American Beef Is A Climate Change Solution, Rancher Says Drovers News Source October 18, 2019 11:33 AM

 

South Dakota cattle producer Todd Wilkinson told a U.S. Senate subcommittee that contrary to the claims of some environmental and anti-animal-agriculture activists, "American beef production and consumption is a climate change solution."

"Climate policies that unfairly target cattle producers fail to recognize the positive role of cattle and beef in a healthy, sustainable food system," Wilkinson told members of the U.S. Senate's Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety. "Rather than adopting misguided policies that threaten the viability of farmers and ranchers, we want to shift the conversation."

The subcommittee held the hearing on the issue of "Reducing Emissions While Driving Economic Growth: Industry-Led Initiatives." In his testimony, Wilkinson discussed the environmental benefits of grazing, and busted myths about the effect of methane on global climate.

"(Grazing) naturally sequesters carbon, a benefit compounded by ruminant grazing," Wilkinson explained. "Grazing builds deep root systems in prairie grasses, which improve soil health. Healthy soils retain more water, sequester more carbon, and increase the resiliency of our ranches."

"Methane emissions from cattle are part of the natural methane cycle," Wilkinson continued. "Within 10 years, more than 90 percent of that methane combines with oxygen in the atmosphere and converts to CO2. Methane has no long-term impact on climate when emissions and oxidation are in balance. And this balance has been maintained for centuries."

Wilkinson, who is co-owner and operator of a commercial cow-calf operation and feeding business in De Smet, S.D., also serves as NCBA's 2019 Policy Division Vice Chairman and as Vice President of the South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation. He closed his testimony by reminding Senators of producers' long commitment to environmental stewardship.

"The U.S. cattle industry is proud of its history as stewards of our nation's natural resources," he said. "Cattle producers are America's original conservationists, and we work hard every day to ensure that we can pass our operations on to the next generation. My family, and the entire American cattle producing community, is committed to remaining environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable for generations to come."

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The Search for Stockmen Kylee Kohls August 22, 2019 01:09 PM

 

 

 

For every rural stock person available, there are two job openings. ( CAB )

The future of food is in our hands, but do we have enough hands to help feed the world?
Courtney Daigle, assistant professor of animal welfare at Texas A&M University, shares ideas on the narrowing supply of quality stockmen and how cattlemen might find more top hands.
“There are fewer people working in agriculture, so there's a limited awareness that stockmanship is a potential occupation,” she says. “A lot of our workforce is made up of immigrants, and some of the challenges we have in retaining and recruiting are influenced by our current policies associated with immigration reform.”
Once a stockman is hired and gets good at their job, it’s hard to keep them because of the low pay and long workdays.
“But it's really important to keep them in place because a critical component of quality care is consistent animal care,” Daigle says. “The animals notice whenever stock people change; not just who's working, but what kind of relationship they had” and the individual animal history.
Quality and consistent care help drive profit and acceptance rates for the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, which climb highest for calves that never had a bad day.
“A good stock person is worth their weight in gold, but a bad one can break the bank,” Daigle says.
One issue is typically low pay for long, hard days, and it matters if one is paid by the hour or by the number of animals handled.
“Pay strategy can sometimes motivate people to perform quickly, not carefully,” which can lead to “sub-optimal handling” and negative perceptions of the occupation. Stock people can also suffer from “compassion fatigue.”
“They may have thousands of animals that they're responsible for in a day – that can be overwhelming – and the people get tired themselves,” Daigle says.
Growing up in cities, she dreamt of working with animals, which is why her BS and early career was in zoology, working with African lions.
“It wasn't until I started working at Texas A&M that I knew what a pen rider was, and I've worked with animals my whole life,” Daigle says. “People can't help that they're born in the cities and so even if they want to work with animals, they may not know there are other opportunities [besides the zoo].”
As her work continued at Texas A&M, she kept bumping into what she calls the “stockman/zookeeper conundrum.” With many similarities between the two occupations, the divide begins with the demand.
For every rural stock person available, there are two job openings; for every zookeeper position, there are 150 applicants.
“Although they are very different scenarios, the occupations and pay are very similar,” says Daigle, noting cities could be viable recruiting areas for those offering jobs in stockmanship.
“We are having a hard time finding people who will be stewards of our food animals. When we start looking around and asking ‘Where is everyone?’ –- they are in the cities.”
She suggests advertising in urban centers for positions such as animal technicians, opportunity to work with a large number of animals.
“Then provide incentive,” Daigle says. “Highlight quality of life based on pay structure, cost of living and geographical locations. By advertising in some of these areas and targeting people who want to work with animals, producers might find a more diverse and better-qualified suite of applicants to fill those open positions.”

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Late Summer Temperatures Shorten Gestation Length Of Fall-Calvers Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist July 29, 2019 10:39 AM

Each year in late July or August, it is time for an important reminder.  Fall-calving season will soon be here.  In fact, the start of the fall calving season often begins before some producers expect it.  The target date for the beginning of fall calving very often is September 1.  Most printed gestation tables predict that calving will take place 283 days (some 285 days) after artificial insemination or natural breeding.  Cows and heifers that gestate in hot weather will often calve a few days earlier than expected.
Oklahoma State University physiologists studied early fall (August) and late fall (October) calving cows. Data from two successive years were combined for 60 Angus X Hereford crossbred cows. The “early” and “late” fall calving cows had been artificially inseminated in early November or early January, respectively. Semen from the same sire was used for all cows. All cows were exposed to a single cleanup bull for 35 days at 4 days after the AI season. The weather prior to calving was significantly different for late pregnancy in the two groups.
The average maximum temperature the week before calving was 93 degrees F. for the “early” fall group. The average maximum temperature the week before parturition in the “late” calving group was 66 degrees F. There was a 100% survival rate for calves in both groups and both groups of cows had very high re-breeding rates (90% and 92%, respectively).
The average gestation length for the “early” cows was 6 days shorter (279 days) as compared to the “late” cows (285 days) in year 1. The average gestation length for the “early” cows was 4 days shorter (278 days) as compared to the “late” cows (282 days) in year 2.  Keep in mind that the gestation lengths listed are AVERAGE.  This means that about half of the cows calved earlier than that.  Records from millions of Holstein dairy cows across the entire United States report a similar pattern (Norman, et al.2009 J. Dairy Sci; 92:5).  Holsteins bred in January and February (calving in October and November) averaged 2 days longer gestation than did Holstein cows bred in October (calving in July and August).
Many of these would be in Northern climates with less heat stress and more moderate temperatures in the summer months.  Here in the Southern Plains, late summer heat is more intense and persistent.  Therefore, producers with early fall-calving cows should expect calves to start coming several days ahead of the “textbook gestation table” dates. They should begin their routine heifer and cow checks at least a week to 10 days ahead of the expected first calving date. Source: Kastner, et al. 2004 OSU Animal Science Research Report.

Keeping Your Vaccines Viable Taylor Grussing And Tracey Erickson, South Dakota State University Extension July 24, 2019 09:13 AM

 

 

There are multiple factors influencing immunity, including but not limited to, medical history, vaccine type, method of administration, age, and species being vaccinated. ( Pirbright Institute )

Vaccines are a vital part of keeping all livestock healthy. Vaccines help in the prevention of disease, which results in less utilization of antibiotics due to fewer sick animals. Vaccines provide protective immunity approximately 21 days following the initial vaccination in the majority of livestock. Some vaccines may require a booster vaccination(s) to ensure immunity for the period designated by the manufacturer. There are multiple factors influencing immunity, including but not limited to, medical history, vaccine type, method of administration, age, and species being vaccinated. A valid Vet-Client-Patient relationship will help you as you select the vaccine of choice for your livestock health program.

Vaccine Types

You are probably utilizing one of two types of vaccines: inactivated (“killed”) vaccines, which contain bacteria or viruses that have been inactivated by heat or chemicals, or modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines, which contain whole viruses that have been altered in such a way that, while they are able to multiply within the body, their ability to cause disease has been taken away.
So how do vaccines become worthless? Proteins are the major components of the organisms that make up both killed and MLV vaccines. Proteins are denatured by the interaction of two major factors: time and temperature. In addition, most common disinfectants will render modified live organisms inactive. So the anti-bacterial soap or even city or rural water, which contains chlorine, can have an effect on vaccines, when residues are present in your syringes or transfer needles. Thus, rinse with distilled water which is near the boiling point.

Things to Consider

Other considerations for handling, storing and using vaccines are as follows:

PURCHASING AND USE CONSIDERATIONS OF VACCINES

Check expiration dates and make sure you can use it before it expires. For MLV vaccines purchase smaller dose instead of larger dose vials, which will enable using the vaccine in a shorter time period. Also remember to purchase an adequate number of needles and plan on replacing the needle about every 5-10 head of cattle. Do not straighten a bent needle, replace it!

TRANSPORTING AND STORING VACCINES

Check the recommended storage temperature, and use a cooler while transporting and while vaccinating to keep the vaccine at the recommended temperature and also to minimize exposure to sunlight. Typically this temperature is between 35 degrees to 45 degrees F unless the product label advises otherwise. Check your refrigerator’s temperature periodically to assure that it is working properly and is keeping the vaccines at the correct temperature.

EQUIPMENT AND WORK AREA

Make sure your equipment is clean and rinsed with distilled water to remove any residues. Set up an area for syringes such that they are kept cool, shaded, and dust-free while working.

WHILE WORKING

Keep vaccines in a cooler with ice packs in summer or possibly hot packs in winter if it is too cold. (Check vaccine labels for proper storage temperature.) Don’t mix more MLV vaccine than can be used in 30 minutes. If using MLV vaccines, only rehydrate the vials either one at a time or as they are needed. Make sure you are using a clean transfer needle and use only the diluent supplied by the manufacturer to rehydrate the vaccine. Always use a brand-new needle to draw up the vaccine into the syringe. When using needle-free injection systems, or syringes that draw doses from a tube attached to the vaccine bottle, care should be taken to assure the bottle and tubing stay cool and shaded from sunlight.

NO JOB IS DONE ‘TIL THE CLEAN-UP

Discard any mixed MLV vaccines that are not used, as they are only viable for about an hour or two after reconstitution. Discard any partial bottles of inactivated vaccine that have been contaminated by dirty needles. Return unmixed MLV and unused inactivated vaccines to proper storage as soon as possible. Clean syringes, transfer needles, and tubing. Make sure to rinse with distilled, boiling water inside and out. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on proper cleaning and maintenance of needle-free injection systems. Burn empty vaccine bottles or follow label directions for disposal of containers and needles.

The Bottom Line

The success of any livestock vaccination program depends on the effectiveness of the vaccine used. Vaccines-which in essence are suspensions of biological organisms – will become ineffective if proper storage and handling recommendations are not followed. Thus, if they are not followed you have in essence wasted a lot of money and time and have increased the potential for livestock illness and death loss due to disease that might have been avoided.
Sources:
Daly, R., Price, A. (March, 2010). Livestock Vaccines: How They Work and How to Ensure They Do Their Job. ExEx11025. SDSU Extension Extra. Brookings, SD.
Williams, P. D., & Paixão, G. (2018). On-farm storage of livestock vaccines may be a risk to vaccine efficacy: a study of the performance of on-farm refrigerators to maintain the correct storage temperature. BMC veterinary research, 14(1), 136. doi:10.1186/s12917-018-1450-z

Safe Travels John Maday May 6, 2019 03:03 PM

 

 

Dr. Clyde Lane, professor emeritus from the University of Tennessee, stresses knowing the weight limits of your truck and trailer, and conducting regular inspections for safety.

( John Maday )

Just about every cattle producer with a pickup truck also has a stock trailer to connect to it, but many don’t give their trailer a lot of thought. They hitch it up when they have cattle to haul, and park it under a tree when they’re finished.
During a 2015 Cattle Transportation Symposium in Fort Collins, Colo., University of Tennessee professor emeritus Clyde Lane, PhD, discussed the importance of proper maintenance and operation of stock trailers for minimizing stress on animals and drivers, protecting animal welfare, preventing economic losses and preserving the public image of beef production.
Lane notes that for many in the general public, their only exposure to livestock production occurs when they see animals being transported on public roadways. If they see cattle confined in a broken-down trailer on a hot day, or even worse, injured cattle resulting from a preventable accident, their perception of beef production is likely to become more negative. And from the producer’s standpoint, no one wants the frustration of delays on the road or the economic losses associated with cattle shrink, sickness and potentially deaths.
During the symposium, Lane walked participants through a set of recommended procedures for stock-trailer transportation, including checking the truck, the trailer, the cattle and the emotional state of the driver. His suggestions include the following:

• Know the weight limits and ratings of your truck and make sure the loaded trailer adheres to those limits. Lane says if you are in a wreck and the trailer exceeds the truck’s limits, you could be legally liable even if the accident was not your fault.
• Make sure your truck is in good condition, with plenty of tread on the tires, a sound trailer hitch and working electronics.
• Communicate with your insurance carrier to confirm coverage on the trailer and the cattle you haul. Some companies, Lane says, will not cover the trailer if you are hauling cattle owned by someone else.
• Be prepared for a breakdown by carrying the appropriate jack and tools for on-the-road repairs. Ideally, carry contact information for producers along your route who could transport and house the cattle in case of an extended delay.
• Mount the trailer’s spare wheel in an accessible location. On many goose-neck trailers, Lane says, the wheel is mounted inside the neck section. He recommends moving the wheel to an outside mount so you don’t have to enter a trailer full of cattle to access it when needed.
• Check the age of your spare tire (and other tires). The last four digits of the DOT number on the sidewall indicate the month and year the tire was manufactured. Even if it was never used, an old tire can be unsafe, and lane recommends replacing tires over seven years old regardless of wear.
• Prior to transporting cattle, give the trailer a good safety inspection. Check the tires, flooring, gates and latches for damage. Have someone check to confirm all the lights are working properly. Once loaded, check the brakes before heading out on the highway.
• Load cattle quietly and carefully to minimize stress. The closer the back of the trailer matches the floor or the loading ramp, the easier it will be to load. Lane says sometimes digging a narrow trench for the back wheels of the trailer can help align the trailer with the ramp for easy loading. Do not load any animals that are not fit for transport, including those that appear they could become a “downer” during the trip.
• If you experience a breakdown that can’t be fixed quickly, such as having two blown tires and only one spare, deal with the cattle first. Locate another trailer or portable panels so the cattle can be offloaded to temporary housing, then work on fixing the trailer.
• Provide some shallow bedding in the trailer to improve footing for cattle, particularly on slick metal floors. Clean the trailer as needed to prevent corrosion, ensure cattle comfort and reduce trailer weight.
• Finally, assess the emotional state of the driver, whether that is you or someone else, before hitting the road. A driver who is stressed, frustrated, angry or otherwise agitated is more likely to drive aggressively, with excessive acceleration, hard braking and too much speed through curves. Take time to calm yourself down, relax and drive in a manner that minimizes cattle stress and the risk of an accident.

Evaluate Udder Soundness Soon After Calving to Use as Culling Criteria Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist April 3, 2019 04:14 PM

Every year at "preg" checking time, ranchers evaluate cows and make decisions as which to remove from the herd. One criteria that should be examined to cull cows is udder quality. Beef cattle producers are not as likely to think about udder health and shape as are dairy producers, but this attribute affects cow productivity and should be considered. It may be easier to be accurate in your culling decisions, if you exam the udder soundness of the cows shortly after calving when they are at the peak of lactation and the udder is as large as at any time. Take time now during the peak of lactation to write down which spring-calving cows have unsound udders. Record the cow numbers of those to be culled next fall due to unsound udders. Their heifer calves would be undesirable prospects to become replacement heifers for your herd.

The heritability estimates of udder characteristics are variable. A study done in Brahman cattle for the heritability of udder soundness indicated that progress could be made by selecting for udder soundness. They reported that 25% of the differences in udder soundness was due to genetics. Beef Improvement Federation Guidelines have suggested that the heritability of udder soundness in beef cattle is estimated at .16 to .22 which means that some progress can be made by selecting against unsound udders.

Recent research at Kansas State University (Bradford, 2014 KSU Cattlemen’s Day) with large numbers of Hereford data has given even greater hope that improvement in udder quality can be made. They found heritabilities of .32 for overall udder score, .31 for suspension, and .28 for teat size. Plus, genetic correlations between traits were strong (.83). This means that selection for one trait (teat size or suspension) will result in improvement in the other trait.
An experiment conducted at the OSU Range Cow Research Center near Stillwater gives some indication as to the impact of mastitis on beef cow performance.  They found that cows with one or two dry quarters had calves with severely reduced weaning weights (50 - 60 pounds) compared to cows with no dry quarters.   This represents a sizeable economic loss at weaning time.
An evaluation system for udder soundness has been developed and used by some breeds.  Teat shape and udder suspension are the two primary characteristics evaluated.

Seminar Set to Assist Agricultural Producers with New Tax Laws, Managing Taxable Income

Seminar Set to Assist Agricultural Producers with New Tax Laws, Managing Taxable Income

Congress passed a new tax law in December 2017 that will impact all business entities and people who file a tax return for the 2018 tax year.

ARDMORE, Okla. — The Noble Research Institute will provide farmers, ranchers and landowners with the latest tax preparation information during a Managing Taxes Seminar from 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, at the Noble Research Institute’s Kruse Auditorium.

During the seminar, Noble Research Institute agricultural economists and Doug Dean, CPA, will provide information, tips and advice:

·         New legislation

·         Income and expense issues in agriculture

·         Depreciation

·         Tax changes

·         End-of-year planning strategies.

“Time spent learning about the various aspects of your tax bill is always time well-spent,” said Dan Childs, agricultural economist. “Attendees will leave with the knowledge to help them successfully navigate some of the finer details of the tax process.”

This event is offered at no charge, but preregistration is required. For more information and to register, please visit www.noble.org/events or call 580-223-5810.