ANGUS
The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Address Service Requested
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Spotlight on
CC C
MARCH 2020 •
Vol. 34, Issue No. 3
arolina attle onnection
ONNECTION
Performance Extra Calf is a very palatable blended feed designed for the producer who wants more texture in their feed product. Cattle start on Extra Calf quicker than with a straight pellet. This product consists of Whole Cottonseed, Soybean Meal, and the 16% Performane Extra Pellets.
Cattle Cubes reduce your feed shrink. They provide beneficial supplementation of protein and energy when feed bunks are not available and can be fed on the ground.
Performance Extra Calf is a very palatable blended feed designed for the producer who wants more texture in their feed product. Cattle start on Extra Calf quicker than with a straight pellet. This product consists of Cottonseed Hulls, Cracked Corn, Soybean Meal, and the 16% Performane Extra Pellets.
With lush spring grass, remember to use our Hi Mag Hi Selenium Mineral to tohelp prevent grass tetany. With lush spring grass, remember use our Hi Mag Hi Selenium Mineral to help prevent grass tetany.
Performance Hi-Mag Mineral is a free choice mineral containing 14% Magnesium which is essential in controlling grass tetany in cattle on vegetative forage.
A Message from the CEO — Fake Meat Claims, by Colin Woodall …............ page 69 Alltech News …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... page 49 Amazing Grazing — Evaluating Winter Forage Management, by Johnny R. Rogers ….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….... page 20 American Gelbvieh Association News …….….….….….….….….….…....…......... page 46 American Hereford Association News …….….….….….….….….….….….….….... page 31 Animal Agriculture Alliance News …….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... page 37 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Q&A, by Ashley W. Herring …….….….….….….……... page 16 Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges …….….….….….…..... page 52 Beef Checkoff News …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... page 60 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods …….….….….….….….….….. page 70 Beef Quality Assurance Update …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…....... page 71 BioZyme Incorporated News …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…... page 64 Boehringer Ingelheim News …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….... page 62 Cargill Launches New Premium Beef Brand …….….….….….….….….….…...... page 59 Carolina Cooking — Classic London Broil …….….….….….….….….….….….…... page 61 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary …….….….….….….….…....... page 61 CattleFax News …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... page 34 Clemson Bull Test Sale Shatters Records, by Steven E. Meadows, Ph.D. ….. page 51 Director’s Report — Spring Forward, by Bryan Blinson …….….….….….….…... page 3 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — You Can Say You Just About Got it All, by E.B. Harris ….….….…..…....... page 22 Farm Credit News …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... page 43 From the Desk of the SCCA First Vice President, by Roscoe Kyle …….…..... page 50 Industry News ….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…... page 72 International Brangus Breeders Association News …….….….….….….….…... page 41 International Genetic Solutions News …….….….….….….….….….….….…......... page 55 Merck Animal Health News …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... page 59 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report …….….….….….….….….….….….….….…............. page 28 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Myth of the Month …….….….…..... page 67 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News …….….….….….….….….…........ page 66 National Institute for Animal Agriculture News ….….….….….….….….….….. page 46 New NCCA Members for 2020 …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…..... page 53 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices …….….….….….….….….. page 62 Novel Fescue by the Numbers, by Becky Mills …….….….….….….….….….….... page 28 On the Edge of Common Sense — Carol’s Story, by Baxter Black ……....... page 25 On the Horizon — Weaning: Targeting Growth With Protecting the Cow, by Mikayla Moore …….….….….….….….….…...... page 24 S.C. Beef Council News, by Roy Copelan ….….….….….….….….….….….….….... page 57 S.C. Charolais Association News, by Georgeanne Webb …….….….….….….... page 42 S.C. Forage and Grazing Lands Coalition News — American Forage and Grasslands Council Conference, by Gary Ward …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…... page 65 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices …….….….….….….…...... page 63 Taming the Toxins, by Melissa Beck ….….….….….….….….….….….….….….....….. page 32 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker …….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... page 44 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden …….….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...... page 26
ANGUS Hi Mag Mineral with Clarify to assist with Fly Control
2019 N.C. State Fair Angus Show Results, page 12 American Angus Association News, page 14
BB Organic Farm N.C., by Sharon Rogers, page 4 Britt Family Farms, by Sharon Rogers, page 6 Rising Star Farm, page 11
North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association President MIKE COX P.O. 1317 • Elon, NC 27244
Vice Presidents JEREMY LEE 5153 Battle Run Drive • Catawba, NC 28609 KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734 BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425 Immediate Past President JOHN LANGDON 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 27504 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. 34, No. 3 MARCH 2020 Sales and Publication Office 2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Phone: 919-552-9111 or 919-552-9112 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 Editor and Advertising Director CASEY L. HINNANT
Executive Director BRYAN K. BLINSON Assistant Editor and Proofreader 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
South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director TRAVIS MITCHELL Phone: 864-803-1126 Email: twmitch@clemson.edu S.C. Beef Council ROY COPELAN Phone: 803-917-1119 Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov Website: www.sccattle.org Executive Committee President - Thomas Legare 1st Vice President - Roscoe Kyle Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Cecil Eaddy
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 Dale Wilson, Abbeville • Thomas Jones, Marion Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Jack Ferguson, York Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews
KIM BURDGE
N.C. Circulation
KIM BURDGE
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Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection is not to be reproduced in total or in part without the written permission of the Editor. All submissions becom property of The Carolina Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to return items such as photographs and artwork as requested. 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 $25 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 11280 Columbia, SC 29211-1280
Our
breed Spotlight special sections are excellent forums to r e ac h p r o d u c e r s a n d cattle industry insiders in the Carolinas and throughout the S outheast . A dvertisers also receive a special discount for placing their message in the Spotlight. The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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Director’s Report By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA
Spring Forward This phrase can conjure up a number of images. For most, it means pushing the clock forward to provide an additional hour in the evenings. For others, it means jumping into something new and maybe a bit frightening. For farmers, March typically marks the beginning of spring. I don’t know any farmers who do not look forward to what most of us in agriculture think of as the beginning of a new year. The grass should be starting to turn green, or if it stays as warm as it was at this writing, it may be ready to offer serious grazing. We can soon forget about feeding hay and, in many areas, dealing with the mud that this practice seems to create.
We can also look forward to the new opportunities spring presents. Opportunities can come in many forms, and we must look to tap into as many of these opportunities as possible. I know many of you will have just returned from the N.C. Cattlemen’s Conference and were able to discover potential opportunities in a number of areas. Based on the educational program and trade show, hopefully, you found ways to enhance your management, genetics, herd health, or facilities. It is always our aim for the conference to help producers and their families become more profitable, efficient, and enjoy the endeavor of
raising cattle more because of what they have learned. While all of the planned activities are designed to broaden our knowledge, some of the best ideas and encouragement comes from the friends we discuss things with between meetings and seminars. The best ideas often come from others we relate to who have similar situations to our own. I am sure we will also have heard about the good news describing all of the new trade deals that should help to promote beef sales all over the world and help to add to the tremendous demand we have here in the United States. Hopefully, everyone can learn to look for ways to find opportunities to benefit from these developments. I look forward to supporting how all of you find ways to make your cattle more marketable, regardless of whether the beef winds up in your local community, a city on the other side of the country, or on a table somewhere else in the world. I am always proud of the way you look to make your cattle better and your farms more productive. Another great benefit of the conference each year is observing the young people who come and participate, particularly those involved in the Teeter Leadership Institute. The alumni of this
program have done great things already, and I am sure they will help us all to have a bright future, not only in agriculture but with life in general. The new ideas they have and will cultivate through programs like this will be beneficial to all of us. With the many area conferences, county meetings, and workshops available this spring, I am sure we will all have the chance to explore ways to better use our forages. I never go to a meeting now without hearing several farmers talk about innovative things they are doing to manage their pastures better. It is more than encouraging when farmers tell me they have reduced their feed and fertilizer bills by trying something new. It is also interesting that they always seem to be enjoying the process more. There is certainly nothing wrong with that! A number of these folks have even talked about how much easier their cattle are to handle, and that is a benefit in a number of ways. The N.C. Cattlemen’s Association is a forward thinking group of members that I am always proud to be associated with, and it is more than gratifying to see the progress we can all make together. I look forward to observing the forward leaps each of you will make as the spring takes hold.
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BB Organic Farm N.C. By SHARON ROGERS Bob and Elissa Miller are the owners and operators of BB Organic Farm N.C., LLC, in Norlina, North Carolina. The farm is named after their children Bryce and Brooke, who also lend a hand on the farm. Originally from Indiana, Bob is a fourth generation farmer raised on his family’s row crop and commercial beef cattle operation. As a kid, he was active in FFA and 4-H showing livestock. He later attended college at Indiana University in Bloomington, where he
for Bob, but the search took some time. Their North Carolina farming enterprise had an unusual beginning. After moving to North Carolina, they would always return to Indiana and purchase beef from one of Bob’s brothers, and Elissa wondered why they couldn’t raise their own beef here. So in 2014, they located a property that could meet the needs for both hunting and beef production. When they purchased the farm, it had some open land, woods, two ponds, and a large section of wetlands. Over the last few years, the family has worked on adding lots of new infrastructure, including electricity, a well, new electric fences, water tanks, working facilities, storage buildings, and much more.
herd because it has allowed them to purchase various genetics and gauge their performance in their environment. No surprise, they have found some genetics do much better on their farm. Like many smaller breeders, they were having to work extra hard to sell their registered breeding age bulls. They both realized we don’t have the volume of bulls to attract buyers, and the cost of developing just a
Solar fence chargers used on the farm.
Bob and Elissa Miller own and operate BB Organic Farm N.C., LLC in Norlina.
met and soon married one of his fellow classmates, Elissa. Elissa describes herself as a city girl who grew up just outside of Chicago. Bob has spent over twenty years in the electronics industry and currently works as a sales engineer specializing in electronics for aerospace and defense. His sales territory extends from Baltimore to Charleston. Despite the city background, Elissa has taken on the day to day duties of the farm, and from what I could see, she really loves the work and her “employees.” Currently, the family lives in Wake Forest, N.C., which gives her a 45 minute one way commute to her job each day, but they have chosen to remain in the Wake Forest area until their daughter has completed school. Bryce is currently a freshman at N.C. State University and Brooke is in middle school. Bob’s profession brought the family to North Carolina in 2000, and soon after, they began their search for hunting land
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Working facility on the farm. Bob and Elissa are both very concise of their safety and the safety of their cattle.
In 2015, they purchased their first three registered Angus females from Bob Delozier of Mebane. Bob Miller said they have learned so much from networking with other breeders, getting involved with groups like the N.C. Angus Association, and attending educational seminars on the many topics relevant to raising cattle successfully. They have purchased cattle from sales and directly from other breeders. Currently, the Millers have an inventory of 30 breeding females, their calves, and two bulls. They feel this is the right herd inventory for the farm. Bob and Elissa have a little different philosophy than most cattle people you meet. Most of us are sometimes guilty of being cattle collectors and not wanting to sell our females we value. But Bob says every animal they have is for sale at any time. This philosophy has served them well since starting their Angus
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
few bulls is too much. So beginning with their 2019 calf crop, they are going to be marketing steers and maybe even some heifers to local beef producers. Bob said they have the genetics in their calves to grow and make a great beef carcass. The Millers have been approached by two beef businesses, including Five Oaks Beef, willing to purchase their calves after weaning and preconditioning. They are very excited for this opportunity and to see how their cattle perform. They hope this new venture will give them some premium for their genetic investment.
Bob’s hunting stand.
Bob and Elissa may not have been in the Angus business many years, but they have learned a lot and are now much more focused on the kind of cattle they purchase. One of their first selection criteria is docility because they have friends and family who come to the farm, and their safety is very important. Today, they are looking for more moderate framed, slick haired cattle, with a higher $EN. The $EN expresses the dollar savings per cow per year based on the differences in the cow’s energy requirements. They try to be concise of the milk EPDs of their cattle, trying to keep the EPD number around 20 seems to fit their farm. Many of their current cattle have Coleman, Jauer, and OCC genetics, which work well. Like many farms in North Carolina, they have calves in the fall and are doing all their A.I. work during the holidays in December. They utilize the seven day CO-Synch+CIDR program and are fortunate to have some local friends to help with the artificial insemination. Bob has successfully completed A.I. schools offered by NCSU and Scarlett
e Special Mobile Large Animal Services, so he plans to do the A.I. work next season. This year they are using Coleman Charlo 0256, Brooking Bank Note 4040, OCC Paxton 730P, and Connealy Consensus 7229 for their A.I. sires. Their two herd bulls are BB Riser Rampage, a Quaker Hill Rampage son, and Spring Grove Index 7297, a VAR Index son. One of their most recent purchases was a bred heifer from the 2019 Coleman Ranch Sale in Montana, Coleman Donna 854. This female should be a good addition to their herd with a percentile ranking placing her in the top quarter of the breed for $M. They are planning to incorporate embryo transfer into their program in 2020 to take advantage of the genetics in their most desirable cows. One of the important things they have learned since starting the farm in 2014 is to better understand the types of forages on their farm and when they should be grazed. Bob admits when they first started, the cows had free range of the farm. Since
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BB Riser Rampage a Quaker Hill Rampage son used on their mature cows.
then, Elissa has been very dedicated to attending Amazing Grazing and other forage workshops gathering information, which has quickly caused them to change their grazing habits. They are fortunate to have a nice mix of Bermuda and fescue with some clover and Dallas grass. They even plant some rye for late winter grazing. Elissa praised Paige Smart with Southeast AgriSeed for being a great resource in helping her identify the grasses on the farm. They currently subdivide the larger pastures and rotate the cattle through
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several paddocks. As they continue to learn more about their forages, they are getting cattle to fit the system and are not afraid of changing the system to make it better. As mentioned earlier, Bob is an avid hunter, and he has a very nice “condo style” hunting stand. He said it is much easier to get his kids and others to go hunting if they are out of the weather. He plants a food plot each year, and their calves get to enjoy creep grazing his plot along with the deer. The farm is bordered by a large section of wetlands, which is part of Smith Creek. Bob has put up Wood duck boxes to encourage habit for the ducks. During my visit, we saw a large herd of deer and a bald eagle, so their wildlife habitat is paying off. Being so secluded, I asked them if predators were a problem for the cattle. Bob said they have not experienced any problems, but they do bring their calving cows up to a small pasture close to the front of the farm to give birth. It is obvious that both Bob and Elissa enjoy spending time at the farm
with family and the cattle. They have invested a great deal of time networking, doing research, and learning how to be successful in the Angus business. If you find yourself near Norlina or would like to visit the Miller’s, I am sure they would be happy to show you their farm, you can reach them by email at bborganicfarmnc@gmail.com.
Coleman Donna 854, a recent bred heifer purchase from the Coleman Ranch in Montana.
Group of registered Angus females at the farm.
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Britt Family Farms By SHARON ROGERS The Britt name is synonymous with agriculture in Duplin and the surrounding counties in eastern North Carolina. Until recently, the Britt family and farming were identified by their swine, poultry, and row crop enterprises, but over the last few years, beef cattle have taken a more prominent position on the farming enterprise list thanks to the newest generation to farm the land.
Temporary fencing used to sub-divide pasture for rotational grazing.
James Ralph Britt, III, is the most current family member to return to the farm to work alongside his father, Ralph Britt, Jr. I had the pleasure of spending a day with James to learn more about the farm and his emerging interest in the purebred Angus business. For as long as he can remember, he has been active on the farm. After high school, James began his college career at Lenoir Community College on a baseball scholarship. He knew he wanted to return to the farm, so the next step in his education was to attend N.C. State University, where he graduated in 2017 from the Ag Institute with his ag business management degree. I could tell this degree is serving him well because much of our conversation included discussions on the financial and marketing side of his Angus business.
I asked James why he was interested in having cattle and, in particular, a herd of purebred cattle. He told me he has always had a strong interest in cattle, and it was cultivated more during his time at N.C. State. To make cattle fit into the farming system and give James a deeper investment in the operation, his father suggested having purebred cattle. This way, he would be more involved due to the higher level of management needed for the registered herd. James has taken this very seriously and knows his costs, pedigrees, and so much more about his operation. Being part of the younger generation, he has also embraced new technologies to help him with the management. For example, we were discussing some of the cattle, and he quickly pulled up the AAA Angus mobile app from his smartphone to give me more details on his herd.
A nice group of yearling bulls James has for sale at the farm.
James may have only had registered Angus cattle for three years, but he has totally immersed himself into everything Angus. The purebred Angus herd was started with the purchase of high quality females from select breeders across the southeast. James initially purchased a group of open heifers from Yon Family Farms, and they have served as his
James pictured with a few of his registered Angus cows and calves.
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Cows and fall calves grazing annuals.
foundation females. He similarly found other cattle in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to add to his herd. He has also had success utilizing bulls from the Yon program as well. He purchased his herd sire, Yon High Cotton D885, in the 2017 fall sale and is very impressed with the calves and how they perform in the eastern North Carolina environment. I had the opportunity to see High Cotton during my visit to the farm and was very impressed with his tremendous length, thickness, slick hair, good feet, and great disposition. High Cotton also has the genetics to back up his good looks, being in the top 10-15 percent of the breed for all the Angus $Value Indexes. This bull was a true investment in the future of the Britt herd, and he is used to breed all the registered females after artificial insemination. James is currently making plans to collect semen from High Cotton later this year. In addition, the farm has a nice group of Yon Final Answer W494 sons, half brothers to High Cotton, which they use in the commercial cow herd. In 2019, James had his first set of calves from heifers he developed on the farm. The calves are still only babies, but he is pleased with the performance of the heifers and their calves so far. He really enjoys learning all the pedigrees and determining which ones work best. My visit to the farm was in late
November, and James was getting ready to begin the estrous synchronization protocol for his registered females. He utilizes the seven day CO-Synch+CIDR program with timed A.I. breeding. Dr. Harrison Dudley is his herd veterinarian and assists James with the A.I. process and his overall herd health program. James has 80 registered females to A.I. bred this year for fall calves. The A.I. bulls he plans to use include: Sitz Stellar 726D, ACC Ascension 7014, and Byergo Boomer 6351.
e Special annuals for grazing. The Britt’s find the cattle to be complimentary to their row crop enterprises because they plant cover crop/annuals on their croplands anyway. So it is a great fit to have the cattle use them for grazing. James said his cows are in better body condition in the winter than in the summer because of the annuals. These forages also help him to wean heavier calves without needing creep feed. He has found the most success with rye, ryegrass, and oats for winter, along with millet and sorghumsudangrass for summer. They own no hay equipment, so any hay they feed is purchased. They do have a tube balelage wrapper for baling their excess annuals, which they have custom harvested. I was very impressed by all the lush forage and temporary fences I saw during my visit. He rotational grazes the cattle across the annuals, so by the time he has grazed the whole field, he can return the cattle to the first paddock to start the process all over again. James was recently interviewed
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and featured on an N.C. Forage and Grasslands Council video discussing his gazing system. You can find the video on YouTube, “My Favorite Forage: A Tale of Forage Diversity.” James markets his steer calves and non-replacement female calves directly off the farm to an individual buyer. He has been retaining the best heifers for his herd, until this year when he consigned a few females to special sales hosted by the N.C. Angus Association and other breeders. James began marketing a few bulls through the N.C. BCIP Bull Test Stations in 2018, and this year he had the high average daily gain Angus bull on test at Butner. During the tour, I saw a group of bulls he is marketing directly from the farm. They were very functional, well developed yearling bulls that could work in any herd. James realizes establishing a reputation for himself and his cattle will take time, but he is willing to put in the time needed. His most interesting quote of the interview was, “The two
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F’s” are the most important.” He was referring to fertility and good feet being the best foundation for any herd. James is continuing to grow his cattle herd with both registered and commercial females. Both sets of cattle will be used to grow his inventory and to help maintain the forages needed for their other livestock enterprises. James is also very active in his
community and within the cattle industry. He currently serves as a board member for the N.C. Angus Association, which is helping him acquire more awareness on the business of the association, expand his breed knowledge, and it gives him a network of other breeders to engage. You can reach James Britt to learn more about Britt Family Farms and his Angus herd by calling 919-738-6331.
A group of mature herd bulls used at Britt Family Farms.
Yon High Cotton D885 bull.
In addition to the cattle, James has developed a keen interest in the grazing plan for his herd. He told me they are a bit unique in the area because they are currently grazing cattle year round and only feeding a very limited amount of hay or baleage. Of course, his predominant grass is Bermuda, but he also has crabgrass and plants winter and summer
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Rising Star Farm Located in Stokes County, at the foot of the Sauratown Mountains, Lynae (17) and Nate (11) Bowman are the fifth generation on their family’s farm. The kids, along with their parents Neil and April, primarily raise Angus cattle, but the pastures are home to Herefords, Chiangus, Chimaine, Simmental, as
health, while Neil is working at his job as the Livestock Marketing Specialist for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and April as the 4-H Youth Development, Livestock and Forages Extension Agent for Forsyth County.
Lynae showing LBSC Sandy Shiloh 807F at the National Junior Angus Show.
well as a few crossbred cattle. This is so the kids can be exposed to various breeds and see what they can offer the industry firsthand, as well as how they can complement each other. The focus of the cow herd at Rising Star Farm is to provide Lynae and Nate with the hands on experience to learn about animal agriculture, responsibility, management techniques, and maybe generate a few show calves.
Lynae received her silver award and Nate his bronze at the 2019 Eastern Regional Jr. Angus Show.
Both are active in the North Carolina and National Junior Angus Associations. Lynae is currently serving as the state secretary and Nate as the central director. They have attended numerous shows throughout the United States, which allows them to see other parts of the world. They both participate in several educational contests at regionals and nationals in addition to showing. Lynae was second overall in the intermediate skillathon this past year at the Angus
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Eastern Regionals. Nate used his creative writing skills to be named first place in junior creative writing at the 2019 National Junior Angus Show and was a member of the First Place “Other” Category in the 2019 American Angus Auxiliary Cook-Off Contest. They also participate in photography, quiz bowl, and other contests.
An Angus calf from this fall.
Lynae has taken the lead on the family farm overseeing the daily management of the show heifers feeding program, making mating decisions, and pasture management such as strip grazing stockpiled grass. The family relies on A.I. and E.T., not only to make advancements in genetics, but more so to make sure the kids are engaged in these key practices. Lynae even communicates with the family’s veterinarian for animal care and meets with him to perform herd
Lynae fitting in the National Jr. Angus Show fitting contest.
Neil grew up raising and showing sheep on the family farm, while April grew up raising and showing cattle on her family’s farm, Woodard Farms, in Johnston County. Neil and April served as advisors to the N.C. Junior Angus Association from 1999-2001 and continue to serve the juniors in various roles. April is also a lifetime member of the N.C. Angus Auxiliary and a member of the American Angus Auxiliary. Lynae is currently a senior in high school and plans to attend junior college in the midwest next year where she will be a member of the livestock judging team. She then plans to attend a four year college to get a degree in animal science and wants to learn more about
genetics and embryo transfer. Nate is only in middle school but hopes to attend vet school at N.C. State University. Both kids have seen the need for additional large animal vets, and reproduction specialists in rural areas.
Angus calves on the farm. Lynae enjoys photography.
Regular copy deadline is MARCH 5 for the APRIL issue Spotlight material is due
Nate showing LBSC Stella at the 2019 Eastern Regionals.
MARCH 1 for the APRIL issue The Carolina Cattle Connection
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BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) email: robinbackcreek@att.net
PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 email: JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com
BB ORGANIC FARM NC, LLC R. & E. Miller Wake Forest 919-570-2816 email: bborganicfarmnc@gmail.com
PROPST FARMS James L. Propst Zach Moffitt - Manager Concord 336-736-6340 email: zmoffitt19@gmail.com
BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 email: livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com BRIDGES BEEF CATTLE Eddie, Cindy, John & Crystal Bridges Shelby 704-692-2978 email: bridgesbeefcattle@gmail.com C-CROSS CATTLE COMPANY Duane Strider Asheboro 336-964-6277 email: ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com
SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 email: mrooker@mrookerlaw.com
TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 email: greg.little@ATImetals.com UWHARRIE RIDGE FARMS Mark Wilburn Asheboro 336-953-0521 email: uwharrieridgefarms@gmail.com
GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net
VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 email: keaton@vandemarkfarms.com
H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 email: jennham@bellsouth.net
WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 email: michaelmoss@rtmc.net
HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 email: gmhill@uga.edu
WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 email: rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com
LANE ANGUS Roger Lane Bundy Lane - Manager Gates 252-398-7711 email: ritalane@embarqmail.com
Grand champion heifer, shown by Cole Williams.
Grand champion cow/calf pair, shown by Wood Angus.
60 Elite Female Lots
• Featuring sons of MAGA, Afton, Authentic, Niagara, Acclaim, Playbook, Fortress, Discovery, and Weigh Up
• Featuring Fall and Spring Calving Pairs, as well as elite open heifers
• Working performance bulls bred for every segment of the commercial beef industry
• Females backed by multiple generations of performance and genomic records!
Real Performance Cattle Bred and Managed to Perform for Commercial Cattlemen! Reserve champion heifer, shown by Logan Ball.
Reserve champion cow/calf pair, shown by Grayson Peeler.
Grand champion heifer, shown by Mattie Harward.
Grand champion bull, shown by Gary Price.
GVF Afton 9110
GVF MAGA 9050
Reserve champion heifer, shown by Green Hills.
GVF Niagara 9064
CED BW WW YW $W $B -2 +3.0 +91 +166 +75 +201
GVF MAGA 9041
GVF Afton 9096
Reserve champion bull, shown by Gary Price
CED BW WW YW $W $B +16 -1.7 +66 +127 +76 +133
CED BW WW YW $W $B +7 +0.8 +71 +127 +73 +148
CED BW WW YW $W $B +2 +3.5 +90 +171 +71 +209
Family Owned and Operated for over 50 Years! For more information, contact:
GRASSY VALLEY ANGUS
Sharon Rogers
LEE, LORI, ASHLEY, ANDREW, and ALEXANDRA DUCKWORTH 3280 Babbs Mill Road Afton, TN 37616
N.C. Angus Association Executive Secretary
336-599-8750 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
CED BW WW YW $W $B +12 +0.8 +81 +135 +76 +157
CED BW WW YW $W $B +3 +3.3 +87 +163 +81 +167
GVF Authentic 9133
HOME - 423/234-0506 CELL - 423-552-5405 or 423-552-5404 Email - dwanimalhospital@comcast.net
Supreme overall champion female, shown by Mattie Harward.
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70 Performance Bulls
SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Rick Kern - Manager Louisburg 919-880-9062 (Phil); 919-272-6124 (Rick) email: jpgoodson@bellsouth.net www.springfieldangus.com
FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 email: kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com
JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 email: karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com
Selling 130 Lots!
D
For a complete sale listing visit www.grassyvalleyangus.com. The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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That’s just one of the challenges Cobb looks forward to in his new role. As executive vice president, he will oversee the brand’s supply development, producer communications, and packing divisions, while serving as the voice of the producer to the greater company. Premiums for the brand are built at the packing level, so cattlemen will also benefit from Cobb’s ability to help packers further identify sales opportunities. “It was important to us that we found somebody so grounded in the production side that they had credibility with the cattlemen we serve, but also that they were able to see beyond the ranch gate to the way the whole beef community is interconnected,” CAB President John Stika says. “That is what’s really exciting about Bruce and the experience he brings. “In addition, I really think he’s going to fit really well into the culture at CAB, which has been a hallmark of our success,” he says. Cobb brings diverse perspectives,
ANGUS NEWS Cobb to Lead CAB Production Team. Cobb to Lead CAB Production Team. Describing beef supply and demand as a bit of a chess match, Bruce Cobb says he’s learned the game through various roles in the past three decades. Starting March 1, the Texas native will take on a new vantage point as executive vice president of production for Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB). “I’ve been able to participate on both sides of the industry, demand development and then supply, and I enjoy figuring out: how can we satisfy the consumer and the end user by what we’re doing on the production side?” he says. “Blending those two pieces is where the good stuff is.”
Since 2005, Cobb has been at the helm of Consolidated Beef Producers, the country’s largest cattle marketing cooperative. He and his team traded 700,000 head of cattle annually across the West and Midwest. “It’s clear we’re on the right track as it relates to quality. You can look at how consumers have responded just in the last four to five years and how the brand has grown,” Cobb says. “The challenge will be how do we get at those intangibles? These producers care for the animals. They care for the environment and the land. They want to do what’s right.” But the “opportunity is still there” to communicate and capture the value in those facts, he says.
with experience ranging from the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo to Daymon Worldwide to the U.S. Meat Export Federation and Texas Beef Council. He’s spent time thinking like a retailer, international trader, cattle producer, and consumer,” Stika says. The son of West Texas cotton farmers, agriculture and FFA shaped Cobb early on. He spent just one semester as a landscape architecture major, before trading that for agriculture communications, earning his undergrad at Texas Tech University. His master’s in international agriculture marketing at Texas A&M followed. “It really comes down to the desire to continue to make a difference in the world of producers, whether that’s cow/ calf, feeders or stockers,” Cobb says. “This is an opportunity to take that to the next level and really impact the wellbeing of producers from the production but also the demand side.” Cobb and wife Margie have three
“Spring Turnout” Bull Sale Friday • April 3, 2020 • 2:00 p.m. • Atkins, Va. Selling 50 Yearling Angus Bulls, featuring progeny from these sires: edy CTS Rem
1T01
op 4136 T t a l F r Werne
• All bulls have enhanced EPDs & have been parentage verified by DNA through Angus GS • All bulls have passed a BSE performed by Dr. Andy Meadows, Springwood Livestock Management • All carcass EPDs have enhanced accuracy through the evaluation of ultrasound measurement • All bulls have been hand fed for increased docility & developed to be athletic when turned out • The average of all bulls in this sale rank in the top 30% of the breed for the following traits: - WW, YW, Marbling, $W, $B, and $C • The average of all bulls in this sale have a CED EPD of 8.5 & BW EPD of 0.6 and have been selected to produce calves born unassisted and have high vigor
ent
002 en Bow KM Brok
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1 Rush 600 EZAR Gold
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2240
Pratt Cattle Company • The CW Pratt Family 820 Bear Creek Road • Atkins, VA 34211
Jason - 276-200-7075 • Paige - 804-316-4264 • CW - 276-781-8052 www.prattcattle.com • prattcattlecompany@gmail.com PAGE 14
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
children and have spent their fair share of time driving to events and cheering them on from the bleachers. They’ve been very active in their local Canyon, Tex., community and the greater ag community. “The heritage and legacy and the value of being a good steward, integrity, and honesty — those are things I want to continue to celebrate and enhance along the way because there’s just no other industry like agriculture,” he says. Cobb begins his new role on March 1, when he can be reached at BCobb@ certifiedangusbeef.com. AngusLink and EarthClaims LLC. Announce Service Partnership. Agreement combines American Angus Association offerings with GAP certification. Producers seeking to document their added value on Angus feeder calves just got a more cost effective option. EarthClaims, LLC., and the American Angus Association have reached an agreement to provide bundled verification services. The bundled service includes certification under the Global Animal Partnership’s 5-Step Animal Welfare Program (GAP) certification from EarthClaims with options for age and source, Angus sired genetics, nonhormone treated cattle (NHTC) and NeverEver 3 (NE3) verification by AngusLinkSM, a USDA Process Verified Program (PVP). By working together, the companies are able to streamline the enrollment and audit process while offering the programs at a reduced cost. “AngusLink is growing rapidly as cattlemen look to capture the value of their Angus feeder cattle,” said Mark McCully, American Angus Association CEO. “Now being able to combine GAP certification allows these programs to put more dollars in cattlemen’s pockets.” The partnership also delivers convenience for busy ranchers. “EarthClaims and AngusLink business activities are complementary, and producers will enjoy being able to have one auditor perform the GAP audit in conjunction with the NHTC and NeverEver 3 audit,” said Ginette Gottswiller, American Angus Association director of commercial programs. “We are delighted to join with the American Angus Association to offer combined services,” said Jay Friedman, EarthClaims CEO “GAP certification brings market premiums in addition to those based on the Association’s excellent PVP programs. Joining with America’s largest breed association to offer EarthClaims’ consumer centric verifications makes sense and aligns with both our missions.” EarthClaims is an industry leader in animal welfare third party verification
services and the exclusive provider of GAP certification in North America. The American Angus Association is the largest beef breed registry in the U.S. and operates AngusLink, a USDA PVP that verifies age, source, Angus sired genetics, NHTC, NE3 and Calf Management. For more information, call the American Angus Association at 816-3835100 or EarthClaims, L.L.C., at 202-5965592. Research Hair Shedding EPD Launched by Angus Genetics Inc. Genetic tool will be used to predict heat tolerance and tolerance to fescue toxicosis. The American Angus Association launched a research expected progeny difference (EPD) for hair shedding February 5. The research EPD has been in development since 2011 and is now brought to fruition through the collaboration of the American Angus Association, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Missouri (MU). Early summer shedding is an indicator for both heat tolerance and tolerance to fescue toxicosis, and it lends discussion to a genetic correlation between a dam’s shedding score and the weaning weights of a calf. “For producers in heat stressed areas and producers grazing endophyte infected (hot) fescue, hair shedding is an evaluation of environmental adaptability and cow performance,” said Harly Durbin, past AGI intern and current MU Ph.D. student. “Cattle that shed their winter coat earlier in the season are less stressed and therefore can put the energy that might have gone to thermoregulation toward growth and taking care of a calf.” Hair shedding is evaluated on a 1-5 visual appraisal scale, where 5 is a full winter coat, and 1 is completely slick. While there is some variability in shedding patterns between individuals, cattle tend to shed from front to back and top to bottom. Using Angus data, hair shedding has been found to have a moderate heritability of 0.42, falling between that of weaning weight and marbling. Through the two different projects, 14,465 scores from 8,642 individual cattle have been collected, and more data is encouraged to be submitted to increase the accuracy of predictability of the EPD. “The selection tool has the ability to help Angus breeders, who are concerned with heat stress, develop registered Angus bulls better suited to work in their commercial customers’ environments,” said Kelli Retallick, AGI genetic service director. “The entire concept of creating tools to select for increases in genetic
potential for adaptability in a specific environment is exciting, and as an organization, we will continue to engage in these opportunities as they arise.” Hair shedding scores should be collected between mid-April and midJune. Since regional climates exist, it is important to take those measurements when the amount of hair shed varies the most. It is important to note; age has a significant effect on hair shedding. For that reason, cattle must be at least a year of age before hair shedding scores are collected. Visit www.Angus.org for more information about the new research EPD. American Angus Auxiliary Scholarship Applications Due May 1. Ten scholarships will be awarded, and top five young women will compete for Miss American Angus. The American Angus Auxiliary 2020 scholarship applications for National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members are due May 1. Ten scholarships will be awarded, five to young men and five to young women. The top five young womens’ applications are the basis from which the candidates for Miss American Angus are chosen. Apply now for an Auxiliary scholarship. “We are proud to continue the tradition of assisting young Angus juniors with their education,” said Pam Velisek, Auxiliary scholarship chairperson. “We are always impressed with the high quality candidates we see in the application process.” 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. “I’m so thankful for the American Angus Auxiliary,” said Eva Hinrichsen, 2019 Auxiliary scholarship recipient and Miss American Angus. “The Auxiliary provides so many scholarships to help juniors further their education and so much support for the Angus family.” 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 at www.angusauxiliary.com/leadership/ scholarship.html. 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 $15,000 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 more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by nearly 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.
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Ashley’s Beef Corner
T Q&A
By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council While participating in the Southern Farm Show, I had questions from producers regarding the Beef Checkoff’s take on current issues and our advertising strategy. I thought it would be good to have a Q&A sort of explanation to outline everything. Also, I welcome your questions and discussion for future articles! Reach out anytime by calling the office at 919-552-9111 or email me at ashley@nccattle.com.
Question: Why doesn’t “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” advertise on television anymore? Or why don’t we have a Super Bowl ad? Answer: In 2002, “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” went dark on TV. The rationale for this decision was twofold and still applies today. First, TV advertising is very expensive, and checkoff advertising budgets have steadily decreased as TV
Black Crest Farm would like to say
THANK YOU
to everyone who attended our ANNUAL SPRING PRODUCTION SALE on February 8, 2020!
Bulls & Females Available Private Treaty Bull Prices
• GOOD - $2,500 • BETTER - $3,500 • BEST - $4,500
For more information, please contact:
Jon Ripstein, Cattle Manager • 803-983-1202 W.R. “Billy” McLeod, Owner • 803-491-6798 Black Crest Farm 1320 Old Manning Rd. • Sumter, SC 29150 Email us at williammcleod@ftc-i.net Visit us at www.blackcrestfarm.com
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
advertising rates have increased. In the 1980s, we had $33 million at our peak — today, our advertising budget is about $5 million for “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” The cost of a 2020 Super Bowl 30 second ad was $5.6 million — and that was just for the advertising, that doesn’t count the costs for the paid actors or talent, the music, and the cost of making whatever video or commercial content airs. Second, research continuously shows that the target consumer — the older Millennial parent — is cutting the cord on television, but they do watch “digital TV” and videos on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and connected TV like Hulu. So, “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” ads are still on “TV” — but they’re on streaming platforms like Hulu or YouTube, where consumers spend more time. By advertising solely on digital platforms, we can more effectively and efficiently reach our older millennial parent target by targeting what interests our consumers have and/or by measuring how long people watch the video — all things we can’t measure with traditional broadcast TV. This is because digital platforms allow you to get much more targeted in the audience you reach than TV. Thanks to the checkoff’s investment, in 2019 alone, the advertising portion of “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” was able to reach consumers more than one BILLION times — something we couldn’t do or measure with just advertising on TV. We have looked for opportunities though to be part of full TV content programs, which is something we did last year through MasterChef, where we were able to have the hit TV show on Fox dedicate a full episode to a “Backyard BBQ” to beef. Question: Why don’t I see the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” ads online on social media? Answer: Today, “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” targets older Millennial parents, ages 25-34 years old, and a broader consumer target of 20-44 years old, who are having families for the first time and; therefore, informing the eating habits of the next generation. Additionally, advertising buys for “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” campaigns focus on areas of the country where more consumers live — urban and suburban areas. While beef producers who pay into the checkoff may not see their own ads because these ads are targeted to a particular demographic and in certain geographic regions, these ads today reach more consumers with fewer dollars and a better ability to measure impact among consumers. And, we’re keeping the brand relevant and on the cutting edge of digital marketing that our consumers love.
Follow “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn to see all of the ways we’re sharing information with consumers online. Question: What is NCBA through checkoff funded work doing about meat substitutes? Answer: There has been a lot of work done in order to make sure that consumers, media, the supply chain, and influencers have the facts when it comes to beef. Keep in mind — these products represent less than one percent market share, while real beef represents more than 99 percent market share or sales at retail and foodservice. So, these products aren’t replacing beef. Nonetheless, we want to make sure that people have the facts, and here are a few examples of how we’ve shared those facts. “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” has a series of digital and social media ads that say things like, “Nicely done, beef. You’ve proven that meat substitutes are just that. Substitutes.” That ad alone has had more than 53 million impressions and has resulted in more than 286,000 clicks back to www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner. com. Newer ads that were launched in January 2020 say things like, “Nicely done, beef. Substituting your taste is beyond impossible.” And “Nicely done, beef. You only need one ingredient to taste like a hamburger” is already hitting millions of consumers. A new series of fact sheets a r e a l s o a v a i l a b l e o n w w w. BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com, giving consumers a look at the nutritional breakdown and ingredient list of real beef products compared to meat substitutes. “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” hosted a webinar “Getting to the Meat of the Matter: Do Meat Substitutes Stack Up to Beef?”, featuring updates regarding the regulatory and labeling landscape for meat substitutes by NCBA’s policy experts, insights from consumer research and channel intelligence teams, and facts about beef’s nutrition and environmental sustainability. The webinar had more than 350 registrations.
NOTICE
Letters to the editor are welcome and we appreciate your input. HOWEVER, letters that are not signed will not be considered for publication. The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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By JOHNNY R. ROGERS Amazing Grazing Program Coordinator
Evaluating Winter Forage Management March is a great month to look back at the forage management decisions that we made the previous fall. By now, we have a good idea about what has worked well and what could have gone better. Most cattle budgets indicate that the largest expense item is feed, and most of those costs occur during winter feeding. Improving our winter forage management can be very rewarding with better cattle performance, reduced labor, and increased profitability.
rains did allow for some fescue stockpile, but it was less than fifty percent of normal. Furthermore, early fall planted annuals did not germinate, or growth was slow; thus, little to no fall grazing was available. Late planted annuals did not perform well during the cool November growing conditions, but the spring grazing potential looks promising at this point.
A trailer type hay processor creates a windrow for cattle.
source gives us a chance to formulate rations that meet cattle requirements while controlling costs. Hay feeding method can impact cattle intake and waste. Hay feeding rings and wagons are popular choices, and they have the advantage of providing enough hay for multiple days (labor savings). Research has shown that feeder type can impact hay usage with cone type hay feeders providing a significant advantage. A more debated feeding method that is gaining popularity is unrolling hay. Daily hay allowances are unrolled for cattle giving every animal ample space
The Greg Judy hay unroller can be pulled with a truck, ATV, or UTV. A typical tractor mount hay unroller.
Dry weather conditions during the summer and fall of 2019 complicated forage management. Many areas experienced reduced hay production and lower stockpiled forage accumulation. Fortunately, some producers were able to stockpile summer forages like crabgrass or other annuals. Grazing these forages in the fall gives fescue pastures the rest they need for stockpiling. Traditionally, these fescue pastures would have been fertilized to boost yields. However, given the dry conditions in September, most producers delayed fertilization. With persistent dry conditions, the fertilization plan was abandoned, and the search for additional hay supplies began. Late fall
When faced with limited forage, we need careful planning to maintain cattle performance and to remain financially sound. Obtaining a forage analysis is the first step in developing a feeding plan, and this should include weighing a representative sample of each hay lot. Not all 4’x5’ bales are created equal, and this variation must be determined. This information allows us to feed the appropriate amount and to determine if we need more hay to make it to spring grass. Co-product feeds are available to extend hay supplies, and one option is cotton gin fiber. It is packaged in large square bales and provides similar nutrition value to low-average quality hay. It is more difficult to handle, and dry storage will control waste. Using the nutrient analysis from each forage/fiber
Unrolled hay gives all cattle access.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
to consume their ration. This procedure disperses the nutrients (hay, manure, etc.) and animal impact more than using rings or wagons. It is important to only unroll one days feeding to the herd to control waste. Hay not consumed will provide organic matter and can build soil health.
that either clamp in for the side or spear type that rotate using the tractor’s hydraulics. Other tractor powered models mechanically dismantle the bale and disperses hay into a windrow. Some producers have built or purchased hay unrollers that can be pulled with an ATV, UTV, or light pickup truck. Most feature spikes that penetrate the side of bales and a hand powered boat winch lifts the hay into transport position. Once producers have arrived at the feeding location, the bales are lowered and pulled along until it’s completely unrolled. Lastly, truck mount bale beds are used by some producers and give them the flexibility to provide hay to many pastures over a large area. Regardless of the hay feeding method, it is important to review your current approach and make sure it fits your system. There are plenty of opportunities for progress, and trying something new could be a good thing. Adaptive Grazing Management is the cornerstone for Amazing Grazing, and it is the practice of using proven grazing principles to meet the dynamic biologic, economic, and social needs of individual grazing operations and their communities. This requires time for observation, planning, and reflection. Last year provided many grazing challenges
Strip grazing stockpiled tall fescue.
Producers are using numerous methods to accomplish this practice. On hilly terrain, round bales can be unrolled by hand. This works best on bales that have maintained their shape and not become oblong during storage. Also, this method provides limited control over where the hay is placed, and accidents with rolling bales can happen. Several options exist for mechanical assistance with hay unrolling. Tractor units come in three point hitch mounted models
and opportunities. The producers using this management technique continue to innovate and develop new strategies to meet their operational goals while improving resource stewardship. It is easy to get caught up in the daily activities on our farms (“working in our businesses”). However, we must take time to “work on our businesses” because it is the most valuable time we will spend. Good grazing!
The Carolina Cattle Connection
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E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture By E.B. HARRIS
You Can Say You Just About Got it All Usually, around daybreak on Sunday morning, I am going to try to be outside to take care of a few odds and ends here on the farm. Then I will head to the feed truck. They already have the feed truck loaded for me for the Sunday morning run 99 percent of the time. The first farm I usually head to away from here is to what we call the Old Place Farm, where we keep mostly stockers. The Old Place is where Shane, Morgan, and Gemma live. They live on a dirt road, which I am mighty fond of because it’s one of the few dirt roads left in Warren County. It has rolling hills and terrain that will let you see far off. When the leaves are off the trees, I can look across the way and see a housetop on another road when I’m sitting in the truck on top of the hill in one of the pastures. As I was sitting there and looking out across, I saw one house that reminded me of a story I once heard Morgan’s granddaddy, Carey Dillard, had told about Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper lived during the great depression. When the great depression hit, the number one thing people were concerned with was having enough food on the table and clothes on their backs. Everybody cut wood to stay warm. Money was not available. It was pretty near nigh none. My granddaddy on my mother’s side, Boyd Reams, told us that during that time he planted two acres of sweet potatoes and peddled them on the streets of Henderson, North Carolina.
They brought enough money for him to buy my mother and her sister shoes to go to school one year. Matter of fact, the south had a hard time since the Civil War conflict. My daddy went on to say he did not see any money come in here until after World War II in the 50s. Now back to Mr. Cooper – the story told to Morgan’s granddaddy and relayed like this: Most people cut the ham hock off and other parts of the meat in this smokehouse to season collard greens, turnip greens, and other kinds of vegetables they need to season. They would use it several times until all the seasoning was out and then eat the meat that was left after using for seasoning. Mr. Cooper went into the smokehouse one day and was looking at the smoked meat and saw one of the hams had started to drip. He improvised a plan. He took a nail and stuck it in the ham and then took a string and tied it to the nail. He would go in there every so often just before the string would get saturated all the way to the end, and he would cut off the string and replace it with a new one. He would take the string that he cut off to the kitchen and use that string to season the greens so he would not have to cut off any of the smoked meat. You could say he added a new meaning to the saying “use it all but the squeal” they used when they killed hogs. He did not use the squeal, but he got it all.
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! PAGE 22
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a significant stress event on both cow and calf and can have an effect on the remainder of that calf’s life, as well as the subsequent reproductive performance of the cow. While there have been multiple studies around the country looking into the weaning strategy, there are few that target the long term effects on cow and calf performance.
On the Horizon By MIKAYLA MOORE N.C. State University
supplementation. However, from the cow’s perspective, results indicate that late weaned cows were at a significant disadvantage regarding weight gain in the following 28 days following late weaning. Additionally, they had a significantly lower BCS and average daily gain (ADG) during the entire study compared to the abrupt and fence line weaning treatments.
Weaning: Targeting Growth While Protecting the Cow MiMy name is Mikayla Moore, and I am soon to graduate with a bachelor’s in the Department of Animal Science at N.C. State University. I grew up in Gloucester County in rural southeastern Virginia, where my family trained and exhibited performance horses across the Southeast. My passion for animal agriculture was rooted through 4-H and circuit shows and continued to be instilled in me at NCSU, where I was introduced to the livestock industry. My passion for beef cattle grew as I began showing steers through the University and took on management roles at the E. Carroll Joyner Beef Educational Unit for two years. I was also given the opportunity to compete on the livestock judging team for the 2019 season, where, under the guidance of Dalton Obermier, our team competed across the country leading up to the North American International Livestock Exhibition in Louisville, Ken., this past November. Over the course of the year, I formed many connections and gained skills that will serve me well as I move forward into the livestock industry.
On the edge of common sense Carol’s Story
Carol’s story is just another glamorous tale of a city girl who married a romantic Nebraska Sandhills rancher years ago and became a ‘vocational COW assistant’ for life. “So what exactly do you want me to do?” she asked. “Take the pickup (she didn’t learn to drive till she was 29), then go out there to the Big Pasture (the dreaded Big Pasture where one grass covered hill looks like the next one to her). Start way back there at the gate in the Middle Pasture,
In addition to competing on the livestock judging team this past year, I took on the lead undergraduate research assistant role under Dr. Carrie Pickworth working on the second year of her beef weaning strategy study. This study is concerned with the stress levels associated with different weaning strategies, and how those stressors affect the performance of both cows and calves during the weaning phase and into production thereafter. Weaning is As this is the second year of the study, I intend to primarily discuss the calf and cow performance over the weaning treatment period for year two, as we await follow up data from heifer development and steer carcass performance. Year two growth performance results show no major weight gain, height growth, or body condition score (BCS) advantages in late weaned calves that received milk supplementation from their dams for a longer period of time, compared to weaned calves receiving grain
20 Yearling Bulls - 14-17 Months • 2 Two-Year-Old Bulls SONS OF
Bank Note • EXT • Emblazon • Resource • Renown • Mandan • Right Time • Hot Lotto • Stockbroker (SimAngus)
35 Yearling Heifers
(Many have been A.I’d to Woodhill Blueprint)
Marc Renwick 803-271-8691
Kevin Renwick 803-924-0535
www.monadnockangus.com PAGE 24
Baxter Black
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
where we have the heifers now and honk. They’ll come follow you, and we’ll just run ‘em up through the Big Pasture and put ‘em where they used to be. (She lost him right after ‘you take the pickup’). “Don’t get too close to that gate if it’s surrounded by water because even in 4-wheel drive, you could bury this thing up to the hubcaps (she made a mental note to check behind the seat for a life jacket). “On second thought, go through the Middle Pasture, past the old school house to the windmill with the green
gate panels. Then bring the heifers out that gate with the staple in it into the Big Pasture (Oh, no. The Staple Gate! Wonder Woman herself couldn’t open that gate with her Golden lasso and a come-a-long). Then you’ll have a straight shot to the last gate where Gene bucked off the roan colt (in 2012), which leads to where the heifers used to be. “I’m gonna take the four wheeler and go through the other gate where the heifers were ‘cause it’s closer to the mineral feeder, and I can check that windmill while I’m there and fill the feeder. See ya in a bit.” A bit passes. “Where were you?” he asked, “I moved the heifers by myself and fixed another windmill. When you didn’t show up, I started lookin’. What are you doin’ back here anyway? You could have come out the other gate. You were closer to it, ya know.” She took a deep breath and replied bravely, “I got the heifers through the Staple Gate, but it took so long to close it, I turned the wrong way. I followed the road to the windmill we’d checked and
realized I’d gone too far (not to mention the heifers disappeared). So I remembered what you’d told me, “If you ever get lost in the Big Pasture, get up high, then you can see the fence. Go to the fence and follow it to a gate.” (Which is as useless a piece of information to someone like her as finding your way home by looking for moss growing on the north side of trees when you’re lost in the woods). “So I climbed this hill and dropped into a bull hole (buffalo waller for you Okies). The truck made ‘that noise’ and stopped (‘that noise’ that causes anyone who doesn’t like hiking to break out in a cold sweat). I managed to back the truck out and come back the way I came till I found the Staple Gate where I’ve been waiting for you to find me.” “Hmm,” he says and loads the four wheeler in the pickup, and they start back to the house. He drives. As they bounce along the sandy track, he puts his hand on her knee, and she rests her hand on his shoulder. The truck is still making ‘that noise,’ but it doesn’t bother them. They’re pardners. Together they can handle anything.
While this decreased performance may not cause problems short term, late weaning cows face a shorter rebound period to gain back weight and condition before the next calving season and lactation cycle. This may lead to longevity concerns through subsequent calving seasons and even decreased calf performance as the cow’s body condition continues to potentially decrease without heavy supplementation. We intend to conduct further research comparing consecutive weaning treatments over multiple years to see if late weaning cows will have decreased longevity over time. Overall, based on our current results, it comes down to resource availability and environment when selecting a weaning strategy for your operation, while keeping the end goal of promoting calf growth and protecting the longevity of your cows in mind. I recently took this year’s data to the American Society of Animal Science Southern Section meeting in Chattanooga, Tenn., where I competed as a member of the fifth place overall Academic Quadrathlon team and in the undergraduate three minute thesis competition. I hope to carry the skills I have gained through my undergraduate career at NCSU on to ruminant a nutrition or applied beef reproduction master’s program. I also hope to continue working alongside youth livestock programs to carry on the traditions of the livestock industry in North Carolina.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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You Decide! By DR. MIKE WALDEN
Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics N.C. State University You Decide: Will the Trade Deals Benefit North Carolina? For the past two years, the U.S. has been locked in international trade disputes – frequently called trade wars – with several countries. There’s now been a thaw in some of these disputes with the recent conclusion of new trade deals with Canada, Mexico, and China. The question for North Carolina is, will these deals help our state economy? Before I give my analysis and answer, let’s start with some background on why the trade disputes occurred in the first place. Since the end of World War II, trade between countries has increased. This commerce was prompted by numerous trade agreements, which reduced barriers to international buying and selling. The philosophy behind the trade deals was that countries bound by trading would be less likely to engage in shooting wars.
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In the last quarter century, two trade deals were major game changers. In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) moved Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. toward one North American economy. Then in 2001, the World Trade Organization – which included the U.S. – admitted China as a member and sparked the unprecedented development of trade between the world’s two largest economies. Trade between countries results in each nation specializing in economic activities it does best, most efficiently, and at the lowest cost. For the U.S., this has meant a loss of many manufacturing companies that could now take advantage of significantly lower labor costs in China and Mexico. At the same time, industries like information technology, research, finance, and health care expanded in the U.S. to utilize the country’s highly educated workforce.
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
We can clearly see the results of these shifts in North Carolina. Big urban areas with universities and a college educated workforce have prospered, while many rural and small town areas that previously were home to textile and furniture factories have fallen behind. It is changes like these that prompted a re-examination of NAFTA as well as our trade with China. Although all trade negotiations are challenging, the “new NAFTA” – called the USMCA (U.S., Mexico, Canada Agreement) – has now been completed. The trade talks with China have been more contentious. Partly this is because each country imposed tariffs (taxes) on products imported from the other country. It’s also because the U.S. complaints with China were about more than trade; they were also about how China conducted its economic affairs. Specifically, the U.S. complained the Chinese government heavily subsidized companies directly competing with U.S. companies. Also, China has been accused of using various tactics and regulations to access proprietary information of U.S. companies operating in China. Since the creation of NAFTA, North Carolina exports to Canada and Mexico have soared to more than $12 billion. Estimates indicate that almost 400,000 jobs are directly or indirectly supported by these sales. The new USMCA could expand this impact in several important ways. Dairy farmers will have greater access to the Canadian market, and the state’s hog, poultry, and fabric producers should see their exports increase. Additionally, North Carolina’s important tech industry will benefit from some new legal protections. The potential biggest impact could be on North Carolina’s auto industry. “Auto industry,” you say. “We don’t manufacture vehicles in North Carolina!” That’s correct, but we do have a large auto parts sector. The USMCA will now require a larger percentage of auto parts assembled into vehicles in North America to be made in North America. This should create more work and jobs for North Carolina’s auto parts factories. And speaking of auto assembly plants, the USMCA should increase North Carolina’s odds of finally landing one. This is because the new trade treaty requires a doubling of the wage rate paid to a significant number of Mexican auto workers. This measure will reduce the advantage of locating an assembly plant in Mexico and make North Carolina look better for any new assembly plant desiring to locate in North America. The U.S.-China trade deal should also help North Carolina. Over the
next two years, China has promised to purchase $52 billion more in agricultural products from U.S. farmers than occurred in 2017. This should be a big boost to our state’s hog and bean farmers. China has also agreed to buy $32 billion more in manufactured products from the U.S. in the same two year period. Several North Carolina industries, including industrial machinery, tech equipment, and pharmaceuticals, should benefit. China will also take steps to guard the private intellectual property of U.S. companies. However, nothing in the deal addresses China’s large business subsidies. This all appears positive, but there are always issues. Some question the production and pay mandates in the USMCA, arguing they’re examples of “managed trade” and not “free trade.” Regarding the China deal, skeptics point out all tariffs have not been removed, meaning many U.S. companies will continue to pay more for imported Chinese inputs. They also remind us that China has previously made promises about trade that were not fulfilled. However, supporters of the deal argue this time is different, as the U.S. will be able to impose new tariffs if China doesn’t fulfill its trade promises. These trade agreements will not return the North Carolina economy to what it once was, and alone they won’t end the economic gaps existing between urban and rural regions of our state. Yet in the 21st century economy, agreement seems to be the deals will be a net plus. Still, it will take years for both you and me to completely decide on the full impacts of our new trade world. You Decide: Why Do We Have Property Taxes? Sometimes we receive news that is both good and bad. I did recently when I was informed of the new tax value of our home. It had gone up over 25 percent in the last four years. The good news is my wife and I will likely get more money whenever we sell our house. The proceeds from the sale will be an important part of our retirement nest egg. The bad news is, in the meantime, we will likely pay more property taxes to our local governments each year. Notice I said “likely pay more” property taxes. This is because your property tax bill depends on two factors. One is the value of your property, the most important of which is usually your home. The second factor is the tax rate per dollar of property value set by locally elected officials. This means it is possible your property tax bill could not change at all if local leaders reduced the property tax rate to counter the rise in property value.
Yet while local leaders often do reduce the tax rate, they generally don’t reduce it enough to prevent a jump in property tax payments. There’s a reason for this, which goes to the core of why property taxes are used. Property is one of several economic bases that can be tapped to generate public revenues. These include income, spending, or sales and wealth. Of course, wealth includes the value of the property but also comprises financial wealth such as stocks and bonds. Some say there’s been a kind of unwritten agreement among different levels of government to reserve certain tax bases for certain governmental levels. For example, taxes on income produce the greatest amount of revenues for the federal government. Most states rely on sales taxes, with some – such as North Carolina – also administering a state income tax. Property taxes are almost exclusively used by local governments like counties and municipalities. There’s a natural tie in between property taxes and local governments. Two of the major functions of local government – police and fire protection – involve protecting private property. Therefore, levying a tax on the value of a household’s property provides revenues
proportionate to the amount of property protected. Additionally, in North Carolina, local county governments are responsible for constructing and maintaining public school buildings. Building new schools usually involves purchasing local land as well as paying for building materials and labor. These are the same inputs that go into the value of local residential and nonresidential buildings. Once again, it is, therefore, logical to use the same private source – here private property values – to fund public property. There are, however, challenges in using local property as a financing source for local governments. Perhaps the biggest challenge is measuring property values. Certainly, when a property sells, the sales value can be used as the same value for tax purposes. But most properties like homes don’t sell every year. The last time our home sold was 34 years ago when we bought it. This means in the years between sales of a particular property; local governments must estimate the value. Estimating property values is a tedious process, which is one reason why North Carolina counties are only required to do it every eight years. Yet this long lag between property revaluations creates
another problem. In many counties, but especially those that are growing, property values rise over time. Using outdated property values to provide revenues paying for the current costs of land and construction materials creates shortfalls. To close the shortfalls, local leaders often increase property tax rates until the next property revaluation. This can create confusion among property owners over why the tax rates are rising. When I served on a Wake County citizens’ group a dozen years ago, we addressed this issue by recommending the county cut in half – from eight to four years – the time between property valuations. Wake County Commissioners adopted the recommendation, and several other counties also have shortened the time periods between the revaluations of local property values. Some experts think modern information technology could eventually allow inexpensive annual revaluations of local properties. If this could be achieved in an acceptable way for property owners, it could allow property tax rates to remain more stable over time as values rose to keep pace with the property related expenses of local governments. I’ll close this column addressing another issue related to property taxes.
Although owners of properties with high values often have high incomes, this is not always the case. A good example is a retiree who owns a high valued property, but who now has less income to pay the property taxes. One option is for the owner to downsize by selling the high valued property and purchasing a smaller, lower-valued property with more affordable taxes. Of course, there may be sentimental losses suffered when this is done, especially if the owner lived in the property for a long time. Another option is special reduced property tax rates for elderly households. But this option can create conflicts over fairness with nonelderly property owners who don’t get the tax break. Property taxes are the most important local tax in North Carolina. Understanding how and why they work can help you decide if they should be kept or changed. About the author. Mike 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.
16th Annual
Wilkes County Front Pasture Herd Replacement Sale
Friday, March 20, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
Wilkes County Stockyard, Washington, GA - Open Heifers - Bred Heifers - First Calf Pairs - Strict Vaccination and Herd Health Programs David Reville - Sale Committee Chairman 706-318-5457 (cell) • 706-678-5269 (home)
Darren Carter - Auctioneer
864-980-5695 (cell) • Carterauction@gmail.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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Novel Fescue by the Numbers By BECKY MILLS Joe Davis is a numbers man. His brain is full of them, and every gigabyte of his phone and two laptops is crammed full. So naturally, when it comes time for the retired chemical engineer to answer a question or solve a problem, he turns to figures. “I don’t like to deal with ‘kinda’ or ‘it depends,’” he says. In 2004, the Westminster, South Carolina cattleman’s numbers told him too many of his cows were open. “I knew enough to know 65 percent preg rates weren’t good business and sent all my data to John Andrae.” He also knew enough to call the right man for the job. At the time, Andrae, who is now Clemson University’s experiment station assistant director, was the forage agronomist at the University of Georgia (UGA). Andrae enlisted the help of UGA professor emeritus Carl Hoveland. When Hoveland was at Auburn University, he discovered Kentucky 31 fescue harbors a toxic endophyte that negatively impacts cattle health and performance. It puts a “whammy” on fertility for both cows and bulls, cuts down on milk production, hits gains, and constricts the blood vessels in cattle. That, along with the rough hair coat it can also cause, means cattle have trouble handling the heat in the summer. Cold weather can bring fescue foot. In severe cases, their hooves can actually slough off. “I had just planted Kentucky 31 fescue in a pasture. When Dr. Andrae and Dr. Hoveland asked me what I had planted, they just said, ‘Oh no.’” After Hoveland’s research came to light, forage breeders figured out a way to remove the toxic endophyte from the forage. However, they later found that same endophyte gave fescue its hardiness. The endophyte-free version simply didn’t hold up under grazing pressure and drought. Fortunately, their next step was finding a way to take the toxin out of the endophyte while leaving the hardiness factor in place. Davis is convinced. When all but 190 acres of his 460 acre operation were in novel endophyte fescue, his conception rates had risen to 75-80 percent, but that wasn’t good enough. “I had a group of 50 cows, but some were first calf heifers. We were breeding them in April and May when the Kentucky 31 had seed heads.” The University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts says that’s when Kentucky 31 is at its worst. “Most toxin is down in the bottom two inches of the plant most of the year, which is often grazed, but it is in
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the seed heads when it has seeds.” Those conception rates, along with data he collected on his stocker and finishing calves from his 160 cow Angus-Brangus-Simmental cross herd, convinced Davis to convert or plant the rest of his pastures in novel endophyte fescue. He says, “With novel endophyte fescue, you are going to get 50-75 pounds of additional weaning weight.” This is in spite of the fact that all the calves were on novel endophyte fescue during the preconditioning and stocker phase. Now his conception rates are also more to his liking, even though he and manager Mike Hall synchronize and A.I. breed the whole herd before they turn the bulls in ten days later. The total breeding season for heifers is 45 days, and 64 days for cows.
Joe Davis will share his experiences at the Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop in Mt. Ulla, N.C., on March 12.
Conception rates are in the 90s, while the number of live calves born per cow exposed is in the 80s. Even with all the advantages, converting a pasture from Kentucky 31 fescue to novel endophyte fescue is neither for the cash strapped or impatient. Davis estimates costs per acre at around $650. He says $165 an acre covers the actual inputs, while the replacement forage for the time the field is out of commission runs around $485 an acre. He says, “We estimated we got 35 percent of our usual forage production the first 12 months and 75 percent the second 12 months.” However, for the most part, he was able to convert pastures for less than $650 per acre because he was in the process of getting more efficient with fertilizer use, weed control, and management intensive grazing on his established pastures, and was clearing additional land and converting it to pasture. Also, since he had fewer cows for part of those conversions, his hay bill wasn’t as steep. Davis estimates his payback time is
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
five to six years at the most but says, “I really believe it is closer to three to four years.” If you aren’t in a position to convert all your pastures, Missouri’s Roberts recommends converting 25 percent to novel endophyte fescue and using those acres for your spring calving cows. However, he jokes, “It is a gateway drug.” Matthew Burns, Clemson University beef specialist, says it is also a case of “first things first.” He says, “Producers have to be willing to do the small things right. They need to have a defined breeding season, take soil samples, and get the basics of grazing and beef management down. Those things can make a bigger impact on their operation.” Davis agrees. “Conversion to novel endophyte fescue without good management practices in herd health, managed grazing, and controlled breeding is a waste of money,” he says. “However, novel endophyte fescue is a key factor in the improvements in our operation.” How does Joe Davis Establish Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue? Whether he is converting Kentucky 31 tall fescue pastures to novel endophyte fescue or starting from scratch with newly cleared land, Joe Davis has learned from the experience. For starters, Davis says, “Do not invest in novel endophyte fescue and fail to invest in a $6 soil test. Our standard is to take soil samples in February.” He puts out lime at least six months before planting but waits for July rains before he puts out phosphorus and potassium in the form of chicken litter. If he is converting an established pasture to novel endophyte fescue, he sprays before he applies lime. “Burn the pasture off in April, before the seed heads form,” he says. While the gold standard for converting established Kentucky 31 fescue pastures to novel endophyte fescue is to spray, smother with a cover crop, then spray again before planting, Davis says that didn’t work as well as he wanted on his operation. “Initially, we used two quarts of glyphosate per acre, then planted brown top millet, then sprayed with another two quarts of glyphosate in the fall before planting.” However, he says, the weeds hid under the millet. So now, he uses five quarts of glyphosate in the April application and sprays again with another five quarts an acre in six to eight weeks when the weeds emerge. “You can get by with two quarts if you don’t have common bermudagrass,” he
says. In September or early October, he sprays again a week before he plants. “Let the weeds get the maximum amount of leaf before they go dormant,” Davis says. If he is planting on newly cleared land, this spray is the only application. He also smooths and subsoils newly cleared land before spraying, then no-till plants the novel endophyte seed at the rate of 15-18 pounds per acre. If it was pasture before, he skips the land preparation and sprays, then no-till plants. If weeds persist after planting, Davis says, “You can kill broadleaf weeds after the grass comes up with Grazon or 2,4-D. It is critical to wait until the new fescue has four leaves before you spray, though, or it will harm it.” Next, he prays for rain. “We have grazed lightly as early as January,” he says. If you’d like to learn more about novel endophyte fescue, the Alliance for Grassland Renewal (www. grasslandrenewal.org) is made up of universities in the fescue belt, (Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State, Clemson, Arkansas, and Georgia), seed companies, related businesses, farmers, and non-profit groups including the Noble Research Institute, and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. They offer information on quality control, planting and grazing management, financial incentives, and opportunities for producer education. Reprinted with permission from the February 2020 issue of Progressive Forage
N.C. Weekly Auctions Report
Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 (Week ending FEBRUARY 6, 2020) Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $131.00 - 175.00 400-500 $126.00 - 168.00 500-600 $124.00 - 155.00 600-700 $115.00 - 144.00 700-800 $110.00 - 135.00 800-900 $ 95.00 - 126.00 Heifers
300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 700-800 800-900
$122.00 - 151.00 $113.00 - 135.00 $108.00 - 128.00 $100.00 - 118.00 $ 85.00 - 106.00 $ 94.00 - 110.00
Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $51.00 - 68.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $49.00 - 67.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $60.00 - 84.00 Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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Join us for the
52 nd Annual North Carolina Hereford Classic Sale Saturday • March 28, 2020 • 12:00 noon
at Stamey Farm • Statesville, N.C. (Stamey Farm Rd. I-40, Exit 146) Auctioneer - Dale Stith - 918-760-1550
Selling 62 Lots, including: Bulls • Spring & Fall Calving Pairs • Bred & Open Pairs For more information, please contact:
Mike Mericka • 336-337-5480 or Will Thompson • 704-616-8553
N.C. Hereford Association Annual Banquet and Meeting Friday • March 27, 2020 • 6:30 p.m.
at the Iredell County Agriculture Center • 444 Bristol Drive, Statesville, N.C. For information and reservations, contact Myron and Sharon McCoy at 252-637-4995
SCHU-LAR ASSET 36F
• Selected for the NRSP program at Olsen Ranch
KCF BENNETT HOMEWARD C776
• Leader in Cost of Gain, Residual Gain, Residual Feed Intake, Average Daily Gain, and Feed to Gain Reg. # 43910830 • DOB - 02/24/2018 SIRE: NJW 98S R117 Ribeye 88X ET MGS: SHF Rib Eye M326 R117
• Leader in Calving Ease & Growth
SIRE: NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y ET
• $
Results like this Homeward son!
Five J’s Cattle Company
Jody Standley - 919-291-4212 • Kim Prestwood - 828-320-7317
Blinson Polled Herefords - Lenoir
GEORGE WARD - 434-251-3637
McCoy Cattle Farms - Cove City
Keith & Peggy Blinson • 828-310-4526 Bryan & Beth Blinson • 919-422-9108
Myron & Sharon McCoy • 252-637-4995 Charlie & Kristen McCoy • 252-229-4602
Double J Farm, LLC - Traphill
N.C. State University - Raleigh
John Wheeler • 910-489-0024 www.doublejfarmllc.com
Five J’s Cattle Company - Clayton Jody Standley • 919-291-4212 Kim Prestwood • 828-320-7317
Love Farms - Blowing Rock
Jim & Kathryn Love • 828-266-1438
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Rick Kern • 919-272-6124
North Pino Land & Cattle Company - Mocksville Kevin Robinson • 336-399-9884
PAC Cattle Company - Elkin
Phillip, Dena, & Nora Cave • 336-902-7888 Preston & Emily Cave • 336-374-0640
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
Rhyneland Farms - Harrisburg
Kim, Alexis, & Courtney Eudy • 704-589-7775 Bob & Pam Rhyne • 704-614-0826 www.rhynelandfarms.com
Taylor’s Mill Farm - Zebulon J. Brent Creech • 919-801-7561 www.tmfherefords.com
TDS Farm - Mount Gilead
Danny, Gina, & Sabrina Blake • 704-242-3028
Terrace Farms - Lexington
Jim & Linda Davis • 336-247-1554 Chad Davis • 336-479-2009
instance, since 2008, Hereford breeders have improved calving ease by 17 percent, growth traits by 20 percent, 86 percent in ribeye area, and 150 percent in marbling. “It’s time for the industry to come home to Hereford,” said Ward. “We have much to offer the commercial industry.” Premium Red Baldy - Producer interest in the Premium Red Baldy program increased noticeably in the past year, according to CEO Tom Brink of the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA), which partners with AHA in the program. After launching in 2018, enrolled females are now hitting the marketplace. “People are looking for a good British crossbred female that is loaded with hybrid vigor and offers a lot of different mating options,” Brink says. “The future of our industry is with documented cattle… The genetic requirements of this program provide a level of documentation that this industry needs and wants.”
talented field staff, we gain momentum in driving more value for Hereford and Hereford based genetics,” Ward says. Hereford Advantage - In response to industry demands for cattle backed by documentation, the Hereford Advantage feeder cattle marketing program now incorporates vaccination history, BQA certification, and genetic verification components, as well as source and age verification. With the credibility of IMI Global’s third party oversight, the Hereford Advantage is a vehicle to get information to buyers while giving producers using the best genetics and proper management techniques a voice in the marketplace, according to Doug Stanton, vice president of sales and business development at IMI Global. “Anything we can do that can give a better idea of the potential performance of the cattle both from a carcass standpoint and from a feeding standpoint, for the buyers, is creating value for them and creating less risk,” Stanton says. “If we can provide more information to [buyers], they’re more apt to bid on those cattle because they know more about them.” The program’s genetic component
Continued on the next page
Farm
Fowken
le:
Availab icate N E M if SE 50/cert
$40/straw
• Top 10 Tested ADG of 4.85
Adding Value at Every Step: AHA Announces New Opportunities for 2020. The American Hereford Association (AHA) is capitalizing on the documented strengths of Hereford genetics to provide new opportunities for cattle producers looking to improve their marketing and management. AHA team members shared the Association’s new initiatives at a media briefing held on February 6 during the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show in San Antonio. “As the U.S. cowherd continues to improve in quality, the American Hereford Association is committed to providing more opportunities to market superior genetics,” says AHA Executive Vice President Jack Ward. “It is our responsibility not only to equip producers with the best genetics the industry has to offer but also the best tools.” Ward noted that breeders have made vast strides in genetic improvement. For
News
Designed to develop premium replacement females utilizing the best traits of both Hereford and Red Angus, Premium Red Baldy is offered by the only two breed associations with genetic evaluations backed by mandatory whole herd reporting. Feeder cattle marketing - The AHA is now offering a unique opportunity for Hereford producers to access more marketing outlets for their feeder cattle through a partnership with S= Cattle Company, a cattle-buying business owned and operated by Nolan Stone and based in Eaton, Colorado. AHA field representatives will locate and source Hereford-based feeder cattle to be marketed through Stone, with the aim to increase marketing avenues for commercial Hereford producers — and drive additional value for the breed. Both parties will also help locate backgrounding opportunities for feeder cattle and will organize locations across the country to pull small loads of cattle to get them weaned, vaccinated, and sorted into marketable, uniform groups. “The American Hereford Association is excited to announce this innovative partnership with a long established expert in sourcing and feeding high value feeder cattle. Combining Nolan Stone with our
CATTLE FOR SALE ON THE FARM
For ! e Sal
26 Polled Hereford Bulls (24 months) 10 Hereford Bred Heifers 25 Red Angus x Hereford Heifers (Open) 15 Hereford Heifers (Open) 28 Yearling Bulls
For ! e Sal
More than 70 years of breeding grass type cattle!
Carcass Data • Fescue Suited • Southern Bred EPDs • Breeding Soundness Exam on Two-Year-Old Bulls
Fowken Farm, LLC
328 Fowken Farm Rd. • Jonesville, SC (17 miles south of Spartanburg)
Greg Fowler • 864-426-7337
Norris Fowler • 864-219-0182 Rogers Fowler • 864-426-3281 www.fowkenfarm.com
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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Hereford News continued from the previous page
Taming the Toxin
requires a minimum of 50 percent Hereford genetics, a bull battery ranking in the top 50 percent of the breed for the CHB$ profit index, and transferred ownership. “The requirements and components of this program really help to add value to these cattle to gain confidence from buyers, and we’re excited to see this program grow,” says Trey Befort, AHA director of commercial programs. Hereford feedout programs - To continue strengthening the AHA’s genetic evaluation, the Association has partnered with HRC Feedyards, Scott City, Kan., to offer the Hereford Feedout Program to collect valuable carcass data. Beginning mid-December 2019, approximately 300 head were placed on feed representing producers from eight states. The program also provides producers with a powerful tool to learn more about their genetics. Now in its fourth year, the National Junior Hereford Association Fed Steer Shootout 2020 contest has 119 steers entered from 34 junior members representing 14 states. With the support of BioZyme Inc., the Fed Steer Shootout provides junior members with a unique, learn-by-doing educational experience about the cattle feeding industry as well as scholastic opportunities. Texas Star Dance Cattle Co. has also committed to support the advancement of the program. Animal health education - The AHA is excited to announce a new partnership with Merck Animal Health to educate members and cattle producers on the
By MELISSA BECK
importance of strong genetic and animal health programs. Through the partnership, Merck will lead educational sessions at the AHA’s Annual Membership Meeting and Conference and the Junior National Hereford Expo, as well as cohost regional producer meetings to promote proper herd health management. Come Home to Hereford - In October 2019, the AHA unveiled its new national ad campaign, “Come Home to Hereford.” The campaign’s goal is to promote the advantages of Hereford genetics in commercial herds, supported through a series of studies showing the economic advantages of the breed. The AHA partnered with Grant Company, St. Joseph, Mo., to develop and grow the campaign. The AHA’s continued efforts to equip cattlemen and women for success are bringing a growing number of producers home to Hereford. About the American Hereford Association. AHA, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The notfor-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.
“DESIGNED FOR CATTLEMEN BY CATTLEMEN”
What if pasture grass was poisoning your cattle? That is exactly the case with toxic tall fescue. Some producers go to great lengths to try to mitigate the negative impacts of toxic tall fescue. Others, like Darrel Franson of southern Missouri, are opting to convert pastures to novel endophyte fescue and eliminate the problem altogether. Franson is often known to ask, “Would you give a kid ¾ of a teaspoon of arsenic instead of two teaspoons a day? Why feed poison at all?” Toxic tall fescue is a prolific perennial grass. Its merits were first recognized by Kentucky farmer, William Suiter, in the late 1800s. Fescue has an amazing ability to persist, even under less than desirable environmental conditions, and can produce up to 3,000 pounds of forage dry matter per acre in the fall. It is winter hardy, insect and nematode resistant, and grows well in marginal soils. It’s no surprise that fescue gained popularity with producers in the 1940s and 1950s. Today, toxic tall fescue is grown on almost 40 million acres of pasture in the United States. Problems and solutions. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that researchers in Georgia were finally able to identify an endophyte (fungus) in the plant that produced ergot alkaloids. Fescue toxicosis, the resulting syndrome to livestock from exposure to ergot alkaloids, is responsible for up to $1 billion in production losses annually to the livestock industry. These losses occur from depressed weight gains, elevated body temperature, rapid respiration, up
to 45 percent lower milk production, and poor reproductive performance. Physical symptoms such as hoof, tail, and ear loss also occur. Fescue can be toxic because there is a symbiotic relationship between the endophyte and the plant, and when scientists removed the endophyte, the toxicity problem was eliminated; however, the endophyte free fescue plants lacked hardiness and persistence, two desirable traits that toxic fescue was known for. Joe Bouton at the University of Georgia, and Gary Latch, Ag-Research Limited of New Zealand, worked together to develop the first novel endophyte tall fescue. The first seeds were released in 2000. Novel endophyte tall fescue does not produce the toxic alkaloids that negatively impact livestock, but maintain the benefits of persistence and overall vigor associated with the symbiosis of the endophyte-plant relationship. He went all in. Initially, Franson tried mitigating fescue toxicity by planting complementary forages, intensively managing his grazing, and controlling seedheads in toxic pastures. “Even after focused management and grazing, I recognized that toxic fescue was costing me gains,” Franson said. “I’m a numbers guy; I do the math. I know what calves will gain on cool season grasses if it’s not poisonous, and my gains were well below expectations.” In addition to reduced gains, the Show Me State farmer wasn’t getting the desired conception rate in his cows. For Franson, the cost of converting toxic pastures penciled out, even on
his rented ground. He noted, “I’ve got records that prove it. When the neighbor said I could go ahead and kill his toxic fescue on 16 acres of grass I rent from him, I went ahead and spent $3,200 to do it. I’ll have that investment back in under two years.” There is a partnership of industry, government, producers, university, and other professionals called the Alliance for Grassland Renewal, which has a mission of replacing toxic tall fescue with nontoxic endophyte fescue. They help producers through education, seed quality control, incentives, and promotion. One option the Alliance for Grasslands Renewal recommends is to eliminate toxic fescue in 25 percent of pastures as a start. This enables producers to remove cattle off of toxic tall fescue at key times during the year. This conservative approach helps ensure the new pastures are established, and the ranch will have grass in the interim. This approach also allows producers to spread the cost of converting the pastures over a longer period of time. A recommended method for converting pastures from toxic tall fescue to novel endophyte fescue is “spraysmother-spray,” which involves killing
the fescue in the spring with herbicide, planting a summer smother crop (a warm season annual), and spraying any residual toxic fescue that comes back in the fall. Another approach is double spraying without a smother crop, a method popular in the southern areas of the Fescue Belt. Producers are encouraged to be conservative when converting pastures, just in case weather conditions aren’t conducive to establishing pastures, thereby avoiding a loss of the entire forage base. Convincing research. Ample research indicates the expense of converting pastures could be recouped in returns from animal performance. Based on a four year study in Arkansas investigating the effects of toxic tall fescue on the cow/calf herd and ways to mitigate it, John Jennings, an extension forage specialist at the University of Arkansas, said, “Converting 25 percent of the pastures to novel endophyte fescue improved calving rates from 44-80 percent.” Fescue toxicity affects bulls as well. Jennings recommends grazing bulls on nontoxic forage starting 60 days before the breeding season. Avoid late summer breeding and provide nontoxic forage
for as much of the breeding season as possible. Having a novel endophyte paddock for breeding stock could be a good place to start, the specialist said. A three year research project conducted by Stacey Gunter and others from the University of Arkansas showed that novel endophyte tall fescue produced net returns of $89 per acre and would require four years for a new planting of novel endophyte fescue to break even. The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is hosting one day schools in seven locations across the Southeast. Topics will include how to transition from toxic to nontoxic fescue, the economics of pasture renewal, forage establishment, and first year management of novel endophyte fescue. Information about each school, including schedules and online registration, can be found at www. grasslandrenewal.org. Registration at 8:30 a.m. Schools run 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration fee includes meal, refreshments, and proceedings. Schools cheduled near the east coast: • March 10 — Virginia - Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 5527 Sullivan’s Mill Rd.,
Middleburg, Va.; Registration - $80/ person; Register at www.tallfescueva2020. eventbrite.com/; For more information: Rita Rollison at 540-687-3521 ext. 10 or rbrady@vt.edu • March 12 — North Carolina - St. Lukes Lutheran Church, 11020 North Carolina Hwy. 801, Mt. Ulla, N.C.; Registration - $80/person; Register at www.tallfescuenc2020.eventbrite.com/; For more information: April Shaeffer at 919-515-4005 or april_shaeffer@ncsu. edu • March 16 — Georgia - Iron Horse Plant Science Farm, 7861 Athens Hwy., Watkinsville, Ga.; Registration - $80/person; Register at www. tallfescuega2020.eventbrite.com/; For more information: Tayler Denman at 903818-2104 or tayler.denman25@uga.edu • March 18 — Tennessee - Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center, 1000 Main Entrance Dr., Spring Hill, Tenn.; Registration - $80/person; Register at www.tallfescuetn2020. eventbrite.com/; For more information: Gary Bates at 865-974-7208 or gbates@ UTK.edu Reprinted with permission from the February 2020 issue of Hay and Forage Grower
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
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Strong Demand, Leverage Shift — Adds Optimism for Year Ahead. Focus on consumers a requirement for continued beef industry success. Beef demand is strong, and with U.S. cattle numbers plateauing, prices are likely to be stronger in the year ahead as consumers at home and abroad support industry profitability. That was the message delivered today during the popular CattleFax outlook session, held as part of the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Weather is expected to play a supporting role in agriculture during the year ahead, according to Dr. Art Douglas, professor emeritus at Creighton University. He said that following repeated El Niño events during the past five years, the U.S. will shift to a La Niña pattern, which will shift much of the nation outside of the northwest and southeastern portions of the country toward conditions slightly warmer and drier than last year, which will be favorable for planting and growing conditions during the spring and summer. CattleFax Vice President of Research and Risk Management Services Mike Murphy predicted that corn and soybean acres will increase during the year ahead, with corn plantings rising 4 million acres to 94 million acres and soybean acreage rising 7 million acres to reach 83 million acres. He predicted 2020 spot corn prices to trade in a range of $3.50 to $4.00 per bushel, down 15-20 cents per bushel from 2019, unless weather issues become a significant factor. He noted, however, that trade could present an upside to the projected prices, particularly in light of the recently signed U.S./China trade agreement. Trade also will play a significant role in beef and cattle markets, according to CattleFax Vice President of Industry Relations and Analysis Kevin Good, who said he expects higher total animal protein production to be offset by strong demand and increasing exports. During the year ahead, Good said record large U.S. beef production will reach 27.7 billion pounds. However, he projected that increases in beef exports and decreases in beef imports will result in per capita beef supplies of 58.4 pounds, an increase of just 0.4 pounds over 2019 levels. “With strong demand for U.S. beef at home and rising demand overseas, the modest increases in supply will be more than offset by a growing consumer appetite for our product,” said Good,
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who projected all fresh retail prices will rise to reach an average of $5.87 per pound during the year ahead, an increase of 5 cents per pound over 2019. “Higher wholesale beef values are a reflection of improving domestic and global beef demand,” Good noted, pointing out that CattleFax projects composite cutout prices will rise $3 during the year ahead to reach $222 per hundredweight. Growing demand and increasing beef prices at the consumer level will be supportive of cattle prices, with leverage beginning to shift away from the packing sector as more shackle space becomes available during the year ahead. Good said CattleFax projects fed steer prices to average $120 per hundredweight during 2020, an increase of $3 from the previous year. Through the year, he noted downside risk to the $108 level, with resistance at the top near the $130 level. Calf prices are also expected to move higher in the year ahead, with 550 lb. steer prices trading in a range of $155 to $180, averaging $170, up $6 per hundredweight from 2019 levels. Feeder prices will also rise, with 750 lb. steers trading from $140 to $160, with a yearly average of $150, also $6 per hundredweight higher than last year’s average. Good noted that additional supplies of utility cows, the product of several years of aggressive expansion, are likely to challenge the cull cow market. “However, increased demand for lean trim and a decline in the availability of imported grass fed trim from Australia and New Zealand will be supportive of cow prices,” he said. He projected utility cow prices should range from the low $70 level to a fall low near $55, while averaging near $65 per hundredweight for the year, an increase of $5 per hundredweight over 2019 levels. CattleFax CEO Randy Blach closed the session highlighting the strong demand that is highly favorable to the entire industry. He noted that there is significant outside interest in U.S. protein production, which is also highly supportive and a positive sign for the future. “The days of boom and bust in our industry are behind us,” said Blach. “Thanks to strong demand at home and abroad, we’re likely to see far less volatility in the market during 2020 than we saw last year.” Blach noted that global demand for all proteins is strong, with beef being a major beneficiary of that demand. “Rising demand has meant more
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
dollars flowing into the industry, which adds to the profitability of all segments of our business,” said Blach, who noted that although the leverage has been largely held by the packing sector, that too would begin to shift during the year ahead, with more dollars flowing back into the live cattle segments. “That investment should begin to incentivize increases in shackle space during the years ahead,” Blach said. “In turn, as supplies begin to flatten out, packing margins have likely peaked and we’ll begin to see margins at the packing sector begin to narrow as we move through 2020.” However, Blach pointed out that although the market outlook is positive during the year ahead, the U.S. beef industry needs to be vigilant and maintain a competitive posture. “There is strong demand for our product, but that’s the result of the fact that our business has paid attention to market signals, and we’ve been producing a consistent, quality product that has gained a greater piece of that retail dollar. We need to protect that,” said Blach. “Cattle must continue to be better over time. We must pay attention to what the consumer is telling us. That means conversations about topics like traceability and sustainability only become more important as time goes on. We have to listen to the consumer and respond with action to meet their needs and demands if we’re going to continue to be successful in a hypercompetitive global protein market.” CattleFax Elects Officers for 2020. Mark Frasier of Fort Morgan, Colo., was elected 2020 President of CattleFax at the organization’s annual meeting, held in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in
San Antonio, Tex., on February 4-7. Frasier is a cow/calf, stocker operator, and cattle feeder in Eastern Colorado and is active in his community and local cattlemen’s association. He is a past president of the Colorado Livestock Association and serves on and has chaired the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Resolutions Committee. President elect is Pono Von Holt of Kamuela, Hawaii. Von Holt is a cow/calf and stocker operator, as well as a cattle feeder. He has served as president of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association, chair of NCBA Cow/Calf Council, and president of the Ranchers Renaissance Cooperative. Pono is also active in many local boards in Hawaii. Jeff Sternberger of Ingalls, Kan., was elected as the new Central Region director while Jerry Adams of Broken Bow, Neb., and Dale Smith of Amarillo, Texas, were re-elected as directors for the North Plains and Southwest regions, respectively. Other directors currently serving terms for CattleFax are Don Quincey, Chiefland, Fla., Southeast director and immediate past president; Jeff Sparrowk of Clements, Calif., director for the Western Region; and Midwest Director Nick Hunt of Atlantic, Iowa. Chris Kalkowski of Omaha, Neb., continues to serve as finance director. 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.
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“Building Links Along the Food Chain” on the agenda for the 2020 Summit. Program includes discussions around sustainability, animal welfare, and other hot topics. An initial agenda is now available for the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2020 Stakeholders Summit, themed Primed & Prepared. With sessions covering sustainability, animal welfare, influencer engagement, preparing for animal rights activist campaigns and other hot topics, attendees will leave the 2020 Summit primed and prepared with the tools they need to take action and be part of any and all conversations that could impact the future of animal agriculture and their business. The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the industry to discuss hot button issues and out-ofthe-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers, and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2020 event is set for May 7-8 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Early
registration discounts are available through April 3. To register, visit www. summit.animalagalliance.org. One agenda highlight is a session titled “Building Links Along the Food Chain: Enhancing the Sustainability Conversation.” Building on the livestock industry’s tremendous strides in the last few decades to produce meat, milk, poultry, and eggs more efficiently, this panel will consider if there is an opportunity through food companies to improve consumer understanding of the tools that enable animal agriculture’s sustainability. Panelists include: Marianne Smith Edge, RDN, founder and principal of The AgriNutrition Edge. Edge is a registered dietitian with farming roots who helps food and agriculture companies find their path through the changing and complicated consumer food environment and serves as a translator between the consumer and the food/ag space. She will draw upon her experiences to share consumers’ perceptions of animal agriculture,
technology, and sustainability. Lee Bob Harper, DVM, associate director, beef strategic technical services, Zoetis. Harper will share a deeper look at innovations in animal health and the correlation between healthy, productive animals and sustainability. Molly McAdams, Ph.D., retail advisor, and Texas cattle rancher. Drawing from her previous experience as vice president at H-E-B, McAdams will share her insights on why food retailers are interested in sustainable practices on farms and ranches. “Two way dialogue throughout the supply chain is essential to move forward on critical topics such as sustainability,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president, and CEO. “This panel will help attendees consider how to build bridges from farm to fork and what role they can be primed and prepared to play in the sustainability conversation.” Former Google executive Steve Lerch to kick off 2020 Summit. Lerch will open the conference with insights on innovation and strategy. Steve Lerch, president of Story Arc Consulting, will offer the opening keynote address at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2020 Stakeholders Summit. Lerch will give attendees insights into innovation and strategy gained from his nine years at
Google and experience serving as a digital strategy consultant to dozens of the world’s most well known brands. Lerch is a digital strategy and marketing consultant and an award winning, international public speaker. Over the last decade, he has had the opportunity to help build digital strategies for some of the world’s foremost consumer electronics brands like GoPro, Nest, and Otterbox, as well as federal government agencies like the U.S. Census and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Since 2015, Lerch has specialized in the food and agriculture space working hand-in-hand with the National Pork Board, Avocados from Mexico, MilkPEP, and the American Egg Board. Since leaving Google, Lerch has expanded his food and agriculture perspectives, as both a consultant and a speaker, by partnering with groups like Farm Journal, Food Marketing Institute, and the National Agri-Marketing Association. “Our Summit attendees need to be primed and prepared to strategically innovate to ensure the continued success of animal agriculture,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president, and CEO. “Steve Lerch’s background makes him the perfect opening keynote to set the tone for a high energy, dynamic conference
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
that will leave you with a notebook full of ideas to implement in your business or organization.” Learn how to ‘stake your claim on the plant based plate’ at the 2020 Summit Trio of dietitians to have a candid conversation about the latest consumer buzzwords on panel about ‘Conversations that Cultivate’ The now ubiquitous term “plant based” seems to exclude meat, poultry, milk, and eggs – but that’s not the whole story. Join registered dietitians Cara Harbstreet, Street Smart Nutrition; Nicole Rodriguez, Enjoy Food, Enjoy Life; and Alison Webster, International Food Information Council, at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2020 Stakeholders Summit for a candid conversation about the latest consumer buzzwords. Connecting with consumers can start with conversations that are more inclusive and less divisive. This panel will highlight best practices from producers in the field and strategies to partner with registered dietitians and other influencers in the food space. Summit attendees will leave this panel empowered to share their story of positively impacting consumer health and invite those who are hungry to learn more into the conversation. Harbstreet, Rodriguez, and Webster will each bring a unique perspective to this panel, titled “Conversations that Cultivate: Staking Your Claim on the Plant Based Plate.” The panel will be moderated by National Chicken Council’s Tom Super. Cara Harbstreet, MS, R.D., L.D., is a Kansas City based intuitive eating registered dietitian and nationally
recognized food and nutrition expert, author, and consultant. Harbstreet has experience in community nutrition, corporate wellness, retail nutrition, and nutrition education. In 2016, Harbstreet founded her private practice with a focus on sports nutrition, intuitive eating, and applying the Health At Every Size model for clients in the Kansas City area. She is passionate about helping people rediscover the joy in eating deeply nourishing meals without restriction or fear and enjoys candid conversations about the food system, nutrition, and cooking. Nicole Rodriguez, R.D., is a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer who resides in the metro New York City area, where she offers in home meal prep, small group training, and one-on-one fitness coaching. She serves as the in house dietitian for NavaFit (an app that connects workout buddies across the country) and as chair-elect of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetics Practice Group. A passionate Master of Beef Advocacy, she’s on an eternal quest for the best burger and sharing facts about the industry along the way. Allison Webster, Ph.D., R.D., is associate director, nutrition communications, at the International Food Information Council. In this role, she is responsible for developing and managing nutrition and science focused communication programs for consumers and health professionals. In 2017, Ali joined IFIC from the University of Minnesota, where she conducted research on the effect of diet on the gut microbiome and worked as a registered
dietitian counseling patients with gastrointestinal conditions. She has also served as a Science Policy Fellow for the American Society for Nutrition from 2016-2017 and, in 2015, was the recipient of IFIC’s Sylvia Rowe Fellowship. Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date Summit information and the full agenda. You can also follow the hashtags #AAA20 and #PrimedAndPrepared for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit, please contact summit@ animalagalliance.org or call 703-562-5160. Get involved - Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For 2020 sponsorship opportunities, please visit www. summit.animalagalliance.org. For more information, contact Allyson Jones-Brimmer at ajonesbrimmer@ animalagalliance.org. Thank you to our 2020 Summit sponsors: Watt Global Media, Farm Journal, Meatingplace, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Smithfield, National Pork Board, American Feed Industry Association, The National Provisioner, Country Folks, National Biodiesel Board, United Egg Producers, Protect the Harvest, Progressive Dairyman,
Agri Beef, American Veal Association, Cobb Vantress, Inc., Empirical, Kemin, National Chicken Council, Trans Ova Genetics, Vivayic, Mountaire Farms, and Food Industry Environmental Network. The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Alltech, Inc., Cattle Empire LLC, Charleston|Orwig, Genus PLC - PIC/ABS, Hy-Line North America LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, Merck Animal Health, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Hendrix Genetics, Provimi North America, Inc., and Seaboard Foods. About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Animal Agriculture 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.
JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-281-3821 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 COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709
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ALL Regular Copy for the
APRIL ISSUE by MARCH 5!
ALL Spotlight Material for the APRIL ISSUE by MARCH 1! The Carolina Cattle Connection
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International Brangus Breeders Association News Register for the Brangus Summit. Registration is now open for the Brangus Summit Membership Gathering in Orlando, Fla., on June 7-9, 2020. Registration is $275 for senior members and $175 for junior members. To download the form, visit w w w. g o b r a n g u s . c o m / w p - c o n t e n t / uploads/2020/01/2020-SummitRegistration-Form.pdf or mail requests can be sent to Lori Edwards, Membership Coordinator, at ledwards@gobrangus. com. Hotel reservations can be made at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. The conference will be held inside the hotel and is a quick ten minute drive to the Beef Improvement Federation conference immediately following the Brangus Summit. Apply to Join an IBBA Committee. The IBBA is searching for willing and able committee members. Please review the descriptions below. To download the form, visit www.gobrangus.com/wpcontent/uploads/2020/02/CommitteeSummaries-and-Application.pdf. For more questions, contact Lori Edwards. Breed Improvement Committee - The Breed Improvement Committee is charged to consider, pursue, and participate in the implementation of all issues relating to the development of Brangus or Red Brangus cattle, including, but not limited to, performance data, breed traits, and characteristics, and consideration of all research projects and information available. The Long Term Plan proposes ideas such as the Brangus Value Project, moving from an intramuscular fat EPD to a marbling score EPD, and developing indexes based on
Don’t get caught napping!
Deadline is 5th of month prior to issue!
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
economic values. Commercial Marketing Committee - The Commercial Marketing Committee is to consider, pursue, and implement all issues relating to promoting Brangus or Red Brangus cattle to the commercial market, and to develop commercial marketing programs, ideas, and strategies, and tools to better enable members to market Brangus or Red Brangus cattle into the commercial industry. The committee will work to expand and improve initiatives such as the Brangus Built program and will develop working relationships with feeding and packing companies. This committee will work collaboratively with the Breed Improvement Committee in executing the Brangus Value Project that involves compiling feedlot and carcass data on 10,000 Brangus sire identified cattle over the next decade. Finance Committee - The Finance Committee is to assist the Executive Vice President in developing an association budget in response to committee recommendations of the Board of Directors and consideration of the general association expenses and revenues. The committee is to develop programs and ideas to produce revenues and to monitor the financial health of the association and make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding financial concerns. In addition, the committee will play a lead role in expanding the International Brangus Breeders Foundation (IBBF) to generate funds to support essential biological and marketing research. International Committee - The International Committee’s responsibility is to expand global markets for U.S. Brangus genetics, both live and frozen. The committee represents IBBA in the Federation of International Brangus Associations (FIBRA), is a key liaison with the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export Inc. (USLGE), and coordinates foreign trade missions in addition to hosting international visitors. Member Services and Education Committee - The Member Services and Education Committee’s responsibilities are to enhance membership programs, encourage growth in membership
enrollment, and develop and retain association members, in addition to creating educational opportunities on the local, regional, and national levels for all members. The Long Term Plan suggests that a non-voting junior member be added to each IBBA standing committee, and this committee would be responsible for encouraging juniors to participate. It is encouraged they create and offer leadership training programs for members who are interested in committee leadership or board of director roles. Promotion Committee - The Promotion Committee is charged with developing and implementing promotional strategies and plans, including, but not limited to, formal advertising campaigns that promote Brangus or Red Brangus cattle and the IBBA. The Promotion Committee takes on the role of promoting Brangus to cattle breeders, feeders, and packers through advertising and other means, including the increasingly important tool of social media. The committee is responsible for conceiving and testing promotional messaging, including the conduct of
marketing and messaging research. Show Committee - The Show Committee is to select judges for the national shows; to create a list of potential judges for use by other shows; to develop and monitor implementation of show rules and guidelines; to recommend locations for shows; to appoint and charge the ethics committee when needed at times of disputes or formal complaints arise; and to assist in the production of the Brangus Futurity and other national shows as needed. About the International Brangus Breeders Association. The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA), headquartered in San Antonio, Tex., strives to provide the commercial cattle industry, domestically and internationally, with the best genetics possible. Founded in 1949 as the American Brangus Breeders, the organization has since evolved into the IBBA. The IBBA’s purpose is to enable its members to produce quality beef for the commercial cattle industry and its consumers. For more information about IBBA, visit www. gobrangus.com.
2020 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 2020. 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.
2020 Reserved Spotlight Issues
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
CHAROLAIS FORAGES ANGUS *************** BRAHMAN HEREFORD *************** SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS *************** *************** 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. The Carolina Cattle Connection
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S.C. Charolais News By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association
How are you enjoying the weather? I am writing this in February, and already this week we have had temps of 78ºF, flooding rain three days later, and then a huge snowstorm two days after that. Unbelievably, my calves are doing great, no sniffles, and running around getting into all the trouble that they can find. Luckily, none of them tried to take a road trip when the creek flooded and washed out fences. I fully expected to find them swimming in the new pond in the pasture, but the water receded, and their dams did a good job keeping them away from the water. We are all getting ready for the sale the second week of April in Knoxville, Tennessee. If it ever stops raining, I will take mine to Georgia for a haircut. Be sure to take a drive to Knoxville in April when the scenery will be beautiful and plan to buy some cattle. This week, while in the pasture, I thought of the things that the Irish Charolais do and had to laugh. My cow Miley whom I will admit is a big cow, had a calf. David and I walked up to her.
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The calf was only a couple of hours old. David weighed the bull calf, and while he held him, I tagged the calf. Miley was beside me and looking over my shoulder. She waited patiently while we did this, and I scratched her on her nose before I walked away. That big cow could have killed both of us if she wanted to, but she patiently watched. Any breed of cow can be mean if they are not handled often. If a stranger approached that calf, she probably would have gotten them, but she knows us and knows we will not hurt her baby. Dr. Emily used to laugh because I would call her up to the barn by her name. She would look and walk to the barn like a big dog. Another incident in the pasture happened while Dennis Adams was here, and we were showing him WC Marshall Tucker. He was trying to get a picture of the bull, and I commented that the cow he was standing beside was in heat. Dennis agreed, but I walked up and moved him a few steps away from the cow to get the picture. If that was a mean bull, he would
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
have gotten me, but he took a few steps, stood there, and got his picture made. After that, he returned to what he was doing. I am so tired of folks telling me that Charolais are mean. If you can find a mean one in my herd, I will treat you to a steak dinner. I can move my entire herd to a different pasture by myself just by calling them. I apply fly spray by walking
around them, spraying them down good with a small garden sprayer. Also, the false comment about big calves is a joke. I have 23 calves on the ground, none of them pulled, with the heaviest being 78 lbs. and most weighing 62-68 pounds. Ireland can keep their problems with Charolais. We have solved those problems here in the USA.
Be a winner! Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association!
Farm Credit News The Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina Announce Donation to North Carolina 4-H and FFA. AgCarolina Farm Credit, Cape Fear Farm Credit, and Carolina Farm Credit announce a donation of $107,000 is being split evenly between North Carolina 4-H and FFA. Funds were raised during the 2019 Pull for Youth sporting clays events held throughout the fall. The sporting clays shoots had over 300 participants, with more than 150 volunteers also taking part in the events. Since the inception of the Pull for Youth sporting clays fundraiser in 2017, the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina have raised over $315,000 for North Carolina 4-H and FFA. The total donation would not be possible without the generosity of the sponsors of Pull for Youth. Statewide sponsorships were available in the amount of $2,500. The Farm Credit Associations would like to thank them for their partnership in raising funds to impact the future leaders of agriculture in our state:
• American Forest Management • Bottomley Evergreens & Farms • Capital Chevrolet • Case Farms • Duke Energy • Frost, PLLC • Goldsboro Milling Company • Hog Slat • House of Raeford • MCT General Contractors • Nexsen Pruet • Percivall Advertising • Poyner Spruill • Smithfield • S.T. Wooten Many businesses from throughout North Carolina also sponsored the event at the local level. To see the full list of local sponsors that helped make Pull for Youth a success, visit www. farmcreditofnc.com/pullforyouth. The CEOs of AgCarolina Farm Credit, Cape Fear Farm Credit, and Carolina Farm Credit are Dave Corum, Evan Kleinhans, and Vance Dalton respectively. They issued the following
joint statement regarding Pull for Youth: “The Pull for Youth sporting clays had another successful year in 2019. By providing funds to North Carolina 4-H and FFA, the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina are working together to make sure tomorrow’s leaders in agriculture have a bright future. We express our gratitude to the sponsors of this great event, as well as all of those who came to be a shooting participant and volunteer. With your involvement in our Pull for Youth shoot, you have made an investment in the future leaders in agriculture. Thank you for all of the contributions to make Pull for Youth a successful event.” Please visit www.farmcreditofnc.com/
pullforyouth for more information about the Pull for Youth sporting clays events. About Ag Carolina 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 $1.4 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to nearly 3,300 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.
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THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL
By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association Congratulations to Doug Parke. This January at the American Simmental Association Annual meeting in Denver, our Fall Harvest sale manager, Doug Parke, was presented with the prestigious Golden Book Award. Doug is a strong advocate for the Simmental breed and is especially supportive of all youth events.
Doug Parke speaks after he is awarded the Golden Book Award in Denver.
He has served as the sale manager of our Fall Harvest Sale for close to 20 years and has helped it to become the well recognized and well respected sale that it is. He is always welcoming to new breeders and knows everyone (it seems like) in the breed. He also knows Simmental genetics extremely well! Congratulations to Doug Parke on this very well deserved award! The ASA Board nominates the Golden Book Award, and it is given to individuals that have made significant contributions to the development of the Simmental/ Simbrah breeds. Up to three awards are given annually at their national meeting. Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship. It’s not too early to be thinking about applying for the Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship that goes to the most deserving student who is planning to major in agriculture or an agricultural related field. We have a committee that looks over the scholarships and decides which applicant will receive the
scholarship funds. Qualifications are based on academic merit, financial need, leadership, and character. Preference is given, but is not required, to those students who have been involved in the Simmental breed. We like for the recipient to be available to be presented with the award at our Annual Meeting in September. This year the Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, September 4. These applications can be found on our website at www. ncsimmental.com or by emailing the NCSA office at ncsa@yadtel.net or calling at 336-468-1679. The applications are not
due until July 15. Simmental Sales. For those discerning producers that are interested in purchasing either a bull or females from N.C. Simmental Association members but cannot wait until our Fall Harvest Sale on September 5, please give the NCSA office a call. I have a listing of producers that have told me what they have for sale, and I can connect you to the right person for your Simmental genetic needs. Please call the office at 336-468-1679 or email ncsa@ yadtel.net. Don’t miss out on the chance to put Simmental genetics to work in your herd!
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!
SIMMENTAL . . . Because They Work!
Take it from this N.C.S.A. Breeder: Phil Rucker of Rucker Family Farm in Hamptonville, N.C. “Simmental fit out entire operation, from breeding animals to freezer beef to show heifers for the kids. Simmental do it all and do it very well.”
~ Phil Rucker Rucker Family Farm
Phil & Jennie Rucker Rucker Family Farm
Contact these progressive SIMMENTAL breeders! Cub Creek Farms Doug Peterson Wilkesboro, NC 336-667-4306
Ridgewood Simmentals Rusty & Cara Henson Boone, NC 828-265-3450
Fred Smith Company Ranch Fred Smith Clayton, NC 919-422-4092
Triple M Farms Tony Matthis Clinton, NC 910-592-7472 or 910-592-6702
Rucker Family Farm Phil & Jennie Rucker Hamptonville, NC 336-468-1675
Nicholson Livestock Clay & John Nicholson East Bend, NC 336-699-4780
Cedar Creek Ranch Bill & Marie Pyle Franklinton, NC 919-494-1145
Circle M Cattle/Massey Farms Johnny & Jonathan Massey Burlington, NC 336-260-2565
Langdon Red Angus & Simmental John & Eileen Langdon Benson, NC 919-796-5010
Waco Cattle Company Marvin Hutchison Waco, NC 704-435-4607
Shade Tree Simmentals Ralph Blalock, Jr. Wilson, NC 252-289-6007
TX Enterprises Charlie & Amy Thomas Winston-Salem, NC 336-575-5461
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
JBB Simmentals Jeff Broadaway Monroe, NC 704-221-0997
• BOONE WILKESBORO •
• EAST BEND • HAMPTONVILLE • WINSTON-SALEM • FRANKLINTON BURLINGTON • WILSON • CLAYTON • • BENSON • WACO • MONROE • CLINTON
• GRAY COURT
N. C. Simmental Association • Jennie Rucker, Executive Secretary 1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 • 336-468-1679
√ Check out our webpage: www.ncsimmental.com • email: NCSA@yadtel.net
American Simmental Association 1 Simmental Way Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-4531 406-587-9301 FAX
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GELBVIEH NEWS
Gelbvieh Association Carcass Data Collection Project Announced. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is pleased to announce the Carcass Data Collection Project as its latest breed improvement endeavor. The Carcass Data Collection Project is a joint effort of the AGA and American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) and is designed for AGA members and their customers. The focus of this project is to provide vital genetic information to re-charge the carcass database and enhance the predictability of current selection tools. For decades, U.S. consumers have continually recognized the value of superior beef products. Such recognition has driven the growing demand for a superior beef eating experience on a national and global scale. United States cattle producers and industry affiliates have responded to demand by placing emphasis on improving carcass merit and rewarding high quality carcasses with price premiums.
The AGA is committed to providing its membership with powerful and reliable tools for genetic improvement. Expected progeny differences (EPDs) related to carcass traits tend to have lower accuracies due to lack of carcass data submitted on Gelbvieh and Balancer sired progeny. Lower EPD accuracy limits the rate of genetic progress for carcass traits. Even though carcass traits are highly heritable, the prediction power of carcass EPDs is currently limited by these lower accuracy values. Lack of carcass records also limits the power of genomic marker effects. Genomics and ultrasound records can help improve the accuracy of carcass EPDs, but even combined cannot provide high accuracy carcass EPDs without actual carcass data on progeny. The increasing significance and subsequent recognition of carcass value amongst beef industry segments have led to the AGA and AGF’s investment in launching the Carcass Data Collection Project. The Carcass Data Collection
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
Project is designed to deliver AGA members and their customers the opportunity to submit carcass data on Gelbvieh and Balancer influenced genetics and provides an avenue for harvest data on terminal cattle to be paired with genotypes and incorporated into the genetic evaluation. Such phenotypic and genotypic data will provide Gelbvieh breeders with tools to make their management decisions more efficient and accurate. Ultimately, the Carcass Data Collection Project aims to increase the carcass record database and enhance the predicting power of genomic panels. Program eligibility is structured
to ensure high quality data is collected throughout the project. Eligible cattle must be sired by a bull registered with the AGA and have a minimum breed composition of 25 percent Gelbvieh and dams must be identifiable for age and breed composition. All calves must be tagged with an EID, have a DNA tissue sample collected, and must conform to contemporary grouping guidelines. Participants will also need to have access to harvest data records. Under the Carcass Data Collection Project, the AGA, with the support of Neogen, will cover the cost of genotyping all eligible cattle in the project. Genotypes are used to improve the genomic panels’
NEWS Jones Appointed Interim Executive Director. The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) Board of Directors has named J.J. Jones with Roots & Legacies Consulting, Inc. as the organization’s interim executive director. Jones began his role in January 2020. Previously, NIAA was managed by the National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA) for nearly ten years. The change is subsequent to organizational restructuring at NLPA. Jones and the team at Roots & Legacies will lead all professional staffing needs for six months while the board of directors conducts a search for a full time management company. In addition, NIAA leaders are establishing the organization’s next strategic plan to guide the organization forward. “As leaders in the animal agriculture sector, we know there is no shortage of topics that we must collectively address. From antimicrobial resistance to the future of protein in our diets and animal well being to environmental sustainability, NIAA allows leaders from across species to come together for our common good,” shares NIAA Chairman, Nevil Speer, Ph.D. Roots & Legacies brings together talented, passionate leaders with diverse backgrounds who empower individuals and organizations within the food, agriculture, and rural America space. In addition to its co-founders, the organization benefits from a vast network of associates across the United States. Speer goes on to share, “The Roots & Legacies team is no stranger to food and agriculture. NIAA will be guided
by a professional staff that appreciates the opportunities and challenges animal agriculture faces. As the board plans for the future of the organization, we look forward to J.J.’s leadership.” Jones, a native of Northwest Kansas who now splits his time between Kansas City and Council Grove – in the Flint Hills of Kansas, is a graduate of Kansas State University where he majored in animal sciences and industry with a minor in international agriculture. After working with various organizations, including the Kansas Beef Council, Kansas Grain & Feed Association, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and The Center for Food Integrity, Jones cofounded Roots & Legacies. In this role, he works with clients and associates on association management and strategic communications. Roots & Legacies also works with clients on professional and personal development, business operations, and influence building efforts. About the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. NIAA was established to derive solutions on the most current issues in animal agriculture. Its members include producers, veterinarians, scientists, government, 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.
ability to predict carcass traits as well as sire verify the participating cattle in the project. Sire verification is a very valuable yet underutilized tool for commercial cattle producers to rank bulls used in multi-sire pastures. Participants in this project will be able to capitalize on these and more benefits of genomic technologies without incurring the cost. As the modern beef industry continues to evolve, so do the expectations of commercial cattle producers; the AGA is dedicated to delivering the industry with the genetics that are smart, reliable, and profitable from the ranch to the rail. For more information on participating in the Carcass Data Collection Project, visit www.Gelbvieh.org or contact Will Fiske, AGA breed growth specialist, at 303-4652333 or will@gelbvieh.org. Champions Selected at 2020 National Gelbvieh and Balancer Show. The National Gelbvieh and Balancer Show took place at the National Western Stock Show on January 13, in Denver, Colorado. Judge Kyle Perez of Nara Vista, N.M., evaluated the 47 Gelbvieh females, 26 Gelbvieh bulls, 75 Balancer females, and 24 Balancer bulls.
Austin Teeter, Mount Ulla, N.C., owned the grand champion Gelbvieh bull. GHGF Man O’ War F825, is the February 5, 2018, son of GHGF Cow Town D536 and first was named junior bull champion. Grand champion Balancer female was GHGF Zelda 20F owned by Rupp Ranch, Perry, Okla., and Green Hills Gelbvieh, Mount Ulla, North Carolina. This heifer is the May 4, 2018 daughter of SCC First-N-Goal GAF 114 and was first named the intermediate heifer champion. Division Champion and Reserves from North Carolina and South Carolina: Gelbvieh Females • Gelbvieh champion junior heifer - GHGF Zelda 20F1 ET - Colton Cox, Spruce Pine, N.C. - Sire: JRI Secret Link 214D98 • Gelbvieh reserve champion junior heifer - GGGE 3G Frankly My Dear 8100F - Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind., Davidson Show Cattle, Duncan, S.C. - Sire: GGGE 3G Zip Line 266Z • Balancer reserve champion senior heifer calf - GHFG Lilah 855 - Green Hills Gelbvieh, Mount Ulla, N.C. - Sire: Gambles Hot Rod 9620
• Balancer champion intermediate heifer - GHGF Zelda 20F - Rupp Ranch, Perry, Okla., Green Hills Gelbvieh, Mount Ulla, N.C. - Sire: SCC First-NGoal GAF 114 • Grand champion balancer female - GHGF Zelda 20F - Rupp Ranch, Perry, Okla., Green Hills Gelbvieh, Mount Ulla, N.C. - Sire: SCC First-N-Goal GAF 114. Gelbvieh Ring of Gold Champions Show Results. Throughout the 20192020 show year, Gelbvieh and Balancer females and bulls competed at shows across the country to earn points for the American Gelbvieh Association Ring of Gold program. Each year the qualifying animals are ranked at the conclusion of the National Gelbvieh and Balancer show at the National Western Stock Show. This year a total of seven shows were included in the Ring of Gold tally. The AGA established the Ring of Gold program to honor the top animals shown at the conclusion of the show year. Points are earned for grand and reserve grand champions, as well as division champions and reserves, and are based on the actual number of animals shown at each show per division.
To honor those animals who have risen to the top during the show season, The Ring of Gold awards are presented to the top Gelbvieh female, Gelbvieh bull, Balancer female, and Balancer bull based on points awarded throughout the year. Animals must earn points in at least two shows to qualify for Ring of Gold points each year. The 2019-2020 Ring of Gold qualified shows were: Iowa State Fair, Kentucky State Fair, Missouri State Fair, Dixie Nationals, American Royal, North American International Livestock Exposition, and the National Western Stock Show. Placing second in the Ring of Gold Gelbvieh Bull division was GHGF Man O’ War F825, shown by Austin Teeter of Mount Ulla, North Carolina. In order to qualify for recognition, animals must have earned points in at least two Ring of Gold shows throughout the calendar year. About the American Gelbvieh Association. The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,000 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance oriented total herd reporting system.
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Alltech Global Feed Survey reveals first production decline in nine years. The 2020 Alltech Global Feed Survey estimates that international feed tonnage decreased by 1.07 percent to 1.126 billion metric tons of feed produced last year, due largely to African swine fever (ASF) and the decline of pig feed in the Asia-Pacific region. The top nine feed producing countries are the U.S., China, Brazil, Russia, India, Mexico, Spain, Japan, and Germany. Together, these countries produce 58 percent of the world’s feed production and contain 57 percent of the world’s feed mills, and they can be viewed as an indicator of overall trends in agriculture. Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, shared the survey results via public livestream from Alltech’s global headquarters in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The global data, collected from 145 countries and nearly 30,000 feed mills, indicates feed production by species as: broilers 28%; pigs 24%; layers 14%; dairy 12%; beef 10%; other species 6%; aquaculture 4%; and pets 2%. Predominant growth came from the layer, broiler, aqua, and pet feed sectors. Regional results from the 2020 Alltech Global Feed Survey: • North America - The U.S. is the largest feed producing country globally with an estimated 214 million metric tons (MMT), with beef (61.09 MMT), broilers (48.525 MMT), and pigs (44.86 MMT) as the leading species. North America saw steady growth of 1.6 percent over last year. Canada produced 21.6 MMT with pigs (8.23 MMT), broilers (3.25 MMT), and dairy (4.2 MMT) leading species feed production. • Latin America - As a region, Latin America saw 2.2 percent growth to 167.9 MMT. Brazil remained the leader in feed production for the region and third overall globally, with the primary species for feed production being broilers (32.1 MMT) and pigs (17.0 MMT). Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina continue to produce the majority of feed in Latin America, with 76 percent of regional feed production. • Europe - Europe remained relatively stagnant with a slight increase of 0.2 percent over last year. The top three feed producing countries in Europe are Russia (40.5 MMT), Spain (34.8 MMT), and Germany (25.0 MMT), with pig feed production leading the way in all three countries. The ruminant sector was hit the hardest as both dairy and beef numbers are estimated to be down by 4 percent and
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NEWS
3 percent, respectively. This was offset primarily by strong growth in the aqua (7%) and layer (3%) industries. • Asia-Pacific - The Asia-Pacific region saw feed production decrease by 5.5 percent in 2019, primarily due to African swine fever and large declines in pig feed production. China’s feed production declined by almost 20 MMT of feed overall to 167.9 MMT and fell from the top feed producing country globally to second, behind the U.S., India, and Japan remained in the top nine feed producing countries, with similar production compared to 2018 with 39.0 MMT and 25.3 MMT, respectively, while Vietnam declined by 7 percent. • Africa - Africa continued strong growth with a 7.5 percent increase in overall feed production, with all the primary species seeing positive growth. The top five feed producing countries in the region account for 75 percent of Africa’s feed production, and they are South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, and Algeria. The region’s primary species include broiler, layer, and dairy, and combined, they account for nearly half of feed production estimates in the region. Notable species results from the 2020 Alltech Global Feed Survey: • North America continues to lead global beef feed production with 62.3 MMT, followed by Europe (21.9 MMT), and Latin America (13.9 MMT). For the 2020 Alltech Global Feed Survey, the beef feed production estimation was recalculated to improve its accuracy. The new estimate takes into account
the average days on feed and intake as a percentage of body weight in the feedlot. Last year’s estimation was also recalculated to reflect this formula change for a proper year-on-year comparison. During the live presentation, Dr. Lyons was joined by a panel of industry experts, including Jack Bobo, CEO, Futurity, USA; Matthew Smith, vice president, Alltech, U.K.; Bianca Martins, general manager, Alltech, Mexico; and Brian Lawless, agtech specialist, Alltech, USA. The group discussed the trends behind the data and the implications for the global market. Topics ranged from consumer demands to the adoption of new technology. To access insights from the 2020 Alltech Global Feed Survey, including a recording of the panel discussion, an interactive map, and presentation slides, visit www.alltechfeedsurvey.com. The Alltech Global Feed Survey assesses compound feed production and prices through information collected by Alltech’s global sales team and in partnership with local feed associations in the last quarter of 2019. It is an estimate serving as a resource for policymakers, decision makers, and industry stakeholders. ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference to explore solutions within the global food supply chain. The agriculture industry has been presented with great responsibility — to produce enough safe, nutritious food for all while caring for our animals and sustaining our air, water, and land for future generations. To explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing the global food supply chain today, ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE) returns May 17–19 in Lexington, Kentucky. Now in its 36th year, ONE draws on Alltech’s global reach and business scope to assemble thought-leaders from the
agriculture, business, health and wellness, and brewing and distilling sectors. “Science, technology, and human ingenuity converge at ONE,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president, and CEO of Alltech. “The topics up for discussion reflect the extraordinary opportunity our industry has to adopt new ideas for producing enough safe, nutritious food for all while preserving our planet.” With universal themes of innovation, inclusion, and inspiration, ONE invites everyday heroes from various industries to unleash the power of infinite ideas. More than 40 topics* are slated for discussion at ONE, including: Aquaculture: • Should Shrimp Culture Step Out of Its Comfort Zone? • Optimizing Performance and Profit With Dynamic Nutritional Marketing • Navigating Sustainability From the Feed Producer’s Perspective Beef: • Analyzing the Impact: Examining the Environmental Hoofprint of Beef • The Vital Role of Livestock in Reversing Climate Change and Desertification • Sunny With a High Chance of Cattle: The Ag Market Outlook Crop Science: • The World Beneath Our Feet: The Intricate Dance That Takes Place in Our Soils • How Farmers Are Advancing Human Health Through Functional Foods • On the Defense: Using Beneficial Compounds to Induce Resistance in Plants Dairy: • Dairy Cattle Welfare: Essential for Animals, Producers, and Consumers
Continued on the next page
“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 by 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
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Alltech News continued from the previous page • No Antibiotics, No Problem: Inside Rosy-Lane Holsteins’ Transformation • How Herd Management Practices Can Minimize Lameness Pig: • The Great Disruption: ASF and the Global Protein Market • The Impact of Organic Minerals and Heat Stress on Health • W h i c h Te c h Tr e n d s A r e Transforming Swine Production? Poultry: • Prioritizing Food Safety in Poultry Production • Cracking the Competition: How to Grow Your Business • Putting Poultry Welfare First in a World of Conscious Consumers Business: • Mind Over Matter: The Power of Mental Toughness • Four Habits of Digital Transformers • Next-Level Leadership: Elevating the Multi-generational Workforce Brewing and Distilling: • Sustainable Brewing: Can Craft Beer Go Green? • Market Saturation: Will Craft Beer Tap Out? • The Canned Cocktail Craze Future of Food: • Project Drawdown: Farming to Reverse Climate Change • Meatless Protein: Sustainable Alternative or Over Processed Panacea? • What If Farmers Could Get Paid to
Fight Climate Change? Health and Wellness: • F o o d f o r T h o u g h t : Wi l l Neurogastronomy Change the World? • Gut Reaction: Probiotics vs. Prebiotics • The Truth About How Agricultural Practices Affect Human Health Pet: • A Balanced Microbiome: The Key to Your Pet’s Health and Longevity • Top Dogs: Which Trends Are Dominating the Premium Pet Food Market? • Enzymes: Innovative or Enigmatic? Equine: • A Breeder’s Perspective on Horse Racing’s Future • Happy Hindguts, Healthy Horses: Unlocking the Equine Microbiome With Nutrition • Fast Track to Success: Training Horses to Win *Topics are subject to change. Alltech’s flagship conference is attended annually by more than 3,000 people representing 70 countries. Keynote speaker announcements are coming soon, and this year’s mainstage lineup promises to be as dynamic as ever. Previous ONE keynote speakers include Bear Grylls, General Colin Powell, Steve Wozniak, and Beth Comstock. The ONE experience extends beyond superior presentation content, as attendees are invited to embark on area tours and network with peers from across the globe. International Night will offer a
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
Clemson Bull Test Sale Shatters Records multicultural exploration of cuisine and entertainment from around the world, while Kentucky Night showcases the sights and sounds of the Bluegrass State from within the famed Kentucky Horse Park. Learn more and register at www.one. alltech.com. Follow ONE on Facebook for updates and join the conversation on Twitter with #ONEbigidea. The second generation of the most widely used MOS product on the market is here. Bio-Mos® 2 continues the legacy of Bio-Mos by improving upon Alltech’s trademark technology. Formulated to feed the gastrointestinal tract, Bio-Mos 2 is a new feed supplement for your cattle that helps optimize average daily gain and reinforces a healthy gut microbiome without antibiotics at all stages of production. Key Benefits: • Supports high risk animal health • Aids in nutrient utilization to optimize average daily gain • Maximizes gastrointestinal integrity and stability Visit www.alltech.com/bio-mos2 today to learn more. 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. Celebrating 40 years in 2020, 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.
By STEVEN E. MEADOWS, PH.D. Clemson University T h e 4 4 th A n n u a l C l e m s o n Performance Tested 8Bull Sale was held February 1 at the T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena in Pendleton, South Carolina. A huge crowd was in attendance to evaluate the offering. This year saw a record set with the Lot 24 Angus bull consigned by Edisto Pines of Leesville, South Carolina. The Lot 24 bull is a son of Mead Magnitude and sold for $22,000 to Grimmius Cattle Company of Hanford, California. Following close behind Edisto Pines, Angus scored again with their powerful Lot 20 son of Basin Payweight 1682. This performance packed Angus bull sold for $12,000. He also sold to Grimmius Cattle Company of Hanford, California.
From the Desk of the SCCA First Vice President By ROSCOE KYLE As we enter the late winter and early spring of 2020, we are surely not in a water shortage at this point. Maybe I should have said “From the Ark of” instead of “From the Desk of” because it surely seems that way. I have to remind myself often not to complain about the rain. At some point in the future, we will be begging for it. This winter has brought about some great trade agreements for the beef and agricultural sections of our country. This is hopefully going to increase the demand for our product and increase the price we receive for it. So far, there have been several outstanding sales across the state with more to come. Unfortunately, I have not been to all of them, but I understand that the results have been promising. However, as we know, we all would like to see more coming in for the animals we sell. Remember that the improvement to the genetics of the herd does not come cheap. “We reap what we sow.” Please remember to attend the S.C. Cattlemen’s Annual Convention on March 19-20 at T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena at Clemson. The planning committee has put together a great program. Also, if you have not purchased a raffle ticket for the Remington repeater rifle “Farmers Addition,” please contact your local organization’s president. All proceeds go to fund the scholarships for the young people who are our future. The guest hotel will be the Best Western Plus in Clemson. Mention the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association to receive our block rate. At the Annual Convention, we will officially introduce the new executive director of the association and honor the past executive director who retired at the end of 2019 on his birthday. We all wish him well. Remember the words of two great Americans: John F. Kennedy - “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Dolly Parton - “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.” As always, if you need my help, please let me know. I remain respectfully yours.
Broadway Cattle Farm of Monroe, N.C., receives plaques High Average Daily Gain Bull at 6.04 lbs ADG and for High Indexing Bull with an overall index of 127.2.
Broadway Cattle Farm of Monroe, N.C., also had a very good day. When their Lot 5 Angus bull left the sale ring, he had sold for $8,000. This son of 3F Epic 4631 was the high average daily gain (ADG) and high index overall bull in the test and rang the bell with a 6.01 ADG. He sold to Bryson Byergo of Savannah, Missouri. The fourth high seller, Shuffler Farm’s Lot 79 Simmental bull, commanded $5,500 and sold to Justin Setzler of Newberry. This powerful son
u o Y SEE ! e r The WHAT:
Cook’s Cattle Services of Buckhead, Ga., receives a plaque for High RFI bull at -10.74.
of Koch Big Timber 685D smashed the scales to record a 365 day adjusted weight of 1,307. Several bulls sold for $5,000 each, and Edisto Pines Angus saw their Lots 22 and 23 garner that price. In addition, AK/NDS of Six Mile, S.C., sold their Lot 91 Simmental Angus to Justin Setzler of Newberry, S.C., as well for $5,000. This powerhouse recorded a 365 day weight of 1,298 pounds. Following the bull sale, 12 open heifers were offered to the buyers, and the top pen consigned from Diamond S Farms of Clinton sold for $1,625/head. The buyer was Caldwell Farms of Enoree, South Carolina. Overall sale average by breed make up is as follows: • 27 Angus bulls averaged $4,333 •2 Simmental averaged $4,750 • 5 SimAngus averaged $4,260 • 2 Gelbvieh averaged $3,200 The overall average was $4,197, a sale record as well for the Clemson Extension Bull Sale. Congratulations to all buyers and bidders, and a great big thank you goes to everyone who came out to witness history being made.
2020 South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting WHEN:
March 19-20, 2020 WHERE:
Garrison Livestock Arena Clemson, S.C.
Registrations for the conference can be found online at www.sccattle.org. ◆ Exhibitor Registration ◆ Sponsor Registration ◆ Individual Registration For more information about the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Conference,contact:
ROSCOE KYLE, JR. • 864-304-2390 TRAVIS MITCHELL • 803-609-2828 The Carolina Cattle Connection
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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
Veterinary Futures Commission Charts Course for Future Success in the Profession. A joint commission created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) has released a report identifying emerging trends that will affect the veterinary profession during the next generation, providing insights that may be used to adapt to the profession’s changing environment. “The Future of Veterinary Medicine,” produced by the AVMA and AAVMC’s Veterinary Futures Commission, was published following four face-to-face working sessions and more than a year and a half of research and investigation by the commission’s members, composed of experts from academia, clinical practice, and leadership positions within the profession. “The future may be unknown, but that doesn’t mean we as a profession can’t prepare for change,” said Dr. John
Howe, president of the AVMA. “As the report makes clear, organized veterinary medicine can take steps to identify currents and trends and use those insights to determine how we can most effectively lead the profession into the future.” Anticipating the ever increasing role of emerging technologies in society, the report outlines the importance of the profession preparing for new demands and expectations as the veterinarian’s role expands from traditional primary care and referral practice into technology based specialties, especially where data intensive skills are required. In order to meet these challenges, the report states, the profession must become more diverse to benefit from novel approaches to research, education, product development, and clinical practice. “Because we prepare new generations of veterinarians, academic veterinary medicine has a special responsibility when it comes to
planning,” said AAVMC President Dr. Michael Lairmore. “Accelerating change has become the new status quo in our profession, and we need to leverage that in a way that builds and sustains success. The Futures Commission has made a remarkable contribution in helping us do that, and we are grateful for their work.” A central element of meeting the demands of the future will be a constant focus on the connectivity involving animals, humans, and the environment. Examples of this interrelationship include the human-animal bond, food security, protection against zoonotic diseases, development of innovative products and animal health solutions, and an increasing need for applying global solutions and resources to meet universal challenges. Veterinarians must recognize the inevitability of fast paced change in the profession and embrace the need to adapt to the evolving landscape to ensure the profession thrives into the future. The leadership of the profession must keep pace with changes affecting veterinary medicine, while individual members of the profession can contribute by being engaged, keeping informed, participating in professional forums, and maintaining a commitment to professional growth and
lifelong learning. The Veterinary Futures Commission served as a semi-autonomous visioning body to evaluate challenges and opportunities in the veterinary profession, identify priorities guided by societal needs, and develop evidence based recommendations to the AVMA and AAVMC regarding potential courses of action. About the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. The member institutions of the AAVMC promote and protect the health and well being 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 53 Council on Education (COE) accredited veterinary medical colleges and schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; 23 provisional and collaborating members; and departments of veterinary science and departments of comparative medicine in the United States.
New NCCA Members for 2020 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 Mark Baird – Green Gables Angus – Tenn. Jason Pratt – Pratt Cattle Company – Va. Alamance County Gary A. Boggs Travis Covington – Hawfields Cattle Co. Alexander County Jarrod Carrigan Ashe County Richard D. Eastridge – River Front Farms Bladen County Aaron Blackmon – Deep Root Cattle Co. Michael E. Inman – R&M Farms Hilton Monroe, Sr. Keith A. Norris – Norris Farms, Inc. Cabarrus County Lucas Barnhardt – Barnhardt Farms Caldwell County Neal Martin – Cedar Rock Farm of Lenoir Caswell County Kaitlyn Walker – Windy Hill Chatham County Ron Dameron Raymond Morgan – Morgan Manor Farm Christian Nielson Randy Norwood Lindsay Seitz Joe D. Smith Cleveland County Roy D. Dedmon Columbus County Ethan Williamson – Silver W Cattle Co. Cumberland County Clay Autry – Autry Cattle Farms L. T. Michaud – Bienvenue Farm Davidson County Brad Laws – Conrad Farms Forsyth County Lisa Allen – Abundant Life Farms of Tobaccoville NC Fred W. Franklin – Mill Creek Farm
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Franklin County Chad and Betty Ray – Ray Family Farms Greene County Johnny & Shea McLawhorn – Triple M Farms Guilford County Calvin Moser Thomas Reid – T. Reid Family Farm Jayson Rippy – Paramount 183 Halifax County Archie M. Jones Will Mann Harnett County Ashley Wimberly – Wimberly Hay & Cattle Don Wimberly – Wimberly Hay & Cattle Iredell County Savanah Hager – Hager Farms Jackson County Freda Childers – Double Springs Farms
Randolph County Austin Coble – Coble Farm Dara LaPierre – G&D Cattle Co. Carol Milette – Hidden Springs Ranch Larry Moore – Piedmont Custom Meats, Inc. Dustin Reid – LTR Farms
Surry County Chappell Farms – Dobson, West Field Tyrrell County Murray Cartwright – Cartwright Farms Union County Henry LePage – Dogwood Farm Tyler Turner – Little Water Farms
Richmond County Jordan Carroll – Carroll Farm Rowan County Charles Honbarger Alan G. McKinney Rutherford County Cordell Cattle Company Jennifer West – Dae Is Done Farm
Vance County Gregory Scott Wright Wake County Mikayla Moore – DA Livestock Company Steve Washburn
Sampson County Austin Mooney – The Mooney’s Alan J. Parker – Century Farms LLC Jenna Smith – J D Cattle Scotland County Marshall L. Smith
Johnston County Stanton Lassiter Joseph Radford – J.B. Radford Farms
Stanly County Erin Pinkston – Silver Springs Angus
Lenoir County Wesley Brent Harper
Stokes County Aubrey Martin – M Bar J
Watauga County Gerald Haas Bob Shipley Perry Yates – HCL Investments LLC Wayne County Daniel Dunn Ronnie Hill Wilkes County Dustin Gentry – Gentry Farms Tim Walsh
Montgomery County Leonard Kern, Jr. – Four Generations Farm Wayne Sanders – Hillside Farms Moore County Corey Deibel – C J Livestock David McInnis – Moonlite Farms Nash County Gene Allen – Lambert Farms Larry Strickland – Old Rudera Farm Northampton County Brent Diller – Diamond D Enterprise Gerald Lee – Lee & Lee Farms Onslow County Richard Crowder – River Burch Ranch Pamlico County Mack Prescott III – Mack’s Angus Farm Pasquotank County Kelly Moore – Charles E. Moore Seed Farm Person County Tim Harris James Poindexter Pitt County Ronnie Mills – Mills Brothers Farm
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IGS Partners with Neogen. The world’s largest multi-breed beef cattle evaluation partners with the industry’s leading genomics company. Here’s what it means for ranchers. Home to the industry’s largest multi-breed beef cattle evaluation, International Genetic Solutions (IGS) has teamed with Neogen Genomics, the world’s leading agricultural genomics company. The goal is to develop more powerful selection tools for commercial ranchers who raise crossbred cattle. “We’re extremely proud of the collaboration we have with IGS. It really is the first of its kind in the world,” says Stewart Bauck, vice president of Agrigenomics for Neogen Genomics. “We will, along with IGS, be developing and refining a set of tools that we can make available to commercial producers so they can select superior females in a multi-breed or crossbreeding operation.” Jackie Atkins, Ph.D., Director of Science and Education, says, “The IGS
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NEWS
database is the largest on the planet for multi-breed beef cattle, and not only do we have a lot of data, but we also have a lot of genotypes in that evaluation. Because of that critical mass, we can do a better job developing DNA markers and what those markers mean for a commercial test.” During the past decade, seedstock breeders have adopted genomics to strengthen genetic prediction tools and resulting selection decisions. The IGSNeogen partnership accelerates the effort for commercial ranchers. “Historically, all of these types of genetic profiles have been for a single breed. If we look at geneticists and the knowledge that we’ve gained from their research across the years, we know that crossbreeding leads to hybrid vigor, and so being able to have crossbred commercial cows should really be the goal for any commercial cattleman because, at the end of the day, they sell pounds,” says Jamie Courter, Neogen
Genomics Beef Product Manager. “We’ll be able to pull from all of the information that seedstock and commercial producers report back to IGS and fully support the Igenity® Beef Profile to make it stronger and better than it is today,” she says. “So it’ll be a two way street. The sales reps at Neogen will be able to drive people toward reporting information and data back to IGS while Neogen is able to pull from that data and strengthen our own products.” In the end, more data on crossbred commercial cattle reduces risk. “That puts a proactive management tool in the hands of the commercial producer,” Bauck says. “For $30 and in three weeks, I can get the same information as I could by spending $2,000 in two years to develop a replacement heifer.” Kenny Stauffer, Neogen Genomics Director of Beef Genomic Sales, says, “If you’re able to tag a calf, you’re able to take a tissue sample. Put the capsule in the box and mail the box to us. You send your sample to us, and in 21-28 days, you’re going to have your results.” As producers make decisions on
where to spend their time and money, DNA testing offers a valuable option in finding genetic answers. “DNA testing is a valuable tool that can get to answers faster for commercial and for seedstock producers,” Atkins says. “It will never replace data recording, that will always be important, but the fact that we can squeeze more out of any single DNA test in the future, that just gives commercial producers a more informed decision to make better, more profitable choices for them.” About International Genetic Solutions. International Genetic Solutions is an unprecedented collaboration between progressive organizations across the U.S., Canada, and Australia that are committed to enhancing beef industry profitability. The collaboration encompasses education, technological advancement, and genetic evaluation. Through collaboration, IGS has become the largest beef cattle evaluation in the world. Learn more at w w w. InternationalGeneticSolutions.com, or visit www.genomics.neogen.com.
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S.C. Beef Council News By ROY COPELAN I have just returned from the 2020 NCBA Convention and Trade Show held in San Antonio, Texas. Over 8,000 cattle producers and industry partners gathered for the four day convention. Over 350
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:
exhibitors participated in the seven acre trade show. Over 20 people from South Carolina, including 16 Clemson Block & Bridle Club students, participated in the yearly convention.
committee (Consumer Trust) spent a lot of time discussing beef trends for today’s consumers. Other educational opportunities (Cattlemen’s College, BQA updates, policy priorities for 2020, and program operations) were discussed.
The 2021 NCBA Convention & Trade Show will be held in Nashville on February 3-5, 2021. Mark your calendar. The convention delivered an impressive speaker lineup that included USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Scott Kelly, along with a great CattleFax outlook session. Beef demand is strong, and with U.S. cattle numbers plateauing, prices are likely to be stronger in the year ahead as consumers at home and abroad support industry profitability. It was also pointed out that although the market outlook is positive during the year ahead, the U.S. beef industry needs to be vigilant and maintain a competitive posture. All the working committees devoted one afternoon to setting their goals and objectives for the coming year. My
The S.C. Beef Council continues to promote beef at retail, foodservice, and consumer activities each week. Also, plans are underway for our participation in the annual S.C. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting in Columbia on April 3 and the month long celebration of Beef in June. Until next month...enjoy beef!
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.
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MERCK
Animal Health News
Merck Animal Health Launches Nasalgen ® 3. Three way vaccine offers longest duration of immunity against IBR. Merck Animal Health has introduced Nasalgen 3, a three way intranasal vaccine that protects beef and dairy cattle from the most common pneumonia causing viral pathogens. Administering intranasal vaccines to neonatal calves is considered one of the most effective strategies to put protective immunity in place quickly and establish a strong foundation for future respiratory protection. Nasalgen 3 has the longest 6½ month duration of immunity (DOI) against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), an 11 week DOI against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and a three month DOI against parainfluenza 3 (PI3). “Nasalgen 3 mimics natural exposure to the most common pneumonia viruses,” says Scott Nordstrom, D.V.M., associate director of ruminant life cycle management, Merck Animal Health. “The intranasal administration of Nasalgen 3 stimulates a strong, early immune response because the vaccine antigens are delivered to mucosal surfaces in the nose – an area loaded with immunologically active tissues.”
Nasalgen intranasal vaccines avoid interference from maternal antibodies in colostrum that can block injectable vaccines and are less stressful on calves compared to similar injectable vaccinations. Nasalgen 3 also is designed with an IBR that is not temperature sensitive, so the vaccine will replicate and protect in a moderate to high temperature environment.1 “If producers are working cattle in warm temperatures, Nasalgen 3 will still replicate,” says Dr. Nordstrom. “The IBR antigen elicits a rapid interferon response as well, which provides nonspecific protection against many viruses. Cattle are protected early on and then develop both serum and mucosal antibody responses within two weeks of vaccination.2” Unique blue shadow dye for confident administration - Not only is the single 2-mL dose easy to administer, the unique blue shadow dye clearly indicates which animals have been vaccinated. With needle free intranasal administration, carcass quality is not compromised, and the product meets best management practices outlined in the industry’s Beef Quality Assurance program. Nasalgen 3 is proven safe for use
Cargill Launches New Premium Beef Brand
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
Cargill is launching a new premium beef brand called Salt & Sear™ it says will allow consumers to purchase restaurant quality beef to prepare at home. Certain cuts of Salt & Sear will qualify for the Certified Very Tender USDA designation. Only carcasses grading in the Upper 2/3 of USDA Choice qualify to be labeled Salt & Sear, and Cargill promises the products will deliver great taste, which it stands behind with a money-back guarantee. Salt & Sear products will be available at select retail locations starting in late spring. Cargill said through qualitative consumer research conducted in 2019, it selected “Restaurant Quality At Home” as the leading brand positioning for the new beef offering. To the Salt & Sear brand’s target consumer, this positioning represented the highest quality standard and provided confidence in cooking mastery. “While making beef purchase decisions, consumers are seeking certain characteristics and on package information,” the company said in a release. “According to a consumer study conducted by Cargill in 2018, a significant portion of beef consumers said these attributes are either important or extremely important: USDA Inspected (74% of consumers), USDA Choice (67%), Certified Tender (46%) and Superior Marbling (42%). The Salt & Sear beef offering follows through on these crucial consumer priorities.”
in pregnant cows and in calves nursing pregnant cows, as well as young calves. The vaccine is available in 2-mL, 20mL, and 100-mL packages. Consult your veterinarian for specific usage guidance. Nasalgen 3 is an extension of the trusted Nasalgen portfolio and is supported by the expansive technical services and customer service network at Merck Animal Health. To learn more about the newest option in intranasal respiratory vaccines, visit www.Nasalgen. com. References 1 Grissett G.P., et al. Effect of Ambient Temperature on Viral Replication and Serum Antibody Titers Following Administration of a Commercial Intranasal Modified Live Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Parainfluenza 3 Virus Vaccine to Beef Cattle Housed in High and Moderate Ambient Temperature Environments. Am J Vet Res. 2014; 75(12):1076-1082. 2 Todd J.D., Volenec F.J., Paton I.M. Interferon in nasal secretions and sera of calves after intranasal administration of avirulent infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus: association of interferon in nasal secretions with early resistance to challenge with virulent virus. Infection
and Immunity 1972; 5: 699-706. 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. in 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.merckanimal-health.com.
USDA Abattoir and Processor
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336-667-1346 • abprimecuts@gmail.com The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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Beef Checkoff News
New ads tackle the topics of health, sustainability and meat substitutes with the iconic brand’s unique personality and swagger. “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.”, managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is addressing common questions and hot topics in the beef industry head on with the launch of new digital and social media ads. The ads focus on the topics of sustainability, health, and meat substitutes. Staying true to the brand’s notable swagger, the ads leverage the popular “Nicely done, beef” creative wrapper to directly address misinformation while highlighting beef’s strongest attributes – taste, quality, health, and sustainable production. Examples of some current ads in the market include: “This year, the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” checkoff funded programs are focused on continuing to drive
demand for beef by re-enforcing that real beef’s great taste and nutrition cannot be replicated and directly addressing myths that may affect consumer decisions to choose beef,” said Laurie Munns, a cattle rancher from Hansel Valley, Utah and federation division chairman, at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “To achieve this, we are leaning on checkoff funded technical research and focusing on the real facts about real beef.”
The new series of ads are currently running on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” will continue to roll out additional creative elements such
Black Hereford Cattle for Sale Homozygous and Heterozygous Females Available for Sale by Private Treaty Pasture bred in December & January ◊ Sold confirmed bred Weaned calves also available
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The purpose of the breed, according to its founder, was to eliminate red baldie calves in a Hereford-Angus cross breeding program. In the past, black baldie calves have topped the market at sale barns while red baldies of the same cow herd are culled off and sold at a discount. The benefit of using Black Herefords is to obtain Hereford heterosis without the financial disadvantage of Hereford discounts.
as video, programmatic, and native advertising in the weeks ahead. The ads directly target older millennial consumers, especially parents, directing them back to www. BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com, where they can learn about beef’s powerful nutrition and sustainability stories, and find beefy mealtime inspiration.
“As a contractor to the beef checkoff, we are using the dollars of beef farmers and ranchers to ensure consumers, media, chefs, dietitians, and foodservice and retail partners have the facts when it comes to beef,” Alisa Harrison, senior vice president, Global Marketing & Research. “It’s important to keep in mind that consumers crave real beef and meat alternatives represent less than one percent market share, while real beef represents more than 99 percent market share or sales at retail and foodservice. While these products aren’t replacing beef, we still want to ensure people are choosing their proteins based on facts and not fear based misinformation.” These ads are just the latest in the “Nicely done, beef.” series, which were first released in early 2018. One of the original, “Nicely done, beef.” ads, which says, “Nicely done, beef. You prove that meat substitutes are just that. Substitutes.” has more than 53 million impressions since it was launched and has resulted in more than 286,000 clicks back to www. BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. In 2019 alone, “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” marketing efforts, including the Nicely done ads, have reached consumers more than one billion times.
- John Gage ABHA Founder
t h g n Gail i n K
m r a F
For more information, Contact: Jimmy Mcknight jemcknight@mindspring.com 704-574-3132 19000 Shearer Rd. Davidson, NC 28036
“The Carolinas First Black Hereford Herd” PAGE 60
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“As consumers have an increasing interest in where their food comes from, the nutrients it provides, and how to prepare it in new and innovative ways, the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” brand will continue to serve as an informative, convenient and mouthwatering resource,” said Season Solorio, senior executive director, Brand Marketing and Communications. “Thanks to these ongoing efforts, consumers can continue
to feel good about choosing beef for the center of their plates.” To see more of the latest content and delicious mealtime inspiration from “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.”, visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. In Case You Missed It - Ads aren’t the only thing “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” is serving up. In late November, one of the newer meat substitute companies that manufacturers a soy based burger, commented on a “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” Twitter post, which featured the Beef Holiday Drool Log. The meat substitutes company commented, “Okay, boomers,” on the post. “Okay, boomers,” is a social media insult that Millennials use to call out older generations for being “out of touch.”
“Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” took this as an opportunity to defend the brand that farmers and ranchers are behind, and responded with, “Don’t be so salty… oh, wait…”. Twitter users took notice. In fact, this response had a reach of more than 160,000 with 24,000 impressions and more than 70 retweets and 400 likes. The meat substitutes company has yet to respond to this clever comeback.
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Announces New Officers at 2020 Cattle Industry Convention. Cattle producers Jared Brackett, Hugh Sanburg, and Norman Voyles, Jr., are the new leaders of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB). This officer team is responsible for guiding the national beef checkoff throughout 2020. Brackett, Sanburg, and Voyles were elected by their fellow Beef Board members during the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio on February 7. Brackett, the 2019 vice chair, will now serve as the CBB’s Chair, while Sanburg will transition from his role as the 2019 secretary-treasurer to become the 2020 vice chair. Voyles is the newest member of the officer team, taking on Sanburg’s former responsibilities as secretarytreasurer. The 2020 Chairman, Jared Brackett,
is a fifth generation cow/calf producer from Filer, Idaho. Brackett is a Texas A&M alumni and diehard Aggie fan with a degree in agriculture economics. A past president of the Idaho Cattlemen’s Association, Brackett continues to serve on a number of other livestock committees and boards in addition to his responsibilities with the beef checkoff. “The beef industry has been a part of my family’s livelihood for decades,” Brackett said. “While there’s no doubt that our industry has its own unique set of challenges, I believe that by working together, we can enact positive change that will continue to drive beef demand worldwide. During my tenure as the CBB’s Chair, I plan to collaborate with
our officer team and the entire board to encourage checkoff advocacy and find new ways to move our industry forward.” Vice chair Hugh Sanburg hails from Eckert, Colo., where he and his brother are managing partners of their primarily horned Hereford cow/calf operation, accompanied by a Registered Hereford operation to complement the commercial herd. Sanburg graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a degree in mining engineering in 1983 before moving back to the home ranch in western Colorado. For the past 30 plus years, Sanburg has been an active member of the Colorado Farm Bureau, serving on various boards. He is also a member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and serves
Carolina Cooking
as chairman of the Gunnison Basin Roundtable. Secretary-treasurer Norman Voyles, Jr. owns and operates a seventh generation grain and livestock farm near Martinsville, Ind., with his brother Jim and son Kyle. Voyles received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Purdue University and a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from the University of Nebraska. Voyles is a member of the Morgan County (Ind.) Beef Cattle Association and the Indiana Cattlemen’s Association. He’s a past member of the Farm Service Agency board of directors and the Morgan County Fair board. “We’re extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated and experienced group leading the CBB throughout the coming year,” said Greg Hanes, CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “Not only are they cattle producers themselves, but they’ve also worked diligently on the beef industry’s behalf for many years. Jared, Hugh, and Norman are fully aware of
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary
Classic London Broil
(Weeks ending FEBRUARY 6 & FEBRUARY 13, 2020)
Total Cooking Time - 30 minutes
Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of all markets ending Thursday, FEBRUARY 6 and Thursday, FEBRUARY 13, 2020. 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 5-6¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only. Some all natural lots.
1 beef top round steak, cut 1½” thick (about 2 pounds) Marinade ¾ cup reduced sodium beef broth 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon pepper Herb Butter 4 tablespoons butter, softened 1½ tablespoons chopped fresh chives 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon or chervil 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper Marinade - Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place the beef top round steak and marinade in food safe plastic bag; turn to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator for 6 hours or as long as overnight. Herb Butter - Combine herb butter ingredients in small bowl, mixing well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Remove the steak from marinade; discard marinade. Pat steak dry with paper towel. Preheat broiler. Place steak on rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 3-4 inches from heat. Broil 27-29 minutes for medium rare (145°F) doneness,
turning once Carve steak into thin slices; top with herb butter and drizzle with pan juices, as desired. Makes 8 servings.
Cattle Receipts: 1.354 Last Month: 1,559 Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 53 percent steers and 47 percent heifers. Nearly 94 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.
Head 63 60 59 116 54
Wt. Range 775-775 825-825 825-825 850-850 900-900
Head 72 68 37 65 122
Wt. Range 685-685 725-725 725-725 750-750 800-800
Head 68 68 62
Wt. Range 725-725 725-725 795-795
Head 85 34 134 65 122
Wt. Range 575-575 675-675 735-735 750-750 800-800
Classic London Broil
the challenges producers currently face, and they have what it takes to answer those challenges while also finding new opportunities. I have no doubt their leadership will help the beef checkoff achieve great success in 2020.” To learn more about the beef checkoff and its programs, including promotion, research, foreign marketing, industry information, consumer information, and safety, visit www. DrivingDemandForBeef.com. 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 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 775 $128.75 $128.75 825 $133.00 $133.00 825 $143.50 $143.50 850 $134.50 - $136.00 $135.25 900 $120.25 $120.25 FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range 685 $137.00 725 $131.00 725 $146.50 750 $130.50 800 $144.25
Avg. Price $137.00 $131.00 $146.50 $130.50 $144.25
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 725 $122.50 $122.50 725 $141.50 $141.50 795 $122.00 $122.00 FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range 575 $132.00 675 $138.50 735 $119.00 - $119.25 750 $118.75 800 $118.50
Avg. Price $132.00 $138.50 $119.13 $118.75 $118.50
Delivery Value Added
Delivery Value Added Value Added Value Added Delivery Value Added
Delivery Value Added
Source: N.C. Department of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. 919-707-3121 • www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/co_ls185.txt
The Carolina Cattle Connection
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Boehringer Ingelheim Provides C a t t l e P ro d u c e r s w i t h M o re Reproductive Flexibility. Larger bottle sizes of Cystorelin® (gonadorelin) are now available. Better reproductive performance leads to better profit performance. Research has shown that estrous synchronization can improve breeding efficiency, increase pregnancy rates and shorten the calving interval. To provide producers with more flexible administration options, Boehringer Ingelheim has introduced a new 100-mL bottle of Cystorelin® (gonadorelin). This larger packaging allows producers to treat up to 50 cows per bottle, compared to just 15 doses with the 30-mL bottle. “CYSTORELIN and Synchsure ® (cloprostenol sodium) offer dependability and flexibility that can improve overall herd reproductive performance,” said Barbara Petersen, DVM, marketing manager, Boehringer Ingelheim. “We’re excited to provide producers with a
NEWS
larger bottle size of CYSTORELIN, to complement the 100-milliliter SYNCHSURE bottle already offered, for added convenience.” By using Boehringer Ingelheim’s trusted products, SYNCHSURE and CYSTORELIN, cattle producers can take the guesswork out of their breeding program. When used together, these products provide a shortened time to first service, increased estrus detection efficiency, and improved first service conception rates. To learn more about the benefits of incorporating these products into your herd’s reproductive program, visit www. SyncTheHerd.com. Remember to consult a local veterinarian when developing herd synchronization protocols. New Documentary Highlights Ranch’s Commitment to Cattle Health. The new documentary “Cattle First” captures how one ranching family is preserving the land, promoting animal health, and protecting a legacy.
The 40 minute film, available for viewing at www.CattleFirstMovie.com, follows the Johnson family’s experiences as cow/calf producers and provides perspectives on all aspects of ranching. Family members share their philosophies on progressive land management and the health and well being of their animals. “Ranching isn’t just a business; it’s a way of life,” said Will Johnson of Flying Diamond Cattle Ranch. “We’re honored to be featured in this documentary by Boehringer Ingelheim, and believe that putting cattle first is one of our guiding principles — our livelihood depends on it.” The Johnsons are raising a sixth generation on the eastern and central plains of Colorado. They’re raising cattle, too, in much the same way that the family raised them in the early 1900s: allowing
them to graze in the sweeping pastures that support efficient breeding while employing the latest techniques in animal healthcare. “Our multi-generational history means a lot to us, but we still face challenges from the public perception of what it means to be a rancher,” said Johnson. “We’re passionate about producing safe, high quality beef for consumers, and want to show them our commitment to it.” The documentary premiered at the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio and is now available to view at www.CattleFirstMovie.com. It will also be screened at National Ag Day in Washington, D.C., on March 24. The film is brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim. “We are dedicated to helping the cattle industry improve
N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of January 2020 Cattle Receipts: 20,157
•
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
Now, together with global innovation, consultancy Innovia Technology, an innovative project has been initiated with the aim of acquiring a deeper understanding of the human behaviors that impact cattle well being. The project involves gathering information from veterinarians and farmers from around the world on farming practices and routine pain management interventions. To be able to improve animal well being, we first need to understand the needs of the animal and how they are affected by human behavior. However, in order to effect change, we ultimately need to understand the behavior of people. Behavioral science – the understanding of how and why people behave in certain ways – could be helpful. The theories that underpin behavioral science can help in
S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of January 2020
Previous Month: 13,610
Cattle Receipts: 12,796
Feeder supply - 34% steers • 42% heifers • 24% bulls
•
Previous Month: 8,384
Feeder supply - 34% steers • 44% heifers • 23% bulls
SLAUGHTER CLASSES
SLAUGHTER CLASSES
Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,423 $55.05 Boner 1,169 $54.53 Lean 1,022 $45.55
Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,516 $59.27 Boner 1,229 $56.80 Lean 980 $51.27
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,535
$78.48
Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2
1,667
$82.07
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER CLASSES
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $150.58 $638.46 450-500 472 $149.69 $706.54 500-550 523 $143.77 $751.92 550-600 572 $139.19 $796.17 600-650 622 $132.04 $821.29 650-700 670 $130.25 $872.68
FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 421 $159.01 $669.43 450-500 475 $151.11 $717.77 500-550 519 $144.00 $747.36 550-600 571 $136.73 $780.73 600-650 621 $130.84 $812.52 650-700 671 $127.79 $857.47
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $155.28 $658.39 450-500 472 $149.51 $705.69 500-550 521 $140.03 $729.56 550-600 569 $133.61 $760.24 600-650 621 $124.14 $770.91 650-700 670 $117.77 $789.06
FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $153.56 $648.02 450-500 469 $147.17 $690.23 500-550 521 $137.03 $713.93 550-600 570 $131.32 $748.52 600-650 618 $122.86 $759.27 650-700 674 $116.42 $784.67
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $128.49 $542.23 450-500 471 $126.01 $593.51 500-550 523 $121.41 $634.97 550-600 570 $119.81 $682.92 600-650 620 $112.01 $694.46 650-700 671 $107.87 $723.81
FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $128.38 $541.76 450-500 473 $125.37 $593.00 500-550 521 $120.40 $627.28 550-600 570 $117.72 $671.00 600-650 619 $112.30 $695.14 650-700 677 $110.17 $745.85
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
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the health and well being of its animals, to ensure it remains successful for generations to come,” said Scott King, DVM, director of cattle marketing, Boehringer Ingelheim. “We’re proud to feature a ranch that embodies our company’s Cattle First philosophy while encouraging others to do the same.” Boehringer Ingelheim kicks off a project based on behavioral science to improve cattle well being. For over 12 years, Boehringer Ingelheim has been leading the way in promoting farm animal well being, mainly through organizing the annual Expert Forum on Farm Animal Well Being. This event brings together over 100 industry experts to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the industry, while also striving to raise the focus on cattle pain and well being.
Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156
many stages along this journey. In the context of farm animal well being, it can help get to the root causes of what people do and why they do it. “With the involvement of Innovia’s expertise, we expect to better understand farmers’ behavior and motivations and analyze how their choices can affect cattle well being. This should enable us to design interventions that target the reasons behind these behaviors and are acceptable and feasible to stakeholders,” explains Laurent Goby, senior global marketing manager at Boehringer Ingelheim’s ruminant business, who is heading up the project. “This ambitious and innovative project aims to deliver a set of possible interventions for vets and farmers, starting with one specific area of cattle well being. We expect that the work along the way will reveal many interesting and important aspects of pain management in cattle, which may serve as a basis for practical interventions to ultimately improve cattle well being,” he summarizes. Learn more about the project at www.farmanimalwellbeing.com. This project is part of a global engagement initiative called Cattle First.
Cattle First is how we at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health work with cattle farmers and cattle veterinarians. Through specific projects and case studies, this initiative aims to showcase the company’s values, passion, and understanding we share with our customers as well as long term commitment to supporting them. 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.
G&E Virginia
Premium Assured Heifer Sale Saturday • March 28, 2020 • 12:30 pm SUPERIOR GENETICS, GROWTH, & PERFORMANCE
SELLING 75 - 100
Angus based, mostly black Bred Commercial Heifers, Commercial Spring Pairs, & Bred Cows
** All females are A.I. serviced prior to clean up ** All femakes are from leading Southside breeders
For more information, contact:
Buddy Shelton • 434-251-7146 Graham Winn • 434-251-1766 George Winn • 434-489-4458 Mike McDowell • 434-575-4850 Auctioneer - Daniel Lanier • 434-509-8530 The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
PAGE 63
Landreth Livestock Products and Heritage Farm Supply Earn BioZyme Master Dealer Status. Landreth Livestock Products, Simpsonville, S.C., and Heritage Farm Supply, Weaverville, N.C., have recently completed the necessary training to be named BioZyme Master Dealers. As a Master Dealer, a company has had at least one of its employees complete multiple online training modules to further his or her education about the brands and product lines BioZyme offers. The Master Dealers will be able to share expanded knowledge of the BioZyme products with potential customers. “We are excited to certify these dealerships knowing they excel in knowledge about our product lines, and it will be an excellent resource for all product needs and questions,” said Kristi Stevens, BioZyme Marketing Operations Manager. “Landreth Livestock Products and Heritage Farm Supply have taken the time to complete our strenuous training program, and have committed to stocking or is willing to order our full product line. Feel confident
NEWS
that they are some of the most informed dealers that our company works with.” Master Dealers will receive special designation on the online dealer locator, signage for their store, and apparel that indicates their Master Dealer certification so customers can easily identify those who have gone the extra mile to provide excellent knowledge and service. To learn more about BioZyme and its product lines or to locate a dealer in your area, go to www.biozymeinc.com. National Western Exhibitor Uses Fresh Ideas for Traditional Contest. Tradition is an important part of the National Western Stock Show, and this year marked the 85th year for one of its longest standing, educational traditions – the Catch-A-Calf Program. Shane Dawson participated in the 2020 Catch-A-Calf (CAC) Contest, and after nine months of feeding, caring, and preparing for the Contest, she and her calf reached their full potential to earn one of the top banners. The 18-year-old from Lander, Wyo., is no stranger to the livestock show
world. She had shown cattle three years prior to having her CAC. When her mom, Mikala, made her aware of the program, she thought it sounded like fun. She completed the application, and at the 2019 National Western was fortunate enough to “catch” a calf during one of the rodeo performances. “You go out to the rodeo with a rope halter and try to catch a rodeo steer. It’s basically like musical chairs. There are 11 calves for every 13 people, so two people don’t get one, so you really have to get in there and do your best to get one. I caught one,” Dawson said with a smile. Doing her best is and continued to be her goal through the duration of the project. Dawson said that all 40 participants returned to the National Western Complex on May 4, 2019, where they each received their Red Angus calves, provided by Wagonhound Land & Livestock, near Douglas, Wyoming. She said she spotted the calf she wanted for her own as he was coming off the trailer. “I watched him walk off the trailer and knew he had great potential. He was a large frame; level topped steer,” Dawson said. Her steer, named Courthouse Pete, as she was reading the Truman Capote novel In Cold Blood on her way to Denver to
receive her CAC, did have great potential. His potential was realized and rewarded this year at the National Western, as he and Dawson claimed reserve champion CatchA-Calf honors. However, the award isn’t based solely on his show ring performance. Dawson worked hard to earn the honor. The CAC program is judged on several criteria, explained Dawson, including record book, interview, sponsor relationship, showmanship class, and market class. There are 160 total points possible, and only one-half point separated Dawson and the grand champion winner. However, in addition to the banner, she said she learned valuable lessons from the program, including more in-depth recording keeping. She weighed Courthouse Pete each month, kept detailed records of all bills, tracked any changes in his diet, and communicated regularly with her sponsors. “Last year, I developed a more consistent work ethic. I learned a lot more about teamwork and a broader sense of responsibility. I’ve also learned the world doesn’t revolve around me or my wants and needs from a very young age, because I need to care for my livestock,” she said. “I would highly recommend the Catch-ACalf Program because it emphasizes the
fact that we all, as stewards of the land and animals, need to promote the proper care of livestock. Even though we all do it, it is really misconstrued from the producer to the consumer.” One of the ways Dawson cared for her steer is by ensuring he had a balanced diet with proper nutrition to gain steadily and convert his feed efficiently. She and her mom, Mikala, reached out to Keith Micke, owner of K Triangle Feed, to seek advice and assistance. Micke said Mikala found him on the BioZyme Inc., dealer locator, and started asking him questions via email. With his resources and the help of BioZyme nutritionist Dr. Susan Day, Micke helped them find a ration that would work for Courthouse Pete and suggested the use of Sure Champ
NEWS
By GARY WARD, S.C. Forage and Grazing Lands Coalition
American Forage and Grasslands Council Conference More than 350 participants attended the American Forage and Grasslands Council Annual Conference at the Hyatt-Regency in Greenville, S.C. on January 5-8. Kevin Yon of Yon Family Farms was the keynote speaker. Yon spoke about his family’s journey from managing Angus herds for the owner of a farm near Columbia, S.C., to starting an independent operation in Ridge Springs. The Yons grew that operation from 100 acres and some leased land to a venture that today covers 2,000 acres with 800 head of registered brood cows and 200 commercial bulls. The Yons, their children, and their families work the farm and sell 400 registered bulls and 200 females each year. Their operation is forage based, and their customer base is mostly progressive commercial cattle producers. Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Matt Lohr also spoke to the group at a luncheon meeting, reviewing federal programs in South Carolina and emphasizing the importance of agriculture. The theme of the conference was “The More You Know, The Smarter You Grow,” and workshop topics included “Getting Back to the Basics of Forage Management,” “Genetic Adaptability in Cattle to Fescue Environments,” “Tall Fescue Management: What Are the Choices,” and others.
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
Cattle with the Amaferm advantage as part of his daily diet. Sure Champ is a pelleted, daily vitamin and mineral supplement for show cattle formulated to improve digestive health, stimulate appetite, and optimize health. Amaferm is a precision prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility by amplifying 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. “He weighed 1,485 pounds at the end, so he was a big boy, but I knew if he even weighed 100 pounds less than that, he’d be skin and bones. So, I just knew I would have to feed him until he was finished, and Sure Champ helped me with that. It helped
with his gut health, and the Vita Charge Gel really helped him with stress,” Dawson said. Vita Charge Gel is a convenient goto product designed for all species that supports digestive health and promotes feed and water intake during times of stress and recovery. It contains Amaferm and MOS to support the ability to recover from the effects of stress. MOS traps the bad bacteria limiting their ability to do harm. The Vita Charge Gel also includes organic Zinc, the antioxidant Vitamin E, and B vitamins. Dawson said she administered her steer the Vita Charge Gel for about three days prior to any time she traveled, both to shows and clinics and while away from home, to ensure he stayed on feed and water. Although Dawson and Micke are not neighbors – more than 200 miles separate them – Micke said he still works to make sure she had the minerals and supplements she needed. His son plays sports in her part of the state, and Dawson has relatives near him, so getting the deliveries just took some extra communication and coordination. “She was very diligent on using the Sure Champ, and there wasn’t a day she didn’t use it. I’m glad to help my customers attain his or her goals. If I don’t know the answer, I will find someone who does,” Micke said.
When a tradition like the CAC Program that teaches young people responsibility, work ethic, and stewardship lasts nearly a century, that is an impressive track record. When competitors like Dawson discover supplements like Sure Champ and Vita Charge, their calves will stay healthy, grow efficiently, and help young exhibitors #preptowin and reach their potential. For more information about Sure Champ, visit www.surechamp.com. 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®, AO-Biotics®, Amasile™, VitaFerm®, Gain Smart ®, Vita Charge ®, Sure Champ ®, Vitalize®, and DuraFerm®. Headquartered in St. Joseph, Missouri, BioZyme reaches a global market of customers throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. For more information about BioZyme, visit www.biozymeinc.com.
Kirsten Robertson, President of SCFGLC, hosted a 90 minute workshop called “Improving Your Grazing? Change Your Thinking to Change Your Operation.” The workshop focused on helping farmers to think in new ways to make their operations more productive. The South Carolina Forage and Grazing Lands Coalition (SCFGLC), an affiliate of AFGC, helped plan the meeting and provided agricultural sample products from South Carolina in the participants’ conference bags. Reed Edwards, a SCFGLC member and producer from Laurens, S.C., won third place in the oral presentations. More than 80 exhibitors were in attendance, from seed companies to bull producers. Students from universities across the United States were in attendance. A record number of Forage Bowl teams from the schools ensured lively competition in the event. The AFGC also held its first video competition. Entries can be viewed at the AFGC YouTube channel. Next year’s AFGC conference will be January 3-6 in Savannah, Georgia. For details, visit www.afgc.org. For more information about the SCFGLC, educational videos on fescue, and other forage topics, visit www. scforage.org.
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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NCBA USMCA Ratification Latest Victory for U.S. Cattle Producers. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Immediate Past President Jennifer Houston, who attended the recent White House signing ceremony for the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), released the following statement: “This is a great day for America’s cattle producers, and we were once again honored to participate in another great victory for our industry. Of course, the ratification of USMCA comes on the heels of a game changing new trade deal with China, a new bilateral agreement with our largest export partners in Japan, and much improved access to the European Union. “Add that to the new waters rule that was finalized last week, new proposed grazing regulations, and new proposed rules that would provide much needed relief to the National Environmental Policy Act, and it’s easy to see that 2020 is off to a truly historic start for U.S. beef producers. I want to thank the President and his entire team for listening to our producers’ concerns and for working with us to find real common sense solutions.” State Beef Councils Win Crucial Step in Court Case Against Beef Checkoff. The beef industry won an important victory, helping ensure cattlemen and cattlewomen will continue
News
to direct how checkoff investments are made at the state level. In the matter of R-CALF vs. Sonny Perdue, a magistrate judge granted summary judgment to the government and the 15 qualified state beef councils targeted by R-CALF and its activist legal partners at Public Justice. “We are pleased with the opinion, which allows state beef councils to continue the important work of beef promotion and research. Although this case is far from complete, this was a crucial step toward ensuring state beef councils retain the important ability to direct their investments at the grassroots level,” said Colin Woodall, NCBA Chief Executive Officer. The decision of the magistrate judge will now be forwarded to the federal district court for a final ruling. It could continue to be appealed by either party after the district court judge issues an opinion, a process that will continue over the next several months or longer. “The beef checkoff continues to provide important benefits for cattle producers in the form of research and promotion that returns nearly $12 for every dollar invested in the program. The Beef Checkoff is weakened, and the benefits it provides our industry are put in jeopardy, by lawsuits such as this one,” said Woodall. “We’re committed to defending state beef councils from these attacks and ensuring producers at the grassroots level
continue to determine how checkoff dollars are invested in their states.” M o re t h a n 1 , 0 0 0 A t t e n d Cattlemen’s College in Run Up to 2020 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. Education recognized by attendees as key element to improving operations. More than 1,000 cattlemen and women took advantage of educational opportunities at the 27 th annual Cattlemen’s College in San Antonio, Tex., on February 4-5. Held in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show on February 5-7, Cattlemen’s College is one of the cattle industry’s most i depth and helpful educational events, helping cattle producers make their operations more efficient and successful. Since first established, Cattlemen’s College has been sponsored by Zoetis Animal Health. A live demonstration, Taking the Mystery out of IVF, was presented the afternoon of February 4, as were three Producers’ Choice sessions to provide attendees with opportunities to attend sessions they might otherwise miss. Building and Protecting Your Business – Estate and Succession Planning: Key Concepts for a Successful Transition, Here’s the Beef: Keeping Beef on the Plate, and Practical Nutrition Management – Nutrition Myths Busted were presented just prior to a Taste of Texas Cattlemen’s College Reception, sponsored by Certified Angus Beef. Keynote speakers at the Opening Session Breakfast were Wayne Morgan, Ph.D., corporate vice president and president of protein products and sustainability for Golden State Foods, and Tryon Wickersham, Ph.D., associate
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843-908-3222 - Cell • tormbenton@lowcountry.com PAGE 66
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
professor at Texas State University, who spoke on “Sustainable Beef: Beyond What’s Possible.” During their presentation, Morgan and Wickersham outlined the progress the industry has made in addressing sustainability at all segments of the beef industry, stressing to those in the audience why the issue is important. A Grab ‘n Go breakfast after the General Session, along with a Beef Advocacy Coffee Chat were also sponsored by Certified Angus Beef. Eighteen sessions in six Cattlemen’s College tracks followed the breakfast, featuring presentations from experts in a variety of important cattle industry topics. Sessions were concurrent, so attendees can view videos of missed sessions online in the coming weeks. “Without question, our annual Cattlemen’s College has become the premier education event for U.S. cattlemen and women,” said Josh White, NCBA executive director of producer education. “The sessions with our knowledgeable presenters provide valuable, up-to-date insight for producers who recognize education and information are key to success in their operations. Cattlemen’s College is paving the way to a brighter industry future for our industry.” Videos from Cattlemen’s College will be available online following the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. Those unable to attend any of the sessions in San Antonio will be able to take advantage of this online option at www.ncba.org/ cattlemenscollege. NCBA Unveils Top Policy Priorities For 2020. This morning, the Executive Committee of NCBA approved the organization’s top 2020 Policy Priorities. Approval came at the annual Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Like last year, NCBA’s top policy priorities include issues related to international trade, proper regulation of fake meat, and regulatory reform. However, after a series of significant policy victories in 2019, this year’s priority list is focused on implementing and protecting those gains while further advancing progress into new territory. For example, after helping secure bilateral trade deals with Japan, China, and the European Union, as well as the ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, NCBA’s focus this year will turn to implementing those deals, while still expanding access in those markets -as well as newly changed markets like the post-Brexit United Kingdom. Likewise, after securing proper regulatory oversight of fake meat by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, NCBA, in the coming year, will work to build on that successful regulatory framework while also advancing bipartisan legislative efforts like the Real MEAT Act in the U.S. House and Senate to end deceptive labeling of plant based fake meat. “America’s cattle producers have made tremendous and historic progress on the policy front over the past year,” said Jennifer Houston. “Now, it’s time to implement and defend those gains and to keep pushing for policies that will help improve conditions for cattle producers so they can better provide the nation and the world with delicious and nutritious U.S. beef.” This year’s priorities include an issue that was a late addition to last year’s list after Congressional introduction of the so called Green New Deal: climate policy. NCBA plans to “Continue to push back against misguided climate policies while advancing the U.S. cattle industry’s tremendous environmental record, and upholding the U.S. cattle industry as the global model for sustainable beef production.”
In the year ahead, NCBA also plans to prioritize the importance of cattle markets — specifically promoting “policy that creates markets free from unfair practices and manipulation both in the fundamental markets and the cattle futures markets.” The association will also aggressively pursue final rules on key regulatory issues and defend victories on issues like the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS)/ Navigable Waters Protection Rule, 2020 Dietary Guidelines, Endangered Species Act modernization, Electronic Logging Devices, and comprehensive NEPA reform. “NCBA is a true member driven organization, and these policy priorities reflect a lot of hard work, debate, and study by a lot of grassroots level cattle producers who have chosen to get involved in the policy process,” Houston said. “Some folks will always be content to throw stones from the sidelines. NCBA members choose to fight - and win - on the front lines.” For more detailed information about NCBA’s 2020 Policy Priorities, visit www.ncba.org/CMDocs/BeefUSA/
Media/2020%20Policy%20Priorities%20 1%20Page.pdf. To read NCBA’s full 2020 Policy Book, which includes all of the organization’s detailed policy positions, visit www.ncba.org/CMDocs/BeefUSA/ Media/2020%20NCBA%20Policy%20 Book%20-MASTER%20COPY%20(1).pdf. Secretary Perdue Touts Trade Wins At 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue addressed a packed crowd of beef producers today at the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show. Secretary Perdue participated in the Opening General Session of the event and spoke with Jennifer Houston about the state of American beef production. He also highlighted some of the big wins for U.S. beef in the last year: “Japan’s a big deal. They are a huge consumer and a huge lover of our U.S. Beef... What we have done with Japan, obviously, is open that market up again in a bilateral relationship,” Secretary Perdue said. “We were excited about getting beef
back into China... I think we will see that the market grows with the Phase One agreement.” “I want to thank Secretary Perdue for speaking at our convention for a second straight year and for being such a strong advocate for our country’s ranchers and farmers,” added Jennifer Houston. “We have seen great progress in the beef industry during the Secretary’s tenure, and part of that is because we have these important conversations to let him and other policymakers in Washington know what our producers are facing every day on the ground.” NCBA Releases Consumer Research Showing Widespread Confusion About Contents of Plant Based Fake Meat NCBA recently released survey results that show widespread consumer confusion regarding the ingredient composition and purported benefits of plant based fake meat products. In an online survey of more than
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NCBA News continued from the previous page 1,800 consumers, less than half of the respondents understood the labeling term “plant based beef” was intended to describe an entirely vegetarian or vegan food product. One major source of confusion uncovered by NCBA’s research is that approximately ⅓ of surveyed consumers believed that plant based fake meat products contained at least some real beef in them. When asked to evaluate specific product labels and marketing materials from some of the leading plant based fake beef products currently on the market, the results were astonishing: • Nearly ⅔ of respondents believed the fake meat products produced by Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, and LightLife contained real beef or some form of animal byproduct; • 32 percent of consumers who were shown a package of Beyond Meat’s “Beyond Burger” plant based patties (which features a cow icon) told researchers that they thought the patties contained at least small amounts of real meat; • 37 percent of consumers who were shown a package of Lightlife’s “Gimme Lean,” which features the word “Beef” highlighted in a red box, said the product contained at least some real beef. Neither
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product contains any real beef. “The fact that so many consumers look at these labels and think that the products include meat or other animal byproducts is a clear sign that the misleading labeling and deceptive marketing practices of plant based fake meat companies has caused real consumer confusion,” said Jennifer Houston. “Many of these fake meat products purposely use graphics and words that trade on beef’s good name, and it needs to stop immediately. Consumers rely on names and product packaging to inform their purchasing decisions, and they have a right to know that this information is accurate and not misleading.” When asked to rank plant based fake meat versus beef on a host of food attributes, the results were even more startling. For example: • 44 percent of consumers believed plant based products were lower in sodium when leading plant based fake beef is anywhere between 220-620 percent higher in sodium than the same size serving of real ground beef. A mere 24 percent of respondents correctly identified beef as being lower in sodium. • Scientifically speaking, beef is
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considered to be an unprocessed or minimally processed food, whereas plant based fake meat products are classified as an ultra processed food product. Unfortunately, 34 percent of respondents believed plant based fake meat to be less processed, and another 34 percent believed fake and real beef products were equivalent on the food processing scale. • On the broad category of healthfulness, more than half of consumers believed plant based meat was better. “This research is a wake up call for our industry, the news media, and for federal regulators,” Houston said. “We in the beef industry need to do a better job educating consumers about the fact that beef is a nutrient rich source of high quality protein and essential nutrients that can play a key role in any healthy lifestyle. We also need reporters and regulators to understand how many consumers are confused and/or misinformed about exactly what’s in these new plant based alternatives.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the power to prevent this sort of consumer confusion. In 2020, NCBA said it hopes there will be an opportunity to work with the Agency to end the
inappropriate use of the word “beef” on all non-meat product labels. For more detailed information about the survey methodology and results, visit www.ncba.org/CMDocs/ BeefUSA/Media/NCBA%20Meat%20 Substitutes%20Survey.pdf. Marty Smith of Florida Elected President of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Election of New President Caps Off Successful Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Fifth generation Florida rancher Marty Smith was elected president of NCBA at the annual Cattle Industry Convention. He replaces Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tenn., 2019 NCBA president. Smith operates Smith BrothersWacahoota, LLC, a cow/calf operation in Central Florida, that has been in continuous operation since 1852. It retains ownership through feedlots in Texas, Kansas, and Iowa. Smith graduated from the University of Georgia with a BSA in agricultural economics and animal science. While at UGA, he was on the livestock judging team and served as president of Ag Hill Council. He was also active in Alpha Gamma Rho and AGHON, the highest honor a UGA
student of agriculture, forestry, veterinary medicine, or engineering can attain. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1984. “It’s a tremendous honor to lead the
oldest and largest national organization representing America’s cattle producers,” Smith said. “We have a great product with a great story, and I’m looking forward to helping tell that story without apology during the year ahead as President of
A Message from the CEO By COLIN WOODALL
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Fake Meat Claims
There are countless articles about the fake meat business lately, and most of them are little more than promotional pieces for the companies producing plant based alternatives to meat. A recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article, titled “This Anti-CEO’s Mission Impossible: Use Capitalism to Kill Meat,” took a slightly different path, expressing a small dose of skepticism about the long term prospects for fake meat products and the ability of companies such as Impossible to turn consumers toward a vegetarian lifestyle in large numbers. We take the fake meat industry’s attacks and attempts at growth very seriously. However, there is little evidence to suggest that plant based alternatives are anything more than a fad being driven by massive investments in advertising, outdated information, and many false or misleading claims about the impact U.S. beef production is having on the planet. Impossible Foods CEO Pat Brown, who was profiled in the WSJ piece, is well known for his slanted views on this topic and his outrageous plans for his products. However, his bluster isn’t being matched by performance. Despite spending millions to promote plant based alternatives to meat, these products have failed to make significant gains in market share. The reason is simple. The products Mr. Brown and others are producing aren’t being demanded by consumers. Despite an admission by Mr. Brown that “It’s not going to work telling people how to eat,” he’s doing exactly that by using misinformation to paint a false narrative. Mr. Brown and his followers are using the popular tactic of climate shaming to advance the Impossible cause. Citing global livestock GHG emission numbers to lure consumers into
his snare, he ignores the fact that U.S. beef’s footprint is minuscule. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, beef production in the United States is responsible for just two percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. American beef production’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is far less than sectors such as transportation, at 29 percent, or electricity generation, which accounts for 28 percent. If solving climate concerns was Mr. Brown’s intention, he should have focused his energy on replacing fossil fuels, not replicating protein. Trying to solve a climate crisis by removing beef from American diets is the equivalent of trying to make it to the moon using a ladder. It’s likely Mr. Brown and others promoting their alt-meat products know the facts and choose to ignore them; instead, they spout misleading emissions numbers and rely on the basest form of marketing to guilt American consumers into buying something they don’t want, while enriching themselves. While Impossible may continue to refine its products, they will still be the opposite of what consumers expect when making a purchasing decision. Today’s consumers want simple, easyto-understand foods. They want natural products that are minimally processed and fresh. Over time, when consumers compare a single ingredient product such as beef to the periodic table of chemicals included in an Impossible product, no amount of climate shaming will convince consumers to ignore the fact that Impossible’s Frankenpatty was created in a lab. Until then, we must continue to fight together against the misleading claims and false promises being made by Mr. Brown and those like him.
NCBA.” Smith was formally elected at a meeting of NCBA’s Board of Directors, who also set the rest of the officer team for the coming year. Jerry Bohn of Kansas was named President-elect, Don Schiefelbein of Minnesota was elected Vice President, and Todd Wilkinson of South Dakota was elected chair of the NCBA Policy Division, while Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele was elected policy vice chair. Buck Wehrbein of Nebraska was elected chair of the NCBA Federation Division, and Scott McGregor of Iowa was elected vice chair. NCBA’s Board of Directors meeting and the selection of a new slate of officers capped a huge week in San Antonio, where more than 8,000 people met for the annual Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Convention attendees heard from speakers like U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, who also greeted visitors on the seven acre trade show floor on Wednesday afternoon. Participants also received updates about how their beef checkoff dollars are being used to promote beef consumption, set public policy priorities for the coming year, and honored Blackbeard’s Ranch in Myakka, Fla., as the winner of the 2019 Environmental Stewardship Award
Program (ESAP). The Convention ended on Friday night with the 2020 NCBA Professional Bull Riding (PBR) Invitational competition at the Alamodome. “I want to thank everyone who took time away from their operations to join us in San Antonio this week,” Smith said. “I know that getting involved in promoting our industry or pushing for better public policy is often a sacrifice, but our grassroots members of NCBA are always willing to do what it takes to get the job done. I hope to see everybody at next year’s convention in Nashville!” NCBA, Agriculture Groups Launch Farmers for a Sustainable Future to Highlight Environmental Stewardship. NCBA recently joined 20 other national agricultural groups in kicking off Farmers for a Sustainable Future, a coalition of ag organizations committed to environmental and economic sustainability. The coalition was introduced at a news conference on Capitol Hill recently “The launch of the Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF) is a defining moment,” said NCBA Vice President, Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, who
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NCBA News continued from page 69 CHUCK
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spoke at the rollout event in Washington. “The 21 agricultural groups — which represent the vast majority of the agricultural industry in our country — are standing side-by-side in unity to correct a false narrative that has haunted us for as long as I can remember. We’re here because we support incentivizing innovation, science based research, resilient infrastructure, and focusing on outcomes.” Other members of the Farmers for a Sustainable Future coalition include the American Farm Bureau Federation, USA Rice, American Sugar Alliance, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Pork Producers Council. NCBA is also a founding member of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, a multi-stakeholder organization composed of more than 220 ranchers, feed yard operators, packers, food service companies, research institutions, and NGOs that share a mission to advance, support, and communicate about beef’s sustainability. Lane said that American beef producers have a great environmental story to tell, and FSF is another way for NCBA to do just that. “We know that consumers care
how beef is produced, and they want to know that it’s done in a way that’s environmentally and socially sustainable,” Lane said. “In fact, the U.S. is the leader in sustainable beef production, with a carbon footprint 1050 times lower than the rest of the world. And while we’ve already made a lot of progress, American cattle farmers and ranchers are committed to continuous improvement by producing high quality beef even more sustainably for generations to come.” NCBA Statement on Beef From Brazil. Group Has “Serious Concerns” About Re-Entry of Brazilian Beef to U.S. Market. NCBA Senior Director, International Trade and Market Access, Kent Bacus recently released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture restoring access to the U.S. for Brazilian beef: “NCBA strongly supports science based trade and the Trump Administration’s efforts to enforce science based trade with all trade partners. But to be clear, NCBA has serious concerns about the re-entry of Brazilian beef to the U.S. market.
“NCBA has frequently questioned the lack of scientific evidence that was used to justify Brazil’s initial access to the U.S. market in 2016, and unfortunately, we were not surprised when Brazil forfeited its beef access to the U.S. in 2017 due to numerous food safety violations. NCBA praised Secretary Perdue for standing up for science based trade and holding Brazil accountable for their numerous violations by suspending Brazil’s access and subjecting Brazil to undergo a thorough science based inspection and audit process. It is evident that USDA believes that Brazil has addressed the concerns raised in the audit process, and steps will soon be taken to restore Brazil’s access to the United States. “Given Brazil’s history of footand-mouth disease (FMD) and its track record of repeated food safety violations at ports-of-entry, you can rest assured that NCBA will keep an eagle eye focus on all developments with Brazil and we expect nothing less than the highest level of scrutiny from USDA and customs officials. Should Brazil continue to have food safety or animal health issues, we expect the U.S. government, including
Capitol Hill, to take all necessary and immediate action to protect U.S. consumers and U.S. beef producers. “The re-entry of Brazilian beef to the U.S. market only further exacerbates concerns about the use of “Product of USA” labels on beef sold in the United States. As the trusted leader and definitive voice of the U.S. beef industry, NCBA will continue leading conversations with USDA and the entire supply chain to address any labels that may allow imported beef to carry a “Product of USA” label. NCBA believes voluntary origin labels with verified source claims will provide transparency in labeling without violating our international trade obligations.” 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.
UPDATE
Beef Quality Assurance Online Modules Updated to Boost Realism, Ease of Use. Program Takes Advantage of Input from Certified Users. Building on its updated National Manual launched in Summer 2019, the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program has updated its online training modules to make them more realistic and useful. The new modules are now available to those who are first becoming BQA certified online and those who are getting recertified as required after three years. First launched in 2017, the online training modules have been embraced to date by more than 100,000 in the cattle industry. BQA certifications are also available at in-person training events offered through state beef councils, cattlemen’s affiliates, extension programs, and other local efforts throughout the country. Funded by the Beef Checkoff, the BQA program touches more than 85 percent of beef produced in the United States today. “The new online modules maintain the program’s integrity and make its lessons more real life and user friendly,”
says Bob Smith, DVM, chair of the BQA Advisory Board. “They incorporate a wealth of input from people who use the practices every day as well as experts in the field and share them in a way that is practical and understandable. We believe the improvements will make this successful program more enjoyable and an even better learning experience.” The online BQA experience is tailored to each participant by industry sector and interest. After registering, participants are taken through an interactive training module that can be completed online, anytime, with participants starting and stopping training at their convenience without losing progress. Categories for training and certification include Cow/Calf, Stocker, and Feedyard. Online training and certification are available for free and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days each week, making it a convenient option for busy farmers and ranchers. To find out more about BQA online certification, go to www.bqa.org/bqacertification.
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Industry News Booming Trade Ahead? Cattlemen in the U.S. are ecstatic new trade agreements will provide a much needed boost to domestic cattle prices. Signing phase one of the Chinese trade agreement last month created the most frenzy, but an earlier trade pact with Japan is likely to have more immediate impact. For several years Japan has been the largest export destination for U.S. beef, peaking at more than $2 billion in 2018. Last year’s total slipped some 5 percent, but Japan remained the largest consumer of U.S. beef. On January 1, however, the newly minted U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement went into effect, lowering tariffs on chilled and frozen beef from 38.5-26.6 percent. On April 1, tariffs will drop to 25 percent. When the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement was signed last October, Ethan Lane, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association director of governmental affairs, said, “That is a level playing field and competitive access to our largest export market in Japan. This is the product of years of discussions and back and forth, and advocacy and education efforts on behalf of our leadership.” Reducing the financial hurdle to ship beef to Japan will boost U.S. exports, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. “The fact that Japanese consumers are going to be shouldering less of the tariff burden should increase consumption,” says Joe Schuele, USMEF spokesman. The trade group forecasts Japan will buy about $2.3 billion in U.S. beef this year, a 14 percent increase. USMEF forecasts continued sales increases to Japan over the next five years. That’s because tariff reductions will continue down to 25 percent next year with annual reductions until it reaches 9 percent
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in 2033. By 2025, USMEF believes the Japanese will be buying $2.8 billion worth of U.S. beef, which, if realized, would be a 30 percent increase over 2019 levels. Schuele says U.S. beef exports will increase because, “We feel we’ll be able to displace some competitor’s product, and we might also capitalize on increased consumption.” While beef industry leaders praise the Japan deal, they are nothing short of ecstatic over the potential in the U.S.-China pact. Since the Chinese market reopened to U.S. beef in mid-2017, only about 20,000 metric tons have been delivered. That’s less than 1 percent of total U.S. beef exports. But China represents a relatively untapped market with its massive middleclass population of roughly 550 million people. That’s 40 percent larger than the total U.S. population, and ten times the size of Japan’s middle class. “The phase one agreement with China will be a game changer for the U.S. beef industry,” says Jennifer Houston. “It was an especially great day for American beef producers.” That’s because China agreed to most of U.S. negotiators’ demands, and as a result, the Trump administration anticipates U.S. beef exports to China could soon reach $1 billion per year. In signing the agreement, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He signaled the Chinese are no longer worried about the threat of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). China also ended its ban on hormonetreated beef, stopped requiring beef come from cattle younger than 30 months of age, and ended its demands for a cattle traceability system in the United States. However, the Chinese held firm on
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their ban on cattle treated with ractopamine, a beta agonist given to feedlot cattle. While China made concessions on trade, there are still high tariffs that remain in place. Beef and all ag commodities are currently subject to a 47 percent retaliatory tariff, higher than the base 12 percent allowed under World Trade Organization rules. However, those tariffs will not prevent the export of beef to China, explains Gregg Doud, chief negotiator with the office of U.S. Trade Representative. “They made a commitment on meat that they have to meet,” Doud says. Maryland Bill Would Limit What Foods May Be Labeled ‘Meat’. Foods made of animal tissues cultured from cells outside of the original animal, or made from plants or insects, could not be labeled “meat” in Maryland under a Republican backed bill in the Maryland General Assembly. Senate bill 188 is sponsored by Senator Jason Gallion, R-Harford, and Cecil, who called it “truth in advertising.” Eleven other GOP senators are cosponsoring the legislation. “Laboratory grown meat will become more prevalent in the future, and this bill will proactively prevent these ‘franken meat’ alternatives from being labeled as meat,” Gallion said at Thursday’s bill hearing. “We just think it’s unnecessary. Not only are our members in full compliance with all federal regulations on the subject, but we’ve even gone beyond that with our own guidelines,” Dan Colgrove with the Plant Based Foods Association told lawmakers Thursday. “These products have to be very clearly marked as veggie, vegetarian, or plant based. That’s sort of the point, to offer alternatives to meat products.” Colgrove’s association represents more than 170 companies including Impossible Foods and The Tofurky Co., which make plant based meat substitutes. Cell cultured meat can not be purchased from stores yet, according to an email from Cathy Cochran, vice president of Alliance for Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Innovation, a lobbying group representing five companies working on bringing cellgrown meat to the market. In March, the U.S.Food and Drug Administration and Food Safety Inspection Service announced they would oversee the production of food made from cells of livestock and poultry to ensure they are “safely and accurately labeled.” The meat labeling bill, if passed, would cost the state an estimated $66,500
in the program’s first year to hire one fulltime public health worker who would develop regulations, do outreach and look into who would be affected, according to a state legislative analysis. The analysis estimated the costs would decrease after the first year. The Maryland Farm Bureau, a nonprofit that advocates for Maryland farmers and rural families, supports the bill. Parker Welch, with the Maryland Farm Bureau, told Capital News Service on Tuesday that the bill would provide customers more transparency. Welch said the bill would “provide a kind of consumer confidence in the product they’re buying, so when they pick up a package (of meat) at the grocery, there’s no confusion in what they’re buying.” Impossible Foods labels their products “plant based meat,” and last year, they worked with Burger King to introduce the Impossible Whopper, a burger that contains no beef, according to an Impossible Foods press release. In an emailed statement, Impossible Foods told Capital News Service that the company “stands for truth and transparency. That’s why our products are clearly labeled plant based meat.” In December, a federal court blocked Arkansas from enforcing a law that made it illegal for companies to use words like “burger” or “sausage” for non-meat products like veggie burgers, according to an American Civil Liberties Union press release. The ACLU challenged the law on behalf of The Tofurky Co., which makes “plant based burgers” and other meatless foods. The Maryland bill is different from the Arkansas law in that it would not prevent companies from calling their products “burgers;” it only deals with what can be labeled “meat.” In the bill hearing, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Delores Kelley, D-Baltimore County, asked Gallion what the harm is in labeling cell-grown meat, meat. Gallion explained that this bill acts “preemptively” to protect meat industry farmers, while a milk labeling bill passed last year acted “reactively” in response to plant based industries “piggybacking” off of the dairy industry’s Got Milk? campaign. “I think it’s important to have some pro-agriculture bills that come out to support these hardworking farmers who are trying to make a living like everyone else,” Gallion told the committee. Thirteen states, including Arkansas, have passed similar meat labeling restriction laws, according to a state legislative analysis. Gov. Larry Hogan, R, signed into law Gallion’s legislation on milk labeling, which prohibits plant based products, like soy or almond beverages, from being labeled milk — but only if 11 of 14 southern states also pass
similar laws. Those states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. If that law does go into effect, it tasks Maryland’s Department of Health with developing and implementing milk labeling restrictions. U.S. Beef May Soon Benefit From China Demand, Marfrig Says. As African swine fever leaves China with a formidable protein gap, Brazilian meat producers have been rewarded with a boom in shipments. Now, that demand burst could start spreading into the U.S. That’s according to Eduardo Miron, the chief executive officer of Marfrig Global Foods SA, the world’s second largest beef producer. He expects the BeijingWashington trade deal signed last month will lead to rising American beef exports to China. That should also lower available supplies in the U.S. market, which is already tight, and raise domestic prices, he said. It could mean more good news for Marfrig. The company just posted record earnings before some items and revenue in the fourth quarter, boosted by higher South America exports and a robust U.S. beef market. Miron expects to repeat strong results this year as China’s demand should continue benefiting margins -- not only in the Southern Hemisphere but now also in the U.S., he said. While Marfrig sells 85% of its U.S. production to local customers, who require better quality and pay higher prices, the company will see some secondary benefits of China’s increased demand for American beef. With other producers in the domestic market increasing sales to China, overall prices are likely to rise, favoring the whole industry, Miron said. American beef supplies could also be in greater demand as exports drop from Australia, where extreme wildfires are hampering cattle production. That could also contribute to higher U.S. margins, which have benefited from higher demand and ample cattle supplies, he said. Sao Paulo based Marfrig is one of the largest beef producers in the U.S., where it operates through its unit National Beef. Strong Demand, Leverage Shift Adds Optimism for Year Ahead. Beef demand is strong, and with U.S. cattle numbers plateauing, prices are likely to be stronger in the year ahead as consumers at home and abroad support industry profitability. That was the message delivered during the popular CattleFax outlook session, held as part of the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Weather is expected to play a supporting role for agriculture during the year ahead, according to Dr. Art
Douglas, professor emeritus at Creighton University. He said that following repeated El Niño events during the past five years, the U.S. will shift to a La Niña pattern, which will shift much of the nation outside of the northwest and southeastern portions of the country toward conditions slightly warmer and drier than last year, which will be favorable for planting and growing conditions during the spring and summer. CattleFax Vice President of Research and Risk Management Services Mike Murphy predicted that corn and soybean acres will increase during the year ahead, with corn plantings rising four million acres to 94 million acres and soybean acreage rising seven million acres to reach 83 million acres. He predicted 2020 spot corn prices to trade in a range of $3.50 to $4 per bushel, down 15-20 ¢ per bushel from 2019, unless weather issues become a significant factor. He noted, however, that trade could present an upside to the projected prices, particularly in light of the recently signed U.S./China trade agreement. Trade also will play a significant role in beef and cattle markets, according to CattleFax Vice President of Industry Relations and Analysis Kevin Good, who said he expects higher total animal protein production to be offset by strong demand and increasing exports. During the year ahead, Good said record large U.S. beef production will reach 27.7 billion pounds. However, he projected that increases in beef exports and decreases in beef imports will result in per capita beef supplies of 58.4 pounds, an increase of just 0.4 pounds over 2019 levels. “With strong demand for U.S. beef at home and rising demand overseas, the modest increases in supply will be more than offset by a growing consumer appetite for our product,” said Good, who projected all fresh retail prices will rise to reach an average of $5.87 per pound during the year ahead, an increase of 5¢ per pound over 2019. “Higher wholesale beef values are a reflection of improving domestic and global beef demand,” Good noted, pointing out that CattleFax projects composite cutout prices will rise $3 during the year ahead to reach $222 per hundredweight. Growing demand and increasing beef prices at the consumer level will be supportive of cattle prices, with leverage beginning to shift away from the packing sector as more shackle space becomes available during the year ahead. Good said CattleFax projects fed steer prices to average $120 per hundredweight during 2020, an increase of $3 from the previous year. Through the year, he noted downside risk to the $108 level, with resistance at the top near the $130 level. Calf prices are also expected to move higher in the year ahead,
with 550 lb. steer prices trading in a range of $155 to $180, averaging $170, up $6 per hundredweight from 2019 levels. Feeder prices will also rise, with 750 lb. steers trading from $140 to $160, with a yearly average of $150, also $6 per hundredweight higher than last year’s average. Good noted that additional supplies of utility cows, the product of several years of aggressive expansion, are likely to challenge the cull cow market. “However, increased demand for lean trim and a decline in the availability of imported grass-fed trim from Australia and New Zealand will be supportive of cow prices,” he said. He projected utility cow prices should range from the low $70 level to a fall low near $55, while averaging near $65 per hundredweight for the year, an increase of $5 per hundredweight over 2019 levels. CattleFax CEO Randy Blach closed the session highlighting the strong demand that is highly favorable to the entire industry. He noted that there is significant outside interest in U.S. protein production, which is also highly supportive and a positive sign for the future. “The days of boom and bust in our industry are behind us,” said Blach. “Thanks to strong demand at home and abroad, we’re likely to see far less volatility in the market during 2020 than
we saw last year.” Blach noted that global demand for all proteins is strong, with beef being a major beneficiary of that demand. “Rising demand has meant more dollars flowing into the industry, which adds to the profitability of all segments of our business,” said Blach, who noted that although the leverage has been largely held by the packing sector, that too would begin to shift during the year ahead, with more dollars flowing back into the live cattle segments. “That investment should begin to incentivize increases in shackle space during the years ahead,” Blach said. “In turn, as supplies begin to flatten out, packing margins have likely peaked, and we’ll begin to see margins at the packing sector begin to narrow as we move through 2020.” However, Blach pointed out that although the market outlook is positive during the year ahead, the U.S. beef industry needs to be vigilant and maintain a competitive posture. “There is strong demand for our product, but that’s the result of the fact that our business has paid attention to market signals, and we’ve been producing a consistent, quality product that has gained a greater piece of that retail dollar. We
Continued on the next page
Virginia Herd Health Management Services, PC In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) & Embryo Transfer (ET) * On-farm aspiration of oocytes via Ultrasound Guided Ovum Pick-Up (OPU). * Embyos come back in 8 days for placement or direct thaw freezing on-farm. * Can do on donors aged 8 months and older, up to 120-150 days pregnant. Doesn’t interfere with pregnancy. * Pregnant cows work really well, so the cow doesn’t get out of her production group. * Can do a donor every 2 weeks.
Oocytes fertilized at BoviteqUSA in Madison, Wisconsin. www.boviteq.com
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PAT COMYN, DVM
P.O. Box 555 Madison, Va. 22727 540-829-3625 (cell) • 540-948-5238 (office/fax) pcomyn@verizon.net Visit us online at www.vhhms.com. The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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Industry News continued from the previous page need to protect that,” said Blach. “Cattle must continue to be better over time. We must pay attention to what the consumer is telling us. That means conversations about topics like traceability and sustainability only become more important as time goes on. We have to listen to the consumer and respond with action to meet their needs and demands if we’re going to continue to be successful in a hyper-competitive global protein market.” Progressive Beef™ Celebrates Record Growth. Progressive Beef™, a cattle management and sustainability system for feedlot operators, is celebrating record growth. The program announced it has doubled the number of cattle certified through the program and nearly tripled the number of feedlots joining the program in the last year. Progressive Beef is the largest cattle management and sustainability program for feedlot operators. The program focuses on three main pillars: cattle care, food safety, and sustainability. Through a rigorous verification process, Progressive Beef increases transparency and helps give consumers assurances about the beef they purchase. To date, more than two million cattle have been certified through the program, and nearly four million cattle will be cared for at certified Progressive Beef feedlots this year. The number of feedlots entering the program has also shown impressive growth, jumping from approximately 21 in 2018 to nearly 60 as of January 31. The feedlots are primarily located in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. “Today’s consumers want to know where their beef comes from and that the cattle were raised with care,” says John Butler, chief executive officer of Progressive Beef, LLC. “Progressive Beef certifies that participating feedlots meet strict standards for cattle care, environmental sustainability, and process control. We are excited about the program’s growth and the opportunity it creates to deliver more beef to retail and foodservice operators that exceeds consumers’ expectations of how their food was raised.” Receiving certification is a stringent process that can take several months. In order to receive the Progressive Beef certification, feedyards must train operators on critical areas, including cattle care, water usage, and energy usage. All Progressive Beef certified feedyards must also adhere to a strict code of standard operating procedures and are verified annually by third-party auditors. “At Magnum Feedyard, we are committed to producing the safest, highest
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quality and most wholesome beef,” says Audrey Gabel, owner of Magnum Feedyard. “In our quest for excellence and consumer transparency, Progressive Beef has served as the gold standard for quality management systems, and we are proud to carry the Progressive Beef Certification.” The program has gained popularity within the industry. In 2018, Tyson Fresh Meats, the beef, and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc., became the first beef processor to license the Progressive Beef program, allowing its customers to fulfill the need for a beef program that creates a higher confidence level for consumers. Wendy’s is moving toward a majority of beef supplied by Progressive Beef certified feedyards by 2021. To find out more information on the Progressive Beef program, visit www. progressivebeef.com. About Progressive Beef. Progressive Beef, LLC, developed and currently manages the Progressive Beef program. Originally designed in 2000, the program has grown into a quality management systems approach to beef production with the goal of bringing transparency and verification to consumers. Progressive Beef LLC is located in Great Bend, Kan., and works with feedyards to verify their commitment and care for cattle. Visit www. progressivebeef.com for more information. Reimagining Liver Health In Beef Cattle. Undetectable diseases are hard to cure. You can’t look at a pen of feedyard cattle and know which ones have liver abscesses. Even technologies like ultrasound or blood tests don’t uncover it. “It’s just impossible to detect that in a live animal,” said Scott Laudert, who studied the condition for years in his longterm role as a ruminant nutritionist with Elanco. “It’s a silent disease.” He presented, “Liver abscesses: New thinking on an old topic,” at the Feeding Quality Forum, in Amarillo, Tex., in 2019. Laudert, now retired, discussed the challenge, management practices, and areas of needed research. “It’s estimated that the annual liver and visceral loss to the packer is in excess of $60 million,” he said. The livers themselves are only worth a few dollars, so the main cost is trimming adjacent tissue and the time and labor that takes. The Elanco Liver Check Program data from 2014 to 2018 shows that 18% of fed steers experience abscesses. That’s higher on Holsteins, at 49 percent, with 29 percent severe. “Minor abscesses don’t affect the performance,” Laudert said. “The liver is a very resilient organ in the body. Those small abscesses, it can just work right
The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
around them, regenerate itself where they might be taking up space, and the cattle will perform just normally.” Of the cattle affected, perhaps a third will fall into the “severe” category, he said. The data say that’s when feed intake typically drops 5 percent, with daily gains and carcass weight falling by up to 10 percent. The animals themselves might not even feel the disease at work in their bodies. A recent Colorado study showed no difference in eye temperature, hair cortisol levels, or mobility scores as cattle with abscesses exited the chute, compared to those without. Additional study is needed, but in this case, the research suggests “liver abscesses are not causing any welfare or wellbeing issues with cattle in the feedlot,” he said. Yet, it’s a shared concern for both cattlemen and consumers as antibiotics are used to prevent and treat the problem today. “This is not something we can take lightly,” commented John Stika, president of Certified Angus Beef LLC. “As we are committed to making sure human and livestock health concerns are addressed simultaneously, this is a place we need to look to make improvements as an industry. But it’s not as easy as turning off the switch. If tylosin is not available tomorrow, cattlemen don’t have another option.” The beef community can’t compromise animal care, so the balance lies in finding new solutions, he said. How, why and what to do Grain finished cattle often experience a buildup of lactic acid and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), lowering the rumen pH. The resulting acidosis keeps the good bacteria from growing while damaging cells in the rumen wall. “Bacteria will begin to attack the inner portion of the rumen wall and gain access to the liver,” Laudert said. Moreover, the rumen-wall abscesses open the bloodstream to those bacteria, which the liver then must filter out. Two main, virulent bacterial culprits flourish in the lactic acid filled environment. “So we know which two bacteria we need to deal with,” he said. “We just need to figure out how to deal with them.” Since 1973, that primary source of control has come through the antibiotic tylosin, marketed as Tylan. If it were taken off the market tomorrow, liver abscesses in feedyard cattle would undoubtedly increase, Laudert said. Tylan is effective, but as antibiotic resistance concerns and conversations continue, its future is not assured, so research for different solutions is necessary. “This is one of those problems we thought we’d solved, but in the era of
antimicrobial resistance, it’s probably time to re-solve it,” Stika said. “If you’re only relying on tylosin today, I think you’re on borrowed time.” Today, Elanco is working to keep herd health products available to cattle feeders, but looking to the future, half of its food animal research and development budget is allocated to finding alternatives to shared class antibiotics. Other options may include everything from new products like “essential oils” to vaccinations and new feeding management strategies. “Cattle are generally predisposed to development of abscesses very early in the feeding period,” Laudert said. “If you’re going to control liver abscesses, you need to start day one or just as soon as possible, or the train will have left the station, and a lot of your efforts will be to no avail.” That could mean including tylosin in warmup rations, but tapering off and not feeding it the last few weeks before harvest, he said. Bunk management makes a difference, too: limit feeding and slick bunk management may contribute to the challenge. “They need to be managed, so they don’t get too hungry, don’t overeat and don’t produce a lot of lactic acid in their rumen,” Laudert said. “Anytime we have cattle that are backed up waiting for the feed truck to come along is another opportunity for acidosis to occur.” Different classes of cattle and springtime finishing may also factor in. Cattle bred for higher feed intake and capacity to gain tend to see higher incidences, as do those harvested in March through May. “I call that the spring feeding frenzy,” he said when daylight and temperatures increase. “We see this in wild animals. We see it in beef cattle. Pretty much any kind of animals increase their intake during the spring, and I believe that’s causing the abscess differences. So if some sort of control measure can be applied, that would be the time to do it.” Laudert said there’s work going on at universities and in industry that could unlock solutions to this longstanding challenge. “If we can come up with an option that will reduce lactic acid production and enhance lactic acid utilization in the rumen, then we can control those bacteria,” he said. “It’s going to take some outside of the box thinking among feedyard managers and nutritionists and veterinarians.” Undetectable diseases are hard to cure…but perhaps not impossible. *All articles reprinted from Drovers Digital
...
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16th Annual Wilkes County Front Pasture Herd Replacement Sale …........................ 27 2020 Appalachian Classic ….............................................… 43 2020 S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting ........... 51 32nd Partners in Progress Hereford, Angus & Baldy Sale ….. 29 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus ….................................................. 75 41st Annual Southwest Virginia Performance Tested Bull Sale …..................................... 52 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale ….. 26 47th Annual Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas Sale …................................................... 35 49th Carolina Angus Futurity ….............................................. 9 AGCO — Massey Ferguson …................................................ 39 Alltech …............................................................................... 48 American Angus Association — Regional Managers …....... 15 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency …........ 75 American Red ….................................................................... 37 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ….................................................. 59 Back Creek Angus …............................................................. 75 Benton’s Hay Farm …............................................................ 66 BioZyme Incorporated — VitaFerm Concept•Aid …............ 64 Black Crest Farm - CATTLE FOR SALE …............................... 16 Black Grove Angus …............................................................ 75 Britt Angus Farm Production Sale …...................................... 8 C-Cross Cattle Company Spring Bull & Female Production Sale …........................ 47 Callicrate Banders …............................................................ 62 Carolinas Animal Health ….................................................. 75 Circle R Cattle/Monadnock Ranch — CATTLE FOR SALE …... 24 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. …..................................... 75 Double J Farms ….................................................................. 75 Dura•Cast ….......................................................................... 69 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. …............................................ 75 EBS Farms 12th Annual Select Bull & Female Sale ............... 57 F. Haniff Farms ….................................................................. 75 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ….......................... 49 Fowken Farm — CATTLE FOR SALE ….................................. 31 FPL Food, LLC ….................................................................... 22 Fred Smith Company Ranch …............................................. 75 G&E Virginia Premium Assured Heifer Sale ….................... 63 Grassy Valley Angus 27th Annual Bull & Female Sale …....... 13 H.J. White Farms …............................................................... 75 Harward Sisters Bull & Female Sale — THANK YOU ......….. 65 Howard Brothers Farms …................................................... 75 Hunt’s H+ Brangus …........................................................... 75 Hutton & Sons Herefords …................................................. 75 International Brangus Breeders Association — Brangus Country ......................................................... 40
Iredell Select Sale ….............................................................. 23 Knight-N-Gail Farm — CATTLE FOR SALE …......................... 60 Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale …..................... 21 Kuhn North America …......................................................... 68 Lawson Family Farms 2020 Spring Bull & Female Sale ...…... 5 McDonald Farms 17th Annual ‘Pick of the Pen’ Bull Sale …......................... 55 MultiMin® 90 …..................................................................... 38 N.C. Angus Association Directory …..................................... 12 N.C. Beef Council 2019 Annual Report …........................ 18-19 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application ….. 53 N.C. Hereford Association …................................................. 30 N.C. Simmental Association Directory ...........................….. 44 National Beef Checkoff/ North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment …............... 17 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Company ….................................................. 75 P.H. White Company ….......................................................... 25 Pearson Livestock Equipment ….......................................... 32 Pratt Cattle Company Spring Turnout Bull Sale …............... 14 Premier Select Sires ….......................................................... 45 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ….......... 36 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ..... 2 Smith Farm Trailer Sales …................................................... 75 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form ….......................................... 56 Southeast AgriSeeds …......................................................... 57 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule …......................................... 58 Southern Synergy 13th Annual Angus Female Production Sale ….................. 7 Springfield Angus ….............................................................. 75 ST Genetics — Bill Kirkman ….............................................. 75 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2020 Spotlight Schedule ….. 41 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates and Sizes ….. 54 Virginia Beef Expo …............................................................. 33 Virginia Charolais Association Shenandoah Classic Sale/ Cross Mountain Cattle Company “Quest for Quality Sale ….. 42 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM …...................................................... 73 West End Precast — Feed Bunks …....................................... 50 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs …........................ 3 Whitehall Beefmasters …...................................................... 75 Whitestone 27th Annual Pasture Performance Tested Angus Bull & Female Sale …............................................ 10 Wilkes Livestock Exchange …............................................... 46 Yon Family Farms Spring …................................................... 75
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q MARCH 2020
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VENTS ANGUS Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. Mar. 21 — 32nd Partners in Progress Sale, Wadley, Ga. Mar. 21 — S.C. Angus Association 49th Carolina Angus Futurity, Clemson, S.C. Mar. 28 — G&E Virginia Premium Assured Heifer Sale Mar. 28 — 41st Annual Southwest Virginia Performance Tested Bull Sale, Wytheville, Va. Mar. 28 — Whitestone 27 th Annual Pasture Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale, Aldie, Va. Apr. 3 — Pratt Cattle Company “Spring Turnout” Bull Sale, Atkins, Va. Apr. 4 — Graay Valley Angus 27th Annual Bull & Female Sale, Greeneville, Tenn. Apr. 4 — Iredell Select Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Apr. 4 — Lawson Family Farms 2020 Spring Bull & Female Sale, Ewing, Va. Apr. 4 — McDonald Farms 17th Annual ‘Pick of the Pen’ Bull Sale, Blacksburg, Va. Apr. 11 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 11 — Southern Synergy 11th Annual Angus Female Production Sale, Wadley, Ga. Apr. 17 — Virginia Beef Expo Angus Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 18 — Britt Angus Farm “Walking into Tomorrow’s Future” Production Sale, Hartwell, Ga. Oct. 17 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Sale, Clayton, N.C. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2021 Jan. 2 — EBS Farms Select Sale, Norwood, N.C.
CHAROLAIS Mar. 28 — 41st Annual Southwest Virginia Performance Tested Bull Sale, Wytheville, Va. Apr. 11 — Appalachian Classic, Knoxville, Tenn. Apr. 17 — Virginia Charolais Shenandoah Classic Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 17 — Cross Mountain Cattle Company Quest for Quality Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. GELBVIEH Apr. 11 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. HEREFORD Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. Mar. 21 — 32nd Partners in Progress Sale, Wadley, Ga. Mar. 27 — 2020 N.C. Hereford Association Annual Meeting & Banquet, Statesville, N.C. Mar. 28 — 52nd Annual Hereford Classic Sale, Statesville, N.C. Mar. 28 — 41st Annual Southwest Virginia Performance Tested Bull Sale, Wytheville, Va. Apr. 4 — Iredell Select Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Apr. 11 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 17 — Virginia Beef Expo Hereford Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. santa gertrudis May 9 — Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas 47th Annual Sale, Chester, S.C.
SIMMENTAL Mar. 7 — Iredell Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C. Mar. 28 — 41st Annual Southwest Virginia Performance Tested Bull Sale, Wytheville, Va. Apr. 4 — McDonald Farms 17th Annual ‘Pick of the Pen’ Bull Sale, Blacksburg, Va. Apr. 17 — Virginia Beef Expo Simmental Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Oct. 17 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Sale, Clayton, N.C. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. OTHER EVENTS Mar. 7 — Iredell Select Bull & Heifer Sale, Turnersburg, N.C. Mar. 14 — Union County Cattlemen’s Association March Madness Replacement Female & Bull Sale, Chester, S.C.
IGHTER A man enters a bar. The bartender comes over and asks, “Can I help you, sir?” The man asks, “What does a cup of coffee cost in this place?” The bartender says, “That would be $2.60.” “Alright, I’ll have one,” says the man. He takes 26 dimes out of his wallet and throws them all on the ground. The bartender doesn’t want to get involved in a fight so he just picks up the money and he brings the man his coffee. A week later, the same man enters the bar. He orders a coffee again but this time he pays with a five dollar bill. The bartender smelled an opportunity for revenge so when he brings the coffee, he throws 48 nickels on the ground as change. The man drinks his coffee leaving the change on the ground. A few minutes later he throws two dimes on the floor and orders a second coffee. * * * In a Catholic school cafeteria, a nun places a note in front of a pile of apples. The note says “Only take one. God is watching.” Further down the line is a pile of cookies. A little boy makes his own note saying “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.” * * * A man called his child’s doctor, “Hello! My son just snatched my pen
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q MARCH 2020
Mar. 19-20 — S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting, Clemson, S.C. Mar. 20 — 16th Annual Wilkes County Front Pasture Herd Replacement Sale, Washington, Ga. Mar. 21 — 32nd Partners in Progress Sale, Wadley, Ga. Mar. 28 — G&E Virginia Premium Assured Heifer Sale Mar. 28 — 41st Annual Southwest Virginia Performance Tested Bull Sale, Wytheville, Va. Apr. 11 — Knoll Crest Farm Spring Bull & Female Sale, Red House, Va. Apr. 16-19 — Virginia Beef Expo, Harrisonburg, Va. Apr. 17 — Virginia Beef Expo All Other Breeds Sale, Harrisonburg, Va. Dec. 5 — 45th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2021 Jan. 2 — EBS Farms Select Sale, Norwood, N.C.
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when I was writing and swallowed it. What should I do?” The doctor replied, “Until I can come over, write with another pen.” * * * Why don’t blind people like to go skydiving? It REALLY scares their dogs! * * * The local news station interviewed an 80-year-old lady because she had just gotten married for the fourth time. The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at 80, and then about her new husband’s occupation. “He’s a funeral director,” she answered. “Interesting,” the newsman thought... He then asked her if she wouldn’t mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living. She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years. After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she had first married a banker when she was in her 20s, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40s, a preacher when in her 60s, and now, in her 80s, a funeral director. The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers. She smiled and explained, “I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go.”