News Update
November 2, 2012
Did That Calf Get Enough Good-quality Colostrum?
In a previous Michigan State University Extension article, entitled, Colostrum is the start that dairy calves need, we talked about the importance of calves receiving quality colostrum soon after birth. The question for calf raisers, buyers and sellers of calves is, "How do we know if the colostrum management program is providing the passive immunity that is critical for the calves' health?"
Calves are born without any immune protection, unlike human babies. Therefore, it is critical to achieve adequate "passive immunity" through colostrum intake within the first few hours of birth. The passive immunity is due to transferring immunoglobulins (Ig) from the dam to the calf through colostrum. We call the process of achieving this passive immunity, "passive transfer." If calves do not receive sufficient Ig, either through delayed colostrum intake, poor quality colostrum intake or inadequate colostrum intake, we call that a Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT). FPT is defined as serum Ig levels below 10 mg per milliliter (ml) or serum total protein levels less than 5.2 g per deciliter (dl).
For more information and the full release, click here.
Colorado State University Department Head
Helps Make Case for Livestock Research Funding
The head of Colorado State University's Department of Animal Sciences recently was named an officer of a new national lobbying group whose aim is generating more federal research funding for university studies in animal agriculture.
Kevin Pond is secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Animal Science (NAAAS), whose membership comprises animal, dairy and poultry sciences department heads at universities nationwide. Other officers represent Texas A&M University, Iowa State University and Michigan State University.
NAAAS formed in July 2012 to make a stronger case on Capitol Hill for funding studies of key issues in animal agriculture, including sustainable protein production, genetics and reproduction, animal welfare, and food safety and quality.
"Animal protein is a critical part of global food security, and federally funded research projects are essential to generating new discoveries that support production of an abundant, high-quality, safe and secure food supply," Pond said. "People from farmers to consumers rely on information from unbiased research at universities. But federal funding for this research has eroded over time."
For more information, click here.
USDA Offers Housing Assistance to
Rural East Coast Residents Affected by Hurricane Sandy
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a comprehensive effort to help USDA-financed homeowners in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.
"USDA, working with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and other partners, is dedicated to helping homeowners impacted by Hurricane Sandy," Vilsack said. "We are taking steps to ensure that direct and guaranteed USDA home loan borrowers have the assistance and resources they need to get through this disaster."
The following actions aim to help rural communities and residents in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic:
- USDA home loan borrowers in Presidential Declared Disaster, and surrounding counties, will receive a letter that outlines loan servicing assistance to help impacted borrowers with loan repayment. This includes a potential moratorium on payment schedules for up to six months for eligible borrowers.
- Available USDA properties that are not currently under lease or purchase agreement may be made available for lease to victims of Hurricane Sandy through FEMA.
- USDA is providing FEMA with information about vacant units in multifamily housing complexes financed by the agency. These units may be made available to impacted individuals and families. Individuals are encouraged to contact FEMA for information about these properties, or access the FEMA housing portal at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm.
- Victims of the disaster may obtain a Letter of Priority Entitlement at any USDA Rural Development area or state office. This enables the letter holder to move to the top of any waiting list at a USDA-financed multifamily property. These properties are privately owned and applicants must pass current screening criteria.
For more information and the full release, click here.
R-CALF USA Joins in Bipartisan Congressional Request for Investigation into Sheep Procurement Practices by Meatpackers; Seeks Expansion of Request
In a letter sent to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, R-CALF USA wrote that it strongly supports the bipartisan congressional requests for an investigation into the sheep procurement practices of meatpackers. Members of Congress who made the request are Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Senators John Thune (R-SD), Max Baucus (D-MT), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and John Barrasso (R-WY).
The congressional requests were directed specifically at Vilsack and based on recent anomalies in the U.S. sheep market that include a substantial reduction in prices for lambs during mid-2012, a widening spread between the prices meatpackers paid to sheep producers and the prices consumers paid for lamb and mutton, and restricted market access for sheep producers.
The congressional members requested an investigation by the USDA Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) of the drastic change in the price spreads of meat and live market lamb prices and to determine if the meatpackers have violated the Packers and Stockyards Act.
For more information and the full release, click here.
ABS Global Now Seeking Summer 2013 Intern Candidates
ABS Global Inc., a global producer and marketer of bovine genetics and related products, is currently seeking internship candidates for three positions being offered for the summer of 2013. Positions include an advertising and promotions internship, progeny promotions internship, and Genetic Management Systems® internship.
Based in DeForest, Wis., the advertising and promotions internship position will offer exposure to marketing tactics geared to the successful candidate's experience and interest. This includes but is not limited to the following: copy writing, proofing, graphic design, website production, internal communications, social media, event planning, office administration and market research.
The progeny promotions department is also seeking a summer intern to assist with locating young sire daughters and facilitate picturing and tour schedules throughout the U.S. The successful intern will seek out and evaluate daughters. Upon location of daughters to picture, the intern will coordinate photo sessions and assist with cattle preparation, including fitting. Additionally, the intern may facilitate daughter tours.
The third and final opportunity as a Genetic Management System intern will be based out of the Deforest, Wis., office and will work closely with the GMS® department to assist with the day to day processing and troubleshooting of herd profiles while maintaining superior customer service to the end user; help support in-house computer program software developments to ensure program integrity is maintained; and assist in designing and developing training and marketing materials for ABS customers and field representatives.
A summer internship with ABS provides college students the experience necessary to launch a successful career in agribusiness. If interested in becoming a part of the ABS Global team, please forward a résumé by Dec. 3, 2012, to: ABS Global Inc., ATTN: Director, Human Resources, 1525 River Road, DeForest, WI 53532, or fax to 608-846-6442. Résumés can also be emailed to Nam.hr@genusplc.com. ABS Global is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/VM, and we politely request no phone calls or recruiter inquiries.
For more information and the full release, click here.
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