News Update
November 8, 2013
Heifer Program Designed to Aid in Building Healthy Kansas Beef Herds
A new program aimed at supporting beef cattle producers by improving the reproductive performance of replacement heifers may have come at an opportune time.
The Sunflower Supreme program, developed by Kansas State University (K-State) and the Kansas Department of Agriculture, addresses dystocia or calving difficulties in heifers, as well as whole-herd health and successful breeding techniques.
This may be an especially good year to launch this program, said Jaymelynn Farney, animal science specialist with K-State Research and Extension. Recent drought conditions and related market forces pushed the number of cattle in U.S. herds to 90.8 million head as of Jan. 1, 2013 — the lowest level since 1952, according to the USDA, but there are signals some producers are beginning to expand their herds.
“At this point we are starting (the program) in southeast Kansas, but hope to make it a state-wide program by next fall,” said Farney, who is based in Parsons. “As part of this program, producers adopt effective health protocols and use some of the latest technologies and genetic tools with the end goal of improving herd health.” Meetings on heifer health, breeding success, nutrition, genetic evaluation, and marketing are planned for those who enroll. A quarterly newsletter and videos will provide practical, day-to-day management tips.
The Sunflower Supreme program also aims to improve relationships between producers and veterinarians to identify a whole-herd health-management program, she said, with a focus on respiratory and reproductive health. Vaccination guidelines that are part of the program can be adapted to any operation with guidance from a veterinarian about type and booster requirements of each vaccine.
The program requires participants to receive Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training, which encourages correct management techniques, Farney said. This also helps guide producers as they start livestock welfare programs and can open marketing opportunities.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Take Advantage of Early-Bird Rates for Nov. 14 Beef Facilities Conference
Beef barns of all types are becoming more commonplace in the upper Midwest. “But, we are still learning a lot about these barns,” said Beth Doran, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach beef specialist.
A one-day “Beef Facilities Conference” will be Nov. 21 to share current research findings and discuss building management and cattle performance. The conference, a cooperative effort of ISU Extension and Outreach, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, South Dakota State University, USDA Agricultural Research Service and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, will take place at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The conference is tailored to feedlot producers, beef consultants, building contractors, engineers and consultants, state and federal agency staff, and extension and university professionals. Presenters will share information pertaining to mono-slope, hoop and slatted-floor deep pit barns for beef feedlot production. Morning presentations focus on environmental research. Afternoon presentations feature two panels discussing building management and cattle performance.
Early-bird registration of $40 per person ends Nov. 14. Late registrations and walk-ins will be $60 per person. Participants may register online at www.aep.iastate.edu/facility/ or contact their local extension office for a printed registration form available from the website. Conference information, registration materials and potential sponsorship are available online at www.aep.iastate.edu/facility/.
USDA Projects to Improve Farm and Rural Business Energy Efficiency
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding Nov. 8 for 424 projects across the nation that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, and use renewable energy technologies in their operations.
“[The] Rural Energy for America Program announcements will provide further assistance for agricultural producers and rural small business owners to save energy, promote renewable energy creation, and boost the bottom line for their operation,” Vilsack said. “By investing in renewable energy created in rural America, USDA is able to provide new income opportunities in our small towns while supporting the Obama administration’s comprehensive effort to combat the impacts of a changing climate.”
Vilsack noted that the funding announcement is another reminder of the importance of farm bill programs for the economic vitality of rural America, and a compelling reason why Congress must get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill passed as soon as possible. A comprehensive new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy, Vilsack added.
The Rural Energy for America Program offers financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. These federal funds leverage other private funding sources for businesses.
For more information, please view the full release here.
NFU Beginning Farmer Institute Studies Cooperatives
National Farmers Union (NFU) Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) participants are in Minneapolis this week to take a closer look at the value of cooperative businesses, tour a family dairy farm, and consider legal issues and bookkeeping requirements that are critical to success.
“As diverse as production agriculture can be, farmers and ranchers all share similar challenges,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “The answers can come from others who have unique experiences and points of view. This is why the Beginning Farmer Institute is so important. The participants not only learn from experienced speakers, they learn from each other.”
The agenda of activities is packed, from meeting with an attorney whose background is rich with generational farm issues, to quizzing a former USDA expert who will review bookkeeping and tax record requirements. William Nelson, president of the CHS Foundation, will highlight how cooperative businesses can be a great asset for beginning farmers.
For the first time, the BFI participants will tour a farm that belongs to one of the group. Eric Hoese’s family dairy farm is located just outside of the Twin Cities. The farm visit is one of several tours planned. The group will also hear how Minnesota Farmers Union has turned its program “Minnesota Cooks” into a popular event that represents the best homegrown foods from around the state.
The selected individuals from across the nation range from cattle ranchers and grain farmers to those growing for farmers’ markets to urban farmers. The institute is a yearlong program and is sponsored in part by Farm Credit, CHS Foundation, FUI Foundation and the NFU Foundation. BFI participants attended their first meeting earlier this year in Washington, D.C., where they focused on financial, marketing, public speaking and planning skills.
More information can be found at www.NFU.org/education.
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