Volume XIV Number 2 • March/April 2006
Table of Contents

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Editor's Desk
Pfizer Animal Health has sponsored the Cattlemen’s College at the NCBA for many years. It has traditionally been a series of speakers presenting educational programs. The speakers are prominent personalities in the beef industry presenting programs of a variety of issues concerning the industry. It concludes with a presentation by Cattle-Fax on the challenges and opportunities for all participants in the cattle and beef industry. It has always been well worth the time to attend. ...Read the Story...

Having Effective Meetings
One of the keys to maximizing communications throughout an organization is the ability to have efficient, productive, timely meetings with your staff. When re-introducing meetings to your staff, remember that initially your employees will be concerned that the meetings will be boring, take a bunch of time away from their busy day, and will make them inefficient—so, make sure that there is a time limit....Read the Story...

CAFO Rule Extension Unfair for Cattlemen
Many cattle producers may be forced to unnecessarily alter parts of their operations to meet as yet undetermined permitting requirements unless the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changes implementation deadlines for its water rules, according to NCBA. For some, the financial investment required could be substantial....Read the Story...

Partnerships, Industry Cooperation Important in Source Verification of U.S. Cattle
Veterinarians, cattle producers and industry representatives said that industry cooperation and partnerships will be critical in implementing age, process and source verification of U.S. cattle. Successful animal ID partnerships were discussed at the 2006 Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Denver, Colo. “A lot of cattle producers may already have the information needed for animal certification but aren’t being rewarded for that information,” says producer Greg Carey of Russell, Kan. ...Read the Story...

Regular Maintenance Records Can Pinpoint Costs, Identify Trouble Spots and Streamline Shop Efficiencies
A plan to regularly check or service equipment and make necessary repairs on a scheduled basis will more than pay for itself when compared to having to do the same work in a crisis or hurried situation. As a general rule, for every dollar spent on preventative maintenance, you will save at least five dollars in subsequent expenses, according to information from Kansas State University. ...Read the Story...

Larger Feedlots Gaining Market Share
It comes as no surprise to most beef producers that the beef processing sector has become more concentrated over time. Perhaps not as well known is that concentration is increasing in the beef feedlot sector as well. A look at the data is revealing. ...Read the Story...

Iowa's Feeding Capacity Grows
Fifty percent of Iowa feedlots surveyed increased their size in the recent years, while 37 percent remained the same. Those that expanded cited feedlot profitability and that feeding cattle is an effective way to market corn. ...Read the Story...

Florida Operation Wins Environmental Stewardship Award
The Lightsey Cattle Company is the 2005 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) National Winner. The prestigious award program sponsored by NCBA, Dow AgroSciences and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is now in its 15th year. ...Read the Story...

Market Notes
This week Packers announced permanent closing at a couple of inefficient plants and three others shut down for a day. Cash cattle sales have been sparse the last three weeks. Seasonally, box beef prices begin to stabilize this time of year and trend higher as demand expands into the end of April. ...Read the Story...

Feedlot Manure Management Value
One of the most interesting quotes about manure came from the wife of the late Harry Truman, former President of the United States. Someone had commented about Mr. Truman’s coarse language. Supposedly she at least got him to use the word manure. Manure is not only funny at times, a problem at times, but can be a valuable by-product of cattle feeding. Manure is similar to many management concerns at feedlots; it takes planning and a program to maximize manure value. ...Read the Story...

Some Wheat Breaks Dormancy Due to Mild Winter Weather
Construction crews, kids at recess ... anyone who spends time outdoors has likely enjoyed Kansas´ mild winter weather, but wheat growers should be wary, a Kansas State University agronomist said. ...Read the Story...

New Corn Co-Products
The fuel alcohol and corn sweetener industries have become sophisticated in optimizing their production processes. The driving force is to maximize profits. Both industries are after the starch in grains. In the case of corn, it is possible to take the corn apart and concentrate the starch fraction. The remaining “co-products” of the corn are valuable livestock feeds, not only for ruminants but also for swine and poultry....Read the Story...

Spring: Blue Skies, Lush Pastures and the Need for Increased Parasite Control
Parasites don’t take the winter off, including liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica). In some parts of the country — mainly the Northwest — liver flukes may not be active in the coldest months; however, they remain ready to begin infecting cattle in the spring and continue to do so through much of the fall. In the South, liver flukes stay active all winter as well as in the spring and fall. ...Read the Story...

Calving Out Heifers
First calf heifers generally need more assistance than cows; heifers are not full grown and somewhat smaller in pelvic area. If you are watching the heifer you’ll know when she began early labor (restless and uncomfortable) and when she starts active labor (breaking water and straining). Sometimes a heifer will break her water and do nothing—because the calf is not entering the birth canal. ...Read the Story...

Strong Profits Lead to Herd Expansion
Cow-calf producers responded to another year of record-high calf prices and continued to expand beef cow and replacement heifer numbers during 2005, according to Cattle-Fax. Despite the limited beef exports and one of the largest net beef supplies on record, prices for fed cattle, feeder cattle and calves were record-high during 2005. ...Read the Story...