CATTLE CONCEPTS
Market Report
Greenville Livestock Auction
Janaury 9, 2025
Total: 375
Note: Sourced from GLA Website with a full report linked here
Fairview Sale Barn
January 9, 2025
Total: 2,027
Feeder: 2,027 (100.0%)
Trade: No price comparison as last feeder special was more than three weeks ago; God to excellent demand
United Producers No new reporting since December 17, 2024
Illinois Weekly Summary
January 13, 2025
Total: 3,170
Feeder: 2,027 (63.9%)
USDA
by Travis Meteer
A blog post sourced from the University of Illinois Extension - The Cattle Connection. Posted December 20, 2024 by Travis Meteer Dystocia, meaning “difficult birth,” often results in loss of a calf or complications after birth of a live calf. Some examples of complications after a difficult birth can include aspiration pneumonia, joint damage, nerve damage, and hypoxia. Another big problem can be failure of passive transfer resulting from inadequate colostrum intake and the calf not wanting to stand or nurse.
We know that not every dystocia can be prevented, but there are some management factors that can help reduce difficult births.
Maintaining cows in good body condition score (BCS), proper nutrition and mineral supplementation is crucial. A BCS of 5 to 6 for cows and approximately 6 for heifers at calving is suggested. Cows in good shape on a balanced diet will be fit and have the energy to make it through the calving process without exhaustion.
Selecting proven sires that can transmit calving ease and calf vigor is important. When buying bulls, traits such as calving ease direct (CED) can aid in helping the calf be born without difficulty. Traits like calving ease maternal (CEM) can help build calving ease into the female side of your herd. I think it is important to also look at the shape of the animal. Masculine bulls with flat, smooth shoulders and clean joints will likely be more advantageous as calving ease sires. Whereas females that have larger, downward sloping pelvic bones should offer some advantages from a maternal calving ease standpoint.
Pelvic scoring replacement heifers can help identify any outliers that may be too small or shaped poorly. This is most conveniently done when heifers are in the chute for estrus synchronization protocols.
Pregnancy check cows to determine calving date. This can target labor needs and ensure cows are in a good environment for calving. It is also warranted to state that not all dates will be 100% correct and that some may actually come prior to the due date, even on a proper diagnosis. So, be attentive and watch closely.
One way that I have witnessed many cattle producers checking cows is via cameras. Home security and surveillance systems have become much more affordable and technology has increased the capabilities of these systems. Checking cameras from a phone can be beneficial for night checks and allow multiple people to participate in the monitoring.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to assist if things appear abnormal or seem to be taking too long. Once the water bag appears, the calf should be delivered in 2 to 4 hours. Most healthy heifers will calve unassisted within the first hour after seeing the water bag appear. Most healthy cows will calve unassisted within 30 minutes of seeing the water bag. Absence of front feet, no sign of further progress, as well as other abnormal signs may expedite need for intervention.
For more information and resources from the University of Illinois’ Beef Extension, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/cattle-connection
Driftless Region Beef Conference
January 23-24, 2025 | Dubuque, IA
Registration is open! View the schedule and register online at https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/beef/register/
Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting
February 4, 2025 | Christian County Extension Office | Taylorville, IL
Registration is open through January 31 online at https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2025-02-04-dudley-smith-farm-winter-meeting
Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show
February 4-6, 2025 | Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center | San Antonio, Texas Register Today for CattleCon 2025 at https://convention.ncba.org/
NEW! - Illinois Junior Beef Association Photography Contest
The Illinois Junior Beef Association is hosting a photography contest in conjunction with the Illinois Beef Expo. The purpose of this contest is to give IJBA members an opportunity to increase their photography skills through creativity behind the lens.
Entries: Free! Entry Platform: https://forms.gle/ZwUrCeHM8DAQe4MTA Entry Deadline: February 15
*You must be an IJBA Member to enter
Illinois Beef Expo
February 19-23, 2025 | Illinois State Fairgrounds | Springfield, Illinois | https://illinoisbeefexpo.com/
Illinois Beef Quality Showcase Open House Save the date! | March 7, 2025 | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Illinois Beef Association Membership Award Nominations
The IBA is accepting nominations for our 2025 Member Awards.
Your nominations for the IBA member awards are critical to recognize those individuals who “give their all” to make our industry the best it can be. This is an opportunity to recognize them both personally and professionally. All award nominations are due March 28, 2025. Nomination forms can be found at https://www.illinoisbeef.com/membership/awards
Producer Events
Top Recruiter Program BA has partnered with Purina Animal Nutrition to offer a unique opportunity for an IBA recognized affiliate to win a trip for ten members to attend the Purina Research Farm in Gray Summit, Missouri. While at the farm producers will learn about topics including cow/calf nutrition, emerging technologies, matching forage resources, and so much more! For more information view the link here, or contact IBA Membership Manager, Devin Bollman.
Adams County Beef Producers
The Adams County Beef Producers will host their annual banquet.
When: January 25, 2025
Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association
The Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association will host its annual banquet February 8 at Fairview Acres in Biggsville. It will feature Shark Farm and the 90s tribute country band the Stone Cold Cowboys. This event will raise scholarship and beef promotion funds for Henderson, McDonough, and Warren counties.
When: February 8, 2025 | 5:00
Where: The Barn at Fairview Acres Tickets can be purchased at https://www.tricountycattlemen.com/banquet
Illinois Simmental Association Banquet
The Illinois Simmental Association is holding their banquet in conjunction with the 2025 Illinois Beef Expo. Changes are on the way to condense the length of the banquet, including moving the fundraiser auction to an online format outside of the banquet, and starting the food line early so the banquet can start and be complete at a reasonable time. The ISA values your attendance and want to value your time.
When: February 21, 2025 | 6:00
Where: Artisans Building Illinois Shorthorn Association Annual Meeting
The Illinois Shorthorn Association is holding their annual meeting in conjunction with the 2025 Illinois Beef Expo.
When: February 21, 2025 | 6:00
Where: Building 30, South 30 Conference Room next to the IBA Office at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Illinois Hereford Association Annual Meeting
The Illinois Hereford Association is holding their annual meeting in conjunction with the 2025 Illinois Beef Expo. The meeting will include dinner, an association update, door prizes, a benefit auction for the Illinois Junior Hereford Association, and much more.
When: February 22, 2025 | Social Hour 5:30 | Program 6:30
Where: Building 30, South 30 Conference Room next to the IBA Office at the Illinois State Fairgrounds RSVP: Please RSVP to Noah Benedict by February 10 at (217) 372-8099
Cost: $25 for Adults, $15 for Kids Kendall-Grundy Beef Association
The Kendall-Grundy Beef Association will host its annual banquet on March 1 at Jennifer’s Garden in Morris.
When: March 1, 2025 | 5:00
Where: Jennifer’s Garden, Morris Illinois Angus Association Annual Banquet & Conference
The Illinois Angus Association is holding their second annual banquet on March 8, 2025 at the