News Update
June 13, 2011

Use Caution if Feeding Wheat Hay to Livestock

With wheat fields struggling amid drought conditions through parts of the High Plains, some producers may be considering cutting and baling their crops for hay. If so, a Kansas State University (K-State) veterinarian says, "the sooner, the better."

"The beards (awns) on bearded wheat can cause oral problems in cattle if the heads are fully developed and mature," said Larry Hollis, veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension.

A lot will depend on how hungry the cattle are when fed the hay, Hollis said. If other feed is available, they likely will pick around the heads to avoid being injured inside the mouth by the beards.

"But, if wheat hay is the primary diet component, producers will probably see some cows that don't look full, because their mouths have become too sore for them to continue eating readily, even though adequate hay is available. It's also possible cows will salivate or have swollen tongues or faces," he said.

If signs such as salivating are present, the inside of the cow's mouth should be checked for beards that may need to be removed. A shot of long-acting antibiotic may also be needed to help control secondary infection.

One additional approach to help prevent problems, he said, would be to grind the wheat hay in order to break up the beards before feeding.

— Release by K-State.

Angus Fellowship and Fundraising in Harrisburg

Angus enthusiasts of all ages will take a break from the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) and tee up for the 11th Annual Angus Foundation Golf Tournament. The tournament combines fun and Angus friendship to help support the Foundation's education, youth and research initiatives. The tournament will take place July 12 at the Felicita Golf Course and Resort in Harrisburg, Pa.

Angus Foundation President Milford Jenkins says the organization aims to raise $25,000 from the tournament.

"The golf tournament provides Angus breeders the opportunity to participate in a fun, enjoyable social event while having the satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of youth," Jenkins says.

Angus enthusiasts can play in the tournament, sponsor the event or both. Sponsorships, which are due June 15, are available in an array of different levels, including event sponsor, club house, hole-in-one, tee box, hole and flag sponsor.

First-year sponsors Dan and Sharon Vaassen, Ann Arbor, Mich., decided to donate because their children have benefited from the Foundation scholarship program, which the golf tournament helps fund.

The family always wanted to give back to the Foundation, and the golf tournament was the best way, Sharon says.

"There are a lot of kids that couldn't afford to go to college without the scholarships," Sharon says. "The kids really benefit from the tournament, and it keeps the Association and junior programs going."

Player entry forms, due June 24, cost $100 per adult and $75 for junior Angus members. Registration received after June 24 will cost an additional $10.

"Our members and sponsors are very dedicated," Jenkins says. "The outpouring of participation by Angus breeders at the golf tournament and our friends from allied industry will make it another successful year."

Sponsorship and entry forms are available at www.angusfoundation.org.

— Release by Carrie Gilliam, American Angus Association.

Stonewall to Host July 8 Hands-on Cattle Workshop

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service will host a hands-on Cattle Handling Workshop July 8 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce Arena. The workshop will cover a variety of cattle-handling topics, including cattle behavior, corral design and principles of cattle handling. The program will include hands-on cattle-working instruction and demonstration from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Program registration will be from 7:30 a.m.-8 a.m., with presentations immediately following.

Stress in livestock is one major cause of economic losses that can be managed on the farm or ranch, said Decky Spiller, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources for Gillespie County.

"Proper handling of livestock can minimize these potential losses," Spiller said. "This workshop gives practical, hands-on methods for handling livestock that should reduce stress not only to the cattle, but also the people handling them."

Spiller said primary workshop instructors will be Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension program leader and co-founder of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Stockmanship and Stewardship Program, College Station; and Rick Machen, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde.

Gill said techniques demonstrated at the workshop take advantage of animals' natural instincts, and can actually make the job more enjoyable while enhancing cattle productivity and value.

"Development of effective stockmanship skills is about improving animal performance and increasing profits in raising cattle on each individual operation," Machen said.

Attendance is limited to the first 50 responders, so an RSVP before July 1 is strongly recommended, said program coordinators. The cost is $100 per person and lunch will be provided. To RSVP, contact Micah Walker or Spiller at the AgriLife Extension office in Gillespie County at 830-997-3452 or Ron Gill, 817-233-3164 or r-gill1@tamu.edu.

For more information on the workshop, go to http://effectivestockmanship.com.

— Release by Texas AgriLife Today.

NCBA Guest Editorial by House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas:
GIPSA Rulemaking Process Broken

As a lifelong cattle producer, I'm well aware that even small changes in government regulations can have a big impact back on the ranch. I hear from livestock producers every day on a wide variety of issues affecting their ability to produce high quality, affordable meat. In all of these conversations, one issue keeps coming to the forefront: USDA's proposed rule on livestock markets.

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has put forward a draft rule that defines unfair livestock marketing practices, prohibits packers from purchasing livestock from another packer, and will inhibit the ability of producers to manage risk and earn premiums for their hard work and expertise in cattle production.

While this rule is intended to promote transparent and efficient markets, I've heard testimony from many industry leaders who argue that this rule will hurt the very producers it is purported to help.

In April, the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry began a series of hearings to examine the current conditions and challenges in the livestock community. Cattle, poultry and pork producers all shared their concerns that the proposed rule not only goes far beyond the scope of the Farm Bill, but also lacks the sound economic analysis that allows us to judge both the need and utility of the proposed rule.

The first hearing, on the beef sector, took testimony from three witnesses. Jim Strickland, a cow-calf operator from Florida; Anne Burkholder, owner of a small feeding operation in Nebraska; and Ken Bull, Cargill's vice president for cattle procurement, each presented their views on the state of the beef sector.

Strickland testified that, "Under the new definitions included in the proposed rule, competitive injury and the likelihood of competitive injury are redefined and made so broad that mere accusations without economic proof will suffice for USDA or an individual to bring lawsuit against a buyer, packer or processor."

Ms. Burkholder lamented that the proposed rule "... takes away my freedom to market my cattle as I choose. If marketing arrangements are greatly reduced, cattlemen like me are the losers."

Finally, Bull characterized the proposed rule as "... the single greatest policy threat in the U.S. livestock and meat sector in my 32 years in business."

I do not take these concerns lightly, and I keep this testimony in mind as my colleagues and I consider the implications of this proposal. I am also mindful that not everyone in the livestock community opposes this rule. However, there is universal consensus that USDA's decision will have a tremendous impact on how all livestock are marketed in the United States.

For that reason, it is particularly important that we carefully and thoroughly consider the potential consequences of this rule. I do not believe that USDA has fulfilled that responsibility. Despite the repeated concerns voiced by producers like you, USDA has failed to conduct a timely cost-benefit analysis on the proposed rule.

In today's economy, when every other conversation in Washington seems to revolve around how to improve government spending, cost-benefit analyses are critical. We need to know how much this rule will cost, who will bear those costs, and what we stand to gain in return.

Last fall, the Administration refused to honor a bipartisan request of 115 members of Congress to conduct a much-needed economic analysis that could be used to address these concerns. In December, the Department reversed course and promised a cost-benefit analysis on the rule.

Unfortunately, the Department has turned away requests to perform an independent peer review on the cost-benefit analysis, or publish it for comment. It has become clear that instead of using a cost-benefit analysis to aid in decision-making, USDA will simply publish the final rule and include a cost-benefit report at that point. This is not good government; USDA is plowing ahead with its own agenda, ignoring the concerns of producers and refusing to adhere to requests for legitimate policy analysis.

Recently, I joined with 146 members of Congress to demand that the Secretary of Agriculture put this rule on hold until its full implications can be considered with a thorough economic impact analysis. My colleagues on the Appropriations Committee clearly share my concerns; in their legislation funding USDA for the coming year, they included language that would bar further work on the GIPSA rule.

GIPSA proposed these regulations pursuant to their understanding of their authorities under the Packer & Stockyards Act, which are authorities given to it by Congress. Congress has been clear in our desire for a transparent and open process for developing this rule. I will continue to advocate on your behalf to ensure that the Administration does not move forward without allowing producers the opportunity to comment on a thorough cost-benefit analysis and the potential consequences for America's livestock producers.

— Editorial by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas for NCBA

Beef Backer Awards Now Accepting Entries

The Beef Checkoff Program has issued a call for entries for the fourth annual National Retail Beef Backer Awards, a prestigious national awards program designed to honor retailers who have executed impressive initiatives to market and merchandise beef.

Now through Oct. 3, 2011, retailers can enter to win in one of four categories:

• Independent Retailer (fewer than 11 retail stores)
• Mid-Size Chain Retailer (11-99 retail stores)
• Large Chain Retailer (100 or more retail stores)
• Innovator of the Year (The winner of this category can be a chain or independent retailer.)

"Retailers play an instrumental role in selling and marketing beef, and with the Beef Backer awards we can show our gratitude for their efforts to bring satisfying meal experiences to families throughout the country," said Margie Hande, a North Dakota-based cow-calf operator and chairman of the checkoff's Joint Retail Committee. "We look forward to recognizing those retailers who've gone the extra mile with their promotions and successful beef programs."

An independent judging committee of retail industry professionals will select winners based on submission criteria and awards will be presented at the 2012 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Tradeshow in Nashville, Tenn. In addition to industry recognition, winners receive national promotion via a public relations campaign targeting local and national print and online media and national retail trade outlets.

The 2010 National Retail Beef Backer winners included Broulim's Fresh Foods in the "Independent Retailer" category, Sentry Foods in the "Mid-Size Chain Retailer" category, Harris-Teeter as the "Large Chain Retailer" and HAC Inc., as the "Innovator of the Year."

The 2011 entry form and contest details can be found at www.BeefRetail.org.

— Release by Cattlemen's Beef Board.

K-State Beef Conference Planned for Aug. 16 in Manhattan

The 2011 K-State Beef Conference is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 16, with a full lineup of speakers who will address "Managing in a Transitioning Industry."

"The beef industry has encountered so many changes recently," said Larry Hollis, veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension. "Volatile beef and cattle prices, new research findings, and high fuel and other input costs mean producers are always looking for ways to keep up with the most recent information, so they can run their businesses as efficiently as possible. Our goal with the K-State Beef Conference is to address the most relevant topics every year."

The program begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. and includes both refreshments and lunch. If unable to travel to Manhattan, beef producers and others interested in participating can attend via webcasts, hosted by Butler County Community College, Pratt County Fairgrounds and the Wakeeney Public Library.

On K-State's Manhattan campus, this year's conference will be in a different location than in years past — 123 Weber Hall.

Presentation topics and presenters at the conference will include:

• The New Reality: Volatility Factors and the Cattle Cycle — K-State ag economist Glynn Tonsor;
• Ranch Management in Volatile Times — Justin Waggoner, K-State animal scientist;
• Does High Input Always Mean High Output? — Bob Weaber, K-State animal scientist;
• Adapting to Change at the Ranch Level — Virgil Huseman, Ellsworth stockman;
• Anthelmintic Resistance in Beef Cattle — Joe Dedrickson for Merial;
• Implant strategies for forage-based programs — Chris Reinhardt, K-State animal scientist;
• Sell Cows, Build Herds, or Get Out? — Kevin Dhuyvetter, K-State ag economist; and
• Emerging Social Ethics for Animals and the Beef Industry — Bernie Rollin, Colorado State University.

Sponsors for the 2011 K-State Beef Conference are animal health company Merial, as well as K-State Research and Extension.

The fee to attend is $60 per person or $100 for two or more from the same operation. More information, including how to register for the webcasts or for in-person attendance, is available on the web or by phone (785-532-1280).

— Release by K-State.

Heifer Foundation Hits 20-year Milestone

Heifer Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary this year by continuing to provide an enduring funding source for Heifer International's programs to end world poverty and hunger while also setting a course for aggressive growth.

Heifer Foundation was founded in 1991 to provide ongoing financial backing for Heifer International's philosophy of "passing on the gift" by offering instruments of planned charitable giving to individuals who want to help ease human suffering now and in the future.

"At the foundation, we are still unfolding the original vision that was set forth by Dan West when he started Heifer International," says Domingo Barrios, president and CEO of Heifer Foundation. "The idea of Heifer Foundation really speaks to the fourth cornerstone of Heifer International: 'sustainability' of programs that the foundation supports through growth of the endowment."

Heifer Foundation will increase its assets from the current $71 million to $250 million in three to five years, Barrios says. "It's an aggressive agenda, but part of the reason we believe it's important to be aggressive is that we are truly trying to mitigate any increase in hunger and poverty in the world."

"For 20 years, Heifer Foundation has been offering committed partners of our work professionally managed opportunities to establish a legacy of real transformation — of funding help and hope in uncertain times," says Pierre Ferrari, CEO of Heifer International. "Today we congratulate them on their anniversary and thank them for their two decades of partnership in our common mission of ending hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth."

"We prosper for the sake of the people we are trying to help," Barrios says. "Heifer Foundation continues to prosper and grow because our prosperity is linked to the prosperity of millions of people."

The foundation's assets include trusts, annuities and all charitable gifts, says Ardyth Neill, Heifer Foundation CFO/vice president Asset Management. While a bequest in a will is the most common instrument of planned giving, the foundation offers many "unique ways" donors can tailor gifts. For example, planned giving allows donors to set up trusts so they'll receive income from their assets while they're living. When they die, the remainder of the trust — or whatever percentage has been set aside — goes into the endowment.

"If you leave something in your will to Heifer Foundation, then you know the income is ongoing and that it's not going to stop. That's very exciting and compelling," says Marcia Williams, chair of the foundation's board of trustees.

"We want donors to know that concept of 'passing on the gift' has a ripple effect — and that matters. That really matters," Williams says.

The foundation won't rest on the laurels of its first 20 years.

"We will continue to work with donors who have an interest and passion to bring peace into the world through eliminating hunger and poverty," Barrios says. "We really look forward to working with people who want to support the work we do and leave a legacy of philanthropy for their families."

— Release by Heifer Foundation.

— Compiled by Katie Gazda, Angus Productions Inc.