more

Click here to learn more about the Angus Beef Bulletin Extra.

Click here to sign up
for the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA.

Share the EXTRA

weather


American Angus Association

Click here to visit the official site of the American Angus Association.®


Angus Productions Inc

Click here to learn more about Angus Productions Inc. and the resources it offers.

 

Certified Angus Beef

Click here to
learn about the
brand that pays.

 

Angus e-list

Want daily industry news and Angus advertisements?
Sign up for
the Angus e-List.


Click here for a list of upcoming events



 


Topics of Interest

Dealing with Drought

Resource for producers across the country who are affected by drought.


Country-of-Origin Labeling

Information about country-of-origin labeling, and what it means for cattlemen.


Angus International

A platform for global information sharing spanning the worldwide Angus industry.


Beef Cow Efficiency

Perhaps the greatest single factor affecting your profitability as a beef producer.


Body Condition Scoring

Use body condition scores (BCS) to improve herd nutrition and efficiency.

 

Feeding & Feedstuffs

Maximize pasture utilization and optimize feeding of harvested forages and supplements to
efficiently meet the nutritional needs
of your herd.

 


 

Angus Productions Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 20, 2009

 

Small Herd, Big Impact

Working for a Living


The Wilke family has a hard time planning big events like weddings or vacations because their diversified crop and livestock farm keeps them busy year-round.


“We don’t have an off time of the year,” says Paul Wilke, who farms with his wife, Keri, and brother, David, near Columbus, Neb. Paul lives on the “home place” where Keri keeps the operation’s books and an eye on their four children: a 12-year-old son and 9-year-old triplets.


Perhaps in the agricultural field their schedule is not unique, but as they juggle it all, they also have their sights on what packers and, ultimately, beef consumers demand from them. Read more.


What’s Inside …

The June Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA features several valuable articles, including specific sections devoted to management, marketing, and health and nutrition information. Select from the tabs above to access this month’s entire information-packed edition, a portion of which includes the following:

• Wizard with Steel — A producer builds a low-cost facility

Check Bull Fertility Before Breeding

Think Early — An early weaning strategy could save money

Maximum Reproductive Performance, Minimum Feed

Distillers’ Grains for Cows: Boon or Bust

Cow Slaughter Prices and the Dairy Buyout

DTN: Just How Bad are Market Losses in the Livestock Sector?

JBS Splits Ownership of Five Rivers


Bull Management for a Successful Breeding Season

Many bulls have been placed with spring-calving cows in the last few days or weeks, says Dee Whittier, Virginia Tech Extension veterinarian. “How successful these bulls are in getting cows pregnant will determine to a large extent the profitability of these cow-calf operations. Beef producers will do well to invest some time to increase the likelihood that bulls perform well and get a high percentage of cows pregnant,” Whittier adds. Read more.


News Briefs …

Amprolium Now Allowed in USDA Natural Beef and Never Ever 3 Programs

Raising the BSE Age Limit

TB discovered in Nebraska, Texas

ACRE Deadline Extended

Campaign Promotes Benefits of Conventional Beef Production

2009’s First Case of VS Detected in Texas

N.C. ConAgra Plant Explosion Caused by Gas Leak

Organic Trade Gets a Boost in U.S., Canada Deal

 


Past Cow-Calf Trends —
Can They Tell Us Our Future?

There have been large changes take place in Iowa cow-calf production in the past, and it is safe to assume there will be more changes coming down the road for all of us to deal with, says Daryl Strohbehn of Iowa State University’s Iowa Beef Center. “Big changes in the past have left major impacts on this industry, and we can certainly learn from them if we keep an open mind and reflect on how current situations might leave a similar impact on us down the road.”


Strohbehn discusses trends that have affected the beef cattle industry, including energy costs and associated effects, efforts to improve beef quality, value-added calf crops, the capital-intensive nature of the cow-calf business, genetics and their applications for our future, and more. Read more.


Ty Groshans

Ty Groshans

Association Perspective

What makes your calves unforgettable?

It never ceases to amaze me the number of people that I meet in the beef industry. We have all been at fault for being forgetful of another person’s name, which is usually awkwardly admitted as being “horrible with names.” Though the name may have been forgotten, with a little help, past experiences — time, place — can be recalled with crystal clarity.


Compare this memory lapse with that of meeting someone famous: We remember their name if we do not already know it. Why does this happen? It is because that person has done something significant to become unforgettable in your mind. That impression, whether it be good or bad, is left in your mind forever.


What makes you unforgettable to people? We all have the opportunity to meet new people and make a lasting impression. I have found that keeping a positive attitude in all situations presented will always result in a more favorable encounter. This positive approach can be applicable in our beef industry as well.


“You only have one chance to make a first impression.” This statement could not be more true for the beef industry — not only in everyday business life, but also when it comes to selling feeder cattle. When your calves are passed on to the next step in the beef chain, those who take possession of them will know the quality and performance of your calves. This is the time your cattle have the chance to become unforgettable and leave a lasting impression that speaks in dollars. That buyer will be back to buy your calves year after year if you have ensured your calves will perform to their potential.


This will ensure that your ranch will be profitable and sustainable.


This is an awesome industry to be a part of, with the knowledge that each of us is a part of something much greater than just a product to consumers, but an experience that is relived everyday. Think of what created this impression and apply this to your life: What are you doing to ensure the future of your operation? What impression have you left in the minds of the buyers of your cattle? What makes your product, service or cattle unforgettable?


Association Adopts Policy for AM, NH

The American Angus Association has adopted a combined policy regarding both arthrogryposis multiplex (AM) and neuropathic hydrocephalus (NH). According to Association President Jay King, the combined policy does three things. King wrote to members:


“First, it expands the window of opportunity in which members can continue to register heifers that are known carriers of these defects. The “sunset” provision for registration of AM-carrier heifers is now Dec. 31, 2011. The “sunset” provision for registration of NH-carrier heifers is June 14, 2012. Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, AM-carrier bulls — and June 15, 2010, NH-carrier bulls — will not be eligible for registration.


“Second, it continues to provide commercial producers with the information they need to make sound and scientifically based decisions when investing in Angus genetics. It ensures that all registered bull and heifer calves produced by carrier parents be tested for these defects, and that the results of these tests appear on the animal’s registration.


“Third, it protects the genetic integrity of Angus. While all cattle breeds are affected on occasion by genetic defects, we believe the open and aggressive policy we put in place last fall — combined with advances in DNA testing and technology — will enable Angus breeders to use sound science to move more rapidly and aggressively away from genetic defects than at any time in history.” Read more.


Dumbfounded by $Values?


American Angus Association staff members offer a simple, straightforward guide to understanding dollar value ($Values). Utilize these valuable selection tools in your operation. Read more.


Washington Watch:

Regulatory and legislative update affecting the cow-calf industry, including news regarding proposed federal regulations for bodies of water through the Clean Water Act; the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) push to regulate greenhouse gas emissions; and animal welfare regulations that could change Ohio’s ag industry. Read more.


Feeding & Feedstuffs Web Site Available

The annual cost to feed the herd these days can be mind-boggling. Increasing pasture rents, competition for feedstuffs and increasing input costs certainly complicate efforts to control the feed bill.


Yet experts agree, nutrition is not an area in which cattlemen can afford to skimp. With this in mind, Angus Productions Inc. (API) has created the Feeding & Feedstuffs site to provide a portal to information to help you efficiently meet the nutritional needs of your herd. Click here to access the site.