News Update
February 3, 2016
AI Breeding Trends
More cattle producers are using artifical insemination (AI) in their breeding programs. Brian House of Select Sires says there’s growth in the AI business thanks to herd expansion and heifer retention, higher bull market prices, and adoption of synchronization programs — all leading to tighter calving windows and simpler herd management.
“Rather than having a calving season that’s spread out over a long period of time, is making that calving season a little more concise and helping you manage those calves as a group,” House says. “Having older calves at weaning is always a benefit because they’re heavier.”
House admits that thanks to the quality genetics the Angus breed provides, his customers are learning that it really is a simple process to change a cow herd into a high-quality product producer.
For more information, watch this week’s episode of The Angus Report.
You can also catch the show at 5 p.m. CST this evening on RFD-TV, as well as 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday and 7:30 a.m. CST each Monday morning.
Navigating Washington, D.C.
Kristina Butts, executive director of legislative affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), spoke to an audience of producers and industry professionals Jan. 27 as part of the 23rd annual Cattlemen’s College® at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention & NCBA Trade Show in San Diego, Calif.
Butts leads NCBA’s lobbying activities and works closely with the USDA and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promote communication between agricultural producers, industry leaders and political leaders on Capitol Hill. Butts serves as the “middle person,” helping translate and relate the message of agriculture to traditional staffers who lack a direct connection to the ranching industry.
She stressed the importance of D.C. representation by NCBA members and ranchers on the Hill. An increasing number of Congress members and other policy stakeholders come from urban backgrounds and have little or no knowledge of agriculture.
Public engagement, public policy engagement and the sharing of personal stories from agricultural professionals to political professionals are areas Butts said we can always and should always be working to improve.
For more information, please view the Angus news article online.
Antibiotic Stewardship
How do you define “stewardship”? To paraphrase Wikipedia, stewardship is the careful and responsible management of whatever is entrusted to our care. Veterinarian Brian Lubbers said he believes everyone involved with animal agriculture must be careful and responsible in the use of antibiotics. However, Lubbers’ definition of antibiotic stewardship goes further.
“My definition calls for a continuous commitment to reduced and refined use of antibiotics,” stated Lubber during the Cattle Industry Convention hosted Jan. 27-29 in San Diego, Calif. The director of clinical microbiology and microbial surveillance at the Kansas State University (K-State) Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory spoke to beef producers gathered for the annual Cattlemen’s College session.
Lubbers cited three steps to reduced antibiotic use. The first is to take preventive measures to keep cattle from getting sick. Secondly, good stewards should try to identify the root cause for each instance that treatment with an antibiotic is needed. Thirdly, they should evaluate the effectiveness of management changes aimed at remedying reasons that animals require treatment with an antibiotic.
For more information, access the Angus news article online.
2015 Feed Mill of the Year
The Kent Nutrition Group (KNG) manufacturing plant at Rockford, Ill., has been named 2015 “Feed Mill of the Year” by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Feedstuffs newspaper. More than 60 feed facilities competed for this year’s award, which recognizes overall excellence in feed manufacturing operations, emphasizing safety, quality, regulatory compliance, operating efficiencies and overall awareness of feed safety.
“Our big asset here at the Rockford plant is our people. We have a top-notch workforce of 11 full-time staff who function as a true team. They understand how things need to work at the plant during each of our eight-hour shifts,” says Tom Smolen, manager at the plant since 2005. “They are all cross-trained to help out and fill in as needed throughout the plant.”
The facility was constructed in 1964 and has the capacity to manufacture 20,000 tons of feed annually, serving the lower two-thirds of Wisconsin and upper third of Illinois.
To read more, please view the article online.
Tifton Beef Cattle Short Course
The historic Tifton Beef Cattle Short Course will be hosted March 1 at the Tifton Bull Evaluation Center located in Irwinville, Ga.
Come hear professionals from the beef industry and enhance your knowledge in all aspects of cattle management. Be sure to stay around for the 58th annual Tifton Bull Sale the next day as approximately 125 performance tested bulls are offered. View the detailed agenda online.
For more information on the program, to register, and a printable program, please see the link below or contact your local Extension office (1-800-ASK-UGA1).
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