The Carolina Cattle Connection - Volume 35, Issue No. 6 (JUNE 2021) by CarolinaCattleConnection

CC C

arolina attle onnection JUNE 2021 •

Vol. 35, Issue No. 6

Spotlight on

HEREFORD

Performance Extra is utilized in the development of heifers before breeding season. Feeding 16% Performance Extra prior to breeding will ensure those animals intake adequate energy to cycle properly and lead to a successful bred heifer or cow. This ration also works well in all stages of cattle production where there is a need for a higher protein and energy.

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ONNECTION 2021 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts ................................................................ page 49 37th Annual N.C. Angus Association Spring Fever Sale, by Sharon Rogers & Zach Moffitt ........................................................................................ page 30 A Message from the CEO — Sustainability of Our Communities, by Colin Woodall ................................................................................................................. page 53 AgriStress Response Network, Supporting Ag Industry with Mental Wellness Resources .................................................................................... page 46 Alltech News ......................................................................................................................... page 37 Amazing Grazing — Troubleshooting Forage Related Issues in Beef Cattle, by Dr. Deidre Harmon …...................................................................................................... page 20 American Angus Association News ................................................................................... page 32 American Brahman Breeders Association News ............................................................. page 51 American Gelbvieh Association News .............................................................................. page 49 American Simmental Association News ........................................................................... page 39 Animal Agriculture Alliance News .................................................................................... page 64 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Summer Grilling Campaign, by Ashley W. Herring ................ page 18 Beef Checkoff News ............................................................................................................. page 45 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ............................................................ page 44 Beef Tips — Planning for Livestock Water Needs, by Bryan Smith …............................. page 28 BioZyme Incorporated News ............................................................................................. page 48 Carolina Cooking — Salad Shakers ................................................................................... page 45 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ............................................................ page 39 Cattle Markets More Stable a Year into COVID-19 Pandemic, by Aimee Nielson ........ page 64 Cattlenomic$ — Back to the Futures - Part VI, by Bernt Nelson .................................... page 26 Certified Angus Beef News …............................................................................................. page 29 Challenges of Proving Biostimulants & Biofertilizers, by Ignacio Colonna ................... page 60 COVID-19 Pandemic Revealed Meat Industry Vulnerability; Future Looks Better, by Aimee Nielson ................................................................................................................. page 54 Director’s Report — Complexity, by Bryan K. Blinson ....................................................... page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — A Chair and A Cow, by E.B. Harris ...................... page 22 Farm Credit News ................................................................................................................ page 50 Federation of State Beef Councils Update ....................................................................... page 62 From the Desk of the SCCA President, by Roscoe Kyle .................................................... page 40 Herd Health — How Cattle Vaccination and Nutrition Connect, by Dr. Shelby Roberts …...................................................................................................... page 27 International Brangus Breeders Association …............................................................... page 42 Joint Statement of Livestock Organizations …................................................................. page 28 June is Beef Month in South Carolina ….............................................................................. page 41 N.C. Forage & Grassland Council Forage Spotlight — Native Grasses, by Mike & Jean Jones ............................................................................................... page 21 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report .......................................................................................... page 60 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ................................................................. page 56 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — Report on Voluntary Price Discovery Framework, by Jerry Bohn ...................... page 54 New NCCA Members for 2021 ............................................................................................ page 46 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ....................................................... page 58 On the Edge of Common Sense — Carniphobia, by Baxter Black ................................... page 25 Pro Refrigeration Partners with CryoBuilt Chambers on Expansion into North Carolina Facility ................................................................. page 53 S.C. Beef Council News, by Roy Copelan ............................................................................ page 42 S.C. Charolais News, by Georgeanne Webb …………...................................................…….. page 37 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ........................................................ page 59 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker ............................................................................... page 38 Valley Vet Supply News ...................................................................................................... page 65 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ........................................................................................ page 24

N.C. Cattlemen’s Association President KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734

Vice Presidents BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425 SCOTT WEST 489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850 RYAN CLARK 5250 NC 772 Hwy, • Madison, NC 27025 Immediate Past President JEREMY LEE 5153 Battle Run Drive • Catawba, NC 28609 NCBA Policy Division Director - FRED SMITH, JR. NCBA Federation Division Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR. Beef Board Director - ROBERT CRABB Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE

The Carolina Cattle Connection Vol. 35, No. 6 JUNE 2021 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.

STAFF

BRYAN BLINSON

Manager, S.C. TRAVIS MITCHELL Executive Director BRYAN K. BLINSON 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Editor & Advertising Director N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Director of Consumer Information ASHLEY W. HERRING Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE

S.C. Cattlemen’s Association

CASEY L. HINNANT

Assistant Editor & Proofreader KIM BURDGE N.C. Circulation

KIM BURDGE

Executive Director - TRAVIS MITCHELL S.C. Circulation To Be Announced P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138 Phone: 803-609-2828 Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection Email: twmitch@clemson.edu is not to be reproduced in total or in part Website: www.sccattlemen.wildapricot.org without the written permission of the Editor. All Executive Committee submissions become property of The Carolina President - Roscoe Kyle Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to 1st Vice President - Timmy Benton return items such as photographs and artwork as nd 2 Vice President - Joe Oswald IV requested. Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Thomas Legare

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

S.C. Beef Council

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

The Carolina Cattle Connection, the official publication of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association is published monthly by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. A complementary subscription is included with membership to each state’s association. Nonmember subscriptions are $30 per year.

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 2021 N.C. State Hereford Show ..... page 15 American Hereford Association News ..... page 16 Building the Herd ..... page 11 Garber Cattle Company ..... page 10 Growing PAC Cattle Company & PAC Family Meats ..... page 12 Hereford Heritage ..... page 4 In Memory of William H. and Virginia Kirkman ..... page 13 Jacob Meadow Farms, by Jacquelyn Shutsky ..... page 10 My Time as Queen…So Far, by Josie Correll ..... page 14 N.C. Hereford Association 53rd Annual Meeting, by Myron McCoy ..... page 6 N.C. Junior Hereford Association News ..... page 16 The 53rd Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale is Dedicated to George & Tammy Ward, by William & Andy Ward ..... page 7 The 53rd Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale Results, by Mike Mericka ..... page 8

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

Director’s Report By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA

Complexity I love the saying, “The simple things in life are free.” I could not agree more. A sunrise on a bright green field of grass with calves running on full is simple, free, and welcomed. On the other hand, an evening rain on a dry pasture with cows that would give more milk if they had a little grass is also simple, free, and welcomed. I think in many cases, what one sees as a blessing, others may see as a curse. It all depends on their perspective, their situation, their experiences, and maybe their opinion. My little example that I think we can all relate to has a purpose. It is to remind me that even what we consider the most simple things may be complex if we look a little deeper. Hopefully, this column can make us all consider a bit about what we think we have in common and what we believe are differences. As we ponder these things, we may realize what seems to be a simple solution to us may be of overwhelming complexity to others. The world we live in proves every day that we do not all see eye to eye on lots of things. What we all want is to be happy, successful, and healthy, and we certainly want those things for our family and friends as well. In our country, there are so many things we see on the news that try to highlight our differences but, in the end, don’t. Even with perceived differences, shouldn’t we at least strive for those same three things I mentioned above? The cattle business is no different. We have differences, that is certain, but it is my opinion that we have much more we agree on than we disagree on. Agriculture and, certainly, the cattle business are a microcosm of life and society in general. We all have a love of cattle and the land and our interactions with them, but to think we are all in the business for the same reasons would be misguided. My dad and I are a perfect example. We both get excited to see the grass grow. I get excited because it allows me to contemplate how to pull polywire and graze it to the greatest potential. My dad gets excited because

he is going to get to mow and bale it and get the best hay possible. We are both getting excited about growing grass and healthy, well fed cattle, but we have different paths and motivations to accomplish the task. What is simple and exciting to me is not necessarily to him, and a mower/conditioner and a hay baler present a level of complexity to me that is overwhelming. Neither of the paths is wrong, just different. Hopefully, if we plan well, work hard, and are blessed with a little luck, we can use the grass to nourish the kind of cattle we want to produce, even though our methods may not be the same. My point is that in North Carolina, with our differences in climate, elevation, soil types, population, available land, marketing opportunities, and a myriad of other factors, raising cattle is not a cookie cutter proposition. When you factor in all of these things, it is evident that raising cattle can be very complex. Being part of the cattle industry raises that level of complexity even more when you factor in outside forces such as the economy, weather anomalies, regulatory issues, and, don’t forget, public opinion. We are fortunate in North Carolina and across the country to have seasoned and experienced cattlemen and women of all ages who create stability to our industry with time proven methods and practices that keep our industry strong. It is also a blessing that we constantly have new producers, young and old, who enter the business with enthusiasm to get involved and try something innovative. What is really exciting to me is that often these two like minded individuals or groups wind up working together in the same area or even on the same farm to try a new twist on an old idea and take the complexity of experience and new ideas and create a SIMPLE solution. It seems to me that the only thing simple about that is the part about working together. Our industry is dealing with the daunting task of remaining viable among the current challenges of the market, the

regulatory arena, and the court of public opinion. Many who are trying to make decisions for our industry are from the outside and have no idea about what the implications of their proposals would do, not only to our farm families, but to the families across the world who depend on the food you grow. Others are trying to change the way we produce animals or even prevent us from doing so, thinking they are protecting the environment. In this case, if they only realized that we have the exact same objectives and have been successful at achieving them. Case in point, generational farms. We also have people within the industry who suggest simple solutions to solve complex problems often because they only have experience or education in the segment of the industry or the part of the country they are in. These simple solutions from within or without are rarely the answer. Working together to help each other see the complexities and look for solutions seems to be a much healthier approach. As complex and different as the industry is in our state, based on the challenges of each individual farm, imagine the complexities and differences there are across the country and the vast beef industry from conception to

consumption. It is clear to me that there are very few simple solutions to meet all of the challenges we face. I am very encouraged, however, that many groups that have a stake in our industry have sat down in a room to work on solutions. From the press reports I have read, I am even more encouraged that they realized there were more things everyone agreed on than those they did not see eye-to-eye on. They appear to be working together to strengthen the resolve on those agreeable items and, hopefully, will be able to work on finding ways to work through the differences on others. Our industry has always faced challenges. Each time they seemed to be insurmountable. I am proud, however, that in the end, we found a way to work together to meet those challenges and come out stronger on the other side. The lessons learned from sunny days and rainy days and being thankful for both are what make us who we are and make us want to be around others with the same aspirations, even if the paths look very different. Maybe the solution is SIMPLE. Maybe we realize the complexity of our challenges are our blessings, and our differences are a reason to get together to achieve the goals we all have.

IRM Red Books Are Here The price of the books are again $5.00/each this year.

We would like to thank Performance Livestock & Feed Company and Carolina Stockyards for again sponsoring this book. Some highlights of the book are the international year letter designations for animal identification calving records Beef Quality Assurance best practices judicious use of antimicrobials in cattle injection site quality control health records pasture usage cattle sales A.I. breeding records analysis of calving activity and back by producer demand the addresses phone notes pages plus many other record keeping sections. Simply return the order form below, along with $5.00 for each book to: N.C. Cattlemen’s Association 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 You can now order them through our website at www.nccattle.com/resources/merchandise/red-book-order-form. You can also call our office at 919-552-9111 or email us at kim@nccattle.com.

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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. 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

2021 Spotlight Issues Schedule Most of the breed associations in North and South Carolina have stepped forward and renewed their contracts for Spotlight sections in The Carolina Cattle Connection for 2021. If your breed is not featured as a Spotlight section and you would like to inquire on any open months please feel free to contact me. Below is the tentative schedule for the upcoming year.

2021 Reserved Spotlight Issues

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

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

Contact The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Phone - 919-552-9111 for the contact person for each Spotlight Issue. PAGE 4

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

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 strategies to the sale of tender, great tasting Certified Hereford Beef within retail grocery stores, wholesale food distributors, and foodservice outlets. Today’s Hereford - Today’s versatile Hereford continues to be the benchmark against which other breeds are measured 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

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N.C. Hereford Association’s 53rd Annual Meeting By MYRON McCOY Secretary, NCHA The N.C. Hereford Association’s 53rd Annual Meeting was held via conference call on April 17. The meeting was called to order by President George Ward. Myron McCoy opened with prayer. Members and friends Harry Myers, Jr.; Martha Ann Claxton; Virginia Kirkman; Valerie Mead; and Scottie Mericka were remembered with a moment of silence. They will all be missed. Secretary/Treasurer Myron McCoy reported that copies of these reports had been mailed to all members. Lavette Teeter moved to accept the minutes as presented, and Wes Carpenter seconded. The motion passed, and the minutes were accepted as presented. John Wheeler moved to accept the financial statement as presented, and Wes Carpenter seconded. The motion

carried, and the financial statement was accepted and approved as presented. Tammy Ward gave an update on the Pollettes. She reported that they continue to support the junior show at the state fair. Josie Correll, N.C. Hereford Queen, was thanked for representing the Hereford breed at shows, sales, and other activities. Junior advisors Reggie Lookabill and Wayne Mitchem reported on what they had been doing and were planning. The 2020 Southeast Regional was a great success, and everyone was thanked for all the help and support. The N.C. Hereford State Show went well. The 2021 Southeast Regional is in June. Plans are being made to attend. The Junior National is coming up in July, and there are several families planning on going. Items were auctioned at our sale.Those who donated and purchased were thanked.

The N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test award was won by Jim Davis of Terrace Farms. The N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test was won by Bryson Westbrook of 4B Farm. Jim and Bryson gave updates and changes for both of these tests and encouraged more to put bulls on them. The newly elected N.C. Hereford Association Board of Directors was announced: Pam Bissett, Brent Creech, Wayne Mitchem, and Bryson Westbrook. President George Ward asked if there was anything to bring forward or to ask the board. There were none. He thanked everyone for calling in and said he hoped to have a meeting and sale as normal next year, and, hopefully, a field day this year. Wes Carpenter made a motion to adjourn, and Bryson Westbrook seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.

Regular copy deadline is JUNE 5 for the JULY issue!

Is there a problem?

N.C. HEREFORD ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS George Ward - President (2020-2023) 3404 Shady Grove Road Providence, NC 27315 434-251-3637 Pam Bissett (2021-2024) 9196 Grassy Creek Road Bullock, NC 27507 919-482-1176

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OFFICERS

Wes Carpenter - Vice President (2019-2022) 2939 Old Salisbury Road Winston-Salem, NC 27127 336-970-1655

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Myron McCoy - Secretary/Treasurer (2021-2024) 11350 Old Hwy. 70 West Cove City, NC 28523 252-637-4995

Bill Kirkman (2020-2023) 2440 Herfshire Drive Greensboro, NC 27406 336-382-9635

Kim Prestwood (2019-2022) 390 Pleasant Hill Road Lenoir, NC 28645 828-320-7317

Brent Creech (2021-2024) 13037 NC Hwy. 39 Zebulon, NC 27597 919-801-7561

Reggie Lookabill (2019-2022) 1994 Arnold Road Lexington, NC 27295 336-240-2142

Kevin Robinson (2019-2022) P.O. Box 1057 Mocksville, NC 27078 336-399-9884

Jim Davis (2020-2023) 243 Horseshoe Neck Road Lexington, NC 27295 336-247-1554

Wayne Mitchem (2021-2024) 400 David’s Chapel Church Road Vale, NC 28168 704-472-4369

Bryson Westbrook (2021-2024) 405 W. Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150 908-230-4878

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

Spotlight on

HEREFORD

f Check out the

The 53rd Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale is Dedicated to George and Tammy Ward

North Carolina Hereford Advantage at

www.nchereford.com

By WILLIAM & ANDY WARD George Ward is a businessman and cattleman who always strives to help others, and he has never met a stranger. George Ward was born on March 7, 1968. He is the son of G.W. and Joyce Ward. George is married to Tammy Everett, and they have been married for 26 years. They have two boys William and Andy.

George grew up on the family tobacco farm. After attending Appalachian State University, he returned home to work alongside his dad in their tobacco business, Big Sale Warehouse. In 1993, Big Sale Warehouse was sold and merged with Piedmont Warehouse, becoming Piedmont-Big Sale. George continued to work there until 1996 when he became a full time tobacco farmer and part time cattle farmer. In 2002, George was elected as a county commissioner, where he served eight years. During his term, he served as vice chair for two years and chairman for four years. In 2006, George and Tammy purchased an additional business, LPN Tax Service. He retired from tobacco farming a year later, but that was short lived. In 2010, George was given the opportunity to work as a receiving station operator for Phillip Morris USA. George and Tammy now operate stations in Yanceyville, N.C., and New Holland, Pennsylvania. George has always loved cattle. Growing up, he and his father raised registered Red Angus cows. In 1992, George purchased his first Hereford bull from Knoll Crest Farm. In 1997, George and Tammy sold their herd to increase the tobacco acreage. In 2007, preparations began for bringing cows back to the farm.

As a family project, they began exploring possible different breeds. In March 2008, George and his family attended their first N.C. Hereford Classic Sale and purchased two cow/calf pairs being consigned by Terrace Farms and Double N Farm. W&A Hereford Farm was then born. Over the next few years, George and his family attended sales, building the herd. In 2011, W&A Hereford Farm sold their first consignment in the North Carolina Hereford Classic Sale. Since then, Herefords have also been consigned to sales in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia on a regular basis. Additionally, bulls have been entered in the Virginia Finest Bull Test and the N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test.

George also quickly became involved with the N.C. Hereford Association and the N.C. Junior Hereford Association. George was elected to the Board in 2010 and is currently serving as president. George loves attending sales throughout the Southeast. George feels that by attending sales, he is helping to promote North Carolina Herefords while making lasting friendships and partnerships. We are truly honored to have the rd 53 Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale dedicated to our parents. As dad would say, “The most beautiful sight is the red and white faces on a green pasture.”

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

McCOY CATTLE FARM Cove City, NC Myron & Charlie McCoy 252-229-4603 nchereford@yahoo.com

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

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

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

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

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

TAYLOR’S MILL FARM Zebulon, NC J. Brent Creech 919-801-7561 tmfherefords@icloud.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NCHA Secretary/Treasurer

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

Myron McCoy

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

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The 53rd Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale Results By MIKE MERICKA N.C. Hereford Association The N.C. Hereford Association held its 53rd Annual Sale on March 27. I want to thank Bob Stamey for being a great host for our sale events during a time in our lives when COVID-19 has changed the way we live, work, and play. We were blessed with another rain free day, so the crowd was able to relax and enjoy viewing the cattle outside in their pens. 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, sale committee co-chairman. 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 were Bryan Blinson, acting as auctioneer assistant; the checkin/out staff, consisting of Tammy Ward, Beth Blinson, and Sharon McCoy; David Hendricks, who faithfully worked as the sale ring “in” gate man; additional cattle handling helpers Dylan Setzer and Thomas and Erica Shutsky; and sale day veterinarian Ben Shelton, DVM, of Rocky Creek Vet Service. I want to take the time to praise

the many helpers who braved a heavy thunderstorm that stopped the sale for a short time. As soon as the lightning passed, the sale continued. All of these great folks work tirelessly to make the sale a success every year. Our sale absolutely cannot happen without all these people working as a great team! I want to sincerely thank all of those who attended the N.C. Hereford Classic Sale this year. There were 110 buyer numbers registered and handed out. It is with great hope that all of the buyers are still happy with their purchases. Our 54th Annual Sale will be held at Stamey Farms on March 26, 2022. Hope to see you next year! *If you are interested in Hereford

cattle, please visit our website at www. NCHereford.org! Sale Summary • 54½ female lots grossed $179,000; averaging $3,332 • 1 show steer sold for $2,200 There were 41 buyers from nine states, including Illinois, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Texas. Top selling female lots included: • WHR 173D 854C Beefmaid 399H E.T., born 1/21/2020 and sired by NJW 79Z Z311 Endure 173D E.T., was consigned by White Hawk Ranch in Buchanan Ga., and sold to Rick Aden of

THANK YOU to the Buyers at the 53 rd Annual Hereford Classic Sale Mitch Ingram • Notchey Creek Farm • Madison, Tenn. Jody Standley • Five J’s Cattle Company • Clayton, N.C. Andy Smith • P&J Farms • Monroe, N.C. Sigmon Family Farm • Claremont, N.C. Clifton Kilby, Jr. • Law Valley Farms • Winston-Salem, N.C. Eric Barker • Barker Farms • North Wilksboro, N.C. Jim Davis • Terrace Farms • Lexington, N.C. Gerald Simpson • Iva, S.C. Howard Young • Mt. Airy, N.C. Zack Denning • P Bar Z Cattle Company • Garner, N.C. Kade Thigpen • KT Cattle Company • Hondo, Tex. Norris Fowler • Fowken Farm • Jonesville, S.C. Rick Aden • Aden Family Farm • St. Joseph, Ill. Randy Eaves • Louisville, Miss. Robert H. Roper, III • Dogwood Ridge Farm • Laurens, S.C. Dale Stith • NJB Limited • Mayslick, Ken. Michael Parris • A&M Farms • Hillsville, Va. Jeff Bass • Oxford, N.C. Tim Anderson • Anderson Farms • Crockett, Va. Scott Bissett • Grassy Creek Farm • Bullock, N.C. Tommy Mead • Mead Cattle Enterprises • Midville, Ga. PAGE 8

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Dr. John Webster • River View Ranch • Stoneville, N.C. Gary Hedrick • White Hawk Ranch • Buchanan, Ga. Randall Simpson • Starr, S.C. Joel Blevins • Hereford Hollow Farm • Wytheville, Va. Tanner Marshall • Marshall’s & Son Livestock • Dugspur, Va. Bryson Westbrook • 4B Farms • Shelby, N.C. Patty Lookabill • Lookabill Family Livestock • Lexington, N.C. Glen Reid • Wagon Wheel Ranch • Rutherfordton, N.C. Timothy Kidd • Kidd Family Farm • Roseland, Va. Marty Parsons • Ransom Cross Farm LLC • Traphill, N.C. Leanne Mitchell • Iva, S.C. Kyle Gillooly • CES/Predestined • Wadley, Ga. Andy Montgomery • Montgomery Farms • Blacksburg, S.C. Robert Meek • Creek Bend Farms • Marion, Va. B.L. Grady • Bear Swamp Herefords • Faison, N.C. Barry Shields • Whiskey River Cattle Company • Warrenton, N.C. Leman Weeks • Jefferson, Ga. Jackie Shutsky • Jacobs Meadow Farm • Pinnacle, N.C. Donald Murray • Murray Farms • Bostic, N.C. Will Luke • Nashville, Ga.

e Special Aden Family Farm in St. Joseph, Ill., for $6,250 (½ interest); • 4B 66589 4013 Ms Mandate G905, born 9/25/2019 and sired by /S Mandate 66589 ET, was consigned by Four B Farms in Shelby, N.C., and sold to CES Hereford & Angus Farm and Predestined Cattle Company, both in Wadley, Ga., for $7,500; • Slayton 605 Devine 441/001A, born 1/2/2016 and sired by Gerber Anodyne 001A, and a September ‘20 bull calf sired by KCF Bennett Homeward C776, were consigned by W&A Hereford Farm in Providence, N.C., and sold to Five J’s Cattle Company in Clayton, N.C., and Sigmon Family Farm in Claremont, N.C., respectively, for a total of $6,500; • DKM K158 Ms Revolution 4R 508, born 12/30/2014 and sired by MSU TCF Revolution 4R, and a September ‘20 bull calf sired by KCF Bennett Homeward C776, were consigned by W&A Hereford

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Farm and sold to Andy Smith of P&J Farm in Monroe, N.C., and Clifton Kilby, Jr. of Law Valley Farms in Winston-Salem, N.C., respectively, for a total of $5,600; • CMF 1530 Rita 512G, born 09/09/19 and sired by KCF Bennett Encore Z311 ET, was consigned by Five J’s Cattle Company and sold to Kade Thigpen of K.T. Cattle Company in Hondo, Tex., for a total of $5,250; • ESF 1579 634C Trinity, born 3/14/2019 and sired by RMB 372Z Whitlock 634C E.T., and a February ‘21 bull calf sired by Innisfail WHR X651/723 4020 ET, were consigned by White Hawk Ranch and sold to Randy Eaves of Louisville, Miss., for a total of $5,000; • JL Lady Love 384 280 441, born 02/17/18 and sired by Walker Big League X51 545 441B, and an August ‘20 heifer calf sired by R Leader 6964, were consigned by Jim Love of Blowing

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Rock, N.C., and sold to Grassy Creek Farm in Bullock, N.C., and Mead Cattle Enterprises in Midville, Ga., respectively, for a total of $4,900; • JL Lady Love 335 18 441, born 03/27/16 and sired by Walker Big League X51 545 441B, and an August ‘20 heifer calf sired by Innisfail WHR X651/723 4013 ET, were consigned by Jim Love and sold to Dr. John Webster of Stoneville, N.C., and White Hawk Ranch, respectively, for a total of $4,700; • PPH Penelope F57, born 09/21/18 and sired by Churchill Mack 665D E.T. and an October ‘20 bull calf sired by NJW 33 T.B. 100W Trust 167Y, were consigned by Amber Shutsky of Pinnacle, N.C., and sold to Five J’s Cattle Company and Clifton Kilby, Jr., respectively, for a total of $4,700; • Walker Erica 455B B108 697D, born 09/18/16 and sired by FTF Porterhouse

455B, and a September ‘20 heifer calf sired by Innisfail WHR X651/723 4013 ET, were consigned by Terrace Farms in Lexington, N.C., and sold to Marshall’s and Son Livestock in Dugspur, Va., and 4B Farm in Shelby, N.C., respectively, for a total of $4,500; • WF 1595 MS Homeplate 1500 1736, born 03/31/16 and sired by WF HAF Home Plate T137 1595 ET, and a September ‘20 bull calf sired by KCF Bennett Homeward C776, were consigned by W&A Hereford Farm and sold to P&J Farms and Clifton Kilby, Jr., respectively, for a total of $4,200; • LSM MF C1 C1 SM08, born 10/10/18 and sired by KT Small Town Kid 5051, and a November ‘20 heifer calf sired by Chez Dante 6520 ET, were consigned by Skyler Murray of Bostic, N.C., and sold to Jeff Bass of Oxford, N.C., for a total of $4,000.

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Garber Cattle Company Located just outside of Laurens, S.C., is Garber Cattle Company, owned and operated by Wayne and Matthew Garber. These 160 acres are home to about 75 cows, mostly consisting of Herefords and SimAngus cattle.

Wayne got his start with show steers in high school. After graduating from N.C. State University, he went to work on a registered Hereford operation in Virginia. He worked on many cattle farms in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. After his start in the industry, he purchased his own herd of ten Hereford cows, and his cattle operation has expanded from there.

Not only does Garber Cattle Company strive to produce highly respectable cows and calves, but bulls as well. Annually, they keep around 10-12 high quality Hereford and SimAngus bulls with impressive EPDs and pedigrees that work for commercial and purebred breeders. In the early ‘90s, Garber Cattle Company reached over 120 cows and was truly invested in showing cattle.

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They love to show because of the opportunities to meet new people and the show experiences. There is also value in learning that an eye appealing heifer does not always make a good cow. Close attention is paid to EPDs, and they are very selective about bulls used. Although they do not show as much as they used to, the Garbers still try to help the youth with showing. This includes selling show quality cattle, teaching juniors about clipping and fitting, as well as encouragement to be involved with the cattle business.

Not only is Garber Cattle Company striving to improve their herd, but they are consistently working to improve forage quality by overseeding annually with ryegrass and clover. This year GCC added turnips to increase pasture quality as well. Currently, the forage improvement for the summer is planting Sudangrass. significant improvement in weaning weights. Heifer weaning weights range up from 575 lbs, with the bull weaning weight ranges up from 657 lbs plus, with a few reaching 800 pounds.

Jacobs Meadow Farms By JACQUELYN SHUTSKY

The Garbers use A.I. extensively on their cows, breeding them to bulls with desirable traits that give a more desirable genotype and phenotype in the offspring. Calves are expected to mature into moderate framed cattle, with sound reproductive health and fertility, with good udders and feet that can be seen plentifully throughout the herd. Over the past few years, the Garbers have used 4R, 2296, Pilgrim, and Mandate. This year the Garbers have used Endure, Homeward, and LCX Perfecto. As with every good Hereford breeder out there, raising sound cattle with impressive EPDs is ideal, but raising bulls is equally important for both registered and commercial herds, and Garber Cattle Company strives to achieve this. Over the years, there has been

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My husband Tom and I were born in Connecticut, where we both grew up on small Hereford farms. Both of us grew up showing beef cattle and were members of 4-H. After attending college, we were married and continued to raise Hereford cattle. It was during this time that we then became members of the New England Hereford Association, where I served as a junior advisor and recording secretary for the association. Tom accepted a job as a research scientist for RAI Services Company (Reynolds America), and the family then moved to North Carolina. When we moved here, we hoped to find a property where we could continue with our love of Hereford cattle, 4-H, and farming. God blessed us with a beautiful home and a space to raise Herefords, Boer goats, and chickens. Our property has a beautiful view of Pilot Mountain, and we can not imagine being anywhere else. It didn’t take us long to become connected to the N.C. Hereford Association. We found everyone to be welcoming and supportive as we learned to navigate through details of shows, meeting new friends, leadership within the association and state functions. The N.C. Hereford Association is incredibly supportive of their youth, and we have enjoyed all of the many opportunities that have been made available to us through the NCHA. For instance, we have attended our first National Junior Hereford Show in Louisville, Ken., and we are about to go to our second in Kansas City, Missouri. Our daughter has sold animals in the past two NCHA cattle sales, and we look forward to doing this again in the future. We love North Carolina and have made such close 4-H, Association, and livestock show friends as well as church friends who have made us feel at home in our new location. My two daughters have benefited from the opportunities available to them, such as being members of the Stokes County livestock judging team and other club activities. Thank you to North Carolina for being so welcoming to us and for making our transition here a smooth one. We can only hope that we have extended the same kindness to all of you.

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Building the Herd Mazie Bunn is a 13-year-old, first generation farmer from the small Hopkins community just outside of Zebulon, North Carolina. With the help of her family, she is fulfilling her dream of raising her own herd of registered Hereford cattle. Mazie has always had a passion for animals of all kinds. Her love of cattle began when she joined 4-H in Franklin County right after her sixth birthday. She began showing cattle and was normally the youngest in the group, but that didn’t stop her. She worked just as hard and hung right with the big kids.

Over the next year, things changed drastically for her. Mazie’s health became an issue. She began having unbearable headaches and other issues, and she was referred to Duke for further testing. It was discovered that Mazie suffered from a condition called Chiari Malformation, which required brain surgery to help relieve pressure on her brain and remove her top two vertebrae that were being crushed.

The surgeons wanted to do the surgery ASAP, but Mazie convinced them to let her make it through the state fair, which was a few weeks away. One week after the 2015 N.C. State Fair, Mazie underwent decompression brain surgery at Duke. During her recovery, she kept asking her doctors if she could still show cattle. Her recovery was a rough and slow

process, but she was determined. Three months later, she was back in the barn with her favorite little heifer Blonnie who proved to greatly help in her healing process.

The following year proved to be another rough year medically for Mazie and her family. She was still struggling. After a follow up visit with her neurosurgeon and more testing, it was discovered that Mazie also suffers from epilepsy and a rare genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects all of the body’s connective tissues, primarily the skin, joints, and blood vessel walls. She still refused to give up what she loved and to keep on with her dream of owning her own cattle.

Mazie was actually featured in two articles about her love of cattle and how they helped her along the way. The first article, titled, Meet Blonnie: A best friend, always and forever, was on www. modernfarmer.com on December 17, 2018. The story was about animals that are heroes. The second article, titled, When Mazie met Blonnie: “Oreo Cow” helps girl through health crisis, was on www.today.com on March 15, 2019. This was a pretty big deal for all of us. Raising awareness about her conditions in hopes of helping someone else, along with showcasing the value of raising livestock, showing livestock, and being involved in agriculture, can have so many wonderful benefits for youth. Over the next few years, with the help and support of a lot of wonderful

people, Mazie continued to show cattle that other farm families had offered her, as her girl Blonnie had aged out. Mazie’s family had built her a small pasture on their land, where she was finally able to bring Blonnie home along with three other commercial calves. But Mazie wanted nothing more than to raise Herefords…her most favorite breed of cattle.

In the spring of 2019, she met Joy Leigh Hinnant and her dad Joe from Triple J Farm in Kenly. They were showing at a local circuit show. Mazie had always loved Herefords more than anything and had seen Joy Leigh at many shows and loved her cattle. After talking to them at the show, Mazie and her mom went to their farm, where Mazie fell in love with one of their heifers, Foxy. At this time, Mazie had saved up money of her own and asked to purchase Foxy. The two of them were the best team, showing at the N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up, the N.C. State Fair, and circuit shows. By the fall of 2019, Mazie had again made arrangements with Joy Leigh to purchase another heifer calf and also

decided to buy a steer. Mazie saved her own money again and, with a little help from her parents, purchased two more Herefords. Her family supported her and expanded their pasture space. Mazie will spend 5-6 hours a day in the barn working with her show cattle along with her other cattle. In the fall of 2020, Mazie had her first registered Hereford heifer calf born on their farm. This little calf is serving as her new show heifer that will be going to the Southeastern Regionals in June, along with her fat steer. Mazie is now up to five head of registered Hereford cattle and four head of commercial cattle. She is building her herd, building her family farm, and building her future. Neither of Mazie’s parents has a background in farming, and they are learning right along with her. She had her mind set from day one that this is what she wanted to do, and she is making it happen a little at a time.

She and her family are very grateful for all the people who have helped them along the way. Without the support, they would not be where they are today. Mazie has really taken in advice from some pretty strong women in the cattle industry and some very knowledgeable, long time cattlemen as well. There have been some pretty big bumps in the road, but this kid has kept going, building her dream from nothing to something that is to be proud of. Kids like Mazie and all the others you meet in the barn are a special kind, hard working, determined, and what our future is made of.

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Growing PAC Cattle Company & PAC Family Meats Every spring, Preston and Emily Cave’s farm comes to life, with green grass and a new group of calves being born. This year is a little different though. That’s because the Caves have a little one of their own now. Sidney Ann was born in early May, giving them a new round of responsibilities and adding a few chores to the list. But change is something they’ve become accustomed to and something they embrace. That’s what puts them on the cutting edge of agriculture as they use techniques that make their beef operation more profitable and better for the environment.

In recent years, there have been lots of news stories and articles that try to turn livestock into climate villains. However, science has proven the contrary, and Preston believes that when managed correctly, forages and livestock have the amazing capability of regenerating our environment. Through regenerative farming practices such as no-till, cover crops, and rotational grazing, their herd is able to get the nutrition and growth they need while also nurturing the land they graze and sequestering carbon into the soil. Preston Cave grew up in Surry County, N.C., on a farm not too many miles from their current home. His father split his time between tobacco, chickens, row crops, and cattle. Even as a child, Preston knew he wanted to someday raise a herd of his own, buying his first Hereford heifer when he was 16 years old. It was $500, and he used his

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own money to purchase it from a family friend. That investment would pay off in many ways in the years ahead. At N.C. State University, he attended the Ag Institute, which gave him handson, experience focused learning that added a new dimension to what he had encountered growing up on the farm. However, another decision at school had a greater effect on his future. Joining the Animal Science Club gave him a chance to meet Emily, who would eventually become his wife. While she grew up about an hour away in Greensboro, Emily spent most of her summers on her great uncle’s farm in Tennessee with horses. A different side of farm life than Preston, but it gave her an appreciation for all the advantages to living in a rural setting while building a business around a lifestyle that they enjoy.

A few classes at N.C. State turned out to be game changers in their future plans. One was a class that Emily was taking, and Preston decided to tag along to find out more. Even though he wasn’t enrolled, he found the subject matter and the teacher fascinating. The class was

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Beef Management, and the instructor was Johnny Rogers, who focused on showing students new techniques to care for the land and their cattle simultaneously. One of the key concepts was something he called the “power of one wire.” By using poly wire as fencing to control their herd, farmers are able to easily move them from one section of a field to another and offer them fresh areas to graze. It also allows for a low stress option to work through cattle and load them on a trailer as necessary. This was a whole new way of thinking for students who had grown up grazing a pasture until the forage ran out, then moving on to feeding hay. The other was a Value Added class that Preston took, which showed the stark difference in selling a commodity versus marketing a specialty product.

After graduation, Preston began to focus more on the genetic possibilities of artificial insemination and showing Hereford cattle around the country. Once Emily and Preston got married, they started to build their own herd. That eventually led to opening their retail business, PAC Family Meats, in 2017. With this, they made an important change, and instead of working for their cows, they began to let their cows provide for them. Preston says, “We shifted the focus of our cow herd genetics to the end product, paying extra attention to the maternal and carcass traits.” He also feels it’s important to have females that are easy doing that can raise a calf with minimal help along the way. That’s why Herefords are their breed of choice —

paying constant attention to breeding and culling for fertility, udder quality, and structure. Their Herefords have to be able to thrive on fescue and then get bred back, which not all cows are able to handle. Preston carefully chooses which bulls to breed his cows to, including evaluating the dams udder and visually seeing the bull in person or seeing a video to make sure he is sound in motion, noting feet and leg structure. They A.I. all of their cattle one time and must either catch A.I. or on the next heat cycle by the clean up bull.

They move their cattle at least once a week. However, depending on the group of cattle, the weather, and their forage growth, they could move as much as twice a day. They have several pastures where they focus on no-till drilling diverse annual forages. Some of their favorites are the summer and winter Ray’s Crazy Mixes that their friend Paige Smart introduced them to. Preston says, “We finish our yearlings on these mixes, and they consistently gain weight well and stay very healthy.” He also says that by utilizing rotational grazing and giving the forages the right amount of rest, they can get multiple grazings out of each.

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They are very intentional about the timing of when each part of the herd is moved to a new section of pasture. “Once the steers eat all the “candy,” we allow the cows to follow and clean up the leftovers, and no-till drill the next season’s mix in,” Preston told us. Then he says, once it has germinated, they pull the cows off that section and let it grow until their finishing steers can come back and start grazing again.

They have built their business around Herefords, and that love of the breed goes back many years. When Preston was still in college, he and a friend drove 13 hours to attend the Hereford Genetic Summit. He says, “That event rekindled the fire in me for the Hereford breed. It also

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It’s a busy spring for the Cave family. Having a new baby means a lot more excitement and a little less sleep, but they are always up for a challenge. And like every farm family, they know that new growth is a promise of great things ahead, especially when little Sidney is old enough to start showing the family’s

started me in the right direction building my herd, and gave me some awesome contacts.” Those contacts turned into much more, and, today, he and Emily have working relationships with Hereford breeders around the country. They have also developed a local following for their Hereford beef. Customers stop by their farm to pick up orders or have them delivered. Their beef has also been featured on the menu at local restaurants, wineries, and outdoor venues. PAC Family Meats beef is also available as part of a program creating CSA (community supported agriculture) boxes that are delivered weekly with other locally grown produce. The Hereford beef that Preston became a fan of years ago is now becoming a favorite of many throughout the Yadkin Valley.

Herefords and win another round of ribbons to add to their shelf. They hope to instill in Sidney the importance of caring for the land and cattle, trusting God, and knowing that every calf deserves a white face. Deuteronomy 11:13-15 - “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today - to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul – then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.”

In Memory of William H. and Virginia Kirkman William H. Kirkman died in June of 2020. Eleven months later, in May of 2021, his lovely wife Virginia died. Bill was raised on a farm in Greensboro, North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and fought in the South Pacific. After returning home, he married Virginia. Together, they worked to regain the family farm. The farm was bought in the mid-1800s by his grandfather. It had been divided by the Depression and given as inheritance to family members. They completed their goal. Virginia was responsible for naming the farm Hereford Hills and designing the logo. Bill raised registered Hereford cattle and worked over 60 years for American Breeders Service. Virginia was the accountant for the farm and the business. Bill was a past president of the Guilford County Cattlemen’s Association. He was inducted into the N.C. State Fair Hall of Fame in October of 2016. Bill and Virginia served in various positions on the Board of Directors for Guilford County. They are greatly missed by their family. Son, Bill Kirkman III, continues the legacy of Hereford Hills.

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My Time As Queen…So Far By JOSIE CORRELL N.C. Hereford Queen At the beginning of 2020, I was preparing a speech titled “2020 Vision” to give as my contest speech at the Hereford Junior Nationals. Little did I know that no one had the vision to predict what the year 2020 would be like. That speech became just a computer file because it certainly wasn’t relevant to the new world we were living in. The 2020 I had planned didn’t happen, but what did happen was way better than I could have predicted. In March of each year, the N.C. Hereford Association holds its annual meeting and banquet, but we all know what March 2020 was like! One of the traditions at the banquet, every two years, is for the outgoing N.C. Hereford Queen to crown the new queen. In place of the banquet, I met the current N.C. Queen at the time, who also happened to be the National Hereford Queen, at her farm. She did the ceremonial crowing to turn the reign of N.C. Hereford Queen over to me. Melanie Fishel passed her North Carolina crown and sash over to me as the cattle looked on. It was a great afternoon in the pasture!

Looking back, March 2020 seems like a very long time ago, and there certainly was ‘stuff’ happening that none of us had ever experienced. With more and more uncertainty and as events were cancelled and states shut down, none of us had any idea what would happen next. I assumed my first year as N.C. Hereford Queen would mean staying home and missing out on all the state and national

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Hereford events. Thankfully, I was wrong! With great effort and many rules, North Carolina was able to host the Southeast Regional Junior Show in June 2020 at the Western N.C. Ag Center in Fletcher. Melanie and I, along with help from the Virginia Queen Madison Sifford, presented ribbons and awards. It was a very successful show with exhibitors from all over participating with their animals.

Shows during a pandemic are a bit different. Exhibitors wear masks, and people are asked not to congregate or gather with folks not in their families. But, everyone said, “The show must go on,” and that is exactly what happened! Youth turned out in record numbers, and the shows did go on!

The National Junior Hereford Expo is held each summer, and youth from around the U.S. and Canada come to exhibit their cattle and participate in contests. The NJHE was scheduled to be in Louisville, Ken., for 2020, but at the last minute, to allow the show to go on, it was moved to Kansas City, Mo., and the ‘Come Home to Hereford’ year began!

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with the flow! Those of us in agriculture families know all about change in plans and going with the flow! I learned so much from the other state queens and about the Hereford industry. I decided that I wanted to run for 2022 National Queen. It was going to be a lot of studying and a lot of work, but I knew I wanted that microphone Melanie talks about. I wanted to be an advocate for the Hereford breed and the cattle industry.

For the non-Hereford folks reading this, Kansas City has been the home of the American Hereford Association since 1920, and it was so exciting to be able to have several of the 2020 national events there. In July of 2020, we headed out to the NJHE. The trip to K.C. was an experience all to itself as my grandmother, mom, aunt, brother, and two cousins all piled in MeMe’s van for the drive West! Many places were closed, so we picnicked and had many roadside snacks! We stopped at parks and even made a college visit. It was a trip I will never forget! At the NJHE, I joined the National Queen and other state queens for the shows. We helped to organize and walk in classes, give out ribbons and awards, and made lifelong friends! It was a unique experience because everything was different than in past years. We just went

After a few months break from cattle events, the N.C. State Fair livestock shows were on the schedule for October. I was able to meet my grandparents Myron and Sharon McCoy, the N.C. Hereford Association Secretary/Treasurer, in Raleigh and hand out ribbons and awards for the show. Like the rest of the year, it was totally different than in years past, but it was well attended, and the cattle were top notch.

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2021 N.C. State Hereford Show

Later in October, we headed back to Kansas City for the “Come Home to Hereford” event at the American Royal and the American Hereford Association annual meeting. The AHA meeting was held at the location of the original AHA offices in downtown. Today, there is a hotel there, but everyone knew we were on “hallowed ground,” so to speak. It was neat to see AHA in a full circle. I was able to meet many producers and board members but not as many as I would have liked. Quite a few joined the meeting via zoom, and others were not able to travel. The meeting was well attended for the unusual circumstances. The Hereford shows at the American Royal were great. I met exhibitors from all over the country and gained more knowledge of the

industry. The state queens helped at the Ladies of the Royal sale and had a chance to share gifts that represented our states. It was Melanie’s last show as National Queen, and she crowned the new 2021 National Queen at the end of the Royal. The winter was quiet. Then, in March 2021, things picked back up again! The N.C. Hereford Classic Sale was in March and the N.C. Junior Hereford Show was in April. In May, I was invited to attend the S.C. Hereford Sale and visited a South Carolina producer’s farm. Upcoming in June is the Southeast Regional Hereford Show in Virginia, and July is busy with the NJHE and Faces of Leadership conference. Last year and the beginning of this year were not as we had envisioned, but it was a successful first year for me as the N.C. Hereford Queen. I look forward to my second year and participating in state and national events once again. I am so thankful for my Hereford family and everyone who has supported me this year. It isn’t just about dressing up with a crown; it is about using my voice to promote and advocate for the breed and the cattle industry. I look forward to meeting more producers and exhibitors and helping tell the amazing story of the Hereford breed and the cattle industry.

The N.C. State Hereford Show was held April 10 in conjunction with the WNC Spring Fling. Ten NCJHA members participated, and the judge commented on the outstanding quality of the animals. Jax Holt exhibited the grand champion heifer from the spring yearling class. Mattie Harward’s summer yearling was the reserve champion heifer. Amber and Erica Shutsky exhibited the grand champion cow/calf pair. Amber Shutsky exhibited the champion Hereford steer, and the reserve champion was exhibited by Wyatt Hooker. NCJHA members participating in the show were Skylar Murray, Amber Shutsky, Maddie Harward, Jordan Mitchem, Jax Holt, Reagan Mitchem, Peyton Taylor, Erica Shutsky, Shelby Chandler, and Daisy Brown. Josie Correll, N.C. Hereford Queen and NCJHA member, presented the awards.

Special thank you to the junior advisors, the WNC Spring Fling, and April Bowman. Photographs courtesy of Stock Shots

2021 N.C. State Hereford Show Winners

Be a winner! Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association! The Carolina Cattle Connection

q JUNE 2021

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e Special

Spotlight on

HEREFORD

Section f

American Hereford Association News Attention AHA Membership. The American Hereford Association (AHA) Board of Directors recently unanimously voted to support proposed amendments to Articles IV and V of the Bylaws to permit the board to determine whether future member and delegate meetings are held in person, virtually, or a combination of inperson and virtually. Pursuant to Article XVII of the Bylaws, such Bylaw amendments require the affirmative vote of a majority of the actual votes cast by active members by ballot. In the near future, you will be receiving a letter from K Coe Isom (AHA audit firm). Within the letter, you will find the proposed amendments and a prepaid, self addressed return ballot for your vote. The ballots must be signed and postmarked by June 15 to be counted. If you have any questions concerning the vote, please contact Jack Ward, AHA secretary, at 816-218-2262 or jward@ hereford.org. 2021 Faces of Leadership Conference Relocated from Ohio to Oklahoma. The 2021 Faces of Leadership Conference hosted by the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) and Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) has recently changed its location from Columbus, Ohio, to Oklahoma City, Okla., due to COVID-19 restrictions. The dates will remain July 28-31 with the early registration deadline of June 15 and the final registration deadline of July 15 at www.hereford.org. “We are excited about the opportunities that Oklahoma City will provide for our leadership conference and Hereford youth,” says Amy Cowan, American Hereford Association Director of Youth Activities and Foundation. The city and the agriculture

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 16

community in Oklahoma have been very accommodating and eager to help us pull off an event in a short time frame, and I am very excited with the plans we have in progress.” Cowan adds, “The theme for the conference is Improve YOU, and it is our hope to arm the participants with the knowledge and tools they need to be the best leaders they can be and so they can continue to be agriculture advocates.” Highlights of the 2021 Faces of Leadership conference will include a visit to Oklahoma State University, an evening at Express Ranches in Yukon, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and more. Attendees will hear motivational messages from Kelly Barnes, professional speaker and leadership coach from Choctaw, and Oklahoma’s Secretary of Agriculture, Blayne Arthur. More schedule details may be found here, www. hereford.org/youth/faces-of-leadership/. The conference is offered to juniors between the ages of 14-21, and the annual event is made possible by the Rick and Bonnie Coley-Malir Leadership Endowment and The Hereford Youth Foundation of America. The mission of the conference is networking and focuses on individual development, goal setting, cultivating communication skills, and exposing youth to a wide array of opportunities within the industry. Genetic Abnormality - Potential Carrier Designation. During the April 2021 Board of Directors (BOD) meeting of the American Hereford Association, rules relating to the designation of potential carriers of genetic abnormalities were amended. Starting July 13, animals that have an unbroken pedigree link to a confirmed carrier of a genetic abnormality will be designated with the letter “P” for potential carrier. For example, an animal that has an unbroken pedigree link to a confirmed Mandibulofacial Dysostosis Carrier (MDC) parent will show online as Mandibulofacial Dysostosis Potential (MDP). Animals designated with a “P” will remain listed as potential carriers until the animal is DNA tested either free or as a carrier for the specific genetic abnormality/condition or if the pedigree link to the carrier parent is broken. Ishmael Named Hereford World Executive Editor. Wes Ishmael, long time

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

cattle business journalist and communicator, recently joined the American Hereford Association as Executive Editor of Hereford World magazine (HW). He will oversee HW editorial planning and production, with emphasized focus on the commercial cattle industry. “As a breed, we strive to serve commercial cattle producers with genetic solutions and genetic selection tools, along with programs and information meaningful to their businesses,” says Jack Ward, Executive Vice President of the American Hereford Association. “Putting Wes in this new position strengthens our commitment to the commercial sector and our ability to communicate more effectively with them. His decades of work in the cattle industry

also provide our breeders a different lens through which to analyze evolving issues that impact them and their commercial customers.” About the American Hereford Association. The 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. For more information about the Association, visit www.Hereford.org.

UPDATE N.C. Junior Hereford Association The N.C. Junior Hereford Association met at the N.C. Hereford Sale on March 27 to elect officers for 2021. They also recapped the year of successfully hosting the Southeast Regional Hereford Show and discussed the upcoming state show to be held in conjunction with the WNC Spring Fling. Members were encouraged to attend the 2021 Southeast Regional Hereford Show in Virginia and the Junior National Hereford Expo in Kansas City. The N.C. Hereford Juniors would like

to thank all those who contributed to their programs and for the encouragement and support of the N.C. Hereford Association.

Members in attendance and advisors - Wayne and Crystal Mitchem and Reggie and Patty Lookabill

President Regan Mitchem, Vice President Jordan Mitchem, Secretary Skyler Murray, Reporter Josie Correll, and Junior Beef Round-Up Reps Lillee Bissett and Shelby Chandler

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Ashley’s Beef Corner

Summer Grilling Campaign By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council

Water Troughs • Pads • Silo Sides Septic Tanks • Reservoirs

We love this time of year because grilling is synonymous with beef. There’s no better way to enjoy summer than by getting outside and using the scents of charcoal and smoke to prepare your tastebuds for a savory steak. Grilling keeps heat out of your house (no hot oven), keeps the “mess” outside, and provides the perfect segway to eating outside.

3 Step Perfect Burger & Perfect Steak

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

If you have little kids like mine, they are not the best at sitting at the table and eating. They are playing in the yard and everywhere but in their chair. They eat in five minutes while you are still setting drinks on the table. By the time everything is out, they are done and back to playing. You are ready to sit down and enjoy the food, which is perfect for that outdoor meal. So, while they swing and

slide, you can eat and have a little quiet time! The beef summer grilling campaign has two great features that focus on Three Steps to Grilling the Perfect Burger and Three Steps to Grilling the Perfect Steak. It’s always nice to have a refresher on these basics. With burgers, putting a dimple in the middle of your patty to prevent the burger from “rolling up” and why you should only flip once are those little tips that go a long way in making the eating experience more enjoyable. For steaks, achieving that perfect diamond grill mark for a perfect Instagram picture is king. The three step images will be on paid social media and the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner website. There is updated photography provided by the Beef Checkoff that shows lifestyle and enjoyment images, reminding us that beef is the protein of summer. Not to leave out the youngest eaters, we have an update to our Make Every Bite Count with Beef campaign, which focuses on beef as a first food. A new infographic has been developed, as shown here. The infographic delivers evidence based key takeaways regarding the importance of including beef as a first complementary food, spotlighting recommendations from the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The infographic also brings to life research supporting beef ’s nutrient package of protein, iron, zinc, and choline for healthy, growing bodies and brains in a highly visual manner. Readers can scan the QR code on the infographic, which will direct them to the Every Bite Counts page on www.Beef.ItsWhatsForDinner. com. Showing parents how and why to offer beef as a first food has been a much needed resource. Nutritionists and health influencers are using these in working with clients, so we are glad they are available.

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By DR. DEIDRE HARMON N.C. State University

Troubleshooting Forage Related Issues in Beef Cattle For most of us, spring and summer represent an exciting time of year where we are hopeful about the growing season and our harvests to come. The days are getting longer, the grass is growing, and you probably check the weather more so than any other time of the year. However, in all the excitement and buzz that warm weather brings, we can’t forget about a few forage related issues that we may see appear in our cattle during this time of year. Being aware of these issues and knowing how to prevent, manage, or treat them can get you out of a potentially sticky situation. Grass Tetany - Grass tetany, or sometimes called grass staggers, magnesium (Mg) tetany, or hypomagnesemia, is a nutritional disorder caused by either an inadequate amount of dietary Mg or another mineral related factor that is preventing (antagonizing) dietary Mg from being properly absorbed or utilized. Magnesium is considered a macromineral and is needed in beef cattle diets to ensure proper growth, reproduction, lactation, and metabolic function. When dietary Mg is low, or utilization is inhibited, neuromuscular function becomes impaired and leads to the clinical symptoms of staggering, muscle twitching, convulsions, and in severe cases, can lead to death. This disorder is most common during cool, cloudy, and rainy weather and frequently occurs when cool weather is followed by a warm period, something we have seen a lot of in the last few years. There are several common scenarios that can result in an increased incidence of grass tetany in beef cattle, and oftentimes several of these scenarios are stacked on top of one another. Grass tetany is most prevalent during times of lush forage growth, think spring and fall. During this time, we often have high potassium (K) concentrations (associated with lush, growing forages) and, in large amounts, can antagonize both the uptake of Mg from the soil and Mg absorption in the rumen. So, from the start, we can have low Mg concentrations in forage tissue

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that is also poorly absorbed in the rumen. Additionally, Mg is an essential mineral and is needed in the diet in increased amounts during lactation, especially 45-90 days after calving. Spring calving cows are highly susceptible to grass tetany because they reach peak lactation, usually during the same time as the spring green up. Keep a close eye on your heavy milking cows and any older cows in your herd because they are more susceptible since they cannot mobilize Mg from reserves in the bone as quickly as younger cows. To prevent grass tetany, cattle need to be fed a high magnesium mineral during the times of the year when grass tetany is of concern. Although high-mag mineral is more expensive than conventional mineral, some producers choose to feed it year round as an insurance policy and to ensure they do not forget to switch minerals during critical times of the year. If you are providing a free choice highmag mineral and still having issues, read the mineral tag and take a closer look at the consumption levels of the mineral. Most high-mag minerals say to feed 4 oz/head/day. Do the math based on how much mineral you’re putting out, how many cows you have, and how fast the mineral is being consumed. Calculate the mineral on an oz/head/day basis and determine whether or not their consumption meets requirements stated on the bag. A herd of 25 cows consuming 4 oz/head/day should need close to 1 bag of mineral (~44 lbs) a week. A herd size of 50, 75, and 100 cows would need 88, 131, and 175 lbs a week, respectively, of a mineral calling for 4 oz/head/day intake. If cattle are not consuming adequate amounts of mineral, intake of the mineral can be increased by mixing it with feed and/or salt. Salt is also an important mineral to Mg absorption. Magnesium transport across the rumen wall can be reduced if there is not enough salt in the diet and if there is too much K in the diet. Collectively, too much K and too little salt can cause grass tetany, even if Mg intake

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

is adequate. However, do not give cattle a salt block in place of a high mag mineral; rather, salt is an addition to mineral and is what drives cattle to consume mineral. With proper management and monitoring of mineral intake, grass tetany is preventable but can cause tremendous economic repercussions when it happens. Nitrate Poisoning - Like most forage related issues in beef cattle, nitrate poisoning can be avoided with timely management. Plants take up nitrogen out of the soil in the form of nitrate. Once in the plant, nitrate is converted into plant proteins. However, nitrate can accumulate in the plant during drought or stress conditions whenever protein synthesis and growth is slow. These nitrates start to accumulate most notably in the lower part of the plant. To avoid nitrate poisoning in animals and accumulation in plants, do not apply excessive amounts of nitrogen fertilizer during periods of drought stress. Indeed, nitrate accumulation in plant tissues can remain at toxic levels for several days after the first rainfall following a drought. If high nitrate forages must be grazed because overall forage availability is low, there are a few steps one can take to prevent nitrate poisoning. Never turn cattle into high nitrate forages on an empty stomach. Allow cattle to consume dry hay before turning them in to graze the high nitrate forages. When grazing high nitrate forages, focus heavily on grazing management. Since nitrates accumulate in higher concentrations at the base of the plant, only allow cattle to take a little leaf off the top and move them on to the next pasture or out of the forage completely. Do not apply grazing pressure that would force the cattle to graze low in the canopy. In addition to fresh forages, both hay and ensiled forages may contain toxic nitrate concentrations. The ensiling process may reduce nitrate concentrations

40-60 percent; however, making dry hay will not reduce nitrate concentrations from what it was when the grass was standing in the field. Most state forage labs can test for nitrate concentrations in forage. North Carolina residents can work with your local county extension agent to submit a forage sample for $10 through the NCDA&CS Feed and Forage Lab. Although we most often see high nitrates in summer annual forages, such as members of the sorghum family, millets, cowpea, and brassicas, we can also have high nitrates in fescue and bermudagrass that have been heavily fertilized. Careful management and frequent monitoring of weather conditions are necessary to ensure that these forage species are well utilized and free of toxins. Prussic Acid Poisoning - Species in the sorghum family (forage sorghum, sorghum x sudangrass, sudangrass, and johnsongrass) may contain prussic acid when plants are young or when plants have been stressed by frost in fall. Prussic acid or hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a poisonous chemical resulting from the breakdown of a compound called dhurrin. In cattle, it acts rapidly by disrupting oxygen utilization, and death can occur shortly after intake of plants containing prussic acid (within minutes). Prussic acid can be found in young, leafy tissue, and plants should not be grazed until the plant reaches at least 18-24 inches tall. Additionally, pay close attention to weather conditions in the fall. Grazing should be discontinued for at least 7-10 days after frost in the fall. Unlike nitrates, prussic acid is not stable and dissipates with time. Therefore, toxic concentrations are unlikely to be found in silage, baleage, or hay. Of the summer annual species, sudangrass has the lowest concentration of prussic acid, while forage sorghum has the highest. Sorghumsudangrass hybrids are intermediate.

Regular copy deadline is JUNE 5 for the JULY issue Spotlight material is due

JUNE 1 for the JULY issue

N.C. Forage & Grassland Council Forage Spotlight By MIKE & JEAN JONES

Native Grasses Native warm season grasses are a wonderful addition to any forage program. High quality hay can be made, but grazing is where these grasses shine. Native grasses have been growing naturally in the Tall Grass Prairie over eons and are still present today, providing some of the deepest and most fertile topsoil on earth. Roots can reach 13 fee,t making these grasses drought resistant and can draw nutrients from deep in the soil. These grasses provided forage for large herbivores (i.e., bison), which naturally grazed the prairies. Native warm season grasses also historically thrived in North Carolina and the region prior to European settlement. The grasses gradually disappeared from our region as farming and forestry practices changed over time. Although remnants of these grasses can still be found. The main chosen grasses are Big Bluestem (BBS), Indiangrass (IG), and Little Bluestem (LBS), as they work well in a mix. Eastern Gamagrass (EGG) is one of my favorites, second cousin to corn, and very nutritious. In addition to most upland environments, Gamagrass can also withstand wet sites where frequent flooding occurs. Switchgrass (SG) is another native grass that can grow well in wet sites. All are long lived perennials that produce well even in lower fertility soils, with no chance of prussic acid or nitrate poisoning.

We here at Beaver Creek Farm began this native grass journey a decade and a half ago. The first planting was ten acres of Eastern Gamagrass, and we still have it today. Then came Big Bluestem/ Indiangrass, now at 18 acres. We also utilize other natives that were already in the sward, like Purple top (Greasy Grass), Virginia Bluestem, Panicgrass, and others. Currently, we are planning an additional native grass planting in an 18 acre savanna. The native seed mix consists of warm seasons (Big Bluestem - 53 percent, Indiangrass - 22 percent, Little Bluestem - 13 percent, Sideoats Grama - 5 percent) and cool seasons (Virginia Wildrye - 4 percent and Canada Wildrye - 3 percent). This was planted in May. Preparation began three years ago with herbicide treatments and a hired forestry mulcher. We already have the seed on hand. The seed will be mixed per acre - 23 lbs of native seed mix, 8 lbs of pearl millet, and 200 lbs of pelleted lime. This planting will be broadcast over a prepared seedbed. The native warm season grass seed in the mix is fluffy, making them difficult to spread alone, so lime will act as a carrier to help distribute them evenly. Notice pearl millet, which will be used as a nurse crop to help stabilize the soil while the natives are establishing. The pearl millet must be clipped or grazed, preventing

a heavy canopy from occurring so the native seedlings can survive. This land was prepared with the help of a forestry mulcher, leaving the stumps and mulch, which would not allow the use of a drill. Usually, native warm season grasses are planted using a no-till drill equipped with a special seedbox designed to handle fluffy seeds. Most county Soil and Water Conservation Districts have a drill capable of metering fluffy seed and can be rented for a small fee. We are doing this with the help of Jason Smith, District 7 Wildlife Biologist from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Check out the NCWRC website to learn more about programs with native grasses Pasture Management at www.ncwildlife.org. Additional information can be found at Native Warm Season Grasses of the Mid-South by Dr. Pat Keyser and others from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Center for Native Grasslands Management at www.tennessee.edu, Native Grasslands Alliance at www. nativegrasslandsalliance.org, and USDA Profiles of Native Plants. In addition, USDA NRCS has programs such as EQIP that can help landowners with

establishing native warm season grasses and pollinator plants; check with your local NRCS staff. These grasses compliment cool season forage systems by filling in the summer slump when cool seasons are less productive. Native warm season grasses have become popular over the last 15 years, and since 2007, 1,400 acres have been established in the piedmont of North Carolina. In 2020 alone, 120 acres were established with guidance from NCWRC personnel. So, if you would like a forage that is wildlife friendly, a wonderful dilution for fescue toxicosis, summer grazing when cool season slows down, then give natives a chance. Read all you can to learn more about these grasses. The only thing I regret about Natives is that we didn’t start sooner. What we’re trying to convey is to learn more from NCWRC, UT Knoxville, NRCS, native seed companies, etc., and ask friends that have been successful in establishing and managing native forages. These grasses are easy if you know how. Like with any perennial, planning must take place. Good luck with your new plantings, and remember you have assistance and start today with planning.

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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. Our cows munching BBS/IG during the summer of 2020 on a 12-year-old stand.

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E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture By E.B. HARRIS

A Chair and A Cow Bill Farrar from South Hill, Va., contacted me and wanted to have a complete dispersal of his cattle and farm equipment. We set the cattle sale for March 6 at the Granville County Livestock Arena and the farm equipment for March 13 on his farm on VA Hwy. 58 in South Hill, Virginia. We would be back in two weeks just a few miles away, in the community of Union Level, Va., working for Robert Proffit. I am telling you all this so you will know where a cow will lead E.B. and what she will show you. These people I work with for cows and equipment have the same needs. If you have cows, you may need a hay baler, and if you have equipment, most of the time, you might need some cows. Sometimes those barn finds or treasures appear when you are cleaning out buildings and getting it all together. We were working with Bill on lining up his equipment, and he said he had a few items in the packhouse from many years back. He told me to go in there and look around, and if there was anything in there I wanted to sell, go ahead and get

them out. I went in there, and he had a good supply of tobacco sticks, a grading bench, and wrapping horses. I thought these would add to the sale and give some folks in the collectible business a chance to buy some things from yesteryear. I looked over in the corner, and two chairs caught my eye. When I first heard about these chairs, the people I heard from called them Mecklenburg chairs. I thought they were made in the Charlotte, N.C., area in the 1800s. In my travels and getting about the country, I have seen lots of chairs similar to these. I think each part of the country had similar chair builders. All of them would make them a little marking with their trademark. Some over towards Northampton County have a chair they call a mule ear because the top is tapered off flat on the bottom side as they come to the top. A lot of these chairs I had found in a packhouse or crib because they sit low to the floor. It would be easy to reach down and pick up anything to work with. I know my mama had a couple of them on the back porch she used when peeling apples, pears, or getting things ready for canning. She

would sit in the chair and put her pan on the floor because it would be easy to reach down and get what she needed. There were two of these chairs in the back part of the stripping room. I pulled them out and put them in the collectible line where some of the other nostalgic items were. One of my customers came through a couple of days before the sale, riding and looking. He spotted those chairs and asked if I knew their history. I told him I did not. He told me they were made over by Robert Proffit’s in Union Level, Virginia. There were two generations of Johnson men who made the chairs, and those chairs have a knob on top and then a button on top of the knob that shows they were a Johnson chair. The customer brought me a copy of an article which gave interesting facts about

“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

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For all your crop insurance needs! PAGE 22

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the Johnson chairs. The creator of the chair perfected a way quite his own. The four posts were made with green timber, and the backs and rounds were from timber that had been seasoned for seven years, so when it dried, they were clenched in a very tight way. There was not a nail in the chair. Red elm bark was weaved together to make the seat, and he kept the red bark in the creek until ready to pull out and use. Mr. Johnson would make you a set of six chairs for $9. He also made some rocking chairs, and some are supposed to be in the courthouse in Boydton, Va., and have stood the test of time from the 1800s until now. People are seeking these chairs now as a collector’s item. It’s always interesting to follow an old cow. You never can tell what footpaths she will lead you down and the history she might show you.

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You Decide! By DR. MIKE WALDEN

Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics N.C. State University You Decide: Will the Roaring ‘20s Come Back? One hundred years ago, a worldwide pandemic ended. Known as the Spanish flu – although the virus did not begin in Spain – the pandemic killed an estimated 20-50 million people worldwide and almost 700,000 in the United States. To date, the death toll in the U.S. from the COVID-19 pandemic is 570,000, and this is based on three times the population as in 1920. Yet, despite the horror of the Spanish flu, the U.S. economy came rapidly back. Indeed, the decade of the 1920s is commonly called the Roaring ‘20s. This raises an interesting question. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is ended, could history repeat itself and culminate in a second Roaring ‘20s? First, let me give some background on the Roaring ‘20s. Several factors drove the decade’s economic boom. Europe had been decimated by World War I. While a participant at the end of the war, the U.S. homeland and economy escaped largely unharmed. Europe looked to the U.S. to help feed it, and this created tremendous revenues for American farmers. Since farming commanded a much larger share of the economy then, when farmers gained, so did the thousands of small towns dominating the country’s landscape. Both of my grandfathers were farmers in the 1920s, and they referred to the decade as “the time of money.” The 1920s can also be considered the beginning of the modern consumer economy. Households benefited from the spread of electricity and the mass production of game changing innovations like automobiles, refrigerators, home appliances, radio, and indoor plumbing. The development of consumer credit allowed these big ticket items to be purchased over time, thereby giving more households access to them. These consumer oriented improvements significantly improved the average household’s quality of life. Food kept longer, housework was easier, entertainment and news were available at all times, and trips became faster. The Roaring ‘20s economy was not without its challenges. Business investors who were smart enough to make and sell the new innovations of the era were

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handsomely rewarded. As a result, income inequality rose to new levels. Also, the efficiencies brought by new machinery often meant fewer workers were needed in production. This especially occurred in farming. Thousands of farm families moved from farms to new jobs in the cities. Both of my grandfathers made this adjustment. It’s easy to see numerous similarities between today’s economy and the economy of the 1920s. Both followed the challenges of a worldwide pandemic. Both benefited from numerous innovations. Both had the excitement of recovering the life that existed before the pandemic and making it even better. There are also similar challenges. After dropping for several decades, income inequality today is approaching 1920 levels. Large shifts in the workforce have also occurred, and many economists think these will accelerate in coming years. Technology has been driving much of these shifts, but lingering concerns about individuals working in close proximity are expected to create new shifts. Economists expect today’s economy to “boom” for the rest of 2021 and perhaps into 2022, with economic growth hitting near historic rates. But much of this “roaring economy” will be due to the natural rebound from the COVID-19 recession, as well as from the $6 trillion federal government stimulus programs. Hence, the real test of whether we are on the verge of another Roaring ‘20s will be a couple of years away. What will determine the outcome? One important factor will be national public policy. National public policy in the 1920s saw the first test of supply side economics. Supply side economics is the theory that reducing tax rates will stimulate the economy so much that tax revenues will actually rise rather than fall. Federal income tax rates were slashed during the 1920s. Supporters say this action created incentives for business spending and hiring that propelled the economy to new levels of prosperity. Today it appears the opposite approach is being taken, called demand side economics. The notion is the economy is ultimately driven by the

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

productivity and prosperity of individuals. Proponents say that equipping individuals with the proper skills and social support will increase their income earning ability, which will, in turn, translate into more buying and more jobs. Rather than cutting tax rates, rates may be increased to fund the needed programs for skill training and support backup. Another important determinant will be the level and impact of innovations in the 2020s. Will artificial intelligence, robots, remote working, autonomous driving, renewable energy, and others match the impacts of autos, appliances, radio, and electricity of the 1920s? It will be interesting to watch how the two decades of the ‘20s ultimately compare. Will the 21st century version win? Or will we go the other way – like the 1929 crash? You decide. You Decide: Should North Carolina Follow California or Texas? Both California and Texas have developed dominating economies in recent decades. The states are one and two in the size of their economy and population. If each were countries, California would have the 5 th largest economy in the world, and Texas would be the 9th largest. Yet, one of the oddities making these accomplishments noteworthy is they were achieved with very different economic models. California is a high tax, high public spending state, whereas Texas is the opposite - a low tax, low public spending state. Can North Carolina learn anything from these two states with their different approaches to economic development? First, here’s some background on California and Texas and reasons why they have approached their economies so differently. California and Texas have developed

their economies around very different business sectors. Technology and entertainment are huge movers of the California economy. The state’s Silicon Valley – a region around San Jose – is the headquarters for numerous global tech firms as well as start ups. The production of movies, TV shows, and music – involving tens of thousands of jobs – has been a major component of the California economy since the 1920s. In contrast, today’s Texas economy revolves around energy and manufacturing. Texas is a major producer of oil and natural gas, and it refines those resources into finished fuel products. A maze of fuel pipelines sprouts out from Texas to all parts of the country. The different economies of the two states mean different workforces. California’s workforce includes a large percentage of highly educated and professional workers at the top of the pay scale and an equally high percentage of service jobs at the lower end of the pay scale, with fewer middle income jobs in between. As a result, income inequality in the state is very high, with California ranking fourth among states in the unequal distribution of income. Texas, meanwhile, has an income distribution that provides relatively more middle income jobs than California, but also relatively more lower income jobs and fewer higher income jobs. Texas ranks below California and below the national average on income inequality. These economic differences between California and Texas can provide an explanation for the opposite tax and public spending policies each state follows. In California, high income taxpayers in a very income unequal state may feel an obligation to pay more taxes in order to fund more generous social programs for low income residents.

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Additionally, the elite tech companies attract a highly educated workforce, one that often comes with a more favorable view of income redistribution. With its more equalitarian workforce, residents of Texas may be less inclined to pay higher taxes to support better funded social programs. Their attitude may be more tilted to a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” philosophy.

Currently, North Carolina’s economy is more like Texas than California. Manufacturing’s share of our state’s economy is 70 percent higher than in California, but it is also 30 percent greater than in Texas. The tech sector’s share of the North Carolina economy is the same as in Texas, but the tech share in both states is 60 percent under California’s share. The split between upper income,

Baxter Black

On the edge of common sense Carniphobia

a...”

“Doctor, I’m here because I’m a...I’m

“Relax. Many people have psychological conflicts. Lay back on the couch and tell me about it.” “Okay. It’s just that I don’t know if it’s normal or something I should worry about. I’m a...vegan.” “I see. It’s not an uncommon condition among the upwardly mobile. Something like three percent are afflicted at one time or another. The scientific name is Dysfunctional Alimentary Obsessive Behavior, or in layman’s terms, Carniphobia. “When did you first notice you were eating less meat?” “In college, I think. Most of the girls in the sorority house were concerned about their weight. And no wonder! What with the longs hours, bad romances and poor eating habits. Red meat was designated the cause so we ate lots of chicken salad and chips and pasta.” “Are you still conscious of your weight?” “Oh, yes. I’m always counting calories. I keep three sizes of clothes in my closet.” “What sort of Carniphobic would you consider yourself?” “A recovering one. I still dream about spareribs and hot dogs, tri tips and shredded beef tacos. Meat must be addictive. I sit there at the table in a fancy restaurant. My friends are eating fried chicken wings or pork fried rice or shrimp cocktail...I’m nibbling on crunchy broccoli and taking little bites of fruit

compote.” “Does it make you feel good?” “Well, I admit that I feel a certain smugness.” “Why?” “Because, I’m suffering! And they’re having the time of their life!” “Like a martyr, maybe. What’s on your mind watching them eat?” “Mostly that I can’t wait to get home and dig into the box of candy by my bed.” “Do you feel better knowing no animals were killed for your meal?” “Some, I guess. But that’s not something I lose sleep over. It all comes from the grocery store.” “Did you have some childhood trauma that may have influenced you.” “Not really. I ran over a cat once.” “Cats eat meat.” “Cows don’t.” “Do you feel a special relationship with cows? As a fellow Carniphobic, I mean?” “No. I don’t think about cows much.” “So, you don’t eat meat, even though you apparently like it because of your concern about your weight. Is that a fair conclusion?” “I guess so. And the self esteem I gain from the sacrifice.” “Time’s about up. But my prognosis would be that your Carniphobia could be fairly easily cured if you wished. However moderation should be practiced in all eating habits. Any more questions?” “Yes. Is tofu really good for you?” “I would say it ranks with pickled pigs feet.”

middle income, and lower income jobs is almost identical for Texas and North Carolina, and income inequality in North Carolina is slightly lower than in Texas and much below California. The biggest difference between the North Carolina and Texas economies is the large size of the energy sector in the Lone Star state. The state fiscal policies of North Carolina and Texas are also similar. The Tax Foundation ranks North Carolina 10 th best and Texas 11 th best for tax systems attractive to business expansion. California is ranked 49th. Both Texas and North Carolina are below the average of state spending as a percent of the economy, while California is above the average. Two key questions are, where does North Carolina want to go from here, and what kind of policy will take the state there? If North Carolina wants to focus on attracting businesses that are labor intensive and increase middle income jobs, then the current policy may be the best fit — if the state wants to expand its footprint in the technology and professional areas in order to attract higher paying jobs and top educated workers, then making policy more like California’s may be appropriate.

Of course, there are debates about both the California and Texas models. Recently, California has lost some population and companies who, in part, have complained of the state’s high tax rates. At the same time, Texas’s model has been criticized for being too stingy in funding public services and relying too heavily on more regressive taxes. Ultimately, the debate about the best fiscal policy will be decided by North Carolina’s residents. If in the future more of those residents are highly educated professionals working in high paying industries – such as technology – then North Carolina could easily migrate closer to the California model. Conversely, if most of the state’s future growth is in sectors like manufacturing, agribusiness, and perhaps energy, then the pendulum could swing the other way to favoring the Texas model. Either way, the decision will be a “collective you decide.” About the author. Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University who teaches and writes on personal finance, economic outlook, and public policy.

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By BERNT NELSON Clemson University

Back to the Futures — Part VI Results and The Final Chapter Introduction and Recap - The previous article, Back to the Futures Part V, discussed the mechanics of using futures markets as a risk management tool called hedging. It answered the questions “What is hedging?”, “Who can be a hedger?”, and lastly, “Why should I hedge?” The article concluded with two working examples using actively trading futures contracts for two different reasons. Now that some time has passed, Back to the Futures - Part VI will conclude this series, re-evaluating the status of each hedging example. Review of hedging positions taken and why - Back to the Futures - Part V illustrated two examples of a hedging strategy. Example A describes a short hedge where the farmer has 50 calves to sell at weaning in August. Example B represents a long hedge where the farmer plans on buying 50 calves in August. The specific examples may not be representative of the practices of all farms

Have you forgotten something? Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association! PAGE 26

in South Carolina, such as August sales and weaning weights. For these examples, sale months and weaning weights are used. The nearest futures contract month and closest contract weight to actual weaning weight is used. A review of each example is below. Example A, Short Hedge - Farmer A has a cow/calf operation and is currently in the spring calving season. The farm has 55 bred animals total and estimates that there will be 50 weaned calves available to sell in August, the nearest month with a futures contract. Farmer A knows they can be profitable with the current futures price but is concerned that cash flow will be tight if the cash market drops too far below the present price. Feeder cattle futures best fits the farmer’s needs because they sell calves rather than cattle ready for slaughter. Farmer A has determined the breakeven price of the calves, and a futures market price at $156.50/cwt can produce a profit. Farmer A contacts a broker to place a sell order for one August feeder cattle futures contract (50,000 lbs.) at $156.50. If the future market price hits $156.50, the trade will occur, and Farmer A will now be short in the futures market by owning a contract to sell feeder cattle. Farmer A now has a position in both the cash market through the ownership of actual calves to sell and through holding a short position in the futures markets, making them a hedger. It is important to note that the broker working with the farmer receives a brokerage fee for making the trade. When the broker executes the trade, the broker will make sure there is enough money in a margin account the farmer has with the brokerage firm to cover the maintenance margin requirement. Dependent on the market fluctuation, it is possible that the farmer may be contacted by the brokerage firm to deposit additional funds due to margin calls for holding the contract. Example B, Long Hedge - Farmer B plans on buying 50 weaned stocker calves in the fall to feed. They would like to

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

purchase calves in September. Farmer B is concerned that if COVID-19 subsides due to people getting vaccinated, the markets will rally. This rally would make it more expensive to purchase calves in September. Farmer B contacts a broker and explains the situation. The broker recommends that Farmer B place an order to purchase futures the next time the market drops below a price point where the farmer knows he can make a profit purchasing calves at that price. Farmer B places an order to purchase a September 2021 feeder cattle contract (50,000 lbs) at $154 cwt. September is the nearest contract. If the market price of the contract decreases to $154 cwt., the order to purchase the futures contract will be filled, and Farmer B will become a hedger. In Example A, the farmer sold 50 calves in August at weaning weight for $141.45 on the cash market. In Example B, the farmer purchased 50 weaned stocker calves in August for $141.45 on the cash market. Table 1 illustrates the results of each example using the most current futures prices available at the writing of this article. The August 21 feeder cattle futures contract has decreased to $153.38 cwt. Table 1 Example A Results - After accounting for fees and interest on margin, the final value of the hedge is a gain of $2.89 per cwt. Farmer A sold her 50 calves for $141.45 cwt at the sale barn. Farmer A calculates the price received by adding $2.89 cwt from the hedging account to the price received for the cash sale of the calves. The final price received for the 50 calves is $144.34 cwt. Table 1 Example B Results - In Example B, the final value of the hedge after accounting for fees and interest on margin is a loss of 85¢ per cwt. Farmer B bought the calves for $141.45 cwt at the sale barn. Farmer B calculates the

price paid for the calves by adding the $0.85 per cwt to the cash sale price. The final price paid for Farmer B’s calves, including the adjustment from his hedging account, is $142.30 cwt. Remarks/conclusions/series wrap up - As some time passed for the working examples, the markets went down slightly. Farmer A made money through the hedging account where otherwise losses would have occurred in the cash market. Farmer B experienced a small loss from the hedge since the market moved down after Farmer B bought the futures contract. However, when the market dropped, the cash market also declined, making it cheaper for Farmer B to purchase his calves. These examples demonstrate many of the elements discussed throughout the Back to The Futures Series. Farmer A and Farmer B are on equal and opposite sides of both the cash market and the futures market. Farmer A is selling 50 calves in August, while Farmer B is buying 50 calves in August. Farmer A hedges by selling August futures, while Farmer B hedges by buying August futures. Both farmers used hedging as a tool to help manage the risk of the market moving in a direction that would be adverse. The buying and selling in the August 2021 futures contract demonstrate “liquidity” in the market, addressed at the beginning of the series. The final results for each farmer are calculated using the following formula: cwt price x (weight/100) x number of head = Gain/Loss. For Farmer A, the results are 144.34 x (550/100) x 50 = $39,693.50, the total revenue received from the sale of 50 calves with an average weaning weight of 550 pounds. For Farmer B, the results are $142.30 x (550/100) x 50 = $39,132.50, the total price paid for 50 calves with an average weight of 550 pounds.

Table 1. Results of Working Examples

HERD HEALTH By DR. SHELBY ROBERTS

How Cattle Vaccination and Nutrition Connect Proactive cattlemen are good cattlemen. They have the foresight to combat the inevitable stresses and other challenges their cattle will face. They know that weaning, transportation, and other prolonged periods of stress can have a negative impact on immune function and, ultimately, the performance of their animals. So they act to mitigate that stress and, in turn, any health problems their beef cattle are facing. They know that prevention is cheaper than treatment, and they want to see their cattle thrive. Preventative health management practices are key for healthy cattle. Vaccinations and nutrition have a symbiotic relationship in terms of maintaining healthy immune functions in cattle. While quality nutritional programs are the bedrock of healthy immune function, both nutritional and vaccination programs are important for successful preventative health management on a cattle operation. Preventative health management focuses on promoting an animal’s natural immunity and minimizing the negative growth responses associated with stress and other health challenges. The role of vaccination - Vaccinating your cattle stimulates their immune systems to produce antibodies that specifically work to combat disease causing viruses or bacteria. After vaccination, a healthy immune response should translate to a memory of those specific pathogens for the immune system. This memory ensures a rapid response if the animal is exposed to pathogens it has been vaccinated against and allows the animal to avoid infection. Disease challenges vary between different geographies, so it is important to work with your local veterinarian to develop vaccine protocols, as they can identify and walk through the specific needs of your operation. Although your needs may vary based on your herd and geography, there are a few vaccines that we typically consider crucial for beef cattle, such as a scours vaccine and vaccinating for the bovine respiratory syncytial virus. Implementing a beef vaccination schedule - While vaccination is generally important, establishing a well constructed beef cattle vaccination schedule is crucial for vaccine success. One part of that plan — that is, the timing — can make the difference between failure and success. Vaccinations should be timed so that peak levels of

antibodies are present when the animal is at the highest risk of infection. Keep in mind that peak levels of antibodies take several weeks to manifest following vaccination, so you’ll want to plan ahead. The stage of the production cycle will determine the type and timing of the vaccine. • Pre-calving - A scours vaccination should happen during late gestation so that the highest levels of antibodies are present in the colostrum. A new calf’s immune system is weak, leaving it susceptible to disease and reliant on colostrum to provide it with much needed antibodies and protection. • Pre-breeding - For added protection for replacement heifers and cows, it might make sense to implement a pre-breeding vaccination protocol. This should be done around 45 days before you are hoping to breed. • Bulls - Keeping your bulls protected may mean implementing an annual vaccination program. Similar to your cows and replacement heifers, these vaccinations may be most effective for bulls around 45 days before breeding. • Weaned calves - Vaccinations should be given a couple of weeks before weaning so that peak antibody protection is achieved during feedlot arrival. With weaning, transportation, a new environment, and mingling with a new group, this time in a calf’s life is the perfect storm for sickness. Vaccination provides calves with some protection as they start this new stage of their lives. These programs and protocols are only as effective as they are managed. Poor animal health status at vaccination, improper vaccine handling, and inadequate nutritional status can all lead to vaccine failure. A failed vaccine costs more than just the amount of product you had in the syringe; it can lead to loss of gain or even death throughout an entire group of calves. Likewise, it is important to understand that vaccines do not guarantee 100 percent protection and may only provide protection for a period. Even so, can we increase the effectiveness of the vaccine through proper nutrition? The role of nutrition - Meeting an animal’s nutritional requirements is essential for the proper development, maintenance, and function of its immune system. Among the other health benefits good nutrition provides, it can also bolster

the effectiveness of vaccines and provide longer-lasting protection for cattle. To achieve a nutritional status that supports immune responses, a cattle nutrition program must include energy, protein, trace minerals, and vitamins. • Energy - Immune responses require an abundance of energy. When cattle are exposed to a disease, their immune systems work hard. In terms of the energy hierarchy, an immune response comes before maintenance and production energy. However, shifting energy to the immune response will decrease the nutrients available for growth or maintenance and can cause a reduction in body condition in dams and reduce growth in feedlot animals. • Protein - Proteins are used to produce antibodies. Since the goal of vaccination is to increase the production of antibodies, a protein deficiency can result in substandard antibody production. As with energy, shifting protein from growth to immune function can negatively impact animal performance. • Trace minerals and vitamins - The amount of trace minerals and vitamins needed in the diet varies based on the age, role, and geography of the cattle, but both vitamins and minerals play an essential role in immune function. Deficiencies in one or more of these nutrients can lead to reduced antibody production. Nutritional needs at different life stages - Just like with vaccines, the nutritional needs of your cattle will vary based on your specific herd and geography. Factors that can contribute to the nutrition discussion on your

operation include the type of facilities your cattle have access to, the feedstuffs used, and whether your cattle have experienced health issues in the past. The most important factor, though, is the current life stage of your cattle, as this will dictate the most basic nutritional needs that should be met. • Newborn calves - As mentioned above, calves are born with a high susceptibility to disease, requiring them to rely on colostrum to acquire those all important antibodies. Calves should have a healthy gut from the very start so they can better absorb the nutrients in colostrum and, as they transition to creep feed, maximize their potential for big gains. • Weaned calves - Maintaining a healthy gut in your calves through weaning is crucial to supporting their gastrointestinal integrity, aiding in vaccine success during the receiving period, and keeping them healthy in high stress situations. • Cows - The needs of the cows in your herd can vary based on their age and their current stage in the production cycle. Depending on the forage quality, cows may need mineral supplementation for optimum health, immune function, and reproductive success. Herd vaccination programs require an investment of both time and money, and quality nutrition is essential to safeguarding your investment. Talk with your veterinarian about putting together a solid vaccination and nutrition program for your operation. Remember… Proactive cattlemen are good cattlemen, and prevention is cheaper than treatment.

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BEEF TIPS By BRYAN SMITH, Clemson University

Planning for Livestock Water Needs There is a myriad of resources available to livestock owners discussing grazing options. Rotational grazing, intensive grazing, paddock sizing, and forage varieties are all covered extensively. The one critical topic that is often overlooked is the livestock water supply. Different species of livestock obviously require different amounts of water. A 1,200 pound cow will undoubtedly need more water than an 80 pound goat. The time of year also plays a significant role – livestock will consume much more water in the summer months than in the winter months. So how does a livestock producer determine how much water their herd may need? There is some data available if a comprehensive search is completed. Dr. Ben Bartlett with the University of Michigan produced the publication “Watering Systems for Grazing Livestock” some years ago on the topic (now out of print). Dr. Jim Gerrish, with the University of Missouri, published research that indicated cow/calf pairs on Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue used up to 35 gallons of water per day per pair in the heat of the summer. Other sources, such as the Missouri Grazing Manual, NRC’s Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, and an issue of Large Animal Veterinarian (May/June 1988), provide data based on maximum daily temperatures for dairy and beef cattle. Our local NRCS offices also have livestock water need calculations available. Livestock will certainly water from a pond or stream if one is available. However, it is a much better practice to fence livestock away from streams and ponds to protect the water quality of those water sources. Erosion loads from hoof action entering and leaving the water source are significant concerns, and coliform and nutrient loading can also become an issue with larger concentrations of animals. Placing water troughs throughout a grazing area can also greatly enhance grazing efficiency since cattle seem to graze more within 700-800 feet of a water source. The best option is to plan for the greatest livestock water need, usually in the July/August time frame in South Carolina. During that time, the daily temperatures are warmer, and forages

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may have a lower moisture content due to limited rainfall and heat stress, so livestock will typically drink more water per day during that time frame. We recommend that you spend time with your local Extension Agent and NRCS Agent to best determine water needs and water trough placement for your livestock. The livestock water need estimates below may help you determine if your proposed water source will provide enough water for your livestock: • Goats - 2-3 gallons per day • Sheep - 2-3 gallons per day • Lactating Beef Cow @ 90ºF - 20 gallons per day • 600 lb Steer @ 90ºF - 12.5 gallons per day • Dairy Cow @ 90ºF - 30-45 gallons per day • Bulls @ 90ºF - 20 gallons per day • Horses - 10-15 gallons per day The greatest need for a cow/calf operation will be in the July/August time frame if the calves are close to weaning age. Adding the needs of a lactating beef cow and her 600 pound calf would indicate the pair needs approximately 32.5 gallons of water per day during that time. Planning for a 35 gallon per pair per day water supply would be in line with estimated needs in this case. The next step would be to determine a total water need and a minimum necessary flow rate. For example, if the grower has 40 cow/calf pairs in that area, the maximum daily water use would be approximately (35 gal/day/pair x 40 pair =) 1,400 gallons of water per day. That amount of water *could* be supplied with a flow rate as small as (1,400 gallons/24 hours/60 minutes =) 0.98 gallons per minute *if* the pump were to operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. A much more realistic operation would use a larger flow rate – say 5 gpm – and size the water troughs, piping, and float valves so that cattle do not withdraw water more quickly than the pump can replenish it. A larger available flow rate from the well will require larger piping to the pasture and allow installation of a smaller water trough. The design of a livestock watering system should consider flow rate, water trough size, and the number of animals drinking at any one time. Intensively grazed cattle seem to water

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

in pairs and smaller groups, while cattle on a more traditional two week rotation generally water as an entire herd. Suppose the entire herd comes to the water trough at one time. In that case, care must be given to provide a large enough trough and/or limit the number of animals drinking from the trough at any one time to ensure the trough always has water available. According to Dr. Bartlett, cattle seem to drink water at a rate of 1-4 gallons per minute. Estimating that a cow may only consume about 40 percent of her daily water need at any one time, a grower may use the number of animals at the trough at any one time, the flow rate from the well (and that is allowed through the float valve), and the amount of water that should be left in the water trough when herd watering is completed to determine a minimum water trough size.

Plan to place water troughs in the open, away from trees. Livestock prefers drinking water that is closer to their body temperature. Placing a water trough under a tree may result in the need to remove leaves and detritus regularly. After installing a watering system, always make sure water troughs are in place and filled before moving livestock to a new grazing area. This will ensure that the livestock always has access to water and prevent possible damage to the water trough if thirsty animals try to drink while it is filling. The USDA Farm Services Agency sometimes has cost-share assistance programs for the installation of livestock watering systems in conjunction with fencing livestock away from streams and ponds. Check with your local FSA office for more information on these programs.

Joint Statement of Livestock Organizations On May 10, member leaders of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Farmers Union, R-CALF USA, and the United States Cattlemen’s Association met in Phoenix, Arizona. These groups convened at the request of the Livestock Marketing Association to discuss challenges involved in the marketing of finished cattle with the ultimate goal of bringing about a more financially sustainable situation for cattle feeders and cow/calf producers. The group talked openly and candidly about a wide range of important issues facing our industry today, including but not limited to: • Packer concentration, • Price transparency and discovery, • Packer oversight, • Packers & Stockyards Act enforcement, • Level of captive supply, and • Packer capacity. The group also agreed to take to their respective organizations for consideration these action items: • Expedite the renewal of USDA’s Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR), including formula base prices subject to the same reporting requirements as negotiated cash and the creation of a contract library. • Demand the Department of Justice (DOJ) issue a public investigation status report and, as warranted, conduct joint DOJ and USDA oversight of packer activity moving forward. • Encourage investment in and development of new independent, local, and regional packers. This unprecedented meeting brought together diverse producer organizations to identify issues and discuss potential solutions. These issues and action item lists are not comprehensive due to time constraints of this meeting. Attending organization representatives were pleased to have reached consensus on many issues and are committed to the ultimate goal of achieving a fair and transparent finished cattle marketing system. About the Livestock Marketing Association. The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., is North America’s leading national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through support, representation, and communication efforts. For more information, visit www. LMAWeb.com.

Certified Angus Beef News Certified Angus Beef Cook Off is Back and Better Than Ever. The American Angus Auxiliary is excited to offer three divisions in this year’s contest. Calling all chefs, grill masters, and beef lovers — the famous American Angus Auxiliary sponsored All American Certified Angus Beef Cook Off is back and better than ever! In addition to the annual Certified Angus Beef Cook Off contest and the Certified Angus Beef Chef’s Challenge, there will be a third division, the Certified Angus Beef at Home contest. The All American Certified Angus Beef Cook Off and the Certified Angus Beef Chef’s Challenge are to be hosted on July 13 in conjunction with the Grandest Show at the 2021 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). The purpose of all three of these contests is a chance to display participants’ knowledge of the beef industry and cooking skills in an educational, competitive, and fun way. Among junior teams, in particular, the Cook Off has fostered a cooperative spirit. The Cook Off is an excellent way to educate and entertain nonparticipants while promoting the ultimate end product — the Certified Angus Beef brand. “We are so excited to be back in action this year with our annual contests, as well as the Certified Angus Beef at Home challenge for round two,” said Anne Lampe, American Angus Auxiliary Beef Education Committee co-chair. “The Cook Off is a favorite contest at the NJAS, and we can’t wait to see the competitive spirit exhibitors bring this year to Grand Island!” All American Certified Angus Beef Cook Off Contest - This beloved contest is an annual opportunity for state associations to gather their best recipes and to prepare a beef dish to be paired with a skit that both entertains and educates the audience. The cuts selected for the contest this year are as follows: the steak division is top sirloin, the roast

division is tri-tip, and the other category is ground beef and will be the Ultimate Burger Grill Off. The Certified Angus Beef Cook Off contest will be judged by a panel of individuals. Winners in categories in showmanship and recipe, as well as overall excellence, will be awarded special prizes. There will be steaks, roasts, and other beef item categories. There will be divisions for NJAA member teams (two to six members of a state junior Angus association). There will be an overall winner announced at closing ceremonies. Certified Angus Beef Chef ’s Challenge - The American Angus Auxiliary sponsored Chef’s Challenge contest began in 2010 as a venue for adults and older NJAA members to challenge their cooking and grilling skills using CAB and secret ingredients provided by the contest. The contest is judged based on technique and preparation, as well as the use of CAB and the secret ingredients; taste, originality, and plating. Certified Angus Beef at Home Contest - Last year, the American Angus Auxiliary shifted the normal Cook Off contest to a virtual version to accommodate for pandemic guidelines. Contestants were tasked to produce a video presentation inviting consumers to their ranch, farm, home, table, kitchen, backyard grill, or a combination of these locations to tell the Certified Angus Beef story to consumers and present their recipe or dish. After the contest’s success, it was decided that the at-home video contest should become a permanent contest addition. About Certified Angus Beef®. World renowned for its exceptional quality and generous marbling, the Certified Angus Beef brand is the original brand of premium beef. Created in 1978, it is still owned today by family ranchers who are determined to bring the best Angus beef to the table. Ten exacting standards ensure superior taste and tenderness in every bite. Learn more at www.CertifiedAngusBeef.com.

BE A WINNER!

Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state or regional breed association. The Carolina Cattle Connection

q JUNE 2021

PAGE 29

37th Annual N.C. Angus Association Spring Fever Sale By SHARON ROGERS, NCAA Executive Secretary & ZACH MOFFITT, Sale Manager The 37th Annual N.C. Angus Spring Fever Sale was held on April 24 at the Shuffler Farm Sale facility in Union Grove, North Carolina. There were some clouds and showers that day, but it did not deter the buyers from coming out to see the fine offering in the sale. Over seventy live and frozen lots were sold for a sales gross of $227,800, with an average of $3,631 on the 58 live lots.

Angus enthusiasts. The crowd filled the sale arena, and at noon Colonel Mike Jones kicked off the very successful auction. Thank you to the N.C. Junior Angus Association for preparing lunch and the N.C. Angus Auxiliary for decorating the sale ring.

the sale. The offering included cow/ calf pairs, bred heifers, open heifers, N.C. Elite heifers and show heifer prospects,plus semen and embryos. There were lots of visitors on Friday afternoon to view the cattle, and as always, people arrived early on Saturday morning to see the cattle and to visit with their fellow Eddie Bridges helps to unload cattle for check-in before the sale.

The sale was managed by Zach Moffitt Cattle Marketing & Consulting of Concord, North Carolina. The consignors, along with Zach, worked really hard to showcase the females before and during

This is close inspection from both the buyer and the cattle.

Pre-sale work crew preparing females for the sale.

Nathan Ireland distributing hay to the sale cattle.

This Elite Heifer enjoyed her pre-sale breakfast.

Edisto Pines in South Carolina for $6,750. Other N.C. Angus Elite Heifer consignors included: Bridges Beef Cattle, Britt Family Farms, Fulcher Farms, Goforth Angus, H&D Angus, Shuffler Farm, and Windy Hill Farms. Elite Heifers sold into North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, and Virginia.

The N.C. Angus Elite Heifers were the highlight of the sale. To qualify for the Elite Heifer status, the females must meet a stringent set of performance and breeding guidelines. The consignors continue to make the extra effort to have their top quality heifers meet the standards, and this year 22 of the bred heifer consignments were awarded Elite Heifer status. The Elite Heifers sold for A group of consignors and buyers viewing the cattle.

Sale Manager Zach Moffitt and John Smith, Panther Creek Farms, taking time to discuss the cattle being offered.

$79,900 for an average of $3,540. Lot 45, selling for $8,250, was the high selling Elite Heifer. She was a Bar R Jet Black 5063 daughter bred to the popular Mead Magnitude consigned by Panther Creek Farms of Pink Hill. Lot 45 was purchased by High Ridge Farms in Albemarle. Scarlett Farms consigned the Lot 49 Elite Heifer, a Goforth Admiral daughter also bred to Mead Magnitude. She sold to

All the cattle settled in well on Friday.

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An additional stand out bred heifer included Lot 47, consigned by Shuffler Farm. A Baldridge Bronc daughter who sold to Circle D Farms for $4,000. In total, 33 bred heifers sold for $111,500 to average $3,378. For many years, the fall bred cows with big stout calves have been the reason buyers come to the Spring Fever Sale, and once again, there was a strong set of these pairs. The top fall pair, selling for $10,000, was Lot 10 and 10A, consigned by Crescent Angus Farm of Statesville. Lot 10, CAF Sabrina DD 3897, was a power packed daughter of Jindra Double Vision with S Chisum 6175 on her maternal side. This high performance female was bred

North Carolina Angus Association ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. This group of cow/calf pairs was patiently awaiting sale time.

to DL Wheel House for a fall calf, and she sold to Zach Swaim of Mocksville. Her standout October born heifer calf by Musgrave 316 Stunner sold to Cigar City Cattle Company of Tampa, Florida. HiLo Farms of Fuquay-Varina consigned Lots 1 and 1A, selling for $5,800. Lot 1, Hi Lo Esther, was sired by Baldridge Colonel C251 with the ever popular GAR Prophet on the dam’s side. Lot 1 sold to Circle D Angus Farm in China Grove. Lot 1A, her Mead Magnitude heifer calf, was purchased by Windy Hill Farms of Ramseur. The high selling bull pair was offered by Chase Angus of Sanford. Lot 9, Chase Discovery of 2095 703, and her GAR Combustion bull calf sold for $4,800. Gregory Hooker purchased the cow, and Perry’s Angus Farm purchased the bull calf. The 16 fall cow/calf pairs sold $73,050 to average $4,565.

The crowd getting one last look at the cattle before the rain began.

The open heifer, Lot 21, consigned by Hidden Hills Angus of Cleveland, was the standout of this division. Hidden Hills Rita 372H was a stout yet feminine January heifer calf sired by Byergo Black Magic 3348 with Quaker Hill Rampage 0A36 on the bottom side. Lot 21 was purchased by 2 Ten Cattle Company of Vining, Minn., for $6,250. Highlands Farm of Connelly Springs consigned the high selling show heifer prospect, Lot 27 HAF Rita of Primo 320, a super stylish open heifer that sold to Carolina Scarlett of Asheboro for $4,300. The nine open heifers sold for $26,100 to average $2,900. The frozen lots also made a positive impact on the sale. Fulcher Farms of Godwin offered two units of the now deceased bull Connealy Clarity. The semen generated extensive bidding in the house and online. When the gavel dropped the semen sold for $1,000 per unit to Shelton Angus Farm of

Gretna, Virginia. Crazy 8 Angus of Vale consigned the high selling embryos, offering three IVF embryos by Connealy Clarity and Rita 9K9 5GN1 Method. These embryos went to Black Cedar Angus of Advance for $2,400.

Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling. 4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 info@tarheelangus.com

KNOLL CREST FARM The Bennett Family Red House,VA 434-376-3567 knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com www.knollcrestfarm.com

455 GORE FAMILY ANGUS Mark & Lori Gore Tabor City 702-401-8005 455goreangus@gmail.com www.455farms.com

LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Gates 252-357-1279 ritalane@embarqmail.com

BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) robinbackcreek@att.net Facebook: Back Creek Angus

PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 sandjfarms2013@gmail.com

BB ORGANIC FARM NC, LLC Bob & Elissa Miller Louisburg 919-414-7753

The CCi.Live camera captured the sale for the online buyers.

Volume buyers were Harve Creek Cattle Company, Gregory Hooker, and 2 Ten Cattle Company. The sale was also broadcast live on CCi.LIVE, selling cattle and embryos into North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Minnesota, and New York. Thanks to AAA Regional Manager Reese Tuckwiller, Joe Hampton, Neil Bowman, Teresa Swisher, Suzanne Brewer, and Jennie Rucker for helping to work the sale. Also, thank you to the Spring Fever Sale Committee, especially Brent Scarlett and Daniel Wall, for working with all the consignors and to Colonel Mike Jones and Zach Moffitt for making the sale a success. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring for the 38th Annual Spring Fever Sale.

BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com

SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 mrooker@mrookerlaw.com

BRIDGES BEEF CATTLE Eddie, Cindy, John, & Crystal Bridges Shelby 704-692-2978 bridgesbeefcattle@gmail.com

SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Alex Askew Louisburg 919-880-9062 (Phil) 910-260-2899 (Alex) philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com

BRITT FAMILY FARMS James Britt Calypso 919-738-6331 jrb4070@hotmail.com

TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 greg.little@ATImetals.com

C-CROSS CATTLE COMPANY Duane Strider Asheboro 336-964-6277 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com

UWHARRIE RIDGE FARMS Mark Wilburn Asheboro 336-953-0521 uwharrieridgefarms@gmail.com

FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com

VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 keaton@vandemarkfarms.com

G&G FAMILY FARMS Darren & Paul Gore Tabor City 843-458-2970 goreangus1@gmail.com goreangusfarms.com

WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 michaelmoss@rtmc.net

GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net

WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 winslowgen@gmail.com

H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 jennham@bellsouth.net HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 gmhill@uga.edu

Ring men Reese Tuckwiller and Joe Hampton work to capture bids from the large crowd.

JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com

WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com

Sharon Rogers

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

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ANGUS NEWS Angus Genetics Inc. Announces May 28 Updates. Thanks to the dedication of Angus breeders and their commitment to data collection, the number of genotyped animals within the American Angus Association database has increased more during the last four years than it previously ever had. Such growth means the “single step machine” is ready for maintenance as computing times get slower and slower. Regular maintenance of models, genetic parameters, and algorithms helps ensure the data systems are accurate, efficient, and up-to-date. On May 28, AGI ran an update to the core group of animals to allow for a more accurate representation of the current genotyped population. Since 2017, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and the Association have worked together to implement and run the single step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) machine. This machine uses genomic information to build a genomic relationship matrix (GRM). GRM’s are then combined with traditional pedigrees to increase the accuracy of the evaluations. However, a challenge in running these evaluations is presented when the number of genotyped animals is more than 150,000. The University of Georgia created a solution to this challenge as they developed a procedure called “Algorithm for Proven and Young” (APY). APY sets a group of reference animals to represent the entire genotyped population. This group is used to calculate the inverse of the GRM for all genotyped animals. APY has been used since the “single step machine” was implemented at the Association in 2017 to run the weekly evaluations of millions of animals and more than 950,000 genotyped animals. Read more about the “single step machine,” why these updates took place, and how this impacts you in Andre Garcia’s latest By The Numbers column in the Angus Journal. If you have questions regarding these updates, contact an AGI customer service representative at 816-383-5100 or at angus@angus. org. Visit www.angusjournal.com/ ArticlePDF/0521-by-the-numbers.pdf to read the full article. AIMS Summer Lunch and Learn Sessions. Lunch and Learn sessions are designed to give cattlemen and women the opportunity to learn information in a

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more in-depth, hands-on approach while addressing frequently asked questions about Association programs and services. Different from evening Angus University webinars, attendees will have the ability to feel more one-on-one with the speaker, receiving information and having their questions answered, all while learning how to do various activities. These sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. throughout the months of June, July, and August. Sessions will last between 20-30 minutes and allow for 10-15 minutes of questions from the audience. You can find information for the June sessions below. Please note that registration for Lunch and Learn events is limited. If you are interested in one of the sessions, sign up early before spots are filled. The sessions will be archived and available on the Angus University website for reference after the session is complete. If you can’t attend and would like to, email Jera Pipkin, education coordinator, at jpipkin@angus.org and include the session you are interested in to be sent the recording. June Angus Information Management Software (AIMS) - Are you an AIMS user or interested in the program? Do you have questions about the installation process, backups, or switching to 3.0? Have you used the program and still want to learn more about the features? Attend one or all of the upcoming AIMS Lunch and Learn sessions to learn more about the software. Tammy Poirier, customer service representative and AIMS specialist, will cover the program scope, help users familiarize themselves with the ins and outs of the software while answering frequently asked questions and addressing common issues. Join us on June 1, June 8, and June 15 to address your AIMS questions. Register below! • June 1 - AIMS 101 - http://bit.ly/ AUaims101 ◦ Attend this session to learn about the benefits of AIMS, how to get started, the basis of backups, and how to submit files to the Association. • June 8 - Installation, Backups and More - http://bit.ly/AUaimsinstall ◦ Attend this session to learn how to install the software updates and find where backup files are stored in your

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

system. • June 15 - Frequently Asked Questions - http://bit.ly/AUaimsfaq ◦ Attend this session to hear Tammy address and answer frequently asked questions. ◦ Check back later to see exactly what questions will be answered in this session. Angus Election Underway. The American Angus Association is preparing for the 2021 Annual Convention of Delegates, hosted in conjunction with the Angus Convention November 6-8 in Fort Worth, Texas. In accordance with the Association bylaws, forms and information required to nominate a delegate online or through the mail have been mailed to every eligible voting active life and regular Association member who qualified as an eligible voting member to nominate delegates to the annual meeting. To nominate online, eligible voting members must visit the address provided on the form included in the mailing and use the unique pin number provided. The unique pin number is located below the member code in the upper right corner of the form. Nominations submitted online must be completed no later than 5:30 p.m. on June 11. If the traditional printed form included in the mailing is used to nominate, the signed nomination form must be received in the Association office no later than 5:30 p.m. on June 11. The nomination period ends on June 11, and each eligible voting member is allowed to nominate one eligible voting member who resides in the same state or district, including himself or herself. More information is available at www.angus. org/Pub/AngusNewsRoom/030221delegatevotingeligibility. The candidate should be highly involved in the Angus business, willing to attend the meeting, and able to represent Angus breeders. Following the close of the nomination period, every qualified nominee will be included on a state/ district ballot. Ballots will be mailed to

the eligible voting members in July to vote for the final slate of state/district delegates. The Annual Convention of Delegates will take place on November 8, during the Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. Online registration for the convention will begin July 1, and further information will be available at www.angusconvention. com. AHIR Inventory Reporting Summer Enrollment Open. For members who did not enroll in January, the second enrollment period for the new Inventory Reporting AHIR® (Angus Herd Improvement Records) option is now open. For members who want to enroll their herds during summer enrollment, the deadline is July 15. Current herd inventory can be established within your AAA Login account. The fee is $2 for each female enrolled. This fee covers the AHIR reporting cost for the next calf crop. Annual requirements for each female enrolled in the program include reporting a calf (birth date, sex, dam information), a reason for no calf, or a disposal code if the cow left the herd. All members enrolled in the Inventory Reporting option will have the opportunity to earn the MaternalPlus® designation. For members who enrolled in January, now is a good time to enter the spring calving information for the females in your herd. For those interested in MaternalPlus, weaning weights and heifer breeding records are also required. Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving close to 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by more than 300,000 animals each year. The association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers, and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers. For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.

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The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference Announces New Dates. The virtual event will take place June 22-24. Alltech’s commitment to delivering advanced innovation and exceptional quality extends to our world class events, particularly the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference (ONE). Having transitioned to a virtual event in 2020, we applied our entrepreneurial spirit to building an even more robust and interactive attendee experience for the 2021 conference. As we approached the May 25 launch date, however, it became apparent that the digital technology necessary to support our ambitious goal was not quite ready. We have, therefore, decided to wait to open the virtual doors on ONE until we are able to deliver the outstanding attendee experience that we envision, including networking and additional engagement features. The new dates for the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference are June 22-24. Current registrations will be automatically transferred to the new dates. If attendees are unable to join during that particular timeframe, they can still access all presentations on demand at your convenience following the launch.

NEWS

We are grateful to our attendees, our partners, and our global team for their ongoing support and flexibility. We look forward to hosting everyone virtually at ONE and fulfilling our promise to deliver a superior event of unmatched value and insights. The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference announces keynote lineup to explore the power of science, sustainability, and storytelling. Alltech has announced the keynote speaker lineup to be featured at the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference. Streaming keynote and on demand presentations will be released during the global conference and will focus on the power of science, sustainability, and storytelling. Shirzad Chamine, author of the New York Times bestseller “Positive Intelligence,” has served as the CEO of the largest coach-training organization in the world and has used his expertise to train the faculty at the business schools at Stanford and Yale. Chamine lectures on the concept of mental fitness at Stanford, where he also works with the university’s student athletes. A preeminent C-suite advisor, Chamine has coached hundreds of CEOs and their executive teams.

S.C. Charolais News By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association

Last month I was terribly upset after losing our friend Mark Howard. Well, this month I am upset again. I found out that on April 12, I lost another good friend to a tragic auto accident in Montana. My good friend, Leslie Alexander of Hanging A Cattle in Pasco, Wash., was killed in an accident in Montana while she and her husband Alan were delivering/picking up cattle. The weather was snowy and icy on I-90 when the accident happened. Leslie and I became friends on social media, and then we met at the AICA meetings in Kansas City in 2014. We had great times in Kansas City, rented a car together, went out to eat, and attended the shows. After that, my son-in-law was transferred to Whidbey Island in Washington State, so my daughter and granddaughter were living close to Leslie. We talked often by phone when my daughter needed info about the area. This past year I remodeled my kitchen, and Leslie was doing the same to hers. We compared notes and suggestions on our kitchens. I already miss

her so much, and I am really frustrated at losing so many friends all at once. We will be attending the Appalachian Classic the first weekend in June, and I am looking forward to seeing old friends and clearing my mind. Keep in touch with your cattle friends because you never know if you will get to talk to them again. I have been informed that Bryan Killian of ABC Charolais is retiring. I keep threatening to do that, but somehow it never comes to fruition. He has a lot of good Charolais cattle for sale private treaty, most A.I. bred. Give him a call if you are in the market. He lives near York, S.C., and you can give me a call if you need his number. The hay season has started here, although it is late because of the cool, rainy weather. Not my favorite time of year as something always tears up when you start cutting and baling hay. Stay safe and try not to say too many bad words when things tear up, or sneaky rain moves in unexpectedly.

A man of many talents, Dewitt Jones, is one of America’s top professional photographers, as well as a motion picture director, an author, and a former photojournalist for National Geographic. He has also been at the forefront of corporate, creative marketing by photographing national advertising campaigns for major brands. Jones is recognized as a world class lecturer. His knowledge of the creative process, his relaxed and genuine style, and his ability to communicate make his presentations truly outstanding. Economist, bestselling author, journalist, documentary filmmaker, and broadcaster David McWilliams is ranked as one of the top ten most influential economists in the world. He has devoted his entire professional life to the objective of making economics as widely available and easily understandable as possible. Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, represents the second generation of the global business founded by his father, Dr. Pearse Lyons. Based on Alltech’s belief that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively impact the future of the planet, he launched the company’s vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™ in 2019. Alltech is driving science led sustainability within agriculture and calling for collaboration to improve nutrition, human and animal well being, and the preservation of natural resources. “This past year has changed the world, and now, more than ever, we need to come together to share insights, inspiration, and innovations,” said Lyons. “The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference connects changemakers for conversations that can shape the future of agri-food and our planet.” A new keynote presentation will be streamed on the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference virtual platform each day. Registrants who miss the scheduled streaming

can access the presentations on demand. More than 40 on demand presentations will also be released. These presentations will uncover the challenges and opportunities in the aqua, beef, business, crop science, dairy, equine, health and wellness, pet, pig, and poultry sectors. The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference virtual platform will also host live workshops and an interactive networking experience. To learn more about the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference, including how to register, visit www.one.alltech.com. Join the conversation across social media with #ONEbigidea. About Alltech. Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our products improve the health and performance of plants and animals, resulting in better nutrition for consumers and a decreased environmental impact. We are a global leader in the animal health industry, producing additives, premix supplements, feed, and complete feed. Strengthened by more than 40 years of scientific research, we carry forward a legacy of innovation and a unique culture that views challenges through an entrepreneurial lens. Our more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide share our vision for a Planet of Plenty™. We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet, but it will take all of us working together, led by science, technology, and a shared will to make a difference. Alltech is a private, family owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and maintain focus on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For more information, visit www.alltech.com.

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THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL

By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship. It’s time to be thinking about applying for the Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship that goes to the most deserving student who is planning to major in agriculture or an agricultural related field. We have a committee that looks over the scholarships and decides which applicant will receive the scholarship funds. Qualifications are based on academic merit, financial need, leadership, and character. Preference is given but is not required to those students who have been involved in the Simmental breed. We like for the recipient to be available to be presented with the award at our Annual Meeting in September. This year the Annual Meeting will be held on September 3. These applications can be obtained

by emailing the NCSA office at ncsa@ yadtel.net or calling at 336-468-1679. The applications are not due until July 15, but that date is coming up very soon! Outstanding Junior Simmental Member. Amy Thomas, the junior advisor of the N.C. Junior Simmental Association has an award that will go to an outstanding member of the N.C. Junior Simmental Association. The junior first needs to apply for this award. The following are the guidelines for this award: Qualification: • Junior is not eligible if they won Top Junior the previous year. Point System to compete for Top Junior of the Year • 6 points - Attending county cattlemen’s meeting (maximum 12 points) • 20 points - Attending NCCA Annual

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

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Conference • 20 points - Manned Simmental booth at one function in the state (Annual Meeting and Fall Harvest Sale don’t count here) • 10 point - First in Showmanship @ state level • 8 points - First in Showmanship @ county or circuit show • 8 points - Second in showmanship @ state level • 5 points - Second in showmanship @ county or circuit show • 5 points - Third in showmanship @ state level • 3 points - third in showmanship @ county or circuit show • 10 points - Participate in livestock judging • 10 points - Participate in skillathon • 10 points - Lead a group or man a station at Farm Animal Days • BONUS - 5 extra points may be earned by participating in a community service (must be documented and signed by service leader) Additional Rules: • Only one state level show is eligible for points. Therefore pick the highest placing (i.e., if you placed third at NCJBRU and

second at N.C. State Fair in showmanship, you would only be eligible for 8 points). • Only one county or circuit show is eligible for points. Therefore pick the highest placing. • Counting only one Livestock Judging competition is allowed. • Counting only one Skillathon contest is allowed. • Counting only one Farm Animal Days allowed. • Documentation of participation is required. A note or a signed program by the judge or person in charge is sufficient. • All events eligible for points must occur within the same year (i.e., if applying for Top Junior in 2017, all events must have occurred within 2017). • All documentation must be to the N.C. Junior Leader by July 1. • Announcement of winner will be announced at the NCSA annual meeting and N.C. Fall Harvest Sale. • Top Junior will receive either cash or prize worth $150. The junior can submit their application to Amy Thomas, 4728 Gumtree Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107, or by email to ncstockdog@gmail.com.

N.C. Simmental Association - Like us on Facebook!

1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 336-468-1679 • www.ncsimmental.com • NCSA@yadtel.net

Simmental News Simmental and Bison Genomes Released. The first reference quality genome assemblies for the iconic North American Yellowstone bison and the Simmental cattle breed have been published in the Journal of Heredity. Animal genome assemblies provide genetic “blueprints” for how they develop and pass on information to their offspring. The bison assembly will be used in conservation efforts to maintain genetic diversity and to study bison evolution by comparing DNA obtained from fossil specimens sampled from permafrost in the Arctic Circle. The Simmental cattle assembly will contribute to an international effort to survey existing cattle breeds around the world to preserve their genetic diversity and identify variations useful for improving beef and dairy traits in different environments. The two genomes are released together because of the unusual way they were created: a single individual hybrid animal from a bison bull and a Simmental cow. Each cell of the hybrid animal contained one copy of the bison and one copy of the Simmental cattle genome. Researchers used a process called trio-binning, wherein the genome of a single individual and its purebred parents are fully sequenced. With interspecies crosses, this results in a complete, highly accurate genome assembly from each species. These extraordinary high quality reference genomes meet or exceed the most accurate and complete mammalian genome assemblies to date. These resources were created by researchers from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC), the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), the National Animal Germplasm Program (NAGP), and the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (USDFRC). This

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effort was in partnership with the American Simmental Association (ASA), together with university partners at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), Colorado State University (CSU), and the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). According to the authors, “The best genome assemblies to date come from interspecies hybrids. They are more contiguous and accurate than those from individuals of the same species.” This was previously shown with the yak– Scottish Highland cattle cross. “This high quality bison genome provides a snapshot of the current state of buffalo in North America,” says professor Beth Shapiro, whose group led the bison assembly and uses ancient DNA to study evolutionary biology at UCSC. “It will be useful for comparing to ancient bison genomes, which are too fragmented to assemble on their own. From this, we can infer the natural history of the species and identify when and where cattle may have introgressed into bison.” The data also shed light on how much the near extinction and intentional crossbreeding of bison and cattle have affected existing herds. The reproductive effort to produce the hybrid animal was accomplished with Simmental producer Fred Schuetze, president of the World SimmentalFleckvieh Federation, and managing partner of SOT (formerly with Buzzard Hollow Ranch in Granbury, Tex.) and the assistance of Drs. Brad and Todd Stroud of HoofStock Genetics. The donor cow was a fullblood Fleckvieh Simmental, a breed recognized for its fast growth and beef yield. “From its founding in 1968 to this day, ASA has been committed to leveraging cutting edge science and collaboration to accelerate genetic improvement for its members and the beef industry. That unwavering commitment has gained ASA the reputation as ‘the science breed’ and this project illustrates that notion,” says ASA Executive Vice President, Dr. Wade Shafer. “The completion of this project sets the new standards for genetic improvement,” Schuetze adds. The Simmental assembly will be compared to previous genomes of Angus, Hereford, Brahman, Highland, Holstein, and Jersey breeds, along with others emerging from a USDA led effort to sample the 600 or so breeds existing around the world, to identify genetic

components that lead some breeds to excel at dairy or beef production, or to thrive in tropical, subtropical, temperate, or subpolar environments. The authors conclude, “These assemblies represent the application of the latest technologies for genome assembly, and they provide unprecedented insights into the nature of how evolution and domestication have shaped the genomes.” An improved understanding of how selection has affected the genome will help to speed genetic progress for precision agriculture and to avoid counterproductive breeding before it happens, providing another tool

for increasing beef and dairy production important for food security while maximizing sustainability. About the American Simmental Association. Founded in 1968, ASA is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. ASA is committed to leveraging technology, education, and collaboration to accelerate genetic profitability for the beef industry. In keeping with its commitment, ASA, along with its partners, formed International Genetic Solutions — the world’s largest genetic evaluation of beef cattle. Learn more at www. simmental.org.

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Weeks ending APRIL 6 & APRIL 20, 2021)

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, APRIL 6, 2021, and Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, APRIL 20, 2021. All cattle in this report are located in North Carolina and South Carolina. Prices FOB the farm or local scale and many weighed with a 0-2 percent shrink and sold with a 5-10¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only.

Cattle Receipts: 2,509

Last Month: 2,160

Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 61 percent steers and 39 percent heifers. Nearly 89 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds. Head 167 228 16 73 72 138 47 65 100 154 118 58 112

Wt. Range 575-585 625-635 650-650 675-675 685-685 700-725 700-700 750-750 750-760 775-795 800-825 850-850 850-850

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 580 $158.75 - $165.00 $161.93 632 $149.50 - $150.00 $149.67 650 $140.50 $140.50 675 $151.25 $151.25 685 $150.00 $150.00 712 $146.00 - $151.50 $148.79 700 $144.25 $144.25 750 $139.25 $139.25 753 $140.50 - $147.50 $144.39 787 $129.25 - $138.50 $133.03 812 $129.00 - $130.50 $129.76 850 $128.00 $128.00 850 $147.50 - $148.00 $147.75

Head 64 53

Wt. Range 760-760 910-910

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 760 $148.00 $148.00 910 $129.00 $129.00

Head 93 82 80 16 74 74 35 123 69 65 126 62

Wt. Range 525-525 585-585 600-600 600-600 650-650 665-665 700-700 700-740 710-710 750-750 770-775 790-790

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 525 $143.25 $143.25 585 $133.00 $133.00 600 $132.25 $132.25 600 $130.50 $130.50 650 $129.00 $129.00 665 $126.00 $126.00 700 $131.50 $131.50 710 $132.50 - $139.50 $135.99 710 $137.50 $137.50 750 $140.00 $140.00 772 $130.50 - $143.00 $136.65 790 $127.25 $127.25

Head 77 68

Wt. Range 640-640 720-720

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 640 $146.00 $146.00 720 $138.50 $138.50

Delivery Value Added Split Loads Natural NHTC Split Loads Split Loads

Value Added Delivery NHTC

Delivery Natural Guaranteed Open Guaranteed Open Split Loads Guaranteed Open Guaranteed Open Guaranteed Open Split Loads NHTC Value Added Natural Guaranteed Open Delivery NHTC NHTC

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

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From the Desk of the SCCA President By ROSCOE KYLE I would like to relay my belated Happy Mother’s Day wishes to all the mothers who read this, along with warm wishes for all my fellow Veterans on this past Memorial Day. I hope everyone had a safe and healthy spring this year. It was by far better than last year. Please remember that June is Beef and Dairy Month in South Carolina, so enjoy plenty of beef along with all your favorite dairy products, whether it be cheese on a hamburger or ice cream on some fresh peach cobbler. This spring has been full of different items, from some lawmakers wanting to tag and tax farm trailers to trying to control the feral hog problem that the agriculture industry faces. At the present time, with the help of the SCCA, Farm Bureau, and a large group of supporters, the Trailer Bill was dead in committee, and the Feral Hog Bill is hopefully on the way to the Governor’s Office for his signature. To all who made calls to their state senators and representatives, I personally thank you. At this time, the NCBA Annual

Meeting and Trade Show is on for August 9-12 in Nashville, Tennessee. Open registration to get the early registration price lasts from June 1-July 24. I hope as many Carolina members as possible can attend and hope to see you there. This should be a great way to end the summer with a little get-a-way. There will be plenty to do whether you go for the trade show or the spouse wants to shop or sightsee around the city. If I understand the information I am receiving from the NCBA office, they are planning on more formal action concerning the packers not providing information on the number of cattle being slaughtered and the price being paid. Please join if you are not a member, and if you have not renewed this year, do so. Remember, divided we fall and together we stand. NCBA needs all our support to help assure the next generation has it a little bit easier than we have. Here in South Carolina, the weather is still in charge of when we do what needs to be done. Sometimes Mother Nature helps, and sometimes she makes it difficult, and all we can do is be patient

with her. I understand that some were late getting out lime and fertilizer due to it being too dry in some locations and too wet in others, but don’t complain cause it could be worse. In the first part of May, I had the pleasure, along with the Executive Director and several members of Farm Bureau, of having lunch with Patrick McClean from Lexington, S.C., aid to Representative Timmons in Washington, D.C. Several current bills that are being looked at were discussed with Patrick, and we were assured that Representative Timmons would be advised on our concerns. The Representative was unable to attend due to a prior engagement with his Reserve Unit. The meeting took place in Greenville, S.C., at Bacon Brothers Public House, which is co-owned by lifetime SCCA member Mike Porter and Jason Caldwell. The food and service were great. If you are in the Greenville area, I highly recommend it. Just make reservations if it is at night. The SCCA is currently planning on holding our Annual Meeting on August

6 at the T. Ed. Garrison Livestock Arena in Clemson. Please plan on attending. Further information will be available on the website after June 1. This will be held along with the Junior Beef Round-Up and the S.C. Angus Association State Show. Before I forget, I want to mention the Southeast Expo, which is currently going to be held in October in Moultrie, Georgia. For those who have never been, put it on your bucket list, and don’t forget some comfortable walking footwear, along with a raincoat or umbrella. Please say a prayer for all those we have lost over the past year and also add in our GREAT NATION. I hope all have a safe July 4th this year and be careful of the heat. Just for your information, NORTH is a direction, and SOUTH is a way of life. If I can be of any assistance, please advise me because I believe the buck stops here! In the words of Bill Bryson, “There are only three things that can kill a farmer, lightning, rolling over in a tractor, and OLD AGE.” I am, as always, respectfully yours.

Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd. HARDROCK BEEF CATTLE Ronnie & Donna Holman 4613 Hickory Nut Ridge Road • Granite Falls, NC 828-302-8659 ronnie@hardrockbeefcattle.com JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-315-3821 jkredangus@gmail.com LANGDON RED ANGUS & SIMMENTAL John & Eileen Langdon 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 919-796-5010 johnlangdon5@gmail.com ROGERS CATTLE COMPANY Johnny & Sharon Rogers 945 Woodsdale Road • Roxboro, NC 336-504-7268 rccbeef@gmail.com PRESNELL RED ANGUS Jonathan & Jacob Presnell 368 Whitaker Road • Shelby, NC 704-473-2627 (Jonathan) • 704-616-8775 (Jacob) BULL HILL RANCH Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-682-3900 • 864-682-2828 bullhill2@mindspring.com

Terry Boyles, President - twinbfarm1@gmail.com

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

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

JUNE IS BEEF MONTH

The South Carolina cattle and beef industry will celebrate “June as Beef Month” here in the Palmetto State. This Industry is a top ten agriculture cash commodity ($133.7 million) and contributes to new wealth and economic growth for our state each, but is recognized for its importance, especially during June. Today’s consumers can be assured producers are committed to providing safe, lean, and nutritious beef. Darren Carter, a cattle producer for Ninety-Six and Chairman of the S.C. Beef Council said, “Lean beef is important to each individual and it promotes a healthy lifestyle.” He encourages the use of beef in meal solutions to get ZIP (zinc, iron, and protein). John Fogle, a cattle producer from Blythewood and President of the Richland County Cattlemen’s Association, stated, “The 3,200 plus cattle producers in South Carolina raise quality, safe animals on their farms each day.” South Carolina cattle producers care for their animals and land the same as their individual families. As the summer months begin, both Carter and Fogle continue to promote beef to consumers, especially grilling for Father’s Day on June 15, as well as, all during the Summer Grilling Season (Memorial Day through Labor Day). For additional information on both organizations of “Beef. It’s What's For Dinner.” campaign, please contact Roy Copelan at the state office at scbeef@ scda.sc.gov or 803-917-1119. Regards,

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International Brangus Breeders Association News IBBA Breed Improvement to Meet at BIF. Dr. Randy Schmidt, Chairman of the IBBA Breed Improvement Committee, has asked the members of the committee to attend the BIF convention in Des Moines on June 22-24. The IBBA Breed Improvement Committee will meet immediately after BIF. The BIF conference is the premier genetics focused conference of the year. Leading genetics researchers and the nation’s most progressive seedstock and commercial breeders gather every year at the BIF conference to share the latest research and new ideas for genetic improvement of beef cattle. The immediate past chairman of the IBBA Breed Improvement Committee, Mark Cowan, is a past president of BIF. In a recent e-mail to the committee, Dr. Schmidt stated, “I am always inspired and re-invigorated after attending the BIF meetings, and I hope that having a Breed Improvement Committee meeting immediately after the BIF will help to do the same for our committee. In addition, we will have some of the best minds in the business, and if we can tap into some of that, I hope that it will help us as we move into the future. This committee has always been forward thinking, and ultimately challenges all our breeders to do a better job.” The IBBA Commercial Marketing Committee has been Resurrected!

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! PAGE 42

Chairman Craig Green and President Allen Goode have assembled a 13 member committee focused on improving demand and prices for Brangus feeder cattle. Recently, two subcommittees have been established to pursue the priorities of the committee. The PVP Subcommittee, chaired by Cody Glenn, is digging into the question of whether a USDA sanctioned Process Verified Program (PVP) would add value to Brangus feeder cattle. At a minimum, the PVP program would verify a minimum percent Brangus or Ultra genetics, along with Age and Source Verification. Other PVP features are being considered as the subcommittee continues to gather facts and opinions from market participants. The second subcommittee is the Growyard Subcommittee, chaired by Justin Matejka. This subcommittee will develop a network of grow yards that will work with IBBA and will allow producers with less than a full semi load of feeder cattle to participate in the feeder cattle program. “The Commercial Marketing Committee is really energized and focused,” said Darrell Wilkes, IBBA Executive Vice President. “I have every confidence that Chairman Green and his committee will chart a course for enhanced marketing of Brangus feeder cattle. We know that good Brangus steers will compete favorably with anything in the feedlot and packing plant.” Support the International Brangus Foundation Through Amazon Smile. As some of our members know, the IBBA has a sister organization – the International Brangus Breeders Foundation (IBBF), which is an approved 501(c)(3) charitable organization. You can now support the IBBF at no additional cost every time you make an Amazon purchase. How? The IBBF is now registered with Amazon Smile. In case you’ve never heard of Amazon Smile, it is operated by Amazon and works the exact same way. Instead of going to www.amazon.com, go to www.smile.amazon.com. Login with your “regular” Amazon email and password, and then pick your desired organization (a one time setup). From there, it’s just like using the “regular” Amazon. When you buy using Amazon Smile, the price is exactly the same as “regular” Amazon, and Amazon will

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

donate .5 percent of your purchase price to your chosen non-profit. Half a percent will certainly add up if many of our members select the International Brangus Breeders Foundation as their specified non-profit. The IBBF supports research that will lead to a brighter future for Brangus breeders. Currently, IBBF is supporting the Brangus Value Project, which will help identify sires that excel from pasture to plate and will enhance IBBA’s genetic evaluation program. IBBF donations are always welcome and can be mailed to the IBBA office. At the end of the year, we will provide each donor with a letter to use for tax deduction purposes. Whether it’s a direct donation or through Amazon Smile, thanks for your support of the IBBF! IBBA Summer Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. Join Us August 12-13, 2021! IBBA will host committee meetings along with a general membership meeting and

educational program in Nashville on the heels of the annual NCBA convention. Members can register for as much of the NCBA events as they please or just attend the IBBA events. “If you have never been to an NCBA convention or attended the largest cattle focused trade show in the country, it is something to consider,” said Darrell Wilkes. NCBA registration opens June 1. About the International Brangus Breeders Association. The International Brangus Breeders Association, headquartered in San Antonio, Tex., strives to provide the commercial cattle industry, domestically and internationally, with the best genetics possible. Founded in 1949 as the American Brangus Breeders, the organization has since evolved into the IBBA. The IBBA’s purpose is to enable its members to produce quality beef for the commercial cattle industry and its consumers. For more information about IBBA, visit www.gobrangus.com.

S.C. Beef Council News By ROY COPELAN June has finally arrived, along with the official start of summer on June 20. The days are longer, the temperatures are warmer, and maybe a little vacation time is ahead for you and your family. There are a number of celebrations during June to include beef. In South Carolina, we celebrate June as Beef Month, as well as Dairy Month. Also, during June, Father’s Day is celebrated on June 20. A great grilled steak or a good old burger would complement your Father’s Day celebration. In June, I will speak at the 73rd Annual Assembly of the S.C. Academy of Family Physicians in Myrtle Beach. Beef promotional activities will continue to take place over the next 90 days or more of summer. These beef promotions will be a large part of our Summer Grilling activities. I plan to use McGill, the mounted cow trailer, and our new beef brochure. If you have food retailers, foodservice operators, or consumer events in your community, give me a call to schedule a beef promotion. National Hamburger Day was celebrated on May 28 with over 250 beef sliders grilled and served to first responders in the Columbia area. Everyone enjoyed building their own better beef burger. We appreciate these very special people! I’ll look to see you out during the hot days of June. Until then…

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: _________________________________

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

Buyer

* State of Origin of Cattle: ______________________

* If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.

Send Report and Remittance to:

SOUTH CAROLINA BEEF COUNCIL P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.8 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disbility, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or protected genetic information. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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CHUCK

SHANK

CHUCK

BRISKET

RIB

PLATE

RIB

LOIN

SIRLOIN

ROUND SHANK

FLANK

LOIN

SIRLOIN

LEAN

ROUND

INGEDIENT CUTS

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.)

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ROAST

STIR-FRY

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

Beef Checkoff News Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Brand Launches Sustainability Campaign. NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, launches integrated campaign to share stories of real beef farmers and ranchers and their commitment to protecting the land for generations to come. The Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand, managed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, launched a new beef campaign highlighting real beef farmers and ranchers. Consumers will be invited to learn more about how cattle farmers and ranchers around the country are employing sustainable practices to care for the land and produce high quality beef.   Recent scientific research funded by the Beef Checkoff shows that due to decades of continuous improvement efforts on farms and ranches around the country, the U.S. is the leader in sustainable beef production. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gas from beef cattle only represents two percent of emissions in the United States.1 Additionally, 90 percent of what cattle eat is forage and plant leftovers that people can’t eat.2 With this strong foundation of scientific and consumer market research, NCBA took the opportunity to develop a fully integrated campaign that will target consumer, influencer, media, and supply chain audiences. The campaign will come to life in a variety of ways, including: • New Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. advertising that will run on social media, YouTube, and connected TV with a

new video series highlighting how beef farmers and ranchers around the country are implementing land conserving, award winning environmental efforts • An interactive map on www. BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com that will be featured in the new ads and invite consumers to meet beef farmers and ranchers from each state • A series of interviews showcasing sustainability from farm to table on local TV and radio stations across the country• Influencer partnerships bringing chefs and cattle producers together for a collaborative and educational video series • Content partnerships and sustainability story placements in publications, from the national level to the local level, across the country “Beef farmers and ranchers have been caring for the land and environment for generations and will continue to do so,” said Clay Burtrum, 2021 Federation Division Chair. “Consumers want to know more about where their food comes from and as sustainability becomes a focus for consumers, it’s important for us to tell our story as effectively as possible and this campaign does just that.” According to market research, only 24 percent of consumers say they are knowledgeable about how cattle are raised for food. This sustainability campaign aims to address that by introducing consumers to farmers and ranchers across the country and showcasing the many efforts underway to help sustain and improve the land for generations to come. Consumers will also be introduced

to the Environmental Stewardship Award Program and the Beef Quality Assurance Program as further evidence of steps taken by the industry to adhere to the highest standards. For more information on the U.S. cattle industry and beef sustainability, visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com or www.beefresearch.org. References 1 EPA. 2019. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2017. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D. C. 2 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/19014

About the Beef Checkoff. The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval. About the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The Beef Checkoff is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Carolina Cooking Salad Shakers Total Preparation Time - 30 minutes 1 pound ground beef (95% lean) 2 teaspoons minced garlic ¼ cup water 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 package (10-12 ounces) iceberg or romaine salad mix (lettuce, red cabbage, carrots) 1 cup diced tomato ½ cup canned black beans, rinsed, drained ½ cup frozen corn, defrosted, drained ½ cup shredded reduced fat Cheddar cheese (optional) ½ cup prepared reduced-fat or fat-free ranch dressing ¼ - ⅓ cup Crunchy Tortilla Strips (recipe follows) or crushed baked tortilla chips (optional) Brown ground beef with garlic in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, breaking beef up into ½ inch crumbles. Pour off drippings, if necessary. Stir in water, chili powder, and cumin; cook and stir for 1 minute to blend flavors. Cool slightly. Cook’s Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160ºF. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness. Place salad mix, beef, tomato, beans, corn, and cheese, if desired, in a large bowl with a lid. Top with dressing; close lid securely or cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Shake gently to combine. Top with tortilla strips, if desired. Crunchy Tortilla Strips - Cut 2 corn

tortillas in half, then crosswise into ¼ inch wide strips — place strips in a single layer on baking sheet. Spray tortilla strips lightly with non-stick cooking spray — bake 4-8 minutes at 400ºF or until crisp. Cook’s Tip: You can substitute your favorite dressing for ranch dressing. Makes 4 servings.

Salad Shakers

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New NCCA Members for 2021 In 2007, members of the Membership Committee passed a resolution to recognize all NEW members of the NCCA in The Carolina Cattle Connection at the NCCA Annual Conference in Hickory. A new member is defined as someone who has never been a member or someone who has rejoined after a brief break in membership. The new members are identified in this new members section by name and county of residence. Below is a list of NCCA’s new members for the last month: Out-of-State Caroline Birchmore – South Carolina Victoria Lane – Virginia Nicole Lorenz – Pennsylvania Madison Morgan – Virginia Bladen County Robert Cooley – Allen Brothers Catawba County Sarah Faith McAllister Davidson County Bryson Smiley

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Duplin County Lauren Brown Logan Clark Kimberly Huffman Meagan Lee Rocio Ramirez – Eco System Farms, Inc. Noah Summerlin Harnett County Kaylee McCorquodale Johnston County Javier Amezquita Shelby Anderson Brittany Beasley Brewer Davis Lenoir County Christian Fulghum Alicia Westfall Mitchell County Jessy-Kate Glenn Montgomery County Rebekah Callicutt

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

Randolph County Sandra Blevins Krista Caulder Isaac Cecil Kimberly Chapman Landon Smith Rowan County Callie Roseman Makayla Troublefield Sampson County Julie Gore Britni Register

Surry County Joshua Cave – James River Equipment Wake County Mazie Bunn – Bunn Family Farm Madison Richardson Rachel Smith Wayne County Jordyn Raiford Cody Smith – C. S. Smith Farms Holly Williams Wilkes County Emilee Waddell

AgriStress Response Network, Supporting Ag Industry with Mental Wellness Resources In recognition of mental health awareness month in May, AgriSafe Network launched a national network of agriculture professionals that are committed to sharing non-proprietary information, ensuring that resources and trainings are widely disseminated to reduce farmer and rancher stress. AgriStress Response Network seeks to eliminate the stigma of seeking support for mental health, including depression, anxiety, and farmer suicide. Twenty percent of any population has mental health complications, including farmers and ranchers. Stigma and privacy concerns associated with mental health issues may mean that many people do not seek out available behavioral health services. Many of the factors that affect agricultural production are largely beyond the control of the producer. For example, isolation, variability in weather, lack of access to health services, and low commodity prices could have a direct impact on the rise in mental health issues. Good health, including mental health, is a key factor that contributes to one’s ability to keep farming. A national poll conducted by American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in 2019, 2021 has shown financial issues and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting farmers’ mental health. This recent data speaks to the urgency of identifying local resources that can help farmers and ranchers cope with chronic stress and mental health concerns. AgriStress Response Network will contribute to sparsely available tools specifically targeting rural and agricultural communities. Dr. Tara Haskins, DNP, RN, Total Farmer Health Director, provides clinical, educational, and mental health expertise for AgriSafe’s health initiatives and funded programming. She serves as lead for AgriStress Response Network and mental health programs drawing from her clinical experiences in behavioral health and substance use disorders. AgriSafe is proud of its history to “Protect the People Who Feed the World,” through programming targeting rural health professionals, ag producers, and health and safety professionals. To connect with the AgriStress Response Network, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AgriStressResponse. For more information on AgriStress Response Network and Total Farm Health programming, please contact Dr. Haskins at 318-545-5400 or email thaskins@ agrisafe.org. To explore options for sponsoring AgriSafe initiatives, please contact Natalie Roy, AgriSafe Executive Director, at nroy@agrisafe.org. About AgriSafe Network. AgriSafe is an international 501©3 organization representing health and safety professionals who strive to reduce health disparities found among the agricultural community. Our mission is to support a growing network of trained agricultural health and safety professionals that assure access to preventative services for farm families and the agricultural community. AgriSafe is impactful across the globe because we use web based technology to deliver the best trainings by experts in the field. For more information, visit www.agrisafe.org.

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Heritage Farm Supply Completes BioZyme Advanced Dealer Training. Heritage Farm Supply, Weaverville, N.C., has recently completed the necessary training needed for year two of the BioZyme Inc. Master Dealer program. Progressive in its desire to advance its business, Heritage Farm Supply has completed the second year of the Master Dealer Training Program to further its education about brands and product lines BioZyme offers. The Second Year Master Dealers were also offered courses in marketing and selling techniques. “We are excited that this dealership continues to dedicate time and effort to further its product knowledge and marketing skills, and it will continue to be an excellent resource for all product needs and questions,” said Kristi Stevens, BioZyme Senior Manager of Marketing Operations. “Heritage Farm Supply has taken the time to complete the second series of our online training program, and has committed to stocking our full product line. It is one of the most informed dealers

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NEWS

that our company works with.” As Master Dealers, the dealer already received special designation on the online dealer locator and signage for its store that indicates it has gone above and beyond in its training efforts. For completing the continuing education for the Master Dealer program, the dealer will receive additional rewards from BioZyme. To learn more about BioZyme and its product lines or to locate a dealer in your area, go to www.biozymeinc.com. Tyler Allan, Sarah Tisdel Named Sure Champ Summer Interns. What is better than one Sure Champ summer intern? If you answered two interns, you absolutely are correct! And in 2021, two bright, highly talented young college students will be hitting the road as the Sure Champ Summer Tour interns to help promote the message of Sure Champ and BioZyme, network with young exhibitors and their families, and learn more about what they potentially might want to do after college graduation. Tyler Allan and Sarah Tisdel,

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

students at Texas Tech University and Texas A&M, respectively, have been selected to represent Sure Champ this summer as the interns. They will travel to multiple junior nationals to help represent the brand and its parent company while interacting with others. It will give the two college students the chance to learn more about the products, more about sales and marketing, and expand their network. “I am excited to welcome two outstanding interns to the team for our summer show tour. At the conclusion of the interview process, we were incredibly impressed with the accolades, experience and professionalism of both Sarah and Tyler, and we knew we wanted to hire them both. Their backgrounds in the livestock industry and passion for working with young people in our industry will serve as great assets for our goals this summer. It is my hope that they will not only help us fulfill our commitment to education and support of youth livestock events, but that we can also provide them with a rich learning environment that will help develop and polish their career skills for their future endeavors. The addition of Tyler and Sarah this summer will no doubt help us have the A TEAM at every summer show and event,” said Jessie

Judge, BioZyme Brand Coordinator. Tisdel is a senior at Texas A&M University majoring in animal science. She is a member of the livestock judging team, Texas Aggie CattleWomen, Saddle & Sirloin, and participated on the wool judging team. Growing up near Katy, Tex., she showed goats and steers while feeding the Sure Champ products. She has extensive livestock photography experience. She is looking forward to the opportunity to work for a reputable company and be an active part of the team while helping promote products that she believes in, which she believes will be exceptionally valuable as she is considering graduate school in ruminant nutrition. She is also anticipating meeting more people from across the country. “There’s nothing greater than the people who are involved in this industry and I think it’s been very noticeable, especially during this whole crazy pandemic that we’ve been able to see people come together and find those opportunities for kids to still participate. The people in this industry are the greatest, and that’s why I think people are so drawn to it. It’s not always about winning, and you know you’re going to lose sometimes, but it’s the people in this

industry that keep you going and keep moving you forward,” she said. Allan comes from a strong livestock background, and his family runs a successful cow/calf operation and sells and shows club calves and registered Hereford cattle. He is a senior at Texas Tech University, where he will earn a bachelor’s in animal science with an animal business option. He has shown cattle competitively across the country and says one of his proudest moments is when his brother showed the reserve champion Polled Hereford heifer at the VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo, one that they had raised. At Texas Tech, he is active in Block

& Bridle and Agriculture Ambassadors. He also attended the World Hereford Conference in 2020 in New Zealand. “I am looking forward to being able to better myself in areas of salesmanship, communication, and networking while being a part of a company that I’ve grown up around. I’m also really looking forward to learning more about the products from a nutritional standpoint and working with people that I’ve known and looked up to for a long time. I really appreciate that I was picked for this internship, especially with all that BioZyme does for the juniors in the Hereford Association; I’m really looking forward to being able to be a part

GELBVIEH NEWS Heckenlively Joins AGA as 2021 Intern. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is pleased to announce the addition of Jadyn Heckenlively of Alma, Neb., who will fill the role of 2021 association summer intern. Jadyn will be assisting with many aspects of AGA operations during her internship, including the American Junior Gelbvieh Association (AGJA) junior classic. When asked why she chose to apply for the AGA internship opportunity, Jadyn shares that she hopes to grow her knowledge of the cattle industry and add to her skillset. “I’ve always had an interest in breed associations, but this is a sector that I haven’t been exposed to. I’m really hoping to become more knowledgeable about the seedstock industry,” she says. “I’m also hoping that my experience with AGA this summer will give me direction on where I want to go and what I want to do after college.” Jadyn currently attends the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she serves as a student ambassador

through the William H. Thompson Scholars Program and will be of senior standing in the 2021-2022 school year. Jadyn is pursuing a degree in agriculture communications. Jadyn attributes her interest in the cattle industry to her stepdad and grandpa, who are both involved in ranching, and her involvement in 4-H and FFA. “Our internship program is focused on giving students a well rounded experience with all facets of a beef breed association, from member services to the junior program,” says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “We are excited to have Jadyn joining us for the summer and assisting in these different areas.” Jadyn began her internship on May 10, working out of the AGA office in Lincoln, Neb., and will serve in the role through mid-August. About the American Gelbvieh Association. The AGA is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance oriented total herd reporting system.

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Chester

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Darlington Laurens

2021 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts March

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308

1,104

919

1,090

581

2,432

1,283

1,194

1,325

1,964

1,593

830

786

1,123

1,187

Saluda

2,056

1,355

3,094

2,482

Williamston

2,812

1,313

2,792

2,255

Orangeburg

of all of that,” Allan said. The interns will accompany Judge to The Exposition and four cattle junior nationals, where they will set up booths and provide educational sessions as well as fun activities for the attendees. They will spend limited time at the BioZyme world headquarters in St. Joseph, Mo., preparing for the summer, learning more about the products, and seeing where the products are manufactured. Offering internships is just one way BioZyme helps young people #preptowin in life, as part of its outreach principle. Follow along with Tisdel, Allan, and Judge on the Sure Champ Summer Show Tour on social media this summer or visit www.surechamp.com to learn more about how you can #preptowin. Remembering Arnold Hess. Genuine. Joyful. Kind. Authentic. Colorful. These are the words used to describe long time BioZyme dealer and Louisiana cattle producer Arnold Hess. Hess, who succumbed to cancer in April, had been a BioZyme user, dealer, and advocate for more than four decades. “I know he’s in Heaven riding his horse and walking again,” said Missy Hess, Arnold’s wife and business partner. “He always did say, ‘I never dreamed it would be this good.’” Together, the couple had it good, operating Hess Ranch with more than 400 cows and selling BioZyme vitamin and mineral supplements to fellow livestock producers. Arnold never met a stranger, enjoyed visiting with everyone he met, and wanted to help others succeed in their livestock operations like he did with the use of good nutrition. In addition to raising high quality cattle with an emphasis on carcass quality and growth that weaned off heavier than other’s calves in the area, according to Missy, Arnold had a gift of storytelling and putting people at ease, perhaps one of the traits that helped him succeed in business. According to Chris Kyle, BioZyme Area Sales Manager, who spent extended time at the Hess Ranch, it didn’t

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matter if he had heard one of Arnold’s stories one time or 100 times, he still laughed as hard at the 100th telling as he did at the first telling. “His main goal in life was to make people happy, and I think he did it,” Chris said. In addition to sharing a story and a laugh, being hospitable was one of Arnold’s characteristics. Alan Lee, his former BioZyme ASM and current Director of Domestic Business Development, recalls that Arnold and Missy always set up hospitality wherever they were. This gesture included boudin, hog head cheese, whisky, beer, and other snacks and drinks. The boudin even made it all the way to Saint Joseph, Missouri. “The first time I ever met Arnold in person, was at one of the first dealer retreats,” said Dan Delaney, long time BioZyme employee who used to help Arnold with his orders long before ASMs, internet, or cell phones. “I heard his voice coming all the way down the hallway from the front of the building to where my desk was at the time, and I knew the voice right off from our many phone calls. He brought me some boudin and hog head cheese. I never had it before or since then.” But the hospitality Arnold and Missy shared extended beyond a pork and rice Cajun sausage. Their hospitality was so well known and appreciated that the early day BioZyme delivery drivers would argue about who got the privilege of delivering mineral to Morganza, Louisiana. “Our drivers would squabble about who got to make the Louisiana run because Missy would always have dinner or at least dessert for them,” said Dennis Delaney, who also provided sales and customer service to Arnold in the early years. Dan recalls that Arnold would routinely order the same products for his customers, and if he forgot something, Dan could remind him of a product that he might need, and Arnold always

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BioZyme News continued from the previous page appreciated the reminder. He showed his appreciation too. He would occasionally send the truck drivers back with a gunny sack full of pecans freshly picked from Arnold’s pecan grove for Dan to have and share. Dan enjoyed working with Arnold, even if it meant scheduling trucks around hurricanes or going back and forth about slight price increases. “He told me one time when we had raised prices just a few cents a bag, ‘a wise man once told me if you mind your pennies, you don’t have to worry about your dollars,’ and I never have forgotten that,” Dan said of about one of his conversations with Arnold. One of Arnold’s favorite stories was telling about his acting career. He played the role of a sheriff’s deputy in the 1969 movie Easy Rider, starring Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson. He would often introduce himself by saying, “I’m a movie star.” Chris was able to stop by the 50th anniversary of the film and spend some time with Arnold, as he enjoyed the day in the limelight. “That was a pretty neat day; 6,000 or 7,000 motorcycle riders that came to that little town, and he signed autographs,”

Chris shared. “I learned passion for life from Arnold. He always had it every time I saw him,” said Lisa Norton, BioZyme’s President and COO. That passion was part of who Arnold was, from his family to his cattle to his heritage. His passion ran deep and is something that the cancer never robbed of him. Missy recalls that he would still ride around with their hired men who are much like family, long after his legs had given out, to check on the land and the cattle. “He put everything he had into everything he did; that is just who he was. When he got involved with BioZyme and got the results that he got, he couldn’t keep it to himself. He told everybody. If somebody had a cow, regardless of if it was one or 5,000, he told them about the products. That was just Arnold. We were lucky to have him, but it wasn’t just BioZyme. It was everything he was involved with, whether it was his family, his kids, his grandkids, his cattle, whatever he was doing, he was passionate about it,” Chris said. Those of us who knew him were more than lucky. We were blessed. And

December 4, 2021 • 12:00 noon Union County Livestock Market • Monroe, N.C.

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as Missy reminded us, he had another favorite saying, “And I think tomorrow will be even better.” We know our tomorrows are even better thanks to Arnold and his stories. And we know he’s riding herd amongst a thousand hills. 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.

Farm Credit News AgYouth Leadership Scholarship Recipients Selected. The Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina are proud to announce the recipients of the AgYouth Leadership scholarships. This program honors students excelling in the classroom and in the community as leaders in their FFA chapters and 4-H clubs. N.C. FFA and 4-H students are nominated for this program by advisors, leaders, or teachers. The AgYouth Leadership Committee then reviews and scores the applications. The top applicants receive a $1,000 scholarship and a certificate for their outstanding achievements. The Scholarship Recipient from Cape Fear Farm Credit: • Rhylee Pope - Clinton The Scholarship Recipients from Carolina Farm Credit: • Gracean Hoesli - Cedar Grove • William Carpenter - Lawndale • Abbegail King - Bryson City • Haley Searcy - Pleasant Garden • Kaleb Pope - Monroe The Scholarship Recipients from AgCarolina Farm Credit: • Averi Sievert - Bullock • Javan Harrell - Kenly • James Haines - Elizabeth City • Sarah Sprouse - Scotland Neck • Samantha Corduan - Edenton The AgYouth Leadership program is open to any junior or senior student in good standing with his/her high school and FFA or 4-H program. The goals of the AgYouth Leadership Program are: • To raise the profile of outstanding junior and senior FFA and 4-H student leaders by recognizing their accomplishments. • To recognize these winners in various association publications, social

media, and Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina websites. • To create scholarship opportunities helping graduating seniors. The CEOs of AgCarolina Farm Credit, Cape Fear Farm Credit, and Carolina Farm Credit are Dave Corum, Evan Kleinhans, and Vance Dalton, respectively. They issued the following joint statement regarding the AgYouth Leadership Program: “At Farm Credit, we are always interested in making a difference for the future leaders in our state. Through the AgYouth Leadership Program we will highlight a number of students displaying a high aptitude in the classroom, as well as strong leadership abilities within their FFA chapter or 4-H club. Our key goal is to create opportunities for these high achievers to continue their education with these scholarship funds and continue making a positive impact through their individual gifts and talents.” About the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina. The Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina are AgCarolina Farm Credit, Cape Fear Farm Credit, and Carolina Farm Credit. They are member owned financial cooperatives with headquarters in Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Statesville, respectively. They are the leading provider of credit to farmers in North Carolina. The Associations have over $3.9 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to over 17,650 North Carolina farmers and rural residents. Loans are made to finance land, homes, farm buildings, operating expenses, livestock, and equipment, as well as other purposes. Appraisal services and leasing programs are also available through the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina.

BRAHMAN NEWS

Constitution Amendment. During the Board of Directors meeting on January 23, held in College Station, Tex., the following motion was made: The motion was made by Alfredo Muskus, Jr. to add the underlined wording to the constitution/bylaws for an active member. Seconded by Mike England, the motion passed. ACTIVE VOTING MEMBER: An Active Voting Member shall be an individual partnership, corporation, limited liability company trust, estate, or other legal entity of reputable character who has paid such membership fees as may be established by the Board of Directors and has registered a minimum of three (3) new head of cattle in the previous year that are 100 percent owned by the member and pay their activity fee in the previous year to be a voting member. Active voting members shall be entitled to all of the privileges granted to members of the Association, including the right to vote on all matters brought before the Members of the membership and to register and transfer cattle at Active Member rates. The motion was made by Patricia Collins to add the underlined wording to the constitution/bylaws regarding the President making committee assignments. Seconded by Kelvin Moreno, the motion passed. The Association shall have the following Standing Committees, appointed annually by the President except as otherwise provided for in the Constitution/Bylaws and these Rules of the Association; and, in addition, such other Standing Committees as the President may appoint from time to time. The President shall not replace more than 50 percent of the committee members per year. Each Committee shall consist of a Chairman and as many members as shall be considered necessary by the President. Each Committee, through the Chairman, shall report when appropriate, either verbally or in writing, to each meeting of the Board of Directors and annually to the General Membership Meeting as necessary. The ABBA constitution states the following: ARTICLE X AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION/ BYLAWS Any proposed amendment to the

Constitution/Bylaws that is approved by a majority of the Board of Directors shall be mailed by the Association to all active members within 30 days after the date on which it was approved by the Board of Directors along with a ballot form and a draft of the proposed amendment. Ballots shall be executed, returned to, and tabulated by an independent third party appointed by the President. Only those votes returned to the independent third party no more than 60 days from the date on which the ballots were sent shall be counted, and if the amendment receives the affirmative vote of a ⅔ majority of the votes cast, it shall become effective immediately. In compliance with the constitution, the ballot was sent out prior to February 20 and members were given sixty (60) days to cast their vote, which was prior to 5:00 p.m. on April 20. The independent third party was Seidel Schroeder, Accounting firm in College Station, Texas. I received the vote count from the independent third party after tabulation was complete, please see the results below of the voting. Proposed Wording (Purple Ballot): ACTIVE VOTING MEMBER: An Active Voting Member shall be an individual partnership, corporation, limited liability company trust, estate, or other legal entity of reputable character who has paid such membership fees as may be established by the Board of Directors and has registered a minimum of three (3) new head of cattle in the previous year that are 100 percent owned by the member and pay their activity fee in the previous year to be a voting member. Active voting members shall be entitled to all of the privileges granted to members of the Association, including the right to vote on all matters brought before the Members of the membership and to register and transfer cattle at Active Member rates. YES: 363 NO: 148 ⅔ Threshold: 341 Proposed Wording (Blue Ballot): The Association shall have the following Standing Committees, appointed annually by the President except as otherwise provided for in the

Constitution/Bylaws and these Rules of the Association; and, in addition, such other Standing Committees as the President may appoint from time to time. The President shall not replace more than 50 percent of the committee members per year. Each Committee shall consist of a Chairman and as many members as shall be considered necessary by the President. Each Committee, through the Chairman, shall report when appropriate, either verbally or in writing, to each meeting of the Board of Directors and annually to the General Membership Meeting as necessary. YES: 447 NO: 61 ⅔ Threshold: 339 The vote count, which was 511 votes for the purple ballot and 508 votes for the blue ballot cast by members, and in compliance with the constitution, we must have ⅔ of the majority cast, which would be 341 and 339 votes, respectively. The final vote is 363 for the constitution amendment and 148 against the purple ballot and 447 for the constitution amendment, and 61 against the blue ballot. The two amendments will go into effect immediately in the constitution — explanation below about implementation of both amendments. A member would be required to register 3 (three) head that are 100 percent owned by the member in 2021 to be an active voting member for 2022. This amendment does not affect cattle registered in 2020, so it does not affect any voting in 2021. The President that will be elected at the International Show in March 2022 will not be able to change more than 50 percent of the standing committee members. ABBA Herd Books & Aged Cow Moratorium. As we move into the summer months, this is a time when many of our members take the time to organize and sort through their records and herd books. The American Brahman Breeders Association has two great specials going on that will assist our members in doing just that at an economical rate. ABBA Herd Books - The ABBA Executive Committee and Board of Directors have approved to open all Herd Books indefinitely to allow active members to transfer animals from one herd book into another at a fee of $10 per animal. Members requesting an animal to be transferred from an existing herd book into another should submit the original registration certificate to the ABBA office along with a request and the $10.00 fee

per animal transfer. ABBA Aged Cow Moratorium The ABBA is offering a reduced price registration fee for those active members wanting to register cows over 24 months of age from May 15 to November 15, 2021. The reduced registration fee will be $50.00 in comparison to the standard $100 fee. As always, if you have any questions, please contact the ABBA office at abba@ brahman.org or 979-485-5528. 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.

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

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These are all extremely important to the American experience. NCBA will continue to educate the Biden Administration, Congress, and our customers on the important role we play in the sustainability of rural

A Message from the CEO By COLIN WOODALL

communities and how sustainable rural economies are critical in our nation’s food security. Sustainability is broad and must encompass all aspects of food production and rural life. Our future, and the nation’s hungry bellies, depend on it.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Pro Refrigeration Partners with CryoBuilt Chambers on Expansion into North Carolina Facility

Sustainability of Our Communities In the bigger discussion of sustainability, NCBA’s leadership in promoting beef’s positive role in protecting the environment is becoming even more important. President Biden continues to focus on climate change, and we will soon see climate change legislation on Capitol Hill. As I have mentioned in previous articles, we still see sustainability as an opportunity to promote the work we do as stewards of the land. Thus far, the Biden Administration has been working with us, but sustainability is not just about the natural resources. We look at sustainability from three different perspectives or pillars. The first is environmental sustainability. This pillar encompasses our stewardship of the soil, water, air, and the health of grazing lands. The next pillar addresses economic sustainability and the important recognition that cattle producers cannot afford to see their operations choked out by burdensome regulations. We must have an opportunity to be profitable. The final pillar covers social sustainability, and the value cattle operations bring to their local communities. All these pillars must be considered by policymakers before any action is taken because additional regulation will not just impact us but will trickle down to many others, including the consumer. Of the more than 800,000 farms and ranches producing cattle across the United States, more than 90 percent of them are family owned. A majority of cattle producers plan to pass their operation to the next generation. This is an investment in the future of their family operation, but it is also a significant investment in their local communities. Counties and towns need the tax base you provide in order to provide the local governments’ services. Your children are needed to have viable schools and local sports teams. Your patronage of local shops, restaurants, and service providers is critical to their success. Many of you have employees that depend on the

wages you pay to house, clothe, and feed their families. In turn, they also help put money into the local economy. Without you, there is no rural America. Without you, the livelihoods of hundreds, if not thousands, of your friends and neighbors come into question. As America’s beef producers, we feed our customers at home and abroad, but we also feed the local economies. We also lead our communities. We pride ourselves on being good citizens; that shows in the way we get involved with local organizations, schools, and governments. Your volunteer work keeps many local organizations going strong. Your financial support is just as valuable to school groups, civic groups, churches, and local charities. In research we conducted as part of the 2017 Cattlemen’s Stewardship Review, we discovered that 53 percent of you donate at least $500 annually to charity. The 2017 Cattlemen’s Stewardship Review also found that 97 percent of cattle producers vote compared to 64 percent of the general population. Even more interesting is that 50 percent of you have run for an elected office. That is definitely more than your urban neighbors and further illustrates that cattle producers step up and lead. I have heard U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack note on multiple occasions that, on a percentage of population basis, rural America provides more volunteers for our armed services than our urban neighbors. The spirit, leadership, and patriotism rural America exudes only exists because our communities exist. The communities only exist because of you. While often overlooked, one additional benefit sustainable rural communities bring to many Americans is opportunities for vacations and recreation. Rural communities support our national parks and supply their visitors. Rural communities offer museums and a glimpse into our collective history. Many of you offer hunting, fishing, and agri-tourism events on your operations.

Pro Refrigeration, the leading cooling technology and equipment company for craft fermented beverages, dairy, and food processing, to offer CryoBuilt increased manufacturing capacity from its Davie County, N.C., facility and a presence on the east coast. CryoBuilt is the largest manufacturer of electric, whole body cryotherapy systems in the United States. CryoBuilt’s background in low temp manufacturing and refrigeration service spans industries from supermarket refrigeration to biomedical and food processing plants to cryotherapy. “To address the booming demand all over the country for our EVEREST Cryotherapy systems, we have been looking to add a second facility, specifically on the east coast,” says Marcus Wilson, chief executive officer and co-founder of CryoBuilt. “Rather than starting from scratch with a new facility, it made more sense to utilize Pro’s existing capacity in their east coast manufacturing plant to start building our systems on both coasts, effectively quadrupling output.” Pro Refrigeration and CryoBuilt are two family owned refrigeration equipment manufacturers, both with deep roots in developing solutions for some of the most challenging industries. The manufacturing partnership will pair the two refrigeration leaders to reach new audiences and take advantage of each company’s scale and expertise. CryoBuilt also manufactures its cryo systems on the west coast in Sacramento, Calif. “It’s exciting whenever our teams meet to review a new project or design,” says Jim VanderGiessen, Jr., chief executive officer and co-founder of Pro Refrigeration. “The scale and scope of our projects can range from discussing an Industrial Rack using CO2 to ultra low temp cryotherapy and various other refrigeration systems.” Since the beginning of the pandemic, Pro Refrigeration has invested nearly $1M in equipment and upgrades to its Mocksville based manufacturing facility. The new expansion provides an economic boost and continued job growth to the community since Pro’s introduction in 2013. “Mocksville, N.C., has been our East Coast home since 2013. This recent partnership allows us to invest even more into the community. We are excited to create jobs, build equipment and service customers throughout North Carolina,” says VanderGiessen. The investments to the facility include several key pieces of equipment, including a 3KW laser, press brake, mandrel tubing bender, and more. The additions to the facility also provide new production areas focused on low temperature systems, serving the extraction and pharmaceutical markets as well as manufacturing CryoBuilt Chambers, which reach temperatures of -200ºF. “The caliber of the facility and the advanced equipment and manufacturing techniques will allow us to continue to produce the same high quality cryotherapy systems on both coasts at a much faster and efficient rate,” says Wilson. About Pro Refrigeration. Pro Refrigeration, Inc., based in Auburn, Wash., is the leading cooling technology and equipment company for craft fermented beverages and dairy in the United States. The company provides innovative solutions for extraction, food processing, and machine and process cooling with a complete product offering from ¾ to 300 HP serving applications that require chilled fluid from –45ºF to +45º F. Pro also has a network of regional sales people serving in each corner of the United States. Visit www.prochiller.com for more information.

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NCBA

President’s Report By JERRY BOHN

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Report on Voluntary Price Discovery Framework Dear Fellow NCBA Member, March 2021 marked one year since the declaration of a national emergency due to COVID-19. Nobody could have predicted then the serious impact the pandemic would have on our nation, the economy, or within the cattle markets. As states begin the process of fully reopening, I am hopeful that the worst of this crisis is behind us. Although the business environment for cattle producers has improved since March 2020, the volatility caused by the virus continues to impact our industry. To improve the business climate

for cattle producers, further work is needed in the area of price discovery. Last October, you received a letter from Marty Smith announcing NCBA’s Voluntary Approach to Achieve Price Discovery in the Fed Cattle Market. This framework, sometimes called the “75% Plan,” was developed by NCBA’s Live Cattle Marketing Working Group Regional Triggers Subgroup as directed by the Fed Cattle Price Discovery policy (M 1.10) adopted at our 2020 Summer Business Meeting. As a reminder, the voluntary approach requires the subgroup to analyze the program’s performance at

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

the end of every quarter. The subgroup has completed its evaluation of the first quarter of 2021, and I write today to report their findings to the members of NCBA. After evaluating the weekly USDAAMS negotiated trade data in the five major cattle feeding reporting regions, the subgroup has determined that a major trigger was tripped during the first quarter of 2021. According to our member approved framework, if another major trigger is tripped during any of the remaining quarters this year, NCBA will

pursue a legislative or regulatory solution to increase negotiated trade as determined by our membership. Under the “Negotiated Trade” silo of the 75% Plan, one minor trigger is assigned to each of the regions. The subgroup evaluated the weekly negotiated trade volumes for each cattle feeding region and determined that the IowaMinnesota and Nebraska-Colorado regions exceeded their thresholds under the 75% Plan during all of the reporting weeks – therefore, passing

COVID-19 Pandemic Revealed Meat Industry Vulnerability; Future Looks Better By AIMEE NIELSON During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, meat cases across the United States looked empty as nervous Americans stockpiled supplies for an unknown future. Most of the supply shortages were due to panic buying, but it revealed some design flaws in the system. “There was so much uncertainty with what was going on and not just with the meat industry, but with the food industry in general,” said Gregg Rentfrow, meat specialist for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “What ended up happening revealed that we are victims of our own design. We created this system where we view animals sort of like racecars — get to market weight as fast as you can through various management practices and genetic selection. Then we had a packing system that was designed to deal with these quick-growing animals.” Rentfrow said large plants typically process 1,300 head of pigs, 500 head of cattle, 12,000 chickens per hour, 16 hours a day, 5-6 days per week. “All of a sudden COVID-19 strikes a plant, and they have to shutter that plant,” he said. “All these plants were shutting down, but we still had all these animals growing. We had producers calling to ask how we could slow down the growth of animals. The supply chain just stopped, and producers had no way of getting animals to market. There wasn’t a shortage per se, but a clog in the entire system.” Producers started looking to local processors, and those smaller shops began to have waiting lists and bookings into October 2021. The local markets were saturated. “Consumers discovered some of these local markets for the first time during the pandemic,” Rentfrow said. “That was a good side effect. You always try to find a silver lining.” Rentfrow said the pandemic exposed the meat industry’s vulnerability. “We have yet to return to the processing speeds that existed before COVID-19,” he said. “We’re close but having to space out workers in the assembly lines and put dividers between people naturally slows the process down a bit. They have acclimated to that well, but speeds are slower.” Even though processors have somewhat caught up with supply demands, consumers likely will not see a price drop in the stores. The price may look the same, but with a closer look, the volume of the product may be reduced. For example, a grocer may charge the same for a 12 ounce package of bacon that they charged for a 16 ounce package before the pandemic. Rentfrow said the industry has learned a lot from the pandemic. “I think before, sick people would go to work as long as they could still walk and function, especially in our industry,” he said. “People are just not going to do that anymore, so we’ve learned to prioritize health and well being a little bit more. That is good for an industry that has people so close together all day long.”

their negotiated trade threshold for this quarter. They also found that the TexasOklahoma-New Mexico and Kansas regions each fell short of the threshold during five of the Q1 reporting weeks. One of those weeks occurred during Winter Storm Uri, and another coincided with mandatory maintenance at a major packing plant, which resulted in a lengthy closure. Both events disrupted normal cattle flows and brought critical packing capacity to a grinding halt. The data from the weeks surrounding both events justified invoking the force majeure provisions of our framework, though a major trigger was still tripped due to a lack of packer participation. The subgroup will continue to explore ways to evaluate force majeure events in a more objective manner. Let me be clear, our producers deserve high praise for their diligent efforts to implement the voluntary framework this past quarter. They offered cattle on a negotiated basis to comply with our framework, even when market signals were telling them to hold on to cattle in anticipation of higher prices. Often, these trades were made at a loss. We recognize the steps cattle producers

have taken to address the need for greater price discovery and market transparency and deeply appreciate their actions. Unfortunately, there was not enough participation in the negotiated market from some of the packers. Simply put, feeders can offer all their cattle on a negotiated basis — but we only achieve our thresholds if there is a buyer willing to bid fairly on those cattle offered. While the 75% Plan framework calls for the evaluation of a “Packer Participation” silo (in addition to the “Negotiated Trade” silo), this piece of the program is not yet complete and thus was not evaluated during this quarter. NCBA continues to finalize the details with the four major meatpackers. While we are in the final stages of these negotiations, the basic mechanics have already been established by the subgroup — and we know that, had this silo been evaluated during the first quarter, we would have tripped a major trigger with the packer silo as well. This quarter, the market fell short of the negotiated trade volumes outlined in our voluntary framework, but that should not overshadow the significant improvements made to price discovery

since the framework’s implementation. For example, negotiated trade activity is already up significantly year-over-year in the Texas-Oklahoma-New Mexico region. It is apparent that the work of NCBA, and the efforts of the producers who have participated in this framework, have been critical in this increase. These gains were made despite residual COVID-19 disruptions, packing plant closures, natural disasters, and a volatile

market. Cattlemen and women should be commended for their efforts to bring more price discovery to the marketplace. But we still have a ways to go. We remain committed to working with all levels of the supply chain to ensure more fed cattle are offered and procured on a negotiated basis. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your NCBA officer team or our staff in Washington, D.C., with any questions or concerns.

Source: CattleFax; USDA-AMS

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NCBA NCBA Fights for Sound Tax Policy for Rural America. Engrained in the fabric of the U.S. cattle industry is the desire to carry on the legacy of the generations before and give the next generation the opportunity to continue that same legacy for years to come. For beginning farmers and ranchers — and all those who are taking over the family business from another generation — the environment is challenging enough as it is. Undue tax liabilities should not be the deciding factor of the next generation’s ability to be successful. “When it comes down to coming home, our biggest expense is taxes. If you don’t have a plan set and ready before the situation of the transition is going to happen, it can be very scary; to take 40 percent of your assets is just a scary number,” said David Schuler of Schuler Red Angus in Bridgeport, Nebraska. “How do you continue to farm or ranch after that?” This sentiment is felt by many producers across the country. Efforts to eliminate currently available estate tax relief or the long standing step up in basis are in direct conflict with the desire to preserve and protect our nation’s family owned farms and ranches. Farmers and ranchers deserve certainty in the tax code overall. Without it, transition planning for the next generation of producers is nearly impossible. “With the average age of a farmer being 57-60, this issue is not just a heavy issue for the individual, but it’s going to be happening a lot for a lot of people across the United States, not just over time, but specifically in the next four to eight years,” Schuler said. An estimated 2,000 acres of agricultural land is paved over, fragmented, or converted to uses that compromise agriculture each day in the United States. Therefore, more than 40 percent of farmland is expected to transition in the next two decades. “There is going to be a huge change in how the inherited land goes to the next generation. This isn’t just an issue that’s been around for a while — this issue is going to balloon harder than it has for the last ten years, in the next 10-20,” said Schuler. The current situation in agriculture is one that is immensely impacted by decisions being made thousands of miles

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away from farms and ranches — behind the desks of lawmakers in Washington, D.C. It is imperative that Congress prioritize policies that support land transfers to the next generation of farmers and ranchers. In April, The Preserving Family Farms Act of 2021 was introduced by U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.). NCBA has long supported efforts to reduce the undue tax burden on farmers and ranchers. This bipartisan legislation to expand IRS Code Section 2032A to modernize Special Use Valuations would allow cattle producers to better protect their family owned businesses from the devastating impact of the federal estate tax, commonly referred to as the Death Tax. United States cattle producers, like Kevin Kester of Bear Valley Ranch in Parkfield, Calif., are particularly susceptible to the federal estate tax due to the unique nature of agricultural production and cattle ranching in particular. “In 1993, when my grandfather passed away, it created a taxable event with the IRS and we ended up owing estate taxes and interest, close to $2 million. At the time we were just had cattle, so as you can imagine we were land rich and cash poor. It was really a struggle for more than ten years to find ways to pay off that estate tax burden,” said Kester. Similar to Bear Valley Ranch, the value of most cattle farms and ranches can be attributed to illiquid assets such as land, farm equipment, and other real property. In fact, in the U.S. alone, cattle producers conserve over 680 million acres of land. All too often, at the time of death, farm and ranch families are forced to take out loans or sell off their illiquid assets in order to meet their federal estate tax burden. While the current 2032A reduction is 55 percent higher than the value established two decades ago, USDA estimates that cropland values have increased by 223 percent. Agricultural land values – including on-farm buildings – have also risen dramatically, increasing by 241 percent during this same period. Due to the rapid inflation of farmland values, the 2032A deduction is no longer aligned with the needs of modern

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

agriculture – nor does it accomplish Congress’ intended goal of providing meaningful protection to those producers who are most vulnerable to the estate tax. “There’s enough challenges to generational succession in farming and ranching, we just don’t need tax burdens being one of them,” Kester said. The Preserving Family Farms Act increases the limitation on 2032A valuations from $750,000-$11.7 million, thus reviving a critically important tool in the toolbox for farm and ranch families across the United States. If enacted, this legislation will provide a permanent solution to an issue that has long plagued our nation’s cattle producers. While NCBA recognizes the significance of this proposal, the team is aware that conversations that are blatantly out of touch with the needs of rural America are continuing to happen in D.C. There have been recommendations from lawmakers to overturn tax policies that benefit farm and ranch families across the U.S .— such as the step-up in basis, which allows for the readjustment of the value of an appreciated asset for tax purposes upon inheritance — a critical tool for managing tax liability when generational transfer occurs. According to a study by EY, family owned businesses, and the local economies they support would be hit hardest by a repeal. To reveal the impact stepped-up basis repeal would have on family-owned farms and ranches, EY developed a case study based on a theoretical family owned cow/calf

operation. In this scenario — one where the stepped-up basis is no longer a tool for family owned business to utilize when generational transfer occurs — gains are taxed at death and would result in an immediate one time tax liability equivalent to 280 percent of the farm’s annual income. “The EY study sheds light on the facts that we at NCBA — among others in the agricultural community — have long known. Simply put, the repeal of steppedup basis would have catastrophic impacts on the ability of farmers and ranchers to transfer their operations to the next generation,” said Danielle Beck, NCBA Senior. Executive Director, Government Affairs. NCBA stands firm in fighting for increased opportunities for producer profitability and, with that, opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers to be successful.  “NCBA continues to advocate for tax policy that allows the next generation of agricultural producers to have the economic tools to be successful. Repealing stepped-up basis would adversely impact farmers and ranchers across the country. In fact, while this provision has been identified as a potential revenue raiser for government spending — it would be irresponsible to place that burden on family owned businesses, and multi-generational agricultural operations in particular,” Beck said. Through continued efforts and conversations on both sides on the aisle, NCBA is committed to conveying to

elected officials the importance of sound tax policy for rural America. However, it is those living and working in rural America that know all too well the situation at hand. “We work so hard our entire lives; our parents and grandparents work so hard. We’re working 40 hours a week by Wednesday, and then we continue on the rest of the week. The backbone of America has a dire situation on our hands, if we are just allowed the opportunity to be capitalistic and hardworking — that’s all we ask, it really is,” said Schuler. Absent full, permanent repeal of the Death Tax, Congress must preserve provisions in the tax code that ensure the viability of family owned farms and ranches, as well as the vitality of the rural communities they support.  It is imperative that producers continue to engage with elected officials on this issue. The most powerful lobbying tool is the story of farmers and ranchers. Please join NCBA in our tax letter campaign. Share your story because the next generation depends on it! NCBA Members Put “Boots On The Hill” During 2021 Legislative Conference. Over 300 NCBA members put “Boots on the Hill” during NCBA’s

2021 Virtual Legislative Conference held April 18-21. While there weren’t any cowboy boots and cowboy hats seen roaming the halls of the Capitol, this year, members from across the country participated in meetings with their Members of Congress and agency officials through virtual platforms. “Growing up as part of the cattle industry, I have a deep rooted appreciation for the important work that cattle producers do each and every day,” said Dawn Caldwell, an NCBA member from Edgar, Nebraska. NCBA members across the country share a similar passion. In conjunction with Earth Week, Legislative Conference gave members the opportunity to engage with lawmakers and share the positive impact the cattle industry has in the realm of sustainability — environmentally, economically, and socially. “Cattle producers across the country play a critical role in ensuring a safe, sustainable, and abundant food supply. This week I have valued the opportunity to engage with decision makers in Washington D.C. and share the story of the industry. The decisions being made by lawmakers have real impacts on the ability of producers across the country to

have successful operations for generations to come. I am thankful to be a member of NCBA, and greatly appreciate their ability to facilitate meetings with federal agency leadership,” Caldwell said. Throughout the week, in addition to meeting with Members of Congress from over 30 states, members participated in meetings with agency representatives within the Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Premier Cattle Industry Education Experience Heading to Tennessee. Tune in to Tennessee for the 28th Annual Cattlemen’s College on August 9-10, which kicks off the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee. Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, brings thought provoking, stimulating sessions that can help generate better returns for operations. “We’ve designed Cattlemen’s College with the producer in mind and have created the best education experience available based on past attendee feedback,” said Josh White, executive director of producer education and sustainability with the National

Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Our goal is to offer a variety of topics and feature the best speakers, providing great value for producers.” The event includes two days of learning, idea sharing, and networking. In addition to Monday’s “producer’s choice” sessions which provide a preview of Tuesday’s educational experience, risk management is the headlining topic. Sessions will focus on the basics of business risk and tools and resources available for producers, as well as a deep dive into Livestock Risk Protection and diversification. The Zoetis Demonstration Arena features a live animal genomics demonstration where tradition collides with innovation, and genetic insights are envisioned to help better inform decisions to enhance production efficiency throughout the beef supply chain. Monday concludes with an evening reception offering an opportunity for everyone to gather with friends and reconnect. This year’s event features cutting edge topics and top industry leaders, such as Tuesday’s keynote speaker, Dr.

Continued on the next page

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NCBA News continued from the previous page Jayson Lusk from Purdue University, who will discuss industry impacts from COVID-19 and keeping beef at the center of the plate. There will be 18 sessions and six educational tracks to choose from, including making better decisions for better outcomes, cattle breeding and selection, maintaining a healthy herd, practical nutrition, sustainability, and hot topics such as preparing for activist threats. More than 1,000 people attend this popular event each year, but for those not attending the Cattle Industry Convention in person, a new virtual option of Cattlemen’s College will be available for 2021, combining selected live sessions and recordings for participants to view at home. Whether participating in person or experiencing the event virtually, all sessions will be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch at any time in the future. Registration begins June 1. Look for the Education Package, which offers the best value. For more information, visit www.convention.ncba.org. “Make plans to arrive early in Tennessee and kick off your convention experience with Cattlemen’s College, we can’t wait to see you there,” said White. Tax Aggie Coalition Urges Congress to Protect Sound Tax Policy. The Tax Aggie Coalition sent a letter, signed by 41 national and regional agriculture organizations, to House and Senate leadership to express significant concerns about legislative proposals that would jeopardize the future of family owned farm and ranch businesses. As members of Congress work to implement President Biden’s American Families Plan, the coalition urges lawmakers to enact commonsense policies that preserve a sustainable and vibrant business climate for rural America through the preservation of long standing tax code provisions. These provisions

are fundamental to the financial health of production agriculture and the businesses that supply its inputs, transport its products, and market its commodities. With more than 370 million acres expected to change hands in the next two decades, the policies Congress enacts now will determine agricultural producers’ ability to secure affordable land to start or expand their operations. In the letter to Congress, three critically important tax provisions were highlighted. Stepped-Up Basis - Assets in agriculture are typically held by one owner for several decades, so resetting the basis on the value of the land, buildings, and livestock on the date of the owner’s death under a step-up in basis is important for surviving family members and business partners to ensure the future financial stability of the operation. Like-Kind Exchanges - This provision allows businesses to buy and sell like assets without tax consequences, thus helping farmers and ranchers, who are typically “land rich and cash poor,” maintain cash flow and reinvest in their businesses. Sec. 199A Business Income Deduction: In order to maintain a reasonable level of taxation for pass through businesses, like farms and ranches, it is critical to preserve Sec. 199A business income deduction. “The agriculture industry is the backbone of many economies in rural America. When considering how to offset the cost of a comprehensive infrastructure package, it is essential that Congress preserve sound tax policies for our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and family owned agribusinesses,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “Ultimately federal tax policy should help facilitate agricultural land transfer, not be a hinderance to that process. It’s critically important that the policies Congress enacts now continue to allow the next generation — including beginning, veteran, and minority farmers

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 58

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

Push for Swift Conclusion to DOJ Investigation. Recently, Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and Representative Dusty Johnson (R-Ala.) led a bicameral letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging the Department of Justice to move forward with their investigation into anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry. “Despite strong consumer demand and reopening across much of the country, cattle producers face significant business challenges. The farmers and ranchers NCBA represents are contending with high market volatility, drought, and extreme input costs, and they can’t capture the value they deserve for the high quality product they supply,” said

and ranchers — to be successful.” “Farmers and ranchers already face uncertainties with unpredictable weather and fluctuating markets. A sound tax policy should help them navigate those challenges, not add to the confusion,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “Generations of farmers have relied on important tax provisions like stepped-up basis and like-kind exchanges to grow their family owned businesses and eventually pass them on to the next generation. Congress should refrain from creating tax rules that will make it harder for farms and ranches to stay viable for families now and for those that come after them.” NCBA Welcomes Bicameral

N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of APRIL 2021 Cattle Receipts: 20,539

•

Previous Month: 22,315

Feeder supply - 32% steers • 42% heifers • 26% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,399 $63.72 Boner 1,132 $61.94 Lean 934 $52.45

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,574

$88.52

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 420 $150.36 $631.51 450-500 472 $152.22 $718.48 500-550 521 $148.22 $772.23 550-600 572 $144.25 $825.11 600-650 621 $135.92 $844.06 650-700 672 $131.26 $882.07

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $152.88 $649.74 450-500 472 $146.02 $689.21 500-550 522 $140.64 $734.14 550-600 571 $136.82 $781.24 600-650 620 $128.54 $796.95 650-700 669 $118.75 $794.44

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 418 $130.29 $544.61 450-500 471 $130.91 $616.59 500-550 522 $125.88 $657.09 550-600 571 $122.65 $700.33 600-650 620 $117.39 $727.82 650-700 670 $115.99 $777.13

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

NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “We have a high supply of cattle at one end of this equation and a high demand for U.S. beef at the other, but the middle is being absolutely choked by the lack of processing capacity. It’s in the best interests of both producers and consumers for the Department of Justice to get to the bottom of the current market dynamics, and asses why they seemingly always result in producers getting the short end of the deal. Cattle producers deserve to know whether or not the price disparity that has plagued our market is the result of anti-competitive or other inappropriate practices in the packing sector. We thank Senator Thune and Congressman Johnson for keeping up the drumbeat on this critical issue. We hope their bicameral

request for a progress report will be met at DOJ with the urgency it warrants, and we hope to see results from the Attorney General soon.” NCBA has long worked to increase processing capacity and expand opportunities for producer profitability by lowering the hurdles for small and medium size processing facilities. Registration Now Open for 2021 Stockmanship & Stewardship Regional Tour Events. Registration is now open for five events on the Stockmanship & Stewardship Regional Tour, with the first stop in Elko, Nev., in July. Events will also be held in Colorado, Indiana, Oregon, and Kentucky. Stockmanship & Stewardship is a unique two day educational experience for cattle producers featuring low stress

S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of APRIL 2021 Cattle Receipts: 9,716

•

Previous Month: 12,509

Feeder supply - 32% steers • 41% heifers • 27% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

cattle handling demonstrations, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) educational sessions, and facility design sessions. The program is sponsored by NCBA, Merck Animal Health, and the Beef Checkoff funded National Beef Quality Assurance program. “These events allow producers to network with one another and learn from industry experts about real world solutions to everyday problems they encounter on their operations,” said Josh White, executive director of producer education and sustainability at NCBA. “Beyond animal handling, each of these events incorporates valuable information about animal health, environmental stewardship, and much more.” The 2021 tour locations and dates are: • Elko, Nev., July 16-17 • Durango, Colo., August 27-28 • Danville, Ind., September 10-11 • Ontario, Ore., October 8-9 • Bowling Green, Ken., October 22-23 By attending a Stockmanship & Stewardship event, producers may become BQA certified, network with fellow cattlemen and women, participate in hands-on demonstrations led by stockmanship experts, including Curt Pate, Dr. Ron Gill, and Dr. Dean Fish, and

learn cutting edge operation techniques. “Merck Animal Health is honored to be the premier sponsor of this initiative for a third year, which very much complements our efforts to promote proper animal handling, animal welfare and beef quality assurance,” according to Kevin Mobley, executive director U.S. Cattle Sales and Marketing for Merck Animal Health. “Working with the NCBA and state cattle associations is another way that Merck Animal Health works for our beef producing customers, and we couldn’t be more excited to return in person to these important events.” For details about upcoming Stockmanship & Stewardship events and registration information, visit www. StockmanshipAndStewardship.org. 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.

Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,540 $64.66 Boner 1,218 $67.72 Lean 953 $61.84

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,594

$89.94

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 427 $159.21 $679.83 450-500 470 $157.24 $739.03 500-550 524 $148.50 $778.14 550-600 567 $147.61 $836.95 600-650 619 $139.05 $860.72 650-700 676 $132.53 $895.90

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $153.57 $648.07 450-500 466 $150.77 $702.59 500-550 519 $143.62 $745.39 550-600 568 $143.27 $813.77 600-650 623 $134.39 $837.25 650-700 668 $123.22 $823.11

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $134.32 $570.86 450-500 471 $131.62 $619.93 500-550 518 $129.19 $669.20 550-600 569 $126.64 $720.58 600-650 616 $121.95 $751.21 650-700 673 $120.59 $811.57

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

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Challenges of Proving Biostimulants & Biofertilizers By IGNACIO COLONNA AgriThority As one of the fastest growing segments of agricultural inputs, biological products are typically categorized as biostimulants, biopesticides, or biofertilizers. The active ingredients in biologic products, by definition, are derived from naturally occurring microorganisms, plant extracts, beneficial insects, or other organic matter. The nature of living organisms and natural chemistries in biologic products present unique challenges in the product evaluation and field development process, as well as regulatory hurdles. Recognizing and addressing these challenges with a plan to deliver a strong product position backed by consistent and reliable trial data can produce valuable results. A well planned approach like the AgriThority Prescriptive Response development process also helps avoid the pitfalls that could delay the product development process and market entry as well as increase costs. Challenges often arise when initiating a trial in a different country, either for counter season data generation or local product development. Expertise in protocol development can reduce the number of total trials and seasons required to evaluate performance and gather data for product registration. Proficient analysis can increase the value of the information. Inefficiencies result in less reliable data and may require supplemental trials to support the project

N.C. Weekly Auctions Report

(Week ending MAY 6, 2021) Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $130.00 - 176.00 400-500 $122.00 - 166.00 500-600 $126.00 - 153.00 600-700 $113.00 - 139.00 700-800 $105.00 - 132.00 800-900 $105.00 - 111.00 Heifers

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

$116.00 - 153.00 $108.00 - 148.00 $98.00 - 134.00 $92.00 - 123.00 $83.00 - 120.00 $79.00 - 122.00

Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $55.00 - 69.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $54.00 - 68.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $65.00 - 79.00

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

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goal. AgriThority has tested biostimulants and biofertilizers in more than 800 protocols around the world over the past ten years, with proven experience meeting demands in regulatory and product development processes across many geographies. Through the implementation of trial designs and protocols specific to this category of products, we can more accurately evaluate performance and accelerate the product’s path to commercialization. The use of innovative research tools also aids in the development of Best Management Practices to guide expectations and successful use by the growers. Early Trial Planning - Early project planning can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of a trial. An adequate efficacy evaluation involves an optimal timing window to allow full expression of product effects on the target crop. But, the first steps are to start early and to ensure regulatory compliance. A biologic or biostimulant product imported to a field location from another country requires regulatory permits. South America may be used as an example. While these products may gain importation approval to, for example, Paraguay in less than one month, Brazil and other countries may take six months or more to process. Ignoring this additional time in planning can imply a field trial start under non-relevant environmental conditions, compromising future use of the data generated in the project. In many countries, new biostimulant or biofertilizer products are not adequately covered in existing local regulatory legislation, thus permit and registration processes are not completely clear. In these situations, regulatory experience and fluent communication with the importing country’s government institutions can streamline the application process and expedite permit approval. When testing biologic products, consider storage and handling requirements of products containing living organisms during shipment and at the testing location. In some countries, customs release can involve a significant period. If the product requires special conditions, be sure these can be followed during the shipping process and by the trial organizer. Requirements may include refrigeration of the product prior to use or application as a seed treatment shortly before planting. For biologicals, including

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

Figure 1. Applying a grid to drone photography translates visuals to quantifiable data.

a viability test in the protocol may be a good check to ensure proper product quality in each experiment. Early Development Trials New technology testing often jumps “from lab to field,” skipping the early development trial, which allows for a better understanding of its effects on crops. Early development trials fine tune aspects of future protocols by measuring early crop growth. Conducted in a greenhouse or as a closely controlled plot trial, the early development study is relatively low cost, and short duration yet increases the effectiveness of future field trials significantly. It provides a better understanding of the product by discovering the optimal application rate as well as compatibility and synergies with other technologies normally used in the target crops. Early development trials can be an effective source to substantiate product claims and complement the data needed in registration application. The early development stage provides an opportunity to show how the biologic product performs in coordination with other biologic or synthetic chemistries through detailed measurements. Testing includes controlled levels of biotic and abiotic stress factors that can provide an initial understanding of the scope of product effects. This is often difficult to perform in larger scale field trials at early stages. Location Selection - Trial scope is typically limited by cost constraints; therefore, each trial should be designed to produce a maximum amount of information for product development and registration. The optimal design of a field trial is strongly influenced by the

environments which best demonstrate product performance or match conditions experienced by the target grower (e.g., a stronger relative product effect under low yielding environment). A careful choice of trialing environments may consider the soil type, temperature range, probability of drought and heat stress, plus pest and disease infestations, and other factors that may affect the expression of product effect on the crop. Trial organizers may have capabilities to further control stress factors through irrigation systems or retractable roof structures under well calibrated protocols. Attempting to measure product response to too many biotic and abiotic environmental factors in a single project is normally tempting but may create inefficiencies when considering the typical range of responses. When focusing on stress environments, trialing efforts should account for a higher relative experimental error. Thus, it is wise to adequately plan the total required number of locations. To o l s t o M e a s u re P l a n t Performance - Data generated by the trial is amplified through advanced tools used to quantify crop response. Measurable data permits objective product comparisons, more interpretable and credible by growers than subjective information sources dependent on the “eye test.” Examples of advanced trial evaluation tools are ground or aerial (drone, plane, or satellite) based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) sensors, which provide a visual snapshot of the greenness or indices closely related to crop health and

Figure 2: In-field sensors measure environment stress and quantify crop response objectively.

photosynthetic activity in the trial at a given point in time. When overlaid with the experiment layout grid (Figure 1), a software process converts the aerial image to measurable values to compare products within the trial. Similarly, a quantitative estimation of plant size and leaf area at early growth stages can be achieved through the use of

simple digital image processing software. A remarkable example in our evaluation of responses and characterization of bio-stimulants, bio-fertilizers, and biopesticides has been the use of sensors for crop canopy temperature estimation under drought or nutritional stress. The sensors are positioned in the field to collect multiple data points each day along the

season to detect possible response from treatments that improve crop tolerance to stress (Figure 2). As the crop water status and plant health improve, the sensors record a lower leaf temperature. Measurement of root structure can be achieved through samples removed from the field during the trial and further processing through digital images and conversion to numerical data through software as well. Analysis is Key - Once the trial is complete, statistical analysis and adequate use of data visualization tools convert data into usable information and actionable next steps. A careful inspection of the dataset and a robust analysis ensures lack of confounding effects that may hinder or bias estimation of product performance. The product development team relies on the analysis to determine whether to continue developing the product or proceed to registration. Once the biofertilizer or biostimulant is available to growers, data can substantiate claims and validate product performance. After commercialization, continuous trialing can show product consistency over several seasons, performance in new environments, or integration with newer technologies.

Well designed trials performed on schedule with qualified suppliers can increase efficiencies and control costs in product development. Through early planning and efficient implementation of trials, companies can often accelerate the introduction of new biostimulant and biofertilizer technologies to market and encourage the use of more sustainable agricultural production practices. About AgriThority. Forward thinking agriculture experts with deep scientific experience are the core of AgriThority®. As an independent global science resource, we focus on exploring potential, expanding market access, and evolving production for greater food security and sustainability. Our Vision is to be the preeminent independent authority recognized and sought for accelerating new, high value technologies and services into agriculture globally. Our Mission is to provide the agricultural industry with high value knowledge and credible, scientifically based services to accelerate technology development and transfer into markets around the world. For more information, visit www. AgriThority.com.

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Federation of State Beef Councils Update Beef is a Big Hit on the Small Screen. The Beef Checkoff, through work conducted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), continues to promote beef through a variety of efforts, including placement on popular television shows. Beef was recently the center of attention on two daytime talk shows. The programs provided an opportunity for beef’s nutrition and taste messages to reach millions of consumers. On March 30, Kiah Twisselman, beef advocate, life coach, and former Kentucky Beef Council staff member, was a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show to discuss her weight loss journey. The appearance attracted more than 1.3 million potential viewers. Twisselman talked about growing up on a sixth generation cattle ranch, and even though she was surrounded by healthy, nutritious food, she still struggled with her weight. She started dieting when she was ten, but it wasn’t until two years ago when she experienced a moment when she was truly motivated to make a change. The words in Rachel Hollis’s book Girl, Wash Your Face were “What I needed to hear at a time when I was ready to receive them,” said Twisselman. Hollis, lifestyle author and blogger, surprised Twisselman on the show and praised her willingness to share her story with others, impacting her family and community in a positive way. Twisselman lost more than 120 pounds by eating nutritious foods, like beef, and exercising. She continues to actively promote her family’s ranch and beef through her social media channels. Well known celebrity chef Jet Tila joined The Talk on April 6 and cooked up a quick and easy Thai Beef Curry. Tila began by talking about beef’s “phenomenal flavor” and promoting Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. He also provided some easy beef cutting tips and discussed beef as a great source of protein. This particular beef recipe holds a special place in Tila’s heart as it is the one that brought him and his wife together and epitomizes their “love story.” Now, Tila’s two children also help in the kitchen. Tila shared his personal story as well as his own preference for eating beef. Tila’s segment reached a potential audience of more than 2.3 million consumers. New Promotional Efforts Focus on Commitment to Protecting Environment.

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Four years after developing a successful campaign to encourage consumers to Rethink the Ranch and two years after helping consumers learn more about the Beef Quality Assurance program, the Beef Checkoff, through work conducted by NCBA, is launching a new beef production campaign featuring real beef farmers and ranchers, inviting consumers to learn more about how farming and ranching families around the country are sustainably raising beef. The fully integrated campaign, which includes direct-to-consumer advertising as well as influencer and supply chain outreach, media relations, and public relations efforts, will utilize real stories from beef farmers and ranchers around the country, including Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winners and Beef Quality Assurance Award Winners, and showcase how across all 50 states, beef farmers and ranchers implement land conserving, wildlife protecting, award winning environmental efforts that are helping leave the land in better shape for the next generation. The goal of the campaign is to help consumers continue to feel good about how beef is raised by highlighting the commitment of farmers and ranchers to raising beef safely, humanely, and sustainably. Three public relations efforts kicked off the Checkoff funded campaign, which continues through the summer and into early fall. Letters to the Editor - As part of its work on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, the communications team at NCBA interviewed producers across the country about their stewardship and conservation efforts, then drafted letters to the editor (LTE) to submit to local and regional publications. The core message of these letters is that farmers and ranchers practice sustainability because they care about the well being of their land for both current and future generations. The goal of the LTE campaign is to combat misinformation and share beef’s positive sustainability story. More than 36 LTEs were written representing 17 states, and as of Earth Day, LTEs ran in 21 publications, reaching a potential audience of more than 9.3 million. In addition, an LTE placed in the Frederick News Post helped inspire the publication to write a more in-depth article: Local environmentalists use Earth Day as a tool for education (www.yahoo.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

com). In it, Dr. Scott Barao of Hedgeapple Farm stated, “I would argue that farmers are the original environmentalists. Having a day like Earth Day brings focus to what we’re doing every single day.” The article was then picked up by Yahoo, which in turn amounted to over 66 million potential readers. This public relations effort continued through mid-April in celebration of Earth Day and will pick up again in the fall with the second sustainability push to support producers. Content Partnership - NCBA, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, implemented a new reputation management initiative, which engages consumers in major metropolitan areas throughout the country and increases awareness of beef sustainability. So far, three stories have been placed in 5280 Magazine (Denver), Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, and Seattle Met. Each article features a cattle producer from the publication’s state and highlights the efforts the industry undertakes to protect the land and preserve natural resources. The first two articles have reached more than 700,000 people, and the next article is scheduled for a Houston publication this month. Satellite Media Tour - Rancher Jim Strickland of Blackbeard Ranch in Florida hosted the latest Checkoff funded satellite media tour on April 13. Celebrity chef Hugh Acheson joined Jim on his ranch in Myakka, Fla., and prepared two beef recipes, perfect for summer grilling. Acheson and Strickland discussed beef’s nutritional attributes as well as how beef is sustainably raised. The on-air duo completed 23 interviews over the course of five hours, resulting in approximately 79 million impressions as of Earth Day. A multichannel news release was part of this promotional effort and garnered 119 placements with an average potential audience of 129 million in the first two hours of its release. An electronic billboard also appeared in Times Square, sharing the same message around Earth Day. Coming Soon - Recent market research indicates that consumers respond favorably

to being invited to learn more about beef sustainability efforts. This research and insights will continue to guide the sustainability campaign in the coming months. The campaign, as currently planned, will come to life in the following ways: • Earned media placements in regional publications around the country, which highlight beef farmers and ranchers from around the country and their sustainability efforts. • An interactive map on www. BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com invites consumers to meet beef farmers and ranchers from each state and learn more about how beef farmers and ranchers are rethinking the ranch. • A new series of social, digital, video, and audio ads highlighting efforts of real beef farmers and ranchers from around the country will appear on YouTube and www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com, as well as promoted on Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, and Connected TV. The videos highlight the ongoing commitment of farmers and ranchers to producing safe, high quality beef. • Influencer activations bringing chefs and cattle producers together for collaboration and education. • Members of the Beef Expert Network sharing sustainability information with their audiences. • An industry webinar to share information about beef sustainability with supply chain partners. • Efforts to reach thought leaders in the Northeast with information about beef sustainability through placed advertisements in leading publications. • A press release and mentions of beef sustainability in consumer media outlets. This campaign educates consumers about the commitment beef farmers and ranchers have to conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. Farming and ranching families continue to improve the land for future generations, and the goal of these efforts is to highlight that positive work. For more information, visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

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NEWS

Animal Ag Alliance Virtual Summit attendees now prepared to turn “Obstacles to Opportunities.” The 2021 Virtual Summit highlights report now available. The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2021 Virtual Stakeholders Summit, themed “Obstacles to Opportunities,” equipped farm and food stakeholders with the tools needed to turn the obstacles of 2020 into opportunities for the decades to come. The 2021 event, held primarily on May 5-6, was the largest to date, attracting 594 registered attendees. A full report of highlights and takeaways was released recently. Kicking off the main event, Timothy Caulfield, professor of health law and science policy at the University of Alberta, discussed the spread of misinformation and how to effectively debunk myths. “Misinformation is being normalized, which means that it’s having a greater impact on people’s lives,” said Caulfield. He stated misinformation campaigns are often used to incite fear to sell certain narratives or products, but debunking false information can be effective and have an impact, especially coming from an expert on the subject. Caulfield added, “You can be direct while correcting [misinformation], but I still think you want to have a tone that engages the community and that allows that ongoing conversation.” The next two panels focused on consumer behaviors, purchasing habits, and trends. Speakers affirmed that animal products are not going away and as incomes rise, so does the demand for premium animal proteins. When it comes to nutrition, registered dietitian Kim Kirchherr recommended, “Think about value and values…What are people getting for the dollars that they’re spending and the calories they’re eating?” Panelists also shared that the concept of a “healthy diet” is changing. “Traditionally, ‘healthy’ was based on nutrient content and informed by experts. Increasingly, consumers are viewing ‘healthy’ in a different way, with demands for clean labels and greater transparency,” said Rachel Kopay of RJK Consulting. Frank Mitloehner, Ph.D. professor and director of the CLEAR Center at the University of California-Davis, wrapped up day one of the Virtual Summit sharing animal agriculture’s important role in reaching climate neutrality. Dr. Mitloehner stated that methane is often villainized in media and climate

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discussions but should be reconsidered since it’s a short lived climate pollutant that is produced and destroyed at almost equal rates, limiting its impact on the environment. Dr. Mitloehner concluded, “We should confirm to a public that largely is in favor of [animal] products that these products are produced in a responsible way.” Keynote speakers Jared Achen and Katie Olthoff, co-founders of ChopLocal, an online marketplace dubbed the “Etsy of meat,” opened day two of the Virtual Summit, sharing how they were able to pivot during the pandemic and turn an obstacle into an opportunity. They noticed when grocery store shelves were emptier at the onset of the pandemic, consumers were increasingly purchasing meat online, so they found a way to connect farmers and processors directly to consumers. “I felt like I had operated in the status quo for so long, and it took a disruption in the market to make me look at alternatives and what can we change to get better and serve our consumers,” said Achen. “One of the first decisions that we made as partners was that we would not allow any disparaging marketing to occur on our platform,” added Olthoff, recognizing the importance of both conventional and niche agriculture in providing consumers with a variety of products to choose from. The next two panels focused on current trends in the animal rights movement, and legal challenges activist groups may pose. Speakers noted that COVID-19 had very little impact on activism as many activists had more time on their hands to devote to activism. John Sancenito, president of INA, Inc., stressed the importance of being prepared for potential activist activity, stating, “Take a good look at your farm and think about it the way the activists would think about it. So, how would you attack your own farm? What are your own vulnerabilities?” In the event of a crisis situation, Nancy Daigneault of On Point Communications noted, “Reporters are always looking for the most emotional type story possible. If it’s conflict and controversy, and if it’s emotional, that is the story.” She said it’s important to never minimize the situation, especially if there are visuals telling the story. Instead, commit to addressing the issue. Michelle Pardo, partner at Duane Morris LLP, encouraged farms and facilities to “do what you say that you’re going to do in your policies and your operating procedures and in your

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

marketing and advertising.” The closing session of the 2021 Virtual Summit featured three farmers and a veterinarian sharing how to elevate the voices of farmers in dialogues surrounding food and agriculture. Brandi Buzzard, also known on social media as “Buzzard’s Beat,” encouraged the agriculture community to initiate conversations about specific issues instead of merely criticizing false and negative information. “How likely are we going to be invited to the table if we’re just ticked off farmers and ranchers?” she asked. Speakers also highlighted the importance of responding objectively and politely to negative comments and not getting carried away with passion and aggressive emotions. “Be a person that someone else wants to go to, to ask questions or learn more about food and agriculture,” said Markie Hageman, a beginning beef rancher and founder of Girls Eat Beef Too. For those nervous or discouraged to share their stories with the general public, farmer and

blogger Jennifer Osterholt offered this encouragement: “You can learn. You can do it. You’ve just got to keep going.” To read more of the intriguing insights shared at the Virtual Summit, check out the highlights report at www. animalagalliance.org/resource/2021stakeholders-summit-highlights-report/. The 2022 Summit is set for May 11-12 at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Alliance is an industry united, nonprofit organization that 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.

Cattle Markets More Stable a Year into COVID-19 Pandemic By AIMEE NIELSON A year ago, cattle markets were swinging up and down amid the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, cattle markets are more stable, and the future looks promising. “2021 looks a whole lot like the 2020 we expected had it not been for COVID-19,” said Kenny Burdine, agricultural economist for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “The supply this year looks about the same as it did last year, maybe a little bit better. The calf crop will be a bit smaller, which usually helps support our fall markets.” Burdine said one thing that is really helping is improved demand. When COVID-19 hit, most of the country shut down. Many restaurants closed or reduced sales without indoor dining, and the demand for beef went down. But now, with fewer restrictions, warmer weather for outdoor dining, and many people going back out, demand is up. “I think everyone expects more of the constraints to be lifted as we move through this year,” Burdine said. “Demand should continue to improve throughout 2021.” The first few months of 2021 were encouraging in terms of exports. The U.S. moved quite a bit of beef to other countries, with China particularly strong the first two months of 2021. “The combination of improving demand, increased exports and just a more normal scenario overall points to a better 2021,” Burdine said. “The fall feeder cattle board is trading at a big premium. That means the expectation is that prices are going to be a whole lot better as we get into summer and fall. So, a lot of our fall cow/calf operations that are now moving weaned calves are going to benefit from the fact that those calves could be placed in a grazing program and sold on a much stronger market this fall.” The cattle industry has weathered the pandemic storm, but not without significant impacts on profitability for cattle producers across the system. Impacts were seen on cow/calf, stocker, backgrounding, and finishing operations. Burdine said direct payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program certainly helped, but they didn’t make up for what producers lost last year. “There were losses last year that we’re not going to get back, but we are certainly set up for an improved 2021,” he said. “Our newest challenge is drastically higher feed prices, which are impacting costs for growing operations and the value of heavy feeder cattle being sold.”

Understanding Summer Pneumonia and Pink Eye. During springtime, it’s important for cattle producers to gear up for warm weather risks calves are up against, like summer pneumonia and pinkeye. “These costly conditions can be well avoided through sound management and prevention methods,” said Arnold Nagely, DVM, co-founder of Valley Vet Supply. Dr. Nagely practiced food animal veterinary medicine for many years before co-founding Valley Vet Supply alongside fellow veterinarian Ray Shultz, DVM. Summer Pneumonia - Also referred to as pasture pneumonia, summer pneumonia is best described as a respiratory disease affecting younger calves on pasture, usually late in the summer. The infectious agents associated with summer calf pneumonia mirror those causing typical post weaning bovine respiratory disease (BRD), such as Mannheimia haemolytica, Histophilus somni, Pasteurella multocida, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus (IBR), and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV). The risk for summer pneumonia causing viruses and bacteria can increase as temperatures change or during times of greater stress, such as processing or transporting calves. Vaccination programs, combined with sound herd management, are key for prevention. “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,” said Dr. Shultz. 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,” continued Dr. Shultz. Signs: • Droopy ears • Sluggish demeanor • Extended neck • Rapid breathing • Nasal discharge To help prevent summer pneumonia

NEWS

risk, “Vaccinate calves prior to sending to pasture with a modified live virus vaccine combined with Pasteurella pneumonia,” encourages Dr. Shultz. “Timely vaccine utilization is crucial to help prevent summer pneumonia,” Dr. Nagely said. “In addition to vaccinations, incorporate MultiMin 90 – an injectable, aqueous supplemental source of zinc, copper, selenium and manganese – in the cows and calves to help optimize immunity. Trace minerals are important for immunity and immune response to vaccines.” Pinkeye - As spring turns to summer, conditions also become ideal for the development and transmission of Moraxella bovis, the primary infectious agent of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), more compmonly known as pinkeye. Pinkeye is a highly contagious ocular disease primarily affecting calves and can lead to vision loss. Pinkeye in calves and younger cattle is more common because they have not yet developed immunity to Moraxella bovis. In addition to the pinkeye causing bacterium Moraxella bovis, other sources of eye irritation can result from tall grasses rubbing the eyes as cattle walk and graze, as well as dust particles and other debris impacting the eye. Pinkeye is spread when an animal comes into contact with infected secretions of another. “While Moraxella bacteria are responsible for the pinkeye infection, face flies are known to transmit the bacteria from animal to animal,” Dr. Nagely said. “As the weather warms in the spring and temperatures go up, so do the fly populations. Pinkeye can quickly escalate to be the biggest challenge for cow/calf herds during late spring and summer.” Face flies feed on eye and nose secretions, carrying infectious agents with them. Flies can harbor Moraxella bovis for up to three days, transmitting it rapidly from infected to non-infected animals. This condition can plummet profit by as much as $12 per hundredweight, compared to healthy calves sold without pinkeye, according to published data. Signs: • Mild eye irritation with tears •Ulceration of the cornea • Severe inflammation • Vision loss • Elevated body temperature • Decreased time spent grazing • Suppressed appetite, from pain • Loss of weight and body condition • Increased time in the shade

“With the timely use of newer vaccines and utilizing other control steps, many producers have been able to change a dreaded annual pinkeye debacle into an experience of a rare pinkeye incidence. The savings in time, cost of treatment combined with production loss, can be immense,” said Dr. Nagely. Because Moraxella bovis transmission often involves face flies, an intensive fly control program is essential, among other best management practices. Several steps can be taken to greatly reduce the likelihood of pinkeye infection, including: • Timely pinkeye cattle vaccines; your veterinarian or Valley Vet Supply’s veterinarians can help discuss sensible options • Clipping tall grass heads in pastures to avoid scratching the cattle’s eyes • Minimizing the level of dust in hay and feed bunks to avoid eye irritation • Ensuring cattle have ample shade • Implementing fly control methods, such as: ◦ Fly tags, an economical aid in the control of face flies for up to five months ◦ Cattle rubs charged with insecticide or dust bags, allowing cattle to frequently self treat ◦ Pour on insecticides, if more frequent application is feasible, as well as practicing insecticide rotation ◦ ATV insecticide mist sprayers, CO2 Vetgun Vetcaps, and pump-up sprayers for speed and convenience

◦ Insect growth regulator (IGR) feed through larvicide mixed into mineral to prohibit immature flies from developing into adults “When comparing fly control methods, consider what is the most practical to implement in your operation,” encourages Dr. Shultz. “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.” Help safeguard your herd’s health by taking steps to protect against common health conditions like summer pneumonia and pinkeye. Speak with your veterinarian to learn more, or phone Valley Vet Supply and request to speak with a veterinarian on staff. Learn more at www.ValleyVet.com. About Valley Vet Supply. Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians to provide customers with the very best animal health solutions. Building on over half a century of experience in veterinary medicine, Valley Vet Supply serves equine, pet, and livestock owners with thousands of products and medications hand selected by Valley Vet Supply founding veterinarians and their professional staff. With an inhouse pharmacy that is licensed in all 50 states, and verified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), Valley Vet Supply is the dedicated source for all things horse, livestock, and pet. For more information, please visit www.ValleyVet.com.

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...

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NDEX OF 13th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale ................... 30 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show ............. 2 2021 IRM Red Books ................................................................ 3 2021 Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Convention & Livestock Conference .................................. 61 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus ....................................................... 66 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale ....... 50 AGCO — Massey Ferguson ..................................................... 36 All Natural Feeder Calf Marketing Options ............................ 57 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............... 66 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ....................................................... 25 Back Creek Angus .................................................................. 66 BioZyme Incorporated .......................................................... 48 Black Crest Farm ................................................................... 66 Black Grove Angus ................................................................ 66 Brubaker Family Angus ......................................................... 66 C-Cross Cattle Company ........................................................ 66 Carolinas Animal Health ....................................................... 66 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ........................................... 66 CPC — Weather Pro ................................................................ 37 Double J Farms ...................................................................... 66 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. ................................................. 66 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ................................ 22 Five J’s Cattle & Beef Company .............................................. 17 Fowken Farms ....................................................................... 66 FPL Food ................................................................................ 29 Fred Smith Company Ranch .................................................. 66 Howard Brothers Farms ........................................................ 66

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

DVERTISERS Hunt’s H+ Brangus ............................................................... 66 Hutton & Sons Herefords ...................................................... 66 N.C. Angus Association Directory …...................................... 31 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application ........ 46 N.C. Hereford Association Directory ....................................... 7 N.C. Meat Suite ..................................................................... 65 N.C. Simmental Association .................................................. 38 National Beef Checkoff/North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment ............................................ 23 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2021 Policy Priorities ...................................................... 52 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ......................................................... 66 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ......................................................... 34 Pearson Livestock Equipment .............................................. 27 Piedmont Custom Meats ....................................................... 66 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ................ 40 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ...... 63 SimAngus Solution ............................................................... 66 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ........................................... 43 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ............................................. 59 Springfield Angus ................................................................. 66 The Barn Loft — Purina Wind & Rain ..................................... 33 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2021 Spotlight Schedule ........ 4 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates & Sizes ............................................... 47 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM .......................................................... 21 Watauga Butchery ................................................................ 13 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ............................................ 18 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ........................... 55 Whitehall Beefmasters ......................................................... 66 Wilkes Livestock Exchange ................................................... 54 Yon Family Farms .................................................................. 66 The Carolina Cattle Connection

q JUNE 2021

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VENTS ANGUS Jun. 12 — N.C. Angus Association Field Day, Ramseur, N.C. Jun. 12 — 32nd Annual Virginia Angus Association Genetic Investment Sale, Chatham, Va. Oct. 9 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4— Black Grove Angus 60th Anniversary Female Sale, Newberry, S.C. 2022 Jan. 1 — 13th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. BRAHMAN Jun. 12 — The Carolina Brahman Breeders Association 41st Annual Sale, Laurens, S.C. GELBVIEH Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.

Don’t put your cart before your horse... advertise that sale ahead of time! You’ll see positive results. PAGE 68

HEREFORD Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. 2022 Mar. 26 — 54th Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale, Statesville, N.C. SIMMENTAL Sep. 3 — N.C. Simmental Association Annual Meeting, Union Grove, N.C. Sep. 4 — 47th Annual N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale, Union Grove, N.C. Oct. 16 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Bull & Female Sale, Clayton, N.C. Nov. 6 — 13th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. SOUTH POLL Jun. 25-26 — South Poll Grass Cattle Association 13th Annual Field Day, Tenton, Tenn. OTHER EVENTS Jun. 1 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jun. 7 — Cool Season Pasture Renovation Webinar Jun. 15 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jun.17 — Weaned Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jul. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jul. 20 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jul. 30-31 — 2021 Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Convention & Livestock Conference, Sevierville, Tenn. Aug. 3 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Aug. 5 — Weaned Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 10-12 — NCBA Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, Nashville, Tenn. Aug. 17 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Sep. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Sep. 9 — Weaned Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Sep. 21 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 5 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 19 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction

The Carolina Cattle Connection q JUNE 2021

Nov. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.

Dec. 4 — N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test Sale, Canton, N.C. Dec. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 21 — N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test Sale, Oxford, N.C. 2022 Mar. 12 — March Madness Cattle Sale of the Carolinas, Chester, S.C.

IGHTER A police officer jumps into his squad car and calls the station. “I have an interesting case here,” he says. “A woman shot her husband for stepping on the floor she just mopped.” “Have you arrested her?” asks the sergeant. “No, not yet. The floor’s still wet.”

A Scottish mother visits her son in his New York City apartment and asks, “How do you find the Americans, Donald?” “Mother,” says Donald, “they’re such noisy people. One neighbor won’t stop banging against the wall, while the other screams and screams all night long.” “Oh, Donald! How do you manage to put up with them?” “What can I do? I just try to ignore them and play my bagpipes.”

A child psychologist had twin boys — one was an optimist; the other, a pessimist. Just to see what would happen, on Christmas Day he loaded the pessimist’s room with toys and games. In the optimist’s room, he dumped a pile of horse droppings. That night, the father found the pessimist surrounded by his gifts, crying. “What’s wrong?” the father asked. “I have a ton of game manuals to read …I need batteries…and my toys will all eventually get broken!” sobbed the pessimist. Passing the optimist’s room, the father found him dancing for joy around the pile of manure. “Why are you so happy?” he asked. The optimist shouted, “There’s got to be a pony in here somewhere!”

This farmers wife prayed to the Lord and asked him, “How old will I be when I die?”

IDE

His reply was 96 years old. She said, “Hot diggity dog...I will have myself fixed up!” After she had everything lifted and tucked and was in the doctor’s office making the last payment on her reconstruction, she walked out of the doctor’s office, started across the street, and was hit by a car and killed. She gets to Heaven and asks the Lord, “What happened? You told me that I would live to be 96.” His reply: “We’ll I just didn’t recognize you!”

Flummoxed by his true-false final exam, a student decides to toss a coin up in the air. Heads means true; tails, false. Thirty minutes later, he’s done, well before the rest of the class, but then the student starts flipping the coin again. Soon he’s swearing and sweating over each question. “What’s wrong?” asks the concerned teacher. “I’m rechecking my answers,” says says the student.

A local charity had never received a donation from the town’s banker, so the director made a phone call. “Our records show you make $500,000 a year, yet you haven’t given a penny to charity,” the director began. “Wouldn’t you like to help the community?” The banker replied, “Did your research show that my mother is ill, with extremely expensive medical bills?” “Um, no,” mumbled the director. “Or that my brother is blind and unemployed? Or that my sister’s husband died, leaving her broke with four kids?” “I…I…I had no idea.” “So,” said the banker, “if I don’t give them any money, why would I give any to you?”