News Update
August 26, 2011
American Angus Association to Host Annual Meeting
American Angus Association members and Angus enthusiasts will gather in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 12-15, for the 128th Annual Convention of Delegates and related Angus activities in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).
“It is important for Association members and those interested in the Angus breed to attend and participate in the activities in Louisville because that is a central meeting point of our membership each year,” says Shelia Stannard, American Angus Association director of activities and events.
Activities include the Annual Meeting, educational sessions, social events and a 2011 Super Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show. For more information, read your October Angus Journal, which will also include a list of state delegates and alternates to the annual convention and short biographies of the candidates for the American Angus Association Board of Directors, or visit http://www.angus.org/pub/newsroom/releases/American%20Angus
%20Association%20to%20Host%20Annual%20Meeting.aspx.
McNeese State University Heifer Development
Program Begins Soon
The female component of improving herd performance begins with replacement heifer management. Replacement heifers can be particularly difficult to deal with. They should be separated from the herd to ensure proper nutrition and breeding management. Many producers keep young heifers with their cow herd, resulting in pregnant heifers that are not prepared for calving. Heifers need a higher plane of nutrition than cows, and heifers shouldn’t be exposed to bulls before they are physically ready to be bred. This poses the task of having to provide separate facilities, labor and feed for young heifers.
McNeese State University has put together a program to help producers with replacement heifer selection. The program allows producers to select their best heifer calves to be performance-tested against their contemporaries. The heifers are fed a balanced diet meeting all nutrient requirements for young, growing replacement heifers. Heifers are evaluated for average daily gain (ADG), temperament and carcass merit.
Producers are given the opportunity to enroll in the optional artificial insemination (AI) program following the performance test. The test data is compiled monthly and mailed to producers so that they may keep track of how their heifers are performing. Once the test is completed, the producer can use the information to select the better-performing heifers for replacement into their herd.
This is the sixth year for the heifer development program that began in 2006. To date, nearly 900 heifers of various pure and mixed breeds have been through the program. Heifers have gained on average 1.75 pounds (lb.) per day, ranging from approximately 1 lb. to 3 lb. ADG, on the program. Once heifers have finished the development program they have generally been ready to breed, depending on entry age and weight.
Every year testing is improved. Modifications are made to the ration to better suit developing heifers, and new methods of evaluation are added. During the past four years, data has been collected on ADG, carcass ultrasound, conception rates and temperament. Last year, ultrasound measurement of ribeye area, rib fat and intramuscular fat and optional AI were offered. New tests may be added this year to better help the producer select heifers that will improve performance and maternal traits within their herd.
The 2011-2012 program will be accepting heifers in October of 2011. Spring-born heifer calves weighing between 400 lb. and 600 lb. are eligible for the four-month program. Acceptance into the program will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, based on the availability of silage and feedlot space. Contact Bill Storer at 225-266-1821 (cell) for reservations.
Hormel Workers To Vote on Unionization at Iowa Plant
Tom Johnston on Meatingplace.com reported Aug. 25, that a report by the Dubuque Telegraph Herald claimed workers at Hormel Foods Inc.’s Dubuque, Iowa, plant are set to vote on whether to organize this week.
The vote comes as workers seek better wages and more “dignity and respect,” Jerry Messer, president of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 431, was quoted as saying in the report.
Hormel opened the $89 million Dubuque plant, which processes the company’s Compleats microwaveable meals, in January 2010. Plans were to employ as many as 200 people by the end of 2010. At full capacity the plant would employ 300 people.
Cydectin® Pour-On Buck-A-Liter Program
Contributes Nearly $200,000 To Wounded Warrior Project™
Beef and dairy producers supported returning veterans in a big way through purchases of Cydectin® Pour-On this spring. Through the Cydectin Buck-a-Liter campaign, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) donated nearly $200,000 this summer to the Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP).
Beyond Cydectin’s mission partnership with WWP, BIVI ran a special program that would donate $1 for every liter of Cydectin Pour-On sold from March 1-May 31, 2011. The Spring Buck-a-Liter program garnered an overwhelming response with a total of 199,780 liters of Cydectin Pour-on sold, which yielded a donation of $199,780 to WWP.
“Globally, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to social responsibility; and our support of Wounded Warrior Project is just one example of this. We are so honored to support this worthy cause and hope this token of support through the Buck-a-Liter program can make a difference in the lives of returning veterans,” says Colin Meyers, executive director, U.S. cattle business & process excellence with BIVI.
In 2010, BIVI partnered with WWP through its Cydectin Pour-On product to create the Cydectin Honor Our Troops program. This unique collaboration shows returning veterans that America’s beef and dairy producers are grateful for their sacrifice and service. For more information on the Cydectin Honor Our Troops program, visit www.cydectinhonorstroops.com.
“Wounded Warrior Project is extremely grateful for the amazing support Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., continues to provide to our organization and the wounded heroes we proudly serve,” says Jonathan Sullivan, executive vice president of development for WWP. “This unique partnership and campaign will have a positive impact on our nation’s wounded warriors.”
“We were overwhelmed with the response we received during our Spring Buck-a-Liter program,” says Mike Randolph, senior brand manager for Cydectin. “Participating producers should know that through their purchase of Cydectin Pour-On, they are helping welcome countless wounded soldiers home, and we are so grateful to these producers for joining us to support this great cause.”
WWP is a national, nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP works to raise awareness, and enlists the public’s help in meeting the needs of injured service members. More than 45,000 of our nation’s armed forces have been physically wounded during the current military conflicts. Hundreds of thousands more are estimated to be recovering from invisible wounds of war, including posttraumatic stress disorder, major depression and traumatic brain injury.
WWP assists wounded warriors and their families through a holistic approach to their recovery. Whether through caregiver retreats, combat stress programs, career and education services, or adaptive sporting opportunities, WWP empowers warriors with the tools essential to not just survive their injuries but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
USDA Offers Livestock and Pet Safety Tips
In Advance of Hurricane Irene
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing guidance for residents in states who have livestock and pets that might be affected by Hurricane Irene. USDA is offering these tips to help residents protect the health of these animals in the event of power outages, flooding and other problems that could be associated with the storm.
Follow state or local officials for emergency information, such as your local Emergency Alert System television or radio stations, and fire, police and other local emergency response organizations.
Livestock safety
- Make sure barns and structures where livestock can be sheltered are in good repair. If more space is needed for your stock, make arrangements for the use of other sheltering facilities in close proximity to your facilities.
- Calculate the feed and water requirements to maintain livestock and poultry during an emergency.
- Make preparations for protecting feed and water supplies and providing emergency electrical power if necessary.
- If possible, cover feed and forage stored outdoors with a tarp or plastic sheeting. Routinely cover open water supplies, such as troughs and stock tanks.
Pet safety
- If you have not been ordered to evacuate, make sure you have enough pet food and water on hand to feed your pets during an emergency.
- If you have been ordered to evacuate by state or local authorities, take your pets with you when you go. If you need assistance, such as persons relying on public transportation or with medical special needs, contact your emergency management agency for instructions.
- To keep your pets safe during the evacuation, secure them with a collar/harness and leash, or in a pet carrier, to safely transport them. For everyone’s safety, you may also wish to bring a muzzle if your pet doesn’t react well in stressful situations.
- An emergency pet shelter might be available near the human emergency shelter; check with your local emergency management agency to find the nearest emergency pet shelter to you. Do not stay behind with your pet if state or local officials order you to evacuate.
- If a pet shelter is located near a human shelter, pet owners could be allowed to visit and care for their pets during designated times.
- At nearby shelters, pet owners may be allowed to care for and walk their pets during designated times.
- Pet owners should be prepared to provide the following information to pet shelter workers if possible: name; species and breed; sex; color; distinctive markings; age; microchip identification number; vaccination records; health conditions and required medication.
Other useful items to bring to a shelter are:
- a clear and current photo of you with your pet;
- an extra collar, leash and/or harness that fits;
- favorite toys;
- any medications and special diets for your pets;
- information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets; and
- a pet carrier/kennel large enough for your pet to sleep in comfortably.
More information about pet preparedness is available at:
www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html and www.avma.org/disaster.
Additional information and updates about USDA’s hurricane relief efforts are posted at www.usda.gov/disaster. And information about the U.S. Government’s response efforts is available at www.ready.gov.
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