Do We Need a New YG Formula?

Do We Need a New YG Formula?

Troy Smith

Angus Beef Bulletin Extra

The beef carcass yield-grading system used in the United States may not be completely broken, but it surely doesn’t work very well. That was the opinion that West Texas A&M University animal scientist Ty Lawrence offered during the 2016 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Symposium hosted June 14-17 in Manhattan, Kan. Speaking before the Advancements in End Product Improvement breakout session, Lawrence called USDA’s method for determining beef yield grades “an antiquated system based on antiquated cattle.”

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The ins and outs of low-stress corral work

The ins and outs of low-stress corral work

Whit Hibbard

Progressive Cattleman

Conventional corral work is often a very stressful time for both animals and humans, and it’s unfortunately a great place to hurt performance. Many stockmen have trouble getting their cattle into the corral. One reason is: The corral is someplace the cattle don’t freely want to go because of past experiences.

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Composting manure to reduce antibiotic residues

Composting manure to reduce antibiotic residues

John Maday

Drovers

Composting can reduce the concentration of antibiotics in cattle manure, but the degree of that reduction can vary depending on how it is tested. Excretions of antibiotics in cattle urine and feces, and subsequent accumulation in feedlot and dairy manure, has led to concerns over potential contributions to emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Previous studies have shown that composting can break down antibiotic molecules and significantly reduce their concentrations in manure before the manure is spread on crop fields.

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Federal Official in Trouble Over WOTUS

Federal Official in Trouble Over WOTUS

Hoosier Ag Today

A federal official is facing contempt charges in the House of Representatives over failure to turn over documents and information pertaining to the Waters of the U.S. Rule, or WOTUS. The House Oversight Committee recommended that Howard Shelanski, Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, be found in contempt of Congress for not cooperating with the investigation into the Waters of the U.S. rulemaking process.

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Consider the value of pasture shade

Consider the value of pasture shade

Alan Newport

Beef Producer

Shade can be a  valuable resource for all cattle, but may be especially important for the predominantly black-coated genetics in this country, which springs from British and Continental European cattle never selected for heat tolerance.

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Timeline for Iowa’s beef checkoff referendum

Timeline for Iowa’s beef checkoff referendum

The Cattle Business Weekly

One of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association priorities in 2016 was to update portions of the Iowa beef checkoff code.  Input gathered from an ICA members survey spurred the need for legislative changes. Branstad signed the changes into law in March of this year. 

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Boost returns from grazed sorghums

Boost returns from grazed sorghums

Sydney Sleep

Hay and Forage Grower

Summer annual forages supplement permanent pastures by providing high-quality forage and complementing summer perennial grasses.

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Proven technology adds pounds, solves grazing challenges in pasture cattle

Proven technology adds pounds, solves grazing challenges in pasture cattle

Beef Magazine

Though techniques for managing pasture cattle have evolved over time, cow/calf and stocker operators are still at the mercy of Mother Nature. Too much rain, not enough rain and extremes in temperature can impact the quality and quantity of forage for grazing cattle. In addition, extremely wet conditions can increase exposure to coccidia, which are detrimental to cattle health, especially in young calves.

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The Beef Improvement Federation Presents Pioneer Awards

The Beef Improvement Federation Presents Pioneer Awards

KTIC

The Beef Improvement Federation or BIF handed out three Pioneer Awards at their recent annual convention. The award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle, and it honors those who have had a major role in acceptance of performance reporting and documentation as the primary means to make genetic change in beef cattle.

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Making a Steak Without the Cow

Making a Steak Without the Cow

Sam Grobart

Bloomberg News

A lot of people like meat. But the world’s appetite for animals comes with significant costs, both moral and environmental. From animal welfare to greenhouse gases, our history of large-scale, industrial animal farming just isn’t sustainable.

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