Video Feature: Baxter Black: A Traveling Salesman Tale

Baxter Black shares an interesting tale involving a traveling salesman. From Farm Journal Media.

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Georgia University system could layoff 4,000 and eliminate programs

Georgia University system could layoff 4,000 and eliminate programs

Walter C. Jones

Jacksonville.com

The University of Georgia cuts would range far beyond the campus and include eliminating all 4H programs and the closing of five 4H programs including the one on Jekyll Island. That would save more than $6 million.

The university also raised the possibility of closing half of the county extension offices and the agents who provide services to farmers throughout Georgia.

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Budget cuts could eliminate 4-H

Budget cuts could eliminate 4-H

Alabny Herald (GA)

Under the University of Georgia’s Fiscal Year 2011 Additional Reductions plan, all of Georgia’s 4-H clubs would be eliminated and the state’s 94 4-H agents terminated.

Funded by UGA, the statewide program that develops life skills in leadership, communication, citizenship and decision-making skills annually reaches more than 156,000 young people ages 9 to 19.

“It’s devastating to even think about it,” said Anthony Jones, Dougherty County’s Extension Agent and the county 4-H club’s former coordinator. “With all the gang activity, gang violence and violence in general out there, this would really hurt the youth in Georgia to not be a part of a solid enrichment program.”

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Effects of Age and Method of Castration on Performance and Stress Response of Beef Cattle – Frequently Asked Questions

Effects of Age and Method of Castration on Performance and Stress Response of Beef Cattle – Frequently Asked Questions

Government of Alberta

Why is it so important to evaluate the effects of age and method of castration?

Bull calves are castrated to reduce meat toughness, aggressive behavior, sexual interest and dark cutting. However, the process of castration can be stressful and can lead to weight loss and lowered growth performance. The age and method of castration has a significant impact on growth performance and stress response making it important to choose the right age and method.

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National Review: Easy Boy, Your Dog Might Sue

National Review: Easy Boy, Your Dog Might Sue

Wesley J. Smith

National Public Radio

Should animals, like indigent criminal defendants, be provided with legal representation by the state? It could happen. As Time has reported, on March 7, voters in Switzerland will decide whether to give “domestic creatures . . . the constitutional right to be represented by (human) lawyers in court.”

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Cows like leaves their tongues can wrap around easily

Cows like leaves their tongues can wrap around easily

PHYSORG

Ranchers may be able to tell how long to leave cattle in a pasture, and how large to make the pasture, by the height and leafiness of plants growing there, according to Stacey Gunter, research leader at the ARS Southern Plains Range Research Station in Woodward, Okla. He worked with former Ph.D. student Pablo Gregorini and colleagues at Woodward to demonstrate this approach with beef steers grazing in fenced-off corridors in wheat pastures.

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Livestock producers meeting is March 9

Livestock producers meeting is March 9

Rushville Republican

Jackman Animal Clinic and the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service are sponsoring a meeting March 9 at the Rush County Fairgrounds that should be of interest to all livestock producers in Rush County. The meeting will take place at the Root Building and will start with a free meal at 6:30 p.m.

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Prescribed herding for rangeland health on the West Terror Allotment

Prescribed herding for rangeland health on the West Terror Allotment

Matt Barnes

The Fence Post

The health of the Western Range depends on how grazing is managed. Progressive rangeland managers are increasingly turning to the ancient art of herding — moving a single large group of animals across the landscape, using low-stress stockmanship — to prevent overuse of preferred areas and allow plants sufficient recovery time before they are grazed again.

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Rock-star farmer

Rock-star farmer

Ron Mikulak

Louisville Courier-Journal

Farmers do not often become celebrities, people widely recognized by fans and in demand for personal appearances. After all, what do farmers do aside from providing everyone else with the sustenance to go about their lives? That’s something we take for granted. Nothing glamorous in that.

But March 12, the Community Farm Alliance will play host to Joel Salatin, one of the nation’s few rock-star farmers — though it is unlikely that he would embrace that handle.

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Super Bowl Cows

Super Bowl Cows

David Gassko and Ian Stanczyk

New York Times

A football is often referred to as a “pigskin,” though it’s been a long time since that term was accurate. Modern-day footballs are made from cow leather, made from the hides of slaughtered cattle. That got us wondering: What are the odds a given cow will make it to the Super Bowl?

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Grass Tetany Management for Cattle Grazing Lush, Cool-Season Pastures

Grass Tetany Management for Cattle Grazing Lush, Cool-Season Pastures

Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science, University of Nebraska

Grass tetany is caused by magnesium deficiency and can occur in cattle grazing lush, growing cool-season pastures. It can occur in beef cows during early lactation and is more prevalent in older cows.

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A.I. Is Beef Industry’s Most Underutilized Tool

A.I. Is Beef Industry’s Most Underutilized Tool

Stephen B. Blezinger, Ph.D., PAS

Cattle Today

In the previous issue we began a series on factors affecting beef consumption in the United States. Since this is the A. I. and Herd Bull Issue, we’re going to “jump the track” a bit and talk about the use of artificial insemination in the beef industry. We’ll get back to the series we started in the next issue.

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Bahiagrass: Blessing or Curse? Part I

Bahiagrass: Blessing or Curse? Part I

Ron Holcomb, Agrilife Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources

Liberty County Vindicator

Rising fertilizer costs have lowered economical fertilizer rates for hybrid bermudagrass resulting in lower hay yields and stocking rates when grazed. Livestock producers are looking for low input pasture systems to maintain profitability.

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Plan Pinkeye Prevention Program For Beef Cattle Now

Plan Pinkeye Prevention Program For Beef Cattle Now

Indiana Prairie Farmer

As pinkeye season approaches, it’s time for beef producers to take preventive steps to control this contagious, costly disease. Pinkeye losses can exceed $100 per incidence in beef cattle. Norm Stewart, a veterinarian and manager of tech services for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, offers suggestions for best management practices to prevent pinkeye.

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CAB Premiums Reach $300M

CAB Premiums Reach $300M

KTIC

Cumulative grid premium rewards for hitting the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand target stood at nearly $300 million at the end of last year, and they keep growing at an annual rate of about $25 million paid to producers. That’s the five-year average according to a January 2010 survey; the second-highest total for that span was 2008, with $25.5 million in premiums reported.

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