CC C
arolina attle onnection OCTOBER 2020 •
Vol. 34, Issue No. 10
Spotlight on
BRANGUS
OPTIMAL CATTLE NUTRITION IS MORE THAN HAVING LOTS OF GRASS Performance Extra 16% is utilized in the development of heifers before breeding season. Feeding Performance Extra 16% prior to breeding will ensure those animals intake adequate energy to cycle properly and lead to a successful bred heifer or cow. This ration also works well in all stages of cattle production where there is a need for a higher protein and energy.
Nutritionally balanced with vitamins and minerals - Promotes development, proper growth, and overall health
Performance Bull Developer #2 is formulated to be fed as a complete ration for bulls in confinement. This unique blend of pellets, cracked corn, soybean meal, cottonseed hulls, peanut hulls, and a complete mineral package including yeast and ZinPro allows bulls to reach their full genetic growth potential without digestive problems. It is university tested and farm proven.
Performance Extra Calf is a very palatable blended feed designed for the producer who wants more texture in their feed product. Cattle start on Extra Calf quicker than with a straight pellet. This product consists of whole cottonseed, soybean meal, and the 16% Performance Extra Pellets.
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ONNECTION 2020 N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up Results ....................................................................................... page 54 A Message from the CEO — Defending Your Right To Be Heard, by Colin Woodall .................. page 58 Alltech News ........................................................................................................................................ page 57 Amazing Grazing — Using Brassicas During the Fall Grazing Season, by Dr. Deidre Harmon & Leanne Dillard ......................................................................................... page 14 American Angus Association News .................................................................................................. page 21 American Hereford Association News ............................................................................................ page 34 American National CattleWomen News ........................................................................................ page 59 Animal Agriculture Alliance News ................................................................................................... page 68 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Summer Campaign Wrap Up, by Ashley W. Herring ............................ page 12 Beef Checkoff News ........................................................................................................................... page 62 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods .......................................................................... page 70 BioZyme Incorporated News ........................................................................................................... page 64 Boehringer Ingelheim News ............................................................................................................. page 36 Brookside Agra News ........................................................................................................................ page 60 Carolina Cooking — Rustic Corned Beef & Potato Bake ............................................................... page 53 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ........................................................................... page 44 Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update, by Greg Hanes ............................................................................. page 53 Clemson University 2021 Bull Test Report and Update, by Steven E. Meadows, Ph.D................. page 41 Combining Resources — AgriThority and knoell .......................................................................... page 53 Director’s Report — What A Year, by Bryan K. Blinson .................................................................... page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Conversations at the Country Store, by E.B. Harris .............................................................. page 17 Herd Immunity an Important Concept for Humans, Animals ...................................................... page 73 International Genetic Solutions News ............................................................................................ page 66 Merck Animal Health News ............................................................................................................... page 42 N.C. Angus Association to Host First Annual Genetic Harvest Online Female Sale in November ................................................................................................................................... page 23 N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test 56 Day Report, by Gary Gregory ......................................................... page 35 N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test 56 Day Report, by Gary Gregory & Deidre Harmon …............. page 36 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ......................................................................................................... page 66 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ............................................................................... page 60 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — Opening Government’s Doors to Cattle Producers, by Marty Smith ................................ page 52 National Institute for Animal Agriculture News ............................................................................ page 31 New Partners Move Discovery Park of America Closer to One Million Dollar Goal for New Exhibit on Innovation in Agriculture .......................................................................... page 25 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ...................................................................... page 18 On the Edge of Common Sense — Just A Dog, by Baxter Black ...................................................... page 27 Performance Livestock Analytics News .......................................................................................... page 32 Predicting Cattle Infertility Through Machine Learning ............................................................. page 56 Prolonged Labor Affects Post Calving Rebreeding ........................................................................ page 74 Proper Cow Culling is Important to Your Business ........................................................................ page 74 Public Lands Council News ................................................................................................................ page 59 Richard Odell “Dick” Whittington Passes ....................................................................................... page 31 S.C. Beef Council News, by Roy Copelan .......................................................................................... page 44 S.C. Charolais News, by Georgeanne Webb ...................................................................................... page 33 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ....................................................................... page 32 Team Fescue, by Eddie Martin ............................................................................................................. page 26 Thank You to the Friends of the N.C. Simmental Association ...................................................... page 51 The 115th National Western Stock Show Postponed Until January 2022 .................................... page 63 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker .............................................................................................. page 46 Use All the Tools in Your Toolbox When Buying Bulls, by Steven E. Meadows, Ph.D. ….............. page 51 Valley Vet Supply News ...................................................................................................................... page 71 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ....................................................................................................... page 18 Zoetis News ......................................................................................................................................... page 72
BRANGUS About Brangus Cattle ..... page 4 International Brangus Breeders Association Long Term Plan ..... page 6 Sustainability, by Joe C. Paschal, Ph.D. ..... page 5 Total Herd Reporting (THR) ..... page 11
North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association President JEREMY LEE 5153 Battle Run Drive • Catawba, NC 28609 Vice Presidents KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734 BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425 SCOTT WEST 489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850 Immediate Past President MIKE COX P.O. 1317 • Elon, NC 27244
The Carolina Cattle Connection Vol. 34, No. 10 OCTOBER 2020 Sales and Publication Office 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Phone: 919-552-9111 or 919-552-9112 Fax: 919-552-9216 Email: mail@nccattle.com Website: www.nccattle.com
The Carolina Cattle Connection
is printed on 30 lb recycled newsprint by BN Printing in Benson, N.C.
NCBA Policy Division Director - FRED SMITH, JR. NCBA Federation Division Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR. Beef Board Director - ROBERT CRABB Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE
Manager, N.C.
STAFF
BRYAN BLINSON
Manager, S.C. TRAVIS MITCHELL Editor and Advertising Director CASEY L. HINNANT
Executive Director BRYAN K. BLINSON Assistant Editor and Proofreader 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
KIM BURDGE
N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Director of Consumer Information ASHLEY W. HERRING
N.C. Circulation
KIM BURDGE
Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE
S.C. Circulation
To Be Announced
South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director TRAVIS MITCHELL Phone: 864-803-1126 Email: twmitch@clemson.edu S.C. Beef Council ROY COPELAN Phone: 803-917-1119 Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov Website: www.sccattle.org Executive Committee President - Thomas Legare 1st Vice President - Roscoe Kyle Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Cecil Eaddy
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 Dale Wilson, Abbeville • Thomas Jones, Marion Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Jack Ferguson, York Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews
Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All submissions becom property of The Carolina Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to return items such as photographs and artwork as requested. The Carolina Cattle Connection, the official publication of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association is published monthly by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. A complementary subscription is included with membership to each state’s association. Nonmember subscriptions are $25 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 11280 Columbia, SC 29211-1280
Our
breed Spotlight special sections are excellent forums to r e ac h p r o d u c e r s a n d cattle industry insiders in the Carolinas and throughout the S outheast . A dvertisers also receive a special discount for placing their message in the Spotlight. The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Director’s Report By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA
What A Year I seriously doubt that any of us will forget 2020. When we rang in the New Year, none of us had any idea what we had in store for us. No one could have begun to predict the changes we would all have to make to our lives. We could not gather with friends and family like normal; we could not shop like normal, we could not go out to eat like normal, we even had to learn to take part in church on a computer rather than a pew. Thankfully, much of farm life continued to march forward. Crops were planted, cattle grazed, and you as farm families provided food for your neighbors down the road and on the other side of the globe. We have all had to make changes to how we do LIFE. One of the things that many of us participated in as young people were livestock shows, and they were in danger of being out the window for our current crop of youth. Heck, they cancelled the ACC Tournament, so what were we going to do? Fortunately, Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler stepped up and got the ball rolling to make at least some of these important events possible. Commissioner Troxler set in motion the work to figure out a way to continue the youth livestock shows associated with the N.C. State Fair and the Mountain State Fair even if COVID-19 prevented the fairs themselves. His staff worked diligently to come up with protocols that would meet the guidelines set out by the CDC so that these shows could
go on. By coming up with solutions that adhered to the rules, other shows, such as the N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up, were possible. Stalling was different to allow for social distancing (a new phrase we will not soon forget but look forward to distancing ourselves from). Handwashing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers were abundant for hands that previously might have only been washed when mom’s guidelines kicked in. Masks on little faces even hid the smiles of the first ribbon won. But fortunately, we were able to make the shows go on. Hopefully, as you are reading this, the final preparations for the youth livestock show at the N.C. State Fair will be being made. We are fortunate that many great sponsors and individuals have stepped up to provide funding so that this event and the others we have mentioned could go on. The State Fair shows will be different this year without the crowds, the smell of fair food, and the lights and noises of the carnival. What will not be different, however, is my inspiration for this column. Youth livestock shows may seem like a lot of work for a ribbon, and many wonder why we would spend so much time and effort on the selection of individual animals based solely on looks and not on performance, EPDs, and genomics. This year has driven home the reason, that I have always known about, why we all put forth the effort. The
benefit of these programs overshadow the selection of the champions in more ways than we may ever know. These are, for the most part, family projects. These young people need the help and support of their parents, siblings, and others to make it to the ring. There is a lot of work, sweat, and tears that make a champion, and that is why these programs are important. To be clear, when I mention champion here, I am not talking about the beautiful heifer, steer, or other livestock project; I am talking about something much more substantial. The champions are the young people that the program helps to shape. I have had the time to stop and watch these young people and their families at several of these events in the last few weeks, and I can see how important it is. These projects take months to get to the point of going to the first show. During that time, these young people are in a barn, shed or pen brushing, washing, exercising, or many of the other things that lead to a successful show ring experience. Guess what else, most of the time, there will be a parent or two and brothers and sisters or cousins or friends helping. You know what none of them are doing? They are not getting in trouble or causing trouble for others. They are
learning to work. They are learning to put the needs of another creature before the needs of themselves. They are learning how to help others as people help them. When they get to the show, they get to see people working together to make it possible for them to have this experience. The examples being set by the staff and volunteers of the show are ones that, even though the youth may not realize it at the time, will have a lasting impact. This year has been challenging, but the opportunity to find new ways to do things has led to necessary cooperation, innovation, and flexibility that I am sure will make the normal years better. When the shows have been completed this year, and the buckles, banners, and ribbons have been distributed, we will know which animals were named champion, but we can all rest assured that other champions will emerge. The real winners in this contest will be us and our future as the lessons learned about responsibility, humility, cooperation, and innovation will drive the youth involved to be the kind of adults that our country will desperately need. Just know that behind the mask of this old guy, there is a smile because these “kids” will be the leaders of tomorrow and personally, I am thankful for that.
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q OCTOBER 2020
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e Special
Spotlight on
BRANGUS
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
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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
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
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 OCTOBER 5 for the NOVEMBER issue!
Is there a problem?
e Special
Spotlight on
BRANGUS
Section f
Sustainability By JOE C. PASCHAL, Ph.D. Sustainability is a buzzword used by many, often to criticize modern agriculture. Merriam-Webster defines sustainability as “able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed; involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources; and able to last or continue for a long time.” As a part of modern agriculture, beef cattle production, including its breeds and management practices, also fits each of those definitions. It has not completely used up natural resources, it has certainly continued a long time, and it has significantly contributed to feeding most of the world’s population I might add. I’ve been asked to discuss some aspects of sustainability of beef cattle in general, Brangus specifically, based on several traits. The Brangus breed is in a unique group of breeds that include some Bos indicus genetics in their original design and still do. Those genetics are well known for increasing heat tolerance and parasite and disease resistance. Having these traits means they can be raised and fed in hotter and less hospitable areas than nonBos indicus influence cattle, and usually with lower quality feedstuffs, especially
when on range or pasture. Because of Bos indicus genetics, Brangus cattle also live longer. Brangus cattle and their Bos indicus counterparts are also more energetically efficient, perhaps because of a slightly longer gut retention time, and have a greater ability to store fat reserves and minerals than non-Bos indicus cattle. Of course, not every positive attribute comes from Bos indicus genetics; many come from Brangus’ other parental breed. One of the most noticeable traits of the Brangus breed is polledness, or lack of horns. At one time in our history, horns were considered not a convenience trait – meaning nice to have, but not necessary – but a desirable one. Most breeds are still horned, but most producers prefer polled or dehorned cows. Another trait from the other parental breed is Brangus’ ability to deposit marbling and, therefore, have a higher percent grading U.S. Choice. This may not seem like a sustainability trait, but if cattle are going to be fed, especially in hotter and less desirable environments, they need to be fed efficiently and rapidly to an optimal quality grade. These effects are due mostly to the parental breed genetics; Brangus
is a blend of those genetics. When two or more breeds are blended, the genes from each breed interact with each other to influence, usually positively, the performance of a trait, which is known as hybrid vigor or heterosis. The Brangus breed is no different. Hybrid vigor generally affects most of those traits that are expressed early in life or have little genetic variability and are difficult to change by selection, such as fertility (age at puberty, heifer pregnancy, etc.), stayability (sustained or lifetime fertility), calving ease, and milk production (and consequently its effect on weaning weight). Hybrid vigor is an important aspect of performance for the Brangus breed in these areas. But Brangus is not a recent breed, and
not all the attributes that contribute to its role in sustainable beef production are due to the parental breeds or hybrid vigor. Over the years, Brangus breeders have created a unique breed that is no longer just a mix of its beginning breeds. For a breed to be sustainable today, especially in the U.S., it must have attributes that make it acceptable to all cattle producers. Brangus breeders have made a commitment to selecting animals with high reproductive and growth performance, sound feet and legs, and exceptional udder and teat conformation. They have made a commitment to select cattle based on accurate performance records now augmented with genomic information to aid them in producing a sustainable beef breed that has been, and will be, around for a very long time!
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336-927-5370 • sethchurch@charter.net The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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e Special
Spotlight on
BRANGUS
Section f
International Brangus Breeders Association Long Term Plan Executive Summary This plan is intended to encourage and support aggressive growth in the Brangus registry, to boost the success of every serious Brangus breeder and, very importantly, the success of commercial producers who use Brangus genetics. The objective of any long term plan is straightforward; to maintain focus and consistency on the most important goals of an organization. In the case of IBBA, the goal is growth – growth in demand for Brangus genetics, growth in the number of registrations, growth in the amount of useful data, growth in the number of memberships, and growth in the success of every dedicated Brangus breeder. A long term plan sets the stage for proactive management. The alternative is to operate year-to-year in a reactive mode, which rarely results in progress. Every long term plan is created at a point in time, taking into account the facts and perceptions that exist at the moment. Therefore, an effective long term plan must necessarily focus on the big picture. Many long term plans fail to deliver the desired results. The reason is usually
the same: the organization continues doing what it has always done, year-toyear, with the same structure it’s always had, while the long term plan sits on a shelf and becomes forgotten or, “We’ll get to it later when things settle down.” Adopting a long term plan almost always requires that things change. If an organization is not willing to change, creating a long term plan is usually a waste of time. The implications of adopting a long term plan are many, including such things as: • Potential restructuring of decision and policy making processes involving committees and board of directors. • Potential restructuring of staff to ensure the skills and experience needed to execute the plan are present. • Amending bylaws that may stand in the way of progress and growth. • Reconsidering traditional activities that may not be in sync with the long term plan.
Preface: An Industry in Transition The beef industry is transitioning from a commodity industry, where origin producers remain anonymous, and their production is blended into commodity soup without identity, to an industry comprised of myriad value added supply chains where origin producers who are willing to go above and beyond are coveted, indeed, are vital to the success of the supply chain. Two ultra powerful and unstoppable forces drive this transition: economics and consumer demands. First, economics - A commodity industry is, by definition, a breakeven enterprise over time. Barriers to entry are low. Therefore, whenever supplydemand factors allow for good short term margins for producers, it is a mere matter of time before supply swells and margins return to net zero or negative. This is the history of the commodity beef industry. With no differentiation, a pound of beef from an excellent producer is blended
BRANGUS UP
with a pound of beef from a less qualified producer. The net result is two pounds of commodity beef worth the same price – produced at zero net margin. The solution to the commodity dilemma is too obvious: don’t be a commodity. Second, consumers - Consumer demands have created an incredible opportunity for progressive producers to climb out of the commodity rut and participate in value added markets. Consumer trends are undeniable and well documented. A rapidly growing segment of consumers wants more information about the origin of their food. They want assurance it was produced in a humane and sustainable fashion. They want assurance that the producers of their food share common values with those who eat it. They expect beef to taste great! These basic facts have not been ignored by the beef industry. The 21st century is marked by a rapidly growing number of value added (ranch-to-plate) supply chains where quality standards are high, documentation is required, and the source producer is no longer anonymous. Consumer demands place higher value
Ten year plan to enhance the success of producers who use or create Brangus genetics Embrace Technology and Innovation Invest in Research
Organizational Effectiveness
Market Brangus
Well Informed Members
Accountability and Governance
Collaborate with Value Added Supply Chains
Grass Roots Involvement, Youth Included
The success of Brangus seedstock breeders is anchored entirely to the success of commercial producers who utilitze Brangus genetics. Commercial customer profitability is JOB ONE, Brangus breeders lead with cowboy values of stewardship, honesty, integrity, family, and fair dealings to ensure a sustainable Brangus lifestyle. PAGE 6
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
e
Spotlight on
BRANGUS
on the beef produced from these systems, thus creating new profit opportunities. In essence, consumers are telling producers, “If you want me to pay more, don’t be a commodity.” What does this mean for Brangus? For any breed of cattle to remain relevant in this evolving dynamic, there must be solid evidence that the genetics of the breed can deliver on efficiency, sustainability, and end product quality. Slogans and opinions count far less than hard data, gathered in the real world, proving that Brangus can deliver on all elements. For a breeder of seedstock to prosper in this new paradigm, providing proven, high value genetic packages to commercial beef producers is still the most important ingredient – as it has been for decades. But more than ever, successful seedstock producers will be expected to work alongside their customers to find value added market opportunities. Finally, for a breed association like IBBA to remain relevant, it must operate on the cutting edge of data management and genetic evaluation. It must introduce new genetic tools to its’ members and be prepared to handle the new data management challenges that come with each genetic innovation. It must look further downstream to the success of commercial producers who use Brangus genetics. It must identify value added market opportunities and, critically, it must produce empirical PROOF that Brangus genetics can deliver efficiency, sustainability, and end product quality. How does this ten year plan affect me? This plan, when successfully executed, gives every Brangus breeder the chance to grow – in size and profitability. Every Brangus breeder has the option to ignore this plan and do their own thing, asking for and receiving the bare minimum services from IBBA. Every Brangus breeder also has the option to embrace this plan and to integrate their own business planning and execution with the key initiatives in this plan. IBBA intends, through this plan, to be on the cutting edge of innovation in the beef industry. This plan is intended to create ten percent annual growth in U.S. Brangus registrations, with corresponding growth in the membership base of IBBA. The
f
goal is to create growth in demand greater than ten percent per year, thus producing robust competition among commercial producers for Brangus bulls. This depends entirely on creating strong demand for Brangus sired feeder cattle and strong demand for Brangus based commercial females. Embrace Technology and Innovation Cattle breeding will become increasingly more technical. Few fields of science are on a steeper plane of innovation and discovery than the field of genetics. In the time frame envisioned by this plan, ongoing research will generate new insight into the genotype of cattle at the DNA level. New discoveries will constantly challenge the statistical models used in genetic evaluation and EPD computation. New and more powerful genetic selection tools will be a regular occurrence. Cattle feeders and packers are paying more attention to genetics than ever before, particularly with their noncommodity or “program” cattle. In the decade ahead, it will become common for feeder cattle to be marketed with an objective genetic score that is predictive of their growth efficiency and carcass value and, thus, will have a profound influence on the level of demand and the price. The same is sure to happen with commercial replacement females marketed into value added programs where genetics matter most. Breeders and breed associations will be confronted with difficult decisions, such as whether to embrace such technologies as gene editing and/ or gene substitution, which may offer significant productivity enhancements but may create consumer concerns about the wholesomeness of their food. As a breed, Brangus must recognize the reality of genetic drift and embrace and effectively market the opportunities afforded the breed as a result. Strategies – Charges to the Breed Improvement Committee: 1. Ensure that IBBA is on the leading edge of genetic evaluation. 2. Ensure that IBBA has a database structure that is highly adaptive and, thus, capable of storing data that cannot be imagined at this time. 3. Develop a feed efficiency EPD by collecting the necessary data. a) Examine and understand the
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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e Special methodology behind feed efficiency data. b) Determine the most effective means to report feed efficiency. 4. Develop selection indexes based on economic values 5. Investigate and/or develop decision support software to assist commercial users of Brangus in selecting the most profitable genetics for their unique environments. 6. Move from an IMF EPD to a Marbling Score EPD. 7. Re-calculate maternal indexes on a bio-economic scale that is more intuitive and easier to translate into customer profitability. 8. Validate the 9-3-1 concept of relative economic importance for maternal productivity, post weaning growth, and carcass traits, respectively, and incorporate appropriate economic weighting in the production of bio-economic selection indexes. 9. Develop programs to encourage the submission of data for those traits below optimum in the number of data records currently in the database; i.e., mature cow weights, feed efficiency, etc. 10. Encourage IBBA member attendance at the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) annual meeting. a) Offer an expense paid trip (i.e., scholarship) to BIF for a deserving junior member. b) Offer an expense paid trip to BIF
Spotlight on
BRANGUS
for the IBBA Outstanding Commercial Producer of the Year. Invest in Research It is impossible to identify every research project that should be undertaken by IBBA over any ten year period. What can be stated with assurance at the early stages of the plan is twofold: 1) IBBA must create a structured mechanism to establish research priorities and; 2) develop and implement a mechanism to fund a legitimate and significant research program. It is 100 percent certain that research regarding cattle, beef, protein, economics, consumer behavior, etc., will be conducted continuously by companies and universities. Such research may either positively or negatively reflect on Brangus. It is insufficient for IBBA to simply react to research findings that affect the breed. Rather, IBBA must LEAD and be proactive in conducting and/or encouraging research that validates the purported strengths and provides insight to shore up the purported shortcomings of the breed. Strategies: 1. Initiate a long term project to compile data on 10,000 head of sire identified cattle; to be called the Brangus Value Project. a) No fewer than 500 head beginning with the 2020 calf crop, with annual
Section f
growth sufficient to accumulate records on 10,000 head by 2030. b) Secure donated semen on high impact sires from IBBA members, along with a cash contribution, which will generate no fewer than 25 feeder steers and 25 replacement heifers from each sire; steers to be fed and harvested, heifers to be retained and bred with the collection of relevant maternal performance data. c) Secure long term relationships with commercial cooperators whose herds will be used to produce the sire identified progeny used in the study. d) Collect DNA samples on all progeny with the goal of developing improved genomic tests in which IBBA has full or partial intellectual property ownership. 2. Form a Research Committee. a) Institute a deliberate and transparent research priority-setting process. 3. Utilize the International Brangus Breeders Foundation (IBBF) to implement a program that will generate annual funds to support essential research. a) Develop a plan for funding high priority research (not just biological research, but market and messaging research as well). Achieve annual research funding of at least $100,000 per year. Organizational Effectiveness IBBA exists for only one reason: to
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pursue and realize the vision of Brangus breeders. IBBA does not seek to generate operating profit for the sake of profit. Operating margins represent funds that can be invested in promotion, research, and other functions to benefit Brangus breeders. IBBA can do things for member breeders which they cannot feasibly do for themselves. Examples include compiling a breed wide database of performance information and DNA test results, maintaining a computerized herdbook, performing breed wide genetic evaluation, and orchestrating competent research to guide decisions, to name a few. It is up to IBBA staff to ensure these things are done effectively and efficiently. Brangus breeders deserve a dedicated staff that does not look at their employment as “just a job.” The organization will hire staff who see their work at IBBA as a good fit with their personal passion and something that will allow them to develop professionally and be rewarded for their accomplishments and those of IBBA. Effective recruitment and hiring of the right staff members will result in the following: 1. Long tenured staff members who develop strong and long lasting relationships with members and have deep rooted knowledge of the beef industry and the role of Brangus within it. a) Institute an effective internship program to help identify future IBBA employees and/or employees for Brangus breeders. 2. Staff who are visible and highly regarded by the broader beef industry. a) Increase staff participation in professional organizations affiliated with the beef industry such as the Beef Improvement Federation, the Livestock Publications Council, the U.S. Beef Breeds Council, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, etc. 3. An effective succession plan that ensures smooth transition from one staff executive to the next. 4. Professional management of IBBA assets and resources. a) Maintain accurate financial records with minimal audit exceptions. b) Maintain active membership oversight of financial management via the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors.
e Special c) Maintain accurate records of all committee and Board deliberations. d) Develop and manage accurate annual budgets. 5. Effective and efficient information (computer) systems to manage herdbook functions, resulting in: a) User friendly software programs to manage registrations, data entry, and retrieval. b) Readily accessible data to support internal and outsourced research on Brangus genetics. 6. Publications and member education materials that are world class and are seen by members as “must read” materials. Governance and Accountability IBBA is self governing. The Board of Directors is elected by the membership in a democratic process. Committee leadership is appointed by the elected President. Standing committees recommend policy positions, and the Board makes policy decisions based on committee recommendations. Effective governance requires broad membership participation and the election or appointment of a highly motivated and highly talented roster of volunteers who give of their time and treasure to lead the organization. Structure and Election of the Board of Directors: 1. Redistricting of IBBA Regions a) Considerations of By-Laws • The Board of Directors has the authority to redistrict the IBBA membership regions • 13 Board Members • 3 are allocated to Texas b) Western Region, 3 • To be comprised of the state beginning with Oklahoma up North through the Mid-West and then all states to the West Coast c) Eastern Region, 3 • To be comprised of all states East of Texas and the Western Region d) Texas Region, 3 • The State of Texas e) National, 4 • Four directors from any region may be nominated and elected • Up to 2 of these four may be Beef Industry Professionals 2. Board of Director Criteria a) Per the current IBBA By-Laws, the IBBA President shall appoint a current member of the Board of Directors
Spotlight on
BRANGUS
from each Region, now to include a National Region, to develop a nominating committee that will solicit, accept, and review nominations for the seats up for election each year. b) To be considered for the Board of Directors, a member shall meet the following criteria and procedures. • Be an active IBBA Member • Served on at least 1 IBBA standing committee for three years - They must have been active and participating • Submit the IBBA Board of Directors Application that outlines their qualifications and skills to serve on the Board • Make a verbal presentation before the Board and the membership further detailing their qualifications and skills to serve on the Board - For the membership this may be a video presentation 3. Election of Directors a) Provide an election period of 30 days to • Vote by mail in ballot • Electronic balloting b) Request the IBBA auditors to determine an effective electronic balloting system c) Provide for final voting at the IBBA Annual Meeting d) Announce the final results and seat the new Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting 4. Education a) Provide education to the membership about what it means to be a Director, a Committee Chairman, and a Committee Member 5. Board of Director Meetings a) Hold quarterly in person Board of Director meetings • Hold at locations around the country • Increase the Board of Director’s travel fund to cover travel expenses 6. Committee Governance a) Each Committee Chairman shall submit minutes of their committee meetings • These minutes must include committee member roll calls and records of attendance and participation • This is to certify future Board of Director qualifications 7. By-Law Updates a) Remove the three year term limit for Committee members
Section f
b) Update the qualifications for National Board of Directors that are Beef Industry Professionals so they are not required to be Active Members, owning at least one registered Brangus. c) Implement the proposed voting process for the Board of Directors so final voting may be conducted at the Annual Meeting. Market Brangus – Domestically and Internationally The Brangus breed was initially created to produce productive cows that could thrive in harsh (hot) environments, compete with Continental breeds relative to growth efficiency, and simultaneously produce high quality beef demanded by consumers. The original breeders may not have been focused so much on consumer issues such as animal welfare (polled – no dehorning necessary) and sustainability (hardy grazers), or food purity (better health through heterosis), but they
couldn’t have done much better even if these “modern” issues had been on the front burner in the 1950s. The original breeders could not have chosen a better Bos Taurus ingredient than Angus, which was marginally appreciated in the 1950s but highly appreciated now. The percentage of cattle grading Choice or better in the U.S. has increased dramatically in the last decade – from an average of 55-60 percent to an average over 80 percent, thanks largely to Angus influence. Domestic and international demand for U.S. beef is largely dependent on the exemplary quality of U.S. grain fed Choice beef. Brangus genetics fit the high quality beef market, but for decades feeder cattle buyers have discounted Bos Indicus composite breeds based on the notion that they don’t grade as well. While this is generally true, it is not true with Brangus. IBBA and its members must prove that Brangus fit the high quality
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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e Special beef market with no compromises, and reignite the trailblazing vision of the Brangus founders. Brangus genetics from the U.S. are considered the best in the world. Over 70 percent of the cattle production land on earth is considered most suitable for Bos Indicus influenced genetics. International marketing and promotion are every bit as important as domestic marketing and promotion. While it is true that “this is not your Granddad’s Brangus bull,” it is also true that this is not your Granddad’s marketing environment. Print advertising, by itself, does not comprise a marketing and promotion strategy in the 21 st century. Social media and internet based target marketing are evolving into truly scientific marketing methods. IBBA must embrace the new marketing platform and excel at execution. Strategies: 1. Conduct domestic market research
Spotlight on
BRANGUS
to refine the promotion messages and determine the most effective methods of reaching target audiences with the Brangus message(s) – domestically and internationally. Initial research to focus on 75 highly influential targets, including: a) 15 large business minded, profit oriented commercial operations that are in Brangus geography but do not use Brangus genetics; b) 10 large business minded, profit oriented commercial operations that are in Brangus geography that utilize Brangus genetics; c) 5 major feeding companies; d) 5 supply chain (i.e., ranch to retail) alliances; e) 5 packers; f) 10 major video market representatives; g) 15 highly visible thought leaders from land grant academia; h) 10 leading seedstock firms in Brangus geography with multi-breed
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Section f
offerings that do not include Brangus. 2. Compile data and conduct research to address the real or perceived shortcomings of Brangus that emerge from the research noted in #1 above. 3. Provide educational programs for members covering cyber marketing. 4. Provide credible materials that IBBA members can utilize in print or cyber link form to promote Brangus. 5. Leverage IBBA membership in the United States Livestock Genetic Export Corporation (USLGE) to conduct actionable market research to enhance international marketing opportunities for Brangus genetics. Collaborate with Value Added Supply Chains On rare occasions, a genuine mega trend comes along that truly transforms an industry. The beef industry is in the midst of such a transformational change. As this transition matures, the final result will be two distinct cattle markets; one for commodity producers (with their commodity cattle), and one for value added producers participating in structured supply chains (with their genetically superior, fully documented cattle). An important element of a supply chain is that the beef produced by it has a “story” that is intended to resonate with a segment of consumers (and entice a willingness to pay a premium). The messages include, but are not limited to, environmental stewardship, sustainability, animal welfare, known source, non-use of pharmaceuticals, etc., and virtually any combination of claims that entices consumers to prefer the supply chain’s product. Virtually all supply chains have genetic specifications, and most of them are anchored around Angus, which is the dominant genetic ingredient in Brangus. Having Brangus feeder cattle being accepted into successful supply chains (i.e., branded programs), has two benefits: 1) it creates new marketing opportunities for commercial producers who use Brangus genetics, and 2) it serves as an endorsement of Brangus genetics by consumer focused enterprises, which has the potential to grow the market for Brangus seedstock. Strategies: 1. Identify supply chain systems that allow (or would consider) Brangus genetics in their programs. 2. Gather historical and current
feedlot and carcass data from IBBA members and commercial customers of IBBA members to: 1) illustrate Brangus performance, and 2) identify areas for improvement that would help Brangus not only fit with such programs but be preferred by them. 3. Create a very active and effective Commercial Marketing Committee. 4. Develop a Brangus “feeder calf pool” program that allows smaller commercial users of Brangus genetics to pool their calves and realize the full upside price potential of documented Brangus feeder cattle. 5. Develop collaborative relationships with the nation’s most progressive cattle feeding companies. Well Informed Membership From the perspective of growing and improving the Brangus breed, and from the perspective of growing and strengthening IBBA, nothing can replace good decision making by IBBA members. Whether the decisions pertain to IBBA policy or to business strategies undertaken independently by IBBA members, having a good grasp of relevant facts and trends is irreplaceable. As seedstock production becomes more technical, and as the beef industry continues its transition into a more consumer focused enterprise, IBBA must serve an ever increasing role in bringing current information to members and their customers. Strategies: 1. Expand and improve the content in Brangus publications to cover the broader beef industry. 2. Increase collaboration with leading market intelligence organizations such as CattleFax. 3. Improve the use of social media and the IBBA website to keep members informed of important developments. 4. Develop an online library of seminars and writings covering current developments and opportunities in the beef industry. 5. Offer leadership training programs for members who are interested in committee leadership or Board of director roles. 6. Encourage member involvement with state and national cattle organizations. Looking to the future, mentoring and developing the next generation of Brangus breeders is clearly a high priority. For future breeders to be
e Special successful, an understanding of the growing complexity of the (global) beef enterprise is essential. Educational programming for IBBA Junior members needs to move to the next level. Strategies: 1. Include a non-voting junior member on each IBBA standing committee. 2. Develop a steer feed out and carcass evaluation program to educate juniors about the economics of commercial beef production. 3. Continue to expand and improve the Legacy Leadership program. 4. Continue and improve the educational functions associated with the annual National Junior Brangus Show. 5. Rebuild a synergistic and cooperative relationship between IJBBA
Spotlight on
BRANGUS
and IBBA. Grass Roots Involvement IBBA will create a robust upward trend in the number of members who attend meetings/events and participate in association committees. This is essential to the achievement of the other goals defined in this plan. IBBA, as an organization, can only do so much to enable members to compete successfully and to bring greater success to commercial producers who utilize Brangus genetics. Most of the real work that moves the needle is done by individual members, often working together. There is nothing more powerful than the collective brainpower of impassioned and dedicated producers who engage in lively debate and discussion
Section f
and emerge from that exchange with good ideas and specific notions of how to implement them. Strategies: 1. Create a committee structure that best fits with the challenges laid out in this plan. 2. Actively recruit leaders in the Brangus community to join and/or chair committees. 3. Utilize technology (i.e., Skype,
webinars, etc.) to facilitate frequent committee meetings that are more inviting than a faceless conference call. 4. Increase conduct of regional meetings, possibly replacing one national meeting, to encourage more members to participate. 5. Take advantage of pre-arranged gatherings of IBBA members, such as shows, to hold informational meetings and seminars.
Total Herd Reporting (THR) The Brangus Total Herd Reporting (THR) system is designed to improve the collection of performance information on all active animals in the breed and to equally spread the costs of promoting the breed across all active animals in the breed. Rather than the traditional calf based registration fee structure that discourages the reporting of complete contemporary group information, THR uses an inventory based fee structure or annual assessment charged on all reproductively mature animals. THR requires the reporting of annual production and performance records on all cattle within a herd, but the responsibility of selecting which calves are worthy of registration remains with the breeder.
Under THR, members pay a single, annual assessment on each animal of ‘assessment age.’ Payment of the annual assessment on a cow entitles the cow owner (breeder) to register one calf born to the cow during that 12-month period and a single transfer of that calf to a new owner if the transfer occurs before the animal reaches 24 months of age, if a female, or 30 months of age, if a male.
Payment of the annual assessment on a bull allows for the subsequent registration of calves sired by the bull during that year of service, provided all other registration requirements have been met. Major benefits of THR include: • Simplicity - one fee covers the most common breeder expenses, rather than multiple fees for routine transactions. • Quality - complete reporting improves the reliability of EPDs on all IBBA cattle by removing the effects of reporting bias. • Improved customer service - no
extra fee for calf transfers ensures more complete reporting of transfers. Improved identification of bull owners increases the likelihood of participation in commercial marketing programs, which will improve demand for IBBA seedstock. • Selection tools - Total Herd Reporting makes it possible to estimate fertility and survivability EPDs and to calculate herd average reproduction and production management measures for within herd use. These calculations are meaningless with incomplete reporting.
Total Herd Reporting Annual Schedule
• The Association sends each member a preliminary inventory based on the previous year’s inventory that has been adjusted for disposal and transfer information reported to the association by this date - June 1 • Member returns the inventory to the Association with all changes, additions and corrections. Inventory adjustments can be made online - June 30 • Association sends “No Progeny Report” to those members who have active cows with no calf record or reason code - June 1 • “No Progeny Report” due back to Association. Cows with no calf record or reason code reported are deactivated - June 30 INVENTORY DATE • Association invoices members for annual THR assessments based on your herd inventory. (Terms 50% due at invoicing and 50% due at 60 days) - July 1 • Members should have invoices paid - September 1
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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Southeast States YouTube and Google Search Final Campaign Report
Ashley’s Beef Corner
Campaign Dates: 06/10/2020 – 08/15/2020 • Report Dates: 06/10/2020 – 08/15/2020
T
Summer Campaign Wrap Up By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council You might recall that earlier in the summer, we partnered for a Youtube and Google search campaign promoting beef using our United We Steak content. The campaign finished in August, and we are proud to share the successes. Southeastern states worked together to increase our buying power, and the reach we were able to achieve was fantastic. You can see the numbers below as well as exactly what type of engagement and the costs. We were well below the 4¢ goal per view, coming in at 1¢ per view. We were able to share messages promoting the enjoyment of beef, but also strengthen the positive
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association with farmers in this campaign. There were a variety of videos used, including popular United We Steak, which just rolled out this summer. We also used a farmer focused video called “Original Sponsors of Summer Grilling,” which shows how farmers take care of their animals, ensuring the beef on our plates is the best quality. Recipe videos are also used for meal inspiration. Burger bar, meatloaf, and stuffed peppers are a hit, along with quick and easy meals in 30 minutes. Overall, the campaign fortified the beef message and encouraged viewers to select beef when preparing meals.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
The Southeast States digital media campaign wrapped up the 67 day flight on August 15, 2020. Through Beef Checkoff funded videos and recipe content, this campaign used YouTube Video and Google Search advertising to promote and reinforce consumer awareness of the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, fortify positive associations with beef farmers/ranchers and encourage consumers to choose beef for their next meal occasion. Total Campaign Overview • In total, the campaign generated 6,526,510 engagements through both YouTube and Google search (video views + website clicks) across the nine Southeast states. • The two campaigns resulted in 9,624,423 impressions. • The Southeast States footprint encompasses nine states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. • The campaign spent the entire $67,000 budget during this flight. YouTube Campaign Overview • The YouTube campaign promoted summer grilling content primarily through the United We Steak campaign including the “Original Sponsors of Summer Grilling” producer centric video. o Along with the “Original Sponsors of Summer Grilling” video, seasonally appropriate Nicely Done video content was featured during the June 10-29 timeframe. This was done to better align with the evolving consumer and beef supply environment at that time. The full slate of United We Steak video content was introduced on June 29. • These videos have combined for a total of 6,496,521 video views and reached people 9,264,917 times o Video views are defined as the number of consumers who viewed the entire video or at least watched :30 seconds or watched the complete :06 bumper videos. • The campaign had a 55.46% view rate meaning over five in ten viewers chose to watch at least :30 seconds of the video that they were served. • The average cost per view was 1¢, which is below our goal of 4¢ (industry average is 5¢) allowing the Checkoff dollar to reach more consumers via digital video. “Original Sponsors of Summer Grilling” Producer Video (June 10 – July 12) • Views: 1,150,746; Impressions: 2,046,201; Cost Per View: 1¢; View Rate: 56.24% Nicely Done :15 Videos (June 10-June 29): • Views: 254,201; Impressions: 455,151; Cost Per View: 2¢; View Rate: 55.85% Nicely Done :30 Videos (June 10-June 29): • Views: 216,366; Impressions: 424,718; Cost Per View: 1¢; View Rate: 50.94% United We Steak :15 Videos (June 29- August 15): • Views: 1,271,492; Impressions: 2,259,757; Cost Per View: 1¢; View Rate: 56.27% United We Steak :30 Videos (June 29- august 15): • Views: 553,281; Impressions: 1,028,655; Cost Per View: 1¢; View Rate: 53.79% United We Steak :06 (June 29- August 15): • Views & Impressions: 3,050,435; Cost Per View: 0.4¢ Google Search Campaign Overview • The Southeast States Google Search campaign generated 29,989 clicks to the www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com to promote grilling and other popular beef recipes. • Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. ads have appeared in 359,506 searches • The average cost per click (CPC) is 31¢ o We typically see CPC’s around 30¢-40¢ for the industry average Top Search Ad Groups - Stuffed Peppers o 5,838 clicks o 63,392 impressions - Quick and Easy Meals o 5,444clicks o 43,521 impressions - Dinner Recipes o 5,228 clicks o 59,051 impressions - Meatloaf o 5,029 clicks o 48,130 impressions - Ground Beef Recipes o 2,098 clicks o 43,083 impressions Geographic Report As we anticipated, the ads and budget were in-line with the state populations. These impressions represent both Google Search and YouTube Video ads.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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By DR. DEIDRE HARMON, N.C. State University and LEANNE DILLARD, Auburn University
Using Brassicas During the Fall Grazing Season Brassicas are cool season annual forages that can be utilized as pasture during the late fall and spring grazing seasons when perennial pastures may not be as productive. Many varieties of brassicas exist; however, forage varieties have been bred to mature quickly and produce greater above ground yields than their vegetable crop counterparts. Forage varieties of rapeseed (rape), radish, turnip, swede, kale, as well as hybrids have been developed over the last several decades and have recently become popular for use in pasture mixtures across the country. Successful grazing management can be accomplished through strip or rotational grazing. Once forage has
reached 8-14 inches, animals can begin to graze. This height can vary depending on species and variety used. If multiple grazings are desired, forage should not be grazed below a height of 6-8 inches. The root bulb of turnip, radish, and swede can be grazed during the last grazing rotation of the season; however, consumption is largely dependent on individual animal curiosity and taste preferences. Different brassica varieties (‘Inspiration’ canola, ‘Barisca’ rapeseed, and ‘Appin’ turnip) and annual ryegrass (‘KB Supreme’) grown during the fall grazing season in central Pennsylvania were evaluated for differences in forage yield and quality. The data presented herein represents two years
Figure 1. Forage yield (lb DM/acre) of annual ryegrass, canola, rapeseed, and turnip 45, 60, and 74 days after fall planting in central Pennsylvania (two year average). of forage data (2015 and 2016). In both years, plots were planted during the last week of August into soil that was tilled and cultipacked prior to planting. All forages were planted to a ½ inch depth. The brassicas were planted at 5 lb pure live seed per acre, and the annual ryegrass was planted at 20 lb pure live seed per acre. All forages were fertilized with 75 lb of ammonium sulfate at the time of planting. For all varieties tested, forage yield was greater in 2015 than 2016, likely due to greater fall rainfall during 2015. At 45 days after planting, there was no difference in forage yield among all four varieties (Figure 1). However, by day 60 (late October), the three brassica species had greater dry matter (DM) yields (680-692 lb/acre) than ryegrass (222 lb/ acre), but there was no difference among the brassica varieties. At the end of the season (day 74), the DM yields among the brassica varieties were similar (9131,324 lb/acre) and were 102-193% greater than ryegrass (452 lb /acre). All yields were lower than expected at day 60 when
grazing would have been recommended. All four forages had a very high crude protein (CP) content (> 26%; Figure 2), easily meeting or exceeding the CP requirements of any class of cattle. Both neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were similar among the brassica varieties (17.3 and 13.0%, respectively). Both the NDF and ADF of annual ryegrass was much greater (34.9 and 17.4%, respectively) than that observed in the brassicas. All four forages had similar lignin concentrations (2.0%). When considering the inclusion of brassicas in a cattle ration, animal management is crucial due to the high protein concentration and the lack of fiber in the diet causing bloat or other digestive disorders. However, by supplementing 50% of the daily DM intake with a high fiber forage (either feeding hay or planting brassicas as a mixture with other grasses), the majority of problems can be avoided. Net energy of gain (NEg) was greatest in canola and rapeseed (0.49 Mcal/lb DM) than annual
Figure 2. Crude protein (% DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, % DM), acid detergent fiber (ADF, % DM), and lignin (% DM) of annual ryegrass, canola, rapeseed, and turnip grown in central Pennsylvania during the fall grazing season (two year average).
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
ryegrass or turnip (0.43 Mcal/lb DM). Similarly, the total digestible nutrients (TDN) was greatest in canola (71.4%), followed by rapeseed (69.8%), and annual ryegrass and turnip had the least (66.5 and 66.2%, respectively). The diets of livestock with high production/growth rates (e.g., lactating dairy cattle, stockers) can be fed up to 50% brassicas. In other classes of livestock (e.g., non-lactating dairy cattle, cow/calf pairs), brassicas should be treated as a supplemental feed due to the high energy content of the forage, and grazing should be limited to only a few hours per day.
The brassicas contained greater concentrations of both calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) than the annual ryegrass. Turnip had the greatest concentration of both minerals (2.26% Ca and 0.36% P), canola and rapeseed had similar concentrations (2.09% Ca and 0.32% P), and annual ryegrass contained lower concentrations of both minerals (0.67% Ca and 0.30% P). All of the brassicas contained the same amount of magnesium (Mg; 0.31%) and sulfur (S; 2.88%) and were greater than annual ryegrass, which only contained 0.24% Mg and 0.50% S. Both turnip and annual ryegrass had greater amounts of potassium (4.05%) than either rapeseed (3.77%) or canola (3.37%). Micromineral concentrations were similar across all forage varieties (zinc, 32 ppm; copper, 5.5 ppm; manganese, 117 ppm; molybdenum, 1.0 ppm). Brassicas produce a family of sulfur rich compounds called glucosinolates. Due to the unique flavor profile in the brassicas resulting from the
glucosinolates, some animals have been found to be less thrifty. This is largely due to an aversion to the plants and the resulting decrease in DM intake. Additionally, these compounds can decrease uptake of copper and iodine, resulting in mineral deficiencies, and, in severe cases, cause goiter and thyroid disorders. A trace mineral that includes copper and iodine should be fed to livestock to prevent possible deficiencies. Small ruminants tend to be more susceptible to these mineral deficiencies than cattle. The copper requirement of sheep is lower than that of other ruminants, thus copper supplementation of sheep should be done with caution, especially if co-grazing multiple species. Lastly, there is anecdotal information that suggests brassicas can cause an off flavor in meat and milk products of animals grazing brassicas in large amounts. However, the little research available suggests this may not always be the case. In either case, this can be avoided by implementing a withdrawal period prior to slaughter or milking. Brassicas can be a useful tool for extending the grazing season. They work well in mixtures with small grains, legumes, and annual ryegrass. When planting a mixture, brassicas can provide early season grazing, small grains winter, and early spring grazing, and annual ryegrass provides late spring grazing. In this way, you can develop an almost year round grazing system. These mixtures can be planted into a prepared seed bed or no till drilled into an existing warm season sod. If overseeded is preferred, make sure the sod is dormant (either naturally or chemically induced) and remove as much forage residue as possible through mowing or grazing. Seeding depth should be no more than ½� for brassicas to ensure proper germination, when planting in a mixture, always use the shallowest planting depth of all of the species to be planted. Brassicas are an excellent forage option; however, to have the maximum benefit, the forage and grazing management must be carefully considered.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
This store used to be one of the main gathering spots for the men in the community, and I guess it could be a farmer’s education short course at times. They would sit around in the evening and talk about events and crops, what kind of corn they were planting, what kind of fertilizer and how much they were using, which way they ran the rows, cows, mules, horses, and other agriculture practices. I imagine in some of that is what you call bragging rights. That I know of, there were only six beef cattle farmers in
E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture By E.B. HARRIS
Conversations at the Country Store Two miles north of my house on Hwy. 58 is the community of Inez. When I was a child, there were as many as five country stores around the Inez community. One of the country stores in the “heart of Inez” was known as Tom Harris Store. Like a lot of country stores, it has been closed for many years but has just recently reappeared. A friend and neighbor, Jimmy Nelms, who lives over in the next county, had
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purchased the tract of timber around this store. He cut all the trees that had grown around the store over the last 50+ years. The family who owns the property does an excellent forestry management job. They cut timber in phases and replant it. I just call it a long term corn crop. When Jimmy finishes cutting a tract of timber, a termite would have to have his lunch packed if he went across it – that’s how much Jimmy leaves.
the community at the time. There was one man who not only contributed to what was going on, but he seemed to want to brag a little bit. This is what I have been told by one of the men who was sitting with a group of men at the store one particular night. It was probably February or March when they had gathered up at the store. One of the men said to my granddaddy, “E.L., I got all my manure cleaned out of my barns and put on the fields. You got yours cleaned out yet?” knowing well that granddaddy had not cleaned his barns out at this time. My granddaddy looked over at him and said, “Naw, I have my cows trained. They eat in the shed and **** in the fields.” The rest of the men sitting around, listening to the conversation roared with laughter. I have been told that this got away with this man so badly that he got up and went out. My granddaddy always thought on his feet, quick with his wit, and quick with his tongue, but usually accurate with what he had to say.
19th ANNUAL E.B. & SHANE HARRIS INFLUENCE FEMALE & BULL SALE
NOVEMBER 14, 2020 • 10:00 AM • OXFORD, NC All forage based cattle • Fall and winter calving • All cattle EID
This is a sale with a readily available guarantee service year after year. Longest continuing commercial sale in the country and it continues. Buyer has option to sell first-year offspring back to E.B. and Shane with a $50 premium on heifers and a $25 premium on steers. • 22 First Calf Heifers with October Calf at Side - Angus, BWF, Simmental X - all bred to Springfield Angus CE bulls • 57 Fall & Winter Calving Angus Based Bred Heifers - all bred to CE bulls • 42 Head of ‘13 Model Proven Commercial Matrons Coming w/ 6th Calf - consists of Angus, SimAngus, Roan, and Profit or Prestige - the highest percentage body weight weaned for percentage of cow weight that we own - all bred to Leachman bulls • 3 11-Month-Old Commercial Bulls - Purebred Angus, Purebred Hereford • 1 3-Year-Old Jenny • 2 4½-Month-Old Jacks * All mature cows and heifers to start calving the week after the sale *
The sale will be held at the Granville Livestock Arena 4200 Cannady Mill Rd • Oxford, N.C.
All Cattle Sell With a Guarantee the Buyer Will Like!
Directions: From I-85, take Exit 204, go south on Hwy. 96 for 1.1 mile, turn left on Fairport Rd., go 2.4 miles, right on Cannady Mill Rd., sale ¼ mile on left at Granville County Livestock Arena. Also from jct. of Hwy. 96 & 56 at Wilton, take Hwy. 96 north 2 miles, turn right on Cannady Mill Rd., arena approximately 6 miles on right. Watch for cattle auction arrows leading way to sale. For more information, call E.B or Shane 252-257-2140 • 252-430-9595 • 919-497-7990 or visit www.ebharris.com for live online bidding NCAL 1468
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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You Decide! By DR. MIKE WALDEN
Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics N.C. State University You Decide: Will We Return to Farm Life? My father grew up on a hog farm in southwest Ohio in the 1920s and 30s. In those days, farms were highly self sufficient and independent. Most of the family’s food was grown on the farm. Fuel was first from wood chopped at the farm and then from coal purchased from a local supplier. Still, winters inside the drafty farmhouse were cold. My father slept with a heated iron during cold nights. Electricity didn’t arrive until almost 1940. Prior to then, food was kept cold in an “ice box.” To his last days, my father always referred to a refrigerator as an “ice box.” For those necessities that couldn’t be made on the farm – like flour for baking bread - my grandfather and grandmother would travel the six miles round trip to the nearest sizable town (Cheviot or Miamitown, for those of you who know Ohio). It would take all day, but it did give my grandparents a chance to maybe eat at a restaurant and visit with friends. The lives of my father and his siblings revolved around the farm. Each had chores that were crucial to keeping the farm functioning. Their main social activity was attending a one room school about a mile from the farm. It was not until World War II – when my father was sent to the Pacific theater of war – that he ventured more than a few miles away from the family farm. Given the title of this article, am I suggesting many of us may be returning to this kind of traditional farm life? No. Farms today are much different. They are actually becoming high tech operations using machinery and computer programs to guide decisions about planting, irrigation, pest control, and harvesting. The number of individuals working on farms is declining as modern methods have caused productivity to soar. In other words, we are producing more and more farm output with fewer and fewer workers. What I am suggesting is that in the post-COVID-19 world, many of us may choose to live in the style and form of an early 20th century farm, just as my father did. The lifestyle of the new farm life will be more independent and self sufficient than our pre-COVID-19 form of living. Also – and very important – the new farm life will shift the dynamics of family living to be more similar to those
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experienced by my father. The biggest change prompting the new way of living will be in how work is done. In the future, more work will be performed remotely. A recent study from Stanford University estimates already 40 percent of the workforce is engaged in remote working, and this rate is expected to rise. Of course, not all occupations are amenable to remote work. But as technology continues to make advances, more will be. This means an increasing number of people will be staying at home to work and earn income, just like my grandparents did. Some may even choose to have gardens for raising vegetables, an activity that has gained in popularity during the pandemic. The rest of a household’s food can be delivered. Indeed, almost everything we need for daily living can be sent to our doorstep. All of this will be done to avoid personal contact and reduce the chances of being exposed to today’s or tomorrow’s – virus. Certainly, just like my grandparents, occasional trips will be made to cities for shopping and purchases of products and services that can’t easily be chosen online and delivered, but such trips will be the exception. In the new farm life, most of our time will revolve around the home. In fact, the new farm may add a dimension the traditional farm did not have – education. While most children in the 1920s and 30s still had to leave the farm for their education, it is possible to provide much of today’s education virtually. Indeed, we are at this very moment experimenting with massive virtual education at both the K-12 and college levels. Anticipating the development of the new farm - in which the home is the place where work, education, child rearing, and relaxation occurs - architects are already rethinking home design. “Out” is the open concept where major rooms flow seamlessly together with no separation. “In” is functional separation, with designated rooms for remotely working parents, virtual learning children, exercise, and even for quarantining a family member inflicted with a virus. The adoption of the new farm style of living will also change where families live. With remote working, virtual learning, and online shopping, gone will be the need to live at pricey locations close to
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
work, schools, and shops. Without daily commutes, exurban, small town, and even rural areas, where housing is noticeably less expensive, will become more popular. Also, high speed internet availability won’t be an issue in these more distant locations. Experts say it is only a matter of time before internet connectivity is provided by low orbiting satellites, like those currently being developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX program. Of course, the new farm way of living could all be a figment of my imagination if the changes we’ve adopted during the pandemic ultimately go away once the virus is history. Or maybe not, if we find we like the changes that occurred during the pandemic and want to continue them even when normality arrives. In a few months, I’ll be 70 years old. I’ve been trying to decide what event
during my lifetime has had the greatest impact on our society. Each day that goes by has me move the dial closer to COVID-19, especially when I consider the implications I’ve outlined here. But – as always – you decide! You Decide: Will the Fed’s New Policy Cause Higher Inflation? I always tell students and folks at my presentations to watch the Federal Reserve. While the President and Congress get most of the attention in Washington, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) also wields substantial power, especially over the economy. So, when the Fed recently made an announcement about changing one of its policies, we should take note of its possible impacts. One of the ways the Fed influences the economy is through their impact on interest rates. The Fed uses its buying
N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of AUGUST 2020 Cattle Receipts: 17,100
•
Previous Month: 15,773
Feeder supply - 35% steers • 39% heifers • 26% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,396 $62.35 Boner 1,169 $61.30 Lean 1,035 $53.50
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,652
$91.17
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $143.15 $604.09 450-500 475 $139.73 $663.72 500-550 521 $136.70 $712.21 550-600 565 $138.22 $780.94 600-650 624 $131.72 $821.93 650-700 671 $129.10 $866.26
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $138.91 $588.98 450-500 472 $132.88 $627.19 500-550 521 $128.38 $668.86 550-600 570 $124.38 $708.97 600-650 621 $116.24 $721.85 650-700 669 $111.06 $742.99
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $125.93 $532.68 450-500 471 $124.61 $586.91 500-550 522 $119.41 $623.32 550-600 564 $121.08 $682.89 600-650 622 $114.33 $711.13 650-700 671 $112.05 $751.56
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
and selling of financial securities to move interest rates up and down. Even the President and Congress can’t do this. What motivates the Fed to change interest rates? It’s the Fed’s obligation to meet the two mandates given to it by Congress – keep inflation low, and also keep unemployment low. Historically, meeting these two mandates has been a balancing act for the Fed because the two objectives (low inflation, low unemployment) don’t react in the same way to interest rates. Traditionally, higher interest rates cool the economy and moderate inflation. Lower interest rates boost the economy but run the risk of higher inflation. Unemployment moves in the opposite direction to changes in interest rates. The slowing economy resulting from higher interest rates can create more unemployment. But the faster-growing economy that comes from lower rates generally reduces unemployment. As a result, at any point in time, the Fed has been forced to decide whether reducing inflation or reducing unemployment is more important. If the major goal is cutting inflation, then the Fed will raise interest rates, sometimes to lofty levels. This happened in the early 1980s when the Fed pushed its key
interest rate up to almost 20 percent in order to slash double digit inflation. The policy worked, but the downside was the economy slid into a big recession. Yet lowering interest rates can create its own problems. Many economists think the low interest rates of the mid-1970s ultimately led to the high inflation of the late 70s and early 80s. Also, low interest rates – which mean cheap borrowing costs – can lead to excessive lending, speculation, and, finally, an economic crash. Indeed, low interest rates preceded the housing boom of the 1990s and 2000s, which ended in the housing crash of the Great Recession. Therefore, when the Fed recently announced a change in its policy for setting interest rates, we should all perk up because it can mean big things for the economy. What exactly did the Fed say it was changing? Specifically, the Fed said that in determining interest rate policy, it will now look at an average of past inflation rates rather than focusing on only recent trends. OK, – you’re thinking, what does that mean? In the past, the Fed would look at recent trends for guidance on changing interest rates. For example, let’s say the inflation rate has been inching up for the past three months. The Fed could reasonably worry this is a sign inflation is
moving to a permanently higher level. In order to ‘nip it in the bud’ – to use Barney Fife’s advice – the Fed would raise interest rates and sacrifice some economic growth in order to contain inflation. Now what the Fed will do is look at inflation over a longer period of time. Continuing the example, if the upward march in inflation during the most recent three months is matched by an earlier decline in inflation going back six months, then the Fed would likely not raise interest rates. The bottom line is the Fed will be slower to change interest rates than in the past. Since interest rates are now at historic lows, this means the era of very low interest rates will be extended. Many economists and others applaud this move because unemployment is still uncomfortably high. Even though the economy is improving, some see a restructuring of the job market in a postCOVID-19 world leading to higher than desired unemployment rates for years to come. So – following this logic - anything that can be done to generate borrowing, spending, and jobs is good. However, there are doubters. Although inflation has been very subdued during the pandemic, there are worries it could regenerate when the economy gets
The Carolina Cattle Connection
back on its feet. Also, some investment experts worry cheap money could pump up investment markets – such as the stock market – to unsustainable levels. Any future large crash in the stock market could take away just as many jobs as were created by low interest rates. The Federal Reserve is not a flashy organization. Its board of directors (called ‘governors’) don’t usually seek out the press for interviews. The head of the board (the ‘chair’) does make periodic statements to Congress, but the testimony is generally low key and non-controversial. In fact, former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan was widely credited with perfecting the ability to make statements that sounded informative at the time, but upon analysis, really didn’t reveal anything. Still, the seemingly boring Fed shouldn’t be overlooked or ignored. The Fed has a big, big effect on each of our lives. The question is whether their latest policy change should be regarded as a plus or a minus. You decide. About the author. Mike Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at N.C. State University who teaches and writes on personal finance, economic outlook, and public policy.
q OCTOBER 2020
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
ANGUS NEWS The 2020 Angus Convention Simplified to 137th Annual Meeting. Annual event modified to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions in Kansas City. The American Angus Association has made the difficult decision to reformat the 2020 Angus Convention originally scheduled for November 7-9 in Kansas City, Missouri. Considering the current gathering restrictions created by COVID-19, modifications were necessary to balance the health of attendees and the need to conduct the business of the Association. The event will be a two day meeting on November 8-9 and will continue the long tradition of holding an annual meeting of delegates that has occurred since the inception of the Association in 1883. The National Angus Tour and trade show portion of the event have been canceled, and the number of educational sessions will be reduced, but
virtual options for members and attendees will be offered. “The health and safety of Association members, guests, and staff remains our top priority,” said Mark McCully, Association CEO. “While no technology can replace the value of an in-person gathering, we believe offering virtual attendance options this year is the responsible thing to do. We plan to offer a modified format, allowing for both an in-person annual meeting and a virtual educational experience for those who would like to join from home.” Socially distanced educational sessions, an awards dinner, and fundraiser will be hosted on November 8. Guests who register online can partake in the virtual educational sessions held throughout the two day event. Association leadership will provide several updates and educational workshops. Each day
will be headlined with keynote speakers to inspire attendees to advance their operation. The American Angus Association Board of Directors candidate forum and state caucuses will proceed as scheduled and will be webcast for those not in attendance. The 137 th Convention of Delegates will be held on November 9. If members are unable to attend in person, they can attend virtually, and voting delegates will have a virtual participation option. “The decision to modify the event and the business meeting was not taken lightly,” McCully said. “We still look forward to seeing our members in Kansas City, and if not, we hope you join us online. Give the office a call if you have any questions regarding your registration.” The Association knows its membership is resilient, and the COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in different ways. Offering a modified format for this industry leading event aligns with our heritage of innovation and progress, and the Association thanks its membership for cooperating during these trying times.
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For more information regarding the 137th Annual Meeting, please visit www. angusconvention.com, where there is an updated schedule and information about registering or modifying a registration. Value Added Angus Feeder Cattle Capture Extra Bid on Sale Block. AngusLinkSM cattle claim high bids on the sale block at Oklahoma City Stockyards. The goal of the commercial cattlemen is to produce and sell cattle that make buyers sit up in their seats as their cattle hit the sale ring. On August 10, the Oklahoma Angus Association held the second AngusLinkSM Feeder Calf Sale in Oklahoma City with the help of the Oklahoma National Stockyards and the American Angus Association, and value added cattle did just that. “We wanted to provide a vehicle for those high quality Angus calves to get in front of premium buyers,” said Roger Wann, Oklahoma Angus Association sale committee member. Separating these calves from the commodity mix by documenting them makes sense for the sellers and the buyers, Wann said.
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q OCTOBER 2020
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American Angus Association News continued from the previous page Of the over 1,200 head of cattle that went through the sale ring, those enrolled in value-added programs like AngusLink proved valuable as steer calves average $10.28 per hundredweight (cwt.) more over similar weights and heifer calves averaged $6.13 cwt. more than similar weights, according to the USDA sale report. “I think it’s important that we continue to look for different tools in the toolbox,” said Kelli Payne, Oklahoma National Stockyards President. “In putting all of this together it was – let’s give these producers that are doing the right thing — preconditioning their cattle, improving their genetics — let’s showcase them.” In a year where uncertainty is evident, securing the extra bid at the sale block may be more important than ever, Payne said. “Our thought is, you’re already doing the work so why not get paid for it?” said Troy Marshall, American Angus Association director of commercial and industry relations. “AngusLink just verifies to the buyer that the producer put the extra work in and helps them bring home extra premiums on sale day.”
Keeping progress in mind, the next Angus Feeder Calf sale is scheduled for December 7 at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. To consign, cattle should be Angus sired, meet the Certified Angus Beef ® live specs, be weaned for at least 60 days, and have had two rounds of any major herd health companies’ vaccination protocol. To add extra value, it is recommended to verify age, source, and Angus genetics through AngusLink to reach extra premiums. “No matter if it’s AngusLink or a simply a preconditioning program, find something that works for you,” Payne said. “Find someone that you can trust and let them to walk you through how to put every available cent back into your operation.” For more information on the upcoming sale, contact the Oklahoma National Stockyards or American Angus regional manager, Jeff Mafi. To enroll cattle in AngusLink, visit the website at www.AngusLink.com. Learn By Doing – Apply Now for the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Internship. Intern applications now available for 2021. Often the best and quickest way to
SAVE THE DATE! BLACK CREST ANGUS FARM 23rd Annual Production Sale
February 13, 2021 • 12:00 noon • Sumter, SC Selling top pedigree and performance tested registered Angus Bulls, registered Cow/Calf Pairs, Bred Cows, and Open Heifers
For more information, call us or visit our website at www.blackcrestfarm.com. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook.
Black Crest Angus Farm
1320 Old Manning Rd. • Sumter, SC 29150 Email us at williammcleod@ftc-i.net W.R. “Billy” McLeod, Owner • 803-491-6798 Jon Ripstein, Cattle Manager • 803-983-1202
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
learn is to get out there and do it. The Talon internship is a hands-on learning opportunity for college students to gain new experiences while spending the summer working and learning on an Angus host ranch. Interns will learn about the industry while being molded into advocates for the entire beef and agricultural industry. Angus breeders have the opportunity to host an intern over the summer and welcome them to work alongside them on their operation. “One of the Angus Foundation’s initiatives is to encourage juniors to pursue educational experiences that allow them to explore the direction of their future career path,” said Thomas Marten, Angus Foundation executive director. “The Talon internship is a wonderful mentoring opportunity for both the interns and the host operations, where they learn from each other to further the beef industry and help the interns develop skillsets and discover opportunities for their own career goals.” The internship honors the legacy of the late Camron “Cam” Cooper of the Talon Ranch, Twin Bridges, Montana. Cooper developed the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Endowment Fund in 2009 to be a holistic educational experience for students. College sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students under the age of 25, majoring in an agricultural related field of study, are eligible to apply for the internship. “I would encourage anyone, whether they are in the Angus breed or not, to pursue this internship. There are a lot of skills and networking opportunities available that will help them moving forward,” said Chase Brinegar, 2020 Talon intern. Throughout Brinegar’s internship at Bar 69 Ranch in Bella Fourche, S.D., he gained a vast network of contacts and mentors and built skills in the areas of horsemanship to bull marketing, just to name a few. Interns will also be able to participate in other Angus and beef cattle educational events and activities off the farm, such as conferences, field days, and so on. The Talon Intern is compensated by the Angus Foundation through the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Endowment Fund. Youth interested in applying for the internship program can find the application at www.angus.org/Foundation/ Files/TalonHostBreederApplication.pdf until applications are due December 1. Benoit Angus donates 2021 Foundation Heifer Pick. Angus
Foundation heifer lot to be buyer’s choice from Benoit Angus’ calf crop. It is not every day the event arises to have a personal choice of a heifer from a high caliber Angus operation like Benoit Angus. The 2021 Angus Foundation Heifer Offering is a unique opportunity with a generous donation from Everett and Bonnie Benoit of Benoit Angus in Esbon, Kansas. This offering grants the winning bidder the chance to select a female from the entire heifer crop of Benoit Angus. “The Association has given so much to us, so we wanted to give back,” said Doug Benoit, Benoit Angus co-owner. The package will be offered for sale as a part of the American Angus Association National Angus Bull Sale. The proceeds of the sale will generate unrestricted funds to support educational programs and scholarships. The reputation of the Benoit family program is proven through the success of their commercial customers with their females and bulls. Using sires like their GAR Discovery son EMAW, SydGen Enhance, BUBS Southern Charm AA31, GAR Inertia, GAR Ashland, SAV Rainfall 6846, Connealy Confidence Plus, and E&B Plus One, combined with their powerful cow families like E&B 6807 Traveler 61 and E&B Erica 174 builds their program on a powerful foundation. “We’ve got some outstanding heifers,” Benoit said. “This may be our best calf crop yet of both bulls and heifers.” The package also includes 30 days of free insurance from American Live Stock Insurance Co. in Batavia, Ill.; free transportation to the buyer’s ranch provided by Lathrop Livestock Transportation in Dundee, Ill.; and an advanced reproductive technology package from Trans Ova Genetics in Sioux Center, Iowa. “We are grateful the Benoit family graciously offered their 2020 heifer crop as an opportunity to support the Angus Foundation and its supporting efforts,” said Thomas Marten, Angus Foundation executive director. “We are also extremely fortunate to have our add-on sponsors. This year will be the 34th year for Lathrop Livestock Transportation, and the 28th year for Trans Ova Genetics and American Live Stock Insurance Company.” Typically, this sale of the Angus Foundation Heifer is offered at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver, Colorado. With the cancelation of the 2021 show, plans are underway to hold the sale at another event this winter,
but the exact time is yet to be determined. For more information on the Talon Internship program or the 2021 Angus Foundation Heifer Pick, contact Thomas Marten, Angus Foundation executive director, at TMarten@Angus.org or visit www.angusfoundation.org. About the Angus Foundation. Established as a 501(c)3 organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth, and research. The organization has distributed more than $3.1 million in youth scholarships since 1998 and has also invested more than $1.3 million in beef cattle research throughout the past decade. For more information, contact the
Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or visit www.angusfoundation.org. 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 nearly 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers, and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers. For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.
Regular copy deadline is OCTOBER 5 for the NOVEMBER issue Spotlight material is due OCTOBER 1 for the NOVEMBER issue
ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling. Contact one of these N.C. Angus breeders today for your next genetic selection: 4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 info@tarheelangus.com
LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Gates 252-357-1279 ritalane@embarqmail.com
455 GORE FAMILY ANGUS Mark & Lori Gore Tabor City 702-401-8005 455goreangus@gmail.com www.455farms.com
PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.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 BRIDGES BEEF CATTLE Eddie, Cindy, John, & Crystal Bridges Shelby 704-692-2978 bridgesbeefcattle@gmail.com BRITT FAMILY FARMS James Britt Calypso 919-738-6331 jrb4070@hotmail.com
N.C. Angus Association to Host First Annual Genetic Harvest Online Female Sale in November The N.C. Angus Association will be hosting the online Genetic Harvest Angus Female Sale on November 27-28. We have seen many challenges this year, but along with those challenges have come some new opportunities. One of those is the growing popularity of online cattle sales. The N.C. Angus Association and its member consignors are working to conduct the association’s first fully virtual sale through Anguslive.com. Consignors will be putting together high quality videos and photos of their cattle to post on Anguslive.com for prospective buyers to view. There will be no physical location for the sale. Buyers will simply need to register and log on to www. anguslive.com during the scheduled sale time to bid on their female selections. All this can be done from the comfort and safety of your home.
North Carolina Angus Association
The November 27 sale will feature elite open heifers while the November 28 sale will have cow/calf pairs and bred cows. With the fully virtual format of the sale, the NCAA will not produce a print catalog, but if you have any questions about the cattle or the sale format, please contact the N.C. Angus Association at 336-583-9630 or ncaa.sec@gmail.com. Also, visit www.ncangus.org for sale updates. We hope you will join us for this new event on November 27-28.
C-CROSS CATTLE COMPANY Duane Strider Asheboro 336-964-6277 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 jennham@bellsouth.net 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
S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 sandjfarms2013@gmail.com SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Louisburg 919-880-9062 philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 greg.little@ATImetals.com UWHARRIE RIDGE FARMS Mark Wilburn Asheboro 336-953-0521 uwharrieridgefarms@gmail.com VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 keaton@vandemarkfarms.com WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 michaelmoss@rtmc.net WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 winslowgen@gmail.com WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com
Sharon Rogers
N.C. Angus Association Executive Secretary
336-583-9630 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org
KNOLL CREST FARM The Bennett Family Red House,VA 434-376-3567 knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com www.knollcrestfarm.com
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
New Partners Move Discovery Park of America Closer to One Million Dollar Goal for New Exhibit on Innovation in Agriculture Discovery Park of America has announced new partners and more details for “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival,” a permanent exhibit dedicated to telling the story of innovation in agriculture. The exhibit will open December 5 in the Simmons Bank Ag Center. The total amount of funds raised for this exhibit so far is $935,000. New organizations working with Discovery Park on the exhibit include Agrela Ecosystems; Babylon MicroFarms; Bayer Fund; Blue Steel Tool, Inc.; Donald Danforth Plant Science Center; EarthSense; GroGuru; SwineTech; Syngenta; Tennessee Pork Producers; Tennessee Valley Authority; and the USDA Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture. The exhibit will help visitors of all ages gain an understanding of how food and fiber get from the farm to the family and the role technological, scientific, and genetic innovation in agriculture plays in society and culture around the world. “This exhibit is also going to be fun,” said Scott Williams, president, and CEO of Discovery Park. “I am excited we are able to include some video and equipment from eighth generation watermelon farmer and professional NASCAR driver Ross Chastain, the busiest driver in NASCAR, who uses much of his time in the spotlight to educate the public about the important role of agriculture today.” Nicknamed the “Melon Man,” Chastain is known for smashing a watermelon to the ground in the Victory Lane when he celebrates race wins. He drives for Kaulig Racing in the No. 10 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet Camaro in the Xfinity Series. He’s featured in the Nutrien Ag Solutions - and NASCAR produced docuseries “Two Track Mind,” which follows Chastain as he races around the country and visits farms along the way, educating a broader audience about modern production agriculture.
Included in the exhibit will be the stories of individuals, like Dr. Nadia Shakoor, who are leaders in the field of agriculture innovation. As a senior research scientist at The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, she recently received a grant from The National Institute for Food and Agriculture and the National Science Foundation to develop FieldDock, an integrated smart farm system. The technology Shakoor and her collaborators are developing will collect and analyze real time data from fields, allowing for effective tracking of crop performance. Also on display will be the story of Babylon Micro-Farms. They invented a vertical farming platform that uses A.I., machine learning, and camera vision, enabling anyone to grow fresh, nutritious produce on-site using patented technology combined with a mobile app that controls the operation of the farms. The company was co-founded in 2017 by University of Virginia students Alexander Olesen and Graham Smith after an undergraduate student project to develop low cost microfarms for refugee communities. Babylon is now installing vertical farms at schools, senior living communities, hotels, and resorts. In addition to a closer look at how farmers provide food, fuel, and fiber today, sections of the exhibit include “What Makes a Farm a Farm,” “Who is a Farmer Today,” and “How Innovation Yesterday and Today Will Lead to Our Survival Tomorrow.” Guests who visit the exhibit when it opens on December 5 will also experience stories about a diverse and inclusive group of individuals working in agriculture today, along with visually engaging experiences that separate farming fact from fiction. Major sponsors of this exhibit are Nutrien Ag Solutions and Simmons Bank. Partners - H&R Agri-Power and Case IH; Tennessee Beef Promotion
Board; Tennessee Corn Promotion Board; Tennessee Department of Agriculture; Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board; USDA Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture Contributors - AgLaunch Initiative; Bayer Fund; The Dairy Alliance; Danny Larcom Heating & Air; Tennessee Farm Bureau; Obion County Farm Bureau; Syngenta; Tennessee Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom; Tennessee Pork Producers Association; Tennessee Valley Authority; Tosh Farms; Will Wade and Pat Wade Friends - Agrela Ecosystems; Babylon Micro-Farms; Blue Steel Tool, Inc.; Donald Danforth Plant Science Center; EarthSense; East Tennessee Nursery and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry; FarmSpace Systems, LLC; GroGuru; Noble Research Institute, LLC; Roundstone Native Seed; “Silo”; Star Pastures Apiary; The University of Tennessee at Martin; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; WCTE, Upper Cumberland PBS; SwineTech
The Carolina Cattle Connection
For a current list of Champions of Agriculture, visit w w w. discoveryparkofamerica.com/exhibit/ agriculture-innovating-for-our-survival/. To partner with Discovery Park on this very important exhibit, email Mary Nita Bondurant at mbondurant@ discoveryparkofamerica.com or call 731676-3556. About Discovery Park of America. The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world class museum and 50 acre heritage park located in Union City, Tenn., is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000 square foot museum featuring nine interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50 acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations, and foundations, including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit www. DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com.
q OCTOBER 2020
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Team Fescue By EDDIE MARTIN Anderson, S.C. I want to thank the folks at The Carolina Cattle Connection for letting me contribute an article. This is not the first time I had the chance to add to the pages. Years ago, they published a poem I wrote honoring a good friend Joe Bowen, who has since passed on. He was a mentor, and I will always remember him for his upbeat attitude as he lived life and fought cancer. The example he and others have left me have been powerful. I am here today and doing what I do because of the contributions of so many. I could spin a song off James Taylor’s hit and start out with, “I’ve seen drought and I’ve seen rain.” We all could. It would cover what all of us have dealt with in the cattle and livestock business. Our farm is in Anderson County, South Carolina. I cannot say that we are different from most of you; we’ve tried to change with the times. What we have done is stick to what works and try not to repeat failures. Maybe I ought to tell what didn’t work for a bit and then discuss our
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successes and future. We were one of the first farms in South Carolina that I know about where fescue samples were collected and submitted for fungus levels. I can still take you back to some of the spots in the pastures where the extension livestock agent, my father, and I collected samples. And we had results that would make your hair curl! We had a very high percentage of infected KY-31 fescue. So, for the next 20 or so years, we battled KY-31. We renovated and planted one of the earliest endophyte free variety. Then we had a drought, and the stand was gone. As Daddy would say, “Just some more water under the bridge!” Then we got into the study and trials of legumes. You name it: we tried it. All along the way, folks gave us help and advice. The hoof issues were cleared with adequate levels of iodine. Dr. Rick Evans was in Mississippi, and on a cattle tour, he opened our eyes to the role and need for selenium for proper and timely breeding. There were plenty of
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
other “lightbulb moments” like that. I will refrain from telling them all - I’m like the guy you ask, “What time is it?” and he tells you how to make a watch. Brevity is not one of my writing gifts! We have been strip grazing stockpiled KY-31 based pastures for nearly 40 years for winter feed. I can remember the Wilson field would allow 20+ days of winter grazing back when we merely opened the gate and let the cows have the whole pasture. Today, I expect at least 38 days of grazing to come from that same pasture with strip grazing and with a few more pairs. And how are we doing in the big picture? Let’s just put it this way last year was another zero hay year need for the cow herd. Every day and every effort can be a chance to learn. We used to calve starting on January 1 of each year. For another reason, we shifted calving season to start on February 1. Suddenly, we had an extra 45 days of stockpiled grazing from a 30 day deferment. The nutritional demands of milk production was the difference. We are still calving with a target date of February 1. It just works. Changes? We tried quite a few breeds of bulls via artificial insemination. What an experience. The demands on the cows from the higher growth type sires’ calves dropped the breed back on some cows due to the demand for milk. Buyers did not always prefer the crossed calves because of variations and such. The biggest wreck was when we kept some crossed heifers
with more hair than we had seen before. Tiny Tim “tiptoed through the tulips” but when the warm spring days came in the Carolinas, those heifers tiptoed across the pasture ASAP to stand and pant under a shade tree. That thought came to mind again: there has to be a better way. My father died in 2010. My heart had always been with the registered Angus we had on the farm for years, with the majority of the herd having been commercial Angus and Angus crosses. Actually, I think I could apply for one of the 50 year herd recognitions with the American Angus Association for the farm. As we say around here, we’ve been here “a’while.” We sold the commercial cattle to help settle Daddy’s estate, and I had the opportunity to buy an Angus herd to add to our existing Angus base. Well, I’ve run you and the rabbit around the briar patch, and he’s headed back to his nest. I started off talking about fescue; good ol’ KY-31 fescue. I will be clear – I like KY-31 fescue. That is why I wanted to write an article. In all of the changes here on the farm and what I have learned, I have come to accept KY-31 as the economical choice for our winter forage. I honestly think a lot of folks should. This goes against decades of research and the advertised way to do things. But let me just state one fact before you drop me like a hot potato. Last year we had a calving season that lasted a whopping total of 46 days. It would have been shorter, but a few cows calved
earlier than February 1. To me, that is merely one indicator of the successful use of KY-31 fescue. What I have chosen to do is to select and use cattle (and sheep) that fit and thrive on KY-31 fescue. It is the better economical choice for me. Renovations of KY-31 pastures are expensive in so many ways. Let me run through the recommendations: spray, plant a smother crop, spray, plant the new high dollar fescue seeds, wait another year, and then begin grazing. So far, that is the cost of two sprayings, two plantings, some supplemental winter feeding to defer from grazing, and two years lost to the production of winter forage. Then, with the friendly endophyte fescue, I’ve read the guidance: the cattle gain more per day by eating more of the new fescue per day so that more caution has to be used to prevent the overgrazing
and damage of the new stand. They eat more and quicker so that the same acres will not allow the same cattle to graze as many days as before; more pounds versus needing more acres to graze. And I still want to see some studies that tell how long it takes before the KY-31 with the endophyte becomes a majority of the new stands. Does anyone honestly know? Do they ever say? It will happen. It will happen because there are few plants that are tougher and able to spread better than KY-31 fescue. When that happens: spray, plant, spray, plant, and two years later (feed hay or cut numbers in the meanwhile?) begin to graze again. That is a lot of cost and a lot of loss. I want “easy”! I improved our soil fertility and pH. This is more of an issue of soil health to me than that of mere soil fertility.
Baxter Black
On the edge of common sense Just A Dog
You were just a dog. But a good dog. Right from the start. Your loyalty was never in question. And what you didn’t know, you didn’t know because I never took the time to teach you. When you were young, I was harder on you. I expected you to understand the basics, and you learned them. A “bad dog” was like a whip on your back. But when uncontrollable instinct got you in trouble, I didn’t hold it against you. I doctored you up, changed your bed, and remembered that reason gets left behind in the heat of passion, be it skunks, gyps, or cloven hooves. You were patient with the young, pups or kids. They pulled your hair, barked around you in circles, and rode on your back. I never had to worry. They were safe with you. You suffered the indignities of veterinary examinations, injections, probings, and overnight incarcerations, refusing always to lift your leg under anyone’s roof. You posed for pictures, rode on loads like an acrobat, and endured spring clippings yet never lost your sense of dignity.
A fierce guardian of your territory, you did your best to protect us. I knew better than to shout you down at two in the morning. I always figgered you were barking for a purpose. Old age was not unkind to you. Despite the hearing loss, cataracts, and stiff joints, you carried on. Sure, I had to help you get in the pickup, but you were part of the crew. I noticed you ate less, slept late, and turned gray, but you never lost your enthusiasm for bein’ part of our outfit. People debate if dogs have a Heaven. I’m not sure that matters. What is Heaven to a dog? Enough to eat, something to chase, shade in the summer, someone to scratch your ears and pay you a little attention now and then. All I know is you added to our life. Companion, listener, guardian, and connection to a part of nature we tend to overlook because we’re too busy worrying about the minutia of life. You reminded us to appreciate a sunny day, a bone to chew, and a kind word. You’ll be missed around here. You were just a dog. But you’ll be in my Heaven. Rest in peace, old friend.
Both fertility and pH are beyond the minimums for one year of crop production or the standard extension base recommendations. My goal is a legume driven pasture system over many years, not just one year. The legumes are doing a lot of good: supplying nitrogen, improving forage quality, and are probably buffering some of the effects of the endophyte. We use no commercial fertilizer and minimal poultry litter. Refer to a study by Dr. Dennis Hancock, where the tonnage of stockpiled fescue on healthy soil shows little to no response to moderate rates of fall nitrogen application. That’s us! I had recognized that before he published the article. But it was good to see the research results in print. I’ve mentioned minerals: the old saying “you can’t starve a profit out of a cow” is true. To utilize KY-31 fescue, you need to meet the animals’ needs, including iodine, selenium, zinc, and copper. Meeting the needs; that is true for any forage or situation. But this is the real “take home.” You have to have the right animals. You also have to know the limitation of each species. Copper, for example, helps your cows more than you
can imagine with the actual problems of deficiency plus the symptom of red hair. A lot less copper in minerals will kill every sheep on the place. Do what they need to improve the bottom line but also meet their needs. The whole of it - “Ol’ wooly bugger” ain’t going to make it here! We have cows that are slick haired, look greasy this time of year, breed on time, and shed off winter hair early in the spring. My term for them: Fescue Fungus Resistant Cattle. If you want to know where I’ve learned some of this, you will want to look up Dr. Jan Bonsma. Cattle that did well for Dr. Bonsma in a tropical or semitropical area of South Africa (body temperature was the issue) are the same type of cattle with distinguishable traits that do well on KY-31 (body temperature is the issue). If you want to discuss more or if I can be of help to you, please feel free to call or email. Thank you for reading, thank you for the opportunity, thank you for the years of support and the even greater gift of so many friendships. Like sports fans, we can all like our particular alma mater and our team and still be friends and neighbors who have other preferences. I’m on team KY-31. Go fescue!
SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Bull Sale December 12, 2020 • 12:00 noon Featuring:
35 Yearling Bulls 25 Two-Year-Old Bulls
Performance Tested • Ultrasound and 50K Evaluated Registered Angus Bulls
SPRINGFIELD ANGUS
104 Springfield Lane • Louisburg, NC 27549
Phil Goodson - 919-880-9062 (cell) Alex Askew - 910-260-2889 (cell) Email - philgoodson2@gmail.com For a complete listing or additional information, contact Springfield Angus. Please visit www.springfieldangus.com . The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
NEWS National Institute for Animal Agriculture to host 10 th annual antibiotic symposium. Animal, human, and environmental health leaders gather to explore insights and derive solutions using the One Health approach to responsible antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. During its 10th annual symposium, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture will convene leaders from the animal health, human health, and environmental health spaces to discuss, learn, and collaborate on the latest research and knowledge about responsible antibiotic use and practices to combat antimicrobial resistance. The 10th Annual NIAA Antibiotic Symposium
is themed “Humans, Animals, and the Planet…Vital for our Future” and will continue to be the leading One Health symposium in the nation. The Symposium will be hosted virtually on November 2-4. The first Symposium was convened in 2011 with a goal for animal health and human health experts to share science based information so an honest dialogue can ensue. Ten years later, the dialogue continues and is just as pertinent as ever. The 2020 Symposium will celebrate the successes that have been achieved as leaders from across the human, animal, and environmental spectrum have, together, become better stewards of antibiotics while they also worked
Richard Odell (Dick) Whittington Passes October 14, 1945 - September 12, 2020
Richard Odell (Dick) Whittington, age 74 of Wilkesboro, passed away on September 12 at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston Salem. Mr. Whittington was born on October 14, 1945, in Wilkes County to Odell Whittington, Jr. and Grace Dean Rhodes Whittington. He was preceded in death by his parents. A graveside service was held on September 15 at Old Reddies River Cemetery in Millers Creek, N.C., with the Reverend Stephanie Parker officiating. He is survived by his wife Reba Hawkins Whittington of the home, sister Susan Whittington of North Wilkesboro, an uncle Van Hubert (Maxine) Whittington of North Wilkesboro, an aunt Martha S. Whittington of Wilkesboro, and several cousins. For 24 years, Dick worked at Holly Farms in The Transportation Service Center and plant safety. Later he was self employed in various careers: auto restorations, farming, real estate, auctioneering, and appraisals. He served over 20 years as a volunteer firefighter and Wilkes Rescue Squad member, as well as a North Carolina fire service instructor. He was also on the Transportation Technologies Advisory Board of Wilkes Community College. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, North Wilkesboro Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), National Corvette Restorers Society (member of the Year 1997), Life member of the National Corvette Museum, National Auctioneers Association, N.C. Auctioneers Association, N.C. Angus Association, and North Carolina and Wilkes County Cattlemen’s Associations. Memorials may be made to either St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, P O Box 95, Wilkesboro NC 28697 or Reddies River Baptist Church Cemetery, Ann Greene, Friendly Grove Church Road, Millers Creek, NC 28651 or St. Jude Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.
to combat antimicrobial resistance. The Symposium has long viewed antibiotic stewardship and the combating of antimicrobial resistance as a journey of continuous improvement, and the 10 th annual Symposium will follow this model. During the 2020 sessions, participating leaders will explore research and insights with conversations facilitated by the Symposium planning committee. Facilitators include: • Dr. Andy King, Iowa State University Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication • Dr. Heather Fowler, National Pork Board • Dr. Michael Costin, American Veterinary Medical Association • Dr. Megin Nichols, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Dr. Paul Plummer, National Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education • Dr. Leah Dorman, Phibro Animal Health • Dr. Eric Moore, Norbrook, Inc. The 2020 Symposium - Humans, Animals, and the Planet...Vital for our Future - will feature updates on the latest research on antibiotic stewardship, antimicrobial
resistance, and alternatives within human, animal - both farm and companion, and environmental health. Leaders participating in the Symposium also will receive updates on global issues affecting U.S. animal agriculture and engage in conversations about how to better share information on antibiotic stewardship and antimicrobial resistance with a variety of audiences. To register for the 10th Annual NIAA Antibiotic Symposium and see the full agenda, visit www.AnimalAgriculture.org. For questions or to acquire the media attendance code, contact Morgan Young, NIAA director of marketing and communications. About the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. NIAA was established to derive solutions on the most current issues in animal agriculture. Its members include farmers and ranchers, veterinarians, scientists, government officials, and allied industry representatives. NIAA is dedicated to programs that work toward the eradication of diseases that pose a risk to the health of animals, wildlife, and humans. It also promotes a safe and wholesome food supply and best practices for animal health and well being as well as environmental stewardship. More information is available at www.animalagriculture.org.
McMahan Farm & Hancock Angus Annual Registered Angus Bull Sale November 14, 2020 • 12:00 noon at the farm in Mocksville, N.C.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Sons from these A.I. sires:
Power Tool, Traction, W2 Up, Deer Valley All In, Acclaim, Citadel, Niagara, Front & Center, Tahoe, Boomer *All bulls will have passed a BSE exam before the sale* * Bulls are forage fed with little supplement*
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
McMahan Farm
Steven • Becky • Cassidy • Taylor • Blake 299 Applewood Road • Mocksville, NC 27028 336-998-2695 (home) • 336-909-1494 (cell)
Hancock Angus
Mark Hancock • 336-909-1082 (cell) The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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NEWS Performance Livestock Analytics, now part of Zoetis, Hosts U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to Demonstrate the Importance of Digital and Data Analytics for Livestock Producers. Performance Livestock Analytics, a part of Zoetis, recently welcomed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig for a site visit in Ames, Iowa. Leaders from Performance Livestock Analytics and Zoetis participated in an outdoor event to discuss and demonstrate the value of digital innovation and data analytics to improve the health of animals and sustainability of livestock operations. The visit was part of a tour hosted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship. Dane Kuper, co-founder of Performance Livestock Analytics and global Performance Beef strategy and platform lead at Zoetis, and Dustin Balsley, co-founder of Performance Livestock Analytics and global Performance Beef product lead at Zoetis, demonstrated how Performance Beef combines cloud based technology with
automated on-farm data collection to provide powerful analytics that help cattle producers make better decisions across financials, nutrition, and animal health. The new animal health component of the software was showcased, providing a view of how the digital tool helps producers easily track and monitor health data by group or individual animal to make better data driven decisions related to the diagnosis and treatment. Scott McGregor, a fourth generation cattle producer from Nashua, Iowa, also participated in the event and shared his perspective on the importance of innovative technologies to improve livestock operations’ efficiency. “Performance Beef does the work for us. It’s adaptable and easy to use, automating data entry. Over the three years I’ve been using Performance Beef, it has helped me make better nutrition and inventory decisions. I am instantly tracking how the cattle are doing,” said McGregor. “We’ve changed how livestock producers manage their business,” said Kuper. “The real time data at their fingertips allows them to be more proactive, efficient, and accurate.” A growing segment of livestock
producers is adopting Performance Beef and relying on their smartphones or tablets every day to make decisions. Technology like this requires enhanced rural broadband access to deliver real time data without delay. “For connected devices, a stronger rural broadband connection means quicker response and a seamless experience for the user,” said Kuper. “At Zoetis, we’re committed to providing technology and data analytics tools to help livestock producers and veterinarians solve animal health and welfare, productivity, and sustainability challenges,” said Tim Bettington, executive vice president and president of U.S. Operations for Zoetis. “To meet these challenges, we appreciate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s commitment
to enhancing rural broadband capabilities, strengthening livestock disease prevention measures, and advancing trade opportunities.” About Performance Livestock Analytics. Performance Livestock Analytics was founded to provide a digital platform for the livestock industry. Using practical insights from livestock producers, technical expertise of data engineers, and their own livestock and Silicon Valley experience, the company’s founders created the beef industry’s first cloud based platform. Performance Livestock Analytics aims to provide innovative solutions to connect the livestock industry and empower data driven decisions through every step of the supply chain. For more information, visit www.performancelivestockanalytics.com
S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of AUGUST 2020 Cattle Receipts: 12,193
•
Previous Month: 8,934
Feeder supply - 37% steers • 39% heifers • 24% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,462 $61.34 Boner 1,212 $63.28 Lean 943 $58.69
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,681
$91.40
FEEDER CLASSES
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National Distributor for Tru-Test Scales Quality Equipment at Competitive Prices
Call about NEW PORTABLE SYSTEMS! For Information or Brochures, contact:
Peter Hostetler 540-810-4605
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $142.84 $605.64 450-500 474 $138.25 $655.31 500-550 530 $136.41 $722.97 550-600 577 $133.51 $770.35 600-650 631 $129.36 $816.26 650-700 667 $125.20 $835.08
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $138.68 $585.23 450-500 469 $132.65 $622.13 500-550 518 $126.52 $655.37 550-600 571 $124.31 $709.81 600-650 619 $120.68 $747.01 650-700 671 $117.32 $787.22
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $123.73 $522.14 450-500 472 $123.26 $581.79 500-550 531 $122.26 $649.20 550-600 569 $120.57 $686.04 600-650 628 $117.92 $740.54 650-700 669 $114.96 $769.08
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
S.C. Charolais News By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association
I am going to start off with a rant or challenge. Recently, I had two cattlemen in two different parts of South Carolina call me to see if I knew of a vet in their areas. We could not think of one, so one was going to call a vet in North Carolina, and the other was going to call a vet in Georgia. These were not emergencies. Both just wanted health papers to transport over the state line. Another guy I talked to is taking his to the University of Georgia for health papers, which I thought was odd as you are required to have health papers to cross into Georgia, but he is having to cross into Georgia to get health papers to transport in an upcoming sale. Sounds like a Catch-22, have to have them to cross the state line but have to cross the state line to get them. I have another breeder located in Batesburg, and he has to transport to the vet as there is no vet to come out to his farm. I also had a retired Clemson professor call me to see if I knew where to get a Tetanus vaccine to give to his young bulls as he banded them. Okay, here is the challenge – I feel
that Farm Bureau, the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association, the S.C. Department of Agriculture, Clemson University (they are an agriculture university, not just football), and even the Governor of South Carolina should get together and formulate a plan to entice vet graduates from Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, and any other vet school in the east to come to South Carolina for large animals. We don’t need any more dog and cat vets, but there is a real shortage of vets for cattle and horses. Most of the ones I know well have stopped practicing for large animals as they are, like myself, getting old. Three that I know of in the upstate have limited their practice to dogs and cats and stopped coming out for bovine care. I know Dr. Martin is practicing here in the upstate, but my goodness, he can’t handle the whole state. All these educated minds need to figure out something so we can take proper care of our cattle. Most of the purebred breeders vaccinate heifers, which we
cannot do ourselves, and heaven forbid we have an emergency. We are also required to have a vet on duty for purebred sales, so who are we going to call? Rant over for the time being and back to Charolais information. I hope you are planning to join us in Knoxville, Tenn., on October 31 for a great sale. The leaves will be turning, so it should be a beautiful ride up there to see beautiful cattle. Put on your Halloween mask and join us. There will be about 65 live
lots with several Cigar daughters. Since the University of Georgia would not let us use the facility in Georgia, we will have the sale in Knoxville. The breeders on this side of the Mississippi are enthused about the central location in Knoxville, so I think we will have a good turnout. Check on your neighbors and help them out when you can as a lot of older cattlemen are struggling, and you know how they are; they hesitate to ask for help.
I got a great buy in the Classifieds in The Carolina Cattle Connection!
Check out the expert A.I, superior genetics, fine purebreds and terrific farm supplies offered!
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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Runner Continues with the AHA as Office Assistant and Event Coordinator. The American Hereford Association is excited to welcome Halie Runner to Team Hereford as the office assistant and event coordinator. Runner began her post in August. In this position, Runner will assist with office operations, including the organization of delegates for the board of director election, coordinate the annual meeting, and other office events and activities. “Through my time in the livestock industry, I have found that there is no family more humble, dedicated, and welcoming than the Hereford family,” Runner says. “I am excited to continue working with a breed that is rooted deep in their heritage and devoted to grow its breeders and cattle.” Runner recently served as the 2020 AHA youth activities intern, where she helped organize and facilitate the 2020 National Junior Hereford Expo. She is a May 2020 graduate of Oklahoma State University (OSU) where she majored in animal science and agricultural communications. Prior to attending OSU, Runner was a member of the Lincoln Land Community College livestock judging team. “We are pleased to have Halie joining the AHA team after her serving
News
as the youth activities intern,” says Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president. “She has a great livestock background and coupled with her animal science and ag communication degree, makes her a perfect fit for the position.” CHB and National Beef Packing Sponsor Steak Cookoff Association Competition. The grills were hot and the competition was fierce during the Steak Cookoff Association (SCA) “Hawgin on Lanier” competition in Cummings, Ga., on July 31. Certified Hereford Beef, along with its partner National Beef Packing, sponsored the event. SCA is an organization that holds steak cooking competitions all over the U.S. and in countries across the globe. In 2021, SCA will have events in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and several other European countries. SCA will sponsor the World Championship competition in Fort Worth, Tex., in March 2021. This event will feature regional winners from around the country and world to compete for the champion title. There to help facilitate and judge the competitors was Ty Ragsdale, Certified Hereford Beef brand manager, and Terry Thornton, National Beef field marketing manager.
V
Certified Hereford Beef premium ribeyes were the featured cut for over 75 competitors to work with. Ragsdale reports that many contestants boasted how well marbled and rich in flavor the CHB ribeyes were. “Certified Hereford Beef looks forward to participating in more events like this one to show more people across the country the high quality product produced by our Hereford breeders,” Ragsdale says. About Certified Hereford Beef. CHB is a premium branded beef program built on the tradition of family farmers and ranchers across the United States. Established in 1995 by a group of Hereford producers, the Certified Hereford Beef® brand is the only Hereford beef brand in the industry owned by an alliance of local
N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test 56 Day Report By GARY GREGORY There are 53 bulls on test at the Butner Bull Test. They consist of 45 Angus, 6 Hereford, and two Angus bulls that are testonly. The bulls were weighed on September 15 to complete the first 56 days of the test. Overall, average daily gain (ADG) on test for the first 56 days was 3.38, and the weight per day of age (WDA) was 2.86. The Angus bulls had an ADG of 3.44 and WDA of 2.88 for the first 56 days of the test. Lot 16, a Sydgen Enhance son out of an HSAF Bando 1961 daughter, had the highest
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Hereford farmers and ranchers. Their dedication to raising high quality Hereford cattle results in a superior beef product for an unforgettable dining experience. About the American Hereford Association. AHA, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The notfor-profit organization, along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI), and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth, and research. For more information about the Association, visit www.Hereford.org.
ADG among the Angus bulls at 5.55. He is consigned by Dennis Overcash of Overcash Angus in Mooresville, North Carolina. Lot 19, consigned by Tim and Faye Raynor of Rock Hill Cattle Company in Norlina, N.C., had the second highest ADG on test at 4.63. He is a Sydgen Enhance son out of a Connealy Counselor daughter. The Hereford bulls had an ADG of 2.77 and WDA of 2.70 for the first 56 days on test. Lot 62, consigned by the E. Carroll Joyner Beef Educational Unit at N.C. State University in Raleigh, N.C., had the highest ADG for the first 56 days at 3.80. He is a GKB 88X Laramie B293 son out of a CRR About Time 743 daughter. Jim and Chad Davis of Terrace Farms in Lexington, N.C., had the second highest ADG among the Hereford with their Lot 58, a Churchhill Mack 665D ET son out of a Walker Bachelor X51 095W 442B daughter, at 3.04. The two test-only bulls are consigned by the Butner Beef Cattle Field Laband had an ADG of 3.79 and WDA of 2.97. These bulls will not be offered for sale. The next weigh day will be October 13, and the bulls will be weighed off test on November 9-10. The sale will be held on December 18 at the Granville County Livestock Arena in Oxford, North Carolina. If you would like to visit the Butner Bull Test Station, contact Greg Shaefer at 919-471-6872 or glshaeff@ncsu.edu and make an appointment. We ask that you do this due to COVID-19 restrictions. If you have any questions or would like to be added to the mailing list to receive a catalog, contact Gary Gregory at 919-515-4027 or ggregory@ncsu.edu. You can also keep up with the bulls’ progress on our website at www.beef.ces.ncsu.edu/beef-bull-test/.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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Lice Scratch More Than an Itch. Timing of application and proper dosing can make all the difference in how your pour-on takes on lice. The old saying “scratch an itch” means to satisfy a desire or a need for something. While cattle producers have a need to grow healthy animals for a successful operation, lice are on a different track and ready to thwart that effort. They’re all about making animals miserable, affecting their health and performance. A Nebraska study showed that a moderate to high lice population in feeder calves significantly decreased average daily gains (ADG) by 0.21 pounds in the untreated group of animals vs. those that were treated.1 That affects more than just ADGs. One study estimated that losses to the cattle industry from lice are more than $126 million annually.2 “Lice can also affect milk production,” said David Boxler, one of the researchers from the Nebraska study. “What’s worse, what cattle experience with lice infestations, including cold stress, can set
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up the animal for other issues including respiratory problems and a generally higher susceptibility to other illnesses.” Boxler is an extension educator and livestock entomologist at the West Central Research and Extension Center for the University of Nebraska in North Platte. He’s passionate about finding ways to deliver effective parasite control and has been working with everything from prototypes of traps for stable flies to essential oils for cattle horn flies. “We’re battling parasites without the promise of new parasiticide modes of action,” he said. “While we’re always searching for other unique options, it’s important to follow label directions and use the products we do have available correctly to enhance product efficacy.” The best time may not be the most convenient - Ensuring the pouron dewormer you’re using for external parasites like lice is effective includes applying it when it’s going to do the most good. That can be challenging with everything else going on at the ranch.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
“For Northern states, cattle are brought in for weaning and processing in September and October,” Boxler explained. “Producers may think the dewormer they use at that time can take them through the winter and reduce lice populations. But our weather patterns are changing, and a warm fall means those lice aren’t even a threat yet.” Lice hang out on an animal’s body all year long, but they’re sleepy in the summer. They tuck themselves inside folds of skin, between the legs and body, generally, anywhere that’s protected from direct sunlight in order to survive. As the weather gets colder and haircoats grow longer, lice move up the animal’s body and feel protected enough to reproduce and lay eggs. But that sometimes doesn’t happen until late November or December. “If you’re treating parasites in the fall with an injectable dewormer, that’s
not going to knock down a lice population because it’s not even there yet,” said Joe Gillespie, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “Pour-on dewormers are the most effective for lice, and they should be timed right before the levels of parasites are at their highest. It’s important to discuss correct timing with your veterinarian to get this right for your operation.” Dr. Gillespie noted that some producers may believe they’re seeing reinfection in early winter, but if they applied a pour-on before the lice migrated to the top of the animal, the product wasn’t effective. “Lice populations, especially biting or chewing lice, can explode quickly once they start a new life cycle on the back and neck of the animal,” he explained. “You can have a train wreck if you treat too early,” agreed Boxler. “Treat properly
N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test 56 Day Report By GARY GREGORY & DEIDRE HARMON, N.C. State University The Waynesville bulls reached the halfway point of the test on September 2. There are 51 bulls on test and have an overall Average Daily Gain (ADG) of 4.59 and a Weight Per Day of Age (WDA) of 3.29. William Baird of Baird Angus Farm in Bluff City, Tenn., consigned the Angus bull with the highest ADG to this point at 6.89 lbs. of gain per day on test. His Lot 4 bull is a Barstow Bankroll B73 son, out of a Connealy Black Granite daughter. Lot 12, consigned by Chuck Broadway of Broadway Cattle Company, had the second highest ADG among the Angus. He is a Byergo Black Magic 3348 son, out of a Quaker Hill Rampage 0A36 daughter with an ADG of 6.52. Overall, the 33 Angus had an ADG of 4.72 and a WDA of 3.35. There are four Charolais bulls that had an ADG of 5.54 and WDA of 3.24. Steve Wilson of Roan Mountain Charolais in Bakersville, N.C., consigned Lot 43, which had the highest ADG at 56 days of 5.80 and a WDA of 3.66. He is an LT Affinity 6221 PLD son out of an Oakdale Duke 9003P daughter. Dennis Martin of Martin Charolais Farm in Fallston, N.C., consigned the second high gaining Charolais bull for the same time frame. His Lot 40 is an MCF Grid Maker 182 son, out of a Yon Western Spur T299 daughter with an ADG of 5.75 and WDA of 3.02. There are six Hereford bulls on test that had an ADG of 3.14 and WDA of 2.74. Bryson Westbrook of 4B Farms in Shelby, N.C., consigned all of the Hereford bulls. Lot 56, with an ADG of 3.75 and a WDG of 2.97, is a TF Rib Eye X51 043 909B son out of a JWR 057s Tundra 096X daughter. Lot 54 is an F Final Test 722 son out of a SCHY-LAR on Target 22s daughter with an ADG of 3.34 and WDA of 3.11. There are nine Simmental/Simmental Angus bulls on test. They had an ADG of 4.46 and a WDA of 3.38. Lot 46 had the highest ADG for the first 56 days of 5.59 and a WDA of 3.74. He is a JC Engineer 102C son out of an MR NLC Upgrade U8676 daughter and is a purebred Simmental. Lot 47 is the second high gaining bull in this group with an ADG of 5.20 and a WDA of 3.51 for this period and is 38% Simmental/62% Angus. His sire is AAR Ten X 7008 SA, and he is out of a CCR Spartan 9124A daughter. The next weigh day was September 29. The bulls go off test October 26-27. The sale will be December 5 at the Western North Carolina Regional Livestock Center in Canton, North Carolina. If you would like to visit the Waynesville Bull Test Station, we ask that you contact Kyle Miller at 828-456-3943 or Kyle.Miller@ncagr.org to schedule an appointment due to the COVID-19 virus. If you have any questions or would like to be put on the mailing list for a catalog, contact Gary Gregory at 919-515-4027 or ggregory@ncsu.edu. You can keep up with the bull’s progress on our website at www.beef.ces.ncsu.edu/beef-bull-test/.
when it gets cold and is going to stay cold.” Proper application makes all the difference - “Reading the product label is critical,” stressed Boxler. “Choose a product that is appropriate for the type of lice you have, know if you need more than one application spaced at a certain time interval, and ensure complete coverage.” Complete coverage means taking the time to ensure a pour-on dewormer is distributed accurately. Carefully apply the product with an applicator gun along the midline (over the top of the back of each animal). Begin at the withers, and pour all the way down to the tailhead in a narrow strip to reduce runoff. Make sure the entire dose gets on the animal, not on the sides of the chute or on the handlers, to maximize efficacy. “Sometimes an animal doesn’t receive the full dose because things can get chaotic, animals are running down the alley as fast as they can go and you want to get through the process quickly,” Boxler said. “But product ends up flying everywhere. Take the time to apply correctly and follow the label instructions because that will enhance product performance.” The dosage, or amount of product applied, should also be adequate for the size and weight class of the animal being treated. Calculate the volume of pour-on
product to be administered based on each animal’s weight, using a scale whenever possible. Weight tape or a cull weight slip are also options. • Underdosing: If an animal is underdosed, the amount of the product’s active ingredient is not present in the animal’s tissues at the necessary level, and the product will not deliver the best lice control. Undertreatment will likely leave some of the parasites behind. That becomes problematic because the surviving parasites are potentially more likely to be resistant to subsequent and future treatments with products in the same class of dewormers. • Overdosing: When you overdose animals, you waste hard earned dollars on product. Tell tale signs of lice infestation “Lice irritate the animal, which, in a mild case, can cause damage to the skin and a small amount of hair loss. But if the infestation is heavy enough, it can cause real production and economic problems,” Gillespie said. Cattle may spend all their time itching, scratching, licking, and rubbing…instead of eating. The key to identifying if your cattle have lice problems, Boxler says, is to look for signs of itching and rubbing. “An early,
clear indicator is hairballs on fence lines. Look closer at your animals for patches of skin that appear raw and encrusted. Check multiple locations on multiple animals in the herd for red flags like this.” If producers can get lice populations under control, cattle will overwinter better. They’ll grow a good hair coat for protection, steers will gain weight more efficiently, and cows will be in better condition for spring calving. Properly applying a pour-on dewormer at the right time can help animals do all these things they’re supposed to do, without lice getting in the way. References 1 Gibney V.J., Campbell J.B., and Boxler D.J., et al. Effects of Various Infestation Levels of Cattle Lice (Mallophaga: Trichodectidae and Anoplura: Haematopinidae) on Feed Efficiency and Weight Gains of Beef Heifers. J Econ Entomol 1985;78:1304-7. 2 Drummond R.O., Lambert G., Smalley, Jr. H.E., and Terrill C.E. Estimated losses of livestock to pests. CRC Handbook of Pest Management in Agriculture 1981;1:111-128. About Boehringer Ingelheim. Improving the health and quality of life of patients is the goal of the research driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The focus in doing so is
The Carolina Cattle Connection
on diseases for which no satisfactory treatment option exists to date. The company, therefore, concentrates on developing innovative therapies that can extend patients’ lives. In animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim stands for advanced prevention. Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world. We are committed to creating animal well being through our large portfolio of advanced, preventive healthcare products and services. With net sales of $4.4 billion and around 10,000 employees worldwide, we are present in more than 150 markets. For more information, visit www.boehringeringelheim.com/animal-health/overview.
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Clemson University 2021 Bull Test Report and Update By STEVEN E. MEADOWS, Ph.D. Clemson University The Clemson Extension Bull test kicked off its upcoming test season on August 4 with the delivery of a tremendous set of powerhouse bulls. A total of 78 bulls were officially weighed on test on August 18-19. The breeds represented for the 2021 Clemson test are 53 Angus, 10 Simmental x Angus, 7 Simmental, 3 Braunvieh x Angus, 2 Gelbvieh, 2 Polled Hereford, and 1 Charolais make up the test offering. This great set of bulls are consigned at Clemson University by 22 consignors from 4 states, including South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. The age group of the bulls this year leans heavily toward the senior division of bulls, with 66 of the current group being senior age bulls. The senior bulls are those born from September 1 - October 31, 2019. There are currently 12 junior aged bulls, and these consignments were born from November 1 - December 31, 2019. The 28-day weigh date was September 15. To learn more about this great set of bulls, please visit the Clemson University Bull Test website at www. clemson.edu/extension/bulltest/clemson/ index.html and click on 2021 Test. There is no question that a new test year and new bulls bring excitement and anticipation! In addition to the information on the new group of bulls, we wanted to share with you some information about improvements made in the test facilities. It has been in discussion for some time about the possibility of putting in the Grow Safe Beef System. This year that step was taken. It is a great compliment to our GrowSafe feed efficiency/ feeding system. Some of you may not be familiar with the new Grow Safe Beef System. This new system monitors water consumption of every bull 24/7 and subsequently weighs the bull at the same time while providing clean, cool drinking water. The system is set up similar to the feed bunk GrowSafe system in terms of electronic data collection.
Piedmont REC is, without doubt, one of the premier state-of-the-art testing programs in the country. If you would like to know more about this system, please let me know. Clemson University looks forward to using the GrowSafe Beef system and the GrowSafe feed efficiency system in the future for potential research studies should they arise.
Scott Justice, Clemson Beef Unit Manager with new GrowSafe Beef system.
An exciting feature of the new system is that it will allow us to spot an animal who may be getting sick way before one normally would. Usually, when an animal gets sick, their water consumption drops. This typically happens prior to the reduction in the feed. This allows us to catch a problem earlier.
New corral and pen construction in motion.
The GrowSafe Beef system also weighs the bull when he places his front feet on the system platform as he drinks. The sensors in the platform capture the weight and, through a series of algorithms, calculates a live weight, which is recorded in the database. We are in the process of comparing those weights to the weights taken at each weigh period on our chute platform scales and will provide that information to you as we move forward. This is a very simple explanation of the system functionality. The Clemson Extension Bull Test facility at the
Some of the new arrivals for the 2021 Clemson Bull Test.
Test. The sale in February 2020 shattered so many records, and for that, we were are so thankful and humbled. However, great test and great sales can only happen because of the quality of the bulls and our progressive consignors! I want to thank the consignors who have consigned before, as well as those who consigned bulls this year. Working together, we have been able to make these needed improvements happen. Last but not least, I would like to thank each person at the Clemson University Beef Unit for making these improvements happen! Thanks guys! I hope to see everyone in February of 2021 at the Clemson Bull Sale! If you need anything or have questions, you can contact me at smdws@clemson.edu.
The new outside handling facilities. New panels, pens, and gravel.
In addition to the new GrowSafe Beef system, we also replaced the holding and receiving area of the bull test. New pens and gate designs were changed and installed, and on intake day, the bulls were easy to handle and worked very well. In addition, a new hydraulic headgate was also added for ease of handling. By the publishing of this article, we are hopeful that the addition of two covered sick pens will be completed as well. Great things are happening at the Clemson Extension Bull
New GrowSafe Beef system in use. This calf figured out where the water is.
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q OCTOBER 2020
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MERCK
Animal Health News
Preconditioning and preparing calves for fall markets. COVID-related impacts on the beef industry have many producers wondering when is the best time to market this year’s calf crop and asking if it pays to hold calves and put extra weight on them. Livestock economists say the key this year may be maintaining flexibility in marketing calves, so you have the ability to move calves when windows open.1 Preconditioning programs, such as PrimeVAC™ by Merck Animal Health, can put more money in your pocket. The Superior Livestock 2018 sales data demonstrates providing buyers with a signed certificate, especially one verified by your veterinarian, documenting the health history of your calves will result in a premium of $15-$35 per head. Preconditioning programs also give calves the best opportunity to develop their immune system and reduce the chances of them getting sick. This is
especially important if you’re considering keeping calves longer and adding extra pounds. Here are several practices to keep in mind as you wean and background calves: Rethink abrupt weaning - It’s been well documented that abrupt weaning causes stress, which results in reduced function of the calf’s immune system and impaired ability to fight disease. Cortisol, which naturally releases under stressful conditions, suppresses the immune system. One type of white blood cell – called neutrophils – is the first line of defense against disease, yet their functions are decreased for the first seven days post weaning. If the calf is vaccinated during this time, its ability to respond properly to a vaccine may be limited. Vaccinate preweaning - A better option is to vaccinate calves prior to weaning. This allows the calf’s immune system to appropriately respond to the
vaccine while on their cow, plus provides time prior to their next vaccination. It’s good to discuss vaccine protocols with your veterinarian and make a plan based on your operation’s goals, where the calves are headed post weaning, and the disease risk in your area. Proper deworming - Calves with subclinical worm infections can have decreased feed intake, feed efficiency, and poor immune response to vaccines. Using creep feed and feed and mineral forms of SAFE-GUARD® (fenbendazole) require relatively little time and labor and can be highly effective. Implants - If retaining ownership or selling and/or trying to add weight to calves post-weaning, then giving an implant preweaning is very beneficial. Research shows RALGRO ® (zeranol) used in backgrounded cattle provides close to a ten percent improvement in average daily gain (ADG).2-6 If cattle gain 2.0 pounds of gain per day without an implant in a 60 day preconditioning period, implanting with RALGRO will improve ADG to 2.2 pounds per day. This equates to 12 pounds additional weight gain in 60 days. Creep feed and water training Nutrition is the building block of health
and performance. Providing creep feed – formulated based on the calf’s life stage – helps get calves used to eating on their own and prepares the rumen for the next stage of production. Fresh, clean, and cool water supplied via a water trough or automatic waterer versus water on the ground helps improve health and performance. Incorporating water training techniques where calves learn where the water trough is located and how to use it prior to weaning is helpful. Low stress cattle handling - There are lots of resources on low stress cattle handling. Temperament impacts the health and performance of animals. If calves have been handled using low stress methods and learned to be comfortable around people, they will go on to be calmer in the next phase. Experts say that even with all that has gone on in 2020, fall weaned calves look to still price similar to a year ago and could be even higher than a year ago in fourth quarter.1 Developing a group of calves properly and preparing them for the next stage can help to minimize disease outbreaks and maximize profits. To learn more, contact your veterinarian and visit www.MAHCattle.com.
Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd. HARDROCK BEEF CATTLE Ronnie & Donna Holman 4613 Hickory Nut Ridge Road • Granite Falls, NC 828-302-8659 ronnie@hardrockbeefcattle.com JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-281-3821 jkredangus@gmail.com LANGDON RED ANGUS & SIMMENTAL John & Eileen Langdon 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 919-796-5010 johnlangdon5@gmail.com ROGERS CATTLE COMPANY Johnny & Sharon Rogers 945 Woodsdale Road • Roxboro, NC 336-504-7268 rccbeef@gmail.com PRESNELL RED ANGUS Jonathan & Jacob Presnell 368 Whitaker Road • Shelby, NC 704-473-2627 (Jonathan) • 704-616-8775 (Jacob) BULL HILL RANCH Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-682-3900 • 864-682-2828 bullhill2@mindspring.com COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
References Schultz Lee, Doran Beth. 2020. Preparing for the Fall Calf Market. Iowa Cattleman. Vol. 47, Issue 8. 38-39. 2 Simms D.D., Goehring T.B., Brandt R.T., Jr, Kuhl G.L., Higgins J.J., Laudert S.B., Lee R.W. 1988. Effect of sequential implanting with zeranol on steer lifetime performance. J. Anim. Sci. 66:2736–2741. 3 Mader T.L., Clanton D.C., Ward J.K., Pankaskie D.E., Duetscher G.H.1985. Effect of pre- and postweaning zeranol implant on steer calf performance. J. Anim. Sci. 61:546–551. 4 Thiex, P.J., and Embry, L.B., 1972. Diethylstilbestrol, Melengestrol Acetate, and Zeranol During Growing and Finishing of Feedlot Heifers. South Dakota Cattle Feeders Field Day Proceedings and Research Reports. Paper 13. 5 Embry, .L.B, and Swan, WS, 1974. Diethylstilbestrol, Zeranol, or Synovex-S Implants for Growing Steers. South Dakota Cattle Feeders Field Day Proceedings and Research Reports, Paper 4. 6 Embry, L.B., Goetz, M.S., and Luther, R.M., 1982. Implanting Site for Ralgro Compared to Synovex-S for Growing and Finishing Steers. South Dakota Cattle Feeders Field Day Proceedings and Research Reports. Paper 10. Merck Animal Health Launches Nasalgen ® 3-PMH. First and only intranasal vaccine to protect against the five most common pathogens. Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) has introduced Nasalgen 3-PMH, the only intranasal vaccine that 1
Have you forgotten something? Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association!
protects beef and dairy cattle from the five most common pneumonia causing viral and bacterial pathogens. The vaccine provides early, broad spectrum respiratory protection in a needle free, animal and BQA friendly administration. “Nasalgen 3-PMH is a modified live, intranasal vaccine that stimulates a strong early immune response to help give calves a strong foundation of respiratory disease protection,” says Scott Nordstrom, D.V.M., director of livestock innovation and discovery, Merck Animal Health. “Results of efficacy, duration of immunity and safety studies demonstrate the vaccine is safe and effective for calves at 1 week of age or older.” Nasalgen 3-PMH offers a 6½month duration of immunity (DOI) against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), an 11 week DOI against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), three month DOI against parainfluenza 3 (PI3), as well as a four month DOI against Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. When young calves are vaccinated, maternal antibodies from colostrum can interfere with the vaccine’s effectiveness.1 Nasalgen intranasal vaccines are unique because they are delivered to mucosal surfaces in the nose – an area loaded with immunologically active tissues – to avoid interference from maternal antibodies. Also, intranasal vaccines are also less stressful on calves compared to similar injectable vaccinations. The introduction of Nasalgen 3-PMH follows the launch earlier this year of Nasalgen 3. Both vaccines are designed with an IBR and PI3 that are not temperature sensitive, so the vaccines will replicate and protect in a moderate to high temperature environment.2 “If producers are working cattle in warm temperatures, both types of Nasalgen 3 vaccines will still replicate,” says Dr. Nordstrom. “The IBR antigen elicits a rapid interferon response as well, which provides non-specific protection against many viruses. Cattle are protected early on and then develop both a serum and mucosal antibody response within two weeks of vaccination.3” Both Nasalgen 3-PMH and Nasalgen 3 are administered in a single 2-mL dose that is easy to administer. Both contain a unique BluShadow® diluent that clearly indicates which animals have been vaccinated. With needle-free intranasal administration, the vaccine meets best management practices outlined in the industry’s Beef Quality Assurance program. Both vaccines are proven safe for use in pregnant cows and in calves nursing pregnant cows, as well as young calves. Nasalgen 3 is available in 2-mL, 20-
mL, and 100-mL packages; Nasalgen 3-PMH will be available for purchase in early 2021. Consult your veterinarian for specific usage guidance. To learn more about the newest option in intranasal respiratory vaccines, visit www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/ species/cattle. References 1 Chase C., Hurley D., and Reber A. Neonatal immune development in the calf and its impact on vaccine response. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2008;24(1):87-104. 2 Grissett G.P., et al. Effect of Ambient Temperature on Viral Replication and Serum Antibody Titers Following Administration of a Commercial Intranasal Modified Live Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis-Parainfluenza-3 Virus Vaccine to Beef Cattle Housed in High and Moderate Ambient Temperature Environments. Am J Vet Res. 2014; 75(12):1076-1082. 3 Todd J.D., Volenec F.J., and Paton I.M. Interferon in nasal secretions and sera of calves after intranasal administration of avirulent infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus: association of interferon in nasal secretions with early resistance to challenge with virulent virus.
Infection and Immunity 1972; 5: 699-706. About Merck Animal Health. For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services, as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected 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.
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Linn, Kansas
q OCTOBER 2020
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Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Weeks ending AUGUST 4 & AUGUST 18, 2020)
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of Southeast Livestock Exchange and Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, AUGUST 4, 2020, and Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, AUGUST 18, 2020. All cattle in this report are located in North and South Carolina. Prices FOB the farm or local scale and many weighed with a 0-2 percent shrink and sold with a 5-10¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only. Some all natural lots.
Cattle Receipts: 6,273
Last Month: 3,717
S.C. Beef Council News By ROY COPELAN Welcome October, this cooler weather, shorter days, and somewhat normal activity. Still, things are a lot different than what we knew from previous falls. Oh well, life goes on…
Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 58 percent steers and 42 percent heifers. Nearly 92 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.
Head 49 70 256 64 292 59 30 56 55
Wt. Range 650-650 700-700 765-765 760-760 825-840 835-835 810-810 875-875 900-900
Head 93 22 83 82 162 79 72 75 147 71 75 66 273 66 36 256 65 191 300 241 82 57 114 28
Wt. Range 525-525 510-510 590-590 600-600 600-615 610-630 685-685 660-660 660-670 670-690 650-650 740-740 700-740 740-740 740-740 750-775 750-750 750-765 820-825 800-830 810-830 865-865 850-875 940-940
Head 28 68 61 28
Wt. Range 600-600 725-725 810-810 875-875
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 650 $136.00 $136.00 700 $143.75 $143.75 765 $147.75 - $150.25 $149.19 760 $149.75 $149.75 837 $133.50 - $136.00 $135.09 835 $142.00 $142.00 810 $125.00 $125.00 875 $128.25 $128.25 900 $124.00 $124.00 FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range 525 $161.00 510 $142.25 590 $159.75 600 $158.00 607 $146.25 - $149.75 620 $141.25 - $150.00 685 $149.25 660 $146.25 665 $147.25 - $149.50 680 $142.25 - $145.00 650 $137.75 740 $139.25 717 $141.00 - $155.50 740 $140.25 740 $135.25 762 $147.50 - $154.75 750 $145.00 753 $136.50 - $149.00 824 $133.75 - $134.00 811 $134.25 - $148.00 819 $139.75 - $145.50 865 $130.50 862 $144.00 - $149.25 940 $125.00
Avg. Price $161.00 $142.25 $159.75 $158.00 $148.00 $145.61 $149.25 $146.25 $148.37 $143.63 $137.75 $139.25 $147.26 $140.25 $135.25 $150.56 $145.00 $142.88 $133.85 $143.57 $143.01 $130.50 $146.62 $125.00
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 600 $121.00 $121.00 725 $135.00 $135.00 810 $123.75 $123.75 875 $113.00 $113.00
Delivery Split Loads Value Added Value Added Natural Value Added Split Loads Value Added
Delivery Value Added Unweaned Value Added Natural Split Loads Value Added Natural Split Loads Unweaned Value Added Natural Split Loads Value Added Natural Split Loads Value Added Split Loads Value Added Split Loads
I will be placing our order for the new Beef Holiday Roast brochure. If you would like one, please let me know. I will use approximately 500 during the beef activities from November 15 into the New Year. Five new beef recipes will be featured this year. Look to see you out and about this Fall. Stay safe, healthy, and check on others. Until next month.
Delivery Split Loads Value Added Value Added Split Loads
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Head Wt. Range Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price Delivery 98 500-500 500 $143.00 $143.00 Value Added 85 575-575 575 $139.50 $139.50 Value Added 86 570-570 570 $136.50 $136.50 Natural 53 550-550 550 $127.25 $127.25 Unweaned 81 610-610 610 $135.00 $135.00 80 615-615 615 $134.50 $134.50 Value Added 82 600-600 600 $130.00 $130.00 Natural 162 600-615 607 $139.00 - $139.25 $139.13 Guaranteed Open 77 620-625 623 $131.25 - $135.00 $133.21 Split Loads 151 650-650 650 $133.50 - $145.25 $139.34 Value Added 221 650-690 663 $132.00 - $137.50 $134.16 Natural 71 690-690 690 $135.75 $135.75 Guaranteed Open 139 655-680 668 $127.25 - $139.50 $135.48 Split Loads 137 710-720 715 $128.50 - $129.25 $128.88 345 700-740 710 $130.00 - $145.50 $137.65 Value Added 208 700-725 708 $127.25 - $135.25 $132.34 Natural 83 710-715 712 $127.25 - $143.00 $134.22 Split Loads 65 750-750 750 $131.25 $131.25 Guaranteed Open 67 750-750 750 $126.50 - $127.00 $126.74 Split Loads 120 800-825 812 $135.00 - $143.25 $139.13 Value Added 30 815-815 815 $119.00 $119.00 Split Loads Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
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Beef promotions at retail and foodservice levels continue to increase each and every month. Much slower than last year, but that is the new normal now. At each activity, the beef story continues to be promoted to our consumers. Beef demand continues to be held in high regard by our customers. And with a little lower cost at retail, shoppers are putting more beef products in their shopping carts.
The “Beef Tailgating” campaign rolls into the “United We Steak’” national beef promotion. The USA shaped steak cuts as well as the individual state beef cuts are featured in advertisements and are shared on digital and social platforms. Consumers are inspired to grill their favorite beef cuts, especially celebrating football here in our state and all over the USA. A new fiscal year begins this month for NCBA. All 13 S.C. Beef Council Directors have renewed their memberships in NCBA for the year. Have you mailed your membership application and check? If not, please consider this very important task for your grassroots beef organization. I put mine in the mail the first of September. Join others in South Carolina as NCBA members.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
You shouldn’t have to have a gun held to your head to take advantage of the expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies featured in the Classifieds in this issue!
Beef Promotion and Research Program
PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM Information is required by (7 CRF 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential (7 CRF 1260.203).
Today’s Date: ________________ Seller’s Name: ____________________________
Buyer’s Name: ____________________________
Address: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______
Seller’s Signature: _________________________
Buyer’s Signature: _________________________
Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Beef Promotion & Research Board.
Total Number of Cattle Sold: ___________________ x $1.50 Per Head = $ _______________________ Date of Sale: __________________
Person remitting assessment form:
Seller
o
Buyer
o
* State of Origin of Cattle: ______________________
* If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.
Send Report and Remittance to:
SOUTH CAROLINA BEEF COUNCIL P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.8 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disbility, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or protected genetic information. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
PAGE 45
THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL
By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up. The N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up was at a new time and a new place this year. The time of year was changed due to COVID-19, but the new venue brought many youth very excited to exhibit their heifers. The date was August 7-9, and it was held at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. There were 21 purebred Simmental and 17 Percentage Simmental exhibited. The judge for the event was Jason Duggin of the University of Georgia in Athens. Duggin selected TX Edge of Glory as his grand champion purebred Simmental
heifer. This heifer was shown by Cooper Joines of Virginia. Edge of Glory was the senior champion heifer and is sired by W/C Executive Order 8543B. The reserve champion heifer was another red heifer, NFF Wicked G176, the junior champion heifer. She is a daughter of WLE Big Deal A617 and was shown by Ellie Harman of Leesville, South Carolina.
Reserve champion Simmental heifer, NFF Wicked G176, shown by Ellie Harman.
Grand champion Simmental heifer, TX Edge of Glory, shown by Cooper Joines.
The calf champion heifer was Miss MC Pearl, shown by Grace McLean of Mount Airy, Georgia. Pearl is a daughter of W/C Relentless 32C. The reserve calf champion was another Relentless
N.C. Simmental Association 1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 336-468-1679 • www.ncsimmental.com • NCSA@yadtel.net Like us on Facebook! PAGE 46
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
daughter, TX Nightingale, shown by Cooper Joines. Reserve junior champion heifer was TL Miss Ledger, shown by Abigail Miller of Crockett, Virginia. Miss Ledger is sired by TL Ledger. The reserve senior champion heifer was HLTS Red Jewell F810, shown by Casadi Smith of Mart, Georgia. Red Jewell is sired by Remington Secret Weapon 185.
Grand champion Percentage Simmental, RF Miss Lodgie 920G, shown by Cody Clary.
In the Percentage Simmental show, the grand champion was a heifer shown by Cody Clary of Saluda, South Carolina. This was also the champion intermediate heifer. The reserve champion Percentage Simmental was shown by Isaac Miller of Crockett, Virginia. His heifer was VCL Miss Ledger 958G and is sired by TL Ledger and was also the junior champion heifer. The calf champion Percentage was TX Adalida, shown by Cullen Joines of Blacksburg, Va., and sired by W/C HOC
HCC Red Answer 33B. The reserve calf champion was Cricket, shown by Cayte Mitchell of Hiddenite, North Carolina. The senior heifer calf champion was Miss MC Ruthless, shown by Emily Gattis of Demorest, Ga., and sired by W/C Relentless 32C. The reserve senior calf champion was CRJ Miss Dana G903, shown by Cooper Joines and sired by PCC Witten 111A. The reserve intermediate heifer was WSCC Ms Yoho 123G, shown by Dacey Abruzzino of Enoree, S.C., and sired by W/C Relentless 32C. The reserve junior champion heifer was WGSC Time To Shine 2538 923G, shown by Christian Wilheim of Enoree, S.C., and sired by FHEN Halftime A127. Cooper Joines exhibited the senior champion heifer, CRJ Shadoe F880, sired by HILB Oracle C033R. Congratulations to all these juniors!
Reserve champion Percentage Simmental, VCL Miss Ledger 958G, shown by Isaac Miller.
American Simmental Association 1 Genetics Way • Bozeman, MT 59718 406-587-4531 • www.simmental.org
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
PAGE 47
12 th A nnual B ull & R eplacement F emale S ale
November 21, 2020 Saturday • 12:00 noon At Circle M Cattle Farm 1078 Boone Road Burlington, NC
For more information or to request a sale catalog, contact:
Jonathan Massey
336-260-2565 • jonathan.massey2@gmail.com
Johnny Massey 336-214-4144 • johnnymassey.1@gmail.com
simangussolution@gmail.com PAGE 48
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Use All the Tools in Your Toolbox When Buying Bulls By STEVEN E. MEADOWS, Ph.D. Clemson University Over the past many years, we as cattlemen have had it pounded into our heads to use EPDs in making genetic selections in our herd. We truly have improved growth rate in our cattle herds, milk production, lowered birth weights, etc. There is no doubt that we all are better off today than we were before the days of these genetic predictors. However, we must remember that EPDs are one of the tools in the tool chest and not the only one. All cattlemen should know there are some traits that may not be measured numerically in terms of EPDs. We do have great advancement in EPD calculations that are now focusing on variables such as EPDs for profitability in the feedlot phase, carcass merit, feedlot gain, longevity of animals, disposition, etc. The one thing we do not have is one for general conformation as it relates to fleshing ability, depth of body, but this is changing as well as a few breeds have EPDs for overall structural correctness
and longevity. Fortunately, we do have mature weight EPDs now, which will help moderate your cattle if need be. There seems to be a tendency in more than one breed for some purebred breeders to use the bulls that are only in the upper one percent of the breed for growth traits. But do all cows need to be bred to those type sires? Do you actually need a bull bred that way for your operation? Maybe so if you are increasing growth, but what if you need calving ease, maternal, or any other trait? All commercial herds do not need the same type of bull used that the neighbor may have. Evaluate your herd or call your local Extension Agent or Specialist and have them assist in what your herd sire needs may be. One thing that does concern me as I visit both commercial and purebred herds isthat I have noticed and heard other cattlemen talking about high growth cattle lacking the overall conformation desired. (Please note that I
Thank You to the Friends of the N.C. Simmental Association Friends of the N.C. Simmental Association Syndicate bought a package of Simmental memorabilia at the N.C. Simmental Fall Harvest Sale for $4,100 then donated the item back to be sold again. It was purchased by Ralph Blalock of Shade Tree Simmentals for $300. A total of $4,400 was raised and donated to help fund the 2020 N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Shows. Friends of the N.C. Simmental Association McDonald Farms Dustin Rogers Chase Cole Livestock TX Enterprises Rising Star Farm Sunset Feeds Lone Hickory Arena Rucker Family Farm SimAngus Solution PAC Family Meats PAC Cattle Company DP Sales Management W&A Herefords/Terrace Farms Governor Jim Hunt, Jr. Walter Earle N.C. Simmental Association N.C. Junior Simmental Association Banjma Farm Bryan & Beth Blinson Jeff Broadaway Fred Smith Pinston Family Crazy Woman Farm High Ridge Farm
am NOT promoting cattle with less than breed average growth traits but raising awareness that conformation of the beef animal is still of great importance). Most buyers, when purchasing future herd bulls, are buying bulls around 15-20 months old. It is a wise rule of thumb to make sure that all bulls you are considering have genomic enhanced EPDs and not EPDs just based on parentage estimates. Genomic EPDs are much more accurate in predicting an animal’s genetic merit/worth. I would raise the question to all reading this article: “How many bull sales have you been to and a group of bulls were all ET brothers?” So, what does that mean to you? Genetically these bulls are full brothers being out of the same flush obviously, but do they share the same genetic worth? Will their calves perform exactly the same when bred to the same group of cows? The answer is most likely not. There can be a lot of variation in the genetic worth of ET animals. However, if you have genomic enhanced EPDs available on each of those bulls, you can make a better decision. In addition, you may note that one of those animals may excel in yearling growth while another may be more birthweight friendly for calving ease compared to his brothers. You normally do not see huge swings in difference, but they do exist. Please realize that this article’s genetic selection recommendations/considerations can also apply to female selection decisions. I encourage everyone who is serious about the cattle business to read up on general information concerning genomic enhanced EPD selection and make sure you have read and understand EPD breed averages for each breed. Breed
associations update EPDs almost daily now. You need to be up to date on those averages as you, as a producer, layout your selection criterium. Visual appraisal of the animal is also one of our selection tools in the tool chest. None of us would choose a high growth bull that could not walk, but I am noticing some breeders making select matings that maximize growth without regard to conformation or even other traits. Our commercial cattle are mostly sold by the pound, and I don’t intend to argue that point; however, those pounds must be made up of muscle conformation and quality that the industry desires. This is imperative to avoid dockage in the price received per pound of calf sold. Large, fast growing, slab sided steers with flat muscle down the top and through the quarter is not what our consumer desires, especially when you consider the “white linen” upper echelon restaurants. On more than one occasion, I have talked to those in the restaurant and beef sales business, and they have expressed how difficult it is to cut a 12-14 ounce steak and have it an inch thick or bigger. It is a huge concern for some restaurateurs. The restaurateurs demand that a customer enjoy a nice thick juicy steak, and we, as serious cattlemen, should want the same for our customers. When bull shopping this spring, make sure you use all the “bull selection tools in your toolbox,” including, but not limited to, just the EPDs, but also evaluate and rate the animal for muscle conformation, structural correctness — including feet, frame, disposition, and volume. You can easily avoid “single trait selection” by selecting the animal that is the “Complete Package for Your Herd.” Happy bull buying!
Don’t put your cart before your horse... advertise that sale ahead of time! You’ll see positive results. The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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NCBA
President’s Report By MARTY SMITH
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Opening Government’s Doors to Cattle Producers PAC Helps Open the Legislative, Regulatory Doors for Cattle Producers. Most of the time in this monthly column, I discuss NCBA’s latest work on Capitol Hill and in the Administration to advance the policy interests of America’s cattle producers. Over the past few months, we’ve made progress on access to foreign markets, rolling back onerous regulations, and, of course, keeping the beef supply moving and providing relief to those who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work on legislative and regulatory issues in Washington will continue unabated - thanks to our hardworking, dues paying members. But we’re entering the time of the year when
the focus tends to shift out of Washington and toward the front lines of the campaign trail, where the next occupants of the Oval Office, the Capitol, and all the Executive Branch leadership offices will be determined this November. That’s where NCBA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) plays a huge role. Our lobbying team in D.C. is second to none. But if the key committees, agencies, and bureaus are all run by officials who are unsympathetic to — or even worse, openly hostile to — cattle production, animal agriculture, and/ or rural America in general, our team in Washington simply cannot be as successful as they’ve been the past few years. The good news is that NCBA’s PAC
has been very successful in raising money from members of the cattle community, identifying supportive candidates across the country, and, most importantly, making a difference in winning key campaigns. Over the past ten years, NCBA’s PAC has contributed more than $3.78 million to candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives — and the candidates we’ve backed have won their races approximately 85 percent of the time! That means that when our lobbying team has knocked on doors on Capitol Hill urging tax relief for cattle producers, those doors have very often been opened by officials who know and understand agriculture - or who are at least willing to hear us out. When we’ve called or e-mailed officials at USDA, EPA, or DOT, they have often understood — sometimes firsthand — just how burdensome overregulation can hamstring agricultural operations. Our members are routinely called on to testify at Congressional hearings and speak at White House events. We get to tell our personal stories to literally the most powerful people in the country as they make policy decisions that will impact us and our children and grandchildren for decades to come. And it all starts by winning elections. Without the right people in office, our most powerful personal stories or well reasoned
arguments will fall on deaf ears, and we’ll all be worse off as a result. So, with just a little over a month remaining until Election Day, I hope you’ll get involved with us on the political front lines. Of course, it’s never too late to contribute to NCBA’s PAC - you can do that quickly and easily by visiting www.policy.NCBA.org. But if you’re not able to financially contribute to NCBA’s PAC this cycle, please make sure that you’re properly registered to vote ASAP and then cast your votes for pro-beef and pro-cattle producer candidates up and down the ticket. If you’re able to do more, consider helping out a supportive candidate’s campaign — call your neighbors, make sure they’re registered to vote, and that they know the importance of this year’s elections. Offer them a ride to the polls or help them get an absentee ballot. And then when this year’s ballots have all been counted, I hope you’ll encourage your neighbors to join NCBA so we can continue the fight in Washington next year and beyond. We don’t yet know who will be occupying the corridors of power come January, but I can guarantee you two things. First, early next year, our work will only be starting. And second, we will never stop fighting for America’s cattle producers. You can join NCBA by visiting www.NCBA.org.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update By GREG HANES, CEO
The Beef Checkoff - The September Decision Twenty cattlemen and women – representing cow/calf, feeders, stockers, dairy, and importers – gathered in Denver, Colo. on September 9-10 to discuss, debate, and ultimately allocate around $40 million for eligible beef industry programs within the Beef Checkoff. This group is known as the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) and meets each year at this time with some big beef decisions on their plate. The BPOC “September Decision” is no easy task. The Committee, appointed by their peers (ten from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, ten from the Federation of State Beef Councils), currently holds representation from 16 different states. This versatile group is tasked with a very important and
serious job: to select and fund the best Beef Checkoff programs for the following fiscal year, beginning October 1. Months of feedback has already been gathered by the time the BPOC members step off the plane in Denver. Calls for proposals from Checkoff contractors went out earlier in the year; the proposals, known as Authorization Requests (ARs), were reviewed and edited by multiple bodies. In July, contractors presented their preliminary ARs to more than 200 beef producers on Checkoff committees, asking for honest feedback and comments on their ideas and projects. Those committees obliged, providing pages of comments and suggestions and even
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rating every potential program. Following those presentations, contractors then took that feedback home and adjusted their projects to best ensure they meet the needs and wants of those producers who pay into the Checkoff. That same feedback was gathered and handed over to the BPOC for this September meeting – valuable insight when doling out millions of dollars. Membership on the Operating Committee is not for the meek. Every year, contractors typically bring many millions of dollars more in “asks” than the budget allows. Dividing Checkoff dollars between promotion, research, and education projects – down to the penny, I might add – is often accompanied
by lively debate, difficult decisions, and, unfortunately, even cuts to great programs. The members weigh and sift through each proposal, separating the “wheat from the chaff” by focusing on what they believe will best support the industry now and in the future. These beef producing decision makers pay Checkoff dollars themselves; they know the weight of their “September Decision” on fellow cattle families and the entire beef industry. Those Checkoff dollars are theirs too, and their decisions are not taken lightly. For more information on the 2020 Beef Promotion Operating Committee, visit www.beefboard.org/beef-board/ committees/operating-committee/.
Carolina Cooking Rustic Corned Beef & Potato Bake Total Cooking Time - 1 hour 12 ounces corned beef brisket, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon butter, divided ½ cup chopped onions 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme Horseradish Butter: 1 tablespoon grated, jarred horseradish 1 tablespoon butter, softened ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Potato Wedges: 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese 2 cups potato wedges Optional Garnish: sliced green onions Heat oven to 375°F. Prepare horseradish butter; set aside. Melt 2 teaspoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and thyme; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until onion is tender. Remove from heat; stir in corned beef and horseradish butter mixture. Meanwhile, coat bottom and sides of 9 inch glass pie plate with remaining 1 teaspoon butter; set aside. Arrange ½ of potato wedges in single layer over bottom of pie plate; stick remaining potato wedges upright around the edge of the pie plate. Combine cheeses in small bowl. Sprinkle potatoes with ½ of cheese mixture. Top with corned beef mixture and remaining cheese mixture. Press firmly with spatula to compact layers; cover with aluminum foil.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
Bake in 375°F oven 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Uncover; continue baking 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges begin to brown. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut into wedges. Cook’s Tip: If using deli Corned Beef and frozen prepared roasted potatoes, increase covered baking time to 35 minutes. Makes 4 servings.
q OCTOBER 2020
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2020 N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up Results Breed Shows
Grand champion Angus heifer and supreme overall heifer was PVF Blackbird 9068, shown by Cole Williams.
Reserve champion Angus heifer was Kingsway MC Miss Molly 515, shown by Logan Ball.
Grand champion Commercial heifer and second overall heifer was Jelly Bean, shown by Shane Kendall.
Reserve champion Commercial heifer and fifth overall heifer was Caught Cha Lookking 914G, shown by Grace McClain.
Grand champion Angus cow/calf pair and supreme overall cow/calf pair was PCF Julie Pendleton 308, shown by Shane Kendall.
Grand champion Hereford cow/calf pair and second overall cow/calf pair was PAC 320 46B Cathy 35C, shown by Nora Cave.
Reserve champion Hereford cow/calf pair and fourth overall cow/calf pair was MF3C Catapult 109 Gracie 04F, shown by Amber Shutsky.
Grand champion Limousin heifer and third overall heifer was ELCX Fantastic 406F, shown by Shane Kendall. Grand champion Gelbvieh heifer was GHGF201G, shown by Colton Cox.
Reserve champion Red Angus heifer was TMAS Ms Garnette 9910G ET, shown by Jacob Presnell.
Reserve champion Angus cow/calf pair and third overall cow/calf pair was Dameron C-5 Lucy 7199, shown by Mary Wood.
Reserve champion Simmental heifer was NFF Wicked G176, shown by Ellie Harmon.
Grand champion % Simmental heifer was RF Miss Lodgie 920G, shown by Cody Clary.
Reserve champion % Simmental heifer was VCL Miss Ledger 958G, shown by Isaac Miller. Not Pictured Reserve champion Limousin heifer was KBCX Julie Xyloid 040G, shown by Shane Kendall. Grand champion Shorthorn heifer was Maple, shown by Ethan McMichael. Reserve champion Shorthorn heifer was TX Vibrance, shown by Cooper Joines. Grand champion Shorthorn cow/calf pair and fifth overall cow/calf pair was M/F Jane Mary RV 24F, shown by Kaylee Leatherwood. Reserve champion Shorthorn cow/calf pair was M/F Augusta Pride RV 8F, shown by Maleah Crowe.
Steer Shows
Reserve champion Gelbvieh heifer was GCRK Cora 001H, shown by Molly Anderson.
Grand champion AOB heifer was Grace, shown by Hannah Smith.
Reserve champion AOB heifer was Goofie, shown by Ethan McMichael.
PAGE 54
Grand champion Hereford heifer was MF3C Candi 13G ET, shown by Jordan Mitchem.
Grand champion Red Angus heifer and fourth overall heifer was Presnell Miss Mimi G02 ET, shown by Jacob Presnell.
Grand champion steer was BFR Primo 1910, shown by Greyson Peeler.
Reserve champion Hereford heifer was MF3C Diana Who Maker 01H, shown by Regan Mitchem.
Grand champion Simmental heifer was TX Edge of Glory, shown by Cooper Joines.
Reserve champion steer was In my Croc, shown by Anna Brown.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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Alltech supports farmers with donations to the Iowa Derecho Devastation Relief Fund. In the aftermath of the derecho, the extreme weather event that devastated several communities across Iowa on August 10, Alltech has established the Iowa Derecho Devastation Relief Fund to match donations dollar for dollar and provide goods and services to farmers and their local communities who have been directly impacted. “This unexpected derecho caused significant destruction in the communities that our customers and colleagues call home,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president, and CEO of Alltech. “Many now face flattened fields and grain bins, significant repair of fencing and much more in the midst of an already difficult year. We hope our Iowa Derecho Devastation Relief Fund provides a boost of support as Iowa’s farming community demonstrates
NEWS its resilience in recovery.” Alltech and Hubbard Feeds will be donating the funds raised to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, and the Iowa Corn Growers Association, who will ensure that these resources are utilized to aid the rural communities most in need of assistance. The companies are also donating equipment, including tractors and skid steers. Donations are being collected through the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, Alltech’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Alltech will match donations up to $25,000, and all contributions will go directly toward helping Iowa farmers and the surrounding communities impacted by the derecho. For more information and to donate to the Alltech Iowa Derecho Devastation Relief Fund, visit www. alltech.com/iowa-derecho-relief. About Alltech. Founded in 1980
2020 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 2020. 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.
2020 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 *************** *************** RED ANGUS
Contact The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Phone - 919-552-9111 for the contact person for each Spotlight Issue. PAGE 56
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our products improve the health and performance of plants and animals, resulting in better nutrition for consumers and a decreased environmental impact. We are a global leader in the animal health industry, producing additives, premix, self-fed supplements, and feed. Celebrating 40 years in 2020, we carry forward a legacy of innovation and a unique culture that views challenges through an entrepreneurial lens. Our more than 5,000 talented team
members worldwide share our vision for a Planet of Plenty™. We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet, but it will take all of us working together, led by science, technology, and a shared will to make a difference. Alltech is a private, family owned company that allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and maintain focus on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For more information, visit www.alltech.com.
Predicting Cattle Infertility Through Machine Learning For cattle farmers, maximizing reproductive rates of their heifers is critical to the economic sustainability and viability of their farms. Infertility and pregnancy loss are common problems that decrease reproductive efficiency in beef heifers. To combat this issue, researchers in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are working on a method to effectively identify which heifers will be able to successfully reproduce, saving farmers resources, time, and money. They are using big data and cutting edge analytics to find genetic markers in heifers that have become pregnant — and ones that haven’t — as the backbone of their research that is driven by machine learning algorithms. These algorithms were applied on data from two breeding sessions, allowing for a significant amount of input data points and a strengthening of the ability to predict those markers associated with pregnancy outcome. “This will help farmers to adequately allocate resources in their farms and increase the cow/calf production efficiency while minimizing potential loss,” said Fernando Biase, an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences. “Fifteen percent of heifers that do not get pregnant in their first breeding season cause a considerable amount of financial loss that the producer will not bring back to the farm.” Biase recently received a $475,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to conduct the research on how early these genetic markers could be identified and whether there is a means
for a farmer to determine early on if that animal is going to produce a calf. Heifers return value to farmers by the number of calves they produce over their lifetime. For example, an 11-year-old cow that produces a calf at two years of age is more valuable than a cow that failed to do so just once in its lifespan. In order for a cattle farm to be sustainable, heifers need to produce one calf each breeding season. Farmers spend significant energy and resources to have a calf gain enough weight in order to be at a healthy reproduction level in order to produce a calf at around two years of age. Even with their efforts, sometimes that just doesn’t happen. Many management procedures have been utilized to maximize the reproductive potential of beef heifers, including controlled weight gain, identification of reproductive maturity by physiological and morphological indicators, and the implementation of an estrous synchronization program. Biase and the other researchers are working to understand the potential gene transcripts that circulate in the animal’s bloodstream that can potentially predict the likelihood of a pregnancy occurring, with the goal of finding out how early these transcripts can be identified in a calf. This research opens the door for better resource allocation for farmers. Through a simple blood test, heifers could have the likelihood of their reproductive rate determined. Through the integration of advanced technology, Biase and his team are solving age old problems to help improve economic efficiency of cattle farms.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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A Message from the CEO By COLIN WOODALL
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Defending Your Right To Be Heard NCBA is nothing without grassroots engagement and leadership. A simple statement, but one that is not always appreciated by members and detractors alike. However, the grassroots process was on full display during the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in Denver. It started with the commitment by NCBA’s officer team to have the meeting in-person and to also allow virtual engagement to ensure that everyone who wanted to participate in the debate had that option. While some may have questioned the decision to meet, we proved we could do it safely. We also proved once again that we can adapt, overcome, and persevere in the face of disruptions. Our team worked tirelessly to set up the technology and process to hold the hybrid virtual and in-person meetings. While it may have taken much longer to
vote than it usually does, every vote was counted, and the process was conducted with integrity. The outcomes may not have pleased everyone, but nobody can question the respectful forum we provided for discussion and voting. Our grassroots process was put to the test with the marathon six-hour Live Cattle Marketing Committee meeting. It’s been a while since we’ve had a spirited debate like that. That spirited debate demonstrated that our process works because it was producer members debating in a committee led by producers that resulted in actions voted on by producers. It’s also very important to note that the big packers did not attend or vote. This was a producer discussion. Cattle production takes place in all 50 states, but the issues and concerns of cattle producers vary greatly. What concerns producers in Michigan may not be the same concerns impacting
cattle production in Hawaii. That is the challenge we have as a national association, and it is all the more reason to have robust debate. We can’t allow that debate to tear us apart because we are stronger when we speak as one industry. Our voice on Capitol Hill has the sway it does because we are the oldest and largest national association representing cattle producers. The fact we advocate on behalf of member directed policy reinforces that we are the voice of cattlemen and cattlewomen in Washington. Being heard transcends the policy process. The producer members of our Executive Committee also determined that there is no need to fight the process currently underway to gather signatures on a petition calling for a referendum on the future of the Beef Checkoff. It was our association that helped get the Beef Promotion and Research Act passed as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. It includes a provision that allows for producers to take action to determine if the checkoff needs to continue. We helped include that provision, and we fully respect and support producers who want to sign the petition. Our only request is that the process is transparent and above board. To date, we have seen at least one attempt to get producers to sign the petition by offering to enter their names into a drawing for $100. We’re proud of the Beef Checkoff and the work we do as a contractor, and we see this current scenario as a way to showcase that work. While the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. tagline typically
gets a lot of attention, there is much more to the work we do as contractors. Our checkoff funded nutrition research and outreach have been powerful tools in our efforts to keep beef at the center of the plate during review of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. If we were to lose our place on the guidelines, it would impact our ability to have beef served in schools, military bases, and other Federal programs. The nutrition research conducted would be much harder to complete without the checkoff investment. We hope producers keep this fact in mind as they decide whether to sign the petition. Regardless of the venue or issue, your voice deserves to be heard, and NCBA will continue to provide that opportunity. Those who question that or tell you that the packers make the decisions were not at our Summer Business Meeting and flat out don’t know what they are talking about. I’ll close the way I started by saying that we are nothing without your engagement and leadership.
Any news from your county? Be sure to share your meetings, sales, field days, etc., with your fellow cattlemen through the Connection! PAGE 58
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL NEWS NCBA & PLC Hail Legislation To Modernize ESA. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council recently celebrated the introduction of critical legislation that will modernize the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the first time in close to 30 years. Introduced by Senator and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), John Barrasso (R–Wyoming), the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 2020 will improve the existing law by strengthening state and local partnerships, incentivizing voluntary conservation efforts undertaken by ranchers and other landowners, and defend the ESA’s delisting process for animals that have successfully recovered and no longer need protection. Through these changes and with targeted increases for specific areas of the ESA, the bill will improve species conservation and address key failures in the Act. “This legislation is about improving an outdated law so that it meets current needs. It is about helping every American cattle producer that has lost a calf to a federally protected bear or wolf, and for landowners who face stringent regulation that doesn’t meet the habitat needs on the ground,” said NCBA President Marty Smith. “Thank you to Senator Barrasso for taking on the big task of updating a law that is almost three decades old. I am glad to see a bill recognize that the best conservationists are the ranchers and farmers on their operations everyday taking care of the land and feeding the country.” “For too long, ranchers have been forced to deal with an antiquated law that does not recognize the expertise or the conservation done by those who actually live, work, and manage our rangeland,” said PLC President Bob Skinner. “Ranchers are the original conservationists, and nowhere is that more true than in the West where millions of acres are managed primarily by ranchers whose daily presence on the landscape allows them to sound the alarm when species need additional help. This bill values the contributions of ranchers and other state experts who will develop stronger recovery plans together. Thank you to Chairman Barrasso for all the work he has done to fix a bill that was in dire need of updated tools.”
Background - The Endangered Species Act Amendments of 2020 empowers states to lead recovery planning, implementation planning, recovery teams, and implementation teams if states determine they have the appropriate capacity. The bill also requires negotiation with states prior to releasing an experimental population of a species and to give input from state experts “full and fair consideration” as the federal agencies implement ESA protection measures. Voluntary conservation measures are key to the success of ESA recovery efforts, and the bill allows federal agencies to consider certain voluntary conservation measures as regulatory mechanisms under the ESA. This means that voluntary conservation measures undertaken by ranchers and landowners will be factored in to ESA determinations and recovery plans. It includes provisions to enhance the federal-state conservation partnership and to encourage conservation through regulatory certainty, increased transparency, and resource prioritization. The bill also codifies a prioritization system developed and implemented by the Obama Administration that has generally received broad support across the political spectrum. The prioritization system addresses listing petitions, status reviews, and proposed and final determinations, based on the urgency of a species’ circumstances, conservation efforts, and available data and information in order to determine which species are the most imperiled and should be prioritized higher. Notably, the bill also reauthorizes the ESA for the first time in almost 30 years. It increases the authorization of appropriations by approximately 15 percent over currently appropriated levels, which have largely been adjusted only for inflation. It focuses funding on recovery plan implementation and voluntary conservation efforts by private landowners. About the Public Lands Council. The PLC represents 22,000 cattle and sheep producers who operate with federal grazing permits in the West. The PLC advocates for these western ranchers who preserve our nation’s natural resources while providing vital food and fiber to the nation and the world. Learn more at www.publiclandscouncil.org.
Be a winner! Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association!
American National CattleWomen News American National Cattlewomen (ANCW) is excited to host the Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program (CBAP). The 2021 team will be selected from applications which are due December 1. Applications can be downloaded from www.ancw.org/cbap. The CBAP connects students to the beef community where they can have access to cattlemen, cattlewomen, and industry professionals. Advocates will grow as individuals, strengthen leadership and communication skills, and use their creativity to develop advocacy efforts aimed at connecting with consumers.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
This program is designed to find the very best collegiate spokespersons and assist them in taking their beef advocacy efforts to a national level. Completion of the entire application will provide all applicants with beef advocacy training, and as a result, each applicant will be recognized with a certificate at ANCW’s Annual Meeting as a Collegiate Beef Advocate. From this pool of accomplished applicants, three young people will be selected to serve on the National Collegiate Beef Advocacy Team, traveling the nation for one year to share the positive message about beef.
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NCBA Young Cattle Producers Can Get More Out of 2021 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville. Students can interact, gain experience through internships. A fun, rewarding, and engaging opportunity is available for college students wanting to attend the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee. A team of interns – vital to the success of the largest annual meeting in the U.S. beef cattle industry – will gain first hand experience and be able to interact with leaders of every segment of the cattle and beef industry. Up to 18 interns will be selected for this opportunity. They will be assigned to help many different staff members and attendees with meetings and events and should be prepared to handle a wide range of responsibilities, from setting up the indoor arena, assisting at committee meetings, and Cattlemen’s College to posting on social media and contributing in the NCBA booth. NCBA will strive to provide students time to maximize industry networking. Students must be able to work from January 31-February 5, 2021, in Nashville. They must be at least a junior level college student at an accredited university at the time of application. Preferably they will have a background in or working knowledge of the cattle and/or beef industry and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students should be well versed in all areas of social media. Interested students must complete a Student Internship Application found at www.ncba.hyrell.com/UI/Views/ Applicant/VirtualStepCareers.aspx and send college transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a resume. The deadline for applying is October 23. NCBA’s Redbook Continues to Make Cattle Recordkeeping Easy. Handy Pocket Sized Tool Available for 2021 on October 5. For more than three decades, cattle producers have been able to simplify their recordkeeping with a handy booklet from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Soon the 2021 version of the Redbook will be ready to help cattle producers effectively and efficiently record their daily production efforts, which can help enhance their profitability and reduce their stress levels. In addition to an area for recording Beef Quality Assurance practices and proper injection technique information, the 2021 Redbook will have more than
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News
100 pages to record calving activity, herd health, pasture use, cattle inventory, body condition, cattle treatment, AI breeding records, and more. It also contains a calendar and notes section. “The Redbook is a simple, cost effective and practical way to keep track of what’s taking place with cattle on farms and ranches,” according to Dan Kniffen, a Pennsylvania beef producer. “In addition to being a proven way of capturing and the documenting continual improvement being made by cattle producers, it provides a daily reminder of the positive steps both already taken and needed going forward.” Redbooks can be purchased after October 5 for $7.00 each, plus shipping and handling. To order, visit www.store. ncba.org. Customization of the Redbooks is available for 100 books or more. For more information on the NCBA Redbooks, contact Grace Webb at gwebb@beef.org or 800-525-3085. NCBA Supports Disaster Relief Resources For Cattle Producers. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association recently released the following statement to highlight federal programs that are available for cattle producers across the country who are being impacted by wildfires, hurricanes, drought, and other natural disasters. NCBA also supports local assistance efforts that allow producers, communities, and the public to support affected producers: “The wildfires and hurricanes that have plagued the country these last few weeks are significant disasters that are hurting cattle producers in multiple ways. From flooded operations, burned rangeland, decreased forage due to drought, and smoke inhalation risks for cattle and producers alike, this is a trying time for producers. Everyone needs to take a close look at the federal, state, and local resources available that are designed
Don’t get caught napping!
Deadline is 5th of month prior to issue!
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
to help provide relief to producers, their families, and their livestock,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “Our biggest concern is the well being of everyone in the path of these disasters. Know your evacuation routes and exercise extreme caution when dealing with these deadly forces of nature. Thank you to the first responders on the front lines that have been battling these fires and floods every day.” Ranchers and farmers are urged to utilize several tools from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) if applicable, including: • The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) • Emergency Farm Loans • Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) • Livestock Forage Program (LFP)
Visit USDA’s disaster resources website for more information. NCBA has also set up a page that aggregates all disaster relief information in one place, which includes state specific resources, contact numbers, and donation information. For more information, visit www.ncba.org/disasterreliefresources.aspx. NCBA On CFAP Round Two: President Trump Works Tirelessly For Our Nation’s Ranchers and Farmers. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association recently released the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that additional support would be made available to cattle producers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). “We are pleased to see that USDA is
Protect Feed Grains from Deadly Mycotoxins During Wet Years with Brookside Agra’s All Natural FloBond™. Mycotoxins can have a devastating effect on poultry, livestock, and swine production. During wet years, like the one we have had this year, the possibility of mycotoxins from mold and fungi growth in grain products and storage bins is even greater. The solution to protecting animals from the threat of mycotoxins is using all natural FloBond™ from Brookside Agra. FloBond is a 100 percent organic certified binder and anti-caking agent that is proven in multiple laboratory studies and field trials to bind with the mycotoxin to form a larger particle that is unable to pass through an animal’s gut wall. Instead, the larger particle is safely secreted from the animal’s body through its feces. FloBond does not affect the feed’s vitamins, minerals, nutrients, or flavors. Mycotoxins, toxic substances produced by mold and fungi, occur in most feed grains, including corn, wheat, oats, soybeans, sorghum, cottonseed, rye, and rice. When consumed by poultry, livestock, fish, and pets, mycotoxins can cause cancer, liver and kidney problems, infertility, growth rate reduction, and other problems that affect animal performance and profitability. “Feed grains and storage bins exposed to moisture are more susceptible to growing mold and fungus. Adding cost effective FloBond to animal feeds provides insurance to farmers that their animals will be protected from mycotoxins, no matter
what quality of feed grains they may be working with. If your livelihood depends on your animals’ health, why would you want to leave that to chance when you have an affordable protection option with FloBond?” said Tim Nelson, Vice President - Animal Health and Nutrition Sales at Brookside Agra. FloBond comes in easy-to-use powdered and granulated formulas that work with standard mixing equipment to blend with regular feed. FloBond is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture and contains no dioxins, chemicals, or additives and is allowed in European Economic Community countries. Sold in 92 countries and on every continent, FloBond is available in 50 lb bags and 2,000 lb bulk bags. FloBond is made in the U.S.A. For more information about FloBond, visit www.brookside-agra.com/ products/specialty-feed-additives/flobond/ or contact Tim Nelson at 402-560-7381 or tim.nelson@brookside-agra.com. About Brookside Agra. Brookside Agra is a global fifth generation, family owned business based in O’Fallon, Ill., that manufactures and distributes a variety of research proven, all natural products for specialty feeds; animal health and production; agriculture and the environment; and commercial, industrial, and household use. For more information about Brookside Agra and its all natural products, visit www.BrooksideAgra.com or contact Chad Vaninger, General Manager, at 618-628-8300 Ext. 23 or chadv@brookside-agra.com.
NEWS
using unspent funds in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to provide further relief to cattle producers who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “The initial CFAP payments served as an important stopgap in the immediate wake of the coronavirus. Unfortunately, many in our industry are still reeling from abnormal marketing decisions they were forced to make in the Spring, unprecedented supply chain disruptions, and an overall tumultuous farm economy. We are grateful to President Trump, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, and the individuals in this Administration who are tirelessly working to deliver additional aid to our nation’s ranchers and farmers, and we will continue to work with Congress until adequate relief can be provided to put cattle producers on a firm road to recovery.” In June, NCBA called on Congress to provide USDA with the resources and guidance necessary to meaningfully improve the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
“CFAP’s incurred loss payments had the potential to deliver a tremendous amount of relief, but an arbitrary cutoff date left many producers out in the cold. Put simply, April 15 marked the height of this crisis and many producers incurred losses just as severe following Part 1 deadline as the days leading up to it. Further, the Part 2 inventory payment rate failed to deliver assistance equitably when compared with the rate for incurred losses. While USDA’s announcement is an important next step, NCBA is calling on Congress to eliminate CFAP’s remaining disparities and deliver to our nation’s ranchers and farmers the support they so badly need in the next coronavirus package.” NCBA Responds To Cattle Market Transparency Act. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association released the following statement in response to the Cattle Market Transparency Act, recently introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.): “Price discovery is an issue of critical importance to cow/calf producers, stockers, backgrounders, and feeders across the
United States, and more negotiated trade is needed throughout the cattle feeding regions to ensure sufficient price discovery. That is why all of NCBA’s 46 state affiliate organizations unanimously adopted a fed cattle price discovery policy at our 2020 Summer Business Meeting. This policy directs NCBA to pursue a voluntary approach to price discovery that includes triggers established by a working group of producer members which, if tripped due to a lack of regionally sufficient negotiated trade, would prompt NCBA to seek legislative or regulatory solutions — such as those outlined in Sen. Fischer’s bill — to achieve robust price discovery. “Since the adoption of this policy, that producer group has been diligently working to establish these triggers and identify a path to increase negotiated trade across all cattle feeding regions. We anticipate that the subgroup will meet the October 1 deadline set by the policy to establish regional triggers. “Sen. Fischer’s bill explores many avenues to improve transparency in the
cattle markets. The creation of a cattle contracts library and clarification of confidentiality rules will provide crucial data to cattle producers as they seek to make informed marketing decisions. However, our policy dictates that the voluntary framework we are developing be allowed the opportunity to succeed or fail before we can lend our support to regional mandatory minimums for negotiated trade. We welcome a continued dialogue with Sen. Fischer and her colleagues on ways to achieve robust price discovery for all cattle producers.” About the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.
Southeastern
COW/CALF CONFERENCE Save the date for the first annual Southeastern Cow/Calf Conference, designed with you and your operation in mind! This year’s topics will focus on how to increase profitability in your operation through cow and calf nutrition.
November 12-13, 2020
Pee Dee REC Facility
Registration Coming Soon
Lee Van Vlake 843-344-3322 rii@clemson.edu The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
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Beef Checkoff News Beef Promotion Operating Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2021 Checkoff Plan of Work. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will invest approximately $39,380,000 into programs for beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing, and producer communications during fiscal 2021, subject to USDA approval. At the end of its September 9-10 meeting in Denver, Colo., the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) approved checkoff funding for a total of 13 “Authorization Requests” – or grant proposals brought by nine contractors for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2020. The committee includes ten producers
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from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and ten producers from the Federation of State Beef Councils. Nine contractors brought a total of $47,725,121 worth of funding requests to the BPOC this week, nearly $8,345,121 more than the funds available from the CBB budget. “Producers drive all the decisions that the BPOC makes during these important meetings,” said CBB and BPOC Chair Jared Brackett. “Cattlemen and women from across the U.S. and importers carefully consider every proposal to determine where we should spend these Checkoff dollars with one primary goal in mind – increasing beef demand to provide producers with the
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
best possible value for their Checkoff investments. “Once again, our contractors came to these meetings with some incredibly innovative ideas and projects. As always, it’s a real challenge to balance the budget and distribute our limited amount of Checkoff dollars to these contractors in a way that we believe will best drive beef demand. I personally thank all our contractors and committee members for dedicating considerable time and effort to continue moving the beef industry forward.” In the end, the BPOC approved proposals from eight national beef organizations for funding through the FY 21 Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget, as follows: • American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture - $670,996 • Cattlemen’s Beef Board $1,689,915 • Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research and Education - $646,144 • Meat Import Council of America/ Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative $497,037 • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association - $26,442,207 • National Institute for Animal Agriculture - $89,466 • North American Meat Institute $994,068 • United States Meat Export Federation - $8,350,170 Broken out by budget component – as outlined by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 – the Fiscal Year 2021 Plan of Work for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board budget includes: • $9.8 million for promotion programs, including the continuation of the checkoff ’s consumer digital advertising program, as well as veal promotion • $8.9 million for research programs, focusing on a variety of critical issues, including pre- and post-harvest beef safety research, product quality research, human nutrition research and scientific affairs, market research, and beef and culinary innovations • $7.3 million for consumer information programs, including a Northeast public relations initiative; national consumer public relations, including nutrition influencer relations and work with primary and secondary school curriculum directors nationwide to get accurate information about the beef industry into classrooms of today’s youth • $3.3 million for industry information programs, comprising dissemination of accurate information about the beef industry to counter
misinformation from anti-beef groups and others, as well as funding for checkoff participation in a fifth annual national industrywide symposium focused on discussion and dissemination of information about antibiotic use • $8.4 million for foreign marketing and education in 80 countries in the following regions: ASEAN region, Caribbean, Central America/Dominican Republic, China/Hong Kong, Europe, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Middle East, Russia/Greater Russian Region, South America, Taiwan, and new markets • $1.7 million for producer communications, which includes investor outreach using national communications and direct communications to producers and importers about checkoff results, as well as development and utilization of a publishing strategy and platform and a state beef council content hub. The full fiscal 2021 Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget is approximately $43.1 million. Separate from the authorization requests, other expenses funded include $254,000 for program evaluation; $445,000 for program development; $720,000 for USDA oversight, which includes $450,000 for AMS oversight and $190,000 for CBB’s legal and compliance; and $2.1 million for CBB administration. The fiscal 2021 budget represents a decrease of 3.2 percent, or $1.4 million, from the $44.5 million fiscal year 2020 budget All authorization requests and budgets are now sent onto the full Cattlemen’s Beef Board for approval, followed by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service for review, with a start date for the new fiscal year on October 1. For more information about the Beef Checkoff and its programs, including promotion, research, foreign marketing, industry information, consumer information, and safety, contact the Cattlemen’s Beef Board at 303-220-9890 or visit www.DrivingDemandForBeef. com. NCBA Showcases the Beef I n d u s t r y ’s Commitment to Sustainability. Beef Checkoff dollars at work highlighting beef ’s sustainability story.In a continued effort to protect the reputation of the beef industry, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor Beef Checkoff, is proactively ramping up communications efforts to highlight the importance of sustainability to the beef industry and its continued commitment to being stewards of the land and environment. These efforts, which will peak to coincide with Climate Week NYC, include a consumer focused news story to be distributed nationally,
targeted media outreach to offer beef sustainability experts and resources to sustainability journalists, and the sharing of sustainability facts and resources on the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. social media accounts. The tactics highlight the following facts: • According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gas from beef cattle only represents 2 percent of emissions in the United States.[i] • The U.S. produces 18 percent of the world’s beef with only 6 percent of the
world’s cattle.[ii] • Between 1977 and 2007, the U.S. beef industry has reduced the carbon footprint of beef cattle by more than 16 percent while producing slightly more beef, thanks to continued improvement in sustainability practices and more effective use of resources.[iii] • Today, U.S. grasslands utilized by the beef industry sequester and store 7.4 Pg Carbon—which is the equivalent of taking 5.76 Billion cars off the road. [iv],[v] • Cattle not only recycle, they upcycle by eating human inedible plants and
The 115th National Western Stock Show Postponed Until January 2022 The Western Stock Show Association (WSSA) Board of Directors, together with the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) management, has made the difficult decision to postpone the 115th National Western Stock Show by one year and to resume the event in January 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic does not allow for the Stock Show to host the annual event and comply with the health and safety guidelines that are necessary to protect Coloradans and help stop the spread. More importantly, the projected environment through to the end of the year is too uncertain and therefore not reassuring enough to allow a traditional Stock Show to take place without potentially compromising the health and safety of exhibitors, visitors, and the public at large. “The decision to postpone the 2021 Stock Show is incredibly difficult for our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, business partners, and the City and County of Denver,” stated Doug Jones, Chairman of the WSSA, “but the iconic western events and traditions we all know and love will be back in 2022, stronger than ever,” added Jones. “Over the past several months, we reviewed and exhausted every option possible to host our event including a modified show with reduced capacity,” said Paul Andrews, President and CEO of the NWSS. “Ultimately, the health and safety of our guests, exhibitors, volunteers, and staff is of top priority and the NWSS and the City of Denver could not find a path forward to have Stock Show and comply with the rules that govern gatherings of our size and rules of social distancing,” said Andrews. Stock Show management made the early decision due to the intense planning and expenses that go into the NWSS. “We needed to make sure we announced early enough so all the livestock producers, contestants, competitors, and exhibitors do not incur time and cost they can’t recover,” stated Andrews, “and as an indoor event in the heart of winter, we had to consider the virus could be spread more easily indoors, potentially compromising the safety and health of thousands of people. The responsible decision was to postpone the show.” Every January, the NWSS hosts the super bowl of livestock shows along with professional rodeo competition and horse shows that are celebrated globally. The trade show is the largest western trade show in Colorado, with nearly 900 booth spaces throughout the 90 acre grounds. The Stock Show draws over 700,000 attendees during the 16 days in January with record days seeing over 65,000 guests on site. The NWSS drives an economic impact of nearly 120 million dollars in January alone. The show supports 4-H and FFA partnerships that span more than a century and supports over 100 students annually studying in the fields of agriculture and rural medicine at dozens of colleges throughout Colorado and Wyoming. All of this as a non-profit 501(c)(3). “We would like to thank our loyal stock show fans that are standing by us through this unprecedented time in history,” said Andrews. “We look forward to celebrating the return of Stock Show in 2022 with the grand opening of the historic Yards and Stockyards Event Center. Mark your calendars for January 8-23, 2022,” said Andrews.
turning them into high quality protein.[vi] “Beef farmers and ranchers recognize the importance of caring for the environment and we strive to ensure continuous improvement in managing the land, water and air resources in our care,” said Florida rancher Marty Smith, who is also serving as the current president of the NCBA a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “We know that optimal management of the resources upon which our animals and our livelihoods depends is critical to the longevity of our farms and ranches and that’s why cattlemen and cattlewomen are an important part of solving the environmental issues facing the global population.” We need ruminant animals, like beef cattle, to help make more protein with less, and we’ve proven in the U.S. that beef can be raised sustainably. Sharing the facts about beef production is a priority of NCBA as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. References [i] EPA. 2019. Inventory of U. S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2017. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. [ii] Available at www.fao.org/faostat/ en/#home accessed December 6, 2019) [iii] Capper, J.L. “The environmental impact of beef production in the United States: 1977 compared with 2007.” J. Anim. Sci. 2011. 89(12):4249-61. Doi: 10.2527/jas.2010-3784. [iv] Using EPA’s GHG Equivalency Calculator and this study for the carbon stocks estimates: FACT: Total grassland
carbon stocks in the conterminous United States, estimated to be about 7.4 petagrams of carbon (Pg C) in 2005, are projected to increase to about 8.2 Pg C by 2050. Pendall, E., D. Bachelet, R.T. Conant, B. El Masri, L.B. Flanagan, A.K. Knapp, J. Liu, S. Liu, and S.M. Schaeffer, 2018: Chapter 10: Grasslands. In Second State of the Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR2): A Sustained Assessment Report [Cavallaro, N., G. Shrestha, R. Birdsey, M.A. Mayes, R.G. Najjar, S.C. Reed, P. Romero-Lankao, and Z. Zhu (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, D.C., USA, pp. 399-427 [v] w w w. d o i . o rg / 1 0 . 7 9 3 0 / SOCCR2.2018.Ch10 [vi] Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). 1999. Animal Agriculture and Global Food Supply. Taskforce report N. 135 July 1999, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA. Available at www.agrienvarchive.ca/bioenergy/ download/anag.pdf. 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 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national Checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
ALL Regular Copy for the
NOVEMBER ISSUE by OCTOBER 5! ALL Spotlight Material for the NOVEMBER ISSUE By OCTOBER 1!
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Don’t Take Chances with Your Nutrition Program. That is perhaps one of the most important lessons that Spencer Nero learned during his time at college. He didn’t learn it from some educated professor in a giant lecture hall. Instead, he learned it from the late Nathan Payne, owner and operator at Bud’s Barbershop along The Strip in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Nero recalls his regular visits with Payne and the lessons he learned from the seasoned barber that now help him on his cow/calf and backgrounding operation near Checotah, Oklahoma. Payne often told the young college kid that there’s always a reason something happens; nothing is ever left to chance. As a man with many irons in the fire – owner of a residential concrete business, shift supervisor at a glass plant, and owner of his cattle enterprise – it is imperative that Nero leaves nothing to chance with his cattle. That’s why he believes in a premium mineral program to keep his herd healthy and performing. A herd that is healthy and stress free enough to require minimal upkeep and treatments. “Personally, mineral is the most important thing to change the health of a calf. I’m not afraid to give them a little extra, if they need it,” he said. A good mineral program is vital to Nero as he gets in and backgrounds several loads of young, lightweight, high risk calves each year. He contracts these calves out to be used for roping calves. However, as soon as they walk off the
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trailer onto his place, they start receiving the best care he can give them, starting with the Vita Charge Cattle Drench and Vita Charge Stress Tubs. Vita Charge Cattle Drench supports digestive health and promotes feed and water intake during times of stress and recovery. It contains Amaferm, a precision based prebiotic that impacts intake, feed digestibility, and nutrient absorption to help combat stress and support the animal’s own immune system. Prior to starting his calves on the Vita Charge Cattle Drench, Nero said that he would give them multiple shots as they were unloading from the truck, adding to the stress of travel, acclimating to a new environment, and likely having just been weaned before loading in the semi and traveling hundreds of miles to Nero Cattle Company. “My whole protocol has changed because of that drench. I used to give a lot of antibiotics, fill them up with shots, but once I started using drench, I’ve eliminated every shot I give them. Now, I give them the drench and I worm them. That’s pretty much it for the first week until they are eating and drinking good. Then we’ll come back and work them. That way we don’t stress them out internally and externally. If we have them feeling better on the inside, they won’t stress out so much on the outside. Reducing the stress factor is the biggest thing I’ve done, thanks to the Drench. Live and learn and try to get it right,”
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Nero said. After he gets the calves off the trailer, he makes sure to keep them healthy and performing with the help of the Vita Charge Stress Tubs. Nero said he makes sure he has plenty of these tubs scattered around in his pens to give his calves free choice access when they want it. “When I bring in at risk calves at 130 to 400 pounds, there are Vita Charge Stress Tubs out 24/7. I don’t care if people think that’s overconsumption because if they are eating it, they need it,” Nero said. In addition to scattering the Stress Tubs out around his pens, he also sets the VitaFerm HEAT mineral out about 4050 feet from his water sources. VitaFerm HEAT is a free choice vitamin and mineral supplement for beef cattle to help prevent heat stress during temperatures of 70ºF and hotter. The unique combination of clove, cinnamon, and chili pepper helps maintain circulation to support animal performance. That blend of plant extracts and Amaferm are both research proven to maintain core body temperature, therefore helping lower heat stress. Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Nero’s herd is that his cows have benefited from the Amaferm advantage most of their lives. His older cows are now five years old and came to his ranch as high risk roping calves from Louisiana. He sold off the Brahman influenced crossed with Angus steer calves and kept those heifers to turn in to breeding stock. When that group of calves first came on his ranch, he was giving every animal the Vita Charge Paste (now Vita Charge Gel) to jump start their appetite.
Now those Brangus cows are getting Amaferm in their VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S, a premier breeding mineral that helps get his cows bred and keeps them bred. Nero has been approached by other mineral sales reps, but he’s satisfied with the BioZyme products he buys from Green’s Elevator. He said he’s found a product that works for all aspects of his operation, so why would he change. “My cattle are fresh, have good color, and they are having babies which is the most important thing. They have been on VitaFerm all their life; some of them are third and fourth generation BioZyme users. They’ve been through the program. I’ve found something that works, and I don’t want to try something else,” Nero said. And when a new product becomes available, he tries it. Last summer he was mixing the Concept•Aid 5/S with the VitaFerm HEAT mineral. This spring, BioZyme launched VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S HEAT, a real game changer for a busy man like Nero. “I can always tell if those cows have run out of HEAT mineral. One thing I’ve noticed, I will see more flies on them. I tell people it’s not a silver bullet, and you’re not going to get rid of all the flies, but the number of flies you’re going to have is minimized with the HEAT mineral. Years back I probably sprayed cows once a week with fly spray. Now I might spray them once every two weeks. And the cows here at the barn might be sprayed once a month,” Nero said. “My cows get left in the tracks when it comes to getting care. I have not seen a cow in the pond at all this year. I think that has a lot to do with the HEAT mineral.” Leave nothing to chance. Nero has taken that advice from a seasoned barber and applied it to his Oklahoma cattle ranch. He doesn’t take a chance on herd health and nutrition. He doesn’t take a chance on losing even one calf by skimping on his mineral program. And he doesn’t take a chance on getting his cows bred by neglecting their health protocols either. “I buy the mineral. There is no amount of money on keeping one alive. If I didn’t use it and I lost one calf, at the end of the year that’s like losing 700 bucks,” he said. Don’t leave your herd’s health to chance. If you are looking for a quality nutrition program for weaning and or receiving calves that can work all the way through breeding and calving cows, look no further than products from BioZyme with the Amaferm advantage. To learn more, visit www.vitaferm.com. How to Prepare Your Calves for Fall Sales. Midwest state fairs often
signify the end of a show season for many young cattle exhibitors, but with every ending comes a new beginning. Soon, cattle operations will be offering this year’s calf crop through their fall sales to potential buyers who are already making plans for their next show season. It’s enjoyable to walk through runs of nicely groomed, gentle calves. But this process doesn’t happen overnight. Blaine Rodgers, owner of Rodgers Livestock in Savannah, Mo., shares his sales preparation tips and advice with those looking to host a sale this fall. Calf health is the first area that Rodgers said needs to be addressed, and that starts with a booster round of vaccinations. Regardless if a calf is raised and weaned on Rodgers’ place or a calf he has brought in from another breeder, he said it is vital to make sure the calves start out healthy. “Their immune system becomes compromised by all the stress they are put through, so we need to make sure they start out healthy. On the cattle I get in on consignment, I can tell you who does a good job and who doesn’t just by how they react (to the stress). You’ve got to make sure you’ve got a good handle on their health before you get started,” he
said. Rodgers keeps records of all the vaccinations and dewormer the cattle are given along with the dates they are administered for further reference. He also records any time he has to treat a calf, because as he said, even the best manager will have some illness throughout the fall, especially with fluctuations in temperatures being so extreme. “Our biggest challenge right now is monitoring them daily on temperature and environmental changes. The fluctuation in temperatures are hard on them. On extremely hot days, we try to bring them all in and put them under fans so they can stay cool, but we prefer to let them stay out in the lots with round bales and let them be cattle as much as we can,” he said. Rodgers suggests monitoring health early each morning before the heat of the day sets in. If you do have one that gets sick, separate it and get it treated. Make sure it is feeling 100 percent again before you put it back with the group to ensure that it won’t relapse due to the stress of daily care or extra movement through the pens. When commingling calves from various origins, it is important to look for
signs of coccidiosis. The young calves are susceptible to coccidiosis, and it can cause them to go backward or lose performance in a hurry. Rodgers suggests adding an ionophore to the feed. If a person is unsure of their calf’s diagnosis, they should collect and test a stool sample to ensure proper treatment. One of the most important ways to keep your calves healthy and get that bloomy appearance on them is through a good nutrition program. Always be sure to provide your calves with plenty of fresh, clean, cool water. Even when in the barns under fans, Rodgers said it is imperative to offer the calves a water source. And always be sure to keep plenty of hay in front of them to keep their rumens functioning, since a healthy digestive system typically lends itself to a healthy animal. “Keep free choice hay in front of them all the time to keep their rumen working. We’re always putting extra grain in them to grow them but need to keep their digestive tract on focus. Even when we put them in the barn, there are feeders with hay for them,” he said. Another way that Rodgers keeps his cattle healthy and their digestive system in check is by feeding them Amaferm.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
He uses the Sure Champ Pack or other methods to make sure his calves benefit from the Amaferm advantage. He also includes the Vita Charge Stress Tubs in all his runs to help promote feed and water intake during times of stress and recovery. Once he’s ensured his cattle are healthy, eating, and on a good plane of nutrition, the other priority for Rodgers is to make his calves look like show prospects, including having them halter broke and hair worked. “The one thing we flirt with being the hardest decision on them is we’re trying to get them sale ready and we’re trying to get them bloomy, yet at the same time we’ve got to get them broke and we want to get them hairy. There’s a fine line – the harder you work on them, the faster they shed weight. If we don’t mess with them, it’s the best way to get them ready condition wise, but we have to worry about getting them gentle enough and get their hair coming in too,” he said. The calves are put through a tough week right from the start to get them broke from the onset. First, Rodgers will pen wash a group by putting about four
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BioZyme News continued from the previous page loose calves in a smaller pen. The dirt is blown out, and then they are washed and blown dry. “It’s amazing! Pen wash them once or twice, and you’re scrubbing on them, and it feels good and they cool off. They learn you’re not a bad person. It’s probably the quickest way for us to make headway,” he said. Once the calves have gentled down and are used to people, they will halter them and put them in the alleyway head-totail to get used to standing with the halters on. Someone is always around to make sure they don’t flop around and get hurt and to rub on the calves. Doing this for three to four days before they are tied is a good way to introduce them to the halters without getting the calves or people hurt. Rodgers said if they have any calves that do need to be dehorned, they will halter break them first, and then dehorn them. This allows them to rest for a couple of weeks to heal without having their heads messed with. Once the calves are accustomed to their halters and being tied, it’s time to focus on their hair and skin. Rodgers suggests rinsing, conditioning, and blowing them dry several times a week. Avoid using shampoo more than once or twice weekly, as shampoo dries their hair and skin. He tries to rinse and dry them quickly so he can get them untied and turned back out into their runs, because the longer they stand, the more weight they will lose. Finally, if you are going to spray them with anything, make sure to avoid heavy oils. Use a real light sheen in the fall, as heavy oils will add to the heat, causing them stress and potentially
N.C. Weekly Auctions Report
Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 (Week ending SEPTEMBER 4, 2020) Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $110.00 - 192.00 400-500 $122.00 - 166.00 500-600 $120.00 - 146.00 600-700 $100.00 - 139.00 700-800 $100.00 - 131.50 800-900 $85.00 - 126.00 Heifers
300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 700-800 800-900
$120.00 - 158.00 $115.00 - 145.00 $109.00 - 130.00 $94.00 - 122.00 $80.00 - 117.00 $81.00 - 114.00
Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $54.00 - 74.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $50.00 - 69.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $60.00 - 76.00 Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156
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lowering their gains. Herd health. Nutrition. Halter breaking. Skin and hair care. These are the foundations for preparing sale calves for the buyer to find his or her next project. Not everyone does it the same, but these basic principles apply to help develop a low stress, eye appealing, high quality sale offering. To learn more about your animal’s care, visit www.surechamp.com. 455 Farms Earns BioZyme® Master Dealer Status. 455 Farms in Tabor City, N.C., has recently completed the necessary training to be named a BioZyme Master Dealer. As a Master Dealer, 455 Farms had at least one of its employees complete multiple online training modules to further his or her education about the brands and product lines BioZyme offers. The Master Dealers will be able to share expanded knowledge of the BioZyme products with potential customers. “We are excited to certify this dealership knowing it excels in knowledge about our product lines, and it will be an excellent resource for all product needs and questions,” said Kristi Stevens, BioZyme Senior Manager of Marketing Operations. “455 Farms has taken the time to complete our strenuous training program and has committed to stocking or is willing to order our full product line. Feel confident that they are one of the most informed dealers that our company works with.” Master Dealers will receive special designation on the online dealer locator, signage for their store, and apparel that indicates their Master Dealer certification so customers can easily identify those who have gone the extra mile to provide excellent knowledge and service. To learn more about BioZyme and its product lines or to locate a dealer in your area, go to www.biozymeinc.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 ®, and DuraFerm®. With headquarters in St. Joseph, Mo., the company reaches a global market of customers that stretches into countries across five continents. For more information about BioZyme, visit www. biozymeinc.com.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Feeder Profit Calculator Adds Value, Reduces Risk. IGS’ no cost service identifies valuable cattle at sale time. It’s good to know where your cattle stand. For producers looking to offset expenses and capitalize on genetic value, as well as buyers hoping to minimize risk, the International Genetic Solutions (IGS) Feeder Profit Calculator™ is a natural fit. “The Feeder Profit Calculator that IGS provides is an opportunity of what they’re bringing in genetics, the handling of the cattle, and also the vaccination of the cattle,” says Doug Stanton of IMI Global, which partners with IGS. “Boiling it down to a value that a buyer, feedyards, or backgrounders can utilize to distinguish between two groups of cattle.” It’s a simple process, one that takes into account a herd’s bull battery and basic information from the maternal side to predict terminal merit. From there, IGS representatives, like Bailey Abell, assist producers by providing a certificate they can share with interested customers. “When producers get the certificates back, it allows them to take the certificates to their marketers or potential buyers and gives them a good overview in a clean, concise format of what their genetics are, what some of their protocols are on their farm from a managementhealth perspective, and any programs they’re already participating in,” says Abell. “It gives that buyer and that marketer a good value base compared to an average to see where those cattle are standing.” Cattlemen use the service in a variety of ways, some to compare their own calf crops year to year and others for a benchmark comparison against
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the industry average. “A lot of people, especially here lately, have really been using the Feeder Profit Calculator to go through online sales that are popular, especially in today’s day and age where every added value helps a lot,” Abell says. “They’re using this certificate as a way to market to more buyers.” It simplifies things such as breeding decisions based on expected progeny differences (EPDs) that a buyer may otherwise overlook and, as a result, undervalue. It was an easy choice for IMI Global to align with the service. “We felt like that’s a component that we needed to add to bundle with our additional services when a buyer buys a group of cattle, of how they’re going to perform in addition to the marketing claims that we’re verifying,” Stanton says. For a producer, the time obligation is minor: a short amount of input for a strong return. “There’s an opportunity for you to look at whether you’re marketing those animals on an online platform or at your local sale barn or you just want to know information for yourself, there’s a way that we can help you,” Abell notes. About International Genetic Solutions. IGS is an unprecedented collaboration between progressive organizations across the United States, Canada, and Australia that are committed to enhancing beef industry profitability. The collaboration encompasses education, technological advancement, and genetic evaluation. Through collaboration, IGS has become the largest beef cattle evaluation in the world. To learn more about IGS, visit www. internationalgeneticsolutions.com.
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q OCTOBER 2020
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Animal Agriculture Alliance scholarship competition will develop the next generation of ‘ag-vocates.’ College Aggies Online, kicking off this month, offers students more than $20,000 in scholarships. College students across the country are gearing up for the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s annual College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship competition, which kicked off September 14. This year’s students and collegiate clubs are competing for more than $20,000 in scholarships throughout the nine week program. For more information or to sign up, visit www. collegeaggies.animalagalliance.org. CAO connects college students who are interested in promoting agriculture and gives them the skills they need to effectively engage with key audiences online and on campus. The club competition typically focuses on in-person events, however, in light of current circumstances and to adhere to health and social distancing protocols on campuses, it has been updated to include a variety of virtual and small
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group engagement opportunities. Possible events that clubs can organize for points include planning a virtual farm tour; hosting a webinar or video chat with a local elementary, middle, or high school class to talk about agriculture; or holding a food drive to raise awareness about food security and encourage donations to a local food bank. Individual division participants receive training from expert mentors and engage with their peers on social media by posting information about current and emerging issues facing farmers and ranchers and telling personal stories. “We have a stellar line up of industry professional and farmer mentors this year who are prepared to provide tips and tricks to College Aggies Online participants to grow their agriculture advocacy skills,” said Casey Kinler, Alliance director of membership and marketing. “Whether these students are looking to go back to the farm after graduation or work in the industry, this competition has something for everyone and the knowledge they gain will serve them well.”
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Mentors for the 2020 competition include: • Don Schindler, Senior Vice President of Digital Initiatives, Dairy Management Inc. • Barb Determan, Communication Chair, National Pork Industry Foundation • Allison Devitre, Regulatory Policy and Scientific Affairs, Information Management and Communications, Bayer Animal Health • Morgan Walker, Digital and Social Media Manager, American Farm Bureau Federation • Joe Proudman, Associate Director for Communications, CLEAR Center at University of California, Davis • Tara Vander Dussen, dairy farmer and environmental scientist, New Mexico Milkmaid • Lukas Fricke, pig farmer, ChorChek, Inc. • Jenell Eck, chicken, grain, and beef farmer, Thompson Ag Consulting • Tammy Wiedenbeck, beef farmer, Riverview Farms • Cara Harbstreet, MS, RD, LD, Street Smart Nutrition • Michelle Miller, sheep and cattle farmer, Farm Babe, LLC • Beth Breeding, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, National Turkey Federation
• Michelle Jones, grain farmer, Big Sky Farmher • Jessica Peters, dairy farmer, Spruce Row Farm CAO would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. 2020 sponsors include Dairy Management Inc., Seaboard Foods, National Pork Industry Foundation, CHS Foundation, Bayer, Institute for Feed Education and Research, National Corn Growers Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Domino’s Pizza Inc., Ohio Poultry Association, Culver’s, and Pennsylvania Beef Council. To become a sponsor of this year’s program, contact Casey Kinler, director of membership and marketing, at ckinler@ animalagalliance.org. About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
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q OCTOBER 2020
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CHUCK
SHANK
CHUCK
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SIRLOIN
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LEAN
BRISKET LEAN
LEAN
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LEAN
KEY TO RECOMMENDED COOKING METHODS GRILL or BROIL PAN BROIL/ SKILLET
BRAISE/ POT ROAST
LEAN
These cuts meet the government guidelines for lean, based on cooked servings, visible fat trimmed
ROAST
INDIRECT GRILLING
SKILLET TO OVEN
* MARINATE BEFORE COOKING FOR BEST RESULTS
A cut of cooked fresh meat is considered ‘lean’ when it contains less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, andless tahn 95 mg of cholesterol per 100 grams(3½ oz) and per RACC (Reference Amount Customarily Consumed), which is 85 grams (3 oz.)
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Keeping Dogs Safe around Livestock and Horses. Things to keep in mind when your dog is near large animals, plus dog training tips for your cattle dogs and barn dogs alike. Whether working cattle or trotting happily alongside you and your horse on the trails – if you have a dog, life on the farm, or time at the barn, means you’re likely never alone. And while it may seem commonplace, cattle dogs and barn dogs live a unique lifestyle, being nearby 1,000 pound livestock, horses, and heavy farm equipment. Their lifestyle requires grit, wit, and intelligence. Help ensure your dog’s safety and well being; learn what to do should your dog be injured at the farm, and training tips for a dog’s safety. Dealing with on-farm pet injuries + steps to take - When it comes to injuries stemming from large animals and livestock, they can range from mild, requiring dogs only rest for a few days, to life threatening. “We’ve seen dogs with head trauma from horses or cows, and even limb amputations after getting too close to a mower bar. We’ve definitely seen some things,” said Paul DeMars, DVM, DABVP, clinical associate professor at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. All dogs (even those well trained) can be at risk for injuries stemming from horses and livestock, as their instincts ultimately play the largest role in their behavior. “My dogs are well trained, agility dogs. They are always good and are well trained not to chase horses. However, I had a dog that fell victim [to injury from livestock],” said Kris Hiney, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University associate professor and Extension equine specialist. Dr. Hiney was out one evening feeding, with one of her three agility trained dogs by her side – a Border Collie named Avispa – when her horse at the other end of the field began galloping not toward her and the feed bucket, but straight toward her dog. She gave her command for Avispa to recall, but his Border Collie instincts kicked in, and he crouched into the grass. As the horse neared, the horse lowered his head and curled up his front legs, intentionally coming down directly onto Avispa. Dr. Hiney quickly bundled up Avispa and went to an emergency veterinary clinic. Thankfully, he pulled through and is fine today.
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“The reality of horses and dogs is something not to take lightly,” said Dr. Hiney. “Some owners may not realize how badly a dog can get hurt. A lot of horses are dangerous with dogs. Cattle don’t seek them out as much, unless dogs are in their space. It is 100 percent instinctual, as even well trained dogs who do this for a living can get kicked, and they can be severely injured when working cattle.” Should your dog experience an injury, Dr. DeMars recommends monitoring immediately if they are: • Up on all legs and mobile • Favoring any limbs • Experiencing any seizures • Completely conscious “If the animal is unconscious, get them to your veterinarian right away,” said Dr. DeMars. “Even if an animal is up on all four legs, there still could be internal bleeding. Taking your dog to your veterinarian is always the best answer.” Steps to take, should your dog be injured: Share pictures with your veterinarian. Before driving to the clinic, use your cellphone to take pictures of the injury or wound, and share with your veterinarian. This will help the office prepare for your dog’s arrival and for swift treatment. Have a 24 hour emergency veterinary clinic on speed dial. If your dog experiences head trauma, he requires precise care and, likely, 24 hour monitoring, which is not always an option at a primary veterinary clinic. For such cases, it is best to immediately take your dog to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic or University veterinary school. Refer to your stocked first aid kit. Assist wounds to help stop any bleeding. If it’s a leg injury, wrap the leg just as you would wrap a horse’s leg (apply a sterile lube, then gauze and then cover with vet wrap or bandages, going in the direction of front to back with gentle support – not too tight or too loose). In some cases, use direct pressure. If your dog experiences heavy bleeding, he could be suffering from a ruptured artery. Apply direct pressure to help stop excess blood loss. Get to your veterinarian fast. Increase safety for dogs on-farm or in the barn + training tips - For years, Dr. Hiney has trained dogs for agility. She has three Australian Shepherds and one Border Collie. When it comes to working cattle, Dr. Hiney says, “Just because
they’re a herding dog doesn’t mean they are naturally good around livestock. It means they have intense interest in livestock, and that interest has to be channeled through training.” While any dog can learn to be good around livestock, it is important to realize that cattle dogs, for instance, the Blue Heeler, Catahoula, and Corgi, will be attracted to it and stimulated by the livestock’s movement. “A lot of people think dogs can help while working cattle, but only a trained dog is helpful. An untrained dog creates more chaos and anxiety from both livestock and people. If your dog isn’t trained, he needs to be secured. Tie or pen them up safely out of the way, with water,” recommends Dr. Hiney. Training tips from Dr. Hiney to increase your dog’s safety: For cattle dogs, talk to dog trainers who do herding and cattle dog training. Professional cattle dog training offers a safe space for your dog’s learning by working with livestock that is “dog broke,” meaning they know how to move from a dog’s pressure. They also can start them on sheep and goats for a safer option. While a cow dog is bred instinctually to herd, they will benefit both mentally and physically from professional lessons and training to channel their instinctual habits into more strategized skills. For barn dogs, seek out training options. Check your surrounding area for professional dog training classes. Keep in mind, well mannered dogs are often welcome at horse shows and barns; however, a misbehaving dog nipping or barking is a quick way to be shown the door. In today’s world, there are even online dog training options available, and the World Wide Web is filled with helpful training videos as an option, too. Teach dogs the basics. Dogs among
The Carolina Cattle Connection
livestock and horses should know commands for recall, down, and stay. Teach them the boundaries of what they can and cannot do. They will look to you for the correct answers. Don’t let “funny” and “cute” behaviors fly. Allow no recreational cattle or horse chasing, barking, or nipping at all if you can avoid it. This ‘playtime’ can easily turn problematic. Use positive training methods that reward good behavior. Use treats, toys, and your undivided attention to make training the most rewarding and fun part of their day. This will keep them happy and engaged with you to make the best choices. During training, keep them on a long line before rewarding them with off-leash. For their safety’s sake, not returning to you cannot be an option. Using long lines (essentially a long leash) can prevent bad habits from forming. This is a best practice before letting your dogs off leash. For a wide range of pet products, such as toys, treats, and life saving medications, visit veterinarian founded www.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 experience in veterinary medicine, Valley Vet Supply serves equine, pet, and livestock owners with more than 23,000 products and medications hand selected by Valley Vet Supply founding veterinarians and their professional staff. 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 www.ValleyVet. com.
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NEWS
Flexibility Should Fuel a Feedyard’s Implant Program. Efficient performance comes from keeping it simple and appropriate for the stage of growth. When choosing a cattle implant, take an approach that proves true in the feedyard and beyond: Keep it simple. Today’s implant market contains so many options that trying to set up a simple program can be overwhelming. However, if the implant program is too complicated, it becomes impossible to properly administer in the feedyard. “Implant strategy doesn’t have to be complex to get the most return,” said Gary Sides, Ph.D., Beef Strategic Technical Services, Zoetis. Dr. Sides advised sticking to a handful of basics when choosing an implant to meet your goals. The first step is to match the potency of the implant to the animals: • Stage of production: suckling calf, stocker, feedlot (arrival/grow/finish) • Energy availability of forage or
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feedlot ration • Estimated days on feed Zoetis offers an implant finder to help match your answers to these questions with the appropriate implant because management needs differ throughout an animal’s development. As an example, Dr. Sides identified four different opportunities for using an implant as the animal grows from a 40-day-old calf nursing its mother to eventually moving on to its last 100-200 days in the feedyard. “We can identify the right implant for a specific feeding situation throughout the implant potency staircase to achieve the optimal response from the animal,” Dr. Sides said. “As an example, use the lowest potency implant for a suckling calf and the highest potency implant for the last 80-100 days on a feedlot ration prior to slaughter,” Dr. Sides also said. “If you don’t match the dose of an implant with an animal’s age, weight,
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
maturity, and the energy density of the ration, then you may experience negative effects such as bullers or lower quality grade,” Dr. Sides said. The guiding principle throughout should be one of flexible simplicity, and it has led Dr. Sides to identify an implant that stands out for feedyards looking to manage efficiently. “I think Synovex Choice is a flexible, all around valuable implant in the marketplace,” Dr. Sides said. “We also have long duration implant technologies – Synovex One Feedlot and Synovex One Grass – that offer 200 days of coverage to provide additional management flexibility.” Labeled for use in feedlot steers and heifers, Dr. Sides said Synovex Choice can be applied throughout a feedyard from five weight calves to eight weight steers - as an arrival or terminal implant based on market conditions and desired feedlot or carcass response. “Synovex Choice really simplifies things,” Dr. Sides said. As with any product, availability and service in the challenging conditions of 2020 can often make a difference. Dr. Sides encourages feedyards with implanting questions to contact Zoetis support and technical service staff to discuss potential implant strategies using Synovex implants. Remember, there are no cookie cutter answers to a feedyard’s needs. The Zoetis field force has a deep knowledge of beef markets and can apply that knowledge to make strategic recommendations. Visit www.NoStressSynovex.com to find the implant to fit your needs or visit with your veterinarian. Do not use SYNOVEX products in veal calves. Refer to label for complete directions for use, precautions, and warnings. New Cross Clearance Offers Flexibility in Starting Cattle Rations. Producers can now feed AUREO S 700 with BOVATEC. Starting cattle on feed has its challenges. With a recent approval from the Food and Drug Administration, cattle producers now have the flexibility to add AUREO S 700 into starter and growing rations that contain BOVATEC. “Cattle producers will see improved gain and feed efficiency, as well as coccidiosis control by including BOVATEC as the ionophore,” said Gary Sides, Ph.D. “And by adding AUREO S 700, they have the health benefit of maintaining weight gain in the presence of respiratory disease.” Dr. Sides adds that it is important for companies to keep up with the needs of cattle producers in the field and committed to offering additional on-label solutions. He added this cross clearance allows cattle producers the flexibility to use these products together to raise healthy cattle that contribute to safe, sustainable food
for consumers who enjoy eating beef. For more information on feed additive solutions from Zoetis, visit www. CattleFeedAdditives.com or consult with your veterinarian or nutritionist. Withdraw AUREO S 700 seven days prior to slaughter. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Caution: Federal law restricts medicated feed containing this veterinary feed directive (VFD) drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Do not use BOVATEC in calves to be processed for veal. Do not allow horses or other equines access to feeds containing lasalocid, as ingestion may be fatal. Feeding undiluted or mixing errors resulting in excessive concentrations of lasalocid could be fatal to cattle and sheep. Vaccination Can Lock Out BRD on Arrival. Program including INFORCE 3 leads to better herd health for Kansas cattleman. In Allen, Kan., Brian Keith leads a diversified cattle business with cattle sourced from a variety of places and grown for many purposes and customers. His success depends on managing the stress cattle experience from transportation and co-mingling. So, Keith started administering INFORCE 3 respiratory vaccine and ONE SHOT BVD to cattle on arrival, based on the advice of his veterinarian and a consultant from Zoetis. The difference it made against helping prevent respiratory illness and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) was clear. “We’ve gotten along a lot better with it ever since,” said Keith, who operates Keith Cattle Company along with his wife, Lisa, and their son and daughter-inlaw, Justin and Kelsey, and two additional full time staff and some part time help. Preventing BRD - BRD is the No. 1 cause of death across all classes of cattle, including stocker and feedlot cattle.1 It increases labor and medication costs and accounts for $1 billion in losses due to forfeited production.2,3 However, like others using INFORCE 3 along with ONE SHOT BVD, Keith helps provide his cattle with complete protection against key respiratory diseases.4,5 In addition to administering it to cattle sourced from elsewhere, Keith uses INFORCE 3 at branding on all home raised calves at Keith Cattle Company — it’s the first product they get, he said. Keith said he’s noticed a better response in those calves to respiratory vaccines, a better level of immunity, and generally improved respiratory health.4 Reduce illness and reduce the need to treat - The numbers support the success INFORCE 3 can offer by preventing respiratory illness and reducing treatments for bovine respiratory disease. • Immunosuppressed cattle
demonstrated equivalent or greater innate and adaptive local immune responses to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) than those vaccinated up to 12 days before stressful events.5 • High risk cattle vaccinated on arrival with INFORCE 3 and ONE SHOT BVD demonstrated a 41 percent reduction in second BRD treatments and a 45 percent reduction in third BRD treatments compared with calves that received Vista Once SQ.6 Cattle producers can also have confidence that INFORCE 3 delivers at least six months of immunity against IBR in addition to preventing bovine respiratory syncytial virus respiratory disease. Consult your veterinarian about how to design a vaccination program to protect your cattle from respiratory disease challenges.
And visit www.CompleteCalfProtection.com for full details about INFORCE 3 and the potential it offers for your herd. References 1 U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cattle and Calves Nonpredator Death Loss in the United States, 2010. www. aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/ general/downloads/cattle_calves_ nonpred_2010.pdf. Published December 2011. Accessed December 8, 2016. 2 Brodersen B.W. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2010;26(2):323-333. 3 Griffin D., Chengappa M.M., Kuszak J., and McVey D.S. Bacterial pathogens of the bovine respiratory disease complex. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2010;26(2):381-394.
Stokka G.L., Neville B., Seeger J.T., Stoltenow C., Dyer N., and Gaspers J.J. Evaluation of the serologic effect of concurrent IBR, BRSV, PI3, and Mannheimia vaccination and time interval between the first and second dose on the subsequent serological response to the Mannheimia toxoid and BRSV fractions on spring born beef calves in North Dakota. North Dakota Beef Report. 2014;40-42. 5 Cortese V., Woolums A., Hurley D., Bernard J., Berghaus R., Short T. Comparison of interferon and BoHV1 IgA levels in nasal secretions of dairy cattle vaccinated with Inforce 3 prior to calving or on day of calving, in Proceedings. 29th World Buiatrics Congress 2016;436. 6 Step D.L., Krehbiel C.R., Hixon C., et al. Evaluation of Commercially Available 4
Multivalent Modified Live Viral Vaccines on Health and Performance in Feedlot Cattle. JJ Vaccine Vaccination. 2015;1(3):1-8. About Zoetis. Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 65 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products, which are complemented by biodevices, genetic tests, and precision livestock farming. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers, and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries. In 2019, the company generated annual revenue of $6.3 billion, with approximately 10,600 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.
Herd Immunity An Important Concept For Humans, Animals The term "herd immunity" has come into common usage in recent months. "This is an important term and is a concept that is critical to understand as it pertains to human and animal health," says Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist. The concept of herd immunity is a companion concept to individual immunity. "Individual immunity is important to us all as immunity is critical to our very survival," Stokka says. "We are constantly exposed to potential disease causing organisms, and yet the vast majority of people are asymptomatic (show no obvious signs or symptoms of disease) or have only mild symptoms for a short period of time." A good example of the importance of individual immunity is the practice of vaccinating horses to protect them against the disease caused by West Nile virus. The West Nile virus is transmitted to horses through the mosquito. This virus cycles between mosquitoes and bird populations, with horses and humans becoming infected when bitten by an infected mosquito. Horses, humans, and other mammals are known as dead end hosts because they cannot infect other like species. Preventing the mosquito bite is difficult, and thus protection through vaccination is important. The vaccination of mosquitoes and wild birds is logistically impossible at this time; thus, the need exists for an effective vaccine in the horse population. The three objectives of
vaccination are to: • Induce protection against disease • Reduce susceptibility of an individual to infection • Reduce infectivity (shortens time and severity) after the occurrence of an infection In contrast, some disease causing infectious agents are transmitted in a different manner. An example in cattle populations is the virus known to cause the disease bovine virus diarrhea, or BVD. This disease is misnamed because it rarely causes diarrhea, but it may play a role in a host of other disease manifestations, such as respiratory disease, by compromising the immune system of the animal, making it more susceptible to other infections. This virus is spread from animal to animal through nose-to-nose contact, and also likely through the fecal oral route. The infection is the most harmful when the developing fetus is infected. Exposure and infection that occur early in gestation, up to 60 days, may result in absorption or expelling of the fetus. When this occurs later in gestation, from approximately day 60 to 180, abortion may result, or the virus may not be recognized as foreign by the developing fetal immune system. Provided the calf survives this infection, the calf is born with the virus and will shed (expose others to) the virus for its entire life. This becomes the No. 1 reason this virus is maintained in cattle populations. The goal of vaccination in the case of BVD is two fold. "One is to vaccinate the cow so that she develops individual immunity, which will protect her fetus from exposure and infection," says Carrie Hammer, a professor in NDSU's Animal Sciences Department. The ability of any vaccine to provide this level of individual immunity 100
percent of the time is very limited, although research indicates vaccination can result in a high level of protection. The second goal is to achieve herd immunity. When the transmission of a disease is animal to animal, the number of animals that are at risk of infection is important. Once an animal is infected and survives, its immune system has won the battle, and the virus is eliminated. The greater the number of survivors, or immune animals, the less likely the virus can find another susceptible one. Thus, the herd actually protects the remaining animals that still are susceptible. Potential pathogens differ in their ability to infect susceptible animals, and some can spread faster than others. This typically is expressed as the reproductive number. This is the typical number of new cases of infection that will be generated from an index case. For example, in the case of the herpes virus 1 (IBR) infection in cattle, the estimate is that in a herd of susceptible animals, seven new animals will become exposed and infected for each individual infection. Of course, this depends on how close the contact, or social distance, is between animals. To use a human example, the estimate is that for each case of measles, 15 new cases will arise. "Although estimates vary widely, the growing consensus of the reproductive number for COVID-19 appears to be between two and three," says Paul Carson, professor of practice in NDSU's Department of Public Health. The goal with vaccination or exposure (new cases) is to have this number less than one. "When this occurs, not enough new cases are generated to propagate the infection, and an outbreak will soon be extinguished," Carson says. "Therefore, the
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goal of herd immunity is the reduction of infection or disease in the susceptible segment of a population as a result of immunity (through vaccination and/ or natural infection) in a substantive proportion of the population." The chances of exposure and infection decrease with an increasing number of individuals who are immunized. This results in a decrease in the transmission of the pathogen within the group such that new infections become controlled or extinct. The threshold for which we can expect to see herd immunity is directly related to the contagiousness of the pathogen (the reproductive number). Using the example of COVID-19, with a reproductive number of 2.5, the proportion of the population needing to be immune to halt further spread would be 0.6 (60 percent of the population needs to be immune to stop the spread). In the livestock business, the use of vaccinations is two fold. It is used to protect individual animals from developing a disease and/or having signs and symptoms of a disease. In addition, it is used to reduce the severity and duration of disease and to increase the amount of exposure required to cause infection. "When the transmission of a pathogen does not involve animal-to-animal transmission such as West Nile virus in horses, this is a critical individual animal immune response," Stokka says. "When transmission is animal to animal, not only is individual immunity important, but the development of group or herd immunity is critical to reduce the spread/shedding of the organism and subsequently the number of new infections that develop."
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Proper Cow Culling is Important to Your Business
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meets with the “white” of the eyeball. Small growths in any of these areas are very likely to become cancerous lesions if left unchecked. Likewise, be aware of cows with heavy wart infestations around the eye socket. Many of these become cancerous over time. Culling these cows while the growth is still small will allow the cow carcass to be utilized normally. If, however, cancer engulfs the eyeball and gets into the lymph nodes around the head, the entire carcass will likely be condemned as not fit for human consumption. Check the feet and legs. Beef cows must travel over pastures and fields to consume forages and reach water tanks and ponds. Cows with bad stifle joints, severe footrot infections, or arthritic joints may be subject to substantial carcass trimming when they reach the packing plant. They will be poor producers if allowed to stay on the ranch while severely lame. They may lose body condition, weigh less, and be discounted at the livestock market by the packer buyers. Culling them soon after their injury will help reduce the loss of sale price that may be suffered later. If the cow has been treated for infection, be certain to market the cow AFTER the required withdrawal time of the medicine used to treat her infection. Bad udders should be culled. One criterion that should be examined to cull cows is udder quality. Beef cattle producers are not as likely to think about udder health and shape as are dairy producers, but this attribute affects cow productivity and should be considered. OSU studied the effect that bad udders had on cow productivity. They found that cows with one or two dry quarters had calves with severely reduced weaning weights (50-60 pounds) compared to cows with no dry quarters. Plus, cows with bad udders tend to pass that trait along to daughters that may be kept as replacement heifers. Two key types of “bad” udders to cull include the large funnel shaped teats and weak udder suspension. The large funnel shaped teats may be indicative of a previous case of mastitis and cause the quarter to be incapable of producing milk. In addition, large teats may be difficult for the newborn calf to get it's mouth around and receive nourishment and colostrum very early in life. As some cows age, the ligament that separates the two sides of the udder becomes weakened and allows the entire udder to hang very near to the ground. Again it becomes difficult for the newborn calf to find a teat when the udder hangs too close to the ground. Select against these faults, and over time your cow herd will improve its udder health. Cull any really wild cattle. They are
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
hard on you and your equipment, and they raise wild calves. Wild calves are poor performers in the feedlot and are more prone to producing dark cutting carcasses as they reach the packing plant. “Dark cutters” are discounted severely when priced on the rail. Cull cows when in moderate body condition. Send older cows to market before they become too thin. Generally, severely emaciated cattle have lightly muscled carcasses with extremely small ribeyes and poor red meat yield. This greatly lessens the salvage value of such animals. Just as importantly, emaciated cattle are most often those which “go down” in transit, as they lack sufficient energy to remain standing for long periods of time. Severe bruising, excessive carcass trim, increased condemnations, and even
death are the net results of emaciation. Very thin cows have a low dressing percentage (weight of the carcass divided by the live weight). Because of these factors, cow buyers will pay less per pound for very thin, shelly, cull cows. In addition, thin cows will weigh less. As you combine these two factors (weight and price per pound), thin cull cows return many fewer dollars at sale time than if the cow was sold when in moderate body condition. If they are already too thin, a short (45-60 days) time in a dry lot with a high quality feed will put condition back on the cows very efficiently. There is no need to put excess flesh or fat on cows. They become less efficient at converting feed to bodyweight after about 60 days, and the market will not pay for excessive fatness on cows.
Prolonged Labor Affects Post Calving Rebreeding Calving difficulty is one of the greatest causes of baby calf mortality. Consequently, the rationale for providing timely assistance to cows or first calf heifers generally concentrates on the survival and health of the calf. However, calving difficulty resulting in prolonged labor can have adverse effects on the cow as well. Although calving difficulty impacts a small percentage of the herd each year, the hidden costs that result from prolonged labor can adversely affect profitability. Cattle suffering from calving difficulty have been reported (Brinks, et al. 1973) to have pregnancy rates decreased by 14 percent and those that did become pregnant to calve 13 days later at the next calving. Results from a Montana study (Doornbos, et al., 1984) showed that heifers receiving assistance in early stage two of parturition returned to heat earlier in the post calving period and had higher pregnancy rates than heifers receiving traditionally accepted obstetric assistance. In this study, heifers were either assisted when the fetal membranes (water bag) appeared (EARLY) or were allowed to progress normally and assisted only if calving was not completed within two hours of the appearance of the water bag (LATE). Heifers that were allowed to endure a prolonged labor had a 17 percent lower rate of cycling at the start of the next breeding season. In addition, the rebreeding percentage was 20 percent lower than the counterparts that were given assistance in the first hour of labor. First calf heifers should deliver the calf in about one hour. The starting time is the first appearance of the water bag and ends with complete delivery of the calf. Mature cows that have calved previously should proceed much faster and should deliver the calf in about a half hour. Prolonged deliveries of baby calves (in excess of two hours) often result in weakened calves and reduced rebreeding performance in young cows! Reproduction Success of Heifers Given Early of Late Assistance % Cycling at start of breeding % Pregnant after breeding
%
Cull cows represent approximately 20 percent of the gross income of any commercial cow operation. Cull beef cows represent ten percent of the beef that is consumed in the United States. Therefore, ranchers need to make certain that cow culling is done properly and profitably. Selling cull cows when they will return the most income to the rancher requires knowledge about cull cow health and body condition. Proper cow culling will reduce the chance that a cow carcass is condemned at the packing plant and becomes a money drain for the entire beef industry. Cull open cows. Why feed a cow all winter that will not have a calf next spring? Call your veterinarian, schedule a time for pregnancy checking, and find which cows have not bred back. Cull them while they are in good body condition after summer pasture and before you spend $200 or more on the winter feed bill. Is she good for another year? At cow culling time, producers often face some tough decisions. If she is not pregnant, the decision is easier. However, what do you do when an older cow is rebred? Optimum culling of the herd seems to require a sharp crystal ball that could see into the future. Will she keep enough body condition through the winter to deliver a healthy calf next spring? How old is the cow? Is her mouth sound so that she can harvest forage and be nutritionally strong enough to raise a big calf? At what age do cows usually start to become less productive? There is great variability in the longevity of beef cows. Data from large ranches in Florida would indicate that cows are consistent in the rebreeding performance through about eight years of age. A small decline was noted as cows aged from eight to ten years of age. However, the most consistent decline in reproductive performance was noted after cows were ten years of age. A steeper decline in reproductive performance was found as they became 12 years of age. In other words, start to watch for reasons to cull a cow at about age eight. By the time she is ten, look at her very closely and consider culling; as she reaches her twelfth year, plan to cull her before she gets health problems or in very poor body condition. Other reasons to cull cows: Examine the eye health of the cows. One of the leading causes of condemned beef carcasses is still “cancer eye” cows. Although the producers are doing a much better job in recent years of culling cows before “cancer eye” takes its toll, every cow manager should watch the cows closely for potentially dangerous eye tumors. Watch for small pinkish growths on the upper, lower, or corner eyelids. Also, notice growths on the eyeball in the region where the dark of the eye
Early
Time of Assistance
Late
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Norris Fowler • 864-219-0182 www.fowkenfarm.com
A DVERTISERS
1 Southern Synergy “Georgia Open” Fall Female Sale ...... 19 12th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale ............... 25 12th Annual SimAngus Solution Bull & Replacement Heifer Sale ....................................... 48 19th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale ....................................... 17 2020 Southern Connection Sale .......................................... 33 26th Annual Hokie Harvest Sale ........................................... 37 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus ...................................................... 75 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale ... 12 5th Annual Pounds & Profit Sale ........................................... 28 9th Annual Southeast Bull Expo and Sale ............................. 26 AgAmerican Lending ............................................................ 39 AGCO — Massey Ferguson ................................................... 38 Alltech — CPC ....................................................................... 55 American Angus Association ............................................... 20 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............ 75 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ..................................................... 10 Back Creek Angus ................................................................. 75 Barnett Angus Ranches Bull Sale ........................................ 30 BioZyme Incorporated — VitaCharge .................................. 65 Black Crest Farm .................................................................. 75 Black Crest Angus Farm 23rd Annual Production Sale ........ 22 Black Grove Angus ............................................................... 75 Brubaker Family Angus ........................................................ 75 C-Cross Cattle Company Online Elite Embryo & Female Production Sale .......... 68 Callicrate Banders ................................................................ 36 Carolinas Animal Health ...................................................... 75 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ......................................... 64 Double J Farms ..................................................................... 75 Dura•Cast ............................................................................... 9 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. ................................................ 75 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ............................... 8 Fowken Farms — CATTLE FOR SALE .................................... 75 FPL Food, LLC ....................................................................... 15 Fred Smith Company Ranch ................................................ 75 Fred Smith Company Ranch 4th Extra Effort Fall Sale ......... 47 Gibbs Farms 15th Annual Bull & Replacement Female Sale ............. 49 H.J. White Farms .................................................................. 75 Harward Sisters Cattle Company ........................................ 14 High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity 2020 Sale ............. 50 Howard Brothers Farms ....................................................... 75 Hunt’s H+ Brangus .............................................................. 75 Hutton & Sons Herefords ..................................................... 75 Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale .................... 16 L.E. Smith Cattle Equipment ................................................ 43 st
Darryl Howard Cell: 910-990-2791
SENEPOL CATTLE FOR SALE
KEEP POSTED FOR UPDATES ON THE 2020 Tarheel Angus/4K Farm Production Sale
Autryville, NC 28318 www.howardbrosfarms.com
Lazy Acres Angus Open House & Customer Appreciation Day .............. 21 Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale ................................. 40 McMahon Farm & Hancock Angus Annual Registered Angus Bull Sale ............................ 31 N.C. Angus Association Directory ...................................... 23 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application ......................................... 72 N.C. Choices — Meat Suite .................................................. 62 N.C. Hereford Association .................................................. 34 N.C. Simmental Association ............................................... 46 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment .............. 13 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Membership Notice .................................................... 58 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Company ................................................. 75 Pearson Livestock Equipment ............................................ 32 Post Drivers USA ................................................................... 7 Premier Select Sires ........................................................... 24 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ............ 42 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ................................... 55 Smith Creek Angus Farm On-Farm Bull Sale ...................... 75 Smith Farm Trailer Sales .................................................... 75 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ......................................... 45 Southeast AgriSeeds ........................................................... 75 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ........................................ 67 Southeastern Cow/Calf Conference — SAVE THE DATE .................................................... 61 Springfield Angus Bull Sale ................................................ 27 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2020 Spotlight Schedule ............................................ 56 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates and Sizes ....................................... 35 TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer 9th Annual Maternal Magic Bull Sale .......................... 69 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM ....................................................... 3 Wax Company — Marshall Ryegrass .................................... 2 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ......................................... 41 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ....................... 52 Whitehall Beefmasters ....................................................... 75 Wilkes Livestock Exchange .................................................. 5 Yon Family Farms Fall Sale ................................................. 29
INSURANCE AUTO • HOME • LIFE BUSINESS • FARM & RANCH
803-789-7000
The Josey Agency, Inc. Douglas Josey Multi-Line Agent
A NIMAL H EALTH
C. A. H. Brent Glenn, DVM Lancaster, S.C.
Jim Traynham Wingate, N.C. 704-233-5366 Cell - 704-292-4217
Carolinas Animal Health, LLC
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 ®
Cell: 803-385-8161 Email: djosey@truvista.net
2610 Kee Moore Drive Chester, SC 29706
Nationwide
®
Agribusiness On Your Side®
James S. Wills
Primary Agent/Owner Master Farm Certified 555 West Church Street Batesburg, SC 29006
Telephone: 800-557-3390 Cell: 864-554-4658 Fax: 803-532-0615 willsj1@nationwide.com
LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT SMITH FARM
TRAILER SALES
trailers • truck bodies • tool boxes
Inc. / Auctioneers
3200 NC Hwy. 58 • Warrenton, NC 27589 NCAL #1468 • NC#C#4264 • VAL #146 • SCAL #3895 Email: ebharris@ebharris.com www.ebharris.com
FORAGE PRODUCTS
Carl R. Smith 2205 Finch Farm Rd. Trinity, NC 27370 336.475.1279
Authorized Dealer
smithfarmtrailers@yahoo.com
U PCOMING SALES Smith Creek Angus Farm On-Farm Bull Sale coming in DECEMBER - date TBA!
The Partners Sale has been cancelled, but you don’t have to miss out on the same great genetics! For more information, contact
Marty Rooker • 252-213-1553 Norlina, NC
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q OCTOBER 2020
PAGE 75
VENTS ANGUS Oct. 17 — Circle F Farms Fall Bull & F-1 Female Sale, Baxley, Ga. Oct. 17 — Fred Smith Company Ranch 4th Fall Extra Effort Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 24 — 1st Annual Southern Synergy Georgia Open Fall Female Sale, Wadley, Ga. Oct. 30 — 26th Annual Hokie Harvest Sale Oct. 31 — High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity 2020 Sale, Albemarle, N.C. Oct. 31 — Lazy Acres Angus Open House & Customer Appreciation Day, Rocky Mount, Va. Oct. 31 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Springs, S.C. Nov. 7 — Barnett Angus Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Washington, Ga. Nov. 7 — TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale, Chickamauga, Ga. Nov. 14 — Gibbs Farms 15th Annual Bull & Replacement Female Sale, Ranburne, Ala. Nov. 14 — 19th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 14 — McMahan Farm & Hancock Angus Annual Registerd Angus Bull Sale, Mocksville, N.C. Nov. 21 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Nov. 21 — SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Nov. 21 — 9th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale, Asheboro, N.C. Nov. 27-28 — N.C. Angus Association First Annual Genetic Harvest Online Angus Sale Dec. 4 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 5 — 5th Annual Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 12 — Springfield Angus Bull Sale, Louisburg, N.C. 2021 Jan. 2 — 12th Annual EBS Farms Select Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jan. 30 — Harward Sisters Cattle Company Annual Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 11 — UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale, Athens, Ga. Feb. 13 — Black Crest Angus Farm 23rd Annual Production Sale, Sumter, S.C. BRAHMAN Oct. 17 — Circle F Farms Fall Bull & F-1 Female Sale, Baxley, Ga. CHAROLAIS Oct. 17 — JMAR Genetics & Guests Charolais Bull & Heifer Sale, Wardensville, W.Va.
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Oct. 30 — 26th Annual Hokie Harvest Sale Oct. 31 — 2020 Southern Connection Sale, Knoxville, Tenn. Dec. 4 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 5 — 5th Annual Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. 2021 Jan. 30 — Harward Sisters Cattle Company Annual Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. GELBVIEH Oct. 19 — Beef Maker Fall Edition Bull & Female Sale, Cedar Town, Ga. Nov. 7 — TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale, Chickamauga, Ga. Nov. 12 — C-Cross Cattle Company Online Elite Embryo & Female Production Sale Nov. 21 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Dec. 4 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2021 Jan. 9 — C-Cross Cattle Company Annual Bull Sale, Biscoe, N.C. HEREFORD Oct. 19 — Beef Maker Bull & Female Sale - Fall Edition, Cedar Town, Ga. Nov. 14 — 19th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Dec. 4 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Red angus Nov. 21 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. 2021 Jan. 30 — Harward Sisters Cattle Company Annual Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. SIMMENTAL Oct. 17 — Fred Smith Company Ranch 4th Fall Extra Effort Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 30 — 26th Annual Hokie Harvest Sale Oct. 31 — High Ridge Farms Genetic Opportunity 2020 Sale, Albemarle, N.C. Oct. 31 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Springs, S.C. Nov. 14 — Gibbs Farms 15th Annual Bull & Replacement Female Sale, Ranburne, Ala. Nov. 14 — 19th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 21 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q OCTOBER 2020
Nov. 21 — SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Dec. 5 — 5th Annual Pounds & Profit Sale, Snow Camp, N.C. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2021 Jan. 2 — 12th Annual EBS Farms Select Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jan. 30 — Harward Sisters Cattle Company Annual Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. South Devon Nov. 21 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. OTHER EVENTS Oct. 1 — Connecting with Tomorrow’s Consumers - The Cattlemen’s Role in Keeping Meat on Consumer’s Plates Oct. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 6 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Oct. 8 — Clemson Extension Virtual Workshop Series - Evaluating a Marketing Plan Oct. 10 — 2020 Edisto Forage Bull Test & Heifer Sale, Blackville, S.C. Oct. 15 — Clemson Extension Virtual Workshop Series - Panel Discussion of Market Trends Oct. 20 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 30 — 26th Annual Hokie Harvest Sale Nov. 3 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 3 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Nov. 12-13 — Southeastern Cow/Calf Conference, Florence, S.C.
Nov. 14 — 19th Annual E.B. & Shane Harris Influence Female & Bull Sale, Oxford, N.C. Nov. 17 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 21 — 9th Annual Southeast Bull Expo & Sale, Asheboro, N.C. Nov. 21 — Leachman East Coast Stabilizer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Dec. 1 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 1 — Southeast Livestock Exchange Video Auction Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 15 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction 2021 Jan. 2 — 12th Annual EBS Farms Select Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jan. 5 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jan. 19 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Feb. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Feb. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Mar. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Mar. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Apr. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Apr. 20 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction May 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction May 18 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction
IGHTER Jesus, Moses, and an old man go golfing. The first one to tee off is Moses. He smashes the ball and it is heading right for the water hazard before the green. Moses raises his club, the water parts, and the ball makes it to the green. Jesus gets up to swing, cranks it out, and it is headed for the water hazard. Jesus closes his eyes and prays. The ball skips across the water and lands on the green two feet from the hole. The old man’s turn comes and he drives the ball. The ball looks like it is going to drop directly into the water. A fish jumps from the water hazard swallowing the ball, as an eagle drops from the sky, grabbing the fish. As the eagle flies over the green, a bolt of lightning strikes the eagle, making it drop the fish. As the fish hits the green, it spits out the ball and the ball falls into
IDE
the hole, making a hole in one. Jesus looks at Moses and says, “I really think I’m leaving Dad at home next time!”
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Three friends die in a car accident and they go to an orientation in Heaven. They are all asked, “When you are in your casket and friends and family are talking about you, what would you like them to say? The first guy says,”I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time and a great family man.” The second guy says, “I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow.” The last guy replies, “I would like to hear them say ... Look, he’s moving!”