Cattlemen Articles
Disease Prevention
There are seven major reproductive diseases in cattle; one of them - Brucella abort us, the cause of brucellosis - has been nearly vanquished. But the others still lie in wait for the opportunity to rob ranchers of profits. B. Abort us still surfaces occasionally and there are other pathogens that show up sporadically.
NATIONAL SHORTHORN SHOW & MEETING TO BE HELD
The 2009 National Shorthorn Show January 17-18, 2010 in Denver, Colorado
OMAHA, Neb., (Dec. 20, 2009) – The 2009 National Shorthorn Show and annual meetings will be held during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Col. January 16-18, 2010. The weekend will include Open and Junior Purebred Shorthorn Shows, Open and Junior ShorthornPlus Shows, a Pen Bull and Heifer Show for both Purebred and ShorthornPlus animals, Summit Sale, committee meetings, and annual awards presentation.
More Bad Press for Corn-fed Beef
Yahoo posted a lead story on their home page this past week attempting to explain corn-fed beef as a health risk while promoting grass-fed purchases. Read the story at the following link
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/the-7-foods-experts-wont-eat-547963/
Does the so-called expert Joel Salatin have a bias or some kind of agenda? The article does tell you he is a co-owner of Polyface Farms, what it does not tell you is that Polyface Farms are producers of grass-fed beef. No animal scientists or representatives were quoted. - Justin Champine, publisher
Please post your comments and thoughts.
American Bucking Bull Inc. Reaches Historic 100,000 Milestone!
For more information contact: Andee Lamoreaux 719-242-2747
PUEBLO, Colo. (December 14, 2009) - American Bucking Bull Inc. (ABBI) announced the achievement of an enormous milestone earlier this morning. They received the animal registration for embryo cow #952 from Jimmy Chandler of Mt. Airy, N.C., pushing the number of animals registered in their database to the historic 100,000 mark.
Oasis Montana Inc. – who we are and what we do.
Celebrating our 10th year in business, Oasis Montana Inc. is a locally owned and operated business that specializes in renewable energy system supply and design, offering equipment for remote homes, grid-tied, RV, marine, UPS, emergency back-up, telecommunications, and solar water pumping systems. We also offer a line of efficient AC/DC appliances, and non-electric gas refrigerators, freezers, cooktops and stoves. Oasis Montana is located between Hamilton and Missoula in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. While most of our business is in the U.S. we do have happy customers with power systems (and related equipment) all over the world.
Future of the Cattle Industry
Will the future of the cattle industry be more of the same…only different? “It strikes me that in some ways, it’s more of the same,” says David Anderson, professor and economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M. “Beef will still be the magnet product that people want. People are still going to want a hamburger; they’re still going to want steak. They’re still going to want those items that we produce.”
Frenzel Honored as Beefmaster Breeders United Breeder of the Year
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Gary Frenzel, Temple, Texas, received the 2009 Breeder of the Year Award at the Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Annual Convention Oct. 22-24 in San Antonio, Texas. Frenzel purchased his first Beefmaster bull in 1980. Within a year, he expanded his commercial herd to include registered Beefmasters and today runs 160 purebred cows. He partners with his brother, Terry, to raise another 50 Beefmasters, and manages a satellite Beefmaster herd of 100 cows with his son, Derek.
Expand on Your Knowledge
Educational opportunities for cattlemen are as numerous as breed options and production philosophies. Instructional offerings in a variety of formats can be found at every level of production: local, state, regional and national. Breed associations, extension educators and industry experts all provide learning venues on an ongoing basis. In states where the beef industry plays a major economic role, research centers linked to state universities provide a wealth of archived and current information. Iowa’s Beef Center offers links to information on Economics and Markets; Forages, Hay and Grazing; Feedlot Operations; Cow-calf Operations; Stocker/Backgrounder; Environmental Management; Feed/Corn Co-Products; and links across the state of Iowa.
Cutting Edge of Change
“To produce volume numbers of low birth weight – high growth seedstock that excel in the economically important traits that are vital to the success of the commercial ranchers of this region." That is the mission of the Tokach family and Tokach Angus Ranch, located four miles east of St. Anthony, ND and 25 miles south west of Bismarck. According to Dick and Theresa Tokach, the original 160-acre home quarter was homesteaded by Dick's grandfather in 1908.
Texas State Livestock Veterinarian to Retire
Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas’ state veterinarian and executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), has announced that he will retire December 31, ending his nearly seven-year tenure with the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. The TAHC’s 13 governor-appointed commissioners will establish a committee to conduct a nationwide search to fill Dr. Hillman’s position. “I have wrestled with the decision to retire, but it is time to put family first,”
That Shrinking Feeling
The amount of land in production agriculture declines every year. In the 2007 Ag Census, USDA estimated there were 922 million acres of land in farms, a decline of more than 16 million acres in just five years. The loss has been consistent; 25 years ago, there were nearly 987 million acres in farms in the U.S. Much of that land is developed, as a steadily growing American population needs more room and the cities and their suburbs slowly radiate out into the country. There’s been something of a slowdown over the last couple of years, as the recession has put a damper on new home construction.
Farm Safety
“The bull that’s going to kill you is the hand-fed bucket calf. It will be dangerous when it grows up. If you want a safe bull, let the cow raise it.” Those are the words of caution world-renowned Colorado State University professor of animal science, Temple Grandin offers.
Animal behavior isn’t the only safety issue farmers face. Poorly constructed or maintained facilities and improper use of equipment are also leading factors in livestock safety. Subtle details in facility design, such as lighting and color, can affect animals when they’re handled.
Organic Beef…It’s a Growing Market
Ranchers around the country are capitalizing on the trend by going organic.
When cattlemen meet the strict rules of USDA’s Organic Marketing Program, they can use the government’s “Certified Organic” logo and provide assurances to demanding consumers. In some cases, cattle producers are pursuing it as a local enterprise, marketing the beef to nearby restaurants and grocery stores. Lane Mc- Connell, who manages organic promotion programs for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, says, “Consumers are wanting those local products, and wanting these types of niche products; they’re searching those out, and there’s a lot of different places now for farmers to sell products like this.”
Black Gate Farms
Trying to Stay Ahead of Change
If there is one thing that Kenny Rogers, seedstock operator and rancher in Yuma County in eastern Colorado has discovered about the ranching industry since he came back to the family ranch in 1996, it is that change is inevitable. Rogers says with a chuckle, “Nobody likes change except maybe a baby with dirty diapers. Yet we know that the industry is undergoing constant change, whether we like it or not.”
Boehringer Ingelheim Cattle Health
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Enters into Agreement to Acquire Certain Assets of Fort Dodge Animal Health from Pfizer Acquisition will strengthen Boehringer Ingelheim’s position as a vaccine supplier among the world’s top animal health companies. Ingelheim, Germany and St. Joseph, MO (September 21, 2009) – Boehringer Ingelheim, a global pharmaceutical group of companies, together with its U.S. animal health business Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Pfizer to acquire certain assets of Wyeth Pharmaceutical’s Fort Dodge Animal Health business upon the closing of the global Pfizer-Wyeth merger, which is expected to occur early in the fourth quarter. The deal, which is subject to anti-trust clearance, significantly increases the size of Boehringer Ingelheim’s companion animal and cattle portfolios.
NCBA Young Producers’ Council Takes to the Cattle Blogosphere
The American Cattlemen likes to keep our readers informed about what the is going on in the Beef industry. Next generation of cattle producers discussing key issues in new blog "Cattle Call".”WASHINGTON (Sept. 23, 2009) — This is not your father’s cattle industry any more. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Young Producers’ Council (YPC) has motivated the newest faces of U.S. cattle production to tell their story on the organization’s blog, Cattle Call (http://ypcblog.beefusa.org/). Next generation of cattle producers discussing key issues in new blog “Cattle Call”
Take Care of the Land & It Will Take Care of You
To 53-year old Mark Guge of rural Estherville, farming has always been in his blood. As a matter of fact this passion for the land and the cattle goes back five generations. “I think it goes way back to my great grandfather, who homesteaded near here in 1890,” says Guge. “I think there has always been an emphasis by each generation to take care of the land. Economics drives everything, but you have to take care of and improve the land for the land to take care of you.”
A Small Cattle Farmer
Bill Dorough turned 80 years old this past January…and, he says, “I need to think one of these days about slowing down a little bit.” The central Arkansas rancher has certainly kept busy these past eight decades. For the last 36 years, he’s been a top official with the Arkansas State Fair. He tried to retire in 2004, but a year later he was back helping to run the livestock shows, which he had supervised for 18 years. Before that, he had a 70-head dairy farm in Sweet Home, a town of about 1,000 just south of Little Rock; when he took over the livestock director’s job at the Fair, he switched from dairy to beef cattle.
Winter Nutrition
Winter can be hard on cattle, and cattlemen. In a few months northern pastures and fields may well be covered with snow or ice, while those in warmer climates will likely offer significantly fewer nutrients to grazing cattle.
Somewhere between Thanksgiving and late January, depending on location, most cattlemen will be forced to turn primarily, if not completely, to stored feed stocks to carry their herds through the winter. At the same time the nutritional needs of the animals will likely be increasing, particularly in herds managed for traditional spring calving.
Foreign Investment in U.S. Beef Packing
JBS has certainly made waves with its aggressive pursuit of U.S. beef packers, but its critics aren’t concerned that the Brazilian company is different from American packers. They’re concerned that it’s the same.
It’s All About Quality Beef Cattle
A psychology major, Anne knew she wanted to live in the open spaces where there weren’t so many people, but she was a city girl and knew very little about cattle and farming. But…that was then; this is now. Always a hands-on “do it” type of person, Anne jumped right in, watching, listening, and learning from the experts. “My dad always said, ‘If you’re going to bother to do something, do it right’. I am a focused person. I learned on the go and things slowly came together, and by year five I felt I was ready to be a true manager and a leader.”
USDA Launches New Website for Obama Administration's Rural Tour
We here at the American Cattlemen like to keep our readers up to date on the farm news. Visitors to www.RuralTour.gov Can Join the Conversation About Challenges Facing Rural America; Additional 'Social Media' Tools Help Enhance Communication with People Throughout the Country
Selecting a Cattle Feedlot Site
Curt Zimmerman believes the cattle industry is starting to return to the Midwest—and he’s here to help.“Not that it’s ever left entirely,” says Zimmerman, who is livestock development supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. “But we get more and more calls and inquiries from the western and southern state operators who are looking to relocate. The ability to grow feedstuffs and convert that into some value-added meat, whether it be beef, pork, poultry, or milk, is getting to be more and more attractive; we’ve had more cows in the state of Minnesota than we’ve had since 2002. The profit picture is not as rosy,” he acknowledges, “but we’re hoping that will change really quickly.”
Galloway Cattle at a Glance
The Galloway breed has been in North America for over 150 years. At one time it populated the Plains states, back in the days when cattle were exposed to the rigors of the environment with little assistance their owners. The Galloway thrived in these circumstances, because that is the story of the breed’s development. They were the cattle on the British Isles that were left on their own in the roughest of
locales.
Trucker’s Tale: Reduces stress through humane cattle handle
From the ranch to the processing yard, beef calves endure high levels of stress dealing with new, foreign environments that can ultimately affect beef quality and the producers’ bottom line. And while for most cattlemen, it’s always a satisfying feeling to get the calves loaded onto the trailer and watch the truck fade into the horizon, many producers harbor some degree of anxiety until they know the cattle have reached their destination safely.
Can Commercial Cattlemen Make AI Pay?
Suppose you gathered up exactly one hundred cow-calf producers representing a true cross-section of the commercial industry. And just suppose you asked all among the crowd who currently use artificial insemination in their operations to raise their hands. It’s likely there would be no more than eight hands waving in the air. There would be even fewer if you asked how many producers were practicing AI on mature cows. The simple fact is that most commercial producers shy away from AI. Of those that do use AI, most use it only for breeding replacement heifers.
Dexter Cattle – “The ideal breed for small acreages”
We here at the American Cattlemen have posted this article to inform you of the Dexter cattle breed. This story is brought to you by American Dexter Cattle Association.
Grass Finished Beef
Raising grass-fed beef, says Will Harris, is not a get-rich-quick proposition. But he quickly adds, "No surprise there-the cattle business is not a get-rich-quick proposition."Harris has seen the cattle business both from the conventional side and from the birth-to-table, pasture-raised end. His farm, White Oak Pastures, has been in the family for 143 years; he says that helped him when he made the decision in the mid-90s to transition into grass finishing. "I have the advantage of raising cattle on the same farm that I was raised on," he says, "and that my father and his father were raised on, so the old ways had not left us completely...we did some things, and knew some things, that relied heavily on that historical data."
Cost Challenges to Cow-Calf Producers
USDA’s Economic Research Service spelled it out last February. In a quarterly report on farm income and costs, ERS said, “The current economic downturn has weakened beef demand, offsetting the positive effects of lower grain prices. Prices paid for feeder steers in 2009 are expected to remain almost exactly the same as in 2008.” ERS predicted cash receipts for cattle and calves in 2009 would move slightly upward to a nominal record high of $50.2 billion, but the weak demand would keep feedlots from increasing placements, and cow slaughter would continue to run above usual levels as producers cull cows to increase herd efficiency. In short, 2009 was expected—for the first time in a dozen years—to put many cow/calf operators in negative earnings territory.
Profile of a Cattleman
An old saying holds that anyone, no matter what their background, can grow up to be President. They’re usually talking about President of the United States—and perhaps last year’s election is proof—but the saying also applies to the National Cattleman’s Beef Association. Consider Gary Voogt, of Marne, Mich. “My father was a factory worker—a tool and die worker,” reflects Voogt, who became head of the NCBA at this year’s annual convention in Phoenix. “My mother was in charge of the house. She never worked; she raised five kids.” And they didn’t live on a farm. It wasn’t until after Voogt graduated from Michigan Tech with a B.S. in Civil Engineering that he got involved in production agriculture, although he’d had some exposure to farming.
Champion Cattle Company - A Study in Efficiency and Market Savvy
“Feeding cattle is a risky business,” says Rodney Shepherd and Shelmer Blackburn, Jr., owners of North Wilkesboro, NC-based Champion Cattle Company.“There are so many uncertainties we face everyday that impact performance and profits. Depressed cattle prices, rising feed prices and everyday health issues are some of the variables that affect all cattlemen,” they note. Located in Wilkes County in the northwest foothills of North Carolina, Champion Cattle Company was the result of the brainstorming of two individuals from different backgrounds who shared the common desire to profit from producing pounds of quality beef.
Alltech to Offer Opposing Views at Symposium – ‘The Great Debate’
We here at the American Cattlemen have posted this article to inform you of "Great Debate" This story is brought to you by Alltech. Lexington, KENTUCKY] – Alltech has announced it will hold a 2nd annual industry ‘Great Debate’, as part of its 25th International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium, taking place in Lexington, Kentucky, May 17-20, 2009. This year’s debate will consider sustainability and the ACE principle – the need to achieve long-term profitability while continuing to be conscious of animal welfare, responsive to consumer needs and environmentally friendly - from three different points of view.
New Alternatives Emerge in the Midwest for Manure Management
With environmental regulations on the rise for ranchers and farmers across the nation, it becomes increasingly important to look for alternative methods of controlling manure runoff, according to Chris Henry, extension engineer for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For generations and especially within the last 10 years, water quality has been a major concern among environmentalists. And with farms and ranches across the country bordering local waterways, U.S. livestock producers are even more closely regulated among governing agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Wick Buildings offers a brief overview about the tax breaks available for Agricultural Buildings in 2009.
We here at the American Cattlemen have posted this article to inform you there are two programs available for agricultural buildings in 2009. We thank Wick Buildings for submitted this article to us to be posted.
There are essentially two programs available for Agricultural Buildings in 2009. One is called Section 179 and is a Tax Expensing program. The second is an accelerated Bonus Depreciation schedule for qualifying buildings. We have put together a list of frequently asked questions but encourage you to speak with your accountant or tax attorney to assure you have the necessary information.
The Nature Conservanay's Bison Herd Expands Onto New Prairie and Soon With New Calves
DES MOINES, Iowa – The historically and genetically valuable bison at The Nature Conservancy’s Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve will graze another 275 acres as one more gate is opened for the new herd on Iowa’s largest contiguous native prairie. The 28 bison, moved to Broken Kettle in October 2008, has spent most of the winter on more than 150 acres. Opening the gate will give the small herd access to 500 acres and less viewing possibilities by the public as they are able to go farther back on the Conservancy property.
Alltech, Mitsui, and Asahi Breweries Creates New Venture - Could Eliminate MSG
Alltech, Mitsui, and Asahi Breweries Creates New Venture - Could Eliminate MSG [Lexington, KENTUCKY] –The Mitsui trading company and the world renowned Japanese Asahi Breweries announced a new partnership, which will create a joint venture company trading as Advanced Yeast Technologies Japan between Mitsui and Asahi.
American Bucking Bull Inc
American Bucking Bull, Inc. (ABBI) is the official registry for the bucking bull industry. We have over 80,000 animals registered. We also have Classic and Futurity events, produced in conjunction with the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) across the United States. ABBI payouts for these events in 2008 was over $1,792,929.00. Our breeders are also looking for recipient cows for their IVF programs.
Conservation… Family Style
Kevin and Lydia Yon have gone from being students Clemson University to managing a farm together and then to running, with the help of their three teen-age children, their own Angus purebred operation. And together, they won the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s National Environmental Stewardship Award for 2009. The Yons were all on hand for the awards ceremony during February’s Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Phoenix. Lydia says the kids, Sally, Drake and Corbin, “have been a part of what we’ve done from day one, and we shared the award with them.
Environmental Regulations
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The list of environmental regulations governing the beef industry continues to grow as environmental concerns come to the forefront and animal rights activities continue to develop. The newest legislation governing beef producers applies to feedlot owners with 1,000 or more head in confinement. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that all large CAFOs must notify state and local emergency response officials about ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions from their operations if they emit 100 pounds or more of these substances during any 24-hour period.
Petty Operations Reaps Benefits of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
Ever since David Petty began farming in the 1970s and building his herd of commercial Black Angus cattle, one of his prime objectives has been to be environmentally conscious to leave the land in better shape than it was when he began working the land. From leased pasture land to starting his own ranch in 1987, Petty has continually worked to make improvements on the fragile, hilly land that had previously been turned black and planted to row crops. Petty’s Iowa River Ranch, which is located along the east side of the Iowa River near Eldora, IA, has been shaped and molded on that premise. "Our goal has always been to continue to improve the environment while at the same time enhancing productivity and profitability," says Petty.
Rebuilding our industry from rock bottom
Are we living in a state of crisis? We must ask ourselves this, when we live in a world where we have to bailout Ford and General Motors, the $50 billion collapse of the semi-exclusive fund run by legendary investor Bernie Madoff, and key people such as, Richard L. Bond, President and CEO of Tyson, are gone. We live in a world where the doom and gloom continues… 7.2 percent unemployment, 11.2 million people without work, and 500,000 lost jobs each month since October. This is the world we live in today.
Baby Calf Health: Colostrum Management & Health Calves
Colostrum management is the critical link in establishing a healthy calf. This practice, in addition to keeping the calf clean, dry and comfortable during the nursing period is of primary concern to insure the calf leaves the hutch in optimal condition. According to research conducted at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, colostrum protection levels can vary from cow to cow.
Cattlemen's College Measuring Feed Efficiency
Volatile input prices and unpredictable markets have brought the issue of feed efficiency in the beef industry under more intense pressure than ever before. While accurately predicting feed efficiency remains difficult, cattlemen like Colorado rancher Lee Leachman and researchers like Pfizer's Ron Green believe they are inching much closer to answers about how producers can maximize the results of the feed they're putting into their animals. The two men will provide a presentation, "Measuring Feed Efficiency," for Cattlemen's College at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association at the 2009 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow.
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Update New Business
US – Leaders from the US division of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health discussed the new combined company at an event held at this year’s North American Veterinary Conference. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Paul Casady, Vice President, North America and General Manager USA, along with Steve Shell, Companion Animal Business Unit Director, spoke about the strength of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s business and its impact on the U.S. animal health industry.
Fat Supplement
Even though individual aspects of management conditions and forage quality from one beef producer to another make definitive research regarding the benefits of fat supplementation in beef cattle reproduction an elusive goal, knowledge in some areas has dramatically improved in recent years. Research data shows that supplementing fat for prepartum first-calf heifers probably results in the greatest benefit. Reproductive traits tend to be low in heritability in beef cattle, so providing a supportive environment is critical to reproductive success.
Cattle Breeding and Reproduction
We’ve got a cornucopia of Estimated Progeny Differences; in the future, says Dr. Wade Shafer, we’ll have a better idea of what they all mean to profitability. “In the past,” says Shafer, Director of Performance Programs for the American Simmental Association, “the conventional approach has been we just collect data on everything we can get our hands on. Ideally we’ll calculate EPD’s on that, because we know EPD’s are the best estimate we can get when it comes to a particular trait. But then, we just kind of leave things hanging in the wind; we don’t really know how much weight to put on this huge array of EPD’s we’ve amassed.
Animal Health Experts Look at Climate Issues
US - Climate change has come to the center of attention amongst a group of scientists in America, who believe that climate change is helping to expose new pathogens to livestock the world over. Human encroachment into uninhabited parts of Southeast Asia exposed people to unusual animals and previously unknown pathogens, and global travel carried a tropical zoonotic disease to Toronto in 2003, Dr. Barrett Slenning told a gathering of public health professionals. According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association, that transmission chain for severe acute respiratory syndrome would have been nearly
Phoenix 2009 Cattle Industry Convention Offers Fun in the Sun!
It doesn’t get much better than when you can mix a little bit of work and a little bit of fun - all in the sun! The 2009 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show scheduled for Phoenix, AZ, January 28-31, 2009 offers just that. Throughout this issue of American Cattlemen, readers have had the opportunity to learn about all of the activities and events organized to make the 2009 convention the best ever.
Show Expert
Showing cattle can be hereditary. Sue Stream got it from her kids.
We caught up with Stream, from Chariton, Iowa, at the conclusion of the 2008 North American International Livestock Exposition at Louisville. She said she did pretty well with one reserve division champion, and “we stood high in all of our classes, and that was good.”
