A Message from the CEO — Whatever the Direction, NCBA Will Lead, by Colin Woodall ..................................................................................................................... page 62
Amazing Grazing — Find Your Proper Place in the Ecology of Your Pastures, by Dr. Matt Poore .................................................................................................................... page 10
American Angus Association Announces the Ten North Carolina and South Carolina Breeders Who Registered the Most Angus ..................................................................... page 25
American Angus Association News ....................................................................................... page 26
Ashley’s Beef Corner — North Carolina to Nebraska by Way of Beef, by Ashley W. Herring ............................................................................................................... page 8
Clemson Corner — Cattle Industry Commentary, by Matthew Fischer & Brian Beer .......................................................................................... page 20
Director’s Report — Thankful, by Travis W. Mitchell .............................................................. page 3
DOE Launches Prize for Cattle Agrivoltaics ........................................................................ page 62
E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Is It Just Luck?, by E.B. Harris ................................... page 12
Have You Herd — Cattle Can’t Keep Records, But We Sure Can!, by Savannah Streeter .............................................................................................................. page 18
Merck Animal Health News ..................................................................................................... page 50
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ..................................................................... page 68
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — A Challenging Summer Comes to an End, by Mark Eisele ......................................... page 67
New NCCA Members for 2024 ................................................................................................. page 56
North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ............................................................ page 33
Pasture Management Systems, Inc. “Mile of Fence” Program Update ........................... page 55
Public Lands Council News ....................................................................................................... page 58
Red Angus Association of America News .............................................................................. page 42
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
The Carolina Cattle Connection
Vol. 38, No. 11 NOVEMBER 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
Brangus Cattle … page 4
Association Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Historic Gathering in Fort Worth … page 6
Association Announces Executive Transition … page 7
in North Carolina and South Carolina … page 7 EC Brangus, by Evon Crooks … page 5
… page 5
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Director’s report
By TRAVIS W. MITCHELL, Executive Director, SCCA
Thankful
As I sit to write this article, it has been two weeks since Hurricane Helene ripped through the Southeast, causing catastrophic damage in its path. It is hard to put into words what so many of us faced after the storm. For many of us, the recovery will take months or even years. It was so uplifting to watch communities come together and help each other in need. Many people put aside their own needs to go help others. Schools, churches, and communities pulled together minutes after the storm was over to help out others. Our hearts go out to our neighbors in western North Carolina. We will all rebuild, one day at a time.
The S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Foundation’s (SCCF) scholarship applications are now available on our website. The SCCF will fund one $1,000 youth scholarship for an undergraduate
college student whose intent is to pursue a four-year degree in a curriculum of applied agricultural sciences. Also, the SCCF will fund one $1,000 youth scholarship for an undergraduate college student whose intent is to pursue a four year degree in a curriculum that is nonagricultural.
The SCCF will fund one $500 youth scholarship for an undergraduate college student whose intent is to pursue a four year degree in a curriculum of applied agricultural sciences. Also, the SCCF will fund one $500 youth scholarship for an undergraduate college student whose intent is to pursue a four year degree in a curriculum that is non-agricultural.
The SCCF will fund two $500 youth scholarships for a student whose intent is to pursue a two year degree in applied agricultural sciences, a non-agricultural
Regular copy deadline is NOVEMBER 5 for the DECEMBER issue
Spotlight material is due NOVEMBER 1 for the DECEMBER issue
field, or a technical college.
2025 Scholarship Schedule
• November 1 — Scholarship announced in The Carolina Cattle Connection
• November 1 — SCCF Youth Scholarship information posted on the SCCA website and emailed to the membership
Completed applications must be returned to the state office (postmarked by December 15)
• December 15 — Selections made and winners notified.
• January 17, 2025 — Scholarship winners will be awarded their scholarship and recognized on January 31 at the 2025 SCCA Annual Conference.
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About Brangus Cattle
History
The Brangus breed was developed to utilize the superior traits of Angus and Brahman cattle. Their genetics are stabilized at ⅜ Brahman and ⅝ Angus.
The combination results in a breed that unites the traits of two highly successful parent breeds. Through rigorous natural selection, the Brahman cattle developed disease resistance, overall hardiness, and outstanding maternal instincts. Angus cattle are known for their superior carcass qualities. They are also extremely functional females that excel in both fertility and milking ability.
A review of the development of the Brangus breed takes us back beyond the founding of the American Brangus Breeders Association in 1949. However, registered Brangus cattle descend from the foundation animals recorded that year or registered Brahman and Angus cattle enrolled since then. Much of the early work in crossing Brahman and Angus cattle was done at the USDA Experiment Station in Jeanerette, Louisiana. According to the USDA 1935 Yearbook in Agriculture , the research with these crosses started about 1932.
During the same period, Clear Creek Ranch of Welch, Okla., and Grenada, Miss.; Raymond Pope of Vinita, Okla.; the Essar Ranch of San Antonio, Tex.; and a few individual breeders in other parts of the United States and Canada were also carrying on private experimental breeding programs. They were looking for a
Spotlight on BRAngUS
desirable beef type animal that would retain Brahman cattle’s natural ability to thrive under adverse conditions in combination with the excellent qualities for which Angus cattle are known.
The early breeders from 16 states and Canada met in Vinita, Okla., on July 2, 1949, and organized the American Brangus Breeders Association, later renamed the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA), with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. The headquarters eventually moved to San Antonio, Tex., where it has permanently been located since January of 1973. There are now members in nearly every state, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Central America, Argentina, and South Rhodesia in Africa.
Characteristics
Brangus cattle are black or red and polled, with a sleek coat and pigmented skin. Their ears are medium to large, and the skin is loose with neck folds. The rump is slightly rounded, and the bulls have a moderate hump.
Brangus have a good temperament which was originally selected for when the breed was created.
Mature Brangus bulls generally weigh between 1,800-2,000 pounds, while mature females generally weigh around 1,100-1,200 pounds.
Bulls mature by two years of age and are ready to go into service by 18 months. Heifers are ready to breed by 14 months of age and deliver their first calf at 24 months of age. The bulls can remain in
service through age 12, while the cows can produce calves beyond the age of 14.
This breed is considered to be very versatile, being high performers on pasture and in the feed yard. They have also proven resistant to heat and high humidity. Under conditions of cool and cold climate, they seem to produce enough hair for adequate protection.
The cows are good mothers, and the calves are usually of medium size at birth.
Statistics
• Resistant to heat and high humidity
• Hardy in cold climates
• Good mothers
• Resistance to ticks and bloat
• A good forager
• Rapid weight gain
• Average to slightly late maturing
• A carcass without excessive fat
Comparative
Research in Louisiana has indicated that Brangus cows increase their weights during the summer months while Angus cows lose weight, indicating they are more adaptable to coastal climates.
Carcass tests conducted by Texas A&M University confirmed the ability of Brangus to produce exceptionally high quality carcasses. There were 330 steers by 17 Brangus sires, and 32 Angus steers by two high marbling accuracy Angus carcass sired used in this test. The 19 sires were randomly bred to predominantly Brangus females. The cattle were managed alike, fed at Tri-State Feeders and harvested at Iowa Beef processors in Amarillo, Texas. The Warner-Bratzler Shear Force Test was conducted on ribeye samples from each of the steers. Of the Brangus samples, 97 percent scored “tender” or better, while 94 percent of the Angus samples tested tender. Brangus were 14-17 percent more favorable than the Angus average. According to the 1990 National Beef Tenderness Survey, the average for shear force rating was 7.4 pounds.
Distribution
Brangus can be found all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, and South Rhodesia in Africa.
EC Brangus
By EVON CROOKS
EC Brangus is owned by Evon and Carol Crooks. We have been producing registered Brangus cattle since 1998. We are located in Mocksville, North Carolina. Prior to 1989, we raised commercial cattle. Once we purchased the first two pairs in 1998, EC Brangus has been on a mission to produce the best in terms of EPDs (Expected Progeny Differences), ease of calving, high weaning weights, and yearling weights. The most important traits are performance, calmness, fertility, and feed conversion efficiency.
EC Brangus is a cow/calf operation that markets open and bred heifers and breeding age bulls. On average, we have about 20 Brangus females. We A.I. (artificial inseminate) all our females to some of the best herd sires across the United States. This allows us to continuously improve our herd and market some of the best animals in the Southeast. On weaning, we evaluate heifers and bulls for breeding soundness and do not hesitate to cull those that would not make good mama cows or herd bulls. EC Brangus offers only the best females and bulls to customers.
Evon is a former president of the
Spotlight on BRAngUS
e Special Section f
Southeast Brangus Breeders Association and has served on its board of directors for several years. EC Brangus has consigned animals to the annual Southeast sale in September. However, more recently, most of our animals are sold at the annual Cut Above Sale in Cullman, Ala., on the last
Saturday in April. This year, EC Brangus had the highest selling herd sire at the Cut Above Sale in Cullman, which is a testament to our breeding program. You
can also find EC Brangus cattle at the annual Wayne Addison Performance Sale in Cullman, Ala., in mid-October. You may contact Evon at 336-817-6890 for private treaty purchases. We have sold several bulls to commercial cattle farmers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and
Georgia. The data shows that Brangus sired calves can add 100 or more pounds to weaning weights. So, if you have a commercial operation with 50 heads, 100 lbs. extra weaning weight at $2 per pound will be $200 per head additional income, times 50 heads is $10,000 to your bottom line. So, paying $5,000 for a Brangus will add $5,000 more in annual net income on the first year of purchase.
During the summer, when our grandchildren are out of school, you will find them out on the farm with Grandpa, feeding, checking fences, and evaluating animals. We are passionate about Brangus cattle and would welcome anyone to call, email, or stop by to discuss our Brangus cattle operation.
Make Your Annual Award Nominations
Nominations are now open for Breeder of the Year, Pioneer of the Year, Commercial Producer of the Year, and Top Hand of the Year awards. Please refer to the description of each award below and send your nominations to the IBBA office at info@gobrangus.com by December 20.
To ensure that your nominee receives full and fair consideration, please provide a short essay highlighting the achievements, characteristics, and involvement of the nominee. Illustrate how they have advanced the Brangus breed and benefited fellow breeders. Please do not assume that the Awards Committee knows all the reasons why your nominee should be selected to receive the award.
• Breeder of the Year — a current member of the IBBA deserving recognition for his/her achievements, with emphasis on their contribution to the genetic advancement of the Brangus breed.
• Pioneer of the Year — recognizes an IBBA member — past or present — for his/her service, loyalty, and contributions to the association, their fellow breeders, and the Brangus breed.
• Commercial Producer of the Year — highlights a commercial producer’s achievements incorporating Brangus genetics into their breeding program.
• Top Hand of the Year — recognizes a current member of the IBBA who has gone “above and beyond” in service to their fellow breeders and the Brangus breed during the current year.
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Spotlight on BRAngUS
Brangus Association Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Historic Gathering in Fort Worth
The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) marked its 75 th anniversary with a grand event in Fort Worth, Tex., on August 9–10, attracting 420 participants from 21 states and seven countries. This historic gathering provided a significant opportunity for members to reflect on the association’s rich history, connect with fellow breeders, and focus on the future of the industry.
The anniversary celebration featured a series of commemorative events, including a Celebration Gala, an industry level panel discussion with leading seedstock breeders, and a forward looking session on the next 25 years of the cattle industry, as well as the sharing of cherished memories.
A committee of over 35 members, led by chairman Joy Reznicek Sundbeck, spent 13 months planning the weekend commemoration. The festivities kicked off with a reception featuring mariachis and country music. Breeders, both new and seasoned, took photos against a backdrop of a 1953 Brangus cattle photo from Iowa, reminiscing about old times while creating new memories.
The Celebration Gala, emceed by Bruce Maloch, Chris Hardee, and Wade Fisher, took the audience on a journey through 75 years of Brangus history with words and a pictorial display. The evening highlighted important milestones and recognized breeders who made significant contributions to the association. Notable attendees included past presidents, breeders of the year, the first scholarship winner, the first queen, a sale manager from northeast Oklahoma who was a teenager when the breed was founded, and past staff members. The Pennington family from South Texas was
also in attendance. Alfred Pennington, charter member #16, was in attendance at the founding meeting in 1949, and three generations of his family, who continue to raise Brangus under that registration number, were present at the gala. The evening included a celebratory toast, music, laughter, and a resolve to make the best breed better.
led
On Saturday, the 75 th Program Committee presented “A Look into the Future of the Cattle Industry,” an educational session that drew a standing room only crowd eager to hear insights from industry leaders.
Randy Blach, CattleFax CEO, urged attendees to learn from the past, emphasizing that while the industry is experiencing record high beef prices, consumers are also paying unprecedented prices. He noted that only 4 percent of the world’s population resides in the U.S., highlighting the importance of strong export markets. He also pointed out that current herd expansion is progressing slowly, which should keep markets high, and reminded the audience that the consumer is the ultimate source of new
income in the beef business.
A panel discussion followed, featuring Donnell Brown of R.A. Brown Ranch in Throckmorton, Tex.; Jack Holden of Holden Herefords in Valier, Mont.; Gabriel Connealy of Connealy Angus Ranch in Whitman, Neb.; and Mark Gardiner of Gardiner Angus in Ashland, Kansas. Each panelist shared an overview of their operation, strategies, and challenges before engaging in a lively Q&A session where they freely shared their knowledge.
nutritional value and longevity benefits. Leachman predicted that consumers would demand more information about their food, including where and how it was raised, and that local and specialized products would gain popularity. He also highlighted the growing role of machinery and technology in the beef industry in areas such as heat detection, feeding, and pinpointing sick animals in herds or feedlots. He forecasted that biosecurity would become increasingly
Lee Leachman of Leachman Cattle Company in Fort Collins, Colo., concluded the program with a presentation on the next 25 years in the cattle industry. He discussed upcoming megatrends, including the doubling of the global economy to over $220 trillion, an aging population, and the need for beef to be customized to provide increased
important with tighter restrictions on who and what enters operations. Additionally, he stressed the increased pressure on resources, predicting that consumers could consume 60 percent more resources by 2060, and the growing need for data to be utilized through artificial intelligence.
In addition to these activities, IBBA standing committees, regional
A panel featuring ranchers from iconic programs included Mark Gardiner, Gabriel Connealy, Jack Holden, Donnell Brown, and program moderators, Tracy Holbert, and Joe Fuller.
Wade Fisher, one of three emcees,
the toast to the breed.
Glenda and Doug Williams of Mocksville, N.C., were in attendance. Williams was the 2020 Brangus Pioneer Award winner.
e Special Section f
associations, and the International Brangus Auxiliary held meetings.
The celebration kicked off on August
Spotlight on BRAngUS
8 at GKB Brangus in nearby Desdemona, Tex., with a seedstock panel discussion featuring Jim Williams of V8 Ranch, Kevin Hafner of Express Ranches, Timmy Lucherk of MP Brangus, and Savannah Hanson, an officer of the International Junior Brangus Breeders Association. Hosts Gary and Kathy Buchholz welcomed the standing room only crowd to view their cattle operation, meet their staff, and enjoy a steak dinner and a visit with PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Jacobs Crawley.
The Brangus breed was officially formed on July 29, 1949, in Vinita, Oklahoma. Today, the association is headquartered in Adkins, Tex., and registers Brangus, Red Brangus, Ultrablack, and Ultrared cattle.
Brangus Association Announces Executive Transition
The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) has announced that Rick Cozzitorto has been hired as the new Executive Vice President. Cozzitorto replaces Dr. Darrell Wilkes, who is retiring following a four year stint as the Brangus executive.
Brangus in North Carolina and South Carolina
Registered Brangus must be ⅜ Brahman and ⅝ Angus, solid black, solid red, and polled as to confirmation and breed characteristics. Both sire and dam must be recorded with the International Brangus Breeders Association to register an offspring.
Brangus is the sustainable beef breed with more than 60 years of designed crossbreeding just for you. Brangus cattle make ranching operations more profitable and sustainable with animals that are more adaptable, improved longevity, and excellent reproductive efficiencies.
Brangus cross replacement females are known for easy fleshing, early puberty, and lower input cost as she consistently calves at an early age. Females usually have their first calf by their second birthday (two years old). Females are the ideal maternal choice for commercial cattlemen in maximizing profit.
If you are seeking higher weaning weights and increased profitability, invest in a registered Brangus bull to cross with your animals. You may contact any of the following Brangus breeders nearest you to purchase a registered Brangus bull:
L&W Cattle Co. - Doug Williams Mocksville, N.C. 336-745-5252
Whitley Cattle Co. - Steve Whitley Smithfield, N.C. 919-632-5107
Windless Farm - Michael Cocchiaro Hillsborough, N.C. 512-745-4795
Pine Knot Cattle Co. - Jeremy Sessoms Bennett, N.C. 336-408-8174
South Carolina
Harding Brangus - John Harding York, S.C. 803-242-3248
Dogwood Hill Farms - Richard Sox Lexington, S.C. 803-606-1439
Shiloh Hall, a Brangus breeder from Oklahoma and the current President of IBBA, said, “Our association is in a very strong position, and we are excited to be bringing Rick on board to continue our upward trends. His extensive background in the cattle industry and his deep experience in marketing will help us get the word out about our breed. We believe we have a very compelling value proposition for commercial cattle producers in the heat zones of this country and internationally, and Rick’s skill set is a great fit for our next steps forward.”
Hall continued, “We were gratified with the very competitive field of candidates that applied for this position. That’s a reflection on our breed’s growth and the realization that Brangus has a huge role to play in the beef industry.”
Joe Fuller, chairman of the IBBA Long Term Planning Committee, noted that the association’s long term plan included an objective of having a smooth transition from one executive to the next. Fuller added, “We can now put a check mark on that objective because Dr. Wilkes’ planned retirement includes him staying on board for a period of time to achieve a smooth handoff to Rick Cozzitorto.”
Cozzitorto brings 35 years of experience to IBBA. He served as a regional manager for the American Angus Association early in his career, and he parlayed that into a very successful career in livestock publishing and agribusiness, mostly in the animal health industry.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to further advance Brangus in the U.S. and international markets. The stage has been set for significant growth, and I look forward to being part of it,” Cozzitorto said.
“It has been a highlight of my career to work with Brangus breeders to advance the breed to the place it is now. It is very rewarding to hand the reins over to a person of Rick’s ability,” Wilkes said, adding, “I expect to see more great things happen for Brangus breeders and the savvy commercial producers who recognize the value of Brangus genetics.”
About the International Brangus Breeders Association. The International Brangus Breeders Association, headquartered in San Antonio, Tex., strives to provide the commercial cattle industry, domestically and internationally, with the best genetics possible. Founded in 1949 as the American Brangus Breeders, the organization has since evolved into the IBBA. The IBBA’s purpose is to enable its members to produce quality beef for the commercial cattle industry and its consumers. For more information about IBBA, visit www.gobrangus.com
Lee Leachman addressed the crowd on what things we can expect in the next 25 years in the beef industry.
Ashley’s Beef Corner T
North Carolina to Nebraska By Way of Beef
By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council
Registered dietitian and chef Tessa Nguyen of Durham, N.C., attended the Nebraska Beef Experience this summer. Tessa was part of a small group that toured farms, feed yards, and a harvesting facility. She learned how to create content to communicate with and educate her audience and fellow RDs
and chefs. Learning about BQA on the farm helped demonstrate the care cattle farmers have for animal husbandry. Tessa is appreciative of the Nebraska Beef Council for hosting the event.
Here’s a press release that gives details about the tour.
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managers, and online beef suppliers were guests on the Beef Experience Tour hosted by the Nebraska Beef Council on June 24-26. The tour attendees were visitors from states across the country, including New York, Michigan, Connecticut, and Nebraska. The tour was offered to help educate attendees on the various segments of the beef community and how farmers and ranchers work together to raise quality beef products.
“The guests on our tour work with beef products every day but don’t necessarily have the background on how beef is raised,” said Adam Wegner, director of marketing for the Nebraska Beef Council. “They are also influencers because of their ability to share their experience and knowledge through their communication with consumers. By giving them this first hand experience, we hope that they can help us share the story of beef production and build consumer confidence in our products.”
The tour started with a visit to Switzer Ranch near Burwell, where the group learned about the beginning stage of beef production on a cow/calf ranch including the use of genetics to improve efficiency and beef quality. From there, the group toured Adams Land & Cattle, a 125,000 head feedyard outside of Broken Bow. At the feedyard the attendees learned about the feeding process, animal care, and the use of technology to reduce the resources needed to feed cattle to their finish weight.
“Visiting Adams Land & Cattle was
an amazing experience, and I am humbled by the opportunity to get to learn how they utilize data with all the variables that affect feeding cattle, such as the weather, the economy, and feed costs,” said Jesus Pedraza, a meat and poultry merchant at Fresh Direct in Bronx, New York. “I am grateful for the time that everyone took from their daily activities to help us better understand not only the life cycle of cattle, but also the integral part Nebraska plays in feeding the world.”
The tour continued with a visit to Trampe Farms, a multi-generation crop farm near Riverdale, to learn about corn production and how 40 percent of Nebraska’s corn crop is used for livestock feed.
The final stop was a tour of Tyson Fresh Meats, a 4,600 head per day harvesting facility in Lexington. The group watched the harvest process and carcass breakdown, resulting in boxed beef ready for shipment around the world.
“There’s really no better place to tell the story of how beef is raised than right here in Nebraska,” said Wegner. “We have the ideal natural resources, access to quality feed, processing facilities, and generations of passionate people who are dedicated to raising high quality beef.”
Nebraska ranks second in total cattle numbers, with 6.25 million head in January of 2024. The total red meat production from Nebraska in 2023 surpassed 7.6 billion pounds, according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
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By DR. MATT POORE N.C. State University
Find Your Proper Place in the Ecology of Your Pastures
As I have grown older and wiser, I realize that my real calling is as an ecologist. I am a nutritionist by training, and my work in graduate school focused on starch and fiber interactions in the diets of beef and dairy cattle fed total mixed rations. Despite the specialization of my training, I never lost interest in the many different aspects of an agricultural system. I think that is because I grew up spending every summer on a farm in North Carolina, where I learned that taking technology and adapting it to fit your needs is the key to successful farming.
Ecology is defined by Webster’s as “a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments.” The living organisms, or “biotic components,” are made up of plants, animals, and microbes, while the physical “abiotic components” include things like soil texture (sand, silt, or clay), chemical nutrients, rainfall, and temperature.
On a macro scale, there are natural ecosystems like you might find in a wilderness area, and managed ecosystems like you would find in agricultural and forestry systems. In reality, there are very few truly natural ecosystems that are not touched by human management in some way.
Pastureland is an example of a very complex and interestingly managed ecosystem. It is a relatively easy system to discuss because we define it by putting a fence around it. Unfortunately, most of us were not taught to appreciate the wonders of this system. It is important for us to be able to identify and understand the major forage plant species that might be present, as well as the major weeds that are likely to be on our farms. We also need to have a better appreciation for soil health and the obvious benefits we get if we can produce high yields of high quality forages without fertilizer or herbicide inputs. We need to be more diligent about teaching these things to the next generation.
The factors that influence pasture production are unpredictable and can change rapidly, so a successful manager will practice “adaptive grazing management.” This means that the manager will have a firm long term goal they work toward, but that the day-to-day plan will be adapted given frequent observations of progress. Adaptive grazing management is only possible when the farmer, now called the “grazier,” makes frequent visits to the pasture to make critical observations and takes appropriate action. It does not mean you have to move animals every day or follow any other strict rules to be successful.
Through the Amazing Grazing Program, I often encounter farmers who have attended a regenerative grazing workshop and have “seen the light.” Their plan is to give up herbicides, fertilizers, dewormers, and vaccines cold turkey and to farm in accordance with nature. I am happy that someone motivated these folks to do a better job with their pastures and that they realize that their management is critical. However, abruptly giving up all inputs is probably not the best way to reach your final goal. As we teach in Amazing Grazing, “never say never, and never say always” when it comes to these tools that are tested and proven. Know when and how to use the tools you have to nudge your system in the direction you want it to go. While many herbicides kill our forage legumes and desirable forbes, that does not mean that you shouldn’t ever spray an herbicide. Likewise, some dewormers, especially ivermectin, are toxic to dung beetles, but that does not mean a strategic application of ivermectin once a year will wipe out a good population of dung beetles.
A simplified ecological diagram is shown in Figure 1. This could be a lot more complex, but we have used this one in the program for many years, as it is easy for our audience to understand. One day, I was looking at this, and I realized
that the human manager was missing from the diagram. I have looked at other such ecological diagrams that also don’t show the human manager. Figure 1 now clearly shows “YOU” in a central role that directs the show. The human manager is literally the brain that can impact all those relationships, so realizing that all these pieces depend on you can be life changing (it has been for me).
Over the years, I have become more and more interested in the ecology of my farm, and that interest has kept me coming back for more. Once you start the cycle of adaptive management, each day holds a surprise and a chance to learn. Once you start to appreciate the ecosystem, you will become more active in thinking about how you can influence it through management. You will start to consider all the subjects you learned about separately (including economics) at the same time. It seems difficult, but since you will evolve into it, it is a natural progression that just happens. At some point, you will start to see the system without actually looking at the individual components.
Where do you see yourself in the ecology of your pastures? Are you inside with boots on the ground actively managing, or are you outside the fence focused on one piece of the system? Do you know your plants, do you know how to identify dung beetles, do you think about where the manure (and its nutrients) falls, and can you evaluate pasture condition? If you have never really thought that much about it, I encourage you to do so now. The future will be bright for pasture based livestock producers who learn to get high yields with modest outside inputs.
Well managed pasture ecosystems
provide many benefits to mankind (called ecosystem services), including the production of food, improved water quality, improved wildlife habitat, and sequestration of carbon. Perhaps most important are the social benefits to the people associated with these systems, including the grazier and their neighbors. This is a crazy world we live in! I find that when I am out in a healthy pasture, moving my cattle to fresh grass, I find real joy in the diversity of plant and animal life around me. When I am in my pastures, I am very rooted, and my world looks like a pretty good place to live! How much is that feeling worth to you?
Don’t put your cart before your horse...advertise that sale ahead of time! You’ll see positive results.
Figure 1. The pasture ecosystem.
FORAGE NEWS
By HANNAH CONOVER & HUNTER TAYLOR, Clemson University
Fescue Pasture Fertilization
Introduction — Proper fertilization is crucial to establishing and producing a healthy fescue stand. When discussing fertilization, there are several factors that must be considered, such as application timing, fertilizer types, soil health, and your personal goals. Fertilization needs are often based on what you want out of the pasture. Pastures utilized for hay production typically require quicker growth than those for grazing; therefore, the fertilization input will be different between the two. For accurate fertilizer applications, soil samples should be taken, and knowledge of fescue growth patterns should be recognized.
Application Timing — When fertilizing fescue, application timing is dependent on two factors, the first being the type of fertilizer being used. Granule application should be done before a rain when possible, especially if the rain is expected to be between half an inch and an inch, to optimize usage. This will allow the fertilizer to move into the soil and be available for uptake by the plants before it has time to breakdown and be released into the air. Animal manure can also be a source of fertilizer. Like granular fertilizer, manure should be applied before rain to ensure nutrients are taken into the soil while also reducing odor. There is also foliar application, but this is less likely for pastures. However, if this is the preferred method, then it should be done on healthy plants when rain is not immediately anticipated.
The other important factor when discussing application timing is understanding when the fertilizer would be the most beneficial for growth. Tall fescue can be grown between 39-95ºF depending on conditions; however, optimal growth occurs between 6877ºF. This means that growth should be expected to decrease or completely stop during the coldest parts of the winter and during the summer. Therefore, fertilizer application should be timed to encourage growth in the fall and spring when temperatures are ideal. Encouraging growth during the summer can leave the fescue susceptible to getting burned and dying back. Inversely, encouraging
growth in the winter can lead to the fescue being susceptible to winter kill, which will also decrease the population.
Fertilizer Options — The key to picking a fertilization method is to know just how much fertilizer is actually needed. The best way to obtain this information
is through soil sample recommendations. These recommendations will tell you what nutrients are needed to produce healthy fescue in specific amounts. Ideally, these recommendations should be split into two applications for the best results. When two applications are not possible, a single application can be done, but the fertilizer used should be largely made of slow release compounds. Based on the amount of fertilizer needed, the most affordable method can then be determined. The two most commonly used methods are granular fertilizer and animal manure. Granular can often be more expensive, but it comes with the knowledge of exactly what it contains. This includes nutrient content and the amount of quick release to slow release fertilizer. On the other hand, manure is more susceptible to variation
in its contents. To ensure that the correct amount of animal manure is spread, an analysis of the manure is crucial. Also, fertilization does not have to be an “all or nothing” approach. Based on the resources available, you can combine methods. For example, manure can be spread to hit the bulk of the plant needs, then can be followed up by granule application.
Conclusion — Every producer’s goal is to optimize growth of their forage stand, and this can be done with proper fertilization. To ensure that fescue is grown efficiently, a thorough understanding of the factors discussed is important. Knowing when to fertilize as well as having accurate soil analysis will help accomplish that goal. When making these decisions, contact your local extension agent for help identifying the best practices for your operation.
E.B.'s ViEw from thE Cow PasturE
By E.B. HARRIS
Is It Just Luck?
I was preg checking the other day and weaning the calves at the same time. It was 51 head of second calvers. My friend, the late Chuck Miller, always called them wet twos.
The wet twos have the hardest job of any of the other herds of cattle that we have on the farm. Normally, percentage wise, we will have more to check open in this group than in any other group of cows, and they are sold. This group is what we call the Lickskillet herd on the Walker Hill Farm, which is farthest west on that farm.
We brought them in, and it was 51 head. I was doing the preg checking, and I don’t profess to be an expert at it, but
I know if I check and feel a foot or bone or if the calf sucks my thumb, I know it’s right there knocking at the door. If I don’t feel the calf, I then try to feel for the artery feeding the fetus.
We were getting down toward the end, and I knew I was on the number 50, and she checked pregnant. I looked back down the chute, and that number 51 was standing right behind her ready to come in the chute. I stepped out, and they turned number 50 out and number 51 in. I said if you check pregnant, you will have set a new record for E.B. and his family. Sure enough, the calf was right there.
I thought back and looked at that
group of heifers standing in the lot and said to myself, “What have we done?” Was it the selection of the females, the bulls that sired them, the water they drink out of Shocco Creek, the vaccination program, the forages that they are eating that Shane tries to keep weed free and proper fertilization on the grass, or the mineral program that Dr. Matt Poore recommended several years ago, or following what the late Bill Skinner said, “There’s no steak between the belly and ground,” was it something my granddaddy did 60–75 years ago, something my Daddy did 50 years ago, or something we have done?
We try to select for fertility, frame size, slick hair, plenty of capacity, low
swirl in the forehead, good feet, milk, reasonably good disposition, and one of the other things is that for the last 25 years, the cow has got to have one beside her or one inside her to stay here; no ifs, ands, or buts about it; if not, she gets a ride to somewhere else.
I know what my friend, the late Bud Meek, would say, “E.B., a blind hog will find an acorn every once in a while.” Whatever we are doing, we are going to try to make it even better next time and keep on improving. We will never get them exactly right. We just try to do what’s best for the consumer and be profitable for the cattle farmer. It would be an understatement to say I am proud of this herd of wet twos.
The wet twos are fixing to be the wet threes.
CATTLE & CARBON
By ALAN FRANZLUEBBERS USDA-Agricultural Research Service
Soil Carbon Calculations
How much carbon is being stored in the soil on your Carolina farm? This relatively simple question could be answered quickly with the following, “Not very much,” if we accept the general premise that soils in the southeastern U.S. are relatively poor and have little potential to accumulate soil organic matter. However, if we were to start collecting soil in a strategic manner, we might discover that the quantity of carbon in the soil is greater than previously thought. A more thorough answer to this question will be explored in this article.
Accounting for carbon in soil requires that samples be collected to represent the land uses on a farm. Carbon will vary based on geographic location in the region, soil type and texture, soil depth, and current and historical land management. You might think that on your farm there won’t be so much variation in these factors, but in fact, there can be as much variation in soil carbon due to these factors on your own farm as among different farms. Let’s dig into how soil carbon varies.
Soil texture can have a large influence on soil carbon. As described in last month’s article in this series, the carbon content of sandy Coastal Plain soils is often less than in loamy and
clayey soils of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge. This is because sandy soils have limited soil aggregation and affinity to absorb organic molecules. These organic molecules are then more accessible by the abundant microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) living in the soil and, therefore, more susceptible to decomposition, leading to lower levels of soil organic matter (58 percent of which is carbon). Indeed, soil texture can have a large impact on soil carbon retention. Just note that landscape position and geographic region can significantly alter this generalization.
Soil depth has a large influence on soil organic carbon concentration in most soils. Greatest concentration will be near the soil surface and declining concentration with increasing depth. The extent of decline with depth may depend on how much surface soil carbon had accumulated in the past. Surface accumulation of soil carbon is largely controlled by the type of land use and management. More plant material that is returned to the soil can lead to greater soil carbon. Soils that are not disturbed for decades will typically have greater carbon concentration than disturbed soils. Mixing soil with tillage or land disturbances creates opportunities for soil
microorganisms to access a wider variety of substrates and for organic particles to be fractured into smaller pieces for faster decomposition.
Samples of soil collected from your farm can then be analyzed for total carbon. Since most soils are acidic or slightly acidic in the region, total carbon can be considered the same as organic carbon. Carbon concentration of a small soil sample is determined by a precision instrument that determines the amount of carbon dioxide released during combustion, which is burning the sample.
sampling units whenever soil texture and slope characteristics might be assumed to influence results. A representative sample should be collected from a composite of multiple soil cores. Typically, with a ¾ inch or 1 inch diameter soil probe, a dozen cores are recommended to be collected and composited into a single sample to represent a field or a portion of a field.
The number of unique samples to collect on any one farm to get an accurate accounting of soil carbon will depend on overall goals, time available for sampling,
Getting good estimates of soil carbon requires a representative sample of the field of influence. Precision is needed in sampling the depth of interest only, such as 0–4 inches, as is typical for perennial pastures in the region. However, to determine the stock of carbon in soil, many scientists have agreed that we should determine values for the top foot of soil. It is then necessary to get precise samples from more than one depth, such as 0–4 inches, 4–8 inches, and 8–12 inches. Other depth increments can also be used, but the key is to get samples from throughout the top foot.
Getting a representative soil sample will also need to consider expected soil variations despite having managed a field uniformly over time. A soil survey map can help to divide fields into separate
and cost considerations. Cropland, pastures, woodlands, and farmyards are unique land uses and should be considered for separate analyses. Likely there may be distinct historical management conditions from some pastures on your farm and so these fields should be sampled separately as well. Again, if there are landscape variations within these unique land uses, then a field may be divided into smaller sections.
Soil carbon concentration can be expressed in percent carbon of total soil mass (parts per hundred). In scientific publications, carbon concentration is usually presented as grams of carbon per kilogram of soil (g/kg) (parts per thousand). As an example, a value of 25 grams of carbon per kilogram of soil is equivalent to 2.5 percent carbon.
Winter pasture in Buncombe County.
Winter pasture in Clay County.
Unrolled hay in a winter pasture in Alleghany County.
To calculate carbon content, soil carbon concentration must be multiplied by the bulk density of the soil and the depth increment of interest. Bulk density is the mass of soil in a standard volume of soil. Typical values of agricultural soils will vary from 1.0 megagram of soil per cubic meter to 1.5 Mg/m3. Bulk density may be influenced by recent tillage that loosens soil, by soil organic matter accumulation that loosened soil over time, or by cattle or tractor traffic that compacts soil. When soil organic matter is high, bulk density is typically low. When soil organic matter is low, bulk density is typically high.
An example calculation of soil carbon content follows. A field planted to annual forages after decades of grain production had soil organic carbon concentration at a depth of 0–4 inches (translates to 0.1 meter or 10 centimeters) of 16 g/kg and bulk density of 1.41 Mg/ m3. At a depth of 4–12 inches, soil organic carbon was 8 g/kg, and bulk density was 1.48 Mg/m3. Therefore, soil carbon content within the top foot of soil can be calculated as the sum of the two depth increments, as shown in Figure 1.
Common accounting figures for carbon are often translated into metric tons of CO2 per acre (Mt CO2/acre). One Mg C/ha is equal to 1.5 Mt CO2/acre. In the example annual pasture in Figure 1, 46.2 Mg C/ha would translate to 69.3 Mt CO2/acre.
If the annual pasture were to occupy 35 acres on the farm, then the soil organic carbon under this annual pasture would total 2,352 Mt CO2/acre. For comparison, a typical house in the United States is considered to contain 100 Mt CO 2, owing to the wooden materials used in its construction. Therefore, the 35 acre annual pasture would contain 23.5 times the carbon contained within a typical house.
Let’s now consider the average soil organic carbon and bulk densities observed in a study across 25 research stations in North Carolina (published in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2023, Vol. 78, Pages 124–140; www.jswconline.org/ content/78/2/124.abstract) . All relevant data, like the annual pasture example, are shown in Figure 2. Because of the much greater soil carbon in the surface
This example helps to illustrate how important the enriched layer of the top 4 inches of soil can be to the accumulation of soil organic carbon. With twice the concentration of soil organic carbon in the top 4 inches as at 4–12 inches, soil organic carbon was nearly doubled in the top foot of soil, despite the 4 inch layer only occupied ⅓ of the top foot layer.
4 inches of the pasture compared with the cropland, the soil carbon stock in the top foot of the soil profile was also greater. For example, a 10 acre farm with perennial pasture would contain an average of 1,100 Mt CO2. A 10 acre farm with cropland would contain 822 Mt CO2 The difference between these two farms would be 278 Mt CO2, or 34 percent more
soil carbon in the top foot of soil under pasture than under cropland. These data and calculations indicate that perennial pastures are an important land use that can store significantly greater amounts of carbon than cropland. The bottom line is that perennial pastures should be considered an important land use for storing soil carbon.
Not to worry, there won’t be any quizzes or tests on these math problems. However, you can expect a few more numbers appearing in the next issue of this series to show how much carbon is being stored under forage and grazing lands from some of yours and your neighbors’ farms in different parts of North Carolina.
Winter pasture in Chatham County.
the chaplain’s corral
By Dave Harvey Chaplain, Cowboys for Christ
The Son of God
John 1:34 — “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” Cowboys and cowgirls, that is the personal testimony of none other than John the Baptist. John was certainly a man called by God even before he was born. He was appointed to make known the arrival of our Lord and Savior and to lay the groundwork for His ministry — the salvation of sinful mankind. What a really dedicated, sacrificing, hardworking servant of the Holy Father. John was born into the priestly family of Zachariah and Elizabeth, and his birth and life were announced to his father
before John was even conceived. The complete story of John’s conception, birth, and dedication in service to the Lord is obviously revealed in the Gospels. He is also introduced by the great prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 40:3 — “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” And to make all of this so prophetic and Father God ordained is the fact that John carried out every part of his mission to the fullest. He was conceived, born, and dedicated to do a major task for the Lord and he accomplished the great work to
the complete satisfaction of our Holy God. John the Baptist was certainly “a man called by God” in every aspect of the saying.
There are many people who think that John the Baptist was an old man at the time of his appearance in the Gospels, but he was just a few months older than his cousin Jesus. It would seem likely that they knew each other while growing up and were possibly good friends. It is also possible that, as Jesus worked for his stepfather in the carpenter shop as a young man, John was an outcast from his family, choosing rather to live in the desert and away from society. John had a divinely appointed job and he evidently took that calling very seriously and was determined to do his job. If he was supposed to be “a voice crying in the wilderness,” then he was going to live in the wilderness. And John received his title as “the Baptist” because he and his disciples called people to repent of their sins and be baptized to show proof of their repentance.
There is a reason that we have the life and works of John the Baptist written out for us in God’s holy word, and it is not just for us to admire this great man of God and the powerful way he completed
his task. I would also like to emphasize that John the Baptist was faithful in declaring this message of hope and truth to the world of lost mankind and it cost him his life. As I pointed out earlier, John was only a few months older than our Lord, probably around six months, yet he died proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. John 1:32–34 — “Then John gave this testimony, ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.’”
You can follow the example of the great John the Baptist and proclaim Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Make it a habit to share His love, grace, and mercy in your daily life. As we consider our testimony, we need to study John the Baptist and his testimony and try to learn how to stay strong in our witness. Tell someone today about your Savior and Lord, for He is the Son of God, the Lamb of God, and He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. God bless you as you testify of this truth.
By SAVANNAH STREETER N.C. State University -- ANS 402 Beef Management
Cattle Can’t Keep Records, But We Sure Can!
North Carolina is not widely known for its beef industry; however, the beef cattle that do call North Carolina home are mainly cow/calf operations. This type of livestock operation can be said to be the beginning and end of the beef industry cycle and process. Seeing heifers or cows bred and producing calves that then grow and go to slaughter are the basics of this cycle. Knowing this, the logistics and management of cow/calf operations are highly intricate and diverse across the
state and country. Some say there is only one way to do things, but the truth is that a producer of a beef operation should consider what is economically feasible and best for time management for his/ her business. For some small cow/calf operations, mainly with older generation influence, record keeping might still look like handwritten notes and stacks of paperwork. More than 75 percent of cow/ calf businesses use handwritten records, as seen in Figure 1. This is not necessarily
a negative system for organizing records and data for an operation; however, it is definitely not a method for every family or business across the industry. It should also be noted that as the number of head of cattle increases on a farm, the more advanced the system of record keeping tends to get. For example, beef operations with 200 head of cattle or more make up roughly 10 percent of the producers who have a computer on site. While this number does not seem very high, compared to cow/calf operations with less than 200 head, the percentage of businesses that use computers for record keeping is cut in half, as shown in Figure 1.
It has been concluded that smaller cow/calf operations tend to keep fewer records than larger cow/calf operations, as shown in Figure 2. Approximately 80 percent of operations with 1–49 head of cattle keep any kind of records. This is compared to larger operations that have 200 or more head of cattle, where about 95 percent of these operations keep some type of records on the farm.1 While this may not be a surprise to someone who
has spent their entire life in the beef cattle trade, it was a surprising fact for me. Smaller scale businesses might not have the capital or time to create a system of records, though this type of organization for a livestock business is fundamental and critical. With the ever growing age of technology and access to information from across the world, producers can have an easier time knowing if they are successful or if they need to make improvements. Beef producers in the cow/calf industry can accomplish this goal by using record keeping implementations such as APPs, computer systems, tracking devices, etc. A perfect example of this is the APP and software HerdX.4 This application helps collect and retain data on the calf, cow, breeding (dam and sire) system, artificial insemination records, overall herd health, and financial records. This revolutionary APP allows cow/calf farmers to tag their herd and then have the inputted data on their phone at all times. Location, health status, recent updates, and even local weather statements can be included in the application, which is a great, easy
Figure 1.
Figure
way for managers to be effective on their farm.4 As it has been discussed, there are a variety of ways record keeping for cow/ calf operations can be conducted, such as through a computer system, handwritten, or written on a monthly calendar. Any of these organizational methods will assist managers.5
The main reason record keeping is such a fundamental principle for smaller scale cow/calf operations is that it ensures the health and financial well being of the operation. Detailed record keeping, no matter the type, is critical to keep a business on track by maintaining healthy cattle and to produce successful calves. Since smaller sized beef businesses do not have the capital or time to waste, it is important to stay organized and not waste money where it cannot be wasted. To secure the best results for a farm, producers should consider which record keeping practice fits their system the best. The cow/calf sector is centered around the heifer or cow getting bred, her staying pregnant, and having a healthy calf that will grow to be a successful replacement heifer or steer for market. Small cow/calf operation managers can be most efficient with their time and money pertaining to breeding records by comprehending which cows are the most successful mothers, which need to be removed from the herd, and which heifers are ready to be bred for the first time. By having data and information on every head of cattle that resides on the property, managers can ensure that the next generation of calves will be healthy and make them a profit. When a calf is born on the farm, its basic information needs to be collected and stored so that vaccines can be administered on time, a heifer or cow can be bred on time, or a steer can
2 APHIS Info Sheet Veterinary Services. (1998) “Record Keeping in Beef Cow/Calf Operations.” www.aphis.usda. gov
3 Miller, T. (2022) “How to get started with cattle record keeping.” www. agproud.com
4Adams, C. (2023) “What records do I need to keep as a commercial cow/calf operation.” www.herdx.com
5Bir, C., & Ladd, B. (2022) Cow/calf
production record software — Oklahoma State University.” www.extension.okstate. edu
Have You Herd is written as a portion of ANS 402 Beef Management course requirement at N.C. State University Department of Animal Science under the instruction of Dr. Carrie Pickworth. The opinions of Savannah Streeter are not necessarily those of N.C. State University or Dr. Carrie Pickworth.
be sent to slaughter at the right time.4 If data is not collected from when that calf hits the ground, the manager is only losing money because he or she is not fully informed on their herd and cannot make the proper decisions. Under normal conditions, cow/calf operations breed their cows within 60–90 days after their last calf. In order to know that she did, in fact, have a calf in that time period, that she is of the right age and health status, and that she should be bred again, we need good record keeping! Managers should use their desired record keeping system to record breeding dates, gestation dates, and calving dates to keep their cow/calf operation moving as smoothly as possible. 4 It can also be noted that health records are incredibly useful when a veterinarian visits the farm. In order for the veterinarian to be as efficient and successful as possible, they need to be provided with documents and data about the herd. They need to know the history of the individual cattle, the stage of production they are in, the age of the cow, vaccine history, disease history, etc.
In conclusion, most small cow/calf operations tend to keep records or data less than larger beef operations. This can mainly be attributed to the fact that these managers have less personnel, time, and money to spend on such organizational tactics. However, any kind of record keeping is positive for herd health and financial well being. It is important to remember that data must be collected from the beginning of the calf’s life and continued throughout its life on a long term basis for best results.
References
1APHIS Info Sheet. (2011) “Record Keeping Practices on U.S. Beef Cow/Calf Operations.” www.aphis.usda.gov
The different ways that cattle producers can keep records, such as a computer system, paper, etc.3
Clemson Corner
By MATTHE FISCHER & BRIAN BEER
Cattle Industry Commentary
On April 9, USDA announced the cancellation of the July Cattle Report. The loss of this report leaves the cattle industry with one observation per year for inventory monitoring. Due to this, the last insight was the January 2024 Cattle Inventory Report, released by the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) on January 31. Below are some insights from the report.
As of January 1, the United States cattle inventory totaled 87.2 million head, 2 percent lower than the January 2023 inventory of 88.8 million head, as seen in Figure 1. The reduction continues the
downward trend in cattle inventory that started after 2019.
Cows and heifers that have calved totaled 37.6 million head, down 2 percent from the 38.3 million head on January 1, 2023. Beef cows that calved were down 2 percent at 28.2 million head. Beef cow replacements were 1 percent lower than 2023 at 4.06 million head.
South Carolina’s cattle inventory decreased by 8 percent. South Carolina’s cattle inventory dropped to 290,000 head from the 2023 inventory of 315,000 head. Other states in the southern region were down 2-6 percent. Alabama’s cattle
inventory is down 6 percent, Georgia is down 2 percent, and Florida is down 3 percent. North Carolina’s cattle inventory was up 3 percent compared to 2023 at 750,000 head.
The “all cows and heifers that have calved” category in South Carolina came in at 156,000 head, 7 percent lower than 2023, as seen in Figure 2. The “beef cows that have calved” category totaled 148,000, which is also 7 percent lower than 2023. North Carolina’s “all cows and heifers that have calved” category totaled 390,000 head, and the “beef cows that have calved” category was 352,000 head. Both categories were 3 percent higher than in 2023.
Beef replacement heifers in South Carolina showed a 13 percent decrease from 2023. South Carolina beef cow replacements are 26,000 head, compared to 30,000 head in January 2023. North Carolina also showed a decrease in beef replacements compared to 2023. Beef replacements for North Carolina totaled 56,000 head in 2024, compared to 59,000 head in 2023, a 5 percent decrease year over year.
From the report, we remain in the liquidation phase of the cattle cycle in South Carolina and nationally.
The liquidation has been affected by persistent drought, input prices, and high marketing prices. However, there is some growth, with 18 states reporting a level or increasing cattle inventory compared to 2023. Overall, the national cattle inventory reduction will result in a smaller feeder calf supply. The 2023 calf crop is estimated at 33.59 million head, down 2 percent from the previous year.
Prices — Fewer available cattle, cows, and feeders, with strong demand for these animals, have increased marketing prices. Since October 2022, prices for feeder cattle have trended considerably higher year over year. Figure 3 shows the annual seasonality pattern for 500–599 lbs South Carolina feeder steers. The rise in prices has been consistent until dropping from July to August of this year.
Lower cattle inventory had prompted speculation of tight beef supplies in the future. Figure 4 shows cattle inventory and annual beef production from 19792023. Beef production, expressed in pounds of red meat, has increased even though cattle inventory has decreased. Using 1982 as the high cattle inventory mark on this chart, the U.S. produced 20 percent more beef (27.03 billion pounds)
Figure 11
Figure 22
with 23 percent lower cattle inventory in 2023. The USDA estimates for 2024 beef production is 26.66 billion pounds, a 1.4 percent decrease compared to 2023. Improved efficiencies in cattle and beef production are maintaining adequate beef supplies despite historically low cattle inventories.
Cost Management — During the recent three year period of high price opportunities, increased revenue under careful input management provides profit potential. It is important to stress the importance of input cost management and knowledge of the cost of production. While several categories of input costs
have moderated, they are still historically high.
Even in the current high cattle price cycle, there are opportunities to increase the value of calves at marketing. Load lots and special sales are still adding value, sometimes 20–25¢ per pound, compared to regular weekly sales. Lower feeder calf supply often narrows the difference between value added and regular sales, but this fall, we have seen the price difference hold.
In closing, the contraction of the
cattle market will limit the supply of cattle. The potential for expansion will not start until heifer retention starts at the farm level. Unfortunately, with the loss of the July cattle report, we will not be able to document this until the January cattle report.
References
1 NASS January 2024 Cattle Inventory Report
2USDA-AMS
3USDA-AMS
4USDA, NASS
Figure 33
Figure 44
You Decide!
By DR. MIKE WALDEN
William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus N.C. State University
You Decide: What Does the Fed’s Rate Cut Mean? Recently, the Federal Reserve (the Fed) made headlines by reducing its interest rate for the first time since 2020. Most analysts applauded the cut, and households — especially those looking to borrow money — enjoyed a jolt of optimism.
But before you can decide what this means and whether you should be smiling or frowning, a number of questions need to be answered. Why did the Fed change its interest rate? What reasons did the Fed have to reduce the interest rate? Are more cuts coming? What does the cut mean for the health of the economy? How does the cut affect the timing of big ticket (home or vehicle) purchases? How does the Fed’s move impact investments? It will
be my job in today’s column to try to answer these questions.
The Fed has a mandate from Congress to use its powers to guide the economy toward two objectives: a low inflation rate and a low unemployment rate. The Fed also has two tools to achieve this dual goal: influence over interest rates and influence over the money supply.
The challenge for the Fed is that the two goals are often incompatible. A slow-growing economy usually leads to a lower inflation rate, but also a higher jobless rate. In contrast, a fast-growing economy will generate more jobs and less unemployment, yet there is a risk that rapid economic growth will lead to higher prices. Hence, while the Fed wants to achieve both modest price increases
and low unemployment, it usually gives priority to only one of these goals.
During the height of COVID-19 in 2020, it was clear what the Fed’s goal was — get the economy growing after the COVID-19 recession when the jobless rate reached 14 percent. Hence, the Fed pushed their key interest rate to zero and expanded the money supply by trillions of dollars.
With the benefit of hindsight, we now know the Fed kept its foot on the economic accelerator for too long. With consumer buying sharply increasing but supply chain problems keeping shelves partially bare, the inflation rate began rising in 2021. Therefore, in 2022, the Fed shifted its focus to curtailing inflation by raising its key interest rate and pulling cash out of the economy. In under a year, the Fed raised its interest rate by over five percentage points. Consumer interest rates, such as those for mortgages and credit cards, jumped.
The Fed has been in anti-inflation mode until its recent meeting, when the Fed board announced a ½ percentage point cut in their interest rate. Also, the Fed is now decreasing the money supply. With the annual inflation rate approaching the Fed’s goal of 2 percent, combined with indications of slower economic
growth, reduced consumer confidence and an upward trend in the unemployment rate, the Fed is shifting its focus to their mandate of low unemployment.
On a practical level, what does the Fed’s policy mean for you? First, it means the Fed has some worry about the health of the economy. Thus far, the Fed has been able to achieve a lower inflation rate without plunging the economy into a recession. This is unusual because it is rare. When we had a similar inflation challenge 40 years ago, it took a severe recession to bring the inflation rate to a normal level. Although they are in a minority, some economists are still predicting a recession.
While Fed Chair Jay Powell did not make a clear statement about the future, he did hint that more interest rate cuts would be coming, possibly totaling a full percentage point by the end of 2025. The implication is that for those wanting to borrow, the low point in interest rates is likely not yet here.
Do all interest rates move in lockstep with the Fed’s interest rate? Not necessarily. Financial conditions in individual markets, such as the home buying market, vehicle purchase market, and personal credit market, affect their
interest rates in addition to the Fed’s influence.
It’s also important to realize that individual interest rates can move in anticipation of what the Fed is expected to do. This recently happened with mortgage rates, which fell weeks before the Fed’s anticipated rate cut.
Much of the media coverage of the Fed’s rate cut has focused on how it will help borrowers. While this is certainly important, the Fed’s policy also affects investment markets. For example, certificates of deposit (CDs) are popular low-risk investments. Expect those rates to fall as the Fed’s interest rate drops.
The relationship between the stock market and the Fed’s interest rate is more complicated and depends on how investors interpret why the Fed is changing its interest rate. If investors expect a Fed rate cut to lower the costs to businesses of borrowing, allowing them to sell more and earn higher profits, then a lower Fed interest rate should cause stock values to trend higher.
But the opposite could occur. If investors interpret a Fed rate cut as occurring because the Fed is worried about an impending recession, stock values could fall, especially if the economy weakens after the rate reduction is announced.
Hence, it’s a good idea for households to reevaluate their investments in light of the change in the Fed’s interest rate course.
While the Fed’s rate cut looks like a good move, when the reasons behind the cut, what it implies about the economy, and the uncertain impacts on investments are considered, the reduction could be a net plus, or it could be a net minus. Both you and I will have to decide.
You Decide: Is Economic Growth Spreading in North Carolina? North Carolina’s economy has been a powerhouse of growth in recent decades. The state has been recognized by several organizations as one of the top places for economic development. North Carolina has a track record of luring top firms, especially in industries that are leading in both the national and international economies.
But there is a downside to North Carolina’s track record on economic development: the state’s big metropolitan areas have taken most of the glory of big business startups. Many of the state’s small cities and towns and rural areas have been largely left behind in luring firms, especially in the headline grabbing industries.
As part of the research I am doing for a new book, I looked at all the new business announcements occurring in North Carolina since the pandemic, meaning from 2021 to 2024.
I was pleasantly surprised by what the information indicated.
First, a tremendous amount of new business announcements have been made, suggesting North Carolina continues its ability to attract new firms in the post pandemic economy. Collectively, from 2021 to 2024, North Carolina attracted almost $42 billion in capital investments, meaning money to be spent on new facilities like factories, machinery, and office buildings. Several of the individual investments were over a billion dollars, with a few being for multi-billions of dollars. When operational, the new companies will add 73,000 jobs. If impacts on suppliers and spending from additional payroll are included, the total job impact will be well over 100,000 jobs.
I did a deeper dive into where the largest companies — defined as those with over $100 million of capital investment — were locating in the state. Here’s where I had a pleasant surprise. Certainly, the traditional locations in the Triangle, Charlotte, and the Triad continued, but I found the announcements have also been spreading to other locations. Johnston County received almost $3 billion in capital investments from large pharmaceutical companies. Although Johnston County is considered part of the Triangle region, it is on the fringe of the area. But with the I-540 outer loop almost complete, the county has the benefit of both access and lower-cost land.
The Rocky Mount-Wilson-Greenville area in eastern North Carolina received big announcements from technology firms, including for battery and semiconductor production, as well as from large pharmaceutical firms, with a total of over $5 billion in capital investments. This is significant because, for decades, the region has been challenged in moving from an economy led by tobacco to the new economy of the 21 st century.
The Hickory region also added to its existing technology base, and the state’s southernmost county — Brunswick County — landed a battery factory worth over half a billion dollars. Access to the Port of Wilmington and the presence of reliable power from the local nuclear power plant apparently were major positive factors for Brunswick County.
Other rural counties received major announcements from different industries. A $200 million sawmill plant will open in Halifax County, and a $100 million factory manufacturing shingles will be located in Granville County.
If North Carolina’s goal is to spread economic development throughout the state, then what strategies can be used to accomplish this? There are two strategies. One that has been used is megasites. The
second is a newer strategy called corridor development.
Megasites are large tracts of land that have been assembled and provided with the necessary utilities, like power, water, access points, and other infrastructure. The idea is that if a firm interested in locating in North Carolina knows a suitable site is ready for them, then they will be more likely to make the move. For example, a megasite was used to attract the Toyota battery factory in the Triad. The risk of megasites is that if no firm comes, then spending on the infrastructure is a loss.
The idea of corridor development is to link regions with high speed transportation and expect access to stimulate economic development both along the transit route and at both ends of the routes.
Initially, corridor development was implemented using rail transit, but now highways are also used. There are three good examples in North Carolina. U.S. Route 64 west of Raleigh and through Chatham and other counties to the Triad region was upgraded several years ago. It is now along this corridor that what some call North Carolina’s renewable energy
manufacturing sector is being developed. Already, the EV auto manufacturer VinFast, the chipmaker Wolfspeed, and the Toyota battery factory are being developed, with the expectation that many more supplier companies will also establish facilities.
On the eastern side of the state, the same U.S. 64 is being upgraded to interstate status from Raleigh to Rocky Mount. This has likely been a factor behind numerous tech and pharmaceutical companies announcing investments in the region. Also, in Downeast North Carolina, another corridor development is proceeding with the upgrading of U.S. 70 from Raleigh to Morehead City to interstate status. It is exciting to think about the economic development this project could bring to the region.
Many have been anxious — including yours truly — about what the post-pandemic economy will look like in North Carolina. While everything is certainly not perfect, it appears that distributing more economic growth throughout North Carolina has been a positive outcome in the years since 2020. Is this exactly the economic elixir the state has needed? You decide.
BALANCED EFFICIENT GENETICS
Certified Angus Beef news
The Second Best Sales Year for Certified Angus Beef. Cattlemen get rewarded for raising Angus cattle that qualify for the brand. In a year marked by shifting marketing dynamics and margin pressure across the supply chain, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) closed its 2024 fiscal year with its second strongest sales year in the company’s history. With growth both domestically and internationally, the global beef brand sold 1.237 billion pounds across the U.S. and 55 other countries.
“Since 1978, Certified Angus Beef’s success has been in large part because of the engaging, forward thinking and collaborative producers and partners we work with from pasture to plate,” says John Stika, president of CAB.
Stay the Course on Quality — While the total fed cattle supply declined by 1.6 percent, this year a record 5.96 million carcasses, up 2.4 percent, were certified for the brand, with 37.4 percent of all Angus cattle meeting the brand’s strict
quality standards. A record 730,000 carcasses qualified for Certified Angus Beef Prime.
“The Angus cattlemen and women who spend every day dedicated to producing the highest quality cattle are the foundation of our brand,” Stika says. “With strong consumer demand, the signal to continue producing premium beef is clear.”
Genetic selection and the right management earned producers nearly $100 per head, above market price, in grid premiums for cattle meeting the brand’s standards.
Continued Growth and Demand
— The market signals from domestic and international consumers showed high quality beef is in demand both at restaurants and in the meat case.
Diners continued to find Certified Angus Beef offerings from Michelin star restaurants to barbecue joints and beyond, spurring continued food service growth with 415 million pounds sold
across independent specialty, broadline, and corporate specialty distributors. Domestically, food service experienced the second best year ever, marking 14 years of growth out of the past 15.
At the meat case, shoppers reached for the Certified Angus Beef brand. Retail stores recorded 521.5 million pounds sold, a slight 1.7 percent decline from the previous year. This marked the sixth year of more than 500 million pounds sold across retailers.
Certified Angus Beef Prime sales noted a new milestone with 50.5 million pounds sold, growing 22.5 percent from 2023. Given the current market conditions, these record sales are further indication that consumers are not backing down from quality.
International Certified Angus Beef product sales grew by 4.6 percent in 2024 to 194.8 million pounds. At a time when overall U.S. beef exports were down, this huge growth was in large part due to increased sales in Mexico, which grew by 30 percent, making it the brand’s second largest international market.
Certified Angus Beef value added products saw its fourth year of continued growth, reaching 45.5 million pounds. The widely popular Certified Angus Beef smoked and fully cooked brisket saw 27 percent growth, and beef bacon
remained popular both in the U.S. and internationally.
The brand continued to embrace consumer choice with three additional line extensions: Certified Angus Beef Natural, Certified Angus Beef Grass Fed, and Certified Angus Beef Ranch to Table.
“We are a brand driven by relationships and quality,” Stika says. “We know that producers and partners across the supply chain who often choose to lead with our brand quality promise succeed, even during difficult market dynamics that challenge producer profitability. Looking ahead, our team is focused on continuing to drive demand for registered Angus genetics and meeting consumer preferences for high quality beef. It’s an approach that’s worked well for 46 years.”
Who is Certified Angus Beef? At Certified Angus Beef, we know people want to put great meals on the table. Our employees work across the beef supply chain to ensure chefs and home cooks find and prepare the best Angus beef. Led by our culinary, beef, and marketing experts, our team provides consultation, marketing materials, training, market insights, and tools that help businesses like grocery stores and restaurants thrive. Our team is also dedicated to sharing the stories of family farmers and ranchers who supply the brand.
Ten North Carolina and South Carolina Breeders Who Registered the Most Angus
The ten producers who registered the most Angus beef cattle in North Carolina recorded a total of 1,284 Angus and in South Carolina recorded a total of 2,129 with the American Angus Association during fiscal year 2024, which ended September 30, according to Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer.
North Carolina
• Upper Piedmont Research Station — Reidsville
• Springfield Angus Farm — Louisburg
• The Biltmore Company — Asheville
• E. Bruce Shankle II — Polkton
• Broadway Cattle Farm — Monroe
• Gragg Farms — Boone
• J. Roger Lane — Gates
• Windy Hill Farms LLC — Ramsey
• Uwharrie Ridge Farms — Asheboro
• Chapman Cattle Company — Taylorsville
South Carolina
• Yon Family Farms — Ridge Spring
• Black Crest Farms — Sumter
• Edisto Pines Farm LLC — Leesville
• Monadnock Ranch — Newberry
• Tokeena Angus Farms — Seneca
• Kenneth Currie — Bishopville
• Paul Boyd Angus Farm — Clover
• Tica Farms — Ridge Spring
• Walter Shealy III — Newberry
• Madeline Milford — Abbeville
In 2024, Angus breeders across the nation registered 302,716 head of Angus cattle. “Our Association members lead the industry in adopting new technology and breeding the most problem free cattle for their customers,” McCully said. “Cattlemen across the country continue to find registered Angus seedstock are the most profitable option for their herd.”
North Carolina Angus Association
ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS
Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling.
4K FARMS
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
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
ANGUS NEWS
POLLARD Rita 4012 to sell as the 2025 Heifer Package. The sale will support Angus Foundation’s mission of education, youth, and research. Drum roll, please…POLLARD Rita 4012 has earned the coveted spot as the 2025 Angus Foundation Heifer Package female. The heifer will sell at the National Angus Bull Sale on January 10 at the 2025 Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City. This sale not only showcases top tier genetics but also benefits the Angus Fund, supporting programs that shape the future of the breed, including Beef Leaders Institute, the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference, and Angus University.
“Pollard Farms has donated an
exceptional female,” said Jaclyn Boester, Angus Foundation executive director.
“This female will be a great asset to anyone’s herd, whether they are looking for phenotype or genomic enhancements, and while supporting the Angus Fund.”
POLLARD Rita 4012 is a daughter of EXAR Cover the Bases 0819B and out of a productive, young two-year-old that is “on her way to the donor pen,” said Dr. Barry Pollard of Pollard Farms. She stems from PF W34 Rita 4139, a long time donor in the Pollard Farms program. Rita is an elite donor prospect that exemplifies the phenotypic and numerical balance that Dr. Pollard and his crew strive to produce, ranking in the top 1 percent for $C, Marb, $G, $AxH and $AxJ; top 2 percent for
$B and $W; top 5 percent for RADG; top 10 percent for WW, YW, and HP; top 15 percent for CED, BW, PAP, and $M; top 20 percent for RE; and top 25 percent for CW and $F.
McMahan Farm & Hancock Angus
Her sire, EXAR Cover the Bases 0819B, is valued at $400,000 and is owned by Pollard Farms and Express Ranches. Cover the Bases 0819B first calf crop was headlined by the $240,000 half interest, top selling, record setting female at the 2023 Big Event at Express Ranches production sale.
“His first calf crop was phenomenal,” said Dr. Pollard. “He is a high carcass and high marbling bull with a great foot structure and great bone. As Jarold always said, ‘He is a different kind of marbling bull.’”
The dam of Rita 4012 is a prolific, young two-year-old that comes from a long line of maternal genetics in the Pollard herd. PF W34 Rita 4139, a longstanding donor in the Pollard program, is a direct daughter of EXAR Rita U049, who came to Pollard Farms as the $62,000 half interest, Lot 1 from a past Big Event.
“I am honored to donate the Angus Foundation Heifer Package this year,” said Dr. Pollard. “She comes from a great
cow family and is a high carcass animal. Her dam exemplifies what the goals of our operation are. On the top side, her sire’s first calf crop was phenomenal. I think people will be pleased with her look and genetic abilities.”
Pollard adds that the Foundation has given so much to him and his family, and he is proud to offer this female representing genetics from the heart of his herd.
“I hope everybody bids a lot of money, and they make a lot of money,” he said with a smile.
For more information about the package, contact Boester at jboester@ angus.org or visit www.angus.org/ foundation
Angus Genetics Inc. gathers breeders, industry, academia in forum. Imagine: AGI’s Beef Genetics Forum hosted a cross section of the beef industry to think about future phenotypes and data collection. Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) facilitated a conversation for around 80 cattle breeders, beef industry professionals, researchers, and academics
Angus News continued from page 26
during Imagine: AGI’s Beef Genetics Forum on September 25–26 in Kansas City. The program challenged the group to explore paths for progress in the beef genetics space.
“Anytime that we can get a bunch of like minded individuals in the same room to discuss innovation, to discuss what’s next, to discuss the catalysts in our industry that are really going to create genetic change, we feel like it’s a really good use of time,” said Kelli RetallickRiley, president of AGI, during the event’s welcome.
This was the first event of its kind hosted by AGI, and the theme was “The Future of Phenotyping for a Sustainable Beef Industry.” In addition to six technical presentations, the program’s design allowed for small group discussions focused on technologies and novel phenotypes. It also included dedicated time for networking and lessstructured conversation.
Some key takeaways, summarized during the event, were that data driven decisions will continue to be important for those managing and breeding cattle; challenges currently exist around the increasingly important topic of data collection and sharing, and solutions for this are needed across every segment of the beef industry; and the industry must balance innovation with maintaining consumer satisfaction as it advances and implements new and useful technologies.
Attendees also discussed opportunities to improve traits related to health, longevity, fertility, and feed efficiency through new phenotyping methods.
AGI plans to release a white paper outlining key takeaways from Imagine discussions in February 2025.
“Imagine was a one-of-a-kind experience for all who attended,” said Levi Landers, director of field and member services for the American Angus Association. “Thought leaders for all segments of the livestock industry were present to help drive breed improvement through the latest technologies that are and will be available. Conferences such as these will keep Angus in the lead when it comes to data collection and submission to secure ourselves as the breed of choice for all commercial producers.”
Advancing Angus Genetics. Angus Genetics, Inc. has been providing services to the beef industry and various beef breed organizations since 2007, assisting in the genetic evaluation of economically important traits. As a subsidiary of the American Angus Association, AGI
looks to lead genetic change for the beef industry. AGI develops genomic enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs) for the Angus breed that are updated on a weekly basis. AGI also conducts research and develops new science and technology to benefit the entire beef business.
Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving nearly 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
NOTICE
Letters to the editor are welcome and we appreciate your input. HOWEVER, letters that are not signed will not be considered for publication.
MERCK
Animal Health News
Merck Animal Health Introduces SENSEHUB Cow Calf. Proprietary technology assists with breeding success in herds that use artificial insemination and embryo transfer, plus alerts
caregivers to cows needing attention. Merck Animal Health recently announced the introduction of SENSEHUB Cow Calf, remote monitoring technology designed to help optimize breeding results
with less labor for cow/calf producers, including seedstock and club calf producers, who use artificial insemination (A.I.) or embryo transfer (ET).
SENSEHUB Cow Calf monitors behaviors that help to detect estrus, determine ideal insemination windows, and uncover potential reproductive issues faster than human observation alone. The technology continuously analyzes data being collected and delivers convenient alerts to smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers, saving producers time typically
required for visually observing heats.
“For producers using A.I. or ET, SENSEHUB Cow Calf takes the guesswork out of identifying the breeding window,” said Lauren Wottlin, research and development field trials manager at Merck Animal Health. “Reproductive efficiency is critical, especially in high value animals. Automated heat detection helps to determine when an individual cow or heifer is in estrus, so you can inseminate her at the best time to optimize conception rates and minimize calving intervals.”
The technology, which features a new algorithm, also improves the ability to address reproductive issues. It helps to identify a heifer or cow that does not conceive earlier than ultrasound or traditional pregnancy checks. Animals not having regular cycles are identified, and a report can be generated for animals suspected of aborting.
An additional benefit of the technology is the ability to continuously keep an eye on herd and individual animal well being.
“By tracking activity and rumination with an ear mounted accelerometer in real time, the system can alert you early when a cow or heifer needs attention,” Wottlin said. “Early detection and intervention can improve treatment outcomes, plus give you peace of mind knowing your animals are being monitored.”
SENSEHUB Cow Calf integrates with several cattle management platforms and will be available directly via online ordering through the Merck Animal Health website.
Minimal hardware is needed, and the system is easy to install. Data recorded and analyzed by SENSEHUB Cow Calf is used to create simple to ead, understandable dashboards. It is backed up and stored in a secure, cloud based system. SENSEHUB Cow Calf ear tags also illuminate and flash, making it easier for caregivers to find animals flagged by the system.
SENSEHUB Cow Calf is part of the SENSEHUB family of brands from Merck Animal Health, providing advanced monitoring technology to give actionable insights to cow/calf, stocker, feedlot, and dairy producers for optimal herd productivity and management.
“Merck Animal Health is committed to advancing the health, productivity, and well being of cattle and contributing to the ongoing success of our customers’ operations,” said Kevin Mobley, executive director of cattle sales and marketing at Merck Animal Health. “SENSEHUB Cow Calf is another example of using monitoring innovation to bring insights driven solutions to our customers.”
For more information about SENSEHUB Cow Calf, visit www.
SENSEHUB technologies are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease in animals. For the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of diseases in animals, you should consult your veterinarian. The accuracy of the data collected and presented through this product is not intended to match that of medical devices or scientific measurement devices.
About Merck Animal Health. At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines, and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc.,
Rahway, N.J., is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners, and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services, as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability, and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com
N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of SEPTEMBER 2024 Cattle Receipts: 14,502 • Previous Month: 14,584
AgriSafe Network Steps Up to Support Ag Communities Affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton have leveled devastating impacts on the southeastern United States. Communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia are facing unprecedented challenges. Many areas have been left in ruins, with communication lines severed and local support systems struggling to respond.
In recognition of the critical need for mental health support, AgriSafe is offering FarmResponse training seats at no cost to those providing counseling services to agricultural communities affected by the hurricane. FarmResponse is listed in the Suicide Prevention Resource Best Practice registry.
AgriSafe believes this training will assist in providing the best possible care to the state’s agricultural communities impacted by disasters. During times of crisis, it is essential to prioritize mental well being alongside physical recovery. AgriSafe’s FarmResponse program equips health professionals to foster
resilience and instill hope in agricultural communities that are in desperate need of both. For more information and to access these seats, please visit www.agrisafe.org/ courses/farm-response
If you want to bring this award winning, evidence based training to your state’s health care providers or have other inquiries about FarmResponse, please contact Tara Haskins at thaskins@ agrisafe.org – for media inquiries, please contact Laura Siegel at lsiegel@agrisafe. org
About AgriSafe Network. AgriSafe Network is a national 501(c)3 non-profit that educates health care professionals and agricultural communities about important health and safety information for those working in agriculture, fishing, and forestry. We bring together national experts to develop educational materials that can be delivered both digitally and in-person. Our mission is to protect the people who feed the world, and in addition to education, we are cultivating a network of trained agricultural health and safety professionals that understand and support Total Farmer Health. For more information, visit www.agrisafe.org
50 th Simmental Celebration. This year, the N.C. Simmental Association celebrated its 50 th N.C. Consignment Sale. The board decided to celebrate it big time with a field day on September 6 and culminating in our 50th sale, the Fall Harvest Sale, on September 7. The field day began very well, with the first speaker being a young man who grew up in the American Junior Simmental Association and went to at least one AJSA Regional Classic. This young man is now a large animal veterinarian practicing in Cleveland County, Dr. Ruffin Hutchison. Dr. Hutchison discussed the importance of getting a breeding soundness exam
By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association
with both your bulls and your heifers and other good reproductive management practices.
The morning session continued with a great group of speakers. Sydney Tuckwiller from Neogen talked about beef cattle genomics and how they can help your operation. She talked about what genomics are and what they can tell you to improve your cattle. Rodrigo Marques from Virginia Tech talked about nutritional technologies, especially Ferapease, and how it improves the performance of recently weaned calves. Marcus and Brooke Harward talked about the advantages of Simmental influenced
cattle in the feedlot. Finally, two of our N.C. Simmental Association members who have their own successful bull sales talked about developing and marketing bulls. These were Fred Smith of Fred Smith Company Ranch in Clayton and Jonathan Massey of SimAngus Solution Sale in Burlington.
We broke for lunch and had a delicious meal prepared by the Cowboy Café of Siler City and sponsored by the Fred Smith Company Ranch and Bear Creek Beef of Bear Creek. Then Dr. Wade Shafer, the Executive Director of the American Simmental Association, spoke on the history of the American Simmental cattle and how they have improved using genetics and performance testing. This was followed by a roundtable discussion with Dr. Wade Shafer, Gordon Hodges, and Marcus Harward. Gordon Hodges gave a great talk about the history of the N.C. Simmental Association and its members. This was an enjoyable, educational event for all who attended. All past presidents of the N.C. Simmental Association were presented with a
special embroidered 50th Simmental cap. The only remaining founding member is Preston Cornelius. He was unable to be with us that evening due to health concerns, but he will be presented with a special award. Wilson Grant was presented with a metal Simmental hanger for all the years he set up the NCSA booth at the N.C. State Fair and has stored the booth at his home since 1977. Gordon Hodges was presented with a metal Simmental hanger for being the only North Carolina producer to have served as a trustee and chairman of the American Simmental Association Board. Next, Frank Bell, Jennie Rucker, and Gordon Hodges were presented with awards because all three have been awarded the Golden Book Award from the American Simmental Association. Finally, Dr. Eugene Shuffler and Dr. Jeff Broadaway were presented with engraved wooden cutting boards for all the years they volunteered as sale veterinarian. A
Continued on page 37
Scenes from the 50th Simmental Celebration & Fall Harvest Sale
Doug Parke talked about sale cattle in the Fall Harvest Sale.
Doctors Eugene Shuffler and Jeff Broadaway got special cutting boards for their years of serving as sale veterinarians.
Wade Shafer from the ASA gave a great talk on how the Simmental breed has changed and improved over the years.
Fred Smith discussed how the Fred Smith Company Ranch develops and markets bulls.
It was a full house enjoying the beef dinner.
Jonathan Jr. and Jonathan Massey enjoyed the 50th Simmental Celebration.
Marcus Harward gives real life experience in marketing Simmental influenced cattle.
Dr. Ruffin Hutchison talks about good management in terms of reproductive aspects.
Past Presidents Wayne Taylor, Gordon Hodges, Marvin Hutchison, Jonathan Massey, Eugene Shuffler, Charlie Thomas, and Jeff Broadaway all received special 50th caps.
Rodrigo Marques discusses research that shows Ferapease can reduce stress in recently weaned calves.
Some great junior members were helping out on the grill.
Sydney Tuckwiller talks about what genomics can do for your herd.
More Scenes from the 50th Simmental Celebration & Fall Harvest Sale
Regular copy deadline is NOVEMBER 5 for the DECEMBER issue
Spotlight material is due NOVEMBER 1 for the DECEMBER issue
The N.C. Simmental Association presented sale manager Doug Parke with a special banner.
A large crowd was on hand for the 50th N.C. Consignment Sale.
Cooper Joines drew this amazing portrayal of popular bulls that was auctioned off as a fundraiser.
Gordon Hodges received a special metal hanger for being the only NCSA member to serve as an ASA Trustee.
Jeff Broadaway presented Kathy and Wade Shafer from the ASA with a special North Carolina basket.
John Langdon, Marvin Hutchison, and Jeff Broadaway were given a plaque for serving as directors.
Jonathan Massey talks about the SimAngus Solution bulls.
N.C. Golden Book Award winners Gordon Hodges, Jennie Rucker, Frank Bell received special gifts from President Jeff Broadaway.
Wilson Grant received a special award for being in charge of the N.C. Simmental booth at the N.C. State Fair for about 40 years.
Gordon Hodges had done some extensive research on the history of NCSA members.
The Simmental Trail continued
silent auction was also held with many wonderful items, raising money for both the adult and junior associations.
Sponsors of the 50 th Simmental Celebration. Our many sponsors were able to help make this event a success. Our Premier Sponsors were Fred Smith Company Ranch of Clayton and Bear Creek Beef in Bear Creek. The Gold Sponsors were Pasture Management Systems of Mount Pleasant, Morrison Farm of Rockwell, AgSouth Farm Credit, and MACS & Harward Brothers Livestock. The Silver Sponsors were Southern States of Waco, Union County Farm Bureau of Monroe, Heritage Farm Supply of Weaverville, Lonesome Valley Investments of Alexander, Neogen Corporation, Performance Livestock & Feed of Lawsonville, Waco Cattle Company of Waco, and SimAngus Solutions of Burlington. Bronze Sponsors included Farms Systems, Inc. of Statesville; Rocking F Farm of Climax; Iredell, Davidson, and Forsyth County Farm Bureaus; Nutrien Ag Systems; Carolina CAT; ABS Global; Barger Equipment of Conover; and New South Tractor of Newton.
Fall Harvest Sale. The 50 th N.C. Simmental Association sale is now the Fall Harvest Sale, and this year it was a very special one. The quantity of sale cattle offered may not have been high, but the
quality was probably the very best we have ever had. DP Sales Management served as sale manager, and they really put together a top notch group of cattle and embryos.
The top selling lots were three different lots that sold for $6,250. One was a consignment from Jeff Broadaway that sold to Ethan Sprinkle of Taylorsville, North Carolina. This was a bred purebred daughter of BBS True Justice B10. Benji Hunter of Gray Court, S.C., purchased another top lot from Bangma Farm in Thurmond. This was a cow sired by Mr SR 71 Right Now E1538 and her heifer calf sired by Schooley Standout 27G. Another top lot consigned by Rachel Penley of Bland, Va., was sold to Brandon Jones of Virginia. This ET heifer calf is sired by STF Onyx out of a JSUL Something About Mary cow.
The sale averages were very good, with the embryo lots averaging $1,618. The Pick of McDonald Farms in Virginia sold for $5,500. The open Simmental heifers averaged $3,187.50. The bred females averaged $3,685.71. There were several semen lots, and they averaged $700. The sale grossed $263,300 and averaged $3,464.47. Thanks to everyone who attended or watched online and helped make this event a huge success.
I especially want to thank Marvin Hutchison and Anna English for all they did to chair this event.
Estrus intensity’s role in maximizing cattle breeding success. Monitoring estrus intensity in cattle helps optimize reproduction and can be done efficiently with visual estrus detection aids. Estrus is one of the most important indicators of whether a cow or heifer will be successfully bred. However, not all estrus cycles are the same for individual females within a herd.
“Some cows will display estrus with less intensity for a shorter duration; they won’t walk around or be ridden as much,” says Ronaldo Cerri, Ph.D., animal reproduction professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada. “A cow in high estrus intensity typically has longer estrus and very intense physical activity that can be monitored.”
Cerri’s research works to improve cattle fertility by identifying which cows and heifers are the best candidates to breed using tactics like artificial insemination (A.I.) and embryo transfer (ET), with estrus intensity as the deciding factor.
Cattle have typical baseline activity when they aren’t in estrus. When they start to enter estrus, their activity rises as the intensity of the estrus increases. Pinpointing when estrus is about to peak is crucial to a successful pregnancy.
Make breeding decisions obvious
— After analyzing extensive data from estrus detection sensors, Cerri and other researchers have pinpointed patterns based on what’s occurring during estrus.
“The patterns are very consistent in many of the studies we do,” says Cerri. “Cows with lower estrus intensity always display less physical activity, but they also have lower pregnancy rates. On the flip side, cows with high estrus intensity display more activity and have higher pregnancy rates.”
Studies across the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Germany have all shown this same trend.
Cows exhibiting low estrus intensity tend to have lower concentrations of progesterone during the growth of the ovulatory follicle and fail to ovulate more often than those with high estrus intensity. Similarly, ET recipients that show high estrus intensity have more consistent pregnancy results.
“Estrus intensity serves as a quality marker for a good cycle that leads to a better pregnancy via A.I. and ET,” says Cerri.
Apply estrus intensity as a guide
— Evaluating estrus intensity with the help of heat detection tools can help you
pick and choose which cows are the best candidates to breed at a particular time. If you are implementing a mass breeding protocol, you also have the option to use estrus intensity to direct your choices on what type of genetics to use.
“The more targeted you want to be in your breeding program, the more you can use estrus intensity information to make a breeding decision,” says Cerri. “You can identify high estrus intensity cows to receive sexed semen or embryo transfer because they are more likely to get pregnant. Then you can use conventional semen for the low estrus intensity females.”
“You can monitor estrus intensity by watching movement and mounting activity, but it really isn’t practical,” adds Cerri. “That’s why we need to utilize tools to help us identify these events.”
A variety of tools is available to monitor estrus, such as activity monitors, tail paint or chalk, and breeding indicator patches. Some offer more information than others and come with tradeoffs.
“Activity monitors are quite effective at measuring estrus intensity, but not everyone can utilize them,” says Cerri. “Breeding indicator patches are another option that can give you a subjective measure and score estrus intensity, which is probably better than other inexpensive options like tail chalk.”
With breeding indicator patches, you can monitor estrus by looking for patches that have 50 percent or more of the surface ink rubbed off as being in high estrus intensity and are ready to breed. Females with less than 50 percent of the surface ink rubbed off are in low estrus intensity and could be bred with lower cost genetics or bred later, when they’ve reached high estrus intensity.
“Estrus and the intensity of estrus within those cows are important pieces of information to add to your reproduction program,” says Cerri. “Once you have this information, you’ll have better predictions of what your cows will do, making you more efficient and profitable.”
For more information on determining estrus intensity with breeding indicators, 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.
RED ANGUS NEWS
Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium: Tackling Market Challenges Through Strategic Cattle Marketing. The 71 st Annual National Red Angus Convention wrapped up in Lincoln, Neb., with a packed Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium. On September 13, academic and industry leaders took the stage, offering invaluable insights on a range of critical topics and equipping attendees with essential knowledge to navigate the future of Red Angus cattle production.
Derrell Peel, Ph.D., from Oklahoma State University, discussed the challenges and opportunities in the cattle market, highlighting the historically low cattle numbers. Due to drought, U.S. cow herds have shrunk to their lowest since 1961, likely resulting in the smallest calf crop since 1941. Beef production surged temporarily due to drought induced liquidation but has since decreased slightly.
Peel noted, “We’re smaller than the market wants us to be,” suggesting a need to rebuild herds, though the timeline remains uncertain. He also emphasized the impact of rising feed costs on cattle, with feedlot inventory stable but fed cattle numbers not declining as expected.
A shift in feeding more heifers, now almost 40 percent of the fed cattle inventory, has led to increased days on feed and heavier carcass weights, contributing to only a 1 percent decline in total beef production. Despite these challenges, beef demand remains strong, though Peel stressed the urgency of rebuilding the cow/calf herd by incentivizing heifer retention.
He underscored the importance of risk management, “It’s crucial to protect your marketing windows,” in an unpredictable market.
Matt Spangler, Ph.D., from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, highlighted the benefits of investing in genomically tested commercial
sires, emphasizing the significant boost in performance accuracy through genotyping, which helps identify traits in both the bull and his relatives.
“Genomics allows us to better estimate the true relationship between individuals and more accurately weight shared phenotypes, which improves the precision of our genetic predictions,” Spangler explained.
He pointed out that even a sire with a “low” accuracy EPD will lead to faster genetic progress than selecting based on raw phenotype alone.
Spangler also said that the study of genetics in the cattle industry is always evolving. “As EPDs become more accurate with genomics, the risk of not using them increases,” he cautioned.
Addressing commercial producers, he stressed the financial benefits of increased accuracy, “For commercial producers, the value of a genomically tested bull lies in risk reduction. You have greater confidence in what you’re purchasing.”
Barrett Simon, the event emcee, introduced the highly anticipated Feeder Panel discussion, featuring industry experts Abram Babcock of Adams Land & Cattle, Sara Cover of Greater Omaha, Joe Klute of Phelps County Feeders, and Perry Harrison of Harrison Harvesting. The panel covered key topics such as technology use at the packer level, commercial cattle procurement priorities, buyer-producer relationships, and strategies for cattle producers to compete in the marketplace.
One of the central discussions was the growing use of EIDs in commercial cattle herds and their benefits to packer operations. The panelists unanimously agreed that more data collected on cattle leads to better outcomes. This data improves packer projection models, tracks animal health, and ensures quality products, benefiting the entire supply chain. Sharing this data helps packers and
buyers assist cattle raisers in identifying areas for improvement, enhancing value, and supporting producers’ livelihoods.
“We need ranchers to supply products, and by sharing data through the supply chain, we’re able to encourage growth and help them remain profitable so future generations can carry on,” said Klute.
The panelists also emphasized the importance of data, performance, and risk mitigation in cattle procurement. “When buying feeder cattle, we have to identify value,” Babcock explained. “We’re always looking at margin but also for quality that will meet and drive consumer demand.”
Cover echoed this, stressing that quality at the packer level is a top priority, along with maintaining strong relationships with feeders. “Genetics only account for half of an animal’s performance potential; the feeder determines the rest.”
The importance of relationships in cattle buying was a recurring theme. Harrison highlighted the advantages of networking and researching producers.
“I’m fortunate to work on a scale that allows me to network closely and learn about potential producers just by picking up the phone,” he said. “I can ask the right questions and understand the cattle
we’re bringing in.”
For commercial producers without established buyer relationships, the panel pointed to data collection and value added programs as key competitive advantages. “I think commercial cattle producers do themselves a disservice by not exploring value added programs,” said Cover. “They are the future, and our goal is to put every product in a premium box. The best way to achieve that is by purchasing cattle marketed with value added advantages and data.”
Doug Stanton of IMI Global, who hosted a Cattle Conversations discussion earlier in the week, offered additional insights into value added programs and the marketing opportunities tied to verification programs. He highlighted the range of services IMI Global provides, including source and age verification, non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC), breed verified, and tags & traceability.
IMI Global helps beef cattle producers build trust with consumers by verifying the origin of their products and identifying key details. He emphasized the advantage of enrolling cattle in multiple programs before offering them in the marketplace. “By bundling all the claims, producers have the opportunity to
attract multiple buyers,” he said.
He also discussed how the Red Angus FCCP program complements IMI Global’s services and stressed the importance of EID tags, echoing earlier panelists’ points about the value of data in appealing to buyers. Stanton reiterated Dr. Peel’s warning about declining cattle numbers and the inevitable rise in prices, cautioning producers against staying stagnant in their marketing strategies.
“By not taking advantage of value added and verified programs, you’re going to miss out on capturing premium prices,” he explained. “Enrolling cattle in these programs guarantees animal genetics, showcases sustainability, and attracts buyers looking for specific attributes and willing to pay higher prices.”
Fittingly, following these presentations, awards were given to the elite commercial producers of the year, recognizing their commitment to using Red Angus genetics to improve their herds and their success in leveraging value added programs and marketing strategies to bring top performing, Red Angus feeder cattle to the forefront of the commercial industry.
RAAA CEO Tom Brink and Kelly
Cole Maness, President - scmaness3@gmail.com
Smith, director of commercial marketing, provided an update on association marketing, focusing on supply chains and Red Angus’ role within them.
“Coordinated supply chains are coming to the Red Angus business, and we’ll likely be involved in more than one,” Brink said. “They’ll require more data, but the financial rewards will justify the effort.” He stressed that participation in these opportunities is voluntary, with members free to choose whether to support a specific brand or beef program.
Brink also introduced BlockTrust Network, a blockchain platform designed to boost transparency and efficiency in the cattle supply chain. The software allows producers to share performance data with buyers while streamlining the process.
Smith highlighted the software’s ability to showcase animal health, a key concern for feeders. “Our goal is to help you fetch premiums, and the industry thrives on transparency. The more information we share, the better off everyone will be,” he said.
Kenny Stauffer of Neogen
Continued on the next page
Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd.
Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-981-2080 bullhill2@prtcnet.com • www.bullhillredangus.com
COUNTRY BOY FARMS
David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709
Red Angus News continued from the
highlighted the crucial role of health in the cattle industry.
Stauffer discussed Neogen’s contributions and the extensive data they process for Red Angus producers, and introduced two key tools: Igenity Beef and Igenity Feeder. These genetic testing solutions help producers identify essential traits related to health, performance, and market readiness in cattle.
“Igenity Beef allows cow/calf producers to assess heifer retention value, verify parentage, and produce feeder cattle that meet market demands,” Stauffer explained. “For those targeting the feedlot sector, Igenity Feeder leverages DNA to predict performance and economic outcomes for cattle feeders.”
By pinpointing growth and performance potential in feeder cattle
before they hit the market, Stauffer explained how producers can enhance the value of their livestock, drawing in buyers and securing premium prices with data backed genetic insights.
The 71st Annual National Red Angus Convention’s Commercial Cattleman’s Symposium addressed critical cattle market challenges, the need for herd rebuilding, and the benefits of genomic advancements. The importance of data driven decisions and strong buyerproducer relationships was highlighted, along with value added programs and genetic testing tools.
Overall, the symposium emphasized that proactive management and transparency are vital for Red Angus producers to succeed in a competitive market.
About the Red Angus Association
2024 Spotlight iSSueS Schedule
Most of the breed associations in North and South Carolina have stepped forward and renewed their contracts for Spotlight sections in The Carolina Cattle Connection for 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.
2024 Reserved Spotlight Issues
JANUARY CHAROLAIS
FEBRUARY FORAGES
MARCH
of America. RAAA serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus influenced cattle. RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by
701x Acquires DigitalBeef LLC. 701x is excited to announce the acquisition of DigitalBeef, a leading registry platform based in San Antonio, Texas. DigitalBeef has established an excellent reputation within the livestock industry and among breed associations — a foundation 701x aims to build upon. Dr. Joseph Massey, CEO of DigitalBeef, expressed his enthusiasm, saying the acquisition “presents a tremendous opportunity to expand service capabilities and introduce new products to better serve our customers.”
DigitalBeef currently serves as the registry software for the following beef breed associations (in no particular order):
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
For more information about your breed’s Spotlight Issue, contact: The Carolina
alongside new predictive tools.”
Dr. Massey will transition into the role of Chief Scientific Officer at 701x, and the rest of the DigitalBeef team will remain in their current roles, ensuring a smooth transition. Dr. Massey also commented on the future of the industry, saying, “The next decade promises to be an exciting time for cattle producers, with innovative advancements on the horizon.” From all of us at 701x, we could not agree more!
About 701x Inc. Since its inception in 2020, 701x has been hard at work designing innovations for the cattle industry. Their goal is to create a platform that can help automate the management of cattle herds, allowing
1. American Gelbvieh Association
2. North American Limousin Foundation
3. American Shorthorn Association
4. Canadian Gelbvieh Association
5. American Akaushi Association
6. Canadian Limousin Association
7. Canadian Shorthorn Association
8. American Maine-Anjou Association
9. American Chianina Association
10. American Black Hereford Association
11. American Wagyu Association
12. Texas Longhorns Association
13. Braunvieh Association of America
14. American Brahman Breeders Association
15. Beefmaster Breeders United
16. Belted Galloway Society
17. Santa Gertrudis Breeders International
Dr. Massey highlighted the strategic fit of the two companies, saying, “701x brings cutting edge technology to the industry, providing us with enhanced capabilities and services.” Dr. Massey added, “The xTpro will introduce a new set of data points and insights into individual animals, which will soon be integrated into DigitalBeef’s programs
ranchers to do more with less. With their current management system consisting of two electronic ear tags, a base station, a water sensor, and their Autonomous Rancher cattle management app, they are doing just that. 701x is actively improving animal records, animal health, and cattle management thanks to the features of their technologies.
Beef Promotion and Research Program
PRIVATE TREATY SALES
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Information is required by (7 CRF 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential (7 CRF 1260.203).
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not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.8 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disbility, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or protected genetic information. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14 th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
2024 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium
By JESSICA HALL N.C. State University
The 2024 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) Symposium was very educational and extremely well run. The conference was held in Athens, Ga., on September 4–5. All the presenters were highly distinguished in their respective areas of expertise and brought relevant and timely information to the discussion. The topics were heavily rooted in research and focused on the improvement of the beef industry. The sponsor and vendor booths were great as well.
The Beef Reproduction Task Force is a multi-disciplinary group formed by research and extension faculty members
from universities across the U.S. with a focus on beef cattle reproduction, management, and reproductive technologies. I would highly recommend any cattle producer interested in being on the cutting edge of industry technologies to attend the conference, and anyone interested in improving their reproductive operations should check out the Beef Reproduction Task Force website at www. beefrepro.org for helpful information and resources.
The Task Force came together as a group in 2000, arising from the need for extension personnel to effectively communicate to beef producers the
latest information related to reproductive technologies.
At the time, research in the area of estrous cycle control in cattle expanded to more precise methods of control that included treatment with progestins, manipulation of follicular waves, and control of the lifespan of the corpus luteum. The rapid development of new systems to synchronize estrus and their associated acronyms created confusion in the industry, which resulted in the apparent need to embark on a coordinated effort to provide clarity.
The Beef Reproduction Task Force hosted the first “Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle” Symposium (ARSBC) in 2002 in Manhattan, Kansas. Since that time, symposia have been conducted at numerous locations across the United States.
Representatives from the veterinary, artificial insemination (A.I.), and pharmaceutical industries were invited to meet with members of the Beef Reproduction Task Force at the 2004 symposium in North Platte, Neb., and together formed the Beef Reproduction Leadership Team.
At that time, a common mission was established: “To optimize the productivity and improve the profitability of cow/calf operations by facilitating the adoption of cost effective, applied reproductive technologies.”
The Beef Reproduction Leadership Team is dedicated to educating beef cattle producers on sustainable reproductive management systems to maintain U.S. leadership and competitiveness in the
2024 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts
world beef market.
A major outcome stemming from the newly formed group was the development of standardized nomenclature for the various estrous synchronization protocols. Collectively, the group established a short list of recommended protocols for beef heifers and cows, which now appears in the catalogs of the major A.I. companies. The lists of recommended protocols are updated annually based on current research.
The Beef Reproduction Leadership Team and the Beef Reproduction Task Force work together to host the ARSBC symposia, planning future symposia based on program content and location, and identifying future research needs.
The Beef Reproduction Task Force and Leadership Team partnered with the Iowa Beef Center (IBC) to incorporate the lists of recommended protocols into the Estrus Synchronization Planner, a spreadsheet tool that provides scheduling and cost estimates for a variety of estrous synchronization protocols.
Don’t get caught napping! Deadline is 5th of month prior to issue!
S.C. CharolaiS NewS
By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association
Well, this has been a fun start to October. I am writing this late, so, hopefully, it will make the paper because I went eight days with no power, no internet connection, and a hundred trees down all over the farm. Everything, and I mean everything, was shut down with no power — grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, banks, etc. People down here learned to never depend on bank cards again. Always carry cash because the few places that opened without power took cash only.
The hurricane came in here with 70 mph winds and 12 inches of rain. We were landlocked for a couple of days because fallen trees blocked the roads. We finally got out to check the pastures and could not believe how many trees came down, blown over from the roots. I told someone
Axiota Announces Multimin 90 OMRI Certification, Expanding Use in Organic Cattle Operations.
Axiota Animal Health announced that Multimin 90 (zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium injection) — a proven, one-of-akind solution to provide trace minerals to cattle — has received Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) certification. This certification now allows Multimin 90 to be utilized by certified organic beef and dairy operations, further supporting organic producers with a non-antibiotic solution that supplements trace minerals known to support cattle health and reproduction.
OMRI is an independent nonprofit organization that reviews products to ensure compliance with organic standards. By earning OMRI Listed status, Multimin 90 meets the rigorous requirements set forth for livestock healthcare products used in compliance with the USDA National Organic Program. This certification assures producers that Multimin 90 can be integrated into their organic practices, providing key essential trace minerals including zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium, which are critical for immune function and reproductive health.
Jimmy Owens, Axiota U.S. chief commercial and strategy officer, said,
that my barbwire must have magnets in it because every tree fell on a fence. Not one blew over away from the fence. So far, we have repaired fences on three pastures so no cattle or bulls could take a road trip.
Restaurants and churches began cooking whatever was in their freezers and refrigerators on grills and giving away free food to anyone who could get there.
By the end of the week, in desperation, I posted online from my cellphone for anyone coming to Knoxville to please bring me a loaf of bread. By the time we could go to stores, there was no bread, soup, milk, or saltine crackers. That started something, and my phone started ringing, asking what we needed down here. I called our state representative for this area and asked him. He said we were beginning to get in pretty
good shape with contributions arriving from the coast. He said we were flying supplies to North Carolina daily from the county airport. I put the word out, and I had supplies coming to the Southern Connection Sale from the Midwest and North.
On Friday morning, we loaded up our heifers and headed to Knoxville. Now, mind you, we couldn’t go through North Carolina to get there because all the roads in Western North Carolina are washed away. We had to take I-85 to Atlanta (ugh, I hate driving through Atlanta) to get to I-75 to Chattanooga and then right on I-75 to Knoxville. What used to be a three hour trip became a 6.5 hour trip. The sale went great, and we came back with a cattle trailer loaded with supplies for
North Carolina. We loaded donations from Tom Greco of Kansas, Larson Family and Fink Beef Genetics in Kansas, Jerry and Michelle Lehmann from Missouri, Drew Obermeyer in Kansas, and a big load from Dr. Daren Statler in Pennsylvania. Dr. Statler also brought me two loaves of bread and some saltine crackers for me. Lehmann and Greco sold donated embryos to the sale, with the proceeds going to hurricane relief in North Carolina.
We got home at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, and the power came on two hours before we got home. What a week! On Sunday morning, we got the donated supplies to the airport to be flown out.
“OMRI certification is a testament to our commitment to offer scientifically proven, first-in-class products that meet the highest standards for animal well being and sustainability.” He added, “Organic producers now have access to a trusted, effective product to supply trace minerals that are known to support cattle health while adhering to organic program standards.”
Key production events, such as breeding, calving, vaccination, and transportation, result in an increased demand for trace minerals. This demand creates the need for strategic supplementation prior to and during these events. Multimin 90 can be used to supplement four key trace minerals that are used for important biological processes, including physiological, immunity, and reproduction.
For more information about Multimin 90 and its use on organic operations, visit www.axiota.com
About Axiota Animal Health. Axiota delivers best-in-class animal health products with proven modes of action. Axiota’s focus is to help producers manage risk and support cattle health, performance, and well being across multiple stages of beef and dairy production.
Yearling Bulls Available Private Treaty
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
828-320-7317 - Kim jodystandley@gmail.com
HEREFORD HILLS
Greensboro, NC
Bill Kirkman III 336-382-9635 ST Genetics Representative
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 336-399-9884 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
Farm Location - 2296 N. Lomax Road • Traphill, NC
Home - 775 Clacton Circle • Earlysville, VA
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
Renovo Seed Launches OptiHarv Forage Mix. Renovo Seed announced the addition of a new forage mix, OptiHarv, to their portfolio at the 2024 World Dairy Expo. The mix is a diverse blend of millets, peas, beans, barley, and brassicas that produces immense tonnage for baleage, haylage, or grazing. The season long growth provides high quality TMR and allows for multiple harvests from just one field.
“OptiHarv is a great option for dairy and cattle producers who are looking for a high quality feed to give their animals. Since the blend has eight different species, it provides great nutrition and tonnage that has the potential to feed your livestock all season long,” says Justin Fruechte, Product Expert with Renovo Seed.
Nutritional tests show OptiHarv has excellent results in yield potential, crude protein levels, relative feed value, and total digestible nutrients. When tested, crude protein was 14.64 percent dry matter, and the relative feed value was 110.69 on a dry basis. Total digestible nutrients came in at 64.80 ADF. These values can vary depending on species maturity, weather conditions, and cutting time. OptiHarv has an overall yield potential of 8–10 tons of silage/baleage in the first cutting and an additional 2–3 tons of regrowth to graze or harvest again.
“The awesome thing about this blend is that you can get a great amount of tonnage for bales, and you can also hay it or graze it. This mix was developed based on what I need on my own farm, so creating a
high quality forage mix with multiple uses was important,” said Fruechte. There has been a huge increase in the use of winter annuals, such as rye or triticale, after a silage harvest. OptiHarv works best when planted around the first of June, after a winter annual is harvested. The mix’s plant diversity also allows it to be used as a cover crop for producers enrolled in NRCS or carbon programs. The mix incorporates both cool and warm season species, providing a wet forage mix that is high in protein and very palatable for livestock. After planting, the mix will be ready for its first cutting after approximately 70 days.
To learn more about OptiHarv and other Renovo Seed products, visit www. renovoseed.com
About Renovo Seed. Renovo Seed is a visionary in the seed industry, focusing on positive land use solutions. Backed by Millborn’s powerful supply chain, Renovo Seed works to improve the resiliency of the land for generations to come with a robust seed lineup and an unmatched team of experts who design practical, tailored solutions for farmers, ranchers, and landowners. For more information, visit www.RenovoSeed.com
You shouldn’t have to have a gun held to your head to take advantage of the expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies featured in the Classifieds in this issue!
MERCK
Animal Health News
Merck Animal Health Introduces SENSEHUB Cow Calf. Proprietary technology assists with breeding success in herds that use artificial insemination and embryo transfer, plus alerts caregivers to cows needing attention. Merck Animal Health recently announced the introduction of SENSEHUB Cow Calf, remote monitoring technology designed to help optimize breeding results with less labor for cow/calf producers, including seedstock and club calf producers, who use artificial insemination (A.I.) or embryo transfer (ET).
SENSEHUB Cow Calf monitors behaviors that help to detect estrus, determine ideal insemination windows, and uncover potential reproductive issues faster than human observation alone. The technology continuously analyzes data being collected and delivers convenient alerts to smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers, saving producers time typically required for visually observing heats.
“For producers using A.I. or ET, SENSEHUB Cow Calf takes the guesswork out of identifying the breeding window,” said Lauren Wottlin, research and development field trials manager at Merck Animal Health. “Reproductive efficiency is critical, especially in high value animals. Automated heat detection helps to determine when an individual cow or heifer is in estrus, so you can inseminate
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her at the best time to optimize conception rates and minimize calving intervals.”
The technology, which features a new algorithm, also improves the ability to address reproductive issues. It helps to identify a heifer or cow that does not conceive earlier than ultrasound or traditional pregnancy checks. Animals not having regular cycles are identified, and a report can be generated for animals suspected of aborting.
An additional benefit of the technology is the ability to continuously keep an eye on herd and individual animal well being.
“By tracking activity and rumination with an ear mounted accelerometer in real time, the system can alert you early when a cow or heifer needs attention,” Wottlin said. “Early detection and intervention can improve treatment outcomes, plus give you peace of mind knowing your animals are being monitored.”
SENSEHUB Cow Calf integrates with several cattle management platforms and will be available directly via online ordering through the Merck Animal Health website.
Minimal hardware is needed, and the system is easy to install. Data recorded and analyzed by SENSEHUB Cow Calf is used to create simple to ead, understandable dashboards. It is backed up and stored in a secure, cloud based system. SENSEHUB Cow Calf ear tags also illuminate and flash, making it easier for caregivers to find animals flagged by the system.
SENSEHUB Cow Calf is part of the SENSEHUB family of brands from Merck Animal Health, providing advanced monitoring technology to give actionable insights to cow/calf, stocker, feedlot, and dairy producers for optimal herd productivity and management.
“Merck Animal Health is committed to advancing the health, productivity, and well being of cattle and contributing to the ongoing success of our customers’ operations,” said Kevin Mobley, executive director of cattle sales and marketing at Merck Animal Health. “SENSEHUB Cow Calf is another example of using monitoring innovation to bring insights driven solutions to our customers.”
For more information about SENSEHUB Cow Calf, visit www. SenseHub-CowCalf.com
SENSEHUB technologies are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or
prevent any disease in animals. For the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of diseases in animals, you should consult your veterinarian. The accuracy of the data collected and presented through this product is not intended to match that of medical devices or scientific measurement devices.
About Merck Animal Health. At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines, and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases.
Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., is the global animal health business of Merck. Through
its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners, and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services, as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability, and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www. merck-animal-health.com
Carolina Cooking
Dijon & Herb Rubbed Beef Roast with Cranberry Sauce
Total Time — 3 hours, 15 minutes
1 beef rib roast bone in (2-4 ribs), small end, chine (back) bone removed (6-8 pounds)
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Dijon style mustard, divided
1 tablespoon steak seasoning blend
1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
3 cups fresh cranberries (about 12 oz.)
2 cups water ½ cup honey
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine 3 tablespoons of mustard, steak seasoning, and rosemary in a small bowl. Rub evenly onto all surfaces of the beef rib roast, bone in.
Place the roast, fat side up, in a shallow roasting pan. Insert the ovenproof meat thermometer so that the tip is centered in the thickest part of beef, not resting in fat or touching the bone. Do not
add water or cover. Roast in a 350°F oven for 2¼-2½ hours for medium rare; 2½-3 hours for medium doneness.
Meanwhile, combine the cranberries, water, and honey in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until berries burst and mixture is syrupy. Stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons of mustard; remove from heat. Set aside. Remove the roast when the meat
thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare; 145°F for medium doneness. Transfer the roast to a carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let it stand for 15–20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10–15°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium.)
Carve the roast into slices; season with salt and pepper, as desired. Serve with cranberry sauce.
Makes 10 servings.
Dijon & Herb Rubbed Beef Roast with Cranberry Sauce
By HARRISON SMITH, Ridley Block Operations
Stress Free Fall Weaning with Crystalyx
As we wrap up summer and prepare for the fall, there are many moving parts and pieces in the world of cattle producers. Much time is dedicated to ranch operations like pulling bulls, checking herd health, and putting up or moving in hay. Then factoring in those who are trying to squeeze in a last second vacation or get kids sent off to school, it seems like there are never enough hours in the day.
We power through this time with our eyes set on the fall. Fall is my favorite time of the year. It brings us cooler weather (hopefully) and football, plus it’s when we are weaning the spring born calves, which sets the stage for a large portion of the cash flow for an operation.
Weaning can be a stressful situation (for the producers and the calves), so
taking the time to come up with a game plan is beneficial to making this process as smooth as possible.
Cattle producers wean calves in many different ways. Three popular options:
• Fence line – Fence line weaning is a great way to wean calves, if you have the pasture or pen to do it. This weaning concept is when you separate the cows and calves from one another through the opposite sides of a fence line. This gives them nose-tonose contact and allows the calves to stay in a familiar environment. Studies on fence line weaning have shown decreased stress, with less fence walking and bawling. The downside to fence line weaning is space. Extra pasture room or pen space can be a challenge to find. If you can fence line wean, spend the time to check your pens and
ensure the fences are in good condition.
• Nose flap – This is a two part method that uses a nose flap that prevents the calf from nursing but allows it to stay on the side of the dam throughout the weaning process. After the nose flap is in for around 10–14 days, the calf and dam are separated, and the nose flap is removed. Although this concept is generally considered less stressful (as the calf is with its dam through the weaning process), this method is more labor and time intensive, as calves will be handled to apply the nose flap and again when it needs to be removed. Additionally, there are extra costs associated with purchasing the nose flaps.
• Immediate separation – Immediate separation is often thought of as the traditional method of weaning. This concept involves total separation of the cow and calf on the day of weaning. Calves are typically moved to a new environment, such as a pasture or dry lot, or sometimes taken straight to market, often resulting in fence walking and bawling as cows and calves search for one another. This behavior can last several days and cause a high amount of stress for calves and cows. Immediate separation can put dollars back into your bank account the fastest, but the stress and shrink that
come with it can lower your profitability. How Crystalyx can help – No matter which weaning scenario fits your program the best, a Crystalyx supplement can help with weaning success. In our Crystalyx portfolio, we have two great solutions that protect against the effects of stress: Crystalyx Brigade and Crystalyx Blueprint Battalion. These supplements provide electrolytes and elevated levels of vitamins and minerals, including Bioplex organic trace minerals, to help cattle overcome the stress of weaning. Blueprint Battalion also includes Bio-Mos 2 to support gut health and integrity, plus chromium, which is important in maintaining the health of stressed calves.
Putting out Crystalyx barrels to the cows and calves before weaning lets the calves get used to consuming a low moisture block — and fall in love with its palatability. After weaning, place Crystalyx Brigade or Crystalyx Blueprint Battalion barrels around the perimeter of the pen, as this will allow the calves to find the familiar Crystalyx product quicker.
With high calf prices this year, making sure weaning goes as smoothly and stress free as possible can help improve your operation’s profitability. Reach out to your local Crystalyx representative or dealer so we can get you products that will perform!
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
MILE OF FENCE PROGRAM
New Members by County in 2024 (as of 10-18-24) Alamance
New NCCA Members for 2024
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:
Out-of-State
Morgan Gilbert – J&M Cattle Company –South Carolina
Avery County
Hannah Townsend – Townsend Family Farm
Buncombe County
Jim Reising
Cabarrus County
Emma Porter
Caldwell County
Johnny Wilson Farm
Ryan Annas
Mark Causby
Dakota Kirby
Jeff Kirby – Blue Ridge Farms
Tyler McKinney
Carteret County
Chris & Tonya Neville
Caswell County
Austin Dailey – Dailey Cattle Company
Chatham County
Damon Allen – Meacham Farm
Cleveland County
Bart Fortenbery
– Apple Lane Farm & Ranch
Davie County
Gracie Cullop
Kayla Cullop
Forsyth County
Jon Coley – LC Cattle
Granville County
Elvin & Madeline Eaton – Fairport Farms
Tommie Porter – Porter Feal Farm
Guilford County
Cole Joyce – Summerfield Farms
Moore County
Gentry Hinson – Carson Cattle Company
George Jorgensen – Cherrywood
Orange County Gates Farm Hall Farm
Polk County Ben Settle – Settle Hills Farm
Sampson County John Sargent – Bull Creek Farms
2025-2026 Scholarship Applications
The N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation is now receiving applications for undergraduate scholarships and graduate student travel funding for the 2025-2026 academic year. This is the ninth year the foundation will award scholarships to students who are North Carolina residents. However, they are still eligible if they are attending college in another state.
The applications for both scholarships and graduate student travel are available on the main webpage of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. Completed applications must be submitted online from www.nccattle.com . However, printable versions are available to assist
you in gathering information for your applications. If applicants are unable to submit completed applications online, they must contact Casey Hinnant at mail@ nccattle.com for other accommodations. All applications are due by 12:00 midnight EST on January 10, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed and recommended for NCCF board approval at its meeting in mid-February. Awards will be announced after that meeting.
Questions regarding the application process can be addressed to Dr. Roger Crickenberger at 919-464-5636 or cricks4@mac.com or Casey Hinnant at 919-552-9111 or mail@nccattle.com
PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL NEWS
Forestry Legislation Backed by NCBA and PLC Passes U.S. House. Recently, the Fix Our Forests Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote of 268 to 151. This legislation, introduced by Representative Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Representative Scott Peters (D-Calif.) removes burdensome red tape from our nation’s forests, supporting land management, and protecting the West from devastating wildfire. Both the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) support this legislation.
“Over 6.5 million acres of the West have burned this year alone. These horrific wildfires destroy our beautiful
natural resources, hurt rural communities, and threaten our farms and ranches,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele. “The Fix Our Forests Act would make it easier to manage our forests and use tools like livestock grazing to reduce the risk of wildfire. Farmers and ranchers are ready to be partners in protecting our western landscapes, and I am pleased that this legislation acknowledges our important role.”
The Fix Our Forests Act simplifies the environmental review process, known as a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, that federal agencies must go through before making land management decisions. The bill also reduces frivolous lawsuits that may delay
critical land management actions and supports grazing as a wildfire reduction tool. In total, the bill helps land managers take faster action to reduce overgrowth and protect our forests from catastrophic wildfire.
“Cattle and sheep grazing is an important tool for mitigating fire, and we continue seeing research showing that grazing decreases flame height, limits fire spread, and reduces the risk of fire,” said PLC President Tim Canterbury, a Colorado grazing permittee. “We are pleased that bipartisan leaders in Congress like Representative Westerman and Representative Peters are acknowledging the role of grazing in preventing wildfires. PLC urges the Senate to pass this bill next to ensure that land managers have every tool available before next year’s wildfire season.”
PLC Welcomes UNR Study That Busts Common Cattle Myth. The Public Lands Council hailed a recent University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) study that shows that the digestive process of cattle renders cheatgrass seeds effectively inert, virtually eliminating any ability for those seeds
to germinate into new plants. This study effectively busts the common myth that has incorrectly blamed cattle for spreading invasive cheatgrass plants across western landscapes through grazing.
“As a grazing permittee, I have seen firsthand how the presence of cattle on allotments drastically reduces the amount of cheatgrass and other invasive plants compared to areas without livestock. This study proves that the spread of cheatgrass is not happening through as a byproduct of grazing and should be an incentive for federal agencies to work more with ranchers on range conservation and removing invasive plants like cheatgrass that are known to fuel catastrophic wildfires,” said PLC President and Colorado grazing permittee Tim Canterbury. “It has to happen now. With over 6.1 million acres of land burned nationwide so far this year, it is past time to double down on grazing as the best way to eliminate invasive plants and protect our country’s natural resources from wildfires. Thanks to the Nevada Department of Agriculture and University of Nevada - Reno for completing this
comprehensive study and all they do to support the ranching community.”
The results from the UNR study confirm what rangeland managers have seen through careful management of grazed lands: the timing of grazing on federal lands removes cheatgrass density that allows native grasses a chance to establish and grow, improving biodiversity and giving native grasses the space to establish greater dominance. These environmental outcomes are just some of the voluntary conservation work ranchers undertake to
Have you forgotten something? Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association!
maintain rangeland, but ranchers often face serious regulatory barriers due to gaps in science or social misconceptions.
“This study is a perfect example of commonsense meeting environmental realities: livestock have long been maligned for spreading cheatgrass across the West, despite cheatgrass exploding on rangelands where livestock have been reduced or removed. At the same time, we’ve seen a massive increase in acres affected by catastrophic wildfire, which creates perfect conditions for cheatgrass to take over a landscape,” said PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “What we see in the West today is a perfect storm of mismanagement and misinformation, and this study is a huge step in the right direction in applying real solutions to real problems, like late season grazing on cheatgrass stands. If seeds can’t survive the digestion process, cattle are the ideal tool: grazing immediately reduces fine fuel buildup to reduce fire risk, neutralizes seeds to prevent regermination next year, and provides critical organic matter to support native grass stands in the following year. Thank you to the researchers who took the time to conduct this labor-intensive study and prove that grazing is the best conservation practice for our western landscape.”
About the Public Lands Council. PLC represents public lands ranchers in Washington, D.C. Since 1968, PLC has worked with Congress and the federal land management agencies to maintain a stable business environment in which livestock producers can conserve the West and feed the nation and world. Visit www. publiclandscouncil.org to learn more.
UPDATES!
Education Elevated at CattleCon 2025. Register today for 32 nd Annual Cattlemen’s College. For more than 30 years, Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, has provided cattle producers with valuable information to help improve their herds and businesses. This premier educational experience will be held in conjunction with CattleCon 2025 on February 4–6 in San Antonio, Texas.
“Producer feedback drives the agenda for Cattlemen’s College, and we elevate our educational content every year,” said Michaela Clowser, senior director of producer education with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Our goal is to give producers the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and provide them with the latest advancements.”
The Cattlemen’s College luncheon on February 4 will feature four leading voices in the cattle industry, providing fast paced talks on nutrition, genetics, grazing, and beef in a healthy, sustainable diet. Each presenter will look back in time and share a little history, update the narrative on where the industry is today, and provide a glimpse into the future of beef.
There will be two days of classroom sessions and one day of live animal
handling demos. Industry experts will tackle innovative topics including business management, emerging trends, grazing, sustainability, nutrition, herd health, genetics, and reproduction. Sessions will also be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch when they return home.
In addition to Cattlemen’s College, there are learning opportunities available on the NCBA Trade Show floor. Cattle Chats features 20 minute beef industry educational sessions. Attendees can also stop in the Learning Lounge to enjoy informal, face-to-face talks in an intimate setting. Speakers will tackle topics such as reproductive technologies, vaccination programs, ag lending, and crop protection.
Cattle producers attending Cattlemen’s College are eligible for the Rancher Resilience Grant, which provides reimbursement for registration and up to three nights of hotel. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba. org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant Register today by selecting the Education Package, which offers the best value and combines admission to CattleCon and Cattlemen’s College. For more information, visit www.convention.ncba.org
Federation oF State BeeF CounCilS update
Bridging the Gap Between Farm and Fork. Today’s consumers are generations removed from any connection to a farm or ranch, yet they yearn for a relationship with those who produce their food. Market research continues to show that consumers want to hear from farmers and ranchers about how cattle are raised. The “Cattle Calling” docuseries was created to help bridge the gap between farm and fork.
Produced by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, “Cattle Calling” invites consumers to step into the world of modern day cattle ranchers as they navigate the trials and tribulations to continue the lineage of the American beef producer. Each episode provides an in-depth look at how cattle are cared for and invites viewers to follow along to see how families across the country adapt to their environments to ensure their legacies continue.
Episodes featuring farming and ranching families in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado are currently available to view, with new episodes coming soon
highlighting producers in Washington and Tennessee. The docuseries brings family stories to life and builds common ground between producers and consumers.
Whether they have been in business for generations or are just getting started, producers tell their own stories about raising cattle. While the families have common goals of caring for cattle and natural resources, they share different management practices unique to their environment, business model, and geography.
“Federation funding has been instrumental in allowing us to produce this important docuseries,” said Hillary Makens, NCBA’s senior executive director of issues management and public relations. “This video series is one more resource we can use to educate the public about how cattle are raised, and it provides a platform to explain complicated topics in a way that consumers can understand.”
Beyond reaching consumers through YouTube, social media, and events, “Cattle Calling” is drawing attention from national networks requesting interviews
with producers. As additional episodes are released, the videos will be available online and shown through other outlets to share these unique stories.
“Cattle Calling” continues the Beef Checkoff’s ongoing emphasis on connecting with consumers and sharing the stories of beef producers. The docuseries aims to build relationships and trust between consumers and the cattlemen and women raising food for the family dinner table.
For more information and to watch the series, visit www.CattleCalling.org
Building Beef Advocacy Through Pri me Partners Summit. This summer in Colorado, 28 Trailblazers, food content creators, and nutrition influencers came together for a Beef Checkoff funded, three day immersive event in Colorado designed to educate and encourage collaboration among three unique and influential groups to promote beef. Following a series of educational sessions, including information on today’s beef consumer, attendees watched a cutting demo, learned about beef’s role in a healthy lifestyle, and engaged with producers through networking and tours.
For some, this was the first time to see (and touch) cattle and to buy their first cowboy hat. Beyond learning about the cattle industry lifestyle, attendees were able to ask basic questions about what cattle eat, how they are raised, and beef’s nutrition
and versatility. The unique event armed attendees with science based information to share with their social media followers.
With a social media following of more than three million people, attending influencers have posted 250 Instagram stories about their beef experience. According to post event surveys, 94 percent of attendees said their perception of the beef industry improved or was very positive, and the same number said the information provided was extremely helpful.
“We were excited to see how producer advocates and influencers with different perspectives came together to learn from one another and find common ground through beef,” said Chandler Mulvaney, director of grassroots advocacy and spokesperson development at NCBA. “The best part is that even after the event, they continue to collaborate and share beef’s positive story.”
About the Beef Checkoff. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
A MessAge froM the Ceo
By COLIN WOODALL National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Whatever the Direction, NCBA Will Lead
In just a matter of weeks, we will know the new political landscape that lies ahead. Regardless of the outcome, we are prepared to continue our proud tradition of being your voice and leading this industry through the next several years. We’ve experienced all the various combinations of political party control in our government, and we have found a way to navigate them all. We are prepared, and our team has the knowledge, experience, and fortitude to tackle the upcoming challenges and opportunities. We will go forward with your success at the core of our strategy. Producer profitability and preserving the cattleman’s way of life lies at the heart of all we do as an association. If we can’t help you stay in business, then there is no viable U.S. cattle industry and definitely no NCBA. Every NCBA member has a different view of what our role is when it comes to profitability. I wish we had the ability to control the markets the way some believe we do, but there are many other variables that impact the bottom line. Our work in policy advocacy, producer
education, and beef research and promotion all have an impact on your success.
Part of the work we do to ensure that our industry is viable for years to come is anticipating what might impact future success. NCBA’s officers and executive committee are currently working on a new strategic plan for the association. Strategic plans are critical in identifying the priorities of the association and where we want the association to go in the future. Given everything we must deal with, it can be easy to get distracted. Following a strategic plan ensures we are working on the highest priority issues that will impact your profitability and ability to pass on the farm or ranch. We would love to work on each issue that comes our way, but we just don’t have the time or resources to do that.
We began the strategic planning process during the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego. Attendees were invited to participate in the Richard McDonald Leadership Institute, where we conducted a SWOT analysis to get feedback on NCBA’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities,
DOE Launches Prize for Cattle Agrivoltaics
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) formally launched the American Made Large Animal and Solar System Operations (LASSO) Prize, which offers $8 million in cash prizes to bring cattle agrivoltaics projects to life and learn more about this innovative practice. Form teams and submit Phase 1 applications by March 6, 2025. For more information, visit www.herox.com/LASSO
Co-locating solar energy systems and cattle grazing operations could be a value add that diversifies agricultural operations, generates additional income for landowners, farmers, and ranchers, and engages local communities in sustainability efforts. The LASSO Prize will bring together multiple stakeholders to develop innovative co-location practices, build pilot sites, and share information on best practices, costs, energy, and agricultural outcomes.
Watch a recording of the first informational webinar at www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=CHv2WH1Ir8I&themeRefresh=1, and register for the next informational webinar on December 4 at 1:00 p.m. to learn more at https://nrel.zoomgov.com/ webinar/register/WN_PScsO1zvRxqYV2C93-wq8Q#/registration
and Threats. We received candid and helpful feedback that has been shared with the officers and executive committee. Later this month, the executive committee will meet in Denver to utilize this feedback in crafting a new strategic plan. After they complete the draft, we will circulate it to all our state and breed partners to get feedback before it is finalized and voted on during the NCBA Board of Directors meeting in February in San Antonio. The process so far has been the most grassroots focused strategic plan that I can recall.
Timing our new strategic plan with a new presidential administration and the 119 th Congress couldn’t be better. As the White House and Capitol Hill get prepared for the upcoming year, we will
“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
DONNA BYRUM
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be there to advocate based on the priorities outlined in the plan. Producer profitability will be front and center as we tackle many of the expiring provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Signed into law by former President Trump, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act included many of our requests, such as doubling the Death Tax exemption amounts and indexing them for inflation. As of January 1, the Death Tax exemption is $13.61 million per person and $27.22 million for a married couple. Equally as important was preserving stepped up basis. These two provisions alone go a long way toward protecting the majority of us in agriculture. However, at the end of 2025, these exemption levels revert to $5 million per person and $10 million per couple.
As I mentioned earlier, the price we get paid for our cattle is only one component of profitability. NCBA will continue our tradition of co-leading the small business and agriculture tax coalition in fighting for a tax code more favorable to cattle producers. We will address the Death Tax, step up in basis, Section 1031 like-kind exchanges, 2032A special use valuations, and more as we start to see Congressional action on the tax code provisions that begin to expire at the end of 2025.
Taxes won’t be the only issue we work on. New legislative challenges will arise, and we will continue to fight the regulatory burdens coming out of federal agencies, regardless of 1600 Pennsylvania’s new occupant. Come January, the most important thing will be for us to get out and engage with the new members of Congress and the new administration to let them know that NCBA is the trusted leader and definitive voice of the U.S. cattle and beef industry.
PresideNt’s rePort
By MARK EISELE National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
A Challenging Summer Comes to an End
Summer is always a challenging time of the year, and between heat, drought, and wildfires, 2024 has been no different. This year has seen over 34,000 wildfires that burned more than 6.6 million acres of land. These disasters hurt us in so many ways — the physical, emotional, and financial toll of battling the elements. Still, I see hope and resilience in our industry, and there is no better example of that than the friends, family, and fellow producers who rally to our aid after each disaster.
In our world today, there are too many people who talk about helping and too few who actually step up, but in the cattle industry, helping your neighbor and your community still means something. Across the country, volunteers brought fencing supplies, feed, fuel, and equipment to the areas devastated by wildfires. Many producers also donated to relief funds launched by state cattlemen’s associations. This money has been used to help producers who suffered major losses and support efforts to rebuild after fires. I want to tell everyone who donated their hard-earned money, time, or supplies: thank you. Your support has made a real difference in the lives of producers across the country.
Unfortunately, it is not just wildfires across the South and West that harm our operations. For much of the year, the southeast, southwest, and Midwest have experienced damaging drought conditions. Drought harms our pastures, reduces available grass for our cattle, and adds more pressure to our bottom line at a time when other input costs are already up.
As we recover from disasters like wildfire and drought, we often rely on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) resources like loans to repair property, livestock indemnity payments, and access to emergency grazing options. Many of these programs are an essential tool for recovering from natural disasters, but they do have a few shortcomings that NCBA is working to address.
In the past, Congress has authorized
disaster relief funding based on specific natural disasters. This means that after a specific wildfire, storm, or other event, Congress needs to draft a bill, pass it through the House and Senate, and have the president sign it before relief funds ever reach producers. Too often, this funding gets delayed due to how busy Congress gets or even for political reasons as members of Congress try to hash out policy differences. We believe this system is unacceptable, which is why NCBA has fought for Congress to pass comprehensive improvements to relief programs without the need to pass a bill after each disaster.
NCBA scored an important victory when the House version of the Farm Bill included a comprehensive strategy for disaster relief. I have had the opportunity to meet several times with Congressman G.T. Thompson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and I always tell him how important it is for Congress to support disaster programs. Without
programs that provide fast relief, I know many producers will be forced out of business.
Earlier this year, the House Agriculture Committee passed Chairman Thompson’s Farm Bill, which included numerous NCBA victories. While the bill still needs a vote in the full House of Representatives, I encourage you to contact your member of Congress and share your support for disaster relief programs in Chairman Thompson’s Farm Bill.
Although I hope you never need it, USDA does have several programs to help you recover from a disaster. The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) can help compensate you for grazing losses; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) is available for livestock losses due to adverse weather and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild or protected by law; and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farmed Raised Fish (ELAP) program covers many types of losses due to
disaster, including partial transportation costs to move feed to cattle or cattle to feed due to loss of grazing and forage due to an adverse weather event. All of these programs can be accessed through your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. They will also help you determine which program fits your situation. If you ever encounter issues with any of these programs, I encourage you to contact NCBA, as we are always looking at ways to improve these programs for producers.
Finally, as additional disaster resources become available, NCBA maintains an updated list on our website at www.ncba.org with information on how to access these tools. Please continue to monitor our website for the latest information.
Working in the cattle business is not for the faint of heart. It takes incredible perseverance and determination to succeed in this business, and NCBA is here to be your partner through it all. Thank you for being a member of NCBA and trusting us to represent you.
NCBA News
Apply Today for CME Group Beef Industry Scholarships. Scholarships Available for College Students Pursuing Careers in the Beef Industry. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is now accepting applications for the 2025 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry.
Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play a vital role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research, or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program.
“We are pleased to continue the CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation
and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to support the next generation of agriculture producers,” said CME Group’s John Ricci, managing director and global head of agricultural products. “For 35 years, these scholarships have helped students develop critical risk management skills as they pursue their careers in agriculture, cultivating strong leaders for our global food system well into the future.”
Eligible applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full time undergraduate student enrolled at a two or four year institution. The application process includes submitting a one page letter expressing career goals related to the beef industry, a 750 word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem, and two letters of recommendation. The applicant or a family member must be a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
The application deadline is November 8 at midnight Central Time. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation. org . Scholarship winners will be announced during CattleCon 2025.
Organized in 1972, NCF is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization providing charitable, scientific, and educational activities to benefit the cattle industry.
NCBA Responds to Misguided White House Ag Event With Activists. White House Organizes a “Pep Rally” While Producers Face Hurricanes and Fire Damages. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane responded to the agriculture event hosted recently at the White House:
“Real cattle producers have faced two hurricanes in two weeks and months of devastating wildfires across the West, and instead of addressing these immediate problems hurting farmers and ranchers, the Biden-Harris administration hosted a pep rally to prop up their failing Bidenomics agenda at the White House, with animal rights activists front and center. Had we been invited, we could have discussed more pressing issues like much needed disaster relief, regulatory overreach, and USDA’s questionable
approval of South American beef imports.
“This event makes clear what cattle producers have known for quite some time: when it comes to agriculture, this administration has prioritized politics over policy that supports cattle producers.”
NCBA Releases Findings from Cattle Producer Tax Survey. Data Shows Urgent Need for Tax Relief to Protect Family Owned Cattle Operations. Recently, NCBA released a report analyzing data collected in a nationwide tax survey of America’s cattle producers. With the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire at the end of 2025, NCBA collected this survey data to better understand how key tax provisions, such as Death Tax relief and business deductions, impact family owned cattle operations.
“When I was starting out in the ranching business, I saw the devastating impact of the Death Tax firsthand, and this tax nearly killed my dream of ranching with my family,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele. “This experience pushed me to fight for lower taxes on farms and ranches, and the data collected by NCBA shows that many other producers around the country have faced similar pressure from devastating tax bills too. I urge our policymakers to see the
story this data is telling — that farmers and ranchers need lower taxes to stay in business and continue feeding the world.”
The respondents to the tax survey indicated that 99 percent operated family owned farms or ranches, and 64 percent were third generation cattle producers or greater. Additionally, the survey showed strong support for provisions such as 1031 Like Kind Exchange, Section 179 Expensing, Bonus Depreciation, and Section 199A Small Business Deduction. The data also showed that a quarter of respondents spend more than $10,000 annually for tax preparation, filing, and potential audits, all expenses that only add further pressure to agricultural operations.
“Farms and ranches are unique small businesses, and they face a variety of challenges that our tax code must address,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus. “The survey data shows strong support for tax provisions that help cattle producers reduce their taxes and invest in essential assets for running a successful cattle
operation. To protect our farming and ranching heritage, we need Congress to step up and back tax provisions that help cattle producers save more of their hard earned money and set up the next generation of cattle producers for success.”
NCBA Slams Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Recommendations. Recently, NCBA slammed the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s unhinged recommendations that propose replacing high quality proteins like beef with beans, peas, and lentils.
“The preview meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee this week stands out as one of the most out-of-touch, impractical, and elitist conversations in the history of this process,” said Ethan Lane.
“After 22 months of public discussion and lip service to transparency, we are disappointed by the number of chaotic new directions that were proposed at the literal last minute. We would laugh at the suggestion that beans, peas, and lentils are going to replace lean red meat and fill all the nutrient gaps Americans are facing if
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“Dish” on sustainability at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2025 Stakeholders Summit. Call for speakers issued; registration opens in January. The Animal Agriculture Alliance has announced the theme of its 2025 Stakeholders Summit and issued a call for speaker proposals. The theme of the 2025 event, set for April 30-May 2 in Arlington, Va., is “Food for Thought: Dishing on Sustainability.” Speaking proposals that fit the theme and offer actionable takeaways are being accepted through November 15. Registration will open in January.
Inspiration comes in countless forms. It’s a thought. It’s a conversation. It’s a connection. It’s a chain reaction. We never know how inspiration will hit, but we do know that when ideas and perspectives are shared across the table, they don’t just add, they multiply. At the 2025 Summit, hundreds of food chain partners will be dishing on the biggest topic in the industry – sustainability. With a dash of innovation and a heaping serving of collaboration, we can work together to shape the future of how we raise and distribute animal protein for
it weren’t such a dangerous and deceptive idea.”
“We’ve had more than four decades of Dietary Guidelines advice, and during that time, red meat consumption has declined, yet obesity and chronic disease are on the rise. The calories in the U.S. diet are 70 percent plant based. Now, the committee wants to reduce red meat intake even further, marginalizing the 80 percent of the population who identify themselves as meat eaters,” said NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Science and Registered Dietitian Dr. Shalene McNeill. “These recommendations put some of the most vulnerable at risk for nutrient gaps, especially older Americans, adolescent girls, and women of childbearing age. Beef contributes only 5 percent of the calories in the American diet, but more than 5 percent of essential nutrients like potassium, phosphorous, iron, B6, niacin, protein, zinc, choline, and B12. It’s baffling that we are trying to get Americans to cut out red meat when the evidence indicates nutrient deficiencies and chronic disease
are increasing as red meat consumption declines. As a registered dietitian and nutrition scientist, I am concerned that basing guidelines on highly academic exercises, hypothetical modeling, and weak science on red meat will not produce relevant or practical guidelines and will not help us achieve healthier diets.”
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is tasked with delivering recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the agencies craft the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
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
generations to come. At the 2025 Summit, it’s as simple as taking a seat at the table.
Proposals for keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops that fit the 2025 theme are currently being accepted. Presentations should provide unique and thought provoking ideas and focus on actionable tools attendees can immediately use and implement on their farms or in their organizations to secure a sustainable future for animal agriculture. For more information, visit the proposal guidelines and form. For questions about the speaker proposal process, contact Hannah Thompson-Weeman at hthompson@ animalagalliance.org
“Innovation starts when we dare to think differently, and we think the best inspiration comes from working collaboratively across the supply chain,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “The 2025 Summit will bring together food chain partners and stakeholders to consider new ideas, build relationships, and make progress on issues important to all of us. Being a part of ensuring a bright future for animal
agriculture is as simple as taking a seat at the table next year.”
The Summit is a one-of-a-kind 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 the media. The 2024 Summit attracted more than 260 in-person attendees and discussed topics of interest, including animal welfare versus animal rights, ballot initiative campaigns and legal issues, and bridging the communication gap with external audiences.
Get involved – Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by
becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For more information on 2025 sponsorship opportunities, contact Logan Hall at lhall@animalagalliance.org
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.
Effective and Sustainable Deworming Through Combination Treatment. The past few winters have thrown many curveballs at cattle producers — drought, high feed costs, and water quality challenges, to name a few. And this year looks to be no exception. In addition to causing stress for farmers, these conditions are tough on cattle’s overall health, making deworming this spring even more important.
“Coming out of these harsh weather conditions the last few years, it’s important to give animals the best opportunity to be as healthy as possible,” said D.L. Step, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “We need to double down on our preventive health protocols, including controlling parasites.”
With parasite resistance a concern, thoughtful deworming practices are needed to preserve the efficacy of existing deworming treatments. Combination treatment, or the practice of deworming
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cattle by using two or more dewormers from different drug classes, is a good place to start.
“We’re likely not going to have any new drugs soon, so with combination treatment, we can preserve the efficacy of the drugs over time and delay the spread of resistance,” stated Leonor Sicalo Gianechini, DVM, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Georgia in the Department of Infectious Diseases. “We will also simply kill more worms, which can lead to improved health and production in animals.”
Commonly used cattle dewormers are divided into three different classes, based on their chemical structure, as seen in Figure 1.
Each class of dewormer controls a different spectrum of parasites and lasts for a different amount of time.
1. Macrocyclic lactones (endectocides) are available in both injectable and pouron formulations. The active ingredients
within these dewormers cause nerve paralysis of both internal and external parasites. Macrocyclic lactones provide longer persistent activity against parasites compared to benzimidazoles.
2. Benzimidazoles (white dewormers) are administered orally, and act as a purge to internal parasites. These dewormers interfere with the microtubules of the parasites, depleting the energy supply and eventually causing death of the parasite. Benzimidazole dewormers are usually in and out of the animal’s system within a couple of days.
3. Imidazothiazoles can be used in oral, topical, and injectable formulations. The active ingredient interferes with the transmission of signals from nerves to muscles in parasites, resulting in their paralysis and eventual death, usually within 24 hours of administration.
“By using two or more dewormers that have different mechanisms of action, we’re able to cover a wider spectrum against the parasites themselves,” explained Dr. Step. “It allows us to increase the level of efficacy by targeting the parasites that may have a potential resistance to one of the other drug classes.”
MACROCYCLIC LACTONES (ENDECTOCIDES)
DRUG CLASS INCLUDES CLASS KNOWN FOR
Ivermectin
Eprinomectin
Doramectin
Moxidectin
Endectocides offer convenient injectable and pour-on formulations with internal and external parasite control. Read each product label for persistent efficacy claims.
BENZIMIDAZOLES (WHITE DEWORMERS)
DRUG CLASS INCLUDES CLASS KNOWN FOR
Oxfendazole
Fenbendazole
Albendazole
White dewormers deliver a rapid “purge effect” and only control internal parasites. Efficacy lasts no longer than two days. See efficacy claims listed on each label.
IMIDAZOTHIAZOLES
DRUG CLASS INCLUDES CLASS KNOWN FOR
Levamisole Known for being quickly absorbed and distributed throughout the body but only controls internal parasites. Can be delivered orally, topically, and by injection. See efficacy claims listed on each label.
treat animals selectively, leaving 10–30 percent of the herd untreated,” advised Dr. Sicalo Gianechini. “The few resistant worms that survive your treatment will be diluted with refugia, so you’re delaying that accumulation of resistant alleles in the population of worms.”
• Pasture management — Limit overgrazing, maintain appropriate forage height, and rotate pastures, if possible. Avoid moving cattle to new pastures immediately after deworming them, as this would allow surviving resistant worms to contaminate the new pasture.
• Cattle management — Producers can increase overall herd immunity through routine vaccinations and enhanced nutrition. Implement biosecurity measures, such as quarantining all new cattle, to prevent the introduction of resistant parasites into the herd. “Err on the side of caution and assume that all new additions carry drug resistant worms,” said Dr. Sicalo Gianechini. “These additions require treatment from a combination of dewormers from different drug classes — at least two, and even all three.”
Dr. Step continued, “For example, let’s say a product is 90 percent efficacious and there are 100 parasites. The first dewormer will get 90 out of those 100, which leaves 10. And if the second one with a different mechanism of action also has 90 percent efficacy, then hopefully 9 of those 10 that are left will be controlled. When you add that up, that’d be 90 plus 9, which is 99 percent efficacy.”
No matter your operation type, an effective deworming strategy is important for overall cattle health and production. Cattle suffering from internal parasites can experience reduced feed intake, weakened immunity, reduced reproductive efficiency, and less milk production.¹-² Not only is this detrimental to the cattle themselves, but it can also have a negative impact on business production and operations.
In addition to combination treatment, producers should consider the following management practices to maximize dewormer efficacy:
• Diagnostic testing — Performing routine diagnostic tests, such as fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) and coprocultures, can help assess the effectiveness of a deworming program and identify the parasites that are surviving treatment.
• Refugia — Intentionally not deworming a small percentage of the herd is recognized as the single most important factor in delaying the onset of parasite resistance. “Producers should
• Dose appropriately — Deworming all cattle to the average weight of the herd can be problematic, as worms may be exposed to concentrations of a dewormer that do not actually fully kill them. When in doubt, weigh the heaviest animals and dose by the heaviest to prevent the development of resistant worms.
“There’s always room for improvement in parasite control programs,” concluded Dr. Sicalo Gianechini. “Parasite control is dynamic, and we cannot recommend the same thing every year to every producer.”
References
¹Beckett J.L. Efficacy of pour-on dewormers differing in active ingredient and carrier on weight gain and fecal egg count in stocker beef cattle. Agricultural Research Institute, Cal Poly State University. 2001.
²Lawrence J.D., Ibarburu M.A. Economic analysis of pharmaceutical technologies in modern beef production, in Proceedings. NCCC-134 Conference on Applied Commodity Price Analysis, Forecasting, and Market Risk Management. 2007.
What You May Not Know About Your Cattle Drench. Effective drenching with these tips gets the medication in the correct place without waste. Benzimidazoles, or white dewormers, are an important tool for managing internal parasites, but it’s essential to use this dewormer class correctly.
Leonor Sicalo Gianechini, DVM, Ph.D., University of Georgia, along with Nathan Meyer, DVM, Ph.D., Boehringer Ingelheim, offer these tips to ensure your
oral drench delivers the desired results.
Correct placement — An effective purge with white dewormers needs careful placement of the dewormer itself.1 Restrain the animal in the chute, or at the very least a head catch, says Dr. Meyer. Insert the hooked end of the applicator at the commissure of the lips (where the lips come together). Angle the hook toward the back of the mouth in the cheek so it gets behind the tongue, not on the tongue.
Dr. Sicalo Gianechini adds that if you don’t place a drench far enough behind the tongue, the esophageal groove reflex may send the drug into the abomasum instead of the rumen, which reduces its efficacy.
“You want it to go to the rumen, because with benzimidazoles, that rumen acts as a reservoir,” Dr. Sicalo Gianechini explained. “The drug is going to mix with the particles, and then it is going to be slowly released into the abomasum. The abomasum has an acidic pH, causing the drug to be dissolved and absorbed. That is critical for benzimidazoles, so the proper technique of getting it behind the tongue is absolutely a must.”
Drenching is a task in which slow and steady gets the best results.
“Sometimes, based on how cattle are moving around, patience is our biggest ally,” Dr. Meyer said. “You have to take your time and make sure that hook is inserted fully without forcing it. We can damage the mouth or esophagus if we force it. It may take some maneuvering to get the V of the hook clear to the commissures of the lips. Then depress the applicator all the way, slowly and steadily.”
Impatience, and thus improper placement, can also result in regurgitation and wasted product.
Placement affects efficacy — In addition to avoiding regurgitation, correct drench placement affects the product’s efficacy. Benzimidazole drenches purge internal parasites by interfering with the parasites’ microtubules, which affect many aspects of cell function.1
usually in and out of an animal’s system in a couple of days.1
Dr. Sicalo Gianechini emphasized, “If you want good drug efficacy, the main thing is that the worm has to be in contact with the drug for a certain period of time, so that the drug can pass through the cuticle (in nematodes) or tegument (in cestodes) and enter the parasites. So, the longer the contact between the active ingredient and the parasite, the better.”
Oral drenches work well because the gastrointestinal tract is the largest absorptive surface of the body, says Dr. Meyer. That large surface area means the oral drench has more contact with parasites, which improves its efficacy.
Correct dose — For high product efficacy, dosing needs to be accurate — and accurate body weight leads to accurate dosing. Dr. Meyer recommends using a low dose, highly concentrated product to do the job cost effectively. Ideally, you’d be able to weigh cattle by using a scale on the chute. If that isn’t available, you could use a recent body weight, or calculate the average from a sale barn weight ticket or the truck and trailer weight.
If dosing a group without accurate weights, Dr. Sicalo Gianechini suggests getting a weight on the heaviest in the group, and dosing according to that animal.
“Underdosing is a high risk practice when it comes to the development of drug resistance,” she noted.
Dr. Meyer explains that underdosing parasites causes them to create a response to the drug instead of being killed. Because a parasite’s life cycle is short, that response gets carried into the genetic material of the next generation. This passed down response can lead to resistance.
Be sure to follow the label directions for administration.
“Benzimidazole products can settle in the bottle, and we want to make sure we’re mixing the bottle and giving a uniform dose,” stressed Dr. Meyer. “We also want to make sure that we’re
giving the active ingredient at the correct concentration. I always try to shake the bottles every 20-30 head when I’m processing cattle, to make sure that it’s a uniform product we’re giving to the animals.”
It’s important to maintain a temperature of 77ºF or cooler and above freezing, so efficacy is highest when the product is stored indoors. When working during a hot day, Dr. Meyer suggests using a smaller bottle size or storing it in a cooler.
Make sure the applicator’s dose is set appropriately because the dial can easily get bumped. Allow minimal air into the plunger, especially with a new bottle. You can ensure air is out of the system by checking the barrel.
If possible, disinfect the applicator between cattle with a chlorhexidine solution dip, Dr. Meyer suggests.
Before choosing your oral drench, consult with your veterinarian. Proper
diagnostic testing will verify whether a drench or a different product is best for your operation’s parasite load. Your veterinarian can help decide how drenches fit into a well rounded and sustainable deworming program.
Reference
1 Lacey E. Mode of action of benzimidazoles. Parasitol Today 1990;6(4):112–115.
About Boehringer Ingelheim. Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at www.bi-animalhealth.com
= BioZyme Earns AFIA Feed Facility of the Year Honor. BioZyme’s Stockyards location has earned the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Feedstuffs 2024 Feed Facility of the Year honor. This prestigious award is presented annually to a feed facility demonstrating an outstanding commitment to quality, safety, productivity, regulatory compliance, employee development, and customer relations. Additionally, BioZyme received the highest productivity and efficiency score.
“I am very proud of our team’s shift to a data minded, continuously improving production facility. We make continuous improvement for our customers a priority every single day,” said BioZyme president and CEO Lisa Norton.
This has been a more than a decade long goal of Norton, who said AFIA positioned the program as a recognition as well as a benchmarking opportunity to enhance continuous improvement.
“We put in a lot of effort through the pandemic and over the last several years to change our culture and data use to be considered,” she said.
One of the items that Norton is most proud of is that the entire production team is PCQI (preventative control qualified individual) certified. Although the requirements are that one team member receives this certification, the BioZyme leadership ensured everyone on the production team received certification. The team certification helps ensure the production of safe, accurate product that moves through the plant daily.
BioZyme, an animal nutrition and fermentation company, has been driving innovation since 1951. Founded by Larry Ehlert, BioZyme began as Ehlert’s Guaranteed Feeds with just a $2,500 loan and a small feed store in the St. Joseph Stockyards. Today, BioZyme’s product line includes high quality vitamin, mineral, and protein supplements enhanced with AO-Biotics Amaferm, a prebiotic. The Stockyards plant produces 31,000 tons of supplements annually.
“We were extremely impressed with the BioZyme Stockyards facility, as it is evident that the company and its staff exemplify the core values of the Feed Facility of the Year program,” said Gary Huddleston, AFIA’s director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs. “The plant is a shining example of manufacturing excellence in the animal
food industry.”
The lengthy application of nearly 180 questions gave employees the opportunity to increase their already high standards in areas such as occupational and safety hazards, sustainability, and utility usage, according to Jill Vanover, Vice President of Quality and Regulatory. She recalls a previous FAMI-QS auditor commenting on BioZyme’s commitment to quality from the top down and noted it as the best he had ever seen.
“This award is possible because of the tremendous pride that all our employees demonstrate throughout the company. They have a love for animals, a belief in the products, and understand the importance of the roles they are playing to make safe, accurate products,” Vanover said.
The AFIA has been recognizing excellent feed manufacturing facilities through the Feed Facility of the Year program since 1985. While the program has undergone some changes to how the award is given, a key reason for participation is that facilities receive comprehensive benchmarking reports following their entry that provide valuable insights into how their facility compares to others so that they may work on continuous improvement.
BioZyme Introduces Legendary Nutrition™ Product Line in Partnership with Four Sixes Ranch. BioZyme has partnered with the historic Four Sixes Ranch to create research proven and ranch tested beef cattle nutritional supplements under the VitaFerm brand. The Four Sixes x VitaFerm collaboration is a legendary one that brings to market supplements that are powered by VitaFerm’s 75 years of cattle nutrition research and rigorously tested by the Four Sixes Ranch. The products combine the best of both brands’ expertise to provide comprehensive nutritional solutions designed to enhance the health and productivity of resilient commercial cattle herds.
As its flagship product, the collaboration has first launched a Legendary Nutrition Protein Tub that features:
• AO-Biotics Amaferm, a prebiotic research proven to enhance digestibility
• Industry leading organic copper and zinc that deliver real world results
• 20 percent natural protein to help overcome deficiencies in the diet
“The collaboration makes perfect
sense for cattle producers across the country and for the two companiesc who have been doing business together for a long time. We are so pleased to partner with the Sixes on the Legendary Nutrition line,” said John Tucker, BioZyme Large Beef Accounts Manager. “With industry leading organic trace minerals, 20 percent protein, and Amaferm, the tub is a great and convenient option for operations of all sizes.”
“I wanted BioZyme to develop a product that works in the real world, not just on an improved small pasture. It has to work in a big pasture. It has got to work in big country. There are still a lot of places in the United States that have ranches that you can’t drive to every corner. You have to have something that works for that,” said Joe Leathers, General Manager at the Four Sixes.
Ranch Tested — The Four Sixes have relied on VitaFerm vitamin and mineral supplements for decades on their cattle operation. When fully stocked, they run between 6,000 and 7,000 cows. On big country, relying on grass, the mineral tubs make perfect sense.
“We fed cubes for years and years, and I liked that because we could see the cattle well. But cubes cause the cattle to bunch up, and they don’t utilize the country well. By using the tubs, we are able to keep our cows scattered out and use a lot more of the country through the winter than they normally do,” Leathers said. He added that the cows appear healthier and perform better on VitaFerm.
Forage utilization is vital to the ranch, which depends on the grasses to feed all 7,000 cows. Amaferm, the key ingredient in every VitaFerm product, helps cattle get the most out of it.
“We’re grass farmers with a cow problem...This tub is another tool in our toolbox to give us the ability to take care of our country. To scatter our cows so we don’t overgraze any one area of our country, so we don’t beat it out, so invasive species don’t come in, all the while maintaining the health and nutritional needs of our cattle,” Leathers said.
Research Proven — At BioZyme, research is a core value. It’s been this way for more than seven decades. Why? Because of our motto, “Care that comes full circle.” We believe that every animal that we take care of ultimately takes care of us in return. Doing what’s right for our animals, our land, and our producers comes back around in the end.
Developed using the latest research in animal nutrition, the Four Sixes x VitaFerm Legendary Nutrition product line provides quality nutrition to deliver real world results. The flagship protein
tub combines essential vitamins, minerals, and organic trace minerals that are crucial for the overall health, growth, and reproductive performance of cattle.
How to Provide Winter Cattle Shelter for Your Herd. Providing adequate winter cattle shelter is essential for herd health and well being during the coldest months of the year. Yes, cattle are fairly cold tolerant. However, the combination of wind chill and moisture can lead to cold stress, which leads to lowered performance and decreased immune response.
At VitaFerm, providing quality nutrition is our main priority. We do that by providing a line of nutritional supplements for beef cattle that maximize energy and forage utilization for successful production. However, we know that nutrition is just part of the equation. We want to provide cattle producers with valuable information to help increase their bottom line.
We discussed how cold can cows tolerate. Well, turns out it’s a complicated question. When discussed, cattle’s lower critical temperature (LCT) is influenced by both environmental and animal factors. These factors include a combination of wind chill, humidity, hair coat, and body condition score. The LCT for most cows in gestation is about 18ºF, but depending on various factors, they can survive much colder temperatures.
Winter Cattle Shelter Guidelines — Here are 5 guidelines to consider when preparing winter cattle shelters.
1. Provide Windbreaks — Windbreaks can be both natural and man made. Plant rows of trees or shrubs to reduce the wind chill. A hilly area can also serve as a natural wind barrier.
If trees are not an option, construct windbreaks from materials like wood, metal, or fabric. These structures should be placed to block prevailing winds.
2. Design Shelter for Comfort — Build open sided barns or three sided sheds to provide shelter from wind, snow, and rain. The open side should face away from the wind, typically southward. Each cow needs about 40–50 square feet of space. Ensure the shelter area is big enough to comfortably house your herd.
Good airflow is crucial to prevent respiratory diseases and mold growth in the shelter. Ensure proper ventilation to avoid condensation and moisture buildup. Additionally, we suggest installing vents or leaving space at the top of the shelter walls to promote air circulation.
3. Protection from Mud — Provide deep bedding with materials like straw, corn stalks, or wood shavings to insulate against cold ground. Regularly replenish bedding to keep it dry and warm.
It is also vital to provide proper drainage around the shelter and windbreak, which prevents mud. Mud can cause hoof problems and stress cattle. Gravel pads or dry lot pens can help keep the ground dry.
4. Water and Feed Access — Water and feed are even more essential to your cattle during the cold months. Make sure cattle have access to both, especially when they are confined during storms or extreme cold.
Use heated or insulated water troughs to prevent freezing. Ensure a consistent supply of clean water.
In cold weather, cattle consume more feed to generate body heat. Plan to increase rations and ensure there is a sufficient supply of forage. Ensure feed is easy to access without cattle needing to travel far. Keep feed close to or within the shelter.
5. Be Prepared for Severe Weather
— We obviously don’t have to remind cattle producers to check the weather. If you have prepared a winter cattle shelter properly, you should be prepared for heavy snow, freezing rain, and extreme cold.
We do recommend having an emergency plan in place for blizzards, such as moving cattle to barns or bringing in extra feed supplies. Finally, keep cattle calm and avoid overcrowding in confined spaces, as stress can lead to health issues.
VitaFerm Can Help Your Herd Battle the Cold — In addition to providing a quality, well ventilated, bedded down winter cattle shelter, your herd also needs high quality nutrition during times of cold stress. That’s where VitaFerm can help. VitaFerm mineral supplements powered by AO-Biotics Amaferm can help with both nutrition and digestion, helping decrease cold stress.
Amaferm can help unlock the nutritional value of all types of forages. Amaferm goes beyond stimulating the growth of beneficial rumen bacteria and can also promote rumen fungal growth and enzymatic activity. This increases fiber digestibility and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production by 17 and 16 percent, respectively. Therefore, more energy becomes available to your cows, leading to more performance.
Digestion is Key to Healthy Cattle
— In addition to increasing body temperature, Amaferm also helps your feedstuffs and forages go further, helping decrease the overall cost.
“Research proves that cattle fed Amaferm synthesize 143 more grams of microbial protein each day. That’s enough protein, equivalent to a pound of supplemented soybean meal, available for the cow or heifer. This additional protein generated from Amaferm in a year round supplemental program can help producers reduce their need for additional protein by up to 40 percent annually. This offer produces a huge continuous savings on feed costs,” Cassady said.
Providing proper winter cattle shelter and quality nutrition for the herd ensures their health, safety, and productivity during cold months.
Cattle Production and Management Resources Include Quality Nutrition. Stocker operations. They are the middle step of the cattle production cycle. The cow/calf producer raises the calves up to weaning. After a few months of growing and developing those calves,
the backgrounder will ship them to the feedyard. There, they will finish maturing, put on finish and muscle before going to their final destination.
Every phase of the production cycle comes with its unique set of challenges and opportunities. However, unless you are retaining ownership, the stocker operator often gets those calves when they are at their most vulnerable. They are usually fresh weaned, just taken from their mamas, put into a new environment, and their diet changes from milk based to forage based.
At BioZyme, our motto, care that comes full circle, means that if we care for the animals, they in turn will take care of us. We strive to provide care to every animal every day. We know that with the proper cattle production and management resources, stocker operations can reduce stress in their calves and grow healthy, productive calves.
That is why our Gain Smart team
Continued on the next page
BioZyme News
created this blog. We want to be a resource for those producers who specialize in the middle step. Gain Smart is a line of vitamin and mineral supplements for stocker cattle that promotes healthy, economical pounds.
Cattle Production and Management Resources Producers have many different production and management resources available from which to select. From record keeping systems to scales and vaccination protocols to facilities, literally hundreds of choices exist. We are not going to get into the nitty gritty and select choices for you. We are going to give you a 30,000-foot view of what you need to consider if this is your first time getting in stockers.
Know the Source — According to John Jeffrey, BioZyme Director of National Sales, knowing the information on the calves you are about to buy is one of the most important management tools you can employ. Discovering their breed, genetic make up, and what kind of management they have had in the past will give you a better sense of how to care for them. Other history you might want to find out includes any vaccination or health protocol that was used and how long they have been weaned.
“Knowing if you’re getting in high risk or low risk calves, and the overall history of a source of cattle can help a
backgrounder out. This basic information helps you determine how you can best handle the cattle moving forward,” Jeffrey said.
Facilities are Key — Having a facility that is calf friendly is vitally important. We often think of stocker calves out grazing on lush, wide, open pastures. While that is true most of the time, there are still some things to consider when preparing facilities for stockers.
You’ll want to have a receiving pen with a loadout chute where calves can unload from the semi and load up when it is time to go to the feedyard. The receiving pen should be large enough to hold calves for an adjustment period to get them used to their new environment. It should have a fresh water source and provide a quality vitamin and mineral supplement.
Additionally, ensure that there is a fresh water source big enough to service the cattle in the pen. Access to clean, fresh water at this stage of their life is vitally important to their overall health and performance.
Furthermore, your facilities should have a working chute where you can process cattle upon receiving or if you need to treat a sick one. Jeffrey said one really nice processing perk is having a scale underneath your processing chute,
which allows you to more accurately dose your antibiotics and vaccinations to weight.
“When every penny counts, being able to provide dosage to the animal’s weight and manage your medicine inventory is just one way to provide yourself more income,” he said.
Finally, make sure the fence line is secure and that adequate bunk space is available if you are feeding your calves grain.
Animal Health, Nutrition — Animal health and nutrition work synergistically. They are a critical component of any producer’s cattle production and management resources. Jeffrey encourages every stocker operator to have animal health and animal nutrition protocols. Those start with building trusted relationships with livestock nutritionists and veterinarians who understand your production goals. Maintain records of every treatment and vaccination you give your animals, and find a record keeping system that works best for you.
Perhaps the most important way to ensure that your animals stay healthy is to get them started right with the three step approach from Gain Smart.
“If we can get Amaferm into their diet and keep it in their diet early on, it will help those calves maintain a healthy stomach. They will feel better, grow better, have an overall better water intake, and go to the feedlot growing and gaining more efficiently,” Jeffrey said.
Gain Smart Program is a Smart Cattle Production and Management Tool
• Step 1. VitaFerm Cattle Drench — VitaFerm Cattle Drench is the first step to successfully receiving your calves. This drench for cattle is designed to support digestive health before, during, and after challenges. It contains AO-Biotics Amaferm. Cattle Drench also contains MOS (mannan oligosaccharides) to help normalize the gut microflora and supports the immune system and enzymes to generate a more rapid digestive response.
Using this drench as you process the calves at receiving helps keep their gut healthy and functioning. We know that 70 percent of the immune response starts within the digestive system, so a healthy gut will lead to a healthy animal.
• Step 2. VitaFerm Stress Tubs — VitaFerm Stress Tubs help eliminate stress of being in a new environment when offered to calves the first 14–21 days post receiving. This tub for cattle is designed to support digestive health and intake and contains Vita Charge
Technology, including Amaferm and MOS. It also contains a probiotic to help restore the gut microbiome. The Stress Tubs are not minerals but can work along with your mineral program.
The Vita Charge Technology, found in the Cattle Drench and Stress Tubs, is comprised of a unique blend of ingredients. These ingredients help support animal health before, during, or after the stress. Every product with Vita Charge Technology contains an exact amount of B vitamins, vitamin E, potassium, zinc, MOS, and Amaferm.
In addition, a precisely defined salt-to-sugar ratio was developed and incorporated into the technology to support hydration. This combination provides an undeniable impact on livestock under stress.
• Step 3. Gain Smart — Gain Smart is a line of free choice vitamin and mineral supplements for stocker cattle that promotes healthy, economical pounds. With four different formulas based on your management scenarios, this mineral is designed to maximize efficient gain.
Gain Smart contains Amaferm, organic copper, iodine, and zinc for maximum bioavailability and hoof health. It also provides nutritional support for a healthy immune system. It can be fed as a loose mineral or mixed into a ration.
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, 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
NEWS
What would happen if all the cows were suddenly gone? New documentary filmed in 40 global locations over three years explores the impact of cattle on economies, ecosystems, cultures, and human nutrition. The official theatrical trailer has been released for “World Without Cows,” a new documentary that examines the multifaceted and often surprising ways cattle impact our world. Through interviews with those on the front lines of agriculture and environmental science, “World Without Cows” explores the cultural and economic significance of cows, their role in nourishing the world, and their impact on the climate.
Prompted in part by the prevailing negative — and unscientific — narrative surrounding cattle, this compelling exploration was led by Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, two journalists who travel the world telling stories about agriculture. Three years ago, they set out on an adventure that took them to more than 40 locations around the world — from the American heartland to Kenya, India, Brazil, and beyond — as they sought to answer a seemingly simple question, “Are we better off in a world without cows?”
Along the way, they tapped into a global network of agricultural and environmental scientists, farmers, ranchers, academics, and other experts who offered an up close look at the impact of cows on our world and the potential consequences of their removal. What they found was far from simple: When it comes to cows, it’s not black and white. Humanity’s reliance on cattle is more complex than often realized, and so, too, are the conversations at global and local levels about their role in enabling people and the planet to thrive.
“I never thought that we would be the ones to tell this story,” Whitworth said.
“But the more we learned, it was like we didn’t have a choice,” Michael added. “We had a responsibility. We had to tell this story. Literally, around the world, farmers just opened their doors to us.”
“We talked to literally dozens and dozens of people around the world — various experts in a number of different fields,” Whitworth continued. “And we posed the question: What does a world without cows look like?”
The resulting documentary, “World Without Cows,” features a diverse group of experts who explore the impact of cattle from a cultural, social, economic,
nutritional, and environmental perspective. This science led discussion highlights the profound dependence on cattle in many regions of the world, the challenges of nourishing an ever expanding global population, the essential value of animal protein, and the relationship between cattle and the environment, including their impact on biodiversity, soil health, and carbon capture.
The 85 minute documentary aims to broaden the conversation, encouraging viewers to think more deeply about how cattle impact our world and discover that there’s much more to consider when it comes to cattle and the vitality of our planet.
“This isn’t just an opinion based conversation where people are yelling their own thoughts and opinions at you,” Whitworth said. “These are doctors, Ph.D.s., farmers, ranchers, and people who have firsthand experience and education in all these areas. It’s facts. It’s science.”
One of the experts Michael and Whitworth consulted is Jack Bobo, a food futurist and director of the Food Systems Institute at the University of Nottingham.
“For 10,000 years, farmers and ranchers have been asked to do one thing, and that’s produce more food,” Bobo said. “We’re adding a billion people every 11 or 12 years. The challenge is that every day between now and 2050, it gets harder to feed the world.”
Justin Sherrard, a global strategist at Rabobank, estimates that about one in 10 people in the world depends on cattle for their livelihood directly — more than 800 million people.
“Ultimately, we’ve got to address every part of the global food system,” he said.
Dr. John Lynch, a climatologist from the University of Oxford, said scaling down greenhouse gas emissions is urgently needed.
“What’s the world going to look like in 30 or 40 years if we just carry on heating up the planet and making these more extreme events occur more often?” Lynch asked.
“I think we could go and do a survey, and many people would say, yes, cows are the worst thing in the world for the climate,” he continued. “Cows are not the biggest contributor to climate change. That’s still fossil fuels.”
Dr. Frank Mitloehner, a professor and air quality specialist who leads The
CLEAR Center at the University of California, Davis, addresses global land availability, greenhouse gas emissions, and the impact of cattle on climate.
“I’m not a person telling you livestock has no impact or that it’s a tiny impact,” Mitloehner said. “Like every part of society, animal agriculture needs to do its part and help reduce our impact on the climate. We can and we should do that. But we should not make up stories about these animals being responsible for the majority of emissions. They’re not responsible for the majority of emissions.”
Visit www.worldwithoutcows.com to see who else is featured, view the official trailer, sign up for updates about the film, and learn more about cattle and our lives, livelihood, and planet. The website features a deeper exploration of the topics explored in “World Without Cows,” as well as resources and opportunities to support turning this movie into a movement — one of broader, science based conversations about cattle.
To learn more about the filmmakers’ experiences and hear insights from their travels around the world, watch their behind the scenes video, “The Making of World Without Cows.”
Alltech’s Sustainability Report demonstrates its commitment to Working Together for a Planet of Plenty. Alltech has released its annual Sustainability Report, which demonstrates the actions the company is taking to align its business with its purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty, reducing its environmental impact, and advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Alltech is committed to prioritizing the efficient and profitable production of nutritious food while helping producers worldwide implement solutions to their sustainability and productivity challenges. The Alltech Sustainability Report
highlights how Working Together for a Planet of Plenty shapes Alltech’s business — and its future.
“Everything we do is centered on helping us advance our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty,” said Tara McCarthy, global vice president for ESG at Alltech. “We have made great progress toward our ESG goals, but we know that there is always more work to be done. Alltech team members around the world have shown unwavering commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices. We continue to strive for ambitious ESG targets, find areas for improvement and innovation, and nurture a culture of sustainability.”
Guided by its Planet of Plenty purpose, Alltech is committed to:
• Delivering measurable impact via nutritional technologies and services that maximize producer profitability, production efficiency, and sustainability.
• Connecting with global partners to solve high impact issues and advance sustainable agricultural practices.
• Advocating for the agri-food industry, sharing the sustainable power of science in agri-food via its Planet of Plenty website and through projects like the upcoming documentary World Without Cows.
• Investing in education and research to address issues such as soil health, greenhouse gases, carbon sequestration, methane mitigation, antimicrobial resistance, and more.
• Sharpening its ESG strategy by continually reducing its environmental impact, prioritizing social responsibility, and adopting governance practices that ensure transparency and accountability.
Through data and stories from Alltech team members around the world, the 2023 Alltech Sustainability Report emphasizes the role of agriculture in combatting climate change and creating healthy, sustainable food systems. It also includes
information about Alltech’s emissions reduction goals and highlights its efforts to improve energy usage, reduce waste, and advance environmental actions in the industry. Additionally, the report outlines the steps Alltech has taken to promote a diverse and inclusive work environment and demonstrates its team members’ efforts to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.
2023 highlights include:
• Alltech has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 19.8 percent from its 2021 base year. It aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42 percent by 2030 (from its 2021 base year) and its Scope 3 emissions by 25 percent by 2030 (from its 2023 base year).
• Alltech completed 19 energy efficiency projects. It conducted 31 energy efficiency project feasibility studies and six renewable energy project feasibility studies. The company invested $3.85 million in efficiency projects in 2023, resulting in the reduction of 8,990 metric tons of CO2e.
• Alltech completed 74 core product life cycle analyses across its top seven specialty ingredients and 17 production facilities.
• Alltech was awarded three EcoVadis sustainability medals in 2023.
• Alltech Serdán was recertified in 2023 as Empresa Socialmente Responsible (ESR).
• Alltech was accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition for the third year in a row.
• 60 team members participated in the Women in Food & Agriculture Mentorship Program.
Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, said, “2023 was another milestone year for Alltech as we advanced our mission and vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty. In the five years since it was launched at the Alltech ONE Conference in Kentucky, Planet of Plenty has become a strategic driver of our business and an accelerator of what is even more important: our impact. Through new partnerships and ongoing collaboration with trusted allies we’ve worked alongside for decades, we continue to drive progress toward our shared goal of a world of abundance for future generations.”
Alltech continues to serve as a voice for the industry, advancing agri-food innovation and highlighting agriculture’s role in nourishing the world and nurturing the planet. Through publications like the Alltech Sustainability Insights Report, the Alltech Sustainability Report, Agri-Food Outlook, Harvest Analysis, Import Risk Analysis and others, the company serves as an industry thought leader and helps to
address some of the most pressing issues facing the agri-food community.
Alltech shares the sustainable power of science in agri-food through stories, podcasts, blogs, and videos on its Planet of Plenty website at www.alltech.com/ planet-of-plenty. This year, Alltech is promoting Planet of Plenty’s first feature length documentary, World Without Cows, a three year exploration of the true impact of cattle on our world.
The film takes viewers to more than 40 locations around the world to hear insights from leading scientists, farmers, economists, and other experts about the cultural and economic significance of cattle, their role in nourishing the world, and their impact on climate. It aims to broaden the conversation about the role of cattle and to inspire deeper reflection about their role in the vitality of our planet. Learn more at www. worldwithoutcows.com
For more information and to download the 2023 Alltech Sustainability Report in full, visit www.alltech.com/ sustainability
Alltech welcomes UC Davis graduate Dr. Sebastian Mejia Turcios to its U.S. beef team. Alltech is pleased to announce that Dr. Sebastian Mejia Turcios has joined the U.S. beef team as an on-farm support beef specialist. In this role, he will focus on bilingual training, coaching, and retention strategies with employees on feedlots and cattle ranches.
Born and raised in Honduras, Mejia Turcios became involved with agriculture at an early age, and his love for livestock led him to make it the focus of his education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from EARTH University in Costa Rica and a master’s degree in animal science from Texas Tech University. He received his Ph.D. in June 2024 from the University of California-Davis, under the direction of Dr. Frank Mitloehner, an internationally known professor of animal agriculture, air quality expert, and director of the CLEAR Center at UC Davis.
Mejia Turcios is passionate about sharing his knowledge and research with industry leaders, producers, educators, and other stakeholders in animal agriculture. He is actively involved with members of the industry, engaging at different levels to work on topics related to beef cattle sustainability.
As part of the Alltech On-Farm Support team, Mejia Turcios will spend time in the field and at feedlots with those working daily with beef cattle, providing them with hands-on training in English and/ or Spanish to ensure protocols are in place and being followed. He will be focused on coaching and motivating employees and
developing their leadership skills while assisting owners with employee retention strategies. Having a strong background in beef sustainability from his Ph.D., Mejia Turcios will also be involved in different aspects of sustainability through research and education, contributing to Alltech’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty.
“We are delighted to welcome Sebastian to the Alltech On-Farm Support team as a resource for beef producers,” said Jorge Delgado, Alltech on-farm dairy training, talent development, and retention program specialist. “His knowledge and experience will enable our team to deliver even more value for our customers.”
For more information about Alltech, visit www.alltech.com
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 animals and plants, 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, premixes, 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 140 countries, has five bioscience centers, and operates more than 75 manufacturing facilities across the globe. For more information, visit www.alltech.com.
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VENTS
ANGUS
Nov. 2 — Barnett Angus Ranches
5th Annual BAR Production Sale, Washington, Ga.
Nov. 2 — Châtel Farms Fall Bull Sale, Reidsville, Ga.
Dec. 30 — Saluda Livestock Exchange Weekly Sale, Saluda, S.C.
IGHTER IDE
A young man was lying in bed the other night when the doorbell rang. Half asleep, he got out of bed, put on his robe and opened the front door. There, standing on the doorstep, was a six-foot-tall cockroach.
Before he had time to shut the door it leapt on him, punching and kicking with all six of its legs. All he could do was cover his head with his arms while it laid into him. After several minutes it got tired and scuttled away. He closed the door and staggered back to my bed.
A few hours later the doorbell rang again. This time, he was half delirious. Without thinking, he rushed to the door and opened it. The cockroach was back, and all he could do was yelp as it pounced on him and began pummelling him once again.
This time it kept going for a full ten
minutes. He was so exhausted, he couldn’t even make it back to bed. He slept right there on the floor in the hallway.
The next day he was in so much pain he went straight to the doctor’s. His heart sank as he saw the size of the line coming out of the doctor’s office, but he stood at the end of it, patiently waiting.
The next moment, the doctor walked out of this office and looked along the line. When he saw the man, he waved and said, “You, come into my office.”
The young man followed him and sat down in the patient’s chair.
“Let me guess,” the doctor began, “you were awoken by the doorbell in the middle of the night and a giant cockroach beat you up!”
