News Update
Oct. 29, 2009

AngusSource® Calves Earn Premiums

Cattlemen faced economic hardships throughout 2009, but those enrolled in AngusSource® weathered the storm — earning significantly higher prices for documented Angus-sired calves.

According to data from Superior Livestock Auction, AngusSource calves sold June through September 2009 earned an average $2.65 more per hundredweight (cwt.) than non-verified calves, and an additional $1.08 more per cwt. than other age- and source-verified calves sold through Superior Livestock Auction’s video sales. Read more.

USDA Announces China’s Intent to Re-Open the Chinese Market to U.S. Pork Products

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that China intends to re-open the Chinese market to United States pork and live swine, consistent with science-based international standards. The announcement was made at the conclusion of meetings with Chinese officials at the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT).

“Two-way trade of agricultural, fish and forest products between the U.S. and China has grown in recent years to over $21 billion per year, opening increasingly important connections that can benefit farmers, ranchers and consumers in both countries,” Vilsack said. “China’s intent to remove its H1N1-related ban on U.S. pork marks an important step forward in cooperation between the countries on agriculture issues.”

“I look forward to China resuming imports of U.S. pork products and live swine,” said Kirk. “Based on our discussions, we expect China to base its opening on science and internationally agreed standards.”

In 2008, China was the U.S. pork industry’s fastest growing market, accounting for $560 million in U.S. exports. China’s May 2009 A/H1N1 restrictions have stopped U.S. pork exports to China. In discussions with Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Agriculture Minister Sun Zhengcai, Vilsack stressed the need for China to remove all restrictions on trade in pork products related to the H1N1 virus, given clear guidance from international bodies like the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), World Health Organization (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), that there is no risk to humans from consuming properly prepared pork and pork products.

In his first visit to China as Agriculture Secretary, Vilsack took part in the meeting of the JCCT, a bilateral forum for resolving trade issues, co-chaired by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. Leading the delegation for China was Vice Premier Wang Qishan.

Throughout his travels in China, and earlier in the trip for a trade mission to the Philippines, Vilsack emphasized the need to keep markets open and promote food safety and workable international regulatory standards that protect consumers without creating artificial trade barriers.

— Release by USDA News.

TAMU Fit-to-Finish Show Cattle Camp Dec. 12-13

The Texas A&M University (TAMU) Fit-to-Finish Show Cattle Camp is scheduled Dec. 12-13 at the Pearce Pavilion on the TAMU campus in College Station.

“There is no question that the 4-H and FFA members who exhibit cattle in the state of Texas represent some of the most competitive and well-respected exhibitors in the nation. The concept of the upcoming camp is to emphasize the grooming and fitting skills needed to maximize a student’s cattle project,” said Paul Maulsby, event coordinator and TAMU Beef Center manager.

“The information is targeted toward the first-time exhibitor as well as the experienced,” Maulsby said. “The intention is to share the experience that the staff has gained in presenting and showing champions throughout the state and the nation to provide participants with an edge to help them find their place in the winner’s circle.”

Topics to be covered in the camp are grooming and fitting practices of the beef cattle project, whether it is breeding heifers or steers, both haired and slick. Additionally, time management for show preparation and showmanship sessions will be available and directed by some of the most talented fitters, exhibitors and judges throughout the state, Maulsby said.

Sessions address such topics as:

• Clipping and grooming for different cattle types.
  
• Show-day fitting through feed, weight management for steers (weigh backs).
  
• Evaluation, fitting and grooming, and time management on show day.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own animals; however, if this is not possible, the Beef Center will have a limited number available for camp activities. Arrival for camp is optional for Dec. 11 with final arrival time Dec. 12 from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. The sessions start at 10:30 a.m.

Camp will end the evening of Dec. 13 after the simulated show and showmanship contest. Parents and leaders are welcome to attend at the leader and parent fee ($75). Lodging is the responsibility of the participants, Maulsby said.

A block of rooms has been made available at the College Station Ramada Inn on University Drive. Participants will be provided meals throughout the camp, and awards will be given for the showmanship contest. Cost for each student in the camp is $175 with a fee of $75 for each additional parent or leader.

Complete information and scheduling can be obtained by contacting Maulsby at 979-587-2835. Additionally, participants can acquire information online at http://animalscience.tamu.edu/images/pdf/youth/fit-to-finish-show-cattle-camp09.pdf.

Late Wheat Planting Requires Extra Planning

Some wheat has not yet been planted this year across Kansas — especially in the eastern third of the state — due in some cases to wet soil conditions. In other cases, producers are still waiting to harvest their soybeans, grain sorghum or corn before planting wheat, said Jim Shroyer, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension crop production specialist.

This may require producers to do a little extra planning, Shroyer said.

“Planting wheat in early November is still within the acceptable range of planting dates in southeast and far south-central Kansas. In other areas of the state, this is later than I would like to see and later than the cutoff date for full crop insurance coverage,” he said.

When planting wheat more than two weeks after the Hessian fly-free date, producers should begin to make certain management changes.

“When planting in late October or early November, producers should use a seeding rate of 75 to 90 pounds (lb.) per acre in western Kansas and 100 to 120 pounds in eastern and central Kansas, or in fields under irrigation.”

Shroyer added, “Also, as wheat seeding is delayed well past the optimum seeding date in the fall, producers should strongly consider using about 15 to 20 pounds per acre of phosphorus (P) fertilizer directly with the seed, regardless of soil P levels. This placement method is more effective at that time of year than other application methods. The later the planting date, the more fall root development is slowed. The closer the fertilizer is to the seed, the sooner the plant roots can get to it.”

If volunteer wheat is present within a half-mile of the field to be planted, the best option at this point in the season might be to leave it alone and concentrate on getting the wheat planted, said Jeff Whitworth, K-State Research and Extension entomologist.

“Most of the wheat curl mites or aphids present on volunteer in late October or November will probably stay in place on undisturbed volunteer through the winter and not move onto newly planted wheat this fall,” he said. “The uncontrolled volunteer could lead to infestations of wheat curl mite, aphid and Hessian fly on planted wheat next spring, however, so it’s a tradeoff. Yield losses from spring infestations of these pests are typically not as great as losses from fall infestations.”

The highest priority now is to get the wheat crop planted as soon as possible, Shroyer said. Trying to spray the volunteer with a herbicide when temperatures are so cool is not really a good plan because it would take at least a couple weeks for the volunteer to completely die.

Wheat can be planted in November and still survive the winter in most cases, as long as there is enough warm weather for the wheat to develop a couple of tillers and a secondary root system, Shroyer said.

“Be sure to plant at least 1 to 1.5 inches (in.) deep. If the seed is placed too shallowly, it will be more susceptible to winterkill and desiccation injury. If placed too deeply, it may not have enough vigor in cold soils to emerge well, he said.”

A study done several years ago at K-State’s Southwest Research and Extension Center near Garden City showed that the yield potential of wheat is reduced by about 20% for wheat that emerges in early November and another 20% for every month after that. This study was done at a constant seeding rate.

Yields of late-planted wheat would typically improve somewhat if seeding rates are increased, the agronomist said.

Many factors other than planting dates affect yields, of course, but wheat that doesn’t emerge until after Thanksgiving in western Kansas almost always yields less than wheat that emerges in the normal timeframe, Shroyer said.

Another consideration this fall is the long-term effect of planting into wet soils, he added. This may cause soil compaction problems that will reduce wheat root development next spring, making the wheat more susceptible to stresses and nutrient deficiencies, he said.

— Release provided by K-State Research and Extension.

—Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.