News Update
Feb. 18, 2010

Herring Elected President of Cattle-Fax; Ferguson to Serve as President-Elect

James Herring of Amarillo, Texas, has been elected as the new president of Cattle-Fax, a member-owned and member-directed cattle market information and research organization. Jon Ferguson of Kensington, Kan., is the new president-elect.

Mr. Herring is president and CEO of Friona Industries LP in Amarillo, Texas. Friona is the fourth-largest cattle feeding operation in the United States with four commercial feedlots in the Texas Panhandle with one-time capacity of 275,000 head.

He was formerly president and chairman of the board of Marcom International Inc., a Dallas, Texas-based conglomerate that included a commodity brokerage company, an agricultural finance company and subsidiaries with various interests in oil and gas, cattle and real estate.

Herring was a founding shareholder of First National Bank of Park Cities in Dallas, Texas, and served as a director from 1985 until 1991. He is past president of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA), has served several terms on the executive committee and as a director since 1990. He has also served as a director and member of the executive committee of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA). Read more.

Time for Bull Check-ups; Extension Specialist Shares Three Bull Management Tips to Consider

This period of late winter to early spring brings a lot of activity to southwest Missouri’s beef cow-calf operations.

“Most of the producers are busy with calving and hay feeding during this time of year,” said Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri (MU) Extension.

Another chore that may not receive the attention that calving and feeding does is bull management.

• Bull management tips

“If the 2011 calving season is going to be a success, prepping the bull battery this spring is vital,” Cole said. “There are three management tips that should be considered.”

First, if the herd also calves in the fall, the bulls should be separated from the fall cows and brought in and fed up to a body condition score of 5.5 to 6.5.

Second, a veterinarian should give them a breeding soundness exam (sometimes referred to as a BSE) at least 30 days before turnout for the next breeding season.

• Bull soundness exam

MU Extension works with several veterinary clinics in Barry, Taney and Lawrence counties to focus attention on the importance of the BSE portion of bull management.

Special BSE clinics will take place as follows: March 8 at Barry County Vet Services, Cassville, Voyd Brown; March 10 at Dake Veterinary Clinic, Miller, Chuck Dake; March 11 and 12 at Countryside Animal Clinic, Aurora, Mike Bloss; and March 17 at Rick Turner Farm, Taneyville, Randall Spragg. Contact the veterinary clinics in advance to schedule an appointment.

This is the sixth year MU Extension has hosted the BSE clinics. During that time, 780 bulls have been checked and 10% have either failed to be satisfactory potential breeders or else were deferred for a re-test.

“This spring the pass rate could even run lower due to the extremely cold, damp winter. Frostbite to the scrotum is one problem to definitely watch for,” said Cole.

• Bull buying

The third management tip, depending on the outcome of the BSE and an owner’s genetic plans for the herd, may mean going bull shopping.

“Bull shopping can be an agonizing experience or an optimistic, building-for-the-future, enjoyable activity. The important points to consider are to know what your herd needs to complement any weaknesses, don’t be in a hurry and give yourself plenty of time to study data before going to a sale or breeder’s farm,” Cole said.

For more information on caring for beef bulls ahead of turnout, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mount Vernon, 417-466-3102; Gary Naylor in Dallas County, 417-345-7551; and Dona Goede in Cedar County, 417-276-3313.

NIFA Announces Grants to Help Train and Educate the Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced Feb. 18 the availability of more than $18 million in grants to help train, educate and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). 

“Beginning farmers and ranchers are critical to creating rural prosperity in the United States, but they face unique challenges and require education and assistance to ensure their profitability and sustainability,” Roger Beachy, NIFA director, said. “These grants will provide training the America’s next generation of farmers and ranchers need to succeed.”

BFRDP is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help U.S. farmers and ranchers — specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or less. NIFA will make grants available to organizations to design programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers. Project results are expected to be disseminated widely to all farmers.  Proposals are due April 6, and applications are available on the NIFA web site.

This is the second year of the program, established by the Section 7410 of the 2008 Farm Bill. The program will also make $18 million in awards available in fiscal years 2011 and 2012. In FY 2009, BFRDP made 29 awards for approximately $17 million.

Priority will be given to projects that are partnerships and collaborations led by or including nongovernmental and community-based organizations with expertise in new agricultural producer training and outreach. All applicants are required to provide funds or in-kind support from non-federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to 25% of the federal funds requested. 

In fiscal year 2010, only standard projects and a few educational enhancement teams will be funded. All projects will be limited to three years. Budget requests in the proposals must not exceed $250,000 per year. For standard projects, NIFA is looking for proposals in these areas:

• Mentoring, apprenticeships and internships
  
• Resources and referrals
  
• Assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers
  
• Innovative farm and ranch transfer strategies
  
• Entrepreneurship and business training
  
• Model land leasing contracts
  
• Financial management training
  
• Whole farm planning
  
• Conservation assistance
  
• Risk management education
  
• Diversification and marketing strategies
  
• Curriculum development
  
• Understanding the impact of concentration and globalization
  
• Basic livestock and crop farming practices
  
• Acquisition and management of agricultural credit
  
• Environmental compliance
  
• Information processing

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and Extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people’s daily lives and the nation’s future. More information is at www.nifa.usda.gov.

FSIS Extends Comment Period on Nutrition Labeling

In response to multiple requests, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the comment period on its supplemental proposed rule “Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products” for 30 days, until March 18, 2010.

To submit comments go to www.regulations.gov/.

To mail comments, including floppy disks or CD-ROMs and hand or courier-delivered items, send these items to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FSIS, Room 2-2127, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Mailstop 5474, Beltsville, MD 20705- 5474.

All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2005-0018. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to www.regulations.gov/.

— Release from the American Meat Institute.

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