News Update
August 17, 2015
Scholarship Opportunity,
Future Angus Stockmen
The American Angus Association launched the Future Angus Stockmen program earlier this year to help equip the next generation of commercial-cattle producers with the knowledge and tools they need to be successful. Thanks to generous support from Allfex USA, the Future Angus Stockmen program will award a $1,000 scholarship to a young man or woman involved in the commercial-Angus business.
“We are incredibly grateful to Allflex for sponsoring the first-ever scholarship through Future Angus Stockmen,” says Ginette Gottswiller, Association director of commercial programs. “This is a fantastic opportunity for any young cattle producer with an interest in building their future in the commercial-Angus business, in addition to the many benefits associated with the Future Angus Stockmen program.”
The winner will be notified in October 2015 and the scholarship presented during the Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show, Nov. 3-5 in Overland Park, Kan. Applications are available for fdownload online and must be postmarked by Sept. 30.
For more information on Future Angus Stockmen, please view the ffull Angus release.
USDA Releases Cattle Inventory Report
The USDA has released its cattle inventory report, which shows an uptick in the nation’s beef cattle herd for July — the first such growth for the month since 2006.
Some highlights from the report include:
- All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, totaled 98.4 million head, 2% above year-ago levels;
- All beef cows and heifers that have calved were up 3%;
- Replacement heifers were up 7%;
- Steers, 500-pounds and over increased 3%;
- Bulls were unchanged;
- Calves under 500 pounds ticked up 2%; and
- Cattle and calves on feed totaled 12.1 million head.
According to the report, the calf crop from 2015 is expected to grow 1%, with an additional 9.5 million head expected to be born in the last six months of the year.
Watch this week’s fThe Angus Report for more highlights from the latest inventory report.
Drought Endurance
Now in its fourth year, the California drought has required its fair share of sacrifices from California ranchers. Wells and water holes have gone dry. Feed on native rangeland is hard to find for some. Almost everyone has reduced his or her herd significantly. The remaining cattle still need something to eat, so ranchers have found alternative feed sources.
In good years and bad, Ryan Nelson, Nelson Land and Cattle Co. of Wilton, Calif., says he supplements his cattle with protein tubs while on native range. Lately, he has been supplementing extra protein. Alfalfa hay, a good source of forage and protein, has been the ‘go to’ option for many ranchers, but due to associated high costs, it may not be a long-term solution, according to Darrel Sweet, commercial-Angus rancher from Livermore, Calif.
Nelson agrees, adding, “It’s $250 to $300 per ton. It’s kind of been close to there for the last several years. That’s expensive when you’re feeding it twice a day every day.”
Read more of this article in the fAngus Beef Bulletin EXTRA.
USDA to Help States Increase Recreational Public Access
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA will invest $20 million to partner with 15 state agencies to improve and increase wildlife habitat and public access for recreational opportunities on privately-owned and operated farm, ranch and forest lands. The projects are being funded under the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP).
The selected state governments will encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch or forest land in their respective states to voluntarily open their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation and to improve fish and wildlife habitat on that land.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation (NRCS) awarded grants for projects in Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
For more information, please view the ffull NCRS release online.
Zinpro Corporation Announces Sponsorship for Cowboy College
Zinpro Corp. has announced its continued sponsorship for the Beef Today Feedlot Cowboy College, which it also supported in 2014. The second annual event will be Sept. 15-16 and hosted by Farm Journal Media’s Beef Today in Wichita, Kan.
The educational program is designed specifically for feedlot cattle processing and doctoring crews and others involved in day-to-day cattle care and welfare. Participants will be instructed by industry-leading veterinarians Dan Thomson, director of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University (K-State); Tom Noffsinger, consulting feedlot veterinarian from Benkelman, Neb.; and Mike Apley, professor, K-State.
Cattle operators attending the conference will learn how to apply best management practices to ensure cattle health and performance and beef quality. Zinpro Corp. long ago established itself as a leader in supporting and providing solutions to improve the wellness and performance of animals in areas such as foot health, immunity, weight gain and feed conversions. The company draws from decades of experience and proven research to develop industry-leading business and nutritional tools for the cattle industry.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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