RICHARDTON, N.D. (AP) - A Roman Catholic monastery in North Dakota is putting its ranching operation out to pasture because it lacks monks with cowboy skills.
Abbot Brian Wangler tells The Dickinson Press that ranching has been a part of Assumption Abbey since 1893, when it was in Devil's Lake. He says raising cattle helped make the monastery self-sufficient.
He says two monks now care for 260 cows at the Richardton abbey, but only one has the skills to do it by himself.
Seventy-six-year-old Brother Placid Gross has tended the monastery's cattle for 51 years and says it once had one of the biggest ranching operations in the region. He says he won't miss the hard work but will miss the cows.
Wangler says the abbey will rent its pastures to other ranchers.
(VIEW FULL STORY)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Drunk Cop Crashes Truck Pulling DARE Trailer
A 38-year-old cop in Indiana, John Newcomb, was arrested Wednesday night after he side-swiped a parked car with his truck and then plowed into a tree, apparently while he was drunk. A woman who heard the crash and saw the immediate aftermath gave some details of the scene to local news channel WAVE 3. The best part of this otherwise average drunk driving-cop story is the trailer Newcomb was pulling :
(VIEW FULL STORY)
(VIEW FULL STORY)
Herds are hurting: Extreme drought may put ranchers out of business
Gene Jordan waited in line more than an hour and a half Tuesday to drop off 20 head of cattle to sell at today's auction at Wichita Livestock Sales. That's the longest he has waited in a lifetime of ranching near Iowa Park.
He had to wait because so many fellow cattlemen were lined up trying to get rid of substantial portions of their herds. Because of the lingering drought, they no longer can feed them and keep them watered.
(VIEW FULL STORY AT TIMES RECORD NEWS)
He had to wait because so many fellow cattlemen were lined up trying to get rid of substantial portions of their herds. Because of the lingering drought, they no longer can feed them and keep them watered.
(VIEW FULL STORY AT TIMES RECORD NEWS)
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Water Requirements for the Cow Herd
Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Extension Cattle Reproduction Specialist
During hot summer months, the water needed for a cow herd often determines several other management decisions. To best assess the adequacy of water quantities in surface water or from wells or "rural water" supplies, it first is necessary to have an idea of the amount needed for cattle of different sizes and stages of production that you may have during the summer on the ranch.
During hot summer months, the water needed for a cow herd often determines several other management decisions. To best assess the adequacy of water quantities in surface water or from wells or "rural water" supplies, it first is necessary to have an idea of the amount needed for cattle of different sizes and stages of production that you may have during the summer on the ranch.
A University of Georgia publication lists the estimated water requirements for cattle in different production stages if the daily high temperature is 90 degrees F. They suggest that amount of water required can be estimated by the production stage and the weight of the cattle. For instance, a growing animal or a lactating cow needs 2 gallons of water per 100 pounds of body weight. A non-lactating cow or bull needs just 1 gallon of water per 100 pounds of body weight. If you are estimating water needs for your cattle, be honest about the weight of the cows in the herd. Many cows today weigh 1200 pounds or more (some a lot more). Therefore expect that most spring calving cows will need at least 24 gallons per day for themselves and another 5 to 10 gallons of water for their calf. Also recognize that some summer days in Oklahoma get even hotter than the 90 degrees used in the Georgia paper. On days with extreme heat, expect the water usage to go up even further.
USDA Designates Counties in Oklahoma as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 67 counties in Oklahoma as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by the combined effects of drought, wildfires, excessive heat, excessive rain, flooding, tornadoes, lightning, high winds, hail, blizzards and freezes that occurred during the period of Jan. 1, 2011, and continues.
Those counties are: Alfalfa, Atoka, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Choctaw, Cimarron, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Creek, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Haskell, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Latimer, Le Flore, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Major, Marshall, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Noble, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Roger Mills, Seminole, Sequoyah, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Wagoner, Washita, Woods and Woodward. Farmers and ranchers in Adair, Cherokee, Mayes, Rogers, Tulsa and Washington counties in Oklahoma also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.
Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.
- Crawford, Little River, Polk, Scott, Sebastian and Sevier in Arkansas.
- Baca in Colorado.
- Barber, Chautauqua, Clark, Comanche, Cowley, Harper, Meade, Morton, Seward and Sumner in Kansas
- Union in New Mexico.
- Bowie, Childress , Clay, Collingsworth, Cooke, Dallam, Fannin, Grayson, Hansford, Hardeman, Hemphill, Lamar, Lipscomb, Montague, Ochiltree, Red River, Sherman, Wheeler Wichita and Wilbarger in Texas.
All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas July 27, 2011, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.
USDA also has made other programs available to assist farmers and ranchers, including the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE), which was approved as part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; the Emergency Conservation Program; Federal Crop Insurance; and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
— Release by USDA.
Best of the Barns 2011
Go to bestofthebarns.com and nominate your favorites in the industry!
Nominations open now through October 15th
JCPenney Raising Money For 4-H Youth
JCPenney (JCP) has raised a whopping 858,835 pennies that have been donated to youth programs like 4-H, Boys and Girls Club of America, YMCA, and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). The money has been collected through an exciting program called “Pennies From Heaven,” a project to help improve after-school programs. According to JCP, compelling data has revealed that one out of every four students in the U.S. is unsupervised after school every day, signifying that more support is needed to meet the growing demand. Of course, 4-H is one of the leading youth organizations in the country, and I’m thrilled they are on the list for organizations to support.
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Kansas ranchers selling cattle because of drought
Brutal heat combined with continuing drought is forcing some Kansas ranchers to sell off spring cattle earlier than they had planned.
The Hutchinson News reports that Kansas' auction markets are seeing more than triple the number of cattle they typically have at weekly sales.
For example, about 14,500 head of cattle were sold at rings at Pratt, Salina and Dodge City last week. Last year, those auction markets sold a total of 4,300 head.
The lack of rain has dried up ponds and pastures that feed and water the cattle. Ranchers are hauling water or buying hay because their own supplies have disappeared.
The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service says more than half of the range and pasture conditions are in poor or very poor condition.
___
Information from: The Hutchinson News, http://www.hutchnews.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
The Hutchinson News reports that Kansas' auction markets are seeing more than triple the number of cattle they typically have at weekly sales.
For example, about 14,500 head of cattle were sold at rings at Pratt, Salina and Dodge City last week. Last year, those auction markets sold a total of 4,300 head.
The lack of rain has dried up ponds and pastures that feed and water the cattle. Ranchers are hauling water or buying hay because their own supplies have disappeared.
The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service says more than half of the range and pasture conditions are in poor or very poor condition.
___
Information from: The Hutchinson News, http://www.hutchnews.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
Fast-forward EPDs, accuracy values
Adding DNA information to the American Angus Association® National Cattle Evaluation helps improve the dependability of expected progeny differences (EPD), which is reflected in increased accuracy values. But the question is, how much? And what’s this improvement worth? Kent Andersen, Ph.D., associate director, technical services, Pfizer Animal Genetics, says one way to better understand this technology and its impact is to express the change in EPD values and accuracies in terms of the equivalent number of progeny with performance records included in the genetic evaluation.
“It’s hard to know exactly what a boost in accuracy of around .25 means for an EPD,” Dr. Andersen says. “But equating the enhanced accuracy for each trait to the equivalent number of progeny with performance records required for that level of improved accuracy helps put a complicated concept into more relatable terms for Angus breeders and buyers.”
(VIEW FULL STORY FROM DROVERS)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Roberts Fired up on Senate Floor Over America's Unsustainable Debt
I am sure this speaks for many states in the Midwest.
Livestock Producers Beware: Watch for Toxic Blue-Green Algae
Among the problems arising from this summer’s extended heat wave is the potential for toxic blue-green algae (BGA) to show up in lakes and ponds.
“Blue-green algae is typically only a problem during the hottest part of the summer,” said Kansas State University (K-State) Veterinarian Larry Hollis. “It appears that we are seeing an increase in cases this year because of the extended heat period and/or lack of additional rain.”
As in much of the country, July temperatures in Kansas have soared near or above 100° F for numerous consecutive days.
The algae are toxic to humans, as well as animals.
Livestock species often serve as sentinels for human illness, said Hollis, who specializes in beef cattle care with K-State Research and Extension.
The conditions have prompted the Kansas state public health veterinarian and the K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) to issue a joint request to Kansas veterinarians, asking that they report suspected illness in animals due to BGA. Such reports go to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Epidemiology Hotline at 1-877-427-7317, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Most of the samples the diagnostic lab has tested so far this summer have had BGA present, sometimes in very high numbers, Hollis said.
“Blue-green algae is typically only a problem during the hottest part of the summer,” said Kansas State University (K-State) Veterinarian Larry Hollis. “It appears that we are seeing an increase in cases this year because of the extended heat period and/or lack of additional rain.”
As in much of the country, July temperatures in Kansas have soared near or above 100° F for numerous consecutive days.
The algae are toxic to humans, as well as animals.
Livestock species often serve as sentinels for human illness, said Hollis, who specializes in beef cattle care with K-State Research and Extension.
The conditions have prompted the Kansas state public health veterinarian and the K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) to issue a joint request to Kansas veterinarians, asking that they report suspected illness in animals due to BGA. Such reports go to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Epidemiology Hotline at 1-877-427-7317, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Most of the samples the diagnostic lab has tested so far this summer have had BGA present, sometimes in very high numbers, Hollis said.
Range Management Specialist Reviews Best Practices For Emergency Haying, CRP Grazing
Several counties in Kansas have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage due to the extreme drought and shortage of forage this year.
Several factors are important when haying or grazing prairie hay this summer, said Walt Fick, K-State Research and Extension range management specialist.
“If producers haven’t cut their hay yet, I would encourage them to do so soon. Harvest date is the most important management decision affecting hay production. Timing affects production, quality, composition, amount of regrowth, and subsequent plant vigor,” Fick said.
Producers should consider raising the cutter bar to leave at least a 3-inch (in.) stubble, he said.
Maximum yield of native hay generally occurs in August, but waiting until then results in lower quality and less regrowth, and can alter the composition and vigor of stands if done repeatedly over a number of years, Fick said. Plus, peak yield may have already occurred in drought-stricken counties this year. The quality of prairie hay will keep declining with time.
“Crude protein declines about 1 percentage unit every two weeks during the month of July, and will be no higher than 5% by late August when maximum yield normally occurs,” he said.
The timing of haying on species composition and vigor of stands can also be important, Fick added.
“Repeated mowing around Sept. 1 can change a bluestem-dominated hay meadow to a stand dominated by broadleaf species. The change occurs because the grasses do not have a sufficient time period to replenish food reserves before frost occurs,” he explained.
Grazing of prairie hay this year should be managed carefully, the agronomist said.
“Heavy grazing in the late summer can be detrimental to next year’s production. The key is stocking rate. We need to leave enough leaf area so the plants can continue to carry out photosynthesis and store food reserves going into the winter,” Fick said.
How much leaf area is enough? In CRP stands planted with mid-size and tall grasses, a 6- to 8-in.average stubble height, or about 1,000 to 1,500 pounds (lb.) per acre, would be optimum, he said.
Forage quality will also be low in the late season and livestock producers may want to consider how this could affect the management of their cow herds, including culling decisions, early weaning, and related practices, the range management specialist said.
Several factors are important when haying or grazing prairie hay this summer, said Walt Fick, K-State Research and Extension range management specialist.
“If producers haven’t cut their hay yet, I would encourage them to do so soon. Harvest date is the most important management decision affecting hay production. Timing affects production, quality, composition, amount of regrowth, and subsequent plant vigor,” Fick said.
Producers should consider raising the cutter bar to leave at least a 3-inch (in.) stubble, he said.
Maximum yield of native hay generally occurs in August, but waiting until then results in lower quality and less regrowth, and can alter the composition and vigor of stands if done repeatedly over a number of years, Fick said. Plus, peak yield may have already occurred in drought-stricken counties this year. The quality of prairie hay will keep declining with time.
“Crude protein declines about 1 percentage unit every two weeks during the month of July, and will be no higher than 5% by late August when maximum yield normally occurs,” he said.
The timing of haying on species composition and vigor of stands can also be important, Fick added.
“Repeated mowing around Sept. 1 can change a bluestem-dominated hay meadow to a stand dominated by broadleaf species. The change occurs because the grasses do not have a sufficient time period to replenish food reserves before frost occurs,” he explained.
Grazing of prairie hay this year should be managed carefully, the agronomist said.
“Heavy grazing in the late summer can be detrimental to next year’s production. The key is stocking rate. We need to leave enough leaf area so the plants can continue to carry out photosynthesis and store food reserves going into the winter,” Fick said.
How much leaf area is enough? In CRP stands planted with mid-size and tall grasses, a 6- to 8-in.average stubble height, or about 1,000 to 1,500 pounds (lb.) per acre, would be optimum, he said.
Forage quality will also be low in the late season and livestock producers may want to consider how this could affect the management of their cow herds, including culling decisions, early weaning, and related practices, the range management specialist said.
— Release by K-State Research & Extension.
Growing menace
Growing menace: animal-rights terrorism http://bit.ly/r9imY1 #agchat" --http://twitter.com/DroversCTN/status/95892711969800192
Monday, July 25, 2011
Make mine all beef
Consumers often don’t know it, but sometimes when they purchase packaged meat they’re paying, in part, for high-priced salt water. That’s because processors incorporate various solutions to some meats, typically to add flavor and improve juiciness of what otherwise might be a lower-quality cut.
The situation might be changing, as the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service this week proposed a new rule to “establish common, easy-to-understand names for raw meat and poultry products that include injections, marinades, or have otherwise incorporated added solutions which may not be visible to the consumer.”
Sometimes the addition is obvious, such as in cuts seasoned with marinades in the package. Others are much less apparent, containing saline solutions that are not visible, up to 40 percent of the product’s weight. The solution is listed on the product label, but in many cases you have to look for it.
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
The situation might be changing, as the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service this week proposed a new rule to “establish common, easy-to-understand names for raw meat and poultry products that include injections, marinades, or have otherwise incorporated added solutions which may not be visible to the consumer.”
Sometimes the addition is obvious, such as in cuts seasoned with marinades in the package. Others are much less apparent, containing saline solutions that are not visible, up to 40 percent of the product’s weight. The solution is listed on the product label, but in many cases you have to look for it.
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
At fairs and on farms, animals take the heat
Cows don't crank up the air conditioning, pigs can't chill out in a movie theater and chickens won't cannonball into a pool. At farms, fairs and the racetrack, the furry and feathered rely on human caretakers to keep them comfortable.
Such efforts become especially important during potentially fatal hot spells like the one now blanketing much of the country — and different species require tailored touches.
"Having animals now, during this heat wave, is really very taxing," said Martha Livermore, a sheep farmer in Hazen, Pa. "I don't know how the cow people do it."
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
Such efforts become especially important during potentially fatal hot spells like the one now blanketing much of the country — and different species require tailored touches.
"Having animals now, during this heat wave, is really very taxing," said Martha Livermore, a sheep farmer in Hazen, Pa. "I don't know how the cow people do it."
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
Victoria 4-H'er has 'grand' time
By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN
dobrien@dailynews.net
Abigail Dickinson was born to be a champion.
Her mom, Colleen, was 8 months pregnant with Abigail when she and her husband, Kirk, took their three young sons to the fairgrounds to camp out for a week in 2000.
Now old enough to compete with the big guys, Abigail, a member of the Victoria Vikings 4-H Club and the youngest of four siblings, finished the 2011 Ellis County Fair with one of the grandest performances a 4-H'er even could hope for.
At last count, Abigail, who will turn 11 in August, had nearly 40 ribbons for her efforts from this year's fair, including six grand champion ones with the large rosette on top, as well as two reserve champion awards
(VIEW FULL STORY FROM THE HAYS DAILY NEWS)
Friday, July 22, 2011
NCK FREE FAIR • BELLEVILLE, KS
OPEN CLASS SUPREME DRIVE
SUPREME BULL & HEIFER - $500 CASH
RESERVE CHAMPION BULL & HEIFER - $250
Entries Due - August 2nd
Entries in place - August 4th - 8:30 am
Show - August 4th - 10:00 am
Find Entry Forms at www.NCKFREEFAIR.net
or contact Andy or Danielle Ledoux at
ledouxranch@hotmail.com or 785-732-6564
Thursday, July 21, 2011
In heat wave, wintry states wish for some December
By CHRIS WILLIAMS - Associated Press,COLIN FLY - Associated Press | AP
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In the land of giant ice castles, where auto makers test their vehicles against extreme cold and people play hockey year-round, it's not uncommon to hear some griping about the weather.
The Upper Midwest is accustomed to extreme temperatures. Just not in the current direction.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Meat grower’s guide to hogwash and B.S. - Cattle News - Editorial, Grain & Cattle Markets, Current Stories
Greg Henderson, Editor, Associate Publisher | Updated: July 20, 2011
Consciously limiting your carbon footprint has become quite trendy among many young, urban Americans. It’s a practice I whole-heartedly support – it’s just that their ideas to achieve their goal are often way off the mark. This week produced another round of anti-meat chatter with the release of the “Meat Eater’s Guide to Climate Change and Health” by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington-based non-profit “organization that advocates on Capitol Hill for health-protective and subsidy-shifting policies.”
The research by EWG examined every stage of food production, processing, consumption and waste disposal, and determined that if everyone in the U.S. eliminated meat and cheese from their diet just one day a week for a year, “the effect on greenhouse gas emissions would be the equivalent of taking 7.6 million cars off the road.”
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
USDA Designates 15 Counties in Nebraska as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 15 counties in Nebraska as primary natural disaster areas due to flooding that began May 1, 2011, and continues.
The counties are: Boyd, Burt, Cass, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Douglas, Knox, Lincoln, Nemaha, Otoe, Richardson, Sarpy, Thurston and Washington.
“This action provides help to hundreds of producers who suffered significant losses to corn, soybeans, dry beans, sugar beets, wheat, and forage crops, as well as serious damage to farm structures,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous:
USDA also has made other programs available to assist farmers and ranchers, including the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE), which was approved as part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; the Emergency Conservation Program; Federal Crop Insurance; and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
FSA news releases are available on FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov via the “News and Events” link.
The counties are: Boyd, Burt, Cass, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Douglas, Knox, Lincoln, Nemaha, Otoe, Richardson, Sarpy, Thurston and Washington.
“This action provides help to hundreds of producers who suffered significant losses to corn, soybeans, dry beans, sugar beets, wheat, and forage crops, as well as serious damage to farm structures,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous:
- Antelope, Cuming, Custer, Dawson, Dodge, Frontier, Gage, Hayes, Holt, Johnson, Keith, Keya Paha, Lancaster, Logan, McPherson, Pawnee, Perkins, Pierce, Rock, Saunders and Wayne in Nebraska;
- Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury in Iowa;
- Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha in Kansas;
- Atchison and Holt in Missouri; and
- Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Clay, Gregory, Union and Yankton in South Dakota.
USDA also has made other programs available to assist farmers and ranchers, including the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE), which was approved as part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; the Emergency Conservation Program; Federal Crop Insurance; and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
FSA news releases are available on FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov via the “News and Events” link.
— Release by USDA-FSA.
Amish Teen Leads Cops on Drunken Buggy Chase
You have to be pretty stupid, or pretty drunk, to lead the police on a car chase. You have to even drunker, and certainly more Amish, to lead the police on a car-vs.-horse-and-buggy chase.
Or maybe just brave. Lewis D. Hostetler,17, of Cattaraugus County, N.Y., was spotted by police at 1 a.m. drinking beer in his buggy. He led the cops on a "short chase"—we'll bet—but eventually pulled over in order to be arrested and charged with
(VIEW FULL STORY)
Or maybe just brave. Lewis D. Hostetler,17, of Cattaraugus County, N.Y., was spotted by police at 1 a.m. drinking beer in his buggy. He led the cops on a "short chase"—we'll bet—but eventually pulled over in order to be arrested and charged with
(VIEW FULL STORY)
AVOIDING HEAT STRESS IN CATTLE IS IMPORTANT
by: Glenn Selk
Oklahoma State University Professor Emeritus
Oklahoma State University Professor Emeritus
Understanding and avoiding heat stress in cattle can be a valuable management tool for summertime in Oklahoma. According to the 1997 Oklahoma Climatological Survey most areas of Oklahoma have 10 or more days each year above 100 degrees and 70 or more days with high temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that most cow/calf operations will be working cattle on days when heat stress to cattle is possible. Cattle have an upper critical temperature approximately 20 degrees cooler than humans. When humans are uncomfortable at 80 degrees and feel hot at 90 degrees, cattle may well be in the danger zone for extreme heat stress. Humidity is an additional stressor that intensifies the heat by making body heat dissipation more difficult.
Over heating is sporadically encountered in cattle, but is really a rare problem. High humidity contributes to the likelihood of heat stroke or prostration because water evaporation from the oral and nasal cavities is decreased, in spite of rapid panting. At an environmental temperature of about 88 degrees, heat dissipation mechanisms such as sweating and evaporative cooling must take place to prevent a rise in body temperature. Sweat gland activity in cattle increases as the temperature goes above the thermoneutral zone. Panting is an important heat regulatory device in cattle.
The signs of overheating may develop suddenly and depend upon the environmental conditions -- and the health of the cattle exposed to the heat. Panting often occurs at rectal temperatures at or above 104 degrees F, but may begin even at lower body temperatures. Some animals manifest restlessness, excitement, and spasms of certain muscles. However, other animals may be dull and depressed. A protruding tongue may be covered with saliva, and frothy mucus discharged at the nostrils. Rectal temperatures of overheated cattle have ranged as high as 107 to 115 degrees F.
Overheating in cattle can be prevented under most management conditions. Allowing animals access to cool water and mineral supplements is a must in very hot summer weather. Shade and free air circulation should be provided if at all possible. Avoid working cattle during very hot parts of the day. Very excitable cattle will be even more prone to heat stress if handled at high environmental temperatures. If animals are going to have limited access to water under stressful conditions such as shipping by truck or trailer, they should be allowed water prior to further stressful situations.
If weaning calls for cattle to be gathered and put through a working chute for immunizations, implanting, or other operations, then a few common sense rules should be followed.
1) During hot weather, cattle should be worked before 8 am, if possible. Certainly all cattle working must be complete by about 10 am. While it may seem to make sense to work cattle after sun down, they will need most of the night cooling before enough heat is dissipated to cool down from an extremely hot day. Recent research at Oklahoma State University with rumen temperature boluses has shown that the core body temperature of beef cows peaks at two to five hours after the highest daytime temperature. On a hot summer day the highest daytime temperature is often late afternoon. Therefore the peak body temperature of cattle may occur at 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Source: Pye, Boehrner, and Wettemann. 2011 Page 104; Abstract 285 http:/ /adsa.asas.org/midwest/2011/Midwest_Abstracts_2011-revised.pdf.)
2) Cattle that must be handled during hot weather should spend less than 30 minutes in the working facility. Drylot pens and corrals loaded with cattle will have very little if any air movement. Cattle will gain heat constantly while they are in these areas. Therefore a time limit of one-half hour in the confined cattle working area should limit the heat gain and therefore the heat stress.
3) Make every effort to see that cool, fresh, water is available to cattle in close confined areas for any length of time. During hot weather conditions cattle will drink more than one percent of their body weight per hour. Producers need to be certain that the water supply lines are capable of keeping up with demand, if working cattle during hot weather.
EMERGENCY CRP HAYING APPROVED FOR 21 KANSAS COUNTIES
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has approved emergency haying of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in 21 Kansas counties affected by drought. The list includes Barber, Barton, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Gray, Ford, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Kiowa, McPherson, Meade, Morton, Pawnee, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Sedgwick, Seward and Stafford counties. All of these counties, except Sedgwick, also are approved for CRP emergency grazing.
Emergency haying is approved through August 31, 2011. Participants must leave at least 50% of each field or contiguous CRP fields unhayed for wildlife. Hay must be removed from the field within 30 days of the end of the haying period. Emergency haying and grazing is not allowed on the same acreage.
CRP participants in approved counties must contact their local FSA office to request emergency haying or grazing on an individual basis. Participants must accept a 25% reduction in the annual rental payment for the actual acres hayed or grazed.
Emergency haying is approved through August 31, 2011. Participants must leave at least 50% of each field or contiguous CRP fields unhayed for wildlife. Hay must be removed from the field within 30 days of the end of the haying period. Emergency haying and grazing is not allowed on the same acreage.
CRP participants in approved counties must contact their local FSA office to request emergency haying or grazing on an individual basis. Participants must accept a 25% reduction in the annual rental payment for the actual acres hayed or grazed.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Angus Junior Nationals
Congrats to Kyle Anderson, IL, on exhibiting the Grand Champion Owned Heifer and Kaitlyn Clarke,OH, on Reserve.
Hereford Junior Nationals Winners
Congrats to Sarah, Vada, Hannah and Emma Vickland, Colorado (Division 12) on exhibiting the Grand Champion Owned Polled heifer and Blake Tucker, Nebraska (Division 9) on Reserve.
2011 Champion Horned Hereford female (Class 88) - Kirbie Day, Texas
Reserve (Class 131) - Jessica Middleswarth, Wyoming
Champion Bred and Owned heifer
Owned by Blake Tucker, Neb.
Reserve Champion Bred and Owned female
Owned by Cody Jensen, Kan.
2011 Champion Horned Hereford female (Class 88) - Kirbie Day, Texas
Reserve (Class 131) - Jessica Middleswarth, Wyoming
Champion Bred and Owned heifer
Owned by Blake Tucker, Neb.
Reserve Champion Bred and Owned female
Owned by Cody Jensen, Kan.
GOURMET BURGER BOOM OFFERS BIG OPPORTUNITY
GOURMET BURGER BOOM OFFERS BIG OPPORTUNITY
Jul 15, 2011 8:00 AM, By Steve Kay
Meat Matters Column
I recently visited my son in Southern California and he took me to Father’s Office, an upscale pub in Santa Monica. The place was jammed with people mostly his age (late 20s), but what hit me was the smell of great food. It seemed everyone was eating burgers, so I ordered the Office special. It was delicious. It cost $12 but I felt it was value for my money.
Millions of Americans are having a similar experience. The gourmet/specialty burger business is booming. Relatively new chains such as Five Guys Burgers and Fries, independent eateries and even white-tablecloth restaurants are using high-quality patties with exotic additions to create upscale sandwiches.
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
Jul 15, 2011 8:00 AM, By Steve Kay
Meat Matters Column
I recently visited my son in Southern California and he took me to Father’s Office, an upscale pub in Santa Monica. The place was jammed with people mostly his age (late 20s), but what hit me was the smell of great food. It seemed everyone was eating burgers, so I ordered the Office special. It was delicious. It cost $12 but I felt it was value for my money.
Millions of Americans are having a similar experience. The gourmet/specialty burger business is booming. Relatively new chains such as Five Guys Burgers and Fries, independent eateries and even white-tablecloth restaurants are using high-quality patties with exotic additions to create upscale sandwiches.
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
WHEN IT'S DRY IN TEXAS, WE ALL GET THIRSTY
WHEN IT'S DRY IN TEXAS, WE ALL GET THIRSTY
Jul 15, 2011 9:24 AM, By Troy Marshall, BEEF Contributing Editor
I love Texas and Texans. I love their love of football, independence, pride, their manners, barbecue and a whole host of things that make Texas especially unique. And, of course, when you talk about horses and cattle, the conversation has to begin with Texas.
So, while Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico and southern Colorado are also undergoing drought these days, the discussion still seems to center on Texas. The other states just don’t have the cow numbers that Texas boasts.
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
Jul 15, 2011 9:24 AM, By Troy Marshall, BEEF Contributing Editor
I love Texas and Texans. I love their love of football, independence, pride, their manners, barbecue and a whole host of things that make Texas especially unique. And, of course, when you talk about horses and cattle, the conversation has to begin with Texas.
So, while Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico and southern Colorado are also undergoing drought these days, the discussion still seems to center on Texas. The other states just don’t have the cow numbers that Texas boasts.
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
Friday, July 15, 2011
National Junior Hereford Association Top Ten Senior Showmanship
National Junior Hereford Association
Top Ten Senior Showmanship
Champion: Kari Brumley, N.V.; Reserve: Geoffrey Andras, Okla.; Kayla Alexander, Ohio; Brady Jensen, Kan.; Bailey Buck, Okla.; Cameron Curry, Okla.; Cody Beck, Ind.; Garth Regula, Ohio; Reba Hurst, Mo.; Staci Curry, Okla.
Top Ten Senior Showmanship
Champion: Kari Brumley, N.V.; Reserve: Geoffrey Andras, Okla.; Kayla Alexander, Ohio; Brady Jensen, Kan.; Bailey Buck, Okla.; Cameron Curry, Okla.; Cody Beck, Ind.; Garth Regula, Ohio; Reba Hurst, Mo.; Staci Curry, Okla.
Michelle Obama eats burger, nutritionists approve
American First Lady and anti-obesity advocate Michelle Obama splurged on not only a burger and fries on Monday but washed it all down with a chocolate shake. While the media is lambasting her fat-laden luncheon, nutritionists beg to differ, noting that an occasional 'pig-out' is part of a healthy lifestyle.
Obama, who has been promoting healthy eating with her national Let's Move campaign to fight childhood obesity, stepped into a Shake Shack diner in Washington, DC, and indulged in a meal (plus Diet Coke) tallying up to around 1,700 calories.
(VIEW FULL STORY)
Obama, who has been promoting healthy eating with her national Let's Move campaign to fight childhood obesity, stepped into a Shake Shack diner in Washington, DC, and indulged in a meal (plus Diet Coke) tallying up to around 1,700 calories.
(VIEW FULL STORY)
Loomix - One Company, One Stop, One Choice
ADM Alliance Nutrition Inc.
ONE COMPANY • ONE STOP • ONE CHOICE
Combined, Loomix and ADM Alliance Nutrition provide
tratitions of quality, excellence and dependability. From Liquid to dry form,
we've got your livestock nutrition needs covered.
One choice production results you can count on
www.LOOMIX.com
ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc.
970-587-4626 | 800.870.0356
info@loomix.com
ONE COMPANY • ONE STOP • ONE CHOICE
Combined, Loomix and ADM Alliance Nutrition provide
tratitions of quality, excellence and dependability. From Liquid to dry form,
we've got your livestock nutrition needs covered.
One choice production results you can count on
www.LOOMIX.com
ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc.
970-587-4626 | 800.870.0356
info@loomix.com
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
IS PREGNANCY-CHECKING WORTH THE COST?
Jul 6, 2011 7:57 PM, Source: OSU Beef Extension Newsletter; By Michelle Arnold
Beyond the marketing aspects, pregnancy checking can be a tremendous decision-making tool.
With the arrival of spring or summer, thoughts of working cattle begin to stir in most beef cattle producers' minds. However, with the high cost of vaccines and dewormers, the amount of time it takes to round up the herd, and the aggravations associated with herd work, these are not often pleasant thoughts. The last thing a producer wants to do is add time and cost to an already difficult, expensive and exhausting day or days of work.
In this light, it is easy to see why one important management practice frequently overlooked or neglected by many beef producers is pregnancy examination. According to the 1997 National Animal Health Management Survey (NAHMS), only one-fifth of cow-calf producers have their cows checked for pregnancy although the benefits easily outweigh the cost.
The most obvious benefit of knowing which cows are open is cost savings. A pregnancy examination will typically average $5/head but carrying an open cow over the winter may cost several hundred dollars in hay alone (not to mention mineral, supplemental feed, vaccines and dewormers that add additional carrying costs). Knowing which females to sell allows one to make good marketing decisions such as:
1. Weaning calves early and selling culls when the cull market is high.
2. Selling open heifers when they are younger and still fit the feeder market.
3. Sorting off and feeding thin cows to bring a higher price and sell more pounds.
To read the entire article, link here.
Beyond the marketing aspects, pregnancy checking can be a tremendous decision-making tool.
With the arrival of spring or summer, thoughts of working cattle begin to stir in most beef cattle producers' minds. However, with the high cost of vaccines and dewormers, the amount of time it takes to round up the herd, and the aggravations associated with herd work, these are not often pleasant thoughts. The last thing a producer wants to do is add time and cost to an already difficult, expensive and exhausting day or days of work.
In this light, it is easy to see why one important management practice frequently overlooked or neglected by many beef producers is pregnancy examination. According to the 1997 National Animal Health Management Survey (NAHMS), only one-fifth of cow-calf producers have their cows checked for pregnancy although the benefits easily outweigh the cost.
The most obvious benefit of knowing which cows are open is cost savings. A pregnancy examination will typically average $5/head but carrying an open cow over the winter may cost several hundred dollars in hay alone (not to mention mineral, supplemental feed, vaccines and dewormers that add additional carrying costs). Knowing which females to sell allows one to make good marketing decisions such as:
1. Weaning calves early and selling culls when the cull market is high.
2. Selling open heifers when they are younger and still fit the feeder market.
3. Sorting off and feeding thin cows to bring a higher price and sell more pounds.
To read the entire article, link here.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Congratulations to the NJAA/Angus Journal Photo Contest Winner
Congratulations to Grady Dickerson of Paradise, Kan., for winning the 2011 National Junior Angus Association/Angus Journal Photo Contest. Grady’s Junior Division entry first won the Angus Cattle Category before being named the top junior photo, and then the top overall photo.
ADM Alliance Nutrition Acquires Cattleman’s Choice Loomix
6/6/2011
Acquisition marks Alliance Nutrition’s entrance into liquid feed business
ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM), today announced the acquisition of Cattleman’s Choice Loomix, a leading producer of liquid animal feed supplements.
“This acquisition marks ADM Alliance Nutrition’s entrance into the liquid feed business, which provides us with another value-added market for our feed ingredients and finished feed rations,” said Terry Myers, president, ADM Alliance Nutrition. “With Cattleman’s Choice Loomix’s strong geographic presence in the western United States, it also extends our footprint into that important region for the beef and dairy industry.”
Kenneth Munsch, previously president of Cattleman’s Choice Loomix, will manage ADM Alliance Nutrition’s liquid feed business and has been named director, liquid feeds.
“Ken has unmatched industry acumen with 33 years of management experience in the liquid feed business. His leadership will be invaluable as we successfully integrate and grow the Loomix business with ADM Alliance Nutrition’s existing businesses,” said Myers.
“Our companies fit together well. We both have years of success and expert distribution networks that understand the importance of innovative products and outstanding customer service,” said Munsch. “We at Loomix are tremendously excited to join the ADM team.”
About Cattleman’s Choice Loomix
Cattleman’s Choice Loomix began business in 1952 and produces the Loomix® brand liquid feed supplement for ruminants. Headquartered in Johnstown, Colo., Cattleman’s Choice Loomix operates production facilities in Johnstown, Colo., Billings, Mont., and Twin Falls, Idaho, and has a contract with a toll manufacturer in Fremont, Neb.
About ADM Alliance Nutrition
ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland Company and a leading producer of livestock feeds and supplements. Based in Quincy, Ill., ADM Alliance Nutrition offers consistent, high-quality feed products, supplements, premixes, custom ingredient blends and feed ingredients to help livestock producers achieve the greatest possible return from the grain and forage they utilize in livestock production. For more information about ADM Alliance Nutrition and their products, visit www.admani.com.
About ADM
Every day, the 29,000 people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) turn crops into renewable products that meet the demands of a growing world. At more than 240 processing plants, we convert corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses. We operate the world’s premier crop origination and transportation network, connecting crops and markets in more than 60 countries. Our global headquarters is in Decatur, Illinois, and our net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, were $62 billion. For more information about our company and our products, visit www.adm.com.
Acquisition marks Alliance Nutrition’s entrance into liquid feed business
ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM), today announced the acquisition of Cattleman’s Choice Loomix, a leading producer of liquid animal feed supplements.
“This acquisition marks ADM Alliance Nutrition’s entrance into the liquid feed business, which provides us with another value-added market for our feed ingredients and finished feed rations,” said Terry Myers, president, ADM Alliance Nutrition. “With Cattleman’s Choice Loomix’s strong geographic presence in the western United States, it also extends our footprint into that important region for the beef and dairy industry.”
Kenneth Munsch, previously president of Cattleman’s Choice Loomix, will manage ADM Alliance Nutrition’s liquid feed business and has been named director, liquid feeds.
“Ken has unmatched industry acumen with 33 years of management experience in the liquid feed business. His leadership will be invaluable as we successfully integrate and grow the Loomix business with ADM Alliance Nutrition’s existing businesses,” said Myers.
“Our companies fit together well. We both have years of success and expert distribution networks that understand the importance of innovative products and outstanding customer service,” said Munsch. “We at Loomix are tremendously excited to join the ADM team.”
About Cattleman’s Choice Loomix
Cattleman’s Choice Loomix began business in 1952 and produces the Loomix® brand liquid feed supplement for ruminants. Headquartered in Johnstown, Colo., Cattleman’s Choice Loomix operates production facilities in Johnstown, Colo., Billings, Mont., and Twin Falls, Idaho, and has a contract with a toll manufacturer in Fremont, Neb.
About ADM Alliance Nutrition
ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland Company and a leading producer of livestock feeds and supplements. Based in Quincy, Ill., ADM Alliance Nutrition offers consistent, high-quality feed products, supplements, premixes, custom ingredient blends and feed ingredients to help livestock producers achieve the greatest possible return from the grain and forage they utilize in livestock production. For more information about ADM Alliance Nutrition and their products, visit www.admani.com.
About ADM
Every day, the 29,000 people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) turn crops into renewable products that meet the demands of a growing world. At more than 240 processing plants, we convert corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses. We operate the world’s premier crop origination and transportation network, connecting crops and markets in more than 60 countries. Our global headquarters is in Decatur, Illinois, and our net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, were $62 billion. For more information about our company and our products, visit www.adm.com.
Monday, July 4, 2011
BBQ Tips From an Ex-Vegan Butcher
BBQ Tips From an Ex-Vegan Butcher
Published July 04, 2011
| FoxNews.com
“Bacon: The Gateway Meat” is the best-selling t-shirt at and the philosophy of Fleisher’s Grass-fed & Organic Meats in Kingston, New York. Joshua Appleton was a life-long vegan until he ate bacon six months into opening his butcher shop. His wife, co-owner Jessica Appleton, a former vegetarian, persuaded him. To paraphrase Linda Ronstadt, just one bite and he fell so hard in love. “That’s why bacon is the ‘gateway’ meat,” he explains. Now he eats all of the meats that he cuts and
Horse Semen Shots a Hit With Kiwi Connoisseurs
Shots of horse-semen have reportedly become a hit in New Zealand this month as the country celebrates its 14th annual Monteith's Beer and Wild Food Challenge.
Chef Jason Varley of Wellington's Green Man Pub is topping his dish of seared Asian duck and paua spring rolls with a shot of Hoihoi tatea, better known in laymen's terms as horse semen. The drink was unveiled on June 3, and will only be served for a month during th
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
Chef Jason Varley of Wellington's Green Man Pub is topping his dish of seared Asian duck and paua spring rolls with a shot of Hoihoi tatea, better known in laymen's terms as horse semen. The drink was unveiled on June 3, and will only be served for a month during th
(VIEW FULL STORY HERE)
Saturday, July 2, 2011
I Am Angus - CJ Hadley, Range Magazine
In this I Am Angus segment, CJ Hadley talks about her journey from England to the western United States, where she publishes Range magazine. For more information, visit www.rangemagazine.com or www.angus.org
Beef Producers Seek Best Practices to Reduce Environmental Impact
Beef Producers Seek Best Practices to Reduce Environmental Impact
When it comes to reducing the environmental impact of raising beef, the industry has come farther over the past 30 years than many people realize, according to a Washington State University (WSU) scientist.“The environmental impact of U.S. beef production has been reduced by improved productivity,” said Judith Capper, assistant professor of dairy science at WSU. She spoke at the American Meat Science Association’s Reciprocal Meat Conference, hosted by Kansas State University June 19-22. “In 1977 it took five animals to produce the same amount of beef as four animals produced in 2007.”
“The majority of beef production’s environmental impact occurs on-farm,” Capper said of the farm-to-feedlot-to-processing system.
She acknowledged that opportunities to further improve beef yield per animal may be limited. Through genetic, feeding and management improvements, the amount of beef an animal yielded in 2007 averaged 773 pounds (lb.), well above the 603-lb. average in 1977. In addition, the average number of days for a beef animal to reach slaughter weight was 482 in 2007, down from 606 days in 1977.
Capper cited a recent study that showed that in 2007:
- 31% more beef was produced than in 1977;
- the number of beef animals was down 30% from the total in 1977;
- beef cattle consumed 19% less feed than they did in 1977;
- beef cattle consumed 14% less water than beef cattle consumed in 1977;
- beef cattle production used 34% less land than it used in 1977;
- beef cattle produced 20% less manure than in 1977;
- beef cattle produced 20% less methane than in 1977;
- beef cattle produced 11% less nitrous oxide than in 1977; and
- beef cattle production’s carbon footprint was 18% less than in 1977.
She used the example of two vehicles — one of which is more fuel efficient than the other. However, by revealing that the less-fuel-efficient vehicle is a bus that can transport many more people per gallon of fuel than a small car that can transport two, it makes a person view challenges differently, she said.
“It’s essential to assess impact per unit of output rather than per unit of the production process,” she said.
When assessing which is better for the planet — grass-fed, natural (production-enhancing technologies not used) or conventional (feedlot-finished), Capper said she does not advocate for any particular group. However, removing technology from beef production considerably increases animal numbers and increases resource use and greenhouse gas emissions if attempting to keep output the same.
“If all U.S. beef was grass-fed, it would increase land use by 53.1 million hectares, which is about 75% of the land area of Texas,” Capper said. “It would increase water use by 1,733 billion liters, which is equal to annual usage by 46.3 million U.S. households, and it would increase greenhouse gas emissions enough to equal annual emissions from 26.6 million U.S. cars.”
Capper said that incorrect data are sometimes used in newspaper and magazine articles, which can lead to a bias in consumers’ food choices. She cited an example where studies that appeared in a major U.S. magazine referred to beef production but the data came from other countries where practices are not as efficient as in the United States. For example, in Brazil only 62% of beef cows produce a live calf, and cows are typically 4 years old at first calving.
— Release by Kansas State University Extension
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