Land and Livestock Post

November 1, 2011

Test results Game changer PREGNANCY TESTING CAN HELP DETERMINE CULLING DECISIONS PAG E 12 TAXING EFFORTS

BIG BUSINESS

Sales tax registration numbers required.

Hunters signiďŹ cantly boost local economies.

EXPORTING U.S. PRODUCTS

TRICH QUESTIONS

PAGE 6

Free trade agreements to increase demand.

PAGE 15

PAGE 18

Dr. Wikse talks tritrichomonas prevention.

PAGE 20

The Land & Livestock Post ✪ November 1, 2011 Off good on new and unr Offers unreg egist eg ister ist ered er ed units purchased chased between 7/27/11–10/31/11. *On select models. See your dealer for details. **Rates as low as 2.99% for 36 months. Off Offers only available at participating Polaris® dealers. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. Other fi nancing offers off are available ailable. Ap Applies plies to the pur purchase of all new ATV V and RANGER ® models made on the Polaris Installment Program from 7/27/11–10/31/11. Fixed APR of 2.99%, 6.99%, or 9.99% will be assigned based on credit approval criteria. Warning: ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your saf safety: Avoid operating Polaris ATVs or RANGER s on paved surfaces or public roads. Riders and passengers should always wear a helmet, eye protection, protective clothing, and a seat belt and always use cab nets (on RANGER vehicles). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Polaris adult ATV models are for riders age 16 and older. Drivers of RANGER vehicles must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license. All ATV riders should take a safet saf y training course. For ATV safet saf y and training infor inf mation, call the SVIA at (800) 887-2887, see your dealer, dealer or call Polaris at (800) 342-3764. ©2011 Polaris Industries Inc. *MSRP $8199. Our Price $7275 does not include government fees, taxes, dealer freight/preparation, dealer document preparation charges. MSRP/or final actual sales price may vary depending on options or accessories selected in store. In store prices and online prices may vary. *Rebates vary by model. Please see dealer for details. **Offer is subject to credit approval, applies to purchases of new Polaris off road vehicles sold by 10/31/11. Terms up to 60 months available for purchases based on credit approval criteria. Fixed APR of 5.99%, 9.99% or 11.99% will apply. an example of monthly payments required on a 60 month term at 5.99% APR is $19.33 per $1000 financed. See Normangee Tractor For Details.

Offers Off good on new and unregistered units purchased by 10/31/11. Offers Off only available at Normangee Tractor. Free products only available at Normangee Tractor. *Polaristar Payment Protection provided by cynoSure Financial, Inc. Must purchase and take delivery by 10/31//11. Other restrictions apply. See Normangee Tractor for details. Void where prohibited by law. Polaris reserves the right to terminate the program at anytime. **Rebates vary by model and are only available on select ATV and RANGER® vehicles. ***Offer is good at Normangee Tractor and subject to product availability. On approved Polaris StarCard® qualified consumer purchases. Reduced Rate 9.99% APR and the following payments are effec eff tive if your account is kept current: $59 for purchases financed up to $5,000 (ATV (A only). Specified payments may be increased due to debt-cancellation fees or any late fees (if applicable). Afte Af r the promotional period, the standard minimum monthly payment and Standard Rate 21.99% APR will apply. For Accounts not kept current the promotion will be canceled and the Default Rate 21.99% APR and standard monthly payments will apply. Paying only the amount advertised will not pay off the purchase during the promotional period. Minimum Finance charge: $1. Certain rules apply to the allocation of payments and Finance Charges on your promotional purchase if you make more than one purchase on your Polaris StarCard. Call 1-888-367-4310 or review your cardholder agreement for infor inf mation. Warning: ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safet saf y, avoid operating Polaris ATVs of RANGERs on paved surfaces or public roads. Riders and passengers should always wear helmet, eye protection, protective clothing, and seat belt on RANGER vehicles.

Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Polaris adult ATV models are for riders aged 16 and older. 90cc ATV models and RANGER RZR® 170 models are intended for riders aged 12 and over, er and 50cc ATV models are only intended for riders aged 6 and over. Drivers of RANGER vehicles must be at least 16 years old with valid driver’s license. All ATV riders should take er, a safet saf y training course. For ATV safet saf y and training infor inf mation in the U.S., call the SVIA at (800) 887-2887, see your dealer, dealer or call Polaris at (800) 342-3764. Vehicle is shown with optional equipment. ©2010 Polaris Industries Inc. **Written Quote on same model Polaris ATV qualifies for $100.00 Cash.

2

From the General Manager

I

Our cover story in this issue focuses on methods that can help your herd: pregnancy testing. We also have a few stories about the global market and how it affects the ag industry, as well as some of the things to look out for going into winter.

However you read this issue, whether on a smartphone, tablet, computer screen or good old-fashioned, user-friendly paper, I hope you enjoy it, and thanks for reading. ’Til next time,

By ROBERT BURNS Texas AgriLife Extension Service

COLLEGE STATION — Nearly all of Texas received rain in October, but even where the rains were substantial, the drought is far from over, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service reports.

Since early October, the Rolling Plains, Central and North regions received the most rain, with accumulations of six inches and more, with two to three inches common, according to the National Weather Service’s daily precipitation analysis. San Antonio and surrounding counties received two inches or more.

With a few exceptions, the rest of the state received from a trace to about two inches.

Where the rains were substantial, the agricultural benefits were great, replenishing livestock water tanks and

ponds, and encouraging farmers to plant winter forages and prepare fields for fall planting.

The general consensus from AgriLife Extension county agents, however, was that much more rain is needed to sustain winter crops.

“Rainfall received this week was from 0.5 inch to more than one inch across the county,” said Greg Jones, AgriLife Extension agent in Garza County, southeast of Lubbock.

“The rainfall will help for a short period of time, but additional rainfall will be needed.

Small-grain crops will emerge with current moisture but will not be sustained.”

“Most of the county received one inch to two inches of rain this week,” said Steven Sparkman, AgriLife Extension agent in Hardeman County, northwest of Wichita Falls.

November 1, 2011

Even the Land & Livestock Post has boarded the e-train. We’ve had a website for years, but we are now on Facebook, Twitter and soon will have a new and improved interactive website for you to utilize.

Be sure to visit our current website: www.landandlivestockpost.com to enter your free listing in the 2012 Ag Directory. For those less computer savvy, there is also a form in this issue you can fill out and mail or fax in. The Ag Directory will appear in the Dec. 15 issue, and we will distribute extra copies at trade shows and conventions throughout the year, so it is a great free opportunity to get your name out there.

✪

’ve had a smartphone for a little more than a year now, and I’ve never owned anything that makes it easier to do so many stupid things.

Since I’ve had this phone, my networking capabilities have greatly improved, as well as JESSE WRIGHT my ability to kill a pig with a bird. I’d say it’s about dead even between asset and distraction. But, whether you look at smartphones as a nuisance or a necessity, one thing is for certain: They have changed the way we communicate.

Rains help some

The Land & Livestock Post

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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ November 1, 2011

News

Time to determine whether to liquidate herd

By JOB SPRINGER Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Conditions throughout 2011 have been tough in the Southern Great Plains, especially in Texas and Oklahoma, home to about 23 percent of U.S. beef cows.

With triple-digit temperatures and very little rain, the livestock industry is feeling the effects of drought.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has rated 90 percent of pasture conditions in the region as very poor. To make matters worse, most livestock water sources are drying up or have reached a point where water quality is a major concern.

All of these issues have area cattle producers strategizing as to what their ranch management plan should be in the near future. They are evaluating how many days of quality water they have left or how many days of standing forage and hay are available.

The hardest question for any cow/calf producer to face now is being asked by countless ranchers: Will I have to liquidate my cow herd?

While the Noble Foundation’s website has calculators to help with water and feed concerns, it does not have a simple calculator to determine the need for herd liquidation. Considering certain factors, however, can help you make the decision

The Eagle

Land & Livestock Post Published by Bryan-College Station Communications, Inc. (979) 776-4444 or (800) 299-7355

President - Jim Wilson...................................................Ext. 4613 Publisher and Editor- Kelly Brown................................Ext. 4656 Advertising Director ....................................Ext. 4740 Advertising Sales/General Manager - Jesse Wright ........Ext. 4721 Financial Director - Rod Armstrong..................................Ext. 4605 New Media Director - Mike Albin ....................................Ext. 4663 Production Director - Mark Manning................................Ext. 4671 Circulation Director - Jack Perkins ..................................Ext. 4752

The first step is to determine the current value of one’s cows — that is, to calculate the value of your cows if they were sold in today’s market. While this is an uncomfortable issue to face, it is important. for your circumstances.

The first step is to determine the current value of one’s cows — that is, to calculate the value of your cows if they were sold in today’s market. While this is an uncomfortable issue to face, it is important.

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA has a website that reports market prices of livestock in select auction facilities across the United States. These reports can be found by going to www.ams.usda.gov and accessing to the markets of interest under the “Market News” section or directly at 1.usa.gov/nhlyFi. In August, the Oklahoma City market was showing an average 2- to 7-year-old cow, bred or not, worth $700. While this price is more than $300 lower than the same time in 2010 for a bred cow, one must consider the increased number of cows that have been or are going to market.

This brings up the second determination that needs to be made: costs. To decide if

herd liquidation is the best option, it is important to understand what the costs are expected to be from today until we have green grass in April or May of 2012. Due to the drought, area pastures have little to no grass left and most producers stocked for an average rainfall year. If you are considering feeding through the winter, realize that starting from Nov. 1 to the end of April would require 181 days of feed.

Hay in the marketplace not only is limited, but is more than double the price of one year ago. Average prices for grass hay have been between $120 and $180 per delivered ton in the southern Oklahoma and northern Texas area. It also is looking like we are not going to catch a price break on feed. Prices for many byproduct feeds are about $260 per ton, and 38 percent cubes are about $380 per ton.

If a cow consumes 3 percent of its body weight (including waste) and we have 181 days to spring green-up, then a 1,200-pound cow is going to

consume 6,516 pounds (1,200 x .03 x 242) of forage during this time. At $150 per ton, hay will cost $488.7 per cow (6,516 ÷ 2,000 x 150).

Most of the hay brought into the area will not meet the total nutrient requirements of the cow, especially during lactation. This is where byproduct feeds or cubes are needed. Hay quality, cow weight, milk production, calving season and weather all will have an effect on how much and what type of supplement is needed.

An estimate for supplement cost is an additional $85.50 per cow.

Mineral, fuel, machinery use and other costs through the winter will add up to over $100, and by the end of April the cow will have $674.20 in costs. If the cow is worth approximately $700 today and we spend an additional $674.20 on it by the end of

April, its value to the producer in the spring is $1,538.90.

The last consideration then has to do with replacement options. Could a producer buy a cow or a pair at the end of April for $1,538.90 or less? If so, it is time to sell and buy back in the spring. Realize that some of the cows going to market are going to greener pastures elsewhere and not necessarily to the packer.

This means that there will be cows to buy when we get rain.

Our recommendation is to create a ranch management plan for your operation that includes your specific inputs to determine the most profitable option for you.

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Published by Bryan-College Station Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 3000, Bryan, Texas 77805.

E-mail: thepost@theeagle.com All offices are located at 1729 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, Texas 77802.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eagle, P.O. Box 3000, Bryan, Texas 77805-3000 The Post is printed in part on recycled paper and is fully recyclable.

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November 1, 2011

5

The Land & Livestock Post ✪ November 1, 2011

News Sales tax registration number to be required AUSTIN — Farm, ranch and timber operators who produce agricultural and timber products for sale soon will need a special registration number to claim a sales tax exemption on taxable products used in those businesses.

The new rules begin Jan. 1.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced producers can get a registration number through either a mail-in application or an online application process that began Oct. 3.

Registration is required by House Bill 268 passed in this year’s legislative session. It was supported by retailers and agriculture groups.

“Beginning Jan. 1, anyone who wants to claim the agriculture or timber sales tax exemptions for qualifying products will need a registration number to show retailers, instead of simply signing an exemption certificate at the time of purchase,” Combs said. “The new registration process takes the burden off retailers to verify whether a purchaser is eligible for exemption. And it narrows the pool of purchasers claiming the sales tax exemption to those actually involved in production of agriculture and timber products for sale.”

The new legislation requires a registration number to claim tax exemptions when buying items such as machinery and equipment, fertilizers, insecticides, irrigation equipment and off-road motor vehicles used for farming and

timber production.

Those entitled to make taxfree purchases of taxable qualifying products include groups such as: • Farmers and ranchers who raise agricultural products to sell to others.

• Fish farmers and bee keepers who sell the products they raise; • Custom harvesters.

• Crop dusters.

• Commercial nurseries engaged in fostering growth of plants for sale.

• Timber producers, including contract lumberjacks.

Products such as feed for livestock and wildlife, seeds and annual plants are always tax-exempt and would not require a registration number.

The primary owner or operator of a farm, ranch or timber operation may obtain one registration number that can be used by anyone authorized by the registrant — including family members or employees — to make tax exempt purchases of qualifying products for the business.

The application for a registration number should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

To register online, go to www.GetReadyTexas.org.

Online applicants will receive a registration number immediately. If you prefer, you may download a paper application form from the website or call 1-800-252-5555 to receive a form by mail.

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received from 0.5 inch to 6 inches of rain, but pastures remained barren and dryland farming operations were still at a standstill.

Livestock producers continued to reduce herds as forage was in short supply. Cooler nighttime temperatures prevailed.

Far West — The area received scattered light rains, with accumulations from a trace to 0.2 inch, accompanied by cooler temperatures. Much of Glasscock County was the exception, receiving 2 inches of rain, which halted cotton harvesting for a few days.

Other area cotton producers were defoliating cotton and servicing pickers. Some chilies were harvested with yields better than expected. Ranchers continued selling cattle due to very dry pastures and troubles finding hay to buy. Most cattle remaining were in poor to fair condition. The wildfire danger was still high, and burn bans remained in effect.

Two days of 30-40 mph winds blew pecans out of trees, but a light to fair crop was still expectexpect ed if the weather cooperates.

North — Some counties received from 0.5 inch to 3 inches of rain, but soil moisture gen-

erally remained short to very short. Many farmers were planting small grains, while ranchers planted winter annual pastures, and these crops emerged after the rains. Livestock feeding continued. Conditions for livestock producers were still very critical.

The rain soaked in rather than ran off to fill stock ponds.

Armyworms were reported in parts of Kaufman County. Feral hogs continued to be a major problem. Fly populations increased.

Panhandle — Some areas received from a trace to 3 inches of rain. Soil moisture was very short to adequate, with most counties reporting very short to short. The corn harvest was ongoing. The cotton harvest was under way with the crop reported to be in fair to poor condition.

Producers continued planting wheat. Most rangeland and pastures were in very poor condition, with livestock producers continuing to provide supplemental feed.

Rolling Plains — Timely rains encouraged wheat growers to plant. Hardeman County reported 1 inch of rain, its first substantial rain since last September.

November 1, 2011

Graham

very little warm-season grass growth and forage supplies remained low. Topsoil moisture was good, but deep-soil moisture was still a concern.

Coastal Bend — A ffew areas received 2 to 4 inches of rain, but the drought continued.

Producers were skeptical about planting winter annuals such as wheat, oats and ryegrass unless additional moisture is received.

As grass was scarce and hay hard to find, livestock producers continued to sell cattle or feed supplements. Some farmers were light plowing. Most counties needed an additional 6 to 8 inches of rain to bring subsoil moisture to adequate levels. Most farm ponds were still empty or nearly so.

East — Some parts of the region received as much as 3 inches of rain while others remained dry. Temperatures were above average. Producers continued to reduce cattle numbers and purchase hay from out of state. Some were preparing to plant winter pastures, hoping for more rain. Reports of armyworms on pastures increased.

Southwest — The district

✪

“This is the first rain in a year, measuring over an inch at one time for most of the county. Wheat producers will wait several days for volunteer wheat and weeds to come up then spray to kill it and plant the 2012 wheat crop. …

This rain was nice, but leaves us about 18 inches below normal.”

“After a good rain this past weekend, farmers are firing up tractors and grain drills to get wheat planting under way,” said Justin Gilliam, AgriLife Extension agent in Archer County, south of Wichita Falls. “While some farmers are having to replant, most are just now putting seed in the ground. Tanks and streams are all at least half full, while some are overflowing.”

“We got rain last weekend.

Most areas received one inch to five inches,” said Scott

Anderson, AgriLife Extension agent in Brown County, southwest of Fort Worth.

“Most stock tanks caught ug ught some water; some filled up.

There was increased field activity: plowing and planting small-grain fields. Most pastures will not be able to grow much grass or forage due to cooler nighttime temps.”

“The county received from three to seven inches of rainfall over the weekend, but there was no runoff water, and stock water is still a grave concern,” said David Winkler, Ag Life Agri Li Extension agent in Bosque County, between Dallas and Waco.

More information on the Texas drought and wildfire alerts can be found on the AgriLife Extension Agricultural Drought Task Force website at agrilife.tamu.edu/ drought/.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries: Central — Most of the region received significant rainfall during the last two weeks. But with the cooler temperatures there was

The Land & Livestock Post

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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ November 1, 2011

News

Scientists study feed efficiency in beef cattle

By BLAIR FANNIN Texas AgriLife Communications

COLLEGE STATION — Feed efficiency in beef cattle is getting a closer look by a Texas AgriLife Research scientist who is evaluating both feedlot performance and feed intake to improve profitability and reduce the environmental impact of beef production systems.

Gordon Carstens, an AgriLife Research animal nutrition scientist, along with other agency researchers, has been using GrowSafe technology to measure feed intake and feeding-behavior traits such as daily visits and time spent at the feed bunk.

The technology is part of ongoing research efforts in College Station and the McGregor AgriLife Research Center.

“Calculating residual-feed intake is an alternative

method of assessing feed efficiency in beef cattle, which is based on the fact that considerable individual animal variation exists in feed intake above and below what is expected on the basis of an animal’s size and growth rate,” Carstens said.

For example, Carstens said to imagine two bulls that both weigh 900 pounds and gain four pounds per day during a performance test.

“For a given ration, we would expect that both bulls would eat, say, 26 pounds per day because their requirements for maintenance and growth should be similar,” he said. “In reality, one bull may have eaten 24 pounds and the other 28 pounds per day.”

Residual-feed intake is calculated as actual intake minus expected intake based on an animal’s body weight and growth rate, Carstens said.

ual-f ual-feed intake “So the residual-feed would be minus and plus two pounds per day for the two bulls with the efficient bull being the one with a negative residual feed intake.”

Carstens and other scientists have found that residual feed intake is a “moderately heritable” trait that is genetically unrelated to growth traits. Thus, genetic selection for low residual-fee -f d intake -fee of rs opportunities to select offe for improved feed effi ef ciency without having to stock larger, mature cows, he said.

“With increased feed costs in recent years, there are a lot of folks in the industry interested in using this trait as part of a selection program to improve genetic merit for feed efficiency.”

In addition to measuring feeding intake, the GrowSafe system is able to monitor individual feeding patterns by using electronic radio fre-

Texas AgriLife Extension photo by Blair Fannin

Gordon Carstens, left, Texas AgriLife Research animal nutrition scientist, and Joel Walter, lter a graduate student in animal science at lter, Texas A&M University, University evaluate feed-intake data on a computer monitor The data is captured by the automated feed monitoring sysmonitor. tem as part of a study to investigate feed efficiency in beef cattle near College Station. quency identification device This data is valuable in ear tags. Sensors capture evaluating differences in each animal’s trip to the feed feeding behavior patterns bunk and the frequency and among efficient and ineffitime of each bunk visit is recorded by the system’s com• See FEED/Page FEED 10 puter software program.

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LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORTS Bryan

Results of the Buffalo Livestock Exchange’s Oct. 8 sale: Head: 2,197 Steers: 150-200 lbs., $125$150; 200-300 lbs., $125-$160;

Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s Oct. 12 sale: Head: 605 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $130$160; 300-400 lbs., $130-$165; 400-500 lbs., $125-$155; 500600 lbs., $120-$140; 600-700 lbs., $115-$130.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $127$150; 300-400 lbs., $125-$165;

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Groesbeck Results of the Groesbeck Auction & Livestock Co.’s Oct. 13 sale: Head: 1,243 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $138$162, 400-500 lbs., $122-$142, 500-600 lbs., $110-$132, 600700 lbs., $110-$122.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $130$138, 400-500 lbs., $115-$135, 500-600 lbs., $110-$125, 600700 lbs., $96-$125.

Slaughter bulls: $65-$73.

Slaughter cows: $40-$65.

Bred cows: $550-$900.

Cow/calf pairs: $750-$1,100.

Jordan Results of the Jordan Cattle Auction’s Oct. 13 sale:

Head: 1,428 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $145$165, 300-400 lbs., $140-$159, 400-500 lbs., $135-$154, 500600 lbs., $130-$143.50, 600700 lbs., $125-$134, 700-800 lbs., $118-$127.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $125$145, 300-400 lbs., $125-$144, 400-500 lbs., $125-$134, 500600 lbs., $120-$131, 600-700 lbs., $115-$120, 700-800 lbs., $110-$118.

Slaughter bulls: $55-$74.50.

Slaughter cows: $40-$66.

Stocker cows: $500-$960.

Cow/calf pairs: $700-$1,060.

Milano Results of the Milano Livestock Exchange’s Oct. 11 sale: Head: 888 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $129$167.50, 400-500 lbs., $129$167.50, 500-600 lbs., $119$143, 600-700 lbs., $116-$137.

Heifers: $300-400 lbs., $118$145, 400-500 lbs., $113-$130,

500-600 lbs., $109-$129, 600700 lbs., $109-$125.

Slaughter bulls: $59-$76.50.

Slaughter cows: $34.50-$72.

Bred cows: $670-$850.

Cow/calf pairs: $850-$980.

Navasota Results of the Navasota Livestock Auction Co.’s Oct. 8 sale: Head: 2,552 Steers: 150-300 lbs., $115$170; 300-400 lbs., $100$157.50; 400-500 lbs., $100$151; 500-600 lbs., $100-$134; 600-700 lbs., $100-$127.

Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $100$140; 300-400 lbs., $100-$135; 400-500 lbs., $100-$135; 500600 lbs., $100-$123; 600-700 lbs., $100-$121.

Slaughter bulls: $55-$75.

Slaughter cows: $25-$66.

Stocker cows: $650-$900.

Cow/calf pairs: $625-$1,100.

November 1, 2011

Buffalo

Caldwell

400-500 lbs., $123-$145; 500600 lbs., $118-$135; 600-700 lbs., $114-$130.

Slaughter bulls: $57-$73.

Slaughter cows: $30-$63.

Stocker cows: $480-$810.

✪

Results of the Brazos Valley Livestock Commission’s Oct. 11 sale: Head: 946 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $122$170, 300-400 lbs., $116$172.50, 400-500 lbs., $116$161, 500-600 lbs., $105-$144, 600-700 lbs., $110-$127, 700800 lbs., $110-$123.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $102$129, 300-400 lbs., $105-$136, 400-500 lbs., $100-$130, 500600 lbs., $100-$124, 600-700 lbs., $95-$120. 700-800 lbs., $104-$110.

Slaughter bulls: $65-$75.

Slaughter cows: $33-$64.50.

Bred cows: $460-$910.

Cow/calf pairs: $800.

300-400 lbs., $120-$155; 400500 lbs., $117-$143; 500-600 lbs., $115-$136; 600-700 lbs., $115-$127; 700-800 lbs., $112$120.

Heifers: 150-200 lbs., $115$145; 200-300 lbs., $110-$140; 300-400 lbs., $110-$150; 400500 lbs., $110-$140; 500-600 lbs., $105-$130; 600-700 lbs., $102-$135; 700-800 lbs., $100$113.

Slaughter bulls: $55-$72.

Slaughter cows: $35-$68.50.

Bred cows: $610-$1,135.

Cow/calf pairs: $900-$1,000.

The Land & Livestock Post

News

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Study From 10

✪ November 1, 2011

allowing for a feed truck to feed cattle in feed bunks each day, thus eliminating the time-consuming task of manual feeding and reducing the cost of collecting feed intake data for genetic evaluation purposes, Carstens said.

“Without a doubt, the recent increase in grain prices the past few years, and higher hay costs caused by the drought will create more demand for cattle with superior genetic merit for feed efficiency,” he said. “In the past, the beef industry has mainly focused on improving genetics of carcass and growth traits. Most recently, the focus has been on improved efficiency, and yes, the increased cost of feeds and drought has driven more interest in these areas.

“We can now start talking about how to improve efficiency so we can also reduce

Texas AgriLife Extension photo by Blair Fannin

GrowSafe technology allows researchers to measure daily feed intake by beef cattle, frequency of feed bunk visits and time spent at the feeder. feeder Scientists are studying the technology. technology the environmental impact of beef cattle production systems. Cattle that are more efficient also produce less methane and less fecal output.

Several countries are current-

ly exploring the use of these technologies to improve feed efficiency in beef cattle as Texas AgriLife Extension photo by Blair Fannin strategies to mitigate the carbon footprint of animal agri- Trips to the feed bunk, measurements of feed intake and other data culture.” can be viewed on a computer. computer

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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ November 1, 2011 12

News

Up close and real personal Base culling decisions on pregnancy testing

By ROBERT FEARS Special to The Post

P

regnancy testing can show whether a cow needs culling.

But, more importantly, it is an evaluation of ranch management skills. Profitable calving percentages result from good nutrition, effective health programs, successful genetics and rigorous culling.

Pregnancy testing measures how well you designed and implemented these management practices.

“If breeding soundness exams have shown that the bulls can successfully breed and the cows have body condition scores of five or better and are disease-free, then open cows identified by pregnancy testing should be culled,” says Dr. Mike Wirtz, owner of TZ Cattle Co. of Brenham.

“Keeping unbred cows until the next breeding period will cost between $200 and $400 per animal. In addition to the maintenance cost, you have a risk that the open cows won’t conceive next year,” Wirtz said.

Wirtz is adjunct professor of livestock production medicine at Texas A&M University and a member of the national emergency response team on infectious cattle diseases. He practiced large animal medicine for 30 years.

Selling unbred cows is extremely important during our current drought. Herd size needs to be balanced with the amount of feed you can affo af rd to buy and pregnancy testing offers an opportunity to identify cows to sell. This is not the time to give open cows a second chance.

“During years of adequate rainfall, pregnancy testing shouldn’t be considered until other good management practices are in place,” Wirtz said.

“Profitable calving percentages begin with breeding soundness exams on all bulls each year before turning them in with the cows. Good nutritional and health programs are necessary so that both bulls and cows will breed.

“A bull should not be expected to service more than 25 to 35 cows and the breeding period should last 60 to 90 days. After these practices are in place, a cow/calf operator should defdef initely pregnancy test females every

ON THE COVER Photo courtesy of Bio Pr Preg Check.

year approximately 60 days after the cows are separated from the bulls,” Wirtz said.

A common method of pregnancy testing is palpation, which is described by Bruce Carpenter and L.R. Sprott in Texas AgriLife Extension Bulletin B-1077. They state that pregnancy determination or palpation is conducted by inserting an arm into a cow’s rectum and feeling her reproductive tract for a fetus.

It is recommended that the palpator wear a protective plastic sleeve that covers the arm and hand up to the shoulder to guard against disease and irritation of the arm. If a plastic sleeves tears, it should be replaced before palpating the next animal.

An obstetrical lubricant or mineral oil should be used to make entry into the rectum easier. Soap or detergents are not recommended as lubricants because they are skin irritants.

Wirtz recommends that palpation be conducted by a veterinarian because a medical diagnosis is completed as part of the process. On the average, a veterinarian will charge approximately $5 per head for palpation. The cost depends upon condition of corrals and chutes, temperament of the cattle and quality of help from ranch personnel.

Under good conditions, experienced veterinarians can palpate a cow per minute or several hundred head during a normal workday.

“The chute for holding the animal during palpation should allow her to stand in a normal position,” write Carpenter and Sprott. “It should have a ffront wall or gate and a bar just above the animal’s hocks in the rear.

This bar keeps the cow from kicking and protects the palpator.

Include an entrance gate in the chute at the rear of the animal to allow the palpator to enter and exit easily. Provide a gate to swing across the crowding chute and fasten it in front of other animals coming behind the palpator. Squeeze chutes may be used, but you do not need to catch the cow’s head for this procedure.”

“During palpation a veterinarian looks for abnormalities such as poor

Photo by Robert Fears

A properly designed and constructed chute for conducting pregnancy testing allows mally, but prevents it from kicking. mally the cow to stand normally, circulation, bladder problems and tumors on the ovaries, cervix and abdomen in addition to feeling for a fetus,” Wirtz said.

“When palpation shows that a cow will have trouble calving, she can immediately be sold for slaughter.

This avoids the possible abortion of a calf or causing the cow to experience pain and discomfort in trying to give birth.

“If the veterinarian feels that a cow with problems will be able to safely deliver a calf, lf then the best strategy lf,

is to let her calve and then sell the cow after the calf is weaned,” Wirtz said.

If pregnancy testing is the only concern, palpation can be executed by experienced cattle producers.

Palpation proficiency begins with training through a short course or working and learning from someone who accurately palpates cattle.

Experience is developed through

• See COW/Page COW 13

Cow From 12

“An experienced palpator can detect a pregnancy as early as 30 days, however, in ry to the fetus is possiinju ble,” Wirtz said. “There is a normal percentage of early fetal death or reabsorption during the first 60 days of pregnancy; so early palpations may be misleading.”

✪

Ultrasound can be used for pregnancy testing, but it is not the preferred method because of its cost. Use of tif tified ultrasound may be justified for early pregnancy testing, fetal sexing or determining embryo health.

The newest method of pregnancy testing through blood samples is also described by Carpenter and Sprott and is called the Bio-PRYN test.

This test has been available since 2004 and has proved to be more than 99 percent accurate in identifying pregnant cows and approximately 95 percent accurate in identifying open cows. It is a yes-no test only and is not effective

November 1, 2011

many palpations.

Pregnancy testing is an art and skill and much practice is necessary to become accurate. Under the Veterinary Practice Act, a producer can palpate his own animals and for other people but cannot charge for the procedure.

To palpate successfully, you have to know the feel of the various parts of the cow’s reproductive tract and be able to determine their position and size during various stages of fetal development.

You also have to feel the fetus and estimate its size.

The reason Wirtz recommends palpation at approximately 60 days after bulls are separated from the cows is that a stage of fetal development has occurred by this time. So if the cow conceived, a ffetus should be detected.

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Photo by Robert Fears

Palpation approximately 60 days after the bulls are separated from the cows will allow producers to determine which cows should be culled. in determining the pregnancy stage or identifying abnormalities.

Blood samples are collected by the producer or veterinarian from the vein underneath the tail at the tail head. The samples are shipped to a lab-

oratory and do not have to be refrigerated. Results of the tests are sent to the producer within 27 hours of sample receipt. Analysis cost currently is $3 per sample plus the cost of blood collection equipment and postage.

Pregnancy testing costing $3 to $5 dollars per animal is a good investment to avoid keeping open cows until the next breeding season at a maintenance cost of $200 to $400 per head, especially during drought.

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14

November 1, 2011 âœŞ

The Land & Livestock Post

Free trade agreements will increase demand

By MICHAEL J. CRUMB Associated Press

agreements “great news” for all of agriculture.

“You produce more pigs, you need more people working at plants, more processors, more transportation and that requires more jobs,” Carney said. “It’s nothing but a plus, plus for everyone.”

Chad Blindauer, chairman a South Dakota corn producer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s Trade and Biotechnology action team, said the U.S. was losing some of the Korean market because of a European free trade agreement that went into effect July 1. He said the agree-

ments approved by Congress will assure the Korean corn market is maintained.

“The impact is pretty big,” said Blindauer, who grows about 2,500 acres of corn near Mitchell, S.D. “Historically, South Korea has been the No. 3 buyer of U.S. corn, so it’s a big market for us.”

While Colombia and Panama are smaller markets, they still are important, officials said.

Blindauer said they may not buy raw corn, but they will want distillers grains, a high-quality feed for livestock that is a byproduct of the ethanol industry.

November 1, 2011

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ular there but not as sought after in the U.S. “so it should not have that much of an impact” on consumer prices.

Beef exports total about $850 million a year and he said that is expected to increase to about $1.8 billion by the time the trade agreements are fully implemented.

Officials and farmers also say the agreement with South Korea could help open doors to increased trade with China and Japan.

“If we have some success with Korea, hopefully other countries will see that,” Donald said.

Besides eliminating tariffs on U.S. products, the agreements will open U.S. markets to products from those countries, Vilsack said.

Sam Carney, an Iowa pork producer and chairman of the National Pork Producer’s Council’s Trade Policy Committee, called the trade

✪

DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S. farmers recently celebrated the approval of free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, saying the pacts will increase demand for their products, though American consumers shouldn’t see a drastic increase in overall food prices.

Congress approved the agreements, calling for the elimination of tariffs on U.S. products exported to those countries.

Farm exports are expected to increase by $2.3 billion and 20,000 agriculture-related jobs are expected to be created under the agreements, which will gradually be phased in.

“Other parts of the economy will benefit, but none more so than agriculture,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Farm exports are expected to reach $137 billion over the next year.

From corn, pork and cattle to cherries, orange juice and honey, tariffs on U.S. agricultural products shipped to South Korea, Colombia and Panama will be eliminated.

Some will be eliminated immediately. Others will be phased out over a period of time as outlined in each of the pacts.

While demand will rise and amounts paid to producers are expected to increase, the effect on the prices consumers pay is expected to be negligible for many products.

“This is such a good deal because they don’t like the same pieces of meat we like,” said Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, who published a study earlier

this year about the effects the free trade agreements would have on the U.S. pork industry. “Because they like other pieces — they buy the head, shoulder, feet — they may have no effect on our tenderloins.

“By increasing prices of those, potentially, it could reduce prices for consumers because producers don’t need to make as much on cuts that are popular here,” Hayes said.

U.S. consumers may notice increases in certain produce items, however. The impact isn’t as drastic for products whose tariffs are being phased out over time, said Chad Hart, another Iowa State economist.

For example, South Korea had a 24 percent tariff on cherries that will be eliminated immediately. South Korea had a 45 percent tariff on apples that will be phased out over a 10-20 year period, “creating much slower impact,” Hart said.

“The idea is those products affected immediately will see the shock up front,” Hart said. “Those more slowly rolled back gives the market more time to adjust.”

Hayes noted said the agreements will add about $11 per head for U.S.-produced hogs, but that will be phased in slowly.

Bill Donald, a rancher from Melville, Mont., and president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said exports add about $200 per head for cattle. And when it comes to beef products, those shipped to some other countries, such as South Korea, “aren’t as important to the U.S. consumer.”

He said various parts, including the tongue, are pop-

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low so China needs to import corn to build up their stocks,” he said.

“In the long run, it should have a pretty big impact on global corn prices,” Li said of the growing demand from China.

Corn prices on the Chicago Board of Trade have increased about 70 percent over the past two years, though they have eased from near record highs in June.

Li forecast China will import between 7 and 10 million metric tons of corn over the next 12 months. He repeated a forecast he made last year that China’s annual corn imports should climb to as much as 15 million metric tons by 2015.

Li’s estimate for the coming year echoes similar numbers reported last week by the U.S. Grains Council, which predicted between 5 million and 10 million metric tons of imports for the year beginning in October.

Animals account for about 70 percent of corn consumption in China with the rest used to produce alcohol, corn starch and other products. Only a small amount is directly consumed by humans.

✪

BEIJING (AP) — China has made one of its biggest purchases of corn on overseas markets, buying 900,000 metric tons of American corn and showing that growing Chinese demand will play an ever larger role in global grain prices.

The country was a net exporter of corn until 2009 but is now struggling to keep up with growing demand for the grain — which is mainly used in China as animal feed — as incomes increase and people eat more meat.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Oct. 13 that China had made the purchase, which comes despite an expected record grain harvest in China this year.

China’s corn consumption probably totaled 176 million tons in the crop year that started Oct. 1, according to the department.

The purchase was necessary to help fill China’s dwindling corn reserves, said Hanver Li, chairman of the market research firm Shanghai JC Intelligence Co. Ltd. “China’s harvest is up but that will just about satisfy domestic demand and meanwhile reserves are running

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These cattle have all been screened to ensure you only the best quality commercial cattle will be offered. Cattle will be palpated and sold in uniformly sorted groups to fit any cattleman’s needs.

On Wednesday, November 2, a complete listing of all sale cattle will be at

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Hunting big business for Texas communities

By BLAIR FANNIN Texas AgriLife Communications

November 1, 2011

✪

The Land & Livestock Post

News

Hunting and hunter appreciation events held in parts of Texas are big business to the host counties, with the average non-local hunter spending more than $1,300, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service study.

Hunter appreciation events are held throughout the month of November as communities and counties in Texas welcome hunters with such things as welcome dinners, raffle sales and other activities, said Rebekka Dudensing, AgriLife Extension economist in College Station County agents in Coleman, Concho, Edwards, Gillespie, McCulloch, Runnels, Sterling, Sutton and Uvalde counties surveyed hunters and event organizers for the study.

The nine-county Texas survey found that hunters spent money on hunting fees, such as leases and guide services, lodging, food service, auto expenses, retail and other expenditures. In most counties, hunting fees made up the largest share of the expenses.

The average visiting hunter

spent $1,069.15 annually in the host county and an additional $322.10 in others parts of the state. Resident hunters spent an average of $776.98 in their home county and $158.97 in the remainder of the state, Dudensing said.

Direct spending by hunters is not the only benefit to local economies, she said.

“A hunter’s direct expenditure at a local store, cafe or hotel is multiplied as firms purchase inputs and pay employees who also make regional purchases,” she said.

“The total effect on employment, labor income, value added (contribution to gross domestic product) and gross sales in the county is greater than the initial dollar spent.”

Dudensing said some of the original expenditure leaks out of the regional economy, “for example, as inventory is imported from other regions, employees commute from other regions and business and households pay state and federal taxes.”

Dudensing said each county “experienced its own economic impact” from hunters introducing new money into local

• See HUNT/Page HUNT 19

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economies.

“Spending and impacts varied widely between counties, based on the size and structure of the local economies,” Dudensing said.

Those impacts from nonlocal hunters attending appreciation events ranged from $272,500 in gross sales and 2.3 full- and part-time jobs to $2.3 million in gross sales and 17.2 jobs.

“Across the region, most survey respondents were Texas residents,” Dudensing said.

“Thus, while hunters introduced new money to individual counties, they may have redirected their spending from other Texas activities, for example, purchasing hunting gear instead of fishing tackle,” she said.

The study found hunters (both local and non-local) at

the surveyed appreciation events made $6.2 million in direct purchases, supporting 49.1 direct jobs, $2.2 million in value added and $1.3 million in labor income. These expenditures contributed a total of 97.6 jobs and $12.6 million in gross sales across the entire Texas economy, including a $46 million contribution to gross domestic product and $3.4 million in labor income.

“Those are just the impacts from hunters at the events in the surveyed counties,” Dudensing said. ”Across the state, hunting impacts are larger.”

Event attendance ranged from 400 to 1,650 participants, an average of 874. Hunters attending appreciation events traveled an average 125 miles.

Hunters cited the most popular reason for hunting in West Texas as spending time with family and friends, followed by enjoying the rural atmosphere and seeing vast quantities of wildlife.

“Clearly, not all benefits are monetary,” Dudensing said.

AP Photo/The State Journal-Register nal-Register David Spencer nal-Register,

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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ November 1, 2011

News

Tritrichomonas infections costly in a herd Q

uestion: “I read an article in The Cattleman about a trich outbreak in 600 cows that cost a Texas rancher between $400,000 and $500,000 in one breeding season. I couldn’t survive that. Doc, tell me, can trich really be that devastating?”

Answer: I’ve battled trich (Tritrichomonas foetus infection) in many herds and my answer is it sure can be that devastating. Next to foot and mouth disease, it’s the most terrible disease you can get in your herd.

The protozoan T. foetus lives in the reproductive tract of bulls and cows. It is transmitted venereally from bulls to cows and from cows to bulls. An infected bull will transmit the infection to nearly every cow he breeds. Once a bull becomes infected, he is

persistently infected for life.

In contrast, most cows will self cure in two to four months and be temporarily immune. They can then become pregnant and deliver a live calf.

Fewer than 1 percent will remain infected STEV EVE VE through gesW VM I K SE , DVM tation and enter the next breeding season infected. That is one reason control measures must continue indefinitely once a herd is infected with T. foetus.

Surprisingly, infected cows readily become pregnant. The problem is their fetuses usually die after 60 days. Cows then come back into heat weeks af r a normal heat would be afte

expected. If the breeding season is over then, the cow will be open at pregnancy examination. If the breeding season is still going on, the cow will be pregnant with an early fetus at pregnancy examination. She will deliver that calf late in the calving season and it will be lightweight at weaning.

Sources of infection Beef herds become infected with T. foetus when an infected bull or cow enters either by purchase or leaky fences.

Tritrichomonas foetus infection results in severe depression of production characterized by lower pregnancy rates and lower weaning weights.

Declines in production vary between outbreaks.

Control measures must be radical and continued for years to be successful.

General recommendations include shorten the breeding season to three months or less, maintain good fences between your cattle and your neighbor’s cattle, never mix your cattle with those of others and do not borrow or lease bulls.

Recommendations for bulls are to test all bulls with cultures and/or polymerase chain reaction tests to identify and cull those infected. The difference between the salvage value of a cull bull and cost of his replacement may be $2,000. Test all bulls annually pre-breeding or twice a year (pre- and post-breeding season) to be sure each breeding season begins with clean bulls. Vaccinate all bulls with two inje in ctions, two to four weeks apart, of T. foetus vaccine and booster annually prebreeding.

Use virgin bulls if possible.

In the past it was thought that keeping the bull battery as young as possible was wise, however, many young bulls are chronically infected with T. foetus.

Recommendations Recommendations for cow management in a trichomoniasis outbreak are severe. The number one control measure for cows has been to cull all open cows at pregnancy examinations and maybe those with small fetuses (early bred cows). The difference between the salvage value of a cull cow and her replacement may be $500 to $700. Also, vaccinate all keeper cows with T. foetus vaccine according to the schedule described for bulls.

• See TRICH/Page TRICH 21

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Trich From 20

Management practices to prevent entry of T. foetus into a beef herd consist of many of the measures used to control

Remember the old saying “once a cow calves late, she always calves late or may turn up open?” That means the infected cows that developed a self cure and had successful

Financial impact Jim McGrann, professor emeritus agricultural economist, of Texas A&M University estimated the financial impact of a trichomoniasis outbreak 10 years ago in a breeding group of 161 cows that I routinely palpated with my students.

Pregnancy rate was 93 percent the previous fall. It dropped to an alarming 65 percent the year of the outbreak. In addition, a lower percentage of cows were heavy bred (5 percent in last trimester) than the previous fall (25 percent) and a higher percentage were in the first 3 months of pregnancy (25 percent) compared to the previous fall (9 percent).

Fences surrounding these

cows were poor and 10 suspicious neighbor cows were gathered with them.

We successfully controlled that outbreak of trichomoniasis by the traditional approach of culling all open cows and infected bulls, plus vaccination of cows and bulls and testing surveillance of bulls.

McGrann made a conservative estimate of $101,331 for its total economic loss. I think you now can appreciate claims of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars due to trichomoniasis are realistic.

Trichomoniasis is sort of like rabies: The disease is so bad you must do everything possible to prevent it.

Management practices that successfully prevent the disease are well-known.

Be sure to consult your veterinarian for recommendations on management practices that prevent trichomoniasis tailored to your herd.

Celebrating 25 deer seasons

By JESSE WRIGHT jesse.wright@theeagle.com

MADISONVILLE — Jack and Jackie Jarrett of Jarrett’s Meat Service in Madisonville are set to celebrate their 25th year in business the way they celebrated their first: by staying open late and working through the weekend.

They first opened the doors on the opening weekend of deer season.

Although not normally open on the weekends, Jackie said on opening weekend of deer season they stay open Satur-day and Sunday late.

“Opening weekend is a big deal at Jarrett’s Meat Service for the hunters as well as us,” Jackie Jarrett said.

Jarrett’s Meat Service, located on Crossroads Street in Madisonville, is one of the few full-service slaughterhouses and butcher shops in the area.

November 1, 2011

Management practices

The heavy financial losses from a trichomoniasis outbreak are the sum of production losses and disease control costs. Production losses include cull cow replacement costs, bull replacement costs, lower income from selling fewer calves and lower income from selling lighter weight calves.

pregnancies later in the breeding season likely will produce light weight calves for several years. Production losses will be greatest the year of the outbreak, but will probably continue for at least three years.

✪

There has been some interest in vaccinating and keeping open cows in an attempt to lower the economic impact of a trichomoniasis outbreak.

Only open cows that have had their reproductive tracts palpated by a veterinarian and found clean by speculum examination would be kept.

Some veterinarians who are seasoned with dealing with T. foetus-infected herds, however, feel successful control without strict culling is wishful thinking. More research is needed on ways to reduce the huge financial losses of this disease.

an outbreak. All the general recommendations apply. It’s best to purchase virgin bulls and replacement heifers. Test all bulls including supposedly virgins for infection annually at pre-breeding. Cull all open cows. Vaccination of bulls and cows against T. foetus is recommended for non-infected herds at high risk. High risk herds have frequent additions or neighbors known to be infected.

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Brazos Valley Va Livestock Commission 14th Annual Fall Stocker Cow Sale

Highway 21 East • Bryan, Texas • Saturday December 3, 2011 • 11:00 AM

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November 1, 2011 âœŞ

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Tiny Mexican fish points to life on other planets

By STEVE BYRNS Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Charlie Neff

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phy.

“Their ecosystem in the cave is basically self-sustaining without much input from plants at the surface. As a result, our research has implications for discovering life outside the earth. If these complex vertebrates can thrive on sulfur bacteria, why couldn’t similar, more evolutionary derived organisms be supported by chemoautotrophic bacteria on other

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moons or planets such as Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons? It may not be altogether impossible,” she said.

Roach explained that most of the earth’s ecosystems have food chains supported by organic carbon produced from the fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by plants using sunlight. These, in turn, release breathable oxygen into the atmosphere.

Roach said another study in

November 1, 2011

texasland-homes.com

Texas A&M University photo by Michi Toble

Poecilia mexicana, a fish with an alien appetite, thrives in an environment that would kill most other life forms. Found deep inside a Mexican cave, it gets food from a process called chemoautotrophy. ophy ophy.

Movile Cave in Romania a few years ago examined a population of macroinvertebrates that have been isolated in the cave for some 5.5 million years, which also feed on chemoautotrophic bacteria.

She said that study generated enough public interest to warrant its own Wikipedia page and noted that author E.O. Wilson highlights this case study in his book The Future of Life.

“What makes our study so exciting is that we’re the first to actually document a fish, a relatively large and complex vertebrate, that is able to thrive by being solely supported by chemoautotrophicprocessed hydrogen sulfide bacteria,” Roach said.

Once their study is published in about two months, Roach said their work can be found at www.wfsc.tamu. edu/winemiller/lab/Roach_ publications.htm.

✪

COLLEGE STATION — Could there be life on other planets less hospitable than ours? Many have speculated on the possibility, but a team of Texas A&M University and Oklahoma State University scientists studying a tiny Mexican fish think it’s plausible.

“The fish we study are extremophiles, meaning they are adapted to life at the edge of biological tolerance,” said Katherine Roach, a graduate student at Texas A&M University in the wildlife and fisheries sciences department.

Roach, together with Regent’s Profes of sor ofes Kirk Winemiller and collaborator Michael Tobler, recently authored a paper on the fish accepted for future publication in the journal Ecology.

The small fish their study focuses on is Poecilia mexicana found in the Cueva del Azufre or the “cave of sulfur” located in Tabasco state, Mexico.

The small (about 2.5 inches at maturity), almost blind fish live in total darkness swimming in oxygen-starved water with hydrogen sulfide concentrations so toxic they would kill most other life forms, according to Roach.

“Our research shows that organic carbon produced by sulfur lf lfur bacteria oxidizing dissolved hydrogen sulfide, a process called chemoautotrophy, is the main food source for the fish,” Roach said.

“Though it is known that simpler life forms flourish by feeding through this process, ours is the first study to actually document a fish, a true vertebrate, directly receiving its sustenance through bacteria performing chemoautotro-

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