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News Update

November 21, 2011

EPA Seeks Nominations for
New Science Advisory Board Committee

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Nov. 21 that it is requesting public nominations of scientific experts for appointment to EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee. The primary purpose of this new committee is to review chemical assessments. The exact number for new committee members has not yet been determined. EPA will also consult with the committee on questions regarding the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program. This action continues the agency’s efforts to further strengthen the IRIS program. IRIS is a publicly available online database that provides high quality science-based human health assessments used to inform the agency’s decisions on protecting public health and the environment.

“Science is the cornerstone of the EPA’s work, and ensuring the highest standards of scientific integrity and credibility is an ongoing priority for EPA and the IRIS Program,” said Paul Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “EPA plans to request advice from the Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee on a variety of issues, including how we implement recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences related to the development of IRIS assessments.”

In July 2011, EPA announced plans to improve IRIS as part of an ongoing effort initiated in 2009 to strengthen the IRIS program. Today’s announcement is a demonstration of the EPA’s commitment to scientific integrity.

NDSU Releases Range Monitoring Video

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service and Hettinger Research Extension Center (REC) have teamed up to produce a video titled The Importance of Range Monitoring.

“Rangelands are the fundamental base of our livestock industry throughout the world and also critical to wildlife habitat,” says Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Extension Service rangeland specialist. “Monitoring rangeland is critical for producers to understand where they are, where they have been and where they are going to go.”

The video points out that healthy rangelands provide a variety of benefits, including forage for livestock, habitat for wildlife, water storage and filtration, and soil erosion protection. Healthy rangelands also provide recreational possibilities, such as horseback riding, mountain bike riding, hunting, fishing and bird watching.

The video offers tips on managing rangelands and determining if goals are being met.

“The value of rangelands often is underappreciated because people see the rangelands and don’t fully understand what is going on,” says Amanda Gearhart, Hettinger REC research specialist. “There are ecosystem processes that go on in the rangelands, people and animals use it, we get energy from the rangelands and many other things, so there are processes that go on that often aren’t well-recognized.”

Sedivec agrees. He says it is important for the public to know what the land contributes to society, whether it’s an economic return to the livestock industry, aesthetic value, wildlife value or carbon sequestering.

The video is available at several websites:

NCBA Invites Youth to Compete in 2012 Contests

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will host a number of youth contests at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. NCBA encourages all youth interested in agriculture to participate in the NCBA youth contests that will take place Feb. 1-4, in Nashville, Tenn.

The 2012 contests include public speaking, team marketing, beef quiz bowl and cattle judging. Each contest offers a number of different age divisions allowing youth from 4-H members to college students to participate. Bill Donald, NCBA president, said the NCBA youth contests are where future industry leaders can come together to showcase their talents.

“The Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show and youth contests unite all of our industry under one roof,” Donald said. “Everyone always looks forward to seeing the best and brightest young people that our industry has to offer through the youth contests, and I encourage everyone to participate.”

The 2012 youth contests, sponsored by Farm Credit, are open to anyone who meets the age requirements and is present at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention. To register for the 2012 NCBA youth contests or for more information, visit www.beefusa.org or contact Lorie Liddicoat at lliddicoat@beef.org.

Wheat Pasture Useful Heifer Supplement, if Available

Cattle producers with access to adequate wheat pasture in late November and early December can use it as a supplement for pregnant replacement heifers. Pregnant heifers consuming full feed on wheat pasture will gain about 3 pounds (lb.) per head per day. However, it is important that wheat pasture be used judiciously.

“A pregnant heifer that is on wheat too long can become very fat and, in turn, potentially experience calving difficulties,” said Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cooperative Extension emeritus cattle specialist.

“Also, the wheat pasture can be used for gain of stocker cattle or weaned replacement heifers more efficiently.”

In the early 1990s, a two-year OSU study was conducted with bred replacement heifers on three different wintering diets:

At the beginning of calving on Feb. 7 and until spring, all heifers were placed on native range and fed the 40% protein supplement. Birth weights were similar for all groups of heifers.

“In the first year, when nearly half of the Group 1 heifers were in a body condition score 7, more calf loss was noted in this group compared to the others,” Selk said.

Some heifers were noted to experience apparent uterine fatigue, a condition where during labor the heifer strains for a short time then gives up.

“If wheat pasture is used for bred heifers, use it as a protein supplement by allowing the heifers access to the wheat pasture on at least alternate days,” Selk said. “Some producers report that one day on wheat pasture and two days on native range or Bermuda grass pasture will work better. This encourages the heifers to go rustle in the warm season pasture for the second day, rather than just stand by the gate waiting to be turned back in to the wheat.”

It is important to note that an adequate amount of standing forage or dry hay must be available during the “off” days.

Selk said whatever method is used to grow the pregnant replacement heifers, plan to have them in at least body condition score 6 by calving so that they will grow into fully developed, productive cows.

 

 
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