News Update
July 5, 2012
'Emergency' Heat Stress Day for Nebraska Cattle
Much of Nebraska's cattle will be in "Emergency" heat stress category continuing through Friday, July 6, according to USDA's cattle heat stress maps.
Dee Griffin, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension veterinarian, states that air flow and water are the keys to minimizing death loss. Move cattle out of pens that have air flow obstructions, divide pens of cattle and place part of the cattle in empty pens to increase their access to water. Also, avoid water restriction by leasing or purchasing water tanks/tubs (cattle need 20 gallons of water and about half must be available in the middle of the afternoon).
Cattle that are black or dark red in color are at greatest risk. Naturally fed cattle are at a higher risk than conventionally finished cattle. Additional high-risk cattle are discussed on the USDA ARS Cattle Risk Factors page.
For more information about heat and cattle management, click here.
National Beef Ambassador Registration is Open
Contestants, chaperones and guests can now register for the National Beef Ambassador Program (NBAP) competition, funded in part by the beef checkoff, scheduled for Sept. 28-30, 2012, in Sacramento, Calif. All forms are located on the NBAP website. Registrations must be received by Sept. 1.
For more information about the program and how to become involved, click here.
The National Grange Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Morrill Act by Honoring Members Who are Land-Grant Alumni
The National Grange is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Public Land-Grant University System, established under the Morrill Act of 1862.
The legislation, better known as the Morrill Land Grant Act, named after its sponsor, Justin Morrill, founded the system of federal funding for public institutions that agreed to "teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts ... in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes ..."
"Tens of millions of Americans, many of whom are or have been Grange members, have benefited from the educational opportunities extended as a result of the Morrill Act," National Grange President Ed Luttrell said. "As we look forward to our own 150th anniversary in 2017, we understand the importance of celebrating roots, heritage, success and impact over a century and a half."
Under the Morrill Act, each state received 30,000 acres of federal land for every member of Congress representing their state. Total, the Act allocated 17,400,000 acres of land that provided an endowment of $7.55 million in 1862.
For more information about safety tips and the full release, click here.
Four Executives Named to Farm Foundation Board
Four executives from across the food and agribusiness value chain have been elected to the Board of Trustees of Farm Foundation.
Elected were James (Tres) Bailey, director of Agriculture and Food, Walmart; Claudia Garcia, senior director, Global Corporate Affairs, Elanco Animal Health; Steve Irsik, president, Irsik Equities; and William Nelson, president, CHS Foundation. The election took place earlier this month at the Board's annual meeting in Burlington, Vt.
"We are excited that these accomplished executives are adding their leadership to the Foundation's Board of Trustees," says Greg Heying, chairman of the board. A retail food industry consultant, Heying also chairs the board of directors of Farm Foundation NFP, the operating entity of Farm Foundation.
For more information on the current drought, click here.
Roadside Haying Date Advanced in Drought-stricken Counties
Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman announced Monday, July 2, that the start date for roadside haying will be moved up to July 3 in designated counties, as a replacement for the original date of July 15. The change comes due to the current drought in most parts of the state.
The Nebraska Cattlemen organization is very appreciative of the quick response to their request for flexibility on the haying start date. Because of this change, landowners will now have the ability to harvest the grass before quantity and quality are diminished further. The July 3 roadside haying date is effective in the following counties.
Adams, Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Boyd, Box Butte, Brown, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Custer, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dundy, Franklin, Furnas, Frontier, Gage, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Grant, Greeley, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Hooker, Howard, Jefferson, Kearney, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Morrill, Nuckolls, Pawnee Perkins, Phelps, Red Willow, Richardson, Rock, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sherman, Sioux, Thayer, Thomas, Valley, and Webster.
Animal ID Program Unveiled in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium is pleased to announce the launch of the Identifying Wisconsin™ branded tag program.
The voluntary Identifying Wisconsin branded official ID program is the first of its kind and has been developed with support from Wisconsin livestock producers, industry and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
The Identifying Wisconsin initiative is an independent, industry-funded program dedicated to accurate animal identification and highlights the consumer value and quality of Wisconsin livestock. The program was developed by producers, for producers and consumers.
Under the Identifying Wisconsin program, Wisconsin producers with a premises ID can purchase approved AIN (840) and Premises ID tags. All tags approved for the program will carry the "Wisconsin Origin" seal that is printed by tag manufacturers and only distributed to farms in the state of Wisconsin through select distributors.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Brucellosis Moves Outside Borders of
Wood Buffalo Park in Canada
Provincial authorities have confirmed the first cases of brucellosis in wild wood bison outside Wood Buffalo National Park, raising some fears that if left unchecked, the disease could spread to cattle on nearby farms.
Since the 1920s, the bison herd living within the park has been known to carry both brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis. But after taking tissue samples in two herds that roam along the edge of the park, officials have confirmed the disease has moved beyond the park's gates.
Two animals from the herd living near Wentzel Lake have tested positive for brucellosis, though none of the tested animals showed signs of bovine tuberculosis. However, the two diseases are usually associated with the herd in Wood Buffalo National Park.
For more information, click here.
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