Worth the Weight
A K-State livestock economist discusses value of gain projections for feeder cattle, nationwide beef herd expansion.
The current environment for the beef industry includes a limited supply of feeder cattle and stable consumer demand for beef, said Glynn Tonsor, livestock economist for Kansas State University (K-State). The environment is driving record-high prices for cattle.
Many producers and commercial stockers are likely debating the best time to buy and sell calves. Tonsor said those who have the feed resources available should consider putting extra weight on the calves prior to selling. Read more.
Terry Cotton
Association Perspective
Origins and opportunities.
What a time it has been for me! April 30 was my last day as general manager of Angus Productions Inc. (API), the for-profit subsidiary of the American Angus Association that publishes the magazines and provides marketing outlets to its members. I have served in that position since 1986 and, boy, have we been through many changes — both within the walls of the Angus Association and, more importantly, within the commercial Angus business.
The Angus Beef Bulletin paper copy opened up its pages to advertising back in 1989. It showcased Angus breeders and their breeding programs for you, the commercial producer. The expected progeny difference (EPD) system was in its infancy, with mainly milk and birth weight EPDs. You embraced them, and now it has evolved into the industry’s most comprehensive database for beef production. Read more.
Ag Census 2012 Summary
Comparison of the 2007 and 2012 censuses may prove the beginning of a fundamental shift in U.S. agriculture and beef cattle production.
USDA released the 2012 Census of Agriculture May 2, providing a long-term view of the structure of agricultural industries. The most recent census is particularly interesting, and a comparison of the 2007 and 2012 censuses illustrates the beginnings of a unique and fundamental shift in U.S. agriculture that is likely to continue for several more years. Read more.
Association Hires One, Promotes Four
Mafi hired; Kurtz, Stallo, Upperman and Mitchell receive new titles, expanded responsibilities.
The American Angus Association announces the hiring of a regional manager and promotion of four of its internal staff. Jeff Mafi will serve the states of Kansas and Oklahoma as regional manager. Ginette Kurtz is the director of commercial programs. Chris Stallo is now vice president of operations and will lead the Association’s membership operations. Jaclyn Upperman is named director of events and education. Ashley Mitchell is the breed organization’s new assistant director of events and education. Read more.
Prairie Chicken Conservation
USDA and Interior Department green-light conservation practices for farmers, ranchers and landowners in five lesser prairie-chicken states.
The USDA and the Department of the Interior announced that farmers, ranchers and landowners implementing Farm Service Agency (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practices intended to protect and increase lesser prairie-chicken populations will not be subject to additional regulations as a result of the species’ listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Producers participating in CRP in lesser prairie-chicken states (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico) are planting native grasses and vegetation that will enhance nesting and brooding habitats and taking other steps to help restore the declining lesser prairie-chicken population. This announcement provides that producers who voluntarily engage in practices to protect the lesser prairie-chicken will not be subject to additional regulations related to protecting the species. Read more.
What’s Inside …
In this May 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:
- Muddy Pens Decrease Gains
- It’s Haymaking Season
- Risk Increased For Hardware Disease, Blackleg
- Feed Cattle, Not Parasites
- In the Cattle Markets: Summer stocker cattle returns
- From ‘Happy Accidents’ to Intentional Beef Quality
- The Source: Marketing with DNA
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.
Farm Values Dip
Saint Louis Fed ag survey shows farmland prices down for first quarter of 2014.
Farm income declined in the first quarter of 2014 (Q1 2014) relative to a year earlier, according to the latest Agricultural Finance Monitor, a newsletter published quarterly by the Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis. However, the decline appears less severe than respondents expected according to a previous survey.
The survey for the report was conducted March 17-March 31, 2014. The results are based on the responses from 49 ag banks within the boundaries of the Eighth Federal Reserve District. The district comprises all or parts of seven states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.
Quality farmland prices fell slightly in Q1, a reversal of the gain reported in Q4 2013. Despite the decline, farmland prices still measured 7.5% higher compared to levels reported a year earlier. According to the survey, a majority of ag bankers continue to expect farm income and farmland values to decline during the next three months compared with year-earlier levels. Read more.
Click It or Ticket
Pickup drivers among the half who do not wear seat belts.
While nine out of 10 Texans buckle up, too many drivers and passengers continue to risk injury or death by not using seat belts, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
“According to the Texas Department of Transportation, of all people killed in vehicles in Texas last year, nearly half were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash,” said Bev Kellner, AgriLife Extension program manager for passenger safety, College Station. “Since pickups are so popular in Texas, it’s important to note almost half of the pickup truck drivers killed in crashes last year were among those not wearing a seat belt.”
Read more.
[Click here to go to the top of the page.]