CC C
arolina attle onnection JUNE 2022 •
Vol. 36, Issue No. 6
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
ONNECTION 2022 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts ................................................................................... page 46 2023 Clemson Bull Test Call for Nominations, by Steven E. Meadows, Ph.D. .................................... page 41 5 County Beef Tour, by Martha Mobley ................................................................................................... page 50 A Message from the CEO — Beef Month, by Colin Woodall ............................................................... page 55 Amazing Grazing — Animal Selection and Management, by Johnny Rogers .................................. page 22 American Angus Association News ....................................................................................................... page 32 American Brahman Breeders Association News ................................................................................ page 24 American Gelbvieh Association News .................................................................................................. page 37 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ........................................................................................................ page 64 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Spring Rewind, by Ashley W. Herring ......................................................... page 20 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ............................................................................... page 26 Beef Quality Assurance Update ............................................................................................................. page 60 BioZyme News ........................................................................................................................................... page 58 Carolina Cooking — Beef French Dip with Au Jus .............................................................................. page 65 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ................................................................................ page 39 Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update, by Norman Voyles, Jr. ...................................................................... page 39 Director’s Report — Coming Attractions, by Bryan K. Blinson ............................................................ page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — An Ox Tail for a Reservation, by E.B. Harris ........................ page 24 Emma Vanhoy Earns Junior Silver Award ............................................................................................. page 31 Estrotect Breeding Indicator News ...................................................................................................... page 50 Federation of State Beef Councils Update ........................................................................................... page 42 Have You Herd, by Kat Streahle ................................................................................................................ page 41 John Deere News ....................................................................................................................................... page 37 Meet the NCCA Interns ............................................................................................................................ page 56 N.C. BCIP Bull Test 2022 Consignments ................................................................................................ page 62 N.C. Forage & Grassland Council Forage Spotlight, by Matt Poore ................................................... page 46 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ............................................................................................................... page 27 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ..................................................................................... page 59 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — Our Similarities Are Stronger Than Our Differences, by Don Schiefelbein .................................................................... page 52 New NCCA Members for 2022 ............................................................................................................... page 48 Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Prevention for Agriculture Producers, by Marion Barnes ....... page 57 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ........................................................................... page 45 S.C. Charolais News, by Georgeanne Webb ……..................................................................................... page 42 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ............................................................................ page 52 Standing Together — How the Agriculture Community is Addressing Mental Health ............. page 27 The Chaplain’s Corral — Like a Cow Chewing Cud, by Skeeter Spaulding ....................................... page 25 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker ……............................................................................................. page 38 Valley Vet News ........................................................................................................................................ page 60 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ............................................................................................................. page 29 Zoetis News ................................................................................................................................................ page 62 Zoetis Quick Tips ........................................................................................................................................ page 45
N.C. Cattlemen’s Association
President BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425 Vice Presidents SCOTT WEST 489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850 RYAN CLARK 5250 NC 772 Hwy. • Madison, NC 27025 BRANDON BOWMAN 2346 Ann Street • Claremont, NC 28610 Immediate Past President KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734 NCBA Regional Vice President (Policy) FRED SMITH, JR. NCBA Policy Division Director - JOHN LANGDON N.C. Beef Council Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR. Beef Board Director - Brian Warren Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE
Executive Director - BRYAN K. BLINSON 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Director of Consumer Information ASHLEY W. HERRING
The Carolina Cattle Connection Vol. 36, No. 6 JUNE 2022 Sales & Publication Office 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Phone: 919-552-9111 Fax: 919-552-9216 Email: mail@nccattle.com Website: www.nccattle.com
The Carolina Cattle Connection
is printed on 30 lb recycled newsprint by BN Printing in Benson, N.C.
Manager, N.C. Manager, S.C.
STAFF
BRYAN BLINSON
TRAVIS MITCHELL
Editor & Advertising Director CASEY L. HINNANT Assistant Editor & Proofreader KIM BURDGE
Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE N.C. Circulation
KIM BURDGE
S.C. Circulation
TRAVIS MITCHELL
S.C. Cattlemen’s Association
Executive Director - TRAVIS MITCHELL P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138 Phone: 803-609-2828 Email: twmitch@clemson.edu
Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All Website: www.sccattlemen.wildapricot.org submissions become property of The Carolina Executive Committee Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to President - Timmy Benton return items such as photographs and artwork as 1st Vice President - Joe Oswald IV requested. nd 2 Vice President - Gene Crim Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Roscoe Kyle
William Brigman, Latta • Joe Oswald, IV, Allendale Roscoe Kyle, Inman • Terry Kirkland, Batesburg Eddie Evans, Easley • Cecil Eaddy, Manning Thomas Legare, Johns Island • Richard Sox, Lexington Carol Hendrix, Westminister • Clay Alexander, Starr Timmy Benton, Walterboro • Michael Bailey, Lancaster Bonnie Cann, Abbeville • Ashley Mills, Blair Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Eric Seymour, Columbia
S.C. Beef Council
P.O. Box 11280 • Columbia, SC 29211 Phone: 803-917-1119 Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov Website: www.sccattle.org
The Carolina Cattle Connection, the official publication of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association is published monthly by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. A complementary subscription is included with membership to each state’s association. Nonmember subscriptions are $30 per year.
All address changes for NCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 All address changes for SCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138
HEREFORD 54th Annual Hereford Classic Sale Dedication … page 14
54 Annual Hereford Classic Sale Results, by Mike Mericka … page 12 th
54th Annual Hereford Classic Sale — THANK YOU … page 13
Martin Branch Farms … page 9
N.C. Hereford Association’s 54th Annual Meeting & Banquet by Myron McCoy … page 10
AHA and CSU Begin Sustainable Genetics Research, by Wes Ishmael … page 17
N.C. Hereford Association Board of Directors … page 11
Focus on Efficiency … page 7
Show Down in the Foothills, by Wyatt McCoy … page 8
American Hereford Association News … page 18 Hereford Heritage … page 4
Kim Prestwood Honored with Golden Breeder Award … page 15
North Carolina Hereford Sale Honorees … page 17 Quail Ridge Farm, by Mark Brewer … page 6
Up and Coming N.C. Junior Hereford Association Royalty, by Hailee Bissett … page 14
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 1
PAGE 2
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
Director’s Report By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA
Coming Attractions It is great to see smiles without masks and face-to-face meetings, field days, stock shows, and workshops. For the last two springs, we have spent time trying to figure out what was coming next and trying to figure out how to plan for events and programs that we wanted to conduct or participate in but had no idea if they could be done live or, for that matter, be done at all. This year, we seem to be catching up. The following are some of the highlights of the events coming up this summer but are only the tip of the iceberg, so make sure and keep an eye on the calendar of events in The Carolina Cattle Connection and our e-blasts for events that you may be interested in. We are looking forward to our first Young Beef Leaders Tour in June. This tour will mark the first major activity of our Young Producers Council and will include a host of interested and active young producers from across the state. The N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and N.C. Farm Bureau are sponsoring the trip and have had support from other producers and businesses in recognizing the need to provide the most comprehensive education and insight possible to those who are leaders, emerging leaders, and leaders of the future. We will explore the many aspects of the industry beyond the borders of our state and get a better understanding of the industry beyond the cow/calf sector. We will visit commercial feedlots, backgrounding and receiving yards, wheat grazing operations, farmer feeders, processors, and marketing facilities. We will encourage participants to write about their experiences to publish in the months to come. We are all faced with the increase in input costs for everything we do on our farms and hope some of the educational opportunities will help us find ways to reduce the impact as much as possible. We will be supporting the efforts of the N.C. Forage and Grasslands Council with their summer workshop. This event
will be held on the farm of Mike Jones in Surry County. He will demonstrate, along with forage experts from across the country, some of the innovative things he has done to improve his forage quality and farm output while reducing inputs dramatically. There will be a panel of folks discussing things to consider to help your bottom line in your own unique situation, along with other interesting topics and demonstrations. Additional information is available on the websites and social media channels of the NCFGC. Once again, we plan to conduct a youth beef industry tour this summer with a focus on forage management and grazing systems. Our hope is to encourage our youth to explore innovative ways to make their farms more productive and improve soil health while reducing some of the input costs that will no doubt be a challenge throughout their careers. Those of you who have youth you think might have an interest in participating in this opportunity, please have them watch for additional details on our social media platforms as well as those of the N.C. 4-H Livestock Program. We also look forward to once again hosting the N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up in August. This annual event is always a highlight of the summer for many of us and will be a great opportunity for the youth to begin fine tuning their projects leading up to the N.C. State Fair in October. If you want a great day or weekend in the mountains, join us on August 6-7 at the Mountain State Fairgrounds in Fletcher, North Carolina. The mountain air will cool you off, but the enthusiasm of the youth and their families will set you on fire. Breed associations, county cattlemen’s associations, and many others will host field days, shows, and other events throughout the summer, and we invite any of you to submit the dates for your events to us for our calendar of events. We also encourage each of you to participate in as many of these as possible now that we finally can.
North Carolina is also playing host to a number of national and international meetings this summer as well. These include conferences focused on pastureland ecology, beef quality assurance, and mortality management. The leaders in these areas have chosen North Carolina as a place to work toward solutions for the future, and we will do our best to be involved to help however we can. We will strive to provide valuable information that comes from these meetings to help all of you as you deal with the future. All of these throughout the state that I have mentioned will offer opportunities for not only learning and fellowship but also to get others involved. If you know of friends or neighbors who are interested in the cattle industry but not involved
with the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, invite them to some of the events and invite them to join. We are in the midst of the exciting Mile of Fence program that is sponsored by Pasture Management Systems. Remember that Pasture Management Systems will award all of the materials for a Mile of Fence to the county association that has the greatest membership increase for the year. Make the most of the summer by participating in the events that we have mentioned and all of those in your area that can help you and your fellow farmers. I am glad that things seem to be getting back to something near normal. My advice is to grab some sunscreen, some bug spray, your straw hat, and enjoy the summer with the best folks in the world, COW FOLKS!
2022 Spotlight Issues Schedule Most of the breed associations in North and South Carolina have stepped forward and renewed their contracts for Spotlight sections in The Carolina Cattle Connection for 2022. If your breed is not featured as a Spotlight section and you would like to inquire on any open months please feel free to contact me. Below is the tentative schedule for the upcoming year.
2022 Reserved Spotlight Issues JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
CHAROLAIS FORAGES ANGUS PEST MANAGEMENT BRAHMAN HEREFORD GELBVIEH SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS WAGYU -------------------------RED ANGUS
For more information about your breed’s Spotlight Issue, contact:
The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 919-552-9111 • mail@nccattle.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 3
e Special
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
Section f
Hereford Heritage The Hereford breed originated as a product of necessity. Efficient, adaptable, and hardy, these cattle have always had a face to remember. Nearly 300 years ago, farmers of Herefordshire, England, founded the breed in response to demand created by Britain’s Industrial Revolution. Efficient production, high yields, and sound reproduction were of utmost importance. Benjamin Tomkins is who to thank for the original design. A primary founder of the breed, Tomkins began in 1742 with a bull calf from the cow Silver and two cows, Pidgeon and Mottle.
Henry Clay, Kentucky statesman, brought Herefords to the United States in 1817. A true Hereford identity was not established in the states until William H. Sotham and Erastus Corning, Albany, N.Y., began the first breeding herd in 1840. Among other renowned early Hereford breeders were Charles Gudgell and Thomas A. Simpson of Missouri. Their big break came with the importation of Anxiety 4, a bull credited as being the “father of American Herefords.” A few of these early breeders came together in Chicago on June 22, 1881.
a
Virginia Herd Health Management Services, PC In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) & Embryo Transfer (ET) * On-farm aspiration of oocytes via Ultrasound Guided Ovum Pick-Up (OPU). * Embyos come back in 8 days for placement or direct thaw freezing on-farm. * Can do on donors aged 8 months and older, up to 120-150 days pregnant. Doesn’t interfere with pregnancy. * Pregnant cows work really well, so the cow doesn’t get out of her production group. * Can do a donor every 2 weeks.
* NOW AVAILABLE * Small Ruminant Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination (AI) & Embryo Transfer (ET) Oocytes fertilized at BoviteqUSA in Madison, Wisconsin. www.boviteq.com
For more information, contact:
PAT COMYN, DVM
P.O. Box 555 Madison, Va. 22727 540-829-3625 (cell) • 540-948-5238 (office/fax) pcomyn@verizon.net Visit us online at www.vhhms.com. PAGE 4
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
The result was the foundation of the American Hereford Cattle Breeders Association, later renamed the American Hereford Association (AHA). Its purpose was two-fold: to keep the breed’s records and to promote the interests of its breeders. Seven years later, Warren Gammon noticed naturally hornless Herefords at the Trans-Mississippi World’s Fair in Omaha, Neb. He decided to fix the hornless trait using the bull Giant and 11 Hereford females. In 1910, the American Polled Hereford Association (APHA) was founded. The two Hereford associations merged in 1995, keeping the AHA title. The AHA now registers all horned and polled Herefords. Through the years - Shows and expositions contributed greatly to a growing Hereford popularity. The breed’s doing ability, coupled with early maturity, revolutionized American beef production. To achieve this desired early maturity, breeders in the 1930s and 1940s sought short, low set, wide and deep bodied cattle. Success eventually became a downfall. Compact, fat cattle continued to excel in the show ring into the 1950s. However, beef packers were starting to pay less for over fat cattle. The American diet was calling for leaner, more heavily muscled carcasses. Hereford breeders stepped up to the challenge. Beginning in the 1960s, breeders focused their attention on tools such as performance testing, artificial insemination, objective measures, embryo transfer, and sire evaluation. These tools allowed the rapid genetic change needed to bring Herefords in synch with consumer and industry expectations. A broad genetic base allowed Hereford breeders to select stock comparable in size and performance to competing “exotic” European breeds. Although major changes were made, breeders didn’t lose sight of fundamental Hereford traits, particularly fertility and docility. A new goal was established in the late 1980s — formal documentation of Hereford performance in the feedlot and on the rail. Colorado State University animal scientists conducted related tests for the AHA from 1991 to 1993.
Superiority was noted in average daily gain, feed conversion, and cost of gain. Further studies in the early 1990s demonstrated the quality of Hereford beef. Regardless of marbling, Hereford steers consistently excelled in tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and palatability. These findings led to the formation of a branded beef product known as Certified Hereford Beef ® (CHB). In 1994, the AHA, Midland Cattle Co., and its affiliate, Mid-Ag, came together to market CHB. Mid-Ag, later renamed Red Oak Farms, was licensed as the exclusive seller of CHB. In October of 1998, the AHA board of directors pulled exclusivity from Red Oak Farms due to its failure to meet license covenants. The Greater Omaha Packing Co. was licensed as the second company to produce and market CHB in November of 1999. The following October, the AHA formed a limited liability corporation, CHB LLC, for management of the CHB program. Hereford history was made during the second week of 2005. CHB had its first million pound week when packers sold approximately 1.3 million pounds of product to participating retail locations and foodservice outlets. The CHB program has experienced 40 percent annual sales growth since 2000, indicating the power of its mission: To strengthen demand for Hereford cattle, Certified Hereford Beef LLC commits superior customer service, competitive pricing, and creative marketing strate as cattlemen continue to seek the optimum traits inherent in Herefords. Those traits critical to survival in the cattle business are exactly the same traits Hereford offers today’s industry: • Fertility • Reproductive performance • Feed efficiency • Optimum size and growth • Documented feedlot and carcass superiority • Low maintenance costs • Optimum muscling • Optimum milk • Adaptability and hardiness • Superior disposition • Soundness • Crossbreeding advantages
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 5
e Special
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
Section f
Quail Ridge Farm By MARK BREWER After leaving for college and jobs in the corporate world just over 30 years ago, Mark and Amy Brewer decided in 2019 that it was time to move back to their hometown of Rutherfordton, North Carolina. When we decided to move back to be closer to our family, I told Amy I wanted to find a place with some land so we could have a garden and room for our dogs to run and a place we could enjoy being outdoors. We had been living in a neighborhood all these years, and it was
exciting to think about having some space and privacy. We found a beautiful farm for sale that had been used for a beef cattle operation for many years. Although we were not really looking for a farm, and it was more land than we planned to buy, we just kept going back to that place with a feeling that that was where we were supposed to be. After we purchased some of the land, everyone started asking if we were going to have cows like the previous owners. With a lot of the facilities already in place for beef cattle and not really having a plan for the extra land, we decided to buy some cows. Now the question was, what breed of cows do we buy, and what type
“DESIGNED FOR CATTLEMEN BY CATTLEMEN”
Complete Working Facilities for Cattle and Bison Heavy, rugged construction — Built to last!
National Distributor for Tru-Test Scales Quality Equipment at Competitive Prices
Call about NEW PORTABLE SYSTEMS! For Information or Brochures, contact:
Peter Hostetler 540-810-4605
PAGE 6
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
of operation do we start? We both have a background in agriculture. Mark grew up on his family’s dairy farm and was active in FFA in high school. Amy’s parents both worked full time but also operated an eight acre strawberry farm that she and her brother and sister worked during the summer. But neither of us had any experience with beef cattle breeds. My grandfather had some Hereford cattle when I was very young, and I have good memories of helping him, so that got me to thinking about Herefords. We started checking around to see what type of cattle people in our area were raising. Most of the beef cattle operations are commercial cow/ calf producers with mainly black cattle breeds like Angus, SimAngus, and other crossbreeds. With both of our kids having
we needed to step in and help and when to just let them do their job. Amy did not have any experience working cattle before, and she was understandably a little nervous the first few times she had to help me, but she jumped right in and has become very good with anything we need to do with the cows. She is very good at telling when a cow is close to calving, so she does the herd checks when cows get close to their due date. We still laugh about the first time we needed to get our herd bull in the squeeze chute, and I heard Amy telling them that if he were not a good boy, she would have him turned into hamburger, and he went right in without any trouble! We bought our first group of bred cows from John Wheeler at Double J Farm in Traphill, North Carolina. John has
finished college and starting their own careers and Amy still working full time, we knew we needed a bred that would be easy to handle because it would be just the two of us. Our decision to raise registered Herefords was the right choice for us. Hereford cattle are known for their docility, great mothering ability, and very feed efficient. We have gone through two calving seasons now, and I have learned a lot from them. Working on the dairy, we would take the calves as soon as they were born so we could put the moms in the milking herd and feed the calves with a bottle. So, I did not have much experience with cows raising their own calves on pasture. The Hereford cows are protective of their calves and took great care of them but were also very tolerant of Amy and me being around them and letting us handle the calves. It allowed us the opportunity to observe and learn when
become a good friend, and we have talked several times on the phone since we bought the cows. He would call to see how things were going and how the cows were doing, and it would give me the opportunity to ask him questions about breeding traits and what to look for in a herd bull. He was always willing to share his knowledge and experience, which has helped us a lot. We have met a lot of great people while getting started with our Hereford operation.
e Special
Everyone at both the American Hereford Association as well as the N.C. Hereford Association has been extremely helpful in helping us with general questions and information on different bloodlines and being very supportive. The American Hereford Association has several online tools that members can use, like EPDs (expected progeny differences) and mating reports to see what effect a certain bull that you might be thinking about using would have on the offspring. This type of information is very valuable and can help you decide which cows to buy, as well as the best bull to use to reach your specific
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
breeding goals. We decided to focus on genetic traits like calving ease, good growth with high yearling weights, milk production, and good teat and utter scores. We want to produce a cow that can calve without problems, have the milk and good utters to support great growth in their calves, and do it year after year, all while keeping the distinctive characteristics of the Hereford breed. We just purchased a new herd bull from Innisfail Farm in Madison, Ga., and we are excited about the difference he will make in our herd in the future. He
Section f
is a Perfecto 84F son and out of a great dam at Innisfail Farm. He matches well with our cows and will move us closer to our goals. We had to agree early on not to get attached to any of the cows or calves because if they did not meet our expectations and goals, they would have to be replaced. We plan to raise and sell replacement heifers, as well as keep some of the best bull calves for use as breeding bulls. We are having genomic testing done
on most of our calves this year. This is another great tool from the AHA that provides more accurate EPDs and checks for unwanted traits, so our customers know more about the heifer or bull they are buying. We are excited about the future and look forward to sharing our love for this breed and all the great things Hereford cattle have to offer. Like the American Hereford Association’s marketing slogan says, we have truly Come Home To Herefords.
Focus on Efficiency “This industry has done a remarkable job of producing more beef with fewer cows, but we’re going to continue to be asked to do more with less,” according to Jack Ward, Executive Vice President of the American Hereford Association (AHA). He was speaking to approximately 700 participants from 10 states at the Hemphill County Beef Conference (HCBC) in Canadian, Tex., on April 26-27. Ward explained increased beef cattle production efficiency improves net profit potential for commercial cattle producers and reduces the cattle sector’s carbon footprint. “Capturing heterosis is a proven opportunity to increase efficiency,” Ward said. “Crossbreeding works and crossbreeding really works on lowly heritable traits like fertility and longevity. That’s where you get the biggest bang for the buck.” He added heterosis is even more powerful amid
declining feed resources. Ward shared a synopsis of AHA research projects aimed at documenting the production and economic advantages of both direct and maternal heterosis. Past and ongoing research partners include Simplot Ranches in Idaho, Harris Ranch in California, Olsen Ranch in Nebraska, Amana Farms in Iowa, and Circle A Ranch in Missouri. “In every case, we see it work,” Ward said. “When we compare Hereford F1 females to their straightbred peers, the result is more pounds at weaning, increased cow fertility and longevity, and improved feed efficiency. Along with docility, Hereford provides added opportunity in these areas when they’re used as a complementary component.” One current multi-year research project AHA is conducting with the University of Illinois will describe more comprehensively maternal heterosis, and the advantages of Hereford built F1 cows. Ward notes the project also carries recent Oklahoma State University (OSU)
research a step further. “Research conducted by Dr. David Lalman and his team at OSU indicates the F1 Hereford cow consumes 2 pounds less feed per day than straightbred Angus cows in the project while maintaining a higher body condition score,” Ward explained. “They’re efficient. They stay in good shape. They wean heavier calves, and the kicker is like we’ve seen in every other research project, the Hereford F1 female has a higher pregnancy rate.” Efficiency’s Sustainability Role Cattle and beef have an extraordinarily positive story to tell when it comes to the carbon footprint, as well as the net environmental and human nutritional
value of upcycling forage into vitamin dense protein. “It’s my belief, shared by various research, that more efficient cattle make for a smaller carbon footprint than less efficient ones,” Ward explained. “The American Hereford Association is doubling down on our research, including a new project with Colorado State University (CSU) that will examine the role of beef cattle genetics in sustainability.” Specifically, the AHA-CSU project aims to develop genetic selection tools that can identify and inform breeders of genetics that help reduce beef’s carbon and environmental footprint without sacrificing quality, performance, and efficiency. “There’s no reason that commercial cow/calf producers can’t take advantage of heterosis and its positive impact on revenue generation and cost reduction, while also reducing the carbon footprint,” Ward said.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 7
e Special
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
Section f
Show Down in the Foothills By WYATT McCOY N.C. Junior Hereford Association My name is Wyatt McCoy, and I am the 2022-2023 Parliamentarian of the N.C. Junior Hereford Association. I live on my family farm in Cove City, North Carolina. My family has a cow/ calf operation where we run about 100 mama cows and raise purebred Herefords and commercial cattle. My little brother Lucas and I show Hereford cattle at local and state levels and have attended two of the National Junior Hereford Expo shows. We are both members of the N.C. Junior Hereford Association. My grandparents, Sharon and Myron McCoy, serve as the secretary and treasurer of the Hereford Association, and my mom Kristen McCoy was elected to serve on the NCHA Board of Directors for the 2022 term. My dad is also a member of the N.C. Hereford Association and runs our farm as well as our hog operation.
On April 22-23, I had the privilege of going to the Show Down in the Foothills cow show and clinic in Lenoir, North Carolina. Anna English arranged the clinic conducted by Kirk Stierwalt, a nationally known fitter/clipper and partner with Weaver and Purina. It was
“We want kids leading calves, not calves leading kids.” At the end of the day, he again opened the barn to anyone who wanted to bring their calf into the barn for some one-on-one help and to get some tips individually.
a great experience with many attendees from across our state. Mr. Stierwalt went into deep detail about clipping basics and some of the different tools that you use when clipping and in preparation for shows. He did an instructional part for the first half of the clinic, and then around lunch time on Friday, he opened the barn to everyone with a chute and let them do some clipping of their own. In this group, there were several NCJHA members, and Mr. Stierwalt walked around the barn, helped, and gave tips to everyone. He provided a lot of hands-on and oneon-one help to everyone, no matter how much experience we had. On Saturday, day two of the clinic began with Mr. Stierwalt, going into detail about feeding, daily care, and showmanship. He went through some of the different Purina feeds and some feeding basics that will help your show
cattle projects. He also talked about the wide variety of daily care sheens and sprays and the different tools like combs, brushes, and wash supplies. In the early afternoon he brought everyone in and talked to us about showmanship, which was my favorite part. He went into detail about the “look” that a showman should have, how far you should be in front of your calf, and as Mr. Stierwalt says,
My experience with this clinic was great because it taught me more about clipping and fitting, feeding my show calves, and also he taught me how to be a better showman. I want to thank the Mundy and English families, Kirk Stierwalt, and everyone who had something to do with running the show. I also want to thank the families that came to the show and clinic for your support. Thank you from the NCJHA board of directors and me!.
BE A WINNER!
Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state or regional breed association. PAGE 8
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
e Special
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
Section f
Martin Branch Farms Martin Branch Farms is a small cow/calf operation in Leicester, located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Jason Revis, along with his wife Julie and their two daughters Kaylee and Addison, own and operate the family farm. Family is their farming TEAM, and without each other, the task would be impossible, but they always remember that with God, all things are possible, and when the going gets tough, the tough get going! On their farm, they raise beef cattle, poultry for meat and egg production, along with a family milk cow.
In addition to the family farm, Jason and Julie both work public jobs. Jason works for the Rural Broadband Association as the Networking and Technical Support Manager, while Julie works as a part time registered nurse along with homeschooling their girls. Jason is currently serving as a board member of the N.C. Hereford Association. Kaylee and Addison are both active in 4-H, livestock judging, showing cattle, and church youth group. The girls are active with the N.C. Junior Hereford Association and are part of Hereford
availability of replacement heifers and bulls, as well as steers for farm to table. Their passion for agriculture and the Hereford breed is evident in their farming practices. The importance of being good stewards of the land is important to them so that the farming legacy can continue to be passed down to future generations. They want everyone to know that it feels good to come home to Hereford! For more information, contact Martin Branch Farms at martinbranchfarms@ gmail.com or 828-774-2702. royalty as “Sweethearts.” Kaylee and Addison were awarded the Warren Strowd Memorial Pursuit of Excellence Award at the 2021 N.C. State Fair. They began transitioning their herd seven years ago from commercial Angus to now predominantly registered Herefords. The Revis’ introduction to Herefords occurred at the NAILE, where they fell in love with the breed’s docility as well as the families behind the breed. Not only did the outstanding Hereford genetics attract the couple, but having cattle their girls could get in there and work and be confident around also influenced their decision to make the change. They have not looked back on their decision of going Hereford!
The goal they have set for MBF is to continue to strive to better their herd genetics through A.I. breeding while improving as a producer with greater marketing opportunities. The family would also like to one day be able to offer Certified Hereford Beef to their customers. Feel free to contact the farm for more information regarding the current
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 9
e Special
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
Section f
N.C. Hereford Association’s 54 Annual Meeting & Banquet th
By MYRON McCOY Secretary, NCHA The N.C. Hereford Association held its 54th Annual Banquet and Meeting on March 25. It was great being able to get together and fellowship around a lovely meal. President George Ward welcomed everyone, and Kristen McCoy gave our invocation. Everyone enjoyed a dinner of Certified Hereford prime rib with all the trimmings. Wes Carpenter, our Vice President, remembered our members who had passed away throughout the previous year. This year we recognized Phil Fishel, a long time member and friend who will surely be missed. Vice President Carpenter was recognized and welcomed our out-of-state guests as well as first time attendees. He also recognized members who have been to every banquet and meeting. This year that included Keith and Peggy Blinson. Linda Davis, Pollette President, invited all ladies to their annual meeting. She reminded everyone about the silent auction being held during the banquet and sale to support the juniors. She also shared how extremely proud everyone is of the North Carolina Hereford Queen, Josie Correll. She was voted Miss Congeniality at the Junior National Hereford Expo held in October in Kansas City. Melanie Fishel, Queen Chairman, recognized the new Princesses - Erica Shutsky and Daisy Brown. She also recognized our new Hereford Sweethearts,
PAGE 10
Mazie Bunn, Kaylee Revis, and Addison Revis. She said N.C. Hereford Queen Josie Correll could not be at the meeting but shared a video to summarize her time as queen and to express her appreciation of the support the N.C. Hereford Association gave her through the process. Regan Mitchem, N.C. Junior Hereford Association President reported on the last two years. She shared that the juniors have had lots happen this year. We hosted the Southeast Regional and attended the Junior National Hereford Expo, the N.C. State Fair, and local shows. Regan and Josie attended Faces of Leadership in Oklahoma. She told of upcoming shows and activities for the memberships information and calendar consideration. There will be a Got to Be NC sign auctioned at the sale to support the Juniors as well. Bill Kirkman, Reggie Lookabill, and Brent Creech were recognized and awarded scholarships to Hailee Bissett and Josie Correll. Kim Prestwood and Windmill Acres were recognized at the AHA Annual
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
Meeting for being Golden Breeders. What a great honor. Prestwood Beef Cattle, Lenoir, N.C - Kim Yates Prestwood purchased his first Polled Hereford in 1970 from the N.C. Hereford Association Spring Sale. That same year, Kim became a junior member of the AHA. His maternal grandfather, Joseph “Guthrie” Bumgarner, had a great influence on Kim’s life and his love for cattle. Kim has two children, Jennifer Smith of Statesville, N.C., and Kyle Prestwood of Walterboro, South Carolina. Both of Kim’s children followed in his footsteps as participants in the National Junior Hereford Association when they were young. Windmill Acres Farm, WinstonSalem, N.C. - Phil Fishel and his wife of 56 years, Brenda, established Windmill Acres Farm in the early ‘70s. They have two children, Neil and Andie, who grew up in the Hereford breed. Phil is most proud of his grandchildren, Clara, Melanie, and Wesley Fishel, and their involvement in the Hereford breed, participating in local and national shows, making herd decisions, and most recently, Melanie serving as the 2020 National Hereford Queen. Windmill Acres Farm is still managed today by the Fishel family. Their focus is to raise productive, efficient cattle that exemplify the longevity and strong maternal traits of the Hereford breed. This year the N.C. Hereford Classic Sale was dedicated to all of our members.
Thank you for all of your support and dedication during these trying times. Reggie and Patty Lookabill were the recipients of the 2020 dedication, and George and Tammy Ward were the recipients of the 2021 dedication. Congratulations to all. To m m y C o l e y, A H A F i e l d Representative, gave updates and said the sale cattle looked really good. He said that the Junior National Hereford Expo was really special for him this time because he had Queens from his territory, and it made part of his job this year very special. He stated he was very proud of them. Tommy shared he had done Hereford on the Mountain for the last ten years; however, he and Kim will not be doing it anymore
e Special at their home. The Georgia Hereford Association will be hosting this year, but they will still be involved. Jim Davis was recognized to give updates on the Bull Test Stations. Bryson Westbrook had the top indexing bull at the Waynesville test, and William Ward
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
had the top indexing bull at the Butner Test. Thank you to everyone for putting bulls on these tests. Tommy Coley reported that this was his 12th year attending the N.C. Annual Banquet and Sale. He said, “This is the largest and longest banquet, and we
Section f
should be really proud of the turnout and support we have. Dale Stith is a little under the weather and saving his voice for the auction. With the quality of the cattle and the way they are presented, you will surely see the benefits of all your efforts tomorrow.” Our retiring director, Kevin Roberson, was recognized and thanked for his service. Our new directors were introduced to the membership. Wes Carpenter, Kim Prestwood, Kristen McCoy, and Jason Revis will serve the association this term. Congratulations to this group, and thank you for willing to serve. Bryson Westbrook and Kim Prestwood were thanked for serving as our voting delegates at the AHA Annual Meeting in Kansas City in October. Thank You! Will Thompson auctioned the homemade cake donated by Linda Davis to support the juniors. We appreciate Bryan Blinson for purchasing this item. Will Thompson auctioned off the
N.C. State Fair chairs. Thank you to the following members for your support. • Grand champion heifer - Four B Farms • Grand champion bull - Windmill Acres • Got to be NC - W&A Hereford Farm • N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up grand champion heifer - Will-Via Polled Herefords Next was the auctioning of pages for our 2022-2023 Directory. Thank you to everyone who purchased a page. After a short break, the annual business meeting was held. The Board of Directors meeting was held after the annual meeting was adjourned. The following officers were elected for the current board term. • Bryson Westbrook - President • Wayne Mitchem - Vice President • Myron McCoy - Secretary-Treasurer • Mike Mericka - Sale Chairman New directors were welcomed, and other business was conducted.
N.C. HEREFORD ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bryson Westbrook - President (2021-2024) 405 W. Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150 908-230-4878 Pam Bissett (2021-2024) 9196 Grassy Creek Road Bullock, NC 27507 919-482-1176
OFFICERS
Wayne Mitchem - Vice President (2021-2024) 400 David’s Chapel Church Road Vale, NC 28168 704-472-4369
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Myron McCoy - Secretary/Treasurer (2020-2023) 11350 Old Hwy. 70 West Cove City, NC 28523 252-637-4995
Jim Davis (2020-2023) 243 Horseshoe Neck Road Lexington, NC 27295 336-247-1554
Kim Prestwood (2022-2025) 390 Pleasant Hill Road Lenoir, NC 28645 828-320-7317
Wes Carpenter (2022-2025) 2939 Old Salisbury Road Winston-Salem, NC 27127 336-970-1655
Bill Kirkman (2020-2023) 2440 Herfshire Drive Greensboro, NC 27406 336-382-9635
Jason Revis (2022-2025) 255 Martin Branch Road Leicester, NC 28748 828-707-7176
Brent Creech (2021-2024) 13037 NC Hwy. 39 Zebulon, NC 27597 919-801-7561
Kristen McCoy (2022-2025) 11346 Old Hwy. 70 West Cove City, NC 28523 252-341-2877
George Ward (2020-2023) 3404 Shady Grove Road Providence, NC 27315 434-251-3637
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 11
e Special
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
Section f
54th Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale Results By MIKE MERICKA N.C. Hereford Association The 54th Annual Hereford Classic Sale was held on March 26 at Stamey Farms in Statesville, North Carolina. I want to thank Bob Stamey and his crew for being great hosts for our sale. At noon, our auctioneer Dale Stith started the introductions. The sale was underway soon after. Taking bids from a full house were our ringmen Neil Bowman, NCDA&CS livestock marketing director; Tommy Coley, AHA field representative; and Will Thompson, NCDA&CS livestock marketing specialist. Aaron Ray Tompkins of Cowbuyer.com was again hired to handle internet bidding. The sale committee members Mike Mericka, Will Thompson, Kim Prestwood, Wes Carpenter, Chad Davis, Wesley Bowen, William Ward, and Preston Cave worked tirelessly to get the cattle offloaded and penned, fed and watered, sorted for the sale order, and loaded onto buyers’ trailers. Other work crew members included the check-in/out staff, consisting of Tammy Ward, Bryan and Beth Blinson, and Sharon and Kristen McCoy; additional helpers David Hendricks, Andy Ward, Dustin Brimm, and the Five Js Farm crew; and sale day veterinarian Truman Sanner, DVM. I want to take the time to praise the many helpers who made the sale a success. Our sale would not be possible without all these people working as a great team! I want to sincerely thank all of those who attended the N.C. Hereford Classic
PAGE 12
Sale this year. It is with great hope that all of the buyers are still happy with their purchases. I hope to see all of you next year for the 55th Annual Hereford Classic Sale on March 25, 2023. *If you are interested in Hereford cattle, please visit our website at www. NCHereford.org! Sale Summary • 5 bulls grossed $13,500; averaging $2,700 • 21 bred heifers grossed $55,400; averaging $2,638 • 7 pairs grossed $26,700; averaging $3,814 • 9 split pairs grossed $37,775; averaging $4,197 • 9 spring open heifers grossed $16,500; averaging $1,833 • 2 fall open heifers grossed $7,000; averaging $3,500 • 53 total lots grossed $156,875; averaging $2,960
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
There were 39 buyers from five states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
Top selling female lots included: • KB MB Belles Beauty 26B, born 12/8/19 and sired by KB MB Revolution 1144 8924, and a December heifer calf sired by Behm 100W Cuba 504C, were consigned by Blinson Polled Herefords
in Lenior, N.C., and sold to Cypress Bend Farm in Vass, N.C., for $6,000; • FPH Ms B140 Kyrie F100, born 11/17/17 and sired by ASM 45Y 10Y Kyrie 416B, and an August heifer calf sired by NJW 160B 028X Historic 81E, were consigned by Forrest Polled Herefords in Saluda, S.C., and sold to Grey Riley of Riley Farms in Saluda, S.C., and Zack Denning of D Bar Z Cattle Company in Garner, N.C., respectively, for a total of $5,100; • KCF Miss Revolution D136, born 2/22/16 and sired by MSU TCF Revolution 4R, and a September heifer calf sired by OHF Cuda Revolution
F3, were consigned by Andy Smith of P&J Farms in Monroe, N.C., and sold to Matt Lavigne of Antler Springs Farm in Jonesville, N.C., and Mark Brewer of Quail Ridge Farm in Rutherfordton, N.C., respectively, for a total of $4,600; • DAY EXR Boyd Lexus 9329 936, born 8/28/21 and sired by NJW 76S Long Range 2030, was consigned by Day Ridge Farm in Telford, Tenn., and sold to Sam Kiser, Jr. of K&B Hereford in Snow Camp, N.C., for $4,500; • GTW B716 Miss Mace 728, born 11/30/17 and sired by KCF Bennett Devout 8716, and a September heifer calf sired by GTW C776 Kismet 817, were consigned by W&A Hereford Farm in Providence, N.C., and sold to Jody Standley of Five J’s Cattle Company in Clayton, N.C., and Tanner Marshall of Marshall & Son Livestock in Dugspur, Va., respectively, for a total of $4,050;
e Special • DTF Dixie 6964 0H07, born 2/1/20 and sired by R Leader 6964, and a February bull calf sired by Loewen Grady B42 615, were consigned by Deer Track Farm in Spotsylvania, Va., and sold to Cypress Bend Farm for $3,800; • Five J’s Kate A250 0946, born 10/29/20 and sired by EFBEEF X651 Tested A250, was consigned by Five J’s Cattle Company, and sold to Reggie Willitz of Double 7 Ranch in Fort Cobb, Okla., for $3,700; • NP Harper, born 10/14/20 and sired by Churchill Wildcat 7212, was consigned by North Pino Land & Cattle Company and sold to sold to Five J’s Cattle Company, for $3,600; • NP Emma Lee, born 10/19/20 and sired by Churchill Wildcat 7212, was consigned by North Pino Land & Cattle Company in Mocksville, N.C., and sold
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
to Gary Kale of Grassy Run Farm in Winfield, W. Va., for $3,500; • JL Lady Love 361 347 433, born 4/1/20 and sired by JL Swagger 286 100W 347, was consigned by Jim Love of Blowing Rock, N.C., and sold to Five J’s Cattle Company, for $3,300; • JL Lady Love 334 347 434, born
Section f
4/30/20 and sired by JL Swagger 286 100W 347, was consigned by Jim Love and sold to Five J’s Cattle Company, for $3,300. Top selling bulls included: • JL Herd Leader 445 359 6964, born 3/28/21 and sired by R Leader 6964, was consigned by Jim Love and
sold to Lavette Teeter of Will-Via Polled Herefords in Mooresville, N.C., for $4,000; • GCC Next Step 071, born 11/17/20 and sired by Reed X05 Revolve 617D, was consigned by Wayne Garber of Laurens, S.C., and sold to George Murrell of Conway, S.C., for $2,900.
THANK YOU to the Buyers at the 54 th Annual Hereford Classic Sale Calvin Kilby • Moo Freedom Farms • Winston-Salem, N.C. Dave George • KDR Farms • Pittsboro, N.C. Dustin Derrick • Derrick Farms • Chapin, S.C. Jonathan Styers • Styers Family Farms • Catawba, N.C. Lavette Teeter • Will-Via Herefords • Mooresville, N.C. Jody Standley • Five J’s Cattle Company • Clayton, N.C. Brad Forrest • Forrest Polled Herefords • Saluda, S.C. Margaret Fitzpatrick • Cypress Bend Farm • Vass, N.C. Gary Kale • Grassy Run Farm • Winfield, W.Va. Bryson Westbrook • Four B Farms • Shelby, N.C. Jim Davis • Terrace Farms • Lexington, N.C. Ruby Harris • R&R Livestock • Brevard, N.C. Daisy Brown • Smithfield, N.C. Ronald Dollyhite • Catawba, N.C. Eugene Bolen • Lazy B Ranch • Williston, S.C Allen Stover • Windy Bridge Farm • Fayetteville, W.Va. Andy Smith • P&J Farms • Monroe, N.C. Barry Leonard • Quail Creek Farms • Lexington, N.C. Sam Kiser, Jr. • K&B Hereford • Snow Camp, N.C. Matt Lavigne • Antler Springs Farm • Jonesville, N.C.
Mark Brewer • Quail Ridge Farm • Rutherfordton, N.C. Grey Riley • Riley Farms Saluda, S.C. Zack Denning • D Bar Z Cattle Company • Garner, N.C. Gregory Casey • Pilot Mountain, N.C. Kerry Mayes • McMinnville, Tenn. Robert Rhyne, Jr. • Rhyneland Farm • Charlotte, N.C. Tanner Marshall • Marshall’s & Son Livestock • Dugspur, Va. Teresa Cummings • Springhill Farms • Harmony, N.C. Norris Fowler • Fowken Farm • Jonesville, S.C. George Murrell • Conway, S.C. Daniel Westmoreland • Westmoreland Farms • Walnut Cove, N.C. David McKay • Carolina Cattle Company • Mooresville, N.C. Reggie Willitz • Double 7 Ranch • Fort Cobb, Okla. Ryan Chapman • Chapman Land & Cattle • Nunnelly, Tenn. Baylor Blythe • Blythe Farms • Penrose, N.C. Wyatt & Lucas McCoy • McCoy Cattle Company, Cove City, N.C. Jeff Harwell • Concord, N.C. Danny Blake • TDS Farm • Mt. Gilead, N.C. Jim Barlowe • Bar M Farms • Boomer, N.C.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 13
e Special
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
Section f
Up and Coming N.C. Junior Hereford Association Royalty By HAILEE BISSETT N.C. Junior Hereford Association Along with a new group of N.C. Junior Hereford Association (NCJHA) officers, we are very pleased and excited to announce the NCJHA has new Hereford royalty! Our new group of young and ambitious ladies is being advised and guided by our previous National Hereford Queen Melanie Fishel. With her extensive, first hand knowledge of ruling the ring and representing North Carolina so gracefully, it is an honor to have her building the next great group of North Carolina princesses. As we welcome our new group of girls, we also say goodbye to our last group of royalty, along with our beloved Queen, Josie Correll. Josie has done a tremendous job representing us the past two years, as well as competing for National Hereford Queen last year. She was the crowd favorite at the competition and was named Miss Congeniality. With two amazing queens back-to-back the past few years, the North Carolina juniors are really making a mark in the industry. With our old royalty aging out and moving on with their agricultural journeys, I am pleased to introduce our new group of ladies who will be following in our previous royalty’s footsteps. We sadly do not have a Hereford Queen this year, but we do have five amazing young ladies taking the reins.
Addison Revis, her sister Kaylee Revis, and Mazie Bunn. Both Addison and Kaylee wanted to share a little bit about the next year and what they are looking forward to as well. Kaylee says, “I wanted to be a sweetheart to help promote the Hereford breed and to be a good role model for young girls. I am excited to be involved with the NCJHA, which allows me the
opportunity to show my Hereford projects and meet new people.” Her sister Addison says, “I am excited to have the opportunity to be a member of the Hereford royalty program. I hope I can be a good role model for younger girls. I look forward to meeting new people through NCJHA and continuing to promote the Hereford breed.”
Josie Correll - Former N.C. Hereford Queen
Our two princesses are Daisy Brown and Erica Shutsky. I asked a few of these ladies what they are looking forward to with this new role and anything they want people to know about them. Erica Shutsky says, “Hi, my name is Erica, my farm is located in Stokes County. I wanted to be a Hereford princess this year because I was a Hereford sweetheart in the past and I enjoyed advocating for the Hereford breeders. I am looking forward to Junior Nationals this year in Louisville, Kentucky. Lastly, I want to say that I am honored to have been chosen to represent the Hereford breed this year as a Hereford princess.” To round things off, I want to introduce to you our three new Hereford sweethearts for this upcoming year,
Addison Revis, Mazie Bunn, Kaylee Revis, Daisy Brown, and Erica Shutsky
54th Annual Hereford Classic Sale Dedication The N.C. Hereford Association traditionally selects an individual to honor at the Annual Hereford Classic Sale for their contribution to the association and the breed. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing hardships faced by our members, our industry, and society as a whole, this year will be a little different. Since the beginning of the pandemic in late 2019, we have all experienced loss and battled uncertainty. Our producers have endured through some of the most unstable and difficult market conditions in decades with unfailing perseverance. The NCHA has been blessed with tremendous members who exemplify the best our industry and breed have to offer. This year, to honor their sacrifices, successes, and passion, we dedicate the 54th Annual Hereford Classic Sale to all of our incredible NCHA members and their families. Our community, association, and breed endure because of your dedication. Thank you all! Melanie Fishel - Former National Hereford Queen
PAGE 14
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
e Special
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
Section f
Kim Prestwood Honored with Golden Breeder Award The American Hereford Association Golden Breeder award recognizes Hereford breeders who have stood the test of time and have been dedicated to raising Herefords for more than 50 years. There are not many individuals who receive this award. Many times the original family member passes the AHA member number on to other family members, and they are able to be considered for the Golden Breeder Award. Upon receiving this award, Kim Prestwood states, “What an honor it was to receive the 50 year Golden Breeder Award.” Kim Yates Prestwood was born on September 5, 1955. He grew up in the small town of Hudson in Caldwell County, North Carolina. Kim purchased his first Polled Hereford on March 20, 1970, from the N.C. Hereford Association Spring Sale. He was 14 years old. That same year, Kim became a junior member of the American Hereford Association. Kim’s maternal grandfather, Joseph “Guthrie” Bumgarner, had a great influence on his life and his love for cattle. Kim went to Hudson High School, where he served as a member of the Future Farmers of America. He also went on to fulfill the role of president of the same organization under the supervision of Carl Wagner, his FFA leader. In 1975 Kim received “The American Farmer Award,” making him one of the two recipients to ever receive this award from his high school. Kim has two children, Jennifer Smith of Statesville, N.C., and Kyle Prestwood of Walterboro, South Carolina. Both of
Kim’s children followed in his footsteps as participants in the Junior Hereford Association when they were young. Kim worked in Water Treatment from the time he graduated high school until 2017, when he decided to retire from public work to become a full time cattle farmer.
For over 44 years, Kim has served as an A.I. technician, assisting many fellow Hereford breeders in his area of residence. Being an A.I. technician has allowed him to produce performance cattle, not only for himself but for many breeders throughout the Southeast. Kim says he hopes to still be A.I. breeding when he’s 90, even if he has to use a walker to prop himself up. Kim is always studying pedigrees and EPDs. He reads and searches for information, educating himself about new and better ways of producing quality Hereford cattle. He is a man who prides himself on doing his best in all things. Kim has such a love for the Hereford breed that he and Lori have attended two World Hereford conferences. They traveled to Uruguay in 2016 and to New
Zealand in 2020. Kim’s mission is to learn more about the Hereford breed and how they are produced in other countries. Kim is a member of the N.C. Hereford Association, where he has served as a past president. He is currently serving on the board of directors as well as being on the sale committee. Kim has represented the NCHA at the National Convention in Kansas City for the past four years as a voting delegate. Kim is currently the manager at Five J’s Cattle Company in Clayton, North
Carolina. Managing a large herd was always a dream of Kim’s. While at Five J’s, he has implemented new calving seasons, as well as improved the overall carcass genetics. He has picked out and purchased two of the top bulls in the breed for the cattle company. Each day, Kim continues to live out his lifelong dream of being a Hereford breeder and producing quality cattle. His hard work and commitment to excellence will ensure his influence on our breed is felt for years to come.
USDA Abattoir and Processor
BEEF • PORK • LAMB • GOAT • OSTRICH Aged - Cut - Packaged to Your Specifications
Livestock Drop Off 347 Thomas Street • North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 Butcher Shop & Processing Pick Up 106 Chestnut Street • North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 Call or Email for an Appointment:
336-667-1346 • abprimecuts@gmail.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 15
PAGE 16
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
e Special
Spotlight on
HEREFORD
Section f
AHA and CSU Begin Sustainable Genetics Research By WES ISHMAEL American Hereford Association “As individual cattle producers and as the collective beef industry, we will continue to be asked to do more with less, as it relates to environmental and economic sustainability,” says Jack Ward, executive vice president of the American Hereford Association (AHA). “That’s why we’re excited to begin this cooperative research agreement with Colorado State University (CSU). It leverages decades of AHA research and data collected by AHA members aimed at characterizing genetics associated with production efficiency, which plays a key role in environmental and economic sustainability.” AHA data includes individual feed intake records collected through its National Reference Sire Program since 2010. As well, Ward emphasizes AHA began whole herd reporting in 2001 to secure complete calf crop information and eliminate reporting bias. Specifically, AHA-CSU cooperative research will enhance understanding of the genetic differences in seedstock relative to enteric methane production and nitrogen excretion. The research includes identifying selection tools that can help reduce beef’s carbon and environmental footprint. Methane emission, as a genetic trait in cattle, appears to be moderately heritable with genetic correlations (modest to strong) to economically relevant production traits, such as measures of growth, dry matter intake, and various estimates of feed efficiency. Direct emissions from the animal agriculture sector account for 3.8 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the nation’s Environmental Protection Agency. Enteric methane accounts for approximately 27 percent of methane emissions in the United States. Worldwide attention is also focusing more intently on nitrogen — a byproduct of rumen fermentation. Previous research suggests genetics play a significant role in nitrogen excretion by cattle, and when selected for, an individual animal’s environmental footprint can be reduced. “We know the genetic improvement of our industry is driven by gains made in the seedstock sector. One only needs
to look at changes in carcass meat yield and quality over the last two decades to realize the potential for improvements in seedstock genetics to transform the entire beef industry,” says Mark Enns, Ph.D., a beef cattle geneticist at CSU and a key member of the research team. Multiple Values - “Often, we hear criticism leveled at the beef industry regarding greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of cattle on the environment, but with little context,” Enns says. “Cattle also sequester carbon and contribute to environmental health. This project will contribute to the beef cattle industry’s goal of demonstrating carbon neutrality by 2040*.” Given the Hereford breed’s inherent genetic advantages associated with production efficiency, documented by the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Ward says documenting the relationship between traits associated with efficiency and GHG emissions is the logical next step for the breed and the industry. “Beef industry stakeholders including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association have committed to improving the environmental impact of U.S. cattle production. This project aims to develop a selection tool for the American Hereford Association and the broader cattle industry that helps producers identify genetics that will have reduced greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing animal productivity,” says Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Ph.D., director of CSU’s AgNext, a pioneering research collaborative developing sustainable solutions for agriculture. By leveraging existing animal performance data and monitoring animal emissions, Stackhouse-Lawson explains the goal is to identify genetic traits that influence environmental emissions from individual animals and then develop selection indices that can be used to reduce the environmental impact of cattle while maintaining and ideally improving economic returns to producers. “This project will also position the American Hereford Association as a sustainability leader in the beef industry through the development of genetic
selection tools that can identify and inform breeders of genetics that meet climate goals without sacrificing quality, performance, and efficiency,” says Stackhouse-Lawson. Further, Enns notes the project has the potential to pave new paths of revenue for cattle producers. These could include such things as verified sustainable production claims, in addition to commonly discussed carbon credits. Adding to Beef’s Positive Story - Ward emphasizes the U.S. beef cattle industry has a long history of demonstrating extraordinary gains in efficiency over time, using genetics, technology, and management to produce more beef with fewer cows and less land. “We believe this research will help us identify ways to magnify the gains the industry has already achieved,” Ward says. “CSU is involved in this project because we are passionate about beef production and the beef industry, and the societal benefits it brings from the upcycling of human inedible plant materials and byproducts into high quality protein,” Enns says. “From
a genetic improvement standpoint, CSU has a long history of new trait development and delivery of selection tools to the industry. As such, we feel we have much to contribute in this realm, striving to produce cattle that meet consumer demands yet have a smaller environmental footprint. “AHA is excited to work with CSU’s talented scientists and researchers that are part of the industry leading AgNext team,” Ward says. AHA and CSU will host a free webinar on July 12, which will summarize the current understanding of the role U.S. beef cattle play in domestic and global greenhouse emissions. The webinar will provide more detail about specific beef cattle traits associated with GHG emissions, their heritability, and potential use in selection tools to reduce the beef cattle industry’s carbon footprint. *Demonstrating climate neutrality of U.S. beef production by 2040 is one of the industry sustainability goals developed by members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
North Carolina Hereford Sale Honorees
The sale is dedicated each year to a person selected by the previous three honorees. 2022 - All NCHA Members & Families 2021 - George & Tammy Ward 2020 - Reggie & Patty Lookabill 2019 - Dale White 2018 - Bill Perry, Keith Blinson, & All Charter Members 2017 - Phil Fishel, Jr. 2016 - Earl Forrest 2015 - John Wheeler 2014 - Bryan Blinson Family 2013 - Harry Myers 2012 - Michael Mericka 2011 - Jim Love 2010 - Robert Smith 2009 - Frank Myers 2008 - James Triplett
The Carolina Cattle Connection
2007 - Rick Kern 2006 - Colon Nifong 2005 - Bill Gragg 2004 - Porter Claxton 2003 - Bill Mericka 2002 - McCoy Family 2001 - Roy Ammons 2000 - Jim Davis 1999 - Teeter Family 1998 - Kim Prestwood 1997 - Bob Rhyne 1996 - Jack Shanks 1996 - Roy Haberkern 1994 - Kenneth Buckner 1993 -Fred Hyatt 1992 - Bill Perry 1991 - Keith Blinson
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 17
N a t i o n a l J u n i o r H e re f o r d Association Represented at the Youth Beef Industry Congress. The Youth Beef Industry Congress (YBIC) Conference occurs every other year with the intention of educating the young leaders in the various breed organizations on the latest industry trends and arming them with knowledge to be advocates
News
for agriculture. After an additional year off due to the coronavirus pandemic, congress members met in College Station, Tex., for YBIC on April 28-30. The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Board of Directors were in attendance, representing the Hereford breed among more than 130 other junior association leaders and 15 youth
organizations from across the country. This year’s conference was hosted by the American Brahman Breeders Association and Beefmaster Breeders United. When the junior leadership teams arrived, they spent the first afternoon at STgenetics touring the facility, hearing from the staff on-site, and learning about current research that will impact the future of the industry. That evening the Texas A&M Equine Center hosted the congress, where they heard from Dr. Chris Skaggs, Associate Vice Chancellor for Producer Relations and Associate Dean for Student Development for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M. They also heard from keynote
speaker, Tori Lienemann, Ph.D., as well as an agriculture advocacy panel where they could ask industry influencers how best to represent the world of agriculture. The following morning, Collier Farms Beefmasters hosted the congress at their headquarters in Brenham. Students from across the country were able to see and experience a breed that is not as commonly located in other regions. From there, the congress moved to 44 Farms in Cameron, where they learned the scale of the operation, as well as the directto-consumer beef approach they have created. To continue the mission of promoting agriculture through communication,
West End Precast 276-228-5024
PRECAST CONCRETE FEED BUNKS Truckload Discount - $10/each
J-Bunks - $200
U-Bunks - $200
Calf Bunks - $150
Water Troughs - $150 Pads - $250 Tanks
Prices FOB Wytheville, Virginia • Delivery Available PAGE 18
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
Kodye Neel, keynote speaker, spoke about the business she created with the mission of communicating and promoting agriculture to the public. An agriculture marketing panel concluded the afternoon program by focusing on all aspects of marketing and branding, from marketing your cattle and ranch to marketing yourself. To conclude the weekend, educational sessions were held at the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science. These sessions highlighted markets abroad, connecting across differences, networking, and career readiness. The mission of YBIC is to educate and promote the leaders of all breeds to provide them with the skill sets to continue promoting beyond the industry. Every other year, the congress is the pinnacle of youth in the beef industry who are dedicated to its growth and longevity. More information about the next conference will be released closer to the date. Hawkesworth Joins Team Hereford as Summer Intern. Hannah Hawkesworth of Bakersfield, Calif., joined the youth and events team as the American Hereford Association (AHA) youth activities intern. Hawkesworth is a second year master’s student at Oklahoma State University (OSU) studying agricultural communications. Prior to attending OSU, Hawkesworth obtained her bachelor’s of science degree in agriculture business from Fresno State University, where she was a member of the Block and Bridle, Ag Business, and Fresno State Young Cattleman’s clubs. During her time at Fresno State, Hawkesworth also served
Y’all have stumbled on the best place to advertise expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies. Check the Classifieds in this issue!
on the 2019-2021 National Junior Swine Association’s board of directors. As the AHA youth activities intern, Hawkesworth will play an important role as she assists the AHA and National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) in organizing and facilitating the Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) in Louisville, Ky., as well as the Faces of Leadership conference in Billings, Montana. She will also assist in managing the JNHE ambassador team that will join later in the summer and the NJHA board of directors. With an eagerness to learn, passion for working and engaging with youth, and prior leadership experience in the livestock industry, she fits the role of an AHA junior activities intern while also bringing a different industry perspective to the table. “The National Junior Hereford Association is excited to welcome Hannah to Team Hereford,” said Amy Cowan, AHA Director of Youth Activities and Foundation. “Her industry experience and helping to lead the National Junior Swine Association, coupled with the knowledge she has gained through her master’s program, will be a huge asset as we make final preparations for Banners in the Bluegrass and a summer filled with leadership and educational events for Hereford youth.” The AHA youth activities intern and ambassador applications go live each spring. Stay up to date on NJHA and AHA communications next spring if you are interested in an internship position. About the National Junior Hereford Association. NJHA is one of the largest, strongest, and most active junior cattle programs in the country. Over the years, members of this association have gone on to earn international and domestic respect as models for youth organizational success. The NJHA, through its extensive educational programs, continues to lay the foundation for the beef industry’s future leaders. The traditions of the past, coupled with the energy of today’s board of directors, have created a progressive approach to further develop a meaningful and educational association focus. About the American Hereford Association. AHA, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The notfor-profit organization, along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI), and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth, and research.
Check out the
North Carolina Hereford Advantage at
www.nchereford.com LOOKABILL FAMILY LIVESTOCK 4B FARMS, LLC Lexington, NC Shelby, NC Reggie, Patty, Tyler & Noah Lookabill Bryson, Wren, Beau, Belle, 336-240-2142 Bonnie & Bennet Westbrook rlookabill6015@gmail.com 980-230-4868 • brysonw@thewestbrookco.com McCOY CATTLE FARM Cove City, NC Myron & Charlie McCoy 252-229-4602 mccoycattlefarms@gmail.com
4K RANCH Nelson, VA Rick & Linda Kern 919-272-6124 4kranch@bellsouth.net
MITCHEM’S FARM 3C AWC CATTLE COMPANY Vale, NC Winston-Salem, NC Wayne, Crystal, Regan & Jordan Mitchem Andie & Wes Carpenter 704-472-4369 336-970-1655 • jcarpenter@alphagraphics.com mitchemsfarm@bellsouth.net www.windmillacresfarms.com BLINSON POLLED HEREFORDS Lenoir, NC Keith & Peggy Blinson - 828-310-4526 Bryan & Beth Blinson - 919-422-9108
NORTH PINO LAND & CATTLE COMPANY Mocksville, NC Kevin Robinson 336-940-2547 • kevrob1@aol.com
DOUBLE J FARM Traphill, NC • Earlysville, VA John Wheeler 910-489-0024 • doublejfarmllc@yahoo.com www.doublejfarmllc.com
P and J FARMS Monroe, NC Andy Smith 704-400-3436 pandjfarmsherefords@gmail.com
FIVE J’S BEEF & CATTLE COMPANY Clayton, NC Jody & Angela Standley Kim Prestwood (Manager) • 828-320-7317 - Kim jodystandley@gmail.com
QUAIL RIDGE FARM Rutherfordton, NC Mark Brewer 828-329-2074 markbrewer65@gmail.com
GRASSY CREEK FARM Bullock, NC Scott, Pam, Hailee, Lillee & Elizabeth Bissett 919-482-1176 Bissettsp1@gmail.com
TAYLOR’S MILL FARM Zebulon, NC J. Brent Creech 919-801-7561 tmfherefords@icloud.com
HEREFORD HILLS Greensboro, NC Bill Kirkman III 336-382-9635 ST Genetics Representative
TERRACE FARM Lexington, NC Jim, Linda & Chad Davis 336-247-1554 jgdavis101@yahoo.com
Myron McCoy
N.C. Hereford Association Secretary/Treasurer
252-637-4995 ncherefordassociation@gmail.com www.nchereford.com
TRIPLETT POLLED HEREFORDS Statesville, NC James Triplett 704-902-2250 triplettmarble@bellsouth.net W&A HEREFORDS Providence, NC George, Tammy, William, & Andy Ward 434-251-3637 waherefordfarm@comcast.net
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 19
Ashley’s Beef Corner
T
Spring Rewind By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Almost all the events are back in place, and we enjoy attending as many as possible. Back in late March, we traveled to the University of Mt. Olive for their AgFest. AgFest hosts around 1,600 high school students in agriculture classes and exploring universities.
The students visit with representatives of our industry and, hopefully, choose to study agriculture in their college years. It’s a great way to meet with those who are on the cusp of joining the workforce and for them to explore the world of agriculture in our state through all of the avenues, from commodities to agribusinesses. The students and faculty at UMO are wonderful hosts; we thank them for putting together such a great event. The annual Agriculture Awareness Week at N.C. State University was a great
opportunity to share information about the beef industry with those on campus. We enjoyed talking with young beef producers who are students as well as faculty about beef production. We thank Alpha Zeta Professional Agricultural Fraternity for their invitation to be a part of this longstanding tradition. I’ve mentioned the Beef in the Early Year’s Campaign several times, and we were fortunate to have a special presentation by Katie Ferraro, who created Baby Led Weaning. Katie’s presentation to our North Carolina Nutrition for Women, Infant, and Children’s program leaders was titled: 8 Easy Ways to Feed Infants High Iron Foods. She gave information regarding how to make meat safe for babies to eat and more. She shared how common iron deficiency is and explained beef’s role in mitigating that.
She shared photos and videos of babies beginning to eat and how they can benefit from the nutrients in beef. Preparation of beef for the textures preferred by different age groups was also discussed. We were very pleased with the feedback from the webinar and excited
PAGE 20
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
to share this information with nutrition leaders. This special presentation was made possible by The Beef Checkoff and our nutrition program. We are fortunate to have knowledgeable speakers working on behalf of beef to this particular audience. One big event that returned was the Farm Animal Days at N.C. State University’s E. Carroll Joyner Beef Education Unit. The three days are packed with learning opportunities for everyone. Open to the public, the event invites everyone to visit a farm and see livestock up close. Thousands of children, parents, and teachers visit the farm to
explore, converse, and learn. We love seeing the excitement on young children’s faces as they see animals, often for the first time.
We used our beef puzzle to engage visitors in an activity that helps demonstrate primals and how butchers cut steaks and roasts. Everyone appreciates picking up a beef cuts chart as a handy guide to selecting and purchasing beef. The visitors are receptive to learning about food animal agriculture and how food gets to our plates. Hopefully, you enjoyed Beef Month and continue to enjoy beef every day!
Regular copy deadline is JUNE 5 for the JULY issue Spotlight material is due
JUNE 1 for the JULY issue
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 21
By JOHNNY R. ROGERS Amazing Grazing Program Coordinator
Animal Selection and Management Selecting and Managing Livestock for Changing Conditions - (Note: This article will focus on beef cattle, but most principles discussed will apply to other grazing species.) Many factors contribute to successful grazing systems, and the genetic makeup of your cattle will have a major impact. Developing sustainable and profitable cow herds will be the result of judicious selection for economically relevant traits over many generations. Developing and retaining females that fit your system has tremendous importance. Operational
goals and objectives must be determined early in the selection process. What traits do you need to improve? Genetic change with beef cattle takes time because of the slow generation turnover. Are you using crossbreeding in your operation? Straight breeding (one breed) can be successful, but harnessing the power of heterosis and breed complementarity must be considered. Traditional crossbreeding systems can be complex and difficult to manage, especially for smaller operations. Using hybrid/composite bulls can simplify crossbreeding while capturing
December 3, 2022 • 12:00 noon Union County Livestock Market • Monroe, N.C.
Select cattle that are adapted to your production environment.
enhanced performance. Cattle selection criteria should mirror your genetic goals because the traits you emphasize will determine your herd’s direction. Now that the traits of interest/ importance have been established for your herd, we can look for tools to help us find cattle to meet our needs. All major beef cattle breed associations publish expected progeny differences (EPDs), which are calculated by performance data submitted by their breeders. If possible, seek seedstock providers that collect and turn in data because it increases the accuracy of their breed’s genetic evaluation. In the interest of time, we will not review every EPD, but I would suggest reviewing the EPDs for the traits that are important to you. Furthermore, a more powerful selection tool to consider is bio-economic selection indices. They combined EPDs with actual economic values and are reported as dollar values (i.e., $B = Angus, API = Simmental, etc.). Each index has its own individual definition, and some research is needed
to make sure you are using the proper one. For example, some breeds publish terminal indices (i.e., Charolais = TSI; Simmental = TI), and they should not be used for maternal or all-purpose systems. They are designed to place selection pressure on growth and carcass traits and will be a valuable tool when used properly. Selection indices and EPDs are powerful and will move your herd in the direction of your choosing. This does not mean genetic tools are more important than visual traits. It takes a balanced approach, and utilizing all the available tools will lead to more desirable outcomes. The important traits to consider during visual inspection starts with structural soundness. Breeding stock should have good foot structure and correct angles to the joints in their fore and hindquarters. Structural integrity is best evaluated when cattle are moving, and they should have a very easy fluid gate. Cattle that arch their back and take short choppy strides should be
704-219-1294 Cattle with good dispositions are more profitable and enjoyable.
PAGE 22
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
avoided. Resources are available to illustrate proper and improper beef cattle structure. Body capacity is important when selecting cattle to perform on forages. Cattle with good body depth and spring to their rib cage can consume larger quantities of forage. Body depth is best viewed from the side by mentally determining the distance from the topline (back) of the animal to its underline. A good location for reference is behind the front legs and at the rear flank. Spring of rib is best seen from the front/rear view. Notice how the ribs are positioned on the spine, and they should have a wide arch coming from the backbone. Cattle with excellent body volume should have a performance advantage on forages. Quality seedstock should have adequate muscle volume since this is the product we are producing. An extremely expressive muscle pattern should be avoided in maternal and all-purpose systems. Terminal systems where all offspring will be sold could handle more selection for muscle as long as it does not lead to dystocia. Growth traits are best evaluated with EPDs and performance data collected by breeders. But visual traits can give you some indication of growth potential. Hip height, which is usually reported as a frame score, can be used to gauge growth, and the ideal size will depend on operational objectives. Maternal Breeding Systems will typically select for more moderate frame scores to keep mature cow size in check. In addition, larger frame cattle could be more desirable when selecting terminal sires. It has been said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and when analyzing cattle, that statement is very true. Each of us will find things we like and dislike about different cattle, and no animal will be perfect for every situation. It is important to stay focused on what your operation needs and not become distracted. No one knows the needs of
your herd and your goals better than you. It is fine to ask others for their opinion, but the final decision needs to be yours. Few management decisions will have a greater impact than the cattle you select, and these new herd additions will set the genetic direction for your program. Careful analysis will make sure that this direction is pointed toward your goals. Cattle adaption to your production environment and management is very important. Find reputable seedstock suppliers that manage cattle like you manage your herd. Dr. David Lalman, Oklahoma State Beef Specialist, offers this advice: “Purchase bulls out of cows that are managed like your or worse, have never missed a calf and calve early.” Of course, this guidance applies to operations retaining replacement females. Dr. Lalman is emphasizing the importance of low maintenance females that have longevity in commercial cow herds. For producers in the Tall Fescue Belt, it is advisable to find bulls produced from cows grazing fescue. Ask to see your seedstock supplier’s cow herd in the late spring. Have they shed their winter hair coat? Research has shown that when cows have early hair shedding while grazing tall fescue, they will wean heavier calves and have improved reproductive performance. When evaluating potential replacements, seek balance across multiple traits and avoid extremes. Remember, sustainable cattle grazing systems have two factors that contribute to profitability: 1) revenue and 2) expenses. It is very easy to chase revenue traits (growth) while ignoring the expense traits (mature cow size and milk). Moderation and balance should be applied when selecting bulls to sire females. How you will market the calves produced by your bulls must be considered as part of the selection process. Profitable operations exist producing all types
of cattle (maternal, terminal, and allpurpose). The key is finding what you can produce and market sustainably and profitably. The advantages of crossbreeding cannot be ignored in commercial cattle operations, and there are systems that can work for every size farm. Lastly, remember every cattle operation is unique, and your program
may look different than your neighbors. Develop your genetic, management, and marketing plan and analyze the results. Continue to refine your program and look for new opportunities to advance your operation. The right cattle will bring tremendous value, and the wrong ones will be a missed opportunity. Good luck and good grazing!
Building a strong maternal cow herd is critical for long term success.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 23
read a little bit, and know just enough to be dangerous on some subjects. I have heard some people give as much as $30,000 for a ticket to attend certain ballgames or other sporting events. In a day or so, that’s all over, but this beef is going to last somebody a year or longer. Taking all this into consideration, this is a right valuable spot, don’t you think.” He hemmed and hawed a few
E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture By E.B. HARRIS
An Ox Tail for a Reservation Life is an education, and something we don’t understand in the grand scheme of things is how significant daily roles that we see every day are taken for granted. One of these things is truckers and trucks moving American products across this nation, into ports and out of ports. Transportation is a big part of American agriculture. Trucks are very important, and I can’t say why there are some shortages of different things in different parts of the world, but we are learning to live with them. I don’t know if we will ever go back to the point where we walked in and the parts counter has what we need, the supermarket has what we need, the farm supply store has what we need, and all the things that have changed since COVID-19. All of it can not be blamed on COVID-19. I think some of it might be planned and using excuses. As some of you know, there is a shortage of a place to get what I call your home freezer beef processed and ready to go back to your farm. Some people have customers that they sell to regularly, at farmers’ markets, marketing
it by different plans and all of these are very important to the American consumer. We process beef usually once a year for our own use and share some with friends and neighbors. You used to be able to call the person who did your processing with a day or two notice or sometimes the same day notice and could usually get it processed. Those days are something of the past. Most of these processors are usually booked out twelve months for a slot to process your beef. My brother, Jimmy, called me the other day. He knew that we both had a processing slot scheduled for the same day and time. He said, “You know we both have a date for processing coming up, and I was just checking to see if you were going to need your spot.” I said, “Well, I am ok on my supply of beef, and I can adjust if I need to. I am not hand to mouth.” He said, “I surely would like to have your spot. I have someone that needs some beef, and I have it sold if I can get it processed.” I thought about it for a minute and then said, “You know, I don’t know much about anything, but I do hear a little bit,
BRAHMAN NEWS ABBA E.A.R Program and Bull Development and Marketing Program Postponed until January 2023. The American Brahman Breeders Association Research and Breed Improvement Committee takes great pride in offering programs to our membership that help improve the Brahman breed and allow for the collection of valuable research data. The ABBA Bull Development & Marketing Program is designed to provide Brahman breeders with the opportunity to develop bulls, collect economically relevant data, and market commercially oriented bulls in a cooperative effort. While the E.A.R. Program is a comprehensive feeding evaluation of Brahman genetics from a purebred and percentage standpoint, with all individuals being traceable to known Brahman lines. This program is designed to allow ABBA and Brahman breeders to
“If you have cattle, pastureland, or raise hay like I do, you need to call Donna Byrum. In 10 minutes on the hood of my pickup, she signed me up for a program that I had no idea about. The next time she came by the farm, she brought me a check! ~ E.B. Harris
DONNA BYRUM
First Choice Insurance 252-792-1189 • fcipllc@gmail.com
For all your crop insurance needs!
Visit us online at cattleandhay.com PAGE 24
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
minutes and then said, “Yeah, it’s valuable, but I don’t think it’s that valuable.” I said, “I agree, and seeing that this is family, I am not going to take advantage of you or anybody and not ask for the price for the ticket to a ballgame, but if you would just consider for your little brother any token of appreciation – an ox tail, soup bone, or package of stew beef.”
maintain an understanding of how their genetics perform within the beef industry. The Research and Breed Improvement Committee has made the decision to postpone both the E.A.R. Program and Bull Development and Marketing Program until January 2023. The Research & Breed Improvement Committee took an intense look into the guidelines over the past six months in order to clarify language and continually improve the programs to make them the best they can possibly be. Due to the cancellation of the January meetings, the new and improved guidelines were not able to be approved through the committee until the committee meetings just prior to the International Show in Houston. After careful consideration and much thought, the decision has been made to postpone the programs until January 2023 in order to better advertise the programs to the membership, inform participants of the new changes, allow for more availability of cattle, and keep consistent dates for steer harvest and the bull sale. Please monitor our website for updated information regarding the programs. If you have any questions regarding the 2023 programs, please contact H.C. Neel, IV at hcneel@brahman.org or Todd Schindler at texastireandaccessory@ gmail.com. About the American Brahman Breeders Association. The American Brahman Breeders Association is the world registry for Brahman cattle, the #1 beef breed for efficiency, hybrid vigor, and environmental adaptability. ABBA provides an array of member services, educational opportunities, and a wide array of programs to assist the profitability of its members. For more information about the American Brahman breed or the many opportunities offered by the ABBA, visit www.brahman.org.
The
Chaplain’s Corral By SKEETER SPAULDING Chaplain, Cowboys for Christ
Like a Cow Chewing Cud One thought comes to mind when I think of memorizing scripture while storing it up for future use; I sure have a lot in common with cows. Most everyone reading this article understands that cattle are ruminants. But for the sake of review, to ruminate is to chew again what has been chewed already. Everything cattle eat goes in a stomach with four chambers: the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. When the cow first eats, it chews the food just enough to swallow it. Later, the cow coughs up bits of the unchewed food, called cud, and chews it completely this time before swallowing it again. The cud then goes to the third and fourth stomachs, the omasum
and abomasum, where it is fully digested. Storing up scripture in our lives is very similar to how a cow is designed to stay healthy. What do I mean when I say that? Another definition to ruminate means; to go over in the mind repeatedly, often, casually, or slowly. If you or I want to be spiritually healthy, we must absolutely take in God’s word. To take in God’s word means to be reading and studying the Bible. It’s also hearing a good sermon, enjoying worship music, memorizing a passage of scripture, or listening to the words of the Bible. Psalm 119:11-16 reads, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all
the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in all your statues; I will not forget your word.” This is just a little of what King David said about how important the scriptures were to him. Remember David, the shepherd boy who killed Goliath? He grew to be a great King, but I tell you, he was also a great sinner. King David had his personal battles with sin. He also loved his Lord very much and cherished God’s word. He knew that being in love with his God was more fulfilling than the sinful nature he battled. That’s why he ruminated on God’s word, which for him would have been the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament). Now going to the New Testament, we find the Apostle Paul telling Timothy in the book of 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul’s instruction to Timothy was to be diligent and study God’s word. (All of the Old Testament) Which meant that Timothy needed to ruminate on it by reading and studying it. The only way to have our lives balanced is to rightly understand God’s word. I have friends and a brother who love the Lord, and we all enjoy talking about what we have been reading or studying
in the Bible. It just comes up naturally from time to time as we do life together. Wednesday night Bible study at Cowboy Church is awesome. We eat together every week before we dig into God’s word in both the Old and New Testaments. An awesome way to ruminate on the divine truth in the Bible is just to talk about it with individual friends and as a herd of friends. Food and fellowship go together for believers in any setting, whether at church, a sale barn, or a Cowboys For Christ gathering. When we talk of it, often it challenges our thinking and has the potential to transform us from the inside out. We, as human beings, don’t have a stomach with four chambers. But according to Mark 12:30, we have four very distinct things that makeup who we are. Mark 12:30-31 states, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your HEART and with all your SOUL, and with all your MIND, and with all your STRENGTH. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” So, what is Jesus telling us to do? It would be to guard our heart, which protects our soul by how we rightly think and gives us the strength to live a God honoring life. When we do those, we will naturally love our neighbors, neighborhood, and the world at large. Enjoy the cud!
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 25
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
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.)
PAGE 26
ROAST
STIR-FRY
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
Standing Together — How the Agriculture Community is Addressing Mental Health While farming and ranching is a lifestyle loved by cattle producers across the country, it comes with its fair share of challenges. Whether it is unpredictable and uncontrollable weather, turbulent markets, or complex family dynamics, farm and ranch families across the country are balancing the responsibilities of everyday life and maintaining a viable business. These stressors can certainly take a toll on one’s mental health. However, mental health is a topic that the agricultural community has historically shied away from talking about. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, 59 percent of rural Americans believe there is stigma around discussing mental health. As a result, some folks have decided it’s time to start directly tackling this issue. “We’ve really felt the need within our communities,” said Marshal Wilson, co-director of New Mexico State University’s Southwest Border Food Protection and Emergency Preparedness Center. “At first, we were careful about how we talked about it, but we need to address it head-on.” Wilson stressed the importance of local support for bringing awareness to mental health resources within communities. “It’s got to be a culture change. There’s got to be a movement within our communities,” he explained. Across the country, others are joining Wilson’s cause to combat the stigma of talking about mental health, and they are working to bring resources to typically underserved areas. Whether it’s through open discussions, formal trainings, or federally funded programs, the work being done is critical to ensure the health and safety of those who have made it their life mission to conserve the land and feed the world. Starting the Conversation - “The first thing you have to do is care,” said Warren Symens, a fourth generation cattlemen from Amherst, South Dakota. Symens believes that the best way to address mental health issues is to openly talk about them. Instead of pretending like the stress of ranching doesn’t bother him, he has decided to be honest about his own experience, even taking to social media to tell his story. While he recognizes the importance of professional counselors, he questions how many of them truly understand the unique circumstances in rural America. As someone who understands the lifestyle — because he lives it — he believes it is important to be open to
tough conversations and show empathy to fellow producers when they are navigating challenging circumstances. “Those of us that have the background have to show empathy,” he said. Recognizing the Signs - Nathan Lawson, a cattle producer from Spencer County, Ken., also understands the need to openly discuss the difficulties that producers experience. With respect to that, he helped spearhead two initiatives that facilitate those conversations. Lawson participated in a roundtable of leaders representing various sectors of the Kentucky agriculture industry. From that meeting, the group secured funding from the Kentucky Beef Council for a program where the University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing and College of Agriculture, partner to host events that bring awareness to mental health. In addition, members of the group participated in a mental health awareness leader course to provide agriculturists the resources and training to recognize the signs of someone who may need help. Through the online training program, “QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer,” participants learn the warning signs of mental illness, how to ask potentially life saving questions, and what resources are available. Lawson himself went through the training because he has a heart for helping those around him. He understands the devastating impact that ignoring these critical conversations can have on tight knit, rural communities. “Suicide is 100 percent preventable,” he explained. On the other hand, he recognizes why rural America struggles to address this topic. “In the agriculture community — whether male or female farmers — we all have somewhat of a John Wayne image, and I think that we apply that to ourselves to such a degree that makes rural people, ag people, the farming community, in particular, a tough nut to crack in terms of willingness to talk about suicide and mental health.” Lawson believes the QPR method helped teach participants to walk through difficult conversations around mental health in an effective way. When people are able to have conversations around such a tough topic, it’s statistically proven that those conversations and general awareness decrease the number of instances where someone acts on suicidal thoughts, he explained. Not only did Lawson go through the training himself, but he also had
the opportunity to train the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Executive Committee and Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association staff on what he had learned. He believes that equipping more people to help their friends and neighbors, or possibly even themselves when they are dealing with stressful situations is beneficial for the entire industry. While Lawson believes the training was important, he also stresses that the most effective way to help those around you is to simply be a good friend and listen. “The best friends are the ones that are selfless, the ones that are willing to stand and listen in spite of the time it may take, and ultimately, I think that when we do that, we hear the triggers. We hear the not-so-apparent comments or subtle cries for help. We give them the opportunity to be vulnerable and share what they are struggling with.” Bolstering Resources - As the agriculture community works to normalize conversations around mental health, some have found that the problem isn’t the lack of willingness to talk openly. It’s the lack of resources available that facilitate an environment in which farmers and ranchers feel comfortable having a conversation. “We have a tendency to believe people don’t want to talk about stress or mental health, but what I’m finding is quite the opposite. Given the right circumstances and right atmosphere, they become more comfortable and are more willing to talk,” explained Andrea Bjornestad, an associate professor and extension mental health specialist at South Dakota State University (SDSU). Through traveling across the state to speak at agriculture events, she has found starting the conversation in a comfortable setting allows farmers start to open up with each other — sharing their ideas, thoughts, and even their struggles. As a licensed professional counselor with an agricultural background, Bjornestad is working to bring awareness to the importance of providing professional resources to people in rural communities in a way that is compatible with their lifestyle. “Agriculture is its own culture, and just like any other culture, we should seek to understand the values, beliefs, and traditions that make up the way of life,” she said. However, lack of funding — the problem that threatens the continuation of free counseling services and other rural mental health resources in South Dakota — is a problem shared among states across the country.
“There’s a huge discrepancy in access to mental health providers when looking at urban versus rural areas. Somehow, we need to minimize that gap,” Bjornestad said. At this point, many states are administering programs through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant funding, but the continuation of that funding is not guaranteed. Despite that, Bjornestad is committed to advocating for the importance of these programs and finding creative ways to get people the resources they need. “We have to think outside the box and bring mental health care in a different way,” she said. When farmers spend hours alone in a tractor, they often want someone to talk to. “Why couldn’t a counselor come to a tractor?” is a question that Bjornestad often asks herself. After finishing her current mental health research projects at SDSU, Bjornestad will lead the establishment of an assistance network to develop and disseminate resources across South Dakota. Where to Find Resources - As cattle producers, it’s easy to minimize the challenges and stress of everyday life. In reality, farming and ranching is just as much about the health of people as it is the health of livestock and the land. It’s important to be open, have real conversations, and take care of each other. If you, a loved one, or a friend need someone to talk to, states across the country have unique programs and hotlines available. Visit farmstateofmind. org to discover resources in your state.
N.C. Weekly Auctions Report (Week ending MAY 5, 2022)
Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $140.00 - 197.50 400-500 $140.00 - 196.00 500-600 $135.00 - 180.00 600-700 $120.00 - 167.00 700-800 $110.00 - 149.00 800-900 $110.00 - 141.00 Heifers
300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 700-800 800-900
$130.00 - 160.00 $125.00 - 158.00 $120.00 - 146.50 $100.00 - 137.00 $108.00 - 167.00 $84.00 - 119.00
Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $66.00 - 80.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $66.00 - 78.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $69.00 - 97.00
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 27
PAGE 28
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
You Decide! By DR. MIKE WALDEN
William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus N.C. State University You Decide: How Well Has North Carolina Dealt With COVID-19? Even though COVID-19 continues with its variants, medical experts are hopeful the virus is becoming less deadly and disrupting. In other words, we are learning to live with it. As a result, it should not be surprising that there is an increasing number of studies being released about how we coped with COVID-19 and what we can learn if we confront another pandemic. One way to accomplish this is to compare the outcomes of states during COVID-19 on a number of important measures. One recent study was authored by three economists and released by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). The NBER is not a national agency. It is a non-partisan, non-profit research organization founded in 1920. It is one of the most prestigious economic “think tanks” in the country. Hence, when the NBER releases a study, I pay attention. Although there were many policies, programs, and funding that came from the federal government to address the pandemic, our federal system allowed the 50 states and Washington, D.C. to customize some of their own policies, including masking, shutdowns, the operation of schools, and the availability of vaccines. Therefore, there were 51 (50 states plus Washington, D.C.) different localities for the authors to compare their outcomes in dealing with COVID-19. The authors focused on three categories of results: the economy, education, and deaths. For the economy, the authors used two measures: the total months of unemployment per worker in the state from April 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic through the end of 2021 and the depth of the recession caused by the pandemic. The pandemic’s impact on education was measured by the percentage of public education in each state that took place inperson at schools rather than remotely. This measure was used because many experts and parents have argued that remote learning for children during COVID-19 was not as beneficial for students’ educational outcomes as in-person learning. For deaths, the death rate per capita during the previous two COVID-19 years was used, but only after adjusting the numbers for age and health factors, such
as the prevalence of diabetes and obesity in the state. So, what did the study find, particularly for North Carolina? On the two economic measures, North Carolina ranked 17th on the unemployment measure and 19th for the depth of the COVID-19 recession, where a higher ranking means better performance. Translated, the results mean that among the 51 states plus Washington, D.C., North Carolina had the 17th lowest total number of unemployment months per worker and the 19th mildest COVID-19 recession. Montana had the best performance on unemployment, and South Dakota had the least severe recession. At the other end of the spectrum, New Jersey had the worst performance on unemployment, and Connecticut had the deepest recession. North Carolina’s ranking on inperson teaching of students was not as impressive. The state ranked 34th, meaning 33 other states had a higher percentage of students receiving in-person instruction during the pandemic. Wyoming had the highest percentage of in-person instruction, whereas Washington, D.C., had the lowest percentage. North Carolina’s best ranking was on age and medical adjusted COVID-19 related deaths per capita, where the state ranked 7th, meaning only six states had lower adjusted COVID-19 deaths per capita. The best performing state on deaths was Hawaii, while the worst performing state was Arizona. The authors also combined the individual rankings for each measure into a single overall ranking. North Carolina’s overall ranking was 13th, meaning the state had the 13th best performance during the pandemic among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., using all the metrics developed by the authors. Utah ranked first on the combined ranking, and New Jersey came in last. With 51 localities, North Carolina’s placement at number 13 puts the state in the top 25 percent. Among North Carolina’s immediate neighbors, only South Carolina placed higher at number 12. Georgia ranked 19th, Tennessee was at the 24th position, and Virginia placed 36th. As the economy moves forward, rankings of how states performed during the pandemic may become very important.
The rankings could become a major factor in the location decisions of both businesses and households. It will take years – possibly even decades – for the memories of the COVID-19 pandemic to recede. Households and businesses will be motivated to locate in states that coped well during the pandemic compared to other states. The study published by the NBER strongly suggests North Carolina is in the “coping well” category. Economists agree the future economy will go through major changes in what businesses do, how people work, and how and where people live. Being in a state that has navigated the pandemic better than most other states should give that state an advantage in dealing with these changes. Is North Carolina such a state? You decide. You Decide: Do We Live In The Most Uncertain Of Times? I was born in 1951, so my seven decades of life now make me a senior citizen. As I think back, our country has been through many crises in those 71 years. In 1951, we faced the uncertainty of a war in Korea. Later came the Cuban missile crisis, John Kennedy’s assassination, the Vietnam War, eleven recessions, the largest single percentage stock market drop in 1987, the 9/11 attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous others. My point is that, as a
country, we have faced many challenges just during my lifetime. While not taking anything away from the previous tests to our country, I think a strong case can be made that this year – 2022 – may be the most traumatic and uncertain for our country, at least since World War II. A big reason is we don’t just face one, or many two, uncertainties, but we are confronted with many. Indeed, I count at least five big uncertainties, each one of which would be enough to make us worry. Ranked in no certain order are high inflation, the possibility of a recession, the Ukraine War, the talk of a nuclear conflict, and significant changes to work. The latest reading on inflation shows an annual increase in the typical consumers’ market basket of goods and services of 8.5 percent, the biggest jump since 1981. Since most households are not receiving comparable increases in their wages and salaries, today’s inflation rate means the average standard of living – measured by what people can buy – is falling. This hasn’t happened in three decades. The problem of high inflation directly
Continued on the next page
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 29
You Decide continued from the previous page leads to the next challenge of today – the possibility of an upcoming recession. The typical way inflation is corralled is for the U.S. central bank – the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) – to slow the pace of spending. The Fed does this by increasing interest rates and pulling cash out of the economy. The current Fed has already said they will use these methods to reduce today’s high inflation rate. The Fed’s goal is to slow the economy just enough to moderate price increases without causing businesses to significantly reduce production and employment. If production and jobs were to plunge for at least six months, then economists would consider the pullback an official recession. While the Fed would not want its strategy to lead to a recession, there’s always the possibility – some say likelihood – it will. Just within the last couple of months, many economists have increased their chances of recession occurring this year. Although the Ukraine War is foremost a geopolitical conflict - with the U.S. and its European allies backing Ukraine against Russia – it also has broad economic implications. The conflict has already caused many commodity prices, like oil, gold, and wheat, to rise well above their levels at the beginning of the year. The price hikes reflect fears of shortages in supplies for many of the commodities. We’ve especially seen the impact of these higher commodity prices at the gas pump and in supermarkets. But the higher commodity prices reflect another worry – the fourth uncertainty I mentioned – which would be the most worrisome of all. This is the possibility of a nuclear conflict. Until now, the Ukraine War has been fought with conventional weapons. Yet as Russia’s military goals have been stymied by the Ukrainians, Russian leaders have openly hinted about the possibility of using nuclear weapons both against Ukraine and countries backing Ukraine. This would be unprecedented. It raises images of a full fledged nuclear world war which would likely destroy most of civilization. As a youngster, I remember the last time the world was brought to the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, and it was a tense and scary time. The fifth worry – the swift changes happening in the labor market – is a feature of the post-COVID economy. COVID prompted three big shifts in the labor market. One was a reassessment of life, motivating a surge in retirements of older workers and a departure from the labor market of many younger workers, especially those with children. The second was an up-skilling of numerous workers during the height of the
PAGE 30
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
pandemic, meaning when they returned to the workforce, they left lower paying jobs and moved to higher paying jobs. The third emerging labor market shift is a result of the first two. It is the accelerated use of technology and automation by companies that have not been able to eliminate their labor shortages. We will see much more labor saving technology in coming years that will keep many workers guessing if they will continue to have jobs. Every one of these uncertainties is important and hard to predict. They also have impacts that affect virtually everyone, but to have five of them together is, at least in my lifetime, extraordinary. This makes me believe 2022 is a unique year. It may very well go down in history as the “year of enormous worry,” yet hopefully – fingers crossed – with positive outcomes. As time passes, we’ll be able to decide! You Decide: How Will The Hospitality Industry Change? The North Carolina hospitality industry, primarily composed of restaurants and hotels, is a multi-billion dollar sector in the state. As a percent of the state economy, its share has been growing in recent decades. The industry accounts for one out of every 11 jobs in the state. On average, every $1 million of new spending in hospitality creates 15 direct jobs in the industry and another five jobs in other industries. During the pandemic, the hospitality industry suffered some of the largest losses among all industries. Employment dropped 44 percent compared to 12 percent for the entire economy. Even in early 2022, employment in hospitality was five percent lower than prior to the pandemic, while employment in the total economy had fully recovered. Surveys show that hospitality is one of the sectors where many prepandemic employees have moved on to other jobs rather than returning to employment in restaurants and hotels. As a result, hospitality is an industry, along with personal services, construction, and manufacturing, where there are large numbers of unfilled jobs. Recent data on job openings in the state show ten percent of all jobs in hospitality are unfilled, the highest among all industries. The good news is that consumers are returning to spending at restaurants and hotels. Revenues in the industry are today two percent higher than pre-pandemic, even after adjusting for inflation. The worry among hospitality operators is how they can meet rising consumer demand with so many employment positions unfilled. To add to the industry’s challenges
are demographic trends. Young workers are a key part of employment in the restaurant industry, which employs seven times the number of workers as the hotel industry. Due to the declining birth rate – both in the nation and in North Carolina – the population of young individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 is expected to be the slowest growing among all age categories. For example, between 2020 and 2050, individuals ages 16-24 in North Carolina will increase by 16 percent, half the rate as for the total population. What are the answers to these challenges so the hospitality industry in North Carolina can flourish? I think there are three approaches that will need to be considered. First, to compete with other industries for workers, the hospitality sector will have to make work in the industry more lucrative. Pay will have to be increased. Indeed, the industry is already doing this. In 2021, average hourly pay in North Carolina hospitality firms rose almost twice as fast as in all of the state’s industries. This will likely need to be continued. Today’s workers also like certainty in their schedules and possibilities for advancement. Unfortunately, this can be more difficult to achieve in hospitality than in other areas. Nevertheless, owners and managers of hospitality companies will need to get creative in structuring work schedules and promotions in order to “stay in the game” for workers. The second approach has owners and managers looking at the efficiency of their operations in order to find savings in both labor and money. The goal is to find wasted efforts and time in providing the final product and service. Sometimes the wasted efforts are due to a lack of communication
between workers. Or, often, the work won’t be properly divided between workers to achieve the final result in the lowest cost way. The bottom line is, too often, owners and managers don’t step back and look at operations with an eye toward achieving savings without compromising output. The third approach may be the most important – the use of technology and automation to substitute for human labor. In the future, technology and automation will increasingly be applied to all industries, but for the hospitality sector, it may be the difference between success and failure. We’re already seeing this transition at work. Hotels are using robots for cleaning, and check-in has become automated. Some fast food restaurants are using digital ordering boards to replace humans taking customer orders at a counter. Some sit down restaurants have customers use tablets for ordering and paying the bill. There are also stories of upscale restaurants delivering meals to customers with robots and of using other robots to assist chefs and cooks. As technology continues to advance, these uses in the hospitality industry will be perfected and also become more common. And while it may be expensive to shift from humans to “bots,” the long run economics of the change may make it inevitable. The hospitality industry suffered a big blow during the pandemic. And while it has made a strong recovery, labor and financial issues suggest the industry will undergo major changes in the future. I believe most of us will continue to eat out for some of our meals, as well as stay in hotels when we visit the wonderful sights of North Carolina. But what will our restaurants and hotels of the future look like? You decide.
Emma Vanhoy Earns Junior Silver Award Emma Vanhoy of Catawba, N.C., has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Silver award, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Vanhoy is the 18-year-old daughter of Nathan Vanhoy and attends Bandys High School. She is a member of the NJAA and the N.C. Junior Angus Association, where she has served as director, first vice president, and royalty. She has participated in local, state, and regional shows and showmanship contests. In 2020, Vanhoy participated in the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference.
The Silver award is the second level of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the award, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honor. Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests, and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle. The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle while also providing leadership and self development opportunities for the nearly 4,500 active members nationwide.
North Carolina Angus Association ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling. 455 GORE FAMILY ANGUS Mark & Lori Gore Tabor City 702-401-8005 455goreangus@gmail.com www.455farms.com
bundylane@hughes.net laneangusbeef@gmail.com www.laneangusbeef.com PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com
4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 rdk.cefa@gmail.com BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) robinbackcreek@att.net Facebook: Back Creek Angus BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com
S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 sandjfarms2013@gmail.com SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Alex Askew Louisburg 919-880-9062 (Phil) 910-260-2899 (Alex) philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com
FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com
TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 greg.little@ATImetals.com
GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net GRAGG FARMS Paul, Chris, & David Gragg Boone 828-268-4136 (Paul); 828-268-4137 (Chris) 828-268-4135 (David) H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 jennham@bellsouth.net
VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 keaton@vandemarkfarms.com WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 (Mike); 336-460-7451 (Will) michaelmoss@rtmc.net WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 bensbulls@gmail.com
HARWARD SISTERS Brooke, Marcie, & Mattie Harward Richfield 704-322-9770 (Brooke) 704-322-5201 (Marcie); 704-322-0831 (Mattie) harwardsisters@gmail.com www.harwardsisters.com
WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com
HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 gmhill@uga.edu JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com
Sharon Rogers
NCAA Executive Secretary 336-583-9630 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org
LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Bundy Lane - Manager Gates 252-398-7705 (Bundy); 252-398-7719 (Miranda) 252-357-1279 (Office)
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 31
ANGUS NEWS Inventory Reporting Enrollment Now Open! Inventory Reporting, launched in fall 2020, has been a popular reporting option among Angus members for Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR). Not sure what Inventory Reporting is or how to participate? Below are answers to some common questions. Interested in Inventory Reporting? The AHIR program has two options for members to report data: Individual Reporting or Inventory Reporting. Historically, the AHIR program was primarily based on data submitted from individual calves from a calf crop or Individual Reporting. A slightly different approach is Inventory Reporting, based on reporting information for each cow in your herd. The Inventory Reporting option requires for every cow enrolled reporting one of three things each year, including either a calf, a reason she did not have a calf, or a disposal code for why a female left the herd. The NovemberJanuary enrollment period is best suited for primarily spring calving herds, while the May-July enrollment period is best suited for primarily fall calving herds. Calve in both seasons? Choose the time when you calve the majority of your herd. Members who enroll in Inventory Reporting can report data to meet the requirements throughout the year. For example, after calving, information on calving can be reported, and those females that did not calve can have a reason for no calf recorded. As females are culled from the herd, disposal reasons and dates can be recorded throughout the year. If records are reported throughout the year, annual re-enrollment is simple for members to tie up loose ends on females that have not met requirements versus reporting all information for the year at the time of re-enrollment. Benefits - The benefits of Inventory Reporting allow members to keep accurate records of their female inventory, including lifetime production of calves as well as when and why females leave the herd. Inventory Reporting also allows for complete information reported on calves, not only providing validity to the database but also insight to economically relevant traits that are more difficult to characterize, such as fertility and longevity. To have insight for economically relevant traits, such as
PAGE 32
fertility and longevity, complete records on what happens to females each year are necessary. Without knowing complete calving records and why animals leave the herd, characterizing those traits becomes extremely difficult. By reporting through Inventory Reporting, ultimately, you are giving full credit to the best calves because they are truly compared to the poorest calves, not just the calves chosen to be reported or registered. By only reporting the best calves, unintentional bias is introduced into the system, resulting in expected progeny differences (EPDs) that do not accurately reflect what is occurring in your herd. What about MaternalPlus? MaternalPlus® is an earned designation within Inventory Reporting as it requires a couple of additional pieces of information to be reported. Members earning the MaternalPlus designation already record information on an inventory basis, report breeding records, and are benefiting from those advantages such as receiving CED (calving ease direct), BW (birth weight), and WW (weaning weight) EPDs on unregistered calves. They also earn a designation found on EPD/ Pedigree lookup, improving the accuracy of the heifer pregnancy (HP) EPD, and receive additional herd reports. For members interested in the MaternalPlus designation, enrolling in Inventory Reporting is the first step. Annual re-enrollment - Annual re-enrollment is required for Inventory Reporting. This means that the required information must be submitted by your annual re-enrollment date. You do not have to wait for re-enrollment to open to submit records — get your calf records, disposals, and breeding records submitted, and the re-enrollment will go more smoothly. Records submitted throughout the year work toward meeting requirements for re-enrollment. The requirements for re-enrollment for Inventory Reporting are to report a calf, a reason for no calf, or a disposal code if the female left the herd. All females 12 months or older should be included in your inventory. The $2 fee for each inventoried female covers the cost of reporting AHIR information on the calf. Once all females have met requirements, check out the updated inventory to complete re-enrollment.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
Are you reenrolling and interested in earning the MaternalPlus designation? The same information is required as Inventory Reporting, plus recording heifer breeding records, a weaning weight for the calf, or a disposal code or reason code for no calf at weaning. By providing this additional information, you can then earn the benefits of MaternalPlus. For members who enrolled in January, now is a good time to submit those spring calving records, report cows that did not calve, and cows that have been culled from the herd. For those enrolled in MaternalPlus, members who want to earn that designation or members who want to better characterize fertility in their herds, remember to enter the heifer breeding records, including artificial insemination (A.I.) and bull exposure. Learn More about AHIR and Inventory Reporting by visiting www. angus.org/Performance. E x p l o re t h e 2 0 2 2 A n g u s Convention. Set your sights on Salt Lake City and explore your herd’s potential. It’s time to head west of conventional, where elevation meets aspiration. Set your sights on Salt Lake City. Based at the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains and near the heart of the Great Salt Lake, it’s the perfect place for adventure. Come explore new avenues, more opportunities, and your potential at the 2022 Angus Convention on November 4-7 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. This forward thinking filled weekend will inspire cattlemen to take their operations to new heights. Angus Convention is the one stop shop for all things innovation and instruction. From tours to education, networking, and an expansive trade show, there are solutions around every corner for all producers. “ We ’ r e e x c i t e d a b o u t t h e opportunities available by hosting the Angus Convention in Salt Lake City,” said Mark McCully, American Angus Association CEO. “It’s a unique location that ties into the progressive mindset of our producers.” Explore New Avenues - With more than 60,000 square feet of trade show floor, new products and services will fill every aisle. Cattlemen can discuss the latest technologies and explore new efficiencies to keep their herd at the forefront of the business. More than 100 exhibitors annually participate in Angus Convention. Their products span the entire agriculture sector and provide producers a first-hand look at products and services to use in their operations. “Our industry partners are a huge asset to Angus Convention,” McCully said. “We’re thankful for their partnership
and what they provide to our members and attendees.” Explore New Opportunities - If new tools aren’t your thing, there’s education for everyone at Angus Convention. During Angus University workshops, cattlemen learn new ideas to take home to their operations. Education is the compass of the Angus Convention, guided by industry trends and the latest information to point producers down the right path. “We take pride in education,” McCully said. “We want to provide our participants with information that helps them achieve success.” Placing an emphasis on real world, hands-on education, participants can experience live demonstrations and informational workshops in the demonstration area. With topics ranging from genetic advancement, animal health, and husbandry to marketing and risk management, there is something for seedstock and commercial producers alike. Explore Your Potential - Angus Convention is sure to expand horizons with networking opportunities, tour destinations, and more. With social events throughout the weekend, the convention offers attendees the chance to chat with cattlemen across the country and get a fresh perspective. Attendees can make their trip more than just business by exploring nearby Park City, home to the 2002 Winter Olympics, or take a day trip to the LDS Temple Square. “We invite everyone to mark their calendars to come and explore the Angus Convention,” McCully said. “It’s a don’tmiss event for cattlemen of all kinds.” Registration and hotel reservations for the 2022 Angus Convention and Trade Show open on July 1. For more information, visit angusconvention.com. Angus Raids Lubbock — Juniors gather for 2022 Raising the Bar conference. National Junior Angus Association members visit Texas for annual leadership conference. The 2022 Raising the Bar conference was held in Lubbock, Tex., from March 31-April 3. There were 78 National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members from 20 states gathered for the event, making it the largest ever Raising the Bar conference. Attendees explored college and career opportunities at Texas Tech University, learned about the region’s agriculture, and grew as leaders. Each year, NJAA members visit a university with a strong agriculture program to gain insight on the institution, which helps prepare them to determine their future plans. Attendees also network with peers from around the country,
participate in personal development workshops, and visit industry relevant attractions in the area. “Our goal is to help Angus juniors explore as many opportunities as possible,” said Madeline Bauer, senior events coordinator at the American Angus Association. “Attending Raising the Bar provides the chance to not only learn about a potential college, but also form meaningful relationships with fellow NJAA members.” The conference kicked off with an evening of icebreaker activities led by the National Junior Angus Board of Directors. Juniors heard from keynote speaker Markus Miller, Ph.D., a professor of meat science at Texas Tech University (TTU) who coached numerous meat judging teams to seven national championships. Attendees also contributed to an Angus Impact community service project by bringing donations for Voice of Hope, a local crisis center. They heard from representative Kristin Murray about the work the program does for the community. On Friday, juniors headed to the TTU
campus to learn about the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. They heard from students and faculty in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences and explored these areas of study. Members participated in hands-on activities, including a live beef carcass fabrication, preparing steaks using different cooking methods, and an ultrasound demonstration. Attendees then had a meet and greet with the TTU Masked Rider and horse, Fearless Champion, who rides across the field at every football game. They finished the day at Slate Group, a printing company responsible for helping produce many promotional materials used in the agriculture industry and beyond. On Saturday morning, the group visited Hale Center Feedyard in Hale Center, Texas, which typically has 65,000 head of cattle on feed. They then toured gg Angus Ranch, where a panel of Angus industry leaders discussed staying involved with the Angus breed after time as an NJAA member has ended. Juniors enjoyed the afternoon with outdoor activities and agricultural history at the
National Ranching Heritage Center. For supper, attendees stopped at Evie Mae’s Barbecue, an award winning, Texas style barbecue joint which proudly serves Certified Angus Beef. The group wrapped up the evening at 4ORE! Golf to practice their swings and spend quality time with new and old friends from across the country. The conference concluded Sunday morning with a devotional from Markus Miller and personal development workshops before attendees traveled home. The packed schedule offered Angus juniors an enriching experience, with newfound perspectives on what their futures could hold. “I feel very fortunate to be one of the students that was able to come,” said Kyli Kraft, an NJAA member from Colorado. “I think it’s a great opportunity, and I’d encourage anyone…to consider coming.” After 14 years, Raising the Bar continues to foster the development of Angus youth by hosting events in regions across the country. The conference is made possible with sponsorship from the Angus Foundation. To learn more about the
Raising the Bar conference, visit njaa.info. About the Angus Foundation. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth, and research. The organization has distributed more than $3.9 million in youth scholarships since 1998 and has also invested more than $1.3 million in beef cattle research in the past decade. For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816383-5100. Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by more than 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers, and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers. For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.
BILTMORELIVESTOCK.COM
Discover Exceptional Quality with Our Angus Cattle Outstanding Yearling Bulls available. Call today to schedule a visit!
Bred to perform, Biltmore Angus represents a livestock legacy more than a century in the making. Contact Kyle Mayberry 828-768-1956 • livestock@biltmore.com
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 33
• Join one of the largest mineral buying groups in the Southeast • Trial opportunities available • Delivery available in most areas of North Carolina • Make your own buying group in your area
THE BARN LOFT
1475 National Highway • Thomasville, NC 27360 Store - 336-886-1737 • Cell - 336-250-0572 www.thebarnloft.com PAGE 34
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
Your Carcass Cut Your Way Slaughter Facility 9683 Kerrs Chapel Road Gibsonville, NC
Processing Facility 430 NC Hwy 49 S Asheboro, NC
336-628-4949
www.PiedmontCustomMeats.com We are a processor offering slaughter and processing service only. We DO NOT buy or sell any meat products.
BEEF • PORK • LAMB • GOAT The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 35
PAGE 36
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
GELBVIEH NEWS Updating Contact Information in the AGA Registry. The AGA encourages all members to review the contact information listed on their account in the AGA Online Registry Service prior to July 1. Please be sure the AGA has the correct address, telephone, and email address on file. If you need to update contact information, simply click the pencil and pad icon. This will pull up a window where information can be updated. Member Directory Listings. Information for the 2022-2023 AGA membership directory, sent out in August, will be pulled on July 1. Only active members with their dues paid by July 1 will appear in the directory. To view the information that will be printed in the
member directory, click on the “Prefs” tab on the General Profile Information Screen on the AGA Online Registry. The information under “Directory Listing” will be how the membership appears in the directory. Be sure the “Publish in Membership Directory” box is checked, as shown in the image below. AGA is Going Digital! Beginning July 1, all users of the AGA Online Registry Service with an email address on file will automatically be switched to digital only invoicing. Rather than receiving a paper copy of the invoice or statement, members will receive their invoices via email. If you would like to start receiving email invoices before July 1, check the “Email Statements/Invoices?” under
NEWS John Deere establishes allied agreement for distribution with Grady Twin Pak balers. John Deere announced recently that it has established an allied agreement with Mike and Jason Grady of Twin Pak to better serve existing and future John Deere small square baler customers in the United States. “These agreements bring together a revolutionary patented design for small square balers with a best-in-class dealer network,” said Rob Rippchen, global baling and mowing business manager for John Deere. “We are excited to work with John Deere and more than double the productivity of farmers putting up small square bales allowing them to do more with fewer operators,” said Jason Grady, CEO of Twin Pak. As part of the agreement, select U.S. John Deere dealers will begin distributing Twin Pak branded three string balers beginning in 2023 with plans to further expand distribution as capacity expands.
For the remainder of 2022, John Deere and Twin Pak will work together to integrate current John Deere parts into the Twin Pak baler and further test a two string version of the Twin Pak Baler. John Deere dealers will have exclusive rights to sell the Twin Pak baler under the agreement. About John Deere. Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what’s possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology enabled products, including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray™, and E-Power Backhoe, are just some of the ways we help meet the world’s increasing need for food shelter and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.JohnDeere.com.
the Prefs tab on the General Profile Information screen. This line will state which email will be receiving the invoicing. For example, the invoices for the account shown in the photo below will be sent to info@gelbvieh.org. After July 1, if members prefer to continue receiving paper invoices, they may do so by opting out of the emailed statements and invoices. Any member who does not have an email address on file will continue receiving paper statements and invoices. AGA Welcomes Margo McKendree to Serve as Office Operations Coordinator. The American Gelbvieh Association is excited to announce the addition of Margo McKendree to the AGA team as office operations coordinator. McKendree, a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and holds a Bachelor of Science in organizational and relational communications, a degree she plans to put to work for AGA. “As I was reading the job description of the Association’s needs, I felt like my experience and education fit well – I felt like I really had the opportunity to help fill those needs,” she says. “I am already learning new things every day and that is
exciting.” In her office operations coordinator role, McKendree will organize and process accounts payable and accounts receivable, assist members and AGA stakeholders with the AGA online registry, and assist the executive director in administrative tasks. When she isn’t helping the AGA office, McKendree enjoys traveling and exploring nearby states. “Margo brings a wealth of experience in office administration, and she will be a complimentary fit to the skilled staff at the AGA,” says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “We are excited to have her join the team as we move forward serving Gelbvieh and Balancer® stakeholders in today’s modern beef industry.” McKendree began her role at AGA on May 4 and can be reached at the AGA office at 303-465-2333 or margo@ gelbvieh.org. About the American Gelbvieh Association. The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performanceoriented total herd reporting system.
Wilkes Livestock Exchange 106 Armory Road • PO Box 2146 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 Phone: 336-838-3442 • Fax: 336-838-3591 Weekly Sales - Wednesdays - 1:30 p.m. Take-up Tuesday Evenings
Catching and Hauling Services Available
Shelmer Blackburn, Jr.
919-270-1522 • shelmerblackburn@hotmail.com
Seth Church
336-927-5370 • sethchurch@charter.net The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 37
THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL
By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association Clover Classic 4-H Livestock Show. The Clover Classic 4-H Livestock Show was held once again after a two year hiatus due to COVID-19! It was held at the Carolina Classic Fairgrounds in Winston-Salem, N.C., on April 2
Grand champion Percentage Simmental, Miss Roll With It 607J, shown by Evie Jones of Shelby, N.C.
Reserve champion Purebred Simmental, 3CK Cherry Soda Pop J6, shown by Carley Thomas of Virginia.
Grand champion Purebred Simmental, CRJ Dana J128, shown by Cullen Joines of Virginia.
for cattle and April 3 for sheep and goats. The judge was Cole Reeves from Virginia, and there was a large crowd of kids and their families at the show. There were nine exhibitors in the purebred Simmental show. The judge selected CRJ
N.C. Simmental Association 1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 336-468-1679 • www.ncsimmental.com • NCSA@yadtel.net Like us on Facebook! PAGE 38
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
Dana J128 as his grand champion heifer. This heifer was shown by Cullen Joines of Blacksburg, Va., and is a daughter of JSUL Something About Mary 8421. Carley Thomas of Meadowview, Va., exhibited the reserve champion Purebred Simmental with 3CK Cherry Soda Pop J6, sired by JASS On The Mark 69D. In the Percentage Simmental Show, 15 head of heifers were exhibited. Evie Jones of Shelby, N.C., had the grand champion Percentage Simmental with Miss Roll With It 607J. This heifer is sired by W/C Bankroll 811D. The reserve champion Percentage Simmental was Cooper Joines of Blacksburg, Va., with CRJ Dana H025.
Dana is a daughter of LLSF Vantage Point F398. Thanks to Taylor Hartman and the Hartman family for all their hard work and to Mary Joe Hanes for getting the good food together for everyone! WNC Junior Beef Spring Fling. The WNC Junior Beef Spring Fling was held at the WNC Fairgrounds on April 9-10. It was the snowiest show yet, with snow flurries in the air! The judge for the event was Josh Elder from Dunlap, Iowa. The grand champion Purebred Simmental was shown by Eli Mundy of Speedwell, Tennessee. This heifer is WHF Andie 368H, sired by KCC1 Exclusive 116E. The reserve champion purebred was shown by Andrew Meier of Clinton,
Reserve champion Percentage Simmental, CRJ Dana H025, shown by Cooper Joines of Virginia.
American Simmental Association 1 Genetics Way • Bozeman, MT 59718 406-587-4531 • www.simmental.org
Tenn., with his bred-and-owned 3 Aces Mignonne H900. This heifer is a daughter of CDI Innovator 325D. In the competitive Percentage Simmental, Peyton Taylor of Lenoir, N.C., exhibited the grand champion with STCC STER Miss Miley 201J. This heifer is sired by SCC SCH 24 Karat 838. Shelby Candler of Weaverville, N.C., exhibited the reserve champion with GHC Blackcap Fergie 91H1, sired by Profit.
The judge selected his top ten overall heifers at the conclusion of the show. Eli Mundy, with his grand champion Simmental, was third overall. Peyton Taylor, with her grand champion Percentage Simmental, was ninth overall, followed by Shelby Candler with her reserve Percentage Simmental in tenth overall. Congratulations to all these youth who worked hard and exhibited their cattle in these spring shows in all sorts of weather conditions!
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Weeks ending APRIL 5, APRIL 12, and APRIL 19, 2022)
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, APRIL 5, 2022, WNC Livestock Exchange Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, APRIL 12, 2022, and Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, APRIL 19, 2022. All cattle in this report are located in North Carolina and South Carolina. Prices FOB the farm or local scale and many weighed with a 0-2 percent shrink and sold with a 5-15¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only.
Cattle Receipts: 2,603
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update By NORMAN VOYLES, JR., Chairman
HELP WANTED: New, Dedicated Cattlemen’s Beef Board Members As I’m writing this, we’re witnessing another potential “black swan” chain of events. The war in Ukraine, too much moisture in the Eastern Corn Belt, and too little in the Western Corn Belt have significantly delayed spring planting. These events have led to grain prices rising to near historical highs and contributed to high energy prices. According to the USDA, corn is $1.67 per bushel higher than last March. Diesel fuel is now an incredible $2.26 higher here in the Midwest than it was a year ago – and it’s gone up by even more on the East and West Coasts. Fertilizer has more than doubled its 2021 prices. Prices on inputs such as seeds and pesticides are also higher. Yet, somehow, beef demand remains high. How is that possible with near-record retail beef prices and the numerous transportation issues we face? The Beef Checkoff has been working to consistently build beef demand over the past 36 years. And that success is due in large part to the dedication of Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) members and our contractor partners. By working together to develop and fund innovative promotion, education, and research programs, the CBB and its contractors have used Checkoff dollars to: • Improve beef quality through Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training for our producers and transport drivers. • Directly educate consumers about the safety and sustainability of our beef supply. • Inform and partner with key opinion leaders such as STEM educators. • Conduct research to learn about consumer preferences and buying habits for all protein sources, including animal,
plant, insect, or lab culture. • Identify tender and flavorful new beef cuts such as Flat Iron and Tri-Tip through muscle profiling. • Create value in export markets for beef and beef variety meats. To continue doing this important work, we need more involved, dedicated individuals to join the CBB. The USDA is currently seeking nominees for the Beef Board. A list of certified producer organizations, a nomination form, and information about the CBB are available on the AMS-CBB webpage. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities and considering the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population. A total of 39 three year term seats must be filled next February (38 producers and 1 importer). Of those, 21 seats are occupied by members eligible for an additional three year term; the remaining 18 have served two consecutive terms and will be termed out. As a producer and Beef Checkoff investor, I am extremely proud of the work our contractor partners are doing, and I’m excited to see the proposals they’ll bring forward for FY23. If you know someone with a passion for the beef industry and a unique perspective to share, I encourage you to nominate them for one of our open seats. Fresh ideas and enthusiasm are essential to continue building beef demand, not just for today or even tomorrow but well into the future.
Last Month: 2,774
Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 58 percent steers and 42 percent heifers. Nearly 80 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.
Head 71 122 61 29
Wt. Range 680-680 795-795 800-800 845-845
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 680 $163.75 $163.75 785 $146.00 - $149.75 $147.88 800 $160.25 $160.25 845 $145.75 $145.75
Head 56 51
Wt. Range 870-870 950-950
FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 870 $145.00 $145.00 950 $135.00 $135.00
Head 130 18 75 203 42 63 27 183 122 57 35 52 106
Wt. Range 350-350 640-640 650-650 700-725 725-725 775-775 790-790 800-800 800-800 810-825 860-860 925-925 900-925
FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 350 $230.50 $230.50 640 $159.75 $159.75 650 $172.00 $172.00 717 $164.25 - $166.25 $165.57 725 $147.75 $147.75 775 $158.75 $158.75 790 $151.75 $151.75 800 $155.50 - $160.25 $158.17 800 $143.50 - $150.25 $146.88 818 $139.75 - $149.75 $144.49 860 $146.25 $146.25 925 $139.75 $139.75 912 $150.25 - $155.00 $152.67
Head 66 63 29
Wt. Range 730-730 775-775 845-845
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 730 $151.75 $151.75 775 $148.00 $148.00 845 $139.75 $139.75
Head 63
Wt. Range 775-775
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 775 $141.25 $141.25
Head 130 170 87 15 72 71 25 65 100 62 60 22
Wt. Range 350-350 400-400 560-560 640-640 675-675 685-685 700-700 750-750 760-780 785-785 810-810 860-860
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 350 $205.50 $205.50 400 $190.00 $190.00 560 $161.25 $161.25 640 $147.75 $147.75 675 $155.00 $155.00 685 $138.50 $138.50 700 $135.75 $135.75 750 $150.00 $150.00 772 $129.75 - $141.75 $137.45 785 $133.50 $133.50 810 $138.00 $138.00 860 $136.25 $136.25
Delivery Value Added Value Added Split Loads Delivery Natural
Delivery Natural Split Loads Natural Value Added Split Loads Value Added Split Loads Value Added Split Loads Split Loads Natural Value Added Delivery Value Added Value Added Split Loads Delivery Natural Delivery Natural Natural Value Added Split Loads Value Added Split Loads Value Added Split Loads Natural Split Loads
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 39
By KAT STREAHLE N.C. State University -- ANS 402 Beef Management
Considerations When Developing an Efficient Record Keeping System for a Small Cow/Calf Operation You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Record keeping is essential for cow/calf farms of all sizes, and perhaps, most importantly, on small farms where every cost or impact on efficiency has an impact on the profit of the entire farm (Gordon 2006). However, on these small operations, there may not be adequate resources for somebody in charge of bookkeeping; thus, a simple and accessible method is essential. The main steps in creating a record keeping system for an operation include knowing what information to record, knowing how it will be recorded and kept, knowing how to retrieve records, and knowing how long to keep records (and when they can be discarded) (Gordon 2006). Generally, a cow/calf operation needs to keep records of animal I.D., specific maternal/pregnancy/calving data on cows and replacement heifers, performance data on bulls (or bulls that provide A.I. semen), and performance data on calves (Gordon 2006). Some of this data is important to know per animal (especially an understanding of cow and bull breeding performance and any medication history). At the same time, much of the calf data may be grouped to understand an average weaning weight/yearling weight, for example. A table illustrating significant farm events and farm data calculable for the event, if records are appropriately kept, is located in Figure 1. Records may be traditionally kept on paper, which can often work for short term record keeping; however, modern technology
and software systems make digital record keeping generally much more efficient and organized (Lalman, Ladd, & Doye 2017). Choosing which software system to use can also make an impact on how records are managed. Record retrieval will depend on the system used but is essential to consider; that if a manager cannot access records, they are of no use in decision making. Finally, knowing how long to keep records is important; there are minimums according to BQA guidelines and some data that some farms may want to keep even longer. The Mid-Atlantic BQA states that medical records for animals must be kept for at least two years, and feed records must be kept for at least three (Osborne & Hockenberry 2010). Some records that are recommended to keep depend on the animal group, while others should be taken for the entire farm. Information about animals matching their I.D.s to their information is essential. Making sure to know which cattle are actively on the farm versus previously sold or culled is also important. Data that is important to have on every animal would include dam/sire/original farm information; we want to know the genetics of our cattle and their source if they were not bred on the farm (Gordon 2006). If possible, weaning weight and yearling weight, as well as mature weight, can be useful in determining the market value of all cattle, which may help in keep or cull decisions (Elmore 2019). All cattle should have vaccination records available; this includes vaccine type, date of administration, and
Figure 1. This table includes important events to record data from and what farm information can be calculated using the data collected (Payne & Thomas 2021).
PAGE 40
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
dosage. Any other medication that may be given should also include relevant information; hormone injections may need type, date, and dosage information, as would antibiotics (which would additionally need records of withdrawal time required by law). Breeding cows and heifers should have previous calving (and their respective information of calving ease, maternal characteristics, etc.) and breeding status recorded. Bulls should have breeding soundness exam information kept but updated 60-90 days before each breeding season begins (Elmore 2019, Gordon 2006). From these initial records kept, you can calculate efficiencies and average farm information. For example, your recording of whether your cows are open or bred, and records of calved animals, can allow you to calculate your calving and weaning percentages and compare them among breeding seasons. In addition, having a record of a season’s calves weaning weights can also allow you to average them and have access to herd performance. You can compare this to your own farm in previous years or other farms that you have information from (Elmore 2019). This allows farm managers to make informed management decisions based on the history and current status of the farm in different measures. If your calving percentage increases ten percent from the previous year without any significant uncontrollable variables, for example, you will have an indication that your management may have improved, and you should continue those practices (Elmore 2019). The next step, after knowing what records to keep, is knowing how you will
record and store this information. Written records may work well for temporary record keeping and is a more traditional approach. This may especially work for getting animal weights and recording medication information while in the field. This information can be stored on paper in files or can be then entered into a software record keeping system. For an example of a single animal’s treatment record from the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, reference Figure 2. Other records, like the number of bred heifers or what animals were sold at market, for example, can be entered directly into your record keeping software. Some considerations when choosing to use a primarily paper or primarily digital system include: paper can be damaged/ lost more easily, digital systems can calculate information for you, you can often access digitized information in many places across multiple devices, and there can often be a cost to digital systems ($149-$600 annually) (Lalman et al. 2017). Both systems are accepted by BQA principles (Elmore 2019). The final consideration is how long to keep your records. Many records should be kept for the life of the animal, depending on the information. Feed information is recommended to be kept for at least a decade to legally protect your farm and prove no high risk feedstuffs were given, nor were they banned at the time you gave them (Gordon 2006). Often, individual animal data may not be utilized after a few years, but data on yearly performance can be useful. For comparison and changing management practices, yearly data (like average WW, calving percentage, etc.)
Figure 2. An example of a written Treatment Record from the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. Note that animal I.D., date, medication given, and withdrawal date and time are all essential (N.C. Cattlemen’s Association 2022).
should be kept as long as possible to allow for trend analysis over time (Payne & Thomas 2021). Digital records allow for the storage of a greater amount of information across time and allow you to archive older records that you may want to access intermittently in the future. Paper records can often be discarded after the above recommendation is met (based on the type of information) or when the records are entered digitally. There are many things to consider when developing, evaluating, and changing your farm’s record keeping system. Some options are farm dependent and may work better for some than others. Some, like medication records, should be accurately and routinely kept no matter the farm. All farms should have a recordkeeping system in place in order to be able to make effective management decisions. References Elmore, M. (2019, Feb 5). Beef Cattle Record Keeping Basics. Retrieved from www.aces.edu/blog/topics/beef/beefcattle-record-keeping-basics/ Gordon, K. (2006, Dec 10). 10 Cattle Records Worth Keeping On The Ranch. Retrieved from www.beefmagazine.
com/americancowman/in-the-spotlight/ record_keeping Lalman, D., Ladd, B., & Doye, D. (2017, March). Cow/Calf Production Record Software. Retrieved from extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/cowcalf-production-record-software.html N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. (2022). Record Keeping Forms. Retrieved from www.nccattle.com/nc-bqa/recordkeeping-forms Osborne, P. & Hockenberry, N. (2010). Mid-Atlantic BQA Producer Certification Manual. Retrieved from www.pabqa.org/ Media/PABQA/Docs/midatlantic-bqaproducer-certification-manuallow.pdf Payne, C. & Thomas, J. (2021, March). Production Records for Commercial Cow/Calf Operations. Retrieved from extension.missouri.edu/ publications/g2045 About the Have You Herd Article Series. Have You Herd article written as a portion of ANS 402 Beef Management course requirement at N.C. State University Department of Animal Science. The opinions of Kat Streahle are not necessarily those of N.C. State University or Dr. Carrie Pickworth.
2023 Clemson Bull Test Call for Nominations By STEVEN E. MEADOWS, Ph.D., Clemson University This serves as an open call for nominations for the 2023 Clemson University Extension Bull Test. The deadline for all nominations is July 1. Priority for consignments will be given to those who have consigned in the past two years, then open to new in-state consignors, and lastly, new out-of-state consignors. These due dates for consignments are outlined on the Clemson University Extension Bull Test website, and you will also find the rules and regulations for nomination there. We had a record breaking test and sale in 2022 with bulls selling into four states. Quality genetics are in demand! We look forward to the 2023 test and testing your top quality genetics. We will again be utilizing our GrowSafe 6000 system to measure individual feed intake and calculate the relative efficiency of individual bulls. In deciding which bulls to nominate, please make sure you evaluate all consignments for structural correctness and screen for disposition on the farm. Please make sure that your consignments meet and surpass all requirements for performance and that their genetic profile is competitive within the breed and free of genetic defects. Updated rules and regulations and nomination forms can be found at www. clemson.edu/extension/bulltest/clemson/index.html. Some of the rules have been updated or new requirements added. Make sure you read all requirements before nomination. Please note all deadlines as specified. We look forward to another great year. If any questions, please let me know at smdws@clemson.edu.
Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd. HARDROCK BEEF CATTLE Ronnie & Donna Holman 4613 Hickory Nut Ridge Road • Granite Falls, NC 828-302-8659 ronnie@hardrockbeefcattle.com JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-315-3821 jkredangus@gmail.com LANGDON RED ANGUS & SIMMENTAL John & Eileen Langdon 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 919-796-5010 johnlangdon5@gmail.com ROGERS CATTLE COMPANY Johnny & Sharon Rogers 945 Woodsdale Road • Roxboro, NC 336-504-7268 rccbeef@gmail.com PRESNELL RED ANGUS Jonathan & Jacob Presnell 368 Whitaker Road • Shelby, NC 704-473-2627 (Jonathan) • 704-616-8775 (Jacob) BULL HILL RANCH Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-682-3900 • 864-682-2828 bullhill2@mindspring.com
Terry Boyles, President - twinbfarm1@gmail.com
The Carolina Cattle Connection
COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 41
Federation of State Beef Councils Update Beef is a Winner On and Off the Track. For the second year in a row, the Federation of State Beef Councils, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, partnered with the Daytona International Speedway to sponsor the season opening race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series - the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300. Additional support from state beef councils extended consumer outreach to the more than 60,000 fans at the Speedway on February 19. “From the shared emphasis on family values and legacies in both racing and cattle farming and ranching, to the love of beef on the grill, beef and NASCAR just make sense,” said Brad Hastings, 2022 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Federation Division Chair. “The partnership also provided an opportunity for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand to be back on TV, reaching younger and increasingly diverse NASCAR fans across the nation.” The race provided a unique opportunity to engage with consumers and share information about beef ’s nutrition, versatility, and sustainability, both at the track and across the country. The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 was the most viewed telecast on Fox Sports 1 so far this year. And the race wasn’t the only competition that got fans excited about beef. Chefs Lamar Moore, Jennifer Carroll, and Ryan Clark battled it out on the grill during the Checkoff funded Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 cookoff judged by Chef Josh Capon and World Champion Pitmaster Lee Ann Whippen. While Chef Jennifer Carroll took the checkered flag, edging out her fellow competitors, beef was a winner too. Beyond the in-person competition,
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 42
the chefs shared their passion for beef, along with recipes, on their social media channels, reaching thousands of consumers from coast to coast. Throughout the week, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. midway tent was a fan favorite where 3,000 beef sliders were served to hungry fans, and more than 24,000 beef promotional items were given away. Visitors also tested their skills on roping dummies, and an interactive social media photo booth provided the ultimate beef experience. Beef was the protein of choice in the infield, with campers and tailgaters sporting signs showing they were grilling beef and, in return, were surprised with beef merchandise such as hats, shirts, and bags. The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand was also featured in advertising during the race on Fox Sports 1, on the racetrack big screen, and on signage throughout the Daytona International Speedway property. You didn’t have to be a NASCAR fan or watch the race to be exposed to beef’s positive message. Activities surrounding the race generated news stories in local markets, reaching a broader audience beyond NASCAR watchers. Days before drivers started their engines, beef was in the spotlight on local television and radio stations, with seven time burger bash champion and celebrity chef Josh Capon sharing race day recipes. Chef Capon conducted 26 media interviews resulting in 1,838 television and radio airings nationwide. In addition to race themed promotional efforts, funding provided by 13 state beef councils made an e-commerce campaign with Kroger possible, which drove the beef message home for families while they were shopping for groceries online. At the end of race day, when the checkered flag waved and a cooler of Tomahawk Steaks was presented to race winner Austin Hill, beef joined in for a victory lap. Beef Industry Safety Summit Celebrates 20th Anniversary. The Beef Industry Safety Summit celebrated its 20th anniversary, February 28-March 2, in Denver, Colorado. The collaboration from industry wide stakeholders was comprehensive, and the event brought together more than 200 attendees representing all sectors of the beef supply chain, including producers, feedlot
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
operators, packers, further processors, retail, food service, academic, and government research scientists, and students all focused on improving beef safety. Conducted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, in partnership with the Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo), the annual summit brings industry safety leaders and scientists together to hear the latest research results, learn about advancements in food safety monitoring and testing methodology, and openly converse with competitors seeking solutions that benefit the entire industry. During the three day event, stakeholders came together to: • discuss current safety issues with representatives from all sectors of the beef industry during technical sessions. • gain a better understanding of beef chain challenges, pathogens, and interventions during research results presentations. • network with colleagues, representatives from all industry sectors, government agency staff, and the research community. • determine future courses of action to help each sector enhance the safety of U.S. beef products.
Topics for this year’s event included everything from Salmonella research, tools, and mitigation strategies currently used in the industry to the basics and current trends of recalls. The meeting also provided an opportunity to better understand how to engage students and future leaders in food safety, action items attendees could take back to their own facilities to strengthen the supply chain, and so much more. Attendees stated that “even after 20 years, I still walk away having learned something from this meeting” and that it is “essential to be able to gather in a non-competitive format to discuss current food safety issues in the industry.” Mark your calendars now for the 2023 event, which will be held in Kansas City on April 3-5. Visit www.bifsco.org/ safety-summit for more information. 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.
S.C. Charolais News By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association
Not much is going on in the Charolais world right now with everyone fighting the rain to bale hay and weaning calves in our spare time. When you read this, we will also just be getting over the Appalachian Sale in Knoxville. Wayne Bennett of Georgia took a big trip out west with his wife to tour Wyoming and Utah. From the looks of the pictures, they had a fantastic time. Everyone I know of is healthy, except I heard that Roger Bowman of North Carolina has been having health issues and sold his herd. Delores Templeton posted that they have sold their commercial herd and will be selling their Charolais soon. Age gets the best of all of us, and we need to learn not to work so hard, especially when you are like me and 70 years old. In Pickens County, my friends Johnny and Betty Newton have been
having a hard time. Johnny has been in the hospital with fluid issues, and while he was there, Betty was home and had a stroke. Lynn was staying with her and luckily got her help in time, so she is able to walk and talk and has completed rehab at Roger C. Peace. Keep them in your prayers as they are fine commercial cattlemen in Pickens County. I figured with this new committee they have set up in Washington about disinformation, they are going to come after me soon since I can’t keep my mouth shut about agriculture issues. I would appreciate everyone saving up a little bit of bail money because I will probably need it. I tell the truth and do not disinform, but I seem to make a lot of elected officials upset. I will keep you updated as I have to testify before the South Carolina Senate in the fall. I will tell you about it later, so save up a few dollars to get me out of the pokey.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 43
PAGE 44
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
Controlling Anaplasmosis with Medicated Mineral Supplementation. Anaplasmosis is a disease of cattle that tends to occur most commonly in mature cows and bulls during the summer and early fall. We’ve always thought of it as a disease that mostly affects cattle in the southern tier of states, which is mostly true, but with increased cattle movement over the last decade, the footprint of anaplasmosis has spread. Anaplasmosis is caused by Anaplasma marginale, a microorganism that invades red blood cells and causes severe anemia. Transmitted through the blood, the disease is spread by biting flies or ticks or infected blood transferred on contaminated needles or other equipment. Death is a common outcome of cattle developing anaplasmosis. The cattle that don’t die may experience a long recovery time after infection, pregnancy loss is common, and bulls may experience infertility. Signs of anaplasmosis can include: • Orange-yellow coloration of the mucous membranes • Thin, watery blood • Cattle that are slow, reluctant to move, or short of breath • Aggressive behavior shortly before death • Sudden, unexplained death of adult cattle • Abortions Cattle infected with anaplasmosis may recover, but they remain chronically infected carriers and a source of infection to the rest of the herd. Cattle infected early in life may never show signs of disease, but they serve as a source of infection for herd mates. This chronic carrier state allows anaplasmosis to persist in cow herds in endemic regions and partially explains the unpredictable nature of the disease occurrence. In fall calving herds, heavy bred cows and recently calved cows seem to be at the greatest risk of death or abortion. Anaplasmosis causes a rapid onset of profound anemia. Those cows experiencing the extra metabolic requirement of advanced pregnancy or the stress of early lactation are less capable of managing that anemia. In spring calving herds, cows are getting bred during the peak of vector season, so bull health and fertility are of particular concern. Cows nursing calves at this time are also at risk.
One of the most commonly used and predictable methods of controlling anaplasmosis is incorporating a feed grade chlortetracycline, like Aureomycin, in the animal’s feed or mineral supplements. Aureomycin is labeled for control of active infection of anaplasmosis in cattle over 700 pounds at a daily level of 0.5 mg/lb of body weight/ day and aids in the control of active infection at a free choice level of 0.52.0 mg/lb of body weight/day. This is an important distinction because there are feeding practices that need to be adhered to with each of the two formulations. The veterinarian signing the veterinary feed directive (VFD) for these products needs to be aware of which formulation is being used. If it is a hand fed formulation, they must choose the product with the appropriate grams/ton level of chlortetracycline to achieve the correct dosage based on the anticipated intake and weight of the cattle. 1. Hand fed formulations are approved at the level of 0.5 mg per pound of body weight per day. These formulations can be in hand fed minerals or other hand fed feeds formulated to deliver 0.5 mg per pound of body weight per day of chlortetracycline. These formulations are available in a variety of concentrations depending on the weight of the cattle and the anticipated consumption per day. The label instructions will state how much needs to be hand fed each day to deliver the required level of 0.5 mg per pound of body weight per day. Most of the currently available anaplasmosis control minerals are labeled for a hand-fed formulation. It is important to make sure the hand fed formulation chosen will adequately deliver the amount of chlortetracycline required based on the size of the cows. For example, cows weighing 1,400 pounds will require 700 mg of chlortetracycline per head per day. If the feeding rate is 4 oz per head per day, that would require a mineral containing 5,600 grams per ton of chlortetracycline. The veterinarian writing the VFD will need to know the average weight of the cows to make the appropriate recommendation on the level of chlortetracycline in the mineral to effectively treat those cows. 2. Free choice formulations are approved at the level of 0.5-2.0 mg
per pound of body weight per day of chlortetracycline. Aureomycin is one of the chlortetracycline formulations on the market with free choice approval. Free choice minerals containing Aureomycin must use a formulation approved by the Food & Drug Administration. Therefore, a limited number of products are available as free choice minerals. Notice there is a wider approved dose range with free choice minerals. This wider range of dosage helps to correct for the variability in mineral consumption seen during some seasons of the year. It helps to address the variability in animal size, particularly in mature bulls that weigh substantially more than the average cow. Most importantly, the free choice formulation has the convenience of free choice delivery, meaning that mineral feeders do
not have to be filled every day. It is always important to consult your veterinarian regarding the proper use of animal health products. Under the Veterinary Feed Directive, a veterinarian must authorize the use of feed or mineral products containing medically important antibiotics. The veterinarian will make the medical decision if anaplasmosis control is warranted and recommend the correct product to deliver the necessary dose to achieve the desired control of anaplasmosis. A strong collaborative working relationship between your veterinarian and your feed/mineral supplier is necessary to ensure the proper delivery of feed additives to achieve the results you expect. Visit CattleFeedAdditives.com for more information.
N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of APRIL 2022 Cattle Receipts: 20,224
•
Previous Month: 20,217
Feeder supply - 28% steers • 44% heifers • 28% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,511 Boner 1,191 Lean 960
$78.63 $75.47 $69.06
$103.24
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,613
Price
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $158.79 $671.68 450-500 476 $162.36 $772.83 500-550 524 $161.61 $846.84 550-600 574 $158.01 $906.98 600-650 620 $149.73 $928.33 650-700 669 $145.96 $976.47
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $167.15 $710.39 450-500 474 $156.02 $739.53 500-550 523 $150.91 $789.26 550-600 572 $144.62 $827.23 600-650 623 $137.45 $856.31 650-700 670 $131.92 $883.86
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $143.50 $609.88 450-500 474 $143.09 $678.25 500-550 523 $136.91 $716.04 550-600 570 $133.64 $761.75 600-650 621 $122.63 $761.53 650-700 676 $121.64 $822.29
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 45
N.C. Forage & Grassland Council Forage Spotlight
By MATT POORE, N.C. State University
Pasture Plant Diversity Field Day to be Held in Surry County It has been a tough several years with few opportunities to meet with friends and learn about how to improve our forage systems. We are excited to get back to business, and there is currently a lot of interest in regenerative grazing and improved pasture management. Feed and fertilizer prices are at record high levels, and it is a good time to learn how to better manage your farm to reduce dependence on these inputs. Amazing Grazing and the N.C. Forage and Grassland Council are working together to bring you this interactive field day program focused on increasing the diversity of plants in
forage systems and the impact of adaptive grazing management on soil and grazing system health. If you are interested in regenerative grazing, improving the soils on your farm, getting in the local meat business, or just getting out with your friends and neighbors to learn more about all your plant options, there will be something for you at this field day at Mike and Jean Jones’s Beaver Creek Farm in Surry County, N.C., on June 25. Mike and Jean have been working with Amazing Grazing for over 15 years on various projects and have developed a very
Mike Jones talks to a group of farmers at Beaver Creek Farm about their grazing management program.
January
February
Chester
267
Darlington Laurens Orangeburg Saluda Williamston PAGE 46
Diverse pasture including clovers, chicory, plantain, novel endophyte tall fescue, orchardgrass, and more.
diverse and interesting forage system, and Mike is the past president of the N.C. Forage and Grassland Council. On their Beaver Creek Farm you will see native warm season grasses, novel endophyte tall fescue, a complex perennial mix, and even a planted native savannah ecosystem. Mike and Jean exemplify stewardship from a whole ecosystem perspective and look forward to meeting you and answering your questions. The program is free and will include outstanding speakers, including Dr. John Fike from Virginia Tech, who will talk about the ecological implications of diverse pastures; and Dr. Pat Keyser from the University of Tennessee, who will talk about the establishment and management of native warm season grasses and mixtures; Dr. Matt Poore who will talk about managing fescue toxicosis by replacing KY-31 tall fescue with novel endophyte tall fescue or diverse perennial mixes featuring novel endophyte tall fescue; and finally, Asher Wright from Hickory Nut Gap Farm will talk about systems to evaluate biological diversity
2022 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts March
April
820
995
546
1,237
1,316
2,356
941
1,173
1,513
1,785
1,247
766
1,183
1,139
871
1,737
2,917
2,838
2,258
773
2,596
2,26
1,971
May
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
June
July
August
September
on the farm. The program will also include a discussion of the importance of plant diversity to wildlife populations by Jason Smith from the N.C. Wildlife Commission. Keith Larick from the N.C. Farm Bureau will also discuss the potential for carbon sequestration in pastures to benefit the climate and your bottom line through carbon credits. The Amazing Grazing team will discuss how to manage to build up carbon storage and how that may impact fertilizer needs. We will also have several activities and demonstrations you can get involved in, including a dung beetle demonstration, a “reel race” to introduce participants to the temporary electric fence, and a pasture plant identification exercise using a diverse plant collection. The field day will end with a local beef burger lunch and a panel discussion about how to best manage in the face of skyrocketing input costs. We hope you can join us! To register, go to go.ncsu.edu/pasturediversity or call 336-401-8025 by June 20. The meeting address will be sent after you register.
October
November
December
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 47
New NCCA Members for 2022 In 2007, members of the Membership Committee passed a resolution to recognize all NEW members of the NCCA in The Carolina Cattle Connection at the NCCA Annual Conference in Hickory. A new member is defined as someone who has never been a member or someone who has rejoined after a brief break in membership. The new members are identified in this new members section by name and county of residence. Below is a list of NCCA’s new members for the last month: Out-of-State Eddie Bowman – B&B Produce – Va. Daveon Holmes – S.C. Allison Reiter – Va. Buncombe County Dana Brown Lucas Anderson Bullard – Claxton Farm Calvin Claxton – Claxton Farm James Claxton – Claxton Farm Shannon D. Morgan – S.D. Morgan Farms David Prestwood – Prestwood Farms Lewis Wayne Welch – Claxton Farm
Burke County Heather Baker David Berry – Berry’s Brand Farm Randall Brackett – Fox Den Farm Allie Craciun – Sweet Creek Farms Rebekah L. Vanhorn Caldwell County Mark Saunders – 4440 Ranch & Cattle Co. Chatham County Jaeciana Garner Cleveland County Don Dedmon Jr. – Dedmon Farms Courtney Moore Currituck County Gabrielle Cole Davidson County Katelyn Gates Dacianna Grubert Davie County Scotty Bracken – Bracken Farms
Duplin County Brandon Martin Dustin & Jordan O’Neill – O’Neill Cattle Co. Brinkley Spearman Edgecombe County Rachel Cooper Harnett County Mackinley Melby Haywood County Chance Best – Rocking B Farms Kenneth L. Ferguson – K&N Ferguson Farm Brandon James Michael Leatherwood Chad Moody – M&M Farms Sean Simpkins Lucas Sorrells – Cold Mountain Angus Beef Edwin Warren Sam Warren Hertford County Wyatt Daly Hoke County David Carter – Ithaca Acres Johnston County Jason Gipe – NCSU CALS Sidney Gray Daniel Kornegay – DOK Farms Harley Parker Lee County Dylan Stacy Madison County Carolyn Bradley – Farm Retreat Ricky J. Reeves Martin County Ernie Coltrain – Circle C Farms
Nash County Doug Johnson – Doug Johnson Farms Onslow County Rochelle Perez Orange County Kirsten Wagoner Randolph County Rylee Schoefield Haley Searcy Casey York Richmond County Cameron Barrett – C4 Cattle Jason N. Mabe Robeson County Hailey Vickers Rockingham County Jerry Durham – Greenwood Farms Sampson County Robert Denning – Circle C Cattle Jenna Thornton Vance County Marshall Burwell – Greenview Farm Wayne County Andrew Ingram Kali Kasulis Ryan Parks – Parks Farms Inc. Ashleigh Stafford Wilson County Brian Keith Ingram – Jabri Farms Bryson Ingram – Turkey Creek Cattle & Meat Sales
Our breed Spotlight special sections are excellent forums to reach producers and cattle industry insiders in the Carolinas and throughout the Southeast. Advertisers also receive a special discount for placing their message in the Spotlight. PAGE 48
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 49
Three keys for successful beef cattle artificial insemination. Focus on factors like body condition score and estrus intensity for breeding season success. Breeding productivity with artificial insemination (A.I.) has come a long way on U.S. cattle ranches. Advancements in technology and research show improvements in breeding results and confidence in A.I. across the country. Use of A.I. rose four percent in the U.S. from 2007-2017, with 11.6 percent of beef operations implementing A.I. during 2017, according to the USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System’s (NAHMS) Beef survey reports from those years. “Using A.I. in your herd requires a long term approach,” says Clint Sexson, large herd specialist for All West Beef/ Select Sires. “The rewards may not be instantaneous, but a view toward the future can lead to gains in your overall herd management program.” In the western U.S., where Sexson breeds thousands of beef cattle each year, A.I. has more momentum than the national average; 13.6 percent of western operations use the breeding tactic. Sexson says successful A.I. takes a willingness to accept advice and adjust management strategies that work for your herd.
NEWS
Here are three keys to help set your A.I. breeding program up for success: Prepare year round for more pregnancies - It takes a year round focus to get cows and heifers ready for A.I., but it doesn’t require anything out of the ordinary, just good management principles. Start by having cattle in good body condition score (BCS). “As old as the concept of body condition scoring is, a lot of producers underestimate by a full body condition score,” says Sexson. “It’s super costly when a cow’s body condition score is too low because she won’t breed back in a timely manner.” Ideally, cows and heifers should be in an average BCS 4.5-6 year round. Following calving, they may dip below that mark, so plan to provide supplemental nutrition to set them up for breeding success. Good health also allows females to perform well reproductively. If you can coordinate vaccinations and deworming ahead of breeding, you will provide extra immune support so the body can focus on reproduction. The reproductive tract plays an integral role. For virgin heifers, taking
5 County Regional Beef Tour By MARTHA MOBLEY Franklin County will be hosting the popular 5 County Regional Beef Tour on June 21. I am very excited about what you, as a beef producer, will be able to learn from visiting three farms during the morning tour. Farms visited will be Springfield Angus (Southeast’s premier Angus breeder), Perry Cattle Farm (purebred Simmental and commercial cattle), and First Fruits Farm (cool and warm season forage test plot), along with lunch and trade show. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Franklin County Center, with the tour beginning at 8:00 a.m. Educational topics discussed along the tour will include “Tips for Direct Marketing your Beef,” “Fire Ant Update and Control,” “Fly Control in the Herd,” NRCS’s Rainfall Forage Simulator demonstration, and viewing a forage test plot. A sponsored ribeye steak sandwich with all the trimmings will be served at the last farm stop, First Fruits Farm. The tour should conclude around 1:30-2:00 p.m with door prizes. Everyone will carpool to the various sites. If you plan to attend, you should register using the following Eventbrite link at https://go.ncsu.edu/2022_5-county_beef_tour. There is no fee to participate in the tour. I can be reached at 919-496-3344 if you have questions. We look forward to seeing you.
PAGE 50
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
pelvic scores and rectally palpating the reproductive tract ahead of breeding can save time and money – allowing you to avoid spending resources on females that aren’t ready or won’t breed. Sexson recommends against A.I. for cows that have a tough time calving because their reproductive tracts might be damaged. Make sure to take note of any cows needing assistance during the calving season. Handling cattle using low stress techniques matters, too. “At the chute when breeding cattle, a technician can see and feel an obvious difference between cattle that have been mishandled and those that are handled carefully,” says Sexson. “Stressed or mishandled females won’t be easy to breed, and this can negatively affect breeding rates.” Breed using visual estrus detection The traditional method of estrus detection is to watch cattle mount one another and look for hair being rubbed on the backside. But there are existing tools to make this easier. Tools such as breeding indicator patches help visibly show estrus activity, so you can save time by not watching cattle all day. A breeding indicator patch helps identify when cattle are expressing high estrus intensity indicated by more mounting activity. As mounting activity occurs, the patch surface ink rubs off to expose a bright indicator color. Sexson routinely uses breeding indicator patches when A.I. breeding, and his preferred protocol is split time A.I. He applies breeding indicator patches after pulling CIDRs (controlled intravaginal drug release) and then observes the results 60 hours later. At this point, Sexson likes to see 55-65 percent of cattle expressing high estrus intensity by observing at least half of the surface ink rubbed off the patches. “If I wait another 12-18 hours, which would be 72-78 hours after applying the patches, estrus expression rises to 75-85 percent of the herd,” says Sexson. “That high level of estrus intensity across the herd drives up conception.” High estrus intensity occurs when at least 50 percent of the surface ink is rubbed off breeding indicator patches. Cattle can be bred with more success when estrus intensity is high. High estrus intensity also leads to fewer embryonic losses after breeding. Should patches have less than 50 percent of surface ink rubbed off, consider using cheaper straws of semen because the likelihood of pregnancy is reduced. “Using a breeding indicator patch in any breeding protocol is an insurance policy to let me know if anything might have gone wrong during the process and to better time breeding across the herd,”
says Sexson. Set realistic expectations, see economic returns - Getting 100 percent of the herd to settle and breed to first service A.I. is a lofty goal. However, it isn’t necessarily realistic. Having half the herd or more breed to A.I. is more in line with industry standards and is beneficial to overall herd profitability. “If you have 100 cows, and you want 50 percent of them calving the first ten days of the calving season, your bulls are not going to accomplish that,” says Sexson. “It’s not that the bulls can’t breed the cows. The cows just aren’t going to be set up in such a fashion that you’re going to get 50 percent of the calves in ten days.” Sexson says it’s possible to get 60 percent or 70 percent of the herd bred in the first 30 days with natural service if your management is good. With A.I., you can get 70 percent of the herd successfully bred on the first service. This puts you in position for most of your herd to calve in the first ten days. Front loading the calving season with A.I. helps raise weaning weights because the average age of calves rises. You can also reap the benefits of uniform calf crops at marketing to help benefit your bottom line. For more information on breeding indicator patches, visit ESTROTECT.com. About Estrotect. The Estrotect Breeding Indicator is the industry standard for optimizing cattle breeding efficiency and economics. With millions and millions of units sold around the world, Estrotect is the only breeding management tool tested in a multitude of university studies by industry researchers.
Don’t put your cart before your horse...advertise that sale ahead of time! You’ll see positive results.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 51
NCBA
President’s Report By DON SCHIEFELBEIN
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Our Similarities Are Stronger Than Our Differences A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom to meet with British officials and discuss the importance of bilateral trade between our countries. Great Britain is no longer part of the European Union (EU). It is seeking to establish its economic independence from Europe by pursuing trade agreements with allies like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada— but there is also a desire to strengthen the special relationship with the United States. Unfortunately, talks have lagged over the past year. Still, recent events in Ukraine have highlighted the need for both countries to work together to strengthen supply chains and address food security concerns through trade. In our meetings with Members of Parliament and British trade officials, many were surprised to learn that our industry is rooted in family farms and ranches. The
British perception of American agriculture is one of “factory farming.” Still, the reality is our average herd size is 43 head, and over 96 percent of cattle operations are family owned and operated. Similarly, there is also the perception that our cattle spend the majority of their lives on a corn-based diet. While corn has an important role to play in cattle feeding, our calves spend most of their lives on grass just like their British counterparts. I share these stories to illustrate that often our similarities are stronger than our differences. British cattle producers employ many of the same practices we do. They maintain small, family owned herds with initial feeding on grass followed by grain supplements. Likewise, British producers share our strong commitment to animal welfare. For us, the Beef Quality Assurance program provides training in low stress
West End Precast 276-228-5024 Wytheville, Virginia
8 ft Concrete Feed Bunks
U or J Bunks - $200 • Calf Bunks - $150
Water Troughs • Pads • Silo Sides Septic Tanks • Reservoirs PAGE 52
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
animal handling and livestock care, while the U.K. teaches their producers through a similar program called “Red Tractor.” The U.S. and U.K. both prioritize sustainable cattle and beef production. As America’s original conservationists, caring for our land is second nature. Along the way, cattle producers have improved efficiency and now produce 60 percent more beef per animal while reducing emissions by 40 percent per pound. Britain’s Ambassador to the U.S. previously highlighted NCBA’s producer developed sustainability goals as a particular item of interest. British consumers also care deeply about the sustainability of their food, and our sustainability story makes us a good fit for the British market. One of NCBA’s goals for 2022 is to increase producer profitability, and an
effective way to do that is by increasing your customer base abroad. As American cattle producers, we make a unique product. Our beef is the highest quality in the world and presents a unique flavor profile that consumers around the globe desire. Still, those who have never seen our production methods may have false ideas about how we raise our cattle. At NCBA, we are breaking down misconceptions about our industry and forging relationships to expand future trade opportunities for you. It was an honor sharing our story in the U.K., but it’s only possible because of your daily commitment to raising the highest quality cattle in the world. Thank you for the dedication you bring to the farming and ranching way of life, and thank you for your support of NCBA.
S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of APRIL 2022 Cattle Receipts: 9,407
•
Previous Month: 12,338
Feeder supply - 37% steers • 39% heifers • 24% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,494 Boner 1,225 Lean 973
$77.84 $79.14 $73.13
$104.95
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,631
Price
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $174.62 $736.90 450-500 469 $173.30 $812.78 500-550 514 $168.34 $865.27 550-600 571 $163.19 $931.81 600-650 626 $153.90 $963.41 650-700 668 $149.39 $997.93
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 421 $168.71 $710.27 450-500 474 $166.21 $787.84 500-550 519 $163.77 $849.97 550-600 567 $156.95 $889.91 600-650 618 $147.91 $914.08 650-700 663 $143.62 $952.20
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $145.80 $615.28 450-500 473 $145.44 $687.93 500-550 519 $143.52 $744.87 550-600 570 $138.78 $791.05 600-650 614 $131.45 $807.10 650-700 665 $124.92 $830.72
Source: S.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Columbia, S.C. - 803-737-4491
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 53
PAGE 54
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
A Message from the CEO By COLIN WOODALL
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Beef Month!
All it takes is one whiff of beef on the grill to bring a smile to your face and get those taste buds watering. As the weather starts to warm up, Americans are getting the patio furniture ready and the grills cleaned up, so they can have that very experience. May was Beef Month, and our consumers know that summer grilling season is close at hand. This is a big month for us in the beef business because not only do we own the whole month, but we also celebrate both National Brisket Day and National Beef Burger Day on May 28. While we all need to pause each Memorial Day to remember and honor those who gave their lives to protect this country, we also know that America will be outside that weekend sharing beef with friends and family. Grilling season is when we get to remind consumers that we are in the fun business. From graduation parties to the 4th of July and on to Labor Day, every weekend belongs to us. For a moment, forget all the serious challenges we are facing and remember that fun is being had cooking beef around the grill in
all 50 states and around the globe. That is something we can take pride in. Even with today’s economic challenges, we are still the premier protein choice among consumers. As those grills warm up, we see the pandemic fueled change of cooking at home remains strong. Fortunately, we are also seeing recovery in the restaurant sector, and some of that is due to the bridge between home and restaurant in the form of online meal ordering. Checkoff funded research revealed that a staggering 81 percent of Americans have ordered a meal online, with a quarter of them doing it weekly. That is an amazing statistic, but online ordering is not limited to prepared meals. Online grocery sales are wildly popular, and there are many consumers who have not stepped foot in a brick-and-mortar grocery store in almost two years. The online grocery trend has been around for many years, but out of sheer necessity, it picked up steam during the pandemic. That necessity turned into a desire for the convenience of having
somebody else either make their food or pick it out for them. As a proud contractor to the Beef Checkoff, our team has been working diligently to find ways to capitalize on the online food ordering wave. E-commerce has provided us with several opportunities to promote beef, make life easier for our customers, and increase sales. You can find one of our strategies on beefitswhatsfordinner.com. When you search the recipe database and find one that is irresistible, you will see a button with a drawing of a shopping cart and the words “Get Ingredients.” Click that button, and the ingredients for that recipe will load into the website for your local grocery store. Just a few more clicks to checkout, and the makings of an impressive beef eating experience are on their way. We also found tremendous success with Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. banner ads on store websites like Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, and more. The results of these promotions speak for themselves. This time last year, we partnered with Sam’s Club for a “Kickoff to Summer Grilling” campaign where every Checkoff dollar we spent in advertising resulted in
$34.36 worth of beef being sold. In other e-commerce promotions, we saw close to 8 percent of the online sales come from customers who had never purchased beef online before. Not only are we selling more beef, but we are helping customers try a new way of buying it. One of my favorite campaigns was with DoorDash and McDonald’s. DoorDash is a popular food delivery app where you can order from your favorite restaurant and have it delivered to your door. Over the course of just five days, this campaign increased beef hamburger sales by 22 percent. Even more exciting is that we drove down chicken sales by 5 percent. That is success, no matter how you deliver it. These are all examples of your Checkoff dollars at work, and we are thrilled to be able to show you how your Checkoff funded programs are changing with the times and delivering measurable results. So, as you catch that whiff from the grill or the delivery from your favorite hamburger joint, remember that the cooking of a boneless, skinless chicken breast does not elicit the same feeling of fun that beef does.
LIVESTOCK VIDEO AUCTION - Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
SOUTHEAST LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE Waynesville, NC
John Queen: 828-421-3446 SELEXvideo@gmail.com • www.selex-video.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 55
Meet the NCCA Interns Many of you met our interns at the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Conference in February. We’d like to formally introduce Ace Murray and Gerald Conrad and give a little background information describing their interest in the beef industry. We are proud to have these excellent students on our team.
meats to not only provide for the family but for those in the community. As eager as I am, my goal is to produce a high quality product. As a young and upcoming farmer and rancher, the diversification of our operation plays a big part in our farm’s success. We now
Amryn “Ace” Murray In 2017, I found my passion for agriculture at N.C. State University and N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University, where I obtained four associate’s degrees in agriculture and am currently working to obtain my bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management. In the field of agriculture, I have been able to foster my commitment to giving back to the land and community by raising a homegrown product from start to finish. I’m a third generation farmer and rancher. I am excited to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps as he raised local
PAGE 56
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
focus not only on livestock and meat production, but we also offer quality hay grown and baled locally and livestock and land management services to the community. I am a passionate producer and a huge advocate for BEEF! The N.C. Cattlemen’s Association has granted me a wonderful opportunity to network and continue to promote and advocate for the beef brand and lifestyle. I can’t stress enough the importance of understanding why beef is just so important, not only locally, but at a national level. I look forward to learning and growing from the wonderful mentors within the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. I am excited to continue to do the work I have been blessed to love as an intern with the NCCA. EAT BEEF! Gerald Conrad Hey! My name is Gerald Conrad, and I am the other NCCA intern. I graduated from N.C. State University’s Ag Institute
this spring and will be returning to the four year ag science program in the fall. Through the Ag Institute, after investigating a few other industries, I discovered my passion lies within the cattle industry. I grew up helping my dad with his small trucking company and working on my family’s cut flower farm in Cary, North Carolina. I enjoyed helping in both career
fields thoroughly, but upon taking the beef management class at N.C. State, I knew the beef industry was where I belonged. After getting more involved in the cattle industry, it amazes me to see how so many outstanding individuals work hard doing what they love every day to feed America. Along with interning for the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, I am in the process of working to reestablish the N.C. State Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association. I also work at N.C. State’s
Beef Educational Unit and am working towards founding my own farm, SunsetAcres. Through this, I hope to become a first generation sheep and cattle farmer with the help of my family. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as your N.C. Cattlemen’s Association intern. I look forward to hopefully meeting and expanding my knowledge of agriculture through everyone reading this if I have not already!
You shouldn’t have to have a gun held to your head to take advantage of the expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies featured in the Classifieds in this issue!
Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Prevention for Agricultural Producers By MARION BARNES Clemson University Introduction - Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a growing concern for farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners as they go about their daily activities. Agricultural related noises have the potential to cause hearing loss if proper precautions are not taken. Although gradual hearing loss is common as you get older, noise induced hearing loss can occur at any age. Hearing loss can develop gradually from prolonged exposure to continuous noise or single exposure to loud noise. Noise induced hearing loss is painless, progressive, and permanent but also preventable. Numerous noise sources are common on many farms, including tractors, combines, machinery, grain dryers and augers, small engines, shop tools, chainsaws, lawnmowers, livestock, and firearms. Continuous sounds above 85 decibels or higher are considered hazardous. Farm youths are also at risk for noise induced hearing loss. Almost 50 percent of farm youths show signs of hearing loss compared to nonfarm youths. Hearing loss at high frequencies is the most common, and parents and youths should learn about the hazards of NIHL and reduce noise exposure on the farm. Hearing loss at a young age can interfere with communication and learning because speech and listing abilities are still developing. Be a positive role model for our youths by setting the example and wearing hearing protection when needed. How sound damages your ears - Loud noise can lead to physical and psychological stress, interfere with communication, reduce productivity, and lead to injuries on the farm due to failure to hear warnings signals. The sound is measured in decibels, designated as dB(A), using a decibel meter tool. This tool is used to determine when noise exceeds safe levels. The National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) has
developed a sound level meter (SLM) app for download on iSO devices, available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html. Exposure to loud noise can damage sensitive structures in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss. Loud noise is particularly damaging to cells and membranes of the inner ear (cochlea). Prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage or destroy hair cells called stereocilia leading to permanent hearing loss. In addition to damaging these hair cells, loud noise can damage the auditory nerve that transmits information about sound to the brain. The damaging effects of loud noise tend to build up over time, leading to permanent noise induced hearing loss. How to protect your hearing Protecting your hearing begins with understanding how much sound (noise) is too much and limiting exposure to hazardous levels. With the proper use of hearing protection devices (HPDs), noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) can be prevented. These devices provide a barrier between the sound (noise) and the ear or absorb sound waves before they enter the ear. Personal protection for hearing comes in two basic styles, earplugs and earmuffs, each with advantages and disadvantages. Earplugs are designed to fit into the outer ear opening and may be disposable or reusable. Earplugs are often the most cost effective hearing protection and may be more comfortable to wear over long periods, especially in hot environments. Earmuffs usually offer more excellent protection (higher noise reduction ratings), are easier to use, but may become uncomfortable after prolonged use. All hearing protection has noise reduction ratings (NRR), a measure of the amount of hearing protection a device (plugs or muffs in this case) can reduce noise exposure. NRR for plugs and muffs usually runs
between 15-33 decibels. Choose the hearing protection with the highest NRR value that is comfortable for you. NRR ratings are derived under laboratory conditions and do not account for “real world” conditions; therefore, actual noise reduction may be reduced due to improper fit. How loud is too loud on the farm? Farm equipment and the farm environment can be pretty noisy. If you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone three feet away from you, noise levels are potentially harmful, and hearing protection is needed. Tractors, machinery, and livestock confinement areas are common sources of loud noise. Continuous noise over 85 decibels is considered hazardous, and hearing protection should be worn in these environments. The louder the noise, the less exposure time it takes before damage to your hearing can occur. For example, a tractor at idle speeds may produce noise levels around 85 decibels, but the same tractor at work (full throttle) may produce noise levels at or above 100 decibels. Having the radio on in the tractor’s cab can increase noise levels by 3-5 decibels. On average, cabs can reduce noise levels by 16 decibels, but this is reduced by half when the door is left open. Older tractor cabs tend to be 6 decibels louder than new ones. Estimated noise levels for some common types of farm equipment and hand tools include chainsaws (115 plus dB), rotary cutters (89 dB), hay balers (75-90 dB), ATVs (90 dB), riding lawn mowers (95-100 dB), 12-gauge shotgun blast (135 -139dB), and air compressors (75-95 dB). Knowing the noise levels of the tools or farm equipment you operate will help you select the appropriate hearing protection. Preventive measures - Protecting your hearing begins with recognizing hazards and taking steps to eliminate
them or limit exposure. Strategies for reducing harmful noise levels include noise reduction, noise isolation, personal protection, and administrative controls. • Noise reduction - in farm equipment can be achieved in several ways and is often related to proper maintenance. Worn, loose or unbalanced machine parts can increase noise levels. Adequate maintenance, including lubricating bearings and replacing parts, often reduces friction and reduce noise levels. Replacing old or worn mufflers may also reduce noise levels as well. • Noise isolation – working on motorized equipment with cabs or enclosures will reduce noise exposure. Noise not eliminated by engineering designs can be controlled by hearing protection devices or altered work schedules. • Since purchasing newer, quieter equipment is not always an option, hearing protection devices are used in noisy situations. Earmuffs usually offer more protection. Earplugs are another good option but require proper insertion to be effective. • Administration - reducing exposure time by rotating job duties in high noise environments to give your ears a rest from noise is helpful. If you or an employee have hearing loss, avoid working in noisy environments if possible. Hearing is one of our most important senses; it facilitates communication with others and serves as a warning of hazardous situations we may face on the farm. Noise induced hearing loss is painless, progressive, permanent, and preventive. Educate yourself, your family, and employees about noise induced hearing loss hazards. Remember, hearing safety is part of farm safety! For more information on farm safety, contact your local Cooperative Extension office.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 57
Kylie Patterson Shifts Roles at BioZyme Inc. Kylie Patterson of Columbia, Mo., has been named the Marketing Brand Manager – Show Livestock for BioZyme Inc. She comes to this role after having started with the company as the Missouri Area Sales Manager. As the Marketing Brand Manager – Show Livestock – Patterson will promote the Sure Champ brand across all show species, continue to create ways to educate young people about livestock, and help them #PreptoWin, both in the show ring and in life through leadership focused outreach efforts. She will manage the Sure Champ presence at national shows, work to build brand awareness, and coordinate outreach efforts like the summer internship program. “Sure Champ is about prepping to win in the show ring AND life. The life part is very important to BioZyme, and there is literally no one better than Kylie to carry that vision to the next level,”
PAGE 58
NEWS
said Lisa Norton, BioZyme President and Interim Director of Marketing & Regulatory. Patterson’s livestock experiences make her an ideal fit for her new role. She grew up near San Antonio, Tex., raising and showing Brahman cattle and showing steers. She attended both Blinn College and Oklahoma State University, where she won high individual in both the junior and senior college national livestock judging contests at the North American. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State and assisted with a successful livestock judging program at Texas A&M while working toward her master’s. “I am so excited for the opportunity to work with young people and help them reach their potential while promoting the Sure Champ line of products for their livestock,” Patterson said. Look for Patterson and other BioZyme staff, including the Sure Champ summer interns, at shows this summer. To
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
learn more about Sure Champ, visit www. surechamp.com. About BioZyme Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements
for a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include Amaferm®, VitaFerm®, Vita Charge®, Sure Champ®, Vitalize ®, DuraFerm ®, and Backyard Boost®. With headquarters in St. Joseph, 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.
NCBA News
Cattle Industry Opposition to Government Mandate Amplified Through Senate Hearing. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry recently held a hearing to discuss transparency and oversight within cattle marketing, specifically the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act (S.4030) and additional oversight through the Office of the Special Investigator (S.3870). The hearing has been preceded by months of debate over the need for increased transparency in cattle marketing. The recent conversation highlighted the vehement opposition to government mandates by a majority of U.S. cattle producers. “The majority of cattle producers have made it clear that one-size-fitsall solutions, such as the government mandate on cattle sales included in the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act, is not the solution the industry is looking for,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “What is being proposed right now concentrates on what works for one region, it simply doesn’t work for the rest of the country.” Kansas Livestock Association and NCBA member Shawn Tiffany testified in opposition to a government mandate as it could potentially result in fewer marketing opportunities and less incentive for producers to invest in genetics and innovative production techniques that lead to higher quality beef. “Every producer wants fair market value for the animals we raise and produce, and many of us achieve that true value through value based alternative marketing arrangements. Accordingly, I do not support a government mandate of any kind,” said Tiffany. “Regardless of how well intentioned the concept of helping producers obtain fair market value for their animals, the end result will be fewer marketing options for U.S. producers.” As the trusted leader and definitive voice of the U.S. cattle and beef industry, NCBA stands committed to turning the focus to solutions with broad industry support, such as a cattle contract library, 14 day delivery, expedited carcass weight reporting, daily formula base price reporting, and incentives for expansion of regional processing capacity.
NCBA President Urges Congress to Adopt Broadly Supported Cattle Market Policies. Recently, NCBA President Don Schiefelbein, a Minnesota cattle producer, testified before the House Agriculture Committee in a hearing on issues in the cattle markets. Schiefelbein urged House members to support key policies with broad, unified support across the entire cattle industry, including a cattle contract library, Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) reauthorization, and investments in small regional processing capacity expansion. “The only people who know exactly how cattle producers should navigate these uncertain times are the individuals who work around the clock, day in and day out, to raise the safest and highest quality beef in the world — in other words: cattle producers,” said Schiefelbein. Schiefelbein’s testimony was rooted in the policies adopted by NCBA through its century old grassroots policymaking process. Instead of focusing on controversial matters, NCBA has encouraged Congress to support policies with wide industry backing. “Broadly supported proposals have seen tremendous legislative success in this chamber recently,” said Schiefelbein. “However, repeatedly belaboring the same divisive issues has detracted from that collaborative work to the benefit of no one. It is time to move on and focus on areas where agreement can be reached.” NCBA stands ready to work with policymakers to develop solutions that strengthen the cattle markets and benefit producers in every sector and region of the country. Background - NCBA is advocating for numerous policies with unified industry backing that address critical issues in the cattle markets. Programs like the Cattle Contract Library and LMR provide critical market information to cattle farmers and ranchers, helping them make more informed business decisions. To expand processing capacity and return leverage to the side of the producer, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has pledged $1 billion of investments in launching and expanding small to medium sized processing plants.
NCBA is working with USDA to target those investments in the most effective way. Previously, NCBA secured the introduction of the Butcher Block Act to establish loan and grant programs for new processing facilities. NCBA is also the leading voice for oversight of the meatpacking sector and has called for the swift competition of a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into possible anti-competitive practices by the big meatpackers. NCBA is the oldest and largest national trade association representing U.S. cattle and beef producers. Through a network of 44 state affiliate organizations, NCBA represents 175,000 cattle farmers and ranchers, in addition to over 26,000 direct members. NCBA Blasts Overreaching, Political Special Investigator Bill. Recently, NCBA condemned the unfunded and duplicative Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022, which was marked up recently by the House Agriculture Committee. “Cattle producers strongly support effective oversight of the meatpacking sector, but the special investigator bill does nothing to accomplish that goal. Rather than focusing on adequate staffing and funding for the woefully under resourced Packers and Stockyards Division at USDA, this hasty proposal was rushed through the legislative process without consideration of the confusing bureaucratic mess it would create. Arming USDA with unchecked subpoena and
prosecutorial power while significantly undercutting the Department of Justice’s role in the process is poor practice,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. The special investigator bill would create a new position in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with immense prosecutorial and subpoena power. To comply with this legislation, USDA would be forced to divert resources from other mission critical areas of the Agricultural Marketing Service, stealing resources from the essential programs cattle producers rely on every day. “The vote on this bill comes at a time when producers are facing record inflation, soaring input costs, labor shortages, and ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities. Congress should be working to address these pressing issues that are cutting into producers’ profitability,” said Lane. NCBA expressed its opposition to the bill in a letter to the leadership of the House Agriculture Committee. 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.
Be a winner! Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association! The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 59
Two Veterinarians Talk Calf Care. Young calves continue to dot fields across the country as we immerse into calving season. To help offer young calves a healthy start, Valley Vet Supply Technical Service Veterinarians Tony Hawkins, DVM, and Ray Shultz, DVM, shared some tips. Dr. Hawkins - Umbilical infections are a real thing, and so are scours. These are two of the more immediate risks a newborn calf may be up against. To best prevent navel infections, immediately tie off the umbilical cord with a suture line to prevent bacteria from traveling up and building into the bloodstream. Cut it two to three inches from the body, and then disinfect the stump with iodine or navel care solution. I will mention, though, that if you’re not able to do it immediately, clamping or tying off can actually do more harm than good. This is because if there’s already contamination, you could be sealing in the bacteria. I recommend suturing or clamping off the navel within a 6-12 hour window. Signs of an umbilical cord infection can include: • Umbilical stump feels larger than the size of your pinky finger • Lethargy • Unwillingness to stand and/or nurse • Hypothermia • Scouring diarrhea stress response Scours is one of the gravest challenges affecting young calves. Symptoms include calf diarrhea and watery stool, weakness, reluctance to stand or nurse, and sunken eyes. If calves experience an early scours case, there are effective antibody products that can be given immediately following birth to help them overcome it. We also can vaccinate them simultaneously to help stimulate their own protection. If they’re dealing with Clostridium perfringens scours, then we can provide calves with antiserum at birth that provides three weeks of protection. Scours causes damage in the intestines and gut, and it can take up to ten days for those calves to heal up from that and normalize stool consistency. Spreading cattle out onto clean ground during calving will minimize their exposure to those pathogens (an approach known as the Sandhills Calving System). If you have the space, then that’s your best prevention for scours. Have some prescription antibiotics
PAGE 60
NEWS
on hand in case you need to treat your calves for an umbilical infection or scours, but make sure antibiotic treatment is absolutely necessary. Talk with your veterinarian to learn more and be prepared should you experience any trouble. Dr. Hawkins - Check right away for calf vitality. You really want that calf to be able to stand up and start nursing within ten minutes. If the calf is sluggish to stand, either due to a difficult birth or environmental conditions, then we need to be intervening, administering colostrum replacers, and helping him to stand and nurse on his own. To help prevent dehydration, it’s a good idea to have electrolyte packets on hand in case your calves start scouring or do not want to nurse. Dr. Shultz - During springtime, take steps to prevent summer pneumonia. I’ve always thought of summer pneumonia being related to the antibody levels from the colostrum dropping below protective levels, usually when the calf is three months or so old. By ingesting quality colostrum, calves absorb maternal antibodies that initiate a strong immune system early in life; however, this immunity deteriorates as the calf gets older, making vaccinations vital. Vaccines sensitize and train the calf’s immune system to recognize and fight these viruses and bacteria when encountered. Summer pneumonia often coincides with the farmer stockman being very busy with hay and other crops, so they are unable to watch calves as closely. This can make summer pneumonia seem like a sudden disaster because the first thing they may see is a severely sick or even a dead calf. Signs of summer pneumonia can include: • Droopy ears • Sluggish demeanor • Extended neck • Rapid breathing • Nasal discharge To help prevent summer pneumonia risk, vaccinate calves prior to sending to pasture with a modified live virus vaccine combined with Pasteurella pneumonia. Dr. Shultz - Implement strategies to shield against pinkeye. Warm weather spurs development and transmission of Moraxella bovis, the primary infectious agent of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), more commonly known as pinkeye. Signs of
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
pinkeye can include mild eye irritation with tears, ulceration of the cornea, severe inflammation, vision loss, and decreased time grazing – to name just a few. Face flies are known to transmit bacteria from animal to animal, escalating especially during late spring and summer. An intensive fly control program is essential, among other best management practices like vaccinating against pinkeye, clipping tall grass heads to avoid eye irritation in the pastures, and minimizing dust in hay and feed bunks. As it relates to fly control methods, consider what is the most practical to implement in your operation. If your herd interaction is infrequent due to time, distance, or pasture size, your approach may differ from a producer whose cattle are nearby and easily accessible.
Visit ValleyVet.com to learn more about cattle health. About Valley Vet Supply. Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians to provide customers with the very best animal health solutions. Building on over half a century of experience in veterinary medicine, Valley Vet Supply serves equine, pet, and livestock owners with thousands of products and medications hand selected by Valley Vet Supply Technical Service veterinarians and a team of industry professionals. With an in-house pharmacy that is licensed in all 50 states, and verified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), Valley Vet Supply is the dedicated source for all things horse, livestock, and pet. For more information, please visit ValleyVet.com.
UPDATE Online Modules Now Available for Calf Care and Quality Assurance Program. Farmers and ranchers raising calves now have access to the free Calf Care and Quality Assurance (CCQA) program online at www. calfcareqa.org. CCQA promotes a way of thinking that prompts calf raisers to approach management decisions with thoughtfulness and an appreciation for the responsibility they have to their animals, consumers, the environment, and the broader cattle industry in the United States. “Healthy calves are the cornerstone of every beef, dairy, and veal facility,” said Trey Patterson, Wyo., rancher and chair of the Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Group. “Committing to calf health management is the right thing to do for calves, producers and consumers, and completing CCQA’s online modules is an easy way to demonstrate that commitment.” The program was developed with an understanding of the diversity of calf raising enterprises, being science and outcomes based while maintaining facility type and size neutrality. While the practices identified in the animal care reference manual are not the only practices that can meet the desired outcomes, the program provides a
framework that serves as a resource for anyone working in the calf raising industry. In addition to the manual, online modules, and self assessment tools, CCQA will release an audit tool later this year. Completion of the CCQA online modules provides certification equivalent to Beef Quality Assurance certification. Certification through CCQA helps ensure optimal calf health and welfare and is the first collaborative educational tool that provides guidelines for calf raisers. The CCQA program is a joint initiative led by NCBA’s Beef Checkoff funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program and the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program, managed by the National Milk Producer’s Federation (NMPF) with support from the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association. The Beef Checkoff funded Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program. “Certification programs such as CCQA establish guidelines and standards that help earn the public’s trust, demonstrating that beef and dairy producers share their values and are committed not only to quality animal care, but also to ensuring safe, wholesome meat and milk,” said Patterson. For more information, visit www. calfcareqa.org.
Beef Promotion and Research Program
PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM Information is required by (7 CRF 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential (7 CRF 1260.203).
Today’s Date: ________________ Seller’s Name: ____________________________
Buyer’s Name: ____________________________
Address: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______
Seller’s Signature: _________________________
Buyer’s Signature: _________________________
Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Beef Promotion & Research Board.
Total Number of Cattle Sold: ___________________ x $1.50 Per Head = $ _______________________ Date of Sale: __________________
Person remitting assessment form:
Seller
o
Buyer
o
* State of Origin of Cattle: ______________________ * If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.
Send Report and Remittance to:
SOUTH CAROLINA BEEF COUNCIL P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.8 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disbility, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or protected genetic information. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 61
NEWS
Zoetis Supports Families of America’s Military Heroes With $122,000 Donation. Folds of Honor receives first quarter donation from Zoetis. Representatives from Zoetis presented the company’s first donation to Folds of Honor yesterday to help support the work of the nonprofit in honoring America’s heroes. Based in Owasso, Okla., Folds of Honor provides academic scholarships to the families of men and women who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Zoetis made this donation to Folds of Honor based on each bottle of select Zoetis products purchased by beef and dairy producers from across the country during the first quarter of the year. Jared Shriver, senior vice president of U.S. Cattle and Pork at Zoetis, presented a donation of $122,000 to Ben Leslie, executive vice president of development for Folds of Honor, during a ceremony on May 11. “Zoetis is grateful for the continued support of our customers. Through this donation, we are able to help fund scholarship programs for the families of the heroes that help protect our rights and freedoms as Americans,” Shriver said. During the check presentation ceremony, Folds of Honor announced Kaycee Moyer of Muskogee, Okla., as a scholarship recipient. Kaycee is a freshman at Oklahoma State University and majoring in pre-veterinary science and animal science. During high school, Kaycee served as president of the National Honor Society and captain of the color guard. She is on the leadership team with Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Oklahoma State. Accepting the scholarship on her behalf was Kaycee’s dad, Chad Moyer. Moyer, a retired Army National Guard sergeant, enlisted in the military at age 31 following the 9/11 terrorist
Don’t get caught napping!
Deadline is 5th of month prior to issue!
PAGE 62
attacks. He worked as an infantryman during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in action, as well as an Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Army Good Conduct Medal and many other awards and decorations. Sgt. Moyer continues to serve the community through his work for the Tulsa Police Department. “It is an honor to fund the future dreams of students like Kaycee Moyer and recognize the dedicated and selfless service of her father, Chad Moyer,” Shriver said. Folds of Honor was founded in 2007 by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot who served three combat tours of duty in Iraq. Folds of Honor is proud to have awarded nearly 35,000 scholarships in all 50 states. “The support of Zoetis allows us to continue providing more life changing educational opportunities for the families of our military heroes,” said Leslie with Folds of Honor. Zoetis is committed to supporting the legacy of leaders in agriculture and communities across the United States. Zoetis will donate $1 per bottle of sales of select cattle anti-infectives through December 31 to Folds of Honor. Qualifying products are Draxxin (tulathromycin injection) Injectable Solution, Draxxin KP (tulathromycin and ketoprofen injection) Injectable Solution, Excede (ceftiofur crystalline free acid) Sterile Suspension and Excenel RTU EZ (ceftiofur hydrochloride) Sterile Suspension. For more information about Folds of Honor, visit www.foldsofhonor. org. If you would like to learn more about how Zoetis will support Folds of Honor in 2022, contact your local Zoetis representative or visit www.zoetisus.com/ misc/folds-of-honor-faq.aspx. About Zoetis. As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After 70 years of innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide, from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $7.8 billion in 2021 with approximately 12,100 employees. For more information, visit zoetis.com.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
N.C. BCIP Bull Test 2022 Consignments This is an exciting time for fall calving seedstock producers. Bull calves are being weaned, processed, and evaluated for their value as breeding cattle. The N.C. BCIP Bull Testing program offers producers the opportunity to evaluate their cattle for post weaning performance. Now is the time to review the 2022 Rules and Regulations for this program to determine if your cattle would meet the requirements. Nomination forms will be mailed to previous consignors or are available online at https://beef. ces.ncsu.edu/beef-bull-test/. This year’s nomination forms have been updated to make data submission easier. If you wish to consign a bull(s) to the Butner Bull Test and/or the Waynesville Bull Test and have not received the information, please contact your county extension livestock agent or call Johnny Rogers at 336-504-
7268 to request the information. The table below lists the 2022 Bull Testing Schedule. Study it carefully to make sure your bulls are on schedule to meet testing regulations. The 2022 health protocol for bulls is being reviewed. Please refer to the NCSU Beef Portal for updates at https://beef.ces.ncsu.edu/beef-bull-test/. Bulls will need to have an 840 HDX Electronic Identification tag when they are delivered to the bull test. Bull development costs will be higher this year due to commodity markets and rising input costs. N.C. BCIP will make every effort to control costs without affecting bull performance. If you have questions, please call Johnny Rogers at the N.C. BCIP office at 919-515-4027 or 336-504-7268. We look forward to working with you and having another successful season in 2022.
2022 Test Schedules for Bull Test Stations 8/15/21 through 11/15/21
8/1/21 through 11/15/21
May 25
May 11
June 15
June 1
June 15
June 1
July 6
June 22
July 18 & 19
July 5 & 6
September 12
August 30
October 11
September 27
September 14
August 31
November 7 & 8
October 24 & 25
December 16, 2022
December 3, 2021
**In case of inclement weather, you may call 919-515-4027 after noon on the day before the sale to get a recorded message about the tentative status of the sale. Call the same number after 7:00 a.m. on the sale day to get a message on the definite status of the sale.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 63
NEWS
Sustainable food systems, influencer engagement, and farm security among topics covered at 2022 Summit. First in-person Summit since 2019 brings diverse group of stakeholders to Kansas City. The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently wrapped up its 2022 Stakeholders Summit, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here.” The dynamic event, which returned to an in-person format for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, brought together a diverse audience of over 260 attendees to Kansas City, Mo., and included an additional 125 registered virtual attendees. Speakers covered topics including environmental stewardship, food equity, influencer engagement, and animal rights extremism.
PAGE 64
Jack Bobo, CEO of Futurity, kicked off the Summit in a keynote session, opening attendees’ minds to consider if animal agriculture can save the planet. Bobo discussed beliefs that the food system is broken, which he said stem from issues with food security and equity. He countered that if things are broken, that usually means they were better in the past. In the case of our food system, he stated, “Things are not bad and getting worse; things are good and getting better – just not fast enough.” Bobo finished with, “If we get it right, agriculture can, in fact, save the planet.” Registered dietitian and author Diana Rodgers touched on the food system as well in her session on sustainable nutrition. Diana highlighted the importance of meat, milk, poultry,
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
and eggs in a nutritious diet as they are high quality protein sources and provide essential nutrients that would be hard to replace if these foods were removed from our plates. Rodgers added that we cannot take meat away from people who depend on it for their nutrition or food security. Influencer engagement, which has been a growing trend used to reach more people through partnerships and collaborations with those who have already developed a strong following and community, was discussed by several speakers as a way to more effectively communicate messages about sustainability, animal welfare, and other hot topics. Former Google executive Steve Lerch of Story Arc Consulting said if you’re not front and center on the platforms consumers care about, they will find somewhere else to get their information. Some of the tips he shared to achieve more influence were to “pay attention to the things your targets are paying attention to” and take advantage of trends in pop culture. In a panel of farmer influencers,
speakers stressed the importance of all types of advocacy efforts in bridging the communication gap. “There is no one right way to do advocacy,” said Brandi Buzzard, Kansas cattle rancher, and social media influencer. Speakers encouraged attendees to not be afraid to try something new as long as they don’t put down their fellow advocates while doing it. Speakers shared sentiments that doing so creates division between fellow advocates and turns customers off to animal agriculture as a whole. Tying into the Alliance’s mission of safeguarding the future of animal agriculture, Thursday morning’s sessions highlighted how we can do just that. On a panel about trends in activism and security resources, Rebecca Morgan of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center told attendees, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure…the most effective measures are often the simplest and least expensive.” Cybersecurity advisor Andrew Rose added that it’s important to remember even the most well thought out plans will
have holes in them but running through them in advance can help you identify those weak points. In a legal and legislative update session, experts discussed some of the primary issues on the docket and what attendees can do to help. California Proposition 12 and Massachusetts Question 3 were among the issues mentioned. Attorney Brianna Schroeder of Janzen Schroeder Agricultural Law said, “What’s happening on the west coast moves east… stay active and stay in communication with your local legislators.” Tricia Sheehan of Dairy Management Inc. and Iowa Soybean Association’s Aaron Putze rounded out the Summit. Sheehan led a crisis communications interactive workshop, which included a realistic and unexpected protest scenario. Sheehan’s team mimicked common tactics used by animal rights extremist organizations to get attendees to consider what they would do in a similar scenario. Sheehan walked through the important components of a crisis communications plan and allowed attendees to put it into practice with an interactive example. In his closing keynote, Putze encouraged the audience to take what they’ve learned in the Summit sessions and apply it moving forward with a “mindset relationship.” “What we do matters, but more importantly, it’s how we do it that matters,” he said. Putze recommended prioritizing what’s important over what’s urgent with a focus on being courteous, treating others with dignity, and treating others with respect. A highlights report with key takeaways and quotes from each session will be available soon at www. animalagalliance.org. Save the date for the 2023 Summit slated for May 4-5 in Arlington, Virginia! Stay tuned to #AAA23 for updates. Thank you to our 2022 Summit sponsors: Watt Global Media, Farm Journal, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Smithfield, National Pork Board, Tyson Foods Inc., American Feed Industry Association, United Soybean Board, Elanco, Mountaire Farms, United Egg Producers, Dairy MAX, Farm Credit, The Partnership, Adisseo, Cobb Vantress Inc., Protect the Harvest, Progressive Dairy, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Kemin, American Farm Bureau Federation, Empirical, American Veal Association, National Chicken Council, Trans Ova Genetics, Vivayic, Agri Beef, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Live Oak Bank, N.C. Farm Bureau, and Eggland’s Best. The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued
support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Merck Animal Health, C.O.nxt, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, JBS, Kanas Soybean Commission, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America Inc., and Seaboard Foods. Abby Kornegay joins Animal Agriculture Alliance as manager, issues and engagement. Emily Solis promoted to manager, communications and content. The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently hired Abby Kornegay as manager, issues and engagement. Kornegay assumed her new role on May 9. In this role, Kornegay is responsible for shaping the Alliance’s issues management and crisis communications strategy. Kornegay joins the Alliance team from her previous role as animal care program manager for Butterball, LLC. She managed the organization’s industry leading animal care and well being program, directed innovative strategies within their biosecurity program, and worked closely with auditing organizations for both welfare and marketing program audits. Kornegay also brings experience in project management, leadership, and public relations. Prior to her work at Butterball, LLC, Kornegay held several internships within the animal agriculture community, including working with large animal veterinarians and research farm positions at North Carolina State University. Kornegay is originally from upstate New York. Her passion for agriculture comes from her family and growing up in the restaurant business. She worked with food and local farmers from an early age, sparking her interest in agriculture. In college, she was a member of Alpha Zeta - Professional Agricultural Fraternity. “We’re thrilled to welcome Abby to the Alliance team as our manager, issues and engagement,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO. “Abby is well versed in issues and crisis management and will serve as a great addition to the organization. Her background in animal welfare and poultry will add to the strengths of the team and allow us to better serve our diverse membership and the animal agriculture community.” Kornegay holds a B.S. and M.A.S. in animal science from N.C. State University. She currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition to Kornegay joining the Alliance’s small but mighty team,
Emily Solis was promoted to manager, communications and content, effective May 1. In this new role, Solis is tasked with shaping the organization’s brand and proactive communications strategy. “Emily has been an incredible asset to the Alliance team and has helped make our communications efforts, including our social media strategy, Annual Report and Sustainability Impact Report, more professional and effective,” said Thompson-Weeman. “This well deserved promotion comes in recognition of her commitment to excellence, and I’m excited to see what more she is able to accomplish for animal agriculture in her new role.” Solis joined the Alliance as
communications specialist in 2020. She holds a B.S. in animal science from the University of Maryland and currently resides in east Tennessee. About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
Carolina Cooking Beef French Dip with Au Jus Total Time - 4 hours 3 pounds beef brisket flat half 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 large sweet onions, cut into ¼ inch slices 2 cups reduced sodium beef broth 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce 1 package (1¼ ounces) dry onion soup mix 1 teaspoon minced garlic 8-10 French rolls, split, toasted Sliced provolone or Swiss cheese (optional) Cut beef brisket flat Half into 3-4 pieces. Heat oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Place beef brisket in stockpot; brown pieces evenly. Remove brisket from stockpot; set aside. Add onions to stockpot; cook on low heat for 18-22 minutes until lightly caramelized, stirring occasionally. Add broth, soy sauce, soup mix, and garlic. Return brisket to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer for 2½-3 hours or until brisket is fork tender. Cook’s Tip: Beef brisket can be cooked, covered, in an oven preheated to 325°F for 2½-3 hours or until brisket is fork tender. Remove brisket; keep warm. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Carve brisket against the grain into very thin slices. Divide brisket evenly among rolls and top
with prepared onions. Top with cheese, as desired. Close sandwiches. Cook’s Tip: After carving, beef can be returned to cooking liquid and kept warm over low heat until ready to serve, if desired. Serve sandwiches with cooking liquid on the side for dipping. Makes 10 servings.
Beef French Dip with Au Jus
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 65
...
LASSIFIED PUREBRED C ATTLE BREEDERS BACK CREEK ANGUS
Joe and Robin Hampton
A NIMAL H EALTH
www.huntsbrangus.com Calhoun, GA 770-548-7950
345 Withrows Creek Lane Mt. Ulla, NC 28125
704-880-2488
Angus
Black Crest Farm
W.R. “Billy” McLeod
1320 Old Manning Rd., Sumter, SC 29150
803-481-2011
williammcleod@ftc-i.net • www.blackcrestfarm.com
Walter D. Shealy III and Family
20977 US Hwy 76 • Newberry, SC 29108 Walter Shealy • 803-924-1000 Dixon Shealy • 803-629-1174 walter@blackgrove.com • dixon@blackgrove.com www.blackgrove.com
C. A. H. Brent Glenn, DVM Lancaster, S.C.
AUTO • HOME • LIFE BUSINESS • FARM & RANCH
Jim Traynham Wingate, N.C. 704-233-5366 Cell - 704-292-4217
Carolinas Animal Health, LLC
“Cattle with Something Extra”
803-789-7000
The Josey Agency, Inc. Douglas Josey Multi-Line Agent
Cell: 803-385-8161 Email: djosey@truvista.net
519 Morgan Mill Rd., Monroe, NC 28112 704-289-5083 • 704-289-1696 • 800-222-8638
QUALITY GELBVIEH, ANGUS, & BALANCER CATTLE
DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, OWNERS
Ernest B. Harris President
Phone: 252-257-2140 Mobile: 252-430-9595 ®
Duane Cell: 336-964-6277 • Wendy Cell: 336-964-5127 Home: 336-381-3640 • Fax: 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com • ccrosscattle.com THE HERD THAT CONSISTENTLY PRODUCES CATTLE WITH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS, AND EYE APPEAL.
On Your Side®
James S. Wills • The Wills Agency LLC Primary Agent/Owner Master Farm Certified
3200 NC Hwy. 58 • Warrenton, NC 27589 NCAL #1468 • NC#C#4264 • VAL #146 • SCAL #3895 Email: ebharris@ebharris.com www.ebharris.com
REGISTERED POLLED HEREFORDS • EST. 1998 “Quality Cattle For Quality People”
Cattle Available Private Treaty John Wheeler • 910-489-0024 doublejfarm@yahoo.com • www.doublejfarmllc.com Headquarters - 775 Clacton Circle • Earlysville, VA 22936 Cattle located in Traphill, N.C.
CATTLE FOR SALE PRIVATE TREATY AT ALL TIMES!
328 Fowken Farm Rd. • Jonesville, SC More than 70 years of breeding grass type cattle! Carcass Data • Fescue Suited • Southern Bred EPDs Breeding Soundness Exam on Two-Year-Old Bulls
Norris Fowler - 864-219-0182 Greg - 864-426-7337 • Rogers - 864-426-3281 www.fowkenfarm.com
YOUR AD HERE !!!
SPRINGFIELD ANGUS 104 Springfield Lane Louisburg, NC 27549
Phil Goodson: 919-880-9062 Alex Askew: 910-260-2889
• Performance Tested • Ultrasound and 50K Evaluated • Registered Angus Bulls
KEEP POSTED FOR UPDATES ON THE 2022 Tarheel Angus/4K Farm Production Sale
ALL Regular Copy
RICHARD KIRKMAN, DVM 20416 US 64 West Siler City, NC 27344-0350
919-742-5500 • rdkirkman@centurylink.net
THE YON FAMILY 318 Aiken Road • Ridge Spring, SC 29129 www.yonfamilyfarm.com
Autryville, NC 28318 www.howardbrosfarms.com
Darryl Howard Cell: 910-990-2791
October 15, 2022
Angus • SimAngus • Ultrablacks
FOR SALE
WHITEHALL BEEFMASTERS Joe and Ann Logan 214 Cowhead Creek Road Greenwood, SC 29646
Telephone: 864-538-3004
PAGE 66
for the
JULY ISSUE by JUNE 5! ALL Spotlight Material for the
BBU Registered Beefmaster Bulls and Females
Jonathan Massey
336-260-2565 • jonathan.massey2@gmail.com
Johnny Massey
336-214-4144 • johnnymassey.1@gmail.com
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
®
Agribusiness
555 West Church Street Batesburg, SC 29006
Inc. / Auctioneers
2610 Kee Moore Drive Chester, SC 29706
Nationwide
AUCTIONEERING
BLACK GROVE Breeding Registered Angus since 1962
INSURANCE
JULY ISSUE by JUNE 1!
Telephone: 803-532-3390 Cell: 864-554-4658 Fax: 803-532-0615 james@twainsurance.com
NDEX OF 14th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale ................... 29 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus ...................................................... 66 47th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale .... 22 7th International Symposium on Animal Mortality Management ..................................... 56 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............... 66 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ....................................................... 15 Back Creek Angus .................................................................. 66 BEEF — Trending in Food & Media ......................................... 43 Biltmore Livestock — Angus .................................................. 33 BioZyme ................................................................................ 58 Black Crest Farm ................................................................... 66 Black Grove Angus ................................................................ 66 Brubaker Family Angus ......................................................... 66 C-Cross Cattle Company ........................................................ 66 Carolinas Animal Health ....................................................... 66 Childers Concrete Company, Inc. .......................................... 64 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ........................................... 66 Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics Learning Series ..................... 51 Discovering the Farm — 4-H Youth Summer Camp ................ 63 Double J Farms ...................................................................... 66 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. ................................................. 66 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ................................ 24 Five Js Farm ........................................................................... 16 Fowken Farms ....................................................................... 66 FPL Foods .............................................................................. 30 Fred Smith Company Ranch .................................................. 66 Howard Brothers Farms ........................................................ 66 Hunt’s H+ Brangus ................................................................ 66 Hutton & Sons Herefords ...................................................... 66 John Deere ............................................................................ 36 Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales — Stockyard Schedule ................... 25
For Your Advertising Needs, Contact: The Carolina Cattle Connection • 919-552-9111 The Livestock Advertising Network • 859-278-0899
DVERTISERS N.C. Angus Association Directory …...................................... 31 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application ........ 48 N.C. Hereford Association Directory ..................................... 19 N.C. Meat Suite ..................................................................... 23 N.C. Simmental Association .................................................. 38 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment ...................... 21 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2022 Policy Priorities ......................................................... 45 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Application ................................................... 53 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Benefits ......................................................... 54 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ............................................................ 66 Pasture Management & N.C. Cattlemen’s Association “Mile of Fence” Membership Program ................................ 2 Pasture Plant Diversity Field Day & Workshop ...................... 47 Pearson Livestock Equipment ................................................ 6 Piedmont Custom Meats ....................................................... 35 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ................ 41 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ...... 28 SimAngus Solution ............................................................... 66 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ................................................. 61 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ................................................ 55 Springfield Angus ................................................................. 66 The Barn Loft — Purina ......................................................... 34 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2022 Spotlight Schedule ........ 3 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates & Sizes .... 49 Virginia Herd Health Management Services ........................... 4 Watauga Butchery .................................................................. 9 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ............................................ 52 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ........................... 18 Whitehall Beefmasters ......................................................... 66 Wilkes Livestock Exchange ................................................... 37 Yon Family Farms .................................................................. 66 The Carolina Cattle Connection
q JUNE 2022
PAGE 67
a
VENTS ANGUS Jun. 3 — N.C. Angus Advantage Sale, Clinton, N.C. Oct. 15 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Fall Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 29 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Oct. 30 — High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity Sale, Albemarle, N.C. Nov. 5 — Craven Angus Farm Open House Bull & Female Sale, Seagrove, N.C. Nov. 5 — 14th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Nov. 19 — McMahan Farm & Hancock Angus Annual Registered Angus Bull Sale, Mocksville, N.C. Nov. 19 — 11th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale, Asheboro, N.C. Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 3 — The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2023 Jan. 7 — 14th Annual EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 9 — 30th Annual UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga. Brahman Jun. 4 — The Carolinas Brahman Breeders Association 42nd Annual Sale, Laurens, S.C. CHAROLAIS Jun. 4 — Appalachian Classic Sale, Knoxville, Tenn. GELBVIEH Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. HEREFORD Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. SIMMENTAL Sep. 2 — N.C. Simmental Association Annual Meeting, Union Grove, N.C. Sep. 3 — N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale, Union Grove, N.C. Oct. 15 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Fall Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 29 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Oct. 30 — High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity Sale, Albemarle, N.C.
PAGE 68
Nov. 5 — 14th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Dec. 3 — The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2023 Feb. 9 — 30th Annual UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga. OTHER EVENTS Jun. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Jun. 21 — 5-County Beef Tour Jun. 21 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Jun. 23 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jul. 25 — Pasture Plant Diversity Field Day & Workshop, Mt. Airy, N.C. Jun. 27-30 — 7th Annual Symposium on Animal Mortality Management, Raleigh, N.C. Jul. 5 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Jul. 19 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Jul. 26 — Discovering the Farm 4-H Youth Summer Camp, Sanford, N.C. Aug. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Aug. 4 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Sep. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Sep. 20 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Sep. 22 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Oct. 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Oct. 18 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Nov. 1 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Nov. 15 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Nov. 17 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com 2023 Feb. 9 — 30th Annual UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2022
IGHTER As a butcher is shooing away a dog from his shop, he sees a $10 bill and a note in his mouth, reading: “Five lamb chops, please.” Amazed, he takes the money, puts a bag of chops in the dog’s mouth, and quickly closes the shop. He follows the dog and watches him wait for a green light, look both ways, and trot across the road to a bus stop. The dog checks the timetable and sits on the bench. When a bus arrives, he walks around to the front and looks at the number, then boards the bus. The butcher follows, dumbstruck. As the bus travels out into the suburbs, the dog takes in the scenery. After awhile he stands on his back paws to push the “stop” bell, then the butcher follows him off. The dog runs up to a house and drops his bag on the step. He goes back down the path, takes a big run, and throws himself -Whap!- against the door. He does this again and again. No answer. So he jumps on a wall, walks around the garden, beats his head against a window, jumps off, and waits at the front door. A big guy opens it and starts shouting at the dog. The butcher runs up and screams at the guy: “What are you doing? This dog’s a genius!” The owner responds, “Genius?! HA! It’s the second time this week he’s forgotten his keys!”
*
*
*
He goes to the bar and hops up on a giant barstool. “Boy, this seat is massive!” he tells the
IDE
bartender. The bartender tells him, “Everything’s bigger in Texas!” He orders a beer and the barkeep thrusts a half-gallon mug of ice-cold beer into his hands. “This is huge!” he says. “Like I said, everything’s bigger in Texas.” the bartender says. He manages to drink the whole thing while chatting with the bartender, but eventually, the half gallon of liquid catches up with him. He asks the bartender where the bathroom is, and he says, “Down the hall, first door on the right.” He starts down the hall, but he misses the bathroom and walks through the second door, which happens to be the hotel pool. He walks forward and falls into the pool. After a bit of flailing, he bobs to the surface and desperately yells, “Don’t flush! Don’t flush!”
*
*
*
There was in a long line at 7:45 a.m. at the grocery store that opened at 8:00 a.m. for seniors only. A young man came from the parking lot and tried to cut in at the front of the line, but an old lady beat him back into the parking lot with her cane. He returned and tried to cut in again but an old man punched him in the gut, then kicked him to the ground and rolled him away. As he approached the line for the third time he said, “If you don’t let me unlock the door you’ll never get in there.”
