News Update
Aug. 27, 2009

Agriculture Futures, Livestock Prices Mixed

Beef and pork futures traded mixed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) earlier today.

October live cattle climbed 0.33¢ to 87.70¢ a pound; October feeder cattle slipped 0.17¢ to 99.30¢ a pound; October lean hogs added 0.45¢ to 47.50¢ a pound; and February pork bellies shed 0.55¢ to 75.90¢ a pound, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Drought-Related Cattle Deaths Reported in South Texas

Hot, dry weather continued for most of Texas, with South Texas still the hottest and driest, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel.

It has been so hot and dry that ranchers are losing cattle, said Sammy Gavito, AgriLife Extension agent for Duval County, west of Corpus Christi.

Gavito estimated that most of the ranchers he talked to had lost from 3% to 5% of their herds. He attributed the losses directly to drought conditions.

“We’ve had 2 inches of rain in a year’s time,” he said. “We’re about 22 to 23 inches below normal for the year. There isn’t enough for them to eat, and it’s very hot. We’ve had almost 50 days in [a] row of almost 100 degrees. That’s a record for us down here.”

Gavito said many of his ranchers who waited too long to liquidate their herds are in a tough position. Read more.

K-State Vet Urges Cattle Producers To Watch for Pinkeye

It shows up every year, and to the unlucky cattle that contract it, infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), more commonly called pinkeye, is incredibly painful and, if left untreated, can lead to loss of the eye, a Kansas State University (K-State) veterinarian said.

“Pinkeye is usually caused by the bacteria Moraxella bovis,” said K-State Research and Extension Veterinarian Larry Hollis. “However, we’ve found that in many cases — especially the extremely difficult cases — another bacteria, either Branhamella ovis or Mycoplasma bovoculi, is also present.”

The disease is spread by flies, said Hollis, which means that good fly control around cattle production areas should always be a priority.

In its early stages, pinkeye is usually easier to treat, he said. The disease can accelerate rapidly, however, and if not treated aggressively can lead to damage to the eye or complete loss of the eye. Read more.

Kennedy’s Death Leaves Rare Open Senate Seat

With the death of longtime legislator Sen. Ted Kennedy, the state of Massachusetts is faced with an open Senate seat for the first time in 25 years.

According to CNN.com, the fight for the Senate seat will be fierce due to a longstanding Democratic-controlled state government and “pent-up political ambition” from “the Bay State Democrats itching to go to Washington.”

Massachusetts law requires a special election for Kennedy’s seat to be held within 160 days. When that special election is over, the winner will serve out the remainder of Kennedy’s term, which expires in January 2013, CNN.com reports.

Summer Internships Offered At Accelerated Genetics - Deadline Nov. 15

Accelerated Genetics is offering four types of summer internships to college students for summer 2010. Accelerated Genetics internships provide an excellent variety of opportunities, from working hands-on within the artificial insemination (AI) industry, to networking and gaining valuable experiences that will help students prepare for a future career. The four types of internships being offered for 2010 include the Public Relations & Advertising Internship; the Genetic Services Internship; the Sales and Service Internship; and the Veterinarian Internship. Read more.

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