June 3, 2021 | Vol. 14 : No. 5
Drought and generally dry conditions have challenged the feed availability for many livestock producers. With this challenge is the potential increase in demand for forage products and a wide range in the nutritional quality of the forages for sale.
In recognition of mental health awareness month in May, AgriSafe Network launched a national network of agriculture professionals who are committed to sharing non-proprietary information, ensuring that resources and trainings are widely disseminated to reduce farmer and rancher stress.
Survivors do not soon forget power takeoff accidents. Retired Monroe County farmer Artie Whelan recalls one of his first days back on the farm after his discharge from the U.S. Army 64 years ago. The half-ton truck he was driving got stuck, so he hitched it to a Ford 8N tractor to pull it out. He jumped between the drawbar and the front of the tractor to put on chains for pulling the truck. The tractor’s unprotected 2-inch shaft grabbed his Army-issued khakis and ripped them from his body with the speed and force of a tornado. His corded Army belt held the remaining few inches of his pants.
The difference between good-quality hay and poor is primarily in timing of harvest. Poor harvesting conditions and methods can also change a good crop to a poor one. Kevin Sedivec, professor in the range science program at North Dakota State University, says harvest strategy is different for grass hay than for alfalfa, or mixed grass and alfalfa.
What you see isn’t always what you get. Recently I traveled to a sale several hours from home. Like normal, I slipped on my New Balance tennis shoes, grabbed a tie and headed out. As planned, I arrived comfortably at my destination, parked the car, walked to the back door, slipped off my right shoe and put on my right boot … wait … Holy smokes! What’s that?! There was a large lumpy something in the bottom of my boot. Like most of you, my first reaction was to hurl the boot into oblivion and worry about it another day. However, I fought that urge and collected my thoughts, my heart rate and my focus. In the bottom of my boot was my son’s plastic frog — a fine hello and an unexpected surprise. Now that I know he’s capable of such surprises (critical information), it’s on me to act and take corrective measures to mitigate the risk of unintended consequences.
Beef industry organizations will need to evolve to continue to bring value in the future. That philosophy is particularly true for breed associations, said Mark McCully, American Angus Association CEO.
On April 20 the Animal Agriculture Alliance released its updated “Sustainability Impact Report” in celebration of Earth Day and the animal agriculture community’s commitment to continuous improvement in environmental stewardship, animal care, responsible antibiotic use, food safety and nutrition.
