News Update

November 13, 2015

Cattlemen’s Boot Camp Recap

The business breed presents Cattlemen’s Boot Camp events across the country each year to provide hands-on, practical instruction for seedstock and commercial Angus producers. More than 75 cattlemen gathered at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and participated in sessions on bull selection, reproductive technologies, genetic markers, forage management and more.

The group also visited the university’s meat lab to learn about carcass evaluation and factors influencing eating quality. Check out www.angus.org for announcements on future Cattlemen’s Boot Camp events.

Learn more on this week’s episode of The Angus Report online. You can also tune in at 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday, 7:30 a.m. CST Monday and 5 p.m. CST each Wednesday on RFD-TV.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

Ag Education through ‘Farmland’ Film

The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance has partnered with Discovery Education to bring science, technology and entrepreneurship education to high school students by allowing them to experience the agriculture industry through the eyes of six young farmers and ranchers.

The materials, based on the Farmland film released in 2014, are collectively named “Discovering Farmland.” They offer interactive resources that help students learn about food production’s connection to science, economics, technology and sustainability.

The lesson plans are standards-aligned and aim to stimulate thoughtful conversations between educators and students about key issues including innovative use of technology on farms and how it has transformed the industry, challenges farmers face such as weather and growing conditions, common stereotypes around farmers and ranchers, and market supply and demand.

For more information, view the USFRA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.

Value-Added Business Development Grants

Vernita Dore, deputy under secretary of rural development for USDA, announced that 258 farm businesses from 47 states, Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific will receive $34 million in grants from the 2015 round of the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program. The Value Added Producer Grants program awards competitive grants that facilitate the creation and development of value-added, farmer-owned businesses.

The VAPG program contributes to business creation in rural areas, while also enhancing food choices for consumers. Individual independent agricultural producers, groups of independent producers, producer-controlled entities, organizations representing agricultural producers, and farmer or rancher cooperatives are eligible. VAPG grants may be used for working capital or to develop business plans and feasibility studies for new ventures.

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

— Adapted from a release by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

Planting Cover Crops

Growers who plant cover crops instead of tilling their soil will save money upfront and have healthier soils and better yields long-term, says a soil health and cover crops expert with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University (OSU).

Farmers who add cover crops to their fields — such as oilseed radish, cereal rye, Austrian winter pea and crimson clover, among others — can also expect to reduce soil erosion, cut down on nutrient losses, cut input costs and improve water quality, said Jim Hoorman, an OSU Extension educator and an assistant professor studying cover crops, soil health and water quality issues.

Hoorman will discuss “Economics of Planting Cover Crops” during a Nov. 20 webinar from 1 to 2 p.m. The webinar is offered in conjunction with the Midwest Cover Crops Council and Michigan State University Extension. The Cover Crops Council includes researchers and educators from several universities, including OSU, Hoorman said.

For more information, please view the OSU news release.

— Adapted from a release by Tracy Turner, Ohio State University.

Calving Schools Planned for December and January

When it comes to calving, timely assistance can cut calf death losses by half and help boost the cow’s reproductive health after delivery, according to a Kansas State University (K-State) animal scientist.

“Timely, correct obstetrical assistance has been estimated to reduce calf death losses by over 50%,” said Sandy Johnson, K-State Research and Extension livestock specialist. “Prolonged duration of labor or late calving assistance delays the cow’s return to estrus after calving and decreases subsequent pregnancy rates.”

The topic is the focus of 11 calving schools to be hosted in different locations around the state during December and January.

“Producers can do several things to minimize potential losses related to calving,” Johnson said. “Adequate nutrition for the cow and developing fetus before calving is the foundation. Timely and correct obstetrical assistance when needed increases calf survival and speeds the cow’s ability to rebreed.”

Veterinarian Dave Rethorst, director of outreach with K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute, will give the keynote address at each school, including a review of the normal calving process, how and when to intervene, and how to manage a difficult birth.

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

— Adapted from a release by Mary Lou Peter, K-State Research and Extension.

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

Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.