News Update
June 17, 2014
BIF to Meet in Lincoln, Angus Journal
to Provide Online Coverage
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) and Nebraska Cattlemen will host the 2014 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Research Symposium in Lincoln, Neb., June 18-21.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of USMARC; thus, hosting the BIF meeting in Nebraska in 2014 seemed a fitting tribute,” said Matt Spangler, associate professor in UNL’s animal science program.
“This meeting will focus on both the cow herd and the feedlot, discussing the merger of genetics and management strategies to improve hard-to-measure, but economically relevant, traits in beef cattle. Leading experts from around the world will converge in Lincoln, and we hope you will take part in what will be an exceptional meeting,” Spangler added.
Full conference registration is $350 and is available online at http://go.unl.edu/bif2014. Walk-ins are also welcome.
If you can’t make it to Lincoln, watch the conference live at www.BIFconference.com. The Angus Journal — in cooperation with BIF and via sponsorship of LiveAuctions.tv — coordinates the online event coverage and provides live-streaming video of the meeting, as well as audio for archiving. This year’s coverage will include live-streaming of all general sessions and the committee breakouts. Those wanting to watch online will need to register with LiveAuctions.tv — if they haven’t already — to log in to the live stream, so log in a little ahead of time.
After the symposium, visit the site’s “Newsroom” for summaries, PowerPoint presentations, proceedings papers, audio, video and additional references provided by speakers. Visit the “Awards” page for announcements and photos of winners of awards and scholarships presented during the event. The “Photos” page will feature photo galleries from the meeting and the post-symposium tour.
For more information visit www.BIFconference.com.
About BIF
BIF is an organization dedicated to coordinating all segments of the beef industry — from researchers and producers to retailers — in an effort to improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of beef production. The organization was initiated almost 70 years ago to encourage the use of objective measurements to evaluate beef cattle. BIF is now the clearinghouse for developing standardized programs and methodologies for recording of performance data for all traits. Their three-leaf-clover logo symbolizes the link between industry, extension and research.
Multi-Year TVMDL College Station
Building Project Gains Momentum
In May 2013 the 83rd Texas Legislature appropriated funds for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art facility for the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station. On Friday, Feb. 14, the process officially kicked off with The Texas A&M System Facility Planning and Construction group meeting with TVMDL and the architectural firm, Perkins+Will, at a Design Initiation Conference.
Perkins+Will is no stranger to designing facilities of this kind. Founded in 1935, the international architectural firm established a practice in Texas in 1988, and has completed projects for Baylor University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. A firm specialty is complex, high-containment laboratory facility design, including biosecurity level (BSL) 2, level 3 and level 4 laboratories; the new TVMDL facility will contain BSL2 and BSL3 laboratory space.
Tammy R. Beckham, TVMDL director said, “The current facility has served the state of Texas for more than four decades, but it no longer meets safety standards required of a cutting edge diagnostic laboratory. The new facility will enable TVMDL to continue as an accredited animal diagnostic laboratory.”
Designing and building the $50-million diagnostic laboratory will take approximately two years.
Vaughn Construction was selected to fill the role of construction manager. The firm is currently managing the Kyle Field renovation at Texas A&M University. For more than 25 years, Vaughn has worked to provide robust preconstruction services designed to evaluate cost from Day 1 while supplementing traditional planning methods with virtual design and construction applications. The firm has completed construction on the National Institutes of Health’s Galveston National Laboratory, which includes BSL-3 and BSL-4 capabilities, the South Campus Research Building at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Tom Bass 9-1-1 Emergency Network Facility in Harris County.
The current TVMDL College Station laboratory was built in 1969, and since has had three expansions in 1978, 1992 and 2004. The diagnostic laboratory handles more than 825,000 tests per year from clients in Texas, the United States and around the world. The College Station laboratory employs approximately 100 staff and serves as one of the two full-service facilities in the TVMDL agency.
For more information on TVMDL, visit www.tvmdl.tamu.edu.
Cow-Calf Producers Should Closely
Monitor Animal Mineral Consumption
A consistent and appropriate intake of medicated minerals is critical to a successful anaplasmosis prevention program, but cow-calf producers need to closely monitor that label-recommended amounts are being consumed by the cattle.
The most popular means of anaplasmosis prevention is the use of mineral mixes that contain chlortetracycline (CTC). According to the November 2013 issue of Veterinary Entomology, vol. 6, issue 4, CTC will reduce the risk of anaplasmosis infections when fed at a rate of 0.5 milligrams (mg) per pound (lb.) of body weight.
“However, producers need to be aware CTC is added to minerals for several different reasons, and these other uses require different levels of drug in the mineral,” said Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension emeritus animal scientist.
Selk cautions producers to make sure the product label states it is formulated at a rate for the prevention of anaplasmosis and gives the specific amount of daily consumption needed to supply that level.
The next step is for the cow-calf operator to monitor his or her herd to make sure the product is being consumed at the appropriate rate. If not, the producer may need to look at other products or change management practices in order to correct consumption deficits.
“A producer needs to be aware recovered animals will be carriers of the disease and a source of infection for susceptible individuals,” Selk said. “General management recommendations are to clear them of the organism with high levels of antibiotics administered parentally, isolate them from susceptible animals or cull them from the herd.”
Placement of mineral feeders and blocks can aid in achieving optimum mineral intake. Place them in areas where cattle spend a lot of time: loafing areas, near water sources, in shady areas or any other location that tends be a popular place for the herd to congregate.
“A rule of thumb is to provide one mineral feeding station for every 30 to 50 cows,” Selk said. “Check feeders at least once a week, and keep a clean, fresh supply of minerals present at all times.”
A good feeder should keep minerals dry, be portable, and hold up to abuse and corrosion. Open tubs are not adequate in high rainfall areas.
“Summer is often a busy time of year for ranchers, especially during haying season,” Selk said. “Don’t forget to check the mineral feeders or blocks to be certain they are supplying the minerals needed by the herd.”
Selk recommends producers with questions about anaplasmosis prevention or who suspect an animal in their herd has anaplasmosis to contact their veterinarian for help with treatment.
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