CC C
arolina attle onnection NOVEMBER 2022 •
Vol. 36, Issue No. 11
Spotlight Spotli ght on
BRANGUS
ONNECTION 2022 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts ........................................................................... page 64 A Message from the CEO — Our Right to Vote!, by Colin Woodall .......................................... page 57 Amazing Grazing — Digging Deep into Forage Analysis, by Dr. Deidre Harmon …................. page 10 American Angus Association News ............................................................................................... page 30 American Simmental Association News ...................................................................................... page 23 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ................................................................................................ page 40 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Veteran, Farmer, Agriculture Ambassadors, by Ashley W. Herring …...…...…...…...…...…...…...…...…...…...…...…...…...…...…...…...….....…...... page 8 Axiota News ....................................................................................................................................... page 38
N.C. Cattlemen’s Association
President BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425 Vice Presidents SCOTT WEST 489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850
Phone: 919-552-9111 Fax: 919-552-9216 Email: mail@nccattle.com Website: www.nccattle.com
NCBA Regional Vice President (Policy) FRED SMITH, JR.
Beef Board Director - BRIAN WARREN
Federation of State Beef Councils Update ................................................................................... page 58 Former Governor Jim and Carolyn Hunt Honored by N.C. Simmental Association, by Jennie Rucker ............................................................................................................................. page 21 Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef News ............................................................................. page 21 Have You Herd — Decisions for Incorporating Byproducts into Beef Cattle Feeds, by Sydney Smith .............................................................................................................................. page 16 Jazzed in News Orleans Update! .................................................................................................... page 53 John Deere News ................................................................................................................................ page 31 Merck Animal Health News ............................................................................................................. page 14 N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation — 2022-2023 Scholarship Applications .................................... page 19 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ............................................................................. page 64 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — Standing Together for a Better Future, by Don Schiefelbein ............................................ page 52 New NCCA Members for 2022 ........................................................................................................ page 50 North American Limousin Foundation News ............................................................................. page 42 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ................................................................... page 60 Pasture Management Systems, Inc. Mile of Fence Program Update ...................................... page 48 S.C. Charolais News, by Georgeanne Webb ……............................................................................. page 14 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices .................................................................... page 61 The Chaplain’s Corral — Faithful in Prayer, by Dave Harvey ....................................................... page 12 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker ............................................................................................ page 22 Top Ten North Carolina and South Carolina Breeders Who Registered the Most Angus ............................................................................................... page 31 Valley Vet News ................................................................................................................................. page 24 Vytelle News ...................................................................................................................................... page 67 Wall Street Regulator Wades into Cattle Industry .................................................................... page 62 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ..................................................................................................... page 18 Young Beef Producers’ Tour Experience, by Ashley Wollett ..................................................... page 50 Zoetis News ........................................................................................................................................ page 44
2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Immediate Past President KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734
BioZyme News ................................................................................................................................... page 66 Carolina Cooking — Autumn Harvest Braised Brisket ...................................…....................... page 69
E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Never Ever Underestimate Someone, by E.B. Harris ................................................................................................................................... page 12 Farm Credit News ............................................................................................................................. page 62
Sales & Publication Office
BRANDON BOWMAN 2346 Ann Street • Claremont, NC 28610
NCBA Policy Division Director - JOHN LANGDON
Clemson University Extension Bull Test Program Report, by Steven E. Meadows, Ph.D. ........................................................................................................ page 43 Director’s Report — A Busy Fall, by Travis Mitchell ................................................................. page 3
Vol. 36, No. 11 NOVEMBER 2022
RYAN CLARK 5250 NC 772 Hwy. • Madison, NC 27025
Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ....................................................................... page 46 Beefmaster Breeder United News ................................................................................................ page 68
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update — Exports Necessary to Continue Growing Market for U.S. Beef, by Ross Havens …................................................................................................... page 60 Certified Angus Beef News ............................................................................................................. page 28
The Carolina Cattle Connection
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N.C. Beef Council Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR. Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE
Executive Director - BRYAN K. BLINSON 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Director of Consumer Information ASHLEY W. HERRING
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S.C. Cattlemen’s Association
Executive Director - TRAVIS MITCHELL P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138 Phone: 803-609-2828 Email: twmitch@clemson.edu
Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All Website: www.sccattlemen.wildapricot.org submissions become property of The Carolina Executive Committee Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to President - Timmy Benton return items such as photographs and artwork as 1st Vice President - Joe Oswald IV requested. nd 2 Vice President - Gene Crim Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Roscoe Kyle
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 • Ashley Mills, Blair Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Eric Seymour, Columbia
S.C. Beef Council
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
BRANGUS About Brangus Cattle … page 4 Brangus in North Carolina and South Carolina … page 5 Pine Knot Cattle Company, by Hayley Sessoms … page 6 Why Brangus, by John Harding … page 7 Windlass Farms, LLC, by Mike Cocchiaro … page 5 The Carolina Cattle Connection
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
Director’s Report By TRAVIS MITCHELL, Executive Director, SCCA
A Busy Fall The month of November brings the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Regional Meetings being held in three locations across the state. We will begin on November 14 in Allendale as we kick off the meetings with a tour of JCO Farms feedlot. On November 15, we will be at Black Crest Farms and will begin the event with a tour of the farm’s seedstock operation. Then on November 16, we will be in Laurens County. All three meetings will include a presentation from Matt Fisher, Clemson Extension Agribusiness Livestock Economist. Mr. Fisher will present on the topic “Managing Input Costs.” We are also very pleased and excited to announce that Colin Woodall, Chief Executive Officer of the National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association, will join us each evening to discuss all the current issues facing the beef cattle industry on a
national level. Each meeting will include a sponsored meal catered by Shealy’s BBQ. I would like to thank the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors for their support and hard work to make these regional meetings possible. I would also like to thank the Clemson Extension Livestock & Forages team for all of the behind the scenes work to make these meetings a success. Many local county cattlemen’s associations across the state have pulled together to help promote and facilitate these meetings. I would
also like to say a big thank you to all of our Associate members. Without your financial support, these meetings would not be possible. These meetings come at no cost to our membership and producers, but we do ask that you register for each event. An Eventbrite link and phone number are located on the flyer next to this article. Please be sure to register so we have an accurate headcount for the meal. I look forward to seeing each of you at one of our Regional Meetings.
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
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Spotlight on
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Section f
About Brangus Cattle History The Brangus breed was developed to utilize the superior traits of Angus and Brahman cattle. Their genetics are stabilized at 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus. The combination results in a breed that unites the traits of two highly successful parent breeds. Through rigorous natural selection, the Brahman cattle developed disease resistance, overall hardiness, and outstanding maternal instincts. Angus cattle are known for their superior carcass qualities. They are also extremely functional females that excel in both fertility and milking ability. A review of the development of the Brangus breed takes us back beyond the founding of the American Brangus Breeders Association in 1949. However, registered Brangus cattle descend from the foundation animals recorded that year or registered Brahman and Angus cattle enrolled since then. Much of the early work in crossing Brahman and Angus cattle was done at the USDA Experiment Station in Jeanerette, Louisiana. According to the USDA 1935 Yearbook in Agriculture, the research with these crosses started about 1932. During the same period, Clear Creek Ranch of Welch, Okla., and Grenada, Miss.; Raymond Pope of Vinita, Okla.; the Essar Ranch of San Antonio, Tex.; and a few individual breeders in other parts of the United States and Canada were also carrying on private experimental breeding programs. They were looking for a
desirable beef type animal that would retain Brahman cattle’s natural ability to thrive under adverse conditions in combination with the excellent qualities for which Angus cattle are known. The early breeders from 16 states and Canada met in Vinita, Okla., on July 2, 1949, and organized the American Brangus Breeders Association, later renamed the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA), with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. The headquarters eventually moved to San Antonio, Texas, where it has permanently been located since January of 1973. There are now members in nearly every state, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Central America, Argentina, and South Rhodesia in Africa. Characteristics Brangus cattle are black or red and polled, with a sleek coat and pigmented skin. Their ears are medium to large, and the skin is loose with neck folds. The rump is slightly rounded, and the bulls have a moderate hump. Brangus have a good temperament which was originally selected for when the breed was created. Mature Brangus bulls generally weigh between 1,800-2,000 pounds, while mature females generally weigh around 1,100-1,200 pounds. Bulls mature by two years of age and are ready to go into service by 18 months. Heifers are ready to breed by 14 months of age and deliver their first calf at 24 months of age. The bulls can remain in
service through age 12, while the cows can produce calves beyond the age of 14. This breed is considered to be very versatile, being high performers on pasture and in the feed yard. They have also proven resistant to heat and high humidity. Under conditions of cool and cold climate, they seem to produce enough hair for adequate protection. The cows are good mothers, and the calves are usually of medium size at birth. Statistics • Resistant to heat and high humidity • Hardy in cold climates • Good mothers • Resistance to ticks and bloat • A good forager • Rapid weight gain • Average to slightly late maturing • A carcass without excessive fat Comparative Research in Louisiana has indicated that Brangus cows increase their weights during the summer months while Angus cows lose weight, indicating they are more adaptable to coastal climates.
Carcass tests conducted by Texas A&M University confirmed the ability of Brangus to produce exceptionally high quality carcasses. There were 330 steers by 17 Brangus sires, and 32 Angus steers by two high marbling accuracy Angus carcass sired used in this test. The 19 sires were randomly bred to predominantly Brangus females. The cattle were managed alike, fed at Tri-State Feeders and harvested at Iowa Beef processors in Amarillo, Texas. The Warner-Bratzler Shear Force Test was conducted on ribeye samples from each of the steers. Of the Brangus samples, 97 percent scored “tender” or better, while 94 percent of the Angus samples tested tender. Brangus were 14 - 17 percent more favorable than the Angus average. According to the 1990 National Beef Tenderness Survey, the average for shear force rating was 7.4 pounds. Distribution Brangus can be found all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, and South Rhodesia in Africa.
Regular copy deadline is NOVEMBER 5 for the DECEMBER issue Spotlight material is due NOVEMBER 1 for the DECEMBER issue PAGE 4
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Windlass Farms, LLC By MIKE COCCHIARO Windlass Farms, LLC is a producer of commercial and registered Brangus (⅝ Angus and ⅜ Brahman) and Ultrablack (13/16 Angus and 3/16 Brahman) cattle located in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The operation was started in 2016 by veterinarians Michael and Rachel Cocchiaro when they saw the need to increase breed recognition in the state of North Carolina. Michael trained at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and was exposed to the Brangus breed during his time in Texas. He saw firsthand that combining Brahman and Angus genetics allowed the cattle to thrive in many environments, while also improving maternal characteristics, performance, parasite resistance, fertility, efficiency, and docility. The breed’s hardiness is perfect for both the hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters here in the Southeast.
Windlass Farms is a cow/calf operation that markets to both registered and commercial cattlemen and cattlewomen, primarily in the southeastern United States. We have roughly 20 Brangus females. We practice rotational grazing strategies on our fescue and annual grasses. Brangus do very well on our fescue pastures. We do not have issues with the endophyte causing overheating,
the southeast. We sell replacement females and herd bulls private treaty to anyone interested in adding Brangus or Ultrablack genetics to their herd. Our farm is also approved by the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to sell meat directly off our farm to the local area.
low birthweights, decreased milk production, or difficulty shedding their winter hair coat. We generally calve in the fall and use artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and natural cover as breeding techniques. We carefully select herd sire bulls to improve the quality of our calf crop. EPDs (or expected progeny differences) guide our purchase of registered animals, semen for artificial insemination, and embryos for transfer into our commercial cows. We emphasize EPDs for low birth weight, calving ease, rapid growth with high yearling/weaning weights, and ribeye area, as well as intramuscular fat to ensure high meat quality.
Windlass Farms participates in sales put on by the Southeastern Brangus Breeders Association, and we also consign cattle to other sales throughout
We are passionate about the Brangus breed and would welcome anyone to email or stop by to discuss our cattle or the breed in general. Feel free to have a look at our Facebook page (Windlass Farms – Brangus and Ultrablack Cattle), check out our website at www. windlassfarms.com, or reach out to us at windlassbrangus@gmail.com.
Brangus in North Carolina and South Carolina Registered Brangus must be ⅜ Brahman and ⅝ Angus, solid black, solid red, and polled as to confirmation and breed characteristics. Both sire and dam must be recorded with the International Brangus Breeders Association to register an offspring. Brangus is the sustainable beef breed with more than 60 years of designed crossbreeding just for you. Brangus cattle make ranching operations more profitable and sustainable with animals that are more adaptable, improved longevity, and excellent reproductive efficiencies. Brangus cross replacement females are known for easy fleshing, early puberty, and lower input cost as she consistently calves at an early age. Females usually have their first calf by their second birthday (two years old). Females are the ideal maternal choice for commercial cattlemen in maximizing profit. If you are seeking higher weaning weights and increased profitability, invest in a registered Brangus bull to cross with your animals. You may contact any of the following Brangus breeders nearest you to purchase a registered Brangus bull:
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North Carolina EC Brangus - Evon Crooks Mocksville, N.C. 336-817-6890 L&W Cattle Co. - Doug Williams Mocksville, N.C. 336-745-5252 Whitley Cattle Co. - Steve Whitley Smithfield, N.C. 919-632-5107 Windless Farm - Michael Cocchiaro Hillsborough, N.C. 512-745-4795 Pine Knot Cattle Co. - Jeremy Sessoms Bennett, N.C. 336-408-8174 South Carolina Harding Brangus - John Harding York, S.C. 803-242-3248 Dogwood Hill Farms - Richard Sox Lexington, S.C. 803-606-1439
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Pine Knot Cattle Company By HAYLEY SESSOMS Jeremy and Hayley Sessoms, along with their two young daughters, Annie Blake (3) and Oakley Grace (3 months), are registered Brangus and Brahman breeders at Pine Knot Cattle Company in Bennett, North Carolina.
When we first started in cattle for ourselves, we had no intentions of being a registered seedstock producer. We bought four commercial cow/calf pairs from a family friend and, over the course of 3-4 years, increased our herd size to around 45 brood cows by retaining our better heifers and purchasing cows at auction. Our first Brahman cross and Brangus cross cows were purchased from a herd dispersal sale in Mt. Airy, N.C., and those cows really impressed us. Their calves weaned heavier than any of our other calves, and the dam’s body conditions held up extremely well even while nursing those bigger calves through the winter. Those heavier calves with the same inputs also led to more profits at sale time, which led to our decision to focus more on Brahman influenced genetics. After looking into multiple breeds that thrive in our environment, it seemed that Brangus genetics checked the most boxes for us as commercial breeders. Black, polled, weight gaining
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calves typically equal more money on sale day to the commercial seller. Our decision to get into registered cattle came when we started looking to purchase Brangus cattle from folks in our general area, and we couldn’t find many breeders local to us. We discussed it and saw it as an opportunity to fill a need for family and friends that prefer using Brangus bulls in their herds. Our first stop to purchase registered cattle was in Mocksville, N.C., to meet Doug Williams at L&W Cattle and Evon Crooks at ELC Brangus. With both of their farms so close to each other, Hayley, my dad Jackie, and I spent the entire day looking over some of the best looking cows we have seen in a while, even in the middle of winter. Our decision was solidified, and we brought home a cow/calf pair and a heavy bred cow which was the start of our registered Brangus herd. We spent the spring of 2021 traveling to multiple registered Brangus sales throughout the Southeast and got our total numbers up to around 20 registered cows. Our first calves are around 18 months old now, and we have several bulls and heifers that will be consigned to multiple sales over the next few months, as well as offered private treaty.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
What we love about our Brangus cows is their ability to adapt to any environment and thrive. No matter the weather, they are working for you. It impresses us to see the Brangus cows out in the middle of the pasture grazing midday while our Angus/Charolais based embryo recipient cows are hunkered down in the shade to escape the heat. The Bos Indicus influence of the Brahman breed gives them parasite and disease resistance, along with heat tolerance and great maternal qualities. While the Bos Taurus influence of the Angus maintains the desirable carcass qualities of ribeye area, marbling, and IMF, we feel Brangus is the best of both breeds wrapped up in one.
We are raising our cattle on a primarily fescue based forage, and we feel that we are setting them up to work on any type of grass. In our area, cattle that aren’t used to fescue will often struggle to maintain body condition if they aren’t used to fescue grass. We haven’t had that issue with any of the Brangus cows that we have brought in, even if they weren’t on a fescue based forage program before. Since becoming a registered breeder, we have also begun using artificial insemination and embryos to access breed proven genetics from around the country that otherwise wouldn’t be possible to attain. By doing this, we are bringing the best of the best to our region to ensure that producers around us have the best opportunity to get those genetics working in their herds as well. It also allows us to broaden our pedigrees to find potential sires and dams that will work the best in our area. By utilizing the “Progeny Calculator” powered by the International Brangus Breeders Association website, we are able to run multiple simulations
and achieve projected EPDs for a mating before we ever make a purchase to help us make more informed breeding decisions. Our operation is focused on a few key traits for our cattle. Fertility is #1. It’s simple. Our motto is, “If she doesn’t have a calf on her or in her, she’s gone.” Open cows do not make money for commercial producers, and we have to look at our bulls with the same lens to ensure everyone is performing. Second is growth. Heavy calves mean more dollars to the bottom line come sale day. Third is docility. With two small girls and my wife around our cows daily, we do not have time to be looking over our shoulders while we are in the pasture. Eared cattle have a negative stigma around them. They are often called “crazy” or “wild,” and while some are, selecting cattle with a good disposition is very important to us to ensure we are producing easy working, gentle cattle for not only us but our customers. Other traits that we watch are body condition and their ability to maintain it without extra inputs, birthweights and calving ease, and skeletal structure and breed conformance. For any heifer or bull to wear the Pine Knot “PK” brand, we do everything we can to ensure that every box is checked, and for us, “BRANGUS” checks the box.
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Why Brangus By JOHN HARDING Greetings from York, South Carolina. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I sure am welcoming this fall weather and wishing for some more rain to help jumpstart the overseeded pastures and get the last little bit of grass growth before we head into winter. We have had a lot of dry weather this year along with high temperatures, which leads me to my question, “Why Brangus”? I started out my cattle experience working for Ted Bartee on the Tumble T Bar T farm in Clover, South Carolina. Not only did I learn a lot about Angus cattle and the best way to move forward with technology and A.I. breeding, but I also learned a lot of life lessons along the way. Mr. Bartee showed us the importance of taking care of your cattle with proper vaccination schedules and making sure they were exposed to the right foods and minerals, along with the importance of proper breeding selections. He would say, “You can’t starve the profit out of cattle.” This has stuck with me, and I try to hold true to this. Several years ago, I was running a commercial herd on leased land and using a Yon Angus bull that I bought from Kevin and Linda Yon at one of their fall sales. I picked up a commercial Brangus cow in a small herd I bought as replacements for some of my older cows. When calving season rolled around, I was pleasantly surprised when the Brangus cow calved with a beautiful Ultra Black bull calf. Not only did the calf have the eye appeal, but he was a standout as far as growth went in my calf crop. When it was time to sell, he brought better
than average with his jet black hide that looked like he was wet, which made the definition in his muscles stand out like an elite athlete. I repeated this scenario two more times with the cross, and finally, the light came on, and I was set on converting to a registered Brangus herd. This got expedited with the sale of the farm I was leasing, so now was the time to downsize and start with a registered herd.
I did a lot of research along the way to see if this was the best route to go. I was at an A.I. school at Clemson and got to talk to several of the professors at that three day class about what I was thinking about doing. The biggest thing that stuck with me was one of the professors that had taught us about EPDs told me he really liked the Brangus crossed with other cattle because of the hybrid vigor. This holds true with a lot of your other purebred cattle, but the biggest advantage is the Brangus breed’s adaptivity to heat and resistance to disease. This is extremely important for those of us in the Southeastern United States. This does not mean that Brangus cattle can’t take the cold. It just means they do better with the higher heat than most of the other cattle. If you were like me and trying to find information about Brangus cattle, this can get a little more complicated. The other breeds, like the American Angus Association, have done a great job at marketing their cattle, so information is plentiful. If you live in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, or Florida, the Brangus breed is readily available. If you live in any other state, you have to look a little harder for the Brangus breed. With that being said, you can still find a lot of quality Brangus breeders in most states. I would recommend looking at the Southeast Brangus Association and the International Brangus Breeders Association’s websites for more information.
So back to the original question, “Why Brangus?” Well, in my opinion, Brangus cattle give you a lot of flexibility when choosing your next herd bull to help improve your herd’s performance, not only in fertility but also in the quality of meat produced. At the end of the day, we all, as beef producers, are looking for the highest quality of meat for the end users so we can get a premium for our cattle. The cost of raising our stock is not getting cheaper, and we have to take advantage of every opportunity made possible to us to increase our bottom line. This is made possible through the Brangus Vigor Feeder Calf program. To qualify for this program, your cows will need to be bred to a Registered Brangus or Ultra Black bull, and you will have to go on the Brangus Association website to get signed up. By enrolling in this program, feedlots
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will know what they are getting from your cattle as they are familiar with the Brangus Vigor Feeder Calf program. They don’t have to worry about calves dying because they are not vaccinated. They also will have a better understanding of the quality of cattle they will be receiving and higher grade meat, which in turn means more money per pound for your calves which increases your bottom line. So, when you are looking for your next herd sire or want to improve the quality of your brood cows, take a look at the Brangus breed. I think you will be happy with the end product. If you need more information about the Brangus breed or just have questions, feel free to reach out to me or go to the Brangus Association or Southeast Brangus Association website for more information.
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coaches and t-ball umpires to church volunteers, farmers give back to their communities. This makes sharing food animal agriculture with consumers easy. Farmers who serve in these ways are real and relatable. Even if consumers work in IT, they can identify with a fellow parent from the softball team.
Ashley’s Beef Corner
T
Veteran, Farmer, Agriculture Ambassadors By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council “It’s all for the kids,” a phrase I heard repeatedly on a recent visit to a farm. Colby Hammonds, who raises cattle in densely populated Wake County, hosted a boy scout troop on his family farm’s pond for an afternoon of fishing. Colby and his wife Nicole, along with their children, share their Three Kids Farm with the community in order to help others connect with agriculture. The families who visited their farm this day are a cross section of native North Carolinians and those who have relocated from across the globe.
Their farm oasis, in between neighborhoods and newly built homes, is helping their friends understand that food comes from those dedicated to the care of animals. The pond and its ecosystem demonstrate the value of farmers caring for water quality and conservation. Many young adults may not have the opportunity to see a pond and enjoy reeling in fish. Sharing the experience is invaluable to the development of young people, as well as having fun and showcasing how a farm benefits the community.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
Volunteering as a Boy Scout leader is one of the many ways Colby is involved in his community. His full time Army Reservist duties take him off the farm during the day, but his heart is in cattle. Having grown up on his family’s cattle farm in Robeson County, Colby began his career with the military and eventually moved to Holly Springs and began raising his own herd. He chose the Dexter breed because of their docile nature, which makes cattle less intimidating for children.
Like many farmers, Colby balances a full time career and taking care of his cattle along with raising his family. He finds ways to give back to his community with a focus on youth. So many of our cattle farmers across the state fulfill these same roles. From soccer
None of the parents there on that day were from a farm background, but with their relationship with the Hammonds family, they are learning more than just how to bait a hook. They were experiencing a fun farm activity while also seeing how livestock is part of the big picture. They saw green pastures and happy cows, but more importantly, they could relate to the family raising cattle. Conservation efforts are made in order to preserve the pond, help the land surrounding it, and maintain it as a benefit to local wildlife. Seeing this firsthand provides knowledge and clears misconceptions about farming. Our gracious hosts, the Hammonds family, provide an outlet for young people to enjoy the outdoors as well as experience agriculture. Many thanks to them and all farmers for allowing the community to come to their farm and see the realness of food animal agriculture. By opening their farm to offer guests a simple experience, they are helping build the bridge between those who know agriculture and those who want to know agriculture.
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By DR. DEIDRE HARMON N.C. State University
Digging Deep into Forage Analysis By now, you have probably at least heard about, if not used, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) feed and forage testing service. For a $10 fee, you can send a gallon sized Ziplock bag of hay/grass to the lab for nutrient analysis testing. This testing service is extremely beneficial to North Carolina residents because 1) it is available at a reduced cost compared to most commercial labs that offer the same service, and 2) it provides valuable information on the nutritional content of your stored forages. Without this forage analysis, one cannot make an informed decision about supplementation programs for livestock winter feeding programs. Working with your local county extension agent, you can gain access to the tools necessary to take a representative forage sample. Most all county offices are equipped with a forage probe and some offices are even equipped with a battery powered drill to run the forage probe. After acquiring access to the equipment, the most important step is taking a REPRESENTATIVE forage sample. Sampling procedures greatly impact the outcome of your forage analysis results, so we want to make sure the sampling procedure is representative of the entire lot (or field) of hay. We know that forage quality can vary between hay cuttings, hay fields, areas of the field, etc., so sampling should account for those variations. It is recommended to lot your samples into first and second cuttings at the bare minimum, but also think about lotting your different fields if cut at different times or had varying weed/forage species, varying fertility, etc. Next, take a core sample from the round side of the bale and not the flat side of the bale to ensure the sample is taken from across many windrows instead of from the same windrow, and thus only one spot in the field. Once the sample has been taken, it can be mailed to NCDA and the form completed online at https://apps. ncagr.gov/agrsysportal/forageanalysis/ analysisform.
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Now that a forage sample has been submitted and the analysis results are in (Figure 1), what do those values tell us, and how can we use that information to make decisions in a livestock operation? Below, we have highlighted some of the major components of a forage analysis that we can use to help us determine whether a supplementation strategy is needed, whether the forage has an issue or not, and maybe even how we can improve in the hay field next year to produce higher quality forage. Major components of a forage analysis: • Dry Matter - For any forage analysis, always start with the amount of dry matter in the forage because this can tell you a lot about the dry hay, baleage, or corn silage. Dry matter is the amount of actual organic and inorganic matter remaining after the removal of water from a forage. Fresh forage is expected to have around 10-25 percent dry matter; hay should range from 85-92 percent dry matter; baleage between 40-60 percent dry matter; and corn silage between 3238 percent dry matter. For each category of forage, dry matter percentages outside of these values should raise some concern from both a quality and feed safety standpoint. For instance, hay with a dry matter of 78 percent may have been rolled too wet and can result in mold growth, forage quality deterioration, and dangerous hay heating. On the other hand, a value of 78 percent may otherwise indicate that hay, although baled at the correct moisture, has been stored outside, maybe under a tree line, and has absorbed moisture from the atmosphere during storage. Thus, further investigation may be needed to determine whether the moisture was from harvest or storage and is a true issue or not. • Crude Protein - Proteins are needed throughout the body of livestock for reproduction, growth, lactation, and general maintenance functions. Crude protein in forages often ranges from 4-24
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
percent protein, and the amount of protein can depend on many factors, including maturity at harvest, forage species, fertilization, etc. Most forage reports may report total crude protein, unavailable protein, and adjusted crude protein. Total protein is simply the measure of nitrogen in a forage multiplied by a conversion factor of 6.25 percent since proteins are comprised of 16 percent nitrogen (100/16 = 6.25). Unavailable protein is protein that may be bound in lignin or other compounds and is unavailable to the animal. Adjusted crude protein is the amount of crude protein available for use by the animal. Typically, when formulating rations, nutritionists use adjusted crude protein for their formulations. • Neutral Detergent Fiber - Also known as NDF, this fiber fraction measures the hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. These fiber fractions give the plant structure and rigidity, allows the plant to grow upright, and fiber fractions increase as the plant gets older and matures. NDF is negatively correlated with feed intake, and intake as a % of body weight in an animal can be calculated from the %
of NDF in a forage (120/NDF = intake as % of body weight). For example, if a forage analysis came back with an NDF value of 54.47 percent, you could expect an animal to be able to eat 2.20 percent of her body weight of that forage (120/54.47 = 2.20%). However, as the NDF % increases, the intake is expected to decrease. In general, prime quality hay has an NDF value less than 40 percent, average quality hay is between 40-65 percent, and poor quality hay has an NDF value greater than 65 percent. • Acid Detergent Fiber - Like NDF, acid detergent fiber (ADF) measures cellulose, and the non-digestible fiber portion, lignin. As a result, ADF is negatively correlated with digestibility. This means that as the ADF value increases, the forage will become less digestible for the animal. In general, prime quality hay has an ADF value less than 31 percent, average quality hay is between 31-45 percent, and poor quality hay has an ADF value greater than 45 percent. • Total Digestible Nutrients - This variable is calculated through equations that take into consideration the amount
Figure 1. Example of a forage analysis report from NCDA&CS feed and forage testing service.
of protein, fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates, and fats that are present in the forage to get an estimate of the amount of available energy in the feed. Most forages range from 45-70 percent TDN, with the higher the number representing a feedstuff that has more energy available for livestock. • Non-Fiber Carbohydrates This variable consists of the non-fiber components of the plant, such as the starch and sugars that are found inside the cell. The non-fiber carbohydrates serve as a source of energy for livestock, and values typically range between 5-25 percent. • Fat - This value represents all other soluble compounds, including any fats and oils that may be found in the feedstuff. Fats contain 2.25 times the energy that is found in structural carbohydrates (cellulose/hemicellulose). Supplemental fats may sometimes be added to a diet to increase energy intake, especially where intake is limited. In forage based rations, fat intake is often formulated to be limited to 6 percent of total DM intake to reduce the negative effects that large quantities of fat can have on forage digestion and rumen function.
• Ash - Ash consists of the total mineral content in the plant. This value consists of both the internal and external ash. Internal ash content is the true mineral content coming from within the plant, and the external ash is the unwanted mineral content coming from soil contamination from the hay making process. High ash content as the result of soil contamination can reduce meat and milk production in livestock. Average ash content in grasses is usually around 6 percent, and in legumes, it is around 8 percent. Extreme ash values of 15-25 percent may indicate an issue with your hay making process. Once the forage analysis comes back from the lab, the best way to use this information is to contact your local extension agent and set up a plan to match your forage resources to your animal nutrient requirements. There are many factors that can affect the nutritional requirements of beef cattle and can include animal maturity (growing or mature), stage of production (lactating or not), current body condition, frame size, body weight, rate of gain, environment,
and feed efficiency. Whether you are a cow/calf producer, have stocker cattle, develop your own heifers, or finish cattle for freezer beef, or a combination of all of these, more than likely, you will have several classes of animals with different nutrient requirements on your farm at the same time. If space allows, the most economical feeding strategy is to feed animals with different nutrient requirements in different paddocks. Having your forage analysis on hand can help determine which lot of hay has the highest nutritive value and should be fed to the class of animals that have the highest nutrient requirement. For example, if you currently have spring and fall calving cows on your farm, feed the best hay to the lactating fall cows and the lower quality hay to the dry spring calving cows since their nutrient requirement will be much lower without a suckling calf by their side. Lastly, use the forage analysis results to determine if the forage available will meet the nutrient requirements of your animals, and if not, determine whether an energy supplement, a protein supplement, or maybe both is
The Carolina Cattle Connection
needed to meet the nutrient requirements of your animals. Annually, it costs between $300700 to maintain a brood cow throughout the year. In Nebraska, researchers have estimated that number is closer to $550 per cow. By having a $10 forage analysis on hand, one can utilize that information to make nutritional management decisions on the farm to best utilize forge resources, provide feed supplements only when needed, and maintain the productivity of the cow herd.
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q NOVEMBER 2022
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The
Chaplain’s Corral By DAVE HARVEY Chaplain, Cowboys for Christ
Real life is not easy, either. Being easy is not a requisite for living a Christian life, although so many people think that it is or will be or should be. It is assured that eternal life in Heaven with our Lord will be easy, but until then, we are not promised “easy.” As we ride the trails of this life, we can seek the face of Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us
over the high mountains and through the deep, dark valleys of this life, and we can sure be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. I really love the way the English Revised Version states in Romans 12:12 - “Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time.” May God bless you as you joyfully seek Him.
Faithful in Prayer Romans 12:12 - “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Cowboys and cowgirls, I am sure that most of us have a little trouble being joyful all of the time. Sometimes joy seems far away, and it is just not possible, especially those days when the world is beating hard on us, and the adversary is attacking. Joy is just a little tough to stir up on those days of battle and discouragement, and don’t let anyone tell you different. But the joy that the Apostle Paul is talking about in this verse is not everyday laughter joy; it is the eternal joy of knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and knowing that your home is going to be in Heaven for eternity. Now, that is joy, eternal joy, and the eternally joyful delight of being with our Lord and Savior throughout eternity, forever and ever. So, we are supposed to “be joyful in hope” in our troubles, our trials, and our tough times in our everyday lives. We are supposed to be joyful for all to see, especially those that have no hope, those that are hopeless, and those that don’t know the Savior. There is no way that the hopeless could be joyful if they knew the truth of their destination for eternity. Just as there is no way, those with “eternal hope” could be non-joyful if they forgot about their daily trials and tribulations of this world and looked at the bliss of eternity in Heaven that is waiting for them. Just the thought should bring a smile to each one’s face, even on those really tough days. And, folks, that truth should be readily visible to those around us, so we should always be ready to share the reason why we are joyful, even during those trials and tribulations. But you may be wondering about being “patient in affliction” now. What about that? Well, first, the Greek word that has been interpreted as “patient” would be better translated as “endure.” We are to endure the situations of this life the same way we are to be “joyful” in hope, and that is with our focus on eternity with our Lord instead of our focus on the affliction. Actually, the
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Greek word which has been translated as “affliction” really would be better rendered as “pressure.” So, then the “pressures” of everyday life; work, family, stress, and strain are really what the Apostle Paul was speaking about when he said that we should be patient in affliction, or whatever the situation may be. Again, that patient attitude would be evident to those around us, which should give us an opportunity to share Jesus Christ and the reason for our being “patient in affliction.” King David sure put it into words in Psalms 31:7 - “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.” Now, we come to “faithful in prayer,” and the Apostle Paul is certainly not lacking in writing about prayer and the need for prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:1618 - “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We are to be faithful in seeking the Lord in all situations and circumstances of our lives, anytime and every time, anywhere and everywhere. Prayer is a wonderful gift from Father God that allows us to approach the throne of grace to seek Him, His guidance, His blessings, His protection, His help, and His assistance, and also allows Him to communicate with us. When we fall to our knees and seek Him as His child, we are instantly brought before the throne of grace to share our troubles with the almighty creator. This is clearly stated in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” So, we need to always abide by Colossians 4:2 - “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” When we consider the truth of Romans 12:12 and apply this wonderful truth to our lives and make sure that it is a guideline for us in every situation and all circumstances, we can be victorious in these struggles of everyday life for all to see. Now, does that mean it is always going to be easy; well, of course not.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture By E.B. HARRIS
Never Ever Underestimate Someone Zack, Seth, and I were in the barn the other day weighing and working a set of fall calves, giving them their third and final round of vaccines, deworming, weighing, and getting them ready for winter pasture. It was one of those days that the weather was good, and humidity was low – a good day for working cattle. About halfway through, Seth made mention that there was a big old wasp nest in the back part of the barn. He said it’s loaded. Zack went back to take a look and agreed with Seth. I said I would bring some of the liquid dewormer and gun back there and take care of them. I went to the back of the barn and headed toward where the nest was to take care of it with the dewormer. Zack said to me, “Give that to me. I might be able to run faster than you.” I had been hobbling around the last week or so, nursing a corn on my toe. I guess he had noticed and thought if it came a miss, he did not want those wasps to wrap me up. I handed it to him, and he took care of the wasp and came on back up to where we were working. I got to thinking about what he said about me hopping around, maybe not being as fast on my feet as I had been in the past, but never ever underestimate somebody. This made me think about a story told to me. It happened in Halifax County around the Ringwood community (this is right up from where the late D.S. Moss lived). It seems there was an old house back in the woods, and it had gotten the be a place some of the men gathered on
some weekends. It was told to me that one of the men who was a regular at these gatherings had been on crutches for the last several years. Sometimes they played a booray card game, and there might have been some cold medicine consumed. On one occasion, evidently, one of the men at the gathering got a little rowdy, and someone asked him to leave. This kinda ticked him off, and he left. A little time went by, and the men thought everything was alright. Then the lights went out. Most of the houses in this era were plank weatherboard, and on the porch was a switch box that controlled the lights in the house. It seems like the man they had asked to leave got upset about it. He came back, slipped up on the porch and switched the flip off, stepped off the porch, and started shooting up in the air. Everybody in the house got quiet and ducked under the tables. They decided they could not stay in the house, so they had to make a run for it. He was shooting on one side of the house, and they went out of the windows and doors on the other side of the house and made a run for it. After they had gotten about a half mile away, one of the men said, “Lawd, he is going to kill bro. He is on those crutches and he can’t half move.” Just a second went by, and about 50 yards in front of them, the brother on crutches hollered out, “You better bring yourself on up here before he hurts you. I have out run all of you.” So never underestimate a person that may be on crutches – he might can move faster than anyone else.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2022
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MERCK
Animal Health News Merck Animal Health to Acquire Vence. Virtual fencing system provides advanced technology to cattle producers and ranchers to manage natural resources more effectively. Merck Animal Health announced recently that it has signed a definitive agreement under which Merck Animal Health will acquire Vence from its founders and shareholders. Vence is an innovator in virtual fencing for rotational grazing and livestock management. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Vence, a privately held company, provides enhanced technology for producers and ranchers to track, monitor, and manage the movement of cattle through a high tech platform of virtual fencing solutions. Using a computer or smartphone, customers have the capability to manage cattle movement and facilitate rotational grazing. Vence’s virtual fencing technology can reduce the need for fencing to subdivide pastures and allows producers and ranchers to manage their cattle and grass inventory while reducing the costs of labor and fencing materials. “The acquisition of Vence will broaden our portfolio with
20th Annual
Charolais Source Bull Sale December 10, 2022 • 12:00 Noon Noon FGF
NEW LOCATION
FGF
Cleveland County Agriculture & Livestock Exchange 814 Wallace Grove Drive • Shelby, NC 28150 FGF
SELLING
SPECIAL ADDITION
FGF
8 Registered Black Hereford Bulls 3 Bred Registered Black Hereford Heifers 5 Open Registered Black Hereford Heifers For more information and catalogs, contact
Larry Edwards • 704-252-0003 Tommy Wilks • 843-307-0323 Auctioneer - Will Thompson • 704-616-8553 PAGE 14
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 2022 AABP Annual Conference, held in Long Beach, Calif., on September 22-24. “Merck Animal Health is proud to honor these students who represent the future of cattle care,” stated Justin Welsh, D.V.M., executive director of livestock technical services at Merck Animal Health. “These exemplary students embody Merck Animal Health’s mission to advance the science of healthier animals. I am confident as they embark on their careers, they will make a significant impact on the field of veterinary medicine.” The following N.C. State University students received the 2022 AABP Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition Award: • Lilly Smith • Payton Smith “For nearly two decades, 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
S.C. Charolais News By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association
FGF
32 Charolais Bulls 7 Open Charolais Heifers 7 Bred Charolais Heifers FGF
complementary products and technologies to advance animal health and well being as well as outcomes for our customers,” said Rick DeLuca, president of Merck Animal Health. “Vence is a natural fit with Merck Animal Health’s growing portfolio of animal intelligence products that include identification, traceability, and monitoring products. This new technology will give cow/calf producers the ability to track their cattle and the ability to move them from pasture to pasture.” “I believe Merck Animal Health is the best long term home for this technology and our team. Their unparalleled expertise in the livestock space, ability to develop and scale hardware products, high quality customer support, and a strong global footprint to expand Vence’s market reach make us really excited to join Merck Animal Health,” said Frank Wooten, founder and CEO of Vence. Vence technology is currently available in the United States and parts of Australia. Merck Animal Health Awards 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
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
I will start off with prayer requests. First of all, Mike King needs continued prayers. Mike had surgery for a brain tumor and is home now, but he is having chemo treatments and radiation. Give him a call if you have time. He really likes getting phone calls and keeping up with the Charolais gossip. Second, I talked to Tommy Wilks, and Sherrill fell while at Myrtle Beach and broke the femur in her leg. She is pretty laid up and not able to maneuver around, so keep Sherrill in your prayers. I am writing this two days before the Southern Connection Sale, so I will give a report on the sale next month. Keep in mind that the Charolais Source Bull Sale will be on December 10. The sale has a new location at Cleveland County Agriculture and Livestock Exchange at 814 Wallace Grove Drive in Shelby, North Carolina. Tommy Wilks and Larry Edwards would be tickled to
death to see you there, and hopefully, Sherrill will be well enough to attend. I don’t have much more to report. We are working here, finally got some rain, and we have bought one semi-load of hay with another one on the way to replace the hay that we fed during the drought. I had one 11-year-old cow that had her first set of twins. I fussed her out that she is too old to be having twins now; however, she kept both and is doing a pretty good job raising them. Thank goodness, and I hate to get stuck with a bottle baby. We haven’t had a set of twins in years, and I sure don’t want any other cows to get the idea. The cool air has finally found its way here, and I sure am glad. I am not a fan of cold weather, but this summer has been too hot for even me. Check on your neighbors, and if there is someone that you have not heard from in a while, call and check on them.
student members of AABP in their second or third year of school who are interested in beef and/or dairy veterinary medicine. Merck Animal Health Opens Animal Health Intelligence Manufacturing Facility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Facility capacity to meet long term customer demand for ear tag production. Merck Animal Health recently announced the opening of a manufacturing facility for Merck Animal Health’s animal intelligence products in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The facility will broaden the company’s manufacturing capacity and capabilities by establishing a printing, production, and distribution facility of Allflex Livestock Intelligence identification ear tags in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This site, which formerly was an animal health manufacturing site for the production of veterinary medicines, will become another supply site for ear tag production, along with the current site in Dallas, Texas, to support increased product demand. The Baton Rouge site is now operational for ear tag production as of September 2022. At full capacity, the facility will employ 33 employees. “Merck Animal Health continues to be a strong source of innovation and growth in Louisiana,” said Mike Strain, DVM, Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner. “The upgrades to the Baton Rouge manufacturing facility will lead to more advancements in Animal Health Intelligence products and reinforce the importance of supporting biotechnology companies in the state.” “We are pleased about the opportunity to bring capital improvements, expansion in our manufacturing capacity and capabilities, new equipment, and enhanced technology to our Baton Rouge facility, thereby increasing our ability to fulfill customer demand for our portfolio of Animal Health Intelligence products,” said Glenda Fefee, site director, Merck Animal Health in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “As a leader in delivering innovative veterinary medicines and vaccines to advance animal health and meet growing customer needs, this investment in people, technology, and equipment reflects our commitment to produce a range of ear tags for animal identification, which benefits animal health and well being.” Increased Need for Ear Tag Production - The North American livestock identification market has grown rapidly over the past years, focusing on farming automation and traceability of animals, and causing an ongoing need to identify animals visually by colored and/ or custom printed ear tags. This growth in the market has caused an increased demand for ear tags. In addition, the identification ear tag market is seeing the
adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID) for animal disease traceability (ADT) and value added producer programs, which results in increased customer needs for custom identification ear tags and the importance of increasing manufacturing capacity needs. Merck Animal Health offers an innovative portfolio to prevent, treat, and control diseases across all major Companion Animal and Livestock segments, including connected technology that encompasses identification, traceability, and monitoring products. “We are seeing a strong increase in demand for our Animal Health Intelligence products that allow farmers and producers to track and monitor the health of their animals,” said Scott Bormann, senior vice president of North America Commercial Operations at Merck Animal Health. “Our investment in Baton Rouge positions us for strong long term growth and enables us to remain a valued partner to our loyal customers through reliability and responsiveness to their needs.” Creating enhanced methods and processes to better serve customers are one part of the company’s multifaceted approach. “We continue to explore ways to enhance existing facilities with upgraded equipment or technology, further expand our facilities with advanced technology platforms, and increase capacity and capabilities in our facilities to meet the rapidly growing demand for our Animal Health Intelligence products,” said Regina Holzbauer, lead, Merck Animal Health Intelligence Manufacturing. “In this way, the company is better prepared to ensure it provides uninterrupted and compliant
supply of ear tags based on increased product demand.” In the U.S., Merck Animal Health has production facilities in Elkhorn, Neb.; Millsboro, Del.; DeSoto, Kan.; Ames, Iowa; Worthington, Minn.; and Dallas, Texas. The company also has a logistical and distribution center in Omaha, Nebraska. About Merck Animal Health. At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines, and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health is the global animal health business 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.
“As president of the Duplin County Cattlemen’s Association and a fellow cattleman, I encourage you to take five minutes of your time to speak with Donna Byrum. She introduced me to a program that I knew nothing about, and within six months she was on my doorstep with a check. The PRF program has been a blessing amid the changing climate and different extremes that all our farming operations have experienced.” ~ Joey Carter
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Visit us online at cattleandhay.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2022
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By HAYLEY VALENTINE N.C. State University -- ANS 402 Beef Management
Decisions for Incorporating Byproducts into Beef Cattle Feeds Feed is essential for livestock production. Without feed, the livestock business would cease to exist. Feeds make up the greatest expense, over 50 percent in variation of overall profit or loss, that cattle producers face, which can pose a struggle for those who are barely breaking even (Alabama Cooperative Extension System). Often, if budgets are tight, the quality of feed decreases, and this can be detrimental to the overall production and performance of those beef cattle as they are unable to meet their nutritional requirements. A more financially feasible way for producers to provide feed for their cattle is byproduct feeds. When properly sourced, byproducts contain the nutrients required for beef cattle. Byproducts are the results of a processed main product, i.e., the parts of crops harvested that humans cannot eat, which can then be reused. Byproduct feeds are not a new notion, although they have become rather popular recently in the beef cattle industry. There are common misconceptions associated with byproduct feeds with media, and consumers sometimes associate them as lower quality feeds that are harmful to animals and bad for the overall health of both humans and animals alike. It is always important to remember to check the quality of any feed ingredient, whether it be a byproduct or whole ration. Choosing a byproduct feed that meets the nutritional requirements of cattle is essential for proper production and increasing producer profit. According to the University of Missouri Extension nutritionist Monty Kerley, it is important to “...make sure a byproduct fits your needs and is available at a competitive price, whether for brood cows, stockers,
or in the feedlot” (Beef Magazine, 2021). There are many different byproduct feeds to choose from, falling into the nutrition categories of protein, energy, roughage, vitamins, and minerals. In order to observe an economical difference, producers must choose the correct feeds within those categories, depending on the cattle segment that the producer is focused on. For example, using feed that is completely roughage based for feedlot cattle is not as efficient as choosing a highly digestible, energy feed byproduct that aids in more rapid cattle weight gain. Another factor to consider when choosing a byproduct feed is moisture content. High moisture content can lead to higher chances of rapid spoilage, increased trucking cost, and decreased amount of feed compared to cost due to dilution. For instance, a price of $20 per ton for a byproduct containing 75 percent moisture will actually cost $80 per ton in dry weight (adapted from the article “Byproduct Feeds for Alabama Beef Cattle”). With byproduct feeds, it is important to be mindful of contaminants that come from the initial product and the machinery used to gather/process that product. For example, crop byproducts can contain toxic weeds from harvest, or mills may process a byproduct high in mycotoxins through the same machinery that also processes non-toxic byproducts, which could pose a health risk to the cattle. Ensuring proper storage facilities for the amount of feed being stored and to reduce spoilage is also very important. The main reason why producers consider using byproducts in feed is the cost. Since byproducts are the leftover materials of food processing and/or crop
Figure 1: Table of equations used for calculating total cost of a byproduct feed. Source: UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletin 862; “Considerations for Using Byproduct Feeds”
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
production, they are no longer necessary for that industry. To get the best price for byproduct feeds, it is important to know the market price, as this can vary throughout the year. According to “Consideration for Using Byproduct Feeds,” it is imperative that the true cost of the byproduct feed be calculated prior to purchase. Initial and additional costs must be known, along with potential loss of profit due to feed spoilage or waste. Figure 1 provides variables that are used to calculate true cost. Additionally, producers should calculate the overall feed cost using the cost ration formulation program, which will aid in determining that the feed is most cost effective and contains the appropriate nutritional values. Overall feed cost can be calculated by comparing the energy and protein amounts in the byproduct to other feeds like corn and soybeans. Cost ration formulation is calculated using the byproduct price ranges to compare the economic value of the byproduct feed to other feeds. These calculations can be done using computer software. There are many different byproducts that come from the food/beverage and agriculture industries that can be used for
beef cattle feeds. Distillers byproducts (derived from corn) have become increasingly popular in cattle feeds. This is due to whole corn prices having risen over 50 percent in 2021, and according to Figure 2, the price of corn is predicted to increase even more in upcoming years. Distillers byproducts provide the energy, protein, and phosphorus that growing cattle and developing heifers/cows require while being highly digestible. Soybean hulls are an excellent source of fiber for weaned calves and high producing cows and are a less expensive alternative to whole soybeans. Another popular byproduct is wheat midds or middlings, which mainly come from flour mills and are a roughage high in fiber. Cottonseed hulls, corn gluten, and beet pulp are also high in fiber. Other byproduct feeds include cottonseed meal, sunflower meal, and canola meal, which are great sources of protein and energy. Some uncommon byproduct feeds include candy and cotton gin byproduct. Figure 3 contains the nutrient content of some popular byproduct feeds. Byproduct feeds can be an effective way for producers to save money when feeding cattle. It is necessary to remember that the byproduct that is
Figure 2: Graph of soybean, corn, and wheat prices from 2020 onward in the United States. Trends indicate price increases. Source: Farm Policy News, Illinois
John K. Bernard. “Consideration for Using Byproduct Feeds.” University of Georgia Extension, 1 October 2009, https://extension.uga.edu/ publications/detail.html?number=B862 &title=Considerations+for+Using+ByProduct+Feeds#Economics. Kim Mullenix, Kim et al. “Byproduct Feeds for Alabama Beef Cattle.” Alabama Cooperative Extension System, 18 September 2018, www.aces.edu/ blog/topics/beef/by-product-feeds-foralabama-beef-cattle. Loy, Dan. “Cattle Feed Cost
Figure 3: Table of nutrient content of some commonly used byproduct feeds. Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, “Using Byproduct Feeds in Cow/Calf Programs.”
being considered for cattle feed meets the protein, energy, fiber, vitamin, and mineral requirements that other feds meet. Like any other feed, byproducts should be stored appropriately, and moisture content needs to be monitored to reduce spoilage. Research is key in ensuring that the byproduct feed is of good quality, nutritional, and safe for consumption by beef cattle and also the consumer.
References Good, Keith. “Corn Prices Climb Nearly 50% in 2021, as U.S. Food Makers Contend with Labor and Ingredient Shortages • Farm Policy News.” Farm Policy News, 11 May 2021, https://farmpolicynews.illinois. edu/2021/05/corn-prices-climb-nearly50-in-2021-as-u-s-food-makers-contendwith-labor-and-ingredient-shortages/.
Comparison.” Beef Magazine, 17 June 2021, www.beefmagazine.com/beef/cattlefeed-cost-comparison. Rush, Ivan G. “Using Byproduct Feeds in Cow/Calf Programs.” UNL Beef, https://beef.unl.edu/beefreports/ symp-2007-07-xx.shtml. Have You Herd article written as a portion of ANS 402 Beef Management course requirement at N.C. State University Department of Animal Science. The opinions of Hayley Valentine are not necessarily those of N.C. State University or Dr. Carrie Pickworth.
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q NOVEMBER 2022
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You Decide! By DR. MIKE WALDEN
William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus N.C. State University You Decide: Do We First Need Economic Pain to Have Economic Gain? I started lifting weights when I was in graduate school at Cornell University in the early 1970s. I joined a group — appropriately called the “barbell club” — that trained in a small room in the clock tower. Fortunately, the clock wasn’t very loud when it sounded at the hour and half hour. After joining and paying my initial dues, the president of the club pulled me aside. Speaking in a friendly yet firm voice, he gave me the two rules of the
club. First, if I left any plates I had used on a barbell or on the floor, I would immediately be expelled from the club. Second, there would be no complaining about aches and pains after a workout. The club president believed if there was “no pain,” there would be “no gain.” We’re going through a similar experience of “no pain, no gain” in today’s economy. The Federal Reserve, also known as the “Fed,” which is the central bank of the country, is raising interest rates in order to slow the pace of economic growth, “cool” the economy, and hopefully
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reduce the increase in prices. Stated more succinctly, the Fed wants people and businesses to moderate their spending in order to reduce the inflation rate. So far, so good, you might be thinking. But there’s a catch. The Fed doesn’t have the knowledge to precisely guide the economy. Indeed, we wouldn’t expect any institution to be able to exactly steer an annual $25 trillion economy. So, there is a risk the Fed will raise interest rates so high that the goal of slower spending will turn into lower spending. And when spending drops, there’s a large chance businesses will reduce their workforce, and the unemployment rate will jump. In other words, we’ll face the pain of a recession. The Fed knows this – it has happened many times before. The most famous recent example was the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the annual inflation rate reached 13 percent. Interest rates had to be raised so high — indeed, just shy of 20 percent — that it was almost a foregone conclusion a bad recession would occur. And it did. But the benefit was that within three years, the annual inflation rate was down to 3 percent. It has stayed relatively modest — no higher than 5 percent — until the last two years. After raising its key interest rate recently, the Fed has signaled it is ready to continue increasing rates until the inflation rate gets near its target of 2 percent. If the Fed sticks to its plan, economists are increasingly predicting a recession in 2023. But perhaps the most important prediction has come from the Fed itself. The Fed’s latest official forecast is now showing the possibility of negative economic growth and higher unemployment in 2023. This is a condition that just about everyone would agree is a recession. So, just like the head of the barbell club at Cornell, is the Fed saying we have to have some pain before we see some gain? Will we have to endure the economic pain of a recession before we receive the economic gain of lower inflation? This is a question I’m frequently asked when I speak to community and business groups about the economy. Understandably, people don’t understand why we have to go through something bad — a recession — in order to achieve something good – lower inflation. People are already suffering from high prices. Why compound the suffering with lost jobs and incomes? There is a famous example of trying to beat inflation without enduring the costs of a recession. It was the “WIN” — standing for “Whip Inflation Now” — campaign during the mid-1970s. Inflation was surging to double
digits, and the Ford Administration was looking for another way to curtail price hikes without using the standard policies of higher interest rates, more unemployment, and slower growth. They settled on a public relations campaign of encouraging carpooling to reduce gas consumption, setting thermostats higher in the summer and lower in the winter to decrease energy use, planting vegetable gardens to substitute for high priced food, as well as other initiatives. “WIN” buttons were produced and distributed. I still have mine! But the WIN campaign was a failure. Relatively few people followed the recommendations. The campaign showed how difficult it is to motivate a majority of people to change their behaviors on their own without strong incentives. It’s easy for any person to say to themselves: “what I do, as one individual, won’t matter.” The more people who think this way, the less that is accomplished. The lesson is that most people need a strong “push” to behave differently. If the objective is to have people buy less, there must be something that prompts them to buy less. Since borrowing is a big source of buying, raising the cost of borrowing through higher interest rates is a good way to moderate spending. Even if the Fed has to inflict some pain to make gains against inflation, there is still the question of how much pain. Clearly, the best result is to slow the pace of economic progress rather than putting the economy in reverse. Achieving a reduction in the inflation rate without crashing the economy into a recession is called a “soft landing.” We’ve had several successful soft landings, but, unfortunately, few were achieved when the inflation rate was starting at such a high level as today. Economics is commonly dubbed the “dismal science.” Clearly, a policy designed to reduce inflation by inflicting the pain of a recession is a good example of why economics has earned such a dubious label. The big question is, does it have to happen? If we could miraculously solve all the supply chain problems, as well as restore energy supplies to their pre-COVID levels, then we could possibly have gains against inflation without economic pain. But in the meantime, we’ll have to decide if my barbell club colleague was correct – there is no gain without pain! You Decide: If Inflation Subsides, Will Everything Be OK? Most surveys show inflation is one of the top issues in the country. The latest reading for September shows the inflation rate is still over 8 percent when measured on a year over year basis. This means the
average retail price of what we bought in September 2022 was more than 8 percent higher than the average retail price of those same products and services in September 2021. But what if the Federal Reserve is successful in reducing the inflation rate? Does this mean we’re fine? What if, for example, this time next year, the year over year inflation rate has dropped to 2 percent, which, by the way, is the Federal Reserve’s target? Should we be dancing in the streets because we’re now back to where we were prior to the surge in inflation? The answer is no! If in September 2023, the year over year inflation rate is 2 percent, this still means average retail prices would have risen 2 percent between September 2022 and September 2023. The 8 percent inflation rate between September 2021 and September 2022 would not have been wiped out. Sure, some prices will go down, particularly basic commodities like fuel and food. But for most products and services, success against inflation means prices rising more slowly, not prices falling. So, when you hear that inflation is falling, what’s really meant is that the rise in inflation is falling. Inflation is still occurring; it’s just not as bad. But if the pace of inflation is slowing, isn’t that good news? It is, but this doesn’t mean everything is fine. The major problem with inflation is not that prices are rising but that our wages and salaries don’t increase at the same pace. The most recent inflation data for September show a year over year inflation rate of 8.2 percent. During the same time period, the average hourly wage rate for workers increased by only 5 percent. This means workers effectively had a pay cut of 3.2 percent. Or in other words, workers saw their standard of living drop by 3.2 percent. There was also a reduction in inflation adjusted wage rates for the September 2020 to September 2021 year. It gets worse. History shows it’s taken a significant period of time for workers to recover their standard of living, even while the inflation rate is moderating. The reason is that a recession is usually the policy prescription used to reduce inflation. And during a typical recession, businesses reduce employment and sometimes cut wages for the workers they keep. Both results cause further erosion in the standard of living. The bottom line is it may take a while for workers’ incomes to recover from the combined trauma of rising inflation and a job killing recession, even if the inflation rate is brought back to normal levels. Consider these track records of recent inflation and recession combos. It took almost 20 years – yes, 20 years – for
the purchasing power of workers’ weekly earnings to recover from the combined impacts of the “great inflation” of the early 1980s and consequent recessions that ultimately cut the annual inflation rate from 13 percent to 3 percent. It wasn’t as bad with later combinations of inflation and recession. Inflation jumped in the latter part of the 2000’s decade and prior to the housing recession in 2007-09. But it took only five years for the purchasing power of wages to get beyond the double pounding of inflation and recession. Now we’re set up for another challenge. Inflation has been eroding worker incomes for two years, and many economists are predicting a recession later this year or in early 2023. Hence, even if there is some good news in coming months that the inflation rate is moderating, many households will experience a struggle to regain their previous living standards. Unless, of course, like many things, the pandemic has changed the rules. One significant change has been the lingering labor shortage. Many businesses can’t find enough workers, and they want to keep the ones they have. This sets up a possible scenario where job cuts with an upcoming recession will be minor. The reason is firms have many unfilled positions to cut, and they don’t want to lose the workers they’ve tried hard to keep. Also, firms may be more forthcoming with pay raises in order to keep valued workers. The combination of more jobs and better pay may reduce the time needed to recover the peak purchasing power wages in early 2020, prior to the pandemic. The conclusions are these. First, lowering inflation doesn’t mean lowering prices. It means lowering the rate of increase in prices. The prices we had before the take off in inflation won’t return for most products and services. Second, what matters for your standard of living is the purchasing power of your salary. The purchasing power of your salary can be eroded by both inflation and recession. Unfortunately, we may be entering a time period when we have both. Third – and some good news – is that this time may be different. Rather than suffering big drops in living standards and years before a full recovery is made, today’s pandemic-made economy may short circuit the pain, thereby resulting in fewer job losses and a quicker rebound in living standards. My late mother always said, “Plan for the worst but hope for the best.” So, plan for a challenging couple of years ahead, but hope they don’t occur. Is this a good outlook? You decide.
NEWS
2022-2023 Scholarship Applications The N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation is now receiving applications for undergraduate scholarships and graduate student travel funding for the 2022-2023 academic year. This is the fourth year the foundation will award scholarships to students who are North Carolina residents. However, they are still eligible if they are attending college in another state. The applications for both scholarships and graduate student travel are available on the main webpage of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. Completed applications must be submitted online from www.nccattle.com. However,
printable versions are available to assist you in gathering information for your applications. If applicants are unable to submit completed applications online, they must contact Casey Hinnant at mail@ nccattle.com for other accommodations. All applications are due by 12:00 midnight EST on January 15, 2023. Applications will be reviewed and recommended for NCCF board approval at its meeting in mid-February. Awards will be announced after that meeting. Questions regarding the application process can be addressed to Dr. Roger Crickenberger at 919-464-5636 or at cricks4@mac.com.
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Former Governor Jim and Carolyn Hunt Honored by N.C. Simmental Association By JENNIE RUCKER Former Governor Jim Hunt and his wife, Carolyn, have always been strong supporters of agriculture, youth, and Simmental cattle. They began raising Simmental on land located in Lucama that had been in the Hunt family for 150 years. Their farm, Hunt-Hawley Simmentals, produced many performance bull test winners and even a grand champion heifer at the N.C. State Fair in 1990. Of course, in 1990, that heifer was a frame 10, so you know these cattle had growth genetics! The Hunts have been a huge supporter of 4-H and other youth programs. Jim Hunt grew up in N.C. 4-H programs, and in fact, it is where he became so good at public speaking. He began his political career as president of the N.C. State student body and served four terms as Governor of North Carolina. Carolyn has served at his side as a strong helper in everything he does. Since Carolyn grew up an Iowa farm girl, she actually preferred life on the farm to life in the mansion. She enjoyed raising her children, grandchildren, and cattle on the family farm. Both Jim and Carolyn enjoyed supporting the N.C. Simmental Association as strong members. They consigned cattle to the Fall Harvest Sale and attended annual meetings and events whenever they could. But in the late ‘90s, the N.C. Simmental Association was struggling financially. Hunt was Governor at that time, and he and his wife decided to step in and help the association. One way they could do that was to accomplish two things at one time. They would
hold an event and ask for donations. These donations would also establish a scholarship for youth interested in a career in agriculture. In October of 1997, the couple hosted a reception at the N.C. State University Faculty Club, followed by a beef dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Jim Graham, was honored and presented with a Simmental belt buckle and a new Stetson hat. Enough funds were raised to establish a Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship and to help boost the treasury of the N.C. Simmental Association. It was truly an evening to remember.
Close up of the engraved clock.
The Hunt’s support did not stop there. The couple continued to help financially by bringing many unique items to the NCSA annual meeting fundraising auction. It was always huge fun to watch the bidding for one of Jim’s famous cowboy hats or even his boots or buckle. The really exciting times were when they would donate tickets to an N.C. State football or basketball game. This would include dinner with the Hunts, and boy, did those items raise some big money for the N.C. Simmental Association.
Ralph Blalock presents Carolyn and Jim Hunt with an engraved mantel clock.
Both Jim and Carolyn Hunt have always been such loyal, giving people to our association and to the state of North Carolina. We are proud to be associated with such good cattle people. Ralph Blalock represented our association when he presented the Hunts
Global beef roundtable announces conference agenda to power progress in sustainable beef. In November, The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) will be hosting its global conference in Denver, Colorado. Over four days, the event will bring together a global network of like minded individuals with an interest in powering a future of beef sustainability. Throughout the event, which runs from November 7-10, attendees will benefit from panel discussions, networking events, and breakout sessions, giving insights into the full scope of beef sustainability and action to improve it. Leading with GRSB’s Climate, Nature Positive, and Animal Welfare Goals, related issues to be explored include global markets, supply chain, and cattle genetics. Attendees will also see firsthand how GRSB’s members are actively progressing toward the global goals through tours at member sites, including Cargill, Agricultural Research, Development, and Education Center (ARDEC) Colorado State University, and Leachman Cattle of Colorado. Last year, GRSB launched its sustainability goals focusing on climate, animal health, and nature positive production practices. These goals support members’ commitment to reduce the net global warming impact of beef by 30 percent by 2030. Confirmed speakers at the event include Jason Weller, newly appointed Chief Global Sustainability Officer at JBS; Marcelo Gonzalez, Paraguayan Vice Minister of Agriculture; Tim Bettington, EVP and President of Operations at Zoetis; Peter Byck, Arizona State University; and Francisco Dallmeier, Smithsonian Institute. Alongside keynote speakers, GRSB will spotlight work on its global goals and provide a clear path to future progress.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
with this engraved mantel clock on their farm. The clock was engraved as follows: In appreciation for support, service, and dedication to the Simmental breed and to the N.C. Simmental Association, We honor Jim and Carolyn Hunt.
News
Highlights include: • November 7 - The Communicators Summit, panel event, and networking dinner • November 8 - Updates on the GRSB Global Goals and a ‘Nature Positive Production’ panel discussion • November 9 - Discussions on ‘Balancing Production, Consumption, and Nutritional Needs’ and ‘Animal Health and Welfare,’ and a ‘Concerning Genetics’ panel discussion • November 10 - Three different tour opportunities to various locations discovering new beef sustainability practices Ruaraidh Petre, Executive Director of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, said, “This conference affords us the opportunity to showcase the outstanding work being undertaken by our organization and its members. We look forward to welcoming like minded businesses and individuals across the entire beef supply chain to inspire progress and positive change in the sustainable beef industry.” About the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) is a worldwide network of the people and organizations powering progress in sustainable beef. Across its global roundtable and 12 regional roundtables, GRSB has 94 members working in 24 different countries across six continents. Collectively, its members are responsible for more than ⅔ of cross border beef trade. GRSB powers progress in sustainable beef by setting ambitious goals around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving land use, and animal welfare. To help achieve these goals, GRSB champions best practices, facilitates the exchange of knowledge, and fosters a collaborative approach.
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THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL
By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association NCSA Fall Harvest Sale. The 48th N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale was a beautiful day, with many people in attendance and bidding both on the phone and online. The date was September 3 at Shuffler Sale Facility in Union Grove, North Carolina. DP Sales Management handled the sale, and Tommy Carper was the auctioneer. The sale was dedicated to former Governor Jim and Carolyn Hunt for all their years of support and dedication to both the Simmental breed and to our association. They were one of the main reasons our association is still in existence, where so many others have disappeared. Our association was struggling financially in the late ‘90s, and Governor Hunt held a fundraising reception at the N.C. State
University Faculty Club, followed by a beef dinner at the Governor’s mansion. It was a wonderful event that also helped establish the Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship. This sale was dedicated to Jim and Carolyn Hunt to
Tanner Vestal was working hard on the grill.
N.C. Simmental Association
Nothing prettier than black cows on green grass.
show appreciation to them for all they have done for our association. The top selling lot was a bred heifer consigned by Donald Bangma of Thurmond, North Carolina. This daughter of GSC GCCO Dew North 102C sold for $4,500 to Brookland Farms of Columbia, Kentucky. The next top seller was another bred heifer sired by GLS Declaration D611. This heifer was consigned by Joines Cattle Company of Blacksburg, Va., and sold to Greg Wyant of Lincolnton, N.C., for $4,000. Another top selling lot was SFS Lena H43, consigned by Shuffler Farms Simmentals of Union Grove. This bred heifer, sired by Gibbs 7382E Broad
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Range, sold for $3,800 to Lee Underwood of Bear Creek, North Carolina. The top selling bull in the sale was a consignment from Foglesong Farm in Meadowview,
Ringman Neil Bowman asks for another bid.
American Simmental Association 1 Genetics Way • Bozeman, MT 59718 406-587-4531 • www.simmental.org
Virginia. This son of WLE Uno Mas X549 sold for $3,500 to Greg Wyant. The sale grossed $152,300 and averaged $2,417.46. The embryo lots averaged $1,050, and the pregnancy lots averaged $3,150. The open heifers averaged $1,783.33, and the bred heifers averaged $2,533. The bulls averaged $1,912, with semen lots averaging $170. Cattle sold to buyers in six states, from Georgia to Illinois. Thanks to everyone who attended the sale and all the people watching online. It’s never too late to start planning for next year’s sale.
Simmental News This little one attended her very first cattle sale.
The crowd is ready for the 2022 Fall Harvest Sale to begin.
American Simmental Association Signs on with the Genetic Merit Pricing Task Force. The American Simmental Association (ASA) has joined forces with numerous industry partners to fund a Genetic Merit Pricing Task Force (GMP) focused on identifying and implementing methods and practices to increase the recognition and use of objectively determined genetic merit in the pricing of U.S. feeder cattle. The GMP has the capacity to strengthen the position of serious producers who intentionally build profit oriented genetics for the cow/calf operator, cattle feeders, and packers alike. At the same time, this approach offers greater awareness of the current beef population and gives all parties the opportunity to make future minded decisions with forethought, facts, and a tangible understanding of actual profit potential. The ASA Board of Trustees passed a
resolution to become a full funding partner in the GMP, contributing $40,000. The American Simmental-Simbrah Foundation will contribute half of these funds. Since its inception, the ASA has supported many efforts focused on elevating the value of genetic merit in U.S. beef cattle. Tools such as the IGS Feeder Profit Calculator™ make clear ASA’s commitment to serving the industry at large. ASA has full respect for the presently existing approaches that are proving successful and recognizes that many systems already encourage and reward genetic merit. The ASA’s interest and involvement focuses solely on multibreed objective measures of terminal traits and their potential implementation, where appropriate, across the beef business. Also, in line with ASA’s mission, scientific assessment will be at the forefront of these efforts.
JBB Simmentals
“Registered cattle performing in a commercial environment.” Offering Simmental and SimAngus bulls sired by: SFG Cowboy Logic D627 Kenco/MF Powerline 204L Hoover No Doubt WS Proclamation E202 All bulls are ready to go to work adding pounds to your calf crop and replacement females to your herd! JBB No Doubt J7 (pictured above) weaned off the cow at 734 pounds with NO CREEP FEED! If you need longevity, growth, and maternal performance, let me know! The bulls are limit fed high roughage bull developer with free choice grazing and hay to maximize their genetic potential while keeping them in condition to go to work and NOT MELT! All animals offered for sale have been BVD-PI tested negative and will have complete breeding soundness and carcass data available on sale day. For more information, a catalog, or to see the bulls or their dams prior to the sale, feel free to contact me:
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Same great performance genetics... Same great fellowship... NEW LOCATION!
Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale December 3, 2022 Simpson Event Center
307 Cultivation Circle • Monroe, N.C. The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2022
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NEWS
By TONY HAWKINS, DVM, Valley Vet Supply
Fall Processing Recommendations for Your Weaning Aged Calves Help them down a productive path. And just like that, it’s time for fall processing. Let’s look closely at what we’ll need to give our weaning aged calves a leg up in their next stage of life. Vaccinations - For our weaning aged calves, fall processing is a valuable time to vaccinate them to help build up their immunity. They’re at risk for respiratory disease and also some clostridial diseases. So, we really need to protect their immune system and help offer as much support as we can. The best time to vaccinate these cattle is actually prior to weaning, by about three to four weeks, if at all possible. That way, those vaccines kick in, and we have immunity already built up during the
stressful time of weaning. During weaning, stress can add up from calves experiencing new surroundings, such as unfamiliar feed, new water sources, and commingling with different cattle – which increases exposure to harmful disease pathogens. Stress can compromise immune systems, making vaccinations all the more important. For weaning aged calves, you’ll want to vaccinate using the following: 1. A modified live 5-way vaccine, which will cover Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) Types I & II, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), and Parainfluenza3 Virus (PI3). These are all critical viruses that create respiratory
Smith Creek Angus Farm FOR SALE ON FARM Bulls will be available on farm the week following the N.C. BCIP Performance Bull Test Sale in Butner on December 16!
Bulls are currently on test in Virginia, and will be back in North Carolina in late November.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
MARTY ROOKER
SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM 703 Rooker Dairy Road • Norlina, NC 27563
252-257-2078 • 252-213-1553 (cell) PAGE 24
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
disease in calves. I prefer an injectable at this timeframe. The reason being is that intranasal vaccines do not include BVD protection, which is an important virus we need to protect our calves against. 2. A Pasteurella vaccine, which protects against Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. These are very common bacteria that can invade the lungs and cause severe pneumonia and respiratory disease. You can get these vaccines separately from your modified live injectables, or you can find a modified live injectable that has Pasteurella protection included. Many people prefer the convenience of having one shot to cover both. 3. A 7- or 8-way blackleg vaccine, depending on the part of the country you live in. Your veterinarian would be able to provide some information on which product would be better for your location to best protect calves from these clostridial diseases. Those are the three big vaccines that really every operation can benefit from around weaning time. If you’re banding bulls at this time, you do need to give a tetanus toxoid. Ideally, you’ll give two rounds, with the second round being at the time of banding. Practically, for most operations, that’s not possible. Many only give one tetanus at the time of banding and tend to get along OK, but there is still some risk there. Implanting - An implant would be important for this group of calves. Implants improve efficiency and profitability – increasing the animals’ growth by up to 20 percent and improving feed efficiency by up to ten percent. The return on investment can be upwards of 10-1, so for every dollar you spend on an implant, you can get $10 back. Here are a few tips when implanting. • Ensure proper positioning. Implant the backside of the ear, in the middle third. You can find diagrams online to help illustrate proper positioning. • Implement low stress cattle handling, which will reduce overcrowding and excess manure contamination of the head and ears. • Prioritize sanitation and cleanliness to help minimize the risk of infection and ear abscesses, which can prevent the implant from working. • Place a bucket nearby with disinfectant and a stiff brush, so you can gently clean the ear using disinfectant. Replace the solution after it becomes dirty. • In addition to cleaning any soiled ear, disinfect all sides of the needle using a sponge soaked in a disinfectant (I recommend using chlorhexidine.) Deworming - For this age group, in the fall, I prefer an oral drench dewormer because
it better controls parasites for this group based on some recent studies. Next Spring, I’d recommend a pour-on or an injectable because it gets those ectoparasites as well. Now, the newest thing for deworming cattle is to use combination deworming methods, where you give two different classes of dewormers at the same time, such as you might give both a pour-on and an oral drench. That’s also a very effective combination to control parasites, lice, and flies. We can use fecal samples to monitor for parasite load and measure how effective our deworming program is. It’s been shown that it’s actually much more accurate to monitor fecals in calves instead of cows, because it shows a more accurate representation of the parasite load in your pasture area. A fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) would tell us how effective your dewormers are; steps for an FECRT include: 1. Retrieve sample from a calf. 2. Deworm the calf. 3. Two weeks later, retrieve sample from the same calf. 4. Confirm results from your veterinarian – an effective deworming should show a 95 percent reduction in those egg counts. With this information, along with insight from your veterinarian, I hope you feel well prepared for fall processing. Stay tuned for more tips, and continue learning at ValleyVet.com. About Valley Vet Supply. Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians to provide customers with the very best animal health solutions. Building on over half a century of experience in veterinary medicine, Valley Vet Supply serves equine, pet, and livestock owners with thousands of products and medications hand selected by Valley Vet Supply Technical Service veterinarians and team of industry professionals. With an in-house pharmacy that is licensed in all 50 states, and verified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), Valley Vet Supply is the dedicated source for all things horse, livestock, and pet. For more information, please visit ValleyVet.com.
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Certified Angus Beef News Certified Angus Beef Takes Fine Dining to New Heights to Connect with Consumers. Angus rancher Ty Walter joins Actor, Comedian, and Host Joel McHale in a fine dining experience at an elevation of 8,500 feet. With market swings and unpredictable weather, ranching can sometimes feel like an adventure. But rock climbing to a 100 feet high ledge for a fine dining meal with a celebrity? Only Colorado Angus rancher Ty Walter can say he’s done that. Raising the “steaks” as part of the Certified Angus Beef Takes You There campaign, Walter participated in the brand, inventing the “sport” of extreme dining. Focused on sharing the transformative power of food and the idea that different culinary experiences can take consumers on a journey to different
destinations, the campaign elevated the best Angus beef to new heights. In a cliffside setting, Walter joined actor, comedian, and host Joel McHale to talk cattle production and what makes Certified Angus Beef® brand products consistently superior – all while enjoying a four course meal at an elevation of 8,500 feet. “The thing I was most nervous about was dropping my fork,” Walter says. “I’ve never done anything like this before, but that was the best beef I’ve ever had.” After a two mile hike, the pair rock climbed to a 100 feet high ledge. There, Walter and McHale enjoyed a four course meal featuring the Certified Angus Beef brand and Certified Angus Beef Prime products, all cooked by Certified Angus Beef Executive Chef Ashley Breneman
from a kitchen in the sky. “Every meal doesn’t have to be this extreme, but we wanted to showcase Certified Angus Beef products in a way that would inspire chefs and consumers to create their own flavor adventure,” Chef Breneman says. “Choosing the Certified Angus Beef brand ensures an elevated experience, every time.” Through Certified Angus Beef’s commitment to delivering the highest quality beef comes the responsibility to exceed expectations. By pushing the limits on culinary experiences, the brand raised the bar on showcasing its products and the people who raise them to consumers. “This experience provided a taste of the excitement and adventure that comes with cooking with the Certified Angus Beef brand,” says Nicole Erceg, Certified Angus Beef Director of Communications. “We want consumers to find inspiration from this experience, to dare to push the limits on flavors, feel good about the people their beef comes from, and explore where Certified Angus Beef can take them.” Designed to garner mainstream media attention and connect with a younger
generation of consumers, the project puts the Certified Angus Beef brand and the ranchers who raise it in unexpected media platforms like entertainment news, pop culture publications, and food culture information sources. McHale was tapped to introduce the Certified Angus Beef brand to new audiences and share how Certified Angus Beef can elevate not just your meal but life experiences. And it’s safe to say he’s a big fan. “It was just SO good. So good. Can I have more, please? By the way, Chef Ashley is a genius,” McHale says. “Every single detail that Certified Angus Beef put forward was unreal. And I can truly say if it’s not Certified, it’s not the best. This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done.” Jumping In. Certified Angus Beef accepting applications for its three summer communications internships. You’re handed a camera and told, “Just jump right in.” It’s a phrase heard on repeat as a Certified Angus Beef intern while gaining experience with photo, video, journalism, public relations, and social media.
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
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In a fast paced and dynamic communications space, Certified Angus Beef seeks three students aspiring for opportunities beyond the classroom and through the beef supply chain. Essential for success before going into the workforce after college, the internship offers hands-on experience and effective communications skill building. “Certified Angus Beef does a great job of helping you understand what a career is like and I’ve been able to gain real life experience,” says Kindle Catching, 2022 digital marketing intern. “I am going home with lots of knowledge and feeling inspired. They prepared me for life after college.” Three internship positions are available for college students majoring in agricultural communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related areas. The Producer Communications intern will engage farm and ranch audiences. This intern will write news releases, feature stories, and create content for the brand’s rancher facing social media accounts, website, and email copy. Background knowledge and experience in agriculture are preferred. The Communications intern will support business and consumer audiences. This intern will write news releases, feature stories, and create visual content with photos and videos for the brand’s consumer facing social media accounts, website, and seasonal campaign efforts. The Public Relations intern will monitor brand mentions and emerging issues in trade and top tier media, generate media pitches and pitching strategies, and support any events as they arise. The secondary focus will be to create content for the brand newsroom. The positions will be customized to match an intern’s interest in practicing multi-media storytelling and additional skills. Some assignments may include photography and video editing, generating pitch stories to media, or traveling to off site events at restaurants, grocery stores, or ranches. “You’re given opportunities to grow the skills you learned in the classroom and practice ones you haven’t yet had the chance to with this internship,” says Daniela Medina, 2022 public relations intern. “I would recommend this internship to anyone. You will feel like a valued team member from day one.” Junior or senior college students are encouraged to apply by November 15. Summer interns will be expected to work for 10-12 weeks from the brand’s office in Wooster, Ohio, for 40 hours per week between mid-May and mid-August. Applications require a cover letter,
resume, and online portfolio of work samples in communications. Attendance at the 2022 Youth Beef Leaders seminar, hosted by the brand December 14-16, is required as part of orientation. Jump in. Find more information about these internship opportunities and apply at CertifiedAngusBeef.com/ recruiting. Cattlemen Remain Committed to Quality. Certified Angus Beef closes the 2022 fiscal year on a high note. With ranchers continuing to produce high quality beef at notable marks and consumer demand staying strong, Certified Angus Beef closed its books on the second highest sales year of record. The brand’s success is a reflection of an entire community pointed toward providing premium beef, starting with steady supply. “Angus cattlemen and women remain committed to meeting the demand for the best tasting and best sourced beef,” says John Stika, president of Certified Angus Beef. “Our diverse, global and growing customer base recognizes the brand’s commitment to quality from the ranch to the plate.” Certified Angus Beef sold 1.234 billion pounds in 54 countries during the 2022 fiscal year. Up 1.6 percent or 19 million pounds from fiscal 2021, the brand celebrates its seventh year, reaching more than a billion pounds sold, and set a new record sales month with 113.8 million pounds sold in March 2022. Demand Supported by Supply - The second largest supply in the brand’s history, 5.78 million carcasses achieved the brand’s own beef quality specifications. The year also marked a record 16.38 million Angus influenced cattle evaluated for the brand, a 1.7 percent increase from the previous year. Cattlemen’s commitment to increasing high quality beef supply continues to be rewarded through grid premiums. As reported in March, premiums paid by packers to producers for brand qualifying cattle totaled $182 million annually or $3.5 million per week. “While we celebrate the success of the 2022 fiscal year, we are looking ahead to 2023 with a sense of optimism — driven by strong demand for the brand and a sense of realism. We know the challenges facing producers, and ultimately the cattle supply, over the next few years,” Stika says. “Moving forward, we will remain focused on what is within our control — growing demand and supporting ranchers as they push forward in targeting the brand to supply customers the high quality beef they desire.” Beef Sales Stay Strong - Consumer
spending patterns encouraged a more typical distribution of beef sales for food service, retail, and international businesses this year. Restaurant dining elevated food service to the brand’s second best year at 405 million pounds, mirroring the previous year’s double digit gain. Following two consecutive years with more than 600 million pounds, grocery store meat departments across the U.S. sold 548.5 million pounds of the Certified Angus Beef brand in fiscal 2022. While U.S. retail dipped slightly, beef sales by global partners grew. Partners outside of the U.S. increased sales to 178.5 million pounds for the year, with three of the top five markets — Canada, Mexico, and Taiwan — growing by more than 24 percent. To complement international growth in these markets, the Middle East, Central America, Dominican Republic, and Qatar each experienced their best year with the brand. Limits on labor in restaurants and grocery stores, coupled with shoppers seeking prepared and ready-to-cook items, led value added products to a new annual record. The 40.7 million pounds sold marked a 6.3 percent increase, with gains in 15 of 23 product categories —
especially fully cooked briskets, shaved steak, and beef bacon. These same partners identified opportunities for ground beef, a versatile and less costly item for menus and retail shoppers. Ground beef sales reached a record 261.7 million pounds, 10.7 percent above 2021. Certified Angus Beef Natural also grew by 7 percent year over year to 4.7 million pounds. “The success of the last 44 years hasn’t come by luck or chance for this brand,” says Stika. “It’s been achieved through ranchers’ determination to produce a high quality product, combined with our partners’ hard work and intentionality to continue to plan, prepare and position themselves and our consumers to be successful.” 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.
BLACK CREST FARM Annual Bull and Female Sale February 11, 2023 • Sumter, SC
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North Carolina Angus Association ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. Registered Angus genetics genetics deliver 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 CARSON FAMILY FARM, LLC John, Callie, Isaac & J.R. Carson Laurel Springs 336-818-9087 • carsonfamilyfarm@gmail.com CHAPMAN CATTLE COMPANY Bryant Chapman Taylorsville 828-514-0526 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) gragg_farms@hotmail.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 JENKINS ANGUS FARM Jaime & Christy Jenkins Marshall 828-206-1345 • jenkinsangusfarm@gmail.com KNOLL CREST FARM The Bennett Family Red House,VA 434-376-3567 • knollcrestfarm@knollcrestfarm.com www.knollcrestfarm.com LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Bundy Lane - Manager Gates 252-398-7705 (Bundy); 252-398-7719 (Miranda) 252-357-1279 (Office) bundylane@hughes.net; laneangusbeef@gmail.com www.laneangusbeef.com PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 • johnsmith3982@embarqmail.com S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 • sandjfarms2013@gmail.com SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 • mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Louisburg 919-880-9062 • philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com
H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 • jennham@bellsouth.net
TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 • greg.little@atimetals.com
HI-LO FARMS, LLC William & Kate Reichert Fuquay-Varina 919-812-0435 • hilofarmsblackangus.gmail.com
VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 • keaton@vandemarkfarms.com
Cortney Holshouser
NCAA Executive Secretary 919-796-2346 ncaa.sec@gmail.com www.ncangus.org
WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-460-7451 • windyhillfarmsllc@gmail.com WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 • bensbulls@gmail.com WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 • rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com
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ANGUS NEWS Explore Giveaways at the 2022 Angus Convention. Giveaway items to be awarded to two convention attendees. Set your sights on Salt Lake, and come explore a weekend of new avenues and opportunities to maximize your mindset and expand your knowledge. The 2022 Angus Convention will be held in Salt Lake City on November 4-7. The convention annually provides Angus enthusiasts the opportunity for networking, educational experiences, and exciting entertainment. Each of this year’s attendees can enter to be the lucky winner of two incredible giveaway items. “This year’s Angus Convention provides the unique opportunity for Angus producers and commercial cattlemen to join together,” said Mark McCully, American Angus Association chief executive officer. “Not only will the event feature innovative and industry relevant educational sessions, but our generous partners offer two lucky attendees the chance to take home exceptional giveaways.” It’s said that nothing runs like a Deere, and the winner of our leadoff giveaway item could experience that first hand in a John Deere XUV835M Gator. Featuring a three person cock pit, power steering, a 54 horsepower engine, 2,000 lb. towing capacity, 1,000 lb. cargo box capacity, and speeds up to 45 mph, this workhorse is valued at $19,469. Equally impressive, the second giveaway item is a Priefert Complete Cattle Handling System, valued at $42,244. The corral features a solid sweep with a straight working alley, adjustable to one of four widths, leading to a Priefert Model S04 Squeeze Chute. The set up is equipped with a Tru-Test by Datamars Livestock complete weight and water management solution, an electronic identification reader, and much more. Included in the extensive package is a Priefert Sheeted Sweep Corral System for 35 head, 35’ adjustable alley, and Priefert’s Model S04 Squeeze Chute. Also included is a Tru-Test XR5000 Scale Indicator, HD5T Load Bars with mounting brackets, XRS2 EID Stick Reader, Premium ID Tag Package, WaterWell 2 Automatic Waterer, and Thermal Earth Tube. This package is sure to help the winner explore new progress on their operation.
“We understand it’s vital for our breeders to work in the most effective and efficient manner possible, and these giveaway items allow just that,” McCully said. “Each winner will be able to take these tools home and use them to improve their operation.” Angus Convention 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 139th Annual Convention of Delegates. For more information about Angus Convention, including registration and a complete schedule, visit angusconvention. com. Registration remains open until the day of the event. Angus Foundation to sell Certified Angus Beef barn painting at Angus Convention. Sale of barn painting in Salt Lake City will benefit the Angus Foundation. The Angus Foundation is offering the chance at a highly desired Certified Angus Beef (CAB) barn painting at the 2022 Angus Convention. The painting will be auctioned off at the annual American Angus Association awards dinner and reception on November 6. Funds raised will help further the Foundation’s mission of supporting Angus education, youth, and research. In 2018, CAB celebrated 40 years in business with the “Brand the Barn” campaign, painting 40 barns belonging to Angus breeders in 25 states across the country with the Certified Angus Beef brand logo. In response to the campaign, many Angus enthusiasts have joined the waiting list to have their own barn painted. The Foundation will offer breeders the chance to skip the line and proudly represent the brand on their operation. “This is a unique opportunity to show your pride for CAB while also supporting the future of the Angus breed,” said Jaclyn Upperman, Angus Foundation executive director. “The winning bidder will gain a beautiful barn painting and can feel fulfilled knowing they’ve helped continue the Angus legacy.” CAB will commission artist Troy Freeman to brand the winning bidder’s barn and will also provide $1,000 for the
barn owner to host a celebration event in conjunction with the barn painting. Bidders need not be present to purchase the offering. For more information about this opportunity, contact Upperman at JUpperman@Angus.org. To learn more about the 2022 Angus Convention, visit www.angusconvention.com. About the Angus Foundation. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth, and research. The organization has distributed more than $4.2 million in youth scholarships since 1998 and has also invested more than $1.3
million in beef cattle research in the past decade. For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100. Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association ® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by more than 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers, and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.
NEWS New Herbicide GUSS sprayer to be available at select John Deere dealer locations. GUSS™ Automation has introduced the first and only autonomous herbicide orchard sprayer – Herbicide GUSS, available at select John Deere dealers. This high tech herbicide sprayer removes the driver from the vehicle to eliminate exposure to the chemical being sprayed. A single operator can monitor any combination of up to eight GUSS, mini GUSS, or Herbicide GUSS sprayers on a laptop computer from the safety of their vehicle. With growers looking to improve productivity, increase precision and efficiency, reduce operational and overhead costs, and enhance worker safety, Herbicide GUSS is the solution to meet and exceed these needs. Herbicide GUSS uses LIDAR technology to stay in the row. Nine sensors on the sprayer detect, target, and spot spray weeds on the orchard floor, which reduces material usage and drift during application. Reducing the amount of material being sprayed increases safety for the operator, environment, and food produced. “The announcement of Herbicide GUSS underscores why we are so excited to have GUSS as part of our High Value Crop solutions lineup,” said Greg Christensen, John Deere Marketing Manager for 5 Series Tractors and High Value Crops. “The GUSS team has years and depth of experience in the high value crop spraying business. They were their own first customers, so they are able to solve true customer needs very quickly. Orchard and vineyard customers in the high
Top Ten North Carolina and South Carolina Breeders Who Registered the Most Angus The ten producers who registered the most Angus beef cattle in North Carolina recorded a total of 1,172 Angus and in South Carolina recorded a total of 1,907 Angus with the American Angus Association during fiscal year 2022, which ended September 30, according to Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer. NORTH CAROLINA • Springfield Angus Farm - Louisburg • J. Roger Lane - Gates • Upper Piedmont Research Station - Reidsville • The Biltmore Company - Asheville • E. Bruce Shankle II - Polkton • James Ralph Britt III - Calypso • Goddard Farms - West Jefferson • Smith Creek Angus Farm - Norlina • Gragg Farms - Boone • Fulcher Farms - Godwin
SOUTH CAROLINA • Yon Family Farms - Ridge Spring • Edisto Pines Farm LLC - Leesville • Walter Shealy III - Newberry • Tokeena Angus Farms - Seneca • Paul Boyd Angus Farm - Clover • Baxley Farms - Georgetown • Black Crest Farms - Sumter • Tica Farms - Ridge Spring • Kenneth Currie - Bishopville • Madeline Milford - Abbeville Angus breeders across the nation in 2022 registered 304,822 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.”
value crop space face many labor, safety, and sustainability challenges. GUSS, Mini GUSS, and now Herbicide GUSS can help producers overcome these challenges.” Herbicide GUSS is 23.5 ft. long, 6.5 ft. tall, and ranges from 8.3-19 feet wide, depending on the boom extension. The hydraulic controlled, height adjustable booms accommodate 18-22 foot row spacing and tilt for varying berm sizes. The breakaway booms prevent damage to trees and crops. “Growers have been asking for an autonomous herbicide machine. We took that concept to the next level by implementing weed detection technology to give the grower a machine that provides immense value. Lower chemical usage helps the grower reduce costs and is a benefit to the environment,” said Gary Thompson, COO at GUSS Automation. For more information, visit JohnDeere.com or GUSSag.com for specific dealer locations. About Deere & Company. Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what’s possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology enabled products, including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray™, and E-Power Backhoe, are just some of the ways we help meet the world’s increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information, visit www.JohnDeere.com.
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• Join one of the largest mineral buying groups in the Southeast • Trial opportunities available • Delivery available in most areas of North Carolina • Make your own buying group in your area
THE BARN LOFT
1475 National Highway • Thomasville, NC 27360 Store - 336-886-1737 • Cell - 336-250-0572 www.thebarnloft.com PAGE 36
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
Your Carcass Cut Your Way Slaughter Facility 9683 Kerrs Chapel Road Gibsonville, NC
Processing Facility 430 NC Hwy 49 S Asheboro, NC
336-628-4949
www.PiedmontCustomMeats.com We are a processor offering slaughter and processing service only. We DO NOT buy or sell any meat products.
BEEF • PORK • LAMB • GOAT The Carolina Cattle Connection
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NEWS Axiota Animal Health and Resilient Biotics Enter Agreement to Co-Develop New BRD Technology. Collaboration aims to create a leading development platform for microbial products in cattle. Axiota Animal Health, a global animal health company based in Colorado, recently announced a development and licensing agreement with Resilient Biotics, a North Carolina based company pioneering new microbiome based animal products using advanced multiomic approaches, data science, and in-vitro screening technologies. The agreement grants Axiota exclusive global rights to Resilient Biotics’ proprietary treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and further collaboration with Resilient Biotics for additional product development and commercialization of important indications in the global cattle market. As part of the collaboration, Axiota also made a direct investment in Resilient Biotics and anticipates a multiyear effort to develop a portfolio of new products. Jon Lowe, CEO of Axiota, said this agreement reaffirms Axiota’s commitment to seek innovative solutions for their customers. “Combining Resilient Biotics’
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advanced microbiome genomics and data science with Axiota’s proven ability to develop and commercialize novel microbes will allow us to better serve the cattle industry with first-in-class products that address our customers’ animal health, welfare, environmental, and economic goals. The innovation resulting from this collaboration will be a great fit with our existing LactiproNXT, LactiproFLX, and Multimin 90 portfolio and enhance the value we bring to customers.” Resilient Biotics’ BRD technology gained notoriety in the industry when it was announced as the winner of the 2021 Beef Alliance Startup Challenge Award. Chris Belnap, Ph.D., Resilient Biotics’ co-founder and CEO, said, “We’ve built a discovery platform entirely focused on utilizing healthy microbial strains to combat harmful pathogens in production animals, particularly those that cause respiratory disease. Our BRD technology has the potential to displace the routine use of antibiotics in cattle and could fill a critical gap in preventative care to address this costly disease. Using scientific advances to understand the complexities of animal-microbiome interactions provides a new avenue for exciting and
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
innovative products in animal health.” “We believe this agreement will accelerate the development of our product for the treatment of BRD,” Belnap said. “We are both optimistic and eager to enter into this strategic collaboration with Axiota, as they extend their commitment to a novel, first-in-class product for cattle. Axiota’s MS Biotec Microbial Technology Center has been a leader in developing novel microbes in animal health for over a decade. They have significant commercial reach with deep expertise in cattle.” William (Bill) Weldon, Ph.D., former CEO and current technology and innovation advisor to Axiota, said, “The synergy between these two companies results in world class microbial discovery, product development, and a commercialization team focused on using the latest technologies to develop cattle products that solve some of the most important issues to cattle producers. Resilient Biotics’ discovery capabilities combined with the stabilization, formulation, and manufacturing expertise at Axiota’s MS Biotec Microbial Technology Center, creates a unique and novel microbial product development and commercialization platform, equipped to develop new products based on the latest microbiome science.” About Axiota Animal Health. Axiota Animal Health delivers best-inclass animal health products with proven
modes of action that help manage risk and support cattle health, performance, and well being across all stages of beef and dairy production. With scientifically proven products, such as Multimin® 90, LactiproNXT®, and LactiproFLX®, Axiota supports the health and performance of cattle during transition and stress across all stages of beef and dairy production. Axiota is a portfolio company of Paine Schwartz Partners, a global leader in sustainable food chain investing. To learn more about Axiota, visit www.axiota.com. About Resilient Biotics. Resilient Biotics is developing breakthrough live biotherapeutics to combat complex respiratory infections. Using proprietary discovery analytics, the company identifies and designs novel microbiome products that prevent disease causing pathogens from taking hold in the respiratory tract. This approach provides a new solution to help reduce dependency on antibiotics and slow the spread of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. The company is building a portfolio of novel microbiome products to address major respiratory diseases in both human and animal health. Resilient Biotics is headquartered in the USA and backed by institutional and strategic investors, including Fulcrum Capital and Viking Global Investors. To learn more about Resilient Biotics, visit www. resilientbiotics.com.
The N.C. Hereford Association were proud sponsors of the 2022 Eastern Carolina Showmanship Circuit. We would like to congratulate all the kids who participated and encourage more youth to join next year! Below is a small group of participants who were able to attend the awards ceremony at the N.C. State Fair.
4B FARMS, LLC
DOUBLE J FARM
Shelby, NC Bryson, Wren, Beau, Belle, Bonnie & Bennet Westbrook 980-230-4868 brysonw@thewestbrookco.com
Traphill, NC • Earlysville, VA John Wheeler 910-489-0024 doublejfarmllc@yahoo.com www.doublejfarmllc.com
4K RANCH
FIVE J’S BEEF & CATTLE COMPANY
Nelson, VA Rick & Linda Kern 919-272-6124 4kranch@bellsouth.net
AWC CATTLE COMPANY Winston-Salem, NC Andie & Wes Carpenter 336-970-1655 jcarpenter@alphagraphics.com www.windmillacresfarms.com
BLINSON POLLED HEREFORDS
Lenoir, NC Keith & Peggy Blinson - 828-310-4526 Bryan & Beth Blinson - 919-422-9108
Clayton, NC Jody & Angela Standley Kim Prestwood (Manager) 828-320-7317 - Kim jodystandley@gmail.com
GRASSY CREEK FARM Bullock, NC Scott, Pam, Hailee, Lillee, & Elizabeth Bissett 919-482-1176 Bissettsp1@gmail.com
HEREFORD HILLS
Greensboro, NC Bill Kirkman III 336-382-9635 ST Genetics Representative
Check out the
North Carolina Hereford Advantage at
www.nchereford.com
LOOKABILL FAMILY LIVESTOCK
Lexington, NC Reggie, Patty, Tyler & Noah Lookabill 336-240-2142 rlookabill6015@gmail.com
McCOY CATTLE FARM Cove City, NC Myron & Charlie McCoy 252-229-4602 mccoycattlefarms@gmail.com
MITCHEM’S FARM 3C
Vale, NC Wayne, Crystal, Regan & Jordan Mitchem 704-472-4369 mitchemsfarm@bellsouth.net
NORTH PINO LAND & CATTLE COMPANY Mocksville, NC Kevin Robinson 336-940-2547 kevrob1@aol.com
P and J FARMS
Monroe, NC Andy Smith 704-400-3436 pandjfarmsherefords@gmail.com
QUAIL RIDGE FARM Rutherfordton, NC Mark Brewer 828-329-2074 markbrewer65@gmail.com
TAYLOR’S MILL FARM Zebulon, NC J. Brent Creech 919-801-7561 tmfherefords@icloud.com
TERRACE FARM
Lexington, NC Jim, Linda & Chad Davis 336-247-1554 jgdavis101@yahoo.com
TRIPLETT POLLED HEREFORDS
Statesville, NC James Triplett 704-902-2250 triplettmarble@bellsouth.net
W&A HEREFORD FARM
Providence, NC George, Tammy, William, & Andy Ward 434-251-3637 waherefordfarm@comcast.net
Myron McCoy
N.C. Hereford Association Secretary/Treasurer
252-637-4995 ncherefordassociation@gmail.com www.nchereford.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
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NEWS
Join the Animal Agriculture Alliance as “Partners in Progress” at 2023 Stakeholders Summit. Speaking proposals sought through November 25. The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced recently that its 2023 Stakeholders Summit, scheduled for May 4-5 in Arlington, Va., will be themed “Partners in Progress: Building a Sustainable Future for Animal Ag.” A request for speaking proposals has been issued and will be accepted through November 25. How can we create a sustainable future for animal agriculture? By building it together. And the 2023 Stakeholders Summit is your opportunity to help take the incredible progress we’ve already made to new heights. It’s your best chance to partner with stakeholders
throughout the food chain and across commodities. To share ideas and form connections that will elevate the farm and food communities in ways that lift everyone. To collaborate toward vital progress. And to learn how you can do your part to help protect, sustain, and advance our entire community. So, wherever you are in the food chain, join us in making a real difference. Join us as “Partners in Progress.” “Working on behalf of America’s farmers, ranchers, and everyone involved in the food supply chain, we’re incredibly proud of the progress that has been made over generations to improve animal care, health, responsible antibiotic use, and environmental stewardship,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO. “We also know there’s more
work to be done and that the farm and food communities are committed to furthering that progress. The 2023 Summit is the ideal place for all links of the supply chain to come together to take those efforts to new levels.” 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 25. For more information, visit the proposal guidelines and form. For questions about the speaker proposal process, contact Abby Kornegay at akornegay@animalagalliance.org. 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 2022 Summit marked the return of an in-person event since 2019 and attracted over 385 registered attendees. Select session recordings were recently made available for public
Fowken
viewing on the Alliance’s YouTube channel. Registration for the Summit will open in early 2023, and a tentative schedule will be shared at that time. Visit https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/ stakeholders-summit/ for the most upto-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA23 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 Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
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(17 miles south of Spartanburg)
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The Carolina Cattle Connection
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Lim-Flex Hybrids Bring Out the Best of Multiple Breeds. LimFlex animals, both genetically and phenotypically, show many strengths desired by both producers and consumers. In addition to the general “hybrid vigor” advantage of crossbreeding, those who select Limousin genetics for their programs also bring in the many maternal and terminal traits the breed is known for. This means that producers get a hardy animal efficient in multiple areas, along with quality progeny coupled with strong brood cows. For consumers, the cross provides heavy muscling with great marbling for
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quality cuts of beef. (And it’s even done at a higher level of efficiency, making it a win for the planet as well!) The flex part of the Lim-Flex name derives from the flexibility and efficiency that comes with the pairing. The full name is Flexible Limousin Efficient Cross (X). Besides here in the U.S., it has also been a boon to the Australian beef sector. Embracing the Flex - Cattle breeders coming from an Angus background, the most populous beef breed in the U.S., can add performance and increase daily weight gain with the addition of Limousin genetics. The resulting hybrid maintains the doability and marbling of Angus and
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
the growth and muscle and maximizes the yield with the Limousin influence, according to Raven Limousin. Many producers find they like the versatile ability of the cross and the ability to still get “the work done.” The Lim-Flex breed allows for all around flexibility in terms of carcass merit and maternal abilities. It also opens the door to more abundant marketing thanks to the consistently high dressing percentage of the progeny. Both productive females and terminal offspring show high levels of efficiency when it comes to feed conversion. Something especially attractive about Limousin genetics for crossbreeding is that it pairs well with different cattle varieties, that being both established beef lines and dairy cattle. Pairing with Angus - With the proliferation and premium prices associated with Certified Angus Beef, many producers flocked to the British breed. While being at the forefront of commercial beef, Angus animals also pose some challenges regarding efficiency in areas of feeding and carcass yield. But Limousin genetics paired with Angus produces a low proportion of bone and fat in addition to a high percentage of saleable meat that is great for marketability. In addition, they guarantee excellent productivity at a low cost. From a producer’s standpoint, Limousins also balance quite well with the Angus personality and some of their most desired traits. Limousin bulls tend to bring lighter frames to their offspring to assist with calving ease while not giving up on confirmation, muscling, or live weight. (Both Limousin bulls and cows are also touted for their fertility.) The heavy Limousin muscling stems from a unique gene allele - one that doesn’t negatively impact the tenderness or meat quality. The Angus cross in the Lim-Flex breed balances the Limousin traits. Their influence brings another level of marketing to the progeny and meat. Though the Limousin provides the muscle mass, the Angus provides the tenderness and marbling, or intermuscular fat, desired by the market. Angus already have a high dressing percentage, and this benefits the efficiency of the Limousin breed. Dairy Impact - Dairy producers, looking for better profit margins, have taken a keener interest in breeding some of their lower value dairy animals to beef crosses for offspring that fetch more in the beef market. Limousin, with its favorable ribeye area, abundant muscling, and beef quality, is a perfect complement to other dairy breeds who have marbling but lack the right beef structure. A great example of this is illustrated
in the pairing of Limousin bulls with Jersey cows. The Jersey breed is known for its ability to marble very well, but its small frame and lack of muscling make straightbred calves very poor candidates for beef buyers and processors. Luckily the LimFlex hybrid solves many of those issues. Wulf Cattle in Morris, Minn., has worked with dairy farmers to help select the best Limousin sires to help meet their goals. Their “Beef Builder” dairy hybrids had significant gains over straightbred Jersey calves in areas of average daily gain, hot carcass weight, and ribeye area, all while consuming significantly less feed to gain. Combined, these all worked to make a hybrid Jersey bull calf as much as ten times as profitable compared to a straightbred. Other Benefits of the Lim-Flex The compatibility of the Limousin and other beef breeds provides producers with genetic options that have the goal of using the muscling and efficiency of Limousin and the marbling and maternal qualities from the Angus breed. The Oklahoma State University highlights how the powerful genetic blend allows flexibility for seedstock and marketable progeny with desirable dressing percentages and high yields. Additionally, the females adapt well not only in the efficiency, as mentioned previously, but also adapt well to a range of environments. The ability to adapt to a multitude of environments allows for the animal to be hardy in various extremes. Lim-Flex animals are not only hardy when it comes to the environmental changes, but their calving ease traits and the maternal pros from the Angus in their genes make them great mothers for their offspring. Without a doubt, the Lim-Flex has impacted the industry for both producers and consumers. The ability to beautifully blend some of the best qualities of Angus and Limousin cattle has shown many benefits. Angus provides the marbling and go-get-it that compliments the heavy muscling, hardy Limousin. Overall, the Lim-Flex was bred for the flexibility in a multitude of traits, and it fits the bill for both the consumer and producer. 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.
Clemson University Extension Bull Test Program Report By STEVEN E. MEADOWS, Ph.D. Clemson University The bulls on test this year are truly elite in their phenotype and genotype. To say this group is outstanding is frankly an understatement. I congratulate and thank the breeders for having such outstanding breeding programs that are bred to improve our beef industry and your bottom line. The bulls went on test in August and were weighed for the 28 day weigh period on September 13. Performance in the bulls was great. Leading the pack in the senior Angus division was the Lot 21 bull consigned by Berry-Wells Farm of Rayle, Georgia. This son of RAR Revolution 8148 hammered the scales with a 5.54 ADG for the first 28 days. The Lot 8 bull followed closely behind at 5.45 lb. ADG. This hoss was sired by Byergo Maverick 8400 and is owned by Shuffler Farm of Union Grove, North Carolina. In third overall for senior Angus, the Lot 27 bull weighed in with a 5.25 lb. ADG. He is a son of Bakers Northside 6007 and owned by Panther Creek Farm of Pink Hill, North Carolina.
In the junior Angus division, the top overall ADG bull was consigned by first time consignor Triple S Farm of Oakboro, North Carolina. He is sired by Triple L Enhance 917 and recorded a 5.57 ADG for that period. Second place saw the Lot 41 bull, a son of YLC Acclaim G902, hit an ADG of 5.11 and is owned by Yaupon Land and Cattle of Inman, South Carolina. Lot 46, a consignment from Sonny and Martha Winters of Thomasville, Ga., posted an ADG of 5.00. This calf was sired by Crawford Guarantee 9137. In the Hereford division, Montgomery Farms of Blacksburg, S.C., and 4B Farms of Shelby, N.C., saw their respective lots in a dead heat at 4.21 ADG. The Montgomery calf is a son of NJW 84B 10W Journey 53D and is Lot 54. The 4B consignment is Lot 55 and a stout son of SHF Ribeye M326 R117. A very competitive race was observed in the SimAngus senior group. Triple S Farm scored again with the high ADG in this group. A son of Jindra Acclaim recorded an ADG of 5.89 lb.
and is Lot 67. The Lot 66 bull of Jordan Farms of Townville, S.C., saw their son of MAR Innovation 251 ring the bell at 5.54 lb. for his 28 day ADG. The Simmental senior group had a very strong consignment from AK/NDS with a whopping 5.54 ADG and is Lot 79. This future herd bull is sired by WLE Copacetic E02. In the senior Balancer division, a very complete calf from Misty Hill Farm of Walhalla, S.C., recorded an ADG of 4.00 lb.
He is sired by SC Abundance. Overall, this was a great period, as the bulls averaged 4.2 ADG across the board. Our 56 day weight was taken on October 11. We look forward to the sale in February 2023 but encourage you to follow the bulls at the Clemson University Bull Test website at www. clemson.edu/extension/bulltest/ clemson/2023-files/2023-clemson-bulltest-28-day-on-test-2.pdf.
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NEWS
Successful administration of implant begins with the right technique. Make sure these common implanting mistakes don’t cause problems down the road. Synovex growth implants
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from Zoetis are valuable tools available that help producers maximize profit potential in every growth stage, but only if administered properly. Poor implanting techniques can significantly impact how
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
well implants work and can result in poor gains, feed conversion, and behavior issues. Implant defects include improper site, abscessed, walled off, located in ear cartilage, missing due to abscess, pellets missing, and/or bunched. There are multiple ways to prevent implanting errors for effective administration and, thus, optimum performance. Sanitation - Almost 35 percent of implant defects are sanitation related.1 Cleanliness is key to a successful implant program on your operation and preventing issues in the future. The following are some ways to ensure sanitary implanting: • Disinfect the needle. Make sure a tray filled with disinfectant and a sponge is ready in the workspace. Cleaning the needle with the disinfectant and sponge between each animal (and after an attempted inserting of the implant where the needle does not penetrate the ear but slides over the skin) reduces implant abscesses. • Use chlorhexidine disinfectant. A chlorhexidine solution should be used to scrub dirty ears before implanting and can also be used for cleaning implanting tools as well. Never use iodine or alcohol, and make sure the chlorhexidine solution is mixed fresh daily and replaced when it begins to discolor. • Always clean dirty or manure contaminated ears. Use a brush and the chlorhexidine solution to scrub the ear and remove the debris. This helps prevent abscesses forming from needles carrying contamination from the surface. • Keep hands and implants clean and dry. Wearing latex or nitrile gloves and cleaning with water or the chlorhexidine solution is an easy way to further ensure cleanliness. Make sure implant cartridges are clean and dry by keeping them in their packaging when not in use and protected from moisture and contamination. Training - Taking labor costs and gain potential into consideration, feedlots can lose over $100 per head for every incorrectly implanted animal.2 Make sure everyone on the team has learned these to help get the most out of your implant investment. • Know your applicator. Practice loading, unloading, changing/sharpening needles, and maintaining a clean implant applicator to prevent errors during the implanting process. This can prevent malfunction of the implant applicator and make the process more efficient. • Train employees. Make sure the entire implant team is trained in implanting. From ear placement to routine checks, make sure employees know all aspects of the implanting process. • Handle cattle properly. Calm cattle are easier to handle and reduce
unexpected movement while implanting. Use Beef Quality Assurance best practices to properly restrain and work cattle with low stress. Routine checks - After cattle have been implanted, it is important to do routine checks to make sure the implants are working. These checks should be done 15-30 days after administration. When feeling the implant during a check, evaluate the following: • Location. The implant should be in the middle third of the ear, at least a finger’s width away from any holes or ear tags. The implant pellet should be placed between the skin and the ear cartilage. • Orientation. The implant pellets should be in a straight line, not bunched up or crushed in the ear. • Defects. Check if there are any abscesses and if the implant is walled off or rejected. Producers can help prevent profit loss due to improper implanting by following these steps for sanitation, training, and routinely checking the implant. Properly implanting cattle significantly reduces the risk of profit loss on your operation. For more information on implants from Zoetis that can fit your program, visit Synovex.com. Refer to individual labels for complete directions for use, precautions, and warnings. Reimplant only if and as directed in labeling. References 1 Data on file, Implant Check Database as of 10/15/20, including brands of all manufacturers. Sanitation related defects included abscessed, missing implants due to abscess, and walled off implants. 2 Data on file, Report No. GASD 1620.00 Zoetis Inc. Based on an average daily gain loss of 0.45-pound-1 across a 200 day period. Equation: 0.45 lb. x 200 days = 90 lb. additional live weight. Average live cattle price of $128/cwt; 90 lb. x $1.28 = $115.20/head loss on improper implants. About Zoetis. As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide, from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $7.8 billion in 2021 with approximately 12,100 employees. For more, visit zoetis.com.
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CHUCK
SHANK
CHUCK
BRISKET
RIB
PLATE
LOIN
SIRLOIN
ROUND SHANK
FLANK
RIB
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
STIR-FRY
ROAST
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.)
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INDIRECT GRILLING
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Pasture Management Systems, Inc.
MILE OF FENCE PROGRAM New Members by County in 2022 (as of 10-17-22) Alamance 9 Alexander 7 Alleghany 8 Anson 2 Ashe 1 Avery 1 Beaufort 0 Bertie 0 Bladen 0 Brunswick 3 Buncombe 33 Burke 9 Cabarrus 14 Caldwell 4 Camden 0 Carteret 0 Caswell 1 Catawba 6 Chatham 14 Cherokee 1 Chowan 0 Clay 1 Cleveland 9 Columbus 0 Craven 1
Cumberland 1 Currituck 1 Dare 0 Davidson 9 Davie 7 Duplin 27 Durham 1 Edgecombe 2 Forsyth 2 Franklin 2 Gaston 2 Gates 0 Graham 0 Granville 3 Greene 2 Guilford 5 Halifax 3 Harnett 4 Haywood 17 Henderson 3 Hertford 1 Hoke 2 Hyde 0 Iredell 4 Jackson 0
Johnston 10 Jones 0 Lee 3 Lenoir 5 Lincoln 5 McDowell 5 Macon 8 Martin 1 Madison 4 Mecklenburg 0 Mitchell 0 Montgomery 1 Moore 9 Nash 6 New Hanover 0 Northampton 0 Onslow 7 Orange 4 Pamlico 2 Pasquotank 2 Pender 2 Perquimans 22 Person 1 Pitt 2 Polk 1
Grand Total
Randolph 21 Richmond 4 Robeson 5 Rockingham 18 Rowan 4 Rutherford 6 Sampson 9 Scotland 0 Stanly 7 Stokes 10 Surry 17 Swain 0 Transylvania 1 Tyrrell 0 Union 9 Vance 3 Wake 12 Warren 3 Washington 1 Watauga 1 Wayne 12 Wilkes 6 Wilson 5 Yadkin 0 Yancey 1
477
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New NCCA Members for 2022 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: Out-of-State Reggie Owens, R&A Farms – Va. Alexander County Craig Connolly Catawba County Joseph Simmons – Cloverdale Farms Chatham County Christian Nielson – Chatham Beef & Forage Cleveland County Hal & Leigh Anderson – White Oak Springs
Davidson County Tim Scarlett – Scarlett’s Cattle Duplin County Brandon Batchelor – S&B Family Farms Forsyth County Todd Dodson – Fieldcreek Cattle Co. Halifax County Chris Griffin – Morell Jones Farms Ernest Rosser – Swayback Branch Montgomery County Daylon Lisenby – VZL Farm Rutherford County Jonathan Powell – Rising Sun Farm & Timber Sampson County Michael Landon Autry Stanly County Andrew Talley – Andrew Talley Farms Surry County Brooke Atkins Carley Atkins
Esmeralda Castillo-Pena Matthew Trey Hamlin Summer Nichole Hooker Sarah Johnson Destiny Cheyanne Leagans Miles Alexander Payne
Sadi Cheyenne Rippey Joe Frank Seal Kyndal Smith Wilkes County Randall Kilby – Lazy Rafter K Farms
Young Beef Producers’ Tour Experience By ASHLEY WOLLETT The Young Beef Producer’s Tour was a one-of-a-kind experience that had a positive impact on my beef cattle operation beginning the first day of our tour and one that will continue for many years to come. During our tour, we were able to visit various farms and feedlots, as well as hear from speakers who gave us more insight into the beef production cycle, beginning at the farm and ending with the consumer. As a young female beef producer, it was very encouraging to see other female producers on the tour who hold important roles on their home operation. I was able to make many connections with the future leaders of the beef industry that will offer many personal and business opportunities for the future. One of the most beneficial parts of the trip for me was touring the various feedlots in Oklahoma and Kansas. Beef
Belt feedlot was one that stood out to me on the trip. The visit there was very personable, and I left with knowledge to pass on to consumers that will help them better understand the full cycle of beef. I also have a greater knowledge of how to prepare calves for a facility like Beef Belt and set them up for success. After seeing these feedlots, I know the cattle are in great hands once they leave operations like mine. Kelli Payne at Oklahoma City Stockyards was very inspiring in her role as the first female manager for the stockyard. It was encouraging to hear her story and see that in a male dominated industry, a woman can make a big difference, too. Her eager heart for the cattle industry and fellow producers made me very appreciative of all she does for our beef cattle. After the tour, I have a better understanding of how I should operate my farm and ways I can improve the marketability of my calves, which in turn, will make my farm more profitable. As a small operation, everything I can do to improve my herd and better my operation counts. Thank you to N.C. Farm Bureau and N.C. Cattlemen’s Association for making this trip possible and allowing the Young Beef Producer’s Council to get a bigger picture of the industry outside of North Carolina.
BE A WINNER!
Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state or regional breed association. PAGE 50
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NCBA
President’s Report By DON SCHIEFELBEIN
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Standing Together for a Better Future Growing up in a large family and now running the farm with more than 80 family members involved, I have learned a tremendous amount about what the word “family” truly means. To me, it means a group of people who — despite differing opinions, experiences and values — find common ground, support each other and ultimately work together for the betterment of each other and their goals. When I think about our industry, I think of it as a family. As the nation’s oldest and largest cattle organization, it’s no surprise that we, as individual members, have our differences from time to time. From the
type of businesses we operate to the past experiences we’ve had — each of us provides a perspective that ultimately drives our sector to learn from the past and be more prepared for the challenges we will face in the future. Our grassroots, member driven engagement is what keeps our industry strong year after year. July proved that when we gathered in Reno for our Summer Business Meeting. It was during this meeting that cattlemen and women helped guide NCBA policy for the next big issue for our industry — the 2023 Farm Bill. Authorized every five years, the Farm Bill is the largest piece of legislation impacting
all of agriculture. For NCBA, the 2023 Farm Bill presents an opportunity to build on our successes in the 2018 Farm Bill by improving our investments in animal health, livestock risk protection, and voluntary conservation programs. NCBA will continue advocating for all these programs that protect cattle producers and their livestock. Another issue the organization is focused on is continuing to keep beef at the center of the plate. Beef demand is at an all time high, but that doesn’t mean we can afford to be complacent in addressing consumer concerns and ignore the rising challenges from the alternative protein sector. The work of NCBA as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff is focused on increasing consumer confidence in beef’s nutritional profile and beef production practices. NCBA’s work in Washington, D.C., is focused on advocating for proper labeling of our product, fighting against false claims of fake meat companies, and making sure regulators don’t fall victim to misinformation when making decisions about beef’s role in a healthy diet. As I write this column, the White House is making its final preparations for the upcoming Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, and agriculture is finding itself fighting for a seat at the table. Farmers
and ranchers form the literal base of the food chain, and beef producers supply the highest quality protein packed with essential vitamins necessary to provide Americans of all backgrounds with a healthy diet; we need to be part of this conversation. Congress directed the organizers and attendees of the conference to examine why hunger and nutrition insecurity persists, as well as explore approaches to improve health by improving access to and consumption of nutritious foods. There is no better example of a nutritious food than beef, and farmers and ranchers are essential to food security and meeting Americans’ nutrition needs. You show up every day, making sure beef makes its way through the supply chain to consumers’ plates. We will continue to make the case for beef with the Administration and use science based, data driven research to guide the conversation. For the sake of the future of our business, we must work together as an industry. We need, as leaders, to find common ground that will likely determine our long term fate and avoid the ruin of our industry that some desire. I am committed to working diligently to ensure the success of our industry now and in the future. Our industry is strongest when we band together and fight collectively. This year, I continue to be honored to lead that charge!
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
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COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709
! S E T A
D P U 2023 Cattle Industry Convention Registration Now Open. Get Jazzed in New Orleans. It’s time to “Get Jazzed” in New Orleans for the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. Registration and housing are now open for the annual event, which takes place February 1-3, 2023. Every year, CattleCon draws thousands of cattlemen and women from across the country for education, entertainment, and engagement. Convention attendees will gain insights on current market trends during the CattleFax Outlook Seminar, hear a “State of the Industry” update from NCBA leadership, and recognize Regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program recipients and Beef Quality Assurance Award winners. Participants will also enjoy networking opportunities and entertainment, including a special Thursday evening event and a Cowboy Concert on Friday night featuring Neal McCoy and the country music group Midland.
Have you forgotten something? Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association!
The convention is preceded by the 30th Annual Cattlemen’s College, which is famous for highlighting cutting edge topics from industry leaders. This event begins on January 31, with afternoon sessions and live animal demonstrations, followed by an evening reception. It continues Wednesday with 18 educational session options and a keynote presentation and lunch. In addition to experiencing a wide variety of education and entertainment opportunities, producers will be hard at work guiding both Beef Checkoff and NCBA policy programs. Annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax, and National Cattlemen’s Foundation will also take place. Educational Opportunities Enhance Cattle Industry Convention Experience. Register Today for 30 th Annual Cattlemen’s College. Make plans to attend the 30 th Annual Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, which precedes the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. This premier education experience draws more than 1,000 attendees every year and includes two days of learning, idea sharing, and networking. Cattlemen’s College begins January 31 with trending hot topics, the latest in grazing, as well as live cattle handling demonstrations. The day’s activities conclude with an evening reception offering an opportunity for everyone to gather with friends and reconnect. There are 18 sessions and six educational tracks to choose from on Wednesday, including reproduction technology, herd health, practical nutrition management, better beef business, sustainable grazing, and the latest in genetics. The event concludes with a keynote presentation from Ray Starling, executive advisor for Aimpoint Research. Prior to joining the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce as general counsel, Starling served as the Chief of Staff to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, where he coordinated execution of the Secretary’s policy agenda for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Starling focused on regulatory and deregulatory initiatives and acted as a point of contact for stakeholders throughout agriculture and rural communities. He also served as a principal agriculture advisor to the President of the United States at the White House, chief of staff, lead agriculture advisor, and chief counsel for U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, and general counsel when Tillis was Speaker of the House in the North Carolina legislature. Each year, the Cattlemen’s College agenda is developed based on feedback from producers, and their comments drive the program. One past attendee reflected that, “Cattlemen’s College was extremely informative, and I valued the information greatly. I also had a great time at the social events and was able to meet fellow cattle producers from across the country and share experiences.” Cattlemen’s College sessions feature industry leaders tackling innovative topics. Attendees can look forward to hearing about advocacy in action from panelists Brandi Buzzard Frobrose, Debbie Lyons-Blythe, and Carrie Mess; learning about the economic benefits of
The Carolina Cattle Connection
grazing from Myriah Johnson, Ph.D., Farm Credit Services; understanding cattle behavior with Dean Fish, Ph.D., and Lily Edwards-Callaway, Ph.D.; experiencing the “Hundred Dollar Difference” with Dusty Abney, Ph.D., Cargill Animal Nutrition; and learning factors impacting commercial bull selection decisions from Troy Rowan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee. 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. To register, select the Education Package, which offers the best value and combines admission to the convention and Cattlemen’s College. For more information, visit https://convention. ncba.org/. Cattle producers attending Cattlemen’s College are eligible for reimbursement through the Rancher Resilience Grant. To apply for a grant to cover registration costs and two nights hotel, visit www.ncba.org/producers/ rancher-resilience-grant.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2022
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
A Message from the CEO By COLIN WOODALL
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Our Right to Vote!
From drought to inflation, cattle producers are facing many challenges, so being informed of the latest industry information and legislative activity is critical to our success. The United States government also has tremendous influence on our success. Election day is approaching, and I know you are sick and tired of seeing and hearing campaign commercials. That whole aspect of our election process just seems to get worse and more ridiculous each cycle. Regardless, it is a part of trying to get elected in America. However, do not let your disdain for the process keep you from participating. I need you to get out and vote! Control of both the U.S Senate and House of Representatives is up for grabs, and I believe both parties still have a fighting chance. Democrats and Republicans have had primary and special election success they believe will bolster their positions going into the general election. All it takes to change that, though, is a three second soundbite that reflects poorly on the party or the candidate. Late October and early November surprises have changed the course of some elections in our nation’s history. It is not over until election day, and as we have seen over the past several election cycles, there is no guarantee we will have all the races called on election night.
Congressional control becomes even more important during a midterm election. President Biden wants to maintain Democrat control of Capitol Hill so he can keep moving forward with his political agenda. The Democrat leadership in Congress believes they have delivered on many of the President’s priorities and deserve another two years of control. They are also looking at the 2024 presidential election cycle, and the need to show more wins to get four more years of a Democrat in the White House. The Republicans see an opportunity to capitalize on last year’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, gas prices, food prices, overall inflation, the border crisis, and even California’s decision to stop selling gas powered vehicles. They want to offer an alternative and hope they can get enough supporters to come along and vote for them. Republicans believe that their views of governing are more attractive right now and look at last November’s success in Virginia’s gubernatorial race as proof. Now, I realize that many of you just read that and wondered why I did not make some sort of prognostication about who will win. While we can have our strong beliefs, to win in Washington, you must have friends in both parties. From Republican Frank Lucas in Oklahoma to Democrat Jim Costa in California, we have friends on both sides of the
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aisle willing to step up and fight for us. That is why, regardless of the outcome, NCBA will continue to work with all Members of Congress to advance our policy positions. As the head of our D.C. office, Ethan Lane likes to say, “We are in the friend making business.” While that statement may seem simplistic, the ability to work both sides of the aisle is based on relationships. That is why we have a full time presence in our nation’s capital. Relationships take time and effort to build, and in Washington, face-to-face interaction is still the preferred method to make this happen. We start building our relationships when these Members of Congress are just candidates looking for the chance to serve. We bring them to our office on Pennsylvania Avenue and talk about our industry and find out what they know or do not know about cattle and beef production. These relationships prove
critical when it is time to vote on a piece of legislation, and we ask them to support us. If you wait and reach out to a Senator or Representative for the first time just to ask for their vote, you will be sorely disappointed in the outcome. We stand ready to work with Congress, regardless of who is in charge. It will be easier, though, if you get out and vote for cattle friendly candidates who are willing to step up and help us fight for your right to stay on your land and produce cattle and beef without the government making it even harder than it is. The process of voting varies from state to state, so be sure to take the time to review your polling location and the time it is open, check your mail-in ballot deadlines, vote early, or request your absentee ballots early enough to get them in. Every vote counts, and you need to make sure you are exercising your right to have your voice heard. Vote!
2022 Spotlight Issues Schedule Most of the breed associations in North and South Carolina have stepped forward and renewed their contracts for Spotlight sections in The Carolina Cattle Connection for 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 PEST MANAGEMENT BRAHMAN HEREFORD GELBVIEH SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS WAGYU BRANGUS 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 The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2022
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Federation of State Beef Councils Update Today’s Beef Consumer The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is continually tracking trends, monitoring issues, and surveying the general landscape that has the potential to impact the beef industry. NCBA does this through a variety of tools, most notably by conducting consumer and market analysis funded by the Beef Checkoff while also scanning secondary research resources. Across the food landscape, it appears that increased prices for domestic goods, notably food products, continue to play a major role in consumer sentiment and purchasing habits. While some recent optimism has been noted regarding the U.S. economic situation, consumers are still showing signs of worry. This article will touch on a variety of topics, including the current state of consumers and beef, e-commerce, satisfaction, meat substitutes, nutrition, and sustainability. The Current State of Consumers and Beef - Before diving into specifics, it is important to understand the current consumer mindset. For many, current economic conditions have caused a good deal of apprehension when it comes to purchasing decisions for various goods and services. According to the University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment (Figure 1), consumers are especially concerned about their current financial situations. They are feeling apprehensive about the trajectory of the U.S. economy. Sentiment levels nosedived from 2020 – 2022, eventually hitting their lowest level recorded since data collection began in 1952.1 While
sentiment has appeared to have increased slightly from June 2022 to August 2022, there is still a large gap between the index scores of 2022 and previous years. Much of this apprehension can be attributed to inflation rates not seen since 1981.2 While energy price increases have been the main driver behind the recent levels of inflation, food prices have also increased 11 percent from July 2021 – July 2022.2 While this level of inflation is still alarming, price levels do appear to be curbing slightly. From June 2022 – July 2022, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) level for all items remained virtually constant (decreasing by 0.02 percent). Likewise, three out of the five major protein sources (beef, pork, chicken, fish/ seafood, and eggs) saw decreases from June – July. While food prices saw an overall increase of one percent from June – July, this increase was counter balanced by a decrease in energy prices (mainly gasoline).2 Consumers have already responded to these continued food price increases, as food service performance is expected to suffer.3 Dining out (and other leisure activities) was the number one choice to be cut by consumers in the face of household budget shortages.4 Throughout the second quarter of 2022, online and in-person restaurant visits decreased by 2 percent compared to the second quarter of 2021 and are currently down 6 percent from the second quarter in 2019.3 Throughout the first 28 weeks of 2022 ending 08/13/2022, $20.1 billion worth of beef was sold in retail markets, up 4.6 percent from the same period last year.5
Figure 1. Index of Consumer Sentiment1
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
Figure 2. Willingness to Pay for Steak compared to Average Steak Price per Pound5,6
However, that $20.1 billion purchased 3.3 billion pounds of beef, which is 5.7 percent fewer pounds of beef purchased during the same period last year. 5 Additionally, these 3.3 billion pounds of beef are also 12.1 percent less than the pounds of beef consumers purchased during the same period in 2020.5 These contradictory retail sales statistics indicate that consumers are purchasing fewer pounds of beef than they were last year but are spending more per pound on that beef.
continually increase and account for 20 percent of total grocery sales by 2026.7 Online retail sales for the first quarter of 2022 totaled $231.4 billion, which is 14.3 percent of the total quarterly retail sales, an increase of 7 percent from the first quarter of 2021, and a 2.4 percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2021.8 Consumers began shifting their grocery shopping preferences largely during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, consumers began to favor online forms of shopping
Figure 3. E-Commerce Compound Annual Growth Rate for Grocery Sales7
While these increased price levels are likely to have strained household food budgets, willingness to pay for beef remains strong. As Figure 2 shows, willingness to pay for steak has topped the average price per pound between April – June 2022.5,6 Willingness to pay for steak hasn’t exceeded the average price per pound since April – June 2021, indicating that consumers still find value in purchasing beef, despite uncertainties within the broader economy. E-Commerce - An area that continues to see tremendous opportunity and growth in the marketplace is e-commerce. Throughout the grocery shopping space, Figure 3 shows that the compound annual growth rate has been projected to
(both click-and-collect and scheduled delivery). Net intent of consumers shifting to online forms of shopping increased by 42 percent while decreasing by 14 percent for physical stores or food markets.9 Additionally, consumers are increasingly choosing home delivery as their preferred mode of shopping when compared to click-and-collect in September of 2020. Fast forward to December 2021, and 63 percent of surveyed consumers preferred home delivery, while 37 percent preferred clickand-collect methods.9 Beef is a big part of the success in this area, with 44 percent of consumers including beef in their online carts, and 25 percent of these consumers included
Figure 4. Beef Satisfaction at Home Versus at a Restaurant6
Figure 6. Consumer Perceptions of the Nutritious Value of Different Proteins6
beef within the last month.10 This is up 7 percent since July 2021.10 As consumers continue to shift their preferences towards online based grocery shopping, retail businesses will continue to invest in hopes to fulfill these needs. Currently, grocery executives are expecting a continued interest in online shopping and have projected e-commerce penetration to more than double in the next three to five years.9
ground meat and only purchasing meat alternatives was estimated at around 3 percent between November 2018 – November 2020.11 Out of all households that purchased meat alternatives, 86 percent also purchased ground meat.11 Nutrition - Along with a variety of other factors, such as eating experience, versatility, and price, nutrition continues to be a primary demand driver for
satisfying eating experience with beef will become paramount to healthy beef sales. Meat Substitutes - The protein landscape, including meat alternatives, is continually monitored by NCBA, a contractor of the Beef Checkoff. As Figure 5 shows, fresh meat alternatives represented less than 1 percent of both the entire fresh protein retail market (0.34 percent) and the fresh beef retail market
respondents who claimed to have a concern, animal welfare was mentioned the most.6 Only 5 percent of respondents mentioned the environment as causing a concern, which suggests that consumers are more concerned with animal welfare than environmental concerns related to cattle production. These concerns can potentially be explained by a lack of knowledge consumers may have regarding
Figure 5. Market Share of Animal Proteins vs. Meat Alternatives5
Figure 7. Consumer Perceptions on Cattle Production6
Satisfaction - Not only are consumers purchasing beef online more often, but they are also happy with the experience they are getting. As Figure 4 shows, 91 percent of beef roast purchasers claimed to be satisfied with the eating experience from the beef they purchased.6 Similarly, 93 percent of beef steak purchasers claimed to be satisfied with the eating experience from the beef they purchased, and 91 percent of ground beef purchasers claimed to be satisfied with the eating experience from the beef they purchased.6 Additionally, when consumers are asked to rank various protein sources by satisfaction levels, beef has consistently been ranked as a top protein source.6 Moreover, beef has been top ranked for versatility, protein density, taste, and overall nutritional content.6 As shopping habits evolve and preparation methods shift to the household, providing a
consumer purchasing decisions. As Figure 6 shows, consumers perceive beef as a nutritious choice and even ranked beef over chicken for the second quarter of 2022.6 Beef has maintained this advantage since the second quarter of 2020 and continues to be considered a great source of protein in the eyes of consumers. According to The Consumer Beef Tracker, an ongoing consumer survey managed by NCBA, a contractor of the Beef Checkoff, over half of consumers (54 percent) consider beef to be an excellent source of protein, which is 20 percentage points higher than the ranking given to chicken.6 These statistics indicate that consumers value the nutrient density of beef products, and an efficient source of quality protein. Beef Perceptions - When asked to describe any concerns related to beef cattle production, of the 51 percent of
specifically (0.54 percent) as of August 13, 2022.5 For comparison, beef currently occupies 54 percent of the fresh protein market, and occupied almost 56 percent of the fresh protein market during the same timeframe in 2021.5 Market share for alternative proteins has also been declining for the past two years, declining over 20 percent from 2021 to 2022 and declining almost 8 percent from 2020 to 2021.5 Most consumers who choose to eat meat alternatives do not cut out other protein sources from their diets6. According to The Consumer Beef Tracker, an ongoing consumer survey managed by NCBA, a contractor of the Beef Checkoff, people who consume meat alternatives on a weekly or more basis also consume beef and other proteins as much as the average consumer. 6 Additionally, the current share of consumers entirely avoiding
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cattle production methods and the various regulations in place to ensure animals are treated with respect and care. Currently, only 27 percent of consumers claim to be familiar with how cattle are raised for food.6 Consumers have also claimed that they believe veterinarians and producers to be a highly credible source of information when it comes to production practices.6 This highlights the importance of industry programs such as Beef Quality Assurance and the emphasis producers place on animal care and welfare. As 2022 ends, it is critical to monitor both opportunities and challenges consumers have in the marketplace. Consumers continue to enjoy beef in both retail and food service with high satisfaction ratings and have embraced
Continued on the next page q NOVEMBER 2022
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Federation News continued from the previous page
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update By ROSS HAVENS
Exports Necessary to Continue Growing Market for U.S. Beef
Figure 8. Consumer Concerns with Cattle Production6
convenient technologies like e-commerce. Sharing the industry’s commitment to animal welfare will continue to be important to consumers. Additionally, positive perceptions about the nutrition proposition that beef offers and the cooling of the meat alternative market, beef is set for strong consumer demand as a top protein. Sources 1 Index of Consumer Sentiment, University of Michigan, July 2022, Processed August 2022 2 Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Processed August 2022 3 NPD, Inflation, and Rising Menu Prices in Second Quarter Keep U.S. Restaurant Visits Below a Year Ago, July 2022 4 Mintel, Inc., Consumers and the Economic Outlook, Summer 2022 5 Nielson IQ, Discover, Yearly Volume Data Ending December 2021 and Half
Year Beef Volume Sales, Data Ending July 2022, Processed August 2022 6 Consumer Beef Tracker; Directions Research, analyzed and summarized by NCBA, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, August 2022 7 Mercatus and Incisiv, eGrocery Transformed, 2021 8 U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly U.S. Retail E-Commerce Sales, May 2022 9 McKinsey & Company, Navigating the market headwinds: The state of grocery retail 2022, May 2022 10 State of the Consumer Survey, Dynata Platforms, analyzed and summarized by NCBA, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff., August 2022 11 Neuhofer, Z.T., Lusk, J.L. Most plant based meat alternative buyers also buy meat: an analysis of household demographics, habit formation, and buying behavior among meat alternative buyers. Sci Rep 12, 13062 (2022). https:// doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16996-5
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There was a time, not so long ago, when I didn’t really grasp the importance of beef exports on the entire beef industry here in the United States. Like some producers, I thought we should sell our beef here in the United States. However, getting appointed to
the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) in 2020 and co-chairing its International Marketing Committee has really opened my eyes. Now, I can clearly see how much the export market adds to the value of U.S. beef by leveraging its unique attributes. By expanding U.S. beef demand and
N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of SEPTEMBER 2022 Cattle Receipts: 17,768
•
Previous Month: 12,284
Feeder supply - 33% steers • 43% heifers • 23% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,459 Boner 1,204 Lean 958
$80.09 $78.94 $67.82
$109.12
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,598
Price
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $163.17 $693.47 450-500 475 $169.45 $804.89 500-550 523 $162.76 $851.23 550-600 571 $162.76 $929.36 600-650 622 $156.57 $973.87 650-700 669 $154.97 $1,036.75
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $165.88 $700.01 450-500 473 $154.17 $729.22 500-550 523 $145.97 $763.42 550-600 571 $143.22 $817.79 600-650 622 $134.59 $837.15 650-700 670 $129.74 $869.26
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $146.70 $623.48 450-500 472 $144.32 $681.19 500-550 523 $137.70 $720.17 550-600 572 $137.14 $784.44 600-650 621 $128.75 $799.54 650-700 672 $128.14 $861.10
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
sales internationally, the Beef Checkoff is helping promote economic growth and support producers’ bottom lines. No matter how you look at it, international trade is a vital aspect of America’s cattle industry. With 95 percent of the global population and 80 percent of global buying power located outside U.S. borders, we must market our beef in other countries if we’re going to increase beef sales worldwide. And, as U.S. beef exports grow, global recognition and worldwide consumer demand for the quality beef we provide also increase. The Beef Checkoff ’s foreign marketing program is carried out by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF works to develop international markets for U.S. beef through programs aimed at expanding market penetration,
gaining access to new markets, improving global consumer perceptions, and building trust in U.S. beef. Using a boots-on-the-ground approach, USMEF promotes beef in more than 80 countries with 17 international representatives and offices worldwide. As locals, these 17 representatives know and understand their marketplaces and the consumer trends in their regions. They help execute promotional campaigns and initiatives, helping to differentiate U.S. beef based on market maturity, income levels, and demographics to drive demand for the entire carcass. Here’s a question: when was the last time you enjoyed beef tongue, lips, liver, heart, kidney, stomach, or intestine? While variety meats are often not as popular with Americans, international
S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of SEPTEMBER 2022 Cattle Receipts: 11,773
•
Previous Month: 14,603
Feeder supply - 33% steers • 43% heifers • 24% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,521 Boner 1,219 Lean 952
$80.97 $81.33 $75.37
$103.53
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,485
consumers are eager to get their hands on these cuts and cook delicacies unique to their cultures. Exporting variety meats to other countries adds a significant amount of value per carcass. The U.S. also exports primal cuts like chuck, rib, loin, round, brisket, short plate, and flank to countries that are willing to pay higher prices for our quality beef. International markets use this beef to create many of the recipes you cook at home, as well as the exotic dishes you may enjoy when you venture to ethnic restaurants, like carne asada, beef rouladen, hot pot, birria, braised short ribs, and Mongolian beef. Market competition is fierce, but Checkoff funded efforts work to educate foreign countries that U.S. beef is the premium choice. And those efforts are working. More and more consumers worldwide want U.S. beef, which is evident with record breaking growth throughout 2021 and 2022. U.S. beef exports have been on a red hot pace, topping $1 billion for the fifth time this year in June. For the first half of 2022, beef exports increased six percent from a year ago to 743,904 mt, valued at $6.19 billion (up 33 percent). Much of this growth comes from mainstay markets
such as South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, but demand is also very strong in China/ Hong Kong and key Latin American markets, while exports to the Middle East have also rebounded since the pandemic. With programs like these in place, the Beef Checkoff is introducing high quality beef to consumers who may never have enjoyed it before but will now continue to request it from their grocers and restaurants. As a beef producer myself, I strongly believe that Checkoff funded programs will continue to grow U.S. beef’s global demand and consumers’ desire for a superior eating experience. CBB leadership will do what it takes to continue adding value to U.S. beef and benefit all stakeholders who pay into the Beef Checkoff. About the Beef Checkoff. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national Checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
Price
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $179.96 $764.83 450-500 478 $173.32 $828.47 500-550 528 $165.45 $873.58 550-600 568 $166.61 $946.34 600-650 615 $158.66 $975.76 650-700 674 $156.11 $1,052.18
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 420 $177.79 $746.72 450-500 467 $167.52 $782.32 500-550 520 $160.40 $834.08 550-600 562 $154.33 $867.33 600-650 616 $143.58 $884.45 650-700 680 $138.40 $941.12
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 421 $153.25 $645.18 450-500 469 $151.42 $710.16 500-550 523 $144.43 $755.37 550-600 571 $141.79 $809.62 600-650 620 $136.21 $844.50 650-700 677 $132.60 $897.70
Source: S.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Columbia, S.C. - 803-737-4491
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Catching and Hauling Services Available
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919-270-1522 • shelmerblackburn@hotmail.com
Seth Church
336-927-5370 • sethchurch@charter.net The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2022
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Wall Street Regulator Wades Into Cattle Industry The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was founded at the height of the Great Depression when massive swings in the New York Stock Exchange made Americans fearful of investing in the stock market. The SEC’s mission is simple: protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation. Most Americans never interact with the SEC. While the SEC is tasked with regulating the financial markets that many Americans are invested in (through retirement, 401K, or brokerage accounts), only the top investment firms, publicly traded companies, and major shareholders are regulated by the agency. That is, until SEC Chairman Gary Gensler came along. Gary Gensler was appointed SEC Chair in 2021, just a few short months after President Biden took office. Since becoming chair, Gensler has made ESG investing a top priority. ESG refers to environmental, social, and governance, and it is the idea that investors should review a company’s climate policies, social and workforce practices, and corporate ethics and governance standards as part of determining whether the company is a good investment. ESG is controversial, with opponents arguing that the ESG metrics prioritize company politics over purely economic decisions.
While the SEC, members of Congress, and investors have been debating ESG for some time, the cattle industry became involved when the SEC proposed a controversial, sweeping climate disclosure rule in March 2022. Under the rule, all publicly traded companies would have to disclose their direct (scope 1), energy/electricity use (scope 2), and supply chain (scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions. By requiring the inclusion of scope 3 emissions, the SEC stepped far beyond its jurisdiction and placed a mandate on private companies like farms and ranches. Any cattle producer whose beef is eventually sold by a publicly traded restaurant or retailer could be liable for reporting greenhouse gas metrics from their operation. This proposed rule poses a multitude of issues for cattle producers. First, there is no way to measure greenhouse gas emissions on the farm or ranch level, and the federal government has already admitted as much. Second, the SEC is a financial sector regulator with no understanding of agriculture. The SEC’s divisions include corporate finance, economic risk and analysis, enforcement, examinations, investment management, and trading and markets. None of those divisions are equipped to handle agricultural or environmental issues, and
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
the SEC would have to increase staff to even handle the amount of new data being requested. Third, the rule is a massive invasion of producer privacy. Court cases like American Farm Bureau Federation v. EPA have established the precedent that farmers and ranchers have the right to maintain data privacy. This proposed rule would force the release of confidential information. “The SEC is tasked with regulating large publicly traded companies and major investors, not private businesses like cattle operations,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “Immediately after the rule was released, NCBA launched a campaign to tell the SEC to stick to regulating Wall Street, not main street. NCBA also submitted technical comments with a large coalition of other livestock and agricultural organizations sending the same message.” Through NCBA’s grassroots campaign, cattle producers submitted more than 7,460 comments to the SEC commissioners and members of Congress. This sends a strong message to policymakers that their decisions will have an impact on rural America.
NCBA also emphasized that other federal agencies already provide climate metrics for the cattle industry. The Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas inventory has consistently indicated that direct emissions from cattle account for just two percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also maintains lifecycle assessments that provide more than enough climate data to satisfy the SEC. Now that the SEC has proposed this rule, the agency is required to review the comments they have received. This includes thousands of comments from cattle producers as well as investment industry advocates, environmental lobbyists, and others. After the agency reviews the comments, the rule will be finalized and placed in effect. “The SEC’s decision to wade into agriculture, beyond the bounds of its constitutional jurisdiction, is remarkable,” Hart said. “Regardless, NCBA will continue being an advocate for the cattle industry and we thank you for partnering with us to stop overreaching climate rules on farms and ranches.”
Farm Credit News AgCarolina Farm Credit Announces Director Election Results. AgCarolina Farm Credit recently completed the 2022 director election. An independent third party tabulated the ballots, and the results have been certified and provided to the Association. We appreciate the participation of AgCarolina voting stockholders to help strengthen our cooperative. Each of the elected directors will serve a four year term beginning January 1, 2023. Ellis W. Taylor is a row crop farmer in Halifax County who also serves on the boards of the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation, the funding agent for the Farm Credit System, AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, the district Farm Credit Bank, Northampton County Farm Bureau, and Roanoke Cotton Company, LLC. Paul A. Drake is a row crop and livestock farmer in Edgecombe County who also serves on the board of Edgecombe Volunteer Ag District and the board of several closely held family farming entities. He also serves
as a director and as treasurer of the East Carolina Livestock Arena, Inc. Robert E. Turner, Jr. is a row crop and livestock farmer in Martin County who serves as a board member for multiple closely held farming entities. The AgCarolina Farm Credit Board of Directors is made up of ten stockholder elected directors and two outside appointed directors. All directors serve four year terms. About AgCarolina Farm Credit. AgCarolina Farm Credit is a farmer owned financial cooperative with headquarters in Raleigh and provides credit to farmers and rural residents in central and eastern North Carolina. The Association has over $1.5 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to over 3,000 North Carolina farmers and rural residents. Loans are made to finance land, homes, farm buildings, operating expenses, livestock, and equipment, as well as other purposes. Find a branch near you, visit www.agcarolina.com or call 800-951-3276.
Beef Promotion and Research Program
PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM Information is required by (7 CRF 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential (7 CRF 1260.203).
Today’s Date: ________________ Seller’s Name: ____________________________
Buyer’s Name: ____________________________
Address: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______
Seller’s Signature: _________________________
Buyer’s Signature: _________________________
Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Beef Promotion & Research Board.
Total Number of Cattle Sold: ___________________ x $1.50 Per Head = $ _______________________ Date of Sale: __________________
Person remitting assessment form:
Seller
o
Buyer
o
* State of Origin of Cattle: ______________________ * If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.
Send Report and Remittance to:
SOUTH CAROLINA BEEF COUNCIL P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.8 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disbility, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or protected genetic information. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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q NOVEMBER 2022
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NCBA News
NCBA Represents Cattle Producers at White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Recently, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall attended the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to represent U.S. cattle producers who raise the most sustainable beef in the world and provide a nutritious protein to Americans. “The White House has prioritized ending hunger and increasing access to nutritious food and America’s cattle producers are ready to help by providing safe, sustainable, and nutritious protein to the world,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “We will continue to highlight beef’s role as an excellent source of protein for all ages, especially for those Americans lacking iron and other essential beef nutrients.” The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, held for the first time in over 50 years, provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss solutions to end hunger and reduce the risk of diet related diseases by 2030. Agricultural producers have a central role in this conversation as providers of our nation’s food. NCBA has previously highlighted the importance of beef in a balanced diet and will continue to showcase the innovative, sustainable production practices employed by cattle producers that ensure safe, wholesome, nutritious beef is accessible to all. NCBA Urges EPA to Pause WOTUS Rulemaking Following Supreme Court Arguments. NCBA
called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pause their “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rulemaking following the recent Supreme Court oral arguments in the case Sackett v. EPA, a case that will determine the EPA’s authority to regulate bodies of water under the Clean Water Act. “These oral arguments highlighted the need for the Supreme Court to put this issue to bed once and for all. Since the passage of the Clean Water Act, cattle producers have experienced the regulatory whiplash of shifting WOTUS definitions—on average, a change every 3.8 years,” said NCBA Natural Resources and Public Lands Council Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “NCBA is hopeful that the court will support NCBA’s argument for clear and limited WOTUS definition, but in the meantime, we call on the EPA to suspend their rulemaking until the outcome of the case is clear.” In April 2022, NCBA filed an amicus brief before the Supreme Court, calling for a new test for determining whether a water feature fell under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. NCBA’s argument would allow the government to protect substantial bodies of water while preventing overreach on small isolated agricultural water features. NCBA also filed comments on the Biden administration’s proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule. NCBA is calling for this rulemaking to halt until the Supreme Court issues a ruling in the Sackett v. EPA case.
January
February
Chester
267
Darlington Laurens Orangeburg Saluda Williamston PAGE 64
Background - NCBA has been involved in every step of the WOTUS rulemaking process. In February, over 1,600 cattle producers from 44 states submitted a letter to the EPA calling for a limited WOTUS definition that retained exclusions for common small water features found on farms and ranches. The Kansas Livestock Association, an NCBA affiliate, also organized an EPA roundtable where cattle producers highlighted their concerns with an expansive WOTUS rule. NCBA also backed a report from the EPA’s own Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee that recommended the EPA develop a clear WOTUS definition, protect WOTUS exclusions of agricultural features like farm ditches, stock ponds, prairie potholes, and prior converted cropland, and ensure EPA compliance with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court precedent. Beef Industry Scholarship Applications Are Now Available for Undergraduate Students. CME Group, National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and NCBA to Award Ten Scholarships to College Students Pursuing Careers in the Beef Industry. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry. Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play a vital role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research, or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program. “We are extremely pleased to continue our decades long collaboration
2022 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts March
April
May
June
July
August
820
995
546
696
748
0
0
0
1,237
1,316
2,356
94
1,574
1,460
925
1,773
1,592
1,173
1,513
1,785
1,247
1,399
1,568
1,003
2,137
2,070
766
1,183
1,139
871
972
1,417
729
1,491
1,271
1,737
2,917
2,838
2,258
2,478
3,580
1,965
3,853
3,194
773
2,596
2,26
1,971
2,051
2,398
1,933
3,249
2,208
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
September
with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and NCBA to support and inspire the next generation of food producers through this scholarship program,” said Tim Andriesen, CME Group managing director of agricultural products. “In addition to financial assistance to deserving students, the CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program also provides important risk management education to these hardworking students that will help them succeed in their ultimate careers.” Eligible applicants must be a graduating high school senior or a full time undergraduate student enrolled
Don’t put your cart before your horse... advertise that sale ahead of time! You’ll see positive results.
October
November
December
at a two or four year institution. The application process includes submitting a one page letter expressing career goals related to the beef industry, a 750 word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem, and two letters of recommendation. The applicant or a family member must be a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The application deadline is November 11 at 12:00 midnight Central Time. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation. org. Scholarship winners will be announced during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, February 1-3, 2023, in New Orleans. Organized in 1972, NCF is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization providing charitable, scientific, and educational activities to benefit the cattle industry. NCBA Joins NPPC in Defending Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers. NCBA reaffirmed support for the National Pork Producer’s Council (NPPC) following Supreme Court oral arguments in the case NPPC v. Ross. “While this case is not focused on cattle producers, the precedent set by the court will determine all producers’ ability to engage in interstate commerce,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “NCBA strongly supports economic freedom for all livestock producers to sell their high quality protein from coast to coast, and we join NPPC in urging the Supreme Court to reject unconstitutional mandates on agricultural production.” Earlier this year, NCBA filed an amicus brief before the court arguing that California’s mandates on livestock production methods violated the dormant commerce clause of the Constitution.
Opening the door to state-level mandates creates a patchwork of rules that unreasonably restricts cattle producers’ ability to conduct business across state lines. NCBA Announces Finalists in 10th Annual National Anthem Contest. Public Invited to Vote for Winner. NCBA announces the four finalists in the 10th annual National Anthem Singing Contest, sponsored by Norbrook. The winner receives a trip to the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the Opening General Session on February 1 as well as during the evening event on February 3. Introducing the four finalists: • Bree DeNaeyer of Seneca, Nebraska, has raised Red Angus with her family in the Nebraska Sandhills for more than 20 years. • Nicholas Kertz of Auburn, Alabama, is a graduate student at Auburn University studying genomic-based approaches to improve heifer fertility and helps on his family’s cow-calf farm in Illinois. • Franki Moscato of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, whose family has been farming since 1857, first sang the National Anthem at the age of 11 and now travels across the country speaking at teen suicide awareness events. • Kendall Whatley of Wray, Georgia, is studying beef cattle nutrition and forages and manages her own business providing genomic and breeding consulting services, sale cattle photography, farm/ranch lifestyle photography, chute side services and ad design. Videos of the finalists will be available for viewing and voting at https://convention.ncba.org beginning November 1. The public can vote for their
favorite singer once per day per person through November 15, and the winner will be announced November 18. The winning singer will receive roundtrip airfare to New Orleans, hotel room for four nights, convention registration, a meet and greet hosted by Norbrook, plus a pair of boots, jeans and a shirt from Roper or Stetson. NCBA Denounces Google Feature That Misrepresents Beef’s Environmental Impact. Recently, NCBA denounced Google’s decision to bias consumers against beef through their new sustainability search feature that provides inaccurate climate information on cattle production. “Google is using its billions of dollars of resources to target cattle producers and ignore the science that demonstrates beef’s sustainability and value to the environment,” said NCBA President Don Schiefelbein, a Minnesota cattle producer. “Cattle producers have a demonstrated record of continuous improvement, which has led to the United States recording the lowest global greenhouse gas emissions from beef while contributing to food security for
the world. Additionally, cattle production protects green space, upcycles grass and forages, and provides consumers with a lean protein source packed with essential nutrients. Google should seriously reconsider this feature.” Livestock plays an important role in protecting open spaces and accounts for only a very small portion of greenhouse gas emissions. Eliminating all livestock in the U.S. and removing beef from the diet would only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 0.36 percent globally. NCBA is urging Google to consider the science of beef production before making this new feature widely available. N a t i o n a l C a t t l e m e n ’s B e e f 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.
a
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q NOVEMBER 2022
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NEWS Nutritional and Management Strategies During Weaning. Weaning spring calves is in full force, which means new calves will soon be entering a stocker or feedlot operation. Cattle are creatures of habit, and any disruptions to their livelihood will induce stress and impact performance. Weaning represents a massive interruption to their daily routine and can be regarded as one of the most stressful times in their life. How these freshly weaned calves are handled from a nutrition and management perspective can make a huge difference in their long term profit potential. The goal for these calves is a successful, low stress transition from their dams to their respective growing system. Weaning strategies are not a “onesize-fits-all” endeavor. Production
systems are vast and diverse in terms of resources, so wean your calves using the strategy that best fits your facility and labor force. Typically, it’s a good idea to wean calves early if cows are thin or forage availability is low so cows can transfer available nutrients previously going to milk production to their own body functions. This year is no exception. With drought impacting a vast majority of cow/calf operations in the Great Plains, producers have had to make the tough call on weaning early to ensure subsequent rebreeding in their herds. There are three main strategies for weaning calves, each with pros and cons. It’s important to match your weaning system to your resources. Abrupt weaning is when calves are separated from their dams without physical contact but does
allow the producer an opportunity to sell their calves right off the cow. This may be the only option for producers who don’t have the facilities to handle bawling calves. However, this method does induce the most stress on the calves. They are transported to a new facility and exposed to a completely new environment with a new diet and/or feeding system without any adaptation period of separation from their mother. The second weaning strategy is fence line weaning, where cows and calves have nose-to-nose contact through a fence line for a period. This allows a lower stress transition for the calf because calves remain within a familiar environment and forage/diet type, giving them time to adapt to separation from their dams. However, those who don’t have a trustworthy fence system may not be able to practice this scheme, as we’ve all experienced the frustration of a calf or cow “jailbreak” and the time, cost, and labor it takes to repair the problem. Finally, producers have the option to
two stage wean their calves by implanting a device that prevents the calf from nursing their dam. A calf is fitted with a nose ring and remains with the cow for up to two weeks before they are permanently separated. Various published research has shown reductions in vocalization and stress induced movements using this method, which may keep the neighbors from complaining about loud, bawling calves. However, this is obviously the most costly, labor intensive system, and it requires calves to be gathered and processed through the chute twice. Some producers have also reported lesions in the nostrils from the nose ring. If these areas get infected, the low stress progress made may be offset by another required treatment. The biggest goal in weaning systems is to remove the calf from its mother with the most economically friendly, limited stress possible. Stress impacts health, feed intake, and long term performance by inducing “flight or fight” hormones that cause digestive insults, which
WAYNESVILLE
BUTNER
Saturday • December 3, 2022 11:00 a.m.
Friday • December 16, 2022 12:00 noon
WNC Regional Livestock Center Canton, N.C.
Granville County Livestock Arena Oxford, N.C.
SELLING 29 BULLS
SELLING 51 BULLS
19 Angus 4 Hereford 2 Gelbvieh/Balancer 4 Simmental/SimAngus
For information contact
JOHNNY ROGERS NCSU Cooperative Extension 919-515-4005
Kyle Miller - 828-456-3943 PAGE 66
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
31 Angus 5 Hereford 15 Simmental/SimAngus
Greg Shaeffer - 919-471-6872
are correlated to immune function. Regardless of your weaning system, you won’t be able to eliminate stress entirely, so it’s best to give your calves the nutritional tools to get them on the right track for their operations. It’s important to “jump start” the gut, and Amaferm is a prebiotic that is research proven to stimulate intake, digestibility, and absorption. Vita Charge Cattle Drench is fortified with Amaferm, fibrolytic, and starch digesting enzymes, plus chelated zinc and essential vitamins to generate a rapid digestive response in high stress situations. Coupling a one time dose of Vita Charge Drench with the
Vita Charge Stress Tubs is an excellent way to reduce stress and promote feed intake. Vita Charge Stress Tubs contain MOS, organic trace minerals, and a heat tolerant Bacillus probiotic in a convenient way to ensure calves get their daily dose of Amaferm. Weaning is stressful on everyone. Regardless of weaning method, make sure to give those calves the nutritional tools so they can perform to the highest level with maximum health. It’s the difference in your own profitability as well as potential repeat buyers. To learn more about weaning with Vita Charge or to locate a dealer near you,
NEWS
Vytelle secures USDA Climate Smart Grant as Part of an Industry Consortium to Advance Sustainable Beef Production. $10 Million Grant to Support Industry Driven Lifecycle Approach to Reduce GHG Emissions. Announced recently, Vytelle released their participation in a pilot project that is part of the USDA Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities Initiative. This project, led by Low Carbon Beef, a certification company, will implement climate smart methods in beef production, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, expanding climate smart markets, and generating carbon credit revenue for producers. Vytelle is joined by like minded industry leaders who, together, will implement technology spanning the full beef life cycle and supply chain. Over the course of five years, the goal of the program is to reduce GHG emissions from beef production by over 50 percent and provide economic premiums for commercial cattle producers. “We’re setting our sights on our mission to ensure producers can sustainably deliver more protein with fewer inputs for future generations,” shared Kerryann Kocher, CEO of Vytelle. She continued, “Participating in this industry-led supply chain initiative is groundbreaking and will demonstrate that through the use of technology and genetic selection, we can reduce the environmental impact of beef production without sacrificing quality while delivering producer profitability.”
Vytelle’s integrated livestock technology platform identifies the right genetics and replicates them faster with hormone free in vitro fertilization. Vytelle’s participation in the project will combine the use of Vytelle SENSE individual animal performance data capture system and Vytelle INSIGHT decision support tools for genetic and management decisions. Specifically, Vytelle’s technology will be installed in cow/calf ranches to capture mature cow weights and a feedlot to collect individual animal dry matter intake, growth, performance, and behavior data. “Measuring these historically hard-to-capture phenotypes provides meaningful data to quantify enteric emissions and inform the GHG life cycle assessment at both the ranch and feedlot,” said Lisa Rumsfeld, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. “As an industry, we are stronger together. The opportunity to create this meaningful data and aggregate with the partners will drive more overall value to the project and future developments for climate smart technologies for the marketplace.” 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.
visit https://biozymeinc.com/vitacharge. The Importance of Reading a Mineral Tag. Information is power. However, if you don’t use the information in front of you, you could remain powerless. That is why it is important to know how to read the tag that comes on mineral bags and what to do with all that information to best determine the nutritional management of young calves that you recently turned out. Once you use that information, you are likely to minimize the risk of sickness and morbidity and increase the potential for growth and profit. When grazing stockers on grass and wheat pasture, the most important ingredients to look for on a mineral tag include chelated copper and zinc. Zinc helps support the overall health of the calves, promote foot health, and prevent foot rot, and copper is so deficient in many areas where that mineral is needed. Although the ingredient content of the mineral tag is the most important part of the tag, it is just one component of the tag. Let’s examine a typical mineral tag from top to bottom. Product Name - Although this seems simple, it is important to pay attention to, as many similar products may just have one or two words different in their names. For example, the Gain Smart line for stocker calves has four products, two of which are Gain Smart Stocker and Gain Smart Stocker HEAT. Although the products would work for any stockers
grazing grass pasture, there are other formulas designed for feeding grain – Gain Smart Balancer RU1600 – and for grazing wheat – Gain Smart Wheat – so it is important to pay attention to the name on the label. Purpose Statement - The purpose statement is required on all labels and must be followed. If the label on a mineral tag states that it is a mineral for beef cattle in the growing phase, then that is the species and the production phase it is meant to be fed to. Don’t try to feed it to lactating ewes. Guaranteed Analysis - This is a breakdown of the nutrients in the mineral. This is often the only thing salespeople will show a customer, but as the feeder, you also need to know what other nutrients the animal is getting so you don’t miss anything important in the diet. The guaranteed analysis is useful in comparing nutrient levels and relative prices of products. However, it does not tell you everything, as the sources of nutrients are also very important. Don’t be fooled by only looking at levels. Understand the needs of the animal and the nutrient sources. Another tip is that the trace mineral ratios are often as important as any one nutrient level due to the interactions between trace minerals
Continued on the next page
ALL Regular Copy for the
DECEMBER ISSUE by NOVEMBER 5! ALL Spotlight Material for the DECEMBER ISSUE By NOVEMBER 1!
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2022
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NEWS Beefmaster Turkey Project. The Honorable U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Jeffry L. Flake, met with the Kafkas University Beefmaster Project Team at the new U.S. Embassy in Ankara on September 14. Ambassador Steven Flake is a former U.S. Senator from Arizona whose family raised Beefmaster cattle in Snowflake, Arizona. Dr. Yavuz Ozturkler and his team made a presentation on the chronology of their project, which was very well received by the USDA FAS Ag Attache and Staff. Following the U.S. Embassy presentation, the team met with top officials of the Turkish Ministry of Food Agriculture Livestock (MinFAL) and the national centers for livestock and agricultural research and enterprises to advance plans for the Beefmaster Foundation herd into artificial insemination and embryo production projects while establishing a distribution network for E.U. qualified Beefmaster semen for crossbreeding use across the country. On September 28, M. Doyle Sanders of the DBL D BAR Ranch in Industry, Tex., presented proclamations from the Texas Agriculture Department, Texas A&M University, and Beefmaster Breeders United to Kafkas University and
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their Beefmaster Project Team in honor of the launch of the Turkish Beefmaster Foundation Herd in Kars, Eastern Turkey. Turkish Beefmaster Foundation herd’s launch. On September 24, the Turkish Ag Minister and key livestock agency officials made a surprise visit to Kafkas U in Kars, Turkey, to review the first three purebred Beefmaster calves born in Turkey. They were all elated at what they saw live and the expected sustainability benefits from feed efficiency and heterosis gains. Positive support was confirmed for the future of Beefmaster development in Turkey. On September 28, the Turkish Beefmaster Foundation Herd’s launch was celebrated with plans to expedite the Beefmaster herd’s growth to improve profitability, disease tolerance, forage needs, and carcass quality. About Beefmaster Breeders United. Beefmaster Breeders United, located in Boerne, Tex., is a not-for-profit breed registration organization that provides programs and services for its members. Beefmaster, Beefmaster Advancer, and E6 cattle are selected on the “Six Essentials” of disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, milk production, and hardiness. For more information, visit www.beefmasters.org.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
BioZyme News continued from the previous page like calcium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, sulfur, and other antagonists. These can easily make any level unavailable to the animal. Ingredient List - This is the most important part of the tag because it does include all ingredients in the mineral. Consider when comparing labels that feed regulations allow for the use of generalized terms. For example, it can be listed as a plant protein product rather than soybean meal. Many companies like to use generic terms because it allows them the flexibility to reformulate without redoing labels when ingredient prices drop. This allows them to substitute other ingredients and hit the same guaranteed percent. One example of this would be creep feeds, which are often fed as energy supplements. There is no guarantee for energy on the tag, and if you can’t see exactly what ingredients are being used, how do you know with confidence that the feed has more energy than the hay the cattle are consuming in the pasture? It is important to remember that ingredients are listed in the order of those with the greatest inclusion in the product. So, the further down the label an ingredient is listed, the less of that ingredient there is included. If you are trying to feed your animals a high protein supplement, make sure that protein is one of the first listed ingredients, or your product isn’t benefitting your animals. Understanding an ingredient list means needing to know the value of the
ingredients used. A lot of information is available about different trace mineral sources and other ingredients. If you are not sure about the ingredients listed, reach out to a trusted nutritionist or salesperson. Feeding Directions - This is another important part of the tag, as it will direct you on how to deliver the product to your livestock. However, when feeding a free choice mineral, it is safe to calculate an average amount over a specific time. Since calves can’t read or measure out 2-4 ounces per day, they will usually level out at that intake level if they are not deficient in a specific nutrient. If you feel overconsumption is happening, feel free to provide free choice salt close to the mineral feeder. Just remember that mixing salt in the mineral will dilute the product you intend to deliver and the implications that may have for cattle with lower mineral intakes. Caution Statements - This fine print should not be ignored. For example, if a mineral contains copper, it will likely advise against feeding to sheep. Heed this advice. It is typically in the producer’s best financial and operational interest to follow all label directions. Manufacturer Information - This lists who the manufacturer is or if the company marketing the product had another company manufacture the product for them, in which case it might list “manufactured by and for the company doing the marketing.” Weight - Most mineral comes in 50 pound bags. The Gain Smart products come in woven poly bags that are waterproof and recyclable. Manufacturing Practices Statement - This statement describes the manufacturing practices followed by the manufacturer that is good for the animal and for the environment. That’s a lot of information to decipher on a small mineral tag, but it is most important to know what your mineral is, what is in it, and how to feed it to get maximum performance from your stocker calves. One of the primary advantages of the Gain Smart mineral line is that it contains Amaferm, which works to maintain gut health, increasing the overall health of your animal. Healthier animals mean a reduced need to treat with antibiotics, often helping keep them in all natural programs. Our customers benefit from the natural ingredients in Gain Smart, see faster, more efficient gains, and typically treat fewer sick cattle. To learn more about the advantages of Gain Smart or to locate a dealer near
you, visit www.gainsmart.com. Importance of a Year Round Supplementation Program. Cow nutritional requirements fluctuate throughout the annual production cycle. For spring calving herds, most calves have been weaned, and cows are in midgestation. Collectively, this current time point represents the lowest nutritional requirement for that cow. Available forage quality decreases at the same rate as cow requirements in a normal year, but as we have seen in drought conditions, forage quality has dwindled at a much more rapid pace. Supplementation has always been the best method of “bridging the gap” between available forage and nutrient requirements, and its benefits
are well understood when supplementing cows and heifers leading up to calving and through rebreeding. Nutrition is still a year round process, and there are many profitable means of delivering quality nutrition annually. The concept of matching cow requirements to available resources is simple to understand but difficult to achieve. One major thing I recommend is to test your grasses, hay, or any type of available forage to get an idea of what they contain nutritionally. Most producers are surprised at the results, both positive and negative. Providing cattle with a proper supplement that contains adequate minerals is important, as it serves as an “insurance policy” for seasonal
Carolina Cooking Autumn Harvest Braised Brisket Total Preparation Time - 4 hours 1 beef brisket flat half boneless (2½-3½ pounds) 2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1 cup cran-apple, cranberry, or apple juice, divided 3-4 medium red apples (such as Jonathan, Red Delicious, Jazz, or Fuji), cored, cut into 16 wedges each (about 1¼ pounds) ¾ cup dried sweetened cranberries 2 tablespoons cornstarch Combine cumin and cinnamon; rub over beef brisket. Heat oil in a stockpot over medium heat until hot. Brown brisket; season beef with salt and pepper, as desired. Add ¾ cup juice and garlic to the stockpot; bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 2¾-3¼ hours. Add apples and cranberries to the stockpot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20-25 minutes or until brisket and apples are fork-tender, stirring and rearranging apples once during cooking. Remove brisket; keep warm. Combine remaining ¼ cup juice and cornstarch; stir cornstarch mixture into apple mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 1-2 minutes or
fluctuations in forage quality and can keep cattle from becoming deficient or imbalanced in energy, protein, or mineral status. Deficiencies can sometimes be hard to detect but later show up in the form of health problems or reduced performance. Either way, providing the cow, as well as her developing calf, with proper nutrition can benefit any producer in the long run. The unique feature of the VitaFerm Conserve line of products from BioZyme is that it delivers Amaferm carried on your mineral supplement. Amaferm stimulates fungal and bacterial growth in the rumen. These stimulated microbes work synergistically to further break down feed ingredients, leading to improving fiber (NDF) and CP digestion by 17 and 10 percent, respectively. The stimulation of bacteria is economically relevant because more bacteria growing means more fermentative capacity and microbial protein synthesis. Research proves that cattle fed Amaferm synthesize 143 more grams of microbial protein each day. That’s enough protein equivalent to a pound of supplemented soybean meal available for the cow or heifer. This additional protein generated from Amaferm in a year round supplemental program can help producers reduce their need for additional protein by up to 40 percent annually, a huge continuous savings on feed costs. Speaking of controlling feed costs, overconsumption is a common complaint many producers have when supplements are first introduced. This happens because cattle may not have received sufficient prior nutrition or been exposed to palatable feed ingredients. If you ate nothing but lettuce for six months and someone slid a bowl of chocolates or pretzels in front of you, you’d likely eat
more than normal because of these very reasons. Keeping free choice supplement in front of cattle daily controls the big swings in intake and consumption. This not only keeps the energy, protein, and trace mineral status of your herd stable, but controls waste. Feed and supplement waste is a frustrating sink on your bottom line. Nutrition is the only environmental aspect of production where producers have full control. The VitaFerm Conserve products provide an economically viable way to ensure that cattle receive a daily dose of Amaferm, maintain stable levels of nutrition and control annual supplement waste. When considering the impacts of inputs and outputs, providing year round supplementation to cows can be an economical tool to maximize production efficiency. To learn more about the VitaFerm Conserve options or to find a dealer near you, visit www.vitaferm.com. About BioZyme ® Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements for a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include 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.
until the mixture has thickened, stirring frequently. Trim fat from brisket. Carve diagonally across the grain into thin slices. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Serve beef with apple mixture. Makes 16 servings.
Autumn Harvest Braised Brisket
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2022
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...
LASSIFIED PUREBRED C ATTLE BREEDERS BACK CREEK ANGUS
Joe and Robin Hampton 345 Withrows Creek Lane Mt. Ulla, NC 28125
704-880-2488
Angus
Black Crest Farm
W.R. “Billy” McLeod
A NIMAL H EALTH
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 www.huntsbrangus.com Calhoun, GA 770-548-7950
C. A. H. Brent Glenn, DVM Lancaster, S.C.
williammcleod@ftc-i.net • www.blackcrestfarm.com
“Cattle with Something Extra”
Carolinas Animal Health, LLC
Breeding Registered Angus since 1962
Walter D. Shealy III and Family
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
AUCTIONEERING Ernest B. Harris President
Phone: 252-257-2140 Mobile: 252-430-9595 ®
Inc. / Auctioneers
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
On Your Side®
James S. Wills • The Wills Agency LLC Primary Agent/Owner Master Farm Certified
555 West Church Street Batesburg, SC 29006
BEEF FOR SALE
THE HERD THAT CONSISTENTLY PRODUCES CATTLE WITH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS, AND EYE APPEAL.
Phil Goodson: 919-880-9062 Alex Askew: 910-260-2889 Darryl Howard Cell: 910-990-2791
KEEP POSTED FOR UPDATES ON THE 2022 Tarheel Angus/4K Farm Production Sale
ALL Regular Copy
RICHARD KIRKMAN, DVM
for the
20416 US 64 West Siler City, NC 27344-0350
919-742-5500 • rdkirkman@centurylink.net
October Jonathan Massey 21, 2023
THE YON FAMILY 318 Aiken Road • Ridge Spring, SC 29129 www.yonfamilyfarm.com
336-260-2565 • jonathan.massey2@gmail.com
Angus • SimAngus • Ultrablacks
336-214-4144 • johnnymassey.1@gmail.com
Johnny Massey
LET THIS SPACE MAKE $$$$$ FOR YOU! PAGE 70
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
Telephone: 803-532-3390 Cell: 864-554-4658 Fax: 803-532-0615 james@twainsurance.com
Your Ad Here!
104 Springfield Lane Louisburg, NC 27549
Autryville, NC 28318 www.howardbrosfarms.com
®
Agribusiness
SPRINGFIELD ANGUS
• Performance Tested • Ultrasound and 50K Evaluated • Registered Angus Bulls
2610 Kee Moore Drive Chester, SC 29706
Nationwide
3200 NC Hwy. 58 • Warrenton, NC 27589 NCAL #1468 • NC#C#4264 • VAL #146 • SCAL #3895 Email: ebharris@ebharris.com www.ebharris.com
BLACK GROVE 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
AUTO • HOME • LIFE BUSINESS • FARM & RANCH
Jim Traynham Wingate, N.C. 704-233-5366 Cell - 704-292-4217
1320 Old Manning Rd., Sumter, SC 29150
803-481-2011
INSURANCE
NOVEMBER ISSUE by OCTOBER 5! ALL Spotlight Material for the
NOVEMBER ISSUE by OCTOBER 1!
NDEX OF 2022 S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Regional Meeting Schedule ........... 3 6th Annual Boys from the South Bull Sale ........................................... 45 7th Annual The Pounds & Profit Sale ................................................... 35 11th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale .............................................. 33 14th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale ............................... 32 20th Annual Charolais Source Bull Sale .............................................. 14 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus .................................................................... 70 47th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale .................... 20 American Angus Association ............................................................. 26 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............................ 70 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ................................................................... 18 Back Creek Angus .............................................................................. 70 Biltmore Livestock — Angus ................................................................... Black Crest Farm ................................................................................ 70 Black Crest Farm Annual Bull & Female Sale ........................................... Black Grove Angus ............................................................................. 70 Brubaker Family Angus ...................................................................... 70 C-Cross Cattle Company .................................................................... 70 Carolinas Animal Health ................................................................... 70 Châtel Farms Fall Bull Sale ................................................................. 25 Childers Concrete Company, Inc. ....................................................... 11 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ....................................................... 68 Creek Plantation — Ranch/Farm Manager WANTED .......................... 19 Double J Farms — BULLS FOR SALE .................................................... 38 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. .............................................................. 70 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ............................................. 15 Fowken Farms — CATTLE FOR SALE ................................................... 40 Fred Smith Company Ranch ............................................................... 70 Get Jazzed in New Orleans Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show ........................................................................ 53 Hill Angus Farm ................................................................................. 31 Howard Brothers Farms ..................................................................... 70 Hunt’s H+ Brangus ............................................................................ 70 Hutton & Sons Herefords ................................................................... 70
For Your Advertising Needs, Contact: The Carolina Cattle Connection • 919-552-9111 The Livestock Advertising Network • 859-278-0899
DVERTISERS JBB Simmentals ................................................................................ 23 Knoll Crest Farms Total Performance Bull Sale .................................. 13 Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale ................................................. 47 Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales — Stockyard Schedules .............................. 17 N.C. Angus Association Directory …................................................... 30 N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sales — DOUBLE HEADER ........... 66 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application .................... 50 N.C. Hereford Association Directory ................................................. 39 N.C. Meat Suite .................................................................................. 44 N.C. Simmental Association .............................................................. 22 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment ..................................... 9 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2022 Policy Priorities ........... 56 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Application ..... 55 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Benefits ........... 54 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ................ 70 Pasture Management & N.C. Cattlemen’s Association “Mile of Fence” Membership Program ........................................... 49 Pearson Livestock Equipment ............................................................. 8 Piedmont Custom Meats ................................................................... 37 Premier Select Sires ......................................................................... 34 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ............................ 52 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ................... 41 SimAngus Solution ........................................................................... 70 Smith Creek Angus Farm — CATTLE FOR SALE ................................... 24 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ......... 70 Springfield Angus ............................................................................. 70 Springfield Angus Bull Sale ............................................................... 27 The Barn Loft — Purina ..................................................................... 36 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2022 Spotlight Schedule .................. 57 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates & Sizes ................ 51 Virginia Herd Health Management Services ..................................... 65 Watauga Butchery ............................................................................. 42 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ......................................................... 62 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ........................................ 43 Whitehall Beefmasters ...................................................................... 70 Wilders Farm ..................................................................................... 70 Wilkes Livestock Exchange ............................................................... 61 Yon Family Farms .............................................................................. 70 The Carolina Cattle Connection
q NOVEMBER 2022
PAGE 71
VENTS ANGUS Nov. 5 — Barnett Angus Ranches 3rd Annual Bull Sale, Washington, Ga. Nov. 5 — TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer Maternal Magic Annual Bull Sale XI, Chickmauga, Ga. Nov. 5 — Châtel Farms Fall Bull Sale, Reidsville, Ga. Nov. 5 — Craven Angus Farm Open House Bull & Female Sale, Seagrove, N.C. Nov. 5 — Locust Level Farms Bull & Female Sale, Vernon Hill, Va. Nov. 5 — 14th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Nov. 12 — 21st E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 12 — Gibbs Farms 17th Annual Generations of Progress Bull & Replacement Female Sale, Ranburne, Ala. Nov. 12 — Lane Angus Farm Angus Bull Sale, Rocky Mount, N.C. Nov. 12 — McMahan Farm & Hancock Angus Annual Registerd Angus Bull Sale, Mocksville, N.C. Nov. 17 — Chessie Creek Farm & Partners Inaugural Online Bull Sale Nov. 19 — Power in the Blood VII Online Elite Female & Embryo Sale, via AngusLive.com Nov. 19 — 11th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale, Asheboro, N.C. Nov. 26 — 6th Annual Boys from the South Bull Sale, Lebanon, Tenn. Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 3 — N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sale, Waynesville, N.C. Dec. 3 — The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 10 — Springfield Angus Bull Sale, Louisburg, N.C. Dec. 16 — N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sale, Butner, N.C. 2023 Jan. 7 — 14th Annual EBS Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 9 — 30th Annual UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga. Feb. 11 — Black Crest Farm Annual Bull & Female Sale, Sumber, S.C. Feb. 18 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Apr. 8 — Knoll Crest Farm’s Spring Bull & Female, Red House, Va. Dec. 1 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va.
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Black Hereford Dec. 10 — 20th Annual Charolais Source Bull Sale, Shelby, N.C Brangus Nov. 5 — Barnett Angus Ranches 3rd Annual Bull Sale, Washington, Ga. Charolais Dec. 3 — The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 10 — 20th Annual Charolais Source Bull Sale, Shelby, N.C. GELBVIEH Nov. 5 — TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer Maternal Magic Annual Bull Sale XI, Chickmauga, Ga. Nov. 19 — Leachman Cattle Company East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Wytheville, Va. Nov. 19 — Power in the Blood VII Online Elite Female & Embryo Sale, via AngusLive.com Nov. 26 — 6th Annual Boys from the South Bull Sale, Lebanon, Tenn. Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 3 — N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sale, Waynesville, N.C. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2023 Feb. 18 — Locust Hill Cattle Company 2nd Annual Production Sale, Pelham, N.C. Feb. 18 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Apr. 8 — Knoll Crest Farm’s Spring Bull & Female, Red House, Va. Dec. 1 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. HEREFORD Nov. 19 — Leachman Cattle Company East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Wytheville, Va. Dec. 2 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 3 — N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sale, Waynesville, N.C. Dec. 16 — N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sale, Butner, N.C. 2023 Apr. 8 — Knoll Crest Farm’s Spring Bull & Female, Red House, Va. Dec. 1 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. RED ANGUS Nov. 19 — Leachman Cattle Company East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Wytheville, Va.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q NOVEMBER 2022
SIMMENTAL Nov. 5 — 14th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Nov. 12 — 21st E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 12 — Gibbs Farms 17th Annual Generations of Progress Bull & Replacement Female Sale, Ranburne, Ala. Nov. 19 — Leachman Cattle Company East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Wytheville, Va. Dec. 3 — N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sale, Waynesville, N.C. Dec. 3 — The Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 3 — 47th Annual Union County Performance Test Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 16 — N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sale, Butner, N.C. 2023 Feb. 9 — 30th Annual UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga. Oct. 21 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Fall Sale, Clayton, N.C.
Nov. 21 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C. Nov. 23 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Nov. 28 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C Nov. 30 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.. Dec. 5 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C. Dec. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Dec. 7 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Dec. 12 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C. Dec. 14 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Dec. 19 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C. Dec. 21 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Dec. 28 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
WaGyu Nov. 12 — 21st E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C.
OTHER EVENTS Nov. 1 — The Last of the “Over the Counter” Antibiotics Online Webinar Nov. 14 — S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Regional Meeting, Allendale, S.C. Nov. 15 — S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Regional Meeting, Sumter, S.C. Nov. 15-18 — EuroTier 2022, Hanover, Germany Nov. 16 — S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Regional Meeting, Laurens, S.C. Nov. 17 — Weaned Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. 2023 Feb. 1-3 — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention & Trade Show, New Orleans, La. Feb. 24-25 — N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Conference, Hickory, N.C.
Livestock market sales Nov. 1 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Nov. 2 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Nov. 7 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C. Nov. 9 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C. Nov. 14 — Harward Brothers Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Statesville, N.C. Nov. 15 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, via macsvideo.com Nov. 16 — Stanly County Livestock Market Weekly Sale, Norwood, N.C.
Be a winner! Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association!
Contact your local sales manager to find your nearest dealer: Steve Lemons (NC) Dan Swenson (SC) Harley Lattimore (WNC/Upstate SC) (704) 984-1865 (864) 881-9700 (828) 447-6390