News Update
January 2, 2013
Farm Bill Extension Ineffective
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 8, the Tax Relief Extension Act, commonly referred to as the “fiscal cliff” bill, which included a farm bill extension:
“Once again, Congress has left rural America out in the cold. An extension represents a short sighted, temporary fix that ultimately provides inadequate solutions that will leave our farmers and ranchers crippled by uncertainty.
“The legislation that passed fails to provide disaster aid for farmers or necessary support for our dairy industry, yet continues unjustifiable direct payments. The bill also does not provide mandatory funding for the energy title, specialty crops and organic provisions, and new important programs for beginning farmers and ranchers.
“Farmers, ranchers, rural communities and all Americans deserve better and would have been better served with a new five-year farm bill. It is truly a shame that the bipartisan work of both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees has been summarily and entirely discarded. Not only was that work far better than what has passed, it also provided meaningful deficit reduction.
“NFU will continue to work with members of Congress and all interested parties during the next Congress to ensure that a farm bill can be completed as expeditiously as possible.”
The U.S. Senate passed its version of the same bill in the early hours of Jan. 1. For more information and the full release, click here.
Alternate Day DDGS Feeding Model Reduces Winter Feed Cost
Recent research has shown that beef producers can reduce feed costs and maintain body condition of pregnant beef cows by feeding a diet alternating dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) and forage.
The feeding model was developed by researchers at North Dakota State University (NDSU), according to Trent Gilbery, facility manager and animal care specialist at the NDSU Beef Cattle Research Center.
The recent feeding trial involved non-lactating, pregnant beef cows in their last trimester of pregnancy. They received one of four dietary treatments:
- Hay only Monday through Sunday.
- Hay and 0.4% of body weight DDGS Monday through Sunday.
- Hay daily and .93% of body weight and DDGS on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- Hay only on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and .93% of body weight and DDGS only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
There were several benefits with the alternate day DDGS/forage feeding program. First, the method used fewer inputs and required less labor to deliver feed to the cattle. Also, the alternating diet decreased forage intake by about 20% compared to other treatments, giving producers a lower cost ration.
The DDGS works well with low-quality hay, which is in greater numbers because of this year's drought. The DDGS provides protein and energy, makes the hay more efficient, and helps microbes break down and utilize the fiber from hay to provide more nutrition.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Nancy Robinson Retires After 23 Years
of Service to LMA Members
Nancy Robinson, vice president of government and industry affairs, is retiring this month after 23 years leading the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) through the battles of the beef checkoff, horse slaughter, animal disease traceability and the Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rules along with countless other issues. During her time at LMA, she made certain the needs and voice of the livestock auction markets and dealers of all sizes were heard and respected.
If you’ve had the opportunity to work with Nancy through the years, you know firsthand that she is passionate about her politics, standing up for what is right and giving a voice to the hard-working individuals of the industry she serves.
For the full release, click here.
Register Now for Jan. 25 Central Oklahoma
Cattle Conference in Stillwater
Maintaining a productive forage base and then matching cattle type and numbers to available forage will be the focus of the Jan. 25 Central Oklahoma Cattle Conference in Stillwater.
“Successful and long-lasting cattle operations in central Oklahoma are those that maintain efficiency during periods of volatile input costs and extreme weather conditions, with wise use of pasture forages being the foundation,” said Nathan Anderson, Payne County Extension director and agricultural educator.
The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Payne County Expo Center, located at the Stillwater Fairgrounds on the corner of Highway 51 (Sixth Street) and Fairgrounds Road.
Conference sessions will be led by experts and specialists with Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Two hours of continuing education credits are available for poultry waste management applicators.
Producers should register as soon as possible by sending $10 per participant and applicable registration information to the Payne County Extension Office, 315 W. Sixth St., Suite 103, Stillwater, OK 74074. Checks should be made payable to Payne County Extension. Registration information should include the participant’s name, address, city, zip code, phone number and email, if applicable.
“The $10 fee covers the cost of lunch, refreshment breaks and conference materials,” Anderson said. “We ask that participants preregister by Jan. 18, as it greatly aids in planning and helps ensure that sufficient numbers of meals, drinks and materials are on hand for everyone.”
For more information and the full release, click here.
Feral Hog Approved Holding Facility
Guidelines in Texas Now Available
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s new publication, Feral Hog Approved Holding Facility Guidelines in Texas, SP-488, is now available, said one of its authors.
“With feral hog numbers on the rise and potential profits possible, the need for the proper facilities, also known as buyer stations, to hold and maintain them until such time as they can be marketed, also rises,” said Jared Timmons, an AgriLife Extension associate headquartered in San Marcos with Texas A&M University’s department of wildlife and fisheries sciences.
“These facilities are needed because they provide a way for landowners to make money from hogs, hopefully offsetting some of the damage costs. This fact sheet explains the guidelines involved in operating such an approved holding facility.”
Timmons said the publication explains the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) mandates that must be met and maintained before a facility can become and remain an approved holding facility. These rules include such guidelines as maintaining a double hog-proof fence around the facility, how and what records must be kept on the animals and deadlines that must be met in order to be re-authorized as an approved holding facility.
For more information and the full release, click here.
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