MANAGEMENT...
Increasing Corn Stover Digestibility
New process can improve feeders' profits using stalks, leaves, cobs currently left on field.
New research has shown that a substantial portion of the grain in cattle feed can be effectively replaced with corn stover — the plant's stalks, cobs and leaves — when these harvest residues are treated with a common food ingredient known as hydrated lime, or pickling lime.
The alternative feeding strategy has been validated through recent studies conducted at Iowa State University (ISU) and the University of Nebraska. In mid-February, Mike Baroni, vice president of economic policy for Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) and Mike Cecava, ADM's director of feed technology, shared highlights of the research at a meeting of Illinois cattle feeders in Sycamore, Ill. Read more.
Ron Torell with his wife, Jackie
Cow Camp Chatter
The dam side of the pedigree.
What do you look for in your quest for the perfect bull? What questions do you ask your seedstock producer when contemplating sire selection? When selecting a bull, buyers generally concentrate on the top, or sire, side of the pedigree, relying entirely on visual appraisal and expected progeny differences (EPDs). Seldom are seedstock producers asked about the bottom, or dam side, of the pedigree. Buyers may show little interest in viewing the young bull's mother or her lifelong performance records.
An important consideration when selecting a bull is the dam side of the pedigree, especially if female offspring are to be kept for replacements. Read more.
Business Strategies for Cattle Producers
"We want to make sure everyone goes home today understanding why they need to manage risk," said Cattle-Fax Analyst Mike Murphy as he addressed Cattlemen's College® attendees Feb. 2 in Denver.
Murphy and his Cattle-Fax colleagues Brett Stuart and Troy Applehans focused on the topic of "Business Strategies for Cattle Producers." They noted how capital-intensive the beef business has become. "Think about how much more capital it takes to run your operations today compared to five years ago — and that will continue to go up," said Murphy.
With that said, he added, "We want you to consider how you can harness some of the tools in the marketplace, think outside the box and improve your bottom line." Read more.
Financing in the Age of Uncertainty
Cattlemen need to help their banker understand their operation.
Communication is the foundation to building a better relationship with your ag lender, emphasized Rod Alt and Jud Jesske during their Cattlemen's College® presentation to attendees at the Cattle Industry Convention Feb. 2 in Denver. Based in Amarillo, Texas, Alt specializes in loans to the ag sector as a loan officer with Wells-Fargo. Jesske is vice president of ag business finance for Farm Credit Services of America and is based in Omaha, Neb.
"We are in the business of loaning money, and we want to help your operation succeed," Jesske said. But to do that, he added, "You need to help your lender understand your operation. Nobody can present or tell your story better than you." Read more.
Managing Market Risk
Cattlemen offer perspectives for what management practices best reduce risk in their respective operations.
In times of market uncertainty and volatile input prices, most producers are interested in how they might better manage the risks inherent to the cattle business. In a session of the 18th Annual Cattlemen's College®, conducted during the 2011 Cattle Industry Convention in Denver, three producers — Trey Patterson of Montana and Wyoming, Matt Perrier of Kansas and Don Schiefelbein of Minnesota — discussed risk management practices applied to their respective operations. In turn, they cited examples of strategies used to control costs, achieve respectable production and effectively market their products. Read more.
Kris Ringwall
Beef Talk
Efficient, fast-paced growth.
Where do we go in the grass, cow and beef business? The beef cow stands in the middle between grass and beef. Time stands between grain and grass. Dollars stand between time and profit.
Efficient, fast-paced growth has been a key to the beef business. For efficient, fast-paced growth, 30, 40 and maybe even 50 years of selection has occurred. Cattle changed, and so did the money side of the business. Ultimately, producers changed, as did structure, facilities and all that goes with efficient, fast-paced growth. The money side worked, but the road forked. Today, that fork certainly is causing concern. The fork requires a decision to be made. Does one stay the course or make a turn? Read more.
New Products
Industry affiliates provide a wide array of products and services to assist you on the farm and ranch. Here's an assortment of new products to hit the market recently.
• Infrared night vision spotlight
• 98% effective bug-repelling lanterns and appliances
• New modem functionality, capability
Angus Advisor
Click here for February herd management tips from cattle experts across the nation. Advice separated by region.
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