News Update
May 17, 2011

Programming Rather Than Riding Fences — The Open Range Goes Virtual

Our world of electronic conveniences has now reached the cow pasture. In the not-so-distant future, landscapes may be dotted only with virtual fences and cattle may be herded with global positioning system (GPS) technology. Of course, as with most electronics, how long the battery will last is still an issue. In this case, the amount of battery power a bovine can carry on the collar around its neck limits the use of technology.

The May issue of Rangeland Ecology & Management brings this future closer through a study that employed GPS and automated animal control (AAC) systems as an alternative to physical fences. The study tested a discontinuous use of AAC — the devices were activated only 25% of the time — to reduce power consumption.

The goal of this project was to modify grazing behaviors of cattle.

Livestock and rangeland management includes ensuring a stocking rate that the land can support, protecting areas from overgrazing and targeting grazing to reduce fuel that can create wildfires. This is usually accomplished with physical fencing.

The study, conducted in Queensland, Australia, tested the effectiveness of virtual fencing on four groups of Brahman steers. Each steer was fitted with a collar containing a GPS receiver, a sensory stimulus device that created a buzzing sound and another stimulus device that produced a one-second electrical pulse.

Each group of cattle was placed in a paddock that featured a supplemental feeder at one end. At first, the animals were given unlimited access to the entire enclosure. Then a restricted zone around the desirable food source was delimited and discontinuous AAC — a 5-minute usage of stimuli followed by a random 0-30-minute interval of no stimuli — was applied to control the cattle’s behavior. It was expected that through negative reinforcement the animals would progressively learn to avoid the area.

Overall, the study showed a 97% reduction in the use of the restricted zone by the cattle. This finding provides evidence that discontinuous use of AAC is sufficient to effectively modify the grazing behavior of cattle.

Full text of the article, “Automated Animal Control: Can Discontinuous Monitoring and Aversive Stimulation Modify Cattle Grazing Behavior?” is available at http://allenpress.pr-optout.com/Url.aspx?518764x368882x-612280. Rangeland Ecology & Management, Vol. 64, No. 3, May 2011, is available at http://www.srmjournals.org/doi/full/10.2111/REM-D-10-00087.1.

— Release by Allen Press Inc. for the Society of Range Management.

Save $$ on CAB® Gift Packs for Father’s Day and Support the Angus Auxiliary

Treat Dad to Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand strip steaks, hot dogs and hamburgers to serve up on Father’s Day. Wanting ribeyes, filets, sirloin or prime rib instead? No problem — a number of gift pack options are available. Limited Time Offer: Choose any two gift packs online and receive free shipping!

Visit www.angusauxiliary.com and click on the Gifts That Sizzle link, which will take you to the CAB page at S&S Meat Co.’s www.steaksanywhere.com site. Be sure to include the AAA code at checkout in order for the American Angus Auxiliary to receive 10% of the order total. The Auxiliary will apply these funds toward educational outreach and scholarship programs.

As a thank-you for your support, the American Angus Auxiliary team has included a page of recipes for your CAB brand beef along with details on our special Father’s Day offering.

— Release by the American Angus Auxiliary and CAB.

Tyson Foods Says U.S. Demand for Protein Improving

Representatives of Tyson Foods Inc. told investors at the BMO Capital Markets 2011 Farm to Market Conference that sales of chicken, beef and pork improved in the past two weeks as the weather turned warm. Donnie Smith, Tyson’s president and CEO, and Noel White, senior group vice president of Tyson Fresh Meats, were presenters at the conference.

“We are happy with the improvement in demand we’ve seen following a cold, wet April,” Smith said. Because beef and pork pricing are strong, many retailers and food service operators are likely to feature chicken this summer, he added.

According to White, a key factor driving price is the amount of protein available to U.S. consumers. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) figures, protein supply has declined the past three years and is projected to decline again in 2011 — an unusual trend. Strong exports have contributed to that trend.

“Exports, along with production efficiencies and value-added programs, are driving our earnings,” White said. Going forward, he does not see major changes in the solid fundamentals of beef and pork. “The outlook is bright,” he concluded.

— Release by Tyson Foods Inc.

Vote For the 2011 Farm Mom of the Year

Five women have been selected by American Agri-Women as regional winners of the 2011 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year. Go to www.AmericasFarmers.com to see if a farm mom you know is one of them.

While you’re there, cast your vote for one to be named the national winner and the 2011 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year.

Voting ends Thursday, May 26, 2011. The national winner will be announced Friday, May 27.

— Release by Monsanto and BEEF magazine.

— Compiled by Linda Robbins, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.