Converting Cropland to Pasture
Make time to plan cropland to pasture conversion.
When corn was $7 per bushel, a lot of farmers converted pasture from grass to row crops. Now, with crop prices much lower and pasture values on the rise, many of those farmers are thinking about putting those acres back into grass.
While converting cropland back to pasture may make economic and environmental sense, and offer the chance to improve your forage system, it does take time and planning, says University of Missouri (MU) Extension forage specialist Rob Kallenbach.
“Deciding you want to change from row crops to perennial grass is not a decision to be made in 30 minutes,” Kallenbach says. Read more.
Radale Tiner
Association Perspective
The power of data.
The power of data. We have all heard this saying over the years, but what exactly does it mean? In my nearly four-year span of being a regional manager for the American Angus Association, I have discovered that many breeders do not fully understand how to take advantage of the data that is available through the AAA Login page, which is available to registered and commercial breeders. I hope to enlighten you on some ways that you can utilize data that is at your fingertips.
One very simple tool that I use in my personal herd is the calving interval data. When you log in, go to your cow inventory and click on a cow’s progeny so you can see all of her progeny. Also on this page, there is a section at the top that automatically figures up that cow’s calving interval in days. Read more.
Heifer Development:
Same Challenges, More Options
Producing replacement females is one of the most important and costly enterprises for cow-calf operations. Generally speaking, producers want to develop replacement heifers in a way that will make them productive members of the breeding herd for a long time.
“We all have some limitations, based on our environment and feed resources, but we still enjoy a lot of flexibility in how we can develop heifers,” said University of Idaho animal scientist John Hall during this August’s Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) conference.
Reminding his audience that nutrition is the area of management most controlled by the producer, Hall offered food for thought regarding both pre- and postweaning nutrition. He advised producers to start early to prepare replacement candidates to become pregnant early in their first breeding season. Read more.
Visit the Angus Trade Show this November
Here are highlights you won’t want to miss during the 2015 National Angus Convention & Trade Show in Overland Park, Kan.
More than 130 trade show exhibitors will welcome participants to the 2015 Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show Nov. 3-5 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan. From animal health companies to equipment manufacturers, registered-Angus breeders to publications, there’s something for everyone on the trade show floor.
“Our trade show is more than double the size from 2014, and we’re looking forward to convention attendees experiencing all the trade show has to offer,” says Becky Weishaar, Creative Media director for Angus Media and lead contact for the event. “Each exhibitor brings something different, and our partners have planned some engaging activities within their booths this year.” Read more.
Relevant and Getting Better
CAB posts ninth straight record sales year.
When the original Angus beef brand stands above 138 USDA-certified others and charts a ninth successive record year, people wonder how that can be.
The recipe includes a dash of nostalgia, a large helping of credibility and a whole lot of relevance. Throw in its niche at the very top of quality and that certain “it factor,” and you have an all-but-guaranteed formula for longevity.
The Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand rounded out its 37th fiscal year (FY) at the end of September 2015 still leading the beef quality movement because of that one ingredient in particular: relevance. Read more.
What’s Inside …
In this October 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:
- Prebreeding Strategies for Females
- Italian Ryegrass for Fall Grazing
- Beef Talk: I thought I was doing better than that!
- It’s Dry Somewhere
- Wolf Kills Explain Odd Cattle Deaths
- Risky Business
- New USDA Grading Module Available
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 available in the API Virtual Library.
Protein Makes a Comeback
Research points to increasing importance of protein among younger, older individuals.
Eat a different kind of fat and fewer carbohydrates. Or is it the other way around? During the last 40 years, consumers have been led one way or the other, which begs the question: Where’s the protein?
“Starting almost a half century ago, protein was basically ignored,” says Shalene McNeill, executive director of nutrition research for the beef checkoff. “Although its benefits to the human diet are indisputable, in the past, it often has been left out of the discussion when it comes to the three macronutrients.” Read more.
Grain Handling Safety Tips
Ohio State University health professionals offer 11 safety tips for working in and around grain harvest.
With grain harvest well under way thanks to favorable weather conditions throughout the region, growers are reminded that taking extra precautions when handling grain can lessen the potential for injury.
When working around grain storage facilities, incidents such as slips, trips, falls, severe trauma injuries, entanglement or engulfment can happen in a fraction of a second, said Kent McGuire, agriculture safety and health coordinator for Ohio State University (OSU) Extension. Read more.