News Update

September 18, 2015

Last Call: Cattlemen’s
Boot Camp in Oklahoma

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 available online until Sept. 30.

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 markets, forage management and much more.

Registration is $75 per person and includes meals and educational materials. Registration forms are due Sept. 30 and can be submitted electronically or mailed to Jaclyn Clark at the American Angus Association, 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO, 64506. Late and walk-in registrations are not accepted.

For more information, please view the full Angus news release.

— Adapted from a release by Jena McRell, Angus Media.

Weaning is a Powerful Management Tool

Reproductive performance is a critical key for profit potential for the cow-calf enterprise. Body condition score (BCS) at calving, at least for spring-calving cows, affects how quickly a beef cow resumes estrous cycles after calving and when she gets pregnant during the next breeding season. Body condition at calving can be affected by feeding and supplementation strategies. In areas where forage quantity is not adequate for late summer and fall grazing, weaning could be a management practice, especially for young cows raising their first calf, to manage body condition.

How early can calves be weaned? The dairy industry has successfully weaned calves at very young ages. Calves weaned at these young ages require special facilities.

In a beef calf context, the rumen of a newborn lacks the symbiotic microbial population that enables adult cattle to process forage fiber via fermentation digestion. Rumen development proceeds rapidly once solid food consumption begins. Research suggests spring-born calves consume significant amounts of native range forage at 45 days of age.

There are a number of items to consider prior to early weaning calves. Calves can adapt quickly to the change in environment and diet if a management plan has been carefully developed.

Read the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.

— Adapted from a release by Rick Rasby, Angus Media.

An Invitation to Overland Park, American Angus Auxiliary

For more than 60 years, the American Angus Auxiliary has promoted the Angus breed and supported future leaders within its ranks. The volunteer organization is made up of Angus women from all over the country, and each year, the group comes together for events held in conjunction with the National Angus Convention & Trade Show.

American Angus Auxiliary members and anyone interested in learning more about the organization are encouraged to attend the Auxiliary’s Annual Meeting, at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Overland Park Sheraton. Agenda items include electing new officers and announcing their new team of regional directors.

The Auxiliary’s annual breakfast will take place at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Overland Park Sheraton, and honors President Lynne Hinrichsen’s year of service to the organization, and the 2015 Miss American Angus Madison Butler.

For more details, view the complete news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Jena McRell, Angus Media.

Merck Continues Commitment to Education

Since 2004, Merck Animal Health has recognized more than 100 bovine veterinary students who show an exemplary commitment to both protecting and strengthening the health and well-being of cattle. At the 2015 American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Annual Conference in New Orleans, 16 additional students were recognized with the AABP Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition Award. Each received a $5,000 scholarship, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the conference.

“Large animal veterinarians of today and the future play an integral role in sustaining a safe and healthy food supply,” said Norman Stewart, D.V.M., livestock technical services manager for Merck Animal Health. “At Merck Animal Health, we’re proud to support and invest in those who are so crucial to the future of our industry. Each one of these students, whether on their family farm, in classrooms or abroad, have demonstrated an undeniable passion for learning to continually improve the practice of veterinary medicine.”

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

— Adapted from a release by Merck Animal Health.

Vermeer Introduces Pre-Owned Equipment Program

The recently introduced Job Ready™ program from Vermeer provides a new solution for the pre-owned equipment market. Job Ready equipment receives a detailed inspection from a Vermeer technician, and comes with comprehensive parts and labor coverage for major components.

Job Ready service contracts cover parts and labor for major components for 12-months or 10,000 bales from the date of purchase — whichever occurs first. Currently, the Job Ready program is available on select baler models that fall within a 7-year model range and have baled less than 20,000 bales.

Prospective buyers can find Job Ready equipment listings on www.vermeerused.com, a marketplace dedicated to Vermeer dealer inventory listings and providing the assurance of a vendor with the experience and knowledge to support a used equipment transaction fully.

For more information, please view the full release online.

— Adapted from a release by Vermeer.

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