News Update
April 11, 2012
Stockgrowers & SD Cattlewomen Accepting
Applications for Scholarship
The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSA) and the South Dakota Cattlewomen are currently accepting applications for a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Guy Ham. The scholarship is available to any South Dakota student having completed at least one year of post-secondary education and pursuing a career in an agriculture or agri-business related field.
This $1,000 scholarship is made possible by the generosity and gift of the Guy E. Ham Beef Industry Scholarship in memory of Guy Ham and his commitment to the future of the agriculture industry in South Dakota.
Application information and details can be found by visiting www.southdakotastockgrowers.org or by contacting the SDSA at 605-342-0429. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 1, 2012, and the scholarship will be awarded during the Stockgrowers Annual Convention Sept. 22.
Donations to the Guy E. Ham Beef Industry Scholarship are gratefully accepted by the SDSA for the purpose of continuing this scholarship program. Please contact the Association if you would like to make a contribution to this scholarship.
Early Identification of Pests Enhances Management Options
The warm weather in March set in motion weeds, insects and some crops. This unusual timing may impact when we see pests this year and how we manage them. Recent Michigan State University (MSU) Extension News articles, "Early rapid wheat growth may alter your weed management plans" by Christy Sprague and "More black cutworm or soybean aphids this spring?" by Chris DiFonzo, both published March 30, highlight the pest challenges at hand.
Scouting fields regularly and accurately identifying the pest that is causing damage is the first step in management. MSU Diagnostic Services is a good way to assure correct identification.
Accurate identification begins with a quality sample. Here are three easy steps for submitting a quality sample.
1. Collect
- Samples containing the entire plant are ideal: roots, stems, foliage and soil or media. When submitting plant roots and all, make sure the soil is contained so it does not make contact with the foliage.
- Submit several plants so there is plenty of material to work with.
- Collect samples that show a progression of the symptoms: healthy, marginal and severely affected.
- A picture is worth 1,000 words! Digital images show symptoms in the field and pattern of damage. Wide angle and close-up shots can give both big picture and detailed perspectives. You can also email digital photos directly to the lab at pestid@msu.edu for a diagnosis.
2. Package
- Quality samples yield quality results. Package and handle to assure samples arrive at the lab in good shape.
- There is no specific requirement for container; just be sure it will survive the trip and is properly labeled. Avoid using envelopes to ship samples.
- Insect samples should include the insect in a leak-proof vial of alcohol or vinegar and a sample of the damage.
- Larval stages should be lightly boiled then placed in alcohol (need to be alive when boiled), or submitted alive.
- Moths or butterflies should be frozen for 30 minutes then shipped in a vial with tissue paper.
- When submitting nematode samples, collect both soil and roots, place in a plastic bag and label. Samples should contain a pint to a quart of soil and should not be exposed to high temperatures.
- Complete a submission form available at the Diagnostic Services website.
- Send or deliver to: Diagnostic Services, Center for Integrated Plant Systems Room 101, 578 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824-1311.
- Or, email digital photos to pestid@msu.edu.
Each year brings a new set of challenges with pests. Keeping an eye on the fields and early identification is the best defense.
Cattle Bloat Appearing Early
The University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (UKVDL) is seeing cases of bloat in cattle 20 days earlier than normal, said Craig Carter, lab director.
"From Jan. 1 through April 3, the UKVDL has confirmed seven cases of bloat in Central Kentucky," Carter said.
Bloat, or frothy bloat, is a life-threatening disease in cattle that can occur when animals ingest young, vegetative legumes. The most common legume grazed in Kentucky is white clover, but cattle can also get bloat from grazing alfalfa and red clover.
"All forages are about three weeks ahead of schedule due to the warm temperatures we've had," said Ray Smith, UK extension forage specialist. "White clover is growing very strong this spring."
Legumes, which are high in soluble protein, can cause the formation of a slime-like substance that traps gasses in the cattle's rumen. Being unable to expel gas can cause the animal's rumen to stretch. As pressure increases, breathing is affected, which can lead to death from suffocation. Cattle can die from bloat as quickly as an hour after grazing begins, but, more commonly, death occurs after two to three days of grazing on a bloat-producing pasture.
The main symptom of bloat is a swollen left abdomen. Other symptoms include repetitive standing up and lying down, kicking at the belly, frequent defecation and urination, grunting and extension of the neck and head. If untreated, the animal will collapse and die within three to four hours after symptoms appear.
UK specialists say producers can reduce the occurrence of bloat by following these practices:
- Grow grass-legume mixtures instead of pure legumes.
- Avoid grazing immature legumes. Research has shown when cattle graze legumes less than 10 inches (in.) in height, they had twice the occurrence of bloat compared to those who grazed legumes 19 in. tall.
- Do not put animals on legume-rich pastures when the pastures have moisture on them from rain or dew.
- Cull animals that have frequent bloat.
- Do not remove animals from a pasture when bloat symptoms first appear. Continuous grazing causes less incidences of bloat.
- Give animals access to water and minerals.
- Watch animals closely after a significant change in the weather.
- Feed bloat-reducing compounds.
pubs/id/id186/id186.pdf.
New Stocker Enterprise Budget Spreadsheet
The Wisconsin Beef Information Center has added another economic decision-making tool for beef producers. The feedlot enterprise spreadsheet has been adapted for use by farmers backgrounding or grazing stocker cattle.
The worksheet will allow a farmer to calculate projections based on one animal and performs a breakeven analysis. The worksheet includes options for cattle grazing, drylot or a combination of both during this growing period. This spreadsheet and other tools can be found on the Decision Tools and Software page.
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