News Update
August 23, 2016
Considerations for AI
Selecting the right herd sire for your operation can set the pace for genetic progress for generations to come. That’s true whether you’re turning out a bull to pasture or relying on artificial insemination (AI). The use of AI technology continues to grow in the beef business, and last year, more than half of all registered calves at the American Angus Association were produced by AI.
Cattlemen should keep the following considerations in mind when looking for their next AI sire.
Lorna Marshall of Select Sires says, “There’s a wide range of discussions that we have with our producers in terms of selecting our bulls. The tools that we would utilize to really help narrow that down is obviously EPDs (expected progeny differences), and some of the selection indexes that we have available.”
Marshall says the sire evaluation also takes phenotype into consideration.
“And maybe traits that we typically don’t have EPDs for, so fleshing ability, udder quality, maybe improving feet, things like that.”
Tune into this week’s The Angus Report online for more of Marshall’s tips.
63rd Annual Farm Progress Show Returns to Boone, Iowa
Farm Progress Show, the nation’s greatest ag showcase, is nearly ready for visitors. The show will be hosted Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1 on its permanent show site in Boone, Iowa, (a few minutes west of Ames) just off Hwy 30.
The annual event showcases the latest technology in agriculture, including new products to be unveiled at the show by many of the industry’s largest manufacturers and suppliers.
A staple of the Farm Progress Show has always been the field demonstrations. This year is no exception with a full line up of demonstrations scheduled. The combines fire up at 11 a.m. each show day. Additionally, you will see auger carts collecting grain on the go, and more. Tillage tools and other special machines will operate each day from 2 to 3 p.m. This gives visitors an opportunity to view all of the competitors in each segment running side by side.
There will also be a tillage class for tools that want to run faster to show their performance features. Most of the new tillage tools, with nearly a dozen on the market, are recommended to run at 7 to 9 miles per hour.
For more information, please view the full news release online.
NMSU to Host Demonstration of Solar Panels for Range Wells
Instead of having to repair the old windmills out on the range, would you like to learn about using solar panels to operate remote wells?
The New Mexico State University (NMSU) Northern New Mexico Outreach Project is hosting a solar panel field demonstration Friday, Aug. 26, on the Acoma Pueblo reservation. The free workshop will be from 9 a.m. to noon.
Mike Lisk of Remote Wells Solutions will conduct the demonstration. Richard Montoya of the Natural Resources Conservation Service will also present updates on programs.
To participate, meet at the Acoma Pueblo Natural Resource Department office parking lot at 9 a.m. Participants will travel as a group to the demonstration site.
For more information, call Joseph Garcia at 505-852-0480.
Jay Johnson Joins Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition Team
Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition is pleased to announce Aug. 23, the addition of Jay Johnson to its team in the south central region of the United States. His territory will include Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Jay joins Arm & Hammer as an account manager, ruminant enterprise sales. In this role he will be responsible for growing ruminant business in the south central United States. Previously, he owned and operated Johnson Livestock, his family livestock business. Prior to that role Jay was president of a cattle procurement and marketing company, as well as an assistant professor of animal science at Texas Tech University.
“Jay brings with him more than 18 years of livestock production, agricultural business and university teaching and research experience,” says Mark Pierce, Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition south central regional manager. “We’re excited to have him join us. His experience and knowledge will be tremendous assets in helping our customers get their jobs done and meet their animal productivity goals.”
For more information, please visit the Arm & Hammer website.
MU Breimyer Conference Takes on Broader Economic Topics, Sept. 6-7
What was called the Breimyer Conference will be hosted Sept. 6-7 in Columbia. However, it has expanded to cover more economic topics.
The meeting gives more details on complex economics of farming. Called the “Agribusiness and Policy Symposium,” the new two-day version covers many University of Missouri (MU) research studies.
“The audience expands,” says MU economist Scott Brown. “We’ll get our arms around more ideas. It still benefits farmers, but also businesses, communities, government, policymakers and decision-makers.”
Originally, Harold Breimyer started the meeting. He was a former USDA economist who finished his career as an MU professor of policy. For years, he stuck to outlook and policy issues, often covering the next farm bill being written in the U.S. Congress.
Now, current faculty will be joined by out-of-state speakers. The theme is “Strategic Thinking in Uncertain Times.”
The opening keynote talk is by Mike Boland, professor at the Food Industry Center, University of Minnesota. He will tell “Global Trends Affecting Agribusiness Retailers.” He will connect that back to farm production.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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