The Carolina Cattle Connection - Volume 36, Issue No. 8 (August 2022)

CC C

arolina attle onnection AUGUST 2022 •

Vol. 36, Issue No. 8

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ONNECTION 2022 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts ....................................................... page 26 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy .......................................................... page 44 A Message from the CEO — Summer Grilling Season is in Full Swing,

by Colin Woodall ........................................................................................................ page 35 Amazing Grazing — Now is the Time to Scout for Fall Armyworms,

by Dr. Deidre Harmon & Dan Wells …...................................................................... page 14 American Angus Association News .......................................................................... page 20 American Hereford Association News ..................................................................... page 24 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ............................................................................ page 48 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Making Connections, by Ashley W. Herring …............... page 12 Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges News ................................................. page 18 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods .................................................... page 15 Beefmaster Breeders United News .......................................................................... page 49 Boehringer Ingelheim News ....................................................................................... page 53 Carolina Cooking — Flat Iron Steaks with Grilled Corn & Cumin-Lime Butter ........................... page 57 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ..................................................... page 11 Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update — The Beef Expert Network - How the Beef Checkoff Uses Influencer Marketing to Drive Demand, by Sallie Miller ........ page 43 Cow Herd Mineral Supplementation, by Bob Larson, DVM, Ph.D. ........................ page 22 Director’s Report — Enthused, by Bryan K. Blinson ................................................... page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Do You Really Want Me To Leave, by E.B. Harris ........................................... page 18 Federation of State Beef Councils Update ................................................................. page 4 Have You Herd — Capitalizing on Rented Land for Grazing Cattle,

by Lance Johnson ........................................................................................................ page 27 John Deere News ........................................................................................................... page 42 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ................................................................................... page 19 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ......................................................... page 50 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — Capitalizing on Strong Global Demand for U.S. Beef, by Don Schiefelbein ........................... page 36 NCBA Fights Against Overreaching SEC Climate Rule …...................................... page 34 North American Limousin Foundation News ......................................................... page 47 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ................................................ page 12 Past Performance to Predict Future Gain?, by Justin Sexten .................................. page 56 Pasture Management Systems, Inc. Mile of Fence Program Update .................. page 33 Producer Voices Heard at WOTUS Roundtable ..................................................... page 52 Protein Supplementation Boosts Forage Digestion in Late Summer,

by Phillip Lancaster, Ph.D. ......................................................................................... page 29 Six Tips to Keep Farm Employees Safe When Temps Rise, by Taylor Leach ......... page 57 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ................................................ page 52 The Chaplain’s Corral — A Feed Bag and God’s Word,

by Skeeter Spaulding .................................................................................................. page 19 Trending in Food & Media ............................................................................................ page 40 Valley Vet News ............................................................................................................ page 28 Virbac News ................................................................................................................... page 44 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ................................................................................. page 16 Zoetis News .................................................................................................................... page 54

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

The Carolina Cattle Connection Vol. 36, No. 8 AUGUST 2022 Sales & Publication Office

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2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

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

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 N.C. Beef Council 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

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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

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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

SIMMENTAL Bandys FFA Livestock Team — Showing Simmental and a Whole Lot More, by Jennie Rucker … page 6 Rocking F Farm — Rocking a Four Generation Farm Legacy,

by Jennie Rucker … page 8 River Run Farm — Retirement at Its Best,

by Jennie Rucker … page 4 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker … page 10 The Carolina Cattle Connection

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Director’s Report

By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA

Enthused The last couple of years have been challenging for everyone, a global pandemic, supply chain issues, extreme inflation, and social distancing, just to name a few. Personally, I have tried to look for every bright spot possible instead of focusing on the negative junk that weighs us down. In June, I had the opportunity to be right in the middle of one of the brightest spots that I can remember, our inaugural Young Beef Leaders Tour. We were very fortunate to be able to partner with our allies at Farm Bureau as well as generous sponsors to conduct this trip that, in my mind, will pay dividends for years and, quite possibly, for generations.

The idea was spawned as a product of our Young Beef Producers group and the Young Farmers and Ranchers program.

Our objective was to help our young leaders to get a glimpse of the industry beyond the feeder calf, which most of their farms produce. The trip began with the group all meeting in Oklahoma City on a Sunday afternoon and having dinner at the famed Cattlemen’s, an iconic steakhouse in the Stockyard District. We were joined by several of the leaders of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau who, like most on the trip, were also very involved with the cattlemen’s association and beef council in Oklahoma. Following dinner, we visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial and were guided through the solemn memorial by the president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau. On Monday morning, we had the opportunity to visit and tour the Oklahoma National

Stockyards and were greeted by the president of the stockyards, Kelli Payne, who gave us a history of the famed stockyards and an explanation of how the operation works. For a bit more history, the group toured the Cowboy Hall of Fame in the afternoon. That evening, we were hosted for dinner by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Express Ranch at the Express Ranch Sale facility.

We were treated to a tour of the embryo center as well as the Clydesdale facility.

OCA and Farm Bureau staff discussed some of the legislative issues they face in Oklahoma, and it was obvious that many of their issues are very similar to ours.

On Tuesday, we heard from a leader of Lopez/Dorado foods, the firm that supplies much of the hamburger for McDonald’s across many of the states in the center of the country, as well as several other food products. We learned that they have a facility in North Carolina as well that produces primarily poultry products. This was very interesting to many of the participants since on a number of their diversified farms, they not only raise cattle but also swine and / or poultry. We then traveled to Buffalo Feeders to visit a commercial feedlot and heard from their president, Tom Fanning, about their operation, as well as a very informative presentation on marketing and risk management. Tom, as a past president of OCA, was also helpful in encouraging involvement. We then traveled north into Kansas to visit Midwest Feeders. This was a glimpse at a large and growing feedlot.

We were fortunate to get to see several

pens of cattle from North Carolina to help put the pieces together for the attendees.

On Tuesday evening, we were joined by leaders of the Kansas Livestock Association for dinner and very informative comments concerning their policy issues. At this meal, we had the chance to let everyone stand up and introduce themselves and give a bit of background on their farms. We were pleased that the Kansans stayed with us and were able to hear from these dynamic young farmers about just how diversified their farms are. These “testimonials” were one of my favorite sessions of the entire trip.

On Wednesday, part of the group toured the Tyson Plant in Holcomb, while the remainder of the group toured Beef Belt Feeders. There were a number of very positive comments about both of these visits. Most of the group were very familiar with the smaller, more local processors in North Carolina but were fascinated by the scope and technology of a major processor. At Beef Belt, our attendees had the chance to ask detailed questions of the manager about feed, pharmaceuticals, and other management scenarios. The final stop of the day was

at H.J. Stephens and Sons in Northwest Kansas. This stop was designed to allow the young leaders to tour a farmer-feeder.

The Stephens raise much of their corn and forages to feed the cattle in their custom yard. The participants were able to get a first hand look at the processing area and medical storage unit to see just how diligent the feeders must be when it comes to health and pharmaceutical stewardship.

Many of the tour participants are also involved in row crops, so the cropping system of wheat and corn, along with forage crops, was interesting to them.

I am sure that each of the participants in the tour will have brought home valuable ideas that will help them on their own farms and in the leadership roles they hold or will hold in our respective organizations. I am most enthusiastic about the network created among these dynamic young people. There is no question that friendships were made, and I would bet that there will be business alliances created. Most importantly, these young leaders will lean on each other for many years to come and make the North Carolina cattle industry stronger than ever.

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River Run Farm — Retirement at Its Best

By JENNIE RUCKER Phyllis and John McAuley have been producing Simmental cattle since the days of the red and white Simmental. His first cattle were Holstein x Angus crosses, but he bought a Fleckvieh Simmental bull from Preston Cornelius in the early ‘80s, and those calves grew so much better that John was hooked on Simmental from that time on. They first lived in the Huntersville area, and John worked for Duke Energy. He was able to lease land from them for his cattle in Cornelius, North Carolina. He and Phyllis purchased 68 acres in Catawba in 1994 and built their home on the acreage in 1999, “After all the kids were out of college,” says John. Now they are living their dream of raising Simmental cattle, and most of them are in the front pasture.

A beautiful place full of beautiful Simmental.

John continued to buy bulls from Preston Cornelius but began to purchase some Simmental females from other producers such as Eugene Shuffler, Kenny Nolan, Greg Wyant, and Bill Pyle. He always enjoys going to the N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale and usually buys cattle there. He really studies the maternal side and likes to pay close attention to the performance of the females. He studies the EPDs but would rather have them balanced across the board instead of chasing extremes. One of his best maternal lines is from the BRS Mabelle M16 line that he purchased from Bill Pyle of Franklinton, North Carolina.

Both John and Bill have daughters, granddaughters, and great granddaughters working in their herd from this cow line.

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He also said the Princess cow line worked very well for his herd.

John breeds all his cattle by artificial insemination. He synchronizes the herd using CIDRs, and a neighbor does his A.I. work. For the last three years, he has used two bulls from Bill Pyle as his clean up bulls. One is a purebred Simmental, CCR Reliabull D59, sired by Gibbs-PVF 2Z01 Reliabull. The other one is a SimAngus, CCR Objective Man D162, sired by S S Objective T510 OT26 out of the Mabelle cow line. John does not like to raise bulls, and he will not sell young bulls right after weaning. There is too much of a chance that the new owner will not feed or manage properly, and the bull won’t develop to his potential. “There is just too much risk involved in selling very young bulls,” says John.

John does like to develop and sell heifers. One thing that he has supported generously is providing heifers for the Bandys FFA Livestock Show Team. He always lets Shannon Vanhoy look his fall crop of heifers over and pick what she would like for the kids to show. She has consistently picked out heifers from a Built Right daughter that is one of John’s best producers. After weaning the heifers, John delivers them to the school barn.

This has worked out very well for both John and the show team. John’s heifers are gentle and used to being handled, and he also gets to know the kids, and some of

John McAuley slips one of his cows a treat as he checks the herd.

them have become good friends over the years. “Lots of these kids will come to the farm and check on their show heifers over the years. We’ve met wonderful kids that still come to visit us. We love our farm kids,” says Phyllis.

Looking at his herd, it is clear to see that John’s cattle are maybe a little on the spoiled side. As he drives out to the pasture to check the herd, the cattle come up individually for their treat. John hand feeds them a type of wafer cookie that they clearly enjoy. Another thing that is clear to see is that John prefers his cattle to have a blaze face.

“I have always liked a baldy face. I guess it goes back to when my grandfather raised Herefords,” states John.

The bulls that John chooses to use must have a blaze face along with balanced EPDs. This year he bred

These are John’s favorite kind, blaze faced Simmental!

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everything A.I. to a purebred Simmental bull from Select Sires, MR SR High Life G1609, a son of KBHR High Road E283 out of a JBR Big Casino 336Y dam. Yes, he does have a blaze face and very good balanced EPDs. John likes to calve his cows from September to October.

He purchased his first black Simmental from Gordon Hodges’s Optimal Beef Genetics Sale in December of 1997. This was a huge change from the traditional reds for John. This was a SimAngus cow sired by PVF-BF BD26 Black Mack. As the popularity of the black hided Simmental increased, John’s herd has transitioned to black cattle (but most have a blaze face).

A beautiful female with a beautiful udder.

Definitely a front pasture cow!

Since the maternal line is so important to John, he keeps track of which line by the last number in the cow’s tattoo. If the last number is a 6, he knows that cow is from the Mabelle line. The prefix he uses when he registers cattle is River Run, the name of his farm. John and Phyllis came up with that name after a subdivision they used to live near had that name, and they simply liked it.

Now that John is retired after 44 years as a land surveyor for Duke Energy, he can spend all the time he wants with his cattle. He also raises some goats and has some donkeys, too. At one time, his herd numbered 40 head, but he has culled down to 20 cows, and that is where he would like to remain. It’s a good number, not too many but enough to “keep him out of trouble,” as he laughs. “I really thinned my herd out when the drought hit. I still cull my cows pretty strict.”

Since he is not in the bull business, John steers all his bull calves. He gives

e Special them their shots and takes them to his local friend and fellow cattleman, Todd Edwards. Todd has a buying station and gathers calves for buyers to come and put together truckload lots. John was especially happy recently because one of his Simmental influenced steers weighed 765 pounds at seven months, and that steer was the very first one selected by a buyer out of Illinois. “I’m really happy that steer was the first one they wanted,” says John. This system works very well for the local cattlemen and gives them another way to market their calves. John likes to help out there when he can by vaccinating the accumulated calves or anything else needed.

Occasionally, John will market some of his heifers online through Cattle and Goat Farmers NC/SWVA. He has had good luck selling replacement females this way. He doesn’t even have to pay a

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give their farm style. Phyllis also enjoys naming the cattle when John gives her a chance. The American Simmental Association used a photo that John sent to them on their website and in publications.

It was a picture of his cattle with his grandkids in the pasture. Both Phyllis and John are enjoying their retirement life on this quiet, peaceful farm surrounded by black blaze faced Simmental.

A deep bodied solid black Simmental at River Run Farm.

commission. He takes a picture and puts up the heifer’s pedigree, and lists his price.

The modern way to market individual cattle seems to work well for John.

Phyllis also enjoys farm life and has used her creative skills to decorate along the farm’s long twisting driveway. Their yard and porch are beautiful, with many painted items showing black cattle and other handmade items that definitely

Some of Phyllis McAuley’s decorations as you go down the driveway at River Run Farm.

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Bandys FFA Livestock Show Team — Showing Simmental and a Whole Lot More

By JENNIE RUCKER When Shannon Vanhoy returned to her alma mater, Bandys High School in Catawba, N.C., she was hired to teach horticulture. But her roots were also deep in exhibiting livestock since she had grown up showing and fitting cattle.

Another FFA teacher, Laura Parker, had started the show team with sheep and branched into cattle, but when she became pregnant and could not continue the program, Shannon jumped right back into the barn with her work boots on! Now the Bandys High School FFA Livestock Show Team is an inspiring group of young people that show cattle from local shows all the way to the N.C. State Fair.

These FFA kids come from a rural area, but the majority of them do not live on a farm. They do not have land available to them to raise their own cattle, so they really gain valuable hands on experience working with these heifers. The heifers come from local producers, and the Simmental breeders have always been a huge part of this program. Todd Edwards, Greg Wyant, and John McAuley provide Simmental and SimAngus heifers for the kids to show every year. The heifers are delivered to the school barn, and the kids have to do it all. These heifers are not halter broken, so the kids have to break

them to tie and then to lead. They work their hair and wash and clip them for shows. They are in charge of feeding them twice a day. While other kids are spending their summer in the air conditioning or at the pool, these kids are at the barn at 7:00 a.m., haltering the heifers and breaking them to lead and getting used to the show stick, setting up, brushing, washing, and blowing. It’s hard and sweaty work.

This type of hard work and dedication is not for everyone. Kids think they want to join the show team because they do miss class when they go to some shows. “So the first day, everyone comes out to work and see if it is something they want to do. By the end of our work session, everyone is hot, sweaty, and nasty and that pretty much weans a lot of the kids out,” says Shannon. “Kids see that it looks like fun, but they don’t see the nights spent at the barn until 11:00 p.m. or the long days in July when these kids are really working hard.”

The show team kids are required to work three days a week for three hours a day. Then they have a schedule for each kid to come feed in a rotation since the heifers need to get fed twice a day. These heifers are not pan fed. They are all fed in a trough. They are fed before 8:00

Just some of the Bandys FFA Livestock Show Team. From left, Colby Blackburn, Noah Spiva, Sawyer Black, Shannon Vanhoy, Peyton Wesson, and Madelyn Rose.

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a.m. and then again after 6:00 p.m. in the evening. The feed is ordered in bulk, and that just works out easier for everyone.

Shannon estimates that she will end up with 10 or 11 kids this year. She still cannot believe one year. She took 24 kids and 35 head of cattle to the N.C. State Fair (in addition to 18 turkeys)! She still shakes her head in disbelief and says, “I must have been insane to do that!”

Senior Colby Sawyer, on the right, helps Sawyer Black halter break this calf.

Shannon gives a huge amount of credit to the support of the community and the parents of these kids. “This is a tight knit community, and they have all gotten behind our kids and supported them all the way,” states Shannon. The parents have been so helpful that when they see a need they have expertise in, they just go ahead and fill that need.

One such example is the wash rack and work area that parents built. One of the parents was skilled in laying cement, so he poured the concrete and got other people to put a roof on the area. Now it is a covered place where kids can rinse and wash heifers, and they can also store their grooming chutes under cover.

All the equipment used for the show team has been purchased by premium money won at the shows. The kids know that all their show earnings go back into the show team budget so they can buy feed and supplies for these heifers. Todd Edwards does supply all the hay that is needed, and Shannon is quick to give him a lot of credit. “He really is the driver for this program. He even has gone and purchased cattle of other breeds, specifically Red Angus, so the kids can compete in as many breeds as possible,” says Shannon. “Todd and I went to high school together. He tells about our show team everywhere he goes, and he has gotten us a lot of sponsors that way. He is a real asset to our program,

and we wouldn’t be anywhere without his support and the support of all the producers that provide heifers.”

In addition to the Simmental genetics that are shown, the kids will be showing Charolais and Angus heifers also. The Charolais are from Ed Birdsell, and the Angus heifer is from Callie Birdsell Carson. Callie also supplies some of the square bales they need to take to the shows. By trying to get different ages of heifers and different breeds, Shannon can try to give her kids the best way to spread the cattle out and hopefully place better by having as many in different classes as possible. “It’s an important learning activity, but we also depend on that premium money, too,” says Shannon.

Since most of these kids are just beginning to show livestock, it is a huge learning curve when they start showing.

The older, more experienced kids on the show team help teach the others when they are practicing with their heifers. “The kids can really master the skill and learn it at a whole new level when they are teaching that skill to someone else,” states Shannon.

Peyton Wesson gives Noah Spiva some showing tips.

The system for choosing their show heifer is that each kid gets to list three calves that they may like to show. The oldest senior kids get their #1 heifer pick first. Then they work their way down to the newest kids. Shannon says that usually it works out that most actually get to show their top heifer pick. Just as each kid has a different personality, so do each of these heifers. Some of them just click with different kids, and it all seems to work out. The more experienced kids may get to show two heifers, but at each show, there may be some juggling of heifers if one got

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sick or hurt and couldn’t show. Shannon just seems to take all the adjustments in stride and remains calm through it all.

Shannon has seen kids that have gone through the show team develop a love and passion for agriculture. They will learn about the cattle industry. They have learned important life skills, including the very important one about how to interact with people. Shannon also says, “They will be a better educated beef consumer than the average Joe.” The kids have seen some success in the show ring. One year, they had Got To Be N.C. champion with a Charolais heifer at the N.C. State Fair. Last year, one of their Simmental heifers from John McAuley was reserve champion Simmental at the Carolina Classic Fair, and of course, they have done well at various county fairs. The team is at a slight disadvantage when they receive their heifers because they usually get them at weaning, and they are right off the farm and have not been pushed like some show cattle are most of their life.

These cattle are not kept under fans either.

But with Shannon’s expertise, these heifers have usually caught up and are looking their very best by state fair time.

They are fed a 14% commodity blend from G&M Milling, and she adds cotton seed hulls, and the young heifers get cracked corn added also. She has also started feeding gin trash for the protein content and because it is very economical. “I was very skeptical when I started feeding it because it is more difficult to handle, but the gains have been worth it.” She also has seen more gut development after feeding gin trash, and that sure helps in the show ring!

There are about six acres around the school’s barn where the cattle are turned out. The majority of the heifers are returned to their producers after show season, but the ones owned by Todd Edwards stay

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at the school. Shannon can then use these heifers for some of the animal science classes. Some of the kids get so attached to the heifers they have shown that they check on them after show season. They have developed friendships and contacts through their time getting to know the producer.

Some of the producers have even gotten those kids to help out with some of their farm chores. “They hire these kids because they know they will work,” says Shannon.

Some of the former livestock show team members have gone on and decided to get their own show heifers and show on their own. Rylea Suddreth is one of those, and she even went to the American Junior Simmental Association Eastern Regional this summer in Lebanon, Indiana. She says there are four former show kids that enjoyed it so much they wanted to branch out and show on their own.

The community and the parents are greatly appreciated by Shannon and all the show team members. Shannon says that parents bring water and food to the shows, and so many parents pitch in and use their own fuel to help haul these cattle to the shows. “If we were having to buy both feed and fuel, there is no way we could accomplish this,” states Shannon. She is extremely thankful for each and every one who helps the team out. She laughs as she says, “Even my hairdresser helps when needed!” Dads pull trailers, mothers bring food and other things like baby wipes, and often it’s those small details that can make or break you on show day.

The Bandys FFA Livestock Show Team has definitely made an impression on anybody involved in youth livestock shows. These kids are well behaved and work well together, and are polite to other exhibitors. That is a huge accomplishment, and the Simmental genetics that they are exhibiting will get your attention. Good luck this year, team!

First year kids Madelyn Rose and Noah Spiva practice with their Simmental heifers.

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Rocking F Farm — Rocking a Four Generation Farm Legacy

By JENNIE RUCKER The “F” in Rocking F Farm stands for Fields, but it could also stand for family because farm life definitely glues this family into a very strong bond.

Robert Fields of Climax, N.C., was a dairy farmer for the majority of his life until he sold all the dairy cattle in the early ‘70s. He had begun using a yellow and white Simmental bull on his beef cattle herd and was really impressed with the way those calves grew! The Simmental females also impressed this dairyman because they were large framed and had big udders full of milk, just like his Holsteins! Robert Fields utilized Simmental genetics from that time forth.

Robert Fields loved his cattle and his family, but unfortunately, he passed away on April 18 of this year. His legacy is carried on through his daughter, Marguerite, and her husband Steve and their daughter, Anna, who is married to Brandon Marshall and their two daughters, Tyla and Sophie. This is one very active farm family that somehow gets it all done.

Rocking F Farm Family.

Robert had sold freezer beef since the 1970s, and they finally built a store across from his farm in 2005. The family continues to sell freezer beef there, but Marguerite has also added a florist and bakery to the store. Marguerite bakes all the homemade goodies and also sells her own jams, jellies, and pickles. There is also another aspect to the store, and that is livestock feed. Brandon is a dealer for Umbarger and Show-Rite Feeds, so they also can supply feeds from the back of the store. On Saturdays, Marguerite takes her beef and pork and sets up at the Liberty

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Farmers Market. There are 100 acres on the original dairy farm around the store, and they also lease another 200 acres.

The family makes all their own hay, both round and square bales, and even sells hay. Steve says they put up 800 square bales and 1,200 round bales.

She began showing cattle when she was seven, and they always showed whatever they raised. These cattle always were Simmental influenced. “We never purchased anything to show. We just showed what we had and did pretty good,” says Marguerite. She feels bad for

Two different colors are evident at Rocking F Farm. The old red and white dates way back in time.

Did I mention that Marguerite is also a full time agriculture teacher at Jordan Matthews High School in Siler City?

Both Marguerite and Anna have been Ag teachers and FFA advisors. Anna now stays home to work on the farm and raise her daughters, but Marguerite is still teaching. Steve trains dogs and is able to be there at the store most of the time when Marguerite is at her teaching job.

Steve is a well known trainer and trains all kinds of dogs, from herding to hunting to general obedience. Brandon works for Zoetis in the poultry division, so he is busy either traveling or working from his barn office.

Brandon and Anna purchased 100 acres of another old dairy farm nearby and are using the converted milking barn as an office for Brandon. Also, it is a great place to display Tyla and Sophie’s livestock ribbons, belt buckles, and trophies! Not only did this fourth generation inherit a love of livestock, but also the love of exhibiting their livestock in the show ring.

For many years, Robert and Marguerite exhibited feeder calves at the N.C. State Fair, but she also started showing horses when she was three.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

her parents as she thinks back to those N.C. State Fair showing days. “They would have hauled my heifers and then the feeder calves. When we loaded them up and hauled them home, then we would turn right around and take the horses to the State Fair for me to show,” recalls Marguerite. “And this was when Daddy was still milking twice a day!”

Tyla Marshall is all smiles as she works with her heifer, M2C Jade 123J.

This strong dedication to the livestock industry and to his family is being continued into the fourth generation now that Tyla and Sophie Marshall are exhibiting livestock. Tyla is ten, Sophie is eight, and they are already racking up the championship banners! Their parents grew up less than 20 miles from each other, but their paths never crossed. They

met as college students at N.C. State, majoring in animal science. Marguerite and Steve wondered who this guy was that seemed to hang around their tack area at the state fair. Well, after dating for a few years, Brandon even proposed to Anna in front of the fountain at the N.C. State Fair. “You see, the state fair has always been an important part of our lives in many ways,” says Marguerite.

Brandon was more into horses and goats, and Anna had grown up exhibiting cattle, especially Simmental and Shorthorn. Anna’s first show heifer was a smoky white faced commercial Simmental heifer named Betsy. Anna did exhibit the reserve champion market steer at the State Fair in 2002 and has also had some division champions in the Simmental breed. Just last year, the Fields had the grand champion Shorthorn bull at the state fair. Brandon and Anna share a funny story about years ago getting kicked out of the State Fair because they were fitting market goats! Now everyone fits them just like they did. Apparently, they were just ahead of the times.

Tyla and Sophie have done extremely well showing goats, and last year Tyla won grand champion novice showmanship, and Sophie won reserve champion! In fact, Tyla had made a deal with Anna that if they won at the state fair, then she would let them have their own cell phones. (The rule at their house was no cell phones until you are 13.)

Well, Anna had to get them phones after they both did, in fact, win showmanship at the State Fair. “I got in a little trouble with Brandon over that,” smiles Anna.

Tyla really enjoys showing her goats, but they also show pigs, and pigs are Sophie’s favorite. She really made me laugh when she introduced me to her show pig. She said, “This is M&M. He’s a barbecue flavored M&M.” The pork that is sold in the farm store is from the girl’s show pigs.

The huge dairy barn on the Marshall’s farm has been renovated to become a show barn for the meat goats and the show pigs. It works very well and stays cool even on hot summer days. The

e Special

Spotlight on

SIMMENTAL

Sophie and Tyla Marshall enjoy the Simmental in the pasture behind their house.

Marshalls have around 35-40 Boer cross goats in their herd. They have eight show pigs, and the girls will also be showing three heifers this year.

Tyla is very excited to be showing heifers. Last year was her very first year with a heifer, and she showed Pinkie, a Shorthorn heifer. Tyla actually made the cut in showmanship at the state fair last year, her very first time showing cattle. The Fields purchased a purebred Simmental heifer at Louisville last year from Metzger Cattle Company, M2C Jade 123J. She was just a May heifer, and she is sired by MR CCF Ledger G702 and is bomb proof, which is exactly what they wanted for Tyla. This heifer has grown very well this year and should be competitive at the shows this fall. Tyla is already a junior member of the American Simmental Association. Anna says that her future plans include exhibiting cattle at Eastern Regionals and the Nationals.

Tyla actually loves showing cattle the most of any species, she says.

“We’ve been gone from showing cattle for a while, but we are back, and people are going to know we are back,” states Marguerite. The whole family is looking forward to this year’s show season. Most of the shows they attend are in the fall, but some are in the spring.

Their calving season is split, with some calving in the spring and some in the fall.

This works well by supplying different age show heifers and also with the freezer beef business.

All four of the adults are certified to artificially inseminate their cattle. They synchronize the cattle and have had good luck with the 7-day CO-Synch with CIDRs, which is an ABS protocol. “Time

is a valuable thing,” says Brandon, so they utilize time breeding. All the show cattle are bred artificially. They have 100 head of both commercial and registered cattle in five different places. Anna and Brandon have most of the blaze face Simmental on their farm. There is even a red and white spotted cow that must trace back to some of those original cattle bred

by Robert.

One of the old bloodlines that really works well for the Fields is the Meyer 734. “We will always be faithful to the 734 line,” says Marguerite. “Using him on the commercial cow line worked the best, producing good dispositions, a blaze face and they could milk. My dad wouldn’t keep a cow long if she couldn’t milk.” They also have had some very good cattle from Steel Force and Built Right. “We are really striving to produce showable females and also functional females,” says Marguerite.

They have been influenced by many good Simmental producers over the years, and Marguerite gives a lot of credit to Gordon Hodges, Frank Bell, and Johnny and Jonathan Massey. Anna Munday English was also a good influence on Anna, and Anna says, “Anna does a great job with juniors. She puts on a lot of programs that the girls want to attend.” Marguerite also influenced a lot of Simmental juniors over the years because she was the first N.C. Junior Simmental Association junior advisor and started the junior association. Now she still influences kids in the direction of agriculture through her job as an FFA teacher.

But the influence on her family is strong, and the love she has for them and

Section f

her Simmental cattle is very clear when you talk with her. They are still increasing their Simmental herd and hope to consign cattle to the Fall Harvest Sale in the future. For now, you will find the Fields (and Marshalls) busy working on the farm or in the show ring with their goats, pigs, or heifers. Stop by their farm store located at 6740 Monnett Road in Climax, North Carolina. Get some good beef or pork or a beautiful flower arrangement. Maybe you need some show feed, but while you are in the back, be sure and see the mounted head of Wally the Watusi. This impressive Watusi steer was a regular sight on that road, and Marguerite said people even got rear ended because they would stop their cars and stare at the impressive animal.

“Wally was something my dad just

enjoyed having around,” says Marguerite.

So the fun loving spirit of this cattleman, Robert Fields, is continuing on in the hearts of his great grandchildren, Tyla and Sophie, at Rocking F Farm. Don’t you know he would be proud?

The famous Wally the Watusi in the back of their farm store.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection

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PAGE 9

THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL

By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association Eastern Regional Classic. Two North Carolina girls attended the AJSA Eastern Regional Classic held June 8-11 in Lebanon, Indiana. Evie Jones from Shelby and Rylea Suddreth from Catawba were there, and both girls did very well.

The judge was Brigham Stewart from Washington, Kansas. Evie Jones had two class winners, and Rylea had a class winner.

Evie won a purebred bred and owned class with Miss Star Power J61, a daughter of Rubys Turnpike 771E, and her other class winner was a percentage heifer, DADC Julia 2115J. This heifer is sired by W/C Executive Order 8543B. Evie also had a second place heifer with JSUL KLS About Rita 1315J, a daughter of JSUL Something About Mary 8421. Rylea Suddreth won her purebred owned class with STCC PPCC Nostalgia J2104. This daughter of GTWY

Foreman F241 was also the 3rd place purebred heifer in Division II. Rylea’s other purebred heifer, STCC Lila’s Gift 064J, placed third in her class. She is a daughter of TJSC Hammer Time 35D. AJSA National Classic. The AJSA National Classic was held June 24-30 in Madison, Wisconsin. There were three North Carolina girls in attendance, Mattie Harward from Richfield, Evie Jones from Shelby, and Rylea Suddreth from Catawba. We are super proud of all these girls, but a huge shout out goes to Mattie Harward for winning senior showmanship! That is such a spectacular win! Congratulations!

The girls and their heifers also placed well. Evie Jones had two class winners, DADC Julia 2115J and JSUL KLS About Rita 1315J. Julia was fifth in Division

II, and Rita was the Division II reserve champion Owned Percentage. Rylea Suddreth’s oldest heifer, STCC Lila’s Gift 064J, placed second in her class. Mattie Harward’s heifer, BCR Miss Time To Shine 081J, also placed 2nd in her class.

This heifer is sired by WLE Copacetic E02. Congratulations, girls, and thank you for representing North Carolina very well!

NCSA Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the North Carolina Simmental Association will be held on Friday, September 2 at 6 PM at Shuffler Sale Facility in Union Grove. We will be serving a beef dinner for only $12 a plate.

Everyone is welcome to attend. You can come early and view the cattle for the Fall Harvest Sale, then stay for the dinner and meeting. We will hold a short business meeting, then we will really have fun.

This year we are holding a raffle for a Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss Chainsaw. This chainsaw is being donated by Pinkston’s Lawn Mower of Wadesboro, North Carolina. We really appreciate Preston and Erin Beth Pinkston’s generous donation of this chainsaw to help our association.

Your chance to own this chainsaw is only a $2 raffle ticket, or buy three chances for $5. You can contact any N.C.

Simmental Association member or send a check for any amount of tickets to N.C. Simmental Association, 1341 Highway 21, Hamptonville, NC 27020. You do not have to be present to win. We will make sure that the winner receives the chainsaw.

We also have our famous fundraising auction. Members bring items to donate to this auction, which helps build up our general treasury and the Jim Graham Scholarship Fund. Many great things have been sold in the past, including chickens, puppies, baskets full of handmade goodies, quilts, feed, minerals, and the list could go on and on. There will also be some great homemade cakes for your bidding (and eating!) pleasure.

Teresa Swisher of Crescent Goodies usually donates one of her wonderful cakes, often the much requested German chocolate cake. It is worth the visit to our annual meeting just to see what cakes are available!

It is always a lot of fun to see what everyone brings and what sells for the most money. Following the auction, we will draw for the winner of the raffle. We will also auction off the back cover ad of the next Simmental directory and the full page ad on the inside back cover of next

48 th An Fall Har nual vest Sept Sale emb er 3 • Unio n Gr 12:00 n o ove, For a ca NC on talo g 336- , contac 4 ncsa 68-167 t NCSA @ya 9 dtel. net

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 10

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

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

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Weeks ending JUNE 7, JUNE 14, & JUNE 21, 2022) Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, JUNE 7, 2022, WNC Livestock Exchange Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, JUNE 14, 2022, and Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, JUNE 21, 2021. 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 5-12¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only.

Cattle Receipts: 2,406

Last Month: 2,687

Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 50 percent steers and 50 percent heifers. Nearly 90 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.

Mattie Harward of Richfield was the Champion Senior Showmanship winner at the AJSA National Classic.

year’s Fall Harvest Sale catalog. Make plans to attend this annual meeting. Both members and interested people can attend.

NCSA Fall Harvest Sale. This year’s Fall Harvest Sale looks like it will be an excellent opportunity to purchase some quality females and bulls. There should be 80 or more lots of purebred Simmental and SimAngus cattle.

Many of our regular consignors will be showcasing their best, such as Shuffler Farms Simmentals, JBB Simmentals, the Fred Smith Company Ranch, Bangma Farms, and TX Enterprises. We will also have some great out of state consignors, such as Smith Reasor, Todd Alford, and Virginia Tech. We will also have several embryo lots from some of the country’s top Simmental producers.

The sale will be held on September 3

at noon at the Shuffler Sale Facility at 444 Union Grove Road, Union Grove, North Carolina. The N.C. Junior Simmental Association will be selling ribeye steak sandwiches and hamburgers for lunch.

For more information on this sale, please visit our Facebook page at N.C. Simmental or call 336-468-1679 for a sale catalog. We are redoing our N.C. Simmental Association website, so it should be up and running by the time, this is in print. You can also send an email to ncsa@yadtel.net to request a sale catalog.

Make plans to be there! Bidding can also be done on DV Auction. Visit either the DV Auction website at www.dvauction. com or the DP Sales Management website at www.parkelivestock.com for information on how to bid on the great cattle in this sale.

Regular copy deadline is AUGUST 5 for the SEPTEMBER issue Spotlight material is due AUGUST 1 for the SEPTEMBER issue

Head 75 60 61 58

Wt. Range 660-660 765-765 800-800 830-830

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 660 $156.50 $156.50 765 $163.00 $163.00 800 $145.50 $145.50 830 $162.50 $162.50

Head 61 72 60

Wt. Range 675-675 675-675 815-815

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 675 $172.75 $172.75 675 $177.00 $177.00 815 $172.50 $172.50

Head 92 30 150 51 70 69 30 65 57 31 108

Wt. Range 530-530 575-575 650-650 690-690 690-690 700-700 750-750 750-750 850-850 850-850 900-900

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 530 $201.00 $201.00 575 $150.00 $150.00 650 $175.00 - $176.00 $175.50 690 $165.00 $165.00 690 $159.25 $159.25 700 $165.25 $165.25 750 $149.50 $149.50 750 $163.50 $163.50 850 $159.00 $159.00 850 $163.00 $163.00 900 $160.00 $160.00

Head 149 140 61 55

Wt. Range 650-675 700-700 800-800 900-900

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 662 $147.50 - $148.75 $148.11 700 $138.00 - $148.25 $143.13 800 $140.00 $140.00 900 $133.00 $133.00

Head 16

Wt. Range 600-600

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 600 $162.75 $162.75

Head 91 30 68 16 75 197 23 136 63 27 59

Wt. Range 535-535 575-575 675-675 690-690 650-650 660-685 730-730 700-725 770-770 785-785 820-820

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 535 $167.00 $167.00 575 $135.00 $135.00 675 $155.25 $155.25 690 $153.00 $153.00 650 $160.00 $160.00 674 $141.25 - $147.50 $145.42 730 $139.50 $139.50 712 $145.00 - $146.50 $145.76 770 $148.00 $148.00 785 $157.00 $157.00 820 $152.50 $152.50

Delivery Natural

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

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

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

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

PAGE 11

Ashley’s Beef Corner

T

Making Connections

By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council We are sharing perspectives from the Young Beef Producer’s Tour that recently took place, and while there are many detailed accounts of the agenda, I wanted to cover a different aspect. I was privileged to travel with the group and enjoyed recording the activities, but there are many that can’t be captured in a photo.

Our group was 40 young beef producers from the mountains to the coastal plains of North Carolina. The age range was 18-40, and experience ranged from first generation to multiple generational on the farm, local beef, stockers, processing, transport, purebred and commercial herds, and everything in between. We spent three days in Oklahoma and Kansas visiting a stockyard, feedyards, listening to food service experts, a packing plant, and visiting with producers along each step from these areas.

There’s something about travel that brings folks together in a rapid manner.

When you’re in close quarters for days, you share and listen more easily. Enjoying meals together brings a sense of family to the table, and its lasting effects stay with us. I watched as beef producers who live a few short miles apart at home connected in an entirely different part of the country.

Their new connections expanded their network but also their confidence.

The sense of “we’re all on the

same team” provides an opportunity for genuine conversation that sometimes can’t happen in a few minutes at the feed store. Having hours on a bus to learn about someone else’s farm and problem solve together can be enjoyable. Taking in the scenery of the high plains is a nice backdrop, too.

While our production sector in North Carolina is primarily cow/calf, we experienced the organization and course of a feed yard. Connecting with those in a different sector of the beef industry takes the mystery away and provides a real person to conversate with who lives that every day. The conversations that flow are honest, with facts and figures that resonate. We’re feeding the world, but it must be sustainable, just like our farms in North Carolina.

I listened to conversations that relate to genetics but also water conservation, packaging for local beef sales, and processing. The range of specialties that our young beef producers carry is astounding, but what was truly enjoyable was watching them share it all with each other.

We wanted to learn and see the sights of large scale beef production; the bonus was connecting farmers in a meaningful way that will have benefits for generations to come. We surely met those with different soil than ours, but the common ground we share is abundant.

N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of JUNE 2022 Cattle Receipts: 15,394

•

Previous Month: 18,043

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

Avg. Wt.

Cows - % Lean

Breaker 1,451

Boner 1,143

Lean 948

$86.80 $82.43 $70.19

$107.82

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,607

Price

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $159.31 $675.47 450-500 474 $159.93 $758.07 500-550 524 $160.24 $839.66 550-600 571 $159.73 $912.06 600-650 624 $153.87 $960.15 650-700 669 $153.10 $1,024.24

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $152.28 $642.62 450-500 472 $149.09 $703.70 500-550 523 $146.67 $767.08 550-600 572 $144.24 $825.05 600-650 620 $135.81 $842.02 650-700 668 $129.80 $867.06

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $142.36 $603.61 450-500 474 $141.82 $672.23 500-550 522 $137.32 $716.81 550-600 572 $136.35 $779.92 600-650 621 $126.70 $786.81 650-700 671 $123.60 $829.36

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

PAGE 12

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

PAGE 13

By DR. DEIDRE HARMON & DAN WELLS N.C. State University

Now is the Time to Scout for Fall Armyworms We are entering the time of year when we are starting to think about fall stockpile, new plantings of cool season forages, and the dreaded fall armyworm pressure. Fall armyworms are a reoccurring problem in the Southeast, and the pests feast on hayfields, pastures, and even well groomed lawns. Although we often see them in the coastal and piedmont regions, it is less common to see them at higher elevations. However, in 2021, we had reports of severe armyworm damage from all across North Carolina, from the coast to the mountains.

They feed on a variety of forage species, including pearl millet, sorghumsudangrass, bermudagrass, crabgrass, alfalfa, and tall fescue. Persistent scouting and rapid treatment of infected areas are key to saving pastures and hay crops in areas where fall armyworms have been reported.

So why are armyworms worse in some years and can infect areas that normally do not have issues? Some

Pasture infected by fall armyworms appears to be droughty and overgrazed.

entomologists suggest that the persistent rainfall in most of the Southeast in 2021 produced an abundance of vegetative forage growth, which is the ideal environment for the worms to thrive in.

In these conditions, worms can appear to consume an entire field overnight, turning green, lush forage into a desolate field of brown dust. At first glance of infected fields, it may appear that a pasture looks droughty or overgrazed. The grass is starting to turn brown and is noticeably shorter as if animals were only grazing in one spot. If this sounds like a familiar scene, it is time to immediately go scout for fall armyworms. It is best to scout for armyworms during the cooler parts of the day when they are more likely to be consuming a meal of forage. During the hotter parts of the day, you may find the caterpillars taking refuge from the heat at the base of the plant, in the whirl of some forage species (sorghums), or on the ground and underneath any leaf litter that may be on the soil surface. When

Pasture infected by fall armyworms with a patchy, overgrazed appearance. Population density of five armyworms per ft2.

PAGE 14

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

scouting fields, take note of how many armyworms are found within a square foot area. Typically, the threshold is around three armyworms per ft2, so if you are at or exceed that threshold, it is time to think about utilizing a control option.

When choosing a chemical control, it is important to note that some chemicals are insect growth regulators, meaning they disrupt the life cycle of the worm, and some are pyrethroids, meaning they will immediately kill some of the caterpillars. It is also important to recognize that some of the chemicals only target a certain age of armyworm, also called instars. Some have longer residual controls, some are more rainfast, meaning they will still be effective even after short bouts of rainfall, and some have grazing and hay restrictions. Scouting fields and identifying what stage(s) of armyworms are present in the field is important in helping decide which control strategy or even multiple chemical control strategies will work best.

Lastly, getting a good handle on fall armyworms requires persistence and attention to detail. Frequent scouting is required to make sure chemical measures control populations and reinfestations do not occur. Additionally, as we move into the time of year where winter annuals and fescue and orchardgrass stands are trying to be established, it is more important than ever to scout. Newly

established fields of grass can be easily and completely killed by an uncontrolled population of fall armyworms. So it looks like we will be out scouting until at least our first big frost.

The following list of insecticides was compiled by Dan Wells, Johnston County Livestock Extension Agent, and can be found at https://forages.ces.ncsu.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2020/08/FAW-ControlProducts.pdf?fwd=no.

Please note that many of these products may not be available in your local area. There are reports of limited availability of some products.

Armyworms hiding in leaf litter during the middle of the day in a stand of sorghumsudangrass.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

PAGE 15

You Decide!

By DR. MIKE WALDEN

William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus N.C. State University You Decide: How Can We Slow The Increase In The Home Prices?

The numbers are jaw dropping. In 2020, the average house price rose 11 percent.

In 2021, home prices jumped another 19 percent. And, if the price gains thus far in 2022 continue for the entire year, the price of the average home will have increased 28 percent. Including compounding, this would mean an astounding 69 percent rise in home prices over three years.

These are national averages, meaning in some markets, the price jumps have

been larger, while in others, they have been smaller. Also, the methodology for generating the numbers only compares repeat sales for the same homes. This means none of the price gains are due to comparing bigger or better homes to smaller homes or those of lesser quality.

Of course, like many things, the pandemic has had an impact on home prices. Historically low interest rates – complements of the Federal Reserve – plus stimulus checks and other federal financial assistance motivated more home

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buying. At the same time, economic shutdowns and slow downs have increased the cost of many construction materials. For example, lumber prices are more than twice as high today as prior to the pandemic.

Most economists think these impacts of the pandemic on the housing market will dissipate over time. Does this mean house prices will eventually come back to earth?

Not necessarily. Even before the pandemic, home prices were increasing faster than household income, especially in metropolitan areas. The reason is simple. Metro regions have experienced substantial economic expansion during the 21 st century. They are home to growing industries like technology, finance, healthcare, and professional services. Metro areas also have colleges and universities that train highly educated graduates to work in these sectors.

As a result, more households have moved to metro areas for work. Over 80 percent of the nation’s population now lives in metropolitan regions, even though those regions account for only three percent of the nation’s land mass. We can see this shift in North Carolina, where urban areas like Charlotte, the Triad, and the Triangle are rapidly growing while numerous rural counties are losing population.

Housing requires land, and as more people have moved to metro areas, that land becomes more expensive. The higher land costs are then passed on to higher prices for homes and more expansive rents for apartments. Certainly, households can move to the outer edges of metro regions where land is less expensive, but then they often must endure long and congested commutes to access jobs, shopping, schools, and entertainment.

So, what can be done? Some communities have imposed controls on housing prices, particularly for apartment rents. While such controls can provide immediate relief, research also shows the controls can result in less maintenance and repairs for units and can also discourage construction of new units.

Another possibility is public subsidies for housing. For example, rents or mortgage payments paid might be set at some percentage of the household’s income. Costs above that would be paid by a governmental body, like a municipality, county, or state.

Some communities have these or similar programs, but they are very limited in the number of households assisted.

The reason is these programs can become very expensive, very fast.

Each year households spend nearly $1

trillion on their house payments and rents. Subsidizing even a small part of this amount can quickly create a major expense for the government.

Rather than working on the consumer side to address the problem, an alternative is to approach the issue from the supply side by encouraging more construction of housing units. Tactics include changing zoning to allow more density per land area, meaning more housing units can be built in the existing space of the community.

However, zoning changes are not without controversy. Residents who bought homes in a neighborhood because of its low density might feel cheated by a zoning change allowing higher density.

There are also concerns about higher densities reducing open space.

Another supply approach is to alter local regulations to allow lower cost construction methods, such as modular construction. Here, the components of a dwelling are made in a factory and assembled at the dwelling’s site, potentially reducing costs 10-20 percent compared to “stick built” construction where the entire structure is built on site.

Lastly, some futurists think the high cost of urban housing could be defeated by remote work. For someone working remotely, daily access to a work site in the city will not be a necessity. Plus, as drone delivery of products and online delivery of services such as education and medical care become more widespread, living in rural and small town areas where housing costs are cheaper will become more plausible and likely.

Housing costs are the biggest single expense for most people, and those expenses have gotten bigger during the 21st century. Can housing costs be moderated, resulting in an increase in the average person’s standard of living? You decide.

You Decide: Are We Already In A Recession? The big news in the economics world is a question – are we already in a recession? While a future recession has been talked about for months, the issue is becoming more prominent as many economists are raising their predictions of a recession occurring later this year or next.

But some economic analysts are going one more step. They’re saying a recession is already here. Why are they saying this?

Before giving an answer, some background on the definition of a recession is needed. The federal government actually “farms out” the dating of recessions to an economic think tank – the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Despite its official

sounding name, the NBER is a private outfit. Its unique characteristic is that it has been around for over 100 years.

NBER defines a recession as occurring when there is a “significant decline in economic activity” that lasts for “more than a few months.” This is a rather broad, non-specific definition that gives the NBER wide latitude in defining a recession. The NBER says it looks at several measures of the economy in concluding if a recession has occurred.

There is, however, a “rule of thumb” definition of a recession. The “rule” is that a recession occurs when a broad based measure of the economy – called “gross domestic product (GDP)” declines for two consecutive quarters, that is, six months.

“OK,” you may be saying, now translate GDP. GDP is the monetary value of all goods and services produced for sale to “final users” in a specific period of time. “Final users” are those who consume the good or service rather than resell it. Basing GDP on final users avoids counting inputs multiple times as they move through the supply chain.

For example, we wouldn’t want to count

the value of the wood used in a home’s construction once when the tree is cut, a second time when the wood becomes lumber, and a third time when the home is sold. Instead, the value of the wood is included in the home’s sale price.

Also, in comparing GDP from one time period to the next, the dollar values are adjusted to remove the impact of general inflation. This eliminates the possibility of GDP rising just because prices are higher.

Now let’s get back to the idea that a recession may already be upon us. The federal government has already released the data for GDP in the first quarter (January, February, and March) of 2022.

The GDP growth rate was negative for the nation as well as for most of the states, including North Carolina. For the nation, the “annualized” growth rate was -1.6 percent, and for North Carolina, the “annualized” growth rate was -1.4 percent. Only four states – Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Vermont – registered positive growth rates for GDP. Remember, it takes two consecutive quarters of negative growth in GDP to

meet the “rule of thumb” of a recession.

Official GDP numbers for the second quarter of 2022 won’t be released until the end of July. Still, there are forecasts available now for the second quarter rate. One of the most respected forecasts is from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Their current forecast shows the second quarter GDP rate at -2.1 percent.

With consecutive quarterly GDP growth rates of -1.6 percent and -2.1 percent, the standard often applied to declare a recession would be met. Thus, if the Atlanta Fed’s forecast is correct, we may already be in a recession.

But if we already are in a recession, why doesn’t it feel like one? Hiring is still occurring, the jobless rate is low, and consumers continue to spend.

A big reason is directly related to how the quarterly changes in GDP are reported. Notice I referred to them as “annualized” changes. An annualized change takes the actual quarterly change and assumes it would continue for a full year. The federal government – specifically the Bureau of Economic Analysis – likes to report all changes as if they are occurring for a full year. This

means the reported “annualized” change in national GDP in the first quarter of 2022 is derived by taking the actual quarterly change and assuming that same change would continue for a full year (four quarters).

The actual quarterly decline in first quarter GDP was less than ½ of one percent (specifically, -0.4 percent) for the nation and close to ⅓ of one percent (-0.35 percent) for North Carolina. And if the Atlanta Fed’s forecast of an annualized change in GDP of -2.1 percent in the second quarter happens, it would actually be a drop of only ½ of one percent.

These numbers do not diminish the adverse impacts of a recession if one were to occur. Yet they do suggest if we are already in a recession, it is - thus far likely very modest.

While these comments may ease some worries, they do not mean we are “out of the woods” for a bad recession.

An alternative scenario is we are not in a recession now, but after the Federal Reserve raises interest rates significantly in the coming months, we will enter a bigger downturn later this year. We’ll have to wait to decide.

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PAGE 17

as if saying to him, “If you are coming, come on.” I thought it was unusual that the calf could recognize his mama’s head sticking through the headgate. For sure, when she went on out, there wasn’t any question; he was talking to her.

I guess cattle are like people; they will talk to their children as needed, and the children will communicate back with the parents. We are going to give the calf the opportunity and see what he develops into – right now, all the stars are lining up.

E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture

By E.B. HARRIS

Do You Really Want Me To Leave?

We were working cattle the other week on the farm we call the Davis Home Place doing our preweaning work. At this same time, we will take out any bull calves that we think have potential of doing some good in the future. We like to vaccinate our calves while they are still on the cows, and when we wean them, all we have to do is bring them through and weigh them.

They won’t have to have any vaccines.

We don’t take out many bulls, but every now and then, one will catch my eye, and we will give him the opportunity.

For him to catch my eye, he has to have several things in his favor.

Number one, he has got to have an easy going disposition. He has got to have the right tools to work, a lot of volume and thickness, good feet, short hair, a low swirl in his forehead, and when he makes a step, the back foot needs to land close to his front foot track. These are some of the criteria I look for in a bull calf.

Nick, one of the men who was helping with working the cattle, said, “You need to take a look at this bull calf number 788. I knew his mama. She had

a great udder and short hair.” I went over to take a look at the calf. The calf would come up to you at the fence almost like he wanted you to scratch him. That was a real plus. He was a medium frame calf.

I agreed with Nick and said we would give him an opportunity and see if all his pluses would come together. He had good feet and good structure. When he came down the chute, we backed the trailer up, and he was easy going and walked in the trailer just like he had done this before. We pulled the trailer back up, probably about 25 yards from the chute, and he just stood there as we kept on working the cows. When we finished with the calves, we ran all the cows through the chute. I noticed how easy he was just standing there on the trailer.

When his mama came down the chute, he started talking. He could recognize her there in the headgate. When she went out, she went off to the right of the trailer and went around the front of the truck. He talked to her again as she was going on down the hill with the rest of the cows. She stopped and talked back to him

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

James Cook University in Australia Joins American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. James Cook University (JCU) in Queensland, Australia, recently joined the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) as a provisional member.

Provisional membership is available for any college or school of veterinary medicine that grants the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or equivalent but is not yet accredited by or gained “reasonable assurance” from the Council on Education (COE), which is based in the United States.

“The Discipline of Veterinary Science at James Cook University is excited to be joining the AAVMC family.

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

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

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

NEWS

We look forward to working with this well respected organization to achieve the mission of advancing the profession of veterinary medicine across the world,” says Margaret Reilly, Head of Veterinary Science.

JCU is the fifth Australian institution to join the AAVMC. Graduates of JCU practice as veterinarians in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

“We’re proud to welcome James Cook University as a member as we continue to expand our international footprint,” said AAAVMC CEO Andrew T. Maccabe. “The AAVMC has grown internationally and includes member institutions from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Each of our members strengthens our impact, enriches our global perspective, and brings the benefit of diverse expertise.”

About the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. The member institutions of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (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.

The

Chaplain’s Corral

By SKEETER SPAULDING Chaplain, Cowboys for Christ

A Feed Bag and God’s Word Some years back, I lived in a small trailer on a horse farm. To pay my modest rent, the owner asked me to feed and water the horses daily. That meant regardless of the weather, be it rain, snow, sleet, or just plain blazing hot. But I actually loved it!

Especially since I got to keep my own mount there on the farm to ride. There were creeks to cross and cows to go trail — just out of pure fun on 300 acres. It was a gift from God. My first stop on the feeding schedule was the big pasture in front of the barn.

When I’d start hollering for them to head my way, the lead mare was always out front leading the charge. She was a bay Arabian named Jasmine, with an attitude when it came to being first in line for grub. Horses are very smart. They almost always line up at the same feed bucket on the fence line day after day. I always knew which one came after the Arabian mare.

The pecking held together day after day.

One morning a big gray draft horse gelding named Romeo got a bit too nosy over Jasmine’s bucket. She pinned her ears back, but he was just too slow taking the hint for her liking. The mare wheeled

N.C. Weekly Auctions Report (Week ending JULY 7, 2022)

Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $140.00 - 156.00

400-500 $141.00 - 159.00 500-600 $146.00 - 156.00 600-700 $-------- - --------700-800 $-------- - -------- 800-900 $-------- - --------Heifers

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

$128.00 - 137.00 $125.00 - 136.00 $126.00 - 135.00 $-------- - 129.00 $-------- - --------$-------- - ---------

Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $86.00 - 87.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $80.00 - 86.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $90.00 - 97.00

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

around like a ballet dancer and left her muddy hoof print on his hip like some hairy tattoo. It landed with such a thud I swore I heard an echo. He didn’t appear hurt at all, but he still made his way down to the end of the line and waited there for me to feed him. Romeo was sure no ladies’ man that day. It was fascinating to watch it all unfold in a mere moment’s time.

There was a message here for Sunday morning church. I got to thinking just how important feed is to these animals. The type of grains we used was specifically designed to give optimal benefit to both the inside and outside of a horse. Besides, they apparently found it delicious.

It’s just the same when it comes to God’s Word. It is specifically designed to give us that optimal emotional and spiritual nutrition we need for daily life.

1 Timothy 3:16-17 tell us, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

This is the beauty of the Word. It gives life to our very nature, the one that God created. Since He made us, who knows better than Him what is required for our benefit.

A lot of science goes into the feed that we trust for our horses and cattle. We spend our time and resources to raise healthy livestock for the benefit of ourselves, our family, and the world abroad. When we invest our time into reading and studying the Bible, we discover what pertains to all life and holiness from a holy God. He is behind all science.

John 1:1-5 declares to us that Jesus created the world. Genesis 1-2 declares God made mankind. Don’t take my word for it. I invite you to look these passages up and lay eyes on them for yourself.

Do you get the feeling He’s got all this covered?

We can trust Him and His Word to lead us in paths of righteousness because He is trustworthy. So, my challenge to you is to spend time reading Psalm 139.

Then, read it again.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

PAGE 19

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

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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

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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 AUGUST 2022

ANGUS NEWS Angus breeders engage in premiere education at Beef Leaders Institute (BLI). Young Angus breeders gather for a week of producer education and development. There were 26 American Angus Association members from across the country attending the 2022 Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) from June 1317. The annual event is hosted by the American Angus Association and funded by the Angus Foundation and Certified Angus Beef brand (CAB). BLI provides Association members the opportunity to experience the beef value chain from pasture to plate.

“We look forward to this event each year,” said Kara Lee, director of producer engagement for CAB. “BLI provides a unique opportunity to explore all facets of the beef industry while also learning from and forging connections with fellow attendees.”

Participants began the week at the American Angus Association in St. Joseph, Missouri. While at the breed’s headquarters, attendees met with staff to learn about the many departments and programs housed within the Association.

Several Association employees offered insights, including Mark McCully, American Angus Association chief executive officer, Kelli Retallick-Riley, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) president, and Brett Spader, Angus MediaSM president.

Following their time in St. Joseph, attendees visited Tiffany Cattle Company in Herrington, Kansas. Here, Shane Tiffany, Tiffany Cattle Company coowner, explained the intricacies of cattle feeding and marketing. Attendees learned how their decisions, specifically as seedstock producers, can influence cattle’s performance in the feedyard.

For the second portion of the trip, the group traveled to Ohio to continue studying the beef value chain. Participants explored the impact of genetics in the beef industry at Select Sires and the role value added products play in marketing CAB at Hudson Meat Company. The final days of the experience were spent at the CAB brand headquarters in Wooster, Ohio.

In Wooster, attendees were welcomed to The Culinary Center by John Stika, CAB president. From a virtual packing plant tour to a hands-on beef fabrication demonstration in the meat lab,

participants followed the entire process of putting a CAB steak on the dinner table. During a week of fully immersing themselves in the industry, the BLI class realized how the cattle they raise influence the industry well beyond their pasture.

“Educational opportunities like Beef Leaders Institute are incredibly valuable for our members,” said Jaclyn Upperman, Angus Foundation executive director.

“We are proud to support programs that build strong leaders for the Angus breed.”

Providing continued education for the Angus membership is a priority for the Association. BLI is designed to provide members, ages 25-45, with the resources to understand all segments of the beef industry. Attendees leave equipped as stronger, more effective leaders for the Angus breed and beef industry. For more information on BLI and on applying to be part of the Class of 2023, visit www. angus.org/Event/BLIEntryForm. Look for the 2023 application to be available in early November.

Coleman Angus to donate 2023 Angus Foundation Heifer Package.

Sale of Coleman Chloe 173 to support Angus Foundation’s mission of education, youth, and research. The 2023 Angus Foundation Heifer Package will be donated by Coleman Angus of Charlo, Montana. The heifer, Coleman Chloe 173 (AAA+ 20076459), is the highest $M valued Coleman Chloe female in the ranch’s herd and is backed by a pedigree represented by the operation’s most notable cow families. The heifer will be offered in January at the 2023 Cattlemen’s Congress to support the Foundation’s mission of furthering Angus education, youth, and research efforts.

“We are honored to donate the female for the 2023 Foundation Heifer Package,” said Larry Coleman, owner of Coleman Angus. “To be able to give back — because we’ve been so fortunate — is exciting.”

Coleman Angus is a family operation that prides itself in placing emphasis on the power of the Angus cow. Through meticulous selection for maternal traits, they have grown a loyal base of customers who value their herd’s genetics. The ranch hosts an annual bull sale in February, offering between 175 to 200 bulls, and holds a female sale each

year in October.

“We are thrilled Coleman Angus has offered this female from the iconic Chloe cow family,” said Jaclyn Upperman, Angus Foundation executive director.

“The Coleman family recognizes the importance of the Angus Foundation’s mission as we work to ensure a bright future for the breed.”

The sale of the Angus Foundation Heifer Package will take place on January 6, 2023, prior to the start of the 84th National Angus Bull Sale during Cattlemen’s Congress. The sale will start at 2:00 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information about the 2023 Angus Foundation Heifer Package, contact Upperman at jupperman@angus.org or visit www. angusfoundation.org.

The Angus Foundation holds annual golf tournament. The 21st annual Angus Foundation Golf Tournament held in Platte City, Missouri. The Angus Foundation teed off the 21 st annual Angus Foundation Golf Tournament at

the Shiloh Springs Golf Club in Platte City, Mo., on July 5 in conjunction with the 2022 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). The tournament featured 30 teams and raised over $34,600 to help continue the Foundation’s mission of education, youth, and research.

“The Angus Foundation Golf Tournament annually serves our Angus family as a source of fun, fellowship and competition,” said Jaclyn Upperman, executive director of the Angus Foundation. “We appreciate all the generous participants and sponsors for helping make this event such a success.”

This year ’s tournament was sponsored by ABS Global Inc., a leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, technologies, and udder care products. The Luncheon and Event Hole Flag sponsor was NEOGEN. The Club House sponsor was Connealy Angus from Whitman, Nebraska. The Beverage Cart sponsors were Brinkley Angus Ranch from Milan, Mo.i, and Heritage Farm from Shelbyville, Kentucky.

About the Angus Foundation.

BE A WINNER!

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

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 816383-5100.

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.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

PAGE 21

Cow Herd Mineral Supplementation

By BOB LARSON, DVM, Ph.D. When I think about meeting the nutritional needs of beef cow/calf herds, I first focus on the ability of the base forage to meet the energy and protein needs of the various groups of cattle on the ranch that differ by age and lactation status.

But another aspect of nutrition that must also be considered is the mineral content of the diet. The minerals available from grazed and harvested forages and feed depend greatly on the soil on which it is grown as well as the type of plant being consumed. Because of the importance that soil plays in the availability of many minerals, supplementation needs can vary greatly across North America. In addition, mineral needs (particularly calcium and phosphorus) will increase somewhat in late gestation and to a greater extent during lactation compared to nonlactating cattle (heifers, dry cows, bulls).

Several minerals are necessary in beef cattle diets to maintain optimum health, reproduction, and growth. Minerals needed in relatively large amounts are described as major or macro minerals, while

minerals needed in small amounts are usually called micro or trace minerals. The major minerals that most commonly need to be supplemented in beef cattle diets are sodium (salt), calcium, and phosphorus, while magnesium and potassium are major minerals that require supplementation under certain circumstances. The six trace minerals that may be deficient in forage based diets are copper, cobalt, iodine, selenium, zinc, and manganese.

The mineral needed in the greatest amount in beef diets is salt (sodium chloride). Because salt is deficient in most natural feeds, it should be supplemented in all situations. The level of salt needed can vary depending on the diet, type of cattle, and environmental conditions, but a general rule is to supply 1-2 oz per day.

Calcium and phosphorus are often considered together. Calcium content of grass decreases somewhat as forage matures and becomes dormant but often maintains levels that supply dietary needs throughout the year. Phosphorus, however, is leached out of dormant forage so that by mid-winter,

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PAGE 22

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

levels are much lower than while forages are growing. Grains and many byproduct feeds used to supplement cows on dormant forage, such as wheat middlings, soybean products, distillers grains, and corn gluten feed, have high phosphorus content that will likely provide sufficient levels in the diet.

The Coastal Plain of Texas and other portions of the Gulf Coast, the Sandhills of Nebraska, Montana, as well as portions of Minnesota, North Dakota, and areas in numerous other states, have phosphorus deficient soils, and diet supplementation should be a priority. In many other parts of the country, phosphorus deficiencies are seldom identified, and phosphorus supplementation is not needed or can be strategically planned for period of high demand (late gestation and early lactation).

Deficiency of magnesium is identified as a condition known as grass tetany.

Observed most frequently in the early spring, grass tetany results from the consumption of lush forage, which has low levels of magnesium and sodium and has an excess of potassium. In addition to plant factors, grass tetany is associated with late pregnancy and early lactation due to the movement of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium out of blood circulation and into the udder for milk production. During periods when grass tetany is a danger, a mineral mix with at least 18% magnesium needs to be offered. Because cattle do not like the taste of magnesium oxide, dry molasses or other flavor enhancers should be added to the mineral mix.

Minerals needed in small amounts are called trace minerals, and in most situations, requirements are met with grazed forages or supplemental feedstuffs.

But deficiencies or imbalances of trace minerals can occur when cattle grazing on some soil types consume plants that are either deficient in some important trace minerals or have excessive amounts of minerals that will tie up or prevent the proper utilization of other minerals.

For example, iron, molybdenum, and other minerals, nitrate, sulfate, protein, and plant estrogens are known to reduce copper utilization. The first priority in trace mineral nutrition is to reduce the intake of antagonists in order to minimize the amount of supplemental mineral required.

This may be accomplished by changing water sources, rotating pastures so that animals are not on pastures with high levels of antagonists for long periods of time, or changing harvested forage sources.

Commercial mineral supplements are widely available and will meet the needs of most classes of cattle. The amount of each mineral provided by commercial products must be printed on the label.

In some situations (due to concentrate feeds used and soil type), no commercial supplement is available to perfectly meet a herd's mineral needs. In these situations, custom mixes can be created.

In this circumstance, the supplier of the supplement will work with the producer to provide the proper level of minerals based on analysis of the animal's diet.

Salt and other minerals can be delivered to cattle in several forms. If possible, minerals can be mixed into hand fed protein or energy supplements so that all cattle are more likely to receive their allotted amount.

But, if no supplement is being fed or if it is difficult or impossible to add minerals to the supplement, salt/mineral can be offered free choice in a loose granular form or as a block or tub (or other solid or semi-solid form).

All free choice methods of mineral delivery will likely result in some cattle consuming far more and others far less than the desired amount. It has been reported that supplying salt/mineral in a loose form results in the highest intake, but because of loss to wind and weather or because of other convenience factors, a solid or semi-solid form may be more appropriate in some situations. Many commercial protein supplements – whether in a pellet, cake, tub, or liquid form, have salt and other minerals added so that additional mineral supplementation is not needed.

Because cows do not have the nutritional wisdom to consume the proper amount of free choice mineral supplement to meet their dietary requirement or to avoid toxicity, it is important to monitor mineral intake. Determining the amount of mineral consumed over several days is necessary in order to know the herd's average consumption. If consumption is too low, feed intake enhancers such as dry molasses, wheat mids, cottonseed meal, or flavoring may be added. If consumption is too high, salt may be used to limit intake to desired levels.

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PAGE 23

Save the Date. Each year, progressive cattlemen and women gather in Kansas City, Mo., for the American Hereford Association’s (AHA) Annual Membership Meeting and Educational Forum. Held in conjunction with the national Hereford show at the American Royal, this two day conference features an industry trade show, an educational forum to provide industry relevant information, and networking opportunities for attendees and industry representatives. Hereford honorees of all ages are recognized during the special awards ceremony to commemorate their outstanding achievements within the breed.

This year ’s trade show and educational forum will facilitate a unique networking opportunity for AHA membership and allied industry partners from October 21–23. The educational sessions will draw Hereford enthusiasts

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News

from all parts of the country to hear the latest information regarding AHA programs, breed improvement, and marketing. Attendance to the educational forum and trade show is free for AHA members and guests. This is a can’tmiss opportunity for members looking to connect with beef industry leaders and allied industry partners. More information will be shared in the coming weeks with event details.

Genetic Evaluation Update.

On July 11, the American Hereford Association made improvements to the genetic evaluation. Specifically, data extracts for Mature Cow Weight (MCW) and Sustained Cow Fertility (SCF) have been refined for model improvement and convergence. Within the genetic evaluation, animals are assigned to a genetic group based on date of birth and country of origin. This is especially

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

important when new animals enter the evaluation, and little information is known about them. Knowing the Pan American Cattle evaluation has a multitude of data entering from multiple sources, it is important to have the proper genetic groups assigned. With this, the number of genetic groups was reduced in the MCW and SCF models as they were not needed as some countries simply do not have data entering in these models.

Although you may notice some individual animal movement, overall trait correlation is very high at 0.95 and 0.96 for MCW and SCF, respectively. AHA will continue to review additional trait models to optimize model performance.

Any questions can be directed to Shane Bedwell at sbedwell@hereford. org.

2022 State Voting Delegate Information. Each year, three members of the board of directors of the American Hereford Association go off the board, and three new directors are elected to replace them. A nominating committee of AHA members not currently serving on the board of directors creates a slate of candidates who are voted on at the AHA annual meeting.

Each state elects voting delegates to attend the annual meeting to vote on the slate of board nominees. Each state is entitled to one delegate for every 750 Hereford registrations from January 1-December 31, 2021, as well as one delegate for the first 25 active adult members and one delegate for every 100 additional active adult members during the same time period.

Active adult members of the AHA who have registered at least one Hereford animal in the preceding calendar year (January 1-December 31, 2021) are eligible to participate in the election of voting delegates.

The election of Voting Delegates begins in early May when the AHA sends out nomination cards to all eligible members. Those nomination cards are returned to the AHA’s accounting firm, and a slate of potential voting delegates is created. If there are more eligible members nominated than the state or state group is allocated, then a ballot will be sent out to all eligible members from

Continued on page 26

North Carolina has members attending these

AUGUST EVENTS Faces of Leadership August 3-6 Billings, Montana N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up August 5-7 WNC Ag Center Fletcher, N.C.

4B FARMS, LLC

DOUBLE J FARM

Shelby, NC Bryson, Wren, Beau, Belle, Bonnie & Bennet Westbrook 980-230-4868 brysonw@thewestbrookco.com

Traphill, NC • Earlysville, VA John Wheeler 910-489-0024 doublejfarmllc@yahoo.com www.doublejfarmllc.com

4K RANCH

FIVE J’S BEEF & CATTLE COMPANY

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

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

BLINSON POLLED HEREFORDS

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

Clayton, NC Jody & Angela Standley Kim Prestwood (Manager) 828-320-7317 - Kim jodystandley@gmail.com

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

HEREFORD HILLS

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

Check out the

North Carolina Hereford Advantage at

www.nchereford.com

LOOKABILL FAMILY LIVESTOCK

QUAIL RIDGE FARM Rutherfordton, NC Mark Brewer 828-329-2074 markbrewer65@gmail.com

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

TAYLOR’S MILL FARM

McCOY CATTLE FARM

Zebulon, NC J. Brent Creech 919-801-7561 tmfherefords@icloud.com

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

TERRACE FARM

MITCHEM’S FARM 3C

Lexington, NC Jim, Linda & Chad Davis 336-247-1554 jgdavis101@yahoo.com

Vale, NC Wayne, Crystal, Regan & Jordan Mitchem 704-472-4369 mitchemsfarm@bellsouth.net

TRIPLETT POLLED HEREFORDS

NORTH PINO LAND & CATTLE COMPANY

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

Mocksville, NC Kevin Robinson 336-940-2547 kevrob1@aol.com

P and J FARMS

Monroe, NC Andy Smith 704-400-3436 pandjfarmsherefords@gmail.com

W&A HEREFORDS

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

Myron McCoy

N.C. Hereford Association Secretary/Treasurer

252-637-4995 ncherefordassociation@gmail.com www.nchereford.com The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

PAGE 25

Hereford News continued from page 24 the state in order for them to select which voting delegate nominees will represent their state at the annual meeting.

Any states that do not have enough eligible members nominated to warrant a ballot being sent out will have their state secretary or president contacted in order to solicit the names of potential eligible members that might represent their state or state group.

Voting delegates must be active members and willing to attend the annual meeting and serve in this capacity (board members and director nominating committee members are eligible to be nominated).

This year North Carolina and South Carolina will not be receiving ballots as there were not more eligible members nominated than each state was allocated voting delegates.

Cattle Genetics and Sustainability.

Beef consumers, direct customers, and financial partners want to know how beef cattle production contributes to environmental sustainability.

“Sustainability is not a “nice to have” anymore; it’s a “need to have,” says Kim Stackhouse Lawson, Ph.D., director of Colorado State University’s (CSU) AgNext, a research collaborative developing sustainable solutions for agriculture. “Yes, producers have been here for generations, but today we have to say, ‘We’ve been here for generations, and here’s how we continue to improve and continue to care.’

The proof points in today’s society are expected, whether that’s fair or not.”

Stackhouse-Lawson explains most of the pressure on U.S. cattle and beef currently comes from concerns about climate change, specifically the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) produced by the industry.

“We know cattle are natural upcyclers. We also know how much more

efficient U.S. beef production has become over time in terms of producing more beef with fewer cows on less land.

The American cattle producer is the most efficient in the world,” says Jack Ward, executive vice president of the American Hereford Association (AHA).

“But we also know the global population is expected to grow by almost two billion by 2050. So, how do we become more efficient, and how do we, from a genetic standpoint, affect overall sustainability?”

All the above are behind a cooperative AHA-CSU research project.

Identifying genetics associated with GHG - “The primary objective of this research is to give the American Hereford Association, its breeders, and their customers tools that will help improve the environmental footprint of beef production,” says Mark Enns, Ph.D., a beef cattle geneticist at CSU and a member of the research team.

Research will leverage decades of phenotypes for individual feed intake collected by AHA members, as well as previous feed efficiency research conducted by the Association.

“Over time, we’ve documented the value of Hereford genetics in commercial cow herds in terms of fertility, longevity, feed efficiency, and other traits associated with production efficiency,” Ward says.

“All of those things, as we understand currently, are going to have a positive effect in terms of sustainability as we move forward in the industry.

“At the same time, producers have long known the economic value of production efficiency. Things like getting more cows bred early, more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed and less feed required per unit of output — all of those make a huge difference to the bottom line.”

Specifically, AHA-CSU research aims to enhance understanding of the

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February

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Darlington Laurens Orangeburg Saluda Williamston PAGE 26

genetic differences in seedstock relative to enteric methane production and nitrogen excretion, a byproduct of rumen fermentation.

Stackhouse-Lawson explains the amount of feed cattle consume is a true indicator of the amount of greenhouse gas they will emit.

Methane emission, as a genetic trait in cattle, appears to be moderately heritable with genetic correlations (modest to strong) to economically relevant production traits, such as measures of growth, dry matter intake, and various estimates of feed efficiency.

Previous research also suggests genetics play a significant role in nitrogen excretion by cattle. It and the animal’s environmental footprint can be reduced through selection.

Extending social license - “This is going to help us maintain the license to operate. I think that is a key term we all need to understand,” says Craig Huffhines, director of equine sciences and elite bovine and equine genetics at CSU. “What is our license to operate? What is society going to allow us to do to stay in business and feed a growing population?”

Beyond providing customers, consumers, and financial partners with data verifying the environmental sustainability of beef cattle production — doing the right thing — Stackhouse-Lawson notes there could also be financial rewards.

“If we get this right and can measure a (GHG) reduction, you could get paid for it because we’ve seen big companies make commitments around net-zero goals, and there will be expectations those companies make progress toward the goals,” Stackhouse Lawson explains.

“They’re going to have to incentivize the adoption of practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

These comments and information

2022 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts March

April

May

June

820

995

546

696

748

1,237

1,316

2,356

94

1,574

1,460

1,173

1,513

1,785

1,247

1,399

1,568

766

1,183

1,139

871

972

1,417

1,737

2,917

2,838

2,258

2,478

3,580

773

2,596

2,26

1,971

2,051

2,398

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

July

August

September

stem from an online webinar AHA hosted on July 12. Viewers from the U.S. and five other countries participated in the event.

To watch the webinar, visit https://hereford.ac-page.com/ csuwebinarrecording.

About the American Hereford Association. The American Hereford Association, 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.

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!

October

November

December

By LANCE JOHNSON N.C. State University -- ANS 402 Beef Management

Capitalizing on Rented Land for Grazing Cattle Many cattle producers, large and small, rent land from landowners to improve or increase their beef herds. As today’s land prices are increasing more and more, rented land can be a very useful resource. Rented land, however, is not always the better option. Analyzing land to rent is needed to make sure that you, as the herd owner, are capitalizing while also caring for the owner’s land.

Land agreements are also needed for landowners and farmers for land security and positive relationships.

Recently, farmland prices have increased significantly due to many different reasons, including the building of infrastructure, expanding cities, and citizens moving to rural areas to enjoy the countryside scenery. Renting land can be beneficial for the producer and owner. “Six keys to determine the value of the land are knowing the pasture quality and grazing value, agreeing on a price and payment system from both parties, identifying who is responsible for checking livestock, identifying who is responsible for problems including fences, water systems, etc., putting

the agreement in writing with contract format, and trying to put forth a multiple year lease” (Farm Progress, 2015).

The number one factor when deciding on renting grazing land is usually the cost or how the landowner will get paid. When calculating and paying a rate, there is usually a variety of ways to figure such (Hofstrand, 2015). “Pasture rental rates can be based on current land market rates, return on investment in pastureland, forage value, rent per head per month (AUM), carrying capacity, or rent per pound of gain” (Hofstrand, 2015).

Pasture rent can be calculated by multiplying the average land worth by 1.5-2.0 percent (Hofstrand, 2015), for example, if the land is worth $5,000; 5,000 times 1.5% = $75 per month of rent. Forage value is calculated by estimating the pasture production in tons per acre and then multiplying it by 25 percent of the price for grass hay during that grazing season (Hofstrand, 2015); more information can be seen in Table 1. Table 1 from Iowa State University shows examples of forage production for

different grass species. These numbers may not match North Carolina yield and are only used as an example. For more information on forage production in North Carolina reach out to your extension agent. If orchard grass is worth $100 per ton and produces 3-4 tons of forage per acre, then multiplied by 25 percent, we get $75-$100 per acre for rent.

We can calculate rent by the pound of gain by multiplying the average weight gained per animal by the value of gain from the forage, which is usually 50-60¢ per pound of gain each year (Hofstrand, 2015). This is usually used by finisher or stocker operations; this method requires the herd to be weighed before and after being on the pasture (Hofstrand, 2015).

Another key resource for renting land is the land agreement to keep a positive outcome to please both parties.

Land agreements are needed for the clarity of the landlord and farmer. The last thing a farmer wants is confusion and disagreements between them and the landowner. This helps to preserve the land rights while also keeping the operation productive. There is a land agreement on N.C. State’s Extension website that can be accessed at the end of this article.

A positive relationship can also be essential for the longevity of the lease or rent. A rented piece of land or farm can also one day be sold; in a lot of cases, the producer who is renting these properties sometimes gets the first chance of buying it before being put on the market. If the farmer can buy the rented land that they are farming, then this family’s odds of passing down the farm to the next generation increase as they have more resources.

Ways for a farmer to keep a positive relationship is by having open communication. Communicate with one another about how you feel about the agreement, and let the owner know your goals. Being specific with one another is also key to showing the owner what you have in mind and what you as a producer have done on the farm. Make sure that you and the owner are both on the same page, especially when it comes to sharecropping (Caldwell, 2012); keeping conflict to a minimum is key.

“Sharecropping is the practice of the owner receiving a portion of the crop (cattle) and USDA payments instead of cash for the land resources used” (Leibold, 2021). However, the owner also pays for the same percentage of inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, or vaccines (Leibold, 2021). Allow payment options to benefit the owner, not just you. If crop share or flexible cash rent is a better option for them, consider this for

the betterment of the owner (Caldwell, 2012). Keeping up with records that have been completed around the farm while including yields and tasks allows the owner to see the management of their land (Caldwell, 2012). Show these records to the owner and make sure what you are doing is acceptable as well (Caldwell, 2012). Lastly, improving their land is key as it keeps them content with you and improves your odds of being able to rent a neighboring farm (Caldwell, 2012).

As cattle producers, many factors go into successfully renting pastureland while also taking into consideration the landlord. There are many different factors to look at while renting pastureland.

There are many ways to pay for the pastureland, each of which can depend on the operation or owner. Relationships and agreements are also key so that both parties know what needs to be in place for the longevity of the negotiation.

Additional sources for producers: • N.C. State Extension Farm Lease Agreement Template - https://ncfarmlink. ces.ncsu.edu/2019/01/farm-leasetemplate-available-on-our-website • N.C. State Extension Farm Link, find farms for sale or rent near you https://ncfarmlink.org/find-farmland References Caldwell, Jeff. (January 2012) “A Good Land Relationship.” Successful Farming, Successful Farming. www. agriculture.com/farm-management/ re a l - e s t a t e / l a n d - re n t s / a - g o o d - l relationship_302-sl21792 Farm Progress. (2015, April 6). 6 steps to determining a pasture rental rate. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from www.farmprogress.com/story-6-stepsd e t e r m i n i n g - 2 0 1 5 - p a s t u re - re n t a l rate-10-106209 Hofstrand, Don, and William Edwards. (May 2015). “Computing a Pasture Rental Rate: Ag Decision Maker.” Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, www.extension. iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/html/c2-23. html Leibold, K. (2021, July). “Improving your farm lease contract.” Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Retrieved April 1, 2022, from www. extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/ html/c2-01.html About the Have You Herd Article Series. Have You Herd article written as a portion of ANS 402 Beef Management course requirement at N.C. State University Department of Animal Science.

The opinions of Lance Johnson are not necessarily those of N.C. State University or Dr. Carrie Pickworth.

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13 Facts About Fly Control For Horses and Cattle. Flies can be more than an annoyance – they can even be dangerous, whether impacting a ride with your horse in a single, painful bite or transmitting diseases to horses and cattle.

“Flies are pesky, they’re hard to control. And a lot of times, we can’t really control them adequately with only one modality. We need to use a variety of options for optimal control,” said Tony Hawkins, DVM, Valley Vet Supply Technical Service Veterinarian. “The good news is that we have many options available to control these pesky little critters.”

Read on as Dr. Hawkins shares 13 facts about controlling flies.

1. Flies don’t stop at the fence line - “If neighboring properties are not doing

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a good job of keeping flies under control, even a couple of miles down the road, flies can soon make their way to your farm.”

2. Many fly control methods are available - “We have fly sprays and feed through insecticides that inhibit growth of immature fly stages, as well as fly traps, pour-on insecticides and for cattle, there’s also insecticide tags, dust and cattle rubs.”

3. For the best fly control, multiple methods are needed - “We’re not going to control the flies adequately with only one modality. Attacking these flies from multiple directions will give us our best protection. That’s going to be our best bet.”

4. Many fly control options are cross species; check labels - “Some products may also be formulated for

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

smaller animals, like goats and sheep, and some can even be used on dogs. Be sure to check the labels and adhere to the manufacturers’ recommendations.”

5. For cattle, flies are less annoying but still risky - “Because cattle have a much thicker hide, flies don’t bother them quite as much. However, cattle are still at risk for fly transmitted diseases, like pinkeye and anaplasmosis.”

6. Painful and annoying, flies also impact horse health - “Flies contribute to significant equine diseases and conditions, including pigeon fever, strangles, influenza, Salmonella, eye worms, and summer sores, which are chronic, fleshy, and non-healing wounds that can require months off from riding and training as the horse heals. Horses are also more sensitive to a fly’s painful bite.”

7. Fly attractants attract flies - “I see a lot of people put fly traps inside of their barns, which is counterproductive in the long term. Just as the name suggests, having them in the barn will draw flies indoors. Be sure to place them around the exterior perimeter of paddocks and pens.”

8. Stable flies are tricky to control - “Persistent stable flies can best be controlled using sticky fly trap products that feature a series of colors in a multidimensional pattern. This design is an insect attractant, and they work well.”

9. There are different insecticide options for horses and cattle - “There are concentrated pour-ons, where we pour a small volume down the top line. Pour on fly control for cattle is absorbed and distributed across the whole surface of the animal. They’re usually formulated to be longer lasting. There are also concentrates that we can mix and spray onto horses and cattle (a higher volume administration). For horses, who are often easier to bring up than a herd of cattle, either option works great. But for cattle, I recommend producers consider their preferences – if they’re applying insecticide out at pasture, a pour-on down the top line is likely going to be more challenging, so misting from a distance could work better. But if you’ve got cattle in an alleyway, then those pour-ons are a good choice.”

10. Fly sprays can be long lasting - “Many factors determine how long a horse fly spray lasts – one being the specific formulation from the company, another being the carrier. Typically, oil based products last longer than water based, providing a longer term control solution. This is because they are not lost to evaporation nor wash off as easily with a heavy rain or dew, when compared with a water based fly spray (however, there are longer lasting, water based sprays available, too). The most common

ingredients are going to be permethrins.

Other ingredients are also commonly combined with permethrins to help those fly sprays work better. Typically, as a rule, the higher the percentage of ingredient, the more effective it’s going to be.”

11. Expect brief delay but effectiveness when using Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) - “When consumed by the animal, IGR ingredients pass through the animal into the feces, and as the flies lay their eggs and larvae in those feces, the same ingredients inhibit development of immature fly stages, significantly decreasing fly numbers. Because you are attacking from the larval fly stages, you will continue to temporarily see adult flies. It takes a generation or two (eliminating larvae), then you will really see a difference.”

12. Good management is key, in addition to effective fly control products - “The importance of environmental management to minimize fly breeding areas cannot be overstated, especially for confinement operations and horse stables. In the pasture setting, encourage water drainage and minimize decaying plant matter with cutting or burning. In confinement areas like pens, stalls or paddocks, remove manure, damp and soiled hay, uneaten grain, and any other source of decaying organic matter weekly at a minimum, and scatter to dry. Proper cleaning and addressing damp areas will reduce fly breeding sites, disrupting the fly life cycle, and will have a significant impact on fly numbers.”

13. Fly control requires a multifaceted approach, but it’s worth it - “Like I mentioned at the very beginning, we’re not going to adequately control flies with only one modality. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell if your control efforts are having a positive impact. But, I can assure you that they are.”

Keep Dr. Hawkins’ tips in mind, and learn more about fly control for horses and cattle at Valley Vet Supply.

About Valley Vet Supply. Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians to provide customers with the very best animal health solutions.

Building on over half a century of experience in veterinary medicine, Valley Vet Supply serves equine, pet, and livestock owners with thousands of products and medications hand selected by Valley Vet Supply Technical Service veterinarians and team of industry professionals. With an in-house pharmacy that is licensed in all 50 states, and verified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), Valley Vet Supply is the dedicated source for all things horse, livestock, and pet. For more information, please visit www.ValleyVet.com.

Protein Supplementation Boosts Forage Digestion in Late Summer

By PHILLIP LANCASTER, Ph.D. BCI nutritionist As we move into the heat of summer, forage plants begin to reach maturity, which means that the amount of lignin deposited in the plant cell wall increases, and the amount of protein decreases. This is a continual process as the plant matures, but when the plant begins to put up seed heads is usually when forage digestibility begins to decline, although this can be forage species dependent. Lignin is not readily digested by rumen bacteria, and it also inhibits digestion of the rest of the plant cell wall. Additionally, the decrease in protein concentration becomes limiting for growth of rumen bacteria which decreases their ability to digest plant material. The increase in lignin and decrease in protein combine to reduce forage digestibility which in turn decreases the amount of forage the animal can consume. This becomes a double edged sword in that the animal does not get as much nutrition from each bite and cannot eat as much.

It is impossible to remove the lignin

once it is deposited in the plant cell wall.

The only management strategy is to slow down the rate of plant maturation by frequent grazing. To accomplish this effect, cattle must be moved to a new paddock every day, which is not practical for many ranches. Also, there is a discrepancy as to whether frequent grazing/rest periods have the same effect on all forage species in all regions of the country.

Even though maintaining low lignin concentration of forages is not always practical, increasing the protein supply to rumen bacteria is beneficial and practical.

Digestibility of forage can be improved with protein supplementation when forages mature in late summer. Previous research at Kansas State University indicates a 13 percent improvement in digestibility of native prairie hay with protein supplementation. Available protein sources that work well are soybean meal and cottonseed meal, which provide large amounts of rumen degradable protein,

meaning that this protein is available to the rumen bacteria. Other feedstuffs such as distiller's grains are lower in rumen degradable protein and higher in energy and are better suited when both energy and protein need to be supplemented.

Protein supplementation can be easily implemented in many ranch situations due to the ability of the ruminant animal to recycle nitrogen within the body. Because of this ability to recycle nitrogen back to

the rumen, beef cows and stocker calves can be supplemented with a high protein feed every 3-6 days rather than daily, with similar benefits in forage digestion.

Be sure to monitor the maturity of forage plants in pastures over the next few weeks to determine the appropriate time to begin protein supplementation. Work with your veterinarian or county extension agent to determine the appropriate time and amount of protein supplement.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

Pasture Management Systems, Inc.

MILE OF FENCE PROGRAM New Members by County in 2022 (as of 7-15-22) Alamance 5 Alexander 1 Alleghany 2 Anson 1 Ashe 0 Avery 0 Beaufort 0 Bertie 0 Bladen 0 Brunswick 2 Buncombe 12 Burke 8 Cabarrus 4 Caldwell 3 Camden 0 Carteret 0 Caswell 0 Catawba 3 Chatham 5 Cherokee 1 Chowan 0 Clay 0 Cleveland 7 Columbus 0 Craven 1

Cumberland 1 Currituck 0 Dare 0 Davidson 3 Davie 5 Duplin 18 Durham 0 Edgecombe 1 Forsyth 1 Franklin 2 Gaston 2 Gates 0 Graham 0 Granville 1 Greene 1 Guilford 2 Halifax 1 Harnett 1 Haywood 13 Henderson 1 Hertford 0 Hoke 1 Hyde 0 Iredell 3 Jackson 0

Johnston 5 Jones 0 Lee 2 Lenoir 4 Lincoln 3 McDowell 4 Macon 6 Martin 1 Madison 4 Mecklenburg 0 Mitchell 0 Montgomery 0 Moore 9 Nash 6 New Hanover 0 Northampton 0 Onslow 2 Orange 2 Pamlico 2 Pasquotank 1 Pender 2 Perquimans 1 Person 1 Pitt 2 Polk 0

Grand Total

Randolph 6 Richmond 3 Robeson 3 Rockingham 7 Rowan 3 Rutherford 4 Sampson 5 Scotland 0 Stanly 2 Stokes 1 Surry 5 Swain 0 Transylvania 0 Tyrrell 0 Union 5 Vance 1 Wake 6 Warren 3 Washington 1 Watauga 1 Wayne 7 Wilkes 4 Wilson 4 Yadkin 0 Yancey 0

240

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NCBA Fights Against Overreaching SEC Climate Rule Founded after the wild stock market drops of the 1920s, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the federal agency tasked with regulating publicly traded companies and major investors. From the days of stockbrokers shouting on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to the rise of digital investing, the SEC has always been a Wall Street watchdog, but recently the SEC reached beyond its authority by proposing a rule that will impact private companies, including agricultural operations.

In March, the SEC proposed a sweeping climate rule that would indirectly require private businesses, like family farms and ranches, to collect and report GHG emissions data.

“The SEC is far beyond their statutory jurisdiction by proposing a rule that could impact thousands of small businesses, farms, and ranches across the United States,” said NCBA Environmental Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “The SEC has no sense of how this onerous rule will burden farmers and ranchers.”

The proposed rule would require publicly traded companies to report their scope one, scope two, and scope three emissions. Scope one emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions, like those coming from factories, stores, or trucks.

Scope two emissions count energy and electricity use. Scope three emissions count emissions from each step of a company’s supply chain — scope three is where cattle producers are at risk.

“Picture a steakhouse serving beef or a grocery store stocking the meat counter.

Those companies would need to report not only their direct emissions from the restaurant or store but also the emissions from every producer who sold them beef, including cow/calf operators, stockers, backgrounders and feeders,” said Hart.

“The entire cattle industry could be impacted by this rule.”

Measuring emissions from individual operations is already difficult, if not impossible, and estimates will likely be incorrect. This also poses another risk in the form of legal liability. If publicly traded companies or their shareholders feel that farm level emissions data is incorrect, producers could be liable to lawsuits.

On average, publicly traded companies are spending more than half a million dollars on climate disclosures, according to a survey of companies conducted by the SustainAbility Institute

by ERM 1. As investors and activists

PAGE 34

push companies to provide more climate data, the cost to comply with these requirements is only expected to rise.

These costs are vastly higher than what producers can afford, and compliance requires attorneys and consultants to understand complex climate disclosure rules.

“With producers facing rampant inflation and soaring input costs, another complicated, expensive climate rule is unaffordable. NCBA has urged policymakers in Washington to focus on addressing the real issues hurting producers now, rather than try to craft massive new environmental rules,” said Hart.

Since the rule was first announced, NCBA has taken swift action to push back on the SEC. NCBA submitted comments on the proposed rule urging the SEC to limit the rule to only direct and energy emissions from publicly traded companies and completely remove the scope three (supply chain) requirement that emissions from cattle operations would be counted under. NCBA also highlighted that the federal government already collects industry wide emissions data through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventory and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Life Cycle Assessments. This data is how we know the cattle industry is sustainable because the data continually shows that greenhouse gas emissions from cattle account for just two percent of total U.S. emissions.

“This existing data should more than satisfy any emissions reporting requirement from the cattle industry,” said Hart.

Adding to the list of problems with this rule is its impact on farmer data privacy. Previous Supreme Court cases like American Farm Bureau Federation v. EPA solidified the idea that producers have the right to keep operational data private. Cattle production varies widely between regions and even between neighboring operations, and producers should be able to keep their practices private to keep producing high quality cattle. The SEC rule would force the release of personal business information, placing privacy at risk.

With the many issues this rule would pose to the cattle industry, ensuring the SEC heard directly from individual cattlemen and women was a top priority.

NCBA launched a grassroots campaign that provided a way for producers to submit comments directly to the

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

commissioners of the SEC and members of Congress. In just a few short weeks, over [6,700] messages were sent to policymakers, sending a strong message that this overreach proposal is harmful to agriculture.

“Hearing from grassroots cattle producers — the people who would be impacted every day — is incredibly important,” said Hart. “The people writing these rules spend their day behind a desk in Washington and don’t

understand the day to day realities of life on the farm or ranch. Sharing your story is essential.”

NCBA will always lead the fight against overreaching regulations and ensure that cattle producers have the freedom to thrive and build successful operations.

Reference 1 www.erm.com/news/survey-revealscosts-and-benefits-of-climate-relateddisclosure-for-companies-and-investors/

S.C. Charolais News

By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association

Sorry for no article last month, but I was having a lot of back problems, so bad that I was not able to attend the Southern Connections Sale in Knoxville. I sent David with Sammy Callahan to chaperone.

Reports came back that both behaved themselves very well. I finally got my back problems under control after numerous visits to the chiropractor. I also learned that I cannot pick up things that are real heavy unless I want to pay the consequences.

I am writing this right after the Fourth of July. I hope by the time you read this, we have some rain. If not, we are in big trouble. It has not rained here in weeks. We watch the clouds come in with thunder roaring, but not a drop of rain. We are feeding our winter hay and have no idea what we are going to do this winter. Pray for rain as many are going to suffer this winter.

Most of the Charolais folks are headed to the United Kingdom for the World Congress. We couldn’t afford to go since fertilizer and fuel have taken all of our money. I hope all who went have a great time.

Did you vote? I did, but anyone who knows me knows I am not happy with who got elected. Not to mention any names, but we are going to have to do a better job getting some folks elected and others out of office.

The S.C. Beef Co-Op has been formed, and they elected me as president.

Some folks think Trump has a big mouth.

Well, let me tell you, they ain’t seen

nothing yet. We are working hard to get a beef processing plant in South Carolina for the cattlemen to use. If you would like information and would like to join, email wagyu4you@gmail.com, and Gwen McPhail will email you the info and a form to join. We are working hard for the cattlemen in South Carolina, and who knows, a processing plant may not be the end of the causes we take up.

I have a question for the bunch at Clemson University. Since all the good people have retired, I don’t know a soul over there to ask, so someone please get in touch with me. Rumor has it, and mind you, this is only a rumor, but several folks have told me that Clemson wants to put a processing plant in the lower part of the state. That makes no sense to me since the last time I checked, Anderson County has the most cattle in the state, and most of the cattle in the state are from Columbia to the upstate. That would not seem to benefit anyone from the upstate.

It would make more sense to put one in the middle of the state to help everyone out. As I said, this is just a rumor I have heard from numerous people, so someone in authority (and I don’t know who that would be) needs to deny or verify.

Some of us are just trying to help our fellow cattlemen, just like when people call me for bulls, and I don’t have any. I start calling people I know and find folks a bull. There’s nothing in it for me, just helping out folks. If we don’t help each other, nobody else is going to help us.

A Message from the CEO

By COLIN WOODALL

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Summer Grilling Season is in Full Swing By now, there is no doubt you have had your grill or smoker fired up and pumping out some great beef meals. It is summer grilling season, and most Americans are doing the same. We kicked off grilling season with National Beef Burger Day on May 28, and we will keep the consumer focused on their outdoor culinary adventures through Labor Day. Gathering around the grill with friends and family is just a way of life during the summer. In fact, it IS summer.

It is also another time of year for us to shine and keep the consumer craving beef. Even with the current economic challenges, consumers are still choosing beef and using their steaks, hamburgers, fajitas, and other beef dishes to try and escape from things

like high gas prices.

As a proud contractor to the Beef Checkoff, we conducted consumer research to see what they were planning on eating for the summer. We discovered that consumers are likely grilling twice a week or more, and the average American is grilling more than nine times per month — an increase over previous years. Given the economic challenges we are all facing, this is a win for us as cattle and beef producers. Every holiday during the summer belongs to beef because nothing beats the sizzle, aroma, and taste of beef cooking outdoors. Not surprising is the fact that ground beef accounts for 51 percent of fresh beef sales.

Hamburgers rule! As part of the summer

grilling season, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand is operating across all types of media. Websites, Facebook, Instagram, and other digital forms of media are carrying the beef grilling message. As you look around at your own families, I am sure you recognize that entertainment comes in many forms these days. Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. has done a great job of staying ahead of the media trends to ensure that consumers of all ages are seeing the logo, the sizzle, and the sight of beef on the grill. We are also proud to once again be back on broadcast television with the Checkoff funded summer grilling commercials seen on many of your favorite Food Network shows. Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. advertising is about getting more consumers to recognize the brand and realize that eating beef is the only way to satisfy that instant craving that overcomes them when they see the ads.

This year, you will notice a new face behind summer grilling. Tony Romo is serving as spokesperson for the grilling campaign, and it is the first time there has been a named spokesperson since the likes of James Garner and Cybill Shepherd.

So, why did we go for a spokesperson?

Advertising research shows that utilizing a well known spokesperson consistently drives increased sales, stronger brand awareness, attraction of new customers, and credibility in advertising campaigns. Tony

has built a career as a trusted, authentic and credible broadcaster, and his presence is bringing even more attention to the iconic Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand.

Tony is highly recognizable by all consumer demographics. He made a name for himself as the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and has increased his recognition and popularity as an NFL game analyst on CBS. He has millions of followers on his social media accounts and is seen as a downto-earth type of guy. The summer grilling commercials have been well received thus far and are performing better than our ads did during last year’s summer grilling campaign.

It is a fresh approach to our advertising, and more importantly, it is driving consumers to beefitswhatsfordinner.com to check out recipes, “Tony’s Playbook,” and to learn more about beef production.

These days, it seems that everything but the kitchen sink is being thrown at us.

Drought, diesel prices, fertilizer prices, cattle prices, hay prices, inflation, and more give us plenty to be concerned with. Summer grilling season, though, gives us a chance to puff our chest out and be proud that we are the king of proteins and remind ourselves that it just would not be summer in America without us.

So, get out your grill, grab your friends and family, crack open your drink of choice, and take part in the summer grilling season. Your taste buds will thank you.

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NCBA

President’s Report

By DON SCHIEFELBEIN

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Capitalizing on Strong Global Demand for U.S. Beef Summer is one of my favorite times of year. For me, summer provides a break from the cold northern winters, and it gives my family plenty of opportunities to fire up the grill and enjoy steaks and burgers. Let’s face it, American consumers love high quality beef, and nobody comes close to competing with U.S. beef in our domestic market. But when was the last time you sat down to a nice dinner of tongue or liver? If you’re like most American consumers, it’s probably been a while. A top priority for NCBA is increasing producer profitability. One important way to achieve that goal is through beef exports.

Certain cuts like tongues, lips, hearts, short plate, and chuck rolls are less popular with U.S. consumers but fetch a premium in foreign markets. By exporting these

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cuts to locations with greater demand, you benefit as a cattle producer. Approximately 85 percent of U.S. beef is consumed domestically, but global demand for U.S. beef is stronger than ever, and that should bode well for U.S. cattle producers.

In 2021, U.S. beef export sales shattered the 2018 record by more than $2 billion, finishing just shy of $10.6 billion.

Our record sales were driven in large part by strong demand in Asian markets like Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, which accounted for $7.5 billion cumulatively. Asia is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and consumers in those markets are incorporating more protein into their diets at increasing rates. Fortunately for U.S. cattle

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

producers, 2022 sales have already exceeded $4 billion through April, the equivalent of roughly $478 per head. Altogether, strong global demand and tight global protein supplies are setting the stage for another record breaking year for U.S. beef exports.

Many of us remember a time when our export opportunities were limited to Canada, Mexico, and a handful of smaller markets.

A decade ago, we faced a 40 percent tariff in Korea, a 38.5 percent tariff in Japan, and we had little-to-no access to Taiwan, Hong Kong, or China. Many of the trade barriers we faced were not based on science, and they were protectionist measures that unfairly targeted U.S. beef. NCBA worked diligently on behalf of our members to advocate for science based, rules based, and market based terms of trade that ultimately removed those unfair barriers and opened the door for us to build our brand with global consumers. The results speak for themselves. In ten years, U.S. beef exports have nearly doubled from $5.5 billion in 2012 to $10.6 billion in 2022. Without question, strong demand is a key driver of our success, but it would be very difficult to meet that demand without effective trade policies that made market access a reality.

NCBA works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Congress

to identify trade opportunities and provide technical advice related to trade, beef products, cattle production, and emerging issues like sustainability, animal health, and animal welfare. NCBA also meets regularly with representatives of foreign governments who represent consumers that want greater access to U.S. beef and want to gain a better understanding of how our cattle are produced. Our industry is not always portrayed in a positive light by media in some of these markets, and it is up to us to correct the stigma of “factory farming” created by inaccurate and biased reporting. Sometimes these discussions can be difficult, but NCBA will continue to be a strong proponent of science-based production practices, and we will work with our government and other governments to promote scientific standards over politically motivated standards.

The Biden Administration has proposed new trade platforms (not trade agreements) such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, and the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21 st Century Trade. These proposals are still in early stages, and while they currently do not contain market access provisions, NCBA will look for opportunities to engage as more information becomes available. International trade will continue to be a priority for NCBA as we seek to diversify and increase our marketing opportunities.

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Federation of State Beef Councils Update Finding New Ways to Educate Health Professionals About Beef.

Keeping up to date with the latest research and medical information can be overwhelming - especially for health professionals working in the field. With their busy, fast-paced work schedules, many medical professionals struggle to find time to attend conferences, workshops, or even live virtual events, like webinars. Health and medical experts, such as physicians, registered dietitians, and even credentialed fitness professionals, are required to participate in a specific number of continuing medical education hours annually in order to maintain their licenses and/or credentials.

Historically, health experts have stayed up to date on research and earned their continuing medical education credits through all day or multiple day conferences and symposia. While this remains an important method for reaching this audience, health experts are also in need of options that include shorter, easily accessible online education, and the increasing popularity of podcasts may be just what the doctor ordered. Podcasts are audio recordings that can be listened to via the internet on a smartphone or computer. Listeners can access podcasts at any time, on-demand, which gives healthcare providers a flexible way to gain a new perspective on health and nutrition focusing on topics of specific interest to them.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, recently partnered with board certified general pediatrician Candice Jones, M.D., to develop the “Making Every Bite Count” podcast series that explored the importance of feeding beef in the early years to support infant and childhood development. In

Don’t get caught napping!

Deadline is 5th of month prior to issue!

this four part podcast series – accredited for medical doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered dietitians – Dr. Jones interviewed pediatric nutrition experts to discuss the value of introducing nutrient dense foods, like beef, to infants around six months of age. By tuning in, health and medical experts gain continuing medical education hours for listening and learning from the podcast.

Since the series was released in October 2021, more than 2,800 participants have listened to the episodes, with 85 percent of these listeners, such as physicians, nurses, and physician assistants, having direct contact with patients.

In another podcast supported by the Beef Checkoff, Dr. Shalene McNeill, Ph.D., RDN – NCBA’s executive director of nutrition science, health & wellness – joined the SoundBites podcast, a leading nutrition podcast hosted by Melissa Joy Dobbins, MS, RDN, CDCES. Dr. McNeill discussed current meat consumption trends and shared nutrition recommendations for including beef in a healthy diet. This podcast episode highlighted information on beef ’s distinct nutrient profile, the availability of lean cuts, sustainability efforts within the cattle industry supporting the environment, the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and resources for more information on nutrition research, recipes, and ranching. The podcast episode has been downloaded more than 4,000 times and used by health professionals to gain continuing medical education credits while broadening their knowledge about beef nutrition.

Podcasts are just one of the ways NCBA provides educational resources and continuing medical education opportunities to health professionals.

The success of this cost effective effort demonstrates the value podcasts have in our continuing health education efforts targeted at health professionals and confirms the importance of sharing beef’s nutritional message in new ways.

Training Helps Beef Advocates Blaze New Trails. The Trailblazers program, developed by NCBA, takes advocacy to an unprecedented level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths. In April, the inaugural group of ten Trailblazers from six states traveled to

NCBA’s office in Denver for a three day orientation training event to prepare them to serve as industry spokespeople over the course of the coming year.

The multi-day training provided the new Trailblazers with resources, information, and engaging activities they needed to become expert communicators, excel in media interviews, and understand how to build confidence in beef related practices when talking to consumers.

During the three day training, Trailblazers focused on actively working to acknowledge the importance of connections outside our industry, discovering new ways to connect with consumers, and defend the work of the Beef Checkoff in their own communities back home.

As a group, the Trailblazers worked together to broadcast one’s message beyond the echo chamber of their reach on social media by participating in a teams based social media and culinary challenge. Trailblazers were grouped into teams of two to create a beef centered dish in 30 minutes or less while sharing resources on social media in a unique and creative delivery format. The Trailblazers quickly put their skills to use by sharing

their experiences and knowledge with followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. From this single social media and culinary challenge, more than 15,000 views, comments, and likes were received across multiple platforms.

Taking their preparation one step further, each Trailblazer spent considerable time refining their approach while completing mock media interviews over a two day period. The Trailblazers were able to coach one another, receive feedback from subject matter experts on staff at NCBA, and watch their peers complete interviews with a focus on contentious issues facing the beef community.

Throughout the year, Trailblazers will receive additional training from subject matter experts, learning how to effectively engage on various social media platforms, interact with the media, and enhance public speaking skills. Trailblazers continue to meet monthly, both online and in-person, to foster constant growth and refinement of skillsets when speaking about beef.

For more information on the Trailblazers program, contact Chandler Mulvaney at cmulvaney@beef.org.

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

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NEWS New AutoTrac Ready John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles give farmers and ranchers hands free steering capabilities. John Deere now offers a new AutoTrac Ready option for select full size Gator Utility Vehicles to give farmers and ranchers hands free steering capabilities and increased versatility.

“John Deere is enabling the productivity gains farmers have seen while using AutoTrac technology on their tractors and integrating it into a smaller, more nimble machine – a Gator Utility Vehicle,” said Maureen McCormack, Goto-Market manager, Gator Utility Vehicles for John Deere.

AutoTrac Ready Gator Utility Vehicles are now available from the factory and come equipped with the necessary wiring harness and brackets

for John Deere technology hardware.

Customers can order a 4640 Display and StarFire 7000 Receiver to be added to their Gator, or they can repurpose units they already own. After activating their subscription, farmers can use hands free steering to reduce overlap, improve operator and input efficiency, and decrease operator fatigue.

The AutoTrac assisted steering system increases operator productivity by maintaining consistent, repeatable accuracy and efficiency as the vehicle moves across the field. With AutoTrac engaged, operators can remain alert and focused on controlling machine settings and the varying field conditions.

“Farmers and ranchers can use their AutoTrac equipped Gator Utility Vehicle for precise grid sampling, spraying,

and field boundary creation,” said McCormack. “AutoTrac equipped Gator UVs feature a combination of functionality and versatility that helps drive efficiency and productivity in everyday jobs.”

The AutoTrac Ready option can be ordered on model year 2023 John Deere 835/865 cab units, including the XUV835M HVAC, XUV835R, XUV835R Signature Edition, XUV865M HVAC, XUV865R, and the XUV865R Signature Edition.

Also notable for MY23, the following features are included in the base price for full size Gator Utility Vehicles: • Factory installed side mirrors to improve visibility on cab vehicles • Spray-in liner in the cargo box for added durability on M and R trim vehicles • Cargo box power lift for easy dumping on all R trim models • Brake and taillights for added visibility on M and R trim vehicles • Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 extreme terrain radial tires on steel wheels on M trim vehicles • Predator Heavy Duty all terrain radial tires on alloy wheels on R trim vehicles

All E and M trim vehicles come from the factory with black vinyl bench seats.

R trim units feature stone cloth bench and black vinyl bench options. All Signature Edition models come equipped with a genuine leather bench seat. Previously used yellow and bucket seat options have been discontinued on full size vehicles.

AutoTrac Ready Gator Utility Vehicles are available for pre-order now, with limited availability beginning later this year. For more information, visit your local John Deere dealer or JohnDeere. com for more information.

About John Deere. Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what’s possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward.

Our technology enabled products, including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray, and E-Power Backhoe are just some of the ways we help meet the world’s increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial.

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

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

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

Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update

By SALLIE MILLER

The Beef Expert Network — How the Beef Checkoff Uses Influencer Marketing to Drive Demand I’m a cattle producer. I’m a member of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB).

I’m an underwriter for an agricultural lending company. But perhaps most importantly, I’m the mother of a teenage daughter. As my husband and I have navigated the challenges of parenthood, we’ve made a joint effort to understand social media and its impact. And while social media may have gotten its start with the younger generation, its eruptive growth has spread across audiences of all ages. That growth has led to the rise of influencer marketing as a popular way to promote products and services – yes, even beef.

But what makes someone an influencer? And why should the beef industry turn to this relatively new form of marketing? Don’t all the great qualities of beef – nutrition, taste, variety – speak for themselves? These are all questions that my fellow members of the CBB’s Domestic Marketing Committee and I had before we started investigating the world of influencer marketing. And here’s what we’ve learned.

Influencers are individuals with perceived expertise or knowledge about certain topics and a decent online following. Their followers view them as trustworthy experts in their fields, and they often have significant power over their audiences’ purchasing decisions.

Their recommendations can help brands expand their reach and messages. And

while beef does have a lot going for it, spreading the word about beef’s positive attributes to diverse audiences takes time and effort. That’s precisely why influencer marketing has become an important tool for the Beef Checkoff as it continues to drive beef demand.

Currently, 22 influencers are part of the Beef Checkoff’s Beef Expert Network. All are passionate about sharing beef’s story and promoting beef to their unique audiences. The Beef Checkoff funded Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand works to create long term relationships with these individuals, and all must have previously expressed a passion for beef. They must be credible in their fields, create interesting content – post copy, videos, photos, graphics – and share them with engaged audiences on multiple social media platforms.

Individuals in our Beef Expert Network fall into one of four categories.

Food influencers love food and center their content around recipes, cooking advice, and entertaining tips and tricks. Culinary influencers often own restaurants or culinary consulting companies. Some are even celebrity chefs, like Hugh Acheson, judge on the popular TV show Top Chef, and Josh Capon, chef and TV personality on the show Frankenfood. Ag influencers are cattle producers who want to share accurate information about sustainable, humane production practices. Finally,

nutrition influencers are trusted nutrition, health, and fitness experts who provide health and wellness recommendations to consumers and their professional peers.

The Beef Checkoff creates educational opportunities to provide these influencers with the most up to date, beef focused nutrition, research, culinary, and production content. In this way, we can ensure our influencers’ content supports Beef Checkoff campaigns and promotes beef efficiently and effectively.

Where does all this content go?

Influencers share it with their audiences across digital and social media platforms, but Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. also uses it in its own marketing efforts, including social media. This strategy is especially beneficial with the ag influencer group because it helps consumers virtually meet beef farmers and ranchers and learn about beef production right from the source.

Content from the Beef Expert Network is also multi-purposed as blogs and articles published in LA Weekly and The New York Times. Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. also hosts media tours where TV and radio stations across the country can interview these influencers about all

things beef.

Yes, beef’s great taste, variety, and nutrition are important selling points.

And, yes, social media is often a bit of a minefield, whether you’re a teenager or… someone more mature. But influencers can share all of beef’s outstanding qualities with their many social media followers. They can convince skeptical consumers to try new beef recipes, integrate beef into heart healthy diets, and discover the extreme care producers put into raising high quality beef. In today’s world, where people look to social media for guidance, influencer marketing is an indispensable tool for all kinds of products and services – including beef.

About the Beef Checkoff. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national Checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

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44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy Participants will learn strategic, scientific, and customized insights into the cattle industry. Applications are now open for the 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy (IBCA) 2022-2023 online certification program. Applications for this comprehensive certificate program through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension are due August 13.

“This world class program has totally changed my way of thinking,” says Amanda Faver, New Mexico cattle owner and former IBCA participant. “I considered myself truly blessed that I got to do this program because you see it from a different perspective. All the emerging technologies, it is pretty amazing.”

IBCA program overview - The next academy begins in September 2022 and continues through August 2023. The program consists of seven courses with nearly 30 learning hours per course.

Classes are taught online with prerecorded lectures. Course topics include: • Cattle welfare and behavior • Forage production and utilization • Nutritional management and requirements • Reproductive physiology and management • Breeding and genetics • Immunology and herd health management • Beef quality and safety In addition to the pre-recorded

lectures, there are weekly interactive sessions for students and instructors.

“The customized sessions provide an interactive format to meet each student’s needs, and sessions are recorded to ensure nobody misses anything,” says Dr. Ky Pohler, Program Coordinator and Associate Professor at Texas A&M University.

Following online coursework, the academy typically concludes with an optional experiential learning period and graduation ceremony in College Station, Texas.

Application and scholarship details - All involved in the beef cattle industry are eligible to apply. The IBCA’s online learning format allows anyone from across the globe to participate. Class size for the prestigious IBCA is limited to offer an exclusive and customized learning experience.

Scholarships are available, covering up to 70 percent of tuition costs. To be considered for a scholarship, complete the IBCA application process and provide the information required for scholarship request. Scholarships are limited and will be awarded based on student profile and potential contribution to the IBCA goal: advance knowledge to enhance beef production and quality across the globe.

Scholarships are made possible in part by generous sponsors, including endowments from 44 Farms, the Texas Department of Agriculture, Sydney and Buck Thomason of Indian Hills Brangus,

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and the Santa Gertrudis Breeders International Foundation.

“We’re looking forward to working with a new group of farmers, ranchers, and industry leaders from around the world,” says Dr. Reinaldo Cooke, Program Coordinator and Professor at Texas A&M University. “Applicants will learn more about elevating their business or ranch while the program provides an excellent return on their investment.”

Apply today at animalscience.tamu. edu/ibca/ or email ibca@tamu.edu for more information.

About Texas A&M. Texas A&M, established in 1876 as the first public university in Texas, is one of the nation’s largest universities, with more than 66,000 students and more than 440,000 living

alumni residing in over 150 countries around the world. A tier one university, Texas A&M holds the rare triple land, sea, and space grant designation. Research conducted at Texas A&M represented annual expenditures of more than $905.4 million in fiscal year 2017. Texas A&M’s research creates new knowledge that provides basic, fundamental, and applied contributions resulting, in many cases, in economic benefits to the state, nation, and world. The school’s Lead by Example campaign is a comprehensive effort to raise $4 billion by the year 2020, making it the largest higher education campaign in Texas history and the second largest conducted nationally by a public university. Aggies are known for their deep commitment to the success of each other and their strong desire to serve.

NEWS Livestock health: Virbac launches TENOTRYL (enrofloxacin) injectable solution in the U.S. and increases its range of products. We continue to increase our footprint in the livestock market and are proud to announce the launch of TENOTRYL (enrofloxacin) injectable solution for use in cattle and swine. Our product was approved by the FDA on March 28 and is now available to those who care for animals. TENOTRYL comes in 100, 250, and 500 ml vials.

This launch is the third product brought to the Livestock Health market

by Virbac over the past six months. It demonstrates our strong commitment to proposing to veterinarians and their customers, cattle and swine producers, a strong bench of new alternatives to improve the health of livestock and eventually their profitability.

“Launching three products over the past six months is the best proof of our commitment to sustainably grow our offerings in the livestock health sector and to continuously propose more solutions to take care of the health of these animals, even in a context of rising feed and energy costs.” Said Fabrice Payot, Vice President - Livestock Health, Virbac North America.

Regarding distribution, we market our cattle products via our own direct sales force, whereas for swine, we are partnering with Pharmgate. Under this arrangement, Pharmgate, with a very

robust sales and technical services division, represents Virbac to swine veterinarians and producers across the United States.

“The partnership with Virbac is working well, and it is always great to see the range growing. The three new products naturally complement the Pharmgate range, and we foresee more synergies and health programs to be developed in the near future,” said Dr. Chad Smith, incoming Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing at Pharmgate Animal Health.

About Virbac. At Virbac, we provide innovative solutions to veterinarians, farmers, and animal owners in more than 100 countries around the world. Covering more than 50 species, our range of products and services enables us to diagnose, prevent and treat the majority of pathologies.

Every day, we are committed to improving animals’ quality of life and to shaping together the future of animal health.

About Pharmgate. Pharmgate Animal Health provides the livestock and poultry industry with a proven portfolio of technically supported, high quality products that are the foundation of custom herd and flock health protocols. Founded in 2008, the company is headquartered in Wilmington, N.C., with FDA approved pharmaceutical production facilities in Omaha, Neb., and vaccine research and manufacturing operations in St. Paul, Minnesota. To learn more about Pharmgate Animal Health or to find a local representative, visit Pharmgate.com.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

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Your Carcass Cut Your Way Slaughter Facility 9683 Kerrs Chapel Road Gibsonville, NC

Processing Facility 430 NC Hwy 49 S Asheboro, NC

336-628-4949

www.PiedmontCustomMeats.com We are a processor offering slaughter and processing service only.

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BEEF • PORK • LAMB • GOAT PAGE 46

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

Limousin Genetics Excel in Both Competition and Production. The Limousin breed (along with Lim-Flex crosses) has achieved widespread show ring excellence across the country - particularly in champion drives. For breeders and commercial cattlemen, the profitability and marketing traits of the breed have been well known for a long time. But in addition to the impressive genetic advancement, the Limousin’s eye catching phenotype is now turning more heads among the stock show community and fueling an increased interest in the breed.

What about this breed allows them to not only be a personal favorite of many but also stand at the top in the ring at the end of the day? It turns out that the years of breeding emphasis placed on high quality carcasses also translates well to being a powerful presence in the judge’s eye.

Stars in the ring - With exceptional performance at some of the most elite shows in the nation, it didn’t take long for showmen to take notice of the Limousin’s impressive presence in the ring.

One notable name at the forefront of this trend is Ratliff Family Cattle, honored as the supreme champion breeder at both the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. One cow that particularly stands out to them is Riverstone Charmed, aka Larissa.

Madison Ratliff showed Larissa, who became the first Limousin to top NAILE in 2016. This win made her well known not only within the Limousin community but also to showmen outside the breed.

One of Larissa’s daughters recently followed in her mother’s footsteps and took NAILE’s top heifer laurels as junior supreme champion heifer in 2021. Ratliff noted that this is the first mother/daughter pair to do so at the prestigious show to date.

“The thickness, muscling, and feed efficiency still holds true today as it did 40+ years ago when David (Ratliff) and his dad, Tub, chose Limousins when David wanted to start showing cattle,” the family shares. “We think the breed is heading in the right direction.”

Sara Sullivan, a NAILE supreme champion exhibitor, has had the opportunity to work with various cattle breeds. But when it comes to Limousin and Lim-Flex, she has found showing them a unique experience. Her family

has a rooted history in the breed, and thus where success has sprouted for her and her family.

There is always that excitement in the air when it comes to the champion class and tentatively watching the judge(s) evaluate and weigh which animal ends on top. In addition, everyone in the ring nervously waits to find out what animal fits the description of the word “champion.”

Sullivan stated that day in the show ring during champion selection, “I was really hoping the judge’s remarks were describing my heifer and I thought there was a good chance he was based on what he said.”

Then, the champion slap said it all for her and confirmed any nerves she had originally going into the supreme heifer drive with Larissa’s daughter Ratliff Howboutit 008H ET. “Getting that champion slap was such a happy moment because I had been very nervous going into the supreme drive, but it all paid off,” says Sullivan.

Backed by Genotype - Sullivan believes that the rise in Limousin’s popularity and success largely stems from the breeders’ focus and development in quality genetics. Many of these can be tied to the carcass traits - including high dressing percentages, depth of body, a moderate yet powerful frame,

and substantial ribeye areas - which commercial cattlemen of all backgrounds have hailed. The combination of these traits has led to the rise of more Lim-Flex crosses and increased demand for their genetics throughout the beef sector.

Kylee Gaston (who showed the Houston Livestock Show’s supreme champion heifer, Continental supreme champion heifer, and champion Limousin heifer) and her father, Jason, find that Limousin have the mass, big bone, depth of body, and power that sets them apart from other breeds. This is especially a powerful advantage as the Houston show always brings in the breed champions at one time for supreme, allowing the judges to really compare all the winners they didn’t personally judge.

“The look on (the judges’) faces were giant eyes and lots of nodding to each other as if to say ‘yep, that’s the one’,” the Gaston’s share of DL Hosanna 526H ET’s selection for supreme.

A Bright Future - Many avid showmen agree that, phenotypically and genetically, the breed is heading in the right direction, evident by their trend of topping champion drives. As more stock show enthusiasts, young and old, notice the success, demand is expected to grow along with a continued breeding strategy that fills this niche.

The amazing development in both Limousin and Lim-Flex’s, thanks to wise breeding decisions, is evident by the breed’s versatility and widespread acceptance. It’s an exciting time for the stock show world as more exhibitors discover the breed’s capabilities and show ring presence.

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

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

The Carolina Cattle Connection

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

q AUGUST 2022

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NEWS

Grace Platte joins Animal Agriculture Alliance team. Platte will serve as coordinator, membership, and communications. The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently welcomed Grace Platte as coordinator, membership, and communications. In this role, Platte will assist in managing the organization’s membership and sponsorship processing, recruitment, and engagement. She assumed her new role on June 27.

Platte will also oversee operational needs for the organization and provide support to communications and issues management efforts. Additionally, she will serve as the first line of contact for

PAGE 48

Alliance members and other stakeholders and is responsible for facilitating the Alliance’s participation in a variety of events within the animal agriculture community.

Prior to joining the Alliance team, Platte served as the event and outreach intern for GreenStone Farm Credit Services, among several other internship positions within the agriculture community – including communications intern for the Alliance in 2021.

Platte will graduate from Michigan State University later this year with a B.S. in agriculture education and minors in applied international development in

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

agriculture and natural resources and environmental and sustainability studies.

Grace is a member of the university’s Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority, the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education Club, and the dairy judging team.

“Grace was an incredible asset to the Alliance team during her summer internship last year, providing support on various projects and initiatives, including the College Aggies Online program and developing new member resources,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO. “Her experience in managing events, supporting campaigns, and member communications will lend itself well to her new position and bring considerable value to our members and the animal agriculture community as a whole.”

Platte currently lives in Michigan and will be relocating to the Arlington, Va., area upon graduation.

Advocate for agriculture and compete for scholarships through College Aggies Online. Scholarship prizes available each week throughout the student program. Everyone depends on agriculture in one way or another, but the average person continues to grow further removed from the farm. To bridge this communication gap between the agriculture community and the general public, college students from across the country are invited to come together this fall to do just that. Undergraduate, graduate students, and collegiate clubs and classes are invited to sign up for the 2022 College Aggies Online scholarship competition, kicking off on September 12.

“College Aggies Online was an invaluable experience that really opened my eyes to new opportunities both personally and professionally,” said Alexis Main, 2021 recipient of the first place overall scholarship prize in the graduate student division. “This was my first year participating, and I came into this scholarship program with zero communications experience.

With help from the Alliance and our weekly mentors, I learned so much about different areas of animal ag[riculture] that I was not previously familiar with and was able to build the skills needed to effectively share our story.”

Individual participants have a number of opportunities to earn scholarship prizes. Each week, up to ten students are selected to receive mini-scholarships for their outstanding social media posts and challenge submissions. Throughout the nine week program, students gain points and climb the leaderboard. At the end, three winners are selected for the grand prize scholarships, bragging rights, and a

trip to the Alliance’s annual Stakeholders Summit to be recognized on a national stage. Last year, more than $20,000 was awarded in scholarships. Additionally, students have the opportunity to network with social media savvy farmers and industry professionals while adding to their list of resume skills and experience.

“I loved getting to connect with other college students from across the country and learn from some great mentors,” said Sydney Mitchell, 2021 recipient of the first place overall scholarship prize in the undergraduate student division. “With their help, I was able to learn new things and discover my style of advocating for agriculture.”

Students interested in becoming confident and effective communicators for agriculture are invited to sign up today at https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/ college-aggies-online/.

CAO would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

2022 sponsors include Bayer, Institute for Feed Education and Research, Domino’s Pizza Inc., Ohio Poultry Association, and National Chicken Council. To become a sponsor of this year’s program, see our https://animalagalliance.org/wp-content/ uploads/2022/01/2022-CAO-SponsorLevels.pdf sponsorship opportunities and contact Casey Kinler, director, membership, and marketing, at ckinler@ animalagalliance.org.

About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards 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.

NOTICE

Letters to the editor are welcome and we appreciate your input. HOWEVER, letters that are not signed will not be considered for publication.

NEWS Letter from the President. We have exciting news to share with the Beefmaster family.

In the summer of 2021, we were invited to consider moving the Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) headquarters offices to College Station, Tex., on property owned by Texas A&M University (TAMU). With the university being one of our biggest allies and having one of the most prestigious agricultural programs in the United States, the BBU Board of Directors decided in February 2022 that we should make this happen. Clearly, there are many steps that must be taken to turn this opportunity into a reality.

With Board approval, we put the office in Boerne, Tex., up for sale in June 2022.

We now have a contract in place for our asking price with a lease back contract also

in place through the end of 2022. This gives us ample time to plan for the move. The plan is to lease space in College Station, Tex., for the short term and to build on the TAMU campus in the long term. The University’s vision is an American Breeds Campus, which is tremendously exciting for the Beefmaster breed.

Obviously, there are other components that also come into play when you make such a move. The biggest component of which is the staff.

As you all know, we have a great set of individuals who have done an incredible job managing our association.

I am sorry to announce that Collin Osbourn has opted not to move his family to College Station, Texas, for which I cannot blame him. We sincerely thank him for his many years of dedicated

service to BBU. At a minimum, we intend to utilize Collin until year end and are hoping he can utilize his knowledge and services through consulting work moving forward.

We hope to minimize disruption with the rest of the staff by either facilitating their move to College Station, Tex., if they so choose, or implementing work from home policies where appropriate.

We are truly thankful for their dedicated service to BBU and hope to make this as seamless as possible for all.

More exciting news! I would like to introduce Dr. Joe W. Mask, who will become the new Executive Vice President of BBU. He has a tremendous skill set and should make the new path forward seamless for us. He will be transitioning from his current role as Executive Vice President for the American Brahman Breeders Association over the next two months. He lives in the College Station area and has been involved with Bos indicus influenced cattle for most of his life. He has worked in the world of academia and Texas AgriLife for many years and will bring a lot of valuable

insight to our association.

Change is always difficult, but to continue to be relevant as a breed, the Board of Directors felt that we must look to the future of Beefmasters and welcome changes that will ultimately help us grow and prosper. Watch for more exciting news to come! We are Beefmaster Breeders United, and united we will stand. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly at 713-829-2606.

Sincerely, Larry Meacham BBU President About Beefmaster Breeders United.

Beefmaster Breeders United, located in Boerne, Tex., is a not-for-profit breed registration organization that provides programs and services for its members.

Beefmaster, Beefmaster Advancer, and E6 cattle are selected on the “Six Essentials” of disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, milk production, and hardiness. For more information, visit www.beefmasters.org.

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NCBA News

Webinar Symposium to Discuss Small Tick Causing Big Problems for Cattle. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is hosting a two day webinar symposium to address concerns regarding the Asian Longhorned Tick and the pest’s possible impact on the U.S. cattle industry. The free virtual event will be held August 23-24 from 12:00 noon to 3:45 p.m. each day.

“Our goal is to inform and educate cattle producers across the country about this potential threat,” said Dr. Kathy Simmons, NCBA’s chief veterinarian.

The two day webinar is designed to provide cattle producers, state animal health officials, veterinarians, and other key stakeholders with current

information from industry experts about how to identify and manage the tick.

Veterinarians from currently affected states and USDA officials will discuss disease implications as well as possible treatment options and prevention of ticks on animals and in pastures.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture is pleased to work with producers, industry stakeholders, and animal health experts to identify ways to mitigate the spread of invasive species and the diseases they carry,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, assistant director of the Ruminant Health Center at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), Veterinary Services Strategy and Policy Unit. “We thank the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for their partnership in organizing this event

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and we look forward to a constructive conversation on reducing the threat posed by the Asian Longhorned Tick.”

The Asian Longhorned Tick is an invasive exotic pest first found in the United States in 2017. Since then, it has spread to 17 states ranging from the South all the way up through the East Coast.

The tick is extremely mobile, spreading to new locations by attaching to people, birds, pets, and wild animals. However, it can survive for up to a year in the environment without attaching to a host.

Because it is smaller than a sesame seed, it is also difficult to detect.

The tick is extremely aggressive and can cause stress and severe blood loss in cattle. The tick also carries diseases such as bovine Theileriosis, a disease that causes anemia, failure to grow (ill thrift), persistent infection, reproductive problems, and in some cases, death. There is currently no approved treatment against Theileria orientalis, leaving cattle at risk.

“This tick species is of great concern, but producers can protect their herd through frequent inspection and by reporting sightings to their veterinarian or local animal health official,” said Dr. Simmons. “The first step is knowing what to look for, and I encourage producers to participate in this important webinar to receive the most current information.”

For more information and to register, visit www.ncba.org.

NCBA Joins Letter Supporting Beagle Brigade. Recently, NCBA joined a coalition of agricultural organizations in calling for passage of H.R. 8432/S.3678,

the Beagle Brigade Act of 2022. The bill would authorize the National Detector Dog Training Center, which trains canines, nicknamed the “Beagle Brigade.”

“The Beagle Brigade is crucial for preventing foreign animal diseases, invasive species and pests from entering the country,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera. “To continue the success of the Beagle Brigade program, NCBA is urging Congress to provide specific authorization for the National Detector Dog Training Center so canine teams can continue to provide robust inspections at U.S. ports of entry.”

Today, over 116 agricultural canine teams provide screening at border crossings, airports, cruise terminals, cargo warehouses, and mail facilities, according to U.S Customs and Border Protection.

Members of the Beagle Brigade have played a vital role in preventing the introduction of virulent diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever, Newcastle Disease, and numerous plant diseases that could devastate farmers and ranchers across the United States.

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.

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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Producer Voices Heard at WOTUS Roundtable In June, the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA), an affiliate of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), hosted a Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) roundtable with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers.

This roundtable was one of ten accepted by the EPA and Army Corps.

In July 2021, the EPA announced that rather than facilitate public engagement — the typical course of action for major rulemakings — the agency would instead ask private organizations to entirely plan and propose a roundtable with representatives from agriculture, conservation groups, developers, water, and wastewater managers, industry, Tribal leadership, environmental justice groups, and state and local governments.

“Cattle producers are grateful for the opportunity to share their perspective on WOTUS and explain how rules crafted in Washington will impact the daily operations of farms and ranches across the country,” said NCBA Environmental

Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “To be successful in their operations, cattle producers need a clear, limited WOTUS definition that finally provides much needed certainty after years of shifting rules.”

Producers in Kansas also voiced a similar perspective on the need for regulatory certainty.

“We supported the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, particularly because it gave some bright, bright lines for our producers to decide, do I need to talk to EPA, or do I need to talk to the state regulatory agency,” said KLA Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs Aaron Popelka.

Another key point that roundtable participants made was the need for voluntary incentives rather than regulation.

“Changes in practices, whether it’s adoption of new management strategies, are much better incentivized by education rather than regulation,” said Shawn Tiffany, a Kansas producer and KLA president-elect.

Dan Meyerhoff, executive director of the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, agreed and said, “If we increase regulations and make things more stringent, it’s going to hinder the voluntary conservation efforts that I think are very successful in here.”

While this roundtable was not directly tied to the EPA’s ongoing WOTUS rule making, a common theme among participants was the need to pause rule making while the Supreme Court considers the case of Sackett v. EPA, a direct challenge to the EPA’s authority under the Clean Water Act. “If we write a rule now, finalize it, and then get the Sackett ruling from the Supreme Court, we are just going

to drag out this uncertainty. I think we are better off waiting until the Sackett decision is made and then move forward with a final rule,” said Gary Mason, the former deputy secretary for environment of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

This roundtable is just one of many ways NCBA has engaged on WOTUS. In addition to filing a brief before the Supreme Court in the Sackett case, NCBA launched a grassroots campaign that provided more than 1,700 cattle producers with the opportunity to submit a letter to the EPA. As we wait for the EPA to continue the WOTUS rule making process, NCBA will be a steadfast advocate for cattle producers.

S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of JUNE 2022 Cattle Receipts: 10,459

•

Previous Month: 11,413

Feeder supply - 34% steers • 42% heifers • 24% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

Avg. Wt.

Cows - % Lean

Breaker 1,457

Boner 1,201

Lean 1,000

$84.18 $85.96 $77.62

$104.46

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,572

Price

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 426 $164.33 $700.05 450-500 473 $162.91 $770.56 500-550 519 $156.65 $813.01 550-600 571 $158.79 $906.69 600-650 627 $152.37 $955.36 650-700 673 $148.66 $1,000.48

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 420 $159.76 $670.99 450-500 470 $156.49 $735.50 500-550 522 $150.13 $783.68 550-600 570 $146.32 $834.02 600-650 621 $139.58 $866.79 650-700 674 $131.41 $885.70

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $141.54 $601.55 450-500 470 $140.40 $659.88 500-550 518 $138.52 $717.53 550-600 571 $136.32 $778.39 600-650 616 $134.74 $830.00 650-700 672 $130.78 $878.84

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

PAGE 52

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

NEWS Cattle well being at farms’ core.

From pain management to responsible use of antibiotics, the Cattle First initiative introduces a “whole cow approach” to look after long term cattle health, well being, and productivity. A new decade requires new practices. Today, managing livestock means an urgent need to find solutions capable of offering high quality products to ensure food security while improving animal well being and protecting the environment. Through its Cattle First initiative, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health aims to strengthen its partnership with farmers and veterinarians in order to introduce a “whole cow” approach and focus on long term health and productivity goals.

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

Cattle First supports a direct exchange between farmers and veterinarians to enhance experience, harnessing the most innovative products and services to take care of tomorrow’s cattle farming today. It is based on three pillars: health and well being; innovation insight and innovation; and education and sustainability.

The first one, the whole cow approach brings disease prevention and cattle well being to the core of every farm. One crucial focus lies on pain management in cattle, which might be tricky to spot sometimes. Although several conditions might be painful to the animals, it might take a while until farmers and veterinarians identify the problem and offer appropriate solutions capable of alleviating pain, improving animal well being, and shielding production. These measures require increased awareness of pain management in cattle.

“Through the Farm Animal Well Being Project (FAWP) in partnership with Innovia Technology, we are using behavioral science to develop a deeper understanding of human behaviors that impact cattle well being and tackle the issue. For example in most species, labor pain ranks among the most intense in comparison to other painful syndromes or conditions. Refining knowledge and disseminating appropriate information, techniques and good practices can make significant contributions to minimize pain and injury during this unique moment. A smooth calving is crucial for the future of both the cow and her calf,” says Laurent Goby, Global Senior Technical Manager for Ruminants.

Attention to infectious diseases and calcium management - Not less important is prevention and control of infectious diseases. Under the radar are factors such as Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) virus.

BVD is a disease with significant impact all over the world, and in spite of its name, its threat to cattle is not limited to diarrhea.

Early embryo death, abortion, stillbirth, and infertility are the most common clinical manifestations in both dairy and beef cattle.

Furthermore, reduced milk production, ill thrift, and immunosuppression are also common phenomena. The whole cow approach also makes sense when considering calcium management in dairy herds. Hypocalcemia has been linked to a variety of secondary problems in postcalving cows. This happens because

calcium is essential for muscle and gastrointestinal motility. Problems in either of these areas can trigger a cascade of negative events that ultimately reduce dry matter intake, increase metabolic disease disorders, and decrease milk yield.

Appropriate calcium management ensures a good start in the new lactation cycle.

“We are aware that every small sign of a condition is significant and should be taken in consideration and identifying any potential issue in advance plays an important role both for animals and cattle producers. The whole cow approach to health and well being means looking after long term cattle health and productivity from an inside out perspective,” shares Laurent.

A roadmap to reduce the use of antibiotics - Such a broad perspective also has its impact on humans, as the lives of humans and animals are intertwined in deep and complex ways. Take antibiotics as an example. Despite being a cornerstone of modern medicine and public health, their importance to both human and animal health cannot be understated, which is why antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is such an important global threat. When bacteria develop tolerance or resistance to antibiotics, we risk returning to a time when animals – and people – fell seriously ill or even died from simple, treatable infections. Antibiotics are the only way to treat a bacterial disease.

For this reason, Boehringer Ingelheim

Animal Health believes in a strong focus on prevention over treatment. “Our goal is to make sure that the animal is at the center of everything we do and is our real motivation for doing the work we do. Herds are often the ultimate result of generations of decisions about breeding, health and welfare. The whole cow approach recognizes and appreciates all of that and means that like our customers, we will always put their needs ahead of our own. Healthy animals will always mean healthier humans,” concludes Laurent.

About Boehringer Ingelheim.

Improving the health and quality of life of patients is the goal of the research driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The focus in doing so is on diseases for which no satisfactory treatment option exists to date. The company, therefore, concentrates on developing innovative therapies that can extend patients’ lives. In animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim stands for advanced prevention.

Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world.

We are committed to creating animal well being through our large portfolio of advanced, preventive healthcare products and services. With net sales of $4.4 billion and around 10,000 employees worldwide, we are present in more than 150 markets.

For more information, visit www. boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/ overview.

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NEWS

Superior Livestock Auction Teams Up With Digital BLOCKYARD™ Platform From Zoetis. BLOCKYARD makes it easy for cattle producers to securely share and access cattle records. Superior Livestock Auction and Zoetis are collaborating to offer BLOCKYARD technology to cattle producers, providing a central, consistent digital source of information for every animal. For cattle buyers and sellers, that means an easy way to access and share cattle records in real time.

BLOCKYARD provides access to a digital copy of an animal, so wherever an animal goes, its data can follow. The platform securely transfers and validates

cattle records, like management data and genomic predictions, on individual animals or groups via a permission based system. This helps producers understand the value of animals and securely share accurate production, health, and genomic information.

“BLOCKYARD creates a true win-win scenario. Producers selling cattle have a new way to document and socialize the quality of their calves, and prospective buyers have access to key genetic and health information to inform purchase decisions,” says Jason Osterstock, vice president, Precision Animal Health, Zoetis. “It’s like a digital

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

CHAROLAIS FORAGES ANGUS PEST MANAGEMENT BRAHMAN HEREFORD GELBVIEH SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS WAGYU BRANGUS 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 PAGE 54

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

wallet, providing a secure and convenient way to let quality feeder cattle speak for themselves, all tied directly to Superior video auction catalog listings.”

BLOCKYARD allows registered users to: • Share genomic insights to inform price discovery, management, selection, and breeding decisions • Communicate genetic merit for feedlot and carcass traits and share related expressed performance • Help increase potential returns when marketing feeder and fed cattle for specific programs • More accurately predict break even points when buying cattle Customers of Superior Livestock Auction can benefit from BLOCKYARD by having access to accurate animal insights, showing the value of every enrolled animal. The digital platform can showcase the full investment sellers made into their calves and can help communicate that information to potential buyers. Simultaneously, buyers can have more complete information about sale calves, removing the guesswork and giving them a clear starting point.

“At Superior Livestock, we take great pride in the established relationships we have with our industry partners,” says Danny Jones, president, Superior Livestock Auction. “These relationships are ultimately mutually beneficial for all involved and work together to help our customers provide added value in their cattle. The launch of the Zoetis BLOCKYARD platform is an example

of one of these relationships, and we look forward to continuing to work together.”

It’s free to register and add cattle to the digital platform. Enroll animals for parentage and breed composition or order individual or group level genetic predictions for a per head fee. Data can be automatically synced with management systems like Performance Beef or added manually.

Learn more at welcome.blockyard. com.

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 information, visit www.zoetis.com.

About Superior Livestock Auction.

Superior Livestock Auction is the largest livestock auction in the United States and markets well over one million head of cattle annually. With over 400 representatives located throughout the United States, Superior provides a complete national marketing network that serves both buyers and sellers. Learn more at www.superiorlivestock.com.

Be a winner!

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

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

PAGE 55

Past Performance to Predict Future Gain?

By JUSTIN SEXTEN Precision Animal Health There are few better industry value driver bellwethers than the summer video sales. As you watch the sales, the cattle lot descriptions will have multiple badges, program banners, and descriptors attached

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in order to convey value. The merits of age and source verification, health and preconditioning programs, as well as weaning status have been covered previously in these pages and by many others.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

Whether you agree with the badges and programs, market valuation is immaterial. While the market may be imperfect, it’s always right. Historically I called the difference between perceived value and market price the difference between value added and value captured.

I would add value communicated to that equation today.

A recent article in Applied Animal Science by Ethan Blom and co-workers from South Dakota and Texas Tech Universities studied a common pricing differential inferred during sales, backgrounding growth rate. Between cattle videos and management descriptions, most buyers make assumptions about previous nutrition and growth. Compare market reports for a “fleshy” discount and “thin” premium, and you can quickly hypothesize how feedyards think this study will turn out.

The authors evaluated the role backgrounding growth rate plays in finishing performance by looking at management to gain 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 lb/ head/day using a limit fed corn silage based diet. In experiments where phase production is evaluated, we see how the biology of growth is affected in each phase, assuming the trade off in one phase is captured in another.

The challenge is most operations in the beef supply chain specialize in either the backgrounding or finishing phase, and thus these tradeoffs represent real opportunities lost or captured. Gaining a greater understanding of how your development decision impacts the next phase provides context around the market signals from bidders and buyers.

If we look at the greatest, 3.0 lb/ day, and slowest, 2.0 lb/day experimental groups, the faster growth rate shortened time to feedyard entry by 22 days while improving feed efficiency by 20 percent.

Total dry matter feed intake was 225 lbs greater per head for the slower growing cattle. The reason feedyards favor cattle managed at lower rates of gain is apparent in the finishing results.

Over the 112 day finishing period, the cattle backgrounded on the lowest rate of gain (2.0 lb/day) were 2.5 percent more feed efficient, gained 0.3 lb/hd/day more, and achieved a 35 lb greater final weight (1,383 vs. 1,348 lb) than the 3.0 lb/day backgrounded steers.

Carcass composition was comparable: 0.6 inches of backfat, 13.5 in2 ribeye, and average choice quality grade. The

primary exception was the 22 lb greater carcass weight in the 2.0 lb/day steers.

While the exception in this experiment, greater harvest weight is not uncommon in cattle with longer, slower growing backgrounding periods.

Considering the feeding system as a whole, the 2.0 lb/day development system required a 21 day longer feeding period and 345 lbs more dry matter for the greater final live and carcass weights. Overall feed efficiency tended to favor more rapid development systems by 0.20 lb DM/ head/day.

Beyond the scope of this experiment, should future evaluations consider the carbon footprint of these phased tradeoffs? Was the environmental cost of increasing days on feed by 21 days worth the additional final weight? If the market were to incentivize reduced environmental footprint, how would we optimize systemic efficiency?

The research team noted optimization strategies for backgrounding growth rate differ relative to cattle type, class, and mature size. In this case, the differences between growth rates were more impactful than the target of 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 lbs/head/ day. Unfortunately, in most experiments as well as the market reports, cattle type, class and size are described with minimal useful data for the prediction of mature size, growth rate, or feed efficiency.

Class is straightforward, steers or heifers. Type is more variable, often limited to visual breed composition estimates with no reference to what side of breed average for growth they reside.

For mature size, we have the USDA to guide us where large framed cattle are those finishing at 0.5 inches of backdate at greater than 1,250 lbs. Many would suggest the 150 lb difference between medium and large framed remains the same, but the base exceeds the 1,250 lb threshold in modern genetics.

Back to the value communicated part of the equation, I mentioned earlier. If you’re going to feed something $7 corn at 5 percent interest for 180 days, aside from compensatory gain, what tool can you use to predict growth and feed efficiency potential in a black-white face, large framed steer?

Imagine using a genetic prediction to quantify the performance potential and optimize cattle management. Making buying decisions on groups of animals using combined genetic potential will be the next evolution of risk management.

Six Tips to Keep Farm Employees Safe When Temps Rise

By TAYLOR LEACH Thermometers are boiling over as the summer heat sweeps its way across the country. These scorching summer temps are not only taking a toll on crops and livestock but farm employees as well.

According to Melissa O’Rourke, farm management specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, many of today’s farm employees lack previous farm or other outdoor employment experience. Therefore, dealing with weather related conditions may be new to them, not to mention the difference among individuals who may or may not be acclimatized to high heat conditions.

Each year, thousands of workers become ill or injured as a result of heat exposure in their workplace, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). While dealing with hot temperatures can be managed to a certain degree, excessive heat exposure can be fatal.

To help workers stay cool in this intense heat, consider the following tips.

• Keep employees hydrated. Provide water stations or purchase coolers to keep water available for employees when they need it. Inexpensive ice machines can also be purchased to help keep beverages cold. Farm fridges should be well stocked with water bottles, Gatorade, and flavored water at all times.

“We like to use the Liquid-I.V. packets that you can add into water bottles,” says Callie Toews, a Kansas beef farmer. “They have lots of different flavors!”

• Provide breaks. Provide workers with frequent rest periods in cool or shaded areas. Consider adding expensive fans or window AC units to employee breakrooms.

• Consider specialty garments. Cotton t-shirts can trap in heat. Consider purchasing moisture wicking or cooling uniform shirts for your employees to wear. Breathable hats can also keep the sun off of your employee’s face.

“I buy cooling towels and keep them on hand during hot weather,” says Sarah Radachy, an Arizona rancher. “You can buy a pack off of Amazon pretty cheap.”

• Switch schedules. When possible, schedule hot jobs for the cooler part of the day - and where preventative maintenance and repair jobs may occur in hot areas, schedule these tasks for cooler months.

Tasks that require physical exertion during hot conditions should either be scheduled during the cooler part of the

day – or provide more frequent than usual rest and cool off periods. Assigning extra employees to reduce the workload may also help.

• Fill the freezer. A cool summer treat can put a smile on anyone’s face, especially a hot farm employee. Consider keeping ice cream or frozen treats in the freezer to help employees cool off during a break.

“We keep ice pops in our barn office freezer for employees,” says Julie MacGlaflin, a Vermont dairy farmer.

“Thank goodness they’re cheap because everyone loves them!”

• Monitor employees. Particular employees – such as older workers and those who are overweight or have heart related medical conditions – may have an even lower than average sensitivity to heat and require additional monitoring.

Consider having these at risk employees work during the coolest part of the day.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness When an employee is exhibiting symptoms of heat related illness, it is important to respond quickly and appropriately. There are four common heat related illnesses, and each is treated differently. According to OSHA, these are the proper steps to take for each: • Heat rash symptoms include clusters of red bumps, commonly on the neck, chest, or in folds of skin. Keep the affected area dry and relocate the worker to a cooler or less humid environment.

• Heat cramps include muscle spasms and pain in the abdomen or limbs. Encourage the worker to rest in the shade or in a cool room and make sure he or she drinks plenty of cold water. The worker should rest for several hours before returning to strenuous work or seek medical attention if the cramps do not subside.

• Heat exhaustion can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness. The worker should immediately sit or lie down in a cool, shaded area, drink plenty of cool liquids and apply ice packs to his or her armpits to lower his or her core temperature.

Seek emergency care if symptoms are not improved within an hour.

• Heat stroke is an emergency. The worker may exhibit confusion, fainting, or seizures, accompanied by an extremely high body temperature. Call 911, and while waiting for help to arrive, loosen the employee’s clothing, apply cold packs to his or her armpits and encourage him or her to drink plenty of fluids.

Carolina Cooking Flat Iron Steaks with Grilled Corn & Cumin-Lime Butter Total Time - 1 hour 4 beef Flat Iron Steaks (about 8 ounces each) 6 ears fresh sweet corn, in husks 2 tablespoons butter, softened 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice 1 medium poblano pepper 1 small red finger chili (cayenne) pepper or serrano pepper Lime wedges Salt and ground black pepper Rub 2 tablespoons ground cumin 3 large cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons brown sugar ½ teaspoon freshly grated lime peel ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper Pull back husks from corn, leaving husks attached. Remove and discard corn silk. Bring husks back up around corn; tie in place with kitchen string or strips of corn husk. Soak corn in cold water for 30 minutes or up to several hours.

Combine rub ingredients. For Cumin-Lime Butter, combine 2 teaspoons of rub mixture, butter, and lime juice in a small bowl; set aside. Press remaining rub evenly onto beef steaks. Cover and refrigerate steaks for 30 minutes.

Remove corn from the water. Place on grid over medium, ash covered coals; grill, covered, for 20-30 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally. About 15 minutes before corn is done, move ears to the outer edge of the grid. Place poblano and finger chili pepper in the center of the grid; grill poblano pepper for 10-15 minutes and chili pepper for 5 minutes or until skins are completely blackened, turning occasionally. Place peppers in food safe plastic bag; close the bag. Set aside.

Place steaks on grid over medium, ash covered coals. Grill, covered, 1014 minutes for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.

Cook’s Tip: To prepare on a gas grill, preheat the grill according to the manufacturer’s directions for medium heat. Place vegetables and steaks on the grid as directed above. Grill corn

and poblano pepper, covered, for 1525 minutes, or until corn is tender and skin of poblano pepper is completely blackened, turning occasionally. Grill finger chili pepper 5-10 minutes or until skin is completely blackened, turning occasionally. Grill steaks, covered, for 12-16 minutes for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.

Remove and discard husks from corn. Cover and refrigerate the 2 steaks, the 2 ears corn, and grilled peppers to use in another recipe. Carve the remaining 2 steaks into slices. Squeeze lime wedges over beef, as desired. Spread Cumin-Lime Butter over the remaining 4 ears of corn.

Season beef and corn with salt and black pepper, as desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Flat Iron Steaks with Grilled Corn & CuminLime Butter

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

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...

LASSIFIED PUREBRED C ATTLE BREEDERS BACK CREEK ANGUS

Joe and Robin Hampton 345 Withrows Creek Lane Mt. Ulla, NC 28125

704-880-2488

Angus

Black Crest Farm

W.R. “Billy” McLeod

A NIMAL H EALTH

FOR SALE

BBU Registered Beefmaster Bulls and Females

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

Telephone: 864-538-3004 www.huntsbrangus.com Calhoun, GA 770-548-7950

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

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

“Cattle with Something Extra”

Carolinas Animal Health, LLC

Breeding Registered Angus since 1962

Walter D. Shealy III and Family

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

AUCTIONEERING Ernest B. Harris President

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

Inc. / Auctioneers

QUALITY GELBVIEH, ANGUS, & BALANCER CATTLE

DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, OWNERS

Duane Cell: 336-964-6277 • Wendy Cell: 336-964-5127 Home: 336-381-3640 • Fax: 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com • ccrosscattle.com

2610 Kee Moore Drive Chester, SC 29706

Nationwide On Your Side®

James S. Wills • The Wills Agency LLC Primary Agent/Owner Master Farm Certified

555 West Church Street Batesburg, SC 29006

BEEF FOR SALE

THE HERD THAT CONSISTENTLY PRODUCES CATTLE WITH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS, AND EYE APPEAL.

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

Telephone: 803-532-3390 Cell: 864-554-4658 Fax: 803-532-0615 james@twainsurance.com

Your Ad Here!

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

Autryville, NC 28318 www.howardbrosfarms.com

Darryl Howard Cell: 910-990-2791

October 15, 2022

for the

SEPTEMBER ISSUE

by AUGUST 5!

ALL Spotlight Material for the

Jonathan Massey

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

Johnny Massey

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

PAGE 58

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

®

Agribusiness

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

BLACK GROVE 20977 US Hwy 76 • Newberry, SC 29108 Walter Shealy • 803-924-1000 Dixon Shealy • 803-629-1174 walter@blackgrove.com • dixon@blackgrove.com www.blackgrove.com

AUTO • HOME • LIFE BUSINESS • FARM & RANCH

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

1320 Old Manning Rd., Sumter, SC 29150

803-481-2011

INSURANCE

SEPTEMBER ISSUE

by AUGUST 1!

NDEX OF 14th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale .................. 28 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus ...................................................... 58 47th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale .... 41 48th Annual North Carolina Fall Harvest Sale ........................ 5 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............... 58 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ....................................................... 16 Back Creek Angus .................................................................. 58 Biltmore Livestock — Angus .................................................. 21 BioZyme - VitaCharge ............................................................ 35 Black Crest Farm ................................................................... 58 Black Grove Angus ................................................................ 58 Brubaker Family Angus ......................................................... 58 C-Cross Cattle Company ........................................................ 58 Carolinas Animal Health ....................................................... 58 Childers Concrete Company, Inc. .......................................... 49 Circle F Farms ........................................................................ 36 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ........................................... 47 Double J Farms ...................................................................... 24 Dura•Cast ............................................................................. 52 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. ................................................. 58 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ................................ 18 Fowken Farms ....................................................................... 58 FPL Foods .............................................................................. 19 Fred Smith Company Ranch .................................................. 58 Howard Brothers Farms ........................................................ 58 Hunt’s H+ Brangus ................................................................ 58 Hutton & Sons Herefords ...................................................... 58 Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales — Stockyard Schedules .................. 29 N.C. Angus Association Directory .......................................... 20 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application .......... 3 N.C. Hereford Association Directory ..................................... 25

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

DVERTISERS N.C. Meat Suite ..................................................................... 56 N.C. Simmental Association .................................................. 10 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment ...................... 13 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2022 Policy Priorities ......................................................... 37 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Application ................................................... 39 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Benefits ......................................................... 38 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ............................................................ 58 Pasture Management & N.C. Cattlemen’s Association “Mile of Fence” Membership Program .............................. 32 Pearson Livestock Equipment .............................................. 44 Performance Livestock & Feed Company .............................. 45 Piedmont Custom Meats ....................................................... 46 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ................ 42 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ........ 2 SimAngus Solution ............................................................... 58 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ................................................. 51 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ................................................ 50 Springfield Angus ................................................................. 58 Springfield Angus Bull Sale .................................................. 22 The Barn Loft — Purina ......................................................... 30 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2022 Spotlight Schedule ...... 54 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates & Sizes .... 55 The Wax Company — Marshall Ryegrass ............................... 31 Virginia Herd Health Management Services ........................... 9 Vetericyn ................................................................................ 7 Watauga Butchery ................................................................ 48 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ............................................ 53 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ........................... 17 Whitehall Beefmasters ......................................................... 58 Wilders Farm ........................................................................ 58 Wilkes Livestock Exchange ................................................... 43 Yon Family Farms Fall Sale .................................................... 23 The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2022

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VENTS ANGUS Aug. 6 — Edisto Pines Female Production Sale, Leesville, S.C. Oct. 15 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Fall Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 28 — Yon Family Farms Fall Female Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Oct. 29 — Yon Family Farms Fall Bull 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. 5 — 14th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Nov. 12 — Lane Angus Farm Angus Bull Sale, Rocky Mount, N.C. Nov. 19 — McMahan Farm & Hancock Angus Annual Registered Angus Bull

a

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. Dec. 10 — Springfield Angus Bull Sale, Louisburg, N.C. 2023 Jan. 7 — 14th Annual EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 9 — 30th Annual UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga. Feb. 18 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C.

IGHTER

IDE

A guy finds an old bottle and rubs it.

Suddenly a genie pops out and announces, “You have three wishes, speak your first.”

The guy says, “Hm...I had a very bad encounter with a lawyer last week. That son of a gun fleeced me like a sheep.

Therefore, as my first wish, I want a world without lawyers! My second wish is that you make me the richest man in the world. And my third…”

The genie interrupts him, “Sorry, but you have no more wishes left.”

“What?!” exclaims the guy, “You said I get three wishes!”

“Well,” smirks the genie, “Sue me.”

“Well, I’ll be. This is a smart dog. But can he program?” he asks himself.

After 20 minutes pass, and the dog has made a perfectly running website for the store.

He looks, shocked, at the dog, and finally speaks. “Look, I know you have the qualifications, but, well...you’re a dog.”

The dog nudges the words “We are an equal opportunity employer” on the poster, and the manager sighs.

“There’s no way you’re bilingual.”

The dog looks him in the eyes and says, “Meow.”

A dog sees a “Now hiring” poster outside of a computer store.

The poster reads: “Must be able to type. Must be able to program. And must be bilingual. We are an equal opportunity employer.”

The dog takes the poster in his mouth, and walks in. The manager spots the dog, and decides to humour it, pulling up a chair and a computer with a word processor. “Alright, if you want to work here, you need to first write a letter,” and leaves the room.

About 30 minutes later, he comes back in, and the dog has typed out a completely error free letter.

A woman goes to the doctor and says, “Could you please prescribe me something against my headaches?”

“OK,” says the doctor, “take this and come back in two weeks.”

After two weeks, the lady is back and complains, “I’m sorry doctor. I’ve been using this for the past two weeks, I followed the instructions on the package – but nothing happened.”

The doctor is concerned, “That’s unusual Mrs Grimky, what were the instructions exactly?”

“Well, keep the lid tightly screwed on at all times.”

*

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2022

Brahman Oct. 15 — Circle F Farms Fall Sale, Baxley, Ga. Brangus Oct. 28 — Yon Family Farms Fall Female Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Oct. 29 — Yon Family Farms Fall Bull Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. GELBVIEH Oct. 29 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Oct. 30 — High Ridge Far 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. 2023 Feb. 18 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. HEREFORD Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. SIMMENTAL Aug. 26-30 — 2022 Annual ASA Fall Focus, Roanoke, 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. 28 — Yon Family Farms Fall Female Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Oct. 29 — Yon Family Farms Fall Bull Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Oct. 30 — High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity Sale, Albemarle, N.C. Nov. 5 — 14th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, 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. 2023 Feb. 9 — 30th Annual UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga.

Livestock market sales Aug. 1 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sales, Turnersburg, N.C. Aug. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Aug. 3 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 3 — Wilkes Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, North Wilkesboro, N.C. Aug. 8 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sales, Turnersburg, N.C. Aug. 10 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 10 — Wilkes Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, North Wilkesboro, N.C. Aug. 15 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sales, Turnersburg, N.C. Aug. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Aug. 17 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 17 — Wilkes Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, North Wilkesboro, N.C. Aug. 22 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sales, Turnersburg, N.C. Aug. 24 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 24 — Wilkes Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, North Wilkesboro, N.C. Aug. 29 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sales, Turnersburg, N.C. Aug. 31 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 31 — Wilkes Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, North Wilkesboro, N.C. Sep. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Sep. 20 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Oct. 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Oct. 18 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Nov. 1 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Nov. 15 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Dec. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com OTHER EVENTS Aug. 4 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 5-7 — S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up, Pendleton, S.C. Aug. 6-7 — N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up, Fletcher, N.C. Aug. 9 — Pasture Species Identification Workshop, Siloam, N.C. Sep. 22 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Nov. 17 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. 2023 Feb. 9 — 30th Annual UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga.