News Update

June 16, 2016

Record-Breaking Entries
for 2016 NJAS

The hum of fans, the smell of shavings, and a parade of Angus cattle through the barns signal the start of the 2016 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). As one of the nation’s largest youth cattle competitions, it’s a sight worth seeing as the Angus breed’s next leaders showcase their cattle and leadership skills.

More than 820 Angus juniors from 36 states will “Stampede the Sandhills” for what’s expected to be a record-breaking event July 3-9 at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds in Grand Island, Neb. An impressive 1,800 head of Angus cattle have been entered to compete in one of the year’s most anticipated livestock events.

“The week of the National Junior Angus Show is unlike any other, and it’s fantastic to see so many juniors and their families come from across the nation to spend a week showing off the Angus breed,” says Jaclyn Clark, American Angus Association director of events and education. “With record numbers expected, it proves that Angus truly does mean business.”

For more information, view the Angus news release online.

— Adapted from a release by JD Rosman, Angus Media.

Boosting Rural Communities

Inspired and productive rural communities are an essential part of the nation’s agricultural future. With the right planning and culture, the Rural Futures Institute at the University of Nebraska reports rural communitities have a lot to offer.

“There are three mega trends that I think are critical to the success of rural areas right now,” says Connie Reimers-Hild, associate director for the Rural Futures Institute. “The first one would be the gig economy and that relates to entrepreneurship. So, we see a lot of people wanting to create gigs or businesses for themselves.”

Second, says Reimers-Hild, is creating a life of purpose and meaning. The third trend relates to the global marketplace: “Your customers may not be your local main street or your local neighborhood or even your region, they may be in another country.”

For more of this story, watch this week’s The Angus Report online. You can also watch the show at 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday and 7:30 a.m. CST each Monday morning on RFD-TV.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

Manage for Climate

Much of agriculture is dependent upon Mother Nature. If you’re going to curse the weather, though, make sure you’re cursing the right thing. Are you angry with the weather or the climate?

Keep in mind that weather is what’s going on in the atmosphere at a certain point in time. Weather varies locally and is short-term. Climate includes long-term conditions, but they can be variable. Megan Rolf, assistant professor of animal science at Oklahoma State University (OSU), says cattlemen should consider both of these phenomena in their breeding programs, especially in terms of drought planning, culling plans, stocking rates and breeding objectives.

Within those plans, consider feed resources for the mature size, milking capability and feed efficiency of your cattle, she recommends. Cattle need energy for maintenance, growth, gestation and lactation, so how do you determine how much feed your cattle need? Maintenance can represent 70%-75% of the total energy consumed annually by the cow herd, Rolf says.

To continue reading, access the Angus Media news article online.

— Adapted from an article by Kasey Brown, Angus Media.

A Pasture Alternative

Most beef cattle spend summer on pasture. Many are only confined for feeding during winter or after weaning, when calves go to feedlots or heifer-development pens. A few producers in farming regions are using a different tactic due to the scarcity of pasture and its higher price tag.

Terry Klopfenstein, professor emeritus for the University of Nebraska, says grass has become a more expensive feed for cattle in recent years, which sometimes necessitates a look at other options.

“This became an issue a few years ago for us when we were negotiating pasture prices for some of our university cattle. We just don’t have enough grass,” he says. In Nebraska some pastures and hay fields have been plowed to grow more corn.

Last year, pastureland in Nebraska rented for about $60 per pair per month — a sizable increase from years earlier, he says.

For more information, view the Angus Media news article online.

— Adapted from an article by Heather Smith Thomas, Angus Journal.

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 2 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.

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.

Read more in the Angus Media news article online.

— Adapted from an article by Katrina Huffstutler for Angus Media.

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