News Update
Jan. 4, 2011

Winter Workshops set for Certified Livestock Manager Training Program

The 2010-2011 Certified Livestock Manager Training (CLMT) Workshops began in Bloomington, Ill., Dec. 14. Seven subsequent workshops will take place around the state in the New Year, with three workshops in January, two in February and one in March.

Winter spreading of manure and phosphorus management will be two key topics of discussion at the workshops, said Randy Fonner, University of Illinois (U of I) Extension specialist and coordinator of the CLMT workshops.

Brad Beaver, manager of the Illinois Department of Agriculture Livestock Facilities Program, will be on hand at each workshop to discuss the rules of the Livestock Management Facilities Act, passed in Illinois in May 1996. The act requires certification in livestock manure management for producers with more than 300 animal units and must be renewed every three years. The IDOA exam for certification is offered after each CLMT workshop.

Other topics that will be addressed include manure application in no-till, solutions to feed storage runoff problems and an update on the foaming that’s been seen in manure storages under buildings the last two years.

To register for a workshop or purchase a manual or CD, call 1-800-345-6087. If you have a 2003 manual or newer, you will not need to purchase a new manual.

For more information, including registration costs, dates and locations, click here.

— Release by University of Illinois Extension.

Get the Latest on Forage Management at Heart of America Grazing Conference

Livestock producers looking for the latest information on forages, grazing techniques and pasture management have the opportunity to attend the Heart of America Grazing Conference this month.

The event will take place Jan. 25-26 at the Holiday Inn Hurstbourne in Louisville, Ky. Registration is $35 per day per person or $50 for both days. Late registration paid after Jan. 15 is $65.

Each year the Heart of America Grazing Conference rotates among five states — Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky — and features speakers from all five states concerning a wide variety of grazing topics.

Jeff McCutcheon, an Ohio State University (OSU) Extension educator, will present information on grazing non-traditional forages, such as brassicas, chicory, eastern gamagrass, ryegrass and oats.

Other presenters include specialists from the University of Kentucky, Purdue University, the University of Illinois, USDA, and industry representatives and producers. Topics being covered include extending the grazing season, co-species grazing, integrated weed management, management-intensive grazing, organic dairying, tall fescue, and pasture management.

Certified crop advisor credits will be offered.

For more information or to register, download the brochure at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/2011%20HOAGC%20Program%20with%20columns.pdf.

— Release by OSU Extension.

Enjoy Cattle Tips and Basketball Tip-Off

Cattle producers can see the tip-off (and the rest of the game) between Iowa State University (ISU) and Kansas State University (K-State) right after hearing a few “tips” about cattle health issues on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011.

In a “Beef and Basketball” seminar being sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the Iowa Beef Center, and Pfizer Animal Health, participating cattlemen will hear about three topics. ISU Veterinary Diagnositcs and Preventative Medicine staff members Grant Dewell and Steve Ensley will talk about ways to prevent weak calf syndrome, which was a problem this past year. ISU Extension Feedlot Specialist Dan Loy will talk about managing high levels of corn coproducts in the cattle diet; and Mitch Blanding of Pfizer will talk about new technologies in beef vaccinations for feedlot, stocker and cow-calf operations.

Registration for the program begins at 9 a.m. at the ISU Alumni Center, with the seminar running from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served immediately following the program so participants can make it to Hilton Coliseum for the 12:45 p.m. tip-off.

The cost of the “Beef and Basketball” seminar is $12. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 26, and can be done by calling the Iowa Beef Center, 515-294-1058, or ISU Extension Beef Program Specialist Joe Sellers at 641-203-1270.

— Release by ICA.

AMIF to Host Workshop on Safe Production of Ground Beef Feb. 2-3

Safe production of ground beef will be the focus of a new American Meat Institute Foundation (AMIF) Ground Beef Production for Safety Workshop Feb. 2-3, 2011, at the Marriott Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.

Preventing future foodborne illness outbreaks depends upon two key factors: 1) eliminating contamination during beef production and 2) ensuring that meat is properly handled, stored and cooked before it is served, concluded a recent report by the National Academy of Sciences, comprised of the Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council.

In addition, the report stated that some of the current requirements were founded on expert opinion and industry practices where the scientific basis was unclear. The committee recommended requirements be based on standards supported by the International Commission on Microbiological Safety of Foods, the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the Research Council report “An Evaluation of the Role of Microbiological Criteria for Foods and Food Ingredients.” It also suggested that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) analyze data from the suppliers’ bacterial testing to evaluate the safety requirements over time and use statistical methods to set testing sample and lot sizes.

This workshop will address the report’s concerns, and will be led by industry experts who will share their experiences and knowledge on the production of ground beef products within a preventative food safety system. During this workshop, participants will hear detailed case studies about production of ground beef, food safety challenges and how companies have tackled those challenges.

The workshop agenda is structured to permit extensive discussion with fellow attendees in an effort that participants return to their companies armed with practical, new ideas and information that can be implemented.

Topics include achieving regulatory compliance, design of ground beef patties, understanding risk developing a supplier specification, verification and testing and lot and traceability.

Speakers scheduled to lead discussions during the workshop include:

• Tim Biela, executive vice president of food safety and quality, AFA Foods
• Brian Covington, director of global regulatory affairs, Keystone Foods LLC
• Dean Danilson, vice president, fresh meats quality assurance, Tyson Foods Inc.
• Scott Goltry, vice president of food safety and inspection services, AMI
• Brenden McCullough, vice president of technical services, National Beef Packing Co. LLC
• Angie Siemens, vice president, technical services, Cargill Meat Solutions

To register, go to www.meatami.com/ht/d/MeetingDetailsMO/mid/00000073.

— Release by AMIF.

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