Cow Country News - October 2022

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CAN TRUST

GENETICS BUILT FOR ALL WEATHER & TERRAIN

I recently published an email newsletter about utilizing new metrics. It was not until I had sent the newsletter to my entire email list that my father pointed out that I missed one crucial metric that we discuss all the time. Profit per dollar invested. I somehow forgot to mention ROI (return on investment) in my thousand words of rambling. ROI should be at the basis of every decision in agriculture, but far too often, producers (and “experts”) want to focus on profit per acre. I dislike profit per acre because my acres are very different from your acres. Many of my acres are also very different from my other acres. However, my cattle need to operate across all the acres I manage and not just the best ones. On our best ground, we produce cattle instead of crops. We have run 60 heifers on 60 acres all summer and have enough managed forage to calve out 36 fall calving heifers who will continue to graze there past Thanksgiving. On the flip side, some of my acres (far too many, it feels like sometimes) need to turn into sacrifice fields for hoof action and manure in the winter to develop all our replacement heifers and sale bulls. This will build the organic matter and increase future production. However, my time is far better spent on the macro-level evaluation of our overall decision-making than calculating which acres and which farms had the most profit on their own.

My oversight of ROI on the total enterprise led to a conversation about ROI regarding genetic investment. The first performance breeders did the best evaluations they could with what they had, which eventually led us to EPDs. What we use today is unrecognizable to someone that was performance testing when EPDs were first released. The introduction of genomic testing has given us significant confidence in the genetic merit of a non-parent sire with genomic-enhanced EPDs; a level of accuracy once reserved only for bulls with their first calf crops in production. I have re peatedly said that GE-EPDs have led to minimal mistakes in natural service sire selection from our own herd. We now have foot EPDs, hair shed EPDs, and heifer pregnancy EPDs, which are all very important in our warm and wet fescue- based climate. In the near term, the Angus breed is collecting data to create EPDs for longevity and udder structure. What were once just EPDs on the revenue side have now developed into tools that can start to model the true cost on the cow side of producing the calf. We have had economic selection indexes for the terminal side for quite a while, but now those traits of economic importance are reflected in their own selection indexes that pertain greatly to the commercial-cow calf producer. What makes a bull worth what he is to your cow herd? You have the obvious opportunity cost of taking a weaned 600 lb. bull calf to a 1,250 lb. performance-tested yearling bull. After he can cover your cows, what makes him worth more than the roughly $3,000 (probably $3,500 if you are buying an 18 or 24-month-old bull) in opportunity costs, feed, and performance testing it took to get him there? There has to be additional value to your operation. If you have ample nutrition and a good forage program, that baseline $3,000 bull can breed 20+ cows in his first year and 25-30+ every season after that. You are getting 100+ calves in his lifetime using him one season a year. If you are a commercial producer and will replace 25% of your breeding females in the first generation and 20% of your breeding females in each subsequent generation then market the rest of the calves at weaning, then $Maternal is by far the most important number for you. If you are breeding heifers, make sure the CED and BW are aligned with your calving ease preferences, then select on $M.

The average non-parent Angus bull in the breed has a $M of $63. In our fall sale, the older bulls average $81, and the yearling bulls average $87. I

have bulls on test up to $123. That means across 100 calves under a typical commercial cow- calf system, our average bull from our 20-month- old bulls generates an additional $1,800 in value to your operation, and the average yearling bull would generate an additional $2,400 to your operation over their lifetimes. We also have countless bulls in the top 1% of the breed and herd sires up to $125 for $M. That means across 100 calves, we have bulls on our farm that would generate an additional $6,200 of value in their lifetime over an average Angus sale bull to a commercial cow-calf operation. If you are running structured fall and spring calving (many of you are), double those to $3,600, $4,800 and $12,400 of increased value to your operation. It is no more wear and tear on that bull to breed twice a year. In fact, the best place for a bull to be is out breeding cows.

Many of you reading this article raise crops or are at least familiar with row crop production. If I had a $100 bag of seed corn I would sell you, there would be significant skepticism before telling me you need something better and couldn’t risk your rent, diesel, herbicide, fertilizer, and labor on something like that. You would say you need to be confident you are buying the best seed to give yourself the best chance of a profit. When it comes to your cattle, we sadly see some sire selection still occurring in the sale barn. There are a lot of bulls breeding cows that were just calves from commercial cows bred to bull stud bulls. The “breeder” picked a bull out of a catalog based on a picture. You will say you got a “good deal” on that bull and he “looks pretty nice” and “they do a good job there”. You have no idea what you are getting from a genetic standpoint, and there is a pretty low chance they are going to be breed average. That bull will probably throw you some unwanted red calves too. If you found your neighbor planting corn out of the bin from his harvest last fall, you might question if everything is alright. At best you would think he is broke. At worst you would think he has gone insane. In the cattle industry, far too many don’t think twice about doing the equivalent in their cow herds.

I track our cow herd’s productivity using commercial metrics to ensure they are showing up, and not just as EPDs on a sheet of paper. When it comes to the model of cow-calf production in Kentucky, we have the most profitable genetics you will find anywhere in the country. If you can prove that statement false, I will pay for both of us to go see that cow herd. If you market at endpoints past weaning, we have the genetics for increased profitability there as well. We know our cattle, and we know the industry. We know the docility and durability of our bulls that go out and breed across the southeast because the majority of our 400 females a year are bred to bulls we raised, and 95% of the females in our herd raising those bulls are home-raised replacement heifers. In the spring, our sale averaged $3,685 and there was next to no availability of private treaty bulls after the sale for spring breeding. The cull value of your old herd bull today is more than $2,000. If you couple the cull value on that bull and the increased value to your operation of one of our bulls, you can breed your cows for free. We do everything we can to breed value into the genetics we sell, and we work just as hard to get them working in your cow herd to create that additional value for your operation. Like what you read, but don’t need a bull until spring? That is fine. The same applies to our spring sale on Monday, March 27th, 2023.

an additional monthly newsletter

COLUMNISTS

09 Cary King: President’s Thoughts

10 Dr. Kerry Barling: New Tick-Borne Cattle Disease: What to Know

12 Dave Maples: Thoughts from Dave

20 Dr. Michelle Arnold: What Is This New Tick Disease?

22 Chris Teutsch: Old and Young Dogs Welcome

30 USDA: Understanding Beef Calf Rumen Microbial Development: The Beef Starts Here

78 Kevin Laurent: Selecting for Growth: Benefits and Consequences

FEATURE STORIES

13 USDA Announces Details for the Upcoming Census of Agriculture

14 KCA Welcomes New Fall Interns

18 Rough Year For Kentucky Cattle Producers After Flood And Drought

26 Fall Fencing School Registration Now Open

27 Three Reasons Producers are Turning to PRF Coverage for 2023

28 Beef Promotion Operating Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2023 Checkoff Plan of Work

34 Isn’t That What We Are All Working Toward?

36 North American International Livestock Exposition Premium Book Now Available

38 July Beef Exports Stay on $1 Billion/Month Pace; Pork Exports Remain Below Last Year

40 Government Needs to Get Out of the Way; Allow Auction Owners to Drive Packing Capacity and Competition

48 Flooded Eastern Kentucky Farmers Receive Hay, Feed, Supplies to Get Back On Their Feet

52 14-Year-Old Recovers From Severely Broken Ankle To Show Reserve Championship Steer At State Fair

56 Heifer and Cow Slaughter in 2022

58 Five Tips for Soil Sampling Pastures

16 County News

NCBA Legislative Update

Economic & Policy Update

News Releases

Kentucky Beef Council

Kentucky Beef Network

Kentucky Angus Association News

Calendar of Events

Advertisers Index

Classifieds

COVER PHOTO submitted by Tori Embry Grayson County

PRESIDENT

Cary King

250 Bright Leaf Drive Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (859) 613-3734

PRESIDENT ELECT

Andy Bishop

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

VICE PRESIDENT

Jeff Pettit

5745 US Highway 41 S Seebree, KY 42455 (270) 836-2963

TREASURER

Ken Adams

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

PAST PRESIDENT

Chris Cooper

2140 Tates Creek Road Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 200-7711

KCA PROGRAM CHAIRMAN

Daniel Hayden

6333 Herbert Road Whitesville, KY 42378 (270) 570-2815

KBC CHAIRMAN

Joe Lowe PO Box 205 Smith’s Grove, KY 42171 (270) 202-4399

KBN CHAIRMAN*

Allan Bryant

BEEF SOLUTIONS CHAIRMAN*

Jeff Pettit

KCA PAST PRESIDENTS:

1972-73 Jere Caldwell† - Boyle 2002 Jack Kimbrough† - Shelby

1974-77 Smith T. Powell† - Lincoln 2003 Mark Williams - Crittenden

1978-79 Larry Lovell† - Union 2004 Paul Napier - Lincoln

1980-82 John Masters† - Mason 2005 Eddie Young - Washington

1983-85 Seldon Hail† - Laurel 2006 Greg Ritter† - Barren

1986-87 Bob Vickery† - Wayne 2007 Don Pemberton - Christian

1988 Glenn Mackie - Bourbon 2008 Billy Glenn Turpin - Madison

1989 Dale Lovell† - Muhlenberg 2009 Scotty Parsons - Christian

1990 Steve Henshaw† - Union 2010 Corinne Kephart - Shelby

1991 Jerry Fraim - Grayson 2011 Greg Robey - Mercer

1992 Glen Massengale† - Wayne 2012 Mike Bach - Bath

1993 Dell King - Christian 2013 Don Reynolds - Hart

1994 Kenneth Lowe - Warren 2014 Steve Downs - Marion

1995 Dr. J.L.Cole - Monroe 2015 Gary Woodall - Logan

1996 Harvey Mitchell - Mercer 2016 David Lemaster - Clark

1997 Jim Naive† - Spencer 2017 Chuck Crutcher - Hardin

1998 Shelby Hughes - Logan 2018 Bobby Foree - Henry

1999 Hoppy Lovell - Barren 2019 Tim White - Fayette

2000 Charles Miller - Jessamine 2020 Steve Dunning - Christian

2001 Larry Clay - Perry 2021 Chris Cooper - Madison †(Deceased)

REGION 1

Bobby Bell*.................................270-547-8547

Buddy Cook.................................270-275-1274

Ashley Holloway.................................................

Leland Steely...............................270-339-3476

Don Pemberton...........................270-889-3855

Wayne Zoleman...........................270-315-7812

Mark Heimgartner........................270-875-2585

Jeremy Armstrong......................270-668-2056

Blake Munger..............................270-293-8830

Sara Roberson............................270-668-2428

REGION 2

Adam Maulden*..........................270-590-1005

Dennis Smith..............................270-590-2840

Trent Jones.................................270-590-5266

Chuck Crutcher...........................270-272-6269

Allison Nissley.............................270-403-3205

Steven Green...............................270-528-1720

Maggie Vaughn...........................270-590-8017

Mike Bullock................................270-792-9644

Corbin Cowles.............................270-991-2534

Kirk Cecil.....................................270-692-7698

Isaac Thompson.........................270-789-8712

Rayetta Boone.............................270-230-5488

Andy Joe Moore..........................270-590-0841

Brian Manion...............................270-868-0253

Phyllis Gentry..............................502-331-1146

REGION 3

Allan Bryant*..............................502-548-1379

Allen Phillips...............................502-220-0948

Wanda Hawkins..........................502-321-5602

Phillip Douglas............................502-552-0688

Larry Bryant................................502-845-4615

Amanda Hall................................859-333-5001

Nicole Goecke.............................606-782-2263

Maynard Stetten..........................502-609-4986

Kevin Perkins..............................502-269-7189

John Allison................................502-220-3170

Michelle Simon..................................................

REGION 4

Randy Warner*............................859-771-5280

Lisa Baesler................................859-509-5020

Tim White....................................859-509-5401

Amy White...................................859-227-2552

Donovan Pigg..............................502-229-9187

Bruce Witt...................................859-585-8889

Jodi Purvis..................................606-336-3540

Mike Ravencraft...........................606-584-0310

Brandon Sears...................................................

Danny Callahan...........................859-388-0910

REGION 5

Staff Accountant

Kelly Tucker

Director of Kentucky Beef Network

Becky Thompson

KBN Industry Coordinator

Dan Miller

Publication Coordinator

Carey Brown

Membership Coordinator

Nikki Whitaker

KBC Director of Product Development

Katelyn Hawkins

KBC Director of Brand Management

Kylie Trail

KBC Director of Education

Bradon Burks

Graphic Designer

Todd Brown

Video Production Specialist Danny Coy

Membership and Communications Coordinator

Rachel Cain

National Advertising Sales, Livestock Advertising Network

Debby Nichols (859) 321-8770

COW COUNTRY 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.

Adam Chunglo*..........................859-613-2985

Herman Benge.............................606-862-6451

Tommy Spalding..........................270-402-9157

Dean Craft....................................606-634-0191

Brent Ware..................................606-305-8612

Rick Brewer.................................606-682-2352

Danny Ray Spalding....................859-336-0444

Gary Ford....................................270-402-2194

Aaron Burke................................859-265-1172

Ryan Miller..................................502-827-5027

C. Mike Spalding..........................270-699-6587

Jared Foley..................................270-585-1331

Denotes member of Executive committee

Dave Maples Executive Vice President

*ex officio

Photo by Addie Staton, Bath County

Presidents Thoughts

Cary King KCA President

October is here and fall is in the air. Hope you are seeing some good pasture conditions at your farm. We started fall calving the first of September, and are well on our way to getting these babies here.

We synchronize all of our cows and give them one round of artificial insemination about the first of December, then put a bull with them about 15 days later, seems to work pretty good. I love seeing the babies hit the ground.

Take time though out of your busy days to enjoy what you are blessed to get to do. Being able to see the miracle of birth, the way the mamas take care of their calves and the way the calf instinctively knows to nurse.

Sometimes we think everyone knows how this works but they don’t. Try to make it a point to take somebody that doesn’t raise cattle with you when you are doing something on your farm. Tell them what you do, why you do it, how you care for all of your animals and how you love them. Some think we are filling all of them full of drugs. I show them a bottle of Draxxin, tell them that bottle is over $1,000, and that they really have to need an antibiotic before you give any. It would be inhumane not to treat a bad eye, or a sore foot. Tell them you’re BQA certified, and only give the shot in the approved location and never sell anything until the withdrawal period has expired.

We need to tell our stories, don’t let those who don’t like what we do tell it for you. Be proud of what you do, and how you do it.

It’s been a good summer! The State Fair was a big success with lots of people coming through our beef display. We have a great set up, the best location, interactive areas, lots of information to share, great staff, and I think the cookbooks were a huge success.

Over in the cattle barns, there were so many young producers showing their prized possessions, eating, drinking, and sleeping with their cattle. It’s really a great thing to have your young people involved.

We had our Executive Committee meeting there, discussed progress with UK, rebuilding the Grain Center that was destroyed by the tornado, and we have been working weekly to see the Livestock Educational building and Meats and Produce laboratory get funding. I am not sure everyone realizes how big a project this is. I feel like we can make a huge impact on every aspect of agriculture in Kentucky, adding value to everything we raise is so important to the financial sustainability of every farm in this state. We have to change how we do some things to capture more of those meat case dollars. As Mr. Kentucky Agriculture Warren Beeler always says, “we can’t just sell cabbage, we need to sell coleslaw in a bag”.

We are working to help our small packers thoughout the state with issues that they face, to help make them more efficient. We are also working with American Foods Group that will be building their big plant in St. Louis to develop a supply chain of cattle to be processed there. Remember, we can finish cattle here!

I think we need to get as close to the meat case as we can.

Please get involved with your local county cattlemen. Don’t be one who just gripes, anybody can do that. Working together we can raise everybody up.

I truly believe that we have a bright future!

If I can help you with anything, or visit your county, please let me know.

Cary King Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association President 859-613-3734 cell • 859-278-0899 office

New Tick-Borne Cattle Disease: What to Know

Dr. Kerry Barling Deputy State Veterinarian

In August, just prior to the Kentucky State Fair, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced two cases of a new cattle disease detected in beef herds in Fleming and Hart counties. Each case involved a beef breed bull. The disease was fatal in both cases, with no relationship between the herds.

Many questions exist about this disease, which is caused by a microscopic parasite, Theileria orientalis Ikeda, carried by the Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT). Theileria can be transferred to cattle from the tick following a blood meal. Theileria infects blood cells in cattle causing fever, severe anemia, abortions, stillbirths, and occasional deaths. An affected cow will have pale or yellow mucous membranes, rapid respiration, and pulse rates. Infected bulls may have lowered libido, and infected cows may have decreased milk production. The disease can be confused with pneumonia because of the respiratory distress. Theileria can also be confused with anaplasmosis, another cause of anemia in cattle. Currently, there are no vaccines or effective treatments available for Theileria infections. Cattle that survive acute infections of Theileria are known to become persistently infected and serve as a reservoir of infection to other cattle.

The ALT was discovered in the U.S. in 2017 in New Jersey, and Theileria was first found in cattle that same year in Virginia. Since then, ALTs have been found in at least 17 states, and Theileria has been found in cattle from at least seven states. It appears Kentucky is on the advancing westward edge of tick/Theileria spread. In Kentucky, the ALT has been identified in Boone, Breathitt, Floyd, Madison, Martin, Metcalfe, and Perry counties. It is likely both the tick and Theileria are present and undetected in additional Kentucky counties. The ALT has been found to attach to livestock, wildlife, birds, dogs, cats, and humans. Something important to consider is that Theileria only causes disease in cattle through blood-toblood transmission. Infected cattle pose no risk to humans through direct contact, or consumption of its meat or milk, provided the meat is cooked to a proper temperature and the milk has been pasteurized. The disease is spread in and between cow herds from infected ALTs, injections with contaminated needles, use of contaminated surgical tools (dehorners, castration knives, etc.), and biting insects. Diagnosis of Theileria infections in cattle can be made by submission of blood samples and/or body tissues (spleen) to veterinary disease diagnostic laboratories. While disease responsible from Theileria infections is

known to occur only in cattle, the ALT can carry other infectious agents that are responsible for disease in animals other than cattle, including humans.

Treatment of acutely ill cattle primarily involves supportive care; however, blood transfusions may be beneficial in some cases. The most effective means of reducing the risk for Theileria infections in cattle is through tick control, single-use needles, and management of persistently infected cattle. Tick control measures include keeping pastures mowed and cattle restricted from wooded areas. Regular inspection of cattle for ticks and use of ear tags, pour-ons, or back rubs that contain an acaricide are helpful. Working with your veterinarian and/or an entomologist can assist with tick control and identification through a program with the University of Kentucky Tick Laboratory.

The Office of State Veterinarian at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has created two alert fliers, “Theileria Orientalis Ikeda in Cattle” and “Theileria Orientalis Ikeda Info.” Both fliers can be found on the KDA website at kyagr. com/statevet by scrolling down to a list of “Forms & Documents.” Further questions can be directed to KDA at statevet@ky.gov or (502) 573-0282.

Thoughts From Dave

Dave Maples Executive Vice President

You can definitely tell that we are back to normal when it comes to in person meetings. Our calendar is full with field days, county meetings and every kind of meeting in between. There are a few of these events that need commenting on this month. The first is the Kentucky State Fair. Growing up I went to the fair to ride the rides and look at exhibits then I moved to the phase where I went to fairs to show cattle and now, I go to the fair for meetings. Growing up I never realized how many meetings and how much business is conducted at the Fair.

Day one of the Kentucky State Fair starts with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Kentucky Proud Cookout breakfast where guests get treated to a free wonderful breakfast. This year is an election year so there were many politicians on hand. Following the breakfast, we had a meeting with Dean Nancy Cox about an update on the rebuild of the Princeton Research Station. As one would expect the rebuild from the tornado along with the insurance issues make the process difficult. One problem is that there are changes that could be made to the station to make it more efficient but the insurance will only pay for original replacement. It was good to know that the General Assembly has already appropriated funding to supplement the insurance for the rebuild of the Princeton Station.

Following that meeting was the Kentucky Ag Council meeting where we got to hear from David Beck the President and CEO of the Kentucky Exposition Center. Mr. Beck is doing a very nice job managing the Kentucky Venues proprieties. Mr. Beck explained the vision and plans for the center in the coming years. The general assembly has invested several millions of dollars in the property and you can see the improvements.

As Mr. Beck explained that at one time the Kentucky Venues properties returned funds to the state because they made money but that hasn’t happened for several years.

Following all the meetings at the fair later that afternoon we had a meeting with Empire Foods at a Kroger store just outside the fairgrounds. Empire Foods is a third-party company that does work exclusively for Kroger. What we have learned is that if you are going to have a product on Kroger’s shelves you just about have to have a broker like Empire. I did not realize how much a company like Empire does to make the many Kroger stores work. We know and have had a relationship with many of the Empire employees for a long time. We have gotten to a point with Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef that we are going to have to have a company like Empire to be a broker for the product.

The next morning was the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board meeting. I had to go to do some business with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s cooking booth but Nikki and Becky stayed for the meeting.

The second week of the fair after the Farm Bureau Ham breakfast, the joint Senate/House Agriculture committee met followed by the Livestock Coalition meeting. That afternoon I attended the Final Drive and the selection of the Grand Champions of the different livestock species. This has become a really nice event for the young people that participate in the livestock shows. The Kentucky Fair board has created a Foundation that will work to provide funding for the different events during the fair. This is a good move for the fair board. The Ag Development Board made a one-million-dollar investment in this new Foundation. Over the coming years this could be a foundational move that could fund the different agriculture events during the fair. The next day the KCA executive committee meeting was held during the fair as well as the Beef Solutions, LLC managers meeting. While all these meetings were going on we managed a very nice educational booth as well as four cooking booths.

Just to name a few of the other meetings or events that we have attended in the past week were the KCA budget committee meeting followed later in the afternoon by the Fayette County Farm Bureau elected officials’ appreciation dinner at the Kentucky Horse Park. This is a nice, well attended event every year. One of the things that I learned from one of the speakers is that the General Assembly appropriated $21 million dollars to the Horse Park this year. I knew there were several equine associations or related businesses located on the park but I didn’t realize there were 35.

The next morning Carey Brown and I attended the annual CPC field day in Fountain Run, Kentucky. This is always a well-attended field day. What a success story just to see how their business has grown! We welcomed Hadley Celsor, one of our KCA fall interns to work the booth with us this year.

The next morning Becky Thompson and I helped Dan Miller and Greg Cole along with Dr. Steve Higgins and Jeff Stephens work the Eden Shale cows and calves. I know you are thinking that is a lot of help but when the working facilities are what they are ,it takes more people than you really should have. Luckily no one or no animal got hurt. It was just like when I was at home during the Labor Day weekend when my family worked cows.

The week finished with a wonderful Saturday night FFA Foundation Gala. This event has really come a long way from the start up days of Billy Ray Smith. Sheldon McKinney has done a remarkable job with the FFA Foundation. From what I hear this one event raised around $250,000 for Kentucky FFA.

USDA Announces Details for the Upcoming Census of Agriculture

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2022 – America’s farmers and ranchers will soon have the opportunity to be represented in the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county and territory.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will mail the 2022 Census of Agriculture to millions of agriculture producers across the 50 states and Puerto Rico this fall.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture will be mailed in phases, starting with an invitation to respond online in November followed by paper questionnaires in December. Farm operations of all sizes, urban and rural, which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural product in 2022 are included in the ag census.

“Census of Agriculture data are widely used by federal and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, and many others to inform decisions about policy and farm programs and services that aid producers and rural communities,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “By responding to the Census of Agriculture – by being represented in these important data –producers are literally helping to shape their futures.”

Collected in service to American agriculture since 1840 and now conducted every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census of Agriculture tells the story and shows the value of U.S. agriculture. It highlights land use and ownership, producer characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, among other topics. Between ag census years, NASS considers revisions to the questionnaire to document changes and emerging trends in the industry. Changes to the 2022 questionnaire include new questions about the use of precision agriculture, hemp production, hair sheep, and updates to internet access questions.

To learn more about the Census of Agriculture, visit www.nass.usda.gov/agcensus or call 800-727-9540. On the website, producers and other data users can access frequently asked questions, past ag census data, partner tools to help spread the word about the upcoming ag census, special study information, and more. For highlights of these and the latest information on the upcoming Census of Agriculture, follow USDA

NASS on twitter @usda_nass.

KCA Welcomes New Fall Interns

Hadley Celsor of Scottsville, Kentucky, has been selected as one of the 2022 Fall Interns for the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. Hadley was raised on a large cattle backgrounding operation, CPC Livestock and CPC Commodities.

As a family member, she saw firsthand the power of agriculture in a community. She started scooping feeders and treating sick calves in her younger years, then took advantage of online college classes and worked full time at CPC as the facility cattle receiving clerk. In high school, Hadley was active in FFA, DECA, varsity tennis, and varsity cheerleading. In August 2021, Hadley interned for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association at their annual convention in Nashville, TN.

Hadley is a senior at the University of Kentucky. She is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Economics and a minor in business. She is an active member of Delta Zeta Sorority, serving on risk, social, and decoration committees. Hadley is a sales partner with UpMerch and an All-Star cheerleading coach at Legacy All Sports.

“I am so excited to share my love for the beef industry and continue my education in this field!”.

Matthew Irvin of Columbia, Kentucky, has been selected as one of the 2022 Fall interns for the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. Matthew was raised on his family farm, where he was involved in crop and livestock production. He was involved in his community through FFA, 4-H, and his local church and ministry program. Through FFA, he started his cow/calf operation to learn more about profits, labor, and the overall production of his herd. During his senior year, he began shadowing a local mixed practice veterinarian, where he found his passion for large animal medicine, particularly the bovine industry.

With a passion for science, animals, and the rural farmer, Matthew decided to pursue a degree in Animal Sciences with a minor in Biology on the pre-veterinary tract at the University of Kentucky. Throughout his time in U.K., he has held a variety of positions within different clubs and organizations. This past summer, he completed a research internship with the U.K. Dairy Program under Dr. Costa. As of now, Matthew is VicePresident of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Dairy Club President, and a student ambassador for the College of Agriculture Food and Environment. Matthew is excited to expand his knowledge of the beef cattle industry here in Kentucky and the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Internship program.

BARREN COUNTY NEWS

Submitted by James W. Bailey

ESTILL COUNTY NEWS

Submitted by Megan J. Parker

Estill Cattlemen Award First Eric Baker Scholarship

During their June meeting, the Estill County Cattlemen Association awarded the first Eric Baker Scholarship to Cheyenne Lamb. Lamb, who is currently attending her third year at Eastern Kentucky University, is majoring in Agricultural Education. She is also the Vice President of Delta Tau Alpha, which is the Agriculture Honors Society at EKU.

The Estill County Cattlemen Association established this $500 one-time scholarship after the sudden loss of Eric Baker in September 2021. Baker served as the Cooperative Extension Agent for Agricultural and Natural Resources for Estill County for 22 years. He was an active member of the Estill County Cattlemen Association and a prominent fixture for the agriculture community of Estill County.

Pictured are Cheyenne Lamb, scholarship recipient, and Danny Callahan, President of the Estill County Cattlemen Associationw.

HARRISON COUNTY NEWS

Submitted by Jessica Barnes

The Harrison County Beef Cattle Association went to Eastern KY to cook 1,000+ meals for the flood victims in Breathitt County.

Rough Year For Kentucky Cattle Producers After Flood And Drought

Aimee Nielson University of Kentucky Agricultural Communications Specialist

may be in the fields. Many have excessive silt deposited on forage standing and may need some help to remove sand, gravel and to fix washouts. These fields will likely need to be replanted in September to get a good stand next spring. Fields with limited silting should be allowed to drain so livestock traffic doesn’t compact the soil and impact future production.”

Specialists recommend taking photos of all pasture damage.

“Be sure to ask your insurance company about your coverage,” Lehmkuhler said. “Ask what they need for your claim and take photos before you attempt to fix issues. Walk the field with the adjuster, if possible, to make sure they see everything.”

Mother Nature dealt heavy blows to Kentucky cattle producers this year. Early summer drought caused hay shortages in the west and late July flooding turned Eastern Kentucky pastures into rivers. The high waters wiped out fences and left pasture areas covered in mud and silt that still pose risks to livestock.

“The first question livestock owners had to ask was, ‘What has washed into my pasture?’ They had to carefully walk the area in case they encountered debris, especially hazardous material such as lead batteries, chemicals stored in containers that were damaged, or other foreign objects that cattle may ingest,” said Jeff Lehmkuhler, beef specialist. “I’ve seen an ATV wedged up high in a tree, parts of destroyed homes in low areas leaving insulation in fields, and large propane tanks washed up into fields. Landowners need to take caution to protect themselves when cleaning up fields. Debris with nails or sharp, exposed edges can cause trauma, especially to livestock hooves.”

Floodwaters created washed-out areas in many tilled river bottoms. Other debris left behind included a lot of plastic, which poses a choking hazard to cattle. Many producers are still repairing miles of damaged or missing fence. Farmers who still need help with fencing supplies should contact their county extension agent for resources.

Beyond pasture woes, Eastern Kentucky producers need to make sure they have a clean water supply. Lehmkuhler warned that water could have anything in it, including harmful chemicals from pesticides, herbicides, fuel and oil from flooded stranded cars and other poisonous material.

“Big floods often break down catch basins for companies and industries and flow right into the creeks,” he said. “Floodwaters can break down and overwhelm wastewater plants leading to spills into the surface water. Testing the water is difficult because the water’s rapid movement and volume will dynamically change its composition. Be aware of what businesses and ag enterprises

are located upstream.”

Another post-flooding concern is blackleg, a disease caused by bacteria that results in rapid death in unvaccinated cattle. UK ruminant veterinarian Michelle Arnold said producers should avoid feeding any feed left in fields, such as hay, due to the high risk of clostridiales from mud.

“Vaccinate calves against blackleg as soon as possible,” she said. “Maternal antibodies from colostrum are only protective for two to three months at best, so vaccination is necessary to protect older calves. Most blackleg vaccines require two doses, a primary and a booster, for complete protection.”

Producers should survey pastures and dispose of potentially dangerous things, like fish and other animals that died and got stranded, which are a potential source of botulism.

Given all the potential issues, Eastern Kentucky farmers may have a temptation to let cattle begin to graze new grass.

“Don’t start grazing too soon,” Lehmkuhler said. “Wait for rains to ‘clean’ any standing forage that

Drought in Western Kentucky, mostly during early summer, caused a pasture and hay shortage.

“When pastures get short during drought conditions, cattle may consume noxious weeds that they usually avoid, such as perilla mint,” said Kevin Laurent, agricultural extension specialist at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton.

Laurent said it’s tempting to let cattle graze short grass as it starts to grow, but that’s not the best long-term strategy.

“It’s human nature to let cows graze for anything they can find, but what usually happens is we hammer our forage base into the ground and that increases recovery time and opens a canopy for weeds down the road,” he said. “Keeping cattle in the worst paddock is a better strategy.”

Laurent said feeding stored hay to the cattle in the paddock allows the pasture to recover in the other areas, without the stress of grazing. He said that strategy also allows cattle to fertilize the poorer paddock.

Flooded pastures were a mess of mud and debris. Photo by Matt Barton, UK Agricultural Communications Specialist.

Photo by Aimee Nielson, UK Agricultural Communications Specialist

Maternal Matters!

At Red Hill Farms, we are extremely pleased Red Angus has a new MATERNAL Index, HERDBUILDER. This index is closely aligned with our maternal selection goals – cows that have longevity, breed regularly, calve easily and early in the breeding season, and wean a high percent of their body weight. In addition to this important index, we put extra emphasis on udders, feet and disposition. Profitability starts with the cow!

Terminal Matters!

The SimGenetics bulls at Red Hill are selected to add payweight in all phases of production –weaning, yearling and carcass. As a bonus, these bulls are selected for KY-31 fescue adaptability, slick hair, good feet and remarkably calm dispositions. These bulls are ideal for mating to British-based cows to produce calves with added hybrid vigor, feedlot demand and consumer acceptance. 231A, along with other Red Hill sires, have proven track records of adding value in all segments of the beef business!

Jones

991-2663

What Is This New Tick Disease?

Dr. Michelle Arnold UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

The Office of the State Veterinarian is warning beef producers to look for signs of Theileria infection (“theileriosis”) in cattle, with two confirmed cases in beef cattle recently reported in Kentucky. Theileria orientalis Ikeda is a microscopic protozoan parasite that infects the red blood cells of cattle, causing anemia. The disease is primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected Asian Longhorned Tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) or by blood transfer through the use of blood-contaminated needles and equipment. The tick can feed on many animal species, including humans, but the blood parasite only affects cattle. Once a cow is infected, it may take 1-8 weeks before she shows symptoms of disease. There is a spring peak in disease incidence in March-April and a fall peak in September-October. There is no effective treatment for sick cattle or vaccine to prevent infections. However, once infected, cattle become carriers and are protected from new infections. There are no recognized long-term health or production effects from persistent infection. Theileria is not a public health concern and contact with affected cattle doesn’t pose a human health risk or food safety risk.

What to do if cows show signs of anemia

• Contact your vet. Theileriosis and anaplasmosis look almost identical so treatment with an approved antibiotic (LA-300 or Baytril 100CA1) for treatment of anaplasmosis is recommended as first line of defense. However, if Theileria is the cause, there will be no response to the antibiotic therapy. A whole blood sample, submitted in a purple/ lavender top EDTA tube, is needed for diagnosis of anaplasmosis and theileriosis.

• Stress and movement of anemic animals should be minimized, as their reduced number of red blood cells lowers their ability to transport oxygen around the body. This can lead to collapse and death. Affected animals should be rested, given high quality hay, feed, and water, and handled only when necessary.

• There is no treatment available for Theileria infection other than supportive care. Blood transfusions may be used for valuable animals. Recovery may take 1-2 months depending on the severity of the anemia.

Prevention and control of Theileria infection

• Inspect cattle for presence of ticks. Routinely inspect livestock, pets, and humans for the Asian Longhorned tick (ALT). Parthenogenetic strains exist in the USA, meaning male ticks are not required to produce eggs and viable larvae. A female can produce 1,000-2,000 offspring without mating. A single cow can quickly become host to thousands of tick offspring that may cause death due to blood loss without a blood-borne parasite infection. The ticks are light brown and often smaller than a sesame seed. The adult female is about the size of a pea when full of blood (see Figure 1). All 3 life stages (larva, nymph and adult) may be present at the same time (see Figure 2). In cattle, check the head, neck, ears, flanks, armpit, groin, udder and under the tail (areas where the skin is thinner). Cattle that seem lethargic or unthrifty should be closely inspected for ticks.

Fig 1: Three life stages of the Asian Longhorned tick sized relative to the head of an insect pin. Nymphs and adults can transmit Theileria to cattle. Photo used with permission from Dr. Matt Bartone, NC State

What to look for

• The majority of infected cattle have limited or mild clinical signs. The symptoms are very similar to anaplasmosis, another tick-borne cattle disease that causes anemia.

• Affected cattle show signs of anemia including lethargy, pale or jaundiced (yellow) mucous membranes, and increased respiratory and heart rates. Labored breathing may be mistaken for pneumonia, especially in young stock.

• Affected cattle may be exercise intolerant and lag behind the rest of the herd or be off by themselves.

• Affected cows may be off feed, have a fever, and sudden weight loss.

• May see sudden death, especially in late pregnant and early lactation cows.

• Late term abortions may occur due to lack of oxygen to the fetus with subsequent death of the calf. Metritis in the cow can follow. Breeding bulls may have decreased libido for 1-1.5 months.

• Calves, especially 6-8 weeks of age but up to 6 months of age, may show symptoms.

Fig 2: Asian longhorned ticks on the ear of a cow that died due to anemia from the massive tick infestation (Photo courtesy of the UKVDL).

• Manage the ALT (tick) population on Cattle: The eradication or removal of ticks from a farm is virtually impossible. Ticks spend most of the time, nearly 90%, in the environment. Even though only a small proportion of the tick population is on livestock at any one time, treating cattle with a tick repellent will reduce the numbers that feed and develop into the next stage of the tick lifecycle. This will have an impact on egg numbers that eventually get deposited in the pasture and helps manage the disease spread. Currently there are no acaricides labeled for use against the ALT. The use of pesticide impregnated ear tags, pour-ons, sprays, and back rubs that control the American dog tick and the Lonestar tick should provide beneficial tick control. There

are field reports of success with macrocyclic lactone dewormers such as Cydectin® Pour-on and Dectomax® Injectable products.

• Environmental Control to Reduce Contact with Ticks: This involves mowing pastures, especially shaded areas, and fencing cattle from wooded areas. Perimeter fencing of a minimum of 20 feet from wooded areas will reduce the number of ticks on the grazing area. All stages of the tick like warm, damp conditions and long grass. Avoiding long rank pasture that has not been grazed such as around the edge of crops and brushy areas will reduce the likelihood of animals picking up ticks. Keep in mind that wildlife can serve as tick hosts and move the ticks to new areas. Virginia Cooperative Extension has produced a fact sheet entitled “Managing the Asian Longhorned Tick: Checklist for Best Management Practices for Cattle Producers” that covers animal inspection, chemical control, and herd management options. It may be downloaded at https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ENTO/ ento-382/ENTO-382.pdf

• Ease any underlying disease or stress: Cows in late pregnancy, early lactation and young calves (2-3 months old) are more susceptible to severe disease. Pay close attention to cows around calving, avoid trace mineral deficiencies, and vaccinate cattle against the immunosuppressive BVD virus.

• Treat “new” animals: Treat cattle for ticks as they arrive to the farm and before moving cattle from one property to another to avoid movement of infected ticks.

• Young stock: Calves should be closely inspected for ticks and signs of anemia, too.

If you suspect a case of Theileria infection, contact your veterinarian for advice. A blood test is available to test for this disease.

Old and Young Dogs Welcome

Chris Teutsch Univerity of Kentucky Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, Princeton, Kentucky

Everyone has heard the old saying “old dogs can’t learn new tricks”. I don’t believe it! We are all lifelong learners, although that learning seems to take a little longer as we age! This fall’s Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council’s grazing conference offers a prime opportunity for both old and new dogs. The theme of the conference is “Profitable Pastures from the Soil Up” and will feature two nationally known experts in soil ecology and grazing management. Conferences are being held in Leitchfield on October 26 and in Winchester on October 27. More information on the conferences and how to get registered can found on the UK Forages webpage under UPCOMING EVENTS or by contacting your local extension office.

My soils colleagues and I always stress the importance of soil testing at meetings and fields days, and it is 100% true that we need a base level of soil fertility to support healthy and productive pastures. There is no question that balancing soil chemistry is crucial, but this approach alone fails to give livestock producers an appreciation for the life that is present in a healthy pasture soil and the role that this life plays in developing strong and robust nutrient cycles. Our first keynote speaker, Ray Archuleta, will share his passion for the living ecosystem that is present in a healthy pasture soil. Ray has more than 30-years of experience as a soil conservationist and educator. He will describe the organisms, big and small, that are present in the soil and role they play in healthy and productive pastures.

Our second speaker is Dr. Les Anderson, an award-winning extension educator from the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Kentucky. Les will share both research and experience regarding the role of cow size in profitable grazing operations. Following this presentation, Dr. Greg Halich, from the Agricultural Economics Department at the University of Kentucky will discuss several “grazing myths” that can impact the profitability of ruminant livestock operations in the Commonwealth. Greg draws on not only his academic experience, but also practical hands-on experience from his own livestock operation.

To round out the morning, the Dynamic Duo from Adair County, Nick Roy, extension educator and Fred Thomas, producer, will discuss a novel strategy for building soil fertility in times of high fertilizer prices. This strategy revolves around feeding hay in a manner that capitalizes on the nutrients and organic matter that it contains. Every ton of hay has approximately 40, 15, and 60 pounds of N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively.

Following lunch, a producer panel and Forage Spokesperson Contest participants will share practical tips on how they keep their operations profitable, even when input prices are high and livestock prices are low. The conference will conclude with our second keynote speaker, who is is well known grazing circles, Jim Gerrish. Jim will discuss how to increase profitability by reducing your reliance on conserved forage. He worked for more than 20 years as an extension educator at the University of Missouri before moving into private consulting. He has a plethora of real-world experience to compliment the academic training that he received at the University of Kentucky.

If there is one conference that you should go to this year, it should be this one! Two nationally known speakers with more than 70 years of experience between them and right here in our own backyard. I hope to see all of you old and young dogs at this fall’s conferences…there is still a trick or two to be learned!

FEATURED UPCOMING EVENTS

Kentucky Fencing Schools

Where: Lebanon and Manchester, KY

When: November 1 and 3, 2022

More information at https://forages.ca.uky.edu/Events.

Pasture Walk with Greg Brann

Where: Adolphus, KY

When: October 30, 2022

More information at https://gregbrann.com/wp-content/ uploads/2022/07/2022-pasture-walk-flyer-1.pdf.

FEATURED PUBLICATION

This month’s featured publication is: “Extending grazing and reducing stored feed needs” by Don Ball and others. You can access it by clicking on this link or visiting your local extension office.

FEATURED VIDEO

Extending Grazing: Getting Started by Chris Teutsch. Presentation was given as part of Year-Round Grazing-From Pasture Establishment to Grazing Management and Soil Health Workshop. January 25 and 27, 2018. University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD. Available on the KYForages YouTube Channel.

FENCING TIP

Avoid using metal t-posts in electric fencing applications. Metal T-posts are durable, easy to install, and cost competitive. Unfortunately, they are also dead grounds if the insulators fail. In contrast, posts constructed of wood, plastic or fiberglass have no or limited conductivity and will not result in fence failure is an insulator cracks or breaks.

FORAGE MANAGEMENT TIPS

• Feed hay and allow pastures to stockpile for winter grazing.

• Do NOT harvest alfalfa fields.

• Inventory forage and hay supplies and make plans to purchase any needed hay.

• Remove livestock from sorghum-sudangrass pastures and pastures that contain johnsongrass prior to frost events. This will reduce chances of prussic acid poisoning.

• Begin grazing winter annual once they are 6-8 inches tall and root systems are well anchored.

• Utilize temporary electric fencing and solar chargers to more efficiently utilize winter annuals and stockpiled forage.

NCBA URGES SENATE COMMITTEE TO PASS LIVESTOCK REGULATORY PROTECTION ACT

WASHINGTON (September 7, 2022) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) urged the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to approve the Livestock Regulatory Protection Act.

“American cattle producers’ commitment to reducing their environmental footprint while simultaneously improving efficiency makes our farms and ranches the most sustainable in the world. Unfortunately, overregulation and excessive permitting would jeopardize the cattle industry’s progress towards greater sustainability,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “NCBA strongly supports the Livestock Regulatory Protection Act, which protects farmers and ranchers from onerous

regulation. We thank Senators John Thune (RSD), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), John Boozman (R-AR), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) for their sponsorship and we urge all senators to support this bill.”

The Livestock Regulatory Protection Act aims to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing Clean Air Act Title V permits for emissions like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, water vapor, or methane that result from livestock production.

These emissions are naturally occurring due to cattle’s biological functions and cattle producers continue to employ innovative practices to mitigate the impact of these emissions on the environment. Overall, emissions from cattle production represent only a very small portion of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. For example, methane emissions from cattle account for just 2% of total U.S. emissions.

“SDCA thanks Senators Thune and Sinema for working to prevent the EPA from requiring unnecessary air quality permits for livestock producers,” said Eric Jennings, president of South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA). “America’s beef producers, like consumers and regulators, are focused on continuous improvement in environmental conservation and sustainability. Creating burdensome permitting requirements that aren’t firmly backed by sound science aren’t an effective solution to improving the environment, incentivizing good environmental management is.”

Today, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works heard testimony on the legislation. The committee will now need to vote on the bill before sending it to the full Senate for consideration.

TheNationalCattlemen’sBeefAssociation(NCBA)hasrepresentedAmerica’scattleproducerssince1898,preservingtheheritageandstrengthoftheindustrythrougheducationand publicpolicy.Asthelargestassociationofcattleproducers,NCBAworkstocreatenewmarketsandincreasedemandforbeef.Effortsaremadepossiblethroughmembershipcontri butions.Tojoin,contactNCBAat1-866-BEEF-USAormembership@beef.org.

Fall Fencing School Registration Now Open

Jordan Strickler University of Kentucky

This fall, the University of Kentucky will host two regional fencing schools to help livestock producers learn about the newest and most sound techniques to build fences.

The schools are Nov. 1 at the Marion County Cooperative Extension Office in Lebanon and Nov. 3 at the Clay County Cooperative Extension office in Manchester. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. EDT. Classes throughout the day include fencing construction basics, fencing types, costs, fencing laws and more.

UK forage extension specialist Chris Teutsch started these one-day events in 2018 to help farmers improve their grazing management.

"If you've ever driven through the country, you've probably seen a lot of fences, but not a lot of wellbuilt ones,” said Teutsch, a professor at the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

"One of the goals of this school is to teach people basic fence construction. So, they can build a strong, long-lasting fence that will last 25 or 30 years, or if they decide to hire a contractor to build it for them, they will at least know what a

well-built fence looks like.”

UK specialists and fencing industry experts will teach producers how to install both fixed-knot, woven wire fencing and smooth electrified, hightensile fencing.

Participants will learn through a combination of classroom sessions and hands-on demonstrations. If producers choose to participate in cost-share programs, they can

use the skills learned to construct fences that meet Natural Resources Conservation Service specifications.

Each school costs $30 person and has a 30-participant limit. Organizers urge producers to sign up early. The registration fee includes morning refreshments, a catered lunch, a fencing notebook, safety glasses and hearing protection. To sign up for the Lebanon school, visit https://22FencingLebanon.eventbrite. com. Those interested in attending the Manchester school can do so at https://22GrazingManchester1. eventbrite.com. Attendees also may send registration and payment to KFGC c/o Krista Lea at N-222C Ag. Science Building North, Lexington KY 40546-0091. The registration deadline is two weeks before each workshop.

This program is a combined effort of the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, the UK Cooperative Extension Service, UK Master Grazer Program, Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council and industry partners Gallagher USA, Stay-Tuff Fencing and ACI Distributors.

UK specialists and fencing industry experts will teach producers how to install an array of fences. Photo by Chris Teutsch

Three Reasons Producers are Turning to PRF Coverage for 2023

ProAg

Livestock producers are in a constant battle of record-setting dry conditions throughout the U.S. Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) insurance could mean the difference between culling and making it to spring.

With nearly half of the U.S. experiencing moderate-to-severe – and in some cases, an exceptional lack of moisture, PRF coverage is a critical risk-management tool.

What is PRF?

PRF is designed to provide insurance coverage on any forage acres used for livestock grazing or haying. The PRF program utilizes a rainfall index to determine precipitation for coverage purposes and does not measure production or loss of products themselves.

PRF insurance was designed to help protect a producer’s ranching operation from the risks of forage loss due to the lack of precipitation. Available in the 48 contiguous states, the program uses a rainfall index by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center to determine payment amounts.

When producers sign up for PRF, they select at least two, 2-month periods where rainfall is critical to the health of their forage acres. While PRF is not designed to insure against ongoing or severe drought, should a lack of precipitation occur, payments are distributed based on the NOAA data.

This insurance coverage is for a single peril – lack of precipitation. PRF coverage is based upon the experience of the entire grid chosen. It is not based on individual ranches or specific weather stations.

“PRF uses NOAA’s historical data on every .25-degree latitude by .25-degree longitude grid,” says Jordan Denning, a senior district sales manager for ProAg. “When rainfall is below the historical amount for the grid you’ve selected and coverage level – called a “trigger grid index”, you receive an indemnity payment.”

So why are producers continuously turning to PRF in larger numbers?

1. PRF could reduce the need to cull.

While culling is a normal component of any livestock operation, moisture deficit-induced decision-making places a unique burden on producers considering liquidation. According to a South Dakota State University Extension survey, 67.8% of producers sell their cull cows earlier during a drought. During the 2011 drought, mass cullings of cattle in Oklahoma, Texas and other hard-hit states lowered U.S. cattle inventory to just 91 million – the lowest amount seen in 60 years.

“With lack of precipitation as dire as it has been in 2022, producers are having to either cull or pay a lot more than they want to for hay,” says Denning. “Or, if they have hay acres that did well, they’re losing that profit opportunity because they have to use it for their own feed.”

However, PRF is not drought insurance - a drought declared in an area does not trigger an indemnity payment, nor does it insure against abnormally high temperatures or windy conditions. However, it can cover costs for feed, destocking and depopulating, which can be incurred during dry periods.

2. PRF makes it easier to handle exorbitant feed costs.

North Carolina-based Denning says PRF can be useful in any part of the U.S. He reports a large cattle producer in Alabama was able to leverage the additional income during this year’s drought to buy hay to feed his cattle, so he didn’t have to liquidate.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma-based Jessica Dilbeck, a district sales manager for ProAg, says PRF is critical for livestock producers who also grow row crops for feed, along with their pasture acres. When any of those acres don’t produce due to lack of precipitation, producers can know they’ll at least get dollars back in their pocket to help with feed costs from PRF.

3. PRF can protect the long-term success of your operation

“I try to get producers to look at long-term success,” says Dilbeck. “Look at the weather data for at least the last ten-year period, and we’ll be able to determine how useful that premium placement within an index will be. Some years you’ll get it back or break even and some years it can save your operation.”

Dilbeck says there are a few insurance products available, but PRF is by far the best when it comes to pasture and forage land.

Producers can only sign up before December 1 of a crop year. They will need to make several choices when insuring their grazing or hay production, including coverage level, index intervals, irrigated practice, productivity factor and number of acres. Your trusted ProAg crop insurance agent can help make this process as easy as possible for you with the suite of tools available to them for PRF crop insurance coverage.

“Years after a dry year like 2022, we’ll see a huge uptick in producers leveraging PRF,” reports Dilbeck. “After the severe Montana drought last year, PRF participation went up roughly 90% year over year for ProAg. It’s a great risk-management tool that should be considered on a long-term basis.”

There are three ways to maximize PRF coverage for the intervals most critical for your operation., according to Dilbeck. They are:

• Know your farm’s financial data so you can make an informed decision.

• Know when your cuttings are so you can plan for risk in those months.

• Research the historical data for your operation’s chosen map grids for additional decision-power.

“I always tell my producers that you’re already putting money out to grow hay with fertilizers and other input costs,” says Dilbeck. “It makes sense to cover that risk as much as you can.”

Beef Promotion Operating Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2023 Checkoff Plan of Work

DENVER, CO (Sept. 12, 2022) – The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will invest approximately $38.5 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing, and producer communications during fiscal 2023, subject to USDA approval.

In action at the end of its September 7-8 meeting in Denver, Colorado, the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) approved Checkoff funding for a total of 13 “Authorization Requests” – or grant proposals – for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022. The committee, which includes 10 producers from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and 10 producers from the Federation of State Beef Councils, also recommended full Cattlemen’s Beef Board approval of a budget amendment to reflect the split of funding between budget categories affected by their decisions.

Nine contractors and three subcontractors brought 14 Authorization Requests worth $48 million to the BPOC this week, nearly $9.5 million more than the funds available from the CBB budget.

“Producers are behind all the decisions that the BPOC makes during these meetings each September,” said CBB and BPOC Chair Norman Voyles, Jr. “We carefully consider every Authorization Request to determine how to use Checkoff dollars to drive beef demand and provide producers with the best possible return on their Checkoff investments.”

“As we expected, the proposals we reviewed this week were remarkably innovative, containing many thought-provoking ideas and concepts. Our challenge is balancing the budget while also distributing our limited amount of Checkoff dollars in a manner that we believe will best drive beef demand. I’d like to thank all our contractors and committee members for their hard work and careful consideration as we all work together to advance the entire beef industry.”

In the end, the BPOC approved proposals from 9 national beef organizations for funding through the FY23 Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget, as follows:

• American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture - $900,000

• Cattlemen’s Beef Board - $1,850,000

• Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research and Education - $450,000

• Meat Import Council of America / Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative - $550,000

• National Cattlemen’s Beef Association - $25,720,000

• National Institute for Animal Agriculture - $70,000

• North American Meat Institute - $360,000

• United States Cattlemen’s Association - $450,000

• United States Meat Export Federation - $8,200,000

• Broken out by budget component – as outlined by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 – the FY23 Plan of Work for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board budget includes:

• $9,400,000 for promotion programs, including beef and veal campaigns focusing on beef’s nutritional value, eating experience, convenience, and production.

• $9,000,000 for research programs focusing on pre- and post-harvest beef safety, scientific affairs, nutrition, sustainability, product quality, culinary technical expertise, and consumer perceptions.

• $7,470,000 for consumer information programs, including Northeast influencer outreach and public relations initiatives; national consumer public relations, including nutrition-influencer relations and work with primary- and secondary-school curriculum directors nationwide to get accurate information about the beef industry into classrooms of today’s youth. Additional initiatives include outreach and engagement with food, culinary, nutrition and health thought leaders; media and public relations efforts; and supply chain engagement.

• $2,630,000 for industry information programs, including dissemination of accurate information about the beef industry to counter misinformation from anti-beef groups and others, as well as funding for Checkoff participation in the annual national industrywide symposium about antibiotic use. Additional efforts in this program area include beef advocacy training and issues/crisis management and response.

• $8,200,000 for foreign marketing and education, focusing on 13 regions, representing more than 90 countries around the world.

• $1,850,000 for producer communications, which includes investor outreach using national communications and direct communications to producers and importers about Checkoff results. Elements of this program include ongoing producer listening and analysis; industry collaboration and outreach; and continued development of a publishing strategy and platform and a state beef council content hub.

The full fiscal 2023 Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget is approximately $42.7 million. Separate from the Authorization Requests, other expenses funded include $270,000 for program evaluation; $585,000 for program development; $200,000 for Checkoff communications resources; $550,000 for USDA oversight; $210,000 for state services; $270,000 supporting services and litigation; and $2.1 million for CBB administration. The fiscal 2023 program budget represents a decrease of slightly less than 1% percent, or $350,800, from the $38.9 million FY22 budget.

For more information about the Beef Checkoff and its programs, including promotion, research, foreign marketing, industry information, consumer information and safety, contact the Cattlemen’s Beef Board at 303-2209890 or visit DrivingDemandForBeef.com.

Hasty Rocky Hill Farms

Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale

Saturday, October 29, 2022 At 1 pm

County

Rd Lebanon, Kentucky 40033

Featuring 57 Performance Plus Bulls

85% Sired by breed leading AI sires

85% Homozygous Black bulls

85% Homozygous Polled bulls

95% Qualify for Kentucky CAIP Program

100% Sell with genomic enhanced EPDs

100% Tested NEGATIVE for PI & BVD 56 of 57 black and polled

• 45 of 57 bulls are bred and owed by Hasty Rocky Hill Farms in Lancaster, Kentucky – Gelbvieh & Balancer breeder for over 35 years. The vast majority of the bulls feature multi generations of AI sires on the maternal side.

Seller Contacts

Eddie Hasty ehastyGVcattle@gmail.com (859) 339-7100

Casey Wright donewrightcattle@hotmail.com (270) 692-7496

Guest Consigners

Collins Cattle Farm West Lasher

Travis Mullins Sunny Ridge Farm Valley View Farm @donewrightcattle

RUMINATE

THIS

Understanding Beef Calf Rumen Microbial Development: The Beef Starts Here

Brittany Harlow Ph.D.; Research Animal Scientist; USDA-ARS, FAPRU, Lexington, KY

It’s that time of year folks. We have finally reached the start of the Fall season where we can look forward to grass growing, cooler temperatures, long sleeves, leaves changing colors, and for some Kentucky cattlemen, calves hitting the ground. Although still less popular than spring calving, fall calving numbers have grown in the great state of Kentucky with some producers splitting calving seasons or even some that are now all fall calving. There are many advantages and disadvantages to picking a calving season. fall calving promises more consistent weather, dryer soil conditions (less mud!), improved rebreeding due to greater body condition and reduced heat stress, and typically a stronger market for selling weaned fall calves in the spring. Fall calving can also come with challenges like increased winter feed costs and lower calf weaning weights, but most agricultural economists agree that despite these challenges fall calving can be more profitable. Overall, what is most important when picking a calving season is what will work best for each individual producer within their management system to meet their goals. You can fall calve, spring calve, or calve year round. All of these systems are used and can work!

Here in Kentucky we are known for our beautiful rolling Bluegrass pastures (although mostly dominated by Tall Fescue) and our cows. Almost half of the farms in Kentucky raise beef, ranking 8th in the nation for total cows and 1st east of the Mississippi for the number of cows and total cattle (NASS, 2019). The USDA recognized the importance of beef and pastures in the state of KY and that is why the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Forage-Animal Production Research Unit was established here in 2003. Our job is to conduct research, with our University of Kentucky collaborators, that will benefit our stakeholders including Kentucky cattle producers and we have been doing so now for almost 20

years. Historically, most of our research has been focused on backgrounding cattle, but more recently we have started studying cowcalf production. Specifically, we are studying how beef calves develop on Kentucky farms and how management strategies can be utilized to better pre-weaning and post-weaning health and performance.

Background

As a microbiologist, my interest starts in the gut. How can we best utilize the gut and its’ resident microorganisms to benefit our cows and calves?

Immediately after birth, the calf’s gut starts to develop including the establishment of their microbial communities. Although, calves have an undeveloped rumen organ, their digestive anatomy when they are born is more similar to a monogastric like pigs, horses, or even humans (Figure 1).

During the first year of life the calf will develop into a fully functioning ruminant, undergoing massive changes in their gut and how they derive their nutrition. For the first several months of life, a calf depends on their mother to provide its’ nutrition in the form of milk. When a calf

suckles, the milk consumed is shuttled directly to the abomasum via the oesophageal groove, where the milk is broken down by enzymes, and nutrients are absorbed to provide the calf with protein and energy to grow. As the calf gets older, they start consuming solid feed like pasture, hay or concentrates with their mother. When solid feed is consumed by a calf, the feed directly enters the rumen, and this is what triggers ruminal development. As the calf relies more and more on solid feed for their nutrition, rumen function and its’ microbial community become essential for the health and nutrition on the developing calf. When the calf eventually is weaned and reaches adulthood, as much as 70% of energy requirements and 85% of protein requirements are met by the rumen microbial community alone. For this reason, early rumen development and establishment of the rumen microbial community is absolutely essential to the overall health and performance of beef calves pre- and post-weaning. By improving early microbial development we as producers have the opportunity to increase the productivity and health of our beef cattle. Believe it or not, very little is known on how the rumen and microbial community of a beef calf develops early in life. To learn more, our field research program at FAPRU conducted a research survey to evaluate early microbial development in beef calves.

Research Procedures

The study was conducted in the Spring and Fall of 2019 on 5 beef producer farms in Central Kentucky, the University of Kentucky Beef Unit cow herd, and the KBN, Eden Shale Farm cow herd (Figure 2). Fecal samples were collected from 41 cows and their calves over the selected farms from birth until weaning totaling almost 400 samples! The fecal samples were then processed in our field laboratory and the microbial community was profiled to document its composition, nutrient-utilization capacity, and establishment.

Fig 1: Development Stages of the Rumen

Fig 2: Research Subjects on two Producer Farms in Central Kentucky

Results and Conclusions

Microbial community establishment started immediately after birth and rapidly progressed over the first 30-days of life (Figure 3). Microbes that utilize protein components like peptides and amino acids (HAB) and probiotic bacteria (lactobacilli) started colonizing the gut in the first week of life. Microbes that utilize fiber (cellulolytics) were slower to establish and the rate of establishment was similar in calves at each farm but varied greatly between farms. Animals cannot produce enzymes to digest fiber on their own. For this reason, cattle rely solely on the fiber-utilizing microbes in the gut to convert forages to energy. All three farms were similar in that they were Fall-calving operations, but each farm had a different management system. For example, at the time of calving some farms were feeding stored forages like hay while others were utilizing rotational grazing. Based on the results of this survey, differences in management, including feeding strategies and forageavailability, could greatly impact early microbial development of beef calves. The FAPRU field team is currently conducting research to learn more about how management strategies impact early microbial development and beef calf health and performance. Stay tuned for more on this story!

Field Observations

In the next article we will talk more about results from this FAPRU field survey and discuss important considerations for cow management as we approach re-breeding. To conclude this article, I want to leave you with some interesting field observations to “ruminate on” from this study.

1. Young calves DO NOT like to donate poop for research (Figure 4). In the first week of life, especially in the first 4 days, pooping is infrequent and variable. This type of research is definitely not for the faint of heart. Hours and hours of close observation were required for each individual calf to collect these samples. Calves really like to run around with their tail raised and not actually poop. Luckily, we had outstanding producers like Mr. Mike Wilson from Anderson County, KY, who were happy to jump in and help with collections.

Despite these efforts, some calves still refused to participate…

2. Nutritional scouring was common on day 2 – 4 of life on ALL participating farms. Typically, these scouring bouts only lasted a few days and had no apparent effect on overall health or well-being of the calf. This scouring is likely related to milk let down and increased suckling by the calf paired with changes in the gut microbial community. Luckily, our presence helped with keeping the buzzards away.

3. Calves start grazing and eating solid feed within the first week of life. No surprise there for producers. BUT this behavior seemed to be learned from their mothers and dependent on cow or heifer disposition. Calves from hot headed heifers or cows that tended to leave their calves in the dust, spent less time grazing and more time searching for their mama. Maternal disposition may play an important role in early calf development.

4. Central Kentucky beef producers know their cattle inside and out. Standing out in the field waiting for calves to poop allowed

for a lot of discussion with participating producers. Most can recall individual calves from each cow over her life span and associated genetics. I came away with more research ideas from discussions with KY cattle producers in the middle of their pastures than most scientific meetings I have attended. All of these interactions reinforce that our KY cattlemen are passionate about the beef industry, and they truly care about the health and well-being of their cattle, and the quality of the product they are producing.

Fig 3: Rumen Microbial Development on Three Producer Farms

Fig 4: (a) Calf with no interest in submitting fecal sample. (b) Mr. Mike Wilson, producer in Anderson County, Kentucky, expertly collecting a fecal sample.

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We s t Ke n t u ck y S e l e c t B r e d H e i f e r S a l e For more information contact: Kevin Laurent, University of Kentucky (270) 625 0994 Mark Barnett, KY-TN Livestock Market (931) 624-7176 Tom Barnett, KY TN Livestock Market (931) 624 7376 Kentucky Tennessee Livestock Market Guthrie, Kentucky All heifers qualify for both Kentucky and Tennessee Cost Share Programs See these heifers at: www.kyheifersale.com Selling 250 Spring Calving Bred Heifers All heifers are guaranteed bred to bulls with genomic enhanced EPDs and have met stringent requirements for health, quality and pelvic measurements. Sponsored by the Univ. of Kentucky and Univ. of Tennessee Cooperative Extension Service Saturday, November 19, 2022 12:00 Noon Central Time “Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities” October 17, 2022 Kentucky Beef Conference 6:30 Welcome & Sponsor Recognition Beau Neal, Fayette County Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent Extension Remarks Dr. Laura Stephenson, UK Extension Director Beef Outlook & Marketing Strategies Patrick Linnell, Cattle FAX Analyst 7:15 Asian Longhorned Tick Concerns Dr. Michelle Arnold, UK Ruminant Extension Veterinarian 7:45 Feeding Drought Stressed Forages Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, UK Beef Nutrition Extension Specialist 8:05 Breeding Stock Investment in Expanding Beef Market Dr. Kenny Burdine, UK Beef Economic Extension Specialist 8:30 Adjourn In person Fayette County Extension Office 1140 Harry Sykes Way Lexington, Kentucky 40504 5:30 6:30 Registration, visit sponsors, meal $10 registration fee RSVP by October 10th to Fayette County Extension Office 859.257.5582 Zoom Webinar –FREE Registration Link: https://forms.gle/ JfvpRkiQ1Hx9ocnh9 Once registration is complete, you will be emailed the zoom link. Allison Charolais Charolais Breeder Since 1962 • Bulls Available Ø BBURKS@KYCATTLE.ORG (859) 382-4303

A special highlight of this offering will be several calves sired by the popular BJ Surpass! Including this Surpass daughter born 1/24/22 who sells along with her dam by Sydgen Enhance who is rebred to S Architect.

An excellent set of fall cow/calf pairs will be selling, including this daughter of the Pathfinder® Sire, Basin Payweight 1682 – She sells with a calf at side sired by Baldridge Movin On.

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Isn’t That What We Are All Working Toward?

Greg Hanes Cattlemen’s Beef Board CEO

It’s no secret that we are in challenging times right now. Inflation is unsettling the economy, droughts and floods are causing havoc throughout the U.S., supply-chain issues and other lingering impacts from COVID have no doubt caused many Americans – beef producers included –to have to reassess their business, financial and personal decisions.

Organizations are not insulated from this, and in fact, find it more necessary than ever to take a hard look at themselves.

Here at CBB, we strive for constant evolution and change, especially when it leads to more effective and efficient programs. That “hard look” for continuous improvement happens frequently here, especially since Checkoff programs are reviewed and funded annually.

Yet there are times that call for further introspection, and this year we were able to create and begin execution of a five-year strategic plan for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

A strategic plan is vitally important as it sets clear direction and identifies priorities for the organization.

I am particularly proud of the opening statement of the CBB’s plan, outlining a simple and encompassing belief

for our organization:

We believe that: The beef industry working together will make beef the most popular protein for everyday use in the U.S. and globally based on the taste, convenience, nutritional benefits, value, safety, and versatility of beef

At the end of the day, isn’t that what we are all working toward?

There have been several recent calls in the ag trade media for beef industry collaboration and support; several organizations have laid out common ground upon which to strengthen our industry relations with one another. Nowhere is that more important than in the producer- and importer-led Cattlemen’s Beef Board, and it is very present in the newly-outlined plan. As always, we continue to encourage your dialogue, questions, and feedback on the Beef Checkoff and its programs, and will continue to lead and support collaboration, communication, and transparency within arguably one of the best industries in the world.

To view the newly adopted five-year CBB Strategic Plan, visit DrivingDemandForBeef.com.

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North American International Livestock Exposition Premium Book Now Available

The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) premium book and online entries are now available. NAILE is the largest all-breed, purebred livestock exposition in the world. The expo features ten divisions of livestock competition.

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TAMME VALLEY BLACKCAP 140

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MYERS BLACKBIRD M551

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July Beef Exports Stay on $1 Billion/Month Pace; Pork Exports Remain Below Last Year

U.S. beef exports again topped $1 billion in July and posted the fifth-largest volume on record, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports remained below last year’s pace but continued to gain strength in Colombia and the Caribbean and stayed above year-ago for Mexico, the leading destination for U.S. pork.

Japan leads broad-based growth in July beef exports

July beef exports totaled 126,567 metric tons (mt), up 3% year-over-year. Export value increased 7% to $1.006 billion, topping the $1 billon mark for the sixth time this year. Japan was the pacesetter for July exports, but volumes also increased year-over-year to China/Hong Kong, the ASEAN region, Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. July exports eased for South Korea and Taiwan, though both markets remain on a record pace in 2022.

For the first seven months of the year, beef exports increased 6% from a year ago to 870,471 mt, valued at $7.2 billion (up 29%). Export value per head of fed slaughter is on a record pace at more than $475.00.

"Global demand for U.S. beef continues to be amazingly resilient, especially at the retail level,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "Exports have also benefited from a partial rebound in the foodservice sector but this recovery is far from complete. Many markets are still gradually easing COVID restrictions, so we definitely see opportunities for further growth as restaurant traffic returns. Headwinds remain formidable, however, including further devaluation of key trading partner currencies."

Pork exports to Mexico continue to outpace yearago, and at higher prices

U.S. pork exports reached 208,095 mt in July, down 6% from a year ago, valued at $625 million (down 5%). For January through July, exports were 17% below last year at just under 1.5 million mt, valued at $4.24 billion (down 15%).

Exports to Mexico, the top market for U.S. pork, remain well above last year’s record pace, while shipments to Colombia, the Caribbean and South Korea continued to strengthen in July. Exports to China/Hong Kong were lower than a year ago in July but posted the largest volume since September and the highest value in 12 months.

“July pork exports were below last year but the

good news is that the per-unit price of U.S. pork is trending higher in the international marketplace, even while our major competitors’ prices remain below year-ago levels,” Halstrom said. “Export value per head in July reached $67.10, nearly even with year-ago and the highest since last July. We are also encouraged by the recent trendlines for pork variety meat exports, especially to China and Mexico.”

Lamb muscle cut exports trend higher July exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts reached 161 mt, up from just 49 mt last year. Export value totaled $949,000, up 58% from a year ago. Through July, muscle cut exports increased 94% to 1,282 mt, valued at $7.7 million (up 82%). Led by the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands Antilles, exports to the Caribbean more than doubled from a year ago to 645 mt (up 110%) and increased 99% in value to $4.7 million.

Exports also increased to Mexico, the Philippines and Panama.

A detailed summary of January-July red meat export results, including market-specific highlights, is available from the USMEF website.

For questions, please email Joe Schuele or call 303-547-0030.

Government Needs to Get Out of the Way ; Allow Auction Owners to Drive Packing Capacity and Competition

Op-Ed from Livestock Marketing Association

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (August 18, 2022) - The cattle industry and policy makers agree - we need to increase U.S. beef packing capacity, ideally by adding new competitors to the marketplace.

Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) is leading the charge to change an outdated rule keeping livestock auction owners from investing in small and regional packing plants. LMA is pleased to have great congressional partners in this effort, as well as the support of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), and many state-based groups.

Livestock auction markets like mine are in the competition business. We take pride in working for our consignors. It is our job to get the top dollar possible for the livestock our customers trust us to sell on their behalf.

However, auctions can only serve the best interests of their consignors if there are multiple active bidders and buyers. Many auctions have fewer packer buyers than they once did due to consolidation. Some want to be part of the solution by investing in new or expanding packing facilities that can compete with other packers for livestock. In an auction, an additional buyer drives up competition and prices.

Unfortunately, an outdated regulation (9 CFR 201.67) prohibits livestock auction owners from owning or investing in meat packing businesses.

In today’s environment, where the cattle industry is focused on wanting more packers to compete for livestock, we should be encouraging investment in packing businesses, not prohibiting it. In fact, the public nature and competitive environment of a livestock auction makes procurement of cattle through the auction an ideal scenario, although unlikely to be the main procurement method for a large fed cattle plant.

The Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act (H.R. 7438) would help address this issue by allowing livestock auction owners to also own or invest in small and regional packing plants. The Senate companion bill is the Expanding Local Meat Processing Act (S.4709).

To understand why the prohibition existed in the first place, you need to think about the industry structure at the time. The Packer & Stockyards (P&S) Act, which turned 100 last year, dates back to the terminal stockyards of the early 1900s and issues with a lack of separation between buying

and selling agents in this environment. At that time, many producers sent livestock to terminal markets on railcars and were not present when they were sold. The market agency selling on commission in that context was an individual who represented livestock to the big packers, who all had slaughter facilities located alongside the terminal stockyards.

This predates the current, transparent method of selling livestock at an open auction to the highest bidder. Unlike the terminal stockyards of days gone by, sales at livestock auctions today occur in a sale ring with an auctioneer driving price up between competing bidders. Sellers and buyers both attend the auction and can raise concerns if they do not like the way the sale is conducted. In many cases, these auctions are also broadcast online for viewers and recorded.

In addition to the natural openness an auction environment brings, P&S Act regulations, such as 9 CFR 201.56, further require transparency. For example, P&S mandates livestock auctions sell consigned livestock openly, at the highest bid. The same regulation also requires disclosure to the seller when someone affiliated with the auction buys livestock out of the sale. These rules function well in other classes of livestock, such as calves or feeder cattle, where it is common for a buying business to have a common owner with the livestock auction and often the result is higher prices for the consignors.

Allowing livestock auction owners to invest in small and regional packers will create competition against large packing entities that already exist. Large packers will not be able to operate livestock auction markets as there is a threshold cutoff of 2,000 head of cattle/day or 700,000 head of cattle/year in the bills. This would keep the prohibition so livestock auctions could not invest in a packer greater than that size. At the same time, the current 10 largest beef packers would be prohibited from also owning or investing in an auction market. We’ve had LMA member auctions interested in owning local locker plants or being part of an investment group building a regional facility. In the case of a regional facility, we need to allow it to be a large enough scale to be successful. Balancing this with the desire to keep the largest packers from growing in market share is how the threshold cutoff was developed.

At the end of the day, perhaps the fundamental question is whether the government should control who is permitted to invest in packing capacity. Under current rules, USDA excludes a large group of knowledgeable and passionate

livestock industry participants from creating more competition for slaughter livestock. I know many livestock auction owners who would rather not get involved in the packing industry, which is fine. The problem is they do not currently have a right to choose how to invest their funds and knowledge back into the industry.

It does not seem right that this prohibition exists and, at the same time, packers can currently buy and shut down livestock auctions and then use the facility as a buying station, which is a fixed facility drop off point for livestock in the country. These buying stations lack the benefit of a transparent auction setting to arrive at true price discovery. Producers are paid what that packer is willing to give that day, and that price becomes less competitive over time. Packers are also able to buy packing facilities from others and continue to operate them as packing plants, subject to DOJ review, whether or not these bills pass.

Regardless of how you feel about it, packers today can also legally own, finance, or align themselves with feed yards. However, a livestock auction owner or manager cannot own or invest in a packing facility regardless of size, scope, if the auction owner is active in packer business decision making, or if the livestock processed are procured at the auction business or not. In one situation, we had a LMA member auction that also had a local meat marketing business. They were having cattle custom harvested in an unrelated facility and selling the meat. USDA went after them, claiming the definition of packer is so broad that they were in violation of the rule having these two complementary businesses. In that case, the family had to separate the two businesses.

You can’t tell me that doesn’t feel like a double standard, with livestock auctions being subject to a different set of rules than other businesses in our industry.

This bill may not fix every issue the industry has with packing capacity and fed cattle marketing. It does not claim to. However, it is a big step in the right direction. In today’s environment, where the cattle industry is focused on additional shackle space and wanting more packers to compete for livestock, the benefit of new packers entering the marketplace far outweigh the risks contemplated by the dated regulation currently on the books.

Anyone with questions or ideas about these bills is encouraged to reach out to Livestock Marketing Association Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs and Legal, Chelsea Good, at cgood@lmaweb.com or 816-305-9540.

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Relating Farm Financial Terms to Real Life

Kayla Brashears KFBM Area Extension Specialist

A producer that works with any type of lending institution may hear their lender use words like liquidity, solvency, and profitability. Their banker may tell them their Term Debt Coverage Ratio is less than 1:1, so the new farm purchase is off the table. A producer may know that their Debt-to-Worth is good or their Current Ratio is bad. However, oftentimes there is a disconnect between paper ratios and the daily farm operation. Outlined below are five pillars of financial health and their effect on daily operations.

Liquidity

Liquidity is the ability to get your hands on cash quickly. It is your ability to meet financial obligations as they come due by generating enough cash for family living expenses, taxes, and making debt payments on time. Ratios that are used to measure liquidity include working capital and current ratio, which both measure the ability to meet short-term obligations without disruption to the business.

A farm that does not have strong enough liquidity feels the effects of timing more than a farm that is better situated. A farm with limited liquidity may need a short-term operating line increase at year-end to bridge the gap until January grain sales. Outstanding accounts at suppliers can mark more moderate liquidity problems because there isn't cash on hand to satisfy the balance. Late or non-existent equipment payments, bouncing payroll checks, and cash infusions from unlikely sources like family or retirement accounts are other markers of severe liquidity problems.

A farm with strong liquidity will have cash available for expansion, such as new land or

equipment. The farm may not need to utilize an operating loan and may opt to use cash for large purchases. Another indicator of a strong liquidity position is freedom within grain marketing decisions – the farm is not beholden to cash flow stressors.

Solvency

Solvency is the overall health of the business. If everything was sold tomorrow – could all debts be paid? Two measures used to calculate solvency are Net Worth (assets minus liabilities) and Debt/ Equity which compares the bank’s ownership to your ownership. A ratio of over 100% means the bank has more invested in the business than the operation does. This is common in beginning farmers that have not had the opportunity to grow their Net Worth. A farm with solvency problems may have issues borrowing money or refinancing. A farm with a strong solvent position will have more flexibility to handle profitability or liquidity problems.

Profitability

Profitability is the difference between the value of produced goods and the expenses used to produce them. Net Farm Income is the hallmark measure of profitability; it is what the owner’s time, energy, and money generates. An operation with probability problems may have wasteful spending either on the farm or on family living. They may have old, unreliable equipment, or poor family labor efficiency. The farm may be cropping ground that is poor performance or in general have subpar production practices.

Repayment Capacity

Repayment capacity is your ability to pay your

The Agricultural Economics Department publishes the Economic and Policy Update towards the end of each month. Each issue features articles written by extension personnel within the department and other experts across the country.

Topics will vary greatly but regularly include marketing, management, policy, natural resources, and rural development issues. If you would like to recieve this newsletter by email, please contact Kenny Burdine at kburdine@uky.edu

debts on time. A very common measure used to calculate this is Term Debt Coverage Ratio, which divides term payments against business income. If the term debt coverage ratio is less than 1, it means the farm did not generate enough income to service its debt. A farm experiencing repayment capacity problems may sell grain at a less optimal time to make the annual farm real estate payment. They may borrow money, sell equipment, or leave a supplier bill outstanding in order to make scheduled payments.

Financial Efficiency

Financial efficiency is the measure of how effectively your business uses assets to generate income. It is less likely to show an exact manifestation, but farms with poor financial efficiency will experience liquidity, repayment capacity, and solvency problems. One of the more common measures of financial efficiency is Interest Expense/Gross Farm Returns. If this number is 7-10% or higher, many operations will experience difficulty meeting cash flow needs. A ratio this high indicates the farm has a lot of outstanding debt, and in some instances, may be experiencing very high operating interest rates.

Every farming operation, every year, is unique. A farm with strong liquidity this year may not be as well off the following year, as 2022 has taught us with skyrocketing input prices. Conversely, farms experiencing repayment capacity problems or solvency concerns one year may course-correct and improve their financial position the next year. If you are a producer, working with a trusted source like your lender or KFBM specialist, can help you understand financial measures and their unique relation to the farm.

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You can also view current and past issues online at https://bit.ly/2PoHsZj

Co-editors: Kenny Burdine, Alison Davis, and Greg Halich

Flooded Eastern Kentucky Farmers Receive Hay, Feed, Supplies to Get Back On Their Feet

Aimee Nielson University of Kentucky Agricultural Communications Specialist

Just after midnight on July 28, Doug “DJ” Fugate got a call from neighbors that the waters were rising. The farmer said he’s had a few problems with flooding in previous years, so he knew he needed to check the barn.

He rushed to get the horses out and moved as much hay to the loft as he could before the water rapidly began to rise. Water was already up two feet into the barn as he drove the trailered horses to higher ground.

“Water’s been in my barn five times total since I’ve been old enough to keep track,” he said.

“Most time, it wasn’t that bad, two to three feet maybe, but this time, it got up to my loft.”

Fugate raises Hereford cattle on the family farm that his grandfather bought in the early 1970s. The cattle went to higher ground and escaped the flood, but rising water took the barn, fencing and all the hay he had stored to feed the livestock.

“Several of my neighbors didn’t fare so well,” he said. “They had to cut fences to let their cattle loose. Some cows, goats and horses drowned. People lost their lives. It just came so fast; you didn’t know what to do.”

After the initial search and rescue phase, agents from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service put boots on the ground to assess the community needs and mobilize efforts to respond. Agriculture and natural resources extension agents Charles May, from Perry County, and Reed Graham, from Breathitt County, took the lead finding a place to store the many donations that began to come in for flooded farmers. They joined forces with other agents and the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association to reach farmers in Breathitt, Perry, Knott and Letcher Counties.

“It was really hard at first because there was no electricity in most of the county,” Graham said. “We reached out to farmers and then to donors. People wanted to bring supplies almost immediately, but people were still cleaning up and going to funerals for loved ones. Now we are four weeks out and people are ready to start getting their life back in order.”

Donations started pouring in from across the United States—hay and feed, fencing supplies, tools and other items—and agents needed a dry storage facility with easy access for farmers and donors to store it all. Graham sought help from

Mountain Cattlemen’s Association president Arch Sebastian. Together they secured a warehouse in Jackson, large enough for tractortrailers to drive in and unload.

“I was flooded in for about three days at my farm,” Sebastian said. “I knew what was transpiring, but we didn’t really know the magnitude of everything for a few days.

Agriculture is a big part of Eastern Kentucky and a lot of people forget that. You’d be surprised how many people raise goats, and how many people have chickens, cattle, horses and hogs. We’ve been lucky enough that the industrial board let us use this building and the water district has been kind enough to help. It’s a great place to organize this effort.”

The agents distributed a needs assessment survey to farmers to help determine their needs. The survey enabled agents to help hundreds of farmers thus far.

“The system has been very successful,” May said. “It helps us make sure we’re getting the feed and supplies out to people who need them. A lot of extension agents have pitched in and we’ve relied heavily on our counterparts in Western Kentucky who went through this back in December. Their advice has been very helpful, and they have called to tell me to calm down, [and that] it’s going to be chaotic.”

Gary Lawson owns a trucking company in London. He transported hay donations from farmers in Laurel County. Farmers there got a lot of rain during the same time as the catastrophic flooding in Appalachia, but they fared well and

Flood waters reached the loft of Fugate's barn. Photo provided by Doug Fugate

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50

didn’t suffer the same losses.

“We were fortunate we didn't get the flooding like they got here,” Lawson said. “About the closest that I can say I could relate to it was back in 2017, our home burned. It was a total loss. It's a big loss either way, whether it's flood or fire. A lot of folks pitched in and helped clean up. You just try to pass it on; you have to help your fellow man. If the shoe were on the other foot, folks up in here would do the same thing.”

Kentucky’s RJ Corman Railroad Group has dozens of employees in Eastern Kentucky. Because of this, they've been involved in many relief efforts, but they also have a heart for farmers. Their farm division in Jessamine County recently donated several truckloads of hay to flooded farmers. Farm manager Marc Preston said helping others is fundamental to the company’s culture.

“One thing I’ve learned being the farm manager for RJ Corman for over a decade is that this company cares for the employees, the community and for people that need a helping hand,” Preston said. “Our founder Rick Corman had a great passion for farming, and I know that this is something he would want to be a part of.”

Even with all the outside help, May and Graham fear that some farmers will not be able to continue with their former way of life.

“We’re not going to be able to make everyone whole again; there’s just no way,” May said. “If we can get them through this winter and get them back on their feet a little bit next year, they may continue, but we know we are going to lose some farmers. It’s just too much. At their age and the expenses of getting back, they are just not going to keep on and that’s a shame.”

Fugate said he will continue farming and he is grateful for the donated hay. However, he’s also worried about his fellow farmers. He was initially hesitant to accept the donations, but then realized how critical they will be moving forward.

“I didn’t lose my house, but my hay and hay ground has been destroyed. We aren’t going to be able to get a third cut this year,” he said. “That kind of thing has a lot of farmers up here not knowing what to do. Where are they going to get hay? The places we bought hay from were destroyed, too.”

Graham said helping the farmers and the community sends him home each day with a sense of hope.

“We are able to take things from people who want to give to people who need them,” he said. “I have been able to help make a connection between donors and recipients. Having this warehouse to store things that we might have otherwise had to turn away has made all the difference. Every night, I go home refreshed because I feel like I really helped people that day.”

Agricultural and natural resources extension agent Reed Graham unloads donated hay in Jackson. Photo by Matt Barton, UK Agricultural Communications Specialist.

TREAT BRD

with the same active ingredient as the name brand.

Norfenicol® (fl orfenicol) is a fi rst-choice, broad-spectrum antibiotic for control and treatment of BRD. Built to keep cattle moving through the chute, it delivers benefi ts the name brand can’t:

• Less viscous and more syringeable

• Convenient plastic bottles

• Shorter Sub-Q withdrawal prior to slaughter

veterinarian

®

orfenicol (florfenicol)

Observe label directions and withdrawal times. Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. Not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment or within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which may result in trim loss at slaughter. See product labeling for full product information, including adverse reactions. The Norbrook logo and Norfenicol are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited. Nuflor is a registered trademark of Merck Animal Health. 0622-591-I02A

14-Year-Old Recovers From Severely Broken Ankle To Show Reserve Championship Steer At State Fair

Chris Aldridge Kentucky Ag News

In late February, Addison “Addy” Arnett was preparing for a cattle show. The 14-year-old 4-H member was helping her dad and brother load cattle panels, or metal sections of temporary fencing, into a trailer on the family farm in Montgomery County.

When Addy grabbed a 60-pound panel on top of a stack, six of them came tumbling down. Three hundred sixty pounds of steel narrowly missed her 9-year-old brother but landed on her ankle, breaking it in three places.

“Luckily, my little brother moved so he wouldn’t get squashed,” Addy said. “I fell down and twisted it (ankle) really bad. The hospital told us it looked like I had been in a high-speed car crash.”

The local hospital in Mount Sterling bandaged her ankle and transferred her to the University of Kentucky’s Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, where the bone was popped back into place. One week and three surgeries later, Addy was sent home in a wheelchair.

“I was crying all the time because I couldn’t see my babies for a week,” she said of her four show steers.

Addy was upset that she was unable to show her prized steer, Spanky, in the Beef Expo in early March. So her best friend, Haley, showed it for her.

“I love my steers, and I love showing them, and it broke my heart that I couldn’t get in a show ring,” Addy said. “Right now in my foot, I have metal plates and screws. I didn’t think I’d be able to show this year.”

Addy was unable to put any weight on her ankle for eight weeks. She missed a month of school until she was fitted for crutches in April.

“Her doctor thought she should take a break from cattle,” said Addy’s mom, Rebecca. “He was afraid she might get hurt again, but she doesn’t listen very well.”

“I looked at that doctor and said, ‘There’s nothing on this earth that will stop me (from showing),’” Addy said. “I didn’t care what they said.”

In June, four months after the accident, Addy made her return to the show ring in a walking boot at a district competition in Morehead.

“She had only started walking (without crutches) that week, but she was dead set on being able to show,” Rebecca remembered.

Addy won the grand championship with Spanky, qualifying her to compete on the iconic green shavings in Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky State Fair.

“I praise Jesus every single day because not being able to go to State Fair would’ve hurt me so bad,”

she said.

Addy qualified for the fifth annual Championship Drive on Aug. 25, where the best cattle from 4-H and FFA members are judged under the bright lights. As she guided Spanky around the show ring, her friend Julia gave her vocal pointers from the sideline to improve her chances.

Addy broke down crying on judge Ryan Rash’s shoulder when he chose her and Spanky as the Reserve Champion Market Steer. She had been through six months of rehab and was still doing physical therapy every day.

“I was honestly shocked,” Addy said. “I had worked so hard to get there, I started bawling. All those days over the summer, my work had paid off.” Addy wasn’t the only one with tears in her eyes.

“We were all emotional about it, everybody that knew what she had gone through,” Rebecca said.

“The livestock community was very supportive when everybody found out what happened.”

“I’ve had so many people helping me along,” Addy added. “Julia and Haley are like older sisters to me, and my mom and dad – without all of them, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.”

Addy Arnett broke down crying on judge Ryan Rash’s shoulder when he chose her prize steer, Spanky, as the Market Reserve Champion at the Championship Drive during the Kentucky State Fair. After breaking her ankle in three places six months ago, the 14-year-old endured three surgeries and months of rehab to work her way back into the show ring. (Kentucky Venues photo)

You can’t tell by looking.

One

One

One

Alex

706.338.8733

Alex

706.338.8733

Look

One

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 CITY

BUYER’S NAME

ADDRESS ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP

STATE ZIP

SELLER’S SIGNATURE

BUYER’S SIGNATURE

PERSON REMITTING FORM

SELLER

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

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 05810093. 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.

Lexington Horse Sale

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Tack 10:30 AM Horses 2:00 PM

Millennium Longhorn Sale

Friday, Oct. 21 & Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022

Blue Ribbon Bred Heifer Sale

Thursday, November 3, 2022 6:30 PM

Boyd Myers Feeder Influence Sale

Monday, November 28, 2022

KY Hereford Association Sale Saturday, December 3, 2022

Profit Thru Performance Feeder Sale

Monday, December 5, 2022

Lexington CPH Sale Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5:30 PM

Richmond Richmond CPH Sale

Tuesday, December 6, 2022 5:00 PM

East Mt. Sterling Gateway Regional Bred Heifer Sale Friday, October 28, 2022 6:30 PM

South Stanford Next Generation Bred Heifer Sale Saturday, November 19, 2022 1:00 PM

KY Certified Hereford Feeder Influence Sale Thursday, December 1, 2022 10:30 AM

Maysville

Herd Builder Bred Heifer Sale

Saturday, October 29, 2022 2:00 PM

Stone Gate Feeder Sale TBA December

Blue Grass Regional Marketplace 4561 Iron Works Pike Lexington, Kentucky 40511

Fall Farm Day

Saturday, October 8, 2022 10:00 AM 2:00 PM

KY Proud Vendor Market Food Trucks

Trick or Treat at the Yards Monday, October 31, 2022 6:30 PM

Seven Locations Throughout the Commonwealth

Albany Campbellsville East-Mt. Sterling Lexington Maysville Richmond South-Stanford

Heifer Sale Season at Blue

at

Heifer and Cow Slaughter in 2022

Josh Maples Mississippi State University

The number of heifers in the feedlot mix is something to watch.

Increased cull cow slaughter and number of heifers in the feedlot mix have been key factors to watch in 2022. Each have implications for beef production and cattle supplies both this year and moving forward.

Beef cow slaughter has been stronger throughout 2022. During August, beef cow slaughter was up about 9 percent above a year ago which is about 24,000 head higher while dairy cow slaughter was estimated to be down 1,600 head. Year to date, beef cow slaughter is about 13 percent above 2021.

Regionally, cow slaughter in the Southern Plains is much higher than in 2021 where drought has been a major factor. Region 6 consists of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas and beef cow slaughter in this region is about 30 percent higher year-to-date in 2022 than in 2021. That is more than 150,000 head higher than a year ago in this region. These are very high levels of cow slaughter and even surpass the high slaughter totals seen during the 2011 drought.

Heifer slaughter during August is estimated about 10 percent above August 2021. There was one additional business day in August 2022 which accounts for some of the increase. Meanwhile, steer slaughter was less than one percent above August 2021. Heifer dressed weights are up one pound compared to last year while steer weights are even with a year ago.

The increase in heifer slaughter and dressed weights are contributing to higher beef production totals than were previously expected. The projections in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report are for a slight increase in beef production during 2022 above 2021 which is a shift from the projection at the start of the year of a three percent decline. Higher beef production from heifers is a key driver.

While increased cow and heifer slaughter totals are contributing to higher beef production this year, the longer-run implications are tighter supplies. The higher slaughter totals imply fewer cows and fewer replacement heifers to produce calves. The current WASDE projection for 2023 beef production would be about six percent below the current 2022 projection. Price expectations are reflecting these tighter supplies. Live cattle futures prices for 2023 contract months are currently trading between $155 to $161 while Feeder Cattle futures prices for 2023 contract months are trading between $185 and $200 per cwt. It appears likely that there will be some attractive pricing opportunities for cattle producers.

MACHINERY-HAY-TRUCK

SATURDAY OCTOBER 8th 10:00 AM

LOCATION: 4600 HARPERS RIDGE ROAD, Mt. Sterling, KY From the By Pass take Hwy 713 South (Spencer Rd) 5 miles, turn left onto Harpers Ridge Road.

TRACTORS/MACHINERY: JD 6420 c/h/a, 4 wd, w/640 loader bucket, forks and spear, 6585 hrs., 3 remotes; NH 6610S 2 wd, open station, 2109 hrs., 6 weights (very clean); Kubota L3400 HST 4 wd, 882 hrs.; Farmall Super A w/cult and side dresser; NH LX 485 Skid Steer, solid tires; JD 450 M silage special hay roller, net wrap and preservative tank (like new); 2018 20x6.8 Gooseneck stock trailer; Kuhn GMD 280 8 ft. disc mower (like new); New Idea 5408 disc mower (complete rebuild); HayBuster 107C drill, small seed box (3950 acres); Land Pride APS 1586 3 pt. seeder; Land Pride FDR 1672 3 pt. finish mower; Krone 4 basket hay tedder; EZ Go Golf cart w/bed; JD 7000 4 row narrow corn planter, markers, fertilizer & insect boxes; New Idea 2 row narrow corn picker, 12 roll bed; 2 Rhino bush hogs; 15 & 20 ft., 200 gallon 3 pt. boom sprayer w/foam marker (like new); New Idea 3718 manure spreader; Durabilt 24 ft. HD chain drag on cart; Walton 8 wheel v rake; NH 256 hay rake; Bradco 408 skid mount backhoe; IH 1250 grinder mixer, sheller; Artsway 425 A grinder (parts); IH 475 Hydro Fold 18 ft. disc; 10 ft Tuffline lift disc; Honda 300 4 wheeler; MF 120 hay baler; MF 2 row corn planter; Ford 3x14 plows 3 pt.; IH 4 16” plows; post hole auger; 7 ft. grader blade; 2 shank ripper; 55 gallon boom spray; Agric 6 ft. tiller; Mechanical 1 row tob setter (near new); Shaver HD10 post driver; 4 gravity wagons; Kubota 3 pt. seed/ fert. spreader; Snowco 18 ft. hay elevator; 2 16 ft. corn elevators (1 gas/1 elec); 16 ft. tag a long utility trailer; 2 Apache creep feeders; 4 mineral feeders; 500 gallon fuel tank; 3 20 ft. flat bed wagons; large turbine fan (3 phase); Man basket for a fork lift; 10 JD front weights (new); numerous 225 275 gallon totes; very large amount of 16 ft. HD metal roofing/siding; 4 dock floats; John Boat w/trailer; 2 pallets of concrete block; 1 pallet of brick; Lumber: 100+ 2x4’s; 2x6’s; 2x8’s; 2x12’s; dressed oak and pine; dog kennel; numerous crank out windows; 4 wagon loads of small farm & construction related items. Several more farm items.

Five Tips for Soil Sampling Pastures

Beth Reynolds and Erika Lundy Iowa State University

“Man - despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments - owes his existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains.” This quote from Paul Harvey captures a baseline understanding for all involved in agriculture. Though we recognize the importance, soil fertility and health often get put on the back burner as cattlemen juggle day to day tasks caring for their land and livestock. However, to improve pasture health, productivity, and longevity, an effective first step is to get a baseline understanding of soil fertility. Soil sampling cropland and hay acres is fairly commonplace, but pasture poses extra challenges due to topography and grazing utilization patterns. Here are five tips to help you collect representative soil samples of pasture to improve forage productivity through the soil.

1. Plan ahead.

TERMS: Cash or Approved Check Day of Sale. All items sold “as is-where is”.

Announcements Day Of Sale Take Precedence Over Printed, Electronic or Verbal Advertising.

Identify a certified soil testing laboratory that completes the desired analyses. Many laboratories will send collection bags and shipping materials and some cover shipping costs. Utilize the expertise of the lab and/ or your area extension specialist to identify the appropriate analysis package to best meet your goals and track soil parameters over time. For example, if the primary goal is to use soil tests to make fertilization decisions, soil pH, organic matter (OM), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are critical measurements. If you have some carbon or microbial activity related goals, other soil test packages may be more appropriate. Establish the depth soil cores will be taken at and make sure the lab is aware of core depth at submission. Selected core depths, whether 6 inch or 2-3 inch should be selected based on measured parameters and what guidelines are being used for subsequent fertilization decisions.

2. Make a game plan.

NOTE: This is an exceptional line of farm machinery. Almost every piece has been shed kept and is well maintained. Agents will be on site Friday, October 7th, 1:00 6:00 pm. Viewing other times by appointment. See www.mclaa.com or www.auctionzip.com for more photos and information and our real estate listings.

Consider how the soil test results will be utilized to make management decisions. Rather than collecting a whole pasture sample, consider taking samples based on similar management zones or slopes, paddocks, or grid sampling. For areas inaccessible to fertilize, don’t sample. Other areas to avoid sampling include within 150feet of limestone roads where road dust may influence the soil and areas of concentration like feeding areas, livestock waterers, or loafing areas where significantly higher levels of manure and urine are deposited.

3. Collect a representative sample. Start with clean sampling materials. Walk in a random, zigzag pattern in the sampling area and take 10-15 cores. Discard and re-sample a core if it looks or feels significantly different from other cores in the composite sample. Remove the grass tuft on top, and compile the cores in a plastic bucket. Thoroughly mix, and then use the mixed cores to fill the soil sample submission bag to the appropriate level. Each soil sample bag submitted should represent 10 acres or less. To speed up the process, draw a line at desired core depth on the soil probe so a ruler will not be needed to maintain consistency.

4. Prioritize limiting nutrients. With high input prices, it may not be economical to address all nutrient shortfalls in one year, so assess limiting nutrients and prioritize which nutrient applications will provide the most return. The first priority to address is soil pH. Grass-based pastures will tolerate a wider pH range (6.0 - 7.0) while legume-mixed pastures require a minimum pH of 6.5. Legumes have the greatest response to improved pH, so lime application is necessary to increase or introduce legumes into pasture. Correcting soil pH in pasture also favors natural introduction of new grass and legume species. While N is often the first nutrient applied because of the obvious yield response, inadequate levels of P and K can be limiting factors in yield boosts. Correcting P and K from low or very levels to optimum level can improve pasture yield by 65% and 80%, respectively, but application above optimum level typically doesn’t warrant an additional forage yield.

5. Be consistent.

Ideally, sample each pasture every 3-5 years to monitor changes in soil fertility and/or health. Collect at a consistent time of year to reduce the variations driven by environment. For example, the same area sampled in the fall will look different in the spring. Avoid sampling in wet or very dry conditions. Time soil sampling to occur 6-months before desired fertilization to get the best return on investment from the fertilizer input. There are apps available to help track and summarize soil changes over time, but a pen and paper or spreadsheet will do the trick as well.

Adding a week’s worth of grazing can save the cow herd approximately 6% in harvested feed expenses. With high stored feed costs, there is value in prioritizing soil fertility and subsequent forage productivity.

PLEASE

THE

WOULD

RENEWAL

COUNTY DUES

Dues are $30 except for the counties listed below.

Allen................................$40 Anderson........................$25 Bourbon..........................$20 Boyle

Bullitt

Butler

Franklin

Highlands

(Boyd, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence,

Martin)

Hopkins

Laurel..............................$35 Lincoln

Louisville Area

Mountain........................$25

(Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Morgan, Owsley, Perry & Wolfe)

Oldham

(Jefferson,

Spencer) Magoffin

Menifee

Taylor

Twin Lakes

Warren

Wayne

Whitley

Woodford

Another season is upon us and as it happens to be my favorite season. Fall brings a crispness to the air and a desire to surround yourself with a good hoodie, family, and your favorite comfort food. Thankfully beef is perfect for any occasion all year round.

TAILGATE TREASURES

Football fans across the Commonwealth start their fall season with the hunt for the perfect tailgate dish. While burgers may be at the top of the list in the beginning of the tailgate season, as the temperatures change chili cravings set in. These classic dishes can be packed full of flavor; however KBC encourages consumers to think outside of the box and have fun showcasing beef in a variety of ways at their tailgate gathering.

Spicy Portuguese Beef Kabobs provide a spicy kick on those cool game days and Cheesy Hot Brown Skillet Dip will show up for the win even if your favorite team doesn’t. Hosting a morning tailgate? Grilled steak and egg tacos provide a protein punch to your marathon of a game day. NCBA is taking it a step further this tailgate season to keep beef at the top of everyone’s list by partnering with legendary football star Tony Romo. Ad placements with Mr. Romo will not only appeal to the football fanbase but also families as Tony shares some of his family’s favorite beef dishes.

KICK OFF HOLIDAY SEASON

My mother instilled in me a deep love for cooking. With that developed a love for hosting people in my home to celebrate life’s moments, big and small. In my home, holiday season kicks off Halloween with a prime opportunity to host a gathering for little goblins and ghosts before they set out to terrorize neighborhoods on a thrilling sugar high. Yummy Mummy Beef Pizzas make a great quick, simple meal on Trick or Treat night for my nephew and his friends. They have fun making their own pizza and get competitive when it comes to who can create the best spooky creature. KBC utilizes these same concepts to encourage consumers to find creative ways to encourage families to spend meal time together gathered around beef.

Over the course of my 7 years with KBC I have been very fortunate to help people feel more confident in the kitchen with beef. From helping someone

understand the difference between a t-bone and a porterhouse to sharing my tip for the most simple beef marinade (a bottle of Italian dressing), taking the time to share basic tips has encouraged someone, somewhere to cook beef for their family. I challenge each of you to share your kitchen tips when you can with consumers. You are a trusted resource not only when it comes to raising cattle, but also when it comes to cooking beef. Everyone knows cattlemen are the best grillers and farm families gather around the table for the best meals.

Happy Fall Y’all!

YUMMY MUMMY BEEF PIZZAS

These quick and easy pizzas feature homemade beef sausage and have a mummy face made of string cheese

INGREDIENTS: 1 recipe Italian-Style Beef Sausage • 1-1/2 cups pizza sauce • 4 round thin sandwich breads, any variety, split • 4 individually wrapped sticks reduced-fat mozzarella string cheese (1 ounce each) • 8 black or green olives, sliced horizontally

COOKING: Prepare Italian-Style Beef Sausage. Stir in pizza sauce; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through, stirring frequently. Keep warm and set aside. Italian-Style Beef Sausage: Combine 1 pound Ground Beef, 1 teaspoon fennel seed, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon coriander, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add sausage mixture; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 1/2-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally.

Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

Place sandwich thins, cut side up, on rack of broiler pan. Spoon equal amounts of sausage mixture on each bread half. Pull cheese lengthwise into thin strips. Cut each strip into thirds. Create mummy faces using cheese strips in crisscross pattern to resemble mummy bandages and olives to resemble eyes.

Place pizzas on rack of broiler pan so surface of cheese is 3 to 4 inches from heat. Broil 4 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

beefitswhatsfordinner.com

Katelyn Hawkins Director of Product Marketing, Kentucky Beef Council

SPICY PORTUGUESE

BEEF KABOBS

The preparation couldn’t be easier—just skewer cubes of beef Top Sirloin and red bell pepper slices. A spicy seasoning blend puts this recipe over the top. Perfect as an appetizer or dinner!

INGREDIENTS: 1-1/2 pounds beef Top Sirloin Steak, cut 1-1/4 inch thick • 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

Seasoning: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce • 1 teaspoon minced garlic • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

COOKING: Cut beef Top Sirloin Steak into 1-1/4-inch pieces. Combine seasoning ingredients in medium bowl. Add beef; toss. Alternately thread beef and bell pepper onto six 10-inch skewers.

Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 9 to 11 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning once. Season with salt, as desired.

beefitswhatsfordinner.com

CHEESY BOURBON HOT BROWN SKILLET DIP

Try this beefy take on a classic Game Day recipe featuring bourbon, cheese and Roast Beef.

INGREDIENTS: 8 ounces Deli Roast Beef • 8 ounces cream cheese • 6 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded • 1/2 cup Romano cheese, shredded • 1/2 cup sour cream • 4 strips cooked bacon, finely chopped • 2 Roma tomatoes, diced • 2 tablespoons bourbon • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce • 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped • 1/4 teaspoon paprika • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper • 2 teaspoons granulated garlic

COOKING: Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Set aside 1 tablespoon parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped bacon, and 1 tablespoon diced tomatoes for garnish.

In a standing mixer combine cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, bacon, Deli Roast Beef, sour cream, Romano cheese, tomatoes, paprika, garlic, mustard, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, bourbon, and pepper until well incorporated. Remove bowl from mixer and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to bake.

Spread the dip into a 8" cast iron or oven-proof skillet. Bake in a 350°F oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown and edges are bubbling. Remove from oven and top with remaining bacon, parsley, and tomatoes. Serve warm with crackers, toasted bread or celery & carrots.

beefitswhatsfordinner.com

Eden Shale Update

Dan Miller Industry Coordinator, Kentucky Beef Network

If you read the Farmers Almanac you would have noticed that the sign was right to wean calves just after Labor Day in September. Now you may or may not believe in weaning by the sign, but if the moon has the ability to pull our oceans up and down why wouldn’t it be able to effect other things as well?

Using this information we weaned our spring calves on September 9th. Weaning is always a big working so we gathered up enough help to make the day go smooth. Dr. Steve Higgins was generous enough to give us his time that day. Dave Maples and Becky Thompson came from the office, and KBN Facilitator Jeff Stephens drove over from Fleming County to assist Greg and I.

We worked 100 cows and calves that each got weighed, two vaccinations, dewormed, fly tags cut out, and the steers got implanted.

Here is the protocol that we used:

Cows:

Viral: Triangle 10 HB (killed)

BlackLeg: Alpha 7 Cydectin PourOn

Collect blood sample for preg test

Calves:

Viral: Pyramid 5 + Presponse SQ (modified live)

BlackLeg: BarVac 7 with Somnus Cydectin PourOn

Steers: Synovex S Implant

We also used $1,200 of Draxxin to treat animals for pinkeye which we have been fighting all summer, despite using a cultured pinkeye vaccine this past spring.

Our weaning weights were a little lower than last year, down 20 pounds to 464. I don’t have a good explanation as to why

they were down but I can share some observations.

This summer had some extremely hot conditions this year. June, July, and August had 37 days where the heat index was 90 degrees or greater (it was over 100 degrees ten times). It also seemed that we had more weed pressure than normal this year despite a better effort of mowing and spraying.

I am also afraid that these conditions will have an impact on our pregnancy rates. We did pull blood on the cows and the results are pending, more on that next month.

As of writing this (early September) it has started to cool off and we have gotten some rain. Surely the grass will get some good growth this fall and the markets will hold strong. At the end of the day that’s all we can hope for.

The herd trapped and ready for weaning

BLEVINS BLACK CATTLE

Gary, Nicole, & Ethan Blevins 59 Fieldstone Court Greenup, KY 4114 606.465.4040 blevinsblackcattle@gmail.com

BOYD BEEF CATTLE

6077 Helena Road

Mayslick, KY 41055

Charlie Boyd II: (606) 584-5194 • Blake Boyd: (606) 375-3718 www.boydbeef.com • cboyd2@maysvilleky.net

BRANCH VIEW ANGUS

927 Old Liberty Pike • Hustonville, KY 40437

(859) 238-0771 • www.branchviewangus.com

James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey

Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April

BURKS CATTLE CO.

531 Rick Rd. Park City, KY 42160

Eddie Burks • (270) 991-6398 www.burkscattle.com

BURTON & SONS ANGUS

Joe D. or Karen Burton

480 Hominy Hill Rd. Nancy, KY 42544

Joe: (606) 305-3081

Located 15 miles West of Somerset

Bulls & females

Data driven since 1981.

COFFEY ANGUS FARMS

661 Hopewell Road

Liberty, KY 42539

Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288

Dewey Coffey: (606) 706-2699

Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984

JASON & KATIE CROWE

ELI HASKELL

10825 Red Lick Road

Irvine, KY 40336

(859) 582-0761

DAVIS BEND FARMS

2315 Davis Bend Road Canmer, KY 42722

timmothyljeffries@gmail.com www.davisbendfarms.com

Tim: (270) 528-6605

HERITAGE FARM

Tom McGinnis

1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work (502) 655-0164, cell

HILL VIEW FARMS

Jimmy Gilles

5160 Lee Rudy Road Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 929-5370 jcgilles86@gmail.com

JOHNSON FARMS ANGUS

Angus Bulls & Females

Slaughters, KY

Keith: (270) 635-0723

Reese: (270) 635-1137

LYNN CREEK FARMS

Kris and Sara Lynn

2184 Bardstown Rd Springfield KY 40069 573-721-6663

MT. MORIAH ANGUS FARMS

Bob, Kathy, and Rob Clark (859) 748-5558

1446 Kennedy Bridge Rd. Harrodsburg, KY 40330

Bob: (859)339-2610 • Rob: (859)612-1594 mtmoriahfarms1@gmail.com www.mtmoriahangus.com

FOUR KINGS ANGUS

250 Bright Leaf Dr. • Harrodsburg, KY 40330

Cary & Kim King Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com

Cary Cell: (859) 613-3734 • Colby Myers - Purebred Manager

OLD BARK FARM

370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716

Kenley Conner 270/358-8057

Registered Angus Cattle

President: Henry B. Smith

Vice President: Anne Patton Schubert

Secretary/Treasurer: Anne DeMott

Past President: Jason Crowe

RAGS ANGUS FARM

Richard and Glenda Stallons

1240 Dogwood Kelly Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240

Home: (270) 885-4352 Cell: (270) 839-2442 rstallons@bellsouth.net

SHAW FAMILY ANGUS

Jim & Cathy Shaw

935 Miller Road • Hodgenville, KY 42748 (270) 769-8260

www.shawfamilyangus.com

Quality Registered Angus Cattle since 1975

SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM

5202 East Hwy 80, Russell Springs, KY 42642

Charles “Bud” & Pam Smith: (270) 866-3898

Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311

ST. CLAIR FARMS REGISTERED ANGUS

Eric & Sherry St. Clair

13433 Falls of Rough Road • Falls of Rough, KY 40119

Home: (270) 257-2965 • Cell: (270) 617-1079 www.stclairangus.com

Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale April 2020

TAMME VALLEY FARM

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

TRIPLE D ANGUS

Nathaniel & Darla Denham

Nathaniel(Bub), Sarah, Ashley Denham (606) 423-2457 • (606) 875-0780 tripledangus.com

TWIN CREEK FARM

Shawn, Melissa, Devin & Dylan Gibson (270) 337-3072 or (270) 692-5304

Dennis & Emily 270/337-2128 or 270/402-4338

Watch for us in Branch View Production Sale in April

Tim

Military Pike

Lexington, KY 40513

Home: (859)223-0326

Tim: (859) 509-5401

Amy (859)227-2552

KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION

Greetings Fellow Cattlemen, Rain has finally blessed many farmers across the commonwealth over the last few months bringing many opportunities in the future for the cattle industry. The green grass has allowed for excellent grazing, boosting those weaning weights as the feeder calf sale season begins. The rain also secured a good fall hay crop for many, which improves the stockpile of feed for the wintering months.

As I write this letter the Fall Angus sale season is in full swing with many opportunities across Kentucky to purchase any seed stock needs you may have. In the early September sales, the price on females was outstanding and the interest in bulls continued to increase by the day. Please reach out to your local Angus breeder to purchase your highquality Angus bulls as the Fall breeding season comes near.

I encourage you to keep your animal health protocols up to date and continue a good mineral program to help Kentucky’s cow herd be productive as we anticipate strong cattle prices in the months ahead.

The North American International Livestock Expo will be here before we know it and I encourage you to visit Louisville on November 13th and 14th for all Angus Events. If I or anyone else at the Kentucky Angus Association can assist you in any way, please feel free to reach out.

Thanks, Henry Bryan Smith

Anne Stewart DeMott, Secretary/Treasurer

Intermediate Champion Bull: R & K Bismarck 981 won intermediate champion bull at the 2022 Tennessee State Fair Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show, Aug. 21 in Lebanon, Tenn. Kalli Flanders, Buffalo, Ky., owns the winning bull. Photo by Alex Tolbert, American Angus Association.

Senior Bull Calf Champion: R & K Rainfall 1281 won senior bull calf champion at the 2022 Tennessee State Fair Roll of Vic tory (ROV) Angus Show, Aug. 21 in Lebanon, Tenn. Kalli Flanders, Buffalo, Ky., owns the winning bull. Photo by Alex Tolbert, American Angus Association.

Bulls

Bulls

GE EPD’s

BAR IV LIVESTOCK

Barry, Beth

7416 Tippenhauer Rd.

Phone (859)

Spring, KY 41076

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

Kentucky Hereford Association

Kentucky Hereford Autumn Sale

Saturday, December 3 • Bluegrass Stockyards, Lexington

Contact Suzanne Matheny for Consignment Information suzannebmatheny@gmail.com or 606-584-0577

WELLS FARM

Polled Herefords

439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Rd, Corbin KY 40701

Toby & Debby Dulworth

2492 S. Kirkman Road

LaCenter, KY 42056

(270) 224-2993

dogwood@brtc.net

Herefords that thrive on forages. www.dogwoodherefords.com

6077 Helena Road

Mayslick, KY 41055

Charlie Boyd II 606-584-5194

Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March

Hereford and Angus Bulls

Chambliss Hereford Farms

Brad, Carla, Clay & Clint Chambliss

1101 Driftwood Lane Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Home (270) 982-3905

Cell (270) 668-7126 fax 270-735-9922

www.chamblissherefordfarms.com

Bobby & Brenda Wells (606) 523-0569 or (606) 344-0417 wells_farm@yahoo.com

Kevin, Angela, Kenlea & Kyler Murray (606) 528-1691 or (606) 682-8413

KHA OFFICERS

President: L.W. Beckley

Secretary/ Treasurer: Suzanne Matheny 606-584-0577 suzannebmatheny@gmail.com

NJB Limited

Dale Stith

5239 Old Sardis Pike Mays Lick, KY 41055 dalestith@yahoo.com (918) 760-1550

Home of Select Sires’ Boyd Fort Knox 17yxz54040

HEREFORDS

Codee Guffey • 1815 Grassy Springs Road Versailles, Kentucky 40383 (502) 598-6355

rockridgeherefords@gmail.com www.rockridgeherefords.com

MPH Farms

Registered Polled Herefords

PAUL L. HANCOCK 8559 KY 56 Owensboro, KY 42301 270-771-4194

K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS

KYLE BUSH

K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM 859-588-4531 198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031

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

Ben, Jane, Shelby and Lincoln

TK4 Herefords

Tony & Kathy Staples

992 Knotts Road

Brandenburg, KY 40108 (270) 422-4220 tstaples@bbtel.com

WCN Polled Herefords

Since 1961

Bill Norris

2220 Celina Road

Burkesville, KY 42717

Phone (270) 433-7256

Cell (270) 433-1525

“Every calf needs a white face”

Jackson Farms

Registered Polled Herefords

PO Box 215 Cross Plains, TN 37049 615-478-4483

billymjackson@aol.com

“Farming the Same Land Since 1834”

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”

Windy Hills Farm

Jackie D. Perkins II 367 Mt. Pisgah Rd. Bremen, KY 42325 (270) 543-3586

Breeding to produce good cows since 1981

PILE STOCK FARM

Registered Polled Herefords

HANSELL PILE, JR.

12045 St. John Rd. Cecilia, KY 42724 270-735-5192 270-862-4462

12 miles West of Elizabethtown

WOLF FARM

Registered Polled Herefords Bulls & Females for sale

Tim & Peggy Wolf

12939 Peach Grove Road Alexandria, KY 41001

Home: 859-635-0899

Cell: 859-991-3484

BECKLEY HEREFORDS

L. Wayne Beckley • 1420 Fitchburg Rd.

Ravenna, KY 40472 • 606-723-3021

Cell: 859-779-0962

L.W. Beckley D.V.M

284 Pyrse Lane • Irvine, KY 40336

Cell: 859-779-1419 • Clinic: 606-726-0000 www.beckleyherefords.com

“Breeding Polled Herefords

over 58 Years” Breeding cattle forsale at all times. 1999 Walnut Hill Rd. Lexington, KY 40515 (859) 271-9086 cell (859)533-3790

WATSON LAND & CATTLE

Tucker Stock Farms

“Registered Angus and Polled Herefords”

John

Tucker

John Tucker II

1790 Hidden Valley Lane Hudson, KY 40145 270-617-0301

1790 Hidden Valley Lane Hudson, KY 40145 (270) 257-8548 Office (270) 257-8167

“Bulls always for Sale”

Edgewood Drive

Stanford, KY (606) 365-2520 home/fax

Matt - 606-748-1600 Melinda - 859-625-8660

The Makers of Starbar® Products Launches DuraStrike™ Fly Scatter Bait

Fly bait expands rotation options within industry-leading lineup

SCHAUMBURG, IL, September 1, 2022— The makers of Starbar® products announced the launch of DuraStrike™ Fly Scatter Bait, a ready-to-use granular bait for use in and around residential, commercial and agricultural structures. With the active ingredient, Indoxacarb, DuraStrike™ Fly Scatter Bait provides control of house and fruit flies and kills blow flies indoors.

“We strongly recommend our product users regularly rotate our fly baits to help prevent resistance and ensure optimal effectiveness,” said Brandon Schweiss, brand manager for the Farm and Ranch division of Central Life Sciences. “DuraStrike now gives us four excellent

rotational bait options, so our customers don’t need to look anywhere else for their fly control needs.”

DuraStrike™ Fly Scatter Bait can be used in conjunction with QuikStrike® Fly Bait, Golden Malrin® Fly Bait, and Cyanarox® Insecticidal Bait as an alternative or additional rotational product. These baits feature different active ingredients, different attractants and different modes of action, that can help prevent resistance when used in rotation.

DuraStrike™ Fly Scatter Bait can be applied as a scatter bait or in a refillable bait station in areas not accessible to children, pets or livestock. The amount of

bait applied can be adjusted to the level of fly population present, even as low as 1.6 oz. per 1,000 sq. ft. for the maintenance of fly populations. The product is approved for use in and around dairies, broiler houses, stables, swine facilities, food processing plants and more labeled sites. For the most effective control of flies, use DuraStrike™ Fly Scatter Bait as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that also features traps, sprays and best cultural practices.

For more information about DuraStrike™ Fly Scatter Bait as well as the complete lineup of professional insect control products from Central Life Sciences, visit StarbarProducts.com.

About Central Life Sciences

Central Life Sciences products are a part of Central Garden & Pet Company. Cen tral Life Sciences is dedicated to creating healthier environments and making life better for people, plants and companion animals around the world. As inventors of insect growth regulator technology more than 50 years ago, the founders of Central Life Sciences pioneered biorational pest control: using the insect’s chemistry as a means to reduce pest populations. To learn more about Central Life Sciences, call 1-800-248-7763 or visit our website at www.centrallifesciences.com.

KineticVet Announces Availability of

RE-COVR™ (Tripelennamine Hydrochloride Injection)

LEXINGTON, KY—RE-COVR™ KineticVet announces FDA approval of RE-COVR™ (tripelennamine hydrochloride injection), NADA # 006-417, supplied as a sterile solution in multiple dose vials (250 mL) containing 20 mg per mL. RE-COVR™ is an injectable antihistamine indicated for use in cattle (beef & dairy) and horses. It is approved for conditions in which antihistaminic therapy may be expected to lead to alleviation of some signs of disease.

RE-COVR™ Availability

RE-COVR™ is part of KineticVet’s commitment to deliver the latest product innovation. It is available through your animal health supplier in a 250 mL (20 mg per mL) bottle. For more information call 877-786-9882 or visit www.kineticvet.com.

Founded in 1999, KineticVet is a worldwide leader in innovative health care solutions for equine, bovine and companion animals offering a wide range of researched and result-oriented products and services. We are dedicated to innovation in product development. KineticVet will strive to become a preferred supplier of customer-valued solutions.

LIMOUSIN

Breeders of the Bluegrass

Tom & Chris Daniel

Fullblood

Stephen: 270-799-8685

Emily Court

Bowling Green, KY 42101

ACHH

September

Bowling Green, KY

Willow-Lenoxburg Rd. Foster, KY 41043

David: 606-747-5886

Joey & Donnie Massey

80 Sublimity School Rd.

London, KY 40744 606-682-2126

606-682-2125

Henderson Rd. Eubank, KY 42567

Allen: 606-872-8072 Jon: 606-305-8859

Limousin

Buck’s Limousin Farm

“secrets

John Buck: (606) 474-7451

(606) 922-8174

5171 Camargo-Levee Rd.

859-585-1785

of purebred

859-585-8388

Mt. Sterling, KY 40353 859-498-0030

GETTINGS LA ND & CATTLE

Daniel Gettings

KY 42167

(270) 202-7755

2494 South St. Hwy. 7, Grayson, KY. 41143 johnbuck474@windstream.net

“Black &

Purebred

B.F. Evans Cattle Company

Byron Evans

P.O. Box 1509 599 Ray Allen Lane Versailles, KY 40383 Byron 859-509-8046

byron.evans59@yahoo.com

Greg Blaydes 859-338-9402

Ricci & Brenda Roland

Lebus Lane Cynthiana, KY 41031 859-234-3986

859-234-7344

OAKS FARM

Terry W. McPhetridge • 606-843-6903

Cell: 606-524-9241 1645 Winding Blade Rd. East Bernstadt, KY 40729

Bob Minerich, 859-582-6888

Barnes Mill Rd. Ÿ Richmond, KY 40475 minegwen@aol.com

270-799-8685

James Hicks 859-227-0490

1225 E. Leestown Rd. Midway, KY 40347

Decker Family Limousin & LimFlex

Kenny & Tiffany Decker Leitchfield, KY

(270) 589-7999

Brad Kidd (606)495-6396 (606) 738-9493

Paul Kidd (606)743-7349 8254 Hwy 711 West Liberty KY 41472

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.

Better cattle. Better profits.

internationalgeneticsolutions.com

905-5851

8308 Orangeburg Road Maysville, KY 41056

Chan: 606-584-7581

Keith: 606-584-5626 rockingplivestock@maysvilleky.net

Pottertown

Murray, KY 42071

270-293-4440 wksbswain@murray-ky.net

Versailles,

859-351-4486 callenuky@hotmail.com

859-229-0755

Kentucky Simmental Juniors

National Classic Madison, WI

Jordan Stephens: Herdsman of the Year • 12th Senior Livestock Judging • 3rd Senior Showmanship • 12th Se nior Overall • 5th Overall Bred & Owned Purebred Bull • 12th Overall Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer • 7th Overall Bred & Owned Percentage Heifer • Bella Swain: 17th Se nior Public Speaking • Silver Merit recipient • Josie Phil lips: 10th Junior Livestock Judging • Champion (3 way tie)

Junior Public Speaking • 4th Junior Cattleman’s Quiz • 10th Junior Genetic Evaluation Quiz • Champion Junior Sales Talk • 8th Junior Showmanship • Reserve Champion Junior Overall • Reserve Champion Owned Percentage Heifer • 6th Overall Owned Percentage Heifer • 13th Overall Owned Percentage Heifer • 3rd Overall Bred & Owned Percentage Heifer • Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer

• 6th Overall Owned Purebred Heifer • 18th Overall Owned Purebred Heifer • Wyatt Phillips: 8th Junior Sales Talk • 17th Junior Overall • 3rd Team Fitting Contest • 5th overall Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer • 9th overall Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer • 20th Overall Owned Purebred Heifer • JJ Jackson: 10th Junior Public Speaking • 9th Junior Cat tleman’s Quiz • 8th Junior Genetic Evaluation Quiz • 5th Junior Sales Talk • 7th Junior Overall • General Agriculture Photography Winner • Madison Metzger: Reserve Cham pion Junior Cattleman’s Quiz • 14th Junior Sales Talk • 20th Junior Overall • Sadie Jackson: 14th Junior Public Speak ing • 17th Junior Sales Talk • Tucker Metzger: 20th Junior Cattleman’s Quiz • Lindsey Dotson: Bronze Merit Recipient

Eastern Regionals Lebanon, IN

Madison Metzger: 5th Junior Public Speaking • Grand Champion Bred & Owned % Bull • Josie Phillips: 3rd Ju nior Public Speaking • Honorable Mention Junior Genetic Evaluation Quiz

Reserve Champion Junior Sales Talk

Champion Junior Overall

Champion Junior Showman ship • Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer • 4th Overall Bred & Owned % Heifer

Grand Champion Owned % Heifer

JJ Jackson: Reserve Champion Junior Public Speaking

6th Overall Owned % Heifer

3rd Junior Cattleman’s Quiz

9th Junior Genetic Evaluation

5th Junior Sales Talk

5th Junior Overall

Wyatt Phillips: 10th Junior Public Speaking

5th Overall Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer

10th Overall Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer

Jor dan Stephens: 7th Senior Livestock Judging

Riley Martin: 9th Senior Public Speaking

3rd Overall Bred & Owned Purebred Bull

3rd Overall Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer

6th Overall Bred & Owned % Heifer

Participants: Front row (L to R): Wyatt Phillips, Sadie Jackson, Waylon Hicks. Back Row (L to R): Bella Swain, Madison Metzger holding Avery Metzger, Riley Martin, Josie Phillips, Jett Hicks, Tucker Metzger, JJ Jackson, Jordan Stephens Q

(L to R): Madison Metzger exhibited the Su preme Champion Bull, Josie Phillips exhibited the Supreme Champion and 3rd Overall Heifer, Grayson Ruber exhibited the Reserve Supreme Cow/Calf pair.

DATE EVENT

OCT 29

DATE EVENT LOCATION AD

OCT 8 Pleasant Hill Farms Rockfield, KY 3

OCT 8 Isaacs Angus Legends of Fall Sale Horse Cave, KY

OCT 8 SOKY Select Gelbvieh Sale Bowling Green, KY 35

OCT 8 8th Annual Bull & Female Sale West Point, GA

OCT 8 McCormick Absolute Auction Mt. Sterling, KY 58

OCT 14 Oakdale Farms Female Production Sale Rome, GA

OCT 15 Town Creek Farm Sale West Point, MS 41

OCT 15 Kentucky’s Finest Fall Black Hereford Consignment Sale Nancy, KY 42

OCT 15 Extra Effort Sale Clayton, NC

OCT 15 Seedstock Plus Fall Bull and Female Sale Carthage, MO 25

OCT 15 Eden Sale Farm Open House Owenton, KY 66

OCT 15 Great Meadows Angus Association Look ing to the Future Sale Campbellsburg, KY 79

OCT 17 Kentucky Beef Conference Lexington, KY 32

OCT 18 St. Clair Farms 12th Annual Production Sale Falls of Rough, KY 61

OCT 20 Beef Bash Princeton, KY 24

OCT 21 Myers & Tamme Valley “Family Values” Female Production Sale Harrodsburg, KY 37

OCT 22 Debter Hereford Farm Production Bull Sale Horton, AL

OCT 22 Lynn Creek Farm Best of the Bluegrass Winchester, KY

OCT 22 Decades of Excellence Sale Unionville, TN 39

OCT 22 Clear Choice Female Sale Milan, IN 57

OCT 23 Heritage Farm Production Sale Shelbyville, KY 33

OCT 24 Oak Hollow Angus Fall Bull Sale Smiths Grove, KY 4-5

OCT 24 Stone Gate Farms Flemingsburg, KY 13

OCT 28 Gateway Regional Bred Heifer Sale Mt. Sterling, KY 36

OCT 28 Yon Family Farms Female Sale Ridge Spring, SC 15

OCT 29 Red Hill Farms Bulls & Females of Fall VIII Lafayette, TN 19

SALERS

BREED

LOCATION

Herd Builder Bred Heifer Sale Maysville, KY 55

OCT 29 Yon Family Farms Fall Bull Sale Ridge Spring, SC 15

OCT 29 Hasty Rocky Hill Farms Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale Lebanon, KY 29

OCT 30 Four Sons Cynthiana, KY

OCT 30 Cattlemen’s Preferred Sale All Breeds Bull & Commercial Female Sale Harrison, AR

NOV 1-17 North American International Livestock Exposition Louisville, KY 34

NOV 3 Blue Ribbon Bred Heifer Sale Lexington, KY 55

NOV 4-5 GenePlus Sale Concord, AR 2

NOV 5

Red Reward ‘Fall Edition’ Bull & Female Sale Osceola, MO 25

NOV 5 TJB Belbveih Annual Sale

Chickamauga, GA 7

NOV 5 Brands of Recognition Sale Savannah, TN 6

NOV 5

Burns Farms Fall Bull & Commercial Female Sale Pikeville, TN 45

NOV 7 Elite Bred Heifer Sale Paris, KY 28

NOV 11 Ingram Angus Fall Production Sale Lynnville, TN 43

NOV 12 Gibbs Farm Generations of Progress Bull & Replacement Female Sale Ranburne, AL 23

NOV 19 West Kentucky Select Bred Heifer Sale Guthrie, KY 19

NOV 28 Boyd Myers Genetic Influence Sale Lexington, KY

DEC 1 KY Hereford Influence Sale Stanford, KY

DEC 2 Knoll Crest Farm’s Total Performace Bull Sale Red House, VA 11

DEC 3 KY Hereford Association Sale Lexington, KY

DEC 5 Profit Thru Performance Sale Lexington, KY

JAN 5-6 KCA Convention Lexington, KY 44

FEB 1-3

NCBA Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show New Orleans, LA

FEB 18 Yon Family Farms Spring Sale

APRIL 8 Knoll Crest Farm’s Spring Bull & Female Sale

DEC 1 Knoll Crest Farm’s Total Performace Bull Sale

DIAMOND J SALERS

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

WILLIS FARMS

Danny Willis • 964 Johnson Rd • Frankfort, KY 40601 • 502-803-5011 drwc21@aol.com

DEL-SU FARM

Howard & Sue Edwards • 420 Rose Rd • Somerset, KY 42501 606-679-1675 • Jeriah Privett • 606-416-1154

KNOB LICK FARM - BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE

Larry Cox • Tina Cox-Lynch • Amanda Cox Gibson • 1315 Knob Lick Road • Irvine, KY 40336 • 606-723-3077 • 606-975-1716

CLASSIFIEDS

PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE

Call 270-202-7186 for more info or check out www.oakhollowangus.com for current availability.

POLLED HERFORD BULLS 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

FOUNDATION SALE IX September 16, 2023

Selling FULLBLOOD & PUREBRED LIMOUSIN Genetics

To consign or for catalog call: A C H Holdings, LLC Stephen Haynes 270-799-8685

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 SIMMENTAL BULLS

Many blaze faced. 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

BREEDING AGE HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE AT ALL TIMES

Over 60 years of Line 1 Hereford Genetics. Groups of open and bred heifers available for sale at all times.

Chambliss Hereford Farms. 270-668-7126

RED ANGUS, SIMANGUS, CHAROLAIS, ANGUS FOR SALE

Red Hill Farms, Lafayette, TN, 615-666-3098

Bart, Sarah and Ty Jones

Gordon and Susan Jones, 270-991-2663

Visit us online - www.RedHillFarms.net

Contact us for cattle and semen availability.

Annual Production Sales: More Than a Bull Sale – 3rd Saturday in March

Maternal Monday – 3rd Monday in May

Bulls & Females of Fall Sale – Last Saturday in October

REGISTERED

RED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE

FOUR WINDS FARM N ew Castle, Kentucky (502) 296-1044

JD 6400-cab- $34,000

Meyer TMR mixers- in stock Cloverdale 420-500 T - in stock 1402/03 Horning Rotary Headers

John Deere 3955- with horning processor

Lancaster hammermills- ready to go 4218-22 Esch hay tedders- in stock

John Deere 6400-12 speed loader- 4wd WLS 50- $17,000 wet lime spreader Stoltzfus -LIME -LITTER- FERTILIZER

Spreader John Deere 4020 -3 to choose from Manure spreaders- 8 in-stock John Deere 7200- cab -16 speed 5612 Esch High speed Grain Drill

John Deere 3975 - base unit- $30,000

Artex SB 600 Spreader -in stock

John Deere 468 - net $16,500

John Deere 566- twine $12,000 Stoltzfus 10 ton Litter spreader $$$$

New Holland 790 choppers-$8500 Gehl 8335 feeder wagon $7500

Artex SB 200- vertical beater- for rental Farmco feeder wagons-5 in stock-call John Deere 6300- 4 wd- cab-12 speed-$35,000

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Charlie B. Edgington 859-608-9745

SWEET T FARM HEREFORD HEIFERS

Open, Registered Hereford Heifers calved September 2021 available. See videos on our website at sweettfarm.com. Pete Szak (859) 684-1509

BRED ANGUS HEIFERS

To calve in the Spring as 2 year olds. Gentle, fertile, moderate framed from a mature herd. Bred to easy calving Angus bull. Some are Registered Angus. $1800 each without transferring reg. papers. First buyer take at least 8. 270-537-4225.

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Selecting for Growth: Benefits and Consequences

Kevin Laurent Extension Specialist, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky

I guess its human nature to think that every new generation will be the one that will doom this country or mankind. I can remember as a kid hearing my Daddy say that long hair, hippies and the Beatles were going to be the death of this country. You see, my Dad was part of the “Greatest Generation”. The generation that survived the Great Depression and defeated the Axis powers. It’s easy to understand how that generation struggled to understand the counterculture of the 1960’s and early 70’s. But even though my father was very conservative in his political and religious views, there was a side of him that was very progressive and open minded. Dad may have made blanket statements expressing his concern for the future, but he actually had an enduring faith in young people and the potential they had to learn and accomplish even more than his generation had accomplished.

I think most of us have been guilty from time to time of making broad statements about the “the every kid gets a trophy” generation and how they are just “too soft”. Two things we fail to realize when we make these types of statements

are number one, we conveniently forget who raised the generation we are complaining about. In most cases it’s us, the person making the complaint. Secondly, like most broad generalizations we are dwelling on the negative to support our biased point of view. Now I don’t claim to be innocent of these types of rants. I’m as guilty as the next person. Just ask my own kids. And with the 24-hour news cycle and social media it’s easy to get sucked into the doom and gloom. But I can honestly say I have had several experiences over the last several months that makes me more encouraged than ever before about the next generation.

I recently had the opportunity to coach the 2022 KY 4-H All-Star Livestock Judging Team on a western KY weekend workout. For those unfamiliar with the program, the All-Star Judging Team is selected from the 12 highest scoring individuals in the senior division of the State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest each year. Eight of these individuals get the opportunity judge at regional judging events during the fall. In late October, four individuals are selected for the Gold Team which then represents Kentucky

at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest held in Louisville.

That weekend in September while working with these young people, I was absolutely impressed with the character and work ethic they displayed. Whether it was choosing to work four sets of reasons prior to supper after judging all day or the courtesy they showed the wait staff in restaurants or the appreciation they showed the livestock producers who provided workouts. I have no doubt that the next generation of agricultural leaders are represented in this group.

Reflecting on time spent with this bunch made me realize more than ever that we, the folks in charge, have the responsibility to protect and support these types of youth activities. Its these types of programs that teach life skills and assist us in passing on knowledge and wisdom to our next generation. The next generation of kids are not the problem. We need to make sure that we are not the problem. If we do our part and then get out of their way, they’ll take it from here. I think my Dad would agree with that plan.

TIMELY TIPS FOR OCTOBER

Spring-Calving Cow Herd

• Schedule a pregnancy examination of cows if not done previously. Winter feeding costs can be minimized by eliminating open cows prior to winterfeeding. Pregnancy status (pregnant versus open) can be determined using palpation, transrectal ultrasonography, or blood sampling. Stage of pregnancy can only be determined by palpation or ultrasonography (performed by your veterinarian). A new chute-side blood sampling kit (Alertys from IDEXX) is available for use. It provides yes/no pregnancy data in 15 minutes for about $8 per cow.

• Evaluate the body condition of your cows and improve their condition prior to winter. It takes about 75 pounds to increase body condition a full score.

• If you have already done a preweaning working, revaccinate (booster) calves as needed. Treat calves for internal and external parasites. If you vaccinate calves yourself, be sure to store, handle, and administer vaccines properly.

• Wean calves before cows lose body condition.

• Obtain weaning weights of your calves and remember wean ing is the time to do your first round of culling and selecting breeding stock. You can eliminate obviously inferior calves, especially those with wild or nervous dispositions. Consider the number of heifers that you will need to save for your cow herd. Bulls that are old, unsound, roguish, etc. can be culled now. It is not too early to begin thinking about replacements.

Fall-Calving Cow Herd

• The calving season should be in full swing for fall-calving cows. Check cows frequently. Identify calves and commer cial males should be castrated and implanted.

• Take accurate records of calving and calving performance.

Our new app (X10D) makes data collection and reporting simple, easy, and convenient.

• Put fall-calving cows on accumulated pasture before the breeding season. Be sure to save some grass in the breeding pastures.

• It is time to get everything ready for the fall-breeding season, too. Line-up semen, supplies, etc. now and get your bulls ready to go (don’t forget their breeding soundness evalua tion). Breeding soundness exams are a vital component to reducing the risk of reproductive performance and need to be conducted 30-45 days before EVERY breeding season. Contact your herd veterinarian to schedule the exams.

• Obtain yearling measurements (weight, hip height, scrotal circumference, etc.) on replacement animals - especially for registered ones.

• Contact your herd veterinarian and schedule pelvic area examinations and reproductive tract scores for your potential replacements. Use pelvic area to identify larger heifers with smaller than normal pelvic areas so you can remove them from the breeding pool. Reproductive tract scores can be used to identify immature heifers for culling. Typically, heif ers with a reproductive tract score less than 3 have limited ability to conceive early in the breeding season.

Stockers

• If you are purchasing weaned/stressed calves, have your re ceiving/feeding program in place. Feed a stress ration which contains at least 13% protein and is fairly energy dense.

• Manage to keep newly weaned and/or purchased calves healthy. Calves should be penned in a small lot with adequate feed, water, and shade to reduce stress. Careful handling and comfortable, uncrowded conditions can

decrease stress.

• When newly weaned calves are purchased in the fall, sick ness and death loss can be a big problem. Work with your veterinarian on a health and receiving program. Consider purchasing CPH-45 feeder calves that are preweaned, vacci nated, bunk-adjusted and treated for parasites.

• Watch calves closely for a few weeks after their arrival. Calves will normally break (get sick) 5-7 days after arrival, but they can break up to 14 days after they arrive. Have a treatment program ready for any health problems. Early recognition of sick cattle improves their chance of recovery. Watch for drooped ears, hollow appearance, reluctance to rise, stiff gait, coughing and dull or sunken eyes. A good “receiving” program is essential to profitability.

General

• Avoid prussic acid poisoning that can happen when frost ruptures the plant cells in sorghums, sorghum-sudan hybrids, sudangrass, and johnsongrass releasing prussic (hydrocyanic) acid. Fields can be grazed after the plants have dried up after a frost. New growth that occurs in stalk fields is potentially dangerous whether frosted or not.

• Take soil samples for soil analysis to determine pasture fer tility needs. Apply phosphate, potash, and lime accordingly.

• Test hay quality and make inventory of hay supplies and needs. Adjust now - buy feed before you run out in the winter.

• Do not harvest or graze alfalfa now in order for it to replen ish root reserves.

• Remove fly-control eartags from all animals, dispose of ac cording to instructions on package. Treat for grubs/lice.

Knowing You Matters.