News Update

News Update
Nov. 23, 2005

New Mineral Recommendations Available

The University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture’s Beef Integrated Resource Management (IRM) program has released new recommendations aimed at providing the most up-to-date mineral information available to beef producers.

The recommendations are designed to help beef producers ensure their cattle are getting the proper minerals in their diet, a UK release reports.

There are three formula recommendations from UK, including a basic cow-calf formulation, a pre- and early lactation high-magnesium (Mg) formula to use when conditions for grass tetany exist, and a formula containing monensin for stocker cattle.

The formulas were developed by UK beef specialists Roy Burris and John T. Johns. They’ve been scrutinized and approved by UK Regulatory Services, which regulates feed content in the state, and they meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved standards for a medicated mineral product, when applicable. Only one of the formulas is medicated.

The recommendations are based on average forage analyses in Kentucky, and actual forage levels may vary, Burris said. Producers who have any concerns about the health or special needs of their herds should contact the UK Cooperative Extension Service or their veterinarian.

Visit www.ca.uky.edu/agc/news/2005/Nov/mineral.htm for more information.

— Release provided by UK College of Agriculture.

Propane Could Play Larger Role on the Farm

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) that could make the sight of propane gas tanks on farms more common.

According to ARS, more than half of U.S. farms currently use propane for a variety of purposes including heating, fuel for tractors, crop drying and nonchemical pest control.

Winter heating is the most common use, but researchers and the council are interested in exploring ways to increase the use of propane in fall, spring and summer farming operations. Spreading out the use of propane year-round could lower its costs for winter heating.

With funding from PERC through an earlier agreement, researchers have already developed a propane-fueled thermal plant defoliator. The prototype, which forces hot air through cotton and chili plants, dries up leaves overnight allowing for an earlier harvest and serves as a nonchemical alternative to both defoliants and insecticides.

The new MOU cites organic farming as one potential area for joint ARS and PERC research, and there is interest in exploring whether propane could be used for steam-based heat treatment to control insect pests in stored fruits, vegetables, grain and cotton.

Other potential areas for joint research cited in the MOU include fueling electricity generators and irrigation pumps and incinerating farm wastes.

— Release provided by ARS.

Association Plans Outreach Seminars

The American Angus Association has announced it will host another series of outreach seminars, with two already scheduled in Arkansas and Texas. The seminars, conducted in an effort to communicate with members at local levels, start in December 2005 and will continue into the winter and spring of 2006.

An Outreach Seminar is set for Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Fort Smith, Ark. The seminar will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., in conjunction with Arkansas Angus Association activities, including an educational forum that begins at 10 a.m., an annual meeting from 4 to 5 p.m., and the Arkansas Angus Banquet that begins at 6:30 p.m.

Another seminar is set for Friday, Jan. 20 at the Fort Worth Stock Show in Fort Worth, Texas. The seminar will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and will take place in the Cattle Barn #1 Dorm, just above the cattle stalled in Barn #1.

Association staff and directors will be on hand at both events to discuss current Association programs, including the AngusSource^SM marketing program and genetic selection tools. They will also discuss how the Association and its members will affect the future of the beef business.

For more information about this or other scheduled Outreach Seminars, go to www.angus.org or contact the Association at (816) 383-5100.

— Information provided by the American Angus Association.