The Carolina Cattle Connection - Volume 36, Issue No. 4 (APRIL 2022)

CC C

arolina attle onnection APRIL 2022 •

Vol. 36, Issue No. 4

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT

ONNECTION 2022 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts ........................................................ page 63 A Message from the CEO — Election Season is in Full Swing,

by Colin Woodall .................................................................................................. page 50 Amazing Grazing — Control Seedheads in Cool Season Forages for Improved Pasture Quality and Effective Renovation, by Matt Poore …..................... page 14 American Angus Association News ........................................................................... page 18 American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges News ............................. page 62 American Gelbvieh Association News ..................................................................... page 40 American Hereford Association News ...................................................................... page 31 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ............................................................................ page 62 App to Extend Beef Resources, Connect Farmers .................................................. page 30 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Leading By Example, by Ashley W. Herring .................... page 12 Be Prepared to Assist During Calving, by Tony Hawkins ......................................... page 24 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ................................................... page 44 Carolina Cooking — Asian Grilled Beef Ribs ............................................................ page 56 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary .................................................... page 54 Cattle Producers Send WOTUS Letter to EPA ........................................................ page 56 Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update ............................................................................... page 54 Certified Angus Beef News ....................................................................................... page 20 Director’s Report — Power in Numbers, by Bryan K. Blinson .............................. page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Being Without Would be the Worst, by E.B. Harris ............................... page 17 Fighting for Regulatory Certainty Under the Endangered Species Act ............ page 63 From the Desk of the SCCA Past President, by Roscoe Kyle ............................... page 41 Get Jazzed in New Orleans Updates! ........................................................................ page 26 Herd Management — Profitability in the Cow/Calf Operation — Factors to Consider, by Dr. Steven E. Meadows …..................................... page 32 Medical Breakthrough Could Help Produce More Beef ....................................... page 64 Merck Animal Health News ........................................................................................ page 60 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ................................................................................... page 37 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ......................................................... page 58 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — Standing Together for a Beef Future, by Don Schiefelbein ............................ page 52 New NCCA Members for 2022 .................................................................................... page 47 Newport Laboratories News ...................................................................................... page 37 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ................................................ page 61 Premier Select Sires News .......................................................................................... page 48 Purina News ................................................................................................................... page 55 Red Angus Association of America News ................................................................. page 26 S.C. Charolais News, by Georgeanne Webb ……......................................................... page 38 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ............................................... page 60 The Chaplain’s Corral — Teach Me Thy Way, by Skeeter Spaulding ……................ page 15 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker …................................................................... page 42 Trending in Food & Media ............................................................................................ page 45 USDA-NIFA Invests Over $13M in Treating, Eradicating Livestock Diseases .... page 61 Vytelle News .................................................................................................................. page 65 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ................................................................................. page 16 Zoetis News ..................................................................................................................... page 41

N.C. Cattlemen’s Association

President BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425 Vice Presidents SCOTT WEST 489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850 RYAN CLARK 5250 NC 772 Hwy. • Madison, NC 27025 BRANDON BOWMAN 2346 Ann Street • Claremont, NC 28610 Immediate Past President KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734 NCBA Regional Vice President (Policy) FRED SMITH, JR. NCBA Policy Division Director - JOHN LANGDON NCBA Federation Division Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR. Beef Board Director - Brian Warren Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE

Executive Director - BRYAN K. BLINSON 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Director of Consumer Information ASHLEY W. HERRING

The Carolina Cattle Connection Vol. 36, No. 4 APRIL 2022 Sales & Publication Office 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Phone: 919-552-9111 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. Manager, S.C.

STAFF

BRYAN BLINSON

TRAVIS MITCHELL

Editor & Advertising Director CASEY L. HINNANT Assistant Editor & Proofreader KIM BURDGE

Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE N.C. Circulation

KIM BURDGE

S.C. Circulation

TRAVIS MITCHELL

S.C. Cattlemen’s Association

Executive Director - TRAVIS MITCHELL P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138 Phone: 803-609-2828 Email: twmitch@clemson.edu

Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All Website: www.sccattlemen.wildapricot.org submissions become property of The Carolina Executive Committee Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to President - Timmy Benton return items such as photographs and artwork as 1st Vice President - Joe Oswald IV requested. nd 2 Vice President - Gene Crim Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Roscoe Kyle

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 Bonnie Cann, Abbeville • Ashley Mills, Blair Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Eric Seymour, Columbia

S.C. Beef Council

P.O. Box 11280 • Columbia, SC 29211 Phone: 803-917-1119 Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov Website: www.sccattle.org

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 $30 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 207 • Saluda, SC 29138

PEST MANAGEMENT Common Cattle Parasites, by Floron C. Faries, Jr. … page 6 Entries Are Now Open for the SprayMaster Spectacular Giveaway From Valley Vet Supply … page 4 Pest Management Considerations for Your Operation,

by Joseph W. Ward, Ph.D. … page 4 Promising Fly Prevention Products for Cattle … page 11 Six Methods of Pest Control in Beef Herds, by Amanda Radke … page 11 Sure Champ Extreme is Now Available with ClariFly … page 9 Using Oral Larvicides to Control Pests and Maintain Comfort for Your Cattle, by Dr. Larry Hawkins … page 8 The Carolina Cattle Connection

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

Director’s Report

By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA

Power in Numbers The N.C. Cattlemen’s Association has gathered 70 times for our annual conference, and because of the members, supporters, and educators, this edition was as successful as ever. We were fortunate to have folks who have been to over half of these 70 events, and we were happy to welcome new faces for the very first time. It is always great to see old friends and meet new ones at any place, but the folks in the cattle business are special.

The educational team did a great job with a panel led by Joe Hampton.

Educators included Dr. Matt Poore, Dr. Deidre Harmon, Johnny Rogers, Dr. Andrew Weaver, and Lee Menius. The panel explored ways to think outside of the box to help producers navigate challenging times, and the interaction with the attendees was excellent. The breakout sessions that followed were led by these professionals, and all of the rooms were at capacity with questions and input from beginning to end. Our education carried over into some of our committee meetings with more innovative ways to succeed. We appreciate the support of NCBA and the National Corn Grower’s Association for making this session of the Cattlemen’s Educational Series possible.

The afternoon meetings provided additional educational opportunities and information related to policy, inputs, conservation, and acknowledgment of achievements in environmental stewardship. Danielle Beck from the NCBA office in Washington, D.C., explained the ins-and-outs of many of the issues that face cattle producers from a legislative and regulatory perspective, particularly those that deal with tax implications to our farms. Twig Marston discussed ways to make our Stocker and Cattle Feeders meeting attendees more profitable. In the N.C. Forage and Grassland Council meeting, the Moore family of Moorelands Farms was recognized as the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award winner. We were

delighted to hear from the Executive Director of the N.C. Sweetpotato Commission, Michelle Grainger, who gave the N.C. CattleWomen some ideas about involvement to help the community and demonstrate how much the folks in agriculture care about nourishing, not only our bodies, but our souls.

One of the most exciting outcomes of the conference was announced in the Membership Committee meeting.

Pasture Management Systems presented a program they are sponsoring for 2022 to enhance membership in the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. Pasture Management Systems has supported the association since they began business and understand and appreciate the power of membership. They introduced their Mile of Fence program that will help to build membership and involvement across the state. This program will award the materials to build a mile of permanent fence as well as an energizer to power a “hot” wire around the fence to encourage managed grazing. Each county can participate in the program for this year, and the county with the greatest increase in membership for the year will receive the Mile of Fence to be used as they see fit. Not only will this help to encourage recruitment, but it will also give counties an activity to help bring them closer together. We appreciate the support of Pasture Management Systems in this important area to the success of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association.

Always looking to the future, our leadership from all of the represented counties adopted a set of policies that will help to guide staff and volunteer leaders throughout the year. We will revisit this document each year to allow for it to be dynamic and meet the needs of the association in the areas of policy and regulations. It is my opinion that this is a giant leap forward to help guide the association in its mission. We also elected a new slate of officers that will head up the executive committee of the association.

Our new slate of officers is President

Buron Lanier, 1st Vice President Scott West, 2nd Vice President Ryan Clark, 3rd Vice President and our newest committee member Brandon Bowman, immediate Past President Karl Gillespie, and Secretary/Treasurer Everett Johnson. The executive committee will be completed by NCBA Federation Director Ralph Blalock, NCBA Policy Director John Langdon, CBB Director Brian Warren, NCBA Region II Vice Chairman of Policy Fred Smith, Dr. Todd See and Dr. Matt Poore representing NCSU, and Neil Bowman representing the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Following the annual meeting, we had our inaugural Past President’s reception and our second annual Young Producers Council reception. The Past President’s reception was to kick off the Past President’s Council, which is designed to help tap into the knowledge and experience of leaders who have served the NCCA so well. We followed this up in the trade show with Brisket and fun. During the social, we had our auction where we raised money for PAC as well as for our Young Producers Council.

Thanks to the donations by Ronnie Holman and Lewis Cattle Oilers and our social sponsor Alltech, we were able to raise money in the auction for our Young Producers Tour, which was introduced at the reception. This tour, which will be a joint effort between N.C. Farm Bureau and the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, will help to introduce many of our young leaders to the industry beyond the cow/ calf sector. The social gave everyone a chance to visit with our trade show sponsors that we depend on for the success of the cattlemen’s conference every year. We ask that you look at the list of sponsors in a future edition of The Carolina Cattle Connection and support them with your business throughout the year. Once again, the Catawba Valley Cattlemen’s Association treated us to a fabulous dinner that, as always, was highlighted by the HOMEMADE desserts from the renowned bakers in the area.

Saturday morning is always a highlight as the youth of our industry

are recognized. We had the opportunity to meet the participants in the Perry and Doris Teeter Leadership Institute who were completing their final year of the program. Other youths were recognized, including judging, skillathon, and quiz bowl winners. Also, we were able to recognize performance steer index winners and beef ambassadors. We then raised some money for youth programs with our annual cake auction featuring the famous homemade cakes.

Following the youth recognition breakfast, we went to the trade show area to visit with the sponsors and kick off the morning educational opportunities. We were thrilled to partner with N.C. Choices to provide some educational information to help those who market some of their animals through the growing local meat sector. N.C. Choices teamed up with the animal science Extension personnel along with processors and others to explore and demonstrate considerations for those who are involved with or are considering participating in the local meats scene to help add value to some of their animals.

These sessions were standing room only, and we have already discussed enhancing these opportunities for the Saturday programming in the future.

There is no doubt that all of the planned activities, meals, educational programs, and meetings were a success.

Still, maybe the most important success of the 70th Annual Conference was the fact that we were able to see each other face-to-face and enjoy the fact that we are all on the same team. We even had team gear this year. Each member who attended the conference received an NCCA cap that indicated that they were a member.

Almost everyone who was not a member when they came joined and wore their hat home. (Check out the New Members list on page ___.) We hope all of you who attended enjoyed the fellowship, learned a lot, and picked up some new ideas. We also hope you will encourage your friends who raise cattle to get involved and join not only the NCCA but join in on the fun at the 71st Annual N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Conference.

BE A WINNER!

Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state or regional breed association.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

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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 young replacement animals that can delay their entry into production and adversely affecting lifelong production

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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 Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

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

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Flies are more than just a nuisance; they contribute to significant equine

diseases and conditions, including pigeon fever, strangles, equine influenza, Salmonella, eye worms, and summer sores. They also can have a costly health impact on cattle operations. “These little pests will cause significant loss of production and spread disease readily,” says Tony Hawkins, DVM, Valley Vet Supply technical service veterinarian.

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e Special 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 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

Spotlight on

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

Section f

to remove them from the herd.

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

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Spotlight

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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.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

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.

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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.

Oral larvicides work in three simple

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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 plants and animals so they’re extremely

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

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

e Special

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT

Section f

Sure Champ Extreme is Now Available with ClariFly Show livestock get some of the best care possible. At BioZyme Inc., we want to make sure it stays that way. When springtime temperatures start to climb, another stressor becomes more apparent – flies. That is why BioZyme has now formulated Sure Champ Extreme with ClariFly, to combat the elevated temperature and stop flies in their larval stage.

Sure Champ Extreme with ClariFly is a daily supplement with the Amaferm advantage for show cattle and pigs that can be top dressed or mixed into the ration to promote appetite and digestive health. It includes technologies designed to help support animals during elevated temperatures, as well as the control of four common flies (horn, face, stable, and house flies) in their larval stage, helping reduce two common stressors to show livestock.

“Flies are a huge problem in the summer months, and their annoyance to show livestock can change behaviors, add stress or health challenges and reduce performance. If you want to be competitive, proper fly control is paramount in keeping your show stock healthy, stress free, and on feed,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Technical Sales Field Manager.

The new Sure Champ Extreme with ClariFly formula will be sold in 40 pound bags and are available for purchase now.

Because ClariFly controls flies in their larval stage, it is recommended to be fed before flies start hatching for best results.

So, in the southern U.S., it would be ideally started in March, in the central U.S., between March 15 and April 15, and in the north, by May 1. It can be fed all summer

long to control flies, and Cassady reminded there is no effect on the carcass, so there is no withdrawal time on market animals.

“Delivering ClariFly larvicide directly into your feed supplement allows you to easily control the emergence of face, house, stable, and horn flies in the manure.

Reducing the number of flies on the premise keeps animals comfortable and on feed. There’s no room for error in the summer show season, keep them healthy and stress free with Sure Champ Extreme with ClariFly,” Cassady encouraged.

Help your show cattle and pigs #PreptoWin this summer by beating the stress of heat and flies with products from Sure Champ.

To learn more about Sure Champ Extreme with ClariFly or to find a dealer near you, visit www.surechamp.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 ®, VitaFerm ®, Vita Charge®, Sure Champ®, Vitalize®, DuraFerm®, and Backyard Boost™. With headquarters in St. Joseph, Missouri, the company reaches a global market of customers that stretches into countries across five continents. For more information about BioZyme, visit www. biozymeinc.com.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2022

PAGE 9

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

Promising Fly Prevention Products for Cattle Spring — the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the flies…Yes, springtime also means that those pesky flies are back in action. For the typical homeowner, flies are a nuisance but can be fixed with a fly swatter and reminding the kiddos to shut the door when they go outside. However, for livestock owners, it is more than just annoyance; flies can also be detrimental to their livestock.

What you need are proven tactics, and it’s important to find the best fly prevention products out there.

Cattle producers, especially, know that flies are nothing to be messed with.

According to University of NebraskaLincoln, “Economic losses associated with horn flies are estimated at more than $1 billion dollars annually in the United States.” Without any type of intervention, livestock producers risk the herd’s overall well being, which in return risks their bottom line.

However, there are options to keep the flies at bay.

From horn flies to stable flies, producers have long been trying to protect their livestock from the flies. Although it is impossible to completely eliminate the fly problem, producers can lessen the impact with the fly prevention products below.

Champion JustiFLY Feedthrough - Champion JustiFLY Feedthrough is an economically priced insect growth regulator (IGR) larvicide that breaks the life cycle of all four fly species that affect cattle. The larvicide in the fly control for cattle is ingested by the cattle as they feed on the treated mineral throughout fly season. The fly pest control passes through the animal and starts to work on flies in the cattle manure.

• Broad Spectrum — Controls ALL FOUR species of flies that affect cattle: stable fly, horn fly, face fly, house fly • Tested — EPA approved for pasture cattle, feed yard cattle, and dairy cattle • Confidence — Fly pest control approved for use in lactating dairy cattle. No withdrawal period. No milk disposal issues.

• Safety Margin — No known fly resistance Wind and Rain Fly Control Cattle Mineral Feed - The Purina 3005029106 Wind and Rain Fly Control Cattle Mineral Feed features Altosid (Insect Growth Regulator), which prevents the breeding of horn flies in the manure of treated cattle. The cattle mineral feed’s large particle size and special formulation keep the mineral from absorbing water and blowing out of the feeder.

• Fly control with Altosid (IGR) prevents the breeding of horn flies in manure of treated cattle • Minerals contain proper balance and ratios of all 14 essential cattle minerals • Increased particle size and weather resistant formula support reduced water absorption and less mineral blowing out of the feeder • Exclusive Storm Formulation eliminates water retention and clumping or bricking so cattle will continue to consume mineral even after it’s been wet • Though mineral feed resists moisture, it does not prevent digestion Big Bag Disposable Fly Trap - Rescue BFTD-DB12-FR Big Bag Disposable Fly Trap has twice the capacity of our Disposable Fly Trap, catching flies in bulk in areas with large fly populations, such as barns, stables, and animal pens.

The fly trap bag allows flies in but doesn’t let them out to clear up pests.

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• Flies find the fly trap bag fast • Disposable fly trap lets flies in, but not out • For areas with large fly populations • Catches up to 40,000 flies • Made in the USA Permethrin 10 Livestock and Premise Spray - This Gordon’s 9291082 Permethrin 10 Livestock and Premise Spray is a concentrated permethrin insecticide formulation that kills insects quickly. Use this permethrin insect repellent outdoors or in non-food areas of dairies, barns, swine houses, and kennels.

• Kills flies, mosquitoes, deer ticks, and lice Captivator Fly Trap - The Starbar

100520214 Captivator Fly Trap is a heavy duty, reusable 2 quart plastic jug trap that is durable and easy to use. The jug trap offers fly control for the medium level around barns.

• Fly trap comes with a 30 gm water soluble attractant pouch for effective fly control • Jug trap offers fly control for the medium level around barns • 2 quart reusable plastic jug • Controls flies and house flies Whether you decide on a spray, a trap, or feed, know that although it will not eradicate the problem, it will help alleviate the issue and any future economic problems that flies can cause.

Six Methods of Pest Control in Beef Herds

By AMANDA RADKE We’re several months away from a winter frost, and that means there’s still lots of time left where controlling flies, insects, and other pests is vitally important for maintaining optimal health in the beef herd.

There’s a huge difference between horn flies, face flies, house flies, stable flies, and other insects, and as a result, there are several methods to consider to keep pests at bay. Steve Boyles, Ohio State University Extension specialist, explains six of these methods and offers tips for choosing the best option for controlling specific pests.

1. Backrubbers, oilers, and dust bags - Boyle writes, “Backrubbers and oilers will provide some reduction in face fly numbers but are generally not as good for controlling face flies as they are for horn flies. Models that force the animal to get the toxicant around the head area are generally best for reducing face fly numbers.

Backrubbers offer cattle the incentive to satisfy their instinct to scratch and are most effective if placed in pasture areas where livestock loaf. Reductions in face fly and horn fly populations can be achieved by the effective use of dust bags.”

2. Spraying - “Routinely spraying cattle with insecticide sprays can be effective for horn fly control, but requires labor,” Boyle says. “Most insecticides available in spray formulations last only one to two weeks, and cattle need to be handled and brought into a confined area to be sprayed.”

3. Ear tags - Boyle explains that there are numerous trade names and designs currently marketed containing pyrethroid, organophospate, and avermectin insecticides.

“Depending on the product, one or two tags are installed per animal,” he says.

“Ear tags containing pyrethroids provide excellent control of horn flies and face flies. However, horn flies have developed some resistance to these pyrethroids. The organophosphate tags available will control pyrethroid resistant horn flies. Ear tags release insecticide most efficiently during the first two months after application.

Remove the tags at the end of the fly season.”

4. Pour on - The best way to apply a pour-on is from the head down to the tail, says Boyle. “Where pyrethroid resistant horn flies are present, a non-pyrethroid resistant pour-on should be used,” he recommends.

5. Oral methods - Boyle writes, “Boluses prevent immature fly larvae from becoming adults. Another means of oral treatment is the use of larvicide feed additives in free choice mineral.”

6. Biological control - “Dung beetles can be of benefit by aiding in the destruction of manure piles,” says Boyle. “Managing pasture flies and promoting dung beetles is a delicate balancing act. If there has been the extensive use of certain dewormers and systemic insecticides, the residues from them may kill dung beetles.

If you find holes in the surface of the manure piles, or piles appear to be shredded, you probably have dung beetles. To confirm their presence, open the piles and look for adult beetles.”

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Ashley’s Beef Corner

T

Leading By Example

By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Through the Beef Checkoff ’s Nutrition Seminar Program, we can provide a speaker at our state dietetics annual meeting. This longstanding program has been a core strength and allows state beef councils around the country to participate in the nutrition arena. Recently, the N.C. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics held their meeting virtually, and we had Neva Cochran, MS, RDN, LD, FAND present to the group of almost one hundred dietitians.

Neva is a beef loving Texan, and she was asked to speak on the topic of leadership and personal development.

She is a Dallas based registered dietitian nutritionist who serves as a nutrition communications consultant to a variety of food, nutrition, and agricultural organizations. After receiving her B.S. degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Oklahoma, Neva completed a dietetic internship at Texas Health Resources Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and earned a Masters in nutrition at the Texas Woman’s University.

Her presentation titled Taking Action - Advocating for Ourselves and Our

and interviewed by media outlets about beef’s role in healthy lifestyles, including CNN, Fox News, and The Wall Street Journal.

The presentation was well received by attendees, and we are thankful that Neva could join us.

Recently, our involvement with Feed the Dialogue N.C. led us to participate in the Family and Consumer Sciences educators conference. We supplied the educators with beef resource handouts for their classrooms and provided a speaker for their panel discussion titled “Google is Not Your Farmer.” Dr. Oberlin McDaniel of the N.C. Mobile Veterinary Service

was able to represent beef farmers on the panel. Also included were Heather Barnes of the N.C. Department of Agriculture, Coco Daughtry of the N.C. Sweetpotato Commission, and Marlowe Ivey with Feed the Dialogue N.C. We are excited about this new venture with family and consumer science educators who are eagerly seeking agricultural information for their students.

The educators are engaging in more farmto-table concepts as consumers want to know more about where their food comes from. We look forward to continuing the partnership past this event throughout the year.

Profession was filled with examples of dietitians who are real world leaders walking the walk. Neva did her research to be sure to include North Carolina dietitians who the majority of attendees would know and identify with. She also included the Executive Director of Human Nutrition Research at National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Shailene McNeill. Shailene is frequently quoted

Our breed Spotlight special sections are excellent forums to reach producers and cattle industry insiders in the Carolinas and throughout the Southeast. Advertisers also receive a special discount for placing their message in the Spotlight.

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By DR. MATT POORE N.C. State University

Control Seedheads in Cool Season Forages for Improved Pasture Quality and Effective Renovation Cool season perennial grasses like tall fescue, orchardgrass, and bluegrass are very important in many pasture systems. Each of these grasses only produces seedheads during the spring, and managing to prevent those seedheads from reaching maturity will improve the quality of the pasture during late spring and summer and will be a critical first step in toxic tall fescue pasture renovation.

When cool season perennial pastures green up in spring, there are two populations of tillers present. (A tiller is the individual part of each plant that comes from the crown and contains a growing point that pushes up leaf growth.) The older tillers will be destined to make a seedhead (called reproductive tillers), while younger tillers will not make a seedhead until the following year

December 3, 2022 • 12:00 noon Union County Livestock Market • Monroe, N.C.

(called vegetative tillers). Vegetative tillers continuously develop from the crown. The flowering tillers start to elongate as the seedhead develops (the boot stage), and eventually, the heads emerge. Once the head starts to flower and set seed, the nutritive value of the seedhead declines rapidly. During this stage, the vegetative tillers are suppressed by shade and also by hormones released by the flowering tillers.

Removing the flowering tillers early will release the vegetative tillers to make additional growth. It will also favor lower growing species like white clover. The collective effect will provide much better quality grazing during the rest of the year.

Removing the seedheads will also prevent mature seed from developing, which can be an irritant to the eyes of grazing cattle, and also will result in potential reseeding, which is undesirable in some situations. In the case of infected tall fescue, toxins are concentrated in the seedheads, so removing seedheads is one of the most important practices to reduce fescue toxicosis.

There are several ways we can control the development of the seedheads in cool season perennial grasses. Clipping pasture is the most common approach. While clipping is effective if done early, often the seedheads are allowed to mature too long, resulting in mature seed. Also, the resulting cut stems are sharp and can impede grazing if clipping is too high. Often clipping is done at about 12 inches to avoid cutting “available forage.” Unfortunately, this leaves a lot of low quality forage and is the perfect height for those sharp stems to poke a cow in the eye, potentially leading to pinkeye. If you control seedheads by clipping, then do it before seeds mature and at a short enough height to remove much of the stems. Subsequent grazing cycles will tend to be to that clipper height, which ideally would be 4-6 inches.

Cutting hay at the boot or early flower stage is a good way to remove seedheads. Hay should be cut early enough such that vegetative tillers and

other species have plenty of time to grow before hot summer weather develops.

The traditional practice of allowing hay to “ripen” is still too common, and when the weather turns hot and dry, these late cut stands provide little regrowth because vegetative tillers will be small and inactive and easily dried out, and other plants present are accustomed to heavy shade that is abruptly removed.

Sun curing for hay will also reduce toxin levels in toxic tall fescue, so that is another advantage of hay on farms dominated by Kentucky-31 toxic tall fescue. Be aware that baleage/haylage from toxic tall fescue will be more toxic than hay made from the same forage due to limited exposure to UV light. Also, if you make your own hay, cutting before mature seed is present will help you prevent moving toxic tall fescue into novel endophyte stands or stands of other non-toxic forages.

In the case of tall fescue, the herbicide metsulfuron suppresses seedheads when applied in the boot stage. Metsulfuron is an active ingredient in Chaparral and Cimarron, and both will control seedheads.

The herbicides kill the reproductive tillers, while vegetative tillers are only slightly suppressed. We did demonstrations with this approach several years ago, and when application was during the boot stage or earlier, seedheads were effectively suppressed, forage quality was higher, and toxin levels were reduced. Suppressing fescue seedheads also releases other coolseason forages like orchardgrass and bluegrass that may be in the stand and which are not impacted by metsulfuron.

Traditionally, cattle have been turned out to pasture once plants are about six inches or higher. Whether in a rotational or continuous grazing system, this practice means that most of the pasture is grazed later than optimal, resulting in a lot of seedheads and the need to clip.

Turning cattle out earlier, as soon as tillers start to elongate and moving fast, the first cycle in a rotational system can

704-219-1294 Turning out early and moving quickly in the first rotation can effectively control seedheads.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

effectively control seedheads. When in the boot stage, animals very readily graze them off, resulting in effective seedhead control. The key to this practice is to move animals fast enough to prevent close grazing of vegetative tillers. This practice has a “sweet spot” of about two weeks when most of the growing points are elevated, but seedheads are still palatable enough to be readily consumed.

Another traditional practice is to allow cool season pastures to mature so they can reseed themselves. While it may be desirable to do this (rarely) when pastures are thin, and most plants are desirable, it often also allows weeds, toxic tall fescue, and other undesirable plants to make seed and build up in the pasture. At some point, a complete pasture renovation (removing the old stand and replacing it with improved forages) is beneficial when pastures are thin.

If you do plan to renovate pasture this season, you should make an effort to reduce all kinds of mature seeds produced on the pasture in the year

prior to renovation. This is critical when converting from toxic tall fescue to novel endophyte tall fescue, but it is also a good policy to reduce weeds and other nonseeded species in any new stand.

Completely preventing mature seed for renovation of toxic fescue pastures will likely require two clippings, or a combination of hay and clipping, metsulfuron and clipping, or early grazing and clipping. In most cases, a single one of these practices will improve the quality of pasture as described earlier, but none will be able to control seed production adequately in preparation for renovation projects by itself.

Doing your best to control seedheads through combining the tools of rapid rotational grazing, early hay production, and herbicide suppression will improve forage quality. Preventing mature seedheads will also reduce symptoms of fescue toxicosis and is a critical step in preparing pasture for pasture renovation with non-toxic forages. How will you control seedheads this year?

Metsulfuron suppression of tall fescue seedheads in a mixed cool season pasture.

The

Chaplain’s Corral

By SKEETER SPAULDING Chaplain, Cowboys for Christ

Teach Me Thy Way I’m just amazed at how much the truth of the Bible applies to any circumstance we have going on in our lives. If we make a regular habit of reading our Bibles every day, we just can’t help but find those gold nuggets of truth that apply to each of us. It’s like an old timey prospector with his burro camped out along a high mountain stream working his stake. He’s panning for gold and carefully keeping his eye out for the precious glimmer he’s after. “There’s gold in them there hills,” as the old saying goes.

I found in Psalms 27:11 something that I thought applied to an experience I had while on a trail ride. But honestly, it sure could apply to the need to be in control of any situation that we should trust to our Heavenly Father’s care. Psalm 27:11 reads, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. “Enemies stated here were people who certainly didn’t have King David’s best interest in mind. It could also be anything that we are dealing with that looks or feels like an enemy to us, where we need the wisdom to handle it.

I have been in one of those circumstances where I had been holding the reins too tight due to some fear; therefore, my horse had limited head mobility. A horse obviously needs to “have its head” to see its way through a difficult place on the trail. Have you likewise ever been in a scary situation in your life and felt the need to be in control? We do that so we can feel safe. We often think it’s ALL up to ourselves to get through a difficult place. Pull yourself up by the bootstraps is one phrase, or you got yourself into this, so you can just get yourself out is another.

I was out at my friend Dave’s place some years ago. We saddled up two of his mares and struck out on the trail for a few hours. We encountered some overgrown brush along the way and went to the right side of it as we made our way up the trail. It was nothing the horses could not maneuver through. It was a pretty place to ride as we made our way to the top of this long sloping wooded hill. After reaching the stopping point at the top of our climb, we rested the horses for a little bit before

heading back. Dave let me take the lead going back since he likes to switch up his horses, leading and following. He says it makes them a more balanced horse and teaches them patience. Nearly everything I knew about horsemanship at the time I had learned from Dave and that day would prove no different.

When we got back to the overgrown portion of the trail, we chose to go around the more difficult side this time. It gives the horses a challenging terrain to work through. It was the steeper side of the trail for us and thicker brush. At this point, I was not sure which direction to take once my horse and I started making our way through. Dave gave me some advice that made all the difference in the middle of the web of tangled brush. I can still hear him like it was yesterday, “Loosen up on those reigns so she can have her head; she can pick her way through this better than you can. You just keep your focus towards the trail and let her do the work.” That’s exactly how it all worked out because I got back up on the trail with minimal reign management.

I learned something that day that I thought was very important. The lesson was that if I let go of all the control and keep my focus on the trail, then my body language will follow. My horse will therefore know what my intentions are and take me where I want to go.

Hmmm, how many other aspects of life should I apply this principle to? When I am in a tight spot in my life, I should let go of all the control and keep my focus on my Heavenly Father. Then my behavior will follow as I continue to stay humble.

He will guide me His way out of the mess.

I just need to trust Him in a similar fashion like I learned to trust my horse that day.

I guess the question we need to ask ourselves is, do we trust our Heavenly Father in a tight spot? It could be a situation that was not of our doing or fully a result of our own doing. Yet we can still trust the Father to get us back on His trail if we focus on Him. Stay steady in reading the Bible and ride this trail of life with trusted brothers and sisters.

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You Decide!

By DR. MIKE WALDEN

William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus N.C. State University You Decide: Are There Good Answers to Your Inflation Questions?

According to polls, inflation is the number one issue in the country. This is understandable. The most recent data show the inflation rate during the past year was 7.5 percent. In the 21st century, the annual inflation rate was above three percent only four times, and it never rose more than four percent until last year.

In this column, I will answer several questions about inflation. Hopefully, my answers will help you understand what inflation is, how it impacts you, and what can be done to moderate inflation’s impacts.

What is inflation? Inflation is the average increase in the prices of common products and services we purchase.

Price changes of products and services that are more important to our budgets receive greater weight on the average.

Inflation is usually expressed as an annual percentage. So, a 7.5 percent inflation rate means the average weighted price of products and services rose 7.5 percent over the year.

Why are we concerned about inflation?

Inflation increases the cost of living. If your income rises less than the inflation rate, then your standard of living falls. Hence, if your

income rose less than 7.5 percent in the last year, then economically, you fell behind.

When was the last time the inflation rate was as high as today? In 1981, the inflation rate was 10.3 percent. In 1980, it was 13.5 percent.

Are other countries experiencing a high inflation rate today? Yes, several countries are enduring higher inflation rates, such as Germany and the U.K. at near six percent, Mexico at seven percent, and Russia at almost nine percent. But, at least we’re lower than Cuba’s 77 percent inflation rate and Venezuela’s recent 472 percent inflation rate.

What’s caused the jump in the inflation rate? There are two reasons.

First is continuing problems with the “supply chain.” This simply means it’s taking longer to get many products to sellers’ shelves. Also, the ongoing shortage of workers is adversely impacting the availability of some services. Lower supply of many products and services means those that are available are worth more, which results in their prices being higher.

The second reason has resulted from the generous federal stimulus programs during the past two years. In 2020 and 2021, the federal government

appropriated over $5 trillion in a variety of programs to help households, businesses, and institutions survive in the pandemic. The result is that there is money to spend. As consumers attempt to spend the money on a limited amount of products and services, their actions put further upward pressure on prices.

Can’t the government simply control price changes? Forty years ago, price controls were imposed by the federal government to deal with a similar inflation situation. There were two problems that emerged as a result. Changes in prices serve as signals to tell firms how to adjust production to eliminate both surpluses and shortages. Controls on prices eliminate this important function. Also, some firms used schemes and even fraud to get around the controls. When the price controls were removed, the inflation rate tripled.

Some argue increased government spending would decrease the inflation rate. Is this true? Government spending that increases the supply of products and services encourages more people to work and makes workers more productive would moderate price increases.

However, many of these programs take time to work, so the effect on inflation is not immediate. A good example is educational and training efforts designed to improve the productivity of current and future workers.

Then what can the government do to curtail inflation? The government agency that can have the quickest impact is the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), which is the central bank of the country. To reduce the inflation rate, the Fed will want to moderate consumer spending. The Fed

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will do this by raising interest rates – thereby making it more expensive for people to borrow and spend – as well as by pulling cash out of the economy.

Are these actions by the Fed guaranteed to work? The Fed certainly has the tools to slow the economy and reduce the inflation rate. The problem is their actions can put the economy in reverse – meaning a recession. This is what happened forty years ago when the inflation rate was in double digits. The Fed was able to reduce the inflation rate from 13 percent to 3 percent within three years, but the cost was two recessions in those three years.

How will these actions impact investments? Typically, the stock market reacts negatively to increases in interest rates. An exception is if equity investors expect the interest rate hikes will quickly subdue inflation. However, if stock market investors expect the Fed’s actions will bring on a recession, stock prices would likely fall.

Inflation hasn’t been a big worry in the economy for four decades, so many individuals are witnessing the debates about inflation for the first time.

Hopefully, my questions and answers will help you decide how to respond to the ongoing inflation battle.

You Decide: How Can We Cope With Higher Gas Prices? Gas prices are on the rise. As I am writing this column, the average national price just jumped to over $4 per gallon. By the time you read this, it could be significantly higher.

People worry about gas prices for two reasons. First, we are a mobile society. Most of us drive to work, to stores for shopping, and to restaurants and entertainment venues for fun. So higher gas prices increase the cost of many of our regular activities.

Second, higher gas prices are also an added cost for businesses that purchase inputs from other producers. Many of these inputs are delivered by trucks and vans. When the price of gas goes up, deliverers of inputs to businesses must charge more. And when business costs rise, those higher costs will be passed on to consumers.

Gas prices have actually been rising for a while. Prior to the pandemic, pump prices ranged between $2.50 and $3.00 a gallon. When a large part of the economy was shut down and people stayed at home from work, schools, and shopping, gas prices plunged to under $2.00 per gallon.

The lower gas prices during the pandemic made pumping oil – which is the prime energy source of gasoline – less lucrative, so both international and domestic producers of oil cut output. In early 2020 - the height of the pandemic

- international oil production dropped 15 percent, and U.S. oil production fell 26 percent. As the economy recovered from the pandemic and driving increased, international and domestic production increased but are still not back to prepandemic levels. As a result, gas prices were above $3.00 a gallon when 2022 began, yet lower than a decade earlier.

Interestingly, prior to the Ukraine War, energy experts forecasted gas prices would trend downward in 2022. They thought oil prices were high enough to encourage more international production at the same time, the increase in driving would slow. The U.S. Department of Energy thought gas prices would be around $2.80 by the end of 2022.

Then Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. Oil prices surged by onethird and took gas prices with them. The rapid price increases were driven by two worries. One was whether the world would stop buying Russian oil, which accounts for nearly 10 percent of the international oil supply. Less supply – with no change in buying – always results in a higher price.

But there are worries beyond the energy market. Could the Ukrainian War lead to a direct military confrontation between the two major nuclear powers – the U.S. and Russia? Direct confrontations between these two countries have been avoided, with only a few close calls – the Berlin blockade in 1948, the Cuban

E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture

By E.B. HARRIS

Being Without Would be the Worst We are going through what we call rather expensive fuel prices. Last month we had a farm equipment auction in Chatham, Virginia. This reminded me of the first time I went to Chatham, Virginia.

In 1974, I was hauling livestock in and out of Lancaster Stockyards in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was a time when gas was limited, and some stations did not have any at all. I was in the habit of taking several five gallon cans in the back of my truck, and when I got fuel, I would always make sure they were filled up so I could get back home.

It was a barn buster sale this day – cattle just kept coming in at Lancaster Stockyards. The sale went on into the night. One of the buyers at Lancaster was named Red Crowder. Red was a regular buyer and was from Chatham, Virginia.

I always liked his truck. He had a nice General Motors truck with a factory made 18’ body on it. It was always clean and neat.

Red had bought more cattle than his truck could haul. He came by me and said, “Harris, you want to make a run to Chatham?” I said, “When.” He said, “Rght now.” Red was always quick. I said, “Sure, I’ll make a run but with one stipulation. You are going to have to find me some gas so I can get back home.”

missile crisis in 1962, and the Middle East Yom Kippur War in 1973.

With the uncertainty over a U.S.Russia stare down, the financial values of necessities, such as precious metals, basic foods like grains, and energy commodities including oil, soar. If this uncertainty moves toward a possibility, these prices will rise even more.

What can be done? The answer is at two levels – what can be done collectively, and what can be done individually?

Let’s look at the collective options first. One is to increase the supply of oil by drawing down on the U.S. Strategic Oil Reserve, where almost 600 million barrels are stored. If the U.S. relied only on this oil, it would carry us for a month.

Or, if we used the reserve to replace the Russian oil we buy, we could avoid Russian oil for almost three years.

What about ramping up our own oil production? U.S. oil production has been increasing, but it is still eight percent under pre-pandemic levels. Like many industries, oil production has faced labor and equipment shortages, as well as unsupportive investors and stricter government rules. But even if these limitations were fixed, many experts think

it would be 2023 before production could be back to pre-pandemic days.

One source that could quickly help is Saudi Arabia, which has the ability to swiftly increase oil supplies. However, the Saudis would have to be convinced to give up some of the benefits they are now reaping from the extraordinarily high price of oil.

Last, we could try to reduce our use of gasoline by having the government impose limits on gas purchases. Less gas buying would put some downward pressure on both gas and oil prices. I lived through a version of this in the 1970s with odd/even buying days based on your license plate number.

At the individual level, higher gas prices will motivate each of us to try to limit our use of gas. Eliminating unneeded trips and consolidating necessary trips are examples. Substituting remote buying for in-person buying could also help us reduce gasoline usage.

In my opinion, we are in the midst of one of the most serious international events since World War II. I hope that, both individually and collectively, how we decide to react to the crisis will ultimately lead to a satisfactory and safe outcome.

He said, “No problem. I know folks all up and down the road. We can get your gas – no sweat at all.”

We got loaded and headed on out. It was about 11:00 p.m. when we pulled out of the stockyards. I was following him, and the first place he stopped was at the community of Ingleside, right across the county line from me. It’s probably no more than six miles from me the way the crow flies. This was just a small country store, and we pulled in there and asked if we could get some gas. The man said, “Naw. I don’t know you, and you are not going to get you any gas here.” I thought to myself, “Red had run me off on a snag.

I had a full tank, hopefully enough to get me to Chatham, Virginia.”

Red said, “Don’t worry about it. We will get you some gas.” We got to his place about 2:00 in the morning and got unloaded. He said, “Follow me, we are going to get you some gas.” I followed him to downtown Chatham. It was a small 24-hour gas station. I got a full tank of gas and headed on back home.

This was my first experience going to Chatham, Va., and I think it will always be one that sticks in my mind. Gas is high now, but at least there’s some available to buy – back in this time, there was hardly any to buy.

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ANGUS NEWS Angus at Work podcast launched.

Angus Beef Bulletin offers new information platform for commercial cattlemen. It’s no secret that cattlemen and women are busy, and no two days look the same. That’s why the Angus Beef Bulletin team launched its new podcast, Angus at Work, on March 2 to give cattlemen another option for on-the-go information.

Today’s cattle industry is complicated by rising input costs, a fickle marketplace, and pressure from outside industry forces.

Angus at Work will help producers stay informed on topics that affect their bottom line.

“One of the most interesting parts of our job as editors is getting to talk with cattlemen and industry experts around the country. So often we aren’t able to use everything from an interview in a story, but now our audience can listen to these experts themselves,” says Kasey

Brown, associate editor and one of the podcast hosts. “We all know people learn differently, and the podcast allows us to present information in a new way that may help these topics really sink in.”

This is another way the Angus Beef Bulletin will bring its tagline, “The Commercial Cattleman’s Angus Connection,” to life.

“The focus has always been to provide practical information on management, marketing, genetics, health and nutrition, and industry and Angus news,” Brown says.

In-depth or technical print articles are in the Angus Beef Bulletin. Shorter digital articles are in the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA. Angus at Work will provide conversations with industry experts and thought leaders.

“We want you to feel like you’re part of the conversation,” she notes.

Editor Shauna Hermel and Senior Associate Editor Miranda Reiman will

also host episodes.

The podcast launched on March 2 and will air twice per month. Early episode topics include blind spots in calf health, intricacies of direct marketing, and programming fertility. Subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Pandora, Overcast, Castro, Castbox, or Podfriend.

Access Angus at Work, the Angus Beef Bulletin, and the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA at angusbeefbulletin.com/extra.

Angus Foundation Scholarship Applications Open Now. Angus Foundation scholarship applications are due May 1. Scholarship applications are now available for college students involved with the Angus breed. The Angus Foundation awarded more than $277,000 in scholarships in 2021 alone. The Angus Foundation offers scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, and trade school students each year to help Angus youth achieve their educational goals and offset the rising costs of tuition at higher education institutions.

“A hallmark of the Angus Foundation is the encouragement our donors provide youth, from both Angus seedstock and commercial operations using registered Angus, in their studies,” said Thomas Marten, Angus Foundation executive

director. “By assisting these young people pursuing rewarding careers, our donors show their passion for the next generation.”

“Angus Foundation scholarships have given me the opportunity to save for graduate school,” said Kristina Scheurman, National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) member and past scholarship recipient.

“The support from the Business Breed has always been present within my life, and I’m so thankful to experience this support beyond the show ring.”

Since 1998, the Angus Foundation has awarded more than $3.9 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships.

Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships - Applicants for undergraduate and graduate scholarships must have, at one time, been a member of the NJAA and currently be an active junior, regular, or life member of the American Angus Association. The following documents are required to be considered for a 2022 undergraduate or graduate scholarship: the 2022 scholarship application, three letters of recommendation; a copy of current high school/college/university transcript; and the applicant’s Association member code.

Undergraduate and graduate scholarship applications, eligibility requirements, and application guidelines can be found online

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

at angusfoundation.org. Applications are due May 1 and must be submitted to scholarships@angus.org.

Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship - The Angus Foundation will award four $1,500 scholarships to undergraduate students who use Angus genetics in a commercial cattle operation’s breeding program or whose parents use Angus genetics. Emphasis will be placed on the applicants’ knowledge of the cattle industry and perspective of the Angus breed.

The applicants or their parents/ guardians must have transferred or been transferred an Angus registration paper in the last 36 months (on or after May 1, 2019) and must be considered commercial and not seedstock in their operation. The scholarship applies to any field of study. A separate application from the general Foundation application is required for the Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship. The application can be found on the Angus Foundation website. Applicants having received or applied for Angus Foundation undergraduate scholarships, using the standard general application this year or in past years, will not be considered for this scholarship.

Certified Angus Beef/National Junior Angus Association Scholarship -

Since 1990, the NJAA has teamed up with Certified Angus Beef® (CAB) LLC to help Angus youth pursue their higher education goals. The selected applicant will receive a $1,500 scholarship. A separate application from the Angus Foundation scholarship application is required for the CAB/NJAA scholarship. Requirements are similar to the general Angus Foundation scholarship; more details can be found on the application. The application is available on the Angus Foundation website.

Upperman named executive director of Angus Foundation. Angus leader steps into new role. The American Angus Association has named Jaclyn Upperman executive director of the Angus Foundation.

She will lead the Foundation’s mission of serving Angus youth, education, and research.

“Jaclyn’s passion for the Angus family runs deep,” said Mark McCully, chief executive officer for the American Angus Association. “We are fortunate to have her extraordinary enthusiasm and drive leading the Foundation.”

A product of the National Junior Angus Association and its leadership opportunities, Upperman knows the ways the Foundation influences the success of the junior program.

“I’ve had the privilege of seeing first hand the positive impact the Angus Foundation can have,” Upperman said.

Upperman has served as the American Angus Association Director of Events and Education, including junior activities, for eight years. Many of the junior programs are funded by the Foundation, providing opportunities for Angus youth to develop strong leadership skills for the future of the breed and agriculture.

“The combined legacy of so many Angus supporters makes a difference in not only youth programs, but also in education and research initiatives for the beef industry,” she said. “I’m excited to lead efforts to expand the Foundation’s reach.”

A native of Chambersburg, Penn., Upperman served on the National Junior Angus Association board of directors from 2009-2011. She worked for the American Chianina Association before directing the Events and Education department for Angus.

Upperman replaces Thomas Marten, who leaves the Foundation to pursue seminary studies. Marten joined the Foundation in 2020 and had a significant impact in his two years. Caitlyn Brandt, who has worked side-by-side with Upperman for six years, will be promoted to the Director of

Events and Junior Activities. Upperman and Brandt took on their new roles on March 7.

For more information about the Angus Foundation, please visit angus.org/ Foundation.

About the Angus Foundation.

Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth, and research. The organization has distributed more than $3.9 million in youth scholarships since 1998 and has also invested more than $1.3 million in beef cattle research in the past decade. For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100.

Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by more than 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

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PAGE 19

North Carolina Angus Association ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program.

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

455 GORE FAMILY ANGUS Mark & Lori Gore Tabor City 702-401-8005 455goreangus@gmail.com www.455farms.com 4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 rdk.cefa@gmail.com BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) robinbackcreek@att.net Facebook: Back Creek Angus BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net GRAGG FARMS Paul, Chris, & David Gragg Boone 828-268-4136 (Paul); 828-268-4137 (Chris) 828-268-4135 (David) H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 jennham@bellsouth.net HARWARD SISTERS Brooke, Marcie, & Mattie Harward Richfield 704-322-9770 (Brooke) 704-322-5201 (Marcie); 704-322-0831 (Mattie) harwardsisters@gmail.com www.harwardsisters.com HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 gmhill@uga.edu JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com

bundylane@hughes.net laneangusbeef@gmail.com www.laneangusbeef.com PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 sandjfarms2013@gmail.com SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Alex Askew Louisburg 919-880-9062 (Phil) 910-260-2899 (Alex) philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 greg.little@ATImetals.com VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 keaton@vandemarkfarms.com WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 (Mike); 336-460-7451 (Will) michaelmoss@rtmc.net WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 bensbulls@gmail.com WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com

Sharon Rogers

NCAA Executive Secretary 336-583-9630 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org

LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Bundy Lane - Manager Gates 252-398-7705 (Bundy); 252-398-7719 (Miranda) 252-357-1279 (Office)

PAGE 20

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

Certified Angus Beef News Riemann Devoted Life to Building People, Beef Brand as a Result. When every remembrance of a man produces similar reactions among former staff, friends, and industry leaders alike, it’s a fitting tribute the person was who he said he was. Every time.

Jim Riemann, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) president from 1999-2006, was one of those men.

“He really was a true servant leader in every sense of the word,” says Larry Corah, former CAB vice president of supply.

“He always saw the best in everyone,” says Mark Gwin, a former student of Riemann’s and now 19 year CAB employee. “He just wanted everybody to succeed,” One of those he invested time in is current CAB President John Stika, who took the helm following Riemann’s retirement in 2006.

“He was a man of conviction. He had remarkable strength of belief,” Stika says.

Riemann passed away unexpectedly on January 8 at his home near Wamego, Kansas. As long time colleagues and friends exchanged memories, a theme emerged: Riemann was a hard worker with a strong moral compass and a heart for others. In his 79 years, he made lasting impressions on the meat industry, the CAB brand, and likely almost every person he worked with.

“When Jim took over, it was really a time of transition,” says Stika. “We were no longer a startup anymore. You had the entrepreneurial leadership of Mick [Colvin] for those early years and the first 22 years.”

Riemann had big shoes to fill, so he considered the job offer carefully, accepting two weeks later.

“Jim brought a real sense of stability to the brand and the team. He brought a tremendous level of credibility in the eyes of the industry,” Stika says.

Riemann’s experience was impressive: more than a decade at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville in teaching and research, followed by time spent fostering the Excel (now Cargill) research and development team. While there, he helped invent and patent the steam pasteurization process still used as a food safety intervention today.

But it was more than a stacked resumé that landed the next president in Wooster.

“He had the reputation of being incredibly hard working. There was probably not anybody who would work harder to get the job done, and it didn’t

matter what the job was,” Corah says. “He had an excellent reputation in the meat science community. He was very grounded in the research and practical aspects.”

Riemann built easy rapport with staff and partners alike, which helped as tough times emerged. He led the company when its growing international program encountered a global market disrupting setback. He steadied the team when the rise of store brands and rapid increase in other Angus programs threatened to take away space in the retail meat case and overall market share.

“There was a period of time when the phone kind of quit ringing with customers looking to engage our brand. That’s the reality of it, but Jim did a great job of constantly reinforcing, ‘Now is not the time to compromise,’” Stika says.

Quality and integrity were the mantras on which Colvin’s team founded the company, and Riemann was willing to listen to any ideas for advancement so long as they didn’t compromise that.

“He saw this team of people that was passionate about the brand and he was adamant, ‘I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team’ achieve the things they have in their sights,” Stika recalls.

During Riemann’s tenure, the brand developed natural and Prime product lines, licensed the first packing plants in Canada, and grew the supply development team to reach more cattlemen across the country.

“Every organization needs that person when the time comes that a decision has to be made on a key issue,” Corah says. “You knew Jim was going to take a stance, and he was usually very well grounded in making that decision.”

The teamwork among CAB and its parent company, the American Angus Association, grew stronger during that period.

“He was a tremendous leader, and I appreciate the fact that I knew him, and that I had a chance to work with him,” says John Crouch, Angus CEO from 2002 to 2008. “The programs he put in place always kept in mind that the only reason beef cattle exist is for the end product. I think Jim never lost sight of that.”

Riemann shepherded the process of turning CAB into a limited liability company (LLC), but his lasting contribution is of fostering a culture of servant leadership at the brand.

“Everybody who came into contact with Jim benefited disproportionally,” Gwin

estimates. “He was just a really good man.”

In Riemann’s honor, Certified Angus Beef and Cargill are establishing a mentor recognition fund with the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) to support and reward outstanding contributions in meat science education. These mentorships provide an important opportunity for friends, members, and colleagues to recognize Riemann as a professional mentor or a colleague who has influenced their career or made a major contribution to their organization.

“Jim has certainly influenced many and has served so many important roles in AMSA and during his career,” says Collette Kaster, CEO of AMSA. “We are looking forward to working with CAB, Cargill, and his family to continue his legacy and dedication to meat science and the beef industry.”

Once established, the fund will be open to contributions from others touched

by Riemann’s influence.

“At Cargill, Jim’s passion for teaching helped a generation of young scientists grow and succeed in the meat industry,” says Daniel Schaefer, business director of byproducts at Cargill. “It is our hope that this legacy fund is used to recognize outstanding educators in meat science that provide a ‘Jim Riemann’ level of inspiration to their students.”

Annual Certified Angus Beef Premiums Reach Record $182 Million.

Packers pay more than $3 million dollars

a week to cattlemen who meet CAB standards. Is there enough high quality beef? The market doesn’t seem to think so.

A bi-annual survey of the four largest packers showed a dramatic increase in market rewards for the Certified Angus Beef brand.

Annual grid, formula, and contract premiums paid on CAB carcasses in 2021 totaled $182 million, up from the 2019 record of $92 million. That’s $3.4 million a week going to producers hitting the CAB target.

Recent years of once-in-a-lifetime events spurred a higher volume of certified carcasses and increased boxed beef prices that helped drive CAB premiums to nearly double those paid in 2019. That signals very strong demand, says Paul Dykstra, CAB director of supply management and analysis.

“When the supply of finished cattle was overabundant and packers were able to be selective, they pursued the kind of carcasses that were most profitable and met their customers’ demand,” Dykstra says.

Cattlemen who raise black Angus influenced cattle that meet the brand’s specifications have the chance to earn more than ever before.

“In terms of dollars per hundredweight, the highest premiums for those CAB carcasses were 80 percent higher in 2021 versus 2019,” Dykstra says.

The top reason cattle don’t qualify for the brand has always been inadequate

Each week, packers pay more than $3.4M in CAB grid premiums to cattlemen or $182M total in 2021.

marbling. Individually, carcass quality needs to surpass the national quality average for premium access because those averages inch higher each year.

“It’s not good enough just to say, ‘We reach 100 percent Choice in our Angus calf crop,’ even though that’s over the national average,” Dykstra says. “The real gems are cattle that can hit at least 50-60 percent CAB with 20 percent Prime or better to get into the best premiums.”

Such goals are a far cry from the 1990s when dismal beef demand dealt a staggering blow to an industry generating poor quality grades in fed cattle.

“We had a lot of people walk away from our product in the ‘80s and ‘90s and quality was a big reason. Our product wasn’t very consistent,” CattleFax CEO Randy Blach notes.

The highly marbled, branded product available today is the aggregate result of countless producers meeting consumer expectations for taste, thus pushing demand the highest in 33 years, Blach says.

It’s also a testament to CAB’s pull through demand model and the work

Continued on the next page

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Certified Angus Beef News continued from the previous page

It took nearly a decade from CAB’s inception until cattlemen were paid for raising high quality carcasses. As of 2021, more than $1.1B has been generated for CAB carcasses.

people do every day to sell the brand to more than 19,000 licensed partners in 54 countries around the world.

The movement to satisfy beef eaters didn’t happen overnight. It took nearly a decade from CAB’s start in 1978 until the first carcasses were rewarded financially for meeting the brand’s quality specifications. Since 1998, CAB has

PAGE 22

generated more than a cumulative $1.1 billion in premiums paid back to cattlemen.

“One of the blessings that we have as Angus breeders is through CAB and its marketing team,” says Jonathan Perry, Deer Valley Farm general manager and CAB board chairman. “We have a built-in conduit to the consumer that gives us direction and gives us information that we wouldn’t have

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

access to otherwise as seedstock producers.”

That shows in the CAB-to-Choice price spread, expressing the value CAB adds to an entire carcass. During the last two years, the top end range for grid and formula premiums trended along the same line as the cutout (boxed beef) prices, Dykstra says. The CAB-to-Choice cutout spread averaged $17.76 per hundredweight in 2021, up from $10.39 in 2019.

Growing value and volume create a larger pool for cattlemen to dip into CAB grid premiums, the top end of those averaging $92 per head last year, Dykstra says.

Tremendous progress in the quality arena doesn’t mean cattlemen can lose sight of its importance.

“The need for quality genetics is as great as it’s ever been,” Perry says. “As the industry gets better as a whole, it’s harder and harder for us to make improvements without really concentrated efforts.”

The opportunity for added revenue remains great, reassuring to those raising premium beef. But it doesn’t hide how the past few years have presented a fair share of challenges.

“It’s just this, plain and simple,”

Blach says. “We’ve had more cattle than we’ve had hooks.”

Looking at current market dynamics, supply and harvest capacity are balancing out again.

“We’ve already got demand in our system, and we’ll see that expressed in higher cattle prices,” he says.

That points to market leverage and opportunity.

“There’s a major lesson to be learned here,” Blach says. “When we have clear signals, producers respond.”

Those signals seem to drive the market from gate to plate. With consumers willing to pay more for a great tasting branded steak, packers are more willing to reward those who supply it.

About the Certified Angus Beef® brand.

World renowned for its exceptional quality and generous marbling, the Certified Angus Beef brand is the original brand of premium beef. Created in 1978, it is still owned today by family ranchers who are determined to bring the best Angus beef to the table. Ten exacting standards ensure superior taste and tenderness in every bite. Learn more at www.

CertifiedAngusBeef.com.

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Be Prepared to Assist During Calving

By TONY HAWKINS Valley Vet Supply When to intervene + identifying and navigating common malpresentations.

“I’ve got a calver, doc.” I hear these words from the other end of the line as I roll over and see that the clock reads 2:00 a.m. As I ask questions – more to wake myself up than to gather information – I realize I’m going to have to leave the comfort of my warm covers. I tell the farmer that I am on my way as I start to put on layers to venture out into the cold. The drive is groggy, trying to stay awake between sips of cold, stale coffee left in the truck from the day before. As I pull up, the farmer comes out of the house to meet me, and we gather all of my supplies and trek into the barn. I am thankful to be out of the wind, but it is still cold enough inside the barn to feel my breath crystallize in my nose.

Lying in the corner is a docile heifer with only one of the calf’s feet sticking out.

We get her into the squeeze chute, and I confirm that the calf has one leg back. It’s

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a big calf, but I am able to get the other leg pulled up and safely deliver the calf.

As cattle producers, I know you have all had experiences similar to this.

You should never hesitate to contact your veterinarian if needed, but I am going to pass on some things that I have learned to help you feel more comfortable with calving assistance.

When to Intervene During Calving You should provide assistance immediately if you notice an abnormal presentation of the calf (AKA back feet, only one leg, etc.) or when there is no progress after 30 minutes for a cow or 60 minutes for a heifer.

Performing an Obstetrical Examination - After determining it’s time to intervene, the obstetrical examination is the next step. Proper restraint during examination is crucial. I have done my fair share of calving assistance from the end of a rope, and there is a much higher likelihood of getting hurt

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

or losing the calf without proper restraint.

Picture this: getting the calf halfway out, and the heifer decides to jump up and spin from side to side as fast as she can. A squeeze chute or a commercial calving pen is well worth the investment.

During the examination, use plenty of lubrication and stay as clean as possible. You are checking for complete dilation of the cervix and presentation of the calf. If the cervix is not dilated, you will feel a tight ring of tissue about wrist to mid-forearm deep.

Normal calf presentation is both front legs with the head between them. If you are unsure which legs are coming, check the joints. The first two joints of the front legs flex the same way, but the first two joints of the back legs flex the opposite way.

Navigating Common Malpresentations - Malpresentations of the calf will require manipulations to allow delivery. If you get nothing else from this article, please

remember this: Do not be afraid to push the calf back in! If there is too much bulk in the birth canal, then it is nearly impossible to safely manipulate and get the legs pulled up.

• Leg back - Push the calf deeper into the uterus to get the head out of the birth canal. When the cow strains against you, the calf’s head will want to pop right back into the pelvis, so I often turn the head to the side. Find the leg that is back and pull on the knee joint so you can get to the hoof. You must cup the hoof with your hand as you pull the leg into the pelvis so the foot doesn’t poke through the uterus.

With bigger calves, oftentimes, you must push back on the shoulder or knee with one arm while the hand that is cupping the hoof is pulling it into the birth canal. When both legs are in the pelvis, straighten the head and deliver the calf.

• Head back - If the shoulders are engaged in the birth canal, push the calf back to get the head turned. The easiest

way to grip the head is by the nostrils or to hook the cheek. In my experience, a good percentage of calves that present this way is too big to be delivered safely, so if you are unable to keep the head engaged in the pelvis when you start pulling, the calf likely needs to be delivered by Cesarean.

• Backwards - A backward calf is one that is presented with back feet coming out. You can pull calves this way, but you have to pull them fast, so they don’t inhale fluid or asphyxiate. I always use a mechanical calf puller for backward calves to ensure as fast a delivery as possible. Make sure the tail is tucked down between the back legs before pulling.

• Breech - A breech presentation is when the calf is coming tail first, and both back legs are down. These can be exceptionally difficult to get the back legs up; I would advise seeking the help of your veterinarian for these. If you must try this on your own, you have to get the calf pushed forward out of the birth canal.

Then, with one hand, you need to push the hock, or the rump forward while your other hand cups the foot and flexes the leg into the pelvis. The fun part is having to do it again for the other leg.

Six best practices on safely pulling a calf. He only called when there was trouble, and just as I had guessed, he had a heifer trying to calve out at pasture, and “Things just aren’t good, doc.” When I got there, I followed a set of truck tire tracks in my pickup for about a mile into the pasture. I saw him perched on the tailgate at the edge of a tree line.

I gathered my things, and we trekked another 50 yards toward a flashlight

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beam. As we approached, it was apparent they were doing their best to help her and pull the calf.

Today, I am going to give you instructions on how to safely pull a calf.

Remember, a calf can only be delivered once it is coming the correct way. When you are ready to deliver the calf, the first thing you need to do is attach the OB chains. If you only put one loop around each leg, there is a high risk of breaking a calf’s leg. To minimize this risk, put the first loop above the fetlock and then put a second loop (a half hitch) between the fetlock and hoof.

Next, you will want to get the elbows engaged in the birth canal. To do this, pull firmly on one leg with an OB handle attached to the chain. You will often feel a “popping” sensation when the elbow enters the cow’s pelvis; you will then want to do this with the other leg. If you are able to get both fetlocks out at least a hand’s width and the head remains engaged in the birth canal, then the calf is able to be delivered. If the head keeps wanting to turn to the side or doesn’t advance when you start pulling, the calf is too big and will need to be delivered via C-section.

Pulling a Calf: 6 Best Practices 1. Employ help; you might need it. Two strong, able bodied people can physically pull a calf by hand. If you have the help and the physical capability, I recommend doing it this way. However, there are many cases in which this may not be possible. In the right hands, mechanical calf pullers can make a wonderful tool. I personally use a calf puller for 95 percent of my calving assistance because it’s easier on my back. I don’t always have the convenience of having another person available to help, and I feel that a calf puller gives me better control.

2. Avoid trouble for safe delivery.

What can cause trouble to both the cow and calf is when the calf puller is used as a lever, bearing down on it. This causes a tremendous amount of force. I recommend that producers use only the ratcheting mechanism of the puller as much as possible. If it gets tight and you are unable to ratchet any further, then you do need to use it as a lever. To do this safely, when the cow strains, pull the rod of the calf puller down (toward the ground if she is standing, toward her feet if she is lying on her side) firmly but not to your full strength. When the cow stops to rest, move the rod of the calf puller back up and ratchet as many times as you can. Continue this process until the calf is delivered.

3. Don’t pull forward facing calves too fast. I commonly see people try to pull the calf as fast as possible, but if the calves are being delivered forwards, this is not necessary and can actually be

detrimental to the calf.

4. Offer a little breathing room. It is advisable to release tension on the chains once you get the ribs out to allow the calf moments to breathe.

5. Do your best to avoid hip lock.

Rotate the calf 90º before you attempt to deliver the hips. This helps align the calf’s hips in an orientation that gives them the most room through the cow’s pelvis. Hip lock is a horrible experience, and I pray that you never run into one. If you do, you need to try to push the calf back in a little ways and get him rotated a quarter turn, then change the direction of your pull, either angled toward the cow’s flank or straight down toward her hocks. A lot of lubrication will be your friend. This can take time. Be sure to release tension on the calf and allow him to rest and breathe.

After 20-30 seconds of pulling, release tension for about 60 seconds.

6. Act fast to deliver backward calves. Backward calves are high risk due to the likelihood of asphyxiation or

aspiration of fluid. There is not a good test for whether the calf will fit through the birth canal, so it requires a judgment call. You have to pull backward calves fast! The calf will start breathing soon after the umbilical cord gets pinched off (maybe 60 seconds), so you can see why speed is so important. I use a mechanical calf puller for all backward calves to ensure as fast a delivery as possible.

I hope the information in this series helps you feel better about your next calving assistance. From the obstetrical examination to delivery takes practice to feel comfortable, so it would be helpful to have an experienced mentor available to help coach you through your first few calving assistances. Do not ever hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you don’t feel comfortable, and remember that if something doesn’t feel quite right, it probably isn’t!

Stay tuned for our next article in this calving series to learn about newborn calf care. Continue learning at ValleyVet.com.

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RED ANGUS NEWS Cale Hinrichsen Joins the Red Angus Association of America. The Red Angus Association of America welcomes Cale Hinrichsen to its marketing team as a commercial marketing specialist.

Hinrichsen will travel extensively to ranches and sales to promote RAAA marketing programs, conduct audits for the Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program, and work closely with commercial producers to achieve their individual herd goals.

“We are pleased to add Cale to our team,” said Harold Bertz, RAAA director of commercial marketing. “He brings real world knowledge, experience and enthusiasm that Red Angus producers will appreciate. We look forward to Cale’s contributions to our commercial producers’ marketing efforts.”

Originally from Westmoreland, Kan., Hinrichsen comes from a cattle industry family. A fourth generation rancher, he and his family, own and operate Hinrichsen Ranch, a registered Angus cow/calf operation.

Throughout his youth, Hinrichsen was heavily involved in junior cattle programs at

both the state and national levels.

He attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a bachelor of science in agribusiness with minors in marketing and farm real estate appraisal in May 2021. While at OSU, he was a member of the OSU livestock judging team, Block & Bridle, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.

Outside of his career goals, Hinrichsen plays an active role in his family’s operation, enjoys hunting, and is an avid golfer.

“I am excited about joining the Red Angus Association of America as it gives me the opportunity to utilize my previous knowledge and experiences to help producers maximize their potential and marketing opportunities. I have always enjoyed great cattle and meeting people in the livestock industry. Working for RAAA allows me to meet with Red Angus producers and I look forward to visiting their ranches throughout the upcoming year,” said Hinrichsen.

Hinrichsen started in his new role on December 31 and can be reached at cale@

redangus.org or 785-456-3969.

Erin Dorsey Joins the Red Angus Association of America. The Red Angus Association of America is excited to welcome Erin Dorsey as its new show specialist. Dorsey will coordinate and plan Red Angus regional and national shows and support exhibitors with their requests and questions. She will also work closely with the Junior Red Angus Association of America and North American Junior Red Angus Event teams to create meaningful show experiences for JRA members and their families.

“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to add Erin to the Red Angus team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that is second to none in the beef show world and has a good understanding of the Red Angus show community,” said Tom Brink, RAAA CEO. “Erin also has a strong commitment to younger people, which closely matches our priorities at the RAAA.” Dorsey brings more than 25 years of experience managing livestock shows and working with exhibitors of many different beef breeds. She has coordinated shows at various state fairs, livestock events, and exhibitions across the United States. Originally from Eaton, Colo., Dorsey comes from a diversified, multigenerational livestock operation.

Prior to joining RAAA, Dorsey consulted on both the national and international levels, bringing her extensive show experience to breed executives and breeders to showcase the best livestock in the industry.

“I am honored to join a breed that has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years. Red Angus is undoubtedly one of the hottest and up and coming breeds,” said Dorsey. “I look forward to helping bridge the gap between seedstock and commercial cattlemen,” she added.

Dorsey started in her new role on February 1 and can be reached at erin@ redangus.org or 970-396-5420.

Red Angus Staff Take on New Roles in New Year.

Jeananne Drouhard Moves into Role as Value Added Program Specialist - Jeananne Drouhard has transitioned into the role of a value added programs specialist to support commercial producers with their marketing goals via multiple Red Angus tagging options. She will also work with the assistant director of value added programs in managing customer relationships.

This role originates from the need to serve commercial producers who take advantage of marketing opportunities to meet the growing demand for Red Angus genetics, as the RAAA’s Strategic Plan strives to open

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S E T A

D P U Get Jazzed in New Orleans for the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention.

Event Returns to the Big Easy. Mark your calendars for the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, which is returning to New Orleans on February 1-3. It’s time to get jazzed for a trip to the Big Easy to experience the largest annual beef industry event.

“New Orleans is always a popular location for convention, and we are excited to return in 2023,” said Don Schiefelbein, a Minnesota cattleman, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president. “We are already starting to develop a schedule filled with education and entertainment.”

Thousands of cattlemen and women will gather to learn, conduct business, network, and have fun. Cattlemen’s College, which immediately precedes

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

convention, will bring thought provoking, stimulating sessions that provide producers with information they can put to work on their farms and ranches.

The convention’s world class NCBA Trade Show will feature several acres of indoor and outdoor displays as well as live cattle handling demonstrations, educational sessions, and entertainment.

Trade show exhibitors will offer products and services such as animal health products, equipment, irrigation technology, software, trailers, and so much more.

Activities won’t stop when the sun goes down. In a city known for its cuisine and distinctive music, evenings will be filled with entertainment.

Registration opens on October 3, and additional information will be available soon at convention.ncba.org.

more doors for Red Angus influenced cattle.

Drouhard has been with RAAA for nearly five years, first serving in the registration department and assisting with coordinating Red Angus shows before moving into the value added programs role.

Katie Martin Becomes Assistant Director of Field Services - Katie Martin began a new role at RAAA as the assistant director of field services. This position will coordinate marketing team travel such as to bull sales, trade shows, and FCCP feeder calf sales, and work with stakeholders to positively represent Red Angus across the nation.

This new role was borne out of the 2021-2026 Red Angus Strategic Plan, which strives to build pull through demand for Red Angus influenced genetics, and the planned expansion of the marketing team to help achieve those objectives.

Martin has been with RAAA for more than five years, first serving as a commercial marketing specialist and then later as a commercial marketing coordinator.

Margaux Midas Joins Member Services Staff - Margaux Midas has become a membership and receivables specialist in the member services department. In this role, she will assist the director of office operations with member management and account services while aiding Red Angus

members with their inquiries and requests.

Midas joined RAAA in 2021 as a receptionist before moving into her current specialist role in late December.

Chessie Mitchell Becomes Assistant Director of Value Added Programs Chessie Mitchell began a new role at RAAA as the assistant director of value added programs. Mitchell will provide oversight of the Association’s value added programs, manage relationships with stakeholders and work with other marketing team members to assist commercial cattle producers with their marketing objectives.

Mitchell has been with RAAA since 2014, first as an intern, then transitioning into roles as the association’s tagging program and show coordinator before moving into the assistant director role.

Harold Bertz, director of commercial marketing, said, “We are very excited about the expanded duties of these valuable staff members. Their body of work during their tenure at Red Angus has proven them to be conscientious and dedicated. We look forward to the variety of skills and enthusiasm they will continue to bring to Red Angus programs and services.”

Dr. Lindsay Upperman Joins the Red Angus Association of America.

The Red Angus Association of America welcomes Dr. Lindsay Upperman to its

breed improvement department as a beef cattle geneticist. Upperman will work with the director of breed improvement to develop and deliver genetic selection tools, conduct research projects focusing on genetics and phenotypic information and develop educational programs that empower RAAA members and commercial producers to improve the genetic merit and quality of their cattle.

“We are pleased to add Lindsay to the breed improvement department.

Her experience will be a benefit to our members and commercial producers,” said Ryan Boldt, RAAA director of breed improvement. “Lindsay’s commitment to working to provide selection tools that will improve the commercial beef cattle industry aligns perfectly with the RAAA’s core policies,” he added.

Upperman earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University, her master’s degree in animal biology from UC Davis, and her Ph.D. in animal science with a focus on animal breeding and genetics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During her academic career, she was selected for the All American Collegiate Livestock Judging Team and won the BIF Roy A. Wallace Undergraduate & Graduate Scholarship as well as the Baker/ Cundiff Beef Improvement Essay Contest.

Prior to joining RAAA, Upperman worked at the American Gelbvieh Association as the performance programs coordinator.

“I am excited to utilize my current skillsets in helping to advance genetic progress in the Red Angus breed, along with gaining new experiences, knowledge and a further appreciation for a breed that keeps the commercial producer at the forefront,” said Upperman. “I look forward to meeting the members involved in this association and welcome future discussions for developments in breed improvement.”

Outside of her career, Upperman enjoys being outdoors, including hiking, kayaking, and fishing, and is an active member of her local church congregation.

Upperman started in her new role on March 7 and can be reached at lindsay@ redangus.org or 940-387-3502 ex. 29.

About the Red Angus Association of America. RAAA serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus influenced cattle. The RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by implementing new technologies and utilizing scientifically sound principles that quantify traits of economic importance to beef producers in all segments of the beef industry. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.

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 910-315-3821 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

Terry Boyles, President - twinbfarm1@gmail.com

The Carolina Cattle Connection

COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709

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App to Extend Beef Resources, Connect Farmers Check out the

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www.nchereford.com 4B FARMS, LLC Shelby, NC Bryson, Wren, Beau, Belle, Bonnie & Bennet Westbrook 980-230-4868 • brysonw@thewestbrookco.com

HEREFORD HILLS Greensboro, NC Bill Kirkman III 336-382-9635 ST Genetics Representative

4K RANCH Nelson, VA Rick & Linda Kern 919-272-6124 4kranch@bellsouth.net

LOOKABILL FAMILY LIVESTOCK Lexington, NC Reggie, Patty, Tyler & Noah Lookabill 336-240-2142 rlookabill6015@gmail.com

AWC CATTLE COMPANY Winston-Salem, NC Andie & Wes Carpenter 336-970-1655 • jcarpenter@alphagraphics.com www.windmillacresfarms.com

McCOY CATTLE FARM Cove City, NC Myron & Charlie McCoy 252-229-4602 mccoycattlefarms@gmail.com

BLINSON POLLED HEREFORDS Lenoir, NC Keith & Peggy Blinson - 828-310-4526 Bryan & Beth Blinson - 919-422-9108

MITCHEM’S FARM 3C Vale, NC Wayne, Crystal, Regan & Jordan Mitchem 704-472-4369 mitchemsfarm@bellsouth.net

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NORTH PINO LAND & CATTLE COMPANY Mocksville, NC Kevin Robinson 336-940-2547 • kevrob1@aol.com

FIVE J’S BEEF & CATTLE COMPANY Clayton, NC Jody & Angela Standley Kim Prestwood (Manager) • 828-320-7317 - Kim jodystandley@gmail.com

P and J FARMS Monroe, NC Andy Smith 704-400-3436 pandjfarmsherefords@gmail.com

GRASSY CREEK FARM Bullock, NC Scott, Pam, Hailee, Lillee & Elizabeth Bissett 919-482-1176 Bissettsp1@gmail.com

TAYLOR’S MILL FARM Zebulon, NC J. Brent Creech 919-801-7561 tmfherefords@icloud.com TERRACE FARM Lexington, NC Jim, Linda & Chad Davis 336-247-1554 jgdavis101@yahoo.com

Myron McCoy

TRIPLETT POLLED HEREFORDS Statesville, NC James Triplett 704-902-2250 triplettmarble@bellsouth.net

252-637-4995 nchereford@yahoo.com www.nchereford.com

W&A HEREFORDS Providence, NC George, Tammy, William, & Andy Ward 434-251-3637 waherefordfarm@comcast.net

N.C. Hereford Association Secretary/Treasurer

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

Beef specialists from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the University of Tennessee created a mobile app called X10D to modernize the way farmers and universities share information.

“It’s pronounced ‘extend’ as it electronically extends what we are doing for farmers,” said Les Anderson, UK extension beef specialist and professor.

“We have an incredible amount of information through the Cooperative Extension Service, and sometimes it’s not so easy to find, so we wanted to make it easier for people to find what they need on their phone; they don’t want to be sitting at the computer trying to figure it out at 10:00 p.m.”

Anderson describes the app as an information hub for cattle producers to manage, connect, and learn about things that matter to their enterprises. UT beef specialist Justin Rhinehart partnered with Anderson to develop X10D. “Producers will be able to manage data from their operations in one place,” Anderson said. “It will enable them to make data driven decisions; nothing a producer can do can impact revenue and profit more like using data to drive decision making.”

All the users in one county will be connected to each other through a message board. They can network and communicate about beef industry topics, items for sale, and production practices. The learning component will allow users to bypass popular search engines and find unbiased educational content on the app. Users may opt to receive regular notifications about current educational content in beef production.

“We created X10D to modernize the connection of the beef industry to information,” Anderson said. “X10D links users to their peers and to the most trusted source of unbiased information—the Cooperative Extension Service.

It also links other users to their businesses. The X10D platform is simple, easy, convenient and makes daily production data collection possible from any device. Most records can be input in fewer than 10 button pushes and 30 seconds. Reports can be generated in four button pushes and less than 20 seconds.”

Brandon Sears, UK Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Madison County, has been part of the testing phase. He believes the app will help him interact in a more meaningful way with his clients.

“We will be able to interact with producers wherever they are,” he said. “In turn, beef cattle farmers can share with us information about their operations or about challenges they may have. X10D will help us develop a network of local farmers for idea sharing and problem solving. It’s a win-win.”

Anderson said the app received funding from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and began beta testing in October 2021. Approximately 50 Kentucky counties have financially supported X10D. Some counties have already paid for subscriptions, so cattle producers should contact their local county agent to find that out before subscribing. Single user subscriptions are $20 per year, and all the proceeds go to the UK Department of Animal and Food Sciences to support beef extension programming.

For more information, visit https://x10d.org/. The app is available on Apple and Android platforms. Other partners include the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Beef Network, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

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Demand Increases as More Producers Come Home to Hereford.

Sales of live and frozen Hereford genetics increased in 2021, with continued growth forecasted for 2022.

After a year filled with robust sales and growth in 2021, the American Hereford Association (AHA) predicts an even stronger year in 2022.

The American Hereford Association reports the average price of a live animal increased nationwide, and semen sales increased 9 percent domestically and internationally.

“The demand for Hereford cattle continues to grow, with strong sales across the country,” says Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president. “It’s about coming home to Hereford because of the maternal heterosis, but equally as important, those steer offspring are well rewarded by the feeders and have an ultimate goal of a high quality end product.”

More commercial producers are finding Hereford genetics are raising their bottom line. Data from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center found Herefords are more genetically different to any breed and can capture more value from heterosis in a crossbreeding system.

Anton Hermes of Hermes Livestock in Washington County, Colo., has seen the benefits of Hereford genetics in his commercial herd.

“When we set out to look for an outcross, I was looking for a breed that brought feeding capabilities and maternal characteristics to the table, and Hereford hit that on the head for us,” Hermes says.

“We found a more desirable feeding product in the steer calves, and we found a much more desirable replacement female in the F1-baldy cross out of the Hereford bulls.”

Genetic trend lines also support Hereford’s flexibility to complement British and Brahman based cow herds.

The AHA reports a 43 percent increase in the Baldy Maternal Index (BMI) and a 55 percent increase in the Brahman Influence Index (BII) over the past six years.

“The added heterosis that can be gained from using Hereford genetics is really highlighted, and there’s a lot of operations that can see advantages in not only weaning weight and carcass weight if they’re feeding their cattle out, but also on the maternal side,” says Trey Befort,

News

AHA director of commercial programs. “I think people are really starting to see that and taking advantage of that in their own operations.”

Ward emphasizes Hereford’s growing influence in the nation’s commercial herd is a tribute to the membership’s commitment to making the breed better.

“Breeders have stayed committed to submitting DNA samples to help make cattle more predictable younger in life. So, as they’re working with their customers – commercial cattlemen – they’re producing an animal that’s based off of whole herd reporting. It’s based off of historical information through the pedigree. It’s based off of genomics, and then we add to it the information that we get from the young sire test herds that give an opportunity for our members to select genetics that work,” he says.

“It’s a lot of things that have gone into that, but I think the industry has seen that our breed and our Association is committed to breed improvement,” Ward notes. “And it’s taking hold.”

Visit Hereford.org for more information about Hereford sales and genetic trends.

Documenting Maternal Efficiency.

F1 females built with Hereford genetics continue to set the pace for efficiency in commercial cow/calf pastures across the nation. Part of that stems from heterosis, and part of it is borne by the unique performance advantages Hereford genetics bring to the mix.

The American Hereford Association (AHA) conducted a three year crossbreeding research study in partnership with Lacey Livestock, Harris Ranch Feeding Co., and Harris Ranch Beef Co. in California. The study compared the results of randomly mated commercial Angus based cows to Hereford bulls and Angus bulls. The final analysis included 297 Angus sired steers, and 284 Hereford sired steers.

Pregnancy rates for Hereford sired females (black baldies) averaged 7 percent higher than those of the Angus sired heifers. Economic performance favored Hereford sired calves in the feedlot in two of the three years, with an average return of approximately $30 per head. Overall net return for the Hereford sired calves was approximately $30 per head in a vertically coordinated beef marketing system, not including the

maternal advantages of the baldy female.

More recently, researchers at Oklahoma State University (OSU) e v a l u a t e d m a i n t e n a n c e e n e rg y requirements and voluntary feed intake of black baldy cows compared to straight bred Angus cows.

On average, OSU researchers measured about 2 pounds per day less moderate quality forage intake in the crossbred (black baldy) cows. On an annual basis, the black baldy cows would be expected to consume about 725 pounds less forage. The black baldy cows also averaged a superior body condition score throughout the study.

According to OSU researchers, producers using black baldy cows should be able to increase stocking rate or reduce the number of acres required by about 1 acre per cow/calf unit by taking advantage of heterosis and the lesser feed intake and maintenance requirements of Hereford cattle in the crossbreeding system.

AHA is taking another step toward documenting F1 maternal efficiency through a research project with the University of Illinois (UI). As with the research mentioned above, F1s will be evaluated from birth to harvest, but the

new UI project dives much deeper. It will evaluate baldy females for differences in conception, pregnancy rate, and calving compared to straightbred breeding females.” Feed intake will be measured during development and lactation in order to measure efficiency differences more precisely.

“The UI research project is another step the Hereford breed is taking to better understand the efficiency and maternal characteristics of the black baldy female,” says Shane Bedwell, director of breed improvement and chief operating officer.

“Hereford genetics bring a lot to the table in terms of heterosis, and I think we will continue seeing commercial cattlemen using Hereford bulls to get ideal females to have in production.”

About the American Hereford Association. AHA, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The not-for-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.

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q APRIL 2022

PAGE 31

Herd Management

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

Profitability in the Cow/Calf Operation — Factors to Consider As cattle producers, it is interesting to listen to various conversations and philosophies among fellow cattlemen. For the most part, you hear folks discussing various pros and cons of breeds, what to fertilize with, what type of forages do you have, etc. Ask yourself this, how many times do you or others around you talk about profitability and ways to enhance profitability? My guess is that we as a group do not really think about the many details that truly affect the bottom line, so we ignore that conversation. As you read this article and the points raised, think about how they apply to your herd. No one cattle herd or management situation is exactly the same.

We know that there are many factors that affect profit or loss from year to year. Obviously, the market is a major

factor that dictates how much or how little profit you make. There have been years that there was little to no profit, and producers actually lost money. For those who have been in the business for a while, you know that to be true. This year is especially challenging as fertilizer prices have more than doubled, feed prices are up, and so is fuel. On the other hand, cattle prices have the wind in their sails, and inventory of the national cow herd is down an estimated 2 percent, according to the National Agriculture Statistics Service.

When thinking about profitability, we need to consider many things. For most of us, we will say that the price of cattle is the main driver of profitability. The question is, who among us can control the price/market? That answer is, none of us, as the cattle industry’s supply and

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demand drive price. So, what do we do as cattlemen? We focus on the production factors/management techniques that we can control, for the most part, that affects our bottom line.

The first thing to me that comes to mind that drives profitability is fertility.

Fertility should be the highest priority of any cattle breeder. We must first get our cows pregnant, and with that thought, we need to think about what goes into a successful fertility program. We, as cattlemen, must make sure our minerals are balanced and meet the needs of the cow. A cheap mineral will not do it!

Have you ever looked at your mineral analysis? What are the ingredients? What do your cows need? If you are not having trouble with fertility, rough hair coats, or grass tetany, then you may be safe. It is wise that cattlemen work with your large animal veterinarian or Extension specialist to monitor this throughout the year.

How many of us have a controlled breeding program? Are your calves born in a 45-60 day window? Are the calves born year-round? Putting pressure on fertility in the herd is paramount to accomplish a tight calving season. When retaining replacement heifers, select these from the cows that calve in the first 30 days or so of the calving season. This will start to strengthen fertility in future herd replacements. It has long been documented that crossbred females will be more fertile and stay in the herd longer than their straight bred counterparts. Fertility in a cow herd coupled with a controlled breeding season is paramount. Too many pounds of calf are lost on a per head basis when year round calving is done.

Building on the thought of a controlled breeding season, this also allows you to effectively manage your vaccination and parasite control programs. With calves born year round, it is virtually impossible to do this properly and certainly not economically.

This requires too much labor through the chute and repurchasing of vaccines. Many vaccines, once opened, must be used immediately and can’t be held over for use in a month or so.

Pasture management is one thing we need to keep in mind. Do we overgraze or undergraze? Will our operation support more animals per acre or fewer in order to optimize production and profit? You, as the owner, must answer that by asking yourself this simple question. How much supplemental feed do I have to buy in order to take care of the cow herd properly and wean a heavy, uniform set of calves? The need for supplemental feed is to supplement animals for the nutrients the cattle are not getting from pasture forages. The profit in the cattle industry is

tight most years, and if you want to lose money, start overgrazing and buying lots of supplemental feed. Work with your pastures and evaluate the body condition of your animals. Study the forages you have and watch the cow herd. Are the females cycling back on time, maintaining flesh and milking to support a healthy calf? If you answered yes, then your forage program and herd management are working.

In thinking about enhancing profit, you can’t forget about the longevity of the animal. What is your culling rate, and why were the mature cows culled?

That cow is your factory, and you can’t afford to replace her every 4-5 years and be profitable. Longevity is how long that animal is productive and having a calf every year in your herd. A cow in a well managed herd should stay in production for no less than 8-9 years, but in many cases, until they are 10-12.

After that, production does drop for the most part. Many things can shorten a cow’s productive life that you need to monitor. Cattle with a bad disposition, bad structure, bad feet, bad udders, hard doing, poor milking, slow breeding, or have poor production records all impact how long she can stay and be profitable in your herd. For the most part, these are genetic factors that can be addressed through proper bull and female selection.

What about cow size, you may ask?

This is a long, debated topic. Again, you are the best person to determine this.

Your environment is a good indicator of what size cow and level of fertility and milk production your pastures will support. Again, it comes down to your management and your forage availability, along with the nutritive value of the available forage.

Remember, always view your cattle herd as a system. A system made up of genetic selection, forage management, herd health, nutrient supplementation, ruthless culling, marketing, etc. The system is an intricate string of decisions that will make for success, but first, you must go into it with your eyes open. Be honest with yourself when you evaluate your system, and then be on your way to correcting the problems.

This may be a little different way of approaching this topic of profitability but hopefully will spur some reflection and good discussion. If you are in doubt or have questions at times about your own operation, I would suggest you work with a successful producer, Extension livestock specialist, and/or Extension agents, as well as the local veterinarian and other industry representatives. Sharpen your pencils and your management skills; this year has a lot of challenges that will affect your bottom line.

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NEWS Pinkeye Predicaments. TSCRA Expo Highlighted Control Measures for This and Other Troublesome Diseases.

The Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo featured several hundred vendors.

Among those were exhibitors who featured products and services designed to improve animal health and production.

They had answers to help with management of virtually any disease or injury that may afflict cattle. A large pinkeye graphic in the Newport Labs booth caught the attention of many of the several thousand expo visitors. Company specialist Glenn Parks told CALF News that pinkeye is among diseases that may require a customized vaccine for control.

Pinkeye has forever blindsided cattle producers. The acute disease spreads rapidly in one or both eyes. Calves and yearlings are more prone to pinkeye, but older cattle are also susceptible. It can be caused by dry, dusty conditions, shipping stress, bright sunlight, and irritants from pollens and grasses. Flies are a vector.

On occasion, producers may institute a vaccine program for pinkeye control, Parks said. “However, if you’re still seeing outbreaks, you ask yourself, ‘What’s going on?’”

“It could be an emerging bacterial

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species, strain, or antigenic variation that simply isn’t covered by your commercial vaccine protection.”

NL literature indicates that research has identified Moraxella bovoculi as a growing problem that is frequently isolated and unaffected by some vaccines. “Reports suggest that M. bovoculi lesions may advance more rapidly than those resulting from M. bovis, which used to be the primary bacterial pathogen causing pinkeye,” Parks said.

In 2018, the majority of cases submitted to NL were positive for M. bovoculi, company literature states. Control of the bacteria can be hampered for various reasons.

For example, the M. bovoculi and M. bovis can become resistant to some antibiotics.

Using its advanced bacteria analysis technology, Park said NL can help identify the cause of pinkeye or other diseases.

“These technologies enable us to create a vaccine that mirrors the pathogen challenges specific to an operation through more accurate strain identification,” he said.

“These technologies can help with the reduction of persistent pinkeye outbreaks.”

He advises producers to consult with their herd veterinarian for better analysis of potential pinkeye or other disease outbreaks.

For more on how to submit diagnostic samples to help identify the true cause of pinkeye or other diseases, visit NewportLabs.com.

About Newport Laboratories.

Newport Labs provides the service of assisting our customers in their effort to address animal health problems through diagnostic testing and production of veterinary biologics.

With cutting edge molecular diagnostic technology, we assist in identifying disease pathogens. Our novel manufacturing technologies are used to produce quality PINPOINT (autogenous) Evidence based Biologics, offering veterinarians and producers alternative methods to address the prevention of animal diseases.

The FACS Team at Newport Labs includes experienced professionals that provide assistance to veterinary practitioners and consultants as well as livestock producers. This is complemented by the personal attention featured by our trained customer service representatives.

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156

Reprinted from the October/ November 2021 Issue of CALF News

N.C. Weekly Auctions Report (Week ending MARCH 3, 2022)

Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $130.00 - 197.50

400-500 $133.00 - 190.00 500-600 $138.00 - 177.00 600-700 $144.00 - 168.00 700-800 $133.00 - 150.00

800-900 $123.00 - 140.00 Heifers

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

$120.00 - 160.00 $132.00 - 162.00 $114.00 - 147.50 $110.00 - 140.00 $90.00 - 124.00 $------- - 102.50

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2022

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S.C. Charolais News

By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association

Not much is happening with the Charolais folks right now. We are all getting our consignments together for the sale in Knoxville on the first Saturday in June.

I went to the Clemson Bull Sale a few weeks ago, and it was funny as heck when I walked in the door. I had five or six people come up to me having a fit because I did not come to the supper the night before. It seems that Hugh Weathers came to the supper, and they were all watching the door for me to walk in because they knew it would get interesting if I did. Sorry to disappoint, but I will be there next year to see what happens. I noticed that the Market Bulletin made no mention of the bull sale, and as usual, there was nothing in there about cattle.

You know how I have been fussing about not enough vets. Well, I had a friend who brought his sick calf to me because he could not find a vet. He was

going to take the calf to their office, but they were not open, so they wouldn’t come to the office to treat it. I guess they would have just let the little thing die. He brought it to me because it was having trouble breathing. I gave it a shot of Draxxin, and by the time he got home, it was feeling better. Dr. Georgeanne to the rescue again...for free.

There is a bill that has passed the South Carolina House and is pending in the Senate. This bill directs the S.C. Department of Agriculture to establish a “Certified S.C. Raised Beef” designation and provide labels for any applicants who meet the provisions of Article 1, Chapter 17, Title 47, as well as designate such producers as selling “Certified S.C. Raised Beef.”

We have spoken with a number of cattlemen in South Carolina who are very concerned with exactly what the criteria will be for such designation, as well as who will enforce this designation

in order to ensure “truth in labeling” for consumers. Several producers already sell beef under the “Certified S.C. Grown” label.

We want to ensure the Senate A&NR Committee is aware of the following concerns before proceeding with the bill: 1. Will the new label require the animal to be born in South Carolina? This is key for South Carolina cattle producers.

2. Must it be processed in South Carolina? This requirement will put significant hardship on upstate producers and processors.

3. Can animals born and weaned in other states come to South Carolina and be fed to harvest weight and then labeled “Certified S.C. Raised Beef”? We want to prevent others from outside of South Carolina from hauling in cattle to our processors and having the ability to put a “Certified S.C. Raised Beef” statement on the consumer label.

4. Will there be a percentage rule that allows a percentage of any ground product to be from outside of South Carolina and still receive the “Certified S.C. Raised Beef” label? And who will enforce this?

Additionally, in speaking with other farmers who sell other protein products

using the “Certified S.C. Grown” label, the top question from them is: Will labels for “Certified S.C. Raised Pork,” “Certified S.C. Raised Chicken,” “Certified S.C. Raised Lamb,” “Certified S.C. Rabbit,” and “Certified S.C. Eggs” also be added? If so, when and what will be the criteria for these designations, and who will enforce the labeling?

If you are in South Carolina, contact your Senators and ask these questions.

I already have the S.C. Department of Agriculture mad at me, so I might as well get the rest of the folks in Columbia mad too.

NOTICE

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

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

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2022

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GELBVIEH NEWS Sustainability by the Numbers.

Highlighting sustainability in the beef industry and how it can be demonstrated and proven through existing current practices and a focus on record keeping.

During the Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup at the American Gelbvieh Association national convention, Dustin Aherin, AGA board member, shared his insights on market direction and the Gelbvieh and Balancer position within that direction.

“I want to plant a seed for where incentives are coming from,” Aherin told attendees. “When we think about where the pressures have traditionally come from, we often point to consumers first. That isn’t anything new. When we think back to the push for quality, those dollars ultimately came from consumers and were passed down through the supply chain: through the packers, through marketing grids, to cattle producers who increased quality.”

Aherin says that a focus on sustainability is bringing new pressures.

Today, the pressure is coming from the government and exists all along the

supply chain, with funding allocated by the current administration to ensure that those pressures catalyze beef industry production. Within this structure are other vested groups, many breed associations, and non-governmental organizations.

There are also shareholders looking at the sustainability space as an investment opportunity, and those investors, Aherin says, are interested in directing their dollars toward environment, social, and governance (ESG) opportunities.

“There’s a lot of institutional funds — think pensions, for instance — that have set guidelines that stipulate that they will only invest in companies that check the boxes around ESG,” he says.

Aherin also talked about the role lenders are playing in financing sustainability efforts, which he notes is an interest rate opportunity rather than a cutoff of funding at this time.

“One way that the finance industry has started to offer some incentives on the food company side is called ‘sustainability linked financing.’ That’s where certain

key performance indicators are linked to better interest rates,” Aherin shares. “At the producer level, we are just starting to see this begin to develop with a push for operations to set a baseline and begin documenting changes and improvements.”

Will it Pay? “If we think about the consumer first, are they going to pay a premium for a product that’s stamped ‘sustainable?’ More importantly, is that premium going to be enough to pay for some of the costs and supply chain needed to get it to them? I don’t think we have a clear answer to those questions yet,” he told attendees.

A first of its kind USDA Process Verified Program (PVP), Low Carbon Beef, says that the answer is “yes.”

Recent research by the group indicates that 71 percent of consumers expressed they are willing to pay a premium for beef certified as being produced with sustainable methods. The newly approved PVP will allow producers to differentiate and market beef that is raised with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The sheer fact that the USDA has approved a program of this type confirms that interest exists from all market stakeholders.

“From January to August 2021, we saw sustainable linked financing reach more than $300 billion, globally,” Aherin says. “These dollars are growing fast;

For more information, contact Matt Morrison • 716-720 -0227 PAGE 40

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

around 18 percent of cash inflows into investment funds were targeted towards funds that had some kind of sustainability metric built into them.”

Aherin predicts that many of the incentives for progress within the supply chain are going to come from the targets and goals set by major food companies — a trade-off of sorts, where the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and improved sustainability doesn’t necessarily come from the food company itself, but rather from the practices of supply chain partners those companies source ingredients from.

That’s an opportunity for beef producers. “We’re already good at a lot of these things,” he says. “Have you measured pounds weaned versus pounds exposed? Do you have a breeding plan that is based on marketing goals? Are you BQA certified? So much of this is about just documenting things you are already doing, putting it in writing so there’s a record.”

The majority of the resources used in the beef industry are consumed at the cow/calf level, with around 75 percent of the entire beef industry feed inputs consumed within that sector.

Aherin says that AGA and other breed associations are playing an important role in facilitating the documentation and quantification of many of these important metrics at the cow/calf level.

To really know and understand the total resource use per pound of calf weaned or per pound of beef produced, producers use many metrics, essentially building a funnel of information for each cow in the herd. Those metrics are, more often than not, a story of sustainability.

“We are so good (as a sector) at collecting data — measuring and quantifying — and then using that data to improve cattle through EPDs. Right now, we have an incredible opportunity, and to take advantage of it, we need to step up our game and really focus on some of the traits that have sustainability impacts so we can prove through numbers what we already know,” he says.

Today, the Gelbvieh and Balancer breed boasts the smallest mature cow size of all major breeds, unsurpassed fertility, and a level of docility that makes the breed family friendly. The breed holds the pieces needed for both commercial and seedstock producers to put the sustainability puzzle together. If and how operations put that puzzle together is up to them...for now.

About the American Gelbvieh Association. The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance oriented total herd reporting system.

NEWS

Zoetis Industry Support Program Benefits Local FFA Chapters. Zoetis contributes over $600,000 to FFA, over $392,000 to future leaders in 2021 program. Zoetis recently announced the 2021 results of the Zoetis Industry Support Program: More than $392,000 was donated to over 1,500 FFA chapters nationwide. It’s estimated about 33,000 students benefited from the contributions.

This donation is a portion of the more than $600,000 Zoetis contributes annually to support FFA as a Gold Sponsor.

“This year marks the 15th year of the Zoetis Industry Support Program,” said Jared Shriver, senior vice president of U.S. Cattle and Pork, Zoetis. “As an organization, we are committed to the growth and development of future leaders in agriculture. The program helps ensure that all students can benefit from the wealth of learning opportunities offered

in their FFA experience.”

Veterinarians and animal health dealers and distributors make the Industry Support Program possible each year by designating a portion of sales from eligible Zoetis Cattle and Equine products to FFA chapters of their choice.

A 2021 survey conducted by the National FFA Foundation of 633 chapter advisers revealed how funds were utilized to further support their mission, programs, and opportunities for students. A total of 65 percent reported funds were used to cover costs for trips — to competitions, leadership conferences, and the National FFA Convention and Expo, for example — while 25 percent purchased classroom materials and equipment.

Zoetis supports FFA in a variety of initiatives beyond the Industry Support Program as a Gold Sponsor. With over $600,000 donated in 2021, inclusive

Chapter advisers describe how the Zoetis Industry Support Program benefited their chapter activities in 2021 Defray Travel & Event Expenses Classroom Equipment & Resources Community Projects

of the program’s contributions, funds were used to sponsor a variety of Career Development Events (CDE), Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAE), and Award Proficiencies, Advocacy, and Agriculture Literacy Education, and Pig in a Classroom. As an organization, Zoetis is proud to support this impactful organization through various initiatives.

“We are honored to partner with Zoetis. Without your support, more than 735,000 FFA members could not experience leadership development and career success opportunities available,” said Lori Randle, Senior Regional Director of the National FFA Foundation.

“Your contributions make it possible for FFA to provide teachers with resources they can use within their agriculture education classrooms to have a lasting, hands-on impact.”

The 2022 Zoetis Industry Support Program is ongoing and will conclude on

April 30. Zoetis customers have until May 6 to enroll and designate their preferred FFA chapters. To learn more about the program and how to contribute, please contact your local Zoetis representative or visit ZoetisUS.com/IndustrySupport.

About Zoetis. As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After 70 years of innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide, from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $7.8 billion in 2021 with approximately 12,100 employees. For more, visit zoetis.com.

2022 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 2022. 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.

2022 Reserved Spotlight Issues

Blue Jacket Purchasing Scholarships & SAE Funding 0

100

200

300

400

From the Desk of the SCCA Past President

By ROSCOE KYLE To my fellow cattle producers, I would like to say it has been an honor and pleasure to have served as your state president for the past two years. On March 1, Timmy Benton took over the position of president of the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association, and I assume he will do a fine job as leader. Joe Oswald IV took over as 1st Vice President, and Gene Crim took over as 2nd Vice President.

I will still be around for two more years in the role of Past President and here to aid and serve as the new board sees fit.

Remember the words of the late, great President Ronald Regan as he once said...”The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.’”

As always, I remain respectfully yours.

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

CHAROLAIS FORAGES ANGUS PEST MANAGEMENT BRAHMAN HEREFORD GELBVIEH SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS --------------------------------------------------RED ANGUS

For more information about your breed’s Spotlight Issue, contact:

The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 919-552-9111 • mail@nccattle.com The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2022

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THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL

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!

By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association N.C. Cattlemen’s Conference.

It was so good to be able to visit with people face-to-face again at the recent N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Conference in Hickory. We held a board meeting and made some decisions about the N.C. Simmental Association. We do plan to hold another fundraising raffle with an item graciously donated by Pinkston’s, Inc. in Wadesboro, North Carolina. We really appreciate Preston and Erin Beth Pinkston for their help every year in providing an item, usually a chain saw, for our raffle.

We will be holding our Fall Harvest Sale again over Labor Day weekend. This year the date will be September 3 for the Fall Harvest Sale, and our annual meeting

will be September 2 at the Shuffler Sale Facility. Anyone who has attended in the past knows what a fun time we have at our meeting. I always say, “Friday night’s annual meeting is our party time, but on Saturday, we are all business selling good quality Simmental.” This is a weekend you don’t want to miss if you are interested in Simmental genetics. We hope to have a SimSpecialist from the American Simmental Association to join us this year at our “Simmental Weekend.”

Fall Focus. We are encouraging all our N.C. Simmental Association members to attend the Fall Focus being held August 26–30 in Roanoke, Virginia. This event is put on by the American Simmental Association, but it is hosted this year

N.C. Simmental Association 1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 336-468-1679 • www.ncsimmental.com • NCSA@yadtel.net Like us on Facebook!

PAGE 42

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

by the Virginia Simmental Association.

The schedule of events is still being determined, but August 26 will be tours of local farms and Virginia Tech. The symposium will be on August 27, and that day will be filled with many information sessions and so many things to learn. With the American Simmental Association headquarters in Bozeman, Mont., this is a good place to actually meet Wade Shafer and other important people and trustees

who head up our organization. They are very friendly and will be able to answer any questions you may have about the Simmental breed and important things that are happening in our industry. This is an excellent opportunity to rub elbows with people from across the country who are producing the genetics that move the breed forward. For more information, visit the American Simmental website at www.simmental.org.

American Simmental Association 1 Genetics Way • Bozeman, MT 59718 406-587-4531 • www.simmental.org

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Processing Facility 430 NC Hwy 49 S Asheboro, NC

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BEEF • PORK • LAMB • GOAT The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2022

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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

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.)

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STIR-FRY

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New NCCA Members for 2022 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: Out-of-State Gene Copenhaver – Virginia Richard Ledbetter – Squire Valley Farm – South Carolina David Lee – Train Wreck Cattle Company – Virginia Alamance County Hope Andrews Ken Compton – Compton Farms Jeffrey Davis – J & P Farm Dustin Whitfield Kathy Woodward – Creekwood Farm Buncombe County Neal Grogan Jr. – Grogan Livestock Jeff Worley – Worley Livestock Farm Burke County Bob Prestwood Catawba County Kenneth Bowman – KB Farm Victoria Lee Sarah Painter – Foard HS 4-H Livestock Club Jonathan & Heather Styers – Styers Family Farm Chatham County Chase Gaines – Flat Rock Farm Charles R. Marsh Philip Watson Cherokee County Michael D. Stiles – Stiles Farm Cleveland County Brian & Amy Buttrick – Plainfield Angus Farm Ben Carpenter – Carpenter Farms Stephen McMurry – After Hours Farms Meredith C. Willis Davidson County Zac Bray – LZ Farms Hunter Jordan – Jordan Livestock Davie County Ted Budd – Riverside Farm

Duplin County Kinsley DeLeon – Britt Farms Edgecombe County Donald & Wendy Calhoun – Clover Creek Farm Forsyth County Dustin Brim – Rock Hill Farm Gaston County Dylan Brown – Pecan Grove Farms Suzette Smith Greene County Tucker Jones – Jones Farms Guilford County Allie Roth – Roth Family Livestock

Rockingham County Todd Hodges – Locust Hill Cattle Co. Jason O’Bryant – O’Bryant Farms Chantel Simpson – JB Farm Patrick Walker – Walker’s Full Circle Farm Rowan County Laura Watson Sampson County Shane Kendall – Kendall Brothers Farms Stanly County Nathan Lowder – Fork L Enterprise

Wake County Charity Cooke – Cooke Family Farms Keith Cooke – Cooke Family Farms Brian Privette – Double C Farms Benjamin Rajo Todd See Cindy Valdez-Nolasco Andrew Weaver Wilkes County Zachary Linville – Linville Cattle Company Eddie Settle – Settle Cattle Company

Union County Kaleby Little – Little Family Farms Kate Little – Little Family Farms

Wilson County Ryan E. Blalock Cassie Blalock Denham

Haywood County Kyle Miller Hoke County Sydney Hendrix – Hendrix Farms Johnston County Schyler Crocker – Mallard Creek Farm Mariam Giurgis Lee County Scott & Betty Johnson – Raccoon Creek Farm Lenoir County Aden Rouse – Rouse Livestock Michael Rouse – Twin Oak Farms Lincoln County Jamie Houser Madison County Kirby Wells – Aubrey Wells Farm Inc. McDowell County Molly Anderson – Locust Hill Cattle Company Maranda Schill Nash County Kaitlyn Kennedy – Strickland Bar Ranch A.J. Strickland – Strickland Bar Ranch David Wilkins – Squeakygate Farm Ashley Wollett – P31 Cattle Company Onslow County Eddie R. Horne Pender County Brittany Harper – Trouble Creek Farm Pitt County J.R. Lewis Farms

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NEWS Premier Select Sires Offers Benefits to Members. Dairy and beef producers face more challenges than ever before as they seek ways to increase efficiency while dealing with labor shortages, growing input costs, economic challenges, and more. While Premier Select Sires is likely best known as a genetic provider, doing business with your local member cooperative opens the door to other benefits that producers may not be aware of — many of which are offered at a discount or included at no charge to semen-purchasing members.

Premier has hired additional field staff members to help meet the labor demands seen on member-owner farms, and local representatives are trained and prepared to provide producers with the following: Industry Leading Genetics - Premier distributes high quality genetics from three brands — Select Sires, Accelerated Genetics, and GenerVations. The sire team works hard to develop a bull lineup as diverse as the Premier customer base, so that producers across the territory can meet their unique goals. Premier offers

daughter proven sires, genomic young sires, and elite early release genomic young sires through the NxGEN ® program. All semen is backed by research and strict fertility standards.

Herd Management Products - A full line of herd management products exists to either enhance or protect genetic investments and create healthier livestock with stronger immune functions. Heat detection aids and breeding supplies are also available.

Reproductive and Genetic Advising - Select Reproductive Solutions (SRS®) experts can meet with dairy producers regularly to provide feedback regarding opportunities in the herd, helping producers reach higher pregnancy rates among cows and heifers. Select Mating Service (SMS ®) specialists manage inbreeding and control recessives through pedigree analysis and advanced computer technology. They also help producers create custom indexes and utilize genomic data to improve genetic progress. Experienced Reproductive Services Specialists (RSS) are available

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PAGE 48

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

to perform breeding services as well.

Genomic Testing - Premier partners with Zoetis, the largest global animal health company, to provide genomic testing to dairy and beef producers.

Premier staff can assist with proper sample collection, submission, and interpretation to help producers maximize the benefits of the testing.

Beef on Dairy Programs - The Premier team can help producers right size herd inventories and increase the value of extra calves to be sold to the beef market. Designated ProfitSOURCE™ sires excel for growth and carcass merit while offering the necessary calving ease and fertility for breeding to dairy animals. SimVitro ® HerdFlex™ beef embryos offer a unique alternative to beef on dairy breeding, allowing dairy producers to break into new markets and increase ROI with straight beef calf sales.

Premier strives to help producers identify opportunities for marketing the calves that result from these programs.

CowManager® - The CowManager herd monitoring system uses revolutionary technology to track animal health, rumination, and fertility.

CowManager gives producers “another set of eyes” on the herd and provides real time data to a computer, smartphone, and/ or tablet. Premier staff can help producers implement the system and create a cohesive, efficient breeding program.

Training Opportunities - Many training options are available for farm personnel, including artificial insemination, heat detection, milking, and others. Training is offered in both English and Spanish. For those interested in learning to A.I., visit premierselectsires. com/training to register for one of the scheduled courses!

Liquid Nitrogen Service - No A.I. program can exist without a reliable source of liquid nitrogen for storing semen. Premier Area Sales Managers can service A.I. tanks and provide producers with the genetics they need.

Financial Benefits - For memberowners of Premier, every dollar spent earns them patronage equity. For convenience, members have online access to account details and purchases. Easyto-understand monthly billing and free credit for 30 days on purchases provides additional benefit.

For more information on the Premier cooperative and how Premier staff can serve you, please visit the Premier website at www.premierselectsires. com or contact the office at 800-2276417 or office@premierselect.com to get connected with a local representative today.

North Carolina Students Receive

2022 Premier Select Sires Scholarships.

Premier Select Sires awarded a total of $19,500 to 19 college students through the 2022 Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship Program.

• Laurel Gray of Grayhouse Farms, a 1,100 cow dairy operation in Stony Point, N.C., is the daughter of Andy and Amy Gray. Laurel is a student at N.C. State University studying agricultural business management. After graduation, Laurel plans to return home and work on her family’s dairy farm. Her goals include helping with finances, assisting with fieldwork, working with calves and heifers, helping with the family’s hunting business, and expanding her small herd of beef cattle.

• Will Coltrane of Coltrane Dairy, LLC, a 600 cow and 700 heifer dairy farm in Pleasant Garden, N.C., is the son of David and Amy Coltrane. Will is a student at the University of Mount Olive studying agricultural business and animal science. After graduation, Will plans to return to his family’s fourth generation farm. He plans to continue broadening his scope of the industry, and he hopes to play a part in helping farmers garner the respect they deserve for their dedication and work ethic.

The Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship Program provides financial support to eligible students pursuing agricultural education, and it also provides additional return to the cooperative’s member-owners by supporting the next generation of young people desiring to study and work in the agriculture industry. The Premier Select Sires board of directors has made a commitment to providing money to support this scholarship program on an ongoing annual basis.

About Premier Select Sires.

Premier Select Sires is a farmer owned cooperative that serves beef and dairy producers in its 23 state member area.

Dedicated to providing its members with all they need to achieve success, Premier provides: • Industry leading genetics from the Select Sires, Accelerated Genetics, and GenerVations brands • Effective herd health and management products, as well as artificial insemination supplies • Reliable services and programs backed by years of success • Knowledgeable industry experts who are easily accessed for consultation, advice, and on-farm assistance Together with its five sister cooperatives across the United States, Premier owns and controls Select Sires Inc., the world’s most recognized name in bovine genetics.

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A Message from the CEO

By COLIN WOODALL

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Election Season is in Full Swing As you are reading this, primary season for the 2022 mid-term election is off and running. The Democrats believe they have delivered enough wins from their agenda to maintain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Republicans are gunning to take control of both houses of Congress to shut President Biden’s agenda down.

At this point in time, it is anybody’s game. While November 8 will be here before we know it, in the land of political campaigns, it is a lifetime away. All it takes is a short sound bite, news headline,

or scandal to make or break a campaign.

All of these can happen in just a matter of seconds, and both parties are susceptible to self inflicted political wounds. There is no doubt this election season will be a spectacle.

For NCBA, our job is to evaluate the candidates running for Congress and determine who we want to support. For incumbents running for re-election, we analyze their voting record to see how they have voted on legislation important to cattle producers. We look at what committees they serve on and how those

committees engage on our issues. We review their press releases and social media posts to make sure they are not a liability and can remain effective in passing legislation. We also take a close look at who their friends are. If a Representative or Senator is carrying the water for Humane Society of the U.S., PETA, or other extremist groups, you can rest assured they will not get support from us.

Many times, we will step up and support a candidate who is challenging an incumbent. Before we even consider their candidacy, we make them come to our Washington office and talk about themselves and pitch us on their campaign. Like incumbents, we look at the information they have posted publicly, as well as their voting record if they have held elected office in the past. Each candidate is thoroughly vetted before we make a commitment to support their campaign. Another critical component in our process is getting input from our state affiliate partners, so we clearly know which candidates your state association wants us to support or help challenge.

Once we identify the Congressional races we want to engage in, we provide support with information and financial contributions. Our team will meet with the candidate and their campaign staff to brief them on our policy priorities and make sure they have the information they need when engaging with voters or participating in debates. In the case of challengers or candidates filling empty House or Senate seats, getting them prebriefed before they are elected makes them more effective in helping us achieve

our priorities once they win and are sworn in.

Running for Congress is an expensive proposition. In the 2020 election, the most expensive House race cost more than $37 million. Senate races can cost in excess of $200 million. Candidates must find a way to pay for those races, and that is where NCBA’s Political Action Committee, or PAC, comes into play.

With our PAC, we can give a candidate for Congress $5,000 for their primary race and $5,000 for the general election for a total contribution of $10,000. We have a goal of raising $1.25 million, so we can participate in as many campaigns as possible. The goal is to get cattle friendly candidates from both sides of the aisle elected to the House and Senate. Your contributions are key to helping us reach that goal.

Every dollar NCBA raises comes from our members, and nothing is taken off the top to pay for administrative expenses. Every dollar we raise goes right into a campaign. If every member of NCBA just gave $25, we would exceed our goal. Unfortunately, less than 5 percent of NCBA members contribute.

The PAC is one of the best tools we have in getting our voice heard via the candidates we support. This is not about buying votes. That is simply illegal.

This is about showing we are willing to do our part to get the best Republicans and Democrats elected to Congress that understand the challenges you face and are willing to step up and fight for us.

To get involved with NCBA-PAC, contact Anna Lee in our D.C. office at alee@beef.org.

Be a winner!

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

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NCBA

President’s Report

By DON SCHIEFELBEIN

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Standing Together for a Better Future Growing up in a large family and now running the farm with more than 80 family members involved, I have learned a tremendous amount about what the word “family” truly means. To me, it means a group of people who — despite differing opinions, experiences, and values — find common ground, support each other, and ultimately work together for the betterment of each other and their goals.

When I think about our industry, I think of it as a family. As the nation’s oldest and largest cattle organization, it’s no surprise that we, as individual members, have our differences from time to time.

From the type of businesses we operate to the past experiences we’ve had — each of us provides a perspective that ultimately drives our sector to learn from the past and be more prepared for the challenges we will face in the future. As I start my term as president, I am looking forward to using this opportunity to represent the variety of producers that make NCBA the outstanding association it is.

NCBA’s policy priorities for the year

ahead focus on protecting and promoting the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the U.S. cattle industry through four main priorities: improving market leverage and opportunities, securing the future of the beef industry, boosting the resiliency of the beef supply chain, and supporting common sense 2023 Farm Bill priorities.

Improving Market Leverage and Opportunities - Throughout the past year, NCBA worked diligently to secure USDA funding for increased processing capacity, specifically funding to support small and mid-size independent processing facilities.

This year, it is critical that we continue to engage with USDA to ensure those funds are dispersed in the most effective and efficient way possible. It is imperative that we focus on using those funds to ensure that new and existing facilities can be profitable and sustainable for years to come.

In addition to increasing processing capacity, we must continue to ensure the availability of risk management tools that give producers the information they need

to make informed decisions regarding the sale of cattle. Continuing to advocate for full authorization of Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) and improving transparency within the markets will be essential steps as we work to return leverage to producers.

Securing the Future of the Beef Industry - As many of you can relate, my ultimate goal is to pass down my family’s operation to the next generation. To do this, it is imperative that we have a business climate that supports the viability of our operations, allows us to raise animals safely and efficiently while conserving the land, and gives us the ability to capture high value for our product.

While this priority covers a wide array of goals, at the end of the day, I believe that one of the most important things that we as an industry can do is advocate for proper labeling of our product. This year, we will continue to put pressure on USDA to repeal generic “Product of the USA” (POTUSA) labels and increase opportunities for producers to take advantage of source verified labels that allow us to distinguish our product in the marketplace.

Boost the Resiliency of the Beef Supply Chain - During the height of COVID-19 and supply chain challenges, NCBA secured multiple hours-ofservice (HOS) extensions to ensure cattle could be safely transported and grocery store shelves could remain stocked with high quality U.S. beef. This year, we’ll prioritize finding opportunities to maintain flexibility and secure permanent exemptions for burdensome regulations that prevent the ability for livestock haulers to safely do their jobs.

To boost the overall resiliency of the

supply chain, we will focus on three other key areas. We will keep advocating for access to reliable, high speed broadband in rural areas. We will also focus on increasing and diversifying hook space and ensuring that we have a reliable source of labor to keep those processing plants running efficiently.

Support Common Sense 2023 Farm Bill Priorities - As we look toward a new Farm Bill, our team will focus on reauthorization of the animal health provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and advocate for expanded funding of the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB) to protect against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). These programs play an important role in emergency preparedness in potential cases of animal disease outbreak.

In addition, we will advocate for increased support of federal programs that benefit cattle and beef producers. We aim to expand the accessibility of risk management tools, such as Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), as well as disaster relief programs that are vital as producers across the country face adverse weather conditions and natural disasters.

I am committed to working diligently to ensure the success of our industry now and in the future. Our industry is strongest when we band together and fight collectively. This year, I am honored to lead that charge!

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

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843-908-3222 - Cell • tormbenton@lowcountry.com PAGE 52

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

Have you forgotten something?

Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association!

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Cattle Producers Send WOTUS Letter to EPA In February, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of more than 1,600 cattle producers from 44 states calling for a definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) that would benefit U.S. cattle producers.

The letter was in response to a rule proposed by the Biden administration to repeal the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and implement new regulations on water features, including features commonly found on farms and ranches.

The letter asked EPA Administrator Michael Regan to support a limited, clear definition of WOTUS that maintains agricultural exclusions and respects existing Supreme Court precedent limiting federal jurisdiction over small bodies of water.

“The Biden administration’s rule repeals bipartisan exclusions for agriculture that existed under both Democratic and Republican administrations,” said NCBA Chief Environmental Counsel Scott Yager.

“Without these critical exclusions, common features like stock ponds, agricultural ditches, and drainage systems can fall

under federal jurisdiction, preventing cattle producers from actively managing their land and caring for their cattle.”

Despite the Biden administration presenting this approach as a simple repeal, the draft rule is a significant change from both the Obama-era 2015 WOTUS rule and the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule, both of which maintained these exclusions which sought to protect the farmers and ranchers who manage stock ponds and certain ditches without disruptions from the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers.

“Stock ponds provide drinking water for cattle, and agricultural ditches keep fields from flooding. Regulating these small features does nothing to improve water quality and makes dayto-day operations more difficult for cattle producers,” said NCBA Treasurer Joe Guild, a Nevada rancher and member of the NCBA Environmental Working Group. “Cattle producers already take steps to protect water —without government intervention — because it’s the right thing to do. Furthermore, farmers and ranchers are already doing good conservation work. I encourage the

Biden administration to listen to farmers and ranchers across the country, rather than issuing top-down regulations from an office in Washington, D.C.” The Biden administration’s WOTUS proposal also removes exclusions for ephemeral features or water features that only flow during rain or after snowmelt.

This creates even more confusion for cattle producers who may find puddles and creeks on their property that qualify as a “WOTUS” during a rainstorm but are dry land most of the year.

NCBA’s grassroots letter is the culmination of a four month long campaign to urge the EPA and the Biden administration to finally end the constant regulatory changes that created years of uncertainty for cattle producers. NCBA mobilized cattle producers to share their stories at EPA and Army Corps listening sessions and participate in agency

roundtables. In January, NCBA endorsed a report from the EPA’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee, which recommended developing a clear WOTUS definition, maintaining exemptions for common agricultural features, and reconsidering the EPA WOTUS roundtable process. Later in January, the Supreme Court announced that it would consider the case Sackett v.

EPA and address the scope of WOTUS, leading NCBA to urge the EPA to suspend WOTUS rulemaking until the case is decided. NCBA will continue monitoring WOTUS developments in Washington, D.C., and advocating solutions that support cattle producers.

In addition to the grassroots letter signed by cattle producers, NCBA and state and breed affiliates submitted technical comments to the EPA for consideration under the rulemaking docket.

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Week ending FEBRUARY 9, 2022)

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales and WNC Livestock Exchance Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, FEBRUARY 9, 2022.

All cattle in this report are located in North Carolina and South Carolina. 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 only.

Cattle Receipts: 1,121

Last Month: 1,697

Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 64 percent steers and 36 percent heifers. Nearly 92 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 800 $163.00 $163.00 810 $153.00 - $155.25 $154.14

Head 61 120

Wt. Range 800-800 800-820

Delivery Value Added

Head 105

Wt. Range 920-920

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range 920 $147.25

Avg. Price $147.25

Delivery

Head 73 124 121 60 55

Wt. Range 665-665 775-795 800-800 810-810 875-875

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range 665 $173.75 785 $166.50 800 $168.50 810 $155.25 875 $144.00

Avg. Price $173.75 $166.50 $168.50 $155.25 $144.00

Delivery

Head 63

Wt. Range 775-775

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 775 $141.25 $141.25

Delivery

Head 87

Wt. Range 565-565

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 565 $166.50 $166.50

Delivery

Head 66 64 62 60

Wt. Range 730-730 760-760 785-785 810-810

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 730 $141.00 $141.00 760 $144.75 $144.75 785 $143.50 $143.50 810 $154.25 $154.25

Value Added Value Added Natural

Delivery Natural Natural Value Added

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

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NEWS

By TY DAVIS, Ph.D., Purina Animal Nutrition We’re coming close to my favorite time of year, where the snow is melting, the trees start to bloom, and for those of you who have a spring or winter calving herd, it’s getting close to rebreeding time.

As most of you probably know, breeding time comes with its unique challenges. This includes getting your bull tested for breeding soundness, making sure you have all the supplies necessary to synch up your cows, buying semen to fit your operation, and the topic I will be discussing here, making sure your herd is in a proper nutritional state.

Your cow’s nutritional requirement for this stage is very high. She was recently asked to grow her calf in utero in its highest nutritional requirement (last trimester). She is currently in peak lactation to service optimal growth of that calf on the ground. She is also repairing/ preparing her reproductive system to

be ready for rebreeding. Remember, in optimal conditions, your cows should never be feeding just themselves. She should have a calf in utero, be feeding a growing calf on the ground, or a combination of the two.

Academic research has proven time and time again that to have the highest percentage of cows bred to the first service, and she needs to be on a rising body condition score (BCS). For example, if she calved at a 4.5 BCS, the goal would be for her to be higher than that by breeding. Academic research has found that a BCS of a 6 is the ideal body condition for your cows at breeding. This includes no ribs showing, very little pone fat, and a smooth top line with no spine showing. Unless you are gifted with remarkable hay quality, this BCS is often accomplished with supplementation.

Now I know what you’re thinking,

“Supplementing cows costs money.”

However, the costs of your cows not becoming bred can cost more money.

Reproductive efficiency is one of the biggest drivers of profitability. Every cow that is not successfully bred during her breeding cycle brings on a whole new set of financial requirements. These can include potential veterinary expenses, longer calving windows, semen costs, increased bull utilization, culling cows that didn’t need to be culled, etc. Let’s not forget that replacement heifers are expensive. I certainly am not discounting their value as the new and improved genetics to your herd, but if you put the pencil to it, a replacement heifer will be on your feed bill for almost three years before you can get any value out of her when you include the date she is born and the time it takes for her to have a calf ready to sell.

If you are in a position where you are forced to cull cows that have not performed purely due to their nutritional insufficiency, there is certainly value to feeding her to keep her in the herd longer. To keep track of your herd’s nutritional state, I recommend taking the

average BCS of your herd bi-weekly and writing it down so you can check back periodically. I also recommend keeping track of your herd’s mineral intake so you can know if they really are meeting their mineral intake requirements.

When it comes to nutritional supplementation past hay, I generally recommend our Accuration high fat blocks or liquid for those of you who do not have the time necessary to go out and hand feed every day. With our Accuration intake modifying technology, these feeds have been fine tuned to keep intakes and costs per head per day low while also providing superior nutritional quality to your herd to ensure optimal production and efficiency.

For those of you that choose to hand feed, I would recommend our higher energy feeds, such as our Performance 15% Extra Calf. I would be remised if I didn’t mention our high quality mineral that has been tested in field trials all over Virginia to have an average intake of 4 oz./head/day. These trials can be available to you for both our mineral and our liquids/blocks for you to see their performance, intakes, and get a rebate offered to you.

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Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update Cattlemen’s Beef Board Releases 2021 Annual Report. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) has released its official 2021 Annual Report. Visitors to the CBB’s website can view specific sections of the report online or download the full report as a PDF. The 2021 CBB Annual Report includes information about projects and results within each of the organization’s program areas: promotion, foreign marketing, consumer information, industry information, research, and producer communications. The report also contains a financial statement of assets, liabilities, and net assets from September 30, 2020-September 30, 2021.

“Compiling our annual report is an opportunity for us to examine what the Beef Checkoff and its contractors accomplished during the previous fiscal year and consider what we should focus on in the future,” said Greg Hanes, CBB CEO. “It’s also another example of the Checkoff’s ongoing efforts to be more

transparent with the producers who invest in our programs. We want them to know how their dollars are making a difference.”

Highlights within the 2021 CBB Annual Report include: • 15 million views of the Beef in the Early Years educational content encouraging parents to consider beef as a first food for their children.

• A 20 percent increase in export value compared to the previous record pace established in 2018.

• Incremental beef sales of 1.5 million accomplished through a partnership with retailer Sam’s Club designed to increase online beef purchases.

• A 27.8 percent increase in producer subscriptions to the CBB’s newsletter, The Drive, both in print and online.

“The CBB shares the information within the annual report to solicit feedback and encourage producer involvement,” Hanes said. “The Beef Checkoff is an industry wide initiative,

and it has the greatest impact when all stakeholders work together. We’re looking forward to even more collaboration and success throughout 2022.”

For more information about the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Beef Checkoff, visit DrivingDemandForBeef. com. To learn more about Beef Checkoff programs and initiatives, subscribe to The Drive print or e-newsletter or watch the latest episode of the new video series The Drive in Five.

Carolina Cooking Asian Grilled Beef Ribs Total Time - 2 hours, 30 minutes 5 pounds beef back ribs Marinade: ½ cup ketchup ⅓ cup Dijon style mustard ⅓ cup hoisin sauce ¼ cup finely chopped jalapeno pepper 2 tablespoon minced ginger 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar Chopped fresh cilantro (optional) Combine ketchup, mustard, hoisin, jalapeño pepper, ginger, and water in a small bowl; whisk until blended. Reserve ½ cup marinade for basting; add brown sugar and set aside.

Place beef ribs in a shallow pan or extra large food safe plastic bag; add remaining marinade. Turn to coat.

Cover pan tightly or close bag securely; marinate ribs in refrigerator 1-4 hours, turning occasionally. Remove ribs from marinade; discard marinade.

Prepare a charcoal grill for indirect cooking by igniting an equal number of charcoal briquets on each side of the fire grate, leaving open space in the center.

When coals are medium, ash covered (2530 minutes), add 3-4 new briquets to each side. Position cooking grid with handles over coals so additional briquets may be added when necessary.

Cook’s Tip: Add 3-4 additional briquets to each side of the fire grate every 30 minutes or as necessary to maintain proper heat during grilling.

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About the Beef Checkoff Program.

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.

Place ribs, meat side up, in a large (16⅛ x 11¾ x 2⅞ inches) foil roasting pan; cover tightly with aluminum foil.

Place foil pan on cooking grid; cover with grill lid and grill over medium heat 1-1½ hours or until ribs are fork tender.

Carefully remove roasting pan from grill; remove ribs from pan and place, meat side up, on grill rack. Baste ribs with reserved marinade; grill, covered, 10-15 minutes, turning and basting occasionally.

Sprinkle ribs with cilantro, if desired.

Serve with Asian greens and vegetables.

Makes 6 servings.

Asian Grilled Beef Ribs

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.

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NCBA News

NCBA Pleased to See Next Steps in Processing Capacity Funding. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of up to $215 million in grants and resources as part of a continued effort to strengthen the meat and poultry processing sector and create a more resilient food supply chain.

NCBA appreciates the Administration’s efforts to expand and diversify processing capacity and looks forward to working with USDA to ensure proper implementation of the funds.

“Investing in packing capacity is critically important for the cattle industry,” said NCBA Director of Government Affairs and Market Regulatory Policy Tanner Beymer. “The expansion of regional processing facilities will bolster resiliency within the beef

supply chain and help return marketing leverage to cattle producers.”

As part of previously announced federal investments totaling $1 billion, these funds will be allocated to three main areas: the newly created Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), workforce development, and technical assistance.

Background - USDA Rural Development will make $150 million available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP).

Under this program, grants of up to $25 million will be available to offset costs of construction, expansion, and acquisition of equipment.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will allocate $40 million dollars to existing workforce

IRM Red Books Are Here Due to increased printing costs, the price of the books have increased to $7.00/each this year.

We would like to thank Performance Livestock & Feed Company and Carolina Stockyards for again sponsoring this book.

The 2022 version is now available to help cattle producers effectively & efficiently record daily production efforts, which can help enhance profitablity and reduce stress levels. In addition to Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) best practices and proper injection technique information, it has more than 100 pages to record calving activity, herd health, pasture use, cattle inventory, body condition, cattle treatment, A.I. breeding records, and more. It also contains a calendar and notes section.

Simply return the order form below, along with $7.00 for each book to: N.C. Cattlemen’s Association 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 You can now order them through our website at www.nccattle.com/resources/merchandise/red-book-order-form.

You can also call our office at 919-552-9111 or email us at kim@nccattle.com.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

development programs to assist new and expanding processors with recruiting, training, and retraining adequate labor.

USDA is also making $25 million available through the MPPEP for technical assistance. These funds will be used to establish partnerships between organizations that specialize in meat and poultry processing and MPPEP applicants, recipients, and future applicants of Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grants.

Cattle Producers Welcome Contract Library Pilot Program.

Recently, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations package. In addition to providing funding for a number of programs of importance to U.S. beef cattle producers, the bill also maintained key provisions the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has long advocated for, such as the Electronic Logging Device exemption for livestock haulers, important EPA regulatory relief, and an extension of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program.

Also included in the package is a Cattle Contract Library pilot program, a critical tool as NCBA works to increase market transparency for cattle producers.

The pilot program marks a win for the U.S. cattle industry as it equips producers with the market data they need to make informed business decisions and work to capture more value for producing the highest quality beef in the world.

“We are grateful to Ranking Member Hoeven and Chairwoman Baldwin for spearheading this effort, as well as the many members of Congress who worked behind the scenes to advance this important transparency tool for cattle producers,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “This pilot program will allow USDA to work on the model for a contract library that works for everyone in the supply chain while Congress and industry continue to work out the details of a permanent library in subsequent legislation like the Cattle Contract Library Act.” NCBA stands ready to ensure proper implementation of this program and looks forward to working with members of Congress to establish permanent solutions to ensure a viable business climate for cattle producers.

R e g i s t e r To d a y f o r 2 0 2 2 Stockmanship & Stewardship Events.

Registration is now open for three Stockmanship & Stewardship regional events, with the first stop in Blacksburg, Va., in May. During each event, producers can become BQA certified, network with fellow cattlemen and women, participate in hands-on demonstrations led by stockmanship experts, including Curt Pate

and Dr. Ron Gill, and learn cutting edge operation techniques.

The 2022 Stockmanship & Stewardship events include: • Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., May 20-21 • Leavenworth, Kan., June 16-18 • Auburn University, Auburn, Ala., August 12-13 “In today’s world, no matter the beef production system you are involved with, stockmanship and stewardship are more important than ever,” said Curt Pate, Stockmanship & Stewardship clinician and cattle handling expert. “This quality program combines age old skills with modern practices to improve your bottom line and quality of life.”

Stockmanship & Stewardship is a unique educational experience for cattle producers featuring low-stress cattle handling demonstrations, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) educational sessions, facility design sessions, and industry updates that you won’t find anywhere else. The program is sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Merck Animal Health, and the Beef Checkoff funded National Beef Quality Assurance program.

“Merck Animal Health is proud to have a long standing partnership with NCBA in ensuring education and animal welfare training with our sponsorship of Stockmanship & Stewardship,” said Kevin Mobley, executive director of sales and marketing for Merck Animal Health.

“With products and technology designed to enhance animal health, productivity and traceability, combined with the expertise of our people, Merck Animal Health is in a unique position to provide leadership and innovation in the area of sustainability.”

For more information about upcoming Stockmanship & Stewardship events and to register, visit www.

StockmanshipAndStewardship.org. Cattle producers attending a Stockmanship & Stewardship event are eligible for reimbursement through the Rancher Resilience Grant. To apply for a grant to cover registration costs and two nights hotel, visit www.ncba.org/producers/ rancher-resilience-grant.

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.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2022

PAGE 59

MERCK

Animal Health News Merck Animal Health Receives FDA Approval of AROVYN™. New prescription antibiotic option for BRD, pinkeye, and foot rot. Merck Animal Health recently announced it has received U.S. FDA approval of AROVYN (tulathromycin injection) – a broad spectrum, prescription antibiotic that treats the major organisms associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD), foot rot, and pinkeye.

“Merck Animal Health is pleased to add AROVYN to our comprehensive, trusted portfolio of cattle antimicrobials.

AROVYN gives veterinarians a new option when prescribing tulathromycin – which is proven to help treat some of the most common and costly cattle disease challenges,” said David Sjeklocha, DVM, technical services manager, Merck Animal Health. “While adhering to vaccination protocols can certainly help keep animals healthy, some animals still will get sick. New AROVYN is for those situations requiring early diagnosis and an effective treatment program, so animals can recover quickly.”

In beef and non-lactating dairy cattle, AROVYN is indicated for the treatment of BRD and control of respiratory disease in animals at high risk of developing BRD

associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis. It also is approved for treatment of pinkeye or infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) associated with Moraxella bovis, plus treatment of foot rot associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum and Porphyromonas levii. In suckling calves, dairy calves, and veal calves, AROVYN is indicated for treatment of BRD associated with M. haemolytica, P. multocida, H. somni, and M. bovis.

“Our commitment to continuously improve the health and well being of cattle is the driving force behind our work to bring new vaccines, diagnostic technologies and antimicrobials to market,” said Dr. Sjeklocha. “In the past 18 months to help our customers better manage BRD, Merck Animal Health has introduced two innovative diagnostic technologies WHISPER ON ARRIVAL and SenseHub Feedlot, a first-of-its-kind intranasal vaccine BOVILIS NASALGEN 3-PMH and now AROVYN, an antimicrobial important in many cattle treatment protocols.”

AROVYN – a prescription antibiotic for cattle and swine – will be available from or on the order of a licensed

veterinarian starting in May 2022. It will come in 100-, 250- and 500-mL vials. It is manufactured in the same facility as other Merck Animal Health antimicrobials, such as ZUPREVO (tildipirosin), with the same high quality assurance guidelines.

To learn more about AROVYN, visit www.merck-animal-health-usa.com.

About Merck Animal Health. For over 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, 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., USA, 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 connected technology that includes 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 some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animalhealth.com.

S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of FEBRUARY 2022 Cattle Receipts: 9,530

•

Previous Month: 8,604

Feeder supply - 31% steers • 44% heifers • 25% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

Avg. Wt. Price

Cows - % Lean

Breaker 1,532 $78.12

Boner 1,254 $78.85

Lean 939 $70.32

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,551

$102.85

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $178.76 $756.15 450-500 473 $173.98 $822.93 500-550 518 $168.47 $872.67 550-600 570 $158.92 $905.84 600-650 623 $148.45 $924.84 650-700 669 $139.96 $936.33

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 421 $170.19 $716.50 450-500 472 $165.96 $783.33 500-550 516 $156.01 $805.01 550-600 570 $152.56 $869.59 600-650 620 $141.53 $877.49 650-700 668 $135.32 $903.94

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 421 $146.46 $616.60 450-500 469 $140.79 $660.31 500-550 520 $137.73 $716.20 550-600 570 $134.43 $766.25 600-650 621 $127.86 $794.01 650-700 669 $124.18 $830.76

Source: S.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Columbia, S.C. - 803-737-4491

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

USDA-NIFA Invests Over $13M in Treating, Eradicating Livestock Diseases The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced an investment of over $13 million in research that explores novel therapies and prevention strategies for animal diseases that cost the agricultural industry billions worldwide.

“The health of agricultural animals is critical to ensuring the U.S. maintains a safe and adequate food supply,” said NIFA Director Dr. Carrie Castille. “The research we are funding with these grants will create new knowledge and spur discoveries that enhance production efficiency and improve animal health and welfare.”

The 24 grants announced today are part of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Diseases of Agricultural Animals program area priority. They will support projects at 17 universities focusing on disease prevention, vaccine development, and management strategies to maintain healthy agricultural animals.

This newly funded research investigates diseases affecting a full range of species, from cattle, poultry, and pigs to horses, sheep, and fish. The knowledge created by this research promises to aid farmers and ranchers in improving animals’ resistance to disease while also catalyzing the development of novel

N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of FEBRUARY 2022 Cattle Receipts: 15,045

•

Previous Month: 11,005

Feeder supply - 31% steers • 43% heifers • 26% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

Avg. Wt. Price

Cows - % Lean

Breaker 1,461 $73.01

Boner 1,208 $72.01

Lean 987 $64.02

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,585

prevention and treatment methods.

Some funded projects include: • University of Illinois’ proposal focuses on developing safe and efficient drugs that block the activity of Cryptosporidium parvum, a highly prevalent parasite that causes a serious diarrheal illness in calves, lambs, and goat kids in the U.S. and worldwide. This project will lead to effectively treating these infections in calves to improve livestock health and ease a significant economic burden to the cattle industry. ($790,000) • Marek’s disease, a cancer-like disease of chickens, is caused by a herpes virus known as Marek’s disease virus. The use of extensive vaccination by the poultry industry has significantly reduced the disease burden. However, the cost of vaccination and the emergence of novel viruses capable of overcoming vaccination pose a serious economic threat to the poultry industry. A Texas A&M University project on Marek’s Disease in chickens will help reduce the cost of vaccinations for U.S. poultry producers. ($625,000) • Enteric septicemia is the leading disease of cultured channel catfish.

There are limits to the current preventive and treatment strategies. There is an urgent, industry defined need to provide catfish producers with a practical, safe,

and effective treatment alternative.

Mississippi State University’s project will evaluate an antimicrobial feed additive that will provide a safe and practical solution to combat enteric septicemia in catfish. This research will help develop treatment options for aquaculture producers that will increase production efficiency. ($625,000) • Swine influenza virus is one of the top respiratory infections in swine, causing significant economic losses to the swine industry every year. This virus is highly prevalent in the U.S., and the complexity of this disease makes it challenging to develop effective vaccines.

Cornell University’s research will develop more effective vaccines for swine influenza virus. ($642,000) NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and Extension across the nation to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. NIFA supports initiatives that ensure the long term viability of agriculture and applies an integrated approach to ensure that groundbreaking discoveries in agriculture related sciences and technologies reach the people who can put them into practice. In FY2021, NIFA’s total investment was $1.96 billion.

Visit our website at www.nifa.usda. gov.

$97.59

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $169.66 $721.06 450-500 472 $166.71 $786.87 500-550 527 $159.62 $841.20 550-600 571 $160.08 $914.06 600-650 621 $153.12 $950.88 650-700 661 $149.94 $991.10

West End Precast

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $165.87 $703.29 450-500 475 $160.08 $760.38 500-550 522 $155.32 $810.77 550-600 570 $149.04 $849.53 600-650 621 $143.82 $893.12 650-700 671 $136.18 $913.77

8 ft Concrete Feed Bunks

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 421 $144.00 $606.24 450-500 472 $141.93 $669.91 500-550 522 $137.09 $715.61 550-600 570 $135.05 $769.79 600-650 621 $127.57 $792.21 650-700 674 $122.33 $824.50

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

276-228-5024 Wytheville, Virginia

U or J Bunks - $200 • Calf Bunks - $150

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

q APRIL 2022

PAGE 61

NEWS

Experts to highlight consumer trends at the 2022 Stakeholders Summit. Consumer purchasing patterns for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs continuously evolve and have done so at a more rapid pace since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the 2022 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit in May, Menu Matters’ Maeve Webster and Midan Marketing’s Danette Amstein will highlight current consumer trends and provide actionable insights to discuss how the animal agriculture community can keep consumers top of mind and continue to evolve and adapt storytelling into their repertoire.

“While the full, lasting implications of the COVID-19 pandemic have yet to be seen, changes in consumer buying preferences and decisions are already being identified,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “It’s time for us to be informed on those

changes and trends so that we can be ready to better connect with the post pandemic consumer.”

Maeve Webster, president of Menu Matters, is a leading consultant and thought leader for the food community.

Over the past 20 years, she has spearheaded hundreds of major studies and today runs a private consultancy focused on working with food professionals to analyze, understand, and leverage trends in food and consumer behavior. Maeve’s expertise is in the areas of trend analysis, market assessment, consumer and operator behavior, product testing, menu effectiveness, and brand optimization.

Danette Amstein co-founded Midan Marketing with a vision of transforming the meat community. As managing principal, she works to develop and carry out the strategic direction and vision for Midan, developing each #MeatFam team

a

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.

* NOW AVAILABLE * Small Ruminant Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination (AI) & Embryo Transfer (ET) 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 62

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

member to achieve their full potential while helping Midan clients – and America’s farmers and ranchers – achieve long term viability. A well respected thought leader in the meat community, she speaks at conferences and writes content for related publications.

“Ag-vocates” to share lessons learned at 2022 Stakeholders Summit.

Ballot initiatives. Undercover videos.

“Pink slime.” Animal agriculture has gone through the wringer when it comes

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

to activist actions and misinformed marketing schemes, subsequently adding a new role for farmers and ranchers who feel compelled to speak up for the community they love. At the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2022 Stakeholders Summit, three rockstar “ag-vocates” will break down how engagement has evolved, share their success stories, and discuss what response methods and tactics we should perhaps leave behind as we continue to stand up for our

NEWS

American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Receives a $1.875M Grant From the Zoetis Foundation to Support Veterinary Students. The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is pleased to announce a $1.875 million grant awarded from the Zoetis Foundation. Dr. Christine Jenkins, U.S. Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Veterinary Medical Services & Outcomes Research for Zoetis Inc., made a special announcement of this award at the 2022 Catalyze AAVMC Conference in Washington, D.C. The Zoetis Foundation was established in 2021 to advance opportunities for veterinarians and farmers around the world. The Zoetis Foundation has committed to providing AAVMC with a $1.875 million grant to fund the 2023 Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship, supporting 263 second and third year veterinary students equating to $7,000 in funding per student.

This scholarship program will address the issue of student debt as well as the need to foster diversity in the veterinary profession. Zoetis Inc. previously funded scholarships for AAVMC, and this Foundation grant will triple Zoetis Inc.’s previous support to provide students increased scholarship funds.

The application process will be open to students starting in October 2022. Please be sure to visit the AAVMC website for more information. The Zoetis Foundation’s 2023 grantees will provide greater access to education and mental wellness resources, expand veterinary debt relief, support diversity and inclusion efforts, and help enable thriving livelihoods for veterinarians and farmers.

“We are grateful for the continued support and partnership of Zoetis and the Zoetis Foundation. As a champion for diversity and inclusion focused

on advancing the veterinary medical profession, this funding from the Foundation will be instrumental in helping us further education development and increase well being,” says Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, CEO of AAVMC. More information on the scholarship application process will be available at www.aavmc.org/programs/education/ in thencoming months.

About the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. The member institutions of AAVMC promote and protect the health and well being 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 Council on Education (COE) accredited veterinary medical colleges and schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as departments of veterinary science and departments of comparative medicine in the United States.

About Zoetis Foundation. The Zoetis Foundation supports communities and the people who care for animals, with a specific focus on advancing opportunities for veterinarians and farmers around the world. The Foundation’s grantmaking and strategic efforts help provide access to education and mental wellness resources, expand veterinary debt relief, support diversity and inclusion efforts, and enable thriving livelihoods by funding programs that help veterinary practices and livestock farmers adopt sustainable business practices. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.zoetisfoundation.org.

livelihood.

“Just as social media and other communication vessels evolve, so do the best practices for those wanting to connect and engage via those channels,” said Emily Solis, Alliance communications specialist. “Brandi Buzzard, Debbie Lyons-Blythe, and Carrie Mess are long time advocates for agriculture who have tweaked and adapted their methods of communication to earn attention and resonate with the general public – and now, they’re ready to share what they’ve learned with others at the 2022 Summit.”

Brandi Buzzard has been a passionate agriculture advocate for more than a decade, helping others to share their story.

She has spoken on MSNBC, FOX, and CBS, addressing issues like conservation, beef sustainability, and nutrition. She has also visited the White House and spoken to senior White House officials about agriculture and sustainability. She is currently the director of communications for the Red Angus Association of America and editor of the Red Angus Magazine.

Buzzard farms in southeast Kansas with her husband and two daughters.

Debbie Lyons-Blythe is a cattle rancher in the Flint Hills of Kansas. She and her husband run a registered Angus cow herd as well as a crossbred herd and raise 300 heifers that they sell as bred heifers across the nation. Blythe Family Farms is a founding member of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, and Debbie is the chairman-elect for the organization.

Carrie Mess is a dairy farmer in Wisconsin, working alongside her husband and his parents. In 2011, she started her “Dairy Carrie” blog to share more about her life on the farm and address common misconceptions about food and agriculture. She now splits her time between being a mom, working on the farm, and sharing what she’s learned about food, agriculture, and engaging with consumers.

The Alliance’s annual Summit brings

together thought leaders in the agriculture and food communities 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 2022 event, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here,” is scheduled for May 11-12 in Kansas City, Missouri. Preconference webinars will be held in the weeks leading up to the main event. In-person and virtual attendance options are both available.

Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA22 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 2022 sponsorship opportunities, please visit animalagalliance.org/initiatives/ stakeholders-summit/. For more information, contact Casey Kinler at ckinler@animalagalliance.org.

Thank you to our 2022 Summit sponsors - Watt Global Media, Farm Journal, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, Tyson Foods Inc., American Feed Industry Association, United Soybean Board, United Egg Producers, Dairy MAX, Farm Credit, Adisseo, Cobb Vantress, Inc., Protect the Harvest, Progressive Dairy, Kemin, American Farm Bureau Federation, Empirical, American Veal Association, National Chicken Council, Trans Ova Genetics, Vivayic, Agri Beef, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, N.C. Farm Bureau, 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

January

February

Chester

267

820

Darlington

1,237

1,316

Laurens

1,173

1,513

766

1,183

1,737

2,917

773

2,596

Orangeburg Saluda Williamston

Association, Zoetis, Merck Animal Health, C.O.nxt, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America, LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, Kanas Soybean Commission, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc., and Seaboard Foods.

About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Alliance safeguards

Fighting for Regulatory Certainty Under the Endangered Species Act Regulatory uncertainty is one of the greatest threats to your operation.

For decades, the regulatory whiplash caused by politically driven changes to protections for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has made business decisions and planning for the future nearly impossible. Oregon cattleman and NCBA Region V Policy Vice President Skye Krebs is just one of many producers who face the consequences of regulatory decisions being made based on activism driven politics instead of sound science.

“We keep getting mixed messages on ESA goals,” Krebs said. “Constantly moving goalposts, coupled with lack of agency consistency and enforcement standards, have created immense frustration among producers and have negatively impacted the health and well being of livestock throughout the United States.”

Since being listed under the ESA in 1974, the gray wolf population has seen tremendous recovery, exceeding recovery goals by 300 percent. It is critical to recognize that success, instead of using ESA as a permanent management tool — a purpose that is in direct conflict with the

2022 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts March

April

May

the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. 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.

June

July

August

September

original intention of the Act. “From the beginning, the livestock industry was willing to come to the table and work with agencies to minimize conflict between wolves and livestock. Even though we’ve exceeded the goals beyond expectations, federal politics have caused the rules to keep changing,” Krebs said.

NCBA has led the charge to fight for the use of science-based, data-driven decisions regarding gray wolf population recovery. We were supportive of the decision by the Trump administration in 2020 to delist the gray wolf and have since been defending that decision, despite attempts by activist groups to undermine one of the most successful ESA recovery stories in U.S. history.

Across the country, increased gray wolf attacks on livestock are threatening the viability of family-owned operations.

With reinstated protections under the ESA, this situation will only continue to get worse. In the coming weeks, we are committed to pursuing every avenue — whether it be regulatory or legal — to ensure that ESA decisions are made based on fact and producers have the tools they need to protect their livestock and livelihoods.

October

The Carolina Cattle Connection

November

December

q APRIL 2022

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Medical Breakthrough Could Help Produce More Beef A recent research breakthrough in human medicine could help a Texas A&M Department of Animal Science researcher find a way to increase beef production to help meet the demands of global population growth.

Bos indicus cattle breeds are very important to global beef production due to their adaptability to tropical and subtropical climates, including those found in Texas and other southern U.S. states.

But a big challenge or disadvantage for Bos indicus, or Brahman, cattle is that their overall reproductive performance is inferior to that of Bos taurus cattle breeds such as Angus and Hereford, which predominate in the Midwest and Northern states.

Rodolfo Cardoso, DVM, Ph.D., assistant professor and reproductive physiologist in the Department of Animal Science of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is leading a four year project funded by a $500,000 grant from

PAGE 64

the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Among the collaborators are Gary Williams, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research professor emeritus, and graduate students Viviana Garza and Sarah West.

Cardoso said revolutionary advances in neuroendocrine research have defined the mechanisms controlling the secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone, GnRH. The new insights, he believes, can help his team determine neuroendocrine differences between Bos taurus and Bos indicus genotypes of cattle and use that to enhance reproductive efficiency in Bos indicus influenced cattle.

“Very recently, there was an important breakthrough on the understanding of how the secretion of GnRH is regulated in rodents and primates,” he said. “Our preliminary research suggests that similar mechanisms are also important in cattle and could explain the differences in

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

reproductive performance between Bos taurus and Bos indicus animals.

“If confirmed, those findings can have practical implications to reproductive management of Bos indicus cattle. In human medicine, several pharmacological strategies to improve fertility in women have already been developed based on these novel findings.”

Calving timing matters - As many as 70 percent of the world’s cattle are raised in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and approximately 30 percent of U.S. beef herds have some Bos indicus influence, particularly in the southern and southeastern regions.

One major challenge is that Bos indicus and Bos indicus influenced cattle reach puberty markedly later than Bos taurus breeds. That late puberty essentially means one less calf in a cow’s lifetime and also presents challenges when breeders try to synchronize estrus cycles for the annual breeding season.

Cardoso said typically Bos taurus heifers reach puberty at 10-12 months, whereas Bos indicus heifers often won’t reach puberty until 15-17 months.

“That five month delay makes them not reach puberty in time for their first breeding season, and so they have to wait another whole year to be bred and have their first calf,” Cardoso said.

With more than four million replacement beef heifers entering the U.S. cow herd annually, the difference between having a calf when the heifer is two versus three years old can make a big difference in beef production. In Texas and Florida, less than 50 percent of beef heifers reach the goal of calving at two years old due to the Bos indicus influence.

Cardoso said heifers that calve for the first time at two years of age produce approximately 300 more pounds of weaned calf weight in their lifetime, or a $500 difference, compared to heifers that calve at three years of age.

This project will utilize the recent discoveries to determine whether distinct differences observed in reproductive function in Bos indicus and Bos taurus breeds can be attributed to functional differences in the brain area that controls the secretion of the GnRH hormone.

Predetermined breeding seasons are key to efficiency - A predetermined breeding season typically lasts between 45-90 days and allows for more efficient management of a beef cattle operation, Cardoso said.

“You can have a very uniform calf crop, which makes it much easier to manage those calves — vaccinate and do all the health protocols at the same

time,” he said. “You can wean and sell the calves at the same time because you have a uniform group, so it makes management much, much more efficient in a cow/calf operation. It also allows for culling of animals that are not efficient.”

In addition to better understanding the cattle’s reproductive function, Cardoso said, a second goal from a pharmacological strategy is to develop synchronization protocols for artificial insemination tailored to Bos indicus heifers. Most protocols currently used in the U.S. were developed specifically for the Bos taurus breeds.

“These Bos indicus heifers already have, at 12-14 months of age, the skeletal size and maturity required to support a safe and healthy pregnancy,” he said. “There’s no question about that. They’re just not cycling yet. We don’t want to induce these heifers to reach what we call precocious puberty (puberty before ten months of age). That’s not desirable, and that’s not what we’re trying to accomplish here.”

A key benefit, Cardoso said, of synchronizing the breeding season more efficiently is being able to use artificial insemination more in Bos indicus influenced cattle.

“Artificial insemination is the most powerful tool we have available to improve genetics in beef cattle herds,” he said. “Artificial insemination is a way that a beef cattle producer can, over time, start improving the genetics of the herd.”

But currently, breeders’ ability to synchronize estrus of Bos indicus influenced animals for artificial insemination is not optimal, Cardoso said.

“We hope by the end of this four year project we will have a very good understanding about the neuroendocrine differences between Bos taurus and Bos indicus influenced heifers,” he said.

“And, more importantly, we think at that point we’ll have some good strategies to pharmacologically control the estrus cycle in Bos indicus influenced heifers.”

Don’t get caught napping!

Deadline is 5th of month prior to issue!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2022

PAGE 65

...

LASSIFIED PUREBRED C ATTLE BREEDERS BACK CREEK ANGUS

Joe and Robin Hampton

A NIMAL H EALTH

www.huntsbrangus.com Calhoun, GA 770-548-7950

345 Withrows Creek Lane Mt. Ulla, NC 28125

704-880-2488

Angus

Black Crest Farm

W.R. “Billy” McLeod

1320 Old Manning Rd., Sumter, SC 29150

803-481-2011

williammcleod@ftc-i.net • www.blackcrestfarm.com

Walter D. Shealy III and Family

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

C. A. H. Brent Glenn, DVM Lancaster, S.C.

AUTO • HOME • LIFE BUSINESS • FARM & RANCH

Jim Traynham Wingate, N.C. 704-233-5366 Cell - 704-292-4217

Carolinas Animal Health, LLC

“Cattle with Something Extra”

803-789-7000

The Josey Agency, Inc. Douglas Josey 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

QUALITY GELBVIEH, ANGUS, & BALANCER CATTLE

DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, OWNERS

Ernest B. Harris President

Phone: 252-257-2140 Mobile: 252-430-9595 ®

Duane Cell: 336-964-6277 • Wendy Cell: 336-964-5127 Home: 336-381-3640 • Fax: 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com • ccrosscattle.com THE HERD THAT CONSISTENTLY PRODUCES CATTLE WITH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS, AND EYE APPEAL.

On Your Side®

James S. Wills • The Wills Agency LLC

555 West Church Street Batesburg, SC 29006

3200 NC Hwy. 58 • Warrenton, NC 27589 NCAL #1468 • NC#C#4264 • VAL #146 • SCAL #3895 Email: ebharris@ebharris.com www.ebharris.com

REGISTERED POLLED HEREFORDS • EST. 1998 “Quality Cattle For Quality People”

Cattle Available Private Treaty John Wheeler • 910-489-0024 doublejfarm@yahoo.com • www.doublejfarmllc.com

JOBS WEBSITE

Headquarters - 775 Clacton Circle • Earlysville, VA 22936 Cattle located in Traphill, N.C.

CATTLE FOR SALE PRIVATE TREATY AT ALL TIMES!

328 Fowken Farm Rd. • Jonesville, SC More than 70 years of breeding grass type cattle!

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

Norris Fowler - 864-219-0182 Greg - 864-426-7337 • Rogers - 864-426-3281 www.fowkenfarm.com

SPRINGFIELD ANGUS 104 Springfield Lane Louisburg, NC 27549

Phil Goodson: 919-880-9062 Alex Askew: 910-260-2889

• Performance Tested • Ultrasound and 50K Evaluated • Registered Angus Bulls

KEEP POSTED FOR UPDATES ON THE 2022 Tarheel Angus/4K Farm Production Sale

ALL Regular Copy

RICHARD KIRKMAN, DVM 20416 US 64 West Siler City, NC 27344-0350

919-742-5500 • rdkirkman@centurylink.net

THE YON FAMILY 318 Aiken Road • Ridge Spring, SC 29129 www.yonfamilyfarm.com

Autryville, NC 28318 www.howardbrosfarms.com

Darryl Howard Cell: 910-990-2791

October 15, 2022

Angus • SimAngus • Ultrablacks

FOR SALE

WHITEHALL BEEFMASTERS Joe and Ann Logan 214 Cowhead Creek Road Greenwood, SC 29646

Telephone: 864-538-3004

PAGE 66

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MAY ISSUE

by APRIL 5!

ALL Spotlight Material for the

BBU Registered Beefmaster Bulls and Females

Jonathan Massey

336-260-2565 • jonathan.massey2@gmail.com

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336-214-4144 • johnnymassey.1@gmail.com

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

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NDEX OF 14th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale .............................. 17 2022 IRM Red Books ........................................................................ 58 2022 Wolfpack Round-Up Sale ......................................................... 40 38th Annual N.C. Angus Association Spring Fever Sale ........................ 21 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus .................................................................... 66 47th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale .................... 14 49th Breeders of the Carolinas Sale .................................................... 28 Alfalfa in the South Field Day ............................................................. 60 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............................ 66 American Red .................................................................................... 26 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ................................................................... 24 Back Creek Angus .............................................................................. 66 Benton’s Hay Farm ............................................................................. 52 Biltmore Livestock — Angus .............................................................. 18 BioZyme - VitaCharge .......................................................................... 9 Black Crest Farm ................................................................................ 66 Black Grove Angus ............................................................................. 66 Brubaker Family Angus ...................................................................... 66 C-Cross Cattle Company .................................................................... 66 Cargill — Right Now® Mineral ............................................................ 46 Carolinas Animal Health ................................................................... 66 Cattlemen’s Top Cut Commercial Female Sale ................................... 50 Childers Concrete Company, Inc. ....................................................... 55 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ....................................................... 66 Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics Learning Series .................................. 65 Double J Farms .................................................................................. 66 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. .............................................................. 66 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ............................................. 16 Fowken Farms .................................................................................... 66 FPL Foods ........................................................................................... 37 Fred Smith Company Ranch ............................................................... 66 Howard Brothers Farms ..................................................................... 66 Hunt’s H+ Brangus ............................................................................ 66 Hutton & Sons Herefords ................................................................... 66 John Deere ......................................................................................... 36 Knight-N-Gail Farm — Black Herefords FOR SALE .............................. 54

For Your Advertising Needs, Contact: The Carolina Cattle Connection • 919-552-9111 The Livestock Advertising Network • 859-278-0899

DVERTISERS Lawson Family Farms Spring Female & Bull Sale ............................ 19 Lazy Acres Angus “Focus Now, Value Late Bull & Female Sale ........ 22 N.C. Angus Association Directory …................................................... 20 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application .................... 47 N.C. Hereford Association Directory ................................................. 30 N.C. Meat Suite .................................................................................. 64 N.C. Simmental Association .............................................................. 42 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment ................................... 13 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2022 Policy Priorities ........... 59 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Application ..... 53 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Benefits ........... 51 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ................ 66 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ................ 34 P.H. White Company ............................................................................ 5 Pearson Livestock Equipment ........................................................... 48 Piedmont Custom Meats ................................................................... 43 Premier Select Sires 2022 Spring Specials ........................................ 49 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ............................ 27 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ................... 39 S.C. Hereford Assocaition & Red Angus Association of the Carolinas 2nd Joint Sale .................................................................................. 33 Savannah River Cattlemens Sale ....................................................... 29 SimAngus Solution ........................................................................... 66 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ......... 57 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ............... 32 Southern States ................................................................................ 35 Springfield Angus ............................................................................. 66 The Barn Loft — Purina ..................................................................... 10 The Carolinas Brahman Breeders Association 42nd Annual Sale ........ 24 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2022 Spotlight Schedule ............... 41 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates & Sizes .................. 2 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM ....... 62 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ......................................................... 61 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ........................................ 38 Whitehall Beefmasters ...................................................................... 66 Whitestone Farm 29th Annual Pasture Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale ......................................................................... 23 Wilkes Livestock Exchange ............................................................... 31 www.RanchWork.com ....................................................................... 66 Yon Family Farms .............................................................................. 66 The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2022

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VENTS ANGUS Apr. 9 — Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale, Oxford, N.C. Apr. 9 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 9 — Southern Synergy 15th Annual Angus Female Production Sale, Wadley, Ga. Apr. 14 — Virginia Beef Expo Angus Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 23 — N.C. Angus Association Spring Fever Sale, Union Grove, N.C. Apr. 30 — Lazy Acres Angus “Focus Now, Value Later” Bull & Female Sale, Rocky Mount, Va. May 7 — Lawson Family Farms Spring Female & Bull Sale, Ewing, Va. May 7 — Springfield Angus Spring Production Sale, Louisburg, N.C. Jun. 3 — N.C. Angus Advantage Sale, Clinton, N.C.

Oct. 15 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Fall Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 29 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Oct. 30 — High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity Sale, Albemarle, N.C. Nov. 5 — Craven Angus Farm Open House Bull & Female Sale, Seagrove, N.C. Nov. 19 — McMahan Farm & Hancock Angus Annual Registered Angus Bull Sale, Mocksville, N.C. Nov. 19 — 11th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale, Asheboro, N.C. Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 3 — The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2023 Jan. 7 — 14th Annual EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C.

a

IGHTER A cowboy strolls into town on his horse Fireball and goes straight to the saloon. He drinks straight whiskey for a few hours, never moving except to take another drink. When he’s done he gets up and walks out of the saloon.

He immediately runs back in and yells, “Alright! Who took Fireball?” But nobody makes a noise.

He continues, “Okay, I’m gonna give y’all to the count of three then we’re gonna have a repeat of what happened back in ‘71.”

“ONE!” He pauses and nobody moves a muscle.

“TWO!” Everybody braces for impending doom.

“Here it comes... THR...”

He is interrupted by a man in the saloon, “Wait! It was just a joke mister.

Your horse is right out back... By the way, what’d you do in ‘71?”

The cowboy looks him dead in the eye and says, “I had to walk home.”

*

*

*

A jockey is about to enter an race on a new horse. The horse’s trainer meets him before the race and says, “All you have

PAGE 68

IDE

to remember with this horse is that every time you approach a jump, you have to shout, ‘ALLLLEEE OOOP!’ really loudly in the horse’s ear. Providing you do that, you’ll be fine.”

The jockey thinks the trainer is mad but promises to shout the command. The race begins and they approach the first hurdle. The jockey ignores the trainer’s ridiculous advice and the horse crashes straight through the center of the jump.

They carry on and approach the second hurdle. The jockey, somewhat embarrassed, whispers “Aleeee ooop” in the horse’s ear. The same thing happens - the horse crashes straight through the center of the jump.

At the third hurdle, the jockey thinks, “It’s no good, I’ll have to do it,” and yells, “ALLLEEE OOOP!” really loudly. Sure enough, the horse sails over the jump with no problems. This continues for the rest of the race, but due to the earlier problems the horse only finishes third.

The trainer is fuming and asks the jockey what went wrong. The jockey replies, “Nothing is wrong with me. It’s this bloody horse. What is he, deaf or something?”

The trainer replies, “Deaf? Deaf?! He’s not deaf. He’s blind!”

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2022

Brahman May 7 — Savannah River Cattlemen Sale, Hephzibah, Ga. Jun. 4 — The Carolinas Brahman Breeders Association 42nd Annual Sale, Laurens, S.C. GELBVIEH Apr. 2 — Grassy Valley Angus 29th Annual Production Sale, Greeneville, Tenn.

Apr. 9 — Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale, Oxford, N.C. Apr. 9 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. HEREFORD Apr. 9 — Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale, Oxford, N.C. Apr. 9 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 14 — Virginia Beef Expo Hereford Female & Bull Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. SANTA GERTRUDIS May 14 — Santa Gertudis Breeders of the Carolinas Sale, Chester, S.C. May 7 — Savannah River Cattlemen Sale, Hephzibah, Ga. SIMMENTAL Apr. 14 — Virginia Beef Expo Simmental Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Sep. 2 — N.C. Simmental Association Annual Meeting, Union Grove, N.C. Sep. 3 — N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale, Union Grove, N.C. Oct. 15 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Fall Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 29 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Oct. 30 — High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity Sale, Albemarle, N.C. Dec. 3 — The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.

OTHER EVENTS Apr. 7 — Cow Efficiency Virtual Seminar, via Zoom Apr. 7 — Productive Pastures: Pasture Design Considerations & Establishment, Columbus, N.C. Apr. 9 — Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale, Oxford, N.C. Apr. 13-16 — Virginia Beef Expo, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 14 — Productive Pastures: Nutritive Value of Pasture Forages & Toxicity, Columbus, N.C. Apr. 14 — Virginia Beef Expo All Other Breeds & Commercial Heifer Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 19 — Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics - Reproduction Apr. 17 — Productive Pastures: Grazing Management & General Maintenance, Columbus, N.C. Apr. 23 — 2022 Wolfpack Round-Up Sale, Raleigh, N.C. Apr. 23 — Show Down in the Foothills Livestock Clinic, Lenoir, N.C. Apr. 24 — Show Down in the Foothills Livestock Show, Lenoir, N.C. May 5 — Alfalfa in the South Field Day, Laurens, S.C. May 21 — Cattlemen’s Top Cut Commercial Female Sale., Washington, Ga. Jun. 21 — 5-County Beef Tour Jun. 23 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jun. 27-30 — 7th Annual Symposium on Animal Mortality Management, Raleigh, N.C. Aug. 4 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Sep. 22 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Nov. 17 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.

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!