Breeding Systems Debated
BIF symposium discusses pros and cons of straight-breeding,
crossbreeding in a commercial setting.
Nearly 500 cattle industry stakeholders met in Oklahoma City, Okla., June 12-15 for the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) 45th Annual Research Symposium and Convention. Themed “Where Profit and Progress Intersect,” this year’s opening general session featured the current debate on whether commercial cattlemen should use crossbreeding or straight-breeding programs.
“I’m a friend to any producer who has a reasonable breeding plan and sticks to it, whether it is a crossbreeding plan or a straight-breeding plan,” said Tom Brink, president of JBS Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, as he explained breeding programs from the cattle feeder’s perspective.
Cattle bred without a plan for quality are a cattle feeder’s biggest problem. He said that 70%-80% of all packer profits come from value-added beef premiums. Commodity beef is essentially a breakeven exercise. Read more.
Forage Crop Insurance Deadline Approaching
Livestock producers have until July 15 to insure for the fall growing season.
Livestock producers considering adding a layer of protection against drought loss on annual forage crops have an insurance deadline ahead, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist.
The Rainfall Index – Annual Forage insurance plan, referred to as RI-AF, is a risk policy designed to provide livestock producers the ability to buy protection against losses due to a lack of moisture, said DeDe Jones, AgriLife Extension risk management specialist in Amarillo. Read more.
Richard Dyar
Association Perspective
Just ask.
As suppliers of genetics (bulls) to commercial cattlemen, we at the American Angus Association and our membership of registered-Angus breeders realize and accept the responsibility and opportunity this relationship provides.
When addressing commercial cattlemen, I encourage them to ask their Angus genetic supplier (the Angus breeder) for all the information and genetic needs that they deem important to their individual operation. Then just ask your Angus breeder for recommendations and documentation as to which bulls in their inventory meet your needs. Angus breeders work hard to collect individual birth weights, weaning weights, yearling weights, breeding records, ultrasound, DNA analysis and more to provide this information to their commercial customers. Read more.
Angus Along the Hudson
This year's National Angus Conference & Tour highlights rural New York.
Scheduled for Aug. 28-30, this year's National Angus Conference & Tour, “Angus Along the Hudson,” will be headquartered out of Albany, N.Y., and includes trips to upstate New York and historical locales.
“We can't ask for better scenery during the 2013 NAC&T,” says Shelia Stannard, former American Angus Association director of activities and events. “Rural New York is beautiful, and when you add Angus cattle dotting the skyline, it's breathtaking.”
The conference will focus on consumers and business. In an area full of consumers who ask more questions about where their food comes from, conference attendees will hear about advocating and transparency, marketing genetics and end products, the business side of beef, preparing for the future and more. Read more.
House Fails to Approve 2013 Farm Bill
Industry organizations vent their frustration.
The U.S. House of Representatives, in a 195-234 vote June 20, failed to pass H.R. 1947: The Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, known as the Farm Bill. Many individuals and ag groups made their disapproval known shortly after the vote was made.
“On this day, on this vote, the House worked its will,” said Frank Lucas, R-Okla., U.S. House Agriculture Committee chairman. “I’m obviously disappointed, but the reforms in H.R. 1947 — $40 billion in deficit reduction, elimination of direct payments and the first reforms to SNAP since 1996 — are so important that we must continue to pursue them. We are assessing all of our options, but I have no doubt that we will finish our work in the near future and provide the certainty that our farmers, ranchers and rural constituents need.” Read more.
What’s Inside …
In this June edition of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, you'll find valuable articles devoted to the management, marketing, and health and nutrition of your beef enterprise. Select from the tabs at the top of the page to access this month's entire offering by category. A few select features include:
- Conditioning Tips for Superior Hay Quality
- Summer Annuals Offer Forage Option
- Ridin’ Herd: Provide plenty of clean, safe water.
- Pinkeye Is A Common Summer Problem
- Pick Your Favorite Photos
- In the Cattle Markets: USDA reports June estimates.
- Cattle Outlook:
Ag economists offer June 14 outlook.
News Briefs …
The American Angus Association and its subsidiaries generate a wealth of information to keep members and affiliates informed of what's happening within the industry as well as with the programs and services they offer. Click here for easy access to the newsrooms of the American Angus Association and Certified Angus Beef LLC and the Angus Journal Daily archive recently made available in the API Virtual Library.
Where’s the Beef?
As the first lady and Epicurious announce winning recipes in the nationwide “Healthy Lunchtime Challenge,” one has to wonder, where’s the beef among these winners.
First Lady Michelle Obama, Epicurious, the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture June 20 announced the winners of a nationwide recipe challenge to promote healthy lunches as part of the first lady’s Let’s Move! initiative.
The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ “State Dinner” will recognize 54 winners, representing all U.S. states, three territories and the District of Columbia, who will attend a Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House hosted by the first lady July 9. The group will join the first lady for lunch, featuring a selection of the winning recipes, followed by a visit to the White House kitchen garden.
“Our Kids’ State Dinner is one of my favorite events of the year, and the kid chefs who come from around the country never cease to impress and inspire me with their creativity and ingenuity,” said Obama. Read more.
Allergy Meds Could Affect Your Driving
If you can literally write your name in pollen on the windshield of your car, you know it’s allergy season again.
When your body comes into contact with whatever triggers your allergy — pollen, ragweed, pet dander or dust mites, for example — it produces chemicals called histamines. Histamines cause the tissue in your nose to swell (making it feel stuffy), your nose and eyes to run, and your eyes to itch. Some people develop itchy skin rashes known as hives.
Medications containing antihistamines, drugs that counteract the effect of histamines, can help relieve many different types of allergies, including hay fever and food allergies.
Some antihistamines can make you feel drowsy, unfocused and slow to react. Read more.
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