Beware of grass tetany, pasture bloat in cattle

Beware of grass tetany, pasture bloat in cattle

Dr. Ron Lemenager

AG Answers

Beef producers should expand their knowledge about grass tetany and bloat to help keep their cows from expanding, said a Purdue University expert.

The recent temperature change from cold to warm in the Eastern Corn Belt has many beef producers anxious to turn their cattle out to pasture. But Ron Lemenager, Purdue Extension beef nutrition specialist, said it presents some challenges and producers should manage their herds to prevent grass tetany and bloat.

Full Story

“Take Me Back to Tulsa” for 2009 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo

“Take Me Back to Tulsa” for 2009 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo

Hereford youth, their families and supporters, will travel to Tulsa, Okla., for the 10th Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) sponsored by VitaFerm®, a product line of BioZyme® Inc., July 4-11, 2009.

National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members look forward to the event all year, preparing not only their cattle, but also themselves, for a variety of fun-filled and educational activities and contests. Last year, the JNHE drew more than 2,000 people to Kansas City.

Full Story MS Word Doc

Angus V.P. Jim Shirley Retires

Angus V.P. Jim Shirley Retires

Angus E-List

Angus veteran Jim Shirley announced April 20 his retirement from the American Angus Association,® effective July 31.

“He’s been a great asset to this organization for 24 years,” said American Angus Association CEO Bryce Schumann. “We want to recognize and applaud that service. We’re going to miss him. I’m going to miss him.”

Full Story

High Price Leads to Poor Cattle ID Partcipation

High Price Leads to Poor Cattle ID Partcipation

Thebeefsite.com

Controversy continues to swirl around the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), a USDA/APHIS-controlled registry for livestock and land where they are kept.

The program, initiated in 2003, was developed as a way to quickly track and eradicate outbreaks of animal disease, reports DeltaFarmPress. By having rapid disease “traceability” in place, NAIS proponents — which includes veterinary associations — claim millions of animals and billions of dollars can be saved when disease arises.

Full Story

Legislation Introduced to Protect Livestock from Greenhouse Regs

Legislation Introduced to Protect Livestock from Greenhouse Regs

KTIC

Nebraska Senator and former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has co-sponsored legislation that would protect animal agriculture from any greenhouse gas regulations promulgated by EPA. Last Friday, EPA announced it had determined that greenhouse gases may endanger public health or welfare. The ruling faces a 60-day public comment period.

Full Story

AFBF and greenhouse gasses

AFBF and greenhouse gasses

Bureau County Republican

Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, issued the following statement April 17:

“The American Farm Bureau Federation is deeply concerned about the impact of the Environmental Protection Agency’s finding on greenhouse gas emissions. The agency’s announcement could lead to harmful consequences with the government overextending its arm into every facet of the economy, including the agriculture industry.

Full Story

Survey: America’s cattle farmers, ranchers support wildlife, ecosystems

Survey: America’s cattle farmers, ranchers support wildlife, ecosystems

AG Professional

New survey data show that America’s cattle farmers and ranchers are raising a lot more than just cattle on their ranches. From endangered species to native trees and grasses, America’s farms and ranches are hosting, and often actively supporting, wildlife, natural ecosystems and the environment.

Full Story

Cottage Hill Farm promotes Scottish breed

Cottage Hill Farm promotes Scottish breed

Pat Kopecki

Wilson County News

Travelers driving on F.M. 1346 north of La Vernia may have seen Belted Galloway cattle grazing on Cottage Hill Farm, owned by Adriene Long. People who have seen the cattle, also known as “Belties,” have described the cattle as the bovine version of the Hampshire swine because they are both marked like an “Oreo” cookie.

Full Story

Cattle Recovery Ahead?

Cattle Recovery Ahead?

Illinois Farm Bureau

Cattle prices are likely to increase over time, says a Purdue University Extension marketing specialist.

The magnitude of price improvement may be robust at some point in 2010 as beef cow numbers continue to drop, beef exports continue to improve, and the world economy begins to heal, says Chris Hurt. A return to finished cattle prices of $1 per pound or higher seems probable as per capita beef supplies will be low and competitive meat supplies will drop as well.

Full Story

Greenhouse gas regulations could be devastating

Greenhouse gas regulations could be devastating

KNEB

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is deeply concerned about the potential impacts that a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finding could have on livestock operations. EPA’s finding—which proposes that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are an endangerment to public health and welfare—is the first step in a process that could require GHG regulation under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Full Story

Beef care packages sent to troops

Beef care packages sent to troops

The Cattle Business Weekly

Thanks to Gary West Smoked Meats of Jacksonville, Ore. and Certified Angus Beef, more than 200 troops from Oregon’s 2-641-AVN unit, the Ohio Army National Guard 1-145th, and the 287th Sustainment Brigade from Kansas, were shipped beef care packages recently. In addition to the gourmet steak strips in the shipments, the packages featured hand-written notes of thanks to soldiers for their service.

Full Story

Parasitic Infection Hits Cattle, Puts Humans At Risk

Parasitic Infection Hits Cattle, Puts Humans At Risk

cattlenetwork.com

A number of calves are suffering from cryptosporidiosis, a, this spring, which can put their handlers at risk.

“This extremely wet and sloppy spring calving season increases the risk of cryptosporidia infections, not only in our calves, but in the people caring for them,” says Charlie Stoltenow, North Dakota State University Extension Service veterinarian

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by the protozoan parasite cryptosporidium parvum.

Full Story

Beef is great choice for people and planet

Beef is great choice for people and planet

Beaumont Enterprise

Environment- and health-conscious consumers should feel good about choosing beef on Earth Day and every other day.

As a medical doctor and beef producer, I can tell you that beef contributes significantly to a healthy diet and minimally to total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the entire U.S. agricultural sector contributes just 6.4 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions.

Full Story

Texas A&M Beef Center show cattle camps scheduled for May, June

Texas A&M Beef Center show cattle camps scheduled for May, June

Paul Maulsby

The 4th fourth annual Texas A&M University Beef Cattle Show Camp has scheduled two sessions – May 30-31 and June 6-7 – in College Station.

Both sessions will be held at the Texas A&M University Beef Center, said Paul Maulsby, center manager.

Full Story

Beef: It’s what’s for Earth Day

Beef: It’s what’s for Earth Day

St. Paul Ledger

Looking for a suitably carnivorous way to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow? The Minnesota Beef Council has a suggestion.

“Celebrate Earth Day this year with a juicy, lean cut of beef and know you’re making an environmentally responsible and healthy food choice,” advises a release from the council, which adds that by “celebrating with beef,” you’ll be supporting the state’s 25,000 beef producers “who not only contribute to the state economy, they work every day to protect Minnesota’s native landscapes, water and air quality.”

Full Story