Finishing’s Effect on Climate
The ‘green’ facts of grass vs. grain when finishing beef cattle.
It is a “green” discussion that continues to raise its head periodically. What is better for the environment: Grass-finished or grain-finished beef cattle?
Emotions on the subject sometimes run high and facts can be the first fatality as the level of discourse becomes more heated, whether the debate be among those within the cattle industry or with outside groups, said Clint Rusk, head of Oklahoma State University’s (OSU’s) department of animal science.
“It can be a hot topic in Oklahoma for any number of reasons, not the least of which is that the state ranks third nationally in the number of beef cows,” he said. “The truth is there are tradeoffs in different aspects of sustainability when comparing the two finishing production systems.” Read more.
David Gazda
Association Perspective
A ‘can’t miss’ Angus event!
The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) hosted each January in Denver is recognized as the “Granddaddy of them all” when referenced to other livestock shows in North America and the 2018 version will mark the 75th anniversary of the Angus breed’s presence at this celebrated event. From the competitive open and junior shows on “The Hill” to the Pen and Carload shows in “The Yards,” the NWSS annually attracts cattlemen from throughout the country and internationally to evaluate some of the Angus breed’s leading genetics. Read more.
Mountain Lions Extending Range
Mountain lions, also known as cougars, have long been associated with regions other than the Plains, but mountain lions are expanding their territory into the area. According to a new study conducted in North Dakota and South Dakota, however, livestock in the Great Plains may be relatively safe from the big cats.
“There is a risk every time livestock and predators are together,” said Kansas State University (K-State) animal scientist Charlie Lee. “That being said, it seems that the likelihood of mountain lion predation is extremely low in Kansas.”
The study examined the food habits of cougars in prairie and agricultural habitats. Read more.
Feeding Quality Forum Challenges Norms
More than 200 hear from marketing experts, animal scientists.
If you think you have the cattle feeding business all figured out, you’re probably mistaken.
That’s according to speakers at the Feeding Quality Forum (FQF) in Grand Island, Neb., and Amarillo, Texas, in late August. The experts addressed what they “used to know” that’s no longer so.
“After decades of slow change, the North American cattle and beef industries are undergoing rapid transition,” said Pete Anderson, director of research for Midwest PMS, at the event that drew more than 200 at the two locations.
In the last 25 years, the use of expected progeny differences (EPDs) has allowed Angus birth-weight trends to remain flat while growth continued upward, Anderson noted. Read more.
Corner on Quality
Five Angus families recognized with Certified Angus Beef® awards.
Angus producers from coast to coast quietly do their best to bring high-quality beef to the table. That goes on every day. Once each year, the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand honors a few at the top of their game. This year’s five CAB producer award winners were recognized at the brand’s Annual Conference Sept. 22-24 in Tucson, Ariz.
Abbie and Mark Nelson’s Five Star Land & Livestock, Wilton, Calif., earned the 2016 CAB Ambassador Award for their outreach to the public. State legislators and lobbyists, journalists, Rotary members, eighth graders, politicians and friends always leave the ranch knowing a lot more about the beef community and this family that embodies it. Read more.
What’s Inside …
In this October edition of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, you'll find valuable articles devoted to the management, marketing, and health and nutrition of your beef enterprise. Select from the tabs at the top of the page to access this month’s entire offering by category. A few select features include:
- Feeding Newly Weaned Calves
- Benefits of Performing a Necropsy
- Beef Talk: Lowering Costs
- What We Know About Pain Mitigation
- Flooring Effects on Welfare, Performance
- CAB Surpasses Billion-pound Mark
- Quality is a Risk-management Option
News Briefs …
The American Angus Association and its subsidiaries generate a wealth of information to keep members and affiliates informed of what's happening within the industry, as well as with the programs and services they offer. Click here for easy access to the newsrooms of the American Angus Association and Certified Angus Beef LLC and the Angus Journal Daily archive available in the API Virtual Library.
Teach Children Farm Safety
Three tips offered to protect farming’s next generation.
Every day, 33 children are injured in agriculture-related incidents, and every three days a child dies in one, says University of Missouri (MU) Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
“Protecting our future generation needs to be a top priority,” she says.
Funkenbusch urges farm families to talk about child safety on the farm and to follow these three tips to protect the next generation of farmers. Read more.
Protect Your Lungs
Protective gear helps prevent respiratory problems.
Without protective gear, working around grain dust can cause severe respiratory problems, says University of Missouri (MU) Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
Conditions such as farmer’s lung are serious, but preventable, she says.
The need to protect against grain dust increases when farmers combine, load, unload and dry grain. The dust contains plant materials, mold spores, insect parts and excretions, bacteria, and soil.
Exposure to the dust causes wheezing, sore throats, eye and nose irritation, and congestion. Read more.