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Volume
XIV Number 4 • August 2006
Table of Contents
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Editor's
Desk
Global warming or federal legislation to curb antibiotic use
in livestock? What is the truth? Who to believe?
We would all like to think with the advanced state of science
today an answer for both of these questions would be available
in concise and simple terms. Why is it that we do not have
a concise answer? Is it because science, which is supposed
to be exact, is not exact? It could be or, is it that the
scientists don’t agree among themselves?.
...Read
the Story...
BVD:
What's All the Fuss About?
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is widespread in cattle,
with a high number of animals testing positive to this disease.
It has been estimated that 80 percent of cattle in this country
have been exposed to BVD, and that 70 to 90 percent of infections
go undetected, without visible symptoms. It is the most costly
viral disease in cattle, inhibiting conception, causing abortion
and birth defects, and hindering the immune system.
In the U.S. cattle industry BVD is costing producers an estimated
$2 billion per year.. ....Read
the Story...
Cattle
on Feed Longer Produce a Healthier Fat
A recent Texas Agricultural Experiment Station study
indicates cattle fed longer on certain diets will produce
beef with more of the “good” kind of fat.Dr. Stephen
Smith, Experiment Station professor of animal science in College
Station, said the study showed the longer cattle were fed
corn, the more monounsaturated – and less saturated
– fat they produced. Monounsaturated fats are currently
viewed as being healthier than other dietary fats, Smith said.e....Read
the Story...
Latest
National Beef Quality Audit Keys on Export Markets
Initial results from National Beef Audit 2005, funded in part
by checkoff investments in the Beef Quality Assurance Program,
are in and offer U.S. cattlemen insight into beef quality
successes and future challenges over which they have some
or all control. . ...Read
the Story...
Top
10 Reasons for Supplementation
There are
three basic reasons to supplement cattle: (1) efficient production,
(2) health of the livestock, and (3) for breeding stock longevity
and productivity. Nutritionist are challenged to evaluate
and decide the need and cost effectiveness of each consideration.
The decisions depend on the operation. Is it a feedlot, a
growing-backgrounding yard, pasture operation or cow/calf
operation? Economic factors are important, but health of the
cattle and a long and productive life of the breeding herd
are often the reason some supplemental products are included.....Read
the Story...
Winning
With Workers Compensation
A workers compensation pool organized by the Kansas Livestock
Association has grown to become the largest such feedyard
insurer in the state. This pool, with approximately 55 members,
began in 1993 at the request of KLA members. Workers compensation
premiums for feedyards had gone through several years of double
digit price increases, said Rich McKee, KLA senior vice president.
When feedyards asked insurers what would lower premiums, they
were told to develop safety programs, but not offered any
guidance. . . ...Read
the Story...
Improve
Feed Selection by Selecting Corn for Kernel Traits
Feeding corn with softer, floury kernels can substantially
improve feed conversion in feeder cattle.
“What I would envision is what I call the farmer-feeder
selecting hybrids that result in better beef performance.
I view this as a tremendous benefit for producers growing
their own corn,” said Galen Erickson, an animal scientist
for the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL) who has done
starch research traits since 2002.. .
...Read
the Story...
Seven
Cattle Operations Win Top Environmental Award
The members of the 2006 National Environmental Stewardship
Award Program (ESAP) Selection Committee announces the seven
regional award winners, hailing from diverse family cattle
operations from across the U.S.....Read
the Story...
Understanding
the Futures Markets
Hello cattle industry. I’m sorry that I haven’t
been able to get articles in to Feed•Lot magazine for
the last six months or so, but between opening my brokerage
firm, Barnhardt Capital Management, and traveling all over
North America teaching Bud Williams Livestock Marketing Schools,
I have been busier than a one-toothed woman in a corn on the
cob eating contest! I shall do my best to send Mr. Strong
an article for every issue henceforth. Heaven knows I have
plenty to say. But seriously, we need to have a talk. There
is a huge misconception in the industry that is costing you
folks countless millions of dollars. It goes something like
this: . .
...Read
the Story...
Ugh!
Another Safety Meeting!
In the past, having a “safety meeting” has been
a sure fire way to provide our crew with an afternoon nap.
Unfortunately, safety awareness cannot be taken lightly. If
an injury occurs, in addition to the immediate concern for
the employee we have to juggle schedules, reassign duties
and adjust work loads until the injured employee returns....Read
the Story...
BIG
Ideas to Build Beef Demand
The checkoff-funded Beef Innovations Group (BIG), formerly
known as R&D Ranch, is intensifying efforts to be the
beef industry’s primary resource for new product information
and leadership. Anyone — from producers and processors
to foodservice and retail channels — looking for the
latest product trends, technologies and possibilities should
“think BIG,” said Cattlemen’s Beef Board
member Hope Huffman. ...Read
the Story...
Parasites
Reduce Effectiveness of Vaccination Programs
Vaccines must be administered to healthy cattle — that’s
what it says on most vaccine labels.
Why? Because all vaccine research and development as well
as testing for safety and efficacy are done on healthy cattle,
according to Merial.. ....Read
the Story...
Patience,
Good Facilities Key to Handling Cattle Safely
People working with cattle can underestimate the power that
cattle have, fail to use common sense and make themselves
subject to injury, said Kerri Ebert, Kansas State University
Research and Extension assistant for biological and agricultural
engineering.. ...Read
the Story...
Prevent
Frozen Water Tanks Now, Not Later
It may be over 100 degrees outside right now, but in just
a few short months, we will be pulling out the winter garb,
gearing up for several months of cold weather. And even if
it doesn’t routinely freeze water troughs at your place,
you probably broke ice or let troughs overflow a few times
last winter....Read
the Story...
A
Common Goal
When there is synergy between points in the beef-production
chain, it makes each party more productive and efficient.
Though it is not usually a high-profile relationship, the
partnership between a backgrounder and a feedyard is one that
can have a huge impact on the cattle’s performance and
profitability. . . ...Read
the Story...
Calmer
Cattle are More Efficient, More Profitable
Many cattlemen have suspected that disposition--the mental
and emotional attitude of cattle--has an effect on how well
they do in the feedlot, having an impact on gain. The nervous,
flighty animal doesn’t spend as much time at the feed
bunk. This suspicion has been confirmed, thanks to several
studies focusing on the effects of disposition on cattle performance.
Results of these studies have also shown a very measurable
effect on carcass quality. . ...Read
the Story...
Early
Weaning Can Protect Pastures, Stretch Water Sources, Maximize
Profitability During Drought
With drought conditions stretching from Texas through Kansas
and into the Dakotas, cow/calf producers are making decisions
on how to protect pastures and maintain as much profitability
as possible, said Kansas State University animal scientist
Sandy Johnson. . ...Read
the Story...
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