News Update
May 15, 2009

NOTICE: Association Web Sites to go Down During Computer System Update

The American Angus Association will be updating its computer system during the weekend of May 29 through June 1. Beginning Friday afternoon (May 29), several Association web sites will be unavailable for use. In particular, the AAA Login web site will be down the entire weekend.

Other web sites will have intermittent access available during this time. This notice includes the web sites for American Angus Association, National Junior Angus Association, Angus Productions Inc., and Angus Foundation.

Special note: National Junior Angus Show — The entry deadline and ownership deadline for the National Junior Angus Show is June 1, 2009 (postmark date). Please plan accordingly as online show entries will not be available after 4:30 p.m. CDT on May 29 due to computer system upgrades. All transfers need to be submitted prior to May 29, 2009, to ensure the work is completed. Thank you for your patience during this time of transition, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

— Notice provided by the American Angus Association.

Montana State Study Allowed Cattle to Drink from Streams Without Wading

Cows, in the process of getting a drink, tend to trample stream banks and muddy the water.

But what would happen if ranchers built fences along their creeks? What if cattle could only reach the water by walking into a stanchion? They could drink, but couldn't wade.

Adam Sigler designed and tested such systems on two ranches north of Belgrade for his master’s degree at Montana State University (MSU). He found that water quality improved and the amount of sediment decreased in the water downstream from where the cows drank. One ranch in the study lies near the headwaters of Thompson Creek and the other near the headwaters of Story Creek. Both are spring-fed creeks that flow into the East Gallatin River.

Sigler’s study found significantly less E.coli bacteria, sediments and nutrients when stanchions were used than when cattle had free access, said Sigler, now a water quality associate with MSU Extension and MSU’s Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences. The more cattle at a site, the more pronounced the difference.

“Armored stanchions eliminated or greatly reduced direct deposit of manure in the stream,” Sigler said.

Systems like his would work best along spring creeks or irrigation ditches, Sigler said. This is mostly due to more stable water levels and issues with freezing. Ranchers wouldn't want their cattle ending up without water because of ice along the banks or water too far from the stream banks.

Jim Bauder, Sigler’s faculty adviser, said the study proved that managing and controlling stream access works. It would also be fairly inexpensive.

“Typically all the materials are things already on the ranch,” Bauder said. "You are looking at posts, fencing and gates, things like that. I would guess that, not counting producers’ time and effort, I would think it would be under $1,500 in materials.”

For more information visit http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=7201.

— Adapted from a release provided by MSU.

How Much is Pasture Renting For?

Eldon Cole, a University of Missouri (MU) Extension livestock specialist, says the question people ask him most often is about the going rate for pasture rentals.

Fortunately, Cole can refer people to data on cash rental rates compiled every couple years by the MU Extension agricultural economics staff.

The data comes from a statewide survey of land and cattle owners to determine the range and average of pasture rentals. The most recent report, by Ron Plain and Joyce White, is based on more than 200 survey responses collected in 2008.

Rates reported by people who rated their pasture as “good” — requiring less than four acres per 1,000-pound (lb.) cow per year — averaged $29.95 per acre per year. Reported values ranged from $10 to $65 per acre.

The average rate for fair/poor pasture, which requires more than four acres per cow per year, was $22.34. Rates ranged from $7.50 to $40 per acre per year. Only a few reported timber pasture, which averaged $7.03 per acre.

A few respondents indicated that they rent pasture on a per-head, per-month basis. The average for that was $9.44 per cow-calf per month. Rents ranged from $4 to $27, and the average time on the pasture was 7.1 months.

A 2009 review of nine Great Plains states shows the average monthly charge per cow-calf was $16.80. The 11 states west of the Great Plains ran slightly higher at $17.40 per unit.

Complete information about farmland rental rates can be found online at http://agebb.missouri.edu/mgt/bull8b.htm.

The report should not be used as the sole basis for determining your rent, Cole said. “But it may provide a reference as you consider the factors unique to your situation …”

— Adapted from a release provided by MU Extension.

ERS Releases Data

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) released data regarding meat price spreads as well as federal estate taxes.

The meat price spread data set provides monthly average price values, and the differences among those values, at the farm, wholesale, and retail stages of the production and marketing chain for selected cuts of beef, pork, and broilers. In addition, retail prices are provided for beef and pork cuts, turkey, whole chickens, eggs, and dairy products.

Visit www.ers.usda.gov/Data/MeatPriceSpreads for the complete report.

Also, ERS reports federal estate taxes affect relatively few estates and account for only a small share of total federal tax receipts. Though special provisions have been enacted to limit the effect of the tax on farmers and small business owners, these groups are still more likely than the general public to owe federal estate taxes. A larger share of farm estates could be subject to estate taxes if legislation enacted in 2001 is allowed to expire at the end of 2010.

Visit www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/June09/Features/FederalEstateTax.htm for the complete report.

— Information provided by ERS.

— Compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.