News Update

May 22, 2015

Taking Care of Your Bulls

We have experienced record-setting Angus bull sales throughout the country, starting back in the fall and continuing strong through late this spring. In fact, registered-Angus bulls have averaged $6,747, up 36% from a year ago. It would be safe to say commercial cow-calf owners and operators have never invested as much money before in bulls until this year.

With that said, it is a nice reminder for all to take good care of your bulls. Operations that don’t manage bulls properly are often those with more open cows. It pays to fine-tune bull management as much as possible to give them optimum conditions for health and fertility. Bulls should be neither underfed nor overfed; they need optimum body condition, between a body condition score (BCS) 5 and 6, before the next breeding season.

Protect your investment by feeding your bull well. Feed 5 to 10 pounds (lb.) of grain, or 1 to 2 lb. of protein supplement and free-choice hay to allow your bull(s) to adequately develop. Supplemental feeding during breeding season is recommended, if possible.

For more information, please view the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article.

— Adapted from an article by Jeff Mafi, American Angus Association.

Nominate a Delegate for Annual Convention

Forms to nominate delegates to the Annual Meeting were mailed to every active life and regular Association member during the last week of March.

The nomination period is April 1-June 30. Each member is allowed to nominate one eligible active life or regular member who resides in the same state or district, including himself or herself. The candidate should be highly involved in the Angus business, willing to attend the meeting and able to represent Angus breeders.

When turning in a nomination, remember to sign the form. Be sure your membership and the membership of the person you are nominating are active. Signed nomination forms must be received in the Association office no later than 4:30 p.m. CDT June 30, at which time every qualified nominee will be included on a state ballot. Make sure your membership is at the end of June so you will receive a ballot.

Ballots for each district and state will be mailed July 8 to active life and active regular members.

— Adapted from a summary by Shauna Hermel, Angus Media.

Montana Department of Agriculture Awards $1.5 Million to Combat Noxious Weeds

On May 18, the Montana Department of Agriculture announced that over $1.5 million in funds have been awarded across the state to develop and implement noxious weed management programs.

“We know noxious weeds cost agriculture millions each and every year, and there are new threats that could cost Montana agriculture even more. Through sound cooperative management at all levels and early detection, we can stave-off the proliferation of new invaders such as yellow starthistle and rush skeletonweed,” explained Director Ron de Yong.

The Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council reviewed 93 grant applications requesting more than $2.2 million in funds. Through the review process, the council recommended awarding $1.5 million for activities that include noxious weed education, research and cooperative projects.

“The level of grant applications is a great indication that providing these funds is very important to managing noxious weeds in the state. The advisory council was focused on making the most of the resources available to combat noxious weeds,” said State Weed Program Manager Dave Burch.

For more information, please view the full release online.

— Adapted from a release by Dave Burch, Montana Dept. of Agriculture.

Agriculture Committee Passes Bipartisan
Federal Grain Inspection Reauthorization

The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry gathered for a business meeting May 21 and passed the U.S. Grains Standards Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, which authorizes USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service to establish marketing standards and conduct inspection and weighing for a variety of grains and oilseeds. The Act was last reauthorized in 2005.

Introduced by Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., this bipartisan legislation reauthorizes provisions of the U.S. Grain Standards Act until Sept. 30, 2020. It reaffirms the role of the federal inspection service and requires the Secretary of Agriculture to immediately take action to maintain export inspection and notify Congress in the case of a disruption. Additionally, it creates a transparent certification process for delegated state agencies inspecting exports.

The legislation also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress on the 2014 disruption in grain export inspections, as well as additional measures.

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

— Adapted from a release by U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

NMSU to Host Regional 4-H Livestock School in Santa Fe

An annual livestock school for 4-H members will be a regional event this year and will be offered in a new location. The Regional 4-H Livestock School will be June 19 and 20 in Santa Fe.

Historically, the New Mexico 4-H Livestock School has been hosted at the New Mexico Expo grounds in Albuquerque, but a decrease in enrollment forced the cancellation of the week-long event last year. The school was hosted by New Mexico State University’s (NMSU’s) Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Program.

The Small Farm and Ranch Task Force, comprising Extension agents in northern New Mexico counties, has stepped up to provide an alternative — a two-day school at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds. The cost of the school is $50 per person, which includes one meal on Saturday and stall space for a maximum of two project animals. Participants must provide their own feed for their animals, a feed-water trough and bedding. Additional meals for family members may be purchased at $9 each.

Registration for the event is only through local county 4-H Extension agents, and the deadline to register is June 8.

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

— Adapted from a release by Jane Moorman, New Mexico State University.

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