On the heels of what was one of the driest years on record in several major beef producing states, the results of the USDA’s January 1 cattle-inventory report were expected. The report, released on January 27 shows that as of January 1, 2012 all cattle and calves in the United States totaled 90.8 million head – a low unrivaled since 1952 when the cattle-inventory totaled only 88.1 million head. Beef replacement heifers, however, were up 1 percent from the 2011 report, indicating a re-stocking trend by producers with ample forage supplies. To view the report in its entirety visit http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1017
The Open Space and Mountain Parks Department of Boulder, CO is currently working on plans to create a new natural beef brand which is expected to include the city’s name. The department is considering converting 200 of its 14,000 acres, currently leased to local farmers and ranchers, to execute the city’s “farm-to-table” vision for the beef brand.
Producers interested in learning how to take full advantage of alfalfa production and use of the commodity for forage are invited to attend the upcoming Kentucky Alfalfa Conference. The event will feature an alfalfa farmer panel and discussions regarding Roundup Ready varieties' performance, marketing, Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Hay Testing Program, alfalfa seed coating, National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance, the role of alfalfa in horse diets, role of the forage in beef diets. For more information on the conference, visit www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage.
- by Loretta Sorenson
- Photo by Malloree Barnes
Injecting vaccine into a calf doesn’t necessarily mean the animal receives maximum protection from disease. At numerous points between when the vaccine leaves the supplier and when it enters the animal, quality and effectiveness of the shot can be reduced if it’s not handled carefully. Terry Todd, licensed veterinarian and Cohagen, MT, rancher says compromised vaccine can’t stimulate the necessary level of antigens in an animal.
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- by Dr. Arn Anderson, DVM
At the end of the summer our health insurance company decided that it was time for me to take another physical exam and a set of screening tests. After my required procrastination, denial and good intentions to make an appointment, my wife took over and arranged a physical exam at our local human clinic.
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- Photo by Jeffrey Banke / Dreamstime
Effective soil management is key to producing high quality alfalfa. That’s the message long-time journalist and researcher Harold Willis brings out in the booklet he authored, How to Grow Great Alfalfa. The 47-page, 6x9 booklet contains a number of black and white photos and outlines the steps involved in establishing a highly nutritious and productive alfalfa stand.
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Love That New Cattleguard
- by Jennifer Showalter
Photo from Powder River Livestock Handling Equipment
Powder River cattleguards are designed to meet the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications. The strongest models are built to handle up to 30 tons per axle.
Opening and closing a gate from time to time is no sweat off any rancher’s back. It’s when the same gate has to be gone through over and over that it becomes more trouble than it’s worth. With this in mind, every rancher has a cow or two that seems to be able to smell an open gate and won’t let anyone slide by without closing the gate each and every time.
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Process Verified Program, that is
- by Merridee Wells
- Photo by Sage Pool
Process Verified Programs, or PVP’s as they are commonly called, are another of the many new-fangled phrases which are becoming commonplace in our cattle industry today. Breed associations draw them like a gun while marketing programs dazzle you with their PVP requirements and the auction companies brag on their value-added benefits.
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Make sure your cows are nutritionally ready
- by Gilda V. Bryant
- photo by Lucie Wiese
Minerals are important for herd health, reproduction and efficiency during winter. However, that is only part of the picture. Extra protein and energy are vital during cold, wet weather. Producers should also be aware of forage and by-product supplementation quality, as well as body condition scores.
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