The Carolina Cattle Connection - Volume 33, Issue No. 8 (August 2019)

SIMMENTAL

The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Address Service Requested

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Spotlight on

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AUGUST 2019 •

Vol. 33, Issue No. 8

arolina attle onnection

WE FEED

WHAT WE SELL

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17% protein and 5% fat

OUR PERFORMANCE RANGE CUBES AND/OR PGR WILL HELP COMPLIMENT YOUR FORAGE BASED DEFICIENCY. Fescue Rescue is a complete mineral with extra copper, Bovatec™, and Tasco™.

Non-medicated variety also available.

WE ALSO HAVE A FULL LINE OF FEED AND MINERAL OPTIONS. Manufactured by Performance Livestock & Feed Company 11 Redd Level Plant Road • Martinsville, VA 24112 5765 NC 8 Hwy. N. • Lawsonville, NC 27022 www.performancefeedco.com

ONNECTION “The Wonder Grass” — A Fascinating Examination of Tall Fescue ........................................... page 35 2019 Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show .................................................................................. page 22 Alltech News ..................................................................................................................................... page 39 Amazing Grazing — Time to Prepare Fields for Stockpiling, by Matt Poore ........................... page 18 American Angus Association News .............................................................................................. page 22 American Gelbvieh Association News .......................................................................................... page 32 American Hereford Association News ......................................................................................... page 30 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ................................................................................................ page 26 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Beef Demand Boost at Retail, by Ashley W. Herring ........................ page 14 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ....................................................................... page 33

North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association President MIKE COX P.O. 1317 • Elon, NC 27244

Vice Presidents JEREMY LEE 5153 Battle Run Drive • Catawba, NC 28609 KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734 BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425 Immediate Past President JOHN LANGDON 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 27504 NCBA Policy Division Director - FRED SMITH, JR.

BioZyme Incorporated News ......................................................................................................... page 46

NCBA Federation Division Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR.

Boehringer Ingelheim News .......................................................................................................... page 52

Beef Board Director - ROBERT CRABB

Carolina Cooking — Grande Beef Empanada ............................................................................. page 50 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ........................................................................ page 34 Cattlemen Particularly Interested in ADT and Secure Beef Supply Plan at SAHA Meeting, by Boyd Parr ............................................... page 34 Director’s Report, by Roy Copelan ................................................................................................... page 3

Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE

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

From the Desk of the SCCA First Vice President, by Roscoe Kyle ............................................. page 27

Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE

N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ...................................................................................................... page 52 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ............................................................................. page 51 New NCCA Members for 2019 ....................................................................................................... page 45 North American Limousin Foundation News .............................................................................. page 39 On the Edge of Common Sense — Talkin’ Dirty, by Baxter Black .............................................. page 25 On the Horizon — Understanding the Importance of Lime and It’s Source, by Sam Ingram ......................... page 16 Purina News ...................................................................................................................................... page 36 S.C. Beef Checkoff Plus Update — S.C. Checkoff Plus Sponsors Educational Programs Through Clemson University ..... page 40 S.C. Beef Council Checkoff/Assessment Funded Activities ...................................................... page 40 S.C. Charolais News, by Georgeanne Webb ................................................................................... page 37 South Carolina Cattle Research Corner — Economics of Marketing Natural Feeder Calves; Are You Hitting a Home Run?, by Brian Beer ............................................................................ page 42 State Veterinarian Reminds Livestock and Pet Owners to Watch Out for Ticks ................. page 45 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden .................................................................................................... page 24 Zoetis News ....................................................................................................................................... page 54

SIMMENTAL American Simmental Association News, page 13 ChaseCole Livestock — Quality Farming Through the Generations,

by Jennie Rucker, page 4 Circle M Cattle Company and Massey Farms — Gearing Up for Their 10th Anniversary SimAngus Solution Sale, by Jennie Rucker, page 6 Lonesome Valley Investments — Cattle from the Mountain to the Show Ring, by Jennie Rucker, page 8 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker, page 12

Vol. 33, No. 8

AUGUST 2019

Sales and Publication Office 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

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

The Carolina Cattle Connection

is printed on 30 lb recycled newsprint

by BN Printing in Benson, N.C.

Manager, N.C.

STAFF

BRYAN BLINSON

Manager, S.C. ROY COPELAN

Editor and Advertising Director CASEY L. HINNANT

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

E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Standard Equipment on Massey Ferguson 135, by E.B. Harris .......................................... page 20 Jimmie L. McDonnal Passes ............................................................................................................. page 31

The Carolina Cattle Connection

KIM BURDGE

N.C. Circulation S.C. Circulation

KIM BURDGE STEPHANIE CROWE

Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All submissions becom property of The Carolina Executive Director Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to ROY COPELAN return items such as photographs and artwork as P.O. Box 11280 • Columbia, SC 29211-1280 requested.

South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association

Phone: 803-917-1119 • Fax: 803-734-9808 The Carolina Cattle Connection, the official Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov publication of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Website: www.sccattle.org and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association is published Executive Committee monthly by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association.

President - Thomas Legare 1st Vice President - Roscoe Kyle 2nd Vice President - Travis Mitchell Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Cecil Eaddy

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

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

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

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

Our

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

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Director’s Report

By ROY COPELAN Executive Director, SCCA

August is here, and the summer continues to fly by. Before too long, schools will be back in session, the days will become shorter, and our schedules will be busy with shows, sales, etc.

June and July were full of beef promotions and cattle activities including 16 retail in store promotions, eight foodservice promotions, five farm market promotions, two producer activities, four county meetings, and two commodity events. What a fast pace summer!

The 2019 S.C. Junior Beef RoundUp will take place at the Garrison Arena outside of Clemson on August 2-4. The committee has planned a great Junior Beef Round-Up for our youth. If your time permits, visit the arena on Saturday and Sunday. The awards will be presented on Saturday evening with a beef burger meal in the Garrison Cattle Complex.

Cattle virtual tour at Foodservice Trade Show

Here are a few questions to ask yourself and others on these hot and long days. Have you encouraged a fellow cattle producer to join the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association? Have you joined NCBA? Have you invited a South Carolina business (feed dealer, banker, livestock supplier, vehicle dealership, etc.) to join SCCA as an Associate Member? Have you contributed to the S.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation? Have you purchased a SCCA cap? Did you attend the 2019 SCCA Annual Meeting? These are all important questions for the beef cattle business in our state. Your individual assistance and cooperation make this business better each and every day. There is no better time than now to get involved!

ATTENTION South Carolina county and regional cattlemen’s association presidents and treasures: you are encouraged to start collecting county and state dues now and into the fall. January 1 is fast approaching. State dues remain at $30 per year. It usually takes 30-45 days to have memberships recorded and to start receiving The Carolina Cattle Connection.

Let’s all work to get a head start.

College marketing class on agriculture commodities

Speaking of county and regional cattlemen’s associations, please provide the state office with your president’s name, address, cell number, and email address, as well as your meeting dates, time, and places. I would like to attend your meetings and will write an article for The Carolina Cattle Connection about your event. Call me at 803-917-1119 to schedule. I look forward to visiting your group.

Your assistance with contacts at retail, food service, and community events is encouraged during our annual “Tailgating Beef Campaign,” which runs from September 1 through November 16.

Talk to others, and let’s plan to continue telling the “beef story” during this period.

The S.C. Beef Council encourages all cattle producers in South Carolina to vote in favor of the renewing State Beef Assessment Program (50¢ per head) for another five years. Ballots will be mailed by the S.C. Agriculture Commission, and the vote will be held August 19-30.

Please review the list of various projects, programs, and activities your dollars have funded in our state the last 4½ years on page 40. This is your local investment into your producer owned commodity group. Vote YES!

Have you joined the national cattlemen’s organization this year? NCBA needs your participation.

So, what does NCBA do for the beef community on a national and international level? The organization covers everything that needs to be done, including taxes, trade, regulations, and policy. We are working hard to get it done and get it done right. We want to build a strong demand for U.S. beef so that your operation stays in business year after year.

NCBA is a community organization run by members, for members. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. This year our “drought” is over, and we are making it rain in Washington, D.C. We’ve opened China, made advances on Waters of the U.S., tax and credit, endangered species, the GIPSA rule, and other key policy initiatives. Join NCBA today!

Did you know thousands of consumers have come to the checkoff to get answers to their beef cut questions thanks to the checkoff’s Interactive Butcher Counter, now in its second year on www.BeefitsWhatsForDinner.com? In fact, since the start of fiscal 2018, more than 249,000 consumers have generated more than 360,000 page views at the Interactive Butcher Counter. With this popular tool, consumers can find an ideal beef cut for any occasion by clicking, “exploring the cuts,” “guide me to the right cut,” or by simply searching the name of a particular cut. The information included recommended cooking methods, nutritional data, and delicious recipes using the cut. The Interactive Butcher Count is also responsive. They have the same great experience. To learn more about your beef checkoff investment, visit www.MyBeefCheckoff.com.

Cattle tour with Ag in Classroom Field Day

Are there enough hours in the day?

That is a question I constantly continue to ask myself, but I still like to give my time.

At times I feel like I am never going to get ahead and keep falling further and further behind, but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t change volunteering my time to organizations, as well as to my family and friends. I encourage you to do the same in any capacity you can.

If there is one to take away from this piece, it’s that volunteering is what makes

a difference in today’s world, especially the beef industry. Whether that be serving on a committee, chairing a committee, or letting your opinion and thoughts be heard, it truly is very important. The future of our industry is bright and will be even brighter with the help of new and current volunteers. No work goes unnoticed. It can seem like a difficult task to complete and balance with your work life, but it is worth it.

Beef sampling at a local retail market

The S.C. Beef Council now has a Facebook and Twitter page. These pages feature beef recipes, industry updates, events, and beef news. Send in event descriptions, dates, articles, and pictures.

Email them to Marianne Copelan at Marianne.Copelan@gmail.com. Thanks to Marianne for helping us establish both pages. Let’s promote and use these helpful tools. Pass the word around.

Continue to visit the SCBC/SCCA website at www.sccattle.org for the latest news. Weekly updates are going up on the website. Also, show your support for the four firms that are advertising on the website. They are Eva Hurley State Farm Insurance in Greenville, S.C., Rusty Thomson & Family (Arrowquip) in Sharon, S.C., Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales in Richfield, N.C., and Sumner Ag Services in Tifton, Georgia. A big thank you to each firm!

The 24th SCCA Annual Meeting is scheduled for March 18-20 at the Garrison Arena in Pendleton. Mark your calendar and tell others about this important opportunity for our cattle producers.

Let’s work towards getting more than 400 producers to attend this year!

The 2020 NCBA Annual Convention and Trade Show is scheduled for February 5-7 in San Antonio, Texas. Mark your calendar and plan on attending. South Carolina should have a large delegation attending next year.

And the next meeting of the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association SCCA Board of Directors will be on August 15 at 10:00 a.m. in Columbia at the Clemson LPH office. All meetings are open.

Stay cool in the summer days. Until next month…

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ChaseCole Livestock — Quality Farming Through the Generations

By JENNIE RUCKER The fourth generation of Matthis cattlemen is working just as hard on the farm as their ancestors. Chasen and Colbey Matthis of Clinton, N.C., are working land originally purchased by their great grandfather Tom in the 1950s.

Tom Matthis bought around 300 acres and raised mainly tobacco but always had cattle, too. His sons, Tony and Ronnie, then farmed tobacco and row crops, but the cattle side of the business really took off in 1998. Tony’s son, Scott, also farms and works a public job. Now Scott’s two sons, Chasen and Colbey, are growing up and getting more involved in truly working on the farm.

The cows are synchronized using CIDRs, and then the Matthis family watches for standing heat. They also use the patches to make sure they don’t miss any. Russell Hall or Matthew Cox does the majority of the breeding when most of the cows are coming in heat, then Scott will do the breeding on all the stragglers. They only breed A.I. one time. The bulls used as cleanup bulls are owned with Nichols Farms of Iowa.

“We have a partnership in bulls with Nichols. These bulls spend their summers in Iowa and their winters in N.C.,” said Scott. “Luckily, these bulls don’t have to work too hard because we

This SimAngus cow came from Shade Tree Simmentals and is sired by OCC Just Right.

The black Simmental bulls they are using include Yellowstone, Cowboy Cut, Wide Range, Sharper Image, and Dual Focus. The Angus bull that works very well on their Simmental cows is Rito Revenue. They also like red Simmental cattle and are using Rimrock, Beef Maker, Law Maker, and Red Answer.

Their herd started out mainly as a black herd, but now they are slowly getting more and more red cattle. Scott has found that red cattle sell so much better in this part of the country.

that Scott’s family runs mainly uses SimAngus bulls. He keeps the purebred bulls to run on the purebred Angus or Simmental cattle. All the Matthis commercial cattle are usually sold in truckload lots. The registered cattle are sold by private treaty or sometimes consigned to sales such as the N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale.

Scott is serving a term as a director for the NCSA. ChaseCole Livestock also has some Red Angus genetics, and Colbey claims that is his choice. “I always have to be different. When the family was raising Australian Shepherds, I wanted a Border Collie. When all we had was black cattle, I wanted red Simmental or Red Angus,” said Colbey.

Colbey scratches one of his show pigs. He has really gotten involved in raising hogs to show.

Chasen, Colbey, Tom, Scott, and Melanie Matthis are a Sampson County farm family that has raised cattle for four generations.

Even as youngsters, the boys worked on the farm, but now that Chasen has graduated from high school, he is able to be more intimately involved with all aspects of the job. Life became real very fast for Chasen. He served as Salutatorian one day at his graduation, and the next day he was signing a young farmer FHA loan for a herd of 74 commercial Angus based females. These cattle will be on leased pasture land. According to Scott, Chasen will probably use Simmental and Simmental influenced bulls on his herd to make the best use of heterosis in the offspring.

The ChaseCole Livestock Simmental herd usually numbers 100 head, but they are down to around 60 cows right now.

These consist of a fall calving herd bred completely using artificial insemination.

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usually get very good conception with our A.I. program.” In fact, good fertility is so important to Scott that, in order for a replacement heifer to remain at ChaseCole Livestock, she has to settle to the artificial insemination date. Any pasture bred heifers will be sold to other producers.

This powerful red Simmental is an Uno Mas daughter.

The commercial herd of the second generation Matthis family (Triple M Farms) is a three-way cross utilizing Angus, Simmental, and Charolais genetics. It is working very well for Tony and Ronnie. The commercial herd

Some of the fall Simmental heifers at ChaseCole Livestock.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

Melanie says Colbey is following in Scott’s boot prints by being the animal enthusiast. They tend to handle the feeding and all the day-to-day care of the cattle. Colbey is also more into the showing part of the livestock industry.

Scott is quick to point out that Colbey does 100 percent of the work involved with getting his cattle and show pigs ready. Yes, show pigs are a huge part of Colbey’s daily chores. Both Chasen and Colbey started out showing lambs, hogs, and cattle. One year they were stretched very thin by exhibiting all three species at the N.C. State Fair. As soon as the boys made the decision to stop showing lambs, Scott says the sheep equipment was up for sale the very next day!

The hogs, however, have become an exciting challenge for both Colbey and Scott. Scott says, “My heart is in the heifers, but I love helping Colbey with showing the hogs.” Colbey has

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Colbey checks the heifers after he feeds.

done very well since he started showing hogs in 2011. He had the third overall market barrow last year and was reserve champion senior swine showman at the N.C. State Fair. He has shown at the Southeast Regional in Georgia, and his hog placed in the top five. Colbey raises some of the hogs himself while also purchasing some. He has hogs that will be ready for the state fair and some that will be ready for spring shows. They are learning more bit-by-bit and are finding there is a complete science to feeding these hogs so they will be at their optimal best at showtime. They visually evaluate these hogs every week and adjust their diet as needed. Scott says the trick is to start with a structurally correct hog.

Weight, muscle, and fat can all be added, but you can’t change a pig with bad structure.

Visual appraisal is also the first and most important thing that goes into determining which cattle to keep as seedstock cattle at ChaseCole Livestock.

These cattle must be phenotypically sound and have volume and muscle.

Temperament is the next important trait for keeping animals. After the animals pass these criteria, Scott looks at the paper for good EPDs and genetics. Scott never wants to keep an animal based on what is on the paper alone.

Chasen Matthis stands beside his favorite tractor with the 40 foot field cultivator.

They do raise a few bulls, but Scott does not like being in the bull business.

It takes so much time and feed to raise bulls, and they are usually only sold one by one. They do have a selection of both red and black bulls that will be available as fall yearlings. Their main focus is on producing heifers for the commercial cattleman. Their farm is enrolled in the American Simmental Association’s THE (Total Herd Enrollment) program, and they are the third largest N.C. Simmental producer. Scott and Melanie named the farm by combining both boy’s names and hope the boys carry the farm into the next generation.

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behind. This was also the first year Chasen was able to drive the combine, and that brought a huge smile to his face. Chasen is a quiet young man with a determination about him that shows he is a hard worker.

With parents like Scott and Melanie, it is no wonder these young men are developing into another generation of good farmers. Melanie herself, although she was a city girl, says Scott “converted her over to the country life.” She is in charge of their six turkey houses while Scott and the boys care for their six hog houses and the cattle. They are a typical farm family, working from sunup to sundown. This land has kept them fed, clothed, and a closely knit family for four generations, but the most important

central part is their strong family unit.

For more information on the ChaseCole Livestock cattle, please give the Matthis family a call at 910-590-8414 or email smatthis2@gmail.com.

Chasen, Melanie, Scott, and Colbey in front of one of their turkey houses.

2019 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 2019. 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.

2019 Reserved Spotlight Issues

Chasen in the cab of the 8400 R John Deere.

While Colbey is busy with his show pigs and feeding cattle, Chasen works for his grandfather Tony doing what he really loves…driving the big tractors. Chasen has been driving tractors for years, and every year he is entrusted with the larger, more complex equipment. Since they plant 1,000-1,500 acres of corn, soybeans, oats, and rye, he stays very busy all the time. One day early in June, Chasen was on the tractor for 12 straight hours. He enjoyed every minute of it. He says he mainly enjoys doing tillage work, and his favorite tractor to drive is the 8400 R John Deere with the 40 foot cultivator

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

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

Contact The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Phone - 919-552-9111 for the contact person for each Spotlight Issue.

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Circle M Cattle Company and Massey Farms — Gearing Up for Their 11th Anniversary SimAngus Solution Sale

By JENNIE RUCKER Jonathan Massey grew up in Burlington, N.C., next door to Frank Bell, one of the leading Simmental producers in the state. Frank treated Jonathan and his brother Preston like family. Jonathan was educated in the cattle business by his father, Johnny. He then learned about marketing bulls from the experiences he had with Frank working at the many Optimal Beef Genetics Sales held at Bell Farms. When Frank mentioned that the Massey family should feed out their bulls and host their own bull sale, Jonathan and Johnny seriously considered the possibility.

That dream became a reality when they held their first registered bull sale in November 2009. Since then, it has been an annual event with the 2013 sale breaking records for the Massey family.

The two top selling bulls were both SimAngus sired by SAV Thunderbird 9061 out of Simmental cows. They each sold for $6,100, and the next top selling bull went for $6,000. He was a son of BF 15P4 HYB Major League and sold to

grossed $32,600 to average $3,260. That 2013 sale is still the top averaging sale, but the highest selling bull was sold in 2015 for $7,400. This bull was a Thunderbird son out of a Sure Bet daughter. This year marks the tenth annual sale for the Masseys. They have survived through good sales and not so good ones, but they have learned a lot through the process and are developing better bulls every year.

Gary Gregory of N.C. State University gave Jonathan plenty of advice Jonathan Massey welcomes buyers to his sale and guidance as he was learning the best last year. way to manage and feed his bulls.

Vernon Williamson of Yanceyville, North Jonathan knew he did not want to raise Carolina. Several more SimAngus bulls feedlot bulls. He runs the bulls on fescue sold for $5,500. When the purebred pasture and supplements with hay and a Simmental bulls went up for auction, the custom feed blend, which helps them bidding continued to be strong. The top utilize forage. “This keeps the bulls in selling Simmental bull was a blaze faced good condition, and they won’t melt son of RCR Stetson that sold for $5,100. down when they are put to work,” says When the sale was over and the Jonathan. books were closed, the 15 SimAngus Jonathan works closely with several bulls grossed $66,700 to average $4,447 mentors who help him in many ways to each. The 10 purebred Simmental bulls optimize his style of management. Buck Chastain and KNS Nutrition in Kentucky has formulated a mineral specifically for their farm, and it really helps to combat the fescue fungus problem prevalent in this area. Since Jonathan is a Gibbs c u s t o m e r, t h e i r 12:00 noon • At the Farm in Burlington, NC genetics and marketing manager, Gordon Hodges, assists in both genetic decisions and nutritional needs. This includes the development of their bull developer ration and annual adjustments as needed. Hodges has also been a lifelong friend to the Massey family.

11 th Annual Bull & Replacement Female Sale November 16, 2019

For more information or to request a sale catalog, contact:

Jonathan Massey

Johnny Massey

jonathan.massey2@gmail.com

johnnymassey.1@gmail.com

336-260-2565

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336-214-4144

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

Jonathan is quick to point out that they don’t keep every calf born on the farm. Each calf is evaluated for quality and disposition. All of those not measuring up in any way are castrated and culled from the herd. Jonathan also says they try not to keep any bull they would be afraid to use on heifers.

It’s a very relaxed family atmoshpere at the SimAngus Solution Sale in Burlington. The Masseys make everyone feel right at home.

The bulls are all vaccinated according to Beef Quality Assurance standards with a modified live vaccine for BVD Types I and II, PI3, IBR, Lepto, BRSV, Blackleg, and Pasturella. They are dewormed once while they are on the cow and once after weaning when they receive their vaccine booster. They are offered creep feed while they are on the cow, which makes it easier to get them used to feed after weaning. After weaning, the bulls are transitioned to a developing ration, and Jonathan and Johnny hand feed them from start to finish. By hand feeding, Jonathan can also control their intake and easily make any needed adjustments. The bulls are carefully inspected every day this way.

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Frank Bell (on the right) discusses cattle with a buyer at last year’s SimAngus Solution Sale.

The Masseys require that every bull sold must have passed a breeding soundness exam. The bulls are also tested to see if they are homozygous black and homozygous polled. This will be the first year they have done genomic testing on all the bulls, so they will have genomically enhanced EPDs. The Masseys took advantage of the “Cow Herd Round-Up” that the American Simmental Association ran last year. All 68 cows in the herd were DNA tested.

Due to the extensive record keeping on six different traits, their farm has qualified as a Performance Advocate for five years.

This is another program from the American Simmental Association.

Jonathan says, “I want customers to know what they are buying and to get a quality, efficient animal they can take home and increase their bottom line.

There are a lot of producers in the area who are going together and shipping trailer loads of cattle, and they get paid more if their cattle grade well. I want to be able to sell them a bull that will help their carcasses grade, which will increase their profits.” The Masseys are also working toward their own future program, which will specifically help their customers market their truckload lots.

Several customers comment every year on the calm disposition of the bulls.

Either Johnny or Jonathan walks through the bulls daily, so they are well adjusted to people. Hand feeding these bulls is another reason they have such a docile temperament. Any bull with a questionable disposition is immediately culled from the program. Sometimes only one person is checking on the bulls, and they need to be calm enough to be handled by just one person.

The Masseys like to calve from midAugust and be finished by November 1 so that bulls are ready to start working by January 1 when they are 15-16 months old. At their second sale, they began offering females. In 2014, the prices his yearling heifers brought was another record for the Masseys. A blaze faced purebred Simmental heifer sired by the Massey herdsire, MF Royal Flush, was the top selling heifer, bringing $2,600. A Bon View New Design 878 daughter was the next top selling heifer at $2,500. The six heifers grossed $12,575 and averaged $2,095.

Discussing this fall’s female offering, Jonathan says, “I feel we have one of the most uniform group of heifers we have ever had. They are definitely females that are cows in the making.” It is a tough decision every year for the Masseys to decide which heifers to keep as replacements and which to offer at their sale. They always select two or three from the very top end of their herd to offer in this sale. There will be 20 SimAngus heifers in the sale this year.

Johnny and Jonathan are retaining their own heifers and concentrating on growing better quality females to produce top quality bulls. They want to slowly grow into this market and increase in

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quality rather than increasing quickly in quantity. From the satisfied repeat customers that have purchased bulls at the SimAngus Solution Sale, it looks like the Masseys have gotten the quality right.

This sale will offer bulls and heifers sired by Mountaineer, Iconic, Boulder, and Tour of Duty. There will also be progeny from their herdsires, Gibbs Declaration and Gibbs Commander.

There will be 28 SimAngus bulls, both half bloods and ⅝ - ⅜ blood bulls.

In addition to raising good bulls, Jonathan and his wife Melissa have been busy raising Jonathan Jr., who is now six years old. He absolutely loves to help his father and grandfather feed the bulls.

From talking with grandfather Johnny, he hopes Jonathan will be able to show cattle just like his father did back in the day!

This year the sale will be on November 16 at 1078 Boone Road in Burlington. It is a joint effort between Circle M Cattle Company owned by Jonathan Massey and Massey Farms owned by Johnny Massey. The bulls will be available for viewing on November 15 around noon. Visitors are always welcome to see these bulls anytime. If anyone has any questions about the bulls or their program, please call Jonathan at 336-260-2565 or Johnny at 336-2144144. You can also reach Jonathan by email at jonathan.massey2@gmail.com.

This pen of bulls is typical of the offering at the SimAngus Solution Sale.

Quality Equipment at Competitive Prices

Call about NEW PORTABLE SYSTEMS! INFORMATION OR BROCHURES:

Peter Hostetler 540-810-4605 The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2019

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e Special

Spotlight on

SIMMENTAL

Section f

Lonesome Valley Investments — Cattle from the Mountain to the Show Ring

By JENNIE RUCKER After Jeff English met Roger Brown in church, they became very good friends.

As the friendship grew, Roger became Jeff’s mentor and business partner. They worked together in the construction business, and Roger convinced Jeff to get his electrician license. After that, he helped Jeff get all kinds of electrical work. Roger and Jeff had both raised commercial cattle all their lives and owned some cattle together. However, little did they know that a dark haired country girl from Granite Falls would show them a different side of the cattle business.

Roger Brown and Anna and Jeff English make up Lonesome Valley Investments.

Anna Munday was working for Southern States selling feed when Jeff first met her. She had approached him about trying out their Southern States feed. Roger knew something was up when he was riding with Jeff one day, and they went out of their way to go to the Southern States store. “What are we

doing here?” asked Roger. Jeff told him they were going to see about using feed this girl is selling. “I knew something was up,” said Roger.

Well, the first time Jeff got the nerve to ask Anna for a date, it turned out she was unavailable because she was in Louisville at a cattle show. “I thought, what? A cattle show?” said Jeff. He kept trying, and as the saying goes, the rest is history. Anna and Jeff have been married since 2012 and are partners in business and in life.

Lonesome Valley Investments built an agricultural business, Heritage Farm Supply, for Anna to manage after they were married. It is located adjacent to a convenience store also owned by Lonesome Valley in Weaverville, North Carolina. It opened in 2015 and has been a very successful business since that time.

People were in and out of the store the entire time I was talking with Jeff and Anna.

There was a year between when Anna left Southern States and the store’s opening when Anna could not work or sell feed for a competitor. That was fine because it gave Anna time to pursue her love of showing cattle. She took a large show string of many different breeds, including ones owned by other producers.

Her father, Jim Munday, went with her to shows like the Dixie Classic Fair and the N.C. State Fair. Her favorites

Regular copy deadline is AUGUST 5 for the SEPTEMBER issue

Anna English and Kirby Wells keep things going at Heritage Farm Supply in Weaverville.

in the show string were her Simmental and SimAngus, and some of these were the first cattle registered with the “Lonesome” prefix.

The Lonesome Valley herd was mainly commercial Angus, but Anna brought her own herd of Simmental cattle to the farm. She has raised both Hereford and Simmental, but the Simmental complement these Angus genetics so very well. Her very first Simmental was a yellow and white heifer from Dr. Doug Peterson in Wilkesboro. Anna showed that heifer and her daughters to win champion banners at the N.C. State Fair.

Her descendants are still in the pastures here around the Alexander/Weaverville area of the state. Some may be gray in color because they carry the diluter gene, but they are excellent mama cows. “We have a gray one in every pasture,” jokes Jeff.

Spotlight material is due AUGUST 1 for the SEPTEMBER issue This HPF heifer and her March heifer calf.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

Lonesome Valley Investments owns or leases about 300 acres of land. Most of it is either in pasture or hay land.

Roger and Jeff (and other employees as needed) put up all the hay, which is usually around 500 rolls. Other than Roger, Jeff, and Anna, there are six to eight other employees. Jeff says, “If they are employed in any area of our business, they have to be able to help out in other areas of our business at any time.” So far, it has worked very well and keeps things interesting for their employees. “It is easier for them to get a steady paycheck if they are very versatile,” said Anna. Kirby Wells is the one who works at Heritage Farm Supply under Anna. She is more into the equestrian side of the business while Anna knows the cattle side. They balance each other out very well.

This fancy heifer traces back to the original Simmental purchased by Anna from Cub Creek Farm.

Their herd consists of 30-35 registered Simmental and SimAngus with about 70 commercial cows. They artificially inseminate all the registered cattle using bulls such as HILB Oracle, CCF 20-20, Steel Force, Innovator,

e Special Rocking P Legendary, and Loaded Up. They have both a spring and a fall calving season. They are also adding to their herd by flushing their best cows. This year they have 18 commercial recips safe with embryos. After breeding artificially one time, they put the cleanup bull in for 60 days. Then the bull gets a rest period. They are very strict about culling, especially on attitude. Docility is a very important trait for Lonesome Valley cattle.

Their donor cattle are mainly Milestone genetics. Anna and Jeff had purchased a JF Milestone daughter from a Hudson Pines sale, and she did very well as a show heifer. She also worked well as a mama cow. They were able to attend the historic Hudson Pines Farm dispersal and purchased three more females at that time. These are also mainly Milestone influenced genetics. Jeff really enjoyed that trip. They made it a vacation, also attending the Quaker Hill Sale and Virginia Tech Sale on the way. “That was the biggest sale I ever went to with over 300 head selling. There were food trucks and people everywhere,” said Jeff.

Two embryo calves stop to check out the photographer.

The embryo work is done by Dr. Sam Edwards of Harrogate Genetics in Tennessee. He is the same embryologist used by Gibbs Farms and other large operations. Jeff and Anna have bought some embryos before, but they have the best results from the fresh embryos off their farm.

The first set of E.T. calves have just been weaned, and they are very happy with the results. One bull went across the scales at 930 pounds. Anna made him be reweighed because she couldn’t believe it was right. He did weigh 930 pounds the second time, and two other calves crossed the scales weighing 800 pounds!

Jeff says it all when he talks about how much Simmental genetics have done for his Angus cows. “Simmental have added

Spotlight on

SIMMENTAL

a lot of pounds to the commercial Angus, and that relates back to more money in our pockets.” He is very happy with how Simmental have improved their herd and their bottom line. Roger agrees and says, “I really like the pounds across the scales.” They market their calves mainly at the stockyards, but they do have a good business in selling replacement females.

Anna and Jeff English are committed to raising good Simmental genetics.

Right now they have two purebred Simmental bulls. The first one they ever bought was a Built Right son from Lazy H purchased from the Ohio Beef Expo Sale. They also have a Duracell son out of a Steel Force donor cow that they purchased in Louisville from Happy 6 Simmentals. They are also using a young bull they raised sired by Grand Fortune out of the Milestone cow.

When asked about how they select replacement females or even bulls to purchase, both Anna and Jeff laughed.

Anna says, “We butt heads a lot because I like show cattle and Jeff focuses more on production. We both like a good set of EPDs.” Jeff adds, “We want them to be functional.”

Jeff insists that the females must perform as mama cows. He says, “If they won’t wean a 600 pound calf, they are not staying on this farm.” Keeping track of all the records is important. Since Anna is in charge of all the paperwork for all the Lonesome Valley Investments, she has found a free phone app that helps with cattle records. It is called Livestocked and can keep up with all the animals in different pastures, their genetics, reproductive status, and health records.

Anna says they used to do it all on paper, but this is so much easier to have beside the chute to keep up with everything about each animal. The app will figure out Average Daily Gain and Weight per Day of Age. They have had this app for a year,

Section f

and it is really paying off for them.

Anna is very active in the local community by helping the North Buncombe FFA. She is on the Western N.C. Beef Commission and the Buncombe County Farm Bureau Board.

She has also helped Shelby Candler get started in her cattle showing career.

Shelby did very well last year exhibiting one of the Hudson Pines heifers, HPF Flatout Flirty, and Lonesome Ada. She had several grand champions and even some supreme champions. She also won the intermediate division of the Catawba Valley Carolina Farm Credit Showmanship Circuit.

Since Roger, Jeff, and Anna are all self-employed by Lonesome Valley Investments, it is hard when different areas of the business pull them in three different directions. Somehow they make it work and make a success out of it.

Shelby Candler with HPF Flatout Flirty when she won Madison County Supreme Overall.

Anna would like to market some of the Lonesome Valley genetics in the Fall Harvest Sale in September. For more information on their cattle and to visit with them, give Anna a call at 828-2347855, or you can email her at anna_ munday@yahoo.com. A visit to this farm in the mountains will have you feeling anything but lonesome!

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

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

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

For more information, contact:

PAT COMYN, DVM

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

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The Carolina Cattle Connection

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THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL

By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association AJSA Eastern Regional. The AJSA Eastern Regional Classic took place on June 19-22 in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

North Carolina juniors Cara and Thomas Smith from Pleasant Garden and Evie and Hagan Jones from Shelby attended the event. These juniors competed in more than just the bull and heifer shows. They had a cattleman’s quiz, judging contest, sales talk, public speaking, showmanship, and other fun events throughout their time in Lewisburg. Cara Smith is running for the Eastern Region Junior Trustee.

Trustee elections will be held and determined at the AJSA National Classic in Louisville, Ken., in July.

Cara Smith and her reserve champion cow/calf pair with SFI Miss Flick N Tick.

Thomas Smith and his 10th overall percentage heifer with Smith Miss See Me F3CU.

Hagan Jones with his 9th overall percentage heifer with Rose Miss Star F904.

Each of these juniors placed in at least one contest. Evie Jones was 17th in the junior division of the public speaking contest. Cara Smith was 15th in the senior division of the cattleman’s quiz. In the judging contest, Evie Jones placed 14th in the junior division. In showmanship, Evie Jones was 3rd place in the junior division, and Cara Smith was 14th in the senior division. In the bull show, Cara Smith exhibited the 3th and 4th place bulls.

In the heifer show, Hagan Jones exhibited the 9th overall heifer, and Thomas Smith exhibited the 10th overall heifer with

Smith Miss See Me F3CU sired by AFI Savage D20. Cara Smith had the purebred reserve overall cow/calf pair with SFI Miss Flick N Tick sired by TL Bottomline. Congratulations to all these juniors! These four juniors plus Mattie Harward from Richfield will be attending the National Classic in Kentucky. Good luck, everyone!

Hodges elected to BIF Board. The Beef Improvement Federation meetings were held June 18-21 in Brookings, South Dakota. Two prominent people in the American Simmental Association were elected to the Board of Directors. Gordon Hodges from North Carolina is the Chairman of the ASA Board of Trustees, and Dr. Jackie Atkins is the ASA Director of Science and Education. Both Hodges and Atkins were elected to serve on the BIF Board of Directors. Congratulations to both of these men.

NCSA Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the N.C. Simmental Association will take place on September 6 at 6:00 p.m. at the Shuffler Sale Facility in Union Grove. We will be serving a beef dinner for only $10 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 some fun.

Thomas Smith and Hagan Jones preparing to show their heifers.

This year we are holding a raffle for a Traeger Pro Model 2 Grill provided by The Barn Loft. This grill is valued at over $700. Your chance to own this great grill is only a $2 raffle ticket, or you can buy three chances for $5. We are even offering four runner-up prizes, which are $50 gift cards to popular steak houses such as Outback Steakhouse and Longhorn Steakhouse. Who doesn’t love to go out

SIMMENTAL . . . Because They Work!

Take it from this N.C.S.A. Breeder: John Langdon of Langdon Red Angus & Simmental in Benson, N.C. “I choose Simmental for strong visionary leadership and a strong return on your investment.” ~ John Langdon Langdon Red Angus & Simmental

John Langdon Langdon Red Angus & Simmental

Contact these progressive SIMMENTAL breeders!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cedar Ridge Simmentals Benji & Joe Ben Hunter Gray Court, SC 864-682-3308

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

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

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

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

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Circle M Cattle/Massey Farms Langdon Red Angus & Simmental Johnny & Jonathan Massey John & Eileen Langdon Burlington, NC Benson, NC 336-260-2565 919-796-5010

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

• BOONE WILKESBORO •

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

• GRAY COURT

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

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

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

and eat steak?! 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 this great grill. We will make sure the winner receives the grill. Last year the winner was from Texas, and the member who sold the ticket delivered the grill!

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, and minerals. 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 Angus usually donates one of her wonderful cakes, like her 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 winners of the raffle. We will also auction off the ads for the back cover ads of the next year’s Simmental Directory and the full page inside back cover of next 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 70 lots of purebred Simmental and SimAngus cattle. Many of our regular

at 444 Union Grove Road in Union Grove, North Carolina. The N.C. Junior Simmental Association will be selling ribeye steak sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs 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. 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 the DV Auction website. Visit either DV Auction at www.dvauction. com or DP Sales Management at www. parkelivestock.com for information on how to bid on the great cattle in this sale.

Simmental News

Evie Jones with her awards for showmanship, judging, and public speaking.

consignors will be showcasing their best, including Shuffler Farms Simmentals, JBB Simmentals, the Fred Smith Company Ranch, Nicholson Livestock, Shade Tree Simmentals, Rucker Family Farm, Parker Cattle Company, and TX Enterprises.

We will also have some great out-ofstate consignors, such as Smith Reasor, Virginia Tech, and Katie’s Simmentals of Virginia. Jim and Betty Bosley of Buena Vista Simmentals in West Virginia are bringing excellent females, as usual. We will also have several embryo lots from some of the country’s top Simmental producers.

The sale will be held on September 7 at noon at the Shuffler Sale Facility

Leading Edge Topics at American Simmental Associations Fall Focus.

“Focus on you. Focus on success.

Focus on profit.” That’s what cattlemen attending the American Simmental Association’s upcoming Fall Focus event can expect. The 2019 annual gathering takes place on August 23-27 in Manhattan, Kansas.

Fall Focus is a must see, with ranch tours, an interactive symposium featuring expert speakers, and leading influencers discussing genetic selection, marketability, and future sustainability.

“It’s a great event for commercial cattlemen and cattlewomen in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, or surrounding areas who are interested in seeing a microcosm of the beef business in one place, on one day, and engaging with not only serious, savvy seedstock producers, but aggressive, profit focused commercial people at the same time,” says Chip Kemp, American Simmental Association Director of Commercial and Industry Operations.

Kemp says research coming out of Kansas State University should draw producers to attend. “We’re going to capitalize on the skill set of the K-State team,” he says. “Bob Weaber, Megan Rolf, Ken Odde, and many others will be involved and will talk to us about some of the new and exciting things they’ve been working on to directly benefit many of us in the cattle business for an awfully long time.”

Designed to drive dialogue, the conference will feature the sharing of ideas and success stories.

“We’ll have some marketing

conversations there, relative to how we make a valuable feeder calf and how we market that calf to capture value going forward,” Kemp says.

Most importantly, Kemp adds, “There will be takeaways for everyone no matter where one fits in the industry.”

“For some people, it may be as simple as you find that contact for that next herd bull you’ve been looking for,” he says. “Perhaps you’ve been waiting to shake the hand of that seedstock person you’ve been wanting to meet for an awfully long time. You can trap them in a corner. You can talk about some of the genetics that you want to discuss.”

At the end of the day, it’s about adding to the commercial and seedstock producer’s bottom line. If that interests you, ASA wants you at the Fall Focus meeting.

Cattle producers wanting to attend should visit www.fallfocus.org to register or to learn more.

Seedstock members or commercial producers wanting to learn more can visit simmental.org or contact the Association at 406-587-4531.

About the American Simmental Association. Founded in 1968, the American Simmental Association is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana.

ASA is committed to leveraging technology, education, and collaboration to accelerate genetic profitability for the beef industry. In keeping with its commitment, ASA, along with its partners, formed International Genetic Solutions - the world’s largest genetic evaluation of beef cattle. Learn more at www. simmental.org.

BE A WINNER!

North Carolina juniors Hagan Jones, Cara and Thomas Smith, and Evie Jones pause at the Eastern Regional.

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

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Ashley’s Beef Corner

T

Beef Demand Boost at Retail

By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council You’ve heard about our past promotions to sell more beef through an application called Ibotta. This year’s campaign starts on August 5 with all Food Lion stores in the state. We partnered again with the Pennsylvania Beef Council, Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative, and Virginia Beef Council to bring this promotion to consumers. Our time frame will hopefully last around five weeks, capturing the end of summer grilling season and Labor Day weekend.

As a refresher, Ibotta is essentially a

coupon that consumers receive when they make a beef purchase. Redemption rates are dependent on if the consumer is a repeat beef purchaser or a new beef purchaser. New beef purchasers receive a higher rate. In order to receive the redemption, consumers watch a beef video clip that may include a recipe or nutritional fact from the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner program.

Using resources from the BIWFD website drives users to return there for more information and recipe inspiration.

The interactive butcher counter, Chuck Knows Beef app, and more tools are readily available to help make consumers more comfortable purchasing and preparing beef at home.

Giant Eagle stores and the Ohio Beef Council are new to the program this year and bring a lot of new stores to the table, expanding our reach from the east coast into the East Central part of the country.

We are excited to share that the www. ncbeef.org website has received a “facelift.” It is ready to help you enjoy more beef and explore our state’s beef industry. Be sure to check it out.

We recently participated in the N.C. Soybean Producers Association’s “Touch a Tractor” event at the North Hills shopping center in Raleigh. The event brings a very urban audience close to agriculture in a park like setting.

Surrounded by condominiums, restaurants, yoga studios, and shops, the park at midtown was perfect for introducing young children and their parents or caretakers to a little bit of food production.

Tractors were on site for climbing into and taking pictures. Our beef puzzle was a hit, and several little ones put it together while we talked about our favorite beef meals. Several hundred families attended and enjoyed activities with the N.C. Soil & Water Conservation Division, N.C. Farm Bureau, N.C. SweetPotato Commission, N.C. Pork Council, and more.

The grilling season will roll on into the fall since our weather is notoriously warm well into October. Be sure to encourage your family members and friends to keep choosing beef to top their grill!

Our advertisers are “Champions” too. For expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies, check the Classifieds in this issue!

PAGE 14

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PAGE 15

Slightly Alkaline

Medium Alkaline

Very Slightly Alkaline

PHOSPHORUS POTASSIUM SULPHUR CALCIUM

Understanding the Importance of Lime and It’s Source

PAGE 16

Strongly Alkaline

NITROGEN

By SAM INGRAM N.C. State University

Liming a pasture or hayfield is usually the cheapest fertilizer application of the year. This is really nice for a producer because it is also the most important application of the year!

Why? Most North Carolina soils are acidic or will naturally become more acidic over time. The addition of ammoniacal forms of nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., ammonium sulfate, urea, UAN solutions, ammonium nitrate, etc.) can accelerate soil acidification. To correct low soil pH, the soil acidity must be neutralized. Lime supplies carbonate ions that neutralize soil acidity (increase soil pH).

Very Slightly Acid

Slightly Acid

Medium Acid

On the Horizon

Strongly Acid

MAGNESIUM IRON MANGANESE BORON

When soil pH is kept at the level appropriate for the forage crop(s) being grown, the nutrients stored in the soil will be most freely available to the plant (Figure 1). Most forage crops grow best when the soil pH is 6.0-6.5.

This increases the plant’s ability to use fertilizer and nutrients already in the soil efficiently. Proper soil pH also prevents high concentrations of toxic elements (e.g., aluminum) that can injure root tips and prevent proper rooting. If our soil pH is below the preferred level for that forage crop, a producer could be wasting an expensive application of fertilizer.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

COPPER & ZINC MOLYBDENUM

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

9.5

10.0

Figure 1. The relative availability of nutritional elements essential to plant growth at different pH levels for mineral soils

When? Lime applications can be made anytime during the year. However, consideration must be given to the fact that lime may take several months (sometimes a whole year) to be fully effective. The amount of time for lime effectiveness depends on the material, particle size, and application method of the lime product. This is discussed in

detail in the next section of this article.

Many producers apply lime in the fall, giving the lime time to raise the soil pH before the next growing season.

What? The effectiveness of a lime product depends on the material, the particle size, and the application method of the lime product to the forage crop.

There are several materials used to raise

variable and dependent on the source.

The particle size of the lime product also affects the effectiveness of a lime product. The smaller the particle, the quicker the product neutralizes the soil in the area where the root zone of the forage crop is pulling nutrients. Figure 2 gives an illustration of different particle sizes, and Figure 3-10 shows the effect of particle size on soil pH. The application method for a lime product affects the amount of time it takes to raise the soil pH. The majority of producers will surface apply lime products to pastures and hayfields. A surface application works well if a producer allows enough time for the product to get to the area where the root zone of the forage crop is pulling nutrients.

So, how does a producer determine the particle size and CCE of a product?

Mesh Size 8<

8-20

20-60

< 60

Figure 2. from Havlin et at., 2005

soil pH in North Carolina. Some of the major materials are listed below. The only product mentioned below with a minimum standard of magnesium is dolomitic limestone and should be used (if possible) to maintain sufficient soil magnesium levels. If magnesium is present in adequate levels, calcitic limestone can be used.

• Dolomitic limestone - material consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate (110-118%) • Calcitic limestone - material composed wholly or primarily of calcium carbonate (100%) • Hydrated lime - material composed of calcium hydroxide or a combination of calcium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide (135%)

• Papermill lime sludge - material composed primarily of calcium carbonate produced as part of the process that turns wood chips into pulp for paper (variable) • Industrial byproducts - any industrial material or byproduct containing calcium or calcium and magnesium compounds (variable) To judge the effectiveness of a lime product, a producer needs to look at the calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) of the product. This value is expressed as a percentage and defines the acid neutralizing capacity of a liming product.

Dolomitic limestone should be used as a basis for evaluation; the CCE is 110-118 percent. The CCE for each major lime product is listed above in parenthesis.

Note the sludge and byproduct are highly

Just ask the dealer or sales representative of the product. All liming materials sold in the state of North Carolina must be licensed through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Requirements for CCE and particle size are set for each product and can be found at www.ncagr.gov/ agronomi/obt43.htm.

The next question should be how much lime product to apply? A simple and cheap test through North Carolina Extension can determine the soil pH, calcium, magnesium, and other nutrient levels in the soil. The results are listed in an easy to read form. Amount recommendations for lime are also provided. This simple test can save a producer time and money. All soil samples can be submitted through the local county extension office.

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

Effect of Particle Size on Soil pH Over 3 Years 7.0

SOIL pH

6.5

6.0

5.5

5.0 12

24

36

REACTION TIME (MONTHS) Figure 3-10 from Havlin et at., 2005

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By DR. MATT POORE N.C. State University

Time to Prepare Fields for Stockpiling Planning ahead is always a difficult thing when you have dozens of tasks and problems staring you in the face and not enough time to do it all. One key to successful forage system management is taking some time for planning and strategic management. You need to make time for those management tasks that don’t necessarily have to be done today but that will be beneficial several months down the road.

August is a key time to plan for stockpiling forage (either in fescue or bermudagrass based systems) or for planting winter annual forages. Spending time now thinking through what you need to purchase and how daily management will impact your ultimate forage yields is critical if you want to optimize your opportunity for winter and early spring grazing.

In fescue based systems, nearly all producers should be planning to stockpile part of their acreage for use during the winter. Stockpiling is simply accumulating forage growth and deferring grazing from when the forage is ready to graze (about 6-8 weeks of regrowth) until much later when it is needed.

While the forage quality and quantity decline some as the winter progresses, stockpiled fescue is almost always better

in quality than the first cutting fescue hay that is commonly fed to cows during the winter. In autumn, stockpiling works especially well for tall fescue as it is the most resilient to weather and maintains its quality well into winter.

In North Carolina, we have been researching fescue stockpiling systems for many years. I would never want to do without this practice on my home farm in Southern Virginia. Whether it is KY31 fescue or the new novel endophyte fescue, stockpiling will work. It is also a good idea to use the novel fescue before moving on the KY-31 because the toxins in that grass decline a lot after Christmas.

Historic recommendations have been to apply 50-75 lbs of nitrogen per acre to pastures from mid-August to midSeptember. This is expected to result in about 2,000-3,000 lbs of forage per acre and provide about 65-100 cow grazing days per acre during the winter grazing season. This potential yield assumes that pastures are clipped or grazed and then rested during the month of August and that grazing is deferred until December or later. Of course, the yield will also be dependent on timely rainfall. However, doing everything correct, including getting fertilizer out on time and giving the grass a rest, will help make use

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

of the rain when it does come. If you continuously graze pastures, it is critical to note that cattle must be removed from these pastures and allowed to rest for at least a month before fertilization if you want to get a successful stockpile.

The best fields to stockpile will be mostly tall fescue. Other grasses, especially clover, decay more rapidly than fescue. Fertility status (including pH) should be adequate to support good forage growth. The source of nitrogen is often discussed, and the least expensive source (30% liquid urea/ammonium nitrate or UAN) may not be the best choice for autumn applications. The reason for this is not well understood, but it has been speculated that burning of the green leaves can set the plants back for several weeks. This can make a big difference in the amount of forage accumulated. Urea is another inexpensive source of N that might not be the best choice either. Urea can be hydrolyzed on the surface of the soil in hot, dry weather, resulting in the loss of nitrogen as ammonia gas. A good rain immediately following fertilization can reduce the problem of burn with UAN and the volatilization from urea. If you use those sources, they should be applied right before a rain if at all possible.

lbs per acre (delivering 51 lbs of nitrogen) to stimulate our stockpile growth at home.

Many producers have also used a lot of poultry litter, biosolids, or have a good rotational grazing system with substantial legumes. Each of these situations may result in a lot of microbial activity in the soil. As a result, there is great potential for mineralization of nitrogen to produce optimal growth. Sometimes there is nearly as much yield without nitrogen application as one might expect with the addition of N. In those cases, farmers would benefit from not applying nitrogen at all.

We have collaborated with Dr. Alan Franzluebbers for the last three years doing nitrogen response studies on many private farms stockpiling fescue. This work has been eye opening because there has been little nitrogen response on many farms, especially those that have been using adaptive grazing management for many years. Part of the goal of this research is to validate a method for predicting the nitrogen response, so someday you might be able to send a soil sample to a lab for a test that will give you a custom nitrogen application rate. While this work is really exciting, it is still a little too early to change our recommendations, but I expect we

Cows strip grazing stockpiled fescue on Eric and Osco Deal’s farm in Rowan County. If you look closely, you will see these cows are eating whole cottonseed poured under the polywire, making a very efficient supplementation system.

The nitrogen source of choice for stockpiling in the past has been ammonium nitrate. Because of public safety concerns, it is no longer widely available to farmers. In its place, several companies have developed a formula of granular 34% N, which is a mix of ammonium sulfate and urea treated with a urease inhibitor. This product spreads like ammonium nitrate and also provides sulfur that can sometimes be deficient in these systems. However, there has been little research to confirm that it is as effective as ammonium nitrate in stimulating these autumn yields in tall fescue. My experience has been good with this new “ammonium nitrate substitute” 34% formula. I often put 150

will dramatically change our approach within a few more years. For now, the conservative level of 50 lbs per acre is my recommendation, so if there is a lot of residual nitrogen in the system, there will still be a response with additional yield.

If you have very good fertility status on your pastures, you might try a reduced level of application or even leave some fields to stockpile without added nitrogen to see what you get.

As stated earlier, the process should start with clipping or grazing in August, followed by at least two weeks of rest before the nitrogen application. Pastures that have been grazed short during summer (to less than three inches) should be rested for four weeks prior to

the nitrogen application. The nitrogen fertilization should occur in mid-August in the most northern and mountainous parts of Virginia and the mountains of North Carolina and South Carolina. In the Piedmont, application of nitrogen should occur near September 1, and in the Coastal Plain regions, it should be in midSeptember. This will allow for at least 60 days of good growth before cool weather slows the forage accumulation.

One other thing we have learned in recent years is if you clip fescue in late summer in very challenging conditions, such as very hot, dry, and/or wet weather, you can damage your fescue stands. As you clip, keep that in mind. Don’t clip too short or if the grass is especially stressed.

Once forage is accumulated, you should wait until December or later to graze. This is sometimes a stumbling point for producers who may be out of grass before then. If you will change your thinking about this, autumn is actually not a bad time to do some hay feeding before going to the stockpiled grazing at a later date. At home in the southern Piedmont of Virginia, we generally save most of our stockpile for after the holidays when things really get hectic in my schedule. We fertilize September 1, then accumulate forage until just before Christmas (December 20). We try to have forage to graze through the end of February. We rotationally graze pastures not targeted to stockpiling during the autumn and will start unrolling some hay when those pastures are mostly utilized.

This makes for a short 30-45 day winter hay feeding period during March in a normal year, with no late winter hay feeding in a good year!

Strip grazing is a critical management tool for getting the most out of stockpiled forage. Giving cattle strips with no more than three days of forage available will stretch grass by preventing the damage and decay of the forage cattle don’t yet need. Also, the systematic management of the cows with frequent movement calms them down, makes them easy to check and count, and in general, makes them easier to deal with.

As you get started with strip grazing, you will find it is actually quite an easy process, but you do need to have an eye for animal behavior and residual forage amount to get the best results. In our research, we have typically targeted an 85 percent utilization of the available forage (down to a 2 inch stubble height).

That is very efficient and works great for cows, but we have always thought it might limit the performance of growing animals. We recently published a three year study that showed giving a more liberal forage allowance than we usually provide (about 25 percent more available grazing) reduced the animal grazing days we got out of the pasture but improved the gains on replacement heifers by about 0.25 pound per head per day.

In that same study, we also found providing a protein tub to the heifers would improve their performance by a similar amount as the extra forage allocation. The combination of the two was such that the supplemented heifers given extra grass and a protein tub gained about 0.50 lbs per head per day more, which can make a real difference to a developing heifer. We will write an article with the details of that study in a future issue so you can use the information once you get into the winter grazing season. This same approach can be used to stockpile other forages, including bermudagrass, dallisgrass, or mixed grass pastures. The only difference is that you would add the nitrogen by mid-August, and you would start grazing about midOctober. This earlier timeline is because these forages don’t hold up to freezing weather the way tall fescue will. The same approaches of strip grazing and forage allocation level would apply to these forages as much as fescue.

Take time now to get ready for your winter grazing. While stockpiling forage is a great management tool, way too many producers don’t use it. Perhaps it is because they are not aware of the potential, or perhaps they simply failed to plan ahead. Add stockpiling to your standard practices if you don’t already do it. You will not be sorry.

Strip grazing stockpiled fescue during winter at Triple Creek Ranch in Virgilina, Virginia.

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been hanging there for years. The handle on the little lever that flips it open was broken. The hammer was intact, but the grip and stock had black electrical tape holding it together. I figured it might as well go in with the other shop items. A day or so later, I decided to make sure it was unloaded. I got me a pair of pliers, unbreached it, and opened it. It was unloaded.

E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture

By E.B. HARRIS

Standard Equipment on Massey Ferguson 135 This past May, we had our annual Warren County cow pasture equipment sale. As usual, it had a large amount of farm and livestock related equipment. It always seems to draw a large crowd, and I am guessing it’s because of the diversity of equipment on this sale. We run two sales at the same time at this event, one from each side of the auction truck. This year was no different.

We had the opportunity to work with the Owen Wadford Estate in Wake County, just north of Raleigh on the Wake-Franklin County line. I had known Owen – he was a cow man, raised hay, and many years ago had tobacco. We

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sold the cattle from the farm earlier in the year, and the estate wanted to put the equipment on the cow pasture sale. We thought this would be the best market for it.

We had several days set up to move Owen’s equipment. We cleaned the packhouse and shop also. We took it all when we went, tractors and all. One of his tractors was a diesel Massey Ferguson 135. This is a popular size of tractor. It was parked under the shed.

In the same shed, hanging on the wall was a 12 gauge, single barrel, Ivy Johnson owl head. I looked in the end of it, and there was a dirt dauber nest. It had

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

On another trip back to the farm, I noticed out in Owen’s garden spot that he had a pole approximately 12’ tall with a steel trap tied to it. I knew right off the bat what that was all about. He had that pole with the steel trap because if a hawk perched on the pole, it would trap him.

One of his neighbor’s said to me, “I see you got all of Owen’s equipment and carried to the cow pasture. Did you get the shotgun?” I said, “I did. It was

hanging up there beside the barn.” He said, “When Owen was clipping pasture, cutting hay, or doing work with that tractor he would take a rubber bungee strap and strap the shotgun to the hood of the tractor, and if a hawk came by he would take the shotgun and blast him. He did not like a chicken hawk at all. He got that from his mama and daddy. They used to have yard chickens, and hawks would get them. That hawk was stealing eggs and meat that should have been for his table food.”

When we sold the Massey Ferguson 135 at the auction, I had the owl head in the back of the auction truck. I went and got it, along with a bungee strap and put it on the hood of the Massey Ferguson 135.

I told the bidders that this was standard equipment for this tractor. It had always been with the tractor, so we were going to let it stay with it. Never before had I sold a Massey Ferguson 135 with an owl head as a standard piece of equipment.

I reckon it’s a good thing that most of the eggs and chicken today come from a controlled environment, so the hawk can now live in peace. As a matter of fact, I think they are now a protected species.

Times do change. For the sake of the chicken hawk, that’s a good thing.

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ANGUS NEWS American Angus Auxiliary Nominations Open. The volunteer organization is seeking new leaders to serve as officers and regional directors.

The American Angus Auxiliary is committed to serving the Business Breed in a number of capacities each year. Youth scholarships and awards, educational events such as the AllAmerican Certified Angus Beef® Cookoff, Women Connected Conference, scholarship workshops, and supporting state Auxiliaries are just a few of the ways the volunteer organization gives back to the Angus business. These efforts are made possible thanks to a dedicated group of leaders.

“If you feel strongly about the future of the Angus breed and the Auxiliary’s mission, serving on the national level is a wonderful way to contribute,” says Leslie Mindemann, Auxiliary advisor and past president.

“All it takes is a love for the breed and our kids to become involved at this level,”

Mindemann said. “The achievements, experiences, and friendships made possible by serving in a leadership position have been so rewarding.”

The American Angus Auxiliary is now accepting nominations for the following positions: the 2019-2020 secretary/treasurer and directors for Regions 4, 5, and 6 (Midwest, South, and Northeast). Regional Directors are elected by member vote within their respective regions. Officer positions are elected at the Annual Meeting in November.

If you or someone you know is interested in a position on the American Angus Auxiliary executive team, please request a nomination from Mindemann, who also serves as the Nomination Committee Chair. After closing nominations, prospective candidates will be contacted by the committee to verify the nominee’s acceptance, complete an application, discuss the election process, duties, and answer questions.

The American Angus Auxiliary consists of individuals interested in the welfare of the Angus breed and its youth.

For more details on Auxiliary activities, the respective regions or officer duties, contact Mindemann or visit www.angusauxiliary. com and click on the “Guidelines” link.

Beef Leaders Institute Graduates 12th Class of Young Cattlemen. Angus leaders of tomorrow experienced the entire beef production chain in an action packed week. The Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) provides 20 American Angus Association members from all over the U.S. a unique opportunity to experience a complete pasture-to-plate experience.

It’s a premier leadership experience for members 25-45 years old to get an indepth look at the industry outside their operation. Hosted by the American Angus Association and sponsored by the Certified Angus Beef (CAB®) brand and

the Angus Foundation, the tour takes participants on a five-day expedition to study quality genetics, genomic technology, feed yard management, a packing plant, foodservice and retail distribution of CAB, and much more.

“From the American Angus Association all the way to Sysco, the whole way down the chain, there are people caring for the animals and caring for the people in the cattle business,” said William Nichols, BLI participant and Angus producer from Pennsylvania.

“We’re all in this together. It’s easy for us to pass the blame somewhere else in the chain, but when we have a chance to see and meet everyone in the chain like we do in this program, we all win.”

The yearly event took place June 17-21 and started at the Association headquarters in St. Joseph, Missouri. Staff gave a look into the interworking of the Association

2019 Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show Angus exhibitors led 206 entries at the 2019 Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show on June 20-23 in Timonium, Maryland. Chris Mullinex of Manhattan, Kan., evaluated the entries before naming champions.

Winners from North Carolina: • Late heifer calf champion/grand champion owned female - Henning MC Missie 8133 shown by Mattie Harward • Reserve late heifer calf champion - LBSC Sandys Shiloh 807F shown by Lynae Bowman

Photos by Megan Blankenship, on behalf of the American Angus Association.

LBSC Sandys Shiloh 807F won owned reserve late heifer calf champion at the 2019 Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show.

Lynae Bowman of Germanton, N.C., owns the winning heifer.

Henning MC Missie 8133 won grand champion owned female at the 2019 Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show. Mattie Harward of Richfield, N.C., owns the November 2018 daughter of Silveiras Style 9303. She first won late calf champion.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

and all its departments and entities before distributed more than $2.9 million in youth Angus Means Business. The American also provides programs and services to continuing onto the other stops. Throughout scholarships since 1998 and has also Angus Association® is the nation’s largest beef farmers, rancher,s and others who rely on the week, participants visited Neogen invested more than $1.3 million in beef breed organization, serving nearly 25,000 Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef GeneSeek in Lincoln, Neb.; Feller & Co. cattle research throughout the past decade. members across the United States, Canada, industry and quality beef for consumers.

Feeders in Wisner, Neb.; Trans Ova in For more information, contact the and several other countries. It’s home to an For more information about Angus cattle Sioux Center, Iowa; the Tyson Fresh Meats Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or extensive breed registry that grows by nearly and the American Angus Association, visit processing facility in Dakota City, Neb.; visit www.angusfoundation.org.

300,000 animals each year. The Association www.angus.org.

Sysco in Cleveland, Ohio; and a retail store at Giant Eagle’s Market District Supermarket in Strongsville, Ohio, concluding at the CAB headquarters in Wooster, Ohio.

“BLI provides breeders an opportunity to see sectors of the beef industry they may never get another opportunity to see,” said Caitlyn Brandt, Association events and education coordinator.

“The program expands participants’ knowledge Backed by the world’s largest base, builds their and most reliable genetic evaluation program. leadership skills, and helps them network with other Registered Angus genetics deliver breeders from all over the better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling. country while gaining a better appreciation for the entire production system.”

Contact one of these North Carolina Angus breeders today for your next genetic selection: Participants were selected through an PANTHER CREEK FARMS 4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS FOUR S FARMS VANDEMARK ANGUS John C. Smith, Jr. Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Keaton & Janie Vandemark application process and are Pink Hill Siler City Luther Lyerly, Manager Spring Hope exceptional leaders who 252-526-1929 919-742-5500 Salisbury 252-885-0210 represent the Angus breed email: JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com email: info@tarheelangus.com 704-637-1805; 704-640-5875 email: keaton@vandemarkfarms.com email: kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com and cattle industry. Thanks SHADE TREE FARM BACK CREEK WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC to generous support from John Cassavaugh Joe & Robin Hampton GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Michael A. Moss Lenoir Mt. Ulla Howard & Donna Gentry Will Moss - Manager the Angus Foundation and 828-728-9007 704-880-2488 (Joe’s Cell) King Ramseur CAB, this year marked the email: jhcstf@att.net 704-880-3572 (Robin’s Cell) 336-413-6698 336-549-0070 12th annual BLI. email: robinbackcreek@att.net whgentry@windstream.net email: michaelmoss@rtmc.net SILVER SPRINGS ANGUS For more information Preston & Erin Beth Pinkston BB ORGANIC FARM NC, LLC H&H FARMS WINSLOW GENETICS on how to participate Norwood R. & E. Miller Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Ben & Kathleen Winslow 704-985-3931 Wake Forest Bly Hamrick - Manager Halifax in the leadership event, email: silverspringsangus@yahoo.com 919-570-2816 Boiling Springs 252-578-5487 visit www.angus.org. email: bborganicfarmnc@gmail.com 704-472-1912 email: winslowgen@gmail.com Applications for the 2020 SMITH ANGUS email: jennham@bellsouth.net Randall Smith BILTMORE ESTATE WAGON WHEEL RANCH class will be available Snow Camp Ted Katsigianis - Manager HARWARD SISTERS Glenn & Norma Reid online this fall.

336-516-4558 Asheville Brooke, Catherine, LeAnn, Marcie & Mattie Rutherfordton email: smithangusfarm@yahoo.com 828-225-6156 Richfield 828-247-0300 Class of 2019 email: tkatsigianis@biltmore.com 704-322-9770; 704-463-5828 email: nottexting10@yahoo.com Beef Leaders Institute SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM www.biltmore.com email: harwardsisters@gmail.com Participants from North Marty & Lynne Rooker www.harwardsisters.com WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Norlina BLUE Q RANCH Russell Wood Carolina and South 252-213-1553 Kerry Collins HILL ANGUS FARM Willow Spring Carolina: email: mrooker@mrookerlaw.com Mitchell Scheer - Manager Dr. Gary M. Hill 919-275-4397 Troy Hendersonville email: rwood4400@gmail.com • Reid Harrison of SPRINGFIELD ANGUS 910-220-0663 229-848-3695 www.woodangus.com Ridge Spring, South Phil Goodson email: blueqranch@aol.com email: gmhill@uga.edu Carolina Louisburg www.blueqranch.com 919-880-9062 LANE ANGUS • John Barnes of www.springfieldangus.com BRIDGES BEEF CATTLE Roger Lane Autryville, North Carolina Eddie, Cindy, John & Crystal Bridges Bundy Lane - Manager TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Shelby Gates About the Angus Greg Little 704-692-2978 252-398-7711 Foundation. Established Monroe email: bridgesbeefcattle@gmail.com email: ritalane@embarqmail.com THE BUSINESS BREED as a 501(c)(3) organization 704-219-1294 email: greg.little@ATImetals.com C-CROSS CATTLE COMPANY MESSICK ANGUS in 1980, the Angus Sharon Rogers Duane Strider Eddy & Kathleen Messick F o u n d a t i o n re m a i n s N.C. Angus Association UWHARRIE RIDGE FARMS Asheboro Madison Mark Wilburn 336-964-6277 336-937-1956 focused on its mission to Executive Secretary Asheboro email: ccrosscattle@yahoo.com email: messickangus@yahoo.com 336-599-8750 support Angus education, 336-953-0521 www.ccrosscattle.com Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com youth, and research. email: uwharrieridgefarms@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org The organization has

North Carolina Angus Association

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS

ANGUS

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You Decide!

By DR. MIKE WALDEN

Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics N.C. State University You Decide: Should We Just Let the Economy Work It Out? My wife taught elementary school (grades pre-K-5) for 32 years. She was an excellent teacher. Even though she worked with numerous principals, in her career, she never received an annual review less than the highest evaluation (exemplary). My wife estimates she taught over 10,000 students in her career.

Maintaining discipline in the classroom is a major objective of any teacher. There are three approaches teachers can use for discipline. One is to just let the students “work it out.” If two students are having problems, the idea is to let them solve it.

A second approach is control. Here teachers establish rules and expect students to follow them. Students disobeying the rules are given some kind of punishment, such as extra assignments, classroom chores, or notes to their parents.

The third discipline tactic was my wife’s favorite. The idea was to give students an incentive to follow the rules.

My wife used a classroom currency she called “honey money.” A student abiding by a rule would receive notes of honey money which could be used for a privilege or a prize. A student violating a rule would be required to pay a fine in

PAGE 24

honey money, which reduced their chances of earning a privilege or prize.

Interestingly, these same classroom discipline options can be applied to national issues using government in the role of the teacher. The government can ignore the issue and let the disputing parties “work it out.” The government can legislate rules to deal with the issue and punish those not complying. Lastly, the government can develop incentives to motivate behaviors that will solve the issue.

I know this all sounds rather vague, so let me give a specific example. I’ve recently been spending a lot of time looking at the issue of pollution for a new book I’m completing. Some may think this is “outside my lane” as an economist.

But since pollution is usually related to energy, and energy is needed to propel our economy, there is an important economic dimension to pollution.

As a country, we have made great strides in addressing pollution during the past forty years. However, the continued emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air from driving and power generation is an ongoing worry. Many have linked CO2 emissions to global warming and climate change, and they worry about the implications for the environment, weather, and living conditions.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

The scientific and climatological impacts of CO2 and questions of cause and effect are best discussed by experts in other fields. Still, to illustrate my points about government options, let’s just say there is an expressed desire in the country to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere. Then the question becomes, how do we accomplish that goal?

We could just let the economy work it out. That is, there would be no government policies or programs to reduce CO 2. Rather, companies and consumers would take it upon themselves to voluntarily curtail emissions. These actions would be based on their concern over the environment and their hopes to have a better planet left to their children and grandchildren.

The worry with this hands off policy approach is twofold. First, what if not enough people and companies voluntarily alter their actions to significantly reduce pollution. Second, people and companies may not be knowledgeable of what they should – and shouldn’t – do to reduce pollution. For example, using electricity to fuel vehicles is not completely environmentally friendly if the electricity is generated from coal or oil.

Government rules and regulations have been the most commonly used approach to controlling pollution. A good example is government mandated fuel efficiency rules forcing vehicle manufacturers to improve miles driven per gallon of gas. While the evidence indicates the regulations have improved the environmental friendliness of gasoline powered vehicles, detractors say buyers have paid for the gains through higher vehicle prices.

The third approach dismisses the

heavy hand of specific government regulations in favor of incentive laden nudges. The best example for pollution is the idea of a carbon fee. For activities that produce significant amounts of CO 2 emissions to the atmosphere, a fee is charged on the amount of the emissions and paid by the individual or company engaged in the activity.

For example, if electricity generated from coal emits CO2, then electric utilities using coal would pay a fee per quantity (usually measured in tons) of CO 2 emitted. Also, if driving conventionally powered gasoline vehicles emits CO2 into the air, then drivers of vehicles would pay a carbon fee per every gallon of gas bought. The government doesn’t tell the polluters to stop; it just makes them pay for what they’re doing. The experience of carbon fees in other countries indicates users get the message and reduce – but not eliminate – the polluting activities.

Studies show carbon fees could cost consumers and companies trillions of dollars in new expenses over time. The government could, of course, keep the money, but one alternative would be to return it to consumers and companies in a way unrelated to their polluting activities.

For example, a group of retired U.S. Secretaries of State has recommended dividing the aggregate amount of the carbon fee by the total number of adults in the country and sending each a “carbon dividend.”

Someone once said that everything important in life can be learned on the playground. Maybe it can also be said that the options for government policies can also be learned in the elementary school classroom. You decide!

You Decide: What Can Be Done About the National Debt? There’s one question I can almost always count on being asked at the scores of public presentations I give each year about the economy. That question is, what are we going to do about the national debt? If this question is common and important, then why haven’t we done something already about the debt?

Indeed, not only have we not done anything about the current $22 trillion in national debt, but we’ve been making the debt hole bigger. Both the dollar amount of the debt and – more importantly – the size of the debt relative to the size of the economy, have been rising.

There is a logical explanation for our recent apparent collective indifference to the debt. What matters most for any entity – whether it is a household, business, or government – is how much it costs to carry debt. Importantly, the answer to this question depends on the level of the interest rate charged for borrowing

money. The lower the interest rate, the cheaper it is to carry debt.

In the last 30 years, interest rates in the U.S. economy have fallen by an amazing 80 percent. As a result, interest costs on the national debt as a percent of the economy are half as much as in the late 1980s, even with the amount of debt being seven times larger.

But recently, we’ve seen interest costs on the national debt taking more out of the economy. Furthermore, economists at the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) project the size of the national debt relative to the size of the economy will reach record levels in a few decades, and interest costs on the debt as a percent of the economy will almost hit a record.

So what should we do? Of course, a big part of any solution is political, since

the debt is tied to spending and taxes.

These are always controversial topics for elected representatives.

I’ll leave the politics to others.

However, my discipline – economics – can offer some ideas for a solution to the national debt. I’ll present one such solution and let you decide if it makes sense.

The economic solution begins with the premise that there are two types of government spending. One type is providing services with immediate benefits through spending, such as spending on health care, military personnel, and food assistance. Economists call this category “current spending.”

The second type of government spending is for programs considered to be investments because they result in long lasting benefits for the recipients.

Baxter Black

On the edge of

common sense Talkin’ Dirty

In this column, I have often mentioned scours, abscesses, big tits, bad bags, cancer eyes, foot rot, slurry pits, afterbirth, retained placenta, castration, heat cycles, sheep pellets, and snotty noses.

Over the years I have received the occasional letter castigating me for talkin’ dirty.

It is never my intention to offend the sensibilities of my readers. My poems and stories are always written with the idea that people who read them regularly are livestock people. In real life, I’m not comfortable cussing or telling blue stories in mixed company, and I’m no different writin’ this column.

So, if I’m talkin’ to a cattlewoman, I assume she knows what bull semen is.

That she has had scourin’ calves in her house and knows what it means when someone says it’s rainin’ like a cow peein’ on a flat rock. Those subjects are part of her lifestyle. I feel no need to ask her to leave if I’m doing a rectal exam on a cow.

Farm kids are the best example. They are what we have taught them and what they have experienced. Fifteen year olds who are learning to artificially inseminate learn the proper words for the anatomy

involved. Uterus has never been a dirty word to them.

Children on a dairy farm learn to spot cows that are in heat. Washing the bag or tit dip does send them into fits of teenage giggling.

Helping a newborn get his first meal is not a titillating experience. Mucking out the horse barn is hard work, but it’s not ‘ooky’!

All of us who spend our lives tending livestock are aware that our daily working vocabulary is not always proper amongst people from outside the real world (gentiles, I call them). When the new preacher, who hails from Chicago, is introduced to us, we don’t immediately invite him to the oyster fry next Tuesday.

I would guess the people who are most conscious of this “cowboy vocabulary” are new spouses marrying into a livestock raising family. I’ll bet they could write a book!

So, to those of you sensitive folks who read my column with some reservations, or have neighbors who sit at your dinner table and talk about how to get cow manure stains out of a good shirt, I beg your indulgence. It’s not dirty to us, it’s just grass and water.

Spending on roads is a good example.

Highways last several decades and provide benefits to drivers now and in the future. Spending on military hardware, basic research, and even education also provide long run benefits. This type of spending is labeled “capital spending.”

This distinction in types of government spending is important because economists recommend different ways of funding each category.

Current spending should be funded from current revenues because the benefits occur mainly to current taxpayers. In contrast, capital spending can be funded with borrowing. Some economists actually argue that capital spending should be funded with borrowing. This is because future taxpayers are the major beneficiaries of the capital investments. The idea is to borrow the money, develop the capital project, and let future taxpayers foot the bill by making the debt payments.

The CBO estimates 16 percent of the annual federal budget qualifies as capital spending. In 2018, this translated to about $500 billion of federal spending being capital spending. Hence, this amount of money could – by economic logic – has been borrowed. Instead, the federal government borrowed almost $800 billion that year.

Therefore, one approach to federal government borrowing is to adopt the approach of two budgets – current and capital – and to restrict borrowing to the capital budget. In fact, this is the logic used by most state and local governments

as well as by businesses.

Even if the federal government followed this advice, there’s one remaining thorny issue. The establishment of current and capital budgets and the restriction of borrowing to capital spending would apply to the future. It would do nothing to change the borrowing the federal government has already done and is on the books to the tune of the $22 trillion national debt.

Our friends at the CBO calculate roughly $4 trillion of the $22 trillion national debt is based on capital spending.

So we would be justified in continuing to carry $4 trillion in national debt. But this still leaves $18 trillion as debt related to past “current spending.”

If we wanted to retire this $18 trillion debt over the next 30 years, applying current interest rates would require an annual payment of slightly more than $900 billion. Obviously, that’s a lot of money, and the big question is where the government would get it. Would new taxes be needed, or could existing spending amounts be changed and shifted?

When people ask me about controlling the national debt, this is the plan I discuss.

With a show of hands, I’ll let you decide if it’s a reasonable approach.

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

ALL Regular Copy for the

SEPTEMBER ISSUE

by AUGUST 5!

ALL Spotlight Material for the SEPTEMBER ISSUE

By AUGUST 1!

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NEWS

Animal Agriculture Alliance urges producers to have vigilance in the hiring process. Hiring tips for farmers and ranchers. Are the employees working on your farm there to help care for your animals? Do their goals align with your business? Unfortunately, it’s a common strategy for some animal rights activist organizations to have individuals go “undercover” on farms to record videos that can be taken out of context, stage scenes of animal mistreatment, or encourage abuse to record it without doing anything to stop it. While the first step to take is always ensuring your animal care practices are beyond reproach, the Animal Agriculture Alliance also advises farmers and ranchers to be very vigilant in their hiring processes to ensure that everyone hired is there for the right reason – to provide care to livestock – and has no ulterior motives that would distract from that purpose.

The Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to bridging the communication gap between farm and fork for more than 30

years, monitors animal rights activists and offers these tips regarding hiring: • It is vital to thoroughly screen applicants, verify information, and check all references.

• Be cautious of individuals who try to use a college ID, have out of state license plates, or are looking for short term work.

• During the interview, look for answers that seem overly rehearsed or include incorrect use of farm terminology.

• Search for all applicants online to see if they have public social media profiles or websites/blogs. Look for any questionable content or connections to activist organizations.

• Require all employees to sign your animal care policy. Provide training and updates on proper animal handling training.

• Require employees to report any mishandling to management immediately.

• Watch out for red flags, such as coming to work unusually early or staying late and going into areas of the farm not required for their job.

Always trust your gut – if something

doesn’t seem right, explore it further. Be vigilant and never cut corners on your hiring process, even if you need to hire someone quickly. Doing your homework on every job applicant may be time consuming, but it can ultimately save your business’ reputation. As always, it is important to work with local legal counsel to ensure compliance with federal and state laws for your hiring process.

You can find farm security resources and background information on animal rights activist organizations at www.

AnimalAgAlliance.org or reach out to the

Alliance at Info@AnimalAgAlliance.org or 703-562-5160. Members of the Animal Ag Alliance have access to more detailed resources on hiring and farm security.

New book examines what the Bible has to say about eating and using animals. “What Would Jesus Really Eat? The Biblical Case for Eating Meat” now available for purchase. A new book, “What Would Jesus Really Eat? The Biblical Case for Eating Meat,” looks at what the Bible has to say about using and eating animals from several different perspectives. The book, edited by Palm Beach Atlantic

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

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

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University’s Wes Jamison, Ph.D. and Paul Copan, Ph.D., tackles topics including the challenges to Christian meat eating, human exceptionalism, and humanity’s dominion over other living creatures.

“Over the past decade, a growing number of misleading messages about modern animal agriculture have been presented by animal rights activist groups to church and religious leaders or in religious forums, under the guise of religion and compassion,” said Kay Johnson Smith, president and CEO of Animal Agriculture Alliance, which helped fund the production of the book.

“What Would Jesus Really Eat? will help arm farmers and ranchers and others in the animal agriculture industry with the information they need to have informed conversations about the complex subject of religion and eating meat. You’ll be better prepared to push back against activist claims after reading this book.”

In addition to chapters from Drs. Jamison and Copan, the book includes chapters from five different authors with unique perspectives and expertise in theology, including Tom St. Antoine, Ph.D., Palm Beach Atlantic University; Timothy Hsiao, Ph.D., Grantham

University; Walter Kaiser, Ph.D., evangelical Old Testament scholar; and Randy Spronk, a Minnesota hog farmer.

“This book reminds us that we have the blessing to eat meat with joy and thankfulness,” said Dr. Jamison.

Copies of the book can be purchased from the Alliance for $15 plus shipping and handling. Bulk order discounts are available for quantities from 25-99 ($13 per copy plus shipping and handling) and 100+ ($10 per copy plus shipping and handling). Visit animal-agriculturealliance.square.site to order your copy today. If you have questions about placing your order, contact the Alliance at info@ animalagalliance.org or 703-562-5160.

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

From the Desk of the SCCA First Vice President

By ROSCOE KYLE I am assured that the dog days of summer will only last a few more weeks.

I realize a lot of people are currently getting ready to assist their children for the upcoming school year and entering college for the first time. My prayers are with you.

The S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up will be held at the T. Ed Garrison Arena in Clemson on the first weekend of August. Dr. Brian Bolt and his staff have done an excellent job preparing for this event so far. I knew the event itself will be excellent as well.

On a more somber note, the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association lost two long time members in June. William O. Coleman (85) from Richland County passed away on June 28, and Earl Bunch Forrest (90) from Saluda County passed away on June 30. Both beloved family men are survived by their children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Both of these men were leaders in the cattle industry of our state. Mr. Coleman was a Santa Gertrudis breeder, and Mr. Forrest was a Polled Hereford breeder. Both were respected leaders in their breed associations. All our thoughts an prayers go out to the families of these outstanding men.

I know that everyone has their own thoughts on the fake meat issue going on in the news today. I am pleased to acknowledge that Rep. Randy Legion of South Carolina introduced bills A79, R99, H4245 stating, “It is unlawful to advertise, sell, label, or misrepresent as “meat” or “clean meat” all or part of a carcass that is cell cultured meat/protein, or is not derived from harvested production livestock, poultry, fish, or crustaceans, to provide that this provision does not apply to plant based meat substitutes, and provide a penalty.” Along with the information provided by Danielle Beck of NCBA and the support of the South Carolina House and Senate, the bill was passed and signed in to law in May by the Honorable Governor Henry McMaster. The cattle industry thanks Representative Legion.

As always, I remain respectfully yours.

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VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo Makes History on the Hill. The 2019 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) made history as the last youth exhibition to be hosted in Stadium Arena at the National Western Stock Show facility in Denver on July 6-13. The event was hosted by the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA), the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA), and several host state Hereford associations including Oregon, Washington, California-Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado.

This year’s JNHE showcased the talents of NJHA members both in the showring and in various contests. Bailey Clanton, the national shows coordinator and youth activities assistant for the American Hereford Association (AHA), emphasized how the activities and family atmosphere of this year’s JNHE truly made Hereford’s time on the Hill historic.

“The 2019 JNHE was a great opportunity for all of our exhibitors to

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News

experience the National Western Complex and show in Stadium Arena,” said Clanton.

“Not only did the western states do a great job hosting a JNHE closer to home, but the entire junior membership made history as the last group of exhibitors to compete at a junior national held in Stadium Arena.

Looking ahead decades from now, I think our young exhibitors are going to realize how monumental Herefords on the Hill was.”

The event also debuted the inaugural Bridging the Gap College and Career Fair, which allowed NJHA members to connect with collegiate and industry professionals. Events throughout the week included scholarship interviews, public speaking, a 5K race, sales and marketing demonstrations, a cook-off, and networking opportunities. The livestock show included bred and owned females, cow/calf pairs, steers, bred and owned bulls, and owned females.

An impressive 1,179 entries were exhibited at this year’s JNHE. These

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

entries represented more than 800 exhibitors from 38 states and Canada.

“An event of this magnitude takes many, many teams working together and it is so rewarding to see this teamwork produce what I would consider the best Junior National Hereford Expo to date,” said Amy Cowan, AHA director of youth activities and foundation. “History was definitely made as NJHA members exhibited their Hereford genetics and hard work in Stadium Arena and even got to tie out in the Yards. Our gracious sponsors, the Western States Host Committee and the National Western Stock Show put their best foot forward for exhibitors and their families as we showcased Herefords on the Hill and the 2019 JNHE became a part of the National Western’s iconic history.”

About Junior National Hereford Expo. The 2019 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo is sponsored in part by BioZyme, Inc. in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the most active junior programs in the country with more than 3,000 members. The NJHA’s mission is to create and promote enthusiasm for the breed while providing opportunities through leadership, education, and teamwork. For more information about the NJHA, visit www.JrHereford.org.

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

Jimmie L. McDonnal Passes Jimmie L. McDonnal, 85, died June Union County firefighter of the year in the Monroe Fire Department.

Wilson) all of Monroe; two sisters, Peggy 26, 2019. Born on March 21, 1934, he 1992. He later served as assistant fire Jim is survived by his wife of 59 Collett of Wichita Falls, Tex., and Patricia was the only son of Emmett and Mabel marshal of Union County. Following years Sarah “Becky” Linker McDonnal, Snider of O’Fallon, Mo.; and his beloved Wyatt McDonnal. In addition to his his retirement from Union County Fire his daughter Jodi M. Wallace (Paul), Chocolate Lab Tess. parents, Jim was preceded in death by a Service, he served as a fire inspector for and a grandson Trey Courtney (Casey sister Romona Lucas, a granddaughter Tarran Celeste Courtney, and his faithful companion, his Chocolate Lab Mick.

A memorial service was held on July 6 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.

Jim was educated in the public schools of Jefferson County in Oklahoma, and he furthered his education at Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State University, majoring in animal husbandry. He served his country in the Army as a member of the 82 nd Airborne Division stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

Following his service in the Army, he became manager of Sally Mac Farms in Monroe, N.C., a large cattle producing operation. He served in many leadership positions in the National Cattlemen’s Association, N.C. C a t t l e m e n ’s George Ward Wes Carpenter Myron McCoy Association, N.C. President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Cattlemen’s Foundation, (2017-2020) (2019-2022) (2018-2021) and local agribusiness organizations.

He 3404 Shady Grove Road 2939 Old Salisbury Road 11350 Old Hwy. 70 West was also active in the Providence, NC 27315 Winston-Salem, NC 27127 Cove City, NC 28523 Hereford and Simmental 434-251-3637 336-970-1655 252-637-4995 Associations.

He received numerous Pam Bissett Reggie Lookabill Wayne Mitchem Kevin Robinson awards for his leadership (2018-2021) (2019-2022) (2018-2021) (2019-2022) in the cattle industry and 9196 Grassy Creek Road 1994 Arnold Road 400 David’s Chapel Church Road P.O. Box 1057 was named to the Union Bullock, NC 27507 Lexington, NC 27295 Vale, NC 28168 Mocksville, NC 27078 County Agriculture Hall 919-482-1176 336-240-2142 704-472-4369 336-399-9884 of Fame.

Jim was an active leader in the 4-H Clubs Brent Creech Mike Mericka Kim Prestwood Will Thompson on a local and state level.

(2018-2021) (2017-2020) (2019-2022) (2017-2020) He received the National 13037 NC Hwy. 39 5963 Summit Avenue 390 Pleasant Hill Road P.O. Box 123 4-H Alumni Award in Zebulon, NC 27597 Browns Summit, NC 27214 Lenoir, NC 28645 Polksville, NC 27136 1977.

919-801-7561 336-337-5480 828-320-7317 704-616-8553 In addition to being active in the cattle Jim Davis Bryson Westbrook industry and 4-H, he (2017-2020) (2018-2021) was also an auctioneer.

243 Horseshoe Neck Road 405 W. Marion Street Jim was a volunteer Lexington, NC 27295 Shelby, NC 28150 firefighter and served as Chief of Griffith Road 336-247-1554 908-230-4878 VFD. He was named

e h t r o f ! k y o r o o L t c e r i D 0 !

2 y a 0 d 2 o t s u t c a 2019 t on

c r o e t i s b e w r u o t

V isi

North Carolina Hereford Association Board of Directors OFFICERS

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

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GELBVIEH NEWS Malerie Strahm Joins American Gelbvieh Association Staff. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) would like to welcome Malerie Strahm to its staff where she began her role as the multimedia coordinator on July 5, 2019.

Strahm grew up and currently resides in Sabetha, Kansas. During her youth, she was actively involved in 4-H, which developed an interest in animal agriculture and the beef industry.

Strahm graduated from Kansas State University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and journalism, as well as a minor in agribusiness. She then began her professional career at KSi Conveyors, Inc., a leading manufacturer of conveyors and seed handling equipment, as the marketing coordinator.

“While I gained invaluable knowledge about the crop industry through my communications role with KSi Conveyors Inc. and an internship

with Kansas Wheat before that, I am thrilled to pursue my true passion: the beef industry,” Strahm said. “I have always been passionate about the beef industry and am excited for the opportunity to promote the Gelbvieh and Balancer® breed through a variety of media platforms.”

In her role as the multimedia coordinator, Strahm will manage and develop AGA social media strategies and contribute to AGA publications and the marketing team. Her skills in photography, film production, and design will be valuable assets brought to the AGA marketing team for the promotion of Gelbvieh and Balancer ® genetics throughout the beef industry.

“Malerie’s talents and skill set are a well suited addition to the AGA team to help us further the reach of the Gelbvieh and Balancer message and to provide additional member service,” says Megan Slater, AGA Interim Executive Director.

“We are excited to have her on board.”

Strahm will work remotely from her home in Sabetha, Kansas, and can be reached by phone at 303-465-2333 or malerie@gelbvieh.org.

About the American Gelbvieh

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

Be a winner!

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

Swinging Tail CATTLE COMPANY

Bernard & Charles Lennon

9327 Old Lumberton Rd. • Evergreen, NC 28438 Charles - 910-234-4843 Email - lennonfrms@intrstar.net

Visit us online at www.ncgelbvieh.com.

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Cattlemen Particularly Interested in ADT and Secure Beef Supply Plan at SAHA

By DR. BOYD PARR South Carolina State Veterinarian With over 150 people participating, the Southern Animal Health Association (SAHA) met in Greenville, S.C., for four days starting June 2, joined by the Directors of State Meat Inspection Programs. The session on animal disease traceability (ADT) drew participation from representatives from the Southeast Livestock Network and Livestock Marketing Association, in addition to state and federal animal health officials.

Another popular session included a presentation on the Secure Beef Supply plan from Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle of the Iowa State University Center for Food Security & Public Health. She also provided an overview of all Secure Food Supply Plans.

State vet of North Carolina, Doug Meckes, speaking on ASF.

During a tour of the Clemson University campus, line-of-separation (LOS) was on display at Clemson’s LaMaster Dairy. LOS is a critical element in Secure Food Supply plans. Attendees also viewed new facilities at LaMaster, including three robotic milkers with installation nearing completion. Other meeting presentations included topics such as a review of recent outbreaks

President of SAHA, with Texas State Veterinarian Andy Schwartz taking over as President and host of the 2020 event at the end of the meeting. Cattlemen’s groups are welcome at SAHA meetings.

Generous financial support for SAHA 2019 came from (gold level) NCBA, S.C. Farm Bureau, S.C. Pork Board, Allflex; (silver level) S.C. Beef Council (Beef Checkoff Plus), S.C. related to animals from the CDC, future veterinary workforce development and recruitment, bovine T.B., the cattle fever tick, FMD vaccine bank and the Farm Bill, African swine fever, recent hurricane and flooding events and lessons learned, a Q&A with Dr. Jack Shere (Chief Veterinarian for the U.S.), and plans for a foreign animal disease exercise for SAHA in 2020.

South Carolina state vet Boyd Parr and Alabama state vet Tony Frazier during ADT discussion.

SAHA members come from 14 states in the southern region of the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA), the nation’s animal health forum for over a century. Current USAHA President, Dr. Kristen Haas, gave a report on the activities of USAHA during the meeting.

South Carolina State Veterinarian Boyd Parr presided over the meetings as

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Week ending JULY 11, 2019)

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of all markets ending Thursday, JULY 11, 2019. All cattle in this report are located in North 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. Some lots all natural.

Cattle Receipts: 2,725 Last Month: 1,472

Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 60 percent steers and 40 percent heifers. Nearly 73 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.

Head 45 73

Wt. Range 575-575 670-670

Head 46 66 65 61 52

Wt. Range 640-640 740-740 760-760 800-800 950-950

Head 90 97 61 237 145 38 203 70 70 64 48 115

Wt. Range 540-540 520-540 550-585 600-645 675-675 695-695 710-740 725-740 700-700 760-760 770-770 850-860

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range 540 $156.75 530 $145.25 - $149.50 559 $145.25 - $145.50 619 $145.50 - $150.50 675 $134.00 - $142.50 695 $135.50 728 $139.00 - $144.00 733 $154.00 - $156.00 700 $158.50 760 $135.75 770 $135.75 855 $132.00 - $133.50

Avg. Price $156.75 $147.27 $145.43 $147.67 $138.28 $135.50 $140.93 $154.99 $158.50 $135.75 $135.75 $132.75

Head

45

Wt. Range 535-535

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range 535 $144.00

Avg. Price $144.00

Delivery Split Loads

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 600 $130.75 $130.75

Delivery Split Loads

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FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range 575 $152.00 670

$154.50

LaMaster Dairy at Clemson during tour demonstrating Line of Separation for Secure Food Supply.

Association of Veterinarians, Aviagen, Cal-Maine, Boehringer Ingelheim, Idexx; (bronze level) S.C. Poultry Federation, GlobalVetLink, TraceFirst, Acclaim Systems, Amick Farms, Manchester Farms Quail, ThermoFisher Scientific. In kind support was provided by Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health and Clemson University Cooperative Extension.

Head 33

Wt. Range 600-600

Avg. Price $152.00 $154.50

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 640 $145.75 $145.75 740 $139.00 $139.00 760 $138.00 $138.00 800 $138.00 $138.00 950 $127.50 $127.50

Delivery Split Loads Value Added Delivery Split Loads

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

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Head Wt. Range Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price Delivery 55 450-450 450 $130.50 $130.50 Split Loads 90 500-540 520 $134.50 - $135.25 $134.86 Split Loads 257 570-575 573 $133.75 - $137.50 $135.75 139 625-635 631 $129.00 - $131.00 $129.88 119 625-640 632 $120.75 - $147.50 $134.33 Split Loads 75 650-650 650 $132.00 $132.00 69 660-670 665 $148.00 - $150.00 $149.01 Split Loads 69 715-715 715 $127.50 $127.50 128 750-785 767 $119.50 - $124.50 $122.02

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

“The Wonder Grass” — A Fascinating Examination of Tall Fescue as to why cattle that fed on tall fescue came this grass in the United States is unique “The Wonder Grass” was published From its origins in Europe, its down with certain maladies such as “summer and multi-faceted, and it explains an earlier this year by the Oregon Tall unlikely beginnings in the United States, slump,” which resulted in poor weight gain important development in American Fescue Commission. To purchase the the controversy surrounding its initial and low reproductive efficiency. agriculture...Tall fescue has had an book, go to www.oregontallfescue.org/ release and issues with fescue toxicosis, In the epilogue, the authors write, astonishing impact on our nation. It is, wondergrass or call the commission at “The Wonder Grass” is a fascinating “The rich and interesting history of indeed, a Wonder Grass!”

503-364-2944. examination of the history and modern uses of forage tall fescue.

The book was written by former Auburn University Professor Don Ball, former University of Kentucky professor Garry Lacefield, and former University of Georgia professor Carl Hoveland. It takes a comprehensive look at the species, beginning in 1893 when a farmer in the mountains of eastern Kentucky noticed a grass on his farm that remained green during cooler months when most other plants were dormant and brown.

“It was a perennial that persisted well, and his cattle readily ate it,” the authors write of that first discovery of what would later become Kentucky 31 tall fescue.

The authors attribute much of the species’ initial popularity to the work of William Johnstone. He served as a University of Kentucky extension agent and statewide field agent in agronomy between 1923 and 1952 and encouraged its use on Kentucky farms.

“It became clear to William Johnstone that tall fescue offered just what farmers needed, including wide adaption, easy establishment, dependability, a long growing season, grazing tolerance, suitability for use as either a pasture or a hay crop, as well as suitability for stockpiling,” the authors write. “Because of these many advantages, it eventually came to be widely referred to as The Wonder Grass.”

The authors devote several pages to the controversy that surrounded the original release of the variety. They take a close look at a subsequent issue, John Queen: 828-421-3466 • Evans Hooks: 770-316-9611 given the name fescue toxicosis. Researchers were Canton, NC • 828-646-0270 • SELEXvideo@gmail.com • www.selex-video.com stumped for many years

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

January 8 • February 5 • March 5 • April 2 • May 7 • June 4 • July 9 August 6 • September 3 • October 1 • November 5 • December 3 SOUTHEAST LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

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NEWS A new era of Purina® starters with RX3™ Immune Support Technology.

The Purina starter line with new technology redefines nutrition’s role in calf health. Purina Animal Nutrition introduces a new era of Purina beef calf starter feeds, now with the revolutionary RX3™ Immune Support Technology. The unique formula is the most comprehensive solution rooted in nutrition, addressing weaning time stressors and respiratory challenges head on.

“Respiratory challenges affect one out of every five head1 and cost the beef industry about $1 billion annually,”2,3 says Ron Scott, Ph.D. and beef technical innovation director with Purina Animal Nutrition. “It’s time to change the statistics, and it’s why we’re introducing RX3™ Immune Support Technology to all Purina starter feeds.”

RX3™ Immune Support Technology is a precise combination of prebiotics, probiotics, and plant extracts. The first-ofits-kind technology works by preparing calves’ natural defense, for an improved response to stress and respiratory challenges.

“Purina starters with RX3™ Immune Support Technology do more than provide high quality nutrition,” says Scott. “Our research shows the technology primes a calf’s immune system, so the calf can better recognize health challenges and bounce back quickly. Keeping calves healthy means less time and money invested in reacting to health challenges, putting more potential dollars back in producers’ pockets.”

RX3™ Immune Support Technology is supported by research that started in 2015, seven studies and third party research partners, including USDA-ARS, University of Minnesota, and North Dakota State University.4,5 Research demonstrated calves fed Purina starters with RX3™ Immune Support Technology gained, on average, six pounds more than the control group within a 30-day period. 6 The same research showed calves were more uniform because fewer calves were poor performers. Plus, calves achieved a more consistent average daily gain compared to control calves.6 RX3™ Immune Support Technology is exclusively available in Purina starter feeds, including Purina Precon Complete, Purina Accuration Starter feeds, and Purina Stress Care Supplement feeds.

Ask your local dealer for Purina starters with RX3™ Immune Support Technology or visit www.purinamills.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

com/RX3 to learn more.

For more information on preconditioning programs and calf health, sign up to receive monthly cattle management tips at www.bit.ly/2p6Fcr5.

1 K.R. Brooks, K.C. Raper, C.E. Ward, B.P. Holland, C.R. Krehbiel, D.L. Step.

Economic Effects of Bovine Respiratory Disease on Feedlot Cattle During Backgrounding and Finishing Phases.

Accessed May 5, 2017. www.pods.dasnr. o k s t a t e . e d u / d o c u s h a re / d s w e b / G e t / Document-6830/P-1027%20 Economic%20Effect%20of%20BRD1.pdf, www.kstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/ Document-6830/P-1027%20 Economic%20Effect%20of%20BRD1.pdf 2 B.W. Brodersen. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2010;26(2):323-333.

3 D. Griffin, M.M. Chengappa, J. Kuszak, D.S. McVey. Bacterial pathogens of the bovine respiratory disease complex.

Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract.

2010;26(2):381-394.

4 Summary of Purina studies CG131, CG153, CG165 CG171, and PMI studies at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University.

5 Broadway, P., J. Carroll, N. Burdick Sanchez, A. Word, B. Littlejohn, and D. Paulus Compart. 2018. Prebiotic/ probiotic blend attenuates the innate immune response of steers to a BRD challenge. J. Anim. Sci. 96(Suppl 3):23.

6 Summary of Purina studies CG131, CG153, CG165 CG171 and PMI studies at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University.

7 Broadway, P., J. Carroll, N. Burdick Sanchez, A. Word, B. Littlejohn, and D. Paulus Compart. 2018. Prebiotic/ probiotic blend attenuates the innate immune response of steers to a BRD challenge. J. Anim. Sci. 96(Suppl 3):23.

About Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. Purina (www.purinamills.com) is a national organization serving producers, animal owners, and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers, and other large retailers throughout the United States.

Driven to unlock the greatest potential in every animal, the company is an industry leading innovator offering a valued portfolio of complete feeds, supplements, premixes, ingredients, and specialty technologies for the livestock and lifestyle animal markets. Purina Animal Nutrition LLC is headquartered in Arden Hills, Minn. and a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, Inc.

S.C. Charolais News

By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association

Well, has it been hot enough for you?

I, myself, can stand the heat better than the cold. It’s a sign of how old I am getting, I guess. I am writing this in July, and the Charolais folks are gearing up for the Southern Connection Sale in October.

I will give you more info on the sale next month.

Just to keep you informed, the powers that be have decided that the silver tags you get from Clemson and the orange Bangs tags are going to be replaced. These tags are required for moving cattle across state lines. The silver tags and Bangs tags can be accepted until 12/31/2022. The silver tags will no longer be available at the end of 2019.

Vets will be required to use some type of RFID tag instead of the orange Bangs tags. These will not be free...$$$$.

Animals that will require official RFID tags include those sexually intact and 18 months or older; those used in rodeo and recreational events; and those used for show or exhibition.

USDA is working with state animal health officials to share the cost, but don’t hold your breath. USDA does not get in a hurry to help out. You will need a premises ID number to get RFID tags, so if you don’t have a premises ID number, you had better get on the stick and call your local extension office.

I am not sure how this will affect cattle going to the barn. If they are going to a feedlot out of state, I will bet you a dollar to a donut the tags will be required.

I will try to keep up with the info and let you know if this is going to make any difference at the sale barns, but just guessing, I would say so. You know the USDA is not going to give any breaks if they can help it...$$$$. It only makes sense that the cost of vaccinating for Bangs will go up since the vets have to buy the tags and electronic readers. Just guessing, I assume the sale barns will also have to buy electronic readers...$$$$. As I say all the time with cattle, “It’s always something.”

Here is my story, or you might say my calamity, of the month. I went by myself to move the herd to a different pasture. No problem, I got them moved in a couple of minutes. Anybody who knows me knows I can’t stand thistles. I saw a big crop in the new pasture and immediately went to work with my mattock. I had on my muck boots, and halfway through digging all of them up, I felt something biting my legs. FIRE ANTS! I ripped off the muck boots, but the only thing I had on the mule was fly spray for the cattle. I proceeded to spray my legs with fly spray. Who knew fly

spray would kill fire ants on your legs.

There was no way I was putting those boots back on since there might be a rogue fire ant in the bottom of the boot. I had on shorts, so the boots were the only thing I had to shed. Now, I couldn’t leave the pasture with more thistles looking at me, so I pulled the mule up close to each thistle and made my way around the pasture barefooted digging up thistles. I can tell you I had the nastiest feet in Pickens County after trudging through the pasture barefooted.

Keep cool, and check on your neighbors.

Don’t put your cart before your horse... advertise that sale ahead of time!

You’ll see positive results.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

Alltech appoints new chief scientific officer to lead global innovation efforts. Dr. Karl Dawson retires after two decades with Alltech.

Alltech has appointed a new chief scientific officer to advance innovative research to improve the health and nutrition of animals, plants, and people.

Dr. Ronan Power has assumed the role following the retirement of Dr. Karl Dawson on June 28.

Dr. Power joined the Alltech team in 1991 as the European director of research and has been closely involved in the development of Alltech’s product portfolio, including its organic selenium, Sel-Plex®. He most recently served as the vice president of Alltech Life Sciences, a division dedicated to researching gut and brain health in humans. As chief scientific officer, Dr. Power will oversee more than 100 researchers worldwide, more than 20 research alliances spread over 12 countries, and four bioscience centers, located in the United States, China, the Netherlands and Ireland, where Dr. Richard Murphy leads the center’s activities.

“Recent acquisitions have broadened our ability to apply solutions to any point along the food supply chain and provide transformative innovation to customers,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “With Dr. Power at the helm of our research team, Alltech will advance into the next frontier, supporting producers as they overcome today’s challenges and work toward a Planet of Plenty™.

Alltech’s key areas of scientific exploration include five divisions: • Biological sciences research, led by Dr. Karina Horgan • Chemistry and toxicology research, led by Dr. Alexandros Yiannikouris • Life sciences research, which Dr. Ronan Power will continue to lead • Monogastric research, led by Dr. Daniel Graugnard • Ruminant research, led by Dr. Vaughn Holder Dr. Power will focus on innovation, furthering the development of nutrition technology that supports the agriculture industry in sustainably feeding a rising global population.

“Never before has the efficient use of our planet’s resources been more critical,” said Dr. Power. “Just as Alltech was founded on the ACE principle, which commits us to the benefit of animals, consumers, and the environment, those elements will continue to guide our research. We will build upon the legacy

NEWS

of groundbreaking scientific discovery in the lab and the field as we work toward a more sustainable future.”

Dr. Power says the speed at which technological advancements are occurring makes it difficult to determine the “next big thing,” but his team will prioritize the exploration of the biome and products that enhance energy metabolism in production animals.

“At this point, my feeling is that exploring the functions of the gut microbiome — and other biomes, including the reproductive tract — and developing products to modulate biome activity will be an active research mine for many years to come,” said Dr. Power.

Retiring after 20 years with Alltech, Dr. Dawson was introduced to the company in its early days as he developed a friendship with the late Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech, in 1981. The two scientific visionaries remained in close contact during Dr. Dawson’s 20 year tenure as a professor of nutritional microbiology and director of the nutritional microbiology laboratory in the department of animal sciences at the University of Kentucky. He joined Alltech full time in 1999.

“Dr. Dawson has played a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining Alltech’s position at the forefront of scientific discovery, first collaborating with my father and later joining Alltech full time,” said Dr. Mark Lyons.

In recent years, Dr. Dawson has provided leadership for nutrigenomics research initiatives, which have led to strategic programs that use epigenetic switches to more effectively control nutrient utilization and improve animal health. During Dr. Dawson’s time with the company, Alltech has fostered and supported the development of more than 200 graduate students at universities around the world. Dr. Dawson’s team has been responsible for revolutionizing many aspects of nutritional science, publishing more than 400 scientific papers, and making over 600 presentations at international scientific meetings.

“It has been incredible to see the progression of nutrition technology over the last 40 years,” said Dr. Dawson. “I’m extremely proud of the changes we’ve made in how the industry thinks about the impact of nutrition. The next few years will catapult us into a new dawn in agriculture and technology, and I look forward to seeing Alltech continue to lead the way.”

Dr. Dawson’s partnership with

Alltech will continue into his retirement, as he will chair the company’s scientific advisory board and help guide its core research areas.

About Alltech. Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a cutting edge technology company in a traditional industry, agriculture. Our products improve the health and nutrition of plants and animals, resulting in more nutritious products for people as well as less impact on the environment.

With expertise in yeast fermentation, solid state fermentation and the sciences of nutrigenomics and metabolomics, Alltech is a leading producer of yeast additives, organic trace minerals, feed

ingredients, premix, and feed.

Together, with our more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide, we believe in “Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™.” With the adoption of new technologies, the adaptation of better farm management practices and the ingenuity inherent in the human spirit, we believe a world of abundance could be ours.

Alltech is a private, family owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and stay focused on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For further information, visit www. alltech.com/news.

Champion Bulls Named in All American Limousin Futurity. The All American Limousin Futurity took the stage in Springfield, Mo., on the final day of showing during the National Junior Limousin Show and Congress. This open show was held on July 5 and featured breeder and junior cattle from across the country exhibited together. Jonathan Perry of Fayetteville, Tenn., sorted the Limousin and Lim-Flex females, cow/calf pairs, and bulls.

The day closed with the bull show.

Grand champion bull, JLX Exceed, is a November 4, 2017, 68 percent Lim-Flex son of JLX Charisma. Alexa Montagne of Elk Point, S.D., exhibited the bull.

Edwards Land & Cattle of Beulaville, N.C.; Freebird Farms of McMinnville, Tenn.; Bockenstedt Hilltop Farms of Willard, S.C.; Kendall Brothers Cattle Co. of Magnolia, N.C.; and Blake Haley Farms exhibited the reserve champion bull. ELCX Englishman 769E is a 50 percent Lim-Flex son of MAGS Winston, born December 20, 2017.

For more information about NALJA, the North American Limousin Foundation, or to locate a Limousin or Lim-Flex breeder near you, visit www.

NALF.org or call 303-220-1693.

Is your Contact Information Up to Date? Members are encouraged to log in to their member site on the NALF-DigitalBeef Platform to review the contact information listed. It is a good practice from time to time to look over this information to make sure it is correct and complete. The tabs to review are Addresses, Phones, Contacts, and Associated herds. Use the edit or delete buttons under the options header on the right hand of the screen to change or remove information. To add your website

address, click on [edit] in the tan General Profile Information bar in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Also, check out the Prefs tab. Under this tab, you may edit your member preferences, such as allowing non-members to see your profile when using the Ranch Search tool, an option to store registration certificates electronically, plus more.

Are you Receiving the State Scoop?

NALF is excited to announce the continuation of the “State Scoop,” our state association e-newsletter! This is a quarterly newsletter that will include events and state news to keep the associations up-to-date. The North American Limousin Foundation would appreciate involvement from each state association, by submitting state news, contact updates, highlighted events, etc., so we can better serve you. Please email any news you would like in the next state e-newsletter to Mallory Blunier at LimousinMedia@gmail.com.

For state association leaders who did not receive the State Scoop and would like to, feel free to sign-up using the “Subscribe to our mailing list form” at the bottom of the page at www.NALF.org. Click the State E-News box to subscribe. All State Scoop e-newsletters will be archived on the NALF website under the News tab.

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.

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S.C. Checkoff Plus

UPDATE

S.C. Checkoff Plus Sponsors Educational Programs Through Clemson University “Producers investing in youth/adult extension outreach and applied research programs.” The S.C. Beef Council has always followed this motto, and it has been an avid supporter of Clemson Extension Outreach Programs. Now, with the availability of funds through the new S.C. Checkoff Plus program, the SCBC has been able to expand support and increase its impact. Checkoff Plus is a great way for local cattle producers to support local programs for both youth and adult audiences.

Youth programs sponsored by the program include the S.C 4-H Congress Program Awards Luncheon with 300 youth and parents attending, the S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up with 140 youth exhibiting over 240 head of cattle, the Clemson University Youth Livestock Knowledge College with over 80 youth in attendance, the Spring Dairy Show with over 100 youth exhibiting 270 head of dairy cattle, local livestock shows, and numerous other youth related events. The funds have also supported local adult programs such as the Stockmanship and Stewardship workshop, Culling Colleges in Orangeburg, Darlington, and Saluda counties, the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Conference, and numerous other local county programs and workshops.

The support of Checkoff Plus dollars has been extremely valuable for supporting beef producer field days and educational meetings across the state.

Cattlemen in South Carolina have been provided with cutting edge information by the Clemson Extension Service and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association that has increased the efficiency of their operations. Through the efforts of the Clemson University Research and Extension Centers, South Carolina has been able to hold beef cattle and forage field days all across the different regions of the state. This additional support has, without a doubt, allowed for enhanced programs for all South Carolina producers. It is extremely important that these types of producer programs continue and expand as the industry becomes more competitive. Producer education is essential for a healthy beef cattle economy in South Carolina.

crossbred Angus, Brangus, and Simmental cattle that belong to Joe Davis, a cattle farmer in Westminster, South Carolina. We predict this type of analysis will have a positive influence on cattle breeding and selection at Clemson University, across the state of South Carolina, and nationally. Overall, the support from the S.C. Beef Council has allowed this project to progress from proposal to completion.

Clemson University appreciates the

relationship with the S.C. Beef Council and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association. The S.C. Checkoff Plus dollars support a wide range of programs across the state of South Carolina, and we look forward to the continued relationship and support.

Acknowledgements Kaycee Mullins Kaitlin Richey Dr. Matthew Burns Dr. Brian Bolt Dr. Steven E. Meadows

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

e!

ls Or e

S.C. Beef Council Checkoff/Assessment Funded Activities 1. Radio advertising - Clemson and USC, all football games (x12); and Coastal Carolina home football games (x7) 2. Eight billboards placed around the state on the major interstates advertising beef 3. Beef signs placed at the three major airports in South Carolina (Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville-Spartanburg) 4. Two ongoing beef research projects (genetics and implants) 5. Sponsored state 4-H Conference, Ag in the Classroom institute, FFA Convention, and six 4-H county beef shows promoting beef to over 1,500 youth

Through our research, we have used genetic testing of specific muscle tissue collected through a biopsy from calves at weaning to help determine the genetic expression of muscle traits. Using this method, we have been able to collect qualitative and quantitative data from

6. Co-sponsored the S.C. Nutrition & Dietetics Annual Meeting, the S.C. Family Physicians Annual Meeting, the S.C. Public Health Association Conference, and the SCCA Annual Meeting 7. Co-sponsored the S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up and South Carolina Taste 8. Participated in AgriBiz Expo, S.C. Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, and two NCBA Conventions promoting beef to over 2,700 individuals 9. Funded 81 food retail beef promotions, 15 community beef festivals, and 8 county fairs promoting beef to over 31,000 consumers 10. Printed over 10,000 beef bumper stickers, 3,500 beef recipe brochures, 6,000 beef decals, and 45 beef retail/foodservice meat charts reaching over 12,500 consumers 11. Printed and provided 25,000 buyer cards to the 9 South Carolina livestock auctions 12. Provided over 3,800 beef plastic cups, caps, and aprons to beef field days, various cattle meetings, and all county cattlemen’s associations meetings 13. Provided funding for Clemson Block-n-Bridle smoker grill and “Margaret” calf puller tools 14. Financed (with S.C. Cattlemen’s Association) “McGill”

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

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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South Carolina Cattle Research Corner

By BRIAN BEER, Clemson University Area Livestock Agent

Economics of Marketing Natural Feeder Calves; Are You Hitting a Home Run? Back in 2016, I received a call from a fellow area livestock agent with a cattle marketing question. He was working with some farmers who sold their first truckload of ‘natural’ feeder steers. The farmers told the livestock agent they had hit a home run by marketing the steers as natural. I was asked by my colleague to look at the sale results and tell him what I thought. After receiving the prices from the sale where these cattle were marketed, I did the math and found that the natural steers sold for nearly $7/cwt more than conventional cattle of the same weight.

This is the reason the farmers said they hit a home run. But did they?

What do we assume when marketing ‘natural’ feeder calves? First, we assume we know the definition of ‘natural.’ In most cases, natural simply means no antibiotics and no growth promoting hormones (implants) are used. Next, we assume natural feeder cattle weigh less than if you used growth promoting

implants. Last, we assume natural feeder cattle will sell at a premium.

Let’s get back to the question of the farmer’s home run. Research on weight gain from using growth promoting implants shows weight gain increases 4-8 percent in suckling calves and 10-20 percent in growing and finishing cattle.

For this evaluation, I assumed the feeder steers would have weighed five percent more if they received a growth promoting implant. I used the price of the steers sold as natural along with the heavier weight and lower price from the sale report.

If they had been implanted and sold as conventional steers, I found the natural calves sold for $2 per head more. Is that a home run or a solid line drive into the outfield for a stand up double?

Most natural feeder calves are marketed in off-farm, truckload sales.

This means the calves are usually preconditioned for 45-60 days, so we have a short term growing phase with

preconditioned cattle. How does that influence expected weight gain when using growth promoting implants?

Looking at the previous example, it is evident that a small change in weight difference will have a major effect on natural cattle generating more revenue to the operation. Price differences between natural and conventional steers are also a major factor. After working through this example, I had conversations with extension specialists and determined we didn’t have great information on implant effects on suckling calves followed by short term preconditioning. We also didn’t have good, unbiased price comparisons for natural and conventional steers from our area. This lead to a research project that looked at these differences.

and at the end of the preconditioning phase. Weaning weights were taken 66 days after beginning weights, and end weights were taken 69 days after weaning.

The average age of steers at ending weight was 9.7 months. Steers in the implant treatment received one dose of zeranol (Ralgro®) at beginning weight, followed by one dose of trenbolone acetate and estradiol (Revalor®-G) at weaning. After weaning, all steers were fed a commercial preconditioning ration at two percent of body weight (12-14 pounds per head per day) until ending weight.

Prices were collected from the published results of two video auction companies. Both are known for marketing calves from the Carolinas and for marketing natural calves. Prices were

Table 1. Weights of Non-Implant vs. Implant Steers (2 years, 2 locations, combined)

*Indicates values within row are different (P<0.05)

Clemson University recently completed the two-year (2107 and 2018) research project to determine weight gain differences between implanted and nonimplanted steers in a preconditioning protocol under South Carolina conditions.

The project also looked at price differences of steers marketed as natural and conventional from truckload sales during the same two-year period.

Steer calves were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: implant and non-implant. Beginning weights were recorded on all steers at five months of age.

Weights were also recorded at weaning

collected for steers advertised as natural with sale weights between 500 and 900 pounds. Prices were divided into 50 lbs increments. Prices for conventional steers were recorded and compared to natural steers within the same 50 lbs group, within the same month, using a weighted average.

Comparisons included cattle from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Table 1 shows weight differences from the study. Non-implant steers finished the study weighing 34 pounds less than implanted steers. Implanted steers also had a 0.25 pound higher average daily gain, as shown in Table

Table 2. Average Daily Gain of Non-Implant vs. Implant Steers (2 years, 2 locations, combined)

*Indicates values within row are different (P<0.05)

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Table 3. Price Comparison of Natural Steers and Conventional Steers

2. This data shows that, at the end of the program, steers given two growth promoting implants will weigh five percent more than steers that do not receive growth promoting implants.

Price comparisons show that steers marketed as natural did bring higher prices than conventional steers. Table 3 shows average prices and price differences over the same two-year period as the weight gain portion of the study. The twoyear difference in price averaged $6.36/ cwt across all weight classes. There was a wide spread between the maximum and minimum price advantage. Table 4 shows that price differences ranged from $17.50/ cwt higher than conventional steers to $3.14/cwt less than conventional steers.

all steers the same except for receiving an implant, the cost of implants is the only difference between the two groups. One dose of Ralgro® costs about $1.37, and one dose of Revlor®-G costs about $1.39, for a total of $2.76 cost of implants.

Since it takes some time to administer the implant to the steers, we need to account for additional labor. The task of implanting steers doesn’t add much processing time. The study allocated 30 seconds per implant, for a total of 1 minute, at $12/hour labor. This added $0.20 per steer for a total of $2.96 per steer for implant cost.

For this example, assume implanted steers will sell at 740 pounds. During the two years of price comparison, 740 pound

natural will generate positive revenue.

It will, in many cases. This study had several natural loads that sold $8-$10/ cwt higher than conventional steers, so the potential is there. However, with the study’s $6.36/cwt average price difference, the potential for being revenue neutral also exists.

There are other considerations to evaluate prior to marketing natural calves.

Determine the definition of ‘natural’ for the marketing venue you are entering. That is often simply no antibiotics and no hormones given to the sale animals. However, there are some natural markets that require only plant derived protein sources for the animals sold. Do you use lick tanks or tubs that contain urea? This could make calves ineligible under certain definitions of natural. Be sure you know what potential buyers are looking for and their definition before saying your calves are natural.

Another consideration is what records do the buyers require? Do they require GAP (Global Animal Partnership)

certification? GAP certification is done by third party auditors who visit your farm and rate your operation. This is a costly certification to obtain. However, many buyers are currently assisting with the cost of GAP certification if they buy your cattle. You must know with some certainty that your herd will qualify and have the appropriate records prior to selling as GAP eligible. Visit www. globalanimalpartnership.org for additional information. If a buyer isn’t assisting with the cost of GAP certification, this will be an additional cost that must be included in the evaluation.

Like most cattle marketing ventures, marketing natural steers may not be an automatic home run. Farmers still need to monitor market conditions and push the pencil to determine if this, or any other, marketing alternative is right for you.

Special thanks to the S.C. Beef Council Checkoff Plus and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation for funding this research project.

Table 5. Number of Loads in Price Comparison by Weight

Table 4. Range of Price Difference for Natural vs. Conventional Steers

One limitation is the low number of price comparisons in lighter weight loads.

Since most natural calves are marketed in truckload lots, it is not surprising that the number of lightweight calves is low. Table 5 shows the number of loads compared in each 50 lbs weight class.

Over the two-year study, a total of 75 natural steer loads were compared to 142 conventional steer loads. Most of these loads were between 750 and 849 pounds.

The distribution of loads in the study, by state, is 113 from North Carolina, 62 from Georgia, and 42 from South Carolina.

Using the data collected during this research trial, we can calculate the price premium required for natural steers to generate at least the same revenue as implanted steers. Since this study treated

conventional steers sold for $145.89/cwt, or $1,079.59 per head. Subtracting the cost of implants leaves a net of $1,076.63.

Based on the weight difference found in this study, natural steers should weigh 34 pounds less than implanted steers. So, if the same steers were natural, they should weigh 706 pounds. For the lighter weight steers to bring the same revenue, the price would need to be $152.50/cwt. In this example, the price premium required to have natural steers bring the same revenue as implanted steers is $6.61/cwt.

This analysis does not include marketing cost, which would be equal since both natural and conventional steers are sold in truckload video auctions.

This type of calculation is necessary when evaluating if marketing steers as

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New NCCA Members for 2019

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

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

Chatham County Johnnie Testerman – Seymour Farm

Alexander County Jessica Glenn

Duplin County Allison Batts – Batts Farms Jordan Brock Jordan Kennedy Chandler Shepard Sophie Davis Voris

Buncombe County Lydia Pope Carteret County Sarah Swain

Craven County Lucas Ferreira Cumberland County Jordan Collins Jonathan Montgomery Kersh Jeffrey Shirley Davie County Hunter E. Hendrix

Durham County Hannah Foust

State Veterinarian Reminds Livestock and Pet Owners to Watch Out for Ticks Recent cattle deaths in Surry County linked to Asian longhorned ticks. State Veterinarian Doug Meckes is reminding livestock and pet owners to be vigilant in their tick preventative measures during warm weather. Recently, the deaths of five cows in Surry County were linked to acute anemia caused by tick infestations.

Samples were sent to the N.C. Division of Public Health, Communicable Disease Branch for identification which confirmed Asian longhorned ticks.

“This is the fourth confirmed case in North Carolina since 2018, and the first case reported this year. Previous cases were found in Polk, Rutherford, and Davidson counties,” Meckes said. “The deceased young bull brought to our Northwestern Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab had more than 1,000 ticks on it, and the owner had lost four other cattle under the same circumstances.”

The Asian longhorned tick is an exotic East Asian tick. The first case identified in the U.S. was in West Virginia from a tick taken from a whitetail deer in August 2010. Since then, 67 counties in the United States have confirmed local Asian longhorned tick populations. Virginia has the most counties with 24 confirmed. It is a serious pest of livestock in its native regions, and the means of introduction into the U.S. is unknown. It is an aggressive biter and frequently builds intense infestations on animals causing great stress, reduced growth and production, and blood loss. The tick can reproduce parthenogenetically (without a male), and a single fed female can create a localized population.

While the Asian longhorned tick has not been linked to any human infection in the United States, the N.C. Division of Public Health, Communicable Disease Branch is working with NCDA&CS to understand its distribution and monitor for diseases it may carry. The finding of this tick in the state corresponds with a continued effort by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to identify ticks in all 100 counties of the state. Veterinarians are encouraged to submit ticks they find on clinical patients to help track and identify tick populations in North Carolina. If you are a veterinarian practicing in North Carolina and are interested in participating in this study, email Dr. Alexis M. Barbarin at NCTickID@dhhs.nc.gov.

Ticks attack people, domestic animals, and wildlife. Prevention remains the best method to deter tick borne illnesses. Protect yourself while outdoors by wearing long clothing, wearing permethrin treated clothing, and using DEET, picaridin, and other EPA approved repellants. It is also good practice to shower immediately once you return home. Checking for ticks can help deter tick attachment or allow for early removal. For domestic animals, talk to your veterinarian about effective options to treat your pets and livestock for ticks.

Gaston County Zebulen Mellon – 4M Farms Jason Mellon – 4M Farms Harnett County Harris Kelly – Kelly Farms Iredell County Austin Rash Johnston County Georgia Cummings Makayla Hackney Steven Hill Connor Peacock Kayla Stanley Lee County Lyndy Boggs Payton Quist Lenoir County Dylan Rouse Macon County Jamie Bryson Martin County Robert Andrew Gurganus

The Carolina Cattle Connection

Moore County Noah Tate Onslow County Colton Metts Logan Mobley Madison Smith Orange County Hunter Hall Rowan County Chloe Bolick Nick Childers – AC Cattle LLC Daniel Flanagan Rutherford County Morgan Jolley Sampson County Tyndall Hunter Union County Benjamin Meares Analise Ritter Wayne County Alan L. Johnson Courtney Outlaw – Outlaw Angus Noah Stewart

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Tips for Making Quality Hay. Fresh forage is one low cost, high nutrient source of feed for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and horses. However, with a surplus of forage and some land and environmental factors that prohibit grazing fresh forages year round, making hay is a resourceful way to harvest and store valuable forages for a later time when feed resources become scarcer, perhaps in the late fall and winter.

However, making quality hay isn’t just as simple as mowing down a field and making bales. It requires basic knowledge of the life cycle and parts of the plants to know how to capture the optimum nutrient value. Being a student of the local weather conditions also helps complete the task.

The National Forage and Grassland Curriculum based out of Oregon State University offers five key considerations on how to properly harvest and store hay.

1. Timing is everything - Harvest or cut the hay at first bloom, also known as heading or the anthesis stage. Make sure to cut or swath hay when the forecast

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NEWS

calls for several consecutive days of sunshine, as it is best to cut and bale hay without rain if it can be avoided.

2. Leave the nutrition in - Make sure you harvest forages that have a good nutrient content and remember that often the leaves contain the best nutrition.

Some species such as meadow foxtail don’t have adequate leaves to make quality hay. Since ⅔ of the plant’s protein is found in the leaves, it is important to find a forage with good leaves that will stay on the plant once it is harvested.

Although yield increases as the plant matures, both nutrient value and palatability are at their peak at anthesis, so finding the right time to cut or swath hay becomes an art.

3. Dry before you bale - Rapidly dry the hay to 15-20 percent moisture. Cut the hay so that baling becomes simpler, and the ability for it to dry is maximized.

Most swathers cut the hay into wide windrows that help facilitate drying while waiting to be baled. Keep the stubble relatively high, which also helps air circulate around the hay, and helps it dry

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

faster.

Most grasses and forages contain up to 90 percent moisture, so it could take a few days to dry the hay down to 15-20 percent moisture. If you need to, rake the hay into windrows that will help speed up the drying process, but be cautious, as that also removes the leaves, the main nutrient source from the hay.

4. Green is good - Maintain the forage’s green color, which indicates minimal deterioration. The green color in forages indicates nutrient values are still present, and mold is not. Sun can bleach the hay, which also removes nutrients. If your hay turns white or brown, that is a sign of mold.

5. Storage solutions - Be sure to store your hay in a place where it is protected from further deterioration to maximize nutrients and palatability. If you can store it inside, that is ideal. Just make sure it is free from moisture. And, make sure you can identify which field/ pasture and which cutting each load came from when it comes time to forage test later in the year.

In ideal conditions, you should be able to get 2-3 cuttings of hay each season, allowing you to stockpile forage for your livestock when you need to feed them a lower cost feed. Be sure to test your hay prior to feeding it so you know what its nutrient value is and how to supplement your livestock to ensure they are getting all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy and perform. If you are unsure where to start with forage testing, contact your BioZyme Inc. area sales manager who can help you collect and test forage samples, and work with a qualified nutritionist to develop a ration that will supplement your animals’ diets.

To learn more about forage testing, visit our forage testing page at www.vitaferm. com/nutrition-company-offers-servicesbeyond-sales/.

Five Tips for Keeping your Animals Hydrated. Water is the most essential nutrient of life. Humans, animals, and plants all rely on the water for survival, due to its molecular makeup.

Water is vital for bodily functions like nutrient intake, absorption and feed conversion, overall health, waste removal, and temperature regulation. Since most show animals are in a confined area during most of their lives – either tied in a stall during the day or penned up – it is the responsibility of the owner/exhibitor to make sure they get the proper amount of water to keep eating and stay healthy.

Not only is water intake important to the overall health and performance of your animal, but it is also important to the appearance. A hydrated animal will have a healthier skin and hair coat, healthier

hooves, brighter eyes, and overall look healthier and more show ring ready than an animal that has not had enough water.

Here are five show friendly tips to keep your animals – of any species – hydrated this summer.

1. Start at home - Making sure your animals drink at home is imperative to your success on the road. Water and feed intake work synergistically, and if your animals are not drinking, chances are they aren’t eating either. Be sure to provide a clean, fresh water source. If your animals are used to drinking out of a watering system or an automatic tank, make sure the lines and bowls are clean, so the water the animals are accessing is clean and cool.

2. Use a bucket - Teach your animals to drink out of a bucket. This might seem trivial at first, especially if you do have automatic waterers at home. However, you won’t have that luxury on the show road, and you definitely want your animals to drink while traveling. Use the buckets you will use at the show, and fill them with clean, fresh water at home, so they get accustomed to drinking from buckets. This is a good way for the animals to learn something new before getting to the show and will eliminate one stressor from their show travels.

3. Keep it clean - No matter what your water source is or if you are at home or on the road, you always want to start with fresh, cool, clean water. If your buckets are dirty or your water troughs have debris in them, clean them out and start fresh. If you are using a hose that has been laying outside in the sun all day,

Have you forgotten something?

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

make sure you run it first to get all the warm water out before filling your animals’ water. A hot animal doesn’t want to drink hot water. You also might want to consider buying a water purifier and using it on your hydrant at home and taking it with you, as it filters out the chlorine and other harmful elements from the water.

These are a good investment, especially since so many fairgrounds have chlorinated “city water” that animals are not used to.

4. Haul your own - If you are going to a one- or two-day show, and have the resources, haul your water from home.

Hauling your own water in clean, enclosed plastic jugs leaves little reason for your show stock to go off water while at the show.

5. Give them a boost - Two to three days prior to traveling to the show, start adding Vita Charge Liquid Boost to their water, and continue to add it to their water for the duration of the show. The key ingredient in Liquid Boost is Amaferm, a precision based prebiotic designed to impact intake, digestion, and absorption.

It is research proven to combat stress by supporting the animal’s own immune system, significantly increasing intake and nutrient utilization. The Amaferm will help increase water intake, and

therefore keep the animal’s appetite where it should be. The berry flavor will also help mask any unfamiliar flavors in the water at a show.

You’ve worked hard to get your animals looking, feeling, and eating their best. Make sure they keep drinking their best to keep your chances of getting to the winner’s circle at their maximum. Keep them drinking at home and on the road.

To learn more about Vita Charge, visit www.surechamp.com.

A Guide to Reduce Heat Stress in Stocker Operations. As cattle producers, when the temperature rises, you begin to feel the pressure of keeping the herd healthy and efficient. The warmer it gets outside, the more your herd runs the risk of decreased performance, increased sickness, and ultimately economic losses.

And when you put yourself in the shoes of the stocker operator, this pressure is magnified as you try to keep calves performing through their prime growth period.

What is heat stress? The degree of heat stress is typically measured by a temperature-humidity index or THI, and this threshold varies based on the production stage of the animal. For stockers, the threshold THI for moderate stress is about 84ºF, where it might be

about 5º lower for a lactating cow. The duration of extreme temperatures also plays a role in the way heat stress impacts stockers. Therefore, there is no one-sizefits all approach to solving the heat stress challenges, and cattle operators should be adaptable and develop solutions based on their specific herds’ needs.

“The unfortunate part is everybody’s situation is different based on regional climate differences,” said Kevin Glaubius, Director of Nutrition for BioZyme Inc. “Where a backgrounder in Texas might have to deal with severe heat for seven months, someone in North Dakota might have extreme heat for just two months. However, the commonality is understanding the cascade of events that go on with heat stress – symptoms to look for and what to do.”

How do you detect heat stress? The first visible sign of heat stress you should look for is an increased respiration rate.

The increase in respiration rate leads to increased air volume intake, which can ultimately lead to other sicknesses in the calves. With increased air intake, the calves are inhaling more dust, dirt, bacteria, and viruses into their bodies, which can quickly lead to bigger problems.

The second sign of heat stress, and

the one most commonly thought of, is calves that seek out shade and water during the peak heat of the day. This disrupts the normal feeding pattern of continuously grazing and consuming smaller meals. That disruption shifts to night grazing and slug feeding where they eat more at once due to increased hunger.

Slug feeding leads to acidosis and bloat, which can lead to more health issues.

When they bunch up during the day, they also are more likely to be exposed to sickness because of shared germs – think of containing school kids in an enclosed room with no fresh air.

How does heat stress effect gut health and gain? “Metabolically, the cells are working harder when the calves’ respiration increases, so those cells have to be replaced more often. Microbes have a life cycle of minutes – maybe 90 minutes – so disruption of eating during the day starves the microbes from their growth pattern, which is why this is a great time to introduce a prebiotic like Amaferm into the calves’ diets,” Glaubius said.

Amaferm is a precision prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility by

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BioZyme, Inc. News continued from the previous page amplifying the nutrient supply within for maximum performance. It is research proven to maintain the animal’s normal body temperature during heat. Feeding Amaferm during heat stress has multiple benefits, including improved digestibility, increased energy availability, improved rumen function, and less loss of performance. The improved digestibility observed with Amaferm feeding provides more energy to the animal during heat stress when intake is reduced.

In ideal conditions, when heat stress isn’t a challenge, and voluntary feed intake exists, typically 70 percent of the diet goes toward maintenance while 30 percent will go to gain. During times of extreme heat, those numbers change, and 80 percent of intake goes toward maintenance and only 20 percent goes to gain, costing the stocker operator lost performance over time. That’s why it is imperative to keep your calves as cool as possible and regulate their grazing habits, keeping them eating regularly and performing.

Tips to combat heat stress in your stockers: • If you do need to work or treat any sick calves, do so early in the day when the temperatures are the coolest. Try to avoid stirring up large groups, causing unnecessary stress.

• Any physical exercise, like moving calves from pasture to pasture, needs to be done in the early morning during the coolest part of the day.

• Provide adequate shade. If trees are available great. If you are feeding small groups of calves, consider portable shade options or build your own shade options in pastures or lots you use each year.

• Provide cool, fresh water constantly. Water intake is directly correlated to feed intake. If your calves’ only water source is a pond where the calves are bunching to stay cool, consider putting in a tank with fresh well water flow so the calves get fresh water that they haven’t stood in.

• Provide a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement like VitaFerm Gain Smart Stocker HEAT to keep the calves healthy, cooler, and growing.

Raymond Fussell, who backgrounds calves at Tennessee Ridge, Tenn., in the heart of stocker country, has been supplementing his yearlings with VitaFerm Gain Smart Stocker HEAT for the past few years. Upon first trying the product, Fussell saw that not only were the calves healthier, but he also noticed a significant difference in their heat tolerance, growth, and fly control when using the HEAT mineral.

“This year, I only had three head that were so small they didn’t match. The other 132 averaged 901 pounds. I’ve been running pretty much the same cattle for 20 years on this place, and they have never averaged 900 nor had that few to sort off. With the better performance at home, and lower death loss during transport and the 48 hours following

arrival, the extra cost over our previous mineral program was a good investment.

These results were good enough that we will be feeding VitaFerm Gain Smart Stocker HEAT to all our steers the remainder of the summer and next year.”

Ideally suited for backgrounding and yearling cattle on grass, VitaFerm Gain Smart Stocker HEAT contains Capsaicin, research proven to help maintain normal body temperature and support animal performance and gain in both heat and fescue situations. It also includes Amaferm which is shown by research to increase average daily gains, improve the variation in dry matter intake, and improve both animal health and rumen health, and garlic, a natural insect repellent.

“Research proves that with Amaferm in the diet, cattle producers typically see a quarter pound of increased gain per day.

Combine that with the HEAT mineral components, and that has the potential to increase to a half pound per day,” Glaubius said.

Stocker operators face challenges and healthy gain in the summer is no easy feat, but it doesn’t have to be impossible.

Establishing a good nutrition program and proactive management practices can help mitigate heat stress and its ability to wreak havoc on the herd.

Four Ways to Keep Your Cows Bred During the Summer Heat. The summer heat can zap your energy faster than you can rattle off your favorite cow’s pedigree.

A typical day of work will make most people tired, but add in extreme heat and humidity and sometimes surviving feels like a job in itself.

Imagine being a cow out on pasture, in both 106 Armory Road • PO Box 2146 • North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 lactation and Tele: 336-838-3442 • Fax: 336-838-3591 gestation. She’s in the final stages of growing a strapping young calf and the beginning phase of growing her Catching and Hauling Services Available next offspring.

And, she is doing this all during the hottest months of the year. shelmerblackburn@hotmail.com sethchurch@charter.net Animals can experience heat

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

stress anytime the ambient temperature reaches 70ºF or warmer. Add in humidity, and that traps the heat, compounding the impact of heat stress. Therefore, 80º days are different in the Midwest states of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana than they would be in the Mountain states of Colorado and Wyoming.

“When an animal is experiencing heat stress, it has to expend more energy to thermoregulate its body, so instead of putting energy toward growing a fetus or providing milk for a calf, she is expending more energy to physically cool herself so she can maintain herself rather than giving that energy to other stages of production. The cow will always take care of herself first, so she focuses on her own survival before she worries about that fetus growing inside of her,” said Kevin Glaubius.

Since that bred female is spending so much of her energy trying to cool herself, she often will abort during the summer months. Research has also shown that heat stress delayed puberty in heifers, caused anestrus in cows, depressed estrous activity, and increased perinatal mortality.

Glaubius offers four management practices you can use to help get your cows bred and keep them bred during the summer heat.

1. Provide a superior vitamin and mineral package - Not only are high quality vitamins and minerals an essential part of the diet for this stage of reproduction, but good nutrition is vital year round. The more ideal in body condition (a BCS of 5.5 to 6), the more energy the female will have to exert on producing future generations.

One of the hottest minerals available to mitigate heat stress, help get cows bred, and keep them bred is VitaFerm HEAT mineral. VitaFerm HEAT contains three key ingredients to help reduce summer stress factors of heat and insects and help increase performance. HEAT contains Amaferm, organic copper, and zinc for maximum bioavailability to the animal resulting in maintained pregnancy.

2. Control Insects - Flies and other insects like ticks and lice can be extremely detrimental to your herd health and bottom line. In addition to being a general nuisance, flies will cause cows to bunch up to keep them off the cows.

When cows bunch, they are creating more physical heat and therefore creating more heat stress on the herd. There are several ways to control flies, including using a feed through mineral, fly tags, fly rubs and dusters, and fly sprays. Glaubius suggests that even though all fly control

methods are effective, they are most effective when used in a combination of two together.

3. Provide Shade and Water Always make sure to provide fresh, clean, cool water to your livestock. Making sure all animals have plenty of water, and water is replenished quickly is imperative to keeping animals cool as well as maintaining herd health. Also, make sure that shade is available so that cattle can get out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. This can be natural shade like trees, a windbreak, or temporary shade.

4. Avoid Working in the Heat - Ok, maybe you can’t avoid working your herd altogether during the summer heat, but when you do have to work cattle, plan to get your work done early in the morning, later in the afternoon, or early evening when temperatures are cooler. Make sure to plan ample time and take it slow as not to put unnecessary stress on the cattle.

“Any summer stress, in addition to heat, like foot and eye issues, can impact reproductive success. That’s why a quality mineral that addresses heat stress and contains copper, zinc, and iodine that helps with foot and eye problems is a wise choice,” Glaubius said.

Following these best management practices combined with a quality nutrition program like VitaFerm HEAT will help reduce heat stress in your cow herd giving them the advantage to maintain pregnancy while helping them remain cool and productive throughout the year. To learn more about VitaFerm, visit www.vitaferm.com.

Top Five Reasons Why Show Animals Go Off Feed and How to Prevent It. A lot of people change their eating habits with the seasons. Nothing is more satisfying on a cold winter day than a hot bowl of soup, but for most that doesn’t sound the least bit appetizing when the temperatures soar to 90ºF and hotter, especially when you add in the humidity. We might prefer something lighter, like a sandwich or a salad. Your show livestock are no different. Their appetites tend to decrease as the temperatures rise, and you might find yourselves wondering why they go off feed so often in the summer months.

Kevin Glaubius suggests five reasons why show animals might go off feed in the hotter months and provides some tips for feeders to make sure their animals stay on feed through summer’s heat.

1. Seasonal Changes - One of the primary reasons animals will stop eating during the summer months is due to seasonal changes. The combination of daylight and sunshine can alter the animal’s desire to eat.

2. Temperature Rises - As the temperature rises, the animals are typically less active, which requires less overall energy. If they are expending less energy, their appetite will decrease because they don’t require the same amount of nutrients as they would if they were actively using energy.

“Think about this. When we are hot, the last thing we want to do is eat a big meal. That has a lot to do with temperature triggers,” Glaubius said.

“The temperature alters stress hormones in the animal and has an impact on metabolism and their overall appetite.”

3. Environmental Changes - During the summer, we often haul our livestock to jackpots, progress shows, state previews, junior nationals, county fairs, and state fairs. Sometimes these are weekly occurrences, and hauling adds stress to the animal. Loading on the trailer and traveling 20 minutes to 20 hours takes its toll. Then, we stall or pen the livestock in unfamiliar barns with unfamiliar animals, sights, smells, and sounds and expect them to eat exactly what we put in their feed pan – sometimes more and sometimes different than what they had at home – to give them that added bloom and fill. This is stressful and will cause the animal to go off feed.

4. Diet Changes - Show animal diets are not a one-size-fits-all, and feeding is a science that takes precise calculation in the nutrition needed to meet a specific weight by the target endpoint. If you are making dietary changes, Glaubius reminds to transition slowly. If abrupt changes are made and the animal goes off feed, it will take just as long to get it back on feed as it would to make a gradual transition.

5. Summer Nuisances - Just like heat, length of days and hauling your stock causes stress, so do nuisances like flies and other pests and getting off a routine. Flies and other insects that buzz around the heads of your animals will cause a distraction away from eating.

Keep those animals eating. No one has time for show animals that go off feed, so take a proactive approach to keep your livestock eating all summer long.

Animals are very routine oriented, so set a feeding schedule and stick to it.

One of the best ways to make sure your livestock keep eating is to keep the digestive tract healthy, and a great way to do that is to include Amaferm in your animals’ diets. All BioZyme products including those in the Sure Champ and Vita Charge lines contain Amaferm, to help keep your animals eating.

Specific products that contain

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BioZyme, Inc. News continued from the previous page Amaferm that are designed to help drive your animals’ appetite during heat stress situations include Sure Champ Extreme with Climate Control and Vita Charge Climate Control Gel. The Amaferm helps increase intake and digestibility, driving consumption. With the increased efficiency in digestibility, the animal is using less energy to digest food, creating less internal heat. The Climate Control products also contain a plant extract specifically designed to maintain circulation and promote water intake, therefore maintaining the body’s core temperature.

“Being aware of the factors that contribute to animals going off feed and including Amaferm can pay big dividends in the show ring,” Glaubius said.

Though we can’t control the seasons, length of day, or the temperatures, we can do our best to mimic the consistency of them. Feed your animals at a consistent time each day, both morning and night.

And, if that means feeding them in a darkened, cool barn with fans, then do it.

Keeping your animals cool is important to maintaining their appetite throughout the summer.

The same goes for when you are traveling. Make sure to keep to their normal schedule as much as possible.

Keep their feeding times consistent, and keep their feed pans the same as they are at home. If they are accustomed to drinking from a tank or another water source other than a bucket, start bucket watering them prior to going to the show, as water intake is vital to good health.

Water intake is also highly correlated to feed intake.

When you do make feed changes, make them gradually. Yes, feed can change the appearance of an animal over time, but drastic changes too quickly can also lead to decreased appetites that can be detrimental to your feeding program.

Control flies. Be sure to use a fly spray around your barn and on your animals to keep them comfortable and to keep them eating.

Management and nutrition are the keys to keeping your show animals eating during the summer, right on up to the backdrop. Keep your show animals cool, hydrated, on a routine, and give them the Amaferm advantage, and you’ll find them eating even on those days you’re not even

hungry.

To learn more about the Amaferm advantage or how your animals can benefit from it, visit www.biozymeinc. com.

About BioZyme Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly

available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements for a variety of animals including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include Amaferm®, AO-Biotics®, Amasile™, VitaFerm ®, Vita Charge ®, Sure Champ®, Vitalize®, and DuraFerm®.

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

Carolina Cooking Grande Beef Empanada Total Cooking Time - 45 minutes 1 pound ground beef (80-85% lean) ¼ cup raisins, chopped ¼ cup chili sauce 1 teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 refrigerated pie crust (½ of 15 ounce package) Water Toppings: Prepared salsa, salsa con queso, chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

Heat oven to 400°F. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ground beef; cook 8-10 minutes, breaking into small crumbles and stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings.

Stir in raisins, chili sauce, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir for 1 minute.

Remove from heat.

Unfold pie crust; place on baking sheet. Spoon beef mixture evenly over ½ of dough, leaving 1½ inch border around edge. Moisten edge of dough with water; fold pastry over filling. Press edges of dough together with fork to seal. Prick center of dough with fork once or twice to form steam vents.

Bake in 400°F oven 16-18 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Serve with toppings, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Cook’s Tip - Beef Empanada Appetizers: Increase refrigerated pie crusts to 3 or 1½ (15 ounce) packages.

Prepare ground beef filling as above. Roll out each pie crust to a 14 inch circle on a

lightly floured surface. Cut 10 circles from each crust with a 3½ inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, spacing the cutouts closely.

Spoon a generous tablespoon beef filling in center of each circle, leaving ¼ inch border around edge. Moisten edge of dough with water; fold pastry over filling to form a half circle. Press edges together with fork to seal. Place on baking sheet.

Bake in 400°F oven 14-16 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Serve as above.

Makes 30 appetizers.

Grande Beef Empanada

NCBA News

Cattlemen Launch Campaign to Pass USMCA. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recently launched a media campaign urging Congress to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The campaign features personal stories from cattle and beef producers across the country who want Congress to ratify the USMCA as quickly as possible.

“The USMCA keeps the highly successful framework for U.S. beef trade in place and preserves access to two of our largest export markets,” said NCBA President Jennifer Houston. “Cattle producers need certainty with Canada and Mexico so that we can continue to build on 25 years of duty free, unrestricted trade in North America.”

Unrestricted, duty free trade under USMCA will continue to allow U.S. cattle and beef producers to capitalize on growing demand in lucrative markets in Canada, Mexico, and around the world. USMCA maintains science-based trade standards while rejecting failed policies of the past, like mandatory country-of-origin labeling.

The NCBA campaign will center around a new USMCA website at policy. ncba.org/usmca. Visitors to the site can click on a dynamic map to pull up state data, producer profiles, and news articles related to USMCA. The map will be updated weekly with new content and profiles.

Including Beef in Healthy Diets is a Smart Approach to Healthy Lifestyles.

Cattle Producers Weigh in on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association told members of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) in oral comments that an overwhelming body of scientific evidence shows that healthy diets including red meat, like beef, support optimal health and well being.

“Beef is a high quality protein powerhouse providing a unique combination of bioavailable iron, zinc, and B vitamins essential to building and maintaining strength from infancy through our later years,” said Shalene McNeill, Ph.D., RD, NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Research.

NCBA also emphasized to the committee that beef is rich in nostalgia and nutrients, has been enjoyed for centuries, and continues to be part of most Americans’ diets, traditions, and celebrations. Beef nourishes bodies and minds and optimizes health at every stage

of life. As more Americans are overweight, it is important to make every calorie count.

Calorie for calorie, no other protein food delivers the same package of ten essential nutrients. Today’s beef is leaner than ever before, and Americans’ consumption of calories and fat from beef has declined.

“As a registered dietitian, nutrition scientist, and advocate for healthy eating, it’s important for people who include beef as a source of nourishment and satisfaction in a healthy diet to know that the best science available today continues to reinforce that this is a smart approach for a healthy lifestyle,” McNeill said.

Jointly updated every five years by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy. During this process, a group of experts in the fields of nutrition and health is appointed to the DGAC. These individuals are tasked with reviewing the latest nutrition research to make science based recommendations to HHS and USDA on the food and beverages that promote a healthy, balanced diet.

Providing oral comments is an important part of the DGA process. On behalf of beef farmers and ranchers, NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, an industry research and promotion program that utilizes scientific evidence as the basis for its information, urges the DGAC to systematically review the totality of scientific evidence, using best practices that are thorough, transparent, and relevant when making decisions that will ultimately result in nutritional policies that can measurably improve the health of Americans.

Learn more about beef’s nutrient rich profile and find ways to incorporate the mouthwatering, high quality protein into your healthy lifestyle at www. beefitswhatsfordinner.com/nutrition.

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.

Chatel Farms now offering custom feeding opportunities for high quality cattle produced by innovative cattlemen looking to join the transformation of Southeastern cattle industry.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2019

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Collaboration Key to Meeting Consumers’ Expectations for Better Animal Welfare. Collaboration between veterinarians and producers is crucial in order to meet public demands of high animal welfare, according to international experts at recent Boehringer Ingelheim’s Expert Forum on Farm Animal Well Being.

Over 100 delegates from 17 countries gathered in the historic city of Prague on June 6-8 for the 12 th edition of this conference hosted by leading global animal health firm, Boehringer Ingelheim.

Since 2008, the Forum has brought together animal scientists, retailers, veterinarians, producers, and industry advocates to discuss the latest research, data, and visions on improving the welfare of animals that supply essential global food chains.

This year’s event asked the question: Do consumers and citizens want the same thing? The difference between the two was highlighted by Laura Higham of FAI Farms, who spoke of the ‘citizen shift,’ in which individuals who wish to have a greater influence over society – including animal health and welfare – are utilizing spending power to drive ethical food supply chains.

Ms. Higham also discussed the variance in farm assurance schemes and whether or not the current schemes meet consumers’ expectations for better animal welfare.

Despite this proven ‘citizen shift,’ willingness to pay for higher welfare is still a massive issue facing the industry, as noted by Dr. Lynn Fewer, Newcastle

N.C. Weekly Auctions Report

Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 (Week ending JULY 12, 2019) Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $120.00 - 141.00

400-500 $114.00 - 141.00

500-600 $118.00 - 141.00

600-700 $114.00 - 134.00

700-800 $-------- - 109.00

800-900 $-------- - 94.00 Heifers 300-400 $114.00 - 127.00

400-500 $110.00 - 132.00

500-600 $ 99.00 - 124.00

600-700 $ 94.00 - 113.00

700-800 $-------- - ------- 800-900 $-------- - -------Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $57.00 - 69.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $51.00 - 68.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $61.00 - 79.00 Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156

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NEWS

University. “Concerns associated with farm animal welfare and production may not correspond to purchase and consumption practices, with sales of welfare friendly products much lower than the reported levels of concern. This suggests a discrepancy between an individual’s role as a citizen and as a consumer, such that citizens and consumers have different concerns in different contexts.”

Sustainable supply chains were on the agenda in talks from Robert Erhard of Nestlé and Dr. Jeff Brose of Cargill Animal Nutrition USA; while Dr. Rory Sullivan of Chronos Sustainability explained to delegates the importance of global benchmarking schemes on farm animal welfare for global food companies.

When it came to defining what animal welfare really means, speakers across the board were keen to highlight that it does not just mean physical health.

“It’s essential to remember that animals with the absence of pain don’t necessarily have good welfare,” explained Charlotte Winder from the University of Guelph in Canada, in her speech about how vets can assess pain levels in livestock.

This concept led to further discussions on ethical beef production from Rob Drysdale from StraightLine Beef UK, and the fascinating link between antimicrobial resistance and animal welfare from Professor Xavier Manteca of Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain.

Marianne Villettaz Robichaud of the University of Montreal in Canada discussed the latest evidence on lying time and cow comfort, while Leopoldo Stuardo Escobar from the World Organisation for Animal Health in France gave an insight into the OIE Global Animal Welfare Strategy.

Even with access to the latest research and technology, one of the biggest blockers in achieving high animal welfare is behavior and attitudes, as highlighted by Dr. Anna Wilson and Katie Morton from Innovia UK. In their address to delegates and through an insightful, interactive workshop, the duo gave practical advice on how to alter both professional and farmer behavior in order to make the end goal of high animal welfare more attainable.

With consumers and stakeholders in the food industry increasingly interested in the production systems behind food

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

products, a key outcome of the conference was the need for greater collaboration between veterinarians and farmers to ensure supply chains are both sustainable and maximizing farm animal welfare.

“We are dedicated to finding ways to improve farm outcomes through supporting farm animal well being,” said Dr. Laurent Goby, senior global marketing manager at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Forums such as these are pivotal in bringing the best in the business together to explore, discuss, and enlighten others on how we can work together to achieve this for industry professionals, farmers, and most importantly, consumers.”

Boehringer Ingelheim also maintains a website at www.farmanimalwellbeing. com dedicated to farm animal well being, which contains all information, including the papers that were presented in Prague as well as details of previous meetings.

How to Take Control of Pinkeye.

Consider these management practices to keep your herd protected. Pinkeye is more than an inconvenience in cattle herds. It’s a highly contagious disease that’s painful for animals, can significantly reduce calf growth rates, and can even lead to

blindness, if left untreated.1 The good news is there are several management practices most cattlemen can implement to reduce the occurrence and minimize the impact of this common disease.

Prevent injury and infection “Pinkeye is the general term for inflammation or infection of the eye, and its primary cause is the pathogen Moraxella bovis (M. bovis). The disease may result from conditions that irritate the eye and is often spread by face flies,” explained D.L. Step, DVM of Boehringer Ingelheim. “Protecting cattle from the most common causes of eye irritations and injuries is the best way to minimize the chance of infection.”

To do that, Dr. Step suggests implementing these management practices: • Control weeds and/or tall grasses.

Brushing against tall, rough grass or prickly weeds in pastures is a common source of eye irritation or injury in cattle.

Mowing or spraying weeds and brush before they get too tall eliminates the threat.

• Provide shade for animals. Being in constant bright sunlight can cause eyes

“Silly Me... the estimate should be $140,000, not $14,000”

to tear up, which often attracts flies that can carry bacteria.

• Minimize dusty conditions, where possible. Airborne dirt and dust can cause eye irritation. When pen or pasture conditions are extremely dry, spraying water reduces the dirt and dust animals can kick up.

Reduce spreading risk - “When pinkeye does develop, it’s important to detect it early to administer appropriate treatment and limit disease spread,” noted Dr. Step. “It’s good to check for pinkeye daily, or at least every other day during fly season. Look for cattle exhibiting clinical signs, including excessive eye tearing, drainage, blinking, or squinting.”

Dr. Step pointed to the following practices to help reduce the risk of spread: • Separate and treat infected animals. Remove infected animals from the rest of the herd, and treat them as soon as possible in order to interrupt the disease cycle. One face fly could spread pinkeye to several animals in a day. Work with your veterinarian and follow label instructions to provide efficient and effective treatment. Applying a patch over the infected eye can aid healing and prevent disease spread in some instances.

• Control flies. Whether you use fly tags, pour ons, sprays, dust bags, or back rubbers, it’s important to implement some form of fly control.

• Vaccinate early. “The ideal time to vaccinate for pinkeye is 30 days prior to the beginning of fly season in order to allow a good level of immunity to develop,” asserted Dr. Step. “A single dose of pinkeye vaccine offers convenience and efficacy.”

Dr. Step said that M. bovis is not the only pathogen that can cause pinkeye, but it is the most common one. “That’s why vaccination is not guaranteed to work 100 percent of the time; however, it can significantly reduce the clinical signs and severity of the disease if an outbreak occurs.”

Handle vaccines properly - “A more

common reason vaccines don’t work is that they are not handled or administered according to label directions,” added Dr. Step. “The product might need to be refrigerated until use and kept out of direct sunlight. A clean, sterile syringe should always be used so no cross contamination occurs with other products or with a disinfectant. And the correct dose should be given in the right manner.

“I remind ranchers that, with a vaccine, you’re paying for a type of technology. To get the most out of it, you need to follow label directions,” he concluded.

1 Snowder G.D., Van Vleck L.D., Cundiff L.V., Bennett G.L. Genetic and environmental factors associated with incidence of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in preweaned beef calves. J Anim Sci, 2005;83(3):507–518.

New Website Aids in the Cattle Industry’s Fight to Eradicate BVDV. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) continues to challenge the cattle industry across the United States. Losses from just one BVDV case can cost up to $400.1 The virus often goes undiagnosed, but the consequences are severe, including losses from infertility, pneumonia, abortions, stillbirths, weak or deformed calves, and immunosuppression.1 To help producers take on this ongoing challenge, www.BVDVTracker. com was launched. The website’s mission is to support veterinarians, producers, and industry professionals in the control of BVDV across the United States. The website was developed with three defining features: 1. Nationwide heat map - www.

B V D V Tr a c k e r. c o m i n c l u d e s a n interactive heat map that makes it easy to identify if BVDV Type 1b is impacting your area. Type 1b is the most prevalent subtype of BVDV in the nation. 2 Knowing the specific subtype can help direct prevention and vaccination decisions.

2. Veterinarians and producers can

report a BVDV case - Think BVDV is in your herd? You can request to submit an anonymous sample to test for infection through www.BVDVTracker.com. There is no treatment for BVDV, but diagnostic testing can guide successful vaccination programs. All samples submitted through www.BVDVTracker.com are processed by the Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at South Dakota State University.

3. BVDV resource library - BVDV spreads easily and can span a lifetime, throughout all segments of animal development. That’s why www.

B V D V t r a c k e r. c o m includes comprehensive information from industry experts on detection, prevention, and treatment.

Boehringer Ingelheim created www.

BVDVTracker.com as a tool for industry professionals in the surveillance and management of BVDV across the United States. They believe the best way to run a cattle operation is by putting the health and well being of the animal at the top of the priority list. To find out more, visit www.BVDVTracker.com.

1 USDA APHIS, Veterinary Services – Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health. Bovine viral diarrhea virus. 2007.

Available at www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_ health/emergingissues/downloads/ bvdinfosheet.pdf.

2 Fulton RW, Ridpath JF, Saliki JT, et al. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) 1b: predominant BVDV subtype in calves with respiratory disease. Can J Vet Res 2002;66(3):181–190.

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.boehringeringelheim.com/animal-health/overview.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2019

PAGE 53

NEWS

Aureomycin ® from Zoetis Now Labeled for Bacterial Pneumonia Control in Dairy Heifers. Additional label claim allows dairy producers to use Aureomycin for a wider range of indications under a veterinary feed directive. Dairy producers can now add Aureomycin from Zoetis to replacement heifer feed for control of bacterial pneumonia. This expanded label provides another option against costly pneumonia for veterinarians and dairy producers.

This label update recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows for this feed additive to be fed to dairy replacement heifers at a rate of 350 milligrams per head per day with a veterinary feed directive (VFD) from a licensed veterinarian.

“Aureomycin has been a flexible and reliable control for bacterial pneumonia [caused

by Pasteurella spp. susceptible to chlortetracycline] for many years,” said Aubrey Schroeder, Ph.D., associate director, regulatory affairs at Zoetis. “Veterinarians and dairy producers can now use Aureomycin for this added indication in dairy replacement heifers and take advantage of a zero-day withdrawal period to help keep heifers healthy.”

Respiratory disease is one of the leading health concerns impacting dairy operations. It can reduce the average daily gain of calves and heifers, which can lead to reproductive challenges, later calving ages that significantly impact profitability, and decrease future milk production.1 “A VFD is required to feed rations with Aureomycin, but with a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, this process is simple and worth that added benefit to your herd,” Dr. Schroeder said. “This update for Aureomycin has already been added to electronic

PAGE 54

VFD forms.”

Dairy producers are encouraged to contact their veterinarian for more information about Aureomycin. You also can learn more about the product at www.zoetisus.com/ products/beef/aureomycin_beef.aspx.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

Van der Fels-Klerx H.J., Martin S.W., Nielen M, Huirne R.B.M. Effects on productivity and risk factors of bovine respiratory disease in dairy heifers; a review for the Netherlands. Neth J Agri Sci. 2002;50(1):27-45.

About Zoetis. Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 65 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures, 1

and commercializes medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products, which are complemented by biodevices, genetic tests, and a range of services. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers, and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries.

In 2018, the company generated annual revenue of $5.8 billion with approximately 10,000 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetisus.com.

...

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

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2019 Feeder Calf Sale Schedule ........................................ 53 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale ..... 17 45th Annual North Carolina Fall Harvest Sale ..................... 10 Alltech ............................................................................ 38 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............ 55 Back Creek Angus ............................................................ 55 Bekaert Fencing .............................................................. 30 BioZyme Incorporated — VitaCharge ................................ 47 Black Crest Farm ............................................................. 55 Black Grove Angus ........................................................... 55 C-Cross Cattle Company ................................................... 55 Carolinas Animal Health .................................................. 55 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ...................................... 24 Double J Farms ................................................................ 55 Dura•Cast ....................................................................... 22 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. ............................................. 55 EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale ................................. 46 F. Haniff Farms ................................................................ 55 FPL Food, LLC .................................................................. 51 Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Sale .................... 11 Gallagher — Miraco ......................................................... 36 H.J. White Farms ............................................................. 55 Harward Sisters .............................................................. 42 Hawk’s Nest Ranch .......................................................... 55 Howard Brothers Farms ................................................... 55 Hunt’s H+ Brangus .......................................................... 55 Hutton & Sons Herefords ................................................. 55 John Deere ..................................................................... 28 Kuhn Knight .................................................................... 37 Kuhn North America ........................................................ 20 N.C. Angus Association Directory ...................................... 23 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application ...... 45 N.C. Gelbvieh Association ................................................ 32

N.C. Hereford Association ................................................ 31 N.C. Simmental Association Directory .............................. 12 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment .................. 15 Pearson Livestock Equipment ............................................ 7 Powell Farms Complete & Absolute Dispersal .................... 21 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory .............. 26 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment .... 50 Smith Farm Trailer Sales .................................................. 55 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ........................................................ 41 Southeast AgriSeeds ........................................................ 19 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ......................................... 35 Southern States .............................................................. 17 Springfield Angus ............................................................ 55 ST Genetics — Bill Kirkman ............................................. 55 Tarheel Angus — ‘Black Friday’ Sale .................................. 55 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2019 Spotlight Schedule ...... 5 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates and Sizes ........................................ 44 The Carolina Cattle Connection Rate Card No. 9 ................. 54 The Wax Company — Marshall Ryegrass ........................... 29 The Wax Company — Nelson Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass .... 2 Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale ......... 49 Vetericyn ........................................................................ 27 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM ....................................................... 9 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ........................................ 18 Whitehall Beefmasters .................................................... 55 Wilkes Livestock Exchange .............................................. 48 Yon Family Farms ............................................................ 55

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2019

PAGE 55

VENTS ANGUS Aug. 30-31 — Powell Farms Complete & Absolute Dispersal, Limestone, Tenn.

Oct. 26 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 26 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Nov. 2 — NCAA 2019 Down East Sale, Beulaville, N.C. Nov. 16 — 11th Annual SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Nov. 16 — Southeast Bull & Expo Sale, Clinton, N.C. Dec. 6 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.

2020 Jan. 4 — EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 15 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Mar. 7 — Iredell Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. brangus Oct. 19 — L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms Best of the South Private Treaty Field Day Sale, Lyons, Ga. CHAROLAIS Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.

IGHTER A man walks into a bar and orders a drink. Then he notices there are pieces of meat nailed to the ceiling of the bar, so he asks the barman what they are for.

The barman replies, “If you can jump up and pull one of them down you get free beer all night. If you fail, you have to pay the bar $100. Do you want to have a go?”

The man thinks about it for a minute before saying, “Nah, the steaks are too high!” * * * Bob left work one Friday evening.

It was payday, so instead of going home, he stayed out the entire weekend partying with his friends and spending his entire wages.

When he finally appeared at home on Sunday night, he was confronted by his angry wife and was barraged for nearly two hours with a tirade befitting his actions. Finally, his wife stopped the nagging and said to him, “How would you like it if you didn’t see me for two or three days?”

He replied, “That would be fine with me.”

Monday went by and he didn’t see his wife.

Tuesday and Wednesday came and went with the same results.

On Thursday, the swelling went down just enough where he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye. * * * A dog walked in to the telegram office one day. He took out a blank form and

PAGE 56

IDE

wrote on it: “Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof.

Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof.”

Then he handed it to the clerk. The clerk examined the paper and said to the dog, “You know there are only nine words here? You could send another ‘Woof’ for the same price.”

The dog replied, “But that would make no sense at all!” * * * A man was on a flight the other day when the air hostess came up and said, “Excuse me sir, would you like to have dinner?”

He said, “What are the options?”

She said, “Yes and No.” * * * A man joined a big multi-national company as a trainee. On his first day, he dialed the kitchen and shouted into the phone, “Get me a cup of coffee, quickly!”

The voice from the other side responded, “You fool! You’ve dialed the wrong extension! Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“No,” replied the trainee.

“It’s the Managing Director of the company, you idiot!”

The trainee shouted back, “And do you know who YOU are talking to, you IDIOT?” “No!” replied the Managing Director angrily.

“Thank God!” replied the trainee and put the phone down…

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2019

GELBVIEH Dec. 6 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. HEREFORD Aug. 24 — East Tennessee Kick-off Classic, White Pine, Tenn.

Dec. 6 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2020 Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. Red Angus Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. SIMMENTAL Sep. 6 — N.C. Simmental Association Annual Meeting, Union Grove, N.C. Sep. 7 — N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale, Union Grove, N.C. Oct. 26 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 26 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Nov. 16 — 11th Annual SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2020 Jan. 4 — EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 15 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Mar. 7 — Iredell Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C.

OTHER EVENTS Aug. 1 — Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 6 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Aug. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Aug. 8 — Tri-State Beef Conference, Blountville, Tenn.

Aug. 20-12 — 2019 Applied Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium, Knoxville, Tenn.

Sep. 3 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Sep. 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Sep. 5 — Value Added BQA Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Sep. 12 — Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Sept. 26-28 — 2019 Regenerative Agricultural Summit, Greeneville, Tenn.

Oct. 1 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Oct. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 5 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Nov. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 3 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Dec. 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 6 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2020 Jan. 4 — EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C. Mar. 7 — Iredell Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C.

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