ANGUS BEEF BULLETIN EXTRA

January 20, 2022 | Vol. 15 : No. 1

Front Page


Angus convention

Keep the Boys Warm

Avoid scrotal frostbite to prevent bull infertility.

Bulls are quite the investment. During the winter, they need some more TLC to ensure they can do their jobs. Cold weather can result in bull infertility the next breeding season. Ahmed Tibary, professor at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, says risk for scrotal frostbite increases when the ambient temperature falls below freezing. Wind, wet areas or sweat on the bull’s testicles, and bulls lying on frozen ground are also risk factors. Bulls need bedding or windbreaks to protect their vulnerable reproductive organs from cold damage. Don’t forget about protection from wind chill during transport, either.

Will Harsh

Association Perspective

Bull-buying tips.

Bull sale season is here for many of you spring calvers out there! With many taking advantage of the plethora of available cows for sale, it’s always important to remember how many bulls you will actually need.

Your Health: Diet Can Improve Melanoma Treatment

A high-fiber diet may improve the response of melanoma patients to immunotherapy.

A diet rich in fiber may help some people being treated for melanoma to respond to immunotherapy treatment by influencing the gut microbiome, according to a new study led by researchers at the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Results from the study, which analyzed both people with melanoma and mouse models of the disease, appear in Science.



January 4, 2022 | Vol. 15 : No. 1

Balance as a Tool for Longevity

How can breeders balance operational goals with long-term goals in mind?

Geography creates different challenges for operations across the country. Even with those obstacles, breeders achieve success year after year. During the 2021 Angus Convention Genetics Symposium sponsored by Neogen, Kelli Retallick-Riley, president of Angus Genetics Inc., moderated a panel of Angus breeders that represented diversity, but were consistent on maintaining the longevity of their operation. Gordon Stucky of Stucky Ranch, Adam Sawyer of A&B Angus and Scott Pohlman of Pohlman Cattle Co. shared perspectives, resources and ideas on how they create a plan and stick to it.

News & Notes

Industry tidbits from around the country.

Helping cattlemen struck by disasters
The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation is collecting donations to provide relief from the tornadoes in mid-December. Donations for local producers in need of farm supplies can be mailed to KY Cattlemen’s Foundation, Attn.: Tornado Relief, 176 Pasadena Dr., Suite 4, Lexington, KY 40503. To donate materials, call the Hardin County Extension office at 270-765-4121.

The Kansas Livestock Association and the Kansas Livestock Foundation will be assisting in the efforts to support ranchers affected by numerous fires and high winds across the state Dec. 15. 100% of all donations will be distributed to producers affected by the weather event. Membership will not be required to receive funds.

Don’t Buy a Fat Bull

Sale-season nutrition should prepare bull for work instead of beauty.

Traditionally, young bulls offered for sale are often too fat, especially the ones that have gone through maximum-gain performance tests to measure rate of gain and feed efficiency. We now know that this can be detrimental to their fertility and longevity, but many young bulls are still too fat at sale time. John Kastelic, department head and professor of production animal health at the University of Calgary, has done a lot of research on nutrition in bulls.




Angus Proud

In this Angus Proud series, Editorial Intern Jessica Wesson provides insights into how producers across the country use Angus genetics in their respective environments.



Angus Proud: Bubba Crosby

Fall-calving Georgia herd uses quality and co-ops to market calves.


Angus Proud: Jim Moore

Arkansas operation retains ownership through feeding and values carcass data.

Angus Proud: Les Shaw

South Dakota operation manages winter with preparation and bull selection.


Angus Proud: Jeremy Stevens

Nebraska operation is self-sufficient for feedstuffs despite sandy soil.