From Small Farms to Feedlots: The Agriculture Industry Needs Us All

From Small Farms to Feedlots: The Agriculture Industry Needs Us All

Maggie McCarty

Animal Ag Engage

Growing up, I was an active member of the local 4-H Livestock Club, raising many species of livestock and showing them in local fairs as well as shows throughout the state. Though I lived on a small farm in which I was the only family member raising animals for show or consumption, I took a strong interest in the agriculture community in my area and did everything I could to actively engage with producers. I felt as though I had a clear understanding of modern day agriculture – at least in my area, which consisted mostly of smaller cow-calf operations.

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Turns out cow temperament is more than a convenience trait

Turns out cow temperament is more than a convenience trait

Justin Sexton

Beef Magazine

When does a convenience trait become very inconvenient? When a bad-tempered bull or cow blows snot in your back pocket and puts you over a fence, that’s when. And that’s also likely when docility goes from the bottom of the list to the top.

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Five Canadian cattle producers on body condition scoring

Five Canadian cattle producers on body condition scoring

Lee Hart

Canadian Cattleman

Beef producers across Canada appreciate the benefits of keeping cows and heifers and even feeder cattle in good condition, particularly over winter, for a variety of production and economic reasons. With cold temperatures and winter rations it can take a lot of feed to improve animal condition over the winter feeding period, so many aim to have cattle in good shape heading into fall.

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China’s largest online retailer to buy Montana beef

China’s largest online retailer to buy Montana beef

ABC News

China’s largest online retailer has agreed to buy $200 million worth of Montana beef over the next three years — representing as many as 90,000 head of cattle — and potentially invest $100 million more in a new slaughterhouse in the state under the terms of a trade deal disclosed Wednesday.

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American Agriculture Can’t Afford to Lose out on Trade

American Agriculture Can’t Afford to Lose out on Trade

Hope Pjesky

American Farm Bureau

As a farmer, it saddens me the way anti-trade rhetoric has escalated in the media and political climate over the last few years. Overlooking the benefits, people are too often quick to write off free trade agreements. They seem to forget the basic economic principle of comparative advantage, which allows people to do what they are best at and trade with others for the goods and services they lack.

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Not Too Early to Prepare for 2018 Calving Season

Not Too Early to Prepare for 2018 Calving Season

John F. Grimes

Ohio Beef Cattle Letter

You might find the timing of the title of this article a bit unusual. After all, many producers are currently marketing the 2017 calf crop, grain harvest isn’t finished, and winter is nearly two months away. Depending on the starting date of your calving season, the arrival of the 2018 crop is 60 or more days away. Plenty of time to plan ahead, right? Don’t be so sure.

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Angus Genetics, Neogen introduce Angus GS genomic profile

Angus Genetics, Neogen introduce Angus GS genomic profile

Drovers

Angus Genetics, Inc., and Neogen GeneSeek Operations today launched Angus GS™, a new genomic profiler for Angus seedstock cattle. “Angus GS is a DNA test built specifically for the Angus breed and is a big part of our strategic plan for breed improvement,” said Allen Moczygemba, CEO of the American Angus Association. Angus GS, sold exclusively by Angus Genetics, Inc., (AGI), is an affordable tool that will empower genomic selection for Angus breeders and accelerate breeding progress, Moczygemba added.

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Common mistakes with DNA testing

Common mistakes with DNA testing

Alison Van Eenennaam

Progressive Cattleman

DNA tests can be used to confirm parentage, identify carriers of recessive conditions like curly calf or dwarfism, and more commonly, help producers learn the genetic merit of an animal and increase the accuracy of EPDs.

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Stocker School set for Nov. 16

Stocker School set for Nov. 16

Anthony N. Ruiz

High Plains Journal

A majority of Kansas calves are born in the spring and weaned in autumn. Basic economics dictates increasing supply mixed with steady demand causes prices to decline. For years producers have added value to spring born calves through backgrounding. The aim is to enhance calf health and provide economically efficient cost of gain.

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Heifers command space in feedyard

Heifers command space in feedyard

Scott Brown

Missouri Ruralist

Raising calves is a long-term investment. This is one of many reasons for the existence of cattle inventory and price cycles. Another is the fact that the first step individual producers take to change inventory size on their operation actually exaggerates the aggregate beef supply situation.

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