News Update
Sept. 18, 2009

Steer Feedout Gives Producers Insights on the Value of Beef Calves

“Rather than gripe about poor prices paid for their calves, beef producers should find the value of their calves by feeding them out,” according to an University of Missouri (MU) release. At the end of a feedout, the calves are sold to packers based on carcass value.

Beef producers learned how they could select five or more calves for a feedout trial during a beef tour at the annual MU Southwest Center field day, Sept. 11.

“Evaluate the calves you produce to see how they perform for the next guy down the value chain,” said Eldon Cole, MU Extension livestock specialist at Mount Vernon.

In the Missouri Steer Feedout, producers select a sample of at least five calves to retain ownership through the feedlot phase. The return at the end reflects what they are worth to meat processors. Read more.

EPA Step Closer in GHG Regulation

The White House Office of Management and Budget has completed a review that, according to Meatingplace.com, moves the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closer to publishing final rules requiring companies to report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

According to the article, industry data collection under the draft rule would begin in January 2010, with the first reports due to EPA in March 2011.

H1N1 Update: Swine Herd Still Not Affected, Vaccine Expected Soon

While swine influenza has been present in the U.S. for more than 80 years, it is not the same virus as the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus circulating among humans.

Dr. Paul Sundberg, vice president of science and technology for the pork checkoff, said animal health officials have decades of experience dealing with influenza in the swine herd.

“The new novel H1N1 has similar symptoms as the classic H1N1 and other influenza viruses, but has not been found in the U.S. hog herd yet,” he said. “Novel H1N1 will likely get into the U.S. hog herd from humans, just as it has in Venezuela, Australia and Canada and, when it does, animal health officials will manage it just as they do other influenza viruses.”
Officials at the United States Department of Agriculture realize that it is possible for the novel H1N1 influenza virus to be found in the hog herd some time this fall. Read more.

September: National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and state and federal emergency management officials are urging citizens to “Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed. Get Involved.”

What should go in my emergency supply kit? There are six basics you should stock in your home. Read more.

Flog Grazing CRP Land

Old, dead grass on your Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land will lower the grazing and hay quality next year unless it’s removed. While haying and prescribed burning can remove it, another effective way to remove it and get some benefits from it is by grazing.

But not just any type of grazing will do the job. A method called “flog grazing” does it best. Read more.

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