News Update
Nov. 19, 2009

NCBA Leaders to Address Key Issues on NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen

Addressing issues important to all beef producers, four National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) leaders will take live questions from viewers Tuesday, Dec. 1, on NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen. The program, which will begin at 8:30 p.m. EST, appears on the RFD-TV Cable Network.

Joining NCBA President-Elect Steve Foglesong, an Astoria, Ill. beef producer, in answering questions will be NCBA CEO Forrest Roberts, NCBA Vice President of Legislative Affairs Colin Woodall, and NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud. Among topics they’re expected to address are international trade; the political climate in Washington, D.C.; effect of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling and other government regulations, benefits of membership in NCBA, and the overall state of the industry and the beef market.

“Cattlemen deserve to hear from those working on behalf of their industry about what is being done to protect their operations and the business climate for beef,” according to Roberts. “This is an excellent chance for all producers to get first-hand, up-to-date information on the state of the beef industry and how NCBA is working to protect their interests.”

Questions for participants can be submitted during the Dec. 1 NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen live show at c2c@beef.org, or by calling 888-824-6688. Calls will also be fielded on air.

— Release provided by NCBA.

Body Condition Useful Winter Tool for Cattle Breeding

To promote a profitable calf crop in the spring, cow-calf operators should be examining the body condition of pregnant animals throughout the late fall and winter months.

“Use of body condition scores (BCS) is an appropriate method of adjusting feeding programs as needed for pregnant replacement heifers and cows,” said Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cooperative Extension cattle specialist.

Replacement heifers especially need to be put on a winter feed program that will allow them to maintain body condition and gain weight until they calve next spring.

“A replacement heifer needs to weigh about 85% of its potential mature weight at calving time next spring,” Selk said.
Since few cattle producers actually have scales or weigh heifers frequently enough to see exactly what weight they possess at any given time, Selk said cow-calf operators should be monitoring body condition to make certain heifers are on track.

The goal is a BCS of 6 for first-calf heifers. Research indicates heifers in a BCS 6 will calve normally and will not have increased calving difficulty. Furthermore, such heifers tend to rebreed well and generate adequate milk supplies so the calf will have access to high-quality colostrum.

Selk said the old rancher’s tale of trying to calve heifers in thin body condition is a belief that has been very costly to cattle producers over the years.

“Cow-calf operators who keep heifers thin will not decrease calving difficulties but will decrease rebreeding rates significantly,” he said. “In addition, 2-year-old heifers often will produce low quantities of first milk called colostrum, through which immunity to disease is passed on from mother to offspring. This means that the calf may not have sufficient disease-protecting antibodies and have a greater chance of experiencing health problems.”

The same rules of body condition are applicable for cows. However, research indicates cows have more latitude than heifers.

“Data show if cows are calved in the high-half of the 5 body condition score, and then maintain this body condition until they rebreed, then cows generally show good success as breeding stock,” Selk said.

An animal with a BCS 5 will be moderate to thin. The last two or three ribs are visible, and there is little evidence of fat in the brisket, over the ribs or around the tailhead.

Cows and heifers in a BCS 6 present a good smooth appearance throughout the body. Some fat deposits are visible in the brisket and over the tailhead. The ribs are covered and the back appears rounded.

“It’s important to adjust operational management to account for more prolonged winter weather, especially if Oklahoma and the region have a colder, wetter winter than we’ve experienced during the past several years,” Selk said.

— Release provided by OSU Cooperative Extension.

Don’t Let 2009 Farm Tax Planning Go By the Wayside

While many Nebraska farmers are still trying to finish up with harvest, now also is the time to start thinking about year-end tax planning, says the Nebraska Farm Business Association director.

While there isn’t a whole lot new to do, it is still important for farmers and ranchers to pay close attention to the usual deductions, said Tina Barrett, director, Nebraska Farm Business Association.

“2009 has provided opportunities for higher-than-average profitability,” Barrett said. “While not as high as in 2008 or 2007, these higher incomes may be harder to manage due to carryover of income from 2007 and 2008.”

Farmers and ranchers still can take advantage of the Section 179 Expense Election. This election allows the write-off of the first $250,000 in depreciation of assets that were bought in 2009. This means purchases like tractors, combines and most farm equipment and breeding livestock can be written off in the year of purchase.

“Some assets that don’t qualify include machine sheds and purchases from related parties, such as buying a tractor from Dad,” Barrett said.

The bonus election, which was reinstated with the 2008 Economic Stimulus Package, also still exists.

Any brand new assets or breeding livestock not used in someone else’s herd counts for a 50 percent write-off, she said.

The bonus can be used with the 179 Expense Election, but the 179 election has to be used first.

The bonus election can apply only to brand new assets, while the 179 election can be applied to used equipment. The bonus also can be used to accelerate the depreciation of a machine shed, but it must be put up and in use in 2009 for it to qualify.

“Be sure to work with a farm tax adviser before the end of the year to make sure all advantages are received,” Barrett said.

Farmers and ranchers can also, as always, pre-pay major inputs, such as seed and chemical, but remember, it will result in fewer deductions for next year.

“Many times we defer or pre-pay something one year thinking the next year may be a bad one,” she said. “When we have a few good years in a row, it can start a snowball effect of always needing to find bigger pre-paids or deferring even more income to next year.”

— Release by Nebraska Institute of Animal and Natural Resources News.

Growing the Bioeconomy: Solutions for Sustainability

A 12-state alliance of simultaneous state conferences will promote agriculture-based sustainable solutions to global climate change and energy supply. The conference will tackle the challenge by:

• Exploring a systems perspective on biorenewables.
  
• Offering solutions to current questions about grain ethanol.
  
• Examining the potential role of biochar as an agent for carbon sequestration.
  
• Discussing the implementation of new ideas for land stewardship with biofuels agriculture.

Participants may attend at one of the land-grant university sites, sign up to host a remote viewing site or attend via a personal computer at www.bioeconomyconference.org/.

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