News Update
March 4, 2010

Beef Checkoff Is Geared Up For National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, and more specifically, March 10 is Registered Dietitian Day. In support of this month, the checkoff’s food and nutrition communications team continues to communicate about “29 Ways Toward Better Health” to reinforce the availability and affordability of 29 lean beef steaks, roasts and ground beef choices during a time when media, consumers and health professionals are talking about nutrition.

A snapshot of this year’s beef checkoff nutrition communications efforts include:

• Reaching more than 8,500 registered dietitians with beef nutrition resources and information at the 2009 American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo.
  
• More than 20 state beef councils are taking advantage of the five protein webinars available this year. The first webinar took place Tuesday, Feb. 23, and reached more than 350 Registered Dietitians in Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin.
  
• Runner’s World highlighted beef as a healthy choice in their January edition. The article quotes dietitian Garrett Berdan.
  
• The February edition of Better Homes and Gardens features an article about heart-healthy meals titled, “Heartwise in the Kitchen,” suggesting a lean steak and mushroom dinner.
  
• The March edition of Parenting magazine featured an article titled “Meals Your Belly Will Love,” covering Live Well attendee and registered dietitian Ellie Krieger, who suggests lean sirloin steak as a dinner option. 
  
• Prevention named beef one of “25 Ridiculously Healthy Foods” in October 2009.
  
• The Food and Nutrition program’s “I Heart Beef” campaign helped generate more awareness that lean beef is good for your heart in light of February being Heart Health Month. In total, the campaign has generated more than 95.7 million media impressions.
  
• More than 30 Nutrition Seminar programs hosted by the beef checkoff are taking place throughout the country in 2010.

“Americans are loving lean beef. Fifteen of the top 20 most popular cuts of beef sold at retail meet government guidelines for lean, including top sirloin steak, strip steak and T-bone steak,” says Daniel Smith, cow-calf producer from Stamping Ground, Ky., and chair of the checkoff’s Joint Nutrition and Health Committee. “So while they may not realize it, most of the beef consumers are choosing today is lean.”

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) conducts a nutrition education and information campaign each year designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. And, on March 10, the ADA calls out the work of registered dietitians, the food and nutrition experts who translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living.

As a commitment to providing wholesome and nutritious food to our nation’s families, the beef checkoff provides health professionals with beef nutrition education and resources. Celebrate National Nutrition Month with lean beef and visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com for recipes, fact sheets, protein research and simple tips for preparing nutrient rich beef.

For more information about checkoff-funded nutrition efforts, visit www.MyBeefCheckoff.com.

— Release by The Beef Checkoff Program.

Good Time to Get Control of Lice on Cattle

Lice typically start taking their toll this time of year on beef cattle that have not been treated since back in the fall.

According to Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri (MU) Extension, lice come in a variety of species — some are blood suckers and others are biters — but they are all parasites.

“Regardless of which type your cattle have, lice can cost you lots of money,” Cole said.

Cattle that have an active infestation of lice will suffer loss of gains, lower milk production, and a general rough, unthrifty appearance.

As weather warms and the number of lice worsens, cattle rub on fences, feeders, trees and anything else they can find to relieve the irritation.

“There doesn’t seem to be the serious lice problem there used to be thanks to pour-ons and injectable insecticides,” Cole said.

Years ago, sprays were the recommended method and they usually required two treatments.

Self-treating devices such as dust bags and back rubbers that contain insecticides have been on the recommended list for years, but they do need to be in areas cattle frequent.

Backrubbers are often the most economical if you already have them. However, Cole says they may not provide as quick and thorough control.

“Farmers now complain about the cost of the diesel or oil that is used with backrubbers is higher than the insecticide,” said Cole.

Pour-ons or injectable products are popular if the cattle are being put through the chute for another procedure. The cost depends on the product chosen and size of animal, but could run less than 50¢ up to several dollars per head.

“The control of lice not only improves the hair coat, it enhances performance of both cows and stockers. This can be worth several dollars when you’re marketing your cattle as buyers shy away from lousy looking cattle,” Cole said.
Cattle that are rubbing and showing patches of hair loss for other reasons than normal shedding may have lice issues.

To be certain if lice are the cause, Cole recommends running a few head through the chute and examining them closely for either the blood suckers or the biting louse.

For more information on managing louse problems, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mount Vernon, 417-466-3102; Gary Naylor in Dallas County, 417-345-7551; and Dona Goede in Cedar County, 417-276-3313.

— Release by MU Extension.

TSCRA & Pfizer Team To Provide Animal Welfare Workshop For Cattle Producers

Pfizer Animal Health, Region 14 Education Service Center, Autism Speaks and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) will team up to host a free workshop on proper animal handling and welfare for Texas cattle producers. World-renowned animal behavior and handling expert, Temple Grandin, will address the group in Abilene, Texas, March 9 at 1:30 p.m. The event is designed to further educate livestock producers on the importance of proper animal care and welfare.

“Proper animal handling and good nutrition play critical roles in a successful cattle operation,” said Gary Sides, Pfizer Animal Health cattle nutritionist. “Dr. Grandin is an innovator and expert on animal handling. Cattle producers will benefit greatly from her presentation.”

Grandin is best known in the livestock industry for her revolutionary work designing livestock handling facilities as well as her strong advocacy for autism. Her books “Animals in Translation” and “Animals Make Us Human” were both on the New York Times Best Seller list. Grandin was recently the subject of the HBO biopic “Temple Grandin” based on her book “Thinking in Pictures.”

The event will be at the Abilene Civic Center. RSVP by March 4 to 800-242-7820, ext. 192 or rsvp@texascattleraisers.org.

Grandin will also be speaking on human autism at the Abilene Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. For questions regarding this session, please contact Melissa Richardson at 325-675-8636.

All members of the press are invited to attend. Grandin will be available for press interviews. To schedule a press interview, please contact Carmen Fenton at 512-469-0171.

— Release by TSCRA.

College Internship Applications for this Summer Now Being Accepted by the Missouri State Fair

College students interested in gaining work experiences in the fields of public relations, marketing, journalism and agriculture communication have until March 29 to apply for internship positions with the Missouri State Fair.

According to Fair Director Mark Wolfe, up to three full-time summer internship opportunities will be available within the marketing and publicity office and one Youth-in-Agriculture Sale of Champions’ position for the 11-day fair.

Wolfe said the internships offer a variety of communication-related experiences in a professional working environment.

“Interns can expect to be engaged in activities such as press release writing, coordinating and executing events and corresponding with multiple publics through e-mail, telephone and direct mail communications,” Wolfe said.

Application forms are available by e-mailing Tammie Nichols, the fair’s marketing director, at Tammie.Nichols@mda.mo.gov. Applicants should mail a completed application form, along with a cover letter, résumé and a list of references to Missouri State Fair, 2503 West 16th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301. The deadline for applying is March 29.

Wolfe said some seasonal employees will be hired during the summer months in preparation for the fair, and several hundred more leading up to the 11-day event. Application information for these positions will be available online in early summer at www.mostatefair.com.

The Missouri State Fair will be celebrating its 108th year August 12 to 22 in Sedalia.

— Release by Missouri State Fair.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.