News Update
August 19, 2015
Preconditioning Pays Premiums
A recent study by the Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics shows cattle feeders are willing to pay higher prices for preconditioned calves. The study concluded that premiums for preconditioned calves have increased over time, as the industry has gained better understanding of how health programs affect performance and efficiency in the feedyard.
Mike John of MFA says it has become easier to initiate a preconditioning program in many cattle operations — and capture the benefits.
“The combination vaccines, a lot of those now you can get Pasturella and the four-way virals combined. You can get the black leg and the Pasturella combined,” John said. “Holistically there has always been a dramatic advantage, somewhere between $6 and $14 a hundredweight, for preconditioned calves. And that depends a little bit on the weight range, and it depends on the time of year. But if you look at all of them that sell, that difference is evident.”
Watch the full interview on this week’s The Angus Report.
Cattlemen’s Boot Camp in Oklahoma this October
Cattle producers are invited to gather for a Cattlemen’s Boot Camp Oct. 15-16 at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater, Okla. The event is hosted by the American Angus Association in partnership with OSU, and provides purebred and commercial producers timely information presented by academic and industry professionals.
Registration is now available online and open until Sept. 30.
“There’s something for everyone at our Cattlemen’s Boot Camp events,” says Jaclyn Clark, Association director of events and education. “We hope cattle producers in the southwest consider attending as a way to stay up-to-date on the latest technology and tools available to them in the beef business.”
Open to all cattle producers, the event is funded by the Angus Foundation and features a day and a half of educational speakers and hands-on activities to help improve their herd operations. The workshop is packed with pertinent information including bull selection, reproductive technologies, genetic markers, forage management and much more.
View a registration details and a tentative schedule in the full Angus news release.
Study Examines Decline of Texas Livestock Auction Markets
Declining cow numbers have led to consolidation in Texas livestock auction markets following devastating droughts the past decade, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service study.
David Anderson, AgriLife Extension Service livestock marketing economist, recently provided an overview at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course in College Station.
“Things change over time, but we were interested in the changes in the beef industry’s infrastructure, particularly livestock auction markets,” Anderson said. “Obviously, we’ve experienced changes in cattle cycles, inventory numbers and how we trade. We have the Internet, video auctions and direct sales. All of that has played a part in how we trade and market cattle.”
Other authors on the study were Andy Herring, associate professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M University (TAMU), and graduate student Trent Hester and assistant professor Ariun Ishdorj — all based in College Station.
Data was collected using sources such as the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Agricultural Statistics Service and other USDA data. Anderson noted during the mid-1970s, Texas beef cow numbers peaked at about 7 million head. Currently, Texas has approximately 4.2 million cows.
For more information, please view the full TAMU release online.
2015 Grassfed Exchange Conference
The rancher-led board of the Grassfed Exchange expects hundreds of regenerative ranchers, farmers and industry supporters to attend the 2015 Grassfed Exchange, a three-day conference hosted Sept. 16-18 at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
This year’s topics will range from ranch and farm success and succession, to harvest sunlight, to water to grow topsoil and food, and more. Included in the international conference is an all day tour featuring Graham’s Organics, an organic farm producing grass-fed beef, poultry and organic abattoir. The Michigan State University Lake City Research Center will also feature the latest in grass finishing and forage utilization research and outreach.
Highlighted speakers include Daphne Miller, author of Farmocology; Nicolette Niman, author of In Defense of Beef; and Mark Schatzker, author of the books Steak and The Dorito Effect.
For more information, please view the full release online.
Second Annual Ranch/Stock Horse Short Course
West Texas horsemen should saddle up and head for the second-annual Ranch/Stock Horse Short Course set for Sept. 19 at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Arena or “SALE” Arena at Sul Ross State University’s Turner Range Animal Science Center, East U.S. Highway 90 in Alpine.
The multi-county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service event starts with registration at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The AgriLife Extension offices in Presidio and Brewster/Jeff Davis counties will host the short course.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this workshop for both youth and adults interested in improving their ranch and stock horse skills,” said Jesse Lea Schneider, AgriLife Extension agent in Presidio County. “As a knowledgeable horseman, Dr. Dennis Sigler, AgriLife Extension state horse specialist, will bring a wealth of knowledge to Far West Texas. His style of teaching relates well to all ages and allows for an opportunity for a day of one-on-one questions and interaction both in the classroom and on horseback.”
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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