News Update

October 21, 2013

Angus Journal Coverage of Applied Reproductive Symposium Online

If you missed the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle symposium, Oct. 15-16, 2013, in Staunton, Va., or if you want to revisit the material, then you are in luck. The Angus Journal team’s coverage is available at www.appliedreprostrategies.com/2013/newsroom.html, and the Newsroom is being updated constantly, so keep checking throughout the week.

The website offers the summary, proceedings paper, PowerPoint presentation and audio of each of the speakers. Topics covered include how to profit from reproduction, importance of estrus, inseminator efficiency and male fertility, genetics, artificial insemination (AI) technique, herd fertility nutrition, management of stress, vaccination and pregnancy determination, and sexed semen and embryo transfer.

— by the Angus Journal staff.

Certified Angus Beef^® Brand Sets Seventh Straight Record

Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) reported record sales of its signature Certified Angus Beef^® (CAB^®) brand, marketing more than 60 million pounds (lb.) of product every month in fiscal 2013. Its network of 16,000 licensed partners worldwide sold 865 million lb. for the year that ended Sept. 30, an increase of 6.7% or 54 million lb.

As the brand’s 35th anniversary marked a seventh consecutive year of growth, company president John Stika credited leadership from those partners and rising consumer demand for premium beef. A brand that consistently satisfies consumers offers a strong value for their dollar, he noted.

“The quality beef movement our partners lead is gaining momentum,” Stika said. “Everyone associated with it takes great pride in being part of a community that is committed to quality, and something much larger than ourselves.”

Research conducted this year showed 92% recognition of the three-word phrase, and 94% recognition of the CAB brand logo, more than double the closest other brands. Moreover, most consumers said they expect the best quality beef when they see the brand marks and will pay more for it — at least another $1 per lb. at retail and $3 more per menu item in restaurants.

That helped fuel growth across all sectors. Sales of premium steak cuts (middle meats) rose 6.6%, with end meats gaining 6.9% and ground beef up 5.1%. Increased sales were also reported for the Prime and Natural brand extensions — 15% and 4.6%, respectively.

For more information, please view the <em>full release here.

— Adapted from a release by Certified Angus Beef LLC.

NCBA Kicks Off 2013 Fall Membership Drive

This coming year, Congress will address many legislative issues that directly affect cattlemen and women including border security, international trade and the continually increasing number of environmental regulations. As the country’s oldest and largest organization representing the cattle industry, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has a strong voice in Washington, D.C., and a great opportunity to represent the forceful, unified influence of America’s beef producers.

NCBA is urging more cattle producers to join in this fight. According to NCBA Policy Division Chair Philip Ellis, a fifth-generation rancher from Chugwater, Wyo., it is NCBA’s producers that give the organization the strength to advocate effectively in Washington, D.C.

“This year’s membership drive focusing on partnership, process and legacy hits the mark,” said Ellis. “As cattlemen and women our legacy of growth, profitability and sustainability for future generations is key. And we are calling on all producers to not only join, but engage in the grassroots process to keep our industry strong. As cattle producers, we need to be engaged at the legislative and regulatory levels, but we also have to fight against groups like the Humane Society of the United States that are actively working to put us out of business.”

Ellis said while we made great progress this past year, the year ahead continues to hold challenges for the cattle industry.

For more information, please view the full release here.

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Booster Vaccinations for Beef Calves

The leaves are turning and that often means vaccination time for beef producers. Most beef producers do a good job with vaccinations, but should always be looking to improve the efficacy of their health programs. Vaccination programs are designed to aid in the prevention of infectious diseases. For vaccine programs to be effective, they must be designed and administered correctly. It is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian to design appropriate vaccine protocols and choose the best vaccines to meet your protection goals. Protocols generally consist of two rounds of vaccinations. Once the first-round of vaccines has been given, be sure to schedule the “booster” round. The time between vaccinations is critical. Most product labels now list three- to six-week intervals between vaccinations. This interval is important to optimize the immune system response to the vaccines. Be sure to consider management options when scheduling vaccination dates. Considerations might include cattle grouping, location, weather conditions, handling facility needs and, most importantly, stress accumulation. Be sure to not stack too much on calves in one treatment through the chute. It’s preferred to only vaccinate when processing and do additional management like weaning, relocating, dehorning or castration earlier, if possible. Reducing stress will help ensure the desired response to the vaccinations and healthier calves down the road.

Read product labels carefully and follow all vaccine recommendations including when to give, how to give, how much to give and precautions when administering. Vaccinate in the neck of the animal rather than in the hindquarter, whether it is administered intramuscularly (IM) or subcutaneously (Sub-Q). This will minimize meat lost due to injection site lesions.

For more information, please view the full release here.

— Adapted from a release by Kevin Gould for MSU Extension.

Rebuilding Beef Herd Training To Be Nov. 20 in Paris

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service personnel will conduct a training, “Rebuilding the Beef Herd: Planning to capture opportunities,” Nov. 20 in Paris.

“When you go back to the historic drought of 2011, a lot of our producers sold cows. I’ve heard estimates of herds being cut from 30% to 50%, even more in some cases, ” said Mike Morrow, AgriLife Extension agent for Lamar County.

Since 2011, herd numbers remain low, Morrow said, and the drier-than-normal conditions have often prevailed.

“Whatever happens with the weather this winter, producers need to devise a long-range plan to rebuild herds and to take advantage of opportunities that may arise from recent changes in cattle and feed grain markets. That’s what the Nov. 20 program is designed to do,” he said.

Hosted at the Love Civic Center, 2020 S. Collegiate Drive, registration is $40 per person, includes lunch, and must be paid by Nov. 15, Morrow said.

To register, make checks payable to “Lamar Ag Fund,” and mail them to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 4315 Bonham St., Suite A, Paris, TX 75460. The program is a joint effort of AgriLife Extension offices in Lamar, Delta and Red River counties.

“But we’ll also welcome producers from surrounding counties and Oklahoma where conditions have been similar,” Morrow said.

Speakers will include Vanessa Corriher-Olson, AgriLife Extension forage specialist, Overton; and Jason Banta, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Overton; Stan Bevers, AgriLife Extension economist, Vernon; and Hugh Aljoe, Noble Foundation specialist, Ardmore, Okla.

The general session will start at 8:30 a.m., with the presentation, “Beef, Better — and Different — Times Ahead,” followed by “Forage Recovery and Pasture Restocking.”

For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.

— Adapted from a release by Robert Burns for Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.

— Compiled by Lynsey Meharg, intern, Angus Journal.