News Update
September 14, 2016
300 Days of Grazing
Imagine feeding hay for only 65 days each year. Not only does the scenario save time and money, it’s a lot easier to do than people think. Professors from the University of Arkansas Animal Science Department have developed a plan to do it.
The program has five steps to manage current forage resources and maximize grazing opportunity.
“The key of a 300-day grazing program is working with producers on forage already on hand. In most cases, the forage is already there; it just needs better management,” said John Jennings, University of Arkansas forage professor.
The first step is to inventory your current forage base. Read more in the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Feeding Quality Forum Challenges Norms
If you think you have the cattle feeding business all figured out, you’re probably mistaken.
That’s according to speakers at the Feeding Quality Forum in Grand Island, Neb., and Amarillo, Texas, last week. The experts addressed what they “used to know” that’s no longer so.
“After decades of slow change, the North American cattle and beef industries are undergoing rapid transition,” said Pete Anderson, director of research for Midwest PMS, at the event that drew more than 200 at the two locations.
In the last 25 years, the use of expected progeny differences (EPDs) have allowed Angus birth-weight trends to remain flat while growth continued upward, Anderson noted.
Quality improved at the same time, but that had to mean more than just grading Choice.
Continue reading the Angus Media article online.
NFU Condemns Bayer/Monsanto Deal
In response to the Sept. 14 announcement of a $66 billion merger deal between Bayer AG and Monsanto Co., National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement:
“Consolidation of this magnitude cannot be the standard for agriculture, nor should we allow it to determine the landscape for our future. The merger between Bayer and Monsanto marks the fifth major deal in agriculture in the last year…
“For the last several days our family farm and ranch members have been on Capitol Hill asking members of Congress to conduct hearings to review the staggering amount of pending merger deals in agriculture today. We will continue to express concern that these megadeals are being made to benefit the corporate boardrooms at the expense of family farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural economies.”
Read more in the NFU release online.
Texas Tech Forms College of Veterinary Medicine Steering Committee
When first announcing plans to develop a College of Veterinary Medicine, the Texas Tech University System vowed to work with partners and colleagues outside of the institution. Building an innovative and transformative model for veterinary medicine from the ground up involves a collaborative approach, and a project this size cannot happen without the support of veterinarians and community and industry leaders.
Honoring this promise, the Texas Tech University System has created a steering committee for its proposed College of Veterinary Medicine, which will be housed at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center campus in Amarillo.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized in a report released in July the need for an innovative, non-traditional veterinary school in Texas that could address the critical shortage of large animal and rural veterinarians and the implications this shortage will have on the food supply.
For more information, please read the full release.
Forum Highlights Industry Issues, Ignites Discussion
The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) concluded its annual meeting this weekend, in conjunction with the inaugural Cattle Producer’s Forum. More than 200 producers made their way to Billings, Mont., for the event which featured panel discussions on issues facing the U.S. cattle industry.
Amongst the topics discussed were next generation producers and consumers, trade, and market volatility.
Outgoing USCA President Danni Beer commented on the inaugural event, “In today’s industry, it is becoming more important than ever for industry stakeholders to sit down and have these discussions. The representation of industry groups and representatives present at the Forum was impressive. On behalf of USCA, I want to thank all of our speakers, sponsors and co-hosts for making the event such a success.”
Read more in the full release.
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