News Update
March 09, 2018
Important Angus Election Information: Check Voting Eligibility Before April 8
According to Association bylaws, only eligible voting members can nominate, be nominated, vote or be elected in the annual election of delegates. In order to participate in the electoral process and other business during the 135th Annual Meeting of Delegates, a member must be considered an eligible voting member and must meet all of the following requirements by 4:30 p.m. CDT on April 6:
- Active regular or life membership (dues paid in full)
- 18 years of age or older
- Registered at least one animal or completed at least $250 of business with the Association or Angus Genetics Inc. within the preceding 12 months from when the nomination period begins (from April 10, 2017, to April 6, 2018)
The nomination period for 2018 begins April 9; therefore, above criteria must be met by the end of the previous business day, Friday, April 6. It is encouraged to submit all necessary requirements with enough time for completion prior to April 6.
The American Angus Association will mail delegate nomination forms only to active regular and life members who qualify as eligible voting members prior to 4:30 p.m. CDT on April 6.
Read this Angus release online.
.Select Your Trace Mineral Source to Maximize Vitamin Activity
When it comes to maximizing vitamin activity in animal rations, not all trace minerals are the same. Research has shown that different trace mineral forms can have dissimilar effects on both vitamin retention and stability. Choice of trace mineral form can also impact nutrition levels supplied to the animal.
“Despite recent shortages and price spikes for vitamins A and E, there is a limit to how much producers can prudently decrease vitamin levels to save cost,” says Terry Ward, global director, research & nutritional services, Zinpro Corp. “Water-soluble vitamins cannot be effectively stored in the body and need to be supplemented daily. However, fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body for a certain period, and a reduction in these vitamins in a balanced diet might be considered for a short period with some animals if managed carefully.”
Vitamins A (known as retinol) and E, in addition to vitamin D3, are common examples of fat-soluble vitamins in animal diets. Each plays a critical role in optimal immune function — thus a reduction in their use, or in their viability in a feed formulation, could put animals at greater risk of infection and disease.
Learn more in the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Tips for Using Clostridial Vaccines
Clostridial vaccines, also commonly referred to as “seven-way” or “eight-way” vaccines, are primarily administered to calves to prevent blackleg, malignant edema and redwater. All of these diseases can cause rapid death of affected cattle.
During a Cattlemen’s College® session at the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., Victor Cortese offered tips to ensure efficacy of clostridial vaccinations in cattle. Cortese is a veterinarian and director of cattle and equine immunology for Zoetis.
He suggested vaccinating the pregnant cow is ideal, so the newborn calf can gain early protection via colostrum. Ideally, Cortese advised, administer a clostridial vaccine 4-11 weeks prior to calving to allow the cow to respond to the vaccine and the protection to be passed through her colostrum.
“Six to nine weeks prior to calving is the optimum time, and that coincides with administration of other scours vaccines,” he pointed out.
Because clostridial spores are always present in the soil, Cortese suggested minimizing overgrazing can help prevent cattle from picking up the spores into their system. Additionally, because the clostridial organisms are commonly picked up in grazing, the ideal time to vaccinate or booster calves and cows is typically in late spring or early summer.
Read this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Drought Requires Immediate Action
Farmers and ranchers in the Southern Great Plains are in a drought with conditions worsening since November.
As drought conditions continue, farmers and ranchers should consider taking immediate steps, such as buying hay while it is still available and culling cows, to help mitigate further impacts to their operations.
While the drought affects many of the contiguous states, the states experiencing the worst conditions are Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and Kansas. According to the current U.S. Drought Monitor, the entire state of Oklahoma is in at least a severe drought; more than 80% of the state is considered either in a severe or extreme drought. South of the Red River, 90% of Texas is in some level of drought, from abnormally dry to extreme drought.
“Producers need to have contingency plans in place now to help decision-making easier as we move through the spring,” says Hugh Aljoe, director of producer relations. “Even with rain in the short-term forecast, we are expecting the conditions to worsen through the spring.”
Noble agricultural consultants advise producers to immediately assess water and forage sources.
Continue reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
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