The Carolina Cattle Connection - Volume 35, Issue No. 4 (APRIL 2021)

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arolina attle onnection APRIL 2021 •

Vol. 35, Issue No. 4

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT

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ONNECTION A Message from the CEO — Financial Sustainability and Stewardship, by Colin Woodall ......................... page 77 Alltech News ......................................................................................................................................................... page 66 American Angus Association News .................................................................................................................. page 20 American Hereford Association News ............................................................................................................. page 26 American Shorthorn Association News ........................................................................................................... page 45 Animal Agriculture Alliance News .................................................................................................................... page 36 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Working with the N.C. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, by Ashley W. Herring .................... page 12 Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges News ...................................................................... page 30 Beef Checkoff News ............................................................................................................................................. page 38 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ............................................................................................ page 56 Beefmaster Breeders United News .................................................................................................................. page 38 BioZyme Incorporated News ............................................................................................................................. page 70 Boehringer Ingelheim News ............................................................................................................................... page 51 Carolina Cooking — Spicy Mexican Beef Bake ................................................................................................ page 40 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ............................................................................................ page 34 CattleFax News .................................................................................................................................................... page 50 Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update — A World Without the Beef Checkoff, by Hugh Sanburg ............... page 43 Cattlenomic$ — Back to the Furtures — Part V, by Bernt Nelson .................................................................. page 15 Director’s Report — Spring Forward, by Bryan K. Blinson ................................................................................ page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Be Careful Where You Buy Your Flowers and Chainsaw Parts, by E.B. Harris ...................................... page 14 Elanco Animal Health News ................................................................................................................................ page 81 Farm Credit News ................................................................................................................................................ page 40 Federation of State Beef Councils Update ....................................................................................................... page 54 Fescue Toxicity Hits Hard. Are You Ready for the Fight? ............................................................................... page 45 Free NCSU Training Material Available for Beef Cattle Euthanasia ............................................................. page 70 From the Desk of the SCCA President, by Roscoe Kyle .................................................................................... page 39 Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef News ................................................................................................. page 33 Green Grass Can Fool Cattle Producers ............................................................................................................ page 54 Merck Animal Health News ................................................................................................................................ page 72 N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Awards 2020-2021 Scholarships .................................................................... page 58 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ........................................................................................................................... page 22 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ................................................................................................. page 78 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — Protecting Profitability for the U.S. Cattle Producer/Beef Is, and Always Will Be Sustainable, by Jerry Bohn ............................. page 68 National Institute of Animal Agriculture News .............................................................................................. page 34 Neault Named South Carolina State Veterinarian, Livestock-Poultry Health Director .......................... page 33 New NCCA Members for 2021 ............................................................................................................................ page 46 North American Limousin Foundation ............................................................................................................. page 57 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ....................................................................................... page 69 On the Edge of Common Sense — Best and Worst of Times, by Baxter Black ............................................... page 27 Red Angus Association of American News ....................................................................................................... page 31 Reinke Recognizes Brock Equipment With Dealer Awards ......................................................................... page 28 S.C. Beef Council News, by Roy Copelan ............................................................................................................ page 24 Select Sires Now Offers SimVitro HerdFlex Beef Embryos Nationwide .................................................... page 53 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ........................................................................................ page 38 Texas Ranch Introduces World’s First Homozygous Polled Akaushi Bull .................................................... page 14 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker ................................................................................................................ page 32 Trends in Food & Beef ........................................................................................................................................... page 55 Valley Vet Supply News ...................................................................................................................................... page 48 Vytelle Launches Visionary Vytelle Solutions ................................................................................................ page 77 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ......................................................................................................................... page 16 Zoetis News ........................................................................................................................................................... page 74

ON

PEST MANAGEMENT Common Cattle Parasites, by Floron C. Faries, Jr. ….. page 6 Pest Management Considerations for Your Operations,

by Joseph W. Ward, Ph.D. ….. page 4 Six Methods of Pest Control in Beef Herds, by Amanda Radke ….. page 4 The Cheapest Method to Control Pasture Weeds,

by Doug Mayo & Jay Ferrell ….. page 10 Using Oral Larvacides to Control Pests and Maintain Comfort for Your Cattle, by Dr. Larry Hawkins ….. page 8

N.C. Cattlemen’s Association President KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734

Vice Presidents BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425 SCOTT WEST 489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850 RYAN CLARK 5250 NC 772 Hwy, • Madison, NC 27025 Immediate Past President JEREMY LEE 5153 Battle Run Drive • Catawba, NC 28609 NCBA Policy Division Director - FRED SMITH, JR. NCBA Federation Division Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR. Beef Board Director - ROBERT CRABB Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE

The Carolina Cattle Connection Vol. 35, No. 4 APRIL 2021 Sales & Publication Office 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Phone: 919-552-9111 Fax: 919-552-9216 Email: mail@nccattle.com Website: www.nccattle.com

The Carolina Cattle Connection

is printed on 30 lb recycled newsprint

by BN Printing in Benson, N.C.

Manager, N.C.

STAFF

BRYAN BLINSON

Manager, S.C. TRAVIS MITCHELL Executive Director

BRYAN K. BLINSON Editor & Advertising Director 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Director of Consumer Information ASHLEY W. HERRING Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE

S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director TRAVIS MITCHELL P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138 Phone: 803-609-2828 Email: twmitch@clemson.edu

CASEY L. HINNANT

Assistant Editor & Proofreader

KIM BURDGE N.C. Circulation

KIM BURDGE

S.C. Circulation

To Be Announced

Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All Website: www.sccattlemen.wildapricot.org submissions become property of The Carolina Executive Committee Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to President - Roscoe Kyle return items such as photographs and artwork as 1st Vice President - Timmy Benton requested. nd 2 Vice President - Joe Oswald IV Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Thomas Legare

William Brigman, Latta • Joe Oswald, IV, Allendale Roscoe Kyle, Inman • Terry Kirkland, Batesburg Eddie Evans, Easley • Cecil Eaddy, Manning Thomas Legare, Johns Island • Richard Sox, Lexington Carol Hendrix, Westminister • Clay Alexander, Starr Timmy Benton, Walterboro • Michael Bailey, Lancaster Bonnie Cann, Abbeville • Thomas Jones, Marion Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Jack Ferguson, York Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews

S.C. Beef Council

Executive Director ROY COPELAN P.O. Box 11280 • Columbia, SC 29211 Phone: 803-917-1119 Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov Website: www.sccattle.org

The Carolina Cattle Connection, the official publication of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association is published monthly by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association.

A complementary subscription is included with membership to each state’s association. Nonmember subscriptions are $30 per year.

All address changes for NCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 All address changes for SCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection P.O. Box 207 Saluda, SC 29138

Our

breed Spotlight special sections are excellent forums to reach producers and cattle i ndustry i nsiders i n th e Carolinas and throughout the Southeast. Advertisers also receive a special discount for placing their message in the Spotlight.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

Director’s Report

By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA

Spring Forward As the grass begins to turn green, everyone in agriculture seems to have a bit more spring in their step. It is really no wonder that this happens most years.

Those who have been slogging through mud or at least wet pastures feeding hay all winter can see the opportunity to let the cattle do the feeding themselves. For those who plant crops, the excitement of a new year is always exhilarating, and regardless of whether you calve in the fall or spring, babies just look better on green grass. In my opinion, this spring holds even more promise than most. While the last two winters have had exactly as many days as always, there have been many things that made them seem to last much too long. Mud, the pandemic, heck, even just watching the news put a damper on most of us, but things sure seem to be looking up. Let’s all hope and do our best to ensure that this spring is as bright and hopeful as any of us can remember.

As you read this column, the percentage of folks who have immunity to the virus is growing at a steady rate, whether due to vaccination or recovery.

Restaurants and businesses are beginning

to face fewer restrictions, and the school buses that used to slow down our mornings are now a welcome sight throughout most of our communities. For use in the family of beef, these are all welcome signs and renewed opportunities to provide the high quality beef that you are famous for. Not to mention that most families are enjoying being out of the house a bit more and where better to be than in front of a grill.

This winter was as wet as any of us can remember, and the mud was deeper regardless of how hard we tried to manage around it. I am excited to say that our extension specialists, Dr. Matt Poore, Dr. Deidre Harman, Johnny Rogers, and a team of agents will lead a seminar on how to deal with the aftermath of the mud and strategies to have less next year. A recent meeting of agents revealed that this was a topic of concern statewide that needed attention. Farmers from one end of the state to the other were dealing with mud in feeding areas and even normally firm pastures. It was evident that ideas needed to be explored to repair these areas and look for possibilities to avoid similar situations in the future. There will be ideas

Be a winner!

Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association!

shared from agents and farmers on tactics that they have used to capitalize on these situations to make the farm better. Stay tuned for dates on how to sign on or see a recorded version. This is just one example of turning a challenge into opportunities.

Another challenge turned opportunity that has been very interesting was the meatless day proclamation in Colorado that turned into a nationwide rallying cry to eat meat. Social media was abuzz, and grills were ablaze across the country with the commitment to eat beef that day. The widespread support of beef was amazing and encouraging. There is no question that consumers like and depend on the beef that you and your fellow producers provide to our nation and our world. It also shows that they appreciate your efforts.

Spring also provides opportunities to try new things or hone well tested ideas.

Hopefully, this spring and summer will allow for more educational workshops and field days where we cannot only learn and share but reconnect from what seems like a yearlong “winter” of COVID-19. I would encourage you to reach out to your county extension agent or to us with topics that you would like to learn more about.

In addition to the encouraging thought of getting together in person, we have been forced to employ new ways to gather electronically that, going forward, will allow us to try new ways of idea sharing in a rapid and efficient manner where appropriate. The officers and staff of the association are exploring ideas to use some of the new skills and technologies we were forced to learn over the past year to have a more direct line to members. We hope that we can be even more connected and responsive to the needs of our farm families than ever before to make our organization even stronger.

I have made it a personal priority to make this spring one of looking forward with a positive attitude. I am reminded that the happiest faces at an Easter sunrise service come with a person dressed in the bright colors of spring and not the dark shades of winter. Challenges are always there, but if we look at the opportunities that the challenges provide, our view looking forward will be much more pleasant than the view looking back. Let’s all make this spring one that is filled with the sights of growing calves, green grass, and the sizzle of a hot grill.

IRM Red Books Are Here The price of the books are again $5.00/each this year.

We would like to thank Performance Livestock & Feed Company and Carolina Stockyards for again sponsoring this book.

Some highlights of the book are the international year letter designations for animal identification calving records Beef Quality Assurance best practices judicious use of antimicrobials in cattle injection site quality control health records pasture usage cattle sales A.I. breeding records analysis of calving activity and back by producer demand the addresses phone notes pages plus many other record keeping sections.

Simply return the order form below, along with $5.00 for each book to: N.C. Cattlemen’s Association 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 You can now order them through our website at www.nccattle.com/resources/merchandise/red-book-order-form.

You can also call our office at 919-552-9111 or email us at kim@nccattle.com.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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e Special

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT

Section f

Pest Management Considerations for Your Operation

By JOSEPH W. WARD, Ph.D. For livestock farmers, dealing with pests is one of the most expensive and time consuming chores that comes with raising healthy livestock. A variety of insect and mite pests affect the cattle industry. House flies, stable flies, face flies, horse flies, deer flies, cattle grubs, lice, and mange mites all are common and significant pests of cattle. Many factors come in to play in both preventing and fighting pests, including the time of the year, the type of animal, and the conditions in which animals live and are raised.

Experienced farmers know that pests and livestock predators are more than a mere annoyance that can have a direct impact on the operation’s bottom line.

Of course, specific problems with predators and pests can vary depending on the type of livestock and your geographical location. Most cattle farmers find that internal parasites or worms are the most financially damaging pests.

Pasture stocking densities and the more pasture is used, the more likely it will be infected. Preventing overgrazing can be somewhat problematic and difficult to prevent due to weather, geographical location, and available pasture acres.

When possible, it is best to rotationally graze pasture acres to interrupt pest biological cycles, thus reducing pest infestations on pasture acres.

Insect and mite pest activity can result in lowered milk production levels and reduce feed conversion efficiency.

Pest activity exposes cattle to pathogenic microorganisms and causes blood loss and hide damage. It can lead to public health and public nuisance concerns.

Often, insect and mite pressure can add to unwarranted stressors on young replacement animals that can delay their entry into production and adversely affecting lifelong production performance.

As herd sizes continue to increase on farms, pest pressures often are aggravated

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by large quantities of animal waste that must be handled. Crowded conditions can promote the spread of external parasites.

Historically, management of cattle pests often has relied on insecticide use as a single control tactic. This single approach can aggravate insecticide resistance problems in pest populations and inadvertently destroy natural enemies of the target species. Many producers are implementing integrated pest management programs to maximize the effectiveness of pest control actions while conserving beneficial insects and minimizing pesticide use. Extension area specialists are a good source for information on effective IPM programs (Integrated pest management programs).

This program’s concept is to use the right type pf control at the right time for the right duration to control pests effectively.

There are a range of cattle internal and external parasite control products available on the market. Collecting fecal and skin scrapping samples and having your local veterinarian examine the samples to determine the type of parasite present on your operation is always a good practice. Costly mistakes using the wrong pest control products can be avoided by determining the type and level of pest infestation through proper testing methods.

Particularly in warmer climates, flies are the most common cattle pest. Flies include common house files, face flies, bot flies, horse and deer flies, and horn flies. Horn flies can be the most expensive to control. Horn files bite through the cattle’s skin and can suck upwards of a pint of blood a day. Heavy infestation is not only irritating to the animals, but the files can weaken cattle, slowing their growth and production efficiencies.

Horn flies are gray and look like small houseflies. Horn flies bite and spend most of their time clustered around the head, shoulders, and back of cattle. These blood sucking flies feed up to 30 times per day. This constant biting cause cattle pain and stress, and research has shown that it can reduce cattle gains by as much as 20 pounds during the feedlot period.

The life cycle of the horn fly ranges from 10-20 days, depending on weather conditions. Populations will typically

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

peak in midsummer and early fall.

University research has reported that when the fly counts reach 200 flies per animal, the economic threshold had been reached and animals will have significant weight loss. Economic threshold is the pest density at which producers should take action to manage the pest.

Face flies look like large dark, house flies. They are the on-biting flies that feed on animal secretions, plant nectar, and

Six Methods of Pest Control in Beef Herds

By AMANDA RADKE We’re several months away from a winter frost, and that means there’s still lots of time left where controlling flies, insects, and other pests is vitally important for maintaining optimal health in the beef herd.

There’s a huge difference between horn flies, face flies, house flies, stable flies, and other insects, and as a result, there are several methods to consider to keep pests at bay. Steve Boyles, Ohio State University Extension specialist, explains six of these methods and offers tips for choosing the best option for controlling specific pests.

1. Backrubbers, oilers, and dust bags - Boyle writes, “Backrubbers and oilers will provide some reduction in face fly numbers but are generally not as good for controlling face flies as they are for horn flies. Models that force the animal to get the toxicant around the head area are generally best for reducing face fly numbers.

Backrubbers offer cattle the incentive to satisfy their instinct to scratch and are most effective if placed in pasture areas where livestock loaf. Reductions in face fly and horn fly populations can be achieved by the effective use of dust bags.”

2. Spraying - “Routinely spraying cattle with insecticide sprays can be effective for horn fly control, but requires labor,” Boyle says. “Most insecticides available in spray formulations last only one to two weeks, and cattle need to be handled and brought into a confined area to be sprayed.”

3. Ear tags - Boyle explains that there are numerous trade names and designs currently marketed containing pyrethroid, organophospate, and avermectin insecticides.

“Depending on the product, one or two tags are installed per animal,” he says.

“Ear tags containing pyrethroids provide excellent control of horn flies and face flies. However, horn flies have developed some resistance to these pyrethroids. The organophosphate tags available will control pyrethroid-resistant horn flies. Ear tags release insecticide most efficiently during the first two months after application.

Remove the tags at the end of the fly season.”

4. Pour on - The best way to apply a pour-on is from the head down to the tail, says Boyle. “Where pyrethroid resistant horn flies are present, a non-pyrethroid resistant pour-on should be used,” he recommends.

5. Oral methods - Boyle writes, “Boluses prevent immature fly larvae from becoming adults. Another means of oral treatment is the use of larvicide feed additives in free choice mineral.”

6. Biological control - “Dung beetles can be of benefit by aiding in the destruction of manure piles,” says Boyle. “Managing pasture flies and promoting dung beetles is a delicate balancing act. If there has been the extensive use of certain dewormers and systemic insecticides, the residues from them may kill dung beetles. If you find holes in the surface of the manure piles, or piles appear to be shredded, you probably have dung beetles. To confirm their presence, open the piles and look for adult beetles.”

e Special manure liquids. Face flies may transmit pathogens responsible for infecting the eye and causing keratoconjunctivitis or pink eye in cattle. Cattle with white around the eyes are more susceptible to pink eye than their black eyed counterparts, as the flies are more attracted to the cattle’s eye fluids. Flies spread the disease from one animal to the next. Producers can vaccinate their cows for pink eye and fly control will help stop the spread of the disease. The life cycle of a face fly is approximately 21 days and populations tend to peak in late summer.

Louse populations are usually kept under control with the proper use of preventive insecticides. Keeping areas that is well ventilated helps to prevent a problem. If a herd is introduced to an infected animal, the lice can spread. Cattle lice are most commonly found on the top of the head shoulders, back, neck, and rump.

Infestations are usually light in the summer and heavy in the winter and early spring.

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT Cattle grubs are another pest that have a major impact on cattle farmers. As adults, grubs disturb the cattle, as larvae, they damage the meat and the hides.

According to the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service, applying insecticides before cattle are six months of age has shown to be the best effective method of control.

Mange is a winter time disease caused by mites which are highly contagious. If an issue is observed, the infected animals should be immediately isolated from the herd. Consult your farm veterinarian for proper treatment.

Although chemical controls are available, in severe cases, farmers are advised to sell and/or slaughter mange infected animals to remove them from the herd.

The goal of pest control is to reduce pest to an acceptable level. A few of the more common methods for fly control include misters, sprays, pour ons, dust bags, ear tags, and mineral blocks. Ear

Section f

tags contain insecticides that are released slowly in the animals’ hair by movement, so ear tags shouldn’t be applied until fly populations are nearing economic thresholds (typically mid-June to July).

Pour ons and sprays must be applied every two weeks to three weeks during the fly season to achieve proper fly control.

Feed additives insecticides can be included in mineral formulation for cattle.

The additives pass through the animal’s digestive tract and destroy the developing fly maggots in the manure. These additives appear to be effective in killing 80 to 90 percent of the developing fly larvae in

animals that have consumed the product.

Feed additives should not be offered until flies emerge in late June or July. Research has shown that the continuous use of these products will speed up resistance in the fly populations. Back rubbers, dusters, and other means of delivering insecticides, as well as non-chemical fly traps and reliance on natural fly defense mechanisms (dung beetle control of larvae), are also options. Farmers need to watch for economic thresholds and determine what control measures will work best for their operations.

Although, total pest eradication is an unrealistic goal for most farms, unwanted pests can be very costly to a farm’s bottom line. Producers can reduce costly mistakes by following the principles of integrated pest management. Applying the appropriate products at the appropriate time is the most cost effective approach for controlling pest and reducing economic production losses.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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Spotlight

e Special

on

PEST MANAGEMENT

Section f

Common Cattle Parasites

By FLORON C. FARIES, JR. Texas A&M University With proper preventive and treatment methods, producers can control many common internal and external parasites in cattle. Common important internal parasites of cattle are hairworms, lungworms, liver flukes, and coccidia.

Common external parasites include horn flies, lice, and grubs.

Internal Parasites Hairworms - The gastrointestinal tract of cattle is often infected with hairworms, also called stomach worms and intestinal worms. These worms are transmitted when: • Infected cattle pass eggs in manure onto the ground; • Eggs hatch in the manure; • Rain washes the larvae from the manure; and • Cattle swallow larvae on wet grass in moderate temperatures.

The worms mature in about three weeks and lay eggs. In June, July, and August, larval development of the brown stomach worm, the most common and harmful of the hairworms, is inhibited in the stomach lining. The worms are usually transmitted when soil temperatures are 55º-85°F in rainy periods in spring (April through June) and fall (October). Pasture larvae hibernate in winter (November through March) and die from heat, sunlight, drying, and nutrient depletion in summer (July through September).

Normally the disease (wormy cattle) is secondary to inadequate nutrition. Poor nutritional management practices, such as overcrowdedness and overgrazing, create inadequate nutrition, and allow cattle to be reinfected continuously. Under these conditions, the cattle’s gastrointestinal tracts are a suitable environment for worms to establish; their immune

response is low, allowing establishment; and being in poor condition, the wormy cattle cannot withstand the effects of the worms.

The primary malnutrition condition, a protein deficiency, worsens because the larvae interfere with digestion, causing diarrhea and reducing the appetite.

Calves have low immunity and usually become wormy during their exposures. Heavy exposures cause disease; light exposures produce immunity. Adult cattle and young cattle have immunity from previous exposures, but often become wormy when: • Nutrition is inadequate and their immunity has lowered; • Brown stomach worm larvae have emerged from the stomach lining in September; and • Heavy exposures have occurred.

Clinical signs of wormy cattle include pale mucous membranes, bottle jaw, pot belly, diarrhea, drawed, not grazing, not chewing cud, rough and dry haircoat, thinness, weakness, and an inability to stand. These signs are similar to those caused by malnutrition and liver flukes.

The most important way to control hairworms is to maintain good nutrition by: • Rotating pastures; • Preventing overcrowding and overgrazing; and • Providing good quality pasture, hay, and supplements.

When cattle have a diet with enough protein, vitamins, and minerals, fewer worms are normally established, and the cattle are more able to withstand their effects. Management practices that maintain good nutrition also prevent severe reinfection of worms. Additional

Manure contaminated environment provides exposures to internal parasites.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

Good nutrition and sanitation practices prevent severe reinfection of internal parasites.

control measures include proper drainage and sanitation, separating age groups, and strategic worming.

Lungworms - Lungworms cause a lung disease in cattle with clinical signs similar to those caused by viruses, bacteria, and allergies. Transmission and control are the same as for hairworms.

Lungworm disease occurs in previously unexposed cattle, such as in calves or moved cattle.

Liver flukes - Cattle living in wet areas with alkaline soils may develop liver fluke infections. Liver flukes are transmitted when: • Infected cattle, deer, and rabbits pass eggs in manure and drop the manure in water; • Eggs hatch in water and larvae develop in snails; and • Cattle swallow cysts on grass or hay.

Clinical signs of digestive inefficiency are evident in young cattle with acute liver disease and in older cattle with chronic liver disease. Fluky cattle show signs similar to those with malnutrition and hairworms.

Strategic worming - Wormers are administered to cattle not only as a treatment to kill internal parasites and to stop damage caused by parasites, but also to prevent pasture contamination and reinfection of the cattle. Strategically administering drugs reduces environmental contamination and infection of cattle and snails.

A strategic method requires proper timing. This means that a drug against a parasite must be administered at the right

time considering the parasite’s biology.

Therefore, the correct time is not when the cattle are confined and accessible, or because it has been a long time since the cattle received a drug, or because administrations are spaced evenly (fall and spring, every six months). The correct time is when cattle have become infected, the parasite is beginning to develop and cause damage, and conditions are best for transmission.

Administering a drug at the right time breaks the life cycle of the worms and prevents them from building up in cattle.

The right time to administer cattle wormers normally depends on the parasite and the development of optimal environmental conditions, which include moderate temperatures, rainfall, and wet grass. For stomach worms, administer drugs three to six weeks after optimal environmental conditions develop. For liver flukes, administer drugs four to six months after optimal conditions are present.

Examine feces each month to check fluctuations of worm eggs per gram of feces, which will help you time the drug administration properly and monitor the effectiveness of your control measures.

Drugs to control internal parasites should supplement but not replace management practices to improve sanitation and nutrition. Table 1 shows what products can be used for various parasites and how to administer them.

Coccidia - Coccidia cause an intestinal disease of young cattle, usually three weeks to six months old, but can affect cattle up to two years old. They are transmitted when:

e Special • Infected cattle pass cysts in manure onto the ground; • Rain washes the cysts from the manure; • The cysts develop under moist and moderate temperature conditions; and • Cattle swallow cysts on moist ground.

As with hairworms and lungworms, transmission is common during rainy times in spring and fall. The diarrhea caused by coccidia may be confused with the diarrhea caused by hairworms, bacteria, and viruses.

Wormers are ineffective against coccidia. Effective drugs are amprolium (Amprol ® , Corid ® ), decoquinate (Deccox ®), lasalocid (Bovatec ®), and sulfonamides. After one week of optimal conditions, administer the drug in feed or water for two weeks to calves maintained in a manure contaminated environment, such as haying and feeding areas. Control measures include the management practices for hairworms.

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT External Parasites Horn flies - Horn flies reproduce in fresh cattle manure from early spring to late fall. Horn fly populations usually peak in late spring and again in late summer or early fall. Hot, dry conditions may naturally reduce horn fly numbers during mid-summer. Thousands of flies may infest a single animal, causing extreme nervousness and energy loss.

Horn flies suck blood, irritate and annoy, reduce weight gains and cause weight losses. The annoyance and irritation interfere with cattle’s feeding and resting.

Treatment is economically justified when horn fly populations reach 250 per head. To control them satisfactorily throughout the season, use self treatment insecticides or routinely apply spray, pour on, spot on, or dust chemicals.

Used properly, self treatment devices are more effective than hand application in controlling horn flies and lice. Such devices include oil back rubbers, dust bags, and tubes, liquid wicks, and impregnated

Section f

Horn flies and lice cause hair loss and itching.

ear tags. Insecticide impregnated ear tags control horn flies well for two to five months if they are properly attached to the ear and if pyrethroid resistance is not a factor. Currently, labeled ear tags contain either a pyrethroid, an organophosphate, or a pyrethroid/organophosphate/synergist mixture.

Pyrethroid ear tags (permethrin, fenvalerate) have induced widespread horn fly resistance. Vary the types of ear tag insecticides rather than using the same kind year after year. Remove tags as soon as possible once they have lost their

effectiveness in killing horn flies. Tags used four to five months emit too little insecticide to control fly populations adequately.

Tags emitting reduced doses seem to add to the resistance problem by prolonging fly exposure, thus making the surviving population more resistant to the insecticide.

Lice - Biting lice and blood sucking lice are transmitted between cattle by contact, especially in the fall, winter, and spring when egg production increases in cool weather. Because cattle tend to bunch up more in cold weather, uncontrolled lice spread easily from animal to animal and quickly infest an entire herd.

Lice cause a condition called lousy, an itching skin disease with possible anemia.

Clinical signs are dry, scaly skin, hair loss, and itching exhibited by biting, rubbing, and scratching. Lice bites and allergies to lice cause the itching. The allergic dermatitis may persist after the lice are gone. These signs may be confused with malnutrition and allergies caused by horn flies, mosquitoes, and gnats.

Although chemicals do not harm lice eggs, cattle can be treated effectively by administering insecticides twice at a two week interval or once with avermectins (Ivomec ® , Eprinex ® , Dectomax ® ) or milbemycin (Cydectin®). Use spray, dust, pour on, spot on, injection, or self treatment methods in fall and winter for control.

Injection does not work for biting lice.

Grubs - Cattle grubs (warbles, wolves) are larvae of heel flies, which lay eggs on hairs of the lower legs of cattle in late winter and spring. Grubs appear in the backs of cattle in winter. The migratory damage by the grubs in cattle causes weight losses and reduces weight gains and milk production.

To control grubs, administer systemic organophosphate insecticides (CoRal®, Warbex®, Spotton®, Neguvon®, Tiguvon®, Prolate ® ), avermectins (Ivomec ® , Eprinex ®, Dectomax ®) or milbemycin (Cydectin®) to cattle no later than three months before grubs appear in the back.

Use pour on, spot on, spray, or injection methods to kill migrating grubs before they reach the esophagus. If cattle are not treated for cattle grubs in the summer, the systemic organophosphate insecticides and avermectins used in the fall and winter for control of lice, horn flies, and worms may cause reactions in the esophagus if many grubs are present.

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Section f

Using Oral Larvicides to Control Pests and Maintain Comfort for Your Cattle

By DR. LARRY HAWKINS Bayer Animal Health

Springtime brings enjoyable weather and outdoor activities, but it also signifies a time to take action against pests that can pose a threat to producers. The beginning of pest season is especially important for the Southeast region. This area falls within the optimal range of the face fly belt, which allows eight to ten generations of flies per year and typically leads to more flies per season than other areas.

Luckily, protecting your operation and your cattle from potentially damaging pests doesn’t have to be difficult when you create a strategy and consider the use

Any news from your county? Be sure to share your meetings, sales, field days, etc., with your fellow cattlemen through the Connection!

PAGE 8

of oral larvicides to defend against them.

Protecting Your Operation With Oral Larvicides. When considering fly control, look for one that matches the type of flies or fly pressure in your area.

Key questions include: • Where is the insect found? On the animal, in the facility, or in the area around the farm?

• How much of an issue is the fly pressure, meaning how quickly do you need to address it?

• What are your farm capabilities, such as the practicality of gathering animals for treatment, employees and time available, and your budget?

Oral larvicides or feed through fly control can be a solid, convenient centerpiece to a comprehensive fly control program. That’s because oral larvicides prevent flies from developing in the manure of your cattle, which is the breeding site for face flies and horn flies.

When choosing a feed through fly control product, look for one that is effective against not only horn flies, but also works to control face flies, stable flies, and house flies. And be sure to pick a product that begins to work quickly; one that starts to work within a matter of days rather than weeks.

You’ll want to start feeding oral larvicides to your herd in the spring before flies appear and continue into the fall until the cooler weather restricts fly activity.

How Oral Larvicides Work. Oral larvicides are mixed with feed to target fly larvae in animal manure before they can become adult flies.

Oral larvicides work in three simple steps: 1. Cattle consume the oral larvicide as a part of their feed, mineral tub/block, or supplement. It’s highly palatable so animals treat themselves.

2. The oral larvicide passes through the animals’ digestive systems.

3. The oral larvicide is deposited with the animals’ manure, where it kills fly larvae on contact.

Oral larvicides target insects, eggs, and larvae in manure and are especially effective in large animal groups. To be effective, they should be fed to all

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

animals in a herd.

For optimum fly control management, consider the use of an additional insecticide method, such as ear tags, dust bags, or sprays. This helps control flies that may migrate in from the surrounding area or from flies hatching from manure of animals not consuming adequate supplement.

Why Try an Oral Larvicide?

There are a variety of reasons why oral larvicides are beneficial. For starters, they’re a cost effective way to control all four species of flies. Also, because animals in essence treat themselves, time and labor are saved, making oral larvicides convenient and easy to use.

They also prevent the development of multiple species of flies in the manure of treated beef and dairy cattle. Several species of flies lay their eggs directly in manure, so oral larvicides kill fly larvae as the eggs hatch and before the larvae can mature and continue the cycle.

In addition, oral larvicides are versatile and can be used in complete feed, concentrates, hand fed supplements, mineral mixes, and liquid feed supplements. They have low toxicity to plants and animals so they’re extremely safe to use. Manure from treated animals may be used immediately as fertilizer without any adverse environmental effects.

Rotation for Maintaining Effectiveness. When using an oral larvicide or any other insecticide, it’s important to rotate over time to minimize the development of resistance to your insect control strategy.

When rotating products, you want to rotate to a product that uses a different mode of action (MOA) than what you’re currently using. Available modes of action include:

• Pyrethroids – Sodium channel modulators that disrupt the normal flow of sodium ions

• Organophosphates – Cholinesterase inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine • Neonicotinoids – Acetylcholine receptor agonists that mimic the action of acetylcholine By limiting pests’ exposure to any one insecticide, differing MOAs will circumvent the potential of cross resistance and ultimately minimize the emergence of new resistant pest populations. Use what fits your management style best, but be sure to keep a method of fly control active.

Keeping Safety in Mind. As a final point, read the label and know what personal protection equipment is required for the products being used. Also, ensure that the employees applying the products are trained to understand the proper use of each product and the appropriate equipment needed.

1

Eubanks Ryman V.J., Nickerson S.C. (2013). Are you ready for fly season?

Hoards Dairyman website. Available at www.hoards.com/13may10-control-flies.

Accessed June 20, 2013.

2

Campbell J.B., Beef cattle handbook: house fly and stable fly management in and near livestock facilities. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Iowa Beef Center website. Available at www.iowabeefcenter.org/Beef%20 Cattle%20Handbook/Fly-management. pdf. Accessed May 13, 2013.

3

Taylor D.B., Moon R.D., Mark D.R. (2012). Economic impact of stable flies (Diptera: Muscidae) on dairy and beef cattle production. J Med Entomol.

49(1):198-209.

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1475 National Highway • Thomasville, NC 27360 Store - 336-886-1737 • Cell - 336-250-0572 www.thebarnloft.com The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT

Section f

The Cheapest Method to Control Pasture Weeds

By DOUG MAYO & JAY FERRELL University of Florida “What is the cheapest way to control weeds in pastures?”

A healthy, vigorous pasture grass will choke out most weeds that try to get established.

Even so, the very best pasture managers have to deal with weeds of some sort because Florida’s climate provides an ideal habitat for weed establishment and growth.

Typically weeds develop a stronghold in weak areas of pastures such as feeding zones, around water troughs, high traffic areas, and loafing areas around shade.

Once weeds begin to establish, even in small areas, they start spreading and building a seed bank waiting for an opportunity to compete with forage grasses. There is a low cost method that can be used to control weeds early on before they spread called “spot treatment.”

Spot treatment of weeds can be as simple as using a broadcast sprayer that is turned on and off to only spray the parts of pastures with weed issues and not over clean areas.

More commonly though, this phrase is used to refer to individual plant treatment.

Depending on the weeds to be controlled and their stage of maturity, costs for a total pasture broadcast herbicide treatment can range from $5-24 per acre for the chemical alone.

However, if you jump on a problem area early, individual plants can be controlled and the cost of herbicide will be significantly reduced because you only apply the chemical on the targeted weeds.

In general, spot treatment will require considerably more labor than a broadcast treatment.

There is a trade off, as a manager you have to decide which resources are more precious, your time or your money.

It really depends on the level of infestation as to which method is most efficient.

If you jump on a weed problem early enough, spot treatment will be less expensive and not too overwhelming.

Seldom does a single broadcast treatment remove weeds completely, so spot treatment can be be used as a follow up treatment to prevent infestations from reoccurring.

There are some key things to know before you get started with spot treatment.

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Just as with broadcast treatments, the first step is to identify the most problematic weeds to be controlled.

Weed identification can be challenging, especially since people use different common names for the same weeds: spiny pigweed or careless weed, sida or teaweed or ironweed.

Weed identification is something your county extension agent can assist with.

Nobody can remember the names of all of the weeds, but a network of specialists can assist with positive plant identification.

Once you know the specific weeds to be controlled, effective herbicides can be selected.

Dr. Jay Ferrell and Dr. Brent Sellers have an annually updated weed control guide for pastures with a herbicide ratings chart for the more common weeds: Weed Management in Pastures and Rangeland.

This is a great resource for herbicide selection, once you know which weeds you are targeting.

Most herbicide labels have very clear explanations for their use as broadcast treatments.

Typically, they even provide lists of common weeds and a recommended rate to apply per acre.

Spot treatment recommendations on specific product labels vary considerably.

If you are not treating acres at a time, the simplest method to use is a spray solution on a percentage basis. The mixing

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

chart below provides a basic summary of how much herbicide and surfactant should be added per volume of water.

There is a more complete chart available in Chemical Weed and Brush Control on Rangeland, but you will have to convert to get the CC’s for the correct amounts.

One technique that can be very helpful is instead of working with fractions of ounces, tablespoons, or teaspoons is to convert the recommended herbicide concentrate into cubic centimeters (CC).

This is especially true for mixing small quantities of spray solution, because you can use plastic disposable syringes to get the precise amount of herbicide concentrate needed.

There are a number of options for the type of equipment to use for single plant or spot treatment.

Certainly, one to two gallon pump-up sprayers are the cheapest options.

The constant need to stop and pump, the limited capacity, and carrying the free swinging weight, however, gets old fast.

A better option is a backpack sprayer, because they are much easier to carry and can be pumped as you walk to keep the pressure fairly stable.

Three gallon backpack sprayers are ideal for most people, but larger units are available.

Just remember that a five gallon sprayer completely filled will weigh more than 50 pounds and will be heavy and awkward to carry around pastures.

Padded straps are also a very important feature for these types of sprayers.

A more convenient option is a 1025 gallon electric sprayer that can be connected to the electrical system of a pickup truck, tractor, 4-wheeler, golf cart, or off-road utility vehicle.

If you already own an agricultural sprayer for your tractor, the cheapest option may be to simply purchase a sprayer wand attachment made for your specific unit.

Whichever type of equipment you choose, beware of bargain sprayers.

The plastic spray wands break and the seals on the tanks go bad over time.

Instead, choose brands that offer replacement parts.

Sprayer wands made of brass or metal cost more, but will hold up longer with regular use.

Mail order supply companies like Gempler’s carry a wide range of sprayers for spot treatment, and even carry the replacement parts if you don’t have a sprayer equipment dealer nearby.

Like other farm equipment, you generally get what you pay for.

Once you have your equipment there are a few other things to keep in mind.

Spray individual plants until they are wet and stop.

Hosing plants down can actually reduce weed control.

At high rates, the active ingredients can burn the leaves to the point that it actually reduces herbicide uptake.

The goal is to evenly cover the leaves with a light, fine spray or mist and move on.

If you are spraying large brush or small trees, make sure you spray the entire canopy of the plant. Otherwise, you may only defoliate part of the plant and not get a complete kill.

Surfactants are just as important for spot treatment as with broadcast spraying.

Dishwashing detergent, diesel fuel, alcohol or some other cocktail will not work like a commercial surfactant.

Surfactants are made specifically to mix well with herbicides in the tank and help spray droplets dry in place on the leaf of the weeds.

If the chemical rolls off the leaves onto the ground before it dries, it won’t be effective.

Read the herbicide label and follow the instructions provided for that particular

e Special

product.

Most pasture herbicides recommend a 0.25% solution of a non-ionic surfactant.

Individual plant treatments are challenging, because weeds tend to be scattered and clumped in pastures.

It is not efficient to walk or drive in

Spotlight on

PEST MANAGEMENT

straight lines, so you jump from plant to plant or clump to clump.

Adding a blue or purple dye to your spray mix can really help to know where you have already sprayed.

Even with the dye you are going to miss some plants, so be prepared for a

follow up treatment a few weeks later to hit the weeds you missed.

Don’t judge the results of your treatment too quickly. It is pretty likely that there will be surviving plants that were either completely missed or inadequately sprayed on the first attempt.

Another common mistake is mixing too much spray solution. Start off conservatively until you figure out how long it takes to spray three, five, or ten gallons, before mixing up a full tank. Most herbicides degrade over time in water.

Start with a clean tank, spray out the mix completely, and clean the tank out again before storage. The sprayer seals and pumps will last a lot longer if they are stored clean and dry.

Develop a routine to only mix what you need, and then clean out the tank when you are done.

Just as with any type of chemical

Section f application, you need to follow the safety instructions on the product label.

With a spray wand, you are much more likely to be exposed to spray drift.

Most herbicide labels call for a minimum of long pants, long sleeves, and chemical resistant gloves.

Hats and eye protection are always a good idea as well. Take steps to reduce exposure, and then wash up and put on clean clothes as soon after application as possible.

Like most every other operation on a farm or ranch, spot treatments take some practice to develop the system that fits your schedule and equipment.

Investing in the right equipment will make this job easier.

The ultimate goal of using the spot treatment approach is to prevent major weed infestations before they rob water and nutrients from forages in your pastures, and, of course, do it with as low a cost as possible.

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PAGE 11

how to share with your audience the details of your demonstration.

Julie also gave the proper cooking temperature for ground beef and showed how to effectively use a meat thermometer to assess doneness.

There were over 140 participants in the virtual meeting. Thanks to Julie’s fantastic presentation, there were some who reached out for more beef information and resources. We are happy to work with nutrition professionals and assist them in their goals while they work with clients.

It’s an extremely important audience,

Ashley’s Beef Corner

T

Working with the N.C. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

and we want to make sure the correct information gets relayed through to clients.

The recipe details are included here.

We were very pleased with the event and how beef was represented to this audience.

Greek Burgers For the burgers: 1 lb. 93% lean ground beef 1 cup spinach, finely chopped ½ small red onion, minced 4 cloves garlic, finely minced 2 tablespoons fresh dill, minced ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled 1 teaspoon dried oregano ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 4 hamburger buns

By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Through the Beef Checkoff ’s nutrition seminar program, the N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council was able to sponsor a speaker at the N.C. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic’s virtual meeting.

We have previously provided a speaker at in-person events, so we were happy to be able to work together.

Julie gave an impressive demonstration preparing a Greek hamburger recipe. She discussed the importance of camera angles, the best platform in her experience (Zoom), and

For the meeting, Chef Julie Harrington-Lopez, registered dietitian and culinary nutrition expert, gave her presentation titled “How to Present an Effective Cooking Demonstration.”

For the tomato salad: 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered 2 tablespoons red onion, finely minced 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste For the tzatziki sauce: 1 English cucumber ½ cup plain Greek yogurt ½ tablespoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon salt For the tomato salad: In a bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, parsley, vinegar, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. For the tzatziki sauce: Using a cheese grater, grate the English cucumber. Using a thin dish towel or paper towels, press out any excess liquid.

In a bowl, mix together yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt. Fold in the cucumber.

For the burgers: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grease grill grates.

In a large bowl, combine beef, spinach, onion, garlic, dill, feta, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined. Do not overwork the meat mixture. Form into 4 beef patties.

Grill the burgers for approximately 4-6 minutes, then flip over and grill another 4-6 minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted horizontally into the center registers 160°F. Add burgers to a bun and top with tzatziki sauce and tomato salad.

Makes 4 servings

PAGE 12

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PAGE 13

my mind. I had no idea the bill for this would be coming from the flower shop where, for umpteen years, we had gotten a bill for flowers. Now, the same flower shop, Always in Bloom, sent us a bill

E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture

with the same letterhead for Stihl Mix. When Anne glanced at the bill and saw Stihl Mix, she thought it was a flower arrangement of mixed flowers. All I can say is read your bill carefully.

By E.B. HARRIS

Be Careful Where You Buy Your Flowers and Chainsaw Parts Valentine’s Day is a special day. This year, about a week before Valentine’s Day, I asked Anne what she would like.

She told me what she usually tells me on special occasions, “It’s not necessary to get me anything. I don’t know of anything I need.” I told her I needed to get her something, and I already had in mind that I would be getting her red roses.

A friend of mine from the next county over called. She was helping a lady with her orders for Valentine’s Day and asked if I would like to order roses for Anne. I told her I would like a dozen red roses and asked her to get them delivered. I told her I would leave the money for the flowers in the mailbox in front of the office. They delivered the flowers on Saturday, and the funds were gone from the mailbox that has the bull on top.

When I came into the office late one afternoon about a week and a half after Valentine’s Day, Anne asked me if there was anything I needed to tell her. This is the tone of voice and look she gives me sometimes when I have bought a new bull or a piece of equipment that I forgot to tell her about until the check cleared the bank

Mixed flowers or Stihl mix

or a bill came for it. I said, “Well there’s lots of things I need to tell you but what specifically do we need to talk about.” I could tell something was on her mind.

She said, “In the mail today was a bill from the flower shop in Warrenton (the florist where we normally do business with).

Have you sent anyone else flowers for Valentine’s Day?” I said, “I most certainly have not. I have not talked with Mary (owner of the flower shop in Warrenton) since your birthday which was before Christmas.” She replied, “Well the bill is for $80 for Stihl Mix.” I told her she needed to call and see if the bill was sent to the wrong person.

I decided to send a text to the lady in Warrenton who runs the flower shop and ask her if she sent a bill to me by mistake.

She replied by text that she did not think so. I told her we got a bill today for $80 from the flower shop and did not know what it was for.

This flower shop had just recently added a new line to their inventory, selling saw parts and other gardening items. Shane had told me he stopped by there the other week and got some premix gas and Stihl bar oil, but I let it slip

Texas Ranch Introduces World’s First Homozygous Polled Akaushi Bull HeartBrand Dos Equis XX makes history with polled Akaushi genes.

For the first time ever, polled Akaushi genetics will be publicly available to interested cattle breeders – marking a significant milestone in the breed’s history.

“HeartBrand Dos Equis XX 3618H is the first homozygous polled purebred Akaushi bull ever bred,” says JoJo Carrales, vice president of cattle operations for HeartBrand Cattle.

This is a turning point for the American Akaushi breed.

“Through the careful selection for sire quality HeartBrand Cattle is known for, we’ve removed a significant obstacle for cattle breeders,” says Carrales.

“Now those who don’t want to use horned genetics can reconsider all the

“If you have cattle, pastureland, or raise hay like I do, you need to call Donna Byrum. In 10 minutes on the hood of my pickup, she signed me up for a program that I had no idea about.

The next time she came by the farm, she brought me a check! ~ E.B. Harris

DONNA BYRUM

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For all your crop insurance needs!

PAGE 14

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

tremendous benefits of the American Akaushi breed.”

Akaushi and Polled: Best of the Best - Dos Equis XX is the first Akaushi bull to genetically assure polled calves. Careful attention was paid to ensure the overall genetic superiority of the American Akaushi breed was not sacrificed for this advancement.

“We’re dedicated to the preservation of pure Akaushi genetics and the strategic selection for superior, modern cattle performance,” says Carrales. “Dos Equis XX is helping us elevate opportunities in our breeding program and for cattle buyers around the world.”

Akaushi is a Japanese cattle breed from the Wagyu origin – several breeds of cattle desired for their genetic predisposition to intense marbling and higher concentration of monounsaturated fat relative to saturated fat. The breed has many notable benefits: • Akaushi cattle have extremely efficient, consistent production and low birth rates for calving ease.

• Using Akaushi bulls to sire half blood Akaushi cattle has shown to provide significant Akaushi genetic advantage when crossed with breeds worldwide, consistently doubling prime grade and improving yield.

• U.S. demand for Akaushi beef is surging – Akaushi cattle produce distinctly marbled beef with the melt-inyour-mouth texture and buttery flavor consumers crave.

“Despite the tremendous quality and meat flavor Akaushi breeding offers to a cattle producer’s business, we know dehorning calves is a management practice many ranchers prefer to avoid,” Carrales says. “Now they can avoid it and still use Akaushi genetics.”

By BERNT NELSON Clemson University

Back to the Futures -- Part V Hedging 101 This is the fifth article in the Back to the Futures series. In the previous article, tools that Carolina cattle producers can use to mitigate price risk were addressed.

These tools were broken down into categories of production tools and price tools. One of those price risk management tools addressed was hedging. Back to the Futures — Part V is going to expand the concept of hedging. It will address the questions of what hedging is, who can hedge in the futures markets, and why it is a useful tool for mitigating risk for price takers. Lastly, the article will walk through the process of hedging with an example and provide a snapshot of what it’s like to be a producer using this price risk management tool.

Hedging — What is it? Who can do it? Why? Hedging is a risk management tool that decision makers use to help protect against potential losses. Hedging can be used by all kinds of businesses in strategies that help protect against losses.

Cash Position - The first thing a producer needs to know to understand hedging is what type of cash position they fall into. Cattle producers fall into one of two categories: 1. Those who have cattle they plan to market at a time in the future (short cash position).

2. Those who plan to buy cattle at a time in the future (long cash position).

These categories apply to anyone who plans on buying or selling cattle at any point in the future, whether it’s a week from now or a year from now.

Two types of cash positions 1. Short - These are the cattle producers who have cattle they intend to sell. These producers are planning on selling cattle at a future date. The term used to describe individuals in this category is “short.” Producers in this position are concerned about a drop in market price. He or she will sell futures; this is called a short position to lock in a price in case the cash market falls.

2. Long - These are producers who

plan to buy cattle at a future time and date. They are not yet making the cash outlay for the purchase but want to protect against any increase in price between now and the time they plan to purchase cattle.

If a producer plans to buy, the producer in this position is “long.”

A producer with a cash position will become a hedger when he or she becomes involved in both the cash market and the futures market. For example, a producer with a short cash position will become a hedger when he or she sells a futures contract BECAUSE the producer still owns the cattle AND sells in the futures market. Another example would be if a producer was planning on buying cattle in the future and was concerned that the market would increase. The producer does not want to buy cattle at a higher price. He or she would become a hedger when he or she buys a futures contract.

What is the hedging process?

Broker & Hedging Account - In order to be a hedger in a futures market, a producer needs to have a hedging account. This is an account that is used for transactions in the futures market.

This account is typically through a brokerage firm. The producer will work through a broker or number of different brokers who work for the firm that actually carries out the act of trading.

Taking a hedging position - Select the appropriate contract: The first step in taking a hedge position is determining the appropriate contract to use. Futures contracts are not offered for all months. The months that have contracts are different for every commodity. If a producer wants to market livestock in a month that does not offer a futures contract, the producer should always take a hedging position in the next following month available.

Brokerage fee - When a producer and broker decide to take a position, the broker will charge a fee or commission for completing and handling the trade (buying or selling a contract). The brokerage fee will vary depending on the firm, but typically ranges between $50-$100.

Margin Deposit - When a client

makes a trade, a deposit is required for every contract traded. This is sometimes also called a maintenance margin and must be held in a margin account. The deposit varies depending on the type of contract traded, the price level, and other factors. The current minimum requirement set by the Financial Industry Regulation Authority (FINRA) is 25 percent of the total value of the contract traded.

Margin call - When the market moves in a way that is not favorable to the hedger’s position, the hedger must add funds to the margin account. When this happens, the hedger will get a call from his or her broker with a request to deposit these funds. This is where the term “margin call” comes from. An example of this situation would be if a producer has sold a futures contract and the market goes up. This increase in price would adversely affect the producer’s short futures position. The producer would then get a call from his or her broker requesting to increase the margin deposit to match the adverse market increase. This is a “Margin call.”

Working examples of a short and long hedge - For the last portion of this article, two working examples will be used to illustrate what it is like to take a hedging position. Example A will illustrate a short hedge, and Example B will illustrate a long hedge. These examples will use actual CME prices from contracts that are actively trading to show readers what it’s like to be a hedger in the current market conditions.

Please note that these examples are for educational purposes only. These examples use real market prices but are not intended as market advice.

Example A, Short Hedge - Farmer A is currently in spring calving season. She has 55 bred animals total and estimates she will have 50 calves to sell at weaning in August (This month has a futures contract).

Farmer A knows she can be profitable where futures are currently but is concerned if the cash market drops too far below this mark, cash flow will be tight. Feeder cattle futures best fits the farmer’s needs because she is selling calves rather than cattle that are ready for slaughter. Farmer A can make a profit at the level the futures markets are at ($156.57 cwt). She decides to call her broker to put in a sell order for one contract (50,000 lbs.) of the August 2021 feeder cattle futures at $156.50. This means that if the market goes up and hits $156.50, the trade will occur, and Farmer A will sell this contract. Farmer A now has a position in both the cash and futures markets, making her a hedger. When that contract is sold, the broker who is working with Farmer A will collect the brokerage fee at the time the trade is executed and will be sure there is enough money in the margin deposit account to cover the maintenance margin requirement.

Example B, Long Hedge - Farmer B is planning on buying 50 weaned stocker calves in the fall to feed. He wants to buy the calves in September. Farmer B is worried that if COVID-19 subsides due to people getting vaccinated, the markets will rally. This rally would make it expensive to buy calves and would make it unfriendly to those who are trying to buy calves. Farmer B calls his broker and tells the broker his situation. The broker recommends that Farmer B place an order to buy futures the next time the market drops. So Farmer B places an order to buy one September 2021 feeder cattle contract at $154 (September is the nearest contract, and $154 is a level that will only occur if the market goes down). If the market drops to $154, the order to buy this futures contract will fill, and Farmer B will become a hedger.

Next month we will follow up on these examples and use the actual changes in the futures markets and cash markets to show the results of taking these positions!

Regular copy deadline is APRIL 5 for the MAY issue Spotlight material is due

APRIL 1 for the MAY issue The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

PAGE 15

You Decide!

By DR. MIKE WALDEN

Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics N.C. State University You Decide: How Can We Address Climate Change? The Biden Administration has identified addressing climate change – specifically, global warming - as one of its top priorities.

Indeed, they are incorporating climate change into both their foreign and economic policies.

Accepting global warming and its impacts as an issue still leaves the question of how to deal with it. Of course, a simple answer is for businesses and consumers to change behaviors and purchases in order to reduce the rise in global temperatures. But again, we’re left with the question of how – what would motivate businesses and consumers to do this?

One answer is concern for the planet.

We can voluntarily alter our behavior and change the products and services

we use in order to reduce environmental damage. Many people willingly pay more to drive a hybrid or all electric vehicle so as to curtail carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Scientists say CO2 is a major cause of global warming. Likewise, some households have installed solar panels on their homes to reduce their use of conventional power sources.

The best case scenario is when these efforts ultimately save money, in addition to saving the environment. For some businesses and households, they do. But based on the fact that fewer than five percent of today’s vehicles are all electric or hybrid and that only two percent of electricity is generated from solar power, not enough people consider them to be a good investment.

Many think the path to improving the climate is by establishing goals and

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Take-up Tuesday Evenings

Catching and Hauling Services Available

Shelmer Blackburn, Jr.

919-270-1522 • shelmerblackburn@hotmail.com

Seth Church

336-927-5370 • sethchurch@charter.net PAGE 16

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

then enacting programs and spending to reach those goals. For example, the Biden Administration wants the country to reach zero net emissions of CO2 by 2050. In order to reach this goal, the Administration has talked about spending $2 trillion for a variety of activities – insulating buildings, supporting research in improved battery storage for solar power, and increasing the use of renewable energy for vehicles as well as homes and offices.

Some call this the “top down” approach because the plan both sets the goals as well as the methods of reaching those goals. The worry is, even with the best of intentions and its vast network of data and experts, the federal government will never have enough information to know how to most efficiently reduce our environmental degradation.

These concerns have led to an alternative approach to curtailing global warming – the “bottom up” approach.

This approach begins with the premise that people don’t purposely engage in behavior that harms the environment.

Instead, their environmental harm is an unfortunate byproduct of behavior that benefits them. For example, a person may charge their tech products with electricity that is generated by high CO2 emitting coal. This is not because they hate the environment. Instead, they are either unaware their electricity is generated from coal, or they have no alternative.

Likewise, someone who drives to work in a gasoline powered vehicle doesn’t do so because they like putting CO2 into the atmosphere. Rather, that vehicle gives them the best transportation for their budget.

For decades, many economists have proposed a simple solution to this situation. Levy a fee on the pollution creating behavior (using electricity generated from coal, driving a gasoline powered vehicle, plus many others), with the fee approaching the environmental damage done by the behavior.

A pollution fee would create two benefits. Since it increases the price of the behavior, like any price increase, it will cause people to do less of it. Users of coal generated electricity will look for electricity generated from cleaner sources, such as solar, natural gas, or hydro. For the user of the gasoline vehicle, ride sharing, public transit, or buying a hybrid or electric vehicle could be options.

The second benefit will be environmental improvements to those sources with high pollution levels. Coal producers will know they will have to become cleaner to survive. The same will be the case for gasoline vehicles.

When it’s been proposed, a typical push back to the idea of a pollution fee is it will increase prices for many things we use – like the gasoline that fuels most vehicles or the coal that creates almost ¼ of the country’s electricity. This is true; in fact, raising the price is the key part of the idea.

There is a possible solution. It’s called a refundable pollution fee. The fee will still be applied and collected. But it will also be refunded to those paying it but on some basis other than the amount paid. One suggestion is to refund an equal amount to everyone paying the fee.

Since higher income folks would likely pay more, the plan would redistribute the fee’s revenues in a way that lower income households would receive more back than they paid in fees.

Isn’t a refundable pollution fee silly?

Why will people pollute less if they get the money back? Here’s where some economics is helpful. The pollution fee will rebalance prices, making the prices of polluting products and services rise relative to non-polluting products and services. People implicitly understand this, so they will still be motivated to shift away from things that pollute more to things that pollute less.

When trying to solve a problem, it’s good to have options. We clearly have options in addressing climate change. You decide on the best approach.

You Decide: Are There Costs to the New COVID Stimulus Bill? The new COVID-19 relief bill is big – really big as Barney Fife would say. It will provide $1.9 trillion of federal government spending to people, businesses, state and local governments, and a variety of other institutions. This is in addition to $4 trillion of help approved last year.

The logic of this assistance is straightforward. Without the funding, many households would have been destitute, lacking the essentials for living.

Also, many more businesses would have become bankrupt. Even with the help, some economists estimate the small business bankruptcy rate may reach 25 percent.

The good news is the economy has been recovering. The bad news is not everyone is back on their feet. Therefore, a strong case can be made that extending help at least through the summer is sensible and needed.

Yet, after following the debates about previous COVID-19 stimulus legislation, I’ve noticed some new questions raised about the current bill, particularly by economists. While these economists understand the need to provide continuing help to those households and businesses who have not yet financially recovered,

the economists also worry that there could be some adverse side effects from the massive new federal spending.

The concerns are in three areas: inflation, investments, and the impact of debt. Let me look at each of these and then, as always, let you decide how significant they are.

For the better part of a decade, inflation has been a non-issue, with average prices rising between one percent and two percent a year. This is much different than when I joined the NCSU faculty in 1978 when inflation was “the” issue in the economy. And for good reason. For several years in the late 70s and early 80s, the annual inflation rate was in double digits. That’s right, the average cost of living was rising over ten percent each year.

Higher inflation results when consumers are trying to buy more than what businesses can produce. One famous economist once said, “inflation results when too much money is chasing too few goods and services.”

Some economists say that with the latest $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief

bill, the economy will actually be over stimulated, where we will reach the point of attempting to buy more goods and services than businesses can produce. Indeed, the Federal Reserve – the central bank of the country – has bought the majority of new debt issued by the government to fund the COVID-19 stimulus packages. The bank has issued new money to cover these purchases.

Adding to the worry is the fact that, with so many businesses lost during the pandemic, it will take time to rebuild production.

As a result, rather than seeing annual inflation in the one to two percent range, we may see it in the two to four percent range later this year. This will motivate workers to argue for higher wages to afford the higher prices, thereby increasing business costs and possibly setting up an inflationary cycle.

The second worry is in investment markets, and there are two concerns here.

Research shows ⅓ of past household stimulus checks have been saved, with a substantial portion going into the stock market and pushing stock prices to higher

and higher levels. The same will likely happen with the new stimulus checks.

If stock prices are pushed to levels not supported by fundamental business factors, the market may be set up for a serious pullback.

The second investment concern is if higher inflation pushes interest rates higher. Increases in interest rates are also often associated with declines in stock values.

The last issue is with the national debt. The federal government has borrowed all the money used in the COVID-19 stimulus plans. The national debt is already over 100 percent of national income for the first time since World War II, and it’s likely to go higher.

Currently, there is no need to worry the country can’t pay the interest payments on the debt. The reason is the exceeding low interest rates prevailing today, meaning debt can be borrowed relatively cheaply. In fact, although payments on the national debt as a percent of the value of the economy have risen in the last five years, the percentage is roughly half of what it was in the 1980s

and 1990s and is the same as it was in the year I was born (1951).

But there is a cost associated with higher debt. Many economists argue more borrowing pushes interest rates higher, leading to reduced private investments and slower economic growth.

In essence, by borrowing, we’ve traded faster economic growth today for slower economic growth in the future. One economic model recently estimated the $1.9 trillion stimulus would slow future economic growth by ten percent.

If these concerns are believed, we may have traded helping people and businesses and fighting the virus today for potentially higher inflation, a lower stock market, and some loss in our future standard of living. Good trade or bad trade? You decide.

You Decide: Are We Looking at a Test of MMT? ººAlthough the main principles of economics were established decades ago, the discipline is constantly evolving. One of the most recent

Continued on page 19

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

You Decide continued from page 17 contributions has been a new field called “behavioral economics.” Here, scholars have developed ideas explaining why – in some cases – individuals appear to go against their own self interest in making choices. I have found the insights of behavioral economics exceedingly useful.

Apparently, so too has the economics profession, as several leaders in the field have won Nobel Prizes in recent years.

There’s been another new development in economics that focuses on decisions impacting the big – or “macro” – economy rather than the individual – or “micro” – economy. The new development is termed “modern monetary theory,” or MMT. I’m sure the creators of MMT hope it will be as successful as behavioral economics. And they may not have to wait long because a big test of MMT could be approaching.

The main focus of MMT is on federal borrowing. Traditional economic theory states the federal government can pay for its spending in three ways. It can tax income away from households and businesses to fund the spending. Or, it can borrow money from private sources to pay for spending. Last, the federal government can borrow funds from the country’s central bank, the Federal Reserve.

With the first method, the costs of the spending are immediately paid by taxpayers. When borrowing from private sources, there are two costs. The first is regular interest payments on the loans, and the second is payment of the principal (the amount borrowed) when the term of the loan ends, unless the loan is refinanced.

With the third method – borrowing from the Federal Reserve – there is a unique aspect. When you or I pay taxes, we are sending money we’ve earned to the government. Similarly, if we willingly loan money to the federal government because we want to include federal investments, called Treasury securities, as part of our investment portfolio, we are again using money we’ve earned.

But when the Federal Reserve loans money to the federal government, it is not using money the central bank has earned.

Instead, the Federal Reserve uses money it has created. That’s right, the Federal Reserve has the unique ability to print money, although in today’s economy, the creation is done digitally.

In the past, the Federal Reserve was careful about how much money it created for fears of sparking faster increases in prices, that is, higher inflation. In fact, there’s been substantial research from numerous countries showing a link between faster money creation and higher inflation.

But now enter MMT. MMT questions the assumption of an automatic link between money creation and inflation.

Specifically, MMT says if the government spending financed by newly created money makes the economy more productive – thereby leading to faster economic growth and more jobs and income – then the inflation rate won’t rise. In addition, a larger economy will make debt payments more affordable for the federal government.

In short, MMT supporters see government spending backed by newly created money from the Federal Reserve as a way to unleash the economy’s potential by investing in projects like infrastructure, education, and research.

Interestingly, MMT has the same goal as another macroeconomic theory, “supply side economics” (SSE). Both ideas seek to increase the growth of the economy. But the ideas use opposite approaches. MMT uses increased government spending, debt, and money creation to boost the economy, whereas SSE lowers tax rates to motivate more private spending and investments.

SSE was applied as recently as 2017 when federal tax rates were cut to jumpstart a sluggish economy. As you might expect, economists differ over whether the policy was successful.

Now we may be looking at a test of MMT. Over the past year, the federal government has authorized $6 trillion to be spent addressing COVID-19 and the resulting recession. Of the funds raised to date for this spending, the majority has come from the Federal Reserve. There will likely be more proposals forthcoming for additional federal spending in areas like infrastructure, energy, and climate, reductions of college student loans and a basic income for households. If these proposals become reality and if most of the financing comes from the Federal Reserve, then this will be a big, big test of MMT. One of the things I like about being a professional economist is there’s never a dull moment. Economists are constantly developing and debating new ideas about how the economy works and can be improved. Modern monetary theory is the latest in these ideas. Will MMT work, or will it fail? Soon, we may have a test to help us decide!

About the author. Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University who teaches and writes on personal finance, economic outlook, and public policy.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

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North Carolina Angus Association ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program.

Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling.

4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 info@tarheelangus.com 455 GORE FAMILY ANGUS Mark & Lori Gore Tabor City 702-401-8005 455goreangus@gmail.com www.455farms.com BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) robinbackcreek@att.net Facebook: Back Creek Angus BB ORGANIC FARM NC, LLC Bob & Elissa Miller Louisburg 919-414-7753 BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com BRIDGES BEEF CATTLE Eddie, Cindy, John, & Crystal Bridges Shelby 704-692-2978 bridgesbeefcattle@gmail.com BRITT FAMILY FARMS James Britt Calypso 919-738-6331 jrb4070@hotmail.com C-CROSS CATTLE COMPANY Duane Strider Asheboro 336-964-6277 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com G&G FAMILY FARMS Darren & Paul Gore Tabor City 843-458-2970 goreangus1@gmail.com goreangusfarms.com GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 jennham@bellsouth.net HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 gmhill@uga.edu JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com

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KNOLL CREST FARM The Bennett Family Red House,VA 434-376-3567 knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com www.knollcrestfarm.com LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Gates 252-357-1279 ritalane@embarqmail.com PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 sandjfarms2013@gmail.com SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Louisburg 919-880-9062 philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 greg.little@ATImetals.com UWHARRIE RIDGE FARMS Mark Wilburn Asheboro 336-953-0521 uwharrieridgefarms@gmail.com VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 keaton@vandemarkfarms.com WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 michaelmoss@rtmc.net WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 winslowgen@gmail.com WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com

Sharon Rogers

N.C. Angus Association Executive Secretary

336-583-9630 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

ANGUS NEWS Letter From the President.

Dear Angus Breeders, It was a busy and productive week for the board of directors. After several weeks of committee meetings, we were able to spend time thinking strategically and focus on the future of the Angus breed.

• January shows - The Events and Education Committee approved both the Cattlemen’s Congress and National Western Stock Show as Super ROV shows in 2022. Pen shows will be held in both locations. The American Angus Association will host the 2022 National Bull Sale at Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City.

• Reducing budgetary dependence on investment income - The Association has been able to hold registration fees at the same level since 1980, despite inflation of operating costs and the addition of new expenses like credit card fees. Staff continues to mindfully watch expenses and control costs, reducing Association expenses by 12 percent compared to 2019. Historically the Association has been able to use the interest from investments to close the gap between operational expenses and core revenues like registrations, transfers, AHIR fees, A.I. certificates, and membership dues. In recent years, budgeting a five percent return on investment has not been enough to balance the budget. After extensive analysis and discussion, the board unanimously supported a $5 increase in registration fees across all age categories beginning April 6. This will allow us to balance the budget, maintain programs and services for Angus members and reduce our reliance on investment income.

• A.I. Certificates - The board had extensive discussion on the benefits and limitations of A.I. certificates. Ultimately, no action was taken.

• Breed Improvement initiatives We were updated on the AHIR Inventory Reporting effort and excited to hear we have nearly 100,000 females enrolled thus far. We heard about changes that will allow members to provide more detailed disposal codes if they choose to do so. In a continuing effort to recognize breeders who submit phenotypes, the Breed Improvement Committee directed staff to evaluate options that would highlight

an animal’s EPDs if phenotypic data has been submitted.

• Genetic evaluation updates - As the genotype database approaches one million records, it is important to keep the genetic evaluation model up to date. AGI reported progress on potential updates and maintenance, which will improve computing efficiencies and ensure we have the best evaluation available for our members.

• Policy regarding registered animals with red ancestors - The board updated our policies regarding the registration of black Angus cattle with red ancestors. Using genomic technology, we are able to ensure animals allowed in the registry are homozygous black and tested free of all known genetic conditions. In addition, foreign registration fees were changed to $50.

• Strategic discussion - The board heard from Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam about the advancements in gene editing and Dr. Bradley Wolter about a systems approach to genetic selection.

Additionally, we discussed identifying optimum production targets and fitting genetics to different environments. The board reviewed Angus on dairy in the marketplace and how it is influencing the industry.

• Research - AGI gave us an update on their continued research of haplotypes and other projects.

• Demand of registered Angus bulls - We reviewed the national ad campaign messaging that will specifically drive value and demand for the registration paper to the commercial industry. Thank you for your interest and feedback on these important topics for the Angus breed. Feel free to reach out to me or any member of the board with your questions.

Respectfully, David Dal Porto Angus University - Capitalizing on Calf Health Webinar Available Soon.

How can I get the most out of a vaccination program? Will I get a return on my investment? How do I tackle calf health from a systems approach? What role does a cow’s health play in calf health?

A.J. Tarpoff, assistant professor and extension beef veterinarian at Kansas State University (KSU), explains the importance of effective timing and

vaccination protocols. Tarpoff covers health from both a cow and calf perspective, focusing on how your investment will promise a healthier longevity for your herd, reducing illness, disease and increasing performance.

Tarpoff originally hails from Edwardsville, Ill., where his family owned and operated a beef processing plant and steakhouse. After earning his D.V.M., Tarpoff worked for Alberta Beef Health Solutions in Alberta, Canada, as the associate feedlot veterinarian.

In this role, he focused on wholeherd production medicine, conducted numerous research trials, led feedlot employee trainings, monitored disease transmission, and worked with federal imports and exports. Tarpoff has held his current role at KSU since 2016.

Angus Members: Check Your Voting Eligibility Now. Participate in the electoral process during the 2021 Angus Convention by meeting key requirements.

American Angus Association members wanting to participate in the election of delegates and alternate delegates to the 138th Annual Convention of Delegates need to meet four eligibility requirements

before 5:30 p.m. EST on April 9.

According to Association bylaws, only eligible voting members can nominate, be nominated, vote, or be elected in the annual election of delegates. In order to participate in the electoral process and other business during the 138th Annual Convention of Delegates, a member must be an eligible voting member and must meet all of the following requirements by 5:30 p.m. EST on April 9: · Active regular or life membership (dues paid in full by the deadline stated above) · 18 years of age or older · Registered at least one animal or completed at least $250 of business with the Association or Angus Genetics Inc. within the preceding 12 months from when the nomination period begins · Be current with all financial obligations to the American Angus Association and all of its subsidiaries when the nomination process begins.

The nomination period for 2021 begins April 12; therefore, the above criteria must be met by the end of the previous business day, April 9. It’s

encouraged to submit all necessary requirements at least three business days prior to April 9 to allow time for processing.

The American Angus Association will mail delegate nomination materials only to active regular and life members who qualify as eligible voting members prior to 5:30 p.m. EST on April 9.

Contact Martha Greer, coordinator of board relations, at 816-383-5100 or mgreer@angus.org with any questions, or reference the complete bylaws of the Association, including the applicable Section 3.6 at www.angus.org/Pub/brg_ part1.pdf.

The 138 th Annual Convention of Delegates takes place on November 8 during the National Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. Online registration for the convention will begin July 1. More information will be available at www. angusconvention.com.

Differentiating the Value of Feeder Cattle. Latest Angus University webinar educates on revolutionary marketing opportunities. Traditionally, cow/calf producers have found themselves without a way to differentiate their product.

Today, that’s not the case. A revolutionary shift from commodity based marketing to value based marketing is happening, and it is good news for cattlemen.

“We consider this a revolution in marketing because every other sector of the business understood the value of genetics and differentiating their product based on those specifications,” says Troy Marshall, director of commercial industry relations at the American Angus Association. “Here is an opportunity for the cow/calf producer to participate in value based marketing.”

During the Angus University “Revolutionary Marketing” webinar hosted on February 16, Marshall shared that cattlemen have invested in good genetics, and now is the time they can stand out in the marketplace. Commercial cattlemen can capture the value created by exceptional management and genetics they put into their cattle. For seedstock producers, he also shared how the AngusLinkSM program can serve as a customer service tool that benefits their

Continued on page 22

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Angus News continued from page 21 commercial customers.

AngusLink is the umbrella program that covers the genetic merit scorecard, U.S. Department of Agriculture Process Verified Programs, and the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) certification.

Depending on operational goals, producers can get paid for the work they are already doing by enrolling and earning market access and market flexibility.

As this revolution builds steam, the “network effect” will continue to be greater the more people get on board.

Marshall believes that participating gives producers the opportunity to improve their operations and truly make a difference in the industry.

Revolutionary Marketing was the latest in a series of Angus University webinars, conducted monthly by the Association, designed to sharpen the skills of cattle producers. Angus University provides education and resources to cattlemen in all segments of the beef industry, including American Angus Association members. To learn more, visit www.angus.org/university/.

All past webinars are recorded and

PAGE 22

available to view at www.bit.ly/auplaylist.

The Business Breed Surpasses 20 Million Registrations. After 138 years, the American Angus Association reaches 20 million registrations. When the American Angus Association was established in 1883, the founding fathers could have never imagined the power and impact registered Angus cattle would make by the year 2021. In the past 138 years, the Association has seen a lot of changes, but the constant that has remained the same has been the Association’s passionate members who are dedicated to improving the beef industry across the world.

The headquarters of the world’s largest beef breed association in Saint Joseph, Mo., surpassed 20 million registrations on March 17, 2021. Growing the breed to more than 20 million registered Angus cattle is no small feat.

During that time, the Association averaged 144,927 registrations per year, topping the charts at 406,310 registrations in 1968.

“This is truly an exciting day for the American Angus Association and our members as we cross the 20 million

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

milestone for registrations,” said Jerry Cassady, Association director of member services. “To think that it took 96 years for our Association to reach the 10 million mark back in 1979, we’ve added another ten million registered Angus into our registry in less than half the time. This is a credit to the hard work and efforts of our members.”

A registration certificate is more than a piece of paper. The registration paper creates demand and extra value in cattle that are powered by the qualities that the Angus breed brings to the table.

Registration numbers signify the data behind the animal, tracing its lineage and potential to change the direction of cow herds. The registration paper allows members to join the Angus family. Using registered Angus bulls also unlocks additional premiums for every segment of the beef industry. If one registration paper can provide that much value - consider the impact of 20 million registrations.

“It’s pretty amazing to consider the amount of work and dedication that has been invested by our members over the years to get to this point,” said Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer. “Breeders of registered Angus cattle have stayed committed to the value of pedigreed seedstock and enjoy tremendous demand and market share today because of it.”

To join the family and learn more about registered Angus cattle, visit www.

Angus.org or call the Association office in St. Joseph, Mo., at 816-383-5100.

Angus Foundation Scholarship Applications Open Now. Angus Foundation scholarship applications due May 1. Scholarship applications are now available for college students involved with the Angus breed. This past year, the Angus Foundation awarded more than $312,000 in scholarships in 2021 alone.

The Angus Foundation offers scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, and trade school students each year to help Angus youth achieve their educational goals and offset the continually rising costs of tuition at higher education institutions.

“Here at the Angus Foundation, we are committed to supporting our young people and assisting in ensuring they are able to pursue their educational goals,” said Thomas Marten, Angus Foundation executive director. “Thanks to the generous donors of the Angus Foundation, we are able to provide assistance to students as they carry the burden of the cost of higher education.”

Over the years, countless past junior Angus members have benefitted from the

financial support of Angus Foundation funded scholarships. Angus Foundation success stories have become more and more prevalent year after year. Last year was a true testament to the Angus family as past Angus Foundation recipients made an impact on society, both within and outside of the agricultural industry.

Past recipients and Angus Foundation donors made a difference serving on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic in “From the Frontlines.”

“The Angus Foundation’s core mission of youth, education and research is so important to developing young people to come back into our breed, into our community and into our industry as a whole,” said Jara Settles, vice president of livestock mitigation at the Livestock Marketing Association and past scholarship recipient. “If we don’t invest in these young people and welcome them back in and give them truly viable opportunities in terms of education and professional growth, they might leave us.”

To see the stories and hear the success of past recipients, visit www. angus.org/foundation.

Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships - Applicants for undergraduate and graduate scholarships must have, at one time, been a member of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) and currently be an active junior, regular, or life member of the American Angus Association. The following documents are required to be considered for a 2021 undergraduate or graduate scholarship: the 2021 scholarship application; three letters of recommendation; a copy of current high

N.C. Weekly Auctions Report

Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 (Week ending MARCH 4, 2021) Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $133.00 - 180.00

400-500 $120.00 - 169.00

500-600 $123.00 - 151.00

600-700 $118.00 - 137.00

700-800 $102.00 - 125.00

800-900 $102.00 - 115.00 Heifers

300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 700-800 800-900

$116.00 - 142.00 $111.00 - 144.00 $100.00 - 133.00 $97.00 - 128.00 $84.00 - 86.00 $88.00 - 89.00

Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $57.00 - 68.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $48.00 - 71.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $60.00 - 82.00 Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156

school/college/university transcript; and the applicant’s Association member code.

Undergraduate and graduate scholarship applications, eligibility requirements, and application guidelines can be found online at www.angus.org/ foundation. Applications are due May 1, 2021.

Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship - The Angus Foundation also will award three $1,500 scholarships to undergraduate students who use Angus genetics in a commercial cattle operation’s breeding program or whose parents use Angus genetics. Emphasis will be placed on applicants’ knowledge of the cattle industry and perspective of the Angus breed.

The applicants or their parents/ guardians must have transferred or been transferred an Angus registration paper in the last 36 months (on or after May 1, 2018) and must be considered commercial and not seedstock in their operation. The scholarship applies to any field of study. An application separate from the general Foundation application is required for the Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship. The application can be found on the Angus Foundation website.

Applicants having received or applied

for Angus Foundation undergraduate scholarships, using our standard general application this year or in past years, will not be considered for this scholarship.

Certified Angus Beef/National Junior Angus Association Scholarship - Since 1990, the NJAA has teamed up with Certified Angus Beef® (CAB) LLC to help Angus youth pursue their higher education goals. The selected applicant will receive a $1,500 scholarship. A separate application from the Angus Foundation scholarship application is required for the CAB/NJAA scholarship.

Requirements are similar to the general Angus Foundation scholarship; more details can be found on the application.

The application is available on the Angus Foundation website.

New – The John R. Mrotek Family Technical Education Scholarship Through the immense generosity and creativity of John R. Mrotek, Angus junior members pursuing a trade can secure scholarship funds to support their vocational training. Established in 2020 with a gift of transferred stock, John Mrotek created the John R. Mrotek Family Technical Education Scholarship Endowment Fund with the Angus Foundation to provide academic

scholarships for Angus youth pursuing vocational training in career and technical programs, ranging from farm/ranch management and precision agriculture to welding, diesel mechanics and veterinary technicians. Recipients of the John R. Mrotek Family Technical Education Scholarship should be enrolled or enrolling in a trade school, and preference will be given to applicants from Virginia.

Students can apply using the general undergraduate scholarship application found on the Angus Foundation website.

“We are so excited to have opportunities like the John R. Mrotek Family Technical Education Scholarship to serve every junior, no matter what their goals are,” Marten said. “This is the first Angus Foundation scholarship fund to specifically target trade schools and support vocational careers and students seeking a terminal, technical degree or certificate program.”

Since 1998, the Angus Foundation has awarded more than $3.5 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships.

For more information about the Angus Foundation or scholarships, visit www. angus.org/foundation.

About the Angus Foundation.

Established as a 501(c)(3) organization

in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth, and research. The organization has distributed more than $3.5 million in youth scholarships since 1998 and has also invested more than $1.3 million in beef cattle research throughout the past decade.

For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or visit www.angusfoundation.org.

American Angus Auxiliary Scholarship Applications Due May 1.

Ten scholarships will be awarded, and the top five young women will compete for Miss American Angus. The American Angus Auxiliary 2021 scholarship applications for National Junior Angus Association members are due May 1. Ten scholarships will be awarded to the top five young men and the top five young women. The top five young women’s applications are the basis of which the candidates for Miss American Angus are chosen. Apply now for an Auxiliary scholarship at www.angusauxiliary.com/ leadership/scholarship.html.

“The American Angus Auxiliary

Continued on page 24

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

PAGE 23

Angus News continued from page 23 is honored and excited to continue the legacy of awarding the American Angus Auxiliary scholarships to TEN exceptional junior Angus high school seniors. By awarding these scholarships, we stand behind our mission to support the juniors as they grow into agriculture advocates,” said Deanna Hofing, American Angus Auxiliary presidentelect. “The American Angus Auxiliary scholarship application does not focus on one single component of a junior’s success but more importantly recognizes well rounded applicants that are actively involved with the NJAA activities, their family livestock operations, communities, state organizations, leadership roles, and their show ring achievements.”

Scholarship applicants are judged on high school academic achievements, Angus awards and accomplishments,

Angus leadership, other agricultural organization involvement, other organization activities, application of livestock knowledge and Angus experience, leadership, and future, and letters of recommendation.

“The American Angus Auxiliary scholarship program sheds light onto the Angus family’s desire to support the next generation of agriculturalists and industry leaders,” said Ellie Kidwell, 2021 Miss American Angus. “It is such an amazing opportunity for high school seniors, and I encourage everyone to apply.”

NJAA members are nominated by their state or regional Angus association, and winners are announced at the awards ceremony during the National Junior Angus Show. For more information, visit the American Angus Auxiliary website.

The American Angus Auxiliary

works with the American Angus Association and the National Junior Angus Association to promote youth, education, and the Angus breed.

About the American Angus Auxiliary.

For over 60 years, the American Angus Auxiliary has been working with the American Angus Association and the National Junior Angus Association to promote youth and the Angus breed. The American Angus Auxiliary has worked to develop a number of educational and promotional programs to benefit everyone involved in the Angus industry. The American Angus Auxiliary presents more than $18,000 in scholarships each year to ten young men and women involved in the Angus industry. As a member of the American Angus Auxiliary, you can play an important role by working to promote our youth and the Angus industry, meet the challenges of today’s society and work

toward developing our Angus youth into tomorrow’s leaders. The American Angus Auxiliary offers individuals interested in the welfare of the Angus breed the opportunity to work together to provide educational, promotional, and social programs and activities.

Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association ® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving close to 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by more than 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers, and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.

S.C. Beef Council News

By ROY COPELAN Plans are underway for a strong “Summer Grilling” program around our state. Over 16 activities have been scheduled for the “100 days of Summer” campaign, lasting from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A new beef grilling brochure is being developed.

If you have retailers, foodservice operators, or community events, please let me know. I will try to schedule a beef promotional event. I hope to add additional activities as we return to a normal schedule over the next few months.

The S.C. Beef Council will be participating in the S.C. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting in Columbia on April 16. Over 100 participants will be in attendance for the day long educational sessions. The meeting will be virtual again this year.

We will be honoring our Hispanic customers on Cinco de Mayo Day on May 5 and celebrating Beef Month here in South Carolina during the month of June. Stay tuned!

“McGill,” the portable cow trailer, is available for your use at your farm, community events, etc. Please call the state office to schedule this beef promotional tool.

The S.C. Beef Council Board of Directors has scheduled their next quarterly meeting on April 29 in Columbia.

Enjoy beef...until next month.

PAGE 24

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

Beef Promotion and Research Program

PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM Information is required by (7 CRF 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine.

Information is held confidential (7 CRF 1260.203).

Today’s Date: ________________ Seller’s Name: ____________________________

Buyer’s Name: ____________________________

Address: _________________________________

Address: _________________________________

City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______

City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______

Seller’s Signature: _________________________

Buyer’s Signature: _________________________

Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Beef Promotion & Research Board.

Total Number of Cattle Sold: ___________________ x $1.50 Per Head = $ _______________________ Date of Sale: __________________

Person remitting assessment form:

Seller

o

Buyer

o

* State of Origin of Cattle: ______________________

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

Send Report and Remittance to:

SOUTH CAROLINA BEEF COUNCIL P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.8 minutes 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, gender, religion, age, disbility, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or protected genetic information. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

PAGE 25

American Hereford Association Requests Board Nominations. The AHA’s Board of Directors nominating committee is requesting volunteers to serve a four year term as a director. Members are encouraged to contact representatives in their respective regions to submit nominees.

This year’s nominating committee is: Dave Bielema, chairman Ada, Michigan 616-292-7474 greatlakesherefordbeef@ gmail.com Terri Barber Channing, Texas 817-7276107 terri.barber@elancoah.com Mark Cooper Willow Creek, Montana 406-539-6885 mark@cooperherefords. com Ryan McGuffee Mendenhall, Mississippi 601-668-1000 ryanmcgu@bellsouth.net Dave Wiese Manning, Iowa 712-210-6378 wieseandsons@gmail.com

News

American Hereford Association National Show Schedule Update.

Official statement from the American Hereford Association: Over the past month, the AHA Board of Directors (BOD) has taken steps toward finalizing a national show schedule. The Board has requested information from AHA staff in order to make an informed decision.

Information has been collected from exhibitor survey results and staff at the Cattlemen’s Congress and National Western Stock Show. The AHA Show and Sale committee will meet to discuss the information and will then distribute a report to the full Board for review. At this time, no decisions have been made. A final decision will be reached by April 7 during the Spring AHA Board meeting in Kansas City, Missouri.

Hereford Handbook Information Due. State and women association secretaries, it’s time to submit your association’s information for the Hereford Handbook. The July Hereford World’s Annual Herd Bull and Reference Edition includes this resource guide for AHA members. View the 2020 Hereford Handbook at www.Hereford.org/about/ hereford-handbook.

To make sure your association is

included, please submit your information no later than April 16. Visit www.Form. jotform.com/90784897131165 to submit information.

Please direct any questions to Katie Miller at kcommunicates@gmail.com or 314-808-0653. If you don’t have any changes from last year, you can contact Katie to let her know.

We look forward to highlighting your association in our 2021 Hereford Handbook.

Merck Educational Partnership.

Don’t forget Merck Animal Health has partnered with the AHA to educate producers on the importance of animal health to maximize genetic potential.

Cattle producers are encouraged to share a photo showing them using a Merck Animal Health product with their cattle. For every photo submitted to the AHA, Merck Animal Health will donate $100 to support the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA).

Message the AHA, HYFA, or National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Facebook pages with a photo of you using a Merck Animal Health product via messenger to support HYFA! Herefords in Demand. Commercial ranchers looking for hybrid vigor turn to Hereford bulls this sale season.

Spring seedstock sales are well underway in many parts of the country as cattlemen and women purchase bulls meant to add value to their operations. An increasing number are choosing Hereford.

“We’ve found that a lot of our

U O Y K N A H T s e e d n e t t A & s r e y u B l l to a rd Annual of the 53 e l a S c i s s a l C d r o f e r e H a n i l o r a North C PAGE 26

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

customers that have more straightbred cattle, once they use Hereford genetics in a crossbreeding rotation, not only did they see higher weaning weights at the sale yard and their calves were more in demand, but more importantly, we feel that the female end of things has improved from a fertility standpoint, and maternal traits have improved a lot when they’ve actually used Hereford genetics in a crossbreeding rotation,” says Kyle Colyer, Idaho Hereford breeder.

Colyer says the breed’s proven longevity and efficiency have more commercial cattle operations turning to Hereford.

“One of the main reasons they come back to Hereford bulls, year in and year out, is the longevity and how long those bulls last, the structural correctness and the feet and legs, and how many years they can get out of a bull,” he adds.

Hereford bulls used on Angus based cows offer cattlemen advantages in profitability, herd size, retained female fertility, and longevity, according to multi-year studies from AHA and leading commercial cattle ranches.

Shane Bedwell, AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement, says heterosis study results released in recent years show a $51 percow, per-year advantage. (Read more at www.hereford.org/commercial) “With direct heterosis, by using Hereford genetics on that British cow herd, you’re going to get about a 15-20 pound increase,” Bedwell says, compared to straight commercial Angus cattle. One study, in which 600 commercial Angus females were A.I. bred to ten Hereford sires, documented improved feed efficiency and average daily gain (ADG) among black baldie calves — as well as fertility increases in females.

“They kept the baldy females back, bred them and compared them over a three year study, and that showed a seven percent advantage in pregnancy rate, so we’re getting more females bred because of that heterosis advantage,” he says.

The advantages also translate to the feedyard.

“We’ve always had that great, rich tradition of Hereford cattle being docile and sound, and now we’ve coupled that together with calving ease bulls that can inject a lot of pounds into your calf crop.

The. conversion advantage of Hereford cattle is tremendous, and we’ve also seen the end product come with that as well.”

With the breed’s genetic progress in recent years, Colyer recommends commercial ranchers consider upgrading their bull batteries when possible.

“It’s important for producers to update their bull batteries to get the most

current genetics that are available to them, especially the carcass genetics that the Hereford breed has been able to turn over and find most recently, especially more IMF and adding more marbling into these cattle,” he suggests. “We feel that if commercial producers were updating their bull batteries more often, that would be a good thing.”

Find Hereford bull sale listings, sale books, and field staff at www.Hereford.org.

Notice: Breeders can now make DNA test requests for MD testing through their MyHerd account.

DNA testing is vital for improving the beef industry. The American Hereford Association (AHA) requires DNA testing on any sire born on or after January 1, 2011, from which calves are registered.

Donor dams from which calves are registered must also have DNA on file. As you head into spring calving season, keep the following tips on collecting DNA in mind to help the process go smoothly.

Sampling suggestions - The AHA allows four types of testing samples for DNA submission: hair, blood card, semen straw, and tissue sample unit (TSU).

Review the tips below for each sample type to follow the best practices when obtaining and mailing DNA samples.

Sample collection resources can be found online at www.Hereford.org/genetics/dnatesting/?tab=sample-collection.

Hair - Collect hair from the tail switch of the animal. Be sure to pull the hair sample; do not cut it. You will need to collect 80–100 strands to make sure the lab can obtain a result. This may seem like a lot of strands, but hair is easily broken, and the strand may lack a good follicle or may be contaminated. Try to make sure the hair is clean of manure, mud, bodily fluids, etc. It is best to wait until the animal is at least weaning age before taking a hair sample. Samples taken from young calves generally do not have a lot of follicles, making it difficult to get results.

Blood Card - To collect a blood sample, draw blood using any method deemed desirable and fill the blotting paper section of the card with blood.

Saturate the card just enough to fill the

NOTICE

Letters to the editor are welcome and we appreciate your input.

HOWEVER, letters that are not signed will not be considered for publication.

circle, but not enough to make the card soggy. Too much blood can cause a “bad sample” result from the lab. Insert the blood card lid into the top slit so there is room for air to flow. Allow the card to dry at room temperature in a clean area.

Do not use a heating source for drying.

Once dry, open the lid and insert it into the bottom slit for storage or shipping.

Blood card samples can be collected at any age, so these are a better option than hair to test a young calf. Blood cards can be purchased from the AHA for 50¢ each, with a minimum order of ten at a time.

Semen Straw - Semen straws can be used to collect DNA samples for bulls.

Straws can be stored at room temperature for shipping and do not need to be refrigerated.

Be aware, though, that semen straws break easily. An ink pen is a simple solution to protect semen straws during shipping.

Simply pop the top off an ink pen, pull out the ink chamber, then put the semen straw in the pen. The plastic exterior provides protection for the straw in the mail. A padded envelope works, too, and is recommended to use even when mailing samples have been placed in a protective case.

Tissue Sample Unit (TSU) - A great option for taking samples, TSUs use an ear punch to replace tail hair, blood, or semen samples. Still, like all sample types, they are not fail proof. To collect a tissue sample, you need the proper equipment: tissue sample tubes and a tissue sampling applicator. (Refer to the “DNA sample pricing” sidebar for information on how to order TSU equipment.) Samples can be collected at any age; however, the sample should not be taken immediately after birth. The calf may still have fluids on it that will contaminate the sample. Give the calf at least a few hours to “dry off.”

Before taking the sample, wipe the ear clean with a dry cloth or paper towel.

Do not use any cleaning products to clean the ear because they could contaminate the sample. Try to collect the sample from a portion of the ear without a tattoo because tattoo ink can also contaminate the sample. Press the white cap of the sample tube down firmly to ensure liquid cannot escape. As with semen straws, it is important to properly protect TSUs during shipping. Send samples in a padded envelope or another form of protective casing. They should not be sent in a regular envelope, as they puncture the envelope and fall out during shipping.

Often times, envelopes arrive at the lab with a submission form but no sample.

Don’t forget - All samples should be sent in with the corresponding DNA submission form for the specific animal.

Obtain forms from the AHA before sending the samples to the lab. Make DNA requests through MyHerd or contact AHA Customer

Service. If samples are received at the lab without the proper AHA paperwork, the samples will not be processed. Genomic enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs) are no longer printed on the DNA results statement. Due to the weekly evaluation, the GE-EPDs have the ability to change frequently. However, GE-EPDs can be found online at MyHerd or the EPD/animal search function on www.

Hereford.org.

Please keep in mind GE-EPDs will not appear until two weeks after the AHA receives DNA results. For example, if the AHA receives a DNA result March 1, the GE-EPDs for that animal will be released March 15. Having trouble navigating MyHerd? Visit www.Hereford.org/ member-services to view over 20 tutorials

explaining the ins and outs of MyHerd, or contact AHA Customer Service at 816-8423757. To sign up for MyHerd, email your member number to myherd@hereford.org.

About the American Hereford Association. The AHA, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The not-for-profit organization, along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI), and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth, and research. For more information about the Association, visit www.Hereford.org. For pictures and additional news releases, visit www.hereford.org/media.

Baxter Black

On the edge of

common sense

Best and Worst of Times It is the best of times.

Calving at its finest. The calling of those chosen to tend God’s creatures.

To take part in simple miracles. To alter the balance of life on earth by one small addition.

It is the worst of times.

Calving in the midst of a winter when one needs a depth finder to see the top of the market. When it is less worrisome to lose oneself in the task of daily responsibilities easing the burden of birth than thinking about the price of next fall’s overcrowded weaner crop.

A dilemma, some would say.

But does knowing the decreased value of beef make a cowman think less of that heifer in trouble or that new calf layin’ in the straw? Does her dollar price somehow affect her value as a creation?

As a work of art planned, worked on, and created by a cowman, a cow, and God? Does the price of a first calf heifer affect a cowman’s responsibility to her well being? Does his effort, concentration, and skill decrease when she’s calving as the market price decreases? Does he try harder to get a live calf if she’s worth more at the sale?

These questions are best answered,

not philosophically or hypothetically, but in reality. At 3:00 a.m., when you hook the chains to newborn feet and start to pull, does cost cross your mind? When you rub the calf down and push him under her flank, do you see dollar signs?

When you gaze over the turn out field and cows grazing contentedly while calves chase each other around ‘em, do you get a good feeling? Smile maybe and relax for a moment, thankful all is well.

Or are you too occupied with their price to appreciate what you’re seeing?

The dilemma I’m presenting really isn’t much of a problem for most cow people I know. The calving barn is a long way in time and miles and thought from the auction ring.

After all, we tend to our flocks in bad weather, hard times, illness, chapped hands, achin’ backs, mad patients, and yes, bad markets.

I think when we lay down in the straw or mud behind a heifer needin’ help, the price per pound is the farthest thing from our mind. So, in spite of all the well meaning (and correct) consultants who keep reminding us that what we do is a business, it is also, beyond any doubt, a way of life.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

PAGE 27

Reinke Recognizes Brock Equipment With Dealer Awards Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, has recognized Brock Equipment as a top five dealer in sales for their territory. Located in Bailey and Calypso, N.C., Brock Equipment was also given a Diamond Pride award in recognition of their success last year.

“We are proud to honor the team at Brock Equipment with these awards,” said Chris Roth, Reinke president.

“They’ve shown a great deal of dedication, working hard to support their growers. We appreciate those efforts as Reinke continues to develop and implement irrigation equipment and technology designed to increase agriculture production.”

Reinke dealerships from across the United States and Canada come together annually for the company's sales convention. This year, they gathered virtually to recognize select Reinke dealers for their hard work and

commitment to the higher standards of being 100 percent Reinke Certified.

Dealers and Reinke leaders discussed the new products and initiatives from the past year, including the introduction of ESAC, SAC VRI, and the Maintenance Free Bearing, as well as the partnership with CropX to empower growers with the world's finest irrigation scheduling tools.

The Reinke Pride awards are determined as part of an incentive program that distinguishes superior achievement levels according to an evaluation based on a dealership's exterior and interior housekeeping and maintenance, indoor and outdoor displays, safety, retail environment, merchandising, professionalism, promotions, event participation, and market share.

For more information on Brock Equipment, visit www.brockequipment. com.

About Reinke Manufacturing. With hundreds of dealers in more than 40

countries, Reinke Manufacturing is the world's largest privately held manufacturer of center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. Family owned since 1954 and headquartered in Deshler, Neb., Reinke develops products and technology designed to increase agriculture production while providing labor savings and environmental

Fowken

efficiencies. Reinke is a continued leader in industry advancements as the first to incorporate GPS, satellite based communications, and touchscreen panel capabilities into mechanized irrigation system management. For more information on Reinke or to locate a dealership, visit www.Reinke.com.

Have you forgotten something?

Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association!

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

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The Carolina Cattle Connection

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PAGE 29

A s s o c i a t i o n o f A m e r i ca n Vete r i n a r y M e d i ca l C o l l e g e s

NEWS

AAVMC Names New Editor-inChief of Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. A respected educator from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSUCVM) with almost 20 years of experience working with the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (JVME) has been named Editor-in-Chief (EIC). Dr. Regina Schoenfeld-Tacher, associate professor of veterinary educational development in the NCSU-CVM’s Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, will succeed Dr. Daryl Buss, who has served as EIC since 2012, effective July 1.

“We’re fortunate to recruit a leader with such extraordinary experience and capabilities, and look forward to the contributions Dr. Schoenfeld-Tacher will make as Editor-in-Chief,” said AAVMC CEO Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. “I would also like to congratulate and thank Dr. Buss for his achievements in taking the JVME to the levels of quality and

influence it has earned during his tenure.

These educators have been collaborating for many years, and I’m sure that bodes well for the future success of the JVME.” Schoenfeld-Tacher assumes leadership of the respected academic journal during a pivotal time in the history of academic veterinary medicine and the profession it supports. The global pandemic and zoonotic disease threats, reams of scientific evidence about the crucial importance of the human-animal bond, and food production and security issues are all focusing attention on the importance of veterinary medicine and the educational programs that undergird the profession.

Schoenfeld-Tacher is eminently qualified to undertake the task. Her almost two decade span of engagement with the JVME includes working with the JVME’s past three EIC’s, including a leadership role and close working relationship with EIC Buss, whom she credits as a mentor.

Schoenfeld-Tacher has served as a

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member of the JVME Editorial Board since 2007 and as a guest editor and handling editor since 2012. She proposed and led efforts to produce theme editions on “Educational Theory and Practice” and on “Curricular Management and Renewal.”

She has also played an important role in refining internal processes related to manuscript review and acceptance as well as keyword searchability.

Over the past 21 years, she has authored or co-authored 82 refereed journal articles, including 28, which were published in the JVME. Those included two manuscripts that explored the 50 year history of the AAVMC as well as a retrospective content analysis of articles published in the JVME, each of those deepening her understanding of the role, breadth, and scope of the journal.

In addition to her work with the JVME, she has served on the editorial board of the International Journal of Problem Based Learning and as a peer reviewer on nine additional academic journals.

Schoenfeld-Tacher will steward the journal’s evolving responsibility as the premiere refereed journal serving global academic veterinary medicine and is excited about future opportunities for growth and impact. She is interested in elevating the role the JVME can play in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the worldwide academic veterinary medical community and is particularly interested in reaching out to veterinary educators in Latin America.

Schoenfeld-Tacher earned a Ph.D. in chemical education and a MA degree in educational technology from the University of Northern Colorado, and an EdM in science education, as well as two undergraduate degrees from Boston University.

Schoenfeld-Tacher has extensive

experience in educational development and instructional design. In 2012, she organized the Veterinary Educator Collaborative, which evolved into an Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) component organization.

Prior to her 2013 appointment on the NCSU faculty, she served for 14 years on the faculty of the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Published bi-monthly by the AAVMC and the University of Toronto Press, the JVME provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, research, and discoveries about veterinary medical education.

The journal’s areas of focus include best practices and educational methods in veterinary education; recruitment, training, and mentoring of students at all levels of education, including undergraduate, graduate, veterinary technology, and continuing education; clinical instruction and assessment; institutional policy; and other challenges and issues faced by veterinary educators domestically and internationally.

About the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. The member institutions of AAVMC promote and protect the health and wellbeing of people, animals, and the environment by advancing the profession of veterinary medicine and preparing new generations of veterinarians to meet the evolving needs of a changing world. Founded in 1966, the AAVMC represents more than 40,000 faculty, staff, and students across the global academic veterinary medical community. Our member institutions include veterinary medical colleges and schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as departments of veterinary science and departments of comparative medicine in the United States.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

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RED ANGUS NEWS Red Angus Implements Value Added Program Updates. The Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program, commonly known as the “yellow tag” program, combines three critical components into a value added cattle marketing program: genetics, age, and source verification. To date, more than 2.8 million head of Red Angus influenced calves have worn the yellow tag to capitalize on market premiums.

Recently, updates were made to the FCCP to make it more user-friendly for producers who are utilizing the program to increase their profit potential.

1) Program compliant EIDs from outside programs are now allowed to be incorporated into the Red Angus process verified program. Customers must fill out an enrollment form and pay $1 per head.

2) In response to requests from both ranchers and feedlots, Red Angus has implemented a significant change regarding the ability to retag animals with a program compliant tag after they have left the ranch of origin. Calves that lose either the dangle tag or EID after leaving the ranch and have a secondary identifier (management tag

or match pair set) can be retagged if the proper paperwork is submitted. This can be completed simply by contacting the tag programs department at RAAA. These updates provide producers with more flexibility in managing their herds in a dynamic marketplace while also taking advantage of the beneficial features of Red Angus value added programs.

“The Red Angus FCCP has always strived to be a leader by providing added benefits to producers. Our goal during the more-than-25-year history of our program is to increase the profit potential for cattlemen and women using Red Angus genetics. These valuable additions are just one more step in the profitable evolution of our Feeder Calf Certification Program,” said Harold Bertz, RAAA director of commercial marketing.

The FCCP was first established in 1994 and is the beef industry’s longest running genetic, age, and source verification value added program. To enroll, producers must answer a few breeding and management questions, such as verifying traceability to at least 50 percent Red Angus breed influence. To enroll in the program,

producers can contact Chessie Mitchell or Jeananne Drouhard at 940-477-4593.

For more information on Red Angus marketing programs and the FCCP, please visit www.RedAngus.org.

Red Angus Magazine Led by New Team. Tracey Koester recently began a new position at the Red Angus Association of America as publisher and advertising director of the Red Angus Magazine.

Koester stepped into this role after the unexpected passing of former publisher and advertising director Kevin LeMaster.

Koester brings more than two decades of experience to the job. Not only did she previously serve as the editorial coordinator for the Red Angus Magazine for seven years, but she has also worked at the N.D. Stockmen’s Association and owns Cow Camp Promotions, a successful design, and communications business. With Koester at the helm, the Red Angus Magazine is already in the process of making several updates to the design and style of the publication while maintaining the historical grounding and traditions of past decades.

Koester has been with RAAA since 2008 before accepting the promotion to publisher and advertising director.

Brandi Buzzard Frobose recently added new responsibilities to her role at the RAAA as editor of the Red Angus

Magazine. She stepped into this role after former editor Tracey Koester moved into the position of publisher and advertising director. Brandi will retain her job responsibilities as director of communications in addition to being editor.

Buzzard brings an extensive writing background with her in the new role. She previously assisted with the magazine through contributing editorial and brings a new vantage point to the magazine team. Alongside Koester, Buzzard will plan unique and thought provoking content to serve the informational needs of commercial cattlemen and women while ushering in a modern design and style to RAAA’s flagship publication.

Buzzard joined RAAA in 2017 and has worked for nearly four years in the communications department.

About the Red Angus Association of America. RAAA serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus influenced cattle. The RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by implementing new technologies and utilizing scientifically sound principles that quantify traits of economic importance to beef producers in all segments of the beef industry. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.

Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd.

HARDROCK BEEF CATTLE Ronnie & Donna Holman 4613 Hickory Nut Ridge Road • Granite Falls, NC 828-302-8659 ronnie@hardrockbeefcattle.com JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-315-3821 jkredangus@gmail.com LANGDON RED ANGUS & SIMMENTAL John & Eileen Langdon 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 919-796-5010 johnlangdon5@gmail.com ROGERS CATTLE COMPANY Johnny & Sharon Rogers 945 Woodsdale Road • Roxboro, NC 336-504-7268 rccbeef@gmail.com PRESNELL RED ANGUS Jonathan & Jacob Presnell 368 Whitaker Road • Shelby, NC 704-473-2627 (Jonathan) • 704-616-8775 (Jacob) BULL HILL RANCH Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-682-3900 • 864-682-2828 bullhill2@mindspring.com

Terry Boyles, President - twinbfarm1@gmail.com

COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709

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BE A WINNER!

THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL

Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state or regional breed association.

By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association Clemson Bull Test Sale. The Clemson Bull Test Sale was held online through DVAuction on February 6.

The SimAngus and Simmental bulls did exceptionally well with Lot 14, a SimAngus sired by TJ Main Event 503B, topping the SimAngus bulls at $5,750.

This bull was consigned by Eddie Bradley of Hiawassee, Georgia. A bull consigned

by Eugene Shuffler of Hamptonville, N.C., topped the purebred Simmental bulls also at $5,750. This bull is a son of BBS True Justice B10.

The other Simmental and SimAngus bulls did well with a consignment from Woodlawn Farm in Clarksville, Ga., selling for $5,250. This purebred Simmental was sired by Mr CCF 20-20. A SimAngus from Jim Rathwell of Six Mile, S.C., sold for $5,000. This bull is a son of W/C Bankroll 811D. Another SimAngus

bull sold for $4,500 and was consigned

by Chuck Broadway of Broadway Cattle Farm in Monroe, North Carolina. This bull is sired by KCF Bennett Southside.

The seven SimAngus bulls grossed $29,250 and averaged $4,179. The six purebred Simmental bulls grossed $22,000 and averaged $3,667.

Fred Smith elected to NCBA. Fred Smith, Jr. of Clayton, N.C., was elected to the position of Region II Vice President for Policy during a virtual meeting held recently by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Fred states, “I’m looking forward to working with farmers and ranchers in Region II and supporting NCBA to create a better business climate for cattle industry producers while building demand for beef customers.”

Fred has been involved in the cattle industry since 1970 and in the last two

American Simmental Association 1 Genetics Way • Bozeman, MT 59718 406-587-4531 • www.simmental.org

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

decades has built a large seedstock cattle ranch in Clayton, the Fred Smith Company Ranch. He believes in genetic selection and engineering to produce proven sires and palatable beef products.

He is one of the top SimAngus producers

Fred Smith

in the southeast. He believes in putting forth the extra effort to produce the best quality cattle and to be a good steward of the land and cattle that God has provided.

That commitment has been handed down from his parents, Fred and Eudell Smith, and both Fred and his brother, Irvin, continue to pass that commitment along to their children and grandchildren.

Fred has served as President of the N.C. Simmental Association and is an active member of the state and American Simmental Association. He served as NCBA’s Policy Division Director in 2019 and is an active member of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. He also served as a state senator from 20022008 and is currently a Johnston County Commissioner. Congratulations to Fred Smith!

N.C. Simmental Association - Like us on Facebook!

1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 336-468-1679 • www.ncsimmental.com • NCSA@yadtel.net

Neault Named South Carolina State Veterinarian, Livestock-Poultry Health Director Michael J. Neault, DVM, has been named South Carolina’s next state veterinarian and director of Clemson University Livestock-Poultry Health.

Neault comes to Clemson from the North Carolina Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, where he has served as the state’s Director of Livestock Animal Health Programs since 2015. Previously, he served as Emergency Programs Manager for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Animal Industry Division. His work in Michigan included time as Animal Disease and Traceability Coordinator and Poultry Programs Manager.

Neault will begin in April and

Elanco CEO to Keynote 2021 Global Conference on Sustainable Beef. Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco, will provide the keynote address to the 2021 Global Conference on Sustainable Beef, to be held on April 14.

Mr. Simmons’ presentation, “Putting Our ‘Steak’ in the Ground,” will provide a view into the importance of sustainability at every level of the beef value chain, as well as how Elanco views its responsibility and commitment to helping the industry be more sustainable.

In addition, the Global Conference will provide an exciting worldwide virtual platform to launch the vital and significant GRSB Global Beef Sustainability Goals to be implemented over the next ten years. The development and adoption of these goals is important in demonstrating the beef value chain’s commitment and progress in achieving more sustainable global practices.

The 2021 Global Conference on Sustainable Beef will provide an exciting worldwide virtual platform to launch the vital and significant GRSB Global Goals to be implemented over the next ten years. The development and adoption of these goals is important in demonstrating the beef value chain’s commitment and progress in achieving more sustainable global practices.

The upcoming Global Conference offers a format that will allow participants to join the broadcast to hear from our speakers and ask questions in Q&A sessions. The whole event will be available the following day OnDemand so that all GRSB members and others interested in beef sustainability may view at the time most convenient to them,

replace current state veterinarian and LPH director Boyd Parr upon his retirement at the end of June after 17 years at Clemson.

“Dr. Parr has been the steady and visionary leader of a regulatory agency that has been successful in helping the South Carolina animal agriculture industry navigate through natural disasters, animal diseases, and countless other challenges. While he will be sorely missed, we are extremely excited that Dr. Neault has agreed to become our next state veterinarian and LPH director. He brings all the necessary experience to the job, and I have no doubt that LPH will continue its excellence under his direction,” said George Askew, vice president of Clemson

News

allowing true global participation.

To see the agenda for the conference as well as to register, please visit www. grsbeef.org/page-1861962.

About the Global Roundtable on Sustainable Beef. GRSB is a global, multistakeholder initiative developed to advance continuous improvement in sustainability of the global beef value chain through leadership, science, and multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration. The GRSB envisions a world in which all aspects of the beef value chain are environmentally sound, socially responsible, and economically viable.

Public Service and Agriculture (PSA).

As South Carolina State Veterinarian and LPH Director, Neault will lead a state regulatory agency whose mission is to protect animal health by controlling endemic, foreign, and emerging diseases in livestock and poultry and to protect the health of South Carolina consumers by inspecting meat and poultry products to ensure they are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Neault over the years in a number of capacities related to emergency and disease management, and I am confident LPH and South Carolina’s animal agriculture industry will continue to thrive with Mike as state veterinarian and LPH director,” Parr said.

As director of Livestock Animal Health Programs in North Carolina, Neault designed and administered programs that monitored and protected the state’s livestock and equine industries.

He also led investigations to detect and eradicate emerging animal diseases.

In 2018, Neault co-founded the North Carolina Feral Hog Task Force and helped secure funding from the USDA to address feral swine issues on agricultural crops and livestock. Feral hogs are an invasive species that are a major concern for farmers and landowners throughout South Carolina and the Southeast.

Neault’s agency also played a key role in protecting the North Carolina livestock and equine industries from foreign disease during the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, and in 2010 he directed Michigan’s wildlife rehabilitation response

to the Kalamazoo River oil spill, one of the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history.

“I am extremely honored to have been chosen as the South Carolina state veterinarian and Livestock-Poultry Health director. I have worked closely with my counterparts in South Carolina over the years and have seen firsthand that Dr. Parr has created an excellent program with capable people. I look forward to helping them continue their work protecting food safety and supporting the state’s animal agriculture industry,” Neault said.

During his first months on the job, Neault plans to meet with the S.C. Poultry Federation, S.C. Beef Board, S.C. Pork Board, and other animal agriculture industry and livestock groups.

“Foot and mouth disease is something that we have to be looking out for and I know that the dairy industry in South Carolina is experiencing quite a few issues with financial challenges. One of our goals is to try and assist the beef industry and dairy industry to be prepared for any event that could occur and affect them,” Neault said.

Clemson Livestock-Poultry Health is part of the university’s Public Service and Agriculture division.

About Clemson Public Service and Agriculture. Clemson PSA is a state agency comprised of four units: Clemson Experiment Station, Clemson Cooperative Extension, Livestock Poultry Health, and Regulatory Services. Clemson PSA works collaboratively with Clemson’s College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences for research and outreach through the Clemson Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.

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NEWS NIAA 2021 Annual Conference Speakers Announced. The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has introduced the keynote speaker lineup for their Annual Conference, Exploring Sustainability in Animal Agriculture – A Comprehensive Approach. The virtual event will convene April 21-23.

The 2021 conference theme and agenda provide the opportunity to engage with visionary leaders as, together, we explore their insights and expertise. The annual conference, which overlaps Earth Day on April 22, will feature industry leaders and explore a holistic view of sustainability. As animal agriculture leaders throughout the industry seek to better understand current agriculture and food system issues affecting their sector of today’s food system, the NIAA Annual Conference provides a forum to learn, collaborate, and act.

“Whether you are new to conversations about holistic sustainability in animal agriculture or you’re more seasoned, this year’s Annual Conference is designed to lean in on the environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability while inspiring and challenging all of us to do better,” shared planning team and board member Chelsea Good.

Keynote speakers for Annual Conference include: • Charlie Arnot, The Center for Food Integrity • Erin Fitzgerald, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action • Mary Matlock, University of Arkansas • Ernie Shea, Solutions from the Land In addition to the keynote speakers, the conference will also feature economic, environment, and social issue panelists.

For the first time since their work in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative,

a

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PAGE 34

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

former chief agriculture negotiators, Ambassadors Gregg Doud and Darci Vetter, will kick off these discussions and engage in a conversation to share their learnings and insights as animal agriculture leaders plan for the future of global trade.

Like many organizations hosting events, NIAA leaders have opted to host this event virtually. “The health and well being of our members and stakeholders were the cornerstone of our decision to host the event virtually. It is our hope that our 11th Annual Antibiotic Symposium will be hosted inperson on November 2-4 in Kansas City,” said Kevin Maher, Chairman of the Board.

To review the full agenda and register for the annual conference, visit

www.AnimalAgriculture.org.

About the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. NIAA was established to derive solutions to the most current issues in animal agriculture.

Its members include farmers and ranchers, veterinarians, scientists, government officials, and allied industry representatives. NIAA is dedicated to programs that work toward the eradication of diseases that pose a risk to the health of animals, wildlife, and humans. It also promotes a safe and wholesome food supply and best practices for animal health and well being as well as environmental stewardship. More information is available at www.animalagriculture.org.

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Weeks ending FEBRUARY 2 & FEBRUARY 16, 2021)

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of Southeast Livestock Exchange and Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, FEBRUARY 2, 2021, and Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, FEBRUARY 16, 2021. All cattle in this report are located in North Carolina and South Carolina. Prices FOB the farm or local scale and many weighed with a 0-2 percent shrink and sold with a 5-8¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only.

Cattle Receipts: 1,264

Last Month: 1,890

Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 53 percent steers and 47 percent heifers. Nearly 100 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.

Head 21

Wt. Range 760-760

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 760 $138.25 $138.25

Head 75 73 19 67 50 64 61 58

Wt. Range 655-655 675-675 710-710 735-735 750-750 765-765 800-800 850-850

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 655 $137.25 $137.25 675 $140.00 $140.00 710 $138.25 $138.25 735 $135.00 $135.00 761 $135.00 - $140.25 $138.68 765 $137.75 $137.75 800 $140.25 $140.25 850 $135.00 $135.00

Head 120 58

Wt. Range 825-825 850-850

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 825 $129.25 $129.25 800 $122.50 $122.50

Head 24 61

Wt. Range 695-695 800-800

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price Delivery 695 $132.25 $132.25 Split Loads 800 $132.00 $132.00 Guaranteed Open

Head 78 77 16 137 78

Wt. Range 630-630 640-640 695-695 700-735 755-760

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price Delivery 630 $124.25 $124.25 Guaranteed Open 640 $128.00 $128.00 March Guaranteed Open 695 $127.00 $127.00 Split Loads 717 $127.50 - $130.00 $128.72 Value Added 758 $123.25 - $132.25 $126.60 Split Loads

Head 66 61

Wt. Range 750-750 800-800

Delivery Split Loads Delivery Natural Split Loads Natural Split Loads Value Added Value Added Value Added Delivery

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price Delivery 750 $121.50 $121.50 Guaranteed Open 800 $132.25 $132.25 Value Added

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156

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NEWS

Animal scientist to share how traditional and cell based meat can work together to address global protein demand at 2021 Virtual Summit.

We know facts alone aren’t always enough to alter narratives that include misinformation about animal agriculture.

We also know that shared values are the best place to start a conversation. How can we apply these communication principles to conversations around controversial topics like cell based meat? What is the role of animal scientists and others in animal agriculture in these discussions, and how can we learn from past mistakes?

University of California, Davis’ Alison Van Eenennaam, Ph.D., will share her thoughts on these timely questions in the first pre-conference webinar of the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2021 Virtual Stakeholders Summit.

The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food industries to discuss hot button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers, and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2021 event, themed “Obstacles to Opportunities,” is scheduled for May 5-6, with preconference webinars planned for the five business days prior, including Dr. Van Eenennam’s session, which kicks off the series on April 28.

In Dr. Van Eenennaam’s presentation titled “Animal Scientists and Cell Based Meats: Learning from Past Science Communication Failures,” she will discuss how the collective work of animal nutritionists, geneticists, and veterinarians has dramatically reduced the environmental footprint of animal sourced food and as such touches on some of the very same goals of reducing the environmental footprint of food production espoused by cell based meat companies.

“We’re excited to have Dr. Van Eenennaam feature some of the key narratives we hear in conversations surrounding animal source foods and alternatives, identify shared values between the two, and provide tools to counter false narratives with objective evidence,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “The animal agriculture community is using science and innovation to address the global protein demand challenge, and we may find some opportunities to collaborate in unexpected ways as we share that story.”

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Dr. Van Eenennaam is a cooperative extension specialist in the field of animal genomics and biotechnology in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis. Her publicly funded research and outreach program focuses on the use of animal genomics and biotechnology in livestock production systems. Her current research projects include the development of genome editing approaches for cattle. She frequently provides a credentialed voice on controversial scientific topics and has appeared on national media, including The Dr. Oz Show, NPR, Science Friday, and the Intelligence Squared debate series. She also appeared in the 2017 documentary Food Evolution, narrated by science communicator Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Pivoting during a pandemic: Iowa farmers will offer lessons learned at 2021 Virtual Summit.

ChopLocal co-founders to provide keynote address. When the supply chain faced unprecedented challenges causing unpredictable markets and temporarily bare grocery store shelves, Jared Achen and Katie Olthoff were able to turn an obstacle into an opportunity, and they’ll share their lessons learned from this experience in a keynote address at the Summit. Dubbed the “Etsy of meat,” ChopLocal, founded by Olthoff and Achen, is an online marketplace that connects consumers with farmers to get their meat straight from the source.

During their keynote address, Achen and Olthoff will take Virtual Summit attendees through their journey of pivoting during a pandemic and their goals for ChopLocal going forward.

“With a little ingenuity and entrepreneurship, Jared and Katie were successfully able to take a challenge presented by the beginning stages of the pandemic and find a solution that helps local farmers looking to sell and community members looking to buy food options that may have been at one point scarcely available at the grocery store,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “ChopLocal exemplifies what the 2021 Virtual Summit is all about – bringing everyone together to discuss issues and find solutions that will benefit the collective animal agriculture community.”

Turkey farmer Jared Achen is the owner and operator of his family’s farm in Wayland, Iowa, where he raises 280,000 birds per year alongside his

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

wife Tawnya and three children. Jared is a shareholder of West Liberty Foods, a turkey processing company and further processor of protein. He also sits on the board of Agri-Way Partners, a feed and grain operation with locations across southeast Iowa. At Agri-Way, Jared serves as a liaison between feed management, nutritionists, and veterinarians to deliver a quality product to their customers.

Jared is a 2011 graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.

Katie Olthoff is a long time advocate for agriculture. Prior to joining ChopLocal, she served as the senior director of communications at the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. Katie is the author of a non-fiction children’s book series about agriculture, the “My Family’s Farm” series. She resides in Stanhope, Iowa, with her husband, Bart, and three children. Her family raises cattle and turkeys.

America’s changing palate to be explored at 2021 Virtual Summit.

Refer a friend, and you both could win a $100 gift card! The impacts of 2020 transformed the way people plan, shop for, and prepare food. In a session at the Summit, Kim Kirchherr, RDN, K2 Outcomes LLC, and Chris DuBois, senior vice president, Protein Practice, IRI, will share what people are currently buying (and how), what flavors they are looking for, and what action steps are needed to provide useful, transparent solutions to consumers that will help drive sales and build trust in animal agriculture.

“Consumer preferences and buying decisions are always changing, but there has perhaps never been such a sudden and significant driver of change than the coronavirus pandemic that we’re all still carefully navigating,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president, strategic engagement. “As the animal agriculture community comes together for this year’s Virtual Summit, we can identify ways to work in tandem to meet the needs of the general public while also improving perception of and confidence in meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, and seafood as healthy and sustainable food choices.”

Prior to launching K2 Outcomes LLC, Kim Kirchherr served as vice president of the National Dairy Council for five years, focusing on the integration of agriculture, sustainability, health, and nutrition. She also spent nearly ten years as the dietitian for Jewel-Osco, where she drove health and wellness strategy and created delivered nutrition education in person, for the media, and online.

Kim’s volunteer leadership roles included serving as chair of the Food & Culinary Professionals Dietetic Practice Group and

Agriculture and Supermarket Subgroups, as well as president of the Illinois Dietetic Association - now the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Chris DuBois is a widely respected sales and marketing leader who delivers breakthrough growth for clients and builds high performance teams. At IRI, he leads a portfolio of larger protein centered clients and engagement with the Food Marketing Institute and other industry associations. He presents frequently on industry changing trends, and his expertise is sought by senior executives of both retailers and food/packaged goods companies. In addition, he partners with industry trade associations and serves on several councils and boards.

Identify new ways to position animal protein as the “star” of the plate at 2021 Virtual Summit. Animal protein has traditionally been viewed as the “star” of the plate, but as conversations around environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and nutritional concerns heat up, some are suggesting we take it off our plates altogether. A panel of experts will discuss the realities of these issues and identify ways to reposition animal protein to maintain its central spot on our tables.

Growing concerns from some consumers and individuals in the public health communities in developed countries have ramped up discussions about reducing meat consumption.

However, during the initial food buying frenzy of COVID-19, animal protein purchases surged in the United States.

Simultaneously, developing countries are reaching for animal proteins as they aspire to improve nutrition deficiencies.

Don’t put your cart before your horse...advertise that sale ahead of time! You’ll see positive results.

With these competing scenarios and the dialogues surrounding the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, farmers and ranchers have a critical communication opportunity. Virtual Summit panel “Obstacle to Opportunity: Repositioning Animal Protein on the Plate” will consider how animal protein is positioned within the nutrition, climate change, and environmental sustainability discussions.

Panelists include: • Marianne Smith Edge, RDN Founder and Principal - The AgriNutrition Edge • Rebecca Carlisle Doyle - Pork Producer - Former Illinois Director of Agriculture and UN World Food Programme Director • Jennifer L. Garrett, Ph.D. Consultant - Agricultural Strategies and Sustainability • Rachel Kopay - Consultant - Dairy and Food Safety and Sustainability “Meat consumption is frequently a topic of discussion as activist groups and media outlets claim that animal proteins are the cause of many consumer concerns including climate change and obesity,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president, strategic engagement. “However, research shows that animal agriculture has an opportunity to be viewed as a solution to many of these obstacles while securing its position on the plate.”

If you refer a friend to attend the 2021 Virtual Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card! Each referral will count as one entry, and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. We will give away two $100 gift cards during the Virtual Summit - one drawing for referrers and one drawing for those who were referred. All registrations with a referral listed made until online registration closes on April 30 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.

The Virtual Summit agenda featuring the exciting and high caliber speakers you can expect to see at the 2021 event has been posted on the Virtual Summit registration website at www.whova. com/web/stake_202105. Sessions will highlight ways to position animal agriculture as a path forward to climate neutrality, how to elevate the voices of farmers in dialogues surrounding food and agriculture, and strategies for virtual stakeholder and influencer engagement.

Be sure to check the Virtual Summit website for the most up-to-date

information and to register. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA21 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit, please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call 703-562-5160.

Thank you to our 2021 Summit sponsors: Watt Global Media, Farm Journal, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Smithfield, National Pork Board, American Feed Industry Association, United Soybean Board, United Egg Producers, Country Folks, Dairy MAX, Farm Credit, National Biodiesel Board, Cobb Vantress,

Inc., Protect the Harvest, Progressive Dairyman, The National Provisioner, Kemin, American Veal Association, National Chicken Council, Trans Ova Genetics, Vivayic, Mountaire Farms, N.C. Farm Bureau and Eggland’s Best.

The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Merck Animal Health, C.O.nxt, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America LLC, Iowa Soybean

Association, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc., and Seaboard Foods.

About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Alliance is an industry united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture.

We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

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Beef Checkoff News Beef Sustainability: Beef’s Role in a Resilient Food System. We often think of the end consumer as the ultimate beef customer, but we may tend to forget about the supply chain partners such as food manufacturers, foodservice operators, retailers, and distributors that are necessary to get the product from gate to plate.

These partners have questions about beef’s sustainability profile, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is working hard to answer those questions and to promote beef as the top protein choice.

Food companies are making commitments regarding sustainability that can be difficult to tackle given the complexity of the supply chain, leaving customers with questions about how beef’s sustainability is defined and benchmarked. And, as operators are setting, or considering setting, product sourcing policies, they are looking for information and research related to beef’s impact on the environment.

In January, NCBA hosted a two part webinar series for supply chain partners about beef’s role in a resilient food system. The goal of the webinar was to help partners understand beef’s sustainability story so they are better equipped to answer questions from their customers, investors, and other stakeholders.

Part 1 of the series featured basic information regarding key components of beef’s sustainability and how it is measured. Part 2 looked deeper into ongoing research on beef sustainability.

Speakers also discussed ways to leverage beef ’s sustainability story to make customers feel even more confident about buying beef.

Nearly 400 people participated in the sessions, including retail and foodservice operators, processors, and distributors, along with educators and producers.

Feedback following the events has been very positive, and the recordings are now available online at www. beefitswhatsfordinner.com/foodservice/ menu-concepts-diner-insights/ sustainability-webinar.

The path to sustainability is never complete. Rather, it is a continuous journey being carried out by the farmers and ranchers responsible for raising and supplying beef to the U.S. and across

PAGE 38

the world. To the beef community, sustainability comprises much more than environmental considerations. Today, a sustainable food supply balances efficient production with environmental, social, and economic impacts.

NCBA is just getting started on its efforts to promote beef’s role in creating a sustainable and resilient food system on behalf of the Beef Checkoff.

For more information, visit www. beefitswhatsfordinner.com/raising-beef/ beef-sustainability.

New Calf Care & Quality Assurance Program Launched.

Resources on the calf raising sector available to producers and consumers.

The U.S. calf raising sector now has a program to help ensure optimal calf health and welfare via the Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA) program. CCQA is the first collaborative educational tool that provides guidelines for calf raisers. The CCQA program is a joint initiative led by NCBA’s Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, funded by the Beef Checkoff, and the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program, managed by the National Milk Producer’s Federation (NMPF) with support from the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association, and the Beef Checkoff funded Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program.

“The Calf Care & Quality Assurance program not only exists to support calf raisers, but it helps the consumer understand the attention given to calves, as well,” said Dr. Brett Boyum, Dairy Production Veterinarian for Riverview, LLP and member of the CCQA task force.

“Ultimately, the consumer should feel good about knowing that calf raisers sites following this program will be raising their calves in a responsible manner with their health and welfare as the top priority.”

A reference manual sets the foundation for the CCQA program.

The program has been developed understanding the diversity of calfraising enterprises, being science and outcomes based while maintaining facility type and size neutrality. While the practices identified in the manual are not the only practices that can meet the desired outcomes, the program provides a framework that will serve as a great

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

resource for anyone working in the calf raising industry. In addition to the manual, the CCQA program will roll out producer focused training modules that will certify producers in the principles of excellent calf care highlighted throughout the manual later in 2021.

“This program represents a leading industry collaboration FOR the calf.

It’s an impressive achievement to bring representatives from BQA, FARM, DCHA, and VQA together to actively challenge and establish guidelines and standards that align with the values, commitment, and passion of calf raisers, shared Stuart Hall, MRCVS, California dairy farmer, and task force member.

“It’s this passion for calf health and well being that I plan to nurture using the CCQA manual as an educational tool

and reference to challenge our practices and optimize our outcomes for the calf.

I think we can all be proud of what we do and why we do it and confidently communicate this with the consumer.”

To learn more about The Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA), please visit www.calfcareqa.org.

About the Beef Checkoff. The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of FEBRUARY 2021 Cattle Receipts: 7,295

•

Previous Month: 10,089

Feeder supply - 33% steers • 44% heifers • 23% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

Avg. Wt. Price

Cows - % Lean

Breaker 1,536 $67.16

Boner 1,249 $67.40

Lean 944 $59.26

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,630

$84.20

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $154.04 $650.05 450-500 474 $147.66 $699.91 500-550 516 $143.75 $741.75 550-600 572 $135.05 $772.49 600-650 616 $129.52 $797.84 650-700 673 $127.99 $861.37

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $150.64 $635.70 450-500 465 $143.73 $668.34 500-550 520 $136.54 $710.01 550-600 565 $129.17 $729.81 600-650 618 $117.02 $723.18 650-700 655 $117.50 $769.63

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $125.15 $531.89 450-500 468 $122.72 $574.33 500-550 517 $124.48 $643.56 550-600 581 $121.92 $708.36 600-650 615 $120.59 $741.63 650-700 689 $115.11 $793.11

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156

NEWS Quarterly Genetic Evaluations.

Beefmaster Breeders United is moving to quarterly genetic evaluations starting this year. This will help breeders make the most informed breeding decisions possible. As we get more and more performance records, this will help incorporate data more rapidly into EPD calculations for the breed. It will also speed up the process of an animal receiving Genomic Enhanced EPDs after genetic testing. The schedule for having data into the BBU office is as follows: April 15, July 15, October 15, and January 15, 2022. If you have questions, please contact Lance Bauer at lbauer@ beefmasters.org.

2021 JBBA A.I. Program. The 2021 JBBA A.I. Program kicked off on March 1, and we are really excited about the group of bulls that have been nominated for this year’s program! There is a different type and kind of bull to work for every scenario.

The A.I. Program allows junior members the opportunity to purchase high quality Beefmaster genetics at an affordable rate while improving and building their Beefmaster herd. Thank you again to all of the breeders who nominated bulls for the program this year. We appreciate your generous and loyal support of the JBBA A.I. Program. If you have any questions about the program, please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or email Rylee

Barber at rbarber@beefmasters.org.

Help Sponsor the 2021 JBBA National Show. The JBBA National Show and Convention is host to more than 250 exhibitors and 500 head of cattle each summer. JBBA members compete in a wide variety of educational and leadership based contests and learn more about the Beefmaster breed.

The JBBA has several sponsorship opportunities available for the 2021 National Show and Convention. If you would be interested in donating to this event and hearing about the different sponsor benefits, please fill out the form at www. surveymonkey.com/r/MX6XF5Y, JBBA Director will contact you with information.

Upgrading Program. Looking to make the transition to a purebred Beefmaster herd? Our upgrading program allows you to upgrade commercial cows to purebred Beefmasters through a three generation top crossing system. There are only a few steps involved to make this change. You can find out more information by visiting www.beefmasters. org/purebred/upgrading.

Upgrading vs. E6 Females? The Upgrading Program works with base cows, first cross females and second cross females who may be eligible to upgrade from non-registered females to registered Beefmasters, while the E6 Program is commercially focused on producing at least half blood commercial E6 Beefmaster females.

Pro Services. Overwhelmed with record keeping? Don’t stress any longer!

Take advantage of our Pro Services program today! Haven’t heard of the Pro Services Program? Visit www. beefmasters.org/purebred/pro-services to find out more information. We’re always here to help you and your herd!

About Beefmaster Breeders United.

BBU, located in Boerne, Tex., is a notfor-profit breed registration organization that provides programs and services for its members. Beefmaster, Beefmaster Advancer, and E6 cattle are selected on the “Six Essentials” of disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, milk production, and hardiness. For more information, visit www.beefmasters.org.

From the Desk of the SCCA President

By ROSCOE KYLE Probably the most important words this country needs to remember at the present time are, “We the People.” It appears that there are some in this country who have forgotten what that means. I have hope that we have not lost all meaning, and the leaders in power at the present time will remember why this great country was founded.

Since my last article, a few major accomplishments NCBA has been active in are the truckers’ Hours of Service and the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

The truckers are now able to continue under the emergency hours until May of 2021. The Navigable Waters Rule is not in effect in all 50 states, which aids the Rancher/Farmer in controlling their water supplies. Also, Tom Vilsack has been confirmed as the new leader of USDA. Hopefully, he will assist the cattle industry in all aspects.

On a more regional note, the State Senate has been sent a bill passed by the State House concerning the feral hog situation in South Carolina. This bill has been an issue that has concerned many of us because of the damage and destruction these animals cause to the environment. I can assure each of you that, even though we have not been able to conduct area meetings, your state cattlemen’s association is open for business and has been in contact with the State Legislation on bills and issues that concern our industry.

As we approach spring planning, please remember to continue all safety practices that we have been doing, and let’s kick COVID-19 back to where ever it came from. It appears that we are on the right road to get back to some type of normal activity. As the state lifts restrictions on our activities, we are trying to plan future meetings. We will update you as soon as they are done. The SCCA is partnering with Clemson Extension to offer several virtual meetings on different topics in the coming months. I know it is not like meeting in-person, but for right now, it is the best that we have.

I hope everyone has a safe spring and stays healthy. Please remember that the NCBA Annual Meeting is currently scheduled for August 10-12 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Southeast Sunbelt Expo is on for October 19-21 in Moultrie, Georgia. When the SCCA Annual meeting will be held is still being planned.

Remember the words of Louisa May Alcott, “A faithful friend is a strong defense; and he who hath found him hath found a treasure.”

I am, as always, respectfully yours.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

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Farm Credit News AgCarolina Farm Credit Returns Patronage Distribution of More Than $28 Million. AgCarolina Farm Credit announces the distribution of their 2020 patronage distribution to members in February.

The all cash patronage is being paid in the amount of over $28 million to the members of AgCarolina Farm Credit. The amount is equal to a refund of 55 percent of accrued interest paid on member loans in 2020. “Record year” is the theme of this year’s patronage celebration, as AgCarolina is returning the highest patronage distribution in the history of the Association.

“The strength of our agriculture and rural lending cooperative is reflected as we continue to put our profits in the pockets of our membership in the form of patronage returns,” said Dave Corum, CEO of AgCarolina Farm Credit. “This is by far the largest patronage return in AgCarolina’s 33 year consecutive years of paying patronage.”

“By distributing our profits to our members, it reduces their effective cost of borrowing. Our 2020 patronage refund equates to an average interest rate

reduction of 2.55 percent for members,” Corum stated, “and it further proves the distinct financial benefits of doing business on a cooperative basis.”

Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina Donate Through Pull for Youth. AgCarolina Farm Credit, Cape Fear Farm Credit, and Carolina Farm Credit are proud to announce the fundraising results of the fourth annual Pull for Youth sporting clays events to benefit North Carolina 4-H and FFA. Over $400,000 has been donated directly to North Carolina 4-H and FFA since 2017.

A total donation of $100,000 was split evenly between North Carolina 4-H and FFA from the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina. Funds were raised in conjunction with the three Pull for Youth sporting clays events held across North Carolina during the fall of 2020.

“The Pull for Youth sporting clays shoots across our state have been an overwhelming success,” said the three Association CEOs in a joint statement.

“The response by those who have participated, volunteered, and donated

December 4, 2021 • 12:00 noon Union County Livestock Market • Monroe, N.C.

704-219-1294 PAGE 40

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

to the cause over the last three years are a clear indicator agriculture will remain the leading industry in our state. By providing funds to North Carolina 4-H and FFA, the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina and our Pull for Youth sponsors are working together to make sure tomorrow’s leaders in agriculture have a bright future. We are thankful for all of those who played a part in the success of Pull for Youth and we look forward to another great year in 2021.”

About AgCarolina Farm Credit.

AgCarolina Farm Credit is a farmer owned financial cooperative with headquarters in Raleigh. They are the

leading provider of credit to farmers in central and eastern North Carolina.

AgCarolina Farm Credit has over $1.5 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to over 3,400 North Carolina farmers. Loans are made to finance land, homes, farm buildings, operating expenses, livestock, and equipment, as well as other purposes. Credit life insurance, appraisal services, and leasing are also available through AgCarolina Farm Credit. Branch locations are in Ahoskie, Elizabeth City, Greenville, Halifax, La Grange, Louisburg, New Bern, Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Swan Quarter, and Williamston.

Carolina Cooking Spicy Mexican Beef Bake Cooking Time - 1 hour, 30 minutes 1½ pounds ground beef (95% lean) 3 cans (10 ounces each) mild enchilada sauce, about 3¾ cups, divided 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed, drained ¾ cup chopped red bell pepper ⅓ cup diced celery ⅓ cup diced onion 1½ teaspoons ground cumin 15 corn tortillas (6-7 inch diameter) 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend Dairy sour cream (optional) Heat oven to 400°F. Combine enchilada sauce and brown sugar in a large bowl, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ground beef; cook 8-10 minutes, breaking into ½ inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings, if necessary.

Stir in 2½ cups sauce mixture, beans, bell pepper, celery, onion, and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Spray 13”x 9” glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spread half of the remaining sauce mixture over the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange 5 tortillas over sauce in the dish, overlapping slightly; top with ½ of the beef mixture and ¼ cup cheese. Repeat layers once, using all remaining beef mixture, 5 tortillas, and ¼ cup cheese. Top with the remaining 5 tortillas and sauce mixture, spreading sauce evenly to moisten tortillas. Reserve

remaining ½ cup cheese.

Cover the dish with foil. Bake in 400°F oven 30-35 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. Remove the foil; sprinkle with the reserved cheese.

Bake, uncovered, 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let stand, uncovered, 10 minutes. Cut into 8 servings. Serve with sour cream, if desired.

Makes 8 servings.

Spicy Mexican Beef Bake

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

Cattlemen’s Beef Board Update

By HUGH SANBURG, Chairman

A World Without the Beef Checkoff With the holidays now far behind us, few people are giving thought to the cozy evening they likely spent watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.” For those unfamiliar with the 1946 classic film, the main character’s guardian angel reveals what the world would be like without him.

Fast forward to 2021 and the current chatter surrounding the Beef Checkoff.

Certain interest groups have launched a full court press to – in their own words – call for “an up or down vote on the termination” of the 35-year-old program.

But what would the cattle industry look like without the Beef Checkoff, whose entire mission is beef promotion, research, and education? During this

lingering pandemic, how much worse might things be without Checkoff funded efforts driving consumer demand for beef? Could average, family run operations purchase advertising as effective as “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.”? Could they sponsor sustainability or nutrition research to inform consumers about the positive attributes of beef? Could they operate in foreign markets to sell more American beef overseas?

And it’s not just national programming that would vanish with the dissolution of the Checkoff. In 2020, 44 states received Checkoff revenue for local level beef programming. Of

those 44, only 15 currently have their own state Checkoff assessment to keep their work afloat. Stated plainly, if the national Checkoff went away, most state beef councils would have very limited resources for funding their own local beef initiatives.

In the field of physics, there’s a saying: “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Those who argue against the Beef Checkoff have not suggested an alternative to address the void its termination would create. In the 1970s and 1980s, it took producers about ten years and two failed referendum votes to create the Beef Checkoff. Even if a replacement program could be crafted and adopted within a similar timeframe (which is uncertain given the external forces working to weaken or end the animal protein markets), what would happen in the intervening decade without funding for strategic and coordinated promotion, research, and education about beef? There’s little doubt that other proteins would step in to fill the void. If the Checkoff were not out there promoting beef, who would?

It’s important to remember that the

producer run Beef Checkoff does not and cannot control the markets. What it can do is support producers in a lot of positive ways – and it does. For example, Checkoff contractors’ efforts have helped increase beef’s protein market share by four percentage points since March 2020 (Source: IRI data analytics and market research). The Cattlemen’s Beef Board’s 2020 Annual Report has just been released and articulates the many creative ways producers’ Checkoff dollars have been hard at work. You can read the report in its entirety at www.BeefBoard.org, then decide for yourself whether life would truly be better without the Beef Checkoff.

About the Beef Checkoff. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national Checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

Shorthorn News

New Employees Join the American Shorthorn Association. March brought spring and a time for new beginnings, including some changes at the American Shorthorn Association!

Cassie Reid has joined the ASA as a Customer Service Specialist and Co-Director of Shows, Event, and Membership Services. In this position, she will provide customer support and assist with press releases and e-blasts. She will also coordinate shows, events, and communicate with the membership.

Reid comes to the American Shorthorn Association from the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center (OEF) in Springfield, Mo., where she served most recently as the Livestock Director. In this capacity, Reid oversaw all Livestock Department activities, including livestock shows and ag education programs during the ten day annual fair. Additionally, she served as show manager for the Ozark Spring Roundup and oversaw livestock exhibit space during the Ozark Fall Farmfest. During her six year tenure at OEF, she was active with the International

Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), graduating from the Institute of Fair Management in December of 2018.

Most recently, Reid served on the IAFE’s Young Professionals Initiative Steering Committee. Reid began her career in 2014 as the Assistant Ag Director at OEF. She is a 2015 alumna of Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications.

Reid originally hails from Bosworth, Mo., on her family’s diversified row crop and cattle farm. As a 4-H & FFA member, Reid primarily exhibited Shorthorn and Charolais cattle and Boer goats throughout her youth.

“I look forward to engaging with the members of the American Shorthorn Association and seeing success throughout all aspects of the breed,” Reid said. “My experience in the fair industry provides the confidence needed to see association goals flourish, from start to finish.”

Wade Minihan has joined us as a Customer Service Specialist and Co-Director of Shows, Event, and Membership Services. In this position, he will provide customer support, assist

Fescue Toxicity Hits Hard.

Are You Ready for the Fight?

Fescue toxicosis costs the U.S. beef industry an estimated $2 billion annually in lost revenue due to reduced growth and reproductive performance in cattle.

Tips for supporting cattle grazing on fescue pasture include: • Endophyte free varieties are available but have reportedly been less productive in some climates than the endophyte infected varieties.

• If possible, remove cows from toxic pastures 30 days prior to the breeding season and 30 days following.

• Align breeding seasons to avoid the heat stress associated with fescue toxicity. Aim to have cows calving in early spring and get them exposed to the bull before the hot summer months. Fall breeding is also favorable for avoiding the effects of fescue toxicity.

• Monitor/treat for parasites in cattle using an anthelminthic. High worm loads can be exacerbated by fescue toxicity, increasing stress, and negatively impacting performance.

• Utilize rotational grazing. Cattle should not be allowed to graze mature fescue. If cattle are forced to graze mature growth, the pasture must be mowed or clipped to limit seed head growth.

• Interseed fescue with other grass or legume varieties, like clover, to dilute the consumption of fescue.

• Watch for nitrate and prussic acid poisoning in drought stricken areas.

When in doubt, have forages analyzed before grazing.

• Utilize FEB-200 30 to 60 days before spring grass growth to help support gut health and nutrient absorption, optimize average daily gain, and minimize symptoms of heat stress from grazing fescue pastures.

For more information on fighting fescue toxicity in your area, contact your local Alltech sales manager.

with DNA and weights and measurements management for performance data. He will also coordinate shows, events, and communicate with the membership.

Minihan grew up in Blaine, Kan., on a commercial cow/calf and registered Hereford cattle operation. While growing up, his family showed cattle at the state and national level. He was an active member of the American Junior Hereford Association, as well as the Kansas Junior Hereford Association, where he served on the junior board. Minihan graduated from Fort Hays State University, with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and a minor in marketing. While at FHSU, he was involved in many clubs/organizations on campus. Minihan was an intern in 2019 at the American Shorthorn Association.

“I think my internship gave me good knowledge and helped prepare me for this position,” Minihan said. “My internship gave me knowledge of the Shorthorn breed and many connections with people involved in the association. I am excited for this new opportunity and look forward to working with the breeders.”

Emily Velisek, the ASA Director of Events, Show, and Membership activities, left her job at the ASA at the end of February. Emily joined the ASA staff in July of 2017, and we watched her grow in her position during her time here. We enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best for her future in Iowa! She will be missed, but we know we will see her down the road.

Matt Woolfolk, the ASA Director of Performance Programs, Performance Data

and Commercial Acceptance, recently got engaged and will be leaving us in April.

He will still continue to work in his current position. We look forward to our continued work with Matt, even if it isn’t full time. We are so excited for him and his future with his soon-to-be bride. Congratulations Matt!

“We are excited to welcome two new members to our team,” said Montie D. Soules, Executive Secretary/CEO of the ASA. “Reid and Minihan will be great assets to our staff and we look forward to working with them.”

The ASA will go through a small transition period during the training of our new staff members, but we still will be available to assist our membership! After the two new staff members are trained, you can call in and receive assistance from anyone in the office. All staff will be trained to assist you in the registry.

American Shorthorn Association. The mission of the ASA is to serve all members and enhance the value of the Shorthorn breed by managing data, maintaining the integrity of the herdbook, educating members, and communicating the value of Shorthorn cattle resulting in the expanded use of Shorthorn genetics in the U.S. beef industry. The ASA is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., and was founded in 1872, with herdbook records going back to 1822. As one of the oldest American breed associations, the ASA provides services for more than 6,000 junior and senior members who register more than 15,000 cattle annually. To learn more, contact the ASA office or visit www.shorthorn.org.

West End Precast 276-228-5024 Wytheville, Virginia

8 ft Concrete Feed Bunks

U or J Bunks - $170-$180 • Calf Bunks - $120

Water Troughs • Pads • Silo Sides Septic Tanks • Reservoirs The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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New NCCA Members for 2021

In 2007, members of the Membership Committee passed a resolution to recognize all NEW members of the NCCA in The Carolina Cattle Connection at the NCCA Annual Conference in Hickory. A new member is defined as someone who has never been a member or someone who has rejoined after a brief break in membership. The new members are identified in this new members section by name and county of residence.

Below is a list of NCCA’s new members for the last month: Out-of-State Steve Johnston – Chimney Top Angus – Tenn.

Alamance County Thomas R. Kagarise – Mustard Seed Farm Alleghany County Ethan Todd – E3 Cattle Company Anson County Eric Canipe

Ashe County William Roger Little – Black Walnut Angus Buncombe County Kolby Gunter Seth Robinson – R&R Livestock Caswell County Marc Thomas – Thomas Farm Catawba County Randy L. Sipe Chatham County Jonathan Black Brad White Clay County Brian Schmille – Walnut Hollow Ranch Cleveland County Jonathan Presnell – Presnell Red Angus Farm Davie County Hunter Coords – Lynnden Hill Farm Kenneth Lankford – Cool Springs Angus

Duplin County Earnest Ray Carter Justin Charles Edwards Hunter Jenkins Todd Jenkins Deleon Smith, III Michael David Sumner Kevin Williams – K & K Cattle Farms Greene County West Hardy – Clay Ridge Farms, Inc.

Moore County Jonathan Foster – Foster Farms Polk County Michael Wilson – Hard Labor Ranch Randolph County Bill Atkins – Atkins Livestock William G. Dobbins Martha L. Johnson Charlie Robbins – C Bar Farms Dalton Suits – Creekside Farm

Guilford County Steven C. Lathrop – Lathrop Livestock Colton Perdue – MC Farms

Rowan County Lee A. Menius – Wild Turkey Farms LLC

Halifax County Lynn Wollett

Sampson County Michaela Oates

Harnett County Stuart Surles – Stuart Surles Insurance

Stokes County Cowboys for Christ Scotty Tuttle – Goatee Farm

Hertford County Anthony Cuthbertson – Antjen Farms Phillip Taylor – Taylor Farms Iredell County Linda H. Goodwin and Joshue E. Godwin Johnston County Joy Leigh Hinnant Gary Price Courtney Thornton Gracie Vaughan William R. Vaughan Lincoln County Randy Putnam – Lucky 7 Farm Mecklenburg County James L. Harley Mitchell County Steve Wilson

Union County Rachel Ezzell – Smoking Oak Farm LLC Wake County Frank J. Bennett, Jr. – B&B Farms Sarah Bookner – Animal Health International Alex Fisher – Southern Veterinary Mgt. Group Watauga County Kade Castle – Bub’s Provisions LLC Wayne County Randy A. Gray – Circle G Farm Ryan Roberson – Ryan Roberson Farming Wilkes County Chip & Cory Cleary – Cleary Farms Jerry Johnson Kent McNeil

Our advertisers are “Champions” too. For expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies, check the Classifieds in this issue!

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

The Carolina Cattle Connection

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PAGE 47

Spring Calving Reminders and Best Practices. As we head into the heart of spring calving, it is important to keep in mind calving best practices for the healthiest herd possible.

“With the help of sound management decisions and good vaccination programs, we can all strive to wean every calf born live,” said Arnold Nagely, DVM, co-founder of Valley Vet Supply. Dr. Nagely practiced food animal veterinary medicine before co-founding Valley Vet Supply in 1985, alongside fellow veterinarian Dr. Ray Shultz.

As a goal to work toward, “Write down on a sticky note, ‘2021: 100% healthy calves,’” encouraged beef veterinarian W. Mark Hilton, DVM, PAS, DABVP (beef cattle practice), Veterinary Technical Consultant, Elanco Animal Health.

Below, Drs. Nagely and Hilton walk through sound reminders ahead of calving, including nutritional needs, clean calving environments, identifying calving difficulties, and overall cow and calf health best practices.

Prioritizing Nutrition and Body Condition Score - Nutrition is the most important aspect to achieve healthy calves and a good pregnancy rate. “Having cows in great body condition score is important so that when they calve, they have the quantity and quality of colostrum calves need. A belly full of colostrum can prevent a lot of health problems calves can experience,” Dr. Hilton said.

Colostrum is critically important to calf health because calves are born agammaglobulinemic, meaning they have almost no antibodies to protect them against disease. “Colostrum provides some 95 percent of the antibodies a calf obtains, plus a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and energy – protecting newborn calves against infectious agents during the first few months of life. Colostrum can benefit overall calf health and reduce risks for calfhood diseases, increase average daily gain and more throughout a calf’s lifetime.

Ensuring they receive high quality, adequate amounts of colostrum is vital for their immediate survival and for the years to come,” said Dr. Nagely.

Channeling his days as a professor at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Hilton quizzed, “Who do you think is the worst person to body score your cattle?” He soon enough followed with, “Yourself.” Dr. Hilton shared how it’s possible to be too close to the animal, thinking a cow’s a six, but really, she’s a

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NEWS

four. On the flip side of that, a producer could think she’s a six, but admittedly, she’s nearing obese and consequently going through too much feed. “Considering a body condition score of one through nine, one being a ‘bag of bones’ and nine being ‘obese,’ I want to see cows at a 5.5 to six.

Heifers are recommended to be at a 6.5 or seven,” said Dr. Hilton.

This difference is because heifers are still growing and therefore require more calories. An adult cow needs maintenance calories to make milk and regain the weight she lost after calving; however, heifers need all that, plus they still need to gain body weight as their structure continues to grow.

In fact, heifers need more calories 90 days after calving than before they calve.

“You want to be in the ‘Goldilocks area,’ not overfeeding or underfeeding them,” said Dr. Hilton. “Ultimately, the heifer needs nutrition to not only carry and support the calf but also to support herself after calving. A good indication of a heifer with a healthy weight is that the tissue next to her tail head, which is not a muscle, will wiggle. It’s good to see that fat,” says Dr. Hilton, who also recommends producers work with a nutritionist to ensure their herd’s nutritional needs are appropriately met.

Implementing a Clean Calving Environment - A calf’s environment at calving can increase the level of pathogen exposure, therefore increasing disease risk.

This exposure to disease causing pathogens can occur directly animal-to-animal or through contact with contaminated surfaces.

The more traditional approach to calving is in a single lot, and when the cow/ calf pair is doing well, they are all moved from the pen. “When all of the calves are born in one area, it becomes a contaminated mess,” said Dr. Hilton, who strongly encourages producers to implement the Sandhills Calving System, if at all possible, on their operation. “You also should never calve heifers with cows at the same time – doing so can present multiple times more sickness. This is because cows have developed a natural immunity over the years because of exposure to pathogens, where the heifers haven’t. Plus, the colostrum a calf gets from a heifer won’t have the breadth of immunity that a cow’s will, so they should be separate.”

How is the Sandhills Calving System different from other calving environments, and why is it recommended? Instead of crowded calving lots, this system asks

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

producers to use larger pastures for calving. How the University of NebraskaLincoln describes the system: Each two weeks, any cows not yet calved move to another pasture. And any cow/calf pairs remain in their pasture of birth. Following the Sandhills Calving System makes for cleaner calving pastures, prevents direct contact between younger and older calves, and reduces pathogen load in the environment, which can cause diseases like scours. In this management practice, cattlemen can reduce disease risks for healthier calves. Once the youngest calves are at least four weeks old, producers are safe to comingle cow/calf pairs.

Monitoring Calving Time - To help identify any issues during calving, producers should anticipate seeing cows and heifers making progress every hour. “Even a cow who has calved multiple times can experience difficulty during calving, so it is important that producers check her progress if it seems delayed,” Dr. Hilton said.

Dr. Nagely echoed the sentiment, saying, “Once in a while, you have a malpresentation. It’s Mother Nature and sometimes it just happens, but the key is to catch it early and correct it. If the delivery process seems delayed, be sure to check for proper calf presentation earlier rather than later. She should be showing the hooves and nose and getting the calf’s head out soon. If she is gone for an hour calving, don’t wait another hour to check on her for any sort of malpresentation. The calf could be backward, or both feet could be there, but the head is turned back.”

Once the calf is on the ground, it’s a good sign that they stand and nurse within 30 minutes. Keep in mind, calves could be delayed and sluggish to nurse during colder weather.

Ensuring Cow and Calf Health - Calf scours is one of the top causes of sickness and death loss in young calves, according to reports. Not only can calf scours be detrimental to a calf’s overall health, but it also is a costly condition for producers,

requiring treatment and increased labor costs to treat and care for calves. The condition also results in reduced calf performance.

“Calf scours is a multifaceted disease process that needs a multifaceted approach to solve the problem,” Dr. Hilton said.

This multifaceted approach to prevent calf scours includes a clean calving environment, providing protection to the calf by vaccinating the cow against scours ahead of calving, and administering calf scour prevention products to the calf at birth.

“Ensure your heifers and cows are vaccinated against scours pre-calving. Doing so, they can build up antibody rich colostrum that fosters protection against scours causing pathogens, allowing them to pass on stronger, longer lasting protection for healthier calves.

Studies also have shown crossbreeding, and using A.I. to a different breed can help reduce the risk of calf scours. There is nothing more rewarding than having a producer say he’s so tired of fighting scours, and then seeing him get the cows in better shape, implement the Sandhills Calving System, incorporate crossbreeding and vaccinate the cows against scours – and then, you check with him the next year and he responds with, ‘I don’t have any calf scours.’ To see a client go from spending $5,000 on diagnostics, treatment, and losing calves to spending only $500 on vaccines, makes me a happy veterinarian,” Dr. Hilton said.

In addition to offering scours protection through vaccination of the cow, “There are several helpful calf scour prevention products available for use in calves directly following birth, as well,” said Dr. Nagely. “Preventing scours in newborn calves can have a lasting effect.

Early scours prevention in calves can reduce the need to use treatment antibiotics later in life. If producers have questions, they can always call us and ask to speak with a Technical Service veterinarian.”

Be sure to involve your animal health consultant and veterinarian in cow/calf health conversations. If you haven’t yet, schedule time with them to review your

upcoming vaccine protocol for the year ahead, so you are more than ready.

Visit www.ValleyVet.com for more information.

A Calf Named Spuds Brings Smiles.

Agriculture remains part of life for memory care facility’s farmer-rancher residents, keeping farming memories, instincts from yesteryear alive today. During record breaking winter weather, a baldie calf named Spuds was born to a Marysville, Kansas farm that also doubles as a memory care facility for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, with many of their residents being retired farmers and ranchers.

Spuds was brought inside from the cold and into the many caring hands of Lighthouse Memory Support residents.

As many of our nation’s ranchers battled the brutal weather and worked to save their newborn calves born in the snow and ice, pictures of Spuds alongside residents were shared across Facebook, warming hearts everywhere.

“One farmer loved him, petting and loving on Spuds. While another of our farmers was more practical saying, ‘He needs to go back to his mom, that’s where he needs to be.’ One farmer’s wife exclaimed, ‘What is he doing in the house?’

While others smiled, each had their unique reaction to their ‘normal.’ Overall, it was wonderful, they loved the interaction. It brought up conversations, memories from growing up on the farm, emotions – lots of wonderful things,” said Mandy Becker, cofounder of The Lighthouse.

“You could see the happiness on her face when she interacted with Spuds,” said Valerie Starwalt, whose mom, Joyce, is a resident of the Lighthouse. Joyce worked with the United States Department of Agriculture throughout her career; her passion for agriculture was fueled by growing up on a wheat farm. “Mom’s smile is there with every farm animal.

Animals brighten her. I feel that when you’re a nurturer, it stays with you forever.

By finding whatever makes [residents] happy, it makes their adjustment into a nursing home 100 times easier. Seeing her with the animals, dogs, cats, calves, sheep and cows, you know those were things she loved, and that love never left.”

With years of experience operating memory support programs and facilitating start-ups on the East Coast, Mandy co-founded The Lighthouse in 2017 alongside her husband and rancher, Trent, to serve the rural farming community of Marysville. While working on the East Coast in New York, she soon realized how important it was to provide a similar living environment to what their residents had left behind. In New York, they worked to mirror high rise and condo buildings.

She knew that the farming community,

however, needed open spaces, and the nurturing of livestock and the everyday work brought on with farm life. She knew these physical connections to the work could only improve their cognitive capabilities and offer them the peace of a familiar space – sights, sounds, and smells.

Mandy explained, “My husband has a gift caring for animals and humans, and he grew up around farming. Our son, Korbin (13), is also a huge part of what we do here. He is every bit as involved in chores, nurturing, corralling and fixing fence. We bought a five-day-old calf before we were open as a business, and slowly but surely, we’ve been adding animals. We have 30 egg laying hens, a mini donkey, horse, goat, sheep, and cattle. We also raise our own beef to provide food for our residents; we have two steers in the freezer.”

Mandy explained how the farm and animals “Take it to another level of feeling at home and feeling connected to something” for their residents who have enjoyed a similar view all their lives.

She explained how with Alzheimer’s and dementia, the emotional processes in our brain often are not as severely impaired as our thought processes. “The emotional reactions can linger, whether good or bad, so we bring in good moments, bursts of joy, laughter and fun, to create a lingering feeling of safety, home and comfort. Even a negative news story on television can trigger an emotion in their brain. However, we’re unable to process where it came from. There’s not a lot of joy with dementia – it’s a debilitating and devastating disease.

And that’s where we come in; we keep everything uplifting and fun because that’s what life is about. We tap into that part of the brain to spend days in a positive light and positive place,” said Mandy.

Spuds isn’t the first farm animal to be welcomed into the doors of the Lighthouse. Buffy, a goat who was rejected by her mom when she had twins, was bottle fed by some of the residents.

She slept inside and frequently jumped up on the kitchen island to sneak an apple from the fruit jar. “It’s just fun, short lived moments of joy,” Mandy said.

Many residents are still active in the care of livestock, checking water, keeping watch on frozen troughs, feeding and even gathering eggs alongside Mandy’s husband, Trent – living their life just as they did on the farm, just as they did most – if not all – of their lives. Caring for their livestock is an important part of everyday life at The Lighthouse, said Mandy, who continued with, “Ever since we opened the Lighthouse, Valley Vet is the first place we go for our livestock needs and supplies, and the fun things, too. Our donkey even has a ball to play with. It’s our go-to place for the well-being of our animals.”

Planting flowers and gardening is also a popular pastime, in addition to the many farm animals on the property. “We plant, we weed, we pick, cook and eat the produce,” Mandy said. “Just because they have dementia doesn’t mean they can’t have a productive day. It doesn’t mean they can’t have a purpose,” Mandy said, detailing how one of their current residents is 85, and she’s kept up her yard and garden her whole life while “on her knees and hands, she’s a down-in-the-dirt kind of woman and still is.”

“My Dad was a lifelong farmer; he farmed his whole life until the last few years, and now we farm it. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s eight years ago,” Vonda Copeland said.

The first time that frigid weather struck the Lighthouse, the first thing Vonda’s dad, Arlan, thought of was a concern for the cattle. Mandy and Trent bundled him up and drove him to the cattle pen so he could check the water, tank heaters and make sure the water wasn’t freezing. “That atmosphere was bringing back things that he instinctively knew he needed to worry about. When Mandy shared this with me, I just knew he was where he needed to be. I can’t even express how grateful I am that Trent and Mandy built the Lighthouse and had

the philosophy they do for my dad to be there. Trent has even taken my dad with him over to the sale barn,” Vonda said.

Mandy hopes that more memory care facilities can provide service to our farming communities, allowing residents to keep their passions alive and their memories continuing to surface for as long as possible.

“It’s home, it’s work, its purpose. When they smell the manure, it’s a familiar smell, just like when they are getting eggs out of the coop, it’s familiar to them. All of these life skills don’t go away with dementia. It’s instinct, and it’s automatic,” Mandy said.

About Valley Vet Supply. Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians to provide customers with the very best animal health solutions. Building on over half a century of experience in veterinary medicine, Valley Vet Supply serves equine, pet, and livestock owners with thousands of products and medications hand selected by Valley Vet Supply founding veterinarians and their professional staff.

With an in-house pharmacy that is licensed in all 50 states, and verified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), Valley Vet Supply is the dedicated source for all things horse, livestock, and pet. For more information, please visit www.ValleyVet.com.

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Optimism in Beef Industry Fueled

by Strong Demand with Higher Prices Anticipated. Despite pandemic disruptions, consumer demand for beef at home and around the globe remained strong in 2020, a trend that will continue in 2021 and beyond, especially as foodservice operations begin to fully reopen. The strong demand, combined with expected higher cattle prices, signals an optimistic future for the beef industry, according to CattleFax, which presented an outlook session during the virtual 2021 Cattle Industry Convention Winter Reboot.

According to CattleFax CEO Randy Blach, cattle numbers will continue to contract in 2021, and producers will gain leverage on packers and retailers, and margin distribution will be more equitable. Packing capacity is expected to increase slowly with the addition of more small scale plants, and U.S. meat exports will continue to grow. Overall, profitability is expected to improve significantly for cow/calf producers.

Lost incomes due to unemployment were replaced by government transfer benefits, and household wealth increased more than $620 billion in 2020, according to Blach. In 2020, total meat sales volume at retail was up 10 percent and total dollar sales at retail was up 18 percent, with beef’s share of the increase in spending accounting for 45 percent or $5.7 billion.

Consumers also saved at record levels during the pandemic, resulting in U.S. household net worth rising $5 trillion, which bodes well for beef demand going forward.

As beef demand reached record highs in 2020, cattle producers didn’t capture much of the margin with the bottleneck created due to plant closures as a result of COVID-19. According to Blach, the margin exists, and redistribution will lead to improving prices in the second half of 2021 and into 2022 and 2023.

“The bottom line is that things are on the mend, with producers gradually recapturing margin,” he said. “A one percent shift in margin will result in $6 per hundredweight increase on fed price.”

Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations and analysis at CattleFax, reported that 1.2 million head of cattle were liquidated in 20192020 after a 6.3 million head expansion between 2014 and 2018. Even with fewer cattle in the system, beef production still increased. Mild liquidation is anticipated

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in 2021 due to drought conditions and higher feed costs, said Good, and he estimates a U.S. beef cow inventory of just under 31 million head in 2022.

Good says 2021 is a tale of two halves. “There are more cattle in the system early in 2021 with big supplies on feed and heavy weights; however, the second part of the year will transition to tighter calf crops and tighter slaughter,” he said. In 2021, total slaughter is expected to be up 700,000 head to 33.5 million head, average carcass weights 4 pounds lighter, and beef production up 500 million pounds from 2020 to 27.6 billion pounds.

Per capita beef consumption is expected to grow slightly to 58.6 pounds per person in 2021, up from 58.5 pounds in 2020, although per capita red meat and poultry consumption are expected to decrease to 218.7 pounds per person from 221.7 pounds per person in 2020.

“Over the last 20 years, beef market share increased from 40 to 48 percent, up 2 percent in 2020,” said Good.

“Improvements in genetics, quality, and consistency have created a better product from five or ten years ago and have helped increase demand, taking market share away from pork and poultry.”

Good forecasts the average 2021 fed steer price at $119 per hundredweight, up from $109 per hundredweight in 2020, with a range of $110-$128 per hundredweight throughout the year. All cattle classes are expected to trade higher than a year ago, and prices are expected to improve over the next three to four years. The 800 lbs steer price is expected to average $145 per hundredweight with a range of $135-$160 per hundredweight, and the 550 lbs steer price is expected to average $168 per hundredweight, with a range of $160-$180 per hundredweight.

Finally, Good forecasts utility cows at an average of $64 per hundredweight with a range of $52-$74 per hundredweight.

Trade continues to be a hot topic, with U.S. beef prices competitive for Asian markets. According to Good, exports in 2021 are expected to increase by 5 percent, primarily to Asian markets like Japan, South Korea, and China, with declining imports from Australia and New Zealand. Although only 120 million pounds of beef were exported to China in 2020, that market is expected to grow to more than 300 million pounds per year over the next few years.

“The U.S. is the largest beef producer

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

on the planet, producing 75 percent of all high-quality fed beef in the world, and our product is different from competitors,” said Blach. “As the global population increases at a rate of 83 million people per year, U.S. agriculture is poised to play a key role with increasing exports.”

Mike Murphy, CattleFax vice president of research and risk management services, estimates that there will be 181 million planted acres of corn and soybeans in 2021, the largest ever combined acres for those two commodities. “That number is likely to be even higher, and in some regards it needs to be larger to balance the demand and build back supply,” said Murphy.

Although corn should be able to balance supply and demand, soybeans will have a tighter supply globally, with a smaller crop expected from South America.

As China rebuilds its pork industry following their battle with African Swine Fever, they are looking for higher quality feed ingredients, such as corn and soybeans, according to Murphy. The U.S. has the supply available to provide the estimated 700 million bushels of corn that China is expected to accept.

Spot prices for soybeans are expected to be $13.50-$16.50 per bushel for the remainder of 2021. “As soybean prices drive higher, soybeans will have a greater influence on the value of corn, bringing corn prices with it,” said Murphy. He noted, however, that any scares from Mother Nature this spring and summer will have concerning impacts.

All session panelists agreed that weather will be a major factor impacting the beef industry and agriculture as a whole in 2021. Although the La Niña weather pattern has leveled off, it will be making a return with warm and dry conditions over most of the United States into the summer, according to

Dr. Art Douglas, professor emeritus at Creighton University. Douglas indicated that the southwest U.S. will be warmer than normal, and the western half of the country will be relatively dry. In addition, dry conditions in the Rockies will eventually extend into the central corn belt, causing concerns for corn and soybean growers. “The Pacific jet stream is positioned far north from normal, preventing moisture from reaching the continent,” said Douglas. “The only significant moisture will be in the Ohio Valley and along the Canadian border from northeast North Dakota into Minnesota.”

Blach concluded the session with an overall positive outlook, expecting beef demand to remain solid, foodservice markets improving significantly, and beef and cattle prices trending higher through 2024. He also noted that plant based protein alternatives will continue to grow market share, but gains will be slow.

Blach indicated that increased consumer interest in sustainability, food safety protocols, animal care, and traceability creates opportunities for producers to differentiate their products if they choose.

“Consumers are voting with their pocketbooks and buying beef,” said Blach. “The industry should take note, stay focused on quality, continue delivering what the consumer desires, and tell their great story.”

About CattleFax. CattleFax is a member owned organization that serves producers in all segments of the cattle and beef business. CattleFax is the global leader in beef industry research, analysis, and information. Since 1968, the organization’s exclusive industry database has set the standard for market information and analysis. Visit www.

CattleFax.com to learn more and become a member.

Deworming: An Important Piece to the Cattle Health Puzzle. Every factor impacting cattle health plays a role in determining profitability. When your goal is to produce more high quality meat, it’s pertinent to ensure your herd has every aspect of its health well maintained. Something as simple as a consistent deworming protocol can be a small piece to your animal’s health and wellness program but can have a resounding impact on its performance.

Joe Gillespie, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim, encourages producers to implement a consistent deworming protocol to help cattle maintain optimal health and produce a high quality end product.

“If cattle are in a better place of health, they’re going to have better feed conversion and better utilization of nutrition, which ultimately should have a positive impact on end product quality,” said Dr. Gillespie.

He also stresses that, though important, deworming is only a piece of the puzzle.

“There are many management factors that impact the potential market value of an animal, including genetics, nutrition, vaccinations and parasite control methods,” he explained. “Maintaining a low parasitic load is important to an animal’s ability to convert feed into pounds.”

Protect your herd from productivity limiting parasites - A heavy parasite load doesn’t often manifest itself in obvious ways, which is one of the reasons an ongoing treatment program is so vital.

A heavy parasite burden in a cow’s intestinal tract competes to ingest the nutrients the animal needs to thrive.

This competition can suppress the cow’s appetite and, in turn, take away its ability to gain optimal weight. Additionally, parasites can damage the animal’s intestinal lining and decrease its ability to respond favorably to vaccinations.

If an animal doesn’t have to deal with the irritation and burden associated with parasitism, it’ll likely have better immunity, which contributes to enhanced productivity and reproductive efficiencies. Improved herd reproduction can, in turn, mean more calves, more pounds, and, ultimately, more profit.1 Properly time your deworming protocol - If a producer hasn’t given much thought to a deworming protocol in the past, it is never too late to put one in place.

“Deworming is an area of animal health where it’s easy to lose focus,” said Dr. Gillespie. “As busy cattle producers, we tend to treat cattle at our convenience.

However, ensuring a herd is treated at the

NEWS

right time with the right type of product can positively influence the whole system.”

Start by discussing your goals and options with your veterinarian, who will likely have geographic specific insights to help formulate the best approach for your herd.

As a general rule, Dr. Gillespie recommends implementing a deworming protocol twice a year: 1. Prior to cattle entering a grazing environment, where they can potentially pick up parasites and eliminate any dormant parasites. In many geographies, this happens in the spring.

2. After they come off the grazing pasture, manage any parasites that may have been ingested during the grazing season, usually in the fall.

For producers looking for added convenience and efficacy throughout the year, he recommends an extended release injection. A recent study showed a significant increase in average daily gains for cattle receiving an eprinomectin extended release injectable, compared to those that received topical ivermectin. Further, an economic advantage of $5.86 per animal was observed in the extended release group.2 “One deworming myth that I want to correct is that ‘all dewormers are the same,’ because they aren’t,” stressed Dr. Gillespie. “There’s a lot of technology that has gone into the production of the different types of dewormers that are available. And it’s important for producers and veterinarians to find the antiparasitic that’s going to best fit their situation.”

Discuss with your veterinarian how deworming can be a strategic part of your herd health plan.

References 1 Rademacher R.D., Behlke E.J., Parr S.L., et al. An evaluation of eprinomectin extended release injectable (LongRange) on the performance of yearling cattle on pasture in western Canada. Bov Pract 2018;52(1)46–52.

2 Stromberg B.E. and Gasbarre L.C. Gastrointestinal nematode control programs with an emphasis on cattle.

Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2006;22(3):543–565.

Branded vs. Generic Dewormers: Pick Your Products Wisely. You’re spending hard earned money on dewormers.

But are they working hard for you?

“Dewormers are just like everything else – you get what you pay for,” said Sarah Spidel, DVM, Lewisburg Animal Hospital. “If you don’t want your feet

and legs to hurt after a long day of work, you’re not going to go out and buy the cheapest shoes you can find…the same concept can be applied to dewormers.”

With the passage of time, patent rights have expired on the active ingredients contained in brand name dewormers, and predictably, several generic products are now on the market. For the original clearance of each product, numerous studies were conducted regarding safety, residues, formulation, and efficacy. However, little information on the efficacy of new generic products has been published.1 While the active ingredient may be the same, there can be many differences in how a dewormer is manufactured, the quality measures taken, and even the other ingredients included. As a result, there can be quite a difference in how some generic products perform.

What to look for on the product label - Product labels contain important information that can help you gauge the value of each dewormer on the shelf.

When looking at product labels, Jody Wade, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim encourages producers to answer the following questions: • How many parasites is the dewormer able to control? “On some of the labels out there, it’s hard to find what parasites the products have been tested against, and what each product has actually been proven to kill. Be sure the product is backed by extensive research.”

• Is it weatherproof? You don’t want the product to wash off if it happens to rain later in the day or if the cattle decide to go for a swim in a nearby water source.

• Does the product come with a satisfaction guarantee? Companies that offer product satisfaction guarantees trust in their products, which gives customers confidence that they can too.

“If the product is not able to do the job you paid for it to do, it’s worthless in my opinion,” said Dr. Spidel. “The inexpensive dewormers are not saving you money if they end up costing you reduced herd performance.”

Avoid parasite resistance on your operation - “It’s not easy to reverse parasite resistance in a herd, and research has shown that generic deworming products were not as efficacious as branded products on the market,” said Dr. Wade.1 “Choosing a dewormer with proven efficacy and following sustainable deworming best practices is one of the best ways to make sure resistance doesn’t occur on your operation.”

Dr. Spidel adds that it’s also difficult for the dewormer to do its job if not administered correctly. Read the label to be certain the product is stored correctly, the dose you’re administering is accurate for the

weight of the animal you’re treating, and that your equipment is properly functioning prior to treating the animals. Pour-on dewormers should be applied along the topline in a narrow strip from withers to tailhead.

Finally, Drs. Wade and Spidel encourage producers to consult a local veterinarian. He or she can help you choose the best product(s) for your herd and identify ways to boost the efficacy of your deworming program. Your grazing period, the age and category of your animals, your operation type, and history of the pasture are all considerations to discuss.

Reference 1 Yazwinski T.A., Tucker C.A., Hornsby J., et al. A field trial evaluating the efficacy of several commercial ivermectin pour-on products in cattle.

University of Arkansas, Arkansas Cattle Business, 20(9), 44-46. 2004.

About Boehringer Ingelheim.

Improving the health and quality of life of patients is the goal of the research driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The focus in doing so is on diseases for which no satisfactory treatment option exists to date. The company, therefore, concentrates on developing innovative therapies that can extend patients’ lives. In animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim stands for advanced prevention.

Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world.

We are committed to creating animal well being through our large portfolio of advanced, preventive healthcare products and services. With net sales of $4.4 billion and around 10,000 employees worldwide, we are present in more than 150 markets.

For more information, visit www.boehringeringelheim.com/animal-health/overview.

Y’all have stumbled on the best place to advertise expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies. Check the Classifieds in this issue!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

Select Sires Now Offers SimVitro HerdFlex Beef Embryos Nationwide A diversified breeding strategy can help dairy farmers maximize return on investment. Select Sires and the J.R. Simplot Company’s Animal Sciences division are pleased to announce Simplot’s SimVitro® HerdFlex™ branded beef embryos are now available through all Select Sires member cooperatives nationwide.

Dairy farmers across the country now have easy access to superior strategic breeding genetics thanks to this expanded partnership. Select Sires is the first and only provider of Simplot’s SimVitro HerdFlex branded beef embryos.

This partnership gives dairy farmers increased opportunity to sell 100 percent beef calves of high quality born from pregnancies not needed for herd replacements. Simultaneously, dairies can advance elite genetics within their dairy herd and appropriately manage heifer inventories.

“Select Sires works side-by-side with customers to create a customized path for their genetic progress goals with a strategic breeding plan. HerdFlex™ beef embryos are the latest advancement in our long commitment to dairy farmers

to help them reach their goal of constant improvement,” said Lyle Kruse, Select Sires vice president of U.S. market development.

Consistent genetic quality - As progressive dairy farms seek new marketing opportunities while improving dairy and business performance, HerdFlex beef embryos offer a way to accomplish their objectives. That’s because beef calves with superior genetics have the potential to earn a more desirable return on investment compared to dairy-beef crossbred calves or straight dairy calves. Resulting calves from these beef embryos offer additional benefits related to feeding and finishing.

These calves are of a consistent, superior genetic base, providing farmers and feeders a cost per gain advantage due to high carcass merit and marbling. Plus, the ready supply of embryos means animal availability year round, delivering a consistent supply to the beef cattle market.

HerdFlex beef embryos are grade 1, high quality, and commercially produced specifically for placement in dairy cows.

Each mating is to a proven Select Sires beef sire to maximize the resulting

embryo’s genetic potential and value for key traits such as: • Calving ease • $Beef – including weaning and yearling weight, dry matter intake, as well as carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area, and fat • Ribeye area Partnership of knowledge and experience - HerdFlex beef embryos are produced by Simplot, the largest beef cattle producer in the western U.S. with extensive farm and ranch holdings, including feedlots. Simplot has invested decades of research and improvement in making the commercial application of IVF embryos feasible for customers.

“Our HerdFlex beef embryos production capacity is poised to serve commercial dairies and their growing needs,” said Brady Hicks, manager of Simplot Animal Sciences. “Our mission is to help farmers cultivate their genetics and their livelihoods. Along with local Select Sires teams, we’re here to help farmers expand business opportunities.”

Select Sires cooperatives offering HerdFlex beef embryos include All West/Select Sires, CentralStar, COBA/

Select Sires, Minnesota/Select Sires, Premier Select Sires, and Select Sires MidAmerica. Talk with your local Select Sires team member about how HerdFlex beef embryos fit into your breeding program.

About Select Sires Inc. Select Sires is the largest global A.I. cooperative and is comprised of six farmer owned and controlled local organizations in the United States. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen, as well as excellence in service and programs to supply dairy and beef www.selectsires. com.

About the J.R. Simplot Company.

Simplot is a privately held agribusiness firm headquartered in Boise, Id., has an integrated portfolio that includes phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, food processing, food brands, and other enterprises related to agriculture. Simplot’s major operations are located in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, South America, and China, with products marketed in more than 60 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.simplot.com.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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Federation of State Beef Councils Update Beef Enters Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway. With the iconic proclamation “Drivers, start your engines!” given by Florida Beef Council Chairman Flint Johns, the Beef.

It’s What’s for Dinner. 300 got underway on February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. When the green flag waved, engines roared, and it was clear that beef was the center of the track on race day.

The Federation of State Beef Councils, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, partnered with Daytona International Speedway to sponsor the 40th season opening race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

“We couldn’t have made this event possible without State Beef Council support,” said Clay Burtrum, Federation Division Chair for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “This is one more example how the Federation of State Beef Councils leverages Beef Checkoff dollars to effectively increase beef demand. When we work together, we cross the finish line first.”

The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

300 expands a partnership between the Beef Checkoff and Daytona International Speedway. In 2020, the track produced “Race Day Recipes” on digital channels in which Speedway President Chip Wile demonstrated his beef grilling expertise to showcase the NASCAR experience - especially to campers and tailgaters who love to enjoy delicious beef recipes as part of their celebration of NASCAR events. The race served as a unique opportunity to put beef on television once again. With production support from NCBA, this historic partnership showcased the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand on broadcast television.

To get people “geared up” for the race, NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, hosted a satellite media tour featuring celebrity chef Hugh Acheson.

Chef Acheson, a James Beard award

winner and former “Top Chef” judge, shared beef recipes for tailgating and homegating. Acheson’s favorite race day recipes included New York Strip Steak tacos, beef red chile, and a patty melt, all of which could be prepared ahead of time so that none of the race day action would be missed. In total, there were 1,716 airings with a potential reach of 104.4 million. The multimedia press release, which accompanied the interviews, had a potential reach of 151 million.

Safety precautions due to COVID-19 prevented race attendance from reaching full track capacity, but a limited number of fans were able to enjoy the race in person, and many more enjoyed the broadcast at home. Those watching on television also had the opportunity to see the “tailgating season brought to you by beef farmers and ranchers” commercial.

On race day, members of the NCBA board joined Chef Robert Hale and ESPN to share more beef recipes and discuss the race. Throughout the day, the race was shared broadly on social and traditional media and received significant attention.

The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 was included in more than 850 traditional media stories, reaching a total of 1.9 billion people, via outlets like Yahoo!

Finance, ESPN, and USA Today. The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 was also mentioned in more than 12,500 posts on social media, reaching 66.3 million people.

In partnership with Pit Boss Grills, two Sportsman 820 Wood Pellet Grills were given away for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300. The giveaway, which took place on Instagram and was highlighted on Facebook and Twitter, had more than 1,100 entries during the five days it was open and more than 11,700 total impressions.

The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

300 logo could be seen throughout the

Regular copy deadline is

APRIL 5 for the MAY issue.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

race, including on the jumbotron, the track, and even the pace cars. State Beef Council staff from across the country also descended on Florida to help promote beef during the race. There were steak grilling demos for fans, giveaways, social media promotions, and contests. In addition, a steak lunch was prepared for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration squad and members of the media.

When the checkered flag dropped, driver Austin Cindric in the number 22 Team Penske Ford claimed victory and celebrated with the Beef. It’s What’s

For Dinner. 300 trophy and a cooler full of Tomahawk Steaks. “Nothing like a beef dinner after a win at Daytona,” said Cindric. “Victory Lane has never tasted better.”

About the Federation of State Beef Councils. The Federation of State Beef Councils is housed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which is a national contractor to the Beef Checkoff. The national Beef Checkoff is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Green Grass Can Fool Cattle Producers Spring is on the horizon. Most cattle producers are ready to put the cold and snow behind them and see the pastures greening up. But University of Kentucky beef specialist Katie VanValin urges producers not to let the green grass fool them.

“The growth we see in our pastures in the early spring can be deceiving,” she said. “From a nutrient standpoint, it often just won’t cut it. There’s just not yet enough forage available, and what is available has a high moisture content.

When we turn the cows out too early, they can exert more energy searching for the next bite, and most of that mouthful ends up being water.”

For spring calving cows, this time is especially critical. Most cows are transitioning from late gestation to lactation right now, and their nutrient requirements are at their highest. VanValin said it’s not a time to let cows slip into an energy deficit and lose body condition. She encourages producers to make sure cows are in good body condition before calving and then maintain their condition through breeding to ensure optimum performance.

“Research shows us that cows reproductive performance begins to decline when cows reach a body condition score of 4, so it’s crucial to performance and efficiency of the herd for cows to maintain a body condition score of 5 to 6,” VanValin said.

If producers turn cows out too early, it can also cause undue stress on forages, ultimately hurting the stand and creating an opportunity for weeds to invade. Instead, producers need to evaluate the forages in their pasture and let the grass growth dictate when to turn cows out as opposed to a date on the calendar.

Another problem of early green pastures is “grass tetany.” Grass tetany most often occurs in older, lactating cows consuming a diet of lush green grass that is high in potassium and low in magnesium. It may also occur in cows with insufficient forage available and consequently have an insufficient intake of magnesium.

“While grass tetany commonly occurs in early spring, we also see it when feeding wheat or rye baleage, since the cereal grains are usually high in potassium and nitrogen but low in magnesium,” said UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment ruminant veterinarian Michelle Arnold. “In any case, affected cattle have borderline low blood magnesium concentration, and then they develop clinical signs of grass tetany when triggered by a stressor such a cold snap.”

Producers can prevent it by feeding a magnesium supplement during times when conditions are right for grass tetany to occur.

“Ideally, producers will begin to supplement with free choice, high magnesium mineral at least 30 days prior to calving,” Arnold added.

If cattle show signs of grass tetany, Arnold emphasized it is a true veterinary emergency, and they need prompt treatment. Producers should be very careful around cattle suspected of having grass tetany, as they may be quite aggressive.

Prevention of this condition is much better than a cure because survival rates are low, around 40 percent of affected cattle. Soil testing is always a good indicator of pasture potassium levels.

“The bottom line here is, don’t let spring fever set in early and turn your cows out on a pasture that doesn’t meet all the nutritional needs of your herd,” VanValin said. “Continue to evaluate body condition score and let that guide your management decisions during the transition to spring.”

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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CHUCK

SHANK

CHUCK

BRISKET

RIB

PLATE

RIB

LOIN

SIRLOIN

ROUND SHANK

FLANK

LOIN

SIRLOIN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

ROUND

INGEDIENT CUTS

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

LEAN

BRISKET LEAN

LEAN

PLATE & FLANK LEAN

LEAN

KEY TO RECOMMENDED COOKING METHODS GRILL or BROIL PAN BROIL/ SKILLET

BRAISE/ POT ROAST

LEAN

These cuts meet the government guidelines for lean, based on cooked servings, visible fat trimmed

INDIRECT GRILLING

SKILLET TO OVEN

* MARINATE BEFORE COOKING FOR BEST RESULTS

A cut of cooked fresh meat is considered ‘lean’ when it contains less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, andless tahn 95 mg of cholesterol per 100 grams(3½ oz) and per RACC (Reference Amount Customarily Consumed), which is 85 grams (3 oz.)

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ROAST

STIR-FRY

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

The NALF Board Moves Forward with Establishing the North American Limousin Research Foundation (NALRF). When the breed switched its National Cattle Evaluation to IGS a few years ago, it became very apparent to the industry what Limousin breeders have known for quite some time. The Limousin breed offers the ability to make superior females with a solid set of maternal traits that can benefit the beef industry as a whole. This fact, combined with superior feed performance and desirable carcass traits, should make Limousin cattle an evident choice to utilize in a commercial crossbreeding program.

The current NALF board sees the improvement made by breeders of both Limousin and Lim-Flex in recent years.

They are intently focused on finding a vehicle and process to update research on our cattle which will hopefully document these advantages through targeted research. The goal ultimately is to attract more demand for Limousin genetics verified by an independent third party.

To accomplish this, the board has approved the formation of the North American Limousin Research Foundation (NALRF). Potential research projects will be funded by a combination of founders and contributors in addition to supplemental funding by the North American Limousin Foundation. The mission of the North American Limousin Research Foundation (NALRF) is as follows: “To serve the beef industry through targeted science based research efforts designed to advance, improve, and promote the Limousin breed.”

Research conducted through universities and other entities can be rather expensive, but much of the documented research on Limousin cattle is outdated and not reflective of the kind of cattle breeders are currently producing.

The NALF board strongly feels that updated research on our cattle is needed to help increase demand and value for members’ cattle. Much of the membership has expressed similar views as well. Data provided through future research will be used to guide breed improvement efforts and inform breed marketing and communication strategies.

Initially, proposed research at South Dakota State University will focus on analyzing the supposed benefits Limousin and Lim-Flex genetics can provide in a crossbreeding program. This research is

expected to capture feed performance and harvest data on three different contemporary groups. Updated EPDs and actual harvest data on fed cattle have indicated the highly profitable potential of utilizing Limousin genetics in an English based cow herd. The proposed research is intended to capture and document that data.

The ability to make cattle that have the power to not only provide more red meat yield and lower external fat in combination with maintaining the choice quality grade and higher is of major economic relevance. Cattle that can produce this kind of quality grade while only laying down .3-.5 backfat with larger ribeyes and carcass weights leads to superior yield grade as well, which enhances profitability and both the feedyard and packing house sectors of the industry.

In addition, utilizing Limousin genetics in a crossbreeding program with English based cows allows feedyards to buy feeder cattle that they can project and feed to larger outweights while maintaining feed efficiency, resulting in lower cost of gains and providing lower breakevens on fed cattle. This is also a major economic factor when deciding which feeder cattle to purchase, but to also determine how much more one can pay for feeder cattle. It is estimated that the cost of feed is the number one cost to the beef industry annually (65 percent of the cost of beef production).

The NALF board and member breeders believe Limousin and LimFlex genetics can provide these valuable economic traits to the commercial cattle industry and ultimately increase demand for Limousin genetics. We now just need to document and prove what our EPDs and current harvest data are telling us to market and convey this message to the feedyard and commercial cow/calf sectors of the beef industry.

If you have an interest in helping to fund future research for the Limousin breed and would like to be a part of the Founders & Contributors of the NALRF effort, please contact the NALF office in Aurora for details to make a fully tax deductible contribution to this important effort.

For further detail of the NALRF and its mission, please visit the NALRF website at www.nalf.org/nalrf/.

NALF Board Decides on January 2022 Shows and Events Pertaining

to the Cattlemen’s Congress and National Western Stock Show. The NALF board met recently to decide on the breeds attendance and events at the 2022 Cattlemen’s Congress and National Western Stock Show (NWSS). After reviewing exhibitor surveys, attendance levels, income for Genetics on Ice, and the National Sale, the board has determined that NALF will conduct its annual events, shows, and activities at the 2022 Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Oklahona. This will include the annual meeting for NALF, Genetics on Ice Banquet, National Sale, along with a Level 1 MOE show, junior show, and pen show in Oklahoma.

The following week, NALF will also conduct a Level 2 MOE show at NWSS along with a junior show on the hill. In addition, NALF will conduct a pen and carload show at the 2022 NWSS. Actual dates of events are still not determined by each venue, but we expect Cattlemen’s Congress dates will be the first week of January similar to last year. NWSS dates are tentatively planned the following week.

Once both venues have confirmed actual show dates and schedules, NALF will share that information to membership.

Corrected Parentage Found via LimVision Cow Herd Project. As you may be aware, the North American Limousin Foundation is currently offering members the opportunity to genomically enhance their cow herds through the Lim Vision Cow Herd Project. This program not only lets members take advantage of genomically enhancing their females at a discounted rate but also includes parentage verification on their cows.

Through this process, we have found a few cows that have had incorrect parentage, which has affected progeny in the NALF herd book. This also impacted WULFS Conversion 3970C. The dam of WULFS Conversion was found to be incorrect for the previously listed sire, which was reported as sired by MAGS YIP 114Y (NPM1985615). The correct sire on the dam was changed to Schaff’s

Angus Valley 1867 (AAA17016630) through SNP parentage verification markers.

This resulted in WULFS Conversion being changed to a LimFlex classification rather than a Purebred Limousin. WULFS Conversion (LFM2081532), along with related progeny, have been switched accordingly in the NALF herdbook with new EPDs generated on all related cattle. WULF Conversion was previously listed as 91 percent NALF Limousin blood. The change in the dam’s sire to Schaff’s Angus Valley 1867 (AAA17016630) changes the NALF percentage Limousin on WULFS Conversion to 66 percent Limousin.

Also discovered via the Lim Vision Cow Herd DNA submissions was a change affecting WULFS Diesel Powered 4166D. The dam of WULFS Diesel Powered was found to be incorrect for the previously listed sire which was reported as sired by WULFS Warbonnet 6254W (NPM1931819). The correct sire on the dam was changed to HCF Undertaker TCM 26U (CPM189086) through SNP parentage verification markers.

This resulted in WULFS Diesel Powered still remaining as an NPM (Limousin purebred sire). The sire of the corrected dam and resulting progeny out of WULFS Diesel Powered have been switched in the NALF herd book.

Percentages will remain the same on progeny as both bulls impacting WULFS Diesel Powered were 100 percent NALF Limousin.

About the North American Limousin Foundation. The North American Limousin Foundation, headquartered in Englewood, Colo., provides programs and services, including the documentation of more than 25,000 head of cattle annually, for approximately 4,000 members and their commercial customers. The Limousin breed and Lim-Flex® hybrid offer industry leading growth and efficiency while being an ideal complement to British breeds.

For more information about NALF, please visit www.nalf.org.

You shouldn’t have to have a gun held to your head to take advantage of the expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies featured in the Classifieds in this issue!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

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NEWS

N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Awards 2020-2021 Scholarships The N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation has awarded 20 college scholarships to students with backgrounds and interests related to cattle. These students aspire to pursue careers in agriculture or allied fields, particularly related to cattle. Scholarships were awarded to students attending college at N.C. State University, Redlands Community College, the University of North Carolina - Greensboro, the University of Mount Olive, and Belmont Abbey College.

The scholarships are funded by earnings on donations to the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation, which has been significantly supported by cattle producers in the state. The Foundation was established in 1982 with a significant donation from NCSU graduate E. Carroll Joyner. Since that time, numerous others have contributed to the Foundation.

The NCCF is also supported by proceeds from sales of North Carolina Cattle Reflections, a history of cattle in North Carolina. The book may be purchased by contacting Kim Burdge at the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association at 919552-9111 or kim@nccattle.com.

The following personal stories were provided by the 2020-21 scholarship and travel award winners:

Regular copy deadline is APRIL 5 for the MAY issue!

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Lynae Bowman I was definitely raised in a barn...

I am the fifth generation on my family’s farm. I got my first cow when I was born. It was a Chiangus female from my grandpa, and it all started from there. One of my biggest passions is showing cattle. I enjoy learning how to work with animals that have different behavioral patterns and adapt my halter breaking methods to fit them. I also enjoy customizing feed rations to meet the needs of individual animals and their growth patterns.

Traveling across the country and making new friends who share common interests is one of the highlights of showing. Those lasting friendships and the time spent with family are the memories that stay with you and are definitely some of the greatest rewards from showing livestock.

In addition to getting the show cattle ready, I am responsible for the daily management. This includes feeding all the beef cattle on the farm, making breeding decisions, assisting with vaccinations, and pasture management. I also assist with calving and then the creep feeding and management of the calves at weaning.

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to have three heifers that were flush mates from embryo transfer. It was neat to look at the physical differences as they grew. We took a blood sample from each of them and submitted it for genomic testing. It was even cooler to see the variation in their expected progeny differences and genetic make up, despite being full sisters. This has helped spark my interest in studying genetics and embryo transfer in college. I will be

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

attending Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla., this fall and will be a member of their livestock judging team. They have an embryo transfer and artificial insemination program, which I am excited about participating in. From there, I plan to transfer to a four year college to earn my bachelor’s degree in animal science. The N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship will be a big help towards pursuing this dream. I cannot imagine having a career that did not involve animal agriculture.

Tanner Carrick I am very honored and humbled to have been selected for the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship for the third year. I am deeply appreciative of the support of this organization in assisting me to further my education at N.C. State University. The financial assistance that the NCCF has provided has helped fund my educational expenses and has given me the opportunity to gain a solid foundation for my career in the agricultural industry.

I am currently a junior at N.C. State University studying crop and soil science with a concentration in agronomy. Growing up on a family farm, I have been immersed in the farming atmosphere and in crop and cattle production. I realize that success in agriculture today requires more than just “hands on” experience and knowledge of agricultural methods. I realize that gaining a better understanding of crop and soil science is integral to the advancement of food and fiber production to provide for a growing population. Thanks to your foundation, I have been able to study in the crop and soil science program at N.C. State University, and I will achieve my goal of becoming the fourth generation of farmers on our family farm.

On campus, I have enjoyed being involved in the NCSU Agronomy and Ag Business Clubs. Through these clubs, I have had the opportunity to network with others in the agricultural industry and volunteer at events like the N.C. State Fair, Warmth for Wake, and Myra’s Angels.

In addition, I am active in the Stanly County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers and the Stanly County Cattlemen’s Association. I work part time at Sunnybrook Farm, Inc. as a farmhand most weekends and during summer break.

This summer, I will be completing an internship with Nutrien Ag Solutions. I have continued to be an active member of FFA. I was recently selected through the FFA to attend the New Century Farmer Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, during the summer of 2021.

I hope to complete my studies and graduate in May 2021. Following graduation, I plan to return to my family farm and assist full time in the family farming operation. Currently, our farm produces cotton, corn, soybeans, and wheat in addition to a beef cattle operation. I hope to utilize the knowledge that I have gained and apply it to our farming practices to make us more efficient and productive. I hope to be able to carry on this tradition of farming for our future generations. I am very thankful for the support of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation in my educational endeavors and in helping me reach my career goals.

Hannah Ellis I would like to extend my gratitude to the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation for making this scholarship opportunity available to students such as myself. I am honored and very thankful to accept this scholarship.

My name is Hannah Ellis, and I am from Old Fort, North Carolina. My interest in the cattle industry began at a young age. Growing up on a cattle farm, I naturally had a love for the agriculture industry, but more specifically, animal agriculture. Throughout the years, I showed a few heifers at the local, district, and state levels. In 2018, I had the opportunity to show at the national level at the American Gelbvieh Junior Association Junior Classic in Waterloo, Iowa.

When I was around nine years old, I was encouraged to join the local 4-H livestock club. I loved animals, so it

wasn’t hard to convince me to give it a shot. I remember participating in my first 4-H state livestock judging contest.

The dreaded time to give oral reasons finally came. I go in to give my first set of reasons and start giving my pig set.

Shortly after starting, I hear something along the lines of, “I’m the cattle official, not the pig judge.” That was not at all what I wanted to hear; confused, embarrassed, and unsure of what to do, I shamefully walked out and sat back down. The time finally came for me to give my pig set, and I at least had this set down pat pretty good. After the contest was over, I had convinced myself that I was not going to do livestock judging again if it meant I would have to give another set of oral reasons. Several short years later, I was in Louisville, Ken., representing North Carolina as a member of the state 4-H livestock judging team. I went from placing 66th in the oral reasons category at my first livestock judging contest to placing 4 th individually in the oral reason’s category at the 2018 National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest.

To say the least, throughout the years, I developed a love for giving oral reasons and judging livestock.

Aside from 4-H, I was also very active in FFA. The FFA program and agriculture curriculum was reintroduced to McDowell High School in 2014. As an eighth grader with an older brother in high school who was involved in FFA, I couldn’t wait for my time to come to wear the blue corduroy jacket! Throughout my years in FFA, I served in various leadership positions, competed in several Career Development and Leadership Development Events (CDEs and LDEs), and attended regional, state, and national conventions and conferences. In my senior year of high school, I served as the McDowell FFA Chapter President and the West Region FFA Reporter. Due to my love for agriculture and the many opportunities provided through it, I have decided to pursue a career in agriculture education as a future ag teacher!

I recently finished my freshman year at N.C. State University as a spring connect student. Although my first semester at NCSU was cut short, I gained valuable experiences and joined the Agriculture and Extension Education Club, as well as NCSU Young Farmers and Ranchers. I will begin my sophomore year of college in the fall semester of 2020, working toward obtaining my degree in agriculture education and my minor in animal science. I am excited to pursue a career in the field of agriculture.

It will be nice having a career where I can combine my passions of advocating for agriculture as well as educating

and mentoring the next generation of agriculturalists. It is important to share the truth about agriculture and bridge the gap between producers and consumers.

This scholarship means a lot to me and will help reduce the financial burden that comes with pursuing a college education. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to further my education and broaden my horizons in the agriculture industry at N.C. State University.

Again, thank you very much to the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation for believing in me and supporting me in my endeavors.

Abigail Fulton My interests in the agriculture industry and, more specifically, the livestock and poultry industry stems from my personal experiences having been raised on a diversified family owned cow/calf operation in Lexington, North Carolina. My family’s farm, H&C Hereford Farm, was established in 1947, then focused primarily on registered horned Hereford cattle. Today, my family’s base herd varies with genetics, including 40-50 registered and commercial mama cows of Hereford, Red Angus, and black Angus influence with a rotation of Simmental/Red Angus X, Hereford, and black Angus bulls to produce replacement heifers and feeder calves. I grew up raising and showing registered Hereford and Red Angus heifers participating in state and national junior livestock association events. As a former member of the Junior Red Angus Association, the N.C. Junior Hereford Association and the National Junior Hereford Association, I traveled to various states touring cattle operations, visiting university animal science programs, and competing in leadership development conferences.

Within the various youth organizations, I participated in local, state, regional, and national events. I was an active member of the North Davidson FFA Chapter starting in the seventh grade and continued on through my college years, receiving my American FFA Degree in 2018.

My role on the family farm has grown

and developed as I have over the years.

During the summer months, I work full time on the family farm, assisting in both the cattle and poultry operations. During the school year, I balance my time between a full class schedule and farm responsibilities.

Using the knowledge I gained over the years helps me to be more involved in the day-to-day farm tasks. I provide daily morning feedings to replacement heifers, feeder calves, and developing yearling bulls. This past year, I have been more involved in the record keeping aspect of our cow/calf operation. I am responsible for tracking heats, recording A.I. breeding dates and bull selections, calving due dates, and calf inventory. Working with our local vet to take and record pelvic measurements on first time heifers helps to pay special attention to sire selection data for appropriate birth weights and calving ease bulls. My prior knowledge of EPDs helps to determine possible breeding options for semen purchases. I help to keep accurate semen inventory and record matings to determine due dates during pregnancy checks. My livestock judging experience allows me to be able to identify females that would make good replacement females in our herd. Throughout my college years, I have continued to use my knowledge and experiences gained through livestock and dairy evaluation competitions and the show ring to help local youth prepare for judging and show ring events. Working with FFA advisors, I help to set up practice breeding heifer classes on my family’s farm.

During our county fair, I still enjoy helping to demonstrate proper animal handling procedures, show ring etiquette, and serving as an assistant with class lineups.

Since 2009, my family continues to operate six poultry layer houses and serve as a contract grower for Allen Harim Foods, LLC. I have worked as an egg handler assisting with collecting, grading, and packaging the hatching eggs since I was 11 years old. During the cleanout process, I help to repair slats, check water and feed lines, and change out rodent control bait boxes. I am able to balance my school schedule with my farm responsibilities, which allows me to remain an integral part of the family operation.

I want to remain an active part of my

family’s farm while pursuing my own career in the education field. I am entering my final year at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, finalizing my undergraduate studies as a human development and family studies major. I plan to earn my bachelor of science degree while securing my birth through Kindergarten teaching licensure.

After graduation, it continues to be my goal to return home and seek employment within the Davidson County School System.

I would like to be able to continue helping with community service projects, county livestock youth shows, and educational oriented children’s outreach programs through local FFA chapters and agriculture education programs. This would allow me the opportunity to incorporate some of the events and projects into my own classroom, once again bridging my agriculture and career interests. This would also allow me to involve some of the students in my classroom in programs that I helped to support and promote while in high school and the FFA. I will continue to apply myself to my college studies in the coming year in order to live up to the expectations of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship Committee. As we all know, the upcoming school year will look different than normal. With that said, I am excited to start my final year at UNC-G and look forward to getting into the classroom as I student teach in the spring.

I know I will be faced with challenges from within the educational system as well as from external factors that students and families are dealing with today. One of my personal goals is to pass that sense of support that I have received from organizations such as the NCCF onto others. I want to say how truly grateful I am to the NCCF for your continued support over the years. I am honored to accept this scholarship as it continues to recognize me for my agricultural endeavors as I work towards a career in which I can teach and influence children.

Again, I am honored to have been selected as a scholarship recipient for the coming year. I extend my deepest appreciation to the Board of Directors and the selection committee members for their unwavering financial support.

BE A WINNER!

Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state or regional breed association.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q APRIL 2021

PAGE 59

Taylor Glover First, I want to thank the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation for this opportunity because it is an honor to be a recipient of this scholarship. This scholarship from the NCCF will help me reach my educational and career goals without the burden of financial stress.

I have shown livestock since I was nine years old, including goats, pigs, and cattle. Currently, I spend my time showing cattle and pigs at county, state, regional, and national shows. I am a member of many livestock associations and hold different leadership positions.

I have been a member of the N.C. Junior Angus Association for several years serving as secretary, treasurer, and Eastern Director, as well as N.C. Angus Queen. I currently serve as the treasurer for this great association. I have also received my National Junior Angus Bronze and Silver Awards. I have attended leadership conferences offered by the National Junior Angus Association, such as Leaders Engaged in Angus Development and Raising the Bar. These programs have helped influence me and have helped broaden my education and knowledge about the cattle industry all over the world. I am also a member of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, National Junior Swine Association, FFA, and 4-H. Through FFA, I have four Supervised Agricultural Experiences, including swine production, beef production, diversified livestock production, and forage production. This past year I was honored to receive my American FFA Degree in Indianapolis, Indiana. With help from my family, I tend and harvest about 18 acres of Coastal Bermuda hay that I use to feed my cattle and horses.

With the love and passion I have for showing and raising cattle and pigs, it was no doubt that I want to pursue a career in the agricultural field. I have a fondness for livestock and will continue to further my

PAGE 60

education in ag production systems as well as continue to show and raise livestock. I have also decided to follow my heart on the road to Special Education. I love working with special needs kids and feel that I have a calling to help them. I graduated from Wayne Community College in May of 2020 with associate’s degrees in applied animal science technology and swine management. In the fall, I will transfer to the University of Mount Olive, majoring in ag production systems, as well as extend my studies in the field of special education. In December, I attended NCSU for the artificial insemination short course for cattle and plan to use this to continue to raise and show cattle, as well as pigs at state and national shows. I will also continue to be involved in livestock associations to keep up-to-date on current issues.

Again, thank you to the NCCF for this opportunity and for helping me reach my goals.

developed a passion for cattle and the farming industry. Once I graduate from the University of Mount Olive with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, I plan to return back home to work with my family on our farm. I plan to help continue running our 1,100 cow family farm for many years to come.

The N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship means a great deal to me.

The farming industry is currently hurting due to decreased prices for agricultural products. It is getting harder and harder to make a living in this always giving industry, and nowadays, higher tuition costs can hinder lots of kids in pursuing a higher degree. The NCCF does a wonderful job providing financial aid for students involved and entering the field of agriculture. They realize the importance of supporting the next leaders entering this vital industry. I greatly appreciate the support and help that I have received from the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation.

Rachel Gray Cattle and the agricultural industry have been a very important aspect of my everyday life for many years. My passion and love for cattle and agriculture began to grow when I started showing cows at the age of seven. As I got older, I began participating in the 4-H dairy quiz bowl and skillathon, dairy judging competitions, furthering my knowledge, skills, and experiences. I attended North Iredell High School, where I served as Sentinel for our FFA chapter. I competed in various career development events such as cattle working, livestock judging, dairy judging, land judging, agronomy, and farm business management. I have had the amazing opportunities to travel to Oklahoma to compete at the national land and range judging contest, Wisconsin to compete at the national 4-H dairy evaluation contest, and Indiana to compete at the national FFA dairy evaluation contest.

Growing up on my family’s dairy farm in Stony Point, N.C., I have

Abigail Hamilton Dr. Temple Grandin, animal behavior revolutionist, once stated, “Animals make us human.” There is no truer statement than that, in my opinion. Animals unknowingly teach us lessons that are applied to daily life like compassion, responsibility, and awareness. Not only within the cattle industry but agriculture in general, these lessons must be learned quickly and thoroughly if any amount of success is to come from an operation.

As a woman nearing her twenties, I was raised on a diversified livestock farm, showed livestock competitively throughout North Carolina, and am confident that I learned the above life lessons before I could talk. When I graduated high school in 2019, I was rummaging through work I had done in the first grade. One of my assignments was to write about and illustrate an activity that I have always wanted to do. Six-year-old Abigail Hamilton wanted to do nothing more than learn how to ‘work cows’ with her Daddy. With age, I learned that ‘working cows’ wasn’t just a cool thing my

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

Daddy did when we brought the stockers home, but was the vital first check up the cattle were given when arriving to their new territory for growth and development.

While the evaluation, vaccination, and tagging of our cattle are crucial parts of starting a prosperous herd every year, hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people outside of the cattle and agriculture industries have no clue that this step even exists. There is a huge grey area in the process that occurs from the producer’s farm to the consumer’s table.

This is a sad trend within all agriculture.

I already knew there was a fire inside of me that wanted to pursue a career somehow involving the cattle industry because of my infatuation with them, but the disconnect in knowledge of animal welfare on farms and the general public drives my passion even further.

Considered a junior at N.C. State University, I am studying animal science and extension education with the aspiration to become a large animal veterinarian. A personal dream of mine is to bring a large animal veterinary clinic to my hometown in Montgomery County to ensure quality livestock are produced while also spreading awareness and knowledge about the livestock industry to people near and far through education and experiences.

The importance of agriculture is making itself apparent to everyone across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the coronavirus, many areas are facing shortages in meat products as livestock farmers across America watch their livelihoods teeter in suspense. While there is surely no meat shortage on the farmer’s end, I’m sure you have seen on the news that meatpacking plants screeched to a halt due to cases of COVID-19 being found within their facilities. However, on May 6, 2020, the USDA sent out the message that “Meat processing facilities are critical infrastructure and are essential to the national security of our nation. Keeping these facilities operational is critical to the food supply chain and we expect our partners across the country to work with us on this issue.” Many plans of action are still unknown, but this rolling response will open many new career opportunities for anyone willing to learn about life sciences for years to come.

Along with the uncertainty within the cattle industry at this time, for me, obviously, comes with a substantial amount of worry over funding for school. Even before the beginning of this pandemic, I have applied for many scholarships and financial aid to cover the tuition for my educational endeavors. I am so thankful that the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation has a scholarship program that gives students

with similar interests and situations like mine a platform and a chance to relieve some of the financial burden that higher education unfortunately creates.

It is scary to see so much uncertainty in an industry you love. With that being said, I am a firm believer that this pandemic will be a major part of history that we should take note of and learn from the steps taken in defense of something similar happening in the future. With the scholarship I acquired from the NCCF, I will be able to move forward on my academic pathway in gaining my bachelor’s degree in animal science from N.C. State University. I believe this will ensure my ability to be a positive influence on the thriving future of the cattle industry. I would once again like to express my gratitude for not only the funding but also the opportunity to represent the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation for 2020-21 as a scholarship recipient.

Allison Hartman My name is Allison Hartman, from Stokes County, and I am the recipient of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship for the 2020-21 academic years. I would like to thank Howard Gentry, NCCF President, and the NCCF board of directors for your generosity, which has allowed me to further my education and put me one step closer to my ultimate goal of becoming a teacher.

My two main passions are agriculture and science. Coming from a rural farming county, I see the importance of both in children’s lives. Science keeps the world evolving, and agriculture keeps the world fed! Growing up on a tobacco farm and showing cattle has given me first hand experiences that I can share with students through my teaching. Through my livestock projects, I have learned a lot and had some amazing experiences.

Showing steers has afforded me the ability to hone my marketing skills. Every year I purchase two steers, one for a local show in June and one for the N.C. State Fair that I decided to bring back home to sell as quarters and halves. Since I began

doing that, I have put my knowledge of feeding steers and marketing beef to consumers to the test. Also stemming from my livestock projects, I began my personal cattle herd in 2011. Today, I have a small herd of thirteen commercial cattle that I plan to expand. Having a small herd, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone while having to focus more on the production side of cattle rather than the show ring. Marketing my show steers and growing my own herd have allowed me to apply the knowledge I have learned while also learning through my own experiences.

While student teaching in high school, my eyes have been opened to the world of teaching, and I believe that all individuals need a chance to learn no matter where you are from. My interest isn’t just to teach future generations the importance of science and agriculture to our world but to educate them about the cattle industry. Following graduation, I intend to start a career as an agricultural teacher, hopefully, on a middle or high school level. To this day, my grandfather’s continual support and commitment to the agriculture industry has been the foundation for my interest in agriculture and my drive to stay involved in the industry through education. While teaching, I hope to diversify my school and develop a show team to hopefully ignite young people’s passion for the cattle industry. As I continue my education at Belmont Abbey College, I am very thankful for receiving this scholarship because it will help me pursue my career of becoming a teacher and showing future generations the importance of the cattle industry.

Marcie Harward As an eighth generation cattle farmer, the beef industry has been in my blood ever since I was born. My earliest memories involve my family on the farm or working with livestock. My family owns a livestock auction barn that I went to every week, and on weekends I would

be with my father checking and feeding cattle. I attended cattlemen’s education conferences with my family and was eager to help in any way possible when it came to the farm. In 2006, my family started showing cattle at local, state, and eventually national competitions. My sisters and I quickly grew very passionate about this segment of the cattle industry, so in 2009, we started developing our own herd of cattle focusing on purchasing high quality, registered cattle. While my parents own their personal set of cattle, this herd was and currently still is owned and managed by me and my sisters. We talked with many other purebred cattle producers to learn about the industry and to prepare ourselves for this large endeavor. In 2019, we held our first production sale and held our second one in January of this year, selling Angus, Simmental, Charolais, and Red Angus bulls and females. Through these sales, we have sold cattle to three states and over 100 cattle producers. A goal of ours is to increase the herd to 400 cows within the next ten years and increase our genetic improvements every year.

One of my career aspirations is to be able to return home to continue improving and expanding my family’s business. I plan to major in agricultural business management to help me achieve this goal. I want to learn how to make our businesses the most successful it can be through learning about financial planning, marketing, economics, human resources, and more. The most rewarding part of our business is seeing how our decisions and hard work can benefit our customers, and I want to continue this objective.

However, not only do I aspire to improve my family’s business, but I also have a passion for animal reproduction and genetics. Along with studying agricultural business management, I plan to further my range of education by studying animal science and taking pre-vet courses. I have always found animal reproduction fascinating and hope to become an embryologist that specializes in large animals. I want to help improve the ways in which we handle cattle and study how we can best utilize reproduction management in beef cattle. I hope to one day set up my own reproduction facility as this service is not easily accessible in our area. I want to be able to help other farmers gain access to this service that can help them in their own businesses.

I am very grateful and honored to be a recipient of an N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship. I am grateful for the support the NCCF has provided me and the endless opportunities they provide for juniors just like me all across the state.

I will be attending N.C. State University

in the fall, pursuing my bachelor’s degree and hopefully, down the road, a master’s degree. This scholarship will help me further my education and achieve my career goals. As seen above, I have a long road ahead of me, and I am grateful that an opportunity like this is available to help make my goals a reality.

Mattie Harward My passion for taking care of animals began at an early age on my family’s farm in Richfield, North Carolina. While I was growing up, my family had various types of animals - everything from our pet dogs to our larger animals such as cattle, horses, and pigs. From an early age, I was involved in many aspects of learning how to properly treat and care for these animals. This developed into a passion of mine on how to properly tend to the animals that are entrusted into our care. While I have enjoyed being involved in sports, school activities, and community events, it was working with these animals, and the cattle in particular, that I developed the most interest in.

I started showing cattle with my sisters in 2005 when I was only four years old and have now been showing cattle consistently at state and national events for over fourteen years. I attend approximately twenty shows a year, including shows in North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Colorado, Maryland, West Virginia, and other states, depending on that year’s show schedule. I am also involved in the N.C. Junior Angus, Simmental, and Charolais Associations, as well as the National Junior Angus, Simmental, and Charolais Associations. My involvement in showing cattle taught me a great deal and influenced many other aspects of my life as well. After we started showing cattle, my sisters and I decided to start our own purebred cattle herd. Although we are eighth generation cattle producers, we are first generation seed stock producers, and the venture into the seed stock industry has proven to be an adventure.

Since we began our purebred herd, we have expanded to 80 head of purebred cattle, which is maintained completely

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by my sisters and me. My twin sister and I currently manage the daily care of the whole herd and the management of the show heifers. In 2019 we started our own annual production sale in which we have sold bulls and replacement females into three states and to over 100 people. Within the next ten years, we hope to expand our purebred operation to 400 head of cattle and have two production sales a year selling bulls, open females, and bred females. Since my family is aging out of the junior division of showing cattle, we also focus on selling show heifers to other 4-H and FFA members and assisting them with their show heifer projects. Showing cattle opened many doors for my sisters and me and allowed us to travel the country, experience new places, and meet many new people. We learned a greater sense of responsibility, obtained a better work ethic, and learned the importance of having integrity in what you do. I hope to help other juniors experience these same things to help them succeed in whatever path they choose.

I am very thankful and grateful to be a recipient of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship. This scholarship will help me further and pursue my education this fall as I will be attending N.C. State University. I am going to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business Management and a minor in animal science with a concentration in animal nutrition.

In the future, I hope to be able to use these degrees to manage my family’s purebred and commercial cattle herds, but also to

work in the industry helping other farmers with animal nutrition. This scholarship is not only helping me attend school to receive my undergraduate degree but has helped provide an opportunity for me to have the option to also receive a master’s degree. I appreciate everything that the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation does for this industry, and I am honored to be a part of this organization. Thank you for allowing me to be one of the recipients of this year’s scholarships.

Trey Howey I grew up on a diversified family farm and ranch operation in the Carolinas.

From a young age, I enjoyed cattle. When I was seven years old in first grade, I stood in front of my entire school at an assembly and said that my dream for my life was to be a farmer and rancher. I planned to achieve that dream by working hard in school so that someday I could attend N.C. State University to study

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agriculture and animal science. Ten years later, my dream is coming true.

There are a lot of day-to-day responsibilities that I juggled while being a full time high school student. I helped with our row crops in addition to caring for our cow herd. My parents both work long hours on the farm and ranch. One of the benefits is that my sister and I grew up getting to go to work with them.

Sometimes I think I learned as much on the farm and ranch with them as I have in school. Some of the best and hardest lessons I have learned have been in the cow pasture. Life and death and all the days in between caring for animals to the best of my ability is my lifelong passion.

During this uniquely challenging time, we have made changes to our operation.

We have expanded in raising Red Angus bulls and females, but one of the biggest changes included going directly to the consumer with Howey Ranch beef sales.

With this, we are marketing beef directly to the consumer to benefit both the rancher and the consumer. The feedback has been terrific and has really shown us the value of good genetics in our herd.

Anna Kate Jackson My name is Anna Kate Jackson, and I am a rising junior studying at N.C. State University. I am currently majoring in agricultural education with a concentration in animal science and a minor in horticultural science. I have been interested in agriculture from a young age, as I raised broiler and meat chickens. I was introduced to cattle when I entered middle school when my dad began raising feeder calves. All of the processes of a cow being raised have interested me from a young age. A big part of my agricultural background has come from my involvement in FFA. I was a member of the Chase FFA Chapter for four years in high school and was able to serve in multiple leadership roles. FFA taught me the importance of agriculture, helped me develop my leadership skills, and provided me opportunities to connect with other individuals in agriculture.

Through the FFA, I was also given the opportunity to show a dairy steer my senior year of high school and attend the Perry and Doris Teeter Beef Leadership Institute my sophomore and junior years.

My major in college reflects a lot of the things that have impacted my life the most. I am passionate about agriculture, and because of that, I have decided to pursue a career as an agricultural educator. There are so many things that the public should be aware of, and I believe that many of the critical issues are circling the cattle industry. As a teacher, I am hoping to use my platform to educate students about these critical issues so they can be informed consumers.

Through the recent COVID-19 pandemic, I have realized how trying the cattle industry can be. I would like to express my appreciation to cattle farmers and ranchers for the hard work that is put into their trades despite the circumstances.

I am also very appreciative of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation for helping me achieve my education as a scholarship recipient for the 2020-21 school year.

Lilia Jenkins My name is Lilia Jenkins, and I am a fourth generation farmer from Iredell County. I was raised on a dairy farm and showed dairy cows in 4-H my whole childhood. Before we sold out, my father diversified my family’s operation into poultry production. At Westward Farms, we currently focus on broiler breeders, small grains, cattle, sheep, and alpacas. In the future, we hope to expand into agritourism to teach the public about agriculture.

I am a student at N.C. State University graduating in December 2020 with a poultry science degree and minors in ag business, feed milling, and animal science. My future plans after graduation are to decide what job I would like to take in the poultry industry, whether it is in live production or postproduction.

However, I am keeping my mind open to whatever opportunities present themselves to me as I have a passion for agriculture as a whole. Before attending college, I knew that I wanted a diverse

education where I could learn as much as I could about different facets of the agriculture industry. I did not want to limit myself to one specific interest because I believe that all parts of the agriculture industry are equally important.

The NCCF scholarship has helped me to achieve this goal of mine and will help me to return to the animal agriculture industry what it has given to me in my lifetime. I sincerely want to help advance and propel this industry to a higher degree and hope to shed stigmas and stereotypes it has along the way. I appreciate all the support the NCCF has given me and my education. Thank you.

Regan Mitchem It is with great gratitude that I thank the scholarship selection committee and N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Board of Directors for allowing me to be a recipient of a 2020-21 N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship. I am honored to have this opportunity to continue my education in the upcoming year.

My involvement in the N.C. 4-H livestock program, the N.C. Junior Hereford Association, and the National Junior Hereford Association has developed my passion for animal agriculture. The impact these organizations have had on me is reflected in my chosen areas of study at college and future career plans. Growing up on a farm, showing livestock, competing in 4-H livestock judging, and participating in leadership events and contests through the N.C. and National Junior Hereford Associations have taught me responsibility, leadership, and diligence.

These organizations work to develop the next leaders of the livestock industry and have provided me with knowledge and firsthand experience within this industry.

When asked to think about my future, there is no doubt that my plans have a foundation in animal agriculture. This fall, I will be a sophomore at N.C. State University with majors in animal science, with a veterinary bio-science concentration, and nutrition. My decision to major in

animal science was easy, considering my aspirations to attend veterinary school in the future. I added nutrition as an additional major to learn more about the feeding process of efficiently raising livestock.

With a successful freshman year behind me, I am looking forward to what the future holds and plan to become involved in undergraduate research, internships, and more.

In parallel to my academic and career plans, I am excited to see the beef cattle sector of my family’s farm expanding.

My family and I have been working to develop a quality set of functional and attractive registered Hereford cattle.

With this goal in mind, we have taken to using reproductive tactics of artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and in vitro fertilization. Our use of this technology has expanded my career goals. If provided the opportunity to attend veterinary school, I would like to work specifically in livestock reproductive physiology by daily performing the technology implemented on our farm for others.

While my education is only beginning, I feel excited about the path in front of me, yet confident that the livestock industry is where I belong. I am thankful to have the support of the NCCF as this scholarship will relieve financial expenses during my route to reach my goals. It is an honor to be an NCCF Scholarship recipient.

Makayla Roberts I am deeply honored to have been chosen as a recipient of an N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship for the 202021 school year. I am grateful to Howard Gentry and the NCCF Board of Directors for allowing me this opportunity. I have just completed my sophomore year at N.C. State University in the animal science program with a concentration in veterinary bioscience. It is my goal to attend veterinary school to become a large or mixed animal veterinarian. Having grown up on a small beef cattle farm in rural North Carolina, I understand the need for large animal veterinarians in these areas, and I hope to be able to serve those needs in the future within my own community.

To say that I am grateful for my roots is an understatement, as it was from a young age on our farm that I first became interested in animal agriculture. Thanks to my amazing parents, I was able to experience firsthand the positive effects of farms and beef cattle production on our community, and I have always been fascinated by caring for the animals we have owned. This quickly translated to the career I hoped to pursue, and I began to seek out experiences that would further my knowledge in these areas. Being at N.C. State University has allowed me a number of incredible experiences, from studying abroad in the UK to study animal behavior and veterinary physiotherapy, to taking artificial insemination courses on beef cattle, to conducting research on consumer perception of food labels, and animal welfare. I have been a member of the Animal Science Club and Pre-Vet Club.

This fall, I will have the opportunity to be a VetPAC intern and a teaching assistant for an anatomy and physiology course.

I have worked very hard to maintain a competitive GPA throughout college, and I graduated high school as salutatorian. At N.C. State University, I am a university scholar and apart of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences honors.

This scholarship will allow me to continue to pursue my goals by alleviating the financial burden that coincides with undergraduate education.

I have already witnessed the impact that the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation has had on rural farmers in North Carolina, and I hope that as I progress through my professional career I am able to uphold the Foundation’s values and represent them well. Again, I can’t thank Mr. Gentry and the NCCF Board of Directors enough for this opportunity, and I hope to make this Foundation proud.

Maranda Schill As a 4-H member, I fell in love with agriculture at a young age. My interest was ignited by livestock, crops, and the farming industry. I began learning about equine, and I began competing at horse shows at age eleven. Little did I know that

this was just the beginning of a lifelong passion. As I studied the specifics of horses, such as equine nutrition, anatomy, and care, I developed a sudden urge to expand my knowledge on other livestock, such as bovine. I began volunteering at local livestock events, including the annual livestock show in my home county, McDowell. This allowed me to observe various cattle (dairy and beef), sheep, goats, and swine. I was also able to interact with mentors in my community who are active in the cattle industry.

In eighth grade, I chose to attend high school rather than early college due to the return of the dormant agricultural program at McDowell High School. I joined FFA immediately! As expected, the agriculture classroom became my second home. I participated in courses such as agriscience applications, honors animal science I & II, honors horticulture I & II, and advanced agricultural studies. I decided to broaden my vocabulary when it comes to livestock terminology. I also participated in state evaluation competitions, such as dairy, livestock, and horse judging. Learning how to present oral reasons allowed me to be more confident in my public speaking abilities and social skills.

I served as McDowell High FFA Chapter President my senior year of high school, and I was able to volunteer at more agricultural events, as well as spread youth agriculture awareness to others in my community. I was encouraged to participate in events I wouldn’t have tried before, such as extemporaneous public speaking. I was able to enhance my leadership skills and create friendships that will last a lifetime.

As I begin my senior year at N.C. State University, I have had the opportunity to participate in various agricultural clubs and leadership opportunities on campus. I have gained experience through volunteering with NCSU’s Agricultural Business Management Club. By seeking a degree in agribusiness management at N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as a CALS honors student, I can further my knowledge within the agriculture industry while networking with other affiliates. Cooperation is essential for the establishment of agricultural businesses, and with my diligence and hard work ethic, I look forward to success in an agricultural career.

During the summer of 2020, I will be interning with First Bank and Trust Company’s Agricultural Lending Division, where I will be able to learn more about agricultural finance and get to know farmers within the community.

I am indebted to the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation for providing me with the opportunity and financial support needed to strengthen my agricultural knowledge.

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Therefore, it is time for me to be an agriculture advocate role model. I plan to continue agriculture awareness functions by keeping others involved and showing them that agriculture is much more than just farming. It is essential for our well being.

Meredith Simpson My name is Meredith Simpson, and I will be a sophomore at N.C. State University in the fall of 2020. I am currently a poultry science major with the goal to double major in animal science in the upcoming academic year. I believe that by double majoring in both areas, I will have adequate experience in all fields of livestock. I am also obtaining a minor in forensic science to allow me to gain more experience on the scientific side of agriculture. My goal is to graduate in 2023 with well rounded livestock experience so I can apply to vet school. My long term career goals include being a food animal veterinarian for calves or poultry. I plan to do my best now so I can be successful in the future.

Throughout my life, I have always been an avid lover of livestock and learning more about their purpose in the agriculture industry. Although I did not grow up on a farm, I became highly involved in FFA all throughout high school. I took many animal science classes while I was in high school, and my agriculture teacher would bring beef cattle that would stay at the school barn. My agriculture teachers started to notice how I would always be the first person to take the initiative to take care of the animals in the barn during class.

The barn was where I always wanted to be during class because it allowed my passion for livestock to soar. As my animal science classes continued, I started volunteering to take care of the animals on the weekend, as well because I lived near the school and it was something that I enjoyed doing. Throughout the rest of my time in high school, I became an FFA officer and started taking part in Career Development Events (CDEs), such as livestock judging and livestock showing. When I showed livestock, I showed beef heifers through fairs all over North Carolina, and this is where my passion for cattle really began.

When showing livestock, I would work

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with the animals months in advance to prepare them for shows. When working with the cattle, everything clearly came into view that I would spend the rest of my life dedicated to working with livestock in the agriculture industry.

I am so thankful to the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation for awarding me a scholarship for this upcoming academic year. This scholarship is greatly appreciated in decreasing the financial burdens that I will have on my college career. With this assistance, I will have more opportunities to stay focused on my academics and more opportunities to be involved with extracurricular activities pertaining to my major. Thank you so much for this opportunity, and I will do my best to be an advocate for the future of agriculture.

Cara Smith I have grown up on my family’s fifth generation cattle farm, where my passion for agriculture began at a young age.

Over the years, my role on our farm has grown to include the record keeping of our registered and commercial cattle, daily chores, and maintenance of equipment.

My love for agriculture was strengthened in 2011 when my brother and I began showing cattle. Since then, we have shown Commercial, Angus, and Simmental cattle at a state, regional, and national level.

I am currently an active member of the N.C. Junior Angus Association, the N.C. Junior Simmental Association, the National Junior Angus Association, and the American Junior Simmental Association.

The N.C. Junior Angus Association has given me many opportunities and leadership positions since joining in 2012.

I have had the chance to serve as president, treasurer, secretary, reporter, Central Director, queen, and princess. The N.C. Junior Simmental Association continues to grow, and I am excited to be a part of this organization. I have met so many amazing people and been encouraged by being with like minded youth. In addition, being a member of these influential organizations has taught me the value of setting goals

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

and working hard to achieve them. In July of this year, I was able to reach one of my goals, being elected to serve as one of the Eastern Region Trustees for the American Junior Simmental Association. I am so fortunate to have personally benefited from being involved in these junior associations, and I look forward to giving back and showing younger juniors the possibilities are endless when you step out of your comfort zone and believe in yourself.

I am currently a junior at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro studying nutrition with a concentration in health and wellness.

I plan to graduate in the spring of 2021 with my bachelor’s in nutrition.

I am enthusiastic to use my passion for agriculture to be an advocate for the industry within the nutrition field.

Following your heart and pursuing a degree in something you are passionate about is what makes the future of the agriculture industry stronger and allows for numerous possibilities in the industry.

I am so honored to have been selected as one of the recipients for an N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship. I will continue to work hard to meet the requirements for this scholarship and to maintain a high level of excellence in my degree program. The financial assistance provided from this scholarship will enable me to focus on my studies. As college expenses continue to increase, this scholarship is a huge blessing, and I am grateful for the opportunity that the scholarship committee and the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Board of Directors has given me.

Mikenzly Specht I am honored to be supported by this distinguished Foundation. My name is Mikenzly Specht. My interest in cattle and agriculture started at a young age but really began to flourish when I was in high school.

I became heavily involved in FFA and my agriculture teacher, Sherilee Deal, introduced me to the world of agriculture that I did not even know existed. I joined the livestock showing team, where I showed beef cattle for two years. This was truly the start of

my interest in the cattle industry. Mrs. Deal and her husband and father in law, Eric and Oscho Deal, gave me many amazing opportunities to learn about the beef cattle industry on their family farm, Circle D Farms. I learned about and practiced many important skills. These were some of my first experiences with vaccinations, doctoring, breeding programs, and observing A.I. and palpating cattle. I was also able to practice these skills at Propst Farms, as well as learning how to draw blood and a different castration technique.

I now attend N.C. State University, where I am double majoring in animal science with a concentration in veterinary bio-science and poultry science. Since being at N.C. State University, I have begun to learn more about dairy cattle, including showing them and working at the NCSU Dairy Educational Unit. At the dairy unit, I have learned important information about the care of dairy cattle and calves. I was also elected one of the Animal Science Club’s dairy species chair, where I aid in teaching others how to show dairy cattle after I was the 2019 Animal Science Club Day grand champion. I also received my certification in the technique of artificial insemination in cattle by Select Sires in May of 2019 with the help of my advisor Dr. Daniel Poole. I was a teacher’s assistant for both semesters of my sophomore year and started learning more about cattle reproduction research under my advisor, Dr. Daniel Poole, and his research team. Currently, during the summer of 2020, I am interning at the Silver Spur Ranch in Wyoming to learn more about large scale cow/calf operations.

For the remainder of my college career, I hope to become more involved with undergraduate research and continue to work at the NCSU Dairy Educational Unit. I am continuing on my educational track to pursue veterinary school after graduation, and I am planning to find a job shadowing a livestock veterinarian.

My current ranch internship is providing an abundance of practical experience.

I am able to apply many things that I have learned from the classroom and build skills far beyond my expectations.

I am confident that my internships, in addition to my job at the dairy, will give me a better understanding of real world cattle operations in order for me to be an effective livestock veterinarian one day.

The N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship is extremely important to me because it allows me to continue to turn my dreams into realities. I know I am pursuing the right path, and I am passionate about the cattle industry and agriculture as a whole.

This scholarship is extremely important in helping me to further my education at N.C. State University and will eventually allow

me to do my part in supporting the cattle industry. I am determined to give back to those who have helped me along the way, and one day I hope to be in a position where I can give to others the types of experiences that my mentors have given me. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the NCCF as a recipient for the NCCF 2020-21 scholarship.

Shade Wilbanks My name is Shade Wilbanks, and I am from a small, rural community in Western North Carolina called Pisgah Forest. I live on my family’s fifth generation Red

Poll cattle farm and have a passion for agriculture running through my veins.

Cattle have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. From the pictures of me at age two sitting on and feeding our docile bull to me as a senior in high school showing cattle at the N.C. State Fair for the Brevard FFA Chapter. Because of my love for agriculture, I have decided the next steps to take in life are going into a career that allows me to advocate for this industry every day. In the Fall of 2020, I will be attending the University of Mount Olive to pursue a degree in agricultural education and agribusiness.

I see teaching as an opportunity to help improve farming in my community, state, and nation. I hope to use my position to spread knowledge and facts of the beef industry across the state of North Carolina through workshops and county association meetings. Membership in the Transylvania County Cattlemen’s Association has helped my family’s farm become successful, and we have learned many new things. I hope to introduce my future students to the things I have been taught about cattle alliances, deworming, and field rotation to help keep their family farms afloat during these difficult and ever changing times in agriculture.

Upon graduating from college and starting life on my own, I would like to continue my family’s cattle legacy. The cattle I have part ownership of are from the same line my great-great-grandfather had. He passed the firstborn heifer calf down to the firstborn grandson. The heifer gifted to the first grandson had to have a heifer in order for the next boy in line to receive a calf. This was how the inheritance of the Red Poll cattle went.

My grandfather was the youngest of five boys, so he waited a long time to start his branch of the herd. My grandfather passed a calf down to my mother and then me. This is something I take pride in. No matter where life takes me, I plan on keeping this rare, dual purpose breed of cattle in my herd. My grandfather was the one who instilled a love for cattle and agriculture in me. He passed away two years ago and did not get to see the great strides I’ve made while becoming a young adult. However, I know that by keeping the herd going strong and passing it down to my children, I can keep his memory alive for years to come.

Being chosen to receive this scholarship means I can continue my education and focus on my classes and workload. It means that I will not have the

constant thought of “how am I ever going to pay off my tuition” in the back of my mind. I can enjoy my college experience without having to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. I can continue showing cattle throughout college and being involved in clubs with students who share the same likes as me. The NCCF scholarship means I can continue showing my never ending support and advocating for agriculture throughout my adult life and have a positive impact on future generations of agriculturists. I am beyond grateful for the scholarship I have received and thank the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation for their support and investment in my education and future.

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q APRIL 2021

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Mark Your Calendar: The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference returns. Alltech’s industry leading agri-food conference returns May 25–27 with an exploration of the power of science, sustainability, and storytelling. The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference will take place virtually, providing registrants with exclusive access to insights from leading experts in agrifood, business, and beyond.

Now in its 37 th year, Alltech’s flagship event continues to be an invaluable industry resource, providing innovative ideas, inspiration, and motivation through world class speakers and unmatched content. The virtual platform will also offer an interactive networking experience, allowing attendees to connect with peers from around the world.

Focus session topics will explore the challenges and opportunities in aquaculture, business, beef, crop science, dairy, equine, health and wellness, pet, pig, and poultry.

Visit www.one.alltech.com for additional details about the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference.

Alltech renews products in Feed Verified program with IMI Global.

Alltech has renewed 18 products registered with the Feed Verified program through IMI Global, a division of Where Food Comes From, Inc. Since 2015, Alltech has registered products as part of a third party verification program, which allows U.S. livestock producers to utilize Alltech additives and nutritional

NEWS

solutions while participating in approved verification and certification programs.

The products included in the Feed Verified program have been evaluated to ensure that they meet the requirements of the verification claims indicated in the approved supplier listing. Alltech also works with Validus, another division of Where Food Comes From, to confirm that food safety and traceability practices are in place at the manufacturer level.

“With many producers now participating in niche market and value added programs, it is even more important to have our products included as part of IMI Global’s Feed Verified program,” said Bryan Sanderson, U.S. beef business manager for Alltech. “Alltech’s wide range of approved products can help producers prevent animal health challenges whose occurrence and subsequent treatment may potentially disqualify them from a certain program.”

The IMI Global Feed Verified webpage is a convenient resource that allows beef producers to search for and incorporate pre-approved products and solutions into their feeding program to enhance production. If a product is listed on the Feed Verified website, producers can use that product to qualify for a specific program, such as the USDA Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) program, without requiring an approval letter from their feed supplier. Using nonapproved products that are not listed on the website could result in cattle being disqualified from a specific program and

unable to access the potential premiums associated with that program; IMI Global recommends reaching out to your verification specialist if it is not listed.

“Alltech has been involved in the WFCF Feed Verified program for a long time. We are excited to continue adding their products to the program.

Beef producers benefit when products are already verified as it ensures they’re eligibility in various value added programs. Alltech’s commitment to the Feed Verified program is a win for the beef industry,” said Doug Stanton, senior vice president of sales and business development at IMI Global.

For more information about Alltech beef solutions and products, visit www.

Alltech.com/Beef or contact your local Alltech beef team representative.

Alltech announces new hire and personnel to support U.S. beef, small ruminants, and wild game species.

As opportunities continue to present themselves in the beef, small ruminant, and wild game sectors, Alltech is pleased to announce several new team members and roles that will serve and support producers of these species in the United States.

Nathan Pike joins Alltech as the beef technical manager and regional sales manager for the New Mexico region.

Pike grew up on a small farm and cattle operation in Alabama. He attended Western Kentucky University for his undergraduate studies and then earned his master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from Kansas State University. He joins Alltech with over 20 years of industry experience with Cargill.

Alltech regional sales manager Randy Asher will assume a new role

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

as U.S. small ruminant and wild game species manager. He will provide national support to producers of this growing segment of the livestock market. Asher joined Alltech in 2016 with more than 20 years of experience as a consultant for producers, veterinarians, feed companies, feed additive manufacturers, research firms, and vaccine companies.

Dr. Shelby Roberts will transition from her current role as a beef research scientist based at Alltech’s headquarters in Lexington, Ken., to a new position focused on beef technical sales support based in Texas. Roberts joined Alltech in 2017 and has experience in both the cow/ calf and feedlot sectors. She earned a degree in animal science from West Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in agriculture with an emphasis in ruminant health and immunology from West Texas A&M University.

“Expanding our team and transitioning roles will allow these team members to share their wealth of knowledge and expertise with U.S. beef, small ruminant, and wild game producers,” said C.J. Tanderup, western U.S. business manager for Alltech. “They will be key assets to Alltech.”

For more information, visit www.

Alltech.com.

About Alltech. Founded in 1980

by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our products improve the health and performance of plants and animals, resulting in better nutrition for consumers and a decreased environmental impact.

We are a global leader in the animal health industry, producing additives, premix supplements, feed, and complete feed. Strengthened by more than 40 years of scientific research, we carry forward a legacy of innovation and a unique culture that views challenges through an entrepreneurial lens.

Our more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide share our vision for a Planet of Plenty™. We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet, but it will take all of us working together, led by science, technology, and a shared will, to make a difference.

Alltech is a private, family owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and maintain focus on advanced innovation.

Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For more information, visit www.alltech.com.

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NCBA

President’s Report

By JERRY BOHN

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Protecting Profitability for the U.S. Cattle Producer It is an amazing honor for me to lead this great association. I knew when I took this job that I would have a lot to live up to following NCBA Past President Marty Smith. He has done so much for NCBA, especially during the challenges and strictest lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am inspired by his work and the work of all our past presidents. I am excited for the chance to serve this great association and industry.

You surely have heard a lot about sustainability lately, and for good reason, as it is on the minds of just about every

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decision maker that could impact our industry. But, for my first column as president, I want to focus on my biggest priority: protecting producer profitability.

NCBA is committed to fostering a marketing climate that gives all producers opportunities to add value to their operation. This is a focus spelled out in NCBA’s 2021 Policy Priorities, and the association is committed to advocating for a business climate that increases opportunities for producer profitability across the board.

Profitability is the most crucial issue

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

that NCBA will tackle during the years ahead, and NCBA’s D.C. team is already hard at work to bolster our efforts after recently getting the Requiring Assistance to Meat Processors for Upgrading Plants (RAMP UP) Act passed by Congress at the end of last year. Passage of RAMP UP is one step toward increasing processing capacity at smaller plants. It is also part of many steps we’ll take during the year ahead during the 117th Congress to better the cattle and beef business.

As chair of the Live Cattle Marketing Committee Sub-Group, I am working with producers across the country to develop ways to increase transparency in the market and put us on the path to achieve robust price discovery. This work is ongoing, and I’m looking forward to gathering with the full committee and producer members at the upcoming Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in August to discuss our work in more detail.

During my time on the committee and sub-group, I have taken part in many spirited conversations and heated debates about the industry’s approach to the complex marketing issues that producers face every day. Being involved

with these dedicated cattle industry volunteers has strengthened my belief in our industry and our association. Every member on the sub-group and full Live Cattle Marketing Committee wants the same thing, to preserve and strengthen the legacy of U.S. cattle producers. This grassroots engagement is the secret to NCBA’s success as the trusted leader and definitive voice of the U.S. cattle and beef industry.

As I move forward in my role as president, NCBA will continue to talk about sustainability, and we are all going to continue fighting through the COVID-19 pandemic, but protecting and advocating for increased opportunity for producer profitability remains at the forefront of everyone’s mind. During the year ahead, we’ll also fight harmful regulations that take you out of the driver’s seat on your own operation.

NCBA will work to ensure fake meat is labeled truthfully. We’ll work to keep the supply chain moving and work on countless other priorities that will help move the needle on producer profitability. I want to thank all our dues paying members, everyone who returns their ballot to vote on our policies, and

everyone who reads National Cattlemen each month; you make all this possible, and that will never be lost on me.

As NCBA works toward improving the business climate for its members, I am looking forward to traveling across the country to meet with producers because, like all of you, I look forward to the opportunity to work on these issues in-person. In the meantime, I want to hear from all of you because your ideas and opinions help guide NCBA. I am encouraged by the producers I have been able to talk to so far and look forward to all the great possibilities on the horizon.

Beef Is, and Always Will Be Sustainable This op-ed by NCBA President Jerry Bohn is included in addition to his monthly column.

There is an ongoing conversation in consumer spaces about beef ’s contribution to climate change. In many circles, beef is being painted as a villain that can be minimized and/or eliminated to help solve global climate issues. On the ground, as cattle producers, we know this isn’t accurate. In fact, we know it’s an outrageous lie that’s being used to sell consumers a fake meat product they don’t want or need and one that won’t do anything to solve climate problems. The reality is that we know cattle can be a part of the solution. We know that pasture and rangeland, through proper management, can actually reduce the amount of carbon and more than offset the short lived methane emissions of our cattle.

Climate and environmental stewardship matter to farmers and ranchers, we feel the impacts of our stewardship decisions every day, and we are the first and most affected portion of the population when it rains too much or too little. We are the first to be impacted when the weather is too hot or too cold, and we’ve seen time and again the consequences of a changing environment.

Because of this, most of the farmers and ranchers I speak with are committed to protecting the resources we manage and doing our part to make improvements.

However, to make real change, Americans and decision makers around the world must recognize that cattle farmers and ranchers are part of the solution. Every food has an impact, so simply swapping out beef for alternative proteins or lab manipulated fake meat will never be an effective solution.

The reality is that consumers in the United States and elsewhere are going to continue to consume meat, and there is no nation better at raising cattle and beef in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner than we do right here at

home. U.S. cattle producers don’t clear forests for pastures, we don’t plow up land that shouldn’t be farmed, and we ensure that our animals are cared for through every phase of their life. On our feedlot in Kansas, we make certain that animals have fresh feed and clean water every day. We take pride in management practices that both care for our cattle and produce the best quality beef possible.

By ensuring the beef we produce meets consumer demand, we’re also helping to reduce food waste when our products reach the consumer.

On our farms and ranches, cattlemen and women are controlling invasive weeds and maintaining the pastures that feed our animals. Our farms and ranches provide open spaces that create habitat for wild animals that would otherwise be pushed out by housing developments and urbanization. We do these things because it makes our operations better but also because it is the right, sustainable thing to do. Our families depend on our lands year after year, generation after generation.

If consumers choose alternative proteins rather than beef, they should know the facts about those products and not just the sensationalized marketing that some activists are using to sell a product that has historically been ignored by consumers. In the past, consumers have largely rejected these products as a highly processed, expensive, and inferior alternative to real beef. There are people who have invested in fake meat companies seeking to profit from legitimate consumer concerns about climate change and the environment.

The science disputes the claims of alternative protein companies. The fact is, even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that U.S. beef production has a minimal footprint when it comes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Beef production is responsible for only two percent of U.S. GHG emissions. Even when the production of animal feed, fuel, and electricity necessary for beef production is factored into the equation, it is still responsible for just 3.7 percent of GHG in the United States, according to EPA. In contrast, emissions from electricity generation account for 28 percent of U.S. emissions, and transportation accounts for 29 percent of U.S. emissions.

It’s likely that you’ve heard individuals like Bill Gates claim that U.S. livestock’s contribution to climate change is immense. However, these claims are flat out wrong. Some activists and others like Gates often cited old claims made in the United Nations’ debunked report titled Livestock’s Long Shadow. They also use global numbers about U.S. cattle

production to back their marketing claims and sell their products.

It’s critical that Americans understand that global GHG emissions are skewed higher because they include emissions from nations whose cattle and beef management systems are far less efficient than those in the United States.

Global numbers also include countries like India, which have large bovine populations but where harvest is very low or non-existent because of cultural or religious practices. In global terms, U.S. beef cattle production counts for just .5 percent of global GHG emissions, so even if every American stopped eating beef in favor of fake meat substitutes, there would be virtually no discernable impact on our changing climate.

The U.S. beef production system is

among the most productive and efficient in the world, and it continues to improve over time. Between 1975 and 2017, beef cattle emissions declined 30 percent.

Today, the U.S. produces 18 percent of the world’s beef with just six percent of the world’s cattle numbers. This is possible through commitments to animal welfare, better animal nutrition, and advancements in genetics. Those statistics are often overlooked or ignored by individuals like Bill Gates, the writers at OZY, and others who are working to advance an agenda that drives people away from eating meat using scare tactics and unsound science to advance their cause and line their pockets with grocery money from well meaning, concerned consumers who have been sold something they don’t want and never needed in the first place.

N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of FEBRUARY 2021 Cattle Receipts: 9,502

•

Previous Month: 13,237

Feeder supply - 32% steers • 43% heifers • 25% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

Avg. Wt. Price

Cows - % Lean

Breaker 1,488 $65.54

Boner 1,196 $64.50

Lean 970 $54.68

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,592

$88.96

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $141.41 $598.16 450-500 473 $141.96 $671.47 500-550 527 $135.09 $711.92 550-600 571 $129.69 $740.53 600-650 615 $125.30 $770.60 650-700 666 $125.82 $837.96

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $144.02 $610.64 450-500 470 $136.47 $641.41 500-550 522 $131.19 $684.81 550-600 568 $127.50 $724.20 600-650 622 $115.46 $718.16 650-700 671 $103.19 $692.40

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 421 $125.98 $530.38 450-500 473 $119.43 $564.90 500-550 518 $114.99 $595.65 550-600 567 $111.96 $634.81 600-650 624 $109.68 $684.40 650-700 666 $99.07 $659.81

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156

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NEWS The Importance of Reading a Feed Tag. Walk into any feed room in any barn, and what do you see? Rows of neatly stacked bags that look very similar.

It doesn’t matter what species you are feeding; the differential is in the brand.

One brand might be purple and black, another green and white, and another tan and orange, but bag after bag will appear to be the same – on the outside.

Chances are, the ingredients on the inside of those bags are different. And that is why it is important for you, the feeder and the exhibitor, to know how to read a feed tag. You’ve filled your show barn with the kind of livestock that you enjoy feeding, working on, and showing, so it should be equally important for you to provide those animals with the proper feed, and that starts with knowing what’s on that feed tag and in the bag.

Blaine Rodgers, long time livestock feeder and BioZyme Inc. Western U.S. ASM and Show Livestock Manager, explains the importance of reading a tag and outlines the four components that each tag includes.

Product name - This seems fairly self explanatory. However, many products do have similar names and contain numbers. Be sure to read each name closely. You might even want to sort your feeds by product names or use a Sharpie to write your generic name on each bag.

Medication withdrawal or residue instruction - This information tells you what kind of medication is in the feed and the withdrawal length for that medication.

With VFD or Veterinary Feed Directives,

these are less common than they used to be, but they do still exist. Rodgers said this is the most important information on the tag because it is your duty as the feeder to pay close attention to this information, especially if feeding an animal for a show or one that is ultimately going into the food supply chain.

Guaranteed analysis - The guaranteed analysis breaks down the amounts of nutrients in each feed.

Rodgers cautions that each company lists their analyses differently, and the feeder needs to pay careful attention. He said some companies will list minimums, and others will list maximums, so read the tag closely to be sure you are getting the proper amount of a nutrient such as protein, fat, or fiber to reach your animal’s optimal potential. A more indepth guaranteed analysis will also list vitamin and mineral content.

The guaranteed analysis could be the most important part of the tag because you can tell a lot about the feed and how it will play a role in the type of animal you are feeding. Use protein as an example.

“Higher protein levels generally are targeted toward younger livestock that are in their developmental stage, and trying to increase muscle, bone and skeletal growth. As we get into the later portions of their life, and we’re trying to slow that portion of growth down and increase more of the finishing phase, their protein level will be decreased,” Rodgers said.

In addition to describing the nutrient content of the feed, the guaranteed analysis will also help you determine

Free NCSU Training Material Available for Beef Cattle Euthanasia Euthanasia is a necessary practice for any cattle operation and must be performed in a timely manner to reduce pain and suffering. Training caretakers on how to appropriately euthanize cattle using approved techniques is a requirement for BQA Plus and falls under good herd management practices.

Therefore, to support these efforts, N.C. State University College of Veterinary Medicine has developed training materials specific to beef cattle euthanasia and is available today for your use.

The material consists of five modules that discuss the biology of euthanasia, approved methods to perform euthanasia, and appropriate timelines that should be considered.

This information is free and available to North Carolina cattlemen at no charge. If you are interested in this training material, please contact us at vmerend@ncsu.edu or 352-226-3665, and a training packet will be mailed directly to you.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

your feeding rate. For example, if the directions call for four ounces of a five percent protein product, that is equal to two ounces of a ten percent protein product, so it is important to pay close attention to the nutrient breakdown compared to the feeding rate of a particular product.

Ingredient profile - This is the list of actual ingredients that is in the bag of feed, starting with the highest volume ingredient all the way down to the lowest volume, much like the way ingredients are listed on human food. Rodgers notes it is important to realize that all feedstuffs are not created equally. Feed A with 20 percent protein may not be the same quality as Feed B that also is listed with 20 percent protein. Both companies might use ingredients that total up to 20 percent protein, but the chances are that one of them will use higher quality resources that will benefit your animal.

There are few good ways to tell which feed has the higher quality ingredients. Look for price; you often get what you pay for. Buy from someone you’re comfortable talking to about the ingredients and that you trust will give you an honest answer. Rodgers compares buying feed with buying show animals.

“Sometimes we think all these show feeds are the same and it’s just a marketing effort that changes the level of perception, but that’s not necessarily the case. You can go buy two different show animals from two different breeders. They can weigh the same, be the same breed, all those things, but due to their genetics and management, they aren’t necessarily the same quality. Feed ingredients are the same way,” Rodgers said.

From his experiences living and feeding livestock in various regions of the U.S., Rodgers notes that different states do have different regulations and rules.

Some states have to be very specific, listing every ingredient, whereas others can be more general, which might seem disadvantageous to the feed buyer and feeder.

Why it Matters? Now that you understand what is on a feed tag and in that bag, why does it matter? It matters because that is ultimately going to guide your success as a livestock feeder. You are the person who will know the make up of your animal, its strengths and weaknesses, and as Rodgers explains, those are what you need to feed, to make the animal the optimal show prospect.

“A lot of feeding livestock is trying to pick an animal on their parts and feed them toward the middle where you can make things more ideal. If they’re extreme in one area, bring them the other direction.

If they’re deficient in another area, bring

them the other direction,” he said.

So, when it comes to buying feed, you need to understand what you need on that tag to make your animal better for the particular phase of its life. Does it need more protein? Less Fiber? Less Protein?

More Fat? You will likely know better than whoever is loading the feed in the back of your truck at the local feed store what you need to be feeding, and remember all those bags look similar, so check the tag!

Prep to Win - One way to get the maximum benefit from whichever feed you choose for your show livestock is by adding a supplement with the Amaferm advantage from the Sure Champ line EVERY. DAY. Amaferm is a precision prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility by amplifying the nutrient supply for maximum performance. It is research proven to increase water and feed intake, and research shows that Amaferm decreases body temperature in heat stressed animals. Sure Champ products to help keep your animals on feed and water and help with overall nutrient intake, digestion, and absorption exist for cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs.

Get to know your feed tags Learning what’s on the tag is just the first step to learning what’s in the bag to make your good show animal a great one. Go one step further and #preptowin with a daily supplement from Sure Champ.

To find a dealer near you or to learn about the full line of products, visit www. surechamp.com.

How to Benefit your Cow Herd Year Round with High Quality Nutrition. Good nutrition doesn’t just matter during peak times of the year like gestation and lactation. To optimize the health and overall value of your herd, keeping them on a high quality nutrition program year round will benefit them and you as the producer.

“A year round, high quality, highly available mineral source can do a lot of good for a cow herd. The mineral status of a cow has an impact on a lot of different aspects of their metabolism. Everything from maintenance to development to growth and lactation all the way through reproduction and body condition score is impacted by mineral status of the cow,” said Jack Oattes, BioZyme Inc. Regional Business Manager.

Oates suggests that a supplement line that offers a variety of formulations to meet a variety of management challenges, geographies, and opportunities while optimizing the value of a producer’s available feedstuffs would be the most practical option. A product like that exists in the VitaFerm Concept•Aid line.

VitaFerm Concept•Aid is available in 12 free choice formulas and two 200

pound cooked tub formulas. However, all products have the following same traits: formulation at 2.5 times the NRC requirement for quicker impact, high levels of Vitamin E as an antioxidant to aid in reproductive tract repair, and organic trace minerals for more stability and higher bioavailability to the animal. They all also contain the prebiotic Amaferm, designed to enhance digestibility by amplifying nutrient supply for maximum performance.

Originally branded as a breeding mineral to help increase conception rates, which it does, VitaFerm Concept•Aid is ideal to feed year round, especially with new formulas with the HEAT package, as producers don’t have to decide when to swap out VitaFerm Concept•Aid for the VitaFerm HEAT mineral. Now, they can just start feeding VitaFerm Concept•Aid HEAT any time the temperatures consistently reach 70ºF or warmer or anytime they are grazing fescue pastures.

Other VitaFerm Concept•Aid mineral formulas include those with various levels of phosphorus, formulas with CTC to control Anaplasmosis (available with a VFD), formulas with ClariFly (available in registered states), formulas with MOS,

as well as elevated levels of Magnesium and Protein for various management practices and environmental scenarios.

A complete list of products is available online at www.vitaferm.com/productcategories/concept-aid-products.

In addition to keeping your herd cows in optimal health, the Concept•Aid minerals will help get cows bred back faster, increase conception rates, and increase milk leading to growth in their calves. The Amaferm will help your herd utilize, digest, and absorb nutrients more efficiently.

“The benefits of Amaferm are available in all products that BioZyme offers, a precision based prebiotic that has an impact on intake, digestibility, and nutrient absorption as well, and really does optimize cattle’s health and performance.

So, it’s important to keep in mind when implementing the Concept•Aid program that you’re getting more than strictly a mineral product, but also the benefits of Amaferm as well,” Oates said.

J.D. Georg manages the Alder’s ranch at Midway, Tex., and believes in the Amaferm advantage when converting poor quality grasses into pounds. He’s been feeding the VitaFerm Concept•Aid

for nearly seven years in an area that is copper deficient. He has also noticed since feeding it, his black cows are now black instead of having a red/brown tint to them.

“We believe in making that cow take that poor quality forage and turn it into beef, into milk while raising those calves.

Our grass is not that good, but we have a lot of it. That is where the Amaferm in the VitaFerm comes into play. I truly believe the Amaferm helps those cows with that process,” Georg said.

He went on to say while the reproductive benefits are important, the quality of the supplement is what leads him to feeding it on the ranch that includes about 1,800 mother cows.

“It’s not only a breed back mineral for us, for which it does a tremendous job. We have conception rates anywhere from 9095 percent with the Concept•Aid. Overall, the quality is better than any other mineral. That’s one thing I would hang my hat on as far as VitaFerm is concerned, the ingredients they use for VitaFerm are better and more easily absorbed than any other. You can compare tags, but you don’t get the same outcome. The hair coat is a testimony by itself,” Georg said.

Oattes reminds producers that it is

also important to keep your bulls on a quality mineral program as well.

“The bull is the other half of the reproductive equation, and so many overlook the fact that their nutritional status going into breeding season is critical to them to performing their job effectively.

It really is imperative that they receive appropriate mineral supplementation as well to improve their chances for reproductive success,” Oattes said.

Your herd nutrition matters. As a producer, you expect your cows and bulls to perform to their highest potential.

They deserve the optimum nutrition to be able to produce to their maximum ability. Provide that high quality mineral status with products in the VitaFerm Concept•Aid line.

To learn more about VitaFerm Concept•Aid as your year round mineral program or to find a dealer near you, visit www.vitaferm.com.

Grazing Recommendations to Beat Springtime Stressors and Increase Profits. Spring will be here before you know it. It might not feel or look like it,

Continued on the next page

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BioZyme News continued from the prevoius page depending on your part of the country, but spring is coming. The recent heavy snows and rains in much of the country in late February, followed by a warmup, is a combination that is sure to bring on some nice, lush grass once the mud dries out.

Spring means grazing. Although turning out on grass is an efficient means of gain, it isn’t always a stress free option. Several stressors do exist when grazing calves through the spring and summer months. However, with proper management and good nutrition protocols, those gains can be both low cost and stress free.

John Jeffrey, BioZyme Inc. Feedlot Stocker Business Development Manager, said the first stressor that cattle producers need to consider when grazing cattle is the history of the calves they intend to graze. Are the calves local with minimal transportation stress? Or have they been on a semi for several hours across several states? Have the calves been processed before they reached your property, or do you need to process them upon arrival?

“Regardless of their history, you can get them going in the right direction with the Vita Charge program prior to turning them out on grass. If they are local cattle or cattle that were hauled a distance with little known information, by giving those calves a dose of Vita Charge Drench and making sure they have Vita Charge Stress Tubs at turn out, you are giving their digestive system the jump start it needs.

You’ll see your calves take to grass and water faster and start gaining faster,” Jeffrey said.

The Vita Charge Cattle Drench supports digestive health and promotes feed and water intake during times of stress and recovery. It is conveniently designed for processing large groups of cattle. The Drench contains the precision based prebiotic Amaferm, organic trace minerals, and essential vitamins to stimulate the immune system and to ensure that feed intake stays consistent.

Added enzymes work with Amaferm to generate a more rapid digestive response.

In addition to the Vita Charge Cattle Drench, Jeffrey recommends putting out Vita Charge Stress Tubs for the first two weeks that calves are on grass. The Stress Tubs are a convenient way for livestock to get their daily dose of Vita Charge. In addition to the Amaferm that is research proven to increase intake, digestibility, and absorption, the cooked tub also contains a heat tolerant probiotic and MOS to support the ability to recover from the effects of stress.

Potential stressors do exist. Lush

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grass and wheat pastures can lead to grass tetany. Fly, and insect populations increase as the temperatures rise. And the summer heat is enough to stress any human or animal. Taking a proactive approach to your cattle’s health and nutrition is always the best way to mitigate stress, according to Jeffrey. He offers a solution.

“Would you feed a product that could help you make an additional $30,000 while helping your cattle with their overall gut health and immunity? Is it worth it,” he asked.

Once the calves have been processed, including the dose of Vita Charge Cattle Drench and have had access to the Vita Charge Stress Tubs, don’t let their nutritional needs go by the wayside. Be sure to continue to supplement them with the nutrients they need to maximize the forages they are grazing. Gain Smart has a mineral that fits the need and will help mitigate common springtime stressors.

Gain Smart is a free choice vitamin and mineral supplement designed to balance basic nutrient needs and contains Amaferm. A variety of Gain Smart formulas exist, depending on your grazing or feeding scenario. You can learn more about the formulas and determine which one is best for your operation at www.gainsmart.com/product-categories/ gain-smart-products.

So, how do these products mitigate stress while adding profit to your bottom line? First, Jeffrey points out that many stressors, such as grass tetany and other challenges brought on by grazing, are caused by nutrient deficiencies. Grass tetany is a magnesium deficiency, so by feeding a Gain Smart mineral that already has magnesium in it, you are taking a proactive approach to the challenge. By maintaining a good mineral program from the start and keeping magnesium in your cattle’s diet year-round, you should help ease the chance of grass tetany.

Although flies and other insects will always exist, they will be less likely to land on your cattle eating the HEAT mineral, due in part to the garlic. And, the HEAT package has been shown to keep the cattle out grazing during the heat of the day, not shaded up or standing in ponds to keep cool.

If your cattle are healthy and not fighting stressors, they are going to be grazing. They are going to be gaining.

BioZyme Inc. research shows that animals that have Amaferm in their diets gain an added .25 to .30 pounds per day.

Let’s be optimistic and assume your 1,000 head of calves gain an extra .30 pound per

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

day during their 100 day grazing period since you put them on the Gain Smart Program. .30#/day x 100 days = 30 extra pounds 30 pounds x $1/pound = $30 extra dollars $30 x 1,000 head = $30,000 extra dollars to take to the bank “Amaferm is simply going to help you make more money. Your calves will start grazing faster, gain faster, and stay healthier. You should see a reduction in morbidity, a reduction in mortality, and an increase in your bottom line,” Jeffrey said.

There’s always going to be stress in the cattle business, but isn’t it nice to know that some of that stress can be relieved with the simple management tool of good nutrition? Keep them on your program with our program and see the results you are looking for while adding some dollars to your bottom line.

Discover the Amaferm advantage and experience less stress in 2021.

To learn more about the Gain Smart Program or to find a dealer near you, visit www.gainsmart.com.

How Company Growth Leads to Increased Efficiencies, Future Innovations. Progress during a pandemic.

MERCK

Animal Health News Get more cows bred early – new free on-demand beef repro webinar.

Drovers is hosting a free, on-demand webinar that shares insights into how to get more cows bred in the first 21 days, why it matters, and how to improve those numbers. The webinar is available for ondemand viewing at www.fjwebinars.com/ account/register/drovers/121.

In the webinar, Dr. Todd Bilby, associate director of cattle technical services for Merck Animal Health, shares the benefits of synchronization, as well as the latest information on synchronization products and programs to help producers successfully implement synchronization in their breeding programs. RACE continuing education credit is pending.

Timing Matters: It pays to get more cows bred in the first 21 days.

Reproduction in beef cattle is ten times more economically important than growth traits. It’s 20 times more important than carcass traits. An extra calf, or more calves per cow herd, is the single largest factor in increasing pounds of beef.

Getting cows and heifers pregnant in a timely manner is critical to reaping economic advantages. For every 21 days cows are open, we lose somewhere between 20 and 60 pounds of weaning weight. There’s a lot of profit potential if we can get them bred in the first 21 days.

Dr. Todd Bilby, associate director of ruminant technical services for Merck Animal Health, will share how to get more cows bred in the first 21 days, why it matters, and how to improve those numbers — no matter if you’re natural

breeding, using artificial insemination, or a combination of the two.

The webinar will share research that shows the benefits of synchronization in both natural service and A.I. programs. It also will share the latest information on synchronization products and programs to help producers successfully implement synchronization in their breeding programs.

About Merck Animal Health. For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., is the global animal health business unit of Merck.

Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services, as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability, and monitoring products.

Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www. merck-animal-health.com.

For some international businesses, that might sound impossible. For Missouri based BioZyme Inc., that’s exactly what the year 2020 leading into 2021 meant. Growth in sales, improvements in facilities, and increased efficiencies in production were just some of the ways that BioZyme measured its progress during the past year.

While most of the sales team was forced to cease travel, and the international team is still under lockdown, new technologies replaced face-toface interactions. Zoom, Teams, and FaceTime became regular business tools as the sales staff learned to rely more heavily on telecommunication to build and foster relationships when many of their customers were not ready for that face-to-face interaction. However, those methods of communication often meant they could meet with more people during the course of the day, saving drive time in between meetings, and that helped boost the company’s growth up into the double digits compared to the previous year.

“I always tease our sales team that people get married via the Internet never even meeting in-person many times or at least very few times and if you can build that serious of a relationship using the Internet, we should be able to do just as well with our customers. Why I believe those Internet relationships work is because people want them to work and because each person is relevant to the other,” said Lisa Norton, President and COO of BioZyme Inc. “Supporting our customers works exactly the same way when we choose to get involved with the same intent. I believe the reason we were able to grow during the pandemic is two fold. We were as relevant as an Internet dating relationship, and we were blessed to be in an industry that is based on very hard working, resilient people who do not give up.”

In addition to growing sales by double digits in 2020, BioZyme also introduced new products to the marketplace relevant to a variety of species while conducting research and preparing more product launches for early 2021. In 2020, two new HEAT products were introduced, including VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S HEAT, and DuraFerm Sheep Concept•Aid HEAT. In addition, an economical line of beef cattle mineral that still contains Amaferm and is ideal for maintenance, VitaFerm Conserve was introduced. Sure Champ Joint Juice, a joint supplement powered by MHB3 Hyaluronan, the most highly researched and proven hyaluronic acid available, was developed to naturally support, promote, and enhance joint and soft tissue health.

Finally, the Vita Charge Stress Tub was reformulated to include a heat tolerant probiotic.

Sales growth has led to the need for foundational and physical growth as well.

At BioZyme’s world headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., a scheduled three week plant shutdown occurred, allowing for time for intense upgrades. The significant plant improvements are making production, inventory, ordering, and shipping more efficient for the 70-year-old company.

In addition, BioZyme’s sister company, Cogent Solutions Group based in Lexington, Ken., relocated to a more expansive facility in May, tripling its manufacturing footprint and doubling its production capacity. The move to a larger facility for Cogent increased batch volume capacity for increased efficiency.

Since this move, with the proficiency to produce and package liquids and gels, all BioZyme small pack production moved to Cogent, allowing for BioZyme to increase its efficiencies as well.

“In 2020 and in 2021 we are committed to building infrastructure. This investment is for two reasons. Continuous quality improvement through automation and new technologies for industry impact.

Both would be progress toward the future of our industry, which is going to be focused on doing more with less,” Norton said.

As BioZyme and its employees look to the future, they strive to provide safe, accurate products, not only domestically but internationally. The International Sales Team meets daily via earlier mentioned telecommunication tools to establish and build business relationships with the distribution partners it has with 31 countries across the globe.

Establishing those partners, providing trainings, and teaching about the precision based prebiotic Amaferm is key to growing business while providing the best nutritional care possible to animals around the world.

“I push myself and our leadership team to annually create innovations that don’t forget that utilizing partnerships is the most responsible and sustainable way to do things. I believe true partnerships are the only way our industry will be successful in the environment that is being placed in front of us. These partnerships must lead to care that comes full circle or using the more popular phrase in the industry, success from farm to table. 2021 will be a big year for BioZyme as we are launching some very innovative solutions that can best be described as entrepreneurial. I always try to stay cognizant of the fact that many believe that entrepreneurship is crossing the fine line between crazy and genius, but I like to believe the best way to succeed is to understand that success lies in the journey (crazy or genius), not the

destination,” Norton said.

Uncertainties remain as we move into 2021. For BioZyme Inc., those challenges become opportunities for growth, opportunities to expand a customer base and manufacture products for a diverse line of customers who want to provide the optimal animal nutrition to their livestock and companion animals.

BioZyme is known for its supplement brands VitaFerm, Sure Champ, Vita Charge, DuraFerm, Vitalize, and Backyard Boost. The company also manufactures and markets Amaferm, the key additive in all its supplements.

Landreth Livestock Products Completes BioZyme Advanced Dealer Training. Landreth Livestock Products in Simpsonville, S.C., has recently completed the necessary training needed for year two of the BioZyme Inc. Master Dealer program.

Progressive in its desire to advance its business, Landreth Livestock Products has completed the second year of the Master Dealer Training Program to further its education about brands and product lines BioZyme offers. The Second Year Master

Dealers were also offered courses in marketing and selling techniques.

“We are excited that this dealership continues to dedicate time and effort to further its product knowledge and marketing skills, and it will continue to be an excellent resource for all product needs and questions,” said Kristi Stevens, BioZyme Senior Manager of Marketing Operations. “Landreth Livestock Products has taken the time to complete the second series of our online training program, and has committed to stocking our full product line. It is one of the most informed dealers that our company works with.”

As Master Dealers, the dealer already received special designation on the online dealer locator and signage for its store that indicates it has gone above and beyond in its training efforts. For completing the continuing education for the Master Dealer program, the dealer will receive additional rewards from BioZyme.

To learn more about BioZyme and its product lines or to locate a dealer in your

Continued on the next page

2021 Spotlight Issues Schedule Most of the breed associations in North and South Carolina have stepped forward and renewed their contracts for Spotlight sections in The Carolina Cattle Connection for 2021. If your breed is not featured as a Spotlight section and you would like to inquire on any open months please feel free to contact me.

Below is the tentative schedule for the upcoming year.

2021 Reserved Spotlight Issues

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

CHAROLAIS FORAGES ANGUS ----------------------------BRAHMAN HEREFORD GELBVIEH SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS ----------------------------SHORTHORN RED ANGUS

Contact The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Phone - 919-552-9111 for the contact person for each Spotlight Issue.

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BioZyme News continued from the prevoius page area, go to www.biozymeinc.com.

Three Steps to Prepare to Attend a Livestock Sale. There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as an auctioneer’s chant climbing as bids are coming in. When he pounds his gavel and says, “Sold,” one lucky buyer wins the bid and the next animal is already being auctioned.

Auctions are fast paced, and for a novice attendee can be somewhat intimidating.

However, if you prepare in advance, you’ll be the one giving your bid and showing your buyer number when the gavel falls.

Although attending sales is memorable, and some go just to see friends and neighbors or check out particular sire groups, typically when you attend a sale, you have a goal in mind: to purchase an animal to put back into your herd or flock or for a show animal. But it isn’t just as easy as showing up. Especially if you have never been to a sale before.

Before you go - Make sure you do your homework before you ever leave home for the sale. Establish your budget with your parent, FFA advisor, 4-H leader, or whoever is helping you with your project. Once you know your budget,

decide what your priorities are. If you are looking for a market animal, know your endpoint so you can buy one that will meet that target. If you are looking for a breeding animal, are you using it strictly for a show animal, or will you be adding it to your own herd or flock?

Regardless of the species you are intending to buy, research the breeder/ seller. Are they reputable within the industry? Are they known to help young people with projects after the sale? These are things you can likely find out from looking at their website or social media platforms, talking to others, or simply by calling and talking to the person prior to the sale.

Research the offering - Most sales will have a sale book, photos or videos posted online prior to the sale, along with pedigree and birthdates. This is a great way to see what the seller is offering and to get some idea of what you will see when you get to the sale.

Finally, be prepared when you leave home to pay for your animal and bring it home unless you have already made prior arrangements with the seller. Take your

NEWS

Zoetis Celebrates Producers With Calving Season Photo Sweepstakes.

Sweepstakes offers a chance at daily prizes. This spring, Zoetis wants to reward cow/calf producers for their relentless hard work and dedication to their herd.

Cattle producers are encouraged to submit their best calving season photos to the company’s Calving Season Sweepstakes for a chance at daily prizes to help power through the calving season.

Zoetis is asking cow/calf producers to enter the sweepstakes at CalvingSeason.com by submitting pictures of their calves. All calving photos are welcome, whether it’s late night shots from the barn, kids helping with the new animals, cows with baby calves, or producers simply caring for their calves by bottle feeding or wrapping them in blankets.

Every qualifying photo submitted to www.CalvingSeason.com through May 21 will earn entry into the sweepstakes.

There is a limit of one photo submission per day during the sweepstakes. Zoetis will draw daily winners to receive a prize package consisting of a Zoetis branded

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cooler full of helpful things to get through calving season, with an approximate retail value of $225.

Zoetis encourages cow/calf producers to show their pride beyond this sweepstakes too. Use the hashtag #CalvingSeason to post photos on all social media channels and share the success that comes with hard work.

About Zoetis. Zoetis is the leading animal health company dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses in advancing the care for animals. Building on more than 65 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, technologies, and services, including biodevices, genetic tests, and precision livestock farming. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers, and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries.

In 2020, the company generated annual revenue of $6.7 billion with approximately 11,300 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

checkbook or cash, a trailer or popper, and make sure you have a notebook and pen to take notes on once you get to the sale location.

At the sale - Sales are an important day for livestock breeders. For most, this is their payday for the year, and it is the day they take very seriously; therefore, you should make attending the sale seriously too. Show respect to the property where the sale is hosted – the farm or ranch, a livestock auction market, or fairgrounds because the breeder has taken special care and consideration to make sure the facility is in tip top shape.

Be sure to arrive at the sale with ample time to preview the lots, usually a few hours before the sale starting time. You want to make sure you have time to see all the animals that interest you, the ones you think will be in your budget, and any that might work for plans b or c. Upon arrival, pick up a sale book (if you don’t already have one), a sale order, and a pen map if they are available. Register for a buyer’s number; you will likely need a driver’s license or some form of photo I.D. to do so. Then, start previewing the animals.

When it comes time to look at animals, keep these things in mind. Know how to identify the animals. If you are looking at cattle, sheep, or goats, they will likely have an ear tag that corresponds to their lot number. When looking at pigs, you will need to know how to read ear notches. If you are unsure of a notch, be sure to ask someone that is in the pen; it would be a shame to get zeroed in on the wrong pig. Be sure to remain quiet around the livestock. Sure, they are probably used to lookers, but there is likely a lot of activity, and they don’t need any extra noise or distraction.

If you are looking at cattle, be sure to shut the gates behind you as you walk through pens. If you are at a big sale, and plastic boots or a foot bath are provided for biosecurity, use them. If you have never met the breeder before, introduce yourself or ask a common acquaintance to introduce you. Have some questions prepared about an animal you are interested in, such as the production record of the animal’s mother or how previous offspring have performed.

Take notes about the animals you definitely like, ones that you don’t like, and ones that would work. Speak quietly among the people in your group, as to not offend anyone. When it is getting close to sale time, be sure to take a seat where you feel comfortable setting and bidding.

When it comes to bidding, don’t be afraid to wave your hand to get the

bid taker or auctioneer’s attention. Once they know that you are interested in an animal, they will come back to you when you have been outbid. Be sure you know where the current bid is, and once you have reached your limit, stop bidding. It is perfectly acceptable to get outbid on an animal, and hopefully, you have more than one selected. If you win the bid, be ready to show your buyer’s number quickly, and if numbers are not provided, state your name clearly and loudly enough for the bid taker to hear.

After the sale - Congratulations!

You have purchased your animal at live auction. It is now time to go to the settlement desk, write the check and get load out instructions. Unless you are familiar with the breeder and have made prior arrangements, you should always be prepared to pay and pick up your animal the day of the sale. If you are buying registered livestock, be sure the seller knows which name to transfer the animal to.

As you prepare to take your new animal home, ask the seller some basic health and nutrition history on your new purchase. Find out how much and what type of feed the animal has been getting.

Ask about the breeder’s vaccination program, so you know when the animal was last vaccinated.

Attending a sale is often the first step in getting your new livestock project for the year. Sales are a great networking tool, an opportunity to see livestock by multiple sires, and the chance to learn from those with more experience in the business. Once you’ve brought your new animal home, it’s time to work with that animal EVERY. DAY. as you #preptowin in the show ring and in life.

About BioZyme ® Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements for a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include Amaferm ®, VitaFerm®, Vita Charge®, Sure Champ®, Vitalize®, DuraFerm ®, and Backyard Boost™.

With headquarters in St. Joseph, Mo,, the company reaches a global market of customers that stretches into countries across five continents. For more information about BioZyme, visit www. biozymeinc.com.

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ecosystem plays into our financial sustainability. Without healthy soils, good grass, and clean air and water, we do not produce cattle. We understand that, but we need the policymakers and consumers to understand that, too.

NCBA’s Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) showcases the great work producers are doing each day to protect these precious natural resources. The ESAP winners are just a few examples of the collective work all of you are doing to protect and preserve the environment.

Showcasing your daily stewardship

A Message from the CEO

By COLIN WOODALL

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Financial Sustainability and Stewardship During last month’s virtual meeting of the NCBA Board of Directors, we presented a draft strategic plan for our association. Sustainability was identified as one of our strategic priorities. The strategic plan was approved by the Board and now gives NCBA a more focused approach to engaging with cattle producers, policymakers, and consumers.

Before we focus on the policymakers and consumers, we must make sure we are all in this together as cattle producers.

To achieve this, there are a few things I believe we need to clarify. First, NCBA is taking a leadership role on this issue because it is not going away. Sustainability is on the minds of a lot of people these days. More and more consumers are asking questions about where their food comes from and the impact it has on the climate. While the number asking those questions is still a minority among the total population, they are extremely vocal, and their numbers will grow.

The vocal nature of these consumers, and the amplification of their message by activist groups, has the attention of retailers, restaurants, bankers, Congress, and the President of the United States.

Retailers and restaurant companies are looking at ways to demonstrate their commitment to the environment to both customers and corporate shareholders.

Banks and lenders are considering whether they should factor sustainable practices into the loans they make. As I referenced last month, President Biden started talking about climate change on his first day in office. These are the reasons why the issue

is not going away. So, we had a choice to make – either take a leadership role or be relegated to playing defense for years to come. Through the action on our strategic plan, we chose to lead.

For me, leading on this issue means making it clear to all of you that the only way we make this work is by casting an eye towards creating opportunities for producer profitability and long term success. If our work on sustainability harms the financial sustainability of your operation, then the whole discussion of our positive impact on the environment is moot. We must do everything we can to keep your operation viable for you and future generations. If we cannot keep you on the land, who is going to take your place? Doubtful it will be somebody who will care for the land the way you do. For many of you closer to suburban areas, it means there is a high probability that developers put houses on that land. If we are going to have an honest conversation about sustainability, policymakers and consumers need to understand this. Yes, profit seems to be a negative word these days, but talking about the preservation of nature and greenspace will help us make the point of why we need to stay on the land.

After financial sustainability comes our stewardship of natural resources.

Climate change and carbon remain the rally cries for many in this arena, but we must show that it is more than just the carbon cycle. Our overall stewardship of the land, air, and water are key to a healthy ecosystem, and a healthy

Regular copy deadline is APRIL 5 for the MAY issue Spotlight material is due APRIL 1 for the MAY issue

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lse e r O

and protecting your financial sustainability is how we will build our campaign to demonstrate we are part of the solution, not part of the problem. There remains a perception that sustainability means nothing more than placing additional burdens and requirements on you. I believe our approach to placing you at the center of the conversation helps us protect against that. The time is now, and the facts are on our side. Let’s capitalize on this unique time and opportunity and show the world we are critical to a healthy and productive environment.

Vytelle Launches Visionary Vytelle Solutions Precision livestock company, Vytelle, is reshaping how cattle producers worldwide optimize their herds. Vytelle has assembled the first integrated technology platform built to accelerate genetic progress in cattle. This allows producers to sustainably deliver more protein with fewer inputs, helping to ensure meat and milk are viable, competitive food choices for future generations.

Vytelle’s visionary brand is committed to transforming the industry by making individual animal management possible, helping cattle producers transform decision making, and bringing a new certainty to performance, health, and genetic progress through the Vytelle solutions Vytelle Sense, Vytelle Insight, and Vytelle Advance.

Vytelle Sense data capture helps seedstock and feedlot cattle producers measure key performance factors for better genetic and beef marketing management. Vytelle’s proprietary individual animal data capture system collects feed intake and in-pen weight measurements to identify elite performing animals to help producers make more informed marketing and genetic selection choices.

Vytelle’s low contact devices collect key performance data with no stress on the animal and automatically communicate it for processing and integration with other information.

Vytelle Insight enables better decision making for cattle operations with easy to understand phenotypic and genomic reporting and insights. Vytelle Insight decision-support tools translate billions of data points into knowledge cattle producers can use to monitor, predict, and optimize overall animal performance.

Built on 30 years of continuous advancement in helping producers collect and use cattle data, Vytelle’s decision tools are now driven by the industry’s firstof-its-kind artificial intelligence (A.I.) analytic engine. It quickly processes phenotypic, genomic, environmental, and performance data into easy to read dashboards and reports, enabling more informed choices for producers’ cattle operations.

Vytelle Advance is high performance reproductive technology, utilizing the most modern in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technique to help move producers’ cattle herds forward quickly by multiplying offspring from elite performing animals, shortening generation intervals, and improving reproductive efficiency.

Vytelle’s skilled technicians perform oocyte collection on donors without the use of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In Vytelle’s lab, the eggs are carefully fertilized using semen from the sires of the producer’s choice. Embryos are then returned fresh or frozen to meet the needs of each producer.

Producers can progress their genetics and make the most important mating and reproductive decisions with Vytelle’s solutions today. Start now by visiting www.vytelle.com.

About Vytelle. Vytelle is a precision livestock company reshaping how cattle producers worldwide optimize their herds. Through Vytelle’s integrated technology platform, generations of genetic gains can be made in just a few years. This allows producers to sustainably deliver more protein with fewer inputs, helping to ensure meat and milk are viable, competitive food choices for future generations.

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NCBA News

NCBA Delivers State of the Industry Address During Virtual Winter Reboot. Recently, during the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association virtual Winter Reboot conference, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane discussed the state of the industry and priority issues in Washington, D.C., that could affect cattlemen and women.

Woodall and Lane discussed the availability of USDA programs to assist farmers and ranchers from the damage done by the frigid temperatures that were seen across the country in February, the impact COVID-19 has had on cattle markets, and the work NCBA has done to provide opportunities for increased profitability while ensuring a steady food supply chain.

They also shared the many wins that the NCBA policy team has had including, working to ensure the beef industry is eligible for pandemic relief programs, including USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), two programs that farmers and ranchers across the country utilized during the market disruptions caused by COVID-19.

They went on to discuss the outlook for the Biden administration and the 117th Congress. When talking about the priorities of the Biden administration, Lane shared that NCBA has a robust relationship with senior level leadership across various agencies and that those individuals are willing to listen to NCBA’s perspective.

“They really want to start these conversations at the ground level. They are making it clear that we have a seat at the table,” he said. “We can find some common ground and help them see the benefit of some of the things that have been propagated over the past couple years.”

When referencing the work that NCBA is doing to ensure the beef industry’s success, Woodall said, “What we’re doing is what we do best and that is being the most effective advocate for cattlemen and women in Washington, D.C.” Embracing the Positives in Sustainable Cattle Production.

Cattlemen and women are the original climate heroes, preserving natural

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resources for generations while producing safe, affordable, and abundant protein for the world to enjoy. In a presentation during the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention Winter Reboot, speakers discussed how cattle production contributes positively to society.

Dr. Myriah Johnson, senior director of beef sustainability research for NCBA, started the session posing a question often seen in media headlines: “How do we feed the planet in 2050?”. Johnson explained the desire that exists to feed people in a way that is sustainable for generations in the future and how beef plays a critical role in that sustainable food system.

“The fundamental value proposition of beef to the food system is the transformation of lower value resources, such as grasses and plant byproducts, to higher value protein full of micronutrients, which nourishes people,” Johnson said.

Although people often have different definitions of sustainability, responses generally fall into three major pillars, including economic viability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. Science based evidence demonstrates how cattle management efforts are making positive contributions to all three pillars.

Johnson provided an overview of the economic and social benefits of the beef industry, including its impact on local, regional, and national economies, tax contributions, job creation, rural development, and food security, among others. According to a forthcoming report on the Economic Contributions of the U.S. Beef Industry, more than 27 billion pounds of beef are produced annually, providing 144 billion three ounce servings of beef. In addition, U.S. beef production and processing contributes $167 billion in gross sales and supports a labor force of more than 721,400 workers. “It matters that the beef industry exists, and research shows its impact on communities,” Johnson said.

Dr. Jason Sawyer, associate professor and research scientist with the King Ranch ® Institute for Ranch Management, focused on beef’s role in the environmental pillar of sustainability.

Sawyer suggested the industry focus on the term “climate neutral,” which means implementing systems that have minimal

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

effect on projected global temperature change.

According to Sawyer, there is a lot of confusion about methane and its actual impact on the environment. “Methane is a natural result of ruminant digestion and can’t be eliminated without forsaking the critical capacity to upcycle human inedible feedstuffs,” he said.

There is 600 times more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than methane, and unlike methane, which disappears from the atmosphere in 8-12 years, carbon dioxide doesn’t break down.

“Overall, the U.S. beef industry’s contribution to atmospheric methane is very small, but even annual reductions of .5 or 1.5 percent in methane emissions can help lead the industry to climate neutrality in the near future,” Sawyer said.

Although often overlooked, the beef industry has positive environmental impacts when it comes to land based carbon removal. Carbon uptake through grazing lands can help offset nonmethane emissions currently attributed to beef production, according to Sawyer.

If the warming potential of methane is properly accounted for, and current levels of carbon uptake are included in the greenhouse gas profile of beef systems, U.S. beef producers might already be approaching climate neutral production.

Both speakers discussed the benefits of grazing to the social and economic pillars of sustainability in addition to environmental. “Cattle don’t just use the land, they help protect ecosystems, soil health, and wildlife in addition to protecting public safety by reducing fire risk,” Johnson said. “And, if cattle weren’t grazing on federal lands, more expensive mechanical management would be required.”

Johnson summarized the session and said, “Beef is good for people, the planet and profit, and it is the complete package across all three pillars of sustainability.”

Sawyer agreed and added, “Beef sustainability is a complex subject, but there is a lot to be excited about.

Production of beef is not degrading the planet, but rather improving the planet while feeding the world.”

FMCSA Announces Extension to HOS Emergency Declaration.

On February 16, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced an extension to the Hours-ofService Emergency Declaration until May 31 at 11:59 p.m. According to a document released by FMCSA, the extension to the emergency declaration provides regulatory relief to commercial motor vehicle drivers who are transporting goods that directly assist in COVID-19

relief efforts. Included in the exemption are haulers of livestock and livestock feed.

This exemption has been in place since March of 2020 to give flexibility for livestock haulers when transporting livestock and livestock feed. Allison Rivera, NCBA executive director of government affairs, said that this exemption has been critical for ensuring a steady food supply chain and is thankful FMCSA has been receptive to the needs of the livestock industry.

“We are extremely grateful for the flexibility this exemption has given us,” she said. “We are very pleased they have heard us – and that they understand our continued need for flexibility to move livestock.”

The need for the emergency declaration started at the beginning of the pandemic when there were plant slowdowns, and there was a need for flexibility for livestock haulers to safely reroute to different facilities.

NCBA Delivers House Introduction of Bipartisan DIRECT Act. NCBA has continued its aggressive approach in looking for new ways to capture value for producers. While the industry had its struggles during the strictest shutdowns of the pandemic last spring, many small, local processors saw an increase in orders – not only from their communities but from across the country, which is a testament to the importance of our local butchers. But many producers found that, even though their state inspected facilities are equal to federal standards, they were not able to access interstate meat markets.

This is a shame and leaves a lot on the table for local butchers and ranchers.

In response, NCBA worked to have legislation introduced to fix regulations involving state inspected meat and increase e-commerce sales. One of these bills is the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act. NCBA volunteer leaders and staff worked closely with U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R - S.D.) and Henry Cuellar (D - Tex.) to develop and introduce this important legislation.

Shortly after introduction, NCBA vice president and South Dakota rancher Todd Wilkinson thanked Reps. Johnson and Cuellar and talked about what this legislation means for producers: “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted an urgent need for our industry to expand opportunities for state inspected meatpackers. NCBA acted quickly last year, advocating to allow more beef to be safely sold online across state lines. The DIRECT Act will allow cattle producers and smaller beef processors to more easily evolve to meet

the growing demand for e-commerce sales. Thank you to Representatives Johnson and Cuellar for recognizing the shifts in an ever changing market and introducing this critical legislation,” Wilkinson said Currently, many states have state meat inspections at least equal to federal standards. The DIRECT Act would tap into that by amending the retail exemption under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) to allow processors, butchers, or other retailers to sell normal retail quantities (300 lbs of beef, 100 lbs of pork, 27.5 lbs of lamb) of MPI State Inspected Meat, per year, online to consumers across state lines.

Because transactions are authorized under the DIRECT Act, sales are direct to consumers via e-commerce, and sales are traceable and can easily be recalled. The proposal also includes clear prohibitions on export, keeping our equivalency agreements with trading partners intact.

On a recent episode of NCBA’s Beltway Beef Podcast, Montana cattle and beef producer Jake Feddes of Feddes Family meats spoke about how the DIRECT Act would help his operation.

He receives dozens of inquires each week from people all over the country, specifically New York City, looking to buy his products. In fact, he has more outof-state visitors to his online marketplace than in-state.

“People are often confused as to why state inspected products that meet the same standards as the federal government cannot be shipped to them. This is not only incredibly frustrating but has shown to be an issue that unites beef eaters, without political affiliations getting in the way,” Feddes said. “The Direct ACT would substantially expand our market and add value to our operation. It would also give us an opportunity to supply people across the country with high quality beef and connect the consumer with a rancher and small processor.”

This bill is just one piece of a wider agenda that NCBA will work to aggressively push through Congress and the administration. This year, NCBA will work to introduce several bills to expand opportunities for local cattle and beef producers, while at the same time increasing beef processing capacity.

A Voluntary Framework to Achieve Robust Price Discovery in the Fed Cattle Markets. From NCBA’s Center For Public Policy in Washington, D.C. Aside from COVID-19 and its disastrous effects on the commodities markets, the topic most frequently discussed over the past year was price discovery. In the fed cattle market, this

issue is most closely associated with negotiated trade — or rather, the decline in negotiated trade over the past years and decades.

At NCBA’s Summer Business Meeting last July, voting members of the Live Cattle Marketing Committee debated the best way to address the issue of price discovery — for over six hours!

During that time, numerous points were raised, and several issues addressed. The resulting policy passed by that committee outlined a path for NCBA to address price discovery moving forward. Simply put, that NCBA would first seek a voluntary solution to increase price discovery in all cattle feeding regions and then, should that voluntary effort prove unsuccessful, pursue a legislative or regulatory solution to compel sufficient negotiated trade in each region.

This policy further directed NCBA to appoint a sub-group of producer members to construct this voluntary framework and established a timeline for action.

The basis of this work was to be rooted in NCBA funded and directed research, which identifies the regionally sufficient levels of negotiated trade needed to achieve robust price discovery.

The sub-group believes that price discovery is determined both by sufficient levels of negotiated trade per region and packer participation in that negotiated trade. As such, the sub-group established two “trigger silos” to measure the success of the industry’s efforts to voluntarily improve price discovery: namely, negotiated trade and packer participation.

First, on the negotiated trade silo, the sub-group’s deep dive into regional levels of cash market participation and negotiation of grid bases evolved into what has come to be known — perhaps unintentionally — as the “75% Plan”. The most recent peer reviewed research from Dr. Stephen Koontz of Colorado State University tells us that each region must weekly trade the following quantities of fed cattle to achieve robust price

discovery. Note, because Colorado rarely reports negotiated trade volumes due to USDA’s rules of confidentiality, the subgroup regards Nebraska and Colorado as a combined region.

The sub-group wanted to set a realistic goal for cattle feeders and meatpackers to achieve in the short run and therefore decided to set a goal of achieving 75 percent of those levels in the beginning. However, they also recognized the need to eventually achieve 100 percent of the robust levels 100 percent of the time and left themselves the option to review and adjust the framework to set the bar higher when it becomes appropriate.

As of this writing, the packer participation silo is still under development. The sub-group set out to develop this silo by calculating the approximate market share, per region, of each of the four major packers. Using this information, they then approximated a fair volume of fed cattle for each packer to procure via negotiated means. We are still in conversations with the packers about how best to achieve these levels and how to report those volumes since, once again, USDA’s rules of confidentiality do not allow the Agricultural Marketing Service to report individual company information. We hope to announce the finalization of this complex silo in the coming weeks.

Using both the negotiated trade and packer participation silos, this is where triggers come into play. Triggers are simply the benchmarks set up by the sub-group to measure progress toward our goals. If enough triggers are tripped, that will signal to the sub-group that our voluntary efforts are no longer sufficient to address price discovery. To avoid tripping triggers, in any given quarter, each region must: • Achieve no less than 75 percent of the weekly negotiated trade volume that current academic literature indicates is necessary for “robust” price discovery in

that specific region, • Achieve this negotiated trade threshold no less than 75 percent of the reporting weeks in a quarter, • Achieve no less than 75 percent of the weekly packer participation requirements, to be determined in short order, and assigned to each specific region, • Achieve this packer participation threshold no less than 75 percent of the reporting weeks in a quarter.

In the event that triggers are tripped in any two out of four rolling quarters, the sub-group will recommend that NCBA pursue a legislative or regulatory solution to compel robust price discovery. The sub-group will take into account black swan events on a case by case basis and may allow for flexibility within the framework of events that disrupt the normal flow of cattle within a quarter.

This voluntary framework was put into action on January 1. Data was collected and reviewed at the end of March to determine if negotiated trade volumes are tracking or if triggers were tripped.

This effort is not the end-all-be-all.

It was never intended to be the silver bullet that wipes away all of the price discovery woes our industry has faced in recent years. Rather, it provides our industry the opportunity to address this very real problem in our own way — and if that does not work, we have a contingency plan in place. Furthermore, and more importantly, NCBA is not stopping at this framework. We have been and will continue to be, engaged with our members, allies in industry, and partners on Capitol Hill to ensure that cattle producers have access to new and innovative tools designed to help them meet this collective goal. Whether it is online auction platforms or new reporting through USDA, we want to make sure that we are doing our part to set ourselves up for success as we work toward this objective.

NCBA Welcomes Discussion on Cattle Market Transparency Act. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) recently introduced the Cattle Market Transparency Act in the U.S. Senate.

If enacted, this legislation would direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Office of the Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish regional mandatory minimums for negotiated trade of fed cattle. It would also direct USDA to establish a library of cattle formula contracts, amend the definition of “cattle committed” to expand

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NCBA News continued from the previous page the delivery window from seven to 14 days, and clarify confidentiality rules for administering Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR).

“Cattle producers continue to face serious obstacles when it comes to increasing profitability and gaining leverage in the marketplace,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “Leveling the playing field and putting more of the beef dollar in producer pockets remains the top priority of this association. NCBA shares Senator Fischer’s objectives, as do its affiliates and indeed the entire industry. The best way to achieve those objectives, however, continues to be hotly debated by the very cattle producers this legislation would directly impact. We have worked and will continue to work alongside our affiliates, Congress, and USDA toward regionally robust negotiated trade, the establishment of a cattle contract library, and common sense in USDA’s rules of confidentiality by taking direction from our membership through the grassroots policy process.”

Cattle producers make science based, costly investments in cattle genetics and feeding innovations in order to improve the quality of their product. Formula

pricing agreements pay producers a premium for this more desirable beef, allowing them to capture more of the beef dollar. The details of these agreements, however, vary widely, and this lack of transparency can potentially act as a barrier to producer profitability. A cattle contract library, similar to the existing USDA swine contract library, will help producers evaluate their marketing options and make more informed decisions for their business.

USDA currently reports the number of cattle committed to meatpackers in seven day increments. Expanding this to 14 days will help producers better anticipate packer needs for cattle and increase their leverage as prices are negotiated.

LMR is an Act of Congress that requires large meatpackers to report market information to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), who then release it to the public. AMS is also mandated by LMR to keep the “proprietary business information” of reporting entities confidential. In some major cattle feeding regions, like Colorado, USDA’s rules of confidentiality oftentimes prevent any price information from being publicly available. Cattle

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

producers rely upon transparent reporting of transaction prices to make marketing decisions. By clarifying Congress’s intent behind LMR, USDA can equip producers with the data they need to make critical marketing decisions while still protecting sensitive business information.

BACKGROUND - Cattle producers have long witnessed the decline of negotiated trades in the fed cattle complex, and NCBA has been at the forefront of this conversation. While the use of formulas, grids, and other alternative marketing arrangements (AMAs) help cattle producers manage risk and capture more value for their product, these AMAs depend upon the price discovery that occurs in the direct, buyer-seller interactions of negotiated transactions. Current academic research has shown that more negotiated trade is needed to achieve “robust” price discovery within the industry, but each of the five USDA reporting regions contributes to this price discovery differently. To truly contribute to an environment with robust price discovery, policies must factor in the unique characteristics of each reporting region.

Last July, at NCBA’s 2020 Summer Business Meeting, the Live Cattle Marketing Committee heard a wide range of disparate viewpoints from producers on this issue and spent hours in debate to arrive at a compromise. The resulting grassroots policy states that, “NCBA supports a voluntary approach that 1) increases frequent and transparent negotiated trade to regionally sufficient levels…and 2) includes triggers to be determined by a working group of NCBA producer leaders.” The policy further states, “if the voluntary approach does not achieve robust price discovery… and triggers are activated, NCBA will pursue a legislative or regulatory solution determined by the membership.”

In August of 2020, NCBA President Marty Smith appointed a sub-group of the Live Cattle Marketing Working Group to develop the triggers required by the member approved policy. The voluntary framework — now several months into the implementation phase — established a series of triggers to evaluate negotiated trade volumes in each region and benchmarks for improvement. The sub-group is led by a group of producers from various regions with wide ranging perspectives and opinions on this issue and still meets regularly to discuss new and innovative solutions to this issue.

NCBA’s grassroots policy process is the tried-and-true venue for the entire

cattle industry, from seedstock producers to cow/calf operators to cattle feeders, to work together on complex issues toward common goals. Everyone has a seat at the table, and all are welcome to join.

Cattlemen Support the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021. The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021 was introduced recently by U.S. Senator John Thune of South Dakota and U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) and Jason Smith (R-Mo.).

NCBA issued the following statement in support of bipartisan legislation to repeal the federal estate tax, commonly referred to as the death tax.

“The estate tax disproportionately harms cattle producers because with few options to pay off tax liabilities, many farm and ranch families are forced to make tough choices at the time of death – and in worst case scenarios, must sell off land to meet their federal tax burden,” said NCBA President Jerry Bohn.

An estimated 2,000 acres of agricultural land is paved over, fragmented, or converted to uses that compromise agriculture each day in the United States. With more than 40 percent of farmland expected to transition in the next two decades, Congress must prioritize policies that support land transfers to the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Most farm estate values can be attributed to non-liquid assets such as the fair market value of land, livestock, and equipment.

“As small business owners, environmental stewards, and the economic backbone of rural communities across the country, U.S. cattle producers understand and appreciate the role of taxes in maintaining and improving our nation. However, they also believe that the most effective tax code is an equitable one. For this reason, NCBA ardently supports the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021,” Bohn said.

NCBA recently sent a letter to Senator Thune, as well as Reps. Bishop and Smith in support of the bipartisan legislation.

NCBA Secures Introduction of Bipartisan HAULS Act. NCBA recently endorsed the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2021.

Introduced by Sen. Fischer (R-Neb.), Sen. Tester (D-Mont.), Sen. Wicker (R-Miss.), and Sen. Smith (D-Minn.), the bipartisan bill would deliver much needed flexibility for livestock haulers.

“One year after COVID-19 began to disrupt daily life across the country, U.S. cattle producers continue to prove

each day that they are committed to keeping grocery stores stocked with beef. Livestock haulers are a critical component of the beef supply chain and flexibility in livestock hauling regulations remains vital,” said NCBA President Jerry Bohn. “NCBA strongly supports this bipartisan effort to provide livestock haulers with the flexibility they need to maintain the highest level of safety on the roads, transport livestock humanely, and ensure beef remains available to consumers.”

Current hours-of-service (HOS) rules allow for 11 hours of drive time, 14 hours of on-duty time, and then require ten consecutive hours of rest. When transporting livestock, there is a real need for further flexibility beyond the current hours-of-service. Unlike drivers moving consumer goods, livestock haulers cannot simply idle or unload their trucks when drive time hours run out without jeopardizing animal health and welfare.

“NCBA has long advocated against one-size-fits-all regulations for the live haul sector, and the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for flexibility

Elanco Introduces NUPLURA PH+ for Cattle. Expanded vaccine portfolio gives producers new options against bacterial and viral BRD. Elanco Animal Health Incorporated brings the cattle industry powerful new options for fast, smooth, and flexible protection against bovine respiratory disease (BRD) — one of the deadliest diseases affecting U.S. cattle.1 New NUPLURA ® PH+ builds on the proven performance of NUPLURA PH against Mannheimia haemolytica while adding protection against common viral causes of BRD, including BVD Types 1 and 2 and IBR. NUPLURA PH+ provides protective immunity against M. haemolytica in as little as ten days, which is the fastest immunity claim on the market. M. haemolytica is the primary bacterial cause of pneumonia in cattle.2 NUPLURA PH+ protects

when it comes to livestock hauling. The HAULS Act represents the best long term solution — a permanent change to existing hours-of-service regulations that preserves animal welfare as well as safety on our roads, while also making sure producers can keep our grocery stores stocked with beef,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera. “We thank Senator Fischer, Senator Tester, Senator Wicker, and Senator Smith for their work on this important legislation. NCBA will continue working on behalf of producers and haulers to provide flexibility within the current hours-of-service.”

BACKGROUND - This legislation is the latest of many steps NCBA has taken to win greater flexibility for livestock haulers and producers. Since the pandemic began, NCBA has successfully fought every month for a renewed emergency declaration which provides an exemption from hours-of-service for livestock haulers, while also working with Congress to maintain the ELD delay for livestock haulers until September 30.

The HAULS Act would add a

NEWS

against M. haemolytica and other causes of BRD in calves, as well as in animals at risk for BRD during weaning, branding, shipping, commingling, and other times of elevated stress.

For cattle producers concerned about both bacterial and viral causes of BRD, these NUPLURA PH+ options provide additional protection: • NUPLURA PH+BVD delivers additional protection against BVD Types 1 and 2 • NUPLURA PH+3 adds protection against BVD Types 1 and 2, plus IBR “With NUPLURA PH+, the fastest BRD vaccine on the market just got better. Producers can now target bacterial and viral BRD pathogens with one vaccination. This means less stress on the animal, less labor, and less time to administer,” says Dr. Brett Terhaar, Elanco Animal Health technical consultant. “Producers have the flexibility to deliver the right protection their herds need, at the right time.”

150 air-mile radius exemption under HOS regulations to the backend of hauls for those transporting livestock or agricultural commodities. This legislation also eliminates the seasonal harvest requirements for the agriculture HOS exemption (making the exemption available year round in all states) and updates and clarifies the definition of an agricultural commodity.

Grassley Bill Not Solution Industry Needs. Recently, NCBA issued a response to the introduction of legislation commonly referred to as “50/14,” led by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in the U.S. Senate.

“NCBA has and will continue to work alongside our affiliates, Congress, and USDA to increase price discovery and improve the business climate for producers across the country. However, simply put, Senator Grassley’s bill misses the mark. The industry – from leading livestock economists to NCBA state affiliates – agrees that any legislative solution to increased price discovery must account for the unique dynamics within each geographic region. As we have

seen in other sectors, a one-size-fits-all government mandate rarely achieves the intended goal. Per our grassroots policy, NCBA supports a voluntary approach first to increased negotiated trade. If a voluntary approach is unsuccessful, that same policy provides guidance toward a legislative solution that more closely resembles Senator Fischer’s Cattle Market Transparency Act. We will continue to work toward a more level playing field for producers, and we invite Senator Grassley to join the majority of stakeholders in reaching a collaborative solution,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane.

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

In addition, NUPLURA PH+ is gentle and safe to use on animals as young as 28 days. Field trials show that calves vaccinated with NUPLURA PH+ stay on feed and water with minimal sweats or other setbacks. 3 With few post vaccination reactions to overcome, animals can devote energy to growth and productivity.

Two virulence factors - NUPLURA PH+ is the only M. haemolytica vaccine portfolio that combines recombinant leukotoxoid technology and purified outer membrane proteins (OMPs). These two virulence factors are key to the vaccine’s strong, smooth response.

Using recombinant technology to produce NUPLURA PH+ results in consistently high levels of pure leukotoxoid, which stimulates production of antibodies that bind and inhibit M. haemolytica leukotoxin and allow for a strong immune response. NUPLURA PH+ contains OMPs and is designed for minimal adverse reactions.

For more information on NUPLURA PH+, contact your herd health veterinarian, Elanco sales representative, or technical consultant, or visit www. nuplura.com.

References 1 Griffin, D. Economic impact associated with respiratory disease in

beef cattle. Vet Clin North Am Food Animal Pract 1997;3:367-77.

2 Irsik, M.B.. Bovine respiratory disease associated with Mannheimia h a e m o l y t i c a o r P a s t e u re l l a Multocida. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Publication VM-163, University of Florida.

Accessed June 7, 2012.

3 Elanco Animal Health. Data on file.

About Elanco Animal Health Incorporated. Elanco is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ Sustainability/ESG Pledges – all to advance the health of animals, people, and the planet. Learn more at www.elanco.com.

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...

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1st Joint Sale of the South Carolina Hereford Association and the Red Angus Association of the Carolinas ...... 29 13th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale ......... 22 13th Annual SimAngus Solution Sale ............................. 33 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show — Rescheduled ........................................................... 68 2021 IRM Red Books ........................................................ 3 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus ................................................ 83 455 Farms Open House .................................................. 21 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale .................................... 40 48th Annual Breeders of the Carolinas Sale ................... 35 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ..... 83 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ............................................... 30 Back Creek Angus ........................................................... 83 Bartlett Milling Feed ...................................................... 44 Beef: Back to Basics Virtual Series ................................ 24 Benton’s Hay Farm ......................................................... 66 BioZyme Incorporated — VitaFerm Concept•Aid ......... 71 Black Crest Farm ............................................................ 83 Black Grove Angus ......................................................... 83 Brubaker Family Angus .................................................. 83 C-Cross Cattle Company ................................................ 83 Cargill/Southern States — Mineral Madness Sweepstakes ............................... 5 Carolinas Animal Health ............................................... 83 Cattlemen’s Top Cut Commercial Female Sale ............. 41 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ................................... 83 CPC — Weather Pro ........................................................ 67 Double J Farms ............................................................... 83 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. .......................................... 83 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ....................... 14 Fowken Farms — CATTLE FOR SALE .............................. 28 FPL Food ......................................................................... 19 Fred Smith Company Ranch .......................................... 83 Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale ........................ 17 H.J. White Farms ............................................................ 83 Howard Brothers Farms ................................................ 83 Hunt’s H+ Brangus ........................................................ 83 Hutton & Sons Herefords .............................................. 83 John Deere ....................................................................... 2 Lazy Acres Angus Focus Now, Value Later Sale ............. 23

N.C. Angus Association Directory …................................ 20 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application ............................................ 46 N.C. Hereford Association ............................................... 26 N.C. Meat Suite ................................................................. 39 N.C. Simmental Association ............................................ 32 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment ............... 13 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2021 Policy Priorities ................................................... 76 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ...................................................... 83 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ...................................................... 42 P.H. White Company ......................................................... 11 Pearson Livestock Equipment ......................................... 62 Piedmont Custom Meats ................................................. 53 Premier Select Sires — 2021 Spring Specials ................. 52 Ragan & Massey — UF-Riata ............................................ 41 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ......... 31 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment .................................... 75 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form .......................................... 25 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ......................................... 49 Spring Replacement Cow/Calf & Bred Cow Sale ............ 47 Springfield Angus Annual Production Sale .................... 18 The Barn Loft — Purina Wind & Rain ................................ 9 The Carolina Brahman Breeders Association 42st Annual Sale ............................................................ 37 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2021 Spotlight Schedule .............................................. 73 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates and Sizes ........................................ 82 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM ....................................................... 34 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ...................................... 65 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs .................... 45 Whitehall Beefmasters .................................................... 83 Wilkes Livestock Exchange .............................................. 16 Yon Family Farms ............................................................. 83

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VENTS ANGUS Apr. 3 — 28th Annual Grassy Valley Angus Production Sale, Greeneville, Tenn.

Apr. 10 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 10 — Southern Eagle Ranch Generations of Genetics Sale V, Moneta, Va. Apr. 10 — 14th Annual Southern Synergy Angus Female Production Sale, Wadley, Ga. Apr. 24 — Lazy Acres Angus ‘Focus Now, Value Later’ Bull and Female Sale, Rocky Mount, Va. Apr. 24 — 37th Annual NCAA Spring Fever Sale, Union Grove, N.C. Apr. 24 — Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale, Oxford, N.C. May 8 — Springfield Angus Annual Production Sale, Louisburg, N.C. Oct. 9 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2022 Jan. 1 — 13th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. BRAHMAN Jun. 12 — The Carolina Brahman Breeders Association 41st Annual Sale, Laurens, S.C. Commercial Apr. 17 — Spring Replacement Cow/Calf & Bred Cow Sale, Norwood, N.C. Apr. 24 — Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale, Oxford, N.C. May 1 — 1st Joint Sale of the S.C. Hereford Association and the Red Angus Association of the Carolinas, Williamston, S.C. May 15 — Cattlemen’s Top Cut Commercial Female Sale, Washington, Ga. GELBVIEH Apr. 10 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 24 — Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale, Oxford, N.C. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C.

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HEREFORD Apr. 10 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 24 — Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale, Oxford, N.C. May 1 — 1st Joint Sale of the S.C. Hereford Association and the Red Angus Association of the Carolinas, Williamston, S.C.

Jul. 20 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Aug. 3 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Aug. 5 — Weaned Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 10-12 — NCBA Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, Nashville, Tenn.

Aug. 17 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Sep. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Sep. 9 — Weaned Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C.

Red angus May 1 — 1st Joint Sale of the S.C. Hereford Association and the Red Angus Association of the Carolinas, Williamston, S.C. salers Apr. 10 — Southern Eagle Ranch Generations of Genetics Sale V, Moneta, Va. Santa Gertrudis May 8 — 48th Annual Breeders of the Carolinas Sale, Chester, S.C. SIMMENTAL Oct. 16 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Bull & Female Sale, Clayton, N.C. Nov. 6 — 13th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. OTHER EVENTS Apr. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Apr. 6 — Beef: Back to Basics Virtual Series Apr. 17 — Spring Replacement Cow/Calf & Bred Cow Sale, Norwood, N.C. Apr. 20 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Apr. 24 — Green Hills Gelbvieh & Hope Cattle Company Spring Turn Out Bull & Female Sale, Oxford, N.C. May 4 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction May 6 — Non-Weaned Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. May 15 — Cattlemen’s Top Cut Commercial Female Sale, Washington, Ga. May 18 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jun. 1 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jun. 15 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Jun.17 — Weaned Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Jul. 6 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction

The Carolina Cattle Connection q APRIL 2021

Sep. 21 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 5 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 19 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction

IGHTER A man goes into a pet shop to buy a parrot. The shop owner points to three identical looking parrots on a perch and says, “The parrot on the left costs $500 dollars.”

“Why does the parrot cost so much?” asks the man. The owner says “Well the parrot knows how to use a computer.”

The man then asks about the next parrot and learns that it costs $1,000 dollars because it can do everything the first parrot can do plus it knows how to use the UNIX operating system.

Naturally, the increasingly startled man asks about the third parrot, only to be told that it costs $2,000 dollars.

Needless to say this begs the question, “What can it do?”

To which the owner replies, “To be honest I have never seen it do anything but the other two call him boss!”

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A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird’s chest.

After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, “I’m sorry, but your duck, Cuddles, has passed away.”

The distressed woman wailed, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead,” replied the vet.

“How can you be so sure?” she protested. “I mean you haven’t done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something.”

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck’s owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the

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examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.

The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.

The vet looked at the woman and said, “I’m sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100 percent certifiably, a dead duck.”

The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman. The duck’s owner, still in shock, took the bill. “$150!” she cried, “$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!”

The vet shrugged, “I’m sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it’s now $150.”

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An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening at church service when she was startled by an intruder. As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables, she yelled, “STOP! ACTS 2:38!” (Repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord, so that your sins may be forgiven.) The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done.

As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, “Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell scripture at you.”

“SCRIPTURE?!” replied the burglar, “She said she had an AXE and TWO 38s!”