News Update
September 23, 2013
Beef Cattle Reproduction Symposium Planned in Virginia Oct. 15-16
Beef cattle producers, veterinarians, animal scientists and other beef industry professionals are invited to attend the 2013 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) symposium, this year to be in Staunton, Va., Oct. 15-16.
With the industry poised for a possible expansion of the U.S. beef cattle herd in 2014-2015, there may be no better time for producers and veterinarians to ensure they know the latest tools available in artificial insemination (AI) and estrous synchronization, said Kansas State University (K-State) animal scientist Sandy Johnson. K-State is a partner in the Beef Reproduction Task Force, which hosts the symposium.
Speakers will cover issues related to heifer management, including nutrition and reproductive interactions, and on managing pregnancy and birth losses. In addition, a producer panel will discuss how they profit from using reproductive technologies in their operations. Other sessions are devoted to topics such as managing factors to improve pregnancy rates and using genetic tools to get the most from reproductive efforts, among others.
“Reproductive technology holds the key that will allow beef producers to quickly achieve the best genetics suited to their cattle-production goals,” said conference chair Dee Whittier, professor in the department of large animal clinical sciences at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech.
The concept of the ARSBC began about 10 years ago when leaders in beef cattle reproduction recognized the need for in-depth education to increase reproductive performance in beef cattle, particularly new techniques for estrous synchronization, which promised to make AI more profitable. Since then, ARSBC educational events have been hosted in numerous states around the country.
The Angus Journal will provide online coverage of the event, including streaming video during the conference and post-conference coverage, at www.appliedreprostrategies.com thanks to the sponsorship of the Beef Reproduction Task Force and LiveAuctions.tv. Visit the site now for the schedule, links to registration, hotel and travel information. Visit the site newsroom after the meeting to access summaries, proceedings, PowerPoints and audio for the Presentations.
Watch National Beef Ambassador Competition Live
The beef industry’s premier youth leadership competition will have its online debut Sept. 28, broadcasting live from Springdale, Ark.
The National Beef Ambassador Program, which is funded in part by the beef checkoff, will stream its national competition live for the first time. The entire beef cattle community is welcomed to see some of its brightest stars compete for a chance to become the industry's top youth spokespeople in 2014.
To view the contest live, visit www.ihigh.com/nbap on Sept. 28. Mobile applications are available.
“We know not everybody can join us here in Arkansas to experience the contests, so we wanted to bring the contest to all of the dedicated cattlemen and women we represent,” program director Sarah Bohnenkamp said. “Now, they can tune in to see the rising stars of the beef industry and see the youth we have representing them across the nation.”
The media interview portion of the contest will be broadcast between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., EST, Sept. 28, featuring the 34 senior and junior contestants answering questions about the beef industry's environmental impact, the role red meat plays in a healthy diet, antibiotic and hormone use on farms and ranches, and more. The live stream will be hosted by the 2013 National Beef Ambassador Team, who will recount their year of travels across the nation to represent the beef industry and interview contest judges, past ambassadors, current contestants and more.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Cattle Price Outlook Improves in 2014
for Quality Beef, says MU Economist
Farmers gathered at a University of Missouri (MU) field day to hear about better breeding of cow herds listened to positive news on beef prices for 2014 and beyond.
Scott Brown, MU livestock economist, told producers he had a “glass half full” outlook. “There are lots of positive signs for fed-cattle prices to top $1.30 a pound in 2014,” he said. “The fundamentals are there. Corn prices are headed down to 2010 levels, and fed-cattle prices will range much higher than in 2010.”
His crop slide showed current futures prices for corn near $4.50 per bushel in 2014. He showed fed cattle dipped below 80¢ in 2010, and that current future feeder-calf prices for 2014 run $50 higher per hundred than in 2010.
A big difference has been the continued drop in cow herd numbers. “Beef inventory is low. Short supply leads to higher prices,” Brown said.
Domestic consumer demand remains critical for continued higher beef prices. However, demand is not clear, Brown said. It has been in steady decline since the start of the Great Recession and recovery remains slow.
“The economy affects how much beef people eat,” he added.
However, international demand continues strong. South Korea, Japan and China are growing influences.
“It’s difficult to get good numbers out of China,” Brown said. “But think of the potential. They have 1.3 billion people and their income grows at 7% per year. They want more beef. International demand remains important to beef producers.”
For more information, please view the full release here.
Is a Cow Eating My Lunch? A New CAST Issue Paper
Examines
Debatable Information Regarding Animal Agriculture
Animal agriculture is bad — or at least that seems to be the message emanating from certain groups and individuals. Some mistakenly believe that animal agriculture takes away human food supplies and wastes resources — this general message can be misconstrued or misused. In this Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) Issue Paper, scientific experts address the knowledge gap that exists as to the quantity of human food and fiber byproducts used within animal agriculture. A task force of authors and reviewers led by Jude Capper examines the facts and provides science-based research to support credible information about the “feed vs. food” issue.
The global livestock industry faces considerable challenges as the population grows, and demands for more food must be aligned with concerns about the environment, economy and sustainability. Many do not realize the productivity gains made by modern practices, byproduct feeds and technology.
Global animal agriculture provides safe, affordable, nutrient-dense foodstuffs that support human health and well-being as part of a balanced diet, as well as many byproducts that benefit humans.
Livestock production is important in the economic and social sustainability of developed and developing countries alike.
Large areas of land are incapable of supporting the production of human food crops.
Terrain, soil type and climate render the majority of land currently used for grazing unsuitable for production of vegetable-based foods, yet forages can be efficiently converted by ruminant animals into meat and milk products.
This paper emphasizes that improved communication is needed between livestock production stakeholders and the consumer to further a better understanding of the economic, environmental, nutritional and social advantages conferred by animal agriculture on a global and regional basis.
For more information, please visit the CAST webpage here.
‘Battleground to Breaking Ground’ Ag Workshop
for Vets to be Oct. 19 in Edinburg
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in cooperation with the Texas AgrAbility Project and the USDA, will present an agriculture workshop for military veterans Oct. 19 in Edinburg.
The free workshop will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The University of Texas–Pan American.
Called “From Battleground to Breaking Ground: A Transformational Journey,” the workshop gives military veterans interested in farming or ranching the opportunity to get information on starting, developing and funding an agriculture-based business, according to program coordinators.
Presentations will include an address by a veteran currently involved in production agriculture, as well as an overview of the AgrAbility Program, and information on resources available for funding options, business-plan development and resource networking.
“The workshop also addresses the possibilities for ranching or farming for veterans with disabilities,” said Cheryl Grenwelge, AgriLife Extension specialist in disability transition with the Texas AgrAbility Project. “We’re hoping military veterans will take advantage of this program, which has been designed with input from AgriLife Extension, AgrAbility, the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, the National Farmer Veteran Coalition, Farm Service Agency, USDA Risk Management and Texas Department of Agriculture.”
Grenwelge said the local point of contact for the workshop is Carlos Gutierrez, the University of Texas–Pan American Veterans Business Outreach Program in Edinburg at 956-665-7567 or cgutierrez@utpa.edu. More information on the veterans business outreach program can be found at www.utpa.edu/vboc.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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