News Update

August 10, 2015

Targeted Premiums

Everyone wants to earn a premium on their Angus cattle, either on sale day or at the processing plant — and there are ways producers can ensure just that. Certified Angus Beef (CAB) LLC Beef Cattle Specialist Paul Dykstra explains the factors that go into the final price of cattle at the processing plant: the premiums to target, and discounts to avoid.

“Our entire system that the packer sets out for us, in terms of premiums and discounts, is centered around meeting satisfaction and yield,” Dykstra said. “And as a result, value is associated with more marbling and the higher quality grades and branded beef programs like CAB. But most importantly is to avoid the big discounts.”

Dykstra adds that heavyweight carcasses, standard or no-roll, and dark cutters are discounted much more than the incentives received for good carcasses. “So, we need to be certain we have none of those major problems in our pen of cattle because it can rapidly out-weigh the premiums that we might have received on the better cattle within the pen,” he cautions.

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

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

Angus Media Editorial Intern Awarded
2015 Forrest Bassford Award

Nicole Lane, a senior majoring in agricultural communications and journalism at Kansas State University, was awarded the 2015 Livestock Publications Council (LPC) Forrest Bassford Student Award sponsored by Alltech. Lane was presented a $2,000 scholarship and a plaque during the Ag Media Summit (AMS) in Scottsdale, Ariz., July 25-29.

The daughter of a schoolteacher and a forester in John Day, Ore., Lane found her way to farming on her own, when she begged for a sheep at the age of nine. Soon, that single sheep turned into 30 breeding ewes and a passion for 4-H and later the decision to enroll in Kansas State University to follow her passion of agriculture.

“Agriculture has the most incredible stories to tell and I’m so excited to tell them,” Lane said after accepting the award. “Food is what connects us all. It means so much to be recognized by the people I look up to in this field and the people whose articles I clip out of magazines. Being a kid from Oregon and going so far to pursue this dream in Kansas, this award really means so much. It’s validating.”

Lane spent her summer working with the Angus Media editorial team, covering beef industry events, the National Junior Angus Show and visiting ranches throughout the Midwest. Watch for her byline in future issue of the Angus Journal.

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

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— Adapted from a release by Danielle Palmer, Alltech.

EPA Proposes Stronger Pesticides Standards

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed stronger standards for pesticide applicators who apply “restricted-use” pesticides. These pesticides are not available for purchase by the general public, require special handling, and may only be applied by a certified applicator or someone working under his or her direct supervision.

The goal of the action is to reduce the likelihood of harm from the misapplication of toxic pesticides and ensure a consistent level of protection among states. Pesticide use would be safer with increased supervision and oversight. EPA is proposing stricter standards for people certified to use restricted-use pesticides and to require all people who apply restricted-use pesticides to be at least 18 years old. Certifications would have to be renewed every three years.

EPA is proposing additional specialized licensing for certain methods of application that can pose greater risks if not conducted properly, such as fumigation and aerial application. For further protection, those working under the supervision of certified applicators would now need training on using pesticides safely and protecting their families from take-home pesticide exposure.

For more information, please view the full release online.

— Adapted from a release by Cathy Milbourn, Environmental Protection Agency.

CreatingConnections™ Educational Module on Cattle Acclimation

Merck Animal Health released the first module in the CreatingConnections™ Educational Series that features industry experts who share unique insights and proven techniques to help ensure low-stress cattle handling. This module, now available at www.creatingconnections.info, focuses on acclimation — specifically how to best help cattle adjust and thrive in a new environment, which is critical to the health and well-being of an animal.

“Producers know relocating cattle can cause stress, which can directly impact suppression of the immune system, susceptibility to health challenges and decreased performance. Minimizing that stress is key,” says Paulo Loureiro, veterinarian, Merck Animal Health. “We’ve gathered real-world examples to demonstrate handling techniques that are pivotal to working successfully with cattle and helping them to acclimate more quickly to new surroundings. This video details how to gauge each animal’s individual characteristics, as well as identify the influential animals and work with them to establish trust and confidence throughout the herd.”

In the first module, Loureiro is joined by Tom Noffsinger, veterinarian with Production Animal Consultation (PAC). The team is rounded out with Dan Thomson, veterinarian with the Beef Cattle Institute (BCI), who facilitates a roundtable discussion about acclimation during the video.

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

— Adapted from a release by Kelly Goss, Merck Animal Health.

Stocker Cattle Conference set for Aug. 12

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the Stocker Cattle Conference from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Bovina XIT Center in Bovina, Texas.

“While much of Texas is burning up now with dry 100-degree weather, a lot of our region has continued to receive rain, which hopefully will set us up for an excellent grazing season,” said James Graves, AgriLife Extension agent in Parmer County. “With cattle prices as high as they are, we’ve planned this conference to offer producers the latest ways to maximize profits from their small grain grazing operations.”

Conference topics and speakers, all AgriLife Extension specialists at Amarillo, will include: Market Outlook, Steve Amosson, economist; Stocker Cattle Nutrition and Bloat Management, Ted McCollum, beef cattle; and Wheat Pasture Fertilizer Application and Management, Jourdan Bell, agronomist.

Individual registration is $10 and includes lunch. RSVP to the AgriLife Extension office in Parmer County at 806-251-5120.

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

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

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