Mythbusters: BVD
KATRINA WATERS
The Cattleman
We know animals persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVD) cause a tremendous economic hardship on the cattle industry. We also know control is only possible with a three-pronged approach: vaccination, detection and biosecurity. But there’s also a lot of bad information out there.
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Q&A: Is cattle ingestion of plastic net wrap more harmful than plastic twine?
Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science, Animal Science, University of Nebraska
A: I am not aware of any data. The following is an observation by our extension veterinarian. I don’t think it is common that much of the bale wrap or twine is consumed by cattle.
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The rumen and use of feed additives
Ivan G. Rush
Tri State Livestock News
As I write this article the thermometer reads 19 below and it tempts me to write about cold stress in cows but we all know it just takes more feed, either grazed or fed to keep cow condition, so will wish you the best in getting through this cold spell.
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Ranching Internship
Jocelyn Frohwein
American Cattlemen
There are different ways you can break into the ranching business. However, if you are not born into a ranching family or near a ranching family to learn first hand knowledge than you might look into a ranching internship designed to give you that hands on approach to learning the ranching lifestyle and trade. There are domestic, within the United States and International programs available to students.
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Sluggish fundraising slows Idaho research center
Idahostatesman.com
The sour economy and plummeting real-estate values are hampering efforts to raise money for a proposed $37 million livestock and dairy research center near Twin Falls.
In 2007, proponents of the University of Idaho-run center hoped it could be operating by 2008 or 2009.
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Closed-Loop Beef Operation Planned for New York
KTIC
Upstate New York could become the world leader in environmentally sustainable livestock production. That’s the word from Jeff Kapell, vice president for project development for Bion Environmental Technologies.
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Auburn University to Build Feed Mill and Animal Nutrition Facility
Grainnet
High-quality, nutritious feed is key to the success of any poultry or livestock operation, and soon, a new $7-million, state-of-the-art feed mill and animal nutrition facility at Auburn University will help animal industries provide the best feed possible.
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Cull Cow Herd to Cut Feed Costs
AgWeb.com
Beef herd owners can cut winter feed costs by not feeding unproductive cows.
“Culling is step one,” says Justin Sexten, University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist. “Sell cows that are not going to produce a calf.”
A nonpregnant cow will take 488 days to return her first paycheck, says Sexten, and the major cost of keeping a cow all year is the winter feed. “Do the math before you decide to keep her. Think about how much feed she will eat before she pays back.”
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The 94th Pennsylvania Farm Show will include changes and additions.
TERESA McMINN
The Evening Sun
For starters, rather than a sit-down dinner, the event’s opening reception will feature several stations that serve foods and beverages including beef, pork, lamb, chicken, trout, cheeses, mushrooms, rolls, craft beers and wines, said Patrick J. Kerwin, the show’s executive director.
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Is Your Facility Ready to Receive?
Sara Brown
Cows and calves are ready to wean. Check. The receiving pen or pasture has been cleaned or mowed. Check. Hay is in the bunk. Fresh water is on. Fence is up. Hot wire is hot. The moon is in the right sign. Check, check and check.
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Interstate Meat Shipping Program will help Grow Local Demand, Promote Competition
NCBA
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments yesterday to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) regarding a proposed rule to allow the interstate shipping of certain meat and poultry products. The proposal would establish a new cooperative state program—as directed under section 11015 of the 2008 Farm Bill—to permit the sale and shipment of meat across state lines.
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Frost and Johnsongrass Don’t Mix
JEREMY POWELL, DVM, PHD, University of Arkansas
Autumn is upon us. The air is crisp, and freezing temperatures will soon be here. With temperatures dropping, remember that frost can lead to problems with cattle grazing sudangrass, sorghum-sundangrass hybrids and grain/forage sorghum.
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Ask The Cattle Nutritionist: Urea, Distillers’ Grains
cattlenetwork.com
Protein supplementation of forge diets can increase forage intake, and improve ADG if a protein deficiency exists. There is some speculation about the need for ruminally degradable intake protein (i.e. urea) in cattle fed high forage diets even when supplementation of distillers’ grains is sufficient to meet crude protein requirements.
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Agriculture chief disputes USDA climate bill study
Jerry Hagstrom
CongressDaily
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Friday took issue with a report his own agency has issued on the impact of the House-passed climate change bill, which concluded there will be a large-scale conversion of cropland to forestland.
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Integrating information into bull selection
John Maday
Drovers.com
Seedstock producer Loren Berger operates Berger’s Herdmasters in the Nebraska Sandhills near North Platte. The operation focuses on producing hybrid bulls consisting of Red Angus-Simmental and Angus-Simmental crosses, and some high-percentage Red and Black Angus bulls for use with heifers. Berger outlined some of his selection priorities at the 2009 Range Beef Cow Symposium.
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