Baxter Black, DVM: THE LUDDITES
The anti-progress Luddites have taken some serious blows in the last six months. A British study shows that animals and crops raised under strict organic parameters, have no nutritional or health benefits over animals and crops grown with FDA/USDA approved insecticides, pesticides, parasitacides, antibiotics, chemical disinfectants and growth stimulants.
Posted in Uncategorized
Ultrasound Still Important Tool
Southern Livestock Standard
DNA. DNA. DNA. Everywhere you turn these days talk in the beef industry is about DNA. The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) centered its annual convention this past summer on the role of genomics in improving selection tools. And even the lowliest cowpoke knows what a SNP, or “snip” is. It’s enough to make one wonder if ultrasound technology is obsolete.
Posted in Uncategorized
Has Global Warming Been Nothing But A Lie?
Beef Today
Source: Texas Cattle Feeders Association Newsletter
It has not yet become a major scandal for most of the mainstream media, but various news outlets have reported on what appears to be a joint effort by leading scientists to create and sustain fears about climate change, even if it meant squelching evidence that undermined their cause.
Posted in Uncategorized
Impact of COOL on meat industry
Amanda Nolz
Tri State Livestock News
Without a doubt, Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) has been a hot topic for debate amongst cattle producer groups, processors and retailers. In a matter of minutes, COOL became the “it” word at most beef industry meetings, and although producers never came to a consensus on the plan and USDA admitted it would have trouble enforcing it, mandatory COOL became effective into law on Sept. 30, 2008.
Posted in Uncategorized
New national rules for managing bovine TB being proposed
Minnesota Farm Guide
USDA-APHIS is proposing new rules for managing bovine TB in the U.S.
Dr. Susan Keller, N.D. state veterinarian, said members of her staff attended a national meeting about the current bovine TB national program in Denver, Colo. They also heard more on the proposed USDA TB action plan there.
Keller and her staff – along with state veterinarians and beef and dairy experts throughout the country – have several concerns about the plan because no details have been released about how it would be implemented.
Posted in Uncategorized
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health & AABP Honor Students
cattlenetwork.com
Eight students pursuing careers in bovine veterinary medicine received industry encouragement and financial support through the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition Awards. The program, sponsored by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, awarded $1,500 to each of the eight students who exemplify dedication and commitment to advancing their studies in dairy and/or beef veterinary medicine. The program also awards each recipient an all-expenses-paid trip to the annual AABP conference.
Posted in Uncategorized
Hopefully you didn’t miss Hoosier Beef Congress.
Tom Bechman
Indiana Prairie Farmer
Check the Indiana Beef Cattle Association’s Website if you want to discover how to find out who won the big awards at the Beef Congress that concluded yesterday. If you want to know what you really missed if you didn’t attend, read on.
Posted in Uncategorized
2010 Beef Cattle Short Course in San Antonio to cover meaty topics
Paul Schattenberg, Texas A&M
North Texas e-News
Room 109 of the Performing Arts Building of Palo Alto College, 1400 West Villaret, will serve as the site for the 2010 South Texas Beef Cattle Short Course.
The free program will be presented by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Bexar Beef Cattle Committee, said Jerry Warren, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture in Bexar County.
Posted in Uncategorized
N.C. meat inspections reveal more than 300 violations
WRAL
A backyard slaughterhouse and fake USDA labels on meat packaging were just two of the cases uncovered in North Carolina this year during state-mandated meat inspections.
Posted in Uncategorized
KLA members elect leaders
KRVN
Sharon Springs rancher and farmer Mark Smith was elected president of the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) during the group’s annual membership meeting December 4 in Wichita. Smith will serve as the volunteer leader for KLA’s 5,500 members during the coming year. Ken Grecian, a cow-calf producer and farmer from Palco, was chosen by KLA members as the new president elect.
Posted in Uncategorized
Familiar faces in show ring for supreme championship
Producer.com
As sure as the prairie winds blow, Rob Hamilton has stood in the northwest corner of the show ring for the finale of Canadian Western Agribition year after year.
The supreme finale showcases all the grand champion bulls and females from Agribition, held Nov. 21-28 in Regina, and 15 other North American shows.
Posted in Uncategorized
UW researching impacts of feeding on marbling
KNEB
To ensure a positive beef eating experience, marbling is intrigal to the flavor, juiciness and tenderness. Starch is a big driver in marbling development. To offset higher feed prices, alternative production strategies are needed for beef producers to remain viable and competitive in the beef industry.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tracking livestock– We could learn plenty from Australia, Canada
Yakima Herald-Republic
When it comes to a system for tracking meat and dairy cattle, the U.S. still has a long way to go before it matches what’s taking place in Australia and Canada.
This nation’s voluntary approach to tracking diseased livestock has few admirers and many critics. There’s a lot to be learned from the approaches taken by the Aussies and Canadians. The question is: Will our federal government take heed?
Posted in Uncategorized
Properly examined moldy feed can be used in beef diets with little risk
Farm and Ranch Guide
Mold does not pose risk to beef cattle, but the mycotoxins some molds can produce are frequently culprits in beef feeding operations.
That’s according to South Dakota Cooperative Extension Beef Specialist Cody Wright, who advises beef producers to analyze feed and get lab-tested information when it’s needed.
Posted in Uncategorized
New Oregon Cattlemen’s Association president eager to educate
Craig Reed
The News Review
Bill Hoyt isn’t wasting any time in trying to educate the city about what is going on in the country.
The North Douglas County rancher took over as president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Saturday evening at the organization’s annual state convention. His first speaking engagement is Tuesday at Portland’s Pearl District Rotary club.
Posted in Uncategorized
The Beef Blog 