News Update
March 25, 2010

Important Update and Statement on Fawn Calf Syndrome as of March 25, 2010

Bill Davis, president of the American Angus Association, felt that it was important for the membership to know that Fawn Calf Syndrome (FCS) has — and remains — a topic of focus by the officers and members of the Board.

Q: Where is the Board of Directors on this issue and what, if anything, does the Board see as its primary objective at this point?

A: I want to provide some context for my answer to those questions. The Board learned of arthrogryposis multiplex (AM) for the first time at its September 2008 meeting. At that meeting, the Board unanimously agreed that our approach to that issue would be marked by transparency and reliance on sound science. Since September of 2008, the officers and members of the Board have collectively spent literally hundreds of hours on the issues related to three defects. I look back with a sense of pride on what three successive Boards have done since the fall of 2008. I think we have acted appropriately and prudently under several difficult sets of circumstances. And we have had the invaluable assistance of two scientists, each preeminent in their respective fields: Dr. Jon Beever of the University of Illinois and Dr. David Steffen of the University of Nebraska.

Read more at www.angus.org and look for the updated link on the right hand side of the page.

Sims to Receive Saddle and Sirloin Honor

At a recent meeting, the Kentucky State Fair Board — upon recommendation of the Saddle and Sirloin Committee — approved Col. Ray Sims of Raymore, Mo., as the recipient of the Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Award. It is the highest honor bestowed upon influential leaders of the livestock industry as awarded by their peers.

The Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Collection is rich in history and tradition. Founded in 1903, it is unequalled as a collection of oil paintings honoring outstanding leaders in the livestock world over the past three centuries. Today, many of the 340-plus portraits are displayed in the West Hall of the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (KFEC).

The auction method of marketing livestock has become the most popular approach for selling and buying livestock during the past 50 years. Col. Sims was at the forefront of this movement. His auction career spanned 46 years. He traveled throughout the United States, selling for both large-and small-scale livestock breeders as well as senators and three U.S. Presidents. He estimates that he worked more than 7,000 auctions.

It is the gallery’s tradition to honor one recipient each year in November during the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). It has been almost 60 years since an auctioneer has received this honor.

Col. Sims has received many honors throughout his career, including induction into the National Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1989, the American Angus Association inducted him into the Angus Heritage Foundation.

This year’s portrait presentation will be Sunday, Nov. 14, at the KFEC in Louisville, Ky. Anyone wanting more information about this award presentation can contact John Barton at 816-942-0418 or Darrel Overholt at 405-372-5497.

— Release from the American Angus Association.

Calving Time Tips

Spring calving season is here, and so is the mud. The extreme weather conditions of this winter combined with recent rains have contributed to the likelihood of a challenging calving season. Wet weather conditions resulting in long-term mud are a daunting test to both the cow herd and the producer.

From the cow side of things, producers strive to save as many calves as possible through a high level of management; by optimizing the herd’s health status by controlling scours, pneumonia, and other disease concerns; and maintaining a body condition that supports early rebreeding following calving. However, accomplishing these cow herd goals can be very difficult if extreme weather conditions remain in place for several weeks or longer during the calving season.

For the producer, the challenges from a muddy, wet spring can lead to physical and mental anguish associated with the 2010 calving season.

Producers can work through these challenges by giving attention to the basics.

• Check calving cows. Producers need to be flexible and responsive to the current situation. As a rule of thumb, check cows two to four times a day and first-calf heifers more frequently. When wet, muddy conditions persist, adjust the observation schedule to observe the calving animals more often. Collect all equipment and supplies that may be needed and store in an accessible location.
  
• Administer colostrum. If a new-born calf has not sucked, be sure to administer colostrum (esophageal feeder or nursing bottle/bucket) soon after birth. One to two quarts is typically recommended within the first four hours.
  
• Provide facility options. A handling facility that includes a head-gate is a necessity during the calving season, not only for dystocia problems but also when there are limited dry areas where newborn calves can be born or lie down. If possible, be flexible with the penning area so cows and newborn calves can be isolated to bond, nurse, etc. Keep the area bedded and free of mud. Also prepare an area to dry and warm chilled calves.
  
• Identify cow and calf. It is highly recommended that newborn calves have ear tags inserted or be tattooed. Producers are urged to record cow identification, calf identification, date of birth and other pertinent information that may be needed for future reference.
  
• Monitor health issues. Monitor for scours and other health issues such as pneumonia.  Producers are recommended to consult with their veterinarian to prevent, identify and treat animals that have health concerns. Producers may want to review options for moving cows to clean, sod-covered pastures. However, note that pasture areas may be damaged due to the wet conditions, affecting forage production for the upcoming growing season.
  
• Attend to cow nutritional needs. Lactating cows have a significantly higher nutrient requirement compared to gestating cows, especially when environmental conditions such as mud increase maintenance requirements. Consult your ISU Extension beef program specialist to review your lactation feeding program. It is important to maintain cow’s body condition in order to conceive early in the upcoming breeding season.

• Initiate recordkeeping. Start the recordkeeping process. It is recommended that producers transfer the calving book information to a permanent system. This expands information that will be useful in making future decisions and participating in value-added programs.
  
• Continue grass tetany prevention. Spring is grass tetany season. Feed a mineral mix that contains appropriate magnesium levels and be sure cows consume adequate amounts. One to two ounces (oz.) of magnesium oxide per head per day is appropriate.
  
• Prepare bulls for breeding season. Producers should finalize plans for the upcoming breeding season. This process includes having bulls in adequate body condition for breeding. Order semen if an artificial insemination program is planned.
  

Finalize vaccination program. Don’t forget to plan a vaccination program for calves to prevent clostridial diseases (blackleg, malignant edema). Consider this process in late April or early May.

The Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, Iowa, was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. For more information about the Iowa Beef Center, visit them online at www.iowabeefcenter.org or http://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/iowabeef.

— Release by ISU Extension.

Cattle Raisers Applaud New Biosafety Lab In Amarillo

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) applauded the addition of a new Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Laboratory at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Amarillo. TSCRA Executive Vice President Eldon White joined other industry leaders at today’s groundbreaking ceremony.

The new lab is designed to expand TVMDL’s capacity to rapidly respond to and recover from a high consequence agriculture and/or zoonotic disease event.

“The work performed here at this lab is critical to the beef industry. Cattle producers work around the clock to protect our herd from disease and provide consumers with a safe and healthy food product,” White said. “We are able to do this successfully largely because of the accuracy and promptness of the testing done at this lab.

“This new facility, the Biosafey Level 3 Lab, specifically will help to prevent and minimize an economically devastating event to not just the cattle, but the entire livestock industry, should an outbreak of foreign disease occur. With approximately five million head of cattle in the Texas Panhandle area, a testing facility where diseases can be contained and response immediate is essential.

“Safeguarding beef is vital to our export markets and TVMDL is a key layer in a multi-level approach to beef safety,” White continued.

— Release by TSCRA.

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