News Update
September 22, 2017
Don’t Blame the Calves
Things aren’t always what they seem.
It’s no secret, marbling in harvested fed cattle declines from late February to early May each year. That coincides with a seasonal switch from yearlings to calf-feds in the harvest mix, which often gets the blame.
Yet, recent data from the University of Minnesota (UMN) suggests we should reconsider the blame game; or, at the very least, not let it deter cattlemen from feeding calves a high-energy diet (calf-feds).
“It’s interesting that perception is out there, given there’s knowledge that calf-feds actually marble better,” says UMN animal scientist Alfredo DiCostanzo.
He and doctoral graduate student Haley Johnson’s meta-analysis of 32 studies on the effects of prefinishing strategy (backgrounding or stockering) on feedlot and carcass performance leaves little room for the long-held belief. Today’s economic conditions, beef genetics and value-based markets certainly favor a calf-fed approach.
Still, thanks to that seasonal pattern, “the opinion is engrained in our business,” says Paul Dykstra, beef cattle specialist for the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand. He’s glad to see a summarizing study on calf-fed marbling, “because there’s no doubt they can do it.”
Continue reading this Angus Media news article online.
Commissioner Black and Secretary Perdue
Assess Damage from Hurricane Irma
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to survey the damage to pecan and row crops from Hurricane Irma late last week. The tour included operations in Peach, Berrien and Colquitt counties.
Pecans were one of the hardest hit commodities with an expected 30% loss statewide. The main concern for the industry long-term is tree loss, with many farmers reporting a loss of more than 5,000 mature trees.
“These losses are much bigger and greater than just this one crop year,” Black said. “Our farmers will certainly feel an immediate impact to their bottom line, but the greater concern is the generational impact. These pecan trees are not something you can replant next year and turn around and harvest. You are looking at least a seven-year gap from input to output.”
Purdue and Black also assessed damage to fall vegetables and cotton. Early damage assessments for cotton currently stand at approximately 10%; however, those estimates could rise. In many cases the winds from Irma twisted or tangled the cotton, which could lead to issues of boll rot and make it much harder to extract clean lint during the ginning process.
Learn more in the full Georgia news release online.
Livestock Slaughter Report
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.63 billion pounds (lb.) in August, up 4% from the 4.43 billion lb. produced in August 2016.
Beef production, at 2.40 billion lb., was 6% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.94 million head, up 7% from August 2016. The average live weight was down 7 lb. from the previous year, at 1,345 lb.
Veal production totaled 6.4 million lb., 5% above August a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 46,200 head, up 13% from August 2016. The average live weight was down 17 lb. from last year, at 238 lb.
Pork production totaled 2.21 billion lb., up 3% from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.7 million head, up 3% from August 2016. The average live weight was up 2 lb. from the previous year, at 278 lb.
Lamb and mutton production, at 12.8 million lb., was up 2% from August 2016. Sheep slaughter totaled 194,100 head, slightly above last year. The average live weight was 132 lb., up 2 lb. from August a year ago.
Read the full National Agricultural Statistics Service report online.
Cattlemen Foundation Scholarship —
More than 20 $1,000 Scholarships Up for Grabs
Since 1997, Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation (MCF) has awarded hundreds of students with more than $500,000 in scholarship funds. The scholarship program is open to graduating high school seniors and current college students. MCF will award more than 20 scholarships in 2018 at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention Jan. 5-7 in Columbia, Mo. MCF Chairperson Teresa Carlson said empowering youth is the primary focus of the foundation.
“From farm-safety education events to assisting disabled children to scholarships, youth empowerment is our top priority,” said Carlson.
Scholarship applicants must be a Missouri resident and a current paid member of the Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Association or the parent/legal guardian must be a current paid member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA). MCA President Butch Meier said keeping young people engaged in agriculture is essential.
“The average age of a farmer or rancher in Missouri is nearing 60 years old. We must repopulate the land with new faces,” said Meier. “A scholarship is more than just dollars. It’s an investment in our future.”
The deadline for MCF scholarships is Sept. 30.
For more information, please visit the MCA website.
Cow Country Congress set Oct. 13 at
Santa Rosa Ranch in Crockett
Global trade impacts, herbicide and forage management, bull selection and winter feeding strategies will be the featured topics at Cow Country Congress scheduled Oct. 13 at Santa Rosa Ranch in Crockett.
The event is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Santa Rosa Ranch and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
The event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the program will conclude by 5 p.m.
Topics and speakers include:
- ranch history, Gerald Sullivan and Kelley Sullivan, co-owners, and Randy Parten;
- herbicide and forage program, Vanessa Corriher-Olsen, AgriLife Extension forage specialist, Overton;
- (invited) Legislative update, State Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin;
- (invited) State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville;
- global trade impacts, John Porter, legislative director for U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Conroe; and
- global trade impacts and meat choices, Jeff Savell, Texas A&M University Distinguished Professor and E.M. “Manny” Rosenthal, chairholder in the department of animal science, College Station.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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