly Calf Syndrome, is a lethal genetic defect that results in abnormal calves.

Calves that are afflicted with AM are stillborn with bent or twisted spines. The calves are small in size due to limited muscle development and their hind legs are often rigid and hyperextended.

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Protein Supplements for Cattle

Protein Supplements for Cattle

Johnny Rossi and Ronnie Silcox, Extension Animal Scientists – Beef Cattle

Feed is a major portion of the annual production costs of beef cow herds. Cattlemen can normally grow enough forage to meet most of the nutritional needs of the cow herds. However, additional protein and energy are often required to properly balance a ration for growing animals and lactating beef cows. High protein supplements cost more than grains or forages used in feeding the cow herd. Proper selection and efficient use of protein supplements can reduce production costs.

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Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) in Beef Cattle

Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) in Beef Cattle

Gary R. Hansen and David G. Riley

University of Florida

Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) were developed to provide cattle producers with an effective tool to evaluate prospective breeding stock. As the name implies, EPDs predict the performance of future offspring from an individual animal. More specifically, EPDs predict the genetic transmitting ability of an individual as a parent.

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Amendments Made to Enhance Disease Traceability

Amendments Made to Enhance Disease Traceability

Thebeefsite.com

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to amend its domestic livestock regulations in order to enhance the traceability of animals in the United States.

These proposed changes would create greater standardization and uniformity of official numbering systems and eartags used in both animal disease programs and the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

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USDA issues final COOL rule

USDA issues final COOL rule

Beef Today

USDA has issued details of the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program required by the 2002 and 2008 farm bills. The full text of the final rule will be published in the Jan. 15, 2009 Federal Register. The rule becomes effective on March 16, 2009, 60 days after the date of publication.

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Cold Weather Calf Care & Colostrum Management

Cold Weather Calf Care & Colostrum Management

cattlenetwork.com

As the cold temperatures have blasted upon us, it is important to re-evaluate calf care protocols. Calves will have higher nutrient requirements in the winter, especially if housed in hutches or other outdoor housing. Colostrum management is critical at any time of year. Using these hints will help to ensure the health and longevity of the replacement heifer within the herd. The tips listed below are from Dr. Sam Leadley, calf/heifer management specialist for Attica Veterinary Associates, Attica, NY.

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Purdue Ag Economist Chris Hurt Tells AFBF Conference Livestock Industry Likely to Be Hit By Recession and High Feed Costs in 2009

Purdue Ag Economist Chris Hurt Tells AFBF Conference Livestock Industry Likely to Be Hit By Recession and High Feed Costs in 2009

Grainnet

San Antonio—The health of the livestock industry is linked to the health of the broader economy, and producers of beef, hogs and chicken will have to wait for the global recession to end before they can expect any significant price improvement.

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Grass Fed Cattle Can Taste As Good As Grain Fed, Say British Researchers

Grass Fed Cattle Can Taste As Good As Grain Fed, Say British Researchers

Scientific Blogging

Cattle and sheep grazed on natural grasslands help maintain biodiversity and produce tastier, healthier meat, according to a study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The research, part of the Rural Economy and Land Use (RELU) program,   concluded that pasture-based farming is good for the environment, the consumer and the producer but needs stronger support from British policy makers.

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TSCRA applauds fever tick funding

TSCRA applauds fever tick funding

North Texas E-news

Fort Worth, Texas  –  Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) President Jon Means issued the following statement today after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer announced the federal government would allocate $4.9 million for the control of cattle fever ticks in Texas.

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Fetal BVD Disease

Fetal BVD Disease

cattlenetwork.com

The results of a fetal infection with the BVD virus are usually determined by the age of the fetus at the time of infection. The BVD virus is capable of passing easily in utero from an infected cow to the fetus, which is particularly vulnerable to the BVD virus during the first 6 months of pregnancy. Death of the fetus is common if the infection occurs during the first 120 days of pregnancy.

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Small breed stands tall at National Western

Small breed stands tall at National Western

The Greeley Tribune

There’s a sign over one of the Lowline pens at the National Western Stock Show.

“Small has it all,” the sign proclaims.

And as far as Rick and Charleen Mellott of Carr are concerned, the sign says it all.

They have four head of Lowline cattle, sometimes — mistakenly, Charleen will say — called miniature Angus, that they are showing this week at the National Western.

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How to pick the right livestock cash cow

How to pick the right livestock cash cow

Culpeper Star Exponent

Carl Stafford

Being able to evaluate and judge livestock is an important selection skill extension teaches youth and adult audiences. The typical process involves a group of people leaning on the fence looking at farm animals in a pen. These could be steers, lambs, pigs, cows, goats or horses. From this group, the judges are being asked to pick the best and the worst, and to rank the animals from top to bottom and be able to explain why. Jeff Marsh will tell you that this defense of your choices is called reasons.

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Cattle: Strong showing on ‘Livestock Day’

Cattle: Strong showing on ‘Livestock Day’

Lancasteronline.com

Lancaster County has been known for generations for its livestock herds dotting the countryside, so it would stand to reason that local farmers should make a strong showing during “Livestock Day” at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

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Beef cattle parasite found in Northern New York

Beef cattle parasite found in Northern New York

Debbie GrooM

The Post-Standard

The large liver fluke, a parasite that attacks the livers of beef cattle, has been found in Northern New York.

Cornell University Beef Extension Specialist Michael J. Baker and veterinarian Dr. Laura B. Raymond positively identified the large liver fluke in beef livers at two of five slaughter plants in Northern New York.

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