CC C
arolina attle onnection FEBRUARY 2021 •
Vol. 35, Issue No. 2
Spotlight on
FORAGES
OPTIMAL CATTLE NUTRITION IS MORE THAN HAVING LOTS OF GRASS Performance Extra 16% is utilized in the development of heifers before breeding season. Feeding Performance Extra 16% prior to breeding will ensure those animals intake adequate energy to cycle properly and lead to a successful bred heifer or cow. This ration also works well in all stages of cattle production where there is a need for a higher protein and energy.
Nutritionally balanced with vitamins and minerals - Promotes development, proper growth, and overall health
DURING HARSH WINTER WEATHER, CATTLE NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS INCREASE. DEPENDING ON FORAGE QUALITY AND QUANTITY, SUPPLEMENT WITH 13% FEEDER BLEND, 14% PLUS, OR 16% EXTRA PELLETS TO BALANCE BEEF CATTLE RATIONS. Guaranteed Analysis
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ONNECTION 37th Annual N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test Sale Results, by Gary Gregory ......................................... page 45 41st Annual N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Sale Results, by Gary Gregory & Deidre Harmon ......... page 45 A Message from the CEO — Gratitude and Optimism, by Colin Woodall ................................... page 43 A New NEPA for the New Year .......................................................................................................... page 55 Alltech News ........................................................................................................................................ page 55 American Angus Association News .................................................................................................. page 19 American Gelbvieh Association News ............................................................................................ page 28 American Hereford Association News ............................................................................................ page 30 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ................................................................................................... page 35 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Diet Round-Up, by Ashley W. Herring .................................................... page 10 Beef Checkoff News ........................................................................................................................... page 46 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods .......................................................................... page 42 Beefmaster Breeders United News ................................................................................................. page 26 BioZyme Incorporated News ........................................................................................................... page 56 Boehringer Ingelheim News ............................................................................................................. page 58 Carolina Cooking — Beef Green Chili .............................................................................................. page 39 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ........................................................................... page 53 Certified Angus Beef News ............................................................................................................... page 22 Director’s Report — Finding the Bright Spots, by Bryan K. Blinson ................................................ page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Ears May Be Listening, by E.B. Harris ................................ page 13 Farm Credit News ............................................................................................................................... page 58 Federation of State Beef Councils Update ...................................................................................... page 53 From the Desk of the SCCA President, by Roscoe Kyle ................................................................... page 31 Industry News .................................................................................................................................... page 60 Merck Animal Health News ............................................................................................................... page 16 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ......................................................................................................... page 55 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ................................................................................ page 54 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — New Committee Leaders, Same Mission, by Marty Smith ................................................... page 51 National Institute for Animal Agriculture News ........................................................................... page 48 New NCCA Members for 2021 .......................................................................................................... page 40 North American Limousin Foundation News ................................................................................ page 38 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ...................................................................... page 28 On the Edge of Common Sense — A Cowful, by Baxter Black ........................................................ page 11 S.C. Beef Council News, by Roy Copelan .......................................................................................... page 46 S.C. Charolais News, by Georgeanne Webb ...................................................................................... page 35 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ....................................................................... page 35 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker .............................................................................................. page 36 The U.S. Dollar, by Katelyn McCullock ............................................................................................... page 25 University of Missouri’s Jordan Thomas to Speak at Meeting of the Red Angus Association of the Carolinas ............................................................................. page 24 Valley Vet News ................................................................................................................................... page 21 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ....................................................................................................... page 14
FORAGES A Critical Decision for Grazing Systems — The Animal-to-Land Relationship, by Miguel S. Castillo ..... page 7 Adaptive Grazing Management Provides Multiple Benefits, by Matt Poore ..... page 6 Advanced Grazing Management Techniques Yield Amazing Results, by Matt Poore ..... page 4 Amazing Grazing — Grazing Winter Stockpiled Fescue - Comparing Fescue Renovation Strategies, by Charlotte Talbott ..... page 9 Breaking the Chain, the Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Experience of Darrel Franson, by Jeremy Hayward ..... page 5 Details are Critical in Achieving Successful Stand Establishment, by Matt Poore ..... page 8
N.C. Cattlemen’s Association
President JEREMY LEE 5153 Battle Run Drive • Catawba, NC 28609 Vice Presidents KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734
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Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All Website: www.sccattlemen.wildapricot.org submissions become property of The Carolina Executive Committee Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to President - Roscoe Kyle return items such as photographs and artwork as 1st Vice President - Timmy Benton requested. nd 2 Vice President - Joe Oswald IV Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Thomas Legare
William Brigman, Latta • Joe Oswald, IV, Allendale Roscoe Kyle, Inman • Terry Kirkland, Batesburg Eddie Evans, Easley • Cecil Eaddy, Manning Thomas Legare, Johns Island • Richard Sox, Lexington Carol Hendrix, Westminister • Clay Alexander, Starr Timmy Benton, Walterboro • Michael Bailey, Lancaster Bonnie Cann, Abbeville • Thomas Jones, Marion Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Jack Ferguson, York Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews
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Executive Director ROY COPELAN P.O. Box 11280 • Columbia, SC 29211 Phone: 803-917-1119 Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov Website: www.sccattle.org
The Carolina Cattle Connection, the official publication of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association is published monthly by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. A complementary subscription is included with membership to each state’s association. Nonmember subscriptions are $30 per year.
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breed Spotlight special sections are excellent forums to r e ac h p r o d u c e r s a n d cattle industry insiders in the Carolinas and throughout the S outheast . A dvertisers also receive a special discount for placing their message in the Spotlight. The Carolina Cattle Connection
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PAGE 1
70 Annual N.C. Cattlemen’s Conference Announcement th
After much consideration, due to restrictions brought on by COVID-19, we must POSTPONE the 70th Annual N.C. Cattlemen’s Conference. Our current plan is to have an event this summer allowing everyone to come together for fellowship and education in a venue that conforms to whatever the rules are at the time. We are planning to hold the Annual Board of Director’s Meeting sometime in late February or early March to conduct our business. We will make an announcement of how and, hopefully, where the meeting will be held in as soon as possible. The format of the meeting will be determined as information on restrictions becomes available. The Annual N.C. Cattlemen’s Conference is more than a meeting with education and business. It is, for many, the one time a year we get to catch up with friends, network and learn from each other, and solidify what makes this business so gratifying — Each Other. Thank you and stay safe, Jeremy Lee President, N.C. Cattlemen's Association
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
Director’s Report By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA
Finding the Bright Spots Every day when we take in the news in whatever form it comes to us, it seems that there is bad news that is worse than yesterday’s bad news. My objective in this month’s column is to find the bright spots that hopefully will help us all to smile and be encouraged a bit. Ashley and I recently had an opportunity to meet with a young lady who is interested in getting more involved with livestock and agriculture in general. A mutual friend thought we might be able to give her some insight. She is not from an ag background and is actually from the city. Typically, when someone wants to get newly involved with animal agriculture, it is because they are animal lovers, and many
aspire to become a veterinarian. This young person certainly is an animal lover like we all are, but interestingly enough, that is not what drove her to want to be involved in our industry. To flesh out the story a bit, COVID-19 and the shutdowns altered her college plans temporarily, so she found a job working with animals on a farm for the summer. When that season had ended, she enjoyed it so much she found another for the fall. She noted that she enjoyed working with the animals and began to recognize just how complex and interesting animal agriculture really is. She is currently working toward shifting her degree track to agriculture. This very bright and engaging young person’s epiphany of the importance of agriculture is
great news, but it gets better. We all are normally surrounded by folks who think like us and do not have many opportunities to interact with someone with a totally different background and perspective. We asked what her peers thought of agriculture, and she explained that if it came to mind to most of them, it was not something that most of them really dwelt upon. She said that she had lived in North Carolina her whole life and never realized nor considered how important agriculture was to the state and certainly had never considered the complexity of the industry. We are so intensely interested in our industry that we may think that every young person is somehow opposed to meat and those of us who raise it. For sure, there are those out there, but it is refreshing to hear that most of her peers just love beef and don’t think we are good or bad; they just like beef. When she began to describe what made her so interested in agriculture, we were both surprised to learn that the driving force for her career track change was not necessarily the science of modern ag, the opportunities in the industry, or the desire to be near animals but something we may all take for granted more than we should. She said that she noticed that when someone had a problem or a need, the neighbors did not hesitate to come to the aid of a friend or
stranger. She was fascinated by this mindset that she noticed in rural communities and wants to be part of that culture. To me, in the times we are living in, that is a tremendous bright spot. This young lady was amazed at something that we take for granted in our communities and most certainly among farm families. We care about each other, and when the opportunity presents itself, we jump in to help. There are bright spots in the overwhelming demand for beef. Our exports show that people all over the world love the beef you raise and the consumers in America seem to have a renewed appreciation for beef. They have embraced the flavor, versatility, and variety offered by beef as www.beefitswhatsfordinner. com and other websites with recipes and cooking tips for beef have been hopping as people across the country have had to do more cooking at home. This demand should only get better as restaurants begin to open to more customers as we work our way out of the pandemic. We have and will continue to have challenges in the beef industry, in agriculture, and in our country as a whole. But I am thankful that I was able to meet and hear from this young lady who pointed out that we in agriculture have something that all of society needs — EACH OTHER.
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Spotlight on
FORAGES
Section f
Advanced Grazing Management Techniques Yield Amazing Results By MATT POORE Grazing management is getting more attention these days, but the vast majority of cow/calf producers still use continuous or lax rotational grazing. Actively managing grazing does take effort, but it can be one of the most rewarding activities on the farm. Adaptive grazing management is an approach that encourages the grazier to use a combination of grazing techniques to develop their own custom system that is adapted to their own personal situation. A successful adaptive grazier knows how to grow a lot of forage, use it with short graze periods and long rest periods, and maintain at least a moderate amount of residual forage mass after grazing bouts. There are many grazing techniques that can help you apply these principles. Making critical observations each time you make an allocation of pasture will lead to a system of continuous improvement. Recently, due to COVID-19, I have been stuck at home on the farm, and this has given me a chance to really focus on my grazing management skills. My family runs 110 cows at Virgilina, Va., 50 miles due north of Raleigh, North Carolina. My personal favorite grazing technique is “Frontal Grazing” with a single wire that is moved ahead of the cows. I have been using this technique during calving on our group of first calf heifers this year, and it works really well since we check them twice a day. We ran 18 heifers in a 10 acre field of novel endophyte tall fescue (MaxQ) for 30 days and moved the wire about 15 feet twice
Mature cows grazing a mix of crabgrass, tall fescue, and other warm season grasses.
a day. Moving the wire is as simple as creating a little slack with the reel and then just walking along and moving the step-in posts over. The reel end can be advanced as necessary, so you can use that single wire to cross the whole field. By the time you move the fence, the heifers have lined up to be counted. Our mature cow herd has spent their calving season grazing a stockpiled mix of crabgrass, dallisgrass, and KY-31 tall fescue, and we give them a fresh strip of grass once a day. I am flip flopping two reels to make the daily allocation. It can be a bit challenging to take down the wire with baby calves tearing around all over the place, but if you keep it tight as you walk and reel it up, you can get along pretty well. This approach only takes me about 20 minutes, and the entire time I am making observations about the cows and calves.
First calf heifers grazing MaxQ Tall Fescue.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
With each of these situations, I only back fence after about two weeks. I like the cows and calves to have plenty of area to spread out when it rains and for cows to get away from the herd to calve. With fresh grass on the grazing front, the herd is rarely seen in the previously grazed areas.
prevents a lot of damage to the land that happens when you drive frequently to deliver hay into wet pastures. Each of these advanced grazing practices requires a good understanding of temporary electric fencing. The key is to have a lot of power on your fence. Cattle really respect a hot wire, so if you can get the power high and check it often enough to find problems as they develop, you can totally change the behavior of your cow herd. There may be individual cows that don’t adapt to the system, but that is pretty rare. Once the cattle are trained to the temporary fence, there are many benefits beyond the ability to ration out nutrition in an adaptive grazing management system. Once cows get into a rhythm with your system, they will become more and more docile and easy to manage. You will be able to sort off cows using a reel of polywire. You will be able to use a reel of polywire to reduce the number of people you need in the working pen. You will be
Bale grazing yearling cattle reduces mud problems.
We typically feed our yearling steers and heifers on hay during October as their winter pastures of oats and ryegrass establish. In the last two years, we have really had trouble with mud with these cattle due to the wet autumns we have had. This year was rounding up to be wet again, so we decided to try bale grazing. Bale grazing consists of putting out enough hay for the specified period of time (45 rolls for 30 days in this case) and then rationing it out using electric fence. As the cattle clean up each set of bales, the next fence is taken down, and the rings moved to the new bales. This approach
able to fence off damaged areas that need to rest and limit access to shade when cows don’t need to be under trees. You can even put cows into a narrow section and spray them for flies! If you don’t use advanced grazing techniques in your beef cow management program, I encourage you to consider it. Search for “The Power of One Wire” and “Twelve Step Plan to Amazing Grazing.” Reprinted with permission from Hay and Forage Grower, January 2021.
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Section f
Breaking the Chain, the Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Experience of Darrel Franson By JEREMY HAYWARD Alliance for Grassland Renewal If you look at grandma’s wallpaper long enough, the tendency is to be content with it, perhaps even appreciate it. That was the experience Darrel Franson had in 1993 when moving 700 miles south from his central Minnesota farm to establish his 127 acre farm of near 100 percent endophyte infected KY-31 tall fescue in southwest Missouri, near Mt. Vernon. “My learning curve was straight up,” Franson recalled in initially dealing with his newfound forage. “All this beautiful grass in this country, waving in the wind, and then to find out it contained a toxin,” Franson said, “it was a whole new world.” Franson, as he had become accustomed to doing in his 33 year career in agribusiness, began to dig deeper into tall fescue toxicosis. He quickly found adverse effects in livestock (from grazing KY-31 tall fescue) was first reported in 1948, but as Franson said, “We’ve dealt with it this long, how can this be? It doesn’t have to be.” Franson then acted, as he “resolved to accomplish certain things, I resolved to manage it.” From there, Franson first attended a University of Missouri extension grazing school, which he credits as the best thing he’s ever done, agriculturally. “I went home and began to intensively manage,” Franson said. He also began to manage his KY-31 to try to overcome the effects by drilling in clovers and lespedeza, kept his KY-31 vegetative, feeding a medicated mineral, transitioned to a fall calving herd, and limiting nitrogen fertilization. While his calf gains were up around five percent and abortions were down, he still had foot problems and
increased mineral costs. It was at this point, the transition began. “I’m a numbers guy, I do the math. Why feed toxins at all?” Franson recalled learning of a new, novel endophyte tall fescue. He researched it extensively and, in 2001, planted his first 11 acre stand of MaxQ novel endophyte tall fescue. Franson, like many growers, was confronted with the realization of removing some of that “beautiful grass.” “The [hardest part], personally, was killing a perfectly good stand of fescue. And truth be known, [it had] been there for 50 years; it wasn’t really so perfectly good anymore, but it was all I had.” In 2002, he added another 20 acre stand of novel tall fescue, and “we never looked back.” Franson converted another three 40 acre tracts but still had one field he rented in toxic tall fescue. Franson has learned how to deal with acreages of toxic tall fescue alongside novel, non-toxic stands. He recalled an instance where, in November of 2010, his herd had been on novel endophyte tall fescue for 102 days before having to go into a field of toxic tall fescue for available forage. The following January, Franson had to put two of those animals down with fescue foot. “It’s grotesque, we don’t need to be doing this to our cattle,” he said. Soon thereafter, he convinced his landlord to convert the toxic rented field into novel tall fescue, and the rest is history. Detailed record keeping is a source of Franson’s success. “Measure it, manage it, and monetize it,” he said. One such hurdle for growers converting to
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novel stands is the upfront cost; Franson’s figures show $200 per acre cash cost in renovating, though he’s happy to share he’s able to recoup those costs in less than two years. “It’s almost as if your return rate is your stocking rate,” Franson said. As with many growers across the tall fescue belt, Franson is quick to credit novel endophyte tall fescues with many acclaims like higher weaning weights and weaning percentages, and therefore more calves sold annually, as well as improved heifer cycling and conception rates. “I think novel endophyte (tall fescues) is the way to do it,” he says, “and the science is solid behind it.” Darrel Franson is a regular attendee at the Alliance for Grassland Renewal’s workshops. These workshops aim to
educate producers on the science of novel endophyte tall fescue varieties and how to convert from toxic tall fescue to nontoxic pastures. In 2021, the Alliance for Grassland Renewal is hosting a virtual workshop on February 23-25 and two in-person events in Mt. Vernon, Mo., on March 23 and Lexington, Ken., on March 25. Learn more and register by visiting www.grasslandrenewal.org/ workshops. The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a national organization focused on enhancing the appropriate adoption of novel endophyte tall fescue technology through education, incentives, self regulation, and promotion. For more resources or to learn more about the Alliance for Grassland Renewal, go to www.grasslandrenewal.org.
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q FEBRUARY 2021
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Section f
Adaptive Grazing Management Provides Multiple Benefits By MATT POORE Concepts about grazing management continue to evolve, but the fundamental principle of short grazing bouts followed by relatively long rest periods doesn’t change. Managed rotational grazing in some form goes back to the domestication of livestock. The rotational grazing system may be implemented in various ways, ranging from movement through many permanent paddocks to herding on open range. Graziers spend a lot of time discussing the various practices and tools needed to follow the simple principle, and many spend their whole lifetime developing their own unique take on the basic concept. While this approach is still not the norm for the livestock industry in most of the country, there is clearly increasing adoption of managed grazing. In recent years, we have seen a surge in interest in the Amazing Grazing program as a result of the soil health movement. It is now recognized that poor grazing management, especially overgrazing, is detrimental to soil health, water infiltration, forage yield, and water quality. Many farmers are starting to manage with a more ecological approach,
managing to benefit the many aspects of the system in addition to the livestock. Creating a healthy pasture ecosystem will take a number of years, but as the system comes into balance, you will see many benefits. There are many “systems” of grazing management. The first I was exposed to was the “Savory System” introduced in the ‘60s in the western United States. It was a blessing for some but a bust for others. In the ‘90s, I met Jim Gerrish and became a student of Management Intensive Grazing. We still use his books MIG, the Grass Roots of Grass Farming and Kick the Hay Habit as resources for our extension agents as he has a great way of explaining the principles of grazing management. I also came across Greg Judy and read his book Comeback Farms. This was an interesting read, and while I didn’t agree with some points, I learned a lot about how to use temporary fencing in an adaptive management system. At some point, as I researched and experimented with various practices, I realized that adaptive management is NOT about following a system developed
“DESIGNED FOR CATTLEMEN BY CATTLEMEN”
by someone else. If you understand the principles and then use your unique situation and resources as a guide, you can develop an approach that can be resilient to challenges both on the farm and for the rest of your life. Developing an approach that you can sustain over the decades is a key goal. In addition to working for N.C. Cooperative Extension, I also run 110 cows north of Raleigh on my family place in Southside Virginia. Using a combination of permanent pastures and temporary internal subdivision is the system we have found works well for us. While I have managed the farm now for 30 years, I spent the spring and summer this year fine tuning my grazing management skills. By making management decisions nearly every day, and then being observant and critically evaluating how I was doing, I learned a lot. That is adaptive management, and if you use it, you never stop learning. We have a lot of power on our fence, so the cattle are very well trained, and the benefits of that are obvious. When running late one day, I found that I could move my lead wire by taking out all the posts and then pulling the fence along until I opened the size strip I wanted, and then walk back and put the posts back. It is similar to using tumble wheel posts to move the fence but a lot less expensive. I got to where I could cut more than half the time off moving cows using this technique. You would think cows would charge ahead and go over the wire, but they typically don’t, especially when there are seed heads to
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
Cows strip grazing fescue regrowth.
hold the wire up off the ground, and there is a lot of power on it. It works especially well when strip grazing heading ryegrass or fescue. I am calling this “sweep grazing,” and it is just another of the many practices you might (or might not) want to implement on your farm. Probably the most important benefit for me of adaptive grazing management and temporary electric fence is how it impacts animal behavior. The benefits are seen in all species, but with cattle, animals become very docile and adapted to close human contact. Cattle become trained to come to you and to walk closely by you, all of which makes them easier to deal with both in the pasture and the working pen. The cows also learn that you will regularly provide for them, so they are contented to clean up what you have allocated them and will patiently wait for the next allocation. One of the best things about adaptive management is that it is more personalized than a system. You can start simple, and as you learn more, you will implement some practices (and potentially abandon others) and eventually start to evolve a system that fits your management style. Read and learn all you can from others, but keep in mind that you need to create your own customized system rather than following someone else’s recipe exactly. To learn more about how to adopt adaptive grazing management, search for “The Power of One Wire” and “Twelve Step Plan to Amazing Grazing.” Reprinted with Permission from Progressive Forage.
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Section f
A Critical Decision for Grazing Systems — The Animal-to-Land Relationship By MIGUEL S. CASTILLO N.C. State University Two critical elements of all grazing operations are 1) the number of livestock and 2) the amount of pastureland. These two elements are often the most expensive assets of grazing systems. Defining an adequate balance between the number of animals and the amount of forage in the pasture is the most important grazing management decision a farmer can make. It is also one of the decisions for which the land manager can have total control of. The animal-to-land relationship over time is known as the stocking rate. Stocking rate is often expressed as animal units per acre. The goal is to match the amount of forage produced with the amount of forage needed per animal
without compromising either resource. Too many animals in a field result in overgrazing. Simply put, there is not enough forage to feed the livestock. Over time, the pasture may become patchy and infested with weeds, resulting in a need to buy costly supplemental feed. Too few animals result in underutilized forages and, therefore, potentially lost income. Over time, you will observe mature forages and uneven grazing in some spots of the pasture (Figure 1). If forage productivity remained constant, then by knowing the pastureland productivity and the requirement of your livestock, you could estimate an appropriate stocking rate that would be constant year round (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Constant (idealistic) pasture growth rate.
However, forage productivity is not constant, and it can be influenced by several factors, weather being one of the major ones. In North Carolina and the transition zone of the eastern USA, productivity and distribution of cool and warm season forages have a distinct pattern. For example, tall fescue is most productive in spring and fall, while switchgrass and bermudagrass are most productive during the summer. Thus, if the number of animals remains constant during the year (as is usually the case for most farmers), there will be periods of undergrazing and overgrazing if only one type of forage species is used (Figure 3). Year round grazing management is possible, but only with a combination of
forages (i.e., cool and warm season) and management practices (i.e., stockpiling). To define an adequate stocking rate that will work for your specific goals and environment, first, start looking for the types of forages and the average pastureland productivity in your specific area. No other grazing management practice, such as the use of electric fencing, feeding minerals, soil sampling, fertilization, or weed management (although important), can overcome the failure of defining an adequate stocking rate. For more information, visit the N.C. State Extension - Forage & Grassland Program at www.forages.ces.ncsu.edu and contact your local county extension agent.
Figure 1. Hypothetical examples of understocking and overstocking scenarios.
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Figure 3. Figures showing periods of undergrazing and overgrazing for cool and warm season based grazing systems at the same stocking rate.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
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FORAGES
Section f
Details are Critical in Achieving Successful Stand Establishment By MATT POORE Many of our readers need to renovate cool season pastures in the coming year. Between hot and dry summers and very wet winters, pastures have really taken a beating. Whether you are planting annuals in a regular rotation or are transitioning into improved perennial forages (like novel endophyte tall fescue), the process of planting is one of the critical times you need to pay attention to details. Most of our recommended management practices are important, but many of them offer a little more flexibility in timing and exact application. Here are a few things to consider in detail before you take the drill to the field. First, it is important to do a good job of managing the previous crop. Regular soil testing will help you maintain a desirable pH and P and K levels. Fertility, in general, should be at least moderate at the time you plant. You might use a little starter fertilizer for the new crop, but that is not a substitute for having fertile soil to plant into. In our area, it has been a good summer for forage growth, and as a result, many farmers have more residual forage than they might in a more typical year. Summer smother crops especially have really done their job this year of putting on a lot of biomass. Summer forages should be burned down with a herbicide in many situations following the last harvest, but that just kills the stand and does not remove any biomass. If you terminate your summer forage with significant biomass and then mow it with a rotary mower, you could end up with clumps of residue that are too deep for successful forage establishment. If you are using tillage to create a seedbed, then there is an opportunity to incorporate any excessive residue. However, if you are planting no-till, as most of our farmers do, then excessive amounts of residue will interfere with new forage establishment. Sometimes this is a physical interference, but sometimes it is due to a chemical mechanism known as “alleopathy,” where a plant secretes compounds that prevent good establishment of new seedlings. If you have a lot of summer residue, you need to get it under control before
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you drill. This can be accomplished by mobbing down the field with a large group of cows or by removing the excess forage as a hay crop. Some crops like Sorghum-sudan and millet pose mostly physical challenges, while crabgrass can have some alleopathic effects as well. Either completely removing the residue or stomping it flat so it will decay rapidly can dramatically improve establishment success. Another critical aspect of successful establishment is having good seed. Make sure that you decide what you will plant and get your seed ordered and on hand when you need it. Wise men frequently say, “There is nothing more expensive than cheap seed,” and that is so true, especially when planting perennials. The extra cost of using high quality seed pays off the first year and continues to pay for the life of the stand. If you are planting annuals, you can try some new varieties each year and see how they do. You don’t have that opportunity with perennials. For example, if you are planting tall fescue, most forage agronomists would recommend using a novel endophyte infected variety that carries both the usual information on germination and purity but also the novel endophyte quality control tag from the Alliance for Grassland Renewal. Remember to adjust the seeding rate for the germination percentage! If the seed you have has 85 percent germination and the recommended seeding rate is 15 lbs, then you need to plant 17.5 pounds. If the seed has five percent inert material, then you need to plant 18.5 pounds. Once you have good seed and have the field ready for planting, there are still more details to consider. Assuming you either own a drill or have access to one, you need to make sure that the drill is prepared, including making sure all drop tubes are clear and that there is no trash in the seed box that might interfere with the seed metering mechanism. Also, you need to calibrate the drill each time you plant. It is great to keep records of how you had the drill set last time (including the actual amount per acre planted), but you still need to check it as seed size and texture can both vary, and that will
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
influence how fast the seed flows through the drill. The technique for calibrating the drill will vary with the make, so do a little homework and develop a quick way of double checking to make sure the seeding rate is correct. Nothing is more frustrating than having a lot of seed left over, except for running out of seed before you are done. Either can happen if you don’t calibrate! The next critical detail is seed depth. Planting too deep is one of the main causes of poor stands on small seeded forage crops. Tilled fields are best seeded by broadcasting or using a light grain drill followed by cultipacking. Deep planting is less of a problem with no-till, but it still can happen if the soil is moist. Again, drills vary in how depth is adjusted, but before you start, run the drill on some representative ground, assess how deep it is putting seed, and adjust accordingly. Once you are in the field, get off the tractor and check it several times to make sure the depth is right. Some large seeded annuals like rye, oats, or wheat are forgiving and can be planted at an inch or more in depth without problems, but smaller seeded perennials like novel endophyte tall fescue need to go at ¼ inch depth, and that is sometimes a challenge. Finally, once you have the field ready and the seed is in the calibrated drill, you still need to be very careful as you progress over the field. Stop and check things initially and then periodically. Make sure the seed is dropping for each row and double check depth. For ¼ inch, you should be able to see some of the
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seed right on the surface...otherwise, it is probably going too deep. Also, take your time and drive carefully. It is much better to overlap rows than to leave gaps. Going slow and making sure you can see the last row is critical, but in some lighting and soil conditions, it can be a challenge. Some tools to help with this exist, including row markers, foam markers, and GPS systems. The critical concern is that gaps and skips lead to places where weeds can get started, and you want to avoid that. With perennials, you can consider “cross drilling,” where you calibrate for half the amount of seed and make two drill passes over the field in a perpendicular pattern, leading to a checkerboard appearance. This makes for a denser canopy early in stand development and also helps you correct for some of those missed spots that would be bare if you only drilled once. Planting is what we call a critical control point. If you do a really good job at that point, it helps with a good outcome far down the road. If you do a sloppy job, it will haunt you for the life of the crop, and with novel endophyte tall fescue, that will be many years. This year, whether you are planting novel endophyte tall fescue or some other cool season forage, take your time, focus on the details, and do it the best you possibly can. It will pay off later. Reprinted with permission from “Novel Notes,” Alliance for Grassland Renewal.
By CHARLOTTE TALBOTT, N.C. State University
Grazing Winter Stockpiled Fescue – Comparing Fescue Renovation Strategies At this point, the bittersweet effects of Kentucky 31 tall fescue are well known across North Carolina. The high yielding and resilient “wonder grass” has been rapidly adopted throughout the country, with over 35 million acres cultivated. Since then, cattle producers have noticed poor animal effects due to grazing KY31, including performance, reproduction, and body condition. These symptoms, classified as fescue toxicosis, are due to ergot alkaloids produced by a toxic endophyte within the plant cells, resulting in a $25 million loss to North Carolina cattle producers. At N.C. State University, researchers have been studying the use of novel endophyte tall fescue for years as a solution that mitigates negative animal effects while maintaining the agronomic benefits that fescue offers. While the novel, or non-toxic, tall fescue has been a successful solution, cattle producers often question the cost and payback period of renovating KY-31 pastures to novel varieties. In 2017, Sam Ingram, Ph.D., began a research study to compare different fescue pasture renovation strategies in terms of soil and forage ecology, growth, and beef cattle economics. Over a three year period, 16 established infected KY31 plots were used to compare renovation strategies at Butner Beef Cattle Field Labs in Bahama, North Carolina. The conversion treatments were: 1) a control maintained as endophyte infected KY31 pasture, 2) a one season renovation using a single species smother crop, 3) a three season renovation using a single species smother crop, and 4) a three season renovation using a complex mix smother crop. Results from Dr. Ingram’s study showed that grazing renovated pastures using cover crops improved animal performance when compared to grazing KY-31. However, this study had to be continued in order to answer producer questions regarding the payback period and economics of fescue pasture renovation in beef cattle systems. My involvement in this renovation
study during my undergraduate degree at N.C. State sparked my interest to continue fescue research as a Master’s student. Advised under Drs. Deidre Harmon and Matt Poore, I began research on the same fescue plots in Butner during August of 2020. The objective of my project is to determine multi-year effects of the tall fescue renovation strategies on the whole system, including economics, animal performance, forage ecology, and soil ecology. In order to analyze these components of the system, we conducted a 56 day strip grazing study of winter stockpiled fescue with 64 heifers; four animals on each of the 16, two acre plots. Prior to stockpiling, hay was cut twice over the summer, weighed, and sent for quality testing. In addition, we collected a botanical composition of the plots and found that johnsongrass and horsenettle were the two most prevalent weed species. Throughout the winter grazing trial, cattle were moved weekly in each plot on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The heifers were weighed and blood sampled
at the beginning, middle, and end of the trial to determine average daily gains, blood urea nitrogen, IGF-1, and Prolactin levels. Forage characteristics were found by collecting quality samples, reference frames, and falling plate meter readings every 14 days for forage yield estimates. All of the plots averaged about 2,200 lbs./acre of forage DM. In addition, these heifers were bred at the end of the winter grazing trial, and we are planning to follow their reproductive outcomes. I am also planning on repeating this study in 2021, when we may see some differences from the extremely wet winter we are having now. While I don’t yet have all the results from this trial, I do know that rainfall and mud may have impacted the ADGs slightly. Other research being conducted as part of this study includes soil sampling this spring, continued hay harvest, and a summer grazing study similar to the winter stockpiling project. While most of my studies are being completed at Butner Beef Cattle Field Lab, I am also planning on traveling to producer farms throughout North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina this spring to tiller sample
renovated novel endophyte pastures of eight years and older. Dr. Carolyn Young is assisting in this research by processing the samples in her mycology lab at the Noble Research Institute in Oklahoma. This project could be extremely important in furthering the fescue renovation story by informing us how long novel endophyte fescue varieties will persist after planning. Many producers worry about spending the money to renovate fescue pastures due to the fear of them “reverting” back to toxic KY-31. We have already seen promising results from a farm in Haywood County, N.C., that is still maintained as MaxQ since planting in 2012. With all of these research components, I am excited to see what the results show in the next two years of my graduate program. Tall fescue has been a big topic of discussion over the last few years. I am confident that this project will move us in the direction of better understanding and more efficient management of the toxic and novel endophytes. Despite the challenges of 2020 and COVID-19, I am thankful that I can continue my work and help beef cattle producers solve production problems.
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Ashley’s Beef Corner
T
Diet Round-Up By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council The lifestyle changes most start the year with may be phasing out by now, but if you are curious about how beef works in a lot of the most popular diets, let’s dive in. I’ll be sharing a recipe from each of these to give ideas about what fits within the parameters and also to show how versatile beef can be. Low Carb Diet - With zero carbohydrates, beef supports a healthy low carb lifestyle. Research shows that boosting protein rich foods can help stave off cravings, maintain muscle during weight loss, and maintain healthy levels of blood sugars and cholesterol.
Beef completes and balances a low carb diet because it satisfies and is a source of great tasting, high quality protein. Protein rich meals and foods like beef, as part of a low carb lifestyle, are essential to help build and preserve muscle. Maintaining muscle or lean body mass is a marker of your current and future health, so it’s an important part of any healthy eating plan. Beef and Egg Breakfast Mugs • 1 recipe Basic Country Beef Breakfast Sausage • 1 cup chopped fresh vegetables such as tomato, baby spinach, bell pepper, zucchini, or green onion
• ½ cup shredded reduced fat cheese such as Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or American • 8 large eggs • Salt and pepper (optional) Toppings (optional): • Dairy sour cream, salsa, sriracha, ketchup Prepare sausage. Remove skillet from heat; let cool 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Evenly divide beef and vegetables into eight food safe quart size plastic bags. Close securely and refrigerate up to four days. Basic Country Beef Breakfast Sausage: Combine 1 pound ground beef (93% or leaner), 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage or ½ teaspoon rubbed sage, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼-½ teaspoon crushed red pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Heat large non-stick skillet over medium heat
until hot. Add sausage mixture; cook 8-10 minutes, breaking into ½ inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Cook’s Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness. For each serving, spray one 6-12 ounce microwave safe mug or bowl with non-stick cooking spray. Add 1 egg and 1 tablespoon water; whisk with a fork. Stir in 1 bag refrigerated sausage-vegetable mixture. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 30 seconds. Remove from oven; stir. Continue to microwave on HIGH 30-60 seconds or until the egg is just set. Stir. Top with cheese. Let stand 30 seconds or until cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve with toppings, if desired. Taco Seasoning Variation - Prepare beef as directed above, substituting 1 packet (1 ounce) reduced sodium taco seasoning mix for herbs and seasonings in sausage in step 1. Keto Diet - The ketogenic, or “keto” diet has been used since the 1920s for controlling epileptic seizure but has become more popular as research has shown it may be an effective tool for weight loss. Keto followers aim for a very low carb, high fat, and moderate protein intake. Because keto diets restrict carbohydrates, which includes many fruits and vegetables, pairing keto friendly food like beef with low carb vegetables can help balance nutrient needs.
Garden Herb Strip Steaks • 2 beef strip steaks boneless, cut 1 inch thick (about 10 ounces each) • Salt Seasoning: • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano • 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon peel • 3 cloves garlic, chopped • ¼ teaspoon pepper Combine seasoning ingredients in a small bowl; reserve 2 teaspoons for garnish. Press remaining seasoning evenly onto beef steaks. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash covered coals. Grill, covered, 11-
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14 minutes (over medium heat on a preheated gas grill, 11-15 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Carve steaks into slices. Sprinkle with reserved seasoning and salt, as desired. Gluten Free Diet - Knowing whether or not a food contains gluten is important for the growing gluten free community. People who have Celiac disease - an autoimmune disorder that causes an intolerance to a gluten protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and sometimes oats - eliminate gluten as the only effective treatment for the disease. Others avoid gluten for possible undesirable side effects that may arise from non-celiac gluten sensitivities. Beef is naturally a gluten free food, and research confirms that even though grain finished cattle eat sources of gluten grains such as wheat, barley, and rye, beef remains gluten free because of cattle’s unique digestive system. Try recipes where we pair non-gluten nutrient rich grains like corn, quinoa, and rice in gluten free meals that are sure to satisfy.
Classic Beef Kabobs • 1 pound beef top sirloin steak cut 1 inch thick • 8 ounces mushrooms • 1 medium red, yellow, or green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces • 1 medium red onion, cut into 1 inch pieces • Salt • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves • 2 cloves garlic, minced • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper Cooking: Cut beef top sirloin boneless steak into 1 inch pieces. Combine seasoning ingredients in a large bowl. Add beef, mushrooms, bell pepper pieces, and onion pieces; toss to coat. Cook’s Tip: One pound beef tenderloin steak cut 1 inch thick may be used. Alternately thread beef and vegetable pieces evenly onto eight 12 inch metal skewers, leaving small spaces between pieces. Cook’s Tip: Eight, 12 inch bamboo skewers may be substituted for metal skewers. Soak bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes before using; drain.
Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash covered coals. Grill kabobs, covered, 8-10 minutes (over medium heat on a preheated gas grill, 9-11 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning once. Season kabobs with salt, as desired. Cook’s Tip: To broil, place kabobs on rack in broiler pan, so the surface of beef is 3-4 inches from heat. Broil 9-12 minutes for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning once. Paleo Diet - The Paleo diet is an eating pattern based on the prehistoric human diet – how our ancestors ate during the Paleolithic era – containing foods that, over 10,000 years ago, could be obtained by hunting and gathering. This usually limits foods like dairy, legumes, and grains, noting that they emerged with modern day farming practices. The typical Paleo diet is rich in protein like beef, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The aim of the Paleo diet is to return to a pattern of eating that is closer to what early humans ate. Some research has shown that following a Paleo diet pattern may have health benefits, including weight loss, improved appetite management, improved blood lipid profile, reductions in blood pressure, and improved glucose tolerance. Paleo meals should be anchored with high quality proteins like beef, along with vegetables and fruit aligned with the Paleo eating pattern.
Hawaiian Ribeye Steaks with Grilled Pineapple Salad • 2 beef ribeye steaks boneless, cut 1 inch thick (about 12 ounces each) • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided • 2 teaspoons ground cumin • ¼-½ teaspoon ground red pepper • 4 fresh pineapple slices, cut ½ inch thick • 1 medium red bell pepper, cut in half lengthwise • 1 medium lime • Salt Cooking: Combine 2 tablespoons of cilantro, cumin, and ground red pepper, as desired; press evenly onto beef ribeye steaks. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash covered coals; arrange pineapple slices and bell pepper halves around
steaks. Grill steaks, covered, 10-14 minutes (over medium heat on a preheated gas grill, 9-14 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Grill pineapple for 8 minutes or until heated through, turning once. Grill bell pepper 6-8 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, grate 2 teaspoons peel and squeeze juice from lime. Set aside. Chop pineapple and bell pepper into 1 inch pieces. Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon cilantro, 2 teaspoons lime peel, and lime juice in a medium bowl;
stir in pineapple and bell pepper. Season with salt, as desired. Carve steaks into slices; season with salt, as desired. Serve with salad. Most healthy diets have a lot in common: they incorporate a variety of nutrient rich foods, emphasize high quality protein sources, encourage plenty of vegetables and fruit, and are balanced with fiber rich, quality carbohydrates. Beef plays an essential role in many healthy diets as an authentic high quality protein with ten essential nutrients, like iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
Baxter Black
On the edge of common sense A Cowful
Grandpa Tommy’s dad used to say, “A cowful is a substantial quantity.” According to my research, the rumen on a mature cow can hold up to 300 pounds. And by anybody’s standards, that is quite a bit. Say you had a cowful of pocket change. You’d almost need a cow to keep it in. Say you had a cowful of wet laundry. It would take a forklift to get it in the dryer. Say you had a cowful of manure. Well, I guess a lot of us do. If cowful became an accepted unit of measure, it could replace the antiquated English standards like the dram and the rod. And those bland, simple minded metric names that somehow sound communistic; kiloliter, hectometer, decigram. Can you picture in your mind a decigram? Is it the weight of a decimated graham cracker? Or ten grandmas standin’ on the scale? Under the cowful system, 15 scoopfuls would equal a cowful. Two bootfuls would make a scoopful; two hatfuls would make a bootful. Half a hatful would equal a capful. Six canfuls, as in beer cans, make a capful. One canful equals 40 thimblefuls, 20 teardrops in a thimbleful. The dosage for penicillin would read 4 teardrops per 5 scoopfuls of body weight IM.
For Blackleg four way vaccination: 1 thimbleful SQ. Repeat in 60 days. Bizarre, you say. If cowful was a measure of weight or volume, possibly the distance between postholes would become the standard unit of measurement for length, i.e., 660 post holes per section line - 4 thumbs to a hand, 3 hands to a foot, 4 feet to a coyote length, and 2 coyote lengths to a posthole. Decibels of loudness would be described in more understandable terms, from chicken peck to pig squeal for everyday sounds. Loud noises would be categorized as small wreck, big wreck, and heck’uva wreck. “So, did you hear about Orbin gettin ‘bucked off? Musta sailed 5 coyote lengths, hit the side of the grain bin with a moose bugle, and two cowfuls of pellets fell on him. Smashed him flatter’n a rabbit ear.” “They got him to the Doc in half a coon’s age, transfused him with a six pack of type O negative, and removed a posthole of intestine. He’s doin’ okay, but he’s lost about six hatfuls.” “He’s been a sheep’s gestation recovering. Doc says it’s shock, but I figger it just scared a pea waddin’ and a half out of him. Well, I gotta go. I’ve got an appointment in 4½ shakes of a lambs tail.”
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BE A WINNER!
E.B.'s View
Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state or regional breed association.
from the Cow Pasture By E.B. HARRIS
Ears May Be Listening January 2 marked 31 consecutive years we have had our annual end the year/start the year cattle sale. We had five different herds on this sale. Three of the herds were complete dispersals. One of these herds jarred my memory. The genetics from one of these herds go back to the William Brauer herd. William was a top notch commercial Angus cow breeder from the center part of Warren County. He was a former dairyman and raised tobacco. When he got out of the dairy and tobacco business, he made the move to raising a commercial Angus cow herd. He was a good grass farmer, and when the calves were big enough to do some eating on their own, he would hand feed them ground barley every day. He had a trough inside the barn, and the calves would come in, eat barley, and then go back out to their mama. This served several purposes. First, it gave them an opportunity to grow a little bit extra. It also gave the cattle human interaction and gentleness by hand feeding them each day. Finally, he could observe them each day. When a man goes to feed cattle, he does more than feed them. He looks at them and has an opportunity to correct anything as time goes along, such as foot rot, or treat any illness that comes up. In the ‘70s, he got me to haul his feeder calves, and I could see his feeding and working facilities and how he handled his cattle. This was when there were a lot of graded feeder calf sales across the state. I would haul Mr. William’s calves to the feeder calf sale at the Rocky Mount arena off Hwy. 97 and also the Granville County Livestock Arena in Oxford. In this era, 5 weight steers and 5 weight heifers were the most desired weight to aim for, and that’s exactly where William’s October-November calves would be. These feeder calf sales would be in the fall. William used the best bulls he could find to match his cows. On one particular load that I hauled to Rocky Mount, Mr. William rode with
me. I will never forget just a simple statement that was made because it has made a lasting impression on me. Dr. Roger McCraw, NCSU Beef Animal Specialist, was grading at this sale. I backed up and unloaded, and Mr. William stood there while Roger was grading his calves, but there was no grading to be done. They were all M’s. They were as uniform as they could be – just like cookie cutters. All they had to do was separate the steers from the heifers as they came out. Roger made a comment to William as to the uniformity and the disposition of the heifers and the way they were put together. Roger knew what was going to happen with the heifers – 90 percent would go to a feed yard, and that would be the end of them. Roger thought these heifers would make an excellent set of brood cows for the future. He turned to Mr. William and said, “Mr. William – a suggestion for you. Consider keeping these heifers each year and breeding them, then sell the same amount of your mature cows.” Mr. William thought about it, and sure enough, the next season, he kept 75
percent of the top end of his heifer crop and bred those heifers and put in his herd and sold that many mature cows out of the herd. By starting this program, by the time I conducted his dispersal in the late ‘90s; those cows were a knock down set of young, uniform cows - plenty of volume, medium frame, great udders, good feet, and the kind of cows that would do it all. In this sale that we just had, even though it’s been 20+ years since we had his sale, those genetics stood in
the same ring after two different owners and management and are still a functional working set of cows that will continue to produce cattle for the future. I have incorporated that same program here on the family farm that Dr. Roger McCraw suggested to Mr. William and just wonder each year how they continue to get better. Be careful what you say; some other ears may be listening and take it to heart. I think that was good advice, and it’s still working today.
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You Decide! By DR. MIKE WALDEN
Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics N.C. State University You Decide: Where Will the Jobs Be? The overwhelming economic concern for a majority of individuals is jobs. There are two elements to this concern: will there be enough jobs for people who want to work, and what kind of training will those jobs require? The worry about jobs has been elevated with the pandemic. The biggest drop in jobs during a three month period in our history happened during last spring. Although jobs have increased since then, all jobs – and particularly all the same kinds of jobs – have not yet come back. So, if anything, the focus on how many and what types of jobs will be available in the future has become even more intense. In looking at the future job market, there are three questions to ask. First, will the number of new jobs be sufficient to
keep unemployment low? Second, what specific occupations will be hiring? Third, what skills and training will be needed for these jobs? Fortunately, a recent report provides some answers to these questions. Published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the report gives specifics on the occupations, skills, and numbers of jobs forecasted in coming decades. The report can be used to inform not only job seekers but also educational institutions teaching work skills. The WEF sees job opportunities in seven broad areas, collectively accounting for 90 percent of future job growth. The categories are data and artificial intelligence (AI), engineering and cloud computing, product development, sales and marketing, health care, energy, and human resources. Importantly, WEF sees
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
more jobs collectively created in these areas than jobs that will be replaced by technology and machinery. In short, there will be jobs for those needing work – and who have the necessary skills. I don’t have the space to describe all the jobs and skill requirements of each job category, but here are some highlights. Jobs in data involve collecting, organizing, and analyzing the massive amounts of information that is now available. Jobs in AI use this data to equip machines with decision making capabilities, such as in driverless autos. Top skills required for these jobs are computer programming and networking as well as statistical analysis and modeling. If you have a job in engineering and cloud computing, you’ll be working with developing, improving, managing, and expanding the storage and use of data and information on physical servers external to your computer, termed “clouds.” Such storage devices have become popular because they can be accessed from multiple devices, and they have a high level of security and safety. Simply put, the “cloud” is the way today’s businesses and individuals store their information and programs. Computer software development, computer networking, and web development are some of the sought after skills for these jobs. People involved in product development do – well – what the term says, product development! These can be new products – as well as services – in any field. Engineering and management are valued skills here, but so too are computer software skills and “trouble shooting” skills, also known as quality control. For those of you who aren’t computer experts – and I include myself as a nonexpert – the next set of jobs in sales and marketing is more understandable. These types of jobs have been around forever, but they’ve added some recent changes. Rather than using face-to-face contacts, today’s marketing and sales are increasingly done using computers, and specifically the internet (sorry for those of you stuck in the 20th century, like me). Social media is rapidly becoming the go to way to advertise products, as I recently discovered with my most recent books. Today’s jobs in this area combine skills in advertising, writing, and graphic design with training in digital marketing and video production. Jobs in health care are growing due to our aging population and our goal of addressing more health issues in the population. Typical occupations like MDs, nurses, therapists, and support workers are included with newer jobs in making and operating medical equipment and developing and applying exercise
programs. Each of the occupations requires specialized training. A newcomer skill in health care is simulation, where individuals with appropriate computer skills replicate operations and treatments for study and analysis. Also in the future will be greater needs for skills needed to perfect “remote operating.” Energy is important to any economy because it’s the fuel that keeps economies going. Today, we are likely on the cusp of a great shift in the type of energy used, moving from fossil fuels to renewable fuels. Hence, jobs in renewable sources like solar, wind, and biomass will be in demand, as will occupations that focus on making fossil sources cleaner. Skills in construction, installation, marketing, and evaluation will be important to these jobs. Last are occupations in human resources. These jobs cut across all industries and include people who work in short term training and retraining, the interface between employer and employee, as well as in recruiting talent for companies. Skills in leadership, management, personal relationships, and even foreign languages will be sought for these positions. So there you have it – a roadmap to the fastest growing jobs of tomorrow, and what’s needed to get them. If you have children or grandchildren who ask you what they should study, now you have some answers. If you’re old like me (age 70), does it make you wish you were young again and just beginning a job career? I’ll let you decide! You Decide: What’s the Future of Retailing? One of my most enduring memories as a small child was the weekly shopping trip with my mother. This was in the early 1950s, and my parents lived in a small home in a rural area of Ohio west of Cincinnati, just down the road from my grandparents’ farm. The nearest town with any reasonable amount of shopping was five miles away. Today that’s not very far, but my Mom didn’t have a car. My father used the only vehicle we had for his daily trips to work. So on Thursdays – which was shopping day – my Mom would put me in a little red wagon and pull it the half mile to Carsh’s grocery store. Carsh’s was a typical “mom and pop” store so prevalent in those days. Not only did Carsh’s sell food products like meat, eggs, bread, and cereal, but if you needed some fabric, nails, or stationary, Carsh’s had those too. On the way back home, the groceries took my place in the wagon. Buying groceries has undergone many changes during the last seven decades, and stores like Carsh’s, which was family owned and run, are harder to find. They’ve been replaced by
supermarket chains or rolled into “big box” stores that sell everything. At the same time, there’s been the rise of specialty stores that cater to particular products and tastes. Yet, there’s no doubt the most revolutionary recent change in retailing has been cyber buying. The U.S. Department of Commerce defines cyber buying, or as some call it, e-commerce, as “sales of goods and services where the buyer places an order, or the price and terms of the sale are negotiated, over an internet, mobile device, electronic network, electronic mail, or comparable online system.” Translated, we use one of our tech devices to buy something. Cyber buying was almost nonexistent a decade ago, accounting for only 4.5 percent of retail sales. The latest data for 2020 show it now accounts for 16.5 percent of retail sales in 2020. That’s an amazing, almost four fold increase within a decade. It may surprise you that cyber buying only accounts for 16.5 percent of all retail sales. This relatively low rate has two implications. First, it means consumers still buy most of their products and services in the traditional way, by visiting stores and shops. This is a big reason why
there’s been so much concern about brick and mortar stores during the COVID-19 recession because those stores are still the main way consumers make purchases. Second, the fact that cyber buying accounts for a seemingly low 16.5 percent of retail sales means it has plenty of running room to grow. In fact, if cyber buying expands in the next decade at the same rate it has grown in the last decade, by 2031, it will be the way 60 percent of retail sales are accomplished. Cyber buying will also be strengthened by the fact that as time marches on, more individuals will have grown up using computers, smartphones, and other modern tech devices. Cyber buying will be as natural to them as rotary phones were to me. As cyber buying grows, it will also change. Shoppers will still be able to visit a website, compare products and services, then click and buy as they do today. But there will be three big enhancements to cyber buying that will be applauded by some, however, received skeptically by others. The first is drone delivery. Cyber buying often comes with delivery. Most such delivery today is done using vehicles on the roads. Drones are small, light weight
machines capable of flying short distances. They avoid congested roads and are perfect for delivering packages. At the end of 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration finalized new rules regulating the flights of drones. Experts think these rules will allow drone delivery to quickly expand and add a new dimension to the advantages of cyber buying. The second enhancement will be the use of AI, short for artificial intelligence, by cyber buying companies. One of the aspects of the technology revolution is the ability of companies to collect all kinds of data from people buying their products and services. The companies know what we buy, when we buy, and how often we buy. The development of AI, which is just a fancy term for programs predicting behavior, will increasingly allow cyber companies to anticipate our shopping needs. For example, a cyber supermarket will know the kinds of cereal the Walden’s buy, the size of the box, and how many times a month we purchase it. Expanded to all of the Walden’s grocery purchases, a cyber supermarket could fill our weekly shopping cart and have the products delivered to our door. The Walden’s wouldn’t have to take the time and thought to fill out weekly grocery
The Carolina Cattle Connection
lists, nor would we need to drive to the store to purchase them. In the future, the delivery may even be met by the Walden’s robot, which accepts the groceries and puts them away! The third new development for cyber shopping will be virtualization. Virtualization allows a person to stay where they are but have all the sensory (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell) experiences of being somewhere else. Think about how this could be used with vehicle shopping. I stay in my home but test drive vehicles virtually. The one I pick is then delivered to my home. I know much of these predicted developments, like AI and virtualization, sound like science fiction. But I remember when Dick Tracy’s wristwatch with audio and video capabilities seemed far fetched, but now we have them. I’m not sure I’m ready for the new retailing world, but do I have a choice? You decide! About the author. 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.
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MERCK
Animal Health News
Prepare now to keep calf scours at bay. Scours in young calves has a significant economic impact due to treatment cost, lost performance, and mortality. Both viral and bacterial pathogens can cause scours – and they do so in different ways – but anytime there is damage to the intestinal tract, nutrient absorption is negatively affected and thereby calf performance. What’s more, the 2007 National Animal Health Monitoring System found that digestive problems, which included scours, caused 14 percent of losses in calves less than three weeks old. This is why it is critical to take steps to prevent scour infections. A good offense for calf scours can start at preg check. Aside from determining pregnancy and estimating calving dates, preg check is an opportunity to work with your veterinarian to evaluate the body
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condition of cows and heifers and adjust nutritional or mineral requirements, so they are in adequate body condition as they get close to calving. In areas that may be impacted by drought, this is especially important as feed supplementation may be needed to be sure protein and energy requirements are being met. This also is a good time to ask your veterinarian about administering a scours vaccine. Vaccinating cows and first calf heifers with a scours vaccine prior to calving stimulates antibody production that will result in higher quality colostrum, ultimately giving calves better protection against scours. Not all scours vaccines are the same, so it’s important to select one that offers broad spectrum protection. Primary scours disease causing agents include bacteria such as E. coli and clostridium
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
and viruses such as rota and corona, and typically more than one pathogen is involved. Following the label instructions regarding vaccination timing is critical to stimulating and optimizing protective antibodies in colostrum. Vaccinate too early, and an antibody response may start to fall off prior to maximum colostrum being made. Vaccinate too late and colostrum may be made before an antibody response is mounted. For example, you can administer Guardian ® scours vaccine 5-7 weeks prior to calving to boost antibody levels in the cow’s colostrums, so the newborn calf will have increased protection from scours. First calf heifers or cows not previously vaccinated should receive an initial dose around 12 weeks prior to calving and then a booster 3-6 weeks following the initial vaccination. Vaccines aid in helping to prevent scours, but management is also important. Starting with colostrum intake, it is ideal that calves get 2 quarts of colostrum within 2 hours after birth and another 2 quarts within 6 hours after birth for the best antibody absorption. It’s critical they have had colostrum within the first 12 hours. Vaccinating the cow with an effective vaccine only works if the calf receives an adequate amount of colostrum. It’s also important to manage the environmental stressors and provide as much clean, open space as possible. Wet weather, crowding of calving areas, or muddy lots can cause stress and lead to exposure to disease agents. It’s important to have a calving plan in place to give calves the best possible start and to handle any potential obstacles. If scours occurs, work with your veterinarian to conduct diagnostics to help identify the specific pathogens and devise a plan for what can be done going forward. A healthy calf is your most valuable asset and the future of your herd. Working with your veterinarian to prepare for calving season will help ensure your upcoming calf crop gets off to the best possible start. Merck Animal Health Announces Bovilis® Nasalgen® 3-PMH is Available. First and only intranasal BRD vaccine against viral and bacterial pneumonia. Merck Animal Health has announced that Bovilis Nasalgen 3-PMH is now available to veterinarians and cattle producers to protect cattle from five of the most common pneumonia causing viral and bacterial pathogens. Approved for use in dairy and beef cattle, this is the first intranasal vaccine effective in providing early, broad spectrum respiratory
protection against both viral and bacterial pathogens in a needle free, animal and BQA friendly administration. “Bovilis Nasalgen 3-PMH is a modified live, intranasal vaccine that stimulates a strong early immune response to help give calves a strong foundation of respiratory disease protection,” says Scott Nordstrom, D.V.M., director of livestock innovation and discovery, Merck Animal Health. “Results of efficacy, duration of immunity, and safety studies demonstrate the vaccine is safe and effective for calves at one week of age or older.” The vaccine protects against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), parainfluenza 3 (PI3), Mannheimia haemolytica, and Pasteurella multocida. Cattle veterinarians and producers can now purchase Bovilis Nasalgen 3-PMH. The vaccine is administered in a single 2-mL dose. It contains a unique BluShadow™ diluent that clearly indicates which animals have been vaccinated. With needle free intranasal administration, the vaccine meets best management practices outlined in the industry’s Beef Quality Assurance program. Bovilis Nasaslgen 3-PMH is proven safe for use in pregnant cows and in calves nursing pregnant cows, as well as young calves. It is available in 2-mL, 20mL, and 100-mL packages. Consult your veterinarian for specific usage guidance. About Merck Animal Health. For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc. in Kenilworth, N.J., is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability, and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merckanimal-health.com.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
ANGUS NEWS National Angus Bull Sale Excels in New Location. The 82 nd Annual National Angus Bull Sale overcame the challenging year of 2020 to bring an excited crowd to Oklahoma City. The renewed event commanded the attention of hundreds of visitors from across the nation, both in-person and online. Held in conjunction with the inaugural Cattlemen’s Congress, the change of scenery proved valuable for both the buyers and the sellers at the event. As the final bid rang through the sale arena, a total of 34 registered bulls grossed $551,750, with an average of $16,227, which is an increase from years prior. The high selling lot, Conley Verified 0853, consigned by Conley Cattle, sold for $77,500. The second high selling lot, Wilks Guru 2035, consigned by Wilk Ranches of Eastland, Tex., was purchased for $75,000. The Angus Foundation Heifer Package donated by Benoit Angus led off the sale and brought in a $35,000 donation to further the Foundation’s mission of youth, education, and research. “We can’t thank the folks here at the Cattlemen’s Congress enough for what they’ve done, giving us an avenue and a location for us to have our sale,” Sale Manager and Angus Regional Manager Alex Tolbert said. “The breeders stepped up in a year of change, and they brought us quality cattle and bulls with broad market appeal.” Sale managers and consigners put together a top notch set of bulls from across the country, representing a wide variety of operations. The bulls consigned offered a high caliber of both phenotype and genetic profiles. Bulls were required to be genomically tested and sold with genetic predictions. Hosting the sale in a central part of the country attracted several new consigners and an influx of bidders and supporters at the inaugural Cattlemen’s Congress. “We saw a great turn out this year and we hope to continue to build on the excitement for next year,” Tolbert said. “The Angus breed has positioned itself to be a leader in the industry, and the bulls brought forth reinforced that last week in Oklahoma City.” The National Angus Bull Sale typically sets the tone for an optimistic year of Angus sales, and this year was no different. To view the full sale report and learn more about the National Angus Bull
Sale, visit www.Angus.org. American Angus Association names Esther McCabe Director of Performance Programs. With a passion for data, genetics, and Angus cattle – Kansas State grad proves to be a natural fit to join Team Angus. The American Angus Association recently named Esther McCabe, Ph.D., director of performance programs. McCabe’s passion for teaching, cattle, and genetic improvement aligns perfectly with the duties that come along with this job. “Esther has a passion for the success of our members and understands the real world challenges of getting data collected,” said Mark McCully, American Angus Association CEO. “I know Esther will have an impact on advancing our genetic selection tools by focusing on our performance programs and working directly with Angus breeders.” McCabe is a third generation Angus producer originally from Elk City, Kansas. She has had strong ties to the Angus breed for her entire life. She credits programs, such as the Kansas and National Junior Angus Association, for shaping and developing her leadership skills. McCabe recently earned her doctorate from Kansas State University, where her research focused on beef cattle data analytics. “The Angus breed has the industry’s largest beef cattle performance database because of members’ dedication to breed improvement with each generation,” said McCabe. “I am fortunate to be joining a team focused on serving its membership. I look forward to continuing to provide programs, tools, and education to support members with record reporting.” McCabe’s previous experience with Zoetis and Osborn Barr Paramore, coupled with her beef cattle and data analytics research, will allow McCabe to serve as an excellent resource for Angus members. For more information about the American Angus Association, please visit www.Angus.org. Oklahoma Stars Event Highlights Support of the Angus Breed. Angus members reminisce on the western way of life while raising funds to support the future. The Angus breed is not only committed to breeding high quality cattle but also developing successful leaders and opportunities for its members. On January
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North Carolina Angus Association ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling. 4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 info@tarheelangus.com 455 GORE FAMILY ANGUS Mark & Lori Gore Tabor City 702-401-8005 455goreangus@gmail.com www.455farms.com BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) robinbackcreek@att.net Facebook: Back Creek Angus BB ORGANIC FARM NC, LLC Bob & Elissa Miller Louisburg 919-414-7753 BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com BRIDGES BEEF CATTLE Eddie, Cindy, John, & Crystal Bridges Shelby 704-692-2978 bridgesbeefcattle@gmail.com BRITT FAMILY FARMS James Britt Calypso 919-738-6331 jrb4070@hotmail.com C-CROSS CATTLE COMPANY Duane Strider Asheboro 336-964-6277 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com G&G FAMILY FARMS Darren & Paul Gore Tabor City 843-458-2970 goreangus1@gmail.com goreangusfarm.com GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 jennham@bellsouth.net HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 gmhill@uga.edu JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com
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KNOLL CREST FARM The Bennett Family Red House,VA 434-376-3567 knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com www.knollcrestfarm.com LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Gates 252-357-1279 ritalane@embarqmail.com PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 sandjfarms2013@gmail.com SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Louisburg 919-880-9062 philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 greg.little@ATImetals.com UWHARRIE RIDGE FARMS Mark Wilburn Asheboro 336-953-0521 uwharrieridgefarms@gmail.com VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 keaton@vandemarkfarms.com WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 michaelmoss@rtmc.net WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 winslowgen@gmail.com WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com
Sharon Rogers
N.C. Angus Association Executive Secretary
336-583-9630 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org
q FEBRUARY 2021
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Angus New continued from the previous page 9, members of the Angus community gathered for the Oklahoma Stars event at the Western Heritage and Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City to support that mission. This inaugural event held during Cattlemen’s Congress raised more than $50,000 for the Angus Foundation. “We are so grateful for those who spent the evening with us at the Oklahoma Stars event,” said Thomas Marten, Angus Foundation executive director. “It is through the loyal and generous support of our growing number of donors that many opportunities are available to our Angus youth.” Attendees had the opportunity to step back into the past and learn about the values that the old west was founded on as they toured the Western Heritage and Cowboy Museum. Texas red dirt musician Tell Runyan set the mood for the evening, and attendees enjoyed a Certified Angus Beef® dinner. The evening’s program highlighted past and present successful National Junior Angus Association members such as Dylan Denny, Jara Settles, and Megan Pelan, who have directly benefited from Angus Foundation supported programs. A passion to help the Angus Foundation’s mission of supporting youth, education, and research was evident throughout the night. The evening also included a live auction, where Matt Sims sold 18 lots. Bidders participated in person as well as online, thanks to LiveAuctions.TV. A few of the high selling items of the evening were the guided crappie fishing tour, donated by Double G Farms, that brought $3,750 and the guided mule deer hunt, donated by Diamond Peak Cattle Company, that raised $12,000.
“It was great to have the Angus Family together in Oklahoma City again,” said Mark McCully, American Angus Association CEO. “There is no way we could offer the opportunities to members without the support of our tremendous donors of the Angus Foundation.” One thing for certain is that Angus breeders are committed to forwarding the breed and its future leaders. For more information on the Angus Foundation, contact Thomas Marten at tmarten@angus.org or visit www. AngusFoundation.org. About the Angus Foundation. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth, and research. The organization has distributed more than $3.1 million in youth scholarships since 1998 and has also invested more than $1.3 million in beef cattle research throughout the past decade. For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or visit www.angusfoundation.org. Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association ® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It is home to an extensive breed registry that grows by nearly 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers, and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers. For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
The Lifelong Impact of Colostrum Intake. Understanding the impact of colostrum on lifetime health and productivity, plus tips on timing, quality, and more. Colostrum intake is of critical importance for young calves – providing some 95 percent of the antibodies a calf obtains, plus a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and energy – protecting newborn calves against infectious agents during the first few months of life. “Colostrum, which is the first milk produced following birth, or a colostrum replacer if needed, can benefit overall calf health and reduce risks for calfhood diseases, increase average daily gain and more throughout a calf’s lifetime. Ensuring they receive high quality, adequate amounts of colostrum is vital for their immediate survival and for the years to come,” said Arnold Nagely, DVM, co-founder and CEO of Valley Vet Supply. Dr. Nagely practiced food animal veterinary medicine for 27 years before co-founding Valley Vet Supply, alongside fellow veterinarian Dr. Ray Shultz. Troy Walz, Beef Systems extension educator with Nebraska Extension, works closely alongside cow/calf producers. “Getting our newborn calves off to a good start is key to long term profits for a producer’s operation. Colostrum plays an important part in that equation,” he said. A calf’s level of colostrum intake following birth can impact them throughout their life, either positively or negatively. In an American Journal of Veterinary Research study conducted at the US Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., veterinary scientists sought to discover how calf health and productivity correlate with newborn calf passive immune status from colostrum. They collected blood samples 24 hours post calving from 263 crossbred calves, determining the level of maternal immunity obtained from colostrum. From the blood sample results, newborn calves were labeled as having “inadequate” or “adequate” passive immunity status, and their health and performance were monitored from birth to weaning and from weaning throughout the feedlot phase. Calves with “inadequate” passive immunity experienced a 5.4 times greater risk of death before weaning, 6.4 times greater risk for sickness during the first 28 days of life – resulting in an average 35 pound loss in weaning weight – and
NEWS
3.2 times greater risk of sickness before weaning. For those calves marked with “inadequate” passive immunity, they experienced three times greater risk for health challenges in the feedlot, when compared to “adequate” calves. Timing - Calves are born agammaglobulinemic, meaning they have almost no antibodies to protect them against disease. The calf’s intestine is only capable of absorbing colostral protection immediately following birth, up to 24 hours. Walz said that calves need about 2 quarts of colostrum (or at least five percent of the calf’s body weight) within four hours of birth – ideally within 30 minutes – and 1 gallon within 12 hours. There can be many reasons a calf may not obtain the level of colostrum needed, Walz cautions. Keep a close watch, especially in these calving situations: • Poor mothering of the dam, not letting the calf nurse • Low quality colostrum from the dam (heightened chances for undernourished cows and first calving cows) • Poor udder conformation • Inclement weather, making calves sluggish to nurse • Cases of dystocia • Injuries following labor Quality - Maternal cow colostrum quality can vary, and if from unhealthy cows, it can contain infectious organisms, infecting the calves. “Due to the importance of colostrum, if its quality is in question, using a colostrometer can help estimate its quality,” heeds Walz. As a general rule of thumb, “A yellow color and a thick, creamy consistency are good indications of quality. Colostrum quality and quantity are usually lower in heifers. Mature cows have had more exposure to disease and will usually have a higher percentile of immunoglobulins and higher quality,” he continued. Replacers + Supplements - “Cow/ calf producers know that it is better to have colostrum and not need it, than to need it and not have it during calving season,” said Dr. Nagely. If you are going to keep natural colostrum, “Having colostrum stored from healthy, mature cows from your own ranch can be ideal because you know those cows were exposed to the same pathogens, and they have built up immunity to those pathogens,” said Walz. “Due to the importance of colostrum to the newborn
calf, it is always a good idea to have some alternative sources of colostrum on hand just in case during the calving season.” Walz encouraged that producers be familiar with the difference in colostrum replacers, which can essentially replace a cow’s colostrum, versus colostrum supplements, which were developed to supplement the cow’s readily available colostrum, should her colostrum be lower in concentration or quantity. “Most busy, progressive producers find that keeping a thermos of hot water and a few bags of high quality colostrum replacer with them during the calving season is the best solution to: 1. Timely colostrum administration 2. Reliable immunoglobulin (IgG) content 3. Freedom from infectious organisms 4. Ability to immediately return the calf to its mother 5. Assurance that the initial colostrum needs are met In times when multiple calves are coming daily, this proves to be a convenient, profitable approach to success, freeing up the producer for his or her many other responsibilities of the day or night,” observed Dr. Nagely. It’s all the more important to
prioritize adequate colostrum during these cold months, urges Dr. Nagely. “Colostrum will help young calves defend themselves from cold weather stressors like hypothermia. For the best defense against cold weather, it’s beneficial for cattlemen to have colostrum replacers and supplements, calf coats, and calf warming huts available if ever needed during calving.” Help calves survive and thrive; visit veterinarian founded Valley Vet Supply to learn more. About Valley Vet Supply. Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians to provide customers with the very best animal health solutions. Building on over half a century of experience in veterinary medicine, Valley Vet Supply serves equine, pet, and livestock owners with thousands of products and medications hand selected by Valley Vet Supply founding veterinarians and their professional staff. With an inhouse pharmacy that is licensed in all 50 states, and verified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), Valley Vet Supply is the dedicated source for all things horse, livestock, and pet. For more information, please visit www.ValleyVet.com.
G&E Virginia
Premium Assured Heifer Sale Saturday • March 27, 2021 • 12:30 pm SUPERIOR GENETICS, GROWTH, & PERFORMANCE
SELLING 75 - 100
Angus based, mostly black Bred Commercial Heifers, Commercial Spring Pairs, & Bred Cows
** All females are A.I. serviced prior to clean up ** All females are from leading Southside breeders
For more information, contact:
Buddy Shelton • 434-251-7146 Graham Winn • 434-251-1766 George Winn • 434-489-4458 Mike McDowell • 434-575-4850 Auctioneer - Gary Vance • 540-622-4889 The Carolina Cattle Connection
q FEBRUARY 2021
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Certified Angus Beef News Behind the Brand — What Makes the Certified Angus Beef Brand Tick? On the outside, clocks look simple. But the plain cover hides the famously complex yet dependable system of gears and circuitry known as clockwork. It’s a lot of production for an effective tool. The Certified Angus Beef (CAB®) brand can look like that, a company working for cattlemen and women, driving demand for high quality cattle through great eating experiences. But what complex system behind the scenes makes it work? Kara Lee, assistant director of producer engagement for the brand, answered such questions at the November webinar, “Getting to know the Certified Angus Beef brand.” She began with the roots, established more than 42 years ago by Angus breeders who believed they had to do better: “Better in terms of raising high quality cattle that meet consumer
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expectations, and better in terms of offering the consumer a higher level of confidence that they can receive something that meets their consistent quality expectations every single time.” The only beef brand owned and operated by the American Angus Association, Lee said all funding for the extensive global program comes from packer commissions, paid because they can sell the branded products for more. “The way that we build demand is by ultimately meeting our brand promise to consumers — and our licensees who serve them — by having a consistent premium product every single time,” she said. The brand is unique, Lee added, because it owns neither beef nor cattle. It can’t buy cattle or have any involvement in the price structure or determining who cattlemen sell to. Demand, then, is built by the created,
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
pull through model by which consumers seek the brand by name and consistently have the same great eating experience. Which makes brand integrity the key to the clock - Lee said the brand is also unique in tracking every pound from packing plant to those who sell to consumers. “We make sure that at no point along the way is any distributor, processor, retailer or restaurant selling more product than they’re buying.” Surveys show 95 percent of consumers recognize the logo and associate it with quality, she said. By licensing and auditing packing plants, retailers, distributors, and restaurants, the brand makes sure that perception stays true. Research even shows a willingness to drive a little farther for a grocery store or restaurant where they can buy beef with the CAB brand. “When the consumer recognizes our logo and affiliates it with quality, we are able to achieve our overall mission statement, which is all about increasing that demand for registered Angus cattle through the specification based program,” Lee said. “While many pieces in this beef supply chain can feel very segmented, we know they’re all very directly tied together in achieving that overall mission.” Despite 2020’s struggles, the brand surpassed sales of a billion pounds for the fifth year in a row. Demand, indeed. But how do cattle make it into the brand? With Rolex level precision. First, Lee noted, “Angus” in-and-ofitself is not a guaranteed quality level. More than 70 other brands of USDA certified programs use the Angus word, all of which run the spectrum of quality from lowest to highest. Only about 3 in 10 Angus influenced cattle meet all of CAB’s science based standards. That’s why, Lee said, the brand vigilantly protects its three word name. “Just talking about Angus beef isn’t good enough for the customer today, so it can’t be good enough for us as a program,” Lee said. The initial threshold to qualification is simply Angus influence with black hide behind the shoulder, above the flank, and in front of the tail head. But no cattle earn the brand before that hide comes off, she said, and each one is evaluated by that USDA grader for all ten carcass specifications. Of all the Angus identified cattle, only about 35 percent make the cut. The four biggest disqualifiers are not enough marbling, out-of-range ribeye size or carcass weight, and back fat thickness of more than an inch. Of those four, 92 percent fail for lack of marbling. If that term seems like
a consistent talking point, Lee said that’s why. “It’s not because we believe in single trait selection. We know that you have a lot of different traits that are very important to both a registered or commercial cow herd,” she said. “The reason we talk about marbling so much is because it’s the number one place where there’s money left on the table because a producer missed out on their Certified Angus Beef premiums from not having enough.” The good news is, about 40 percent of what influences marbling is based on genetics, Lee said. Beyond that, what happens on the ranch and at the feedlot greatly influences how consumers respond to it. “What all of this ultimately boils down to is, quality pays,” Lee said. “There is a message that has been clearly sent from consumers to producers today, that high quality beef is worth more to them and they’re willing to pay more for it.” About the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. World renowned for its exceptional quality and generous marbling, the Certified Angus Beef brand is the original brand of premium beef. Created in 1978, it is still owned today by family ranchers who are determined to bring the best Angus beef to the table. Ten exacting standards ensure superior taste and tenderness in every bite. Learn more at www.CertifiedAngusBeef.com.
Have you forgotten something? Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association!
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University of Missouri’s Jordan Thomas to Speak at Meeting of the Red Angus Association of the Carolinas The profitability of cow/calf operations in Missouri and throughout the United States is influenced largely by pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed for breeding. Improvements in production efficiency are possible and can be expected to occur with improvements in reproductive management. Female replacement strategies have one of the greatest long term effects on profitability within a cow herd of any other decision made by a cow/calf producer. The ability to identify heifers with the greatest reproductive potential prior to the breeding season should result in increased reproductive efficiency resulting in improvements in total cow herd productivity and profitability. University of Missouri’s Extension Specialist and researcher Jordan Thomas is responsible for one of the longest running and most successful heifer replacement programs in the country. Since 1997, nearly 900 Missouri cattle operations have consigned heifers and marketed them through 167 sales in seven locations across Missouri; replacement heifers which have sold into
20 states across the country. In an effort to continue the success Red Angus females have produced in commercial cow herds and to offer all producers information on improving their cow herd’s reproductive performance, Thomas will share details on his efforts to improve replacement heifer success. For the first time, RAAC will hold a
virtual meeting. According to Jerry Simpson, President of the Association, “Although current limitations on meeting in person are troublesome, the opportunity to meet virtually allows us to increase the reach of information and allow those who are restricting their travel to participate and stay involved.”
The meeting is scheduled for February 25 at 7:00 p.m. and is open to anyone interested in receiving the information. Details on how to join the meeting can be found on the Association’s website at www.redanguscarolinas.com or by texting or calling Simpson at 704-302-2940.
Regular copy deadline is FEBRUARY 5 for the MARCH issue Spotlight material is due
FEBRUARY 1 for the MARCH issue Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd. HARDROCK BEEF CATTLE Ronnie & Donna Holman 4613 Hickory Nut Ridge Road • Granite Falls, NC 828-302-8659 ronnie@hardrockbeefcattle.com JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-315-3821 jkredangus@gmail.com LANGDON RED ANGUS & SIMMENTAL John & Eileen Langdon 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 919-796-5010 johnlangdon5@gmail.com ROGERS CATTLE COMPANY Johnny & Sharon Rogers 945 Woodsdale Road • Roxboro, NC 336-504-7268 rccbeef@gmail.com PRESNELL RED ANGUS Jonathan & Jacob Presnell 368 Whitaker Road • Shelby, NC 704-473-2627 (Jonathan) • 704-616-8775 (Jacob) BULL HILL RANCH Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-682-3900 • 864-682-2828 bullhill2@mindspring.com
Jerry Simpson, President - 704-302-2940 • simpson_jerry@msn.com
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COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709
The U.S. Dollar By KATELYN McCULLOCK COVID-19 is far from over, but most of us cannot help but look towards recovery or what it will take to get there. Vaccine news at the end of 2020 was hopeful, but we are still several months away from large scale rollouts. The U.S. economy is wavering. High weekly jobless claims have continued, even with unprecedented stimulus and aid rolled out by the U.S. government this past summer. The stock market reached new record highs at the end of 2020, while increases in tent cities sprang up across many metropolitan areas and added to the already muddled picture of the aggregate U.S. economy. Many believe more stimulus will be necessary, while others are worried about the debt position of the United States. There are no clear answers, but a few items to consider. The first is that the U.S. is not in this pandemic alone. Other countries, too, are battling large COVID-19 case numbers, teetering economies, and have had to roll out aid packages. The condition of these countries and their path forward will affect currency exchange rates and how it relates to the United States. The relationship of currency exchange rates is largely underpinned by three driving economic factors: growth rates of economies in relation to each other, comparable interest rates, and the role of the U.S. dollar as the reserve currency and a safe haven asset. Since the end of World War II, the U.S. dollar has been the world currency and has benefited from outside interests considering it a safe asset. Events such as The Great Recession of 2008 and COVID-19 have called into question its position as the reserve currency because of the large stimulus measures taken to right the U.S. economy causing large increases
in the number of dollars circulated. There is a direct link between monetary policy and exchange rates. At times, the global demand for U.S. dollars exacerbates the effects of those policies, but when the demand for U.S. dollars wanes, the more precarious position is for the U.S. dollar. The U.S. dollar is not likely to be usurped anytime soon by alternative currency, but that event would likely change how monetary policies affect U.S. dollar valuations. The positive news in 2020 was that other governments have also used their own policies to support their people and economies, and, in turn, that affected their currency valuations as well. For example, consider our primary agricultural trading partners: Canada and Mexico. Using November averages compared to a year ago, the U.S. dollar has appreciated (takes more U.S. dollars to equal one Canadian dollar) relative to the Canadian dollar by 1.3 percent. In the same comparison for Mexico, the U.S. dollar has depreciated (it takes more Mexican Pesos to equal one USD) by about 5.5 percent. There has been incredible volatility in the U.S. dollar this year. March saw a decline in the U.S. dollar, followed by a sharp increase in April. Across most key U.S. trade partners, the U.S. dollar value strengthened considerably in April and has since slid lower. The LMIC tracks currency rates from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and Taiwan. All those exchange rates are showing their currencies have strengthened relative to the U.S. dollar, similar to Canada. The exceptions have been Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Mexico. Most of these currencies have
strengthened 4 percent or more, with Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan increasing more than 6 percent compared to a year ago relative to the U.S. dollar. The impact has made U.S. agricultural commodities less expensive than they were a year ago for most countries. The downside, though, is relative to other countries, Mexico is a significant player. The U.S. dollar and Mexican Peso have moved in opposite directions, and U.S. goods are more expensive. Unfortunately, for the U.S. and other countries, the end of 2020 was not likely to end the need for government intervention to help support economies. By most assessments, the U.S. dollar is expected to further weaken. More concerning is the U.S. currency’s place in the world. In the past, high demand for the U.S. dollar as a safe haven for uncertainty has provided support for the value of the dollar relative to other currencies. Other products gained interest as safe havens in 2020. Gold has historically been a hedge against inflation and uncertainty, but Bitcoin too
The Carolina Cattle Connection
is emerging for the more tech savvy and risk tolerant. Bitcoin was projected to hit a new all time high at the end of 2020. It’s unlikely gold or Bitcoin will surpass the U.S. dollar in the short or medium term, but they are offering opportunities to diversify. It does add further to the uncertainty of what the U.S. dollar’s role is as the world emerges from COVID-19. As we look at what lies ahead in 2021, exchange rates are just one more element to the bigger picture that can’t be controlled. However, from an export perspective, a weak U.S. dollar may provide some opportunity for U.S. beef. Offsetting that opportunity, competitor exchange rates could weaken. Australia, one of the U.S.’s top competitors in beef exports, has seen its currency weaken relative to the U.S. dollar as 2020 ended. The U.S. is expected to have plenty of animal protein on the market in the coming year. Exports can help moderate the effects of large supplies, but exchange rates and importing country’s economies provide a great deal of unknowns.
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NEWS Beefmaster Genetics Debut in Turkey. Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) and DBL D BAR Beefmaster Ranch in Industry/New Ulm, Tex., have successfully delivered 67 Beefmaster embryos to Kafkas University in Kars, Turkey. The embryos will be used to develop the foundation Turkish Beefmaster herd for crossbreeding with other native cattle, such as European Limousin, Charolais, Simmental, and various breeds of dairy cattle. After four years of dedicated assistance from the Ankara Office of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the U.S. Embassy Agricultural Attaché, this project is now in full operation. On January 18, the delivery was confirmed by Sinem Duyum, Agricultural Specialist in the Office of Agricultural Affairs at the U.S Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. “The Beefmaster embryos have just arrived in Istanbul and the shipment was successfully cleared from the Istanbul Airport customs,” said Duyum. The Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock (MinFAL) granted final import permit approval under European Union (EU) regulations. This will allow a new Beefmaster project to proceed under the guidance of Dr. Yavuz Ozturkler, Veterinary & Animal Science Department Professor at Kafkas University in the Kars Province of Eastern Turkey. “I would like to express my sincere special gratitude to Doyle Sanders and the BBU organization for providing a valuable grant to our university of these embryos,” said Öztürkler. Marketing and education of the Beefmaster breed to Turkish agricultural leaders first started in 2016. The United States Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE) assisted BBU in funding articles and presentations to educate the Turkish beef industry on American beef genetics. This included focus missions to Texas for senior MinFAL officials and key veterinary geneticists. These missions included a delegation to the Texas A&M University Beef Cattle Short Course, visits to feedlots, packing plants, and genetic collection centers in Texas. Other European Beefmaster breeders helped with field days near Rome, Italy, to display Beefmaster cattle to key Turkish cattlemen while discussing potential Beefmaster benefits for Turkey. Dr. Robert Wells, Noble
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Research Institute, and Dr. Joe Paschal, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, also assisted in educating the Turkish cattlemen. In 2018, the Turkish Red Meat Producers Association board of directors recommended that Beefmaster become the Turkey national beef cattle breed. The membership, along with the Turkish Minister of Agriculture, accepted this recommendation for the industry’s future with Beefmaster cattle. Kafkas University agreed to manage the project of establishing the foundation herd in Kars. As the Beefmaster herd develops, their genetics will become distributed to other parts of Turkey to demonstrate adaptability to severely harsh environments and educate Turkish farmers on the expected benefits of the Beefmaster breed in Turkey’s agricultural atmosphere. USDA FAS Ankara will monitor and report project progress. While this project progresses in Turkey, DBL D BAR Beefmaster Ranch and BBU will continue to support these Turkish agricultural leaders, cattlemen, and the surrounding regions of Europe and Asia. “We look forward to seeing Beefmaster calves on the ground in Turkey by the end of 2021,” said Sanders. Special thanks to Dr. Anne Bea Kulp of Kulp Genetics in Manheim, Penn., who supervised the collection and processing of these EU qualified embryos at OvaGenix and completed the documentation for export. The genetics import firm of Anadolu Hayvancilik in Istanbul coordinated with the Turkish MinFAL and managed the tank import procedures through final customs clearance and delivery to Kafkas University. Sinem Duyum helped clear the hurdles for final customs acceptance, which officially allowed Beefmaster genetics to make their debut in Turkey. For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its international program, please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org/international. About Beefmaster Breeders United. BBU, located in Boerne, Tex., is a notfor-profit breed registration organization that provides programs and services for its members. Beefmaster, Beefmaster Advancer, and E6 cattle are selected on the “Six Essentials” of disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, milk production, and hardiness. For more information, visit www.beefmasters.org.
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GELBVIEH NEWS
Handke to Serve as Gelbvieh World Editor. The American Gelbvieh Association is excited to announce the addition of Laura Handke to the AGA publications team, serving as editorial contractor. In her role, Handke will help to create and coordinate content for Gelbvieh World and The Profit Picture publications as well as other AGA communications efforts. Handke previously contributed to the publications through freelance writing. Handke, her husband, and eightyear-old daughter Audrey live in Easton, Kan., and run a small herd of commercial cattle. Handke holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in agriculture science from Northwest Missouri State University and has been professionally involved in agriculture communications for the past decade, working on education initiatives and content for crop and animal health companies and associations. Handke says of the opportunity to join the AGA team, “I am excited to have the opportunity to join the AGA team, and look forward to sharing the story and communications of a breed that has meant so much to me throughout my life.” “Laura has contributed great work to our publications in the past and we are excited to have her as a part of our team in this new capacity,” says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “She has a wealth of experience in ag communications and will be a great asset in growing the Gelbvieh and Balancer message.” Handke began her role at AGA on December 1 and can be reached at laura@ gelbvieh.org. Upperman Joins Gelbvieh Association. The American Gelbvieh Association is pleased to announce the hiring of Lindsay Upperman as performance programs coordinator.
NOTICE
Letters to the editor are welcome and we appreciate your input. HOWEVER, letters that are not signed will not be considered for publication. PAGE 28
In this role, Upperman will help coordinate member education and breed improvement efforts, as well as travel the country visiting Gelbvieh and Balancer stakeholders. “We are very excited to have Lindsay joining our team,” says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “She has a strong cattle background and a wealth of education that will make a great addition to the talented staff of the AGA.” Originally from Chambersburg, Penn., Upperman grew up an active member of 4-H and traveled the country with her parents showing livestock and participating in livestock judging and stockman’s contests. After high school, Upperman attended school at Butler Community College where she was a member of the junior college’s livestock judging team. After earning an associate of applied science in agriculture, Lindsay joined the ranks of the Kansas State University livestock judging team, where she received the All American Judging Team Award and completed a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Upperman earned her master’s degree in animal biology from the University of California-Davis, where her studies focused on lethal recessive alleles in beef cattle. Upperman is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a focus on the estimation of genetic parameters for days to finish traits in beef cattle. “Starting from a young age, I have been involved with the beef cattle industry through raising my own herd, livestock judging competitions, and even completing graduate education focused on beef cattle research. Through these experiences, I am prepared and excited to help guide the Gelbvieh and Balancer producers in reaching their operation’s genetic potential towards a more profitable future,” Upperman says. Upperman began her role with the AGA on December 28 and can be reached at lindsay@gelbvieh.org or at the AGA office at 303-465-2333. Harbert Hired as Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator. The American Gelbvieh Association is pleased to announce the addition of Katie Harbert to the AGA staff as Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator. Harbert will be responsible for the design, production, and ad sales of official AGA publications and will also provide design services for AGA members and the Association. “I am so honored to join the dynamic
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team at AGA and utilize my skills and experiences to help grow Gelbvieh Media.” Katie shares, “I look forward to continuing to advance communication for the Association and its members. It is an exciting time to get involved in this rapidly evolving industry.” Harbert is originally from Kingman, Kan., and is finishing her degree in agriculture communications and journalism at Kansas State University (KSU), where she will graduate in May 2021. During her time at KSU, Katie has served as an editor of numerous publications, including the Royal Purple Yearbook. She has served as both a College of Agriculture Ambassador and president of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Harbert was also awarded the 2020 Forrest Bassford Award during the 2020 Livestock Publications Council
Annual Membership Meeting. “Katie is a very talented young professional and has a wide range of skills in the field of agricultural communications,” says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “We are excited to have her joining us at the AGA and helping us to grow the Gelbvieh and Balancer® message.” Katie began her role with the AGA, in a part time capacity, on January 11 and will assume a full time role in the AGA office following graduation in May. Katie can be reached at katie@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333. About the American Gelbvieh Association. AGA is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance oriented total herd reporting system.
N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of DECEMBER 2020 Cattle Receipts: 13,153
•
Previous Month: 15,531
Feeder supply - 31% steers • 42% heifers • 27% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,464 $54.97 Boner 1,201 $55.49 Lean 1,099 $49.15
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,634
$82.79
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $142.66 $602.03 450-500 474 $139.39 $660.71 500-550 520 $132.18 $687.34 550-600 569 $127.75 $726.90 600-650 622 $121.11 $753.30 650-700 668 $117.26 $783.30
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $142.64 $601.94 450-500 471 $132.75 $625.25 500-550 521 $124.05 $646.30 550-600 575 $117.39 $674.99 600-650 619 $111.19 $688.27 650-700 673 $104.92 $706.11
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $124.15 $525.15 450-500 472 $118.34 $558.56 500-550 520 $113.01 $587.65 550-600 571 $110.51 $631.01 600-650 624 $105.04 $655.45 650-700 674 $102.68 $692.06
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
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Hereford Thrives in an Uncertain Year. Despite the challenges of 2020, the American Hereford Association reports breed growth. In a year that was anything but predictable, Hereford breeders and the American Hereford Association (AHA) continued to add value to Hereford genetics. Year end reports shared during the Association’s recent annual meeting show their efforts paid off. “As the commercial industry has looked to add crossbreeding back into the programs to increase fertility, longevity, disposition — all the things that are known in Hereford cattle — it’s created a great opportunity for us,” says Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president. Ward reports the Association experienced increases in registrations and memberships this fiscal year, while sale
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News
averages climbed. “The real excitement within our breed and within our membership is in its growth,” Ward says. “It’s seen growth because the breeders have been committed to genetic improvement and providing the tools necessary to make the changes to produce the type of product that their customer’s need and then, ultimately, the consumer. It’s all encompassing.” A drive for genetic improvement includes a focus on the female. The Association incorporated genomic information into its suite of maternal traits, and female genotypes accounted for almost 60 percent of the 25,000 genotypes submitted to the organization during the fiscal year. “I really think that speaks highly to our breeders’ commitment to really get the
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most of the females that they’re keeping,” says Shane Bedwell, AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement. “You’ll find about a 20-25 percent, up to a 30 percent, increase in those maternal traits in the last three years.” The Association also reports tremendous strides in other economically relevant traits, including carcass. “We’ve made incredible improvements in post weaning growth and end product merit,” Bedwell adds. “That’s evident in the amount of cattle that are now grading well in the Hereford breed.” Benefits in conversion and cost of gain have more producers utilizing the Association’s commercial programs – like Hereford Advantage – to add value to Hereford and Hereford influenced calves. Meanwhile, Certified Hereford Beef® celebrated its 25th anniversary and another successful year. “No matter where you drive in the U.S., you find Hereford cattle. They’re adaptable, they work hard. They’re efficient,” Bedwell notes. “We need efficient cattle in these times and in our production system, and Hereford genetics thrive.” Ward adds, “Producers want it all,
and with Herefords, you can ‘Come Home to Hereford,’ use good Hereford genetics, and take advantage of those opportunities.” Learn more about additional AHA opportunities or news from AHA’s 2020 Annual Meeting at www.Hereford.org. You’ll find a series of highlights, including the presentation of more than $150,000 in scholarships, as well as breed honorees and other Hereford news. Virtual educational sessions covering topics from genomics to marketing are also available. Merck Animal Health, Neogen Corporation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and National Corn Growers Association were among major sponsors of the AHA Annual Membership Meeting and Conference. HYFA Partners with Ghostwood Distilling Company. During the inaugural Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) announced an exciting new partnership with Ghostwood Distilling Co., Bozeman, Montana. This business is eager to help the next generation of Hereford producers, and
every purchase supports HYFA’s mission of scholarship and education. Ghostwood offers a unique, blended bourbon whiskey from founder Lucas Perks. Through March 1, enter discount code “HYFA” at checkout to receive $5 off your order at www.Shop.ghostwoodwhiskey. com. Proceeds from these sales go toward HYFA and Hereford youth. HYFA would like to thank Club 21 in Naples, Fla., for purchasing the first bottle of Ghostwood in the Hereford Eve sale in Oklahoma City, as well as Doug and Wade Perks of Perks Ranch in Rockford, Ill., for bringing this fundraiser to life. Fowler Joins as Association Director of Youth Marketing and Education. AHA is excited to welcome Chloé Fowler into the newly created position of associate director of youth marketing and education. Fowler started her post on January 20. This newly created position will work with the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) and Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) to increase marketing and promotion of junior programs, including the Junior National Hereford Expo, Faces of Leadership, and the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout. “I grew up on a generational beef cattle operation and have a passion for the members and youth involved,” says
Fowler. “I am excited about this new role and the challenges that will come along with it as well as the ability to give back to an industry that has given me so much.” Fowler comes from Ono, Calif., and graduated from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2020. There she majored in agricultural communications and minored in law and society. She was the marketing manager for the Cal Poly Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show and has interned for the National Western Stock Show and Arizona National Livestock Show. “We are excited about this new position and the addition to our team in the youth activities department,” says Amy Cowan, AHA director of youth activities and foundation. “Her background and experience are well suited for this new position we have created.” About the American Hereford Association. AHA, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The not-for-profit organization, along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI), and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth, and research.
From the Desk of the SCCA President By ROSCOE KYLE
First, I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy so far this year. I was made aware that there were a couple of long time cattle producers who lost the battle with COVID-19 this past December. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by this virus. Hopefully, this will get under control soon. As we approach the coming of spring these next few months, it is time to ensure everything that we use to complete our daily chores is in working order. As we perform the required maintenance on equipment and machines, please be careful because it only takes a second for something to go wrong. The dealers we purchase our equipment and vehicles from are also there to help if we need them. The market has really been a rollercoaster this past year from the producers’ standpoint, and I don’t see it improving very much any time soon. We have yet to see what the foreign trade situation will reveal, but let’s hope for the best. There is still a great demand for U.S. cattle if it can just get processed and in the right hands. At last count, the cattle processing survey being done in conjunction with Clemson University is still going on. As soon as we get the results, they will be put on the website. Please remember that state dues are currently being collected. You can either send them to your local association secretary or mail them directly to the SCCA Office at P.O. Box 207, Saluda, S.C. 29138. You can also go online and pay them. They are $30 a person. NCBA is still fighting our battles in Washington for us and is always willing to listen to our requests. Our regional representative asks that each of us become more involved with the association and, when possible, recruit a new member. The Annual Trade Show & Convention for the NCBA will be held in Nashville, Tenn., this coming August. It would be great to see a large group from South Carolina going if possible. Put the late winter and early spring sales date on your calendar, and I believe most will be virtual at this time. Remember the words of Jimmy Buffett, “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.” As always, if I can be of assistance, please let me know. I remain respectfully yours.
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NEWS
Animal Agriculture Alliance makes 2020 Virtual Summit recordings publicly available. Start the new year off “Primed and Prepared,” mark your calendar for the 2021 event. The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced recently that session recordings from the first ever Virtual Stakeholders Summit, held in May 2020, are now publicly available. The 2020 Virtual Summit, themed “Primed & Prepared,” focused on equipping food and agriculture stakeholders with the tools needed to bridge the gap between farm and fork. “The Alliance’s annual Stakeholders Summit brings together thought leaders
in animal agriculture to discuss hot button issues and out of the box ideas,” says Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “Our 2020 Virtual Summit attracted our largest crowd to date and addressed key topics that impact every link of the food supply chain, including sustainability, nutrition, and animal welfare. If you weren’t able to join us live last year, watching the recorded content is a great way to catch up on the valuable conversations and get excited for the 2021 Virtual Summit coming up in May.” Highlights from the impressive lineup of speakers include:
S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of DECEMBER 2020 Cattle Receipts: 9,047
•
Previous Month: 9,399
Feeder supply - 30% steers • 46% heifers • 24% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,418 $55.80 Boner 1,243 $55.85 Lean 996 $51.74
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,675
$83.92
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 415 $150.34 $623.91 450-500 467 $142.74 $666.60 500-550 522 $133.47 $696.71 550-600 561 $131.09 $735.41 600-650 620 $126.07 $781.63 650-700 687 $126.07 $866.10
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 420 $149.36 $627.31 450-500 465 $142.41 $662.21 500-550 515 $131.14 $675.37 550-600 562 $127.52 $716.66 600-650 634 $116.37 $737.79 650-700 665 $120.00 $798.00
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $124.05 $525.97 450-500 467 $120.41 $562.31 500-550 524 $117.52 $615.80 550-600 566 $119.18 $674.56 600-650 523 $112.14 $586.49 650-700 678 $109.58 $742.95
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
• Alan Levinovitz, Ph.D., associate professor of religion at James Madison University, discussed how faith in nature’s goodness might lead to harmful fads, unjust laws, and flawed science. • Marissa Hake, DVM, Ryan Valk, Tara Vander Dussen, and Michelle Miller, farmers, who talked about being on the frontlines of consumer engagement and how the industry can better help farmers promoting agriculture online. • Candace Croney, Ph.D., with Purdue University, discussed how to rethink the way we address animal welfare in consumer conversations. • Nicole Rodriquez, RDN, Cara Harbstreet, RD, and Allison Webster, Ph.D., RD, registered dietitians, shared how animal agriculture can stake its claim on the plant based plate. • Sara Place, Ph.D., with Elanco Animal Health, pondered “what’s the beef?” with sustainability and plant based alternatives. Session recordings from the 2020 Virtual Summit are available at www. youtube.com. To read a condensed overview of insights shared at the event, check out the highlights report at www. animalagalliance.org/resource/2020stakeholders-summit-highlights-report. The 2021 Virtual Summit, themed “Obstacles to Opportunities,” is set primarily for May 5-6. Challenging times.
Unprecedented times. Uncertain times. We’re all over the clichés. But we’re far from over the impact COVID-19 and 2020, in general, have had on agriculture and the food industry. However, there is hope. With the right tools, we can ensure the food chain is stronger than ever. We can use this time to hone our messages, fine tune our strategies, and connect, engage, and protect like never before. Now is the time to turn the obstacles of 2020 into opportunities for the decades to come, and 2021 Virtual Summit attendees will leave with the right tools and ideas to do just that. Registration for the 2021 Virtual Summit opens February 1. For more information about the Virtual Summit, v i s i t w w w. a n i m a l a g a l l i a n c e . o rg / initiatives/stakeholders-summit/ or follow #AAA21 on social media for updates. 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.
S.C. Charolais News By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association
First of all, we need to keep two of our Charolais breeders in our prayers. Kyle Reeves of Tennessee and Joe Garcia of Georgia are both in the hospital seriously ill with COVID-19. Charolais folks know both of these guys well. We also lost some great cattlemen to this horrible virus. Ronald Teague of Siler City, N.C., lost his battle with COVID-19 in December. Carl Rugg of Bovine Elite in College Station, Tex., also succumbed to COVID-19 in December. This horrible virus is taking a toll on many of our cattle friends. We are still contemplating having a bull sale in April, but most folks have sold their bulls because Charolais bulls are in HIGH DEMAND all over the country. I should have a definite answer next month as to where we can round up enough bulls to have a sale. If you have Charolais bulls that will be breeding age in April, get in touch with me. I talked to Larry Edwards recently, and he said he and Tommy Wilks had a great bull sale in December at Chester Livestock. I was unable to go because
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I had the vet here all morning giving BSE to seven big bulls, and that took a little while. Two were headed to North Carolina, one is my new herd sire, and the rest were headed to Georgia. Like I said, Charolais bulls are in big demand. Not much else is going on with other breeders as all are busy with new calves hitting the ground. Just a note - Mike King has lost three calves to the monster Black Vultures. I have lost one calf to those demons, but as you know, the Black Vultures are protected. The truth be known, the Black Vultures are protected from me. Anything that threatens my calves, whether it has four legs, two legs, or slithers on the ground, is in real danger from me, and that includes two legged humans. I almost got two the other night that I caught crawling under my barbed wire fence. I don’t know what they were up to, but I can assure you it was no good. Keep a close check on your friends and neighbors, especially us old folks. Help out when you can because all we have is each other.
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THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL
By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association Waynesville Bull Test Sale. The Waynesville Bull Test Sale was held in a socially distant manner on December 5, 2020, at the WNC Regional Livestock Center in Canton. The bulls were available for viewing, but the actual sale was held in the parking lot, with everyone keeping at least six feet apart. John and Clay Nicholson of Nicholson Livestock in East Bend, N.C., consigned the top indexing purebred Simmental and the top indexing SimAngus bull. The purebred Simmental bull was a son of JC Engineer 102C and sold for $3,500 to Thomas Farms of East Bend. The top indexing SimAngus bull, consigned by the Nicholsons, was sired by AAR Ten X 7008 and sold for $2,600. The second top selling bull was a SimAngus bull consigned by Rucker Family Farm in Hamptonville, North Carolina. This bull was a son of SVF/NJC
Mo Better M217 and sold for $2,800 to Jody Mann of Canton. The two purebred Simmental bulls grossed $5,600 to average $2,800. The six SimAngus bulls grossed $14,600 to average $2,433. Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale. Another great bull sale was held on December 5 at the Union County Livestock Market in Monroe, North Carolina. The Simmental bulls were very strong in the sale, with the top selling purebred bull selling for $5,800. This bull was consigned by Dr. Jeff Broadaway and was sired by Hook’s Bounty 6B. The next top selling purebred Simmental was a CCR Cowboy Cut 5048Z son, also consigned by Dr. Jeff Broadaway. This bull brought $4,400. Another Broadaway Cowboy Cut son sold for $4,200, followed by another $4,200 bull also consigned by Jeff Broadaway. This last bull was sired by BBS True Justice
American Simmental Association 1 Genetics Way • Bozeman, MT 59718 406-587-4531 • www.simmental.org
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
Yadkin County livestock agent Phil Rucker presents a plaque to Clay Nicholson (left) and John Nicholson (right) for their top indexing Simmental and SimAngus bulls
B10. The top selling SimAngus bull was a consignment from Parks Helms of Monroe with a son of WPH Upward Z24, which sold for $2,500. All the breeds selling in the sale averaged $4,325. In the female sale, four Simmental heifers consigned by Parks Helms brought $1,450 each, and four registered SimAngus heifers from K&G Farms in Monroe sold for $1,150 each. There were
34 commercial SimAngus heifers from Parks Helms, Larry Love, Joe Medlin, and Ben Myers that averaged $1,141 each. A huge thank you to Eddie Little and the Little family for preparing the Friday night meal, and thanks to Kathy and Aaron Maye for the use of the Union County Livestock market facilities. Thanks also to Kathie Price and Dr. Jeff Broadaway for the report on this sale.
N.C. Simmental Association - Like us on Facebook!
1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 336-468-1679 • www.ncsimmental.com • NCSA@yadtel.net
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PAGE 37
An Investment in Genomics is an Investment in the Future. Genomic testing in the cattle business celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. While the dairy sector has dominated this field, beef producers are quickly catching up as more producers and companies continue to invest in this technology to improve their animals and industry. Operations of all sizes and different segments of the industry have found a use for genomics in some practical capacity. Beyond the obvious applications, such as increased profits or efficiency, genomics has a role in the future generation of your farm or ranch and the Limousin breed. At this year ’s virtual Beef Improvement Federation Conference, Dr. Daniela Lourenco of the University of Georgia shared findings from her 2018 research on genomic testing in Angus cattle. One of her take home messages was the importance of widespread data submission and collection.
When 52,000 animals were genotyped on a 50,000 SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) chip, the accuracy of EPD records increased by 25 percent. When 335,000 animals were genotyped, that increased to 36 percent. She attributed this increase because this was new, nonredundant information being added. As you likely already know, genomic testing has accelerated the advancement of young sires and their genetic progress. Genotyping can increase the accuracy of these animals equal to having 10-30 daughters on the ground. The accuracy of these tests and the resulting genomically enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs) varies by a few different things. Some, such as the heritability of a certain trait, are out of human control. But factors such as number of recorded animals, number of reported performance records, the accuracy of reported records, and the type of test used can very much be controlled by breeders and breed
a
Virginia Herd Health Management Services, PC
associations. Commercial producers and those who sell terminal animals also have reason to be vested in genomic developments. As part of an NCBA breed association panel discussion, Mark Anderson, NALF executive director, noted the importance for commercial producers to look at seedstock producers and their programs. “Those are the folks who have spent a lot of time and turned in a lot of data over the years and they tend to be on the front end of genomic enhancement,” he said. Thanks to the breeders who have been investing in genomics for some time now, accuracy continues to improve by leaps and bounds. Now, it’s in the hands of the industry to continue genotyping and utilize this reliable information. Beyond your own operation, an investment in genomics is also an investment in the vitality of the Limousin breed. Although we’ve had this technology for over a decade, there is consistently new information that we continue to investigate and uncover. For example, some genomic research out of France earlier this year looked at ten unrelated Limousin bull calves to identify regions and polymorphisms and found 13,943,766 variants. They were also able to pinpoint some causative regulatory polymorphisms to better understand the mechanisms and targets within artificial selections. This can help better interpret genomic wide association studies for the breed. Besides enhancing EPDs and helping
with decisions, breeder genotyping builds the database for similar breed specific genomic research to come down the road. Coupled with breed association participation and good recordkeeping, the genomic accuracy is sure to keep the future of the Limousin breed very bright. Limousin Leads the Way in Collecting Carcass Data. Carcass trait EPDs for Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle are now among the most accurate and predictable in the industry, thanks to a cooperative effort between the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) in Aurora, Colo., International Genetic Solutions (IGS) in Bozeman, Mont., and Feedlot Health Management Services, Ltd. in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada. The leap forward comes with the inclusion of more than 45,000 actual harvest data phenotype records from pedigreed Limousin and Lim-Flex influenced cattle into the IGS national cattle evaluation. “An ongoing challenge in estimating carcass EPDs is the lack of carcass phenotypes,” says Randie Culbertson, Ph.D., IGS lead geneticist. “Considering carcass phenotypes measure the attributes of the actual end product we are focused on producing in the beef industry, improving accuracy of our carcass EPDs is imperative to making genetic improvement in these traits. However, the collection of carcass data to be used in genetic evaluations remains an ongoing challenge. The implementation of more than 45,000 carcass records into the IGS
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Visit us online at www.vhhms.com. PAGE 38
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
genetic evaluation represents a 52 percent increase in actual carcass phenotypes in our entire IGS database and will have a significant impact on the accuracy of our genetic prediction for carcass traits.” “Incorporating this amount of actual carcass data directly into the National Cattle Evaluation at IGS is unparalleled,” says Mark Anderson, NALF Executive Director. “What’s even more exciting is the large volume of data we plan to add on a quarterly basis. The carcass phenotypes generated will greatly enhance accuracy, not only on the EPDs of sires in the NALF herdbook, but also on related cattle throughout their pedigreed bloodlines. This will also greatly enhance carcass progeny equivalents when genomically enhancing cattle and will result in improved predictability in the mating decisions our breeders make, especially as it relates to highly heritable carcass traits.” Wulf Cattle in Morris, Minn., made the inclusion of the unprecedented
number of carcass phenotypes possible. Wulf Cattle is one of NALF’s largest producers of Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle. Besides producing seedstock, the operation also feeds cattle in commercial yards throughout the central United States. Wulf Cattle has long made a significant commitment to n.capture carcass records from fed beef cattle purchased from commercial cow/calf operators using their Limousin and Lim-Flex bulls. This same commitment applies to collecting carcass records from the firm’s BeefBuilder™ cattle1. Other NALF members engaged in cattle feeding are also providing carcass phenotype records for the enhanced genetic evaluation. “With the initial data set and the expected large monthly flow of new records from the BeefBuilder™ program, Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle are among the best characterized carcass genetics on the planet,” says Robert Weaber, Ph.D. of Kansas State University, a noted
Carolina Cooking
industry geneticist. He worked with the IGS science team to usher in this new era of carcass evaluation for NALF and Limousin breeders. Weaber explains each Wulf Cattle bull in the genetic evaluation represents at least several hundred progeny carcass records, with some having 1,000 or more. “The new carcass evaluation provides Limousin and Lim-Flex breeders the information necessary to make more precise and predictable breeding and selection decisions than ever before as they continue their quest to increase profitability throughout the beef value chain,” Weaber says. “Enhanced data sets like the one we’re creating, enable our breeders to not only create better cattle at an accelerated rate, but provide more consistency and predictability to commercial cow/calf operators and the entire beef value chain,” says Curt Wieczorek, NALF President, a second generation Limousin breeder from Mount Vernon, South Dakota. “This effort is a win for the beef industry and will certainly help solidify our breed’s long standing position as the Carcass Breed,” Wieczorek says. “The current marketplace demands cattle that can hit consumer driven targets
in terms of quality grade while achieving a higher percentage of Yield Grade 1-3 carcasses that deliver improved red meat yield,” Anderson says. “As importantly, current market signals are asking us to do that while simultaneously taking cattle to larger out weights without sacrificing feed efficiency.” Reference 1 BeefBuilder™ cattle from Wulf Cattle are the result of crossbreeding proven Limousin and Lim-Flex bulls with Holstein and Jersey cows. BeefBuilders are high quality grading, consistent, beef type cattle with improved feeding performance and superior red meat yield, compared to strait bred dairy cattle. 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.
Beef Green Chili Total Cooking Time - 40 minutes 12 ounces cooked (leftover) beef brisket, cubed or shredded (about 2½ cups) 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 3 cups canned diced green chiles 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained 2 tablespoons dairy sour cream
December 4, 2021 • 12:00 noon Union County Livestock Market • Monroe, N.C.
Toppings (optional): Dairy sour cream, tortilla chips, shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped avocado, or guacamole Heat oil in a stockpot over medium heat until hot. Add onion, jalapeño pepper, and garlic; cook 5-7 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in beef brisket, chiles, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes to develop flavors, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons sour cream. Garnish with additional sour cream, tortilla chips, cheese, avocado, or guacamole, if desired. Makes 4 servings.
704-219-1294 The Carolina Cattle Connection
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New NCCA Members for 2021 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: Alamance County James D. Lamm Alexander County Tanya Fox – FoxF4 Brianna Roberts Garren Smith – Smith Farm Anson County Boyd Collins Brent Harrington – Ruby Hill Farms Ashe County Holden Williams – Upper Mountain Farms
Bladen County Kinlaw Farms LLC James Phillips – Phillips Cattle Farm Buncombe County Ryan Bartlett – RMB Livestock James Campen – Campen Cattle Company
Guilford County Rebecca Brown Haywood County Rodney B. Smith Joshua Steven Sorrells
Davidson County Levi Askew – Askew Farms
Iredell County Jim Cartner, DVM – Scotts Creek Animal Hospital Scott and Pam Murdock Phillip E. Pope – Shiloh Brangus Phillip H. Redmond II Joel M. Shives
Duplin County Larry W. Davis – Davis Farms
Johnsston County Ryan Roberts – Double R Farms
Edgecombe County Brian Womble – Womble Farm LLC
McDowell County V. Wayne Duncan – Duncan Farms
Forsyth County Avery Telligman – Whit Acres
Macon County Ernest M. Huggins
Gaston County Chuck Ferguson – Ferguson Farm Jordan Sellers – Sellers Farm Josie Thompson – CF Farms
Moore County Greg Hayes – Hayes Farms
Catawba County Chase Blalock – Deal Farm Eddy Christopher – The Farm
Orange County Gordon Neville – Mount View Farm Pender County Chris Sanderson – Stoney Run Cattle Person County Wendy Jolly – Jolly Farm Pitt County Bill & Cindy Edwards – Sticks Farm Lynn Philbin – That’s No Bull Polk County Atley Elliott – Caitlyn Farms Beef Cattle
Randolph County Josh Bowman – Rockin ‘B’ Farm Mickey Bowman – Rockin ‘B’ Farm Robeson County Chris Roberts – Pokey’s Place Ranch Rowan County Brandon Cochran – Gold Hill Farms Rutherford County Mark Brewer – Quail Ridge Farm LLC Stokes County Kendra Phipps Union County James H. Howie – Howie Ag Services Inc. Wake County Christopher Villari Warren County Steven Moss Wayne County Jensen Barwick – Barwick Farms Charles Hill – JCS Livestock Jennifer Johnson – Wayne Community College Wilkes County Wyatt Benton – Benton and Sons Jacob Boyles Daniel Mathis, Jr. – T-Boy Farms Tim Parker Gabriela Roberts Leslie Sierra Chloe Watson Danny M. Wiles Yadkin County Pearl Pilcher
Be a winner! Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association! PAGE 40
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
The Carolina Cattle Connection
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PAGE 41
CHUCK
SHANK
CHUCK
BRISKET
RIB
PLATE
RIB
LOIN
SIRLOIN
ROUND SHANK
FLANK
LOIN
SIRLOIN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
ROUND
INGEDIENT CUTS
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
BRISKET LEAN
LEAN
PLATE & FLANK LEAN
LEAN
KEY TO RECOMMENDED COOKING METHODS GRILL or BROIL PAN BROIL/ SKILLET
BRAISE/ POT ROAST
LEAN
These cuts meet the government guidelines for lean, based on cooked servings, visible fat trimmed
ROAST
INDIRECT GRILLING
SKILLET TO OVEN
* MARINATE BEFORE COOKING FOR BEST RESULTS
A cut of cooked fresh meat is considered ‘lean’ when it contains less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, andless tahn 95 mg of cholesterol per 100 grams(3½ oz) and per RACC (Reference Amount Customarily Consumed), which is 85 grams (3 oz.)
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STIR-FRY
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
A Message from the CEO By COLIN WOODALL
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Gratitude and Optimism Around noon on January 20, Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States. Since election day, I have had almost daily calls from our members asking about the new administration and its impact on us as cattle producers. My message from the get-go has been clear; it is going to be okay. While we are anxiously looking at what the next four years may bring, it is important that we review the past four years under President Trump. Everybody seems to have their own opinion about President Trump, and there is no doubt he has been one of the most interesting and unconventional presidents of our time. Those traits are ones that either endeared him to you or put you off. Regardless of your opinion, I will argue that he has been one of the most cattle friendly presidents
we have had. I met and interacted with President Trump many times during his administration, and I can tell you he is a very genuine and down-to-earth gentleman. While that is contrary to what you sometimes saw in the press, it reflected the man’s true qualities. Even though I did not always agree with the way he conducted business, we cannot argue with the number of wins we achieved under his leadership. Thanks to a simple steak lunch during golf with Chinese President Xi Jinping, we got beef back into China, and our exports have grown since. We got more beef access into Japan. We repealed and replaced EPA’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. We made significant improvements to the Endangered Species Act and National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The gray wolf was delisted. The list goes on and on because he appreciated what cattle producers do, and he appreciated the way NCBA takes care of business. As we have seen with all administrations, though, it was not always a smooth relationship. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was a big priority for NCBA, but President Trump pulled us out of that agreement. That action will have long standing consequences for us because the Chinese are now leading a 15 nation trading block covering nearly a third of the global economy, and we are not a part of that. I bring that up simply to remind you that every presidential administration, regardless of political party, delivers challenges, but our full time presence in Washington, D.C., has us prepared to face the challenges and ultimately win. The same will be true with the Biden administration. President Biden brings many things to the table we have not seen in quite some time. He is a former U.S. senator who we worked with, and he spent eight years as vice president, where we learned even more about him. He is a known commodity and is bringing familiar faces back to work for him. Tom Vilsack has been nominated to reprise his role as secretary of agriculture, a post he held for eight years under President Obama. We had our challenges with Secretary Vilsack on topics such as the GIPSA rule, but we also
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had significant wins like returning beef to the center of the plate in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We have had a lot of experience with Secretary Vilsack, and we know we can work with him. Another familiar face is Katherine Tai, nominee for U.S. Trade Representative. Our team has worked with her on trade issues at the House Ways and Means Committee. Her fluency in Mandarin Chinese will make her very valuable. As I sit here writing this in early December, these are the two nominees thus far that will have a significant impact on the cattle business. As more are announced, we will reach out to them and begin building relationships. We are currently working very closely with the Biden transition team to educate them on all our priorities, and the reception has been positive. There is no doubt in my mind we will have plenty of challenges ahead of us, but we are prepared to defend our role in food security, nutrition, animal care, and natural resource stewardship. However, we will also have opportunities in trade and in showcasing our role as part of the solution to environmental issues. The next four years will be an adventure, but I am optimistic that NCBA will do what we have always done - build relationships, educate administration officials, and fight for your right to raise cattle.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
41st Annual N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Sale Results By GARY GREGORY & DEIDRE HARMON, N.C. State University The 41st Annual Waynesville Bull Sale was held on December 5, 2020, at the WNC Regional Livestock Center in Canton, North Carolina. There were 37 bulls sold for an average of $2,728, which was $400 better than last year. There were 24 Angus bulls that sold for an average of $2,802. Dr. George Williams of Williams Angus in Gray, Tenn., had the top selling Angus at $4,400. He was Lot 37 and purchased by Gerald Hill of Zirconia, North Carolina. This bull was sired by Jindra Acclaim and the dam was out of ECO Limbardi 1512. Chuck Broadway of Broadway Cattle Company in Monroe, N.C., had the top indexing Angus bull for the test. Lot 12,
a Byergo Black Magic 3348 son out of a Quaker Hill Rampage 0A36 daughter, and sold for $3,600 to Doug Keziah of Monroe, North Carolina.
Top indexing Simmental & SimAngus bull consignor - John & Clay Nicholson
Angus top indexing bull consignor - Chuck Broadway
37th Annual N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test Sale Results By GARY GREGORY The 37th Annual North Carolina Beef Cattle Improvement Program Butner Bull Test Sale was held on December 18, 2020, at the Granville County Livestock Arena in Oxford, North Carolina. The 37 bulls sold for an average of $3,315, which was much better than last year’s sale. A total of 33 Angus bulls sold for an average of $3,365. For the second year in a row, Marty and Lynne Rooker of Smith Creek Angus Farm in Norlina, N.C., had the top selling bull. Their Lot 30 brought $6,000 and was purchased by Meadow Lane Farm in Louisburg, North Carolina. He was a GAR Prophet son out of a Werner War Party 2417 daughter. Dennis Overcash of Overcash Angus in Mooresville, N.C., had the top indexing Angus. His Lot 16 was a Sydgen Enhance son out of an HSAF Bando daughter and was purchased by B & F Farms of North Carolina in Angier, N.C., for $4,700.
The four Hereford bulls sold for an average of $2,900. Brent Creech of Taylors Mill Farm in Zebulon, N.C., had the top indexing Hereford bull, which tied for the top selling Hereford bull at
Four Charolais bulls sold for an average of $2,550. Steve Wilson of Roan Mountain Charolais in Bakersville, N.C., had the top indexing and selling Charolais. His Lot 43 sold for $4,400 to Gene Fox of Taylorsville, North Carolina. He was an LT Affinity 6221 Pld son out of an Oakdale Duke 9003P daughter.
$3,400. His Lot 57 was a Churchill Red Bull 200Z son out of a UPS Sensation 2504 ET daughter, which was purchased by Lewis Grady of Faison, North Carolina. Jim Davis of Terrace Farms in Lexington, N.C., had Lot 58, which also brought $3,400. He was a Churchill Mack 665D ET son out of a Walker Bachelor X51 095W 442B daughter and was purchased by Longbranch Farms Inc. in Warrenton, North Carolina. There were 34 bulls sold to 26 producers from 17 counties in North Carolina. The other three bulls went to three producers in Virginia. Col. E.B. Harris of Warrenton served as auctioneer. We would like to thank Zoetis Animal Health for donating the vaccines and dewormer to the Butner and Waynesville Bull Tests this year. Also, thank you to Greg Shaeffer and the staff at the Butner Beef Cattle Field Laboratory for the excellent care of the bulls at the Butner Bull Test Station. Thank you to the sponsors of the Butner Bull Sale Catalog this year: Zoetis Animal Health, Southern States, N.C. Angus Association, N.C. Simmental Association, Double J Farm LLC, Rock Hill Cattle Company, and E.B. Harris Inc. Auctioneers and Livestock. The Butner Bull Test and Sale is a cooperative effort of the N.C. Agricultural Research Service, N.C. Department of Agriculture, N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, and North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
Charolais top indexing bull consignor - Steve Wilson
Bryson Westbrook of 4B Farms in Shelby, N.C., was the consignor of the Hereford bull that sold. He was an F Final Test 722 son out of a SCHY-LAR on Target daughter. Dan Ross of Waynesville, N.C., purchased the bull for $3,300.
Hereford top indexing bull consignor Bryson Westbrook
There were a total of eight Simmental/SimAngus bulls sold for an average of $2,525 and split out to two Purebred Simmental averaging $2,800 and six SimAngus averaging $2,433. The top selling and indexing Simmental was Lot 46. This JC Engineer 102C son out of an MR NLC Upgrade daughter was purchased by Thomas Farms of East Bend, N.C., for $3,500. He was consigned by John and Clay Nicholson of Nicholson Livestock in East Bend, North Carolina. Phil and Jennie Rucker of Rucker Family Farm in Hamptonville, N.C., had the top selling SimAngus. He was Lot 50 and sold to Jody Mann of Canton, N.C., for $2,800 and was an SVF/NJC Mo Better M217 son out of a B/R New Day 454 daughter. Nichols Livestock’s Lot 47 was the top indexing SimAngus and sold for $2,600. He was an AAR Ten X 7006 SA son out of a CCR Spartan 9124A daughter
The Carolina Cattle Connection
and purchased by Harold Gillespie of Leicester, North Carolina. There were 34 bulls purchased by 31 producers in 16 counties in North Carolina, two bulls purchased by one producer in Tennessee, and one bull going to Virginia. Bryan Blinson was the auctioneer. Vaccines and dewormer for both the Waynesville and Butner Bull Tests were donated by Zoetis Animal Health. We would like to thank our sponsors of the Waynesville Bull Sale Catalog this year: Zoetis Animal Health, Southern States, E.B. Harris Inc. Auctioneers & Livestock, Rock Hill Cattle Company, Double J Farm LLC, N.C. Angus Association, and N.C. Simmental Association. A big thank you goes out to Will Morrow, Kyle Miller, and the staff at the Mountain Research Station for the excellent care they provided for the bulls this year. Also, John Queen, Lisa Shelton, and the staff at the WNC Regional Livestock Center for all their work with the sale. The Waynesville Bull Test and Sale is conducted through a cooperative effort of the N.C. Department of Agriculture, N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, and North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
Regular copy deadline is FEBRuary 5 for the MARCH issue!
Is there a problem? q FEBRUARY 2021
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Beef Checkoff News Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Launches “MBA NextGen.” Third iteration of the Masters of Beef Advocacy program provides updated information to arm the next generation of strong beef industry advocates. Recently, the Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, launched updated advocacy training modules – MBA NextGen. MBA NextGen updates the popular MBA training modules making it easier than ever for a new generation of farmers and ranchers to share their story and advocate knowledgeably for the beef industry. Updated information and resources to help answer consumer questions are all accessible with the click of a mouse. MBA NextGen continues to be a free, self guided online course that provides farmers, ranchers, service providers, students, consumers, and all members of the beef community the tools and resources to become a beef advocate and answer tough questions about beef and raising cattle. “The MBA program is one of the most effective tools we have to teach a wide audience the core principles of the cattle industry, and has been a tremendous asset in our efforts to better inform consumers and thought leaders about our industry,” said Paul Dybedahl, Manager, Communications for the Masters of Beef Advocacy Program. “Whether you’re from a family of ranchers or a consumer simply wanting to know more about how that delicious beef dinner got on your plate – MBA NextGen can arm you with the information you need to be a strong advocate for the beef community and communicate with interested consumers.”
MBA NextGen consists of five self guided online lessons, open to everyone, and at no cost to participate: • Lesson 1 - The Beef Community - Context of raising beef from pasture to plate focusing on the community of people involved throughout the beef lifecycle. • Lesson 2 - Raising Cattle on Grass - An introduction to the first step in the beef lifecycle and the many benefits of raising cattle on our country’s vast grass pasture resources. • Lesson 3 - Life in the Feedyard A discussion on the role of feedyards, including animal care, nutrition, and environmental stewardship, at this important step in the beef lifecycle. • Lesson 4 - From Cattle to Beef - An in-depth look at the slaughter process and the humane handling and safety measures in place at today’s beef processing facilities. • Lesson 5 - Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. - A primer on choosing and cooking the right cuts of beef and the important role of beef in a healthful diet. The MBA program started in 2009, and to date, there are more than 15,000 graduates. Once the lessons are completed, advocates gain access to a variety of continuing education resources ranging from online courses that delve deeper into specific topics such as beef sustainability and nutrition to in-person top advocate training and more. Graduates are also invited to join the Masters of Beef Advocacy Alumni Facebook group, a virtual community for MBA graduates to ask questions and get connected to the latest advocacy resources. To enroll or find out more about the latest Masters of Beef Advocacy Program,
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 46
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. About the Beef Checkoff. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval. About the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA is a contractor to the
Beef Checkoff Program. The Beef Checkoff Program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About Masters of Beef Advocacy. The checkoff funded MBA program was launched by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, in 2009. The program, with over 15,000 participants, is designed to equip advocates to engage in conversations with consumers about beef and how cattle are raised. Applications to participate can be found at www. MastersofBeefAdvocacy.com.
S.C. Beef Council News By ROY COPELAN As we roll along into 2021, a few changes continue to happen. Maybe many of you have received the virus vaccination while others wait. Hopefully, in the near future, we will be able to return to a somewhat normal routine. Do you remember one year ago this time? Yo u a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o submit nominations for the 2021 Environmental Stewardship Award presented by NCBA. Beef producers are recognized for their commitment to the sustainability of the beef industry. Anyone can make a nomination. Applications are due by March 12. Contact Jill DeLucero at NCBA at 303850-3321 or jdelucero@beef.org for additional information. With a new calendar year, have you renewed your local cattlemen’s a s s o c i a t i o n , s t a t e c a t t l e m e n ’s association, and NCBA memberships? Now is the time to become a part of these grassroots cattlemen’s organizations for less than $250 per year if you join all three groups. I sent mine in just after Christmas. During the holiday months of November, December, and January, I worked my chef skills in the kitchen with beef chili and beef spaghetti. I even assisted one day in feeding the emergency responders in my community with a beef spaghetti dinner, complete with salad and dinner rolls. What a treat for those hard workers! It was my pleasure and very rewarding for me and others. Maybe during the months ahead, I can visit other communities and do the same. That would be nice. Our beef promotions at retail and foodservice outlets are being planned for the spring and summer. Hopefully, we can do many more than last year and continue to tell our beef story with your invested checkoff dollars. Help me make contacts in your communities. Stay safe and healthy, and continue to check on others. Until next month…
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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NEWS From the Barn to the Beltway — What to Expect for Animal Agriculture in a Biden Administration. Handling the COVID-19 pandemic and climate are two priorities that are certain to shape animal agriculture policy going forward. However, there are many other topics, ranging from trade to competition issues, where animal agriculture could see potential action. Staffing – President Biden nominated Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture. Secretary Vilsack was easily confirmed by the Senate, landing him in a familiar role as Vilsack led the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for eight years as President Obama’s agriculture secretary. Vilsack was most recently chief executive of the U.S. Dairy Export Council and was Governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007.
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There will also be significant turnover in other political appointees at USDA. President Biden nominated Virginia Ag Commissioner Jewel Bronaugh to be the next deputy secretary of agriculture, the second highest position at USDA. If confirmed, Bronaugh would be the first woman of color to hold this position. Of particular interest for animal agriculture, USDA will have a new Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP), a position currently held by Undersecretary Greg Ibach. However, it is not yet known who will fill these shoes. The MRP mission area includes the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) agency and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) agency. Following Secretary
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
Perdue’s realignment of numerous USDA offices in September 2017, including Grain Inspection and the Packers and Stockyards Administration (formerly combined as GIPSA), several programs from the Farm Service Agency are now housed under AMS as well. COVID-19 Response – As we look at the policy priorities of the new administration, the first order of business will be addressing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For agriculture, this includes making sure people are safe while supply chains are operational. The next phase of COVID-19 response also involves vaccines becoming available to food and agriculture workers. Workers in high density environments, such as slaughter and processing operations, are expected to be prioritized. However, many vaccine priority decisions will be made on the state level. Environment – The Biden Administration has been clear the climate is a top priority. The head of President Biden’s USDA transition team, Robert Bonnie, is a Duke University executive in residence specializing in issues related to climate change and natural resource conservation, with a focus on rural America. Bonnie has called for leveraging Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds into a “carbon bank” that would pay farmers for practices that limit greenhouse emissions. Additionally, Bonnie was a project expert for the Climate 21 Project, which resulted in actionable advice for a government wide climate response coordinated by the White House and accountable to the President. Trade – The President has made improving the trade climate one of his administration’s priorities. Although President Biden has not delved into many specific policy plans, he has indicated that he will focus on working with our allies to develop trading rules that provide a counter to China’s efforts to set rules on labor and environmental protections. We expect this will be a sharp departure from President Trump’s “go it alone” approach, but China will continue to loom over trade decisions. Notably, President Biden has indicated that he will not immediately end the phase one trade agreement with China or withdraw the punitive tariffs that are in place. One of the decisions that will confront the Biden Administration is whether to attempt to rejoin the TransPacific Partnership (TPP) to provide a democracy friendly alternative to the China driven Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The President has nominated Katherine Tai to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative. Competition – Consolidation in
agriculture is a major topic of the times, especially in the meatpacking sector. Interest in packer concentration has heightened, tied to COVID-19 related supply chain bottlenecks and a record spread between boxed beef prices and the prices packers paid for live cattle. In the last year, we have seen USDA and the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the beef packers for potential anticompetitive activity and DOJ cases against poultry processors. Additionally, some chicken and pork companies have also entered into settlement agreements to resolve class action antitrust cases. In December, USDA finalized a rule establishing criteria for the Secretary of Agriculture to determine when an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage has been given by a packer or poultry processor in violation of section 202(b) of the Packers and Stockyards Act. This is the third version of a rulemaking, first undertaken under Secretary Vilsack’s USDA in 2010. At that time, the GIPSA competition rule received significant pushback from some segments of
Any news from your county? Be sure to share your meetings, sales, field days, etc., with your fellow cattlemen through the Connection!
production agriculture. This topic, which affects contracted poultry and swine producers in addition to livestock owners, will be one to watch moving forward. Animal Health – Traditionally, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the U.S., currently Dr. Burke Healey, has been a career position that does not change with a new administration. One area to watch will be if the Biden-Harris administration advances or changes direction on recent attempts to require electronic identification under the current Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program. Transitioning to electronic identification was a priority for Undersecretary Ibach. However, advancing technology in ADT, especially moving away from paper records, is a longstanding agency effort. Food Programs – USDA is a broad agency, and there have been calls for additional focus to be placed on the nutrition assistance components of the department. Labor – Employee safety and worker protections will likely see increased significance under the Biden administration. Additionally, animal agriculture needs a stable, year round, legal workforce. Changes to labor laws to help meet this need would likely need to be part of a comprehensive immigration reform package. This seems more likely under a Biden administration than in recent years but would be a significant undertaking. Rural Vitality – President Biden has repeatedly said he will be the president for everyone, including those who did not vote for him. “We have got to rebuild the middle class,” said President Biden, “especially in rural America.” Health care and infrastructure, including access to broadband, are fundamental to vibrant rural communities. “We should
be spending $20 billion to put broadband across the board,” Biden said. Science – President Biden has said science will be a priority for his administration, and just last week, he announced his White House Science Team. A science focus will affect programs within USDA, such as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Economic Research Center (ERS), and APHIS. Science also plays a large role in other agencies with which animal agriculture interacts, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Currently, we are seeing disagreement about the regulation of genetically modified animals between the FDA and USDA. We’ll also have an eye out for how this science based approach affects issues such as on health and antibiotic resistance. Congress – As we consider policy priorities moving forward, we’d be remiss not to also discuss the makeup of Congress. The 117th Congress will be one of narrow margins. Democrats will hold a small majority in the House. The Senate will be evenly divided with 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans. The Constitution designates the vice president as the president of the Senate, so Vice President Kamala Harris will hold the tie breaking vote. This ensures simple majority party line votes in the Senate will break for the Democrats. Incoming Democratic Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer and outgoing Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will have to agree on an organizing resolution, which governs how the Senate works and committee makeup. Generally, bills require 60 votes to pass the Senate. However, the budget reconciliation process may be employed
by the Democrats to advance some items and would only require a simple majority. The 117 th Congress will not have a presidential election over its shoulder, possibly allowing for bi-partisan cooperation on major infrastructure and agricultural packages. The agriculture community lost several staunch Congressional allies recently. Notably, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Mike Conaway (R-Tex.), both retired from Congress in 2020. In addition, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson (D-Minn.) lost his 2020 reelection bid. Between these three leaders, there was 86 years of Congressional experience, much of which was focused on agriculture. Turning toward future legislative work and particularly the Farm Bill, which is scheduled for 2023, new Chairpersons will be Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Representative David Scott (D-Ga.). Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Representative Glen Thompson (R-Penn.) will become the ranking republicans of the Agriculture Committees in their respective chambers. Senator Stabenow (D-Mich.), who has
been serving as the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and chaired the committee from 2011– 2015, has already been in contact with Senator Boozman about her committee priorities, including a focus on trade, stability, climate, and gearing up for the 2023 Farm Bill. Senator Boozman has historically been engaged in livestock issues. However, Arkansas is an incredibly diverse agricultural state, so expect commodities like rice, cotton, and poultry to garner significant attention. Representative Scott has indicated racial equality, nutrition programs, and climate will be priorities under his gavel. About the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. NIAA was established to derive solutions to the most current issues in animal agriculture. Its members include farmers and ranchers, veterinarians, scientists, government officials, and allied industry representatives. NIAA is dedicated to programs that work toward the eradication of diseases that pose a risk to the health of animals, wildlife, and humans. It also promotes a safe and wholesome food supply and best practices for animal health and well being as well as environmental stewardship. More information is available at www.animalagriculture.org.
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336-667-1346 • abprimecuts@gmail.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
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VIDEO AUCTION EVERY MONTH Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
FEBRUARY 2, 2021 SOUTHEAST LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
John Queen: 828-421-3466 • Evans Hooks: 770-316-9611 Canton, NC • 828-646-0270 • SELEXvideo@gmail.com • www.selex-video.com PAGE 50
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
NCBA
President’s Report By MARTY SMITH
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
New Committee Leaders, Same Mission In the aftermath of any election cycle, there is always a leadership shakeup. Members of Congress lose their elections, retire, or seek different leadership posts leaving open positions on many important committees. NCBA works with a host of committees each year, but, for our industry, the most important changes are Representative David Scott becoming the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Representative G.T. Thompson as House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member, and Representative Bruce Westerman as the next ranking member of the House
Natural Resources Committee. Both committees will be critical over the next two years in shaping policy that affects the cattle industry. Most of the congressional committees do not garner much media coverage, but make no mistake, committees do the everyday policy work that keeps Congress running. Congressional committees are the gatekeepers sifting through hundreds of bills and deciding which policies will progress in the legislative process. They are also the workhorses and brain trust of Congress, developing and writing policy destined to become law. NCBA is in constant contact with
committee leaders to ensure our members are not only well represented but that fresh ideas from our own producer driven policymaking process are considered. These leaders might be new to their positions, but we have known many of them for a long time and consider them friends. We make sure that all these committee leaders know our issues and know where we stand on emerging topics. There will be no time wasted getting them up to speed. We will hit the ground running in the 117th Congress and aggressively pursue the policy priorities that are decided at the beginning of each year. I often get asked about NCBA’s proactive outreach methods along with our strong and successful political action committee (PAC). Our NCBA-PAC is closing an exceptionally successful year, despite quarantines and lockdowns that have kept other PACs dormant. Our network of state affiliates also represents a powerful force across the country and especially on Capitol Hill as politicians seek support from their constituents back home. Most importantly, politicians and their staff in Washington reach out to NCBA as a resource and recognize that we are the trusted leader and definitive voice
The Carolina Cattle Connection
in the U.S. beef industry. Our grassroots, loyal, member driven support is second to none, and this garners the attention of policy leaders, especially as we work on such a comprehensive range of issues. Our team, on any given day, is working on everything from the second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments to battling the deceptive labeling of fake meat companies to ensuring that the Dietary Guidelines of America recognizes the nutritional benefits of beef. We are proud of the work we do and the wins we have secured for our members. As we begin 2021, I am looking forward to the unveiling of our yearly policy priorities and continuing to showcase the work of our members to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The groundwork laid by NCBA over the past year gives cattle producers a tremendous edge in the future, and we owe a debt of gratitude to each NCBA supporter across the nation. I’d like to thank each and every one of you for all you do for our industry and our association. It was a tough year for everyone in 2020, but 2021 brings us opportunities to continue our forward momentum with policy wins, and I am excited to see where the year takes us.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
Federation of State Beef Councils Update Federation of State Beef Councils Sponsors the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300. Historic partnership with the Daytona International Speedway brings Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. to broadcast television in NASCAR’s season opening race. The Federation of State Beef Councils, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, has partnered with the Daytona International Speedway to sponsor the 40th season opening race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series - the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300. The event is set for a 5:00 p.m. start on February 13, the day before the 63rd Annual DAYTONA 500. “Despite the extraordinary and challenging circumstances 2020 dealt cattle farmers and ranchers across the country, they persevered to keep the delicious beef Americans know and love
on store shelves,” said Clay Burtrum, Federation Division Vice Chair for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “This sponsorship celebrates all the industry has overcome in this historic year for beef, which demonstrated that Americans continue to choose beef as their preferred protein.” With production support from NCBA, this historic partnership provides an opportunity for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand to return to broadcast television for the second time since 2003. In December, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. returned to broadcast television after 17 years, airing a limited number of ads during the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas movies. In addition to production support,
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Week ending DECEMBER 3, 2020)
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of Southeast Livestock Exchange and Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales on Tuesday, DECEMBER 1, 2020. All cattle in this report are located in North Carolina and South Carolina. Prices FOB the farm or local scale and many weighed with a 0-2 percent shrink and sold with a 5-8¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only.
Cattle Receipts: 1,529
Last Month: 1,751
Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 62 percent steers and 38 percent heifers. Nearly 100 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds. Head 32 58
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 810-810 810 $135.50 $135.50 850-850 850 $127.75 $127.75
Head 35 38 68 205 134 119 61 60 116
Wt. Range 615-615 625-625 725-725 715-725 725-740 815-825 800-800 820-820 850-850
FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 615 $130.00 $130.00 625 $136.00 $136.00 725 $137.25 $137.25 722 $135.50-$137.25 $136.08 732 $138.00-$140.50 $139.24 820 $129.00-$134.75 $131.90 800 $132.25 $132.25 820 $134.00 $134.00 850 $142.50-$145.25 $143.88
Head 75 38 140 68 130 64 59
Wt. Range 650-650 650-650 700-700 725-725 750-750 760-760 825-825
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price Delivery 650 $127.75 $127.75 Guaranteed Open 650 $124.00 $124.00 Split Loads 700 $125.50 $125.50 Natural 725 $139.50 $139.50 Value Added 750 $138.50-$140.50 $139.50 Value Added 760 $125.00 $125.00 Guaranteed Open 825 $119.50 $119.50 Guaranteed Open
Delivery
Delivery Natural Split Loads Natural Value Added
NCBA will be hosting a satellite media tour featuring celebrity chef Hugh Acheson. Chef Acheson will be interviewed by television and radio stations across the country to talk about the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300 and share delicious beef recipes that are perfect for tailgating, or homegating, on race day. DeAnne Maples, Florida Beef Council’s Director of Beef Marketing and Promotion, said, “Showcasing the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand on broadcast television allows us to reach even more consumers at home and gives beef farmers and ranchers something to celebrate on a national stage.” The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300 expands a current partnership between Beef Checkoff and Daytona International Speedway. In 2020, the track produced “Race Day Recipes” on digital channels in which Speedway President Chip Wile demonstrated his beef grilling expertise to showcase the NASCAR experience especially to campers and tailgaters who love to enjoy delicious beef recipes as part of their celebration of NASCAR events. Precautionary measures will require all guests to be screened before entering the facility for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300. Face coverings and six foot social distancing will be required. Information, including all ticket options and safety protocols, can be found by visiting www.DAYTONA500.com/ updates or calling 800-PITSHOP. About the Federation of State Beef Councils. The Federation of State
Beef Councils is housed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), which is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. About Daytona International Speedway. Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500 acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photoshoots, production vehicle testing, and police motorcycle training.
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U or J Bunks - $170-$180 • Calf Bunks - $120
January Natural Value Added
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
Water Troughs • Pads • Silo Sides Septic Tanks • Reservoirs The Carolina Cattle Connection
q FEBRUARY 2021
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NCBA NCBA Rolls Out New Event for 2021. Brand new for 2021, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is hosting a two day virtual event for cattlemen and women across the country to come together for industry news, updates, education, and networking. The 2021 Cattle Industry Convention Winter Reboot, scheduled for February 23-24, is your opportunity to connect with NCBA and serves as a kickoff event for the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show that will take place August 10-12 in Nashville, Tenn., at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Winter Reboot attendees will receive a sneak peek into plans for the Cattle Industry Convention and the Cattlemen’s College. “Despite the move of the main event in August, we’re excited to host this event allowing cattlemen and women to engage in industry leading content in a way that is accessible for everyone,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “NCBA continues to focus
News
on meeting the needs of our members and the industry. This virtual experience will provide vital industry updates and education as we start the New Year.” Winter Reboot sessions include an NCBA D.C. issues update and expectations with the new administration. Ten educational programs will be offered covering topics such as sustainability, as well as a tech tool introduction. A virtual marketplace will also be featured during the Winter Reboot to allow attendees interaction with leading agribusinesses. Registration for the Winter Reboot is now open, and details about the event can be found at www.convention.ncba.org/ winter-reboot. Dietary Guidelines For Americans Solidifies The Benefits Of Beef And A Healthy Diet. NCBA recently commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for finalizing the 2020-2025 Dietary
IRM Red Books Are Here The price of the books are again $5.00/each this year.
We would like to thank Performance Livestock & Feed Company and Carolina Stockyards for again sponsoring this book. Some highlights of the book are the international year letter designations for animal identification calving records Beef Quality Assurance best practices judicious use of antimicrobials in cattle injection site quality control health records pasture usage cattle sales A.I. breeding records analysis of calving activity and back by producer demand the addresses phone notes pages plus many other record keeping sections. Simply return the order form below, along with $5.00 for each book to: N.C. Cattlemen’s Association 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 You can now order them through our website at www.nccattle.com/resources/merchandise/red-book-order-form. You can also call our office at 919-552-9111 or email us at kim@nccattle.com.
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Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), which recognizes the role of lean beef in a healthy diet across all life stages and ages. Updated every five years, the DGAs serve as the foundation for federal nutrition policy and shape the recommendations found on USDA’s MyPlate. While there is no one-size-fits-all diet, “Beef is one of Americans’ favorite foods, and science consistently shows lean beef can be the cornerstone in a variety of healthy diets,” said NCBA President Marty Smith. “Now more than ever, the key to proper nutrition is giving people practical and realistic advice, to help create balanced diets that work for them – featuring foods they love, like beef, which pairs perfectly with other nutrient rich foods.” The DGAs emphasized the importance of making every bite count by choosing nutrient rich foods, which is easy to do with beef. No other protein food delivers the same nutrient rich package as beef in about 170 calories, on average, per three ounce serving of cooked beef. Beef is a good source of ten essential nutrients, including high quality protein, iron, zinc, and choline, with more than 30 lean cuts. “U.S. cattle producers appreciate the work of the committee, USDA, and HHS on their sole focus on nutrition and science-based research to put together a set of recommendations that will benefit all Americans,” Smith said. Young Cattle Producers Can Get More Out of 2021 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville. Students can interact, gain experience through internships. A fun, rewarding, and engaging opportunity is available for college students wanting to attend the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. A team of interns – vital to the success of the largest annual meeting in the U.S. beef cattle industry – will gain first hand experience and be able to interact with leaders of every segment of the cattle and beef industry. Up to 18 interns will be selected for this opportunity. They will be assigned to help many different staff members and attendees with meetings and events and should be prepared to handle a wide range of responsibilities, from setting up the indoor arena, assisting at committee meetings and Cattlemen’s College to posting on social media and contributing in the NCBA booth. NCBA will strive to provide students time to maximize industry networking. Students must be able to work August 8 – 13 in Nashville. They must be at least a junior level college student at an accredited university at the time of the industry meeting. Preferably they will have a background in, or working knowledge of, the cattle and/or beef
industry and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students should be well versed in all areas of social media. Interested students must complete a Student Internship Application and send college transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a resume. The deadline for applying is April 15. NCBA Calls For Continued Vigilance In Response To Another Namibian FMD Outbreak. NCBA’s Senior Director of International Trade and Market Access Kent Bacus issued the following statement in response to reports of another reported occurrence of footand-mouth disease (FMD) in Namibia: “The unfortunate and continued presence of FMD outbreaks in Namibia is a serious concern for U.S. cattle producers. While the latest outbreak occurred in the buffer zone and north of the cordon fence, this is the second occurrence of FMD in a matter of months. As we stated in October 2020, FMD is a grave and persistent threat to the U.S cattle industry and warrants every available caution and protection to ensure that the problems plaguing cattle production in other parts of the world do not reach our shores. While NCBA supports regionalization as a tool to protect against the spread of disease while facilitating science-based trade, NCBA encourages USDA to remain vigilant in ensuring all preventative measures are in place to protect the U.S. cattle industry from exposure.” “In regard to FMD, Namibia is divided into two zones. The northern zone, where FMD continues to occur and is not approved for export to the United States, and the southern zone — an area that is free of FMD and is designated as safe for export. Namibia has extensive measures in place, including a cordon fence and a buffer zone to prevent the spread of FMD from the northern zone to the southern zone. NCBA supports research to develop protocols and determine the economic impact of regionalization of states or an area to establish risk avoidance for animal diseases. With that said, FMD is a highly contagious disease that would devastate the U.S. cattle industry and NCBA will continue to support USDA’s efforts to prevent our herd from exposure.” 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.
NEWS Alltech E-CO 2 launches Feeds EA™ model to help feed manufacturers and farmers measure and lower their feed footprint. As the agriculture industry is moving towards more sustainable solutions and ingredients, Alltech E-CO2 has developed the Feeds EA™ model to help feed manufacturers and producers globally measure and lower the carbon footprint of their feed. Feeds EA™ measures the environmental impact of feed production at the feed mill level by assessing the impact of existing compounds or blends. This is determined by calculating greenhouse gas emissions from production, cultivation, processing, energy utilization, and transportation in the manufacturing of the feed. Feeds EA™ can calculate emissions from a database of more than 300 ingredients, including raw materials, soya products, byproducts, and additives. “Optimizing the sustainability of feed production provides a huge opportunity for the whole supply chain,” said Ben Braou, business general manager for Alltech E-CO2. “By utilizing Feeds EA™, feed manufacturers are provided with the means to further enhance their product range and sustainability credentials through supplying feed with a lower environmental impact.” Feed has the potential to influence up to 80 percent of a farm’s carbon footprint, considering the direct emissions from production, as well as the transportation
N.C. Weekly Auctions Report Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 (Week ending JANUARY 7, 2021)
Kind Steers
Avg. Wt. $/lb 300-400 $120.00 - 176.00 400-500 $120.00 - 162.50 500-600 $118.00 - 143.00 600-700 $114.00 - 135.00 700-800 $112.00 - 113.00 800-900 $82.00 - 106.00
Heifers
300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 700-800 800-900
$112.00 - 138.00 $84.00 - 132.50 $81.00 - 125.00 $90.00 - 120.00 $89.00 - 96.00 $53.00 - 73.00
Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $45.00 - 65.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $45.00 - 66.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $56.00 - 71.00 Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156
of feed and indirect emissions that arise from the impact of that feed on the animal. However, the true impact depends on the species and the system of production. The Feeds EA™ model provides an opportunity to optimize a ration by demonstrating how formulation changes could reduce the carbon footprint of the feed. Some ingredients carry a higher carbon weight than others, so the substitution or replacement of specific ingredients with more sustainable options can have a major impact. “At Alltech E-CO 2, we are able to work with feed mills and producers to take those specific feed emissions and apply them at a farm level through our certified livestock assessments,” said Braou. “This greatly increases the accuracy and opportunity for carbon footprint measurement and mitigation across the feed and food chain.” Feeds EA™ allows feed manufacturers to produce and market more sustainable feed, thereby enabling producers to choose diets with a lower environmental impact. This is particularly relevant in markets that have an environmental focus and where farm gate prices are linked to sustainability metrics. For feed manufacturers or producers using Feeds EA™, a summary report is provided following the calculation of the feeds’ carbon footprint, allowing for a comparison of different compounds or blends. The report includes the number of ingredients involved in the feed, their inclusion percentage in the feed, their carbon footprint percentage, and the percentage of kilograms of CO 2e per tonne, which is derived from the disaggregated feed emissions of the different sourced categories. For more information, visit www. alltech-e-co2.com. About Alltech. Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our products improve the health and performance of plants and animals, resulting in better nutrition for consumers and a decreased environmental impact. We are a global leader in the animal health industry, producing additives, premix, self-fed supplements, and feed. Celebrating 40 years in 2020, we carry forward a legacy of innovation and a unique culture that views challenges through an entrepreneurial lens.
Our more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide share our vision for a Planet of Plenty™. We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet, but it will take all of us working together, led by science, technology, and a shared will to make a difference.
Alltech is a private, family owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and maintain focus on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For more information, visit www.alltech.com.
A New NEPA for the New Year NCBA started January 2020 with a visit to the White House for the announcement of a newly proposed rule to update the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). After years of work, the process to revise and improve the NEPA process was complete by July following the conclusion of a process by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). NCBA celebrated the release of the final rule, as it represents a vast improvement to environmental policy. The improvement was long overdue as NEPA had not undergone any major revision since 1986. While the CEQ guidance is a meaningful first step, all agencies who undertake NEPA analysis as part of their operations need to adopt changes to ensure their internal procedures are in line with this new directive. Knowing this, NCBA worked closely with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on their draft rule making, which was just finalized in November and is now the law of the land. The final rule from USFS contains a series of new categorical exclusions (CEs) and a Determination of NEPA Adequacy designed to make the NEPA process simpler and faster, making the law work better for the agencies and stakeholders. CEs are a NEPA process that are completed when a determination is made that the proposed action will not have a significant impact on the environment. A Determination of NEPA Adequacy is a process by which a previous environmental analysis may be used again for a new project or range improvement if the review adequately assessed the impacts of the proposed project. These updates are crucial, as radical environmental groups have hijacked NEPA and use it as one of their main tools to further their political and environmental agendas. Their efforts, combined with basic inefficiencies in the NEPA law that was in desperate need of updating, led to average NEPA analysis review times exceeding five years (in 2016). This was unacceptable for ranchers and farmers who were waiting for the renewal of their ten year grazing permit to construct range improvements or applying for a Farm Service Agency loan. Once a NEPA review has been completed, it should be referenced and used again to ensure taxpayers do not have to foot the bill for endless reviews that say the same thing each time. NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and the Public Lands Council (PLC) Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover was pleased to see the agency finalize these improved tools. “[This] represents decades of work by livestock producers who have told the Forest Service and other federal agencies for years that NEPA regulations need serious improvement. This rule formalizes changes that will allow USFS to be better partners to ranchers and stakeholders who depend on healthy forests and grasslands. These are common sense changes that add clarity by streamlining NEPA processes and ensuring that agencies are not spending time on unnecessary duplicative NEPA reviews. Thank you to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and USFS for following through with this process,” Glover says. It takes significant time to reform and improve most laws and even longer to address laws that are outdated or have been used as a delay tactic. It may seem like NCBA spent the year talking about NEPA reforms, and for good reason. One of NCBA’s policy priorities for 2020 was to defend and build upon our regulatory wins. NCBA delivered on this policy priority and came up with a big victory on NEPA, which will bring critical relief to cattle producers for years to come. This was never going to be a one-and-done mission, and no matter how long it takes, NCBA will be there every step of the way to defend this achievement.
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NEWS Don’t Take Risk with Your Feeding Program. Risk. It’s a term everyone in the livestock business is familiar with. But why take additional risk on sets of already high risk calves that you plan to background and sell? With a premium nutrition program that jumpstarts their feed and water intake and keeps them eating and growing, you can put that extra risk behind you. Rex Claxton is no stranger to getting in high risk, co-mingled sale barn calves to straighten out and background before selling them to a feed yard or retaining ownership through feeding himself. Originally based out of Northeast Texas, he recently relocated to Southwest Oklahoma, near Chattanooga. However, one thing he won’t change is his nutrition protocol. “The sooner you can get those calves eating and drinking and filled back up, the healthier they are. The better your vaccines and health protocols are going
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to work and the better the cattle will perform,” Claxton said. That’s why he starts his calves on the Vita Charge Stress Tub or Vita Charge Stress Tub HEAT, depending on the time of year he receives cattle. Claxton has the Vita Charge Stress Tubs, high quality grass hay and water waiting in a pen for his calves as soon as they unload. The next afternoon after they have had time to rest, he processes the new calves, weighing anywhere from 350-750 pounds. Then they go out into a bigger trap with hay, feed, water, and the Stress Tubs until they have completed one round of tubs. Then they get converted to a loose mineral from the Gain Smart line. “The Stress Tubs help them keep on water and they lick them. Most of them don’t know what a feed bunk is. It gives them a little pick me up and gets them restarted. Who knows how long they have been off feed and water while being shipped, especially in the summer,” he
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
said. Once the Stress Tubs are licked clean, he switches his calves to one of three minerals, depending on the time of year: Gain Smart Stocker, Gain Smart Wheat, or Gain Smart Stocker HEAT. The Gain Smart minerals are free choice vitamin and mineral supplements for stocker cattle designed to balance basic nutrient needs for maximized efficient gain on grass or wheat pasture. The Gain Smart line contains Amaferm, a precision prebiotic designed to impact intake, digestion, and absorption for optimum gain. The mineral also includes organic copper and zinc, plus added iodine for maximum bioavailability to the animal to support hoof health and immunity. “We fed another mineral for eight or nine years, maybe ten. I thought it was the best mineral around. There was a friend of mine that handled a lot of roping calves and he was telling me how good they were getting along with VitaFerm. I started on VitaFerm products and I haven’t looked back. We saw a big difference in our average daily gain and consistent gain too. Probably the best intake I’ve ever had has been with VitaFerm. There’s also a guy I partner
with on some cattle, and he didn’t have any mineral. I told him to come start getting my VitaFerm. He actually just called me yesterday and said he sees a big difference with the Gain Smart on the health of his cattle,” Claxton said. Claxton notices a big difference in his calves’ overall performance, posting an additional .2-.5 pounds per day, per calf since switching mineral programs in 2019. When calves get sold by the pound, that additional gain is a benefit that Claxton likes in his operation. He feeds the Gain Smart Stocker until he’s ready to turn out onto wheat; he’ll feed Gain Smart Wheat once the calves are out grazing. Typically, from May to September, he’ll feed Gain Smart Stocker HEAT, to help prevent heat stress. In addition to the Amaferm and other nutrients, HEAT contains capsaicin to help maintain circulation to support animal performance and gain in both heat and fescue situations. Capsaicin is research proven to support animals’ ability to maintain normal body temperature. HEAT also includes garlic to deter pests. “We put the Gain Smart to the test, especially in the summer. We have a lot of drought stressed, heat stressed calves.
That’s when we buy a lot of calves when everybody is out of grass including ourselves. We feed about two percent of their body weight in commodity ration, DDG based feed. I’m a firm believer of the HEAT in the summer,” Claxton said. “You see the cattle out grazing more, spread out more, they aren’t bunched up under the shade tree panting. It seems like they get out and hustle more, and they are not as stressed about the heat. They seem to stay cooler and if we can keep them cooler, we can keep them more comfortable, and they will definitely perform better. Anything we can do to keep them comfortable will help them perform.” With calves that start out high risk, Claxton knows the importance of getting them eating, drinking, and growing. He knows the value of a premium mineral program to get them started and keep them growing. “There’s cheaper minerals out there, but you generally get what you pay for. First of all, if they don’t eat it, it doesn’t do any good to put it out no matter how cheap it is. Second of all, if they don’t perform on it, there’s no reason to put it out either. I feel like you are better off to pay for a higher quality product and get better results. Actually, I am getting a better buy on y’alls products than I was my last mineral per sack. Happy customers are the best advertisement you can have. I recommend the Gain Smart and Vita Charge products to about anybody I talk to about mineral. I’m a firm believer in them,” he said. Don’t leave your feeding program to risk. Invest in a program that you can see the results with. Profitability Starts with Faster Gains. Profitability should be the goal of every business enterprise. How you obtain that profit can be tricky, especially
in agriculture; however, when your plan works, and you attain your goals, satisfaction is achieved. “Sometimes it goes good, and sometimes I want to pull my hair out.” That sentiment shared by cattleman Dakota Dalrymple of Enterprise, Ala., might be the same shared across the country on any given day. However, for the co-owner of 3D Cattle Co., a multifaceted cattle operation, Dalrymple has tested many nutrition programs and has found one that helps him get the most return for his investment. He prefers the three step Gain Smart Stocker Program. Dalrymple takes in outside cattle to precondition for customers. Every calf that comes to his place gets started with a dose of Vita Charge Cattle Drench. The Vita Charge Drench contains Amaferm to stimulate the immune system and ensure that feed intake stays consistent. Added enzymes work with Amaferm to generate a more rapid digestive response. The Drench provides a jump start to the digestive system to protect cattle during stress and does not interfere with antibiotics. Next, he makes sure that every trap of calves has access to a Vita Charge Stress Tub. In addition to the prebiotic Amaferm, to help jump start their digestive systems, the Stress Tubs also contain MOS to trap and expel pathogens, limiting their ability to do harm. They also come with a probiotic to help restore the gut microbiome during times of stress. “Any calf I get on the place gets a dose of the Drench. I believe it promotes good gut health and helps get the cattle going. I also use the MOS Tubs starting out these cattle. I believe it’s crucial when starting out the preconditioning of these cattle because it gets them eating, and it gets their gut going, while it provides a good source of protein for them while
they are in a time of stress,” he said. Once the calves are straightened out, Dalrymple makes sure their nutritional needs are met with the Gain Smart Stocker mineral. “I’ve run enough tests with minerals that I can tell you if you use the Gain Smart mineral, you’re going to out gain and outperform any mineral out there. I generally have seen anywhere from ⅓-½ pound more gain per day on my calves. It’s money well spent,” Dalrymple said. When every pound counts and every day counts, it is important to get the most out of your nutrients. “It is crucial in what I’m doing to get them started early and get them going. That’s the only way you can make money on cattle is grow cattle and get a return on your money. The best way to do that is get weight on them as quick as you can,” Dalrymple said. Long time Vita Charge and Gain Smart user Dalrymple has tried other minerals. He’s done his homework, and he’s measured the results. He prefers the results that allow him to maximize profitability. Those results come from the
1-2-3 punch of the Gain Smart Stocker Program with the Vita Charge Cattle Drench and Stress Tubs. To learn more about Gain Smart and its product lines, as well as the Amaferm advantage and how you can increase your gains and your profitability, visit www. gainsmart.com. About BioZyme ® Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements for a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include Amaferm ®, VitaFerm®, Vita Charge®, Sure Champ®, Vitalize®, and DuraFerm®. With headquarters in St. Joseph, Mo., the company reaches a global market of customers that stretches into countries across five continents. For more information about BioZyme, visit www.biozymeinc.com.
2021 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 2021. 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.
2021 Reserved Spotlight Issues
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
CHAROLAIS FORAGES ANGUS ----------------------------BRAHMAN HEREFORD GELBVIEH SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS ----------------------------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. The Carolina Cattle Connection
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From Gate to Plate: Proper Vaccine Administration Can Help Boost Consumer Confidence in Beef. With ever increasing competition for the consumer’s protein dollar, beef producers look for ways to inspire consumer confidence in beef products. Although it may not be top of mind, management strategies like proper vaccine administration can come into play. “The end goal of cattle production is for consumers to have a pleasant eating experience when they choose beef as their protein,” said John Currin, DVM, extension veterinarian, and beef quality assurance (BQA) coordinator, Virginia Tech. “Improper administration of animal health products not only devalues the animal, but it can cause consumers to have an undesirable eating experience down the line.” To not only prevent meat quality defects but also ensure animal well being and increase the market value of cattle, Dr. Currin and Jody Wade, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim, provide insight on best practices for vaccine administration: 1. Store, mix, and handle vaccines according to label directions “Vaccinating cattle prevents disease, and therefore cuts down on the total number of injections that each animal will receive in its lifetime,” said Dr. Currin. “Improper storage and handling of vaccines will result in less efficacious products. Animals will be more likely to be infected by disease causing pathogens and require additional injections for disease treatment.”
NEWS
Store vaccines somewhere dark and at a temperature of 35-45ºF. Reading and following label directions is the easiest way to be sure you’re storing, mixing, and handling each vaccine correctly. 2. Choose an appropriately sized needle - Product efficacy and tissue reactions may be drastically affected by the product entering the wrong tissue plane due to incorrect needle gauge and length. “The needle needs to be long enough to push the vaccine through the skin without a struggle, but short enough so we don’t reach muscle tissue underneath the skin when giving a subcutaneous injection,” said Dr. Wade. Needles should be new, the appropriate length, and no larger than 16 gauge. Note: Using larger or dull needles can traumatize tissue and produce injection site lesions.1 3. Administer products subcutaneously - Intramuscular products are most likely to cause tissue damage. In fact, a Colorado University research study showed that more than 90 percent of intramuscular marks at branding were also found at processing.2 “To prevent any damage to the retail product for consumers, best practice is to administer vaccines subcutaneously whenever possible,” said Dr. Currin. All injections should also occur in front of the shoulder and be at least four inches apart. Tenting the skin for subcutaneous injections allows for proper product administration. 4. Choose a BQA certified vaccine - Dr. Wade encourages producers
Regular copy deadline is FEBRUARY 5 for the MARCH issue Spotlight material is due
FEBRUARY 1 for the MARCH issue PAGE 58
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to choose a vaccine that combines effective disease protection and tissue friendliness. By selecting a vaccine that meets BQA standards for low dosage and subcutaneous injection, the risk of long term tissue damage is minimized. 5. Evaluate animals prior to vaccine administration - It’s also important to evaluate the cattle before deciding to administer vaccines. “When producers are processing cattle that have just been rained on, we will typically see more tissue damage due to the wet hides,” said Dr. Wade. “When a needle is inserted into a wet hide, it may carry bacteria from the surface of the skin into the injection site.” 6. Be aware of and adhere to product withdrawal times - Animal health products typically have withdrawal time guidelines
that need to be followed to ensure the end product is safe to eat. Therefore, keeping accurate records of product administration and following the label for withdrawal periods is crucial. Finally, your local veterinarian and state BQA coordinator can provide additional guidance on how to best administer animal health products to ensure a safe end product for consumers to enjoy. References 1 Hilton W.M. Beef quality assurance injection sites and techniques. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. 2005. 2 Dollars and sense: The value of beef quality and consistency. Texas A&M University System. 2012. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal
Farm Credit News AgCarolina Farm Credit Awards $33,850 in Grant Funds. AgCarolina Farm Credit announces $33,850 in grants have been extended to fourteen organizations through its corporate giving program. The grants will aid recipients in carrying out programs specifically benefiting farmers and rural residents in eastern North Carolina. Grants up to $5,000 per organization were awarded in one of the four focus areas of Education, Environment, Technology, or Quality of Rural Life to the following organizations: • Bear Grass Charter FFA - Purchase wooden storage building to house greenhouse/chicken coop supplies. • Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina - Offset meal costs for after school programs. • Corinth Holders High School FFA - Equipment/materials to continue barn expansion. • Dream Hunt & Fishing Program Shelter for educational trailers and funds for new Adventure Camp Programs. • Food Bank of the Albemarle - Convert mercury vapor lights in warehouse to LED lights. • Franklin County 4-H - Expenses related to youth Ag Leadership Program. • Johnston County 4-H - Purchase materials for virtual events that will be provided to the participants. • Johnston County Soil & Water Conservation District - Expenses related to adding new Voluntary Ag District members. • Martin County 4-H - Purchase animal pens for local livestock show. • N.C. Coastal Envirothon - Purchase additional resources boxes for teams to check out and study.
• Perquimans Central School Purchase materials needed to do STEAM activities with first grade students. • Perquimans County Schools Foundation, Inc. - Purchase books to set up reading centers in each elementary classroom to educate students about agriculture. • South Lenoir High School Equipment for ag mechanics program. • Southern Nash High School FFA Materials to construct an outdoor learning garden for the Sustainable Ag classes and special education students. Association CEO Dave Corum states, “The AgCarolina corporate giving fund has awarded over $476,000 in grant funds to benefit the rural and agricultural communities of our eastern North Carolina service area since 2005. AgCarolina is committed to partnering with organizations to enhance the quality of life and opportunities for rural residents of eastern North Carolina.” The application period for 2021 grants opened on January 1, 2021. For more information, please visit www. agcarolina.com/resources/community. About AgCarolina Farm Credit. AgCarolina Farm Credit is a farmer owned financial cooperative with headquarters in Raleigh. They are the leading provider of credit to farmers in central and eastern North Carolina. AgCarolina Farm Credit has over $1.5 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to over 3,300 North Carolina farmers. Loans are made to finance land, homes, farm buildings, operating expenses, livestock, and equipment, as well as other purposes. Credit life insurance, appraisal services, and leasing are also available through AgCarolina Farm Credit.
Health Announces U.S. Leadership Transition. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, a leading provider of medicine for pets, horses, and livestock, announced recently the appointment of Randolph Legg as its U.S. President. He succeeds Everett Hoekstra, who retired in December. Legg will remain head of the company’s U.S. commercial business while serving as president. “It’s my honor to lead an organization dedicated to enhancing the well being of people and animals,” he said. Legg held various commercial leadership roles in Boehringer Ingelheim’s Human Pharmaceutical division before moving to the company’s Animal Health business in 2019 to lead the U.S. Pets Commercial team. He is based at the U.S. headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim animal health in Duluth, Georgia. Hoekstra retired after holding a variety of leadership roles at Boehringer Ingelheim. As president of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in the U.S. for the last two years, he oversaw the final integration activities after Boehringer Ingelheim acquired Merial in 2017 to become the world’s second largest animal health company. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health also is transitioning a key global manufacturing role from its global headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany, to the United States. The company has named Dr. Helmut Finkler as Head of Regional Bio Manufacturing Americas & Global Manufacturing Science & Technology. He will oversee vaccine production sites in the Americas, including in Athens, Ga., Gainesville, Ga., St. Joseph, Mo., and Guadalajara, Mexico. Finkler most recently served as Head of Global Bio Operations in Global Operations Animal Health. Legg and Finkler report to JeanMichel Boers, President and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corp. He oversees Boehringer Ingelheim’s three business units in the United States: Human Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Bio-Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Three Keys to Quality Colostrum for Beef Calves. Receiving adequate colostrum during critical post birth window can have a lifelong impact on health and productivity. Unlike many other mammals, when calves are born, they enter the world lacking any immunity to disease. To build up the defenses they need, calves are wholly dependent on colostrum from their mothers. And the instant a calf is born, a clock begins ticking on its colostrum
intake that can have lasting effects on its health and productivity, says Peggy Thompson, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “Receiving adequate colostrum during those first 24 hours will have a lifelong impact on a calf in terms of its ability to fend off disease, put on weight, and in the case of heifers, calve early,” Dr. Thompson said. “And when it comes to transferring maternal antibodies from the cow to the calf, 24 hours is even too late.” Dr. Thompson stresses that producers should do their best to ensure calves are up and nursing within two hours of being born. “After just six hours, a calf ’s gut begins to change, making it more difficult to absorb the immunity boosting antibodies found in colostrum,” she said. “As we’ve learned more about colostrum over the years, the general practice has gone from making sure calves are nursing within the first 24 hours, to 12, to six and now the recommendation is two hours.” In addition to antibodies, however, calves also receive critical vitamins, minerals, and fats from their mothers’ colostrum, so colostrum quality is another factor to consider and one that producers can impact positively. Three keys to quality colostrum “Nutrition is huge,” said Dr. Thompson. “If a cow is in poor body condition, then her body is going to use any nutrition for itself before making colostrum.” Dr. Thompson recommends working with a nutritionist to be sure pregnant cows are getting what they need in their diets heading into calving. Vaccinating, or giving a booster vaccine to cows prior to calving, is another way to ensure plenty of antibodies make their way into colostrum. Dr. Thompson recommends administering vaccines about five months prior to calving as part of a fall pregnancy check with a veterinarian, but no later than two months prior, to ensure there’s adequate time for the antibodies to be passed into the colostrum. Killed vaccines are especially efficient at encouraging antibody production prior to calving, Dr. Thompson said. Calving in a relatively warm and clean environment can also have an impact on a calf’s ability to fend off diseases early on. “If you’re calving into a muddy mess, then it doesn’t matter how many antibodies that calf gets from its mom,” Dr. Thompson said. “The infectious agents in that mud can overcome a calf’s immunity. Nothing replaces good management practices.” Another benefit of conducting a pregnancy check in the fall is that
veterinarians can give producers a more accurate idea of when a cow will give birth, which can allow producers to be ready to monitor colostrum intake and step in if problems arise. Warning signs - If calves begin showing signs of scours or pneumonia anywhere from 24 hours to three weeks of age, it could signal they’re not receiving adequate colostrum — both from a quality and quantity standpoint. When this occurs, the best thing producers can do to verify that the problem is indeed with the calf ’s immunity is to work with their veterinarian to do a blood test, ideally in the first few days of a calf’s life. This way, if there is a problem, there’s still time to address it. If several weeks or a month have gone by, it makes it more difficult to pinpoint the real issue. Traditionally, blood tests in cases like these have measured a serum protein that can sometimes give false positives or show that a calf has adequate immunity when in reality, it does not. More recently, veterinarians have begun measuring the actual antibodies calves receive from their mothers, which are called immunoglobulins or IgGs. IgG tests are more expensive than traditional blood tests but are able to provide more accurate results. If tests determine there is a problem with a calf’s immunity, producers should work with their veterinarian to determine if a packaged colostrum replacement could help, Dr. Thompson said. With the right tools, good management practices, and a watchful eye in the hours and days following calving, producers can put their calves on track for lifelong productivity by helping them get the colostrum they need. 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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Industry News Biosecurity Preparedness Needed For FMD. Although the United States has not had foot and mouth disease (FMD) since 1929, it’s still affecting livestock elsewhere around the world — and that could return it here. According to the World Animal Health Organization, FMD circulates in 77 percent of the global livestock population, including in areas in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America. Bringing FMD to the United States would paralyze our agriculture and significantly impact our economy. FMD is a highly contagiPrepare A Calving Kit Before Calving Season. Before the hustle and bustle of the spring calving season, now is a good time to put together the supplies and equipment that will be needed to assist heifers and cows that need help at calving time. Hopefully, someone in the operation has already done a “walk through” of pens, chutes, and calving stalls. Make sure that all are clean, dry, strong, safe, and functioning correctly. This is a lot easier to do on a sunny afternoon than a dark night when you need them. Protocol - Before calving season starts, develop a plan of what to do, when to do it, who to call for help (along with phone numbers), and how to know when you need help. Make sure all family members or helpers are familiar with the plan. It may help to write it out and post copies in convenient places. Talk to your local veterinarian about your protocol and incorporate his/her suggestions. Below is an example of a “Calving Protocol” that could be laminated and hung in the barn or calving shed. Note:
this is just an example. You may wish to include other important steps in the protocol. Encourage everyone that will be watching and helping cows and heifers this calving season to read Oklahoma State University Extension Circular E-1006, “Calving Time Management for Beef Cows and Heifers.” Lubrication: Many lubricants have been used, and one of the best lubricants is probably the simplest: non-detergent dish soap and warm water. Supplies - The stockmen should always have in their medicine chest the following: disposable obstetrical sleeves, non-irritant antiseptic, lubricant, obstetrical chains (60 inch and/or two 30 inch chains), two obstetrical handles, mechanical calf pullers. Also, have a tincture of iodine solution that can be used to treat navels of newborns shortly after birth. Don’t forget the simple things like a good flashlight and extra batteries and some old towels or a roll of paper towels. It may be helpful for you to have all these things and other items you may want to include packed into a 5 gallon bucket to make up a “calving kit” so you can grab everything at once. Place that bucket in a location that can be found and reached by everyone in the operation. “Calving Protocol” • Watch heifers 1 hour after water bag or baby calf feet appear • Watch cows 30 min after water bag or baby calf feet appear • Find calving kit on North wall of calving barn • Use plenty of lube or soap and water • Determine that cervix is dilated and
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
calf is coming head and both front feet first. Call for help if something is unusual. • Don’t pull until cervix is completely dilated • Apply ¼ turn as hips go through pelvic bone • Backwards calf must be delivered within four minutes after calf’s tail appears • Briskly tickle nostril of calf with stiff straw to start breathing • Clean chains and handles and replace calving kit Be Aware of Manganese Deficiency Risks this Winter. Minerals are essential for health and reproductive success of the cow but also support fetal development. We easily overlook minerals and vitamins in gestating cow diets, so now is the time to plan for a strong calving season. Manganese is an essential trace mineral, and deficiencies have increased in recent years. Manganese supports cartilage formation and bone growth, and calves born with manganese deficiency often cannot stand properly. One characteristic sign of manganese deficiency is exposure of the bottom row of teeth, as the nose is full of cartilage and is underdeveloped in deficient calves. In many cases, manganese deficient cows were wintered almost exclusively on corn silage. Often there was no supplement provided, but even when manganese was supplemented at or above recommendations, cases of deficiency were observed. Corn silage analysis revealed excessive concentrations of iron. Iron is abundant in soil and can contaminate corn silage during harvest or if silage is stored on a dirt pad. Under conditions of low pH, such as occurs during normal fermentation of silage, iron in the soil becomes available to the cow for absorption. Unfortunately, iron competes with manganese for intestinal absorption. When too much available iron is consumed, the body shuts down absorption to prevent iron toxicity, and manganese absorption is decreased. To prevent manganese deficiency in your herd this winter, consider the following strategies: • Get a nutrient analysis of your silage, including the minerals, to see if high iron is a problem (higher than 300 ppm iron is suspect.) • Include minerals and vitamins in your supplement. • Monitor cattle intake if you are using a free choice mineral, and
• If you know your silage is high in iron, provide at least 60 ppm manganese in the diet and consider a more bioavailable form of Mn (like a chelated Mn, or use an injectable Mn). Optimal mineral nutrition of gestating cows will not only support health and production of the cow but also ensure her calf gets off to a good start in 2021. Passive Immunity and Long Term Health Of Calves. You have heard the warning: “What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas!” Perhaps you have not heard: “What happens in the first 24 hours, impacts the rest of a calf’s life”! Veterinary scientists, while with the USDA experiment station at Clay Center, Neb., monitored health events and growth performance in a population of range beef calves in order to identify associations of production factors with baby calf passive immune status. Blood samples were collected at 24 hours after calving from 263 crossbred calves to determine the amount of passive maternal immunity that had been obtained from colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk produced by a cow upon giving birth. The baby calves were classified with “Inadequate” or “Adequate” Passive Immune status based on that blood sample at 24 hours of age. Growth performance and health events in the study population were monitored from birth to weaning and after weaning throughout the feedlot phase. The lowest levels of passive immunity were observed among calves that were sick or died prior to weaning. Calves with “inadequate” passive immunity had a 6.4 times greater risk of being sick during the first 28 days of life, a 3.2 times greater risk of being sick any time prior to weaning, and a 5.4 times greater risk of death prior to weaning when compared to calves with “adequate” passive transfer. Passive immune status was also indirectly associated with growth rates through its effects on calf health. Sickness during the first 28 days of life was associated with a 35 pound lower expected weaning weight. Based on 24 hour proteins (most of which are antibodies or immunoglobulins) in the blood, the risk of being sick in the feedlot was also three times greater for “Inadequate” compared to “Adequate” calves. Respiratory disease in the feedlot resulted in a .09 lb lower expected average daily gain. Thus, passive immunity obtained
from colostrum was an important factor determining the health of calves both pre- and post-weaning, and indirectly influenced calf growth rate during the same periods. The most likely candidates for “inadequate” passive immunity are calves born to first calf two-year-old heifers. Breeding heifers to “calving ease” bulls should reduce the percentage of difficult deliveries and sluggish baby calves when born. Also, cow/calf producers can help themselves and the future owners of their calves by properly growing replacement heifers, providing a good health program for cows and heifers and providing natural or commercial colostrum replacers to calves that do not receive it in adequate quantities on their own. Remember that most of the transfer of antibodies from colostrum to the calf happens in the first 6 hours. The first day sets the stage for the rest of his life. (Source: Wittum and Perino. 1995. Amer. Jour. Of Vet. Research. 56:1149.) A Long, Difficult Calf Delivery Can Have Hidden Costs. Throughout the beef industry, there exist hidden costs that are difficult to expose and equally difficult to eliminate. One of those hidden costs can be caused by an extended “postpartum interval” (the number of days from calving until the cow returns to heat cycles.). Several biological influencers can lengthen the days between calving and return to estrus cycles. Most of the causes that delay the return to cycling activity are centered around nutrition. However, one of the lesser known causes of a delay to cycling activity is a prolonged, difficult process of calving. During parturition (calving), the cow goes through three stages of labor. Stage 2 is where most of the action occurs. Stage 2 begins with the appearance of the water bag or baby calf’s feet. Stage 2 ends when the calf is completely delivered. Recall that stage 2 is expected to be about one hour for a two-year-old and about half an hour in mature cows that have previously delivered calves. Some producers may wonder if there is anything detrimental about allowing cows or heifers to suffer through a prolonged stage 2. In addition to being the greatest cause of baby calf mortality, calving difficulty markedly reduces reproductive performance during the next breeding season. Cattle suffering from calving difficulty have been reported (Brinks, et al. 1973) to have pregnancy rates decreased by 14 percent, and those that did become pregnant to calve 13 days later at the next calving. Results from a Montana study (Doornbos, et al., 1984) showed that heifers receiving assistance in early stage
2 of parturition returned to heat earlier in the post-calving period and had higher pregnancy rates than heifers receiving traditionally accepted obstetric assistance. In this study, heifers were either assisted about one hour after the fetal membranes (water bag) appeared (EARLY) or were assisted only if calving was not completed within two hours of the appearance of the water bag (LATE). Heifers that were allowed to endure a prolonged labor (LATE) had a 17 percent lower rate of cycling at the start of the next breeding season. In addition, the rebreeding percentage was 20 percent lower than the counterparts (EARLY) that were given assistance in the first hour of labor. The calves weaned the following year from cows that endured the long delivery weaned 46 pounds lighter than calves from cows with earlier rebreeding dates due to a shorter stage 2 of parturition. Always check to be certain that cervical dilation has been completed before you start to pull the calf. If you are uncertain about whether cervical dilation has taken place or if the calf is in an undeliverable position, call your large animal veterinarian immediately. Prolonged deliveries of baby calves (in excess of 1.5 or 2 hours) often result in weakened calves and reduced rebreeding performance in young cows! Minimizing calving difficulty can still best be achieved by properly developed replacement heifers bred to calving ease bulls.ous virus that affects all cloven hooved animals, including livestock and wildlife. It is not transmissible to humans and does not pose public health or food safety concerns. The initial clinical signs in cattle include fever and vesicles (blisters). The blisters may appear on the tongue and lips, between the claws of the feet, on the coronary band, and on the teats. Lameness and salivation due to these lesions may be the first symptoms noticed. Animals may go off feed due to erosions and ulcers in the mouth. Abortions may occur. In cattle that have never experienced FMD, it is likely all exposed cattle will develop the disease. Most deaths occur in young animals, and adult deaths are rare. Although adults most often recover, the long term production losses in those animals are significant. The virus is transmitted through aerosolized respiratory droplets and other body secretions, including saliva, feces, semen, urine, and milk. Transmission can occur indirectly through fomites such as contaminated footwear, clothing, equipment, and vehicles. The virus is relatively stable in organic matter such as manure. In moist and cool temperatures, it may remain stable for up to weeks or even months. Although the
virus does not cause disease in humans, it can be maintained in human respiratory tracks for up to 48 hours. FMD is a reportable disease in the United States. Several endemic diseases currently in the United States, such as bovine viral diarrhea virus, can show clinical signs similar to FMD. Vesicular stomatitis, another reportable disease with similar clinical signs, was diagnosed in Oklahoma in both 2019 and 2020. Producers and veterinarians must report any animal with unusual illness or signs consistent with disease to either their state veterinarian or the USDA area veterinarian in charge. FMD would devastate the U.S. livestock industry and cause catastrophic losses, hitting both the economy and animal welfare. Potential losses to the beef industry could range from $15 billion to $100 billion. Additionally, communities and secondary industries reliant upon beef and pork production would experience long term and potentially irreversible negative impacts. State and federal animal health officials continue to prepare for FMD in the United States. Emergency response plans are evolving and focus on potential
The Carolina Cattle Connection
vaccination and limitations of movement. Recent farm bill funding is intended to establish an exclusive U.S. vaccine bank in addition to the existing North American FMD vaccine bank. There are seven known types and more than 60 subtypes of the FMD virus. It is important to recognize that immunity from vaccination to one type does not establish protection against other types or subtypes. Biosecurity preparedness at all levels of production is the key to preventing FMD. More information on biosecurity plans can be found at www.securebeef. org. Overall Meat Sales Higher In 2020. The impact of COVID-19 on consumer buying habits continued through the end of the year, with overall meat dollar sales 18.4 percent higher and volume sales up 10.3 percent compared to 2019. Meat sales data, compiled by IRI and reported by Anne Marie Roerink, 210 Analytics, translated into an additional $12.7 billion in meat department sales during the pandemic, which includes an astounding additional $5.7 billion for beef, $1.6 billion for chicken, and $1.1 billion
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Industry News, continued from the previous page for pork than during the same period in 2019. Awesome numbers for sure, though the gains come at the expense of a crippled restaurant and foodservice industry, which will require years to recover. A recent survey by the National Restaurant Association found 17 percent of America’s restaurants have either closed permanently or long term. That would be about 110,000 businesses, and NRA survey data show the average length of operation of those restaurants is 16 years. That stunning data should be of concern to livestock producers as prior to the pandemic, foodservice accounted for 55-60 percent of all meat demand. So far, consumers have picked up the slack by increasing their purchases of meat at retail. But meat analysts worry that trend may soon be stressed by growing unemployment numbers. In the latter half of the year, meat department gains have consistently been between 12-15 percent above levels from a year ago. The first quarter outlook for 2021 is likely going to continue to be dominated by news and concern over the virus and the vaccine and is likely going to generate similar sales results. Consumers are also worried. The midDecember shopper survey IRI found that consumers’ expected length of the health crisis had shortened slightly this month since the vaccine distribution began. However, the majority of Americans are braced for the health crisis to last through most of next year. • 23 percent expect four to six more months • 32 percent expect seven to 12 more months • 35 percent expect the health crisis to last over 12 more months (down from 42 percent in November). The same survey indicates that consumer interest in obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine grew, with over half now planning to get it and more eager to get it as soon as possible. Still, 22 percent say they will not get the vaccine, and 23 percent are not sure yet. Increased interest spanned demographics, with the strongest gains among age 55+ and Hispanics. Shoppers with lower incomes, those without college degrees, and younger Americans showed increases versus the previous month but remain less interested than their counterparts. Supply Chain Synergy. Consumers are more vocal now than ever on how they want their food produced, packaged, and provided. That trend is driving companies throughout the food chain to seek new producer alliances.
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“Retailers are facing pressures to adopt sustainability metrics, and they’re reaching back into their supply chains as a way to track, document and meet sustainability metrics,” says Jayson Lusk, Purdue University economist. Such corporate initiatives are creating opportunities for producers. 44 Farms was already producing some of the highest quality Angus beef on the planet, and coupled with a family legacy stretching back four generations; it was a natural fit for an aggressive sustainability project by Walmart. Branded Beef - In April of 2019, Walmart announced a partnership with 44 Farms to create a branded beef program for 500 of its stores in the Southeast. Cattle for the program are sourced by 44 Farms through its Prime Pursuits feeder calf program, with the cattle finished at Mc6 Cattle Feeders near Hereford, Texas. The cattle are harvested at Creekstone Farms in Arkansas City, Kan., with further packaging completed at FPL Foods in Augusta, Georgia. “By enlisting a number of best-inclass companies to take part in the supply chain, we’ll be able to provide customers with unprecedented quality and provide transparency throughout the supply chain,” says Scott Neal, Walmart senior vice president of meat. The retailer’s new supply chain effort will create a steady demand for cattle from ranchers and feedyards, offering marketplace stability. “No bigger paradigm change has taken place in the beef industry than what is happening with Walmart bringing highquality, all-natural, no-hormones-added Black Angus beef to its customers,” says Bob McLaren, CEO of 44 Farms. This partnership is an example of how cattle producers can capture more value for their products. “Beef producers have been working directly with retailers to engage in alliances and relationships for many years to better serve consumers,” says Russell Woodward, senior manager, product marketing for the Texas Beef Council. “This is an important relationship for both retailers and producers in the demand building process.” U.S. CattleTrace Releases Membership Model. U.S. CattleTrace, the industry driven initiative for animal disease traceability, announced the release of its model for membership in the organization. As a not-for-profit that securely maintains and manages data collected as part of disease traceability, U.S. CattleTrace members will provide direction to the producer led Board of Directors regarding the direction of the organization. In
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
addition to their input, U.S. CattleTrace members will receive benefits such as access to educational materials, networking opportunities with other industry segments, and up-to-date news regarding traceability. “We are excited to welcome members to U.S. CattleTrace and grow our network of disease traceability advocates,” Callahan Grund, Executive Director of U.S. CattleTrace, said. “Without buy-in from all segments of the cattle industry, disease traceability will not be achievable. That is why we look forward to membership from each our segments, including individual producers, industry stakeholders and more.” U.S. CattleTrace offers membership in each of the following segments: • Cow/Calf Producer Member Designed for individuals who are actively engaged in the ownership or management of cattle used to produce beef as well as individuals with a vested interest in the cattle industry, specifically advancing disease traceability within it. • Auction Market Member - Designed for individuals who are actively involved in the management of a livestock auction market. • Feedyard Member - Designed for businesses who are actively involved in cattle management and feeding. • Allied Industry Member - Designed for animal industry associates to join U.S. CattleTrace and our cattle industry members in building a nationally significant animal disease traceability system. To learn more about how to become a member or to fill out a membership application, visit www.uscattletrace.org/ membership. Livestock Producers on Level Playing Field Thanks to MOU Between USDA and FDA. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been finalized regarding the regulation of certain animals developed using genetic engineering. USDA announced the MOU with the Food and Drug Administration that outlines responsibilities regarding genetically engineered animals that are intended for agricultural purposes such as human food, fiber, and labor. This MOU complements USDA’s issuance of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on the Movement of Animals Modified or Developed by Genetic Engineering on December 28, 2020. “Today’s Memorandum of Understanding clears a path to bring our regulatory framework into the 21st century, putting American producers on a level playing field with their competitors around
the world. In the past, regulations stifled innovation, causing American businesses to play catch up and cede market share,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in a release. “America has the safest and most affordable food supply in the entire world thanks to the innovation of our farmers, ranchers and producers. Establishing a new, transparent, risk and science based regulatory framework would ensure this continues to be the case.” The terms of the MOU support USDA’s ANPR outlining a contemplated regulatory framework that would apply to certain animals (cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, mules, or other equines, catfish, and poultry) developed using genetic engineering intended for agricultural purposes, USDA explains. Under this framework, USDA would safeguard animal and human health by overseeing pre-market reviews through post-market food safety monitoring for certain farm animals modified or developed using genetic engineering that is intended for human food. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) applauded the MOU signed between the USDA and the FDA, giving USDA primary regulatory jurisdiction over the development of gene edited livestock. “NPPC has been calling for this decision for more than three years to ensure that U.S. agriculture maintains its competitive edge globally. We look forward to working with the Biden administration to implement a technology that has the potential to improve animal health, further reduce agriculture’s environmental footprint and improve production efficiency,” NPPC said in a statement. The MOU also allows for the transition of portions of the FDA’s preexisting animal biotechnology regulatory oversight to USDA. USDA would continue to coordinate closely with FDA to fulfill oversight responsibilities and provide the appropriate regulatory environment, ensuring the safety of products derived from new technologies and fostering innovation at the same time, the release said. FDA would continue its review of intentional genomic alterations intended for any purpose other than agricultural use, such as biopharma and non-heritable genomic alteration, and the regulation of dairy products, table and shell eggs, certain meat products, and animal feed derived from animals developed using genetic engineering.
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A DVERTISERS
12th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale — THANK YOU .......................................................................... 22 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show — RESCHEDULED ..................................................................... 51 2021 IRM Red Books ......................................................................... 54 70th Annual N.C. Cattlemen’s Conference Announcement …............ 2 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus ................................................................... 63 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale …............ 39 52nd Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale .......................................... 30 AGCO — Massey Ferguson ................................................................ 41 American Angus Association ............................................................ 18 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency …..................... 63 American Red .................................................................................... 25 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts .................................................................. 49 Back Creek Angus .............................................................................. 63 Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner® 300 ..................................................... 52 Benton’s Hay Farm .............................................................................. 9 BioZyme Incorporated — VitaFerm Concept•Aid …........................ 56 Black Crest Farm ................................................................................ 63 Black Grove Angus ............................................................................ 63 Bowman Farms Complete Dispersion Sale ...................................... 15 Brubaker Family Angus ..................................................................... 63 Bush Hog ............................................................................................ 34 C-Cross Cattle Company ................................................................... 63 Cargill — Right Now® Mineral .......................................................... 33 Carolinas Animal Health .................................................................. 63 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ..................................................... 63 Double J Farms ................................................................................. 63 Dura•Cast ......................................................................................... 16 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. ............................................................ 63 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum .......................................... 13 Fowken Farms — CATTLE FOR SALE ................................................ 63 FPL Food, LLC .................................................................................... 20 Fred Smith Company Ranch ............................................................ 63 G&E Virginia Premium Assured Heifer Sale .................................... 21 H.J. White Farms ............................................................................... 63 Harward Sisters Cattle Company 3rd Annual Sale — THANK YOU .......................................................................... 61 Hay for Sale ....................................................................................... 63
Howard Brothers Farms ................................................................. 63 Hunt’s H+ Brangus Bull & Female Sale ......................................... 59 Hutton & Sons Herefords ............................................................... 63 Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale .................................. 29 L.E. Smith Cattle Equipment .......................................................... 14 Legend Lespedeza .......................................................................... 63 March Madness Cattle Sales of the Carolinas ............................... 43 N.C. Angus Association Directory .................................................. 19 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application …............ 40 N.C. Meat Suite ................................................................................ 48 N.C. Simmental Association ........................................................... 36 National Beef Checkoff/North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment Form .................................................................... 12 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency …........ 32 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency …........ 63 Pearson Livestock Equipment .......................................................... 6 Piedmont Regional Beef Conference Webinar Series ................... 10 Post Drivers USA ............................................................................. 31 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ........................ 24 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ............. 37 Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association 29th Annual Replacement Heifer Sale .................................... 27 Savannah River Cattlemen Sale ..................................................... 26 Smith Farm Trailer Sales ................................................................ 63 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ..................................................... 47 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ......... 50 Springfield Angus ........................................................................... 63 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2021 Spotlight Schedule ….......... 57 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates and Sizes ….... 44 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM ................................................................. 38 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ..................................................... 53 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ..................................... 3 Whitehall Beefmasters ................................................................... 63 Whitestone Farm 28th Annual Pasture Performance Tested Angus Bull & Female Sale ....................................................... 23 Wilkes Livestock Exchange ............................................................... 5 Yon Family Farms Spring Sale ........................................................ 17
Autryville, NC 28318 www.howardbrosfarms.com
AUTO • HOME • LIFE BUSINESS • FARM & RANCH
Darryl Howard Cell: 910-990-2791
SENEPOL CATTLE FOR SALE Black & Red Available
Great for grass programs! Heat Tolerant • Calving Ease Gentle Natured • Tender Carcass
803-789-7000
The Josey Agency, Inc. Douglas Josey Multi-Line Agent
Cell: 803-385-8161 Email: djosey@truvista.net
2610 Kee Moore Drive Chester, SC 29706
H.J. WHITE FARMS
PO Box 215 • Bladenboro, NC 28320 910-648-6171 (day) • 910-863-3170 (night)
Nationwide
®
Agribusiness On Your Side®
James S. Wills • The Wills Agency LLC Primary Agent/Owner Master Farm Certified
555 West Church Street Batesburg, SC 29006
A NIMAL HEALTH
C. A. H. Brent Glenn, DVM Lancaster, S.C.
Jim Traynham Wingate, N.C. 704-233-5366 Cell - 704-292-4217
Carolinas Animal Health, LLC
519 Morgan Mill Rd., Monroe, NC 28112 704-289-5083 • 704-289-1696 • 800-222-8638
The Carolina Cattle Connection
Telephone: 803-532-3390 Cell: 864-554-4658 Fax: 803-532-0615 james@twainsurance.com
LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT SMITH FARM
TRAILER SALES
trailers • truck bodies • tool boxes
Carl R. Smith 2205 Finch Farm Rd. Trinity, NC 27370 336.475.1279
Authorized Dealer
smithfarmtrailers@yahoo.com
q FEBRUARY 2021
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VENTS ANGUS Feb. 6 — 45th Annual Clemson Bull Sale, online via DV Auction Feb. 11 — UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga. Feb. 13 — Black Crest Angus Farm 23rd Annual Production Sale, Sumter, S.C. Feb. 19 — White Hawk Ranch 11th Annual Beef Maker Bull Sale, Buchanan, Ga. Feb. 20 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Feb. 27 — Hunt’s Brangus Bull & Female Sale, Calhoun, Ga. Feb. 27 — Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association 29th Annual Replacement Heifer Sale, Saluda, S.C. Mar. 13 — March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. Mar. 27 — G&E Virginia Premium Assured Heifer Sale, Gretna, Va. Mar. 27 — Whitestone Farm 28th Annual Pasture Performance Tested Angus Bull & Female Sale, Aldie, Va. Apr. 10 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 24 — Lazy Acres Angus ‘Focus Now, Value Later’ Bull and Female Sale, Rocky Mount, Va. Apr. 24 — N.C. Angus Association Spring Fever Sale, Union Grove, N.C. Oct. 16 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Bull & Female Sale, Clayton, N.C. Nov. 6 — Barnett Angus 2nd Annual Bull Sale, Washington, Ga. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2022 Jan. 1 — EBS Farms 13th Annual Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C.
Beefmaster Feb. 27 — Savannah River Cattlemen Sale, Hephzibah, Ga. Braford Feb. 27 — Savannah River Cattlemen Sale, Hephzibah, Ga. Brahman Feb. 27 — Savannah River Cattlemen Sale, Hephzibah, Ga. BRANGUS Feb. 19 — White Hawk Ranch 11th Annual Beef Maker Bull Sale, Buchanan, Ga. Feb. 27 — Hunt’s Brangus Bull & Female Sale, Calhoun, Ga. Feb. 27 — Savannah River Cattlemen Sale, Hephzibah, Ga. BRAUNVIEH Feb. 6 — 45th Annual Clemson Bull Sale, online via DV Auction CHAROLAIS Feb. 6 — 45th Annual Clemson Bull Sale, online via DV Auction GELBVIEH Feb. 6 — 45th Annual Clemson Bull Sale, online via DV Auction Feb. 27 — Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association 29th Annual Replacement Heifer Sale, Saluda, S.C. Apr. 10 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.
IGHTER There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money, and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So, he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him. An angel hears his plea and appears to him, “Sorry, but you can’t take your wealth with you.” The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules. The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest
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suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed. Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. Seeing the suitcase Peter says, “Hold on, you can’t bring that in here!” But the man explains to him that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough, Peter checks and comes back saying, “You’re right. You are allowed one carry on bag, but I’m supposed to check its contents before letting it through.” Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind. Upon seeing the suitcase filled with gold, St. Peter exclaims, “Why did you bring pavement?!!!”
The Carolina Cattle Connection q FEBRUARY 2021
HEREFORD Feb. 6 — 45th Annual Clemson Bull Sale, online via DV Auction Feb. 19 — White Hawk Ranch 11th Annual Beef Maker Bull Sale, Buchanan, Ga. Feb. 27 — Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association 29th Annual Replacement Heifer Sale, Saluda, S.C. Mar. 13 — March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. Mar. 26 — N.C. Hereford Association Annual Meeting, Statesville, N.C. Mar. 27 — 52nd Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale, Statesville, N.C. Apr. 10 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Red angus Feb. 25 — Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Virtual Meeting Mar. 13 — March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. Red Brangus Feb. 27 — Savannah River Cattlemen Sale, Hephzibah, Ga. santa gertrudis Feb. 27 — Savannah River Cattlemen Sale, Hephzibah, Ga. SIMMENTAL Feb. 6 — 45th Annual Clemson Bull Sale, online via DV Auction Feb. 20 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Feb. 27 — Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association 29th Annual Replacement Heifer Sale, Saluda, S.C. Mar. 13 — March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. Oct. 16 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Bull & Female Sale, Clayton, N.C. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.. WAGYU Mar. 27 — Bowman Farms Complete Dispersion Sale, Roaring River, N.C. OTHER EVENTS Feb. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Feb. 2 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Feb. 2 — N.C. Forage & Grassland Council 2021 Mid-Winter Virtual Conference Feb. 6 — 45th Annual Clemson Bull Sale, online via DV Auction Feb. 9 — N.C. Forage & Grassland Council 2021 Mid-Winter Virtual Conference Feb. 11 — UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga. Feb. 13 — Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300, Daytona, Fla.
Feb. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Feb. 16 — N.C. Forage & Grassland Council 2021 Mid-Winter Virtual Conference Feb. 23-24 — 2021 Cattle Industry Convention Virtual Winter Reboot Mar. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Mar. 4 — Piedmont Regional Beef Conference Webinar Series Mar. 11 — Piedmont Regional Beef Conference Webinar Series Mar. 13 — March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. Mar. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Mar. 18 — Piedmont Regional Beef Conference Webinar Series Mar. 25 — Piedmont Regional Beef Conference Webinar Series Mar. 27 — G&E Virginia Premium Assured Heifer Sale, Gretna, Va. Apr. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Apr. 20 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction May 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction May 18 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jun. 1 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jun. 15 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jul. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jul. 20 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Aug. 3 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Aug. 10-12 — NCBA Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, Nashville, Tenn. Aug. 17 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Sep. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Sep. 21 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 5 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 19 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction