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2024 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts ..................................................................... page 77
A Message from the CEO — The Right Way is the Only Way, by Colin Woodall ............ page 55
Alltech News ................................................................................................................................ page 71
Amazing Grazing — Harnessing the Power of Electric Fences - Part 4
— Constructing Permanent Fences, by Dr. Matt Poore .................................................. page 18
American Angus Association News ........................................................................................ page 35
American Hereford Association News .................................................................................. page 28
Animal Agriculture Alliance News ......................................................................................... page 38
Ashley’s Beef Corner — Together, We Bring More, by Ashley W. Herring ....................... page 14
Beef Checkoff News ................................................................................................................... page 63
Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ................................................................ page 42
Beef Improvement Federation News .................................................................................... page 46
BioZyme News ........................................................................................................................... page 58
Bryan Blinson Receives 2024 N.C. Angus Hall of Fame Award, by Joe Hampton ....... page 30
Carolina Cooking — Smoked Tri-Tip with Grilled Corn Elote ........................................... page 43
CattleCon 2025 — San Antonio Update! ............................................................................... page 77
Cow Camp 101 — Back to the Basics ....................................................................................... page 44
Director’s Report — Rolling Through Spring, by Travis W. Mitchell .................................... page 3
Dr. Joe French Receives 2024 N.C. Angus Hall of Fame Award, by Joe Hampton ...... page 32
E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — A Broke Arm, by E.B. Harris ................................ page 16
ESTROTECT News ..................................................................................................................... page 44
Have You Herd — Cut Costs on the Feed Bill, by Susie Douglas .......................................... page 20
Livestock Market Association News ...................................................................................... page 57
John Deere News ........................................................................................................................ page 55
Meet NCCA President — Ryan Clark ..................................................................................... page 50
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ...................................................................... page 73
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — NCBA is Your Partner, by Mark Eisele ........................................................................... page 61
New NCCA Members for 2024 ................................................................................................ page 50
New Resource Helps Cattle Producers Maximize Profitability ....................................... page 43
North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ............................................................ page 58
Pasture Management Systems, Inc. “Mile of Fence” Program Update ........................... page 53
Public Lands Council News ....................................................................................................... page 76
Purina News ................................................................................................................................ page 46
Premier Select Sires News ........................................................................................................ page 75
Red Angus Association of America News .............................................................................. page 26
Ridley Block News — Are You Tracking Your Calving Distribution?, by Mark Robbins ..................................................................................................................... page 48
S.C. Angus Association News ................................................................................................... page 34
S.C Charolais News, by Georgeanne Webb .............................................................................. page 16
Santa Gertrudis Breeders International News .................................................................... page 36
South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ............................................................ page 62
The Chaplain’s Corral — The Unscheduled Dismount!, by Dale Brenneman ................... page 20
The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker ..................................................................................... page 24
USDA Seeks Nominations for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board ........................................................ page 63
Valley Vet News ......................................................................................................................... page 62
You Decide, by Dr. Mike Walden ............................................................................................... page 22
Zoetis News ................................................................................................................................. page 56
Zoetis Quick Tips ........................................................................................................................ page 75
N.C. Cattlemen’s Association
President RYAN CLARK
5250 NC 772 Hwy. • Madison, NC 27025
Vice Presidents BRANDON BOWMAN
2346 Ann Street • Claremont, NC 28610
JIM LEDFORD
260 Mulberry Lane • Otto, NC 28763
JOEY CARTER
250 Penny Road • Beulaville, NC 28763
Immediate Past President SCOTT WEST
489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850
NCBA Policy Division Director - JOHN LANGDON N.C. Beef Council Director BROOKE HARWARD
Beef Board Director - BRIAN WARREN
Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON
Directors At Large
MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE
Executive Director - MILO LEWIS
2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council
Director of Consumer Information
ASHLEY W. HERRING
Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE
S.C. Cattlemen’s Association
Executive Director - TRAVIS MITCHELL
P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138
Phone: 803-609-2828
Email: twmitch@clemson.edu
Website: www.sccattlemen.wildapricot.org
Executive Committee
President - Joe Oswald IV 1st Vice President - Gene Crim 2nd Vice President - Ashley Mills
Secretary - Carol Hendrix
Treasurer - Eric Seymour
Past President - Timmy Benton
John Lewis, Chester • Joe Oswald, IV, Allendale Ryan Whitehead, Union • Terry Kirkland, Batesburg
Lloyd Baxley, Georgetown • Joe Davis, Westminster Michael Hall, Abbeville • Richard Sox, Lexington Carol Hendrix, Westminister • Jamie Driggers, Hamer Bonnie Cann, Abbeville • Ashley Mills, Blair
Haskel Sexton, Sparanburg • Gene Crim, St. Matthews
Al McClain, Anderson • Eric Seymour, Columbia Timmy Benton, Walterboro
S.C. Beef Council
Executive Director - ERIN DOLL
P.O. Box 11280 • Columbia, SC 29211
Phone: 803-734-9806
Email: edoll@scda.sc.gov
Website: www.sccattle.org
Vol. 38, No. 5 MAY 2024
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.
STAFF
Manager, N.C. MILO LEWIS
Manager, S.C. TRAVIS MITCHELL
Editor & Advertising Director
CASEY L. HINNANT
Assistant Editor & Proofreader KIM BURDGE
N.C. Circulation KIM BURDGE
S.C. Circulation TRAVIS MITCHELL
Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All submissions become property of The Carolina Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to return items such as photographs and artwork as requested.
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
American Brahman Breeders Association History … page 5 Brahman History — Crossbreeding’s Common Denominator … page 4
Can Do Attitude Breeds Success at Morrison Farm, by Janen Jones Benson … page 12
Carolinas Brahman Breeders Association — Humble Beginnings … page 8 Standard of Excellence … page 13
The American Brahman — Breeding the Best … page 10
The Brahman F1 — A Solution for Southern Cattlemen, by Dr. David Riley … page 6
The spring season is always an exciting time in agriculture. Cattle producers can finally enjoy watching their cattle graze lush green grass and can begin preparing for the upcoming hay season. This spring, particularly, brings a heightened sense of optimism in the beef cattle industry. Prices paid for cull cows and calves remain strong and are forecasted to climb higher as we move into grilling season.
It has been great seeing so many of you at the various bull and female production sales and cattlemen’s meetings held around the state this year. The numerous county cattlemen’s association meetings I have attended this year have been well attended, and all have had a great educational program.
The Clemson Extension Livestock & Forages team hosted numerous cool season annual forage field days in March
and April. Cool season annual forage plots were planted at local producer’s farms and research stations across South Carolina. Planted varieties included cereal grains such as rye, wheat, oats, and triticale. The demonstration plots also had legumes such as alfalfa and many different clover varieties. Producers who attended these field days could see which varieties performed the best.
The S.C. Cattlemen’s Association will host a series of regional meetings again this year in late summer. Plans are currently being finalized with the exact locations for these regional meetings.
In closing, I would like to thank you for your membership. Whether you are a member of North Carolina or South Carolina, your membership is appreciated. It allows us to work on your behalf to advance the cattle industry’s economic, political, and social interests.
As the first beef breed developed in the United States, the American Brahman has played an important role, not only in crossbreeding programs throughout the United States and beyond, but it has become a common thread among other American breeds developed in the last century. American Brahman influence in the beef industry is felt world wide, and their genetics are sought by cattlemen in every continent. Their development is a success story unparalled. Today’s cattlemen breed Brahmans for all the right reasons.
Originating from a nucleus of approximately 266 bulls and 22 females of several Bos indicus (cattle of India) types imported into the United States between 1854 and 1926. Today, the Brahman breed has achieved acceptance for their environmental adaptivity, longevity, mothering ability, and efficient beef production. Bos indicus cattle have been serving man for thousands of years. Throughout their evolution, they have endured famine, insect pests, diseases, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Thus, through natural selection, these cattle came to have the ability to survive and thrive where other types have failed. In their expansion, these cattle have improved beef production in every country in which they have been introduced, as they are mated to existing
native cattle. While some 30 defined breeds or types of Bos indicus cattle have been identified in India, only a few of these breeds were selected to develop the American Brahman.
The first importation of Indian cattle of any notoriety came in 1854, when sugar and cotton farmer Richard Barrow of St. Francisville, La., was presented with two bulls by the government of Great Britian for his services in teaching cotton and sugar cane production to British officials establishing these crops in the deltas of India. Their offspring, known as Barrow grade cattle, would achieve recognition, and their fame would soon spread around the globe. Later importations would see cattle brought from Brazil, where large numbers of these Indian cattle could be found.
The American Brahman Breeders Association was organized in 1924. J.W. Sartwelle of Houston was the first recording secretary of the Association, and it was he who proposed the word “Brahman” and so it was adopted as the name of the new beef breed. With strict selection, guided by the standard of excellence developed by founding breeders, the American Brahman has been recognized for its exceptional hardiness and physical stamina, its ability to profitably produce on marginal lands, to live twice as long as
normally expected, and with unequaled performance in weight per day of age.
As consumers shift to lean meat and lower calorie diets, Brahmans are perfectly positioned to fill the demand for a beef product which efficiently converts feed into high quality beef while producing a carcass free of excess fat.
The American Brahman excels in adding hybrid vigor to their offspring when crossed with other breeds, resulting in more money in your pocket as a beef producer. Hybrid vigor (or heterosis) is an animal breeding or genetics term that is achieved by crossing two different strains, varieties, breeds, or species. In the cattle world, maximum hybrid vigor is obtained by crossing totally unrelated animals, achieving the “best of both worlds.”
Because of this added hybrid vigor, the use of Brahman bulls with European or English breed cows is one of the most popular crossbreeding practices in the United States, with the resulting Brahman F-1 calf in high demand by cattlemen for replacement females or feeders in the feedlot.
Years of crossbreeding research has consistently shown that ranchers get higher levels of heterosis when you cross a Brahman with a British or Continental breed, compared to just breeding British
or Continental breeds to each other. Because of this, Brahman cattle are often referred to as crossbreeding’s common denominator. The Brahman F-1 cross is consistently superior to other crosses in weight per day of age and carcass efficiency. The Brahman F-1 is also very popular because these cattle display many important characteristics of their Brahman parent, such as drought resistance, heat tolerance, disease and parasite resistance, and increased longevity.
F-1 Brahman females are maternal machines. They have increased milk production, higher fertility, and wean faster growing calves with fewer inputs. Plus, she will have a longer productive life, raising more calves over her lifetime than other breeds. In the feedlot, Brahman hybrid steers remain healthier and make the most rapid, efficient gains while producing heavier, higher yielding carcasses that are free of excess fat, which today’s packer and health conscious consumer demand.
Brahmans have dark skin pigmentation, which filters the intense rays of the sun as well as keeps the breed free of cancer eye. Other environmental adaptations which make the Brahman
breed so well suited to so many areas of the country include the ability to utilize lower quality feed, to travel longer distances for feed and water, and to resist insects and external parasites while withstanding vast climactic differences. They also have the ability to reproduce on a regular basis in a stressful environment. Brahman cattle show no effect from extremely high temperatures.
A factor which contributes to the Brahman’s unique ability to withstand temperature extremes is a short, thick, glossy hair coat which reflects much of the sun’s rays, allowing them to graze in midday sun without suffering. In severe winters, Brahmans grow a protective covering of long, coarse hair beneath which a dense, downy, fur like undercoat can be found. An abundance of loose skin, characteristic of the breed, also aids in
its ability to withstand warm weather by increasing the body surface area exposed to cooling. In cold weather, the skin is contracted, increasing the thickness of the hide and density of the hair, which aids in retaining body heat. A special feature of the Brahman breed is their ability over other breeds to sweat freely, which contributes greatly to their heat tolerance.
Brahman hybrid calves and those out of Brahman F-1 cows are noted for their fast gains, and it’s a fact that these calves consistently produce more weight per day of age than most other breed contemporaries. Brahman cross calves are more desirable to feed in many parts of the country during hot, humid months when the feed efficiency of European and
The American Brahman Breeders Association is the world registry for Brahman cattle, the #1 beef breed for efficiency, hybrid vigor, and environmental adaptability.
The ABBA was founded in 1924 as the official breed registry of American Brahman cattle in the United States. Its original mission was to maintain parentage and ownership records of American Brahman cattle; however, through the years, it has grown to provide an array of member services, educational opportunities, and programs. Internationally recognized as a leading beef cattle association, ABBA offers a wide array of programs to assist the profitability of its members.
The ABBA is a membership organization governed by an elected board of directors. Members of the board as well as other volunteers are assigned to committees that meet regularly to propose ideas of ways to better serve the members through programs, services, or activities. The ABBA staff and leaders are always looking for ways to improve the breed and the organization and welcome input from the membership.
The ABBA is based in Houston, Texas. Registrations, transfers, and F-1 certificates are processed in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information about the Brahman breed or the many opportunities offered by ABBA, please contact our office or visit our website at www.brahman.org
British calves and crosses decreases. The ability of these Brahman cross cattle to finish during warm seasons is a definite economic factor in their favor.
While efficiency is an important quality of the Brahman and its crosses, the carcasses are known for their high cutability, which results in a high yielding carcass with limited fat. In a recent study conducted by Texas A&M, Angus and Hereford cows were bred to Brahman bulls. The resulting steers were handled as calf feds going directly into the feedlot at weaning. The steers were fed for 180 days and slaughtered at 13-14 months. The first calf crops produced 89 steers, with no death loss experienced postweaning. Of those fed, 58 percent of the steers graded Choice, with the rest in the window of acceptability.
Tenderness readings using the Warner-Bratzler shear force test were taken at 0, 7, and 14 days. With this data, a rating of ten pounds or less is considered satisfactory for supermarket sales, while a rating of 8.7 pounds or less is desirable for steaks utilized in quality restaurants. Of the 89 samples, 84 were below the ten pound level at 14 days with the best rating being 5.7 pounds.
Add more beef to your milk program with the American Brahman! The American Brahman is known the world over for their crossbreeding excellence; however, many dairy producers in the
southern United States and South and Central America also utilize the American Brahman in crossbreeding with dairy breeds. These dual purpose animals are the future of the cattle industry in the tropics. Using American Brahmans in the tropics will result in adaptability, fertility, disease resistance, and longevity. American Brahman genetics give you heavier weaning weights, more quality beef, and more salvage value at production termination. They also add additional butter fat content and protein, as well as increased production and net income.
Recent crossbreeding reports from South America have shown the American Brahman to be an ideal cross with a variety of dairy breeds including Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, and more.
Across the United States, the makeup of commercial cow herds varies to fit various environments. In the South, increased heat and humidity require cattle that are able to perform in these conditions. The ability of Brahman cattle to withstand these conditions allowed the breed to become a staple of commercial cattle production in the Deep South. In particular, the use of Brahman in crossbreeding, primarily with British breeds, to produce extremely popular F1 offspring is perhaps the most common source of influence on the commercial cow herd of the Southeast. While the F1s are most noted for their superior reproduction and maternal ability, there are other redeeming qualities of F1s to consider. The ability of these cattle to grow and perform to weaning outshines crossbred calves solely of British and Continental breed origin. In the feedlot, F1 Brahman calves are able to successfully grow and convert feed to pounds of product in the proper environment. However, the importance of the F1 female as an elite brood cow in the South can’t be overlooked.
When a vast majority of the
commercial cow base is British and Continental influenced, using Brahman bulls presents the opportunity for added offspring performance due to heterosis. Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, is the added performance of crossbred individuals over the averages of their straightbred parents. The greater differences between the two breeds result in greater effects from heterosis. It has been documented and widely known for over 50 years that crossing Brahman, a Bos indicus breed, with a British or Continental breed (Bos taurus ), results in much more heterosis than crossbred cows of any other breeds.
Added Growth and PerformanceHeterosis affects performance traits, such as weights and growth rates. Brahman F1 calves exhibit as much as a five percent increase in weaning weight over the average of purebred parents due to heterosis. If the average weaning weight for two parent breeds was 500 lbs, an F1 Brahman cross calf would be expected to weigh 525 lbs at weaning. In today’s market, that’s approximately a $65 increase in calf value due to the added performance of heterosis.
In the right environment, Brahman
influenced feeder cattle can perform as well as their Bos taurus counterparts in gain. F1 Brahman steers often out gain straightbred calves of the parent breeds in feedlots in warmer climates or seasons. Feeders in the southern Great Plains realize the ability of these cattle to grow while handling the harsh temperatures. Half blood Brahmans have the ability to produce carcasses that meet industry standards.
The perception that Brahman and Brahman influenced cattle do not produce high quality retail product is a bit of a misconception. In a Texas A&M study in the 1990s, Brahman sired steers out of Angus and Hereford cows were placed into a feedlot at weaning and fed for 180
days. At approximately 14 months, the steers were harvested. Almost 60 percent of the carcasses graded USDA Choice, comparing favorably to industry wide averages for percentage of Choice cattle. Over 90 percent of carcasses tested with acceptable ratings for tenderness using the Warner-Bratzler Shear Force test. Traits such as carcass weight, dressing percentage, and yield grade are another area that Brahman cross feeder cattle excel in. Heavier carcasses with a high dressing percentage and less backfat are common. Brahman steers with average carcass weights over 800 lbs, with dressing percentages approaching 65 percent (accepted industry standard is 62 percent) were part of a recent American Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA) Carcass Evaluation.
The F1 Female - The biggest impact of Brahman cattle on commercial cattle production is through the influence of the F1 female as a brood cow in the South. Half blood Brahman cows are highly regarded for their ability to thrive in hot, humid environments like the Brahman.
The influence of heterosis on traits that are not easily improved with selection programs is what distinguishes the F1 female as a superior performer. Traits such as pregnancy rate, calving rate, and weaning rate are always greater in F1 females than in straightbred or Bos taurus cross females. Studies conducted in Florida in the early 2000s have shown the superior performance of Brahman-Angus females over both parent breeds. Pregnancy and calving rates in both Angus and Brahman sired F1 females (93 percent) were 11 to 16 percent greater than the purebred Angus
(82 percent) or Brahman (77 percent). Weaning rates were also 15 percent higher than the weighted average of the parent breeds. The increased pregnancy, calving, and weaning rates of F1 Brahman females result in more calves for producers to market and a greater impact on an operation’s bottom line. In addition, F1 Brahman influenced cattle have increased longevity compared to purebred counterparts. A 1988 research project in Texas showed that Brahman sired F1 cows out of Angus and Hereford dams had an average lifespan of almost 14 years, compared to a ten year average lifespan of the parent breeds. Another study from Nevada reported that F1 females with Brahman inheritance had more calves over their lifetime than Bos taurus F1s and purebred Bos taurus, as well as a greater portion of the females stayed in production longer.
The most common breeds to cross with Brahman for producing F1 females are Angus and Hereford. Breeding Brahman cattle to Herefords results in the very popular “tiger stripe” cow. To allow commercial producers to buy F1 females with confidence, the ABBA established the F1 Certification Program ( www. brahman.org/f1/f1-certification ). The program includes Golden Certified F1, in which both parents are registered with respective associations, and Certified F1, where the sire must be registered with its respective breed registry and dams are purebred commercial females that have been inspected for their purity by an association representative. Since the program’s inception, over 95,000 females have been enrolled in both ABBA Golden Certified and Certified. While the program enables buyers to have an outlet for verified replacement females, producers marketing the Golden Certified and Certified F1 females receive a premium
price. At the Houston Commercial Female Sale, Golden Certified and Certified F1 females average as much as $200 more than other females in the sale over a 17 year period. The offspring of these females are eligible for the F1 Plus Program, creating additional marketing avenues for these cattle.
Brahman’s Influence - In the Southern United States, utilizing Brahman genetics in commercial crossbreeding systems provides heat tolerance, durability, and maximum heterosis throughout the entire production cycle. The added growth of calves pre-weaning gives cattlemen additional pounds on the scale at market, and these calves can gain and produce quality carcasses through the feedlot and harvest. In the regions of the country where hot, humid summers are an annual fixture, no cow works better in these conditions than the F1 Brahman crossbred. These females can handle the tough conditions while successfully breeding, calving, and weaning a healthy calf. The added longevity of the F1 Brahman female gives cattlemen a cow that stays in the herd longer, raising more calves over her lifetime. Overall, the influence of Brahman on commercial cattle production in the South is extremely important. Brahman influenced cattle, especially F1s, carry many productive advantages that help them thrive in the warmer climate of the region.
In 1980, a group of Carolina Brahman Breeder Association members got together in Lugoff, S.C., to hold the first CBBA sale day. Forty years later, this sale is still going strong.
Like most organizations, the CBBA started from humble beginnings.
The CBBA began in Concord, N.C., in the front yard of Lewis Patterson’s house when several ranchers gathered to start an organization to bring quality Brahman cattle to the Carolinas. After meeting a few more times, the group decided to create a sale day to bring in new bloodlines and help ranchers create the best herd possible.
In the beginning, the sale involved people from the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and a few from Tennessee. Now that group has grown, and on sale day, you will find breeders from all over the USA attending the sale.
The founding members put sweat, blood, and tears into making sure the sale happened, no matter what, and this attitude of persistence can still be found in the CBBA directors and officers of today.
North Carolina CBBA Director Myra Morrison, of Morrison Farms out of Rockwell, N.C., is one of the first members who gathered in Patterson’s
yard that day. She was at the first sale and has only missed one over the last 40 years. She has been able to see the sale grow without losing the purpose of providing good quality cattle.
“I think we have done exceptionally well, bringing in cattle that are good cattle to this sale. We don’t worry so much about pedigree as we do about quality.” Morrison said, “What we need is good quality cattle that will keep our herds around here working.”
The sale grew so much over the years, that over the past 14 years, the sale has been held at the T. Ed Garrison Cattle Complex in Pendleton, S.C., to better fit the size. Clemson University offers a fantastic modern facility that allows the sale to flow smoothly.
“The staff at the barn accommodates us any way possible,” Vice President of CBBA and great grandson of Patterson, John Cline said. “We appreciate everything they do and look forward to working with them every year.”
As the sale has grown, some new additions to the weekend have been created. One event that everyone looks forward to is the Friday Night
Fun Auction, created during the 25 th anniversary of the sale. This auction helps raise money for the two scholarships the CBBA offers to college of agriculture students attending Clemson and N.C. State University. The secretary/treasurer of CBBA and granddaughter of Patterson, Ann Shaughnessy, has helped with the auction since its start and looks forward to it every year.
“We have had great luck with the auction,” Shaughnessy said. “People enjoy the items that are brought, and it gives everyone a focal point to come together to enjoy each other’s company.”
An the happended for the first time at the 40 th CBBA Sale was the CBBA All Star Spectacular Show. This show invited all juniors from across the United States as a kickoff for the All American show. The All Star Spectacular was the
Thursday before the sale with the junior bull, showmanship, and F-1 show and continued on Friday with the junior female show. This event allowed for more youth to get involved with the sale and create a larger awareness for CBBA.
This sale means more than just looking for new bloodlines to add to their herd for a lot of the ranchers and breeders attending the event. It is a place where they can come together to continue the betterment of the Brahman breed through fellowship.
President of CBBA and auctioneer of the sale, Philip Gilstrap, started attending the sale at just a few months old and has seen firsthand, not only the improvement of the cattle that are brought to the sale, but also how the sale brings people together.
“A group of consignors bring the very best they have to offer from their ranch and are excited to come spend the weekend in a family atmosphere with old friends while meeting new friends,” Gilstrap said.
This year the CBBAS Sale will take place on June 1. To learn more about how to get involved with the sale, you can contact Philip Gilstrap at 864-506-0463.
Reprinted from the March 2020 issue of The Brahman Journal - CBBA Sale info updated for 2024
In the Southern United States, the cattle are still king, but so is the heat. Though it varies from coast to coast, the majority of the region spends almost a third of the year facing temperatures over 90ºF and almost half the year with temperatures over 85ºF — a climate uncomfortable to humans, but potentially deadly to livestock. Originating from several Indian breeds of cattle that thrived in regions where insects, disease, dry, harsh terrain, and the extreme temperatures were the norm, the Brahman is a true masterpiece of genetic design — a breed as easy to raise as they are to recognize.
A product of the Guzerat, the Gir, the Nellore, and the Krishna Valley breeds, the American Brahman was born of necessity for hearty beef and milk producing cattle that would not struggle amid the often cattle unfriendly climate. Similar in appearance to the Zebu (or Bos indicus) native to India, Brahmans feature a variety of colors (light gray, red, and black), but a well defined hump between the shoulder blades, longer ears, and heavy dewlap under the neck are the truly distinctive traits.
For Brahman, every aspect of their physique contributes to their productivity and resilience. To protect themselves from the sun’s rays and excessive heat, Brahmans have dark pigmentation encircling the eyes that helps prevent cancer eye, loose skin with thick, glossy hair that provides a thermal barrier,
and an increased size, number, and productivity of sweat glands that allow them to sweat freely.
Normally, where heat reigns, forage suffers. In addition, Brahmans better utilize low quality browse and require less water intake (resulting in reduced urination and nitrogen loss). Their digestive efficiency allows for superior muscle and tissue development even on low feed intake, as well as the ability to recycle nutrients through the bloodstream and saliva. Their cattle tick resistance stems from a sleek coat unfavorable for tick attachment, an immune response that prevents tick development and chemicals in the sweat that act as a repellant. Brahmans can also travel extensively and produce the maximum quality of beef and milk from minimal resources.
“What’s exceptional about Brahman’s is their low maintenance and adaptability,” said Cyana Briles, president of the Eastern Brahman Breeders Association. “These animals will survive in places where raising cattle was thought impossible, and the rate of their influence has expanded faster than any other breed in the world. Part of the priority of the EBBA is to educate breeders about these wonderfully diverse animals and the numerous benefits they bring to the ranching lifestyle.”
Alone, Brahman cattle offer a wealth of positive aspects, but when crossbred with European Bos taurus, the result is maximum hybrid vigor (heterosis). This
term refers to crossbred offspring who possess superior traits to their parents — a result most effective when breeds with differing traits are introduced.
For example, Bos taurus are known for their excellent muscle patterning and beef production but are highly susceptible to heat and disease. Bos indicus function well in rough climates, but are known for their hardiness and efficient beef production. American Brahmans marry the best of both parents, and when partnered with varying breeds, naturally produce high quality first cross (F1) offspring. Second to none in attaining this level of heterosis, this innovative crossbreeding results in offspring with superior weight, carcass efficiency, and reproductive performance.
F1 females possess an unprecedented maternal instinct. Born to nurture, the females have a lifespan that surpasses that of any European breed, an extended breeding window, often 50 percent longer than many other breeds, a fierce protective nature toward calves from predators, and the ability to produce high quality milk in vast quantities.
“In essence, an F1 female is unmatched. She has a higher bred-in environmental adaptivity, increased milk production, higher fertility, and heat and the disease resistance of her Brahman parent. These aren’t your regular cattle. They’re strong, resilient, and are highly regarded by commercial cattlemen as a maternal machine with no peers,” said
Briles. “And their offspring are a direct reflection of that quality.”
In addition, F1 steers have their own distinct set of attributes, including rapid growth, efficient gaining, and excellent beef quality. They produce high cutability carcasses with less excessive fat but still retain the exceptional standard of quality, flavor, and tenderness in demand worldwide.
Today, American Brahman genetics roam around the world in over 74 countries. From Mexico, Central and South America to Africa, Eastern Asia, and Australia, the American Brahman has excelled in every country it has been introduced and will continue to make a huge imprint in the world production of beef and increased milk production. When considering a breed known for exceptional production, maximum efficiency, and unparalleled versatility, Brahman is the choice for all the right reasons.
Not only is the American Brahman a great breed of cattle, but is backed by a great organization.
Founded in 2018, the Eastern Brahman Breeders Association is a promotional group of the American Brahman Breeders Association headquartered in Houston, Texas. The EBBA offers a number of membership, breed improvement, promotion, marketing, and educational programs. A few of the most exciting programs they offer are their annual consignment sale that will be held online this year (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) May 20-21, the Eastern Brahman Extravaganza Show that will be held at the N.C. Mountain State Fair, and the 4-H Heifer Lease Program.
“The EBBA is a really good organization that provides a wide range of services to its members,” said Travis McCutchen. “I chose Brahmans because they adapt so well to our environment, and there is a strong market for commercial breeders. I just like to breed the best!”
For more information on the American Brahman and the Eastern Brahman Breeders Association, please contact EBBA President Cyana Briles at 336-410-2126 (she really enjoys talking to folks about Brahman cattle) or by email info@EasternBrahman.com. Visit www.easternbrahman.com for more details.
$400 - Open Rate
$375* - 6 Ads Annually
$320* - 12 Ads Annually *per month
$575 - Open Rate
$530* - 6 Ads Annually
$460* - 12 Ads Annually *per month
$225 - Open Rate
$200* - 6 Ads Annually
$180* - 12 Ads Annually *per month
$200 - Open Rate
$185* - 6 Ads Annually
$160* - 12 Ads Annually *per
When Myra Neal Morrison arrived at Morrison Farm, her mother thought it was for a two week visit. That was over 40 years ago.
“She didn’t want me to do it,” Morrison recalls, adding that some people didn’t think she could do it. When she was a teenager, the uncle who managed the farm for her father died; Morrison asked to run it. By 1965 she was doing just that.
Today, she runs a purebred herd of 45 Brahman and 200 Simmental, along with 100 F-1 (Simmental/Brahman cross) steers raised for freezer beef, on 1,050 acres on the Rowan and Cabarrus county lines.
“Unlike a lot of (farmers), I row crop, run purebred cattle, and feed out my cattle using my own grain,“ Morrison said. “I’m just different; I’ve got it all.”
“I feed corn silage five months of the year, starting in January,” she said.
“The silo holds 650 tons.” She hires 150 acres of corn planted each year, using her John Deere eight row planter. She brings in help for spraying, fertilizing,
cutting, and combining, although she maintains her own equipment.
“This saves on costs and gets it cut in two or three days,” she added.
The farm also produces barley, hay, and soybeans.
The herd is fed daily at a feedlot, where they circle by in groups of 50 before returning to 30 acre pastures. They have free choice access to high magnesium minerals and synthetic protein on the feedlot.
Thanks to record breaking rainfall in North Carolina this year, hay is so abundant that Morrison is now putting bales out on the pasture. But, several previous years of drought led her to revise her water resources.
“Until the summer of 2002 I was using a creek and just had one well,” she said. “Then I got worried and added another well.” Both wells use electric pumps and most herds have automatic waterers available at all times.
Morrison’s certified and accredited
herd is tested for brucellosis and TB annually. Vaccinations and worming are done at the same time.
“Nobody quite understands why I don’t need to do it (worming) twice, but I don’t,” Morrison said.
“A lot is the condition of the cattle and small pastures, and when I worm at test time in June, it cleans all the pastures out.” She uses Ivomec and Eprinex from Merck.
Morrison breeds year round, using her three bulls, which she prefers, as well as artificial insemination. Maintaining her own tank, she purchases serum from ABS, Select Sires, and at sales.
“(With these sources) you don’t often get anything you don’t want,” she said.
“I breed these cows to the best bulls in the A.I. books. For the Brahman, I try to get the best semen I can afford. Generally, I buy at sales where I know the people and can get them to sign the certificate.”
“With the Simmental cattle, the traits are all there. They’ve got good disposition, good feet, good backs; it’s all there,” Morrison said.
“(With) the newer Simmentals, the solid reds and solid blacks, the disposition kind of (got) knocked out. I prefer the red and whites. I look for good growth, not excellent birth weight. But my half bloods can be 120 to 130 pounds at birth. The Simmentals run 80 to 100 pounds and the Brahman 70 to 85, and here I get these 130 pound calves due to cross breeding. “A disadvantage of the halfbloods is their disposition,” Morrison said.
“They will eat you for breakfast,” she said, adding that they’re not wanted at stockyards.
But she solved that problem, finding that she can feed them out in 15 months and sell them herself.
“They grow out better than purebreds, dress out better than purebreds, and take a third less feed than purebreds. Weather doesn’t matter; they’re tough cattle. I dress 62-64 percent on average.”
Calling the freezer beef market “just crazy,” she sells to anyone and prices on hock hanging weights.
Morrison feeds out on her own farm
and sells bulls at 1,100 to 1,200 pounds to get full price. Simmentals are sold around 18 months of age.
“I don’t sell Brahmans to anyone until they’re two years old,” she said, explaining that they grow until the age of five and that females shouldn’t go in heat until they’re two.
Bulls not sold for herds go to stockyards, where they’re primarily used for red meat and hamburger.
Morrison began computer based recordkeeping in 1987. Today, she uses Microsoft Excel and Access databases she developed herself to track complete herd records, including vaccinations, breeding, and tag numbers.
She is on the board of the N.C. Simmental Association and is one of the few Easterners on the American Brahman Breeders Association Board.
“It’s rare for Easterners to run, since the meetings are out west,” she said.
“My attitude is why I made it (in the cattle business),” Morrison said.
“So much depends on weather, luck, a hundred things. To realize you’ve done what you set out to do for 38 years and don’t regret it, that’s as happy a thing as you can have, I guess.”
For more information, contact the N.C. Simmental Association at 336-4681679 or www.ncsimmental.com . The American Brahman Breeders Association may be reached at 713-349-0854 or www. brahman.org
Reprinted with permission from The Farm Chronicles, December 8, 2003
I. General Appearance (22 points)
a) Size and Weight (10 points) –Well developed according to age. Bulls 1,600-2,200 lbs at maturity in good flesh. Cows 1,000-1,400 lbs. Body frame should have ample depth, width, and length regardless of condition.
b) Form (8 points) – Massive, long, broad, moderate depth, balanced, straight back with a slightly rounding rump. Any appreciable dropping off from hips to region of crops or hump is undesirable. Bottom line straight except for sheath in bull and navel in cow.
c) Quality (4 points) – Hide soft and pliable, of medium thickness, hair of medium texture, soft. Bone ample in substance, clean cut strong. Muscling long, well defined.
II. Body Form or Conformation (55 points for male/56 points for female)
a) Shoulders and Chest (8 points)
– Moderately oblique, smooth, broad on top, and covered by hump. Brisket not prominent. Chest wide and deep, good width on floor.
b) Body (17 points)
1. Back and Ribs (9 points) - Ribs well sprung from backbone, arched, with ample length to give moderate depth to body. Symmetrically joined to loin and crops. Excessive depression behind
shoulders objectionable. Short middle and excessive depth of rib not desirable. Back and loin uniformly wide and gently sloping to the sides when viewed from rear. Well covered with thick natural muscling. A sharp angle of back between and extending above hooks objectionable.
2. Loin (8 points) - Broad, thick, level and firm, blending smoothly into back and rump.
c) Hindquarters (16 points)
1. Rump (8 points) – Long, wide at pins, and slightly rounding toward tail head. Smoothly joined to loin (Steep slope serious discrimination). Tailhead smooth.
2. Hooks (1 point for females only) –Slightly below level of back, medium in width, well laid in.
3. Round (8 points) – Broad, thick, full, and deep, extending well down to hock.
d) Feet and Legs (7 points) –Moderate length, straight, and squarely placed. Bone with ample substance, strong, and clean, tapering into well formed, dense joints. Hind legs perpendicular when viewed from rear but slightly inclined forward below hocks; muscular above hocks. Strong moderately sloping pasterns. Toes uniform, ample in size and straight heel deep. Walk straight, strong and active.
e) Muscling (7 points) – Animal should show indications of superior
muscling: front legs set wide, shoulder thick, forearm and stifle well muscled. Rounding over top. Rounds thick and full with widest point halfway between rump and hock when viewed from rear. Animal should stand square, walk with hind legs set well apart while traveling true. Good length from hook to hock and from pin to stifle. Bone relatively heavy.
III. Breed and Sex Characteristics (17 points for male/16 points for female)
a) Color – Grey or red of varying shades predominate. Brindle, gruella and true white (albino) are disqualifications. Muzzle, hoofs and switch black. Horns dark.
b) Head (4 points) – Sex should be expressed by the head. Bulls masculine and females feminine. Face moderate in length, muzzle full, nostrils wide and open, lips dark. Eyes mild and full with good width between them. Horns set wide at base, thick and medium in length. Horns of cows should be thinner than those of bulls.
c) Neck and Throat (2 points) –Neck moderately short, muscular in bull; neat in cow, blending smoothly into shoulders. Throat clean on sides, but with moderate development of dewlap.
d) Hump (2 points) – Bulls should possess hump of ample size, located directly on top of shoulders, moderate in thickness, somewhat resembling a bean in shape, and extending backwards.
Females should show hump of moderate development, more oval in shape, and located on top of shoulders.
e) Sheath and Navel (3 points for male/2 points for female) – Sheath should be a medium size and closely attached, not pendulous. Excessive development of sheath or navel objectionable.
f) Tail (3 points) – Set above pins and neatly attached to body on a level with top line or slightly below. Moderately long.
g) Sex Character (4 points) – Bulls should possess pronounced masculinity. The scrotum should contain two testicles, well developed, of equal size. Abnormal testicles serious discrimination. Females should show characteristics of refinement and femininty. Udder should be ample in capacity, extending well forward in line with belly and well up behind; not fleshy. Teats moderate in size and squarely placed under each quarter.
h) Environment Adaptation Traits (2 points) – Hide densely covered with hair of medium texture, oily to the touch and capable of movement along sides. Well developed dewlap with soft, pliable skin arranged in folds extending from lower jaw to chest floor. Moderate development of loose skin under belly.
IV. Temperment (6 points) Alert but docile.
TOTAL POINTS - 100
Springtime is always full of fun activities, and it seems that everyone is getting out of the house, eager for places to go. We’ve participated in a variety of events with help from N.C. Beef Ambassadors.
At the University of Mt. Olive’s AgFest, more than 2,000 high school students attended to explore careers in agriculture and how their future could be a part of the industry. We support the
Virginia Herd
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) & Embryo Transfer (ET)
event as well as fellow ag commodities, agribusiness, farms, and agriculture organizations. It’s always a great day outside communicating with the future of agriculture. Many students are deciding on their major, evaluating colleges, ag programs, and already entrepreneurs. Conversations with the attendees offer a glimpse into the minds of those who are
considering agriculture among a host of careers. It is vital that we show them all that agriculture has to offer.
We had a beef puzzle on hand to test the skills of attendees with their knowledge of the beef primals. We enjoyed timing the students to see who could place the pieces in the correct order the quickest.
knowledge with students. Rotating centers for the students included poultry, soybeans, beekeeping, dairy, rabbits, veterinary medicine, corn processing, and community college agriculture programs. Anna had our beef puzzle to help engage students and familiarize them with cuts of beef. Special thanks to Anna.
I hope you were able to attend our N.C. Cattle Conference back in February. For the first time, we had a presentation from the N.C. Agromedicine Institute. The program was very well received. The title of the presentation, “How to Work Cattle Together and Remain Friends,” was a humorous take on a topic we can relate to. Thanks to speaker McKayla Robinette for facilitating such a great discussion.
* On-farm aspiration of oocytes via Ultrasound Guided Ovum Pick-Up (OPU).
* Embyos come back in 8 days for placement or direct thaw freezing on-farm.
* Can do on donors aged 8 months and older, up to 120-150 days pregnant Doesn’t interfere with pregnancy.
* Pregnant cows work really well, so the cow doesn’t get out of her production group.
* Can do a donor every 2 weeks.
* NOW AVAILABLE * Small Ruminant Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination (AI) & Embryo Transfer (ET)
Oocytes fertilized at BoviteqUSA in Madison, Wisconsin. www.boviteq.com
PC For more information, contact: PAT COMYN, DVM P.O. Box 555 Madison, Va. 22727 540-829-3625 (cell) • 540-948-5238 (office/fax) pcomyn@verizon.net Visit us online at www.vhhms.com.
At this event, N.C. Beef Ambassador Anna Brown was able to pick up her belt buckle. Anna was not able to attend the N.C. Cattle Conference because she is student teaching and brought her entire class to the UMO AgFest! Congratulations Anna!
At the Smith Elementary School ag day, Beef Ambassador Anna Hering was most helpful in sharing beef industry
We look forward to working with the N.C. Agromedicine Institute more in the future. If there is a topic you would appreciate hearing more about in a webinar, let me know, and we can work towards setting a date.
I hope you enjoy Beef Month, which includes many beef meals and, more so, sharing beef with your friends and neighbors. Together, we bring more.
WHEREAS, according to the 2023 North Carolina Agricultural Statistics Book published by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, there are currently over 740,000 cattle in North Carolina that provide a variety of food, leather, and other products to the citizens of this State; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2023 North Carolina Agricultural Statistics Book published by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina farmers raise cattle in all 100 counties; and
WHEREAS, because of cooperation between beef producers and the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and allied industry, thousands of farms are flourishing across the State; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2023 North Carolina Agricultural Statistics Book published by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, beef and beef products are naturally nutrient rich, providing Americans with a high quality source of protein, zinc, iron, and B vitamins, leading nine out of ten households to serve beef at least once every two weeks; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2023 North Carolina Agricultural Statistics Book published by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, cattle farms generate more than $300 million in cash receipts each year making the beef industry yet another part of the total diversification of agriculture in this state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Roy Cooper, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 2024, as “BEEF MONTH” in North Carolina and commend this observance to all our citizens. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.
When Shane and I were coming home the other day from working on a sale, Morgan called him. She told him Gemma and Wesley had been playing and that Gemma had taken a pretty good fall on her arm, and it might be broken. This happened late afternoon, just about dusk. They called the doctor and were told how to handle it. The doctor told them he wanted to see them in the morning.
The next morning, Shane, Morgan, and
Gemma head out to Rocky Mount. They were in the room waiting for the doctor to come in, and the nurse was in there with them. Shane started a conversation with the nurse by saying, “You look familiar. Where are you from?” She said she was from Louisburg. When she told him who her parents were, they were people we had a lifetime acquaintance with.
She asked Shane where he was from. He told her Warrenton. She then
asked him if E.B. Harris was his daddy. Shane answered yes, which thickened the conversation even more.
By this time, the doctor, Dr. Hasty, was in the room and heard the conversation. He turned to Shane and asked, “Do you all have any semitrucks?” Shane said, “We do.” Dr. Hasty then asked where we got them serviced and worked on. Shane told him most of the time at Jim Redwine’s in Gaston.
Dr. Hasty said, “I thought I knew that name. My daddy is Keith, the service manager. When I was growing up, I worked there on the weekend sweeping the shop and doing other odd jobs and I remember seeing the name E.B. Harris on the side of trucks.”
This made the cheese even more binding. They talked a few more minutes, and he told Shane he would like to have cattle on his farm one day. (When Shane told E.B., it went through E.B.’s mind if it would work to trade cattle for Gemma’s work like E.B.’s daddy traded a lamb for dental work.)
After x-rays were taken of Gemma’s arm, they were told it was broken, and resetting was scheduled for early the next morning. Shane and Morgan were more at ease after all these conversations about who knew who to know that someone working on your daughter or kin people, you have
someone you can relate back to that not only knows how to set bones but maybe can work on trucks and likes cattle, too. By the way, Gemma did great and is doing fine. They set her arm and put on a cast in her favorite color, purple, and they also put a purple splint on the left leg of the unicorn she had taken with her. She has to wear the cast for about five weeks. Things are looking up for her and her arm.
I apologize for not having an article last month, but with getting ready for the Appalachia sale and the trip to Bristol, Va., for the Floyd Wampler retirement wingding, I plumb forgot all about the article.
We had a great time in Bristol, Va., for Floyd’s retirement gathering. For the first time, I got to meet Mrs. Floyd. All these years, I had never met her. It was a great event with lots of people I had not seen in a long time. (Andy Elmore, I am talking about you.) The only bad thing was the temperature, as it was so cold and windy you couldn’t stand to go outside.
As you are reading this, you have missed the Appalachian Classic Sale, where we had another wingding for Floyd. I will give a report on the sale and the wingding next month.
Okay, it’s time for me to get on my sounding board. Two things have me bothered. First, why hasn’t ground been broken for the vet school in Clemson? I can tell you if I were in charge of this, the building would already be going up. Quit
lagging behind, and let’s get this thing going. Enough discussing things. It seems to me people want to talk things to death without getting anything done.
My biggest gripe is with the big announcement months ago about a processing plant in Laurens. A big announcement was made online and on TV news, and since then, nothing. Are they going to build one or not? Gwen McPhail and I have contacted everyone we know, including the company that is supposed to be building it, and no one has given any answers. Tomahawk Processing will not even answer calls or emails, and they are the ones who are supposed to be opening this place. If the plans have fallen through, then the S.C. Department of Agriculture ought to let us know. As usual, deafening silence.
Watch out for your neighbors and keep in touch with each other since there are a lot of undesirables wandering around. Check your barns daily for boogers and stay locked and loaded.
By DR. MATT POORE N.C. State University
Wire. Fencing can be a complex subject, but fully understanding the best techniques to build and maintain an electric fence is key to the management of your grazing system. Building a fence that will require minimal maintenance and last a long time is key to making this expensive investment a good one.
In earlier issues, I have written about energizers, the grounding system, lightning protection, building braces, and selecting posts. This edition will explore selecting wire and choosing your wire spacing.
Selecting wire type and spacing is critical to the performance of the fence and is largely determined by the type of livestock you want to contain. I realize that some readers will have in their minds they want to build a traditional woven wire field fence or barbwire fence, and that is fine if it is a rational decision. However, in general, those types of fences are expensive to build and expensive to
repair and maintain. They generally need a very close post spacing and take a lot of effort to put upright. Once they are up, animals will pressure them because they are nice to rub on, and animals will reach through them or over them to get that green grass outside the fence, and they will stretch them and do a lot of damage. As barbed wire stretches, some animals will learn they can just climb through a loose barbed wire fence. I remember when I was a kid, it was a common practice to “yoke” an escape artist calf with a forked branch from a tree to keep them from crawling through the fence. Thank goodness those days are gone!
There are few reasons I can see (other than for aesthetics) that you would build one of those traditional fence types. They function by creating a physical barrier for animals, but these are some large, powerful animals we are containing, and it takes a lot of brute force to keep them in. Electric fences, on
the other hand, create a mental barrier and keep the animal contained because they simply have learned not to touch the fence. An offset electric wire inside new or existing barbed wire or field fence is strongly recommended to extend its life.
Gauge, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance in wire - Understanding wire is more complex than you might think. There are a wide variety of wire types, and it is important to understand them as you decide what to use in your fence. Every product has its place, but that place might not be in your fencing system.
The first thing to know is that the diameter of the wire is reported in “gauge.” This system goes back to the way wire is made by pulling a steel rod through a series of “draws” until it is down to the final size intended. The larger the gauge, the thinner the wire. For general purposes, fencing is usually 12.518 gauge. Standard smooth high tensile fence wire is 12.5 gauge, and traditional barbed wire is two 12.5 gauge wires wrapped around each other. In terms perhaps easier to understand, 12.5 gauge wire is about 0.1 inch in diameter, and 14 gauge wire is about 0.08 inch in diameter.
Tensile strength is another important characteristic. When steel is manufactured, various levels of carbon are included with iron. The more carbon, the stiffer and stronger the steel. Low carbon steel has a lot of give to it and will bend and stretch. Higher carbon steel resists bending and stretching, which makes it more difficult to work with, but gives big advantages in terms of fence life. Typical low carbon steel used in common barbed wire and hinge knot field fence contains about 0.06-0.08 percent carbon. High tensile fence wire
products contain about 0.28 percent carbon. It is important in our environment to have a fence that will resist corrosion. With a high level of moisture, in most situations, untreated steel wire will corrode quickly, and the braces and posts will far outlive the wire. The use of the galvanization process, which uses a zinc alloy to coat the steel, will dramatically increase wire life. However, when you shop for wire, be aware that there are different standards for galvanization. Many traditional barbwires and field fences are treated to Class 1 standards, making them not very resistant to corrosion in our environment. The alternative is generally a Class 3 product that is about 2.5 times thicker than a Class 1, and that will give it a much longer life. Galvanization is applied to wire either through a “hot dipping” process or through electro-galvanization. Either process can produce good quality coating; in general, the shinier and smoother the wire is, the better the galvanization process and the longer the expected fence life. Newer coatings and coating processes are being developed, but for the time being, Class 3 galvanized is the standard recommendation.
High tensile fence wire generally will come in breaking strengths of 180,000 or 200,000 psi. I have worked a lot with both types of wire, and 180,000 is a lot easier to work with, so that is what I would personally recommend.
There are other possibilities in wire, namely aluminum. Some producers like aluminum wire because it is light, soft, and easy to work with. One clear advantage of aluminum is it is very resistant to corrosion. However, the disadvantage of aluminum fence wire is that aluminum is very easy to bend and stretch, and it does not have a very high breaking strength, with about ⅓ the strength of steel wire of the same gauge. Aluminum wire also has one other serious issue: if there is a short in the fence and a poor connection, the power flows through (creating a repeating spark). The aluminum wire will melt through in a relatively short time.
Perimeter fence - Most beef producers will use a multi-strand, high tensile, smooth wire fence on the perimeter. This will work well as long as cattle are contained on the farm and the fence, there are no small ruminants on the farm that need to be contained, and when there is a low risk for serious problems, an animal should get out of the fence. Again, because the electric fence is a mental barrier and not a physical one, if an animal runs full speed at a smooth wire fence and hits it, they can pop right through, even with well designed wire and post spacing. Likewise, if animals are fighting, they can be pushed
right through the fence; this is often a problem with fences around bull pastures.
If you purchase stocker animals, it is likely that you will buy one now and then that has never experienced an electric fence and that will run right through everything you have once you turn them out. That is no fun when you see a whole group of stockers running right through your fence and through your neighbor’s yard to places unknown. Also, if you are running sheep or goats along with your cattle, they are very difficult to consistently control, so the multi-strand smooth wire might not be the most effective either. Another situation that might put you at high risk for animals being out is if you are right along a busy road or highway or right on the edge of town.
Think about your system, and if you feel you are in that “high risk” category, then consider using a “woven wire” perimeter fence, at least on the stretches where escape and related problems are highest. I said earlier I could not think of many reasons you would build a traditional field wire fence, so I may appear to be contradicting myself. However, new technology in woven wire fencing has moved us far beyond the traditional type of fence. If you decide to go to a woven type of wire, you need to be aware that the invention of “fixed knot” wire has really changed the way these fences perform.
Our traditional “field fence” used a hinge knot system, meaning that the horizontal wires are continuous, but the vertical wires are each individual pieces that run from one horizontal wire to the next and wrap around. The end of the lower vertical wire and the start of the vertical wire above it are wrapped together. This type of fence is also typically built of low tensile class 1 galvanized wire, although some more modern products are made from Class 3 galvanized wire. Because the vertical wires are not continuous, they tend to bend at the hinges, making it difficult to put up and maintain. Also, the wrapped vertical wires are easy to slide up and
down the horizontal wires, making for holes where animals try to reach their head through the openings in the wire.
The “fixed knot” wire has both continuous horizontal and vertical wires. Where they cross, an extra piece of wire creates the knot (see Figure 1). This design makes the wire stand up on its own, makes it more durable, and the fact that it is built from high tensile wire gives it more resilience to impact by animals, vehicles, etc. This allows a more distant post spacing and much less maintenance than a traditional field fence, while providing that strong physical barrier that is needed in high risk situations. The fixed knot fence wire also has a deep crimp that gives a lot of flexibility because this material will give but then return to its original shape. There are videos on the internet of a farmer driving over a fixed knot fence with a tractor, and it pops up just like it was. It truly is an amazing invention.
Putting up a good fixed knot perimeter fence is challenging, so if you decide to go that route, I would recommend getting the fence custom installed or getting advice and the specialized equipment needed from an experienced dealer.
For lower risk perimeter fences, 12.5 gauge high tensile wire works well to contain cattle. A minimum of three wires is needed to reliably contain cattle, but I actually prefer a minimum four strand perimeter to give you reasonably good control of baby calves. The advantage of smooth wire fences is that they are very easy to install and maintain and are relatively inexpensive.
Wire spacing for perimeter fences should be adequate to control your livestock. Again, on a beef cow/calf farm, I like to put up four strand perimeters with the bottom wire at 18 inches, the second wire at 28 inches, the third wire at 38 inches, and the top wire at 48 inches. This makes for an effective fence for all classes of beef cattle. The 18 inch bottom wire will help with rises and fall in terrain, and will help reduce problems with vegetation shorting out the
fence, and will facilitate maintenance by clipping and/or spraying. Cattle will graze under the bottom wire to some extent, minimizing weed problems.
Polywire, polytape, and other types of wire for perimeter fences - Frequently, I see electric perimeter fences constructed from polywire, polytape, or barbed wire. It is not a great idea to use these materials. Poly products are intended for TEMPORARY USE! Poly products don’t have the breaking strength or the life expectancy to serve as a good permanent perimeter or cross fence. There may be situations where permanent perimeters may be built from wide polytape for horses, but there are better high visibility coated wire products out there that are a better option because they will last as long as the braces and other fence components. Poly products should rarely be used as a perimeter for cattle. The exception would be in situations where cattle are grazed on cropland overseeded with row crops so that a totally temporary setup is desired. When this is the case, cattle should be exceptionally well trained for the electric fence, and the manager should be very advanced in their herding skills.
Barbed wire is definitely discouraged for electric fences in general. The old thought (before modern energizers) was that if an animal encountered a barb with electricity on it, it would really drive the shock home. However, with sufficient power, a smooth wire will conduct plenty of power to train the animals. Electrified barbed wire is potentially dangerous to the farmer because of the chance of getting it snagged on clothing to the point where you can’t get off it and receive
repeated shocks.
Cross fencing - Once you have a good perimeter, the cross fences can be two strands of high tensile steel wire. If you use one wire set at 30-36 inches, then small calves will be able to creep graze, and you will have less trouble when you are moving cows in a rotational grazing system (calves can slip under the wire to get back to mom if left behind). On the other hand, if you don’t want calves roaming everywhere, then you might want to use two strands for your cross fence, set at 26 and 36 inches, which generally will control cows and calves with adequate power.
Recently, the trend has been to recommend creating larger pastures with permanent cross fences rather than very small pastures. This gives more flexibility and allows a producer to have fewer watering points and still move cattle frequently. Permanent pastures or paddocks should be sized to last about 5-10 days based on the expected forage mass and animal numbers. Further subdivision can then be done with temporary fencing.
A lot of thought and planning should go into building your fence system. If you have a piece of new ground or are fencing cropland, then you can do it all right the first time. In most situations, we will be working around old fences and adding/ replacing fences, so as you add or replace both perimeter and cross fencing, upgrade the quality of what you have, and the next generation will thank you. Next month, I will write about constructing the fence, including tying vs. crimping, the use of gates and gaps, insulators, and other accessories.
By SUSIE DOUGLAS N.C. State University -- ANS 402 Beef Management
As producers, we all want to cut costs, right? Feeding cattle is one of the most expensive bills on the farm, particularly in a cow/calf operation. Big or small. As a producer, one may be able to cut costs by lowering the feed bill without compromising the nutrition of the cows. How can a farm achieve this? By increasing the production of forages. Owning cattle is not just about managing cattle. It is also about managing the soils and forages of the pastures1
One can compare the cost of supplementing feed versus maintaining pastures. The USDA predicted feed supplement prices to increase for the 2021/2022 hay season, and prices are on an upward trend, as shown in Figure 1. We can compare the prices of feed costs to pasture costs with the help of data collected by Kansas State University, shown in Figure 2. We can see that feed costs or nonpasture costs surpass the cost of pasture costs. Some of the most expensive pastures still do not exceed the cost of feed. By decreasing the cost of feed resources, money saved can go towards other sectors of the operation, such as vet visits, general repair/maintenance, or buying equipment. Producers can raise cattle and decrease the price per head to feed their cattle by implementing good pasture and pasture health and intensively managed grazing.
First, one needs to take into account what kind of cattle production you have and the nutritional requirements of your animals at each stage of production 2 You want to make sure that your pasture has forage all year round, so by growing different forages at different times of the
year, stockpiling forages, and managing your grazing, you can achieve this.
Establishing forages will take a little bit of science and research. First, make sure the soil is healthy enough to support the forage. You can do this by taking your own samples and sending them off to the soil testing lab, or you can also give your local Extension office a call, and they can help you through the process. You can find more information about soil tests on the NCDA&CS website3
The purpose of the soil test is to make sure that the minerals and nutrients in the soil are appropriately balanced4. Once you know the composition of your soil, you will also look at soil type. You can do this through the Web Soil Survey5. This is going to give you information on soil types, and you can then look at which forages may do better on your property. The best time of year to establish cool season perennial forage is in late summer to early fall. In North Carolina, some common perennial forages are Bermudagrass, warm season, and tall fescue, cool season6. We can enhance the nutritional value of these forages by adding legumes such as red clover, which is an annual forage7
Once you begin to graze in early spring, you may want to consider stockpiling some forage. Stockpiling is a great way to save forage for those winter months 8 . Grazing early in the season promotes growth for later in the season when you begin to stockpile around August 6. It is recommended to fertilize pastures in the fall to encourage more growth. The goal is to keep cattle off the pasture until it is needed. You can begin
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The story was told to me of an old cowboy sitting behind a curtain in a hospital E.R. A young nurse came in and said, “So you fell off your horse?” The old cowboy replied, “Ma’am, I didn’t fall off. I was bucked off!” We old cowboys understand the difference and the importance of making that clarification, but regardless of the terminology, he had experienced an “unscheduled dismount.”
There are three types of unscheduled dismounts: falling off, getting bucked off, or bailing off. Three different circumstances end with the same result: Your ride is over, and you are in a place you did not intend to be.
In the “Parable of the Sower,” Matthew 13:1-23, Jesus tells of a farmer scattering his seed. Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it. Some seeds fell on rocky places without much soil, where they sprang up quickly but had no root, so they withered in the hot sun. Some seeds grew for a while but were choked out by weeds and thorns. Three different sets of circumstances end with the same result: no fruit. The seed did not accomplish its intended purpose. Thankfully, however, some seeds fell
on good soil, resulting in a great crop. In this parable the seed represents the word of God, the birds are Satan who snatches away God’s word before it can take root, the sun is the trials and troubles of life that dry up God’s word, and the thorns and weeds are materialism and business of this life that choke God’s word out of our lives.
All of these things can lead to a spiritual unscheduled dismount. If you feel yourself becoming unseated spiritually, or maybe you’ve already fallen off, it’s not too late. Get up, get back into God’s saddle right away. It says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Jesus is offering a centered and well balanced ride in this life and for eternity. Let God’s Word take root in your heart and produce good things in your life. Come to Him today. Isaiah 55:6,7 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake His way and the evil man His thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.”
to regraze this stockpiled forage in about November or December. The best forages for stockpiling are tall fescue, and there is new research on stockpiling Bermudagrass. When you graze your pastures, try to get the most out of them. You can do this by intensively managed grazing. You can make this fit your schedule and still get the most out of it. What this means is that you only allow access to certain parts of the pasture at a time. By implementing strip grazing or other rotational grazing strategies, you can almost double the production
of your forages. This is especially true for that stockpiled fescue. By increasing the stocking density and strip grazing the pasture, you can utilize more of that forage. You want to keep the animals from trampling the grass, but you also want to make sure you have allotted enough forage for them to eat. You also need to keep in mind the quality of forages and what minerals and other nutrients are in your soils so you can provide the right minerals for the cattle. The goal is to decrease the amount of hay or other feed supplements
supplementation, hay, grain, etc.).10
given to, in turn, decrease the feed bill. With all of this information, here are some other things to think about. Pasture management can require different equipment, such as a seed drill, a tractor, and a bush hog. Some of this equipment may be expensive if you don’t already own it. This could be a challenge for you, but you could also reach out to your Extension office; there may be some equipment you can rent. There are also other places that may rent equipment, or you may have a neighbor or friend you can rent or borrow from. Depending on the forages you choose, some will require you to reseed pastures each year, such as annual forages like pearl millet6. With intensively managed grazing, this also requires labor, but you can design a schedule that works best for you. With all that has been stated, there is not a blanket solution for everyone, so you can mix and match different forages that you would want to try based on what will grow and what nutritional requirements your cattle needs, as well as the time you have to put in.
1 Chamblee, D., & Green, J. “Production and Utilization of Pastures and Forages in North Carolina.” (1995) www.content.ces.ncsu.edu
2 Lalman, D. “Nutrient
requirements of beef cattle” (2017) www.extension.okstate.edu
3N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Division. www.ncagr.gov.
4Walworth, J. “Soil sampling and analysis” (n.d.) www.cals.arizona.edu
5USDA NRCS. “Web Soil Survey.” (n.d.) www.websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
6Castillo, M., Spearman, B., Wells, D., & Woods, K. “Planting guide for forage crops in North Carolina.” (2020) www.content.ces.ncsu.edu
7Pollard, D. “Stockpiling forages for fall and winter pasture.” (2020) www. burke.ces.ncsu.edu
8Gallagher. “Stockpiling forage an economical option to extend grazing season.” (2022) www.am.gallagher.com
9”Beef cattle producers face higher input costs, with feed prices up 16 percent since 2021.” (2022) www.ers.usda.gov.
10KSUBCI, W. “Feed costs: Pasture vs. non-pasture costs.” (2022) www.ksubci.org
Have you Herd Article written as a portion of ANS 402 Beef Management course requirement at N.C. State University Department of Animal Science under instruction of Dr. Carrie Pickworth. The opinions of Susie Douglas are not necessarily those of N.C. State University or Dr. Carrie Pickworth.
You Decide: Can Homeownership Be Made More Affordable?
Traditionally, one of the ways to accumulate wealth was to buy a home. Indeed, owning a home was part of the “American Dream” of getting ahead economically. Sure, it might take a young household a few years to accumulate enough for a down payment, but once that was accomplished and the home bought, the wealth building started.
In fact, it was common for a household to purchase many homes over their lifetime. The wealth accumulated from the first home would be used to purchase a more expensive home. A few years later, that home would be sold and an even more expensive home bought. The advantage of this process was each more expensive home would generate greater wealth. Then, at retirement, the most expensive home could be sold to generate wealth and income for retirement.
But using a home to accumulate lifetime wealth has become harder. A big reason is that buying a home has become more expensive. The homeownership affordability index dropped 15 percent in just the last year. The home price-toincome ratio has risen almost 50 percent in the last decade. The percentage of households who are homeowners is well below the level prior to the pandemic.
One of the reasons the process of accumulating housing wealth worked was that housing is unique among things we buy. Other products we own, like clothing, vehicles, and furniture, can be moved to different locations. But not a house, except in rare situations or with mobile homes, which only comprise 6 percent of the housing stock. A dwelling is tied to the land underneath it.
Furthermore, unlike clothing, vehicles, and furniture, where manufacturers can make more when people want more, more dwellings usually can’t be made at a particular site. The only recourse is to build multiple stories, which significantly increases the cost.
The major reason most homes increase in value over time is that the land underneath the structure has become more valuable. As Mark Twain once said, “Buy
land; they’re not making any more of it.” Twain was exactly correct. While more clothing, vehicles, and furniture can be manufactured as the population grows, more land can’t be made.
Furthermore, it’s not just land anywhere that becomes more valuable. It’s particularly land in areas where people want to live. In the 21st century, this has meant mainly land in urban areas. The restructuring of the U.S. economy in the 21st century to focus on technology, medicine, finance, and the professions has increased the benefit of living in big cities, where a continual flow of workers in these fields graduate from local universities and colleges. Also, young workers, especially, like the dining, entertainment, and shopping amenities in cities.
So, what can be done to make home ownership more affordable? Some say it will happen when the Federal Reserve lowers its interest rate, which should prompt the interest rate on home loans — termed the mortgage rate — to also fall. But the problem is that when mortgage rates drop, the increase in buyers prompts home prices to rise more. Housing affordability could still improve, but it may not be by as much as buyers would expect.
A long time recommendation for improving home affordability is to update the regulations regarding housing construction with a goal of making changes to reduce construction costs. However, one problem with this approach is that many of the regulations address reasonable goals, like safety, durability, compatibility with the neighborhood, and — more recently — protection of the environment. The competing goals of lower construction costs and broader benefits have often impeded progress on this approach.
Governments, especially local governments, have been called on to help improve housing affordability. Many have responded, including some in North Carolina. One approach is to require builders of housing developments to price a certain percentage of their units at a level affordable to lower income buyers. However, since developers must recover all their costs, this likely means builders finance those subsidies by charging
higher prices for other units.
Another governmental approach is using public money to subsidize some housing units to make them more affordable. While certainly a direct approach, the public budget required for this kind of program to have a significant impact is likely not affordable.
There are two other approaches that are somewhat outside the box for dealing with homeownership affordability. One is simple. For those who work remotely — almost ⅓ of the workforce — purchase a home outside the big cities and metro areas. Take advantage of the much lower home prices in rural areas and small towns. While this may mean a different lifestyle, if it becomes popular, we could see new developments focusing on attracting remote workers and providing amenities they desire.
A second idea is encouraging home developers to build communities on the edge of metropolitan areas where land costs are cheaper, with the developers then working with local governments to provide rapid public transportation from the communities to major destination points in the area. Charlotte and Raleigh are in the early stages of planning a version of this idea using dedicated bus lanes on designated major thoroughfares running from the outskirts of the cities to the city centers.
Homeownership has traditionally served two purposes for households. The first is to provide shelter, and the second is to create wealth. In recent years, both purposes have been impeded by the high cost of purchasing homes. How can we get back to the “good old days” of the American dream of owning a home? I’ve presented some ideas, but you decide.
You Decide: What’s the Future of Small Business? I am now a small business owner. Since retiring from N.C. State University, I have operated a one person business offering speaker services as well as economic studies and analysis on a variety of issues.
I have no employees. While at first glance that may appear odd, it’s actually the case for most small businesses. Indeed, the latest national data show 80% of small businesses have no employees.
I think there’s a general feeling that small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and there’s good reason for this attitude. Using the definition that a small business has no more than 1,000 employees and $40 million of annual gross receipts, there are over 1 million small businesses in North Carolina employing 1.8 million people — close to half of all workers. The highest concentration of small businesses in the state is in the professional, construction,
administrative, real estate, and retail trade sectors.
There are advantages to small businesses, and a big one is their ties to the community. Because they are small and often operate in a limited geographic area, small businesses usually have good knowledge of their customers. Often, owners of small businesses live in the same neighborhoods as their customers. Because the owners are on site, small businesses can often be more flexible than larger ones. As a personal example, a local “Mom and Pop” hardware store I use has done numerous special orders for me that a large national chain store wouldn’t do.
There are also broader societal benefits from small businesses. Because earnings usually go to a local owner rather than to shareholders spread across the nation, a larger percentage of funds spent at a small business stays in the community.
Because small businesses are so numerous and can be started relatively easily — especially in North Carolina — they contribute to competition. Most economists agree that more competition between alternative firms helps keep prices lower and also motivates businesses to continuously provide what their customers want. Small businesses may be better able to innovate because they have less bureaucracy and fewer decision makers who must agree to new products or services.
Although there are numerous advantages from small businesses, there are also large challenges. A big challenge is the failure rate. The latest data show 50 percent of small businesses fail in their first five years. There are many reasons for this high rate. Numerous small businesses begin with a new idea for a product or service, which, although it looks good on paper, may not be good in reality. Financing can also be harder for small businesses.
Small businesses have a greater reliance on labor. Labor costs account for 70 percent of small business total costs, much higher than the labor share for larger businesses. This means small businesses worry more about finding qualified workers and paying enough so they stay. Larger businesses are able to use their deeper financial pockets to add more technology and machinery to their operations. Technology and machinery can often perform tasks more efficiently, and, of course, technology and machinery will never leave for a better paying job! Will the future be easier or harder for small businesses? There are several parts to the answer. With the drop in the national birth rate, many futurists expect
the issue of labor shortages to continue and perhaps increase. With their greater reliance on labor, this trend may be particularly harmful for small businesses.
Our country appears to have become more “homogenized.” By this, I mean the dramatic improvements in communication and travel have made us more alike and less different. When I was a youngster in the 1950s and 1960s, visits to relatives in other cities or states exposed me to different types of foods, restaurants, stores, and entertainment. Today, with the internet, streaming, cell phones, and national advertising, it can be easier for big businesses to establish a national presence with stores and brands everyone knows. This makes it difficult for small businesses to breakthrough and create a unique identity.
The increase in international competition and trade has also had a large adverse impact on many small businesses. Not only do small businesses have to compete with big firms in their backyard, but now they must compete against even larger competitors from foreign countries.
Of course, advances in technology are constantly occurring, and they can be harmful or helpful to small businesses. Technological improvements that allow larger businesses to run more efficiently and less costly can increase their cost advantage over small businesses.
However, for technological advances applied to tasks that vary little between the size of a business, such as keeping inventories, ordering supplies, or analyzing sales trends, the benefits can be significant for small businesses. For example, examining trends in sales based on different types of buyers is very important for any business. But in the days before computers and easily applied analytical programs such as those developed by the firm SAS in North Carolina, small businesses couldn’t afford to do this kind of helpful work. Now they can.
A big question is how AI — artificial intelligence — will be applied in the battle between small and large businesses. My guess is the initial winner will be larger firms, but over time, the benefits will be more even.
I think we’ll always have small businesses. For many, a small business represents hopes and dreams but also some tears. While many small businesses will fail, it can be argued we collectively still win from those that try and certainly those that persevere. But, you decide.
You Decide: Why Are Jobs Increasing? The American job market just seems to keep rolling on. The recently released March labor market report showing 300,000 net additional jobs
in the country was significantly above economists’ expectations. Employers seem to be ignoring concerns about high interest rates, continuing inflation, recession, foreign wars, and domestic political uncertainty, and instead, they just keep hiring. The key questions are why and will the hiring continue?
There are a number of potential reasons why hiring has been strong. One is the COVID-19 recovery. Although this may appear to be a strange reason since we are now four years past the start of the pandemic, the recovery and adjustment period has been long. Several economic sectors particularly harmed by COVID-19, such as leisure/hospitality, construction, and government, have only recently reached their pre-pandemic employment levels. For example, leisure/ hospitality businesses have not only been challenged by the slowness of returning customers, but they have also had to adjust pay and work schedules to bring back workers who moved to other industries during the pandemic.
Another factor behind the growing labor market is the gradual rise in the labor force participation rate — usually abbreviated LFPR. LFPR is the percentage of the potential labor force – simply defined as individuals aged 16 and over who are not institutionalized — who are working or looking for work. After dramatically falling during the pandemic, it has steadily been rising during recent years. But since the LFPR is still below its pre-pandemic level, there is potentially room for more people to take jobs in the future.
Ultimately, the job market needs a healthy economy to expand, and we’ve had that. Since the COVID-19 recession of early 2020, when the economy contracted at a double digit annualized rate, there have been only two quarters when the economy contracted. They were minor reductions that didn’t qualify as a recession. Interestingly, in 2023, the average quarterly increase in economic growth was exactly the same as in 2019. The unemployment rates in 2019 and 2023 were also essentially the same.
Why has the economy been healthy?
Federal spending has been part of the reason. When the federal government injects money into the economy — especially if the money is financed by debt — that action creates new spending. In the economics business, it’s called a “fiscal stimulus.”
During the pandemic, the federal government, under two administrations, injected a total of $6.5 trillion into the economy to be spent by households, businesses, and institutions like schools, local governments, and hospitals. In 2020,
this fiscal stimulus created spending to replace economic activity that wasn’t occurring due to lockdowns. But as the economy reopened, the fiscal stimulus added additional spending on top of normal spending and caused faster hiring.
In addition to the COVID-19 fiscal stimulus, there were two additional stimuli: the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act. The latter focuses heavily on climate initiatives and is estimated to cost $800 billion. The spending from both of these bills is over several years, thereby providing a continuous monetary injection from the federal government for up to a decade.
Another positive factor for the economy has been a reduction in the international trade balance. This balance measures the difference between the value of U.S. exports and the value of U.S. imports. While still negative — meaning the value of what the U.S. imports is more than the value of what the U.S. exports — it has become less negative in the last two years. When this happens, it means relatively less money flowing outside the country and relatively more money staying in the country to be used for domestic spending, which in turn creates jobs.
Lastly, there has been some analysis, both from the government and the private sector, suggesting the large influx of immigrants in recent years has helped fill jobs offered by employers, particularly in the construction and service sectors.
There is a caveat to this good news
on jobs. When considering the strong job market, it is important to recognize the headline job totals include both full time and part time jobs. Federal statistics show part time jobs — defined as a person working less than 35 hours a week — have been increasing in recent years and now are a higher percentage of total jobs compared to before the pandemic. There can be many reasons for this, including a preference by more people to work part time, taking a part-time job to supplement income, employers hiring more part time workers to reduce benefits, and a reevaluation by workers of their work/home balance. Nevertheless, some analysts argue the greater share of part time jobs takes some luster off the job totals.
The answer to the second question — will strong job gains continue — is, of course, a forecast based on expected trends in the factors mentioned above. In the short term, I do think the federal fiscal stimulus will continue, as well as a rising labor force participation rate and immigration. However, there are already signs that the U.S. international trade deficit is growing and that overall economic growth will slow. So, my current expectation is that the heated job market will begin to cool, but the flame will not go out.
The availability of good paying jobs is at the core of a good economy. In recent years, we have seen significant job growth and good wage growth. Are the reasons behind these results sustainable? You decide.
50 th Year Simmental Celebration.
This year, the N.C. Simmental Association will be holding our 50th consignment sale. The very first one was held on November 4, 1974, on a Monday at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, probably in Dorton Arena. There have been many ups and downs throughout the years, and many state purebred cattle sales have discontinued, but North Carolina is one of the few remaining ones. I’m very thankful to be a part of a strong association with dedicated members. This year, we are holding a field day on the Friday before our Fall Harvest Sale with demonstrations, such as a breeding soundness exam, and many
By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Associationvendors for you to talk with. We will also have our very entertaining sales manager, Doug Parke, who can guide you through the sale of cattle and answer any questions that you may have. We are excited to have our keynote speaker, Dr. Wade Shafer, the Executive Vice President of the American Simmental Association. This is his first time at our sale, and we are excited to hear from him about the state of Simmental genetics in the United States. He will be there to answer any other questions you may have about our breed.
We have many early sponsors already, and we would like to recognize them here. Our premier sponsors of
the meal Friday night are the Fred Smith Company Ranch in Clayton and Bear Creek Beef in Bear Creek. Gold sponsors at the $1,000 level are Ag South, Morrison Farm in Rockwell, and Pasture Management Systems, Inc. in Mount Pleasant. Silver Sponsors at the $500 level are Heritage Farm Supply in Weaverville, Lonesome
Valley Investments in Alexander, and Southern States of Waco. Our Bronze level sponsors at $300 are Neogen, Farm Systems, Inc. of Statesville, Rocking F Farm of Climax, and Iredell County Farm Bureau. Thanks so much to all these sponsors. They will get an ad in the directory, Fall Harvest Sale catalog, and our website, and they will have a
booth at the celebration event. For more information on how you can be a sponsor, please contact the N.C. Simmental office at 336-468-1679 or ncsa@yadtel.net.
Clover Classic Show. The Clover Classic Show was held in Winston-Salem, N.C., the weekend of March 23-24, with the cattle shows being on March 23. The judge for the event was Sarah-Jane French from Auburn, Alabama. In the purebred Simmental show, Isaac Miller
of Crockett, Va., exhibited the grand champion heifer with DCR Katrina L204. This heifer is sired by SC Pay The Price C11 and was also selected as the fifth overall heifer. The reserve champion Simmental heifer was Miss BRF Shiner 348N shown by Adeline Painter of Newton, North Carolina. This heifer is a daughter of Rocking P Private Stock H010.
In the Percentage Simmental Show,
the grand champion heifer was WLW Princess 15L, shown by Trey Davis of Iva, South Carolina. This heifer is sired by JSUL Something About Mary 8421. The reserve champion Percentage Simmental was GHC Royal Blackbird 32L2 ET, shown by Ally Helms of Norwood, North Carolina. This heifer is a daughter of SC Pay The Price C11. Congratulations to all these youth!
Inaugural Red Angus Youth Expo Approaching. The inaugural Red Angus Youth Expo will be the highlight of the summer for many Junior Red Angus members. Hosted by the Red Angus Association of America, the event is scheduled for June 9-14 at the Grady County Fairgrounds in Chickasha, Oklahoma. This event will provide opportunities for youth and their families to engage in educational events, competitions, and the national youth heifer, steer, and bull shows. The theme of the event is “Reds on Route 66.”
The six day event will include four educational workshops designed to help participants understand what it takes to be profitable in the beef industry. Fun activities provided for entertainment and participant engagement include Little Buck-A-Roo activities, hospitality socials, and a family fun night. The
final evening of the event will feature an awards ceremony and dinner to highlight the achievements of JRA members.
A variety of contests will be held during the event, focused on developing career, leadership, and stockman skills among the participants. Contests include photography, ad design, professional development, operational sales, livestock judging, and skill-a-thon. A sweepstakes award will be presented with points given for participation in each of the six contests, and additional points awarded for a top five placing in each contest. Additional team-based competitions include team fitting and state herdsmanship.
The cattle show not only includes the regular female, steer and bull shows, but incorporates additional divisions inclusive of the larger beef industry. The phenotypegenotype show will require judges to evaluate each animal’s genetic profile
along with their phenotype and will provide juniors an opportunity to learn about the role of EPDs and selection indexes in seedstock selection. The inaugural Premium Red Baldy and American Red female shows will champion the commercial cattle industry and provide education about RAAA’s value added programs.
A non-terminal carcass contest will be held using ultrasound technology. This contest is designed to reflect fed cattle marketing grids used in the industry while rewarding animals that reach industry ideals for carcass weight, quality grade, and yield grade. Steers enrolled in the carcass contest are also eligible to show in either the purebred steer show or the percentage steer show.
The Red Angus Stakeholders Foundation, designed to support activities improving the Red Angus breed, was one of the first sponsors of the Expo. RASF President Steve Andras said, “The youth of any organization is what keeps it growing and prosperous. We never want to take our youth for granted. Therefore, we must support and encourage our youngest Red Angus enthusiasts. Most of all, we want them to know that they are valued and have our full support!”
Cole Maness, President - scmaness3@gmail.com
The Red Angus Youth Expo is still accepting sponsorships and will provide corporate partners and breeders with exceptional brand promotion. Information detailing the benefits of each sponsorship level can be found in the sponsorship packet on the RAYE website.
Important RAYE deadlines are quickly approaching, including the entry and ownership deadlines on May 1. All information regarding the Red Angus Youth Expo, including the 2024 RAYE premium book, can be found at www. redangusyouthexpo.com . Questions can be directed to Taylor Dorsey, RAAA junior program coordinator, at youthexpo@redangus.org
Red Angus Association America. RAAA serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus influenced cattle. The RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by implementing new technologies and using scientifically sound principles that quantify traits of economic importance to beef producers in all segments of the beef industry. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.
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
COUNTRY BOY FARMS
David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709
Bred Heifer Offering Honors James Bennett’s Legacy. A choice lot in the Tucker Family Farms Professional Replacement Female Sale honored the late James Bennett, Knoll Crest Farms, and his legacy in the seedstock and Hereford industry on April 17 in Amherst, Virginia. In memory of their friend
and mentor, Bill and Claudia Tucker stepped up and offered choice of two of their best bred Hereford heifers, with all proceeds supporting the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and ongoing education and research projects happening at the American Hereford Association.
Tucker Family Farms is honored to pay it forward with this special tribute to James Bennett and Knoll Crest’s legacy.
“With zero recognition of the thirty years between us, he celebrated my successes,
was concerned over my challenges, and without failure offered wise counsel for the next step,” Bill Tucker recalls. “The knowledge from this counsel will ring in my ears for the rest of my days and is an awesome gift from a great man.”
Lots D1 and D2 in the legacy bred heifer offering are wholly Knoll Crest Farm genetics and sired by KCF Bennett Acclaim C442. They are both bred AI to KCF Bennett Monument J338, who ranks in the easiest calving 2 percent of the breed and solidifies cowherd building traits. The buyer will take their choice of these front pasture females.
A pioneer in performance from Red House, Va., Bennett passed in January 2024, and his influence in the industry had a positive impact locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally, being inducted into the Hereford Hall of Fame in 2007. James got his start in the seedstock business in 1944, and over the years, Knoll Crest Farms has been and continues to be recognized for their performance based genetics.
James Bennett was very active in the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF), serving as president from 1979 to 1980. He received BIF’s Pioneer Award in 1993, and in 1978 and 1998, Knoll Crest Farms was named BIF’s Seedstock Producer of the Year. Fast-forward to 2000, and Knoll Crest customers Bill and Claudia Tucker, Tucker Family Farms, were honored with the Commercial Producer of the Year Award.
About the Hereford Youth Foundation of America. The HYFA was established in 1986 and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated exclusively to scholarship and educational support of youth in the business of raising Hereford cattle. The mission of the Hereford Youth Foundation of America is to encourage, recognize, and reward the development of life skills and values in the next generation of leaders by providing education, scholarship, and leadership opportunities for Hereford Youth.
About the American Hereford Association. AHA, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The notfor-profit organization, along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI), and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth, and research.
Kevin Jennings • Yadkinville, N.C.
Warren & Kevin Crowder • Fincastle, Va.
Dorothy Ferguson • Abingdon, Va.
Nathan Harkey • Patrick Springs, Va.
Joey Lyon • Ennice, N.C.
Mark Moss • Richburg, S.C.
Vincent Owenby • Fletcher, N.C.
Shaun Peters • Hamptonville, N.C.
Lisa Pilcher • Yadkinville, N.C.
Bryine Simpson • Monroe, N.C.
Charleigh Birdsell • Ennice, N.C.
Koa Turney • Rockwell, N.C.
Bryson Westbrook • 4B Farm • Shelby, N.C.
Mark Dunbar • A&E Farms • Fincastle, Va.
4B FARMS, LLC
Shelby, NC
Bryson Westbrook
Ed Soto (Manager) 980-230-4868 - Bryson 704-974-1407 - Ed brysonw@thewestbrookco.com
BLINSON
POLLED HEREFORDS
Lenoir, NC
Keith & Peggy Blinson - 828-310-4526 Bryan & Beth Blinson - 919-422-9108
DOUBLE J FARM
Traphill, NC • Earlysville, VA
John Wheeler 910-489-0024 doublejfarmllc@yahoo.com www.doublejfarmllc.com
E. CARROLL JOYNER BEEF UNIT
Raleigh, NC
Matt Morrison 716-720-0227
FIVE J’S BEEF & CATTLE COMPANY
Clayton, NC
Jody & Angela Standley
Kim Prestwood (Manager) 828-320-7317 - Kim jodystandley@gmail.com
HEREFORD HILLS
Greensboro, NC
Bill Kirkman III 336-382-9635 ST Genetics Representative
Matt Lavigne • Antler Springs Farm • Jonesville, N.C.
Ryan Chapman • Chapman Land & Cattle • Nunnelly, Tenn.
Russell Crouch • Crouch Polled Hereford Farm • McMinnville, Tenn.
James Dean • Dean’s Farm • Newland, N.C.
Norris Fowler • Fowken Farm • Jonesville, S.C.
Rickey King • King’s Hereford Farm • Pelzer, S.C.
Lucas McCoy • McCoy Cattle Farm • Cove City, N.C.
Andy Montgomery • Montgomery Farm • Blacksburg, S.C.
Mitch & Kathryn Ingram • Notchey Creek Farm • Madisonville, Tenn.
Andy Smith • P&J Farm • Monroe, N.C.
Jim & Linda Davis • Terrace Farms • Lexington, N.C.
Ken & Sue Entrakin • Twin Creeks Mountain Farm • Hiawassee, Ga.
Eric Walker • Walker Polled Hereford Farm • Morrison, Tenn.
Gary Hedrick • White Hawk Ranch • Marietta, Ga.
LOOKABILL FAMILY LIVESTOCK
Lexington, NC
Reggie, Patty, Tyler & Noah Lookabill 336-240-2142 rlookabill6015@gmail.com
McCOY CATTLE FARM
Cove City, NC
Myron & Charlie McCoy 252-229-4602 mccoycattlefarms@gmail.com
MITCHEM’S FARM 3C
Vale, NC
Wayne, Crystal, Regan & Jordan Mitchem 704-472-4369 mitchemsfarm@bellsouth.net
NORTH PINO
LAND & CATTLE COMPANY
Mocksville, NC Kevin Robinson 336-940-2547 kevrob1@aol.com
LOVE FARMS
Blowing Rock, NC Jim Love 828-266-1458 cell • 828-295-4236
P and J FARMS
Monroe, NC
Andy Smith 704-400-3436 pandjfarmsherefords@gmail.com
PRESTWOOD BEEF CATTLE
Lenoir, NC
Kim & Lori Prestwood 828-320-7317 - Kim 828-432-7434 - Lori brownloriclyde@yahoo
QUAIL RIDGE FARM
Rutherfordton, NC
Mark Brewer 828-329-2074 markbrewer65@gmail.com
TAYLOR’S MILL FARM
Zebulon, NC
J. Brent Creech 919-801-7561 tmfherefords@icloud.com
TERRACE FARM
Lexington, NC
Jim, Linda & Chad Davis 336-247-1554 jgdavis101@yahoo.com
TRIPLETT POLLED HEREFORDS Statesville, NC
James Triplett 704-902-2250 triplettmarble@bellsouth.net
W&A HEREFORD FARM
Providence, NC
George, Tammy, William, & Andy Ward 434-251-3637 gwwardjr@comcast.net
WHITEHEAD CATTLE COMPANY
Lewiston Woodville, NC Austin & Jodie Whitehead Austin - 252-370-5647 Jodie - 252-642-3435 austinwhitehead@yahoo.com
WILL-VIA POLLED HEREFORDS Mooresville NC Lavette Teeter 704-662-5262
Tammy Ward N.C. Hereford Association Secretary/Treasurer 434-251-6847 tammyward@comcast.net • www.nchereford.com
Bryan was raised on a farm in Caldwell County, where his mom and dad still have a small herd of purebred Hereford cattle. Bryan bought his first Polled Hereford heifer at the age of six. He helped raise cattle on the family farm and showed cattle at local, state, and national levels. Bryan showed in the first beef junior heifer show at the N.C. State Fair. While in school, he had a grooming and fitting service. Bryan was instrumental in helping organize the N.C. Junior Polled Hereford Association that is still going strong to date.
While attending N.C. State University, he was on the livestock judging team and was chairman of the National Junior Polled Hereford Council. He graduated with a degree in animal science. During his professional career, Bryan was recognized as an Outstanding Alumni of CALS at NCSU.
Following college, he attended
Gregg School of Auctioneering in Texas, becoming a professional auctioneer. He started his own purebred cattle auction service, managing auctions and selling cattle in the United States and Canada.
In 1994, he was hired as executive director for the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association for six years, followed by nine years in the real estate auction business at Johnson Properties in Angier. He returned to the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association in 2008 as the executive director.
Since Bryan was hired by NCCA in 1994, I think he has attended more N.C. Angus Association events than anyone else. He has stepped up to auction and work the ring by taking bids or making remarks. He has attended sales, field days, annual meetings, tours, and any other event that happened, and not just state association events. He has attended those events on our individual farms as
well. He has used the resources of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association to make us all feel a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Bryan’s emphasis with NCCA is to strengthen markets for North Carolina cattle and beef through the Beef Quality Assurance programs, education for efficient production, telling the beef story to build consumer confidence and acceptance, defend the industry in the political arena, and encourage all youth to participate in or at least appreciate the beef industry.
Howard Gentry shared, “Bryan has served as executive director of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association for many years. In this position, he represented all breeds of cattle with equal enthusiasm. As producers, we are busy with the daily chores of breeding, producing, and marketing our cattle. It is important that we as producers have someone
representing our industry interest in Raleigh and in Washington, D.C. Bryan Blinson has served us well in keeping abreast of political issues that affect the North Carolina beef cattle industry and working with elected officials and governmental agencies for positive outcomes. Bryan has been the face of the cattle industry in our state. He has worked to assist in marketing North Carolina feeder cattle throughout the nation. He has been a strong supporter of the youth programs, breed associations, and commercial cattle producers. Thank you, Bryan, for a job well done.”
Bryan sees the cattle world as one family, not the segmented teams that we try to portray. Under Bryan’s leadership, there is a place for small producers who may have less than a handful of cattle, just like the farmer who sells their calves in multiple uniform truckload lots. He doesn’t divide us into traditional, organic,
farmstead, local, subsistent, or any other label. I have seen him try and bring us all together, regardless of our production preferences. North Carolina has benefitted from this approach. In some states, political pressure is from within the industry. In North Carolina, we recognize that there are multiple ways of producing cattle and working together.
Neil Bowman says, “I have worked closely with Bryan for many years and know the huge impact he has had on our beef cattle and agriculture community in North Carolina. I have seen firsthand his unwavering dedication to North Carolina cattlemen and women and the way he has been a champion for them on the state and national level. His commitment to make the North Carolina beef industry better is second only to his passion to help the next generation excel. Bryan, always with Beth alongside him, has a dedication to see that youth engaged in the beef cattle industry have the support and opportunities to be successful. Over the years I have had the privilege of calling him a mentor, and a colleague, but most importantly a friend.”
Kent Bacus, Executive Director of Government of Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, describes Bryan like this, “Bryan Blinson is a strong leader who doesn’t back down from a challenge, he sees the angles in every opportunity, and he doggedly pursues the best options for North Carolina’s cattle producers. More importantly, Bryan is a man of his word, and his integrity cannot be understated. This rare combination of grit, tenacity, and honesty that Bryan exudes is rare in Raleigh, and even more
so in Washington. Our industry is stronger because of Bryan, and I am honored to know him and to have worked with him for nearly 20 years.”
Dr. Todd See, head of the Animal Science Department at NCSU, told me, “Simply put, Bryan is an incredible leader who lives and breathes North Carolina agriculture, advancing opportunities for all farmers, not just cattlemen. He believes in a big tent for all of agriculture and that we are all in the barnyard together. Over the years, I have found that what really gets Bryan excited is mentoring, guiding, and creating opportunities for young people and new producers. The programs he has created, supported, and guided, along with the classrooms he has taught in, are
too numerous to mention. Suffice it to say, whenever asked to support a show, contest, event, school, club, or classroom, Bryan was there. Bryan was engaged. Bryan was passionate. Bryan motivated those young people who are and will be the future in North Carolina agriculture.”
Brent Jennings, who directs all junior livestock work with NCSU Animal Science, said: “It will be very difficult to put into words the effect Bryan Blinson has had on the young people in North Carolina over his career. I took a moment to look up just what a leader is, and Webster’s Dictionary description is “One that leads or conducts: a guide: a conductor.” I really thought it was possible to see a picture of Bryan beside this description. Over the years, Bryan has been an advocate for youth in North Carolina and has always understood the need to educate and make certain we are planning and moving forward. No matter what the event, from Youth Field Days, Youth Beef Industry Tour, N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up, Beef Char-Grill, or serving as an official at countless livestock judging events, he has always been optimistic and willing to take on the task at hand. His hard work and
dedication have been an inspiration for all who have been fortunate enough to work with him, and he is very deserving of this honor!”
Kelly McIver, who served as the executive officer of the N.C. Sweetpotato Association shared, “I have had the opportunity to watch and learn many things from Bryan Blinson. I learned that it is important to be present and serve alongside industry leaders. Give time to causes that will affect the entirety of the industry. Be proud and stand firm in ways that will give lasting results for generations to come. I am proud to call Bryan a friend.”
Bryan and his wife Beth have been married for three decades and are proud to call Harnett County their home. Their daughters, Rossie and Mason, have been involved with livestock through showing, 4-H, judging, and advocacy since an early age. Bryan and Beth started the Harnett County 4-H Livestock Club many years ago to educate youth in Harnett County about livestock and 4-H; the club meets monthly at their home. I have no doubt that Bryan will continue to make an impact on the cattle industry for years to come.
It seems only natural that Dr. Joe French was inducted into the N.C. Angus Hall of Fame during the Association’s Annual Meeting in February. Receiving this award is the ultimate testament to one’s dedication and commitment to the Angus breed in North Carolina. Joe grew up in rural Rockingham County on the 125 acre farm. He, his brother Jeff, and their families presently operate as a seedstock Angus operation, Bold Run Creek Farm. Joe received a B.S. degree from N.C. State in Animal Science and received his Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology from Texas A&M. Joe brought more than an education with him back from Texas. While in school, he met Lori, who also has a Ph.D. in reproductive physiology from Texas A&M. They were married and have raised two daughters.
The Angus herd, known as Bold Run Creek Farm, was started by Joe, Jeff, and their late father, Tommy, in the early 1990s to utilize the rolling hills that were too steep to cultivate and as an excuse for the three men to spend more time together. The farm was begun by Joe’s great grandfather Edgar French. While commercial cattle were originally on the farm, the partnership purchased five open registered Angus heifers from a local sale to begin the herd. From the beginning, practices that have become known as regenerative agriculture have been followed. Maintaining vegetative cover, strict adherence to rotational grazing concepts, establishing high use areas, developing watering systems,
and stockpiling fescue forage for winter feeding are examples of their production practices. As an example of their dedication to their production goals, their Angus herd has maintained a 45 day calving season since the beginning, and the farm has never used a cleanup bull. Every calf born on Bold Run Creek Farm was the result of artifcial insemination.
Dr. Joe French became the superintendent of the Upper Piedmont Research Station in 1993. One of his responsibilities was to manage the Historic Angus Herd donated to N.C. State University by the Penn family. Howard Gentry, whose family interacted with the Chinquapin Plantation when it was operated by the Penn’s, remembers that, “At the time of Joe’s hiring, registration papers of the herd were not current as previous leadership had quit registering the cattle a decade earlier as a cost saving measure. Joe saw the value of the herd as registered cattle and spent countless hours resurrecting pedigrees from the research data that had been collected. With the help of AAA and Select Sires, the Angus herd again became fully registered.” This was a critical step to allow the herd to develop into the impactful source of information and genetics that it has become.
Howard Gentry recalls, “Over the years, Dr. French has been a strong supporter of the beef cattle industry and the N.C. Angus Association. For many years, he hosted the Spring Fever Sale at the Upper Piedmont Research Station.
We could count on Dr. French to have the facilities set up when we arrived with our cattle. After the sale was completed and most consigners were on their way home, he and his family would be on-site loading cattle and taking care of the cattle and our customers. In his quiet manner, Dr. French was behind the scenes, making sure that things were taken care of.
In his role working with the historic herd of registered Angus cattle at the research station, he is on the front line of reproductive research. He is always willing to work with producers, sharing his experiences and knowledge. I and many other producers consulted with him in establishing our A.I. synchronization protocols. When producers have questions, he is always able and willing to help.”
We all have reported AHIR data. It’s just what Angus breeders do. Joe took data collection to another level with the Upper Piedmont herd of cattle. In an effort to accurately describe the cattle, Joe committed to submit all data on the herd that the American Angus Association accepted. Alex Jones and Jerry Cassidy, with AAA Director of Member Services, shared, “In the weekly run of performance data for Angus that generates our weekly EPD updates, during Joe’s tenure UPRS has submitted 31,532 data points that are included in the analysis.”
Brian House, vice president of beef with Select Sire Power in Ohio, shares the following concerning his work with Joe over the years, “The relationship of Joe French with Select Sires spans four decades. The Reidsville station started participating as a young sire test herd in the early ‘80s, and during Joe’s tenure, vast amounts of performance data were submitted to the American Angus Association for the betterment of the breed and the U.S. beef industry.
A strong proponent of A.I. and performance data – Joe’s leadership has been invaluable in regard to the progress the Angus breed has made during his career.
The collaborative efforts between NCSU and Select Sires in both genetics and reproduction have provided beef producers everywhere with better tools to improve their cattle – and their profitability. Many Reidsville Angus offspring have been featured with pictures in the annual Select Sires Beef Directory, and countless animals were videoed and appeared in the Select Sires Beef Video.
During Joe’s time, the station at
Reidsville utilized many of the best Angus bulls in the world. (Joe didn’t know which ones would end up being ‘famous’ or ‘change the breed’ when he first used them -- but many of these bulls went on to do just that!) From the early days of EPDs and synchronization to live animal carcass ultrasound, and then on to feed efficiency, genomics, and even hair shedding, Joe and his team at Reidsville have been a part of it – and many times, were at the front of it! The people at Select Sires have had lots of good times with Joe over lots of years – and he’s
been a great friend and colleague. He is most deserving of this recognition today!”
Neil Bowman shared these comments about Dr. Joe French: “I have had the privilege to work with Joe French in various capacities throughout the years, and I can say that he has the uncanny ability to listen, analyze, and comprehend complex matters. Then, he can use common sense to address the issue and explain it to folks so it is understood by all. His contributions to the cattle industry both in research and leadership arenas are tremendous, and we are much better off for his willingness to serve the agriculture industry of North Carolina in such a selfless way.”
Dr. Sandy Stewart, President of Sandhills Community College, discusses his time working with Joe at the Upper Piedmont Research Station. “Joe French has the unique combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, vision, and tenacity that has fostered the development of the N.C. Beef Research System. Under Joe’s leadership, the NCSU beef research platform was transformed from seven unique and unconnected research herds into one system that shared the connectedness of genetics and management. Joe was uniquely qualified to develop this concept, envision the steps necessary to accomplish the task, provide
the technical support to bring the plan to fruition, and mentor his coworkers during the process.
Joe’s understanding of the science of cattle reproduction and his appreciation of the data collected on the Reidsville herd were key to establishing registered Angus herds for research on three additional facilities. Using E.T., the existing commercial cows in these facilities raised their registered Angus replacements from donors identified in the Upper Piedmont herd. Over a five year period, these herds were developed to allow for more intensive research without jeopardizing the nucleus herd. It should be remembered that this would not have been possible if Joe had not collected reams of data on this herd of cattle.”
Dr. Dan Poole volunteered the following, “While Joe has many positive characteristics, I believe the following three points are distinct areas that highlight just some of the reasons we are honoring Dr. Joe French this evening.
Joe is an inspiring educator!
It is clear that Joe has a passion for beef cattle and agriculture in general and loves sharing his passion with those who will listen. He is a naturally gifted communicator and has shared his interest in improving Angus cattle with countless students, faculty, and producers through his activities and programs at the research station. He wants North Carolina beef producers to be successful and has helped numerous young producers get their start in the industry. Through his experience, he has helped them manage the hurdles in the industry.
Joe has a visionary mindset!
When it comes to Angus cattle, I feel Joe is a visionary, as he is open minded about the potential the Angus breed holds in both research and production. He continues to be receptive and open to new ideas or approaches that could enhance our understanding of the breed or collectively improve producers’ ability to
produce beef. Lastly, he has been willing to change and adapt as advancements continue to improve the beef industry.
Joe is a man who gets things done!
The N.C. Beef System was in its infancy when I started at N.C. State University in 2011, and it would not have been the success it is today without Joe’s willingness and efforts to make it happen. Through his leadership, N.C. State and NCDA&CS research stations went from seven independently managed beef farms that provided limited opportunities to the faculty, staff, and extension personnel to seven amazing beef research stations working under the same umbrella with a similar genetic base of cattle, utilizing the same breeding and health program to enhance not only the quality and value of the cattle but greatly expand the research and extension opportunities to solve local production needs as well as provide data for the entire U.S. beef industry.
Feed cost will always be a limitation to beef production. Joe has realized the need to continue to advance the equipment and technology at the research stations so we can accurately understand what it takes to raise cattle. In recent years, he led the initiative to purchase and install the GrowSafe system, which uses RFID technology to record feed and water intake data on a bite-by-bite basis as well as a drink-by-drink basis at the Upper Piedmont Research Station. This precise method of data collection has allowed us to better record feed efficiency in our cattle. In his current role, he continues to lead the effort to equip other research stations with this technology.”
Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program.
Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling.
4K FARMS
Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 • rdkirkman@spectrum.net
BACK CREEK
Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) robinbackcreek@att.net
Facebook: Back Creek Angus
BILTMORE ESTATE
Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 • livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com
CARSON FAMILY FARM, LLC
John, Callie, Isaac & J.R. Carson Laurel Springs 336-818-9087 • carsonfamilyfarm@gmail.com
CHAPMAN CATTLE COMPANY
Bryant Chapman Taylorsville 828-514-0526 https://.m.facebook.com/chapmancattleco
FOUR S FARMS
Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 • kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com
GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS
Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 • whgentry@windstream.net
GRAGG FARMS
NOTICE
Letters to the editor are welcome and we appreciate your input.
HOWEVER, letters that are not signed will not be considered for publication.
Dean Askew said, “Joe and I were coworkers for over 30 years. Even though he was in Reidsville and I was in Butner, we communicated almost daily due to our shared focus on Beef Cattle research. Now that I have been retired for a few years, Joe is someone I can and still do call for advice. I think the biggest thing I can say about Joe is...he has vision and the desire to improve the beef cattle industry through effective and sustainable research. Because of his vision, Joe was a leader in the early discussions of the N.C. Beef Cattle Research System and realized, early on, the potential of NCSU and NCDA&CS working more closely together and utilizing each other’s resources to maximize the beef research efforts.”
After 30 years as the superintendent of the UPRS, last year, Joe accepted a promotion to become the Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture for NCDA. While he has not left the beef industry, he certainly has responsibilities for all of agriculture. I am sure he will continue to impact us all in his new role.
Paul, Chris & David Gragg Boone 828-268-4136 (Paul); 828-268-4137 (Chris) 828-268-4135 (David) gragg_farms@hotmail.com
H&H FARMS
Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 • jennham@bellsouth.net
HI-LO FARMS, LLC
William “Monty” & Kate Reichert Fuquay-Varina 919-717-1903
HILL ANGUS FARM
Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 • gmhill@uga.edu
JACK KNOB FARMS
Karl, Janet & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 • karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com
JENKINS ANGUS FARM
Jaime & Christy Jenkins Marshall 828-206-1345 • jenkinsangusfarm@gmail.com
KNOLL CREST FARM
The Bennett Family Red House, VA 434-376-3567 • knollcrestfarm@knollcrestfarm.com www.knollcrestfarm.com
LANE ANGUS
Roger & Bundy Lane Bundy Lane - Manager Gates 252-398-7705 (Bundy); 252-398-7719 (Miranda) 252-357-1279 (Office) bundylane@hughes.net; laneangusbeef@gmail.com www.laneangusbeef.com
N.C. State University - E. Carroll Joyner Beef Unit Matt Morrison - Manager Raleigh 716-720-0227 • mdmorri8@ncsu.edu
PANTHER CREEK FARMS
John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 • johnsmith3982@embarqmail.com
S&J Farms
Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 • sandjfarms2013@gmail.com
SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM
Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 • mrooker@mrookerlaw.com
SPRINGFIELD ANGUS
Phil Goodson Louisburg 919-880-9062 • philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com
TRIPLE LLL ANGUS
Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 • greg.little@atimetals.com
VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 • keaton@vandemarkfarms.com
WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC
Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-460-7451 • windyhillfarmsllc@gmail.com
WINSLOW GENETICS
Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 • bensbulls@gmail.com
WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC
Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 • rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com
The S.C. Angus Association hosted its annual meeting and banquet on March 15, followed by the 51st Annual Carolina Angus Futurity on March 16 in Clemson, South Carolina. The banquet was held at the Clemson Outdoor Lab on Friday evening. Attendees enjoyed a steak dinner and were provided with updates on the S.C. Junior Angus Association from
Elle Harman and the American Angus Association from David Gazda. The association honored Kevin and Lydia Yon of Yon Family Farms with their induction into the S.C. Angus Hall of Fame. The association also honored Walter H. McPhail II with the dedication of the Futurity. His family was in attendance to accept the honor, and Walter’s son, Jeff, spoke about Walter’s life and work in the cattle industry.
The 51 st Annual Carolina Angus Futurity was held on Saturday at the T. Ed Garrison Cattle Complex in Clemson. The sale featured 58 lots that included fall pairs, spring pairs, bred cows, bred heifers, and open heifers from great Angus programs from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The S.C. Junior Angus Association also held their traditional silent auction before the sale to raise money for their activities. Items for the silent auction were donated by several consignors. The association was also happy to have long time member Billy McLeod, 93, in attendance at the sale. He was a consignor as well.
Zach Moffitt was the sale manager, and Will Thompson was the auctioneer for the Futurity. The sale was also broadcast on CCI Live. Two benefit lots led off the sale with proceeds to support
various organizations. The first was a pair donated by Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, with half of the proceeds going to the S.C. Junior Angus Association and the other half going to the Cory Watt Memorial Endowment Fund. Elite Cattle Company of Clover, S.C., donated a set of embryos, with the proceeds from the sale going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Later in the sale, Rocking W Angus of Jefferson, Ga., donated an open heifer with proceeds going to the juniors. The donated lots brought a combined $7,500 that was given to these organizations. The SCAA expresses a heartfelt thank you to these consignors for their generosity and support.
being purchased by Parker Angus of Troy, S.C., for $4,000. The calf was sold to Butcher Branch Land & Cattle of Mount Pleasant, N.C., for $4,250. The top spring pair was sold by Chessie Creek Farm in Walterboro, S.C., for $6,750 to Black Creek Angus Farm in Meggett, South Carolina. The top bred heifer was consigned by Black Crest Farm in Sumter, S.C., and sold for $5,250 to Black Creek Angus Farm. The top bred cow was consigned by S&H Poultry in Lincolnton, N.C., and sold for $4,500 to AM-PM Farms in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. The top open heifer was consigned by Watts Angus Farm in Lynchburg, S.C., and sold to Ryan Black of Saluda, S.C.,
It was a record breaking Futurity sale with the 58 lots averaging $4,118. The top fall pair was consigned by Yon Family Farms of Ridge Spring, S.C., and sold for $9,250. The buyer was MS Holdings of Watkinsville, Georgia. The top split pair was consigned by Clinton Farms of Clover, S.C., with the cow
for $4,250.
The SCAA would like to thank all the buyers, consignors, bidders, sale staff, and everyone involved for your support and hard work that produced an incredibly successful sale. We can’t wait to see everyone on March 15, 2025, for the 52nd Annual Carolina Angus Futurity.
Director of Member Services
Jerry Cassady Retires. Long time American Angus Association employee
Jerry Cassady retired on April 30. Jerry Cassady’s name became synonymous with service long before he took up the helm in the Member Services department at the American Angus Association.
“Serving the members, over the years, has been a highlight and primary focus,” said Cassady. “It truly has been where my passion lies; making sure their needs are being met and working to promote the Angus breed.”
The long time employee retired at the end of April.
“I truly appreciate Jerry’s three decades of service and dedication to the breed and the members,” said Mark McCully, chief executive officer of the American Angus Association. “Jerry’s leadership and professionalism in both his role as Regional Manager and Director of Member Services has been integral to the success of the organization.”
Cassady began his career with the Association in 1992 as a regional manager for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
During a time when the role was expanding and regional managers were finding their schedules booked up, Cassady was dedicated to connecting with and assisting as many breeders as possible. He offered a new option to members: local and regional educational sessions.
“There were a lot of small producers in the region I was covering,” recalled Cassady, “and when they had the opportunity for some type of collaboration with other breeders with like minds and common goals, it always tended to lead to really good interaction, networking, and exchanging of ideas.”
During his time in the field, Cassady spent many weekends helping at junior events. As a 4-H and FFA Alum, Cassady recognized the tremendous value derived from time spent in the show ring at a young age.
“You watch them grow up to become future leaders of our industry at state, regional, and national levels, which is rewarding,” Cassady told the Angus Journal in a 2004 article.
Cassady became Director of Member Services in 2016. During his tenure,
Cassady helped facilitate organizational changes that have helped the Association more effectively serve members.
“When I started, the folks on the Member Services team were very specialized,” said Cassady. “Today, with efficiency for members in mind, we’ve undertaken enormous cross training efforts so we can provide the services that the member needs with just one phone call.”
McCully commended Cassady for his dedication to the members.
“Jerry’s deep institutional knowledge and understanding of Association rules and policies was always coupled with his commitment to providing the best service to all members,” remarked McCully.
With Cassady’s retirement, Levi Landers has been promoted to Director of Member and Field Services.
The combined role will allow Landers to lead services from all touchpoints. Landers joined the Association in 2019 as a regional manager for Colorado and Nebraska. He was promoted to Director of Field Services in April 2023 and moved to the Association’s main office.
“The combination of my roles will only serve the members of the American Angus Association even better,” said Landers. “The leadership that Jerry Cassady provided the organization was unmeasurable. I hope to continue down the path that Jerry has provided for the members during his career.”
Angus Election Under Way. Delegate nominations are due June 7. The American Angus Association is preparing for the 2024 Annual Convention of Delegates, hosted in conjunction with the Angus Convention on November 1-4 in Fort Worth, Texas.
In accordance with the Association bylaws, forms and information required to nominate a delegate have been emailed to every eligible voting active life and regular Association member with an email address on file. Forms were mailed to any eligible voting member with no email address on file. To nominate online, eligible voting members can easily vote by clicking the link provided in the email and using the unique pin number provided. Nominations submitted online must be received no later than 5:30 p.m. EST on June 7.
You may contact the Member
Services Department at 816-383-5100 or angus@angus.org if you have any questions or would like to request a traditional printed nomination form. If the traditional printed form is used to nominate, the signed nomination form must be received in the Association office no later than 5:30 p.m. EST on June 7.
Each eligible voting member is allowed to nominate one eligible voting member who resides in the same herd state or district, including himself or herself. More information is available at www.angus.org/Pub/ AngusNewsRoom/030424-amberdelegate
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. New this year, an online option for delegate voting will be available.
The 141 st Annual Convention of Delegates will take place on November 4 during the Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. Registration for the Angus Convention begins July 1. More information about the event is available at www.angusconvention.com
Angus Foundation to host 23 rd annual golf tournament. Sponsorship opportunities and registration now available for the July 2 event. The Angus Foundation invites all golf and Angus enthusiasts to enjoy a day on the green at its annual golf tournament, held in conjunction with the 2024 National Junior Angus Show in Madison, Wisconsin. The event, which benefits the Foundation’s mission of supporting Angus education, youth, and research, will be held on July 2 at the Pleasant View Golf Course in Middleton, Wisconsin. Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m.
“We are excited to host the 23rd Annual Angus Foundation Golf Tournament,” said Jaclyn Boester, executive director of the Angus Foundation. “We are grateful to have Boviteq — Innovative IVF Solutions as the event sponsor and look forward to a great day enjoying time spent with our Angus family and supporting the future of our breed.”
Sponsorship options are available for state and regional Angus associations, individuals, businesses, farms, and ranches. There are promotional opportunities at eight sponsorship levels: luncheon, beverage/player cart,
tournament prizes, clubhouse, hole-inone, tee box, hole, and flag. Sponsors will be recognized in the tournament program, tournament luncheon, post-event news release, Angus Journal, and the Angus Foundation website. The sponsorship deadline is June 2.
Player registration is open through June 20. Adult registration is $100, and National Junior Angus Association member registration is $75. Players receive 18 holes of golf, golf cart rental, continental breakfast, and Certified Angus Beef brand lunch. Mulligans will be available at the course for $10 each, with a limit of one per player. After the registration deadline, adult player registration will be $110, and junior members’ registration will be $85.
For player registration, sponsorship opportunities, or more information about the golf tournament, contact Kris Sticken or Jimmy Stickley with the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or visit www.AngusFoundation.org.
About the Angus Foundation. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth, and research. The organization has distributed more than $4.2 million in youth scholarships since 1998 and has also invested more than $1.3 million in beef cattle research in the past decade. For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-3835100.
Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 22,000 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
Data Integrity. Your SGBI Performance Committee has been hard at work to ensure that SGBI’s database is held to the highest standards. It is in all of our interest to make breeding decisions based on the most accurate information possible. That is why all members are encouraged to utilize the genetic testing platform offered through SGBI. Physical, or phenotypical, measurements are important, but accuracy in decision making is improved by as much as 3-4 generations of physical data by utilizing genetic testing with the GGP Bovine 100K test offered through the association.
In a recent meeting of the Performance Committee, six new rules were developed to help bolster the robustness of our database. The committee voted unanimously to submit those rules to your Board of
Directors who also voted unanimously to implement them immediately. All who have been involved in this process recognize the value of these rules to the association and its members. It is part of what makes SGBI a leader in developing and maintaining the highest quality seedstock possible. The rules, as approved, are listed below:
1. All active sires will be required to have a full genomic DNA panel accessible to the SGBI office by January 1, 2025, to be eligible to register offspring.
2. Pedigree change requests after 30 days of initial registration will have to be in writing to the SGBI office for approval to be considered. If DNA confirming parentage is accessible to the SGBI office, a written request is not required but is suggested.
3. No date of birth changes will
be allowed after initial registration of an animal unless DNA accessible to SGBI warrants a change of dam to accommodate a dam adopting a calf.
4. Contemporary groups may not be added to after 30 days post weaning data submission to the SGBI office.
5. Administrative access to the database is limited to Digital Beef and SGBI staff operating under the direction of the Executive Director. The genetic consultant for SGBI will have ‘view only’ access.
6. If a Breeder utilizes a third party firm to aid with their data management, a signed, written consent form from the breeder authorizing them to do so will be
required before SGBI staff will make any changes at their request.
These rules are designed to provide further confidence that your breeding decisions are based on the best possible information.
About Santa Gertrudis Breeders International. SGBI provides progressive leadership, services, programs, and technology to promote and broaden the long term profitability of Santa Gertrudis influence within the beef industry by being member driven and consumer focused. For more information about Santa Gertrudis cattle and Santa Gertrudis Breeders International, visit www.santagertrudis.com
Learn the seven keys to building trust in food at the 2024 Stakeholders Summit. Research from The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) proves that transparency is a key driver in building trust with consumers. Roxi Beck, CFI’s director of consumer engagement, will return to the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s Stakeholders Summit to share the seven keys for building trust in food. The 2024 Summit, themed “Ready, Set, Solve! Advancing Animal Agriculture,” takes place on May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri.
More than ever before, customers, investors, regulators, NGOs, and
other key stakeholders are demanding transparency, and CFI research shows that transparency is vital for building trust with the public. In the “Sticking the Landing: The 7 Keys to Trust Building Transparency” session, Beck will detail the seven principles that can help the broader food community benchmark and enhance transparency. In addition, she’ll feature case studies of companies that have implemented CFI’s Transparency Index on a path to developing strategies that align with company values and public expectations.
“Consumers are hungry to find out more about where their food comes
from, and it’s our responsibility as members of the agriculture community to offer transparency and remove the mystery,” said Emily Ellis, manager of communications and content at Animal Agriculture Alliance. “Roxi’s session will provide attendees with the necessary tools to confidently engage in conversations and build trust with target audiences, which is a primary factor in positively moving the needle in public perception of animal agriculture.”
Jason McAlister as they share their first hand experiences with navigating activist campaigns, how to work toward continuous improvement in animal welfare, and how to safeguard against upcoming trends in activism.
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 2024. 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.
JANUARY CHAROLAIS
FEBRUARY FORAGES
MARCH ANGUS
APRIL PIEDMONTESE MAY BRAHMAN JUNE HEREFORD JULY GELBVIEH AUGUST SIMMENTAL
SEPTEMBER SANTA GERTRUDIS
OCTOBER WAGYU
NOVEMBER BRANGUS
DECEMBER RED ANGUS
For more information about your breed’s Spotlight Issue, contact: The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 919-552-9111 • mail@nccattle.com
Beck is an active speaker, trainer, facilitator, and trusted advisor to food system thought leaders. She helps audiences think differently about earning trust. As director of consumer engagement for CFI and president at Look East Consulting, Beck brings nearly 20 years of experience working with clients across the food system, directing strategy and activities for consumer facing food and agriculture initiatives. Whether working with registered dietitians, toxicologists, corporate executives, communication directors, restaurateurs, farmers, non-profit leaders, or even consumers, Beck connects the dots on the varied pressure points that shape today’s food system and helps organizations incorporate transparency principles and trust growing approaches into their culture.
Navigate animal welfare versus animal rights at the 2024 Stakeholders Summit. The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit will feature panelists from Protect the Harvest, American Kennel Club, and CloverLeaf Animal Welfare Systems who will share their experience navigating animal rights activism and how to chart a winning path to continuous improvement in animal welfare — independent of the influence of animal rights extremists.
Animal rights groups are frequently attempting to force change for farmers, ranchers, processors, and food brands through the lens of animal welfare. In reality, these efforts have little to do with enhancing animal welfare — a scientific concept regarding the physical and mental state of the animal. Instead, animal rights activist organizations are seeking to further their agenda to remove meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood as options on the menu by driving up production costs and elevating the legal and societal status of animals to have the same basic rights as people.
In the “Protecting Animal Ag’s Place on the Podium: Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare” session, attendees will hear from experts, including Protect the Harvest’s Mike Siemens, Ph.D.; American Kennel Club’s Sheila Goffe; and CloverLeaf Animal Welfare Systems’
“It’s a common tactic for animal rights activist organizations to attempt to blur the lines between animal welfare and animal rights, however, there should be no mistake that their true intentions are much more extreme as they seek to eliminate consumer choice and take away a nutritious food group,” said Abby Kornegay, manager, issues and engagement, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “It’s vital for partners along the food supply chain to be able to differentiate between experts looking to improve animal welfare and extremist groups looking to ‘liberate’ animals and raise their legal status.”
The annual Summit is a one-of-akind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, allied industries, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies, and media.
The 2024 Summit would not be possible without the support of our sponsors: Farm Journal , Meatingplace, Successful Farming, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Watt Global Media, Cargill, Zoetis, American Feed Industry Association, broadhead. + Filament, Merck, United Soybean Board, Dairy MAX, Farm Credit Council, National Pork Producers Council, Pet Advocacy Network, Rabobank, Smithfield Foods, The Partnership, United Egg Producers, AdFarm, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Veal Association, Cal-Maine Foods, Cobb-Vantress, Inc., Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Kemin, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Pork Board, Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care, Progressive Dairy, Protect the Harvest, Sustainable Environmental Consultants, Trans Ova Genetics, Eggland’s Best, N.C. Farm Bureau, and Vivayic.
About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
Total Time - 2 hours, 25 minutes
1 beef Tri-tip roast (3-4½ pounds)
Spice Paste
⅓ cup olive oil
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon paprika
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ancho chile powder
Grilled Corn Elote
3 ears fresh corn, husked ¾ cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro
½ cup Cotija cheese
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
Combine oil, salt, pepper, garlic, chile powder, and paprika in a small bowl to form a paste. Spread evenly onto all surfaces of beef tri-tip roast.
Add wood chunks, chips, or pellets to the smoker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Preheat the smoker to 225°F. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in the thickest part of roast, not resting in fat. Place roast in the smoker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Set a timer for 2 hours, depending on the desired smoke flavor. Smoke roast for 2-3 hours for medium doneness. Carefully remove the roast from the smoker when the meat thermometer
registers 135°F. Let rest for at least 10 minutes. The temperature will rise to 145°F for medium rare and 160°F for medium.
Carve roast across the grain into ½ inch thick slices. Serve alongside grilled corn elote.
Grilled Corn Elote - Place corn on the grid over medium, ash covered coals. Grill for 10-14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 8-10 minutes), turning on all sides. Remove corn and let cool. Carefully cut corn kernels from the cob and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice, seasoning, corn, cilantro, and cheese; let chill covered for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Makes 8 servings.
Culling Decisions Impact Animal Welfare and Bottom Line. A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions. “Right Way. Right Time. – A Guide to Cull Cattle Management” is now available at www.ncba.org
With effective planning, cull cattle can be a significant source of revenue and should not be overlooked. In essence, cull cattle are market cattle. This new document addresses key problem areas, provides strategies for making timely culling decisions to prioritize animal welfare, and is designed to help producers capture more value through effective management regarding cull cattle.
“Cull animals can contribute significantly to the profitability of the ranch,” said Dr. Trey Patterson, president/CEO of Padlock Ranch Company. “We spend extensive time and money adding replacement cattle to our herd, so it is imperative that we capture good value for cull cattle to offset these expenses.”
For cattle producers across the country, whether beef or dairy, cull cattle are part of doing business. Animals age, they no longer breed back, and their health deteriorates. Incorporating culling decisions into an operation’s best management practices benefits both animal welfare as well as the producer’s bottom line.
“Managing cull cattle to be in good condition, sound and fit to transport will increase their value significantly,” said Patterson. “The animals leaving our ranching operations are not only a valuable financial resource, but they also constitute a class of cattle that need and deserve as much care as any other animal on the operation.”
According to the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit, the market cow and bull sector provides an alternative product and a secondary value to animals once their original purpose is no longer suitable. When it comes to product fabrication, market cows and bulls are typically associated with ground beef production. However, over time, the industry has realized that some market cows and bulls have the potential to yield valuable primals to be fabricated and sold as retail cuts and to the restaurant trade.
For more information or to access the resource online, visit www.ncba.org/ producers
Best of both worlds: Estrus detection aids and timed cattle breeding. Breeding cattle via artificial insemination (A.I.) by pairing visual estrus detection aids and timed A.I. protocols is a win-win. Using artificial insemination (A.I.) with a cattle herd doesn’t require as much time or labor as you might think. With the advent of timed breeding protocols and quality visual estrus detection aids, A.I. has become more effective and efficient.
“You’re listening to the cows just a little bit, but you still have that scheduling of it and utilizing your A.I. tech,” says Adrienne Lulay, independent beef sales representative for All West Beef/Select Sires.
Lulay joined the Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute Cattle Chat podcast with their team of veterinarians to discuss A.I. and offer some tips on getting the most from cattle breeding programs.
Both Lulay and Bob Larson, DVM, professor at Kansas State University, agree that implementing estrus detection with visual breeding indicator aids can help improve the results of A.I. breeding.
Looking back - In the past few decades, A.I. breeding protocols have come a long way. Larson notes the move
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from daily estrus detection to timed A.I. as being a significant shift.
“Really, one of the big constraints to utilizing artificial insemination in beef cattle was the need to estrus detect twice a day, every day and then follow that up with insemination twice a day,” says Larson.
Only a handful of cows or heifers were bred daily, and often, the beef producer had to be their own A.I. specialist.
“That’s a lot of skills to train someone to do, and then they only do it once a year,” adds Larson.
The advent of timed A.I. protocols became a game changer in allowing professionals, like A.I. technicians or veterinarians, to breed many females effectively and quickly. But, timed A.I. wasn’t a cure all.
“It didn’t perfectly get all the heifers or cows to ovulate when you wanted them to,” says Larson. “Now, over the last few years, we’ve added back some estrus detection.”
Estrus detection support - If you are using timed A.I., you can pair it with visual estrus detection aids, like breeding indicator patches, to enhance your breeding program. Then, you can breed the first cows or heifers exhibiting strong estrus intensity and hold off on breeding a second group until more are in estrus.
“We get the best of both worlds – the estrus detection and timed insemination,” says Larson.
Lulay estimates that adding an estrus detection aid to a timed A.I. breeding provides a ten percent increase in conception rates.
“There’s definitely very obvious heat detection aids now that are available,” says Lulay. “Something like an ESTROTECT patch or even just chalking their back so you know they actually went into heat. You can check just a couple times a day, and you can peel off those cows that were in heat.”
There can also be some cost savings when an estrus detection aid is part of the breeding program by reducing the drugs required.
“You can skip your GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) shot at that timed A.I. because so few of them actually need it because you saw they came into heat,” says Lulay.
Extra insurance - Using estrus detection aids can be a way to alert you that something went wrong in the protocol.
An example Lulay shares is a
breeding project where the cows weren’t exhibiting any estrus with breeding indicator patches after the producer implemented the breeding protocol.
“None of the cows were coming into heat, and there were no activated patches,” says Lulay. “It turns out they had flip flopped their hormone injections. The patches tipped us off that something wasn’t right.”
Having someone who can accurately determine the signs of estrus intensity with the assistance of estrus detection aids should also be considered.
“A well trained person who can read the cows with the assistance of estrus detection aids is usually pretty good at
getting the right timing for insemination,” says Larson. Listen to the whole conversation by visiting the Cattle Chat podcast episode at https://bit.ly/CattleChatAI
For more information on breeding indicator patches, visit www. ESTROTECT.com
About ESTROTECT. The ESTROTECT Breeding Indicator is the industry standard for optimizing cattle breeding efficiency and economics. With millions and millions of units sold around the world, ESTROTECT is the only breeding management tool tested in a multitude of university studies by researchers.
A spring series of in-person “back to the basics” beef cattle information and discussions for area beef producers will include the following topics on two days in May. This series is part of the “Small Farm Bootcamp” Initiative in North Carolina and was developed for the beef producer.
This learning series will take place from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Franklin Plaza Conference room (beside Tractor Supply) and cover everything you want to know about beef cattle production. Registration is required, and the $23 fee includes a beef dinner for both meetings.
Join two of N.C. Cooperative Extension’s livestock agents with over 64 years of experience in the beef cattle industry in North Carolina and over 55 years of experience as livestock agents, Martha L. Mobley in Franklin County and Paul Gonzalez in Sampson County, joke that their cattle farms are “experiment stations,” as they usually try something out before it is recommended to regional producers. In their spare time, Paul’s family breeds and raises premier polled fullblood Salers cattle. Martha’s family produces quality commercial cattle, Angus x Simmental, either for direct marketing to the consumer, video stocker sales, or breeding stock. Both have in-depth knowledge of various aspects of marketing cattle, either individually or in truckload lots.
Class 1 - May 16
4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Franklin Plaza meeting room (beside Tractor Supply)
279 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg Register online at go.ncsu.edu/smallfarmbootcamppart1 (register by May 14)
Part 1 - Basic Infrastructure for Beef Production
Part 2 - Reproductive Management for Beef Cattle
Part 3 - Managing Health and Animal Welfare for Beef Cattle
Class 2 - May 23
4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Franklin Plaza meeting room (beside Tractor Supply)
279 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg
Register online at go.ncsu.edu/smallfarmbootcamppart2 (register by May 21)
Part 4 - Basics of Nutrition for Beef Cattle
Part 5 - Forage Systems for Beef Cattle
Part 6 - Genetics for Beef Cattle
Part 7 - Direct Marketing Your Beef: Ins and Outs
For more information about this program, contact Martha Mobley at martha_mobley@ncsu.edu or 919-496-3344 or Paul Gonzalez at paul_ gonzalez@ncsu.edu. This event is sponsored by N.C. Cooperative Extension.
Remove the guesswork from choosing the best fly control for cattle. Use these tips to sift through fly control options for cattle on pasture. Pesky horn flies can become prolific during the grazing season. However, there are control tactics that can help keep horn fly populations under wraps.
When uncontrolled, horn flies can punish cattle with as many as 120,000 bites per day. During peak timeframes, as many as 4,000 horn flies can call a cow’s hide home. At 30 blood meals daily, that adds up to 120,000 bites per cow. These bites are not only irritating your cows, but they’re also biting away at your potential profits. Horn flies account for up to an estimated $1 billion in losses annually for the U.S. cattle industry.
“Early season fly control for cattle goes a long way in keeping populations under control all season long,” says Elizabeth Belew, Ph.D., cattle nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition.
Consider these four methods of fly control as you turn cattle out onto spring pasture:
1. Feed through - An effective and convenient way to deliver horn fly control for cattle throughout fly season is by feeding a mineral containing an insect growth regulator (IGR).
A feed through mineral is an excellent option for all classes of cattle out on pasture because they regularly consume a quality mineral to meet their nutrient needs.
“As cattle consume mineral with
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IGR, it passes through the animal and into fresh manure, where female adult horn flies lay their eggs,” says Belew. “The IGR prevents pupae from developing into biting adult flies.”
For best results, feed 30 days before the last frost of spring through 30 days after the first frost in the fall.
“Ensure cattle are consuming mineral at target levels,” says Belew. “Appropriate mineral intake ensures cattle get the targeted level of IGR, which helps them receive full horn fly control.”
2. Insecticide impregnated ear tags - Ear tags containing insecticide release small amounts of chemicals over time to control flies.
“This is ideal for implementation if cattle already need to be processed for tasks like vaccinations, deworming or pregnancy checks,” says Belew.
Tags must be replaced when insecticide is depleted, usually 2–4 months after application. Using fly tags with stocker cattle can be viable because the grazing season falls within the efficacy period of the insecticide. Tags should be removed at the end of fly season.
Follow manufacturer recommendations and rotate tag insecticides as needed to mitigate fly resistance.
3. Pour-ons and on-animal sprays“A great option for immediate fly relief is to use a pour-on or spray,” says Belew. These liquid substances are usually applied directly on an animal’s backline. The chemical is absorbed and circulates through the animal’s system.
Pour-ons and on-animal sprays control flies for up to 30 days before requiring another application. It will require several applications to provide control all season long. You can apply pour-ons and on-animal sprays while cattle are grazing, but it works better if they are confined to a smaller area during application, like a catch pen or alley.
“This method works best as a supplemental fly control method during spikes in fly numbers,” says Belew.
4. Dust bags, backrubs, and oilersThe most effective method for forced use situations where cattle must frequently enter an area like a water or feeding site are dust bags, backrubs, or oilers. A powder or liquid substance is applied with hand shakers or self treatment dust bags.
“Using this method of fly control does require frequent device checks to keep insecticide stocked,” says Belew.
Free choice implementation can take 2–3 weeks for cattle to adopt and might not
provide equal protection throughout the herd, leaving some cattle more vulnerable. Dust bags, backrubs, and oilers can better suit situations where cattle have less space to roam, such as an open lot or small grass traps.
“Other methods like baits, area, and residual sprays are difficult to use in range settings and are best used in barns or a confinement setting,” says Belew.
The best way to beat the buzz? Develop a multi-pronged fly control approach to fit your operation. Use a feed through option like Purina Wind and Rain Fly Control mineral in tandem with other fly control methods for season long protection. Taking this type of approach can ensure fewer flies are biting into your profit while leading to better milk production and heavier weaning weights.
Not sure if fly control for cattle is
really worth it? Calculate how much horn flies drain from your herd at www. purinamills.com/fly-control
About Purina Animal Nutrition. Purina is a national organization serving producers, animal owners, and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers, and other large retailers throughout the United States. Driven to unlock the greatest potential in every animal, the company is an industry leading innovator offering a valued portfolio of complete feeds, supplements, premixes, ingredients, and specialty technologies for the livestock and lifestyle animal markets. Purina Animal Nutrition LLC is headquartered in Arden Hills, Minn., and a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, Inc. For more information, visit www.purinamills.com
Tennessee to host 2024 BIF Annual Symposium. We would like to formally invite you and your members to the 2024 Beef Improvement Federation’s (BIF) Annual Symposium in Knoxville, Tenn., from June 10-13. For those unfamiliar with the meeting, BIF has held an annual meeting for over 50 years where North America’s best seedstock and commercial producers, academic researchers, breed associations, and other members of industry come together to discuss the cutting edge developments in genetic improvement and industry coordination. The meeting runs from 1:00 p.m. on Monday through 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by an optional tour on Thursday. We are expecting over 500 attendees from over a dozen countries to be in town for the event, and we hope that you will join us!
We are thrilled to host the meeting in Tennessee for the first time and back in the Southeast for the first time since 2017. The Tennessee team, in collaboration with producers, Extension personnel, and the BIF Board, has curated an exciting and regionally relevant program. Our focus this year is “Breeding a More Efficient and Adapted Cow,” a topic that resonates deeply in the Fescue Belt. The meeting will feature a diverse range of perspectives from across the industry, promising to be both informative and thought provoking. Most importantly, BIF provides a unique platform to expand your network with some of the most
influential minds in the cattle industry. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to exchange ideas and forge relationships.
Registration for this enriching event is now open at a fee of $250. We have also secured hotel blocks at a discounted rate for your convenience. You can find all the necessary information, including a detailed schedule, at www.bifsymposium.com
We hope that you will consider joining us for this exceptional meeting and help show the world the quality people and cattle that make the Fescue Belt so special! Please reach out to Dr. Troy Rowan from the University of Tennessee with any questions or concerns at trowan@utk. edu or 712-427-0096.
About the Beef Improvement Federation. The BIF is an organization dedicated to coordinating all segments of the beef industry — from researchers and producers to retailers — in an effort to improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of beef production. The organization was initiated almost 70 years ago to encourage the use of objective measurements to evaluate beef cattle. Continuing the tradition, BIF is now the clearinghouse for developing standardized programs and methodologies for the recording of performance data for all traits, from birth weights to carcass traits. Its three leaf clover logo symbolizes the link between industry, extension, and research. Information about the organization can be found online at www.BeefImprovement.org.
Do you know what your electric bill was last month? Or maybe your propane or gas bill? What kind of mileage do you get with your truck? I’ll bet you know the premium for your health or auto insurance. As these expenses increase, they negatively impact your bottom line, so you naturally pay attention to them.
Now, what was your average weaning weight last year? What was your conception rate? How many calves made it to weaning? These all impact your paycheck, so they are usually top of mind as well.
But calving distribution? What is that? Why track it? Can you improve it, and if so, what does that improvement pay you?
An opportunity - Let’s start with what calving distribution is and why you should be concerned with it.
Calving distribution is a look at which cycle of your breeding season each of your calves is born in. If you have a 60 day breeding season, you have about three 21 day cycles to get your cows bred. If you keep track of the birthdates of your calves, you can then generate your calving distribution: the percentage of calves born in each of the three breeding cycles in this 60 day breeding season. While conception rate will greatly impact how many calves you have to sell, calving distribution greatly impacts their weaning weight.
The focus of managing calving distribution can be summed up in two sentences: Regardless of when a cow conceives, the cost to carry her for a year will be pretty much the same. She may
just as well conceive earlier and deliver a heavier calf at weaning.
The payback - A few years back, former NDSU economist Harlan Hughes put together the graph in Figure 1, showing the relative profitability of calves depending on where they are within the calving distribution of a herd. This profitability is primarily driven by weaning weight. Older calves weigh more and are generally worth more.
Figure 1 is an index, but let’s put some actual numbers to this. I have heard ranchers tell of herds where 65 percent of the calves are born in the first 21 days, as well as herds where 80 percent of the calves were born in the first 21 days. It is entirely possible that both of these herds have the same conception rate, yet one is likely to be more profitable.
Let’s say both herds are 100 cows, and 95 percent of the cows are pregnant during the same breeding season. Let’s also say 2 percent of the live calves are lost by the time they are weaned. This still gives us 93 live calves per herd to sell at weaning.
If the ranchers are only measuring conception rate, they are likely to be equally happy at this point. But will the checks for both herds be the same? Probably not.
The second herd has 14 more calves born in the first cycle than the first herd (93 x 65% = 60 calves, while 93 x 80% = 74 calves). If those 14 calves gain 2.0 pounds a day for an extra 21 days before they are weaned, they have added 588 pounds more pay weight than the first
herd. That could total over $1,750 more in your paycheck. And that herd probably has calves moving from the third cycle to the second cycle as well. Getting back to that focus of managing calving distribution, each cow that conceives a cycle earlier can add about $125 more in profits.
An added benefit of keeping as many cows calving in the first cycle as possible is that they are much less likely to be culled. The fewer cows that are culled the better your bottom line.
How can we affect calving distribution? Nutrition, genetics, and management are the tools you have to play with, and you may still have time to take a good run at some of these before your 2025 calves are conceived. I’ll let you handle the genetics and management, but below, I’ll describe how you can manipulate nutrition to get more cows bred early.
You need to ensure that more than adequate levels of energy, protein, phosphorus, trace minerals, and vitamins are available to your cow herd from prior to calving through the breeding season. Cows should be in a body condition score of 5-6 at calving. This has been shown to be very important to breeding back early. Crystalyx self fed protein and mineral formulas allow ranchers to adequately supplement their herds when labor and time are in short supply and getting shorter every year.
Crystalyx Blueprint products give you an added advantage of removing all inorganic forms of trace minerals from your herd’s diet. The difference this can make is impressive. Two years of research
from the University of Florida with 160 replacement heifers gave the following results:
• Year one heifers fed Blueprint reached puberty nine days earlier when compared to the inorganic control group. Upon continuation of the study, year two heifers fed Blueprint reached puberty 41 days earlier when compared to the inorganic control group.
• Year one heifers fed Blueprint were confirmed pregnant eight days earlier when compared to the inorganic control group.
• Year two heifers were confirmed pregnant 18 days earlier when fed Blueprint versus the inorganic control group.
The year two increases were likely due to the herd being on Blueprint for a longer period of time. Heifers conceiving 18 days sooner will likely give you calves that are 40 pounds heavier at weaning time. This could be worth an extra $120 per head.
For your bulls, Crystalyx Blueprint Omega contains 100 percent Bioplex trace minerals, along with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve semen quality and sperm motility.
Crystalyx Brand Supplements are available to your herd 24/7 and are an excellent way to supply protein, vitamins, minerals, Bio-Mos 2, and fly control. Crystalyx self fed supplements require minimal input of time, labor, equipment, and delivery costs. When all costs are considered, Crystalyx will often give you the lowest cost per head per day, with optimal results and greater profitability from your herd.
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: ____________________________
Address:
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip:
Seller’s Signature: _________________________
Buyer’s Name: ____________________________
Address:
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______
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 = $
* 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.
(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
In 2007, the NCCA Membership Committee passed a resolution to recognize all NEW members, defined as someone who has never been a member or has rejoined after a break in membership, in The Carolina Cattle Connection. Below are NCCA’s new members for the last month:
Caleb R. Snow – South Carolina
Alamance County
Joe Alvarado
Alexander County
Gene Fox – Fox Farm
Anson County
Lynlee Martin
Beaufort County
Richard Chadwick
Buncombe County
Katie Derreberry
Shelby McCurry
Mikaela Robertson
Hannah Woody
Caldwell County
J. B. Bowman – Rock Creek Cattle & Grain
Dwayne Starnes – ME & RS Starnes Farm
Catawba County
Natalie Lane
Jeffery Sullivan – C&C Farm
Craven County
Randy Beltz – The Last Resort
Davidson County
Adam S. Hilton – Hilton Family Farm
Duplin County
Keith & Lisa Jarman – Jarman Farms
George R. Olsen, Sr.
Guilford County
Tori Geniac
Haywood County
Chelsea R. Pollifrone
Kirstin Thompson
Edwin Warren
Guadalupe Zavala
Henderson County
Hailey Brock
Emily Slagle
Iredell County
Joel M. Shives
James Triplett
Johnston County
Michael Johnson – USDA Office of Inspector General
Macon County
Larry Penland
Madison County
Kim Lynn Evans
Larry Ferguson
McDowell County
Aaron Gant
Montgomery County
Dale Thompson – Hilltop Angus Farm
Rockingham County
William J. Andrews, IV – Tranquility Farm
John H. Hall, Jr. – Low Rock Farm
Justin Seth Harvey – J. Harvey Farms
Bethany Martin – Greenwood Farms
Jason & Ethan O’Bryant – O’Bryant Farms
David J. Stewart – Stewart Farms
Sampson County
Judy Boney
Stokes County
Adam Collins – Collins Cattle and Company
Transylvania County
Ava Findlay
Sara Wilson
Union County
Edwin Couick – Triple T Farms
Drew Offnick – Lynnwood Farms
Wake County
Robert Austin
Brynna Bruxellas
Douglas Utley
Wayne County
Max G. Futrell, Jr.
Wilkes County
Charles E. Summers, Jr.
Yancey County
Kasey Johnson
Ryan, his wife Jamie, their son Colton, and daughter Paisley live in Stokes County in the town of Madison. They are first generation farmers and owners of Clark Family Farms, LLC. The farm is a 500 acre operation comprised of pasture, hay land, and crop land. They raise a cow/calf herd and manage a retail and wholesale beef business.
The farm produces grass and annual hay while supporting the herd. Also under the farm’s umbrella are commercial breeder hen houses on contract with Mountaire Farms. The poultry and cattle operations work together nicely.
Ryan is also actively engaged in the community, serving as a volunteer firefighter and rescue technician for 21 years. He is currently the fire chief at Northeast Stokes Fire and Rescue.
Ryan is a past president and a lifetime member of the Rockingham County Cattlemen’s Association. He is also a past member of the N.C. Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher state committee and the American Farm Bureau advisory committee.
Clark Family Farms was the winner of the N.C. Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture and Achievement awards. Ryan is currently the secretary/treasurer of the Stokes County Farm Bureau. In addition to these roles, he is a member of the Dan River Masonic Lodge and a board member at the MadisonRockingham Rescue Squad.
In their free time, the family enjoys traveling, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
We welcome Ryan into this role and look forward to a great year!
1 MILE OF PASTURE MANAGEMENT FENCING SUPPLIES AWARDED TO THE NCCA COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
RECRUITING THE MOST NEW MEMBERS IN 2024
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MACON COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
2023 MILE OF FENCE WINNER
Are you Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified? If you answered yes, then I want to thank you for stepping up and helping us continue to improve the quality of our national cattle herd. If you’re not BQA certified or can’t remember if your certification is still active, then I hope you will take advantage of the tools we have to get certified and show you are committed to doing things the right way.
While the predecessor to BQA began in the late 1970s, BQA really began to grow once the national Beef Checkoff began to invest in BQA programs and launched the first National Beef Quality Audit. Conducted every five years, the National Beef Quality Audit identifies areas where we need to improve the overall quality of the beef we produce through cattle handling and the use of production tools. One of the key findings from the 2022 audit shows that we still find shotgun pellets in our beef. I’m always amused to watch BQA training presentations where this issue is brought up, and producers are reminded that peppering an ornery bull with birdshot is not the proper way to get them to move. When you watch a few people look down at their boots, you know it is still way too common. Biting into a piece of birdshot in a hamburger or steak is clearly the opposite eating experience we want to deliver for our consumers.
BQA is not meant to be punitive; it’s a voluntary educational program with no regulatory authority that is meant to help you become a better producer. BQA is best known for the focus it places on the proper way to handle and store veterinary products, but it has expanded to cover other facets of cattle handling and care that all have an impact on the quality of beef we produce. Herd health management practices, biosecurity, low stress cattle handling, and transportation are some of the modules covered through BQA training. Decisions we make on our operations have a trickle down effect on the rest of the beef supply chain. We
know administering a veterinary product in the rump rather than the neck can cause abscesses and lesions, which destroy what would otherwise be good beef. You may not see that impact, but others down the chain do. By not implementing even basic biosecurity procedures, you are opening your operation to the spread of disease. One of my favorites is low stress cattle handling. Growing up, I was exposed to the concept that whistling and hollering went right along with working cattle. Low stress stockmanship principles were eye opening for me and for this industry. The cattle and beef industry begins with those of us on farms and ranches, and we must take responsibility for doing it right. That is where BQA’s tagline “The Right Way Is The Only Way” comes from.
The National Beef Quality Audits have proven that BQA training works. We have improved the quality of beef thanks to producers who have implemented what they have learned. BQA has expanded to include things such as a BQA Feedyard Assessment and a BQA Transportation training and certification program for producers and professional drivers. In February, NCBA and our partners at CattleFax built on our commitment to good stockmanship by developing a resource to help you with your culling decisions. The new program is a guide to cull cattle management that we call “Right Way. Right Time.” Especially in today’s market, cull cattle can have a significant financial impact on your operation, but only if they are culled at an appropriate time. You can’t wait until it is too late and their health deteriorates to a point where you are just trying to get rid of a problem. Making your problems somebody else’s problems is not doing things “The Right Way.” To find this resource, visit www.ncba.org/producers
Now, you may say BQA is just using common sense. Well, I tend to agree with you on that, but I also know common sense isn’t so common. I also hear producers say they don’t want to go over the same training modules every
three years to keep their certification. Well, we heard you. Now, you can go to www.bqa.org, log in to your existing account, and find brand new continuing education modules that were not available the last time you got your certification. Our industry changes, and we knew BQA needed to change, too. Also, if you do complete these new modules before your certification expires, you won’t have to go through the foundational training program again to get re-certified. That’s a pretty good incentive if you ask me.
When we survey consumers about their concerns regarding the way cattle
are raised, they always tell us they are concerned with the welfare of our cattle. We can alleviate those concerns by showing our commitment to the care of our cattle through our BQA certifications. We have promoted cattle care and the BQA program in Checkoff funded Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. commercials, and partners like Certified Angus Beef have done a tremendous job in promoting the importance of getting and maintaining your BQA certification. The right way IS the only way, and I challenge you to get or renew your BQA certification. I have mine. How about you?
The John Deere Foundation Commits Nearly $4 Million in Grants to the National FFA Organization. The John Deere Foundation’s unrestricted, multi-year giving supports the educational outreach and mission of FFA to lift up the next generation of leaders in agriculture. Recently, the John Deere Foundation announced a three year grant totaling $3.9 million to the National FFA Organization (FFA), the premier organization preparing youth for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture.
The investment builds on the Foundation’s legacy of philanthropy since its founding in 1948, showcasing John Deere’s continued commitment to serving those who live, work, and learn within the communities that John Deere serves. The grants will provide access to resources and educational programs to students interested in exploring a broad range of agricultural career pathways and leadership opportunities. Through this investment, Deere will continue its nearly 80 years of support for FFA.
FFA plays a critical role in the personal and professional development of future leaders through agricultural education. The John Deere Foundation’s multi-year, unrestricted giving will support the National FFA Organization’s vision of growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world.
“With shared values to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding, clothing, and fueling a growing global population, the John Deere Foundation supports the FFA mission to
help the next generation rise up to tackle global challenges,” said Mara Downing, President, John Deere Foundation and Vice President, Global Brand and Communications at John Deere. “The John Deere Foundation will continue to invest in organizations like FFA that create meaningful, measurable, and long lasting impact on the lives of others and provide them with the resources to help them get there.”
“We are incredibly grateful for John Deere’s continued support and longstanding partnership,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation and chief marketing officer of the National FFA Organization. “By making an unrestricted, multi-year gift, John Deere is able to have the greatest impact on FFA members. This support truly helps us work toward our mission of preparing members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.”
About Deere & Company. 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 the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray, and E-Power Backhoe, are just some of the ways we help meet the world’s increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information, visit www.johndeere.com
Synovex Choice Receives Additional Label Indication for Dry Lot Cattle. First trenbolone acetate implants approved for dry lot cattle. Zoetis announced recently it has received an expanded label approval from the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) for Synovex Choice to increase rate of weight gain in growing beef steers or heifers in the dry lot production phase. Also approved is a new implant from Zoetis, Synovex Primer, that will be available for the dry lot market later in 2024.
“This approval provides beef producers with dry lot operations another tool to help them meet their production and profitability goals,” said John Hallberg, DVM, PhD, U.S. director of regulatory affairs, Zoetis. “As the first trenbolone acetate (TBA) implants
approved for dry lot production, steers and heifers have the opportunity to gain additional weight with the appropriate nutritional inputs.”
Effective immediately, existing packages of Synovex Choice can be used in the dry lot production phase. Animal health product suppliers and cattle producers will begin seeing packaging for Synovex Choice with the updated indications by the end of 2024.
“This provides an opportunity for cattle producers with dry lot operations to incorporate a TBA implant in their program to help the cattle grow frame and put on lean muscle,” said Bryan Bernhard, PhD, nutritionist with Zoetis beef strategic technical services. “Dry lot operations have two main goals: get cattle healthy and get cattle growing. By adding Synovex Choice in the dry lot phase,
cattle can gain more pounds before they go to the next phase, whether it is grazing or confined feeding.”
For more information on how the expanded label could fit your operation, please visit with your Zoetis sales representative. You also can visit www. Synovex.com to learn more.
Refer to individual labels for complete directions for use, precautions, and warnings. Reimplant only if and as directed in labeling.
Zoetis Surpasses $1 Million in Donations to Folds of Honor. Contribution supports education for spouses and children of military and first responders. Zoetis celebrated a contributory milestone in 2023 with its continuation of support to Folds of Honor. Rounding out the second half of 2023, Zoetis exceeded $1 million in donations in its two years of support for the organization. Proceeds from the sales of select Zoetis products continue to raise funds for Folds of Honor scholarships.
Based in Owaso, Okla., Folds of Honor provides academic scholarships to the spouses and children of men and women who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the U.S. armed forces or as first responders. Jared Shriver, senior vice president of U.S. Livestock, Equine & Platinum Performance, Zoetis, presented a check to Folds of Honor at the beginning of 2024.
“Including our 2023 contribution, Zoetis has helped support 241 scholarships for the spouses and children of the heroes who protect our communities and our freedoms,” he said. “We are grateful to be part of a meaningful organization and look forward to continuing our support in 2024.”
Providing scholarships for students who are pursuing agricultural and animal production studies is important to Zoetis, and it reiterates its commitment to supporting the future of agriculture and industry leaders. Through Folds of Honor, Zoetis is able to reach a network of students at more than 90 universities and land grant institutions across the country, with several scholarship recipients majoring in agriculture or pre-veterinary studies.
“We are grateful to Zoetis for the generous and heartfelt contribution the past two years to Folds of Honor,” said Ben Leslie, the foundation’s chief development officer. “The company’s significant gift continues to make a life changing difference for our recipients. Philanthropy is evident in Zoetis’ culture, and we’re thankful to be included in that commitment.”
Zoetis is committed to supporting the legacy of leaders in agriculture and
communities across the United States while making a difference in the lives of military and first responder families. Throughout 2024, Zoetis will continue to donate a portion of sales of select cattle products to Folds of Honor. Qualifying products are Draxxin (tulathromycin injection) Injectable Solution, Draxxin KP (tulathromycin and ketoprofen injection) Injectable Solution, Excede (ceftiofur crystalline free acid) Sterile Suspension, and Excenel RTU EZ (ceftiofur hydrochloride) Sterile Suspension.
For more information about Folds of Honor, visit www.foldsofhonor.org If you would like to learn more about how Zoetis works with Folds of Honor, contact your local Zoetis representative or visit www.zoetisus.com/services-andprograms/folds-of-honor/faqs
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 innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwidefrom veterinarians and pet owners to livestock farmers and ranchers. 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 $8.5 billion in 2023 with approximately 14,100 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com
About Folds of Honor. Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled military and first responders. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school, and post graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded over 51,000 scholarships totaling about $240 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. It is rated a four star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. Folds of Honor was founded by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, the only ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship, visit www.foldsofhonor.org
LMA Members Gather for Annual Washington D.C. Fly-In. Nearly two dozen Livestock Marketing Association members and staff met with members of both the House of Representatives and Senate, agriculture staff, and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials on March 20-22, during the association’s 18th D.C. Fly-In. The event offered an opportunity for livestock auction market owners to share their stories and connect with elected officials.
Throughout the visit, LMA members advocated for the passage of the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States, or A-PLUS Act (H.R. 530), and its Senate companion, the Expanding Local Meat Processing Act (S. 813), to end an outdated prohibition and allow an auction owner to own or invest in a small or medium packer. These bills would provide an avenue to increase packing competition and capacity. At the
same time, the bills maintain necessary safeguards by prohibiting the largest packers from owning auctions.
The auction market owners also urged Congress to update the Packers and Stockyards Act prompt payment requirements in light of slowing mail service and a desire to incentivize electronic payment as the more efficient and secure method. Finally, livestock auction market owners at the FlyIn pushed to ensure that any upcoming rule requiring electronic identification for cattle is not an unfunded mandate.
Their visit to D.C. coincided with a busy and historic week in Congress. There is an active effort by Congress to overturn an administrative rule that would allow fresh beef imports from Paraguay. The Senate voted on a Congressional Review Act resolution that if becomes law, would prevent the rule from taking effect.
Livestock Marketing Association and
other cattle industry groups agree that, given Paraguay’s history of foot-andmouth disease, the rule poses a significant risk to our nation’s beef herd. The same day members asked Senators to support the resolution, the Senate voted 70-25 to overturn the rule. The vote was the largest margin on a Congressional Review Act resolution ever recorded in the Senate.
Brody Peak, LMA board member and chairman of the government and industry affairs committee, said it was a productive trip, and he’s grateful for all who participated.
“I know how difficult it is to take time away from your business and family to travel across the country, especially in the spring,” he said. “But the impact a visit like this has on the industry is significant. Developing and maintaining relationships with those making federal policy decisions is key to ensuring the interests of livestock marketers are considered. Those who visited can take pride in protecting our beef industry and given the vote in the Senate, being a part of history.”
About 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 member support, education programs, policy representation, insurance programs, and communication efforts.
How to Treat Heat Stress in Cattle.
Nobody likes to feel stressed, cattle included. And those cattle definitely don’t want to experience heat stress. But with the summer quickly approaching, it’s inevitable that heat stress is going to strike, ready or not.
Preventing heat stress is actually preferred over treatment. But there is always going to be some need to treat heat stress in cattle. At BioZyme, we believe in care that comes full circle. We know that if your cattle are not feeling their best, they won’t be performing their best. That means you probably will be anxious and worried, too.
That’s why we’ve created this blog to
give you some advice on how to treat heat stress in cattle.
Hydration is Key - The first step in relieving heat stress in cattle is to provide plenty of clean, fresh, cool water. Keeping your cattle hydrated is critical in preventing heat stress since dehydrated animals have problems maintaining body temperature. If feasible, provide plenty of water sources and spread them across several areas to help eliminate crowding of animals at one particular location. Also, position the water under shade, if possible, to help keep the animals gathered under the shade.
Provide Shade - Speaking of shade, you might need to create some man made
shade structures. If you have adequate trees, they might be enough to help eliminate heat stress. However, cattle grazing in a large open area where trees are not an option might need some extra shade tarps or buildings. If you have a building that serves as shade, make sure it has proper ventilation and circulation, like a fan. An enclosed structure with minimal air movement will only contribute to your animals’ heat.
Limit Working During the DayAvoid working your cattle during extreme heat. If you need to work them, plan any work as early in the morning as possible before the day heats up. Working animals causes stress, which, combined with heat stress, can cause serious issues. If you need to transport your livestock, do so early in the day or later in the evening when the temperature cools.
Modify Feeding Times - Digestion contributes to increased body heat, therefore heightening the chances of heat stress. Wait until later in the day for your afternoon feeding, and if you only feed once per day, make that feeding in the early afternoon.
Other Nutritional Considerations - Finally, keeping AO-Biotics Amaferm in your cattle diets, especially during the summer temperatures, is especially beneficial to help alleviate heat stress. Amaferm is prebiotic research proven to enhance digestibility.
“Feeding Amaferm during heat stress has multiple benefits including improved digestibility, increased energy availability, improved rumen function and decreased loss of performance. The improved digestibility observed with
Amaferm provides more energy to the animal during heat stress when intake is reduced,” Dr. Cassady said.
Amaferm is the core ingredient in VitaFerm products. For those who don’t know us, VitaFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for beef cattle. Our products maximize energy and forage utilization for successful production.
VitaFerm Offers HEAT Technology
- In addition to the benefits that Amaferm offers to assist with overall health and digestion, VitaFerm also works to relieve heat stress in cattle. How? The patented HEAT technology found within many of the VitaFerm products.
So, how do you to treat heat stress in cattle with HEAT technology? HEAT technology is a combination of essential oils and garlic to support animals when heat and insects are a challenge. It provides capsaicin to help maintain circulation to support animal performance in both heat and fescue situations. Capsaicin and Amaferm are both research proven to help maintain body temperature. HEAT also contains garlic to help deter insects. Keeping insects controlled is important to
heat stress because insects like to gather on animals when they bunch up. Insect bites cause added stress and economic losses.
A lowered body temperature has several key benefits. It helps get the females in the herd bred and keeps them bred. It helps keep those animals out grazing, which means the potential for gaining is greater, even in warmer climates.
Products with the HEAT technology are tailored to specific production phases that should be used for any time temperatures reach hotter than 70ºF.
These include:
• VitaFerm ConceptAid 5/S HEAT, a premium free choice 5 percent phosphorus vitamin and mineral supplement for beef cattle designed to support reproductive success. Use when temperatures are above 70ºF or when cattle are grazing fescue.
• VitaFerm Concept Aid 5/S HEAT with ClariFly, a premium free choice 5 percent phosphorus vitamin and mineral supplement with ClariFly for beef cattle. It functions best when fed while temperatures are above 70ºF or when cattle are grazing fescue to support reproductive success.
• VitaFerm HEAT Stress Tub is a tub for cattle that supports digestive health and intake when temperatures are above 70ºF. Formerly known as Vita Charge HEAT Stress Tub.
Keep an eye out this year! We’ll be introducing more products with the HEAT technology as we enter into the hot and humid season.
About BioZyme. 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
Have you forgotten something? Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association!
Working in the cattle business is not for the faint of heart. Between the physical demands, early mornings, late nights, and battling the elements, we all work in an extremely challenging industry. I learned early on that if I was going to be successful, I couldn’t do it alone; I needed partners to have my back. During my career, those partners have included local USDA staff, my lender, and my accountant, but the most important partner is NCBA.
The founders of our association recognized this, too. Back in 1898, the first convention of the National Live Stock Growers Association — which would later become NCBA — focused on the need for producers to join together and speak with one unified voice. Attendees like Colorado rancher G.F. Patrick spoke about the major powers of the day that held disproportionate sway over individual producers. Patrick’s solution? A national association. “Alone, the [cattleman] is nothing; in combination, everything,” he said.
NCBA’s policy success in Washington, D.C., is strengthened by our partnerships with other agricultural organizations. NCBA is host to a regular “barnyard” meeting consisting of other livestock and crop industry associations, where we discuss the major issues threatening farmers and ranchers in all segments of agriculture. These meetings lead to comments to federal agencies on major rules or advocacy for legislation supporting producers. When not just the cattle industry but all agriculture aligns on an issue, we are a force to be reckoned with in Washington, D.C.
One of the most impactful partnerships to me is our relationship with the Public Lands Council (PLC). Since 1968, PLC has represented western ranchers who hold federal grazing permits. Approximately 22,000 ranchers hold permits to graze on more than 250 million acres managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. In fact, nearly 40 percent
of the western cattle herd spends time on public lands. Public lands ranchers face a particularly challenging set of issues. Raising cattle on your own private land is already difficult enough, but for us in the West, we must also deal with the federal government being our landlord. Because of our relationship with federal agencies, anti-agriculture activists target us with a host of environmental restrictions with the goal of removing our cattle from the range all together. Public lands are a testing ground for these activists. If they succeed in the West, you can count on them trying the same tactics on your private land, too.
Across the years, our operation has changed with the introduction of new tools and technology. We can now watch trends and measure the different heights of our grasses, track moisture, and even fly drones to monitor our cattle. These practices have made our ranch more sustainable and improved our efficiency, which is also a priority for NCBA. Through webinars, hands-on trainings,
and educational resources shared through land-grant universities, NCBA is proud to share the latest information in animal husbandry, sustainable grazing, and conservation. I certainly believe “The Right Way is the Only Way” to raise cattle, and our partnerships with experts have helped expand the Checkoff funded Beef Quality Assurance program. I am BQA certified, and I hope you are, too, because continuous improvement moves our entire industry forward.
To recognize sustainability in the cattle industry, NCBA partners with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, conservation groups, and private companies to honor producers’ conservation achievements with the Environmental Stewardship Award Program. The award showcases the great work being done on farms and ranches across the country that protect our natural resources, and the national winner is G Bar C Ranch in Rosston, Texas. In yet another example of partnership, nominations for the award come from groups like the Nature Conservancy, Society for Range Management, state game and park services, state extension services, universities, wildlife organizations, and livestock groups. It is a testament to NCBA’s work bringing people together that these various groups can all be at the same table, focusing on the cattle industry.
Whether you’re a part of NCBA for representation in Washington, D.C., the educational resources, or to have a voice in cattle industry policy — thank you for trusting us to be your partner. Together, we’re building a brighter future for the cattle industry.
“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
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Veterinarians Detail Ear Tag, Tattoo Equipment, and Best Practices. Individual identification of cattle is important for many reasons, making it possible to identify a number of important management aspects.
“Common variables to track include body condition scoring, calving date, ease of calving, weaning weight and average daily gain, milk production, vaccination/ processing date and products used, and tracking animal health and treatments. These records allow producers to make appropriate management decisions,” says Tony Hawkins, DVM, Valley Vet Supply consulting veterinarian.
Knowing individual animal treatment is essential for record keeping purposes. Importantly, the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program places a high emphasis on proper record keeping, including individual animal identification. “We all know the importance of adhering to BQA guidelines, so we can continue to produce high quality, safe beef that consumers will trust to feed their families,” Dr. Hawkins adds.
Let’s review ear tag and tattoo equipment, and application best practices.
Ear Tag - There are many ear tag options available: colors, retention method, numbered vs. blank, engravable, electronic identification (EID), also referred to as radio frequency identification (RFID) – the list goes on, Dr. Hawkins outlined.
When applying tags, you’ll need ear tag(s) of choice, the correct applicator, a tag removal knife and pen (for blank tags), disinfectant solution, and, for safety, a chute and halter.
Best Practices
• Make sure you have the correct tag applicator, recommends Julia Herman, DVM, MS, beef cattle specialist veterinarian with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “There are many styles of ear tags and they each have their own applicator. Confirm you have the correct applicators for the tag you are using before herd work.”
• “Clean ears are ideal. Placing a tag in a muddy ear could introduce dirt or bacteria into the site. This can cause an infection or abscess, and the tag could fall out later,” explains Dr. Herman.
• Place tags into the middle third of the ear; between the upper and lower ribs is the strongest part of the ear. This will prevent tags from being ripped out when
cattle end up in the brush or trees.
• RFID tags are easiest to read with a stick reader or wand, but they can still be read if animals are properly restrained. Wands allow fast reading and data management. When applying, ensure the button is on the inside of the ear, and the visual panel is on the outside of the ear.
Tattoo - “A tattoo makes a permanent form of identification – it is often required for registration with breed associations, so seedstock producers should tattoo their cattle,” recommends Dr. Hawkins. “In addition to this, it can make an excellent ‘backup’ form of identification for commercial producers.” For example, Dr. Hawkins shared that if an animal loses their ear tag, you can reference the tattoo number and use your records to reapply the correct ear tag number.
When applying a tattoo, you will need tattoo pliers, tattoo digits, tattoo ink, paper towels or a cloth, a toothbrush, rubbing alcohol, thick paper/cardboard, disposable gloves, a halter, and a chute for safety.
Best Practices
• If you have registered cattle, talk with your breed association and follow their guidelines for tattoos, recommends Dr. Herman. Work with your veterinarian if you have questions.
• Ensure cattle are properly restrained in a chute (a fitting chute is not recommended.)
• Clean the ear using paper towels or gauze and rubbing alcohol to help avoid infection and potentially spreading a virus from one animal to the next. Alcohol is the recommended disinfectant when tattooing — using soap, iodine, or chlorhexidine can cause the tattoo ink to smear and not stick.
• Before tattooing the ear, you can do a test run to ensure proper placement — use the tattoo on thick cardboard to make sure the digits line up.
• Dr. Herman recommends wearing rubber or disposable gloves when tattooing for biosecurity and to keep hands clean. “My preference is to clean the ear, put the ink directly into the ear where you’ll put the tattoo, and firmly close the pliers to press ink into the tissue. Next, I have a toothbrush that I use to rub ink into the tattoo holes. Then, I place the applicator into a cup or bucket with alcohol in it, so it’s disinfected between animals.”
• The tattoo should last years, so make sure you have firm, even pressure when pressing the applicator together on the ear. Apply the tattoo in the unhaired portion of the inner ear, away from where hair is growing. The hair follicles will grow where the tattoo was placed, which will cause fading. Producers may need to check back for legibility over time.
Dr. Herman encourages producers to always emphasize human safety when tagging or tattooing and working around the head of these animals. Make sure cattle are restrained appropriately, and if needed, use a halter to help improve the safety and placement of the tag and tattoo.
“A well thought identification program provides the opportunity for producers to keep accurate records, which will ultimately optimize production and
profitability,” said Dr. Hawkins.
For your livestock identification needs and to learn more, visit www. ValleyVet.com
About Valley Vet Supply. Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians to provide customers with trusted 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 customers’ horse, livestock, and pet needs. For more information, please visit www.ValleyVet.com
S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of MARCH 2024
Beef Spokespeople Join Next Group of Trailblazers. The Trailblazers program, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, takes advocacy to an unprecedented level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths. After a competitive application process, ten Trailblazers have been selected for the program’s third cohort of beef community spokespeople, including:
• Mandy Atterholt, Ohio
• Amanda Hall, Kentucky
• Cara Henri, California
• Jessie Jarvis, Idaho
• Sierra Jepsen, Montana
• Katey Johnson, Oklahoma
• Anna Kobza, Nebraska
• Max Krupp, Texas
• Lettie McKinney, Kansas
• Arlie Reeves, Washington
“It’s evident that producers are seeking community across the industry as we received almost 50 applications for this year’s program, a 76 percent increase from last year,” said Chandler Mulvaney, director of grassroots advocacy and spokesperson development at NCBA. “The newly selected cohort will join efforts with previous Trailblazers, building
community, providing opportunities for mentorship, and collaborating with other experienced grassroots advocates.”
Trailblazers receive in-depth training to become expert communicators, excel in media interviews, and understand how to build confidence in beef related practices when talking to consumers. Throughout the year, Trailblazers will receive advanced training from subject matter experts, learning how to effectively engage on various social media platforms, interact with the media, and enhance public speaking skills.
Sebastian Meija Turcios of California, a participant in the inaugural class of Trailblazers, said the following about his experience, “The Trailblazers program has provided me with invaluable opportunities to find my role as a leader in the beef industry and to make connections that will endure the test of time. As a scientist, Trailblazers has provided me with the tools and skills that will help me be a stronger communicator.”
Trailblazers will meet online and in-person to foster constant growth and refinement of skill sets when speaking about beef. Upon joining the advanced advocacy program, Trailblazers serve as industry spokespeople and inform beef advocates at the local and state levels on advocacy, media, and
spokesperson best practices. Every year, ten new Trailblazers are accepted into the community building program.
For more information on the Trailblazers program and other beef advocacy efforts, contact Chandler Mulvaney at cmulvaney@beef.org
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¢ of 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 Trailblazers. The Checkoff funded Trailblazers program was created in 2021 to support the efforts of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, in identifying, recruiting, empowering, and engaging with advocates in the beef community. The program will provide a train-the-trainer model to support state beef councils and partner organizations in mobilizing a cadre of spokespeople who are equipped to have tough conversations and seek solutions in telling the beef story.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board to succeed 35 members with terms that expire in March 2025 who represent the following states and units:
• Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
• Mid-Atlantic Unit - South Carolina and West Virginia
• Northeast Unit - Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont
• Southwest Unit - California and Nevada
• Importer Unit
The deadline for nominations is May 17. Individuals appointed to the board will serve three year terms beginning in February 2025.
The Cattlemen’s Beef Board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 and is composed of 99 members representing 34 separate states, four units geographically grouped states, and one importer unit.
Beef producers in the United States who own cattle or any importers that import cattle or beef may be nominated. Producers and importers must be nominated by a certified producer organization and submit a completed application. The Secretary of Agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted.
A list of certified producer organizations, the nomination form, and information about the Cattlemen’s Beef Board are available on the AMS Cattlemen’s Beef Board webpage at www.ams.usda. gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/ beef and on the board’s website at www. beefboard.org . For more information, contact Barbara Josselyn at 202-713-6918 or Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov
Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils, and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
The 2024 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook shares global feed production survey data and influential trends in agriculture. Data collected from 13th annual global feed survey estimates world feed production remains steady, with a slight decrease of 0.2 percent to 1.29 billion metric tons. Lower demand attributed in part to more efficient use of feed; poultry feed shows most significant growth. Global animal feed production remained steady in 2023 at 1.29 billion metric tons (BMT), a slight decrease of 2.6 million metric tons (MMT) — or 0.2 percent — from 2022’s estimates, according to the 2024 Agri-Food Outlook, released recently by Alltech. The annual survey, now in its 13th year, includes data from 142 countries and more than 27,000 feed mills.
The overall lower demand for feed was due, in part, to the more efficient use of feed made possible by intensive production systems that focus on using animal nutrition, farm management, and other technologies to lower feed intake while producing the same amount of protein or more. A slowdown in the overall production of animal protein, in response to tight margins experienced by many feed and animal protein companies, also contributed to lower feed demand. Changing consumption patterns caused by inflation and dietary trends, higher production costs, and geopolitical tensions also influenced feed production in 2023.
Top 10 countries - The top ten feed producing countries are China (262.71 MMT, +0.76 percent), the U.S. (238.09 MMT, -1.13 percent), Brazil (83.32 MMT, +1.84 percent), India (52.83 MMT, +13.43 percent), Mexico (40.42 MMT, +0.02 percent), Russia (35.46 MMT, +3.83 percent), Spain (27.53 MMT, -11.88 percent), Vietnam (24.15 MMT, -9.63 percent), Japan (23.94 MMT, -1.15 percent), and Türkiye (23.37 MMT, -11.48 percent). Together, the top ten countries produced 63.1 percent of the world’s feed production (same as in 2022), and almost half of the world’s global feed production is concentrated in four countries: China, the U.S., Brazil, and India.
Cattle results and outlook:
• Dairy feed tonnage decreased by 2.3 percent (126.23 MMT, -2.28 percent), primarily due to the high cost of feed combined with low milk prices, which led farmers to make strategic adjustments that included reducing their cow numbers and/ or relying more on non-commercial feed sources.
- In Europe, dairy producers will continue to grapple with stricter environmental policies in the years ahead, and they will need to find new - AsiaPacific managed to buck the downward trend and emerged as the only region that increased its dairy feed tonnage in 2023. This growth was fueled by a continued increase in the consumption of milk products there, as well as an expansion of feed production in co-operatives.
- This shift reflects the delicate balance between economic factors and the need to sustain dairy production. Lower feed costs and higher milk prices would help right the ship.
• Beef feed production decreased by 4.36 percent (117.49 MMT, -5.35 MMT) globally — the most pronounced downward change among all species sectors last year. Changes in cattle cycles in the United States and stricter sustainability policies in Europe had major impacts, with the Asia-Pacific beef sector notably surpassing Europe’s in 2023.
- The substantial decline in North America was the result of lingering droughts and high production costs, among other issues.
- While the European and North American beef industries are expected to continue declining in 2024, growth is expected in China, Brazil, and Australia — highlighting the complex dynamics and landscape of beef feed production around the world.
Notable regional results:
• North America saw a decrease of 2.8 MMT (259.26 MMT, -1.1 percent), with beef feed tonnage down significantly. The pig and dairy sectors also slipped slightly, but the broiler, layer, and pet sectors more than made up the difference. Feed tonnage in the broiler sector was up nearly 2.9 percent.
• Latin America experienced growth in 2023 by 2.46 MMT (200.67 MMT, +1.24 percent). Despite high production costs, geopolitical tensions, and changing consumer behavior due to economic reasons, the region continues to lead global growth, mainly because of its export driven aquaculture, poultry, and pork markets.
• Europe continued its downward trend in feed production, with a decrease of 10.07 MMT (253.19 MMT, -3.82 percent) due to issues that included the invasion in Ukraine and the spread of animal diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza (AI).
• Asia-Pacific led feed production
growth in 2023, with an increase of 6.54 MMT (475.33 MMT, +1.4 percent). Feed production growth in the region’s ruminant sectors offset a setback in the aqua sector. The region is home to several of the top ten feed producing countries, including China, India, Vietnam, and Japan.
• Africa experienced continued but slower growth with an increase of 1.95 percent, nearly 1 MMT to total 51.42 MMT.
• The Middle East saw a slight decrease of 0.12 MMT (35.93 MMT, -0.32 percent).
• Oceania had the third highest growth, 3.71 percent or 0.39 MMT to total 10.78 MMT.
Alltech works together with feed mills and industry and government entities around the world to compile data and insights to provide an assessment of feed production each year. Compound feed production and prices were collected by Alltech’s global sales team and in partnership with local feed associations in the first quarter of 2024. These figures are estimates and are intended to serve as an information resource for industry stakeholders.
To access more data and insights from the 2024 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook, including an interactive global map, visit alltech.com/agri-food-outlook
About Alltech. Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers
smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our diverse portfolio of products and services improves the health and performance of plants and animals, resulting in better nutrition for all and a decreased environmental impact.
We are a global leader in the agriculture industry. Our team produces specialty ingredients, premix supplements, feed, and biologicals backed by science and an unparalleled platform of services.
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. As a private, family owned company, we adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and focus on advanced innovation.
We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet. Our more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide share our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty. Together, we can provide nutrition for all, revitalize local economies, and replenish the planet’s natural resources.
Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech serves customers in more than 120 countries, has five bioscience centers, and operates more than 80 manufacturing facilities across the globe. For more information, visit www.alltech.com
ASI and NCBA Release Guidance Criteria for Livestock Grazing on Public Lands During FMD Outbreak. Managing livestock grazing on federal public lands in a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak will pose unique challenges for ranchers and animal health officials. That is why the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) received USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) funding to work with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and other stakeholders to develop movement decision criteria guidance that addresses the unique scenarios that would arise for federal lands grazers. Resources are now available on the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply and Secure Beef Supply websites under the Public Land Grazing pages.
“With about half of the U.S. ewe inventory that seasonally graze on permitted federal grazing lands, this project provides needed information for ranchers and decision makers,” said ASI President Brad Boner. “The rancher’s and other stakeholder involvement on the Advisory Group is greatly appreciated. Their input helped ensure the guidance created represented the realities and capabilities of this important sector of our industry.”
“Having raised cattle on both public and private land for almost my entire life, I know firsthand how important Western cattle production is to the national industry and how complicated disease preparedness can be when we start talking about federal grazing allotments,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele. “For the first time, there are now resources that specifically consider those unique challenges and give detailed guidance to producers ranching on federal lands.”
An effective FMD response involving federal public lands will require interagency collaboration. Together, ASI and NCBA assembled an Advisory Group of federal public land grazing stakeholders. Guidance that is now posted on the websites above was developed through two years of virtual and in-person meetings with sheep and cattle producers who hold federal grazing permits, the Public Lands Council, State Animal Health Officials, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Wildlife Services, and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
This guidance provides resources to livestock producers to voluntarily prepare before an FMD outbreak. Using “real time” scenario exercises, guidance was improved to provide decision makers with necessary information to ensure animal needs and response goals are met. Some decision criteria include assessing adequate feed/water, mitigating interactions with wildlife, and implementing just-in-time biosecurity. More information is available in the Movement Decision Criteria for Industry and Regulatory Officials Managing Cattle and Sheep Grazing Federal Public Lands during an FMD Outbreak document.
A webinar hosted by USDA will be held on May 13 at 2:00 p.m. EST, with presentations by ASI and NCBA describing this project and resources. Register at www.zoomgov.com/j/1601496343
ASI and NCBA appreciate the time and effort put in by the Advisory Group, as well as Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, consultant with Preventalytics, in the creation of materials. ASI and NCBA each provide unique resources for sheep and cattle producers to prepare for, respond to, and enhance their resiliency for an FAD event. This collaboration across the sheep and cattle industries with state and federal partners demonstrates impactful results to secure business continuity and a safe food supply.
Background - The U.S. is currently free of the FMD virus. The Secure Sheep and Wool Supply (SSWS) Plan and Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plan for continuity of business provides opportunities for industry partners to voluntarily prepare before an FMD outbreak. If FMD were found in U.S. livestock, regulatory officials will limit the movement of animals and animal products to try and control the spread of this very contagious animal disease. During this time, control areas will be established around infected premises, and movement restrictions will be implemented. Given the nature of federal lands grazing, containment of livestock and mitigation of risk will require different strategies than private land containment measures. When the control areas encompass part or all of a public land grazing allotment in one or more states, there are unique challenges for sheep and cattle producers to mitigate disease exposure risks. FMD is not a
threat to public health or food safety.
NCBA Urges USDA to Reverse Decision to End Reporting of Critical Cattle Industry Data. Recently, NCBA criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Services’ (USDA-NASS) decision to cancel the July Cattle Report and discontinue the County Estimates for Crops and Livestock, among other changes. These reports provide critical data, and the decision to end them is completely misguided.
“It is disingenuous for the same agency which touts its commitment to transparency in livestock markets to arbitrarily cease publication of reports which provide just that. While it may be politically expedient to blame appropriators in Congress for today’s decision, cattle producers know better than to believe discontinuing a handful of reports will result in substantive cost savings for the Department,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “NCBA calls on USDA-NASS to immediately reverse this decision and continue delivering on its stated mission of providing timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture.”
NCBA Concludes Successful Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Producers Discussed Farm Bill, Reducing Regulation, and Countering Animal Rights Activists. NCBA recently concluded another successful Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The three day event brings cattle producers from across the country to Washington to meet with federal agencies and elected members of Congress.
“This Legislative Conference was a great opportunity to meet with our representatives in Congress and discuss issues with agencies like USDA, EPA, and the Fish and Wildlife Service,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher. “I am thankful for the work that NCBA’s team does every day in Washington, and meetings like this are so valuable for showing policymakers how the decisions they make here in Washington impact our farms and ranches thousands of miles away.”
This year, more than 300 cattle producers traveled to Washington and
participated in 170 meetings on Capitol Hill. Attendees also met with officials from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Farm Service Agency. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also shared valuable updates on the inspections that occur at ports of entry to prevent diseases and pests from entering the United States.
“The Legislative Conference is a testament to NCBA’s grassroots leadership and role as a member driven organization,” said Idaho rancher and NCBA Policy Division Chair Kim Brackett. “Unlike activist led groups that are little more than a fundraising website and a lobbyist, NCBA represents real farming and ranching families across the country. We showed that to members of Congress and agency staff, and delivered the message that policymakers need to listen to real cattle producers when making decisions that impact our livelihood. I have seen firsthand how NCBA’s work in Washington benefits our industry and I encourage you to join us and support that work too.”
During the event, NCBA members discussed their priorities for the next Farm Bill, including the need for animal health, disaster relief, risk management, and voluntary conservation programs. Producers also urged policymakers to reduce red tape on farms and ranches by reeling in overreaching regulations from federal agencies. Additionally, members discussed the need to protect the cattle industry from the threat of foreign animal disease and defend the Beef Checkoff from animal rights activist attacks.
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
After drought, managing calf and cow health is critical. The effects of drought conditions on the cow herd can extend beyond the cow to the newborn calves, especially if they’re born into wet conditions, said Jess Hinrichs, DVM, with Zoetis beef technical services, based in Sutton, Nebraska.
“It comes down to cows with poor body condition scores. It’s well documented that cows with poor body condition will have poor-quality colostrum, and that we get less colostral transfer to those calves,” Dr. Hinrichs said. “After a drought, these cows have been impacted and haven’t gained any body condition. Their calves are going to get less immunity through their colostrum than they would in a normal year. The calves are going to be more susceptible to early life or neonatal health challenges if we don’t have that foundation of immunity that we typically get from colostrum.”
As far as disease challenges facing these immunosuppressed calves, the main ones are scours (neonatal diarrhea) and respiratory disease.
“We’re going to be dealing with conditions at calving that are much wetter than we’ve expected and more favorable for stress and pathogen exposure,” Dr. Hinrichs said.
Scours tends to be more of a management disease, so reducing pathogen exposure and increasing the comfort for those calves is a good start to helping the calves get through the period of greatest risk.
If possible, he recommends employing a “Sandhills” style calving system, which includes some rotation throughout the calving period, expecting cows to be removed to a fresh pasture, and leaving cow/calf pairs behind.
Other practices that can help include giving cow/calf pairs more space and providing ample bedding and/or a sheltered area that calves can access. These areas need to be cleaned out and re-bedded on a routine schedule so they don’t become heavily contaminated.
For respiratory conditions, Dr. Hinrichs recommends focusing more on colostrum management and, potentially, supplementation, whether with actual colostrum from within the herd or from some of the commercial colostrum supplements on the market. “This might be a good year to try to manage colostrum better and provide extra supplementation for those calves,” he said.
He notes that increasing the use of intranasal vaccines, such as Inforce 3, early in life helps provide respiratory protection without maternal antibody interference, which is sometimes seen with injectable respiratory vaccines.
Dr. Hinrichs also recommends giving calves a respiratory vaccine just before they’re turned out on grass. For cow/calf producers, respiratory disease is a large component of calf losses, so providing a boost with another vaccination at branding or turnout can help limit those losses. At turnout or branding, the twomonth-old calf’s immune system is more mature than it was at a week of age, so there is going to be a stronger immune response to that vaccine, providing protection into the summer months.
These later vaccinations also help prime the calves for the next round of vaccines at preconditioning or weaning, Dr. Hinrichs said. If the immune system is primed from a branding vaccination for respiratory disease, there is a two fold benefit from those vaccines: (1) calves are better protected while on grass, and (2) calves are set up for a quicker and higher level of protection at weaning.
With the calves set up for a strong start, it is also time to support the cow as she prepares for the breeding season. “The biggest thing we can do to help that cow is supporting her nutritionally. We’ve got to be heavily focused on rations and make sure we’re providing her with everything she needs,” Dr. Hinrichs said.
This means working with a nutritionist to make sure rations are meeting nutritional needs to get the cow herd into at least a maintenance state or, better yet, gaining body condition heading
into breeding season. Micronutrients – vitamins and minerals – should not be neglected at this time, he said, as deficiencies are often seen after a drought, and drought stressed forages may have the same deficiencies. It may be more important to test forages this year as they may not contain the expected nutrient levels.
While the nutritional side of cattle
management is important in the gestation period, producers should not neglect their vaccination programs either, Dr. Hinrichs said. “We want to do everything we can do to protect those fetuses because fetal losses can add up, and fetuses may be more fragile this year than other years due to the drought.”
For more herd health information, visit www.BuildingHealthyHerds.com
American Farmer-Owned Premier Select Sires Announces Record Sales for 2023. Premier Select Sires recently announced record sales to memberowners of $41.5 million for 2023. This reflects $2 million in growth for semen and product sales in the year completed December 31. Operating profit was $800,000, and all segments of the cooperative showed increased sales.
“We are proud to serve the farmerowners of the 23 eastern United States in our area of service ranging from Kansas to Maine and to Florida. We listen to what our customers need and are glad to be seeing increased sales to those customers by meeting those needs with a highly trained team,” CEO Mark Carpenter announced during the meeting.
Parfect, Luster-P, and Lionel were the three highest selling sires in 2023, and feed additive Select DTX from Agrarian was recognized as the fastest growing product line in the history of Premier Select Sires. Select DTX has seen rapid adoption on many farms due to a recent research trial that showed 3.5 pounds of milk gain and increased conception on cows using DTX compared to the control group.
Vice President of Marketing Kirk Sattazahn also credited the activity system CowManager for increased satisfaction by customers. “Premier has always been focused on service and customer support. We are seeing how CowManager plays a key role in helping dairy and beef cattle owners make smart decisions at the farm level while receiving mating and reproductive assistance from the Premier team servicing the account,” said Sattazahn.
During the meeting, new officers from the board of directors were elected. These include Kenny Taylor from
Tennessee as President, James Cook from Virginia as 1st Vice President, Jim Houser from Pennsylvania as 2 nd Vice President, Mike Saylor from Tennessee as board Treasurer, and John Edd Harris from Georgia as board Secretary. New delegates and board members were also elected and seated during the meeting.
President Taylor reported that there was not much new news on the planned merger between Select Sires and ST Genetics. “I am glad that Premier Select Sires will remain a locally owned cooperative with equity that stays with the American farmer,” said Taylor. “As an increasing number of other semen providers get bought out by foreign owned private enterprises, our key beneficiary at Premier remains the American dairy and beef cattle owner.”
About Premier Select Sires. Premier Select Sires is a farmer owned cooperative that serves beef and dairy producers in its 23 state member area. Dedicated to providing its members with all they need to achieve success, Premier provides:
• Industry leading genetics from the Select Sires, Accelerated Genetics, and GenerVations brands
• Effective herd health and management products, as well as artificial insemination supplies
• Reliable services and programs backed by years of success
• Knowledgeable industry experts who are easily accessed for consultation, advice, and on-farm assistance
Together with its two sister cooperatives in the United States, Premier owns and controls Select Sires Inc., the world’s most recognized name in bovine genetics.
Ranchers Frustrated by Biden Administration’s Continued Steamroll over NW Washington Communities. Recently, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) condemned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) indication that they intend to proceed
with translocating grizzly bears to the North Cascades Ecosystem in northwest Washington state, despite longstanding and vocal objections from local communities and elected officials.
The final environmental impact statement released is not a final decision but indicates that USFWS is likely
to translocate bears to the area with a Section 10(j) rule under the Endangered Species Act in place — with the goal of eventually reaching a stable population of 200. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks.
“The 10(j) status included in the recent announcement may be the administration’s attempt to placate the state, but we continue to stand with the ranchers and rural families in northwest Washington who do not want this proposal to move forward at all,” said Director of PLC and NCBA Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes. “Dropping new apex predators into rural Americans’ backyards is not something that the federal government should undertake
without consensus. State and local stakeholders have made their serious concerns about this proposal known for years now, and plowing forward to the detriment of local farmers and ranchers would be unwise for both conservation of the species and health of the rural economy. We urge the administration to listen to local communities and reconsider this plan.”
Ranchers Slam Regressive Endangered Species Act Rulemakings. Recently, NCBA and PLC condemned the Biden Administration’s three finalized Endangered Species Act (ESA) rulemakings that significantly expand federal overreach and roll back reforms that previously provided some relief to farmers and ranchers.
“The Biden Administration’s goal should be to improve the broken ESA process and to leverage partnerships with cattle producers and landowners to conserve healthy habitat. Instead, these rules drastically increase the regulatory burden on farmers and ranchers,” said NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele. “Producers in the West are usually the most impacted by Endangered Species Act listings and habitat designations, but these rules now put every farmer and rancher in the country under the threat of a potential habitat designation, even if we are talking about private land and areas where a listed species has never lived before.”
This slate of rulemakings also reinstates the blanket 4(d) rule, a onesize-fits-all approach that creates more restrictions and red tape for ranchers trying to continue normal agriculture operations and carry out voluntary conservation activities around threatened species.
“These rules threaten the efficient operation of farms and ranches across the West, and they get in the way of the extensive, voluntary conservation work already happening on our public lands,” said PLC President and Colorado rancher Mark Roeber. “By reinstating the blanket 4(d) rule, allowing critical habitat designations in areas where the species can’t even live, and disregarding the economic impact of ESA decisions, the Biden Administration is further weaponizing the Endangered Species Act against ranchers and working lands in general.”
BLM Rule Threatens Multiple Use Management of Public Lands. Recently, NCBA and PLC expressed serious concerns about the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final “Conservation and Landscape Health” rule that reimagines the agency’s requirements to manage lands for multiple
uses, including livestock grazing.
“The BLM has a statutory responsibility to ensure multiple use on our nation’s public lands, which includes livestock grazing. It is extremely concerning that this rule makes serious additions to the leasing structure for federal lands without authorization or direction from Congress. Changes that aren’t based in law not only compromise the security of grazing on the landscape but make cohesive management much more challenging,” said NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele. “Ranchers have always and will always be serious partners in conservation and sensible land management, but after a year of feedback from agricultural organizations and local stakeholders, BLM has decided to move forward with the most concerning parts of this proposal.”
The final rule runs counter to the agency’s multiple use mandate under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). According to FLPMA, the BLM is required to balance the multiple uses of public lands, including recreation, energy, mining, timber, and grazing. The “Conservation and Landscape Health” rule rearranges agency priorities by putting a new, single use on equal footing with long established uses that Congress explicitly directed. The rule also places an outsized focus on the use of restrictive Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) designations that have compromised land and water health across the West. The result is a framework that gives the BLM more restrictive land management, increased conflict on the landscape, and an increased difficulty in delivering on the agency mission and programs to stakeholders across the West.
“The work ranchers and permittees do every day is conservation and crucial to landscape health across the West. Our priority continues to be defending grazing across the West, and despite our repeated warnings to the BLM, the agency is
forging ahead with a rule that threatens their ability to make sure even the most basic of functions can be delivered in a timely way,” said PLC President Mark Roeber, a Colorado rancher and federal grazing permittee. “The devil is in the details, and what we’ve seen so far is a rule that makes engagement in sage grouse discussions and others so much more complicated. The timing of this rule disenfranchises permittees who are working to be good partners and engage in other conservation efforts by increasing uncertainty and liability from extremists who only want to bully livestock producers off of working landscapes.”
NCBA, PLC, and more than 60 state and national agricultural groups previously submitted comments to the BLM highlighting concerns that this rule would upend the relationship between federal agencies and grazing permittees, opening the door for public lands grazing to be removed from the land entirely. Federal rangelands generate more than $3 billion annually in ecosystem services, which amounts to more than $20 per public acre of land grazed by cattle or sheep. When accounting for appropriated tax dollars and grazing fees paid by ranchers, that’s a net return of more than $19 on each grazed acre. Ecosystem services like wildfire mitigation, cutting down on invasive species, sequestering carbon, improving wildlife habitat, and preserving open green space for recreation are essential contributions of the Western ranching industry – not to mention the $2.1 billion in economic output attributable to livestock grazing on BLM land.
About the Public Lands Council. PLC represents 22,000 cattle and sheep producers who operate with federal grazing permits in the West. The PLC advocates for these western ranchers who preserve our nation’s natural resources while providing vital food and fiber to the nation and the world. Learn more at www.publiclandscouncil.org
San Antonio to Host CattleCon 2025. Annual Convention is “Where the Beef Industry Meets.” San Antonio, Tex., will host CattleCon 2025, the largest cattle industry event in the country, on February 4-6, 2025. Thousands of cattlemen and women will gather to learn, conduct business, network, and have fun.
San Antonio is known for adventure, a city rich in history, culture, and craveable cuisines. From The Alamo to the River Walk and beyond, San Antonio will create memorable experiences for CattleCon attendees.
CattleCon 2025 will feature popular events such as Cattlemen’s College, CattleFax Outlook Session, D.C. Issues
Update, Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Banquet, Environmental Stewardship Regional Awards, and Beef Quality Assurance Awards, along with a few new surprises to be announced.
The award winning NCBA Trade Show will be one of the largest ever with several acres of displays as well as live cattle handling demonstrations, educational sessions, and entertainment. Trade show exhibitors will feature the latest advancements, from equipment and technology to pharmaceuticals and feed supplements, all conveniently located under one roof.
Registration opens August 19, and additional information will be available soon at www.convention.ncba.org
Old Manning Rd., Sumter, SC 29150 803-481-2011 williammcleod@ftc-i.net • www.blackcrestfarm.com
Walter D. Shealy III and Family 20977 US Hwy 76 • Newberry, SC 29108 Walter Shealy • 803-924-1000 Dixon Shealy • 803-629-1174 walter@blackgrove.com • dixon@blackgrove.com www.blackgrove.com
Brangus
Oct. 25 — Yon Family Farms Maternal Roots Fall Female Sale, Saluda, S.C.
Oct. 26 — Yon Family Farms Maternal Roots Fall Bull Sale, Saluda, S.C.
ANGUS
May 4 — Whitestone Farm 31st Annual
Pasture Performance Tested Angus Bull & Female Sale, Aldie, Va.
May 25 — Ankony Farms Female
Dispersal Sale, Clarkesville, Ga.
Sep. 28 — Biltmore Livestock Sale, Asheville, N.C.
Oct. 19 — Fred Smith Company Ranch
Extra Effort Fall Sale, Clayton, N.C.
Oct. 19 — Wolf Creek Farms Second Annual Angus Bull Sale, Hawkinsville, Ga.
Oct. 25 — Yon Family Farms Maternal Roots Fall Female Sale, Saluda, S.C.
Oct. 26 — Yon Family Farms Maternal Roots Fall Bull Sale, Saluda, S.C.
Nov. 2 — TJB Balancer Maternal Magic
XIII Bull Sale, Chickamauga, Ga.
Nov. 16 — Southeast Bull Expo & Sale, Asheboro, N.C.
Dec. 7 — 49th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.
Dec. 14 — Brushy Mountain Genetics Sale, Taylorsville, N.C.
2025
Jan. 4 — EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C.
Brahman
Jun. 1 — The Carolina Brahman Breeders Association 44th Annual Sale, Laurens, S.C.
A man was arrested for stealing a can of peaches.
When he is brought before the judge, the judge asks, “How many peaches were in the can?”
The man replies, “Six, Your Honor.”
“In that case, you will go to jail for six days. One for each peach.”
Hearing that, his wife stood up and said, “Your Honor, he also stole a can of peas.”
In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field.
They released the following statement:
“We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren’t expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear poop. Black bear poop is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear poop has little bells in it and smells like pepper.”
Bob and Roger kept each of their horses in the same field. To help tell them apart, Bob tied a red ribbon to his horse’s tail,
and Roger tied a blue ribbon to his horse’s tail.
The next morning, when they went to check on their horses, they noticed that the ribbons had fallen off of the horses’ tails.
“Now how will we tell our horses apart?” Bob said despairingly.
Roger mused for a moment, then was struck by an idea. “I know... how about if you take the brown one and I take the grey one?”
The fisherman got such a reputation for stretching the truth that he bought a pair of scales and insisted on weighing every fish he caught, in the presence of witnesses.
One day a doctor borrowed the fisherman’s scales to weigh a new born baby.
The baby weighed 40 pounds.”
Morris, an 82-year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later, the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm.
A couple of days later, the doctor spoke to Morris and said, “You’re really doing great, aren’t you?”
Morris replied, “Just doing what you said, Doc...‘Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.’’’
The doctor replied, “I didn’t say that. I said, ‘You’ve got a heart murmur,. Be careful.’’’
GELBVIEH
Nov. 2 — TJB Gelbvieh Maternal Magic XIII Bull Sale, Chickamauga, Ga.
Dec. 7 — 49th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.
May 4 — 4th Annual S.C. Hereford Association & Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Joint Sale, Pendleton, S.C.
May 27 — The Mead Program Sale w/ White Hawk Ranch, Midville, Ga.
Dec. 14 — Brushy Mountain Genetics Sale, Taylorsville, N.C.
Red Angus
May 4 — 4th Annual S.C. Hereford Association & Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Joint Sale, Pendleton, S.C.
Santa gertrudis
May 11 — Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas 51st Annual Sale, Monroe, N.C.
SIMMENTAL
Sep. 6 — N.C. Simmental Association Field Day, Union Grove, N.C.
Sep. 7 — N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale, Union Grove, N.C.
Oct. 19 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Fall Sale, Clayton, N.C.
Oct. 25 — Yon Family Farms Maternal Roots Fall Female Sale, Saluda, S.C.
Oct. 26 — Yon Family Farms Maternal Roots Fall Bull Sale, Saluda, S.C.
Dec. 7 — 49th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.
WAGYU
Nov. 1 — Wilders Wagyu StayWILD ‘25 Production Sale, Turkey, N.C.
Commercial cattle
May 11 — Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas 51st Annual Sale, Monroe, N.C.
May 18 — Chessie Creek Farm & Partners 2nd Annual Heifer Sale, Walterboro, S.C.
May 18 — Stanly County Livestock Exchange Special Cow Sale, Norwood, N.C.
OTHER EVENTS
May 8-9 — Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit, Kansas City, Mo.
May 9 — Piedmont Emergency Animal Response Team Training Course, Winston-Salem, N.C.
May 16 — Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics - Meeting 1, Louisburg, N.C.
May 16 — Vytelle Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) Event, Turkey, N.C.
May 19 — Beef Quality Assurance Training, Butner, N.C.
May 23 — Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics - Meeting 2, Louisburg, N.C.
Jun. 10-13 — 2024 BIF Annual Symposium, Knoxville, Tenn.
Aug. 15 — Piedmont Emergency Animal Response Team Training Course, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Sep. 17 — Piedmont Emergency Animal Response Team Training Course, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Livestock market sales
May 6 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C.
May 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com
May 8 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
May 13 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C.
May 15 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
May 18 — Stanly County Livestock Exchange Special Cow Sale, Norwood, N.C.
May 20 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C.
May 21 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com
May 22 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
May 29 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
Jun. 3 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C.
Jun. 3 — Saluda Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, Saluda, S.C.
Jun. 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com
Jun. 5 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
Jun. 10 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C.
Jun. 10 — Saluda Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, Saluda, S.C.
Jun. 12 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
Jun. 17 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C.
Jun. 17 — Saluda Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, Saluda, S.C.
Jun. 18 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com
Jun. 19 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
Jun. 24 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C.
Jun. 24 — Saluda Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, Saluda, S.C.
Jun. 26 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
