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Welcome to our debut issue of Ranching USA! There are many agri-livestock magazines available, but most are breed-specific or limited to certain locales. Ranching USA will have universal appeal by covering all breeds — cattle, equine or others — nationwide. As a quarterly, we plan to concentrate on topics that would be instructional or informative for those involved in all related areas of the agriculture and livestock industry. To accomplish this goal, we invite our readers, advertisers and nonprofits to share their stories that would be of interest to others. To give your ads optimum exposure, we will distribute nationwide to major stock shows, state fairs, industry expos, and other events within the time frame of each issue. We wish to thank the organizers of these major venues for their gracious willingness to receive and distribute Ranching USA. We wish to thank our advertisers for trusting us to announce their products. We also are very grateful to various nonprofits and livestock associations for their permission to use information and articles posted on their websites. Initiated by Third Avenue Graphics, which provided editorial for a former livestock journal, Ranching USA is being produced by In Flight Publishing, best known for In Flight USA (www.inflightusa.com), a general aviation magazine. We hope you enjoy this debut edition and find the articles informative and some, perhaps, inspiring. Please let our advertisers know you saw their ads in Ranching USA. The Ranching USA Team
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Cover picture courtesy of Eleanor’s Arabians with Eleanor Hamilton riding CMS Little Sierra. See her story and ad on page 9.
P.O. Box 5402 • San Mateo, CA 94402 650-358-9908 • Fax 650-358-9254 Co-Publisher...................................................................... Victoria Buonocore Co-Publisher................................................................. Annamarie Buonocore Designer/Managing Editor......................................... Third Avenue Graphics 702-361-1659/3rdavenue@embarqmail.com Advertising Sales Manager................................................... Katrena Conkey 702-538-0396/katrena.ranching@inflightusa.com Ranching USA is published by In Flight Publishing and is circulated throughout the continental United States. Readers’ comments or enquiries may be submitted to the address or phone contacts above. Opinions expressed in its content are those of the individual author and not necessarily those of Ranching USA. Articles are intended for information, entertainment and suggestion — not recommendation. Ranching USA is not liable or in any way responsible for the condition or reliability of any animal or equipment advertised for sale or use in any edition. By law, the acquisition of any product is the responsibility of the seller and buyer. In Flight Publishing reserves the right to edit and rewrite, as necessary, all copy submitted and accepted for publication, including context, style, grammar and fit to space available. All editorial and advertising matter in Ranching USA is copyrighted. Reproduction in any way is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Copyright © 2018 by In Flight Publishing
Please help support the nonprofits and their efforts featured in this issue.
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Better Returns with Proper Bull Selection
By Robert Wells, Ph.D.
Calf prices can change dramatically from historic highs to the lowest lows in only a few years. Unfortunately, some input prices are slow to come down, while others remain high. A greatly reduced net profit can cause a strain on budgets for most cattle raisers. Cattle producers justifiably need to reduce costs proportionally with the reduced calf prices to remain economically viable until prices improve. To manage, some producers may cut back on the cost for replacement bulls, which translates to using a bull of reduced quality. Prices for bulls moderate along with the calf market, but some producers are extremely hesitant to pay for quality bulls. During such times, however, bull quality is not an area that should be shorted. Bull selection impacts profit for many years in the form of the following potential adverse impacts: heavier birth weights, lower weaning weights, lower carcass quality, or less desirable heifers to be kept for replacements.
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Beef producers who continue to produce quality calves with desirable genetics and value-added traits will have the greatest likelihood of remaining profitable during the low of the cattle cycle. Those who do not will likely be in the red and will be “paying to
Both bulls will remain in the breeding herd for four years and breed 25 cows per year, totaling 100 calves. The annual cost for each bull on a cow basis is $35.60 and $43.10 for Scenario 1 and Scenario 2, respectively. Annual bull cost consists
Producers need to reduce costs proportionally with reduced calf prices stay in the business” for the next few years. So, how can one justify spending more on a quality bull in difficult economic times? Compare the following two scenarios: Scenario 1: Purchase an average quality bull for $2,750. Scenario 2: Purchase a high-quality bull in the top percent for weaning weight expected progeny difference (EPD) for $3,500.
of all ownership expenses, including pasture, feed/ mineral, veterinary and depreciation. Therefore, Scenario 2 bull only costs $7.50 per cow more annually to purchase and own, compared to the lower quality bull in Scenario 1. This means that bull’s calves only have to bring $7.50 to break even and pay for the better quality bull.
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On the revenue side of the equation, let’s assume all calves will be weaned at the same time. Calves from Scenario 1 bull will wean at 535 pounds, valued at $1.35 pound or $722 per head. Scenario 2 bull will sire calves with heavier weaning weights at 600 pounds valued at $1.32 per pound or $789 per head — an increase in total value of $67 per calf for the heavier calves from the better bull. The better bull from Scenario 2 will wean a calf that has a positive net difference of about $59 more per calf ($67 minus $7.50) or a total of $1,475 more for the 25 head of calves sired by this bull annually. The total additional purchase cost of the better bull can easily be made up in the first calving season. During times when calf prices decline, producers need to purchase inputs that provide the most profitable return to the ranch. Decreasing the quality of genetics does not result in increased profits. Dr. Wells is a livestock consultant for the Noble Foundation.
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NEHP Published
Valuable resource to help curtail the spread of equine diseases A National Equine Health Plan (NEHP) has been published by the American Horse Council, in conjunction with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, USDA, and state animal health officials. “The horse industry is unique because horses are transported with more frequency than other livestock,” said AHC President Julie Broadway. “We have seen firsthand how disease outbreaks cost the industry millions of dollars for the care of sick horses, implementation of biosecurity, and lost revenue in the form of cancelled or restricted commercial equine activities, such as horse shows.” NEHP was created to address how to handle disease outbreaks and disseminate information about them. “The Plan includes prevention, diagnosis and control of diseases and the responsibilities and roles of the federal and state authorities and the industry,” she said. The goals of the NEHP are to protect the health and welfare of the U.S. equine population, facilitate the continued
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interstate and international movement of horses and their products, ensure the availability of regulatory services, and protect the economic continuity of business in the equine industry. The NEHP provides immediate access to resources, regulations and communications needed to optimize disease mitigation and prevention. It also serves as a guide to help educate horse owners about how veterinarians and state and federal officials work together to decrease the risk of disease spread. “ The Equine Disease Communication Center … provides critical communication of information during disease outbreaks,” said Director Dr. Nat White. “By integrating the roles of regulatory agencies with industry stakeholders, equine health and welfare are improved.” To access the document, visit equinediseasecc.org/nationalequine-health-plan. For questions about the NEHP, contact Cliff Williamson, AHC director of health & regulatory affairs, at cwilliamson@horsecouncil.org.
Cold Increases Nutrient Requirements By Clay Wright, Noble Foundation Ranchers have a tendency to balance winter rations for cows in two phases: nonlactating, in the middle third of pregnancy (dry), and postcalving, in peak lactation (wet). Using nutritional requirements for the average weight of a cow herd, it’s simple to plan two feeding regimes: one for before calving and one for after calving. The last third of pregnancy, however, is when the fetus makes 75 percent of its growth, and a cow’s nutritional requirements increase. During this period, protein and energy needs increase about 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Therefore, the ration that maintains weight of a dry cow during the first two-thirds of pregnancy results in weight loss during the last third. If you begin calving in March, it’s time to up the supplement. Ranchers need to plan ahead for inclement winter weather — cold, often wet and windy. A cow’s maintenance requirements are pretty stable down to 32 degrees F — her Lower Critical Temperature (LCT) in average body condition with a dry coat, based on wind chill, not just ambient
temperature. For each degree below 32 F, her energy requirements increase 1 percent. If her hair coat is wet, her LCT is 60 degrees F, and energy requirements go up 2 percent for each degree below 60 F. In fact, energy needs can increase 50 to 100 percent. Often, it’s not safe or practical to feed that much more. One alternative is to increase energy intake at lower amounts before, during and immediately after a winter weather event. Access to manmade or natural shelter also helps avoid wind chill. The objective is to maintain a body condition score of at least 5.0 before, during and after calving so the herd will cycle and conceive on time for the next “go-around.”
Ranching USA 5
CVP App — Drug Tool
ARS Study …
A Look at Mirrors and Mats
By Austin Miles
Proper administration and use of antibiotics and other animal health products is an absolute necessity, not only for the product to be as effective as possible but to minimize animal discomfort and reduce the risk of adverse side effects.
In addition to easy-tounderstand withdrawal time charts, the app also lists abbreviations found on drug labels, such as route of administration, measurements of time, and whether the product requires a prescription or falls
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are very specific in the labeling of their products, how they are to be administered, in what dosage, withdrawal period length, and other critical information. Livestock producers have a responsibility and duty to use these products as they are intended and according to instructions. Dosage information usually is available on the bottle of any vet-medical product. Sometimes, however, that information can be lost, damaged or no longer legible. The Compendium of Veterinary Products application provides users with labeling information for more than 5,000 pharmaceutical, biological, feed medication, and other products from more than 200 manufacturers and distributors. A straight-forward design makes navigating through the information effortless, allowing users to search and sort by product name, manufacturer and category, i.e., a multitude of species, condition, product use, ingredient(s) and biological index.
under the mandate of the veterinary feed directive (VFD). A reference chart also provides definitions of abbreviations commonly found in veterinary medical records, weights and measurement conversions, body temperature conversions, and volume equivalents, as well as withdrawal times. A lot of information is available with just a few clicks and swipes on your smartphone screen. The only downside seems to be that the last update to the app was in 2013. Consequently, information on some newer products may not be available. (Search the app by name for distributors and updates.) I’ve had great luck with this application chute-side and in the field. It serves as a great reference tool and delivers information I need quickly and effortlessly, even without the actual product or label in front of me. A free download, it is compatible with iOS and Android-powered smartphones. Austin Miles is a cattle and technology research associate at the Noble Foundation
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What a pig sees when it looks into a mirror may help animal scientists at the Agricultural Research Service in West Lafayette, Ind., improve livestock housing. Jeremy Marchant-Forde and his colleagues in the Livestock Behavior Research Unit have found that improving an animal’s environment can reduce stress, which enhances well-being, growth and efficiency; decreases disease susceptibility; and increases production. Marchant-Forde studied four different types of pig pens: a standard pen with a metal floor (the “control” pen), one with a rubber mat on the floor, one with a mirror, and one with a view of another pig across a passageway.
Pig checking out a mirror.
Photo by ARS
Pigs preferred spending 40 percent of their time in pens where they could see another pig. When a person was in sight, pigs spent nearly 90 percent of their time in either the pen with the mirror or where they could see another pig. Marchant-Forde hypothesized that pigs saw their reflection in the mirror as a companion. Therefore, the study concluded that improving pigs’ environments may help reduce stress and promote health and productivity.
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By Dr. Temple Grandin Being autistic, I do not understand purely abstract concepts based only in language. To understand a word, I have to make a picture in my imagination and define words with concrete examples. When I think of the phrase “buy a car,” I immediately get images of past experiences of buying cars. Some purely philosophical arguments I do not understand because I cannot visualize them. I approach the subject of animals as property in a very concrete manner based more on neuroscience than philosophical concepts. First, an animal does not understand an abstract concept, such as being property or nonproperty. It only experiences an environment that humans can manipulate to the animal’s detriment or well being. Allen Yancy wrote in his essay “Veterinarians and the Case Against Legal Personhood for Animals” that “although animals are currently considered property, the law grants them rights.” In the U.S. legal system and culture, when I own an item as property, I am allowed to do certain things with it. If I own a cow and a screwdriver, I
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Animals Are Not Things can sell them, give them away, destroy them, experiment on them, eat them, put them in my will, profit from them, or use them in my business. I am also allowed to buy another cow or screwdriver. For example, I am allowed to slaughter the cow or destroy the screwdriver in a stamping press. Although absurd, I could even eat the screwdriver if I ground it into very fine powder. I am allowed to modify cattle by selective breeding, and I can modify my screwdriver by painting its handle green. However, both the U.S. laws and our culture put severe restrictions on the kinds of things I can do to the cow but place no restrictions on the things I can do to the screwdriver. I could be punished for felony animal abuse if I stabbed the cow in the eye with the screwdriver, but there would be no penalty for mangling or hitting the screwdriver with a hammer. There is a fundamental difference between cows and screwdrivers. Cows feel pain and screwdrivers do not. I am allowed to kill the cow for food, but she must be killed in a manner that will not
cause pain. From many hours of observing the behavior of cattle at slaughter plants and feedlots, I have learned that cattle do not understand that they will be slaughtered. Cattle behave the same way, whether at a slaughter plant or a feedlot. The way cattle are handled has a much greater effect on their behavior than the location where handling occurs. If they knew they were going to die, they should be wilder, more agitated, and measurements of cortisol levels would be much higher during handling in the slaughter plant than the feedlot. U.S. law and culture require that we have certain responsibilities for the cow and no moral responsibilities for the screwdriver. These laws
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are designed to prevent the animal from suffering. Laws for protecting research animals require keeping them in social groups so they have the company of their own kind. As scientists learn more about animal behavior, additional protections may be needed. Still, I am not required to keep a pair of screwdrivers in my toolbox, so they can socialize with other screwdrivers. Dr. Grandin teaches livestock behavior and facility design at Colorado State University. See her ad for humane corral designs on the back cover.
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Hurricane Survivor Winning Dubai Finds New Home at Old Friends Story and Photos by Rick Capone Packing 150-mile winds, Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico Sept. 20, 2017. While the people of Puerto Rico continue to work hard to recover, a lesser known group of survivors needs relief: Horses. About 800 equines survived the storm at Hippodrome Camarero, a Thoroughbred race track east of San Juan. Unfortunately, short supplies of food, water and medical care eventually cost the lives of at least 30 horses. Winning Dubai, an eightyear-old gelding, was one of the survivors. Thanks to the efforts of the Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare (CTA) and numerous other horse-welfare organizations, he eventually landed on his feet at Old Friends. The CTA, founded in 2016 by Shelley Blodgett and Kelley Stobie, focuses on rehoming Thoroughbreds in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands following racing careers. After the storm, the CTA stepped up and “has been working with a variety of organizations to get relief to the Thoroughbreds and other horse breeds on the island,” said Blodgett, who is based in Wellington, Fla. While many Thoroughbreds were trapped at the track, others fortunately were evacuated before the storm hit. Winning Dubai was part of that small group moved to Hacienda Siesta Alegre in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, where CTA boards many OTTBs awaiting new homes. “There was damage there, too, including loss of electric-
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ity, no running water, and damage to paddocks and barn roofs,” said Blodgett, “but thankfully, they have generators and were able to at least get water running.”
Winning Dubai being treated at Old Friends.
Winning Dubai was bred in Kentucky in 2009 and was one of those “workhorses” in the sport. He earned $104,984 the hard way, with more than 96 starts, all at Camarero, which made him a perfect resident for Old Friends. While the Georgetown farm is home to many bigname horses, the majority of the retirees are “work horses,” such as Dubai, who ran their hearts out in every race and deserve a peaceful place to retire. Though Stobie knew he was going to a good home, seeing him leave was hard for her and her family, which included her 92-year-old grandmother and 10-year-old son. “He became part of my family,” said Stobie. “I cried when he left and still cry tears of joy every time I get an update on him. I am so thankful that Old Friends offered him a home.” To begin his journey, Dubai and a few other OTTBs were
placed in USDA quarantine for the seven days before being transported to Miami, where his trip was then unexpectedly delayed. “He developed a foot abscess,” said Blodgett. “So Karen and Randy Hickman of Stone Ridge Farm in Ocala, Fla., whose homebred Poker Dave was one of the six who returned with Dubai, brought him to their farm to heal. Once he was well enough to travel, Lorraine’s Horse Transport picked him up, and he made the journey to Old Friends.” Old Friends founder Michael Blowen believes Winning Dubai will fit right in and is sure to become a fan favorite as his story is unique. “Winning Dubai makes a connection between those horses on the farm who are famous, like Silver Charm, and the ones that are not as famous,” said Blowen. “For every famous horse at Old Friends, I try to get one who earned their retirement. While Winning Dubai is not a Kentucky Derby winner, he definitely earned his retirement. Plus, he’s a very sweet horse.”
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About Old Friends…
Derby Winner Silver Charm frolics at Old Friends. This non-profit facility was founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen. His goal was to provide a dignified retirement for Thoroughbreds following their racing and breeding careers. Today, 14 years later, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility, based in Georgetown, Ky., is sanctuary to more than 175 retired racehorses, including two Kentucky Derby winners, Silver Charm and War Emblem, numerous Breeders’ Cup champions, and other luminaries of the turf. Old Friends attracts more than 20,000 visitors annually who tour the farm and meet the horses. To learn more about Old Friends, to schedule a tour, or to make a donation, visit www.oldfriendsequine.org or call 502-863-1775.
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Eleanor Hamilton…
Attributes success to her father, good bloodstock, and hard work
If living well is about setting a great example, Eleanor Hamilton has lived an exemplary horseman’s life. She’s been a dedicated Arabian horse breeder for most of her life and is highly respected among her fellow horsemen for her loyalty and honesty. Her work ethic strongly reflects her sound Nebraska prairie rancher upbringing. An active participant in the Arabian horse community, she is a voting member of four local Arabian clubs, longtime president of the Arabian Reining Horse Association, and secretary of the Minnesota Arabian Horse Breeders. She is particularly active in the new, vital resurgence of the Arabian reining horse.
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“The market for reining horses has encouraged me to breed,” Eleanor said. “We have nine or ten foals each year, about half and half, purebreds and Half Arabians. I own and stand four to six stallions, also 50-50, Quarter Horses and Arabians. “I really have two separate breeding programs. I want a great athlete with a trainable, quiet disposition. I also want an Arabian-looking horse. I love Arabian horses. “Anyone who loves these horses wants to ride a pretty one. Besides, if the reining training doesn’t work out, the pretty, talented horses I breed can do Western and Hunter Pleasure as show horses, too.” Eleanor not only sets a
great example for her peers, she also gets a big kick out of encouraging newcomers in the Arabian breed to get involved, ride and really enjoy themselves. Age doesn’t matter, she frequently notes, and then steps into the stirrup and proves it. “I am still an active breeder and exhibitor of Arabian reining and Western Pleasure horses,” she said, smiling with more than a hint of pride. “I take great delight in the fact that I can honestly say to people, ‘Just look at the tremendous ability and disposition possessed by Arabian horses!’ “If I can do this and enjoy every minute of it, anybody can, she said.”
“A great deal of who I am is a reflection of my dad. He was a pioneer rancher in the Sand Hills of Nebraska through the Great Depression, and the example of his fortitude and work ethic helped make both our horse farm and our company business successful endeavors. Eleanor’s Arabians has outstanding show, working and pleasure horses available year-around, which include Arabians, Quarter Horses and half each, working stock and winners. Her dad would have been proud.
Ranching USA 9
Timeliness Critical in Agri Operations
By Bryan Nichols
A commonality among successful producers is their ability to accomplish tasks in a timely manner. Some cattle activities best accomplished within a certain time frame, for example, are purchasing calves, doctoring sick calves, administering vaccinations, and assisting with calving. For crops, successful producers generally take advantage of windows for planting, fertilizer, and herbicide and pesticide application. Though successful producers schedule tasks in a timely manner, they may not accomplish them by the same means. For some, agriculture is a full-time job. For others, it only provides a supplemental income. The key is to figured out how to get things done. Those who have full-time jobs off the farm utilize custom hire to accomplish things that otherwise would not get done. Others may find their custom hire is less than dependable accomplishing tasks when they need to get done. It is important for producers to ask themselves if they are accomplishing things on time. If not, why? Barriers to timeliness come in many
forms, including priorities and other responsibilities, as well as obligations, knowledge, labor and machinery, to name a few. There is typically a cost associated to removing barriers, though not always, and becoming timelier may or may not be cost-effective. In some instances, the benefit of timeliness can be measured. For example, we know that the earlier wheat is planted the more fall forage is produced. For those in the stocker cattle business, purchasing calves correctly is perhaps the largest factor in making a profit. Does your operation allow you to receive cattle when the timing is right? Are there aspects of your operation that limit flexibility in the timing of purchasing cattle, such as pen space or a labor shortage? Sometimes, these situations are difficult to measure. Opportunities can be cre-
ated and barriers addressed through forward planning — a practice that all producers can employ with minimal cost that improves timeliness. A lack of forward planning allows things to slip up and puts your operation in peril. Agricultural operations are very dynamic, and there are many variables to consider when making decisions. Our relationship with Mother Nature and other variables, such as markets, dictate that things be accomplished in a timely manner when opportunities present themselves. Many operators constantly ponder these questions subconsciously. If you don’t, I encourage you to brainstorm about the things that have kept you from accomplishing tasks at the optimal time and explore cost-effective remedies. Nichols is a livestock consultant at the Noble Foundation.
IRS Drought Relief WASHINGTON – Farmers and ranchers who previously were forced to sell livestock due to drought in an applicable region now have an additional year to replace the livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales, according to the Internal Revenue Service. This relief generally applies to capital gains realized by eligible farmers and ranchers on sales of livestock held for draft, dairy or breeding purposes. To qualify, the sales must be solely due to drought, flooding or other severe weather in a region designated as eligible for federal assistance. Livestock may now be replaced within a four-year period, instead of the usual two-year period. In other words, farmers and ranchers whose drought sale replacement period was scheduled to expire at the end of tax year 2017, in most cases, will now have until the end of their next tax year. Details, including an example, can be found in Notice 2006-82. More information on reporting drought sales and other farm-related tax issues can be found in Publication 225, Farmer’s Tax Guide. Both are available at IRS.gov.
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Winter 2018
Cattle Production & Modern Technology The beef checkoff is promoting its #RethinkTheRanch campaign to help consumers gain a better understanding of how cattle producers are using advanced technology to benefit their businesses and the environment. Bear Valley Ranch, located near Parkville, Calif., is a perfect example of the use of technology. When the Kester family started ranching there 150 years ago in 1867, no one could have predicted how technology would be used to manage cattle and operate ranches and farms. “Every time there is a new technology, we try to take advantage of it,” said Kevin Kester. “Most recently, we purchased a commercial drone that we use to gather cattle,
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look at our water troughs, and make sure everything is functioning correctly.”
Using a drone at Bear Valley Ranch
With more than 100 miles of roads on the ranch, the drone saves them a lot time and energy they’d have to spend driving those roads. “If cattle are in a rugged part of the country where it’s harder to herd them on horseback, we can fly the drone over them and get them moving in the direction we want for
gathering them,” he said. Along with drone technology, the Kesters are using solar technology to operate water systems and manage grazing systems. “We’ve developed a lot of solar technology for our water systems that allows us to pump water in the higher elevations,” he said. “That helps us manage grazing. It’s also good for the wildlife. Not only does technology help us in our business, it’s beneficial for the environment.” Brian Medeiros is also using technology to reduce energy costs on the Medeiros and Sons Dairy Farm in Hanford, Calif. “We want to be as selfsustaining on power as we can. We put in solar panels, and that’s going to take care of 80 percent of our electrical uses,” said Medeiros. “In the future, we’re going to look at other things, such as methane digesters and projects.” These ranches are good examples of your checkoff ’s efforts — to provide a consumer-friendly, easy-to-understand way to communicate the complexities of raising beef today and the technologies that are being used. For more about #RethinkTheRanch and stay up to date on what your beef checkoff investment is doing for YOU, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.
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Drones on the Farm
By Mike Komp
The benefit of drones in agriculture is creating plenty of buzz among farmers and ranchers who question this new technology. The Noble Research Institute has been incorporating drones and sensors into its research and farming/ranching operations to help understand and explain their potential. There are many applications of drone technology. Simple UAV cameras could help a producer locate and count equipment, animals or hay bales. They could assist in controlling prescribed burns, checking fences and water sources, and inspecting fields. More complex sensors could allow producers to estimate the amount of water in a pond or the quantity and quality of forage plants available for grazing livestock. It can be expensive to buy a drone with additional sensors and other fees to store data. Certain FAA rules apply. Visit www.faa.gov/uas. As with any decision, producers must decide if the benefits outweigh the costs. Overall, though, the future of drone-based sensors in agriculture is promising. Mike Komp is a spatial technology services manager at the Noble Foundation.
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About AFA Established in Albuquerque, N.M., in 1971, the AFA began with a small organization of farriers who wished to help organize their community and provide direction for the future. Since its humble beginnings, the AFA has achieved international scope. The AFA now acts as an advocate for farriers in relations with veterinarians, breed and sport associations, and state and federal government agencies. The AFA centers upon five foundational tenets that reinforce its mission and drive all efforts and programs: Education, Certification, Communication, Research, and Innovation. These five, timeless tenets provide the basis for all AFA programs and serve as the focal points of the AFA, past and present. For more information, visit americanfarriers.org.
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Operation Gelding Sponsored by the Unwanted Horse Coalition Operation Gelding is one of the UHC’s most successful programs. Since August 2010, it has provided guidance, materials, promotional and financial support to groups that wish to host low- or no-cost gelding clinics.
The impetus for these clinics is that the castration of a stallion will help prevent overbreeding, in turn reducing the number of unwanted horses. A gelding will also be calmer and, therefore, more easily ridden, trainable, saleable and adoptable, allowing him to be successful in several careers. Since its inception, Operation Gelding has aided in the castration of 1,982 horses at 172 clinics in 33 states. Grants from the DeWitt Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey
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County of $100.00, plus others from the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation and the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association have helped UHC exceed its goals and make the Operation Gelding program even more successful. Looking ahead to 2018, the UHC will actively be raising funds to keep this momentum going. If you want to help reduce the number of unwanted horses and prevent unwanted foals, consider hosting a clinic or making a taxdeductible contribution. Veterinarians interested in hosting or volunteering at a clinic or participating in our voucher program, may complete the form available on our website. For information to conduct a clinic or to get involved, contact the Unwanted Horse Coalition at afurst@horsecouncil. org or 202-846-1607.
Winter 2018
Time to Ride Reaches Milestone
Article courtesy of AQHA Time to Ride hit a major milestone of connecting 100,000 new people to horses. Members of Time to Ride, formed in late 2011, work together toward one simple but lofty goal: To increase participation in the horse industry in the face of major economic, demographic, and cultural changes and challenges by engaging new enthusiasts in equine activities “With all the pressures and distractions of modern life, the mental, physical and emotional benefits that riding and other horse activities provide are more essential than ever. Time to Ride focuses on sharing that message with moms and families across the
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country by encouraging them to get involved with horses in a variety of ways,” said Christie Schulte, Time to Ride marketing manager. Time to Ride programs are unique in their grass-roots focus. Since 2014, its largest program, the Challenge, has engaged stables, clubs and equine businesses across the nation through a summer contest to introduce as many newcomers as possible to horses. Professionals teaching entry-level riding and horsemanship provide opportunities for budding equestrians to learn the basics, while filling the pipeline of future participants in every discipline and breed.
The impact of the program has been good, with 82 percent of participating hosts reporting that the Challenge had a positive impact on their businesses. Jessica Taylor, owner of Taylor Ranch Arabians in Payson, Utah, said, “We had over 100 people at each (of two) open houses. We doubled our lesson program during each open house. … It’s great to be able to grow the horse industry, and this program is so helpful and rewarding.” Testimonials from newcomers have been equally powerful. In an essay contest, winner Aimee P. wrote, “Once I discovered horses, the longing for a sense of stability disappeared, and with it, my uncertainty and fear. Now, at 20 years old, experiencing college, I can easily say that simple sense of belonging is the greatest gift I have ever received.” Time to Ride is celebrating its 100,000 new horse-human connections by sharing impact stories on social media at #TTR100k. Join the movement to connect people with horses, encourage ownership, and bring industry partners together by connecting with
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Time to Ride on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, visit www.timetoride.com.
Time to Ride Time to Ride is an initiative of the American Horse Council’s Marketing Alliance. The AHC is a non-profit organization that represents the industry before Congress and federal regulatory agencies in Washington. It also undertakes national initiatives for the horse industry, such as Time to Ride. Members include the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Program partners include American Paint Horse Association, ASPCA, and others. The Council hopes Time to Ride will encourage people and businesses to participate in the industry and support equine activities. The AHC believes a healthy horse industry has a positive effect on Americans and America in many ways.
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Scientists Create Alfalfa Breeders ‘Toolbox’ ARDMORE, Okla. — Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown crop in the United States and an important crop throughout the world. Known as the “Queen of Forages,” alfalfa can be grown alone or in mixtures with other plants. Its high protein content and nutritional quality make it an excellent food source for livestock, whether it is grazed or cut for hay. Alfalfa hay is valued at more than $8 billion annually in the United States. To learn more about alfalfa and to enhance its many positive attributes, scientists at the Noble Research Institute have developed the Alfalfa Breeder’s Toolbox. This comprehensive, webbased portal serves as a community resource that will al-
low breeders and the research community to share, access and visualize data about alfalfa. The Toolbox website includes the alfalfa genome sequence generated through collaborations between the Noble Research Institute, the National Center for Genomic Resources, The University of Minnesota, The J. Craig Venter Institute, and The University of California. “The Alfalfa Breeder’s Toolbox will provide more opportunities to solve practical challenges for alfalfa produc-
tion and include more efficient ways to organize, store, manage, integrate and analyze all the complex, large-scale data sets being generated for this crop,” said Maria Monteros, Ph.D., Noble Research Institute associate professor in legume breeding and project coordinator. “Ultimately, the Alfalfa Breeder’s Toolbox will enhance efficiencies and result in shorter time lines to develop new cultivars that address current and future agricultural production challenges.” With the Toolbox, plant breeders can visualize gene
sequences, determine which genes are activated during stress conditions, such as drought, and identify specific DNA sequences referred to as “molecular markers” to highlight and tag those genes of interest. The Toolbox also includes information on the best strategies for field site preparation, planting, managing and harvesting alfalfa, as well as approaches to identify the best varieties for planting based on the target environment. “Growers need alfalfa varieties that maintain growth during periods of drought, heat, and disease and insect pressure, while also reducing on-farm expenses and improving soil health,” Monteros said. Article courtesy of the Noble Foundation. To learn more, visit www.alfalfatoolbox.org.
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