Mycotoxin Considerations for Weather-Damaged Feedstuffs
Tracey Erickson
iGrow
This growing season has been a challenge across the upper Midwest. Whether your crops have been hit with drought or hail the odds are that we are going to see an increase potential for feed contaminants such nitrates or molds which cause mycotoxins. This article focuses on mycotoxins and how to manage them.
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August Establishment of Perennial Forages
Rory Lewandowski, Mark Sulc
Ohio Beef Cattle Letter
Our wet weather conditions throughout much of 2017 prevented spring establishment of perennial forages for many producers. Additionally, the wet weather has caused stand loss in alfalfa fields due to compaction and crown damage from harvest on wet soils, and from root rot in poorly drained field areas. As a result, replacement of some of those acres is necessary. August provides growers with another window of opportunity to establish a perennial forage stand.
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JBs sells all beef assets in three South American countries
Global Meat News
Downsizing at the world’s biggest meatpacker JBS is fully under way after its rival, Minerva Foods, closed a $300m acquisition of beef assets in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. JBS, through two of its subsidiaries, has now sold all of its beef operations in these three countries to Pul Argentina SA, Frigomerc SA and Pulsa SA respectively – businesses owned by Brazilian meatpacker Minerva Foods.
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Arkansas farmers use blockchain to trace meat products
Feedstuffs
A group of livestock farmers in Arkansas, supported by Heifer USA, is using cutting-edge technology to let consumers know where their dinner comes from. The small-scale suppliers of Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative are among the first in the U.S. to use blockchain technology to trace their products from farm to fork, with the aim of giving consumers more confidence in the origin and quality of the meat they buy.
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Late Summer Forage Management Can Support Herd Health
Jason Hohlt
The Cattleman
A longtime friend of my dad used to say, “The only thing that makes the fishing better in August is September!” In most parts of Texas, it would be fair to say the month of August does not discriminate and can be equally hard on cattlemen and fishermen.
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Facts about antimicrobial resistance in cattle
Roy Lewis DVM
Canadian Cattlemen
We hear the public and some industry sectors use terms like “raised without antibiotics.” The fact is, reducing antibiotic use can have severe ramifications from an animal welfare perspective. They are effective and safe. We have established withdrawal periods by law so there are no antibiotic or other drug residues from products such as NSAIDs or vaccines in our meat or milk. The established withdrawal times are set for each product.
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Potato Chip-Fed Beef is Taking Off in Philadelphia
Food and Wine
Jillian Kramer
Cows don’t exactly eat well: they nosh for more than six hours a day on grains, corn silage, hay, and water. (You’re starting to salivate at the thought, we know.) If they’re lucky, they get some grass, too. But one herd of cattle in Pennsylvania is eating much better, comparatively at least, because they get to nibble on a "steer party mix" of potato peelings, over-baked pretzels, and insufficiently sized chips.
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He tried winter bale grazing
Lauren Peterson
Hay and Forage Grower
There’s no question that soil health is key to the sustainability of a grazing operation. What is in question, however, is the actual effect of winter bale grazing on soil health. Simply put, many enthusiasts praise this method for adding nutrients immediately back into the soil through hay litter and manure, making the cost of hay seemingly irrelevant.
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Prevent soil erosion with cover crops and grazing management
Carrie Veselka
Progressive Cattleman
Soil erosion, whether it occurs from wind or water, is a less noticeable but equally serious problem to floods, wildfires and the rest. Although the effects of soil erosion might take time to appear, they can impose lasting consequences.
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FDA approves first pain control medication for food-producing animal
Beef Magazine
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced July 25 the approval of Banamine Transdermal (flunixin transdermal solution), an animal drug approved for the control of pain associated with foot rot and the control of pyrexia (fever) associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
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The Beef Blog 