Cattlemen’S BeeF Board update

Cattlemen’s Beef Board Elects New Officers at 2023 Winter Meetings

Cattle producers Jimmy Taylor, Andy Bishop, and Ryan Moorhouse are the new leaders of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB). This officer team is responsible for guiding the national Beef Checkoff throughout 2023.

Taylor, Bishop, and Moorhouse were elected by their fellow Beef Board members during their Winter Meetings, held during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. Taylor, the 2022 vice chair, will now serve as the CBB’s chair, while Bishop will transition from his role as the 2022 secretary-treasurer to become the 2023 vice chair. Moorhouse is the newest member of the officer team, taking on Bishop’s former responsibilities as secretary-treasurer.

Chair Jimmy Taylor and his wife Tracy run a commercial Angus herd near Cheyenne, Okla., consisting of approximately 600 females on 12,000 acres. Their ranching efforts have earned them the 2011 Certified Angus Beef Commitment to Excellence Award and

2023 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 2023. 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.

2023 Reserved Spotlight Issues

JANUARY CHAROLAIS

FEBRUARY FORAGES

MARCH ANGUS

APRIL ---------------

MAY BRAHMAN

JUNE HEREFORD

JULY ---------------

AUGUST SIMMENTAL

SEPTEMBER SANTA GERTRUDIS

OCTOBER WAGYU

NOVEMBER BRANGUS

DECEMBER ---------------

For more information about your breed’s Spotlight Issue, contact: the 2013 Oklahoma Angus Association Commercial Breeder of the Year. The use of artificial insemination, proper nutrition, genomics, and other new technologies play a large role in obtaining the operation’s goal: to create a good eating experience for the consumer. Taylor has also served on several local and state boards.

“As 2023 gets underway, demand for beef continues to be strong, both domestically and internationally,” Taylor said. “However, ongoing drought and economic uncertainty continue to challenge our industry. As the new chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, I’m looking forward to working with our dedicated members and contractors to develop plans and initiatives designed to advance our industry and build upon the momentum generated during 2022.”

Vice Chair Andy Bishop and his wife Meagan are raising their four children on their registered Angus seed stock operation, Fairfield Farm, near Cox’s Creek, Kentucky. Bishop began his career teaching agriculture to students and eventually moved into the field of agriculture lending in 2007. Bishop is the former chair of the Kentucky Beef Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Young Cattlemen’s Conference. Bishop also served as a member of the Long Range Planning Task Force and as president of the NCBA Young Producers Council and the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Young Producers group.

Moorhouse grew up on his family ranch, a cow/calf and stocker operation in North Central Texas. After graduating from Texas A&M University, he went to work for Continental Grain Cattle Feeding (now Five Rivers). He is currently the general manager for Hartley Feeders, a Five Rivers Cattle Feeding operation. Moorhouse also operates his own stocker operation back home on part of the family ranch. Moorhouse and his wife, Colette, have two sons and reside in Amarillo, Texas.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to have experienced producer leaders like Jimmy, Andy and Ryan to guide the CBB throughout the next year,” said Greg Hanes, CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “These gentlemen understand the challenges and opportunities currently facing the beef industry, and each has a unique perspective to share. I’m confident their leadership will help the CBB and the Beef Checkoff achieve new levels of success in 2023.”

To learn more about the Beef Checkoff and its programs, including promotion, research, foreign marketing, industry information, consumer information, and safety, visit DrivingDemandForBeef.com

Agriculture Council of America Announces 2023 National Ag Day

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host National Agriculture Day on March 21. This will mark the 50 th anniversary of National Ag Day, which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country. The theme for National Ag Day 2023 is “Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.”

On March 21, the ACA will host a virtual Ag Day event and events in Washington, D.C. Additionally. The ACA will bring college students to Washington “virtually” to deliver the message of Ag Day to the Hill. A core leadership team of college students will attend events in Washington, D.C.

These events honor National Agriculture Day and mark a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of all of us. Many agricultural associations, corporations, students, and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. The ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food, and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:

• Understand how food and fiber products are produced

• Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products

• Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy

• Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industry

In addition to the events on March 21, the ACA will once again feature the Ag Day Essay Contest. The winning essay will be presented on National Ag Day.

Blueprint – Targeted nutrition without excess for peak performance. Blueprint was designed for results oriented producers feeding animals at any stage of life. It provides targeted nutrient levels that have been identified through university research and further substantiated by large ranch demonstrations. With Blueprint, animals can now reach peak performance while avoiding the unintended consequences of over-supplementation, which is commonly associated with inorganic trace minerals.

So, how is this new? Some may be inclined to point out that making a supplement with 100 percent organic trace minerals is not a new concept, which is true. However, what makes Blueprint unique is the level of trace mineral supplementation associated with feeding these products, at roughly ⅔ of National Research Council (NRC) recommendations.

The relatively high bioavailability of Bioplex trace minerals — included in all Blueprint products — allows us to supplement at a lower level while still improving animal performance over any level of inorganic trace mineral supplementation.

What about the higher cost of organic trace minerals? Organic trace minerals have been around for more than 40 years, but part of their slow acceptance revolves around their increased cost over inorganic forms. Blueprint involves a lower yet more effective level of fortification, allowing this product line to come in at a relatively reasonable price point.

What’s wrong with excess? For example, with a typical four ounce intake mineral, 1,000 ppm copper would be considered 100 percent of NRC recommendations for a cow consuming 25 pounds of dry matter. Yet, it is not uncommon to find inorganic trace mineral supplements listing 2,000–4,000 ppm of copper, or even more — which is two to four times the NRC recommendation! With that much copper sulfate — a well known anti-microbial compound used in foot baths to help control foot rot — going into the rumen of a cow, is it any wonder that related research shows reduced rumen function in cows fed excess copper?

Many of us grew up in a culture where if a little is good, then a little more must surely be better. Inorganic trace mineral fortification levels in the beef industry are a great example of this idea getting out of hand.

Organic trace minerals have a different mode or route of absorption and are minimally affected by trace mineral antagonists. As such, the lower fortification levels in Blueprint supplements are more effective.

So, what does Blueprint accomplish? Early on in animal nutrition, trace minerals were supplemented to remove the outward or obvious signs of a trace mineral deficiency. But as more research was performed, we began to realize that trace mineral deficiencies can hamper animal performance, even if there are no readily apparent signs. Through trace mineral supplementation, we quickly moved from simply correcting maladies and deficiencies to targeting above average performance.

Blueprint is the ultimate architect in helping producers accomplish their improved performance goals, consistently helping them achieve a better bottom line through better reproduction and calf health and performance.

More calves - University research conducted on nearly 2,000 head of Blueprint fed cows showed an increased pregnancy rate (from 92.6–95.3 percent) — a 2.7 percent increase in a herd that already had a very respectable conception rate. The ROI here was calculated at 3:1.

Heavier calves - In addition, several trials across the U.S. have shown a roughly 24 pound weaning weight advantage for Blueprint fed herds. The ROI here was calculated at 4.4:1.

Healthier calves - Large ranch research on nearly 4,500 head of cows showed a 2.5 percent reduction in preweaning calf mortality rate. The ROI here was calculated at 1.6:1.

Confirmed pregnancy timingUniversity research also documented improved fertility indicators in replacement heifers. Heifers on a Blueprint program reached puberty nine days earlier in year one and 41 days earlier in the second year. Similarly, those heifers were confirmed pregnant eight days earlier in year one and 18 days earlier in year two.

Some of these performance increases are additional, while some contribute to one another. In a combined effort to pull this information together, two large ranches calculated their combined ROI on all aspects of the Blueprint program over multiple years. They found ROIs of 4.9:1 and 7.1:1.

If applicable, I would invite you to look back 10, 20, or even 30 years on your cattle enterprise. How much change have you seen in the way we receive information and data? How different are the trucks, tractors, and harvesting equipment of today compared to when you got started? They can now essentially drive themselves.

So, isn’t it possible that your herd’s nutrition program might need a refresh, too? Blueprint supplements are truly the latest advancement in trace mineral nutrition, enabling producers to get a tangible return on the investment in their herd.

About Hubbard Feeds. As part of the

Alltech family of companies since 2015 and in business since 1878, Hubbard Feeds has a long history of providing research based nutrition products and innovative support services. We are driven to provide our customers with products and answers that will improve their profitability, increase their competitive advantage, reduce their risk, and simplify their lives.

Through improved nutrition and continuous scientific innovation, we are committed to improving the value and quality of feedstuffs, providing a nutritional platform for animals to achieve their inherent genetic potential, and, ultimately, supporting producers as they deliver more plentiful, safe, and nutritious food for us all.

N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of JANUARY 2023

Cattle Receipts: 17,461 • Previous Month: 12,247

Feeder supply - 25% steers • 45% heifers • 29% bulls

First Generation Cattleman Makes His Mark in the Show Cattle World. Hard Work, Passion, and a Great Mentor Are the Foundations of Casey Hilmes’ Success. Do you have to be part of a multi-generation ranching family to get a start in the cattle business? Nope. Just ask Casey Hilmes.

What you do need is passion, a work ethic, and mentors. That’s the triad that Hilmes employed to grow into a successful seedstock producer.

Hilmes and his family run around 200 Simmental and SimAngus cows in Southwest Oklahoma, around Fort Cobb. The core of his operation is purebred Simmental and SimAngus cattle, which account for about a quarter of the herd. The rest are commercial cattle used as recipients. “We run an embryo transfer operation and depend heavily on that and artificial insemination for our breeding program,” he explains.

And, as of this writing, he’s been at it for all of ten years. “First generation and started from nothing and working our way up.”

Hilmes focuses on producing high end show heifer prospects and bulls bound for commercial herds. Originally from Durango in Southwest Colorado, his interest in seedstock and show cattle began when he joined the livestock judging team at Redlands Community

College in El Reno, Oklahoma. From there, it was on to Oklahoma State University, where he continued his livestock judging career.

“I just developed a passion (for the cattle business) through networking, meeting friends who are in the business.” One of those friends, Jered Shipman, a Simmental breeder from Grandview, Tex., became a mentor and partner in Hilmes’ growing cattle enterprise. “I would say he’s got as much to do with it as anybody,” Hilmes says.

Junior livestock shows are popular in Oklahoma, Texas, and other states, and that’s where Hilmes focuses his marketing. And show heifers coming from his operation have seen success.

“We were supreme in the Oklahoma Youth Expo back to back in ‘18 and ‘19,” with a heifer shown by one of his customers. Now that his daughters, ages 8, 9, and 10, have begun showing, they’ll hit the show circuit themselves. In fact, his oldest daughter was successful with a heifer in 2020, getting slapped as supreme at county shows and holding her own at the national level.

Year ‘round Effort - Hilmes calves twice a year, with his “spring” calving season beginning in January. “We wrap that up about April, then get a good break through the summer where we work the show cattle and halter-break and prepare the spring calves for the fall sale season,” he says. “We wean about August or September and sell those cattle from October to November.”

September is when the fall calving cows start delivering their calves, “And we just repeat the process,” he says. “Start prep on those small heifer calves around February or March and sell them in April and May. So it’s around the calendar continually; either calving or breeding cows or prepping sale cattle. We don’t get much of a break except for the dead of summer.”

Squeezing the Most from Low Quality Forage - Ah yes, the dead of summer when it’s hot, dry, and pastures fade quickly. “We’re pretty sandy where we’re at,” Hilmes says. “We don’t have great soil. A lot of Bermuda grass and then native grasses.”

Even in a good year, the sandy soil lacks enough nutrients to grow great forage. In drought years like the recent past, the forage is even thinner. And when you’re selling show heifers, body condition and a shiny, full coat are essential.

That’s where the orange Riomax tubs entered the picture. In fact, it was Shipman who turned Hilmes onto Riomax.

“We’ve got a few partnership cows,” Hilmes says. For several years, Hilmes ran some open heifers for Shipman and sent them home as bred heifers. “The last time he sent some up here, he also sent some tubs and said, ‘Keep those out for those gals and treat them like you would normally treat them.’”

That piqued Hilmes’ interest. “He told me the benefits he had seen in his operation and from people who had told him about it. So I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet, give it a whirl and reap the benefits myself,” he says.

In fact, he was so impressed with the results he was getting with his cattle on Riomax that he became a dealer like

Shipman.

“I try to run as close as I can to a commercial operation, keeping dollars and cents at the forefront, and trying to develop low input, easy keeping type cattle, as well as implementing a low input management system,” he says. “So even though we’re raising specialized cattle, and that’s our market, and that’s the audience we present our product to, we still need to keep in mind those dollars and cents that we’re spending every day. “So I guess that’s the big thing. We try to keep it as commercially minded as we can.”

About Riomax. Riomax started in a one car garage and today works with countless ranchers all across the United States and Canada. Their mission? To bring profitability back into agriculture. Learn more about their nutritional products for cattle, horses, sheep, and soil at www.riomax.net/products

S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of JANUARY 2023

Cattle Receipts: 12,615 • Previous Month: 6,632 Feeder supply - 31% steers • 45% heifers • 22% bulls

Feeder Classes

Beef Promotion and Research Program

Private Treaty Sales Checkoff Investment Form

Information is required by (7 CRF 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential (7 CRF 1260.203).

Today’s Date: ________________

Seller’s Name: ____________________________

Buyer’s Name: ____________________________

Address: Address:

City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______

Seller’s Signature: _________________________

Buyer’s Signature: _________________________

Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Beef Promotion & Research Board.

Total Number of Cattle Sold: ___________________ x $1.50 Per Head = $

Date of Sale: __________________ Person remitting assessment form: Seller o Buyer o

* State of Origin of Cattle:

* If the cattle purch ased 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, 14 th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

John Deere offering HarvestLab 3000 Grain Sensing for combines. John Deere now offers HarvestLab 3000 Grain Sensing on 2018 or newer John Deere S700 Series Combines. Grain Sensing continuously measures and monitors protein, starch, and oil values in wheat, barley, or canola in real time as the combine is harvesting. This site specific data can then be viewed in the combine or in the John Deere Operations Center.

“When a farmer has site specific data on a field’s harvest quality, they know if the wheat coming out of the field is of baking or fodder quality,” said Christopher Murray, marketing manager for John Deere. “This knowledge gives them the ability to store their grain in separate batches according to quality and then market that grain more selectively.”

Site specific data helps farmers precisely document the harvest as the grain quality is recorded at each individual point in the field. “This level of detail lets them compare varieties or confirm if machines were properly set,” Murray said. “They are also able to see areas of the field that most successfully converted nutrients into yield, protein or oil, so next season’s fertilizer plan can be adjusted.”

Grain Sensing is the fourth application of John Deere HarvestLab 3000. For years, farmers have successfully used HarvestLab for constituent sensing on John Deere self propelled forage harvesters, for manure sensing on liquid manure applicators, and as a stationary desktop unit to analyze forage and samples.

“This fully integrated John Deere solution helps small grain farmers be successful at every production step, from tillage, planting, protecting and nurturing, to harvest,” Murray said.

As the combine moves through the field, a motor driven auger pushes grain in front of the HarvestLab 3000 near infrared sensor. Together with the StarFire receiver, site specific data is generated on the Generation 4 Display and sent to Operations Center via JDLink. Farmers can use Operations Center to review harvest results and field profitability with different tools that include Analyze and Field Analyzer. Farmers can also pair information in Operations Center with partner software to gain additional insights or to create application maps for fertilizer or other inputs.

John Deere Operations Center users can now import SmartApply System sprayer data. John Deere recently announced that SmartApply Intelligent Control System users can now seamlessly flow their SmartApply data into the John Deere Operations Center to monitor and manage work and to maximize profits of their farms. This change helps growers easily and efficiently analyze past work, helps guide future business decisions, and can help them document savings realized by using the SmartApply Intelligent Spray Control System, which can be added to and elevate the performance of most any blast sprayer, regardless of make or model.

Operations Center is an online farm management system growers can use to access their farm information anytime, from anywhere. Tools in Operations Center can be used to analyze, edit, and make collaborative decisions from the same set of information to improve yields and reduce input costs.

“From machine performance to field management to data analysis, growers can depend on John Deere precision ag tools to monitor, manage, and maximize their farm operations,” said Greg Christensen, marketing manager for John Deere. “Combined with its complementary suite of mobile apps and the power of live connections such as JDLink, which is now standard equipment on 5ML and 5EN specialty tractors, Operations Center brings more efficiencies to an operation and helps growers do the best job possible on every pass in every season, while improving profitability.”

In December 2020, John Deere entered into an allied distribution agreement with Smart Guided Systems to sell its SmartApply Intelligent Control System for use with John Deere tractors in high value crop applications.

Promoting an electric tomorrow, John Deere launches first all electric residential zero mower. John Deere, a global leader in innovative and powerful turf equipment, is expanding its portfolio of products designed for the future by introducing the all new Z370R Electric ZTrak Residential Zero Turn Mower.

The John Deere electric residential zero turn mower is targeted toward property owners who want to maintain their yard appearance easily with reduced maintenance, simplified use, and increased operator comfort due to less noise and vibration while mowing. The new Z730R Electric ZTrak provides landowners with options when evaluating their lawn care needs and delivers the high level of quality customers expect in a John Deere mower paired with an extra jolt of energy to lead customers into the future.

“Everyone has different needs when it comes to their land, and we understand that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to energy solutions. That’s why it is important for us to provide our customers with a broad range of mower options without compromising performance from gas machines,” said Eric Halfman, go-tomarket manager, riding lawn equipment, John Deere. “Customers are demanding more from their equipment, and since no one knows our customers or their work better than we do, we are prepared to deliver like no other, starting with the Z370R Electric zero turn mower.”

The Z370R Electric ZTrak boasts strategically designed features and technologies, making for simplified, cleaner mowing without sacrificing the mowing experience when compared to a traditional gas mower. Promoting an easy adoption of electric solutions, the Z370R can be charged without removing the batteries by using a standard outdoor extension cord and a 110 volt grounded outlet. This helps eliminate the need for external chargers and extra storage space. Additional design features include large front and side frame rails, increasing machine durability, performance, and appearance, as well as a 42 inch Accel Deep mower deck that delivers superior cut quality at faster ground speeds. The Accel Deep mower deck also provides owners with industry exclusive John Deere MulchControl technology, resulting in reduced grass clippings and a healthier lawn.

Extending the John Deere Z300 platform and standing out from competitive models, the Z370R Electric ZTrak features an integrated, sealed battery and onboard charging to supply power to the unit. The fully sealed battery allows for mowing in wet and rainy conditions. The 3.56 kWh maximum capacity battery is backed by a five year manufacturer’s warranty and enables customers to mow up to two acres.

Further enhancing the zero emission mowing experience, the Z370R Electric ZTrak features a large LCD screen used for monitoring battery levels with three modes, allowing operators to adjust settings based on preference and yard conditions. Making for an easier mow, the integrated park brake is activated when the control levers are pushed outward, and a push button start quickly turns on the machine, getting it mowing ready in seconds. In addition, the integrated Bluetooth system enables owners to remotely monitor the mower’s charge status and battery level through the MowerPlus app.

Lastly, customers can benefit from reduced maintenance associated with the Z370R Electric ZTrak. Without the need to refill gas and change oil, filters, and belts, customers can get to work faster and stay up and running longer.

John Deere earns three 2023 AE50 Awards for innovative product engineering from ASABE. John Deere was recently presented with three 2023 AE50 Awards for outstanding innovations that improve production agriculture. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) annually recognizes the 50 most innovative product engineering designs in the food and agriculture industry with AE50 Awards, as chosen by international engineering experts.

Winning products are recognized for their role in bringing advanced technology to the market. These engineering developments help farmers and food processors increase efficiency, enhance quality, improve safety, and increase profitability. This year John Deere received AE50 Awards for the following innovations:

Transmission (EVT)

• 800R Floater

“AE50 Awards recognize the great work being done by our staff of engineers to bring incredible products and technology to market for the benefit of our customers,” said Joel Dawson, manager of production and precision agriculture marketing for John Deere. “No other agricultural company spends more money, time, and energy on research and development than John Deere. Our commitment to innovation ensures customers have the absolute best tools and technology possible as they work to feed, fuel, clothe, and develop infrastructure for a growing global population in the most productive and sustainable manner possible.”

Last March, John Deere introduced See & Spray Ultimate technology that enables targeted spraying of non-residual herbicide on weeds among corn, soybean, and cotton plants. This technology has been shown to reduce non-residual herbicide use by more than two-thirds. In addition, the dual product capability of See & Spray Ultimate allows farmers to combat herbicide resistance by using two independent tank mixes in one pass and avoiding antagonism in more advanced mixes.

Also introduced last March was the John Deere EVT for 8 Series Tractors. The EVT has electric motor generators in place of the hydrostatic motors on an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) to provide the variable input. The EVT is the industry’s only transmission that enables electric power generation (up to 100kW). By using this electricity, farmers could power implement fan drives that take the place of implement hydraulic pumps or assist the tractor by powering the implement’s axles. This is similar to the proven technology John Deere currently uses on construction equipment.

Agricultural implements with powered axles are already successfully being used in Europe to help push the tractor from behind while working in the field. EVT technology offboards electricity from the tractor to provide added power to the implement and can reduce wheel slip, improving uphill performance.

The third 2023 AE50 Award John Deere received was for the 800R Floater. The floater can be equipped with air boom, updated dry spinner spreader, and liquid systems. Compared to the previous John Deere F4365, the 800R helps operators cover more acres per day with less fatigue and improves serviceability by reducing attachment changeover times.

For more information, visit JohnDeere.com

About John Deere. Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what’s possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology enabled products, including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray, and E-Power Backhoe, are just some of the ways we help meet the world’s increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial.

Check the Classifieds in this issue!

Keep your Newborns Healthy with Vita Charge. For livestock producers, there is nothing better than seeing newborns on your operation. Calving, lambing, kidding, and farrowing are all the efforts of your well planned genetic matings. You’ve provided the females with extra care and optimal nutrition while anxiously awaiting a new crop of progeny.

A healthy crop of progeny is ultimately the goal for any producer; however, the best laid plans are often squelched by Mother Nature or some other external force. Make sure you have the resources available to keep your newborns and their mamas healthy, thriving, and performing.

Vita Charge is a line of fast acting, multi-specie livestock products for support before, during, and after stressful times. Parturition is stressful for both the mother and her offspring – consider coming out of a warm, protected womb into a cold, damp barn or pasture. Vita Charge is powered by AO-Biotics Amaferm, a prebiotic research proven to enhance digestibility. With 70 percent of the immune response found in the digestive system, keeping the animal healthy starts there, which is why getting Amaferm in an animal’s system is so important.

Vita Charge has three products ideal for both newborns and mothers recovering from giving birth. All three products are for cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. They all contain Amaferm and MOS that helps normalize gut microflora and support the immune system.

• Vita Charge Gel is for all livestock and is designed to provide immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune systems. It works fast to support appetite and hydration. This gel comes in two sizes: 60 mL and 300 mL, for the convenience of all sizes of operations. Some producers give a dose of the Vita Charge Gel to every newborn when processing to jump start their digestive system and make sure they stay healthy.

• Vita Charge Clench Gel is designed to support normal digestive function during occasional diarrhea or scours, both likely to happen in newborn situations. In addition to Amaferm and MOS, the Clench Gel contains electrolytes to support rehydration.

• Vita Charge Liquid Boost is designed to provide immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune systems. It can be given as a drench, mixed in water, top dressed on feed, or administered through a medicator. Vita Charge Liquid Boost contains flavoring to help drive intake of feed or water.

Make sure your new livestock mamas and their offspring get off to the healthiest start possible this year. Stock your nursery with products from the Vita Charge line to give your newborns the rapid resilience they deserve. Keep them eating and drinking and keep them healthy. To locate a dealer or learn more about these fast acting, multi-specie products, visit www.biozymeinc.com.

About BioZyme Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements for a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include AO-Biotics ® , VitaFerm ®, Gain Smart ®, 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

Norbrook broadens extensive antibiotic line with addition Tulieve. New generic Tulathromycin injectable available in exclusive plastic bottle and four different sizes. A practical and economical generic alternative of tulathromycin injection is now available from Norbrook. The company has introduced Tulieve to its comprehensive and extensive portfolio of anti-infective products available to veterinarians for use in food animals.

According to Eric Moore, DVM, director of technical services for Norbrook, Tulieve is a rapidly absorbed, long lasting, single shot antibiotic that has proven highly effective against a broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens that affect beef cattle, non-lactating dairy cattle, and swine.

“As president of the Duplin County Cattlemen’s Association and a fellow cattleman, I encourage you to take five minutes of your time to speak with Donna Byrum. She introduced me to a program that I knew nothing about, and within six months she was on my doorstep with a check. The PRF program has been a blessing amid the changing climate and different extremes that all our farming operations have experienced.”

~ Joey Carter

“Tulieve, like other tulathromycin injectables, is a semi-synthetic macrolide class of bacteriostatic antimicrobials that disrupts protein synthesis of both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria,” says Dr. Moore. “That’s what makes this class of antibiotics so effective against a broad spectrum of diseases, especially respiratory diseases in cattle and swine.”

Dr. Moore notes that Tulieve can be administered in a low volume dose and has a short 18 day withdrawal time for beef and a 5 day withdrawal for swine, giving veterinarians and producers more flexibility and options when it comes to managing sick animals. Those options also include four different sizes of Tulieve: Exclusive 1 liter, 500 mL (both in hanger bottles), 250 mL, and 100 mL. “Tulieve, from Norbrook, is the only generic tulathromycin available in plastic bottles, making it easier for veterinarians and producers to handle while reducing the risk of product loss due to breakage.”

With the introduction of Tulieve, a macrolide, Norbrook adds a fifth class of chemistry to its anti-infective portfolio, making it the most comprehensive line of antimicrobial treatment options available from one company.

For more information on Tulieve, contact your local animal health provider or visit Norbrook.com

About Norbrook. Established in 1969 by the late Lord Ballyedmond, Norbrook is one of the largest privately owned veterinary pharmaceutical companies in the world. With more than 40 years’ experience delivering trusted, quality brands for our customers, we are continuing to drive the business forward through new product development, substantial investment, and increasing revenue in all our main markets.

Zoetis and Select Sires Inc. Partner to Help Cattle Producers Apply Data for Strategic Decision Making. Data from Performance Livestock Analytics software and competitive grid marketing access from GeneNet help beef producers market the value of their cattle. Zoetis is excited to announce its partnership with Select Sires Inc. to help cattle producers gain more from data. The partnership provides a grid marketing service, GeneNet, which will provide Performance Livestock Analytics customers with a designated marketing platform to communicate and promote the value of their cattle. Select Sires’ farmerowners will gain value with access to the Precision Animal Health portfolio from Zoetis, including beef genetic testing and Performance Livestock Analytics software.

The GeneNet grid marketing service negotiates fed cattle pricing based on carcass characteristics, including quality and yield grade. With this partnership, Performance Livestock Analytics customers will receive an exclusive offer to use GeneNet’s competitive marketing grids and gain bargaining power for the quality cattle they raise, plus carcass data on those cattle.

“This partnership creates a winning opportunity for producers,” said Justin Sexten, head of Industry and Network Partnerships, Precision Animal Health, Zoetis. “GeneNet allows cattle feeders to leverage their animal data from our management software to strategically market their investment in quality genetics and exceptional management. This information arms them with collective negotiation power on GeneNet’s marketing grids to communicate to buyers the value of their cattle.”

Cloud based software developed by Performance Livestock Analytics, part of Zoetis, helps digitize cattle records and turn data into actionable insights to inform strategic decisions regarding health, genetics, marketing, and financials.

Sandra Utter, GeneNet manager at Select Sires Inc., said the collaboration with Zoetis will help drive better genetic and management decisions to breed and market quality cattle.

“Because Select Sires is positioned at the front and back end of the beef production chain, we can help beef producers capture and analyze data that allows them to create, measure, manage, and make changes to increase profitability from conception to consumption,” Utter said. “Data captured in Performance Beef can help us evaluate cattle performance in the feedlot and provides the necessary history and genetic makeup critical to successfully marketing on GeneNet grids.”

Through this partnership with Select Sires, Zoetis will begin the development of connecting the carcass data to the digital ecosystems for Performance Livestock Analytics and BLOCKYARD to enable more seamless management and genetics decision making tools. This integration will provide participating customers access to valuable carcass data within their current platform for Performance Beef. This will help minimize data entry and also provide producers insights into how their use of elite genetics is performing on the rail and adding value.

Select Sires customer Trent Winter of Wintergreen Farms in Clifton, Kan., has benefited from marketing cattle through GeneNet. He emphasized the need for data to make good marketing decisions.

“Without the data, it’s hard to see the progress or know the areas to improve,” Winter said.

From the carcass data Wintergreen Farms received from GeneNet, they made sire selection adjustments to improve their cattle’s marbling ability and ultimately optimize both premiums and yields on the grid.

For Zoetis and Select Sires customers interested in learning more about competitive and profitable marketing opportunities for their cattle, visit GeneNetBeef.com

Over the Counter to Prescription Change for Antimicrobials Signals

Shift for Livestock Producers. Zoetis provides perspective and resources to make a smooth transition for June 2023. Livestock producers will start noticing a change in how they access specific antimicrobial products, as some products will be switching from over the counter (OTC) to prescription (Rx) only status as a result of U.S. Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) Guidance for Industry (GFI) #263. The guidance calls for animal drug manufacturers to change medically important antimicrobial drugs from OTC to Rx status by June 11. Now is the time to plan for a smooth transition, and Zoetis is actively working with veterinarians and producers in this time of change to help ensure continued access to the company’s animal health products.

“We have long been committed to working with veterinarians and livestock producers to help them establish veterinarian-client-patient relationships [VCPR] that put the animal’s best interests at the center of the conversation,” said Mike Lormore, DVM, Head of U.S. Cattle & Pork Technical Services at Zoetis. “Now more than ever, it is important to ensure that a VCPR is in place, and revisiting treatment protocols and where products are available will be keys to success.”

Antimicrobial products from Zoetis that will be affected include:

• Albadry Plus (penicillin G procaine and novobiocin sodium intramammary infusion) Suspension for cattle

• Albon (sulfadimethoxine) Boluses for cattle

• Lincomix (brand of lincomycin injection) for swine

• Liquamycin LA-200 (oxytetracycline injection) for cattle and swine

• Terramycin (oxytetracycline hydrochloride and polymyxin B sulfate ophthalmic ointment) for sheep, cattle, horses

• Terramycin (oxytetracycline HCl) Scours Tablets for cattle

The FDA has requested that label changes for these products be in place by June 11.

“This change matches with our industry goal of helping veterinarians and producers be good stewards of antibiotic products through judicious use,” Dr. Lormore said. “Once the guidance is in effect, it is important that these products are used under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian going forward.”

Antibiotic stewardship and judicious use are keys to successful disease treatment and helping to provide the best possible animal health outcomes. Zoetis supports the livestock industry through a One Health approach for the responsible use of antimicrobials. This approach includes advocating for the health of animals and those who care for them; innovating and investing in research that provides enhanced solutions; and collaborating with leaders in veterinary, human, and public health as well as the food industry to preserve animal health and welfare.

“We strongly encourage producers to talk to their veterinarian about these changes to avoid surprises in where and how they can access animal health products,” Dr. Lormore said. “Don’t be caught unaware. Have a plan. Additionally, our commitment to supporting veterinarians and the livestock industry as a whole is unchanged, and we are providing resource materials and educational pieces on products that were previously available over the counter.”

This switch should prompt positive producer-veterinarian conversations that allow for revisiting animal health treatment protocols. Putting a plan in place now will help ensure access to the products needed later in the year.

Questions to keep in mind for those conversations:

1. What prevention and treatments are recommended for operation specific disease pressures?

2. Will the antimicrobials I am currently using be affected by the switch?

3. How can affected products be accessed after June 11?

4. Are there disease prevention protocols that could be implemented to help reduce disease risks before they occur and increase my operation’s success?

For more information about this transition, visit with your veterinarian and local Zoetis representative.

Zoetis Releases New Implant Applicator Exact10. New ergonomic design gives beef producers an upper hand. Zoetis has announced a new advanced implant applicator designed specifically for user ease and precision. The Synovex Exact10 applicator features multiple design improvements* that allow for user comfort and ease, no matter what type of cattle operation. The Exact10 is compatible with every Synovex implant cartridge and makes the implantation process efficient and productive.

“We recognized the need for an applicator that was highly efficient and comfortable for extended use,” said Paul Parker, senior marketing manager, Zoetis. “Zoetis is committed to beef producers and innovation across the industry, so creating a tool that beef producers enjoy using was a top priority. The Exact10 applicator was crafted for comfort and ease of use without compromising precision.”

The Synovex Exact10 applicator is specifically designed for implantation success and user satisfaction. The highlights of this design include:

• Ergonomic grip to give comfort and grip to all hand sizes.

• Balanced handle placement to reduce strain while maximizing control with ease.

• Pull back t-handle that lets the user cock and advance without switching hands.

• Ambidextrous design allows users to operate the applicator with their preferred dominant hand.

• Retractable needle that reduces error and guesswork while implanting.

• Automatic last dose alert to let the user know when it is time to change implant cartridges.

• Universal product usage across the entire Synovex implant portfolio.

The Exact10 complements the comprehensive line of Synovex implants offering growth enhancement options for every production phase, from suckling calves to stockers to fed cattle.

For more information on how the Exact10 applicator and Synovex implants fit your operation, consult your nutritionist and visit with your Zoetis sales representative. Find out more about Synovex implants and the Exact10 applicator at www.synovex.com

Refer to individual labels for complete directions for use, precautions, and warnings. Reimplant only if and as directed in labeling.

*As compared to the SX10 Precision Applicator from Zoetis.

About Zoetis. As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After 70 years of innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide - from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $7.8 billion in 2021 with approximately 12,100 employees. For more, visit www.zoetis. com

Carolina Cooking

Irish Beef & Beer Stew

Total Cooking Time - 4 Hours

2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 onion, diced

½ pound button mushrooms, sliced

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 12 ounce can dark beer

1 parsnip, diced

1 turnip, diced

1 pound red skinned potatoes, diced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

3 cups beef stock occasionally.

Season beef chuck roast cubes with salt and black pepper to taste. Heat oil in a large stockpot over high heat. Sear cubes until brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove cubes from the pan and set aside.

Turn heat down to medium; add onions, mushrooms, and garlic to the pot and cook until lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes.

Pour beer into the pot and stir, scraping up and dissolving any browned bits of food into the liquid. Stir in tomato paste, thyme, turnips, parsnips, potatoes, salt, and pepper. Add back in beef cubes and add enough beef broth to cover all ingredients, about 3 cups.

Remove the cover and raise the heat to medium-high. Bring stew to a low boil and cook until stew has slightly thickened 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Makes 5 servings.

Bring stew to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine; reduce heat to low and cover pot. Simmer stew until beef is fork tender, about 2 hours, stirring Irish Beef & Beer Stew

Three

Questions With a Cattle Nutritionist and Veterinarian. Know the basics about vitamins and minerals and their importance to cattle health. When you were a kid, would your parents remind you (daily) to take your vitamins? Like they were important to your upbringing, they’re important for your herd, too.

For about 35 years, Chris Cassady, Ph.D., Technical Sales Field Manager at BioZyme, and his family have raised Angus cattle in Illinois. They sell seedstock, bulls, and a lot of show heifers, he said. When asked about the importance of cattle supplements – and his best piece of advice to fellow cattlemen, based on his own operation – he said: “You’ve got to have a goal and match your genetics to your environment, but don’t cut corners on your nutritional regimen or supplementation. Doing so will cost you in the long run.”

As we continue on into the winter months, Dr. Cassady shared how winter is especially not the time to cut corners on nutrition.

“When temperatures drop in the winter, their requirements for maintenance are going to go up biologically. Cold weather can clearly stress cattle; that’s where supplementation becomes even more important,” Dr. Cassady said.

1. What is the importance of vitamins and minerals for cattle? “The importance of cattle supplements is broad and very multifaceted,” Dr. Cassady said. “We know that the nutritional requirements of these animals change pretty drastically during different stages of production, whether they are in lactation, pre-calving, or breeding season. If you are at a time where your animal has a biological ‘extra requirement’ for some nutrient – whether that be protein, energy, mineral, or vitamin – and they don’t receive it via supplementation, there can be negative impacts such as health, reproductive efficiency, or lack of performance. And all of those things combined are going to affect your bottom line. Minerals are key. There are links for zinc and reproductive efficiency. There are links to copper and immune health. There are links to zinc and immune health. I could go on and on.”

Of health concerns relating to nutrient deficiency, there are many, states Tony Hawkins, DVM, Technical Service Veterinarian at Valley Vet Supply.

“If an animal is too thin, they are in a state of cachexia and breaking down their own body to support their bodily functions,” warns Dr. Hawkins. “This situation makes their immune system weak. Many trace minerals are important for immune function. Deficiencies in any one mineral will cause a decrease in immune function. Nutrient deficiencies also can cause weak hooves, cracks, and a decreased ability to fight off any problems that arise.

Regarding reproductive efficiency, I have been involved in a herd workup with a severe copper deficiency. The herdsman noticed decreased reproductive success and severely compromised immune systems, which manifested as cattle that were predisposed to health conditions and unable to fight off minor illnesses.”

2. How are vitamins and minerals for cattle absorbed? “They’re absorbed in a multitude of different ways,” explained Dr. Cassady. “You can’t just provide a mineral in the elemental form. There are organic sources and inorganic sources, and because of that, they all have different bioavailability. And what that means is if they are able to be utilized by that animal in the blood system or in circulation, then they are bioavailable. They have gone across the intestinal wall and are available to the animal. Because of rumen fermentation, some of those products are delivered and broken down by microbes, so they no longer become available. But mostly, the higher quality, more bioavailable ones are able to escape that degradation process and are absorbed in the small intestine.”

3. Do all classes of cattle benefit from supplements? “Whether your cattle are commercial or show, they’re still biologically similar,” shares Dr. Cassady. “A ruminant is a ruminant, and the way the science has designed these products allows us to use them across all different breed types and purposes, whether they are exhibition bound or they are commercial cattle. Whether you’re hauling a show heifer to Oklahoma City for the Cattlemen’s Congress or you’re weaning a stocker calf, you incite some level of stress. These products help cattle to get eating and drinking again, because that’s really the important part.

When animals get stressed, there are a lot of different blood metabolites that fluctuate, and one of the most common things that they do when they are stressed is to go off feed. They don’t eat. They don’t drink. And when there’s no constant flux of substrates and constant regulation of rumen fermentation, we start to see some pretty big challenges on gut health. Having that mineral balance is very critical because we don’t want those animals to suffer from a performance standpoint.”

Keep these thoughts in mind to help your herd, and learn more at 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. With an in-house pharmacy that is licensed in all 50 states and verified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), Valley Vet Supply is the dedicated source for all things horse, livestock, and pet. For more information, please visit ValleyVet.com