Producers can earn a premium by enrolling calves in verification programs

Producers can earn a premium by enrolling calves in verification programs

Gayle Smith

Tri State Livestock News

As consumers become more aware of where the beef they eat comes from, they are also becoming more interested in the history of that animal. Because of the growing interest in animal traceability, government programs are being developed for ranchers who are willing to keep better records on their animals and manage them to meet program requirements. Those producers can earn a premium when they market their calves.

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Match cow herd to available forage by rolling back calving season

Match cow herd to available forage by rolling back calving season

Doug Rich

High Plains Journal

When most people think about animal welfare, they do not picture cows and calves grazing contentedly on a lush green pasture. But animal welfare is an issue for the cow-calf segment of the beef industry, also.

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Abundant clover causing bloat problems

Abundant clover causing bloat problems

Aimee Nielson

University of Kentucky, Southeast Farm Press

“We have heard about and seen an over-abundance of white clover in many pastures this year. This has raised concerns about bloat, and a number of producers have experienced death losses due to bloat in their cattle herds.”

Reported cases of frothy bloat in cattle are up quite a bit in 2010 compared to recent years.

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As demand grows for locally raised meat, farmers turn to mobile slaughterhouses

As demand grows for locally raised meat, farmers turn to mobile slaughterhouses

Lyndsey Layton

Washington Post

When Kathryn Thomas wanted to turn her sheep into lamb chops, the federal government required her to haul them across Puget Sound on a ferry and then drive three hours to reach a suitable slaughterhouse.

Not anymore. These days, the slaughterhouse — and the feds — come to her.

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Leon Metz: Irishman built empire on rustling of cattle

Leon Metz: Irishman built empire on rustling of cattle

ElPaso Times

Pat Coghlan, an Irish immigrant who reached American shores in 1845, enlisted in the U.S. Army and was discharged in 1852 at San Antonio, Texas. By 1873, he had migrated to New Mexico territory, settling in Tularosa.

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Many cattle farmers return to tradition of grass-fed beef

Many cattle farmers return to tradition of grass-fed beef

Mac McLean

TriCities.com

About 250 head of cattle followed Will Clark as he drove an old white pickup truck across a 1,300-acre farm his family owns between Saltville and Hungry Mother State Park.

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Like father, like daughter

Like father, like daughter

CAROLE BRODSKY

Ukiah Daily Journal

For the Magruder family, fifth-generation Potter Valley ranchers, the transference of responsibility for a 2,400-acre cattle ranch is passing from father to daughter.

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Texas Cattle Feeders Association explains ‘sustainable agriculture’

Texas Cattle Feeders Association explains ‘sustainable agriculture’

Bandera County Courier

 “Sustainable agriculture” is a term heard a lot these days, but what does it mean?

There does not appear to be a universal definition. However, most people who use the term indicate they want a food industry that delivers wholesome nutrition while safeguarding our natural resources. If those are the criteria, then the cattle feeding industry is a champion of sustainable agriculture.

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Protect Cattle from Heat Stress as Temperatures Rise

Protect Cattle from Heat Stress as Temperatures Rise

KRVN

With temperatures heating up, cattle producers need to take steps to protect their herds from heat stress, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln beef specialist said.

The approaching high temperatures, coupled with last week’s heavy rains, could cause hot, humid conditions in the next week or two.

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Wendell Berry Got It Wrong

Wendell Berry Got It Wrong

Gary Truitt

Hoosier AG Today

Many of the staunchest critics of modern agriculture quote Berry in their call for a return to a more agrarian lifestyle. Yet, a just published study from Stanford University demonstrates with factual clarity that our world would be much worse off without modern agriculture.

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UT Institute of Agriculture hosts Tobacco, Beef and More Field Day

UT Institute of Agriculture hosts Tobacco, Beef and More Field Day

The Leaf Chronicle

Everyone interested including tobacco and beef producers is invited to be at the Highland Rim Research and Education Center on June 24 for the Tobacco, Beef and More Field Day.

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Proposal shifts meat powers, Rules would tighten beef industry

Proposal shifts meat powers, Rules would tighten beef industry

Jim McBride

Amarillo.com

The Obama administration on Friday proposed new antitrust rules for meat companies that reflect a willingness to shift the balance of power between farmers and processors and to regulate an industry long dominated by a handful of corporate giants.

The rules would place the sharpest limits on meat companies since the Great Depression and have at least one area lawmaker questioning whether Congress should take a closer look at them.

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CAFO Watch

CAFO Watch

Jaclyn Goldsborough

NUVO Indianapolis

Editor’s note: Stories of this ilk are included in the blog to inform those in our industry how agriculture is being presented to and perceived by the public.

So why does a person living in a large city like Indianapolis need to worry about farms, chickens, cows and overcrowding? . . .

If this information doesn’t make you concerned or troubled, hell then, I don’t know what will. But with the commonality of these farms in our great state, maybe just miles away from your home, it might be a good idea to register by July 3, hear a few good speakers, enjoy lunch, all while learning how to limit the size of factory farms, and the health risks.

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Facts About Grass-fed Beef

Facts About Grass-fed Beef

Sam Montana

Most cattle or supermarket cattle is fed a diet of grain and or green wheat. Once they reach a certain weight, about 650 lbs, they are then transferred to a feedlot. This is a quick list of what cattle are fed at this time in a feedlot. Sugar beet waste, hay, sorghum, corn, molasses, cottonseed meal, soybean meal and oats.

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Risk Assessment for Brazil Livestock Imports Falls Short

Risk Assessment for Brazil Livestock Imports Falls Short

KNEB

Earlier this week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) proposed changes to the livestock disease status of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

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