News Update

July 8, 2015

Summertime Considerations

Making sure your cattle have plenty of access to water and shade can make all the difference during the long, hot days of summer. Megan Rolf with Oklahoma State University says the quality and temperature of the water made available to the herd could impact future productivity.

She shared some of her ongoing research at Oklahoma State, studying water intake in more than 800 animals.

“When the temperature of the water goes up, an animal’s intake of the water can go up as well,” Rolf said. “When water quality decreases, you can also have reductions in water intake voluntarily by those animals. Because water intake is involved in body temperature regulation, reproduction, pretty much all of the biological processes within an animal, anytime that water intake changes, there could potentially be consequences in terms of production.”

Watch the full interview on this week’s The Angus Report.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

Improved Management, Improved Nutrition, Improved Profit

Many cattle producers have experienced record returns on their calves the past year, but even times of high profitability demand a search for opportunities to enhance the management of a beef operation. Several of these opportunities will be discussed at the upcoming K-State Beef Conference, hosted Aug. 11 and 13 at various locations across Kansas.

The goal of the conference is for extension professionals and industry thought leaders to have a conversation with profit-minded cattle producers about different timely and economically-impactful production and management topics.

Rancher and author Rich Porter of Reading, Kan., will provide the keynote address. Porter will discuss building successful personal and professional relationships. He has operated a cattle ranch in Kansas for a third of a century. The ranch has expanded to include about 6,000 head of cattle and 2,800 acres of corn and soybeans.

Joining Porter at this year’s conference meetings will be speakers from K-State Research and Extension, including Justin Waggoner, beef systems specialist, and Chris Reinhardt, feedlot specialist.

Registration fees and payment forms vary by site, and registrations should be completed with the hosting county or district office by Aug. 5 for the Aug. 11 meetings and by Aug. 7 for the Aug. 13 meetings. A meal is included in the registration fee.

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

— Adapted from a release by Katie Allen, K-State Research and Extension.

ABS Global Welcomes New Employees

ABS Global welcomes new employees in various areas around the United States.

Lars Sivesind, progeny promotions intern in Wisconsin;
Darin Baldosser — sales intern in Ohio;
Eric Schulenburg — district account manager in Wisconsin;
Craig Shaw — area sales representative in Indiana; and
Clayton Berens — relief technician in Michigan.

Headquartered in DeForest, Wis., ABS Global is the world-leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, technologies and udder care products. Marketing in more than 80 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. ABS Global is a division of Genus plc.

— Adapted from a release by Andy Zich, ABS Global.

Obama Administration Assists
Communities in Building Food Systems

On June 30, the Obama Administration invited communities to participate in Local Foods, Local Places, a federal initiative providing direct technical support to build strong local food systems as part of a community’s emerging economic action plans. Under this effort, a team of agricultural, transportation, public health, environmental and regional economic experts will work directly with local communities to spur local economic growth and improve the quality of life for all residents.

Local food sales topped $11.7 billion in 2014, according to industry estimates, underscoring the economic benefit that a local food system can offer a community.

“EPA is pleased to support the Local Foods, Local Places with our many partners,” said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. “We know new development has a big impact on our air quality and water quality and on human health. Supporting farmers’ markets, community gardens and other food-related enterprises in established neighborhoods can help protect the environment, improve health and create jobs and new business opportunity. It’s a win for everyone.”

For more information, please view the full release online.

— Adapted from a release by Enesta Jones, EPA Region 7.

Steelman Joins Purina Animal Nutrition Research Team

Purina Animal Nutrition announced July 2, the hiring of Samantha Steelman as a senior scientist on the research team at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, Mo.

Steelman’s knowledge of animal health began on her neighbor’s farm and in the equine show ring as a child. Throughout her academic career, she expanded that knowledge base from animal science into human medical science.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in equine science from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M University. Steelman earned her doctorate in medical science while studying human cardiovascular physiology and the effects of stroke on cerebral vascular structure at Texas A&M’s Health Science Center. Prior to joining Purina Animal Nutrition, Steelman worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Her work focused on using functional genomics to study equine laminitis.

“Steelman’s experience with animals and in research will be a strong addition to the Purina Animal Nutrition Center team,” says Cindie Luhman, vice president of research and development with Purina Animal Nutrition.

For more information, please view the full release online.

— Adapted from a release by Megan Hayes, Filament Marketing LLC.

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