News Update
March 07, 2018
Lengthy, Difficult Births Adversely
Affect Newborn Calves
Calves born after a prolonged, difficult birth are at a high risk of failing to receive adequate colostrum by natural suckling because of greatly decreased colostrum intake. Calves failing to receive adequate colostrum in a timely manner are more prone to diseases such as scours and respiratory diseases later in life. Calves that are born to a prolonged Stage 2 of parturition very often suffer from severe respiratory acidosis. Stage 2 is defined as the period of labor from first appearance of the water bag until the calf is completely expelled and on the ground.
The respiratory acidosis occurs as the umbilical cord is pinched off at the pelvic rim during delivery. Therefore, the flow of oxygen from mother to calf and the return of carbon dioxide from calf to mother is impaired. The buildup of carbon dioxide and its byproduct, lactic acid, in the blood of the newborn causes the blood pH of the calf to be lowered; therefore, the calf suffers from acidosis. Severe acidosis and low blood oxygen may cause damage to major organs of the calf, including the brain.
Read this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
USDA to Host Roundtables on Rural Opioid Misuse
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett March 7 announced USDA is hosting a series of monthly roundtables on opioids through the summer.
“The opioid epidemic in rural communities is more than a public health issue,” Hazlett said. “This is a matter of rural prosperity. Opioid misuse is impacting the quality of life and economic well-being in small towns, which is why partnering with rural leaders to address this crisis is critical to the future of rural America.”
Beginning this month, Hazlett will convene regional roundtables to bring together partners in five states to raise awareness and better understand what support rural communities need to address opioid misuse. Key topics will include challenges associated with substance-use disorder; strategies for prevention, treatment and recovery; and how these measures can be replicated to effectively address the epidemic in other rural communities.
Roundtables will be hosted:
To be notified of roundtable event specifics as they become available, subscribe to receive email updates from USDA on rural opioid misuse.
For more information, read the USDA news release online.
Spot Beef Supplies and Forward Sales
Fed-cattle slaughter last week was 482,000 head, 3.5% higher than the previous year. This follows a rather disappointing marketing rate in February, when slaughter numbers fell short of expectations. Between Feb. 4 and Feb. 24, weekly fed-cattle slaughter averaged 458,000 head per week, just 0.9% higher than the same period a year ago.
Expectations were for fed slaughter during those weeks to be around 470, 000-475,000 head. The slower marketings did not appear to have much of an impact on steer weights, which we think by the end of February were around 481-482 pounds (lb.) vs. 478 lb. the same period a year ago. Feedlots appear to be current but the marketing rate needs to pick up as we go into the spring and avoid a buildup of market-ready cattle in late spring and early summer. Packer margins have improved dramatically, which should provide an incentive for packers to pick up the slaughter pace. With spring around the corner both retail and foodservice demand show signs of improvement. Our estimate of the packer gross margin for the past week surged over $300 per head (remember this is gross margin) compared to $189 per head a year ago and $119 for the five-year average.
Read the full report online at www.dailylivestockreport.com.
Multi-county Beef Cattle Reproduction Workshops
Set May 9-10 in Campbellton
A Texas Multi-county Reproduction Management Workshop for Atascosa, Bexar, Frio, Medina and Wilson counties will be May 9 and 10 at Tom Brothers Ranch, 770 County Road 412 in Campbellton, Texas.
The workshop, presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. both days. Each will have the same topics, demonstrations and exercises.
The cost is $15 per person and lunch is included courtesy of Capital Farm Credit.
“Demonstration and exercise supplies will be provided,” said Dale Rankin, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, Atascosa County. “Participation in the workshop will require attendees to bring three to five docile cows that have been exposed to a bull over the past 90 days and possibly one cow that is open.”
Rankin said workshop topics and demonstrations will be presented by Joe Paschal, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Corpus Christi, along with AgriLife Extension agents from participating counties.
Topics will be:
- “Ins and Outs” of Pregnancy Testing,
- “Hands On” Anatomy of a Cow’s Reproductive Tract,
- Rectal Palpation and
- Estrous Synchronization Made Easy.
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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