News Update
October 6, 2014
Beef Cattle Reproduction Symposium Oct. 8-9 in Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University and the Beef Reproduction Task Force will host the 2014 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) Symposium Oct. 8-9 in Stillwater, Okla.
This year’s symposium will feature eight general sessions, with three or four speakers per session. Wednesday’s sessions will feature an overview of reproductive management, strategies for artificial insemination (AI) success, the impact of environment and management on cow herd efficiency, and the economic impact of reproductive technologies.
Thursday’s sessions will feature advanced reproductive technologies, fertility in the male, the use of genomics in reproductive management, and development of replacement heifers.
Full-conference registration is $250. Single-day registrations are $150. For more information about the conference, contact Megan Rolf, assistant professor and state extension beef specialist, 201 H Animal Science, Stillwater, OK 74078; 405-744-6060; or mrolf@okstate.edu. Sessions will convene in the Student Union and Click Hall in the Alumni Center.
The Angus Media Center team coordinates this online event coverage website for the ARSBC Symposium. The website www.appliedreprostrategies.com offers the summary, proceedings paper, PowerPoint presentation and audio of each of the speakers on the website’s Newsroom.
Look for additional coverage in the Angus Media Center outlets such as the Angus Journal, The Angus Report, Angus Beef Bulletin and Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA.
Farm Bureau Survey
Shoppers are paying slightly more for food at the grocery store compared to the first half of 2014. Higher retail prices for beef and pork products such as ground chuck and bacon, among other foods, resulted in a slight increase in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF’s) latest Semi-annual Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $54.26, up $1.06 or about 2% compared to a survey conducted about a year ago. Of the 16 items surveyed, seven increased and nine decreased in average price.
“Several beef, pork and dairy products rose in price during the second half of the year, accounting for much of the increase in the marketbasket,” said John Anderson, AFBF’s deputy chief economist. “As anticipated, food prices have increased moderately — by about 2% — during 2014, which is essentially in line with the average rate of inflation over the past 10 years.”
Items showing retail price increases from a year ago include:
- sirloin tip roast, up 27% to $5.52 per pound (lb.)
- ground chuck, up 17% to $4.31 per lb.
- sliced deli ham, up 16% to $5.44 per lb.
- bacon, up 9% to $5.11 per lb.
- shredded cheddar, up 6% to $4.78 per lb.
- eggs, up 7% to $1.95 per dozen
- whole milk, up 2% to $3.78 per gallon (gal.)
- Items showing retail price decreases from a year ago include:
- Russet potatoes, down 15% to $2.72 for a five-lb. bag
- vegetable oil, down 14% to $2.69 for a 32-ounce (oz.) bottle
- chicken breast, down 12% to $3.46 per lb.
- bagged salad, down 10% to $2.55 per lb.
- orange juice, down 8% to $3.21 per half-gal.
- flour, down 7% to $2.47 for a five-lb. bag
- white bread, down 6% to $1.72 for a 20-oz. loaf
- toasted oat cereal, down 3% to $2.99 for a 9-oz. box
- apples, down 2% to $1.56 per lb.
“On the retail side, we’re seeing higher beef prices which can be attributed to lower production,” Anderson said. “Consumers can expect to pay a little more for their bacon cheeseburgers as we look toward the end of the year.” The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index (http://www.bls.gov/cpi/) report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Ranch Management University Offers Wildlife Aspect
Texans interested in wildlife management will find a wealth of information during the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Ranch Management University Oct. 20-24 on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station.
The workshop will meet at the G. Rollie White Visitor’s Center, 7707 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, said Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist in College Station.
The five-day event is designed to help new landowners improve their understanding regarding management of resources on their ranch properties, Redmon said.
“Because Texans are very interested in wildlife management, an entire day is spent regarding wildlife and fisheries,” he said. “Several wildlife management topics are covered regarding white-tailed deer, turkey, dove and quail management.
“There is also an extensive fisheries management presentation and a trip to ponds on a local ranch to learn how to evaluate fish populations and aquatic weed issues. Also popular is the ‘what to do with the feral hog’ presentation and hog trap demonstration.”
Redmon said other topics to be covered include soils and soil fertility, forage species selection, hay production, weed and brush management, winter pasture establishment and utilization, beef cattle breed selection, nutrient requirements and feeding strategies for livestock, grazing management strategies, and the popular chute-side talk live animal-handling demonstrations of vaccinations, dehorning and castration of cattle.
Also, an agricultural economist will cover how to plan for profit, how to develop a marketing plan and provide a look at alternative enterprises. A horse specialist will be on hand to discuss horse production and management.
Other field demonstrations include assessing body condition scores for cattle, how to obtain proper soil and hay samples, and how to properly calibrate a sprayer.
Breakfast, lunch and supper, and all break refreshments will be provided. A resource flash drive containing more than 100 publications covering ranch resource management will also be provided.
Registration is $500, with attendance limited to the first 50 who enroll. To register online and for more information, go to http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and enter “ranch management” into the search window.
For additional information, contact Redmon at 979-845-4826 or at l-redmon@tamu.edu.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Grazing Conference Offers Cutting-edge Information
Forage and animal producers can get research-based information about current grazing topics during the 15th Kentucky Grazing Conference.
The conference, hosted by forage and livestock specialists with the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT Oct. 23 at the Western Kentucky University Expo Center in Bowling Green.
Keynote speakers include Ed Ballard, former University of Illinois extension educator and world-renowned grazing specialist. He will speak about grazing options for fall and winter. The second keynote speaker is Scott Flynn with Dow Agrosciences. He will address the economics of spraying for weeds in pastures.
“We have an outstanding program planned and will discuss cutting-edge grazing issues,” said Garry Lacefield, UK extension forage specialist.
UK forage and livestock specialists will discuss additional topics including grazing methods, the importance of legumes and summer grazing options.
In the afternoon, contestants from across the state will compete to be the next Kentucky Forage Spokesman. The winner will represent the state in the national competition at the 2015 American Forage and Grassland Council’s annual meeting in January in Saint Louis, Mo. The state’s past forage spokesmen have been nationally competitive, with Kentucky having more national winners than any other state. County agriculture and natural resource extension agents usually nominate contestants for the state contest, but those interested in competing can also contact Lacefield at 270-365-7541, ext. 202.
A silent auction will take place throughout the day. Additionally, awards from the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council will be given.
The conference is sponsored by the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council.
Certified Crop Advisor credits will be available.
Participants register the day of the conference. The registration fee is $15 per person and $5 for students. The cost includes proceedings, a meal and refreshments.
More information about the conference is available on the UK Forage Extension website at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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