News Update
January 5, 2012
IPT Bull Sale Website Offers New Benefits For Buyers
Potential bull buyers will benefit from a new feature on the Illinois Performance Tested (IPT) Bull Sale website, www.IPTBullSale.com.The site will now include photographs of bulls in the 2012 sale, and/or their sires.
“This feature not only includes the picture of many of the bulls offered in the sale, but also includes images of the bulls’ sires and maternal grandsires,” said Dave Seibert, IPT Bull Sale manager. “Owners’ comments regarding their bulls are also included as part of the expanded site.”
In addition, the website offers a complete set of genetic and performance figures. These figures include pedigree information along with registration number, adjusted birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight (on older bulls), and the expected progeny differences (EPDs) for calving ease direct, birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, maternal milk, marbling and ribeye.
Another economic analysis that prospective buyers will use are dollar value indexes ($Values) that combine traits together into an overall economic analysis of a bull, Seibert added. These indexes are listed as $W and $B for Angus, All Purpose Index and Terminal Index for Simmentals, and Baldy Maternal Index and Certified Hereford Beef Index for Polled Herefords.
With this complete analysis, bull buyers can make informed decisions when selecting genetics that will impact their beef cattle herd in replacement females and onto the feedlot, he said.
“Buying bulls is like buying seed corn — there are many traits that one looks for in genetics for both industries,” Seibert said. “There is not a corn farmer in the Midwest that plants seed corn out of a ‘brown paper bag.’ The same is true with buying bulls. Make sure you demand the most complete information possible to make an informed decision for herd bulls.”
To analyze the elite genetics offered at the 2012 IPT Bull Sale, visit www.IPTBullSale.com and start reviewing the bulls’ performance information along with pictures of the bull and his sire and maternal grand sire.
The IPT Bull Sale will lead off the 2012 Illinois Beef Expo. The sale is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. in the Livestock Center on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Breeds offered in the sale include Angus, Simmental, Polled Hereford and Red Angus.
Buyers will discover long-aged 2010 bulls as well as yearlings in the sale. For additional information and a copy of the sale book, contact Seibert at seibertd@comcast.net or call 309-339-3694.
Sjeklocha Honored as Beef Cattle Veterinarian of the Year
Dave Sjeklocha is the 2011 recipient of the Beef Cattle Veterinarian of the Year Award from the Beef Cattle Institute at the Kansas State University (K-State) College of Veterinary Medicine.
Honored at the 44th American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) annual conference in St. Louis, Mo., Sjeklocha received the award for his contributions to the beef cattle industry and his involvement in AABP and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC).
Sjeklocha grew up in Missouri and Iowa and developed an interest in veterinary medicine when his father began to incorporate artificial insemination (AI) into the management practices of a large cattle herd in Northwest Iowa. After gaining experience with heat detection, AI and bovine obstetrics at home with the guidance of his father, he decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and industry and a doctorate of veterinary medicine at K-State.
Upon graduating from K-State, Sjeklocha moved to Curtis, Neb., where his practice largely focused on cow-calf herd health. For the past seven years, he served as consulting veterinarian and is now a full-time employee of a cattle feeding company, Cattle Empire, serving as the company’s first and only staff veterinarian. As the operations manager of animal health and welfare, he works closely with employees, teaching them about disease detection, proper administration of vaccines and treatments, and the proper handling of cattle. He also maintains a close relationship with Cattle Empire’s feeding clients with the goal of continuously improving the cattle’s health and well-being.
“I enjoy working with the people; agriculture in general offers some of the best, most honest and down-to-earth people you can ask for. They really care for their livestock, and I appreciate that,” said Sjeklocha, when asked what he finds most enjoyable about practicing veterinary medicine.
In addition to his position at Cattle Empire, Sjeklocha has served on the board of directors and as chairman for the Beef Cattle Health and Well-Being Committee for the AVC. Currently, he holds many responsibilities as the program chairman and president-elect of the AVC, as well as being an ex-officio member of the animal welfare committee for AABP.
Sjeklocha also offers his expertise in the monthly “Vets’ Opinion” column in BEEF magazine, rotating publications with Mike Apley, a professor at K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, and Mark Hilton, a professor at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dan Thomson, director of K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute, said, “Dr. Dave is a valuable asset to the veterinary profession and the beef industry. He is an outstanding practitioner who has been a leader in incorporating animal welfare into his practice structure and into his clients’ farms. It is an honor to have him representing Kansas State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine in such a fantastic way.”
Did You Invite the MVP to Your Fall Tailgating Party?
Northeast shoppers have a passion for tailgating and thanks to a fall checkoff promotion, they also have a passion for beef! The beef checkoff, through its Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI), coordinated the 2nd Annual 2011 Fall Tailgating retail beef promotion and reminded consumers to “Invite the MVP (Most Valuable Protein) to their tailgating party and enjoy the value of protein-packed beef.”
The NEBPI partnered with 157 retail locations, a 38% increase from 2010 in retail participation, throughout the Northeast to launch the promotion from Sept. 12 through Nov. 30, 2011. Point-of-sale materials displayed in the retail meatcase included shelf wobblers and brochures featuring middle meat and beef value cuts recipes, and information about beef’s nutritional benefits. Retailers featured the promotion in their weekly ad circulars and on their websites in an effort to encourage shoppers to enter to win the grand prize by visiting www.TailgateWithBeef.com. This promotion was also extended through radio advertisements in select Northeast metro markets as well as through a direct mail value sheet insert and geo-targeted web advertising.
The grand prize of a 32” LCD HDTV and $250 in free groceries was awarded to Jerry Spike, a shopper from Kings Super Markets located in Parsippany, N.J. Runner-up prizes included a $50 gift card provided by each participating retailer.
Spike was pleasantly surprised to learn he was the contest’s grand prize winner. When asked what recipes and cuts of beef he and his wife enjoy best he said they enjoy steaks; especially the porterhouse as well as prime rib roasts. “My wife likes to experiment with different recipes and add marinades and a variety of seasonings to the cuts,” says Spike. “I also believe beef plays an important role in our active lifestyles. I’ve been a ‘beef man’ since childhood and feel it is a necessary part of our diet.”
Spike and his wife shop at the King’s Super Market location in Hillsdale, N.J. He says the King’s meat department is outstanding and winning this sweepstakes was a wonderful surprise, made possible by the Beef Checkoff Program.
For more information about checkoff-funded activities, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.
Animal Ag Alliance Turns 25
The Animal Agriculture Alliance debuted a new logo this week to kick-off its 25th anniversary celebration. Founded in 1987 as the Animal Industry Foundation, the Alliance has a long history of service on behalf of animal agriculture.
The organization is led by President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith.
Alliance Chairman Chris Ashworth of Elanco Animal Health, said that Animal Agriculture Alliance stands behind the organization’s benefits to its diverse membership of agricultural associations and companies, retailers, suppliers, processors, veterinarians, scientists and individual farmers and ranchers.
“The value of the Animal Agriculture Alliance is unparalleled," Ashworth said in a news release. “The Alliance is the united voice for animal agriculture, representing us all.”
The updated logo highlights the organization’s ongoing mission to connect stakeholders across the food chain, educate consumers and media outlets, and protect consumer choice, food security and farmers’ and ranchers’ way of life.
The Alliance also announced several new developments this year, including a quarterly newsletter, stronger media and social media outreach efforts, and expanded educational initiatives including the Adopt-A-Teacher Program and the College Aggies Online scholarship competition.
The 25th anniversary will also be commemorated at its 11th Annual Stakeholders Summit scheduled for May 2-3 in Arlington, Va.
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