LMD February 2011

Livestock “The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.”

– JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL FEBRUARY 15, 2011 •

Riding Herd

MARKET

Digest

www. aaalivestock . com

Volume 53 • No. 2

by LEE PITTS

Communities of Strangers ewspapers tell us the news, they aren’t supposed to be in the news.

Sadly, that’s the case as I read more and more pundits predicting the end of newsprint.

Many newspapers, it seems, won’t even be around to carry their own obituaries.

Supposedly we’re going to do all our reading on our cell phones and electronic tablets, and companies like Google and Nokia are already dancing on the graves of the newsprint dinosaurs. I can easily do without television but I can’t even begin to imagine breakfast without a newspaper. It pains me to see once big city great daily newspapers, the grand dames of publishing, shrinking in size and status. But before we relegate all newspapers to the scrap heap of history I’d suggest we consider the many things that newspapers can do that the Internet can’t, and I’m not talking about swatting flies, lighting kindling or lining the bird cage.

(When your face has been pooped on by a parakeet you know you’ve arrived as a syndicated columnist.)

There was never a lot of extra cash laying around our house but my mom always found the money to subscribe to the local paper. My mother was a smart woman and she knew that newspapers kept her children and her country better educated and free. She also knew that our community newspaper was what gave us a sense of community.

Today we hear about Facebook and other Internet “communities”, but they are communities of strangers.

“Friends” who’ve never met.

Readers of a community newspaper know each other. Our local newspaper keeps us informed of what is going on, who died, who needs our help and where to shop. I can

N Under The Rug

by Lee Pitts few months ago a past President of the NCBA contacted the publisher of this newspaper and warned if Lee Pitts didn’t tone down his criticism of the NCBA that he was going to cancel his subscription to the Digest.

You think I enjoy writing about the NCBA? I’d really like to write about other things but the NCBA keeps kicking everything else off the front page with their questionable behavior. For example . . .

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The Firewall Fell Down

NEWSPAPER PRIORITY HANDLING

You may recall that a year ago the NCBA was trying to take over the part of the checkoff, which they didn’t already get to spend, with their much ballyhooed governance restructuring.

But when the details of the restructuring became public the NCBA was forced to back off.

Then a couple days before the NCBA got together in Denver for their annual summer conference the Cattlemen’s Beef Board said their review of NCBA’s checkoff spending had uncovered about $37,000 in expenses that the NCBA mistakenly billed to the checkoff during the 29month period covered by the review. One example of the misuse of checkoff funds was travel costs totaling $3,592 for the

“Every path has a few puddles.” spouse of a “senior staff member” to travel to New Zealand for the Five Nations Beef Conference. This same “senior staff member” also had the travel paid for his spouse and child to travel to San Antonio for the annual convention.

The conclusion of that first preliminary audit was that the NCBA had breached the financial firewall that was supposed to have existed between NCBA

checkoff spending and NCBA policy spending. In response to that preliminary report the NCBA merely said that “some rebuilding of the ‘firewall’ is necessary.” As if only a brick or two were loose.

At the time, CBB officials were quick to point out that their report was a preliminary one and was only based on a small sample of NCBA expenses. They said they expected to uncover more

misallocated funds with a more thorough audit. Why, if the CBB had an inkling there were shenanigans going on at the NCBA, hadn’t they conducted a Compliance Review of the NCBA since 2005?

The results of the more thorough audit were issued in January, about a month before the Beef Board and the NCBA got together for their annual love fest. One wonders why these bombshells keep popping up right before major industry confabs. Don’t they know it will ruin the karma at their convention?

Oh well, maybe it gives them something to talk about. And boy, did they have something to talk about this year! Like the more than $216,000 in your beef checkoff dollars the more thorough audit found the NCBA had, excuse me, misallocated.

See what we mean about the continued on page two

Famous Yellowstone elk herd suffers decline n acclaimed elk herd in Yellowstone National Park took a major hit last year, with biologists saying almost one in four of the animals were lost, mainly to predators and hunters.

As recently as 1994, the northern Yellowstone elk herd was the largest in North America with almost 20,000 animals that migrated between the park and parts of southern Montana.

But those numbers have plummeted sharply since wolves were reintroduced 15 years ago, adding to threats that already included mountain lions and grizzly bears.

Figures released in early January 2011 showed the Yellowstone herd down to a minimum of 4,635 elk. That’s a 24 percent drop from last winter, and wildlife officials said the decline was unexpected because the herd in recent years showed signs of stabilizing.

“Either we counted them poorly this year, predator effects were stronger, the big snow event made us miss more elk, or more elk were harvested,” said Park Service biologist Doug Smith. “Usually the best answer in ecology is all of the above.”

He said there was no reason to suspect a continued decline, and that a smaller herd is healthier in some ways because it gives the animals room to thrive.

Bill Hoppe, an outfitter near Gardiner, said

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harsh weather in the park in late November pushed many of the animals to lower elevations in Montana. He estimated several hundred bull elk from the herd were killed by hunters in the last part of the season — one of the most successful harvests in years.

Yet in the 1990s, several thousand elk were killed in some years. Hoppe believes the herd’s best days are gone, and a local hunting industry that already was ailing will collapse.

“There’s coyotes and there’s wolves and there’s bears and there’s mountain lions. (The elk) may come back, but it’s going to be slow,” said Hoppe, who is also president of a group called the Friends of the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd.

The Park Service has no set population target for the herd, but the latest count falls below those of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.

The state’s elk management plan calls for 3,000 to 5,000 elk in parts of Montana just north of the park, said Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim. This year’s count included 2,236 outside the park.

Aasheim said state officials would review whether hunting restrictions need to be tightened in future years to help bolster the herd.

Yet it’s uncertain how much could be done. continued on page three

continued on page four

www.LeePittsbooks.com

Livestock Market Digest

Page 2

February 15, 2011

Under the Rug NCBA forcing everything else off the front page. I suppose we’ve lost the ex-NCBA President as a subscriber for good now.

Shovel And Shut Up

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If you want to raise your blood pressure get your hands on the 23-page report that documented NCBA’s misuse of checkoff dollars. The discrepancies ranged from the misdemeanor-like $125, to the $10,000 felony-type rip-offs. The total includes $12,477 from 2008; $89,716 from 2009; and $114,751 from 2010. See a pattern developing here? With each year the NCBA got more brazen in their skullduggery.

In the past year we have applauded the Beef Board’s actions in this matter and thought that they were trying to make things right on your behalf, but their recent actions are more suspect. After the CBB made public NCBA’s misuse of checkoff dollars they, and the NCBA, quickly sent a joint letter to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees the Beef Checkoff. The letter indicated their desire to resolve the discrepancies by having the NCBA repay about $217,000 to the CBB. That’s it. Done. No hand slapping, public humiliation or further audits.

We can understand why the NCBA wanted this embarrassing chapter swept under the rug as soon as possible. Their CEO, Forest Roberts said, “It’s time to get this review behind us and continue to focus on the business of building a sustainable future for the U.S. beef industry.”

But why would the CBB be in such a hurry to shovel this stinking mess in a deep dark hole and be done with it? Are they too embarrassed that their oversight was so lax, or are they just worried that NCBA’s misdeeds might do the checkoff irreparable damage? It will surely be harder now to get the beef checkoff raised to two bucks a head when the ranchers know the NCBA is cheating, siphoning off part of it to implement their agenda which, we believe, is not always rancher friendly.

Now here’s the really sad news. The USDA also had to be humiliated, for they were in charge of oversight. They, too, were in such a hurry to get this all behind them that they quickly accepted the solution jointly proposed by the CBB and the NCBA. It was on Friday, January 7, 2011, that the CBB and the NCBA quietly and quickly submitted their solution regarding NCBA’s misuse of your checkoff dollars. On the following Monday, January 10, 2011, less than one business day later, USDA sent a letter approving the resolution regarding NCBA’s cheating. Everything was all nice and tidy and everyone could go about their business . . . except for one thing.

continued from page one

Violating Your Trust On January 17, R-CALF USA sent a letter to USDA, the USDA Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Justice demanding the immediate suspension of NCBA’s contract with the checkoff program and a full investigation into NCBA’s misuse checkoff dollars.

Although there have been some media reports that The Agricultural Marketing Service said they would reexamine the agreement as a result of R-CALF’s actions, the AMS has made it clear that, at the time this is being written, they have no intention of delving into the matter any further. They appear to be operating under the “what you don’t know can’t hurt you,” theory of oversight.

So, before we do as the NCBA and CBB want us to do and “move on” we’d like you to hear what R-CALF President Max Thornsberry had to say about NCBA’s actions.

■ “These serious violations represent disrespect and disdain

by NCBA for its legal obligations to the Checkoff and to the hundreds of thousands of cattle producers required to pay into the Checkoff. The CBB found that NCBA used thousands of Checkoff dollars to: 1) pay legal fees to maintain NCBA; 2) pay NCBA’s credit card fees; 3) pay employee’s time for non-Checkoff activities; 4) pay for employees to participate in NCBA’s charity golf tournament; 5) pay for spouses’ travel; 6) pay for meetings, travel, and speaker costs for non-Checkoff activities; and, 7) pay for expenses incurred by NCBA’s policy division, which is the non-Checkoff division that advances the organization’s political and policy objectives.”

■ “The supporting documents also reinforce what many cattle producers believe – that the Federal Government is subsidizing NCBA’s political and policy agenda with Checkoff dollars.”

■ ”The reimbursement proposed in the final resolution would appear to constitute a nointerest bearing loan to NCBA by the Checkoff for several improper expenditures.”

■ “We note NCBA is intimately involved in federal election campaign politics as evidenced by the attached (to the original letter) political advertisements in direct opposition to U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and several former U.S. representatives. The approval of the final resolution, particularly the proposal to take no remedial action regarding NCBA’s longstanding application of a 50/50 travel expense allocation between the Checkoff and NCBA’s policy division for NCBA officers, will ensure that the Federal Government’s subsidization of NCBA included providing NCBA a sizable subsidy to assist it in defeating federal political candidates.”

■ “The NCBA has violated

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

February 15, 2011 the trust of every U.S. cattle producer required to pay into the Checkoff. The final resolution shows NCBA has committed numerous wrongful and unlawful acts of charging the Checkoff for improper and ineligible activities. Strong action must now be taken to restore confidence in the Checkoff for U.S. cattle producers.”

■ “We urge you to immediately suspend NCBA’s contract with CBB pending a full and complete investigation into NCBA’s misuse of Checkoff dollars.”

Fore!

The NCBA charged the checkoff $7,666 for legal work on NCBA trademarks and other items “to maintain (NCBA’s) existence.” They billed the checkoff for $15,922 in credit card charges without making clear what exactly it was for. The Federation of state beef councils charged the checkoff $59,598 and $28,082, respectfully, for a “senior staff member’s time and expenses not approved” by the checkoff. And here’s one that really galls. The NCBA spent $6,919 in checkoff money to cover fees to a charity golf event sponsored by none other than the NCBA. A spokesman for the NCBA, Mike Deering, said, “The audit found nothing out of the norm.

They allege that we spent checkoff dollars on lobbying issues, but there have been no accusations of fraud from the USDA.” If this is the “norm”, as he says, they are even better filchers than we thought.

The NCBA spokesman said that this wasn’t a case of theft

but simply nothing more than “improper financial entries.” Oh yeah? Let’s take a closer look at that golf tournament. Of three NCBA employees who attended the NCBA Charity Golf Tournament one employee coded his/her time entirely to the Checkoff program, one coded time to the Federation, and one coded time to the overhead cost pool. You can’t tell this reporter that wasn’t a deliberate attempt at hiding the theft of checkoff funds.

It took real creative thinking and a deliberate plan to massage the expenses like that. We see the same pattern when an NCBA officer and his wife attended tours in Hawaii for $250. They expensed half of their tours to the Federation and half to the Policy Division. Need we remind everyone that checkoff funds are supposed to be used for education promotion and research, not tours in Hawaii and golf tournaments.

Getting back to Deerings comments. If all these transgressions on the part of the NCBA were merely innocent mistakes in allocating $217,000 in time and expenses, the least that can be said is that the NCBA are terribly inept bookkeepers.

The NCBA just doesn’t understand that the checkoff was never intended to be their slush fund to keep an otherwise broke organization in business so they can defend the packers and big cattle feeders. When confronted with why a senior staff member’s spouse’s travel was paid to New Zealand, they merely said it was part of the “employment agreement” they signed with the

staffer to provide for spouse travel. But here’s the rub: do they not know that paying for travel for the spouse of a checkoff employee is against the law? Are they stupid, corrupt or feel they are above the law? And if the answer is “yes” to any of those choices, do we really want them in charge of the lion’s share of the checkoff’s eighty million dollars per year?

Common Thievery?

Forrest Roberts, NCBA’s CEO said in a statement about the audit. “We appreciate the (USDA’s) rapid response and approval of the agreed-uponprocedures review.”

We bet they do. Who wants people reading about your misuse of funds when you’re trying to make life easier for the big packers by stopping the GIPSA proposal to rein in the big meat-

Yellowstone

Page 3

packers. Roberts maintained in his statement that, “Not one penny of the amount in question is related to the firewall between lobbying activities in Washington, D.C., and the checkoff.”

It’s just too bad the Beef Board didn’t do a more complete forensic audit of NCBA’s activities so we’d know for sure.

While the NCBA says it would never intentionally violate the firewall separating checkoff and policy spending how can you trust an organization that first says the checkoff is a producer controlled program and then changed their story in front of the Supreme Court and said it was a government controlled program.

That sounds like lying to us, and NCBA’s abuse of the checkoff sounds like common thievery.

If you doubt it next time you file your taxes mistakenly make some

continued from page one

Harvest limits for reproducing female elk were down to just a few dozen north of the park this year, versus almost 3,000 a season at their peak.

Park biologist Smith said the long-term decline was indisputable, with 70 percent of the herd gone since wolves were reintroduced to the park from Canada in 1995.

Conservationists credit wolves with helping restore balance to the ecosystem, in part by reducing the size of a herd some had said was far too large at its peak.

Smith declined to weigh in, saying that was before his time at Yellowstone. But he pointed out controversy has long followed the northern Yellowstone herd.

“Yellowstone is one of the most predator rich environments in North America and that has an effect on elk,” he said. “But the biggest criticism when I got here in 1994 was there were too many elk. Now we’re getting criticism there’s too few elk.

The Park Service does not specifically target a population size.”

“improper financial entries” to the tune of $216,000 to lower your tax bill. In the very least you’ll be hauled into court, and you could go to jail. The NCBA got off without even a public spanking. As R-CALF’s Bill Bullard says, “If you or I cheated with hundreds of thousands of government dollars, USDA would call it a felony. The institution that has all but destroyed our U.S. cattle industry is trying to keep this quiet. It’s fundamencontinued on page four

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Emissions Data from Animal Feeding Operations Study Now Available EPA also solicits additional information to further understand emissions he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making data publicly available from a two-year study of air emissions from animal feeding operations (AFOs). AFOs, which house large numbers of animals for production of meat, dairy products and eggs, were

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monitored for the following air pollutants: ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.

The data available today are from the National Air Emissions Monitoring Study, which resulted from a 2005 voluntary compliance agreement between EPA and the AFO industry. The study was funded by industry and conducted

by Purdue University researchers with EPA oversight. Throughout the studies, participating AFOs made their operations available

Riding Herd distinctly remember the first time I ever got my picture in the Santa Paula Daily Chronicle. I thought what greater accomplishment could there possibly be? My grandmother disseminated that clipping far and wide.

The best writing I’ve ever read was in newspapers. Don’t forget, Mark Twain got his start writing for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper. I grew up reading a sportswriter named Jim Murray and I believe he’s the reason I’m a writer today.

When you write for a newspaper you’d better get your facts straight or you’ll hear about it.

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for monitoring and worked closely with the researchers, industry experts and EPA. Researchers monitored emissions at AFOs that raise pigs and broiler chickens, at egg-laying operations, and at dairies, with a total of 24 monitoring sites in nine states. A separate industry study monitored emissions from a broiler chicken operation in Kentucky. EPA will use data from the studies to help develop improved methodologies for estimating AFO emissions. Such methodolo-

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

son has to do on the Internet to become a writer is start “blogging.” Most of it isn’t worth the paper it’s NOT written on. A newspaper makes money by hiring competent reporters with a nose for news and then selling that news to folks with a need to know.

Are we really going to trade that for gangs of Internet bloggers?

My favorite parts of any newspaper are the letters to the editor and the obituaries. I love it that anyone with a bone to pick or an ax to grind can get their name in the paper by writing a letter to the editor. Be advised though, “It’s never smart to get into a feud with someone who buys ink by the barrel.” That old bromide reminds me of the fellow who, years ago, wrote to a small town editor that the only use for his

February 15, 2011 gies are commonly used to estimate emissions from industries where site-specific monitoring data are not available.

At the request of the agriculture industry, EPA also is issuing a Call for Information seeking data from other monitoring studies of AFO emissions. Submitting this information is not required; however, it will help the agency ensure that its emissions estimating tools are based on the best scientific data available.

EPA is requesting qualityassured data on emissions of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, along with information about how animals are housed or managed, and how

manure is stored and treated at the monitored operations. The agency is asking for this information for operations that raise pigs, chickens, turkeys and beef cattle, and for egg-laying and dairy cattle operations. Once the Call for Information is published in the Federal Register, there will be a 45-day comment period.

EPA will make draft methodologies available for public review and comment on a rolling basis, beginning in spring 2011.

newspaper was as a replacement for the corn cobs in his outhouse. To which the editor replied, “Keep doing that and your behind will know more than your head ever will.”

That’s exactly the way I feel about Internet news.

I’ll admit I’m partial to newspapers because I voraciously read them and delivered them on a bicycle as a child growing up.

They kept me fiscally and physically fit. Sure, I admit that newspapers do occasionally get all wet in the rain, leave ink on your fingers and that I-Pad news might save trees. But life without newspapers? I hope I’m not around when the only news you can read is on some tiny cell phone screen, for I believe that if community newspapers do die, so too will the real communities they serve.

Under the Rug

Information on: ■ Submitting data and data from the National Air Emissions Monitoring Study: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/ agmonitoring/index.html ■ The voluntary air compliance agreement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/ resources/agreements/caa/cafo-agr.html

continued from page three

tally wrong to administer a checkoff program in this way.”

As a result of the USDA audit, NCBA’s Roberts says his group now has “new administrative guidelines that will help the organization minimize the possibility of mistakes in the future.”

In other words, now that we’ve been caught, we’ll try to be more creative in appropriating your beef dollars in the future.

Ag columnist Alan Guebert said it best when he reminded everyone that “32 out 33 U.S. cattle producers voluntarily choose NOT to be NCBA members?” He asks, “Why then is pint-sized NCBA essentially controlling 50 percent of all checkoff cash?”

Why indeed?

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Northeast Dairy Farmers Attack Settlement Proposal DFA, DMS Join Local Farmers in Filing Objection to Dean Foods Settlement PRNEWSWIRE-USNEWSWIRE

airy farmers who say attorneys representing them are not looking out for their best interests have filed opposition to the proposed settlement submitted in the class action antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Burlington, Vt. Acting on behalf of its dairy farmer owners, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA), together with Dairy Marketing Services, LLC (DMS), also has filed objections to this settlement.

DFA and DMS’ filing on January 18 joins at least 24 dairy farmers — representing diverse cooperative members and independent producers — who submitted their own affidavits challenging the fairness of the settlement.

“We objected on behalf of our members because the attorneys for the entire class of dairy farmer plaintiffs have favored one segment of the class while it penalizes another segment,” said Brad Keating, chief operating officer for DFA’s Northeast Area. “As the milk marketing entity representing many of the members of this class, we have a responsibility to ensure their interests are fully considered.”

In its filing, DFA and DMS cite concerns that the settlement creates both winners and losers in the class of dairy farmers represented by a single law firm by taking market access from one group of dairy farmers at the expense of another within the same class.

The filing also describes how, if the settlement is approved, dairy farmers stand to incur financial damages by receiving a lower pay price for their milk.

A provision in Dean Foods’ proposed settlement would allow the dairy processor to determine, in its sole discretion, the compet-

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itive market price at which it will purchase up to 60 million pounds of milk per month from non-DFA and non-DMS sources for a period of 30 months.

DFA’s filing recognizes the business rationale for Dean Foods to manage its ingredient costs. However, if approved, this settlement is likely to create a downward ripple effect on current pricing for milk purchases from DFA, DMS and other milk suppliers in the Northeast. In turn, other customers will make demands for price equality.

The result is price erosion for all dairy farmers.

“This provision seems to undercut the very reasons why we at St. Albans decided to join DMS in the first place — to work together with other co-ops to make sure that we were able to serve an increasingly consolidating marketplace, and to do so in a way that will protect prices and premiums for dairy farmers,” said Ralph McNall, president of the board for St. Albans Cooperative Creamery and a dairy farmer who independently filed opposition to the settlement.

An additional component of the proposed settlement calls for a payment of $30 million in damages (less $10 million in attorney fees) to be paid to dairy farmers who produced raw Grade A milk in Federal Order 1 and pooled raw Grade A milk in Federal Order 1 from January 1, 2002, through December 9, 2010.

“This $30 million settlement has been touted as a real win for dairy farmers,” said Greg Wickham, DMS general manager.

“We believe the per-farmer award has been highly exaggerated, but more importantly, we believe the benefit of a small one-time cash payment is far over-shadowed by the long-term negative impact on farmers’ wallets.”

Small Business Economic Backbone of Rural West

by JOHN CRABTREE / Center for Rural Affairs

n order for the West’s rural cities and small towns to contribute fully to the nation’s economic recovery, we must enable small, mainstreet businesses to build a better future for themselves, their community, state and nation.

Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA) have introduced legislation to do just that. Their Rural Microbusiness Investment Credit Act (HR 5990) is the first federal tax credit designed to meet the needs of small business in rural areas. It would provide a 35 percent tax credit — up to $10,000 — to start or expand owner-operated businesses with five or fewer employees.

In rural America, creating your own job is a way of life. During recession, the reluctance of large businesses to add workers makes

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small businesses and self-employment even more important. During the 2000 to 2003 recession, microenterprise employment in New Mexico grew by 18 percent, while larger firms were still shedding jobs. Microenterprise led the economy out of recession. It can happen again, but entrepreneurs need and deserve the support of federal policy as much as larger businesses.

The rural micro tax credit is tailor made to encourage microenterprise investment during recession. Qualifying businesses could receive refunds on prior year returns if they are not making enough in the current year to owe taxes, which is critical during tough times or during startup when most are lucky to break even. A refund of prior years’ taxes is an investment incentive that works in good years and bad, for new or established businesses.

Page 5

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After the money is divided among the approximately 13,000 dairy farmers who pooled milk in Order 1 (based on the most current Market Administrator’s Annual Statistical Bulletin, as of 2009), the average farmer stands to receive approximately $1,500.

If the market is disrupted such that there is even a meager reduction in milk price, the impact to farmers’ milk checks would be swift and substantial, Wickham said. For example, a 5cent-per-hundredweight reduction in pay price would cost a farmer milking 300 cows as much as $3,400 in lost revenues in a single year.

“The proposed settlement that these class representatives and their lawyers have negotiated takes sales away from dairy farmers, turns those sales over to someone else, threatens to help undercut our organization, and pits farmer against farmer with the end result that prices are bound to fall,” McNall said.

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In just two generations (3/4) level the cow-calf producer, regardless of the breed, or breeds, of females he is running, can be consistently selling his calf crop at the higher carcass values that the industry enjoyed 30 and 40 years ago.

At the 3/4 blood level there is no difference in the cut out of one carcass as to another carcass. High in marbling and tenderness, only 0.15 inches of back, excellent REA, and dressing out at 65% to 69%. See the “The Blindfold Test” in the testimonials by a former U.S.D.A. meat inspector that has spent 31 years in all phases of the meat business.

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We are the only breed of the major beef breeds that consistently transmits all the essential gene traits rated at the highest level. All of the registered pure bred animals of the breed trace directly back to one of our foundation bulls and five of his daughters. Our breed’s gene pool is very small and highly concentrated; therefore, transmitting dominance when out crossed with other breeds. For a better understanding of the genetics envolved, view www.irishblacks.com.

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Livestock Market Digest

Page 6

DuBois Receives King Memorial Award rank DuBois, Las Cruces, received the Bruce and Alice King Memorial Service Award, presented by the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) during the recent Joint Stockmen’s Convention held in Albuquerque.

“Frank has gone above and beyond on behalf of our state’s

F

agriculture industry over the years, and this honor is welldeserved,” said Bert Ancell, NMCGA President, Las Vegas.

“We appreciate his friendship, his dedication, and his years of service.”

DuBois is the second recipient of the Bruce and Alice King Memorial Service Award, estab-

lished by the NMCGA in 2009 recognize those both within and outside of the agricultural industry who exhibit the qualities, like leadership, generosity and community service, that the Kings were known for. “For decades, the Kings had a tremendous impact on our state. We honor their memory with this annual

February 15, 2011 award,” Ancell said.

DuBois started his career in agriculture as an egg inspector, then went to Washington, D.C., as a staffer for Senator Pete Domenici before serving as New Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and leading the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to a position of prominence, Ancell said.

DuBois is currently very

involved with People for Protecting Our Western Heritage, a group formed in opposition to ongoing efforts to designate a large wilderness area in Doña Ana County that would not only harm the range livestock industry in New Mexico but would compromise national security due to its proximity to the international border with Mexico. In his “retirement” DuBois also publishes a daily blog summarizing the news and issues important to the range livestock industry, Ancell continued. “His efforts influence the public, the media and mostly importantly congressional staffers in the most positive way for all of us every day.”

Dominguez Honored by Cattle Industry arry Dominguez, Las Cruces, received the 2010 Ayudando Siempre Alli Award from the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) at the recent Joint Stockmen’s Convention held in Albuquerque.

“Although we as ranchers like to think of ourselves as strong and independent, it’s impossible to attend all of the hearings and meetings where decisions that impact our industry are made and take care of business at home,” said Bert Ancell, NMCGA President, Las Vegas. “We depend on, and greatly appreciate people like Larry, who help represent agriculture and make sure we as producers stay informed.”

Dominguez, Director of Industry and Agency Programs for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), has both personal and professional knowledge of the ranching, which makes him a valuable friend to the industry, Ancell said. “Like many people, he lives and works in town because the economics of ranching don’t allow him to stay on the family ranch. Fortunately for us, his “day job” includes working on agriculture’s behalf, while he spends many weekends and days off helping his family maintain the ranch.”

The Ayudando Siempre Alli Award (Always There Helping) is given by the Association each year to an individual who has given of their time and talents on behalf of the industry, but is not necessarily actively involved in cattle production. Past winners include bankers, elected officials, an attorney, an artist and a publisher. The award is sponsored by Farmway Feed Mills, Las Vegas, N.M. The NMCGA has represented the beef industry in New Mexico and the West since 1914 and has members in all 33 of the state’s counties as well as some 14 other states. The Association participates in venues necessary to protect beef producers and private property rights including litigation, state and federal legislation and regulatory affairs.

L

February 15, 2011

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

FFA Chapters Invited to Join the Fight Against Hunger yngenta is proud to support the National FFA Organization and recognize its importance within local communities and to the future of the agriculture industry. As part of the Weeding out Hunger™ with Halex® GT

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Scuse named acting undersecretary ichael Scuse will take the position of acting undersecretary for farm and foreign agricultural services when Jim Miller leaves the undersecretary post to return to Capitol Hill as an aide to Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND). Scuse has been serving as deputy undersecretary for almost two years.

Conrad announced in midJanuary that Miller, who worked for him on the 2008 farm bill, would be returning to his staff.

An aide said Miller was expected to stay at USDA for through January.

The office of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack informed USDA employees that Scuse would becoming acting undersecretary. In that role, Scuse will oversee the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which distribute farm subsidies, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), which analyzes production in other countries and promotes U.S. agricultural sales overseas, and the Risk Management Agency (RMA), which oversees crop insurance.

Scuse was Delaware agriculture secretary from May 2001 until September 2008, when Governor Ruth Ann Minner, a Democrat, named him as her chief of staff. From 1996 to 2001, Scuse served as both chairman of the Kent County, Delaware, Regional Planning Commission and chairman of USDA’s Farmer Service Agency state committee.

Before that, he was Kent County recorder of deeds.

While he was agriculture secretary of Delaware, Scuse served as a vice president of the National Assoc. of State Departments of Agriculture and as president of the Northeast Assoc. of State Departments of Agriculture.

Scuse was appointed to the USDA post in April 2009, at which time Vilsack said in a news release that he brought two important strengths to the role: “He has extensive knowledge of agriculture and a solid management background. Having served as Delaware’s agriculture secretary and vice president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Michael knows U.S. agriculture from both state and national perspectives. He also understands farming first-hand. For 35 years, he and his brother have run a successful grain operation in their home state.”

No announcement has been made about a possible permanent successor to Miller. The position requires Senate confirmation.

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campaign, Syngenta is giving FFA chapters nationwide the opportunity to communicate their contributions to both their local communities and agriculture by competing in the FFA Video Challenge. The competition offers participating chapters a chance to win up to $3,000 by creating a video that explains the chapter’s role at school, in the community and in agriculture.

“At Syngenta, we understand the passion FFA has for agriculture and the sense of pride members feel each time they put on their blue jacket,” said David Piñon, senior communications manager, Syngenta. “However,

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not everyone understands just how important FFA and agriculture are in terms of serving their communities and providing food, fiber, feed and fuel to the nation.

We hope the video challenge serves to explain that connection and bring more awareness to the contributions of the FFA.” To participate in the competition, chapters must submit their videos using the newly created Weeding out Hunger Facebook page between February 1 and March 31, 2011. The public will be invited to view and vote for their favorite videos beginning April 1, 2011.

Public online voting will determine five regional finalists

who will advance to a final round of judging, conducted by a panel selected by Syngenta. The panel will select a Grand Champion who will receive the top prize of $3,000, and a Reserve Champion who will receive $1,500. They also will choose three best-ofcategory winners who will receive $500 each.

To participate in the competition, students must be active members of an FFA chapter and sponsored by a chapter advisor.

Additional information about the competition including official rules and project guidelines can be found on the Weeding out Hunger Facebook page on the tab titled FFA Video Challenge.

Page 7 Syngenta created Weeding out Hunger with Halex GT in 2010 to help alleviate hunger in farming communities across America. By donating a portion of Halex GT sales as well as nonperishable food items collected at various events, Weeding out Hunger has donated more than $100,000 and nearly 5 tons of food to 78 food banks in 24 states.

For more information on Halex GT and Weeding out Hunger, visit www.weedingouthunger.com and “like” the new Facebook page at http//:www.facebook.com/weedingouthunger. To receive real-time updates, follow the campaign on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ weedouthunger.

Cattleman’s Weekend in Prescott, Arizona

NEW DATES! Fri. & Sat., March 18-19, 2011 at Prescott Livestock Auction in Chino Valley Selling 75 Bulls of All Breeds, 35 Ranch-Raised Horses & Yearlings, and 200 Replacement Heifers

Featured Events:

37th Annual Arizona Hereford Association Bull Sale 11th Annual Arizona Angus Association Bull Sale 23rd Annual Prescott All Breed Bull Sale 13th Annual Invitational Ranch Remuda Sale (The best ranch horse sale and competition in the state, featuring Arizona’s top working ranches!)

19th Annual Commercial Heifer Sale 20th Annual Cattleman’s Trade Show, and More!

For more information contact: Richard Smyer, Prescott Livestock Auction, Sale Manager, P.O. Box 5880, Chino Valley, AZ 86323 928/445-9571, Ed Ashurst, Horse Sale Manager: 520/558-2303 Leslie Hoffman, Trade Show Coordinator: 928/713-2658

Sale Barn located 5-1/2 miles east of Hwy. 89 on Perkinsville Road in Chino Valley Sale Headquarters: Days Inn, Chino, 928/636-0311 For Cattleman’s Weekend Program visit our website www.cattlemansweekend.com or email us at: mccraine@cableone.net

Livestock Market Digest

Page 8

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February 15, 2011

NMSU studies camelina oilseed as crop, livestock feed amelina, an oilseed crop, could provide a partial solution to the suffering agricultural economy of northeastern New Mexico, according to Manny Encinias, Extension beef cattle specialist at New State University’s Mexico (NMSU) Clayton Livestock Research Center (CLRC).

As fuel, fertilizer, and corn prices were rising to record levels in 2008, business and community leaders in northeastern New Mexico’s Union County turned to researchers at the Clayton science center to find a way to offset the impacts of these prices on their rural, agriculturallybased economy.

The county’s economy is driven by the beef industry. More than half a million cattle graze the native grasslands of northeastern New Mexico. Prior to the skyrocketing oil prices in 2008, feed lots in Union County also fed 150,000 head.

While financial damage is difficult to quantify precisely, the volatility in the oil and grain

C

commodity markets resulted in a rippling crash of the county’s economy.

“Rising fuel and feed prices have cost our local economy millions of dollars since 2008,” Encinias said.

“Fuel associated with transporting animals and feed are important parts of the equation,” Encinias said. “When these types of components to your economic equation get out of line in our part of the world, we see the effects across the board, from our retail service industry to our schools.”

Responding to the increase in price for petroleum products, Union County business leaders saw a potential local, cost-saving and economic development opportunity in establishing a biodiesel plant in their area.

Clayton is located on US Hwy. 64, a major corridor between Texas and Colorado.

The area is a major thoroughfare for diesel-powered vehicles, which would enhance the viability of a local plant. The plant

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would also presumably provide a lower cost diesel product for local consumption.

While biodiesel can be produced from many different types of plant feedstock, the oilseed Camelina sativa surfaced as the crop of choice to evaluate. The plant, which is a member of the mustard family, produces a seed that ranks among the highest in fat content among oilseed crops.

Not only does it produce more oil, the oil is cleaner, requiring less refining, and it performs better in cold weather because it has a lower freeze or gel point. This is a beneficial property for diesel engines operating in cold temperatures.

“This property in particular has caused the U.S. Department of Defense, particularly the Air Force, to become interested in camelina oil-based biofuel as a component for jet fuel,” Encinias said.

Camelina is recognized as a low input crop because it has relatively low irrigation requirements. Compared to wheat and corn, which require 25 to 30 inches of irrigation, Encinias and agronomists from the Clovis Agricultural Science Center have demonstrated that camelina raised at the Clayton Livestock Research Center can be grown with eight inches of irrigation.

“This work, which is part of a three-year study funded by the Rio Grande Basin Initiative, is a plus for raising crops like camelina in those areas like Union County where the ground water stores are rapidly depleting,” Encinias said.

The plant also demonstrates a high weed and pest resistance, and is highly adaptive to dry climates, while exhibiting high tolerance for cold and frost.

Researchers at NMSU agricultural science centers in Clovis and Farmington have studied camelina oilseed in small-scale research plots. The 60-acre camelina planting in Clayton was designed to determine the feasibility of raising camelina in northeastern New Mexico, and to produce enough yield of seed and feedstock to evaluate multiple objectives of the research project.

Since one of the major objectives of the Clayton Livestock Research Center is beef cattle nutrition research, Encinias’ personal research interest in the camelina study is focused on evaluating the feeding value of byproducts of the oil extraction and biodiesel processes for range and feedlot cattle.

“Camelina meal is a high-protein, high-fat feedstuff that can be used in range beef cattle supplements,” Encinias said. “And the glyercin produced during the biodiesel process can replace corn in high-energy diets fed to cattle in the feedlot.”

As camelina seed is planted in continued on page nine

February 15, 2011

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Run Ranch has won the New Mexico Bred Angus Bull and Heifer Shows at the New Mexico State Fair. “Lora does all of the show cattle work and is as valuable as I am on the ranch,” he explained.

In addition, the Whitneys sell calves for kids to show through 4H and FFA, and support those customers throughout the year.

Carl has developed a custom mix feed for his own show cattle using his background as a former feed nutritionist for Purina, and provides that feed and hay to the kids at cost, he noted. Finally, “Lora helps them get the calves fitted up and ready for show.”

For Carl, the breed’s gentle disposition is an important trait. “We advertise our cattle as being gentle, so when we take someone out in

The Versatile Angus

by CALLIE GNATKOWSKI-GIBSON

popular breed across the Southwest, Angus cattle are known for their carcass qualities, disposition and manageable size. Producers across the spectrum of the cattle business have found that Angus fit well into their operation — and good results are hard to dispute.

A

From the mountains: For seedstock producer Carl Whitney and his family, of Bull Run Ranch near Datil, Angus cattle are the focus of both the registered and commercial sides of the business.

The Whitneys, whose operation includes registered Angus and Red Angus herds in addition to their commercial cattle, bought their first registered Angus cattle from the Heckendorns near Tucumcari fifteen years ago. “Our main focus is genetics,” Carl said. “When we started with the registered cattle, our goal was to better our commercial cattle herd.”

Carl and his wife Lora, along with their son Cody, his wife Sara, and granddaughters Hanna and Hayley focus on raising registered bulls and heifers for sale to commercial cattlemen. Although the majority of sales are done private treaty at the ranch, they do sell some cattle through different bull sales.

The commercial cattle are bred to registered Angus bulls, as well.

Cody and his family manage the Red Angus herd separately on a different part of the ranch. “We’ve stayed with the black Angus because of their value,” Carl explained. “We get higher weaning weights and a uniform calf crop as long as the cattle are bred close together. The breed has high carcass value, with Certified Angus Beef (CAB) advertised throughout the fast food and restaurant business. The benefits of using Angus are pretty self explanatory.”

The Whitneys run their cattle in the mountains of western New Mexico, at elevations ranging from

7,500 feet at headquarters up to about 8,500 feet in some pastures.

They start calving in February and wean calves twice a year — early calves in September and late calves in January. The cattle do get some supplemental feed in the winter, depending on how harsh conditions are. “It’s tough country, and the Angus have acclimated well,” he said. “Our registered cattle run on pasture just like the commercial cattle, the show cattle are the only ones that get any special treatment.”

Page 9

Artificial insemination (AI) is one tool the Whitneys use to focus on genetics in their operation. “We really look at the data, using expected progeny differences (EPDs), and select for low birthweights and high weaning and yearling weights.”

Showing their cattle is also a big part of the operation, Carl noted.

They travel to Arizona for shows at both the Arizona State Fair and Arizona National, and he serves as Open Beef Superintendent at both shows. For the past four years, Bull

the pasture to look at a bull, we don’t want the herd running across the pasture. You can go out and walk around all of our cattle, they might move away from you but they aren’t going to run off,” he said. “We don’t keep any that are high-headed. Wild cattle just don’t do as well, and there are many stress factors when they’re upset.

Preserving the family operation is important to Carl. “The ranch is family owned and operated, which for me is a big thing. It’s our way of life and the way we make our living. We do a lot of work horseback, we really enjoy it.”

To the desert: Martin Abeita, manager of the Comanche Ranch in central continued on page ten

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late winter 2011, Encinias and his coworkers at the Clayton Livestock Research Center will focus their efforts on understanding the levels that the camelina meal and glycerin can be included in beef cattle diets.

Early indications from the Clayton research are that raising camelina in northeastern New Mexico could be a win-win situation that could help the agricultural industry and economy of the area in many ways.

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Livestock Market Digest

Page 10

The Versatile Angus

continued from page nine

New Mexico, is using Angus genetics to improve the commercial cattle on the ranch owned and operated by the Pueblo of Isleta.

When the Pueblo purchased the ranch twelve or thirteen years ago, it was purchased as a working cattle ranch with the existing Hereford cattle herd, Martin explained. Since he started as ranch manager almost four years ago, they have used registered Angus bulls raised by Bob and Kay Anderson on the commercial cows, which are a mix of Hereford and Angus. “The ranch is getting results due to the quality of bulls we are using,” he noted. “As the years pass, and the Herefords are culled due to age, we are replacing them with Angus heifers raised here on the ranch and gradually working towards an all-Angus herd.”

“The quality of our cattle has improved significantly since we started using Angus genetics, even

our Pueblo Governor has commented on the quality,” Martin continued. “There is still room for improvement, but eventually will get where we want to be.”

The ranch headquarters are 18 miles west of Belen, in desert country, and the Angus handle it well, he said. The cattle are supplemented with liquid feed in the winter months. “We have had really good results. When I took over four years ago, our weaning weights were between 400 and 450 pounds. This fall, our weaning weights are between 550 and 650 pounds. This year is a really good year for moisture, but a big part of that improvement is because of our improved genetics.”

“We spend between $2,000 and $2,500 per bull buying quality bulls,” he continued. “That investment has been very beneficial to the operation and has paid off.”

Calves are marketed differently from year to year, from buyers coming in to look at the calves to the sale barn to Superior Livestock Auction, depending on the market.

In 2009, the Comanche Ranch calves topped the market at a special sale held in La Junta, Colo.

In addition to his ranch responsibilities, Martin has also recently taken over management of the pueblo’s farming operation. As ranch and farm manager, he will be looking at crops and methods that can be used to benefit both.

“This will give us more options, and opportunities to expand into other feed supplements that will be better utilized.”

Martin said that life experience drew him to the Angus breed. “I was raised with Angus cattle. My dad ran Hereford cattle then switched to Angus, and I saw the difference in the quality and weaning weights. Plus, the market for black cattle is always a little better.”

The breed’s carcass attributes

February 15, 2011 and yield, in addition to the meat quality, are important strengths. “ A long-term goal is to get into some of the marketing programs offered by the American Angus Association (AAA), like Certified Angus Beef, that help producers get added value for their product,” he explained. “In time, I hope to improve our product to the point that we can serve our beef in the tribal casino and market beef raised on our ranch to other New Mexico casinos as tribal beef. “ He also cites the breed’s disposition, but said that the way you handle cattle makes all the difference. “Most of our cattle are pretty gentle, but that really depends on the handlers,” he pointed out.

“This year, the cattle look and feel so good, they are a little harder to work — they’re acting like feedlot cattle. We do everything on horseback, so the cattle learn to respect the horses and work pretty good for us. We do have to rope one now and then, but aren’t rough

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And Back: Registered Angus producers Bob and Kay Anderson, of A Lazy 6 Ranch near Villanueva, focus on raising bulls suited to the needs of the commercial producer.

They started out with the breed in Montana about 35 years ago, and have been in New Mexico for almost 20 years.

“Angus are good producers and popular in the feedyard,” Kay said.

Calendar of

EVENTS February 2011 7 – New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association Board of Directors Meeting, Santa Fe, NM 8 – Ag Fest, La Fonda Hotel, Santa Fe, NM 9 – Arizona Cattle Growers’ Assoc.

Winter Meeting, Phoenix, AZ 10 – Sunset Angus Farms Bull & Female Sale, Beaver, OK 12 – Bradley 3 Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Estelline, TX

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Calving ease is another strength of the Angus breed. “We use low birthweight bulls on our first calf heifers, and don’t have any problems,” Martin explained. “We haven’t had to pull a calf since I’ve been with the ranch, which makes things a lot easier on the heifers and on us.”

And, he said, the hard work is paying off. “We are starting to get recognition from other producers for the progress we’ve made. By improving the quality of our product, we are building a reputation for the ranch and working to build a name for tribal beef.”

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February 15, 2011 “When you use Angus in a crossbreeding program, hybrid vigor helps put more pounds on the calves, and usually, black calves are worth a little more.� “We just liked the Angus,� Bob said. “We have tried quite a few breeds through the years, and finally decided we needed to go back to the genetics of the Angus breed. We started out raising commercial Angus bulls and our herd bulls came from Kenny Hass of LaGrange, Wyoming.�

Wyoming producer The remains the Anderson’s source for the majority of their herd bulls, and they also use artificial insemination (AI) on their herd. “We go all over to try to find the best Angus bulls we can, and think Hass produces some of the best Angus in the country,� he continued. “We have also raised one or two of our own herd bulls.�

Meeting the needs of commercial producers is their goal, he explained. “We want to raise low birthweight bulls that a producer can use on his first calf heifers, then later use on his cows to pro-

duce six weight calves. Our bulls are affordable and are not overfed.

When the bulls go to work they don’t lose a lot of weight and spend time standing around water, they get out and cover the country.� “Even though our cattle are registered, they are not babied a lot,�

Kay agreed. “They have to get out and work if they are going to stay in the herd.� In addition to bull sales, they market bred heifers in the fall, and this year will have replacement heifer calves available. All sales are private treaty at the ranch.

For the past two years, the Andersons have participated in the bull test and sale held at the Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico, which tests cattle’s performance at a high altitude. “We’re trying to develop bulls and heifers that people in the high country can use, and have had some success,� Bob noted. “This year, we have some PAP tested heifers, and plan to test some bulls in the fall for spring delivery.�

Cattle at high altitudes can suffer from pulmonary arterial hyper-

12 – Best in the West Brangus Sale, Marana, AZ 14 – Deadline for applications for Director of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture 21 – Weaver Ranch Annual Sale, Ft. Collins, CO 22 – The Brand That Works Production Sale, Manhattan Commission Co., Manhattan KS 22-23 – 19th Annual New Mexico Ag Expo, Portales 25 – 20th Annual Pot of Gold Bull Sale, Olathe, CO 25 – Hubbell Ranch Annual Sale – Belen NM 26 – Profit Maker Bull Sale, Ogallala, NE 26 – 20th Annual Roswell Brangus Bull & Female Sale, Roswell, NM

16 – Wagonhammer Ranches Production Sale, Albion NE 17 – Roundhouse Feed & Showcase, Capitol Rotunda, Santa Fe, NM 17 – Musick’s Business Bull Sale, Tucumcari, NM 18 – 50th Annual Tucumcari Bull Test Sale, Tucumcari, NM 18-19 – Cattlemen’s Weekend – Prescott Livestock Auction, Prescott, AZ 19 – Four States Ag Expo 3rd Annual All Breeds Bull & Heifer Sale, Cortez, CO 19 – 16th Annual Bull & Heifer Sale, Hales Angus Farm, Canyon, TX 19 – 28th Annual Reynolds Ranch Limousin Production Sale – Sanford, CO 23 – Express Ranches New Mexico Bull Sale, 12 miles west of Conchas Dam, NM

March 2011 1 – Wedel Red Angus Production Sale, Leoti, KS 1 – Bar W Ranch Inc. 15th Annual Private Treaty Sale – Carrizozo NM 4 – Laflin Ranch Annual Reg. Angus Sale, Olsburg, KS 5 – New Mexico Angus & Hereford Bull & Heifer Sale, Roswell, NM 5 – Clovis Livestock Auction Spring Horse Sale, Clovis NM 12 – Porter Angus Innagural Bull & Heifer Sale, Mule Creek, NM 14 – Black Angus Ready For Work Sale, Belen, NM 14 – 35th Annual Willcox Livestock Auction All Breeds Bull Sale, Willcox, AZ

tension, commonly known as brisket disease. The pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) test looks at an animal’s susceptibility to the disease by measuring internal blood pressure.

A good disposition is a priority, Kay said. “One person on horseback can usually move our cattle.

We don’t want to sell wild cattle, and try not to keep anything that is not gentle. We spend a lot of time in the pens with the bulls, gentling them and getting to know them.� “My wife runs the ranch by herself 50 percent of the time and can move the cattle around as she needs to,� Bob pointed out. “We don’t keep the wild ones, all a wild

Page 11

cow does is cost you money.�

Adaptability is another important strength, he said. “We moved here from Watrous about three years ago. This is rough canyon country, and the cattle have adapted and are holding up well.�

Bob is also proud of his customers’ results. “We started selling to the Comanche Ranch about three years ago. Since then, their weaning weights have increased by 100 pounds — I like to brag about that. They run on dry, desert country, and to be able to wean six weight calves off of that is pretty good.�

A reputation for meat and carcass quality is one of the biggest

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advantages of Angus genetics, he noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a consumer, when you go into a restaurant or grocery store, you see Certified Angus Beef. That certification is done by the packing houses, which recognize the marbling in Angus beef.

Other breeds market branded beef, but their certification is done by the breed associations.â&#x20AC;?

The cattle business is nothing new to the Andersons, whose Montana ranch had been in the family for 100 years. The Andersons also operate a heavy equipment and heavy haul trucking business, and both are family continued on page thirteen

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April 2011 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 27th Annual DeBruycker Charolais Sale, Dutton, MT 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Red Doc Farm 2011 Bull Sale, Belen, NM 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bar T Bar Breaking Traditions Bull Sale, Yerington, NV 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Redd Ranches High Altitude Bull Sale, Paradox, CO 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Beckton Stock Farm Annual Production Sale, Sheridan, WY 28 - 30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New Mexico Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ag Leadership Conference â&#x20AC;&#x201C; American National Cattlewomenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Region VI Meeting, Albuquerque, NM

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ust imagine strolling (or frantically running as the case may be) down your local grocery store aisle listening to the sage voice of the late Paul Harvey . . . extolling the virtues of BEEF. Not just any beef, but Certified Hereford Beef (CHB®). If you live in New Mexico and probably lots of other places, you can do just that. In addition to learning about the lean, tender and delicious beef, you can hear about the people who raise Herefords, their family ethic and the stewardship they apply to the land and wildlife.

J

CHB® is not the first branded beef product and it is certainly not the largest of the breed-specific branded beef offered, but its unique marketing style and high quality make it a winner. New Mexico’s beef industry was at the forefront in recognizing that if the industry is to survive, the producer must be sold along with the product. Consumers want to know and respect those producing their food. Animal rightists/environmentalists want to paint agriculture as an evil empire that rapes and pillages Mother Nature.

The New Mexico Beef Council (NMBC) and New Mexico beef checkoff dollars stepped up over a decade ago with their “Family Faces Campaign” introducing the state’s ranching families to urban populations via billboards as well as television and radio advertising and signage at the State Fair and numerous other events. Unfortunately as cattle numbers have contracted and costs have escalated, there haven’t been enough checkoff dollars to keep the campaign going.

It was a pleasant surprise to see CHB® taking up the same theme in their in-store advertising. This forward thinking by CHB® carries on the tradition of the Hereford breed in innovating and adapting to meet the current needs of the industry and the consumer. Nearly 300 years ago, farmers in Herefordshire, England, founded the breed in response to demand created by Britain’s Industrial Revolution.

Efficiency, high yield and sound reproduction were of utmost importance.

Henry Clay, Kentucky statesman, brought Herefords to the U.S. in 1817. A true Hereford identity was not established in the states until a breeding herd was built in Albany, New York in 1840. A few early breeders came together in Chicago on June 22, 1881. The result was the foundation of the American Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association, later renamed the American Hereford Association (AHA). Its purpose was two-fold: to keep the breed’s records and to promote the interests of its breeders.

Seven years later Warren Gammon noticed naturally hornless Herefords at the Trans-Mississippi World’s Fair in Omaha, Nebraska. He decided to select for the hornless trait using the bull Giant and 11 Hereford females.

In 1910 the American Polled Hereford Association (APHA) was founded.

The two Hereford associations merged in 1995, keeping the AHA title. The AHA now registers horned and polled Herefords.

Livestock shows and fairs contributed greatly to Hereford popularity. The breed’s doing ability, coupled with early maturity, revolutionized American beef production. To achieve this desired early maturity, breeders in the 1930s and 1940s sought short, low-set, wide and deep-bodied cattle. Success eventually became a downfall.

Compact, fat cattle continued to lead in the show ring into the 1950s. However, beef packers were starting to pay less for overly fat cattle. The American diet was calling for leaner, more heavily muscled carcasses. Hereford breeders stepped up to the challenge.

Beginning in the 1960s, breeders focused their attention on tools such as performance testing, artificial insemination, objective measures, embryo transfer and sire evaluation. These tools allowed the rapid genetic change needed to bring Herefords in synch with consumer and industry expectations. A broad genetic base allowed Hereford breeders to select stock comparable in size and performance to competing “exotic” European breeds.

Although major changes were made, breeders didn’t lose sight of fundamental Hereford traits, particularly fertility and docility.

A new goal was established in the late 1980s — formal documentation of Hereford performance in the feedlot and on the rail.

Colorado State University animal scientists conducted tests for the AHA from 1991 to 1993. Superiority was noted in average daily gain, feed conversion and cost of gain. Further studies in the early 1990s demonstrated the quality of Hereford beef. Regardless of marbling, Hereford steers consistently excelled in tenderness, juiciness, flavor and palatability.

These findings led to the formation of a branded beef product known as CHB®. In 1994 the AHA, Midland Cattle Co. and its affiliate, Mid-Ag, came together to market CHB®. Mid-Ag, later renamed Red Oak Farms, was licensed as the first exclusive seller of CHB®. Greater Omaha Packing Co. was licensed as the second company to produce and market CHB® in November 1999. The following October, the AHA formed a limited liability corporation, CHB LLC, for management of the CHB® program.

So how did this product find

its’ way into a New Mexico retail grocery chain? John Brooks Supermart has been serving New Mexico since 1978 “specializing in the freshest meats, produce and dairy in the state” and “offering quality and reliable service shoppers can count on.” As the branded beef trend began to catch on, John Brooks General Manager Breck Stewart started to look for something that would set the chain, including locations from Santa Fe to Ruidoso and Milan to Albuquerque, apart from other grocery outlets.

“It took over a year to find the right product for us,” he said. “We wanted a signature product that provided quality, consistency and support behind the program.”

That program was CHB®.

“Certified Hereford Beef has been above and beyond our expectations,” Stewart noted. “We have never had a complaint from a customer or a meat manager.”

In terms of pricing, CHB® has allowed the Brooks stores to maintain their profit margin with what it was when they sold commodity beef. The CHB® price point is close to commodity beef, he explained.

“And people don’t mind a little higher price if they know the meat is going to be good,” he stated.

Stewart is also pleased with the support that Brooks have gotten from the ranching community.

They often come in to buy their grilling steaks from us, he said.

“It is good to know your suppliers, first-hand,” Stewart pointed out. “The program has been a real success for us.”

But about those Paul Harvey pieces this writer is particularly fond of, Stewart said they get mixed reviews. “Some people really like them,” he admitted, “but others don’t like hearing what they consider to be commercials while they are shopping.”

While CHB® hasn’t broken strongly into the restaurant trade, the product is available through national meat suppliers as well as via mail order on the web at http://www.herefordbeef.net. The program has recently developed a new brand, Nuestro RanchoTM, a marinated product aimed at the Hispanic consumer providing beef from a service case cut just the way they like it. The brand has just been picked up by a regional distributor covering a 1,600-store chain, according to Dale Micheli, Micheli Ranch, Ft. Bridger, Wyoming, a member of the CHB® Board and the AHA Board.

February 15, 2011 “The meat business is always challenging,” he pointed out, “and the economy has caused people to choose cheaper proteins in the past couple of years, but that seems to be turning around.”

CHB® has recently won 10 out of 11 taste tests in competition with other branded products, Micheli noted.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, the Hereford breed hasn’t been standing still either. Like the rest of the industry there have been some tough times for Hereford breeders, but that isn’t always a bad thing, according to Micheli.

“Because we have been forced to cull, we have gotten rid of the bottom end,” he said. “We haven’t really gotten into the bull sale season in our country, but the sales across the nation have been strong this year.”

The Hereford breed has also refocused on one of the key traits that have long made it a favorite of commercial cattlemen — docility. A recent National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) study found that docility is the number one thing cattlemen look for, Micheli reported.

“Having just worked two sets of cows of two different breeds,” he explained, “I can tell you that the Herefords were the easier ones to handle.”

The breed has also taken a hard look at heterosis and the value of crossbreeding Herefords with other breeds including Angus. Two separate studies have documented the value Herefords add, said Micheli.

In the Harris Ranch heterosis project, a controlled study measuring the impacts of crossbreeding, thus far Hereford-influenced cattle dominated Angus cattle in nearly every aspect. The study was conducted by California State University, Chico, in cooperation with the AHA. Other cooperators were Lacey Livestock, Harris Feeding Co. and Harris Ranch Beef Co., all of California.

The objective was to compare Hereford and Angus bulls under real-world commercial conditions by evaluating the progeny of the Hereford bulls and Angus bulls when crossed on Angus-based cows. For the steers, differences in weaning performance, feedlot performance, carcass value and overall profitability were measured.

Phase I results showed a $78 advantage in profitability to the Hereford-sired steers over their Angus counterparts. The heifer mates to these steers calved in 2008 and showed a seven percent advantage in conception rates over the straight Angus heifers.

After the second calf crop was harvested and evaluated, the Hereford-influenced steers boasted a $45 advantage compared to the Angus steers.

“The baldie females are the biggest pay off for us participating in the project,” says Mark Lacey of Lacey Livestock. “It is allowing us to get some heterosis back in our cow herd. In the cattle business, fertility and longevity are what makes us money.”

Mark says the Laceys will continue to use the Hereford bulls

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” that remain in their bull battery.

He also artificially inseminated his black replacement heifers, nearly 250, to two calving-ease Hereford bulls.

“We want to continue to produce more baldie females,” Mark says. “As range cows go, I think the Hereford female is a superior range cow and makes a great mother.”

In 2007 Circle A Ranch, Iberia, Missouri, agreed to participate in a research project with the AHA designed to determine and measure the advantages of using Hereford genetics on commercial Angus cows.

Circle A used 10 Hereford bulls with the goal of comparing the best of its Angus herd to the best of the Hereford-Angus cross.

Throughout the project, weaning weight and economically relevant traits such as feedlot gain, feed efficiency and fertility of the black baldie females were all measured and compared to straight commercial Angus cattle. Dan Moser, associate professor of genetics at Kansas State University, analyzed and interpreted the collected data.

Results from the project documented the Hereford efficiency advantage. With a seven percent increase in conception rate, along with improved feed efficiency and average daily gain, Herefords were proven the right choice for commercial producers today.

Vern Pierce, University of Missouri associate professor of agricultural economics, evaluated the performance differences between the Hereford and Angus groups including birth, weaning and feedlot growth and carcass data on the steer calves, and pregnancy rates from the female progeny of the sire groups. He developed an economic model projecting the added value of Hereford heterosis over a 10-year period and found that using Hereford bulls on Angusbased females would add $514 net over the life of a cow or approximately $51 per cow per year to a rancher’s bottom line.

Economic models also predicted that after 10 years, due to increased fertility and longevity Hereford-sired females would generate a 20 percent advantage in herd size versus the straight Angus commercial cows due to increased calving and replacement options According to Pierce, if a rancher with Angus-based cows uses Hereford bulls compared to using Angus bulls he will have improved cash flow, increased herd size and more calves to sell over a 10-year period.

Circle A Ranch is a 32,000acre, 10,000-head seedstock and commercial cow-calf operation headquartered in Iberia, with satellite operations in Stockton and Huntsville, and Lineville, Iowa, owned by the Dave Gust Family.

Circle A markets more than 400 black and Red Angus bulls and 500 Angus females annually.

The 9,000-head commercial herd has provided a great, “real life” testing ground for the registered seedstock herd. Circle A has done more than any beef seedstock operation in the world to accurately describe genetic differences for both output and input costs

and develop a true profitability index.

As founders of the Angus Sire Alliance and partners with ABS Global, Circle A has aggressively tested the Angus breeds most promising genetics in their 9,000 head commercial herd and then rapidly multiplied the most profitable genetics in their high-quality registered herd.

Some of us may remember the 1966 Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O’Hara movie, The Rare Breed, which depicts the hardiness of the Hereford breed in moving into the U.S. It is worth watching and remembering the place the Hereford breed has in today’s ■ beef industry.

Page 13

Angus continued from page eleven

operations. Bob and Kay’s son, Mike Anderson, lives on the ranch. Their daughter JoEllen Meeks lives in Las Vegas, about 40 miles away, with her husband Terry and four-year-old son Tanner, and they help out when possible. “It’s hard to keep Tanner away from the ranch,” he said. “He’s probably the one who will take all of this over when Kay decides she has had enough.”

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BOOK REVIEW

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hen words of advice or pearls of wisdom come from the mouth of a husband, it’s easy for the wife to ignore or discount those words. When those same pearls come from Heather Smith Thomas, they should be etched in granite and the wife should admit that the husband was right after all. Some lessons need not be learned the hard way. Every conceivable aspect of raising beef cattle is addressed in depth by Ms. Thomas from her 40 plus years of experience, complete with excellent illustrations and photographs.

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February 15, 2011

Storey’s Guide to Raising Beef Cattle

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS Story Publishing, 2009 • 352 pages, photos and illustrations throughout $19.95, Paper • $29.95, Hardcover • www.storey.com

This book is so fundamentally wise, yet basic in its content, that neither novice nor career beef producer should be without a copy. It is pertinent whether the raising of a herd of cattle is for a means of making a living or is for the enjoyment of a way of life. No matter the size of an operation, there is everything one needs to know in this newest version of Storey’s Guide to Raising Beef Cattle.

Again, I have to give “the old man” credit. Ms. Thomas’s begins her “guide” in the same manner that customers of the Cross M Longhorn Ranch received . . .

What is your plan? What are your goals? What kind of cattle are suited for your area? What is the market in your area? What traits do you desire in your cattle? This book lists the characteristics established and standardized by all the beef breed registries with an emphasis on hybrid vigor, the combining of traits to produce even better offspring through crossbreeding. She stresses that only the best animals should reproduce, then gives the reader in depth guidance on how to proceed to breed and raise superior livestock.

Instructions on how to handle and move cattle are extremely helpful in understanding how cattle behave, to avoid injury, both to the animal and the handler. Illustrations of proper equipment, supplies, facilities, pastures and fencing also add to the health and safety of both. Covered are tips for buying and selling cattle, what to

BOOK REVIEW

look for in a bull and what to look for in a cow. An understanding of the reproductive system of both is recommended and diagrammed.

Proper care and nutrition of the reproducing animals is discussed, to help ensure sound offspring.

Once the calf hits the ground, feed and health tips, including vaccination techniques, help the producer insure that calf’s best chance to make a profit for the breeder once it is weaned. The weaning tips alone would have been quite helpful early in the Cross M operation.

Cows running around Belen looking for their calves that were moved to Cedar Crest could have been avoided.

While this book emphasizes establishing a good initial relationship with an experienced veterinarian, it also illustrates in great detail how the breeder can address problems such as health issues, various diseases or weed poisonings, plus calving/birthing difficulties. How to “pull” a calf is demonstrated; however, this need not be a badge of honor with cattle breeders. As long as the homework provided by Ms. Thomas in this guide has been done and attention has been paid to the breeding female’s age, overall care and health, and attention has been paid to a bull’s record of progeny, calving problems can be avoided and the raising of beef cattle can be profitable and pleasurable.

This book is easily read and highly recommended.

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anching With Wyatt West is about life on a New Mexico cattle ranch. It is designed for middle school students from 4th to 8th grade. It is full of great stories about Wyatt West and his family.

It is a realistic fiction and is published by Authorhouse. The book has been tested and approved by many students at Truth or Consequences Middle School, and the reviews are great. It is a book that could be used in the classroom or just as good reading. This book is the first of a series that promotes family values, honesty and real life on a New Mexico cattle ranch.

This book is available at the Authorhouse, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon, ISBN – 978-1-4520-8341-4(SC). Library of Congress control number 20110917427.

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February 15, 2011

Abnormalities that May Impede the Birth Process

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

ccasionally the stockman encounters a difficult calving situation caused by an abnormality in the fetus or dam. As stated by Dr. David Steffen, Diagnostic Pathologist and Professor, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nebraska, the most common problem is discrepancy between size of the calf and pelvic area of the dam. This type of calving problem can be eliminated or minimized by using bulls that sire calves small to moderate size at birth and making sure heifers are well grown, with adequate pelvic area.

Other problems are less simple. When checking a cow or heifer thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not progressing in labor, keep in mind the possibility of an abnormality. There may be unusual circumstances in which positional adjustments will still not allow delivery. Some situations may be due to a congenital (present at birth) or genetic (inherited) defect in the calf or an abnormality in the dam that may be hindering birth progress or making it impossible for the calfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legs to be re-positioned to allow delivery.

O

Congenital defects â&#x20AC;&#x153;Defects in the fetus that may cause dystocia are usually attributed to those causing dramatic effects on the muscular or skeletal systems,â&#x20AC;? says Steffen. Some congenital defects are due to accidents in fetal development.

Others are caused by teratogens.

Terotogens are defined as any factors that cause abnormality in a developing embryo or fetus.

Teratogens include drugs, hormones, chemicals, viruses, toxic plants, high body temperature, etc. Some of the resulting abnormalities may cause dystocia.

Many factors influence embryonic and fetal development. Vulnerability of the developing calf varies at different stages of gesta-

tion. Each organ and structure has a critical period of development during which it can be altered by harmful external influences. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dose, duration and timing are the main factors that determine the outcome, and whether a teratogen will produce a birth defect. The higher the dose, the longer the period of exposure, and the time of gestation will be key factors,â&#x20AC;? explains Steffen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the most disturbing syndromes is schistosoma reflexus,â&#x20AC;? says Steffen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The spine is U-shaped and the top of the tail is close to the head, and the fetus is turned inside out.â&#x20AC;?

The chest and abdomen are incompletely formed, exposing internal organs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you reach into the cow to try to determine whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holding up progress, you find all four feet presented, and may get a handful of intestines. You may suspect the uterus is ruptured and think the intestines are from the cow,â&#x20AC;? he says. Most of these malformed fetuses will not fit through the birth canal and must be removed by fetotomy (cutting the fetus into pieces) or C-section. Schistosomus calves from purebred cattle should be sampled and reported.

Lupine calves are another instance in which the fetus is malformed. Usually itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the leg joints and limbs, but occasionally youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see a calf with a cleft palate. Often the legs are crooked or joints are fused and fixed so the legs donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move properly, but you can usually deliver these calves through the birth canal â&#x20AC;&#x201D; unless the deformity is severe.

These defects are caused by certain alkaloids, if the cow eats lupine between 40 and 70 daysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gestation. The alkaloids affect the brain and act as a sedative, and the fetus doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move enough.

Legs and joints become stiff or fixed in abnormal locations. This may affect one or more joints or limbs, or the spine.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most body structures are formed during early gestation.

The palate closes at about 55-60 days of gestation. If the fetus is affected by lupine or another toxic plant alkaloid at that point, the tongue isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t moving around and forms a physical obstruction as the palate plates move toward one another. The tongue is in the way and prevents those plates from coming in from the sides and fusing,â&#x20AC;? explains Steffen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We see similar defects caused by other plant toxins such as hemlock. Any kind of plant alkaloid or toxin can affect the nervous system, and some viruses can cause these abnormalities. In order for legs and joints to be mobile and develop normally there must be an intact nervous system. Anything distal to that injury will contract as the muscles atrophy,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spina bifida, hydrocephalus, or calves are missing a large part of the brain, they often have stiff, crooked legs as a result. If there is no function, no motion during development, the joints tend to become fixed.â&#x20AC;?

Some hydrocephalic calves will not fit through the birth canal because the forehead is too large. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spina bifida calves can also create dystocia. In many of those calves the hind legs are in fixed position, curled underneath the belly,â&#x20AC;? he says. Any time the joints cannot flex and move there will be difficulty getting the calf extracted through the birth canal.

Sometimes a normal fetus has an abnormal twin attached to the fetal membranes. This fetal â&#x20AC;&#x153;monsterâ&#x20AC;? is usually a mass of connective tissue with skin and hair. Other abnormalities that may hinder birth include calves with two heads or extra legs.

Hormonal abnormalities can also cause birth problems. Hormones produced by the calf as it reaches full term are the signals that trigger onset of parturition in the dam. In some instance the fetus may have an abnormality that interferes with appropriate signaling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Labor isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t triggered

Page 15

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February 15, 2011

Abnormalities

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at the proper time and the fetus just gets bigger. Eventually it triggers, but the calf may then be too large for normal birth. At times we’ve seen giant calves in embryo transfer programs. I don’t know if anyone has figured out why, but it may be an abnormality in the signaling between the embryo and the cow. I’ve seen some monster-size fetuses that were otherwise normal, but huge,” he says.

Genetic defects Certain malformations of the fetus are inherited, and many of these are simple recessives. The defective gene must come from both sire and dam in order for the defect to show up in the calf.

“Double muscled” calves are normal in most aspects except for excessive bulk of certain muscles, which makes it more difficult for these calves to be born.

This is an inherited trait in certain breeds.

In Angus calves with Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM), often called curly calf syndrome, legs are crooked and twisted in different directions. “Whether or not this type of fetus can be delivered will vary with size of the calf. Many arthrogryposis calves are small and even though there’s a dystocia you can usually manipulate the legs and get the calf out. With the larger ones, it can be a problem.”

Another inherited defect in Angus and Angus-cross cattle is Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA), formerly called Fawn Calf

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Abnormalities in the dam The most common problem on the maternal side is a toosmall pelvis for delivery of a toobig calf, but sometimes there are structural or hormonal abnorcontinued on page seventeen

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can’t get closed and fused like they should,” he says.

Each breed has its own genetic problems. “Some recessive defects hide in a carrier cow line for a long time and the cows don’t produce any affected calves because the stockman is always using an unrelated, clean bull, and that specific gene never gets doubled up. Eventually, however, someone produces a good bull by a son or grandson of one of those carrier cows and if that bull gets line bred or into an AI stud, pretty soon the gene frequency is high enough that it will be noticed,” he says.

Most conscientious producers try to learn enough about their cattle to avoid problems, if possible. “If a breeder has an abnormal calf, I encourage them to contact their breed association, if it’s a purebred herd, or even if it’s a crossbred and you know the sire. When breeders try to keep defects quiet, it just delays solutions and it all blows up a year or two later,” he says.

The majority of cases he sees are not genetic. “It pays to investigate them, however, and be sure of that affirmation, as it allows you to keep using that bull and cow without worry, or to market heifers by that bull and be confident that the person who buys them won’t have problems,” he says.

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Syndrome. A University of Illinois research team recently identified the mutated gene causing this defect, which is inherited as a simple recessive. Affected calves have skeletal abnormalities that include a long, arched back, with very short underline and long leg bones (elbows and stifles may be almost touching, beneath the belly), and long, weak pasterns. Even though some of these calves are unable to stand without help at first, many do survive. In some instances the skeletal/limb malformations may cause dystocia.

Calves with Pulmonary Hypoplasia Anascara (PHA) have been seen in Maine Anjou and Shorthorn cattle. “These are generally large, heavy calves that can’t be delivered normally. They don’t have proper lymph node structure, so their bodies fill with fluid.

They are huge and heavy because of all that fluid,” says Steffen.

Other inherited defects that cause dystocia sometimes include anchondroplastic or bulldog dwarfism, and calves with edema (fluid/swelling) in legs and head (sometimes seen in Ayrshires). Head and neck swelling can also be an effect of dystocia, however — the result of being in the birth canal too long.

“Some big bulldog dwarf calves can create a delivery problem because of their compact nature,” says Steffen.

“Some bulldog dwarf calves also have cleft palates. The head, back and legs are too short, yet they still have full muscle mass.

The tongue is still full size but the head is short, so during development the tongue gets in the way and the palate plates

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“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

February 15, 2011

The Corn Attack! n the last few years we have watched an increasing attack on corn. The skewed reasoning is: corn syrup is available, reasonably priced, and good for the average person, therefore; it must be bad! This is the kind of logic that has been applied to farmed salmon, Big Macs, lower taxes, capitalism and pasteurized milk.

I’m sure this same kind of reasoning was applied to earlier “civilizing” discoveries such as air conditioning, the steam engine and fire. In the book The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan, © 2006 it was noted that “too much” corn syrup can make you fat, reduce the popularity of competing vegetables like beets and wheat straw, AND someone can make a profit on it!

In the book FIRE, © 5286

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Abnormalities

BC, the author noted that “too much” fire could cause global warming, reduce your ability to withstand the cold, and someone could likely invent matches and make a profit!

Too often, in the long-established profession of the Luddites, Nay-Sayers, and, otherwise unemployed columnists, their motives can be found by “following the money.” To sell a book or theory, wacko as it may be, you must first find a trend, discovery, or product that is well-known and well-liked. Then you make a persuasive observation casting doubt on the safety, ecological impact, availability and/or the morality of its use. The purpose is to create a problem where none exists; i.e., wild horses, hormone implants, preservatives, oil drilling the tundra, pesticides, irradiation of food, hog confinement sheds, Alar in apples and

Page 17

antibiotics in cattle. Look at what a waste of common sense and money has resulted from the discovery of BSE . . . in one cow in the United States! It was a fear monger’s feast!

So while lettered experts, authorized “mullers”, activists, and writers are trying to portray corn syrup as some evil substance, others of their kind are searching for easy prey so they can be the “nay-sayer de jour” . . . Potential headlines: “Burnt toast, a carcinogen suspect!”

“People who lean have a tendency to fall over!”

“Carrots used as weapons in Arctic battle!”

“Could bovine dewlap be related to snood shrinking in turkeys?”

“Should Holsteins sue the Dairy Improvement Association for the Chick-Fil-A ads?”

“Is Tractor Fantasy Dangerous?”

“Can Tolstoy save your Marriage?”

“Packers blame the tennis ball shortage in New Zealand for the drop in the beef market!”

The corn attack has stimulated discourse on why we eat so good, have so much cheap food, and can feed the world’s hungry if need be. The majority of this discussion has been among nonproducers, non-scientist and journalists, wherein common sense, economic impact, scientific validity, and overwhelming acceptance are not on the table.

Michael Pollan in his book The Omnivore’s Dilemma caused a ripple. He put corn syrup on the stage for its fifteen minutes of fame. But, as Lincoln said when his dog swallowed an Indian head penny, “This too shall pass.”

continued from page sixteen

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All Breeds

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malities in the dam that would hinder birth.

Occasionally a heifer has an unusual situation or defect that will not allow for ease of birth.

For instance, an abnormal bony protrusion at the top of her pelvis might not allow the calf’s head to fit through.

In any breed, sometimes there are instances in which hormone signals don’t work properly at parturition and the cervix may not dilate. Oxytocin release and progesterone changes are necessary for relaxation, preparing the birth canal for passage of the fetus. If something goes wrong with these hormonal signals it may be impossible to deliver the calf normally.

“Nutritional status of the dam can play a role as well, especially calcium levels in heifers — to generate the muscle contractions that assist in pushing the calf out.

If calcium is marginal and the calf is big, or it’s a young heifer that has never been dilated before, and she starts straining hard, she becomes exhausted more quickly and it may be difficult to get the calf out,” explains Steffen.

The key to resolving most problems is watching cows closely at calving, knowing when they are due, and giving early intervention if there is a problem. If a person can detect a problem early and assist — even if the calf must be removed by C-section or a fetotomy — you’ll end up with a live cow, even if the fetus is too abnormal to save.

“Often cows do better (and may have a reproductive future) with a clean C-section than with a fetotomy or forced extraction.

You can do more damage to the pelvic canal with the latter situations. With a clean surgical incision you can get the calf out without stressing the cow or heifer,” says Steffen.

“I had a classmate compare post-delivery performance of heifers that came into feedlots bred. He found that C-section heifers returned to feed and gained weight faster than the

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Livestock Market Digest

Page 18

February 15, 2011

THE LIVESTOCK MARKET DIGEST

Real Estate Guide To list your properties here, contact Debbie Cisneros at debbie@aaalivestock.com; New Mexico office: 505/243-9515, ext. 30; or Colorado office: 720/242-8032 (direct line)

KEVIN C. REED Ranchers Serving Ranchers This Torrance County Ranch has been in the same family for nearly 60 years. The main ranch has 7,280± deeded acres plus 1,280± acres State Lease land. Comprised of rolling hills, canyons and good, flat land, this ranch has been well-maintained and has exceptional water and watering systems. Great for cattle raising and hunting elk, deer, antelope and dove. Two other pastures totaling 1,390± deeded acres are close to town with city water and development opportunities. Call for a brochure.

Chas. S. Middleton and Son 1507 13th ST. • LUBBOCK, TEXAS 79401

(806) 763-5331

Idaho-Oregon Call 208/345-3163 for catalog.

KNIPE LAND CO. RANCHES FARMS COMMERCIAL Established 1944

RANCH SALES & APPRAISALS SERVING THE RANCHING INDUSTRY SINCE 1920

Chas. S. Middleton and Son 1507 13th ST. • LUBBOCK, TEXAS 79401

(806) 763-5331

ASSOCIATES INC.

Office: 325/655-6989 Cell: 915/491-9053

1002 Koenigheim, San Angelo, TX 76903 • www.llptexasranchland.com • llp@wcc.net

Offered in cooperation with United Country Vista Nueva, Inc., Portales, NM 575/356-5616

Southeastern N.M. Ranches For Sale

R.G. DAVIS, BROKER Cell: 530/949-1985

Properties

and Equities

19855 S. Main St., P.O. Box 1020 Cottonwood, CA 96022 Ofc.: 530/347-9455 • F: 530/347-4640 homeranchr@sbcglobal.net

——— CALIFORNIA RANCHES ——— Lassen County: 11,725 acres, all deeded. 970 acres irrigated, flood and 4 pivots. Alfalfa, grain, grass. BLM permits, 500 cows, organic hay. Lots of potential for more farm ground. Priced at $5,375,000.

Tehama County, Cottonwood, Calif.: 1,850 acres, winter range. Large barn, 1 bdrm. apt., horse stalls, tie stalls, tack room, shop. Deluxe 400x200 ft. roping arena.

All new fences and steel corrals. Hunting and fishing. Priced at $2,200,000.

Tehama County, Cottonwood, Calif.: 80 acres, winter range and a custom built appx. 3,000 sq. ft. beautiful home. Large barn, tack room, shop roping arena, round-pen — a real crown jewel. Many amenities. A roper’s dream. Priced at $1,400,000.

SERVING THE RANCHING INDUSTRY SINCE 1920

LEE, LEE & PUCKITT

Amarillo, TX 806/355-9856 • Benny Splawn, 806/674-7523 www.CliftLandBrokers.com

Tehama County, Cottonwood, Calif.: 556 acres, winter range, two small houses, corrals, chute, small barn. Good hunting and fishing. Price reduced — $775,000.

RANCH SALES & APPRAISALS

Texas and New Mexico

RANCH SALES & APPRAISALS

MOATS RANCH – 20,565 Total acres, 12,025 deeded.

Thirty miles north of Roswell, N.M. along and on both sides of U.S. Highway 285. 400± Animal Units Yearlong.

Three wells and pipelines.

DEGANAHL RANCH – 5,635 Total acres, 960 deeded.

BLM grazing permit for 164 Animal Units Yearlong. 40 miles northwest of Roswell, NM north of State Highway 246. New improvements, three wells and pipelines.

Bar M

Contact: SCOTT MCNALLY, Qualifying Broker, C: 575/420-1237

REAL ESTATE

www.ranchesnm.com

P. O . BO X 4 2 8 • RO S WE L L , N . M. 8 8 2 0 2 •

575/622-5867

WAHOO RANCH: Approximately 40,976 acres: ± 11,600 deeded, 6,984 BLM, 912 state, 40 uncontrolled and 21,440 forest. Beautiful cattle ranch located on the east slope of the Black Range Mountains north of Winston, N.M., on State Road 52. Three hours from either Albuquerque or El Paso.The ranch is bounded on the east by the Alamosa Creek Valley and on the west by the Wahoo Mountains ranging in elevation from 6,000' to 8,796'. There are 3 houses/2 cabins, 2 sets of working corrals (1 with scales) and numerous shops and outbuildings. It is very well watered with many wells, springs, dirt tanks and pipelines. The topography and vegetation is a combination of grass covered hills (primarily gramma grasses), with many cedar, piñon and live oak covered canyons as well as the forested Wahoo Mountains. There are plentiful elk and deer as well as antelope, turkey, bear, mountain lion and javelina (47 elk tags in 2010). Absolutely one of the nicest combination cattle/hunting ranches to be found in the Southwest. Price reduced to $5,500,000.

MAHONEY PARK: Just 10 miles southeast of Deming, N.M. The property consists of approx. 800 acres Deeded, 560 acres State Lease, and 900 acres BLM. This historic property is located high up in the Florida Mountains and features a park like setting, covered in deep grasses with plentiful oak and juniper covered canyons. The cattle allotment would be approx. 30 head (AUYL). Wildlife includes deer, ibex, javalina, quail and dove. This rare jewel would make a great little ranch with views and a home site second to none. Priced at $600,000.

SAN JUAN RANCH: Located 15 miles south of Deming, N.M. east of Highway 11 (Columbus Highway) on CR-11.

Approximately 24,064 acres consisting of approximately 2684 acres Deeded, 3240 State Lease, 13,460 BLM, and 4,680 uncontrolled. The cattle allotment would be approx. 183 head (AUYL). There are 6 solar powered stock wells with metal storage tanks and approximately 6-1/2 miles pipeline. The ranch has a very diverse landscape consisting of high mountain peaks, deep juniper & oak covered canyons, mountain foothills and desert grasslands.

There is plentiful wildlife including deer, ibex, javalina, quail and dove. A truly great buy at $600,000.

212 ACRE FARM BETWEEN LAS CRUCES, N.M. AND EL PASO, TEXAS: Hwy. 28 frontage with 132 acres irrigated, 80 acres sandhills, full EBID (surface water) plus a supplemental irrigation well, cement ditches and large equipment warehouse. Priced at $1,868,000.

50.47-ACRE FARM: Located on Afton Road south of La Mesa, NM. Paved road frontage, full EBID (surface water) plus a supplemental irrigation well with cement ditches. Priced at $13,000/acre ($660,400).

OTHER FARMS FOR SALE: In Doña Ana County. All located near Las Cruces, N.M. 8, 11, and 27.5 acres. $15,000/acre to $17,000/acre. All have EBID (surface water rights from the Rio Grande River) and several have supplemental irrigation wells. If you are interested in farm land in Doña Ana County, or ranches in Southwest New Mexico, give me a call.

DAN DELANEY R E A L E S TAT E , L L C www.zianet.com/nmlandman

318 W. Amador Ave. Las Cruces, N.M. 88005 (O) 575/647-5041 (C) 575/644-0776 nmlandman@zianet.com

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

February 15, 2011

Mike White re-elected as Western Region representative for AFBF board ichael White, a farmer from Dexter and president of the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau (NMFLB), was re-elected to the board of directors for the American Farm Bureau Federation as a Western Regional representative.

White grows alfalfa, barley and corn for dairies on the east side of the state and has a long history with the American Farm Bureau Federation, having served for five years previously as a regional representative for the nations’ largest farm and ranch organization. As a regional representative he also sits on the AFBF International Trade Advisory Committee.

“The thirteen Western state region of AFBF has very crucial and distinct issues that affect our agriculture industry, and being selected to be one of the five representatives from the West on the AFBF Board is an honor that is very humbling, and I look forward to the challenges ahead,” says White.

He is a member of the board of directors of the Chaves County Farm and Livestock Bureau and has served as president of that organization. He has been a member of the N.M. Cotton Advisory Committee at New

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INTEREST RATES AS LOW AS 3%. PAYMENTS SCHEDULED ON 25 YEARS

Mexico State University and was an alternate to the National Cotton Board. He served for 12 years on the Dexter Consolidated School Board and was elected president of that body. Mr. White was also on the board of directors for the Albuquerque Production Credit Association.

He is treasurer of the Midway Assembly of God Church and is on the board of the Midway Youth and Family Development Center.

As President NMFLB White spearheads the organization’s legislative agenda in New Mexico and in the U.S. Congress. He presides over an organization with 30 county affiliates and more than 15,300 family-members statewide.

Ag Women To Gather — Seek Nominations for the next “Diamond in the Rough” nnovation and Collaboration will be the theme of the ninth Women in Agriculture Leadership Conference (WALC), to be held in Albuquerque, April 27-29, 2011. The 2011 WALC will be held in conjunction with the American National CattleWomen (ANCW) Region VI Meeting with participants from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Hawaii, and Nevada.

Over 200 women from across the Southwest’s agricultural industry are expected to come together to discuss current issues, network, and honor out-

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Missouri Land Sales Horse Training / Boarding Facility: New, state-of-the-art, 220x60 horse facility with 20 stalls, back to back, offset with bull pen at end of the barn. Two large pipe outside paddocks. 3-4 BR, 3 BA, 2,000+ sq. ft. home. All on 18+ acres. Just 5 miles north of I-44 Bois D’Arc exit. MLS #1017424. Call Paul for your private showing.

675 Acres Grass Runway, Land your own plane: Major Price Reduction. 3 BR, 2 BA home down 1 mile private land. New 40x42 shop, 40x60 livestock barn, over 450 acres in grass. (Owner runs over 150 cow/calves, 2 springs, 20 ponds, 2 lakes, consisting of 3.5 & 2 acres. Both stocked with fish. Excellent fencing. A must farm to see. MLS #1010371 483 Acres, Hunter Mania: Nature at her best. Don’t miss out on this one. Live water (two creeks). 70+ acres open in bottom hayfields and upland grazing. Lots of timber (marketable and young) for the best hunting and fishing (Table Rock, Taney Como and Bull Shoals Lake) Really cute 3-bd., 1-ba stone home. Secluded yes, but easy access to Forsyth-Branson, Ozark and Springfield. Property joins Nat’l. Forest. MLS#908571

Thank You Paul McGillard “Our Realtor of the Month” “Thanks Livestock Market Digest.

I advertise monthly as I get results and great customer service from the LMD!” — Paul Mc Gillard

TEXAS & OKLA. FARMS & RANCHES • Magnificent 90 Hunting – Cattle/Horse Ranch 50 miles E. of Dallas, 35 miles W. of Tyler, White pipe fence along FM Hwy. 3,700 sq. ft. elaborate home, flowing waterway, lake. Has it all.

• 532-acre CATTLE & HUNTING, NE TX ranch, elaborate home, one-mile highway frontage.

OWNER FINANCE at $2,150/ac.

• 274 acres in the shadow of Dallas. Secluded lakes, trees, excellent grass. Hunting & fishing, dream home sites. $3,850/ac.

• 1,700-acre classic NE TX cattle & hunting ranch. $2,750/ac. Some mineral production.

• Texas Jewel, 7,000 ac. – 1,000 per ac., run cow to 10 ac.

• 256 Acre Texas Jewel – Deep sandy soil, highrolling hills, scattered good quality trees, & excellent improved grasses. Water line on 2 sides rd., frontage on 2 sides, fenced into 5 pastures, 5 spring fed tanks and lakes, deer, hogs & ducks. Near Tyler & Athens. Price $1,920,000.

• 146 horse, hunting cattle ranch N. of Clarksville, TX. Red River Co. nice brick home, 2 barns, pipe fences, good deer, hogs, ducks, hunting priced at $395,000.

• 535 ac. Limestone, Fallas, & Robertson counties, fronts on Hwy. 14 and has rail frontage water line, to ranch, fenced into 5 pastures, 2 sets, cattle pens, loamy soil, good quality trees, hogs, & deer hunting. Priced at $2,300 per ac.

Joe Priest Real Estate www.joepriest.com joepriestre@earthlink.com

industry a prosperous, viable component of the Land of Enchantment.

This conference draws women from all types of agriculture.

“Today’s agricultural women are integral parts of their families’ agricultural operations and agribusiness, in addition to their traditional roles,” said Shacey Sullivan, Conference Co-Chair.

Nomination forms for the award as well as registration information on the conference can be found at www.nmagriculture.org or www.nmfarmbureau.org and must be received by April 1, 2011 to be considered.

FOR SALE IRRIGATED FARM NEAR SEDAN, N.M. 960 total acres, 770 irrigated acres, brick home, large barns, grain bins, etc. Good livestock operation.

Favorable financing and terms available to qualified buyers.

PAUL McGILLIARD

CALL JORDAN OR NICK FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Cell: 417/839-5096 1-800/743-0336 MURNEY ASSOC., REALTORS SPRINGFIELD, MO 65804

Farmers & Stockmens Bank

Capulin Ranch, Separ, N.M. – 21,640 acres total, 7,785 deeded acres and 13,835 leased acres. 350 auyl operation has excellent fences, 8 pastures, 2 traps, 10 wells and drinkers, forage is in excellent condition. Good populations of mule deer, antelope, big cats, javalina and quail. HQ home is SW style with pool. Guest home, equip storage, rail cars, pens and scales at HQ location. Price is $4,000,000 La Cueva Ranch, Las Vegas, N.M. – 3,334 deeded acres on Apache Mesa 20 minutes from Las Vegas, NM. Caves, rimrock, canyons, grassy mesa tops and tall pines. Smaller parcels available. Very scenic area. Priced at $1,779,000 Trigg Ranch Parcels, Las Vegas, N.M. – 720 acre and 360 acre parcels located on Apache Mesa at $612,000 and $216,000 respectively. 180 acre parcel located on Hwy 84 has stunning views, several building sites on this parcel. Priced at $298,000

www.SantaFeLand.com 1435 S. St. Francis Drive, Suite 210 • Santa Fe, N.M. 87505 O: 505/989-7573 • Toll Free: 888/989-7573 • M: 505/490-0220 E-mail: kahler@newmexico.com

“EAGER SELLERS” P BAR RANCH: Rates at 1,350 AU’s including 900 mother cows outside year round – WINTER RANGE – 11,750 deeded acres plus BLM, 300 irrigated – background lot for calves – 3 homes – good improvements – CAN SPLIT – $6,000,000.

LYMAN RANCH: Rated at approximately 225 hd. year long – MEADOW RANCH – 850± deeded with 670± irrigated – FREE WATER – several interior pastures for easy management of cattle – over 1-1/2 MILE RIVER THRU RANCH – would make great stocker operation for about 800 hd. – modest improvements including great shipping facilities and scales – asking $1,530,000 Rae at 208/761-9553.

LINSON CREEK: 400/500 HD. WINTER (11/5 – 5/1) with less than 1/2-ton on normal years – 1,938 deeded plus BLM – great stock water – UPLAND GAME BIRDS, MULE DEER, ELK, FISHING – Washington/ Payette Counties, ID – modest improvements – $1,475,000 with SELLER FINANCE. LANDRETH: Malheur County, OR – 780 deeded acres with 180± irrigated – 1/2-MILE RIVER – quality improvements – upland game birds, water fowl, mule deer, bass ponds – PRICE REDUCED – $980,000.

FARM/FEEDLOT: 500± deeded acres with 280 irrigated row crop – CAFO at 850-1,000 hd. – good improvements – great stocker and/or dairy hfrs. – $1,580,000.

QUARTER CIRCLE DIAMOND: Gilliam County, OR – 6,148 deeded acres with 1,078 dry farm – in addition running 125 mother cows year long – includes 40% interest in potential power generation – siting for 17 TURBINES – mule deer, elk, chukar, quail – $1,750,000 Rae at 208/761-9553 Jack at 541/473-3100.

P.O. Box 431, Clayton, N.M. 88415 • 575/374-8301

Ben G. Scott, Krystal M. Nelson, Brokers 1301 Front St., Dimmitt, TX 79027 • 1-800/933-9698 day/night www.scottlandcompany.com

RANCH & FARM REAL ESTATE

—— TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO —— This ad is just a small sample of the properties that we currently have for sale.

Please check our website: scottlandcompany.com and give us a call!

We need your listings both large and small, all types of ag properties (ESP. RANCHES).

LONE WOLF RANCH – EASTERN, N.M.: Approx. 30 sections mostly deeded some BLM and State, employee housing and two sets of steel pens, county maintained, all weather road. Mild climate year round.

HEART OF THE PLAINS: 8 section ranch with new set of pens, concrete bunks, truck/cattle scale and commodity barn, mobile home, watered by subs, mill and pipeline, on pavement, hour from Lubbock, Texas, mule deer and quail.

NEVADA RANCHES and FARMS

MASON MOUNTAIN RANCH Nothern Elko County ranch with 3700 deeded acres and a small BLM permit. Great summer pasture with free water from springs, creeks and seeps. No power but land line phone.

The ranch received 1 landowner Elk Tag this year.

The irrigation reservior on Mason Creek is stocked with Red Band trout. Several useful buildings including home with gravity flow water and propane lights, water heater and refrigerator.

The ranch should run 300 pair for the season.

Price: $1,575,000.

Bottari Realty Out West Realty Network Affiliate

1205 N. Hwy 175, Seagoville, TX 75159

972/287-4548 • 214/676-6973 1-800/671-4548

standing women in the group.

The “Diamond in the Rough” award was created to recognize an outstanding woman in New Mexico agriculture and highlight her efforts and contributions.

Initiated by the WALC and its various sponsors, the award (previously called the Corazon Award) has been given at each of the previous conferences during a special awards ceremony.

Nominations are currently being accepted for those women that, through their actions, strive to make New Mexico’s agricultural

See all my listings at: paulmcgilliard.murney.com

Ken Ahler Real Estate Co., Inc. JOE STUBBLEFIELD & ASSOCIATES 13830 Western St., Amarillo, TX 806/622-3482 • cell 806/674-2062 Drew Perez Assocs.

Nara Visa, NM • 806/392-1788

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AGRILANDS Real Estate www.agrilandsrealestate.com Vale, Oregon • 541/473-3100 • jack@fmtcblue.com

PAUL D. BOTTARI, BROKER www.bottarirealty.com • paul@bottarirealty.com

Ofc.: 775/752-3040 Res: 775/752-3809 • Fax: 775/752-3021

Livestock Market Digest

Page 20

Young vows to fight enviro laws he says hurt tribal energy development

by PHIL TAYLOR, E&E REPORTER

ep. Don Young, chairman of a new House subcommittee on American Indian and Alaska Native affairs, says he will battle federal laws such as the Endangered Species Act that have derailed energy and economic development on tribal lands.

The Alaska Republican, who last week took the gavel of the Natural Resources Committee’s new Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Subcommittee, said he would ensure federal environmental laws do not obstruct ener-

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gy development for the nation’s 565 federally recognized Indian tribes and that federal agencies live up to their trust obligations with native communities.

“They have not been adequately served by the federal government when it comes to trying to encourage their advancement,” Young said in an interview with E&E Daily. “They’ve been deprived of developing their lands if they wish to do so.”

Action is needed to loosen federal regulations and eliminate permitting steps that have stifled energy and economic development for tribes, Young said.

“Let’s say you have a cattle ranch and you’re supposed to be able to provide for your people on a reservation. The [gray] wolf is put on the Endangered Species Act and they’re killing your cattle,” Young said. “Wait a minute, that’s great for someone in New York or California, but not for the tribe that wants to protect their cattle herd.”

Young also criticized what he called duplicative federal regulations on Indian lands and accused federal agencies of employing regulators simply for the sake of creating jobs. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have complained for years that the Interior Department permitting process often slows energy development and discourages

WAGONHAMMER RANCHES CLUB CALVES

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MYRON BENES • www.wagonhammer.com Albion, NE 68620 • Phone 402/395-2178 or 402/395-6962

Western Legacy Alliance Research Spurs Congressional Action on Exposing Taxpayer Funded Lawsuit Racket of Radical Environmentalists I am/our organization is committed to protecting the open spaces, private property, private businesses and ensuring the responsible use of public lands.

Please list me/my organization as a member of the Western Legacy Alliance.

I have included my membership dues and my $____________ additional contribution.

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February 15, 2011 possible business investment. “[Tribes] ought to be able to [develop energy] without what I call restrictions that are really uncalled for, or doing the double dipping as far as federal control,” Young said. “We have so many people involved in these offices, and really, what are they doing?

They are implementing regulatory law that is not voted upon that determines how people live.”

The 20-term congressman and former full committee chairman would not elaborate on any specific legislative plans but said his chairmanship would be guided by the philosophy that tribes have not gotten a fair shake from the federal government.

He did, however, promise to reintroduce a controversial bill that would allow the transfer of thousands of acres of the Tongass National Forest to a southeast Alaska native corporation for possible timber development.

Proponents say the deal is the most equitable way for the federal government to meet its remaining obligations under a 1971 settlement ordering the return of about 375,000 federal acres to Sealaska, but critics argue that privatization of the lands will undermine efforts to shift forest management away from old-growth logging.

Tribal reaction Attorneys for tribal organizations said they hope Young will pursue legislation that will help unlock major troves of renewable energy on reservations, as well as clear hurdles for development of conventional oil and gas.

“The old trust system creates a lot of red tape when trying to do any economic transaction,” said John Dossett, general counsel for the National Congress of American Indians. “Businesses just don’t want to wait around for three years while the Bureau of Indian Affairs gets its business done.”

Dossett cited legislation from the last Congress that would allow tribes to oversee part of the surface leasing approval process normally reserved for Interior and a sweeping draft package by former Senate Indian Affairs Chairman Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) that aimed to address some of the regulatory inequities tribes face in spurring development.

“Tribes now have a lot more capacity and they don’t need the secretary to review every leasing

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operation,” which include standard subleases in tribal office buildings, Dossett said.

Paul Moorehead, an attorney for Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Washington, D.C., said that while tribes are sovereign nations, they are also subject to environmental laws including ESA and the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal studies and public involvement for any energy project to take place.

“For the private surface landowner across the street from the tribe, NEPA doesn’t apply,” Moorehead said.

Moorehead, a former chief council for the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, cited increased fees for drilling permits on public lands as another roadblock impeding energy development on tribal lands.

“Taken together they present a pretty formidable challenge to energy development on Indian lands,” Moorehead said. “They are precisely the types of things that we hope Don Young’s subcommittee will deal with in the next year or so.”

Dan Kish, a senior vice president for policy at the Institute for Energy Research who worked for the Natural Resources Committee under Young’s chairmanship, said the congressman has “always believed the government should live up to its obligation to Indians, but he’s also a strong believer in self-determination.”

“He also brings to this a certain sensitivity, a feeling both about the government’s obligation to first Americans, if you will, as well as a belief that a lot of what we’ve been doing has been counterproductive,” Kish said.

Young’s late wife was Native Alaskan, and he has two Native children and 14 native grandchildren. He taught fifth grade at a Native Alaskan school in the 1960s in Fort Yukon.

“Don has unique and personal experience with Native affairs over his many years serving the state of Alaska and his reputation in tribal communities and Native villages is well established,” said Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (RWash.) in a statement late last month. “He brings a wealth of knowledge to this position and will ensure that tribal issues receive the proper focus and attention.”

continued from page seventeen

hard pulls. If you pull a big (or malformed) calf out through the pelvic canal, you crush a lot of tissue and may separate the pelvis. This tissue damage may take longer to heal; you cause a lot more injury, even though it doesn’t bleed.” There can be less trauma to the cow with a C-section.

Hydroallontois (excess fluid in the outer water sac) or hydramnios (extra fluid in the amnion sac surrounding the calf) are rare conditions that hinder normal birth. The calf itself is often abnormal and may be small for its stage of gestation, but the cow develops a huge belly due to extra fluid. Many of these cows cannot make it to term because they have trouble getting up and down. The cow may become weak because there isn’t room for much food in her gut, and the huge uterus puts pressure on her digestive tract and lungs.