News Update
April 29, 2011

Early Registration For 2011 BIF Conference Ends Sunday May 1

The early registration deadline for the 2011 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Research Symposium is May 1. That's Sunday! Note that several of the hotel blocks will also expire this weekend. To review the schedule, access hotel information and register for the June 1-4 symposium headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., visit www.BIFconference.com.

Approximately 600 cattlemen and allied industry representatives are expected to attend the event, says Joe Cassady, associate professor at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and BIF executive director. Seedstock and commercial cow-calf producers, university specialists and breed association leaders will gather to explore innovative technologies and management practices to improve beef production for the benefit of seedstock and commercial producers.

BIF President Ben Eggers, Sydenstricker Genetics, Mexico, Mo., encourages producers to attend this year's meeting to participate in discussion of accurate measurement and prediction of genetic traits, environmental effects, genetic effects on animal health, and tying it all to profitability.

"I've heard it many times from seedstock producers," Eggers says, "If I were only going to attend one meeting a year, BIF would be the one."

"I attend BIF every year because it gives me the opportunity to learn the newest and latest about genetic selection tools," agrees Troy Marshall, Marshall Cattle Co. of Burlington, Colo. "Just as importantly, it gives us a chance to network with the most progressive seedstock producers in the country. I always learn more at BIF than at any meeting I attend."

The tentative schedule kicks off with an opening reception Wednesday evening, June 1, at 5 p.m., followed by a symposium hosted by the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB).

For more information about the BIF organization, the symposium schedule or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.beefimprovement.org or contact Joe Cassady, executive director, Dept. of Animal Science, NCSU, Box 7621, Raleigh, NC 27695-7621; 919-513-0262.

For questions about registration, contact Toni Lee, director of conference services, Montana State University, 215 Strand Union Building, PO Box 174150, Bozeman, MT 59717-4150; phone: 406-994-3083; fax: 406-994-7070.

www.BIFconference.com is an event coverage site hosted by Angus Productions Inc. through the generous support of BioZyme Inc. and its significant contribution to the Angus Foundation. Visit the site now for the event and tour schedules, access to hotel information, links to registration and an archive of coverage from past events.

Quay County Extension to Host Wheat Production Workshop

Dryland wheat production for grain is one of the top agricultural activities in eastern New Mexico. Producers, though, are facing a dry growing season ahead. New Mexico State University's Quay County Cooperative Extension Service is offering a spring wheat production workshop where farmers can talk with experts about the outlook for the wheat market and learn which varieties grow best in the area.

The free workshop starts at 8:30 a.m. May 13 at the Forrest Fire Station.

"The main attraction of this workshop is that producers can review and compare the different wheat varieties," said Tom Dominguez, Quay County agricultural extension agent. "Different varieties of wheat grow well in different areas. Each year we hold this workshop, producers can see how the different varieties react to weather and other conditions here."

Last year, growers had an excellent year with rainfall and were able to average 35 to 45 bushels (bu.) of wheat per acre, Dominguez said. With a lack of rainfall this year so far, producers expect to receive a much smaller return.

At the workshop, Mark Marsalis, extension agronomist at NMSU's Agricultural Science Center at Clovis, will give participants an update on wheat and sorghum herbicides. He will also discuss variety trial evaluations and selection for dryland wheat production.

Ed Bynum, a Texas AgriLife entomologist, will give information on pest management. Kody Bessent, with the Texas Wheat Producers Board and Association, will offer an outlook on the current wheat market.

Depending on weather and the condition of the wheat crop, participants may get a chance to view a demonstration plot near the Forrest Fire Station.

The workshop is expected to last until noon. Three pesticide applicator general continuing education units will be offered through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. For more information about the workshop, call the Quay County Extension Office at 575-461-0562.

— Release by Audry Olmsted, NMSU News.

Latest Wheat Research to be Featured at Field Day

Wheat research at Kansas State University (K-State) will be highlighted at K-State's Wheat Field Day on Tuesday, May 31. The leading wheat scientists in K-State Research and Extension will present the latest research on varieties, management practices and new technologies, said Kraig Roozeboom, K-State Research and Extension crop production specialist.

Topics and speakers at the field day include:

• K-State Wheat Breeding and Partnerships – Allan Fritz, Department of Agronomy
• Wheat Varieties – Jim Shroyer, Department of Agronomy
• Wheat Disease and Fungicide Management – Erick DeWolf, Department of Plant Pathology
• Contributions to Wheat Industry – Bikram Gill, Department of Plant Pathology
• Identifying Ug99 Stem Rust Resistance – Bob Bowden, Jesse Poland, Department of Plant Pathology, USDA
• Identifying Ug99 Resistance and Durable Resistance to Leaf and Stripe Rust – Bob Bowden, Jesse Poland, Department of Plant Pathology, USDA
• Stress Physiology Research in Wheat – Kyle Shroyer, Raymond Mutava, Department of Agronomy
• Ammonia Application for Wheat: Preplant Knife Spacings and Spring Topdressing, Dave Mengel, Department of Agronomy
• iWheat: Using Smartphone Technologies to Manage Wheat Pests –Brian McCornack, Wendy Johnson, Department of Entomology

The field day will be May 31 at K-State's North Agronomy Farm, 2200 Kimball Ave., directly north of the Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan. Check-in will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the tours starting at 5 p.m. There is no admission fee, and a free dinner will be provided after the tours. The public is welcome to attend.

Part of the tour will be on a trailer, and part will require walking. Assistance will be provided at the walking tour stops for those who need it.

Those planning to attend are asked to register online at: http://2011wheatday.eventbrite.com.

Registrations also can be made by calling Troy Lynn Eckart, Department of Agronomy, at 785-532-5776.

The registration deadline is May 26. At-the-door registration will be accepted, but only those who preregister will be guaranteed a meal.

For more information, call your local county Research and Extension office, or 785-532-5776. Information is also available at www.agronomy.ksu.edu/WheatDay.

— Release by K-State Research & Extension.

April Farm Prices Received Index Increased 2 Points

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in April, at 174%, based on 1990-1992 = 100, increased 2 points (1.2%) from March. The Crop Index is up 1 point (0.5%) and the Livestock Index increased 4 points (2.6%). Producers received higher prices for corn, cattle, eggs and hogs, and lower prices for lettuce, milk, tomatoes and celery. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a three-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly marketings of cattle, strawberries, milk and broilers offset decreased marketings of soybeans, corn, wheat and cotton.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is up 36 points (26%) from April 2010. The Food Commodities Index, at 167, decreased 2 points (1.2%) from last month but increased 28 points (20%) from April 2010.

The April Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 204% of the 1990-1992 average. The index is up 3 points (1.5%) from March and 23 points (13%) above April 2010. Higher prices in April for nitrogen, feed grains, diesel and complete feeds more than offset lower prices for concentrates, feeder pigs, supplements and herbicides.

— Release by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Pfizer Animal Health Launches Online Portal for U.S. Veterinarian Community

Pfizer Animal Health today announced its new U.S. web portal to better engage and connect with its customers and to create an interactive community for practicing and student veterinarians. The enhanced web presence, www.PfizerAH.com, will serve as a single destination to all users of Pfizer Animal Health products in the United States — including veterinarians, producers and pet owners.

"The new online platform offers new features and will ultimately contain a robust collection of information for the veterinary community," said Michael McFarland, group director veterinary medical services at Pfizer Animal Health. "We are committed to informing and supporting veterinarians as well as those involved in health decisions for livestock and pets."

As the U.S. entry point for the online global veterinary community, PfizerAH.com offers:

• A single point of entry for all animal health web assets
• Up-to-date product and disease condition information segmented by species
• Breaking news articles and announcements

Additionally, the website includes an Online Town Center for veterinarians that features a blog community and is dedicated to the continuation of Pfizer's support to the veterinary community under the banner "Commitment to Veterinarians." This section of the platform is focused on four key areas of Pfizer's support: training and continuing education, research and development, investing in the future of the profession, and philanthropy.

— Adapted from a release by Pfizer Inc.

— Compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.