News Update
October 2, 2013
Made In the Shade?
On a hot day, cattle prefer shade. This somewhat obvious observation led to research on the benefits of providing shade in open pens, even before the era of large-scale cattle feeding.
That research continues, ongoing today at Pratt Feeders in Pratt, Kan., a 40,000-head, quality-focused feedyard managed by Jerry Bohn. He noted in last year’s profile on winning a Certified Angus Beef® Quality Focus Award that shades were added to some pens to assess the cost/benefit on cattle already stressed by widespread drought.
More recently, Bohn addressed the Feeding Quality Forum Aug. 22 in Garden City, Kan.
“We had a little death loss each of the last three years due to heat,” Bohn said. Last year was the worst, and prompted him to hire an Iowa contractor to build five shades straddling 10 pens, at the cost of $15,000 each. The 50- by 48-foot steel frames have canvas covers with a heat escape vent in the center, all supported by three 24-inch steel poles.
Up to 150 cattle found relief under each structure during the hottest days. Last winter a 17-inch snowfall did not cause problems, but there was significant storm damage this summer from 110-mph winds.
A research project with Kansas State University this year included a veterinary student working at the yard all summer, and that study is in its summary stage now. Preliminary results were shared on groups of cattle that were sorted a month to six weeks before marketing.
“Sorting the cattle as equally and randomly as we could, we put one group under the shade and one in the regular feedlot pens,” Bohn said. “We then measured feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion, and later gathered carcass data from National Beef.”
For more information, please view the full release here.
Fish and Wildlife Service Will Host a Public Hearing
in Denver on Two Wolf Proposals
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host a public hearing to receive public comments for the official record on two proposed rules: (1) Proposal to Remove the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Maintaining Protections for the Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) by Listing it as Endangered; and (2) Proposed Revision to the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf.
The public hearing for both proposed rules will be on Oct. 17, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO 80202. Comments on the proposals will be accepted orally and in writing at this time, or in writing through Oct. 28. To learn more, including how to comment on the Mexican wolf proposal, go to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/ and click on the link 2013 Proposed Revision to the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service.
Statement by AFBF Regarding Farm Bill Expiration
President of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Bob Stallman released a statement Oct. 1 regarding Farm Bill expiration:
“Farmers and ranchers, along with 90% of the country, are frustrated with Congress. Aside from shutting down the government, the one-year farm bill extension Congress granted last session also expired at midnight, while the new farm bill has yet to formally reach the conference process.
“Farm Bureau members are deeply concerned over the political challenges that are making it next to impossible for Congress to reach a compromise on important legislation, while restoring fiscal order and setting a responsible course to get the federal budget back on track. Adding to our frustration, both the House and Senate versions of the farm bill would provide significant savings that could be applied toward reducing the federal deficit.
“Now that the 2008 farm bill extension has expired, farmers once again are left with uncertainty as to the safety net and risk-management tools that are important in planning for next year’s crop. Come January, consumers once again face the impact of high food costs as decades-old farm policy kicks in.
“Both the House and Senate agriculture committees have worked hard to put together bipartisan packages that would deliver solid safety net options and comprehensive risk-management tools for farmers and ranchers. It is past time for Congress to let these two committees get back to what they do best — work together in a bipartisan fashion to forge the best new farm bill possible in today’s tough political environment.
“Farm Bureau is encouraging Congress and President Obama to work together to get the budget process in order, get our national economy back on track and move forward on legislation important to agriculture, such as the farm bill, immigration and tax reform, and waterways funding.”
Workshops to Promote Cover Crops
to Improve Soil Health, Water Quality and Yields
Growers who want to improve soil health, reduce soil erosion and cut down on nutrient losses may want to consider using cover crops such as oilseed radish, cereal rye, or Austrian winter pea and crimson clover, according to a soil expert with Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
Jim Hoorman, an Ohio State University (OSU) Extension educator and an assistant professor studying cover crops and water-quality issues, will host a workshop, “Using Cover Crops to Improve Soil Health,” Nov. 14 and Dec.10, and on Jan. 14, 2014.
The workshop will offer growers an advanced, marathon session on cover crops, with the opportunity to work hands-on with soils and seeds. Attendees will also learn about specific cover crops, such as the fact that legume cover crops protect the soil from erosion, but also produce nitrogen for crop production, Hoorman said.
“Starting with soil ecology, we’ll talk about how the soil microbes and plants work together, as well as discuss nutrient recycling of nitrogen and phosphorus, biology of soil compaction, soil structure ,and the benefit of live roots in the soil to promote soil health,” he said. “The workshop will also cover the economics of using cover crops and how cover crops can counter extreme weather events, store soil moisture and improve water quality.”
The workshop will also focus on the use of cover crops and ECO Farming, or “ecological farming,” a method that is growing in popularity among farmers because of its success in improving soil structure, decreasing soil and nutrient losses, and eventually leading to higher yields, Hoorman said.
For more information, please visit the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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