SHORTHORN
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Spotlight on
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NOVEMBER 2019 •
Vol. 33, Issue No. 11
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ONNECTION 2019 S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up Results, by Kaycee Mullins, Lane Kealser, and Brian Bolt …..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…... page 50 2019 Senator James D. Speed Achievement Scholarship Presented, by Martha Mobley …... page 43 2020 S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Dues, by Travis Mitchell ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…. page 66 Alltech News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........ page 47 Amazing Grazing — North Carolina Beef Industry Helps Tie Agriculture Together, by Dr. Matt Poore ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…............. page 12 American Gelbvieh Association News ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..... page 34 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…............ page 29 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Tailgate Fare, by Ashley W. Herring ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..….......... page 10 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…....... page 41 BioZyme Incorporated News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….......... page 62 Boehringer Ingelheim News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…....... page 26 Brookside Agra News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........ page 55 Carolina Cooking — Tenderloin with Wine Braised Onions and Herb Cheese ……..…......... page 58 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........ page 51 Clemson Bred Agricultural Technology Company Puts Dow Roots in Pee Dee Region ….. page 32 Clemson Experts Explain Drought Protection Measures for Forages and Livestock …........ page 45 Clemson University Bull Test 28-Day Report, by Steven E. Meadows ….…..…..…..…..…..…..... page 64 Director’s Report — Win/Win, by Bryan Blinson ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…...... page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — What Would My Life Be Like If I Had?, by E.B. Harris ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. page 16 Farm Credit News ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….... page 16 Lexington County Cattlemen’s Association News, by Roy Copelan, ……..…..…..…..…..…....... page 62 McCormick County Livestock Association News ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…....... page 57 N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test 84-Day Report, by Gary Gregory ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…....... page 43 N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test 84-Day Report, by Gary Gregory and Deidre Harmon ….... page 42 N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation 2020-21 Scholarship Applications ……..…..…..…..…..…..…........ page 10 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........ page 35 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. page 60 New NCCA Members for 2019 ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…......... page 60 On the Edge of Common Sense — A Hundred Years from Now, by Baxter Black ….…........... page 13 On the Horizon — A Hectic, but Grateful Fall for Integrated Crop-Livestock Producers, by Jordan L. Cox-O’Neill ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…....... page 24 Palmetto Profiles, by Roy Copelan ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…... page 48 Performance Livestock Analytics News ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…... page 65 S.C. Carolina Cattlemen’s Foundation to Award 2020 Youth Scholarships ….…..…..…..…... page 56 South Carolina Awards of Excellence — “Recognizing Excellence in the Beef Industry” ……..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........ page 69 Ten Highest Angus Registrations from North Carolina and South Carolina …..…..…..…....... page 22 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…...... page 30 Union County Farm Show, by Roy Copelan …..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…...... page 48 University of Mount Olive Event Highlights Agriculture and College Life ……..…..….......... page 35 What to Expect From a Breeding Soundness Examination, by Heather Thomas Smith ...….. page 39 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ….……..…..…..…..…..…........…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…... page 20 Zoetis Quick Tips ….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….......... page 56
North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association President MIKE COX P.O. 1317 • Elon, NC 27244
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SHORTHORN 13 Things You Should Know About Shorthorn Cattle, page 6 About the American Shorthorn Association, page 8 About the Shorthorn Lassies, page 8 History of Shorthorn Cattle, page 4
breed Spotlight special sections are excellent forums to r e ac h p r o d u c e r s a n d cattle industry insiders in the Carolinas and throughout the S outheast . A dvertisers also receive a special discount for placing their message in the Spotlight. The Carolina Cattle Connection
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
Director’s Report By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA
Win/Win Who doesn’t like a win/win scenario? History is full of the search for these. They have even made commercials that eluded to the proverbial win/win. Does anyone remember “Great Taste/Less Filling?” It is my opinion and that of many others in our industry that we have an opportunity to not only take advantage of our own win/win but to let the rest of the world know about it. For the last few years, there has been a continued drumbeat in the media and academia about the damage that beef production does to the environment. The Meatless Monday craze and now the fake meat movement have been touted as a way to “save the planet” by stopping climate change. Both of these tactics seem more driven by agenda and emotion than science, and we have science on our side. I was fortunate to have the opportunity this past summer to hear a talk by Dr. Frank Mitloehner, who is an animal science professor and researcher at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Mitloehner specializes in measuring greenhouse gases and discussed another
side of the story when it comes to beef production and climate change. I am by no means going to try to delve into the details of the science but will attempt to explain my win/win thought process based on his talk and connecting it with many that we have all had the opportunity to experience right here at home. Dr. Mitloehner explained how methane, the primary greenhouse gas produced by cattle, and how it only lasts about ten years in the atmosphere and has been in balance for a number of years due to our grazing systems. This brought my thoughts around to the Amazing Grazing program that has been hugely popular and successful here in North Carolina. This program is one that is headed up by Dr. Matt Poore and Johnny Rogers and supported by your investment in the N.C. Cattle Industry Assessment. The grazing practices that are discussed, researched, taught, and implemented through this dynamic program are the very sort of systems that not only help to create the balance discussed by Dr. Mitloehner but also helps to capture carbon back into the
soil.
If you turn on the TV or radio, you can hardly go a day without hearing about reducing your carbon footprint. Interestingly enough, as cattle farmers, you may not only be reducing your carbon footprint but assisting with the big picture of environmental stewardship by just doing a good job of managing your pastures. While the celebrities are flying around telling everyone to reduce their carbon footprints, your footprints may just be in the carbon you are putting back into the soil on your farm by just giving your cattle better grass to eat. Here comes the “win/win” part. Each year, more and more practices taught in the Amazing Grazing program have been adopted and helped many farmers, not only in North Carolina but across the country, to save money and time by using their grass more effectively and efficiently. By implementing these practices one by one, farmers have been able to build up their soil to help reduce the amount of fertilizers and herbicides needed on their farms and to produce as much or more forage for their animals. Most of the things being taught are not really new to most folks in the cattle business, but tweaking what they have been doing for generations has paid big dividends to the bottom line. By saving time and money on the front end, the spread between the cost of production and income is more positive, whether calf prices are high or low. These practices help to continue to improve the grazing systems that Dr. Mitloehner described in his talk. Dr. Mitloehner described the science as well as his efforts to clear up many of the misconceptions about how you and
The Carolina Cattle Connection
I, as cattle farmers and ranchers, affect the environment. All of you, no doubt, heard the news in the spring about the Green New Deal and “cow flatulence” (not exactly what the media said, but this is a family publication). Dr. Mitloehner told us that when it all hit the news, he reached out to the Congresswoman to help her better understand the facts. If you noticed, while the implications did not go away, the story did change a bit. More importantly, just a day after his talk, the speaker appeared before the Senate to describe how grazing cattle is actually a practice that can do more to help the environment than to harm it. The gist of the win/win we find ourselves in is that you should be proud that you continue to improve your grazing practices to help your cows, your land, and your bottom line while helping to combat the drumbeat in the media about how we are destroying the planet. I am proud to be associated with the true and original environmentalists, the farmers and ranchers of North Carolina, and your fellow cattle producers across the country.
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Spotlight on
SHORTHORN
Section f
History of Shorthorn Cattle The Shorthorn breed of cattle originated on the northeastern coast of England in the counties of Northcumberland, Durham, York, and Lincoln. These counties all touch the North Sea and lie between the Cheviot Hills and the middle part of England. The first real development of the Shorthorn breed took place in the valley of the Tees River. This river, the valley of which is so well known in the development of the breed, lies between Durham and York counties, and the large cattle that inhabited this fertile valley early became known as Teeswater cattle. In addition to having acquired a reputation for producing excellent cattle, the Tees River Valley excelled in crops, pastures, and generally high plane of agriculture. Origin Foundation Stock - North England is said to have been the home of cattle for centuries. Sinclair1 suggests the small Celtic short horned ox was found in England at the time of the Roman invasion and that later, cattle were introduced from northern Europe by the English, Danes, and others. By the 17th century well known types of cattle existed in England, one of which was the “pied” stock of Lincolnshire, which was said to have been more white than colored, and the other red stock of Somerset and Gloucestershire. There existed in Holderness, a district of Yorkshire, cattle that resembled in size, shape, and color many of the cattle that were found in northern Europe at that time. At what time cattle had been introduced into England or by whom they were brought in is not definitely known. The cattle were said to have taken on flesh readily and would fatten into heavy carcasses although their flesh was coarsely grained and dark in color. Allen2 states, “The cows were described as large milkers, and the bullocks as attaining a
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great weight of carcass and extraordinary production of tallow.” The Early Breeders - As early as 1580 there existed a race of superior short horned cattle on the Yorkshire estates of the earls and dukes of Northcumberland. The coat color of these cattle varied, but among the colors found were light dun, yellow, yellowish red, deep red, red and white patched, white, and roans.
It was not until after 1750 that accurate records of consequence were kept of the cattle of the area or of the breeding practices that were followed. Between 1730 and 1780 many eminent breeders had distinguished themselves in their home localities for cattle of improved type and quality. Among those who might be mentioned are Sharter, Pickering, Stephenson, Wetherell, Maynard, Dobinson, Charge, Wright, Hutchinson, Robson, Snowden, Waistell, Richard, Masterman, and Robertson. These men and others recorded pedigrees in the first volume of the English Herd Book, which was not published until 1822, or after most of them were no longer active breeders. The early breeders of Shorthorn or Teeswater cattle left a heritage with which later breeders could work. The
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
cattle that they developed were usually of considerable size and scale, with wide back and deep, wide forequarters. Their hair and hide were soft and mellow. In addition, they were cattle that had ability at the pail and laid on fat readily under conditions of liberal feeding. It is not to be inferred that these were perfect or ideal cattle as compared to modern standards. They lacked uniformity and symmetry and were often quite prominent at their hooks and shoulder points; other faults, such as narrowness of chest, lack of spring of rib, short rumps, long legs, and unevenness of fleshing, left much to be desired. The ability of these cows to produce a good flow of milk has always been an asset to the breed, and size and scale have never been without merit. Breeders, of course, have striven through the centuries to correct some of the deficiencies that were prevalent in this Tees River stock, and at the same time to retain the most valued characteristics that the breed possessed. Foundation of the Breed The Contribution of Robert Bakewell - Robert Bakewell, who was born in Leicestershire in 1726, was a farmer of means who had a great influence on the Shorthorn breed although he never bred Shorthorn cattle. Prior to the time of Bakewell, farmers practiced the breeding of unrelated animals and prevented the mating of animals that were of close relationship. It remained for this animal breeding enthusiast to demonstrate to the English farmer a revolutionary way to improve livestock. He demonstrated with his Leicester sheep and his long horned cattle that animals of close relationship could be mated, and if rigid culling was practiced, desirable characteristics could thereby be fixed much more rapidly than by mating unrelated animals. Following the development of this breeding system by Bakewell, we find not only Shorthorn breeders but also breeders of many classes of livestock adopting his methods. Today Robert Bakewell is affectionately referred to, as the “Father of Animal Breeding” although in his time he was considered very eccentric and lacking in mental stability. This was a case of a genius in livestock breeding not being appreciated in his day.
The Colling Brothers - The Colling brothers, Charles and Robert, are often referred to as the founders of the Shorthorn breed of cattle. Other men had previously contributed to the native cattle of the area, but it remained for these two enterprising breeders to develop the first systematic breeding program. Charles Colling resided at Ketton, about four miles northeast of Darlington, in the country of Durham. Darlington had obtained considerable publicity as a market place or “fair” for cattle. Robert Colling settled at Barmpton, which was about a mile closer to the town of Darlington. It was on these two farms that the foundation of the breed was largely laid. About 1783 the Collings visited the home of Bakewell and made a study of his breeding methods.
The system of inbreeding followed in the Colling herd is illustrated in the diagrammed pedigree of Comet (155) in the chart on the following page. This bull was calved in 1804 and created quite a sensation when he sold for $5,000 at public auction. The second calf sired by Favourite (252) was steered and became known as the “Durham Ox.” This beast was fitted for public exhibition and it was shown at the reputed weight of 3,400 pounds. In those days the cattle were exhibited but were not shown, as are our cattle at the present time. They were toured over the country in somewhat of a sideshow exhibition. Robert Colling reared a freemartin heifer that became famous by the name “The White Heifer that Traveled.” This nonbreeder was sired by Favourite (252) and attained a live weight of 2,300 pounds. The publicity that was accorded the “Durham Ox” and “The White Heifer that Traveled” did much to advertise the new breed of Shorthorn cattle that was just being formally founded. There is no question but that the herds of the Colling brothers left their mark on the Shorthorn breed because
e Special nearly all Shorthorns in the United States or in Great Britain today trace to their herds in one or more lines. In their herds the bulls Foljambe (263), Favourite (252), and Comet (155) were bred and used, and they also used the great bull Hubback. The Booth Family - The Booth family was the next to add considerable merit to the Shorthorn breed. It is not definitely known when Thomas Booth of Killerby, in Yorkshire, began breeding purebred Shorthorn cattle, but it is known that in about 1790 he purchased what might be considered the foundation of his herd. Mr. Booth operated from the estates of Killerby and Warlaby, which were not far apart and only about 15 miles south of Darlington. Consequently he was near the Colling brothers and drew heavily upon them for foundation bulls. Unlike Mr. Bates, his contemporary as a breeder, Mr. Booth did not go to the Colling herd for females but instead used Colling bred bulls on rather large females that he purchased from other sources. It is said that he used bulls that were somewhat more refined than the cows to which they were bred. Apparently Mr. Booth was the first breeder to place great stress on fleshing qualities, and, in contrast to Mr. Bates, valued beef almost to the exclusion of milk. He developed an aptitude in his cattle to take on flesh, particularly during the dry period. Because of his stress on thickness of flesh and strength of back and loin, the Booth family produced a line of Shorthorns of strictly beef type that had strong constitutions. Mr. Booth seemingly appreciated the Hubback and Favourite breeding more than that of other cattle in the Colling herd, and after securing the type of cattle he wanted, he inbred with much success.
Spotlight on
SHORTHORN
In 1814 Richard Booth, Thomas Booth’s son, after studying his father’s method of breeding, began breeding Shorthorns. He leased a farm near Studley and later lived at Warlaby. He is said to have improved upon his father’s cattle, and he particularly improved the cattle in the forequarters of bred for straighter underlines. In 1819, John Booth, the brother of Richard Booth, began breeding cattle at Killerby. After the establishment of the Royal and Yorkshire Shows in 1839, John Booth exhibited at these shows. Bates Shorthorns - Thomas Bates was born in Northcumberland in 1775 and was of a good family. In boyhood he was sent to grammar school, spent some time taking more advanced studies, and later was given professional agricultural training. At 25 years of age he leased the extensive estates of Halton Castle but later lived at Ridley Hall and Kirklevington. He made a thorough study of the Colling herd and the cattle they produced and inspected the herds of many other breeders of the time before he decided to lay the foundation for a Shorthorn herd. In establishing his herd Mr. Bates drew very heavily upon the blood of the Colling herd and purchased his first cattle from them in 1800 at what was then regarded as very high prices. In 1804, he purchased the cow Duchess, by Daisy Bull (186), from Charles Colling at a reported price of $500. At that time she was four years of age and in calf to Favourite (252). Duchess is a direct descendant of both Favourite and Hubback. This breeding was said to have greatly impressed Mr. Bates, as he claimed she was the only living direct descendant of these famous bulls. When Charles Colling affected
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his Ketton dispersion, Mr. Bates was on hand and purchased and granddaughter of his original Duchess cow and named her Duchess 3d. She was sired by the $5,000 but Comet (155), who was in turn sired by Favourite (252), and Favourite was also the sire of the dam of Comet, and of the cow Young Phoenix; Duchess and duchess 3d became the foundation of the very famous Duchess family, which is often thought of as synonymous with Bates breeding. Thomas Bates stressed heavy milking qualities in his cattle, and our present Milking Shorthorns largely stem from his breeding. Thomas Bates might be regarded as the founder of the dual purpose type of Shorthorn. James Fawcett of Scaleby Castle gave the following description of the Duchess as they were found in the herd of Thomas Bates: “The character of the Duchess at this time is that of good and handsome wide spread cows, with broad backs, projecting loins and ribs, short legs and prominent bosoms. The head was generally inclined rather to be short and wide than long and narrow, with clear eyes and muzzle, the ears rather long and hairy, the horns of considerable length and waxy. They were good milkers and had for the most part a robust healthy appearance. The color was mostly uniformly red, with in many of them, a tendency to white about the flank.” There was low fertility among the duchess females, and in 1831 the Duchess family had produced only 32 cows in 22 years. There were 31 of these were recorded in the Herd Book. During this period of time all of the Bates herd bulls
with the exception of one had been of Duchess blood. In Speaking of the Duchess Cattle, Allen3 states, “The simple fact was that Duchess cows as a whole, had not been prolific or constant breeders, through abortions and other causes, and whenever they passed a year or two without breeding, he fed off and slaughtered them. The bulls that descended from them showed no lack of virility, and Bates still contended that the tribe had increased in their fineness of quality, were admirable feeders, and good milkers when breeding.” In 1831, Mr. Bates was searching for some females of Colling breeding and spied the bull Belvedere (1706) looking through a barn door at the farm of a Mr. Stephenson, and purchased the bull for $250. Belvedere was a yellow-roan bull of large scale with heavy shoulders and a mean disposition, but he was a bull of mellow hide. He was used freely on the Duchess females of the Bates herd, and was the sire of Duchess 34th, who was bred back to her sire to produce Duke of Northumberland (1940), the greatest breeding bull but was also shown to the Championship of England. References 1 James Sinclair, History of Shorthorn Cattle, Vinton & company, Ltd., London, 1907. 2 Lewis F. Allen, Shorthorn Cattle, United Sates Department of Agriculture Report, 1878. 3 Lewis F. Allen, Shorthorn Cattle, United States Department of Agriculture Report, 1878.
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13 Things You Should Know About Shorthorn Cattle • Shorthorn is a British cattle breed that is establishing itself well in Ireland. It was first noticed in the northeast of England around the 1700s, and through genetic diversity, the breed actually split definitively into the dairy Shorthorn and the slightly bigger beef Shorthorn! Although there are minor differences between the two types, both Shorthorns share many of the same characteristics and qualities. • The cattle’s coat is usually a mix of red, roan or white. However, there’s a strain of Shorthorn that has been bred to be completely and consistently white! The Shorthorn’s feet and legs have good structure, with very few problems. • Bulls usually weigh around 2,200 lbs while cows weigh about 1,800 lbs,
making them a medium sized animal. • Contradictory to their name, some Shorthorns are naturally polled! Different bloodlines have an effect on whether or not these cattle will have horns, so it’s important to choose the right one for your farm. Some owners may not wish to go through the process of dehorning cattle, but it can be dangerous if livestock are in close proximity. • They have great longevity, which helps farmers who worry about the cost of herd replacements. Some dairy cows are known to produce about five lactations in their lifetime, making them very profitable. • Shorthorn cows are very docile! This pleasant temperament is ideal for farmers who wish to run a smooth
operation. However, dams have well developed mothering instincts, and this can sometimes be both an advantage and disadvantage. Protected calves are an excellent reassurance, but aggressive cows can be dangerous to farmers and visitors. Shorthorn bulls are considered much quieter than other breeds. However, in the case of bulls, caution is always to be taken regardless of reputation. • Calving is fairly easy for this breed, with over 95 percent of births needing no assistance whatsoever. This can be comforting to farmers who worry about the tricky birthing process, especially when there’s only one person working on the farm! Calves are usually small, born at a weight of about 85 lbs, and cows can breed again in a relatively
Shorthorn Blood Determination
short time compared to other breeds! • Bulls have high libidos and are aggressive breeders, while the breed generally has excellent fertility. Heifers reach puberty quite early at about 359 days old! • Shorthorns have good disease resistance and immune systems; essential for keeping a healthy herd. Cases of mastitis and lameness are rare. • However, there are some genetic problems associated with this breed. One defect is called Tibial Hemimelia (TH), and this is caused by an abnormal gene in some strains of Shorthorn. It causes calves to suffer from serious deformities in their legs, joints, skulls, and abdomens. It’s usually fatal, as affected calves are unable to suckle. However, since the gene is recessive, it should only surface when both the sire and dam are carriers. Keep this in mind when breeding your Shorthorn cattle! • Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca (PHA) was also discovered in quite a few Shorthorn calves, whereby excess fluid builds up in the body. Under developed lungs can also be a problem for calves born with PHA. • The cattle are natural grazers, and convert feed to beef and milk with great efficiency. One study on Shorthorns found that they have the lowest feed cost per hundredweight of milk and the lowest total dry matter intake per hundredweight of body weight! • With regards to beef production, these cattle are well liked for their efficient weight gain and suitability for low-input systems. They also finish quite early, which is an advantage for farmers wishing to produce in a short, intense period. Shorthorn beef is nicely marbled, adding to its tenderness, and the average yield of carcasses is about 60.5 percent.
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About the American Shorthorn Association Mission Statement The American Shorthorn Association provides quality service and support to its members by promoting the value of Shorthorn cattle in all aspects of the beef industry, while maintaining the integrity of the herd book and performance database. ASA Core Values The American Shorthorn Association is committed to each member’s success and the integrity of the breed through pedigree processing, performance information, and industry presence, while acknowledging the variation of individual goals. ASA Goals and Objectives 1. Timely and accurate maintenance of pedigrees and performance data and expansion of database 2. Maintain and increase membership and registration numbers. 3. Educate members (junior and senior) and engage them in the long term efforts of ASA through increased member input and via surveys, open meetings, committee structure, and state association input.
4. Promote, coordinate, and support marking of Shorthorn cattle with particular emphasis on commercial markets and also through public exhibition. 5. Utilize technology in the beef industry to improve the Shorthorn breed, identify genetic conditions, and encourage and assist members in genetic improvement. 6. Generate revenue to support all goals. 7. Timely review of progress of each goal. Overview The ASA records approximately 15,000 animals each year. More than 20,000 head are maintained in the association’s whole herd registry. The current membership is in excess of 2,500 adult members, with more than 4,000 juniors on the membership roll. Current statistics for the ASA: 1. Registrations - 14,832, with nearly 7,978 transfers 2. ShorthornPlus = 23.4% of total registrations 3. WHR enrollment - 22,000 head
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
About the Shorthorn Lassies The National Shorthorn Lassies serves as the women’s auxiliary of the American Shorthorn Association. Officially organized in 1956, Lassies encourage and extend the influence of Shorthorn Breeding, promote the interest of its membership, stimulate greater activity, and cultivate closer relationships. The Lassies also arrange exhibits at national shows, present awards, publicize the breed provide reception committees, and conduct activities that pertain to the National Queen contest and other promotional activities. History The National Shorthorn Lassies, a women’s auxiliary of the American Shorthorn Association, was officially organized in 1956 at the Chicago International Livestock Show in the Harvest Room of the Stock Yards Inn. W. Henry Dilatush of Memphis, Tenn., was the “father” of the Lassie movement. As a member of the ASA Board of Directors, he presented a resolution at the 1955 annual meeting of the ASA recommending the formation of a women’s auxiliary. He suggested the name Shorthorn Lassies. Mr. Dilatush persuaded Mrs. Henry Baum of West Lebanon, Ind., to assume the responsibility of the organization. Dilatush gave the Lassies $100 check to help with establish the organization, and through letters, he persuaded others to give financial help as well. Mrs. Baum then served as the first National Shorthorn Lassie President. The 1956 International marked the original appearance of Lassie Queens at Chicago. Twelve young ladies were present. Ann Bullock of Missouri was the first National Lassie Queen that year. Costume Shorthorn Lassie Queens are repeatedly asked, “Just what is the meaning of what you are wearing?” The answer lies in our breed’s heritage. Since Shorthorn beef cattle originated in the British Isles and many of our valuable beef improvements were made through cattle imported directly from Scotland, the national Scottish costume was selected. It is interesting to note that the Lassie Queen’s tartan is known as the Royal Stuart. The royal tartan, as adopted by the House of Stuart, is the official tartan for Britain’s Royal Family. There are many common misconceptions about the National Scottish dress. One should understand: • The KILT is officially described as a type of short pleated petticoat worn in the Highlands of Scotland. • The TARTAN is the cloth itself. Usually woolen, it is either checkered or cross barred with narrow bands of various colors. It is also worn in the Scottish Highlands. • The PLAID is actually a garment worn like a shawl wrapped around the body and fastened at the left shoulder. It is worn by both sexes in Scotland in place of a cloak.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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Ashley’s Beef Corner
T
Tailgate Fare
By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council With such an extended summer, we are all eager to enjoy the cool relief of fall. Being outside enjoying sports is one of the best parts of the season. Games are not short, and fans need satisfying bites to keep them satisfied. The Mountain State Fair Beef Recipe winners certainly had this in mind as they competed for top dish honors in the Favorite Tailgate Recipes category. First Place - Mary Alice Ramsey Tailgate Taco Soup 2 Tbsp Olive oil 1 cup of onion, chopped 2 lbs ground beef 2 cans pinto beans 1 can whole kernel corn 2 cans diced tomatoes 1 can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies 1 packet original ranch dressing mix 1 packet original taco seasoning mix Grated cheese and chopped green onion, as toppings Served with saltine crackers
Serve with saltines. Prepare at home and either carry in a vacuum crock with lid, transport in large or smaller thermal containers, or simmer on a grill in the parking lot. Great with sandwiches or as a complete meal. Prep time 15 minutes, cook time 60 minutes. Makes 14 servings. Also great left over! Second Place - Sharon Gates Barbecue Meatball Cupcakes 1 refrigerated pie crust 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature ½ cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese 1 lb ground chuck ¼ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs 1 tsp dried minced onion 1 egg, beaten ½ tsp salt ½ tsp ground black pepper ½ cup spicy barbecue sauce 2 Tbsp honey 6 slices provolone cheese
meatballs on all sides to sear. Stir together barbecue sauce and honey and add to pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and coated with sauce. Place a meatball atop each of the cream cheese filled crusts. Divide each cheese slice equally into pieces and place a half piece on top of each meatball. Bake in a preheated 350ºF oven for 15-20 minutes, until crusts are baked through and cheese is melted. Serves four hungry sports fans. Third Place - Susie Zuerner Tasty Steak Tailgate Sandwiches 1½ lbs Sirloin Steak 6 Tailgating brat buns 1 large green bell pepper, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced 2 medium sweet onions, halved 6 tbs butter 6 romaine heart lettuce leaves 3 oz sweet Vidalia onion dressing Kosher salt to taste Pepper to taste
Preheat grill to high heat. Melt butter and brush open buns liberally, set aside. Using tongs, rub one of the onion wedges all over the grate. Grill peppers and onions about 10 minutes. Combine onions and peppers once cooled slightly. On direct heat, grill steaks 5-7 minutes per side. Salt to taste as you place the steak on the grill. Just as you flip each steak, add one tablespoon of butter and cook for one minute. Once done, remove from heat, pepper to taste and let rest 10 minutes. Over direct heat, toast buns to desired texture. Slice steak thinly and set aside. Open buns and place one romaine heart leaf down each and add one tablespoon of sweet Vidalia onion dressing to each. Spoon in cooked peppers and onions and add 4 ounces of steak to each. Serve to hungry tailgaters! Makes 6 servings. These amazing recipes would be great whether you’re at a game or just home on a weeknight. Enjoy the cool evenings by dining outside - you might create a new tradition everyone will look forward to!
Tasty Steak Tailgate Sandwiches
N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation 2020-21 Scholarship Applications Tailgate Taco Soup
In 12” frying pan, sauté onion in olive oil until translucent. Use medium heat. Remove onion to large (6 qt.) soup pot. Brown crumbled ground beef in same frying pan and remove to paper towel lined baking pan to drain. Open all canned items and add contents to onion in soup pot. Add ground beef, ranch mix, and taco seasoning mix. Stir. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low to simmer for 1 hour. Top with grated cheese and green onions.
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Barbeque Meatball Cupcakes
Unroll pie crust and using a biscuit cutter, cut 12, approximately 3 inch rounds. Place crust in the wells of a greased muffin tin. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, spinach, and parmesan cheese and spoon a teaspoonful into the bottom of each crust. In a mixing bowl, combine ground chuck, breadcrumbs, onion, beaten egg, salt and pepper. Divide beef mixture into twelve and roll into meatballs. In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, brown
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
The N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation is now receiving applications for undergraduate scholarships and graduate student travel funding for the 2020-21 academic year. This is the fourth 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 North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association. We encourage you to use the online application from www.nccattle.com; however, printable versions are available to assist you in gathering information for your applications. All applications are due by January 15, 2020. 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 at cricks4@mac.com.
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By DR. MATT POORE N.C. State University
North Carolina Beef Industry Helps Tie Agriculture Together Authors note: The ideas that led to this article were developed by members of the Beef and Forages work groups at NCSU Extension, and the staff of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. Please use these ideas to communicate the value of the beef industry in your own communities. North Carolina is an important agricultural state. The industry currently provides about $80 billion in economic activity to our state’s economy. There is a collective goal to grow that to $100 billion by 2026, largely through adding value to the current base of production. This will occur through increased processing of commodities for food and feed, and also through increasing the value of the products produced. Additionally, the agricultural economy stands to gain from technology driven increases in production efficiency through the more targeted use of inputs, and
concurrent increases in output. The beef cattle industry in North Carolina is an important commodity to the state for a number of reasons. Year after year, beef cattle are among our top ten commodities, being #8 in the most recent NCDA&CS statistics. In a recent study prepared for the “Food Animal Initiative” at NCSU, beef cattle programs have been identified as an existing strength, and as an area of emerging opportunity. There are opportunities to add value to the calf crop through enhanced genetic and marketing management and to reduce production inputs through improved grazing and feeding management. There is also great potential to grow the “local beef” production system, which will allow new producers to enter the business with greater potential for profitable production. Pigs and poultry (broilers, turkeys, and eggs) remain by far the biggest
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
commodities in the state. Others in the top ten include tobacco, corn, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and cotton. However, in addition to its direct economic value, the beef industry is an integral part of those other production systems. It adds value to those commodities through participation in crop rotation programs, utilization of the coproducts of agricultural processing of grain commodities (including corn, soybeans, and cotton), through the direct consumption of waste products, and through the utilization of pasture and hay crops produced as a way to dispose of animal wastes in an environmentally sensitive way. In addition to their direct economic value and their service to the other commodities, beef cattle provide additional important benefits, including helping to maintain green space and improve environmental quality, providing the most environmentally sound way of disposing of biosolids from sewage treatment plants, helping maintain rural farming culture, providing key opportunities for youth leadership development, and maintaining agricultural land in agriculture despite changes in potential profitability from traditional crops like tobacco. The North Carolina beef industry has a direct link to nearly every other commodity and community in the state. It connects the various commodities in order to sustain North Carolina agriculture and provide a platform for future development. This relationship leads to a unique situation in which beef commodity leaders are embedded in the local and statewide agricultural community to a much greater extent than most other commodities relative to their farm gate receipt value. Also, because of the widespread nature of the beef industry and the large number of farms, farmers, and youth involved, a high level of demand for services is placed on local and state N.C. Cooperative Extension offices, and most livestock agents in the state put a high level of their efforts into local beef programming. Direct Economic Value - There are currently 370,000 beef cows in North Carolina, and annual farm gate receipts during the period from 2014-2017 averaged $365,000,000. Beef cattle are present in all counties in the state, and there are more farms with beef cattle than any other commodity (18,413 in 2017 Census of Agriculture). The economic multiplier for beef cattle is also one of the highest among the animal commodities because of the fact that most producers will spend the proceeds from their cattle locally. For every dollar of income, $2.38 in economic activity
will be generated. That means with a farm gate receipt of $365 million, the beef industry contributes $869 million to the state’s economy. Because most beef producers have other employment, either by producing other commodities farming or through off farm employment, the beef cattle population is very stable. Because of fluctuations in commodity prices and the longer term nature of cow/calf production, cow numbers are stable, and production does not fluctuate as much as with other commodities. Additionally, many cattle farmers have a long term connection to the beef industry and remain in business through difficult economic situations because they “want cows and will always have cows.” With some commodities decreasing in importance (such as tobacco and other row crops in areas of marginal suitability), beef cattle provide an important alternative. They can either be added to an existing multi-commodity farm or can replace a commodity and keep the land in agriculture, as has been the case in recent years for many tobacco and dairy farms. Additionally, on the urban interface, cattle production systems are aesthetically pleasing and often the most efficient way to keep land in agriculture while maintaining agricultural tax value. Permanent pastures also provide the most beneficial opportunity to utilize biosolids from sewage treatment plants, and as the state urbanizes, using pasture as a sustainable way to manage biosolids will be of increasing importance. While production has been stable in recent decades, there are opportunities to increase the beef cattle population through more efficient integration with existing agriculture systems, and through the use of marginal land, which in many areas of the Piedmont are idle or in a low level of productivity. The growth of interest in local foods has encouraged farmers and other entrepreneurs to develop production and marketing networks for locally produced and sold beef, and it is expected that these opportunities will continue to grow. Service to Other Commodities Beef cattle are an integral part of many other commodity production systems. On farms with multiple commodity grain crops, cattle pasture (or hay) can be important in the crop rotation. Planting land to perennial forages as a break crop can improve soil carbon and health, water infiltration, soil compaction, and there is great interest in using long term sod based rotation systems to improve the productivity of other crops in the system. The more commonly recognized practice of planting annual cover crops benefits the production of summer annual row
crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton, and many more. This also provides an opportunity for growing cattle to graze during winter. It represents a real opportunity to add value to the overall production system, especially in the eastern part of the state, where beef cattle are already integrated with row crop farms in many cases. Pigs and poultry make up about 2/3 of the agricultural farm gate receipts in the state. These industries produce waste manure, which is largely managed as an aqueous solution in the case of swine (swine lagoon effluent) and as a solid material as in the case with broiler and turkey litter. These waste materials present a disposal challenge and can
often be perceived as an environmental challenge if not managed properly. These challenges and perceptions should be diminished with the continuous improvement of beef cattle systems associated with those farms. The expansion of the swine industry in the eastern part of N.C. during the 1980s and 1990s led to an increase in beef cattle used specifically to graze spray fields. This resulted in unprecedented growth in cow numbers in Sampson and Duplin counties, which are our leading swine counties. This expansion also led to an increase of beef cattle on other farms not associated with swine spray fields. As local farmers became more familiar with beef production, they began to realize
Baxter Black
linked. Interestingly, many of these farmers consider themselves cattlemen instead of chicken farmers, although the chickens may bring a higher level of apparent profitability than the cows. The processing of agricultural products for human food, fiber, or animal feed is widespread across the state. Primary processing of corn through wet or dry milling produces products like corn gluten feed, which is a fibrous, medium protein feed ingredient of little use in poultry or swine diets. Soybean processing to produce oil for human consumption and soybean meal primarily for poultry and swine feed also result in soybean hulls which are another high fiber product that makes good cattle feed. Cotton processing results in cottonseed, which makes good cattle feed, and
Continued on the next page
17th Annual
On the edge of common sense
Charolais Source Bull Sale
A Hundred Years From Now Life has always been a balancing act between the haves and have nots. Less populated industrial countries use the major portion of fossil fuel while third world countries still farm by hand and recreate. The world population is expected to increase by a billion every upcoming decade. If we could snap our fingers and, by magic, make some change that might save the earth from its inhabitants, what would we do? “Birth control,” said Steve. “You mean anything?” asked J.D. “Yup...” I said. “I’d transport everybody into the future 100 years to see how the earth would have been taken care of under their generations.” A great idea...though hard to predict. But we could compare it to someone in the past lookin’ forward to today. My grandpa was born in 1866 in Bonham, Texas. Twenty years later, he had moved to Oklahoma, staked a claim in the land run of ‘89, married, and started a family. He was a farmer, horseman, and fiddle player. If he was suddenly transported at age 53 to today, how would his world have changed? First, I think he’d notice there’s a lot more people...and a lot less farmers. Yet these farmers are producing enough
the associative benefits beef could bring to their farm. This includes helping them with crop rotations, utilization of land that was marginal for crop production through the gleaning of fields, and the use of on farm waste materials and locally produced hay, much of which is produced with animal waste and sold at a low cost. Also, when an integrated farm has year round employees, the flexible schedule of having a beef cattle enterprise can help keep farm labor engaged in productive activity anytime during the year. Poultry operations are more widely distributed in the state than swine operations. In traditional poultry areas, there are many beef farms that achieve a high level of forage production and profitable beef cattle production due to very low fertilizer costs. Many poultry growers have their own beef cattle to graze pastures fertilized with litter, making these two commodities closely
December 14, 2019 • 12:00 Noon Chester Livestock Exchange • Chester, S.C.
to feed their neighbors. The absence of draft horses and mules would be a shock. He’d see smoking diesel tractors draggin’ discs, combines, cotton pickers, and corn pickers through the fields. The number of bushels yielded per acre might leave him speechless as would dairy cows that milk 70 lbs a day, 100,000 head feedlots, hog and chicken confinement barns, and the loss of self sufficiency on the family farm. However, the air would be less breathable, the water less palatable, the work ethic less valued, family time less taken, sunsets less viewed, and neighbors less trusting. The environment would have been compromised by farming in order to feed the three times increase in population. As less good farm ground was available due to urban encroachment, more technological innovations would have been required to keep up. So, what is our world gonna be like in 100 years? It’s hard to predict, but there is one guarantee that should keep farmers busy improving our methods...there’s gonna be a lot more people to feed. Thank God for modern farming methods, science and technology, and, most of all, for the cowboy and the farmer who always get up every day to feed the world. That won’t change.
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q NOVEMBER 2019
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Amazing Grazing continued from the previous page sweet potato processing results in waste products that can be successfully fed to cattle. Brewer’s grains, resulting from the brewing process, are also best utilized as cattle feed, and the local supply of this resource from local craft breweries is expanding dramatically. Nearly all other agricultural processing endeavors result in some kind of a waste stream, and these are almost always fed to cattle. At one time, many of these byproducts went to landfills or were used for some other low value purpose. The fact that we have cattle in North Carolina near the sites where these byproducts are made enhances the returns of the commodity they result from by increasing demand for them, keeps the additional added value in the local economy, and relieves burdens on our challenged landfills. Social Benefits - The large number of farms with cattle and the broad geographic distribution of those farms results in some very important social benefits to the state. People are drawn to the land and agriculture for many reasons, and beef cattle provide an excellent part time or retirement enterprise. Many counties in the state have a county cattlemen’s association that meets regularly and is usually actively advised by the local Livestock Extension Agent. These groups are an important part of the local agricultural community. While there are a few local organizations related to other commodities across the state, these local beef cattle focused groups are important to maintaining an agricultural social system that benefits other commodities.
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When a group of cattlemen gathers, you are also likely to have the leaders and active farmers of the other major commodities in the area. For example, if there is an issue facing integrated poultry producers in an area, the most likely place for poultry producers to meet is at their monthly county cattlemen’s association function. These groups are also active in youth development programs through helping organize local youth events and often providing funds for college scholarships for students interested in agriculture. Again, it is because of the widespread nature and large number of farms with beef cattle and their connection to the local community that beef remains one of the most important commodities from a local extension perspective. Youth development through the 4-H livestock program, FFA, and other youth focused organizations is one highlight of the beef industry. Many young people get interested through their local 4-H club, breed association, or school and show beef animals at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Showing beef cattle is often the incentive that leads many of these youth into other programs supported by the local and state cattlemen’s associations. These activities are also coupled with other more formal leadership development programs available through the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. Other youth development programs supported by the various beef groups and coordinated through NCSU Extension include livestock judging, skillathon, and quiz bowl. There are
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
active teams from counties all across the state. All of these programs, coupled with 4-H and FFA involvement, help prepare young people to excel in whatever field they enter as adults. Young people who grow up involved in youth livestock programs go on to a lifetime of owning cows in many cases and/or contributing to both agriculture and society in general in a variety of ways. There are countless examples of business, civic, and government leaders who have honed their skills of success through involvement with programs such as those mentioned. These leaders, who may no longer be directly involved with production agriculture, are often the industry’s most fervent supporters thanks to the lessons learned in youth. Land Use and Resource Management - Beef cattle are also recognized as important to local land use and natural resource enhancement. The landscape of North Carolina is a patchwork of land use types giving the state its unique character. Hardwood and pine forests are broken up by productive row crop fields and permanent pastures. The pastures represent green space, keeping a more open landscape than would be possible if the forest is allowed to dominate the landscape as it wants to. Because well managed pastures result in rapid infiltration of rainfall, filtration of runoff, and the efficient capture of both applied and residual nutrients, improving pastures can lead to improved surface water quality. While there are challenges ahead with protecting streams, there is a great deal of agricultural cost share support
Regular copy deadline is NOVEMBER 5 for the DECEMBER issue!
Is there a problem? for proactive efforts by farmers to reduce their impact on the environment. In addition, there has been a lot of interest recently in carbon sequestration in farming systems. Improving pasture management is seen as one of the best opportunities to increase soil organic matter through an approach being called “carbon farming.” This concept is still in the early stages of development, but in one collaborative pilot project with Duke University and N.C. State University, local beef farmers will be paid for carbon offsets, helping to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality that has been set by Duke University. Summary - Beef cattle are connected in a variety of ways to other areas of agriculture all across the state of North Carolina. Consistently in the top ten commodities in the state, the beef cattle industry generates a lot of economic activity and also provides value far beyond its farm gate receipts. Without beef cattle, many commodities would find themselves with fewer opportunities for sustainable waste management and the ability to add value to processing byproducts. Most beef cattle farmers are very dedicated to remaining in the industry, which gives production and economic stability to the state. Very active youth livestock programs provide youth development benefits both for the agricultural industry and far beyond. Local cattlemen’s associations are an important social and political entity in many rural communities and continue to add stability to local rural culture. Truly, beef cattle and the industry that supports them provide the “glue” that makes North Carolina agriculture the tight knit community that it is.
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E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture By E.B. HARRIS
What Would My Life Be Like If I Had? A few months back, I had to deliver a bull up to Chase City, Virginia. My travels were going to take me through Warrenton, so I called my brother Jimmy and asked him what he was doing. He said, “Not a whole lot,” so I asked him if he would like to ride with me. I stopped by and picked him up. We headed on up through the northern part of the county. The roads were going to carry us through the community of Oine, more specifically known as “Blue Mud.” It took us by a farm that joins the state line in the northwestern corner of the county. This is a big farm, and the man who owned it was named Tasker Hicks. In our childhood days, he was good friends with my Daddy. We would go up there occasionally on a Sunday afternoon and visit Tasker Hicks, or he’d come down to the house every now and again. One of my memories of him was he gave me the first two Shepherd dogs I ever owned. I named them both Shep. I kept them for a long time. I grew up with those dogs. Another memory was he had the first Quarter Horse I remember seeing. He went to New Mexico and bought that
Quarter Horse. His name was Poncho. He’d saddle that horse every morning. When he wasn’t riding him, he’d have him tied under a shade tree. That horse would stand there with a saddle most every day, and he’d ride him across his pasture. He had a dairy farm and a beef cattle operation. We were going by Mr. Tasker’s farm, and Jimmy said, “Do you remember coming to visit him in 1969?” That would put me at 19 years old, and Jimmy would have been 22, I believe. I’d just graduated high school, and Jimmy had graduated from North Carolina State College. We had been contemplating and toying with the idea of going into the dairy business. As a matter of fact, a few years earlier than that, we had poured a concrete floor in our milk barn where we used to milk the family milk cow. We raised a bunch of veal calves in this old wood stanchion barn. Then we thought about going into the Grade C dairy business or maybe even going a little bit further by going into the Grade A dairy business. Tasker found out we were considering going into the dairy business.
From left to right - E.B., Shep, and Jimmy
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
He asked Jimmy and me to come up there and visit with him one day. So we made an appointment to go visit with him. Like I said, he was in the dairy business and beef cattle business. He went on to tell us, “I understand you boys are thinking about the dairy business.” I said we had rolled it over in our minds, trying to put some figures together and trying to see what all was entailed. We “thought” we knew about cows, but we didn’t know about the full marriage and commitment to the dairy industry. He said, “Boys, I’ve gotten of the age I’m about ready to retire. If y’all want to go into the dairy business, I’ll put you in the dairy business in the morning. I’ll sell you the cows, lease you the farm, lease you the cows, sell you the farm, or I’ll make a package and sell it all to you. Any kind of way you want to do, I am ready to get out if y’all are ready to get in.” We sat there and listened to him for a little bit. We told him that we would consider his offer and get back with him. Jimmy reminded me that before we got ready to leave that day that Mr.
Tasker made a profound statement. He said, “If y’all decide you want to go into the dairy business, whether it’s here or at your place, remember this, get rid of your bed and your Sunday suit of clothes because you won’t have time for either one if you go in the dairy business.” That was a strong statement, but it was pretty much true. If you’re going to be in the dairy business, you have to be pretty well committed to it because it’s twice to three times a day, seven days a week, from sun up to sun down and then some, with all that it takes to make it happen. A little history on the farm since 1969 – a few years after our meeting, Tasker got out of the dairy business. He continued in the beef business with a partner until the 90s when we conducted a cattle dispersal auction for him. The farm now has two swine confinement operations on each side of the road, and the open land is used for raising hay and crops. In 2012, we had the opportunity to cut corn silage off the farm, bring it to our farm, and use it for cow feed here on our farm.
Farm Credit News Applications Now Available for Innovative Young Farmer Award. The Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina are excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2019 Innovative Young Farmer of the Year Award given by the Tobacco Farm Life Museum and sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina. Eligible nominees must be between the ages of 18 and 40 as of January 1, 2020. Nominees are to either be in school for agriculture/agribusiness or have worked in the agriculture industry for less than ten years. The application process, open until December 6, enables nominees to discuss means by which they are positively impacting their operation, as well as the greater agricultural community in North Carolina. The Innovative Young Farmer of the Year Award is presented annually at the Breakfast with the Commissioner held in conjunction with the Southern Farm Show at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. “Agriculture continues to be the number one industry in North Carolina,” says Dave Corum, CEO of AgCarolina Farm Credit. “We are proud to support young farmers for their innovation and leadership. Recognizing these farmers for their commitment to the industry is
important, and we are proud to partner with the N.C. Tobacco Farm Life Museum.” To apply for this award, visit the Tobacco Farm Life Museum website at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum. org/innovative-young-farmer-of-theyear. Applications must be submitted electronically through this website. For more than 100 years, Farm Credit has been supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. About the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina. The Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina are AgCarolina Farm Credit, Cape Fear Farm Credit, and Carolina Farm Credit. They are farmer owned financial cooperatives with headquarters in Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Statesville, respectively. They are the leading provider of credit to farmers in North Carolina. The Associations have over $3.5 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to over 14,500 North Carolina farmers. Loans are made to finance land, homes, farm buildings, operating expenses, livestock, and equipment, as well as other purposes. Credit life insurance, crop insurance, appraisal services, and leasing are also available through the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina.
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You Decide! By DR. MIKE WALDEN
Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics N.C. State University Can We Predict Turning Points? I make about 70 presentations each year all around North Carolina. I speak to a variety of groups and organizations, and my audiences range from a dozen to over 500. The largest group I even spoke to totaled 1,200 folks. My typical speech begins by describing the current condition of the economy and how we arrived there. Since I’ve done this for over four decades, I know what people really want to hear. They want to know where the economy is going. That is, they want to hear my economic predictions. I understand this. Even though I find it interesting to analyze today’s economy and put it in historical perspective, most people will “tolerate” listening to an economist if they can derive some useful
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information. Such as where interest rates and the stock market are headed, what jobs will expand, whether home prices will rise or fall, what communities will be the best places to live, and – the big question today – whether a recession is around the corner. Here’s a not-so-secret secret. The easiest way to make predictions is to simply follow existing trends. For example, if the economy expanded this year, then predict the economy will also expand next year. Sure, the forecaster can make the exact numerical prediction slightly different than this year, but the point is to continue the trend. The hardest forecast to make is one that breaks the trend. I call breaking the trend a turning point. Again, let’s use economic growth as an example. A
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
turning point forecast is one which says, although the economy grew this year, next year the economy will contract – that is, there will be a recession. The economy moves from a positive growth rate to a negative growth rate. What makes turning point forecasts so difficult is they require forecasters to go against the grain. They require forecasters to believe behavior will change, meaning people and businesses will behave differently next year compared to this year. The best recent example of a turning point is the Great Recession of 20072009. With the benefit of hindsight, we know the Great Recession was sparked by over investment in real estate. The key behavioral change was investors moving from being optimistic about real estate prices to being pessimistic. Very few economists and policymakers (including two chairmen of the Federal Reserve) anticipated this change coming. Some economists think there’s another turning point occurring today, but it’s a beneficial one. One factor that can spark a recession is an oversupply of inventories. To correct the imbalance, businesses will reduce buying new supplies, thereby causing suppliers to cut
back on their production and workforce. Higher unemployment exacerbates the trends, eventually causing a recession. Today’s turning point is the use of technology to better manage inventories through improved forecasting of consumer buying and implementation of “just-in-time” production. While maybe not eliminating the possibilities of future recessions, many think this turning point could keep them mild. There may be other turning points affecting forecasts for individual sectors of the economy. Growing states like North Carolina are challenged to expand our transportation infrastructure to keep driving times and congestion from reaching unacceptable levels. Some futurists think ride sharing, rides on demand, autonomous vehicles, drone delivery of products, internet delivery of services, and the increased ability to work from home could substantially reduce commuting and the need for more roads and rails – exactly the opposite of long term forecasts. Many big cities in the country, including those in North Carolina, are experiencing rapid increases in housing costs as the growth in population and businesses heats up the competition for
accessible land. Yet what if a two pronged turning point intervention happened. The first prong is the high housing prices in the cities motivating households to look for more affordability in the suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas. The second prong is those innovations – drone deliveries, internet connections, rides on demand, and working from home – that make living away from city centers possible. Urbanization could be replaced by lower density living. The rising cost of healthcare has been a top issue in our country for decades. Standard forecasts show health care costs continuing to rise and taking a larger and larger share of our spending. What if this trend could be turned around by new medical technology? Many experts think it could happen. Body monitoring that alerts physicians of problems before expensive surgery is needed, remote delivery of medications and treatments, and expansion of out patient operations that avoids the expenses of hospital stays are all methods that could bend the health care cost curve down in the future. The longer I’ve been a professional economist, the more I’ve become aware of how turning points can alter forecasts. It’s a big reason why I always include with my predictions a heavy dose of humility. So does the past predict the future? The best answer I can give is, yes, but I don’t know by how much. You decide what your answer is. Can We Talk Ourselves Into a Recession? My late mother used to tell me, “Be careful what you wish for; it may come true.” Her advice has relevance for today with all the talk about the possibility of an upcoming recession. I’m not implying people are wishing for a recession. The concern is that if we worry so much about a recession, can we actually talk ourselves into one. That is, changing my mother’s words slightly, do we need to “be careful what we talk about; it may come true.” As usual, economists are divided on the likelihood of a recession happening anytime soon. A recent survey of business economists put the chances of a recession in the next two years at about one in three. Others, like CEOs (chief executive officers), think it is much higher. Economists are trained to think recessions are caused by fundamental factors, like households being over extended with debt, so they curtail spending. This certainly was the major factor behind the Great Recession of 2007-2009. Or, recessions can originate on the
business side. For example, the two recessions in the 1970s were mainly caused by big run ups in oil prices. At the time, oil was a much more important source of fuel for the industry. So a big jump in oil prices caused a surge in retail prices. With no commensurate increase in workers’ incomes, households cut back on spending and plunged the economy into recessions. One reason many economists today are not worried about a recession is the fundamental causes like high debt and rampant inflation don’t exist today. As a result of historically low interest rates, debt payment loads for households, businesses, and even government are at low levels. Also, in major part due to the large increases in U.S. oil production, oil supplies are ample and prices are moderate. Still, economists have long recognized that more than fundamental economic factors can stir up recessionary fears. Psychology and feelings can play a big role. Indeed, it is somewhat ironic that a discipline that deals so much with observable facts (economics) can be related to a discipline based on more subjective evaluations (psychology). Economists who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s realized the role fear could play in the economy. If households believe the future will be worse than the present, they will save money to prepare for that challenge. In particular, households will refrain from borrowing to buy “big ticket” items like homes and vehicles. Businesses will react to fear in a similar way. With households spending less, businesses will cut costs by reducing their labor force and delaying upgrades to their equipment and technology. These actions reinforce the fear felt by households and send the economy spiraling down even more. How does fear about the economic future develop? Part is through observation of facts. You watch your neighbor lose her job, or you read about the closing of a company. But part of it may be through stories you hear or read, some of which could be inaccurate. Also, as most of us know, as stories are passed from person to person, they can become embellished and overstated. The Nobel Prize winning economist Robert Shiller, who was one of the few to forecast the severity of the Great Recession, analyzes the impact of stories about the economy in his new book, Narrative Economics. He argues the effect of stories and perceptions may actually be greater now than in the past due to technology. Today, people have a multitude
of sources for information about the economy. Stiff competition between these sources for our attention sometimes means stories will be eye catching and provocative. I’ve already seen numerous stories about how to prepare for the coming recession as if it’s already been decided a recession is near. Modern technology also means stories receiving lots of “clicks” or “likes” can “spread like wildfire” – the term used in my day – or “go viral” – the term used today. This means before something is analyzed, verified, and reconsidered, it can be seen and accepted by millions – maybe tens of millions – of individuals. Now let me return to my opening question – can we talk ourselves into a recession. I think the answer is a “qualified yes.” The qualification is there needs to be an ignitor. That is, there needs to be some real trouble in the economy to start the worry. Concerns about recessions don’t just appear out of thin air. Once some valid worry does appear, widespread talk about it can “fan the flames” and potentially make the recession come
sooner or cause it to be deeper. While debt loads and inflation aren’t worrisome today, there are some trouble spots in the economy. Trade disputes – especially with China – are at the top of the list. Regardless of whether the U.S. positions on the disputes are worthy, the fact is the trade disputes are curtailing profit making exchanges as well as supplies of important inputs for many of our businesses. The disputes are costing the economy some growth. Fear about the unknown is a natural instinct. The objective should be to evaluate how real and important any fear is. For the economy, this means you must decide what to look at and who to listen to for projections about where we’re headed. About the author. Mike Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University who teaches and writes on personal finance, economic outlook, and public policy.
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Angus, SimAngus, and Balancer Bulls • 2-year-olds - Forage developed - pasture hard and ready • Crossbreeding at its best - Leading Simmental and Gelbvieh lines crossed with OCC Ohlde Angus • Are powerful with predictable performance for both growth and calving ease sire groups • Are moderate-framed, thick, deep bodied, and functional • Will balance the economics of growth, carcass quality, and efficient production • Are attractive, structurally correct, have gentle dispositions, and will produce super replacement females
Private Treaty at the Farm • Call Anytime Keaton Vandemark • Spring Hope, NC • 252-885-0210 The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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North Carolina Angus Association
The ten producers from North Carolina and South Carolina who registered the most Angus beef cattle recorded a total of 996 Angus and 2,063 Angus, respectively, with the American Angus Association during fiscal year 2019, which ended September 30, according to Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer.
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. Contact one of these N.C. Angus breeders today for your next genetic selection: 4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 email: info@tarheelangus.com
MESSICK ANGUS Kathleen Messick Madison 336-937-1956 email: messickangus@yahoo.com
BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) email: robinbackcreek@att.net
PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 email: JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com
BB ORGANIC FARM NC, LLC R. & E. Miller Wake Forest 919-570-2816 email: bborganicfarmnc@gmail.com
PROPST FARMS James L. Propst Zach Moffitt - Manager Concord 336-736-6340 email: zmoffitt19@gmail.com
BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 email: livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com BRIDGES BEEF CATTLE Eddie, Cindy, John & Crystal Bridges Shelby 704-692-2978 email: bridgesbeefcattle@gmail.com C-CROSS CATTLE COMPANY Duane Strider Asheboro 336-964-6277 email: ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com
SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 email: mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Rick Kern - Manager Louisburg 919-880-9062 (Phil); 919-272-6124 (Rick) email: jpgoodson@bellsouth.net www.springfieldangus.com TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 email: greg.little@ATImetals.com
FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 email: kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com
UWHARRIE RIDGE FARMS Mark Wilburn Asheboro 336-953-0521 email: uwharrieridgefarms@gmail.com
GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net
VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 email: keaton@vandemarkfarms.com
H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 email: jennham@bellsouth.net
WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 email: michaelmoss@rtmc.net
HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 email: gmhill@uga.edu
WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 email: rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com
JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 email: karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com LANE ANGUS Roger Lane Bundy Lane - Manager Gates 252-398-7711 email: ritalane@embarqmail.com
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Ten Highest Angus Registrations from North Carolina and South Carolina
Sharon Rogers
N.C. Angus Association Executive Secretary
336-599-8750 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
The ten top recorders in North Carolina are: • Springfield Angus Farm - Louisburg • Upper Piedmont Research Station - Reidsville • E. Bruce Shankle II - Polkton • Leonard W. Fussell - Millers Creek • J. Roger Lane - Gates • Smith Creek Angus Farm - Norlina • Panther Creek Farms - Pink Hill • Broadway Cattle Farm - Monroe • White Farm - Taylorsville • James Ralph Britt III - Calypso • Windy Hill Farms LLC - Ramseur The ten top recorders in South Carolina are: • Yon Family Farms - Ridge Spring • Black Crest Farms - Sumter • Edisto Pines Farm LLC - Leesville • Tokeena Angus Farms - Seneca • Mull Meadow Farm - Pendleton • PDR Cattle Company - Bishopville • Monadnock Ranch - Newberry • Paul Boyd Angus Farm - Clover • Robert P. Baker, Jr. - Lancaster • Walter Shealy III - Newberry Angus breeders across the nation in 2019 registered 304,577 head of Angus cattle. “Despite a challenging year, our Angus breeders continue to see strong demand for Angus genetics,” McCully said. “Our members are committed to providing genetic solutions to the beef cattle industry that maintain our long held position as a leader in the beef cattle industry.” Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving nearly 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. The Association 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 Association, visit www.angus.org.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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On the Horizon By JORDAN L. COX-O’NEILL N.C. State University
A Hectic, but Grateful Fall for Integrated CropLivestock Producers Hello again, fellow cattlemen and cattlewomen! Along with everyone that helps me with my research at the farms, I am gearing up to get ready for year two of the integrated crop-livestock study associated with my Ph.D. research. This involves planting and grazing either cereal rye or a cereal rye/turnip double crop forage mixture following corn grain harvest. Which reminds me, be on the lookout for a couple of extension field days in December and January related to this project and winter grazing annual forages. As usual, late summer into fall has proven to be a very busy transition
time for many integrated crop and livestock farms on the east coast. It can be hard to catch your breath between harvesting cash crops, getting the last cutting of hay off the field, planting an annual forage, and maintaining and preparing fences and water for winter grazing (usually the most daunting of them all). As Carolinians, we are also always trying to get these things accomplished while anticipating the next weather event, ranging from drought one minute to flooding from a hurricane the next. Oftentimes, it can get very overwhelming when major tasks seem to
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ROGER LANE
LANE ANGUS FARM Gates 252-357-1279 252-398-7711(cell)
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
be piling on top of each other in a short window of time. Personally, I can get to the point where my tasks become more numerous, larger, and take longer than the time and resources I have. In these moments, I remind myself to fall back on three strategies that seem to help me through this hectic time. 1) Plan things out and tackle one task at a time; 2) Recruit and work with a team; 3) Remain thankful during this time of year and understand that everything that is meant to come together will come together, the way God timed it! Although the reality of farming and managing livestock is that nothing really ever goes as planned, I find comfort in the ability to review everything that needs to be completed on a written plan. Is the written plan perfect, and does that mean it is rigid and never changing? Absolutely not. I always seem to run into challenges with plans and have to constantly adjust them. On the bright side, when I take the time to write my plan out, I am able to visually see every task that needs to be done and prioritize the order those tasks should be completed in. Also, with a million things going on, a written plan helps a producer keep up with and not forget all of the tasks to do. It can also help you gauge the timing of things to reach your end goals. For example, if I want to get cattle out to graze by a certain date, fully writing down my plan helps me reach that final goal. The written plan helps me assign times associated with each piece I need to complete in order to do so. This can range from the preparations I mentioned in my introduction to the many other minute details associated with the farm and my personal life. Oftentimes, producers overlook this step as unnecessary, which can lead to difficulties down the road, especially when communicating your todo list with the rest of your team. The written plan described above becomes critical when working with a team of individuals. This strategy is typically the most difficult for producers
to put into action. Reaching out for help, trusting others, and communicating are all some of the most challenging hurdles to overcome as compared to the simple manual labor. However, I have found that the most important strategy is communicating tasks with others so we can work efficiently to accomplish a common goal, especially when managing an integrated crop-livestock system that contains many pieces, including managing the production of cash crops, hay, cattle, swine, and poultry (with the confined waste associated with it), which is common for many producers in North Carolina and South Carolina. It is understandingly overwhelming for any one person to try to manage all of this, which is why it is so important to work together with the rest of your team with excellent communication and clear expectations for each member to successfully pull this off. But I think if producers can do this, they will be profitable and unstoppable. Like I mentioned earlier, life never seems to agree with my plans, and I always seem to run into challenges and constantly have to readjust. Sometimes things are going great, and then all of a sudden, a hurricane Florence or Dorian or a three month drought comes in and ruins or pushes back all of my original plans. In these moments, especially around this time of year, I simply have to remind myself to be thankful for everything God has provided me. Especially the ability to be involved and make a living in the industry of animal agriculture that I am incredibly passionate about. I also find myself completely thankful for the many people who have ended up on my team. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that everything is only possible and more enjoyable with the help of all my family and closest friends, which is why I highly encourage finding ways to collaborate and work with others. Lastly, no matter how many things seem to be going wrong, you should always keep in mind that God has a great plan, and things will eventually come together the way he intended!
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4K Farms/Tarheel Angus 2019 Fall Production Sale
November 23, 2019 • 1:00 p.m. at the Alamance County Cattlemen’s Sale Facility 7351 Beale Road • Snow Camp, N.C.
I want to personally invite you to the 6th Annual 4K Farms/Tarheel Fall Production Sale. There are consignments from multiple progressive breeders. Again there will be commercial DNA tested-sire verified Angus cows with fall calves. These cows are bred to meet current market demand. Buyers of your calves are more discerning than ever, as the choiceselect spread is about $27/cwt this fall.
Sale cattle will include...
• Registered and Commercial Fall Calving Angus Cows with Calves at Side • Registered Angus Winter Calving, A.I. Bred Cows Due January-March 2020 • Open and Bred Commecial Heifers For sale information, please contact:
RICHARD KIRKMAN, DVM
919-742-5500 • rdkirkman@centurylink.net The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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Sound Prevention Strategies Help Minimize the Risk of BRD. You can’t control everything on your operation. But you can take preventive steps to protect calves from bovine respiratory disease (BRD), long before you ever reach for antibiotics. “Work with your veterinarian to develop a preventive health program that best maximizes or improves cattle health and prepares animals for the next phase of production,” advised D.L. Step, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. A good preventive program, which can reduce the number of calves that succumb to BRD, lessen the severity of clinical signs and decrease the number of animals that develop complications, often includes the following steps. Ensure colostrum delivery for passive transfer of immunity - A newborn calf has no antibodies circulating in its system to fight off infection. That’s why it’s critical for the calf to ingest adequate amounts of high quality colostrum, or the antibody rich first milk from the dam
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NEWS
soon following birth, preferably within the first eight hours of the calf’s life. What happens in those first hours can have short and long term impacts on calf health. Compared with calves that received adequate colostrum, “A beef calf that didn’t is over three times more likely to experience an illness such as respiratory disease in the feed yard,”1 reported Dr. Step. “We can also see more enteric problems, especially in the first few weeks of life, as well as respiratory disease during the cow/calf phase of production.” Extend immunity with vaccination - For calves, respiratory vaccines are important to stimulate the adaptive or acquired immune system and help the calf develop a memory response. “If or when the animal comes in contact with those respiratory pathogens (disease causing agents) in the future, the memory response is activated, so the immune system can respond more rapidly,” said Dr. Step. While this doesn’t necessarily prevent infection, it can reduce the severity of clinical signs.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
Minimize stress - A number of factors can lead to stress in cattle, such as transport or shipping, fluctuations in temperature, and nutritional changes. Stress can suppress an animal’s immune system and open the door for viruses and bacteria to invade the respiratory tract. “Viruses can destroy normal respiratory tract mechanisms, such as the cilia that help move dust, debris, and mucus out of the lower airway,” explained Dr. Step. “Many bacteria are normal inhabitants of the upper respiratory tract, but damage to these respiratory tract mechanisms and stress can allow those organisms to enter the lower respiratory tract, which can lead to pneumonia.” Commingling, or mixing animals from different sources with unknown health histories, can also cause stress and expose animals to disease causing agents (respiratory pathogens). “It’s like putting a bunch of school children together after vacation,” suggested Dr. Step, “shortly after the group is back together in school, illnesses often develop.” Use antibiotics thoughtfully Despite all your best efforts to prepare calves, there are still times when the metaphylactic use of antibiotics makes sense. “Metaphylaxis can help minimize the number of calves that get sick, and therefore, the number that die,” reported
Dr. Step. “Can we make an animal healthier by the time it leaves the cow/calf operation?” asked Dr. Step. “Yes, we can.” It’s just a matter of working with your veterinarian to create a BRD prevention program that works for your operation. Reference 1 Wittum TE, Perino LJ. Passive immune status at postpartum hour 24 and long term health and performance of calves. Am J Vet Res. 1995; 56(9):11491154. About Boehringer Ingelheim. Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of almost $4.7 billion worldwide in 2018, about 10,000 employees, and a presence in more than 150 markets. We have pioneered advancements in vaccines, parasite control products, and therapeutics that limit pain and slow disease, and we aim to create the future of animal well being for pets, horses, and livestock by focusing on prevention. Boehringer Ingelheim’s Animal Health Business has a significant presence in the United States, with more than 3,000 employees in places that include Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico. To learn more, visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us.
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q NOVEMBER 2019
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
NEWS
Animal Agriculture Alliance invites you to become Primed & Prepared at 2020 Summit. Event set for May 7-8 in DC area, speaker proposals sought. The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced that its 2020 Stakeholders Summit, set for May 7-8 in Arlington, Va., will be themed “Primed & Prepared.” The annual Summit brings top thought leaders in the industry together to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas. The 2019 event was the largest yet, attracting 335 attendees. The Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, allied industry, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies, and media. The Alliance also announced a call for proposals to speak at the event. “It’s one thing to talk about engaging in the public dialogue about animal agriculture,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president, and CEO. But what really makes our Summit special are the actionable tools and ideas that attendees walk away with.” Discussions surrounding animal agriculture don’t always include engagement between key stakeholders across all sectors of the supply chain. Attendees will leave this year’s Summit Primed & Prepared with the tools they need to take action and be part of any and all conversations that could impact the future of animal agriculture and their business. “I’ve attended the last five Summits and have learned something new and useful about animal agriculture at every one. There is no better place to meet and share ideas with such a broad spectrum of talented people across so many facets of our industry,” said Brian Chapman of Florida Dairy Farmers. The Alliance is seeking proposals for keynote presentations and panel discussions that fit this theme. Proposals to speak at the event are being accepted through November 20. For more information, visit the proposal guidelines and form at https://bit.ly/2OCjyM3. Registration for the Summit will open later this year. Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date Summit information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA20 for periodic updates about the event on social media. For general questions about the Summit, please email summit@animalagalliance.
org or call 703-562-5160. Get involved - Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For a complete listing of the 2019 Summit sponsors, please visit www.animalagalliance.org/summit. For more information on 2020 sponsorship opportunities, contact Allyson Jones-Brimmer at ajonesbrimmer@ animalagalliance.org. Dairy Management Inc. helps Animal Ag Alliance coach students to become confident agriculture communicators. College Aggies Online students reach millions on social media in the first weeks of competition. The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s College Aggies Online (CAO) Scholarship Competition is in full swing. More than 300 students and 20 collegiate clubs are competing for $21,000 in scholarships as they communicate about agriculture and food online and at in-person events. To support students competing in this year’s CAO competition, search for the hashtag #CAO19 on social media and like, comment, and share the posts. So far, students have earned 2.3 million impressions on social media since the competition runs through November 16. College Aggies Online helps students become confident and effective communicators on behalf of agriculture and has been doing so since 2009. The program would not be where it is today without the support of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the checkoff. DMI has sponsored the nine-week program since 2015, offering advice and feedback to help the students reach their full potential. This year Don Schindler, senior vice president of digital innovations at DMI, hosted a presentation for the students debunking the belief that telling your story is the best solution to bridging the gap between farmers and the public. “Telling your story has nothing to do with the consumer,” said Schindler. “They don’t relate, and therefore they don’t care. What they do care about is why you’re farming and how it benefits them.” Each week during the competition, students are asked to post about a specific sector of animal agriculture on social media. DMI challenged the students to post about sustainable nutrition during dairy week. “Sustainable nutrition is the idea of providing nutritious food while also taking care of our planet,” said
Casey Kinler, Alliance communications manager. “The industry has excelled at providing more food all while decreasing its environmental impact, but still gets unfairly blamed for climate change. CAO students are providing balance to the online conversation by discussing this important topic.” As part of the club competition, student organizations have ten challenge options available to them to earn points. In the “Undeniably Dairy” challenge, students are asked to partner with local dairy farmers and checkoffs to host campus booths and farm tours to engage with their peers about the dairy industry. The challenges create a fun atmosphere on college campuses for students to learn about dairy nutrition, animal care, sustainability, and more. Clubs can still sign up to participate at https:// collegeaggies.animalagalliance.org. CAO would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Our 2019 sponsors include: Dairy
The Carolina Cattle Connection
Management Inc., Seaboard Foods, National Pork Industry Foundation, CHS Foundation, National Turkey Federation, Bayer, Cooper Family Foundation, National Corn Growers A s s o c i a t i o n , Vi v a y i c , A l l t e c h , Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Ohio Poultry Association, Domino’s Pizza Inc., Culver’s Franchising System, Pennsylvania Beef Council, and National Chicken Council. About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. 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.
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Matthis. The new directors were Phillip Watson of Bear Creek, Eugene Shuffler of Hamptonville, and Zach Moffit of Monroe.
THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL
By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association NCSA Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of the N.C. Simmental Association was called to order by Vice President Rusty Henson on September 6 at Shuffler Sale Facility in Union Grove. There were around 80 people present and enjoying the beef dinner prepared by Roy and Teresa Swisher. Jeff Broadaway gave thanks for the food, and Rusty led the membership in a moment of silence in memory of E. L. “Tiny” Aldridge. The producers of the top indexing bulls at the state bull test stations were recognized, and they were Eugene Shuffler for his SimAngus and Phil Rucker for his
Rusty Henson and Darrell Mitchell were presented with plaques for their time as NCSA Directors. Not present, Scott Matthis.
Cara Smith holds up the barn quilt made by Betty Bosley that sells for $250!
ASA Chairman Gordon Hodges and AJSA Trustee Cara Smith stopped long enough for a picture together.
Simmental at Waynesville. At the Butner test, Joe Medlin was recognized for his SimAngus and Chuck Broadway for his Simmental bull. The Junior Advisor Amy Thomas talked about how proud she was of Cara Smith, who was recently elected as an AJSA Trustee and is the first junior from North Carolina ever to serve on the Junior Board. Cara was presented with the Top Junior Simmental Award and also with the Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship. Cooper Joines was presented with the Top Ranch Hand Award. Cara
talked to the group about all the junior activities that kids from North Carolina did this summer. Eight head of cattle and four juniors attended the Eastern Regional in West Virginia and won many awards. Then, 12 head of cattle and six juniors attended the National Classic in Louisville, Ken., and had a wonderful time of learning, making friends and exhibiting cattle at the “Racing to the Bluegrass” Classic. Next, the outgoing directors were honored with a plaque, and they were Rusty Henson, Darrell Mitchell, and Scott
Chris Harris with Piedmont Farm Systems was on hand with a good display.
Smith Reasor conducted our auction of donated items, which is always so much fun. The top selling item this year was once again the German Chocolate cake made by Teresa Swisher, which sold for $300 to Ray Brewer of Lexington. The next top item was 20 custom screen printed shirts donated by Todd Antonuk, which sold for $260 to Carol Shuffler. A handmade barn quilt made by Betty Bosley sold for $250 to Katherine Walters of Virginia. The total for the items sold was $3,035!
Beautiful Simmental cattle with quality gentics were available sale day.
SIMMENTAL . . . Because They Work! Take it from this N.C.S.A. Breeder: Tony Matthis of Triple M Farms in Clinton, N.C.
“Simmental Angus crossbred cattle excel in all phases of beef production. They will add profit to your herd by adding heterosis, weaning weight, increasing feedlot performance, and delivering more good tasting, tender retail product for the consumer.” ~ Tony Matthis Triple M Farms
Tony Matthis Triple M Farms
Contact these progressive SIMMENTAL breeders! Cub Creek Farms Doug Peterson Wilkesboro, NC 336-667-4306
Ridgewood Simmentals Rusty & Cara Henson Boone, NC 828-265-3450
Fred Smith Company Ranch Fred Smith Clayton, NC 919-422-4092
Triple M Farms Tony Matthis Clinton, NC 910-592-7472 or 910-592-6702
Rucker Family Farm Phil & Jennie Rucker Hamptonville, NC 336-468-1675
Nicholson Livestock Clay & John Nicholson East Bend, NC 336-699-4780
Cedar Creek Ranch Bill & Marie Pyle Franklinton, NC 919-494-1145
Circle M Cattle/Massey Farms Johnny & Jonathan Massey Burlington, NC 336-260-2565
Langdon Red Angus & Simmental John & Eileen Langdon Benson, NC 919-796-5010
Waco Cattle Company Marvin Hutchison Waco, NC 704-435-4607
Shade Tree Simmentals Ralph Blalock, Jr. Wilson, NC 252-289-6007
TX Enterprises Charlie & Amy Thomas Winston-Salem, NC 336-575-5461
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
JBB Simmentals Jeff Broadaway Monroe, NC 704-221-0997
• BOONE WILKESBORO •
• EAST BEND • HAMPTONVILLE • WINSTON-SALEM • FRANKLINTON BURLINGTON • WILSON • CLAYTON • • BENSON • WACO • MONROE • CLINTON
• GRAY COURT
N. C. Simmental Association • Jennie Rucker, Executive Secretary 1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 • 336-468-1679
√ Check out our webpage: www.ncsimmental.com • email: NCSA@yadtel.net
American Simmental Association 1 Simmental Way Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-4531 406-587-9301 FAX
Earl Estes and Johnny Massey were present to look over the cattle.
Holdings of North Carolina. A bred heifer consigned by Smith Reasor sold for $3,300. This heifer was SR Miss E55 sired by PVF Insight 0129 and selling to Hilltop Simmentals of South Dakota. Then a cow/calf pair was the next top seller at $3,200. This cow, HPF Sazerac D071, sold to Hunt-Hawley Simmentals of Lucama, N.C., and was consigned by Shearpoint Farm of Virginia. Cattle sold to buyers in seven states, and the 86 lots averaged $1,873. Thanks to everyone who came out to support our Simmental producers and to all the buyers and bidders online.
The seats were full at the Fall Harvest Sale.
Next, the much anticipated raffle drawing for the Traeger grill was held. The winner of the grill was Johnny Massey of Burlington. Winners of the steak house gift cards were Charlie Thomas, Johnny Massey (again!), Levi Carter, and Alek Knight. Congratulations to all these winners and to everyone who helped with the raffle and auction.
Old friends former Governor Jim Hunt and Eugene Shuffler enjoyed catching up at the Fall Harvest Sale.
NCSA Fall Harvest Sale. The Fall Harvest Sale was held on September 7 at Shuffler Sale Facility. It was managed by DP Sales Management with Tommy Carper serving as auctioneer. The ringmen were Smith Reasor, Neil Bowman, and Bryan Blinson. The top selling lot was Lot 1, the donor cow, STF Adamant AS45, consigned by TX Enterprises of WinstonSalem, North Carolina. This cow sold for $3,700 to Rachel Barron of Kentucky. The next top selling lot was a bred heifer, JBB Miss Knight E20, consigned by Jeff Broadaway and selling for $3,400 to JLP
AJSA Trustee Cara Smith tells the crowd about Junior Simmental activities.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
PAGE 31
Clemson Bred Agricultural Technology Company Puts Down Roots in Pee Dee Region The seed of an idea that sprouted from Clemson’s Advanced Plant Technology (APT) Program is blooming where it was planted near the university’s Pee Dee Research and Education Center. Carolina Seed Systems is relocating from Greenville to co-locate with Clemson’s research station in Florence — one of six strategically located across the state’s distinct soil and climate regions — to serve growers along the Interstate 95 corridor and rural South Carolina. A spinoff of the APT Program, Carolina Seed Systems is working to address a lack of feed grain hybrid crop development and a regional feed shortage. “This is the vision we’ve had for a spinoff company, and we’re just executing that vision and partnering with Clemson to advance the land grant mission by moving to a region where our stakeholders are located,” said Carolina Seed Systems founder and Chief Executive Officer Zachary Brenton. “It’s really kind of a transition from an idea into the actual execution of a tangible impact.” That transition is being funded by a $10 million award to Steve Kresovich,
director of the APT program and lead principal investigator on the project, through the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), as part of a program called Transportation Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture to prioritize the commercialization of the science and products. Kresovich said the transformation of the project from a concept into a tangible product is in keeping with “the truth breath” of Clemson’s land grant mission to provide unbiased, research based information to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians. “Our goal is to do good science at Clemson and provide the foundation for those companies, particularly Carolina Seed Systems, to advance and serve the crop agriculture needs in the southeastern United States, but most importantly to have a positive effect on the rural economy in the I-95 corridor,” he said. An agency in the U.S. Department of Energy, ARPA-E is charged with overcoming long term and high risk technological barriers in the development of energy technologies. Krish Doraiswamy, ARPA-E
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technology-to-market adviser, said the agency focuses on transformational energy projects that can be meaningfully advanced with a small amount of funding over a defined period of time. “Academic entrepreneurship is a key driver of energy innovation,” he said. “ARPA-E has funded hundreds of projects at colleges and universities across America, advancing high potential, high impact energy technologies that are too early for private sector investment. The project with Clemson is an example of one such initiative.” Grain sorghum is a cereal grain that is often used as a substitute for corn and feeding rations in the animal industry. Because of its drought tolerance and nutrient efficiency, grain sorghum can lower farmers’ seed cost and increase their profitability. Doraiswamy said renewable energy through biofuels is a particular area of focus for ARPA-E. Significant improvements to the productivity and efficiency of biofuel crops are needed to produce the large volume of biomass needed for economic biofuel production, and that’s where Clemson can help, according to Doraiswamy. “Clemson University has been leading a multifunctional, multiinstitutional team that is integrating the agriculture, information technology, and engineering communities to design and apply new tools to the development of improved varieties of energy sorghum, a crop used to produce biofuel,” he said. “These tools will be equally applicable to the cultivation of sorghum and other crops for other end uses. The team’s goal is to create sorghum varieties that are adaptable to the environment and soils specifically in the American Southeast and thereby create new options for bioenergy and agriculture in that region.”
The metaphorical seed for Carolina Seed Systems was planted when, as graduate students in the APT Program, Brenton and Richard Boyles evaluated grain sorghum characteristics and began working to exploit natural variations in the plant’s genetic material to determine what genes are responsible for adapting it to the climate and production systems in the Southeast. APT is a key part of an overall effort at Clemson to optimize plants for production for all agricultural stakeholders — from large scale producers to small scale landowners who work with heirloom varieties for restaurants, brewers, distillers, and more. After completing their Ph.D. work, Boyles took a job as an assistant professor at the Pee Dee research station, while Brenton left to pursue Carolina Seed Systems, which licensed the intellectual property from Clemson through the Clemson University Research Foundation. Now, the company has taken the next step in bringing its product to the marketplace by teaming up with Bloomfield Robotics, the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, and Hi Fidelity Genetics. The goal of the proposed research and development program is to develop superior crop hybrids by fully leveraging the extensive global sorghum gene pool. “Our goal was to develop a sorghum variety that goes into a grower’s field where they can compete and grow their business, and we can grow ours as well,” Brenton said. “It’s not only creating jobs, it’s not only giving farmers a different option to make money, but it’s also bringing and enhancing the research and development infrastructure and that kind of startup incubation environment, so it serves a lot of purposes. But our focus is
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Linn, Kansas
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
Grain sorghum, a cereal grain that is often used as a substitute for corn and feeding rations in the animal industry, grows in a field at Clemson University’s Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence.
continuing to serve the land grant mission by creating a private sector entity focused on grower success.” The project consists of two overarching themes. First, the team will develop a new crop improvement paradigm through advances in robotics, sensors, computing, and genomics that they will then share with the public. Next, they will use what they learn for sorghum crop improvement and commercialization. “Our team will optimize and deploy hybrid vigor in the sorghum gene pool to find more valuable traits, speed up the breeding cycle, and increase the impact of elite germplasm of this leading bioenergy crop,” Kresovich said. Smithfield Foods Chief Science and Technology Officer Terry Coffey, also serving as a scientific adviser for Carolina Seed Systems, said one of the objectives of his team is to identify and evaluate feed ingredients that can be produced closer to mid-Atlantic food animal producers. Currently, most feed ingredients are produced in other regions of the country and shipped great distances to the East Coast. For example, the Carolinas import about 300 million bushels of grain each year from the Midwest.
“This results in a large deficit of grain production compared with demand in the region,” Coffey said. “The result is a cost disadvantage for livestock producers and a marketing opportunity for row crop farmers in the area.” Carolina Seed Systems seeks to fill that void, in part, by delivering to farmers regionally adapted grain sorghum hybrids, which Coffey said is a crop that has greater tolerance for dry conditions that often occur in the area. “We do have high amounts of average rainfall per year, but extended dry periods of days and weeks during our hot summer months can damage these crops during critical periods of development,” he said. “This year is a perfect example of that. CSS is developing crops that are well suited for these types of soils and this region and will benefit farmers by producing more reliable yields in our climate conditions and fill the local market demand for livestock feed.” Kresovich said that locating the project along the I-95 corridor and in proximity to the Pee Dee REC shows Brenton’s commitment to the mission of the APT program: to improve agriculture in South Carolina by using a variety of technologies to advance crop agriculture
in the state. “Zach, with the company’s formation, has had the opportunity and has had discussions with people who would love to have him at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina or potentially in St. Louis at their science and technology park that’s oriented towards agriculture and with people
in California, but he and Rick Boyles altruistically have been committed to this concept,” he said, “and probably against better judgment for making money in the short term, they want to have it in Florence and to be a homegrown company that contributes to this region rather than to sort of start it up and fly away.” Images Credit: Clemson University
The mission of the Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center is to foster economic stability and development by conducting research and education programs focused on traditional and new plant based systems appropriate to the Pee Dee region of South Carolina.
Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd. HARDROCK BEEF CATTLE Ronnie & Donna Holman 4613 Hickory Nut Ridge Road • Granite Falls, NC 828-302-8659 ronnie@hardrockbeefcattle.com JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-281-3821 jkredangus@gmail.com LANGDON RED ANGUS & SIMMENTAL John & Eileen Langdon 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 919-796-5010 johnlangdon5@gmail.com ROGERS CATTLE COMPANY Johnny & Sharon Rogers 945 Woodsdale Road • Roxboro, NC 336-504-7268 rccbeef@gmail.com PRESNELL RED ANGUS Jonathan & Jacob Presnell 368 Whitaker Road • Shelby, NC 704-473-2627 (Jonathan) • 704-616-8775 (Jacob) BULL HILL RANCH Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-682-3900 • 864-682-2828 bullhill2@mindspring.com COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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GELBVIEH NEWS Slater to Serve as Gelbvieh Association Executive Director. American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) President John Carrel and the Board of Directors would like to announce Megan
Slater as its executive director. Slater has been with the AGA since 2014 and has most recently held the position of interim executive director for the past year, and director of operations
and public relations prior to that role. In her time as AGA’s interim executive director, Slater has played an instrumental role in directing the Association’s path forward by working diligently with AGA leadership, AGA staff, and the AGA membership. Slater also has had a hand in maintaining the Gelbvieh message through marketing efforts and membership communication, office operations, and the planning of the
AGA National Convention during her time at the AGA. “Slater has put together an impressive staff, shown great leadership in the office move to Lincoln, works well with the AGA membership and the AGA board, and is well respected in the beef industry,” Carrel said. “We are excited to have her in this role for the next chapter of AGA history.” In her role as executive director, Slater will continue to lead the AGA staff in accomplishing the goals of the AGA’s Meeting Modern Industry Demands Strategic Plan. Slater is a Colorado native and a graduate of Colorado State University (CSU) with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and minor in business administration. Through her involvement at CSU and her time at AGA, Slater has gained valuable beef industry and business experience. Slater now resides in Lincoln, Neb., the new location of the AGA headquarters office. “I am honored to be able to continue to serve the AGA members and stakeholders in this capacity,” Slater said. “It is an exciting time for the Gelbvieh and Balancer breed, and I look forward to working with our talented staff and dedicated membership to grow the association in today’s beef industry.” Slater can be reached at the AGA office at 303-465-2333 or at megans@ gelbvieh.org. About the American Gelbvieh Association. The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,000 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance oriented total herd reporting system.
Y’all have stumbled on the best place to advertise expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies. Check the Classifieds in this issue! PAGE 34
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
University of Mount Olive Event Highlights Agriculture and College Life The University of Mount Olive recently hosted its 6th Annual AgFest event to promote and celebrate awareness of agriculture and other academic opportunities at UMO. The event was attended by more than 1,600 visitors from 63 schools from across North Carolina and two schools in South Carolina. This year’s event offered a new fair like format and expanded activities. Representatives from agricultural companies and organizations from across the region and state interactively engaged with students to spark their interests in careers, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE), and even some Career Development Events (CDE) topics. Attendees participated in hands on learning experiences in production agriculture, animal science, horticulture, landscaping, wildlife, forestry, and natural resources, provided by some of the largest agribusinesses in the region. Experiences included virtual reality, precision agriculture technology and equipment, livestock showing demonstrations, and other exciting booths. For those students with interests outside the field of agriculture, there were demonstrations and booths highlighting education, biology, math, physics, and more. Numerous food booths were on site featuring Got to Be NC Products, and there was music, fun, sunshine, and games for all. The event ended with a concert featuring up and coming Nashville recording artist Matt Stell with special guest Canaan Cox. Dr. Sandy Maddox, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, said, “This event creates a unique opportunity for FFA members from across the state to experience UMO, our faculty, students, and beautiful
campus. We had great weather, the new fair like format was a tremendous success, and the feedback we have received from the attending advisors and students has been overwhelmingly positive. We are thankful to all those people and groups that work so hard to make this event a reality. I am especially thankful to our
wonderful partners, including Food Farm – Home of the Original Piggly Wiggly and Got to be NC, for providing food from some of the finest North Carolina based companies around.” About the University of Mount Olive. UMO is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with
defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has education service centers in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and online. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
N.C. Weekly Auctions Report
Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 (Week ending OCTOBER 4, 2019) Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $110.00 - 156.00 400-500 $110.00 - 146.00 500-600 $110.00 - 134.00 600-700 $100.00 - 135.00 700-800 $103.00 - 127.00 800-900 $ 92.00 - 1105.00 Heifers 300-400 $104.00 - 128.00 400-500 $ 91.00 - 129.00 500-600 $ 91.00 - 130.00 600-700 $ 87.00 - 133.00 700-800 $ 86.00 - 96.00 800-900 $ 64.00 - 88.00 Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $45.00 - 61.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $58.00 - 69.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $42.00 - 65.00 Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
T S E W H T U O SIC S S A L C S £ . N E M TLE lection
CAT . Multi Breed1S9e. 12:00 NOON 0 2 , 6 1 R E ) B M A M 0 0 E : 1 1 V t O a N ed
ille, v e v h r t e y s h W c n (Lu Run n o t n e K 5 9 1 y t i l i c a F e l ttomly Sa
VA
Bo
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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NORTH CAROLINA HEREFORDS
THE Choice for Herd Bulls this Fall and Beyond! Check our website at www.nchereford.org. THESE BULLS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!
(All transactions are between buyer and seller)
DJF ON TARGET MOSES 4060
DJF ON RAIDER MOSES 4060
NCSU MR PACK 843 656
Reg. # 43858697 • DOB - 10/01/2017
Reg. # 43858706 • DOB - 10/13/2017
Reg. # 43725870 • DOB - 01/17/2016
NCSU MR PACK 844 642
These bulls are available at the E. Carroll Joyner Beef Educational Unit
Reg. # 43725864 • DOB - 12/31/2015
SIRE: NJW Hometown 10Y SIRE: CRR About Time 743 MGS: KCF Bennett 3008 M326 MGS: PW Victor Boomer P606 Rick Kern - N.C. State University - 919-272-6124
SIRE: Boyd Confidence 4046 • MGS: MSU TCF Revolution 4R John Wheeler - Double J Farm LLC - 910-489-0024
KB MC REVOLUTION 1144 B924
TMF C01 X03 E30 Double J Farm Traphill, NC/Earlysville, VA Blinson Polled Herefords Lenior/Buies Creek Rhyneland Farms Harrisburg
Reg. # 43714490 • DOB - 02/22/2016 SIRE: MSU TCF Revolution 4R MGS: Boyd Worldwide 9050 ET Keith Blinson - Blinson Polled Herefords - 910-422-9108
N.C. State Unversity Raleigh Taylor’s Mill Farm Zebulon Five J’s Cattle Company Clayton
Reg. # 43913733 • DOB - 12/27/2017 SIRE: TMF Homegrown W2 C01 ET MGS: SHF Rib Eye M326 R117 Brent Creech - Taylor’s Mill Farm - 919-801-7561
ADE 12C BROADAWAY 770E
*
TJF BUCKY
Reg. # 43946564 • DOB - 12/29/2017 SIRE: H RST MAT Catapult 12C ET MGS: TH 75J 243R Bailout 144U ET Kim Eudy - Rhyneland Farms - 704-589-7775
SCHU-LAR ASSET 36F
Reg. # 43910830 • DOB - 02/24/2018 SIRE: NJW 98S R117 Ribeye 88X ET MGS: SHF Rib Eye M326 R117
• Selected for the NRSP program at Olsen Ranch • Leader in Cost of Gain, Residual Gain, Residual Feed Intake, Average Daily Gain, and Feed to Gain • Top 10 Tested ADG of 4.85 • Leader in Calving Ease & Growth
Five J’s Cattle Company
Jody Standley - 919-291-4212 • Kim Prestwood - 828-320-7317
Blinson Polled Herefords - Lenoir
Reg. # 43376041
Sire: THM Durango 4037 Dam: KB RB Echo 722 B793 (Reload x P606)
Call James Triplett - 704-902-2250 Statesville, NC Heifers for Sale ANYTIME
McCoy Cattle Farms - Cove City
Keith & Peggy Blinson • 828-310-4526 Bryan & Beth Blinson • 919-422-9108
Myron & Sharon McCoy • 252-229-4605 Charlie & Kristen McCoy • 252-229-4602
Double J Farm, LLC - Traphill
N.C. State University - Raleigh
Five J’s Cattle Company - Clayton
North Pino Land & Cattle Company - Mocksville
John Wheeler • 910-489-0024 www.doublejfarmllc.com
Jody Standley • 919-291-4212 Kim Prestwood • 828-320-7317
Love Farms - Blowing Rock
Jim & Kathryn Love • 828-266-1438
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Rick Kern • 919-272-6124
Kevin Robinson • 336-399-9884
PAC Cattle Company - Elkin
Phillip, Dena, & Nora Cave • 336-902-7888 Preston & Emily Cave • 336-374-0640
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
Jody Standley - Five J’s Cattle Company 919-291-4212 Kim Prestwood - 828-320-7317 THM MADE BELIEVER 6081
30 Years of Breeding Excellence Visitors always welcome
Sons of this bull for sale
Cowmaker - Carcass - Commercial
* SEMEN - $25/straw *
Polled Herefords
Bulls for Sale NOW
*
Joy Leigh Hinnant Triple J Farm - Kenly 252-230-2678
Triplett
KT BUILT TUFF 1010
SEMEN
Available: $40/straw $50/certificate SIRE: Mohican THM Excede Z426
GEORGE WARD - 434-251-3637 Rhyneland Farms - Harrisburg
Kim, Alexis, & Courtney Eudy • 704-589-7775 Bob & Pam Rhyne • 704-614-0826 www.rhynelandfarms.com
Taylor’s Mill Farm - Zebulon J. Brent Creech • 919-801-7561 www.tmfherefords.com
TDS Farm - Mount Gilead
Danny, Gina, & Sabrina Blake • 704-242-3028
Terrace Farms - Lexington
Jim & Linda Davis • 336-247-1554 Chad Davis • 336-479-2009
What to Expect From a Breeding Soundness Examination By HEATHER SMITH THOMAS Many factors play a role in the fertility and breeding ability of bulls, including semen quality, conformation, soundness, and a desire to breed cows. It is recommended every bull pass a breeding soundness examination before being put out with cows. How to prepare - Do not wait until the last minute to have bulls evaluated, but do check them at some point before turnout this year. A bull that was fine last year, or even last fall, may have issues this year. He may have gotten injured sparring with other bulls over the winter, had an infection, or suffered from scrotal frostbite. Most people check young virgin bulls to make sure they are mature enough and fertile, but many producers do not bother to check older bulls. Yet bull fertility and breeding soundness may depend on how they wintered. If they had a hard winter with cold weather and wind, they might have a lot of abnormal sperm. Knowing the history of each bull is important, and sharing that information with the vet is very helpful in conducting an accurate breeding soundness exam. A bull’s age, breeding history, previous complications, and ranch management — nutrition and vaccination programs — are all important details to disclose. For bulls that have serviced cows, data and history on each bull and his calf crop are needed. Also, be prepared to ask any questions about a certain bull which had an earlier problem. If he had an infection or injury that was treated, you might want him checked more thoroughly. What to expect - There are specific things the vet will assess and measure, with set standards for what is acceptable, to determine whether a bull passes or fails. There are also several things a breeding soundness exam cannot do, such as assess libido — the desire to breed cows. Some producers think of a breeding soundness exam as semen testing, but there are many other components of the exam that are just as important. Here are the categories the vet will evaluate: • Soundness - The first thing assessed is health and soundness. Does the bull have good feet and legs, affording him the ability to mount and breed a cow? In young bulls, conformation is extremely important. In older bulls, injuries to feet, legs, eyes, back, etc. could be a problem. The vet will examine the bull’s reproductive organ and external genitalia. The prepuce/sheath is inspected for conformation and abnormalities. The scrotum is examined for conformation, symmetry, and the presence of lesions.
Testicles are palpated to see if they are normal consistency or too hard or too soft. One common problem is injury to the prepuce, and there may be lesions on the scrotum if winter was cold. Sometimes injuries occur when a bull is traveling through the brush. It is also important to be sure the bull is free of disease, and this means knowing the history of the herd. You do not want to bring in bulls that might carry contagious diseases or something you do not already have in your herd like warts or ringworm — or a breeding disease like vibrio or trichomoniasis. If there is any chance a bull has been exposed to trichomoniasis, your vet can take a sample from inside the sheath for testing. • Scrotal circumference - The size and shape of the scrotum should be of adequate size for the age of the bull. In the U.S., the same standard is used for all breeds regarding the minimal size. Scrotal circumference is important because the size of the testes determines how many spermatozoa are produced daily. This is usually what determines how many cows can be put with a bull. If a mature bull has at least the minimum scrotal circumference, he can be used with at least 25 cows. A young bull should have at least the minimum scrotal size for his age. • Palpation of internal sex organs The vet will check for an inguinal hernia by palpating the inguinal rings and do a transrectal palpation of internal sex organs to check for seminal vesiculitis or vesicular adenitis — one of the most common infectious problems in bulls and one that can result in poor fertility and poor semen quality. The glands and seminal vesicles should not be enlarged or painful or have any adhesions. Some abnormalities in semen may indicate a problem, and the vet may go back and palpate again to determine if there is a problem in the seminal vesicles. Bulls with seminal vesiculitis have an increased number of abnormal sperm and poorer semen quality. Prognosis depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the bull. Sometimes younger bulls can get rid of the infection on their own. In older bulls, this infection tends to be a bigger problem because they generally do not respond to treatment. Many factors can cause seminal vesiculitis, including a blood born infection or an ascending infection from the reproductive tract. A common factor in young bulls is that at about the time they are reaching puberty and are being fed high energy and high protein
rations, they may experience subclinical acidosis with some bacteria spreading from the gut. Other possibilities include systemic viral or bacterial infections. These problems may happen more often with young bulls because they are growing, and their accessory sex glands are becoming active, making them more prone to infection. Older bulls may pick up reproductive tract infections from breeding infected cows. • Semen collection and checking the penis - The last part of the exam is semen collection and evaluation. The most commonly used technique is electroejaculation — using electric shock to stimulate the bull to ejaculate so that semen can be evaluated under a microscope. The vet will usually take this opportunity to examine the shaft of the exteriorized penis to look for abnormalities, lesions, and problems with extension. One of the most common injuries in bulls is preputial adhesions, making it impossible to fully extend. An injured prepuce or broken penis
can occur if a bull gets hit by another bull when trying to breed or if the penis was not completely retracted when chasing a cow through brushy terrain, getting it snagged and torn. It may heal with adhesions to the sheath. Another common problem is penile warts. These are caused by the bovine papilloma virus and can be contagious — in some situations, a group of young bulls may all have warts on the penis. Large warts can interfere with mating. Warts can be removed surgically, and affected bulls should be checked again since warts may recur. Another problem seen in younger bulls is persistent frenulum, where the penis has not completely detached from the prepuce. This is considered an inherited problem. It can be easily treated by cutting that attachment, but since the condition tends to be inherited, the bull should only be used in a herd where all offspring are sold as beef. If it is a very
Continued on the next page
2019 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 2019. 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.
2019 Reserved Spotlight Issues
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
CHAROLAIS FORAGES ANGUS PEST MANAGEMENT BRAHMAN HEREFORD GELBVIEH SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS BRANGUS SHORTHORN RED ANGUS
Contact The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Phone - 919-552-9111 for the contact person for each Spotlight Issue. The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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Breeding Soundness Examination continued from the previous page young bull (ten months of age) and there is just a little tag of attachment, it may be just a sign of immaturity. • Semen evaluation - The semen sample must be representative of what the bull is producing, so it must be obtained according to certain standards. Looking at just one drop of semen is not a true examination. The vet will try to get an adequate sample with good concentration and one not contaminated with urine. The sample needs to be protected until it is examined. If the evaluation is done outside on a cold day and semen is placed on a cold slide, this procedure may chill the sperm and hinder motility. Cold may also affect the way the sperm look after staining. Staining allows for a look at semen morphology (form and structure) to determine if there are abnormalities. The vet will note the proportion of normal sperm and abnormal sperm. The standard technique is to use a slide stained with eosin nigrosine. The nigrosine (black stain) provides a background so sperm can be seen. The eosin stain penetrates the sperm and stains them pink or red so they can be easily seen under the microscope. The vet has to examine at least 100 sperm and determine the proportion of normal sperm and the
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proportion of each type of abnormality. Some have more effect on fertility, but each abnormality tells something about what is going on with that bull. Regardless of the type of abnormality, the important thing is a bull must have at least 70 percent or more normal sperm. The vet might pay closer attention to the type of abnormality when testing a valuable bull to better predict how he will improve or to determine if a follow up evaluation is necessary. Further investigation is also common if an entire group of bulls has the same abnormalities. For example, after very cold weather and exposure to wind, semen will have morphological changes and a certain number of abnormalities. Semen morphology can also be affected by a ration high in cottonseed with high gossypol levels. The vet and the producer can decide whether to retest later to see if the sperm becomes more normal. Another thing to consider is whether the first ejaculate is typical of what a bull will produce. The first ejaculate may contain an accumulation of old sperm if the bull has not been breeding cows. Some bulls must be collected several times before they “clean out” to get a true picture of their semen. A bull may be
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
retested once or several times, depending on results and on how long the producer wants to wait. Retesting may also depend on whether the bull is scheduled for a sale. Staining used in evaluating semen does not show other cells, just sperm. It will not show inflamed cells. When dealing with a young bull that will be going to a sale, a breeding bull whose motility is not what it should be or if the vet suspects an infection, other stains can be used to better visualize inflamed cells or germinal cells — if there is a potential testicular problem. Just a screening - The purpose of a breeding soundness exam is to pinpoint and to remove any bulls with problems that will interfere with breeding ability and fertility. The initial examination is done on a pass or fail basis and is not a true fertility predictor. Bulls are classified as satisfactory, deferred (to be retested for improvement), or unsatisfactory breeders. Satisfactory breeders do not have any problems in terms of history or physical examination and, on the day of the exam, meet minimum requirements for testicular size and sperm morphology and motility. If a bull is in the deferred category, the vet and the producer will decide on a course
of action for further testing. Problems seen in deferred bulls are not extreme and can be resolved with either time or treatment. The vet may defer the bull for a few weeks before rechecking. Bulls that fail the exam are classified as unsatisfactory. The younger bulls that fail generally have a problem with sperm morphology and/or inadequate scrotal circumference. A very young bull may fail because he is immature, and his semen may contain a lot of proximal droplets. Many of those bulls will pass the exam at 15 months, but they need to be checked again. An unsatisfactory older bull should be culled. Common reasons for failure are too many abnormal sperm or physical unsoundness. A breeding soundness exam does not test serving capacity or libido. A bull can pass his exam but still will not actually breed a cow. Therefore, at the start of the breeding season, all bulls need to be monitored to see if they are actually doing their job. Some of the information in this article was provided by Ahmed Tibary, Ph.D., Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University. Reprinted from the February 2019 issue of Hereford World
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test 84-Day Report By GARY GREGORY and DEIDRE HARMON On October 1, the 49 bulls on test at the Waynesville Bull Test were weighed to complete the first 84 days on test. The overall Average Daily Gain (ADG) on test was 2.73, and they had a Weigh Per Day of Age (WDA) of 2.69. Ultrasound was also done on the bulls at this time by Brent Scarlett and will be published in the sale catalog. The 37 Angus bulls on test have an ADG of 2.81 and a WDA of 2.71 for the first 84 days. Lot 33, consigned by Dennis Overcash of Overcash Angus in Mooresville, N.C., was the high gaining Angus for the first 84 days with an ADG of 3.87. He is a KCF Bennett Fortress son out of a SydGen CC&7 daughter. Lot 14, consigned by Chuck Broadway of Broadway Cattle Company in Monroe, N.C., had the second high ADG at 3.82. He is a Mead Magnitude son out of a 44 Conveyance 0X52 daughter. There are five Hereford bulls on test with an ADG of 2.10 and a WDA of 2.20. Lot 50 had the highest ADG for the first 84 days on test at 2.57. He is consigned by Bryson Westbrook of 4B Farms in
Shelby, N.C., and is a Destin Finance 65Z R1 ET son out of a TH 65R 45P Tank 48W daughter. Lot 46, also consigned by Bryson Westbrook, is the second high gaining Hereford bull on test with an ADG of 2.40 for the first 84 days on test. He is a KCF Bennett Revolution X51 son out of an RHF Victor 424 218 daughter. There are seven Simmental/ Simmental Angus bulls on test with an ADG of 2.76 and a WDA of 2.92. Lot 54, consigned by Phil and Rennie Rucker of Rucker Family Farm in Hamptonville, N.C., had the high gaining Simmental Angus bull for the first 84 days with an ADG of 3.24. He is a W/C United 956Y son out of a B/R New Day 454 daughter. Lot 57, consigned by Eugene Shuffler of Shuffler Farm in Union Grove, N.C., had the highest ADG Purebred Simmental bull at 2.58. He is sired by TNT Pride C232 and out of an SFS Sure Bet A64 daughter. The bulls will go off test on October 29 with breeding soundness exams done at that time. The sale will be at the Western North Carolina Regional
Livestock Center in Canton. The address is 474 Stock Drive, Canton, N.C., and it is located off of I-40 at Exit 33. The bull sale will be December 7 and will start at 11:00 a.m. If you would like to schedule a visit to the Waynesville Bull Test Station, contact Kyle Miller at 828-456-3946 or kyle.miller@ncagr.org. If you have any questions or would like to be put on the mailing list for a catalog, contact Gary
Gregory at 919-515-4027 or ggregory@ ncsu.edu. You can also go to our website at https://beef.ces.ncsu.edu/beef-bulltest/. The catalog will be uploaded to this site. We look forward to seeing you at the sale. The Waynesville Bull Test and Sale is a cooperative effort between the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, the N.C. Department of Agriculture, and North Carolina Extension.
Don’t put your cart before your horse... advertise that sale ahead of time! You’ll see positive results.
WAYNESVILLE
BUTNER
Saturday • December 7, 2019 11:00 a.m.
Friday • December 20, 2019 12:00 noon
WNC Regional Livestock Center Canton, N.C.
Granville County Livestock Arena Oxford, N.C.
SELLING 33 BULLS
SELLING 48 BULLS
24 Angus • 4 Hereford 5 Simmental - SimAngus
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
39 Angus • 5 Hereford 2 Charolais • 2 SimAngus
N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test 84-Day Report By GARY GREGORY The bulls at the Butner Bull Test were weighed on October 15 to complete the first 84 days on test. Overall Average Daily Gain (ADG) of the 67 bulls on test was 2.80 with a Weigh Per Day of Age (WDA) of 2.68. Ultrasound was also done on the bulls by Dr. Brent Scarlett at this time and will be published in the sale catalog. There are 56 Angus bulls on test with an overall ADG of 2.84 and WDA of 2.71. Lot 63, consigned by Ben Winslow of Halifax, N.C., had the highest overall ADG on test among the Angus bulls at 4.12. He is an EWA Peyton 642 son out
of a Connealy Impression daughter. Ben’s Lot 62 was the second highest gaining Angus bull on test for the first 84 days on test. He is an MAF Tanker 23 son out of a GAR Predestined daughter with an ADG on test of 4.06. Steve Wilson of Roan Mountain Charolais in Bakersville, N.C., consigned the two Charolais bulls on test. Lot 84 has the highest ADG of the two Charolais at 3.87 for the first 84 days on test. He is an LHD Mr Perfect Y416 son out of a J&P Mr Dream Daughter. His Lot 83 is an RMC Distance 525P son out of an HCR Silver King 9070 PLD Daughter with an
2019 Senator James D. Speed Achievement Scholarship Presented By MARTHA MOBLEY, Extension Agent, Franklin County During the 2019 N.C. State Fair, the Senator James D. Speed Achievement $1,000 Scholarship was presented to Regan Mitchem from Lincoln County, an outstanding youth who exhibited beef heifers. Mark Speed, son of the late James Speed, presented the scholarship award to Regan after the Sale of Champions on October 19 in the Jim Graham Livestock Building. The scholarship continues the legacy Senator Speed created as a 32 year member of the North Carolina State Legislature and through his commitment and dedication to agricultural interests. To honor his memory, the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association established an NCSU endowment in 2010 to present an academic scholarship to an outstanding achiever in the North Carolina Junior Beef Program. In 2016, the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, Inc. began contributing an additional $500 to the Speed Award on an annual basis. Regan Mitchem, 18, demonstrated strong leadership skills, integrity, good sportsmanship, the achievement of goals, and advocacy pertaining to today’s agricultural industry. The scholarship will be awarded during Regan’s freshman year in college. She is the daughter of Wayne and Dr. Crystal Mitchem of Vale, North Carolina. She is currently an outstanding freshman studying animal science at N.C. State University and is the 2019-20 N.C. Junior Hereford Association President, in addition to many other achievements in the beef cattle industry.
ADG of 2.63. The two Charolais have an ADG of 3.23 for the first 84 days on test. There are seven Herefords on test with an overall ADG of 2.28 and WDA of 2.38. Jim Davis of Terrace Farms in Lexington, N.C., had the two highest ADG Hereford bulls on test for the first 84 days. His Lot 75 bull is a KCF Bennett 936 B472 son out of a Walker FB CES JLO Brace II 8E P7044 6ET daughter with an ADG of 2.93. Lot 74, a KCF Bennett 936 B472 son out of a GoldenOak 4J Maxium 28M daughter, has an ADG for the first 84 days of 2.82. There are two Simmental Percentage bulls on test that had an ADG of 3.08 and WDA of 2.70. Lot 81, consigned by Chuck Broadway of Broadway Cattle Company in Monroe, N.C., had the highest ADG among the Simmental at 3.15. He is a Power Entense son out of a Triple C Invasion R47K daughter. Joe Medlin of Double M Farm in Monroe, N.C., has the other Simmental Percentage bull with an ADG of 3.00. Lot 82 is a
BBS True Justice B10 son out of a TNT Tuition U238 daughter. The bulls will be weighed off test on November 12. The sale will be held on December 20 at 12:00 noon. The location of the sale will be the Granville County Livestock Arena. Bulls will be moved to the arena on December 19. If you would like to receive a catalog or have any questions about the bulls, contact Gary Gregory at 919-515-4027 or gary_gregory@ncsu.edu. If you would like to schedule a visit to the Butner Bull Test Station, contact Greg Shaeffer at 919-471-6872 or glshaeff@ncsu.edu to make an appointment. You can also go to our website at https://beef.ces.ncsu. edu/beef-bull-test/. The catalog will be uploaded to this site. We look forward to seeing you at the sale. The Butner Bull Test and Sale is a cooperative effort between the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, N.C. State University Research Service, and North Carolina Extension.
Wilkes Livestock Exchange 106 Armory Road • PO Box 2146 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 Phone: 336-838-3442 • Fax: 336-838-3591 Weekly Sales - Wednesdays - 1:30 p.m. Take-up Tuesday Evenings
Catching and Hauling Services Available
Shelmer Blackburn, Jr.
919-270-1522 • shelmerblackburn@hotmail.com Pictured from left to right - Mark Speed, award winner Regan Mitchem, and Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler.
Seth Church
336-927-5370 • sethchurch@charter.net
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
PAGE 43
Beef Promotion and Research Program
PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM Information is required by (7 CRF 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential (7 CRF 1260.203).
Today’s Date: ________________ Seller’s Name: ____________________________
Buyer’s Name: ____________________________
Address: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______
Seller’s Signature: _________________________
Buyer’s Signature: _________________________
Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Beef Promotion & Research Board.
Total Number of Cattle Sold: ___________________ x $1.50 Per Head = $ _______________________ Date of Sale: __________________
Person remitting assessment form:
Seller
o
Buyer
o
* State of Origin of Cattle: ______________________
* If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.
Send Report and Remittance to:
SOUTH CAROLINA BEEF COUNCIL P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.8 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disbility, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or protected genetic information. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
Clemson Experts Explain Drought Protection Measures for Forages and Livestock Drought has South Carolina livestock farms in its grips, but Clemson University experts offer advice for cattle owners to protect their investments. Lee Van Vlake, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service area livestock and forages agent in the Pee Dee Region, said making proper management decisions can help cattle producers lessen the drought impact on their operations. “Drought conditions can have severe impacts on cattle,” Van Vlake said. “But if certain strategies are in place, this can help minimize the economic impact.” Decrease of available forages is one of the most noticeable impacts of drought. When this happens, producers are faced with the decision to supplement feed and purchase stored forage, which can increase production costs. Matthew Burns, Clemson Extension beef specialist and Livestock and Forage Program team leader, said cattle owners should have the hay tested (for both quality and potential toxicity problems), especially during drought situations when nitrate poisoning can be of concern on some drought stressed forages. “Testing hay will allow producers to make sure they are meeting the nutritional needs of their cow herd through hay and supplementation if needed,” Burns said. “If it is found, a herd needs supplements added to its diet. Producers can work with their local Extension agent to determine a plan that works for their individual operation.” When a drought strikes, animals should be organized into feeding groups based on nutritional needs determined from age and stage of production. Hay test results can be used to determine which hay to match with which group and which group needs greater supplementation. Producers can drop off hay samples at their county Extension offices. They will be sent to the Clemson University forage lab. Mixed feed and silage samples also can be tested. To find out more about submitting feed and forage samples for analyses, contact your local Extension office and talk with the livestock and forage agent or go to http://bit.ly/FeedAndForageSamples. Lindsey Craig, Clemson Extension livestock and forage agent, said in times of stress, cattle owners are encouraged to designate parts of their pastures as “sacrifice pastures” for feeding locations for cattle. “Having some sacrifice pastures available to protect forage from overgrazing across the entire farm is a good management practice when drought conditions are present,” Craig said. “Doing this will increase forage recovery and decrease forage recovery time when drought conditions subside.”
Craig said once rain becomes steady again, pastures should be evaluated for forage growth. “Producers should only turn livestock back into the pastures after these pastures have shown adequate forage growth,” she said. Adam Gore, Clemson agriculture and horticulture Extension agent from Abbeville County, said pastures are drying up, forcing some cattle producers to feed their cattle hay to make up for dry pastures. “In Abbeville County, it has been a mixed bag,” Gore said. “Some farmers had greater success early in the year through mid-summer, accumulating enough hay to make it through the winter, while others may be stretched thin.” Feeding cattle hay and other supplements is expensive and can be twice as much or more than delivering the same nutrients from a pasture. Brian Bolt, Clemson livestock specialist, encourages producers to investigate strategies to reduce waste. “For example, use of a hay ring for round hay bales has been shown to reduce waste from 45 percent to just 7 percent,” Bolt said. Stockpiling fescue or establishing winter annuals is important for pasture performance and persistence the following year. It is important for cattle producers to take time to stockpile fescue or ensure they have an adequate growth of small grains so their forage supply won’t be adversely affected. “Droughts are a reality,” Bolt said. “Producers should develop drought management strategies and plans that outline what steps will be taken to mitigate the effects well in advance. These include determining which animals will be culled first, where additional feed resources may be located, and decision tools to evaluate their effectiveness at meeting animals’ needs.” Decisions made too late and with emotion as a guiding force often have negative impacts on a farming/ranching operation, he said. During droughts, producers can sometimes be forced to sell cattle when forage is scarce. Steve Richards, a Clemson Extension economist, warns producers of tax implications they could face. “When selling livestock, regardless of the reason, there are tax implications,” Richards said. “Different types of dairy or beef cattle have different tax rates: breeding livestock (raised versus purchased), feeders, etc. It is a good idea to consult a trusted tax professional to make the best possible decision.” Programs are available from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency to help producers mitigate risks. One is the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Pilot Insurance Program. This pilot program is designed to provide insurance coverage for pastures, rangelands, and forages used to feed livestock. It covers loss of forage due to lack of precipitation, such as in a drought. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center is used to determine precipitation and does not measure production or loss of products themselves. Other tools available for livestock producers include the Livestock Risk Protection for Feeder Cattle and the Whole Farm Revenue Protection programs. “These policies are available in most counties and most states,” Richards said. “For more information, producers can contact a USDA Risk Management Agency approved insurance agent.” A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA service centers and on the Risk Management Agency’s website in the Agent Locator section. The Clemson Livestock and Forages Team is compiling resources related to drought management, supplementation, tax
The Carolina Cattle Connection
implications, as well as other topics and will house this information on its website at www.clemson.edu/extension/livestock/ index.html. Burns said this information is expected to be available soon. South Carolina has been in a drought most of the summer. Thomas Walker of the S.C. Water Resources Center said rain and cooler temperatures are needed to pull South Carolina out of the drought. “South Carolina experienced a dry May this year and moved into drought conditions,” Walker said. “Then we experienced a wet June, which got us out of that drought condition and helped prevent a more serious current drought situation. It may take a month or more of consistently wet conditions to pull South Carolina out of this drought this fall.” Weather data from Clemson’s Edisto Research and Education Center (REC) in Blackville shows 4.16 inches of rain fell in August and 0.51 inches of rain in September, according to Scott Sell, a research associate at the REC. “We’re also losing 0.2 inches of water per day through evaporation and transpiration on top of not getting any rain,” Sell said. “This is probably the worst drought I’ve ever seen.”
q NOVEMBER 2019
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
Alltech and Alimetrics collaborate on in vitro tool for estimating ruminal protein degradability. Meeting the protein requirements and improving nitrogen efficiency in cows under different physiological conditions can become more precise with the use of this additional tool for diet formulation. An innovative laboratory fermentation method for assessing the ruminal breakdown of dietary protein ingredients has been created by Alltech and Alimetrics Research. The novel technique was developed to evaluate feed protein sources and involves measuring the proportion of certain amino acids that is converted to specific end products over 24 hours. Scientists from Alltech and Alimetrics collaborated on the study, which has been published in the scientific journal, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, and compares the rumen degradability and effects on rumen fermentation of three protein sources: whey protein, soybean meal, and yeast derived microbial protein. The assessment of protein degradation in the rumen of live animals has historically proven difficult, and although analysis of overall protein can be done, tracking the origin of protein from a specific feed component cannot be done with great certainty. In addition, ruminants have a low overall efficiency of nitrogen utilization, with between 70-95 percent of the nitrogen in diets excreted in dung and urine, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The use of this novel in vitro technique can help to overcome such challenges as it allows protein sources to be ranked according to their degradability by rumen bacteria. “When it comes to comparing protein sources, we believe this tool is particularly useful when some known and commonly used benchmark products, such as soybean meal, are included in a study,” said Dr. Juha Apajalahti, managing director at Alimetrics. Data from the study indicate that the yeast derived microbial protein was the most resistant of all three protein sources to being degraded in the rumen, with less than 15 percent of the amino acids of interest being converted to end products measured. Additionally, the study showed that the level of the protein breakdown product, ammonia, from yeast derived microbial protein was able to be taken up by the rumen bacteria, reducing excess rumen ammonia accumulation.
NEWS
Evaluation of other parameters demonstrated that the yeast derived microbial protein was able to extensively stimulate rumen fermentation to the same extent as soybean meal. These data not only suggest that this novel method is suitable for assessing ruminal breakdown of protein feeds, but also that yeast derived microbial protein could potentially provide a more sustainable, and equally suitable, alternative to products such as soybean meal. “In terms of research methodology, this provides us with a robust model for screening products, both for fermentation effects and the ability to bypass protein through the rumen,” said Matthew Smith, vice president at Alltech. “The findings from this study clearly demonstrate the value of our yeast derived microbial protein in stimulating rumen fermentation and volatile fatty acid and microbial biomass production. The tool itself is one we can use in our own in vitro fermentation model, Alltech IFM™, to aid future development.” Alltech Life Sciences announces breakthrough in diabetes treatment. There are an estimated 450 million people living with diabetes worldwide, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), with a staggering 53 percent increase expected by 2045. In a breakthrough that may offer hope to those affected by the chronic disease, researchers with Alltech Life Sciences have developed a possible alternative to current insulin treatments. The compound, called NPC43, is effective when administered either orally or by injection. The results from 12 years of scientific research were recently published in the peer reviewed journal, Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. The paper details the development of the novel treatment for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. NPC43 works by reactivating dormant insulin receptors, thereby allowing blood glucose to enter cells. Furthermore, it inhibits glucose production from diabetic liver — a condition associated with insulin resistance that worsens the problem of having excess glucose in the bloodstream. “Imagine insulin to be a key and an insulin receptor to be a lock that allows glucose to enter cells,” explained Dr. Ronan Power, chief scientific officer at Alltech. “Type 1 diabetics can’t produce keys and, although Type 2 diabetics can, they possess broken locks. The result of either type is that the glucose door
remains shut. What we have discovered is a way to open the lock without a key, even if the lock is broken.” In addition to enduring the pain and anxiety of injections, those living with diabetes are often faced with limited access to affordable treatment. Insulin prices have more than tripled in the last ten years, becoming unattainable for most underinsured patients. “The compound has the potential to be revolutionary,” said Dr. Zi-Jian Lan, senior research scientist with Alltech Life Sciences. “Since it works when administered orally, this could mean the elimination of injections, pens, and pumps, and provide an affordable alternative to insulin.” The implications for NPC43 could extend beyond diabetes to any syndrome or disease associated with insulin resistance. That may include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cardiovascular disease, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The research was conducted in cultured human cells and in animal models of severe Type 2 diabetes. The next milestone in the development of NPC43 will be clinical trials. Alltech, Inc. has filed an international patent application covering this
technology (PCT/US18/30371). About Alltech. Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a cutting edge technology company in a traditional industry, agriculture. Our products improve the health and nutrition of plants and animals, resulting in more nutritious products for people as well as less impact on the environment. With expertise in yeast fermentation, solid state fermentation, and the sciences of nutrigenomics and metabolomics, Alltech is a leading producer of yeast additives, organic trace minerals, feed ingredients, premix, and feed. Together, with our more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide, we believe in “Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™.” With the adoption of new technologies, the adaptation of better farm management practices, and the ingenuity inherent in the human spirit, we believe a world of abundance could be ours. Alltech is a private, family owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and stay focused on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For further information, visit www.alltech.com/news.
NOW AN OFFICIAL DEALER FOR:
A Cowman’s Best Friend at Calving Time!
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
PAGE 47
Palmetto Profiles S.C. Beef Council and S.C. Cattlemen’s Association By ROY W. COPELAN Executive Director
I hope you are enjoying these nice autumn days. The weather is colder, the days are shorter, and there are plenty of activities around our beautiful state to enjoy, such as fairs, shows, sales, and great football games. Later this month, we all come together as family and friends to celebrate a time of thankfulness for our many blessings. Trust you and your family enjoy Thanksgiving Day (even if you have turkey)! Beef promotions continue around our state with the annual Tailgating Campaign. A number of retail foodservice and consumer education activities and events at various fairs have taken place since mid-September. Many of our beef consumers are using new beef recipes at their weekly tailgating functions. The SCBC and SCCA participated in fairs around South Carolina during October. Highlights included various beef promotions, educational activities, and consumer information. These fairs were held in Greenville, Columbia, Aiken, Florence, and Ladson. Over 27,000 consumers were reached. The SCCA 2020 State Membership drive is currently underway. Individuals and county regional Cattlemen Associations are requested to submit their rosters and dues by January 1, 2020, on an Excel spreadsheet. Please make your plans to collect state dues in November and December in order to continue receiving The Carolina Cattle Connection. Also, put an asterisk (*) beside your new members for 2020. We will list them
by counties in an upcoming issue of The Carolina Cattle Connection. At the same time, give us your officers’ names and meeting notes to list on the website. Plans are well underway for the th 24 SCCA Annual Meeting scheduled for March 18-20, 2020, in Clemson. A silent auction is being planned by Dr. John Irwin. A group of 50 plus exhibitors will present their products. Youth scholarships and other awards will be presented. Annual Meeting Chairman Roscoe Kyle has planned full days. Mark your calendar, bring a friend, and be in Clemson March 18. Do not miss this opportunity.
Beef billboards around South Carolina
Beef promotion at retail
Have you heard the South Carolina Beef Checkoff Plus program radio spots on Saturdays during each week on the local radio affiliates of the Clemson, USC, and Coastal Carolina, and S.C. State University football networks? Your beef checkoff dollars are working in local communities, getting the word out that beef is healthy and delicious. Also, the six billboards have been extended to advertise beef, thanks to the special 50¢ state beef checkoff plus dollars available from our cattle producers. The Beef Council also has beef window decals and plastic cups that will be given out at county cattlemen’s
Union County Farm Show By ROY COPELAN
S.C. Beef Council meeting
The four SCCA “Awards of Excellence” are also available on the website. They include Cattleman of the Year, Educator of the Year, Industry Representatives of the Year, and Association of the Year. Applications and instructions are available on the website and can be submitted from all county/ regional cattlemen association presidents and all SCCA board members. Everyone is encouraged to nominate someone.
Junior Beef Show at York County Livestock Show
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Each of us benefits from assistance from others now and then. Perhaps a neighbor helps with harvest or maybe we get a ride into town to fix a flat tire or help get our cows in at round-up. For many South Carolina cattlemen, assistance is more than a bonus; it’s a necessity. Ask a friend to join your local and state cattlemen’s associations. A great number of front SCCA metal license plates have been spotted around our state at livestock auction markets, beef cattle meetings, county cattlemen meetings, and other activities. Are you sporting one on your truck or vehicle? If not, get a plate from your county president. Additional plates only cost $10 each.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
On September 21, the Union County Cattlemen’s Association, in cooperation with the S.C. Beef Council and the S.C. State Cattlemen’s Association participated in the 17th Annual Union County Farm Show. The yearly event was held at the County Fairgrounds and attracted thousands of visitors viewing various agriculture exhibits, tractors and equipment, and other participating organizations. A tractor parade was held during the opening hour. Both cattlemen’s associations promoted beef and the activities of the Union County Cattlemen. Samples of grilled ribeyes were served to the consumers. UCCA member John Kingsmore assisted in the preparation, serving, and answering questions during the Farm Show. Approximately 20 pounds of beef product was prepared and served, and a number of beef recipes and beef promotional items given out to those attending. The Union County Cattlemen also served other products, including beef tips from a concession trailer located next to the sampling area. A percentage of sales went to the various works and activities of the Union Cattlemen Association. Overall, the beef promotion was very successful.
meetings, beef promotions, and other events. Get one today. Without the beef checkoff, our industry would not be as healthy or robust as it is today. The opportunity for future generations to return to the farm or ranch would be far more constrained than it would be without the beef checkoff, and the vast majority of producers understand the importance of that $1 per head investment in our future. That’s why the vast majority still support the beef checkoff and the work of the beef producer directed fund. Your checkoff still matters, and that’s why it’s under attack by radical elements who don’t care about your future. It’s time to fight and ensure that your voices are heard. Beef has remained a good value for consumers as prices have adjusted because of increased supply. For perspective on how beef volume moves through the channels, 2016 IRI data shows slightly more beef has been sold at foodservice for several years. In the retail channel, which accounts for just less than half of all beef pounds sold, checkoff funded research shows that when beef is purchased at the grocery store there is a considerable uptick in
the value being realized by this channel. Simply put, when beef is in the shopping cart, consumers tend to purchase other items they might not otherwise select, increasing sales for retailers. For ground beef, that could include items such as seasoning mixes, cheeses, and taco kits. When steak hits the shopping cart, you can expect consumers to purchase additional items such as marinades, shrimp, or produce. The value story is somewhat similar for the foodservice channel. When a consumer orders a steak at a restaurant, the total bill tends to be greater as consumers are more likely to include an appetizer, side, beverage or dessert. In fact, when beef is center of the plate, the overall meal profit can average as much as 25 percent more than other proteins such as fish, pork or chicken. “Cattlemen to Cattlemen is one of the best ways NCBA can communicate with farmers and ranchers today,” said Kevin Orchsner, Cattlemen to Cattlemen host. “We are very proud of the value this television show brings to the beef industry.” NCBA Cattlemen to Cattlemen airs Tuesday nights at 8:30 p.m. EST on RFD-TV. In addition, all episodes are
available online at www.YouTube.com/ cattlementocattlemen. Production of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen is made possible with sponsor support from Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Case IH, Dow AgroSciences, John Deere, NRCS, New Holland, Purina, RAM, Ritchie, Roper, and Stetson. The SCBC and SCCA will participate in the Annual SC Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach on December 5-6. We will be exhibiting in the Big Farm Show (tent booth #10). Stop by and visit us along with other South Carolina exhibitors. Over 75 (of the first 100 numbers) of the SCCF specialty license plates have been assigned around our state. Support the specialty license plate program in order to fund youth scholarships and educational programs. Call the state office to get your low number or visit your local DMV and proudly display your cattlemen’s license plate. Four website ads were auctioned at the 23rd SCCA Annual Meeting in March. Eva Hurley State Farm Insurance in Greenville, S.C.; Arrowquip in Sharon, S.C.; Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales in Turnersburg, N.C.; and Sumner Ag
Services in Tifton, Ga., purchased website ads. Thanks for these four firms. Let’s all support them when the opportunity arrives. Did you know…the checkoff ’s extension market research shows us that older millennials, especially those with young families make up our target audience for consumer marketing? This year, millennials are going to hear more about how beef nourishes families so they can thrive. That’s because the checkoff is partnering more with food and health and fitness websites and bloggers this year, who will share about how they include beef in their healthy lifestyles. “McGill” (the portable cow/trailer) is available for usage at fairs, festivals, shows, promotions, etc. Call the state office, and let’s decide to use this great promotional tool. It is a talking point. For your Thanksgiving meal, try a standing rib roast to enjoy with your family and give thanks for all your blessings. Happy Thanksgiving. In closing, I announce my retirement as Executive Director of the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association and S.C. Beef Council, effective December 31, 2019. Until next month.
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q NOVEMBER 2019
PAGE 49
2019 S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up Results By KAYCEE MULLINS, LANE KEALSER, and BRIAN BOLT The 2019 S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up was held August 2-5 at the T. Ed Garrison Arena in Pendleton, South Carolina. Over 120 youth from five southeastern states exhibited over 150 head of beef cattle at the annual event. Contests and events were held, including sales talk, poster design, junior cattlemen’s knowledge,
showmanship, and breed shows. This year saw $6,250 in scholarships awarded to ten outstanding youth exhibitors. Judges for this year’s event were Sue and Aaron Schaefer of Owaneco, Illinois. Overall, the Round-Up was a weekend full of food, fun, and fellowship, with a beef show on the side.
SCHOLARSHIP & CASH AWARD WINNERS
SALES TALK WINNERS Ag South Farm Credit ($250) - Kaitlyn Christenbury of Iva, S.C.
Junior division grand champion - Breanna Black of Leesville, S.C.
Senior division grand champion - Allison Harman of Leesville, S.C.
Anderson County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship ($500) - Emily Wilson of Iva, S.C.
Intermediate division grand champion - Ellie Harman of Leesville, S.C.
Intermediate division reserve champion Brent Irwin of Iva, S.C.
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S.C. Association of Ag Agents Scholarship ($500) - Grace McClain of Clarkesville, Ga.
Weems Creek Cattle Company ($500) - Tyler Sowell of Pickens, S.C.
Senior division reserve champion - Garrett Ulmer of Lodge, S.C. NOT PICTURED Novice poster contest winner - Lilly Wilkins of Blacksburg, S.C. Junior poster contest winner - Paige Ulmer of Lodge, S.C. Senior poster contest winner - Jewel Thompson of Opelika, Ala. Cattlemen’s educational contest junior division champion - Jordan Mitchem of Vale, N.C. Cattlemen’s educational contest intermediate division champion - Trey Haddon of Gaffney, S.C. Cattlemen’s educational contest senior division champion - Allison Harmon of Leesville, S.C. Cattlemen’s educational contest Ma & Pa division champion - Raymond Prescott of Gray Court, S.C.
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!
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
Coca-Cola and T. Ed Garrison Scholarship ($500) - Hannah Wooten of Iva, S.C.
Junior Beef Leadership Scholarship ($1,000) - Whitnie Yoder of Altha, Fla.
2019 Jason Dobbins Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Lauren Skylar Murray of Bostic, N.C.
Olson Cattle Research ($1,000) - Bryce Hendricks of Milton, Fla.
Greenwood County Farm Bureau ($500) Garrett Ulmer of Lodge, S.C.
Derk Simpson Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - Allison Harman of Leeville, S.C.
SHOWMANSHIP WINNERS
Novice division grand champion - Madison Intermediate division grand champion Evans of Clinton, S.C. Dallas Sills of Cleveland, Ga.
Novice division reserve champion - Hunter Wilkins of Blacksburg, S.C.
Intermediate division reserve champion Kaylen Ryan of Fair Play, S.C.
STEER SHOW WINNERS
Grand champion Market Steer - Dacey Abruzzino of Enoree, S.C., with Titan
Reserve champion Market Steer - Aiden Pitts of Franklin, N.C., with Memphis
Grand champion Feeder Steer - Blaine Abruzzino of Enoree, S.C., with Buckwheat
Reserve champion Feeder Steer - Whitnie Yoder of Altha, Fla.
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Week ending OCTOBER 3, 2019)
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of all markets ending Thursday, OCTOBER 3, 2019. All cattle in this report are located in North and South Carolina. Prices FOB the farm or local scale and many weighed with a 0-2 percent shrink and sold with a 5-6¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only. Many lots all natural. Junior division grand champion - Amberlyn Christenbury of Starr, S.C.
Cattle Receipts: 1,753 Last Month: 2,051 Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 55 percent steers and 45 percent heifers. Nearly 98 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.
Senior division grand champion - Grace McClain of Clarksville, Ga.
Junior division reserve champion - Madeline Smith of Westminster, S.C. Senior division reserve champion - Ethan Dalton of Alto, Ga.
FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range 790 $145.25
Head 62
Wt. Range 790-790
Head 132
Wt. Range 750-750
Head 78 80 68 135 45 126 61 120 58
Wt. Range 625-625 650-690 725-725 725-735 700-700 775-775 800-800 800-830 850-850
Head 75 68 65
Wt. Range 660-660 725-725 760-760
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 660 $129.00 $129.00 725 $131.00 $131.00 760 $123.75 $123.75
Head 161 50 73 97 66 70 63
Wt. Range 600-620 625-635 670-670 650-690 745-745 700-700 775-775
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 610 $132.00 - $137.00 $134.51 631 $121.50 - $129.00 $124.17 670 $131.00 $131.00 675 $135.00 - $137.50 $136.58 745 $126.00 $126.00 700 $135.75 $135.75 775 $132.25 $132.25
Avg. Price $145.25
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 750 $139.00 - $139.25 $139.13 FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range 625 $142.25 658 $135.00 - $144.50 725 $136.25 730 $140.00 - $144.25 700 $126.50 775 $137.50 800 $135.25 815 $137.25 - $144.00 850 $140.25
Avg. Price $142.25 $139.61 $136.25 $142.12 $126.50 $137.50 $135.25 $140.62 $140.25
Delivery Value Added Delivery
Delivery Split Loads Value Added Split Loads Value Added Value Added Delivery
Delivery Split Loads Split Loads Value Added Value Added
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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BREED SHOW WINNERS
Grand champion Gelbvieh - Jacob Carnes of Iva, S.C., with Anissa Grand champion Shorthorn/supreme champion female - Hannah Wooten of Iva, S.C., with Sull Dream Girl 7682E
Grand champion All Other Breeds - Jared Sheriff of Martin, Ga., with May-May
Reserve champion Gelbvieh - Allie Trotter of Saluda, S.C. Reserve champion All Other Breeds - Hailee Campbell of Enoree, S.C.
Grand champion Angus/2nd overall - Kaylen Ryan of Fair Play, S.C.
Grand champion Hereford - Regan Mitchem of Vale, N.C., with C 4288 Burlesque
Reserve champion Charolais - Ethan Dalton of Alto, Ga.. with CHF Cool Jewel H908
Grand champion High % Simmental/3rd overall - Dylan Chastain, with AK/NDS Flirtatious
Reserve champion Hereford - Jordan Mitchem of Vale, N.C., with WSCC Ima 78F
Grand champion Commercial/Crossbred Lauren Skylar Murray of Bostic, N.C., with Salt
Grand champion Limousin/LimFlex - Drew Maney of Alto, Ga., with CMCN Flora Reserve champion Angus/4th overall - Cole Williams of Waynesville, N.C.
Reserve champion Commercial/Crossbred Colbey Matthis of Clinton, N.C.
Grand champion Charolais/5th overall - Kelsi Bradshaw of Iva, S.C., with CAG GARW Firefly 8635F
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
Reserve champion Limousin/LimFlex Chloe Boling of Homer, Ga.
Grand champion Red Angus - Adisyn Lyles of Westminster, S.C., with JJF Reba
Grand champion Simmental - Dallas Sills of Cleveland, Ga.
Reserve champion Red Angus - Rex Howard of Shelby, N.C. with Briar Ridge Lonestar 704
Reserve champion Simmental - Dylan Chastain of Danielsville, Ga., with WLK Waffles 196F
Reserve champion Shorthorn - Jewel Thompson of Opelika, Ala., with Bow JVT Red & White Twilight
Reserve champion High % Simmental Cohen McClure of Maysville, Ga.
Grand champion Shorthorn-Plus - Hannah Wooten, with Sull Red Tamale 8127F
Reserve champion Shorthorn-Plus - Cody Davis of Mount Airy, Ga., with XAR4285353
Have you forgotten something? Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association! The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2019
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
NEWS
Brookside Agra’s Calf Rescue Oral Nutritional Supplement Gives Fall Calves Boost They Need at Birth, Weaning. Cattle producers have long debated over when is the best time for calving – the spring or the fall. And while most cows in the U.S. calve in the spring, the benefits of fall calving cows are numerous. Calves born in mid-September through late November often have the advantage of good fall pasture quality and less erratic weather patterns than in the spring. Producers are also generally more devoted to monitoring their calving cows during the fall than in the springtime when other tasks are competing for their attention. However, fall calving is not without its challenges. The cold and snow are difficult on nursing calves, plus the nutrient requirements for lactating cows generally increase 25-30 percent, therefore increasing the cost to harvest, store, and feed cows during the long winter months. To give fall calves the nutritional
boost they need during times of stress such as birth and weaning, Brookside Agra recommends Calf Rescue. When given as directed, Calf Rescue provides calves with select vitamins and a stabilized source of direct fed microbials (probiotics) to maintain a healthy, natural appetite, digestion, and immune system. “The gut of a newborn calf is nearly sterile. It is vital for the health and well being of the calf to develop a healthy gut microflora,” said Tim Nelson, Vice President - Animal Health and Nutrition Sales at Brookside Agra. “When given at birth, Calf Rescue provides beneficial bacteria to promote a healthy digestive system, enabling it to grow to its full genetic potential, at a cost of only about $1.50 per calf.” Calf Rescue includes: Select Vitamins - Calf Rescue provides guaranteed levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Thiamine HCL, Pyridoxine HCL, and Vitamin B12 - vitamins critical for normal calf growth and development.
Pre-biotic Inulin - Calf Rescue also contains inulin, a complex carbohydrate that serves as a nutrient source to help successfully colonize beneficial bacteria in the gut. Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract - Calf Rescue provides a source of high quality protein based from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and contains concentrated levels of essential and functional nutrients critical for young animals. Calf Rescue also contains a healthy dose of microorganisms, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium, and Bacillus subtilis, to promote healthy ruminant function during times of stress. “When calves are stressed, their appetites often decrease, while the nutritional demand on their bodies increases,” said Nelson. “Calf Rescue, with its unique blend of vitamins and natural microorganisms, works to promote healthy microbial counts in the rumen to increase feed intake and improve digestive function.” Use Calf Rescue during: • Birth and weaning • Shipping and receiving • Following antibiotic therapy • During digestive disorders • Showing • Times of stress
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Made in the United States, Calf Rescue is available in a case of 12 applicator tubes (1.04 oz. each) for easy, oral administration. Calf Rescue contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Calf Rescue may be purchased online at www.brookside-agra.com/products/ animal-health/calf-rescue/. For additional product information or custom orders, contact Tim Nelson, Vice President - Animal Health and Nutrition Sales at 402-560-7381 or tim.nelson@ brookside-agra.com. About Brookside Agra. Brookside Agra is a global fifth generation, family owned business based in O’Fallon, Ill., that manufactures and distributes a variety of research proven, all natural products for specialty feeds; animal health and production; agriculture; and commercial, industrial, and environmental use. Brookside also offers agronomy services, which include crop nutrient recommendations, soil sampling, water, and fertilizer analysis and precision mapping, among other services. For more information about Brookside Agra and its all-natural products and services, visit www.brookside-agra.com or contact Chad Vaninger, Executive Vice President and General Manager, at 618-628-8300 Ext. 23 or chadv@brookside-agra.com.
q NOVEMBER 2019
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Tackling the deadly challenge of Mannheimia haemolytica. Prevention is the best approach with this ever evolving bacteria. From 2011 to 2015, bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in nursing calves cost the beef industry approximately $165 million each year.1 Of the bacterial causes of BRD, M. haemolytica is the most predominant and concerning of the group.2 Animals with an M. haemolytica infection can go from seemingly healthy to deceased in a day’s time. Prevention starts with understanding how pathogens act - M. haemolytica is found naturally in the respiratory tract of cattle. Dust, stress, or viral infections make it easier for the bacteria to travel from the respiratory tract to the lungs. Because of multiple virulence factors, M. haemolytica is an expert at avoiding the animal’s immune defenses and remains tough to clear once an infection occurs. “M. haemolytica typically causes more sudden or acute pneumonia, and other BRD bacterial pathogens are
commonly secondary invaders causing more chronic pneumonia,” said Jeffrey Sarchet, DVM, Beef Technical Services veterinarian with Zoetis. M. haemolytica produces leukotoxin, which kills white blood cells and leads to severe lung damage. Enzymatic proteins from the affected white blood cells destroy lung cells, causing lung lesions that produce irreversible, and potentially fatal, damage to cattle. Cattle have an extremely low ratio of lung volume to body size, so any lung damage is detrimental to an animal’s overall health and performance. “Other bacterial pathogens, like Pasteurella multocida, don’t produce leukotoxin, so they don’t cause the severe acute lung damage that M. haemolytica does,” Dr. Sarchet said. Protecting against M. haemolytica M. haemolytica is opportunistic and often strikes when a viral infection has weakened the animal’s immune defenses. Effective control requires vaccines providing viral
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
protection, along with anti-leukotoxin antibodies that help block the effect of leukotoxins and capsular antibodies to increase the ability of white blood cells to engulf and destroy the bacteria. “One Shot has proven efficacy for stimulating protection against M. haemolytica and reducing lung lesions,” Dr. Sarchet said. “Unfortunately, vaccines available for other BRD bacterial pathogens, like Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somnus, have not demonstrated the same efficacy of One Shot based on research from the University of Minnesota. Because Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somnus are also Gram-negative bacteria, adding vaccines to protect against these pathogens can add stress and increase the risk of adverse reactions, so the cost/ benefit should be carefully considered.”3 Dr. Sarchet explains that Gramnegative bacteria have endotoxins in the cell wall, which are very potent toxins that cause a stress response in cattle resulting in increased heart and respiratory rate, decreased rumen, and intestinal action, fever, vascular shock, and possibly death. “A general rule is to not give an animal more than two or three Gramnegative vaccines at the same time,” Dr. Sarchet said. “Even though blackleg (seven- or eight-way clostridial) vaccines are Gram-positive, we count them as one-half a Gram-negative vaccine. So, for example, if we give One Shot with a seven- or eight-way clostridial vaccine at the same time, it would count as 1½ Gram-negative vaccines. If we add a vaccine to protect against Pasteurella multocida or Histophilus somnus at the same time, it would push the protocol to
2½ to 3½ Gram-negative vaccines, which is a higher risk for the animal.” Research has shown vaccines with leukotoxoid, like what is found in the One Shot line of vaccines, can help stimulate effective anti-leukotoxin antibodies against M. haemolytica. 4 Surface antigens in One Shot have been proven to stimulate production of antibodies which increase the ability of white blood cells to engulf and destroy M. haemolytica bacteria before it can cause lung damage.4 One Shot has also been shown to decrease the amount and severity of lung lesions in cattle infected with M. haemolytica in organized studies because the adjuvanted leukotoxoid from One Shot helps ensure production of predictably higher antibody levels and more effective M. haemolytica protection. 3,4 A comparative study of Zoetis products showed that after 21 days of M. haemolytica exposure, One Shot mitigated 74.5-79.6 percent of lesions and prevented 89.4 percent of mortality within the treatment group.4 “Choosing the right vaccine for the right pathogen is key in helping reduce respiratory disease,” Dr. Sarchet said. “Your herd veterinarian is a great resource to develop a protocol that will prevent problems from Mannheimia haemolytica.” For more information on respiratory vaccination programs, talk to your local veterinarian or visit www. CompleteCalfProtection.com or www. UncompromisedProtection.com to learn more about solutions offered by Zoetis for combating BRD pathogens. References 1 Wang M., Schneider L.G., Hubbard K.J., Smith D.R. Cost of bovine respiratory disease in preweaned calves
S.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation to Award 2020 Youth Scholarships The S.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation (SCCF) will fund one $2,000 and one $1,000 youth scholarship to a college student whose intent is to pursue a four year degree in a curriculum of applied agricultural sciences. Also, the SCCF will fund one $2,000 and one $1,000 youth scholarship to a college student whose intent is to pursue a four year degree in a non-agricultural curriculum. The SCCF will fund one $1,000 youth scholarship to a student whose intent is to pursue a two year degree in applied agricultural sciences or a non-agricultural field. Completed applications must be returned to state office by January 22, 2020. Selections will be made and winners notified by March 10, 2020. **Scho|arships winners will be awarded their scholarship and recognized at the SCCA Annual Conference on March 18-20, 2020 in Clemson. For applications, please contact: Roy Copelan - SCCA P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211 803-917-1119
on U.S. beef cow/calf operations (20112015). JAVMA. 2018;253(5):624-631. 2 Griffin D., Chengappa M.M., Kuszak J., McVey D.S. Bacterial pathogens of the bovine respiratory disease complex. Vet Clin Food Anim. 2010;26:381-394. 3 Srinand S., Maheswaran S.K., Ames T.R., Werdin R.E., Hsuan S.L. Evaluation of three commercial vaccines against experimental bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. Vet Microbio. 1996;52:8189.
Data on file, Study Report No. 3131W-60-11-843, Zoetis, Inc. Measure Success to Maximize Your BRD Control Program. Use these metrics from a beef veterinarian to make sure your bovine respiratory disease control program is set up to maximize profit. BRD control programs are an effective but often costly strategy for managing BRD and its related expenses. It’s crucial to measure the success of your program so you can be sure your 4
McCormick County Livestock Association News Below are pictures that Billy Moss provided of the McCormick County Livestock Association’s last meeting at the John de la Howe School of Agriculture on bull selection. There were 55 people in attendance with five producers bringing bulls and explaining how their breed might be used to improve
a beef herd. A special thank you to Billy Moss for coordinating, bull breeders for bringing their bulls and speaking, Glenn Wright for preparing the delicious barbeque meal, Frank Dorn, and the John de la Howe staff for hosting and all others who helped make the program a success.
David Miller – Red Angus
Kevin Yon representing SimAngus
Brad Forrest – Hereford
John Garrett - Angus
Kevin Renwick - Angus
After our meal, Dr. Matt Burns explained how to use EPDs for bull selection.
investment is paying off. John “J.P.” Pollreisz, DVM, Beef Technical Services veterinarian with Zoetis, recommends the following metrics to help evaluate the success of your BRD control program. Use them independently or in combination to help guide a conversation with your veterinarian about any improvements necessary to maximize profitability. Lower BRD Morbidity (Pull Rates) - Herds that receive antibiotics on arrival should have lower BRD morbidity than untreated herds. In theory, you would expect less effective antibiotics to be associated with higher pull rates. However, keep in mind that other factors may increase pull rates. For instance, rates may be higher if you’re using products with shorter post metaphylaxis intervals (PMIs). The length of the PMI is determined by the proven efficacy of the antibiotic, as well as the length of the time that it’s in the animal’s system. Lower BRD Mortality - Mortality is usually seen as the greatest expense of BRD, making it a critical measurement of BRD control success. Though factors outside of antibiotic efficacy can also influence mortality, the metric itself is fairly objective and easy to track. Death losses include yardage, feed, and medicine costs on top of the animal’s purchase price. When Pulls Occur - When morbidities and mortalities occur can be just as important as their frequency. BRD morbidity and mortality curves can help identify antibiotic failures based on trends in timing. Cattle that fall ill or die within the antibiotic’s PMI often acquired BRD prior to — or during — transit and may have extensive, irreversible damage upon arrival. Performing necropsies on animals that die within the PMI period is critical to assess if there is pneumonia and the extent, severity, and age of the disease process. If morbidities and mortalities continue to occur after the PMI, your antibiotic may be failing to protect cattle from post arrival infections. First Treatment Response Rate - Even the best control program may not be able to completely prevent BRD. However, a successful control antibiotic should improve the outcome of any subsequent treatments for BRD outbreaks. In other words, the antibiotic used for control may have as much or more impact on first pull treatment success than the actual antibiotic used for first pull treatment. High instances of re-treatments may indicate antibiotic failure, but, just as with mortality, additional factors can impact first treatment success.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
Lower Chronic Rate - The number of cattle that have been treated for BRD three times or more, termed “chronics,” can also indicate antibiotic success. If chronic rates are high, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about different antibiotic and husbandry options to help improve BRD outcomes. Performance and Carcass Traits While antibiotics do not impact carcass quality and performance directly, research has shown that animals pulled once, twice, or even three times for BRD have significant grade and carcass impacts.1 The bottom line: Controlling BRD more successfully all the way to harvest means improved performance and better carcass traits. References 1 Cernicchiaro N., White B.J., Renter D.G., Babcock A.H. Evaluation of economic and performance outcomes associated with the number of treatments after an initial diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease in commercial feeder cattle. Am J Vet Res. 2013;74(2):300-309. New study shows long duration implants pack on the pounds. Use this implant option for improved gain and increased labor efficiency. When every dollar and pound count, make sure you are using every tool to help optimize your operation — particularly an implant program that helps increase grazing results, allowing cattle to pack on more pounds. Dr. Bryan Bernhard, a nutritionist on the Zoetis Beef Strategic Technical Services team, says, “The value is really there for producers to use implants because that technology is proven through decades of research and field use to deliver a high return on investment.” According to Dr. Bernhard, duration makes a difference when choosing between implants. Traditional implants are only effective for 140 days or less after administration, which could mean lost days of performance throughout longer grazing periods. However, long duration implants offer uninterrupted growth through extended release, making them an ideal choice to help maximize your operation’s profitability. Greater gains and higher profits - A recent study found that Synovex One Grass offered a weight and gain advantage over conventional duration implants and nonimplanted animals.1 The study included 600 lb. stockers in three treatment groups that grazed on non-irrigated native range in west central California. One group received a conventional duration implant, Revalor-G; another received a long duration implant,
Continued on the next page q NOVEMBER 2019
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Zoetis Quick Tips continued from the previous page Synovex One Grass; and the control group did not receive implants. After 192 days of grazing, cattle on Synovex One Grass gained an average of 11 pounds more than cattle in the conventional duration implant group and 62 pounds more than nonimplanted cattle.1 The long duration group also had a higher average daily gain (ADG) — 1.83 pounds ADG compared with 1.78 pounds ADG and 1.5 pounds ADG for the conventional duration implant and nonimplanted groups, respectively.1 “Synovex One Grass has been a great fit for stockers and backgrounders,” says Dr. Bernhard. “Really, any producer who utilizes forage as part of their management system and owns the cattle for 140 or more days should consider long duration implants as an option.” The long term gains observed in the new study align with previous findings from a study conducted on cattle grazing in Oklahoma. Stocker cattle that were implanted with Synovex One Grass had an ADG of 2.22 pounds compared with an ADG of 2.11 pounds in cattle implanted with Revalor-G and Encore.2 Overall, implanting steers with Synovex One Grass resulted in a 20-pound per head
advantage compared with cattle receiving competitive implants.2 “Whether it’s when they’re weighing or shipping cattle, producers see the added pounds cattle implanted with Synovex One Grass are putting on and, ultimately, that adds more dollars to their pocket,” says Dr. Bernhard. Flexibility to fit every operation According to Dr. Bernhard, if producers may end up extending the length of time their cattle are grazing, then a long duration implant provides clear profit advantages and greater marketing flexibility. He challenges producers to think about the number of days they will own the cattle. “I work with many customers who gather cattle in the fall of the year, putting groups together that will ultimately be turned out on some winter forage,” says Dr. Bernhard. “They can use Synovex One Grass as their implant and have peace of mind that they’ll see performance all the way through March, and, even if they graze into May, they’re still covered.” Synovex One Grass and Synovex One Feedlot, an implant for feedlot operations, offer both steers and heifers up to 200 days of improved weight gain and increased feed efficiency. Find the
right implant for your operation by visiting www.Nostresssynovex.com or talking to your Zoetis representative. Do not use SYNOVEX products in veal calves. Refer to label for complete directions for use, precautions, and warnings. References 1 Data on file, Study Report 18CPTIMP-01-01, Zoetis Inc. 2 Data on file, Study Report No. 16CARGFA01, Zoetis Inc. About Zoetis. Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their
businesses. Building on more than 65 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets veterinary vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics, which are complemented by genetic tests, biodevices, and a range of services. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers, and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries. In 2018, the company generated annual revenue of $5.8 billion, with approximately 10,000 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetisus.com.
Carolina Cooking Tenderloin with Wine Braised Onions and Herb Cheese Total Cooking Time - 1 hour, 45 minutes 1 beef Tenderloin Roast (about 2 to 3 pounds) 2 tablespoons fresh thyme 1½ teaspoons regular or coarse grind pepper 1 package (5.2 ounces) garlic and herb soft spreadable cheese Caramelized Onions: 2 tablespoons butter 2 large yellow onions, chopped ⅓ cup sweetened dried cranberries or coarsely chopped tart cherries ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup dry white wine To prepare caramelized onions, heat butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until melted. Add onions, cranberries and salt; cook 40-45 minutes or until onions are very tender and golden brown, stirring often. Stir in wine; increase heat and bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, 3-5 minutes or until wine is almost evaporated, stirring occasionally. Keep warm. Meanwhile, heat oven to 425°F. Combine thyme and pepper; press evenly onto all surfaces of beef roast. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 425°F oven 35-45 minutes for medium rare; 45-50 minutes for medium doneness. Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135°F for medium
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rare; 145°F for medium. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10 to 15°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium.) Carve roast into slices; season with salt, as desired. Top slices evenly with cheese; top cheese with onions. Makes 12 servings.
Tenderloin with Wine Braised Onions and Herb Cheese
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NCBA NCBA Exposes Relationship of OCM and HSUS. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, recently released the following statement in response to a Nebraska rally demanding government intervention to alleviate price disparities impacting cattle markets: “Yesterday, an HSUS funded organization called the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) held a rally in Omaha, Neb., entitled the “Rally to Stop the Stealin’ (sic).” According to OCM, this event was intended to place pressure on the Trump Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to “fix” our cattle markets in response to the price disparity producers are currently having to endure. “First and foremost, I think it’s
News
important to make clear – once again – that these producers have every right to be angry. Down markets are horrible, and can leave a wake of financial and operational hardships that can persist for years after the boards in Chicago have moved on. Our stance remains consistent: NCBA is committed to the USDA’s investigation into the events surrounding the Holcomb plant fire and stand ready to respond to the results of that investigation to ensure that our members – 95 percent of which are boot-on-the-ground producers – have a fair market in which to thrive. Unfortunately, this continues to be the focus of much of HSUS and OCM’s disinformation and deception campaign. What’s worse, they’ve found willing allies in the leadership of both the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and R-CALF. “It’s no secret that our industry
is divided at the moment. I’ll be the first to stand up and say that a healthy debate about the future of our industry is appropriate as we see tremendous advances in technology, production practices, conservation, quality, and markets. However, these discussions need to be amongst those who love, work, and make their living in this industry. Regardless of our positions, we must stand together against the onslaught of detractors and dividers that do not care about our internal struggles. These outside forces want to end animal agriculture – full stop. Chief among them HSUS, and anyone who watched yesterday’s rally witnessed that point illustrated in high definition. “These people have told us who they are. In 2012, OCM President Fred Stokes told a crowd that “…every cowboy out there owes a debt of gratitude to the Humane Society of the United States.” Further, on their website, OCM argues passionately on behalf of HSUS’s work to end our industry. Finally, OCM’s executive director is a well know and
unapologetic HSUS operative, as outlined by Protect the Harvest several years ago. “As if to add insult to injury, yesterday’s event included pleas for President Trump to be voted out of office in favor of Elizabeth Warren, among other positions that likely don’t reflect the views of most cattle producers I know. Oh, and they served turkey for lunch. Around this office, we don’t even serve turkey at Thanksgiving. “There’s an old saying that most definitely applies here; if it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and if the duck TELLS you it’s a duck, believe it.” Registration Opens for Massive 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Cattle Industry Members Invited to “Deep in the Heart” Event. Registration and housing for the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show is now open. The annual convention will be held in San Antonio, Tex., February 5-7, 2020. It’s recommended attendees register early, as convenient housing
New NCCA Members for 2020 In 2007, members of the Membership Committee passed a resolution to recognize all NEW members of the NCCA in The Carolina Cattle Connection at the NCCA Annual Conference in Hickory. A new member is defined as someone who has never been a member or someone who has rejoined after a brief break in membership. The new members are identified in this new members section by name and county of residence. Below is a list of NCCA’s new members for the last month: Alexander County Bryan Pope – Diamond P Farms Ashe County Danielle Moore – Mountain Works Bladen County Kaleb Sargent – Bull Creek Farms LLC Caldwell County Dickie Hall Tony McElveen Noah Starnes – Petra Mill Farms Cleveland County David Houser Duplin County Neil Barwick – Maple Run Farms Inc. E. W. Blanchard – Doctors Creek Cattle
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Forsyth County Madison Hedgecock Franklin County Devon Brooks – Red Line Ranch Henderson County Jacob Lyda R. Wells Shealy – Three Arrows Farm Inc. Madison County Christopher Brazil – Blue Winter Farm Patti Evans – Sweet Pea Farm Jason Riley – Pioneer Farmstead Tyler Singleton – Pioneer Farmstead Moore County Kate Lahr – Magnolia Gate Farm Robeson County Howard Branch – Branch Farms Rockingham County Clint & Rhonda Lovelace – Gypsy-Outlaws Wake County Elizabeth Mullins Yancey County Jessica McIntosh – B&J Farms
will fill quickly. Annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax, and National Cattlemen’s Foundation will be held at this event. Thousands of cattle industry members are expected at this event. Convention participants will gain insights on industry trends from more than 350 exhibitors on 7 acres. Attendees will also enjoy entertainment throughout the event, including a Sunset Music Festival on February 6 and NCBA Invitational PBR Bull Riding on February 7. United States astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Scott Kelly will share his lessons from space during the opening general session, and other noted speakers will be on hand to inform, energize, and motivate audiences. Participants will also work with other industry leaders on both beef checkoff and NCBA policy programs, and they will appreciate fellowship with thousands of other cattle producers from around the country. The convention will again be preceded by the 27th Annual Cattlemen’s College, which is famous for stimulating and thought provoking sessions that can help generate high returns for cattle operations. The event will begin on February 4 with afternoon sessions and be followed by an evening reception. It will be continued the next morning with a morning full of educational sessions. In addition, the National Environmental Stewardship Award winner will be named at a special reception on February 5. Winners of Beef Quality Assurance awards will be recognized at the closing general session on February 7. NCBA President Jennifer Houston of Tennessee says the convention represents an important annual get together for cattlemen and women from around the country. In addition to the important decision making sessions at the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA, the 2020 experience will be a terrific chance to come together to do good, have fun, and learn more. To register and secure housing for the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit www.beefusa. org. Cattle Record Keeping Booklet For 2020 Available from NCBA. Tool Makes Quick, Easy Work of Recording Production Efforts. Cattle producer record keeping can be improved and simplified through the Redbook, a pocket sized record keeping tool from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Made available yearly for more than three decades, NCBA’s 2020 edition helps
cattle producers effectively and efficiently record their daily production efforts, helping enhance profitability. In addition to an area for recording Beef Quality Assurance practices and proper injection technique information, the 2020 Redbook has more than 100 pages to record calving activity, herd health, pasture use, cattle inventory, body condition, cattle treatment, A.I. breeding records, and more. It also contains a calendar and notes section. Statement on Trade Agreement with Japan. NCBA President Jennifer Houston recently issued the following statement after attending a White House ceremony in honor of the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Japan that will lower Japan’s massive tariffs on U.S. beef. “I was deeply honored to attend the ceremony at the White House, where we celebrated a bilateral trade agreement with Japan. As the top market for U.S. beef exports, Japan accounts for one quarter of our exports and roughly $2 billion in annual sales. As a beef producer, I understand the value of exports to my bottom line, and President Trump understands that increased access to foreign markets like Japan is the economic stimulus we need. We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership and for the hard work of our trade negotiators who fought hard to strengthen our access to the Japanese market. Because of their efforts, future generations of American ranching families will benefit from trade with Japan.” Houston hailed the announcement as an important step forward for the U.S. beef industry. “For the past few years, U.S. beef producers have benefitted greatly from growing demand for U.S. beef in Japan. While Japanese consumers enjoy high quality U.S. beef, they, unfortunately, pay a higher price for U.S. beef due to the massive 38.5 percent tariff. Removing that tariff allows more Japanese consumers to enjoy more U.S. beef at a more competitive price. The announcement is welcome news for American families who produce U.S. beef and Japanese families who purchase it.” In 2018, Japanese consumers purchased $2.07 billion of U.S. beef. Currently, U.S. beef faces a massive 38.5 percent tariff in Japan, while our competitors from Australia, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand face a 26.6 percent tariff. Leveling the playing field in Japan is a top priority for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCF Accepting Applications for CME Beef Industry Scholarships. The
National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for 2020-2021 beef industry scholarships sponsored by CME Group. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry. “CME Group is pleased to support the next generation of cattlemen and women while promoting participation in an industry that is critical to feeding the world,” said Tim Andriesen, CME Group Agricultural Products Managing Director. “During the nearly three decades of partnership with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and NCBA, we’ve worked together to strengthen the education of tomorrow’s industry leaders on risk management in the beef industry.” The CME Beef Industry Scholarship was first introduced 30 years ago in 1989. Today, the scholarship recognizes and encourages talented students who will each play an important role in the future of food production in America. Students studying education, communication, production, research, or other areas related to the beef industry should consider applying for the scholarship. Applicants for the 2020-2021 scholarship must submit a one page letter expressing their career goals related to the
beef industry. Students must also write a 750 word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two or four year college. Online applications should be submitted by November 8 at 1:00 a.m. EST. To apply, or learn more about the scholarship, visit https://app.reviewr. com/s1/site/CME_BeefIndustry_ Scholarship20. Scholarship winners will be announced in January, and recognition will be given in San Antonio during the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. For more information, visit www. nationalcattlemensfoundation.org. About the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.
IRM Red Books Are Here The price of the books are again $5.00/each this year.
We would like to thank Performance Livestock & Feed Company and Carolina Stockyards for again sponsoring this book. Some highlights of the book are the international year letter designations for animal identification calving records Beef Quality Assurance best practices judicious use of antimicrobials in cattle injection site quality control health records pasture usage cattle sales A.I. breeding records analysis of calving activity and back by producer demand the addresses phone notes pages plus many other record keeping sections. Simply return the order form below, along with $5.00 for each book to: N.C. Cattlemen’s Association 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 You can now order them through our website at www.nccattle.com/resources/merchandise/red-book-order-form. You can also call our office at 919-552-9111 or email us at kim@nccattle.com.
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Four Tips to Prepare for a Successful Calving Season. You made breeding decisions months ago and have been patiently waiting for nine more months to see the outcome of your diligent planning. Yet, researching and plotting breeding decisions is only half the battle. When calving season comes, it is time to plan all the important details that help deliver your calf crop and ensure they are thriving from day one. Regardless of when you calve, fall or spring, we offer four tips to make sure you are prepared for the approaching calving season. 1. Prepare Your Calving Kit - There is nothing like getting the first calf on the ground, then scrambling trying to find the tools or supplies you need to assist a successful delivery or get a calf going. Make time prior to the first due date to check your inventory and see what has gone missing or needs to be replaced or updated. VitaFerm has prepared an online checklist of important supplies and equipment that you will need for assisting with deliveries, getting the calf up and going, and properly treating calves as well as information on where to purchase these items. View the checklist at https://vitaferm. com/calving-supply-and-equipment-list/. 2. Protect Cows and Calves from the Elements - With the variety of weather extremes that producers experience across the country, it’s best to be prepared for all situations, and that starts with understanding the circumstances that apply to your herd. First, consider if you are calving out mostly cows or first calf heifers. First timers aren’t always the best about finding the most ideal spot to calve in. In that regard, evaluate your facilities and decide if you need to lock first time calvers in or create new calving pens or corrals. If you do not have the facilities or equipment to do so, be sure to have a calving check schedule so that you can keep an eye on the herd frequently. Next, consider the exact weather circumstances you may be up against. If you are encountering snow and cold winds, be sure to have sheltered areas where momma cows can get in and bed down or have large windbreaks to provide strong wind and snowdrift protection. Be sure you have taken an inventory of available bedding options such as straw, shavings, chips, etc. Ensuring that you have plenty of dry areas in your pens with protection from the wind can make the difference in calf survival, especially
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once winter arrives and wind chills dip. In contrast, if you come from a warmer climate or you calve later in the spring, consider providing shade or covered areas for the cows and calves to get out of the heat. If your mommas are in a pasture with a pond or flowing body of water, consider locking them up away from the pond to avoid calving situations near standing water. 3. Get That Calf Up and Going - Once the calf is on the ground, you want to ensure that it has the best start to life possible. You should always consult with your veterinarian about health protocols and your nutritionist about a feeding program. To reduce stress, look for ways to accomplish many processing tasks at once, such as tagging, vaccinations, and navel care. Another way to ensure your calf gets the proper start is to keep fast acting calf supplementation on hand. It might be a good idea to always have a supply of colostrum in case of emergencies. Two other products that should be readily available for your newborns include Vita Charge Gel and Vita Charge Neonatal. Both products provide a jump start to the digestive system to protect calves during stress and help calves recover quickly while supporting immunity and performance. Vita Charge Gel also provides the perfect boost for mom if the delivery was stressful. 4. Help Cows Recover with Nutrition - Calving is stressful on the cow. Whether you have first time heifers or seasoned cows, calving season puts a lot of stress on your females, and they will need some assistance nutritionally to stay in good shape and condition to provide for the calf at side. You should consult a nutritionist to help with your supplement or ration needs. Here are a few more nutritional considerations to keep top of mind: • Feed higher quality hay (with more energy) and expect cows to increase intake during cold stress. Without a forage analysis, you cannot be exactly sure of your hay’s energy level, which can lead to inadequate nutrition. BioZyme offers complimentary hay testing and nutrition analysis to its customers and potential customers through its nationwide dealer network and Area Sales Managers. For more information, visit https://vitaferm.com/hay-report/. • Feed a supplement that contains BioZyme’s prebiotic Amaferm to improve digestibility of feed and help ensure that they are extracting all of the energy possible. Research shows that feeding a supplement
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
that contains Amaferm has similar benefits to feeding at least one pound of grain. • Consider moving cows to locations with protection from the wind and wet weather. The energy requirement of beef cattle increases about three percent for each degree that the wind chill is below 59º F. This increases even further in wet conditions and prior to fully developing a winter hair coat. This is a major reason programs fail during an abnormally severe winter. • Match animal nutrition requirements to the quality of your forage. Heifers and thin cows require a more energy dense diet, compared to older or fleshy cows. Sorting animals into groups based on body condition allows you to feed the available forage more effectively. Start by targeting your higher quality, more immature forages toward heifers and thin cows. These earlier harvested forages will be the most energy dense as energy declines considerably with maturity. The older and higher body condition cows can then be fed slightly more mature forage. This allows you to maximize the use of your forage supply while better targeting the nutritional needs of your entire herd. • A good guideline during an extended cold or wet winter period is to feed 3-6 lbs of energy supplements like soybean hulls, corn gluten feed, or corn to avoid weight
loss during these stressful periods. Calving season is much less stressful when you plan ahead and enter into it with a strategy. Both your cows and calves will need some assistance to be successful and recover, so plan to have the tools you need to help your calves get a jump start and your momma cows to bounce back quickly. This is just the beginning of your next adventure of seeing your genetics grow in your herd, and with some nutritional advantages along the way, you’ll be sure to see performance that pays. Advantages of Loose and Tub Protein Supplementation. Choices are everywhere. And that is true for cattle producers looking for the best protein supplementation for their herd. Cattle producers have several options of various brands and multiple forms of protein to distribute. There are blocks, tubs, and loose mineral. But what is the best option for a producer who wants to make sure he or she is getting the most bang for their buck? VitaFerm offers both tubs and loose mineral protein options for the cow/calf producer to choose from. Both forms have the same nutritional guarantee and both include the Amaferm advantage. Amaferm is a precision prebiotic that amplifies nutrient supply by promoting intake while
Lexington County Cattlemen’s Association News By ROY COPELAN The Lexington County Cattlemen’s Association met on October 8 at the Senior Center in Gilbert. Approximately 28 people attended the monthly meeting. Everyone enjoyed a delicious beef meal catered by Sweet Magnolia’s of Pelion. After the meal, LCCA President Joel Keisler welcomed everyone. Kevin Campbell of Cargill Animal Nutrition provided the evening program. He discussed the merger of Cargill and Southern States as well as the impact of minerals on the reproductive systems of cattle. Kevin stated, “To make money in the cow business, one is also in the grass business,” especially here in the Southeast. After the program, Roy Copelan discussed the activities of the S.C. Beef Council, including radio and billboard advertising and beef promotions, as well as the activities of the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association, such as the 2020 Annual Meeting, 2020 state membership drives, youth scholarships, and the annual awards of excellence. Travis Mitchell promoted the upcoming bull test sale in Blackville and encouraged all to check their cattle and pastures daily. The next meeting of the LCCA will be held on November 12.
increasing digestibility and absorption. Amaferm is research proven to provide a 17 percent increase in forage utilization. The Convenience of Tubs - The primary advantage of the VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Tub, that contains the Concept•Aid breeding mineral and 20% protein ideal for feeding 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post breeding, is that it is self contained and easy to distribute. The 200 pound tubs are relatively easy to scatter across a large pasture; their bright orange color makes them highly visible to the producer. The VitaFerm Tubs are formulated with a cooked tub technology that relies on molasses, which helps control intake, while other companies use a chemically hardened method adding corn syrup and other ingredients to bind the minerals together. “The advantage to cooked molasses in the VitaFerm tubs is that the only way to soften the Tub is moisture in the air, giving it a unique way to soften and control intake. The cows can lick all day on the Tub, but until it softens, they are not going to get more of it. If managed correctly, with the right number of cows, our tubs control intake almost by themselves,” said Kevin Glaubius, BioZyme’s Director of Nutrition. In cooked tubs, a set amount of a
more expensive protein ingredient is often used to ensure proper protein levels are met since space in the formulation is at a premium. And this is where the benefits of a loose protein mineral mix begin. More flexibility in protein ingredients and more formula space exist with a loose, free choice mineral or protein meal. Since space isn’t restricted to a tub, there are simply more options to choose from. Saving Dollars with Loose Mineral - BioZyme offers a loose supplement – VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Meal – with similar properties as the Tub, a combination of Concept•Aid breeding mineral and natural protein in a granular form for beef cattle. In a loose formulation, salt is added to control intake. It is specifically designed for reproductive success when fed 60 days precalving through 60 days post breeding. Producers don’t sacrifice any nutrition if they do offer loose mineral instead of tubs. Many of the same high quality ingredients are used along with less expensive protein sources in the loose mixes, but since molasses is not in the mix, there is added cost savings. Another cost savings comes with the packaging. The bag that the loose mineral comes in costs less than 50 cents. The Tub, although convenient, adds about $6-7 additional cost to the product; that is money
spent that your cows are not consuming. For every pallet of tubs purchased, you could have purchased a new ground mineral feeder to feed the loose mineral. Introducing the New Power Keg For producers looking for a convenient and economical wintertime protein and mineral solution who are not in calving season, BioZyme has just introduced the VitaFerm Power Keg. The all natural 20% protein keg is highly fortified, so no additional vitamins and minerals need to be supplemented when fed on low- to average quality pastures. The 200 pound pressed keg comes on an orange plastic base to keep it out of dirt and water. It does not contain the Concept•Aid breeding mineral but is an ideal supplement to feed with low and average quality forages prior to calving. The choices are endless. You can choose a more convenient product, or you can choose the same quality nutrition as a loose mineral and save dollars on the packaging for your calving cows. Or, you can try the new Power Keg for cows that are not in their last trimester of gestation or calving. Whichever option you choose, your herd will benefit from the added protein combined with the Amaferm advantage. Five Tips to Shorten Calving Intervals. Optimum productivity should
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be the goal of each cow/calf producer, and that productivity begins with cows producing at least one calf every year. With proper management, good health protocols, and a quality nutrition program, that goal is easily attainable. Shortened calving intervals – or the time between the birth of one calf and the subsequent birth of the next from the same cow – are beneficial to both the productivity and profitability of the herd. In addition, from a labor efficiency standpoint, it just makes sense to calve over a 60 day window as opposed to 120 or 150 days, causing twice the length of sleepless nights, stress, and labor resources. Let’s explore five tips to shorten the calving intervals and increase the profit potential that producers can add to the herd when the calving windows are shortened. Start with a good nutrition program A cow’s nutrient requirements are at their highest around rebreeding time. Not only is she trying to maintain her own body condition while in peak lactation to provide nourishment to a rapidly growing calf, but she’s simultaneously trying to heal her reproductive tract in order to support and maintain a new pregnancy for the coming year. That is why it is absolutely pivotal
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BioZyme News continued from the previous page to make sure she is getting the required amounts of vitamins, minerals, energy, and protein to support adequate performance. In addition to these essential nutrients, phosphorus and Vitamin E will help encourage repair of the reproductive tract and help her get ready to come into heat and breed back sooner. Concept•Aid is especially beneficial in A.I. and E.T. breeding programs. It contains organic copper, zinc, and manganese to ensure maximum bioavailability of nutrients to the animal, and also contains high levels of Vitamin E and selenium to promote optimized fertility. Like all VitaFerm products, it contains Amaferm, a prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility by amplifying the nutrient supply within for maximum performance. Amaferm is research proven to increase milk production and initiate and maintain pregnancy and fertility. Use heat synchronization protocols - With the ever-advancing technology that is available for cattle producers, getting cows to come into heat at the same time and more rapidly is easier than ever before. Technology, like CID-R devices and timed A.I., can help tighten the calving window and get cows to come into heat sooner, resulting in a shorter calving window. Make sure your bulls are reproductively sound - If you are turning your cows out for breeding naturally, it is pertinent that you make sure your bulls have a breeding soundness exam (BSE) 30-60 days before turnout, and that they are semen tested. If they are not fertile, not only will you have a lot of open cows, your calving interval just got a lot longer when all of your females come into heat again for a second or third time before you realize the problem. The longer it takes to get the collective group bred, the longer your calving season will be. Be disciplined and be aggressive. Be sure to mark your calendar, and when your breeding season is up, whether that is 60 days or 90 days, pull your bulls. And then, 30-45 days later, have your vet come and preg-check everything that has been exposed, either naturally or via artificial insemination. By sticking to your schedule, not only will you save some labor for your bulls to preserve them for the next breeding season, but it will also help you determine which cows are the most reproductively sound and fastest to breed back. Cull problem cows - It is never fun to cull cows from the herd, but after you pregcheck is when it is most important to be aggressive and make your culling decisions. Perhaps you have a cow with great genetics
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that had some calving difficulty or another challenge that came up open. You must decide if it is worth keeping her open for another calving season to see if she will heal and breed back or if it is time to sell her and replace her with new genetics. If a cow continues to have issues with getting and remaining bred, you just can’t afford to keep an open cow. Not only does the shortened calving interval benefit your cow herd and labor management at calving time, its primary benefit to the producer is at weaning or when it comes time to market the calf crop. Calves that are born in a tighter window will be more uniform in size and weight and will be more ideal for load lots, which often receive a premium when buyers don’t have to gather up small groups of calves from multiple sellers. Groups that are more uniform in size won’t have a “pecking order” where smaller calves are pushed away from the bunks, therefore hurting their gain and performance. Consider this example. If a calf typically gains 2-3 pounds per day, it will gain an additional 52.5 pounds per 21 day breeding cycle. That means, if you shorten your calving window to 60 days, calves born in that first cycle will weigh 105 pounds more at weaning than calves born in the last cycle. Calves at weaning average $1.50 per pound, so you have already increased your profits by $157.50 per calf from that first calving window vs. those in the last group. In addition to added profit at weaning, producers will realize other cost saving benefits to shortened calving intervals. Strategic herd management means an increased concentration of labor, where animal husbandry is more focused on similar stages of production at the same times and for shorter times, such as breeding, calving, calf care, and the labor efforts for these duties are not spread out over long periods of time. A growing calf every 365 days is NOT a lofty goal. With good management practices, and sound nutrition and health program and less stress for the producer, you can have tighter calving intervals, producing those calves on a more regular basis, and seeing more profit in your pocket each and every calving season. How to Manage Consumption of Loose Mineral. Loose mineral has definite advantages in your cow/calf enterprise. It is a cost effective way to supplement your cow herd, ensuring they receive the nutrients they need. However, too few vitamins and minerals won’t get the job done; and too much of a good thing will cost you, the producer, more than you budgeted for in your nutrition
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program. There are proper steps to take to regulate the mineral consumption, so your cows and your checkbook all have a positive outlook. Know your Consumption Levels - Before you try to start regulating consumption levels with various management practices, read the label, and know the expected consumption levels of the mineral you are feeding. For example, the VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Meal
programs, pay attention to the label, follow directions and closely watch intake the first few weeks, while your cows get acclimated to their new products. Managing for Consumption Challenges - Overconsumption is a genuine concern for most producers because they are watching their expenses with every bag of mineral they pour into their feeder. However, from a nutrition and production standpoint, underconsumption should be a bigger concern. 50 lb bag/1 lb per cow per day x 50 feedings/50 cows = 1 bag per day/50 cows x 7 days = 7 bags/week
has a recommended feeding rate of one pound/head/day, whereas the VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S has a recommended
“We are trying to eliminate a deficiency, so from a nutritionist’s standpoint, underconsumption is a bigger concern because of its negative effects 50 lb bag/4 oz per cow per day = 200 feedings/50 cows = 1 bag for 4 days/50 cows or less than 2 bags/week
feeding rate of only 4 oz./head/day. That is a significant difference. Once you know your consumption rate, calculate how many bags of mineral, you will need to put out each week, based on the number of cows in your pasture. Let’s assume that our pasture has 50 cows, and we will look at the Concept•Aid Protein Meal first with a rate of 1 pound per day. Next, let’s assume we have 50 cows, and it is closer to calving, so we switch to Concept•Aid 5/S at a rate of 4 oz per day. You can see there is a big difference in consumption just based on recommended intake, so if you have switched mineral
on the economics leading to open cows and decreased health. We really want to ensure the cows consume close to the recommended daily amount of mineral. I would recommend producers not to think about mineral consumption as a fixed number but more of an average over the course of a week,” said Kevin Glaubius. To think about the consumption as an average, Glaubius said they will probably eat more than they should when they are first introduced to the mineral; then, they will taper off and perhaps eat less later. So, they might get all their required nutrients in the first 4-5 days, and that is ok. However, he said it is not good if they empty out the mineral feeder after one or two days. Regardless if overconsumption or
Clemson University Bull Test 28-Day Report By STEVEN E. MEADOWS, Ph. D., Clemson University The 66 bulls were weighed on September 17 for the 28 day weigh period. The hot, dry weather was no challenge for this powerful set of bulls as they averaged 4.43 lbs/day. Several bulls posted gains greater than 5 pounds per day. The Lot 5 Angus bull, consigned by Broadway Cattle Farm in Monroe, N.C., recorded a 28 day average daily gain (ADG) of 7.39. He is sired by 3F Epic 4631. The Lot 2 Shuffler Farms Angus bull followed closely behind with an impressive 6.07 ADG and is a son of KCF Bennett Fortress. Shuffler Farms is located in Union Grove, North Carolina. Alexander Angus Farms of Six Mile, S.C., saw their Lot 28 Angus bull hit an ADG of 5.86. This powerful stud is sired by LD Capitalist 316. The Lot 16 Barrett Farms Angus bull was certainly hanging tough as he mashed the scales down to garner an ADG of 5.79. The Lot 16 bull is sired by Conneally Athens. Not to be outdone was a consignment from Edisto Pines Farm in Leesville, S.C., who saw their Lot 22 bull record an ADG of 5.79 as well. Lot 22 is sired by KCF Bennett The Rock. The entire report can be read online at the Clemson Extension Bull Test website at www.clemson.edu/extension/bulltest/clemson/index.html. The 56 day weigh day was October 15. We took yearling ultrasound measurements at the same time. The report from that weigh day will follow next month.
underconsumption of your loose mineral is a concern, Glaubius offers three simple management strategies to level out mineral intake. Evaluate location of the feeders - If your cattle are underconsuming mineral, chances are the cows haven’t found the mineral feeders yet. Move the feeders to a location where cattle congregate on a regular basis – closer to their water sources, under the shade, or along the pathways to water or shade. Likewise, if the cattle are going through the mineral faster than you think they should, move the feeders away from the beaten path. Put them further away from the water source or even an extra 100 feet off their routine path between water and
Performance Livestock Analytics and Hubbard Feeds Partner to Bring Performance Beef to Customers. Technology to help producers simplify their feedyard, automate data, and analytics. Performance Livestock Analytics (PLA) and Hubbard Feeds are partnering to help cattle producers make data driven decisions with the Performance Beef platform. The cloud based platform automates everything from feeding to financials while connecting the producer to their trusted Hubbard Feeds representative. “Performance Beef is an intelligence center to help producers improve their profitability and efficiency,” says Dane Kuper, CEO and co-founder, Performance Livestock Analytics. “As we continue to grow, we’re proud to partner with Hubbard Feeds to deliver an innovative solution to their customers.” With markets in constant flux, producers are often crunching numbers to better their decisions. Performance Beef helps simplify the decision making process. With real time data and analytics readily available, users can spend less time on manual tasks and make better data driven decisions for their operation. “We’re focused on bringing innovation to our customers,” says Dan Herold, Beef Nutrition Technical Services Manager, Hubbard. “The partnership with Performance Livestock Analytics provides us access to a digital tool to help our customers improve their profitability, increase their competitive advantage, reduce risk, and simplify their lives.” With Performance Beef, producers
shade, so they have to seek the feeders out. Cows crave salt too - Yes, cattle will actively seek out salt, and they typically prefer it to other flavors. If your mineral isn’t getting consumed, and you have another salt source in your pasture, either a salt block or loose salt, remove it from the mix. Most VitaFerm mineral contains an adequate amount of salt to balance out the sodium content cattle need. Removing the other sources will cause cows to seek out the salt in the mineral. If your mineral is overconsumed, then you need to consider adding additional salt to your mineral, Glaubius said. He recommends mixing 10 pounds of loose salt per 50 pounds of loose mineral by pouring the loose salt over the mineral
NEWS
are able to: • Eliminate batch sheets, automate delivery • Generate real time, accurate closeouts • Analyze trends in feed efficiencies, costs, and performance • Track and manage inventory, optimize purchase decisions • Create invoices and reports to better track financials and performance Interested producers should contact their local Hubbard representative for more information. Learn more about Hubbard at www.hubbardfeeds.com and Performance Livestock Analytics by visiting www. PerformanceLivestockAnalytics.com. About Performance Livestock Analytics Inc. Performance Livestock Analytics provides the leading business operating platform to livestock producers, brokers, risk managers, nutritionists, animal health, and animal nutrition companies. The subscription platform helps users better manage all financial, operational, and performance data for their livestock operations in one place. For more information, visit www. PerformanceLivestockAnalytics.com. About Hubbard Feeds. Hubbard Feeds, an Alltech company, provides nutrition solutions to help improve the health, performance, and well being of animals. These programs are designed using the latest technology and the best team in the business. Being passionate about animals and our customers is a core value of Hubbard Feeds and the driving force behind “Products and Answers that WORK®.”
in the feeder and mixing it by hand. He does not recommend a salt block as an adequate alternative, as cows can typically only get about ½ ounce of salt per day from a salt block, so it isn’t very effective at controlling mineral intake. “The thing producers need to be careful of is if you mix one ounce of salt in with four ounces of mineral, you are now up to five ounces of consumption and not four. Target consumption has to become five ounces so they get their four ounces of mineral,” he said. Use Proper Feeders - Most mineral feeders have a stocking rate of 30-50 head per feeder. Make sure you know how many your feeder can handle. If your cattle are underconsuming, add a feeder due to the cow pressure on existing feeder(s). If they are overconsuming, remove a feeder Even the type of feeder can influence consumption. If you’ve moved cows from a pasture with an open feeder to one with a black rubber flap lid, that might deter the cows for a few days. Some producers will even remove the flaps until the cows are accustomed to the feeders. Remember, those black rubber flaps attract sunlight, which makes them hot, so consider putting that kind of feeder under a shade source or painting the lid a lighter color, so it doesn’t attract and put off so much heat.
Having an adequate mineral program is one of the keys to your success in the cow/ calf business. Regulating mineral intake is one way to make sure that your cow herd receives the nutrients they need, and you don’t break the bank. Always read and follow label directions and follow these three easy steps to make sure your herd is on the right nutrition path to success. Three Tips to Reduce Shipping Stress. Change is never easy. That is true if you’re a young person moving away to attend college, someone changing jobs, or a freshly weaned calf with a long truck ride in its future. However, in each of these scenarios, there are ways to reduce the stress and make the transition a little easier. Up until this point, there’s been a mama cow to watch her young calf figure out the grazing technique and even serve as a role model to follow when it comes time to lick a mineral tub or drink from a water tank. Then, all of a sudden, the calves are alone in a pen about to be loaded on a semi to their next destination. As producers, there are ways to make those calves more comfortable during this transition and keep them healthier prior to shipping. Health and nutrition are always of utmost concern. Taking precautionary steps, both prior to shipping and on arrival,
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“What do you mean you’re doubling my salary? YOu don’t pay me anything!” The Carolina Cattle Connection
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BioZyme News continued from the previous page can help keep shrink at a minimum while keeping calves healthier and eating. Preparing for Shipping - Prior to shipping, as you gather the set of calves you are shipping and prepare them for the haul, you might consider administering the Vita Charge Cattle Drench within the first 48 hours to jump start your cattle’s digestive system during stress. It is formulated to help cattle recover quickly and does not interfere with antibiotics. The goal here is to get them off to the right start before they prepare for the trip. Understanding Shrink and How to Prevent it - Generally, cattle will shrink one percent of their body weight per hour for the first few hours they are off feed and water and continue to shrink at a lower percentage of their weight as time continues. The first hours primarily consist of excretory shrink, followed by tissue shrink, a loss of moisture in the muscle. In addition to shrink, the stress will typically cause calves to lose their appetite, which hinders their overall health and performance upon arrival to their new destination. To help them maintain their appetite, provide Vita Charge Stress Tubs prior to shipping. The Stress Tub is a cooked tub for beef cattle that supports digestive health and promotes feed and water intake during times of stress and recovery. The tubs come in both 50 pound and 200 pound sizes and contain Amaferm, a precision prebiotic designed to combat stress, which results in increased intake and nutrient digestion. They also contain
MOS to trap bad bacteria, limiting their ability to do harm, as well as organic trace minerals, vitamins, and B vitamins. With 70 percent of immune cells present in the gut, keeping the gut going is key to keeping calves healthy. The Vita Charge products provide value by helping the calves handle transitions better. By using the product, you could possibly see less shrink, less incidence of sickness, and in good conditions, cattle will get off the truck ready to eat. If you are shipping fresh weaned calves, you would want to introduce the stress tubs in the calves’ creep pens one or two weeks prior to weaning. If you are shipping older calves, you might also want to offer the stress tubs a few weeks out. If you are gathering the calves the night before shipping, make sure to have a few stress tubs in the holding pens, so those calves get the much needed nutrients just prior to loading the trucks. Low Stress Gathering - Other steps in proper planning prior to shipping can help reduce stress on your calves even before they step foot on the truck. If you are shipping them from a pasture, be sure to gather and pen them as close to the ship pen and loading chute as you can the night prior. This reduces the amount of extra movement and stress the day of shipping. Also, know about how many calves your loading pen can hold at one time and don’t overcrowd it, making animals bunch up, step on one another and cause injury before they even load in the semi. Be sure your facilities are designed for low stress cattle handling and created in a way
that the cattle will flow easily onto the semi without being pushed and prodded. Finally, be organized. Make sure everyone involved in shipping day from the trucker, vet, brand inspector, and your helpers, are aware of the load out time, so calves aren’t losing weight just standing around. Change is never easy, but you can reduce the stress associated with change. Less stress on the calves means reducing the risk for shrink and increasing the potential that the calves will eat and drink more readily when they reach their destination. For more information, visit www. vitaferm.com. How to Make a Smooth Transition. Bringing home new show animals and getting them settled in the barn is exciting for young exhibitors and their families. However, those feelings are not always shared with the livestock, as the animals more than likely are feeling stressed and anxious. They are in an unfamiliar environment with new people and other new animals. Livestock are truly “creatures of habit” and the changes, even slight ones, can cause them to have a disruption in their feed and water intake. Since water is the most vital nutrient, getting your animals drinking in their new environment is a top priority. And once your animals are drinking, an increased appetite should follow. Since the goal of your show livestock is for your animal to grow and perform, you want to make sure your animal starts to eat as soon as you bring it home. That’s how the Vita Charge line of supplements can help. Regardless of the species, every
new show project you bring to your barn should get a dose of Vita Charge Gel as it is being unloaded from the trailer or the popper. The gel is designed for all species of livestock and supports digestive health and promotes feed and water intake during times of stress and recovery. Amaferm, a precision based prebiotic, is the key ingredient and is research proven to impact intake, feed digestibility, and nutrient absorption to help combat stress and support the animal’s own immune system. Vita Charge Gel also contains MOS to trap and expel pathogens, limiting their ability to do harm, and it does not interfere with antibiotic use. “Amaferm helps feed the gut and keeps it working properly during high periods of stress. Those microorganisms within the digestive system, where 70 percent of the animal’s immune response system is found, are damaged during high periods of stress, and Amaferm helps compensate for that damage,” said Blaine Rodgers, BioZyme Show Livestock Business Development and Field Support. Rodgers suggests administering Vita Charge Gel anytime an animal faces stress, like traveling to a show, receiving treatment or vaccinations, or changing feed rations. In addition to the Vita Charge Gel, BioZyme manufactures other natural Vita Charge products to help livestock recover from stress, to keep them eating, drinking, and performing to help you achieve your goals. Vita Charge Stress Tubs are an
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2020 S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Dues
ALL Regular Copy for the
DECEMBER ISSUE by NOVEMBER 5! ALL Spotlight Material for the DECEMBER ISSUE By NOVEMBER 1!
PAGE 66
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
By TRAVIS MITCHELL SCCA 2nd Vice President, Membership All County/Regional Cattlemen’s Associations should be collecting 2020 state and local dues NOW. Rosters and state dues are due in the state office by January 1 by Excel spreadsheet only. Please email the completed spreadsheet to scbeef@scda.sc.gov in the following format:
association will reimburse their local dues monthly. A printed copy of the spreadsheet should be mailed, along with payment to: SCCA Membership P.O. Box 11290 Columbia, SC 29211
First Name • Last Name • Mailing Address • City • State • Zip • Telephone # • Email • Amount Paid
Cattle producers can pay dues, etc. online with a credit card. Visit the new website at www.SCC3SA.wildapricot.org or the old website at www.sccattle.org. County and regional cattlemen’s associations can pay local and state dues with their credit cards, and the state
Failure to follow deadline and format procedures will cause delay or lapse in mailing The Carolina Cattle Connection. Please mark first time members with a star for listing in The Carolina Cattle Connection Thanks for your assistance with this important matter.
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q NOVEMBER 2019
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BioZyme News continued from the page 66 ideal way to get the Amaferm advantage into your show steers and heifers daily with limited handling. They come in a convenient 50 pound size and contain Amaferm and MOS to support the ability to recover from the effects of stress. The Stress Tubs include organic zinc, the antioxidant Vitamin E, and B vitamins. Not only does the Stress Tub offers benefits to the cattle, the way it’s consumed will help the animal too. “One of the reasons the stress tubs help stimulate appetite is the way they are consumed through the licking process and salivation. The saliva helps stabilize the pH in the stomach, so it keeps the digestive tract working even better. There are lots of studies that show saliva increases appetite so there is actually another function to the products we make – not just product itself, but the way it is consumed,” Rodgers said. The Vita Charge Stress Tubs are also convenient enough that exhibitors will take them to shows so that their cattle have the constant source of Amaferm they are accustomed to. Cattle can enjoy the tubs in the stalls or in tie outs to keep their appetites working while on the road. Vita Charge Liquid Boost is another great way to boost your animals’ feed and water intake, especially under stressful situations like acclimating them to new surroundings. Perhaps the most versatile of the Vita Charge line, Liquid Boost can be administered via a medicator, mixed with water, used as a drench or top dressed on feed. It is designed for all species, and the palatable flavoring helps create consistency in the taste of any water source.
Many people add Liquid Boost to their medicators for about two weeks after bringing home new pigs. They also give pigs, lambs, and goats Liquid Boost 2-3 days prior to traveling to a show, while at the show and 2-3 days after getting home. It will mask the chlorine taste that is often found in town water at the shows. “Getting your show projects started on the right foot is so important for them to stay healthy, keep gaining, and help you reach your end goal, hopefully in that winner’s circle,” Rodgers said. “Get them started on the right track by boosting their appetite and immunity with the Amaferm advantage found in the Vita Charge products.” To learn more about the Vita Charge products or to find a dealer near you, visit www.surechamp.com. A Guide to Selling Stockers. For cow/calf producers who spring calve, now seems like a logical time to market weaned calves. You’ve invested time and resources into breeding the cows, raising the calves, and getting them weaned. Those cows should be bred back, and the cycle continues. But, is this really the best time to sell? Like any good business manager, producers need to use the resources available to them with some practical record keeping information to determine the best time of year for them to market their feeder calves. Glynn Tonsor, Ph.D., and Professor of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University suggests the price received for feeder calves is impacted by the simple principle of supply and demand. Since a majority of producers spring calve, there are more cattle ready
Be a winner! Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association! PAGE 68
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
to sell in the fall, therefore the price is typically more depressed. Conversely, with fewer fall born calves, the supply in the spring is lower, so those calves tend to bring higher prices. “Most importantly that is just a sales price; that doesn’t tell you what is most profitable for your operation. The cost of wintering an animal is more than any other season,” Tonsor said. A higher price on sale day is not on its own indicative of an increased profit. Producers need to be aware of all their input costs and keep records, not only of their cost of gain, but also calculate the value of gain. Simply stated, cost of gain (COG) is the marginal cost of putting weight on your cattle. The value of gain (VOG) takes that a step further to determine if the cost of adding weight before selling your calves will help you turn an increased profit. A simple equation for VOG is: (Sale Price – Purchase Price)/(Sale Weight – Purchase Weight). If the realized VOG is more than the COG, the seller will make a profit. Tonsor recommends www.beefbasis. com as a resource to help project the VOG. This helpful online tool includes price forecasting for various regions across the country, for different feeder cattle types, at different times of year. “Consider the value of gain for your calves. What do you think those additional pounds will be worth? Everybody needs to compare that to their cost of gain and calculate their inputs compared to overall expenses. An attractive output price doesn’t mean anything if you are a high cost producer. It’s a net margin that drives the profit. If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” Tonsor said. Timing is Everything - Old Man Winter isn’t always kind to cattle producers, and therefore, it is more costly to raise a calf through the winter, when you are devoting additional resources to both the mother cow and her offspring. A calf born in the spring and sold during the fall run never has the cost associated with winter care. Tonsor reminds producers that if they do choose to keep their springborn calves until they are yearlings and sell them in the spring, that is when calculating VOG is imperative. “Anytime you delay a sale, you are exposing yourself to market risk. That can be good or bad. Risk is often viewed only in a negative way, but when it comes to pricing cattle, good things can develop, and bad things can develop. If you have a corn price spike during that period, feeder cattle get cheaper. If corn drops, feeder cattle get more valuable,” Tonsor said. Cattle, Corn Relationship - According to Tonsor, the corn market can significantly
influence price between selling now or waiting until spring, either good or bad. Once again, the weather conditions and timing are both an integral part of this relationship, that is out of any human’s control. IF the entire corn industry was slow to get its crop in, and less overall corn is harvested, that elevates corn prices, and depresses feeder calf prices. It all goes back to supply and demand. “The corn, feeder cattle inverse relationship is critical to the cattle industry,” Tonsor reminds. Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes - Retained ownership is an alternative that allows the producer to continue owning the cattle through the feed yard, while a feeder finishes the cattle and then sells them to a packer. If a producer has done his or her homework, has studied the future market and calculated their breakeven, retained ownership of calves through the feed yard might be a viable choice. Many custom feed yards will manage cattle, while you still own them, allowing you to potentially get the cattle price back to where you want it to be by owning cattle throughout their life. However, you will have to absorb that market risk and be exposed for a longer period of time to do that. Generally, once a producer does the calculations, selling the calves postweaning doesn’t look as bad as it once did. Marketing your feeder calves doesn’t have to be complicated. Geographic location, timing, weather, and even the corn market all play a role in what you can expect to receive for your calves. Online resources like www.AgManager.info and www. beefbasis.com can help producers forecast the market and make selling decisions. The more you know, the more likely you are to succeed. The key to profitability is good management and knowing what works best for your operation. About BioZyme ® Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements for a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include Amaferm®, AO-Biotics®, Amasile™, VitaFerm®, Vita Charge ®, Sure Champ ®, Vitalize ®, and DuraFerm®. Headquartered in St. Joseph, Missouri, BioZyme reaches a global market of customers throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information about BioZyme, visit www.biozymeinc.com.
South Carolina Awards of Excellence -- “Recognizing Excellence in the Beef Industry” Purpose of the South Carolina Cattlemen’s Awards of Excellence - The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association (SCCA) annually bestows Awards of Excellence to individuals, couples, farms, firms, businesses, and similar groups who have demonstrated exemplary service to both the SCCA and the state’s beef industry. The prestigious nature of these awards makes us strive to receive as many applicants from various operations and backgrounds as we look for the most noteworthy persons in the beef industry. People receiving these awards will have demonstrated a special aptitude towards upholding the ideals of the SCCA outlined in its mission statement: To unite cattle producers to advance the economic, political and social interests of South Carolina’s Beef industry. They will also have shown outstanding and exemplary performance in levels of production, innovation, and service to the state’s beef industry. While realizing that our production schemes in this state vary greatly based on several factors and recognizing that our production must occur in conjunction with sound environmental practices and sound management practices to ensure the safest, most wholesome products available for the beef consumer, these recipients will have allowed and caused beef production to aspire to ever higher levels in the state. This year’s recipients will be recognized at the Awards Ceremony of the Annual Meeting of the South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association. This event will be held in Clemson, March 18-20, 20202, and all members of the association are invited to attend this special event. We welcome any and all nominations from across the state. No operation is too large or too small to be represented among this category of fine agriculturalists. We urge you to please take the time to complete the application process so that we may recognize the efforts of our fellow producers. We look forward to hearing from you! The SCCA “Awards of Excellence” categories have changed. Please review the following descriptions of the each category. Cattlemen of the Year This award shall be awarded to an individual or farm demonstrating excellence in all aspects of cattle and beef production. The successful recipient will have shown an aptitude for production of an excellent product that has been improved through sound management practices with special attention paid to the
success of the operations customer base. To be awarded the title of Cattlemen of the Year, he or she must raise cattle and be an active member of his or her local cattlemen’s association. Educator of the Year The Educator of the Year is awarded to an individual or working firm demonstrating excellence in improving and expanding the knowledge base of South Carolina’s cattle industry. This person will have shown a special aptitude for working for and with the beef producers of the state to improve their general well being. This award can go to anyone who educates on any level (collegiate, public school, or industry) who is striving to educate and inform others about the beef industry or one who supports the betterment of beef production.
Industry Services of the Year This award shall be awarded to an individual or firm demonstrating excellence in improving or expanding the general working knowledge of the cattle industry in South Carolina. The successful recipient will have shown a care and concern to assist South Carolina cattle producers in the areas of production, management practices, environmental procedures, or marketing. Association of the Year Awarded to a local association, affiliated with the South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association, that has demonstrated excellence in servicing member’s needs through improving the environment that these producers operate within. There are several measures of performance including, but not limited to, professional development, diversity
of programming, social interaction, and sound management of the association’s business while adhering to the ideals outlined in the Mission Statement. You may turn in this application, or contact the SCCA office for an application via mail or by going to the SCCA website at www.sccatt|e.org and clicking on the link titled, “Awards of Excellence.” All applications must be postmarked, emailed, or faxed no later than January 22, 2020, to the SCCA office at: S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Attn: Awards Committee P.O. BOX 11280 Columbia, SC 292111 Phone - 877-859-9121 Fax - 803-734-9808 scbeef@scda.sc.gov
2020 Awards of Excellence Application Name of Nominee: _______________________________________________ Award he/she is being nominated for (please circle): • Cattleman of the Year
• Education of the Year
• Industry Service of the Year
• Association of the Year
Nominee’s Address: _____________________________________________ County Association: ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Name of Person Nominating the Applicant: __________________________ (Optional) In narrative form, please explain why you believe this nominee is worthy of this award. Additional pages may be attached:
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11th Annual SimAngus Solution …..…..……............…....…. 31 Bull & Replacement Female Sale 17th Annual Charolais Source Bull Sale ..…..…..…..…..….... 13 2019 Cowboy Logic Sale ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….... 19 2020 Perry & Doris Teeter Beef Leadership Institute ..…..... 67 2020 IRM Red Book Order Form ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…... 61 3rd Annual Boys from the South Bull Sale ..…..…..…..…...... 35 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus 2019 Fall Production Sale ….….… 25 4th Annual Pounds & Profit Sale ….….….….….….….…........ 27 44th Annual Union County ….….….….….….….….….….….... 36 Performance Tested Bull Sale Alltech ….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... 46 American Angus Association ….….….….….….….….….…... 18 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ….…..... 71 Back Creek Angus ….….….….….….….….….….….….….…... 71 BioZyme Incorporated — VitaCharge ….….….….….….….... 63 Black Crest Farm ….….….….….….….….….….….….….….... 71 Black Grove Angus ….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... 71 C-Cross Cattle Company ….….….….….….….….….….…...... 34 Bull & Female Production Sale Carolinas Animal Health ….….….….….….….….….….….…. 71 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ….….….….….….….….….. 14 Cottonwood Commercial — Court Manor For Sale ….….….. 45 Crystalyx …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... 3 Double J Farms ….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... 71 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. ….….….….….….….….…........ 71 EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale ….….….….….….…..... 29 F. Haniff Farms ….….….….….….….….….….….….….…....... 71 FPL Food, LLC/Chatel Farms ….….….….….….….….….….… 17 Fred Smith Company Ranch ….….….….….….….….….….... 71 Gallagher — Miraco ….….….….….….….….….….….….….... 53 H.J. White Farms ….….….….….….….….….….….….….….... 71 Harward Sisters Bull & Female Sale ….….….….….….….…. 58 Howard Brothers Farms ….….….….….….….….….….….….. 71 Hunt’s H+ Brangus ….….….….….….….….….….….….….…. 71 Hutton & Sons Herefords ….….….….….….….….….…........ 71 John Deere ….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….. 2 Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale ….….….….… 15 Kuhn Knight ….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... 55 L.E. Smith Cattle Equipment ….….….….….….….….….….... 32 Mix 30 ….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….… 9
The Carolina Cattle Connection
N.C. Angus Association Directory ….….….…....….…..….….. 22 N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sales ….….….….….….… 42 — Double Header N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application ….... 60 N.C. Hereford Association ….….….….….….….….….….….… 38 N.C. Simmental Association Directory ….….….….….….…... 30 National Beef Checkoff/ ….….….….….….….….….….......…. 11 North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance ….….….….….….….… 71 — The Wills Company Pearson Livestock Equipment ….….….….….….….….….….... 8 Premier Select Sires ….….….….….….….….….….….….….… 23 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ….….…... 33 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ….. 47 Shelton Angus • Dogwood Farm .….….….….….….….….….. 26 • Locust Level Farm Fall Bull Sale Smith Farm Trailer Sales .….….….….….….….….….….….…. 71 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale .….….….….….….….…... 44 Checkoff Investment Form Southeast AgriSeeds .….….….….….….….….….….….….….. 71 Southeast Livestock Exchange .….….….….….….….….….…. 54 — Upcoming Sale Schedule Southeast Regional Beef Conference .….….….….….….….... 59 Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic Sale .….….….….….….….…. 37 Springfield Angus .….….….….….….….….….….….….….….. 71 Springfield Angus Bull Sale .….….….….….….….….….….…. 28 ST Genetics — Bill Kirkman .….….….….….….….….….…..... 71 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2019 Spotlight Schedule .… 39 The Carolina Cattle Connection ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..… 70 Advertising Rates and Sizes The Partners Sale ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….... 24 Tokeena Angus Sale ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…. 20 Ultralyx ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….. 40 Vandemark Angus Fall Bull Sale ..…..…..…..…..…..…..….... 21 Virginia Herd Health Management Services ..…..…..…..….. 56 — Pat Comyn, DVM West End Precast — Feed Bunks ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…... 12 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ..…..…..…..….. 49 Whitehall Beefmasters ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…. 71 Wilkes Livestock Exchange ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…. 43 Yon Family Farms ..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….... 71
q NOVEMBER 2019
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VENTS ANGUS Nov. 1 — High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity Sale, Albemarle, N.C. Nov. 2 — NCAA 2019 Down East Sale, Beulaville, N.C. Nov. 2 — TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer 8th Annual Bull Sale, Chickamauga, Ga. Nov. 9 — C-Cross Cattle Company Bull & Female Production Sale, Biscoe, N.C. Nov. 9 — 18th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull SalecOxford, N.C. Nov. 9 — Spring Grove Ranch Sires of Distinction Sale, Appomattox, Va. Nov. 14 — Châtel Farms Open House Show & Tell, Reidsville, Ga. Nov. 16 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Rocky Mount, N.C. Nov. 16 — 11th Annual SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Nov. 16 — 8th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale, Clinton, N.C. Nov. 16 — Shelton Angus • Dogwood Farm • Locust Level Farm Fall Bull Sale, Gretna, Va. Nov. 16 — Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic, Wytheville, Va. Nov. 30 — 3rd Annual Boys from the South Bull South, Lebanon, Tenn. Nov. 23 — Tarheel Angus/4K Farm Production Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 6 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 7 — The Partners Sale, Rocky Mount, N.C. Dec. 7 — 4th Annual Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C.
Any news from your county? Be sure to share your meetings, sales, field days, etc., with your fellow cattlemen through the Connection! PAGE 72
Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 14 — 2019 Cowboy Logic Sale, Talmo, Ga. Dec. 14 — Springfield Angus Bull Sale, Louisburg, N.C. 2020 Jan. 4 — EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jan. 25 — Harward Sisters Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jan. 25 — Tokeena Angus Heifer Sale, Seneca, S.C. Feb. 15 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Mar. 7 — Iredell Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. CHAROLAIS Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 14 — 17th Annual Charolais Source Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. 2020 Jan. 25 — Harward Sisters Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. GELBVIEH Nov. 2 — TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer 8th Annual Bull Sale, Chickamauga, Ga. Nov. 9 — C-Cross Cattle Company Bull & Female Production Sale, Biscoe, N.C. Nov. 16 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Rocky Mount, N.C. Nov. 16 — Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic, Wytheville, Va. Nov. 30 — 3rd Annual Boys from the South Bull South, Lebanon, Tenn. Dec. 6 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. HEREFORD Nov. 9 — 18th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull SalecOxford, N.C. Nov. 16 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Rocky Mount, N.C. Dec. 6 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2020 Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2019
Red Angus Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2020 Jan. 25 — Harward Sisters Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. santa gertrudis Nov. 9 — 18th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull SalecOxford, N.C. 2020 May 8-9 — Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas 47th Annual Sale, Chester, S.C. SIMMENTAL Nov. 1 — High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity Sale, Albemarle, N.C. Nov. 9 — 18th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull SalecOxford, N.C. Nov. 9 — Gibbs Farms 14th Annual Bull & Replacement Female Sale, Ranburne, Ala. Nov. 16 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Rocky Mount, N.C. Nov. 16 — 11th Annual SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Nov. 16 — Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic, Wytheville, Va. Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2020 Jan. 4 — EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jan. 25 — Harward Sisters Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 15 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Mar. 7 — Iredell Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C.
OTHER EVENTS Nov. 5 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Nov. 9 — 18th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull SalecOxford, N.C. Nov. 5-21 — North American International Livestock Exposition, Louisville, Ken. Nov. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 9 — 18th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 16 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Rocky Mount, N.C. Dec. 3 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Dec. 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 6 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 7 — 44th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 7 — N.C. BCIP Waynesville Performance Tested Bull Sale, Canton, N.C. Dec. 10 — Southeast Regional Beef Conference, Clinton, N.C. Dec. 14 — 2019 Cowboy Logic Sale, Talmo, Ga. Dec. 20 — N.C. BCIP Butner Performance Tested Bull Sale, Butner, N.C. 2020 Jan. 4 — EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 1 — Clemson Bull Test Sale, Clemson, S.C. Feb. 28-Mar. 1 — 2020 Perry & Doris Teeter Beef Leadership Institute Mar. 7 — Iredell Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C.
IGHTER A little boy, at a wedding looks at his mom and says, “Mommy, why does the bride wear white?” His mom replies, “The bride is in white because she’s happy and this is the happiest day of her life.” The boy thinks about this, and then says, “Well then why is the groom wearing black...” * * * A man in Florida, in his 80s, calls his son in New York one November day. The father says to the son, “I hate to tell you, but we’ve got some troubles here in the house. Your mother and I can’t stand each other anymore, and we’re getting a
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divorce. I’ve had it! I want to live out the rest of my years in peace. I’m telling you now, so you and your sister shouldn’t go into shock later when I move out.” He hangs up, and the son immediately calls his sister in the Hamptons and tells her the news. The sister says, “I’ll handle this.” She calls Florida and says to her father, “Don’t do ANYTHING till we get there! We’ll be there Wednesday night.” The father agrees, “All right.” The old man hangs up the phone and hollers to his wife, “Okay, they’re coming for Thanksgiving. Now, what are we going to tell them for Christmas?”