News Update
March 1, 2013
Cattlemen’s Conference Focuses on Efficiency, Weather
With high production costs, maximum production is no longer a realistic goal for livestock operations. Management practices that improve operational efficiencies and optimize production are essential for long-term operational viability especially when facing extended periods of drought.
To help livestock producers focus on management practices that enhance operational efficiency, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation will host its second annual Texoma Cattlemen’s Conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Ardmore Convention Center, Ardmore, Okla.
“With the effects of drought across the U.S. last year and the Southern Great Plains the last two years, cattle numbers are at or near all-time lows,” said Hugh Aljoe, consultation program manager. “Every marketed calf makes a difference in the bottom line, but taking care of the land resources is equally important. Operational efficiency is more critical than ever to our cattle industry, and that is the focus of this conference.”
During the conference, beef industry experts will identify the management practices that, when implemented, result in the greatest potential for improved efficiencies. Conference attendees will also learn about the outlook on long-term climate trends, seasonal weather projections for 2013, and future research and technology targeted at improving production efficiencies.
Alliance Sets New State Fescue Schools at
Mount Vernon, Linneus in March
Out with toxic fescue and in with new novel-endophyte fescue. That is the theme for two one-day grazing schools, March 18 at Mount Vernon, Mo., and March 21 at Linneus, Mo.
“We’ve learned to eradicate Kentucky 31 fescue,” said Craig Roberts, University of Missouri (MU) Extension specialist. “Now we have several novel-endophyte fescue varieties to replace the toxic grass.”
Nontoxic fescues are best suited for managed grazing, Roberts said. Toxic fescues survive continuous grazing.
Livestock prefer new varieties so much they overgraze them. That can kill new plantings. “To be successful, the new varieties need careful grazing,” Roberts said. “Management protects the investment.”
The grazing schools will be hosted at the MU Southwest Research Center in Lawrence County and MU Forage Systems Research Center in Linn County. The centers have comparison plots of all novel-endophyte varieties. The plots will be grazed this year.
The schools are planned by the Alliance for Grassland Renewal. The group brings fescue seed companies together with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), MU Extension and farmers.
“The schools are patterned after the popular grazing schools, now held statewide,” Roberts said.
After the two new grazing schools the specialists plan to conduct regional schools in future years.
“We’ve known for years that infected fescue reduced grazing gains and cut reproduction in livestock,” Roberts said. “Now we have varieties that boost livestock production.”
Early attempts to replace Kentucky 31 failed when endophyte-free fescue was introduced. The plants need the endophyte.
For more information and the full release, click here.
PLC and NCBA Ask Supreme Court to Settle Hage Case
The Public Lands Council (PLC) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up and settle a decades-long property rights case, Hage v. United States. The high court would determine whether the U.S. Forest Service violated the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution when it interfered with Nevada ranchers Wayne and Jean Hage’s stock water rights.
PLC and NCBA were joined by the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and Washington Cattlemen’s Association in their brief of amicus curiae, filed by Western Resources Legal Center (WRLC).
“We believe that the case’s precedent-setting nature and importance to livestock producers’ property rights merits the Supreme Court’s consideration,” said Brice Lee, Colo., rancher and PLC president. “They deserve compensation for what the Forest Service took from them. Ranchers cannot operate without access to the water that is legally theirs.”
The U.S. Forest Service had denied the Hage family access to ditches supplying their stock and several meadows with water. The agency demanded that the family file for a permit in order to maintain and use the water. Although a federal claims court decided the Hages were owed compensation by the agency for the water taking, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals reversed this determination in part.
“This case threatens the ability to carry out livestock activities both on and off federal land,” said WRLC Executive Director and representing Counsel Caroline Lobdell. “The federal agency, in effect, would be armed with the authority to unilaterally determine what constitutes reasonable or routine maintenance, and therefore empowered to subjugate vested 1866 Mining Act rights-of-way in favor of whatever policy rules the day.”
According to NCBA President and Wyoming rancher, Scott George, if the agency is allowed to demand a permit for Hage’s ditch right-of-way, county road rights-of-way established under the Mining Act (known as “R.S. 2477 roads”) would also be in jeopardy. This would further threaten ranchers’ ability to stay in business, George said, since they often depend on those roads to access their grazing allotments.
For more information, click here.
2013-2014 Henry C. Gardiner Scholarship Winners Announced
If the Henry C. Gardiner Scholarships applicants are indicative of the beef industry leadership in the future, we are in good hands. Twenty-one applicants were received and six finalists were interviewed for 2013-2014 scholarships. Tyler Schultz, Haviland, Kan., and Jared Wynn, Ashland, Ohio, have been awarded Henry C. Gardiner Scholarships for 2013-2014.
The Henry C. Gardiner Scholarship is made possible through the contributions of Gardiner customers, friends and family in an effort to continue the legacy of Henry Gardiner. Students classified as a rising-junior, junior or senior, either enrolled in or planning to enroll at Kansas State University with a major in Animal Science & Industry or closely related field may apply. Scholarships are awarded annually to students meeting rigorous criteria and exhibiting a passion to focus on improving the beef industry.
Tyler Schultz is a junior at Kansas State University (K-State) majoring in animal science with an emphasis in business. Tyler has been actively involved in his family’s registered Hereford operation. He is a member of the K-State livestock judging team and has been a member of the meats judging team. Schultz owns a herd of registered Polled Herefords and is growing his herd through the use of embryo transplant.
Jared Wynn is a junior animal science major at K-State. He is currently a member of the livestock judging team. Jared is a partner in his family’s Angus operation. Upon graduation, he plans to return to Ohio and assume the next generation of decision-making in his family’s beef operation.
All candidates must complete a detailed application. A designated panel conducts interviews with each of the finalists. Applicants are evaluated on academic excellence, work ethic, leadership potential and attitude. Recipients must express an interest in animal genetics, animal nutrition, animal health, reproductive management, agribusiness management or marketing
Gardiner Angus Ranch is a family-owned and operated business that produces registered and commercial Angus cattle. The original ranch was homesteaded near Ashland, Kan., in 1885 by Henry Gardiner’s grandfather.
Women’s Contributions to Agriculture Honored
with New State Fair Contest
Let the games begin! A Missouri Woman in Agriculture Contest was recently launched by the Missouri State Fair in an effort to acknowledge the significant contributions women make to the state’s leading industry. According to Fair Director Mark Wolfe, the title will be awarded in two age divisions, with each winner receiving a $1,000 cash donation from Monsanto for an agriculture-related cause of her choice.
The contest rules and application forms are available online at mostatefair.com/ag-contest, with entries being accepted now through March 29.
“We are very excited to extend recognition to women involved in Missouri agriculture,” Wolfe said. “All women will be applauded at this year’s Fair for their many contributions to our state’s leading industry, and we look forward to honoring the best with these two new awards.”
Women ages 31 and older will be eligible for the Missouri Woman in Agriculture Award, and women ages 18-30 will be eligible for the Missouri Woman in Agriculture Rising Star Award. The criteria that the Missouri State Fair will be looking for in applicants will include leadership roles in Missouri agriculture, endeavors to perpetuate the industry, and examples of Fair participation.
The two contest winners will be honored Aug. 15 at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Special promotions focusing on women will be available this day, including free gate admission for all women, and a free showcase called Missouri Travel Council Celebrating Women, to be hosted in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall.
The Missouri State Fair will be Aug. 8-18 in Sedalia. Visit mostatefair.com for more information and follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter.
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