The Carolina Cattle Connection - Volume 34, Issue No. 4 (APRIL 2020)

CC C

arolina attle onnection MARCH 2020 •

Vol. 34, Issue No. 3

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 3

Performance Extra Calf is a very palatable blended feed designed for the producer who wants more texture in their feed product. Cattle start on Extra Calf quicker than with a straight pellet.

This product consists of Whole Cottonseed, Soybean Meal, and the 16% Performane Extra Pellets.

Cattle Cubes reduce your feed shrink. They provide beneficial supplementation of protein and energy when feed bunks are not available and can be fed on the ground.

Performance Feeder Blend is a pelleted combination of corn, dry corn gluten, soy hulls, calcium carbonate, and wheat midds with a trace mineral vitamin pack. Performance Feeder Blend is designed as a maintenance ration for all stages of cattle production.

With lush spring grass, remember to use our Hi Mag Hi Selenium Mineral With lush spring grass, remember use our Hi Mag Hi Selenium Mineral to help prevent grass tetany. to tohelp prevent grass tetany.

Bull Developer is formulated to be fed as a complete ration for bulls in confinement.

This unique blend of pellets, cracked corn, soybean meal, cottonseed hulls, peanut hulls, and a complete mineral package including yeast and ZinPro allows bulls to reach their full genetic growth potential without digestive problems. It is university tested and farm proven.

PAGE 4

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

ONNECTION A Message from the CEO — Adding Labels vs Adding Value, by Colin Woodall …... page 50 Alltech News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........... page 35 Amazing Grazing — A New Year - A New Renovation, by Deidre Harmon ….. page 12 American Angus Association News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........ page 28 American Hereford Association News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........ page 41 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…......... page 49 Ashley’s Beef Corner — N.C. Beef Backer Award Presented to Redneck BBQ Lab, by Ashley W. Herring ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…....... page 10 Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges ……..…..…..…..…..... page 23 Beef Checkoff News ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…....... page 58 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..... page 47 Beefmaster Breeders United News ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….....…..…... page 42 BioZyme Incorporated News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…... page 54 Boehringer Ingelheim News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….... page 36 Brookside Agra News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….…..…....….... page 38 Callicrate Banders News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…...... page 51 Carolina Cooking — Ridiculously Tasty Roast Beef ……..…..…..…..…..…...... page 46 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…... page 36 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Jelly-B, by E.B. Harris ……..…..…......... page 14 Farm Credit News ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........... page 52 Genex News ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…...... page 51 Herd Health — Can You Get Coronavirus From Your Cows?, by Dr. Geof Smith ….. page 44 Herd Management — Protect Your Investment!

Care of the Young Herd Bull, by Dr. Steven E. Meadows ……..…..…..…..….. page 18 International Brangus Breeders Association News ….…..…..…..…..…....…... page 54 John Deere News …..…..…..…..…..…..……..…..…..…....…..…..…..…..…...........….. page 60 Merck Animal Health News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........... page 53 N.C. Angus Association Holds 75th Annual Meeting, by Sharon Rogers ….... page 20 N.C. BCIP Bull Tests — A Benefit? You Bet They Are!, by Linda P. Hicks ….. page 30 N.C. Choices Launches MeatSuite Marketing in North Carolina …….......... page 56 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..... page 42 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Myth of the Month ….…..…..…....... page 50 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…......... page 60 NCBA Sends Letter to Capitol Hill Urging Relief for Cattle Producers ….… page 3 New NCCA Members for 2020 ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........... page 46 North American Limousin Foundation News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…...... page 35 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ……..…..…..…..…........... page 53 On the Edge of Common Sense — Equal Opportunity Cowboy, by Baxter Black …... page 15 S.C. Beef Council News, by Roy Copelan ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..... page 56 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ……..…..…..…..…............ page 59 Take the Amazing Grazing Crabgrass Challenge ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…. page 12 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. page 37 Yon Family Farms Spring Sale Report ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........ page 26 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…...... page 16

North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association President JEREMY LEE 5153 Battle Run Drive • Catawba, NC 28609 Vice Presidents KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734 BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425 SCOTT WEST 489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850 Immediate Past President MIKE COX P.O. 1317 • Elon, NC 27244 NCBA Policy Division Director - FRED SMITH, JR. NCBA Federation Division Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR. Beef Board Director - ROBERT CRABB Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE

The Carolina Cattle Connection Vol. 34, No. 4 APRIL 2020 Sales and Publication Office 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Phone: 919-552-9111 or 919-552-9112 Fax: 919-552-9216 Email: mail@nccattle.com Website: www.nccattle.com

The Carolina Cattle Connection

is printed on 30 lb recycled newsprint

by BN Printing in Benson, N.C.

Manager, N.C.

STAFF

BRYAN BLINSON

Manager, S.C. TRAVIS MITCHELL

Editor and Advertising Director CASEY L. HINNANT

Executive Director BRYAN K. BLINSON Assistant Editor and Proofreader 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

KIM BURDGE

N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Director of Consumer Information ASHLEY W. HERRING

N.C. Circulation

KIM BURDGE

Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE

S.C. Circulation

To Be Announced

South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director TRAVIS MITCHELL Phone: 864-803-1126 Email: twmitch@clemson.edu S.C. Beef Council ROY COPELAN Phone: 803-917-1119 Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov Website: www.sccattle.org Executive Committee President - Thomas Legare 1st Vice President - Roscoe Kyle Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Cecil Eaddy

William Brigman, Latta • Joe Oswald, IV, Allendale Roscoe Kyle, Inman • Terry Kirkland, Batesburg Eddie Evans, Easley • Cecil Eaddy, Manning Thomas Legare, Johns Island • Richard Sox, Lexington Carol Hendrix, Westminister • Clay Alexander, Starr Timmy Benton, Walterboro • Michael Bailey, Lancaster Dale Wilson, Abbeville • Thomas Jones, Marion Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Jack Ferguson, York Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews

Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All submissions becom property of The Carolina Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to return items such as photographs and artwork as requested.

The Carolina Cattle Connection, the official publication of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association is published monthly by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association.

A complementary subscription is included with membership to each state’s association. Nonmember subscriptions are $25 per year.

All address changes for NCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.

All address changes for SCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211-1280

Our

PEST MANAGEMENT Common Cattle Parasites, by Floron C. Faries, Jr., page 4 Pest Management Considerations for Your Operation,

by Joseph W. Ward, Ph.D., page 6 Using Oral Larvicides to Control Pests and Maintain Comfort for Your Cattle, by Dr. Larry Hawkins, page 8

breed Spotlight special sections are excellent forums to r e ac h p r o d u c e r s a n d cattle industry insiders in the Carolinas and throughout the S outheast . A dvertisers also receive a special discount for placing their message in the Spotlight.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 1

T N E V E !

D E N O P T S PO

2020 S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting WHEN:

NEW DATE TO BE DETERMINED More information will be coming soon!

WHERE:

Garrison Livestock Arena Clemson, S.C. Registrations for the conference can be found online at www.sccattle.org. ◆ Exhibitor Registration ◆ Sponsor Registration ◆ Individual Registration For more information about the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Conference,contact:

ROSCOE KYLE, JR. - 864-304-2390 • TRAVIS MITCHELL - 803-609-2828 PAGE 2

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

NCBA Sends Letter to Capitol Hill Urging Relief for Cattle Producers In response to the ongoing efforts to provide relief to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued the following statement: “As the country reels both economically and emotionally from the spread of COVID-19, NCBA has been hard at work ensuring that cattle producers remain able to focus on the national infrastructure priority of keeping high quality beef available to consumers.

“Meeting that challenge requires federal officials at the Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Interior, Treasury, and more to have a full understanding of how our product gets from the pasture to the plate – and we’re extremely proud to tell that story.

“In these challenging times, that story is about the strength of our cattle producing families and what they need to weather this storm. COVID-19 has dealt a tremendously challenging hand to producers across the country. These highly volatile markets cannot be allowed to force our ranching families out of business just when consumers need them most.

“In order to combat this staggering burden, NCBA has been actively engaged with leaders in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to ensure that relief funds from any aid package reach these struggling cattle producers directly.

It is important that any such relief avoids the lasting market altering effects of a price support program, such as those that have been proposed by some members of the Senate. Instead, we must keep the focus on providing quick, targeted

relief to struggling producers. While the effects of COVID-19 will be felt across the country, we must ensure we avoid permanent, fundamental changes to workings of the American cattle market.

We applaud Senators and Representatives from across the country who are working to provide those solutions using proven avenues such as the Commodity Credit Corporation as administered through USDA. “Americans always rise to the challenge in times of need, and the work of these officials in Congress and in the administration during this trying time is a testament to that great tradition. We thank each of them for their efforts and stand ready to assist in moving forward.”

NCBA’s letter to Capitol Hill: Dear Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, and Leader McCarthy: The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauds your efforts to mitigate the economic threats posed by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. As the largest segment of the U.S. agriculture industry, cattle production accounted for $67 billion (18 percent) of the $371 billion in total cash receipts from agricultural commodities in 2018. We are present in all 50 states on 729,000 farm operations that are the lifeblood of our rural economies.

The market disruptions caused by COVID-19 have not been limited to the financial markets. Commodities, in both the futures and spot markets, have

Be a winner!

Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association!

also experienced significant shocks, which have led to depressed prices for both live and feeder cattle across the country. This price disturbance has created tremendous uncertainty in the cattle industry and has come at a time when cattle producers are singularly focused on maintaining adequate supply to meat and food processors. As retail beef demand continues to soar in the wake of temporary restaurant closures, it is critical that cattle producers are empowered to maintain operational certainty as they work to ensure our nation’s food security during this crisis.

To that end, as Congress considers additional measures to combat the effects of COVID-19, it is imperative that a future funding package includes a meaningful safeguard for our nation’s farm and ranch families during this public health emergency. To that end, NCBA respectfully requests that Phase III, or any future deal, provide for an increase in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Commodity Credit Corporation’s (USDA - CCC) borrowing authority from $30 to $50 billion, fully fund the replenishment of CCC, and ensure that livestock producers will be eligible for assistance

in this time of need.

NCBA has already been in contact with USDA leadership to ensure CCC funds can be disbursed appropriately and expeditiously through existing programs.

We are confident in their ability to provide financial assistance to those cattlemen and women who need it most. Rest assured, we will continue that dialogue in furtherance of this effort if Congress will provide them the tools needed to carry out this mission.

America’s cattle producing families are no stranger to market disruptions or financial hardships. Through this pandemic, they are continuing to work long hours to provide others with a safe and nutritious protein which can be easily prepared at home. In making these policy requests, our hope is that Congress will provide sufficient, one time assistance to these producers so they can continue this vital work. NCBA remains ready and willing to assist you in bringing that objective to fruition.

Sincerely, Ethan L. Lane Vice President, Government Affairs NCBA

This letter was sent to the following: • The Honorable Mitch McConnell,

Majority Leader, U.S. Senate • The Honorable Nancy Pelosi,

Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives • The Honorable Charles E. Schumer,

Minority Leader, U.S. Senate • The Honorable Kevin McCarthy,

Minority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives • The Honorable Sonny Perdue, Secretary, USDA • The Honorable Richard Shelby,

Chair, Senate Committee on Appropriations • The Honorable Nita Lowey,

Chair, House Committee on Appropriations • The Honorable Patrick Leahy,

Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Appropriations • The Honorable Kay Granger,

Ranking Member, House Committee on Appropriations • The Honorable Pat Roberts,

Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture • The Honorable Collin Peterson,

Chair, House Committee on Agriculture • The Honorable Debbie Stabenow,

Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Agriculture • The Honorable Mike Conaway,

Ranking Member, House Committee on Agriculture • The Honorable John Hoeven,

Chair, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture • The Honorable Sanford D. Bishop,

Chair, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture • The Honorable Jeff Merkley,

Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture • The Honorable Jeff Fortenberry,

Ranking Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 3

Spotlight

e Special

on

PEST MANAGEMENT

Section f

Common Cattle Parasites

By FLORON C. FARIES, JR. Texas A&M University With proper preventive and treatment methods, producers can control many common internal and external parasites in cattle. Common important internal parasites of cattle are hairworms, lungworms, liver flukes, and coccidia.

Common external parasites include horn flies, lice, and grubs.

Internal Parasites Hairworms - The gastrointestinal tract of cattle is often infected with hairworms, also called stomach worms and intestinal worms. These worms are transmitted when: • Infected cattle pass eggs in manure onto the ground; • Eggs hatch in the manure; • Rain washes the larvae from the manure; and • Cattle swallow larvae on wet grass in moderate temperatures.

The worms mature in about three weeks and lay eggs. In June, July, and August, larval development of the brown stomach worm, the most common and harmful of the hairworms, is inhibited in the stomach lining. The worms are usually transmitted when soil temperatures are 55º-85°F in rainy periods in spring (April through June) and fall (October). Pasture larvae hibernate in winter (November through March) and die from heat, sunlight, drying, and nutrient depletion in summer (July through September).

Normally the disease (wormy cattle) is secondary to inadequate nutrition. Poor nutritional management practices, such as overcrowdedness and overgrazing, create inadequate nutrition, and allow cattle to be reinfected continuously. Under these conditions, the cattle’s gastrointestinal tracts are a suitable environment for worms to establish; their immune

response is low, allowing establishment; and being in poor condition, the wormy cattle cannot withstand the effects of the worms.

The primary malnutrition condition, a protein deficiency, worsens because the larvae interfere with digestion, causing diarrhea and reducing the appetite.

Calves have low immunity and usually become wormy during their exposures. Heavy exposures cause disease; light exposures produce immunity. Adult cattle and young cattle have immunity from previous exposures, but often become wormy when: • Nutrition is inadequate and their immunity has lowered; • Brown stomach worm larvae have emerged from the stomach lining in September; and • Heavy exposures have occurred.

Clinical signs of wormy cattle include pale mucous membranes, bottle jaw, pot belly, diarrhea, drawed, not grazing, not chewing cud, rough and dry haircoat, thinness, weakness, and an inability to stand. These signs are similar to those caused by malnutrition and liver flukes.

The most important way to control hairworms is to maintain good nutrition by: • Rotating pastures; • Preventing overcrowding and overgrazing; and • Providing good quality pasture, hay, and supplements.

When cattle have a diet with enough protein, vitamins, and minerals, fewer worms are normally established, and the cattle are more able to withstand their effects. Management practices that maintain good nutrition also prevent severe reinfection of worms. Additional

Manure contaminated environment provides exposures to internal parasites.

PAGE 4

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

Good nutrition and sanitation practices prevent severe reinfection of internal parasites.

control measures include proper drainage and sanitation, separating age groups, and strategic worming.

Lungworms - Lungworms cause a lung disease in cattle with clinical signs similar to those caused by viruses, bacteria, and allergies. Transmission and control are the same as for hairworms.

Lungworm disease occurs in previously unexposed cattle, such as in calves or moved cattle.

Liver flukes - Cattle living in wet areas with alkaline soils may develop liver fluke infections. Liver flukes are transmitted when: • Infected cattle, deer, and rabbits pass eggs in manure and drop the manure in water; • Eggs hatch in water and larvae develop in snails; and • Cattle swallow cysts on grass or hay.

Clinical signs of digestive inefficiency are evident in young cattle with acute liver disease and in older cattle with chronic liver disease. Fluky cattle show signs similar to those with malnutrition and hairworms.

Strategic worming - Wormers are administered to cattle not only as a treatment to kill internal parasites and to stop damage caused by parasites, but also to prevent pasture contamination and reinfection of the cattle. Strategically administering drugs reduces environmental contamination and infection of cattle and snails.

A strategic method requires proper timing. This means that a drug against a parasite must be administered at the right

time considering the parasite’s biology.

Therefore, the correct time is not when the cattle are confined and accessible, or because it has been a long time since the cattle received a drug, or because administrations are spaced evenly (fall and spring, every six months). The correct time is when cattle have become infected, the parasite is beginning to develop and cause damage, and conditions are best for transmission.

Administering a drug at the right time breaks the life cycle of the worms and prevents them from building up in cattle.

The right time to administer cattle wormers normally depends on the parasite and the development of optimal environmental conditions, which include moderate temperatures, rainfall, and wet grass. For stomach worms, administer drugs three to six weeks after optimal environmental conditions develop. For liver flukes, administer drugs four to six months after optimal conditions are present.

Examine feces each month to check fluctuations of worm eggs per gram of feces, which will help you time the drug administration properly and monitor the effectiveness of your control measures.

Drugs to control internal parasites should supplement but not replace management practices to improve sanitation and nutrition. Table 1 shows what products can be used for various parasites and how to administer them.

Coccidia - Coccidia cause an intestinal disease of young cattle, usually three weeks to six months old, but can affect cattle up to two years old. They are transmitted when:

e Special • Infected cattle pass cysts in manure onto the ground; • Rain washes the cysts from the manure; • The cysts develop under moist and moderate temperature conditions; and • Cattle swallow cysts on moist ground.

As with hairworms and lungworms, transmission is common during rainy times in spring and fall. The diarrhea caused by coccidia may be confused with the diarrhea caused by hairworms, bacteria, and viruses.

Wormers are ineffective against coccidia. Effective drugs are amprolium (Amprol ® , Corid ® ), decoquinate (Deccox ®), lasalocid (Bovatec ®), and sulfonamides. After one week of optimal conditions, administer the drug in feed or water for two weeks to calves maintained in a manure contaminated environment, such as haying and feeding areas. Control measures include the management practices for hairworms.

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT External Parasites Horn flies - Horn flies reproduce in fresh cattle manure from early spring to late fall. Horn fly populations usually peak in late spring and again in late summer or early fall. Hot, dry conditions may naturally reduce horn fly numbers during mid-summer. Thousands of flies may infest a single animal, causing extreme nervousness and energy loss.

Horn flies suck blood, irritate and annoy, reduce weight gains and cause weight losses. The annoyance and irritation interfere with cattle’s feeding and resting.

Treatment is economically justified when horn fly populations reach 250 per head. To control them satisfactorily throughout the season, use self treatment insecticides or routinely apply spray, pour on, spot on, or dust chemicals.

Used properly, self treatment devices are more effective than hand application in controlling horn flies and lice. Such devices include oil back rubbers, dust bags, and tubes, liquid wicks, and impregnated

Section f

Horn flies and lice cause hair loss and itching.

ear tags. Insecticide impregnated ear tags control horn flies well for two to five months if they are properly attached to the ear and if pyrethroid resistance is not a factor. Currently, labeled ear tags contain either a pyrethroid, an organophosphate, or a pyrethroid/organophosphate/synergist mixture.

Pyrethroid ear tags (permethrin, fenvalerate) have induced widespread horn fly resistance. Vary the types of ear tag insecticides rather than using the same kind year after year. Remove tags as soon as possible once they have lost their

effectiveness in killing horn flies. Tags used four to five months emit too little insecticide to control fly populations adequately.

Tags emitting reduced doses seem to add to the resistance problem by prolonging fly exposure, thus making the surviving population more resistant to the insecticide.

Lice - Biting lice and blood sucking lice are transmitted between cattle by contact, especially in the fall, winter, and spring when egg production increases in cool weather. Because cattle tend to bunch up more in cold weather, uncontrolled lice spread easily from animal to animal and quickly infest an entire herd.

Lice cause a condition called lousy, an itching skin disease with possible anemia.

Clinical signs are dry, scaly skin, hair loss, and itching exhibited by biting, rubbing, and scratching. Lice bites and allergies to lice cause the itching. The allergic dermatitis may persist after the lice are gone. These signs may be confused with malnutrition and allergies caused by horn flies, mosquitoes, and gnats.

Although chemicals do not harm lice eggs, cattle can be treated effectively by administering insecticides twice at a two week interval or once with avermectins (Ivomec ® , Eprinex ® , Dectomax ® ) or milbemycin (Cydectin®). Use spray, dust, pour on, spot on, injection, or self treatment methods in fall and winter for control.

Injection does not work for biting lice.

Grubs - Cattle grubs (warbles, wolves) are larvae of heel flies, which lay eggs on hairs of the lower legs of cattle in late winter and spring. Grubs appear in the backs of cattle in winter. The migratory damage by the grubs in cattle causes weight losses and reduces weight gains and milk production.

To control grubs, administer systemic organophosphate insecticides (CoRal®, Warbex®, Spotton®, Neguvon®, Tiguvon®, Prolate ® ), avermectins (Ivomec ® , Eprinex ®, Dectomax ®) or milbemycin (Cydectin®) to cattle no later than three months before grubs appear in the back.

Use pour on, spot on, spray, or injection methods to kill migrating grubs before they reach the esophagus. If cattle are not treated for cattle grubs in the summer, the systemic organophosphate insecticides and avermectins used in the fall and winter for control of lice, horn flies, and worms may cause reactions in the esophagus if many grubs are present.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 5

e Special

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT

Section f

Pest Management Considerations for Your Operation

By JOSEPH W. WARD, Ph.D. For livestock farmers, dealing with pests’ is one of the most expensive and time consuming chores that comes with raising healthy livestock. A variety of insect and mite pests affect the cattle industry. House flies, stable flies, face flies, horse flies, deer flies, cattle grubs, lice, and mange mites all are common and significant pests of cattle. Many factors come in to play in both preventing and fighting pests, including the time of the year, the type of animal, and the conditions in which animals live and are raised.

Experienced farmers know that pests and livestock predators are more than a mere annoyance that can have a direct impact on the operation’s bottom line.

Of course, specific problems with predators and pests can vary depending on the type of livestock and your geographical location. Most cattle farmers

find that internal parasites or worms are the most financially damaging pests.

Pasture stocking densities and the more pasture is used, the more likely it will be infected. Preventing overgrazing can be somewhat problematic and difficult to prevent due to weather, geographical location, and available pasture acres.

When possible, it is best to rotationally graze pasture acres to interrupt pest biological cycles, thus reducing pest infestations on pasture acres.

Insect and mite pest activity can result in lowered milk production levels and reduce feed conversion efficiency.

Pest activity exposes cattle to pathogenic microorganisms and causes blood loss and hide damage. It can lead to public health and public nuisance concerns.

Often, insect and mite pressure can add to unwarranted stressors on

Virginia Herd Health Management Services, PC In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) & Embryo Transfer (ET) * On-farm aspiration of oocytes via Ultrasound Guided Ovum Pick-Up (OPU). * Embyos come back in 8 days for placement or direct thaw freezing on-farm. * Can do on donors aged 8 months and older, up to 120-150 days pregnant.

Doesn’t interfere with pregnancy. * Pregnant cows work really well, so the cow doesn’t get out of her production group. * Can do a donor every 2 weeks.

Oocytes fertilized at BoviteqUSA in Madison, Wisconsin. www.boviteq.com

For more information, contact:

PAT COMYN, DVM

P.O. Box 555 Madison, Va. 22727 540-829-3625 (cell) • 540-948-5238 (office/fax) pcomyn@verizon.net Visit us online at www.vhhms.com.

PAGE 6

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

young replacement animals that can delay their entry into production and adversely affecting lifelong production performance. As herd sizes continue to increase on farms, pest pressures often are aggravated by large quantities of animal waste that must be handled. Crowded conditions can promote the spread of external parasites.

Historically, management of cattle pests often has relied on insecticide use as a single control tactic. This single approach can aggravate insecticide resistance problems in pest populations and inadvertently destroy natural enemies of the target species. Many producers are implementing integrated pest management programs to maximize the effectiveness of pest control actions while conserving beneficial insects and minimizing pesticide use. Extension area specialists are a good source for information on effective IPM programs (Integrated pest management programs).

This program’s concept is to use the right type pf control at the right time for the right duration to control pests effectively.

There are a range of cattle internal and external parasite control products available on the market. Collecting fecal and skin scrapping samples and having your local veterinarian examine the samples to determine the type of parasite present on your operation is always a good practice. Costly mistakes using the wrong pest control products can be avoided by determining the type and level of pest infestation through proper testing methods.

Particularly in warmer climates, flies are the most common cattle pest. Flies include common house files, face flies,

bot flies, horse and deer flies, and horn flies. Horn flies can be the most expensive to control. Horn files bite through the cattle’s skin and can suck upwards of a pint of blood a day. Heavy infestation is not only irritating to the animals, but the files can weaken cattle, slowing their growth and production efficiencies.

Horn flies are gray and look like small houseflies. Horn flies bite and spend most of their time clustered around the head, shoulders, and back of cattle. These blood sucking flies feed up to 30 times per day. This constant biting cause cattle pain and stress, and research has shown that it can reduce cattle gains by as much as 20 pounds during the feedlot period.

The life cycle of the horn fly ranges from 10-20 days, depending on weather conditions. Populations will typically peak in midsummer and early fall.

University research has reported that when the fly counts reach 200 flies per animal, the economic threshold had been reached and animals will have significant weight loss. Economic threshold is the pest density at which producers should take action to manage the pest.

Face flies look like large dark, house flies. They are the on-biting flies that feed on animal secretions, plant nectar, and manure liquids. Face flies may transmit pathogens responsible for infecting the eye and causing keratoconjunctivitis or pink eye in cattle. Cattle with white around the eyes are more susceptible to pink eye than their black eyed counterparts, as the flies are more attracted to the cattle’s eye fluids. Flies spread the disease from one animal to the next. Producers can vaccinate their cows for pink eye and fly control will help stop

e Special the spread of the disease. The life cycle of a face fly is approximately 21 days and populations tend to peak in late summer.

Louse populations are usually kept under control with the proper use of preventive insecticides. Keeping areas that is well ventilated helps to prevent a problem. If a herd is introduced to an infected animal, the lice can spread. Cattle lice are most commonly found on the top of the head shoulders, back, neck, and rump.

Infestations are usually light in the summer and heavy in the winter and early spring.

Cattle grubs are another pest that have a major impact on cattle farmers. As adults, grubs disturb the cattle, as larvae, they damage the meat and the hides.

According to the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service, applying insecticides before cattle are six months of age has shown to be the best effective

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT method of control.

Mange is a winter time disease caused by mites which are highly contagious. If an issue is observed, the infected animals should be immediately isolated from the herd. Consult your farm veterinarian for proper treatment.

Although chemical controls are available, in severe cases, farmers are advised to sell and/or slaughter mange infected animals to remove them from the herd.

The goal of pest control is to reduce pest to an acceptable level. A few of the

Section f

more common methods for fly control include misters, sprays, pour ons, dust bags, ear tags, and mineral blocks. Ear tags contain insecticides that are released slowly in the animals’ hair by movement, so ear tags shouldn’t be applied until fly populations are nearing economic thresholds (typically mid-June to July).

Pour ons and sprays must be applied every two weeks to three weeks during the fly season to achieve proper fly control.

Feed additives insecticides can be included in mineral formulation for cattle.

The additives pass through the animal’s digestive tract and destroy the developing fly maggots in the manure. These additives appear to be effective in killing 80 to 90 percent of the developing fly larvae in animals that have consumed the product.

Feed additives should not be offered until flies emerge in late June or July. Research

has shown that the continuous use of these products will speed up resistance in the fly populations. Back rubbers, dusters, and other means of delivering insecticides, as well as non-chemical fly traps and reliance on natural fly defense mechanisms (dung beetle control of larvae), are also options. Farmers need to watch for economic thresholds and determine what control measures will work best for their operations.

Although, total pest eradication is an unrealistic goal for most farms, unwanted pests can be very costly to a farm’s bottom line. Producers can reduce costly mistakes by following the principles of integrated pest management. Applying the appropriate products at the appropriate time is the most cost effective approach for controlling pest and reducing economic production losses.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 7

e Special

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT

Section f

Using Oral Larvicides to Control Pests and Maintain Comfort for Your Cattle

By DR. LARRY HAWKINS Bayer Animal Health

Springtime brings enjoyable weather and outdoor activities, but it also signifies a time to take action against pests that can pose a threat to producers. The beginning of pest season is especially important for the Southeast region. This area falls within the optimal range of the face fly belt, which allows eight to ten generations of flies per year and typically leads to more flies per season than other areas.

Luckily, protecting your operation and your cattle from potentially damaging pests doesn’t have to be difficult when you create a strategy and consider the use of oral larvicides to defend against them.

Protecting Your Operation With Oral Larvicides. When considering fly control, look for one that matches the type of flies or fly pressure in your area.

Key questions include: • Where is the insect found? On the animal, in the facility, or in the area around the farm?

• How much of an issue is the fly pressure, meaning how quickly do you need to address it?

• What are your farm capabilities, such as the practicality of gathering animals for treatment, employees and time available, and your budget?

Oral larvicides or feed through fly control can be a solid, convenient centerpiece to a comprehensive fly control program. That’s because oral larvicides prevent flies from developing in the manure of your cattle, which is the breeding site for face flies and horn flies.

When choosing a feed through fly control product, look for one that is effective against not only horn flies, but also works to control face flies, stable flies, and house flies. And be sure to pick a product that begins to work quickly; one that starts to work within a matter of days rather than weeks.

You’ll want to start feeding oral larvicides to your herd in the spring before flies appear and continue into the fall until the cooler weather restricts fly activity.

How Oral Larvicides Work. Oral larvicides are mixed with feed to target fly larvae in animal manure before they can become adult flies.

PAGE 8

Oral larvicides work in three simple steps: 1. Cattle consume the oral larvicide as a part of their feed, mineral tub/block, or supplement. It’s highly palatable so animals treat themselves.

2. The oral larvicide passes through the animals’ digestive systems.

3. The oral larvicide is deposited with the animals’ manure, where it kills fly larvae on contact.

Oral larvicides target insects, eggs, and larvae in manure and are especially effective in large animal groups. To be effective, they should be fed to all animals in a herd.

For optimum fly control management, consider the use of an additional insecticide method, such as ear tags, dust bags, or sprays. This helps control flies that may migrate in from the surrounding area or from flies hatching from manure of animals not consuming adequate supplement.

Why Try an Oral Larvicide?

There are a variety of reasons why oral larvicides are beneficial. For starters, they’re a cost effective way to control all four species of flies. Also, because animals in essence treat themselves, time and labor are saved, making oral larvicides convenient and easy to use.

They also prevent the development of multiple species of flies in the manure of treated beef and dairy cattle. Several species of flies lay their eggs directly in manure, so oral larvicides kill fly larvae as the eggs hatch and before the larvae can mature and continue the cycle.

In addition, oral larvicides are versatile and can be used in complete feed, concentrates, hand fed supplements, mineral mixes, and liquid feed supplements. They have low toxicity to

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

plants and animals so they’re extremely safe to use. Manure from treated animals may be used immediately as fertilizer without any adverse environmental effects.

Rotation for Maintaining Effectiveness. When using an oral larvicide or any other insecticide, it’s important to rotate over time to minimize the development of resistance to your insect control strategy.

When rotating products, you want to rotate to a product that uses a different mode of action (MOA) than what you’re currently using. Available modes of action include: • Pyrethroids – Sodium channel modulators that disrupt the normal flow of sodium ions • Organophosphates – Cholinesterase inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine • Neonicotinoids – Acetylcholine receptor agonists that mimic the action of acetylcholine By limiting pests’ exposure to any one insecticide, differing MOAs will circumvent the potential of cross resistance and ultimately minimize the emergence of new resistant pest populations. Use what fits your management style best, but be sure to keep a method of fly control active.

Keeping Safety in Mind. As a final point, read the label and know what personal protection equipment is required

for the products being used. Also, ensure that the employees applying the products are trained to understand the proper use of each product and the appropriate equipment needed.

1

Eubanks Ryman V.J., Nickerson S.C. (2013). Are you ready for fly season?

Hoards Dairyman website. Available at www.hoards.com/13may10-control-flies.

Accessed June 20, 2013.

2

Campbell J.B., Beef cattle handbook: house fly and stable fly management in and near livestock facilities. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Iowa Beef Center website. Available at www.iowabeefcenter.org/Beef%20 Cattle%20Handbook/Fly-management. pdf. Accessed May 13, 2013.

3

Taylor D.B., Moon R.D., Mark D.R. (2012). Economic impact of stable flies (Diptera: Muscidae) on dairy and beef cattle production. J Med Entomol.

49(1):198-209.

Regular copy deadline is APRIL 5 for the MAY issue Spotlight material is due

APRIL 1 for the MAY issue

VIDEO AUCTION EVERY MONTH Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.

January 7 • February 4 • March 3 • April 7 • May 5 • June 2 • July 7 August 4 • September 1 • October 6 • November 3 • December 1

SOUTHEAST LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

John Queen: 828-421-3466 • Evans Hooks: 770-316-9611 Canton, NC • 828-646-0270 • SELEXvideo@gmail.com • www.selex-video.com The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 9

Ashley’s Beef Corner

T

N.C. Beef Backer Award Presented to Redneck BBQ Lab

By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Each year a restaurant is recognized for doing an outstanding job serving beef.

Our winner this year is The Redneck BBQ Lab of Benson. If you’ve never been to this McGee’s Crossroads treat, you’ll want to get there soon!

The restaurant opened in 2016 and is operated by the Redneck Scientific competition BBQ team. The team has competed in more than 122 Kansas City

Sale

D E N O P T S PO !

D B T Date

PAGE 10

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

BBQ Society competitions, earning 20 grand championships and 11 reserve championships. They have competed up and down the East Coast and spots at the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational BBQ and the American Royal World Series of Barbecue.

This is their first restaurant venture, with another coming soon to the Johnston County Food Hall, one coming in Raleigh, and one coming to the Charlotte area.

These folks can prepare brisket that’s out of this world. All of their beef is prime, and they are selling more brisket than any other place in our state. They sell more beef than pork, about 2,500 lbs/ week, and increasing every month.

Lunch is busier than supper, so come early or call ahead to place your order over the phone or online. Owner Jerry Stephenson is most proud of the newest addition to their menu, a pastrami beef rib. Beef ribs are only offered on Sunday.

This new feature is taking off, and we are excited to see other new beef menu ideas come to the table.

Stephenson grew up on a family farm in eastern North Carolina and has a deep appreciation for the work that farmers do.

He recalled baling and putting up hay and

remarked that the restaurant business is where he prefers to work.

Menu offerings include brisket with sides, burnt ends (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), and a sandwich called the Fat Redneck (brisket, pulled pork atop braised collards). Sides include slaw, jalapeño mac-n-cheese, Brunswick stew, baked beans, and green beans with country ham, and of course, cornbread.

Top it off with banana pudding or a ten layer chocolate cake. You will be coming back for more every time you’re in the area.

Our advertisers are “Champions” too.

For expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies, check the Classifieds in this issue!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 11

By DR. DEIDRE HARMON N.C. State University

A New Year – A New Renovation Have you given up on your new year’s resolution yet? If so, I have a new resolution for you. Let’s all LOSE WEIGHT, the weight of not knowing what to do with those winter feeding areas. By having a plan for winter feeding area renovations, we can rest easy knowing that those areas can still be productive after the weather stops being frightful.

Soil Preparation - Like last year, we have received a lot of precipitation this winter. Therefore, we know one thing is for sure, we are going to have to do some groundwork to smooth things out before seeding. Prepping the soil after months of wet weather and pugging is the foundation of any renovation plan. After the soil dries out a bit, using a harrow, disk, box blade, or other equipment may be necessary to smooth out equipment ruts and loosen compacted areas from repetitive equipment and hoof damage.

Winter feeding area after soil preparation with a pasture drag. Photo credit: Johnny Rogers, Amazing Grazing, N.C. State University.

Utilizing a method of deeper tillage may also be necessary if months of hay feeding has led to a thick layer of thatch on top of the ground or if a large seed bank of weed seed is expected to germinate. Keeping hayfields clean of weeds or purchasing hay from a trusted source is key in preventing troublesome weed species from invading your winter feeding areas.

Choosing a Forage Species - There are several forage options that can be utilized to mend damaged pasture areas.

Choosing a forage species based on an immediate and long term forage plan will ultimately save you money and keep you from having many sleepless nights.

When developing this plan, first start with a historic look into your winter feeding areas. Do you find yourself feeding and damaging the same area year after year?

Or, do you move your feeding area around from one location to another? Do you

“DESIGNED FOR CATTLEMEN BY CATTLEMEN”

Complete Working Facilities for Cattle and Bison Heavy, rugged construction — Built to last!

National Distributor for Tru-Test Scales Quality Equipment at Competitive Prices

Call about NEW PORTABLE SYSTEMS! For Information or Brochures, contact:

Peter Hostetler 540-810-4605

PAGE 12

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

occasionally or rarely have an area that needs attention in the spring? Knowing this information can help you decide whether to plan for an annual or perennial forage establishment. Repeatedly having a distressed area would indicate the need for an annual forage that is quick to establish, to stabilize the soil, and provide rapid growth as to not lose forage productivity in that area. On the other hand, reestablishing an occasional winter feeding area with a perennial forage that

can withstand some hoof traffic, such as tall fescue or bermudagrass, may be the best option for long term stability.

Annual forages are a great option for areas that have repeated damage. Late winter or early spring plantings of cereal rye, spring oats, or annual ryegrass can be utilized as a source of emergency forage and may help reduce a few weeks of hay feeding. However, it should be noted that spring planted winter annuals often produce less tonnage than fall plantings.

Take the Amazing Grazing Crabgrass Challenge!

There is more and more interest in crabgrass as a forage crop. If you have not tried growing some, here is your opportunity. If you routinely use crabgrass in your forage system, here is your chance to share your experience with others. Either way, this will be a great opportunity to communicate your experience to others so we all can learn more about how to use this amazing plant in our forage system.

How can you participate?

- Register by April 30 for the Crabgrass Challenge through the Amazing Grazing webpage at https://forms.gle/8NTqeU11FaKdoCrX8.

- Obtain a crabgrass seed exercise package from Amazing Grazing. We will distribute these at educational events during late February and March. The exercise sheet and crabgrass guide can also be found on our website. We will also mail you a package of seeds upon request. If you regularly grow crabgrass, feel free to use your own seed.

- Plant your seeds and document your experience. Include photos and video of how you set up the plots, how you seeded, your seed source (if you don’t use ours), how long until it germinated, and how it grows through the season.

- At the end of the summer, combine your photos and videos into an edited, less than three minute video and submit it by October 1. We will communicate details of the submission process with you.

At the deadline, the Amazing Grazing Team will judge the entries and determine the top three. Judging will be based on how completely the video documents the experience, the quality of the final video, and how creative the effort was. If you don’t use our seed packets, make sure you document your seed source, germination, etc. (take a photo of the label). If you have a volunteer crabgrass system, we would also like to learn about that.

Prizes: 1st place - Amazing Grazing Gift Basket and full registration to the AFGC Annual Conference in Savanah, Georgia, January 3-6, 2021 ($500 value).

2nd place - Amazing Grazing Gift Basket and a Pasture Management Systems electric fence fault finder ($200 value).

3rd place - A gift basket of Amazing Grazing items and various books and supplies ($100 value).

Summer annual forages are also another great option for winter feeding areas. Forages such as sorghum x sudangrass hybrids, pearl millet, cowpea, brassicas, crabgrass, and sunn hemp grow rapidly and can both stabilize the soil and help smother out summer annual weeds. These forages can be both drilled and broadcasted, but getting good seed to soil contact is key to any successful forage establishment. When using a broadcaster, prepping the soil with one of the previously discussed methods and/or using a cultipacker can ensure the seed comes into contact with the soil. Even if you do not have access to a drill or broadcaster, there are several creative methods that can still get the seed dispersed. Dr. John Jennings at the University of Arkansas once suggested drilling holes in a milk jug and using it as a broadcast “shaker,� and I have had success using this method in small winter feeding areas in the past.

Spring is a great time to establish bermudagrass or bahiagrass, but reestablishing cool season perennial grasses during this time can be difficult. Summer annual weeds have a competitive advantage over tall fescue and orchardgrass, and there are no herbicide options available until

forages reach the 4-5 leaf stage, which can easily be delayed by early season droughts. An additional option for establishing cool season perennials is to use a summer annual forage in damaged areas to smother out weed species and help alleviate compacted soils before planting the cool season perennial forage in the fall of the year. Any of the previously mentioned summer annual forages can be used to meet these goals, but using crabgrass may be antagonistic to a successful fescue or orchardgrass establishment. Crabgrass is a prolific seed producer during the fall, and this seedbed may germinate and cause competition during the first summer of the establishment year. Therefore, sticking to a sorghum x sudangrass hybrid, pearl millet, sunn hemp, cowpea, brassica, or a mixture of species may be the best option.

Fencing for Efficiency - Lastly, planning to fence livestock out of the winter feeding area until the annual or perennial forages are ready to graze will help promote healing of the area and prevent damage to the immature stand. This can easily be accomplished by utilizing temporary fencing. If the livestock have not been trained to polywire, utilizing at least two strands and ensuring the fence is hot will keep

Winter feeding area seeded with spring oats, turnips, and radish. Photo credit: Johnny Rogers, Amazing Grazing, N.C. State University.

animals away. The temporary fencing can also be used as a grazing tool to allow better grazing control of the winter feeding area. Creep grazing can be accomplished by setting a single strand of polywire high enough to allow calves to slide under and consume the high quality forage while keeping the cow herd out of the area. Polywire can also be used to strip graze the area to get a higher efficiency of use out of the area.

One problem we often see with winter feeding areas is the high concentration of nutrients being deposited in that area.

Flash grazing the winter feeding area for a few hours and then removing the livestock from the area with temporary fencing is a great way to disperse nutrients around the farm.

No matter what Mother Nature brings us this year, having a winter feeding area renovation plan will help us be prepared to quickly get those acres back in shape this spring. Wishing you all a prosperous forage year!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

Adapted from the January 2020 Progressive Forage Magazine

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 13

E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture

By E.B. HARRIS

Jelly-B Keith Blinson from Lenior, N.C., had been in touch with me a few months back and told me the donkey he had with his cattle for years had expired. He needed a new jenny to run with the cows on the farm. I told him when he next passed through, or whenever he would like to come, I had a young colt that is about big enough to wean and just come on and pick her up. He said, “Alright. What do you want for her?” I said, “Just come on and pick her up.” He replied, “I need to pay you for it.” I said, “Just come and get you a donkey. We will have you one ready if you give me just a few days notice.”

We try to keep a jenny in each pasture. More than likely, they will raise one that year, so I keep a fairly good

PAGE 14

supply of donkeys. We have colts coming along each year.

A few weeks went by, and I got a call from Keith saying he was going to pay me a visit and pull the trailer to pick the donkey up. I told him that would be fine.

I brought him a dark colored filly from the Walker Hill farm to the home place and was ready to go. Keith and his wife, Peggy, arrived on the day they said they would be there. We got the jenny loaded in the trailer, and Keith came over to me and said, “Now what do I owe you.” I said, “You don’t owe me a thing – just a thank you.”

He said, “Well, Peggy brought you something.” She brought out a basket that had her homemade jelly, honey, and

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

goodies. Peggy said to me, “Some jelly for a jenny is the way we are going to do it.” I told her that was fine because I really liked honey and jelly.

After a few minutes, they headed on back towards home. I went in the house with the gift basket and put it on the dining room table. Shane came through and got a jar of the jelly. The next day he was raving about how good the jelly was and said Gemma really liked it too.

The honey was mighty good too.

Keith said the honey was made on their farm. A man has beehives on the Blinson’s Farm that pollinate the clover making good grazing for the cows. He always left the Blinson family some cow clover honey.

We got another surprise a few weeks later. Keith and Peggy’s granddaughter Mason, who goes to Oklahoma State University, had taken a picture of the donkey and did a sketch. Keith and Peggy sent us a framed copy of this in the mail. Jelly B’s seedstock came from Joe and Robin Hampton of Mt. Ulla, North Carolina. She was born in Warren County, drank water from Shocco Creek (the creek was named from Shocco, England) grazed grass on the grounds that Sherman troops camped on during the Civil War, now resides in Lenior, N.C., and had

her picture drawn at Oklahoma State University, so her lineage might rank pretty high to have traveled 150 miles.

Everybody needs to think they came out with a good trade. I don’t know how the Blinson’s feel, but I feel like I came out with an excellent trade. I got a basket of good treats and a sketch that I can keep forever.

Baxter Black

On the edge of

common sense

Equal Opportunity Cowboy Betty Lynne is a cowboy. If you don’t believe it, ask her husband to show you the snapshot of her bruise.

Last summer, they had a cow killed by lightning on their ranch. They figgered they’d better bring in the orphaned calf. The afternoon of the rescue, Betty Lynne saddled ol’ Frosty, a reliable exAppaloosa racehorse. That allowed Sean, her husband, to ride T-Bird, one of the

colts they were training.

They trailered to the pasture. Sean stayed outside the bunch, practicin’ quarter circles and slides, while Betty Lynne searched for the little black heifer calf they knew to be the dogie. She spotted the calf and eased up. She missed the easy shot. The calf was wild as a deer and evaded loop after loop as Betty Lynne and Frosty chased her back and forth

across the Montana horizon.

Frosty was losing patience, and Betty Lynne was frustrated. As she said, she never claimed to be a header and has always been envious of men who are not hampered by fallen bra straps while in hot pursuit of a critter. “Messes up yer swing,” she says.

At last, she’d lined up on a decent shot and let sail a pretty loop. Suddenly aware of the drama unfolding in front of her, the biggest, fattest cow in the county looked up from her grazing and stuck her head square in the loop!

The calf ran off (snickering, no doubt), the cow spooked, and Betty Lynne lost her dally. The cow ran off after the calf.

Sean hurried to help, handed her his rope, and with a straight face, suggested she heel the cow, and he’d run up and get her rope back.

Off she went, determined. It’s not easy to run up on a critter who’s draggin’ a rope behind her like a swishin’ snake.

But Betty Lynne got close enough to

double hock the cow. Just as she grabbed her dally, the tail of the snake brushed Frosty’s feet. He blew up and left the ground! They were four feet off the ground when the cow, all 1,200 pounds of her, hit the end of the line. It was like bein’ hit by a train. Frosty went sailing sideways. Betty Lynne bucked into orbit.

On her descent, Frosty kicked Betty Lynne in midair, flipped her over, and she landed in a sitting position. Just right to see the rest of the wreck.

Sean had just stepped off T-Bird to go for the rope. T-Bird spun across him, stepped on his foot, and followed Frosty back toward the barn.

The happy couple lay ironed out in the grass and watched the cow, who had kicked out one heel, headed east draggin’ both their ropes.

Although I’ve not seen the bruise or the photo, Betty Lynne said it showed the accurate outline of the hoof wall, complete with frog. Somehow, I believe her.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 15

You Decide!

By DR. MIKE WALDEN

Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics N.C. State University You Decide: Could a Virus Take Down the Economy? I’ve recently been asked a new question about the economy when I speak to groups and organizations.

It’s a question I haven’t heard in many years. The question is whether the coronavirus that has hit the world – including the U.S. – could send us into a recession or worse.

The worry is understandable. Viruses are scary things. I’ve read my share of medical thrillers based on some new virus spreading throughout the globe, killing millions, destroying businesses, and almost ending civilization until heroes contain it at the last minute.

We only have to look back one hundred years to find a real example of what an unchecked virus can do. The 1918-1920 influenza pandemic, also known as the Spanish flu, killed at least 50 million people worldwide, with some estimates putting the number as high

as 100 million. In the U.S., almost one of every three people became infected, and 500,000 died. Even for those who survived, there were numerous cases of long-term physical disability.

To date (mid-March), the infection and death rates of the coronavirus are far below those of the Spanish flu. Still, cases and deaths are rising, and medical experts are unsure of how far the virus will spread.

There has been some modest good news recently. Reports indicate the virus has been contained in Asian countries.

Also, more widespread distribution of testing kits is planned in our country, thereby giving us greater ability to measure the pervasiveness of the virus and to assist those who are infected.

Yet even if the infection and death rates turn out to be relatively low, there still can be economic impacts. These economic impacts come in four forms:

Sale

r o f D E L U D E H C S RE !

0 2 0 2 , 3 2 Y A M

PAGE 16

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

impacts from the reduced availability of products from other countries – importantly China, impacts from reduced sales to foreign countries, impacts from changes in consumer spending based on fears about the virus and impacts on stocks. Let me evaluate each.

The U.S. imports over $500 billion of products each year from China. The products range from cell phones and other technology to clothing and furniture to machinery parts. Sick people in China can’t work, and closing off parts of the country from other areas also curtails production. The reduced availability of Chinese products could slow some segments of the U.S. economy, with the computer and electronics industries being the most vulnerable.

On the flip side, U.S. firms sell over $100 billion of products to China annually, with the most important being technology products and farm commodities. These sectors have already taken a hit from the tariffs imposed by China during the U.S.-China “trade war” of the last two years. Ironically, the recent thaw in this trade war has created optimism for U.S. factories and farms that increased sales to China are around the corner. Now that corner may take longer to reach if Chinese purchases of foreign products take a dip as a result of the coronavirus.

Consumer spending drives the economy. Significant declines in consumer spending are usually the most direct cause of a recession. Consumers reduce spending if their incomes fall, for example, as a result of higher unemployment. Consumers can also reduce spending simply as a result of fear. If there are widespread worries that something very bad has a high chance of happening, that’s enough for consumers to cut back on spending, which then can trigger a recession.

We saw this happen with the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus in 2003. Consumer confidence about the future dipped, and so did consumer spending, especially on durable products like appliances, vehicles, and furniture.

However, the spending dip was short lived, and no recession resulted.

Although coronavirus related deaths already exceed SARS deaths, consumer confidence has not yet been affected.

However, we don’t yet have confidence measures for March. Many experts fear it will take a plunge. More pessimism, combined with the effects of business slowdowns already happening, could cause consumer spending to fall in coming weeks.

Last is the potential impact of the virus on the stock market. One thing the

stock market absolutely does not like is uncertainty. Until we have a good idea of how much the virus will spread and whether containment efforts will be successful, the market will be wobbly.

We’ve already seen the market fall into “bear” territory, meaning average stock value declines of over 20 percent.

My assessment is the economic damage from reduced international trade, subdued consumer spending, and stock market losses related to the coronavirus should be enough to cause economic growth to slow – and possibly contract – in the first half of 2020. Whether the contraction is severe enough to be labeled a recession is yet to be seen.

Yet the good news is that the economy was in good shape before the virus hit. This suggests that once the virus passes, there should be a significant rebound in both the general economy and the stock market.

Unfortunately, we don’t yet have a playbook telling us the path and timing of this virus. This makes it exceedingly difficult for experts - as well as you and me - to decide what the future holds, including the future of the economy.

You Decide: How Does the Future Impact the Stock Market? The world has been shocked by the coronavirus outbreak. One part of the economy clearly impacted has been the stock market. The stock market is now in – what experts term – a “bear market,” meaning losses from the last high now exceed 20 percent.

However, some predict that once the virus is controlled, the market could rebound just as quickly.

The stock market’s reaction to the coronavirus presents an opportunity to address how and why the stock market changes. I don’t mean offering tips on buying and selling stocks to make money.

Instead, my goal in this column is to explain what influences the stock market, thereby allowing you to understand – but not necessarily predict – its ups and downs.

At the core of any stock’s value is the “earnings per share” of the company issuing the stock. Earnings per share is simply the company’s total profits divided by the number of shares of stock issued by the company. The higher the earnings per share, the more profitable is owning the stock. Hence, as earnings per share rise, the stock’s value should rise. In contrast, if earnings per share fall, the stock’s value should fall.

So – you might say – if I just buy stocks whose earnings per share has been rising, then I’ll make money.

Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily the case. Past performance of a company is already incorporated – some say “baked

in” – to current stock values. Buyers of stocks look to the future for information about how a stock and the stock’s company will perform. In other words, the stock market is future oriented.

Understanding this looking ahead view of stock investors lets us see why the market responded so negatively to the coronavirus. First, the virus appeared out of nowhere. I don’t know of anyone who predicted it. If there was someone, their prediction wasn’t publicized. The coronavirus wasn’t on investors’ radar screens.

Second, viruses are scary things.

Each is different and requires its own vaccine. Vaccines take months to develop.

In the meantime, the virus can spread, induce illnesses and deaths, and cause economies in widely infected countries to almost shut down.

Yet contagious viruses periodically pop up, and those in the past haven’t seemed to affect investors and the stock market so dramatically. So, what is different today?

In a word, the answer is “globalization.” Today, we are a more interconnected world in terms of both trade and travel. China – where the coronavirus was first detected – is considered the world’s manufacturing superpower. Over 28 percent of global manufactured output comes from China, almost twice as in the second-place country, the United States.

This means there’s tremendous worldwide contact with China. Also, Chinese tourists now exceed tourists from any other country in worldwide travel.

Therefore, the essential reason why the stock market took a plunge after the outbreak of the coronavirus is that the virus put a big question mark over the future earnings per share of many companies. Clearly, U.S. companies that trade with China or other countries with major virus outbreaks can be impacted.

Shortages of products from China have already occurred, so U.S. companies using or selling Chinese made products have been affected.

United States and North Carolina farmers were expecting increased sales to China as a result of the Phase 1 U.S.China trade deal signed in December.

There’s a good chance those sales will be postponed. Travel and tourist companies will also take financial hits.

But even companies with no direct ties to international trade can be hurt by the stock market pullback. Investors who have lost money in the stock market now have less wealth. Studies show declines in wealth can translate into declines in spending on many products and services, even those not tied to China or other countries with numerous coronavirus infections.

My point is the stock market is forward looking, always trying to find clues about what the economic future holds. The coronavirus has put a big cloud over that future. Yet it’s that same forward looking that could generate a big stock market rebound.

How so, you ask? Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, most forecasters were optimistic about the economy.

Production was rising, jobs were being added, and wages and incomes were improving. There were no apparent imbalances in the economy that could trigger a recession.

This means that if the news on the coronavirus goes from bad to good, then the pessimism on Wall Street could quickly turn to optimism. “Good” news about the virus could be many things – such as a reduction in new cases and deaths, the impending development of a vaccine, or an evaluation that the symptoms of the virus are not as bad as originally thought.

Such good news would begin to remove the gloom hovering over the economic future and make it clearer for investors to see a positive path.

It certainly wouldn’t erase the losses already incurred from the virus, and it may not eliminate all the losses to come.

But just for investors to see the future as “less bad” than it could have been would lead to optimism and overall gains, rather than continued losses, in the stock market.

Investing in the stock market can be both rewarding and challenging. A big reason is because stock values today depend on guesses about the future economy and everything that affects the economy. This is why some people stay out of the market, while others stay in regardless of its ups and downs. You decide which approach is best for you!

About the author. Mike Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University who teaches and writes on personal finance, economic outlook, and public policy.

Don’t get caught napping!

Deadline is 5th of month prior to issue!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 17

Herd Management

By DR. STEVEN E. MEADOWS, Clemson University Beef Specialist

Protect Your Investment!

Care of the Young Herd Bull.

Now that all the travel and searching is over and you have purchased a new herd bull, what’s next? Hopefully, you have done your homework in making your final selection and purchase by studying breeds, performance data, EPDs, pedigree, breeder reputation, etc. With that in mind, there is still work to be done to ensure that the yearling bull can thrive and settle cows in a timely fashion.

Many yearling bulls are developed under a performance tested environment where they receive grain concentrates or heavy silage. Bulls tested at a public bull test station or privately on a farm can be over conditioned at sale time. In either case, some bulls may have excessive body condition and need to be moderated in condition to maximize breeding ability when turned out with cows.

It is important to realize bulls need to be challenged during a test, which allows producers to find bulls that gain/

perform within the same environmental conditions. When you get your new bull home, place him on a maintenance diet that is high in fiber with less emphasis on grain as a feed source. Place the bull in a large turnout where he can get exercise and walk off some of the excess fat that is due to the performance test environment which he has been under. Do not leave the bull in a small lot where he can’t get out and walk. Grazing is a must! You do not want to turn the bull out from a dry lot, where he is removed from a grain concentrate diet and thrown on grass overnight, to follow a group of heifers or cows on breeding day.

Also, many producers buy bulls that have had a BSE (breeding soundness exam) done prior to the sale. If it has been more than 60-90 days since the last exam, it is a good rule of thumb to recheck the bull. Many things can happen during this time to affect fertility. A BSE is good

insurance for all cattlemen.

Time for turn out to start the breeding season is always exciting as we anticipate what the new herd sires can do genetically in our herds. Keep in mind, a good rule of thumb for the number of cows a bull can be turned out with is based on his age/maturity.

There are good, solid rules to follow in determining the number of cows a bull can be turned out with. A 15 month old bull should be able to cover 15 cows in a 60 day breeding season. An 18 month old bull can cover 18-20 cows in the same 60 day breeding season. You can see there is a direct correlation in age to number of cows he can be exposed to for the younger herd sires. Keep this in mind, one cow for every month of age that the bull is at the start of the breeding season. This holds true through maturity when bulls reach a sexually mature age of two to three years old. Once bulls hit this mark, it is not uncommon for a bull to cover 25-35 females in the same period, assuming all cows are cycling and healthy. Remember, sexual maturity in bulls and females can be breed dependent.

Once the breeding season is over, it is imperative that the young bull rest and be given access to good forage, and if needed, supplemental feed to assure the bull reaches his genetic size potential. A good BCS (body condition score) for bulls to maintain is 5 to 6. You can maintain the bulls at a 5 BCS for a while, but prior to turn out, all bulls need to be in the range of a 6 BCS. Always

remember, bulls are following cows and burn energy, thus losing weight. The nine to ten months a bull is out from the cow herd allows him to rest and allows you to get the weight back on him in preparation for the next breeding season.

One key and critical management rule is to keep the yearling bulls together after the breeding season for supplementation and safety. Do not keep young bulls in the same pasture as mature bulls. The fighting and competition for dominance puts the younger bull at a disadvantage and your investment at risk.

Even if you have more than one young bull, I would not keep over two young bulls together after the breeding season.

The fewer bulls you house together after breeding, the less fighting you will have.

If grazing is limited when the bulls come out of the pasture, it may become necessary to supplement the bulls with a 12% protein ration with a 60% TDN level fed at a rate of 1.5-2 percent of their body weight. Be careful, however, not to get the bulls fat. Producers should shoot for that maintenance level of a BCS of 5 while not breeding cows. Before turn out, supplemental feed may be necessary to get the bull to a BCS in the range of the upper 5s to 6. For the most part, good grazing and mineral are all that is needed when good forage is available.

We all enjoy buying that next herd sire, but we also need to enjoy watching him mature under our good post breeding management just as much.

Sale

r o f D E L U D E H C S RE !

0 2 0 2 , 2 Y A M

PAGE 18

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

You shouldn’t have to have a gun held to your head to take advantage of the expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies featured in the Classifieds in this issue!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 19

N.C. Angus Association Holds 75th Annual Meeting

By SHARON ROGERS Executive Secretary, NCAA The 2020 N.C. Angus Association Annual Meeting was held on February 8 at the Forsyth County Agriculture Building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The NCAA celebrated the huge accomplishment of reaching its 75th anniversary at this meeting. It was a great day to learn about new innovations in the Angus and cattle industry, conduct association business, rekindle old friendships, and make new ones.

Thank you to the N.C. Angus Auxiliary for the outstanding 75th Anniversary decorations.

The day began with attendees visiting our many trade show vendors to learn more about new industry trends and applications. A special thank you to our Allied Industry Partners: ABS Global, Cargill Feed & Nutrition, Farm Credit Associations of N.C., Merck Animal Health, Premier Select Sires, Sink Farm Equipment, Sunset Feeds, and Zoetis for their continued support of the association throughout the year. Also, thank you to the annual meeting sponsors: Bartlett Milling Co., Genex, LTD Farm & Garden, Mt. Airy Equipment Co., Mt. Airy Southern States, N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, ST Genetics, and Winston Tractor Co. for making the day possible.

Other highlights of the event included an educational session, updates on the association, auxiliary and The afternoon seminar was presented by Dr. Nathan Long, Associate Professor, Animal & Veterinary Sciences Department, with Clemson University. His presentation “You Are What Your Mother Eats, Does This Apply to Your Cows?” focused on fetal programming during gestation and how poor management can lead to negative fetal programming. Negative

N.C. Junior Angus Association members and 2019 Boosters.

Dr. Nathan Long, Associate Professor, Animal & Veterinary Sciences Department with Clemson University, presented the educational program on “You Are What Your Mother Eats, Does This Apply to Your Cows?” which focused on fetal programming.

fetal programming can then lead to poor performance throughout the life of the animal in both maternal and terminal animals. Dr. Long’s presentation generated many questions from the membership on how to prevent these challenges within their own herds. At the conclusion of the educational program, our event sponsors held their “meet and greet” session giving them an opportunity to discuss their products and services with the members.

Next on the agenda was the annual business meeting of the N.C. Angus Association. Each association committee shared their annual report of activities for 2019 with the membership. The retiring NCAA board members were recognized and thanked for their three years of service to the association: Howard Gentry, Derek Goddard, Tim Goforth, Richard Kirkman, and Roy Swisher.

New board members were nominated and elected to serve the association for

the next three years. New board members are John Brewer, Derek Goddard, Brooke Harward, Zach Moffitt, and Jeff Wood.

Following the membership meeting, the board of directors met to elect officers.

The 2020 NCAA officers are Eugene Shuffler – President, Mike Moss - Vice President, and Kim Starnes - Treasurer.

The evening banquet brought out even more members to enjoy dinner and fellowship. The association celebrated reaching the milestone of 75 years at the banquet. President Shuffler introduced the newly updated N.C. Angus history book to members and thanked Suzanne Brewer and her committee for all their hard work in compiling the recent history.

Also, the N.C. Angus Auxiliary provided lovely decorations and an anniversary

President Eugene Shuffler introduces the 75th Anniversary History book.

cake to help with the celebration. Thank you to the Auxiliary for helping to make the evening extra special. This year the annual auction was the first event of the evening. Thanks to Stanley Smith and all of the dedicated NCAA members who participated in the auction. The preferred spots on the NCAA website, the ad spaces for association sales, and select pages in

I got a great buy in the Classifieds in The Carolina Cattle Connection!

Check out the expert A.I, superior genetics, fine purebreds and terrific farm supplies offered!

PAGE 20

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

2020 NCAA Officers and Directors. First row: Mike Moss -Vice President, Eugene Shuffler - President, and Kim Starnes - Treasurer. Second row: Steve Grady, Brooke Harward, Linda Hicks, Derek Goddard, John Smith, and Henry Vines. Third row: James Britt, Dwayne Livengood, Mark Wilburn, John Bridges, and Zach Moffitt.

Brewer of Brewer Farms in Lexington, North Carolina. Ray and Suzanne are very deserving recipients of the award.

Both have devoted countless hours to the success of the N.C. Angus Association over the years; Suzanne during her tenure as secretary for the NCAA and Ray

AAA Regional Manager, Reece Tuckwiller, discusses current issues at American Angus.

Several awards were presented to members during the banquet. Shuffler Farms of Union Grove received the Ira Gentry Memorial trophy for consigning the high selling lot in the 2019 Spring Fever Sale. In addition, several farms were recognized as the “judge’s choice” for having the top consignments in the

2019 Spring Fever Sale. Judge’s choice winners included Shuffler Farms for the cow/calf pair, Scarlett Farms for the open heifer, and Second Creek Angus for the top bred heifer.

The 2019 N.C. Angus Hall of Fame Award was presented to Ray and Suzanne

Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program.

Contact one of these N.C. Angus breeders today for your next genetic selection:

Congratulations to Suzanne and Ray Brewer for being inducted into the N.C. Angus Hall of Fame. Also pictured is Roy Swisher, award presenter.

supporting her. Ray was also instrumental in many committees and could always be depended on to support the N.C. Junior Angus Association in any way they needed. Longtime friend Roy Swisher presented the award and spoke of the Brewer’s beginnings in the cattle business and their time with the association.

4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 email: info@tarheelangus.com

MESSICK ANGUS Kathleen Messick Madison 336-937-1956 email: messickangus@yahoo.com

BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) email: robinbackcreek@att.net

PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 email: JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com

BB ORGANIC FARM NC, LLC R. & E. Miller Wake Forest 919-570-2816 email: bborganicfarmnc@gmail.com

PROPST FARMS James L. Propst Zach Moffitt - Manager Concord 336-736-6340 email: zmoffitt19@gmail.com

BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 email: livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com BRIDGES BEEF CATTLE Eddie, Cindy, John & Crystal Bridges Shelby 704-692-2978 email: bridgesbeefcattle@gmail.com

2019 DeEtta Wood Achievement and Leadership Award winner Lynae Bowman.

Also pictured Cortney Holshouser, Wood Committee chairperson, and Ava Wood.

The 2019 N.C. Angus Spring Fever Sale Ira Gentry Memorial Award winner presented to Shuffler Farms. Pictured Brent Scarlett and Eugene Shuffler.

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS

Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling.

75th Anniversary cake

the N.C. Angus News magazine were sold.

The juniors auctioned homemade cakes, and the Auxiliary auctioned a weekend getaway at the Lane Angus Farm guest house. A special thank you to everyone who bid and purchased all the items to benefit the associations.

North Carolina Angus Association

Many N.C. Junior Angus members were recognized for their outstanding achievements as well. The DeEtta Wood Leadership Award was presented to Lynae Bowman for her participation in various Angus activities during 2019. The N.C. Angus Auxiliary also presented their Merit Awards to several North Carolina juniors.

Once again, thank you to Dwayne Livengood, Annual Meeting Committee Chairman; Eddie Leagans; Roy and Teresa Swisher; Howard Gentry; Don Hill; Linda Hicks; April Bowman; and all the other great members who helped make the day such a success.

C-CROSS CATTLE COMPANY Duane Strider Asheboro 336-964-6277 email: ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com

SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 email: mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Rick Kern - Manager Louisburg 919-880-9062 (Phil); 919-272-6124 (Rick) email: jpgoodson@bellsouth.net www.springfieldangus.com TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 email: greg.little@ATImetals.com

FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 email: kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com

UWHARRIE RIDGE FARMS Mark Wilburn Asheboro 336-953-0521 email: uwharrieridgefarms@gmail.com

GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net

VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 email: keaton@vandemarkfarms.com

H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 email: jennham@bellsouth.net

WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 email: michaelmoss@rtmc.net

HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 email: gmhill@uga.edu

WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 email: rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com

JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 email: karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com

N.C. Angus Auxiliary Merit Awards presented for outstanding achievements to N.C. Junior Angus members.

LANE ANGUS Roger Lane Bundy Lane - Manager Gates 252-398-7711 email: ritalane@embarqmail.com

The Carolina Cattle Connection

Sharon Rogers

N.C. Angus Association Executive Secretary

336-599-8750 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

A s s o c i a t i o n o f A m e r i ca n Vete r i n a r y M e d i ca l C o l l e g e s

NEWS

AAVMC Conference Catalyzes, Innovates and Inspires. The AAVMC’s 2020 Annual Conference and Iverson Bell Symposium was held March 6-8 in Washington, D.C., just days before most people had any idea how profoundly the approaching COVID-19 pandemic would change everyday life in the United States.

The AAVMC implemented several biosecurity practices for the conference that seemed extremely cautious at the time but prudent in retrospect. Those included a “no handshake” policy and providing an abundance of hand sanitizer for the more than 300 attendees who gathered to enjoy an array of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

On March 5, 81 deans and other veterinary medical school representatives from 26 states conducted 156 meetings with Congressional members or staffers to discuss issues of importance to academic veterinary medicine.

COVID-19 awareness and concerns illuminated the importance of the profession and brought special urgency to conversations about targeted programs such as the 2019 Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act; the America Grows Act (for agricultural research), and Section 1433, Formula Funds for Animal Health and Disease Research.

The conference kicked off on March 6, with programming that included dozens of expert presentations, workshops, and keynote speakers such as Jeff Selingo, a writer for the Washington Post, and the Chronicle of Higher Education, who is the author of two New York Times bestsellers.

Selingo spoke on how technological and societal changes are prompting changes in education and what that might look like long term. He stressed the need to develop platforms for lifelong learning and the development of student skills that can transfer from one domain to another, with structures that might rely more heavily on internships and flexible digital learning. He also noted the need to develop outcomes based, human skills “to complement rather than compete with technology.”

That human/technology interface theme resonated throughout the conference with sessions such as “Preparing Veterinary Graduates for a Changing Profession: Using Hackathons as a Vehicle to Teach Vital Professional Skills” and a “Use of Animals in Education Symposium.”

The symposium examined both the benefits and limitations of using simulations,

haptic training models, cadavers, or critically ill animals to teach veterinary medical skills and how to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches.

Dr. Philp Nelson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the Western School of Health Sciences, spoke about his school’s policy that no animals will be harmed or die as part of their educational programs. The school relies heavily on willed bodies, conducts memorial services for the donated animals, and invites donors to write personal stories about their relationships with the donated animals and the impact on their lives.

AAVMC President-elect Paul Lunn, dean of the college of veterinary medicine at North Carolina State University, talked about the need to constantly study and evaluate the use of animals to ensure that they are only used ethically and with careful, balanced consideration to all factors. “I think we’re at a time where we have an opportunity to exercise careful scrutiny and evaluate whether we’re really following best practice,” he said — something the AAVMC intends to encourage members to do.

New this year, award winners were introduced via compelling, professionally produced videos that profiled honorees.

One award winner, Iverson Bell awardee Dr. Sandra San Miguel, took the stage in a flowing cape to illustrate how she inspires young students to become superheroes through learning about science and veterinary medicine.

Videos also profiled Iverson Bell awardee Jaime Gongora, Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award recipient Dr. Jerome Masty, Excellence in Research Award recipient Dr. Peter J. Havel, Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service Award recipient Dr. Eleanor Green, and Senator John Melcher Leadership in Public Policy Award recipient Dr. Glen Hoffsis.

The Presidential Award for Meritorious Service was awarded to members of the Competency based Veterinary Education (CBVE) group and to Dr. Darcy Hall and Dr. Karen Cornell for their work with the AAVMC’s Leadership Academy.

In another new development, programming normally featured during the Iverson Bell Symposium, previously a biennial event, was factored into presentations throughout the meeting.

The decision to make the Iverson Bell Symposium a part of every conference was made to reinforce the idea that diversity and inclusion should infuse

everything that AAVMC members do.

Some of those sessions included “When Hate is a Crime: Creating an Inclusive and Safe Environment on Campus,” “Policies, Practices and Practices, and Places: Supporting Religious, Secular and Spiritual Identities in Veterinary Medical Education,” and “Where are the Men?” In “Where are the Men,” the AAVMC’s Senior Director for Institutional Research and Diversity Dr. Lisa Greenhill outlined some of the factors that discourage men from entering veterinary medicine.

She stressed that we need to work harder to develop the pipeline for males with concerted efforts such as mentoring, developing role models, and focusing on salaries. She acknowledged the efforts will likely take years before gleaning results.

Keynote speaker Dr. Ashanti Johnson used her personal story, experience, and empirical evidence to emphasize the benefits of diversity and inclusion in a talk on “Diversity, Equity and Belonging.” Dr. Johnson is one of the first African American female chemical oceanographers in the U.S. and a leading expert on diversity in STEM. She spoke about the importance of prioritizing and cultivating input from diverse viewpoints and how organizations can encourage

diversity in everything from interpersonal dynamics to programmatic initiatives, mentorship, and career development.

“Share your story,” she said, “because once you’ve done it, you become the best practice.”

To view a comprehensive online conference summary, visit www.aavmc.org/ meetings/2020-annual-conference-summary.

About the AAVMC. The member institutions of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) promote and protect the health and wellbeing of people, animals, and the environment by advancing the profession of veterinary medicine and preparing new generations of veterinarians to meet the evolving needs of a changing world. Founded in 1966, the AAVMC represents more than 40,000 faculty, staff, and students across the global academic veterinary medical community. Our member institutions include 53 Council on Education (COE) accredited veterinary medical colleges and schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; 23 provisional and collaborating members; and departments of veterinary science and departments of comparative medicine in the United States.

Sale

l i t n u D E N O P T S PO !

0 2 0 2 FALL

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 25

Yon Family Farms Spring Sale Results A cold but sunny day was enjoyed by all at the 30th Annual Yon Spring Sale on February 15. The sale offering included both bulls and females, mainly registered Angus, with a select offering of SimAngus and Ultrablack genetics. The sale was broadcast live on the Internet using the services of DVAuctions. A standing room only crowd was on hand throughout the day as 265 lots came through the ring.

Neighbors and friends prepared and served delicious chili, and many former interns and employees were in the back making the auction run smoothly. Auctioneers were Eddie Burks and Darren Carter.

The results of the sale are as follows: • 175 yearling Angus bulls averaged $4,424 • 14 yearling SimAngus bulls averaged $4,929 • 7 yearling SimAngus HT bulls averaged $3,857 • 2 yearling Ultrablack bulls averaged $4,375 • 24 Angus fall pairs averaged $3,783 • 10 SimAngus fall pairs averaged $3,870 • 1 Ultrablack fall pair brought $3,400 • 17 Angus bred cows averaged $2,729 • 1 SimAngus bred cow brought $3,000

PAGE 26

• 6 Angus bred heifers averaged $2,567 • 3 SimAngus bred heifers averaged $2,767 • 1 Ultrablack bred heifer brought $3,600 • 4 commercial bred heifers averaged $3,000 Lots 5 and 7 were the top selling bulls. Each sold for $20,000. Lot 5, Yon Chattooga G246, sold to Dixie Valley

Ranch in Montague, California. Lot 7, Yon Chattooga G248, sold to Genex Cooperative, Inc, in Shawano, Wisconsin.

Both top bulls were sired by Yon Chattooga E46. (Yons retained a ⅓ semen interest.)

The second high selling bull was Lot 2, Yon Reno G730, at $15,000 to Select Sires Inc. in Plain City, Ohio. (Yons retained a ⅓ semen interest) Third high selling bull - Lot 8 - Yon Full Force G523.

Top selling bull - Lot 5 - Yon Chattooga G246.

Top selling bull - Lot 7 - Yon Chattooga G248.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

Second high selling bull - Lot 2 - Yon Reno G730.

The third high selling bull was Lot 8, Yon Full Force G523, at $13,000 to Alta Genetics in Watertown, Wisconsin.

The top selling female lot was a fall pair, Lot 240/240A, Yon Sarah D238, at $6,250 to S&B Farms in Morganton, North Carolina. Lot 240 is sired by Yon Final Answer W494 and sold with a heifer calf at side sired by BUBS Southern

Charm AA31.

The Yon Family Farms Fall Sale will be held on October 31 in Ridge Spring, S.C., where approximately 400 head will be offered. Visit their website at www.yonfamilyfarms.com for more information.

High selling female - Lot 240 - Yon Sarah D238.

Scenes from the 2019 Yon Family Farms Spring Sale

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 27

ANGUS NEWS Notice to the membership — Important notice regarding parentage test results for Ankonian T N Emulous 27140. The American Angus Association recently became aware that as a result of SNP marker parentage testing, Ankonian T N Emulous 27140, AAA 6639774, has a parent exclusion, whereas Emulous Pride 70 has been excluded as the sire. With our current technology, a parent search of the American Angus Association database reveals only one possible correct sire, Emulation 31, AAA 6064368.

Calved in 1970, Ankonian T N Emulous 27140 was parentage verified by blood type only in 1972. Due to these recent parentage test results, pedigree corrections have taken place, and all relevant information has been updated within the American Angus Association database. At the time of SNP marker parentage testing, Ankonian T N Emulous

PAGE 28

27140 was tested for and determined free of all recognized genetic conditions. No descendant animals are potential carriers of genetic conditions because of this pedigree correction.

Any questions regarding this parentage correction can be directed to the Director of Member Services at 816-383-5100.

Angus Members: Check Your Voting Eligibility Now. Participate in the electoral process during the 2020 Angus Convention by meeting key requirements.

American Angus Association members wanting to participate in the election of delegates and alternate delegates to the 2020 Annual Convention of Delegates need to meet four eligibility requirements before 5:30 p.m. on April 10.

According to Association bylaws, only eligible voting members can nominate, be nominated, vote, or be elected in the annual election of

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

delegates. In order to participate in the electoral process and other business during the 137th Annual Convention of Delegates, a member must be an eligible voting member and must meet all of the following requirements by 5:30 p.m. on April 10: • Active regular or life membership (dues paid in full by the deadline stated above) • 18 years of age or older • Registered at least one animal or completed at least $250 of business with the Association or Angus Genetics Inc. within the preceding 12 months from when the nomination period begins • Be current with all financial obligations to the American Angus Association and all of its subsidiaries when the nomination process begins.

The nomination period for 2020 begins April 13; therefore, above criteria must be met by the end of the previous business day, April 10. It’s encouraged to submit all necessary requirements at least three business days prior to April 10 to allow time for processing.

The American Angus Association will mail delegate nomination materials only to active regular and life members

who qualify as eligible voting members prior to 5:30 p.m. on April 10.

Contact Martha Greer, coordinator of board relations, at 816-383-5100 or mgreer@angus.org with any questions, or reference the complete bylaws of the Association, including the applicable Section 3.6 at www.angus.org/Pub/brg_ part1.pdf. The 137th Annual Convention of Delegates takes place on November 9 during the National Angus Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. Online registration for the convention will begin July 1. More information will be available at www. angusconvention.com.

Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association ® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by nearly 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers, and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 29

N.C. BCIP Bull Tests – A Benefit? You Bet They Are!

By LINDA P. HICKS N.C. Angus Association If you’re a beef cattle producer in North Carolina, you’ve probably heard people talk about bull test stations, but did you ever wonder exactly what these test stations do? If you’re a purebred producer, have you ever thought about sending a bull for testing but don’t know exactly how to get started? This article will provide you with some answers to both questions.

Sixty years ago, artificial insemination was not being widely used.

Most producers were using herd bulls to breed their cows. The N.C. Beef Cattle Improvement Program (N.C. BCIP) was working with producers to weigh calves and gather performance data on both male and female animals. They were tracking weaning weights. County livestock agents were helping weigh animals and were sending the information to N.C. State University, where the information was recorded. NCSU had a computer program and would send back adjusted 205 day weights.

In the mid to late 1960s, a group of producers got together and decided it

would be good to have a test where they could compare genetics. The first test was conducted on a research farm near Rocky Mount, N.C., in 1969. The purpose was to improve genetics and share those with other producers. Consignors could opt to sell the bulls that were tested to other producers, mostly purebred, or take their animals home to use in their own herds.

The first sale was held in Rocky Mount, N.C., in 1970. It was a multibreed sale consisting of 21 Angus, 31 Hereford, three Charolais, and five Shorthorn. From those early days, the tests and sales evolved. The first sale of bulls from the Waynesville test station was held in 1980, followed by the first sale from the Butner test station in 1984.

Breed preferences have changed since the 1960s. There is more demand for Angus and Angus influenced animals. Today’s N.C. BCIP tests are predominantly Angus with some Hereford, Charolais, Simmental, and SimAngus.

Today’s N.C. BCIP Committee plays a critical role regarding the current test

stations. The committee meets two times per year – once at the N.C. Cattlemen’s Conference and again in the spring of the year. The committee consists of representative(s) from each of the state or regional recognized breed organizations, the N.C. Department of Agriculture, N.C. State University, and the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. They set the rules and guidelines for the test stations, including but not limited to check in dates, fees, sale dates, and sale order.

Currently, bull tests are conducted at the N.C. Department of Agriculture Mountain Research Station in Waynesville and the Butner Beef Cattle Field Laboratory in Bahama, North Carolina. Waynesville has capacity for 60 bulls, and Butner has capacity for 99.

If more than the capacity is consigned, the number accepted is reduced strictly based on the number each consignor has nominated. The consignor(s) with the largest number of consignments will be asked to withdraw animals first. The consignor decides which animal(s) he wishes to withdraw.

Consignors must be members of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and have their herds enrolled in a performance testing program. Specific birth date requirements for each test station are included in the N.C. BCIP guidelines each year. At this time, the dates are early to mid-August to mid-November of the prior year, and delivery to the respective test station is late June or mid-July depending on the test site.

The bulls are given at least a week to adjust to their new surroundings prior to the start of the test. During this time, one of the most important things the staff observes is disposition. An animal that demonstrates traits that are considered dangerous to either the staff or the other animals will be sent home. The bulls are on test for 112 days. There’s usually five weeks plus or minus between the end of the test and the bull sales.

The animals are weighed two days in a row, and the average weight is taken both at the beginning of the test and at the end. The reason for getting the weights in this manner is because there can be a

West End Precast 276-228-5024

PRECAST CONCRETE FEED BUNKS

J-Bunks $170-$180

U-Bunks $170

Calf Bunks $120

Water Troughs Pads Tanks

Prices FOB Wytheville, Virginia • Delivery Available PAGE 30

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

large difference in weight from one day to the next. An animal may have just taken a big drink of water or grabbed a mouthful of food before stepping on the scale, or he may have just urinated or had a bowel movement. He might be first on the scale on day one and last on the scale on day two, so the average gives a more accurate weight. Hip heights are measured at the beginning of the test and at the end in the same manner as the weights – over a two day period and then averaged.

Bulls are grouped according to age and breed unless there is a breed with a small number, in which case that breed is comingled with another breed. At the Butner station, there are eight paddocks of about a half acre each. There are five paddocks at Waynesville. The maximum number of animals in each paddock is limited to the bunk space in each paddock. Weights are taken again at 56 and 84 days to monitor progress. These weights are used as a benchmark to see if feed needs to be adjusted.

The bulls are fed a free choice corn silage ration to which protein and energy supplements have been added to obtain a mixture containing 12% crude protein and 70% TDN. The feed bunks are replenished each morning. If there is food left in the bunk, it is removed to ensure that the bulls are only getting fresh, mold free feed. If the bunk is completely empty, a slightly larger ration is put in the bunk.

Since all of the bulls have followed a health protocol that is outlined in the health forms that must be completed prior to delivery to the test stations, no further vaccinations or tests are required.

The bulls are monitored for any health issues, and a veterinarian is available on an as needed basis. Flies are controlled by spraying as necessary.

Ultrasounds are performed when the bulls are weighed at the 84 day interval to allow sufficient time for the data to be processed and included in test results. Breeding soundness evaluations are performed at the end of the test.

Adjusted daily gain is calculated at the end of the test, and scrotal circumference

NOTICE

Letters to the editor are welcome and we appreciate your input.

HOWEVER, letters that are not signed will not be considered for publication.

measurements are also taken at the end of the test. For a bull to qualify for the sale, the adjusted yearling weight ratio must be 93 or better. Bulls with a ratio of less than 85 on average daily gain or scrotal circumference are removed from the sale.

Bulls with an adjusted 365 day hip height less than 49 inches (5.0 frame) are also removed from the sale.

It is not cheap for a consignor to have a bull tested. The upfront charges for nomination, insurance (death only), management, and feed deposit at this time are $250. At the end of the test, there is an additional charge for feed, which is pro-rated according to average daily gain.

The charges for the breeding soundness exam and ultrasound are spread over the entire group. Then there are the sales costs, which include the auctioneer’s fee, catalogs, advertising, the $2 checkoff fee, and transportation to the sales site.

What are the advantages if you’re a consignor? It’s a way to measure your genetics against your peers; a way to test your genetics to make sure you’re on the right track with your breeding program; a way to decide which genetic lines you want to pursue; a way to improve your herd. And it may very well be a way to market some of your other animals that are not on test.

What are the advantages if you’re a buyer? At each of the two sales, you get to physically examine bulls from registered herds from all parts of North Carolina, all in one location. You know the bulls in each sale meet or exceed a minimum set of standards. You know they are breeders. You get to choose what you want to pay for any animal. You get to reap the benefit of registered breeders using artificial insemination.

The tests and sales are a win-win for both consignors and buyers. Bottom line, if the information gained from these tests is used properly, both purebred and commercial herds can be improved.

A lot of work goes into these tests and sales, and here in North Carolina, we are very fortunate to have the leadership of Gary Gregory, NCSU Agricultural Research Technician, who works with the North Carolina Beef Cattle Improvement Program, Greg Shaeffer, Superintendent at the Butner Beef Cattle Field Laboratory, and Kyle Miller, Waynesville BCIP Bull Test Manager.

These gentlemen and their staffs put a lot of effort toward ensuring these tests are successful and beneficial to both consignors and buyers.

Complete rules and guidelines, nomination forms, and health forms are available on the N.C.BCIP bull test website at www.beef.ces.ncsu.edu/beefbull-test/.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 31

PAGE 32

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 33

PAGE 34

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

Proof of Superior Feed Efficiency Utilizing Limousin and Lim-Flex ® Genetics. Limousin places 11 bulls in GrowSafe Systems® 2020 list of the Top 150 Proven bull list for Residual Feed Intake (RFI). WULFS XCELLSIOR also achieved number 1 ranking for RFI on the Top 150 Proven Bull List.

NALF also listed 7 bulls in the top 35

ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference transitions to a virtual experience for 2020. The virtual platform ensures accessibility and safety for all global participants. Alltech has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, with particular consideration for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE). The annual event was scheduled for May 17–19 in Lexington, Ken., and typically assembles more than 3,500 attendees from 70 countries for an exploration of innovative solutions across the global food supply chain. In light of rising health concerns related to coronavirus, Alltech will present ONE session topics online, transitioning to a virtual experience instead of a live event in 2020.

“Our first priority remains the health and safety of attendees, our colleagues and the communities in which we live and work,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “With that in mind, we have decided to host this year’s international conference on a virtual platform, allowing registrants from around the world to engage in industry leading content in a way that is accessible for everyone.”

The Alltech ONE Virtual Experience will provide access to agricultural topics, including agribusiness, aquaculture, beef, crop science, dairy, the future of food, pig, and poultry. Live streamed keynote presentations and on demand video content from some of the world’s leading industry experts, including the most impactful presentations from past years’ events, will be available beginning May 18.

Now in its 36th year, ONE continues to be a source of inspiration and motivation within the agribusiness industry, even in the face of disruption.

RFI ranking, and all 11 head were in the top 100! Additionally, many of the NALF bulls that are included in the top 150 list have the most progeny listed for increased accuracy of the data provided.

Congratulations to Wulf Cattle and the Limousin breeders for providing superior genetics that add real dollars to the commercial cattle business’s bottom line!

NEWS

The conference explores innovative solutions through the lens of technology, navigating challenges, and uncovering opportunities. This year, Alltech will apply those ideas to deliver an impactful ONE experience virtually.

Thought leaders and change makers across the agri-food industry are invited to explore the power of science, technology, and human ingenuity through this interactive, online format. To learn more and register, visit www.one.alltech. com.

About Alltech. Founded in 1980

by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our products improve the health and performance of plants and animals, resulting in better nutrition for consumers and a decreased environmental impact.

We are a global leader in the animal health industry, producing additives, premix, self fed supplements, and feed.

Celebrating 40 years in 2020, we carry forward a legacy of innovation and a unique culture that views challenges through an entrepreneurial lens.

Our more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide share our vision for a Planet of Plenty™. We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet, but it will take all of us working together, led by science, technology, and a shared will to make a difference.

Alltech is a private, family owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and maintain focus on advanced innovation.

Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For more information, visit www.alltech.com.

With bull sale season approaching, it’s time to take a second look at Limousin and Lim-Flex® genetics in your commercial cow herd. Contact NALF at 303-220-1693 or go to www.NALF.org to locate a breeder near you!

2020 NJLSC “Party of the Century”. The 2020 National Junior Limousin Show & Congress will be held in West Monroe, La., June 27-July 3. The deadline for entries in May 1.

Pens for Sale - Limited night pens available for tie outs. Pens are under roof with arena dirt. The stall will have access to electricity, giving you the opportunity to run a port-a-cool. Pens will not be allowed in tie outs, so purchase your turn out pen today!

30x22 Pen - $750 for the week - 4 available Contact Troy Gulotta at 985-6621561 or Katie Campbell at 303-220-1693 to purchase your pen.

Please note the availability may be different than what is on the website, contact Troy or Katie for an up-to-date pen availability.

2020 NJLSC Fundraising Opportunities to be a general show sponsor or sponsor show awards are still available. Contact a NALJA Board Member, Katie Campbell, or Troy Gulotta to purchase sponsorships.

Internship Opportunity - The North American Limousin Junior Association is offering a paid internship for the duration of the National Junior Limousin Show & Congress (NJLSC) June 27-July 3. The internship will provide training and work

experience in association work.

Eligibility: Applicants must be a 2020 high school graduate or older. Applicants cannot be exhibitors or competitors at the 2020 NJLSC. The applicant should be detail oriented, outgoing, can work well with all types of people, and be a self starter who can work on their own.

Details: Applicants are expected to be in West Monroe, La., beginning June 25-July 4. The intern will be expected to assist with NJLSC contest execution, assist with opening and closing ceremonies, show office management, and data entry. The intern will also assist with pre-show correspondence and producing social media content leading up to and during NJLSC. Compensation: $1,000 Apply: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two references to Katie Campbell, Director of Activities, katie@nalf.org.

Application deadline is April 15: For more information, please contact Katie Campbell at katie@nalf.org or 913-683-1415.

About the North American Limousin Foundation. The North American Limousin Foundation, headquartered in Englewood, Colo., provides programs and services, including the documentation of more than 25,000 head of cattle annually, for approximately 4,000 members and their commercial customers. The Limousin breed and Lim-Flex® hybrid offer industry leading growth and efficiency, while being an ideal complement to British breeds.

For more information about NALF, please visit www.nalf.org.

West End Precast 276-228-5024 Wytheville, Virginia

8 ft Concrete Feed Bunks

U or J Bunks - $170-$180 • Calf Bunks - $120

Water Troughs • Pads • Silo Sides Septic Tanks • Reservoirs The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 35

Tips for Taking on Mannheimia haemolytica. M. haemolytica is one of the leading causes of respiratory disease in cattle. “Of all the bacterial causes of respiratory disease, Mannheimia haemolytica is the most prevalent and concerning,”1 said Jody Wade, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. Animals with an infection can go from seemingly healthy to deceased in a day’s time. M. haemolytica was previously known as Pasteurella, and many cattlemen refer to it as such to this day.

“An interesting thing about Mannheimia is that it’s a secondary invader,” observed Dr. Wade. “It is a common bacterial flora found in the upper respiratory tract of cattle, and in normal conditions, causes no problems.”

However, periods of stress or viral infections such as bovine viral diarrhea virus and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus can weaken the animal’s immunity and cause the pathogen to move down to the lungs and cause an infection.

How it spreads - “Mannheimia is very contagious,” said Dr. Wade. “It spreads through direct contact or via feed and water that’s been contaminated with nasal or oral discharge from infected cattle. Therefore, factors like overcrowding, commingling, and shipping promote the spread of this disease.”

Signs and treatment - The first signs of M. haemolytica that a producer is going to see are droopy ears, cattle holding their heads down and standing away from other animals, poor appetite, nasal discharge, and a temperature between 104ºF and 107ºF. “As the infection progresses, that’s when you’ll start to see coughing and animals standing with their elbows pointed away from their chest,” explained Dr. Wade. “The more these signs develop, the more lung damage we’re going to see.”

To minimize lung damage, try to catch a case as early as possible; then, use a quick acting and effective treatment option.

Read through the product label, and consult your veterinarian before providing treatment. If M. haemolytica is not included on the label, the antibiotic is not going to work. Consider using an antimicrobial with an active ingredient like gamithromycin; it will be rapidly absorbed and extensively distributed in the lung tissue to provide effective

PAGE 36

NEWS

treatment and control.2 Prevention is twofold - Combining vaccination with the reduction of stress will give herds the greatest protection against M. haemolytica and BRD. 1. Stress management - In the cattle industry, there are a number of builtin stressors such as weaning, shipping, commingling, and dehorning. But even seemingly minor environmental events, like changes in temperature, dust, poor ventilation, and moisture, can be factors.

While there’s no way to completely prevent stress, producers can take extra steps to minimize it: • Place calves on a well formulated nutrition program that includes trace minerals.

• Provide plenty of clean, fresh water.

• Try to avoid overcrowding, as it causes stress and promotes the spread of disease.

• Handle cattle in a calm manner.

Low stress handling techniques include presenting a relaxed disposition, avoiding loud noises, reducing the use of cattle prods, and removing visual distractions.

2. Vaccinate - “Research has shown that the best time to vaccinate for M. haemolytica is while animals are still on the cow/calf operation,” emphasized Dr. Wade. “Unfortunately for the stocker business, there are a lot of cow/calf operations that don’t use a respiratory vaccine on calves.” In fact, it’s estimated that only one in four cattle has been vaccinated for the more common bacterial agents associated with respiratory disease.3 “Vaccinating for M. haemolytica should be part of reputation management for all cow/calf producers,” said Dr. Wade. “You don’t want to be the person no one wants to buy cattle from.”

If you’re a stocker and you don’t know the vaccination history of the animals, consider a vaccine that protects against M. haemolytica, and can be given at all stages of an animal’s life.

“Remember to consult with your veterinarian, as they know the disease challenges in your region,” concluded Dr. Wade.

About Boehringer Ingelheim.

Improving the health and quality of life of patients is the goal of the research driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The focus in doing so is on diseases for which no satisfactory treatment option exists to date. The

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

company, therefore, concentrates on developing innovative therapies that can extend patients’ lives. In animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim stands for advanced prevention.

Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world. We are committed to creating animal well being through our large portfolio of advanced, preventive healthcare products and services. With net sales of $4.4 billion and around 10,000 employees worldwide, we are present in more than 150 markets. For more information, visit www.boehringeringelheim.com/animal-health/overview.

References Griffin D., Chengappa M., Kuszak J., McVey D.S. Bacterial pathogens of the bovine respiratory disease complex. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim.

2010;26(2):381–394.

2 Sifferman R.L., Wolff W.A., Holste J.E., et al. Field efficacy evaluation of gamithromycin for treatment of bovine respiratory disease in cattle at feedlots. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med 2011;9(2):166–175.

3 NAHMS. Feedlot studies 2011.

Available at www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ ourfocus/animalhealth/monitoring-andsurveillance/nahms/nahms_feedlot_ studies/. Accessed February 5, 2019.

1

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Week of MARCH 4, 2020)

Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary for Wednesday, MARCH 4, 2020. Consignments are from BQA certified producers or vaccinated according to BQA guidelines. Most are carrying moderate flesh. All cattle in this report are located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Prices FOB the farm or local scale and many weighed with a 0-2 percent shrink and sold with a 5-8¢ per pound slide on the heavy side. Some lots all natural.

Cattle Receipts: 1,572 Last Month: 1,311

Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 49 percent steers and 51 percent heifers. Nearly 78 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range 775 $135.00

Head 63

Wt. Range 775-775

Head 17

Wt. Range 615-615

Head 172 78 40 138 36 63 45 60 56

Wt. Range 550-590 625-625 610-610 700-725 710-710 775-775 750-750 815-815 870-870

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range 569 $155.00 - $160.25 625 $150.00 610 $149.00 712 $127.50 - $137.50 710 $140.00 775 $131.00 750 $130.00 815 $130.50 870 $137.00

Avg. Price $157.62 $150.00 $149.00 $132.48 $140.00 $131.00 $130.00 $130.50 $137.00

Head

52

Wt. Range 950-950

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range 950 $122.00

Avg. Price $122.00

Head 60

Wt. Range 670-670

Avg. Price $135.00

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 615 $145.25 $145.25

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 670 $133.25 $133.25

Delivery

Delivery Split Loads Delivery Value Added Value Added Split Loads Value Added Delivery Value Added Delivery Split Loads

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Head Wt. Range Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price Delivery 89 550-550 550 $144.00 $144.00 162 600-610 605 $133.00 - $134.75 $133.88 40 610-610 610 $141.00 $141.00 Value Added 144 685-685 685 $122.00 $122.00 33 675-675 675 $134.00 $134.00 Value Added 70 700-700 700 $127.00 $127.00 29 725-725 725 $124.00 $124.00 Split Loads 64 760-760 760 $119.00 $119.00 61 800-800 800 $116.50 $116.50

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156

THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL

By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association Clemson Bull Test Sale. The Clemson Bull Test Sale was the 44th annual sale, and it was held at the Garrison Livestock Arena in Clemson, S.C., on February 1. A North Carolina breeder, Eugene Shuffler of Hamptonville, sold the top selling purebred Simmental bull at $5,500. This bull was sired by Koch Big Timber 685D. Jim Rathwell of Six Mile, S.C., had a SimAngus bull that sold for $5,000 and was a son of CAJS Blaze of Glory. Eugene Shuffler had the third top selling SimAngus at $4,600. This bull is sired by KCF Bennett Fortress.

There were two purebred Simmental that sold for a gross of $9,500 to average $4,750. There were five SimAngus bulls that sold, grossing $21,300 to average $4,260.

ASA Names Leading Breeders. The American Simmental Association has named the leading breeders by each state.

In North Carolina, Fred Smith Company Ranch in Clayton is the top Simmental

producer with the most registrations. The Ranch is followed by High Ridge Farms in Albemarle, Massey Farms in Burlington, Broadway Cattle Farm in Monroe, and Chase Cole Livestock in Clinton. For South Carolina, the top Simmental producer is Yon Family Farms in Ridge Spring, followed by Baxley Farms in Georgetown, Nickle N Dime Farm in Six Mile, Wayne Garber in Laurens, and Longview Farm in Anderson. The state of Virginia’s top Simmental producer is Shenandoah Valley Simmentals in Quicksburg, followed by McDonald Farms in Blacksburg, Edgewood Angus in Williamsburg, Smith Reasor of Rural Retreat, and Deer Creek Farm in Roseland.

Most Used Bulls. The American Simmental Association has published the most used bulls by the number of progeny registered in 2019. The top bull used was CCR Cowboy Cut 5048Z, with 2,474 progeny registered. He is followed

by Hook’s Beacon 56B as the number

two bull with 1,347 progeny registered.

The top five bulls are three purebreds and two percentage Simmental bulls. The first percentage Simmental bull is number three, TJ Main Event 503B, with 1,075 progeny registered. He is a ½ Simmental and ½ Angus. The first red Simmental to appear is WS All Aboard B80, who comes in as number 20 with 399 progeny registered, which is up from the first red bull being number 30 last year. The first purebred Angus to appear has dropped from number 31 last year to number 46 this year. This bull is Coleman Charlo 0256.

Interesting Facts from the ASA. The American Simmental Association has published its Annual Report and mailed it to all active members. There were

73,245 cattle registered last year with the American Simmental Association, and 11,473 bull transfers were processed.

There are 5.8 million animal records in the ASA’s database, and 123,360 active cows were enrolled in the Total Herd Enrollment (THE) program. There are currently 8,533 active adult and junior members of the ASA. If you would like a copy of the 2019 Annual Report published by the American Simmental Association, please give me a call at the NCSA office at 336-4681679 or email me your address to ncsa@ yadtel.net. I will mail one out to you at no cost. See what this great breed and its association are all about! This year’s theme published by the ASA is STAND STRONG SIMMENTAL.

Regular copy deadline is

APRIL 5 for the MAY issue.

Is there a problem?

SIMMENTAL . . . Because They Work!

Take it from this N.C.S.A. Breeder: Jonathan Massey of Circle M/Massey Farms in Burlington, N.C.

“With the performance, moderate birth weight, and frame size of today’s Simmentals combined with the growing popularity of SimAngus hybrids, why not put Simmental genetics to work in your herd?”

Jonathan Massey Circle M/Massey Farms

~ Jonathan Massey Circle M/Massey Farms

Contact these progressive SIMMENTAL breeders!

Cub Creek Farms Doug Peterson Wilkesboro, NC 336-667-4306

Ridgewood Simmentals Rusty & Cara Henson Boone, NC 828-265-3450

Fred Smith Company Ranch Fred Smith Clayton, NC 919-422-4092

Triple M Farms Tony Matthis Clinton, NC 910-592-7472 or 910-592-6702

Rucker Family Farm Phil & Jennie Rucker Hamptonville, NC 336-468-1675

Nicholson Livestock Clay & John Nicholson East Bend, NC 336-699-4780

Cedar Creek Ranch Bill & Marie Pyle Franklinton, NC 919-494-1145

Circle M Cattle/Massey Farms Johnny & Jonathan Massey Burlington, NC 336-260-2565

Waco Cattle Company Marvin Hutchison Waco, NC 704-435-4607

Shade Tree Simmentals Ralph Blalock, Jr. Wilson, NC 252-289-6007

Langdon Red Angus & Simmental John & Eileen Langdon Benson, NC 919-796-5010

TX Enterprises Charlie & Amy Thomas Winston-Salem, NC 336-575-5461

JBB Simmentals Jeff Broadaway Monroe, NC 704-221-0997

• EAST BEND • HAMPTONVILLE • WINSTON-SALEM • FRANKLINTON BURLINGTON • WILSON • CLAYTON • • BENSON • WACO • MONROE • CLINTON

• BOONE WILKESBORO •

N. C. Simmental Association • Jennie Rucker, Executive Secretary 1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 • 336-468-1679

√ Check out our webpage: www.ncsimmental.com • email: NCSA@yadtel.net

The Carolina Cattle Connection

American Simmental Association 1 Genetics Way Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-4531 406-587-9301 FAX

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 37

NEWS

Natural Biosecurity Solutions AgFlu, ABSORB PLUS from Brookside Agra Can Help Reduce Threat of Deadly Viruses to Animals, Humans. AgFlu contains patented antiviral composition research proven to suppress deadly coronavirus. COVID-19 has taken center stage in the news with the recent outbreak, deaths, and quarantine of thousands of people throughout the world.

Experts say the disease, which is potentially fatal in humans, may have emerged from a variety of animal hosts and contaminated animal environments.

The highly contagious family of coronaviruses is mainly transmitted by large respiratory droplets and direct or indirect contact with infected secretions from humans and animals such as blood, feces, and urine.

According to experts, an effective way to reduce the spread of deadly viruses where poultry and livestock frequent is through increased hygiene and the use of natural biosecurity solutions, like ABSORB PLUS and AgFlu distributed by Brookside Agra in partnership with a European manufacturer.

“It’s during times like these that poultry and livestock producers should monitor their biosecurity strategies and make necessary updates immediately,” said Tim Nelson, Vice President of Animal Health & Nutrition Sales at Brookside Agra. “AgFlu and ABSORB PLUS from Brookside Agra are tools that producers can easily use to improve the environments that their animals and workers frequent, plus AgFlu can help reduce the spread of the deadly coronavirus.”

AgFlu - AgFlu offers unique, highly effective protection against the spread of contagious animal diseases, like coronavirus, which can be acquired from contaminated poultry hatcheries, livestock buildings, feed and farm equipment, slaughterhouses, processing plants, and others.

AgFlu is proven by independent laboratory results (approval pending for use to suppress coronavirus in the United States) to kill more than 99.999 percent of bacteria, fungi, molds, yeasts, spores, and viruses. AgFlu also contains a patented

antiviral composition giving it superior performance against influenza type viruses (swine, avian, and human), SARS, coronavirus, and the common cold.

AgFlu leaves no environmental residues and is non-corrosive and nontoxic. It is suitable in all disinfecting systems (including aerial, spraying, foaming, and fogging) and is safe to use in the presence of humans and farm animals. Rinsing is not required with AgFlu, giving it a strong residual activity of up to 72 hours after administration.

AgFlu’s multi-component formulation means it is not susceptible to deterioration in activity due to pathogen mutation, and it is highly effective in breaking down biofilm encountered on surfaces.

ABSORB PLUS - All natural drying agent ABSORB PLUS helps to dry out wet areas and improve air quality for animals and the people who work with them. Wet environments can harbor and propagate already existing disease vectors.

ABSORB PLUS absorbs ammonia and moisture to promote healthy environments and can be easily sprayed or blown on any surface, including the animals. ABSORB PLUS contains all natural, antibiotic free ingredients that won’t harm humans, animals, or the environment. All of ABSORB PLUS’s separate components

are on the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and FDA approved lists.

ABSORB PLUS should be applied weekly to refresh the thin coating, suppress moisture, and eliminate odors.

ABSORB PLUS is ideal for: • Swine and poultry housing • Calf units • Dairy loafing houses • Livestock trucks and trailers • Whole grain storage bins • Livestock exhibition areas • Animal bedding • Dog kennels • Horse stables For more information about AgFlu and ABSORB PLUS, contact your Brookside Agra sales representative or contact us through our online form at www.brookside-agra.com.

About Brookside Agra. Brookside Agra is a global fifth generation, family owned business based in O’Fallon, Ill., that manufactures and distributes a variety of research proven, all natural products for specialty feeds; animal health and production; agriculture and the environment; and commercial, industrial and household use. For more information about Brookside Agra and its all natural products, visit www.brookside-agra.com or contact Chad Vaninger, General Manager, at 618-6288300 Ext. 23 or chadv@brookside-agra.com.

Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd.

HARDROCK BEEF CATTLE Ronnie & Donna Holman 4613 Hickory Nut Ridge Road • Granite Falls, NC 828-302-8659 ronnie@hardrockbeefcattle.com JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-281-3821 jkredangus@gmail.com LANGDON RED ANGUS & SIMMENTAL John & Eileen Langdon 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 919-796-5010 johnlangdon5@gmail.com ROGERS CATTLE COMPANY Johnny & Sharon Rogers 945 Woodsdale Road • Roxboro, NC 336-504-7268 rccbeef@gmail.com PRESNELL RED ANGUS Jonathan & Jacob Presnell 368 Whitaker Road • Shelby, NC 704-473-2627 (Jonathan) • 704-616-8775 (Jacob) BULL HILL RANCH Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-682-3900 • 864-682-2828 bullhill2@mindspring.com COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709

PAGE 38

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 39

2

!

D E PON

T S e O l a P S c i E s s a l C d SAL r o f e r e H ey Farm .C. nd Annual

N

tam S t a 0 2 0 2 , 9 52 Y A M r o f d e l u d e g h c n s i e t r e y l e e v i t M l a tenta u n n A n o i t m a r i a F c y o e s m s a t S A at d r 0 o 2 f 0 e r 2 e , 8 Y A M r N.C. H o led f u d e h c s e r y l e tentativ

Questions, contact Will Thompson • 704-616-8553

North Carolina Hereford Association Board of Directors OFFICERS

George Ward President (2017-2020) 3404 Shady Grove Road Providence, NC 27315 434-251-3637

Wes Carpenter Vice President (2019-2022) 2939 Old Salisbury Road Winston-Salem, NC 27127 336-970-1655

Myron McCoy Secretary/Treasurer (2018-2021) 11350 Old Hwy. 70 West Cove City, NC 28523 252-637-4995

Pam Bissett (2018-2021) 9196 Grassy Creek Road Bullock, NC 27507 919-482-1176

Reggie Lookabill (2019-2022) 1994 Arnold Road Lexington, NC 27295 336-240-2142

Wayne Mitchem (2018-2021) 400 David’s Chapel Church Road Vale, NC 28168 704-472-4369

Kevin Robinson (2019-2022) P.O. Box 1057 Mocksville, NC 27078 336-399-9884

Brent Creech (2018-2021) 13037 NC Hwy. 39 Zebulon, NC 27597 919-801-7561

Mike Mericka (2017-2020) 5963 Summit Avenue Browns Summit, NC 27214 336-337-5480

Kim Prestwood (2019-2022) 390 Pleasant Hill Road Lenoir, NC 28645 828-320-7317

Will Thompson (2017-2020) P.O. Box 123 Polksville, NC 27136 704-616-8553

Jim Davis (2017-2020) 243 Horseshoe Neck Road Lexington, NC 27295 336-247-1554 PAGE 40

N.C. Hereford Association Website - www.nchereford.org Email - nchereford@yahoo.com

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

Bryson Westbrook (2018-2021) 405 W. Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150 908-230-4878

New Feeder Calf Marketing Service Creates Opportunity for Hereford Cattle. Hereford producers will have access to more marketing outlets for their feeder cattle thanks to a new partnership between the American Hereford Association (AHA) and S= Cattle Company, a cattle buying business owned and operated by Nolan Stone and based in Eaton, Colorado.

Through this partnership, AHA field representatives will locate and source Hereford based feeder cattle to be marketed through Stone, with the aim to increase marketing avenues for commercial Hereford producers — and drive additional value for the breed.

“The American Hereford Association is excited to announce this innovative partnership with a long established expert in sourcing and feeding high value feeder

News

cattle. Combining Nolan Stone with our talented field staff, we gain momentum in driving more value for Hereford and Hereford based genetics,” says Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president.

AHA field representatives and Stone will also help locate backgrounding opportunities for feeder cattle and will organize locations across the country to pull small loads of cattle to get them weaned, vaccinated, and sorted into marketable, uniform groups.

A fifth generation native Coloradan, Stone says he is looking forward to working with the Association to identify valuable, readily available Hereford cross feeder cattle across the country.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the cattle feeding business — 12 of which were spent as the general manager at the Five Rivers Kuner Feedlot — Stone

sees opportunity for Hereford genetics in the marketplace, particularly with the premiums associated with baldy calves. “[Herefords are] great cattle, increasingly productive, and obviously they have the maternal traits that made the Hereford breed famous,” Stone says, adding that first generation (F1) Hereford crosses offer a valuable crossbred advantage because Hereford genetics differ from other breeds.

According to Stone, genetics are important when it comes to feeding cattle profitably. Coupled with a good vaccination program, cattle that perform predictably are most desired. Recently, the AHA reported a 20 percent increase in growth traits and an impressive 150 percent gain in marbling in the last decade.

“I think there’s a lot of order buyers out there, a lot of ways to market your cattle, and I try to focus on doing what I say: Making sure the cattle fit the descriptions that we provide to the buyers, and trying to get the best price for the seller and trying to find what the buyers want.”

The end goal is to create more options for producers, Ward says.

“Cattle across the country are continuing to get better. This opportunity will allow producers to more easily market those feeder cattle to buyers who value quality Hereford and Hereford cross genetics,” he says.

To learn more about options for marketing your feeder calves, please contact your regional AHA field representative, found at www.Hereford. org.

About the American Hereford Association. The American Hereford Association (AHA), with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The notfor-profit organization, along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI), and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth, and research. For more information about the Association, visit www.Hereford.org.

Farm

Fowken

CATTLE FOR SALE ON THE FARM

For ! e Sal

26 Polled Hereford Bulls (24 months) 10 Hereford Bred Heifers 25 Red Angus x Hereford Heifers (Open) 15 Hereford Heifers (Open) 28 Yearling Bulls

For ! e Sal

More than 70 years of breeding grass type cattle!

Carcass Data • Fescue Suited • Southern Bred EPDs • Breeding Soundness Exam on Two-Year-Old Bulls

Fowken Farm, LLC

328 Fowken Farm Rd. • Jonesville, SC (17 miles south of Spartanburg)

Greg Fowler • 864-426-7337

Norris Fowler • 864-219-0182 Rogers Fowler • 864-426-3281 www.fowkenfarm.com

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 41

NEWS Beefmaster Welcomes New International Program Director.

Beefmaster Breeders United is excited to bring a new addition to the Beefmaster staff. Jon Garza will serve as the Director of International Programs, and his duties include coordinating our international programs, as well as helping grow more interest in Beefmaster genetics on the international and domestic fronts.

Jon comes to us from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), where he most recently acted as Director for International Programs and Livestock Export Pens. His duties consisted of directing, developing, and implementing and being the primary information source for the agency relative to all international programs and livestock export.

“I am excited to be a part of the Beefmaster family and working for all of you through expanding our current markets and opening new markets around the globe,” said Garza.

Garza is originally from Laredo,

Tex., and attended U.S. Army Chemical School in Fort McClellan, Ala., and graduated from Texas A&M Kingsville with a bachelor of science in Range and Wildlife Management. Shortly after graduating, he started working for the TDA as a field investigator/inspector in Corpus Christi and then served as TDA Coordinator for the Grain Warehouse Program in Austin. Garza served a total of 25 years and seven months with the TDA and served six years in the military.

Garza’s volunteer work consists of serving on the United States Livestock Genetics Export Board of Directors and is an officer in Post 1805 of the Catholic War Veterans of Austin.

Garza and his wife, Denise, have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

His family has used Beefmaster bulls on their South Texas cattle ranch for over 30 years. They still own and operate two ranches, which date back to 1808 through the Spanish land grant.

“Jon is well respected in the

USDA Abattoir and Processor

BEEF • PORK • LAMB • GOAT • OSTRICH Aged - Cut - Packaged to Your Specifications

347 Thomas Street • North Wilkesboro, NC Call or Email for an Appointment:

336-667-1346 • abprimecuts@gmail.com PAGE 42

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

international cattle market, and we look forward to him working with Beefmaster breeders to expand the demand for Beefmaster genetics throughout the United States and abroad,” says BBU Executive Vice President Collin Osbourn. “Let’s all welcome Jon to the Beefmaster family.”

Garza can be contacted at 512-5175163 or by email at jgarza@beefmasters.org.

Oklahoma State Builds Beefmaster Research Herd. Oklahoma State University (OSU) Department of Animal and Food Sciences in Stillwater, Okla., is initiating a new research cow herd, and they are using Beefmaster genetics as their crossbreeding tool. The research effort, led by Dr. Ryan Reuter, will focus on precision ranching for improved long term sustainability of ranches in Oklahoma and the Southern Plains.

“Our research will focus on incorporating cutting edge technology such as automated supplementation equipment, on-animal sensors to monitor behavior and stress, and virtual fencing. This technology will allow real time decision making and better implementation of best management practices. We need a base herd of approximately 70 cows to conduct this research effectively and sustain our research into the future,” said Reuter, Beef Range Nutrition Associate Professor.

OSU is in the process of building a commercial cow herd to facilitate this exciting research. They currently have cows of predominately Angus breeding and will incorporate Beefmaster genetics into their crossbreeding program.

“We hope that alumni and stakeholders who have an interest in both OSU Animal and Food Sciences, as well as Beefmaster genetics, will be excited about contributing to this effort. To that end, we are seeking donations of Beefmaster breeding females,” said Reuter.

OSU is currently seeking quality, problem free, moderate framed Beefmaster influenced females of any age that are either purebred Beefmaster or Beefmaster x Red Angus breeding that can be delivered to Stillwater by May 2020. Donors would be eligible for a tax deduction for the value of the donated animal.

This is a tremendous opportunity for the Beefmaster breed to become a part of a leading agricultural university’s quest to build a premier Beefmaster herd. In addition to their use in the OSU research program, this herd will be used to teach students about ranch and grazing management, precision technology, and will be the subject of numerous tours and field days in the future.

Reuter says, “We think Beefmaster genetics can be an important component to achieving long term sustainability,

and we look forward to the impact this research could have.”

To serve as background to this project, Beefmaster breeder Joe Kreger, an OSU alumnus and managing partner of Kreger Ranch, began a dialogue with department head Dr. Clint Rusk a few years ago with the concept of including Beefmaster genetics in beef cow research at OSU. Joe Kreger, along with Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Executive Vice President Collin Osbourn and BBU President Bob Siddons, toured the OSU ranch near Stillwater with Dr. Reuter, and in that meeting a general concept was developed to include Beefmaster genetics in Dr. Reuter’s range nutrition research. The goal of this partnership is to create cutting edge grazing research involving Beefmaster genetics, as well as many other levels of advanced beef cattle production educational content. Joe Kreger, Wes Hood, and Bruce Robbins are leading efforts to assist BBU and OSU in sourcing this cow herd.

For more information about this project, please contact the BBU staff members at 210-732-3132 if you have questions about making cattle donations or getting involved in the OSU Beefmaster research herd. Producers are also welcomed to personally contact Hood, Robbins, or Kreger with their questions and donations.

About Beefmaster Breeders United.

Beefmaster Breeders United (www. beefmasters.org), located in Boerne, Texas, is a not-for-profit breed registration organization that provides programs and services for its members. Beefmaster, Beefmaster Advancer, and E6 cattle are selected on the “Six Essentials” of disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, milk production, and hardiness.

N.C. Weekly Auctions Report

Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 (Week ending MARCH 6, 2020) Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $123.00 - 185.00

400-500 $130.00 - 177.00

500-600 $125.00 - 163.00

600-700 $113.00 - 144.00

700-800 $104.00 - 122.00

800-900 $ 90.00 - 100.00 Heifers

300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 700-800 800-900

$112.00 - 170.00 $119.00 - 160.00 $108.00 - 133.00 $ 88.00 - 121.00 $ 82.00 - 105.00 $ 70.00 - 101.00

Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $49.00 - 69.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $49.00 - 68.50 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $60.00 - 81.00 Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 43

HERD HEALTH

By DR. GEOF SMITH College of Veterinary Medicine, N.C. State University

Can You Get Coronavirus From Your Cows?

As I write this article, the death toll and global panic associated with coronavirus are both steadily soaring.

The latest human outbreak is being caused by a strain called Wuhan coronavirus.

The virus is so named because it seems to have originated from Wuhan, a city in central China with over 11 million people.

If you remember back to 2003, there was another major coronavirus outbreak called SARS or “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.” This virus originated in China in late 2002 and spread globally in 2003. There were approximately 8,100 confirmed cases of SARS spread across 26 countries, with about 775 deaths due to the virus. Another coronavirus outbreak was called MERS or “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome,” which originated in Saudi Arabia during 2012 and has been blamed for over 850 deaths. We still don’t completely understand where all of these respiratory coronaviruses originated – but they probably moved into humans from

Any news from your county? Be sure to share your meetings, sales, field days, etc., with your fellow cattlemen through the Connection!

PAGE 44

animals. For example, the SARS virus originated in bats and then mutated to infect cats before moving into humans.

With MERS, scientists believe the virus went from bats to camels to people.

So far, we don’t know for sure where the new Wuhan virus originated from; however, recent evidence suggests that it moved from bats into an endangered mammal called the Malayan pangolin.

This armadillo like species is popular in traditional Chinese medicine and has been sold at the Wuhan Seafood Market, where the virus was originally isolated.

Dairy producers often recognize the name coronavirus as an occasional cause of diarrhea in young calves as well as a possible cause of respiratory disease in cattle. So naturally, the question becomes – can I catch coronavirus from my calves?

Is it possible for bovine coronavirus to mutate and infect humans? The short answer is no or at least extremely unlikely. Coronaviruses are a diverse family of RNA viruses characterized by the club like spikes that project from their surface. The viral strains that have caused respiratory disease in people and those that infect cattle are different. Without getting too much into coronavirus classification systems, the bovine coronavirus is in group 2a, and all the human respiratory coronaviruses have been in subgroup 2b.

The Disease in Cattle - There are three different but distinct disease syndromes caused by coronavirus in cattle. First of all, coronavirus can cause diarrhea in young calves. The virus is able to infect epithelial cells of the small intestine (gut), causing them to die.

Moderate to severe diarrhea will follow, lasting for four to seven days. Affected calves are usually between one and three weeks of age. Coronavirus isn’t really recognized as a cause of diarrhea in calves much over a month of age, with the exception of “winter dysentery.” Winter dysentery is the second type of disease in cattle commonly associated with coronavirus infection. Winter dysentery is a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease most commonly seen in dairy cattle housed indoors during the winter.

The most common sign is explosive diarrhea in multiple animals within the

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

milking herd. The diarrhea often contains some amount of blood. Cows typically go off feed and milk production can drop significantly. Producers often describe a musty, severely unpleasant odor in the barn during winter dysentery outbreaks.

There is no specific treatment other than keeping the cows hydrated with fluids, but the actual death loss is usually low, and the diarrhea typically resolves within a week or so.

Lastly, there is research to suggest that coronavirus is involved in the bovine respiratory disease complex. Although, there is conflicting information in the veterinary literature about the true role of bovine coronavirus in causing cattle pneumonia. Several studies have shown that coronavirus represents one of the important viruses involved in the development of bovine respiratory disease, while others have not been able to find any correlation between the prevalence of pneumonia and coronavirus shedding in the field. At least three studies have been unable to reproduce any clinical signs of respiratory disease after experimental challenges with bovine coronavirus, while other studies have been able to consistently find the virus in healthy calves. Despite this, other experimental studies have produced pneumonia with experimental coronavirus infection, and some field studies show the virus to be more commonly isolated from calves with pneumonia than from healthy calves.

Interestingly, it is still not clear whether or not the virus that causes calf diarrhea, winter dysentery, and respiratory disease are exactly the same or different.

The bovine coronavirus that causes these three distinct diseases may be the same virus, or there may be slight differences.

Several publications have suggested that

the enteric (gut) bovine coronaviruses are genomically the same as the respiratory coronaviruses, while other studies have shown small differences between isolates. At present, we still aren’t sure whether or not the bovine coronavirus that causes diarrhea is exactly the same virus that causes pneumonia. There is one vaccine commercially available in the United States for protection against coronavirus (Bovilis® Coronavirus from Merck Animal Health). It is an intranasal vaccine labeled for prevention of diarrhea due to coronavirus in calves. Interestingly it also seems to prevent winter dysentery outbreaks in adult cattle.

Cattle Coronavirus versus Human Coronavirus - Human coronavirus was first isolated in 1967 and actually is fairly closely related to bovine coronavirus from a genetic standpoint. Bovine coronavirus, however, has been shown to be species specific for cattle and does not infect people. Coronaviruses use special molecules called “sialic acids” to attach to the surface of cell membranes in the body, but other proteins are required for the viruses to actually enter the cells. Studies in the lab using human cells have shown that the bovine coronavirus can attach to human airway epithelial cells but are unable to actually enter the cells. Despite genetic similarities between different strains of coronaviruses, most scientists believe they have very narrow host ranges. Past epidemics of coronavirus in humans have included animal vectors such as pigs, chickens, ducks, and camels but not cattle. We can never say never, but the chances that a human strain of coronavirus would come from a cow are extremely low. So I’ll conclude by answering the original question posed in the title of this article. Can I get coronavirus from my cows – no!

Coronavirus particles, as seen under an electron microscope. Notice the club like projections along the surface of the virus.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 45

New NCCA Members for 2020

In 2007, members of the Membership Committee passed a resolution to recognize all NEW members of the NCCA in The Carolina Cattle Connection at the NCCA Annual Conference in Hickory. A new member is defined as someone who has never been a member or someone who has rejoined after a brief break in membership. The new members are identified in this new members section by name and county of residence.

Below is a list of NCCA’s new members for the last month:

Lenoir County Michael Rouse – Twin Oaks Farm

Polk County Stuart K. Walker

Cleveland County Andrew Elmore Jr. – Andy O Farms Luke Martin – Martin’s Charolais Farm

Randolph County William Moss – Windy Hill Farms

Davidson County Adam S. Hilton – Hilton Family Farm Sharon Long – Back 40 Farm

Rockingham County Seth Coleman – Flat Rock Farms Diana B. Gunter – 5 Strands Farm Daniel Stewart – Stewart Farm

Edgecombe County Danielle Womble – Womble Farms

Rutherford County Makayla Barnett – Flying Spur Ranch

Out-of-State John R. Prekker – Silver Creek Angus – VA

Harnett County Corbin Sorrell – Sorrell Farm

Beaufort County Vicki Taylor Vaughan – Lonesome Oak Farm

Martin County Deborah D. Smith – Kingsway Farms

Sampson County Dustin Kendall – Kendall Farm Jansen Wrench

Buncombe County Paul W. Phillips – Phillips Farm Chris Smith – Smith Lawn Care & Landscape Cherokee County Michael D. Stiles – Stiles Farm

Stanly County Robert Betka Devin Bullington – Bullington Farms Adam Lowder – Fork L Enterprises Nathan Lowder – Fork L Enterprises W. Chester Lowder – Fork L Enterprises Union County Edwin Couick – Triple T Farms Wake County Sim Ogburn Wilkes County David E. Miller Wilson County Walter Earle – Sullivan Farms

Northampton County John Benthall – Benthall’s Stockyard Orange County Troy Rountree – Rountree Farms Person County Anthony R. Horton

Carolina Cooking Ridiculously Tasty Roast Beef Total Cooking Time - 2 hours, 15 minutes 1 beef Bottom Round Roast (about 3 pounds) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1½ teaspoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3 cups reduced sodium beef broth 1½ cups water Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix together oil, rosemary, garlic, basil, salt, thyme, and pepper in a small bowl. Set mixture aside 5-10 minutes.

Place beef Bottom Round Roast on a baking rack in tall sided roasting pan.

Rub oil mixture on the roast, covering all sides. Pour broth and water in roasting pan. Insert an oven safe thermometer into the center of the roast. Place roasting pan in the center of 325°F oven. Roast 1¼ to 1¾ hours. Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135°F. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 10 minutes.

(Temperature will continue to rise about 5°-10°F.)

PAGE 46

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

Carve roast into slices; serve with cooking liquid or as a sandwich, topping with your favorite cheese.

Makes 8 servings.

Ridiculously Tasty Roast Beef

CHUCK

SHANK

CHUCK

BRISKET

RIB

PLATE

RIB

LOIN

SIRLOIN

ROUND SHANK

FLANK

LOIN

SIRLOIN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

ROUND

INGEDIENT CUTS

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

BRISKET LEAN

LEAN

PLATE & FLANK LEAN

LEAN

KEY TO RECOMMENDED COOKING METHODS GRILL or BROIL PAN BROIL/ SKILLET

BRAISE/ POT ROAST

LEAN

These cuts meet the government guidelines for lean, based on cooked servings, visible fat trimmed

ROAST

STIR-FRY

INDIRECT GRILLING

SKILLET TO OVEN

* MARINATE BEFORE COOKING FOR BEST RESULTS

A cut of cooked fresh meat is considered ‘lean’ when it contains less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, andless tahn 95 mg of cholesterol per 100 grams(3½ oz) and per RACC (Reference Amount Customarily Consumed), which is 85 grams (3 oz.)

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 47

PAGE 48

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

NEWS

Professor and author Alan Levinovitz to speak at 2020 Summit.

Levinovitz will explore ‘how faith in nature’s goodness leads to harmful fads, unjust laws, and flawed science.’ Alan Levinovitz, Ph.D., author and associate professor of religion at James Madison University, is set to speak at the 2020 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit. In his keynote address, Levinovitz will examine the intersection of philosophy, religion, and science, focusing especially on how narratives and metaphors shape beliefs. Levinovitz will offer attendees a glimpse into his upcoming book, Natural: How Faith in Nature’s Goodness Leads to Harmful Fads, Unjust Laws, and Flawed Science, which illuminates the far reaching harms of believing that natural means “good,” from misinformation about health choices to justifications for sexism, racism, and flawed economic policies. Attendees can purchase Levinovitz’s book during registration.

The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food industries to discuss hot button

issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers, and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2020 event, themed “Primed & Prepared,” is set for May 7-8 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

With sessions covering sustainability, animal welfare, influencer engagement, preparing for animal rights activist campaigns and other hot topics, attendees will leave the 2020 Summit primed and prepared with the tools they need to take action and be part of any and all conversations that could impact the future of animal agriculture and their business. To register and purchase Levinovitz’s book, visit www.summit. animalagalliance.org.

“Understanding the underlying forces and motivators that shape consumer perceptions and behavior is critical to effectively communicating about animal welfare, sustainability, and other key topics,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “Alan Levinovitz will provide a fascinating look into why

consumers hold certain beliefs about food and will help Summit attendees be primed and prepared to play a more active role in shaping the public dialog about animal agriculture.”

Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date Summit information and the full agenda. You can also follow the hashtags #AAA20 and #PrimedAndPrepared for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit, please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call 703-562-5160.

Get involved: Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For 2020 sponsorship opportunities, please visit www. summit.animalagalliance.org. For more information, contact Allyson Jones-Brimmer at ajonesbrimmer@animalagalliance.org.

Thank you to our 2020 Summit sponsors: Watt Global Media, Farm Journal, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Smithfield, National Pork Board, American Feed Industry Association, United Soybean Board, The National Provisioner, Elanco, Country Folks, Dairy MAX, National Biodiesel Board, United Egg Producers, Cobb Vantress, Inc., Protect the Harvest, Progressive Dairyman, Agri Beef, American Veal Association,

Empirical, Kemin, National Chicken Council, Trans Ova Genetics, Vivayic, Live Oak Bank, Mountaire Farms, North Carolina Farm Bureau, Brakke Consulting, Food Industry Environmental Network, and Eggland’s Best.

The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Alltech, Inc., Cattle Empire, LLC, Charleston|Orwig, Diamond V, Genus PLC - PIC/ABS, HyLine North America LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, Merck Animal Health, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Hendrix Genetics, Provimi North America, Inc., and Seaboard Foods.

About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 49

A Message from the CEO

By COLIN WOODALL

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Adding Labels Versus Adding Value I have a Twitter account. Before taking the role of CEO, I never thought I’d say those words. It’s been an eye opening experience, and frankly, I’m surprised at the number of people who dislike me without having ever met me. It seems that most of them dislike the work I do, or they’re mad about the association for which I work. I’ll let you in on a little secret; it doesn’t bother me that these folks are mad or don’t like me or my work. In fact, I take some pride in it, because folks don’t get mad at people or associations that don’t matter.

I created a Twitter account to share

PAGE 50

information, to discuss the topics that are important to NCBA, and to communicate directly with folks in the beef community.

What I’ve learned, though, is that there are a lot of trolls on Twitter. There are plenty of individuals who want to disagree, debate, and argue for the sake of it. It’s a sign of the times and not one that’s particularly encouraging. Folks let me tell you, there’s not much point in trying to debate with the trolls on Twitter.

Take the topic of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL). I’m certain trolls won’t change their mind because of a 140 character Tweet, and neither will

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

anyone else. While I’ll always attempt to educate, I don’t have much interest in a pointless back-and-forth.

NCBA and its partners are interested in solutions to the industry’s issues and problems. As a case in point, when our members in Oregon identified a solution to ensure that only beef produced in the United States is carrying the “Product of USA” label, they brought that idea forward from the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, introduced it at NCBA’s Summer Business Meeting, and I’m happy to announce that NCBA now has an interim policy that advocates for verified and voluntary use of “USA origin” labels in the beef industry.

Furthermore, it also calls for government oversight, not government mandate, to ensure that label claims are verified by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, which is already equipped and prepared to manage labeling claims.

There are plenty of opportunities to add value to beef products. The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association runs a program that supplies beef to Kroger Stores in the region, featuring beef from cattle producers in the state. It carries a Kentucky Beef label, and it has been a fantastic success for producers who

are participating in the program. There are many others out there, and that’s the approach we should be taking to labeling.

Create a product that carries a brand, delivers on a promise, or develops a fan base, and you’ve added value without the need for government interference or mandates.

That’s precisely why R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard’s rhetoric and fake graphics will never hold water in this industry. The market did not decline when or because mCOOL was repealed because a generic government mandated origin label does not add value or deliver anything desired by the consumer. Some folks have bought into Bullard’s narrative that a return to mCOOL will solve our problems. It will not. The mCOOL story is simply a tactic Bullard uses to sell memberships.

Mandatory COOL was a marketing scheme when it was introduced, and he continues to use it as a marketing scheme now. If Bullard truly believes in the idea of origin labels, he has the tools to create one today. There’s nothing stopping Bullard from creating and selling origin labeled beef right now.

However, I’d say it’s a good bet that Bullard knows his plan won’t drive consumer demand. It’s also a safe bet

he won’t be jumping into the labeling business anytime soon because he also knows taste, quality, and consistency are the drivers of beef demand, not a generic origin label. Instead of putting R-CALF’s money where his mouth is, Bullard will simply continue kicking the mCOOL horse because he knows mCOOL’s true value is delivering membership dollars.

By telling folks what’s wrong and who’s to blame, Bullard is cashing in on the divide he has created in our industry.

We have real problems, but Bullard isn’t interested in solving any of them because he profits from the division he creates. To further his cause, he’s invited outsiders to the party, aligned with activists who mean to us harm, and of course, he continues to file lawsuits in the hope he’ll get a win that will eventually stick.

Fake meat is an issue, chicken is still kicking the hell out of us in the battle for consumer dollars, but Bullard isn’t interested in any of those problems. Instead, he has stuck to an incomprehensible willingness to scare consumers about the origins of beef to further divide the industry and create a problem where one doesn’t exist. Nothing

R-CALF has done under Bullard’s two decade tenure has stood the test of time or helped the industry add even a single dollar to the value of beef.

We have real problems in our business, and NCBA is hard at work trying to solve them. We work daily on trade, over regulation, sustainability, and countless other issues. We’ve made incredible progress over the past year. None of it was accomplished, or even furthered, by R-CALF. In fact, NCBA and our partners have notched our wins while fighting Bullard’s army of activist funded attorneys.

There’s no point in more debate or Twitter discussion about mCOOL. Doing so wastes resources and causes deeper division in our industry at a point when it’s already clear where both NCBA and R-CALF stand. If you want a single minded focus that will move the industry back to government mandated mCOOL and a sue-your-neighbor mentality, then Bullard is your team captain.

If you want to work together, move the beef industry forward, and solve the problems we face, I hope you’re already an NCBA member. If not, please consider joining us. We need more folks like you.

News Sankey, Hergenreder, and Johnson to Lead GENEX Beef Team. GENEX, a global cattle genetics cooperative, has named a new leadership team to oversee U.S. beef semen sales, service, and product development.

Cody Sankey of Economy, Indiana, has been promoted to GENEX Associate Vice President of Beef Programs.

Previously the cooperative’s Beef Sire Procurement Manager, he now oversees product development (sire procurement), sales, and service. Sankey is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition.

Throughout his career, he’s been heavily involved in the beef industry, serving as the 2017 chairman of the NCBA Young Cattleman Conference, a past president of the Indiana Angus Association, and a current board member of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association. He also raises cattle with his wife and family in Indiana.

Joining Sankey on the GENEX beef leadership team are Justin Hergenreder of Longmont, Colo., who oversees semen sales and chute side reproductive service, and Brad Johnson of Shawano, Wis., who manages the cooperative’s sire procurement program.

Hergenreder held the position of

NEWS

Not all Methods of Castration

by Ligation are Equal. Properly tensioned band is critical. Proper tension is essential in ligating a body part.

Studies of high tension banding have demonstrated that the complete negation of blood flow triggers a natural analgesic effect that reduces pain while minimizing swelling and related complications. This effect is called compression analgesic.

Compression analgesic was the term used by researchers in New Zealand when developing a humane and drug free method of velvet antler removal. Without a band placed below the antler pedicle, the level of pain when removing the antler was excruciating (full body movement); with a properly tensioned Callicrate VELVET ANTLER Band, the level of pain was undetectable (no eye movement).

The Callicrate WEE Bander, as with the Callicrate SMART Bander and the Callicrate PRO Bander, also provides compression analgesics. It is the only castration tool for newborns that achieves a level of tension sufficient to shut off the blood supply while providing immediate pain relief. Proper tension is achieved with every application.

Managing stress is especially important with calves, lambs, and kids in developing healthy immune systems essential to a healthy drug free life. Another advantage of the WEE Bander - you do not have to worry about incomplete castration when a testicle slips back up above the band. Keeping both testicles below the band with the elastrator pliers and ‘cheerio’ rings is a challenge.

The elastrator ring is inexpensive but fails to provide sufficient tension for either proper ligation or pain relief. Other castration products on the market are either bigger versions of the elastrator ring or depend on operator hand strength for tightening, failing to provide the proper tension.

Callicrate Banders, recommended by veterinarians and animal handling specialists worldwide since 1995, are the most humane and effective castration tools on the market.

Due to emphasis on high tension ligation, the banders excel at achieving a tight band every time. Easy-to-read tension indicators ensure the correct tightness, essential to minimizing discomfort and reducing complications.

More information can be found at www.callicratebanders.com, email rachel@nobull.net, or call 785-332-3344.

GENEX Beef Large Herd Development Manager before being promoted to Director of Beef Sales. He is a graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in animal science. He graduated from the Beef Leaders Institute in 2019 and is a member of both the NCBA and the Beef Reproductive Task Force. Outside of GENEX, he runs a herd of cows with his brother.

Johnson, the GENEX Director of Beef Genetics, earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF). He has been a member of the Wisconsin Beef Improvement Board and served on the UWRF Beef Management Team Advisory Committee as well as the National Association of Animal Breeders Beef Committee. He lives on a farm in Wisconsin with his wife and family.

For more information about GENEX beef genetics, visit www.genex.coop or download the GENEX Beef app.

About GENEX. GENEX is the trusted provider of world class animal genetics, progressive reproductive solutions, value added products, and innovative services.

As a cooperative business, GENEX serves members and customers - dairy and beef cattle producers - across the globe. For more information, please visit www.genex.coop.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 51

Farm Credit News AgCarolina Farm Credit Returns Patronage Distribution of More than $18 Million. On February 20, members of AgCarolina Farm Credit received patronage refund checks for 2019.

The all cash patronage was paid in the amount of $18 million for the members of AgCarolina Farm Credit. The amount is equal to a refund of 31 percent of the interest that accrued on their loans in 2019. “Your co-op. Your Share.” was the theme of this year’s celebration events, and highlighted the benefits of being members of the cooperative.

“AgCarolina Farm Credit had another successful year in 2019. The strength of our agriculture and rural lending cooperative is reflected as we continue to put our profits in the pockets of our membership in the form of patronage returns,” said Dave Corum, CEO of AgCarolina Farm Credit. “The agriculture economy has been weakened due to weather events, low commodity prices, tariffs, and many other deterrents.

Returning patronage refunds for the 32nd

consecutive year reveals the strength of AgCarolina’s membership in the face of adversity. Since 1988, AgCarolina Farm Credit has paid more than $282 million to its members in eastern North Carolina through patronage refunds.”

“By distributing our profits to our members, it reduces their effective cost of borrowing,” Corum stated, “and it further proves the distinct financial benefits of doing business on a cooperative basis.”

AgCarolina Farm Credit Photo Contest in Progress. AgCarolina Farm Credit’s annual photo calendar contest is in progress at www.AgCarolina.com.

Members, employees, and friends of AgCarolina can submit photo entries via the website until July 31, 2020.

“The AgCarolina photo contest is a highlight of our year,” says Skipper Jones, AgCarolina Farm Credit Sr. VP – Marketing. “The opportunities for beautiful images are limitless in eastern North Carolina. We are consistently amazed by the submissions of sunrises, sunsets, farms, crops, equipment, and so

Black Hereford Cattle for Sale Homozygous and Heterozygous Females Available for Sale by Private Treaty Pasture bred in December & January ◊ Sold confirmed bred Weaned calves also available

Start your own herd today!

The purpose of the breed, according to its founder, was to eliminate red baldie calves in a Hereford-Angus cross breeding program. In the past, black baldie calves have topped the market at sale barns while red baldies of the same cow herd are culled off and sold at a discount.

The benefit of using Black Herefords is to obtain Hereford heterosis without the financial disadvantage of Hereford discounts.

- John Gage ABHA Founder

t h g n Gail i n K

m r a F

For more information, Contact: Jimmy Mcknight jemcknight@mindspring.com 704-574-3132 19000 Shearer Rd. Davidson, NC 28036

“The Carolinas First Black Hereford Herd” PAGE 52

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

The 2020 first place submission. “Room with a view” was submitted by Steve Starling of Winterville.

much more…Our outside panel of judges has a very hard time each year selecting the best of the best. We look forward to seeing your submissions!”

Participants can submit up to three landscape orientation (horizontal) photos taken within the AgCarolina Farm Credit 34 county territory. The top three winners will receive cash prizes. The top twelve overall photo entries will be chosen to be used in our 2021 Photo Calendar. Winning entries will also be featured in various AgCarolina marketing materials. Visit the AgCarolina website at www.agcarolina.com for AgCarolina photo contest instructions, rules, and regulations.

About AgCarolina Farm Credit.

AgCarolina Farm Credit is a farmer

owned financial cooperative with headquarters in Raleigh. They are the leading provider of credit to farmers in central and eastern North Carolina.

AgCarolina Farm Credit has over $1.4 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to nearly 3,300 North Carolina farmers. Loans are made to finance land, homes, farm buildings, operating expenses, livestock, and equipment, as well as other purposes.

Credit life insurance, appraisal services, and leasing are also available through AgCarolina Farm Credit. Branch locations are in Ahoskie, Elizabeth City, Greenville, Halifax, La Grange, Louisburg, New Bern, Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Swan Quarter, and Williamston.

MERCK

N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of FEBRUARY 2020

Animal Health News

Merck Animal Health Expands Pinkeye Vaccine Portfolio through New Licensing Agreement. Licensing deal with Addison Biological adds Moraxella Bovoculi Bacterin. Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) has announced an agreement with Addison Biological Laboratory, Inc., to market the USDA conditionally licensed Moraxella Bovoculi Bacterin. The product is the only commercially available vaccine for the prevention of pinkeye due to Moraxella bovoculi in cattle.

Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) – commonly called pinkeye – is a highly contagious and costly disease that negatively impacts cattle production, causing estimated losses of more than $150 million annually in the United States. Moraxella bovis, has long been identified as the bacteria causing pinkeye.

However, more recently, M. bovoculi has been frequently isolated in pinkeye cases, including in cases of winter pinkeye. To complicate prevention, both M. bovoculi and M. bovis often are found together.1 “Options to help prevent M. bovoculi have been limited, so we are pleased to provide bovine veterinarians and producers with this vaccine,” says Tim Parks, D.V.M., ruminant technical services manager for Merck Animal Health.

“Moraxella Bovoculi Bacterin includes eight different M. bovoculi isolates – and when used in conjunction with Vision® or Piliguard® vaccines for M. bovis – provides comprehensive pinkeye protection.”

Pinkeye commonly is associated with summer grazing, but it can occur year round.

“For beef cattle, pinkeye vaccines for M. bovis and M. bovoculi fit well into branding and/or weaning protocols, and for dairy, might be given when moving animals into larger group pens,” says Dr. Parks. “Consult with your veterinarian for specific guidance and to create a holistic approach for pinkeye control – including vaccination, fly control, and environmental management – that will provide the best results for your herd.”

Conditionally licensed products meet the same safety testing and purity requirements as fully licensed products. Administer a 2-mL dose subcutaneously to cattle 14 weeks of age or older and repeat vaccination in 21 days.

Moraxella Bovoculi Bacterin is an addition to the Merck Animal Health pinkeye portfolio that includes vaccines that offer protection against M. bovis, namely 20/20 Vision 7 with SPUR™,

Piliguard Pinkeye-1 Trivalent and Piliguard Pinkeye+7. To learn more about vaccinating for pinkeye, visit MAHcattle.com.

About Merck Animal Health. For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been ‘Inventing for Life,’ bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability, and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in over 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com.

Reference 1 Loy J.D., Brodersen B.W. (2014) Moraxella spp. isolated from field outbreaks of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis: a retrospective study of case submissions from 2010 to 2013. J Vet Diagn Invest 26:761–768.

Cattle Receipts: 14,619

•

Previous Month: 20,157

Feeder supply - 33% steers • 42% heifers • 25% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

Avg. Wt. Price

Cows - % Lean

Breaker 1,444 $63.16

Boner 1,186 $63.35

Lean 977 $50.55

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,535

$78.48

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $150.33 $637.40 450-500 472 $151.82 $716.59 500-550 524 $147.72 $774.05 550-600 572 $140.35 $802.80 600-650 619 $134.91 $835.09 650-700 673 $130.41 $877.66

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $157.51 $664.69 450-500 471 $148.01 $697.13 500-550 521 $139.21 $725.28 550-600 570 $132.02 $752.51 600-650 618 $120.50 $744.69 650-700 670 $114.29 $765.74

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $130.13 $549.15 450-500 470 $128.00 $601.60 500-550 520 $123.93 $644.44 550-600 569 $120.62 $686.33 600-650 622 $112.71 $701.06 650-700 670 $105.26 $705.24

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156

“If you have cattle, pastureland, or raise hay like I do, you need to call Donna Byrum. In 10 minutes on the hood of my pickup, she signed by up for a program that I had no idea about.

The next time she came by the farm, she brought me a check! ~ E.B. Harris

DONNA BYRUM

First Choice Insurance 252-792-1189 • fcipllc@gmail.com

For all your crop insurance needs!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 53

International Brangus Breeders Association News 2020 World Brangus Congress POSTPONED. A message from the Argentine Brangus Association: The Brangus World Congress Argentina 2020 is postponed one year due to the Coronavirus crisis. With the relevant consultations having been carried out, and the recommendations of health authorities and prestigious infectologists evaluated, the Executive Committee of the Argentine Brangus Association has decided to suspend the activities of the 2020 World Congress. It is our commitment, at such a critical time, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and thus, collaborate with the containment of this virus. Likewise, it is communicated that those people who have confirmed their participation will be contacted by the official agency to resolve in each case what the situation requires.

It is a situation of force majeure that requires the maximum responsibility of the organizers. That is why we make this difficult decision prioritizing the common good. “We hope that the exhibitors, breeders, and all the Brangus team that has been working for a long time will understand the complex situation,” said Martin Goldstein, president of the Organizing Committee of the Brangus World Congress.

Register for the Brangus Summit.

Registration is now open for the

Brangus Summit Membership Gathering in Orlando, Fla., on June 7-9, 2020.

Registration for senior members is $275, registration for junior members is $175.

To download the form, visit w w w. g o b r a n g u s . c o m / w p - c o n t e n t / uploads/2020/01/2020-SummitRegistration-Form.pdf or email requests can be sent to Lori Edwards, Membership Coordinator, at ledwards@gobrangus.com.

Hotel reservations can be made at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress at www. hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/VISTA/ G-MBR9. The conference will be held inside the hotel and is a quick ten minute drive to the Beef Improvement Federation conference immediately following the Brangus Summit.

About the International Brangus Breeders Association. The International B r a n g u s B re e d e r s A s s o c i a t i o n , headquartered in San Antonio, Tex., strives to provide the commercial cattle industry, domestically and internationally, with the best genetics possible. Founded in 1949 as the American Brangus Breeders, the organization has since evolved into the IBBA. The IBBA’s purpose is to enable its members to produce quality beef for the commercial cattle industry and its consumers. For more information about IBBA, visit www. gobrangus.com.

Georgia Cattle Producer Experiences Quality Nutrition Program.

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. That philosophy can apply to a lot of aspects of life, and it’s one that progressive cattle producer Herndon Farms in Lyons, Ga., believes in too. Shawn Johnston, cattle manager, joined the team at Herndon Farms four years ago. And though he said that during the transition period he and farm owner Bo Herndon made several changes, one thing that they didn’t change was their nutrition program.

“When I came, they were already on VitaFerm. I would have switched to a VitaFerm program if they hadn’t been on it. We have been approached several times about changing our mineral program where Bo could buy a cheaper mineral, but our opinion here is if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, and we’re having success,” Johnston said.

At Herndon Farms, they run 600 mature cows, both Brangus and Charolais, and a mix of both registered and commercial cows. Johnston said the goal is to be calving 1,000 head by this time next year. Their cows begin calving September 1 and calve through April 15. The commercial cows are treated much the same as the registered herd, as they are used as recips for the extensive embryo transfer program that Herndon Farms has implemented.

The Charolais breed was a natural choice, according to Johnston, as that is what Herndon grew up with. The white breed handles the heat and humidity of

Benton’s Hay Farm * Custom Bermudagrass Sprigging * Tifton 85 and Coastal Bermuda FGFGFGF

FGFGFGF

FGFGFGF

FGFGFGF

* Hay Sales * Large & Small Bales

Timmy Benton Walterboro, S.C.

843-908-3222 - Cell • tormbenton@lowcountry.com PAGE 54

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

NEWS

Georgia well. Several years ago, he added a Brangus herd as the eared cattle also handle the southern climate extremely well.

Just as Herndon’s choice of breeds is purely black and white, so is the farm’s management program. Johnston relies on VitaFerm and Vita Charge® products from BioZyme Inc., to help keep the cattle healthy through all stages of production as well as assisting the reproductivity of the cow herd. Johnston feeds all cattle on the farm – bulls and cows – VitaFerm Concept•Aid year round. He does switch to VitaFerm Concept•Aid Mag/S from November to May to help balance nutrients and prevent grass tetany.

“I get cattle bred back quicker with the Concept•Aid. I’m a firm believer that a good mineral program will improve your pregnancy rate, whether it’s A.I. or embryo work. Our commercial cows are treated the same as our registered cows. If I can get one or two more pregnancies when I put embryos in, the money I spend on the mineral is well worth it,” Johnston said.

VitaFerm Concept•Aid is a free choice vitamin and mineral supplement specifically designed for reproductive success when fed 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post breeding and is especially beneficial in A.I. and E.T. breeding programs. Like all BioZyme products, it contains the precision prebiotic Amaferm, which impacts intake, feed digestibility, and nutrient absorption for optimum health and performance. It is research proven to increase the energy available to the animal resulting in more milk production, as well as to the ability to initiate and maintain pregnancy and fertility. Concept•Aid also contains organic copper, zinc, and manganese to ensure maximum bioavailability of nutrients to the animal and high levels of vitamin E and selenium to promote optimized fertility.

With typical conception rates of 9092 percent across all females and breeding protocols, Johnston is pleased with the way the cows deliver a healthy calf, clean out post calving, and breed back faster, helping ensure him a more uniform calf crop when it comes time to market calves.

In addition to the added reproductive benefits for the cows and bulls at Herndon Farms, perhaps the biggest advantage is keeping calves healthy at weaning. Johnston puts the weaned calves on Vita Charge Stress Tubs for 60-100 days. He doesn’t have to treat sick calves, and they take to feed and water quickly. Stress Tubs are cooked tubs for beef cattle that support

digestive health and promote feed and water intake during times of stress and recovery.

“Health is the biggest benefit to the mineral. We don’t have feet issues here.

Our health program is pretty good. We don’t treat calves that get sick at weaning when the stress and sickness really tend to show up. With the Stress Tubs, calves stay on feed and stay hydrated to keep cattle low stress at weaning,” Johnston said.

This past year, he did try a newer Vita Charge product, the Stress Tubs with HEAT. In addition to Amaferm, which is research proven to combat stress and maintain performance during heat stress by supporting the animal’s own immune system, significantly increasing intake and nutrient utilization, these tubs contain Capsaicin to help maintain circulation to support animal performance and gain in heat stress situations. Capsaicin is research proven to support the animals’ ability to maintain normal body temperature.

With fall calves that are weaned in May and early spring born calves weaned in late July and early August, Johnston said that the Vita Charge Stress Tubs HEAT made a noticeable difference in those calves, especially in a dry year, where temperatures reached 100ºF clear into October.

“After using the Stress Tubs with HEAT, I will use those again to wean on.

With the extreme heat, no rain, and not a lot of shade, I could tell these tubs just helped reduce the heat stress, and they went to water and ate with no problems during what is the most stressful time in their lives.”

Herndon Farms has discovered a nutrition program that compliments their management style, keeps their cattle reproductively sound and healthy, and works for all stages of production on their Georgia farm. To learn more about the Amaferm advantage or how to get your cattle on this nutrition program, visit www.vitaferm.com.

PM Wilkins Company Earns BioZyme Master Dealer Status. PM Wilkins Company, Blacksburg, South Carolina, has recently completed the necessary training to be named a BioZyme Master Dealer.

As a Master Dealer, PM Wilkins Company had at least one of its employees complete multiple online training modules to further his or her education about the brands and product lines BioZyme offers.

The Master Dealers will be able to share expanded knowledge of the BioZyme products with potential customers.

“We are excited to certify this dealership knowing it excels in knowledge about our product lines, and it will be an excellent resource for all

product needs and questions,” said Kristi Stevens, BioZyme Marketing Operations Manager. “PM Wilkins Company has taken the time to complete our strenuous training program, and has committed to stocking or is willing to order our full product line. Feel confident that they are one of the most informed dealers that our company works with.”

Master Dealers will receive special designation on the online dealer locator, signage for their store, and apparel that indicates their Master Dealer certification so customers can easily identify those who have gone the extra mile to provide excellent knowledge and service.

To learn more about BioZyme and its product lines or to locate a dealer in your area, go to www.biozymeinc.com.

About BioZyme ® Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements for a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include Amaferm®, AO-Biotics®, VitaFerm®, Vita Charge®,

Sure Champ®, Vitalize®, and DuraFerm®.

Headquartered in St. Joseph, Mo., BioZyme reaches a global market of customers throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. For more information about BioZyme, visit www.biozymeinc.com.

Don’t put your cart before your horse...advertise that sale ahead of time! You’ll see positive results.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 55

N.C. Choices Launches MeatSuite Marketing Tool in North Carolina “Eat local” and “know your farmer, know your food” have become mantras for food savvy consumers across the country, presenting new sales opportunities for cattle producers. However, as you may have experienced, finding customers for freezer beef can be difficult.

Welcome MeatSuite, an online marketing tool launched by N.C. Choices, designed to help customers easily find locally produced, affordable, and delicious meat in bulk. MeatSuite was created to increase freezer beef sales as well as sales of other local meats in bulk quantities (quarters, halves, and wholes) directly from the farm to consumer. Customers can search for farmers selling local meats in their area using criteria such as location, species, and farm practices. Lee Menius, N.C. Choices Technical Coordinator, states, “This tool was originally developed

by Cornell University and is successfully used by hundreds of farmers in New York, so we’re especially excited to bring this marketing opportunity to our farmers in North Carolina.” Interested farmers can visit www.MeatSuite.com and create a free

profile highlighting their farm and products.

Why Sell Freezer Beef? For nearly 20 years, N.C. Choices has helped farmers market their meat products.

During that time, we have learned the key to profitability is selling the entire carcass with the least amount of time and effort as possible. Most farmers do not have trouble selling ribeyes, filets, and strips, but the other cuts may overrun your freezers. Selling at a farmers market may also not be a viable option for some farmers. MeatSuite does the marketing for you, allowing you to connect with customers wanting to purchase bulk meats online, saving you time and money.

Tips to Successful Marketing on MeatSuite - Successful marketing starts with a good customer profile. You only get one shot to make a good first impression, so put some thought into how you want your farm profile to appear.

Here are a few suggestions to create a great profile: • Spend some time looking through the listed profiles for both North Carolina and New York farmers to get an idea of

what catches your eye. Note the length of the farm descriptions and the pictures included in the profiles.

• Add a high resolution picture that represents your farm. Pictures go a long way in appealing to new customers.

• Hit the highlights of what makes your farm special in your description.

Customers want to feel connected to your farm, your family, and your story.

• Be aware of sticker shock and include smaller bulk packages in your offerings. Some families may not have the ability to purchase a half or quarter beef all at once, so including smaller bulk packages provides a cost and storage friendly option, especially for new customers just getting into bulk sales.

• Above all, be transparent about your production practices. Avoid technical jargon, and be sure to be upfront about all pricing and processing costs.

No customer wants to be surprised with a

large processing fee.

Marketing through MeatSuite is not an economic silver bullet. However, with proper planning and execution, marketing freezer beef can benefit your operation and help maintain your overall profitability. Whether you are raising grassfed or finishing in a feedlot, there’s a customer for you.

Questions? Contact Lee Menius at lamenius@ncsu.edu. *MeatSuite is a marketing tool made possible in North Carolina through the USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program. The tool will publicly launch summer 2020.* About N.C. Choices. N.C. Choices, an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems in collaboration with N.C. Cooperative Extension, promotes sustainable food systems through the advancement of the local, niche, and pasture based meat supply chain in North Carolina. For more information about N.C. Choices’, visit www.ncchoices.com.

S.C. Beef Council News

By ROY COPELAN, S.C. Beef Council Plans are underway for a strong Summer Grilling program around our state. Already over 35 activities have been scheduled for the 100 days of summer. If you have food retailer, foodservice, or consumer events in your community, I am willing to make the contacts and try to schedule an activity.

The S.C. Beef Council will be participating in the S.C. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting in Columbia on April 3. Over 250 participants will be in attendance for the day long educational sessions and trade show.

June is Beef Month in our state, and plans continue for the month long celebration, especially honoring fathers on June 21.

The next meeting of the S.C. Beef Council Board of Directors has been scheduled for April 23 at 10:00 a.m. in Columbia. Meetings are always open.

Until next month…enjoy beef!

PAGE 56

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

Beef Promotion and Research Program

PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM Information is required by (7 CRF 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine.

Information is held confidential (7 CRF 1260.203).

Today’s Date: ________________ Seller’s Name: ____________________________

Buyer’s Name: ____________________________

Address: _________________________________

Address: _________________________________

City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______

City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______

Seller’s Signature: _________________________

Buyer’s Signature: _________________________

Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Beef Promotion & Research Board.

Total Number of Cattle Sold: ___________________ x $1.50 Per Head = $ _______________________ Date of Sale: __________________

Person remitting assessment form:

Seller

o

Buyer

o

* State of Origin of Cattle: ______________________

* If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.

Send Report and Remittance to:

SOUTH CAROLINA BEEF COUNCIL P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.8 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disbility, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or protected genetic information. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 57

Beef Checkoff News Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. Helps Consumers Prepare Beef At Home.

The Global Marketing and Research team at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, along with State Beef Councils across the country, are leveraging their extensive library of content, including advertisements, recipes, cooking videos, and educational materials about beef nutrition to help consumers while they are home during the pandemic.

“We know consumers are seeking preparation and recipe tips for cooking beef at home,” said Alisa Harrison, senior vice president of Global Marketing and Research at NCBA. “The good news is that www.BeefItsWhatsforDinner.com and our partners with the Federation of State Beef Councils have great recipe ideas, resources, and cooking tips that can help consumers as they transition to eating at home more.”

These same recipes and resources are also being provided to food influencers, supply chain partners, and the news media to support their efforts to educate consumers about food preparation and healthy eating. Additionally, NCBA is keeping in close contact with supply chain partners to provide support as they adjust to the current consumer and business environments.

Beef preparation and recipes tips that are being provided to consumers through Checkoff-funded content include: • Recipe Collections – While Beef.

It’s What’s For Dinner. has many recipe collections, current efforts are focused on sharing recipes that are easy, simple, affordable, and kid friendly.

• Cooking Lessons – These lessons provide step-by-step instructions and tips for a dozen different cooking methods, from grilling to pressure cooking, these cooking lessons are a great resource for

Wilkes Livestock Exchange 106 Armory Road • PO Box 2146 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 Phone: 336-838-3442 • Fax: 336-838-3591 Weekly Sales - Wednesdays - 1:30 p.m.

Take-up Tuesday Evenings

Catching and Hauling Services Available

Shelmer Blackburn, Jr.

919-270-1522 • shelmerblackburn@hotmail.com

Seth Church

336-927-5370 • sethchurch@charter.net PAGE 58

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

all levels of home chefs.

• Beef Safety Information – From beef handling and storage information to preparation guidelines and additional tips, the Beef Checkoff is providing consumers with the information they need for a safe eating experience.

In addition to providing consumers with information and inspiration for preparing beef at home, NCBA is also working on two major consumer promotions to highlight beef’s great taste and nutrition scheduled for this spring and summer. In April, Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. will release three videos with nationally recognized chefs sharing their take on popular dishes that substitute beef for other proteins. A summer grilling promotion is planned to begin Memorial Day and run through Labor Day that will celebrate beef as the center of grilling activities.

As Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. lends consumers a hand when it comes to preparing beef at home through this time of unknowns, farmers and ranchers are urged to follow Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to see how Beef Checkoff dollars are helping consumers feel confident in choosing and preparing beef and can rest assured that the beef industry is committed to providing safe, healthy, wholesome beef to the food supply.

Keep healthy meals on the table and stress out of the kitchen with these simple suggestions from BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. As families adjust to more time at home, the Beef Checkoff is offering tips and ideas for batch cooking and leftovers to ensure meal planning is stress free and packs a nutritious punch. Planning ahead in the kitchen saves time and money, and can also help families reach daily nutrition goals, even when they’re busy juggling a variety of needs and responsibilities.

Meal prepping and planning for leftovers is a cinch when you start out strong with perfectly prepared beef.

Check out these easy guides from the experts at Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. to get the ball rolling: • How to Batch Cook Shredded Beef – This quick guide walks you through how to cook a roast in the slow cooker for delicious shredded beef you can use all week long.

• How to Batch Cook Steak – By following these simple steps, you can be set with steak for days.

In addition to batch cooking, turning leftovers into “planned overs” can be a great way to keep things fresh when cooking at home. Be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, these popular dishes from the

Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. So Long Leftovers recipe collection are sure to be crowd pleasers and can cut down on cooking stress: • Breakfast – Get your day off to a good start with a Beef & Spinach Breakfast Sandwich. Simply pair your leftover steak or roast with eggs, spinach, and cheese for a delicious morning meal.

• Lunch – Elevate your lunchtime routine with a protein packed Steak Salad with Dried Cherries. A little bit sweet and a little bit savory, this salad will keep you going through the day.

• Dinner – Put those shredded beef leftovers to work for a delicious meal of Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef.

When sautéed with peppers, onions, and lime juice, and served with rice and beans, leftovers become new again for a delicious family dinner.

For these recipes and more, including cooking lessons and virtual farm and ranch tours, visit www.

BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

Shows Retailers That Beef Is the Most Valuable Protein During the 2020 Annual Meat Conference. More than 1,500 attendees, including retailers, processors, and packers attending the 2020 Annual Meat Conference in Nashville, Tenn., learned that beef is the most valuable protein in terms of sales and how the beef industry’s Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program is helping to improve consumer perceptions about how high quality beef is raised in the United States.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the beef checkoff and manager of the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand had a major presence at the event, including a packed booth in the trade show, which provided an in-depth look at the voluntary beef checkoff funded program that ensures U.S. beef is produced under stringent animal care standards. The BQA program was introduced to consumers in the fall of 2019 with a campaign designed to educate the general public about how beef in the U.S. is responsibly raised and the farmers and ranchers committed to producing safe, high quality beef.

Retailers were excited to learn that today, thanks to the commitment of cattle farmers and ranchers, more than 85 percent of beef comes from BQA certified farmers and ranchers.

“Consumers want to know how their food is raised, and market research shows that when consumers learn about BQA, their confidence in beef increases,” said Bridget Wasser, executive director, meat science and supply chain outreach at NCBA. “By relaying that information to

retailers, we can help educate and support them in achieving their bottom line and driving beef sales.”

To gain a better perspective on BQA and the farmers and ranchers behind it, attendees had the opportunity to talk to cattle ranchers Buck Weirbein and Kim Brackett. Brackett, an Idaho based cattle rancher, and BQA advisory committee chair was at the booth to talk about how she focuses on animal care, grazing practices, cattle genetics, wildlife habitat, and soil health. The booth experience was designed to help better equip retailers to educate their customers and answer questions about how beef is safely and humanely raised and was part of the overall campaign to bring BQA to life for consumers, influencers, supply chain operators, and the media.

“It was eye opening to attend

this event and see this large group of processors, distributors, and retailers experiencing many of the same challenges, opportunities, and issues that beef producers face day in and day out,” said Buck Weirbein, federation division chair at NCBA. “We truly are on the same team, and these folks are just as passionate about our product as we are.

I have a renewed outlook, and I look forward to sharing what I experienced at this conference with my board and fellow producers.”

In addition to getting an extensive look at BQA, attendees were presented with the latest research from a test pilot program regarding labels. This research tested the effectiveness of featuring the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. logo and QR codes on non-branded packages of beef.

Findings from this research included:

S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of FEBRUARY 2020 Cattle Receipts: 9,951

•

Previous Month: 12,796

Feeder supply - 34% steers • 46% heifers • 21% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

• Packages that feature the Beef.

It’s What’s for Dinner. logo and a QR code come out on top compared to plain packages, with consumers saying they liked that it grabbed their attention and made it easy to directly search for information about the product.

• Consumers say they are more likely to purchase a package of beef that has the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. logo and QR code on it, citing credibility and trust as the top reasons.

To further drive home the importance of educating and building confidence in consumers, attendees also got to see the results from market research highlighting the value beef adds to a shopping cart, confirming beef’s position as the most valuable protein. These highlights included: • Beef drives sales. When beef is included in the basket, it generates a higher average purchase total when compared to baskets with other animal proteins.

• Carts with beef produce sales 19 times greater than carts with beef substitutes.

• Retail beef demand has continued to increase during the past several years, with demand up 15 percent since 2012.

“Attending the Annual Meat

Conference was extremely valuable for our team as we work to educate and support retailers,” said Wasser. “We look forward to continuing to build these relationships and expanding the ways the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand can enhance the meat case experience and, in turn, drive beef sales.”

To learn more about how Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. can help retailers boost their bottom line, visit www.

BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com/Retail.

About the Beef Checkoff. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

About NCBA, a Contractor to the Beef Checkoff. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The Beef Checkoff Program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Avg. Wt. Price

Cows - % Lean

Breaker 1,466 $64.20

Boner 1,202 $63.79

Lean 930 $57.51

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,612

$87.53

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $160.01 $676.84 450-500 471 $153.34 $722.23 500-550 524 $144.36 $756.45 550-600 574 $138.88 $797.17 600-650 621 $131.15 $814.44 650-700 675 $125.06 $844.16

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $153.59 $651.22 450-500 467 $148.84 $695.08 500-550 523 $137.57 $719.49 550-600 566 $132.31 $748.87 600-650 621 $125.93 $782.03 650-700 669 $118.64 $793.70

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $129.77 $548.93 450-500 471 $129.23 $608.67 500-550 524 $126.89 $664.90 550-600 570 $122.18 $696.43 600-650 616 $116.87 $719.92 650-700 666 $114.42 $762.04

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 59

NCBA NCBA CEO Colin Woodall Speaks At U.S. Chamber Event On Modernizing NEPA. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s CEO Colin Woodall recently spoke at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with the Unlock American Investment Coalition about the need to modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This event was held ahead of the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) second hearing in Washington, D.C., on proposed updates to NEPA. “NEPA in its current form has become a costly and time consuming burden for ranchers, with some ranch families facing grazing permit delays as long as 30 years,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall, who spoke at the press conference event in Washington. “I want

News

to thank President Trump and his team at CEQ for listening to rural America and bringing common sense back to an outdated law. These proposed changes are welcome news for thousands of ranchers and farmers whose livelihoods depend on NEPA reviews.”

Led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Unlock American Investment Coalition is made up of 45 organizations representing a diverse cross section of the American economy, which are all in favor of updating NEPA – a law that was first enacted 50 years ago and has not been substantively amended in nearly four decades. Over time, NEPA evolved from a useful tool to a complex web of onerous processes and bureaucratic red tape. In fact, according to a 2018 report from CEQ, it took the

2020 Spotlight Issues Schedule Most of the breed associations in North and South Carolina have stepped forward and renewed their contracts for Spotlight sections in The Carolina Cattle Connection for 2020. If your breed is not featured as a Spotlight section and you would like to inquire on any open months please feel free to contact me.

Below is the tentative schedule for the upcoming year.

2020 Reserved Spotlight Issues

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

CHAROLAIS FORAGES ANGUS PEST MANAGEMENT BRAHMAN HEREFORD *************** SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS *************** *************** RED ANGUS

Contact The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Phone - 919-552-9111 for the contact person for each Spotlight Issue.

PAGE 60

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service an average of 4.5 years to complete an Environmental Impact Statement. This is just too long for ranchers who rely on NEPA reviews for renewals of a term grazing permits, construction of range improvements, or to become eligible for participation in USDA programs.

Statement from NCBA CEO Colin Woodall on the impact of Coronavirus on the U.S. Beef Supply Chain. “There is a great deal of uncertainty about the ongoing impact of Coronavirus on the beef industry and the United States as a whole. At this time, it’s impossible to measure the full effects of the virus or

determine how it may continue to unfold.

Although the full beef supply chain is being challenged by the outbreak, all segments of the industry are working closely together and must continue to do so. The current uncertainty facing beef producers is shared by all of agriculture and every American. By working together, we will overcome these obstacles.

“As Coronavirus has spread in the United States, NCBA has been in daily communication with participants from every sector of the beef supply chain.

We’re working closely with cow/calf producers, stocker operators, and feedlots.

We’re also communicating regularly with

NEWS Signal Theory Named Creative Agency of Record for John Deere Agricultural Products in North America. Signal Theory has been appointed the creative agency of record for John Deere’s Agricultural products in North America plus its Ag & Turf Aftermarket initiatives and John Deere Financial’s Multi-Use Account product.

“We’re extremely proud of the opportunity to work on a beloved brand like John Deere,” says John January, Signal Theory co-CEO. “This is the type of opportunity many marketers dream of, and largely due to our narrowed focus areas, we have the team and systems in place to make the most of it.”

John Deere cited Signal Theory’s insightful approach to the customer journey, deep understanding of farmers and ranchers, and its impactful creative as deciding factors in choosing the firm.

Signal Theory’s work will include brand and product awareness initiatives as well as developing and executing marketing strategies to engage the agricultural market.

“Our strategic approach, based on behavioral and social science, informed the pitch creative in a uniquely motivating way,” January says. “Now it’s time to put that research and resulting work into action to support John Deere.”

John Deere joins a Signal Theory client roster that includes brands throughout the foodways system, from those that make decisions on the farm, through processing, all the way to brands that supply home cooked meals and prepare restaurant plates. Current clients include Merck Animal Health, Cargill

Protein-North America, AgroLiquid, AMC Dine-in Theatres, and SONIC Drive-in.

For more information on John Deere, please visit www.deere.com/en/ourcompany/about-john-deere/.

About John Deere. Deere & Company is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich, and build upon the land to meet the world’s dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter, and infrastructure.

Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at www.JohnDeere. com.

About Signal Theory. Signal Theory exists to create resonance in the signals between people and brands. Signal Theory was an Agency of the Year for both Ad Age and the Business Marketing Association. With offices in Kansas City and Wichita, the firm is focused on animal health and the food value chain, including agriculture, food production, and processing, consumer packaged goods, and restaurants. Signal Theory clients include SONIC®, America’s Drive-In, Cargill, AMC Theatres, Merck Animal Health, BOSE Aviation, Bayer Animal Health, Procter & Gamble, and Shatto Milk Company, among others.

The firm’s FoodThink blog researches and reports on consumer attitudes and trends regarding food and food production.

packing sector participants, restaurant, and retail operations. Every one of these operations is facing unique challenges and many shared burdens. As we continue to work through this crisis, we must do everything in our power to safeguard every sector of the business from disruption while ensuring cattle and beef continue to move in an orderly manner.

“In addition to working within the beef community, NCBA is working closely with Congress, USDA, and many other regulatory agencies to remove possible barriers to beef production. Our work in Washington, D.C., will help keep the supply chain full and create the necessary food security required by consumers through the entirety of this event. Consumer demand for beef remains strong, and producers across the industry remain ready to provide the safe, delicious, high quality protein that’s required and desired around the globe.

“NCBA will continue to work with our members and partners throughout the beef supply chain to facilitate communication. By working together, every segment of the beef community can serve a role in returning the industry to normalcy as quickly as possible.”

Nominations Now Accepted for Beef Quality Assurance Awards. Five to be recognized for Exemplary BQA Accomplishments. Nominations for the 14th Annual National Beef Quality

Assurance (BQA) Awards are now being accepted. The deadline for nominations is June 5, 2020.

The 2020 National BQA Awards recognize five winners in the areas of beef producer, dairy, marketing, and education: • The beef producer honors include BQA Cow/Calf and BQA Feedyard awards, which recognize producers who best demonstrate the implementation of BQA principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations; • The BQA/FARM (Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) award honors those dairy operations that demonstrate the best in animal care and handling while implementing the BQA and FARM programs at the highest levels; • The BQA Marketer Award acknowledges livestock markets, cattle buyers, and supply chain programs that promote BQA to their customers and offer them opportunities to get certified; and • The BQA Educator Award celebrates individuals or companies that provide high quality and innovative training to individuals who care and handle cattle throughout the industry chain.

“These awards recognize the i n d u s t r y ’s m o s t a c c o m p l i s h e d representatives of quality in beef production, marketing, and education,” according to Glen Dolezal, Ph.D., AVP Technical Services and Procurement, Cargill Protein. “They also demonstrate

the pride we all have in the work being done to enhance our industry and the products we provide to consumers.”

The National BQA Awards are selected by a committee of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors, and affiliated groups. Nominations may be submitted by organizations, groups, or individuals on behalf of a U.S. beef producer, dairy producer, marketer, or educator. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, though the nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application. Past nominees are encouraged to submit their application under the new nomination structure. Previous winners may not reapply.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association manages the BQA program as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. Funding for the BQA Awards is made possible by the generosity of Cargill, which has supported the program since its inception, and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, which sponsors the BQA educator award.

For the application and nomination requirements, as well as more information about BQA, visit www.bqa.org. All nominations are due by June 5, 2020.

About the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898,

preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.

Y’all have stumbled on the best place to advertise expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies. Check the Classifieds in this issue!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 61

PAGE 62

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

...

LASSIFIED PUREBRED C ATTLE BREEDERS BACK CREEK ANGUS

Joe and Robin Hampton 345 Withrows Creek Lane Mt. Ulla, NC 28125

704-880-2488

Angus

Black Crest Farm

W.R. “Billy” McLeod

A NIMAL HEALTH

FOR SALE

BBU Registered Beefmaster Bulls and Females

WHITEHALL BEEFMASTERS Joe and Ann Logan 214 Cowhead Creek Road Greenwood, SC 29646

Telephone: 864-538-3004 www.huntsbrangus.com Calhoun, GA 770-548-7950

C. A. H.

803-481-2011

“Cattle with Something Extra”

F. Ha niff Farms * Registered Angus Cattle *

QUALITY GELBVIEH, ANGUS, & BALANCER CATTLE

DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, OWNERS

Duane Cell: 336-964-6277 • Wendy Cell: 336-964-5127 Home: 336-381-3640 • Fax: 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com • ccrosscattle.com

2610 Kee Moore Drive Chester, SC 29706

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

Authorized Representative

LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT

AUCTIONEERING Ernest B. Harris President

Phone: 252-257-2140 Mobile: 252-430-9595 ®

REGISTERED POLLED HEREFORDS • EST. 1998 “Quality Cattle For Quality People”

Cattle Available Private Treaty

For more information 803-645-3642

KEEP POSTED FOR UPDATES ON THE 2020 Tarheel Angus/4K Farm “Back on Grass” Sale RICHARD KIRKMAN, DVM 20416 US 64 West Siler City, NC 27344-0350

919-742-5500 • rdkirkman@centurylink.net

Autryville, NC 28318 www.howardbrosfarms.com

Darryl Howard Cell: 910-990-2791

SENEPOL CATTLE FOR SALE Black & Red Available

Great for grass programs!

Heat Tolerant • Calving Ease Gentle Natured • Tender Carcass

H.J. WHITE FARMS

PO Box 215 • Bladenboro, NC 28320 910-648-6171 (day) • 910-863-3170 (night)

SMITH FARM

TRAILER SALES

trailers • truck bodies • tool boxes

Carl R. Smith 2205 Finch Farm Rd. Trinity, NC 27370 336.475.1279

Inc. / Auctioneers

Headquarters - 775 Clacton Circle • Earlysville, VA 22936 Cattle located in Traphill, N.C.

YOUR AD HERE!

Multi-Line Agent

Cell: 803-385-8161 Email: djosey@truvista.net

519 Morgan Mill Rd., Monroe, NC 28112 704-289-5083 • 704-289-1696 • 800-222-8638

THE HERD THAT CONSISTENTLY PRODUCES CATTLE WITH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS, AND EYE APPEAL.

John Wheeler • 910-489-0024 doublejfarm@yahoo.com • www.doublejfarmllc.com

Angus • SimAngus • Ultrablacks

Douglas Josey

Carolinas Animal Health, LLC

* Located in Greensboro, N.C. -- Serving North and South Carolina*

426 Brier Patch Lane Warrenville, SC 29851

THE YON FAMILY 318 Aiken Road • Ridge Spring, SC 29129 www.yonfamilyfarm.com

The Josey Agency, Inc.

336-382-9635 • bkherefords@gmail.com

Breeding Registered Angus since 1962

Walter D. Shealy III and Family

803-789-7000

SEXED SEMEN

BLACK GROVE 20977 US Hwy 76 • Newberry, SC 29108 Walter Shealy • 803-924-1000 Dixon Shealy • 803-629-1174 walter@blackgrove.com • dixon@blackgrove.com www.blackgrove.com

AUTO • HOME • LIFE BUSINESS • FARM & RANCH

Jim Traynham Wingate, N.C. 704-233-5366 Cell - 704-292-4217

Brent Glenn, DVM Lancaster, S.C.

1320 Old Manning Rd., Sumter, SC 29150 williammcleod@ftc-i.net • www.blackcrestfarm.com

INSURANCE

3200 NC Hwy. 58 • Warrenton, NC 27589 NCAL #1468 • NC#C#4264 • VAL #146 • SCAL #3895 Email: ebharris@ebharris.com www.ebharris.com

I NDEX

OF

Authorized Dealer

smithfarmtrailers@yahoo.com

A DVERTISERS

2020 S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Conference — POSTPONED …............................................................... 2 31st Annual Virginia Angus Association Genetic Investment Sale …............................................. 29 37th Annual Spring Fever Sale — SALE POSTPONED ........... 23 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus ….................................................. 63 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale ..... 51 47th Annual Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas Sale ..... 45 49th Annual Carolina Angus Futurity — SALE RESCHEDULED ..... 16 AgAmerica Lending .............................................................. 32 AGCO — Massey Ferguson …................................................ 33 Alltech ................................................................................... 34 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............ 63 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ..................................................... 42 Back Creek Angus ................................................................. 63 Benton’s Hay Farm ............................................................... 54 BioZyme Incorporated — VitaFerm Concept•Aid ............... 55 Black Crest Farm .................................................................. 63 Black Grove Angus ............................................................... 63 Britt Angus Farm Production Sale ....................................... 25 C-Cross Cattle Company ...................................................... 63 Carolinas Animal Health ...................................................... 63 Carolinas Brahman Breeders 40th Annual Sale ................... 14 Cleveland County Agriculture & Livestock Exchange Select Bull & Replacement Female Sale ......................... 61 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ......................................... 63 Double J Farms ..................................................................... 63 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. ................................................ 63 Eastern Brahman Breeders Association Elite Brahman Sale ....... 15 EBS Farms 12th Annual Select Bull & Female Sale .............. 59 Edisto Pines Spring Production Sale ................................... 22 F. Haniff Farms ...................................................................... 63 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ............................. 53 Fowken Farm — CATTLE FOR SALE ...................................... 41 FPL Food, LLC ....................................................................... 17 Fred Smith Company Ranch ................................................ 63 H.J. White Farms .................................................................. 63 Howard Brothers Farms ....................................................... 63 Hunt’s H+ Brangus .............................................................. 63

Hutton & Sons Herefords ..................................................... 63 Iredell Select Sale — SALE POSTPONED .............................. 10 Knight-N-Gail Farm — CATTLE FOR SALE ............................ 52 Kuhn North America ............................................................. 26 Lazy Acres Angus 5th Annual Spring “Focus Now, Value Later” Sale ........................................ 28 N.C. Angus Association Directory ........................................ 21 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application ….. 46 N.C. Hereford Association - SALE POSTPONED ................... 40 N.C. Simmental Association Directory ................................ 37 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment .................. 11 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Company ..... 48 P.H. White Company ................................................................ 7 Pearson Livestock Equipment .............................................. 12 Premier Select Sires ............................................................. 19 Ragan & Massey — UF-Riata ................................................. 49 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory .............. 38 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ..... 43 S.C. Hereford Association & Red Angus Association of the Carolinas 1st Joint Sale ......................................... 39 Smith Farm Trailer Sales ...................................................... 63 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ............................................. 56 Southeast AgriSeeds ............................................................. 31 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ..... 9 Springfield Angus Annual Production Sale ......................... 24 ST Genetics — Bill Kirkman .................................................. 63 Sweetlix Livestock Supplement System .............................. 13 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2020 Spotlight Schedule ..... 60 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates and Sizes ..... 62 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM ..... 6 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ........................................... 35 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ......................... 30 Whitehall Beefmasters ......................................................... 63 Whitestone 27th Annual Pasture Performance Tested Angus Bull & Female Sale .............. 18 Wilkes Livestock Exchange .................................................. 58 Yon Family Farms Spring ...................................................... 63

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 63

VENTS ANGUS Apr. 3 — Pratt Cattle Company “Spring Turnout” Bull Sale, Atkins, Va. Apr. 4 — Grassy Valley Angus 27th Annual Bull & Female Sale, Greeneville, Tenn.

Apr. 4 TBD — Iredell Select Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Apr. 4 — Lawson Family Farms 2020 Spring Bull & Female Sale, Ewing, Va. Apr. 4 — McDonald Farms 17th Annual ‘Pick of the Pen’ Bull Sale, Blacksburg, Va. Apr. 11 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 11 — Southern Synergy 11th Annual Angus Female Production Sale, Wadley, Ga. Apr. 17 — 31st Annual Virginia Angus Association Genetic Investment Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 18 — Britt Angus Farm “Walking into Tomorrow’s Future” Production Sale, Hartwell, Ga. Apr. 25 — Edisto Pines Spring Production Sale, Leesville, S.C. Apr. 25 — Lazy Acres Angus 5th Annual Spring “Focus Now, Value Later” Sale, Rocky Mount, Va. May 2 TBD —37th Annual Spring Fever Sale, Reidsville, N.C. May 2 (NEW DATE!) — Whitestone Farm 27th Annual Pasture Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale, Aldie, Va. May 9 — Springfield Angus Annual Production Sale, Louisburg, N.C. May 23 (NEW DATE!) — 49th Annual Carolina Angus Futurity, Clemson, S.C. Oct. 17 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Sale, Clayton, N.C. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2021 Jan. 2 — 12th Annual EBS Farms Select Sale, Norwood, N.C.

BRAHMAN May 16 — Eastern Brahman Breeders Association Elite Sale, Calhoun, Ga. Jun. 13 — Carolina Brahman Breeders Association 40th Annual Sale Pendleton, S.C.

Regular copy deadline

SIMMENTAL Apr. 4 — McDonald Farms 17th Annual ‘Pick of the Pen’ Bull Sale, Blacksburg, Va. Apr. 17 — Virginia Beef Expo Simmental Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Oct. 17 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Sale, Clayton, N.C. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2021 Jan. 2 — 12th Annual EBS Farms Select Sale, Norwood, N.C.

is APRIL 5 for the MAY issue!

Is there a problem?

PAGE 64

CHAROLAIS Apr. 11 — Appalachian Classic, Knoxville, Tenn.

Apr. 17 — Virginia Charolais Shenandoah Classic Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 17 — Cross Mountain Cattle Company Quest for Quality Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. GELBVIEH Apr. 11 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. HEREFORD Apr. 4 TBD — Iredell Select Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Apr. 11 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 17 — Virginia Beef Expo Hereford Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. May 2 — 1st Joint Sale of S.C. Hereford Association & Red Angus Association of the Carolinas, Clemson, S.C. May 8 (NEW DATE!) — N.C. Hereford Association Annual Meeting, Statesville, N.C. May 9 (NEW DATE!) — 52nd Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale, Statesville, N.C. RED ANGUS May 2 — 1st Joint Sale of S.C. Hereford Association & Red Angus Association of the Carolinas, Clemson, S.C. santa gertrudis May 9 — Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas 47th Annual Sale, Chester, S.C.

OTHER EVENTS Mar. 19-20 TBD — 2020 S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting, Clemson, S.C. Apr. 8 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020

Apr. 11 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 16-19 — Virginia Beef Expo, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 17 — Virginia Beef Expo All Other Breeds Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 25 — Cleveland Agriculture & Livestock Exchange Select Bull & Replacement Heifer Sale, Shelby, N.C. May 5 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction May 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction May 14 — Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jun. 2 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Jun. 3 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jun. 4 — Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jul. 7 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Jul. 8 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jul. 9 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 4 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction

Aug. 5 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Aug. 6 — Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Sep. 1 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Sep. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Sep. 3 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Sep. 10 — Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Oct. 6 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Oct. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 3 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Nov. 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 1 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Dec. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2021 Jan. 2 — 12th Annual EBS Farms Select Sale, Norwood, N.C.

IGHTER Two guys are driving down 5th Avenue in Manhattan when they come up to a red light. The guy driving slams the gas pedal and they go zooming past the red light.

His friend looks at him and says, “Hey, you just went through a red light.”

The guy driving says, “Don’t worry about it. My brother does it all the time.”

So they keep driving and they come to a second red light. The guy driving slams on the gas pedal and zooms past another red light.

His friend is pretty mad, looks at him and says, “Hey man, you just went through another red light. What the heck are you doing?”

The guy driving tells his friend, “Don’t worry about it. My brother does this all the time.”

They come to a third red light and the guy driving slams on the gas, zooming past the red light.

His friend starts screaming at him, “What the heck? You’re going to get us killed! Pull over and let me out.”

The guy driving screams back at him, “I’m telling you: don’t worry about it. My brother, he does it all the time.”

So they keep driving and they come to a green light. The guy driving slams on the brakes.

His friend looks at him and says, “Are you out of your mind? What the heck is wrong with you? You go flying past three red lights, almost getting us killed, and then you slam on the brakes when you have a green light?”

The guy driving looks at his friend

IDE

and says, “I had to stop; my brother might have been coming.” * * * A lawyer runs a stop sign and gets pulled over by a cop. He thinks that he is smarter than the cop because he is a lawyer and is certain that he has a better education than any cop. He decides to prove this to himself and have some fun at the cop’s expense.

The cop says, “License and registration, please.”

The lawyer says, “What for?”

The cop says,”You didn’t come to a complete stop at the stop sign.”

The lawyer says, “I slowed down, and no one was coming.”

The cop says,”You still didn’t come to a complete stop. License and registration, please.”

The lawyer says, “What’s the difference?”

The cop says, “The difference is, you haven’t come to complete stop, that’s the law. License and registration, please!”

The lawyer says, “If you can show me the legal difference between slow down and stop, I’ll give you my license and registration and you give me the ticket. If not, you let me go and don’t give me the ticket.”

The cop says, “Sounds fair. Exit your vehicle, sir.”

The lawyer exits his vehicle. The cop takes out his baton and starts beating the dickens out of the lawyer and says, “Do you want me to stop or just slow down?”

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2020

PAGE 65

PAGE 66

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2020