Land and Livestock Post

December December 2014 2014 —— Issue Issue 1

Cows and deer, deer and cows

Manage rangeland for cattle and deer PAGE 12

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BRYAN, TX 77802 PERMIT # 23

JAMES THOMPSON URBAN VS. RURAL

JAMES THOMPSON CHICKENING OUT

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JAMES THOMPSON DON’T GO GRAZE CRAZY

JAMES THOMPSON MARCHING ORDERS

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Straightcity Should from dwellers the horse's pick mouth. the ag commissioner?

Straight Limit time from in the wheat horse's pastures mouth. for mature cows.

Straight Fast foodfrom restaurants the horse's cry fowl mouth. over beef prices.

Straightseeks USDA frominput the horse's on new mouth. promotion rules.

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December 2014 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News From the General Manager

I Photo by Jerod Foster

A field of corn in the Texas Panhandle. Do city dwellers have enough connection with food production to be able to select a good agriculture commissioner?

Should city voters pick the ag commissioner?

By NeeNa Satija The Texas Tribune

For more than a century, Texans have elected their agriculture commissioner, unlike more than two-thirds of states where governors fill the job by appointment.

But as Texas’ urban population inches toward 90 percent, should they? Or is there danger that the obscure statewide position, often seen as a stepping-stone to higher office, could get tied up in political campaigns about guns and God instead of soybeans and sows?

Farm groups say they still favor elections, expressing confidence that, in this election at least, voters did fine picking former Republican state Rep.

t’s usually my luck that when I get up early in the freezing cold, pull on my gear and trudge out to the deer stand, a bunch of cows will be along shortly.

There is no amount of stealth that can make up for a herd of 1,200-pound animals following behind you.

Although together they do not make for a good hunt, overall deer and cattle are a good pairing. In our cover stoJESSE WRIGHT ry we take a look at managing rangeland for both cattle and deer.

We also have a story about how rising beef prices are impacting the fast food industry, which ties in closely with another story from the USDA requesting input on ways to promote beef. On top of that, we have an article about the drama unfolding in Maui, Hawaii,

with Monsanto over genetically modified food.

The article does a decent job covering the details, but I think I’m going to work a deal with my higher-ups to send me over there to get some first-hand input.

These stories and a few others make up the first of two issues for December 2014. Hope you find something you enjoy, and as always, thanks for reading. ’Til next time,

• For more information about content or advertising, contact Jesse Wright at jesse.wright@theeagle.com.

Sid Miller.

Miller will oversee a Department of Agriculture handling tasks such as inspecting fuel pumps, regulating pesticides and administering a half-billiondollar federal school lunch program. He’s also promised to promote Texas agricultural products worldwide, and encourage more agricultural producers to come to Texas.

If demographic trends continue, it may get dicier to let mostly urban Texans decide who’s qualified to represent agriculture, farm leaders said. Rather than fighting for rural Texas, a candidate might decide to focus on urban needs instead.

See ELECT, Page 4

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December 2014 — Issue 1

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News Elect, from Page 3 “I think we’re safe right now with Sid [Miller],” said Darren Turley, executive director of the Texas Association of Dairymen and chairman of the Texas Agriculture Council. “But we might not be next time. ... We’re just very short on representatives for rural Texas.”

Miller did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

The state’s rural population share has shrunk dramatically, from close to 40 percent in 1950 to less than 15 percent today, making it easier for someone without farm or ranch roots to be elected.

The state Constitution does not require the agriculture commissioner’s election. The Legislature could make it an appointed position.

“Whether or not you should have an elected office, I have been concerned about that for many years,” said Charlie Stenholm, a former Texas Democratic con-

gressman who now lobbies in Washington, D.C. “There’s always the danger politically that you’re going to get someone that is going to have a different agenda than what’s needed,” though he added that Miller’s farming credentials are solid and he expects Miller to stand up for Texas agriculture.

The Texas Farm Bureau, one of the state’s most powerful farm lobbies, is less sure. In this year’s Republican primary, it backed J Allen Carnes, a Uvalde farmer who campaigned on agriculturerelated issues rather than touting his conservative credentials on abortion and gun rights as did other candidates, including Miller. Carnes came in last, and the Farm Bureau declined to endorse Miller during the general election campaign.

But even if it’s hard to get urban Texas interested in rural issues, Farm Bureau spokesman Gene Hall said, the position still should be elected.

Susan Combs, the state’s outgoing Republican comptroller who served as agriculture commissioner from 1999 to 2007, pointed out that state law requires candidates to have a farming or ranching background — although that’s easy to get around.

“I think the statute isn’t that strict,” she acknowledged. But, she added, “I have watched an awful lot of agencies without elections make misstep and fumble after misstep and fumble, and this helps keep them a little more

honest.”

Still, what exactly the agriculture commissioner must be honest about is becoming more obscure. Few Texans — even farmers and ranchers — know what the state Department of Agriculture does.

“They’re more [about] weights and measures on scales,” said Pete Bonds, president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. “I’m not sure of this, but I think they also do gas tanks.” Agricultural producers are affected more by federal policies like immigration and farm subsidies, he said.

The commissioner’s bully pulpit role is more directly important to agriculture, Bonds said. He recounted how outgoing Republican commissioner Todd Staples fought for Texas ranchers when Mexico signed a trade agreement to import breeding cattle from Canada, but not from the U.S. due to concerns about mad cow disease there. But

the Canadian cattle still needed to pass through export facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border, so “Todd spoke up and said, ‘They ain’t coming through Texas,’” Bonds said.

And there’s another reason aspiring politicians want to keep the office an elected one: It’s an obvious starting point, and winning it gives candidates a statewide fundraising Rolodex, volunteer network and name recognition.

That was certainly true for Gov. Rick Perry, who won the office in 1990. In a campaign ad from the time, it’s clear that Perry — featured in cowboy attire — had political ambitions.

“Rick Perry. A new leader from agriculture,” the announcer says, “for Texas.”

Disclosure: The Texas Farm Bureau, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Southern Methodist University are corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune.

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December 2014 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Limiting grazing on wheat pasture best for mature beef cows

By Dr. Glenn Selk Oklahoma State University

Limited grazing of wheat pasture has proven to be the best and also more efficient approach for utilizing this high-quality forage with mature beef cows.

The protein requirements of a dry cow can be met by allowing her to graze on wheat pasture for one day and returning her to dry pasture grass and/or hay for two or three days. A pattern of one day on wheat and one day off, should meet the protein needs of the same cow after calving.

The day on wheat pasture should be defined as that amount of time required for the cow to graze her fill of wheat forage (three to five hours) and not a full 24 hours. This short time on wheat allows the cow to gather adequate amounts of protein

to carry her over the ensuing days on dry grass or hay. A three to five hour grazing limit helps to avoid the unnecessary loss of valuable forage due to trampling, bedding down and manure deposits. Depending on planting date, under normal weather conditions in the fall, enough wheat forage should be accumulated by late November or early December to supply the protein needs of about one to one and a half cows per acre throughout the winter months when limit grazing is practiced.

Producers who decide to use continuous grazing of smallgrain pastures, should watch out for the possibility of “grass tetany.” Grass tetany normally will strike when older cows are grazing small grain pastures in the early spring and the danger will

tend to subside as hot weather arrives. A mineral deficient condition primarily due to calcium and, to a lesser degree, to magnesium, is thought to be the major factor that triggers this disorder and normally affects older cows that are nursing calves under two to three months old. Dry cows seldom are affected.

When conditions for occurrence of tetany are suspected, cows should be provided mineral mixes containing 12 percent to 15 percent magnesium and be consumed at 3 to 4 ounces per day. It is best for the supplements to be

started a couple of months ahead of the period of tetany danger so that proper intake can be established. Because tetany also can occur when calcium is low, calcium supplementation also should be included.

Symptoms of tetany from deficiencies of both minerals are

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indistinguishable without blood tests and the treatment consists of intravenous injections of calcium and magnesium gluconate, which supplies both minerals.

Cows grazing lush small grain pastures should be fed mineral mixes containing both calcium and magnesium.

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December 2014 — Issue 1

located just off Hwy. 6 and OSR 1415 East OSR • Bryan, Texas 77808 Office: (979) 776-5760 • Fax: (979) 776-4818 Website: www.circlexbrangus.com Steve Densmore, Cattle Mgr., (979) 450-0819, cell • (979) 778-1055, home Chris Duewall, Operations Mgr., (979) 777-6803, cell

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News Higher beef prices cause fast food chains to push chicken AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File

CANDICE CHOI AP Food Industry Writer

This photo shows a Whopper sandwich at a Burger King restaurant in Allison Park, Pennsylvania. Soaring beef prices have hurt fast-food restaurants that feature the meat as the centerpiece of their menus.

Burger King,Wendy’s and McDonald’s — the nation’s three biggest burger chains — all say they’re dealing with higher beef costs.

NEW YORK — Rising beef prices might not mean the cost of a Whopper is going to skyrocket, but it could mean you’ll be encouraged to order a chicken sandwich instead.

Beef prices have climbed in part because of rising demand overseas and droughts in recent years that have caused livestock producers to shrink their cattle herds. The average, year-to-date price for 81 percent lean ground beef is $2.18 per pound, said Kevin Good, an analyst at CattleFax, a Colorado-based tracker of the beef industry.

That’s up 24 percent from a year ago.

The soaring prices have hurt fast-food restaurants that feature beef as the centerpiece of their menus: Burger King, Wendy’s and McDonald’s — the nation’s three biggest burger chains — all say they’re dealing with higher beef costs.

But fast-food chains, which sometimes pass along additional costs for ingredients

to customers, realize there’s only so much people are willing to pay for a burger. So, they’re taking other measures to help ease the pressure, such as slashing expenses elsewhere or trying to get people to order other things on their menus.

Arby’s, a chain best known for its roast beef sandwiches, is rolling out a new line of steak sandwiches. But without providing details, CEO Paul Brown said the company also is looking for “more opportunities” to promote chicken, which on average accounts for about 10 percent of sales for the chain.

“There are certain things you can

See FAST FOOD, Page 7

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December 2014 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Agricultural exports set record Special to The Post

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its final total for U.S. agricultural exports in Fiscal Year 2014, which soared to a record $152.5 billion (up from last year’s $141 billion).

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “American farmers and ranchers have once again achieved another year of record exports. Agricultural exports have climbed 41 percent in value over the past five years. U.S. agricultural exports have increased in volume as well as in monetary value, which demonstrates an

Fast food, from Page 6 do, which is promote different items,” Brown said in an interview this week when asked how the company is dealing with rising beef costs.

Alex Macedo, president of Burger King’s North American region, also said earlier this year the company is pushing chicken more aggressively to offset rising beef costs. This summer, the chain said it brought back its “Chicken Fries,” which are deep-fried pieces of chicken in the shape of french fries, after “ongoing guest outcries reached a point where they could no longer be ignored.”

The dish was introduced in 2005 and taken off the menu in 2012.

Burger King’s website also currently is promoting its Italian Original Chicken Sandwich, as well as a deal for 10 chicken nuggets for $1.49.

Burger King is working with franchisees to reduce restaurant costs as well. Carrols Restaurant Group, Burger King’s biggest U.S. franchisee, noted that its beef costs were up 32 percent in the latest quarter from a year ago.

Wendy’s last month also announced a plan to cut costs by $30 million to offset challenges, which include rising beef costs.

Spokesman Bob Bertini declined to specify how Wendy’s is adjusting its marketing strategy to deal with rising beef costs. But he

increasing global appetite for high-quality, American-grown products.

“The Administration’s Made in Rural America initiative, led

by USDA, remains committed to strengthening rural communities, and will continue to focus on investments in rural businesses, manufacturing, energy, water and other infrastructure development. Collectively, these efforts help to expand export opportunities for what is grown and made in rural America, create jobs, and foster growth that strengthens our nation’s economy.” said “our varied core menu with many chicken and salad options gives us options.”

To drive customer traffic in the U.S., McDonald’s said it’s working to keep prices down despite its rising costs for ingredients. To counter pressures, which include weak sales, McDonald’s Chief Financial Officer Pete Bensen said the company is working with third-party experts to analyze its cost structure, including staffing levels.

That doesn’t mean fast-food customers will be shielded from rising beef costs entirely. Chipotle raised prices nationally by about an average of 6 percent this past year, with the company citing higher costs for ingredients, including beef. But Chipotle is enjoying strong sales growth and is more confident about its ability to raise prices without scaring off customers.

Companies aren’t expecting higher beef prices to ease up anytime soon.

John Harrington, publisher of Hastings, Nebraska-based Feel of the Market who analyzes the cattle market, said livestock producers just now are starting to replenish their herds after a drought in recent years. As such, he doesn’t expect prices to ease until 2017.

“It just takes so long — two to three years to a breed a cow. You have to get the calf on the ground, grow the calf and then butcher the animal,” Harrington said.

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December 2014 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT Brazos Valley Results of the Brazos Valley Livestock Commission’s Nov. 11 sale: Head: 1,151 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $364-$430; 300-400 lbs., $324-$400; 400-500 lbs., $279-$360; 500-600 lbs., $249-$305; 600-700 lbs., $210$265; 700-800 lbs., $210-$225.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $300$345; 300-400 lbs., $259-$3350; 400-500 lbs., $240-$320; 500-600

lbs., $220-$262; 600-700 lbs., $200-$225; 700-800 lbs., $195$207.

Slaughter bulls: $120-$144.

Slaughter cows: $85-$125.

Bred cows: $1,350-$2,400.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,900-$2,300.

Buffalo Results of Buffalo Livestock Marketing’s Nov. 8 sale: Head: 1,301

Southwest Beef Symposium set for Jan. 14-15 in Amarillo

By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

AMARILLO — The Southwest Beef Symposium, jointly hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service, is set for Jan. 1415 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 3100 Interstate 40 W., Amarillo.

“Looking to the Future” is the theme of this year’s conference,

Published by Bryan-College Station Communications, Inc. (979) 776-4444 or (800) 299-7355

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said Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo.

“After some very rough years of drought, we will address issues of concern to the industry at large, but also at the ranch level,” McCollum said.

Individual registration is $80, which includes a steak dinner on Jan. 14, lunch on Jan. 15, refreshments and symposium proceedings. Registration is required by Jan. 9 and seating is limited to 150, McCollum said, advising participants to register early. Others will be put on a waiting list.

Register online at agriliferegister.tamu.edu or by phone at 979845-2604.

The opening session from 1-5 p.m. on Jan. 14 will address bigpicture emerging issues in the global beef industry, he said.

Issues and speakers will be: • The Beef Industry: What’s in Store Over the Next Five Years and Next 10 Years?, Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.

• Ranching Strategies for the Long Term, Clint Richardson, Triangle Ranch, Paducah.

• Regulatory Issues Facing the New Mexico and Texas Cattle Industry, Karen Cowen, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, Albuquerque, New Mexico; and

See SYMPOSIUM, Page 10

The Land & Livestock Post

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Steers: 200-300 lbs., $300-$360; 300-400 lbs., $285-$350; 400-500 lbs., $245-$330; 500-600 lbs., $235-$305; 600-700 lbs., $215$262; 700-800 lbs., $205-$232.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $275$340; 300-400 lbs., $245-$335; 400-500 lbs., $220-$320; 500600 lbs., $210-$295; 600-700 lbs., $205-$255; 700-800 lbs., $175-$225.

Slaughter bulls:$105-$152.

Slaughter cows: $65-$124.

Stocker cows: $1,750-$2,600.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,100-$2,675.

$240; 700-800 lbs., $200-$225.

Heifers: 268-330 lbs., $280$350; 300-400 lbs., $280-$365; 400-500 lbs., $270-$325; 500600 lbs., $240-$300; 600-700 lbs., $215-$240; 700-800 lbs., $200-$220.

Slaughter bulls: $117-$124.

Slaughter cows: $70-$111.

Stocker cows: $1,300-$2,000.

Milano

Caldwell Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s Nov. 12 sale: Head: 671 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $300-$400; 300-400 lbs., $300-$395; 400-500 lbs., $290-$360; 500-600 lbs., $240-$300; 600-700 lbs., $220-

Results of the Milano Livestock Exchange’s Nov. 11 sale: Head: 515 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $221-$370; 400-500 lbs., $247-$357; 500-600 lbs., $217-$291; 600-700 lbs., $196-$249.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $236$339; 400-500 lbs., $230-$315; 500-600 lbs., $209-$2617; 600700 lbs., $193-$225.

Slaughter bulls:$120-$139.

Slaughter cows: $81-$107.

Bred cows: $1,150-$1,900.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,750-$2,250.

Navasota Results of the Navasota Livestock Auction Co.’s Nov. 8 sale: Head: 1,507 Steers: 150-300 lbs., $200-$440; 300-400 lbs., $200-$375; 400-500 lbs., $175-$355; 500-600 lbs., $160-$295; 600-700 lbs., $155$257.50.

Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $195$400; 300-400 lbs., $185-$325; 400-500 lbs., $175-$310; 500600 lbs., $165-$285; 600-700 lbs., $160-$247.50.

Slaughter bulls:$100-$129.

Slaughter cows: $85-$116.

Stocker cows: $1,200-$2,075.

Cow/calf pairs: $2,000-$2,450.

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Symposium, from Page 9 Ross Wilson, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Amarillo.

• Where Do I Go to Get Help with Regulatory and Legal Issues on My Property?, Tiffany Dowell, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, Amarillo.

The symposium on Jan. 15 will address rangeland resource management in the morning and beef herd management in the afternoon. Issues and speakers will be: • Rangeland Resource Management in the Panhandle: A Long-Term Perspective, Andrew Bivins, JA Ranch, Amarillo.

• Tipping Points for Juniper and Mesquite Control: Canopy Cover and Forage Production, Jim Ansley, Texas A&M AgriLife Research rangeland ecologist, Vernon.

• Evaluating the Current Costs and Future Value of Rangeland Improvement Practices, Richard

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Connor, rangeland economist, Texas A&M University, College Station.

• Climate and Weather Outlook: Better Days Ahead?, Brian Bledsoe, chief meteorologist, KKTV, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

• Heifer Development Strategies, ndy Roberts, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, Fort Keogh, Montana.

• Genetic Management Tools for Commercial Cow-calf Producers, Joe Paschal, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Corpus Christi.

• Bull Performance in the Pasture: What We Know, What We Are Learning, Bruce Carpenter, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Ft. Stockton.

For information, go to aces. nmsu.edu/ces/swbeef/ or contact McCollum at 806-677-5600 or ft-mccollum@tamu.edu.

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December 2014 — Issue 1

11

News

Living the good life together Manage rangeland for cattle and deer

By RoBeRt FeaRs Special to The Post

R

anch profits usually are enhanced by a diversification of enterprises due to an increased number of revenue sources.

Risk also is reduced when it can be spread across more than one profit center. A common ranch diversification is a cow-calf operation and hunting, which can be more successful if rangeland is managed properly for both animals.

Cattle and deer compliment each other in native range utilization, primarily because they eat different types of plants.

On an annual basis, a white-tailed deer’s diet consists of 52 percent browse (woody plants), 36 percent forbs (non-woody broad-leaf plants) and 12 percent grass.

The annual diet of cattle is 7 percent browse, 12 percent forbs and 81 percent grass. Because of their plant preference, cattle eat grass that is not beneficial to deer and will consume only small amounts of browse and forbs. There is very little overlap in the diets of the two animals.

At a cattleman’s field day on the Solana Ranch near Salado, Mike Michaux began his presentation by talking about grass and efforts to keep it healthy. After discussing range management practices, he then talked about cattle and whitetail deer.

This rancher has his priorities in the correct order, because available forage is the backbone of any ranching operation and without it, profits suffer.

Solana Ranch is owned and operated

by Kirk Michaux and his son, Mike Michaux, who work together to demonstrate that deer and cattle can be managed successfully on the same land. Kirk’s father bought several thousand acres and established the ranch in 1950. It later became Kirk’s responsibility to keep the ranch on a self-sustaining basis, which is done with cattle and deer.

12

Deer help control brush and weeds which enhances the growth of grass for cattle. On the cover, Solana Ranch aerially sprays prickly pear.

“Land and water conservation is our number one goal,” said Mike Michaux.

“We want to keep the ranch productive for future family generations. My son will be the fourth generation Michaux that will manage the ranch.”

Management practices

“Our range management practices benefit both deer and cattle,” Mike Michaux said. “The cattle stocking rates are purposely conservative so that we can retain grass for drought periods and maintain

December 2014 — Issue 1

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Photos by Robert Fears

good soil condition.

“We plant oats in some of our fields for winter grazing and sorghum for summer grazing. This gives us the opportunity to graze cultivated crops while our pas-

See RANGELAND, Page 13

The Land & Livestock Post

News Rangeland, from Page 12 tures rest. Cattle are also rotated among pastures. Normally we maintain enough grass so that the cattle are not forced to eat browse and forbs, leaving them for the deer.”

“Continual prickly pear and cedar control programs are maintained,” Kirk Michaux said.

“These two plants are serious invaders and provide very little benefit to deer or cattle in our area. Hydraulic shears mounted on a skid steer loader are used to cut cedar at ground level, which leaves roots in the ground to control soil erosion. Since the species is blueberry juniper, it doesn’t resprout. We aerially spray prickly pear with either Surmount or Tordon 22K. “Care is taken to avoid spraying our hardwood trees that include elm, pecan, postoak, blackjack oak and live oak. These trees benefit deer by providing cover and a fall food supply of pecans and acorns. The groves of trees also provide the cattle with shade and protection from bad weather.

Understory growth such as sumac, hackberry, and wild grape are left for deer browse” Cedar and other woody plants regularly are removed from the riparian areas on the Solana Ranch which results in spring re-

juvenation. The flowing springs supply the creeks with year-long water that benefit both, the deer and cattle.

Stocking rates

The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service helps the Michauxs with their cattlegrazing plans. Forage inventories normally are taken twice a year.

The first sampling is taken during the first part of July, when 70 percent of the forage has been produced. Forage production is measured again after the first killing frost in the fall. This second measurement shows how much forage was consumed during the growing season and how much is available for winter feed.

“Forage production can easily be determined with a common yard stick, which is used to square off one square yard on the ground,” said Jeff Goodwin, Natural Resources Conservation Service state rangeland management specialist. “Forage available for grazing is clipped at ground level inside the square, put into pre-weighed bags and allowed to air dry for two to three days. Then the dried forage is weighed in grams. Pounds of forage per acre are determined by multiplying the net weight by

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10.7. Forage is clipped at enough locations across the pasture until a representative sample is obtained.”

“Once the amount of total available forage is determined, the next step is calculation of available animal days per acre,” Goodwin continues. “An animal unit consumes approximately 26 pounds of forage per day.

Let’s assume we have 50 cows that collectively will consume 1,300 pounds of forage per day (50 X 26 = 1,300). If we estimate 4,000 pounds of forage per acre and there are 150 acres in the pasture, we have a total forage production of 600,000 pounds (150 X 4,000 = 600,000). We want to use 25 percent which gives us 150,000 pounds of available forage (600,000 X 0.25 = 150,000). Dividing the amount of available forage by the daily herd consumption

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The Land & Livestock Post

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Cedar or juniper is controlled on the Solana Ranch by individual plant treatment with a backpack sprayer.

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News Deer, from Page 13 tells us that we have 115 grazing days in that particular pasture (150,000 ÷ 1,300 = 115). Events such as drought, grasshoppers or armyworms could change this number, so constant monitoring is necessary.”

Deer management

“Deer population sizes are managed with the help of Texas Parks and Wildlife,” Kirk Michaux said. “We take annual deer censuses during August and September by spotlight surveys. A deer spotlight survey is a method of sampling a given area of land and its deer density. There are designated routes on the ranch which we drive and stop every tenth mile each year before census is taken. At the stops, we estimate the length of visibility perpendicular to each side of the

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road. These measurements plus the length of the route are used to calculate visible acres.”

“During the census, the routes are driven at night and all observed deer are counted and listed on the tally sheet as bucks, does, fawns, or unidentified,” Mike Michaux said. “We send the census numbers along with a completed information form on our past year’s management practices to the Parks & Wildlife field biologist. He uses our submission and his own habitat condition evaluation to determine the deer habitat carrying capacity. By comparing the deer census with carrying capacity, the number of deer that need to be harvested can be estimated.”

Car rying capacity is the number of animals an area can support while maintaining the health of the animals and the habitat. In general, when deer

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Cattle and deer complement each other in range management. At proper stocking rates, cattle control grass density and height which opens the canopy for forb production providing a source of deer food. Correct cattle stocking rates also reduce the amount of plant litter, resulting in less fire hazard. Deer help control certain types of brush which enhances grass production and they browse on the lower tree limbs improving cattle access for shade. To reap benefits from a cattle/deer combination, deer populations must be kept in balance with habitat condition and cattle numbers must be managed to match the amount of available forage.

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Producers can capture extra dollars with historic cattle prices quarter of 2015 suggest $229 per hundredweight to $333 per hundredweight, according to David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock economist, College Station.

Those prices are expected to remain relatively steady throughout 2015 as more ranchers continue to rebuild herds slowly, Russell said.

Russell said simple management practices such as castrating calves can add more dollars to a rancher’s pocket.

“I want to emphasize there’s some real value in castrating your calves,” Russell said.

He said those who do not castrate will receive discounts up to 8 percent.

“Those who don’t choose to castrate would be better off selling those calves before they reach 600 pounds,” he said.

By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

BRENHAM — Though cattle prices have reached historic highs, there could be potential to make extra dollars and possibly add more young cows to a herd at current prices, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.

Levi Russell, AgriLife Extension economist in Corpus Christi, told attendees at the recent South Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic in Brenham the cattle market has continued its historic price run due to supply constraints.

“Part of the reason for these high prices is low supply,” he said. “Overall, it doesn’t appear these prices are going to level off anytime soon due to the fact there are fewer beef cows out there.”

Russell said data indicates continued strong consumer demand, both domestically and for exports.

“This makes most folks think these high prices will continue to hold,” he said.

P r i c e s fo r 7 0 0 - p o u n d t o 800-pound steers in the first

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photos by Blair Fannin

Above, Levi Russell, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in Corpus Christi, discusses cattle market trends and options for ranchers to consider when looking to buy replacement heifers.Below, data indicates continued strong consumer demand for beef, both domestically and for exports.

Russell also demonstrated the Bid Price Estimator for Beef Cows, a spreadsheet program that can assist beef cattle pr oducers when deciding to buy replacement cattle. The program allows producers to input an expected rate of return against the net cash outlay for buying replacement cattle.

The spreadsheet takes into consideration annual operating costs as well as financing information.

“People are saying females are expensive to go out and buy right now,” Russell said. “But that net present value is what indicates your return on investment.”

To access the spreadsheet, go to bit.ly/1jOtkRj.

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The Land & Livestock Post

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December 2014 — Issue 1

15

News Task force to combact antibiotic resistance in agriculture

By DonalD StottS Oklahoma State University

STILLWATER, Oklahoma — Challenges related to the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria have led to a new multidisciplinary, multi-institutional collaborative endeavor, The Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance in Production Agriculture.

Created by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, the task force is composed of representatives from U.S. agricultural and veterinary medicine colleges, land-grant universities, the production animal agriculture community and the pharmaceutical industry.

“The goal of the task force is to advise the U.S. government on a research agenda and also to help publicly disseminate information about the use of antibiotics in production agriculture,” said task force member Thomas G. Coon, vice president, dean and director of Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Officials from key federal agencies are expected to serve as observers to the task force and leaders from public universities in Mexico and Canada will serve as ex officio members, as will representatives of the The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

“The collective expertise and experience of its members will allow the task force to serve as a knowledgeable source of information and insight,” Coon said.

The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have expressed concerns about some bacteria having developed defenses against different classes of antibiotic compounds.

In addition, President Barack Obama has issued an executive order describing antibiotic resistant bacteria as a national security priority and directing

16

various executive branch departments and agencies to develop a specific plan of action to address the issue by mid-February.

“As leaders in agricultural animal production and well-being, we must provide sound and appropriate care when considering the use of antibiotics in rearing animals for food production, keeping in mind that the problem did not develop solely as the result of antibiotic use in animals,” said Dr. Jean Sander, dean of Oklahoma State’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.

Sander said antibiotics are developed from naturally occurring substances in the environment and contact of bacteria in that environment may result in some level of resistance even without use in animals.

“Also, the use of these medications in human medicine to treat viral diseases that are not affected by antibiotics must be included as part of a holistic approach to any regulations in this area,” she said. “To accurately define the scope of this problem, all antibiotic use must be reviewed.”

Andrew T. Maccabe, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges executive director and ex officio task force member, said his organization looks forward to collaborating with the APLU and federal government on what he calls “this critical issue,” noting many of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges’ member institutions are based

at land-grant universities such as Oklahoma State.

The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities is a research, policy and advocacy organization representing 237 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems and affiliated organizations.

Founded in 1887, the association is North America’s oldest higher-education association with member institutions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico.

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people and the environment by advancing academic veterinary medicine. Members include all 35 veterinary medical colleges in the United States and Canada, as well as 14 international colleges of veterinary medicine and seven departments of comparative medicine, among others. Dr. Eleanor Green, dean of Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is president elect of the organization.

The human factor Antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment when it is really needed. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread to family members, schoolmates, and co-workers - threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat.

For this reason, antibiotic resistance is among CDC’s top concerns.

Antibiotic resistance can cause significant danger and suffering for children and adults who have common infections, once easily treatable with antibiotics. Microbes

December 2014 — Issue 1

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can develop resistance to specific medicines. A common misconception is that a person’s body becomes resistant to specific drugs. However, it is microbes, not people, that become resistant to the drugs.

If a microbe is resistant to many drugs, treating the infections it causes can become difficult or even impossible.

Someone with an infection that is resistant to a certain medicine can pass that resistant infection to another person.

In this way, a hard-to-treat illness can be spread from person to person. In some cases, the illness can lead to serious disability or even death.

— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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News USDA seeks input on new beef promotion order Special to The Post

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking input from the public to guide its development of a new industry-funded promotion, research and information order (also known as a “checkoff program”) for beef and beef products.

The new order would be in addition to the existing beef checkoff program, providing American beef producers with more resources for the marketing of their products and research to help strengthen the country’s beef industry.

“Beef industry representatives agree that this important program needs more resources.

18

USDA is stepping up at a critical juncture to help achieve the industry’s goal,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “With this action we can boost research investments, increase beef exports, and encourage folks here at home to support American beef producers.”

Beef industry leaders agree that the current fee of $1 perhead-of-cattle per producer is too little. The $1 assessment has remained the same since 1985 when Congress first created the beef checkoff program, and the amount can be changed only through Congressional action. This assessment provides resources for marketing to promote beef sales, research, and

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The Land & Livestock Post

News USDA, from Page 18 many other benefits for producers. An additional supplemental program such as the one USDA is proposing would enhance available resources, which would help the beef industry address important issues including improving and enhancing nutritional and consumer information through initiatives such as consumer advertising, education, research and new-product development.

Additional resources could help increase demand for beef, both domestically and internationally, thus benefitting cattle producers and the domestic beef industry. USDA is acting to help beef producers continue to enjoy these benefits — and strengthen them — in a way that works for all producers.

Interested individuals and organizations are invited to provide their views concerning provisions that would be included in the new order. A referendum

on an order established under the 1996 Act would be conducted within three years after assessments begin to determine whether beef producers favor the program and if it should continue.

A second referendum would be held within seven years of the start of the program.

Interested parties have until Dec. 10 to submit comments on any of the issues below, and comments should reference the appropriate heading: 1. Who should be assessed?

2. What should be the board structure?

Who is eligible to serve?

Should there be a relatively large delegate body appointed by the Secretary that would elect and recommend from within itself a smaller board?

What should be the size of the board?

What should be the term of office?

3. How should the board be selected?

Who may nominate eligible candidates to serve?

What should be the nomination and selection process?

4. What should be the powers and duties of the board?

5. Who has decision-making authority?

Should funding decisions be made by the full board or a smaller body elected from within this board?

Should funding decisions be made in conjunction with other organizations such as the Federation of State Beef Councils or the current Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board?

6. How should the assessment rate be determined?

Should the assessment be a specified amount, a percent of value, or an amount determined by board?

If a specified amount or a percent of value, should there be provisions for adjustments to the rate by the board, and without subsequent producer refer-

endum?

Should there be a de minimis exemption for certain size operations or classes of cattle or beef ?

Should there be temporary or permanent provisions for refunds of assessments?

7. How should assessments be collected?

Should the States or the national board collect the assessment?

Should be assessment be levied

at all points of sale, at slaughter, or at some other time?

8. When should the referenda be conducted?

USDA will consider written comments in developing its proposal for a Beef Promotion, Research and Information Order that provides for a promotion, research, and information program for beef and beef products

See COMMENT, Page 23

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December 2014 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Animal Health Commission adopts rules for livestock industry Texas Animal Health Commission

The Texas Animal Health Commission held a regular commission meeting on Sept. 16 at its headquarters in Austin. The following rules were adopted during the meeting and are now in effect: • Chapter 38, Trichomoniasis, Testing/Herd Certification The commission adopted two new testing requirements and two herd certification program requirements for trichomoniasis, also known as trich.

Testing Requirements — If a bull is sold and later found to be infected with trich, other bull(s) from the infected bulls original herd of origin may be required to be tested if the bull was not exposed to female cattle after the sale, and prior to testing by the new owner. A second requirement states that if a bull is found to be infected with trich on property not owned or managed by the original by caretaker of the bull (a stray), other bull(s) from both the unit of origin and bull(s) found on the premises where the bull was last located must all officially be tested for trichomoniasis.

Herd Management — The first amendment allows the commission to evaluate the effectiveness of a herd control plan and authorizes the Texas Animal Health Commission can choose to continue or disapprove the herd plan based on the progress or lack of progress made with the infected herd. A second amendment requires all herd owners enrolled in the Trich Herd Certification Program to have adequate perimeter fences around their property to prevent the ingress or egress of cattle.

• Chapter 51, Entry Requirements, Cattle & Swine The commission added two exemptions to trichomoniasis (trich) testing requirements concerning the intrastate movement of breeding bulls entering Texas.

The commission also added an entry requirement for non-com-

mercial swine entering Texas.

Cattle — The first testing requirement exemption is for Texas breeding bulls moving directly to an out-of-state facility that tests their gain and feed conversion for cattle (bull test stations). Such bulls do not need to be tested to return back to the Texas premises of origin as long as the bulls have been kept separate from female cattle while participating in the feed trial. The second exemption is for breeding bulls that originate from a herd that is enrolled in a trich certification program in another state that is substantially similar to the Texas Certified Trich Free Herd Program, and confirmed by the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Swine — For non-commercial swine entering Texas for reasons other than immediate slaughter, the commission now requires accredited veterinarians to include a statement on certificates of veterinary inspection (i.e. health certificates) that the swine have not originated from a premises known to be affected

by Novel Swine Enteric Coronavirus Disease(s), and have not been exposed to Swine Enteric Coronavirus Disease(s) within the past 30 days.

• Chapter 39, Scabies and Mange Mites The title and content of this chapter was modified to identify accurately that scabies and other contagious skin diseases identified in the chapter are caused by mange mites and to allow the use of new types of acceptable treatments for mange mites.

The Land & Livestock Post

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• Chapter 45, Reportable Diseases, Novel Swine Enteric Coronavirus Disease(s) The commission added Novel Swine Enteric Coronavirus Disease to the list of reportable diseases.

The following rules were proposed: • Chapter 43, Tuberculosis, Movement Restriction Zone Based upon the recommendations of the 2014 “Bovine Tuberculosis Risk Assessment for El Paso and Hudspeth Counties,” the commission proposed amendments that would redefine the Movement Restriction Zone and specify that the El Paso and Hudspeth County Movement Restriction Zone restrictions are limited to bovine. The proposal would also remove the previous annual and bi-annual TB test requirements. Further, future TB testing of susceptible species in the Movement Restriction Zone would only be required if determined epidemiologically to be necessary by the commission.

• Chapter 49, Equine, Piroplasmosis Testing Racetrack Facilities The proposal would broaden the existing definition of a “racetrack facility” to include facilities that are not licensed by the Texas Racing Commission.

This requirement is intended to ensure that horses that compete at unsanctioned racetracks are tested negative prior to entry into facility.

• Chapter 40, Chronic Wasting Disease, Movement Restriction Zone In 2012, the commission established two Chronic Wasting Disease zones (Containment and High Risk) in portions of El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson counties in West Texas to protect against the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. Because the two original zone movement requirements were identical when passed, the commission has proposed to combine the two separate geographical zones into a single new zone defined as the “Containment Zone”. There is

December 2014 — Issue 1

no change in zone requirements or boundaries, but simply a name change. The High Risk zone concept still is valid, and may be applicable for other locations in the future if necessary.

• Chapter 51, Entry Requirements, Swine To be consistent with USDA animal disease traceability and interstate movement requirements, the commission proposed changes to swine entry identification requirements to accept registration tattoos and ear notches as official identification methods.

• Chapter 57, Poultry, Larynogotracheitis Vaccine Virus For poultry entering Texas, the commission proposed an amendment to require accredited veterinarians to certify on the required health certificate that the poultry listed on it have

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To view the details of the rules, go to www.Texas Animal Health Commission.state.tx.us/regs/ code.html.

Complete details of the rule proposals are available on the Texas Animal Health Commission website at www.Texas Animal Health Commission.state. tx.us/regs/proposals.html For more information, go to www.Texas Animal Health Commission.texas.gov or call 1-800-550-824

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Comment, from Page 19 under the 1996 Act. The new program would operate concurrently with the Beef Checkoff Program authorized under the authority of the 1985 Act. Details of the notice of inquiry appeared in the Nov. 10 Federal Register. Comments may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov or sent to Beef Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Research and Promotion Division, Room 2096-S; Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program; AMS, USDA, STOP 0249; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington,

Sign up for the Land & Livestock Post

D.C. 20250-0249; telephone number 202-720-5705.

In September, Secretary Vilsack announced his intentions to increase USDA’s involvement to support beef producers and help ensure that the beef checkoff program can move forward with broad-based producer organization support.

The new order would be developed under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996.

The proposed program would be in addition to the existing beef promotion and research program established under the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985.

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Fire closes Mississippi museum for weeks JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum is expected to remain closed to the general public until Dec. 1 after a Nov. 13 fire.

Andy Prosser, deputy commissioner of agriculture, told WJTV in Jackson (bit.ly/1u24Sjk ) the facility will be made available to individuals or groups who already had scheduled rentals for events.

TE PRIVA Y T A E TR

rk A n a l C

Three buildings — a children’s barnyard, a veterinary educational building and a maintenance shed — were destroyed.

Among the burned items were 100-year-old veterinary artifacts, maintenance tools and golf carts.

No people were injured. Cleanup was beginning.

Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Ricky Davis said investigators have found no evidence of arson.

landandlivestockpost.com

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