News Update
February 8, 2016
Trace Minerals & Pregnancy
When Reinaldo Cooke’s wife was pregnant with each of their three kids, she was advised by her obstetrician to do two things: gain two pounds (lb.) per month of pregnancy and take prenatal vitamins. While given plenty of nutritional tips, additional trace minerals weren’t on the list. But that’s where pregnant cows and pregnant humans differ, Cooke said, in his presentation at Cattlemen’s College® Jan. 27.
The associate professor and beef cattle specialist with Oregon State University said since cattle eat a diet lacking in natural diversity, trace mineral supplementation is important. Zinc, cobalt, manganese and copper are all essential for proper fetal development.
His research explored how supplementation during the last trimester of gestation affected the offspring for the rest of its life through fetal programming. Cooke concluded that when trace minerals, especially organic trace minerals, were fed to pregnant cows, their calves were born on the right track and stayed the course. They grew faster, stayed healthier and were better equipped to handle whatever stress came their way.
For more information, please view the Angus news article online.
Finding Your Way
“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”
That quote by Francis Bacon was shared by Dan McCarty to a group of ranchers, both young and old, at the 23rd annual Cattlemen’s College®, part of the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention & National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in San Diego Jan. 27.
McCarty serves as director of industry and affiliate outreach for NCBA and owns and operates McCarty Cattle Co. in Parachute, Colo.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in farm and ranch management from Colorado State University (CSU), McCarty returned to his hometown of Walden, Colo., with the intention of joining his father in the family’s seedstock operation. Instead, he served Silver Spur Cattle Co. as a foreman and manager for five years before deciding “it’s a lot more fun to be in this business when you have some ownership and capital.”
To read more, access the full Angus news article online.
Chesapeake Bay Residents Do Not Trust Federal Regulation
Nearly three in four residents of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed say state and local government authority over water resources should trump federal authority. When health, safety and environmental regulations are needed, nearly half say they trust state and local governments, compared to only 28% who trust the federal government.
Those were two key findings of new Morning Consult polling conducted Jan. 21-22 of 1,042 registered voters who reside within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The poll was sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).
“Residents of the Chesapeake Bay region believe their local governments should have authority when it comes to protecting their water, and, understandably, they trust state and local authorities much more than they do the federal government,” said Ellen Steen, general counsel for AFBF.
For more information, please view the full Farm Bureau release online.
Goodall Joins The CUP Lab
The CUP Lab®, LLC of Ames, Iowa, is pleased to announce Emily Goodall as the quality assurance manager. Goodall grew up on a purebred Angus farm in Eastern Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with an animal science degree in December of 2014. While at Iowa State University, she was active in Block & Bridle as well as a peer mentor for the Animal Science Department.
As the quality assurance manager, Goodall will be responsible for the database, customer relations, and other day-to-day tasks.
“I am eager to join the CUP Lab team and get to know the staff, technicians and breeders. It is exciting to be coming on board in a busy, fast paced time with the company on top,” says Goodall.
The CUP Lab has been processing live animal carcass ultrasound images since 2001, sending data to 28 breed associations in the United States and Canada.
For more information, please view the full news release online.
Daigle Joins Texas A&M Animal Science
Courtney Daigle, who specializes in animal welfare, has joined Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the department of animal science at Texas A&M University in both research and teaching roles.
Daigle has an extensive background in both animal care and handling, as well as teaching and mentoring experience. She said that when she was 13 and growing up in Oklahoma, she began volunteering at the local zoo. That set the stage for her career path as she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Oklahoma State University, a master’s in zoo and aquarium management at Michigan State University and her doctorate in animal science also from Michigan State.
Daigle’s main research program at Texas A&M will focus on developing science-based methods for objectively assessing and improving animal well-being, she said.
For more information, please view the Texas AgriLife release online.
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