News Update
Dec. 30, 2009

Watch Farm Buildings for Excessive Snow Loads; Remove with Extreme Caution

Last week’s snowstorm in various sections of the state resulted in at least one roof collapse on a pig barn in southern Minnesota due to the accumulation of snow and ice. With little warming expected in the next few weeks that would provide an opportunity for existing ice and snow to melt or slide off, producers should monitor the snow load situation on their agricultural buildings and take appropriate action.

Check high-risk areas. If you need to remove snow, be extremely careful. The recent snow and ice storm left several inches of ice and/or several feet of snow on some roofs, which has added to the total weight that trusses and rafters must support. Because of this ice layer, snow that has recently fallen on a typical metal roof is not sliding off like it normally does in the winter. If the ice layer doesn’t melt, each additional snowfall this year will intensify the problem.

Snow loads for agricultural buildings in much of southern and western Minnesota are generally around 20 pounds (lb.) per square foot. This level of loading is not intended to last all winter; there is a fatigue factor. A roof may be able to support the designated snow load for several days or a few weeks, but probably no more than 30 days.

What should you do if you have too much snow on your roof?

The simple answer is to get it off as soon as possible. Generally, there is some time between a large snowfall event and possible structural failure. Unfortunately, one good way to remove snow from a roof is to physically get up on the roof and push the snow off with a shovel or broom.

There obviously is the safety concern of falling off when working on a snow-covered and icy roof. It’s important to use ladders, safety ropes and take necessary precautions. Snow rakes also can be used to remove snow. When using a snow rake, use extreme caution when working near overhead electrical power lines. Also, avoid excessive scraping on the roof or trying to chip off ice. These practices can damage the roof and lead to a leaky roof.

There are other, more innovative methods of removing snow and ice from roofs. One involves warming the inside of the building sufficiently with large heaters to melt the ice layer, and then hoping the snow and ice slide off. Obviously, a lot of heat is necessary for even a moderately-sized building, and it must be an open-trussed structure (no flat ceiling), and have an uninsulated metal roof. Caution is necessary to prevent large chunks of ice and snow that slide off the roof from falling onto people, animals or equipment.

For flat-ceiling buildings, putting heaters in the attic is generally not recommended because of the fire danger and the possibility of creating ice dams along the building’s eaves.

— Release by Larry Jacobson and Kevin Janni, University of Minnesota Extension.

55th Annual Kansas Angus Futurity and Educational Opportunity

A unique herd pick, service-age bulls, fancy show heifer prospects, bred heifers, open replacement females, cow-calf pairs and exciting embryo offerings will highlight the 55th Annual Kansas Angus Breeders Futurity Show and Sale Jan. 22-24, 2010, on the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kan.

Activities will begin Friday, Jan. 22, at 12:30 p.m., with an educational presentation and Q&A session, “Angus Family Estate Planning” led by Kent Simpson, Kennedy & Koe LLC, followed by the Kansas Angus Association annual meeting. A social and banquet will conclude the first day’s events. During the banquet, the Kansas Angus Association will induct the 2009 honorary member, crown a new Miss Kansas Angus and hold a benefit auction for the junior scholarship program.

On Saturday, Jan. 23, the sale cattle show will begin at 8:30 a.m. The sale is set for 1:30 p.m. Cattle for the junior show will be checked in from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the Kansas Junior Angus Association (KJAA) will meet at 6 p.m.

The junior show will start at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 24. A junior judging contest will run concurrently with the junior show. Contest registration begins at 7:30 a.m. All junior Angus, 4-H and FFA youth are invited to participate in the contest. For more information, including a full schedule and an online sale book, visit www.kansasangus.org.

For a copy of the sale book with a complete sale offering contact the sale managers at the American Angus Hall of Fame at  816-532-0811.

— Release provided by the Kansas Angus Association.

‘Market Journal’ to Focus on Animal Welfare Issues

“Market Journal” next month will focus on one of the most important emerging issues facing agriculture across the nation — the animal welfare movement. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Extension program will feature experts discussing how the issue is playing out in several states and offering suggestions to agricultural producers on how to address the concerns.

Several states already have adopted legislation or constitutional amendments to regulate how producers treat livestock. Most notable was California voters’ approval in 2008 of Proposition 2, which prohibits the confinement of certain farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up and fully extend their limbs.

Hosted by UNL agricultural economist Doug Jose, the program includes perspective from Chris Wolf, an agricultural economist from Michigan State University who has conducted a study of voters’ attitudes on animal welfare. He found that voters in virtually every state probably would approve a measure similar to California’s.

Elizabeth Parker, chief veterinarian for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), discusses how consumers’ food safety concerns play a role in this issue, and Jennifer Greiner, veterinarian with the National Pork Producers Council, says livestock care standards need to strike a balance between consumers’ concerns and producers’ economic realities.

Greiner suggests that other states might follow Ohio’s lead in establishing a livestock standards board that gives the livestock industry a voice in setting regulations.

Roger Berry, field director of the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska, said farmers and ranchers need to get past their reluctance to talk about what they do to educate consumers.

“They care about their animals and take care of their animals,” Berry says on the program. “They’ve got to start telling people what they do and why they do it.”

“Market Journal” airs on NET 1 at 7 a.m. Jan. 2 and on NET 2 at 9 a.m. Jan. 3. It also airs on the Dish Network — UniversityHouse Channel 9411 at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 1, 9:30 p.m. Jan. 3 and 8:30 a.m. Jan. 6. All times listed are Central Time Zone.

It will be available after airing online at “Market Journal.”

UK teams with American Grassfed Association for Annual Conference

The American Grassfed Association will hold its seventh annual conference, titled “Grazing America,” Feb. 4 through 6 in Lexington, Ky. Designed for producers, users and supporters of grass-fed products, the conference is co-hosted by the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Berea College.

This year’s conference will have two themes, “Growing Your Grassfed Business” and “From Farm Gate to Customer’s Plate.” It will offer sessions in three locations — at the Hyatt Regency Lexington, on the UK campus and in Berea. Transportation will be provided to sessions taking place away from the hotel.

UK College of Agriculture professionals will lead several conference sessions on the morning of Feb. 5. UK agricultural economists Lee Meyer and Greg Halich, joined by Gregg Rentfrow, UK meat science Extension specialist, will put on an extensive management and marketing workshop on grass-fed production systems. Approximately two weeks after the conference, the UK team will hold a follow-up webinar to answer additional questions.

Glen Aiken, UK associate professor in plant and soil sciences, will draw on his collaborations in Brazil and South Africa to offer global perspectives on grass finishing.

Ray Smith, UK associate professor in plant and soil sciences, will lead a session covering the selection and management of forages for grass-fed ruminant production.

Brandon Foote, from Redmond Natural Minerals and Redmond Heritage Farms in Utah, will give an overview of grass-fed dairying and utilization of natural minerals in all grass-based production systems.

In the afternoon, the sessions will move to Berea College where Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty members Mike Panciera, Bob Harned, Pete Lammers and Neil Douglas will lead sessions on intensive grazing and forage stockpiling for cattle; comparing indoor and outdoor hog production; and endophyte-free fescue and goats.

Chef and writer Betty Fussell, author of “The Story of Corn,” and “Raising Steaks: The Life and Times of American Beef,” will speak at dinner that night.

Two intensive sessions will be offered on Saturday, Feb. 6: a session on butchery, held in the UK Animals Science Meat Lab, and a cooking session with Chef Michael Leviton of Lumiere Restaurant in Newton, Mass. and Louisville’s Chef Jay Denham. During lunch, UK Professor Garry Lacefield, Extension forage specialist, will present an overview of Kentucky.

Dinner that night will include a writer’s panel, “Meat on the Table: Past, Present and Local,” with Fussell, Gary Nabhan, author of “Renewing America’s Food Traditions: Saving and Savoring the Continent’s Most Endangered Foods” and UK Anthropology Professor John van Willigen, author of “Food and Everyday Life on Kentucky Family Farms, 1920-1950.” A book signing will follow the panel discussion.

Visit the American Grassfed Association’s web site, http://www.americangrassfed.org/, for a detailed conference schedule, registration form and lodging information.

— Release by UK College of Agriculture.

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