more


Share the EXTRA

 

Visit these pages inside:

weather

Click on the images below to go to the websites:

American Angus Association
Angus Productions Inc
American Angus Tag Store

 


Angus Productions Inc.

October 20, 2011
frey_vern

Vern Frey

Association Perspective

Now is the time to consider vaccinations, marketing opportunities and bull care.

As I write this article, it is mid-October. A lot of you are marketing, have already marketed, or will be marketing your calves. A good time to be giving preconditioning shots is before weaning or selling your calves. These vaccination programs are very valuable to you as commercial producers.

Vaccinations are also valuable to the feeders who are purchasing calves. When calves go to feedyards and stay healthy, the feeders remember and are more likely to purchase or seek out your cattle the next year and for many years afterwards.

Cattle are selling well with strong markets, and demand for Angus genetics is at an all-time high. AngusSource® and Gateway are great tagging programs to verify source, age and, in the case of AngusSource, genetics. I would invite you to visit www.angus.org and click on "AngusSource" to watch the video on Angus calves bringing more dollars. The video includes great comments from people who know and have gained value from the program. AngusSource and Gateway are two of the lower-cost and most cost-effective programs available.

I would also like to touch on an investment you possibly made last spring. Many of you purchased bulls for your programs. As we know, the price of bulls last spring was higher than in the past. Caring for these yearling bulls should be on your mind. These bulls are still growing and may need some additional care. Take these young bulls away from your cows and give them some attention to get them back in condition for next year's breeding season. These young bulls need some supplement, whether it be some grain or protein, it all helps. When winter comes, have some protection for them so they can get out of the elements. It doesn't always have to be a barn; a good windbreak will be sufficient most of the time, and remember to use plenty of fresh, dry straw for bedding.

For more information, contact the American Angus Association regional manager (RM) from your area. RMs are listed in the Angus Journal, Angus Beef Bulletin and on the www.angus.org homepage.

Comment on this article.

Editor's Note: Regional Manager Vern Frey covers Region 8, including the states of Minnesota and North and South Dakota. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.


[Click here to go to the top of the page.]