Cow Country News - April 2020

Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association 176 Pasadena Drive Lexington, KY 40503

NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID LOUISVILLE KY PERMIT #879

PAGES 46-51

COVID-19

THIRD ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 • 12:00 NOON “Selling 100 lots of Elite Females and Rest Easy Bulls!”

“THERE’S POWER IN THE BLOOD”

1851 - REG. # 19354345 $C + 246 VAR FOREMAN SON SELLS AS LOT 15

8008 - REG. # 19249871 $C + 333 SYDGEN ENHANCE DAUGHTER SELLS AS LOT 4

1850 - REG. # 19354344 $C + 274 OLD HICKORY DAUGHTER SELLS AS LOT 10

1863 - REG. # 19354347 $C + 326 SYDGEN EXPRESS SON SELLS AS LOT 1

1866 - REG. # 19341157 $C + 325 EXAR STUD DAUGHTER SELLS AS LOT 5

1859 - REG. # 19341085 $C + 293 VAR FOREMAN DAUGHTER SELLS AS LOT 9

1874 - REG. # 19341296 $C + 281 SYDGEN EXCEED 5164 SON SELLS AS LOT 18

1860 - REG. # 19354349 $C + 302 SYDGEN EXPRESS DAUGHTER SELLS AS LOT 2

8107 - REG. # 19229437 $C + 248 TEHAMA BONANZA DAUGHTER SELLS AS LOT 13

Featured progeny of PVF Insight, Byergo Black Magic, EWA Peyton 642, EWA West Point 7258 & CHF Blackstock will sell.

For more information or to request a sale book contact:

MIKE ELMORE: (270) 404-6589 • mike@cardinalhillfarms.com • BOB JOHNSON: (270) 427-1410 CARDINAL HILL FARMS • 405 CEDAR GROVE ROAD • GLASGOW, KENTUCKY 42141 • WWW.CARDINALHILLFARMS.COM

PUT A CARDINAL HILL BULL IN YOUR PASTURE AND “REST EASY!” 2

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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Pleasant Hill Farms’

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Spring Production Sale Volume II Due to heavy private treaty interest, our spring production sale that was scheduled for April 25, 2020, 12:30 p.m. c.s.t. in Rockfield, Kentucky has been canceled.

Please plan to join us at our 9th Annual Production Sale October 10, 2020. We will be offering our best PHF Angus, Simmental, and SimAngus genetics for your appraisal. We look forward to seeing you then, and as always, feel free to contact us at any time for a herd visit or if we can be of service.

Pleasant Hill Farms’

THE BEGINNING IS NOW...

9th Annual Fall Production Sale

Saturday, October 10, 2020 12:30pm cst at the farm in Rockfield ,Kentucky Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles 508 Richpond Rockfield Road Rockfield, Kentucky 42274 Email: pleasanthillfarm@twc.com Gil: (270) 843-9021 or (270) 791-3526 cell Corbin Cowles (270) 991-2534 Harvey Mast (270) 791-6873

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S C O LU M N ISTS

7 Steve Dunning: President’s Thoughts 8 Ryan Quarles: Commissioner’s Corner 10 Dave Maples: From Dave’s Desk 12 Baxter Black: Cowboy Vegetarian Cookbook 14 Nathan Lawson: A Time for Neighbors 22 Chris Teutsch: Annual Ryegrass: High Quality Grazing and Conserved Forage!

36 Dr. Michelle Arnold: Biosecurity Basics for Cow-Calf Operations 70 Kevin Laurent: Timely Tips for April

Amburgey Charolais Farm

Annual Bull & Female Sale Saturday, April 11, 2020 1 PM

Followed with the Commercial Cow Sale Blue Grass Stockyards East, Mt. Sterling, KY

Selling:

FEATURE STORIE S 26 Don’t Let Your Cows Eat the Profit Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Agricultural Development 27 Board Approve More Than $2.6 Million in Agricultural Investments

Compost Bedded Pack Barns the Solution to the Winter Feeding 30 Problem for Cow-Calf Operators?

The Importance of Knowing and Understanding Your Zoning Laws 32 Horn Fly: The $1 Billion Insect 34 Considerations for Potential Hemp Producers 35 National Farm Machinery Show Brings $23.8M to Louisville 38 KDA Releases New Guidance Regarding Pesticide Applicator Licens- 39 es in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic

Adding Labels Versus Adding Value 40 One: The Alltech Ideas Conference Transitions to a Virtual Experi- 42 ence for 2020

44 12 Objectives to Improve Beef Cattle Farm Functionality & Profitability 46 USDA Continues Focus on Service During COVID-19 Outbreak Homeland Security Recognizes Agriculture as Critical Industry 47 UK Ag Economist Says Cattle Markets Volatile Amidst COVID-19 48 Uncertainties Impacts of COVID-19 on Food Markets 49 Are You Ready for a Change?

50 Emergency Preparation Considerations for Beef Operation 51

D E N O P T S

(1/2 mile off I-64 at exit 113)

PO

Charolais Bulls

Performance tested, good disposition, semen checked

Bred & Open Heifers For More Information Contact: Robert Amburgey Blue Grass Stockyards East 3171 Camargo Road Tim Gayheart Mt. Sterling, KY 40353 (859) 498-9625 (859) 498-2764 Home (859) 404-3751 Mobile

16 County News 20 NCBA Legislative Update 28 Economic & Policy Update 52-53 Membership Kentucky Beef Council 54-55 Kentucky Beef Network 56-57 Kentucky Angus Association News 61 Calendar of Events 68 Advertisers Index 68 69 Market Report 69 Classifieds

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OAK HOLLOW PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS CATTLE

Why Do We Sell Bulls?

Producing bulls was not the original intention when my father started breeding registered Angus cattle. He simply wanted to breed cattle that would produce the most profitable daughters for the commercial cattleman. This meant producing structurally sound, reproductively efficient, and moderate sized females that would produce a highly marketable calf crop. He planned to breed to bulls from the top performance breeders in the breed. It didn’t matter if it was AI or natural service, he was using the best bulls possible. Something shifted over the last 40+ years though. It has become nearly impossible to find seedstock producers whose cattle have ever seen a bite of fescue, and their breeding decisions show that the first priority is the cow herd. For the better part of 30 years the purpose of developing bulls is not just to sell but to produce our own herd sires. Over that time the progress we have made in the cow herd and in the calf crop is nothing short of amazing.

The fall born calves we will wean the end of the month will be the best calf crop we have ever produced. That is not hyperbole like what you may read on the inside front cover of the sale catalogs you get in the mail or hear from the box on sale day some places. “This is the greatest selection of bulls we’ve ever offered!” They are the best set of calves we have weaned based on the metrics you as a commercial cattleman values with your own calf crop. It is an extremely uniform and consistent calf crop. There is no bottom end calf in the group, and the cows calved in an extremely tight calving window. Most importantly to you as commercial producers these calves have a lot of pounds to them without being too fleshy. Cattle feeders would drool over a pot load of these calves.

We are able to produce such a good calf crop because there is not a bad cow on the farm. There is not a single cow on the farm I would not feel comfortable using a son out of on our own herd. There is not a bad cow on the farm because for 40 years we have sold the bottom end of our cows every single year to retain our top heifers. There is not a bad cow on the farm because we have demanded for over 40 years the bulls we use meet our breeding criteria. The first thing a profitable cow has to do is show up for work every single year. This fall those girls showed up

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

and performed beyond our expectations.

As Dad and I make our sire selections for bull turnout, there is an interesting thing to note. There is not a single bull that sired these calves I’m about to wean that I am turning out again this spring. By using our own bulls that fit our environment and selection criteria we constantly are producing new bulls that eclipse what our previous herd sires were capable of doing.

The same can be said for the bulls we offer to breed your cows. The EPD profile of an average priced bull this year would have been a top bull even five years ago. Let the progress we’ve made impact your cow herd. If you are questioning if you need to replace that old bull, the answer is yes. The cull price on him and the improvement in your calf crop will pay for your new bull in the first year. Give us a call, and we will get you the bull that sets you up to produce your best calf crop ever.

PRIVATE TREATY BULLS FOR SALE ASK ABOUT FINANCING OPTIONS 400 OAK HOLLOW DR. - SMITHS GROVE, KY KENNETH D. LOWE (270) 202-7186 JOE K. LOWE II (270) 202-4399 WWW.OAKHOLLOWANGUS.COM

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K E N T U C K Y CAT T L E M E N ’ S AS S O C I AT I O N 2 0 2 0 L E A D E R S H I P KCA REGIONAL DIRECTORS: REGION 1

Daniel Hayden, VP*.................(270) 570-2815 Buddy Cook.............................(270) 275-1274 Gary Woodall...........................(270) 725-0819 Ricky Haynes............................(270) 945-9057 Don Pemberton........................(270) 889-3885 Don Clements...........................(270) 389-0527 Mark Heimgartner...................(270) 875-2585 Jeremy Armstrong...................(270) 668-2056 John (JJ) Tucker....................(270) 617-0301 Dennis Wilson.........................(270) 952-1714 Caleb Jenkin............................(270) 952-0767

REGION 2

KCA 2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS: PRESIDENT

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

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

TREASURER

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

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

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

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 1974-77 1978-79 1980-82 1983-85 1986-87 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

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Jere Caldwell† - Boyle Smith T. Powell† - Lincoln Larry Lovell - Union John Masters† - Mason Seldon Hail† - Laurel Bob Vickery† - Wayne Glenn Mackie - Bourbon Dale Lovell - Muhlenberg Steve Henshaw† - Union Jerry Fraim - Grayson Glen Massengale† - Wayne Dell King - Christian Kenneth Lowe - Warren Dr. J.L.Cole - Monroe Harvey Mitchell - Mercer Jim Naive† - Spencer Shelby Hughes - Logan Hoppy Lovell - Barren Charles Miller - Jessamine Larry Clay - Perry

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 †(Deceased)

Jack Kimbrough† - Shelby Mark Williams - Crittenden Paul Napier - Lincoln Eddie Young - Washington Greg Ritter† - Barren Don Pemberton - Christian Billy Glenn Turpin - Madison Scotty Parsons - Christian Corinne Kephart - Shelby Greg Robey - Mercer Mike Bach - Bath Don Reynolds - Hart Steve Downs - Marion Gary Woodall - Logan David Lemaster - Clark Chuck Crutcher - Hardin Bobby Foree - Henry Tim White - Fayette

Joe Lowe, VP*.........................(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 Mike Bullock..........................(270) 792-9644 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 Adam Estes..............................(270) 537-3761 Phyllis Gentry..........................(502) 331-1146 Don Reynolds...........................(270) 528-5239 Andy Joe Moore.......................(270) 646-2458

REGION 3

Danny Cooper, VP*...................(606) 782-4809 Wanda Hawkins.......................(502) 321-5602 Alan Bryant..............................(502) 548-1379 Maynard Stetten......................(502) 609-4986

Jerry Oak.................................(502) 525-7248 John Allison.............................(502) 220-3170 Lincoln Clifford........................(859) 954-0102 Allen Phillips............................(502) 829-5652 Phillip Douglas.........................(502) 845-4620 Amanda Hall............................(859) 333-5001 Nicole Goecke..........................(606) 782-2263

REGION 4

Randy Warner, VP*................(859) 771-5280 Lisa Baesler.............................(859) 509-5020 David Lemaster.......................(859) 749-0258 Ron Ray...................................(859) 825-8516 Donovan Pigg..........................(859) 749-9675 Danielle Harmon.....................(606) 748-8059 Ronnie Lowe...........................(606) 782-5058 Jason Crowe............................(859) 582-0761 Amy White..............................(859) 227-2552 Bruce Witt...............................(859) 585-8889 Brandon Sears.........................(502) 777-0738

REGION 5

Phillip Reese, VP*......................(859) 339-0450 Herman Benge.........................(606) 862-6451 Steve Downs...........................(859) 805-1278 Brent Woodrum......................(859) 397-1078 Anne Bays................................(615) 478-8450 Danny Ray Spalding................(859) 336-0444 Adam Chunglo.........................(859) 613-2985 C. Mike Spalding.....................(270) 669-6587 Brent Ware...............................(606) 379-5711 Gary Ford..................................(270) 402-2194 Aaron Burke..............................(859) 265-1172 Jared Foley...............................(270) 858-3900 * Denotes member of Executive committee

VOLUME 33 • ISSUE 4 176 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

Video Production Specialist Danny Coy

KBC Director of Product Development Katelyn Hawkins

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

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.

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PRESIDENT’S THOUGHTS STEVE DUNNING Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association President As I pen this article for the president’s thoughts, I am reminded that Spring is one day earlier this year, arriving on March 19. As I look out my office window overlooking the farm, I think that it doesn’t look too “Springy” at the moment.

But I take satisfaction in knowing that Spring is truly one day closer. There was a time when winter had no ill affect on me. In fact, as a younger man I enjoyed winter, snow and cold. However as time marches on, I find that I am becoming more anxious for warm sunny weather.

During recent travels across the Commonwealth while attending county meetings and livestock sales, I have discovered hay in short supply throughout the central region of Kentucky. Tests indicate that what hay there is, it seems to be sufficient. At home

we still have a good inventory of quality hay on hand barring any late snowfall or unusually long cold snaps. I believe we have enough to “get us through” as the old time tested saying goes. Momma cows are calving and so far “the crop” looks pretty good. I am now able to see the progeny of the new Sim-Angus bull purchased last Spring and I think dad has done a great job.

the seed in and don’t want to leave ruts from the tractor or spreader. We are also in the process of building back a barn which was lost in the January 11 windstorm that struck our area.

On target every year, the angus-cross calve 282 days after joining the bulls on our annually scheduled date of May 21.

This date I picked as it was easy for me to remember...my mother’s birthday.

Just as plans were coming together after years of hard work making deals, straightening all the “wrinkles” and having an administration that is on the farmer’s side, I thought that nothing could go wrong. Well guess what...along comes a new virus and boom! The stock market tanks taking the cattle market down with it.

It is also time to start overseeding pastures and hayground. Seems like the ground just doesn’t get dry enough between rains. I still like to roll or press

Looking at the market, it seems that prices have been steady but no steady uptick. Quality cattle prices have been improving somewhat, but harvest cows are greatly stagnated.

I pray that our leaders, foreign and domestic, will push our scientists to discover a vaccine and cure for Covid-19 and hopefully in the near future we will be able to get back on track and start exporting box beef to China as planned.

Growing up as a farm kid, the first week of March always meant that it was time for lard rendering and that meant a new Barlow or Purina checker board pen knife for the “cracklins”. I can still taste those cracklins now and the delicious cornbread that followed.

My grandmother would always make a “mess” of hominy while the cauldron was still hot. After watching her process of lye soap and wood ashes, I will not eat hominy or grits to this day.

Cowboy Up.

GRASS TIME PARTNERS 19TH ANNUAL ANGUS BULL & FEMALE SALE • Saturday, APRIL 25 • 1PM

50 Bulls

40 Registered Females

50

Commercial Females

NEW DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION!

BLUE GRASS STOCKYARDS EAST • 3025 OWINGSVILLE ROAD, MT. STERLING, KY 40353

C A L L A H E A D T O C H E C K S A L E S TAT U S Featuring Progeny of: Discovery Cowboy Up Black Magic Dually Fortress Rampage

Commercial Females: Jack Debord TD Cattle Steve Vice Pelphrey Cattle Co. Carr Lane Farm QQ Farms Green Oaks Farm

Bull Consignors:

Morehead State University McDonald Angus Triple C Farms 4th Quarter Ranch Clairbrook Farms KW Angus Vice Farms Mt. Moriah Lakeville Farms

Registered Female Consignors: (all bull consignors plus)

4-C Livestock Several Fancy AI Fall Bred Heifers

For more information or to request a catalog contact JOHN MCDONALD (859) 404-1406 or JASON CROWE (859) 582-0761

®

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COMMISSIONER’S CORNER RYAN QUARLES Commissioner of Agriculture Over the course of the last several weeks, Kentucky and the nation have dealt with the increasing public health threat of COVID-19, otherwise referred to as the coronavirus. It’s no secret that the coronavirus pandemic has unleashed uncertainty in the economy. In this environment, Kentucky’s farm families are at the forefront of my mind. During this crisis, we know that our friends and neighbors in the retail, restaurant, and agriculture sectors are working overtime to provide food and fiber for Kentucky consumers.

It is important to realize food supplies overall have remained adequate thus far. Our retailers are in a strong position and are adapting to consumer habits that that shifted within 24 hours. From a market standpoint, industry experts suggest that prices for staple crops looks to be stable right now. However, it is critically important for federal officials to keep an eye on supply and demand issues for our livestock and poultry

sectors – particularly when it comes to beef and cattle markets. With increased demand at every step of the supply chain, everyone from the haulers and stock markets to the regional processors could use our help right now. I am participating in regular conference calls with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to discuss this issue and more, including ag labor issues and economic assistance. I will continue to keep in touch with Secretary Perdue’s team to make sure the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has the latest and best information so we can make the best decisions going forward.

As you may know, we’ve already made some decisions. At the direction of the Governor, we have reduced in-person workforce at the KDA by 50 percent and have developed new ways for our staff to work from home on a temporary basis. All KDA managed livestock shows have been canceled and Market Animal Validation Sites have been closed

through April 6. I encourage you to frequently visit www.kyagr.com to check for a list of updates from my office, as well as a list of events that have either been canceled or postponed in the agriculture community. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has a strong relationship with Kentucky’s cattle industry. We are in constant communication with KCA executive director Dave Maples and the livestock marketing managers around the state.

I have no doubt that we will get through this together. Lincoln once confessed that he didn’t feel like he controlled events, but that events had controlled him. In the coming weeks, I expect that events will take the Kentucky agriculture community to places we have never fathomed. But, one thing remains true: America has the safest, most abundant food supply in the world supported by the hardest working men and women, America’s farm families.

DON’T FALL BEHIND THE HERD!

GELBVIEH AND BALANCER

BULLS FOR SALE

Eby Aluminum Trailers

Gooseneck steel and aluminum trailers

HAYES TRAILER SALES INC ADS GODFATHER 575C

BIG STOUT 13-18 MONTH BULLS READY FOR SERVICE ELIGIBLE CAIP COST SHARE MONEY We have been breeding Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle for the last 31 years.

We have worked hard to continue to produce easy calving, high performing, and highly maternal cattle.

WIlliam McIntosh • 285 Soards Road • Georgetown, Kentucky 40324 • (502) 867-3132 Steve McIntosh • 3348 Frankfort Road • Georgetown, Kentucky 40324 • (502) 868-5726

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Russellville, Kentucky 800-766-7034 hayestrailersales.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

NEW DATE!

Annual Female Event

BURNS FARMS

12 noon CDT

SATURDAY, MAY 9

Pikeville, TN

150 HEAD SELL AS 90 HEREFORD FEMALE LOTS Horned & Polled Elite Fall ET Heifers, Fall Bred Heifers, Fall Bull & Heifer Calf Splits, Spring Yearling Heifers, Spring Pairs & Proven Donors

KJ BJ 58Z CONTENDER D56 ET 2018 NWSS Reserve Grand Champion Horned Bull UPS Sensation 2296 ET x MSU Rachael 58Z ET

Several of the females selling carry his service.

CED

BW

WW

YW

SC

Milk

M&G

CW

REA

Marb BMI$

BII$

CHB$

+4.7 +1.9 +61 +92 +0.8 +25 +55 +88 +.86 +.15 +312 +388 +119

CSF 18U OLIVIA 2102 2013 NAILE Grand Champion Female Golden Oak Outcross 18U x CSF BR Gabrielle 8129 ET (Sooner x Gabrielle 5082)

Selling full sisters to Olivia and maternal sisters sired by Contender and Cash Flow!

Herefords Since 1952

DAVID BURNS Farm Manager (615) 477-5668 Email: burnsfarms@msn.com 12733 Old State Hwy. 28 • Pikeville, TN 37367 w ww. burnsfarms.com

TAL #6690 TFL #5818 Dustin N. Layton • (405) 464-2455 laytond@yahoo.com Andee Marston • (785) 250-4449 www.laytonauction.com

Please contact the farm or the sale manager to request a sale catalog, or visit our website.

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FROM DAVE’S DESK DAVE MAPLES

This is different because there is not a lot of clarity. Cattle prices are not what they were just a few days ago and the stock market is limit down seems like every day. In these times there are opportunities but it takes a well thought through decision and recognition of the real opportunity. We can’t panic we have to make rational business decisions and not emotional decisions when it comes to our cattle operations. Time is beautiful if you can ride it out.

The Association has been in daily contact with our national partners and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture as well as our other state and national leaders. There is going to be a need to see some relief when it comes to ag financing because the stress level is high and some won’t be able to make payments because of the disruption.

H

We are in unchartered territory with a world wide pandemic. The uneasiness of the unknown is what is eerie. With a snow storm or natural disaster you can see what is happening but with this it is different.

N NTI SMIT UI

A

QUINTIN SMITH FAMILY/LANNING/GUESTS ANGUS SALE

★ FEATURING THE QUINTIN SMITH/PAPA GANOUSH PARTNERSHIP DISPERSAL ★ SUNDAY APRIL 26 • 1:00PM • HORN SPRINGS SALE FACILITY ★ 2135 LEBANON ROAD, LEBANON, TN M

S

★ ★ ★ F

Hunkering down and heading for the bunkers. With schools out and family gathered around we knew we needed to stock up on our food supply. On Friday evening we headed to our local Kroger.

I always go straight to the meat case and to my amazement all the beef was gone except for three packs of organic ground beef patties. What was in the meat case was the plant based “fake meat” products.

Q

Executive Vice President

I LY A N G

U

Quintin & Vicki Smith 5171 Cainsville Road Lebanon, TN 37090 H: (615) 444-8701 C: (615) 207 0830 quintinsmithfamilyangus.com

200+ HEAD SELL

150 FEMALES, 50 BULLS, EMBRYOS

D E N O P T S

PO

CHAMPION HILL GEORGINA 6174 This proven producer is the topselling female of a past Champion Hill Sale and a granddaughter of the National Western Grand Champion Female Champion Hill Georgina 2121. She sells along with her progeny.

AUCTIONEER:

MIKE JONES TN LIC# 1807

When the dust clears it is really going to be interesting to see how we evaluate this crisis. What industries are the essential?

Everyone is hunkered down but the food supply chain has to operate. Will this be a time to really evaluate our food supply chains in the weeks to come? Will the big packing plants be forced to close? Do we need a number of smaller well-placed plants? The way we market and move our cattle could be affected going forward by the disruption.

Time is a wonderful thing you just have to manage it and remember there is opportunity in the middle of chaos you just have to recognize it.

DS LADY PEAK DOT 0354 The reigning 2018 Atlantic National Grand Champion Cow also named the Reserve Grand Champion Cow and Reserve Grand Champion Udder award winner at the 2018 All-American. Her progeny sell.

QVS GEORGINA 2031 The 2014 ROV Reserve Cow of the Year named the 2013 All-American Grand Champion Cow/Calf and Grand Champion Udder award winner, and the 2013 American Royal Reserve Grand Champion Cow/Calf. Her progeny sell.

For your free reference sale booklet, contact anyone in the office of the Sale Managers, TOM BURKE/KURT SCHAFF/JEREMY HAG, AMERICAN ANGUS HALL OF FAME at the WORLD ANGUS HEADQUARTERS, PO Box 660, Smithville, MO 64089-0660 • Phone (816) 532-0811 • Fax (816) 532-0851 • angushall@angushall.com • www.angushall.com

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COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE

Middle Tennessee Hereford Association

C OW B OY V E G E TA R I A N COOKBOOK

Saturday • April 25, 2020 • 11:30 am CT KY/TN Livestock Market • Cross Plains, TN

Annual Sale Exit 112, I-65 North of Nashville

Selling Registered Horned and Polled Breeding Stock

BAXTER BLACK, DVM W WW. BA X T ERBL ACK.COM

When beef gets short, a lot of cowboys are forced to do without. The cook must come up with meatless meals. The following recipes are from the Cowboy Vegetarian Cookbook.

TENNIS SHOE TONGUE: Select an old one. The price is better and it may have picked up some natural flavor depending on where it has been worn. Boiling is suggested but it may also be fried to a crisp and served on a bed of marinated sweat shirt. Garnish with pickled shoe string.

SEED CORN CAP PIZZA: Carefully clean with a fish scaling knife. Remove all metal buttons, rivets and any plastic tabs.

Flatten the cap by soaking in linseed oil then placing it underneath a door mat that gets heavy use. Once pliable cover it with lots of cheese and ketchup. Dry kibbles or

dust motes may be sprinkled as a topping for variety.

MEADOW HAY SALAD: Choose a bale toward the middle of the stack. Break the bale being careful to remove any plastic twine. Take a flake and winnow it over the garage floor. Then chop the stems with a heavy blunt utensil like a bucket or hoe.

For dressing, pound a kumquat sized piece of 17% protein block on a flat surface and add vinegar. Croutons chipped from corn cobs or diced styrofoam may be tossed in.

Feed whatever is left to the cows.

FAN BELT FAJITAS: The most succulent fan belt can be found on old farm equipment molding in your boneyard. It should be sliced into bite-sized chunks.

Tenderize before cook ing by soaking in fingernail polish remover.

• Registered Females: Spring and Fall calving pairs, bred and open heifers • Registered Service Age Bulls • Hereford Influenced Commercial Cattle For more information or catalogs contact: Dale Stith 918-760-1550 • Billy Jackson 615-478-4483 Fry in lard along with half a hatful of 3/4 inch black plastic hose and shredded playing cards.

Serve with beer and jalapeños. It tastes a lot like abalone.

RAWHIDE STEW: Ever wondered what to do with those old reins, quirts or saddle tree bark? This recipe has been tried and tested from ancient Mongolians right up through Donner Pass. Place the strips of rawhide in a pot and boil for as many weeks as the firewood holds out. What you add to the stew depends on what’s available: i.e. pine cones, hoof trimmings, iron pyrite or old hat brims. It’s filling but don’t expect much more.

ROASTED KAK: Ever eat a saddle? Some parts are edible. Dig a hole big enough to bury a small mule. Burn elm, cottonwood and old tires to get a bed of coals. Wrap the saddle in a plastic tarp (blue), place it on the coals and cover with dirt. Cook for hours on end. Dig up and serve with baked faucet washers. Feeds up to two truckloads of hungry cowboys.

That should give you an idea of what you can do when you run out of beef at the ranch.

There are many other Cowboy Vegetarian recipes like Latigo Jerky, Gunstock Paté and Smokin’ Joe’s Copenhagen Torte, but this should get you started.

Ask for Pasture Management Fixed Knot Wire, posts, and more at your local farm store or find a dealer at

www.pasturemgmt.com/locate

12

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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Learn more at www.masseyferguson.us, or visit your Massey Ferguson dealer. *Offer valid with the purchase of one of the above new Hesston by Massey Ferguson and Massey Ferguson tractors and haytools. Discount applies to members of national, regional and local cattle associations. See an authorized Massey Ferguson dealer for more details. Offer expires December 31, 2020 and may be subject to change without notice. ©2020 AGCO Corporation. Massey Ferguson is a worldwide brand of AGCO Corporation. Hesston is a brand of AGCO. AGCO, Massey Ferguson and Hesston are trademarks of AGCO. All rights reserved.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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13

CHECKING ON THE CHECK-OFF

A TIME FOR NEIGHBORS NATHAN LAWSON Director of Kentucky Beef Council Mr. Neal stopped by today. He caught me at home which doesn’t happen often anymore. Visits with him are always good. He often stops just to see how things are going, how the kids are doing and always to talk cattle. It’s a shame, he checks on us more than we do him! Mr. Neal’s the kind of man you won’t find with his head down looking at a handheld screen, driving hurriedly with a phone to his ear, or glued to a television at night watching the game. Conversations with him will never include statements like, “I saw on Facebook where…”

You’ll find him caring for his cattle and his people. Mr. Neal’s our neighbor and he has lived in the same small farming community his whole life, except the time he spent serving our country during the Korean war. Now, in his mid80’s his daily ritual of checking cattle, feeding calves and visiting neighbors is a routine you can set your clock by. I’ve often thought, “I wonder if he springs forward and falls back?”

I really don’t think it concerns him. We can see his kitchen window across the field from ours, rarely is there a light on after dark. As a widower, he speaks fondly of his wife and talks often of his time growing up on Timbercreek. His mother came down with tuberculosis when he was two, he barely had contact with her from that point forward until her death. An older sister would stand in that gap until he was grown. Upon a recent visit, we were discussing the panicked response to the Covid-19 outbreak. He couldn’t remember a time when grocery shelves were so bare. Our conversation soon led to recollections of growing up. “I can’t remember yesterday, but I can remember 70 years ago! We were poor. People today don’t know that kind of poor. But we were never hungry, there was always meat in the smokehouse and canned goods in the cellar,” he said.

I could write a book on the simple, yet profound lessons I’ve learned from him over the years. I’ve never had to wonder where I stand with Mr. Neal and there’s a sense of comfort knowing 14

he’ll be passing by right on schedule each morning as the kids are waiting on the bus and again in the evening just before dinner. His favorite mode of transportation? A thousand series Ford tractor, with three-point mounted bale spear, road gear at an idle. Folks have learned to let off the gas upon entering our stretch of road. He’s one of a kind and we’re proud to know him.

Likely, the largest cattle producer in our county, you’d never know he and his son tended so many acres and cared for as many cows. I’m always humbled when he wants to talk cattle and markets, knowing that he’s seen more, knows more and likely has a better idea of where we’re headed than I could, still he asks. I’ll never forget what he told me in the fall of 2014, “Nate. I’ve never seen cattle this high and you’ll never see ‘em this high again.”

that needs to be fed anyway. Take care of those little ones! I don’t know what to say about any of it… as long as we’ve got something to eat and a good place to sleep, we’re doing alright. The best to ya’,” he said, as he turned to leave.

There are times when a good neighbor is all we need and the time is always right, to be one. This is one of those times. Friends, neighbors and strangers near and far are coming face to face with the reality of their dependence on agriculture and our food service system.

A renewed awareness and appreciation for where food comes from is being born out of adversity, in spite of all our

critics. As ominous as things may look in the short run, now is our time. A time when the beef industry and the larger agricultural community can shine. We feed the world, we feed our neighbors and we stick together. We may find that our generation was made for such a time as this. C.S. Lewis once said, “Do not waste time bothering whether you “love” your neighbor; act as if you do, and you will presently come to love him.”

There was nothing out of the ordinary about Mr. Neal’s visit today, but Mr. Neal is anextraordinary neighbor.

Of course, I hope he’s wrong. If he is, I’ll be pleasantly surprised. Each time I hear people compare where we are to that record setting time in our cattle markets, his words come to mind. You know, I’ve never heard him complain.

He just keeps working, thinking, figuring it out. No college degree, no high school diploma, and no doubt he understands the ebb and flow as well as anyone.

The other evening Addison and I were in the backyard playing catch after dinner when Mr. Neal came walking up the drive. He was in his newer pair of overalls, already cleaned up from the day. As he sat down in the swing next to our house he asked, “Nathan, what should I do with my calves? I had planned to sell them, but with the way things are I don’t think now’s the time.”

In the seven days prior we’d seen the value of our cattle fall sharply as the whole world responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. I knew I didn’t need to say anything, he already knew what he would do and as a fellow cattleman with calves to sell myself, I was more interested in hearing his thoughts and plans, than sharing my own. “I think I’ll let the dust settle a little and see where we are in a few weeks. I’ve got corn COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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15

MUHLENBERG COUNTY NEWS

LARUE COUNTY NEWS

Submitted by Darrel Simpson

Submitted by Brenda Gaddie

The Muhlenberg County Cattlemen’s Association and Pogue Automotive Group teamed up again this year to provide a $1,000 scholarship for a Muhlenberg County High School graduate planning to pursue a degree in agriculture. Nathan Petrie, son of Greg and Amy Petrie is the 2020 recipient. Nathan will be pursuing a degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky. Pictured from left to right are Mark and Freda Pogue Owners of Pogue Automotive Group, Nathan Petrie, Amy and Greg Petrie, and Jerry Oates, chairman of the Muhlenberg County Cattlemen’s Scholarship committee.

The Larue County Cattlemen’s Association Board met February 19, 2020. Directors and Officers present were: Leslie Wease, Secretary; Chris Thomas, Cody Howell; Kelly Flanders; Jerry Gaddie, Treasurer; Larry Allen; James Gray; Joe Stults, President; Craig Thompson, Vice-President; and, Brenda Gaddie, Reporter.

Jerrell Beliles, current President of the Muhlenberg County Cattlemen’s Association left and Roy Day, past President of the Muhlenberg County Cattlemen’s Association, right pose for a picture after past President Day was presented with a jacket for his years of service to the Association.

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COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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

Saturday, April 4, 2020—12:00 PM

UPCOMING SALES Blue Grass Albany Bret Carver 606-387-4681 Blue Grass Campbellsville Ronnie Choate 270-465-4051 Blue Grass East Tim Gayheart 859-498-9625 Blue Grass Internet Adam Menker 859-255-7701 Blue Grass Lexington Jeremy Shryock 859-255-7701 Blue Grass Maysville Corey Story 606-759-7280 Blue Grass Richmond Jim Dause 859-623-1280 Blue Grass South David Holt 606-365-0665

Blue Grass East D E L L Amburgey Registered Charolais Sale E C N A ALE C Saturday, April 11 @ 1:00SPM Blue Grass South KY Certified Hereford Influence Sale Thursday, May 14 @ 10:30 AM Blue Grass Lexington Belles & Bulls of the Bluegrass Saturday, April 4 @ 12:00 PM Turnout Classic Saturday, April 11 @ 11:00 AM

Longhorn Sale ED L L E C N A C E Friday, May 22 & Saturday, May SAL23 All Blue Grass markets intend to continue having sales at all our locations. We realize that this is a critical time for our customers that need cash flow for fertilizer and other spring expenses and we want to continue offering the opportunity to sell for those that want or need to do so.

Special sales scheduled over the next few weeks at all locations are being considered on a case by case basis, please check our website and social media for info on their status.

bgstockyards.com COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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17

GLENVIEW FARMS Avoid the crowds by coming to our farm for personalized service!

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Danny Rankin • Cell: 502 693-4803 • Email: drankin@glenviewfarms.com

2923 Port Royal Road | Campbellsburg, KY 40011 18

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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Steve Downs Lebanon 270-402-3672

MARK DAVIS FAMILY ANGUS ONLINE HEIFER SALE APRIL 14,2020

BID ONLINE ANGUSLIVE.COM Heifers sired by: Silveras Style

Todd Harned Boston 502-249-2354

Central Kentucky Premier Heifer Sale

June 6th, 2020 • 1:00 PM EST

Blue Grass Stockyards • Lexington, KY • Approximately 300 head will sell from producers in Marion, Nelson and Washington Counties.

Buford Pathfinder

• Bred to calve in fall starting September 1st .

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Stevenson Turning Point AED Shadoe 918G She Sells

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Terry Geoghegan Bardstown 502-827-0771

David Sandusky Lebanon 270-692-7793

THIS SUMMER, HELP PREVENT THE NUTRITIONAL AND PERFORMANCE CHALLENGES OF CATTLE GRAZING FESCUE WITH FESCUE EMT.

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COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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19

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE NCBA STATEMENT ON BEEF FROM BRAZIL Group Has “Serious Concerns”About Re-Entry of Brazilian Beef to U.S. Market National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Director, International Trade and Market Access, Kent Bacus today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture restoring access to the U.S. for Brazilian beef: “NCBA strongly supports science-based trade and the Trump Administration’s efforts to enforce science-based trade with all trade partners. But to be clear, NCBA has serious concerns about the re-entry of Brazilian beef to the U.S. market.

“NCBA has frequently questioned the lack of scientific evidence that was used to justify Brazil’s initial access to the U.S. market in 2016, and unfortunately, we were not surprised when Brazil forfeited its beef access to the U.S. in 2017 due to numerous food safety violations. NCBA praised Secretary Perdue for standing up for science-based trade and holding Brazil accountable for their numerous violations by suspending Brazil’s access and subjecting Brazil to undergo a thorough science-based inspection and audit process. It is evident that USDA believes that Brazil has addressed the concerns raised in the audit process, and steps will soon be taken to restore Brazil’s access to the United States.

“Given Brazil’s history of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and its track record of repeated food safety violations at portsof-entry, you can rest assured that NCBA will keep an eagle eye focus on all developments with Brazil and we expect nothing less than the highest level of scrutiny from USDA and customs officials.

Should Brazil continue to have food safety or animal health issues, we expect the U.S. government, including Capitol Hill, to take all necessary and immediate action to protect U.S. consumers and U.S. beef

producers.

“The re-entry of Brazilian beef to the U.S. market only further exacerbates concerns about the use of “Product of USA” labels on beef sold in the United States. As the trusted leader and definitive voice of the U.S. beef industry, NCBA will continue leading conversations with USDA and the entire supply chain to address any labels that may allow imported beef to carry a “Product of USA” label. NCBA believes voluntary origin labels with verified source claims will provide transparency in labeling without violating our international trade obligations.”

NCBA, AGRICULTURE GROUPS LAUNCH FARMERS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TO HIGHLIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

the American Farm Bureau Federation, USA Rice, American Sugar Alliance, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Pork Producers Council.

NCBA is also a founding member of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, a multi-stakeholder organization composed of more than 220 ranchers, feed yard operators, packers, food service companies, research institutions, and NGOs that share a mission to advance, support, and communicate about beef’s sustainability.

Lane said that American beef producers have a great environmental story to tell, and FSF is another way for NCBA to do just that.

“We know that consumers care how beef is produced, and they want to know that it’s done in a way that’s environmentally and socially sustainable,” Lane said. “In fact, the U.S. is the leader in sustainable The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association beef production, with a carbon footprint (NCBA) today joined 20 other national 10 to 50 times lower than the rest of the agricultural groups in kicking off Farmers world. And while we’ve already made a lot for a Sustainable Future, a coalition of ag of progress, American cattle farmers and organizations committed to environmental ranchers are committed to continuous and economic sustainability. The coalition improvement by producing high-quality was introduced at a news conference on beef even more sustainably for generations to come.”

Capitol Hill today.

“Today’s launch of the Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF) is a defining moment,” said NCBA Vice President, Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, who spoke at today’s rollout event in Washington. “Twenty-one agricultural groups — which represent the vast majority of the agricultural industry in our country — are standing side by side in unity to correct a false narrative that has haunted us for as long as I can remember. We’re here because we support incentivizing innovation, science-based research, resilient infrastructure, and focusing on outcomes.”

Other members of the Farmers for a Sustainable Future coalition include

NCBA SENDS LETTER TO CAPITOL HILL URGING RELIEF FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS In response to the ongoing efforts to provide relief to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued the following statement: “As the country reels both economically and emotionally from the spread of COVID-19, NCBA has been hard at work ensuring that cattle producers remain able to focus on the national infrastructure priority of keeping high-quality beef available to consumers.

“Meeting that challenge requires federal officials at the Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Interior, Treasury, and more to have a full understanding of how our product gets from the pasture to the plate – and we’re extremely proud to tell that story. ”In these challenging times, that story is about the strength of our cattleproducing families and what they need to weather this storm. COVID-19 has dealt a tremendously challenging hand to producers across the country. These highly volatile markets cannot be allowed to force our ranching families out of business just when consumers need them most.

“In order to combat this staggering burden, NCBA has been actively engaged with leaders in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to ensure that relief funds from any aid package reach these struggling cattle producers directly.

It is important that any such relief avoids the lasting market-altering effects of a price support program, such as those that have been proposed by some members of the Senate. Instead, we must keep the focus on providing quick, targeted relief to struggling producers. While the effects of COVID-19 will be felt across the country, we must ensure we avoid permanent, fundamental changes to workings of the American cattle market. We applaud Senators and Representatives from across the country who are working to provide those solutions using proven avenues such as the Commodity Credit Corporation as administered through USDA. “Americans always rise to the challenge in times of need and the work of these officials in Congress and in the administration during this trying time is a testament to that great tradition. We thank each of them for their efforts and stand ready to assist moving forward.”

You can read NCBA’s letter to Capitol Hill here: https://bit.ly/3bbxpki

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.

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COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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FORAGES

A N NUA L RYEGRASS: HIGH QUALI TY G RAZI NG AND C O N S E RV E D F O RAG E !

CHRIS D. TEUTSCH UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, Princeton, Kentucky

Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is a cool-season annual bunchgrass that is indigenous to southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia (Fig. 1). It is widely adapted and can be found throughout the world. In the United States, annual ryegrass is grown on close to 3 million acres annually. The majority of this acreage is found in the southeastern United States where it is utilized for winter pasture. Most annual ryegrass is sodseeded into permanently established warm-season grasses to extend the grazing season. However, annual ryegrass can be grown following corn silage or other row crops or in rotation with a summer annual grass.

Annual ryegrass is both highly digestible and extremely palatable making it a desirable species to include in forage systems.

Selecting Annual Ryegrass Variety Annual

ryegrass

type.

Annual

ryegrass is grouped into two main types, Italian and Westerwold. The Westerwold type will produce seed regardless of planting date. Italian ryegrass, requires a cold period to induce seedhead formation. In reality, annual ryegrass varieties are a continuum between these two types and when planted in the fall behave as a winter annual.

Climatic adaptation. Annual ryegrass varieties exhibit a wide range of winterhardiness. In Kentucky and other transition zone states, cold tolerance as indicated by winter survival and subsequent yield is an important consideration in variety selection. Always choose varieties that have been tested in Kentucky. Varieties that have performed consistently well in Kentucky are listed in Table 1.

Disease resistance. Crown rust (Puccinia coronata Corda) is a major disease impacting annual ryegrass grown

Figure 1. Diploid and tetraploid annual ryegrass at the vegetative stage of growth.

TABLE 1. ANNUAL RYEGRASS VARIETIES WITH PROVEN PERFORMANCE IN KENTUCKY Relative Maturity2

Rust Resistance3

Variety

Seed Company

Type

Ploidy1

Barmultra II

Barenbrug USA

Italian

Tetraploid

Centurion

Mtn. View Seeds

Westerwold

Diploid

M

H

Marshall

The Wax Co.

Westerwold

Diploid

L

M

Mtn. View Seeds

Italian

Tetraploid

L

M

Oregro Seeds

Westerwold

Diploid

M

H

TetraPrime

Winterhawk

H

1. Ploidy refers to the number of chromosome sets within a cell.; 2. E, early, M, medium or L, late.; 3H, high, M, medium or L, low.

22

Figure 2. In early spring, annual ryegrass is a wall of highly digestible forage that can be grazed or conserved as baleage. In this photo, research plots are being harvested for yield and nutritive value. in the southeastern US. This disease can significantly decrease forage yields and is best controlled by selecting varieties that are rust resistant.

Yield. Choose a high-yielding variety and manage for optimal forage quality.

Although expected yield for annual ryegrass depends on many factors, including rainfall and fertilization, University of Kentucky data shows that with good management yields are normally 3 - 4 tons/A (Figure 2 and Table 2). Use an improved variety that backs production claims with yield data from independent replicated trials. Although catchy names and producer testimonials help to sell seed, they are not always an accurate representation of actual performance. Varietal selection should be based on at least three years of data from the University of Kentucky’s variety testing program.

Forage quality. There are many definitions for forage quality. Probably the single best definition is “the ability of a forage to produce a desired animal response.” The ability of forage to produce this response is impacted by a number of factors including plant species, temperature, fertilization, time of day harvested, and stage of maturity at harvest. Of these factors, stage of maturity at harvest is the single most important factor impacting forage quality. As forage plants mature forage quality decreases. Research conducted at Virginia Tech’s Southern Piedmont AREC located near Blackstone, VA,

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

indicates that annual ryegrass harvested at the early boot to head stage can have crude protein concentrations ranging from 10 to 20% and energy values of 60 to 75% (Table 3).

Ploidy. This term refers to the number of chromosome sets within a cell. Diploid and tetraploid cultivars of annual ryegrass are commercially available.

Tetraploids possess twice as many chromosome sets as diploids. They have wider leaf blades and appear to be more succulent. Recent data suggests that there is little difference in yield or nutritive value between diploids and tetraploids. Selecting a cultivar adapted to the conditions in Kentucky is more important than ploidy level.

Seed quality. Buy high-quality seed of a known variety. Seed should be free of weeds and possess a high germination rate. Buying certified or proprietary seed will ensure that you are getting the genetics you are paying for. Order seed early to ensure availability and timely planting.

Establishment Annual ryegrass has high seedling vigor, making it well-adapted to either conventional, minimum-tillage, notillage establishment or even aerial seeded into standing row crops. Aerial seedings are NOT ideal since they do NOT achieve good soil to seed contact that ensures uniform and timely germination and emergence. Seeding rates are shown in Table 3. Pure stands should be planted

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TABLE 2. YIELD OF PROVEN ANNUAL RYEGRASS VARIETIES IN TRIALS HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FARM, LEXINGTON, KY.

Marshall

TetraPrime

Winterhawk

NE

4.66

NE

3.93

NE1

NE

3.19

NE

3.72

2012-2013

3.43

4.53

4.66

4.72

4.29

2013-2014

3.15

NE

3.33

NE

NE

2014-2015

NE

3.74

2.84

2.72

3.39

2015-2016

6.36

NE

5.08

5.27

NE

2016-2017

NE

3.44

3.43

3.11

NE

2017-2018

NE

3.00

2.54

2.54

2.89

Standard Deviation2

1.50

0.64

0.95

1.24

0.53

Median

4.23

3.59

3.38

3.11

3.72

Average

4.49

3.68

3.72

3.67

3.64

Year

Barmultra II

Centurion

2010-2011

5.03

2011-2012

ton DM per acre

TABLE 3. SEEDING RATES FOR ANNUAL RYEGRASS GROWN IN PURE STANDS AND IN MIXTURES WITH SMALL GRAINS, BRASSICAS, AND WINTER ANNUAL LEGUMES.

Annual ryegrass alone

20 to 30 lb/A

Annual ryegrass + oats

15 lb/A + 50 lb/A

Annual ryegrass + wheat

15 lb/A + 90 b/A

Annual ryegrass + rye

15 lb/A + 85 lb/A

Annual ryegrass + barely

15 lb/A + 70 lb/A

Annual ryegrass + tritcale

15 lb/A + 70 lb/A

Annual ryegrass + kale or rape or turnips

15 lb/A + 2 lb/A

Annual ryegrass + swede

15 lb/A + 1 lb/A

Annual ryegrass + crimson clover

15 lb/A + 10 lb/A

Annual ryegrass + Austrian winter pea

15 lb/A + 25 lb/A

Annual ryegrass + hairy vetch

15 lb/A + 10 lb/A

07-08

24

42

15.0

74

0.74

33

55

13.4

64

0.63

08-09

32

50

10.9

65

0.64

38

59

13.1

58

0.57

to actively compete with the cool-season annuals. However, interseeding coolseason annuals into a dormant sod that was well managed prior to the drought does not work as well as expected in many cases. This is because the ground is dry and when the rain finally comes the seed not only starts to germinate and grow, but so does the dormant sod.

An established tall fescue sod has an extensive root system that competes well for limited moisture. On the other hand, newly established seedlings have a very small root system and are at a serious disadvantage when competing for water, sunlight, and nutrients, when compared to an established tall fescue sod.

Fertilization

1. NE indicates that the variety was not entered in the UK Annual Ryegrass Variety Trial in that year.

TABLE 3. NUTRITIVE VALUE OF ANNUAL RYEGRASS VARIETIES IN TRIALS HELD AT VIRGINIA TECH’S SOUTHERN PIEDMONT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTER, BLACKSTONE, VA FROM 2002 TO 2010.

FIRST HARVEST YEAR

ADF

1

NDF

CP

SECOND HARVEST TDN

NEL

Mcal/lb

ADF

NDF

CP

TDN

NEL

Mcal/lb

02-03

33

54

10.5

64

0.63

38

65

11.9

58

0.57

03-04

26

45

13.4

72

0.72

30

52

18.5

67

0.66 0.73

04-05

22

40

20.7

76

0.76

25

48

20.3

73

05-06

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

06-07

20

38

22.2

78

0.78

32

54

14.8

65

0.64

09-10

26

43

11.8

72

0.71

34

60

15.2

63

0.62

CV(%)2

19

13

32

7

8

14

10

20

8

9

Std Dev

5

6

5

5

0.06

5

6

3

5

0.06

Avg

26

45

15

72

0.71

33

56

15

64

0.63

1. ADF, acid detergent fiber, NDF, neutral detergent fiber, CP, crude protein, TDN, total digestible nutrients, and NEL, net energy for lactation. 2. 2CV, coefficient of variation, is a measure of variability. In this case, variability in forage quality was likely caused by differing stages maturity at harvest between years

at a rate of 20 - 30 lb/A. In mixtures with small grains or other winter annual legumes or forbs, seeding rate should be reduced to 10 - 15 lb/A. Seeding depth should be ¼ - ½ inch. Annual ryegrass can be planted from late summer (midAugust) to late fall (early-November).

However, plantings after mid-September produce little fall growth, are more susceptible to winter injury, and may not be as productive the following spring. If fall grazing is desired, seeding after the first good rain in August is a good general rule.

Sod suppression is important when no-till seeding into an existing sod. This may be accomplished by close grazing, mowing or light tillage prior to establishment. A burn down herbicide such as paraquat at or prior to establishment can also be used to suppress sods. However, fall application of paraquat to tall fescue is COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

not recommended since it can seriously injure or even kill tall fescue sods. When overseeding annual ryegrass into an established sod, seeding just prior to a rain event can improve the chances of successful establishment. Annual ryegrass can also be broadcast or drilled into a conventionally prepared seedbed.

Broadcasting seed onto completely or partially tilled seedbed followed by cultipacking produces excellent stands in most years. Aerial seeding into standing row crops is possible, but success is highly dependent on adequate and timely moisture since seed to soil contact is limited at best.

In some cases, drilling cool-season annuals such as annual ryegrass into drought stressed sods can be cost effective. In this situation, sods are normally in very poor condition and there are simply not enough remaining plants

Annual ryegrass is moderately tolerant to low soil pH, but is most productive on sites with a pH of 6.0 or above. At seeding, apply phosphorus, potassium, and lime according to soil test results.

If major changes in soil pH are needed, lime should be applied 6 months prior to seeding. Annual ryegrass is highly responsive to nitrogen (N) fertilization. If seedings are made before mid-September and fall grazing is desired, apply 40 to 60 lb N/A at seeding. If planting takes place after October 1, apply 20 to 40 lb N/A at seeding. In late winter or early spring, apply 50 to 75 lb N/A to stimulate early growth. If regrowth is desired, an additional 40 to 60 lb N/A can be applied after grazing or cutting in early April and May. Do not apply N after early May. If a legume is used in a mixture with ryegrass, apply the 20 to 60 lb N/A at seeding and 30 to 40 lb N/A in late winter or early spring if the legume makes up 30 to 40% of the stand. As long as the legume continues to provide 30 to 40% of the available forage, no further N applications will be necessary.

Note: Fertilization is only profitable if the forage produced is utilized.

• 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

Grazing Under good growing conditions, annual ryegrass can produce grazable forage in as little as 45 to 60 days after establishment. New seedings should be allowed to reach a height of 8 to 10 inches before grazing. Plantings made in late summer or early fall can produce significant growth and should be grazed to 3 to 4 inches to prevent matting during the winter months. In the spring, grazing should be started when plants are 6 inches tall. Starting to graze early will help to stagger the growth stage of ryegrass pastures, establishing a grazing wedge. Animals should be rotated to a new pasture when ryegrass has been grazed to height of 3 to 4 inches in the early spring. Once the warmer sunny days of April arrive (and a good grazing wedge has been established), ryegrass can be grazed as short as 2 to 3 inches with minimal effect on the system.

Pastures should be allowed to regrow to a height of 6 to 8 inches before grazing again. During peak growth in the spring, rest periods between grazing events can be as little as 7 to 14 days. If stocking rate is not sufficiently high, some paddocks should be removed from the rotation and be harvested as conserved forage.

Hay and Silage Although annual ryegrass is widely used for grazing, it can be used for dry hay, baleage, and silage. Harvest for hay and silage should be delayed until it has reached the boot to early head stage.

This will provide enough yield to justify harvest while maintaining forage quality suitable for higher producing animals such as stocker calves or dairy cows.

Producers conserving forage for beef cows may want to consider delaying harvest until seedheads have fully emerged.

Although forage quality will be lower, it is suitable for brood cows and yields will CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

23

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

be increased by 10 to 20%. Since annual ryegrass matures in early spring, curing it as dry hay can be difficult. In most cases, conserving annual ryegrass as baleage or silage is often a better choice. Moisture levels often exceed 80% in early spring, therefore it is important to wilt annual ryegrass prior to ensiling. It should be wilted to a moisture concentration of 55 to 65% for baleage and 60 to 70% for silage. For more information on making high quality baleage, see AGR-235, Baleage: Frequently Asked Questions.

Cautions Hay fires. Barn fires can occur when forage is baled before it is sufficiently dry. Since it is difficult to cure annual ryegrass in early spring, it is critical that producers check moisture levels prior to baling. In many cases, annual ryegrass may feel dry enough to bale (and may even read dry on a hay moisture probe) but may not be sufficiently dry (<18%).

Ensure that annual ryegrass hay is dry enough for baling by performing a moisture test that physically dries down the forage. To learn more about determining the moisture of forage crops and preventing barn fires read

24

the following publications Determining Forage Moisture Concentration Using a Microwave Oven and Hay Fire Prevention and Control, VCE Publication 442-105.

Annual ryegrass as a weed. Annual ryegrass can be a serious weed problem in row crops, especially small grains harvested for grain. Annual ryegrass should NOT be planted in fields that will be used for small grain production. For more information on the weed potential of annual ryegrass read Italian Ryegrass Management in Soybeans.

Summary Annual ryegrass is well adapted to Kentucky and other transition zone states. When properly managed, it can supply forage for late fall and early spring grazing. It can also be conserved as high quality silage or baleage that is suitable for high producing ruminant livestock.

Successful annual ryegrass production includes selecting an adapted variety, timely planting, proper fertilization, and good harvest management. For more information on forage management, contact your local extension office or visit the Kentucky Forages website at http:// forages.ca.uky.edu/.

This month’s featured video is Pasture Renovation: Making a Plan” and can be seen here: https://youtu.be/rkPW7JvEtTU This month’s featured upcoming events are Kentucky Fencing Schools: Frankfort on May 19, KY and Campton, KY on May 21. More information can be found at https://forages. ca.uky.edu/Events The Kentucky Fencing School in Glasgow on April 14th, Grand Rivers on AprIl 16, and the Grazing School in Princeton on April 21-22 HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. This month’s featured publication is: “Ryegrass for Forage” By Don Ball and Garry Lacefield. You can access it at http://bit.ly/2w8MBju or by visiting Oregon Ryegrass Growers Commission.

Forage Management Tips Graze winter annuals.

Flash graze paddocks that were frosted with clover.

Allow calves and lambs to creep graze.

As pasture growth begins, rotate through pastures quickly to keep up with initial growth.

• As pasture exceeds the needs of grazing livestock, remove some pastures from the rotation and allow growth to accumulate for hay or silage harvest.

• Get equipment ready to harvest hay at the late boot stage to early head stage top optimize yield and forage quality.

• Determine the need for and prepare to plant warm-season annuals.

Fencing Tip: Properly construct end braces. A properly constricted H-brace assembly is capable of withstanding high strains exerted by multi-strand high tensile fencing. The brace assembly should be 2.5 times as long as the fence is high and constructed using two 6 in posts driven 3.5 ft into the ground. The brace rail should be a 10-ft section of 2-in schedule 40 metal pipe or tubing or a 5 in treated post.

• • • •

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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

Fewer Flies = More Money.

A classic example of addition by subtraction.

A new study shows how Y-TEX® fly control products can boost weight gains by 60.85 pounds per cow.

The results of a four-year study conducted by New Mexico State University prove that Y-TEX® XP 820® insecticide ear tags, combined with BRUTE® Pour-On for Cattle, deliver outstanding control of profit-robbing horn flies.

So good, in fact, that cows protected by both products gained an average of 60.85 pounds more per head than untreated cows. In addition, calves paired with treated cows showed average weaning weights of 35.82 pounds heavier than calves paired with untreated cows.

To view the entire NMSU study, please go to www.y-tex.com. And for better weight gains this summer, ask your livestock products supplier for the proven fly control products from Y-TEX. Always read and follow label directions. Y-TEX®, XP 820® and BRUTE® are registered trademarks of Y-TEX Corporation. © 2020 Y-TEX Corporation. NMSU does not endorse or promote any marketed horn fly control product or formulation type.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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

25

FEATURE

D O N ’ T L E T YO U R C O W S E AT T H E P R O F I T Robert Wells, PhD, Livestock Consultant, Noble Foundation Intentional beef producers will develop a winter feeding strategy and calving season that reduces the cost of winter feed. The bulk of the cost of cow ownership typically occurs during the winter when additional supplementation is required. University and industry data indicate that annual cow costs range from $500 to $600.

Nutritional supplementation makes up 40-60% of this total annual cost; thus, ranging from $200 to $360 per cow per year. Mineral supplementation makes up about $35 of the total nutritional costs.

The remainder, $165-325 on average, is spent on supplemental feed and hay.

What can be done to reduce the cost of the herd supplementation program without negatively impacting cow body condition score and reproduction?

demand. Refer to the graph to understand the relationship of timing of calving relative to the cow’s highest nutritional demand.

Peak lactation occurs about two to three months after birth.

The most impactful element that should be considered is to time the cow’s peak lactation with when the best quality and quantity forage is available. This time is when she has the highest nutritional

Secondly, by starting the calving season about two months in advance of the height of the forage quality and quantity, this will ensure that the majority of the cows will calve at the most opportune time relative to forage quality. In a 60-day calving season,

26

Impacts on Body Condition Score Many producers think the best time to start calving is when the spring or winter flush of forage is at its peak. However if they do this, then by the time peak lactation occurs, the cow may have missed the best forage of the year and will not be able to take full advantage of it. This will impact the cow through her body condition score (BCS) since there is a possibility that she will be on a negative plane of nutrition and losing weight. The first thing that the cow will lose is fat and her BCS will be reduced.

at least half of the cows should be in peak lactation when the annual flush of forage arrives.

Impacts on Reproduction Since the cow will be consuming extremely high quality forage that exceeds 60% total digestible nutrients (TDN) and 10% crude protein (CP), she will be rebuilding any body fat reserves. This will signal to the body that the cow is in a favorable environment and can support the next pregnancy. Thus, she will start to cycle again in a timely manner after calving. Cow nutrition and subsequent body condition score has been demonstrated numerous times to have an impact on her rebreeding rate. A cow that is in a BCS of five or greater will have a much greater probability of timely rebreeding compared to one that is in a BCS of four or less. In this regard, what occurs this year can have a significant impact on profitability next year.

For young a cow that is trying to breed for her second calf, the impact of nutrition

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

can be the difference between her getting rebred or not. These females have a much higher nutritional demand than do mature cows. Two-year-old cows are still growing, lactating and trying to support the next reproductive cycle in that order, respectively. Reproduction is the first physiological process the cow will shut down if she is nutritionally compromised.

Most of the time, lack of proper nutrition is to blame when a cow fails to get rebred for the second calf.

Cows that fail to rebreed or breed late will “eat away” at the profit of the entire ranch.

A cow that calves just 30 days later than the previous year has given up at least 60 pounds of additional weaning weight, which can translate into about $75 of lost value. A cow that doesn’t breed at all has incurred all the annual costs of production yet did not repay the owner with a live calf at birth. In this sense, she is eating away at the ranch profit margin.

• 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

G O V. A N D Y B E S H E A R A N D T H E K E N T U C K Y A G R I C U LT U R A L D E V E L O P M E N T B O A R D A P P R O V E

M O R E T H A N $ 2 . 6 M I L L I O N I N A G R I C U LT U R A L I N V E S T M E N T S The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $2,684,122 in 16 agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.

“I have stated before about the importance of agritechnology and access to high-speed internet to the future of the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Projects like these approved today get us one step closer on both fronts.”

The Kentucky State Fair Board was approved for the reallocation of $1,700,061 in State funds to address various deferred maintenance and renovation needs for agricultural events held at the Kentucky State Fair and Exposition Center. $200,000 in State funds will be used for Freedom Hall suites and West Wing renovations. $1,500,061 in State funds will be used to demolish and renovate Gate One and Gate Six. For more information on this project, contact Cody Patterson at (502) 367-5000 or Cody.Patterson@kyvenues.com.

The University of Kentucky Research Foundation was approved for $228,800 in State funds to support expansion of water

quality monitoring stations in Western Kentucky. The study will collect water quality monitoring data for 8-10 years with collaborative efforts between the University of Kentucky, United States Department of Agriculture, National Resource and Conservation Service and Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board. For more information on this project, contact Brad Lee at (859) 2570156 or Brad.Lee@uky.edu.

Pennyrile Area Development District, Inc. was approved for up to $6,018 in State and $6,018 in various County funds to conduct a broadband feasibility study.

The Pennyrile Area Development District, Inc. in conjunction with the Lake Barkley Partnership will conduct a feasibility study to develop a plan and cost for implementing a fiber, wireless, or hybrid internet system throughout Caldwell, Crittenden, Livingston and Lyon counties. The study will also evaluate the cost-effectiveness on implementing four separate projects in each county versus a larger, regional project. The study will be conducted by Neo Partners, LLC. For more information on this project, contact Jason Vincent at (270) 886-9484 or jason.vincent@ky.gov.

Caldwell County Board of Education was approved for up to $5,500 in Caldwell County funds to purchase a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) plasma cutting machine for agriculture construction classes at the Caldwell County High School. The machine will be used primarily as a learning tool, but also as a method for students to fundraise and sustain department funding for additional programs. The machine is the first of its kind available in the local community. For more information on this project, contact Wes York at (270) 365-8010 or wes.york@caldwell.kyschools.us.

The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) offers 11 investment areas that give Kentucky agricultural producers the ability to increase net farm income, add value to their products and diversify their operations. This cost-share program incentivizes farmers to build infrastructure, improve genetics, forages, farm management, technology and more. CAIP benefits and enhances agriculture across the state by stimulating markets for Kentucky agricultural products. Seven CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $684,575 in Breathitt ($75,000), Lee ($45,700),

Lyon ($31,000), Madison ($296,000), Owen ($25,000), Rockcastle ($86,875) and Spencer ($125,000) counties.

The Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers. Three Deceased Farm Animal Removal Programs totaling $44,500 were approved for Clark ($15,000), Scott ($15,000) and Taylor ($14,500) counties.

The Shared - Use Equipment Program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis. One Shared-Use Equipment Program was approved totaling $3,600 in Taylor County for a chain harrow.

The Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (Youth) was developed to encourage youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities. One Youth Program was approved by the board totaling $5,050 in Spencer County.

Office: (765) 494-6439 Fax: (765) 494-9346 Bull Test Station: (812) 279-4330 Sale Day Phone: (812) 279-1282 https://ag.purdue.edu/ansc/ibep/

Indiana Beef Evaluation Program Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences 270 S. Russell St. West Lafayette, IN 47907-2041

85th IBEP Bull Sale THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 - 6:00 P.M. AT THE SPRINGVILLE FEEDER AUCTION 10 miles northwest of Bedford, Indiana on SR 54-58

95 Bu

lls Se ll

Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Red Angus, Shorthorn, Simmental, and SimAngus All sale bulls are parentage verified to both parents CALL OR WRITE FOR SALE CATALOG (also available online) Only top-indexing bulls of their breed that pass the structural and breeding soundness exams sell.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

SALE WILL BE BROADCAST ON DVAUCTION.COM

REMOTE SITES: Lafayette - Tippecanoe County Extension Office, 3150 Sagamore Parkway South Contact: Karen Mitchell (765-474-0793, mitcheka@purdue.edu) Rochester - Rochester Meats and Deli, 901 East 9th Street Contact: Mark Kepler (574-223-3397, mkepler@purdue.edu)

• 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

Visitors Welcome Any Time at Test Station at Feldun-Purdue Ag Center, 3 miles northwest of Bedford on SR 158 & 458

27

ECONOMIC & POLICY UPDATE

U S D A C AT T L E I N V E N T O R Y R E P O R T C O N F I R M S

B E E F H E R D L I Q U I DAT I O N I S U N D E RWAY Kenny Burdine, Associate Extension Professor Late January brought USDA’s annual cattle inventory estimates, which confirmed that the size of the US beef cow herd was smaller to start 2020. The size of the decrease actually exceeded trade expectations, with beef cow numbers down a little over 1%. I think the primary driver of the decrease was high beef cow slaughter in 2019, which was up 5% for the year and over 14% for the 4th quarter.

Heifer retention was also down (-2%), which is consistent with low margins at the cow-calf level. The key takeaway from the report is that the cowherd is finally decreasing in size and calf crops should continue to get smaller, which is exactly what our calf market needs. US beef cow inventory from 1950 to 2020 is shown in Figure 1.

At the national level, dairy cows numbers were esti­mated to be virtually flat. Dairy producer margins improved quite a bit during 2019 with US all milk prices rising by more than $4 per cwt from January to December.

Relatively attractive margins should continue through the first half of 2020, but I would expect some supply response later in the year. Ken­tucky dairy cow numbers were estimated at 49,000, down 7.5% from 2019.

Frankly, I was surprised by USDA’s estimate of Ken­tucky beef cow numbers as they were estimated to be slightly higher than 2019. Given the number of cows that moved through auction markets in fall of 2019, I fully expected Kentucky beef cow numbers to be lower. There are eight states in the US with more than one million beef cows.

Beef cow numbers were estimated to be lower in six of those states: Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Kansas. Only Kentucky and Missouri were estimated to have more cows to start 2020 than they did in 2019.

A smaller cowherd at the national level, combined with considerable optimism with respect to export markets, paints a much more optimistic picture for calf prices in 2020. As is always the case, I expect calf markets to improve considerably between now and spring. An additional price improvement of $15-$20 per cwt would not surprise me at all. As we start thinking about spring born calves, I do expect a better fall market than was seen last year. My initial guess would be that calves will sell for $10-$15 more per cwt than they did in fall

Figure 1. US Beef Cow Inventory (1950 to 2020).

Source: USDA-NASS and Livestock Marketing Information Center. of 2019.

The USDA report is summarized in Table 1 and the full report can be accessed at: http://bit.ly/38YgPD1

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Riverside Tractor & Equipment Augusta

Rose Farm Supply Flemingsburg

Holbrook Implement Campton

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J & J Sales Glasgow Sanford and Sons Sales & Service Bowling Green Wright Implement 1 Glasgow Hardinsburg Meade Tractor Owensboro Campbellsville Corydon, IN Danville Orleans, IN DeMossville Seymour, IN Elizabethtown Florence Lawson Tractor Georgetown & Implement Harlan Lebanon London Mt. Sterling McKeel Equipment Paris Murray Richmond Shelbyville L. A. Yount Haying Somerset Equipment

Siler Implement Corbin

Bridgeport Equipment & Tool Wurtland

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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

NOTE: SALE POSTPONED TO JUNE 6!

13th Annual Production Sale Saturday • 11 am • At the farm •

June 6, 2020

Guest Consignors: Triple C Farms, Ruber Farms, Hockensmith Cattle Co. and Managum Angus

Black Gold Rita 4118

Selling progeny from these females!

Lawsons Lucy Z376

EXAR Elba 2864

Grandam

Dam

Reg. No.18053694 Sire: GAR Anticipation Dam: GAR/DRMCTR Objective 9J60

Bridgeview Rita 1901 Sired by Fortress

Dam

Bridgeview Elba 1802 Bridgeview Elba 1806 Reg. No. 19588304 Reg. No. 19391842 Sire: Baldridge Challenger Sire: HA Cowboy Up 5405 Dam: EXAR Elba 2864 Dam: EXAR Elba 2864

Sells Safe in calf to Enhance.

GAR Predestined 2108

Sells Safe in calf to Plus One.

Bridgeview/S&G Rita 1809 Reg. No. 19414989 Sire: TEX Playbook 5437 Dam: Bridgeview Rita 6110

Sells Safe in calf to Tahoe.

For sale books, contact:

Reg. No. 19393194 Sire: TEX Playbook 5437 Dam: Bridgeview Lucy 1503

Bridgeview Lucy 1902 Sired by Raindance

Heritage Johnny Cash 5100

EPF Ms Complete 5712

Grandam

Bridgeview Lucy 9003

Dam

Bridgeview Rita 9001

Reg. No. 19390184 Sire: SAV Raindance 6848 Dam: EPF Ms Complete 5712

Dam

Selling Embryos choice for Southern Charm or GAR Inertia.

Bridgeview Rita 1903 Sired by 18 Million

The Sparrow Family

Cory – 859.338.5826 sparrowcc@hotmail.com

Kyle – 502.330.8914 kylesparrow041@gmail.com

Kip – 859.608.7798

Roger – 859.333.2707

kcspar2@uky.edu

rsparrow@uky.edu

3264 Jones Lane • Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 • www.bridgeviewangus.com

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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

29

FEATURE

C O M P O S T B E D D E D PA C K B A R N S T H E S O L U T I O N T O T H E W I N T E R

F E E D I N G P R O B L E M F O R C O W - C A L F O P E R AT O R S ?

Greg Halich, Associate Extension Professor 2018-2019 was one of the worst years in memory for winter cattle feeding in Kentucky. Near record rain­fall kept pastures and dry-lots saturated and turned areas where cattle were concentrated into mud-pits. Cows lost condition quickly due to the mud stress and some farms lost significant numbers of cows and/or calves. The typical wintering practice of us­ing a “dry-lot” or “sacrifice area” was not working well. By the end of the winter, there was lots of talk about needing to find a better way to winter the cow -herd.

The current winter of 2019-2020 has not been much better. Drive out into cow country and you will find lots of mud on most cattle farms. Cattle farmers are still looking for solutions to the winter feeding

problem.

In the last decade, there has been interest in roofed and concrete feeding pads (often referred to as stack pads) as a way to reduce the mud problem. In theory, they are supposed to take the brunt of the wintering impact and leave damage to pasture and other areas to a minimum.

At first glance, these structures look like

they might solve the wintering feeding problem, but in practice have their own challenges. Once cows are on the concrete and un­der roof, the damage is mitigated.

But getting the cows to these feeding structures has proven more problematic than originally envisioned. Toward the end of last winter, I watched cows on different farms wade through mud to reach feeding pads.

Compost bedded pack barns have been promoted in the last few years as a way to avoid the problems of these feeding pads, as well as having better nutri­ent capture capabilities. Cows are kept in these structures all winter and thus do not have to leave and return. These barns work by

having a thick layer of bedding material, usually sawdust, which absorbs manure and urine. The bedding pack needs to be “stirred” or aerated, generally twice a day during the winter season to help incorporate residues and air into the pack, helping compost the material. Cows look clean and comfortable in properly man­ aged pack barns and it does appear that the major problems found in the previous

TABLE 1: COST SCENARIOS COMPOST BEDDED PACK BARN Barn Cost (out of pocket)

Sawdust Cost (tri-axle load)

Stirring Time (min/day) Winter

Increased Cost (per Cow per Year)

Low

$40,000

$250

20

$190

Medium

$60,000

$500

30

$294

High

$80,000

$750

40

$399

Cost Scenario

Assumptions: 40 cows, 30-year life, 5% interest rate, $1000 barn cleanout every 2 years, $500 farm insurance increase, 120 days winter period

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feeding structures are mitigated.

There is just one small problem. They do not ap­pear to be remotely cost effective for a typical cow­calf operation. These feeding structures have had the most success by use in the dairy industry. A dairy cow has a relatively high-value product com­pared to a beef cow. Therefore, what may be cost effective on a dairy farm may not work for a farm with lower-value products.

The rest of this article quantifies the costeffectiveness, or more accurately, lack of cost-effectiveness of compost bedded pack barns for beef cow-calf operations.

Analysis: There are many factors that will affect the cost effec­tiveness of compost bedded pack barns. Those with the greatest impact are: 1) initial cost of the building (with or without cost-share), 2) the cost of sawdust, and 3) the amount of daily “stirring” time it takes to aerate the bedded pack. Three different cost sce­ narios are used for each of these factors to provide arange of costs that may apply in various situations: Out-of-Pocket Barn Cost: $40K, $60K, $80K Sawdust Cost (tri-axle load): $250,$500,$750 Stirring Time (min/day): 20,30,40 Other important assumptions in the analysis are as follows: Sawdust (tri-axle loads): 15 initial loads to fill barn (only interest cost is used for these initial loads); 5 additional loads per year during 120 day winter peri­od; Clean out the barn every second year where half the compost pack is removed.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

Sawdust Stirring: 20-40 min per day stirring during the winter season, and 5 min per day during the off­season.

Machinery and Labor (sawdust stirring and spreading sawdust): $15/hour labor rate and $10/ hour variable tractor cost (fuel, repairs/maintenance, and variable depreciation).

Other Costs: 30 minutes to spread out each saw­ dust load. $1000 for barn cleanout every second year. $500 per year increase in farm insurance.

Other Assumptions: 30-year barn life span; 5% in­terest rate; 40-cow herd; 120 wintering days.

Results: The resulting costs are expressed on a per cow, per year basis. In other words, the results show the costs that a compost bedded pack barn would add to every cow, every year on average. They are not one-time costs. For perspective, in the current mar­ket environment, an average beef cow with an aver­age weaning rate will generate about $600-700 in revenue per year. Typical hay costs will be in the $150-200 per cow per year range. Cow deprecia­ tion/interest will be in the $100-$130 per cow per year range.

After subtracting these and then other typical costs in a well-managed cow-calf operation, there is not going to be much left over for a return to land and labor: $25-50 per cow at best in the cur­rent market environment.

Table 1 shows the results of this analysis.

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FEATURE There are three costs scenarios: low cost, medium cost, and high cost. The range of costs came from a combina­tion of farmers and researchers who I have collabo­rated with in the last year to help quantify the costs of compost bedded pack barns. Pick the scenario you think is most realistic for your situation.

The medium cost scenario estimated an additional $294 in costs (per cow, per year basis). That is al­most half of the total yearly revenue ($600-700) we would expect for a beef cow. It is not even in the ballpark of what could be sustained for a cow-calf operation.

The low cost scenario estimated an additional $190 in costs (per cow, per year basis). It is still not a rea­ sonable cost for an enterprise that is generating $600-700 a year in revenue per cow.

The low cost scenario would effectively add another hay-level cost category to an already profit-challenged cow enterprise. Moreover, this cost scenario is also ex­tremely unlikely: It is essentially assuming the 60- 70% of the barn is costple”), the shared (paid by “we the peo­ sawdust is almost free (you are paying mainly for the hauling at this price level), and we have the equivalent of a NASCAR level operator on the tractor stirring the pack twice a day. Is it possi­ble? Yes. Is it likely? No. All the stars in the sky would have to be aligned for this scenario come to fruition, and frankly, the results are still not very at­tractive.

The high cost scenario estimated an additional $399 in costs (per cow, per year basis). Obviously, this cost level is not going to work for a cow-calf enter­prise.

Even though this is labeled as the high cost scenario, it is not an unlikely situation.

Sawdust is getting more expensive due to competing and increasing demands.

There are many locations where sawdust is selling for over $750 per triaxle load, par­ticularly in the winter.

Discussion: What is too high of a cost to make this work? If you are feeding two tons of hay per cow per year, this would give roughly $50-60 in fertilizer value per cow per year, assuming we recover and effectively utilize 75% of the N, P, and K from the hay. Keep in mind that this the gross dollar value, and is not necessarily how much you would be gaining by moving to a compost-bedded pack barn.

As an example, if you were getting $20 in fertilizer value per cow per year with your

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

previous winter feeding method, your net gain would be the difference, in this case $30-40 per cow per year.

There are other potential economic benefits for compost-bedded pack barns in addition to the cap­tured fertilizer value, the most important likely being improved cow/calf health and performance as well as reduced hay needs. What would be the value of these other benefits?

Unfortunately, these benefits have not been quantified very well with previous re­ search and they would also depend heavily on the system and management we are comparing them against. For example, if we were able to increase our weaning rate from 75% to 85%, that would amount to a $65-70 per cow increase in revenue. If we were able to reduce our hay needs by 20%, that would amount to a $30-40 per cow decrease in costs. I would classify these examples as the near upper-end of likely improvements to be seen with a compostbedded pack barn, unless the previous management was abysmally poor. Thus, bined upper end of improved the com­ cattle performance and reduced hay usage would likely be in the $80- 110 per cow range. Combining these benefits with the increase in captured fertilizer value would put us in the $130-170 per cow per year range. However, this assumes we were getting no fertilizer value with the previous method of feeding hay, and that we had poor management that caused excess hay us­age and poor cow/ calf performance. With this worst-case scenario (low probability), the combined yearly costs for the compost-bedded pack barn would have to be kept below the $130-170 per cow range before the barn could pay for itself. Even with the lowcost scenario (also low probability) which added $190 per cow per year costs, the barn is still not going to pencil out.

If compost pack barns will not work from nomic standpoint, what are the an eco­ options for environ­mental-friendly winter feeding? Unrolling hay on pasture is one possibility. Two problems with un­rolling hay are that you need to do it every 1-2 days to avoid excessive waste, and that you will invariably have times where you will be driving a tractor on pasture where you will cause ruts and compaction.

However, on most farms it is far better tally, in my opinion, then environmen­ feeding in a dry-lot or stack-pad. Bale

grazing is another possible solution. This wintering technique has gained traction in Kentucky the last few years. With good management, bale grazing will effectively recycle waste nutrients with­out the cost of hauling and spreading them at the end of the winter. Implemented correctly, it will pro­vide great nutrient recycling and will significantly lower machinery and ventional labor costs compared to con­ hay feeding or unrolling hay, without the ruts and compaction. Simple, cheap, and effective.

For many policy makers, compost bedded pack barns are a possible answer to the winter feeding problem, at least from an engineering standpoint. Is there a way we can make them work from a profita­bility standpoint? We could subsidize them more: 100% cost-share on the building.

With the medium cost scenario, the 100% barn cost-share ($60K) would bring the yearly costs per cow down to $197, still not low enough to make it work. However, after these farmers give up on using these pack barns for their intended purpose they would probably make great machinery sheds or hay storage structures.

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LEGAL NEWS

T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F K N O W I N G A N D U N D E R S TA N D I N G YO U R Z O N I N G L A W S CANDACE SMITH Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC

A recent Kentucky Court of Appeals’ decision, Hengehold v. City of Florence, demonstrates how new zoning laws can change how landowners are allowed to use their property and why it is important to obtain legal advice on the front end. Hengehold v. City of Florence, Nos. 2018-CA-000991-DG & 2018-CA-001454-DG, 2020 WL 594090 (Ky. App. Feb. 7, 2020). In this case, the Plaintiffs were home owners who lived in a suburban residential zone. In 2011, the Plaintiffs began raising chickens for a school project for their children and decided to keep the chickens. They sought advice from attorneys at that time to make sure they were allowed to keep the chickens on their property.

The attorneys advised the Plaintiffs that the chickens were permitted under the then-existing animal control ordinance.

For years, the chickens lived in the Plaintiffs’ backyard and had access to a greenhouse. In 2014, the zoning rules for the Plaintiffs’ home changed to prohibit “chicken coops.” The Plaintiffs

continued keeping the chickens and the greenhouse, and, in 2017, the City of Florence (“City”) issued the Plaintiffs a notice of violation for possession of livestock. The City argued that the greenhouse was a “chicken coop” and the zoning rules barred the Plaintiffs from raising chickens or having a chicken coop on their property.

The Plaintiffs challenged the citation for two main reasons. First, they argued they were allowed to keep the chickens on their property. The Plaintiffs claimed they were allowed to raise chickens in their backyard because the ordinance permitted “[t]he keeping of pets and animals.” Id. at * 1. The Court of Appeals agreed. Although the Court of Appeals did not go so far as to agree with the Plaintiffs’ argument that the chickens were “pets,” the Court of Appeals did rule that the chickens, which were not being commercially raised, were “animals” allowed by the regulation.

Second, the Plaintiffs argued their greenhouse did not violate the zoning

rules. The Court of Appeals recognized that it was unclear whether the Plaintiffs’ greenhouse was technically a “coop” as intended by the regulation.

Nonetheless, the Court of Appeals ruled that, even if the greenhouse was a chicken coop, the Plaintiffs would be allowed to keep the greenhouse on their property if the greenhouse existed and was used by the chickens before the 2014 zoning law change. Under that scenario, the coop would essentially be grandfathered-in, and the Plaintiffs could continue to use the coop as they had before the zoning laws changed.

Although the Plaintiffs in this case were homeowners raising non-commercial chickens, the Court of Appeals’ decision in this case may have an impact on how zoning rules are applied to commercial cattle farmers. As this case demonstrates, it is important for farmers to know both the existing zoning laws that apply to their property and any changes to zoning laws as they happen. Otherwise, a farmer risks using its property or

building a structure in a manner that is not allowed under current regulations.

As in this case, an attorney may be able to advise about what zoning laws are in place and what is allowed under those laws.

These materials are public information and have been prepared solely for educational purposes. These materials reflect only the personal views of the authors and are not individualized legal advice. It is understood that each case is fact-specific, and that the appropriate solution in any case will vary. Therefore, these materials may or may not be relevant to any particular situation. Thus, the authors and Steptoe & Johnson PLLC cannot be bound either philosophically or as representatives of their various present and future clients to the comments expressed in these materials. The presentation of these materials does not establish any form of attorney-client relationship with the authors or Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. While every attempt was made to ensure that these materials are accurate, errors or omissions may be contained therein, for which any liability is disclaimed.

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4/4/2018 11:05:53 AM

FEATURE

H O R N F LY : T H E $ 1 B I L L O N I N S E C T Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist, UK Horn flies are important pests of pastured cattle (Figure 1). They use their piercingsucking mouthparts to take about 30 blood meals every day. The almost incessant feeding of large populations can severely impact growing calves and lactating cows. Horn flies may also be involved in disease transmission. These insects suck about $1 billion dollars in weight gain/milk production losses and control costs each season.

Avoiding Development of Insecticide Resistance

Management

Differences among flies in a population may include ability to metabolize or detoxify insecticides quickly or have altered target sites in their nervous systems that insecticides do not effectively block. In addition, flies that are very sensitive to some insecticide residues can detect them and move to an untreated area on the animal before picking up a lethal dose.

The close association between horn flies and cattle helps with control. The flies leave animals only to lay eggs in fresh cow manure or to change hosts.

Consequently, most any of a variety of application methods will expose flies to insecticide residues. Alternatives include forced-use dust bags or back rubbers, insecticidal ear tags, sprays, and pour-on formulations.

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Rapid development of insecticide resistance makes horn fly control challenging, with no clear-cut strategies that solve the problem. Insecticide resistance may develop following the use of insecticides from the same mode of action group for several consecutive years or by immigration of resistant flies from nearby herds.

Surviving females lay groups of about 15 eggs at a time (up to 200 total) in very fresh cow manure. Under ideal conditions, development from egg to adult can take as little as 10 to 14 days.

This means several generations a year in most parts of the U.S. Consequently, selection for genetic factors that favor fly survival can occur relatively quickly.

Finally, newly emerged horn flies may travel 5 to 7 miles in search of cattle. This led to a dispersal of resistant flies over an increasingly wider area.

Resistance management recommendations include: 1) Do not treat for horn flies unless or until numbers exceed 200 per animal.

Cattle can tolerate up to this level before economic losses occur.

2) If feasible, keep growing calves and lactating cows separated from mature

COW COUNTRY â&#x20AC;˘ APRIL 2020

stock. Fly reduction on growing and lactating animals is more likely to provide an economic return.

3) Use periodic treatments with insecticides that have other modes of action (organophosphates, etc.) to break fly exposure to a single product group.

Rotating products with different modes of action is a basic strategy that may reduce the potential for resistance.

4) Remove ear tags in fall to reduce horn fly exposure to low concentrations of pyrethroids.

5) Use a late season application to reduce the number of horn flies that will enter the over-wintering stage on the farm.

A good indication resistant flies are present is no noticeable fly reduction within two weeks of applying tags.

â&#x20AC;˘ 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 â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S A S S O C I AT I O N

FEATURE

C O N S I D E R AT I O N S F O R

POTENTIAL HEMP PRODUCERS Katie Pratt, University of Kentucky

As much uncertainty continues to swirl around the hemp industry, University of Kentucky agricultural economists remind producers to consider their personal risk tolerance, business contracts and all possible production scenarios before committing to grow hemp.

“This is still a developing industry that has long-term viability but is going through significant growing pains as it tries to find its footing and develop the infrastructure needed to support the industry,” said Tyler Mark, economist in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

With the 2018 Farm Bill removing hemp from the controlled substance list, growers from more states will be producing hemp this year, increasing the supply for a market that is struggling to build the infrastructure needed to support the current supply. While consumer demand continues to increase for hemp-based products, U.S. producers more than doubled their hemp acreage from 2018 to 2019. In Kentucky in 2019, producers licensed 60,000 acres for hemp production, up from 15,000 acres in 2018. Of those acres, farmers planted 26,000 acres and harvested a little more than 20,000 in 2019. This was up from around 5,000 acres for both in 2018.

“Farmers across the nation are looking for a ‘magic bullet’ to help counter an overall depressed farm economy.

While future demand for hemp-related products remains positive, farmers must understand the market risks they face with competition from producers across the U.S. and the world,” Mark said.

While UK economists’ preliminary budgets continue to show potential for favorable returns for the production of cannabidiol, federal regulations concerning CBD content need clarification. Those budgets show a significant drop in farm-level prices for hemp biomass since July.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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With many producers not only new to hemp production but also to agriculture, they will likely be unfamiliar with agricultural lending and crop insurance.

It is an exciting time right now for agriculture as new producers enter the hemp sector, however, there is a steep learning curve with this crop for both experienced and inexperienced producers, Mark said.

Here are some questions the economists recommend potential and current producers ask themselves: •

How many acres can I effectively manage?

•

Do I have market access?

•

How much money do I have to invest?

•

Who and how will I finance the crop?

•

Do I have a contract? Do I understand its terms?

•

Have I effectively researched the company I am contracting with?

•

What can I do to lessen my risk?

•

What is my plan B?

•

What happens if I have to destroy my crop for high THC content?

UK agricultural economists developed interactive, enterprise budget models for hemp producers that they can use to evaluate different production methods and scenarios. They are available online at http://hemp.ca.uky.edu/.

“While competition is tight and risks exist, Kentucky producers have significant advantages for growing hemp compared to producers in other states, including an experienced farmer base, one of the top research programs in the nation, existing infrastructure and investments, and administrative support from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture,” Mark said.

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FEATURE

B I O S E C U R I T Y B A S I C S F O R C O W - C A L F O P E R AT I O N S MICHELLE ARNOLD DVM-Ruminant Extension Veterinarian, University of Kentucky

With Coronavirus in the headlines, this is an excellent time to review what biosecurity is and why it is important in cattle operations. “Infectious agents” that cause disease, whether they are viruses, bacteria, or parasites, are spread primarily through physical contact, inhalation of aerosolized droplets, or they can be consumed in contaminated feed or water. These organisms can be carried into the environment by other infected animals, including wildlife or vermin, by insect vectors, or they can be found on dirty clothing, boots, vehicles, or equipment. “Biosecurity” simply means reducing the risk of disease by minimizing exposure to infectious agents. Biosecurity measures are not limited to keeping disease-causing organisms off the farm but also preventing disease from exposure to organisms already on the farm.

Every year, the UKVDL receives submissions of calves that died suddenly in the first week of life, usually with few or no symptoms. Often the owner will describe the situation this way: “calves will nurse, be 2-3 days old and found dead” or “calf was 3-5 days old, lying around more than normal and nursing very little, found dead the next day”.

At necropsy (an animal “autopsy”), the pathologist will find no milk within the calf’s digestive tract. Further laboratory testing will find bacteria can be grown (cultured) from several organs such as liver, kidney and lung. These deaths are diagnosed as “septicemia” which means the calf died from an infection in the blood (usually a Gram negative bacteria such as E. coli along with the “toxins” or poisons the bacteria produce) that damages all the major organs of a calf, resulting in death. Affected calves respond poorly to antibiotic treatment and those that survive often develop one or more swollen joints (Figure 1). These calves are also at greater risk for developing diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and meningitis.

Most grow poorly and die prior to or at weaning. The big question is always “why did this happen?”.

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Septicemia in calves is most often the result of a bacterial infection acquired around the time of birth. The bacteria may enter the newborn through several routes including the navel (umbilical stump), through the mouth or nose, or through an open wound. Calves born in dirty, muddy, manure-covered areas such as around hay rings or in a run-in shed have a wet, exposed umbilicus (navel cord) lying in contact with massive numbers of bacteria as soon as they hit the ground. Once the calf gets up, mud or manure-covered teats provide the next opportunity for bacteria to enter the neonatal calf. Most septicemic calves also had inadequate colostrum intake, either because the dam did not produce enough good quality colostrum or the calf was unable to suckle enough to provide protective immunity. In either case, this situation is called “failure of passive transfer of antibodies” or “FPT”. The calf may be born weak and does not get up quickly or nurse aggressively, however, FPT may also be due to bad teat conformation and the calf simply could not latch on or reach them. Even with adequate colostrum, the immune system can be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of bacteria, viruses and parasites in the environment. Newborns produce little gastric acid during the first week of life which makes them especially vulnerable to infections that enter through the mouth to the digestive system. Other factors that impair calf immunity include lack of calories (dam provides little or no milk), selenium and copper deficiencies present at birth, and lack of protection from harsh weather.

Preventing septicemia and other neonatal calf diseases like scours begins long before birth of the calf. Excellent cow nutrition during and after gestation, a quick calving process, and biosecurity management factors to decrease environmental contamination all contribute to a successful start. The dams’ diet must provide adequate energy, protein and trace minerals to meet her needs during gestation and lactation, especially during

Figure 1: Calf with “joint ill” affecting the right front carpus (knee). Bacteria from the bloodstream localize in the joints and cause arthritis. This condition often occurs in calves born in unsanitary conditions with delayed or inadequate colostrum intake. cold or wet winter weather. Remember up to 80% of fetal growth occurs in the last 50 days of gestation and cows are also producing colostrum during the final 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. New research has identified the role of “fetal programming” of the immune system during pregnancy as a major factor affecting calf vitality after birth. In fact, the latest research has proven there is no safe time during gestation to “short” a cow of her nutrient needs (including trace minerals) that will not negatively impact the health of her unborn calf. A nutritionally-deprived cow will also produce poor quality and quantity of colostrum, have less energy to deliver her calf quickly, and she can lose a substantial amount of weight during her lactation. Calves born to energy deficient dams will have less of the brown fat needed for energy to stand and nurse. Poor sanitation, cold, wet weather and overcrowding in calving areas also contribute to a higher risk of disease.

Checking on cows and heifers close to calving allows early detection of difficulty

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

and intervention if needed during calving.

If a cow or heifer is in active labor for 1-1.5 hours and making no progress, calving intervention is indicated. Assist with calving as early as possible, especially with heifers. Make sure calves start nursing after calving, keeping in mind that calves should stand within 30 minutes of delivery and nurse within 30 minutes of standing. If in doubt that the calf will be able to stand and nurse within an hour, the producer must take over to ensure the calf is warm and then use a good quality colostrum replacer to feed the calf at least 2 quarts during the first 6 hours of life (the earlier, the better).

Once the calf has received colostrum, biosecurity measures still come into play to prevent the pathogens (“bad bugs”) in the environment from overwhelming the calf’s immune system. Numbers of bacteria and other pathogens will build up exponentially in the environment as the calving season progresses. If clean pasture is available, pregnant cows close to calving should be rotated to the clean

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S E L E C T I N G A D I S I N F E C TA N T Disinfectants will not work well unless organic material is removed, the detergent flushed well and the premises dry. After that, the main considerations are environmental hazard, the agent to be killed and availability.

Make absolutely sure that you read the directions well for preparation and use and acquaint yourself with the efficacy of the various compounds against bacteria and their spores, viruses, fungi and parasites and their eggs. Many of the compounds do not work well in the presence of any organic material (e.g. manure) and require prolonged contact time to be totally efficacious. A short description on the uses of common disinfectants follows.

Phenols: These are commonly found in household disinfectants (e.g. Lysol) and often have a pungent smell. They are effective against a broad range of bacteria, particularly gram-positive bacteria but not against bacterial spores (e.g. Clostridial diseases, Anthrax), as well as some viruses. They are also corrosive and irritating to skin.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS): They have a broad spectrum of activity against gram + and gram - bacteria and enveloped viruses. Not effective against Mycobacterium sp. (e.g. Johne’s disease), bacterial spores, fungi and non-enveloped viruses. They are useful in general disinfecting and cleaning,

pastures while cow-calf pairs remain on the current pasture. If calving in a barn or shed, the calving pen should be kept clean and dry with frequent changes of bedding to remove the build-up of organisms.

Make every effort to get the cow and newborn calf out of the barn quickly to lessen the chances of infection. Even the best calving management practices will have no effect if the first thing a calf ingests is manure from the calving area. If cows are dragging their teats through mud and manure to reach feeding areas, move to a new area with good drainage to feed.

In addition, make plans now to install a heavy use feeding pad before next winter to prevent walking through deep mud.

For guidance, consult the UK Extension Fact Sheet AEN-115 “Appropriate All Weather Surfaces for Livestock” at http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ AEN/AEN115/AEN115.pdf and other publications by Dr. Steve Higgins and the Agriculture Engineering faculty for installation instructions on various types of feeding structures.

The other focus of biosecurity, keeping infectious agents off the farm, is very COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

(From: Ontario Veterinary College*)

even in the presence of trace organic debris.

They are often the disinfectant of choice since they are effective and non-toxic. Some individuals may develop contact dermatitis with repeated exposure.

iodine in an acid medium and are effective in the presence of trace organic material against bacteria and viruses. They can be used as skin disinfectants or for general disinfection and cleaning.

Alcohols: This is usually ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. They are effective against a wide range of organisms but not bacterial spores or some non-enveloped viruses. The concentration must be high to be effective (60-90%). Repeated use on rubber equipment can cause damage, they are irritating to the skin with prolonged use and are expensive to use for cleaning of large surfaces.

Hydrogen Peroxide (30%): A stabilized peroxide makes an excellent disinfectant for surfaces and works against almost all pathogens including enveloped and nonenveloped viruses, bacteria, fungi and some activity against bacterial spores. These products may be blended with QUATS, peracetic acid and iodophors.

Hypochlorites (Chlorine): e.g. Bleach is sodium hypochlorite. It is very effective against many bacteria and viruses but inactivated in the presence of organic material and not effective against bacterial spores. Ammonia (animal urine) will also inactivate. Sodium and calcium hypochlorites are effective but corrosive. It is useful for disinfecting metal equipment. 1 part 6% bleach to 2 parts water makes an effective solution of 2% bleach.

Iodine and Iodine Based Disinfectants: Aqueous (Lugol’s) and alcoholic iodine (tincture) are often used as antiseptics on wounds. Iodophors (iodine + carrier) release

often overlooked or ignored by cattle producers. Purchasing animals, cows or calves, and bringing them home to the farm is likely the single most dangerous time for introduction of new diseases into a herd. Even show animals returning to the farm from events should be isolated to prevent introduction of disease when they re-enter the herd. Any newly purchased animals should be isolated either off the farm or in a well-segregated area for at least 2 weeks (3-4 weeks is better) and observed for any signs of illness. During the period of isolation, a veterinarian should be consulted to appropriately test and vaccinate new arrivals. The best practice is to purchase animals from herds of known health status that will provide a vaccination and health history. Introduction of an animal with a disease such as Johne’s or a BVD persistently infected (PI) animal could have devastating, long-term effects on the health of the cow herd.

Questions often arise about how to effectively clean surfaces to remove infectious organisms.

Cleaning and disinfection are two distinct processes.

Chlorhexadine: Used as skin cleaners in low concentrations but less so against coliforms and viruses. It can be used for cold sterilization of surgical instruments if they are rinsed clean first. It does not work well in presence of organic material.

Gluteraldehyde: These compounds are bacteriocidal, virucidal, fungicidal and parasiticidal and work well in the presence of organic material. But they need to be used in a well-ventilated area and are dangerous to work with.

Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a gas but is available as a 37% solution known as formalin. Formaldehyde is sometimes used to fumigate buildings (swine, poultry, veal) by pouring formalin onto potassium

Cleaning should be done first by scrubbing surfaces with soapy water to remove organic matter including dust, dirt and manure. Power washing, while effective at removing debris, is usually discouraged because bacteria and viruses can be aerosolized and easily inhaled when using a pressure washer. After scrubbing, rinse with water and allow the area to drain and air dry. Once dry, the area should be soaked with a disinfectant. Different chemicals will kill different bugs and each chemical requires a certain minimum amount of “contact time” to be effective (see box: selecting a disinfectant). Smooth, nonporous surfaces are easiest to disinfect while wood and porous concrete are more difficult. Dirt cannot be disinfected but it can be cleaned of all bedding and allowed to dry, especially with the aid of sunlight. It is important to remember that there are several “zoonotic” organisms which cause disease in humans but come from animals. The most common zoonotic agents passed from livestock manure to people include Salmonella, Cryptosporidia, Campylobacter and E. coli. Washing hands thoroughly, especially

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permanganate, however this is dangerous to people. A 1 to 5% formalin is sometimes used as a disinfectant but is very irritating and toxic and may be carcinogenic to workers.

Peracetic Acid: Is a very strong oxidizing agent and effective against many pathogens including bacterial spores. It is mildly corrosive and should be used with care but doesn’t harm the environment.

Sodium Hydroxide: lye or caustic soda (NaOH) is effective at 2% but caustic to handle. 80 gms of crystal to 1 L of water makes a 2-molar solution which is good for disinfecting equipment. Allow 10-minute contact time and then rinse.

Combination Products: There are a number of products on the market that use a combination of chemicals. An example is a product which combines ammonium chloride and sodium hydroxide for killing coccidial oocysts. For cold sterilization, gluteraldehydes, phenols and 70% alcohol (with antirust tablets) can be used. Check with your veterinarian to determine what they use. However, to be effective, any instrument should first be cleaned of organic material and fats and then left in the solution a minimum of 5 minutes. The solution should be changed frequently. *http://bit.ly/2TSedlL

prior to eating, will go a long way towards prevention of these problems in humans.

There will always be exposure to infectious agents, despite the best farm biosecurity measures. However, keeping the level of environmental contamination minimized and not introducing new pathogens into the herd by observing a period of isolation for new arrivals are two tried and true methods to decrease disease occurrence.

The immune system of cattle is welldesigned to intercept infectious agents and neutralize their effects as long as immune cells are functioning correctly and the number of infectious organisms is kept in check so that transmission is unlikely. With newborn calves, survival does not simply depend on colostrum intake but also on the development of the immune system during gestation or “fetal programming” that plays an important role in overall calf vitality. In short, prevention of disease is far more than vaccine and deworming protocols; it is largely influenced by the day-to-day management practices instituted year round on the farm.

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FEATURE

NATIONAL FARM MACHINERY SHOW BRINGS $23.8M TO LOUISVILLE AGRIBUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, TOP EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS ATTEND U.S.’ LARGEST INDOOR FARM SHOW From seed to harvest, the National Farm Machinery Show displays the latest equipment, showcases the most innovative technology and offers educational seminars to help farmers prepare for the upcoming planting season. Farmers and agribusiness professionals packed the halls of the Kentucky Exposition Center for industry updates and exciting tractor pull action.

“Kentucky is honored to be home to the largest indoor show in the U.S.,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “The National Farm Machinery Show brings visitors from across the nation to the Bluegrass state, and the economic impact that this 38

event has on our state’s economy is truly beneficial to all Kentuckians.”

Spanning 1.2 million square feet, the sold-out exhibit space was packed with more than 860 booths of the industry’s latest and most comprehensive display of equipment, services and technology.

Other highlights included 24 free seminars, four new this year, with topics ranging from market strategies to drones and farm technology.

Additionally, the show offered a free screening of SILO, the first feature film about grain entrapment. Inspired by true events, SILO follows a harrowing day in

an American farm town when teenager Cody Rose is entrapped in a 50-foot-tall grain bin.

leaders to Louisville, which in turn showcases our city, our state and benefits the local economy.”

The NFMS brings an estimated economic impact of $23.8 million to Louisville annually, filling local hotels and restaurants with attendees from across the country and around the world.

The Championship Tractor Pull, held in conjunction with the farm show, sold more than 65,000 tickets. Fans flooded Freedom Hall for five pulls, which drew the nation’s top drivers as they competed for the title of Grand Champion and $275,000 in prize money.

“The National Farm Machinery is the premier agriculture event to showcase the latest equipment and agribusiness innovations. Our show is the place to be in agriculture in February,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues. “This show attracts industry-

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

The 2021 National Farm Machinery Show takes places next year February 10-13 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

For more information, farmmachineryshow.org.

visit

www.

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FEATURE

K DA R E L E A S E S N E W G U I DA N C E R E G A R D I N G P E S T I C I D E A P P L I C ATO R L I C E N S E S I N L I G H T O F C OV I D - 1 9 PA N D E M I C The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is releasing new guidance regarding the testing, certification, and licensure of all pesticide operators and applicators regulated in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All state agencies in the Commonwealth of Kentucky have been ordered to cease all in-person government services effective March 17, 2020. In order to address the need for the use of pesticides for the production of food and the reduction of household pests, including the need for anti-microbial pesticides, the KDA is issuing the following guidance.

Commercial and Non-Commercial Pesticide Licenses: •

Testing for all licenses is suspended;

•

For all license holders whose certification expired Dec. 31, 2019, the KDA will extend their certification period until Dec. 31, 2020 upon payment of license fees for 2020 at https://www.kyagr-apps.com/AgExternal/Security/Account/Registration;

•

Individuals seeking a new applicator license will be issued a trainee license until certification testing resumes; and

•

No new commercial operator licenses will be issued.

Private Applicator Licenses: •

For all private applicators whose certification expired Dec. 31, 2019, the KDA (in cooperation with the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology) will extend their certification period until Dec. 31, 2020; and

•

Training for new private applicator licenses will be handled by the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology through remote methods. This training will be available online beginning Monday, March 23, 2020 at https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/uk-pesticide-safety-education-program-psep.

These measures will remain in effect until further notice.

Please direct any questions to the KDA’s Division of Environmental Services by calling (502) 573-0282.

8

presents

th

APRIL 4, 2020  1 PM D E L L E NC

A C E L A S

LAUREL COUNTY CATTLEMEN SALE FACILITIES 3610 SLATE LICK CHURCH ROAD  LONDON, KY

for more information: Laurel County Extension Office......................................................................................606.864.4167 Bobby Wells, Association President ...............................................................................606.344.0417 Glenn Williams, Ag Agent...............................................................................................606.682.0665 COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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FEATURE

A D D I N G L A B E L S V E R S U S A D D I N G VA L U E Colin Woodall, NCBA CEO I have a Twitter account. Before taking the role of CEO, I never thought I’d say those words. It’s been an eye-opening experience and frankly I’m surprised at the number of people who dislike me without having ever met me. It seems that most of them dislike the work I do, or they’re mad about the association for which I work. I’ll let you in on a little secret; it doesn’t bother me that these folks are mad, or don’t like me or my work. In fact, I take some pride in it, because folks don’t get mad at people or associations that don’t matter.

I created a Twitter account to share information, to discuss the topics that are important to NCBA and to communicate directly with folks in the beef community. What I’ve learned, though, is that there are a lot of trolls on Twitter. There are plenty of individuals who want to disagree, debate and argue for the sake of it. It’s a sign of the times and not one that’s particularly encouraging. Folks let me tell you, there’s not much point in trying to debate with the trolls on Twitter. Take the topic of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL). I’m certain trolls won’t change their mind because of a 140-character Tweet, and neither will anyone else. While I’ll always attempt to educate, I don’t have much interest in a pointless back-and-forth.

NCBA and its partners are interested in solutions to the industry’s issues and problems. As a case in point, when our members in Oregon identified a solution to ensure that only beef produced in the United States is carrying the “Product of USA” label, they brought that idea forward from the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, introduced it at NCBA’s Summer Business Meeting and I’m happy to announce that NCBA now has interim policy that advocates for verified and voluntary use of “U.S.A. origin” labels in the beef industry. Furthermore, it also calls for government oversight, not government mandate, to ensure that label claims are verified by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, which is already equipped and prepared to 40

manage labeling claims.

There are plenty of opportunities to add value to beef products. The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association runs a program which supplies beef to Kroger Stores in the region, featuring beef from cattle producers in the state. It carries a Kentucky Beef label and it has been a fantastic success for producers who are participating in the program. There are many others out there and that’s the approach we should be taking to labeling. Create a product that carries a brand, delivers on a promise, or develops a fan base and you’ve added value without the need for government interference or mandates.

That’s precisely why R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard’s rhetoric and fake graphics will never hold water in this industry. The market did not decline when or because mCOOL was repealed because a generic government-mandated origin label does not add value or deliver anything desired by the consumer. Some folks

have bought into Bullard’s narrative that a return to mCOOL will solve our problems. It will not. The mCOOL story is simply a tactic Bullard uses to sell memberships. Mandatory COOL was a marketing scheme when it was introduced, and he continues to use it as a marketing scheme now. If Bullard truly believes in the idea of origin labels, he has the tools to create one today.

There’s nothing stopping Bullard from creating and selling origin-labeled beef right now.

However, I’d say it’s a good bet that Bullard knows his plan won’t drive consumer demand. It’s also a safe bet he won’t be jumping into the labeling business anytime soon because he also knows taste, quality and consistency are the drivers of beef demand, not a generic origin label. Instead of putting R-CALF’s money where his mouth is, Bullard will simply continue kicking the mCOOL horse because he knows mCOOL’s true value is delivering membership dollars.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

By telling folks what’s wrong and who’s to blame, Bullard is cashing in on the divide he has created in our industry.

We have real problems, but Bullard isn’t interested in solving any of them because he profits from the division he creates. To further his cause, he’s invited outsiders to the party, aligned with activists who mean us harm and of course he continues to file lawsuits in the hope he’ll get a win that will eventually stick.

Fake meat is an issue, chicken is still kicking the hell out of us in the battle for consumer dollars, but Bullard isn’t interested in any of those problems. Instead, he has stuck to an incomprehensible willingness to scare consumers about the origins of beef to further divide the industry and create a problem where one doesn’t exist. Nothing R-CALF has done under Bullard’s two-decade tenure has stood the test of time or helped the industry add even a single dollar to the value of

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beef.

We have real problems in our business and NCBA is hard at work trying to solve them. We work daily on trade, overregulation, sustainability and countless other issues. We’ve made incredible progress over the past year. None of it was accomplished, or even furthered by R-CALF. In fact, NCBA and our partners have notched our wins while fighting Bullard’s army of activist-funded attorneys.

There’s no point in more debate or Twitter discussion about mCOOL. Doing so wastes resources and causes deeper division in our industry at a point when it’s already clear where both NCBA and R-CALF stand. If you want a single-minded focus that will move the industry back to government-mandated mCOOL and a sue-your-neighbor mentality, then Bullard is your team captain.

SoKY Select Gelbvieh Sale SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020 • 1:00 PM CT United Producers • Bowling Green, KY

Selling 40 Gelbvieh & Balancer® Females Selling 30 Gelbvieh & Balancer® Bulls

If you want to work together, move the beef industry forward and solve the problems we face, I hope you’re already an NCBA member. If, not please consider joining us, we need more folks like you.

Young cow/calf pairs like this one sell!

Fall, AI bred heifers like this one sell!

Several Balancer bulls like this one sell. Several are heifer acceptable.

A Final Frontier daughter out of this tremendous Exclusive female sells!

Tim Dievert 478 Dry Fork Rd. • Danville, KY 40422 Office:859/236-4591 (C)859/238-3195 • tdievert@dievertsales.com www.dievertsales.com Catalogs or more information available by contacting Tim Dievert.

BRANCH VIEW ANGUS SALE April 11, 2020 At the farm Hustonville, KY

Sale managed by

!! CANCELED !!

55TH ANNUAL SPRING CKAA SALE April 18, 2020 CKAA Sale Pavilion Danville, KY

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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Slaughter Sale Management

David Slaughter

Phone: (270) 556-4259 For catalog or information contact: E-mail: hmslghtr@aol.com

Like us on Facebook at Slaughter Sale Management

41

FEATURE

ONE: THE ALLTECH IDEAS CONFERENCE TRANSITIONS TO

A V I R T UA L E X P E R I E N C E F O R 2 0 2 0 T H E V I R T U A L P L AT F O R M E N S U R E S A C C E S S I B I L I T Y A N D S A F E T Y F O R A L L G L O B A L PA R T I C I PA N T S

Alltech has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, with particular consideration for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE). The annual event was scheduled for May 17–19 in Lexington, and typically assembles more than 3,500 attendees from 70 countries and from around the Bluegrass State. In light of rising health concerns related to coronavirus, Alltech will present ONE 2020 session topics online, transitioning to a virtual experience instead of an inperson event.

“Our first priority is the health and safety of attendees, our colleagues and the

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communities in which we live and work,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “With that in mind, we have decided to host this year’s international conference on a virtual platform, allowing registrants from around the world to engage in industry-leading content in a way that is accessible for everyone.”

Alltech has held its annual conference in Lexington for 35 years and remains committed to hosting the live event in the city in future years.

“We have carefully considered this decision for several weeks, and central

to our discussions was our commitment to this community,” said Dr. Lyons.

“We recognize that the ONE conference has a significant economic impact on Lexington, and we will be exploring ways that we can work with our local partners to still deliver value to them in 2020.

However, the health and well-being of this community, including our own colleagues and the many people within Lexington who would be working with our attendees, is and will always be our greatest priority.”

The Alltech ONE Virtual Experience provide access to agricultural topics, including agri-business, aquaculture,

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

beef, crop science, dairy, the future of food, pig and poultry. Live-streamed keynote presentations and on-demand video content from some of the world’s leading industry experts, including the most impactful presentations from past years’ events, will be available beginning May 18, 2020.

Now in its 36th year, ONE continues to be a source of inspiration and motivation within the agri-business industry, even in the face of disruption. This year, Alltech will apply that same spirit to deliver an impactful experience virtually.

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West Kentucky Select BRED HEIFER SALE Selling 225 Fall Calving Bred Heifers

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 7:00 pm Central Time Kentucky-Tennessee Livestock Market Guthrie, Kentucky

For more information contact: Kevin Laurent, University of Kentucky (270) 365-7541 ext. 226 Mark Barnett, KY-TN Livestock Market (270) 483-2504 All heifers are guaranteed bred to bulls with known EPDs and have met stringent requirements for health, quality and pelvic measurements.

See these heifers at: www.kyheifersale.com All heifers qualify for KY Cost Share (CAIP) Most qualify for TN Cost Share (TAEP)

Sponsored by the Univ. of Kentucky and the Univ. of Tennessee Cooperative Extension Service and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Green River Livestock Campbellsville, KY

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Bins in Stock & Ready to Move!

Give Darrel a call for all of your feed bin & cattle handling equipment needs.

Darrel Eastridge 270-469-5389 COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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FEATURE

1 2 O B J E C T I V E S T O I M P R O V E B E E F C AT T L E FA R M F U N C T I O N A L I T Y A N D P R O F I TA B I L I T Y Steve Higgins, University of Kentucky Prior to 2012, Eden Shale Farm was a demonstration farm controlled by the University of Kentucky (UK). Nine hundred acres (450 acres in trees and 450 acres in arable land) were purchased in 1954 to assist the agricultural producers in the area with agricultural enterprises that could be profitable on the Eden Shale soil series. At one time, the farm raised grapes, strawberries, fruit trees, shitake mushrooms, Christmas trees, sheep, beef and dairy cattle, plus typical row crops grown in the bottoms to support the livestock operations. At one point, when it was controlled by UK, the farm employed nine year-round workers and up to eight day laborers. Today, the farm is strictly a beef cattle operation managed by one and a half full-time employees working for the Kentucky Beef Network.

Since the transition in 2013, a lot of reconstruction has been needed to reprogram agricultural facilities that were not designed for beef cattle production.

Even the Bull Barn, constructed around 1960 and once used as a bull test station, has needed updates and redesign as understanding of efficient design has increased. Many agricultural operations across the state have gone through similar transformations.

In Kentucky, the arrangement of farming structures has been influenced more by social, economic, and political forces than by scientific or engineering input.

This is unfortunate since the design of facilities is a means to an environmental end. For much of their lives cattle occupy environments that are man-made yet few systems are centered on the animal or providing efficiency for the producer.

Since man-made structures may last for generations, any flaws or inefficiencies in the location or design of these facilities will affect chores, functionality, and the lives of animals, for decades. Unfortunately, poor facility design often adds to the drudgery of routine tasks and poor welfare for livestock. The building, structures, and facilities on the Eden Shale Farm are no exception. Several structures were built for discontinued agricultural, horticultural or livestock operations. However, where there are challenges, there are opportunities to

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modify structures or implement practices to improve efficiencies. With foresight and attention to design principles, existing structures can be reprogrammed to serve new purposes, which could be categorized as “conservation practices” or “innovative practices.” This publication details the Eden Shale Farm Design Objectives, which may be of interest to producers who are considering a reprograming project in the future or critiquing past projects.

1. System should have low labor requirements. Many producers have too many activities, pulling them in different directions and consuming precious time.

Some producers have full-time or parttime jobs off the farm, leaving off-hours and weekends to accomplish chores. The time allocated to farming must be efficient.

However, how the farm is laid out, travel distances, and built-in inefficiencies can make this difficult.

2.

Facilities should provide an environment for animals that promote good animal health, rapid growth, and efficient utilization of feed. The environment, in a narrow sense, includes the air the animal breathes, the surface on which it stands, the number of its social group, the space provided to move, eat, and drink, and the means by which it is confined. Many health issues and diseases can be prevented or controlled by providing a proper environment and management. Practices that fall under this category would include rotational grazing, alternative water stations, feed and calving barns with bedding, and winter-feeding facilities.

3. Capital cost should be kept low. A producer should try to work with what they already have. Reprogramming old structures for new purposes can reduce the cost of investment. It is important to evaluate the structural integrity of old structures prior to renovation. Developing shelters or safe winter calving areas can be profitable if severe weather conditions develop during a time when calving takes place. Losses that might occur in one season could have been used to pay for construction/renovation for good practices. We designed conservation or innovative systems for beef cattle by

reprogramming the existing tobacco, dairy, sheep, and bull barns. At the same time, we recycled, repurposed, and reused materials to improve operations. Old cinder blocks, used tires, and hot blocks are just a few examples of the materials used to save money. In some cases, these materials were already on the farm. Selling a pile of scrapped wire fencing enabled us to free up an excellent building spot. The proceeds from our recycling were used to fund a large self-feeder.

4. The system should minimize the use of energy and other inputs. A producer should take advantage of free work or free energy. Gravity-fed rainwater harvesting systems have been installed to reduce city water costs. Solar power and wind turbines have been installed to reduce grid energy dependence. Centralized operations are in place to reduce fuel costs and travel time. The overall holistic management system reduces the use of inputs through a conservation system created between plants, animals, and soil.

5. Nutrients present in waste should be recoverable as fertilizer or in some other way. Animal manure is accumulated on any farm and Eden Shale is no different.

Since it is already there, it must be moved out of the way. Storage structures have been installed to contain manure and bedding using recycled concrete bin blocks and railroad ties produced from recycled plastic. The land application of waste products in the form of animal manure, soiled forages, and bedding is conducted according to nutrient management planning guidelines in order to reduce inorganic fertilizer costs, improve soil quality, and reduce off-farm pollution.

6. The risk of economic loss and catastrophic failures should be kept low. Heifer calves represent potential mommas on a cowcalf operation. Steer calves represent cash flow for the farming operation. At Eden Shale, there has been one large project, implemented over several years, to create a heifer calving hub. This was created to ease management but mostly to create an optimum environment for calves to thrive.

History from the previous management has shown that funds spent on this project have created economic benefits within one

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

to three years.

7. There should be adequate protection against theft and vandals. No one wants to have his or her possessions stolen or vandalized. Sites chosen for gates provide security and visibility of potential visitors and trespassers. The location of farm gates doubly serve to facilitate animal handling and better circulation of the herd. Gates and buildings are kept locked to keep livestock and equipment safe. It takes more time and effort to unlock them in the morning, but we feel more comfortable at night.

8. The system should be easy to operate and maintain. Installed systems have been designed so that they can be operated using existing or readily available off-theshelf equipment. Automation has been incorporated to reduce labor. Cheaper versions of almost anything can be found.

However, you get what you pay for. For example, the best gate purchased is usually the last one purchased. The cost of implementing new practices and designs can be greatly reduced by providing labor, equipment, and maintenance yourself. We call it “do-it-yourself conservation.”

9. Start-up and clean-up problems should be minimized. We focused on efficient farm operation by developing and operating facilities where multiple groups of cattle can be managed with minimal labor, feed and water, and energy inputs, while improving herd performance and creating minimal waste or recyclable wastes.

10. Odors, dust, flies, pollution (water, air, and visual), and other nuisance factors should be controlled. The practices that we installed were designed to minimize nuisance issues. One of these practices was the use of bedding to control moisture and reduce flies. Flooring materials have been designed and installed to provide drainage and reduce bedding requirements. Manure stack pads have been installed to ease the task of manure removal.

11. The system should make intelligent use of available resources. Creating efficiency to improve the quality and quantity of effort for 1.5 workers is important.

Creating intelligent design and use of available resources is equally important.

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The overarching principles are to provide pure air, pure water, and pure land. The agricultural and engineering properties of the Eden Shale soils are known, due to careful review of the Soil Survey.

Several management practices have been implemented to increase soil organic matter and to increase the infiltration rate of water in soil resources to improve forage production. The soils have a high clay content, are easily compacted, and have an ability to create sticky and slippery mud. Manure applications are used to improve soil fertility, infiltration, and water holding capabilities, while reducing compaction of soils. Ideal hay feeding structures and all-weather surfaces have been constructed to feed and to reduce damage to pastures. Drainage around structures has been implemented to move water, which could compromise the foundation, away from the structures.

Buildings have been reprogrammed to harvest water, ease management, and provide an optimum environment for cattle production. Ventilation of buildings has been improved and shade structures have been constructed to improve the

utilization of pastures for rotational grazing and improve herd welfare. Good agricultural employees are a resource and the employees at the Eden Shale Farm have received additional training and skills to improve this essential resource.

12. The system should protect animal welfare by housing and handling the animals in a safe and humane fashion.

This has been accomplished by adopting the Five Freedoms: Freedom from Hunger and Thirst, Freedom from Discomfort, Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease, Freedom to Express Normal Behavior, Freedom from Fear and Distress. As obvious as this may seem, water and feeding systems have been improved. Allweather surfaces, barn flooring systems, bedding, and ventilation have improved cattle comfort. These modifications have in no small way reduced morbidity and mortalities of cattle. Improving animal welfare has a positive effect on profitability, while reducing costs and inputs.

The first seven objectives address the operation’s profitability by reducing costs. Eden Shale Farm operates off its profits from the sale of cattle at livestock

markets. No checkoff dollars are used to support the farm. Objectives 8 and 9 are for the convenience of the operator.

They are desirable, but not at the cost of profitability. Such items may, under certain circumstances, be traded off to achieve a higher priority item. However, private operations may view these as high priority items that create convenience and improve quality of life. These objectives are and will be of greater importance to younger producers who want to spend less time working and more time with family.

Objectives 10 and 11 are examples of social and sustainability concerns, which may be imposed by the operator or by zoning or regulatory agencies, which could also have implications on productivity. Objective 12 is the responsibility of every stockman and has been shown to increase productivity of cattle. Thoughtful consideration and planning of facility design can be achieved by utilizing these objectives for guidance. Implementation of practices supporting these objectives may increase productivity, increase ease of operation, and improve the overall workflow at the farming operation.

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HAMILTON ANGUS FARMS 2 1 4 2 S TIL E S V IL L E R O A D • S C I E N C E H I L L, K Y 4 2553 This cow is selling in Great Meadows Sale (June 6, 2020).

She is a pathfinder and has a calf by Basin Payweight and is bred back to Jet Black. Also selling are two heifers by Jindra Acclaim.

Registration #18085907

BULLS AND FEMALES FOR SALE AT FARM (606) 271-1286 • edjohami@aol.com

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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FEATURE

USDA CONTINUES FOCUS ON SERVICE

DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK While President Donald J. Trump continues to take action during this COVID-19 National Emergency and enact measures to ensure Americans are safe, secure, and healthy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to be open for business to provide services to the American people. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recorded a video message reassuring the American people that the U.S. supply chain remains strong. Additionally, the Secretary thanked those on the front lines of the American food supply: folks stocking the shelves of local grocery stores, truck drivers keeping supply networks open and functioning, food service workers in kitchens across the country preparing the products at markets, school lunch workers keeping America’s families and children fed during closures, and USDA’s food safety inspectors ensuring the food we eat is safe, healthy, and nutritious.

Background:

• APHIS and AMS are ensuring the health and safety of USDA employees while still providing the timely delivery of the services to maintain the movement of America’s food supply moving from farms to forks.

• APHIS and AMS are prepared to remedy any possible disruptions in their services.

• Commodity markets can be assured that the USDA will keep America’s food supply safe as well as abundant during this national emergency.

• AMS will continue to report commodity prices through its market news service.

• Yesterday, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears issued a letter to stakeholders reassuring them that FSIS and AMS are rising to meet the challenges associated with COVID-19.

While USDA has moved to an enhanced Food and Nutrition Service (FNS): telework posture during the Coronavirus National Emergency, services to the • Today, Secretary Perdue announced a collaboration with the Baylor American people continue. Those services Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, include but are not limited to: McLane Global, PepsiCo, and others Food Safety Inspections Service to deliver nearly 1,000,000 meals per (FSIS): week to students in a limited number of rural schools closed due to COVID-19.

• Meat, poultry, and processed egg These boxes will contain five days inspection services continue as normal. worth of shelf-stable, nutritious, • Planning for absenteeism is a part of individually packaged foods that meet normal FSIS operations and as such, USDA’s summer food requirements.

FSIS is closely monitoring and tracking The use of this innovative delivery employee absenteeism to plan for and system will ensure rural children minimize impacts to operations. receive nutritious food while limiting exposure to COVID-19.

• FSIS is also working to prioritize inspection at establishments based • Last week, Secretary Perdue announced on local conditions and resources proactive flexibilities to allow meal available. service during school closures to • Yesterday, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears issued a letter to stakeholders reassuring them that FSIS and AMS are rising to meet the challenges associated with COVID-19.

Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS): • APHIS and AMS continue to provide critical inspections and grading services.

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minimize potential exposure to the coronavirus. During an unexpected school closure, schools can leverage their participation in one of USDA’s meal programs to provide meals at no cost to students. Under normal circumstances, those meals must be served in a group setting. However, in a public health emergency, the law allows USDA the authority to waive the group setting meal requirement, which is vital during a social distancing situation.

• USDA is using all available program

regards to payment of escrow to the flexibilities and contingencies to serve AIPs, this process happens in RMA’s our program participants across our 15 Kansas City office. Should that office be nutrition programs. We have already affected, most of the work will be done begun to issue waivers to ease program via telework. We also have capabilities operations and protect the health of to shift functions to the other regional participants. As of today, USDA has offices as well to perform those tasks. been asked to waive congregate feeding requirements in all 50 states, the Natural Resources and the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico; Environment (NRE): USDA has granted those requests.

• USDA Forest Service’s (USFS) critical • Secretary Perdue spoke at the School work, such as improving the condition Nutrition Association’s 48th Annual of the nation’s forest and grasslands, Legislative Action Conference about suppressing wildfires and other public USDA’s response to the Coronavirus as service responsibilities, continues it relates to school meal programs. You uninterrupted. may click HERE for a video recap.

• At this time, USFS continues to remain Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS): open and operational, and we are committed to the continuity of our • FAS has plans and workplace mission. We are working to exercise our flexibilities in place to ensure that it technology capabilities where possible can continue to deliver on its mission to ensure connection and service to the of creating global trade opportunities public. As always, we continue to work for the producers and exporters of in shared stewardship with our state American farm and food products. and local partners.

These efforts include continued monitoring and reporting on U.S. • USFS’ priority is wildland fire readiness agricultural exports, global agricultural and response to protect life, property, trade, and trade policy priorities such and natural resources for the American as implementation of the U.S.-China public. No impacts to readiness and Phase One Economic and Trade response is expected.

Agreement.

• Fire training impacts are minimal.

Farm Production and Conservation Coordination efforts continue to (FPAC): ensure mission essential trainings are conducted to maintain firefighter • USDA Service Centers, which qualifications. include offices of both Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources • During local quarantine requirements, Conservation Service (NRCS), are public facing Forest Service offices located throughout the country. Our and recreation sites will cease customers are farmers and ranchers provisions of guest services to the who are adaptable and innovative, public. Public recreation events with and our staff provide service to every visitors, volunteers, and partners will county nationwide. If an outbreak be impacted if events are cancelled or comes to certain areas, FSA and NRCS postponed. will disperse the customer service Research, Education, and and mission delivery tasks needed to telework as well as to other areas as Extension (REE): we route phones, post and electronic • National Agricultural Statistics Service communications to staff able to (NASS) is making every effort to complete critical functions. produce and deliver official federal agriculture statistics on schedule.

• The FPAC Business Center will address We will evaluate data collection and the majority of essential operations and agency operations for the production critical functions through increased of each NASS report as COVID-19 use of telework. conditions change. If we are able to • Since the Risk Management Agency’s collect enough data and conditions are (RMA) partners in the crop insurance such that estimates can be established delivery system are insurance and released, we will publish reports. companies and their agents and If there are changes in the publication adjustors, we depend upon them as our schedule, notification will be made customer-facing service on behalf of by a notice distributed to the news RMA. Should an outbreak occur locally, media and posted at nass.usda.gov. the Approved Insurance Providers We ask farmers and ranchers who have (AIPs) and their agents and adjustors received a survey to please respond would be able to accomplish most tasks online. It’s now more important than through telephone and email. With

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FEATURE ever to respond promptly online so The Office of the Chief Economist that we can deliver the statistics that (OCE): agriculture counts on, without having • The Office of the Chief Economist to follow up. The URL is on every (OCE) will continue to advise on the questionnaire, agcounts.usda.gov. economic implications of policies and To start, use the survey code on the programs affecting the U.S. food and questionnaire. fiber system and rural areas.

• The Economic Research Service • In addition, OCE plans to coordinate, (ERS) is fully prepared to deliver on approve and publish the monthly our regular mission activities and World Agricultural Supply and to support Departmental needs for Demand Estimates (WASDE) Reports analysis. Nearly 100 percent of staff are on regular timelines. telework ready and ERS is operating The Office of Partnerships and in a 100 percent cloud computing environment, which facilitates full Public Engagement (OPPE): functionality with remote access.

• OPPE will continue to connect rural and underserved communities to the • Agricultural Research Service (ARS) resources and programs available to continues its mission critical work them at USDA, including more than without interruption. We are continuing $18 million in grants for socially to support our stakeholders, including disadvantaged and veteran farmers action and regulatory agencies. We will and ranchers. OPPE will work closely begin planning for new research on the with existing partners and USDA impact of CoVID-19 on food safety and Liaisons located across the country to animals. provide capacity building, technical Rural Development (RD): assistance, and access to resources to all stakeholders.

• RD will continue to provide loans and grants to rural communities across all The Office of the Chief Scientist of RD programs.

(OCS): • ReConnect applications will continue to be accepted with a March 31st deadline, and we will then begin the review and award process.

• RD has granted authority to lenders that participate in our Single-Family Housing Guaranteed program so they can work with borrowers to ensure folks will stay in their houses if they are having difficulty making payments.

• RD will issue guidance to our SingleFamily Housing Direct borrowers to ensure they can also seek payment assistance if needed.

• OCS is continuing to provide strategic guidance and communication on high priority research issues of national importance.

• OCS is coordinating the implementation of the USDA Science Blueprint core research themes across USDA to help guide USDA scientific priorities for the next five years.

U.S. Codex Office:

• The U.S. Codex Office is working with the international Codex Secretariat on ways of progressing important food safety and quality standards The Office of the Assistant without undue delay. A key element Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR): is maintaining communication with delegates, stakeholders and • While OASCR will assume a maximum international counterparts. telework posture, the important work that the dedicated officials in OASCR • For example, we are moving to turn perform will not be disrupted. planned public meetings into virtual Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO):

• OCFO will continue providing payroll processing, financial systems availability, insurance premium processing and vendor payments to its external and internal customers. OCFO employees have the ability to work remotely and still accomplish the agency’s mission.

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meetings with U.S. stakeholders to review and seek input on U.S. positions on issues related to contaminants in foods, food import and export inspection and certification systems, and methods of analysis and sampling.

For more information from the USDA, you may visit www.usda.gov/coronavirus.

The latest information directly from the CDC can be found at www.coronavirus. gov.

HOMELAND SECURITY R E C O G N I Z E S A G R I C U LT U R E A S

CRITICAL INDUSTRY The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance on Thursday on critical industry workforce that should continue as the country addresses and responds to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. U.S. food and agriculture was included among 16 critical industries.

“If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule,” the guidance states.

The list of sectors and identified essential critical infrastructure workers are an initial recommended set by DHS and are intended to be overly inclusive, reflecting the diversity of industries across the U.S. Specifically, DHS recognized these food and agriculture roles as critical: • Animal agriculture workers to include those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.; transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; transportation of deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants and associated regulatory and government workforce • Farm workers to include those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically • Farm workers and support service workers to include those who field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs supporting groceries, • Workers pharmacies and other retail that sells food and beverage products • Restaurant carry-out and quick serve food operations - Carry-out and delivery

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food employees • Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing byproducts for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging • Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution, including warehouse workers, vendormanaged inventory controllers and blockchain managers • Workers supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail • Company cafeterias - in-plant cafeterias used to feed employees • Workers in food testing labs in private industries and in institutions of higher education • Workers essential for assistance programs and government payments • Employees of companies engaged in the production of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids • Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood products • Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution “We thank DHS for acknowledging the vital role that pork producers play in helping to feed consumers here at home and around the globe with a high-quality, affordable protein,” says National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Howard “A.V.” Roth. “We recognize that states and local CONTINUED ON PAGE 51

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U K A G E C O N O M I S T S AY S C A T T L E M A R K E T S V O L A T I L E A M I D S T C O V I D - 1 9 U N C E R TA I N T I E S Aimee Nielson, University of Kentucky The worldwide COVID-19 crisis is affecting every financial market, including livestock markets.

“Demand shocks like this usually have the largest impact on cattle that are close to harvest. For the most part, that is what we are seeing now,” said Kenny Burdine, agricultural economist for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “Fed cattle prices have dropped drastically, and it’s hard to give a current price because things are moving so fast. Feeder cattle futures have dropped quite a bit as well.”

Burdine said the CME© March Feeder Cattle futures contract has fallen by nearly $25 per hundred from early March to the close on March 16 and may not be finished.

“This is a larger response than I would have expected for cattle that are six months from harvest, and it speaks to how long the market is expecting this to last,” he said. “On a positive note, I don’t 48

think heavy feeders in Kentucky have dropped that much yet.”

Local calf prices didn’t respond until the second week of March, and Burdine said this is largely due to how far calves are from harvest and what looks like a promising early spring grazing season.

Plentiful rainfall and above-average temperatures are supporting Kentucky’s plentiful forage pastures, offsetting some of the negative impacts other parts of the country have seen.

For the short term, Burdine doesn’t expect much supply impact from COVID-19 and said it doesn’t impact current inventory or meat production.

“One of the problems we have is that this demand shock is hitting when production of all meats is relatively high,” he said.

“There is absolutely potential for longerterm supply impacts when producers start to delay selling cattle due to the large and fast price drops we are now seeing.”

Cattle tend to stay on feed longer during volatile market times, and that leads to higher slaughter weights. Cow-calf producers and backgrounders tend to follow the same trend, and that creates a backlog of cattle. The longer the crisis persists, the more potential exists for supply issues.

As for demand, the market impacts come down to how long the shock lasts.

“Looking back to January and February, it appears the market was largely trying to price the impact from international demand, specifically how COVID-19’s impact in Asian countries would impact United States beef exports to those areas.

Now in March, it looks like the markets have shifted their focus to demand here at home.”

Eighty-eight percent of U.S.-produced beef stays in the states. In the short run, this probably won’t impact how much beef Americans eat, but it may affect where they eat it. With restaurants

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

shutting down dining rooms and moving to carryout and delivery-only options, more Americans will be eating at home.

“It’s hard to grasp the impact to the cattle markets of all the cancelled conferences, athletic events, international and domestic travel,” Burdine said. “These are all economic drivers and have many spillover implications to supportive industries like lodging, dining, travel and shopping. There’s just no way to list all of them.”

If conditions persist, consumers could potentially move towards cheaper meats, which makes beef vulnerable longerterm. Competition will affect all meats in the case.

“While there is a tendency for markets to overreact to things like this, COVID-19 is something new and different,” Burdine said. “There’s no real modern precedent to help us predict what will happen, but markets will stay volatile until this situation is under control.”

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FEATURE

I M PA C T S O F C O V I D - 1 9 O N F O O D M A R K E T S Dr. Jayson Lusk, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University Last week was a whirlwind of trip and event cancellations, movement of courses online, and the dusting off of emergency and contingency plans. This week is likely to bring more social-distancing and quarantining measures. The ultimate toll and impacts of the coronavirus are highly uncertain at present. Nonetheless, it might be useful to speculate a bit about impacts of coronavirus and the events surrounding it on food markets.

1. Grocery buying behavior. It has been fascinating to watch online, and in my own local grocery stores, which items consumers are choosing to stock-up on.

The run on toilet paper, for example, seems on the surface of it, downright irrational. After all, COVID-19 does not cause digestive issues. As irrational as the initial movement to toilet paper may seem, it isn’t crazy for subsequent consumers to then stock up too. After all, it doesn’t take much for a reasonable person to see that if all other consumers are buying up all the toilet paper, that they’d better off getting theirs before none is left. There is a long and interesting economics literature on information cascades and herding behavior, which shows that even if you disagree with what other people are doing, it is sometimes sensible to go along with the crowd.

Much of the information we have at this point on which items are stocking-out is anecdotal, but there do seem to be some common trends in what I see in my own local stores and commentary online. For example, it seems many of the new plantbased burgers are being left behind while the rest of the meat case is being cleared.

I was surprised to see in my own local store, that virtually all the beef was gone (except for a bit of ground beef), about half the pork was gone, and chicken was plentiful. This must say something about people’s psychology to go for the highest-price, perishable produce in this time of panic; that or differences in supply chain issues, but more on that later. In other aisles, rice and pasta went quickly, presumably for issues related to the long shelf life, should quarantining result. Still, I noticed what was left in

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those aisles were the gluten-free options and the lesser-known brands or unusual flavors, suggesting stock-outs are related to item popularity. I hope we can learn more about this behavior after the fact.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to study stocking-out phenomenon because stores are usually well stocked, and because grocery store scanner data only shows us what people bought, but we can’t see what people didn’t buy because it wasn’t available.

2. Stock-outs and supply chains.

The New York Times ran a story yesterday with the heading “There Is Plenty of Food in the Country.” I largely agree.

The stock-outs we are seeing now are likely temporary disruptions resulting from consumers pulling forward buying behavior in anticipation of future reduce mobility. But, it’s unlikely people will eat more in aggregate because of the coronavirus. Thus, this is largely a temporal adjustment in buying behavior with smaller effects on aggregate food demand.

However, there could be more serious food market disruptions. Some of the stock-outs and slowdowns in grocery check-out lines are because employees are staying at home and practicing socialdistancing. This problem is likely to grow if more people become ill. So, while we might have the food supply available, will we have the workers to get it to us?

Now, take a step back in the supply chain, and this is where worker issues could have serious issues. Remember all the fervor over the beef packing-plant fire back in August? While the impacts was counter-intuitive to many producers, the economics were straightforward: an unexpected disruption in supply depressed cattle prices and boosted wholesale beef prices. It isn’t far-fetched to imagine worker illnesses getting to the point that plants have to temporarily shut down on a scale that is at least as large as the August-fire, which removed about 5% of the nation’s beef processing capacity.

One difference is that destroying a plant via fire is not the same as temporarily closing plants due to lack of healthy

workers; one resulted in a long-term price adjustment while the latter is more likely a temporary price fluctuation.

One thing that makes me nervous even about temporary closures, if large scale, is the animals that have been placed to be market-weight in the next few weeks.

While feedlot cattle can likely remain on feed a few weeks longer with relatively small changes in profitability, that is less true for hogs, and particularly chickens.

Meat supply chains are optimized for efficiency and low-cost production, not necessarily for flexibility and resiliency.

A signal to keep an eye on is the amount of meat in cold storage (the data currently available are lagged by at least a month).

The buying behavior we’re seeing now is likely to pull meat out of storage and onto our dinner plates. However, that boost in domestic demand is likely to be offset by reductions in foreign demand, and the coronavirus has hit hard some of our biggest export markets.

The flip-side of this is that we rely on imports from China for a variety of consumer goods, and this trade is likely to be disrupted by coronavirus. I’ve often been critical of the local foods movement, but it’s times like these that highlight some of the benefits of localization and heterogeneity in the food supply chain.

3. Recession. Given the reaction of the stock-market and the disruption to normal business and spending activity, the chances of a recession are high.

The “Great Recession” in 2007-09 had significant impacts on food spending, particularly spending on food away from home. Here are data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. These data show food spending at home only declined slightly after the recession, but the share of spending that occurred outside the home (at restaurants, etc.) fell from 0.44 to 0.41.

It is also interesting to look at how spending on different types of food changed during the Great Recession.

All at-home food spending increased in 2008 before falling in 2009, but the increase was smaller for beef and pork,

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which implies the share of food spending on these items fell over this period.

Spending on alcohol took the biggest hit. By contrast, spending on fruits and vegetables, cereal and bakery, and dairy, fared pretty well during the last recession.

There is an old saying that “generals are always fighting the last war.” Likewise, it is probably wise not to focus too much on the past recession to predict how consumers might respond to one potentially caused by the coronavirus.

Nonetheless, the pattern of reduced spending on food away from home is already occurring, and meat demand is typically thought to respond significantly to income, which suggests, at least in these two cases, the pattern may reemerge.

During the past recession, rates of food insecurity spiked. There are concerns about impacts of school closures on childhood food security, and the USDA is considering policies that will allow delivery of free school lunch and breakfast to low income children even in instances where schools are closed.

4. Population. A couple months ago, I discussed the role of population in affecting food demand. I was writing then about the fact that birth rates have been falling, and indicated a smaller population would put downward pressure on food prices and farm incomes. Unfortunately, a global pandemic like the coronavirus has the potential to reduce the world’s population (or at least slow the increase).

For example, estimates suggest the flu pandemic in 1918 sickened about 27% of the world’s population and killed about 2 to 3% of the world’s population at the time. Estimates of the potential number of deaths from the coronavirus are all over the board, but the greater the number of “excess” deaths, the greater the reduction in aggregate food demand.

On the up-side, all this social-distancing and self-quarantining means many more couples will be home together. We may need to hang on to all those hospital beds for the new babies that will arrive in nine months.

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FEATURE

A R E YO U R E A DY F O R A C H A N G E ?

Katie VanValin, PhD, Beef Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky I want to preface this article with saying the purpose is to invoke thought and give some helpful tips and resources. The purpose is not to cause fear or anxiety, in fact just the opposite.

The recent weeks have been filled with great turmoil, including devastating tornadoes impacting the Kentucky and Tennessee region, and anxieties about the spread of COVID-19, that have led to uncertainty in the markets. We at the University of Kentucky have been asked to reflect on and reevaluate when necessary, how we prefill the land grant missions of teaching, research, and extension. This started me thinking this week about our cattle industry, are we prepared to implement change if we are faced with hard times?

Several different circumstances could impact how our industry operates and the way we prepare for and respond to each of these circumstances may look a little different. With that said having a plan in place for the “what if…” can help to ease the immediate aftermath to a natural disaster or disease outbreak impacting humans and/or livestock.

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It is important to ensure that everyone on a given operation is cross-trained to perform all duties especially those involving animal care. Do you know that saying “we are only as strong as our weakest link”? The time to strengthen

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that link is not after an emergency or disaster has taken place. Have a plan in place so that if one member of the operation was unable to provide affective animal care, that the quality of animal husbandry would not diminish. For some operations this might mean reaching out to close neighbors and being ready to lend a helping hand if need be.

compromised it is important to have a plan in place to be able to quickly contain livestock still on the property. Individual animal identification practices such as tattoos, freeze branding, and ear tags, are an important step that can be taken prior to a natural disaster that can aide in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster.

In the event of an animal disease outbreak, it is a very real possibility that we would be looking at a hold in place order, meaning that animal transport would be halted immediately. Do you have adequate feed inventory on hand to maintain your herd for 15-30 days? Keep in mind that disruptions to the transport and marketing system could always last longer than this but having this buffer in place would allow you time for a plan for continuation to be adapted.

Another thing to think about is access to your farm. In the event of an animal disease outbreak we would likely be looking at limiting access to your farm. Do you have space available to quarantine new animals coming to your operation and/or ill animals for 30 days?

Do you have a location that trucks, and trailers can access the farm for transport of animals, and delivery of feed that is not directly accessible to livestock? On the flips side, in the event of a natural disaster accessibility is a key part of response. Can emergency response personnel easily and safely access your property? Is there more than one access point available, if flooding or fallen debris is present?

Unfortunately, many of our producers are not strangers to damage from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, and drought (sometimes all in one season). It is important to have an organized plan on how to deal with each of these events.

This would include moving animals out of flood prone areas when conditions exist for flooding, as well as having a plan in place if access to a particular farm or pasture was limited in the event of a flood. In the response to events such as severe thunderstorms and tornadoes where perimeter fencing may become

Each operation should take the time to develop a personal emergency plan, which would outline emergency contact information for immediate family members, close neighbors, local veterinarians, and local emergency management personnel. This plan should also outline basic details about

the operation including the approximate number of animals on the property (as we know this can ebb and flow), feed stuffs available on site, and potentially location of utilities, and pesticides (or other hazardous chemicals).

Again, I hope that this article will give you things to think about to aide in the preparation for an emergency or disaster by lessening the immediate impacts, through the development of preventative measures.

Emergency response of any kind starts at the local level, so I encourage you to work with your neighbors, county extension agents, and local emergency management personnel when putting plans in place for an emergency response. The agriculture community is one of the most resourceful and resilient group of people I can think of. I encourage us all to work together when emergencies and disasters arise.

It is important to remember that these situations can evolve quickly…If you had asked any UK basketball fan two weeks ago if they thought their season would be over today, they would have likely told you NO WAY. Lastly, remember that the time to prepare is not in the midst of or during the immediate aftermath of an emergency or disaster, so take simple steps now that can make the difficult times a little less difficult.

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KCA YouTube: The Kentucky

YPC Facebook: @youngproducerscouncil ESF Facebook: @EdenShaleFarm

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E M E R G E N C Y P R E PA R AT I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S F O R B E E F O P E R AT I O N S Jeff Lehmkuhler, PhD, PAS Associate Extension Professor As we see the events unfold in response to COVID-19, I thought I would share a few things to consider in any emergency.

Emergency preparedness first came to light for me early in my graduate student career when the hurricane hit North Carolina and my swine colleagues shared pictures of boats carrying feed to swine facilities. Being prepared became more evident in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina and the impacts on beef cattle operations near the coast. Granted we may not be near the coast and hurricanes are not a concern but, when the tornado went through eastern Kentucky a couple years ago, having plans for dealing with emergencies again become evident as we were rebuilding fences and accessing the supplies needed to do so. The following does not pertain to just the current situation and should provide a spark to think about preparing for emergencies you may experience on your operation.

Identify major weaknesses that are critical points in your operation to maintain the necessities for the wellbeing and care of your animals. Start with the basics of nutritional considerations for assuring livestock will have access to feed and water. Then consider animal health management items that may be impacted if supplies are limited or take longer to acquire. This is not to say that you should hoard products, but rather plan well and consider the “what ifs”.

As we are entering spring and pastures are greening up, feed resources may not be top of mind. You should consider a plan for an emergency that may occur at any time of the year. Short hay stocks this past winter was an example. Buying hay tarps to store extra hay to allow a 20-30% carryover is just one option to consider.

I recently read that vitamin A and E prices have already increased 25-45%

in some countries as a result of supply issues since many of the feed additives are manufactured overseas. A bag of mineral with a target intake of 4 ounces provides 200 cattle feeding days.

Consider having enough mineral to carry you a couple months under current situations. If you have 20 cows and 20 calves, then you can plan for a bag of mineral to last about 5-7 days.

Check feed bins and allow extra time for delivery. Often, we forget about checking the feed bin or creep feeders then scramble to have the feed mill deliver feed the next day. Consider having a few hundred pounds in bags or alternative storage such as metal drums as a backup.

When considering feed for backup, rotate the feed and don’t purchase feed that has moisture added in the form of molasses or other wet feedstuffs that would encourage mold growth while in storage for a month.

Those that utilize solely municipal water should always have a backup plan. A busted water main could shut off your water supply until it is repaired. During the ice storm of 2009 electricity was out for an extended period and those on well pumps needed a backup generator to pump water. Above ground storage tanks can be used during warmer months and in-ground storage can be considered for year-round access. Dr. Higgin’s water capture from barn roof system is a great example of having an alternative water source. These are not new concepts but bringing back the old cisterns approach that we have abandoned. Developing stream, creek and pond water sources can also be considered if available on the farm.

Animal health products that are a routine part of your operation should also be considered. As an example, you may consider acquiring your vaccines

for immunization earlier than normal.

Many of the products have an extended shelf life and when stored under the label recommendations will be effective to the date on the box. If you have not already done so, you should consult your veterinarian to develop herd treatment protocols for potential diseases and disorders. Many antibiotics today require a prescription from your veterinarian and having a valid clientpatient relationship improves your ability to obtain speedy professional consultations.

Larger operations may need to consider alternative labor pool resources. In the event of a family emergency, who is trained to take care of your livestock?

Do they have access to phone numbers for the neighbors, veterinarian, feed supplier and others? Farmhands may a family emergency and unable to work which places their tasks on you or other personnel. You may need a plan for extra help whether it be family, a neighbor or a hired hand that is trained in livestock management. Accidents happen on the farm and thinking through the labor supply may be all that is needed so you can act quickly.

This is not an inclusive list of things to consider when preparing for emergencies. The intent of the article was only to provide a foundation to stimulate the thought process of developing action plans in the event of an emergency.

Being prepared and planning will alleviate some stress and allow you to better focus on the tasks at hand. Reach out to your county Extension offices for emergency preparation information.

USDA resources are available online that are basic points for consideration when developing contingency plans. Take some time to consider your operation’s emergency preparations and develop plans if they are not in place already.

governments are working hard to ensure operational continuity. As part of that effort, we urge state and local governments to swiftly follow and implement this federal directive. We need to ensure there is a continuous and uninterrupted supply of pork to America’s kitchen tables.”

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch applauded DHS for listing fertilizer employees as essential and the fertilizer industry as one of the nation’s critical infrastructure industries.

“Fertilizer is responsible for 50% of crop yields and is essential to our nation’s agricultural production and food supply,” Rosenbusch says. “We thank the Trump administration for recognizing the critical role fertilizer plays in feeding our nation and the world.”

Other areas deemed as critical industries include healthcare and public health; emergency services; energy; water; nuclear reactors, materials and waste; transportation systems; dams; communications; information technology; government facilities; commercial facilities; critical manufacturing; financial; chemical; and defense industrial base.

HERITAGE FARM 16-18 MONTH OLD BULLS FOR SALE. CALVING EASE WITH GOOD GROWTH NUMBERS.

100% GUARANTEED Call Tom McGinnis

502-655-0164 COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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

51

MEMBERSHIP DIVISION 3 (UP TO 75 MEMBERS)

DIVISION 1 (151+ MEMBERS)

2020

2019

Difference

Barren

517

496

21

Shelby

324

361

-37

2020

2019

Difference

Muhlenberg

81

74

7

Mountain

78

75

3

STAY STRONG STAY UNITED

Twin Lakes

69

52

17

Webster

69

72

-3

Grant

69

73

-4

Pendleton

62

66

-4

JOIN KCA TODAY!

Taylor

59

74

-15

Woodford

57

55

2

Out of State

56

66

-10

Mason

56

46

10

Nelson

56

63

-7

Oldham

53

53

0

Rockcastle

53

53

0

Lewis

53

39

14

Hancock

49

55

-6

Whitley

49

50

-1

DIVISION 2 (76-150 MEMBERS)

2020

2019

Difference

Ohio

49

63

-14

Metcalfe

140

136

4

Todd

48

63

-15

Montgomery

47

45

2

Robertson

45

32

13

Simpson

43

33

10

Carroll

41

44

-3

Highlands

38

44

-6

Estill

38

49

-11

Union

37

61

-24

Franklin

129

128

1

Daviess

125

136

-11

Pulaski

119

101

18

Scott

110

105

5

Garrard

106

79

27

Trimble

105

108

-3

Breckinridge

316

410

-94

Adair

310

317

-7

Marion

292

302

-10

Bath

289

277

12

Grayson

276

250

26

Madison

264

265

-1

Lincoln

223

249

-26

Anderson

101

97

4

Wayne

37

41

-4

Hart

208

263

-55

Fleming

97

122

-25

Knox

37

67

-30

Clark

206

251

-45

Caldwell-Lyon

97

117

-20

Nicholas

36

42

-6

Christian

205

178

27

Edmonson

92

93

-1

McCreary

34

35

-1

Logan

199

248

-49

Jackson

90

112

-22

Clay

31

35

-4

Washington

194

193

1

Trigg

89

104

-15

Butler

30

29

1

Jessamine

193

215

-22

30

22

8

Casey

189

187

2

Hardin

178

195

-17

Bracken

175

193

-18

Warren

162

168

-6

Meade

162

193

-31

Northern Kentucky

158

153

5

Larue

156

172

-16

Green

154

151

Harrison

154

Mercer

Louisville Area

88

78

10

Calloway

Boyle

87

95

-8

Hopkins

27

31

-4

Bullitt

26

38

-12

McLean

26

32

-6

Livingston

24

25

-1

Crittenden

21

26

-5

Menifee

20

18

2

Henderson

12

12

0

Magoffin

8

10

-2

Powell

8

8

0

River Hills

7

7

0

Gallatin

7

4

3

Eastern Foothills

3

4

-1

Pike

3

5

-2

Bell

3

1

2

Harlan

1

1

0

Northeast Area

84

113

-29

Bourbon

84

77

7

Fayette

82

78

4

Purchase Area

73

78

-5

Campbell

73

78

-5

3

Russell

72

78

-6

152

2

Owen

63

94

-31

151

165

-14

Clinton-Cumberland

61

76

-15

Monroe

148

157

-9

Allen

144

132

12

Laurel

144

149

-5

Henry

142

157

-15

2020

Totals as of: March 18, 2020

10,186

2019 10,775

Difference -589

If you need anything for membership, please contact Nikki Whitaker at (859) 278-0899 or nwhitaker@kycattle.org 52

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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

2019-20 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION * MEMBERSHIP YEAR 10/1/19– 9/30/20

NAME

SPOUSE NAME

FARM NAME

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

COUNTY

RECRUITED BY

PHONE

FAX

EMAIL

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

$

# HEAD 1-100 $

$

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: ALL DONATIONS TO KCF ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

$

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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.

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS: CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION DONATION (voluntary)

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

• 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

53

KENTUCKY BEEF COUNCIL NIKI ELLIS KBC Director of Education

Sickness, rain and LOTS of mud. I think that about sums up the last few months. I’ve rescheduled numerous appointments trying to avoid the flu for my boys but then COVID 19 made its way center stage. So now, as a parent, I’m figuring out what a month without school looks like for our family as well as trying to help my 10 year old understand all the hype around the situation.

Brandon (my husband) and I are fairly open about world events with our kids, we always try to help them understand the complexity and the effects it could have on our community. When school switched to an online format I think that flipped a switch in our son’s mind.

I needed to go a bit more in depth with him, answering the BIG question “Are we okay, Mom?” Thankfully I’ve been able to build an understanding for him based on a new partnership KBC has with the National Institute for Animal Agriculture and the Center for Disease Control.

You haven’t heard about this new partnership yet, and before you ask “No, it isn’t in connection with COVID19.”

We’ve actually been working on building communications to share the beef story with those who influence antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance. These are intimidating topics for someone like me who isn’t trained in the medical or biosystems field. However, as a farmer I am a major part of that conversation.

We’ve all been affected by the changes in antibiotic availability, and trying to figure out what the future of the farm looks like with limited access to this technology.

NIAA invited us to be a part of this important conversation. A small group from Kentucky (Amy White, Josh Barnett (Riley Livestock), Danielle Harmon (S&B Cattle Company), Brent Williams, Andy Bishop and Dr. David Williams (Burkmann Nutrition)) attended the 2019 Antibiotic Symposium in October in Ames, Iowa. This symposium is designed to take the leading science surrounding antibiotic usage in food animals and applying it to the “one

54

health” conversation. One Health is the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and our environment.

Along with the science, there was training given to the producers on how to communicate that science as well as their production story. In a world 4 generations removed from farming, and misleading labeling it is more important than ever to talk about why farmers and ranchers use antibiotics in their herd management.

Because this symposium was so unique, it gave us the opportunity to build relationships with those monitoring one health, and those who are regulating the usage of these products. We were able to advocate for the need of these products to humanely treat our livestock, and explain the “why” behind what we do at the farm level. To my surprise, we were meeting with the top leaders and decisions makers with CDC, regulatory services and those who are managing the phases of the VFD. The greater surprise was their excitement to learn about raising beef and the challenges we are facing as producers. Better yet, we were able to put faces intimidating abbreviations like the CDC. Our relationship didn’t end there, we will be visiting the CDC campus for a more specialized meeting later this summer. This experience has opened my eyes as a farmer and a mom that those major groups are here to make sure our communities are safe and thriving. Being able to share that story with my son when the media is quoting the CDC repeatedly I believe brought some peace to his mind. We are a part of a much larger conversation than we ever anticipated. Here’s to a unified team making sure our farms, families and communities are more than ok.

To learn more about our experience and hear the takeaways of our Kentucky watch for our videos that are on the KBC social media outlets as well as RFDTV.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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 BEEF COUNCIL

CUBAN CRISPY SHREDDED BEEF

30 min • 4 SERVINGS • 260 Cal • 28 g Protein

A few simple ingredients can take leftover Pot Roast to the next level.

Traditionally known as Vaca Frita, sautéed beef with bell pepper, onion and lime juice, commonly served with rice and black beans. Delicious!

Ingredients: 12 ounces shredded cooked beef • Chuck Pot Roast • 1 cup sliced green bell pepper • 1 cup sliced onion • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper • Hot cooked rice, black beans and lime wedges (optional) Cooking: •

Combine the beef Chuck Pot Roast, bell pepper, onion, lime juice, oil, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper in large bowl. Marinate in refrigerator for 15 minutes or up to 1-1/2 hours.

•

Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Spread 1/3 of beef mixture in thin layer in skillet. Cook until crispy in spots, turning several times, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from skillet. Repeat twice with remaining beef mixture.

•

Season beef with remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Serve with rice, black beans and lime wedges as desired.

3g SAT FAT (15 % DV **) • 28g PROTEIN (56 % DV) • 3.4 mg IRON (20 % DV) • 8.2 mg ZINC (60 % DV) * Based on a 2,000 calorie diet ** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet Nutrition information per serving: 256 Calories; 117 Calories from fat; 13g Total Fat (3 g Saturated Fat; 8 g Monounsaturated Fat;) 83 mg Cholesterol; 346 mg Sodium; 7 g Total Carbohydrate; 1.4 g Dietary Fiber; 28 g Protein; 3.4 mg Iron; 4.3 mg Niacin; 0.6 mg Vitamin B6; 2.9 mcg Vitamin B12; 8.2 mg Zinc; 32.8 mcg Selenium; 75.6 mg Choline.

This recipe is an excellent source of Protein, Iron, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Zinc, and Selenium; and a good source of Choline.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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55

KENTUCKY BEEF NETWORK NIKI ELLIS KBC Director of Education

I’ve spent the past weekend with my husband scrambling to get that growing chore list done before Monday rolled around. We weren’t successful, I went to bed Sunday night without accomplishing a large percentage of that list and felt the weight on our shoulders as we had to now go to our “day jobs” then rush home to try to complete the rest. Some song lyrics came to my mind that I had been listening to in the truck on our way to pick up new-to-us feed bunks. “Somehow the highs outweigh the lows,” and that couldn’t be truer. Markets are FAR from ok, farming in the dark isn’t fun but what is great is our farming community. What other community can you call for help sanding down repurposed gates, to borrow a massive piece of machinery or just to say hi and know that they will answer?

This time is a trying one but this is when community and self-awareness is the most important. Farmers are a prideful, and mostly stubborn (that’s right I said it out loud) culture. Meaning we aren’t the type to ask for help or accept change easily. What the focus should be on in those claims though, are the “we” and “culture”. Those indicate that individuals aren’t feeling these hard times alone, these events are shaping a culture of hard working, drive rural resilient people. As individuals it’s our responsibility to make sure to our neighbors and friends are ok. To help you don’t have to move mountains, just simple gestures like: •

Ask – Ask someone how they are. Ask a neighbor if they could use some help. Ask your friend if they’d like to ride to the feed store with you.

•

Keep them safe – If you know someone is working cows, don’t let them try to do it alone. Step in and make sure your neighbors aren’t putting themselves in unsafe situations.

•

Be there – Be present in your community.

•

Help them connect – Encourage your community to come together. Help get our farming community together. Bring a friend to the cattlemen’s meeting or the next extension program.

•

Follow up – If you see a friend/neighbor that seems to be having a tough time, continue to follow up with them.

Farming is stressful, there’s no way around it. What you can do, is know the signs of when someone’s shoulders are getting too heavy. If you notice:

•

Change in routine – They aren’t making to the extension office, church or the gas station as often as they normally do.

•

Increase in illness – Farmer experiencing more colds/flu or other chronic conditions.

•

Increase in farm accidents – Farmer is falling more, maybe backing into more objects, etc.

•

Decreased interest – Individuals aren’t willing to participate in activities as they once did.

When these signs are obvious, they are ways to help. Eat right (cut out the gas stations food), get moving (walk to check on the cattle instead of the truck), keep your sense of humor, stay current on industry trends (the more you know, the better prepared you can be), TALK, planned time off (even if it’s just 30 minutes), set long term goals and be present with your friends and family.

When you eat right, rest, and socialize that truly has a major impact on your well-being.

Know that we are community of strong, drive, resilient rural people. We are in the lows there’s no doubt about it but let think about the highs. When things are good, they are great but even on bad days there are always small wins to focus on. Find the good in everything, and check on your neighbor. https://www.fb.org/programs/rural-resilience/ https://uwmadison.app.box.com/v/ManagingChronicStressCycle

S A L E D AT E S : April 30: Owensboro June 17: Lexington June 25: Springfield August 13: Owensboro December 3: Owensboro

56

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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 BEEF NETWORK

EDEN SHALE FARM UPDATE DAN MILLER KBN Industry Coordinator

As if March in Kentucky is not challenging enough, we had to add the coronavirus debacle into the mix. Between closing schools, restaurants, and churches, it has definitely caused us to change our daily routines. However, this is one of those events that is out of our control, and we just have to adapt and proceed the best we can.

To keep our mind off of the pandemic, we have been tending to the cows and their new calves.

Our first calf heifers started calving February 14th and the cows started calving two weeks later on February 28th. Now, 30 days into the calving season, we have 47 calves on the ground. That equals 56% of the calf crop was born in the first 30 days of the calving season. We should continue to have cows calve at a fast pace for another 1520 days and after that we will be down to just a handful of the late calving cows left.

The other project that we have been working on this winter is the feeding trial going on in the bull barn with our yearling steers. The steers have been in the barn for 90 days on our newly renovated floors. They will get weighed and condition scored this week and the final analysis will get conducted for both the steers and the flooring. I will have further updates with all that data in the May article.

I would normally report about the recent tour activity at the farm but with the recommended social distancing, we have had 3 tours cancelled.

As of right now, we do not have any field days or schools scheduled for this spring. We will wait and see what the next month entails and then regroup and make new plans for the summer.

I would recommend everyone enjoy their self quarantine, but I know as farmers, that just means we all get up and go to work like any other day.

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 • APRIL 2020

Charles Embry

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

Jacob Settles

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

Ron Shrout

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

Jeff Stephens

Ewing, KY (606) 782-7640 stephensbeef@gmail.com 57

KENTUCKY

GELBVIEH

AA LAND & CATTLE

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers Cynthiana, KY Luke Arthur (859) 298-8323 luke.arthur93@gmail.com Bulls • Show Prospects • Embryos Bulls sell with GE EPD’s • Show Prospects

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

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

A S S O C I AT I O N

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

LARRY CLARK & SONS LLC

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

CLIFFORD FARMS

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

Cattle for sale at all times.

BRIAN W. DYER, DVM

Owner/Manager GELBVIEH/BALANCERS 2050 Glasgow Road Burkesville, KY 42717 Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia (270) 864-5909

FULL CIRCLE FARMS

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

CD FARMS

Clayton & Debbie Cash 1214 Ottawa School Road Brodhead, KY 40409 (606)-308-3247 • (606)-758-8994 Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls & Heifers For Sale by Private Treaty

KILBOURNE GELBVIEH

East Bernstadt, KY 606-843-6583 cell 606-309-4662 Black Replacement Heifers & Bulls Available Embryo transplant & AI sired calves

MOCKINGBIRD HILL FARMS

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

Meeting modern industry demands: • Added Fertility • Increased Efficiency • More pounds of calf weaned American Gelbvieh Association 303-465-2333 | www.gelbvieh.org JOIN KENTUCKY GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION Mail to: 690 Lick Branch Road, Glasgow, Kentucky 42141 FARM NAME

YOUR NAME

ADRESS

CITY, STATE

PLEASANT MEADOWS FARM

Gary & Pat Tilghman Lindsey Tilghman Jones Family Carrie & Daryl Derossett Family 690 Lick Branch Road Glasgow, KY 42141 270.646.7024 • pleasantmeadowsfarm@hotmail.com

58

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

ZIP

EMAIL

PHONE

Dues are $25/year, payable to Kentucky Gelbvieh Association

• 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 • APRIL 2020

• 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

59

SS BREED KENTUCKY ANGUS SWEEPSTAKES SHOW & SALE • MARCH 6th & 7th, 2020

ANGUS

President: Jason Crowe, Irvine, KY 859.582.0761 HERITAGE FARM RAGS ANGUS FARM Vice President: Henry B. Smith, Russell Springs, KY 606.271.7520 Tom McGinnis Richard and Glenda Stallons Secretary/Treasurer: Anne DeMott, Lexington, KY 606.782.1118 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY 1240 Dogwood Kelly Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240 President: Gil Cowles 270.791.3526 (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100,Past work Home: (270) 885-4352 Cell: (270) 839-2442 (502) 655-0164, cell rstallons@bellsouth.net

THE BUSINESS BREED

) 375-3718

BOYD BEEF CATTLE 6077 Helena Road HIGHVIEW FARMS Mayslick, KY 41055 827•West Main Street Charlie Boyd II: (606) 584-5195 Blake Boyd: (606) 375-3718 www.boydbeef.com • cboyd2@maysvilleky.net Campbellsville, Kentucky

Ben T. Cox DVM BRANCH VIEW ANGUS (270) 469-5517 927 Old Liberty Pike • Hustonville, KY 40437 Registered Angus Cattle (859) 238-0771 • www.branchviewangus.com

42718

PLEASANT HILL FARMS Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles Rockfield Richpond Road SHAW FAMILY 500 ANGUS ASANT HILL PLE Rockfield, KY 42274 Jim & Cathy Shaw(270) 843-9021 • Fax (270) 843-9005 f a r m s 935 Miller Road •Located Hodgenville, 42748Green, 1/2 mile off Hwy 68/80 7 miles westKY of Bowling n

n

(270) 769-8260 RAGS ANGUS FARM www.shawfamilyangus.com Richard and Glenda Stallons Quality Registered Angus Cattle sinceHopkinsville, 1975 1240 Dogwood Kelly Road KY 42240 Home: (270) 885-4352 Cell: (270) 839-2442

rstallons@bellsouth.net HILL VIEW FARMS President: Gil Ray Cowles, Rockfield, KY Jimmy Gilles SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM HIGHVIEW FARMS SHAW FAMILY ANGUS BURKS CATTLE CO. Vice KY Hwy 80, 827 West Main StreetPresident: Jason Crowe, Irvine, JimRussell & Cathy Shaw 5202 East Springs, KY 42642 5160 Lee Rudy Road 531 Rick Rd. 935 Miller Road • Hodgenville, KY 42748 Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718 Secretary/Treasurer: Anne DeMott, Lexington, KY Park City, KY 42160 Owensboro, KY 42301 Charles “Bud” & (270) Pam769-8260 Smith: (270) 866-3898 Ben T. Cox DVM Eddie Burks • (270) 991-6398 (270) 686-8876 Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311 (270) 469-5517 www.shawfamilyangus.com www.burkscattle.com 64TH KENTUCKY ANGUS SHOW & SALE • MARCH 6th &Angus 7th, 2020 RegisteredSWEEPSTAKES Angus Cattle Quality Registered Cattle since 1975 (270) 929-537

THE BUSINESS BREED BURTON & SONS ANGUS BOYD BEEF CATTLE 6077 Road Joe D.Helena or Karen Burton • Bryan Carman, Partner, Ridgeview Angus Mayslick, KYHill 41055 480 Hominy Rd. Nancy, KY 42544 Charlie Boyd II: (606) 584-5195 • Blake Boyd: (606) 375-3718 Joe: (606) 305-3081 • Bryan: (606) 875-3453 www.boydbeef.com • cboyd2@maysvilleky.net Located 15 miles West of Somerset

JOHNSON FARMS ANGUS klburton01@windstream.netAngus Bulls & Females Bulls & females sold private treaty. Inquiries Welcome. Sell only what we would buy.

BRANCH VIEW ANGUS Slaughters, KY 927 Old Liberty Pike • Hustonville, KY 40437 Keith: (270) 635-0723 (859) 238-0771 • www.branchviewangus.com CARDINAL HILL FARMS James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Reese: (270)Coffey 635-1137 405 Cedar Grove Rd. • Glasgow, KY 42141 Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April

Elmore: only what weMike would buy. (270) 404-6589

k.com

HERITAGE FARM Tom McGinnis 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work (502) 655-0164, cell 2018-2019 KAA Officers

ANGUS James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April

Ridgeview Angus

om

HAMILTON ANGUS FARMS Eddie Hamilton 2142 Stilesville Road Science Hill, KY 42553 edjohami@aol.com (606) 271-1286 Bulls and Females for Sale

Bob Johnson: (270) 427-1410

BURKS CATTLE CO. cardinalhillfarms.com • mike@cardinalhillfarms.com 531 Rick Rd. Park City, KY 42160 Eddie Burks • (270)FARMS 991-6398 COFFEY ANGUS www.burkscattle.com

LEGACY FARMS Daniel and Lindsey Reynolds 661 Hopewell Road 1709 South Jackson Highway Liberty, KY 42539 BURTON & SONS ANGUSHardyville, KY 42746 Matt (270) 799-6288 Joe D.Coffey: or Karen Burton • Bryan Carman, Partner, Ridgeview Angus 480 Hominy Hill Rd. 787-2620 Nancy,(270) KY 42544 Dewey Coffey: (606) 528-6275/(270) 528-6120 Joe: (606)for 305-3081 • Bryan: (606) 875-3453 Genetics Maximum Profitability since 1984 www.legacyfarmsangus.com Located 15 miles West of Somerset klburton01@windstream.net

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

D&D& LONGVIEW ANGUS

HILL VIEWFARM FARMS HERITAGE Tom McGinnis Jimmy Gilles 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY 5160 Lee Rudy Road (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work Owensboro, KY cell 42301 (502) 655-0164, (270) 686-8876

(270) 929-537FARMS HIGHVIEW 827 West Main Street Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718 JOHNSON FARMS ANGUS Ben T. Cox DVM (270) Angus469-5517 Bulls & Females Registered Slaughters,Angus KY Cattle

Keith:VIEW (270) 635-0723 HILL FARMS Reese: (270) Jimmy Gilles 635-1137 5160 Lee Rudy Road Owensboro, KY 42301 LEGACY FARMS (270) 686-8876 Daniel929-537 and Lindsey Reynolds (270) 1709 South Jackson Highway

Hardyville, KY 42746ANGUS JOHNSON FARMS Angus Bulls & Females528-6120 (270) 528-6275/(270) Slaughters, KY www.legacyfarmsangus.com Keith: (270) 635-0723 Reese: (270) 635-1137

MT. MORIAH ANGUS FARMS Bob, Kathy, and Rob Clark (859) 748-5558 LEGACY FARMS 1446 Kennedy Bridge Rd. Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Daniel and Lindsey Reynolds Bob: South (859)339-2610 • Rob: (859)612-1594 1709 Jackson Highway mtmoriahfarms1@gmail.com KY 42746 40324Hardyville, (270) 528-6275/(270) 528-6120 www.mtmoriahangus.com

MILLERS RUN FARM William N. Offutt IV 3790 Paris Road Georgetown, KY www.legacyfarmsangus.com (859) 533-2020 • millersrunfarm@aol.com DAVIS BEND FARMS MILLERS RUN FARM MILLERS RUN FARM COFFEY ANGUS FARMS www.millersrunfarm.com 2315Hopewell Davis Bend Road William N. N. Offutt Offutt IV IV 661 Road William Heifers for sale Canmer,KY KY42539 42722 3790 Paris Paris Road Road Georgetown, Georgetown, KY KY 40324 40324 Liberty, 3790 Danny & Debbie Burris

CARDINAL HILL FARMS 550 Willie Nell Road 405 Cedar Grove Rd. • Glasgow, KY 42141 Columbia, KY(270) 42728404-6589 Mike Elmore: Bob (270) 427-1410 (270)Johnson: 348-5766 • (270) 250-3701 • (270) 250-1277 cardinalhillfarms.com • mike@cardinalhillfarms.com

RAGS ANGUS FARM Richard and Glenda Stallons SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM 1240 Dogwood Kelly Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240 5202 East Hwy 80, Russell Springs, KY 42642 Home: (270) 885-4352 Cell: (270) 839-2442 Charles “Bud” & Pam Smith: (270) 866-3898 rstallons@bellsouth.net

ST. CLAIR FARMS REGISTERED ANGUS Eric & Sherry St. Clair Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311 13433 Falls of Rough Road • Falls of Rough, KY 40119 SHAW FAMILY ANGUS Jim & Cathy Shaw(270) 617-1079 Home: (270) 257-2965 • Cell: 935 Miller Road • Hodgenville, KY 42748 ST. CLAIR FARMS REGISTERED ANGUS www.stclairangus.com (270) 769-8260 Eric & Sherry St. Clair www.shawfamilyangus.com 13433Bull Falls of Rough Road • Falls of Rough, Performance Tested & Female Sale April 2016KY 40119 Quality Registered Angus Cattle since 1975 Home: (270) 257-2965 • Cell: (270) 617-1079 www.stclairangus.com

SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM Performance Tested Bull &Springs, Female KY Sale42642 April 2020 5202 East Hwy 80, Russell Charles “Bud” & Pam Smith: (270) 866-3898 Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311 TAMME VALLEY FARM

TAMME VALLEY FARM Jacob Tamme, Owner-Operator Tamme, Owner-Operator (859) 583-7134 Jacob (859) 583-7134 ST. CLAIR FARMS REGISTERED ANGUS jacob.tamme@gmail.com jacob.tamme@gmail.com Eric & Sherry St. Clair 13433 Falls of Rough Road • Falls KY 40119 www.tammevalley.com & Find us of onRough, Facebook! www.tammevalley.com & Find us•on Facebook!

Home: (270) 257-2965 Cell: (270) 617-1079 www.stclairangus.com Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale April 2016 TWIN CREEK FARM

Shawn, Melissa, Devin & Dylan Gibson TWIN CREEK FARM (270) 337-3072 or (270) 692-5304 TAMME VALLEY FARM Jacob Tamme, Owner-Operator Shawn, Melissa, Devin Dylan Gibson Dennis &&Emily (859) 583-7134 270/337-2128 or 270/402-4338 (270) 337-3072 orjacob.tamme@gmail.com (270) 692-5304 Watch for us in Branch View Production Sale in April Dennis & Emily www.tammevalley.com & Find us on Facebook!

WHITE FARM 270/337-2128 or TWIN 270/402-4338 CREEK FARM Tim andMelissa, Amy White Shawn, Devin & Dylan Gibson Watch for us in Branch View Sale in April 3664 Military Pike • Lexington, KY 40513 (270) 337-3072 orProduction (270) 692-5304

Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288 timmothyljeffries@gmail.com Dewey Coffey: (606) 787-2620 www.davisbendfarms.com Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984

(859) (859) 533-2020 533-2020 •• millersrunfarm@aol.com millersrunfarm@aol.com www.millersrunfarm.com www.millersrunfarm.com Heifers for sale

COOL SPRINGS CREEK FARM Guy & Aline Babin FALL CREEK ANGUS 269 Paul Coomer Rd 448 CorderKY Farm Road Gradyville, 42742 (270) 205-1669 Monticello, KY 42633 www.coolspringscreekfarm.com • gdbabin@outlook.com

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

D&D LONGVIEW ANGUS Danny & Debbie Burris 550 Willie Nell Road GREAT MEADOWS Columbia, KY 42728 ANGUS ASSOCIATION (270) 348-5766 • (270) 250-3701 •to (270) 250-1277 38th Annual Sale • [postponed JUNE 6, 2020]

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

Tim: (270) 528-6605 • Leslie: (270) 528-6435 MUD RIVER ANGUS

Ronnie Corder (606) 348-6588

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

Heifers for sale

Dennis & Emily Home: (859)223-0326 270/337-2128 or 270/402-4338 Tim: (859) 509-5401 • Amy Watch for us in Branch View(859)227-2552 Production Sale in April

whitefarm4@twc.com KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

NAME

NAME

Wayne Johnson: (270) 303-6354 Gary Johnson: (270) 498-7208

FARM NAME

NAME

FOUR KINGS ANGUS Cary & Kim King www.greatmeadowsangus.com 250 Bright Leaf Dr. • Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com Paul Bradshaw FALL CREEK ANGUS OLD BARK FARM Cary & Kim King 448 Corder Farm Road CaryFerrill Cell: Hill, (859)Buffalo, 613-3734 Colby Myers - Purebred Manager (502) 817-7502 ADDRESS 370 KY•42716 Monticello, KY 42633 Kenley Conner 270/358-8057 Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com Ronnie Corder Registered Angus Cattle (606) 348-6588 Cary Cell: (859) 613-3734 • Colby Myers - Purebred Manager HAINES ANGUS FARMS OLD BARK FARM 5294 Park City- Glasgow Rd.

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

60

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

PLEASANT HILL FARMS 370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716 Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles Kenley Conner 270/358-8057 CITY 500 Rockfield Richpond Road RegisteredKY Angus Cattle Rockfield, 42274 (270) 843-9021 • Fax (270) 843-9005 Located 7 miles west of Bowling Green, 1/2 mile off Hwy 68/80

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

PHONE 1

PHONE 2

ZIP

EMAIL

STATE

ZIP

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

• PHONE A P U1B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K YPHONE C AT2T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

EMAIL

KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION NEWS Anne Stewart DeMott, Secretary/Treasurer www.kentuckyangus.org • kyangusassociation@gmail.com •

@kyangusassoc •

@kyangusassoc •

@kyangusassociation

Greetings from the Kentucky Angus Association and the Board of Directors. As we welcome spring to Kentucky we look forward to the optimism it brings. The new beginnings of baby calves with elite genetics and green grass to feed the cow herd gives us a needed breath of fresh air.

The spring sales season is in full swing.

We have just finished another successful Beef Expo and we had a huge crowd on hand for our Sweepstakes sale. There are endless opportunities right here in the Commonwealth to buy genetics that will move your herd forward.

Cutting edge pedigrees and breed leading performance come together at the sales hosted by Kentucky Angus members so be sure to take full advantage of the opportunity.

Angus breeders are always willing to learn about your program, this gives them the opportunity to recommend the right animals and genetics for your operation.

In times of uncertainty like we are facing today we must stay the course to prepare for better markets down the road. Keeping in mind the things like nutrition, animal health and genetics to position yourself for the future are more important than ever.

So remember that as your checking on those new calves running on the fresh green grass this spring.

If myself or any of the other officers and directors can be of assistance feel free to let us know. Were here to help you in any way we can if you have concerns or ideas. If you haven’t purchased your ad for the Kentucky Angus Directory please do so ASAP. Ad copies and payments are due by April 15th. Also remember to have your dues paid as well to be included in the membership portion of the directory. Hope you all have a successful and rewarding spring. See you down the road.

SWEEPSTAKES CHAMPIONS

ETHAN BLEVINS EARNS JUNIOR BRONZE AND SILVER AWARDS Amber Wahlgren, Angus Communications Ethan Blevins, Greenup, Ky., has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Bronze and Silver awards, according to Jaclyn Upperman, education and events director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Mo. Blevins is the 15-year-old son of Gary Blevins and attends the Greenup County High School. He is a member of the NJAA and the Kentucky Junior Angus Association, where he has served as director.

He has participated in local, state, regional and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Blevins participated in the 2014 and 2015 mentoring programs. He also participated in the 2018 Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference.

2020-21 KAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jason Crowe

President, Kentucky Angus Association

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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

The Bronze and Silver awards are the first two levels of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the awards, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honors.

Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandisinag Angus cattle.

The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and selfdevelopment opportunities for the nearly 6,000 active members nationwide.

61

Kentucky Hereford Association KHA Invites any Hereford Breeder to Become a Member!

Dues are $25. Send to 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 KY Certified Hereford Influence Sale May 14, 2020, 10:30 AM Blue Grass Stockyards South Stanford, KY Contact: Lowell Atwood, 606-669-1455

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

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

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

Victor- influenced cattle bred for performance on grass.

“Black cows need a good Hereford Bull”

62

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

6077 Helena Road • Mayslick, KY 41055 Charlie Boyd II · 606-584-5194 Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March Hereford and Angus Bulls

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

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

1874 Old Fall Creek Road • Monticello, KY 42633

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

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 billymjackson@aol.com “Farming the Same Land Since 1834”

Pile Stock Farm

WCN Polled Herefords Since 1961

Registered Polled Herefords

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

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

TS

F

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

Private treaty sales • Visitors always welcome

K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM

198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031

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

BECKLEY HEREFORDS 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

K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS KYLE BUSH

Registered Polled Herefords

Boyd Beef Cattle

TK4 Herefords

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

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

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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

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CALL US TODAY! (859) 278-0899 CALL US TODAY! (859) 278-0899

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8613

LIMOUSIN

Breeders of the Bluegrass

B.F. Evans Cattle Company Byron Evans

P.O. Box 1509 599 Ray Allen Lane Versailles, KY 40383 Byron 859-509-8046 Rose Ann 270-543-1960 bfevanscattlecompany@gmail.com byron.evans59@yahoo.com byron.evans59@yahoo.co m

Fullblood & Purebred Embryos & Semen Stephen: 270-799-8685 760 Emily Court Bowling Green, KY 42101

achhlimousin@twc.com Facebook: ACHH Limousin

CUMMINS POLLED LIMOUSIN David & Donald P. Cummins 4312 Willow-Lenoxburg Rd. Foster, KY 41043 David: 606-747-5886 (C) 606.782.7003 Email: cumminsd@windstream.net

G

ING ET T

S LAND & C AT T

Daniel Gettings

LE

Elbow Bend & Center Point Rd. Tompkinsville, KY 42167

(270) 487-9454 or (270) 202-7755 “Registered Limousin - LimFlex - Angus Genetics”

LBB Buck’s Limousin Farm

“The Best Kept Secret in Eastern Kentucky” John Buck: (606) 474-7451 • (606) 922-8174 2494 South St. Hwy. 7, Grayson, KY. 41143 johnbuck474@windstream.net “cattle for sale - private treaty”

Tom & Chris Daniel 5171 Camargo-Levee Rd. • Mt. Sterling, KY 40353 859-498-0030 859-585-1785 859-585-8388 “Your source of purebred homopolled/homoblack.”

Greg Blaydes 859-338-9402 James Hicks 859-227-0490

1225 E. Leestown Rd. Midway, KY 40347

Ri c c i R o l a nD Ricci & Brenda Roland 423 Lebus Lane Cynthiana, KY 41031 859-234-3986 • 859-234-7344 rolandlimousin@earthlink.net

Allen & Jon Anderson 260 Henderson Rd. Eubank, KY 42567 Allen: 606-872-8072 Jon: 606-305-8859

“Quality Limousin + LimFlex Cattle!”

64

WHITE LIMOUSIN & WHITE ANGUS

Donald & Mary Ann Wenzel

994 Airport Road • Falmouth, KY 41040 TOMORROW’S REGISTERED WHITE ANGUS TODAY!

LL RO

(859) 654-3612 • (859) 322-0752 maryawenz@aol.com

ING OAKS FARM

Terry W. McPhetridge 606-843-6903 Cell: 606-524-9241

1645 Winding Blade Rd. East Bernstadt, KY 40729

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

Bob Minerich, 859-582-6888 2003 Barnes Mill Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 minegwen@aol.com “Cattle for sale private treaty”

Triple K Limousin Paul & Brad Kidd

8254 HWY 711 West Liberty, KY 41472 606-743-7349 606-738-9493 606-495-6396

• 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

FLEECE VEST (BLACK)

S

M

L

XL

2X

HOODIE (GREY)

A P PA R E L

3X

MENS LADIES $27

$27

$27

$27

$29

$31

WINDBREAKER (NAVY BLUE)

S

M

L

XL

2X

1/4 ZIP PULLOVER (BLACK)

3X

QTY $25

$25

$25

$27

$28

TOTAL APPAREL TOTAL

M

L

XL

2X

3X

$25

$25

$25

$25

$27

$28

S

M

L

XL

2X

KJCA HOODIE (NAVY BLUE)

S

M

L

XL

2X

3X

$25/20

$25/20

$25/20

$25/20

$27

$28

ADULT

3X

YOUTH

QTY $25

S QTY

$27

$27

$27

$27

$29

$31

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

$7.00 = 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.

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! Visit http://bit.ly/KCAstore (case sensitive) to order and pay online!

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

• 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

65

Roy, Jessica and Cooper Canada

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

HEAD TO

HEAD Modern-day ranching requires more information to produce better animals.

International Genetic Solutions works across breeds to provide more accurate head-to-head comparisons and maximum profitability.

IGS incorporates generations of data and the world’s largest multi-breed database to enable more powerful breeding decisions than ever before.

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

Better cattle. Better profits.

IGS STAND TOGETHER Genetic Solutions IGSInternational

406.205.3033 • internationalgeneticsolutions.com

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

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

Shelbyville, KY • 502.639.4337 Bill Kaiser

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

Rocking P Livestock

Mail to: Lindsay Phillips • 8308 Orangeburg Road • Maysville, KY 41056

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

FARM NAME

rockingplivestock@maysvilleky.net

JOIN KENTUCKY SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION

BRIAN & HEATHER SWAIN 3906 Pottertown Road Murray, KY 42071 270-293-4440 wksbswain@murray-ky.net SIMMENTAL AND SIMANGUS BULLS FOR SALE

YOUR NAME

ADRESS

CITY, STATE

WORK PHONE SIM CostShareAd_Full_r2v8.indd 10

HOME PHONE

ZIP

Call or visit one of these Simmental 1/10/20 breeders for cattle that work!

www.kysimmental.com Membership Fee is $25.00

66

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

1939 Huntertown Road Versailles, KY 40383 BULLS FOR SALE 10:23 AM Chris Allen 859-351-4486 callenuky@hotmail.com Dr. Henry Allen 859-229-0755

WAYWARD HILL FARM

• 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

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

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

X X

$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.

C O W C O U N T R Y • D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 • 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 C O W C O U N T R Y • A P R I L 2 0 2 0 • 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

45 67

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AD INDEX

DUE TO RAPI DLY CHANG I N G C I R C U M STA N C E S I N VO LV I N G C OV I D - 19 , PLEASE CALL AHEAD O F THE SALE TO E N S U R E SA L E DAT E A N D LO CAT I O N A R E AC C U RAT E General April 3 Woodford Feed Company Mineral & Animal Health Workshop, Lexington, KY CANCELED Angus March 30 Oak Hollow 41st Annual First Choice Bull Sale, Smiths Grove, KY March 31 St. Clair Farms 11th Annual Bull & Female Sale, Falls of Rough, KY (pg. 34) CANCELED April 4 Buckner & Jeffries Angus Farm 31st An. Angus Opportunity Sale, Canmer, KY April 4 Rock Ridge Farms The Front Pasture Kind Sale, Lawrenceburg, KY CANCELED April 11 Branch View Angus Sale, Hustonville, KY (pg. 72) April 11 Crazy K Ranch 7th An. Spring Production Sale, Michie, TN April 14 Mark Davis Family Angus Online Heifer Sale (pg. 19) April 25 Grass Time Partners 19th An. Angus Bull & Female Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY (pg. 7) NEW DATE April 26 Quintin Smith Family/Lanning/Guests Angus Sale, Lebanon, TN (pg. 10) POSTPONED May 2 Cardinal Hill Farms Third An. Production Sale, Glasgow, KY (pg. 2) June 6 Bridge View Angus 13th Annual Production Sale, Frankfort, KY (pg. 29) NEW DATE June 6 Great Meadows Angus Association Sale, Campbellsburg, KY NEW DATE Charolais April 11 Amburgey Charolais Farm An. Bull & Female Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY (pg. 4) POSTPONED Gelbvieh March 28 Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational, Mt. Sterling, KY NEW LOCATION March 28 Seedstock Plus South Missouri Bull & Female Sale, Carthage, MO April 18 SoKY Select Gelbvieh Sale, Bowling Green, KY (pg. 41) May 2 Opportunity Knocks Female Sale, Kingsville, MO Hereford April 18 Clifford Farms & Guests Hereford Production Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY (pg. 16)

April 25 Middle Tennessee Hereford Association An. Sale, Cross Plains, TN (pg. 12) May 9 Burns Farms Annual Female Event Sale, Pikeville, TN (pg. 9) May 14 KY Certified Hereford Influence Sale, Stanford, KY Limousin May 2 Ohio Valley Limousin Assoc. Spring Sale, Mineral Wells, WV CANCELED Multi-Breed April 4 Laurel Co. Cattlemen’s 8th An. Commercial Open Heifer Sale, London, KY (pg. 39) CANCELED April 11 Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Concord, VA April 16 85th Indiana Beef Evaluation Program Bull Sale, Bedford, IN (pg. 27) April 25 Pleasant Hill Farms Building for the Future Spring Production Sale, Rockfield, KY CANCELED April 30 CPH Sale, Owensboro, KY May 19 West KY Select Bred Heifer Sale, Guthrie, KY (pg. 43) June 6 Central Kentucky Premier Heifer Sale, Lexington, KY (pg. 19) June 17 CPH Sale, Lexington, KY June 25 CPH Sale, Springfield, KY August 13 CPH Sale, Owensboro, KY October 10 Pleasant Hill Farms 9th Annual Fall Production Sale, Rockfield, KY (pg. 3) December 3 CPH Sale, Owensboro, KY Red Angus April 4 The Andras Kind Red Angus Bull Sale, Manchester, IL April 4 Southeast Red Angus Association 27th An. Grasstime Auct., Cullman, AL CANCELED April 14 Shady Bottom Ranch Online Heifer Sale (pg. 11) September 26 Shady Bottom Ranch An. Production Sale, Crossville, TN (pg. 11) Simmental March 28 Clear Water Simmentals The Clear Choice Bull Sale, Milan, IN March 28 Genetic Advantage Bull Sale, Paris, KY April 4 Belles & Bulls of the Bluegrass Sale, Lexington, KY

AGCO......................................................................13 Amburgey Charolais................................................ 4 ArrowQuip...............................................................15 BioZyme, Inc...........................................................24 Blue Grass Stockyards............................................ 17 Branch View Angus.................................................72 Bridge View Angus................................................. 29 Burkmann Nutrition.............................................. 43 Burns Farms............................................................. 9 Cardinal Hill Farms................................................. 2 Cargill Animal Nutrition........................................19 Central Kentucky Premier Heifer Sale.................19 Clifford Farms.........................................................16 CPH 45....................................................................56 Dievert Sales Service..............................................41 FPL Food................................................................. 35 Glenview Farms.......................................................18 Grass Time Partners.................................................7 Green River Livestock............................................ 43 Hamilton Angus Farms......................................... 45 Hayes Trailer Sales................................................... 8 Heritage Farms........................................................51 Indiana Beef Evaluation Program.........................27 Jackson Marketing Solutions................................ 32 Joe B. Houchens Auctioneers................................ 45 John Deere...............................................................71 Kentucky Angus Assoc.................................... 60, 61 Kentucky Gelbvieh Assoc...................................... 58 Kentucky Hereford Assoc...................................... 62 Kentucky Salers Assoc........................................... 68 Kentucky Simmental Assoc................................... 66 Kuhn North America............................................. 28 Laurel County Cattlemen’s Association............... 39 Leitchfield Truck & Trailer.................................... 32 Limousin Breeders of the Bluegrass..................... 64 Mark Davis Family Angus......................................19 McIntosh Brothers................................................... 8 Middle Tennessee Hereford Association...............12 Mid South Ag...........................................................4 Oak Hollow................................................................5 Pasture Management Systems, Inc......................12 P.H. White............................................................... 42 Pleasant Hill Farms...................................................3 Quintin Smith Family Angus.................................10 Red Barn & Associates......................................31, 45 Shady Bottom Ranch.............................................. 11 SoKY Select Gelbvieh Sale....................................41 St. Clair Farms........................................................ 34 Stone Gate Farms......................................................7 Thwaites Realtors................................................... 43 Walters Buildings................................................... 32 West KY Select Bred Heifer Sale...........................43 Y-Tex....................................................................25 Zoetis........................................................................21

SALERS

The Balanced Breed STRINGER FARMS Bruce Stringer 128 Teresa Avenue Somerset, KY 42501 606-875-3553 68

DIAMOND J SALERS Donald Johnson 11660 N. Hwy 1247 • Eubank, KY 42564 606-379-1558 COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

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

• 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

CLASSIFIEDS PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE Call 270-202-7186 for more info or check out www.oakhollowangus.com for current availability.

OVER 15 BREEDING AGE HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE Over 60 years of Line 1 Hereford Genetics.

Also selling 15 open and 15 bred heifers.

Chambliss Hereford Farms. 270-668-7126

FOR SALE 19-20 month old Polled Hereford bulls.

Good selection. Low birthweight, medium frame. Free Delivery Available.

JMS Polled Herefords, Knifley, KY Danny 270-566-2694 • Trent 270-566-2000

SORTING POLES - PADDLES - FLAGS Poles with your 8” decal. $6.20 each per 50.

Sorting flag, $11.25. Sorting paddles $9.

Ear tag cutters, buckets, grain scoops.

Kerndt Livestock Products 800-207-3115 ANGUS BULLS: REGISTERED & COMMERCIAL Great EPDs & genetics. Nice selection.

Rand Angus Farms. Milton, KY 502-552-1164 or 502-639-4085

FOUNDATION SALE VI October 3, 2020 United Producers, Bowling Green, KY Selling FULLBLOOD & PUREBRED LIMOUSIN Genetics For info call : A C H Holdings, LLC Stephen Haynes 270-799-8685

ANGUS HEIFERS Commercial. Some great genetics.

Rand Angus Farms. Milton, KY 502-552-1164 or 502-639-4085

RED ANGUS FOR SALE Bulls: Yearlings and 2-year-olds. Open Heifers. Show Heifer Prospects. Contact: Johnnie Cundiff 606-305-6443 or 606-871-7438

REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS BULLS Heifer acceptable and high productivity.

Registered Black Angus Elite bred heifers: Bred to Beast Mode sire.

CED +10. WW +80. YW +145. Docile cattle.

Poe Triple P Angus 606-724-5524 or 606407-2355 SIMMENTAL AND SIMANGUS BULLS. 20 months old. BSE tested.

Quality backed by 35 years of AI breeding.

Excellent bulls for a crossbreeding program.

502-604-1757 or 502-839-6651

REGISTERED RED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE * FREE DELIVERY * FOUR WINDS FARM New Castle, Kentucky

(502) 296-1044

SEE YOUR AD HERE! REACH OVER 10,600 CATTLEMEN EACH MONTH. ADS AS LOW AS $15 PER MONTH. FOR AD PLACEMENT CALL

REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS HD 50K Tested,18-20 months old Western Way Angus. Georgetown, KY 859621-6175

859-278-0899

REGISTERED BLACK SIMMENTAL BULLS Excellent EPD’s. Semen Tested. Delivery Available. Maximize your profit with proven performance. All bulls qualify for new CAIP cost-share. Adam Wheatley 502-349-2665

MARKET REPORT

SOUTHEAST FEEDER CATTLE PRICES 20 MARCH 2020 weights

STEER

HEIFER

AL

AK

FL

GA

KY/TN

LA/MS

9-10

105-111

107-113

101-107

104-110

104-110

103-109

8-9

111-119

109-117

107-115

110-118

111-119

110-118

7-8

117-125

117-125

112-120

116-124

119-127

6-7

128-138

129-139

123-133

128-138

5-6

143-155

148-160

132-144

4-5

155-169

156-170

149-163

weights

AL

AK

FL

GA

KY/TN

LA/MS

120-128

104-112

103-111

100-108

103-111

104-112

104-112

133-143

131-141

112-122

117-127

106-116

111-121

116-126

112-122

141-153

147-159

145-157

117-129

129-141

111-123

119-131

119-131

120-132

156-170

158-172

157-171

130-144

133-147

123-137

126-140

131-145

129-143

COWS AL

AK

FL

GA

LA/MS

KY/TN

UTIL

63-72

60-69

62-71

66-75

60-69

59-68

CN/CUT

52-61

54-63

50-59

54-63

51-60

50-59

BULLS

90-98

81-89

92-100

93-100

89-97

89-97

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

Feeder cattle lightly tested, trading mostly steady to $8 lower. Calves ranged from $4 to $12 lower on light volume. Market cows traded $1 to $5 higher.

• 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

69

TIMELY TIPS FOR APRIL

FEATURE KEVIN LAURENT University of Kentucky

It’s a rainy Saturday and I’m in the office at the UKREC in Princeton trying to write this article for Cow Country News and Off the Hoof. It’s been quite a week, one that I don’t think any of us will ever forget.

This week the coronavirus outbreak was officially declared a pandemic sending the world financial markets and our everyday lives into turmoil. Schools have closed, March Madness was cancelled and we have learned new terms such as “social distancing”. The commodity markets have been especially hard hit with feeder cattle contracts declining the limit two days in a row.

How much of this is a panic or an overreaction? I’m not quite sure.

Speculators in the marketplace do thrive on volatility and many times, it seems to be at the expense of the folks with the muddy boots and calloused hands. But to the individuals suffering from this virus, their families, and the workers in the health care industry, this situation is very real. I myself worry about members of my family who are in compromised health.

Staying positive during these troubled times can be quite challenging, but at the end of the day I can’t think of a more resilient and optimistic group than farmers and ranchers. Spring grass is just a few weeks away and calving season is in full swing marking the beginning of hopefully a better and more promising 2020 production year. With that in mind, I would like to discuss a few lessons (good and bad) we learned this past year in the PVAP-Precondition program.

Protein matters. Feeding a balanced ration is key to good gains on growing calves and one item that can’t be compromised is protein. PVAP Example One: Producer fed 13 lbs. of cracked corn to calves grazing late planted cereal rye. Calves gained only 1.6 lbs./day at a feed cost of gain (excluding hay and mineral) of $0.57/lb.

Good news is he still netted $60.89/head preconditioning these calves for 47 days.

Bad news is he left roughly an additional $40/head on the table by not balancing protein in the diet. Replacing 3 lbs. of corn with dried distillers grains (ddgs) would have resulted in a 14% protein ration and daily gains closer to 2.35 lbs. at a feed cost

70

of gain of $0.47/lb. Lessons: Late planted cover crops (in this case late September) are usually not far enough along in growth to provide significant nutrients during the fall grazing season. Protein matters and feed cost is not just about dollars per ton.

Adding ddgs to the ration at $250/ton would have raised the price of his feed from $140/ton to $170/ton, yet it would have yielded increased gain and net dollars.

Feed the calves. A common mistake when preconditioning calves for the first time is simply not feeding enough concentrate.

Newly weaned growing calves are at the most efficient phase of their postweaning growth curve and will respond favorably to concentrate diets. Couple this with the fact that since most preconditioning programs are less than 60-90 days, there is not much time to add weight to ensure a profit for the preconditioning enterprise. PVAP Example Two: Producer transitioned calves during the first week of weaning to a 14% complete ration with monensin fed in a self-feeder.

Calves were fed 49 days and average feed consumption was 18/lbs. day. Calves gained 3.46 lbs./day at a feed cost of gain of $0.56/lb. This producer netted $104/head over all preconditioning costs when sold in the CPH-45 sale. Lessons: This producer checked all the boxes. She had good calves weighing 593 lbs. that were castrated at a young age and ready for weaning. She fed a quality complete ration that seemed a bit pricey at first glance ($215/ton) but gave excellent performance. A good rule of thumb for precondition programs is to feed a minimum of 2% body weight of a 14% protein concentrate. If your precondition period is less than 60 days and you have above average genetics, consider 2.5% body weight or even a self-fed ration.

Castrate early. As stated in the last example, the length of preconditioning periods leaves little time for set-back in performance and health. Calves simply can’t afford to have a bad day. Any surgeries such as castration or dehorning need to be done at an early age when it is less stressful.

PVAP Example Three: Producer castrated bull calves at weaning and transitioned them to a 12% self-fed ration. Calves average 438 lbs. at weaning and consumed 18.5 lbs of feed per day. Heifers gained 2.51 lbs./day and steers gained 2.28 lbs./

SPRING-CALVING COW HERD Watch cows and calves closely. Work hard to save every calf (you can cull/sell them later).

Calves can be identified while they are young and easy to handle. Commercial male calves should be castrated and implanted. Registered calves should be weighed at birth.

Cows that have calved need to be on an adequate nutritional level to rebreed. Increase their feed after calving. Don’t let them lose body condition. Keep feeding them until pastures are adequate.

Don’t “rush to grass” although it can be really tempting. Be sure that grass has accumulated enough growth to support the cow’s nutritional needs before depending solely upon it. Cows may walk the pastures looking for green grass instead of eating dry feed. This lush, watery grass is not adequate to support them. Keep them consuming dry feed until sufficient grass is available to sustain body condition. We’ve spent too much money keeping them in good condition to lose it now!

Prevent grass tetany! Provide magnesium in the mineral mix until daytime temperatures are consistently above 60oF. Mineral supplement should be available at all times and contain a minimum of about 14 percent magnesium.

Make sure that your mineral mix also contains adequate selenium, copper and zinc. You can ask your feed dealer about the UK Beef IRM High Magnesium Mineral.

Make final selection of heifer replacements.

Strongly consider vaccinating with a modifiedlive BVD vaccine.

Purchase replacement bulls at least 30 days prior to the start of the breeding season. Have herd bulls evaluated for breeding soundness (10-20% of bulls are questionable or unsatisfactory breeders). Get all bulls in proper condition (BCS 6) for breeding.

If you are going to use artificial insemination and/or estrous synchronization, make plans now and order needed supplies, semen, and schedule a technician.

Prebreeding or “turn out” working is usually scheduled for late April or May between the end of calving season and before the start of the breeding season (while cows are open). Consult your veterinarian about vaccines and health products your herd needs. Make arrangements now for products needed and have handling

day. Producer netted $78/head over all preconditioning costs. Lessons: The steers in this case gained slower than the heifers due to being set-back from late castration.

If the bulls had been cut early in life and implanted, they may have gained 0.4 lb. a day more during the precondition period.

Additionally, a 14% ration would have been more appropriate for 400 lb. calves at weaning. This was probably a $20/head lesson.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020

facilities in good working order. Dehorn commercial calves before going to pasture.

FALL-CALVING COW HERD Pregnancy check cows now and cull open ones at weaning especially if the open cows are older than 5 years of age.

Re-implant feeders.

Consult with your veterinarian about a preweaning working of the herd.

You may let calves creep-graze wheat or rye, if it is available. Calves will benefit from extra feed until spring grass appears.

Plan marketing strategy for feeder calves.

STOCKERS Don’t go to pastures too soon, give plants some growing time. Then stock at two to three times the July rate and rotate rapidly.

“Condition” purchased calves prior to grazing. They should be processed and fed a conditioning diet prior to being placed on pasture. You can also use this time to introduce them to electric fences which are used in rotational grazing.

Provide a good mineral supplement which contains a rumen modifier (Rumensin, Bovatec, etc.) along with adequate levels of copper and selenium.

GENERAL We’ve made a muddy mess this winter, so be prepared to reseed bare spots.

Make plans to improve hay feeding areas to avoid muddy conditions like we have faced this winter. Consider geotextile fabric with gravel or concrete feeding pads.

Prepare for the grazing season. Check fences and make necessary repairs. Check your corral, too.

Get everything ready to make high quality hay in May! Have equipment serviced and spare parts on hand. Order baler twine now. Be prepared to harvest an adequate supply of hay when you have the opportunity. Re-supply the extra hay that you fed out of the barn. This past winter caused most producers to exhaust their hay supply, so it’s time to re-stock.

Plan now for fly control ... decide what fly control program that you will use but don’t put insecticide eartags on cattle until fly population appears.

The best part of these examples is that any of the negative lessons are easily fixed. Remember marketing plans begin early. The management we do now, can affect how marketable our calves are next fall. If you have never preconditioned calves before, talk to your county agent about enrolling in the PVAP-Precondition program. But most of all, take care, stay healthy and pray for stable markets and more peaceful times.

• 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

LESS WORK. MORE PAY. With the Plus2™ Accumulator, bale collection is a breeze, with pickup time cut in half.

That’s 50% more time you can spend doing whatever you want.

PLUS2ª ACCUMULATOR A420R and A520R

And when you reduce your time on the field, you reduce logistics costs, saving you up to $1.00 or more per bale.

That’s more money in your pocket for spending however you want.

Talk to your local John Deere dealer and learn how you can work less and save more with the Plus2 Accumulator.

COW COUNTRY • APRIL 2020 74633-23_9.5x9.5.Indd 1

• 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

JohnDeere.com/Hay JohnDeere.ca/Hay

71

3/3/20 12:37 AM

260 Females sell 100 bulls 200 commercials 60 registered

Largest Angus Sale in Kentucky 41 bulls sell with top 10% WW

April 11, 2020 • Hustonville, KY 8552 | Reg# 19415959 • Powerful HA Cowboy Up 5405 son descending from a Pathfinder second dam. 8552 recorded ratios of WW 113, YW 111, ADG 108. He shows top 1% WW, 2% YW, and 10% $W. • Second dam shows progeny ratios of BW 5/100, WW 5/109, YW 5/110, IMF 6/126, and RE 7/102.

EPD % Rank

CED

8 35

BW

3.7 95

WW

84 1

YW

140 2

CW

54 15

$W

79 10

$F

69 75

$B

118 65

$C

205 75

8535 | Reg# 19419344 • High performance son of HA Cowboy Up 5405.

8535 recorded ratios of WW 111, YW 113, ADG 115 and IMF 112. He shows top 1% WW, YW. • Dam shows calving interval of 2@366 with progeny ratios of BW 2/96, WW 2/101, YW 2/110, IMF 2/109. Second dam was one of the best cows we owned she showed progeny ratios of WW 3/107, YW 3/103, IMF 26/102, and RE 26/103.

EPD % Rank

CED

1 90

BW

4.2 95

WW

84 1

YW

143 1

8604 | Reg# 19415935 • Add pounds to your calf crop with this MGR Treasure son. 8604 rang all the performance bells. He recorded ratios of WW 118, YW 111, ADG 102, IMF 113 and RE 103.

• 8604 shows top 3% WW, YW, 4% $W and 15% $F.

EPD % Rank

CED

6 55

BW

1.4 55

WW

76 3

YW

136 5

CW

57 15

$W

82 4

$F

97 15

$B

146 25

$C

277 10

CW

55 15

$W

70 20

$F

87 35

$B

134 40

$C

231 45

8558 | Reg# 19415920 • Whether you sell your calves at weaning or background, this Woodside Rito 4P26 son will add value to your calves. 8558 rings the index bells with top 3% $F, 4% $W, 5% $B with top 5% WW and 10% YW. • Dam is the great Basin Lucy 262S who shows progeny ratios of BW 6/99, WW 6/102, YW 6/101, IMF 96/101, RE 97/102.

EPD % Rank

CED

3 75

BW

2.1 70

WW

73 5

YW

128 10

CW

78 1

$W

82 4

$F

115 3

$B

170 5

$C

281 5

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Parentage verified & EPDs enhanced by

Danny Smith 606-706-0355 John Ethington 859-533-1301

James S. Coffey 859-238-0771 james@branchviewangus.com Donald S. Coffey