News Update

August 26, 2015

CattleFax Webinar Builds Cow-Calf Expansion Roadmap

Cow-calf margins will shrink as the U.S. beef cow herd expands, but producers can ensure future profitability by adjusting business plans for the supply increase. An upcoming free CattleFax webinar will address the scope of expansion and guide producers through the challenge.

CattleFax is encouraging cow-calf producers to register now for its Trends+ Cow-Calf Webinar at 5:30 p.m. MDT, Sept. 10. To participate in the webinar and access program details, producers simply need to register online at www.cattlefax.com/meetings.aspx.

Record-high profits in the cow-calf segment have created an expansion that is on pace to be the most aggressive U.S. beef cow herd rebuilding effort in four decades. The cow herd could add 2.5 million cows over the next three years and approach 33 million by 2020. Profits could narrow considerably during that time, but well-informed producers can adjust production, marketing and risk management plans with increasing supplies in mind and remain profitable.

For more information, view the full news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Lance Zimmerman, CattleFax.

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— Announcement from Angus Media.

Updated 2015 U.S. Farm Income Forecast

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack made the following statement on Aug. 25:

“Today’s farm income forecast is heartening for all Americans. The past several years have seen unprecedented highs in farm income, and despite the fact that farm income is forecast to be down from record levels, today’s projections provide a snapshot of a rural America that continues to remain stable and resilient in the face of the worst animal disease outbreak in our nation’s history and while the western United States remains gripped by drought. Thanks to its ability to be competitive through thick and thin, American agriculture remains fundamentally sound, supporting and creating good-paying American jobs for millions.

To see the complete statement, please view the USDA release online.

— Adapted from a release by the USDA Office of Communications.

American Veterinary Epidemiology Society
recognizes UK VDL scientist

The American Veterinary Epidemiology Society (AVES) recently awarded an honorary diploma to Jacqueline Smith at the annual meeting of the American Veterinary Medical Association in Boston.

Smith is the epidemiology section chief for the University of Kentucky (UK) Veterinary Diagnostic lab (VDL) in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. UK VDL director and AVES executive director and president elect Craig Carter said Smith has revolutionized the way the laboratory uses large volumes of diagnostic testing data to delineate current animal health trends.

“Jacqueline has played a key role in our ability to provide early detection of animal disease outbreaks via a custom-developed mathematical disease cluster detection system,” he said. “This is vital to keeping Kentucky veterinarians, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services informed regarding endemic and emerging animal diseases, as well as confirmed diagnoses of zoonotic diseases that can spill over into the human population.”

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

— Adapted from a release by Aimee Nielson, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Cow Country Congress set for Oct. 23

Area beef producers will learn how to prepare cattle for feedlots and hear the latest in feral hog management at the Cow Country Congress 2015, scheduled Oct. 23 at Maysel Ranch near Fairfield, Texas.

“The goal for this program is to provide cattle producers with the knowledge and skills to be profitable in their operation,” said Erin Davis, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Freestone County.

Davis said the program will include an overview of the Maysel Ranch by owner Burt Richards. His son, Joe Richards, who is a feedlot owner/operator in Hereford, will discuss cattle management and preparing cattle for the feedlot. Cooper Terrill, AgriLife Extension agent for Falls County, will give a presentation on feral hogs and demonstrate the “BoarBuster,” an automatic trap developed by the Noble Foundation. Larry Hand, special ranger with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Region 6, Tyler, will conclude the program with a discussion on cattle theft.

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

— Adapted from a release by Blair Fannin, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.

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