Cow Country News - August 2019 by The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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TABLE OF CONTENTS COLUMNISTS

Tim White: President’s Thoughts Ryan Quarles: See You at the Fair! Dave Maples: From Dave’s Desk Baxter Black: Ol’ Rookie Chris Teutsch: Heart of America Grazing Conference: Kicking the Hay Habit!!! 28 Dr. Michelle Arnold: Part II: Johne’s Disease and Detection in Beef Cattle: Frequently Asked Questions 86 Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler: Leaving to Learn 7 9 11 12 14

FEATURE STORIES

13 Hay Quality After Rainfall 18 Pork and Beef Exports Rebound in May; Volume and Value Reach 2019 Highs 20 KCA Develops 2020-2025 Long Range Plan 22 Dr. James W. Middleton Receives Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award 26 Farm Town Strong Campaign Continues to Offer Support 27 USDA Will Require Most Cattle to Have Electronic Ear Tags 30 Western Kentucky Summer Forage Tour to Feature Farm Revitalization 32 Including Beef in Healthy Diets is a Smart Approach to Healthy Lifestyles 35 UK Research Shows Promise in Lowering Tobacco TSNA Levels 37 Vaccine Investigators Use Bacterium’s Own Protein Against It 38 The Why, What, and How of Overseeding Annual Crops in Perennial Pastures 40 The Delicate Art of Weaning Calves 42 Pregnancy Determination in Cattle 44 Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation 46 Community Garden Provides Fresh Produce to Those in Need 57 National Farm Safety Week 62 What I Want in the Perfect Beef Cow 64 More Than One Way 67 U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tours Hemp Processor and Research Farm 16-17 County News 24-25 Economic & Policy Update 48-55 Membership 68-69 Kentucky Beef Council 70-71 Kentucky Beef Network 78-79 Kentucky Angus Association News 76, 83 News Releases 83 Market Report Calendar of Events 84 84 Advertisers Index 85 Classifieds

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Cover photo by: BECKY THOMPSON DIRECTOR OF KENTUCKY BEEF NETWORK

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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What Is Your Comparative Advantage? To be profitable in today’s cow-calf market, you must have a comparative advantage. There is not enough margin to throw average cattle out there and do an average job taking care of them. What can you do better than anyone else? I am not talking about that you can put up a big pretty roll of hay that your neighbor says looks good from the road. What do you do that makes you produce weaned calves at a lower cost of production than everyone else? Do you get more of your cows bred because of genetic selection for fertility? Do you live close to a distillery and haul off free slop? Do you have gentle cattle and good stockmanship that allows you to lease a farm others couldn’t? Do you have the ability to graze cover crops or corn stalks? Every one of these things allows you to produce calves at a lower cost of production and makes you more profitable. My educational background is not in animal science or agronomy. It is in economics. I have both undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics. I have 8 generations of beef cattle production in my resume but only about 12 college hours of ag classes. One thing I did learn in school that is missed in most ag curriculum is comparative advantage and the price taking model. No matter the quality of your calves, you are still a price taker. The only way you are setting your price is if you are selling beef direct to the consumer. Your double vaccinated 90 day weaned calves are certainly worth more than that single 500 lb yearling that went through the ring earlier, but they have one thing in common. Someone else assigned their value other than the owner. I don’t care what the sale barn manager told you, but your 7 weight steers are not any more special to the feedlot that bought them than any of the other loads of 7 weight steers he bought from 10 other sale barns that week. They know what they can sell them for to the packer, and they know what they can afford to pay for them. It costs the same to feed a good cow as it does a bad cow. Investment in genetics that will produce better replacement females is the best way to develop a profitable cow herd. I am not talking about looking at a cow and saying she is pretty and will make a good replacement. I am talking about data driven maternal selection for cows that show up to work every single year and pay their way on fescue pastures. My cows breed at 97% in 60 days and two-year old cows breed back for their second calf at 95% while producing heavy calves that fit the market. Those percentages will keep you in business. We have the data and EPDs to prove we have the most profitable cow herd. Things are going to get worse in the cattle market before they get better, and you better find your comparative advantage if you want to continue producing cattle.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION 2019 LEADERSHIP KCA REGIONAL DIRECTORS: REGION 1

Daniel Hayden, Vice President*(270) 570-2815 Bobby Bell................................(270) 547-8547 Gary Woodall...........................(270) 725-0819 Ricky Haynes............................(270) 945-9057 Don Pemberton........................(270) 889-3885 Wayne Johnson.......................(270) 303-6354 John Walpole..........................(270) 542-7534 Martin Hayden........................(270) 281-4076 John (JJ) Tucker....................(270) 617-0301 Dennis Wilson.........................(270) 952-1714 Caleb Jenkin...........................(270) 952-0767

REGION 2

KCA 2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS: PRESIDENT

TREASURER

Tim White 3664 Military Pike Lexington, KY 40513 (859) 509-5401

Ken Adams 90 E Horseshoe Ave. Upton, KY 42784 (270) 734-1443

PRESIDENT ELECT

PAST PRESIDENT

Steve Dunning 8200 Antioch Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240 (270) 498-8180

Bobby Foree 2440 Eminence Road Eminence, KY 40019 (502) 939-4607

VICE PRESIDENT Chris Cooper 2140 Tates Creek Road Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 200-7711

KCA PROGRAM CHAIRMAN Jeff Pettit 5745 US Highway 41 S Seebree, KY 42455

(270) 836-2963

KBC CHAIRMAN

Andy Bishop 6135 High Grove Road Cox’s Creek, KY 40013 (502) 350-7609

KBN CHAIRMAN

Cary King 250 Bright Leaf Drive Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (859) 734-2173

KCA’S PAST PRESIDENTS: 1972-73

Jere Caldwell† - Boyle

2001

Larry Clay - Perry

1974-77

Smith T. Powell† - Lincoln

2002

Jack Kimbrough† - Shelby

1978-79

Larry Lovell - Union

2003

Mark Williams - Crittenden

1980-82

John Masters† - Mason

2004

Paul Napier - Lincoln

1983-85

Seldon Hail† - Laurel

2005

Eddie Young - Washington

1986-87

Bob Vickery† - Wayne

2006

Greg Ritter† - Barren

1988

Glenn Mackie - Bourbon

2007

Don Pemberton - Christian

1989

Dale Lovell - Muhlenberg

2008

Billy Glenn Turpin - Madison

1990

Steve Henshaw† - Union

2009

Scotty Parsons - Christian

1991

Jerry Fraim - Grayson

2010

Corinne Kephart - Shelby

1992

Glen Massengale† - Wayne

2011

Greg Robey - Mercer

1993

Dell King - Christian

2012

Mike Bach - Bath

1994

Kenneth Lowe - Warren

2013

Don Reynolds - Hart

1995

Dr. J.L.Cole - Monroe

2014

Steve Downs - Marion

1996

Harvey Mitchell - Mercer

2015

Gary Woodall - Logan

1997

Jim Naive† - Spencer

2016

David Lemaster - Clark

1998

Shelby Hughes - Logan

2017

Chuck Crutcher - Hardin

1999

Hoppy Lovell - Barren

2018

Bobby Foree - Henry

2000

Charles Miller - Jessamine

†(Deceased)

Joe Lowe, Vice President*......(270) 202-4399 Craig Thompson......................(270) 590-5174 Trent Jones.............................(270) 590-5266 Chuck Crutcher.......................(270) 272-6269 Alison Brockman....................(270) 403-3205 Steven Green..........................(270) 528-1720 Reva Richardson.....................(270) 735-2959 Mike Bullock..........................(270) 563-5012 Dr. Kenneth Green...............(270) 589-7175 Adam Maulden.......................(270) 590-1005 Kirk Cecil.................................(270) 692-7698 Hunter Galloway....................(731) 332-0098 Rayetta Boone........................(270) 230-5488 Gerry Bowman........................(270) 427-6922 Adam Estes..............................(270) 537-3761 Phyllis Gentry..........................(502) 331-1146

REGION 3

Nathan Lawson, Vice President*(502) 836-3879 Danny Cooper..........................(606) 782-4809 Wanda Hawkins......................(502) 321-5602 Irvin Kupper.............................(502) 807-5617

Allan Bryant..............................(502) 548-1379 Kevin Perkins............................(502) 269-7189 Larry Bryant.............................(502) 706-1777 Maynard Stetten......................(502) 609-4986 Jerry Oak.................................(502) 525-7248 John Allison.............................(502) 220-3170 Lincoln Clifford........................(859) 954-0102

REGION 4

Jeremy Jones*.........................(859) 749-2233 Lisa Baesler.............................(859) 509-5020 David Lemaster.......................(859) 749-0258 Ron Ray...................................(859) 825-8516 Bo Tate....................................(859) 661-2325 Donovan Pigg..........................(859) 749-9675 Randy Werner........................(859) 771-5280 Danielle Harmon.....................(606) 748-8059 Ronnie Lowe...........................(606) 782-5058 Clay Wills.................................(859) 749-8248 Jason Crowe............................(859) 582-0761

REGION 5

Phillip Reese, Vice President*(859) 339-0450 Herman Benge.........................(606) 862-6451 Steve Downs...........................(859) 805-1278 Brent Woodrum......................(859) 397-1078 Ian Thomas..............................(859) 613-2453 Anne Bays................................(615) 478-8450 Danny Ray Spalding................(859) 336-0444 Greg Robey...............................(859) 734-0067 Eddie Young.............................(859) 262-5682 Adam Chunglo.........................(859) 613-2985 C. Mike Spalding....................(270) 669-6587 Tommy Glasscock....................(270) 692-4336 * Denotes member of Executive committee

VOLUME 32 • ISSUE 8 176 PASADENA DRIVE • LEXINGTON, KY 40503 • PHONE: (859) 278-0899 FAX: (859) 260-2060 • WWW.KYCATTLE.ORG • INFO@KYCATTLE.ORG Executive Vice President Dave Maples

KBC Director of Consumer Affairs Anna Hawkins

Director of Kentucky Beef Council Nathan Lawson

Membership Coordinator Nikki Whitaker

Staff Accountant Kelly Tucker

Publication Coordinator Carey Brown

Director of Kentucky Beef Network Becky Thompson

Graphic Designer Todd Brown

KBN Industry Coordinator Dan Miller

Office Manager Mackenzie Miller

KBC Director of Education Niki Ellis

National Advertising Sales, Livestock Advertising Network, Debby Nichols (859) 321-8770, Cathy Campbell (609) 581-7644

KBC Director of Product Development Katelyn Hawkins

COW COUNTRY NEWS is published monthly by THE KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any material which he feels is unsuitable for the publication. Although the highest journalistic ethics will be maintained, the KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION limits its responsibilities for any errors, inaccuracies, or misprints in advertising or editorial copy. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all content of advertisements made against the publisher.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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PRESIDENT’S THOUGHTS

Angus. America’s Breed.

TIM WHITE

Alex Tolbert,

Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association President I hope that everyone enjoyed their Independence Day this year. It is one of my favorite holidays. The Fourth of July gives us as Americans the opportunity to display our patriotism and honor the heritage of our country, and it’s always a good time to grill beef. I have spent many hours on the hay baler the last few weeks. My bored mind started to ponder on how the word “Independence” actually describes the everyday farmer/rancher. This is a way of life that, we as cattlemen have learned from the history of our industry. We have our own idea of what is best for our farm, and we work hard at being successful at what we do. We choose what type of operation we will have, some may be a commercial cattleman, some may be seed stock operators, and some may be backgrounders. We make the nutritional decision for our cattle and we also make our own marketing decisions. All of these decisions I feel,

Regional Manager

are what makes the word Independence so true to cattlemen. As I watch the market reports, the program/alliance groups of cattle seem to be fetching the largest dollar premium. So, are we starting to see a change in our marketing programs and structures? We have several sale barns and private companies around the state that are already providing these services. I’m not advocating for where you sell, but I am offering ideas to occupy your mind while riding on the tractor.

production in our state and region. Kentucky has always been a major leader in our industry and this center will help us say on top of the issues that are affecting us the most. We see this center educating not only students, but producers and consumers. We are just in the planning stages for now. We will be bringing many different organizations and groups together to devise a plan that will fit the needs of everyone involved in the livestock industry.

The leadership of KCA has started working with state universities, other commodity groups and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture about the possibility of building a Livestock Center of Excellence that will be used for the education, research and promotion of livestock in Kentucky. I feel this is an area of need to help our producers in the advancement of beef

Don’t forget the Kentucky State Fair is going on this month. Please take the time to spend a day at the fair and support the beef producers and stop by the KBC booth. The Kentucky State Fair is one of the largest opportunities for us to spread the word about our TASTY, SAFE AND WHOLESOME BEEF. Until next time, have a blessed month.

Kentucky Ohio Tennessee

A reliable business partner is difficult to come by. Contact Alex Tolbert to locate Angus genetics, select marketing options tailored to your needs, and to access American Angus Association® programs and services. Put the business breed to work for you.

Contact Regional Manager Alex Tolbert: Cell: 706-338-8733 atolbert@angus.org

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12/19/18 5:21 AM

COMMISSIONER’S CORNER

SEE YOU AT THE FAIR! RYAN QUARLES

CENTRAL KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION Ladeis Day 2019 Sale Saturday • September

14, 2019 • 1 PM (EDT)

Central Kentucky Angus Sales Pavilion • Danville, KY

Commissioner of Agriculture The 115th Kentucky State Fair starts its annual 11-day run on Aug. 15, and I can’t wait. Some of the fondest memories of my youth are of going to the fair to compete in the state tractor driving contest, watch my friends show livestock, and just see the sights. (Getting out of farm work to go to the fair was a bonus!) Now, I get to take part in all kinds of activities, meet up with old friends, make new ones, and spread Kentucky agriculture’s message to an urban audience. It truly is an honor and a privilege to be your agriculture commissioner at state fair time.

hemp business – GenCanna, a global hemp manufacturing business with its headquarters and research campus in Winchester and other facilities under construction in Mayfield and Paducah. GenCanna is sending a message, loud and clear, that hemp is here to stay, and it’s going to be big business in Kentucky. I’m grateful to GenCanna for taking this leadership position at the state fair and to all the growers, processors, manufacturers, researchers, educators, and policy makers who are making Kentucky the epicenter of the American hemp industry.

The Kentucky State Fair is a tribute to the Commonwealth’s rich agricultural heritage. The new AgLand space in the South Wing was a hit with fairgoers last year, and this year it will be even better. At the state fair, you can see some of Kentucky’s top livestock and exhibitors in action, watch giant pumpkins being weighed (very carefully), enjoy a Kentucky Proud meal, see a show with a famous entertainer, and take in all kinds of sights and sounds you won’t find anywhere else.

As always, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture will be hard at work to make your state fair experience the best it can be. Employees from the state veterinarian’s office will check the health papers of every animal that enters the fairgrounds. Our Shows & Fairs staff will help conduct the livestock shows. Other KDA employees will work the AgLand exhibits to hand out free Kentucky Proud popcorn and answer questions. If I or any of my staff can help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask.

For all of the state fair’s nods to tradition, there is one big new addition this year. For the first time, the presenting sponsor of the state fair will be a

The Kentucky State Fair is Kentucky agriculture’s time to shine. I hope to see you there!

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SALE MANAGER:

September 14, 2019: Ladies Day 2019 November 9, 2019: 60th Annual Fall Heifer Sale January 25, 2020 59th Annual Winter Sale April 18, 2020: 58th Annual Spring Sale June 2020: 30th Annual Junior Show and Picnic

Tim Dievert 478 Dry Fork Road Danville, KY 40422 Oﬃce: 859-236-4591 Mobile: 859-238-3195 E-mail: tdievertdievertsales.com Details and online catalogs available at www.dievertsales.com after 8-20-19

WATCH SEPTEMBER ISSUE FOR MORE DETAILS. CALL NOW FOR YOU SALE CATALOG OR MORE INFO

43rd Annual Fall Cow Sale and 221st overall sale sponsored by Central Kentucky Angus Association

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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FROM DAVE’S DESK

KCA SETS LONG RANGE PLAN DAVE MAPLES Executive Vice President First, I want to welcome all of our bonus readers. This edition of Cow Country is being mailed to over 20,000 beef producers. Also, I would welcome you to investigate what the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association is involved with, and I would like to invite you to join the organization. KCA has members in all 120 Kentucky counties and several surrounding states. The organization has a strong track record of membership growth for over a decade. With your membership a monthly copy of the publication Cow Country will be mailed to your home or business. If you study the recent release of the 2017 USDA Agriculture Census it is rather clear to see that a belt of grass accompanied with a large herd of beef cows runs from the Ohio River just south of Cincinnati, Ohio to the Tennessee River in North Alabama. With the larger concentration in Kentucky some 38,000 beef producers are in the cow/calf business. As you study the census maps it is easy to see that beef and forages are very important in the big picture of Kentucky agriculture. Kentucky’s Beef Farm Families are the back bone in the rural economy. Knowing the importance as well as the struggles that our farm families are facing it was determined that the Association make time to slow down and study the Kentucky Beef industry. Over the past five months the association has taken on the challenge of doing a LongRange Strategic Plan. Kevin Ochsner of Agcellerate was hired to facilitate the process. I have to say that the process was very rewarding but on the other hand was very challenging. Members of the committee gave it their full attention and expended a great deal of energy. I was tired after each meeting and I was just sitting on the side line listening. The committee was made up of a cross section of people representing the Kentucky beef industry. We had young producers as well as seasoned producers. There were people from north, south, east and western Kentucky, a veterinarian, beef processor, feed supplier, educator and

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

agribusiness owners. Members of the committee represented KCA leadership as well as county cattlemen’s association leaders. Personally, I want to thank the people that served on the committee for giving their time to the Kentucky Beef Industry. The entire long range plan will be included in a follow up edition of Cow Country News but I wanted to give you a brief highlight of the plan. The team crafted a vision statement outlining some aspirations for KCA. “A progressive association recognized for its innovative and collaborative approach to enhancing the beef value chain from pasture to plate and promoting the benefits of beef and beef production to consumers.” The group crafted the following strategic intent statement to focus and align its resources over the next five years: “KCA will grow to 15,000 members by 2025 by capitalizing on its diverse service portfolio, talented and committed staff and network of strong county associations to promote beef, support educational programs, cultivate new marketing opportunities and effectively represent the interest of Kentucky’s beef farm families.” In order to fulfill this strategic intent, the organization identified four core strategies: 1.

Cultivate value–added marketing opportunities

2. Strengthen research, demonstration and outreach KCA engagement, 3. Improve collaboration and advocacy 4. Develop and leverage organizational infrastructure and capabilities I have purposefully not included the details of each of the core strategies. My hope is that you will read the entire plan when it is published. An additional hope would be that you can find a way to engage with the organization in accomplishing the desired outcomes that the plan envisions.

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ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE

OL’ ROOKIE BAXTER BLACK, DVM On the Edge of Common Sense Old dogs. They write songs about’em and watermelon wine. They have sayings about ‘em learning new tricks. They even name feet after them, i.e., “My ol’ dogs are shore tired!” In a dog’s lifespan they usually figure eight dog years equals one human year. Little dogs usually live longer than big dogs. Fourteen is old for a dog, and Rookie had turned fourteen that year. Old Rookie was a good-sized spotted hound dog belonging to my to my friend Tink. I saw the two of them that summer. Tink was lookin’ good. Rookie looked like a dyin’ duck in a thunderstorm! He was drawed up and pore. He panted and gazed into space a lot of the time. He had trouble getting up and down. He stumbled over Popsicle sticks and tumblebugs. It would be fair to say he had lost his bloom. We thought he was so deaf he couldn’t hear himself bark. But after closer observation we noticed that when you called him, ol’ Rookie would look the other way. I reckon he was just ignoring us. A privilege we grant older folks of any species. He practiced “snappin’ flies,” Only

trouble was after they’d been snapped, ‘he’d open his mouth and the fly would buzz lazily out. Rookie didn’t have many teeth left ya see. He had fleas, ticks and a squadron of flies that hovered over him like groupies. I suggested we give him a bath and hang an insecticide ear tag on his collar. Tink said he’d considered that but he was afraid the ol dog would be lonesome. I didn’t understand. He said ol’ Rookie is packin’ his own peanut gallery! He’d doze off in the shade of a tree then sit up suddenly and start barking. Then he’d look around with a puzzled look and flop back down in the grass. Barkin’ at old memories. I saw him walk out to the road and visit with a Doberman female. They sniffed and I saw his tail wag a little and a silly grin slide across his ol’ gray muzzle. I said, “Look at that. He’s still got fire in the furnace!” Tink glanced at his long time canine pardner and said, “Don’t get yer hopes up. I think ol’ Rookie’s just havin’ a flashback.” www.baxterblack.com

THIS GUY IS GOING TO MISS ALL OF THE BEEF IN THE OFFICE, AS HE WILL BE LEAVING TO GO BACK HOME TO OKLAHOMA AT THE END OF JULY.

SPECIAL THANKS TO JACOB REDWAY FOR HIS WORK ON COW COUNTRY OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS! STARTING IN JULY, PLEASE CALL CAREY BROWN FOR ANY ADVERTISING NEEDS AT 859-278-0899.

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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FEATURE

HAY QUALITY AFTER RAINFALL Robert Wells, Livestock Consultant, Noble Foundation The spring weather pattern this year has allowed for an excellent growing season for cool-season annuals such as ryegrass. This weather pattern has also made it very difficult to swath and bale hay without it being rained on. How has that affected hay production? There have been two main problems with making hay this spring and summer. The first is a loss of quantity and quality of rainedon hay, and the other is the potential to bale it wetter than usual (above 16-20 percent moisture). Both of these things negatively affect the feeding value of the hay.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Quality and Quantity

Moisture Content

Research at Iowa State University found that fresh-cut hay with less than 1 inch of rain took a few more hours to dry, but didn’t suffer much, if any, quality or quantity loss. A light rain on nearly dry hay, though, caused significant losses. In addition, they found that for every inch of rain, dry matter yield and digestibility dropped at least 5 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Most nutrient losses occur from leaching and shattering of higher quality plant parts as it is raked or tedded multiple times trying to get it dry enough to bale. The longer it stays wet, the more energy value is lost and, to a lesser extent, the more protein content decreases.

With the pattern of frequent rain events we have been experiencing, there is no doubt that some hay has been baled with more than the recommended 20 percent moisture. Hay baled at normal moisture levels will usually heat to 120-130 degrees F. Some mold and mustiness often occur, but usually not enough to affect quality or consumption. If it is baled above 20 percent moisture, though, the bales can heat up to 190-200 degrees F, the point at which spontaneous combustion can occur. Between these two ranges, excessive mold and fungi can grow, and feeding value can decline significantly. If you suspect your hay was baled too wet,

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try to delay stacking for several weeks and monitor the internal temperature until it come down. Specialized thermometers for this purpose, 2 to 3 feet in length, are available commercially or can be homemade. Rained-on hay does not necessarily mean ruined hay. Regardless, take a good composite sample of each cutting and have it analyzed - this is the only way to determine its nutritional value. Then, you can develop a feeding strategy for the hay-feeding season. You should do the same before purchasing hay. If you have any questions, contact a livestock consultant here at the Noble Research Institute

FORAGES

HEART OF AMERICA GRAZING CONFERENCE: KICKING THE HAY HABIT!!! CHRIS D. TEUTSCH UK Research and Education Center at Princeton

Hay is an important part of ruminant livestock systems in transition zone states like Kentucky. However, it tends to be an expensive feed source compared to allowing animals graze during the winter months. The cost of producing a ton of grass hay can vary, but if you count fertilizer, machinery, and a little labor, it will likely be around $100. The other challenge is producing hay that is high enough in forage quality to meet the nutritional needs of lactating brood cows and even dry cows in some cases. On top of this, feeding that hay during the cold, wet, and muddy winter months is not fun, especially if you work off the farm since it is dark when you leave and dark when you get home. In contrast to hay, allowing animals to graze during the winter months can significantly reduce winter feed costs and this will be the focus of the 2019 Heart of America Grazing Conference that will be held in Boone County on October 29 and 30. Jim Gerrish, American Grazing Lands Services, will be the keynote speaker and will discuss kicking the hay habit and practical considerations for winter grazing. To view the complete agenda, visit http:// bit.ly/2ZfZnFO. In general, there are two primary options for extending grazing into the winter months, stockpiling perennial forages like tall fescue or planting winter

annual forages like small grains and annual ryegrass. The remainder of this article will discuss these options. Economics of Extended Grazing I want to start this section with the following disclaimer: I am a forage agronomist NOT an economist. Even if you are not an economist, thinking about costs in ruminant livestock production systems is important, especially when the cattle market is down. The following calculations are meant to provide you with a relative comparison of hay feeding versus grazing stockpiled grass. Calculations and considerations can vary considerably from farm to farm. So it is important that you use information that is appropriate for your farm to do these calculations. Cost of Feeding Hay Assumptions: •

Total cost of hay feeding is $120/ton (hay cost + feeding cost = total cost)

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Hay cost is $100/ton (cost of producing your own hay, may be able to buy for less)

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Cost of feeding the hay is $20/ton (labor, fuel, machinery, hay rings, etc.)

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Storage and feeding losses are 20% (could be much higher)

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Cows will eat 30 lb hay/day/cow

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In MOST cases, hay will need to be supplemented to meet the nutrient needs of a lactating cow. This cost will vary. A cost of $0.75/day/cow will be used in this example.

Feeding days per ton hay = (2000 lb/ton of hay - feeding losses in lb/ton of hay) / 30 lb hay/day/cow = (2000 lb/ton - 400 lb/ton) / 30 lb hay/day/cow = 53 feeding days/ton hay Total cost of feeding hay = (Hay total hay costs per ton / feeding days per ton) + supplement cost per cow per day = ($120/ ton hay / 53 days) + 0.75/day/cow = $3.00/day/cow Cost of Stockpiling Assumptions: Brood cow grazing stockpiled tall fescue in February. 14

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Stockpile yield of 2500 lb DM/A

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Cost to stockpile tall fescue of $60/A

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60 lb N/A + application cost about $40/A

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$20/A feeding cost (temporary fencing and labor to move fence)

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Utilization rate of 70% (strip grazing moving fence twice per week)

Grazing days per acre = (stockpile yield in lb DM/A x utilization rate in % / dry matter intake in lb DM/day/cow = (2500 lb DM/A x 70% utilization) / 27 lb DM/ day/cow = 65 grazing days/A

that the stockpile can be grazed with minimal pugging damage during the wet winter months. •

Clip pastures that will be stockpiled to 3-4 inches prior to applying nitrogen. Clipping pastures removes old growth and increases the forage quality of the stockpiled grass.

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Apply 60-80 lb of nitrogen per acre in mid-August to early-September. Applying nitrogen too early can stimulate warm-season grass growth in pastures, while applying nitrogen too late decreases dry matter yield. When applying nitrogen in early to mid-September, decrease application rates to 60 lb/A.

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Allow growth to accumulate until mid-December before grazing. If limited grazing is available, feed hay during late summer and fall to allow pastures to stockpile.

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Graze stockpiled pastures that contain legumes first. Legumes deteriorate at a faster rate than grass and should be grazed first to minimize losses.

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Strip graze tall fescue to maximize grazing days. Ideally, allocating only enough stockpiled grass for 2-3 days will increase grazing days per acre by 30 to 40%. However, if you work off the farm, it may make more sense to allocate 7 days of grass. This would allow you move fences on days off.

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Frost seed legumes on grazed areas. Closely grazed stockpile provides an excellent opportunity to establish legumes in grass dominated pastures. Broadcasting the seed as the pasture is being grazed can enhance soil-seed contact and increase overseeding success.

Cost per grazing day = $60/A / 65 grazing days/A = $0.92/grazing day Note: Since stockpiled tall fescue is higher in nutritional value than most hay made in Kentucky, supplementation is not normally needed. The point of these calculations is NOT that they are the gospel truth, but rather that grazing during the winter months will cost about 1/3 to 1/2 as much compared to hay feeding. In addition, hay feeding will likely require some supplementation. See next month’s article for more on hay testing and supplementation. Stockpiling Perennial Grasses Stockpiling is simply allowing forage growth to accumulate during one part of the year and using that growth for deferred grazing at a later date. In transition zone states like Kentucky, cool-season pasture growth is commonly stockpiled in late summer to extend grazing during the winter months. Tall fescue is by far the best adapted grass for stockpiling. Tall fescue stockpiled for winter grazing is almost always higher in nutritional value than most of the hay that we make in Kentucky and will in most cases meet the requirements of a fall calving cow during peak lactation. In addition, grazing stockpiled grass costs about half as much as feeding hay that is supplemented. The following steps will help to optimize your stockpiling program. •

Choose a strong tall fescue sod in a field that is well drained. To get the maximum yield response to nitrogen applications you will need a healthy stand of tall fescue. Choosing a field that is well-drained will help to ensure

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Cool-Season Annual Grasses Cool-season annual forages that can be used for winter and early spring grazing include small grains and annual ryegrass. Crimson clover, an annual clover, can be grown in a mixture with both the small grains and annual ryegrass. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most versatile small grains for a farming operation. Due to its excellent winter hardiness, wheat can be sown later in the

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palatable forage and are best adapted to well-drained soils. They do not perform as well under extremely dry or wet conditions as wheat or rye. Although oats produce high quality forage, yields tend to be lower than the other small grains. As a rule, the hardiest winter oat variety (Kenoat) is considerably less winter hardy than common wheat and barley varieties. In Kentucky, oats will usually overwinter 50% of the time. Similar to barley, winter oats must be seeded in mid-September to be well established before cold weather arrives.

Strip grazing stockpiled tall fescue improves utilization rates and increases grazing days per acre. fall than barley and has good potential for pasture, silage or hay production. Wheat will withstand wetter soils than barley or oats, but tends to be less tolerant of poorly drained soils than rye and triticale. Managed properly, wheat can be grazed in the fall, again in early spring, and finally harvested for grain, hay or silage. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is generally more susceptible to winterkill than wheat, especially when it has been overgrazed. It should not be grazed as short or as late into the fall as wheat. Barley does best on fertile, well-drained soils. It is sensitive to acidic soil conditions and poor fertility. Barley produces high quality silage or hay with a higher digestibility than other small grains, but lower yields. Good quality grazing can be obtained from early seeded barley. Triticale (X Triticosecale) is a high yielding forage crop that is gaining popularity. Triticale generally has a higher forage yield, but lower quality than wheat. It is a cross between rye and wheat. As such, it is adapted to a wide range of soils. Tolerance to low pH is better than wheat, but not as good as rye. Rye (Secale cereale) is the most cold tolerant and least exacting in its soil and moisture requirements of all small grains. Like wheat, rye can be sown in late August to provide fall grazing, excellent winter ground cover, and spring grazing. The rapid growth of rye, both in the fall and spring, makes it the most productive of the small grains for pasture. Rye is also the earliest maturing of the small grains. Rye tends to be a more consistent producer of spring pasture than wheat, although it quickly becomes stemmy and unpalatable in late spring. Winter Oats (Avena sativa) produce very COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is a cool-season annual that can provide late fall, winter, and early spring grazing. Attributes of annual ryegrass include ease of establishment, high yields, high nutritive value, and later maturing than the small grains. In contrast to small grains, annual ryegrass continues to regrow in the spring until high temperatures limit growth in early summer. Annual ryegrass is commonly used to overseed summer pastures, thereby extending the useful season of this land area. It is adapted to all soil types and grows best at a pH of 5.7 or higher. The highest yields are obtained on fertile and well-drained soils with nitrogen fertilization. While winter annuals can provide ample and high quality forage in late fall, winter, and early spring, they tend to be a more expensive option than stockpiling perennial grasses for winter grazing. However, they can fill certain niches within grazing systems. For example, they could be used to thicken thin coolseason pastures, grown in a rotation with a summer annual forage, used to overseed a warm-season perennial forage such as bermudagrass, or used in a renovation sequence. The following tips will help you optimize cool-season annual use in your grazing system.

seedings. Seeding depth. Seeding depth should be 1-2 inches for small grains and ½ to 1 inch for annual ryegrass. Seeding rates. Small grains seeded alone should be planted at a rate of 90-150 lb/A. Annual ryegrass seeded alone should be planted at a rate of 25 lb/A. A mixture of small grain and annual ryegrass should be seeded at a rate of 90 and 15 lb/A, respectively. If fall grazing is desired, use the higher end of the seeding rates. Crimson clover can be added at a rate of 10 lb/A. Soil fertility. Apply phosphorus, potassium, and lime according to soil test results. If fall grazing is desired, apply 4060 lb nitrogen/A at seeding. An additional 40-50 lb nitrogen/A should be applied in early-March to stimulate spring growth. For annual ryegrass only, an additional 40-50 lb nitrogen can be applied in midApril after the first grazing. Grazing management. Ideally, winter annuals should be rotationally stocked. Grazing can begin once the seedlings are well anchored and have reached a height of 8-10 inches. Grazing should be stopped when a residual height of 3-4 inches has been reached.

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FEATURED EVENTS Eastern KY Forage Field Day Loretto Motherhouse Farm, Nerinx, KY August 24, 2019 For a more information visit http://bit.ly/2Y02LrW or call Angela at 270-692-8906 Heart of America Grazing Conference: Kicking the Hay Habit Boone County Extension Office, Burlington, KY October 29-30, 2019 Register on-line at http://bit.ly/2ZfZnFO or contact Rehanon Pampell for more information at Rehanon.Pampell@uky.edu. Western Kentucky Grazing Conference: Reducing Hay Feeding and Optimizing Profitability Christian County Extension Office, Hopkinsville, KY October 31, 2019 Register on-line at http://bit.ly/30NxJR4 or contact Rehanon Pampell for more information at Rehanon.Pampell@uky.edu. Pasture Walk with Jim Gerrish Dogwood Farm, LaCenter, KY November 1, 2019 For more information contact Debby Dulworth at Toby Dulworth dogwood@brtc.net.

Planting date. Cool-season annuals can be seeded from mid-August to mid-October. If fall grazing is desired, plant by early September. Later plantings will provide little grazing in the fall and winter. Suppress existing sod. Suppressing competition from an existing sod or summer annual crop will help to ensure that you get a dense and uniform stand. Ideally pastures to be overseeded should be grazed closely and sprayed with a nonselective herbicide just prior to planting. Seeding directly into a healthy pasture stand that has not been suppressed normally results in poor stands that are not productive. Planting method. Winter annuals can be planted on a conventional seedbed or notill seeded. No-till seedings tend to support winter grazing better than conventional

Josh Duckworth (left) and Conner Raymond (right) standing in a field of annual ryegrass at Josh’s farm located just outside of Princeton, KY. This stand of annual ryegrass was grazed by stocker calves in the of spring 2019. FORAGE MANAGEMENT TIPS ON PAGE 20

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BRACKEN COUNTY

BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY

Submitted by Nicole Goecke

Submitted by Judy Nottingham The Breckinridge County Cattlemen’s Association participated as one of the food vendors at the 1st Annual Breckinridge County Balloon Glow sponsored by the Breckinridge County Chamber of Commerce. Steaks and burgers were on the menu for the night. Everyone was busy from the cashier, to the ladies assembling sandwiches, to the “chefs” cooking the cuisine. There was a large crowd in attendance. The Cattlemen’s Association sold out of all the steaks and burgers they brought to cook and sent out for more. They sold out of the reinforcements too. It was a very successful night. BCCA donated 10% of their profits for the evening to WHAS Crusade for Children and the local charity Pocketful of Hope.

Danny Cooper presenting $250 to the 2019 scholarship recipient, Madison Goecke.

4-H members helped serve KY Proud hamburgers and hotdogs sponsored by Paris Stockyard and Southern States Flemingsburg Co-op/Maysville Branch. A silent auction was also conducted which raised $380 for our local scholarship fund. Our next meeting will be held in October which will also be our membership drive. 16

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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GRANT COUNTY

METCALFE COUNTY

Submitted by Tim Henry

Submitted by Moe Hensley

The Williamstown High School FFA program held their annual banquet on May 11, 2019. The Grant County Cattlemen’s Association cooked some delicious Ribeyes and potatoes. It was a pleasure for the Grant County Cattlemen’s Association to be involved with the annual Williamstown FFA program. The FFA program has a great student membership; the future looks bright for the agricultural industry with young, energetic people like the Williamstown FFA students. Congratulations to all the students and everyone involved in the Williamstown FFA program!

The Metcalfe County Cattlemen met on Monday, June 17 at the Metcalfe County Extension Office. J & J Sales of Glasgow, KY was the sponsor of the meeting. Barry Dean Steele spoke on behalf of J & J and informed the crowd of the many brands they carry and the knowledgable parts department they run. Warren Beeler with the Governors Office of Ag Policy was our guest speaker for the night. He explained how tobacco monies were dispersed, CAIP, Beef Solutions LLC and how we can improve our operations by working together. If you have never heard Mr. Beeler speak, you don’t know what you are missing. The 2019 Cattlemens scholarship was given to Tyler London. Tyler is the son of Johnny and Leslie London. Tyler plans to go to WKU and major in Ag Economics. Congratulations Tyler! As always the Cattlemens Cooking Crew did an excellent job with the meal. “Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can’t hurry the crops or make an ox in two days.”

Metcalfe Extension agent Brandon Bell, Cattlemen President Christi Wilson and Barry Dean Steele with J & J Sales. Warren Beeler addresses the crowd

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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Mousy Loyd and Christi Wilson presenting Tyler London with his scholarship “check”.

FEATURE

PORK AND BEEF EXPORTS REBOUND IN MAY; VOLUME AND VALUE REACH 2019 HIGHS May exports of U.S. pork and beef were steady with last year’s strong volumes and increased year-over-year in value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports totaled 217,999 metric tons (mt) in May, steady with last year’s pace, while value increased 1% to $567.8 million – the highest monthly value total since April 2018. For January through May, pork exports were still 4% below last year in volume (1.035 million mt) and down 10% in value to $2.57 billion. Pork export value averaged $54.83 per head slaughtered in May, the highest monthly average since May 2018 ($55.05). For January through May, export value averaged $48.74 per head, down 12% from the same period last year. May exports accounted for 27.3% of total U.S. pork production and 23.2% for muscle cuts only, down from 27.8% and 24%, respectively, a year ago. For January through May, exports accounted for 25.4% of total pork production (down from 27.5%) and 22.1% for muscle cuts (down from 23.7%). May beef exports were also steady yearover-year in volume (117,541 mt) while export value increased 1% to $727.6 million – the second-highest on record, trailing only the August 2018 total of $751.7 million. For January through May, exports were 3% below last year’s record pace in volume (530,088 mt) but only slightly lower in value at $3.3 billion. Beef export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $312.85 in May, down slightly from a year ago. For January through May, beef export value averaged $309.33 per head, down 3%. May exports accounted for 14.6% of total U.S. beef production and 12% for muscle cuts only, each down slightly from a year ago. For January through May, exports accounted for 14% of total production and 11.3% for muscle cuts – down from 14.6% and 11.9%, respectively, a year ago. (Please note: due to a calculation error, the percentage of beef production 18

exported was incorrectly reported from January 2017 through April 2019. These ratios have now been corrected, and are about 1.1 percentage points higher than originally reported.) Rebound in Japan and China/Hong Kong offsets slower pork exports to Mexico After trending lower through the first four months of 2019, May pork exports to leading value market Japan increased 5% from a year ago in volume (36,373 mt) and 3% in value ($148.6 million, the highest in 18 months.) Stronger May volumes included growth in chilled pork, up 2.5% to 19,795 mt. For January through May, exports to Japan were still 5% behind last year’s pace in volume (159,539 mt) and down 7% in value ($642 million). But chilled exports held close to last year at 87,362 mt, down less than 1% (valued at $414.9 million, down 2%). Japan’s import data shows the biggest decrease from the U.S. is in ground seasoned pork (GSP), where the U.S. faces the full 20% duty and competitors pay 13.3%. Japan’s imports of U.S. pork fell by $76 million through May, including a $46 million decrease in GSP. Despite the continued 50% retaliatory duty on U.S. pork going to China, May also brought an uptick in pork exports to China/Hong Kong, which increased 33% from a year ago in volume to 45,442 mt, while value increased 5% to $84 million. Through the first five months of 2019, exports to the region still trailed last year by 7% in volume (173,642 mt) and 25% in value ($326 million). On May 20, the 20% retaliatory duty on most U.S. pork entering Mexico was removed as the U.S., Mexico and Canada reached an agreement on steel and aluminum tariffs. While the return to duty-free status is expected to fuel a rebound in pork exports to Mexico, it came too late to have much impact on May results as exports fell 26% from a year ago in volume to 52,555 mt and 15% in value to $98.4 million. For January through May, exports to Mexico were down 19% in volume (284,946 mt) and

27% in value ($454.9 million). “May export results for U.S. pork were very encouraging, especially the renewed momentum in Japan and China/Hong Kong,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “When exports to Mexico get back on track and trade talks with Japan and China show progress, this will be a very welcome lift for the U.S. pork industry.” All of U.S. pork and beef’s major competitors gained tariff relief in Japan this year through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TransPacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the economic partnership agreement between Japan and the European Union, making red meat trade a major focus of the ongoing U.S.-Japan trade agreement negotiations. Access for U.S. agricultural products was also a priority in the highlevel U.S.-China trade talks that broke off in early May but which are expected to resume following President Trump’s June 29 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Other January-May highlights for U.S. pork include: • South America is the leading tonnage growth market for U.S. pork in 2019 as continued growth in Colombia and Chile pushed exports 40% above last year’s record pace in volume (71,240 mt) and 37% higher in value ($171.8 million). Exports to Peru cooled in May but remain significantly higher year-over-year. • Exports to Oceania continue to climb, increasing 45% in volume (52,502 mt) and 30% in value ($138.7 million) from a year ago. Australia is one of U.S. pork’s top-performing markets in 2019, with volume up 45% from last year’s record pace to 48,110 mt and value increasing 29% to $125.4 million. U.S. share of Australia’s imports climbed to 52%, compared to 45% last year. Exports to New Zealand were also significantly higher in both volume (4,392 mt, up 43%) and value ($13.3 million, up 33%).

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• Also coming off a record year in 2018, exports to Central America climbed 11% in both volume (37,416 mt) and value ($88.2 million). While exports to leading market Honduras were up slightly from a year ago, double-digit growth was achieved in Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. • While pork exports to Taiwan slowed in May, January-May volume still increased 60% from a year ago to 9,972 mt while value was up 44% to $22 million. Korea, Taiwan lead strong month for beef exports Beef exports to South Korea remained on a record pace in May, climbing 11% to 23,004 mt and 13% in value to $165 million. January-May exports to Korea were 11% above last year in volume (101,761 mt) and 15% higher in value ($743.5 million). With continued growth at retail and foodservice, U.S. share of Korea’s chilled beef imports reached a post-BSE high of 61%, up from 57% last year and 52% in 2017. Chilled beef from the U.S. totaled 22,268 mt, up 8% yearover-year, valued at $224 million, up 12%. Following a fairly steady first quarter, beef exports to Taiwan strengthened for the second straight month in May at 5,873 mt (up 27% from a year ago), valued at $52.6 million (up 28%). Through May, exports to Taiwan were 11% above last year’s record pace in volume (24,478 mt) and 4% higher in value ($218.2 million). Though slightly below last year’s level, May export volume to leading market Japan rebounded to 29,749 mt, while value was down 3% to $190.8 million. Export volume through May was steady with last year’s pace at 128,045 mt while value increased 1% to $828 million. This performance was driven in part by a large increase in beef variety meat exports (mainly tongues and skirts), which jumped 23% in volume (24,135 mt) and 20% in value ($157.5 million). Despite the tariff disadvantages, U.S. beef’s share of Japan’s imports has held nearly steady this year at 41%, but with a level playing

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field there are tremendous opportunities for growth. For example, Japan’s imports of Canadian and Mexican beef increased by 76% and 39%, respectively, through May. “The explosive growth U.S. beef has achieved in Korea and Taiwan is a testament to the quality of the product and the outstanding customer base the U.S. industry has established over the years,” Halstrom said. “That same dynamic is present in Japan, on an even larger scale. But for Japan to remain the ‘strong growth’ column, it is essential that we have market access comparable to our key competitors.” Other January-May highlights for U.S. beef include: • Mexico is a very solid market for U.S. beef in 2019. Although exports through May were 2% below last year’s pace at 97,102 mt, value increased 8% to $462.1 million. This was due to strong growth in muscle cut exports, which were up 7% from a year ago in volume (59,357 mt) and 10% in value ($361.5 million). • Exports to the Dominican Republic remain on a tremendous roll, soaring

50% above last year’s record pace in volume (3,741 mt) and gaining 39% in value to $30.3 million. U.S. beef continues to capitalize on market access improvements secured in the Dominican Republic-CentralAmerica-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), with exports to Central America also increasing 5% from a year ago in volume (5,699 mt) and 10% in value ($33.8 million). Growth leaders in the region include Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. • January-May exports to Egypt, the largest destination for U.S. beef livers, were down 7% year-over-year in volume at 28,912 mt, but increased 6% in value to $34.8 million. Exports strengthened in May, increasing 26% in volume (6,224 mt) and 35% in value ($7.1 million) year-over-year. This was significant, as changes in Egypt’s halal certification process that took effect May 1 are a concern for the U.S. industry. But at least so far, these changes do not appear to be slowing exports. • Retaliatory tariffs in China and other market access challenges limited U.S. beef exports to China/Hong Kong,

with January-May volume down onethird to 38,405 mt and value declining by 27% to $322 million. Mexico fuels big month for U.S. lamb exports Recent momentum for U.S. lamb exports has been led by strong variety meat demand in Mexico. Lamb variety meat exports to Mexico set a record in 2018 at more than 10,000 mt and are well ahead of that pace this year. One of the factors driving this success is the growing popularity of lamb neck meat for barbacoa, an item USMEF has aggressively promoted to importers in Mexico. Lamb muscle cut exports to Mexico also climbed significantly in May as combined lamb and lamb variety meat exports reached 1,155 mt, up 41% from a year ago, while value increased 67% to $1.4 million. On a global basis, May lamb exports totaled 1,310 mt, up 31% from a year ago, while value increased 30% to $2.3 million. This pushed January-May exports 51% above last year in volume (6,710 mt) and 26% higher in value ($11.5 million). For muscle cuts only, January-May lamb exports were up 14% in volume (1,041 mt) and 19% in value

($6.7 million). Complete January-May export results for U.S. beef, pork and lamb are available from USMEF’s statistics Web page. Monthly charts for U.S. pork and beef exports are also available online. NOTES: Export statistics refer to both muscle cuts and variety meat, unless otherwise noted. One metric ton (mt) = 2,204.622 pounds. U.S. pork currently faces retaliatory duties in China. China’s duty rate on frozen pork muscle cuts and variety meat increased from 12 to 37% in April and from 37 to 62% in July. Mexico’s duty rate on pork muscle cuts increased from zero to 10% in June 2018 and jumped to 20% the following month. Beginning in June 2018, Mexico also imposed a 15% duty on sausages and a 20% duty on some prepared hams. Mexico’s duties were removed in May 2019 but were in effect for the period reported above. U.S. beef faces retaliatory duties in China. China’s duty rate on beef muscle cuts and variety meats increased from 12 to 37% in July 2018. Canada imposed a 10% duty in July 2018 that applied to HS 160250 cooked/ prepared beef products. Canada’s duty was removed in May 2019 but was in effect for the period reported above.

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• 150 REGISTERED FEMALES • 30 REGISTERED OPEN HEIFERS • 40 FALL 2018 REGISTERED BULLS • 15 18-24 MONTH OLD REGISTERED BULLS • EMBRYOS & SEMEN INVENTORY • AI TANKS • SALE RING WITH HERRINGBONE 5 ATTACHMENT • 24 FT. GOOSENECK TRAILER

Dennis Craig & Randy Sparks, Owners 2661 Clintonville Road • Winchester, KY 40391 Sammy Ayres, Manager 859-983-9488

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FEATURE

THIS COUPON IS GOOD TOWARD $25.00 OFF THE PURCHASE OF ANY THRIFTY KING OR OMNI RITCHIE WATERER.

OFFER EXPIRES AUG. 31st. 2019

ALL COUPONS MUST BE REDEEMED ON OR BEFORE August 31, 2019. Any discount given, but not earned will be charged back. The producer must pay any applicable sales taxes. Offer is void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Cash Value 1/20 cent. Limit one discount card with each Ritchie Thrifty King or Omni purchase. Offer Expires August 31, 2019.

KCA DEVELOPS 2020-2025 LONG RANGE PLAN A thirteen member planning committee made up of cattle producers; as well as industry, food and retail, and education sectors; finished a three month course to develop a long range plan for the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association in April. During the planning process, the committee assessed the challenges and opportunities facing the Kentucky beef industry and evaluated the organization’s own capabilities crafting a roadmap that will focus and align its resources over the next five years. The plan, which was approved by the KCA Board of Directors in June, lays out four core strategies that will create benchmarks the Association hopes to reach. Those strategies are: 1.

Cultivate value-added marketing opportunities

The long range plan is set to commence at the beginning of the KCA 2020 fiscal year and includes yearly benchmarks the industry hopes to reach. In terms of growth, the long-range plan aims to increase advocacy over several areas including membership, education programs, and consumer influence. A strong emphasis was placed on the network of county associations and industry partners to support the plan and effectively represent the interests of Kentucky’s beef farm families. A two page document detailing the 20202025 Long Range Plan is available on the KCA website and will be distributed to each of the county associations and affiliates.

2. Strengthen research, demonstration and outreach 3. Improve KCA engagement, collaboration and advocacy 4. Develop and leverage organizational infrastructure and capabilities

Good only when applied to required purchase at a participating Central Farm Supply Of Kentucky partner location. A dealer locator can be fount at: www.centralfarmky.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

FORAGE MANAGEMENT TIPS Dealership Name

Make plans to attend Eastern Kentucky Forage Field Day at Loretto Motherhouse Farm.

City, State, Zip

Slow grazing rotation for cool-season pastures to allow more rest time. Do NOT graze closer than 4-5 inches. If cool-season pastures are not growing, feed hay in a sacrifice area to avoid damaging these pastures. Graze summer annuals and perennials. Plant winter annuals after first good rain in August if Fall grazing is desired.

This discount card must be completed in its entirety to be valid: DEALER: RETURN THE DISCOUNT COUPONS YOU HAVE ACCUMULATED TO CENTRAL FARM SUPPLY OF KENTUCKY ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Identify pastures that will be stockpiled for winter grazing. Graze or clip these pastures and apply 60-80 lb N/A in mid to late August. Rest pastures that are being stockpiled.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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The form of minerals matter The University of Florida conducted a comprehensive, multi-year study on trace mineral sources with large commercial cow herds, and the results were favorable to organic trace minerals.

The research is black and white

increase in pregnacy rates That’s a 2.8:1 ROI

30 LBS MORE at weaning

That’s a 4:1 ROI

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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FEATURE

DR. JAMES W. MIDDLETON RECEIVES KENTUCKY LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD Sand County Foundation Dr. James W. Middleton of Munfordville is the recipient of the 2019 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award®. The prestigious award, given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation and management of natural resources by American farmers, ranchers and foresters in 20 states. In Kentucky, the $10,000 award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, the Kentucky Agricultural Council, and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts. Dr. Middleton was presented with the $10,000 award at the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts Convention on July 9. “My whole life is centered around my love affair with Hart County. I have spent my life taking care of the people (as a country doctor) and the land (as a farmer),” Dr. Middleton said. In the five decades since he took the reins of his family farm, he has improved the health of thousands of highly-sensitive acres along the Green River. Successful farming and conservation along one of North America’s most ecologicallyimportant river corridors required an ability to adapt, experiment and innovate. Embracing the conservation ethic passed down to him, in high school he took steps to address the farm’s chestnut blight scourge. He utilized computer modeling to assess better uses for land at the dawn of that technology. Reading the tea leaves of the farm economy, he exited the dairy business to begin raising Polled Hereford beef cattle on pastures. Likewise, just as southern cotton growers had once converted to pine plantations, Dr. Middleton decided to grow high-quality hardwood timber as tobacco’s prominence as a cash crop faded. He improved and expanded the timber

plantings his parents began in the 1950s. New trees and native grasses provided erosion control on hillsides and the river banks. Dr. Middleton says abandoning tobacco and other row crops, for pastures, forests and hay fields was the best thing he could do for his land and the Green River. He worked with conservation partners to stop the threat of invasive plant species, and reestablish rare and endangered species on land in the water. He planted 220 acres with vegetation to attract pollinator insects, birds and wildlife. The changes to the farm were environmentally and economically beneficial. Timber sales from managed forests over the past 30 years have totaled more than 1.8 million board-feet of timber. Hay is sold to other livestock owners. Fees from hunting leases net more revenues than his last tobacco crop did in 2005, and the hunters also help the local economy. Dr. Middleton has donated conservation easements including five parcels of land that cover 115 acres and more than two miles of river frontage. Since then, he and farm employees help nurture the more than 100,000 hardwood trees that have been planted on the land. When not improving his community’s health as a physician, Dr. Middleton has made a mark with his commitment to farm conservation practices, water quality, wildlife habitat, and providing outdoor recreation opportunities for others. The self-described country doctor is also a conservationist in the truest Leopold tradition. “The Kentucky Agricultural Council is proud to once again partner with the Sand County Foundation and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts to recognize exceptional stewardship and conservation practices among Kentucky’s many private landowners,” said Mark Barker, chairman of the Kentucky Agricultural Council. “The

winner of the 2019 Leopold Conservation Award represents a lifelong work in his community and his passion for the land in Hart County.” “KACD and conservation districts promote the sound management of all our natural resources and we are excited to join Sand County Foundation and the Kentucky Agricultural Council in recognizing these well-deserving landowners in Kentucky,” said Shane Wells, president of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts. “The Association and conservation districts work daily to assist private landowners in their efforts to adopt sound soil and water conservation practices on their land that benefit us all. This year’s Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award winner is an exceptional example of this land stewardship ethic by a private landowner.” “Leopold Conservation Award recipients are at the forefront of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to simultaneously achieve economic and environmental success,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation president and chief executive officer.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Among the many outstanding Kentucky landowners nominated for the award were finalists JRS Angus Farm of Lawrenceburg in Anderson County and F.L. Sipes Farm of Ekron in Meade County. The 2018 recipient was Trunnell Family Farm of Utica. The Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support and partnership of Kentucky Agricultural Council; Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts; Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation; Kentucky Department of Agriculture; Kentucky Corn Growers Association; Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Kentucky Woodland Owner’s Association; Kentucky Tree Farm Committee; Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association; AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky; Kentucky Pork Producers; The Nature Conservancy in Kentucky; and the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information on the award, visit leopoldconservationaward.org.

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GRABER’S ANGUS FARM Inaugural Production Sale Monday I September 2, 2019 I Noon (EDT) Held at Gasthof Amish Village • Montgomery, Indiana

Selling 65 Head!

Cow Calf Pairs H Bred Heifers Heifer Calves Heifer Pregnancies H Donors

SAV Blackcap May 1234 Reg. 16928558 Sire: SAV Net Worth 4200 Dam: SAV Blackcap May 4136

SAV Blackcap May 4136

Dam of SAV Blackcap May 1234.

Selling ½ interest in the last natural daughter of the all-time, high income-producing female of the breed, Sav Blackcap May 4136, and recorded the highest WR at 122 in the same calf crop as the flush sisters to Resource and Renown. This female is a maternal sister to an array of AI Sires that includes: Resource, Renown, Recharge, Heritage, Pedigree, Universal, Seedstock, Sensation, President, Raindance, Reign, Rainfall, Rainmaster, Extension, and many more.

CED -1

BEPD +4.9

WEPD +70

YEPD +116

MILK +24

CW +61

MARB +.02

RE +.68

$M +46

$B +120

Connealy Confidence Plus

A daughter sells by him and Y69.

Baldridge Isabel Y69 Reg. 17149410 Sire: Styles Upgrade J59 Dam: Baldridge Isabel T935

GRABER’S ANGUS FARM David Graber Family 9258 East 500 North Montgomery, IN 47558 812/444-9293

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Selling a daughter by Connealy Confidence Plus, Baldridge Isabel E080 the highest marbling Y69 daughter who has been considered by many as one of the top two-year-old females in the country and her first bull calf by Reno is being pursued by the leading AI studs. A real sale highlight for the fall season.

CED +5

BEPD +.7

WEPD +81

YEPD +138

MILK +23

CW +45

MARB +.48

RE +.67

$M +72

$B +119

For your free reference sale booklet, contact anyone in the office of the Sale Managers, TOM BURKE, KURT SCHAFF, JEREMY HAAG, AMERICAN ANGUS HALL OF FAME at the WORLD ANGUS HEADQUARTERS, Box 660, Smithville, MO 64089. Phone 816/532-0811. Fax 816/532-0851. Email: angushall@angushall.com • www.angushall.com

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ECONOMIC & POLICY UPDATE

M A R K E T FA C I L I TAT I O N PAY M E N T S F O R 2 0 1 9 Tarrah Hardin, Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Perdue announced last month that USDA would be issuing a new round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments totaling $14.5 billion. These direct payments to eligible farmers are in response to the continuing impact that tariffs and other trade disruptions are having on certain U.S. ag exports and commodity prices. This would represent the third round of trade mitigation payments following $9.6 billion of payments allotted in the first two rounds. According to Kentucky’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Kentucky farmers to date have received $154.3 million during for the first two rounds of MFP payments. This level accounts for approximately 10 percent of annual net farm income for Kentucky farmers in a typical year. KENTUCKY MFP NET PAYMENTS (AS OF JUNE 26, 2019)

SOYBEANS

$147,474,829

WHEAT

$2,716,727

CORN

$1,972,236

HOGS

$1,138,144

DAIRY

$787,141

SORGHUM

$241,563

COTTON TOTAL

$1,634 $154,332,274

The first two rounds of payments were based on total crop production for the 2018 crop year. However, USDA has indicated that the new round of crop payments will be determined on a producer’s aggregate acres of eligible crops planted multiplied by a single payment rate for each county. Payment acres for 2019 cannot exceed

2018 MFP acres turned into their FSA office which will affect growing and expanding operations. Dairy producer payments will be based on production history and hog producers will receive payments based on inventory levels at a yet-to-be determined date. As of this writing, the final regulations have not been released. USDA has indicated that prevented planting acres will not be covered in the MFP program, however if a producer plants a cover crop with intentions to harvest, the producer may qualify for minimal assistance through the program. Some producers might qualify for assistance under the disaster package that passed in early June. The best advice for producers is to have a talk with their crop insurance agent to know what their options are for preventive plant payments. It is thought that the same MFP limits as last year will be used, $125,000 payment per entity and $900,000 AGI. This being said, farming operations that are a LLC or other limited entities will be capped at the maximum payment. However, if the operation is a general partnership then each of the partners could receive up to the limit. If spouses farm together then they can each receive the limit amount if they are listed 50/50 at the FSA office. One thing to think about is that if the acres are limited to 2018 MFP payments, then listing a spouse as 50/50 in 2019 and they were not listed in 2018, then only one will be able to collect the MFP payment for 2019. Hopefully, when the final regulations are released there will be some guidance on this issue. Producers across the state and country still have questions about how the program will work and what the payment might look like. With USDA is apparently holding final regulations until after planting is complete, questions that producers have will still be unanswered until that time. The 2019 MFP will not save farmers that are already struggling financially but the assistance will be welcomed. COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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ECONOMIC & POLICY UPDATE

FA R M N U M B E R S A N D C O N C E N T R AT I O N Steve Isaacs, Co-director, Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program FARM SIZE (GROSS RECEIPTS)

2017 % FARMS

2017 % RECEIPTS

2012 % FARMS

2012 % RECEIPTS

2007 % FARMS

2007 % RECEIPTS

2002 % FARMS

2002 % RECEIPTS

<$100K

81.7

5.4

81.2

5.6

83.4

7.4

84.8

11.4

$100K-$1M

14.4

26.2

14.9

28.1

14.0

33.9

13.8

41.9

>$1M

3.9

68.4

3.9

66.2

2.6

58.7

1.4

46.8

The 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture indicates that Kentucky had 75,966 farming operations, a decline of 10,575 farms (a 12% decrease) since 2002. Nationally farm numbers are down about 4% over the same period and stand at 2,042,220. While farm numbers remain robust,

the trend toward concentration of production in larger units continues. In 2002 there were 2.13 million farms in the U.S., and 1.4% of those had sales of more than $1 million. They accounted for 47% of total farm receipts. By 2017 the >$1 million category had increased to 3.9% of farms but accounted for 68.4% of total receipts. Further trend detail across size

categories is presented in the table. While bi-modalization of ag, i.e. a large number of small farms and a small number of large farms, is a long run trend in agriculture, it is worthy to note that the mid-size farms ($100,000 to $1,000,000 of receipts) have held steady at about 14-15% of total farm numbers.

A similar concentration trend is evident in Kentucky. In 2017 there were 1,271 farms with reported receipts of > $1 million. They represent 1.7% of Kentucky’s seventy-six thousand farms but produced 59% of gross receipts. More than nine out of ten Kentucky farms produced less than $100,000 of total receipts per farm and accounted for 13% of total farm revenue. Kentucky’s mid-size category represents 7% of total farms (compared to 14% nationally), but produced 28% of total receipts. A graphical representation of U.S. and Kentucky farm numbers and concentration is presented on the opposite page. The 2017 Ag Census is a rich source of information but, by definition is quite number intensive. For more information go to the 2017 USDA Ag Census at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/ AgCensus/2017/index.php

The Agricultural Economics Department publishes the Economic and Policy Update towards the end of each month.  Each issue features articles written by extension personnel within the department and other experts across the country.  Topics will vary greatly but regularly include marketing, management, policy, natural resources, and rural development issues. If you would like to recieve this newsletter by email, please contact Kenny Burdine at kburdine@uky.edu. You can also view current and past issues online at https://bit.ly/2PoHsZj Co-editors: Kenny Burdine, Alison Davis, and Greg Halich

LO C A L F O O D V I TA L I T Y I N D E X – LO U I S V I L L E , K Y Alex Butler, Jairus Rossi, PhD, Timothy A. Woods Over the past several years, the local food economies have continued to increase in consumer importance. Recent surveys of Local Food consumers in Louisville, KY were conducted to measure the performance of different local food system (LFS) components. The table provides a measure of the perceived performance of the different components that make up the LFS. This data will be critical for economic development agencies, food systems professionals, and other technical support representative such as the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy, or the Louisville Mayor’s Office. Agencies and representative can utilize this information when making important decisions about LFS as the indexing of these components allows Louisville to be compared to similar communities across

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

the county. Information like this can also help shed light on how LFS across rural and urban areas differ. The performance scores listed in the table are on a 5-point Likert scale where variables with a mean value above three are above the average performance. The LFS components where Louisville scored the highest in absolute terms of performance include Retail, Restaurants, Brewery/Distillery/winery, State Branding, and Food Quality. The LFS components where Louisville scored the lowest include Low-income communities, Farm-to-school, and Food Education. The survey was funded by the USDA – Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. Further survey work and analysis will continue for this project and additional information may be obtained from the authors.

PERFORMANCE N

PERFORMANCE

MEAN

FOOD MARKET PERFORMANCE

MEAN

PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

RESTAURANTS

590

3.9

FOOD BANKS

477

3.4

RETAIL

597

3.9

FOOD FESTIVALS

523

3.4

BREWERY, DISTILLERY, WINERY

446

3.9

HOME & COMMUNITY GARDENS

477

3.4

FARMERS MARKETS

522

3.6

ON FARM EVENTS

431

2.9

COOPS

467

3.5

FOOD EDUCATION

436

2.8

INSTITUTIONAL BUYING

499

3.4

LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES

437

2.4

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT

FOOD TRUCK

440

3.3

CSA

339

3.2

MEDIA COVERAGE

539

3.1

ETHNIC GROCERY

379

3.2

LFS COALITIONS

444

3.1

ROADSIDE STANDS

421

2.9

LOCAL BUYING CAMPAIGNS

418

3.0

FARM-TO-SCHOOL

294

2.8

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

430

2.9

LOCAL PRODUCT CHARACTERISTIC PERFORMANCE

LFS INFRASTRUCTURE

455

2.9

FOOD QUALITY

OVERALL PERFORMANCE 597

3.2

550

3.8

STATE BRANDING

528

3.8

HEALTHY

547

3.5

DIVERSITY OF PRODUCTS

539

3.5

LOCAL FOOD LABEL

533

3.3

PRICE COMPETITIVE

556

3.3

FARM BRANDS

492

3.2

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OVERALL LFS VITALITY

*Note: Performance scores were measured on a 1 = “Extremely Poor”, 2 = “Poor”, 3= “Average”, 4= “Good”, and 5= “Excellent”. A “Don’t Know” option was provided and omitted here for purposes of the index measure. Each index is measured as the Louisville score/Small cities score x 100.

FEATURE

FARM TOWN STRONG CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO OFFER SUPPORT New data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration shows that rural communities have the highest death rates nationwide from opioid prescriptions, more than three times the national average. A previously unreleased database from DEA tracking prescription painkillers showed that the highest per-capita opioid death rates from 2006 to 2012 were in rural communities in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, with more than three times the national average of 4.6 deaths per 100,000 residents. Thirteen of those counties had an opioid death rate more than eight times the national rate. Zippy Duvall, president of the American

Farm Bureau, said, “We have seen firsthand the destructive force of opioids in rural communities, and our research shows that three out of four farmers have been impacted. That’s why we stepped up to address this crisis. We stand with the families and communities that have been affected, and we continue the fight against opioid addiction in our partnership with National Farmers Union through our Farm Town Strong campaign. If someone you know is struggling, it’s important for them to know that there is hope.” Roger Johnson, president of National Farmers Union, said, “The new data released by DEA highlights what we already know about the impact of opioids on farm country: Rural areas are being disproportionately impacted by opioid

addiction. This is an issue we’ve been all too aware of for too long, and we have mobilized resources and partnerships over the past two years to help address this crisis. We are Farm Town Strong, and we will continue to work together to address the serious issues identified in today’s news.”

The American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union, in conjunction with USDA Rural Development, launched the Farm Town Strong campaign in January 2018 to provide information and resources to help those struggling with opioid addiction. For more information, and to find help, please visit farmtownstrong.org.

BEEF BASH 2019 MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US! Thursday, September 26th, 2019 University of Kentucky C. Oran Little Research Center 1051 Midway Rd. Versailles, KY 40383

REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 8:30 AM EST For More Information Visit: https://www.facebook.com/KyBeefIRM/ or Email: benjamin.crites@uky.edu

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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FEATURE

USDA WILL REQUIRE MOST CATTLE TO HAVE ELECTRONIC EAR TAGS

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Switch to RFID Tags Intended to Strengthen U.S. Animal Traceability System The federal government will require most Kentucky cattle to bear a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in the next few years, the Kentucky Office of the State Veterinarian has announced. “By 2023, only RFID tags will be considered official identification,” State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout said. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture is requiring the RFID tags and phasing out metal tags to improve our ability to trace animal movement quickly and efficiently in the event of a livestock disease outbreak. A strong traceability system is absolutely essential to maintaining open overseas markets for Kentucky and U.S. cattle.” “The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will work with producers and industry organizations to help with a speedy and orderly transition to RFID ear tags,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “In the weeks and months to come, we will be speaking to industry groups and passing out informational materials to help producers make the switch. As we get updates from USDA, we will pass them along to Kentucky producers.” “We appreciate the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for being proactive in getting the word out about this important cattle identification transition,” said Dave Maples, executive director of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. “The transition from metal to RFID tags will strengthen the traceability system by providing information faster and protecting our markets in the event of a disease outbreak.” The timeline for completing the transition to RFID tags is as follows: •

Dec. 31, 2019 – Free metal National Uniform Ear Tag System tags no longer will be provided by USDA and KDA. Producers and markets may purchase and apply metal tags in 2020. COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

•

Jan. 1, 2021 – USDA no longer will approve production or application of metal tags.

•

Jan. 1, 2023 – RFID ear tags will be required for beef and dairy cattle and bison moving interstate.

Animals that will require individual RFID tags include:

official,

•

Beef cattle and bison that are sexually intact and 18 months or older;

•

Beef cattle and bison used for rodeo or recreational events (regardless of age);

•

Beef cattle and bison used for shows or exhibitions;

•

All female dairy cattle; and

•

All male dairy cattle born after March 11, 2013.

Cattle staying on the farm will not be required to have an RFID tag. “All animals requiring official ID will be required to have an RFID tag,” Stout said.,” Dr. Stout said. “This means cattle sold at a Kentucky livestock market or moving interstate off of the farm that are the covered animals listed above must have a RFID tag.”

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A premises identification number (PIN) is required to purchase official ID tags. To get a PIN, contact Rayna Warford, the KDA’s animal disease traceability coordinator, at rayna.warford@ky.gov or (502) 782-5905. For more information, contact Rayna Warford or email USDA at traceability@ aphis.usda.gov.

www.bushhog.com

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APPAREL AND MERCHANDISE

FEATURE

PART II: JOHNE’S DISEASE AND DETECTION IN BEEF CATTLE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS MICHELLE ARNOLD DVM-Ruminant Extension Veterinarian, University of Kentucky

Johne’s (pronounced Yo-knees) Disease is a chronic, fatal disease characterized by profuse, watery diarrhea and weight loss or “wasting” in adult cattle (see Figure 1). Although it is a disease of mature animals, the infection most often begins when newborn calves nurse manurecovered teats contaminated with the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, commonly referred to as “MAP”. The major problem with MAP infection in cattle is that the disease remains hidden because diarrhea and weight loss do not develop until 2-7 years after infection. However, the infected animal will release or “shed” the bacteria during this “silent phase”, contaminating the environment and allowing more calves to become infected. (Please see the July 2019 issue of Cow Country News for detailed information about Johne’s Disease). Control of the disease is based on three basic steps: 1) identify and cull MAP-infected cattle; 2) prevent exposure of young, susceptible calves to the bacteria; and 3) prevent entry of infected animals into the herd. What is the best way to proceed after learning Johne’s disease is in the herd? Once a diagnosis of Johne’s disease is made, it is important to understand that for every clinical (sick) cow with Johne’s in a herd, there may be 10-20 more who are infected but not yet showing signs (subclinical) because of the long (2-7 year) incubation period. The first step is to work with a veterinarian to devise a plan of attack to find MAP-infected cattle based on the goals for the cattle operation. If selling seed stock, the goal should be to classify as test-negative or work towards it as quickly as possible. Commercial operations may opt to reduce the infected animals in the herd gradually through testing and management. Remember that herd testing is done on healthy-appearing animals so decisions should be made in advance on how a positive result will be handled. If no changes will be instituted, 28

then testing is a waste of time and money. What tests are available to detect animals infected with MAP bacteria before they develop diarrhea and weight loss? There are basically two options for testing: 1) MAP bacteria detection in feces and 2) antibody detection in blood (serum) or milk. Typically, antibodies in blood are produced by the infected animal after shedding of the bacteria in the feces begins so fecal tests will be positive earlier than blood tests. Both tests become more accurate as the disease progresses towards the clinical stage of diarrhea and weight loss. At what age should testing begin? Due to the biology of MAP infection, only adult cattle (18 months and older) produce the targets needed by diagnostic tests. Although calves are infected while very young, they rarely release/ shed the bacteria in feces, nor do they produce antibody at a young age. It is recommended that diagnostic tests be used in animals at least 18 months old and generally recommend testing to begin after 2 years of age. What is the recommended herd testing approach for seed stock operators? Seed stock operators or any farming enterprise selling livestock for breeding (including farms that sell replacement heifers) are strongly encouraged to enter a rigorous testing program to eradicate the disease if Johne’s has been identified. MAP-infected cattle are not suitable as breeding livestock because they will have a shortened herd life and will likely transmit the disease to the buyer’s herd. The recommended approach is to submit individual fecal samples for testing (Johne’s fecal PCR test at a veterinary diagnostic lab) on all cattle 18 months and older with all positive animals either culled or segregated well away from the main herd until culled. This should be repeated annually until three negative tests are achieved on the herd. Be

Figure 1: Cow with signs of Johne’s disease; dull hair coat, profuse watery diarrhea and weight loss. Photo used with permission from Dr. Amy Jennings, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland. aware that this is expensive but the most accurate method to detect infected cattle. The goal of seed stock operators with no confirmed cases of Johne’s disease should be to remain MAP-free. This is best accomplished by either maintaining a closed herd which breeds its own replacements and/or trying to insure any purchased cattle (including bulls) come from Johne’s certified herds. Entry in the Voluntary Bovine Johne’s Disease Control Program is recommended in order to show potential buyers a certified level of low risk for MAP infection.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

What is the recommended herd testing approach for commercial cow/calf operators? Commercial herd testing depends on the goals for the operation and the resources available. The whole herd may undergo screening at once or subsets based on likelihood of infection or convenience. The overarching goal is to identify and cull “super shedders” (animals releasing millions of MAP organisms in the environment daily) because they can infect many animals. Additionally, identification of animals early in the disease process

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(but not shedding many bacteria) allows segregation into test (+) and test (-) herds to avoid further spread of the disease. Herd screening with the blood test on all cattle over two years of age is inexpensive and designed for rapid testing of large numbers of samples. If using the blood pregnancy test, it may be run on the same blood sample. The test is not perfect; if the result is negative, it may simply mean the infected animal is not yet producing antibodies to the infection. False positive results may also occur, especially in herds where few animals are infected. Herd screening with fecal PCR on all cattle over 2 years of age is fast and also gives a good approximation of the amount of fecal shedding but is expensive. Certain labs will pool fecal samples in groups of 5 to cut down on cost. However, if the pool is positive, all 5 samples are re-tested individually. Samples are easily collected when palpating or using ultrasound for pregnancy detection. The most economical overall approach is to blood test the herd first then confirm all suspect and positive blood results by submitting a follow-up fecal sample for PCR. Which animals in the herd are at highest risk of infection? Targeted testing of groups of cattle considered to be at highest risk of infection is sometimes preferable to reduce the time and expense involved in whole herd testing. This high risk group includes: • All clinically ill (thin or with chronic diarrhea) cattle; • Any replacement heifers born to known Johne’s-infected cows; • Any dam of a MAP-infected animal; • Cattle who were born in the same calving season and in same pasture as an infected animal; • All calves born after the purchase and addition of a Johne’s positive animal to the herd; • Animals purchased from one source at the same time as a MAP-infected animal; • All purchased animals with no record of testing or disease history from the farm where the animals were born. What test should be used before buying or leasing an animal? From the buyer’s perspective, a record of negative test results from the herd of origin maximizes the chances the

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

purchased animal is not MAP-infected. However, if this is not available, both a fecal sample and blood sample should be submitted and negative results received on both tests before adding the newly purchased animal to the herd. Annual testing with feces and/or blood is advised, especially if no history is available from the farm of origin. Is herd testing all that is needed to get rid of Johne’s in the herd? Johne’s disease control programs in beef cow-calf herds are based on testing and removing positive cattle from the herd and implementing management practices aimed at preventing calves from coming into contact with MAP-contaminated feces from adult cattle. Cattle with diarrhea and weight loss and those identified as being test positive must be separated from young calves and animals intended for breeding as soon as is practically possible. Johne’s positive cows in late pregnancy or raising a calf can be kept separate from the rest of the herd until the calf is weaned in dedicated isolation facilities (field or stall) that should not be used for grazing or housing other livestock. Following weaning, cows that have tested positive should be removed from the herd and sold to slaughter and their offspring should not be retained for breeding or sold as breeding animals. Offspring from cases that have already entered the breeding herd should be tested yearly. Preventing exposure of calves to feces from infectious animals play a major role in the control of Johne’s disease. Keep perinatal cows (those ready to calve, those in the process of calving and those that have just calved) in as clean an environment as possible, limiting fecal contamination of the flanks, legs, udders and teats. If calving in a barn or stall, remove the dam and calf as soon as possible from the calving area and change the bedding frequently. Another option is to run completely separate ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ herds, using only the clean herd to breed replacements from and gradually culling out the dirty herd. Biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of MAP should also be a key element in Johne’s disease control. The MAP organism is known to be extremely persistent in nature, with survival in manure and damp environments reported for up to a year or more. Therefore, manure is best spread on agricultural land (hay or crop ground) rather than pasture. Where this is not possible, there should be a gap (preferably of at least 12 months)

between spreading manure on pasture and using it for grazing calves. Fecal contamination of feed and water sources can be reduced by providing city water for grazing cattle where possible, fencing ponds and streams, raising feed and water troughs off the ground, and using separate equipment for handling feed and manure. The involvement of wildlife such as deer or rabbits in the transmission of Johne’s disease is suspected but not proven conclusively. This could have important implications for the control of the disease since livestock pastures can have high levels of fecal contamination from these animals. What does the future of Johne’s control look like? Although there is a vaccine for Johne’s, it does not prevent infection but it can decrease fecal shedding and slow disease progression. It is available on an extremely limited basis in the US because it interferes with TB test results and is unlikely to gain further approval. In the future, genetic testing may be used to select animals more resistant to MAP infection although the science is in its infancy. For now, testing and management to prevent transmission of MAP bacteria from adults to young stock are the best tools available for Johne’s disease control.

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Catalogs or more information available by contacting Tim Dievert.

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CKAA LADIES DAY 2019 SALE September 14, 2019 CKAA Sales Pavilion Danville, KY See ad on page 9 CKAA 59TH ANNUAL FALL HEIFER SALE November 9, 2019 CKAA Sale Pavilion Danville, KY Contact Tim now regarding entry information for this sale.

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FEATURE

WESTERN KENTUCKY SUMMER FORAGE TOUR TO FEATURE FARM REVITALIZATION Katie Pratt, University of Kentucky Participants who attend the University of Kentucky’s summer forage tour will see a farm revitalization in progress in Ohio County. The event is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at the D and D Farm in Horse Branch. Farm owners Bub and Lakayah Daugherty purchased the cattle operation in 2013 but quickly ran into productivity issues with unreliable sources for forages and water, particularly during the summer. Determined to do things differently from past generations, they began implementing new technologies on the farm that allowed them to improve their grazing program and have a reliable water source. They worked closely with their local office of the Natural Resource Conservation Service to return crop land to pasture, install automatic waterers and temporary fencing, and renovate pastures with orchardgrass and clover. They also attended the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Kentucky Grazing Schools, which offered ideas on how they can move toward yearround grazing. Tour attendees will tour the operation and see the improvements already in place and changes that currently are occurring. They also will have the opportunity to talk with the Daughertys

about their future plans for the farm. “We at the UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence want to offer our producers as many interactive experiences as possible,” said Chris Teutsch, UK forage extension on specialist. “We encourage participants to come ready with questions and be prepared for a frank and open discussion about various approaches to restoring the productivity of neglected farms.” Some of the tour topics include watering systems for controlled grazing, novel endophyte tall fescue and building soil fertility with poultry litter. The tour costs $10 per person at the door. It will occur rain or shine. D and D Farm is located at 50 Fox Hunters Road, Horse Branch, KY 42349. For more information on the tour, including directions to the farm, visit the UK forage extension website at http:// forages.ca.uky.edu or contact Rehanon Pampell, UK master grazer coordinator, at rehanon.pampell@uky.edu. In addition to UK, tour sponsors include the Kentucky and Forage Grassland Council, NRCS, Kentucky Beef Network, Corteva Agriscience, Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and the Kentucky Master Grazer Educational Program.

Tour participants will have the opportunity to speak with Bub and Lakayah Daugherty about their current and future farm revitalization efforts

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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FEATURE

SECRETARY PERDUE STATEMENT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S PROPOSED H2A MODERNIZED RULE

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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement on the Department of Labor’s proposed rule to modernize the H-2A program to reflect stakeholder concerns and improve access to a legal source of agricultural labor: “President Trump once again shows his commitment to helping America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers continue to be the most productive in the world by increasing their access to a stable and legal workforce. The proposed rule will increase access to a reliable legal agricultural workforce, easing unnecessary burdens on farmers, increase enforcement against fraud and abuse, all while maintaining protections for America’s workers. When this rule goes into effect, our farmers will be released from unnecessary and burdensome regulations allowing them to do what they do best.” To learn more visit https://www. foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/ Danny Miller and Trent Miller 4850 Caldwell Ridge Rd., Knifley, KY 42753 270-465-6984 270-566-2694 Danny cell 270-566-2000 Trent cell jmsfarm@msn.com www.jmsvictordomino.com

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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FEATURE

INCLUDING BEEF IN HEALTHY DIETS IS A SMART APPROACH TO HEALTHY LIFESTYLES CATTLE PRODUCERS WEIGH IN ON THE DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, told members of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) in oral comments that an overwhelming body of scientific evidence shows that healthy diets including red meat, like beef, support optimal health and well-being. “Beef is a high-quality protein powerhouse providing a unique combination of bioavailable iron, zinc and B vitamins essential to building and maintaining strength from infancy through our later years,” said Shalene McNeill, PhD, RD, NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Research. NCBA also emphasized to the committee 32

that beef is rich in nostalgia and nutrients and has been enjoyed for centuries and continues to be part of most Americans’ diets, traditions and celebrations. Beef nourishes bodies and minds and optimizes health at every stage of life. As more Americans are overweight, it is important to make every calorie count. Calorie for calorie, no other protein food delivers the same package of 10 essential nutrients. Today’s beef is leaner than ever before and Americans’ consumption of calories and fat from beef have declined. “As a registered dietitian, nutrition scientist and advocate for healthy eating, it’s important for people who include beef as a source of nourishment and satisfaction in a healthy diet to know that

the best science available today continues to reinforce this is a smart approach for a healthy lifestyle,” McNeill said. Jointly updated every five years by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the DGAs serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy. During this process, a group of experts in the fields of nutrition and health are appointed to the DGAC. These individuals are tasked with reviewing the latest nutrition research to make sciencebased recommendations to HHS and USDA on the food and beverages that promote a healthy, balanced diet. Providing oral comment is an important part of the DGA process. On behalf of

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

beef farmers and ranchers, NCBA, a contractor to the to the Beef Checkoff, an industry research and promotion program that utilized scientific evidence as the basis for its information, urges the DGAC to systematically review the totality of scientific evidence, using best practices that are thorough, transparent and relevant when making decisions that will ultimately result in nutritional policies that can measurably improve the health of Americans. Learn more about beef’s nutrient-rich profile and find ways to incorporate the mouthwatering, high-quality protein into your healthy lifestyle at BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

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PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM State and National Beef Promotion and Research Programs Information is required by 7 CRF 1260.201. Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential per 7 CRF 1260.203.

TODAY’S DATE

ID NUMBER (IF KNOWN)

SELLER’S NAME

BUYER’S NAME

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

ZIP

CITY

SELLER’S SIGNATURE

STATE

ZIP

BUYER’S SIGNATURE

Both the seller and the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Kentucky Beef Council. DATE OF SALE

STATE OF ORIGIN*

TOTAL NUMBER OF CATTLE SOLD

$1.OO per Head Federal Checkoff

$1.OO per Head State Checkoff

Total Checkoff Payment for Federal and State

PERSON REMITTING FORM

+ =

BUYER

SELLER

PHONE

*If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.

Send Report and Remittance to: Kentucky Beef Council 176 Pasadena Drive Lexington, KY 40503 For additional information: call 859-278-0899 or email beef@kycattle.org According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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Watch for Blue Grass Heifer Sales coming October—December! New Commission Schedule Now In Effect! 30 head feeders on ticket $20 per head

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Sullivan Charolais

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Richmond Tuesday, December 10, 2019—6:00 PM For more information or to schedule your cattle, call the barn at 859-623-1280. Lexington Wednesday, December 11, 2019—5:30 PM For more information or to schedule your cattle, call the barn at 859-255-7701.

bgstockyards.com 34

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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FEATURE

UK RESEARCH SHOWS PROMISE IN LOWERING TOBACCO TSNA LEVELS Katie Pratt, University of Kentucky University of Kentucky researchers have found that tobacco producers may be able to significantly lower carcinogen levels in their plants by switching their fertilizer. Andrea Keeney, UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment graduate student, found that fertilizing plants with potassium chloride instead of the traditionally used potassium sulfate resulted in significant reductions in tobacco-specific nitrosamines, known by the acronym TSNA and one of the most important groups of carcinogens. Growers typically do not use potassium chloride, because chloride has had a tendency to affect curing, resulting in

poor quality tobacco. Kentucky fertilizer law also limits the amount of potassium fertilizer that producers can apply to tobacco. Under the advisement of Andy Bailey, UK dark tobacco extension specialist, and with funding from the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Keeney began conducting her study in dark tobacco research plots in 2016 at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton. With results showing promise within the first year, her project expanded to include burley and additional research plots in Murray and Lexington for the next two growing seasons. All plots had varying rates of potassium chloride that ranged from 100 to 300 pounds per acre.

“Every trial where we used potassium chloride had lower TSNA levels, and nine of the 12 trials had statistically significant reductions in TSNA levels,” Keeney said. “On average, we saw a 30% decrease in TSNA levels with the potassium chloride treatment.” The study also showed a 34% average reduction in the nicotine-derived nitrosamine, NNN. Plants in Keeney’s research project had minimal quality issues. “This has been one of the most consistent things that we have ever seen to reduce TSNA levels,” Bailey said. “We were also really surprised that there are no quality issues that we could detect.”

In addition to lowering TSNA levels, potassium chloride is a cheaper fertilizer source, in some cases between one-third to one-half of the cost of potassium sulfate. A daughter of a tobacco farmer from Nancy, the promising results were particularly meaningful for Keeney. “Finding a technologically achievable way to reduce TSNAs in tobacco that also could save farmers money in the process is a great outcome for everyone,” she said. Research may advance to commercial growers who contract with R.J. Reynolds in the future.

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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Director of Breed Improvement. With more Angus influenced cattle qualifying for the Certified Angus Beef ® brand than ever before, it’s clear that the Angus bull has become America’s bull. He sires calving ease, growth and superior marbling. He works well in any environment, and on any cow, regardless of breed. Make sure that America’s bull serves as your director of herd improvement. Angus. America’s breed. Go to www.Angus.org/businessbreed or call 816.383.5100 to learn more.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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FEATURE

VACCINE INVESTIGATORS USE BACTERIUM’S OWN PROTEIN AGAINST IT

PINK IS FOR COTTON CANDY – NOT EYES... this

We got

Jan Suszkiw, Agricultural Research Service

A team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists is investigating a new “ingredient” for use in vaccinating cattle against Johne’s disease, a chronic wasting affliction that costs the U.S. dairy industry more than $200 million per year. The ingredient in question is a type of protein on the surface of the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), which causes Johne’s disease. The researchers found that the protein, dubbed 35 kDa membrane peptide, helps the bacterium invade epithelial cells lining the cow’s small intestine, thickening it and blocking the uptake of nutrients from feed or forage. This can lead to diarrhea, weight loss, diminished milk production and sometimes death. Calves are especially vulnerable and if their mothers are infected, they can acquire the bacterium from the colostrum of their mothers. Adult animals typically become infected after grazing on forage or pasture areas where MAP has been excreted or “shed” in feces. Vaccinating the animals with dead MAP cells can prevent such fecal shedding; however, this process can also generate misleading results called false-positives when vaccinated cattle are tested for bovine tuberculosis, a disease caused by a close relative of the bacterium. An alternative approach could come from vaccinating the animals with specific pieces of MAP rather than using the entire bacterium, notes John Bannantine, a microbiologist with the

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

ARS National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. Toward that end, he and colleagues from Washington State University and Inje University in Gimhae, South Korea, devised a new laboratory procedure called an ex vivo bacterium viability assay. Using it, they evaluated the peptide’s potential as a vaccine through its ability to mobilize certain immune system cells in blood samples drawn from infected cattle rather than using the animals themselves. The results, among others reported in the May 2019 issue of Vaccine, showed that the peptide helps prime immune cells called cytotoxic CD8 T cells to seek out infected cells and kill MAP bacteria present within them. There is no haven from cytotoxic T cells, adds Bannantine, with the ARS center’s Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit. Upcoming studies will focus on ways to formulate and deliver the peptide. Once there is a successful formulation, they will conduct cattle vaccine trials. Ultimately, the research could open the door to a new way of preventing Johne’s disease without interference with bovine tuberculosis tests. The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact..

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FEATURE

THE WHY, WHAT AND HOW OF OVERSEEDING ANNUAL CROPS IN PERENNIAL PASTURES James Locke, Soils and Crops Consultant, Noble Foundation

Overseeding annual crops into perennial pastures is a well-accepted and viable practice. However, there are several things to consider before you start. Your answers to the why, what and how questions below will guide you to the best fit for your operation. Why: What is the goal of the overseeded crop? We overseed other crops into perennial pasture crops for many reasons. The two most common goals are: 1.

Extending the grazing season by adding an annual crop that grows in an alternative season to the perennial crop.

2. Overseeding legumes to add nitrogen to the soil for perennial forage growth. Overseeding also can be used for: •

Improving overall forage quality by adding a higher quality annual, such as an annual clover, to a lower quality perennial, such as toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue.

•

Increasing soil organic matter to

increase water-holding capacity. •

Adding biological diversity to a monoculture system.

•

Improving soil health by adding living roots to soil year-round.

All of these fit hand-in-glove with the sustainable, or regenerative, agricultural management systems being promoted today. White clover overseeded into a bermudagrass pasture. What: Into what perennial forage crop will you be overseeding? Is the perennial forage warm-season, such as bermudagrass or Bahiagrass? Or a cool-season forage, such as tall fescue, orchardgrass or wheatgrass? While we want to reap the benefits of an overseeded crop, we don’t want to damage the primary crop. For instance, a common practice is to overseed annual ryegrass in bermudagrass pastures. This can be a very beneficial, but if the ryegrass is not grazed or hayed off, it can severely compete with, or even smother out, the bermudagrass.

How: Which planting method will best establish the overseeded crop? The most important key to establishing any seeded crop is getting good seed-tosoil contact. A very close second is having the seed placed at a depth where it can germinate and emerge with enough energy to establish and thrive. If seed is planted too deep, it either may use all its energy reserves before emergence, die soon after emergence, or have its production significantly delayed or reduced. Here are planting method options for overseeded crops, with their pros and cons: The only way to ensure any consistency in planting depth or seed-to-soil contact is to use a properly calibrated planter, usually a no-till drill, for planting into a perennial sod. In order to get good seedto-soil contact and the right depth, you need to be able to get the seed to the soil, which requires that the perennial forage crop has been managed well. Managing the forage residual is often as much an art as a science. Methods include grazing, haying or

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

mowing to the desired stubble height, or chemical frosting the primary forage. Chemical frosting is using a low rate of herbicide, usually glyphosate, to mimic a light freeze on the primary perennial forage. This allows the overseeded crops to establish with less competition from the primary forage. Another seeding option is broadcasting seed and allowing livestock to trample it in. While this option can be successful, it offers the least control over planting depth and soil contact. This option works best with species that are best adapted to very shallow plantings. A final option is planting green, which means planting into the perennial forage without manipulating that forage. While green planting can be successful, expect that production from the overseeded forage will be significantly delayed and reduced. These are just a few of the things to consider before overseeding into a perennial pasture. The more you consider the why, what and how for your operation, the higher your odds of success.

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FEATURE

THE DELICATE ART OF WEANING CALVES WEANING CALVES CAN BE A TRAUMATIC EVENT FOR CALVES, BUT IF DONE CORRECTLY, CAN BE A LUCRATIVE MANAGEMENT TOOL. Dr. John Comerford, Penn State Extension Beef Specialist The most traumatic experience for cowcalf producers is when they wean their calves-and it is not real great for the calves, either. For the producer, it is about payday for the calf business. For the calf, it is the beginning of a series of tough, and sometimes lethal, events. Losing Mom, vaccinations, new feed, new places to find water, transportation, and commingling with new cattle are all sources of stress to the newly-weaned calf, and they are additive in nature. We often see the value of preconditioned and weaned calves be significantly higher than auction calves that were often weaned on the way to the sale barn. The reason is the calf has adapted to weaning and is ready to eat and perform more quickly and with less potential for

disease. Weaning Methods The typical weaning method is to sort all the calves from the cows, shut the calves up in a barn, move the cows as far away as possible, and then put up with the bawling for a few days. What happens if we reverse this picture? Breaking the dam-young bond may be the most important factor in weaning. Weaned calves placed in a group will quickly bond to other calves if the dam is removed. A 2003 Penn State study showed this period of adaptation can be influenced by leaving dams within hearing of the newly weaned calf. Calves left within hearing of their dams developed new bonds with fewer signs of

distress by 3 days after weaning, while calves removed from hearing of their dam took an average of 6 days to show reduced signs of distress. In this case, we may want to consider putting the cows in the barn drylot and leaving the calves in the pasture. Fenceline weaning is a variation where cows and calves have both visual and hearing contact with the dam. The first consideration is fencing. Fencing should, of course, be substantial enough to prevent the calves from nursing and keep the cows and calves separated. One method to ease the distress for calves in fenceline weaning is to pasture the cows and calves together in the pasture where the calves will be after weaning for a few days. This allows the calves to

find water and feed more easily. If this is not possible, put a yearling heifer or a dry cow in the pasture with the calves to help lead them to feed and water. Since there should be some return for weaning calves prior to marketing, it is important they gain some weight during the weaning period. Obviously, feed intake is not a high priority at weaning. For pasture-based weaning, this means the forage must be plentiful and be high quality. Additional supplements can be added to increase weight gain, but they should be limited to 1% of the bodyweight or less to be efficiently used. Can fenceline weaning actually increase weaning weight and gain? The following results from an Oklahoma test show it is possible.

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

ITEM

FENCE-LINE

TRADITIONAL

Number of calves

Avg. weight (lbs) Beginning

476

481

As long as they do not get sick, traditionally-weaned calves will usually catch up to their fenceline counterparts if given enough time. However, as in the above case, having 3 of 10 calves get sick is enough reason to consider alternative weaning methods. Market Access

Avg. weight (lbs) Ending

511

501

Days to 1% Consumption

Daily Consumption(lbs/head): Supplement

4.63

4.74

Daily Consumption (lbs/head): hay

3.04

8.50

Morbidity (%)

3.3

Mortality (%)

WHITLEY AND SHANKLES, 2003.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

There is substantial evidence to show transported, weaned calves will perform better and with less sickness in the feedlot compared to unweaned calves. A combination of weaning with a vaccination program will allow many producers to gain access to preconditioned calf markets. It is important that access to a marketing program be available before considering marketing preconditioned calves. Feedlots and backgrounding operations will discount the value of calves in small groups because of the cost of transportation. Therefore, a producer with less than 40,000 lbs. of uniform calves will usually not get optimum returns for preconditioning calves. Pennsylvania and other states in the Northeast have cooperative

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

marketing programs that allow small producers to gain access to higher-value preconditioned calf markets, and this association will be essential in recovering costs and gaining a premium value for weaned and vaccinated calves. A second marketing option available for the weaned calf is from retained ownership of the calf. Current market conditions and feed costs favor feeding larger cattle for a shorter period of time in the feedlot, so demand for larger and older cattle has the potential to increase. To capture the added value of the larger feeder calf, producers will need to have a management plan that includes weaning. As long as forage is available, retaining ownership will allow the owner to gain flexibility for the date of sale, and to take advantage of sporadic changes in markets caused by grain and cattle prices. Weaning is still a traumatic event for calves and people, but it can be a lucrative management tool as well. Non-traditional weaning and marketing methods are needed to get the best returns to the enterprise.

FEATURE

PREGNANCY DETERMINATION IN CATTLE Jonathan Statham , MA, VetMB, DCHP, MRCVS, Bishopton Veterinary Group Pregnancy determination is recommended to maximize breeding efficiency. In beef herds, the breeding season (natural service or AI) is ideally fixed at a length of 60–70 days. This gives the average cow two or three services to conceive. Cows that are not pregnant or were bred late should be identified; if kept in the herd, they will calve later in the season. Maintenance costs are significant, although they vary widely by farm and by year. Pregnancy determination of beef cows should be done shortly after the breeding season is over (eg, 45–60 days); if the breeding season starts June 1 and ends early in August, it can be done during late September while the cows still have

plenty of flesh from summer pasture. It is then possible to profitably market nonpregnant cows before expensive winter feeding starts. When excessive returns are noted or bull performance issues are suspected, early pregnancy determination by ultrasound 50 days after the start of the breeding season can be invaluable. A target of 65% of cows should be pregnant to the first cycle in beef herds, and so by 50 days this can be measured as pregnancy determination success 30 days after breeding. Supplementary AI or new bull power can be implemented with poor success, alongside further investigation. Dairy cows should be examined to determine their pregnancy status and

if found open can be synchronized into estrus with prostaglandin F2α, or timed AI. In cows that are open or that have not been detected in heat, the decision on which hormones to use to induce estrus is based on evaluating the ovaries for CL, follicles, and ovarian cysts. The most common method to determine pregnancy and evaluate ovaries is transrectal palpation and, increasingly, the use of ultrasonography. Ultrasonography may have the following advantages: 1) Nonpregnant cows can be found earlier (28–32 days after breeding), and diagnostic information on the status of the ovaries and uterus can be obtained. 2) The viability of the embryo or fetus can be assessed, eg, by visualization of

a fetal heart beat. 3) Twins are more readily detected. 4) Sex of the fetus can be determined. 5) Age of the conceptus can be estimated more accurately. 6) The producer can be shown the conceptus, which could be reassuring in herd cases of embryonic losses. Other herd health examinations should be considered while the cows are being checked for pregnancy. These include an accurate evaluation of body condition, the reproductive tract, teats and udder, feet and legs, teeth, and early neoplastic eye lesions. Vaccinations, internal and external parasite control, and processing of beef calves also can be done at this time.

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

FEATURE

greater than 21-24 months 33cm, greater than 24 months 34 cm.

BULL BREEDING SOUNDNESS EVALUATION

Sperm motility. Ensures that the bull is producing sufficient numbers of live motile sperm. Bulls must have at least 30 percent progressively motile spermatozoa to pass a BSE.

Lew Strickland , DVM, DACT, University of Tennessee

Sperm morphology. Ensures that the bull is producing sperm that are properly shaped and capable of fertilization. Bulls must produce at least 70 percent normal sperm out of a count of 100 to pass a BSE.

Are your bulls fit for service? Failure to properly evaluate bulls prior to and during the breeding season can result in huge economic losses, yet it is estimated that only about 10% of beef bulls in the nation undergo a bull breeding soundness evaluation. A bull’s fertility can be considered fertile, sub-fertile or sterile. Sub-fertile bulls may eventually get cows pregnant, but they will take much longer than fertile bulls to settle a group of cows. The result is that sub-fertile bulls produce fewer calves and a poorly matched group of calves that are born later, and are therefore younger and lighter at weaning. In either situation, sub-fertile bulls produce fewer pounds of beef per exposed cow, affecting the economic profitability of a cow-calf operation. A bull breeding soundness evaluation

(BSE) is a uniform method of assessing a bull’s likelihood of establishing pregnancy in an appropriate number of open, healthy, cycling cows or heifers in a defined breeding season. A bull BSE includes the following four components: Physical exam. Evaluates the physical characteristics of a bull necessary for mobility in the pasture, structural soundness, and overall internal and external reproductive tract development. Scrotal circumference. Evaluates testicular size and health, as well as estimating the bull’s sperm-producing capacity. Bulls must meet minimum scrotal circumference measurements based on age in order to pass a BSE. The required measurements are less than or equal to 15 months 30 cm, greater than 15-18 months 31 cm, greater than 18-21 months 32 cm,

The recommended minimum requirements for scrotal circumference, sperm motility and sperm morphology are outlined by the Society for Theriogenology (therio. org). Additional factors influencing the number of cows a bull can breed in a season include pasture size and terrain, physical soundness, age of the bull, libido, number of bulls in the group, etc. Based on the results of the BSE, a bull is then assigned to one of three classifications: Satisfactory potential breeder (fertile). This classification indicates that the bull: Passed a physical exam, met the minimum requirements for scrotal circumference, has at least 30 percent sperm motility, produces at least 70 percent normal sperm.

Unsatisfactory potential breeder (sub-fertile or sterile). The bull did not pass at least one of the four components of the BSE. This does not mean this bull cannot impregnate cows. It means that this bull will not efficiently breed cows, and it is not recommended to use these bulls. Deferred. The bull did not pass at least one of the four components of the BSE due to a condition that may resolve with time or treatment. A “deferred” bull should be rechecked at a later date recommended by the examining veterinarian. A BSE does not evaluate a bull’s libido, nor does it ensure that a bull will remain a satisfactory potential breeder the entire breeding season. An injury to a bull’s hooves, legs or reproductive tract may render a bull incapable of breeding your cows. Therefore, it is still extremely important to observe your bulls regularly to ensure they are doing their job. A BSE also does not guarantee that bulls are free of infectious diseases, so consult with your veterinarian on what diagnostic tests may or may not be appropriate for your bull(s). The extra pounds of beef per exposed cow will more than pay for the BSE, so contact your veterinarian for a bull BSE prior to the next breeding season.

HEARTLAND HIGHLAND CATTLE ASSOCIATION & REGISTRY REGISTRATION FOR HIGHLAND CATTLE Interested in a Heritage Breed? Research Highland Cattle! For a Free Informational Packet, email or phone heartlandhighlandcattle@gmail.com www.heartlandhighlandcattleassociation.org/registry Info to register Highland Cattle, email: hhcaregistry@gmail.com call: 417.345.0575 text: 417.733.3201 44

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

FEATURE

COMMUNITY GARDEN PROVIDES FRESH PRODUCE TO THOSE IN NEED Katie Pratt, University of Kentucky A community garden in a south central Kentucky town provides access to fresh produce for low-income residents.

is an abundance of fresh produce in our community, and people just don’t know how to use it.”

The G-town Soul Swales garden in Glasgow is a project of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, whose agents help plant, harvest and maintain the garden with a wide assortment of community volunteers. LaToya Drake, Barren County family and consumer sciences extension agent, actually began working on the garden four years ago through a local group called the Greentoppers before becoming an extension agent.

After she joined extension, Drake partnered with Andrea Stith, Barren County horticulture agent, and Josh Jackson, Barren County farmers market manager and fellow Greentoppers member to continue her work on the garden. They shared a passion for giving back to their community and educating young people about where their food comes from.

“I’m really excited to be the FCS agent, so I can show people how to use fresh produce, because we are starving with food in both hands,” Drake said. “There are farms all around us. There

“I hate when I ask them where their food comes from, and they say the refrigerator or the grocery store,” Stith said. “I always try to make that connection back to our farmers. When you get kids out here, and they are actually growing something, then they feel a little more pride and may

even try something that they have never tried before.” The half-acre garden, which is located at the Ralph Bunche Community Center, was built using a permaculture swale system because, with no nearby water source, the system allows rainwater to permeate the ground where it’s needed. The garden includes a variety of produce and herbs including blueberries, asparagus, blackberries, raspberries, lemon balm and oregano. The garden is available to anyone in the community. As the produce ripens, Drake alerts the local housing authority so they can contact their clients. They also share produce with the soup kitchen that operates four days a week in the Bunche Center. Grace Lowe, 17, and her brother Paul

Lowe, 11, have been faithful volunteers in the garden for the past year, with Grace working in the garden each week. Both became involved with the garden through the local Leos club, with Grace even organizing a fundraiser through the club to purchase a mower for the garden. “Glasgow has a large population of people who are food insecure, and this is a good way for them to get food super cheap,” Grace Lowe said. “It’s fun to help people in need,” Paul Lowe added. UK Cooperative Extension Service is part of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, which is dedicated to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research and outreach.

Minerich Land and Cattle is offering a tremendous opportunity to progressive cattle breeders.

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We have 80 Fall Bred 2nd calvers, 3rd calvers and 4th calvers for sale immediately. These LimFlex and Limousin inﬂuence females can be sorted into any size group the buyer desires, from 10 to 40. The Fall Bred females are bred to calving ease bulls, pregnancy checked and will start calving around Sept. 5th. Priced to sell, these cattle are all farm raised and farm fresh. Contact Bob Minerich for details or better yet, stop by and look them over, you won’t be disappointed. Bob and Gwen Minerich, Owners (859) 582-6888, Bob’s Cell 2003 Barnes Mill Rd • Richmond, KY 40475 Ofﬁce (859) 328-7118 Mark Smith, Cattle Consultant (515) 229-5227

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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IS YOUR VACCINE HIDING SOMETHING?

Neal Branscum Beef Cattle, TBM Zoetis (606) 872-5395

The last thing you want is something sneaking into your herd. BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT® is the only combination vaccine that prevents three important BRD conditions while also providing the highest available protection against Mannheimia haemolytica. That’s something Pyramid® 5 + Presponse® SQ and Vista® Once SQ can’t claim. So use BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT and get complete calf protection that’s both convenient and uncompromised. Contact your Zoetis representative or visit UncompromisedProtection.com to save yourself a herd of problems. All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted. Pyramid® and Presponse® are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Vista® is the registered trademark of Intervet Inc. or an affiliate. © 2017 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved. BSO-00025

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

MEMBERSHIP

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Nikki Whitaker

The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association is proud to have over 10,000 members across the state. The dedication of the past and current KCA members is the reason that the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association is widely known and respected. Hear from some of our members on why they are a member of KCA and learn a little about their operation and their county.

JOE LOWE – Warren County

JON BEDNARSKI – Oldham County We are a first-generation farming family. We started raising cattle in 2005 with a goal to direct market beef in the Metro Louisville Area. Tell us about your local Cattlemen’s Association and some of the things you all do on a county level. Oldham County Cattlemen’s Association is a small group but is definitely committed to the county. Being a bedroom community to Louisville, we have a very diverse population. We have cooked at a number of local events, but have also cooked beef at a children’s summer program in Louisville’s West End. We have also provided money to our County’s Animal Shelter along with funding from the KY Cattlemen’s Foundation. Tell us why you are a member of KCA. As a beginning farmer the educational and networking opportunities KCA provides have been critical to our success in raising and direct marketing our beef. KCA provides us with current information and trends in the beef industry which allows us to make informed decisions. 48

I am the 8th generation to work full time in the beef industry in South Central Kentucky. I work with my father in Warren County raising Angus seedstock. We breed 400 registered cows a year and sell about 100 females as top end commercial replacements. We market bulls in both a Spring and Fall sale at our farm each year. Tell us one or two programs that KCA, KBN, or KBC offers that have benefited you or your farm. There are countless resources coming from KCA that benefit me back home. The annual KCA convention and Beef Efficiency Conference give me an opportunity to get off farm for a few days and bring back new ideas and production techniques. That is something I almost never miss. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer in Louisville for the KY Beef Council at consumer events. It is a very rewarding experience to interact with consumers and put a face to the beef they see in the grocery store. Tell us why you are a member of KCA. There is strength in numbers. When you are part of a state organization with over 10,000 members representing a $1 billion industry in your state you have a larger platform to tell your story and participate in the conversation. Through working together, we are able to achieve things in the Kentucky cattle industry we could never do on our own.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

MEMBERSHIP

JEFF PETTIT – Webster County My wife, Michelle and I both owned cattle when we were married in 1990, and now our current operation involves the production of Red Angus commercial and seedstock cattle. We also help manage a leased row crop and timber production on the family farm. Tell us why you chose or why you continue to be a cattle producer. It’s not always easy and it isn’t always profitable, but it is always satisfying to be able to work with livestock and be on the farm. When you love what you do, it’s never a JOB. I can truly say that it is a blessing from God for us to be able to do what we do on a daily basis; we are really just care takers of His creation for a very short period of time. Tell us one or two programs that KCA, KBN, or KBC offers that have benefited you or your farm. Beef Solutions is a great program that has proven that there is a demand for beef that can be identified as a product from within the state of Kentucky. To have a new marketing opportunity that takes a beef product, that can be developed and produced in our state, helps all cattle producers. Tell us why you are a member of KCA. Why would anyone consider not being a KCA member? KCA does so much work for all cattle producers in Kentucky that many take for granted. When you look at the work done with check-off to develop new highly marketable cuts of beef, improving production practices in forage, land and water resource management and developing new markets for Kentucky cattle and beef. Probably in my mind the most important thing KCA does for me is that they look out for me as a producer every day! I can’t always be in Frankfort, KY or Washington, DC when politicians are deciding issues that will impact my operation and KCA along with NCBA are there working hand in hand to protect our family farms across the Commonwealth and the USA! That is some cheap insurance in my mind!

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

PHYLLIS GENTRY – Larue County My husband Danny and I are celebrating 50 years of farming and marriage in August. We have always had a small commercial herd and over the years, have moved into a pure-bred Simmental and Simangus herd. Our children actively showed at county, state, and national shows and we are proud to have a couple of grandchildren that now show on a smaller scale. Tell us why you chose to be or why you continue to be a cattle producer. There is nothing more rewarding than finding that new born calf hidden in the tall grass. It is a pretty nice view from my back yard to watch the herd grazing on the green pasture fields. Seeing those hay barns filling up over the summer is also pretty satisfying. To know that in a small way we are contributing to the feeding of the world is a nice feeling of accomplishment. Tell us one or two programs that KCA, KBN, or KBC offers that have benefited you or your farm. Over the years we have used CPH sales to try to improve our prices at the market. The KBN facilitators have always been helpful with any questions or problems our farm has needed resolving. We have also enjoyed the Master Cattlemen’s classes and the Grazing Schools. Tell us why you are a member of KCA. We are members of KCA for several reasons. The cattle industry is huge in today’s world. It is important to know how to raise the best end product for the market. Today’s consumer is smarter than ever and has many questions about nutrition and food safety. KCA helps us with public knowledge, advertising, the most current regulations, preparing for what is coming next in the industry, and getting the best product on the shelf.

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

MEMBERSHIP

LANNY AND SHERYL BOYD – Christian County

DONNA ROARK – Knox County My husband and I have a small farm with about 75 cattle, a small garden and we also do hay production on leased farms. I was raised on a cattle farm so I have been around cattle all of my life. Seven years ago, I married a cattle farmer and now we are raising our girls on a cattle farm. Tell us why you chose or why you continue to be a cattle producer. I want my girls to be able to experience the same farm life that I grew up loving. There is such a sense of success when you have a calf to warm and feed; and it survives and does well. But it also teaches you life lessons that not everything will make it. My girls, age 2 and 6 months, love being outside and with the cattle. I want them to learn the importance of agriculture, not only on our farm, but the impact it has on the world. Tell us about your local Cattlemen’s Association and some of the great things you all do on a county level. Our Cattlemen’s Association is just getting started with all of the “legal” paperwork, which we just completed during the first part of 2019. We are a new Association, but I believe that it has already been a great asset to our county. We have been having monthly meetings with different guest speakers and I think there have been great discussions at each meeting and several weeks after. I think this group of men and women are looking to improve their cattle production, as well as hoping the others succeed. Tell us why you are a member of KCA. KCA is a great organization that looks out for the cattle producers. They are willing to listen to the concerns of small producers and can get the attention of legislative members and law makers, keeping the cattle industry moving forward.

We are a small cow/calf operation. We started with registered Angus Cattle in 1992. We do our own AI breeding, vaccinating, and wean calves. One year we decided to AI some heifers to a Gelbvieh bull and started a herd of Balancer cattle. We save all of our heifers to increase the size of our herd. Tell us about your local Cattlemen’s Association and some of the great things you all do on a county level. We have been a member of the KCA since the Christian County Cattlemen’s was organized in 1996. Lanny has served for 2 years as local president, he served 3 terms on the KCA Board of Directors, was on the KCA nominating committee for several years, and now serves as secretary/treasurer for our County Association. Sheryl has served 3 years as County President. Our County Association started a rodeo several years ago in order to generate funds for scholarship and we currently award five $2000 scholarships through this. We also grill for several local events which helps to generate funds. Tell us one or two programs that KCA, KBN, or KBC offers that have benefited you or your farm. KCA and KBC have been very instrumental on our research and knowledge. Whether it is how to handle questions and calm fears on a BSE outbreak, to handling issues such as hazards to the environment, animal activists, or political issues that affect farm and family – KCA is there. Tell us why you are a member of KCA. We have been and will continue to be members of KCA. Dave Maples and his staff work very hard for all producers, whether it is a state or federal level. Without this organization, as a small producer, we could not fight the government. KCA is always there to help with problems or just to answer a question. We feel very honored to be a part of this group.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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MEMBERSHIP

TYLER FERGUSON - Johnson County We bought a farm, built our house, and got married in 2008. We started a cow calf operation with 5 cows and we are now up to 40 cows and are at full capacity. We are still looking to grow, as we can lease or purchase more land. We raise black cows, and AI mainly to Simmental bulls. Tell us about your local Cattlemen’s Association and some of the great things you all do on a county level. I am president of our local (Highlands Beef Cattle) association. We are a 6 county association with about 100 members. We offer several educational programs throughout the year for our producers, as well as shared use equipment that is available at no cost to our members. Another benefit of being a member are our two annual field days that we host. In the spring, we host a bull testing day where producers can bring their bulls to have BSE done at a reduced charge. Then in the fall we host a “prep check” day. Dr. Phil Prater from Morehead brings his vet tech class up to ultrasound and cattle that producers want to bring in.

ELAINE THOMAS - Mercer County I live on a farm in Mercer County with my husband Ian and son True. We run a stocker cattle operation along with growing corn, soybeans and hemp in Mercer and Woodford County. Tell us why you chose or why you continue to be a cattle producer. I chose to raise cattle as a way to help diversify our operation. Not all of our ground is suitable for crop production, everything we crop has a cover crop planted on it in the fall providing another opportunity for cattle to graze and to make the best use of our resources.

Tell us one or two programs that KCA, KBN, or KBC offers that have benefited you or your farm. One of the biggest helps I have had on the farm is the IRM program. Dan Miller has been a blessing to help with reproductive management, and assist with labor and teaching. I also find great value in Eden Shale. To be able to see these practices tried out in a real-world application and see how they work and an idea of input cost has been very beneficial to me as a first-generation producer.

Tell us one or two programs that KCA, KBN, or KBC offers that have benefited you or your farm. I feel very fortunate that I was accepted in to the KCA leadership program in 20162017. Through this program I was able to develop skills and confidence that allowed me to speak with legislatures on a state and national level about issues that directly affect my farming operation and way of life. This experience opened my eyes to how much work KCA and NCBA put in to fighting for the cattle producer on issues such as fake meat, ELD exemption for livestock haulers and even the inaccurate perception that many consumers have of producers.

Tell us why you are a member of KCA. I joined KCA first for the information they provide and to learn. Several years in, I now find the biggest value of KCA to be the lobbying efforts to protect interests of the state’s producers. With so many attacks coming at producers, from activists to fake meat, it is refreshing to have an organization who is working hard to see that KY cattle and producers have a frontline of protection.

Tell us why you are a member of KCA. I chose to be a KCA member because they give cattle producers of all herd sizes a voice and an immense amount of resources. If an issue arises that affects the cattle industry in any way, Dave and his staff are on top of it. The association offers a wide range of educational opportunities from herd health to marketing that my operational has personally benefited from. I am proud to be a KCA member.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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MEMBERSHIP

DANNY COOPER – Bracken County

STEVE PEDDICORD – Clinton County

I found my niche as a cattle farmer by raising bucket calves on the family farm during my freshman year of high school. My wife and I bought a small farm 50 years ago when were married. We experimented with several breeds of cattle before settling on the original red and white Simmental.

My wife, Carol and I own and operate Springhaven Farm Inc., a 250 acre cow/calf operation in Clinton County. We have been raising Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle since the farm was purchased in 1990. Initially started as a purebred operation, in recent years have focused more on the Balancer commercial side with the addition of Red Angus and Angus genetics to crossbreed.

Tell us about your local Cattlemen’s Association and some of the great things you all do on a county level. I helped organize our Bracken County Cattlemen’s Association in July 2016 with 27 members and a group of very determined cattle producers. Because of all our efforts and hard work, the membership has grown to nearly 200 at this time. Several local activities we participate in are annual donations to the local animal shelter, our 4-H club, our FFA organization and a scholarship for two college bound seniors. Due to flooding in the Midwest the BCCA made a large donation of money and materials to help alleviate some of their loss. Tell us why you are a member of KCA. KCA gave assistance and offered support individually when organizing the Bracken County Cattlemen’s organization and answering all my questions. I personally thank all those hard-working members of KCA for their help and encouragement. I have attended the last three KCA Conventions and the KCA trip to Washington DC. It’s been quite a rewarding and educational experience.

Tell us one or two programs that KCA, KBN, or KBC offers that have benefited you or your farm. I personally feel the Cow Country News magazine, that all members receive as part of their membership, is the best cattle publication available anywhere. The sharing of knowledge on the part of many specialists, KCA leaders, and people in the beef industry in the publication is interesting and valuable. Tell us why you are a member of KCA. Being a member of KCA and your local association is an important way to stay abreast of current issues involving beef cattle. The benefit of interaction among local members, guest speakers, and UK Extension personnel is rewarding in many ways.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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At the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, we are powered by people. Since 1973, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association has served as a resource for information and education for producers, consumers, and the industry. Our membership is growing and we need you to help us stay strong.

Join or renew your KCA membership today!

(859) 278-0899 COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

MEMBERSHIP DIVISION 3 (UP TO 75 MEMBERS)

Fayette

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FLAHERTY TRACTOR COMPANY, LLC • CORNER OF HIGHWAY 144 & 1816, FLAHERTY, KENTUCKY www.fahertytractorco.com • (270) 828-3173 • (270) 877-2173

Difference

Taylor

Muhlenberg

-2

Webster

Grant

-3

Knox

Pendleton

Out of State

-1

Todd

-4

Nelson

-3

Union

Ohio

-1

Woodford

-2

Hancock

Oldham

-6

2019

2018

Difference

Monroe

157

148

Northern Kentucky

153

149

Daviess

136

132

288

Metcalfe

136

130

329

-27

Franklin

127

122

Fleming

122

105

Highlands

Caldwell-Lyon

116

Carroll

Northeast Area

113

123

-10

Nicholas

Jackson

112

107

Wayne

Scott

105

Lewis

2019

2018

Difference

Barren

492

500

-8

Breckinridge

410

571

-161

Shelby

361

353

Adair

317

Marion

302 276

2018

DIVISION 2 (76-150 MEMBERS)

DIVISION 1 (151+ MEMBERS)

Bath

2019

306

-30

Rockcastle

Twin Lakes

-17

Whitley

-1

Estill

Mason

-25

Montgomery

-8

Madison

265

249

Hart

263

224

Clark

249

217

Lincoln

248

237

Trimble

105

104

Bullitt

Logan

248

286

-38

Trigg

102

106

-4

Clay

Grayson

245

268

-23

Pulaski

101

108

-7

McCreary

Jessamine

214

160

Anderson

109

-13

Simpson

-9

Hardin

194

202

-8

Boyle

Robertson

McLean

Edmonson

-11

Owen

Hopkins

165

Louisville Area

-8

Butler

-7

187

172

Campbell

Christian

178

190

-12

Russell

-10

Larue

172

198

-26

Purchase Area

-6

Warren

166

172

-6

Garrard

-12

Mercer

164

185

-21

Clinton-Cumberland

-5

Bourbon

-10

Mountain

-6

Bracken

193

189

Washington

193

204

Meade

192

Casey

Henry

157

159

-2

Harrison

152

166

-14

Green

151

153

-2

Laurel

148

159

-11

Allen

132

167

-35

2019

Totals as of: July 15, 2019

10733

2018

10861

Difference

-128

If you need anything for membership, please contact Nikki Whitaker at (859) 278-0899 or nwhitaker@kycattle.org 54

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Crittenden

Livingston

Calloway

-5

Menifee

-10

Henderson

Magoffin

Powell

River Hills

-2

Pike

-2

Eastern Foothills

-5

Gallatin

Bell

Harlan

-1

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2018-19 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION * MEMBERSHIP YEAR 10/1/18– 9/30/19

NAME

SPOUSE NAME

FARM NAME

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

COUNTY

RECRUITED BY

PHONE

FAX

ZIP

*Payments of KCA membership dues are tax deductible for most members as an ordinary and necessary business expense. However, charitable contributions of gifts to KCA are not tax deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. Due to new IRS regulations, $2.24 of your dues would not be deductible. Approximately $12 of your dues will go towards the monthly publication Cow Country News. PLEASE CHECK THE MEMBERSHIP(S) YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN: KCA MEMBERSHIP ($30/YR) Membership dues are $30 unless otherwise listed below

NEW

RENEWAL

NEW

RENEWAL

KCA COUPLE MEMBERSHIP To add your spouse, please add $15 to your KCA Membership KENTUCKY JUNIOR CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION ($10/YR)

I WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE YOUNG PRODUCER’S COUNCIL TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: KCA

KJCA

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS: CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION DONATION (voluntary)

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: ALL DONATIONS TO KCF ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Allen ................................$40 Anderson ........................$25 Bourbon ..........................$20 Boyle ...............................$35 Bullitt ...............................$20 Butler ..............................$25 Franklin ...........................$25 Highlands .......................$20 (Boyd, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, & Martin)

Hopkins ...........................$35 Laurel ..............................$35 Lewis ..............................$35 Lincoln ............................$25 Louisville Area ................$20 (Jefferson, & Spencer) McCreary ........................$25 Magoffin ..........................$20 Menifee ...........................$25

Mountain........................$25 (Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Morgan, Owsley, Perry & Wolfe) Oldham ...........................$35 Taylor ..............................$20 Twin Lakes ......................$20 Warren ............................$40 Wayne .............................$25 Whitley ............................$25 Woodford ........................$25

IF YOU WOULD ALSO LIKE TO JOIN THE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION The NCBA is now a State Marketing Partner with the KCA. You can pay your dues to both organizations with one check, at the same time. # HEAD 1-100

COUNTY DUES Dues are $30 except for the counties listed below.

DUES $150

# HEAD 1,001-1,250

DUES $1,150

101-250

$300

1,251-1,500

$1,400

251-500

$450

1,501-1,750

$1,650

501-750

$650

1,751-2,000

$1,900

751-1000

$650

> 2,000

$1,900 + .38/HD

Complete and return to: Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association 176 Pasadena Drive • Suite 4 • Lexington, KY 40503 For faster service, join online at www.kycattle.org

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TARTERUSA.COM

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Henderson

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Owensboro

801 Commerce Dr 270-683-3488

Ashland

10699 US Route 60 Suite 103 606-928-0202

KY_cattlemen0619.indd 1

Muhlenberg

145 Copper Creek Dr 270-338-3555

Winchester

951 Bypass Rd 859-744-0858

Madisonville

1650 S Main St 270-821-1214

Radcliff

5985 North Dixie Highway 270-735-1472

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Shelbyville

181 Boone Station Rd 502-633-4443

Paducah

4711 Cairo Rd 270-443-9590

Pikeville

3889 N Mayo Trail 606-432-2419

Maysville

1581 US Highway 68 606-759-0466

6/5/19 11:05 AM

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FEATURE

NATIONAL FARM SAFETY WEEK Each year since 1944, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety & Health Week. This recognition has been an annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council and has been proclaimed as such by each sitting U.S. President since Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the first document. Over the years, the development and dissemination of National Farm Safety & Health Week materials has shifted to the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety. NECAS is the agricultural partner of the National Safety Council and has been serving families and businesses in agriculture since 1997. The 2019 theme for National Farm Safety & Health Week is “Shift Farm Safety into High Gear”. Go to our website, www.necasag. org for information and public service announcements related to this year’s theme. We thank our friends at Illinois Farm Bureau for developing the logo again this year. This year we have themes to focus on for each day of National Farm

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Safety and Health Weekwith a webinar planned for noon each day. Monday Tractor Safety/Rural RoadwayTuesday - Farmer Health & Opioid/Suicide PreventionWednesday - Safety & Health for Youth in AgricultureThursday Confined Spaces in AgricultureFriday – Safety & Health for Women in AgricultureThe theme “Shift Farm Safety into High Gear” is one that resonates and reminds us that it is everyone’s responsibility to prioritize safety on the farm and the rural roadways of America. The 2017 data for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 581 fatalities, which equals 23.0 deaths per 100,000 workers.As we recognize National Farm Safety & Health Week this September, please join us in promoting safe and healthy practices on our farms and ranches as producers enter the harvest season across the U.S. and beyond. We welcome your collaboration and participation.

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• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

Seedstock Plus Fall Sale Dates! Fall Bull Sale

October 19, 2019 Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, MO Selling 150 - 18 month old Angus, Gelbvieh & Balancer bulls! ALL BLACK!

RED REWARD‘Fall Edition’ Bull & Female Sale

ALL SALES! Bid & Buy at:

DVAuction

November 2, 2019 Wheeler Livestock Auction, Osceola, MO Selling 40 RED bulls - Gelbvieh, Balancer & Red Angus & 100 RED females

Two Sales! One Day!

Brandywine Farms Dispersal in conjunction with the Showcase Sale XIV

November 23, 2019

Kingsville Livestock, Kingsville, MO Over 550 head will sell that day!

877-486-1160

john@seedstockplus.com COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Brandywine Farms is one of the largest Gelbvieh / Balancer herds in the country! We will also offer the elite consignments from the Seedstock Plus members as the Showcase portion of the sale! * Reds & Blacks! * Open heifers, Bred heifers, Pairs, Bull Calves * Picks of the herd & Embryo flush opportunities Join us to view cattle on Friday and stay for dinner!

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FEATURE

WHAT I WANT IN THE PERFECT BEEF COW Ryon Walker, Ph.D., Livestock Consultant, Noble Foundation Back in the early 1990s, headlines generated some interest in developing a “green cow.” This green cow was supposed to produce (synthesize) its own food, just like our green forages. I believe it had something to do with photosynthesis, using sunlight as energy. Theoretically, that would have significantly contributed to making the perfect cow: low input with high output. So, did science fail because there is no such thing as a green cow? To the contrary. Science has helped us understand how to identify best management practices that allow us to produce an efficient, sustainable product. However, management is only part of the equation. The animal and the environment are the other parts. We can manage only as well as the cow and her offspring will allow us to. If we can produce a “perfect cow,” then we can more easily manage that cow. So what should the perfect cow look like? What a perfect beef cow looks like phenotypically depends on the eye of the beholder, but what she is capable of should result in the same goals. The perfect cow can possess all the traits you are looking for through genetic selection, phenotypic evaluation, management and production measurements. Fair enough? Not only do I want the perfect cow to possess certain traits, but I think some traits are more important than others. Here is how I rank these traits based on importance, as a percentage. Ryon Walker’s Top Preferred Traits in a Beef Cow One: Environment Fit her environment. (35%) How the cow fits with her environment is the most important trait for me. This means she will deliver a healthy calf every year and maintain her body condition throughout the year as she accomplishes that. She will be more efficient at forage

utilization because she likely has a lower intake, can metabolize and prioritize nutrients more efficiently. If a cow cannot maintain a body condition score (BCS) 5 throughout the year, this can have negative impacts on fertility, milk production and health. Two: Fertility Must calve every 365 days, no exceptions. (25%) In my mind, fertility is one of the most important traits in a female. However, if the cow does not fit her environment, she won’t survive. Because of this, I rank it second. From an economic standpoint,

however, fertility ranks the highest. To deliver a healthy calf every year, the cow must calve by 24 months of age (in non- or low-percentage Brahman crosses). Age and weight at puberty are moderately to highly heritable traits. By selecting for these traits in your replacement heifers, you increase their chances of reaching their target calving dates. This cow must calve every 365 days. No exceptions. The average gestation period for a cow is approximately 283 days. Based on what

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

we know, if a cow calves in adequate body condition (BCS 5-6), she needs 60 to 75 days after calving to begin cycling again and have an opportunity to become pregnant naturally. To meet that goal, she needs to conceive within the first 30 days of the breeding season and calve in the first 30 days of the calving season. If she calves at a lower body condition, her recovery period after calving is longer, reducing the likelihood of her conceiving early in the breeding season. Three: Effenciency Be efficient throughout her production

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cycle. (15%) This can be defined in many ways: as a single trait (reproductive, forage, what she produces, etc.) or she can be efficient in every stage of production. I want a cow that can be efficient in all of the traits listed above and throughout her production cycle. I am looking for a cow that can: •

Wean a calf greater than or equal to my average weaning weight.

•

Be moderately framed and weigh less than or equal to 1,300 pounds.

•

Maintain a BCS of a 5 (± 0.5) throughout the year.

Four: Production Provide the nutrient resources for her offspring to reach their genetic potential. (15%) If the cow fits her environment and calves when she needs to, that calf is likely your biggest source of income. The cow must provide sufficient resources for the calf to reach its genetic potential. This not only includes the genetic potential for this calf to grow, but also the mother’s

nutrient resources available during lactation and the conversion of feed and forage resources (other than from its mother) to protein prior to weaning. Major factors that can impact the genetic potential of a calf are: •

Length of calving season.

•

Mother’s milk production.

•

Forage resources.

•

Environmental conditions.

•

Health.

Five: Disposition Must not be crazy. (10%) A cow’s disposition is becoming more important as we find ourselves not having the time to deal with poorly dispositioned cattle. Because the average herd size in the U.S. is approximately 40 head, many beef producers have a full-time job outside of raising cattle. So, my cow must not be crazy. Research has shown us that poor disposition in cattle causes stress, resulting in increased risk for reductions in fertility and animal performance as well as higher susceptibility to sickness and disease. So, cull based on disposition. We do!

REGISTERED 2018 ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE Number

Name

AAA #

F04

MR Hickok F04

19412100

3/3/18

1.2

59 100 26

F06

MR Basin Advance F06 19311037

3/8/18

1.6

F08

MR Rockmount F08 19311029

3/9/18

F12

MR Mr Impression F12 19308026

3/30/18

2.8

Birth Date CED BW WW

F10 is commercial Angus, but not registrable. Miller’s Run Farms • Paris Pike • Georgetown, KY William N. Offutt IV, Owner • 859-533-2020 millersrunfarm@aol.com • www.millersrunfarm.com

YW Milk

7120

939 N107

At Walker Hereford Farm n Morrison, Tenn. n 11 AM (Central Time)

Selling 90 Lots Watch the sale and bid live online.

Walker Herefords n P.O. Box 146 n Morrison, TN 37357

Eric, Rhonda and Casey n Cody, Trisha and Hayden n Eric’s Cell (931) 607-6356 Cody’s Cell (931) 607-0337 n wphf@blomand.net n WalkerHerefordFarm.com

Walker 9.5x4.667 4c-Cow Country News.indd 2

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

D102

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

7/9/19 4:28 PM

FEATURE

MORE THAN ONE WAY Debby Dulworth As a farmer and trainer of horses and mules, Granddaddy learned and shared the adage “There is more than one way to do almost anything.” His daughter, my mother, through her sewing, homemaking and gardening, learned the truth and value of that often-heard maxim and echoed it in my childhood and beyond. Often throughout life, I have found encouragement in these words but never more than when we decided to market our steers as grass-fed beef to local customers. The paradigm shift to grassfed beef involved a steep learning curve and plenty of reading. Wendell Berry figured

prominently in this literary education because he has lived and promoted alternative farming as a means of saving our rural communities. His 1977 book Culture and Agriculture, as well as many of his other writings, encouraged us and led me to Sir Albert Howard’s books The Soil and Health and An Agricultural Testament, written prior to World War II. These in turn referred me back to F.H. King’s fascinating book Farmers of Forty Centuries, published in 1911 and illustrated with nearly 250 photographs and drawings from his travels to farms in Asia. All of these writings reinforced with convincing evidence the fact that there has always been more than one way

to farm, and many of those ways have been far more sustainable than what we became accustomed to in Twentieth Century America. All the while I was reading at night, I was also working, realizing daily that the change in paradigm also required that a woman do what has been considered man’s work. When I thought maybe a woman couldn’t do this kind of work, I remembered the example of Mabel Garrett Pullen, my landlady when I was in college. In her mid-seventies by then, Mrs. Pullen was gardening and farming on her own, milking two Jersey cows, selling eggs and handmade dairy products and vegetables. “There’s more than one way to do almost anything,” she echoed. Her example encouraged me to discover alternate routes to the desired destination. During the decade of the 1980s, our land had been ravaged by seven years of severe to exceptional drought and

Cattle grazing fescue in mid-July at Dogwood Farm, in preparation for stockpiling for winter.

depleted of much organic matter. During the late 1980’s, I had begun reading Allan Savory, Allan Nation and articles from contributors like Jim Gerrish to The Stockman Grass Farmer. It led to my first twelve-acre experiment with multipaddock, high-density/short-duration stocking: Grazing almost thirty heifers through ten paddocks, moving them to fresh grass every two to three days, completely transformed an overgrazed, high-traffic pasture that had been infested with spurge into a healthy fescue and clover pasture in one grazing season. This was definitely, we decided, a better way than continuous or even rotational grazing. Within a few years, we had set up a system of semi-permanent, single-wire electric paddocks on the farm where Toby had grown up. With polywire subdivisions the number of paddocks could change infinitely. The improvement in soil, pasture quality, and carrying capacity convinced us that more cattle grazing pasture would be a better way to restore soils than continuous row-crops. A few years later, we began converting a second farm south of our house that had been, until then, unfenced. A few acres at a time, little by little, we planted a number of forages we had never tried grazing before, both annuals and perennials, learning new methods of managed grazing and resting. Diversity, we learned, was a far better way to restore farmed-out soils than row-crops. Bringing all pastures on that farm to managed grazing required another decade. Journalist Jo Robinson and others who advocated for grassfed meats mentored a wave of folks like us toward a different way of direct-marketing our beef to local customers. We started retaining steers to finish at home, on the farm, keeping them from conception to consumer. The eventual result of all of that mentorship was that, in 2003, we began direct-marketing our 100 percent grassfinished, all-natural steers and some of our best cull cows (meaning fat cows that take better care of themselves than they do of their baby calves) as beef. It was a far better way to sell cattle than taking whatever we could get at auction. And our southern-bred Herefords, we discovered, were a far better way to utilize forage than a continental breed we’d tried CONTINUED ON PAGE 64

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 62

adding during the 1990s. Though doing the work of middle-marketers required much more time and effort, it also kept more profit at home, allowing us to reinvest in our community. Somewhat surprisingly, the people who became our customers were also looking for another way to get what they wanted and needed. We were alarmed to discover the array and number of conditions and illnesses that health workers have identified as being aggravated by the ways American industries produce food. Add to that the health scares about everything from mad cow disease to salmonella to e. coli, and we were again surprised how many people were searching for a protein source they weren’t afraid to eat—and a way to find it. Now we have learned that one in six Americans has digestive problems or other health issues of various kinds related to our diet. Yes, there are other ways to eat, emphasizing whole natural foods instead of processed or prepackaged foods. Pastured beef is part of the alternative natural diet that can help nourish people back to better health. When we first started marketing our beef as all-natural and 100 percent grassfinished, we really had no idea that there would be so much demand for it from so many local people, just here in the Paducah, Kentucky area. Working for these customers does limit the ways we can manage our cattle and our pastures. With our specialized health-oriented niche market, some of the usual stockpiling shortcuts for producing more winter forage are not available to us, so our management of the grass has not followed the same guidelines most commonly recommended by the beef industry. There are other ways. We need only change our minds, expectations and pre-conceptions to find them. We do not, for example, use any artificial nitrogen on our pastures, but rely on other means to supply the needed nitrogen to stockpile our cool-season grasses. We use no herbicides or pesticides of any kind on the pastures, but rely on seed mixtures to enrich the soil naturally, optimizing advantages for a variety of legumes like lespedeza, red and white clovers, and some grazingtolerant alfalfa to feed the grass, which in turn helps shade-out more late summer weeds.

We also encourage warm season reseeding annuals like crabgrass, and warm-season perennial grasses. These diverse plant mixtures work in the interest of optimum soil health and animal well-being, allowing good pasture regrowth and good calf growth under normal conditions, though we never aim for maximum performance or production. Here, optimum is a better way. Yes, the look of our pastures is different— very rarely the manicured look that many people, including many farmers, have come to expect from monoculture fields, fertilized with chemicals and mowed. In summer, forages of varying heights and textures in our fields means both a more abundant variety of nutrition for our cattle and better adaptation of a wide spectrum of plant species protecting our pastures. Here, diversity is a better way than monoculture. Yes, resting pastures that are primarily cool-season grasses (like fescue) gives the grasses a decided advantage going into winter, which is the best and safest time to graze fescue. And yes, artificial nitrogen would add an obvious boost during the stockpiling season, quickly greening-up cool-season grasses for stockpiling and increasing their obvious growth above ground. However, according to 2007 research of the Morrow plots by four soil scientists at the University of Illinois, applying artificial nitrogen actually speeds the decomposition of organic matter and depletes carbon from beneath the surface of the soil while it is encouraging that faster growth. So artificial nitrogen does not work for the long-term health of the soil. For healthier people, food needs to come from healthier living soil. Very soon in our management-intensive grazing project, we discovered that the ways of grazing and resting pastures can completely eliminate the need for purchased fertilizers, if we follow the laws of return that Sir Albert Howard advocated.

at a grazing-only, rotational system where manure is distributed evenly, this is probably a scenario where you may eliminate the need to apply nitrogen completely,” Roberts adds. According to a report from Jimmy Henning at the University of Kentucky, “Ergovaline levels (the indicator of fescue toxicity) fluctuate seasonally and are highly variable year to year. Concentrations are highest in May/ June and September/October.” As Chris Teutsch suggests in his article elsewhere in this issue, July and August are the best time to graze down fescue to 4 to 6 inches in preparation for stockpiling. We also like to add red clover, which is a great complement. Henning adds, “Recent research by the USDA-ARS forage research unit showed that clover, especially red clover, will directly reduce the vaso-constriction in cattle consuming infected fescue.” Red clover in the pasture is like having an antidote to toxic fescue growing right alongside it—definitely a better way to graze. So, for regenerating healthy soil, as well as for long-term benefits to our grass and cattle, a mixture of legumes is a more complete natural

option to supply nitrogen to fescue and other grasses, both cool- and warmseason. Here on our farm, we avoid cutting pure stands of anything for hay. Toby has cut no fescue for hay since 2007, and he prefers to grow annual mixtures planted specifically for that purpose. Stockpiled fescue has proven to be a more profitable way to feed cattle in winter than fescue hay—or any other hay, for that matter— on our farm. For us, a better way to grow cattle and at the same time improve soil quality and replenish nutrients in the soil is through managed grazing followed by long rest periods between each grazing. A better way to market cattle is directly to the people who are searching for healthy local beef. A better way to feed people is with natural foods grown on healthy soil. A better defense against drought, flood, soil erosion, and nutrient depletion in a world where climate change sets new records every day is a healthy diversity of pasture forages. There is a better way, and the best way we have found is to work with nature, not against her.

According to Craig Roberts, a forage specialist with the University of Missouri who has worked in the field of fescue toxicosis for 37 years, artificial nitrogen can actually increase the toxicity of endophyte in tall fescue—not the best way to good health for the animals that graze the fescue. There are other ways to fertilize fescue, like over-seeding legumes: red clover, white clover, lespedeza and alfalfa. “If you’re looking COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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FEATURE

U.S. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TOURS HEMP PROCESSOR AND RESEARCH FARM

IT’S JUST THAT GOOD. Time tested. Proven performance.

er w o wL Ne rice! P

Over the past two decades, Persist orchardgrass has set the standard for high yielding, long-lasting forage. Persist has fed more cattle, packed more hay barns, and made more meat and milk.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue visited Kentucky for an up-close look at the Commonwealth’s hemp industry at the invitation of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday. Leader McConnell and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles hosted Secretary Perdue on a tour of a processor and a research farm.

Persist has withstood severe droughts, survived frigid ice storms and outlasted intensive grazing.

“I was honored to show Secretary Perdue why Kentucky is the epicenter of the nation’s burgeoning hemp industry,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Kentucky led the charge to make hemp legal again, and now we’ve approved more acres for hemp cultivation than any other state. This tour was an opportunity to show Secretary Perdue that the hemp renaissance is real, and it is already generating income and jobs for Kentucky farmers and businesses.”

Persist has produced countless tons of toxic-free forage and has been a reliable alternative to harmful KY-31 tall fescue. If you want high yielding, longlasting stands, spend your seed money wisely. Plant Persist.

The tour opened Tuesday morning at Commonwealth Extracts in Louisville, which manufactures a variety of products from cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp. On Tuesday afternoon, Secretary Perdue saw hemp in the ground at Spindletop Farm in Lexington, a research farm of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. In between, Secretary Perdue’s party enjoyed a lunch at the new Bulleit Bourbon visitors center in Shelbyville, where Secretary Perdue addressed Kentucky Farm Bureau members and agriculture leaders. Kentucky became the first state to file its hemp regulatory plan for approval

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CENTRAL FARM SUPPLY 800-777-5923 Visit persistorchardgrass.com to learn more.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 73 COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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KENTUCKY BEEF COUNCIL

ANNA HAWKINS Director of Consumer Affairs The Kentucky State Fair holds a special place in the heart of many in the agriculture community. Whether you have been washing a heifer, shearing sheep or carefully preparing your country ham the state fair allows us to share our love for agriculture. Growing up showing sheep, State Fair marked the end of summer and the official start of the next school year. Now, as part of the Kentucky Beef Council, state fair is taking on a new role where as a group, we are so excited to promote beef and the industry as a whole. State Fair will be held in Louisville, KY at the Fair and Exposition Center August 15th-25th, 2019. Last year over 500,000 people made their way to the fair over the 11 days, making this the largest consumer event of the year. With the fair being hosted in Louisville, we have the unique opportunity to also interact with a larger, more urban population. We take great pride in sharing the story of beef producers across the state and promoting beef as the top protein source. In conjunction with other commodity groups in Kentucky, KBC will be participating in Ag Land again this year. Located in South Wing, this area is designated to educating the public on agriculture in our state. The KBC beef booth is designed to highlight what is best about beef and will be featuring

Brutus the bull, educational walls to highlight beef facts, and passing out cookbooks. The iconic message of “Beef. Its’s What’s for Dinner” will be the center of our display while highlighting the parts of Kentucky that make us unique. While visiting Ag Land you can also check out the Animal Discovery Farm, 4H Cloverville and FFA exhibits. A welcome table will be set up for visitors to pick up a passport through Ag Land encouraging them to learn about each commodity and increase agricultural literacy.

In addition to the beef booth in Ag Land, beef will also have a presence on the Gourmet Gardens cooking demonstration stage. This stage is located right outside the South Wing and is set up similar to a live cooking show! Below is a list of all the dates and times KBC will have a presence at the cooking demonstrations stage: August 15th: 1:30-2:30 August 16th: 3:00-4:00 August 17th: 5:30-7:30 August 18th: 1:30-2:30 August 23rd: 3:00-4:00 August 24th: 1:30-2:30

Additionally, on August 17th we will be hosting a Burger Contest starting at 5:30. The State Fair provides a great platform for the agriculture community to promote the agriculture industry with a unified front. The Kentucky Beef Council and Kentucky Cattleman’s Association will be participating in media interviews at the Commodity Breakfast on the opening day of State Fair. This event kicks off the fair but also is a hub for sharing the message of beef in the bluegrass to many different media outlets! We hope to see you there! Make sure to add stopping by the booth in the South Wing as part of your State Fair plans!

If you are interested in volunteering to work the beef booth in Ag Land please contact Anna Hawkins at ahawkins@kycattle.org. Shifts are available on August 19th-23rd from 9:00-1:00 or 1:00-5:00. We would love to have you to come share the story of beef! Entry tickets to the fairgrounds will be provided to producers who volunteer to work.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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KENTUCKY BEEF COUNCIL

NATHAN LAWSON Director of Kentucky Beef Council Nathan Lawson has been hired as the Director of the Kentucky Beef Council. Nathan is a Kentucky native who currently lives in Bloomfield with his wife, Wanda, and their 4 children, Journey, Jayden, Addison, and Destinee. He has been farming full time with his family on their farm, Lawson Farms since 2005. Their operation has become diversified from its roots in tobacco production to 125 momma cows on over 900 acres. In addition, they background their own cattle to supply Big Springs Beef, their own commercial beef product. They market their beef through farmers markets and local butcher shops. This provides an opportunity to have meaningful conversation about how beef is produced and educate consumers on how beef is sustainability raised. Nathan is no stranger to the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association, where he has served as a member of the KCA Executive Committee and a manager for Beef Solutions. His background in Kentucky Cattleman’s Association leadership and as a producer bring unique perspective and a deep appreciation for the cattle industry. He has been a strong advocate to the beef industry in Kentucky and continues to promote beef as the top protein source. While he prides himself on being 1 of the 38,000 cattle producers in Kentucky, he is passionate and eager to work on behalf of all producers in the state to discuss the checkoff program and continue to move the needle on demand for beef. If you would like to contact Nathan, his email is nlawson@kycattle.org.

ANNA HAWKINS Director of Consumer Affairs Anna Hawkins has been hired as the Director of Consumer Affairs for the Kentucky Beef Council. Anna grew up in Frankfort and has a great pride for all things Kentucky, especially the agriculture community. She was an avid member of FFA and showed market lambs growing up. Her passion for the industry only grew as she attended the University of Kentucky for her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science and Master’s Degree in Animal Science with a focus in dairy economics. Being taken in and taught by members of the agricultural community has been a driving factor in her career choices. She hopes to show the same understanding to consumers who are curious about how their food is produced, and promote beef as the top protein source. In this role she will be working with media outlets such as social media, radio and tv to share the message of beef. If you would like to contact her at ahawkins@kycattle. org, she would love to hear about your local events and find ways to help support you!

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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KENTUCKY BEEF NETWORK

WHAT DO A FARMER AND A PHOTOGRAPHER HAVE IN COMMON? BECKY THOMPSON Director of Kentucky Beef Network

Last week Kentucky had the pleasure of hosting an art director, photographer, and videographer along with staff from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) to help them add to their Beef Quality Assurance library to include images depicting cattle production east of the Mississippi. What does cattle production look like east of the Mississippi to a photographer you might wonder; they were looking for ball caps rather than cowboy hats, work boots instead of cowboy boots, and t-shirts rather than a pearl snap shirt.

those times and yes the light is different during those parts of the day and does allow for better pictures with better lighting things that are important to a photographer. However, I think during the summer these are also important hours to our farmers, this time period allows for planning out the day, feeding, checking cows, fixing fence, and treating pink eye or other health concerns while the sun is just rising or setting in the sky this time of the day is when it is cooler and easier to get the tasks for the day accomplished before it gets too hot.

As the planning process began the photographer said he would like to start the shoot at 6AM and wrap by 9:30AM and then start again at 6PM and wrap when the sun went down because these were the windows of golden light. I didn’t have an appreciation for the golden light until I arrived on both operations during

A special thanks to our Kentucky hosts in Madison County: Roger, Brad, and Bree Reynolds, Larry Sr., Larry Jr., Mark, and Andy Agee, Jim Dause with Blue Grass Stockyards in Richmond, and Brandon Sears, Madison County Extension Agent we appreciate your patience and hospitality.

Congratulations to Dr. Steve Higgins, Director of Environmental Compliance, for receiving the Conservationist of the Year Award during the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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KENTUCKY BEEF NETWORK

E DEN SHAL E FARM U P DATE DAN MILLER KBN Industry Coordinator

This 30 acre bottom produced 108 roll bales, which is 3.6 bales per acre.

Our renovated hay ground in the bottom yielded some excellent hay consisting of 60% alfalfa, 30% orchard grass, and 10% novel endophyte fescue. This BarOptima renovated hay field always produces a quality crop of hay.

We filled the first hoop barn with 216 rolls and then started filling the second, larger hoop barn.

We have started the renovation at the bull barn, which will include new flooring, pens, water troughs, and hay feeders. K E N T U CK Y B E E F N E T W O R K F ACI L I T AT O R S

Ben Lloyd

Whitesville, KY (270) 993-1074 strridge@aol.com COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Charles Embry

Cave City, KY (270) 646-5939 dale.embry@yahoo.com

Jacob Settles

Springfield, KY (859) 805-0724 jacob.settles4@yahoo.com

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Ron Shrout

Winchester, KY (606) 205-6143 ronshrout@bellsouth.net

Jeff Stephens

Ewing, KY (606) 782-7640 stephensbeef@gmail.com 71

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 67

by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) when Commissioner Quarles submitted Kentucky’s plan to Secretary Perdue moments after the 2018 farm bill was signed into law in December. The 2018 farm bill removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act and established minimum requirements for a state hemp regulatory framework to win USDA approval. Until the USDA approves state plans, the federal agency has directed states to operate under the 2014 Farm Bill, which authorized states to develop research pilot programs.

Fall Female Opportunity Sale September 7, 2019 • Michie, TN • Noon

2 Bar Mile High 9360

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has approved more than 58,000 acres for hemp cultivation in 2019, more than any other state and more than 3½ times the 16,000 acres approved in 2018. Hemp applications were approved for a record 101 Kentucky counties. The KDA also approved more than 6 million square feet of greenhouse space for hemp cultivation. It is unlikely that all approved acres will be grown. The amount approved is a sizable jump from the 33 acres grown in 2014, the first growing year. Kentucky hemp processors reported $57.75 million in gross product sales last year, compared with $16.7 million in gross product sales in 2017. Processors paid Kentucky farmers $17.75 million for harvested hemp materials in 2018, up from $7.5 million the year before. Hemp processors spent $23.4 million in capital improvements and employed a total of 459 people in 2018, the processors reported to the KDA.

+*16407217

BW -.1, WW +51, YW +93, Milk +26 CW +32, MARB +.92, RE +.59 FAT -.025 $M +42, $W +54, $F +82, $G +70, $B +152, $C +239

Mile High 9360, the famous and prolific Crazy K Ranch and Fairway Angus donor, sells as a special headliner of the 2nd Crazy K Ranch Fall Female Opportunity Sale. Mile High 9360 is one the all-time high-income producers to ever work at Crazy K Ranch and she sells due 12/5/19 to the Crazy K and EZ Angus sire, VAR Heritage 5038.

EXAR Lucy 0905 +*16672451

BW +1.8, WW +58, YW +102, Milk +34 CW +49, MARB +.36, RE +.55, FAT -.026 $M +54, $W +70, $F +98, $G +43, $B +140, $C +236

Lucy 0905 is a powerful direct daughter of the $3.5 milliion producer, Lucy 3829 sired by the proven growth and CW leader, Upward. Lucy 0905 was selected as a featured donor of a past Black Gold Genetics sale and sells due 12/23/19 to Sydgen Enhance.

Sale Managed by:

517.546.6374 www.cotton-associates.com

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

CRAZY K RANCH

Sammy and Sherry Kiser, Owners • 833 North Prather Road • Michie, TN 38357 Charlie Adkins, Manager • Phone 731-439-7350 • crazykranch@hotmail.com

www.crazykranch.com

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Upcoming Events: KY Simmental at Kentucky State Fair KY Expo Center Louisville, KY Wednesday, August 21, 2019 8:30 AM: 4H/FFA Market Animal Show 11:00 AM: 4H/FFA Market Animal Showmanship 1:00 PM: 4H/FFA Heifer Showmanship Thursday, August 22, 2019 8:00 AM: 4H/FFA Heifer Show 6:30 PM: 4H/FFA Championship Drive Friday, August 23, 2019 10:30 AM: Open Show - Simmental/ Simangus KY Simmental Association Fall Sale Saturday, September 14, 2019 Bluegrass Regional Marketplace Lexington, KY See ad on pg ##

Kentucky Simmental Ofﬁcers

President: Chris Allen 222 Stourbridge St Versailles, KY 40383 859-351-4486

Vice President: Brian Swain 3906 Pottertown Rd Murray, KY 42071

Secretary/Treasurer: Lindsay Phillips 8308 Orangeburg Rd Maysville, KY 41056

KENTUCKY SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION NAME ___________________________ ____________ FARM NAME__________________________________ ADDRESS_____________________________________ CITY_________________STATE_____ ZIP__________ PHONE (BUSINESS)___________________________

Call or visit one of these Simmental breeders for cattle that work!

www.kysimmental.com

600 Cumberland Drive • Morehead, KY 40351 859-227-7323 racekannon@hotmail.com

Swain Select Simmental

12113 Green Valley Dr. • Louisville, KY 40243 frederickswain@bellsouth.net • www.swainselect.com

Fred & Phyllis 502-245-3866 502-599-4560

Chi & Angie 502-477-9727 502-287-2116

Judy and Rondal Dawson 1156 Buzzard Roost Road Shelbyville, KY 40065 502-593-5136 jrdawson22@outlook.com

Shelbyville, KY • 502.639.4337 Bill Kaiser

Rocking P Livestock 8308 Orangeburg Road Maysville, KY 41056 Chan: 606-584-7581 Keith: 606-584-5626

rockingplivestock@maysvilleky.net

Brian & Heather Swain 3906 Pottertown Road Murray, KY 42071 270-293-4440 wksbswain@murray-ky.net

Simmental and SimAngus Bulls for Sale

Send application to: Lindsay Phillips, 8308 Orangeburg Rd, Maysville, KY 41056 Membership Fee is $25.00

(HOME)______________________________________

Roy, Jessica and Cooper Canada

WAYWARD HILL FARM

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

1939 Huntertown Road Versailles, KY 40383 Bulls for Sale Chris Allen 859-351-4486 callenuky@hotmail.com Dr. Henry Allen 859-229-0755

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A P PA R E L WINDBREAKER (NAVY BLUE)

1/4 ZIP PULLOVER (BLACK)

$25

$27

$28

QTY

POLO (BLUE)

$27

$29

$31

QTY

TOTAL APPAREL TOTAL

$20

$22

$23

MENS LADIES

IF PAYING BY CREDIT CARD

DELIVERY INFORMATION NAME

Visa

NAME ON CARD

MasterCard Discover American Express

+ SHIPPING & HANDLING

ADDRESS

CREDIT CARD NO.

CITY

EXPIRATION DATE

$6.00 = TOTAL ENCLOSED

Cash

STATE

ZIP

PHONE

CVC

SIGNATURE

Check Credit Card

Mail PAYMENT and COMPLETED FORM to: Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association • 176 Pasadena Drive • Lexington, Kentucky 40503 Or Fax: (859) 260-2060 Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

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PRESS RELEASES

KENTUCKY FFA FOUNDATION AWARDS STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS $25,000 IN VENTURE CAPITAL GRANTS THROUGH SHARK TANK-STYLE PROGRAM Taking a cue from the popular television show Shark Tank, the Kentucky FFA Foundation recently awarded $25,000 in venture capital grants to student entrepreneurs. FFA members in 9th through 11th grades were invited to submit a 4 to 6-minute video explaining their enterprise and how a grant would help advance their business. Following the format of the Shark Tank show, ten finalists were selected to present their ideas live in front of a panel of judges and an audience at the Kentucky State FFA Convention. Five of the finalists were selected to each receive a $5,000 grant. “I was absolutely amazed at just how advanced these students were, and the goals they had for their businesses,” said Darrell Billings, one of the judges for the final portion of the competition and a member of the Kentucky FFA Foundation board of trustees. “They had growth plans, they knew where they were going and how they were going to do it. I was absolutely dumbfounded.”

The student enterprises that were awarded grants were also Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. All students who are in school-based agriculture classes in Kentucky have the opportunity to develop their own SAE and participate in leadership development through FFA. Both of those experiences complement the in-class instruction they receive. “I don’t know of another youth organization that prepares a student to be career ready like FFA,” said Billings. “These kids leave high school understanding how to keep records, borrow money, get a return – it’s a real tribute to the way ag ed is set up in Kentucky and the way FFA rewards those kids who work hard.” The enterprises in the final round of the venture grant competition represented a wide cross-section of agriculture. The students selected to receive a grant are: Casey Howell from Estill County. Howell’s enterprise is C3 Fabrication,

specializing in custom roll cages for utility task vehicles. Kaitlyn Wiseman from Clark County. Wiseman’s business is Kaitlyn’s Cacti. She grows and sells cacti individually and in special arrangements. Benjamin Williams from Nelson County. Williams owns and operates Ben’s Jammin Ice Cream, an ice cream truck that specializes in Kentucky Proud products. Olivia Moore from Franklin County. Moore’s business is Moore Goodness, a farm to fork produce operation focused on providing fresh, local and reliable produce. Lexie Miller from Muhlenberg County. Miller raises and sells vegetable and ornamental plants. This year’s agriculture venture capital grants were made possible by a generous donation from Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn. “When Dr. Lynn gave us the money to use, he said just go make a difference,”

said Billings. “That was opening us up to be able to change the whole world…and for these kids, he did.” “This $5,000 is going to expand a student’s business 10-fold in some cases,” said Kyle Kelly, another final round judge and Kentucky FFA Foundation board of trustees member. “They’re going to be putting that money back into their local communities. Dr. Lynn and all of us will see a return on investment that will impact students for the rest of their lifetimes. We couldn’t have done that without his support.” “I was very impressed by the caliber of students we had in year one,” said Kelly. “We hope to be able to continue this program.” The Kentucky FFA Foundation cultivates partnerships which support the FFA vision to grow leaders, build communities, and strengthen agriculture. Kentucky FFA Foundation initiatives impact more than 14,500 FFA members in 154 FFA chapters across Kentucky.

ROWAN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURE TEACHER BRADLEY MCKINNEY NAMED KENTUCKY AGRICULTURE TEACHER OF THE YEAR Bradley McKinney, the agriculture teacher at Rowan County High School in Morehead, has been selected as the Kentucky Agriculture Teacher of the Year.

McKinney supervises these projects, and regularly visits students at home or their places of work, building a relationship that helps them become ready for their next steps after high school.

McKinney has taught agriculture at Rowan County for four years, and before that taught agriculture in Todd County for seven years. Locally, he is recognized as someone with a passion for teaching who sets high expectations for his students, which has both fostered their respect caused his program to grow.

“If you care enough about a student to do a home visit and meet those parents, they will be on your team and know that you care about their child,” said McKinney.

McKinney designs his academic program in a way that gives students the opportunity to take ownership in their learning. His students can participate in leadership development through FFA as well as have a Supervised Agriculture Experience program. SAE’s are handson, long term projects that help expand what students learn in the classroom. 76

McKinney holds several leadership roles within his profession and the community, serving as an example for his students about how an individual can make a difference. He has also fostered several long-term relationships with organizations in the community, providing even more opportunities for his students. The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce visits his classes regularly to cover employability topics and financial literacy. He also coordinates several community service projects each year.

Most notable is his partnership with the Rowan County Extension Service and Morehead State University through which his students grow sweet potatoes and donate the crop to the local senior citizen commodity program. McKinney credits his career choice to a personal interest in agriculture and his own experiences as a student. As a teenager, he thought he wanted to be a full-time farmer, but one day in agriculture class, his perspective shifted. “I realized the best way I could make a difference is by teaching young students to appreciate agriculture and show them the opportunities and skills that can be learned in the FFA,” he said. “I want to spread the word that agricultural education is for any student who has an interest in agriculture, science, business, leadership and more.”

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

As the Kentucky Agriculture Teacher of the Year, McKinney will compete against agriculture teachers in a six-state region for the opportunity to be named one of six National Outstanding Agriculture Teachers of the Year. The selection will be announced in August. Kentucky Agriculture Teacher of the Year is a joint program of the Kentucky Association of Agricultural Educators and the Kentucky FFA Foundation. The award is sponsored by an endowed gift from Ken and Brenda Reed of Versailles. The Kentucky FFA Foundation cultivates partnerships which support the FFA vision to grow leaders, build communities, and strengthen agriculture. Kentucky FFA Foundation initiatives impact more than 14,500 FFA members in 154 FFA chapters across Kentucky.

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Kentucky Hereford Association KHA Invites any Hereford Breeder to Become a Member! Dues are $25. Send to 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 Upcoming Events: 2019 HEREFORD SHOW AT THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR Kentucky Exposition Center • Louisville, KY Jr. Market Animal Show: 8:30 AM - Wednesday, August 21 Jr. Heifer Show: 8 AM - Thursday, August 22 Open Hereford Show: 8 AM - Friday, August 23

Wells Farm

KHA Ofﬁcers

President: Tim Wolf Secretary/ Treasurer: Earlene Thomas 859-623-5734 thomasep@roadrunner.com

-HEREFORDS -

Codee Guffey • 1815 Grassy Springs Road Versailles, Kentucky 40383 Phone: 502-598-6355 Email: rockridgeherefords@gmail.com www.rockridgeherefords.com

www.dogwoodherefords.com

Thomas Farm

Eric & Ronnie Thomas 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 623-5734 • Eric’s Cell (859) 314-8256 “Cattle for sale at all times”

WOLF FARM

Registered Polled Herefords Bulls & Females for sale Tim & Peggy Wolf 12939 Peach Grove Rd. Alexandria, KY 41001 Home: 859-635-0899  Cell: 859-991-3484

Peyton’s Well Polled Herefords The Lowell Atwood Family 133 Edgewood Drive Stanford, KY (606) 365-2520 home/fax (606) 669-1455 cell

Chambliss Hereford Farms Brad, Carla, Clay and Clint Chambliss 916 Winchester Blvd. Elizabethtown, KY 42701 Home (270) 982-3905 • Cell (270) 668-7126 fax 270-735-9922 www.chamblissherefordfarms.com

L.W. Beckley D.V.M L. Wayne Beckley 284 Pyrse Lane 1420 Fitchburg Rd. Irvine, KY 40336 Ravenna, KY 40472 Cell: 859-779-1419 Home: 606-723-3021 Clinic: 606-726-0000 Cell: 859-779-0962 www.beckleyherefords.com

Hansell Pile, Jr. 12045 St. John Rd. Cecilia, KY 42724 270-735-5192•270-862-4462 12 miles West of Elizabethtown

859-588-4531

Jackson Farms

Registered Polled Herefords 8103 Bill Moss Road • White House, TN 37188 Home/Fax: 615-672-4483 Cell: 615-478-4483 billy@jacksonfarms.com ® “Farming the Same Land Since 1834”

Pile Stock Farm

WCN Polled Herefords Since 1961

Bill & Libby Norris 2220 Celina Road Burkesville, KY 42717 Phone (270) 433-7256 Cell (270) 433-1525 “Every calf needs a white face”

TS TS Tucker Stock Farms F F

“Registered Angus and Polled Herefords”

TUCKER STOCK FARMS TUCKER STOCK FARMS

TUCKER STOCK FARMS

“Breeding Polled Herefords for over 58 Years” John Tucker “Registered Angus and Polled “Registered AngusHerefords” andIIPolled Herefords” 1790 Hidden Valley Lane Breeding cattle for sale at all times. John A. Tucker II John A. Tucker II Hudson, KY 40145 HiddenHerefords” Valley Lane 1999 Walnut Hill Rd. • Lexington, KY “Registered 40515 1790 Hidden Valley Lane Angus and 1790 Polled 270-617-0301 Hudson, KY 40145 Hudson, KY 40145 (859) 271-9086 • cell (859)533-3790 (270) 257-8548 (270) 257-8548 Offi 257-8167 Office for (270) 257-8167 John A. Tucker IIce (270) “Bulls always Sale”

1790 Hidden18-month-old Valley 18-month-old AngusLane & Polled Hereford Bulls For Sale Angus & Polled Hereford Bulls For Sale

Old Fall Creek Farms AHA & KHA member • Proven bloodlines

Reed Bertram 606-348-7486 David Bertram 606-278-3630 www.ofcfarms.com

K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM

198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031

Registered Polled Herefords

BECKLEY HEREFORDS

1874 Old Fall Creek Road • Monticello, KY 42633

Victor- inﬂuenced cattle bred for performance on grass.

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Jackie D. Perkins II 367 Mt. Pisgah Rd. • Bremen, KY 42325 270-543-3586 Breeding to produce good cows since 1981.

Private treaty sales • Visitors always welcome

“Black cows need a good Hereford Bull”

Paul L. Hancock 8559 KY 56 Owensboro, KY 42301 270-771-4194

Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March Hereford and Angus Bulls

Windy Hills Farm

K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS KYLE BUSH

Registered Polled Herefords

6077 Helena Road • Mayslick, KY 41055 Charlie Boyd II · 606-584-5194

Tony & Kathy Staples 992 Knotts Road Brandenburg, KY 40108 270-422-4220 tstaples@bbtel.com

Contact Earlene Thomas for more information: 859-623-5734 www.kentuckyhereford.org

MPH Farms

Boyd Beef Cattle

TK4 Herefords Polled Hereford and Gelbvieh Cattle 3459 KY Hwy. 1284 E. Cythiana, KY 41031 (859) 234-6956 Ben, Jane, Shelby and Lincoln

Polled Herefords 439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Road • Corbin, KY 40701 Kevin, Angela, Bobby & Brenda Wells Kenlea & Kyler Murray 606-523-0569 - Home 606-528-1691 - Home 606-344-0417 - Cell 606-682-8143 - Cell wells_farm@yahoo.com

Hudson, KY 40145 (270) 257-8548 Office (270) 257-8167

GET YOUR AD HERE! CONTACT EARLENE FOR MORE INFO

18-month-old Angus & Polled Hereford Bulls For Sale

LINEBRED VICTOR DOMINO CATTLE LINEBRED VICTOR DOMINO CATTLE

Multi-Trait Selection Multi-Trait Selection Fertility Disposition

Danny Miller

Fertility Calving Ease Disposition Milking Ability

Calving Ease Milking Ability

www.jmsvictordomino.com 4850Rd. Caldwell Ridge Rd. 4850 Caldwell Ridge Knifley, KY 42753 Knifley, KY 42753 270-465-6984 270-465-6984

270-465-6984 • 270-566-2694

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ANGUS THE BUSINESS BREED

2018-2019 KAA Officers President: Gil Ray Cowles, Rockfield, KY Vice President: Jason Crowe, Irvine, KY Secretary/Treasurer: Anne DeMott, Lexington, KY

C ontact Anne DeMott to pay your Kentucky Angus Ass o ciation Dues 1 • BOYD BEEF CATTLE 6077 Helena Road Mayslick, KY 41055 Charlie Boyd II: (606) 584-5195 • Blake Boyd: (606) 375-3718 www.boydbeef.com • cboyd2@maysvilleky.net

11 • HERITAGE FARM Tom McGinnis 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work (502) 655-0164, cell

21 • RAGS ANGUS FARM Richard and Glenda Stallons 1240 Dogwood Kelly Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240 Home: (270) 885-4352 Cell: (270) 839-2442 rstallons@bellsouth.net

2 • BRANCH VIEW ANGUS 927 Old Liberty Pike • Hustonville, KY 40437 (859) 238-0771 • www.branchviewangus.com James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey Evelyn Hoskins Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April

12 • HIGHVIEW FARMS 827 West Main Street Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718 Ben T. Cox DVM (270) 469-5517 Registered Angus Cattle

22 • SHAW FAMILY ANGUS Jim & Cathy Shaw 935 Miller Road • Hodgenville, KY 42748 (270) 769-8260 www.shawfamilyangus.com Quality Registered Angus Cattle since 1975

3 • BURKS CATTLE CO. 531 Rick Rd. Park City, KY 42160 Eddie Burks • (270) 991-6398 www.burkscattle.com

13 • HILL VIEW FARMS Jimmy Gilles 5160 Lee Rudy Road Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 686-8876 (270) 929-537

23 • SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM 5202 East Hwy 80, Russell Springs, KY 42642 Charles “Bud” & Pam Smith: (270) 866-3898 Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311

14 • JOHNSON FARMS ANGUS Angus Bulls & Females Slaughters, KY Keith: (270) 635-0723 Reese: (270) 635-1137

24 • ST. CLAIR FARMS REGISTERED ANGUS Eric & Sherry St. Clair 13433 Falls of Rough Road • Falls of Rough, KY 40119 Home: (270) 257-2965 • Cell: (270) 617-1079 www.stclairangus.com Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale April 2016

5 • CARDINAL HILL FARMS 405 Cedar Grove Rd. • Glasgow, KY 42141 Mike Elmore: (270) 404-6589 Bob Johnson: (270) 427-1410 cardinalhillfarms.com • mike@cardinalhillfarms.com

15 • LEGACY FARMS Daniel and Lindsey Reynolds 1709 South Jackson Highway Hardyville, KY 42746 (270) 528-6275/(270) 528-6120 www.legacyfarmsangus.com

25 • TAMME VALLEY FARM Jacob Tamme, Owner-Operator (859) 583-7134 jacob.tamme@gmail.com www.tammevalley.com & Find us on Facebook!

6 • COFFEY ANGUS FARMS 661 Hopewell Road Liberty, KY 42539 Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288 Dewey Coffey: (606) 787-2620 Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984

16 • MILLERS RUN FARM William N. Offutt IV 3790 Paris Road Georgetown, KY 40324 (859) 533-2020 • millersrunfarm@aol.com www.millersrunfarm.com Heifers for sale

26 • TWIN CREEK FARM Shawn, Melissa, Devin & Dylan Gibson (270) 337-3072 or (270) 692-5304 Dennis & Emily 270/337-2128 or 270/402-4338 Watch for us in Branch View Production Sale in April

7 • COOL SPRINGS CREEK FARM Guy & Aline Babin 269 Paul Coomer Rd Gradyville, KY 42742 (270) 205-1669 www.coolspringscreekfarm.com • gdbabin@outlook.com

17 • MUD RIVER ANGUS 10 Oak Hill Drive Russellville, KY 42276 Wayne Johnson: (270) 303-6354 Gary Johnson: (270) 498-7208

8 • D&D LONGVIEW ANGUS Danny & Debbie Burris 550 Willie Nell Road Columbia, KY 42728 (270) 348-5766 • (270) 250-3701 • (270) 250-1277

18 • FOUR KINGS ANGUS 250 Bright Leaf Dr. • Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Cary & Kim King Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com Cary Cell: (859) 613-3734 • Colby Myers - Purebred Manager

9 • FALL CREEK ANGUS 448 Corder Farm Road Monticello, KY 42633 Ronnie Corder (606) 348-6588

19 • OLD BARK FARM 370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716 Kenley Conner 270/358-8057 Registered Angus Cattle

10 • HAINES ANGUS FARMS 5294 Park City- Glasgow Rd. Park City, KY 42160 Kenneth Haines, Jr.: (270) 749-8862

20 • PLEASANT HILL FARMS Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles 500 Rockfield Richpond Road Rockfield, KY 42274 (270) 843-9021 • Fax (270) 843-9005 Located 7 miles west of Bowling Green, 1/2 mile off Hwy 68/80

4 • BURTON & SONS ANGUS Joe D. or Karen Burton • Bryan Carman, Partner, Ridgeview Angus 480 Hominy Hill Rd. Nancy, KY 42544 Joe: (606) 305-3081 • Bryan: (606) 875-3453 Located 15 miles West of Somerset klburton01@windstream.net

Bulls & females sold private treaty. Inquiries Welcome. Sell only what we would buy.

KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION NAME

FARM NAME

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

PHONE 1

PHONE 2

ZIP

Return to: Anne DeMott • 1220 Angus Trail • Lexington, Kentucky 40509 • Annaul Dues $35

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION NEWS Anne Stewart DeMott, Secretary/Treasurer

KY ANGUS ASSOCIATION PREVIEW SHOW CHAMPIONS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Angus Breeders and Beef Cattle Producers, July has been a tremendous month for the Angus breed and the Kentucky Angus Association! We helped plan, execute and deliver a fantastic 2019 National Junior Angus Show at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville. There were over 1,850 head of Angus cattle entered from 40 states. In addition, there was a week full of Angus and Agricultural centered events where over 800 junior members participated. The CAB Angus Cook Off was one of the highlight events of the week! The National Angus Showmanship contest was also held during these 8 full days! A huge thank you goes out to the families and friends of the Kentucky Angus Association! The KAA pulled together, worked extremely hard and did an incredible job hosting the 2019 NJAS! Thank you to everyone involved for making this world recognized Angus event a huge success! August is here! The Kentucky State Fair is just around the corner. The KSF is the showplace for all things agricultural in Kentucky! I hope that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy The Kentucky State Fair! We are all making sure that we have enough hay for the winter. Planning for weaning spring-borns is taking place. Preparing for fall calling is taking place. We are all handling the hot August weather and looking forward to fall! Enjoy the remaining days of summer and if anyone in the Kentucky Angus Association can be of any assistance, please let us know. Gil Ray Cowles KAA President

CHAMPION BULL: ARD RIDGE CATTLE COMPANY NANCY, KY

RESERVE CHAMPION BULL: JOHNSON FARMS SLAUGHTERS, KY

CHAMPION FEMALE: THOMAS SMOOT CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY

RESERVE CHAMPION FEMALE: JACOB MARKSBURY BUFFALO, KY

CHAMPION COW/CALF: BLANE SMITH RUSSELL SPRINGS, KY

RESERVE CHAMPION COW/CALF: LILY & LUCY JEFFRIES CANMER, KY

to subscribe to email updates, please contact us at kyangusassociation@gmail.com

@KyAngusAssoc

@kyangusassociation

www.kentuckyangus.org kyangusassociation@gmail.com

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

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JACOB REDWAY CAREY BROWN cbrown@kycattle.org CAREY BROWNjredway@kycattle.orgJACOB REDWAY cbrown@kycattle.org FARM ACCOUNTS jredway@kycattle.org BUSINESS OR NATIONAL ACCOUNTS BUSINESS OR NATIONAL ACCOUNTS

FARM ACCOUNTS

CALL US TODAY! (859) 278-0899 CALL US TODAY! (859) 278-0899 COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

UPCOMING GELBVIEH EVENTS:

KENTUCKY

GELBVIEH A S S O C I AT I O N

KENTUCKY STATE FAIR Entry Deadlines: July 10th, Late Entries: July 25th, Extra Late Entries: August 3rd Go to: kystatefair.org for rules, regulations, arrival times, premium book and entry information.

David Slaughter, President..........................(270) 556-4259 Joe Piles, Vice President..............................(502) 507-3845 Pat Tilghman, Secretary/Treasurer.............. (270) 670-8449 CLIFFORD FARMS

3459 KY HWY 1284E Cynthiana, KY 41031 Since 1937 (859) 234-6956

Cattle for sale at all times.

Randy & Wanda Wade (859) 234-4803 Mike, Shelley & Ronin Meyer (859) 298-9931 Kevin, Shannon, & Kamber Farrell (859) 588-9122

Gelbvieh, Simmental, & Commercial Cattle

Brian W. Dyer DVM

Owner/Manager GELBVIEH/BALANCERS

2050 Glasgow Road Burkesville, KY 42717 Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia

Pleasant Meadows Farm

Bar IV Livestock

Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke 7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076 Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992 Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com

Bee Lick Gelbviehs

Gary & Pat Tilghman Lindsey Tilghman Jones Family Carrie & Daryl Derossett Family 690 Lick Branch Road Glasgow, KY 42141

270.646.7024 • pleasantmeadowsfarm@hotmail.com

Mockingbird Hill Farms

Eddie Reynolds 277 Old Bee Lick Rd. Crab Orchard, KY 40419 606-379-2281(H) 606-305-1972(C) Bulls & Females for sale

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle Shane Wells 10172 Provo Rd. Rochester, KY H: 270-934-2198 C: 270-791-8196 swells@logantele.com

Open Show: Arrival of Cattle 8 AM, August 22 to 8 AM, August 23 Show: 11 AM, August 24 4-H/FFA: Arrival of Cattle 10 AM, August 20 to 10 AM, August 21 Show: Beginning 8 AM, August 22 (show order TBA) Full Circle Farms

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle Brad Burke 989 Metcalf Mill Rd. • Ewing, KY 41039 (H) 606-267-5609 • (C) 606-782-1367 gbb789@windstream.net

Kilbourne Gelbvieh East Bernstadt, KY 606-843-6583 cell 606-309-4662

Black Replacement Heifers & Bulls Available Embryo transplant & AI sired calves

Larry Clark & Sons LLC

Clayton & Debbie Cash 1214 Ottawa School Road Brodhead, KY 40409

Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls & Heifers For Sale by Private Treaty

(606)-308-3247 (606)-758-8994

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Registered Gelbvieh Cattle 106 Clark Houk Road - Greensburg, KY 42743 Larry Clark, Owner & Operator (270) 299-5167 (270) 405-6848 Lpclarkandsons@msn.com

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

Meeting modern industry demands: • Added Fertility • Increased Efficiency • More pounds of calf weaned American Gelbvieh Association 303-465-2333 | www.gelbvieh.org

For More Information: Commercial cattlemen trust registered seedstock breeders to make documented genetic improvements that provide them the opportunity to succeed. From 2004-2014, the 2015 AICA National Cattle Evaluation Genetic Trend illustrates Charolais seedstock breeders are doing their job!

Lower birth weight ■ MORE LIVE CALVES Increased weaning weight ■ MORE POUNDS AT WEANING

The trend shows dramatic improvements in every trait of economic importance.

In the feedlot

2004-2014 NCE Charolais Genetic Trends BW

KENTUCKY CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION

kins Ad Farms

6.5x3.75 bw-Cow Country News.indd 1

TJ Adkins: 606-875-5094 Sherman & Phyllis Adkins: 606-379-5129 279 Bullock Rd. Eubank, KY 42567 AdkinsFarms@hotmail.com

Montgomery Charolais

Higher yearling weight ■ MORE POUNDS, EFFICIENTLY

REA Marb

2004 0.8 19.1 33.7 1.6 11.4 .18 .01 2014 0.4 26.8 49.0 3.4 16.9 .32 .04

At harvest

Increased carcass weight ■ MORE POUNDS AT HARVEST Larger ribeye ■ BETTER YIELD GRADES More marbling ■ HIGHER QUALITY GRADES

■ Southeast Field Representative ■ Floyd Wampler (423) 612-2144 12/2/15 7:30 AM

Austin Flaugher 9810 Hwy 159 N Butler, KY 41006 513-604-2975 • aflaugher@gmail.com

LEANING PINE FARMS, LLC John Bruner

Darby Montgomery 36 Thompson Road • Lancaster, KY 40444 859-339-3922 BULLS FOR SALE

606-271-0582 473 Edward Meece Road Science Hill, KY 42553

Amburgey Charolais Farm

jeffries charolais

Polled Breeding Since 1966 Robert Amburgey, Jr. 3171 Camargo Rd. • Mt. Sterling, KY 40353 859-498-2764 (Home) 859-404-3751 (Mobile)

Harrod Farms

paul r. jeffries 606-510-4537

1590 jeffries lane

hustonville, ky. 40437 chris cooper 606-669-9009 chris jeffries 606-669-2426

Becca, Jenna and Jake 645 Evergreen Rd. Frankfort, KY 40601 Jeff Harrod: 502-330-6745

Jimmy & Linda Evans 960 Vallandingham Road Dry Ridge, KY 41035 859-428-2740

Allison Charolais John Allison

David, Rhonda, Michael & Nicholas

THE NEXT GENERATION

Charolais, Hereford & Commercial Cattle

545 Eminence Road New Castle, KY 40050

502-845-2806 502-220-3170

In the pasture

Bulls & Heifers For Sale at the Farm

Kentucky Charolais Association Chuck Druin 2291 Drane Lane Eminence, KY 40019 502-321-1160 or 502-321-5919 Jeff Harrod: 502-330-6745 Jacob Miller: 502-507-4987

S A N D U S K Y FA R M S 3200 St. Rose Road Lebannon, KY 40033 270-692-7793

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

NEWS & EVENTS: 2019 KY CHAROLAIS FALL SHOWCASE SALE SEPT. 7, 2019 • 12 PM • STANFORD, KY BLUE GRASS STOCKYARDS SOUTH NOMINATIONS DUE ASAP CALL WES CHISM: 281-761-5952 SPIRIT OF THE BLUEGRASS SALE SULLIVAN CHAROLAIS OCT. 19, 2019 • LEXINGTON, KY BLUE GRASS STOCKYARDS

Candy Sullivan 3440 Ruddles Mill Road Paris, KY 40361

859-338-0170

Sullivan Charolais

Quality Charolais Cattle in the Heart of the Bluegrass

Hayden Farm 4430 Bloomﬁeld Rd. Bardstown, KY 40004 James Hayden

Home: Ofﬁce: Mobile: 502-349-0128 502-349-0005 502-507-4984 jhayden@haydensteel.com

Floyd’s Charolais

2039 Nina Ridge Road Lancaster, KY 40444 Home: 859-792-2956 • Cell: 859-339-2653 ﬂoydj@windstream.net

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

PRESS RELEASES

WINTERKING HAIRY VETCH NOW AVAILABLE There’s a new hairy vetch on the market with some exciting characteristics. Smith Seed Services announces limited availability of WinterKing hairy vetch variety. Selection work on WinterKing originated in Eastern Pennsylvania with selection work by cover crop innovator Steve Groff. WinterKing’s key features are delayed flowering, improved winter hardiness, and the ability to product abundant biomass. This protein/ nitrogen-rich biomass is beneficial for grazing, harvested forage, cover cropping, as well as attracting and feeding wildlife and pollinators. Delayed Flowering As an annual legume, hairy vetch may need to be terminated either mechanically or chemically when followed by a row crop. Some producers may find the late maturity of WinterKing reduces the potential for undesired seed propagation found in earlier maturing cover crop varieties. For livestock producers, WinterKing’s late maturity means more vegetative high-value feed longer into the

spring season. Nitrogen-Fixing WinterKing has shown potential to produce 150-200#N/acre, especially when allowed to reach maturity later in the season. This is beneficial for green manure as well as providing an extended high-protein source for grazing livestock throughout the full spring season Improved Winter Hardiness Better winter hardiness equates to more biomass. More biomass provides increased forage for livestock, more biomass for cover croppers, and increased weed suppression for all. Those desiring high nitrogen-fixing legumes for green manure, forage grazing, wildlife and pollinator attractants should find WinterKing an improved option over other legumes that lack cold tolerance. Supply is limited. To learn more and find a local dealer, visit www.WinterKingVetch. com or call Smith Seed Services at 888550-2930.

KUHN RELEASES NEW OPTIDISC® ELITE CUTTERBAR

Kuhn North America is excited to announce the introduction of the new KUHN Optidisc® Elite cutterbar. Farmers strive to produce the best forage possible for their animals. The new Optidisc Elite cutterbar design has an even lower profile, while retaining the performance and reliability features of the original Optidisc cutterbar. Developed in partnership with farmers through testing in fields around the world, the Optidisc Elite cutterbar has the performance to meet today’s demands for high-quality hay. The Optidisc Elite‘s low profile cutterbar creates a smooth, clean cut with minimal ash incorporation due to a very flat cutterbar angle even at low cutting heights. Additionally, differential disc spacing utilizes narrower spacing at the diverging discs for extra knife overlap to create a clean cut even when the grass is short or light. Wider spacing of the converging discs provides more space for the crop to pass from the cutting area; improving the cut quality. Free-rotating Fast-Fit® knives also help enhance cutting quality and provide longer knife life. KUHN’s patented Protectadrive® disc bearing stations are designed to shear outside the gear case upon striking a major obstacle, protecting the gears inside the cutterbar. The equal sized gears in the cutterbar allow maximum power transfer with even torque loads across the full cutting width. Maintenance and downtime are minimized with a lubed-for-life design requiring no routine oil changes. The Optidisc Elite cutterbar is now available on select KUHN GMD mowers and FC mower conditioners. Kuhn North America, Inc., of Brodhead, Wisconsin, is a leading innovator in agricultural and industrial equipment, specializing in spreaders, mixers, hay tools, and tillage tools. KUHN, KUHN Knight, and KUHN Krause products are sold by farm equipment dealers throughout the United States, Canada, and many other countries.

MARKET REPORT

SOUTHEAST FEEDER CATTLE PRICES 19 JULY 2019 STEER weights

HEIFER

Alabama

Arkansas

Florida

Georgia

Louisiana/ Mississippi

Kentucky/ Tennessee

Alabama

Arkansas

Florida

Georgia

Louisiana/ Mississippi

Kentucky/ Tennessee

9-10

116-122

122-128

111-117

115-121

116-122

124-130

8-9

120-128

127-135

118-126

122-130

128-136

7-8

126-134

135-143

122-130

127-135

128-136

136-144

112-120

120-128

111-119

118-126

114-122

122-130

6-7

135-145

145-155

126-136

133-143

5-6

141-153

151-163

139-151

137-149

140-150

119-129

125-135

114-124

118-128

126-136

149-161

122-134

131-143

117-129

120-132

124-136

130-142

4-5

149-163

158-172

148-162

145-159

147-161

155-169

131-145

138-152

126-140

130-144

132-146

133-147

COWS weights

Alabama

Arkansas

Florida

Georgia

Louisiana/ Mississippi

Kentucky/ Tennessee

UTIL

54-61

52-59

53-60

61-68

55-62

59-66

CN/CUT

48-55

47-54

48-55

52-59

48-55

52-59

BULLS

79-87

78-86

83-91

84-92

82-90

MONTHLY MARKET BEEF UPDATE! Feeder cattle ranged from $2 lower to $4 higher on the week. Calves were mixed, from $3 softer to $2 stronger. Market cows traded from $2 lower to $2 higher. -Tanner Aherin

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

CALENDAR OF EVENTS General

August 27 Midwest Beef Summit 2019, Owensboro, KY (pg. 43) August 30 Powell Farms Complete & Absolute Dispersal Equipment Sale, Limestone, TN (pg. 45) September 5 CPC Fall Field Day, Fountain, KY (pg. 3) September 26 Beef Bash 2019, Versailles, KY (pg. 26)

Angus

AD INDEX Hereford

September 2 Walker Hereford Farm Foundations for the Future 2019 Sale, Morrison, TN (pg. 63) November 2 Dogwood Farm Cattle Designed with Forage Sale, LaCenter, KY (pg. 59) November 7 Kentucky Certified Hereford Influence Sale, Stanford, KY

August 3 Keeney’s Angus Field Day, Nancy, KY August 31 Powell Farms Complete & Absolute Dispersal Cattle Sale, Limestone, TN (pg. 45) September 2 Graber’s Angus Farm Inaugural Production Sale, Montgomery, IN (pg. 23) September 14 Central Kentucky Angus Association Ladies Day 2019 Sale, Danville, KY (pg. 9) October 5 Solid Rock Angus Complete & Total Dispersal Sale, Winchester, KY (pg. 19) October 12 Isaacs Angus Sale, Horse Cave, KY (pg. 44) October 26 GMAA Looking to the Future Sale, Campbellsburg, KY October 26 Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, SC October 28 Oak Hollow Fall Bull Sale & Female Open House, Smiths Grove, KY (pg. 5) October 28 Stone Gate Farms Fall Sale, Flemingsburg, KY (pg. 7) November 9 Rock Ridge Farms Elite Angus Female Sale, Lawrenceburg, KY February 15 Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, SC March 30 Oak Hollow 41st Annual First Choice Bull Sale, Smiths Grove, KY (pg. 5)

Multi-Breed

Charolais

Red Poll

September 7 Inaugural Kentucky Fall Showcase, Stanford, KY (pg. 10) October 19 Sullivan Charolais Spirit of the Bluegrass Sale, Lexington, KY (pg. 34)

August 8 CPH Sale, Owensboro, KY August 13 Blue Grass Lexington Yearlings in the Bluegrass Sale, Lexington, KY (pg. 34) August 31 Boyd Beef Cattle Breeders Cup Sale, Mays Lick, KY (pg. 11) September 7 Crazy K Ranch Fall Female Opportunity Sale, Michie, TN (pg. 73) October 19 Fall Bull Sale, Carthage, MO (pg. 61) October 25 Capital Classic Premier Heifer Sale, Owenton, KY (pg. 4) November 2 Red Reward Fall Edition Bull and Female Sale, Osceola, MO (pg. 61) November 16 Sunset Ridge Cattle Co. 15th Annual Genetic Force Bull Sale & Female Production Sale, Deer Lodge, TN (pg. 65) November 23 Brandywine Farms Dispersal Sale, Kingsville, MO (pg. 61) December 3 CPH Sale, Guthrie, KY December 5 CPH Sale, Owensboro, KY December 10 CPH Sale, Richmond, KY December 11 CPH Sale, Lexington, KY January 28 CPH Sale, Guthrie, KY

October 27 American Red Poll Association National Sale, Bowling Green, KY

Simmental

September 14 Kentucky Simmental Association State Sale, Lexington, KY (pg. 60)

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Alltech.....................................................................21 American Angus Association.............................7, 36 Beef Bash 2019........................................................ 26 BioZyme.................................................................. 58 Blue Grass Stockyards........................................... 34 Boyd Beef Cattle...................................................... 11 Burkmann Feeds.......................................................7 Bush Hog................................................................27 Byron Seeds.............................................................13 Capital Classic Premier Heifer Sale.......................4 Central Farm Supply........................................ 20, 67 Central Kentucky Ag Credit.................................. 88 Central Kentucky Angus Association..................... 9 CPC Commodities.....................................................3 CPH 45...................................................................87 Crazy K Ranch.......................................................73 Datamars..................................................................57 Dievert Sales Service............................................. 29 Dogwood Farm....................................................... 59 Dura Cast................................................................58 Gallagher..................................................................12 Graber’s Angus Farm............................................. 23 Green River Livestock............................................ 58 Hayes Trailer Sales................................................... 4 Heartland Highland Cattle Association............... 44 Innovacyn................................................................37 Isaacs Angus........................................................... 44 JMS Polled Herefords.............................................31 John Deere................................................................ 8 JWC Marketing.......................................................10 Kentucky Angus Assoc.................................... 78, 79 Kentucky Charolais Assoc..................................... 82 Kentucky Gelbvieh Assoc.......................................81 Kentucky Hereford Assoc.......................................77 Kentucky Salers Assoc........................................... 85 Kentucky Simmental Assoc............................. 60, 74 Kuhn North America............................................. 40 Leitchfield Truck & Trailer...................................... 9 Limousin Breeders of the Bluegrass.....................72 McBurney’s Livestock............................................ 35 Micro Technologies................................................ 39 Mid South Ag..........................................................41 Midwest Beef Summit............................................ 43 Miller’s Run Farms................................................. 63 Minerich Land & Cattle Co.....................................46 Oak Hollow................................................................5 Pasture Management Systems.............................. 42 Powell Farms.......................................................... 45 Priefert.....................................................................57 Red Barn & Associates........................................... 66 Rural King............................................................... 56 Seedstock Plus........................................................61 Shady Bottom Ranch..............................................41 Solid Rock Angus....................................................19 Southern States...................................................... 65 Stone Gate Farms......................................................7 Sunset Ridge Cattle Co.........................................65 Walker Hereford Farm........................................... 63 Walters Buildings................................................... 63 Wax Company........................................................... 2 Zoetis........................................................................47

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

untry Classifieds

Dirt Cheap Prices

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Jeff, Michelle Nolan Pettit

HELP WANTED

with a resume.

REGISTERED GELBVIEH BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE ACH Holdings - Haynes LOCATED IN SMITHSFarms GROVE, KY CONTACT TRENT JONES& Fullblood & Purebred Embryos 270-590-5266

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Registered Red Angus Bulls & Females For Sale

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Four Winds Farm Low New Castle, KY BSE Tested. 18 months old. Semen ANGUS FOR SALE FOR BLACK POLLED BALANCER BULLS Sweet T SALE: Farm. 859-684-1509 Stephen HaynesRED - 270-799-8685 BULLS: YEARLINGS AND 2-YEAR-OLDS. OPEN 2 YEARS OLD. ALSO 15 MONTH OLD BULLS REGISTERED GELBVIEH BULLS 760 Emily Court HEIFERS. SHOW HEIFER PROSPECTS. CONTACT: AVAILABLE. ALSO SELLING SQUEEZE CHUTE 6 registered Gelbvieh bulls.PAL. Passed Bowling Green, KY 42101 JOHNNIE CUNDIFF WITH AUTOMATIC HEADGATE, CAGE, AND A 606-305-6443 OR 606-871-7438 270-772-0939 BSE. ReadyNEW forFLOOR. service. 14-20 www.achhlimousin.com Calving ease, low COWS birth achhlimousin@twc.com REGISTERED BLACK SIMMENTAL BULLSmonths old.8 RED ANGUS-SIMMENTAL EXCELLENT EPD’S.LIMOUSIN SEMEN TESTED. DELIVERY YEARS OLD. 1100Starting POUNDS WITH 400at POUND 25 BLACK-CROSS HEIFERS weight,3 docile bulls. price Facebook: ACHH AVAILABLE. MAXIMIZE YOUR PROFIT WITH CALVES AT SIDE - 5 HEIFERS, 3 BULLS. BORN IN Calves by side. $2,250. Trent Jones. COMPREHENSIVE NUTRIENT THANK YOUSome to all calves buyers PROVEN PERFORMANCE. ALL BULLS QUALIFY FEBRUARY. COWS BRED BACK TO RED ANGUS weighing up have to 300-400 270-590-5266 MANAGEMENT (CNMPs) FOR NEW CAIPPLANS COST-SHARE. ADAM WHEATLEY BULL. 502-220-7156 OR 502-321-9560 in 2019. We sold all lbs. bred 502-349-2665 859-481-5143 CHAROLAIS BULLS FOR SALE Financial assistance available heifers & replacement females. SORTING POLES - PADDLES - FLAGS SIMMENTAL BULLS FOR Harmon Charolais through NRCS EQIP or Ky Div of GRASSFED GENETICS CATTLE POLES WITH YOUR812-738-7958 8” DECAL. $6.20 EACH PER Service-aged bulls willSALE be 8 HEREFORD COWS, 4 WITH SPRING CALVES. 50. SORTING FLAG,All $10.50. SORTING PADDLES Black and polled. 18 months-2 Performance tested Breeds Bulls Conservation RCPP. Ben Koostra, available this fall. BRED TO GRASSFED GENETICS ANGUS BULL $9. KERNDT LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS year olds. Semen checked. $2,500 http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/ibep/ Lexington, KY NRCS Technical contact us: FROM WYE LINE. ALSO BALDIE HEIFERS . 800-207-3115 BowlingAnne Green, 270-529-9215 812-279-8554 Service Provider 859-559-4662 BALLARD- COUNTY, KY. 270-994-3119 orKY M.J. Bakke RED ANGUS FOR SALE REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS LIME-LITTER-FERTILIZER SPREADERS Bulls: Yearlings and 2 Year Olds, 18 months. Vet Checked. $2,000. In Stock Stoltzfus Brand John Deere Open and Bred Heifers 6400 - cab loader -wd Skean Angus, Alvaton, KY Contact: Johnnie Cundiff www.redbarnandassociates.com 270-535-4123. Call Tim or see 606-305-6443 or 606-871-7438 Call Charlie: 859-608-9745 bulls @ www.skeanangus.com

501

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SALERS

SALERS The Balanced Breed

The Balanced Breed STRINGER FARMS Bruce Stringer 128 Teresa Avenue Somerset, KY 42501 606-875-3553

COW

DIAMOND J SALERS Donald Johnson 11660 N. Hwy 1247 • Eubank, KY 42564 606-379-1558

DIAMOND J SALERS C O U N T R Y • A U G UDonald S T 2 0 1 9 Johnson • A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E 11660 N. Hwy 1247 • Eubank, KY 42564 606-379-1558

KENTUCKY

WILLIS FARMS • Danny Willis 964 Johnson Rd • Frankfort, KY 40601 502-803-5011 • drwc21@aol.com Matt Craig, Farm Mgr. 502-604-0821

WILLIS FARMS • Danny Willis 964 Rd Frankfort, KY 40601 C AT T L E MJohnson EN’S ASS O C•I AT ION 502-803-5011 • drwc21@aol.com Matt Craig, Farm Mgr. 502-604-0821

FEATURE

TIMELY TIPS FOR AUGUST

L E AV I N G T O L E A R N DR. JEFF LEHMKUHLER Associate Extension Professor, University of Kentucky

Things have been different this summer for our household. Our son was fortunate to have been selected to participate in the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar program in Agribusiness and Biotechnology at Morehead this summer. It was odd moving him into the dorm, but at the same time we were excited for him. The communication has been limited, typical of a teenage boy, but we can tell that he is enjoying his summer from the brief texts and calls. I am excited to hear what he learned from the experience when it is over. I too left for a while as I returned to China with colleagues from Oklahoma, Ohio, and Canada. We participated in a conference in Beijing, gave an invited presentation to researchers and students at Qinghai University and then participated in a workshop in Zhangye. On this trip I went without my wife and the Burris’s, Roy and Karen. Though I missed them, I believe I was able to learn more about agriculture in China this trip. China is seeking to increase domestic beef production. Currently domestic beef consumption per capita in China is much less than in the U.S., near 10 lbs compared to roughly 57 lbs. Beef is relatively expensive compared to other meat sources. The higher cost limits consumption compared to other protein sources. As the economy improves in China, beef consumption is expected to increase. The African Swine Flu has greatly impacted pork production as well which could increase beef product consumption. I state beef product as the cuisine in China is much different than in the U.S. which Dr. Peel also reported in his article in Drover’s earlier this year. The reticulum or honeycomb segment of the stomach was served in several dining locations. We had beef tendons on a couple of occasions and the complete lower foot during one dinner. Organ meet and tongue are also more common, I assume again due to the lower price. Sitting down for dinner for a hotpot provides thinly sliced beef that is dipped into boiling water for a short period of time then consumed. Only once in the two trips to China did I have a steak and that was on a farm producing Waygu cattle. Steakhouses and hamburgers are just not that common. But by the end of my trip, all I wanted was a nice thick, juicy hamburger! 86

China is home to more than 13 million yaks. This number comprises more than 90% of the world’s yak population. The yak provides milk, fiber and meat while enduring high elevations and cold temperatures. While in China, we visited the yak research facilities at Qinghai University. Their research program has been ongoing for decades looking at protein needs, mineral nutrition and other factors. We also visited the Datong breeding station. This station utilized wild yaks to mate to domesticated yaks in an effort to increase productivity. The resulting cross, Datong yak, is a larger yak that can be used to increase productivity. Provinces have contracted with this station to provide bulls to improve their genetics, 1,000 annually in some instances. We then visited a slaughter facility where yaks were harvested and the adjacent jerky facility which further processed the yak meat. Prior to our visit to this plant, Mrs. Beck had purchased some of this company’s yak jerky from a gas station, one of those it’s a small world moments. In the afternoon of my workshop training, we went to a large Simmental operation. This operation, as I recall, managed close to 3,000 cows in total confinement. It is typical in China to manage cows in total confinement as it is not legal to graze in many areas. They wean most calves near 3 months of age to reduce the nutrient requirements of the cows. Most of the feed is purchased from local mills as a complete feed with forage or some roughage source included. Reducing nutritional needs for the cow by weaning early lowers feed costs for the operation. While visiting with a colleague from Canada that has been living in China for over three years, facilities to work cattle are very limited. In fact, he was at a large operation, nearly 10,000 head, with no handling facilities. We should all be thankful for the CAIP funds that have allowed so many of our farms to improve their working facilities. You don’t have to leave the farm today to learn. Today’s access to information via the internet is a great tool. However, if you get the chance to travel to other areas of the state, country or world, be sure to learn about your industry. As cliché as it may seem, knowledge is power. COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

Spring-Calving Cow Herd

General

• Fescue pastures don’t generally produce much this month. If you are lucky and had some rain with this heat, you may have some forage going into the usually dry months. Keep rotating pastures to permit calves to continue gaining weight. Keep minerals available at all times.

• Provide shade and water! Cattle will need shade during the hot part of the day. Check water supply frequently – as much as 20 gallons may be required by high producing cows in very hot weather.

• Bulls should have been removed from the cow herd by now! At the very latest, pull them by September 1. They should be pastured away from the cow herd with a good fence and allowed to regain lost weight and condition. It is a good time to evaluate physical condition, especially feet and legs. Bulls can be given medical attention and still have plenty of time to recover, e.g., corns, abscesses, split hooves, etc. • Repair and improve corrals for fall working and weaning. Consider having an area to wean calves and retain ownership for postweaning feeding rather than selling “green”, lightweight calves. Plan to participate in CPH-45 feeder calf sales in your area

• Select pastures for stockpiling. Remove cattle and apply nitrogen when moisture conditions are favorable. Stockpiled fescues can be especially beneficial for fall-calving cows after calving. Reproductive rates are highest in fall-calving cows grazing stockpiled fescue. • Avoid working cattle when temperatures are extremely high – especially those grazing highendophyte fescue. If cattle must be handled, do so in the early morning. • Do not give up on fly control in late summer, especially if fly numbers are greater than about 50 flies per animal. You can use a different “type” of spray or pouron to kill any resistant flies at the end of fly season.

Fall-Calving Cow Herd

• Keep a good mineral mix available at all times. The UK Beef IRM Basic Cow-Calf mineral is a good choice.

• Dry cows should be moved to better pastures as calving time approaches. Cows should start calving next month. Yearling heifers may begin “headstart” calving later this month. Plan to move cows to stockpiled fescue for the breeding season, so it will soon be time to apply nitrogen fertilizer.

• Cattle may also be more prone to eat poisonous plants during periods of extreme temperature stress. They will stay in “wooded” areas and browse on plants that they would not normally consume. Consider putting a roll of hay in these areas and/ or spraying plants like purple (perilla) mint which can be toxic.

• Prepare for the fall-calving season (usually September). Get ready, be sure you have the following:

• Take soil samples to determine pasture fertility needs. Fertilize as needed, this fall.

- record book - ear tags for identification - calf puller - castration equipment

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

COW COUNTRY • AUGUST 2019

• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

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