News Update
November 27, 2017
Transportation Training Available
The checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program has launched a new training and certification program for cattle transportation. The program, known as Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT), provides cattle producers and haulers with comprehensive training based on their roles in the cattle industry. Online training will be made available beginning immediately, and in-person training opportunities will begin soon.
“The BQA Transportation training and certification program has been a long time coming,” said Chase DeCoite, director of Beef Quality Assurance for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the beef checkoff. “By educating cattle haulers and producers on the best practices in cattle transportation, BQA is helping make improvements in cattle care and beef quality. Participating in BQA Transportation will be an indicator that the beef and dairy industries are committed to responsible animal care during transportation and makes both the BQA and dairy FARM animal care programs more complete.”
The BQA program was first funded by the beef checkoff in the early 1990s and developed its first guidance on transportation in 2006.
Continue reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Cattle Grading After Camera Recalibration
As we noted in our report on Oct. 31 USDA implemented some changes to quality grading equipment at the end of October and the impact from this change has been notable. Before we review the results from recent reports, it should be noted that the recalibration impacted only the new camera systems that were put in place during the summer months. It is our understanding that the changes impacted camera grading systems in nine packing facilities.
Where does one get the grading information and what does recent data say? USDA publishes on Monday of each week (around noon Central), the results of cattle grading two weeks prior. The latest report was published Nov. 20, and it reported quality grading results for the week ending Nov. 10. The numbers are presented as a percentage of the total number of cattle presented for grading. The charts to the right put the latest grading numbers in context. There has been a very sharp decline in the percentage of cattle grading Choice and a similar increase in the number of cattle graded Select.
Read the full report online at www.dailylivestockreport.com.
Range and Pasture Workshop set Dec. 11 in Sonora
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the dual county Range and Pasture Workshop Dec. 11 at the Sutton County Civic Center, 1700 N. Crockett Ave. in Sonora.
The workshop, conducted by the AgriLife Extension offices in Sutton and Edwards counties, will open with registration at 8:30 a.m. with the program to follow from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Registration is $15 by Dec. 7 and $25 thereafter. The fees include program materials, lunch and refreshments during the breaks. To preregister and for more information, call the AgriLife Extension office in Sutton County at 325-387-3101.
“This workshop will be chock-full of information producers need now to help them with their management decisions in the coming months,” said Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent in Sutton County. “As the calendar winds down, we’ll take this opportunity to see what the pros say about grain prices for the current year and take a peek at what weather we may have in store for next year. Our producers can be better prepared for what feed costs will be and how to best manage their livestock if we can give them an idea of what rainfall models are predicting.
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
Farm Policy, New Commodity Innovations,
Trends Highlight BIG Conference Jan. 10-11
An update on current farm bill policy, as well as presentations on drone technology, maintaining a healthy beef cattle herd, plus a number of issues and trends affecting production agriculture will be discussed at the 56th Blackland Income Growth (BIG) Conference Jan. 10-11 at the Extraco Events Center, 4601 Bosque Blvd. in Waco.
Joe Outlaw, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and AgriLife Extension economist in College Station, will be the keynote luncheon speaker Jan. 10. Outlaw frequently interacts with members of Congress and key agricultural committee staff to provide feedback on the likely consequences of agricultural policy change.
“The BIG Conference features a number of commodity sessions including beef, horse, horticulture, cotton, grain, rural land management, forage and wildlife designed to help producers improve profitability and enhance stewardship practices,” said Bill Foshea, conference chair and Ellis County agriculture producer.
Jan. 10 registration, which includes lunch, is $25 at the door and includes commodity sessions covering beef, cotton, forage, grain, horse, rural land management and wildlife.
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
AgriLife Extension Offers Grazing Management Webinar Dec. 7
“Grazing with a purpose — Managing for what you Want!” is the title of the Dec. 7 natural resources webinar conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service ecosystem science and management unit.
The webinar is a part of the Texas Range Webinar Series scheduled for the first Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m., said Pete Flores, AgriLife Extension webinar coordinator in Corpus Christi.
Tim Steffens, AgriLife Extension range specialist and West Texas A&M University department of agricultural sciences assistant professor, Canyon, will be the presenter.
“We will discuss some reasons to manage when, where, how many, how often and how long animals use different parts of the landscape,” Steffens said. “I’ll also provide some examples of how grazing can be adaptively applied in different situations to achieve desired outcomes that may complement other vegetation management actions like herbicides and fire.”
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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