CC C
arolina attle onnection NOVEMBER 2021 •
Vol. 35, Issue No. 11
Spotlight on
SHORTHORN
ONNECTION 2021 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts ............................................................................ page 72 2022 Clemson University Bull Test 28 Day Weigh Report, by Steven E. Meadows Ph.D. .......................................................................................................... page 17 A Message from the CEO — Earning the Investment, by Colin Woodall ................................. page 48 Alltech News ....................................................................................................................................... page 52 Amazing Grazing — Utilizing Wet Brewers’ Grains in Beef Cattle Diets, by Dr. Diedre Harmon …................................................................................................................ page 12 American Angus Association News .............................................................................................. page 26 American Gelbvieh Association News .......................................................................................... page 50 American Hereford Association News .......................................................................................... page 16 American International Charolais Association News ................................................................ page 73 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ................................................................................................. page 77 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Relighting the Fire, by Ashley W. Herring .......................................... page 10 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ....................................................................... page 59 Beef Improvement Federation News ............................................................................................ page 76 Beginning Again, by Morgan Boecker ............................................................................................. page 38 BioZyme Incorporated News ......................................................................................................... page 68 Carolina Cooking — Autumn Beef and Cider Stew .................................................................... page 68 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ........................................................................ page 32 Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update — BPOC - A Really Big Show, by Greg Hanes ..................... page 61 Certified Angus Beef® News ........................................................................................................... page 36 Clemson Offers App to Help Calculate Feed Rations ................................................................. page 76 Delivering Results for Members in Washington, D.C. ............................................................... page 74 Director’s Report — Giving Thanks For A Successful Fall, by Travis W. Mitchell ....................... page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Getting a Herd Moved - Part 1, by E.B. Harris ................................................................................................................................... page 14 Federation of State Beef Councils Update ................................................................................... page 62 From the Desk of the SCCA President, by Roscoe Kyle ............................................................... page 70 Gone to Texas Update! ..................................................................................................................... page 66 Grazing Lands Focus of Upcoming National Conference ........................................................... page 13 Letter to the Editor — Beef Even Better Tomorrow, by John R. Dykers, Jr. M.D. ................... page 35 Merck Animal Health News ............................................................................................................. page 54 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ....................................................................................................... page 26 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ............................................................................. page 64 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — Your Story Makes All the Difference, by Jerry Bohn .......................................................... page 56 New NCCA Members for 2021 ........................................................................................................ page 44 NEOGEN News .................................................................................................................................. page 73 Non-Profit Focuses on Mental Health Needs Across Rural America ...................................... page 75 North American Limousin Foundation News .............................................................................. page 77 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ................................................................... page 44 On the Edge of Common Sense — Deer Hunting Cow Lick, by Baxter Black ........................... page 15 Red Angus Association of America News ..................................................................................... page 55 Riomax 360 News .............................................................................................................................. page 72 S.C. Beef Council News, by Roy Copelan ........................................................................................ page 46 Sale Season in Upon Us!, by Steven E. Meadows Ph.D. .................................................................. page 43 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices .................................................................... page 46 Stocker Value Focus Shifting ........................................................................................................... page 50 Targeting Excellence in All They Do — Yon Family Farms Earns CAB Seedstock Commitment to Excellence Award, by Jessica Wharton & Nicole Erceg ................................ page 31 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker ………......................................................................……….. page 18 Trends in Food & Beef ....................................................................................................................... page 60 Vytelle News ...................................................................................................................................... page 75 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden .................................................................................................... page 20
N.C. Cattlemen’s Association President KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734
Vice Presidents BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425
The Carolina Cattle Connection Vol. 35, No. 11 NOVEMBER 2021 Sales & Publication Office
SCOTT WEST 489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850
2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
RYAN CLARK 5250 NC 772 Hwy, • Madison, NC 27025
Phone: 919-552-9111 Fax: 919-552-9216 Email: mail@nccattle.com Website: www.nccattle.com
Immediate Past President JEREMY LEE 5153 Battle Run Drive • Catawba, NC 28609 NCBA Policy Division Director - FRED SMITH, JR. NCBA Federation Division Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
is printed on 30 lb recycled newsprint by BN Printing in Benson, N.C.
Beef Board Director - ROBERT CRABB Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE
Manager, N.C.
STAFF
BRYAN BLINSON
Manager, S.C. TRAVIS MITCHELL Executive Director BRYAN K. BLINSON 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Editor & Advertising Director N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Director of Consumer Information ASHLEY W. HERRING Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE
S.C. Cattlemen’s Association
CASEY L. HINNANT
Assistant Editor & Proofreader KIM BURDGE N.C. Circulation
KIM BURDGE
Executive Director - TRAVIS MITCHELL S.C. Circulation To Be Announced P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138 Phone: 803-609-2828 Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection Email: twmitch@clemson.edu is not to be reproduced in total or in part Website: www.sccattlemen.wildapricot.org without the written permission of the Editor. All Executive Committee submissions become property of The Carolina President - Roscoe Kyle Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to 1st Vice President - Timmy Benton return items such as photographs and artwork as nd 2 Vice President - Joe Oswald IV requested. Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Thomas Legare
William Brigman, Latta • Joe Oswald, IV, Allendale Roscoe Kyle, Inman • Terry Kirkland, Batesburg Eddie Evans, Easley • Cecil Eaddy, Manning Thomas Legare, Johns Island • Richard Sox, Lexington Carol Hendrix, Westminister • Clay Alexander, Starr Timmy Benton, Walterboro • Michael Bailey, Lancaster Bonnie Cann, Abbeville • Thomas Jones, Marion Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Jack Ferguson, York Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews
S.C. Beef Council
Executive Director - ROY COPELAN P.O. Box 11280 • Columbia, SC 29211 Phone: 803-917-1119 Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov Website: www.sccattle.org
The Carolina Cattle Connection, the official publication of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association is published monthly by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. A complementary subscription is included with membership to each state’s association. Nonmember subscriptions are $30 per year.
All address changes for NCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 All address changes for SCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138
SHORTHORN About the Shorthorn Lassies … page 6
American Shorthorn Association Announces Release of Shorthorn and the American Cattle Industry … page 8 Our Story — Humble Stock Farm, by Bruce & Darlene Humble … page 6
History of Shorthorn Cattle… page 4
Shorthorn Beef — Locally Raised … page 8 Shorthorn Color Guide … page 7
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 1
SALE on
W-0 Packages
Alleyway Loadbars • W-0 Weigh Scale • Weighing Platform
MiraFount A3354-S
MiraFount A3465
THE BARN LOFT
1475 National Highway • Thomasville, NC 27360 Store - 336-886-1737 • Cell - 336-250-0572 www.thebarnloft.com PAGE 2
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Director’s Report By TRAVIS W. MITCHELL, Executive Director, SCCA
Giving Thanks for a Successful Fall The smell of fall is certainly in the air across the Carolinas. Cool mornings have been a welcomed change for us after a long, hot summer. It has been great to see so many of our youth exhibiting beef cattle at local and state fairs over the last few months. They put so much time and effort into their show cattle, and I am thankful this year they were able to exhibit them in person and receive the recognition they deserve. I want to say thank you to the many local cattlemen’s associations and their members who help make these shows possible. So many of you help by volunteering, providing facilities, and through financial support. I would also like to say thanks to the many 4-H agents throughout the Cooperative Extension Service who work tirelessly to put on these shows. Each of you is making a positive difference in the lives of these young people, and it will be something they will always remember. I would also like to say thanks to the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the S.C.
Cattlemen’s Foundation for the financial support that you give to so many youth livestock projects and events around our state. This year you donated to the S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up, S.C. Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program, and many other local youth livestock events. You also provided financial assistance through the S.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship program. Speaking of the scholarship program, I encourage you to go to our website and download the 2022 South Carolina Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship application. The scholarships will be awarded at our 2022 S.C. Cattlemen’s Annual Meeting and convention on February 4, 2022. As 2021 comes to an end, I would like to thank everyone for their membership in the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association. It is because of you that we have the resources needed to serve and protect the beef cattle industry, as well as invest in our industry for tomorrow and many years to come.
2021 S.C. Cattlemen’s Associaton Annual Meeting
We would like to extend a special
THANK YOU
to our associate members for their continuous support and sponsorship for the 2021 SCCA Annual Meeting. PRIME • Alltech • Brown’s Packing Company • • Carolina Agri-Power • Mereck Animal Health • Michelin • • S.C. Farm Bureau • Sumner Ag Services • Wilson Tractor •
CHOICE
S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting and Convention
Congratulations to the S.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship winners. From left to right: President Roscoe Kyle, Amaya Kearse, Tabitha Swygert, and Taylor Andrews.
S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Awards of Excellence winners. From left to right - Dr. John Irwin, Retiring S.C. Cattlemen Foundation Board Member; John Rogers, S.C. Cattlemen of the Year; Lee Vanvlake, representing the Pee Dee Cattlemen’s Association for Association of the Year; Dale Wilson, retiring S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Board Member; Billy Stoll, Representing Stoll Trailers for the Industry Service Member of the Year; Thomas Legare, S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Past President; and Roscoe Kyle, President of the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association. Not pictured is Dr. Steve Meadows, S.C. Cattlemen Educator of the Year.
• Ag South Farm Credit • Agri-Supply • • AirMedCare Network • Boehringer Ingelheim • CPC Carolina • Corteva • FPL Food • Gallagher USA • • Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales • Multimin USA • • Palmetto Custom Metal • Performance Livestock and Feed • • Purina Animal Nutriton • Ragan and Massey • • S.C. Hereford Association • Silveus Southeast • • Stay Tuff Fence MFG • STEC Equipment & Kioti Tractors • • Sweet Pro Feeds • Upstate InYOUrance MATTERS • • Yon Family Farms •
SELECT • Abbeville County Cattlemen’s Association • • Bacon Brothers Public House • Beaty Farms • • Ben Lake • Bruce Farms • Coleman Farm Supply • • Flowers Family Farm • • Laurens County Cattlemen’s Association • • Lowcountry Cattlemen’s Association • • Millwood Farms • Roper Creek Farm • • Rowdy Cow Farm • Sarratt Farms • • Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association • Shiloh 11 Farms • • Spartanburg Country Livestock Producers • • Three B Ranch • XJ Farms • The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 3
e Special
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
PAGE 4
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 2021
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,
Don’t get caught napping!
Deadline is 5th of month prior to issue!
e Special 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 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
Spotlight on
SHORTHORN
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. 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
Section f
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 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
The Carolina Cattle Connection
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.
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 5
e Special
Spotlight on
SHORTHORN
Section f
Our Story — Humble Stock Farm By BRUCE & DARLENE HUMBLE Our story started in 1967. A local man down the road from us in Liberty, N.C., had been breeding our dairy cows to a Shorthorn bull, and the match was producing really good calves. My dad began to talk about the breed more and more, which piqued my interest. Unsure where to start, my dad and grandmother went on the search and found a cow/ heifer calf pair about 22 miles away in Thomasville, North Carolina.
In December of 1967, at 11 years old (armed with every dime of money I could save from working in tobacco), Dad took me to Thomasville to pay for our first Shorthorn and my first cow. Early additions to our herd were from David Byrd in Rose Hill, N.C., and Harry McCann in Winchester, Virginia.
After getting two or three days off from high school to go with Dad, we purchased our first herd bull in 1974 from the Polled Congress Sale in Kansas City.
PAGE 6
Our present herd has registered and commercial cows, producing purebred and Angus/Red Angus F1 cattle. Cows are selected based on performance as well as easy keeping with docility and udder
In 1985, we improved the quality of our herd with four cows purchased from Waukaru Polled Shorthorns in Indiana. As we continued to grow our herd, numerous bulls have been used from Waukaru and other major breeders as well as A.I. breeding to assure that continued quality. A lot has changed. In 2006, a large setback occurred when my Dad, Elmer Humble, was killed in a farming accident. It was a great loss after working side by side with him for all of 40 years.
Another major milestone occurred when, at 59, this old bachelor got married. We changed the name of our operation from EA-RA-BA-H Farm to Humble Stock Farm. Things continue to change and improve. Our cattle now are marketed by private treaty, as well as some through the Southeast Shorthorn Association Blue Ridge Classic Sale with cattle selling as far as Iowa and Illinois. We sell steers privately at preconditioned sales and retained ownership with favorable results.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
quality. Our farm also includes a hog finishing operation and stocker cattle. Going forward, we intend to continue these good maternal, commercially oriented, mostly red polled Shorthorns as well as the F1 cattle.
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 2021
PAGE 7
e Special
Spotlight on
SHORTHORN
Section f
American Shorthorn Association Announces Release of Shorthorn and the American Cattle Industry Shorthorn and the American Cattle Industry was released on October 23 as the American Shorthorn Association kicked off their Sesquicentennial year as America’s first beef breed association. Written by Dr. Bob Hough and Dr. Bert Moore, this coffee table style book is unique without a doubt.
“Writing this book was a labor of love for Dr. Bert Moore and me.” Said Dr. Bob Hough, “We had the time, curiosity, and backing of the Association to dig deep into all aspects of the breed and our industry to reveal the important, but often forgotten events and people that have made the cattle business what it is today.”
2022 Spotlight Issues Schedule Most of the breed associations in North Carolina and South Carolina have stepped forward and renewed their contracts for Spotlight sections in The Carolina Cattle Connection for 2022. 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.
2022 Reserved Spotlight Issues
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
NOVEMBER DECEMBER
CHAROLAIS
FORAGES
ANGUS
-------------------------BRAHMAN
HEREFORD GELBVIEH
SIMMENTAL
SANTA GERTRUDIS
--------------------------
-------------------------RED ANGUS
For more information about your breed’s Spotlight Issue, contact:
The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 919-552-9111 • mail@nccattle.com PAGE 8
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Comprised of 26 chapters, 270 pages, and over 800 photos, the commissioned book exemplifies the American Shorthorn Association’s prestigious position in the history of the animal breeding industry. Andy Frazier, author, livestock historian, and host of the Podcast “Top Lines and Tales” of the United Kingdom, was “amazed at the depth of research the authors have gone to in order to underpin the origins of the Shorthorn breed.” He adds, “The opening chapters of this book are as equally fascinating to the non-agriculturist as they are to the cattle enthusiast in general.”
“This book depicts not only Shorthorn, but the American cattle industry as a whole,” states Executive Secretary/CEO of the American Shorthorn Association, Montie D. Soules. Soules goes on to say, “This becomes a must read for anyone who has ever had an interest in the purebred cattle industry. I doubt there will ever be another book written with as much detail as Dr. Hough and Dr. Moore have done. The authors did a great job.” Limited edition books are available now at shorthorn.org for ordering, with multiple pickup or shipping options to meet your needs.
Shorthorn Beef - Locally Raised In the early days of the global coronavirus pandemic, many Americans faced an unsettling reality: empty grocery store shelves. Dramatic changes set in almost overnight and left families spending all of their time at home, limiting trips to the store and buying in bulk to prepare for the unknown. While the pandemic sent shockwaves across all levels of the U.S. economy, it also provided the chance to serve consumers in new and creative ways. The American Shorthorn Association (ASA) recently launched an initiative to promote members who are offering beef products directly to consumers. It’s called Shorthorn Beef — Locally Raised. The Shorthorn Beef program is an avenue for connecting the breed’s cattle producers with those interested in buying locally raised beef. The effort includes promotional opportunities through social media, the ASA website, and other media platforms.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 9
Ashley’s Beef Corner
T
Relighting the Fire By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council We have been excited about the return to in person events, and this past weekend one of our favorites came back. The N.C. 4-H Beef CharGrill competition took place with enthusiastic grillers and their original recipes. Competitors bring their grill, recipe, beef, and set up for a complete grilling demonstration. They share their knowledge of the cattle industry, beef cut, and why they selected their cut. Judges ask questions to check their temperature goals, preferred doneness, and food safety knowledge. This year, our judges were Matt Morrison, N.C. State University Beef Unit Manager and livestock team coach; Robbie Carver, chef and Culinary Instructor at Johnston
Abby Bradley - Edgecombe County
Community College; and Russ Weimer, certified steak judge and 4-H alumni. We had a great fall day for grilling and were most impressed by the participants knowledge and passion for beef. They also shared their amazing recipes that will inspire you to enjoy more beef!
West End Precast 276-228-5024 Wytheville, Virginia
8 ft Concrete Feed Bunks
U or J Bunks - $170-$180 • Calf Bunks - $120
Water Troughs • Pads • Silo Sides Septic Tanks • Reservoirs PAGE 10
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Abby’s Cilantro-Lime Denver Steak Denver steak ⅔ cup fresh cilantro, chopped ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice 2 Tbsp fresh lime zest 4 garlic cloves minced ½ tsp red pepper flakes ½ tsp salt ½ tsp pepper ½ lime for juicing In a bowl, whisk together the cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, red pepper, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the Denver steak, and marinate from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 145ºF. Slice meat across the grain in thin strips and serve. Christian Stebe - Rowan County Angus New York Strip Steak with Honey Garlic Rub New York Strip Steak
Fresh grilled pineapple Put 1 Tbsp of rub on each side of the steak. Let marinate for at least 5 minutes. Cut up your pineapple into ½ inch slices. Cook your steak until it reaches medium rare. Take the steak off the grill and cover with tin foil; let sit for 5 minutes. Place your pineapple on the grill until it gets sear marks. We greatly appreciate the judges and all volunteers who made the event possible.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 11
Scutellun
Embryo
Endosperm
Husk
Acrospire & Coleoptile Rootlet & Coleorhiza
By DR. DEIDRE HARMON N.C. State University
PAGE 12
Aleurone Layer
Proximal Micropylar Region
Utilizing Wet Brewers’ Grains in Beef Cattle Diets The U.S. beer industry is estimated to be a 94.1 billion dollar industry with sales of 22,815,258 barrels (or 707 million gallons) of beer a year. It employs around 405,649 full time employees that make, on average, an income of around $47,017 a year. The U.S. beer industry is the second largest industry in the world, with close competitors of China, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany. Historically the U.S. market share of beer has been dominated by Anheuser-Busch and Miller-Coors, but in the mid 2000s, craft beer sales really
Awn
Pericarp + Seed Coat
Husk (Ventral = Palea)
Distal
Ventral
Figure 1 - Barley seed showing the major components of wet brewers’ grains, including the endosperm, pericarp, seed coat, and husk. Diagram by J.R.M. Brew.
started to take off in the United States. Although not a lot has changed in overall beer consumption among U.S. beer drinkers in the last 30 years, what has changed is the type of beer that is being consumed. Since the mid 2000s, we have seen a rise in the craft beer industry, with craft beer sales now taking control of around 12 percent of the overall total beer sales in the United States. So what is considered craft beer? The brewers association defines craft beer as being from a small or independent brewer with small production of fewer than six
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
million barrels of beer a year. Independent, meaning that less than 25 percent is owned or controlled by a beverage alcohol industry member that is not itself a craft brewer and the brewer itself has a TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) Brewer’s Notice and makes beer. The current craft beer industry can be listed into different segments such as regional craft breweries (such as New Belgium and Sierra Nevada), microbreweries (produce less than 15,000 barrels of beer per year), taprooms (at least 25 percent of beer sold onsite with no significant foodservice) and brewpubs (at least 25 percent of beer sold onsite with a significant foodservice/menu). In North Carolina in particular, we have a booming beer industry with 912,589 barrels of craft beer produced, which ranks eighth overall in the U.S. in states producing beer. The economic impact to North Carolina is estimated to be 1.8 billion dollars, and there are currently 13,177 full time employees, according to the brewers association, with an average income of $46,306. Since 2011, North Carolina has increased the number of breweries in operation every year, starting with around 50 in 2011 to now having over 350 as of 2020, with more expected to open in 2022. Most of these breweries can be found in three large clusters around the Raleigh area, the Charlotte Area, and finally, the Asheville area, which is known throughout the country as a premier destination for craft beer lovers. From a livestock perspective, having a booming beer industry in the state means a large supply of wet brewers’ grains, also abbreviated as WBG. However, the problem lies that within the three major clusters of craft breweries, there are relatively few head of beef cattle. According to the N.C. Ag Statistics, Wake has 2,000 head of beef cattle, Durham and Mecklenburg have such few numbers that the data is withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms, and Buncombe
County has around 7,500 head, which means that the beef cows in the state are generally not close to where the majority of the WBG is concentrated. The WBG consists primarily of the pericarp, seed coat, endosperm, and husk of the barley grain (Figure 1). The brewing process may vary from craft brewery to craft brewery and even beer to beer, but in general, the barley grain must first go through a malting process that involves steeping in a water bath, germination of seed, and drying back down. After the barley is malted, it then goes through a mashing process where it is milled, added with other grains like corn or rice, and once again mixed with water and heated. This mixture is then separated into the wort or the liquid that goes on to make the beer and the WBG. The WBG makes up around 85 percent of the total waste of the brewing process and in 2016 produced 39 million metric tonnes of waste globally. This roughly estimates to be about 44 lbs WBG per 26 gallons of beer produced. Thus the volume of WBG produced in North Carolina is of great advantage to livestock producers. In addition to the volume of byproduct available, WBG is also a relatively nutrient dense feedstuff. According to Dairy One Feed Composition Library (Figure 2), on a dry matter basis, WBG on average consists of 29% crude protein (CP), 74% total digestible nutrients (TDN), 10% fat, 0.34% calcium (Ca), and 0.69% phosphorus (P). The biggest downfall in nutrient content of WBG is the average 24 percent dry matter content, meaning that 76 percent of the feedstuff is actually just water. This poses great problems for many cattlemen when it comes to transportation, storage, and feeding, all of which I will get to later in this article. Besides the limitations associated with the high water content, WBG is a nutrient dense feedstuff that can be a good supplement for forage based diets and for all classes of animals. In addition to having a high crude protein content, WBG is also a good source of
Grazing Lands Focus of Upcoming National Conference
Figure 2 - Average nutrient content of wet brewers’ grains submitted to the Dairy One Laboratory and taken from the dairy one feed composition library.
rumen undegradable protein or protein that is untouched by the rumen microbes and passes on through the rumen and can be used directly by the animal in the small intestine. Much of the current research has suggested that growing cattle can be supplemented up to 0.7 percent of body weight of WBG, and late gestation cows have had no problems when fed up to 0.5 percent of body weight. There is some research suggesting that the inclusion threshold may be around 30-40 percent of total dry matter intake, with which rumen fill at this point may become an issue with the volume of water intake. Challenges with the moisture content of WBG extend beyond that of just questioning how much water a cow can consume. There are also challenges in regard to transportation and storage. Although WBG is typically free or appears on the surface to be much cheaper by the
Regular copy deadline is NOVEMBER 5 for the DECEMBER issue!
Is there a problem?
ton than other commodity feeds, one must keep in mind the moisture content of WBG. It is not cost effective to haul water, and the heavy weight added by the moisture of the feedstuff can cause wear and tear on equipment. Additionally, hauling WBG may also require special trailers to prevent seepage, which is negatively viewed by the public. So when trying to figure out whether or not WBG is a good deal in comparison to other feedstuffs, make sure to account for the moisture content and associated trucking costs of hauling water. Additionally, this moisture content can limit the storage length of the feedstuff. In high humidity and temperature climates, WBG storage can be limited to 2-3 days before mycotoxins and molds can start to cause problems. In the winter months, storage length can be extended, but in the spring and summer months, spoilage has been shown to occur in as little as 12 hours after receiving a load of WBG. Therefore, the options for storage are to either not store it at all and feed it quickly after a load is delivered or have a method to store it where oxygen cannot access the feed, such as in an ag bag. If working directly with a brewery to pick up loads of WBG, keep in mind that a constant supply of WBG is being generated, and pickup and thus feeding of WBG may have to occur daily. Nonetheless, many producers in North Carolina have been very successful at having a concurrent stream of WBG being both fed and supplied to the farm. The booming beer industry in North Carolina has created a steady supply of WBG available for upcycling by the beef industry. Although WBG is dense in nutrient content, challenges with transportation, storage, and feeding due to moisture content may prevent many producers from utilizing this byproduct feed resource.
The 8th National Conference on Grazing Lands, hosted by the National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC), will take place December 6-9 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. To register for the conference, visit cvent.me/4BMkbg. Featured speakers at the conference include: • Representative Glenn Thompson (invited) of Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee • Meredith Ellis of G Bar C Ranch in Rosston, Texas The second day will begin with a panel discussion on mental health in agriculture. Three agricultural producers will explain how to recognize the signs of distress and how to get help. Panelists are Ryan Sexton, a rancher from Nenzel, Neb.; Jessica Peters, a dairy farmer from Meadville, Penn.; and Terri Hawbaker, a dairy farmer from Pewamo, Michigan. Participants can also choose from more than 60 concurrent sessions that cover a wide range of grazing lands issues. On December 9, participants have training and tour options available: • Regenerative Grazing: A Deep Dive presented by Dr. Allen Williams, a farmer from Winston-Salem, N.C., and founding partner of Grass Fed Insights, LLC. • Grazing 101, Record Keeping, and Soil Testing Training will occur at the Thompson farm in Conway, South Carolina • Agrotourism presentation at the Thompson Farm and a beef cattle operation tour. • Social Media Training • Hopsewee Plantation in Georgetown, South Carolina. NatGLC is also making two scholarships available, the Lynn Myers and Hezekiah Gibson Memorial Scholarships. Each scholarship will provide $500 to cover conference attendance costs. The scholarships are supported by proceeds from the silent auction. If interested in donating items for the auction, contact Kim Stine at kim@grazinglands.org. In addition, there are two other scholarships available. One is the NCBA Rancher Resilience Grant provided by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to support cattle producer attendance at impactful educational events. The other is a $500 South Carolina Forage and Grazing Lands scholarship for South Carolina producers interested in attending the conference. The National Grazing Lands Coalition was founded in 1991 to ensure high quality technical assistance is available to private grazing land managers on a voluntary basis and to increase the awareness of the importance of grazing land resources. The work is carried out through coalitions of individuals and organizations functioning at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Coalitions include livestock producer organizations, scientific and professional grazing resource organizations, conservation and environmental groups, state and federal natural resource agencies, and other agricultural interests. More information can be found at www.grazingland.org/grazing-conference.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 13
E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture By E.B. HARRIS
Getting a Herd Moved - Part 1 I came into the office the other night and, by my usual routine, went over the list of people I had to return calls to. One of them was a note to call Charles Woodlief about selling his cow herd. I am going to give you a little history on Charles. He has been a friend and customer for many years. Charles and my brother, Jimmy, were in class together at NCSU. They graduated together in 1969. Charles was a good customer of the Granville County feeder calf sale. He would bring good solid calves that would seem to fit in the right spot. Most of them were five weight steers and heifers, and most were black baldies. I had made mention to Shane in the past few months that Charles had been a regular customer to bring cattle to the house for us to send to the weekly market sales, but we had not heard from him lately. I gave it a little thought before I called him. Charles is right on Hwy. #1, approximately 30 miles north of Raleigh, a few miles north of Kittrell and south of Henderson. Charles’ cattle have always had an easy disposition, and he tried to use very good bulls over the years to continue to improve his cow herd. He
purchased bulls for several decades from Frank Harris, a fellow cattleman who would travel the state over and purchase top notch bulls. Frank would use them a couple of years and save the heifers off them and then sell the bulls to Charles. The last few years, Charles would come to our auctions and buy high quality bulls. I gave Charles a call, and he went on to say, “E.B., I guess it’s been more than 60 years that I have been in the cattle business and my feet are giving me a lot of trouble and I feel like I can’t take care of the cattle anymore.” We set up a date when I could come up and ride through the herd and make a market plan that would get him the most for his cattle in the time frame he wanted them gone in. I took the liberty of throwing a few bags of feed in the back of my truck and headed over to Charles’ on the day we were to meet. I met him at his back door, and he got in my truck and directed me where to go. It had been some time since I had been on the farm. I had been there in the ‘70s and ‘80s to load some cattle for him. As we drove to the backside of the farm, we talked about how many head he thought was out
there. He said, “It’s one big BWF bull, and I’m not sure exactly how many cattle we have, but I think it’s around 103 head. There was a group of 25 first calf heifers in the pasture close by the house and grain bins. The others grazed on more than 100 acres of pasture and woodland. He was directing me where to go. We went over to the back pasture and there was a group. He said to go on through to the next pasture to the back corner, and there was a group there. We worked our way back up, and the cows were curious. I walked down to the biggest group and took some pictures and notes that would help in marketing the cattle. While I was standing there looking at the largest group, they started milling toward the truck. A cow’s curiosity can get up without saying anything, and they will start calling up the rest of the herd. There were a few of them talking, and in a few minutes, you would hear another one where we had come from answer. I looked, and they were coming across the field. Charles feeds his cows in the winter in a feeding area with several 10’ feed troughs using some commodity feed, ground ear corn, and other feed products,
“If you have cattle, pastureland, or raise hay like I do, you need to call Donna Byrum. In 10 minutes on the hood of my pickup, she signed me up for a program that I had no idea about. The next time she came by the farm, she brought me a check! ~ E.B. Harris
DONNA BYRUM
First Choice Insurance 252-792-1189 • fcipllc@gmail.com
For all your crop insurance needs! PAGE 14
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
and stretches his hay a good way. We drove up to the feed area, and even though he had not fed them at the feed troughs as they were on grass, they started coming toward the feeding area. I asked Charles if it would be ok if I put a little feed out. He said sure, so I put out a few bags of feed, and in just a few minutes, I got a count on them and added in the first calf heifers with their calves. We came right up on over 100 head of cattle. I think it was 104. Charles said, “I think that is pretty close to all of them except I think I have a few out on the hay field that has been sprayed that is mighty rich. I understand I have some over there but I have not been able to get them back in. I figured I had better concentrate on the bigger group first.” He runs a two strand electric fence, and the cattle are gentle, so he felt like they stick close by to the cattle in the pasture. Time was of the essence to make this happen and get them marketed and be safe for all concerned, so we came up with a plan that I would bring my portable wheel corral and some extra corral panels. We thought we could get the bigger group fairly easy if he started feeding them in that general direction. Charles’ help started moving troughs closer to the pasture on the road where we could get the wheel corral in. I set up the corral, and his man started feeding them for a few days. We planned on the given date to get the cattle up. Plans were for us to have two semi and two gooseneck stock trailers. We could get those more than 100 head fairly easily. We arrived shortly after daybreak on Tuesday morning, and everything went pretty much to plan except about ten younger calves did not want to go in the corral. I asked Charles if we could use his truck to go down and rearrange the corral, close the big group off in the front of the corral, and then open up the corral panels and ease around the group of calves. Shane and I got in Charles’ truck since the calves were used to that. All the other trucks and trailers were staged out of sight down the road ½ mile to keep all cattle calm. We worked those ten calves up
fairly easily. They wanted to go to mama. Being on a truck or motorized vehicle, they seemed to handle a lot easier than somebody on foot because they always see that person on foot as prey to them. We got them in, got the cattle loaded, and Barry left on the pot with the biggest group going to our farm. We were going to palpate, match calves, and make groups. While he was doing that, we moved the corral to the pasture close to the barn.
First, calf heifers came in with their babies fairly easily. We got them loaded up and on out of there in fairly short order. It makes you feel good when you can handle a group of cattle and everything goes off as planned, just about ABC right down the line very timely and all came together. It worked well for all concerned, and the cattle came out with new homes. This article will be continued next month.
Baxter Black
On the edge of common sense Deer Hunting Cow Lick
I’ve got a mule deer hangin’ on my wall from northern New Mexico, so I could relate to Rafael’s story. He had joined two of his cousins for a deer hunting trip near Cuba, N.M., where his uncle had a cabin. They arrived late and missed the first day because cousin Dee Dee was going through changes in her life. To be fair, Dee Dee was a good hunter, so her ditsy behavior was unexpected. Rafael had agreed to guide, cook and pack. He was up at 5:00 a.m., getting the cookstove ready, the firewood gathered, and making a racket. By 5:30, he could hear Dee Dee getting ready. A waft of something floral floated from her room. A sugary sweet lilac scent filled the cabin and made his coffee taste funny! “What the heck are you doing?” he asked. “Putting on lotion,” she answered. “Women of a certain age need to protect their skin.” He knew she was recently divorced, and maybe she was trying to be more desirable. That could explain her mood swings. He tried to be understanding. They left the cabin at 6:30 a.m. Rafael knew the better hunting areas, so he led. In his backpack, he stuck in a bottle of water, a skinning knife, twine, and trail mix for himself. The rest of his backpack carried her essentials; sugarless Gatorade, cookies, sardines, crackers, smoked oysters, aspirin, AlkaSeltzer, toothpaste, toothbrush, energy
bars, peanut butter, hairbrush, half a cantaloupe, matches, Steno, clean T-shirt and socks, binoculars, extra ammo, GPS, 2-way radio and TP. All this in spite of the fact that he had casually reminded her that they planned to be back to the cabin by Beer:30. By 10:00 a.m., they had picked a blind along a well traveled trail. In a short time, they heard a small herd of cows coming their way. They had been handled and were not spooked by the humans. Bringin’ up drag was a big red-brown Beefmaster bull. He sniffed the air and cautiously walked toward our hunters. Dee Dee got itchy. “Just don’t move,” whispered Rafael, “Don’t be aggressive and he won’t hurt you.” They stood like Easter Island statues as Big Red walked up to Rafael and took a mighty whiff! Then he stepped to Dee Dee. “Hold still,” she heard Rafael say. She froze in fear, her eyeballs about to pop out. Big Red stretched out his huge neck, ran out his big ol’ slobbery tongue, and licked Dee Dee across the mouth! Epilogue: The bull ran over Rafael, trying to escape Dee Dee’s screaming! Rafael went down, smashing the cantaloupe in his backpack, trying to escape! And Dee Dee hung her pant leg upside down on a barb wire fence trying to get away! Finally, they managed to evade a swarm of bees by dousing Dee Dee with toothpaste and the sugarless Gatorade mix. It came off like stucco.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 15
The 2022 Hereford Feedout Programs Announced. Two industry leading programs provide cattlemen and youth with real world experience. As two of the industry’s leading educational opportunities, the American Hereford Association (AHA) feedout programs offer participants an inside look at the cattle feeding industry and the merits of raising quality cattle. Developed as a way for cattlemen and women across the country to prove the worth of their genetics, the AHA established the Hereford Feedout Program in 2020 and the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Fed Steer Shootout contest in 2017, with both programs relocating to HRC Feed Yards, Scott City, Kan., in 2021. The 2022 Hereford Feedout Program
News and NJHA Fed Steer Shootout provide breeders the opportunity to collect valuable carcass and performance data, maximize profit potential, and expand marketing avenues. Both programs provide participants with a real world experience in the cattle feeding industry and give a first hand look into their genetics at work. Hereford breeder and participant in the Hereford Feedout Program, Darrin Reed, Clay Center, Kan., advocates for breeders to participate in the program. “Breeders and commercial cattlemen alike can get the data back to prove what they are doing is working for their operation,” Reed says. “At the end of the day being profitable is the number one goal for commercial cattlemen and
registered breeders. You couldn’t ask for an easier program to work with and getting the data back is invaluable information.” The program has become a valuable asset for breeders to understand how their cattle perform in a feedlot through the data collected. Trey Befort, AHA director of commercial programs, has witnessed the growth of the program since its inception. “From the beginning, our goal has been to provide breeders and junior
Fowken
members the opportunity to better understand the cattle feeding industry through a real world experience,” Befort says. “The information participants receive on their cattle has become a foundation for the future success of the Hereford breed as producers strive to breed cattle that will perform for commercial cattlemen.” With future leaders of the beef industry in mind, the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout was developed to provide junior
Our advertisers are “Champions” too. For expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies, check the Classifieds in this issue!
Farm
CATTLE FOR SALE ON THE FARM
More than 70 years of breeding grass type cattle!
Carcass Data • Fescue Suited • Southern Bred EPDs • Breeding Soundness Exam on Two-Year-Old Bulls *** Check out these high quality maternal genetics and the calves they produce! ***
Fowken Farm, LLC - 328 Fowken Farm Rd. • Jonesville, SC Greg Fowler • 864-426-7337
Norris Fowler • 864-219-0182 www.fowkenfarm.com
PAGE 16
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
(17 miles south of Spartanburg)
Rogers Fowler • 864-426-3281
members the opportunity to collect feed yard performance and carcass data while gaining a broad knowledge of the cattle feeding and packing industries during the comprehensive educational contest. Blake Bruns, North Platte, Neb., participated in the 2021 NJHA Fed Steer Shootout and attended the inaugural educational field day hosted at HRC Feed Yards. “It is very important for youth to get involved in programs like these because they learn more about the cattle industry,” Bruns says. “This teaches them so much more about the feedlot, nutrition, feeding steers and caring for them, and opens more career paths for them.” All cattle will be delivered to HRC Feed Yards from December 11-15. To properly prepare cattle for the feed yard, interested participants are encouraged to review and follow the suggested preparation protocol developed by HRC Feed Yards. More information, the enrollment
form, and the specific protocol for the Hereford Feedout program can be found at hereford.org/genetics/breed-improvement/ feedout-program/. To learn more about the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout, visit hereford. org/youth/njha-fed-steer-shootout/. Contact Trey Befort, tbefort@ herefordbeef.org with any questions about the programs. About the American Hereford Association. The AHA, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The notfor-profit organization, along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI), and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth, and research. For press releases and photos, visit Hereford.org/media.
2022 Clemson University Bull Test 28 Day Weigh Report By STEVEN E. MEADOWS, Ph.D., Clemson University I am happy to report a great set of bulls were delivered to the Clemson University Bull Test on August 3. A nice, cool day greeted the bulls and consignors from Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. After the two week warm up period, the bulls started the test on August 17. The performance and health of the bulls have been great! This past 28 day weigh period, the bulls gained 4.9 ADG/day, which is outstanding for the first period taken on September 14, 2021. A breakdown of individual performance saw the Lot 15 bull posting a 7.01 ADG and WDA of 3.23. The bull is a son of EXAR Denver 2002B and is consigned by Bridges Beef Cattle in Shelby, North Carolina. Following close behind was the Lot 11 bull, also consigned by Bridges Beef Cattle, that posted a very strong 6.61 ADG. The junior Angus bull division had some standouts as well, with Lot 42, a Shuffler Angus Farm consignment of Dr. Eugene Shuffler of Union Grove, North Carolina. This young son of SS Niagara pounded the scale with an ADG of 6.57 and a WDA of 3.55 pounds. The senior and junior Simmental division had a very tight race as all bulls performed well. The top senior Simmental was consigned by Rick Wood of Woodland Farms in Clarksville, Georgia. The junior Simmental division saw a son of CLRS Dividend 405D, consigned by Shady River Farms of Calhoun, Ga., post a 3.86 ADG in that division. Never let it be said the SimAngus bulls were not in the hunt. Lot 68, a son of KBHR High Road E283 and consigned by Cooks Cattle Service in Buckhead, Ga., averaged 5.27 WDA and ratioed 128 in the senior division. The junior SimAngus division saw the consignment from AK/NDS in Six Mile, S.C., ring the ADG bell with a strong and impressive 5.71. In other breed divisions, Larry Cantrell had the top two Red Angus bulls for both senior and junior divisions, while Misty Hill of Walhalla, S.C., garnered the top Balancer ADG categories. Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, S.C., saw his Hereford bulls top the ADG category. The 56 day weights and ultrasounds for senior bulls were done on October 12. All performance for the bulls is listed at www.clemson.edu/extension/bulltest/ clemson/2022-files/28-day-weigh-report.pdf.
Check out the
North Carolina Hereford Advantage at
www.nchereford.com 4B FARMS, LLC Shelby, NC Bryson, Wren, Beau, Belle, Bonnie & Bennet Westbrook 980-230-4868 • brysonw@thewestbrookco.com
McCOY CATTLE FARM Cove City, NC Myron & Charlie McCoy 252-229-4602 mccoycattlefarms@gmail.com
4K RANCH Nelson, VA Rick & Linda Kern 919-272-6124 4kranch@bellsouth.net
MITCHEM’S FARM 3C Vale, NC Wayne, Crystal, Regan & Jordan Mitchem 704-472-4369 mitchemsfarm@bellsouth.net
AWC CATTLE COMPANY Winston-Salem, NC Andie & Wes Carpenter 336-970-1655 • jcarpenter@alphagraphics.com www.windmillacresfarms.com
NORTH PINO LAND & CATTLE COMPANY Mocksville, NC Kevin Robinson 336-940-2547 • kevrob1@aol.com
BLINSON POLLED HEREFORDS Lenoir, NC Keith & Peggy Blinson - 828-310-4526 Bryan & Beth Blinson - 919-422-9108
TAYLOR’S MILL FARM Zebulon, NC J. Brent Creech 919-801-7561 tmfherefords@icloud.com
DOUBLE J FARM Traphill, NC • Earlysville, VA John Wheeler 910-489-0024 • doublejfarmllc@yahoo.com www.doublejfarmllc.com
TERRACE FARM Lexington, NC Jim, Linda & Chad Davis 336-247-1554 jgdavis101@yahoo.com
FIVE J’S BEEF & CATTLE COMPANY Clayton, NC Jody & Angela Standley Kim Prestwood (Manager) • 828-320-7317 - Kim jodystandley@gmail.com
TRIPLETT POLLED HEREFORDS Statesville, NC James Triplett 704-902-2250 triplettmarble@bellsouth.net
GRASSY CREEK FARM Bullock, NC Scott, Pam, Hailee, Lillee & Elizabeth Bissett 919-482-1176 Bissettsp1@gmail.com
W&A HEREFORDS Providence, NC George, Tammy, William, & Andy Ward 434-251-3637 waherefordfarm@comcast.net
HEREFORD HILLS Greensboro, NC Bill Kirkman III 336-382-9635 ST Genetics Representative
NCHA Secretary/Treasurer
LOOKABILL FAMILY LIVESTOCK Lexington, NC Reggie, Patty, Tyler & Noah Lookabill 336-240-2142 rlookabill6015@gmail.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
Myron McCoy
252-637-4995 nchereford@yahoo.com www.nchereford.com
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 17
Junior Award. Our very own Cara Smith of Pleasant Garden has served this past year as President of the American Junior Simmental Association, and she talked about what the AJSA has done this past year. She reported that they had a wonderful Junior National in spite of being in the middle of a pandemic. Cara Smith received a huge round of applause
THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL
By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association NCSA Annual Meeting. The N.C. Simmental Association Annual Meeting took place on September 3 at Shuffler Sale Facility in Union Grove. The crowd may have been a little smaller than usual, but everyone had a great time and enjoyed the beef prepared by Roy Swisher with
Jeff Broadaway is presented with a plaque for serving as a director by President Charlie Thomas.
Nate Bowman is presented with the Outstanding Junior Award.
The cake for the annual meeting.
potatoes and beans, followed by a great locally made cake and even some banana pudding! The meeting was called to order
N.C. Simmental Association 1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 336-468-1679 • www.ncsimmental.com • NCSA@yadtel.net Like us on Facebook! PAGE 18
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
by President Charlie Thomas, and an invocation was given by Jeff Broadaway. This past year the consignors of the top SimAngus and Simmental bulls at Waynesville were Nicholson Livestock. The Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship was given to Lynae Bowman of Germanton. Lynae is the daughter of Neil and April Bowman. Junior Advisor Amy Thomas talked about youth activities and presented Nate Bowman with the Outstanding
Fred Smith is presented with a plaque for serving as a director by President Charlie Thomas.
American Simmental Association 1 Genetics Way • Bozeman, MT 59718 406-587-4531 • www.simmental.org
Nathan Long meets fellow Simmental breeder Bruce Cuddy 20 years after he exhibited cattle on Bruce’s farm as a child.
for doing such a great job representing our state as President of the AJSA. Fall Harvest Sale Manager Doug Parke talked about the great sale offerings and also talked about some of the history that happened here in North Carolina. He had Bruce Cuddy talk about the Eastern Regional Classic that he hosted at High Ridge Farms back in 1991. There was a youth at that Eastern Regional, Nathan Long, who did very well. It just so happens that Nathan Long is now a professor of animal science at Clemson University and was in attendance at the annual meeting as a Fall Harvest Sale consignor. It was pretty special to see that investing in our young people
all elected by the members in attendance. The meeting was adjourned for the auction of donated items, and many great items were sold. The top selling item was a German Chocolate Cake made by Teresa Swisher of Crescent Goodies, and it sold for $235 to Ray Brewer of Lexington. The next top selling item was a vintage Simmental Sweatshirt and Simmental’s American Journey book donated by Jennie Rucker. This combination item sold for $170 to Cara
…and happily wins the bid!
calf sired by W/C Fort Knox 609F out of HILB Miss Versace E57C and her recipient mama. This lot brought $6,000 and sold to Nicholas Impagliazzo of White Wing Simmental of Arkansas. This lot was consigned by Erin Beth and Preston Pinkston of Silver Springs Angus in Norwood, North Carolina. The
second top selling lot was Lot 65, a bull consigned by Shuffler Farms Simmentals of Union Grove. This bull is sired by JBS Big Casino 336Y and was bought by William Hill of North Carolina for $4,600. The top selling bred heifer was another Shuffler Farms consignment, SFS Rosalie XG52, sired by KCF Bennett Fortress and safe to KCF Bennett Assertive. She was purchased by Parks Helms of Monroe for $4,400. The sale grossed $154,785, with 69 lots selling for an average of $2,243. The bulls grossed $14,600 to average $2,433 and the open heifers grossed $25,480 to average $1,416. The bred females grossed $93,150 to average $2,272. Cattle sold to buyers in ten different states, including as far away as Illinois and Montana. Thank you to everyone for a successful sale, and it’s time to start planning for next year!
Marty Perry studies the sale catalog.
Smith. The auction raised $1,010. Then the excitement built as the raffle ticket was drawn. Director Zack Moffitt of Concord won the Stihl 271 Farm Boss chainsaw that was graciously donated by Erin Beth and Preston Pinkston of Pinkston’s Lawn Mower in Wadesboro, North Carolina. Thanks to the Pinkstons and to everyone that bought raffle tickets.
Some of the bulls offered at the Fall Harvest Sale.
now is an investment in the cattle industry for the future. Other first time consignors recognized were Lynae and Neil Bowman, Darryl Freeman, Adam Andrews, Jason Blackburn, Will Crump, and Jeff Welsh. Our outgoing directors were recognized with a plaque for their service to our association. Those directors were Fred Smith, Myra Neal Morrison, and Jeff Broadaway. Jeff Broadaway was able to serve another term, so he was nominated, again along with John Langdon and Marvin Hutchison. These directors were
Young Jonathan Massey bids on a bred female…
Fall Harvest Sale. The Saturday of the Fall Harvest Sale was a beautiful day, and many people were in attendance to bid on the quality cattle, semen, and embryos that were offered. The top selling lot was Lot 64A, a red heifer
Neil and Nate Bowman look over the bred heifers.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 19
You Decide! By DR. MIKE WALDEN
William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus N.C. State University You Decide: Should Economic Growth Be A Goal? Although today we live in a fractious political environment, there is one area of widespread agreement among individuals and groups of differing political perspectives. It is that economic growth is good. Administrations and elected officeholders of both major political parties praise economic growth, especially when it happens on their watch. Cheers are heard, and positive statements to the press are released when job growth is strong, the unemployment rate plunges, and companies’ production and sales are good. When the opposite occurs – fewer jobs, higher unemployment, or weak production – worries are heard, and economists are asked what can be done to put the economy back on track. It’s easy to understand why economic growth is the accepted goal. Growth means more jobs and more income for many workers and companies. Additionally, firms with higher sales will be more willing to hire and offer higher pay to workers. For investors, economic growth usually leads to higher stock values. However, there are critics who point to problems resulting from economic growth. Waste, rising prices, pollution, more traffic and congestion, and the psychological negatives from being pushed to be bigger and better are some of the downsides raised by doubters. Those who question economic growth have often been heard in North Carolina’s fast growing metropolitan regions. So, who’s correct, the growth supporters or the growth doubters? Or is there a middle ground? Growth supporters argue boosting the size of the economy is necessary for a country increasing in population and desiring higher standards of living for its residents. With more people, more jobs are needed, additional products and services must be provided, and consequently, more spending will occur. Plus, to improve their lifestyles, workers will pursue occupations with higher salaries, which in turn generates even more spending. Growth supporters reply to some of the complaints of the growth doubters by pointing to one simple fact. Countries with higher standards of living tend to spend more creating pollution abating
PAGE 20
technology, developing improvements in health care, contributing to charities, and providing larger “social safety nets” for struggling individuals. This makes sense. As economic growth pushes standards of living higher, societies can move away from focusing mainly on staying alive to worrying about broader issues like pollution and the environment. Plus, richer societies will have more available income and wealth to devote to these problems. While growth doubters may acknowledge these benefits from faster economic growth, they say it isn’t enough. In rich countries, roads are still congested, pollutants continue to be released into the air and waters, landfalls are clogged with thrown away products, and open fields are being replaced with subdivisions. Growth doubters worry the future is still threatened by economic growth. Economists are trained to recognize these issues. Indeed, economists have a term for these by-products of growth – “negative externalities.” A negative externality occurs when I do something that benefits me – like purchasing a new washing machine – yet doing so creates harm for society – such as adding my discarded washing machine to a landfall. Fortunately, economists have created an approach for addressing negative externalities, and using it can create a middle ground between the growth supporters and the growth doubters. The idea from economists is simple – have the generator of the negative externality recognize it by paying a fee for the harm it creates. Imposing such a fee can have two beneficial results. For those who still engage in the activity or purchase the product that causes the negative externality, the fees will create funds to help mitigate the adverse results. However, others may react by deciding the additional fee makes the activity or product too costly, thereby encouraging them to use alternatives that do not produce negative externalities. Examples of these “negative externality” fees are fees on fuels that generate carbon dioxide, fees to drive in congested areas, disposal fees added to the purchase price of limited life products like electronics and appliances,
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
and development fees to purchase and preserve open space. While these fees make the cost of living higher today, they can make the harmful by-products of a prosperous and growing economy lower both today and tomorrow. Hence, there can be three alternative approaches to economic growth: promote it, curtail it, or promote it but have policies in place to deal with growth’s potential negative consequences. You decide which is the best! You Decide: What Will the Fed Do? During my 43 years of teaching economics at N.C. State University, my favorite part of the introductory economics class was the topic of the Federal Reserve. I’d open the lecture by asking students if they’d like to buy things without deducting any funds from their financial accounts. Heads would nod, “yes.” Then I’d follow up by asking if they knew of a person, company, or institution that could do that. Perplexed stares signaled “no.” Happy I now had their attention, I would tell the students there actually is an institution that can buy things without deducting an account. Effectively, the institution does so by printing money. Its name – the Federal Reserve System, or “Fed” for short. The Fed is the central bank of the country. In this role, the Fed has many important duties, such as supervising banks. But the most important power of the Fed is monetary policy. The Fed uses its ability to create money – paper in the old days, digital today – to expand or contract spending in the economy and to raise or lower key interest rates. Using this power, the Fed has the ability to move the $24 trillion national economy. We can see the Fed at work during the COVID-19 pandemic. A large part of the $6 trillion the federal government has appropriated to help households, businesses, and institutions get through the pandemic was financed by the Fed. How was this done? The federal government issued debt, called Treasury securities, to pay for the various COVID-19 relief programs. The Fed bought large amounts of these Treasury securities by creating more money. Indeed, the nation’s supply of money almost doubled in the past two years. In effect, the Fed enabled the federal government to rescue the economy from the pandemic. The statistics show the results. After plunging during the Spring of 2020, the economy came roaring back in the summer and fall. Amazingly, median household income was higher in 2020 than in 2019, and the poverty rate was lower after this aid was included. Although COVID-19 is still with us, some measures show the economy has fully recovered. Indeed, attention has now turned to issues typically seen in a strong
economy, specifically higher inflation rates and tight labor markets. To contain inflation and labor costs, the Fed would put its current policy in reverse. The Fed would sell Treasury securities and pull money out of the economy, and it would also nudge interest rates higher. The current Federal Reserve governing board has indicated it may be ready to turn monetary policy around. This means the Fed would be de-stimulating, or slowing, the economy. While this may be good for containing inflation that can be caused by too much money creation, there’s also the possible downsides of slower job growth and higher unemployment. This is not a new dilemma for the Fed. Congress has given the Fed two mandates: maintain full employment but also achieve low inflation. Unfortunately, the two goals don’t necessarily go together. Full employment often leads to a tight labor market and faster rising costs and prices. To achieve low inflation, sometimes slower economic growth has to be tolerated. The two goals can be reached together, but getting there may be hard. There’s also the matter of timing. A risk of continuing rapid money creation and low interest rates is that higher inflation rates will become deeply embedded in the economy. Then, lowering those high inflationary expectations becomes tougher and can require the hard medicine of a severe recession. The country went through this scenario 40 years ago, in the early 1980s. Rising inflation rates were left unaddressed for several years, ultimately reaching double digit annual rates for two straight years. Then, under a new Fed chairperson whose orders were to end rampant inflation, the Fed slammed on the monetary brakes. A deep, multi-year recession resulted in lost jobs and incomes. However, the upside was that high inflation rates disappeared. There are some economists who fear we are at a similar point to where we were forty years ago. While much higher than in recent years, today’s annual inflation rate is still half of what it was in the early 1980s. Hence, the goal of reducing inflation to where it was before the recent rise - one percent to two percent annually - is within striking distance. But if the Fed waits too long and inflation continues to spike, then the task - and the cost in jobs and incomes – will be much greater. The Fed is an amazing institution. That’s why I loved teaching about it to students. The Fed has the ability to change the course of our economic ship, and rather quickly. Right now, the Fed is debating its future course. Its decision will have profound impacts on the entire economy and every individual and business.
Continued on page 18
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 21
You Decide! continued from page 16 Paraphrasing an old ad, “When the Fed speaks, we should listen.” You decide if this is good advice to follow, especially now. You Decide: Is A Wealth Tax In the Future? Trillions of dollars were added to the national debt during the COVID-19 pandemic as the federal government poured money into the economy to avoid a long and deep collapse. Now national legislators are considering spending trillions more to address physical and social infrastructure issues. To avoid putting all this new spending on the national financial tab, some are advocating new federal taxes. One idea is to enact a national wealth tax. How would a wealth tax differ from the existing federal income tax? To use a little economics lingo, income is a “flow” whereas wealth is a “stock.” Income is earnings over a period of time, usually a year. For persons, income is what they derive from working and from payments from their investments. For a company, income is mostly receipts from sales. In short, income is what “flows” to a person or business. In contrast, wealth is the value of investments on a specific date after subtracting debt. All kinds of investments are included, such as savings accounts, stock and bond holdings, ownership of real estate, and anything else that has value. Just like when I took inventory in the furniture store where I worked as a youth, evaluating wealth means “taking stock” of your investments on a specific date. The value of wealth is much larger than annual income. The Federal Reserve estimates private wealth in the U.S. in 2021 at $140 trillion. In contrast, annual income in 2021 is expected to be $20 trillion. So, one reason why a wealth tax is being considered is it is a very, very large, mostly untapped source of financial value. Another reason some favor a wealth tax is inequality. Wealth is more concentrated among higher income households than is income. For those who want higher income households to pay a larger share of taxes than other households, a wealth tax would accomplish this goal. We already have some wealth taxes in the country, mainly at the local level. Property, such as the value of homes and commercial structures, is commonly taxed by cities and counties. For many local governments, property tax revenues are the largest single source of their public spending. How would a wealth tax work? Conceptually, implementation of a wealth tax would be straightforward. Once a year, the value of a person’s wealth would be identified. A tax rate would be applied to that wealth to calculate the tax amount. For example, using the total national private wealth of $140 trillion this year,
PAGE 22
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
a tax rate of one percent would yield $1.4 trillion of revenues to the federal government. If all current federal taxes are kept, such a wealth tax would increase federal tax revenues by 37 percent. Just like the current income tax, households would likely pay their estimated wealth tax in monthly or quarterly payments, with adjustments for over-payments or under-payments done annually. Although a wealth tax appears to be simple, it has many issues and questions. While there are specific measures for many forms of wealth – stocks, bonds, and bank savings accounts are examples – there aren’t for all types. Real estate, including homes, is a case in point. Unless your home has been sold recently, there are only estimates of its value. Local government offices make official estimates, but these usually aren’t done every year. So, for homes, a process would need to be developed to generate annual values. Accessing all wealth could also be an issue. Many U.S. citizens have investments in foreign countries. The IRS would have to develop processes and protocols to improve reporting of those assets. A practical problem of wealth is it can be much more volatile than other economic measures, such as income and spending. Just think about the big downs and ups of the stock market during the height of the pandemic in 2020. This characteristic makes forecasting tax revenues from wealth more challenging. Then there’s the controversial question of who should pay a wealth tax. Like taxing homes in local jurisdictions, should everyone who owns wealth pay the tax? Or should only wealth holders above a certain level of income pay? Indeed, most of the current proposals for a wealth tax would apply the tax only to very rich people. Alternatively, should a wealth tax be set up like the income tax, where there are lower tax rates for lower income households, as well as deductions that reduce the amount of a person’s wealth subject to the tax? Some economists also worry about the broader economic impacts of a wealth tax. Would the tax discourage saving and investing, which are crucial for supplying the funds for building homes, starting businesses, and financing new innovations? If the answer is yes, then a wealth tax could slow economic growth and curtail improvements in our collective standard of living. I predict we’ll hear more about a wealth tax – especially at the national level – in the coming weeks and months. Like most important matters, it’s worthwhile to think about the details of any wealth tax before you decide to be pro or con.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 23
PAGE 24
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 25
ANGUS NEWS American Angus Association Announces the Ten North Carolina and South Carolina Breeders Who Registered the Most Angus. The ten producers who registered the most Angus beef cattle in the state of North Carolina recorded a total of 998 and in the state of South Carolina recorded a total of 2,088 Angus with the American Angus Association during fiscal year 2021, which ended September 30, according to Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer. The ten top recorders in North Carolina are: • Springfield Angus Farm in Louisburg • Upper Piedmont Research Station in Reidsville • The Biltmore Company in Asheville • Broadway Cattle Farm in Monroe • Fulcher Farms in Godwin • E. Bruce Shankle II of Polkton • Gragg Farms in Boone • Smith Creek Angus Farm in Norlina • Windy Hill Farms LLC in Ramseur • Panther Creek Farms in Pink Hill • Uwharrie Ridge Farms in Asheboro The ten top recorders in South Carolina are: • Yon Family Farms in Ridge Spring • Black Crest Farms in Sumter • Edisto Pines Farm LLC in Leesville • Tokeena Angus Farms in Seneca • Kenneth Currie of Bishopville • Marvin D. Cooper of Bennettsville • Walter Shealy III of Newberry • Lee Clinton Farms in Clover • Yonce Promised Land Farm in Ridge
PAGE 26
Spring • Homestead Farm in Cameron • Tica Farms in Ridge Spring Angus breeders across the nation in 2021 registered 313,138 head of Angus cattle. “Our Association members lead the industry in adopting new technology and breeding the most problem free cattle for their customers,” McCully said. “Cattlemen across the country continue to find registered Angus seedstock are the most profitable option for their herd.” Angus Convention Offers Cattleman Focused Education. Take advantage of countless educational opportunities November 6-8. Angus breeders, commercial cattlemen, and beef industry enthusiasts can make legendary progress at the 2021 National Angus Convention and Trade Show in Fort Worth, Tex., November 6-8. A Texas sized weekend full of networking and entertainment, attendees can get the most bang for their buck by participating in thought provoking educational sessions. “Angus Convention is a great opportunity for Angus breeders to tap into education to further their businesses,” said Mark McCully, American Angus Association chief executive officer. “We are excited to provide sessions for every cattleman, regardless of operation type.” Back and better than ever, Angus University breakout sessions will be held on November 7. With 12 sessions to choose from, attendees will learn about marketing their operation, Angus tools
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
and services, industry advancements, and ways to improve their business. In the Making Your Mark track, cattlemen and women can attend sessions on branding their operation, the value of the registration paper, and utilizing today’s tools to create catalogs. New Angus breeders should attend the Learning Angus track to hear about AAA Login, AIMS, and the basics behind EPDs. The Cutting Edge educational track will cover the industry’s latest trends, including gene editing, sustainability, and reproductive technologies. And learn about programs like AngusLinkSM, the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, and Angus Herd Improvement Records during the Advancing Your Herd track. “Education goes beyond workshops,” McCully said. “We’ve truly packed an entire weekend full of information for cattlemen and women.” A genetics symposium, sponsored by NEOGEN, will take the main stage on Saturday afternoon. During the Finding Balance Panel, breeders will share their experiences with breeding plans and objectives. They will offer insight into how long term strategic planning has benefitted their operation’s goals. In addition, Kelli Retallick-Riley, AGI president, will present new information on Sustained Cow Fertility, research that will help breeders identify longevity and ultimately improve their bottom line. Interpreting genetic data and advancements in technology will be the highlight of a Navigating Genetic Data session sponsored by Zoetis and held in the Priefert Cattle Demo Area. Association staff will help breeders with DNA and Angus Herd Improvement Records data collection, and commercial cattlemen can learn new marketing avenues in the Capturing Value session. Other industry partners will present topics and technologies in the Learning Lounge.
NACTS is the annual highlight event for the American Angus Association and includes keynote speakers, breakout sessions, entertainment, and a trade show. In addition, the business of the Association will be conducted during the 138th Annual Convention of Delegates. For more information about NACTS, including registration and a complete schedule, visit www.angusconvention.com. 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.
N.C. Weekly Auctions Report
(Week ending OCTOBER 07, 2021) Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $117.00 - 168.00 400-500 $124.00 - 154.00 500-600 $120.00 - 150.00 600-700 $118.00 - 142.00 700-800 $107.00 - 134.00 800-900 $108.00 - 134.00 Heifers
300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 700-800 800-900
$110.00 - 153.00 $109.00 - 136.00 $102.50 - 135.00 $95.00 - 130.00 $94.00 - 115.00 $90.00 - 96.00
Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $49.00 - 68.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $49.00 - 68.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $60.00 - 76.00
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 27
PAGE 28
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 29
A powerhouse Teamwork son with muscle, growth, and maternal strength in a moderate frame.
A mature West Point son with phenotype, carcass quality, and milking ability in a moderate frame.
4 year no-nonsense on bulls • Genomic tested Free delivery in the Continental United States Discounts for volume bull buyers and buyers hauling on sale day
PAGE 30
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Targeting Excellence in All They Do — Yon Family Farms Earns CAB Seedstock Commitment to Excellence Award By JESSICA WHARTON & NICOLE ERCEG, Certified Angus Beef® Family. Commitment. Value. It’s more than a catchy saying or after thought marketing slogan on sale books. It’s the Yon way of doing business. First generation seedstock producers Kevin and Lydia Yon, along with their children, Drake, Sally, and Corbin, have been continuously improving their farm since 1996 when they drove the first fence posts on what was a 100 acre abandoned peach orchard.
Today, a herd of nearly 1,500 Angus cattle grazes their lush green pastures on the coastal plains outside of Ridge Spring, South Carolina. Establishing a world class seedstock operation in the Southeast didn’t happen overnight, and the family humbly insists they’re no different than many others. Indeed, their vision, use of technologies, and dedication to deliberate improvement make them unique. The pursuit of quality in every detail of their operation earned the Yon family the Certified Angus Beef 2021 Seedstock Commitment to Excellence award. The Bottom Line - Early adopters of technology, the Yons learned to leverage data. From utilizing artificial insemination and embryo transfer to embracing carcass expected progeny differences (EPDs) and value based marketing before they were the
norm, the family harnesses the power of information for strategic decision making. “We’re a family owned seedstock operation that lives and works with the cattle,” Kevin explains. “If we always make decisions about breeding better cattle, well then, we will breed better cattle. We have a long term vision of always moving the cattle in a positive direction while keeping an eye on important economic traits.” Next to many bulls in the Yon sale book sits a small logo that holds significance for a rancher’s bottom line. The CAB Targeting the Brand™ logo signals genetic value and potential, telling buyers which sires’ progeny are most likely to qualify for the brand. “We target and our customers target the Certified Angus Beef brand,” Drake says. “Number one, they’re going to get paid more for a calf that qualifies for Certified Angus Beef, but they also feel a real sense of pride when their calves do meet Certified Angus Beef standards.” The logo highlights registered Angus bulls with a minimum marbling EPD of +0.65 and an Angus Grid Value Index of +55 or higher. In the last four years, the Yons raised more than 600 sires that meet these standards. That’s 72 percent of the more than 450 Angus bulls they market through their production sales annually. “We target the Certified Angus Beef brand because to us, it’s the mark of excellence. It’s the mark of quality,” Kevin says. “It’s the best of the best. And we don’t want to just be good. We don’t want our customers just to be average. We want to strive for excellence in all we do.” The Cattle That Customers Want Kevin does mean all. “Although we put a lot of emphasis on marbling and ribeye and carcass traits, we can never take the eye off that mama cow. Or just off those basic
traits that will help cattle to thrive in their environment,” Kevin says. “And that’s the good thing — Angus cattle can do both.” To serve their southeastern customer base, they focus on developing cattle that thrive in a grass based, humid, long growing season. They strive to be a one stop shop for maternal, carcass, and easy to manage cattle. They also market 250 females through an on-farm sale each year, but not before the cows prove their value. “With our registered females, we give them time to make cows and measure longevity,” Kevin says. “It’s not about breeding for the next sale; it’s about a long
term breeding philosophy. We really care about making the cattle better.” Building Together - The Yons built their farm as a family, and what began as Kevin and Lydia’s hopeful vision, each child has now embraced as their own. Committed to creating something worthwhile together, sharing values, and value with others is their shared pursuit. “It’s not always a great way to make a living, but it is truly a great way to live,” says Kevin. “We feel like this is what we were put here to do. To raise high quality beef, raise cattle, raise grass, raise children, and raise grandchildren.” And to do it all with excellence.
Smith Creek Angus Farm On-Farm Bull Sale THE PARTNERS SALE
has been canceled for the second year, but you don’t have to miss out on the same great genetics!
Saturday • December 4, 2021 • 11:00 a.m. at the farm in Norlina, N.C.
Selling 25 Yearling Bulls FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
MARTY ROOKER
SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM 703 Rooker Dairy Road • Norlina, NC 27563
252-257-2078 • 252-213-1553 (cell) The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 31
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Weeks ending SEPTEMBER 7, SEPTEMBER 21, and SEPTEMBER 28, 2021)
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, September 7, 2021, Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, September 21, 2021, and WNC Livestock Exchange Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, September 28, 2021. All cattle in this report are located in North Carolina and South Carolina. Prices FOB the farm or local scale and many weighed with a 0-2 percent shrink and sold with a 5-10¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only.
Cattle Receipts: 4,465
Last Month: 5,582
Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 57 percent steers and 43 percent heifers. Nearly 91 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds. FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1)
Head 81 127
Wt. Range 600-600 765-765
Avg. Wt. 600 765
Price Range $160.00 $155.75
Avg. Price $160.00 $155.75
Delivery
Head 62
Wt. Range 780-750
Avg. Wt. 780
Price Range $156.00
Avg. Price $156.00
Delivery
Avg. Wt. 775 770 755 775 755 800
Price Range $156.00 $154.50 $161.50-$170.00 $152.50 $161.00-$163.50 $165.00
Avg. Price $156.00 $154.50 $165.72 $152.50 $162.26 $165.00
Delivery Natural Split Loads Value Added Value Added Value Added Value Added
Avg. Wt. 760
Price Range $142.25
Avg. Price $142.25
Delivery
Avg. Wt. 762 750 800 813 870
Price Range $138.25-$141.00 $157.00 $155.00 $155.50-$163.00 $161.50
Avg. Price $139.59 $157.00 $155.00 $159.49 $161.50
Delivery Value Added Natural Value Added Value Added
Avg. Wt. 700
Price Range $143.75
Avg. Price $143.75
Delivery Natural
Avg. Wt. 700 715 725 708 750 875
Price Range $151.00 $147.00 $143.75 $138.50-$150.50 $148.00 $149.00
Avg. Price $151.00 $147.00 $143.75 $146.14 $148.00 $149.00
Delivery Value Added Value Added Value Added Value Added Value Added Value Added
800
$133.75
$133.75
Guaranteed Open
650 680 725 730 750 785
$141.00 $150.00 $128.50 $150.25 $140.00 $151.75
$141.00 $150.00 $128.50 $150.25 $140.00 $151.75
Natural Value Added Guaranteed Open Value Added Natural Value Added
FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2)
Head 81 43 67 204 83 135
Wt. Range 600-600 670-670 725-725 700-730 725-745 700-735
Avg. Wt. 600 670 725 710 733 717
Price Range $160.25 $162.00 $156.00 $149.00-$155.00 $152.00-$153.00 $159.75-$161.00
Avg. Price $160.25 $162.00 $156.00 $151.96 $152.42 $160.36
Delivery Value Added Natural Split Loads Value Added
Head 63 46 129 63 129 61
Wt. Range 775-775 770-770 750-760 775-775 750-760 800-800
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1)
Head 77
Wt. Range 640-640
Avg. Wt. 640
Price Range $145.00
Avg. Price $145.00
Delivery
Head 65
Wt. Range 760-760
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2)
Head 90 58 68 70 136 134
Head 78
Head 84 35 75 75 25 70 20
78
94 12 26 77 78 73
Wt. Range 550-550 585-585 620-620 690-690 710-710 700-745
Wt. Range 625-625
Wt. Range 575-575 645-645 650-650 650-650 650-650 690-690 710-710
630-630
525-525 530-530 565-565 630-630 625-625 675-675
Avg. Wt. 550 585 620 690 710 722
Avg. Wt. 625
Avg. Wt. 575 645 650 650 650 690 710
630
525 530 565 630 625 675
Price Range $160.00 $151.00 $152.50 $155.00 $150.00-$157.00 $160.00-$162.25
Price Range $145.00
Price Range $135.25 $147.00 $141.00 $146.00 $144.00 $150.00 $146.50
$137.00
$142.00 $144.50 $139.00 $146.50 $150.25 $130.00
Avg. Price $160.00 $151.00 $152.50 $155.00 $153.50 $161.16
Avg. Price $145.00
Avg. Price $135.25 $147.00 $141.00 $146.00 $144.00 $150.00 $146.50
$137.00
$142.00 $144.50 $139.00 $146.50 $150.25 $130.00
Delivery Split Loads Split Loads Natural Natural Value Added
Head 129 65 55 180 56
Wt. Range 750-775 750-750 800-800 800-840 870-870
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1)
Delivery Guaranteed Open
Head 35
Wt. Range 700-700
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2)
Delivery Guaranteed Open Split Loads Guaranteed Open Natural Split Loads Value Added Split Loads
Head 69 68 67 239 65 55
Wt. Range 700-700 715-715 725-725 710-740 750-750 875-875
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1) Guaranteed Open
61
800-800
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Guaranteed Open Split Loads Split Loads Natural Value Added Guaranteed Open
37 71 68 66 45 62
650-650 680-680 725-725 730-730 750-750 785-785
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
PAGE 32
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 33
PAGE 34
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Letter to the Editor — Beef Even Better Tomorrow By JOHN R. DYKERS, JR. M.D. New Hope Farm, Siler City, N.C. Most of us have only two personal experiences of the reality of beef: the price of hamburger or steak at the grocery store or restaurant and the joy of eating. All of us have a legitimate concern for our health and the health of our only home planet. The connection between our experience and our concern is important and varies in different parts of our world. One connection is certain, cattle eat grass (cellulose, that famous fiber humans cannot digest) and make hamburger and steak. There are many voices that make a living from multiple tiny parts of that process, some in praise and some in criticism. You already know about the high quality of beef protein and its ability to carry iron into red blood cells, a most difficult human chemistry. There are small and big businesses that make a living doing parts of that process. Most all strive to do and understand better, but some are “sot in their ways” or make a noise out of their bias. It will take time for some major changes, and collectively we will encourage those changes. My voice is that of a biologist, chemist, physician, cow/calf cattleman turned purebred Charolais breeder, feeder, processor, and retail CharLean sales. I have helped mama get pregnant, have her calf, had her sniff at the back of my neck while I ear tagged her baby, and weighed and measured it just as I did for my human mamas and babies. I have bottle fed calves who lost their mama. I have dug rocks out of her pasture and moved rocks to the creeks so her grass would grow. I fenced ponds and streams, so her water was protected. I have cut brush into gullies, “pertectin” the
land. I have weaned her baby fenced next to her, so neither was stressed or lonely while junior made a well fed change from baby to mature. I’ve made the hard choice who stayed on to raise the next babies and who went on to make your great CharLean steak, a transition I eased as much as possible, even making great leather and no waste. I tempted you with delicious samples at the farmer’s market and reveled in your bragging when you made repeat purchases. Parts of the industry will change with new technology and increased opportunity for monetary and planetary efficiency. Today, the United States produces 18 percent of the world’s beef with six percent of the world’s cattle. I like to think I played a small part in that with early data collection for more efficient production before computers that are opening vast new opportunities. I built a meat processing plant for availability closer to production. The next plant will be on wheels, likely self driving, electric, and robotic processing. It will go to the ranch, process and sort cuts there, and ship directly to consumers. Cow/calf producers will learn new skills to finish at home. We will build new business models, perhaps using our cattle as capital (the Cow/Calf Cattle Corporation). We have already learned we can move feed to the cattle less expensively than moving cattle to feed. Avoiding comingling will mean no need for antibiotics in feed. Gathering for processing will be brief and healthy. Even the bureaucrats will have to facilitate rather than obstruct. I disapprove of adding my voice to methane and mooloos by even mentioning
them, but both have garnered attention as playing a role in climate change. In my honest opinion, climate change is vitally important. See Sex and the 21 st Century:AR-W/(P-I) x ATroc = Q: Vol. l God Made Men Too; Vol. ll - The Price Of Eggs Is Down; and Vol. III - Every War Is An UnCivil War. All are 66-100 5”x7” pages in 16 font for easy reading and hard thinking. They are all available on Amazon Kindle and in paperback. Methane is CH4; there are other compounds in natural gas. CH4 reacts with O2 (oxygen) and sunlight to make CO2 (carbon dioxide) and H2O (water), and a tractor engine runs it like natural gas. Cows burp methane when they chew their cud to digest grass. Humans poop methane when we eat beans or salad. In cows, both stool and urine are properly labeled together as manure. Both will compost, making great fertilizer to grow grass and make more beef faster and avoid burning forests to make pasture, a definite NO-NO. If beef cells can be grown directly from nutrients brought to the laboratory, they may become real competition for cattle, one of the prods for present beef producers to
The Carolina Cattle Connection
innovate. We have no fear of competition. We do scorn nonsense. One retailer’s pearl to close: Tenderness is most important and is most directly related to youth, not marbling. Fat is the most expensive part of beef to produce. Taste wants a little fat when we are hungry, not so much if we eat slowly. See Pleasure Per Calorie on Amazon Kindle and in paperback. It’s a very helpful tool for those of us who want to lose a pound or several and enjoy eating.
NOTICE
Letters to the editor are welcome and we appreciate your input. HOWEVER, letters that are not signed will not be considered for publication.
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 35
North Carolina Angus Association ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling. 455 GORE FAMILY ANGUS Mark & Lori Gore Tabor City 702-401-8005 455goreangus@gmail.com www.455farms.com 4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 rdk.cefa@gmail.com BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) robinbackcreek@att.net Facebook: Back Creek Angus BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com BRITT FAMILY FARMS James Britt Calypso 919-738-6331 jrb4070@hotmail.com FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net GRAGG FARMS Paul, Chris, & David Gragg Boone 828-268-4136 (Paul); 828-268-4137 (Chris) 828-268-4135 (David) H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 jennham@bellsouth.net HARWARD SISTERS Brooke, Marcie, & Mattie Harward Richfield 704-322-9770 (Brooke) 704-322-5201 (Marcie); 704-322-0831 (Mattie) harwardsisters@gmail.com www.harwardsisters.com HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 gmhill@uga.edu JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com
PAGE 36
LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Bundy Lane - Manager Gates 252-398-7705 (Bundy); 252-398-7719 (Miranda) 252-357-1279 (Office) bundylane@hughes.net laneangusbeef@gmail.com www.laneangusbeef.com PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 sandjfarms2013@gmail.com SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Alex Askew Louisburg 919-880-9062 (Phil) 910-260-2899 (Alex) philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 greg.little@ATImetals.com VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 keaton@vandemarkfarms.com WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 (Mike); 336-460-7451 (Will) michaelmoss@rtmc.net WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 bensbulls@gmail.com WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com
Sharon Rogers
NCAA Executive Secretary 336-583-9630 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Certified Angus Beef News From Insights to Solutions. Feeding Quality Forum shares perspective on future demands. Years of progress in efficiency and genetics may not be enough to satisfy the demands put on cattle producers moving forward. That was the message from speakers at the 2021 Feeding Quality Forum, hosted by Certified Angus Beef (CAB) on August 24-25 in Fort Collins, Colorado. They say there’s more demand for beef than ever, new challenges, too. Sustainability - Sustainable beef production was at the forefront of conversations, with a caveat: emotion and science are on equal footing, noted Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, director of AgNext at Colorado State University (CSU). Data concludes beef can be a sustainable product, but often consumers are faced with a polarizing narrative that challenges their values and emotions towards animals. “Emotion wins every time” when it comes to a food brand, she said. “The beef industry still has an incredible story to tell from an impact on a product-produced basis,” she shared. “But we’re starting to lose control of that narrative because overall emissions are still increasing.” Stackhouse-Lawson said livestock’s contribution to total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) is only 3.8 percent. But that’s up 20.7 percent since 1990. This evolving landscape of customer expectations directs regulatory changes. It’s why JBS joined other beef processing companies and announced a climate goal to reach global Net Zero GHG emissions by 2040. “This wasn’t just an idea on a whim of something that we wanted to do,” said Nikki Richardson, head of
communications for JBS USA. “I think that the sky is the limit when it comes to identifying ways to have collaborative projects and things in place where we’re benefiting producers and ultimately getting closer to reach our goal.” The ambitious goal will require working together. For now, Stackhouse-Lawson said cattlemen should focus on land management and improving efficiencies around performance. Technology gives producers that opportunity, said Justin Sexten, strategic and product lead for Performance Livestock Analytics, a part of Zoetis. When managing more than one pen, not one single animal represents the average, yet decisions are made in groups to increase average performance. From a sustainability perspective, some cattle in a pen may need additional resources. However, in most cases, all animals receive the same resources, whether or not they’re needed. “We have to find a way to manage from an individual perspective,” he said. Global Impact - Dan Basse, president at AgResource Company, said China’s bout with African Swine Fever reduced that country’s pig population, and therefore more beef moved into the country. This year’s beef exports to China are at ten year highs, despite exponentially higher costs to get it there. Basse said managing feed costs will be difficult for beef producers. Severe drought challenges in the U.S., Russia, Brazil, and Argentina have brought a shortage of corn in the world, even though world corn trade is still strong. “I don’t think corn prices are going back to anything with a sub-five in front
of it for the years to come,” Basse said. On the bright side, beef demand is the highest in more than a decade. More disposable income, thanks to COVID-19 relief, means consumers are eating more beef. “The long term for cattle looks really quite extraordinary and bullish for the next couple of years,” he said. Beef Supply - If you’re on the sale side of that equation, more demand means higher prices. To those buying beef, that means it’s getting more difficult to source product. “The customers think that we have printed menus that are disposable because of COVID,” said Dale Zimmerman, owner of two North Dakota restaurants. “It’s because we don’t know what we’re going to have in the cooler that day.” Victoria Philips, president of Lombardi Brothers Meats, agreed: “Our biggest issue is definitely the supply.” Her business model is constantly shifting due to inconsistent supplies. When restauranteurs cannot get their regular product, Philips and her team help them find beef and develop creative ways to apply it on menus. In many cases, price
point is no longer the biggest obstacle, she said. “Our job is to make sure we get the product restaurant need,” she said. “And that can change overnight.” Changing Carcass Trends - Clint Walenciak, CAB director of product services, and Daniel Clark, CAB meat scientist, shared data from nearly eight million Angus type fed cattle to see how increasing hot carcass weights (HCW) affect CAB acceptance. “We see HCW at 40-50 pound swings to 70 pound or greater swings between those seasonal lows to seasonal highs,” Walenciak said, noting 20 pounds
is a big adjustment within 12 months. Black hided cattle must meet ten carcass specifications to qualify for the brand. The data revealed a positive trend between HCW and marbling, but also with ribeye size and backfat (the four CAB specifications most missed). “When average fed cattle HCW gets above 900 pounds, we’re going to start kicking out more and more cattle,” Clark explained. “Below 850 pounds, then the cattle probably just aren’t reaching their genetic potential.” The pandemic created a backlog of fed cattle where feedyards saw what happens when cattle have more days on feed and consequently higher HCW. The use of feeding technologies, such as ractopamine, abruptly stopped for cattle with no guaranteed slaughter date. That came with the unintended consequence of helping researchers answer questions cattle feeders otherwise may never have tested. Just feeding cattle longer can have the same response as feeding beta-agonists for lean gain in the last month of the feeding period. Brad Johnson, meat scientist at Texas
The Carolina Cattle Connection
Tech University, shared survey results that ractopamine usage is not back to pre-pandemic levels and is not expected to return. In a future market with stricter requests, he warned not to give up on technology yet. “I’m not just talking about implants,” Johnson said. “All technology, data management, and maybe some natural feed additives that can improve marbling and reduce GHG emissions.” The future will be about finding good relationships, sound science, and sharing a story that resonates, said Keith Belk, CSU head of the animal science department. “You can’t do a good job of addressing industry issues with research or educating the next generation of students unless you have good partners to work with,” Belk said. Visit CABcattle.com for more Feeding Quality Forum coverage. Student Opportunities at Certified Angus Beef. Careers are built around connections and experiences. For college
Continued on the next page
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 37
Certified Angus Beef News continued from the previous page students interested in building a better future through beef, Certified Angus Beef created Youth Beef Leaders Seminar (YBLS). Held December 15-17, attendees see how the brand markets premium beef at the Certified Angus Beef Culinary Center in Wooster, Ohio. College students pursuing a cattle or food degree are encouraged to apply for the all expense paid travel awards. “It’s a very unique networking opportunity to meet other passionate young beef leaders and get to know people from other backgrounds,” says Kara Lee, assistant director of producer engagement. Students attending YBLS include the National Junior Angus Association Board of Directors, Miss American Angus, leaders from the Canadian Junior Angus Association, and Colvin scholarship recipients. Attendees
PAGE 38
will test their beef knowledge as they learn how value is distributed across a carcass, consumer expectations, and what makes CAB the best beef for consumers. Students will gain an inside look at what it takes to operate a global beef brand, learning from industry experts who share perspectives across the supply chain, from producers and packers to those selling and serving premium beef. Attendees will build their professional network beyond production agriculture by interacting with the brand’s meat scientists, chefs, and beef cattle experts. “Certified Angus Beef is incredibly diverse in terms of the type of skillsets and areas of expertise that we have on staff,” Lee says. “We have folks with backgrounds in advertising, food photography, culinary arts, event planning, communications, legal policy and more.” YBLS topics include: • Global protein market insights • Consumer demands beyond the pasture • Carcass grading and fabrication • A deeper understanding of the brand and its benefits for registered Angus
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
breeders Lexi Hicks, a student at Mount Royal University in Canada and 2020 YBLS attendee, says the seminar gave her a greater understanding of the beef industry. “What I learned gave me a greater
respect for the product that all of us Angus breeders are putting on the table,” Hicks says. “I am more aware of the product and want to make sure people understand the quality of beef they are eating.” For Hicks, the hands-on experience
Beginning Again By MORGAN BOECKER, Certified Angus Beef® Sometimes I write out a to-do list just to see what I accomplished. Write a news release. Wash the laundry. Order groceries. Check, done. What’s next? Life is about phases. Some occur just once, and some are on repeat. We tend to spend a lot of time and energy trying to build momentum to summit the final arc of a cycle. When it ends, space is created for something new to start, and off we go again. Raising cattle is cyclical, too. Each year we face the same decisions between which bulls to use, heifers to keep, and how to market calves. Even cattle prices ebb and flow at an expected pace year to year. We’re in a cycle many cattlemen have faced before: tough markets and bad weather. The drought of 2012 was hard in the central part of the country, and today it’s hard on the west. Just like in 2012, the cow herd is plentiful, but inventory will begin to decline as drought forces ranchers to liquidate their herds. First, the bottom string of cows will be sold. If conditions don’t improve, better quality cows may have to leave the herd. That begins a tale as old as time: tighter supplies equal higher prices. That’s something to look forward to, even though right now it may feel like things can’t get any worse. The time waiting for things to get “better” is the hardest. Still, the message we keep hearing is, “hold on, leverage is coming.” When it does, there may be time for growth and improvement. A fresh start often indicates opportunities. Will you seek new, better genetics to increase the quality in your herd? Will you try something new, like backgrounding or retaining ownership of calves? Will you find time to analyze data you’ve been holding onto? There’s more demand for high quality beef than ever before. There are more mouths to feed, and consumers across the world are buying beef, an entire market ready to be served. A new cycle is just beginning. Change often imitates similar motions as the past, but that doesn’t mean history has to repeat itself. Maybe the to-do list just needs to be adjusted. Read my bible. Talk with my family on the phone more often. Workout in the morning. Check. But our job isn’t over. It’s just beginning again.
in the brand’s meat lab was the highlight of her trip. “I’ve toured a lot of different facilities, and I’ve never had the opportunity to cut my own meat,” she says. “That was really fun and exciting.” The information Hicks learned at YBLS has helped her prepare for a future career in ag law. “As a policy student, my main interest is advocating,” Hicks says. “Everything I learned will help me promote the beef cattle industry and explain production to consumers.” Hicks encourages students to apply for YBLS. Certified Angus Beef Offers Summer Internships. Hands-on experiences are the fastest way to excel in a career after college. Students who intern at Certified Angus Beef (CAB) leave prepared for a job in the beef industry with practical work examples and personal connections. CAB is accepting applications for three communications internship positions for Summer 2022. Effective communication is the foundation for
success in any career, and CAB interns get real-world experiences with audiences across the beef supply chain. “After nine weeks in Ohio, I was a better storyteller and more skilled than when I got there,” says Paige Holbrooks, 2021 producer communications intern. These roles are available for college students majoring in agricultural communications, public relations, journalism, or marketing. • The Public Relations intern will monitor brand presence in the media and emerging issues in the food industry. This intern will also write stories for the CAB newsroom. • The Communications intern will engage business, consumer, and rancher audiences by writing news releases, feature stories, and creating content for the brand’s rancher facing social media. Background knowledge and experience in beef production are preferred but not required. • The Digital Marketing intern will strategize, create and post content for the brand’s 24 social media channels. The positions will be customized to match an intern’s interest in practicing
multi-media storytelling and learning new skills. Some assignments may include photography and video editing, generating pitching stories to media, or traveling to off-site events at restaurants, grocery stores, or ranches. Interns are valuable members of the team, managing projects, bringing fresh perspectives, and collaborating in discussions. The ability to work together but also meet deadlines independently will be important to each intern’s success. “I was given creative freedom in the content that I created, but it was also helpful for me to receive timely feedback from the team,” says Kalyn Blue, 2021 summer digital intern. “I gained skills in professional communication with coworkers and effective messaging with brand audiences.” Junior or senior college students are encouraged to apply by November 19. Summer interns will be expected to work from the brand’s office in Wooster, Ohio, 40 hours per week for 10 -12 weeks between mid-May to mid-August, depending on the student’s availability. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and online portfolio of work
samples in communications. Find more information about these internship opportunities or apply at cabcattle.com/internship. “The experiences, the memories and the connections you are going to make will last a lifetime,” Hicks says. “An opportunity like this to come and learn hands-on can’t be beat.” Applications are due by November 10 and can be submitted at certifiedangusbeef.bamboohr.com/jobs/ view.php?id=134. Selected applicants will be contacted by phone by Thanksgiving. For questions, contact Kara Lee at Klee@ certifiedangusbeef.com. About the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. World renowned for its exceptional quality and generous marbling, the Certified Angus Beef brand is the original brand of premium beef. Created in 1978, it is still owned today by family ranchers who are determined to bring the best Angus beef to the table. Ten exacting standards ensure superior taste and tenderness in every bite. Learn more at www.CertifiedAngusBeef.com.
BILTMORELIVESTOCK.COM
Discover Exceptional Quality with Our Angus Cattle Outstanding Yearling Bulls available. Call today to schedule a visit!
Bred to perform, Biltmore Angus represents a livestock legacy more than a century in the making. Contact Kyle Mayberry 828-768-1956 • livestock@biltmore.com
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 39
PAGE 40
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 41
PAGE 42
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Sale Season is Upon Us! By STEVEN E. MEADOWS Ph.D. Clemson University Earl Forrest, who served the Hereford breed tirelessly his entire life. Guest consignors Riley Farms and the Bourne family also had great consignments for the sale. The cattle were snatched up by progressive purebred breeders all over the
The fall in South Carolina brings many fun events. To me, it’s cattle fairs and cattle sales. This fall, I was able to attend the McGill family farm sale in Starr, South Carolina. Most of us will know them as Gill Starr Farms! The
New sale facility at Black Grove Angus in Newberry, S.C.
Registration underway at Gill Starr Farms.
offering was outstanding, with a great set of commercial heifers and ready to breed. Many cattle folks have known this family for years and appreciate the history and quality of cattle that will be offered every time. This year was no disappointment that more than 40 Red Angus, Simmental, and Shorthorn heifers fetched top dollars for repeat buyers and new ones alike going into several surrounding states.
on September 17. The interest in this sale drew bids from all across the country as they offered some outstanding Angus cattle. These Angus cattle run deep in the bloodlines that Walter has studied since his start with registered Angus in
country as well. The sale offered cutting edge genetics in the Hereford breed, and the quality was on display for anyone to appraise. A large crowd and a flurry of phone and internet bids set the tone as the average was $4,193 with an open heifer fetching $11,500, while two great registered bulls sired by NJW Endure were purchased for $6,000 and $7,000,
respectively. Commercial bred and open black and red baldies fetched up to $2,100/head. Below are pictures from the day at the Forrest Hereford sale. Owner Brad Forrest welcomed guests and talked Hereford genetics! I look forward to seeing all cattlemen at the many more opportunities to buy cattle here in our state. We are blessed to have so many serious cattlemen and cattlewomen. I encourage you to support our cattle industry as we have great cattle here in South Carolina as well as our adjoining sister states. You don’t have to drive halfway across the country to get cutting edge beef genetics when they are right here. See you at an upcoming sale!
A few examples of the quality matrons offered at the Black Grove sale in Newberry.
1962, and they have proved him well. The top selling lot was a unique and highly productive daughter of DHD Traveler 6807, who saw the bidding stop at $10,000! The cattle sold locally and into the west with fast bidding and buyer reception. Congratulations to the Shealy family for a wonderful day, tremendous offering, and a beautiful new sale facility!
Part of the great offering at Gill Starr Farms!
At the end of the day, the sale averaged $1,285 and was worth every dollar spent. The high selling heifers surpassed the $1,600/head mark. My congratulations go to the McGill family. They made everyone feel welcome, and I encourage producers to drop by and learn from Mr. Ned and Mrs. Willyne as the knowledge depth and love for their program is unsurpassed. After the September 11 sale at Gill Starr Farms, it was time to attend Walter Shealy’s Black Grove Angus sale held
LIVESTOCK VIDEO AUCTION - Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. Black Grove Angus are sound and functional in every way, with longevity built in.
The last stop was the Forrest Hereford sale in Saluda, S.C., on September 25. The Forrest family has a storied history with Herefords, beginning with his father,
SOUTHEAST LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE Waynesville, NC
John Queen: 828-421-3446 SELEXvideo@gmail.com • www.selex-video.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 43
New NCCA Members for 2021 In 2007, members of the Membership Committee passed a resolution to recognize all NEW members of the NCCA in The Carolina Cattle Connection at the NCCA Annual Conference in Hickory. A new member is defined as someone who has never been a member or someone who has rejoined after a brief break in membership. The new members are identified in this new members section by name and county of residence. Below is a list of NCCA’s new members for the last month: Ashe County Keaton Craven – Craven Family Farm Bertie County Austin Whitehead – Whitehead Farms LLC
Chatham County Hagan Pore – JLR Cattle
Rutherford County Jacob Bailey – Running B Ranch
Union County Ryan Thomas – Grassy Creek Farms
Columbus County Carlos Bullard III – Bullard Farms
Surry County Tim Dollyhite – Dollyhite Farm
Yadkin County Douglas McCraw – Yadkin River Ranch Quincy Smiling – The Smiling Farm
Davidson County Joshua Metcalf – Maple Creek Farms
Regular copy deadline is NOVEMBER 5 for the DECEMBER issue.
Gaston County Edward M. Lineberger, DVM Iredell County Leroy Babcock – Babcock Farms Lincoln County Joshua Farmer – Farmers Livestock
Is there a problem?
Mecklenburg County Tyler Nelson – Zoetis Animal Health
Caldwell County Charlie Mitchell – Rackett Creek Ranch & Cattle Co.
Nash County Shannon Brown – Steel Creek Farms
Catawba County Frank Mauldin – Cedar Creek Farm
Onslow County Coltin Davenport – Battle Born Cattle
N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of SEPTEMBER 2021 Cattle Receipts: 20,676
•
Previous Month: 19,654
Feeder supply - 39% steers • 48% heifers • 23% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,406 $64.46 Boner 1,228 $68.06 Lean 1,029 $55.58
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,644
$91.41
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $144.92 $613.01 450-500 473 $146.28 $691.90 500-550 521 $141.91 $739.35 550-600 574 $139.65 $801.59 600-650 623 $135.39 $843.48 650-700 675 $133.18 $898.97
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $149.00 $628.78 450-500 472 $136.16 $642.68 500-550 523 $129.21 $675.77 550-600 571 $127.47 $727.85 600-650 622 $115.94 $721.15 650-700 671 $109.53 $734.95
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 426 $129.95 $553.59 450-500 472 $128.51 $606.57 500-550 523 $124.02 $648.62 550-600 571 $123.04 $702.56 600-650 622 $119.70 $744.53 650-700 669 $116.37 $778.52
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
PAGE 44
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Farm Credit News AgCarolina Farm Credit Employees Donate to Food Bank. AgCarolina Farm Credit announces an employee donation of nearly 800 pounds of canned goods and non-perishable food items to be split between the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh and Greenville and the Food Bank of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City. The food drive was held during AgCarolina Farm Credit’s recent employee appreciation day outing. “ A g C a r o l i n a F a r m C r e d i t ’s employees have huge hearts for their community, and this food drive is just another example of our commitment to eastern North Carolina,” said AgCarolina CEO Dave Corum. “AgCarolina will continue to provide our employees with opportunities to make a difference in the local communities where we provide a source of sound and reliable credit to
farmers and rural residents. AgCarolina Farm Credit acknowledges the hard work of our farmers in providing the food and fiber we all need, and also the commitment of our employees to enriching the lives of others through serving the agriculture industry.” About AgCarolina Farm Credit. AgCarolina Farm Credit is a farmer owned financial cooperative with headquarters in Raleigh. They are the leading provider of credit to farmers in central and eastern North Carolina. AgCarolina Farm Credit has over $1.6 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to over 3,000 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, appraisal services, and leasing are also available through AgCarolina Farm Credit.
Nearly 800 pounds of canned goods donated!
WAYNESVILLE
BUTNER
Saturday • December 4, 2021 11:00 a.m.
Friday • December 17, 2021 12:00 noon
WNC Regional Livestock Center Canton, N.C.
Granville County Livestock Arena Oxford, N.C.
SELLING 33 BULLS
SELLING 43 BULLS
25 Angus • 4 Hereford 2 Charolais • 2 Simmental Kyle Miller - 828-456-3943
For information contact
JOHNNY ROGERS NCSU Cooperative Extension 919-515-4005
35 Angus • 1 Red Angus 5 Hereford • 2 Simmental Greg Shaeffer - 919-471-6872
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 45
S.C. Beef Council News By ROY COPELAN I trust you are enjoying these nice autumn days. The weather is a little cooler, the days shorter, and there are a number of activities in our beautiful state. Later this month, we all come together as a family and friends to celebrate a time of thankfulness for our many blessings. I trust you and your family enjoy Thanksgiving Day. Your S.C. Beef Council continues to promote beef using your invested checkoff dollars. I trust you will see the six beef billboards posted around the state along the major interstate highways. The “enjoy beef” story is being told using a flamed ribeye grilled steak. Also, retail
beef in-store promotions take place every week. You can follow the activities on social media or the website at www. sccattle.org.
Beef remains a great value for consumers as prices have adjusted. Retail channels continue to feature beef each week. With steak and or beef products in the shopping cart, our beef producers are proud of their safe and delicious products.
S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of SEPTEMBER 2021 Cattle Receipts: 14,976
•
McGill, the rolling cow display, travels around the state. Call the state office to reserve this promotional tool. The youth of the beef industry had successful shows in Saluda, Union, Anderson, and Laurens counties, as well as the state fair. It was great to attend these events and witness the dedication of our youth within the South Carolina beef industry. Our hats are off to them!
For your Thanksgiving meal, try a Standing Beef Rib Roast this year. Happy Thanksgiving on November 25. See you out in the state. Until next month.
Previous Month: 14,574
Feeder supply - 37% steers • 40% heifers • 23% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,503 $67.03 Boner 1,208 $68.17 Lean 1,059 $62.37
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,598
$90.35
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $153.62 $651.35 450-500 470 $153.72 $722.48 500-550 535 $144.47 $772.91 550-600 570 $140.25 $799.43 600-650 637 $134.49 $856.70 650-700 667 $132.20 $881.77
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 420 $149.13 $626.35 450-500 472 $145.87 $688.51 500-550 518 $138.42 $717.02 550-600 565 $132.26 $747.27 600-650 616 $126.03 $776.34 650-700 667 $129.49 $863.70
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 433 $135.09 $584.94 450-500 470 $131.57 $618.38 500-550 534 $131.59 $702.69 550-600 568 $127.05 $721.64 600-650 622 $127.26 $791.56 650-700 671 $121.68 $816.47
Source: S.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Columbia, S.C. - 803-737-4491
PAGE 46
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
South Carolina and seven other Southeast states had a very successful “Summer Grilling” social media beef promotion campaign from May to September., with over 7.4 million engagements using YouTube, video advertising, and Google Search advertising. The campaign utilized newly created summer grilling content and beef recipes to inspire Southeast consumers to choose beef for the grilling meals. What a success!
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!
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.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 47
A Message from the CEO By COLIN WOODALL
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Earning the Investment Last month, NCBA went before the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, better known as the BPOC, to present our proposals on work we want to do as a contractor to the national Beef Checkoff. Contrary to popular belief, NCBA does not just “write a check” to itself with Checkoff dollars. As I mentioned in last month’s article, we are not the Checkoff; we must compete for every dollar awarded to us. Nothing is just given out, and as cattle producers who make the Checkoff investment, you should be proud of that. The BPOC is made up of cattle
PAGE 48
producers just like you; the Checkoff was designed by producers and is run by producers. BPOC members are charged with evaluating proposals from different organizations that wish to do work on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. Each potential contractor submits a written proposal and then comes to the BPOC meeting every September to present their proposals. BPOC members evaluate these proposals on their merit, how they support the Beef Industry Long Range Plan, and how they incorporate feedback from Checkoff committees. The September BPOC meeting
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
is long and intense, but the decisions made have long lasting impacts on the beef industry. We competed against eight other organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The NCBA team demonstrated why our projects are a sound Checkoff investment. We led with our proposal to continue work in consumer information. NCBA’s Checkoff funded projects have a clear track record of success. Just look at the work we have done to establish and develop relationships with food influencers. For those of you who are not as engaged in social media, an influencer is somebody who has a website, Instagram account, Facebook page, or other social media platform where they post their thoughts on food, food production, recipes, and other issues surrounding our diets. These individuals can be celebrity chefs, moms, restauranteurs, and many others. In many cases, millions of individuals follow these influencers and make decisions based on what they say or do, hence the term “influencer.” As part of our Checkoff funded work, we educate these influencers on the facts surrounding cattle production, the truth behind beef’s role in the diet, and tips on how to prepare the perfect beef dish. This has been a very effective approach in reaching more consumers and clearly demonstrating the commitment we have to our animals, to our natural resources, and to them as our ultimate customers. We take these influencers to cattle operations and give them first hand experience in everything you do in raising cattle. We bring them to our Checkoff funded culinary center to give them more tips, tricks, and recipes for preparing beef. This prepares the influencers to promote our product. It also prepares them to
defend our product. We saw the benefit of this program earlier this year when the foodie website Epicurious decided to stop sharing beef recipes because of their misinformed environmental perceptions around raising cattle. I am sure Epicurious expected us to react because our job is to protect this industry, and that is exactly what we did through our Checkoff funded efforts. What Epicurious did not expect was the backlash from our influencer friends. Celebrity chefs like Lamar Moore defended cattle and beef production and made it clear that Epicurious made a bad move. Many others joined in our defense, and therefore, the impact Epicurious hoped to make was dashed. That is your Checkoff at work. That is NCBA at work as a Checkoff contractor. This is just one example of the many projects we presented to the BPOC. Others include e-commerce partnerships to sell more beef, continued exposure for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, more Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training, crisis management, and the world class research we conduct. Our past performance as a contractor helped us achieve funding for the upcoming Fiscal Year, but we did not get every dollar we requested. This shows that the BPOC process works. There will be nine contractors doing Checkoff funded work over the course of the next year. Remember, Checkoff funds are not used for any of NCBA’s policy work. We have internal controls to prevent this, and our work is audited by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and USDA. The firewall between policy and Checkoff is one I will protect to the bitter end. We are proud of the work we do as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, and we are committed to continually improving the work we do on its behalf.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 49
Stocker Value Focus Shifting Price still matters, but more stocker operators are willing to pay more for less risk and more opportunity. “That computer won’t lie to me. Take cattle to 750-800 pounds, and those calves that cost so much more to buy end up being cheaper than the lower priced ones,” says Dave Steinbecker Jr., a long time stocker producer from Perryville, Missouri. He’s talking about how he discovered paying more on the front end for calves with less health risk increases overall profit potential in his family’s operation. The opportunity is so significant that when his family purchased the auction barn that is now SEMO Livestock Sales, LLC at Jackson, Mo., they closed the gate to trader cattle and established a subsidized certified calf health program for sellers. “I like these value added cattle. You’ll think they cost too much but all of the numbers tell me that isn’t necessarily the case,” Steinbecker says. Buying less risk - The notion of paying more for calves on the front end runs counter to the traditional stocker sector paradigm of buying mismatched cattle, often discounted because they’re sold singly or a few head at a time, haven’t been dehorned or castrated. Then, make them worth more money to the next buyer by assembling and sorting out load lots that are more homogenous in terms of weight, class, sex, and condition, straightened out and ready to perform. That remains an essential function of the
stocker sector, which continues to be integral to overall cattle and beef industry efficiency and competitiveness. But, the value focus appears to be shifting, albeit slowly. John Paul Pendergrass, Charleston, Ark., says he and his father — also long time stocker operators — began paying more to buy calves almost exclusively direct from the farm or ranch in order to reduce the cattle health risk. “Value added on the ranch calf is the vaccine history, knowing where they came from, and the experience you’ve had with them before. You create some of that value yourself,” Pendergrass says. Likewise, Rich Porter, Porter Cattle Co., Reading, Kan., switched from buying mostly bull calves to buying about 90 percent steers for his stocker operation. Although bull calves are heavily discounted at auction, he explains reduced health cost is more than paying for the steer price premium. “When we talk about value added in our operation, it’s primarily health,” says Mike Collinge of Collinge Cattle Co., Hamilton, Kansas. “We’ll pay a little more for those kinds of cattle. We’ve been doing that for quite a while, have quite a bit of data.” These stocker producers are previous winners of the prestigious BEEF National Stocker Award. They comprised a panel at this year’s Kansas State University (K-State) Beef Stocker Field Day and discussed several key stocker and cattle industry issues. Paying for more opportunity - The
“DESIGNED FOR CATTLEMEN BY CATTLEMEN”
Complete Working Facilities for Cattle and Bison Heavy, rugged construction — Built to last!
National Distributor for Tru-Test Scales Quality Equipment at Competitive Prices
Call about NEW PORTABLE SYSTEMS! For Information or Brochures, contact:
Peter Hostetler 540-810-4605
PAGE 50
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
most recent BEEF National Stocker Survey, sponsored by Zoetis, also suggests more stocker producers are considering value added opportunities on the marketing side of the equation. “Look across both National Stocker Surveys and you see a subtle shift in the number of stocker producers running a higher percentage of their cattle aimed at value added programs,” says Wes Ishmael, Hereford World executive editor. He and Dale Blasi, K-State Extension stocker specialist, shared survey highlights at the K-State event and also compared them to the first national survey conducted in 2007. Specifically, Ishmael explains, on average, respondents to the recent survey run 20 percent of their stocker cattle with intentions to market them in value added programs, which is 7 percent more than in 2007. “As might be expected, the survey indicates those who aim for value added programs tend to do so with a higher percentage of their cattle,” Ishmael says.
According to the most recent survey, 22 percent of respondents who aim at value added markets run 51 percent or more of their stockers with that in mind; 15 percent run 76-100 percent of their stockers with value added marketing in mind. Of those managing cattle with value added intent, 55 percent require source verification, 39 percent require age verification, and 22 percent require genetic verification. For broader perspective, 54 percent of respondents to the most recent survey retain ownership in some of their stocker cattle through harvest, versus 49 percent in 2007. Of those who retain ownership, 28 percent said they retain ownership in 100 percent of their stocker cattle. Overall, the survey indicates stocker cattle represent a growing portion of cattle operation income over time. Of the respondents to the most recent survey, 51 percent derive 51 percent or more of their annual gross income from stockers. That’s 10 percent more than in 2007.
GELBVIEH NEWS Gelbvieh Association to Celebrate 50th Anniversary in Oklahoma City. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) will host the 2021 AGA National Convention and 50th Anniversary Celebration December 8-10 in Oklahoma City at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel. Gelbvieh enthusiasts will gather in Oklahoma to celebrate the AGA’s golden anniversary and reflect on the Association’s past 50 years. The AGA was formed on June 28, 1971, in Oklahoma, when the AGA founders filed the articles of incorporation. From its beginnings in 1971, spurred by the potential impact found in importing Gelbvieh semen from Germany, the AGA has grown into a progressive beef cattle breed association whose members produce genetics suited for today’s beef industry. Convention events will include committee meetings, annual meeting, educational workshops, and industry tour of the Stockyards City, including the Oklahoma National Stockyards, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, and Boxcar Woody. The convention will also host the annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup educational symposium, where industry leading speakers will discuss the topic of sustainability. In addition, evening events such as
the kick off reception and the bull pen session will be a great opportunity to mingle with Gelbvieh enthusiasts, share stories, and celebrate this great milestone. Convention rounds out with the awards banquet to celebrate the recipients of the commercial producer of the year and breeder of the year awards, as well as honor individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Gelbvieh breed through the AGA Hall of Fame induction. Oklahoma City, The Modern Frontier™, is known for its combination of Native American history and Western Culture. The convention site, Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel, is a short walk from Bricktown’s wealth of dining and entertainment opportunities, which makes it the perfect site to host AGA’s golden anniversary celebration! Make plans to join the AGA in Oklahoma on December 8-10 as we celebrate the past 50 years and look toward the next 50. Event registration and details are available on Gelbvieh.org. About the American Gelbvieh Association. The AGA is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance oriented total herd reporting system.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 51
NEWS Alltech publishes white paper focused on organic trace minerals enhancing mineral bioavailability through chelation. For more than 40 years, Alltech has focused on scientific research to provide solutions and products for the global animal health industry. This focus has continued with the publication of a white paper entitled, “Organic Trace Minerals: Enhancing mineral bioavailability through chelation” by Dr. Richard Murphy, director of research at Alltech. There are many options when it comes to formulating trace minerals in livestock diets, and this paper focuses on organic trace minerals (OTMs) as a more bioavailable mineral source than their inorganic counterparts and other inferior organic products. “From a sustainability point of view, we can’t continue to supplement diets with inorganic materials at the current very high inclusion levels without having negative consequences,” said Murphy. “Our research with organic trace minerals is looking at using less to get more for the
PAGE 52
livestock producer and the environment.” OTMs can be produced through numerous mechanisms, depending on the trace mineral product being manufactured. The process of complexing or chelating elements, such as copper, iron, or zinc typically involves reacting inorganic mineral salts with a suitable bonding group, such as a peptide or amino acid, after which the mineral becomes part of a biologically stable structure. The higher the stability of an OTM, the greater its bioavailability is likely to be. The chelation strength between the mineral and bonding group will define OTM stability and, ultimately, play a significant role in influencing bioavailability. Carefully considering the factors necessary for chelation can help producers distinguish between the many products available on the market based on their stability and efficacy. OTMs with high stability are more likely to be effectively absorbed by the animal and reach the target sites required for
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
immunity, growth, and reproduction. They are also significantly less likely to react with and inhibit the activity of other feed components, such as vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. About Alltech. Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our products improve the health and performance of plants and
animals, resulting in better nutrition for consumers and a decreased environmental impact. Alltech is a private, family owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and maintain focus on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For more information, visit www.alltech.com.
Regular copy deadline is NOVEMBER 5 for the DECEMBER issue Spotlight material is due NOVEMBER 1 for the DECEMBER issue
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 53
MERCK
Animal Health News Allflex Livestock Intelligence Brings Simplicity and Safety to Tag Application. New UTT3S applicator features ergonomic design for usability and animal comfort. Merck Animal Health and Allflex Livestock Intelligence recently announced the availability of a new UTT3S ear tag applicator – the first advancement in applicators in more than ten years. The new applicator brings much needed simplicity, ergonomics, and safety to animal ear tag and device applications. “Tagging cattle is such a routine part of livestock operations. We want to bring producers a way to simplify device application and make it ergonomically friendly for almost any adult,” said Scott Holt, Associate Director MarketingIdentification, Allflex Livestock Intelligence. “The UTT3S is much easier and more comfortable for handlers to use and maximizes animal comfort and welfare while devices are applied.”
The new applicator offers the following benefits over existing applicators: • Simple and convenient. The UTT3S is a lightweight applicator with an easy squeeze mechanism that requires very little force to apply devices. A spare pin is conveniently located in the handle of the applicator, ensuring a pin is always easily accessible during application. • Smart, versatile design. The UTT3S allows operators to attach two piece visual ID, electronic ID, and monitoring devices to cattle, and the design enables long term use in the harshest farm environments. • Smooth and safe for handlers and animals alike. The combination of enhanced safety features and low application force protects users’ hands and enables comfortable device application even when handling multiple animals. The innovative design provides
USDA Abattoir and Processor
BEEF • PORK • LAMB • GOAT • OSTRICH Aged - Cut - Packaged to Your Specifications
347 Thomas Street • North Wilkesboro, NC Call or Email for an Appointment:
336-667-1346 • abprimecuts@gmail.com PAGE 54
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
fast and quiet application for maximum animal comfort and user safety. The UTT3S applicator can be used to apply Allflex two piece ear tags, including Allflex two piece visual identification tags (VID), Allflex two piece electronic identification tags (EID), and Allflex monitoring ear tags for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. It is not compatible with piglet tags, lightweight EID button tags, AXA tags, or one piece tags. For more information on the UTT3S applicator, go to www.allflexusa.com. Merck Animal Health Awards 18 Future Bovine Veterinarians with $90,000 in Scholarships. Merck Animal Health has awarded $90,000 in scholarships to 18 bovine veterinary students based on their academic achievements, career goals, work experience, and interest in veterinary medicine. Selected students received their American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition Award and a $5,000 scholarship at this year’s 2021 AABP Annual Conference, held in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 7-9. “At Merck Animal Health, we are passionate about equipping the next generation of veterinarians with the tools and resources to succeed,” stated Justin Welsh, D.V.M., executive director of livestock technical services, Merck Animal Health. “These 18 students exemplify what the future of veterinary medicine needs: leadership, ambition, and a devotion to continuously elevating and improving animal health and well being.” “Every year, for nearly two decades now, we’ve seen firsthand the outstanding
individuals who will soon join our field, and this year’s group of students is no exception,” said AABP executive director Fred Gingrich II, D.V.M. “We’re incredibly grateful to Merck Animal Health for its continued partnership as we support the next generation of bovine veterinarians.” The scholarships are available to student members of AABP in their second or third year of school who are interested in beef and/or dairy veterinary medicine. About Merck Animal Health. For over 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services, as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability, and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animalhealth.com.
Be a winner! Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association!
RED ANGUS NEWS Red Angus Launches ‘Red Choice’ to Promote High Quality Females. To promote improved heifer development, increase marketing opportunities for Red Angus females, and create reliable sources of high quality replacement heifers for cattle producers, the Red Angus Association of America recently launched the “Red Choice” program. The program embraces proven reproductive and genetic management practices which, in turn, lead to high quality, long lasting females that are ready to hit the ground running in commercial herds. Based on the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Replacement Program from the University of Missouri, the Red Choice program comes with several requirements that increase the overall quality of enrolled females, such as minimum vaccination requirements prebreeding exams, utilization of reproductive technologies, parasite control, and feet and leg scoring. The program culminates with sale eligibility wherein cattle producers
can purchase premium Red Choice females for their herd with the confidence that those females have been managed and raised to the highest quality standards possible. The primary goal for these better-managed heifers is their retention in the herd of origin, where their extra value will be measurable over time. “The Red Angus female has long been viewed as the industry’s most favored,” said Harold Bertz, RAAA commercial marketing director. “The Red Choice program strengthens that claim and elevates Red Angus female value even higher. The success of the Show-MeSelect program in Missouri and its effect on the cattle business in that state has been monumental. We feel that making this program available to Red Angus and Red Angus influenced cattle will have similar results. Adding documented best management practices, breeding protocol and sire selection criteria to the highly popular Red Angus bred heifer creates an opportunity for increased rancher profit
About the Red Angus Association of America. The RAAA serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus influenced cattle. The RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by implementing new technologies and utilizing scientifically sound principles that quantify traits of economic importance to beef producers in all segments of the beef industry. For more information, visit www. RedAngus.org.
in every environment. The value of best management practices is inherent.” The program officially launched this fall. Enrollment deadlines are February 1 for spring breeding and September 1 for the fall breeding season. A full description of the program and its requirements is available at www.RedAngus.org. For questions about the Red Choice program or other Red Angus marketing initiatives, contact Nolan Woodruff, commercial marketing specialist, at nolan@redangus. org.
Our breed Spotlight special sections are excellent forums to reach producers and cattle industry insiders in the Carolinas and throughout the Southeast. Advertisers also receive a special discount for placing their message in the Spotlight.
Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd. HARDROCK BEEF CATTLE Ronnie & Donna Holman 4613 Hickory Nut Ridge Road • Granite Falls, NC 828-302-8659 ronnie@hardrockbeefcattle.com JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-315-3821 jkredangus@gmail.com LANGDON RED ANGUS & SIMMENTAL John & Eileen Langdon 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 919-796-5010 johnlangdon5@gmail.com ROGERS CATTLE COMPANY Johnny & Sharon Rogers 945 Woodsdale Road • Roxboro, NC 336-504-7268 rccbeef@gmail.com PRESNELL RED ANGUS Jonathan & Jacob Presnell 368 Whitaker Road • Shelby, NC 704-473-2627 (Jonathan) • 704-616-8775 (Jacob) BULL HILL RANCH Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-682-3900 • 864-682-2828 bullhill2@mindspring.com
Terry Boyles, President - twinbfarm1@gmail.com
The Carolina Cattle Connection
COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 55
NCBA
President’s Report By JERRY BOHN
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Your Story Makes All the Difference One of the most unique aspects of our industry is the importance of legacy. For many of us, our accomplishments today are thanks to the generations before us that acquired and improved land. While many of us work on the same land as our fathers and grandfathers, we are seeing a new generation of cattle producers joining our industry for the first time. For everyone in the cattle industry, a fair tax code is essential to our success. Throughout the summer, Congress and the White House have been negotiating a series of infrastructure proposals with the potential for a high
price tag. Farmers and ranchers have always paid their fair share, but the federal budget can’t be balanced on the backs of our nation’s producers. We have repeated that message early and often in the halls of Congress as NCBA fights to protect long-standing tax provisions that support family farms and ranches. As co-chair of the Tax Aggie Coalition, NCBA recently spearheaded a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to maintain crucial agricultural tax provisions like stepped up basis, like kind exchanges, the Section 199A small business deduction, and the current
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
Seth Church
336-927-5370 • sethchurch@charter.net PAGE 56
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
estate tax code provisions. Nearly 330 trade associations signed on to the letter demonstrating to Congress that agriculture stands united. The current tax situation is important to more than just producers; it impacts consumers as well. With more than 370 million acres expected to change hands in the next two decades, preserving these important tax provisions supports future producers and protects access to safe, abundant, and affordable foods for consumers. NCBA is fighting to limit the tax burden and protect producer profitability, but the strongest tool we have is you sharing your personal story with your elected officials. Often, members of Congress do not understand the unique structure of family owned farms and ranches. Tax changes being discussed in Washington will impact agricultural operations much differently than traditional wealthy estate owners. Your elected officials should hear how tax proposals will impact you, and I encourage you to continue being a voice for sound tax policy. Another issue impacting our profitability is “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). NCBA has long fought against the extremely harmful 2015 WOTUS rules that vastly expanded government authority over producers’ stock ponds and irrigation ditches, covering them in government red tape. In
2020, the Trump administration finalized the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) to undo the damage caused by the 2015 WOTUS rule. NWPR limited federal overreach and finally provided some regulatory certainty to cattle farmers and ranchers. NCBA defended NWPR in court on numerous occasions, but in August, a federal court in Arizona struck down NWPR. This decision has left the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to return to the pre-2015 WOTUS rules and regulations, causing further uncertainty for producers. Over the coming months, the Biden administration will be crafting new WOTUS rules, and NCBA is actively monitoring the rulemaking process to ensure that your voice is heard by the White House, EPA, and the Army Corps of Engineers. When the EPA and Army Corps held public listening sessions on WOTUS just a few weeks ago, I was happy to see NCBA members and state affiliates sharing their perspective with policymakers and urging the agencies to consider clear regulations that reduce the burden on cattle producers. We have said it time and time again—the most powerful advocacy tool we have in D.C. is your real world impact stories. By making your voice heard on issues like taxes and WOTUS, you are preserving the success of our industry for generations to come. Thank you for being an advocate and for being part of NCBA.
Any news from your county? Be sure to share your meetings, sales, field days, etc., with your fellow cattlemen through the Connection!
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 57
PAGE 58
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
CHUCK
SHANK
CHUCK
BRISKET
RIB
PLATE
RIB
LOIN
SIRLOIN
ROUND SHANK
FLANK
LOIN
SIRLOIN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
ROUND
INGEDIENT CUTS
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
LEAN
BRISKET LEAN
LEAN
PLATE & FLANK LEAN
LEAN
KEY TO RECOMMENDED COOKING METHODS GRILL or BROIL PAN BROIL/ SKILLET
BRAISE/ POT ROAST
LEAN
These cuts meet the government guidelines for lean, based on cooked servings, visible fat trimmed
ROAST
STIR-FRY
INDIRECT GRILLING
SKILLET TO OVEN
* MARINATE BEFORE COOKING FOR BEST RESULTS
A cut of cooked fresh meat is considered ‘lean’ when it contains less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, andless tahn 95 mg of cholesterol per 100 grams(3½ oz) and per RACC (Reference Amount Customarily Consumed), which is 85 grams (3 oz.)
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 59
PAGE 60
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update By GREG HANES, Cheif Executive Officer
BPOC — A Really Big Show American TV icon Ed Sullivan used to boast that viewers were about to witness “a really big show!” Well, a really big show came to Denver on September 9-10, and as always, the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) meeting, where the Beef Checkoff program funding decisions are made for the next fiscal year, didn’t disappoint. Opponents of the Beef Checkoff have criticized the program for all sorts of things: being outdated, being unfair… even doing business behind closed doors. But anyone who follows the process or has attended a BPOC meeting knows nothing could be further from the truth. Work conducted during the annual BPOC is the culmination of the beef industry’s entire year — the end result of hundreds and hundreds of volunteer hours from producers and importers, thousands of miles traveled, and hours upon hours of
painstaking study and spirited debate. This year, the 20 member committee heard from nine potential contractors, both big and small, pitching 15 Authorization Requests that encompassed more than 50 tactics. From Producer Communications, Promotion, and Research to Foreign Marketing and Consumer and Industry Information, every one of the ideas was carefully crafted to carry out the Beef Checkoff’s primary mission: to drive demand for beef. Some proposals promised creative outreach solutions; others looked at ways to keep beef at the center of the plate, both here and abroad; still others dove into nutrition, sustainability, antibiotics, and other leading edge scientific waters. There was something for every interest. Discussions were long and often impassioned as committee members tirelessly debated, probed, and
debated some more to ultimately whittle down the funding requests by more than $8 million to match the projected budget. It was fiscal responsibility and accountability in action — and in today’s crazy world, that’s something to be proud of. So, when the dust settled, did everyone get everything they wanted? Did anyone get everything they wanted? No. The reality is, it was the Beef
Checkoff process as producers intended 35 years ago: an exercise in innovation, compromise, and finding the best possible ways to leverage producers’ and importers’ Checkoff dollars. Like all Checkoff business, the doors were wide open, and producers and importers were welcome to observe the proceedings. For anyone who wasn’t able to attend, you can see how it all shook out on the CBB website.
I got a great buy in the Classifieds in The Carolina Cattle Connection!
Check out the expert A.I, superior genetics, fine purebreds and terrific farm supplies offered!
West End Precast 276-228-5024
PRECAST CONCRETE FEED BUNKS
J-Bunks $170-$180
U-Bunks $170
Calf Bunks $120
Water Troughs Pads Tanks
Prices FOB Wytheville, Virginia • Delivery Available The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 61
Federation of State Beef Councils Update Beef is Front and Center During Climate Week NYC. The annual Climate Week NYC event, hosted by The Climate Group in partnership with the United Nations, the City of New York, and the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, often leads to increased media coverage questioning the sustainability of the cattle industry, but it also provides an opportunity to proactively share beef’s sustainability story and positive information about its role in healthy sustainable diets. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association decided it was time to share the beef industry’s perspective as part of the official Climate Week schedule during this year’s event. The virtual session entitled “Can beef be sustainable? Cattle’s role in the climate solution,” was moderated by nutritionist Nicole Rodriguez, RD, NASM-CPT, and featured a panel of speakers including
PAGE 62
Jessica Gilreath, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate at Texas A&M University; Jen Johnson Livsey, cattle producer at Flying Diamond Ranch in Kit Carson, Colo.; and Lamar Moore, celebrity chef and winner of Food Network’s Vegas Chef Prizefight. During the session on September 23, more than 300 attendees learned from this panel of diverse perspectives about how the beef community is investing in sustainability and preserving resources for generations to come. Attendees also discovered ways that beef cattle can be a critical part of the climate solution through managed grazing, carbon sequestration, mitigating wildfires, preserving wildlife habitats, and more. Through this group of experts, the Beef Checkoff shared the ecosystem services that beef provides as part of a sustainable food supply. The media’s portrayal of beef as part
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
of the environmental problem has led to confusion among consumers on the industry’s effect on climate change. When asked about cattle’s true environmental impact, Gilreath stressed that cattle are not major emitters of greenhouse gases. “According to the Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gas from beef cattle only represents two percent of emissions in the U.S,” she said. “Cattle are part of the natural carbon cycle and the methane they do emit is broken down in the atmosphere in 9-12 years.” Livsey shared her story as a fifth generation cattle producer on Colorado’s Eastern Plains, where arid conditions prove best suited for grazing cattle instead of growing crops. “Cattle interacting with grasses on the landscape are needed to maintain a healthy watershed, provide wildlife habitat, and create an overall healthy ecosystem,” she said during the webinar. “And we are not alone in our sustainability efforts as thousands of cattle producers across the country are constantly making improvements to practices based on their specific ecosystems.” The role beef plays as part of a healthy diet also took center stage during the discussion. Rodriguez emphasized
the versatility of more than 40 cuts of lean beef, packed with protein and other nutrients. “Cattle take plants inedible to humans and create a delicious and nutritious food,” she said. “Beef also serves as a good vehicle for the conscious consumption of more fruits and vegetables.” Meanwhile, Moore highlighted the ways chefs build menus around beef as a sustainable food. Can cattle be part of the climate solution? According to Gilreath, the answer is a resounding yes. “Cattle ranches benefit society by helping with water regulation and purification, carbon sequestration, and wildfire suppression, especially in the West,” she said. Everyone from pasture to plate has a part to play in sharing beef’s sustainability story. “As a chef, I have the opportunity to teach people about how cattle are raised and to explain how eating beef is healthy for both people and the environment,” said Moore. “It really comes down to education, learning where beef is coming from, and getting to know the families producing the product.” Livsey agreed, concluding, “We need to emphasize to consumers that the families producing beef are doing their very best for their animals and
their land. We work every day to make improvements and we are proud of the product that ends up on dinner tables across the country, including mine.” In addition to the webinar, leading up to Climate Week, NCBA leveraged a variety of tactics to share the information about beef sustainability and nutrition, including submitting letters to the editor and op-eds across the country; developing shareable infographics and videos; hosting a radio media tour with a celebrity chef; partnering with TimeOut New York to feature sustainability in New York ranches, and even showcasing beef sustainability on a billboard in Times Square. For more information about sustainability efforts, visit www. beefitswhatsfordinner.com/newsroom/ sustainability. E-commerce Promotion Increases Beef Sales. Shopping online for groceries continues to be popular with consumers. To promote beef to online shoppers, NCBA worked with Sam’s Club to create a ‘Kickoff to Summer Grilling’ e-commerce campaign that ran from mid-April through Memorial Day 2021. This initial campaign exceeded all metric benchmarks, including sales lift, impressions, and new buyers to the beef category. The campaign also had a Return on Ad Spend (ROAS or ROI) of more
Have you forgotten something? Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association!
than $34, which means every Checkoff dollar spent on this media returned more than $34 in beef sales. Additionally, Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. was featured through Sam’s Club during a ‘Kickoff to Tailgating’ e-commerce campaign to support beef sales for those stocking up on purchases for tailgating (or homegating) events. This campaign included on-site display and email marketing to club members. Other e-commerce efforts include working with major national retailers to support online retail beef sales for the 2021 summer grilling season by exposing them to inspirational beef messaging and imagery at the digital point of purchase using the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand. The goal was to strategically target message placement to those who are already shopping for beef and to those shopping for competitive proteins and complementary products, like hamburger buns or condiments. Retail partners included: Walmart - digital media and messaging buy on Walmart’s digital platforms, including on-site display on www.Walmart.com and on Walmart’s order pickup and delivery platforms, as well as off site display. Kroger - digital media and messaging buy on Kroger’s digital platforms with nationwide reach in all Kroger divisions/ banners, including King Soopers, Dillon’s, etc. The campaign included Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. creative in targeted on-site display ads and video placement across the Kroger digital ecosystem. Target - digital media and messaging buy that included onsite display on www.Target.com and the Target app, search placements to reach intent-based audiences, off-site display, and Pinterest social media placements. Federation of State Beef Councils Sponsors the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300 for Second Year. Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand to be back on broadcast television for NASCAR’s season opening race at Daytona International Speedway. The Federation of State Beef Councils, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, has once again partnered with the Daytona International Speedway to sponsor the 41st season opening race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series - the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300. The event is set for February 19, 2022, one day ahead of the legendary DAYTONA 500. “Just like the great racing legacies, farmers and ranchers have a legacy, also passing it down from generation to generation, and that’s why we’re so excited to once again sponsor this
premiere sporting event and showcase America’s hard working beef farmers and ranchers,” said Clay Burtrum, Federation Division Chair for NCBA. “Continuing this partnership for a second year allows us to build on everything we developed in year one and expand our footprint even further – from tailgating to the big screen – beef is the star.” While funding for the sponsorship comes from the Federation of State Beef Councils, the national Beef Checkoff will support the effort with staffing and promotional work through their contractor, NCBA. From commercial production to social media promotion and traditional media outreach, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. will be back on the racetrack and in the national spotlight. The 2022 Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300 continues the relationship between the Beef Checkoff and Daytona International Speedway. In 2020, the track produced “Race Day Recipes” on their digital channels, showcasing Speedway President Chip Wile and his beef grilling
The Carolina Cattle Connection
expertise. Following a great response and seeing NASCAR’s clear love of beef, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300 was born in 2021. For more information, including ticket options safety protocols, visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 800-PITSHOP. About the Federation of State Beef Councils. The Federation of State Beef Councils is housed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), which is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 63
NCBA News
National Cattlemen’s Foundation Accepting Applications for Beef Industry Scholarships. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is now accepting applications for the 20222023 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry. Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play an important role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research, or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program.
PAGE 64
“We are proud to partner with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and NCBA to help advance education opportunities for these hardworking students,” said Managing Director of Agricultural Products at CME Group, Tim Andriesen. “Risk management plays a critical role in the agricultural industry and these scholarships help develop our future leaders and ensure the continued success of beef production in the United States.” Eligible applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full time undergraduate student enrolled at a two or four year institution. The application includes a one page letter expressing their career goals related to the beef industry and a 750 word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
to this problem. The applicant or a family member must be a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The application deadline is November 12 at 1:00 EST. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation. org. Scholarship winners will be announced during the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Houston, Texas. Organized in 1972, NCF is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization providing charitable, scientific, and educational activities to benefit the cattle industry. NCBA Supports Additional USDA Funding for Beef Supply Chains. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an additional $100 million investment into the food supply chain infrastructure. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) supports this step to prioritize the expansion of beef processing capacity and dedicate further resources to build a more resilient cattle industry. “Our number one goal at NBCA continues to be opening up new
opportunities for cattle producers to be profitable,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “The pandemic accentuated a number of vulnerabilities within our supply chains—chiefly the choke point at the meatpacking sector, which has resulted in unsustainable prices for cattle producers and increased the cost of beef for consumers. Today’s announcement is another step toward returning stability to the markets, and NCBA urges USDA to announce eligibility requirements and application instructions as quickly as possible.” The $100 million announced recently is in addition to the $500 million announced earlier this year. Background - In July 2021, Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA would invest over $500 million in federal funds to support food supply chains and simultaneously opened a public comment period to determine the most effective means of distributing these funds. NCBA submitted comments calling for federally guaranteed, low interest loans and grants to be distributed to small
meatpackers looking to expand and new market entrants desiring to construct new regional small to mid-size processing plants. NCBA expects USDA to announce the parameters of this program soon and will provide more information as it becomes available. NCBA Vice President Urges Congress to Listen to Producers on Cattle Markets. Recently, NCBA vice president and South Dakota rancher Todd Wilkinson testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. Wilkinson addressed the need to avoid one-size-fitsall policy prescriptions and the importance of considering nuanced policies that properly address transparency, processing capacity, price discovery, and oversight in the cattle markets. “As producers struggle to get by, large meatpackers have realized record breaking windfall profits. These profits have not been shared equitability with cattle producers,” Wilkinson said. “Because the challenges facing our industry are so diverse, it is imperative that policy makers at all levels of government remain focused on viable and tenable solutions with vast industry buy in.” Wilkinson urged Congress to resist one-size-fits-all policy prescriptions which may have disastrous unintended consequences and instead adopt a multipronged approach to bring relief to cattle producers, transparency to the markets, and resiliency to the beef supply chain. Wilkinson’s testimony follows months of NCBA engagement with members of Congress on complex cattle market conditions and ensures that policy solutions address the correct issues without harming producers or their profitability. To view Wilkinson’s testimony, please visit agriculture.house.gov. BACKGROUND Transparency - NCBA has long supported Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR), which provides market information to cattle producers. Thanks to NCBA’s engagement on this issue, Congress passed a temporary LMR extension during the most recent continuing resolution. NCBA has also advocated for the creation of a cattle contract library, which would provide information on the formula contracts in use between producers and processors. This information may help cattle producers capture more value for their livestock and better plan their business strategy. Processing Capacity - Adequate processing capacity is essential for maintaining profitability in the cattle industry and providing a steady supply of
beef from pasture to plate. Currently, there is a serious lack of processing capacity or “hook space” in the production system, leading to a chokepoint at the meatpacking segment. A recent study by Rabobank found that the industry could accommodate an additional 5,700 hooks per day of processing capacity or about 1.5 million additional head per year. Unfortunately, access to capital is a major barrier to starting new processing facilities. The average start up costs are roughly $100,000 per hook, meaning that someone trying to open a modest 25-head-per-day facility must secure $2.5 million in financing just to turn on the lights. NCBA is working with USDA to secure federally guaranteed, low interest loans and grants for small, independent, or regional meat processing facilities. In July, USDA announced that it would invest $500 million in federal funds to support expanded processing capacity, and in October, USDA pledged an additional $100 million investment. NCBA is continuing to push for additional processing capacity that returns leverage to producers and meets consumer demand. Price Discovery - Cattle producers have long witnessed the decline of negotiated fed cattle trade in favor of Alternative Marketing Arrangements (AMAs), including formulas and grids. While these AMAs may help cattle producers manage risk and capture more value for their product, these methods depend on price discovery that occurs in the direct buyer-seller interactions of negotiated trade. Current research has shown that more negotiated trade is needed to achieve “robust” price discovery within the industry. NCBA’s producer-led working group developed a framework of triggers to monitor the levels of negotiated cash trade in different regions of the country. If robust price discovery is not achieved and the triggers are “tripped,” NCBA will pursue a legislative or regulatory solution determined by the membership. Oversight - NCBA is the leading voice for oversight of the meatpacking sector. In June, NCBA supported a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to complete their investigation into possible anti-competitive practices by big meatpackers. NCBA also urged the swift conclusion of this investigation in a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on areas of concern in the cattle industry. NCBA’s Redbook Makes Cattle Recordkeeping Easy. 2022 Edition Now Available. For more than three decades, cattle producers have simplified their
recordkeeping with a handy pocket sized booklet from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The 2022 version of the Redbook is now available to help cattle producers effectively and efficiently record their daily production efforts, which can help enhance profitability and reduce stress levels. In addition to Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) practices and proper injection technique information, the 2022 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. “Producers tell us year after year that these booklets help make recordkeeping easy,” said Josh White, NCBA’s executive director of producer education & sustainability. “Having BQA information right at their fingertips is helpful as well.” Redbooks can be purchased online at store.ncba.org for $7.25 each, plus shipping. Customization, including adding a company logo on the cover, is available in quantities of 100 books or more. For more information on custom
orders, contact Grace Webb at gwebb@ beef.org or 303-850-3443. NCBA Welcomes Cattle Contract Library Bill Amid Ongoing Push for Transparency. Recently, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the introduction of the Cattle Contract Library Act, led by Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). The bipartisan bill would establish a cattle contract library within USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDAAMS), equipping cattle producers with the market data they need to make informed business decisions and exert greater leverage in negotiations with major meatpackers. The cattle contract library is widely supported by industry groups and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and the introduction of this legislation comes after more than a year of NCBA pushing for the creation of the library.
Continued on the next page
IRM Red Books Are Here Due to increased printing costs, the price of the books have increased to $7.00/each this year.
We would like to thank Performance Livestock & Feed Company and Carolina Stockyards for again sponsoring this book. The 2022 version is now available to help cattle producers effectively & efficiently record daily production efforts, which can help enhance profitablity and reduce stress levels. In addition to Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) best practices and proper injection technique information, it 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. Simply return the order form below, along with $7.00 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.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 65
NCBA News continued from the previous page “After more than a year of upheaval, facing everything from extreme drought to supply chain disruptions, many cattle producers have been backed against a wall. We need to act urgently to provide them with relief,” said NCBA President Jerry Bohn. “There is no single, silver bullet solution to the wide variety of needs among our diverse membership, but lawmakers can start by focusing on viable solutions that have broad base support across the industry. The cattle contract library is one such solution, and it will help our producers command more leverage in negotiations with the packers. We appreciate the work of Congressman Johnson and Congressman Cuellar to move the ball forward on this urgent issue.” Earlier this month, NCBA Vice President and South Dakota rancher Todd Wilkinson testified before the House Agriculture Committee and underscored the need for greater transparency in cattle markets. One of the solutions he
advocated for was the creation of the cattle contract library, as well as full reauthorization of Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR). Background - NCBA has long advocated for increased transparency in the cattle and beef supply chain. In August 2021, NCBA succeeded in pushing USDA to make more market data publicly available. The agency began publishing a new daily report on the foundational prices used in cattle market formulas, grids, and contracts and a new weekly report on the volume of cattle purchased at each different level of pricing. In June 2021, NCBA led a letter with the support of more than 36 state affiliate groups urging Congress to act on the reauthorization of LMR. LMR is the legislative mandate that requires large meat processors to regularly report information on their transactions, such as the price they pay for livestock and the
! S E T A UPD Make Plans to Attend Cattle Industry Education Experience in Houston. The 29th Annual Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, will be held January 31-February 1, 2022, and will kick off the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Houston. This premier education experience draws more than 1,000 people every year and includes two days of learning, idea sharing, and networking. In addition to Monday’s “producer’s choice” sessions, which provide a preview of Tuesday’s educational experience, hot topics such as global cattle industry trends and sustainability research will be featured. The Zoetis Demonstration Arena includes a live animal demonstration focusing on analyzing the physical and genetic traits of cattle. Monday concludes with an evening reception offering an opportunity for everyone to gather with friends and reconnect. There will be 15 sessions and five educational tracks to choose from on Tuesday, including business, herd health, nutrition, new tools, and sustainability. The business focused track will include several risk management sessions, and
PAGE 66
the new tools sessions will focus on the latest technology trends for genetics and grazing management. This year’s event includes cutting edge topics and top industry leaders, including a keynote speaker to wrap up Tuesday’s agenda. Each year, the Cattlemen’s College agenda is developed based on feedback from producers, and their comments drive the program. Past attendees have indicated that “The biggest take away I found from attending Cattlemen’s College is that there is always a newer or better way of doing things,” while others learned that “The generation effect of the decisions we make today not only impact this year’s calf crop but the herd as a whole for years to come.” With so much information presented, it is nearly impossible to experience all Cattlemen’s College has to offer in person. To make it easier to access content, all sessions will be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch at any time in the future. Registration begins November 1. Look for the Education Package, which offers the best value. For more information, visit convention.ncba.org.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
volume of purchases. In May 2021, NCBA met with American Farm Bureau Federation, Livestock Marketing Association, National Farmers Union, R-CALF, and U.S. Cattlemen’s Association to discuss urgent concerns, and the need for a cattle contract library was one of three priorities agreed upon by these disparate groups. The introduction of the Cattle Contract Library Act follows months of NCBA engagement to ensure members of Congress understand the most urgent needs facing cattle producers, the complex cattle market conditions influencing these outcomes, and the risks of adopting onesize-fits-all policy solutions that may hurt producers’ bottom line. The State of WOTUS. Waters of the United States (WOTUS) is the policy issue that never seems to go away. For decades, cattle producers have been seeking answers from the federal government on what counts as a “water of the United States.” We have endured years of litigation and policy rewrites, but now we are facing a new round of rulemaking led by the Biden administration. BACKGROUND In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers finalized the WOTUS rule, which significantly expanded federal jurisdiction. Under the 2015 rule, isolated bodies of water (like stock ponds and irrigation ditches) and temporary water features (like creeks that only flow after it rains) were subject to federal jurisdiction. This overreach negatively impacted many farmers and ranchers, and agricultural groups banded together to oppose the 2015 rule. In 2020, the Trump administration implemented the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) to fix many of the issues with the 2015 WOTUS rule. The NWPR curtailed government
overreach and limited federal authority to significant waterways (like bigger lakes and rivers). Current Situation - NCBA supported the NWPR when it was first enacted and defended it against activist litigation in court. Unfortunately, at the end of August, a federal court in Arizona struck down the NWPR. EPA has interpreted this court decision to apply nationwide and has announced it is implementing the pre-2015 WOTUS definition and guidance. This means the 1986 definition of WOTUS is effective today and will remain in effect until the Biden administration crafts a new WOTUS definition, a process that will take months, if not a year. NCBA is in close contact with the EPA and Army Corps to make sure that cattle producers’ voices are heard. Future Action - For policymakers in Washington who have never set foot on a farm or ranch, your real world stories can make all the difference. When you share your story of how WOTUS impacted you, it informs rulemaking and helps government agencies craft policies with producers in mind. Please also remain engaged with your local elected officials and let your members of Congress know you support clean water and clear rules. For more information on WOTUS, please contact Scott Yager at syager@ beef.org or Mary-Thomas Hart at amhart@beef.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.
Don’t put your cart before your horse...advertise that sale ahead of time! You’ll see positive results.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 67
NEWS Authenticity is the Gateway to Sharing Your Ag Story — Final in a 3 part series. Kylee Deniz didn’t always dream of being a social media expert. In fact, she was very involved on her family’s alfalfa farm, growing up outside of Denver, Colorado. She was also heavily involved in showing pigs and cattle while competing in livestock judging through 4-H and FFA. It wasn’t until she graduated from high school and received her Black Hawk College – East email address with the .edu extension that she got an invitation to join Facebook, originally created as an educational networking portal. Livestock judging took Deniz to Kewanee, Ill., for junior college and then to Oklahoma State University, where she completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural communications. With some years in Des Moines, Iowa, at the advertising agency Lessing-Flynn and then the National Pork Board, Deniz assumed the role of Executive Director of the Oklahoma Pork Council in March 2021. “What I think is so beautiful about the position I have today is I really get to use all my career experiences to do what I do now. Our team here at the Oklahoma Pork Council shares pork’s story from farm to fork with consumers. We work with pork producers and industry allies on things such as foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness. Additionally, we focus on developing next generation leaders to build up our pipeline of people to lead our industry, as well as foster relationships with elected officials and key stakeholders to protect the Oklahoma pork industry’s freedom to operate,” Deniz said and credits her involvement in youth programs for giving her the foundation and interest in livestock production. Social media is here to stay. It is at our fingertips daily in numerous platforms, and a college email address is no longer needed to receive permission to join Facebook. Deniz reminds us that a person could actually have multiple profiles on a social network, and keeping personal and professional profiles separate is important. “Social media is key to the concept of sharing about agriculture, sharing about the thing we love, and we dedicate our free time or careers to, and we want to defend agriculture. Social media is something we all have access to. We
PAGE 68
as a society today are in that space, and whether you chose Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat or Tik Tok, the list goes on from there; it’s really the space where consumers, and we as people, are present. It’s important to be there with the ag message,” she encouraged. Create your Personal Brand - Deniz said it is imperative to be authentic when sharing your ag story on social media. A person can’t be all in about agriculture one day and carefree about it the next. That is part of creating your brand and showing your audience exactly who you are. This could be your signature hashtag or tagline, the way you appear to your audience, or the font you use. Be yourself, but be authentic. “Authenticity looks different for each person. For me, oftentimes, it’s in heels doing ag business, but for my husband, who is also in agriculture, it is boots and jeans and a four wheeler. Those are two different examples of authenticity. If I attempted to share ag’s story in the way that he might, it’s not going to resonate, it’s not going to connect, and frankly someone is going to call me out,” Deniz said. Another reason authenticity is so important is that potential employers and those reviewing scholarship applications will seek out your social media profiles. They will compare who you say you are on paper to the person you portray on social media. Make sure those are the same person and brand yourself as such. According to Deniz, a simple Google search will often pull up a Facebook or LinkedIn profile. “Social media profiles can be found even if you think they are marked private. I would encourage individuals to make sure their online presence matches their #IRL personal brand,” she said. Introduce Yourself - Once you’ve established your personal brand, it is important to introduce yourself on your social platform. Make sure your followers know who you are, why agriculture is important to you, what your background is. Are you part of a multigeneration family farm? That offers some credibility and authenticity. Are you a first generation livestock enthusiast who is part of an FFA chapter but wants to study ag law? That likely lends some trust to consumers who might share similar backgrounds. “It’s important as a young person interested in advocating that you think
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
first about building a relationship. You do it in person; you do it online. You have to make a connection before a message resonates. For young people who want to advocate or share their farm story, their personal brand matters,” Deniz said. Stop the Scroll - Although statistics vary, it is safe to say that more than half of all social media is viewed on a mobile device. Therefore, the goal for those sharing their story on social media should be to “stop the scroll.” Deniz suggests the best way to grab the viewers’ attention is to share engaging content that most generally includes captivating photos or video. “You want to stop someone’s scroll. Ask, is this content good enough to stop someone’s scroll? Today that is largely video or photo. Of course, people will still read text, but if you really want to stop the scroll, you need video or photo,” she said. When you do take photos or videos,
watch the background. You don’t want items in the background to distract from the main subject of your image. You also don’t want the image to lead to controversy or leave a negative thought in the viewer’s mind, especially if you don’t explain it well. They could potentially leave that negative thought in their head and not reach out for further explanation or education. Fast Five Tips - Deniz offered some quick but important advice to consider when making your social media posts to share your ag story. 1. Diversify your Posts - Science is nice, but it is ok to tell your story too. You don’t always have to be speaking directly to someone with the most recent facts and figures. A simple photo of you and your animals or your grandpa driving the combine during his 65th harvest also tells a great story. Be sure whatever method you do use, tell a brief story explaining the image and not just post a photo or
Carolina Cooking Autumn Beef and Cider Stew Total Time - 2 hours, 30 minutes 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-1½ inch pieces 2 slices bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 can (10½ ounces) condensed French onion soup 1 cup apple cider 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1 inch pieces (about 3 cups) ⅓ cup unsweetened dried cranberries Cook bacon in a stockpot over medium heat until crisp; remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate. Brown ½ of beef stew meat in bacon drippings over medium heat; remove from stockpot. Repeat with remaining beef; season with salt and pepper. Return beef and bacon to stockpot. Add soup and cider; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly, and simmer 1½ hours. Add sweet potatoes and cranberries to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; continue simmering, covered, 20-30 minutes or until beef and potatoes are fork tender. Makes 6 servings.
Autumn Beef and Cider Stew
video. 2. Verify your Source - “Do your due diligence. Make sure the source is accurate and reputable. Go to the source of truth and always fact check. Keep original sources with the science or stats,” Deniz advises. It is very easy to share and reshare an image on today’s social media platforms or to use a creative program to tweak one of those images. If you see an image of interest, make sure you go to the original source, and share it from their original post. Don’t get caught up in sharing it when it has been shared multiple times. Reliable sources in agriculture include 4-H, FFA, state beef, pork, and lamb councils, the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and national breed and junior breed associations. 3. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. - Your professionalism and your credibility will shine when you are accurate with your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If you are not the best speller or writer, ask a parent or teacher to review your copy before you post it for the world wide web to see. 4. Watch your Tone - It is hard to
read your voice or emotion on a social media post that is only copy or a photo. The tone might be more evident in a video, but it still is simple to be misread on social media. “It is very easy to be taken out of context. You might mean it funny, but it can be taken differently,” Deniz warns. 5. Think Before you React - There is a lot of passion involved on social media, and it is always better to pause before commenting on something you want to react to. Often, our passionate responses seem defensive, even if we are correct; once again, this goes back to tone. “We love agriculture, and it is very easy to respond or react with emotion. Just like in person or with email, it is always better to take a moment to think it through before you respond or react,” Deniz said. Social media is here to stay, and new platforms are being created as ways to share our ag story with the consumers. It’s our job to build our personal brand, be authentic in who we are and the messages we share, and tell the story on the platforms we are most comfortable using. Use your social media to tell your ag story. It’s the best story you can share. How to Identify the Fall Mineral
that is Right for You. Fall could undeniably be one of the most complex seasons of the year. There are crops to harvest, calves to wean, some operations are calving, and yet others are preparing for their next spring calf crop. All those production cycles have various nutrient requirements on the herd; all while forages are in varying stages. Add in the mood swing Mother Nature throws out with temperature fluctuation, and it can be a challenge to determine the best route to take nutritionally. The cow’s nutritional requirements are the greatest during lactation through breeding, when she is raising a calf and also trying to get herself back into shape to breed back. Her lowest nutrient requirements will be post-weaning until about 60 days pre-calving when you will want to start gearing those nutrients again to ensure the final stages of gestation that the calf inside the womb is getting all the nutrition it needs. With forage quality decreasing in the fall, if grazing is even an option in your region, it is always recommended to have your hay nutritionally analyzed. Hay testing is a complimentary service provided to BioZyme customers. Once you know what nutrients your
The Carolina Cattle Connection
cows are missing in their diets and what they need to maximize their performance at their given stage of production, you can choose the right mineral program for your program. BioZyme is the maker of the VitaFerm Concept•Aid line of vitamin and mineral supplements with the Amaferm advantage specifically designed for reproductive success when fed 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post breeding. All VitaFerm Concept•Aid products contain Amaferm, a precision prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility by amplifying the nutrient supply for maximum performance. It is research proven to increase the energy available to the animal resulting in more milk production as well as to the ability to initiate and maintain pregnancy and fertility. Let’s explore the variety of VitaFerm Concept•Aid products available, both in loose and tub forms, their unique properties, and why they might be right for your fall feeding program. Although other options exist, these are some of the most popular that make the most sense to feed this time of the year.
Continued on the next page
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 69
BioZyme News continued from the previous page • VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S HEAT This loose vitamin and mineral supplement is ideal in the late summer and early fall or anywhere in the deep South where temperatures consistently stay above 70ºF. This formula includes the HEAT pack to help support cattle during heat stress situations and provides five percent phosphorus, the ideal level of phosphorus for use with average to good quality forages, to promote milk production and higher calf weaning weights. • VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S - This free choice formula is much like the one above without the HEAT and is ideal for average to good quality forages. It contains five percent phosphorus, and like all Concept•Aid contains organic copper, zinc, and manganese to ensure maximum bioavailability of nutrients to the animal, as well as high levels of vitamin E and selenium to promote optimized fertility. • VitaFerm Concept•Aid 8/S - This loose vitamin and mineral supplement is ideal for cows on low quality forages or mature crop residue. This formula provides eight percent phosphorus, the ideal level to promote milk production and higher calf weaning weights. • VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Tub - This combination of Concept•Aid and 20 percent natural protein is ideal for situations for when forage quality is low to very low, and you need the added convenience of the tub, such as corn stalks or big country. It provides the convenience of the highly bioavailable Concept•Aid breeding mineral along with a natural protein in a 200 pound tub, so there is no need for an additional vitamin and mineral source. • VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Meal - This 20 percent protein meal is ideal when forage quality is low. This is a loose mineral that combines the highly bioavailable Concept•Aid breeding mineral along with a natural 20 percent protein meal, so there is no need for an additional vitamin and mineral source when forage quality is low. You can see the complete list of Concept•Aid formulas at www. vitaferm.com and find a mineral that will compliment your program with the VitaFerm Concept•Aid Product Navigator. Various minerals might work for your operation at various times of the year, depending on your environment or production cycle. Whatever your situation, whatever your herd’s production cycle, there is a Concept•Aid mineral that will work for your operation. From droughts to excessive rains, pasture conditions probably aren’t ideal in a lot of areas,
PAGE 70
and hay quality and quantity might not be premium either. How to Keep Your Animals Healthy in the Fall. The fall sniffles. They are real for humans, dogs, cattle, and swine. Take the day to night temperature fluctuations and add the stress of weaning, transitioning to new environments, feed regimens, and being with new people and routines, and that is a lot for a young animal. It’s no wonder that one of the most anticipated times of year becomes a time of worrying about the health and well being of new show prospects. Temperature swings are perhaps the biggest culprits of fall sicknesses. Some signs and symptoms to look for are runny noses, downed ears and heads, and animals that simply hang off by themselves. Excessive panting or animals that quit eating are signs of an animal that is not feeling well. If you want to take your animal’s temperature, make sure to have a thermometer on hand and know what a normal range is for your species. Bloat is another common ailment to look for with feed changes and stress. Watch for animals that look uncomfortable and are excessively full in their appearance. They need to be treated immediately. The best way to treat bloat is to drench them with mineral oil or release the gas build up with a hose and then drench with mineral oil or a combination of baking soda and water. An Ounce of Prevention - Being proactive is the best approach to keeping your new show livestock healthy. Make sure to vaccinate calves for BRD and respiratory diseases. When it comes to preventing bloat, make sure your ruminants like cattle, sheep, and goats have plenty of hay in their daily diet. Also, as an extra measure, you might want to add sodium bicarbonate or simply baking soda to their feed to keep their rumen in check. Finally, make sure your livestock always have clean, fresh, cool water. One way to keep your animals eating and drinking is to add a dose of Vita Charge Liquid Boost to their water, especially during times of stress like the fall weather changes or transitions to new environments. Vita Charge Liquid Boost contains Amaferm and MOS to support the ability to recover from the effects of stress. Amaferm is a precision prebiotic that combats stress resulting in increased intake, nutrient digestion, and absorption. MOS traps bad bacteria limiting their ability to do harm. This supplement also includes organic zinc, the antioxidant
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
Vitamin E, and B vitamins. Keep on Hand - Regardless of how much you try to prevent the fall sniffles, you are bound to have a sick animal or two. Keep some supplies on hand for when you need to treat an animal. Be sure to have a thermometer, antibiotics, clean needles and syringes, a drench gun, and the phone number to a trusted veterinarian.
Always read and follow label directions. If you are unsure of how to treat an animal, call your vet or a trusted mentor for advice. It is always a good idea to build a relationship with a veterinarian before you have a sick animal. The fall sniffles. They are inevitable. With some proactive measures, some good prevention with Vita Charge, and a good vaccination program, you should be
From the Desk of the SCCA President By ROSCOE KYLE Well, there is one thing for sure, Mother Nature is still in charge, and she can sure throw a monkey wrench in farm plans. This past month we have seen some dry weather in some parts and deadly flooding in others. She has made it a challenge to try to get hay up in some places and made it easy in others. All we can do is hope she will work with us this coming winter and not be too rough on us. I hope everyone had a safe Halloween, and all the children got to go trick or treating in the original way. Please keep our first responders and service personnel in your thoughts and prayers during the upcoming holidays. I have been to several county meetings. As always, it is good to see old friends and get their input on the cattle industry. Several of the comments I heard are in regards to increased land development, taxes, the rising cost of fertilizer, lack of parts, and low cattle prices. First off, I know about the land development problem as several tracts in my area have been taken out of farming to make room for more homes. It happens as the owners get older and want to retire but have no one coming up who wants to continue the farm life or are not living close enough to look after things. The tax issue is something we have always had to fight, and the only way is through your county and state representatives. You have to get involved. The fertilizer issue is mostly because of where the ingredient is, what country has control of it, and the shipping cost. I have to agree that the rising cost is way out of hand, but there is no easy fix. The parts issue is hard to understand since there are all these job openings, but no one seems to want to work. I mainly hear that the main problem is there are not enough truck drivers to deliver the items. There is one company I deal with, and it seems like it takes an act of congress to get anything delivered. As for the low price for cattle, it is hard to explain as the demand and exports are in high demand. If only I had a crystal ball on that one, NCBA is currently working on more transparency in the marketing area, so maybe we can understand it a little better. We all have our own thoughts in regards to this matter, so I will leave it at that. They are also fighting the tax issue in regards to death and estate taxes that directly effects the ones that we leave things to in the end. The main thing we have to realize is things did not get in this shape overnight and are not going to be fixed overnight. In the middle of October, I was invited to a Farmer and Rancher group meeting with Governor McMaster and Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers in Chesnee, S.C., that was put on at Strawberry Hill Farms. The Governor assured the group he had no plans on shutting down the state over the pandemic. He also stated he is a strong supporter of agriculture as it is the biggest industry in the state. The state is trying to improve the rural internet system. Also mentioned was a potential upcoming program that would assist young people who wanted to enter the agriculture business. It is still in the first planning phase, and as I receive more information, I will pass it on. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Remember the words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Farming looks easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.” As always, if I can be of assistance, please let me know. Respectfully Yours…
able to prevent too many sniffles before they become a major sickness. Through the Judge’s Eyes - Callis Looks for Courteous Confidence. Brandon Callis is no stranger to the show ring or the cattle industry. He grew up with grandparents who raised both registered Brahman and commercial cattle in South Texas, and his dad was a 4-H Extension Agent, demonstrating at a young age how to make an impact on youth. Callis was active in 4-H and FFA and showed several of the smaller species like sheep and hogs early in his career, but when he was in the fifth or sixth grade, his dad got him his first show steer, which he admits was probably his dad’s “worst financial decision for himself.” “It just took off from there,” said Callis, who is now a professor and livestock judging coach at Redlands Community College and also runs about 100 Simmental and club calf mama cows with his wife, Kelly, and their three children at Minco, Oklahoma. He recently took some time to discuss what he looks for in the cattle show ring. The Cattle - “Nobody ever wants to take a picture with an ugly one. So, I want them to have some type of look and quality. And quality goes hand-in-hand with correctness of skeleton,” Callis said. Callis is a self proclaimed fundamentalist when it comes to evaluating and sorting breeding cattle, saying that the cattle have to be able to look good, with structural correctness and function as his highest priorities when judging heifers. “A heifer is going to have to perform and have the right kind of body dimension to sustain her entire productive life, and the right kind of structure to get up and go and navigate whatever terrain she is in and get to a feed source and water source,” he said. “When we do get them in the show ring, and probably with my background in evaluation and love for building things, I like to see them as correct in their feet and legs and structure without sacrificing that productive width and dimension.” When it comes to market evaluation, it is of the utmost importance to remember that those animals are designed to be market animals, so they need to look the part. Callis puts his emphasis on muscle expression. “They need the ability to become fat steers, so doability or their ability to convert forage or feed to what they need to be productive becomes important. And then again, if they can do all of that in a structurally correct, sound, quality package, that is important,” he said. When asked if he had a preference between the slick haired cattle shown in Southern Texas or the haired up cattle
he found up north, he said there was no preference, but definitely an obvious difference. He feels fortunate that he’s experienced showing and judging all types of cattle, having been raised in South Texas, but having completed his master’s degree at Kansas State. The noticeable advantage is the southern cattle are bred to be naturally thicker and heavier muscled, according to Callis, and the steers up north are typically a growthier, higher performing animal. First Impression - “Courteous confidence” combined with passion are two traits Callis looks for when an exhibitor leads his or her calf into the ring. He wants to see the drive in an exhibitor and know that they desire to be in the ring with their project, not that they are just living through mom or dad or showing one of a dozen steers or heifers in the barn just to check one off the list. He said one way to keep them passionate is to not get them burned out on showing, especially at an early age, just like preventing burnout is important with any extracurricular activity like sports or music. Let them focus on showing one or two animals a season instead of six or eight or twelve. The courteous confidence that Callis describes is a combination of confidence that comes from at home preparation and knowing what is happening around the exhibitor in the show ring. “I like to see kids that are naturally confident, and I know confidence comes from preparation. You can be confident in showing that animal because they put in that time at home, and I say courteous, because I like them to be aware of their surroundings. If there is a less experienced exhibitor in front of them with a calf that is acting a little rambunctious, you don’t have to crowd that one as much or give it some more space or be on the lookout for that one a little bit more. Or if it is balking in the middle of the ring, don’t just expect the ring help to help it out, but you can help it out, too,” he said. Advice and Inspiration - “Be patient, and fight through the wall,” is the advice that Callis offers. He often tells his judging teams there will be times in their competitive lives and in life in general where they will hit a wall, stop making progress, or simply go backward. Those are the times, he said, it would be easy to quit. “I’ve oftentimes thought with my faith background, those are the times that God is preparing me to buckle up and get tougher; He’s expecting a little more out of me. So be patient, and don’t get so frustrated that you want to quit. Keep tearing down that wall because it is going
to fall down.” “I never got to win a show when I was a kid. But I thought His plans were bigger for me. And I got to do a lot of things I never thought I would get to do,” he said. Callis has judged shows in more than 30 states. He doesn’t take that for granted and is grateful for parents who instilled work ethic and a love of livestock into him. He said he’s also fortunate to have found a spouse who shares common values with him. “All my success started with my parents. There is not a bigger hearted, harder working person in the world than my mom. My dad has got a natural love for livestock and treating people the right way. And when I met my wife, the first time we talked on the phone, we talked about Jesus and cows, so I realized pretty quickly, we’d get along well, and she’s been a good constant for me as challenging me and pushing me and when I am gone, she’s able to take care of 100 cows and three kids by herself and doesn’t even sweat doing it. That inspires me to do what I’m doing the right way for the right reasons.” For this cattle evaluator, it all
starts with the fundamentals. Those fundamentals are structurally correct cattle that get worked with at home by confident, courteous exhibitors. The fundamentals of family and faith keep Callis grounded. His perspective is fresh and one that can help all exhibitors #PreptoWin in and out of the ring. About BioZyme Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements for a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include Amaferm ®, VitaFerm®, Vita Charge®, Sure Champ®, Vitalize®, DuraFerm®, and Backyard Boost™. With headquarters in St. Joseph, Missouri, the company reaches a global market of customers that stretches into countries across five continents. For more information about BioZyme, visit www. biozymeinc.com.
a
Virginia Herd Health Management Services, PC In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) & Embryo Transfer (ET) * On-farm aspiration of oocytes via Ultrasound Guided Ovum Pick-Up (OPU). * Embyos come back in 8 days for placement or direct thaw freezing on-farm. * Can do on donors aged 8 months and older, up to 120-150 days pregnant. Doesn’t interfere with pregnancy. * Pregnant cows work really well, so the cow doesn’t get out of her production group. * Can do a donor every 2 weeks.
* NOW AVAILABLE * Small Ruminant Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination (AI) & Embryo Transfer (ET) Oocytes fertilized at BoviteqUSA in Madison, Wisconsin. www.boviteq.com
For more information, contact:
PAT COMYN, DVM
P.O. Box 555 Madison, Va. 22727 540-829-3625 (cell) • 540-948-5238 (office/fax) pcomyn@verizon.net Visit us online at www.vhhms.com. The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 71
Making Your Input Decisions On Cost Per Ton? It’s Time to Think Again. Here’s why it’s important to do a cost/ benefit analysis on all your inputs. “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” That oft quoted phrase attributed to Albert Einstein sums up much of life. The question is, does it describe your cow herd? Let’s ask that question in other ways. Are your cows breeding up at a level you’d like to see? Are your calves healthy and vigorous when they hit the ground? When they’re weaned? Could your stocking rate be better? What would your bottom line look like if your cows ate less hay over the winter and maintained body condition? How about your weaning weights? If any of these questions strike home, maybe it’s time for some serious pencil pushing, especially when it comes to your mineral supplements. In fact, doing a cost/benefit analysis on all your inputs is a good business move, says Trevor Greenfield, founder and co-owner of Rio Nutrition. “I’m a family business owner. I don’t want to spend an extra dollar on anything ever, unless I can see how that dollar can either help me save money or make money.” So are his customers. So why are Riomax tubs experiencing sales growth at a time when saving money is important? Because, Greenfield says, ranchers are looking hard at the dollars they spend on inputs. And by doing a cost/benefit analysis, they’re discovering that while Riomax tubs cost more upfront, they are actually the cheapest mineral you can buy when they look at cost/head/day or cost/cow/year. Here’s why. First, some assumptions. In calculations by Boone Huffman, a Chadron,
NEWS
Neb., rancher, he assumes you’ll pay $1,000 per ton for loose, inorganic, bagged mineral. At average consumption, that’s 16¢/head/ day. Also, assume $420 per ton for 32% protein cubes and $220 per ton for 20% protein alfalfa as a protein supplement. • Loose mineral + 2 pounds cubes = 58¢/head/day • Loose mineral + 1 pound cubes = 37¢/head/day • Loose mineral + 2 pounds alfalfa = 38¢/head/day • Loose mineral + 4 pounds alfalfa = 60¢/head/day On average, Riomax tubs cost 34¢/ head/day. For a semi-load, it’s 29¢/head/day. The math is pretty simple, Huffman says. Let’s do another math problem. Assume you’ll buy protein tubs at $800 per ton. $800 divided by 2,000 comes out to 40¢ a pound. Now assume a very conservative daily consumption of ¾ pound per head. That comes out to 30¢/head/day. Remember, however, that you still need to feed mineral. While the industry average for loose mineral is around 15¢/head/day, let’s assume you got a really good deal and you’re feeding it at 10¢. So, 30¢ plus 10¢ is 40¢/head/day for a minimalistic protein and mineral supplementation program. Again, the industry average for Riomax tubs is 34¢/head/day. This math problem isn’t hard to solve either. Now, let’s look at the elephant in the room. Riomax is, upfront, a very expensive product. And managing cash flow is an important part of managing a ranch. That’s why doing a careful costbenefit analysis is important because it may well show that spending a little more now will save you a whole lot more later. That’s what Alec Oliver discovered. The Seneca, Ore., rancher has been using
January
February
Chester
728
Darlington Laurens
Riomax tubs for around eight years. At the outset, he says, “I was pretty skeptical, going ‘This is just another input.’” But he stayed with the program, putting the tubs in front of his cows in the fall and again in the spring. Where he saw a direct economic benefit is over the winter. The technology in the Riomax tubs allows cattle to squeeze more oomph out of their forage intake. Oliver saw a reduction in hay consumption of 5-7 pounds per head per day. Let’s assume it costs $200 a ton to bale your hay, including direct costs plus indirect costs such as paying yourself for your time, amortization on the equipment, etc. That comes out to 10¢ per pound. If a cow eats 30 pounds of hay a day as fed, that’s $3. If consumption goes down by 5 pounds per day, she’s now eating 25 pounds, and her consumption costs $2.50. Assume a 120 day winter feeding period. So, 50¢ x 120 days = $60 less per cow over the winter feeding period. As shown in the examples above, adding Riomax tubs to your program allows you to eliminate loose mineral and protein inputs. Take the lowest calculated price of those inputs of 37¢/day, subtract 34¢/day for Riomax, and you’re saving 3¢/day. Add 5¢/ day in hay savings, and you come out 8¢/head/ day ahead over the winter feeding period. The above examples are why Greenfield encourages ranchers to do cost/benefit analysis, not on upfront price by the ton, but on a per-head-per day or per-cow-per-year basis. And do that analysis on all your inputs, he says. Doing that, he says, allows you to make the best decisions you can — for today, for next year, next decade, next generation. “It’s about more than just tubs,” he says. “It’s about shouldering up with the ranching industry and doing the right thing by them, for their production, for their profitability, for their efficiency.” Greenfield relates a conversation he had with a Wyoming ranch manager as they bounced along in his pickup looking at cows. The ranch is owned by absentee landowners who are focused on the bottom line. Thus, the
2021 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts March
April
May
June
July
August
September
308
1,104
919
726
1,454
651
2,076
2,044
1,090
581
2,432
1,283
866
1,433
915
1,584
2,346
1,194
1,325
1,964
1,593
1,373
1,892
1,461
1,731
2,048
830
786
1,123
1,187
959
1,066
651
1,583
940
Saluda
2,056
1,355
3,094
2,482
2,324
3,099
1,761
3,256
3,096
Williamston
2,812
1,313
2,792
2,255
1,949
1,884
2,033
2,880
2,349
Orangeburg
PAGE 72
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
manager is known as a low input cattleman. “People say I’m a minimalist,” he told Greenfield. “We’re low input. That’s our production model. I’m not a minimalist. I’m an economist.” He feeds Riomax because he’s not making decisions on highest price or lowest price. He’s making his decision on the greatest return on investment. “That’s the mentality that will help people survive, because then you’re making your decisions not on emotion or highest or lowest price upfront, you’re making it on economics,” Greenfield says. “You are making your decisions on what will drive the economic model of your ranch the most.” That’s why Kurt Loma, a Phillipsburg, Mont., rancher, says, “Riomax is only expensive if you can’t do math.” About Riomax®. Roman started in a one car garage and today works with countless ranchers all across the United States and Canada. Their mission? To bring profitability back into agriculture. Learn more about their nutritional products for cattle, horses, sheep, and soil at www.riomax.net/products.
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!
October
November
December
American International Charolais Association
NEWS
Charolais Names Clint Rusk as Executive Vice President. The AmericanInternational Charolais Association Board of Directors has selected Clint Rusk, current Department Head of the Animal and Food Sciences Department at Oklahoma State University, as its new Executive Vice President. Clint will be replacing J. Neil Orth, who is retiring at the end of 2021 after two decades of leading the organization. Clint grew up on his family’s Hereford and Angus ranch near Sun City, Kansas. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class, Clint attended Colby Community College, where he was a Presidential Scholar and a member of the National Champion Livestock Judging Team. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kansas State University with his
B.S. degree in 1980. After graduation, Clint returned to his family’s ranch for five years. In 1985, Clint and his family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to manage the purebred cattle unit at Colorado State University. In 1987, he also accepted the duty of coaching CSU’s livestock judging team. Clint coached ten livestock judging teams at Colorado State University. His teams were Reserve National Champions in 1987, 1991, 1993, and 1995. Clint was named “Coach of the Year” by the Intercollegiate Coaches’ Association in 1991 and 1992. For the past 24 years, Dr. Rusk has helped coordinate livestock judging contests for collegiate, 4-H, and FFA contestants at contests across the country. Clint completed his M.S. degree in 1992 and his Ph.D. in male reproductive
NEWS NEOGEN, FFA Announce 2022 Sponsorship Agreement. NEOGEN Corporation announced it has renewed its sponsorship agreement with the National FFA that will support the organization’s 2022 Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) Grants. Under the terms of the agreement, NEOGEN will donate $2 to the National FFA Foundation for each bottle of Prozap® StandGuard® Pour-on horn fly and lice control solution that is sold through March 31, 2022, up to a total of $250,000. StandGuard Pour-on is a powerful, low dose, and easy to use treatment that provides season long lice control for beef cattle with one application. “We are happy to continue our long term support of the National FFA and their mission to develop the future leaders and educators of the agricultural industry,” said John Adent, NEOGEN’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased to be able to help fund $1,000 grants for students to begin or expand upon their supervised agricultural experiences as they explore the many facets of the industry.” “We are excited to once again have NEOGEN helping to support the development of young people in agriculture,” said Molly Ball, President of the National FFA Foundation and Chief
Marketing Officer of the National FFA Organization. “Their contribution to our SAE Grants will help to ensure the growth of our next generation of leaders.” About NEOGEN. NEOGEN is a global animal and food safety company offering a wide portfolio of solutions, including food safety diagnostic test kits to detect contamination in human food and animal feed; animal pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics and topicals; veterinary instruments; cleaners and disinfectants; rodenticides and insecticides; genomic testing for food born pathogens, companion animals and livestock; culture media; drug detection test kits and products used by researchers for the detection of biologically active substances, among other services and products. About the National FFA Organization. FFA is a school based national youth leadership development organization of more than 735,000 student members as part of 8,817 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www. FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.
physiology in 1997 at Colorado State University. After completing his doctorate, Dr. Rusk joined Purdue University as its Youth Livestock Specialist. Clint enjoyed conducting educational programming for 4-H members and their parents for 13 years. In 2009, Dr. Rusk was selected to lead the Animal and Range Sciences Department at South Dakota State University. Over a three year period, Dr. Rusk gained valuable administrative experience working with industry leaders, university professors, successful alumni, and an outstanding group of dedicated students. As Executive Vice President, Clint will work closely with AICA staff and the Board of Directors to serve the Association’s members. He will be
in attendance at the November board meetings in Louisville, Kentucky. Clint’s employment will commence November 1 at the AICA Headquarters. He and his wife, Madeleine, will make their home in Kansas City. The Rusks have two children: Shane and his wife Julie and a daughter Ashley. Dr. Rusk said, “I am thrilled to join the American-International Charolais Association as Executive Vice President. I look forward to meeting Charolais breeders at the American Royal in Kansas City and the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville in the coming weeks. While in Louisville, I’m also looking forward to attending the induction of J. Neil Orth into the prestigious Saddle and Sirloin Club on November 14.”
19th Annual
Charolais Source Bull Sale December 11, 2021 • 12:00 Noon Chester Livestock Exchange • Chester, S.C. FGF
SELLING
FGF
16 2 Year Old Charolais Bulls 20 Long Yearling Charolais Bulls (18≤ months) 4 Long Yearling Black Hereford Bulls 7 Open Charolais Heifers 5 Bred Charolais Heifers FGF
REFERENCE SIRES
FGF
LT Distance 2054 P • WIA Stone Cold E95 P • VCR Sir Duke 914 P CCC We Resource 417 P • AC Patriot • Mazeppa Bells 406 WC LT Rushmore 5190 ET • CFR Sir Duke 560 P DC/CRS Tank E108 P FGF
SERVICE SIRES
FGF
DC/JDJ Armored 6258 • WIA Foreman 10 P FGF
CONSIGNORS
FGF
Mazeppa Charolais Farm • Larry Edwards 704-852-0003 Clayford Ranch Charolais • Tommy Wilks 843-307-0323 Auctioneer - Will Thompson • 704-616-8553
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 73
Delivering Results for Members in Washington, D.C. When you switch on cable news or talk radio, it can feel as though there is a fresh crisis in Washington, D.C., every day. This perpetual sense of urgency is often mismatched to reality. Soundbites might take only minutes to go viral, but real, meaningful changes happen at a slow and steady pace. “When you look at important NCBA victories like repealing the 2015 ‘Waters of the United States’ rule, delisting the gray wolf, or preserving the step-up in basis for farmers and ranchers, none of those happened overnight,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “Fending off disastrous policy changes and securing wins that have a tangible impact on our members takes weeks, months or even years of work on the part of our team in Washington.” How does NCBA carve out a path to success for our members, especially when the terrain and endpoint are far from certain? Engaging proactively and regularly with decision makers is critical to NCBA’s ability to deliver concrete wins. “The constant dialogue with members of Congress, leaders in the administration and policymakers at agencies like USDA and EPA is why our team does the work that we do, and why NCBA is better represented in the policy conversation in Washington than any other association in agriculture. We take the directions that we’re given by our members through the grassroots
PAGE 74
policy process, and then we move the ball forward – yard by yard – until we are where we need to be,” Lane said. One issue that exemplifies this slow but steady march toward results is NCBA’s work on taxes. For months, lawmakers have been determining where to get the funding for the Biden administration’s massive “Build Back Better” spending plans, and tax hikes on family agricultural operations are on the shortlist. In mid-September, the U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means considered legislation proposing roughly $2 trillion worth of tax increases as part of a budget reconciliation bill. Eliminating stepped-up basis would be a major revenue raiser and, as such, has been one of the main provisions of the tax code on the chopping block. After months of NCBA led pushback, the House Ways & Means Committee ultimately preserved stepped up basis in their bill, a significant first victory for cattle farmers and ranchers. Stepped up basis comes into play during the generational transfer of family farms and ranches. When an operation is passed on to an heir, stepped up basis essentially resets the basis of the asset’s value to the current fair market value at the time of the owner’s death. This matters because farms and ranches typically stay with one owner for decades; during that time, the value of land often grows exponentially. Treating that appreciation in value as a taxable event – paired with the estate tax – hits
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
heirs twice with an enormous tax burden. The House package now being debated in Congress also includes an expansion of the Section 2032A Special Use Valuation, for which NCBA has long advocated. The 2032A provision allows producers to elect to value their land based on its actual use or productive value in agriculture, not on the price tag it would fetch if sold to a developer. That lower figure is then used to calculate the family’s estate tax burden. The budget reconciliation bill has a long road ahead before becoming law, and the Senate may still revisit misguided proposals the House failed to consider. NCBA knows that preserving a stepped up basis and expanding 2032A will ultimately help more farmers and ranchers stay in business and will be fighting for producers every step of the way. Another steady drumbeat in Washington has been a focus on climate and environmental issues. President Biden made clear before taking office that addressing climate change would be a keystone issue of his administration – and from day one of the transition, NCBA was at the table to make cattle producers’ voices heard. “Our approach to these kinds of issues has to be twofold. We are pushing for priorities that have been outlined by our members, and we’re also spending a lot of time defending wins that were secured during the previous administration. That second piece is often overlooked, but it’s vital to hold the line
for our members – and we’ll go to court to accomplish that, if necessary,” Lane said. NCBA is involved in litigation to defend the delisting of the fully recovered gray wolf and to fight for much needed reforms to the “Waters of the United States” rule. We are leading the industry by setting voluntary, member driven sustainability goals. We are also working to shut down insidious legislation in Congress that is designed to regulate animal agriculture out of existence. We are directing and redirecting the administration constantly to make sure that the implementation of the “America the Beautiful” or 30x30 plan prioritizes the needs of our members – and doesn’t infringe on their private property rights. This multifaceted strategy has yielded real results. The cattle industry is the loudest — and sometimes the only — voice from agriculture represented in many of the key discussions happening at USDA and EPA on all these issues and more. Sometimes the most tangible wins we deliver for our members don’t cover new territory. Every month since the beginning of the pandemic, NCBA has successfully fought to secure an extension of the exemption from hours of service (HOS) regulations for livestock haulers. Transporting live cattle in a manner that is humane, safe, and efficient is a top priority for our members and livestock haulers. Transportation directly impacts animal safety and well being, as well as the security of a reliable, efficient beef supply chain. The existing HOS regulations for livestock haulers limit on duty time to 14 hours, with a maximum drive time of 11 consecutive hours. The driver must then rest for ten consecutive hours before returning to duty. For the great majority of trips made by our livestock haulers, this is simply not enough drive time to accommodate the realities of hauling live animals across the country. NCBA is working hard to ensure federal regulations are flexible enough to allow our drivers to do their jobs safely and humanely while keeping grocery store shelves stocked with beef. “Many other trade associations would not put in the hours, over and over, to secure this exemption for well over a year now,” Lane said. “This is a perfect example of an issue that’s not very flashy, but NCBA’s persistence has made a real difference to the bottom line of many of our producers. That consistent groundwork is what sets us apart.”
Non-Profit Focuses On Mental Health Needs Across Rural America Rural Minds™ launches with a mission to serve as the informed voice for mental health in rural America and to provide mental health information and resources. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit will also convey the importance of overcoming the stigma around mental health challenges. Rates for depression are higher in rural America than in urban areas, and suicide rates among people living in rural counties are 25 percent higher than those in major metropolitan areas. Addressing
mental illness is a significant challenge in rural America due to unique barriers that include twenty percent fewer primary care providers than in cities, in addition to: • A lack of psychiatrists in 65 percent of rural counties; • A lack of psychiatric nurse practitioners in 81 percent of rural counties; and • A lack of access to broadband internet at home (four times more likely than it is for urban residents).
NEWS
Vytelle Closes Oversubscribed Series A; $13.2 Million to Accelerate Genetic Progress in Cattle. Vytelle, a precision livestock company, is pleased to announce the closure of an oversubscribed Series A funding worth $13.2 million. Private equity firm Open Prairie, through the Open Prairie Rural Opportunities Fund, and Kansas based Ag-tech VC Fulcrum Global Capital co-led the round. The financing also included participation from new Midwest investors Serra Ventures, Innovation In Motion, and KCRise, as well as existing investor, United Kingdom based Wheatsheaf Group. Vytelle’s integrated technology platform combines Vytelle ADVANCE, a breakthrough in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technology, with Vytelle SENSE, an animal performance data capture system, and Vytelle INSIGHT, an artificial intelligence based genetic analytics engine. The platform provides progressive cattle producers the technology to multiply the impact of elite livestock productivity and profitability, sustainably delivering more protein with fewer inputs. Vytelle’s integrated platform has seen rapid growth since its launch in 2020, currently serving cattle producers in 21 countries. “We are impressed with Vytelle’s track record of success in the IVF sector and look forward to implementing initiatives to further accelerate genetic progress with Vytelle’s data platforms for the benefit of ranchers and cattle operations throughout rural America,” said Open Prairie’s founder and managing partner, Jim Schultz. Duane Cantrell, CEO of Fulcrum
Global Capital, added, “Vytelle’s ability to scale globally is a game changer for the cattle industry to produce a more efficient and sustainable global cattle herd.” The funding reflects the aggressive expansion strategy of the Kansas City based company. The strategy includes propelling the IVF offering of Vytelle ADVANCE to strategic markets worldwide and investment in new ways to create more predictable genetic selections for global cattle operations. “We’ve been searching for another AgTech investment in the KC region with a large addressable market, proven traction, seasoned agriculture investors and experienced team. Kerryann and her team, board and investors exceed every measure and we are excited that our Kansas City based investors will be a part of this global/local growth story.” Darcy Howe, founder, managing director, KCRise Fund. “Our mission is clear, and we are grateful for the support of our investors who join us on our journey to ensure meat and milk are viable food choices for future generations.” said Kerryann Kocher, CEO of Vytelle. About Vytelle. Vytelle is a precision livestock company reshaping how cattle producers worldwide optimize their herds. Through Vytelle’s integrated technology platform, generations of genetic gains can be made in just a few years. This allows producers to sustainably deliver more protein with fewer inputs, helping to ensure meat and milk are viable, competitive food choices for future generations. For more information about Vytelle, please visit www.vytelle.com.
“Rural Minds is being launched to help rural Americans obtain greater access to mental health information and resources, while providing opportunities to help those affected through shared stories of lived experiences with mental illness,” said Jeff Winton, Rural Minds founder, and chairman. “We hope to put an end to the suffering, silence and stigma that surrounds mental illness in rural communities where the need is so great.” Growing up on his family’s multigenerational dairy farm in upstate New York, Winton was aware of local residents struggling with mental illness in silence, but it did not hit home until his 28-year-old nephew, Brooks, died by suicide nearly a decade ago. This shattering news became an eye opener to the prevalence of mental illness in rural communities and a call to action. “While my mother, Elaine, was urged by some members of our small farming community to keep silent about the cause of Brooks’ death, she insisted our family talk about what happened,” said Winton. “For this reason, I delivered a very honest eulogy at his funeral that prompted some of those in attendance to open up about their struggles with depression and mental illness in their own families.” Talking with his friends and neighbors about their mental health and suicide experiences cemented the need for an organization focused on the unique challenges faced by rural families. “The organization we are launching now, Rural Minds, is a tribute to my nephew, my mother, and to all the
The Carolina Cattle Connection
people who have or are currently struggling with mental illness in rural areas across the country,” Winton added. “I am pleased that this new organization is working to bring together individuals, grassroots organizations, nonprofits in the mental health space, and corporations who have a stake in the wellness of rural America,” said Jeff Ditzenberger, founder of TUGS (Talking, Understanding, Growing, Supporting), a support group and Facebook page to help others by sharing mental illness lived experience. “Knowing that an organization like Rural Minds now exists to help people in rural America receive the mental health services that are so desperately need is hopeful news for everyone impacted.” Jason Medows, founder of Ag State of Mind, said the effort to shine a light on underserved Americans who are feeding the nation is important to the health of the entire nation. “It is gratifying to know that this team has pulled together the concept, vision and mission for Rural Minds,” Medows said. “The silent suffering and stigma must end. This is exactly what the farm families and rural residents need, now more than ever.” Rural MindsTM is a 501(c)(3) notfor-profit with a mission to serve as the informed voice on mental health in rural America and to provide mental health information and resources. Our vision is a rural America where there’s no more suffering, silence, or stigma around mental illness. Find more information at www. RuralMinds.org.
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 75
Beef Improvement Federation
NEWS
Gene Editing in Today’s Beef Industry and the Future. “The United States produces 18 percent of the world’s beef with six percent of the world’s cattle. That’s why genetics are important,” said Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, Professor of Cooperative Extension in Animal Genomics and Biotechnology at the University of California, Davis. Van Eenennaam gave her presentation titled “Gene Editing Today and in the Future” during the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa. Van Eenennaam explained the concepts of introducing editing components into the genome. Genetic engineering vs. gene editing - The 2009 sequencing of the bovine genome allowed for the development of a 50,000 SNP chip, also known as the
50K. Very rapidly adopted by the global cattle breeding community, the genomic test result is incorporated in the genomic enhanced expected progeny difference (GE-EPD) as an additional data source. GE-EPDs are made up of the animal’s pedigree, performance, progeny, and genomic test result. This technology has evolved greatly since 2010, when DNA information competed with EPDs. According to Van Eenennaam, genome editing allows the introduction of double strand breaks at a specific sequence in the genome. “Genetic engineering, or GMOs, to use the more controversial term, is basically introducing a trait to a breeding program that brings a useful characteristic along,” she explained. “The difference with genome editing is you can very
precisely target any location in the genome for the introduction of a new gene or also just tweaking the DNA within an animal. It is that precision that is kind of new with genome editing, which opens up opportunities to very precisely inactivate genes in the genome without necessarily introducing ‘transgenic’ or ‘exogenous DNA’ from another species. This is one of the distinguishing factors between genetic engineering and genome editing.” Gene editing technologies - Van Eenennaam explained that gene editing will be able to introduce useful alleles without linkage drag and potentially bring in useful novel genetic variation from other breeds. There are various advantages and disadvantages of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning to produce an animal carrying a targeted genome edit. Advantages include germline transmission, confirmed genotype with higher knock-in efficiency in somatic cells. Disadvantages are very low cloning efficiencies, use of a single cell line, and not all cell lines clone well. Van Eenennaam also explained that cytoplasmic injection (CPI) of editing
reagents into embryos has multiple advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include no cloning artifacts, diversity of germplasm, and a high efficiency for gene knock-outs. Disadvantages of this technology are mosaicism (more than one genotype in an individual), variable rates of obtaining an edited genome in calves born, and gene knock-in is less efficient in early embryos. “I envision gene editing impacting breed associations and future genetic evaluation by offering an opportunity to repair deleterious genetic conditions, and an opportunity to introduce useful alleles into breed germplasm. It is currently primarily used for single gene or Mendelian traits, and it could potentially be used to alter a defining characteristic of a breed,” Van Eenennaam said. To watch Van Eenennaam’s full presentation, visit https://youtu.be/ ioMx-c2N2PM. For more information about this year’s Symposium and the Beef Improvement Federation, including additional presentations and award winners, visit www.BIFSymposium.com.
Clemson Offers App to Help Calculate Feed Rations Just like people, livestock require the correct amount of nutrients in their diets. To help producers easily determine the nutrients in feed mixes, the Clemson University Precision Agriculture group has developed the Clemson Livestock Feed Ration Calculator. This web based calculator, or app, is user friendly and can be accessed anywhere internet is available on smartphones, tablets, and computers, as well as other devices that have internet capabilities. It can be used for any type of livestock globally, although it initially was developed to assist cattle producers in the southeastern United States. “This app can be used by anyone who works out rations for beef cattle or really any type of livestock,” said Scott Sell, the lead developer and a Clemson research associate of cattle and forages at the Edisto Research and Education Center (REC) in Blackville, South Carolina. “It can quickly and easily calculate a ration that’s balanced for the class, age, and stage of growth of the livestock they’re producing.” A ration is the amount of feed
PAGE 76
given to an animal during a 24 hour period. A balanced ration is the amount of feed required to supply the proper amount and proportions of nutrients needed for an animal to perform a specific purpose such as growth, maintenance, lactation, or gestation. Nutrients are feed components such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Nutrient requirements are determined by factors such as weight, gender, desired growth rate, lactation stage, environment, and others. The Clemson app allows up to eight feedstuffs to be selected from a list of over 500 common feed ingredients. Custom feed ingredients also may be entered. For each feedstuff entry, default nutrient and energy compositions are loaded, each of which may be adjusted by the user. Users enter proportional mix weights and other batch weights, and a breakdown of ten essential nutrients is provided based on this information. Results can be emailed to users or anyone else by clicking on the “Email this Feed Ration” button found at the bottom of the page. Recommendations made by the calculations come from feed composition tables provided by the Farm Progress group and information provided by Oklahoma State University.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
“I’ve worked in Extension for 30 years and I’ve always looked for a tool to easily calculate feed rations,” Sell said. “It has long been a dream of mine to create something like this for livestock producers to be able to easily use.” Kendall Kirk, a precision agriculture engineer also housed at the Edisto REC, said other feed ration calculators are available, but many are cumbersome to use, limited in ingredients, or limited in mobility. “Development of this tool demonstrates the great value that can be achieved for our producers when two research and Extension programs work together,” said Kirk, who built the web app based entirely on a spreadsheet that
Sell developed. “Scott’s calculator distinguishes itself as being user friendly and intuitive for building rations and building mix sheets, even from a smart phone.” For information about this app, go to bit.ly/CUFeedRationApp or contact Sell at gsell@clemson.edu. Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA-ERS) shows cattle production is the most important agricultural industry in the United States, consistently accounting for the largest share of total cash receipts for agricultural commodities.
NEWS
“Come Together for Animal Ag” at 2022 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit. Event to be held May 11-12 in Kansas City, speaker proposals sought. Recently, the Animal Agriculture Alliance announced that its 2022 Stakeholders Summit, set for May 11-12 in Kansas City, Mo., will be themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here.” In addition to announcing the dates, location, and theme for the 2022 Summit, the Alliance also issued a call for proposals to speak at the event. The Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches,
allied industries, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies, and media. The 2021 event (hosted virtually) was the largest yet, attracting 594 attendees from around the world. The 2022 Summit will offer both virtual and live attendance options and will include a pre-conference webinar series leading up to the main in-person event. There’s only one way to effectively safeguard the future of animal agriculture—together. And now, we finally have the opportunity to come together in person once again. The 2022 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit is your chance to meet and collaborate with stakeholders throughout
The North American Limousin Foundation is Excited to Welcome Taylor Dorsey to the Team as the NALF Media and Activities Assistant. Taylor grew up in Eaton, Colo., where her family runs a Maine-Anjou breeding operation. She was raised in a livestock family where they showed competitively around the nation. Dorsey fell in love with not only showing and spending her summers in the barn with family but with the beef industry. Over the years of showing, her passion continued to grow for the industry, and she wanted to be involved on a larger scale, so she ended up joining the Maine-Anjou Junior Board. Taylor stated, “That decision helped shaped me into the person I am today. It also started me on the path of wanting to pursue a career with a breed association or with a show entity.” Dorsey attended Oklahoma State University, where she became a forever Cowboy and graduated with a degree in animal science with a focus on business. After college, she worked for the Tulsa State Fair, where she continued to grow and had the opportunity to work with the youth of Oklahoma as the Competitive Exhibit Coordinator. “When the opportunity to join the North American Limousin Foundation crossed my path, I was thrilled to accept the position and join the team.
I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with junior exhibitors again and help guide them to becoming future leaders. It’s also a tremendous opportunity to build relationships with breeder’s and further the breed. I’m so excited to get to be a part of it all and learn from this great team and help develop and grow this breed,” Dorsey said when offered the position. “My hope is that Taylor and I will create a media department that is second to none as we continue to improve the breed and set standards for the beef industry. I am excited to have Taylor also be a part of the junior program as we continue to make changes and create leaders of this industry for generations to come,” states Mallory Blunier, NALF Director of Media and Activities. About the North American Limousin Foundation. The North American Limousin Foundation, headquartered in Englewood, Colo., provides programs and services, including the documentation of more than 25,000 head of cattle annually, for approximately 4,000 members and their commercial customers. The Limousin breed and Lim-Flex® hybrid offer industry leading growth and efficiency while being an ideal complement to British breeds. For more information about NALF, please visit www.nalf.org.
the food chain and across commodities. Be informed on the latest news, data, and developments in animal welfare, sustainability, and other hot topics. Be ready with the tools to work side by side to protect our livelihoods. Be here as we come together to connect, engage, and protect the farm and food communities. Join us at the 2022 Summit – “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here!” “The world is opening back up, and it’s time to “Come Together for Animal Ag,” said Hannah ThompsonWeeman, Alliance vice president, strategic engagement. “We look forward to bringing together the farm and food communities to discuss emerging issues in animal agriculture and how we can work collectively to safeguard its future. Although nothing beats being together in person, virtual opportunities will also be available to provide greater access to the exceptional content we’re planning for the 2022 Summit.” The Alliance is currently seeking proposals for keynote presentations and panel discussions that fit this theme. Proposals to speak at the event are being accepted through November 26. For
The Carolina Cattle Connection
more information, visit the proposal guidelines and form at animalagalliance. org/resource/request-for-speakersstakeholders-summit. For questions about the speaker proposal process, contact Hannah Thompson-Weeman at hthompson@animalagalliance.org. Registration for the Summit will open in early 2022, and a tentative schedule will be shared at that time. Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA22 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. About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The 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.
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 77
...
LASSIFIED PUREBRED CATTLE BREEDERS BACK CREEK ANGUS
Joe and Robin Hampton
www.huntsbrangus.com Calhoun, GA 770-548-7950
345 Withrows Creek Lane Mt. Ulla, NC 28125
704-880-2488
Angus
Black Crest Farm
W.R. “Billy” McLeod
C. A. H.
AUTO • HOME • LIFE BUSINESS • FARM & RANCH
Jim Traynham Wingate, N.C. 704-233-5366 Cell - 704-292-4217
Brent Glenn, DVM Lancaster, S.C.
Carolinas Animal Health, LLC
“Cattle with Something Extra”
REGISTERED POLLED HEREFORDS • EST. 1998 “Quality Cattle For Quality People”
Cattle Available Private Treaty
1320 Old Manning Rd., Sumter, SC 29150
John Wheeler • 910-489-0024 doublejfarm@yahoo.com • www.doublejfarmllc.com
williammcleod@ftc-i.net • www.blackcrestfarm.com
Headquarters - 775 Clacton Circle • Earlysville, VA 22936 Cattle located in Traphill, N.C.
803-481-2011
INSURANCE
ANIMAL H EALTH
803-789-7000
The Josey Agency, Inc. Douglas Josey Multi-Line Agent
Cell: 803-385-8161 Email: djosey@truvista.net
519 Morgan Mill Rd., Monroe, NC 28112 704-289-5083 • 704-289-1696 • 800-222-8638
Nationwide On Your Side®
Phone: 252-257-2140 Mobile: 252-430-9595 ®
James S. Wills • The Wills Agency LLC Primary Agent/Owner Master Farm Certified
555 West Church Street Batesburg, SC 29006 3200 NC Hwy. 58 • Warrenton, NC 27589 NCAL #1468 • NC#C#4264 • VAL #146 • SCAL #3895 Email: ebharris@ebharris.com www.ebharris.com
Breeding Registered Angus since 1962
Walter D. Shealy III and Family
20977 US Hwy 76 • Newberry, SC 29108 Walter Shealy • 803-924-1000 Dixon Shealy • 803-629-1174 walter@blackgrove.com • dixon@blackgrove.com www.blackgrove.com
MEAT PROCESSING
BEEF • PORK • LAMB • GOAT
QUALITY GELBVIEH, ANGUS, & BALANCER CATTLE
DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, OWNERS
Duane Cell: 336-964-6277 • Wendy Cell: 336-964-5127 Home: 336-381-3640 • Fax: 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com • ccrosscattle.com
APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE - Call Today!
YOUR AD HERE!
• Custom Labeling • Value Added Product • Retail Packaging
336-628-4949
PiedmontCustomMeats.com
THE HERD THAT CONSISTENTLY PRODUCES CATTLE WITH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS, AND EYE APPEAL.
KEEP POSTED FOR UPDATES ON THE 2022 Tarheel Angus/4K Farm Production Sale RICHARD KIRKMAN, DVM 20416 US 64 West Siler City, NC 27344-0350
919-742-5500 • rdkirkman@centurylink.net
Autryville, NC 28318 www.howardbrosfarms.com
Darryl Howard Cell: 910-990-2791
ALL Regular Copy for the
THE YON FAMILY 318 Aiken Road • Ridge Spring, SC 29129 www.yonfamilyfarm.com
Angus • SimAngus • Ultrablacks
FOR SALE
BBU Registered Beefmaster Bulls and Females
WHITEHALL BEEFMASTERS Joe and Ann Logan 214 Cowhead Creek Road Greenwood, SC 29646
Telephone: 864-538-3004
13 t h A
nnual Sale Novem ber 6, 2 021
Jonathan Massey
336-260-2565 • jonathan.massey2@gmail.com
Johnny Massey
336-214-4144 • johnnymassey.1@gmail.com
LET THIS SPACE MAKE $$$ FOR YOU! PAGE 78
Telephone: 803-532-3390 Cell: 864-554-4658 Fax: 803-532-0615 james@twainsurance.com
Inc. / Auctioneers
BLACK GROVE
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
®
Agribusiness
AUCTIONEERING Ernest B. Harris President
2610 Kee Moore Drive Chester, SC 29706
DECEMBER ISSUE by NOVEMBER 5! ALL Spotlight Material for the
DECEMBER ISSUE by NOVEMBER 1!
NDEX OF 10th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale .............................................. 34 13th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale ............................... 35 19th Annual Charolais Source Bull Sale .............................................. 73 2021 S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting Sponsors ............. 3 2022 IRM Red Books .......................................................................... 65 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus .................................................................... 78 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale .................... 24 5th Annual Boys From the South Bull Sale ........................................... 51 6th Annual The Pounds & Profit Sale ................................................... 23 American Angus Association ............................................................. 27 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............................ 78 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ................................................................... 54 Back Creek Angus .............................................................................. 78 Biltmore Livestock — Angus .............................................................. 39 BioZyme - VitaCharge ........................................................................ 69 Black Crest Farm ................................................................................ 78 Black Crest Farm 24th Annual Production Sale ................................... 38 Black Grove Angus ............................................................................. 78 Brubaker Family Angus ...................................................................... 78 C-Cross Cattle Company .................................................................... 78 Cargill — Right Now® Mineral ............................................................ 62 Carolinas Animal Health ................................................................... 78 Childers Concrete Company, Inc. ....................................................... 64 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ....................................................... 74 Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics ........................................................... 77 CPC Weather Pro ................................................................................ 53 Double J Farms .................................................................................. 78 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. .............................................................. 78 Edgewood Angus Performance Tested Bull Sale ................................ 30 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ............................................. 14 Fowken Farms .................................................................................... 16 FPL Foods ........................................................................................... 15 Fred Smith Company Ranch ............................................................... 78 Harward Sisters Cattle Company ....................................................... 48 Hay-B-Gone Hay Mover/Un-Roller ..................................................... 12 High Ridge Farms Angus & SimAngus Sale ......................................... 21 Howard Brothers Farms ..................................................................... 78
For Your Advertising Needs, Contact: The Carolina Cattle Connection 919-552-9111 The Livestock Advertising Network 859-278-0899
DVERTISERS Hunt’s H+ Brangus ........................................................................... 78 Hutton & Sons Herefords .................................................................. 78 Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale ................................... 25 Kuhn Equipment Company ............................................................... 52 Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale ................................................. 42 Lane Angus Farm Annual Bull Sale .................................................... 37 Locust Level Farms Cutting Edge Angus Bull Sale .............................. 33 Moly Manufacturing ......................................................................... 41 N.C. Angus Association Directory …................................................... 36 N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sales Double Header .................. 45 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application .................... 44 N.C. Hereford Association Directory ................................................. 17 N.C. Meat Suite .................................................................................. 63 N.C. Simmental Association .............................................................. 18 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment ................................ 11 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2021 Policy Priorities & Membership Application ....................... 57 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Benefits ...........58 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ................ 78 Pearson Livestock Equipment ........................................................... 50 Performance Livestock & Feed Company .......................................... 40 Piedmont Custom Meats ................................................................... 78 Precise Cattle & Friends Fall Production Sale .................................... 28 Premier Select Sires — 2021 Fall Specials ......................................... 67 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ............................ 55 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ..................... 9 Shelton Angus • Dogwood Farm • Locust Level Fall Bull Sale ............ 26 SimAngus Solution ........................................................................... 78 Smith Creek Angus Farm On-Farm Bull Sale ..................................... 31 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ......... 47 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ............... 43 Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic ......................................................... 22 Springfield Angus Annual Bull Sale ................................................... 29 The Barn Loft — Gallagher Scales & MiraFount Waterers .................... 2 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2022 Spotlight Schedule .................... 8 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates & Sizes ................ 49 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM ....... 71 Watauga Butchery ............................................................................. 19 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ......................................................... 10 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ........................................ 61 Whitehall Beefmasters ...................................................................... 78 Wilkes Livestock Exchange ............................................................... 56 Yon Family Farms .............................................................................. 78 The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2021
PAGE 79
VENTS ANGUS Nov. 1 — Châtel Farms Fall Bull Sale, Reidsville, Ga. Nov. 1 — Barnett Angus Ranches 2nd Annual Bull Sale Nov. 6 — Craven Angus Farm 4th Annual Bull & Heifer Sale, Seagrove, N.C. Nov. 6 — TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer Maternal Magic Annual Bull Sale X, Chickmauga, Ga. Nov. 13 —20th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 13 — Gibbs Farms 16th Annual Bull & Replacement Female Sale, Ranburne, Ala. Nov. 13 — Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic, Wytheville, Va. Nov. 20 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Wytheville, Va. Nov. 20 — Locust Level Farm Cutting Edge Angus Bull Sale, Gretna, Va. Nov. 20 — Precise Cattle & Friends Fall Production Sale, Watkinsville, Ga. Nov. 20 — 10th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale, Asheboro, N.C. Nov. 20 — Shelton Angus • Dogwood Farm • Locust Level Farm Fall Bull Sale, Gretna, Va. Nov. 20 — 10th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale, Asheboro, N.C. Nov. 27 —5th Annual Boys from the South Bull Sale, Lebanon, Tenn Nov. 27 — Edgewood Angus Performance Tested Bull Sale, West Point, Va. Nov. 27 — High Ridge Farms Angus & SimAngus Sale, Norwood, N.C. Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4-11 — Lane Angus Farm Annual Bull Sale Dec. 4 — N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test Sale, Canton, N.C. Dec. 4 — Smith Creek Angus Farm On-Farm Bull Sale, Norlina, N.C. Dec. 4 — 6th Annual The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 11 — Springfield Angus Bull Sale, Louisburg, N.C. Dec. 17 — N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test Sale, Oxford, N.C. 2022 Jan. 1 — 13th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jan. 22 — Harward Sisters Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 12 — Black Crest Farm 24th Annual Production Sale, Sumter, S.C. Feb. 19 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C.
PAGE 80
BRANGUS Nov. 6 — Brands of Recognition Sale, Columbia, Tenn. Charolais Nov. 6 — Brands of Recognition Sale, Columbia, Tenn. Dec. 4 — N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test Sale, Canton, N.C. Dec. 4 — 6th Annual The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. 2022 Jan. 22 — Harward Sisters Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, Norwood, N.C. GELBVIEH Nov. 6 — TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer Maternal Magic Annual Bull Sale X, Chickmauga, Ga. Nov. 13 —20th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 13 — Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic, Wytheville, Va. Nov. 20 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Wytheville, Va. Nov. 27 —5th Annual Boys from the South Bull Sale, Lebanon, Tenn Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2022 Feb. 19 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. HEREFORD Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4 — N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test Sale, Canton, N.C. Dec. 17 — N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test Sale, Oxford, N.C. 2022 Mar. 26 — 54th Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale, Statesville, N.C. red ANGUS Nov. 6 — Brands of Recognition Sale, Columbia, Tenn. Nov. 13 —20th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 20 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Wytheville, Va. Dec. 17 — N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test Sale, Oxford, N.C. 2022 Jan. 22 — Harward Sisters Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, Norwood, N.C.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2021
SANTA GERTRUDIS Nov. 6 —Mountain Laurel Classic Santa Gertrudis Sale, Calhoun, Ga. Nov. 13 —20th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. 2022 May 7 — Santa Gertudis Breeders of the Carolinas Sale, Chester, S.C. SIMMENTAL Nov. 6 — 13th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Nov. 13 —20th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 13 —Gibbs Farms 16th Annual Bull & Replacement Female Sale, Ranburne, Ala. Nov. 13 — Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic, Wytheville, Va. Nov. 20 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Wytheville, Va. Nov. 27 — High Ridge Farms Angus & SimAngus Sale, Norwood, N.C. Dec. 4 — N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test Sale, Canton, N.C. Dec. 4 — 6th Annual The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 17 — N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test Sale, Oxford, N.C. 2022 Jan. 22 — Harward Sisters Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, Norwood, N.C. South Devon Nov. 20 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Wytheville, Va.
OTHER EVENTS Nov. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 6 — Brands of Recognition Sale, Columbia, Tenn. Nov. 13 —20th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4 — N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test Sale, Canton, N.C. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 6-9 — 8th National Conference on Grazing Lands, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Dec. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 16 — Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics, Louisburg, N.C. Dec. 17 — N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test Sale, Oxford, N.C. 2022 Jan. 18 — Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics, Clinton, N.C. Jan. 22 — Harward Sisters Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 5 — 46th Annual Clemson University Bull Sale, Pendleton, S.C. Feb. 18 — Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics, Clinton, N.C. Mar. 12 — March Madness Cattle Sale of the Carolinas, Chester, S.C. Apr. 19 — Cow Camp 101: Back to Basics, Louisburg, N.C. Jun. 21 — 5-County Beef Tou
IGHTER An elderly couple had dinner at another couple’s house, and after eating, the wives left thetable and went into the kitchen. The two gentlemen were talking, and one said, “Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly.” The other man said, “What is the name of the restaurant?” The first man thought and thought and finally said, “What is the name of that flower you give to someone you love? You know... the one that’s red and has thorns.” “Do you mean a rose?” “Yes, that’s the one,” replied the man. He then turned towards the kitchen and yelled, “Rose, what’s the name of that restaurant we went to last night?” A middle aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital.
IDE
While on the operating table, she had a near death experience. Seeing God, she asked, “Is my time up?” God said, “No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live.” Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a face lift, liposuction and tummy tuck. Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well look even nicer. After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was hit and killed by an ambulance. Arriving in front of God, she demanded, “I thought you said I had another 40 plus years? Why didn’t you pull me out of the path of the ambulance!?” God replied, “My child, I am sorry, I didn’t even recognize you!
