News Update
April 10, 2014
Cow-calf Producers Should
be Cautious of Twin Births
Oklahoma State University recommends cow-calf producers write down calf numbers of twin births while the animals are still nursing the cow, and to never retain a heifer as a replacement female if she is born as a twin to a bull.
Freemartinism is recognized as one of the most severe forms of sexual abnormality among cattle. This condition causes infertility in female cattle born as a twin to a male.
“When a heifer twin shares the uterus with a bull fetus, they also share the placental membranes connecting the fetuses with the dam,” said Glenn Selk, OSU Cooperative Extension emeritus animal scientist. “A joining of the placental membranes occurs at about day 40 of pregnancy, and the fluids of the two fetuses are mixed thereafter.”
This causes exchange of blood and antigens carrying characteristics that are each unique to heifers and bulls. When these antigens mix, they affect each other in a way that causes each to develop with some characteristics of the other gender.
“Although the male twin in this case is rarely affected by reduced fertility, the female twin is completely infertile in about 90% of cases,” Selk said. “A transfer of hormones or cells can cause the heifer’s reproductive tract to be severely underdeveloped and sometimes even contain some elements of a bull’s reproductive tract.”
A freemartin is genetically female but has many characteristics of a male. The ovaries of the freemartin do not develop correctly and typically remain very small. Also, the ovaries of a freemartin do not produce the hormones necessary to induce the behavioral signs of heat.
For more information, please view the full release here.
American Farm Bureau Federation President
on The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman gave these remarks regarding H.R. 4432, The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act:
“As the nation’s largest general farm organization, the American Farm Bureau represents farmers and ranchers who use every type of agricultural production system to provide the safest food possible both here in the U.S. and abroad. Our farmers and ranchers are encouraged by the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) for introducing H.R. 4432, The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. This measure will make it clear that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be the nation’s foremost authority on the use and labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients.
“The diversity of innovative options farmers and ranchers have in regard to how they grow our food is one of the reasons U.S. consumers enjoy a wide variety of foods that are also among the most affordable in the world. Farm Bureau supports all production practices — and commonsense, science-based regulations — that ensure consumers are receiving safe and healthy food. But we will stand adamantly opposed to those who want to take tools and technologies away from America’s farmers and affordable choices away from consumers.
“The GMO (genetically modified organism)-labeling ballot initiatives and legislative efforts that many state lawmakers and voters are facing are geared toward making people wrongly fear what they’re eating and feeding their children. They undermine the public’s understanding of the many benefits of biotechnology in feeding a growing population — and keeping costs down. With the introduction of this legislation and the leadership of the bill’s sponsors, Farm Bureau looks forward to a national-level discussion that will affirm FDA’s role in assuring consumers about GMO safety and reduce the confusion that would result from a patchwork of state labeling initiatives.”
Rainwater University to be April 16-18
at Texas A&M AgriLife center in Dallas
The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas will be presenting Rainwater University 2014, a program on both small- and large-scale rainwater harvesting, April 16-18, said program coordinators.
The center is located at 17360 Coit Road in Dallas. Program presentations all three days will be in Building C, Classroom 3.
“Rainwater harvesting is a viable alternative water source for your landscape, garden, livestock, wildlife and indoor non-potable and potable uses,” said Dotty Woodson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist based in Dallas.
Woodson said Rainwater University will have presentations and hands-on training provided by rainwater harvesting experts from around the country.
“From constructing a 55-gallon rain barrel or small home rainwater catchment system to designing and installing large commercial rainwater collection systems above and below ground to understanding how to irrigate from your cistern, this three-day educational event will have it all,” Woodson said.
Woodson said attendees can sign up for one or all Rainwater University offerings. The cost of each daily program is $75, with registration online at http://dallas.tamu.edu/.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Ranching and a West That Works,
Free Seminar April 24-25 at CSU
A free two-day conference focused on issues of ranching, land use, and sustainability will be hosted at Colorado State University’s Lory Student Theater April 24-25.
The Ranching and a West That Works conference is designed for a diverse audience — from students to families to business owners — who are encouraged to attend and learn from speakers who will explore ranching’s connections to water, food, sustainable grazing, public-private partnerships, livelihoods, rural economies and much more.
Ranching can build bridges between rural and urban communities through the twin connections of open space and food. Across the American West, ranching accounts for a majority of land use, both on private and on public lands. In fact, close to half of the private lands that surround our public lands belong to ranchers that graze livestock on public lands. There is a tight coupling of this land use that protects open space but also produces an important food item. This event will explore these connections and start important dialogue about new ideas for the future of ranching.
To RSVP for the conference contact Kellie.Clark@colostate.edu. For more information, visit www.coopext.colostate.edu/WR/ranchingcsu.shtml.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Grain Storage Safety Conference Slated April 23 in Sinton
The Coastal Bend Grain Storage and Handlers Safety Conference will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23 at the San Patricio County Fairgrounds Civic Center, according to Bobby McCool, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources in San Patricio County.
The fairgrounds are located at 219 West 5th St. in Sinton. Registration is at 8 a.m., and the program starts at 8:30 a.m. A registration fee of $20 is payable at the door and includes lunch. Attendees must RSVP by April 18 by calling 361-364-6234.
Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units — one integrated pest management and one general — will be available to individuals with private pesticide applicator licenses.
“Safety in and around grain storage facilities is a never-ending endeavor, whether in a commercial operation or on the farm,” McCool said. “This program strives to deliver pertinent safety related information with regards to grain handling to assist producers and agricultural businesses to promote a safer work environment for themselves and their employees.”
McCool said 95% of the Coastal Bend’s 2014 grain sorghum crop had been planted by March 15 and should be smaller than the 2013 crop.
“Last year, there were about 135,000 acres of grain sorghum planted,” he said. “I suspect that will be down some this year, to maybe 115,000-120,000 acres.”
Once harvesting begins in late June or early July, grain elevators are used to store the crop.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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