News Update
March 02, 2018
Dealing with Broken Bones in Calves
Legs are sometimes broken when calves are pulled with improper pressure, says Brandon, S.D., veterinarian Bill Lias of Interstate Vet Clinic. “If we’re not careful when delivering calves during a dystocia, this can be a cause of fracture. Other common causes include being stepped on by the cow or the herd,” he says.
Luckily fractures in young calves heal quickly. The bones are growing fast, so they remodel very effectively, says Lias. On top of that calves are just generally hardy and stoic; they can withstand the pain issues better than a foal, for instance. This also helps their chance for a good recovery.
Location of the fracture is important, however.
“This will dictate how easy or difficult it will be to stabilize the bone. High in the leg is much harder to stabilize than a fracture in the lower leg.”
Continue reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Seventh Round of NAFTA Talks Under Way in Mexico City
With North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiators meeting in Mexico City for the seventh round of talks, media outlets unleashed a flurry of reports assessing progress and potential pitfalls. Here are the three things you need to know:
No. 1. Negotiation status. Media reports suggest negotiators will focus on issues related to automobiles, services and energy, with little word on agriculture. The threat of an imminent United States withdrawal has subsided but tensions remain high following the abrupt cancellation of a proposed meeting between President Trump and President Peña Nieto.
No. 2. Timeline. After the seventh round wraps up on March 5 it is assumed that negotiators will meet again in Washington, D.C., at end of the month. The Mexican presidential elections could complicate the end-of-March timeline to conclude negotiations, but Mexican officials have indicated they will be able to stay at the negotiating table in the lead-up to the election on July 1.
No. 3. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA’s) position. We continue to encourage all NAFTA parties to conclude the talks expeditiously and protect duty-free access for U.S. beef.
Cattlemen Welcome Confirmation
of USTR Chief Agriculture Negotiator
Kent Bacus, NCBA’s Director of International Trade, said in response to the confirmation of Gregg Doud to be the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) chief agriculture negotiator:
“Gregg Doud has been a strong advocate for American farmers and ranchers for many years, and NCBA is happy that the Senate has confirmed him as the chief agricultural negotiator. The long nomination and confirmation process is over and U.S. agriculture finally has the representation we deserve at the negotiating table. We look forward to working with Gregg Doud and the staff at USTR to address the many trade barriers facing the U.S. beef industry.”
Nominations Open for Kentucky
Agricultural Leadership Program
The Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program (KALP) is accepting nominations for Class XII.
KALP, housed in the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is an intensive two-year program designed for young agricultural producers and agribusiness individuals from Kentucky and Tennessee.
“Anyone who wants to be on the cutting edge of decisions that affect agriculture, rural communities and society in the 21st century will benefit greatly from going through this program,” said Will Snell, KALP co-director. “Graduates of the program have gone on to become active leaders in legislative bodies, farm and commodity organizations, agribusinesses and their local communities, which is vital for the future of agriculture in today’s challenging marketplace and policy arena.”
Applicants must be residents of Kentucky or Tennessee, be involved in some phase of agriculture, and be willing and able to commit around 50 days over the two-year period to participate in this premier leadership program. The program dates back to the mid-1980s and was originally called the Philip Morris Agricultural Leadership Program. Philip Morris fully funded the first seven classes.
Learn more in the UK news release online.
K-State Cattlemen's Day Keynote Speaker Doud
Confirmed as Chief Agricultural Negotiator
Kansas State University (K-State) Cattlemen’s Day Keynote Speaker Gregg Doud was approved by the U.S. Senate March 1 as the chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the USTR. Doud kicked off Cattlemen’s Day March 2 by sharing his outlook on trade issues in the beef industry.
For more information, visit the website online.
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