News Update

May 12, 2015

Cattle Theft on the Rise

While producers are enjoying high cattle prices at the sale barn, the value those cattle bring make them a tempting option cattle theft.

Larry Gray, executive director of law enforcement and theft prevention services for Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, says just last week, the assocation received four cattle theft complaints in the state of Texas, alone.

Gray offers tips like branding to discourage thieves from snatching your cattle. “We highly recommend still branding. Either freeze branding or hot iron branding, whichever the producer prefers.” He continues, “Keep a good count, and if they are missing cattle, let whoever your local law enforcement agency is know right away.”

Learn all of Gray’s tips on this week’s The Angus Report episode.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

Tokach Family Establishes New Stockmen’s Foundation Endowment Scholarship

The Tokach Angus Ranch Memorial Scholarship will be added to the North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation’s scholarship offerings in 2015. The family of former North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) President Richard M. “Dick” Tokach of Mandan, N.D., who passed away in November 2014, established the endowment scholarship to honor the industry and civic contributions of Dick, as well as his surviving wife, Theresa.

To be eligible students must be residents of North Dakota; have a grade-point average of at least 3.0; be enrolled or plan to be enrolled in an institution of higher education in a beef-related discipline; have an interest in the state’s beef cattle industry; be an NDSA member or the child of an NDSA member; and submit the required application form, essay and references.

Preference will be given to students who have completed their bachelor degree and are pursuing a graduate education or professional school (such as veterinary or law school).

Application forms and additional information are available under the “ND Stockmen’s Foundation” tab at www.ndstockmen.org. Applications will be accepted until June 15, download a form today.

Access the full news release with further details on the Tokach Angus Ranch Memorial Scholarship.

— Adapted from a release by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation.

USDA Announces $30 Million Available for Food Entrepreneurs

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced May 8 that USDA is making $30 million available to farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs to develop new product lines. Funding will be made available through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.

VAPG grants can be used to develop new product lines from raw agricultural products or additional uses for already developed product lines. Military veterans, socially disadvantaged, and beginning farmers and ranchers; operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches; farmer and rancher cooperatives; and applicants that propose mid-tier value chain projects are given special priority in applying for VAPGs. Additional priority is given to group applicants who seek funding for projects that “best contribute” to creating or increasing marketing opportunities for these type of operators.

Since 2009, USDA has awarded 853 Value-Added Producer Grants totaling $104.5 million. Approximately 19% of the grants and 13% of total funding has been awarded to beginning farmers and ranchers.

For more information, please view the full news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the USDA Office of Communications.

Warmer Weather Increases Feeding Potential
for Alfalfa Weevil in Ohio

The return of hotter weather to the region also makes cozy conditions for alfalfa weevil larvae to grow and start eating away at alfalfa crops, with the potential to cause significant damage.

The pest, which causes major alfalfa damage in its larval stages, should only be treated if it grows to populations large enough to cause economic loss to growers, said an entomologist with the Ohio State University (OSU) College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The high temperatures experienced across Ohio recently have caused alfalfa weevil larvae to develop rapidly, said Andy Michel, an OSU Extension pest expert.

As a result, growers need to start scouting now for the pest, said Michel, who also has an appointment with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Growers who find large populations of the weevil in their alfalfa crops may want to consider an early cutting, he said.

“Once alfalfa crops get to be 16 inches or higher, growers may consider doing an early cutting instead of spraying. You don’t want to spray alfalfa if you don’t need to.”

For more information and a list of useful alfalfa weevil insecticides, please view the full release.

— Adapted from a release by Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Concho Livestock Production Workshop set in Eden

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the Concho Livestock Production Workshop beginning with registration and lunch at noon May 20 at the Roy Burnes Civic Center in Eden.

“We’ll be talking about everything from laws and rules of the road as they relate to trailers and equipment to livestock marketing considerations, so I think there will be something of interest to just about anybody in the livestock business,” said Brady Evans, AgriLife Extension agent in Concho County.

Individual preregistration is $10 by May 15 and $15 thereafter. For more information or to preregister, contact Evans at 325-732-4304, brady.evans@ag.tamu.edu.

One Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit will be offered in the laws and regulations category. Topics include Laws of the Road: Trailers and Equipment, Texas Wildlife Services Update, Rambouillet and Dorper Ewe Study Overview; Laws and Regulations Regarding M44 and Livestock Protection Collar Use; and Electronic Identification Tags,

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

— Adapted from a release by Steve Byrns, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Journal.