Copyright © 2015
Angus Journal

News Update

February 8, 2017

Putting Preg-check Results to Work

The day you pregnancy-check is one of the most important days on the ranch, as it is the day when we find out which cows are pregnant and how many calves we can expect come calving season.

So now that the veterinarian has left the yard and the open cows are sorted off, what’s next? Before throwing the preg-check list on the dashboard, never to be looked at again, try to reflect on the results.

Take some time to sort through them to uncover valuable information to assist with breeding-season management and what to expect for the upcoming calving season.

First, start by finding the following information:

• Number of cows at the start of breeding season,
• Start and end dates of breeding season,
• Cow death loss, culls and non-breeders.

Continue reading in the Angus Media news article online.

— Adapted from an article by Taylor Grussing, South Dakota State University Extension.

Food & Ag Groups Send Letter in Support of Asia Trade

A total of 87 organizations and companies from the food and agriculture sector, which supports more than 15 million jobs nationally, sent President Donald Trump a letter this week highlighting the importance of trade with countries in the Asia-Pacific region and the industry’s interest in working with the administration to build strong trade relationships with the world’s largest market for food and agriculture.

“Reducing and eliminating tariffs and other restrictive agricultural policies in this region will help American workers in our sector compete, creating an opportunity to supply Asian markets with high-quality food and agricultural goods,” the letter says.

“We hope your Administration will create such opportunities for our sector by deepening U.S. economic engagement in this critical region while responding to the Asia-only regional trade agreements being negotiated by our foreign competitors.”

For more information, view the news release online.

— Adapted from a release by U.S. Food and Agriculture Dialogue for Trade.

In the Cattle Markets

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) annual crop production report showed significant revisions to its estimate of hay acres harvested in 2016.

Changes from the October crop report indicated a 7% (1.2-million-acre) reduction in the number of alfalfa acres harvested and a 4% (1.5-million-acre) reduction in all other hay acres harvested. Final acres showed South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa having more than 200,000 acres taken out of alfalfa production. North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Missouri and Kentucky all had declines of 100,000 acres or more in other hay acreage categories.

New alfalfa seedlings for the 2017-2018 marketing year are also continuing the long-term trend downward, posting an 11% year-over-year decrease. Despite large acreage revisions, Dec. 1 hay stocks moved up slightly relative to last year by 1%, and production was unchanged from last year.

Read more in the Angus Media news article online.

— Adapted from an article by Katelyn McCullock, American Farm Bureau Federation.

Win Registration to 2017 Animal
Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit

The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced Feb. 8 that farmers and ranchers who advocate for animal agriculture are eligible to win a free registration to the 2017 Stakeholders Summit.

The 2017 Summit, themed “Connect to Protect Animal Ag” will be hosted May 3-4 in Kansas City, Mo. The conference will build on the 2016 Summit’s focus of taking action to secure a bright future for animal agriculture. Speakers will give the audience actionable solutions to take home and implement on their farm or in their business.

Free registrations will be awarded to the top entries in two different competitions — a blog contest and a photo contest. Discount registrations will be offered to the second and third place entries.

For more information, view the Alliance news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the Animal Agriculture Alliance.

USCA Sends Letter of Support for Congressman Ryan Zinke

United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) President Kenny Graner penned a letter of support for Congressman Ryan Zinke to be appointed to the position of Secretary of the Interior.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved President Trump’s nominee for the position of the Secretary of the Interior by a vote of 16-6 on Jan. 31. Rep. Zinke will now go before the full Senate, where a confirmation vote will likely take place in the weeks ahead.

In the letter, USCA President Graner outlines USCA’s support for Congressman Zinke:

“U.S. cattle producers are one of many vested stakeholders and users of our country’s public lands. The U.S. livestock industry requires a voice that will balance the needs of both U.S. ranchers and the natural resources at hand. Through his previous seat on the House Committee on Natural Resources, Rep. Zinke will seamlessly fit this role.”

Read the complete letter online.

— Adapted from a release by the United States Cattlemen’s Association.

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

 
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