News Update
December 19, 2017
Reproduction Founding Principles
In an opening presentation to the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) symposium hosted Aug. 29-30 in Manhattan, Kan., Kansas State University (K-State) animal scientist Jeffrey Stevenson talked about the physiology of the estrous cycle. He said the application of artificial insemination (AI) in beef breeding herds has become much more practical due to advancements in timed-AI (TAI) programs. However, Stevenson also noted that an understanding of the limitations of methods used to control the estrous cycle leads to more uniform and consistent pregnancy outcomes.
According to Stevenson, once the bovine female reaches puberty, she begins to experience estrous cycles — each being approximately 21-22 days in length — which continue unless interrupted by pregnancy. The cyclicity of estrous is attributed to repeated changes in the development of ovarian follicles, ovulation (release of an ovum or egg) and formation of a corpus luteum (CL) — all of which are controlled by the interactions of various hormones.
Ovulation generally occurs 24-30 hours after the onset of estrus, that period during the cycle when the female is receptive to mating.
Continue reading this Angus Journal article online.
The National Western Stock Show is Hiring
for the 2018 Stock Show
The National Western Stock Show will host the annual job fair to hire more than 400 seasonal positions for the 2018 National Western Stock Show. The job fair is Tuesday, Dec. 19 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the National Western Complex. The iconic stock show is seeking friendly and hard-working people who want to be part of this 112-year-old Colorado tradition.
Stock Show positions include building maintenance, ticketing, tack and feed, janitorial, parking services, and guest relations. Several departments operate outdoors, regardless of weather and shifts run 8-12 hours a day for the 16 days of Stock Show. “This is an exciting time for the Stock Show as we celebrate 112 years, and we can’t do it without the fabulous team of seasonal employees,” said Debbie Rogers, human resources manager and employment office manager.
These are hourly positions with wages starting at $10.20 and higher, depending on job and skill level. Positions are seasonal (temporary) and run the duration of the Stock Show. Valid ID and additional documentation for I-9 verification is required.
Learn more in the release online.
First Defense Tri-Shield USDA-approved for Rotavirus
ImmuCell introduces First Defense® Tri-Shield™, a first of its kind USDA-approved scours preventative for all three primary scours-causing pathogens in newborn calves: rotavirus, coronavirus and K99+ E. coli.
The new product combines the E. coli and coronavirus antibodies contained in ImmuCell’s legacy product, First Defense, with a guaranteed level of rotavirus antibodies.
“This is a game changer,” says Bobbi Brockmann, vice president of sales and marketing with ImmuCell. “First Defense Tri-Shield breaks the mold when it comes to scours protection, providing an alternative to the traditional calf- or dam-level vaccinations.”
Administered orally in a single-dose gel tube, the new product eliminates the need for calf- or dam-level scours vaccinations.
“No scour vaccine means the calf can save its energy for what’s important — growth — instead of diverting energy away to mount a vaccine immune response. Eliminating dam vaccination(s) means less stress on the cow, increases the response rate to critical vaccines and clears room in the vaccination schedule,” says Brockmann. “First Defense Tri-Shield offers the industry an opportunity to go beyond vaccination, providing a better way to protect calves from scours.”
For more information, visit firstdefensecalfhealth.com.
Agreement on Plans to Merge Koepon & CRI
The boards of directors of Koepon Holding BV and Cooperative Resources International (CRI) have reached agreement on a plan to merge their organizations. The agreement is non-binding, and subject to due diligence and other customary conditions, including receipt of requisite governmental and other consents and approvals. Once completed, final agreement will be conditional upon approval by both boards of directors, as well as the delegates of CRI. If successful, the organizations plan to formalize the merger by mid-2018.
Both Koepon and CRI, through Alta Genetics and Genex, are global providers of bovine genetics and related services. Similarly, Koepon and CRI subsidiaries, Valley Ag Software and AgSource, provide herd management and information services to dairy producers. Koepon and CRI also have other businesses centered around services and products for agricultural producers. Koepon is privately owned, and CRI is cooperatively owned by its farmer-members. CRI cooperative operations will be maintained as part of the merged entity. The new organization will be incorporated and headquartered in Wisconsin.
Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic set Jan. 5 in Cameron
The 37th annual Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic will be Jan. 5 at the Milam County Youth Exposition Building, 301 S. Houston St. in Cameron.
The program is presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Milam, Robertson, Bell, Burleson, Falls and Williamson counties.
Registration will be from 7:30-8:30 a.m. with presentations to begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m.
Three hours of Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units — one integrated pest management and two general — are offered for pesticide applicators license holders.
The cost is $20, and lunch is included. Attendees should RSVP to the AgriLife Extension office in Williamson County at 512-943-3300 or in Milam County at 254-697-7045 by Jan. 3 to ensure an accurate meal count.
“Beef cattle production has faced its share of challenges over the last five years with drought, feed costs and input costs,” said Floyd Ingram, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, Milam County. “Beef prices, which previously had hit the highest they’ve ever been, have been on a steady decline over the past two years and have now become some of the lowest in many years.
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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