Baxter Black, DVM: ADOPT A FARMER

Baxter Black, DVM:  ADOPT A FARMER

As the percent of farmers continues to decrease in proportion to the population, it seems the harder the ANTIs (HSUS, PETA, Sierra Club, name one) try to increase America’s dependence on foreign food just as they have done with manufacturing, energy, timber, and steel.

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Locker Beef

Locker Beef

Kim Holt

Angus Journal

Southwest Idaho’s Dennis Boehlke and western Oregon’s Troy and Laurie Van Roekel are dedicated, long-time Angus breeders and western Angus organization leaders who continually strive to raise cattle that are productive from pasture to plate. Lately, it’s the latter both have placed special emphasis on in order to diversify and expand marketing opportunities while supplying customers with great-tasting, homegrown locker beef.

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Q&A: What do the corn processers remove to get hominy? Could I use hominy in a finish ration with WDDG and roughage?

Q&A:   What do the corn processers remove to get hominy? Could I use hominy in a finish ration with WDDG and roughage?

Dr. Terry Mader, Professor of Animal Science, Northeast Research and Extension Center – Concord, Concord, NE

A:    Hominy traditional is a by-product of the dry corn milling (not necessarily related to ethanol production) process whereby the starch granules are extracted in a dry form to make brewers grits, cornmeal, and related products.

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Calf Scours is Preventable

Calf Scours is Preventable

Del Deterling

Progressive Farmer/DTN

Few things can be more frustrating or set your profitability back faster than an outbreak of calf scours soon after birth. Severe calf diarrhea not only influences immediate calf survivability, but also affects long-term performance. Calf scours can be the leading cause of calf mortality from birth to weaning.

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Ohio among states waging agricultural antitrust fight

Ohio among states waging agricultural antitrust fight

MATT VOLZ

Mansfield News Journal

Montana is leading a 16-state effort to save small farmers and ranchers by urging the federal government to use antitrust weapons and enlist the states’ help to fight increasing consolidation in agriculture.

The feds are listening. Attorney General Eric Holder and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack say a series of workshops on competition in the industry is an unprecedented act of cooperation between their agencies. But they also say it’s not clear what actions will come from the hearings, which are examining competition in U.S. dairy, seed, meatpacking and crop production.

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Accuracy of Records is Important to IRS

Accuracy of Records is Important to IRS

John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law

Cattle Today

The accuracy and businesslike nature of records is something that the IRS has been scrutinizing more and more in recent years. The IRS expects all taxpayers to maintain canceled checks, invoices, credit card statements and similar items needed to substantiate amounts claimed as business deductions and to help prepare one’s tax returns.

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Footrot Can Cripple Herd Performance

Footrot Can Cripple Herd Performance

Bovine Veterinarian

Footrot continues to be a problem facing the beef industry that costs U.S. producers millions of dollars in losses annually. A study at the University of Nebraska estimated the cost of footrot is $120 for each animal affected. Losses come from decreased performance, reduced value or condemnation of carcass, and costs related to antimicrobial treatment and labor. The condition is rarely fatal, but it can have a drastic impact on the bottom line.

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It’s All Trew: Buffalo horses and outlaw cattle

It’s All Trew: Buffalo horses and outlaw cattle

Delbert Trew

Amarillo.com

In our world today we constantly read of high prices paid for outstanding animals such as race horses, cutting horses, barrel horses and even the top bucking stock in rodeo. The top animals in those fields are well trained, well cared for and above all, must enjoy their work. To see a top-notch animal work is a distinct pleasure to anyone who appreciates stock.

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Higher Quality Grades Here to Stay

Higher Quality Grades Here to Stay

Thecattlesite.com

US – The US’s beef quality has continued its rise in recent weeks, with nearly 65 per cent of federally graded cattle grading Choice — an increase compared to 60.1 per cent reported July 2009, according to Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB).

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Pittsylvania County farmers may tap foreign market for cattle

Pittsylvania County farmers may tap foreign market for cattle

John Crane

Godanriver.com

Some Pittsylvania County farmers have found a foreign market for their beef cattle and more could be sold to another country soon.

Farmers sold about 100 head of cattle from Pittsylvania County to Turkey during an auction in 2008 and more could be on the way to the Mediterranean country after another auction in Gretna next Saturday, said George Winn, a Gretna farmer and a member of the Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau board.

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10 Things You Must Know About Animal Rights

10 Things You Must Know About Animal Rights

Bovine Vererinarian

The dairy industry is getting attacked left and right by animal-rightists. David Martosko, director of research for the Center for Consumer Freedom, refers to these types as “humaniacs.”

And, he says, when it comes to dealing with them, there are 10 lessons you need to learn. Martosko shared these lessons last week at the Western United Dairymen Convention in Modesto, Calif.

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Steve Cornett : More on China

Steve Cornett :  More on China

Beef Today

Since last we visited, China’s recalcitrance has drawn the attention of editorialists far wiser than I. And, in fact, President Obama, both houses of Congress and China’s top finance officials have weighed in, as well.

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DNA refines selection

DNA refines selection

Gemma Gadd

Weekly Times (AU)

DNA testing has paved the way for genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences information, which will allow producers to select for the same traits they always have, but with younger animals and greater accuracy.

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Industry Must Promote Beef Positively to Consumer

Industry Must Promote Beef Positively to Consumer

Stephen B. Blezinger, Ph.D., PAS

Cattle Today

This is the final installment of this series where we have been discussing factors that are affecting beef consumption in the United States. You’ll recall that in the previous articles we have looked at health issues and the vegetarian movements.

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Q&A: I am thinking of using Artificial Insemination (AI) in my cows and am wondering what rate of conception to expect if I synchronize estrus.

Q&A:   I am thinking of using Artificial Insemination (AI) in my cows and am wondering what rate of conception to expect if I synchronize estrus.

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

A:   There are a number of different estrous synchronization programs to consider. I would have you go to some information that was put together by the Beef Reproductive Task force.

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