News Update

December 04, 2017

Beef Talk

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service and North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association (NDBCIA) collect and analyze data through Cow Herd Appraisal of Performance Software (CHAPS) to produce meaningful annual benchmarks. The current growth benchmark for actual weaning weight is 554 pounds (lb.) at 192 days of age, with an average daily gain of 2.5 lb. These calves are a 5.2 frame score.

The NDBCIA uses the CHAPS program to calculate five-year rolling benchmark values for average herd performance. Those values have been quite consistent. Let’s look closer at the average actual weaning weight benchmark.

Historically (10-plus years ago), the benchmark was 558 lb. for 2003, 556 lb. for 2004, 558 lb. for 2005, 562 lb. for 2006 and 561 lb. for 2007. In 2008, the benchmark was 560 lb., and it was 567 lb. in 2009, 565 lb. in 2010, 563 lb. in 2011 and 563 lb. in 2012. More recently, the benchmark was 558 lb. in 2013, 556 lb. in 2014, 555 lb. in 2015 and 553 lb. in 2016. The 2017 benchmark is 554 lb.

Read the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA column online.

— Adapted from a column by Kris Ringwall, North Dakota State University Extension.

Winter Nutrition for the Pregnant Cow

Cows need more and better-quality feed as pregnancy progresses. Nutrient requirements in early gestation are not much different from maintenance requirements, but as the fetus grows larger, the cow’s nutrient needs increase. After calving, when a cow is lactating, she needs a much higher level of protein and energy than when she is pregnant.

Young cows’ requirements are highest because they are still growing. A heifer should be about 85% of her projected mature body weight at breeding, according to Beef and Forage Specialist Barry Yaremcio with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. During her first pregnancy, the heifer needs to grow a calf and herself at the same time.

For the average beef cow [1,100 to 1,600 pounds (lb.)] the protein requirements in mid-gestation, late gestation and after calving would be a minimum of 7%, 9% and 11% respectively, on a dry-matter basis.

“Energy requirements, as a percent of TDN (total digestible nutrients), should be 55%, 60% and 65%, respectively, for those same stages,” he says.

There is a major change from the last trimester of pregnancy to lactation.

Continue reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.

— Adapted from a release by Heather Smith Thomas for Angus Journal.

NFU: Senate Passes Tax Cuts for the
Wealthy on Backs of Family Farmers

The U.S. Senate Dec. 2 voted 51-49 to approve its version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

National Farmers Union (NFU) staunchly opposed the legislation because it would increase the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion, jeopardize funding for farm safety-net programming, and shift the nation’s tax burden from wealthy corporations and individuals to the rest of us, and to our children and grandchildren. In response to the vote, NFU President Roger Johnson said:

“Today, the U.S. Senate voted to cut taxes for the wealthiest individuals and corporations in our country, and pay for those cuts by adding $1.5 trillion to the deficit and shifting the tax burden onto the rest of us, and to our children and grandchildren. This legislation and its counterpart on the House side are inherently flawed, and Congress should reject any combination of the two.”

— Adapted from a release by Andrew Jerome, National Farmers Union.

AFBF: Farmers Commend Senate Action on Tax Reform

Regarding the recently passed Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall responded:

“Farmers and ranchers have long called for a fair tax code that recognizes our hard work, as well as the unique challenges we face in growing our nation’s food, fiber and fuel. The Senate’s passage of tax reform legislation today puts us within reach of that goal.

“We applaud the Senate’s commitment to key tax provisions farm and ranch businesses depend on, such as immediate expensing, business interest deduction and cash accounting. While we also had hoped to see the estate tax finally put to death, increasing the exemption should bring relief for many farm and ranch families looking to preserve their agricultural legacy.

“Farm Bureau looks forward to the Senate and House reconciling the differences between their respective versions in conference to achieve a final tax-reform package that addresses the needs and concerns of farmers and ranchers and boosts economic growth in rural America.”

— Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Southwest Beef Symposium set Jan. 17-18 in Odessa

The Southwest Beef Symposium, jointly conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service, is set Jan. 17-18 at the MCM Elegante Hotel, 5200 E. University Ave. in Odessa, Texas.

“Looking to the Future” is the theme of this year’s conference, said Bruce Carpenter, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist in Fort Stockton.

“Cattle prices have adjusted downward after some very favorable years for cow-calf and stocker producers,” Carpenter said. “Consequently, various segments of the industry are now looking for opportunities to add income with improved production and/or marketing.”

Individual early registration is $75, which includes a prime rib dinner on Jan. 17, lunch on Jan. 18, and refreshments and symposium proceedings. Early registration is required by Jan. 12.

To register, or for more information go to http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/Beef or contact Carpenter at 432-336-8585, or Steve Paz, AgriLife Extension agent in Ector County, at 432-498-4071. Late and onsite registration is $95.

The opening session from 1-5 p.m. Jan. 17 will address big-picture emerging issues in the global beef industry, Carpenter said.

For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.

— Adapted from a release by Steve Byrns, Texas AgriLife Communications.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Journal.