Webinar - Leveraging Genetics to Improve Profitability
Nov. 4, 2024 - 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Contact: Matt Spangler, mspangler2@unl.edu
Would you like to improve your profitability through the bulls that you select? Dr. Matt Spangler (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) and Dr. Troy Rowan (University of Tennessee) will be hosting a two session interactive webinar series on the evenings November 4 and 6 from 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. CT that will explain the basics of sire selection.
Topics to be covered will include:
• Developing a Breeding Objective.
• How to Interpret and Use EPD and Economic Selection Indexes.
• Hands-on bull selection exercises.
• Developing a customized selection index.
• Use cases for genomic tools.
People registering will receive a copy of the Sire Selection Manual. The deadline for registration is Oct. 23 and the course is limited to 30 participants. The cost of the course is $40. Register here: https://go.unl.edu/24geneticswebinar.
2024 Beef Cattle Technology Virtual Tradeshow
Nebraska Extension Beef Team will host an exciting virtual trade show tailored for beef cattle producers! Discover available, cutting-edge, technology-driven solutions from company representatives, extension specialists, educators, and industry leaders designed to enhance your cattle operation.
Upcoming Sessions in 2024:
December 5 (Thursday) - Water Monitoring Solutions: Explore the latest in water monitoring technology to ensure optimal hydration and health for your herd, as well as labor saving for your employees.
December 9 (Monday) - Virtual Fencing: Learn about virtual fencing solutions that offer flexibility, reduce labor, and improve pasture management.
Both webinars will be held from 7pm to 8:30pm Central Time.
Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead with innovative tools for your ranch! Register today! Here's the link.... https://unl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MHoJyJ3wRxi93ed0kTE8ZA#/registration.
FALL GRAZING OF ALFALFA
- Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Pasture & Forage Specialist
Every fall, there can be some situations where there can be the potential to graze alfalfa. In some cases, the alfalfa may not have been big enough to warrant haying or maybe you have an alfalfa field that is adjacent to some cornstalks. A side benefit is that grazing alfalfa in late fall or winter can reduce alfalfa weevil infestations by removing stems and plant parts that serve as a wintering site or a spring laying site for weevil eggs.
Even through late October and into November, alfalfa is still quite green, despite several nights with low temperatures in the twenties. There may be some wilting and yellowing, especially on the top, but most leaves still are attached to the plant stems.
The real question often being asked is “Can I be sure my cows won’t bloat if they graze my alfalfa?”. To be quite honest, you can never be 100 percent certain that alfalfa won’t cause bloat. Bloat occurs in ruminant livestock when gas produced during fermentation becomes trapped inside the rumen.
Bloat risk is much lower a week after a hard freeze that causes wilting. But always use good management methods to reduce the risk further. Have cows full before turning out to alfalfa. Wait until mid-day, after frost or dew is gone, before turning out. Provide other dry, palatable feeds or even bloat retardants. And keep a close eye on them for the first couple days.
Alfalfa can be grazed safely. Just be careful and realistic.
USDA Officials Visit Nebraska for the Groundbreaking of a New Cryogenic Manufacturing Facility
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Lillian Salerno today attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Lawson Cryogenic Manufacturing & Repair, a leader in the repair and maintenance of cryogenic and industrial gas equipment. Salerno, alongside Acting Nebraska State Director for Rural Development Joan Scheel, congratulated Lawson Cryogenic on their new manufacturing facility in Gretna, made possible by a nearly $10 million Business and Industry (B&I) loan guarantee.
Salerno has a long history of advocating for small businesses. “This USDA Rural Development investment in a rural business will help generate jobs, create new income and strengthen communities. We are privileged to be part of this new venture in Gretna.”
The 5,530-square-foot office building and 36,834-square-foot manufacturing facility will be located at 15130 S. 205th Ave. Gretna, NE 68028. Lawson Cryogenic will focus on producing cryogenic transport trailers.
The project is estimated to be completed by August 2025 and will create 35 new jobs in the local Gretna area. Lawson Cryogenic will partner with local trade schools to help recruit new employees.
National FFA Announces Winners for National FFA Agriscience Fair
The National FFA Organization has announced the 2024 National FFA Agriscience Fair winners for Social Systems. The winners were recognized today during the second session of the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo.
The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Students compete in one of six categories in the agriscience fair and under one of the six divisions — either individually or in a team. The winners are:
Social Science: Division 1
Grace Spooner of the Middle Tennessee Ag Academy FFA Chapter in Tennessee
Social Science: Division 2
Grant Slininger and Ava Cox of the Rockford Middle FFA Chapter in Minnesota
Social Science: Division 3
Esther VanOverbeke of the Waverly FFA Chapter in Nebraska
Social Science: Division 4
Chandler Wolf and Trent Oney of the Sumner FFA Chapter in Washington
Social Science: Division 5
Shayla Mader of the Stephenville FFA Chapter in Texas
Social Science: Division 6
Jackson Richmond and Sterling Richmond of the Stephenville FFA Chapter in Texas
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Commercial Red Meat Production Up 2 Percent from Last Year
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.45 billion pounds in September, up 2 percent from the 4.35 billion pounds produced in September 2023.
Beef production, at 2.20 billion pounds, was 3 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.57 million head, down 1 percent from September 2023. The average live weight was up 44 pounds from the previous year, at 1,406 pounds.
Veal production totaled 3.1 million pounds, 16 percent below September a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 16,100 head, down 26 percent from September 2023. The average live weight was up 37 pounds from last year, at 324 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.23 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.5 million head, up slightly from September 2023. The average live weight was up 4 pounds from the previous year, at 285 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 10.6 million pounds, was up 4 percent from September 2023. Sheep slaughter totaled 176,400 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 118 pounds, up 2 pounds from September a year ago.
By State (million lbs. - % of Sept '23)
Nebraska .........: 654.7 108
Iowa ...............: 726.5 101
Kansas ............: 480.9 103
January to September 2024 commercial red meat production was 40.8 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2023. Accumulated beef production was down slightly from last year, veal was down 14 percent, pork was up 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 2 percent.
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Draft Report a Mixed Bag for Pork Producers
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) expressed concerns about the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's latest report, criticizing the lack of scientific basis for recommending plant proteins as a replacement for animal proteins.
“The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has the opportunity to benefit public health by following sound science,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “While pork producers support the Committee’s recommendation to increase protein intake, their recommendation to replace animal proteins will severely compromise the American diet, as plant proteins are not nearly as nutritionally rich.”
The Committee recommends moving beans, peas, and lentils from the vegetable group to the protein group. While this increases the amount of recommended protein intake, this would be deceiving to Americans, as there are essential nutrients in animal protein that plant proteins do not provide.
This also puts at risk infants, young children, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older adults, as they require higher amounts of protein and nutrients that are provided by animal-based proteins. Pork can fill the gap in protein deficiencies, as well as provide ammino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients.
With diet-related diseases on the rise and the continued challenge of food insecurity, science-based nutrition is paramount. Pork is an affordable protein for families, as well as federal nutrition program recipients, including the military and schoolchildren.
The Committee will finalize and submit its scientific report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, allowing for another opportunity for the public to weigh in prior to releasing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Earlier this month, NPPC submitted comments to the Committee, raising scientific concerns around replacing animal protein with plant protein. NPPC will continue to engage with the Departments as a scientific voice for the U.S. pork industry.
Dairy Market Report - OCTOBER 2024
Highlights for the June-August period include continuing annual growth in total fluid milk consumption and the opposite for production of raw milk, both unusual when compared with decades-long tends.
Yogurt, butter, other than American-type cheese, and even fluid milk and total cheese all effectively showed annual per capita consumption growth during the period. The U.S. dairy industry exported more than 17% of U.S. milk solids production during three consecutive months for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2022. The monthly National Dairy Product Sales Report prices of all four basic dairy products reached their highest levels for 2024 to date in September, while the August Dairy Margin Coverage margin was the highest since margin protection became the basic federal dairy safety-net program in 2015, with continued high prices and margins expected.
View Full Report - https://www.nmpf.org/fluid-milk-consumption-grows-amid-milk-production-decline/.
‘Hey there, hay here’ free virtual seminar offers insights on forage quality and testing
The Indiana Forage Council and Purdue University Extension will host “Hey There, Hay Here,” a virtual seminar on forage quality and testing from 6 to 8 p.m. EST Nov. 12. The event is free to the public.
“Forage testing is more than receiving numbers and potentially having bragging rights that you’ve made top-quality hay. With the help of a trained nutritionist, the values from a forage analysis will permit the development of a ration, keeping livestock in excellent body condition regardless of where they are at in their life cycle,” said Keith Johnson, professor of agronomy at Purdue.
Those who are interested but unable to access the seminar livestream from home can attend one of the many viewing locations offered across Indiana. More details on these locations can be found on the Extension website https://ag.purdue.edu/department/agry/agry-extension/forages/hay-quality-seminar-2024.html.
Jason Tower, superintendent of the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, added that a hay analysis will help producers meet cows’ nutritional needs “by knowing the amount of supplementation needed to make up the nutritional shortfall in the hay.”
No registration is required for the seminar. For questions and/or accommodations, contact Johnson at johnsonk@purdue.edu or 765-494-4800.
Fighter Pilot and Professional Golfer to Open CattleCon 2025
Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney will be the opening general session speaker at CattleCon 2025, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas. A decorated F-16 fighter pilot, professional golfer, philanthropist and bestselling author, Rooney is called to “inspire people to help people.''
Rooney is best known for founding the Folds of Honor, a leading non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships for children and spouses of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Since its inception in 2007, the foundation has provided nearly 44,000 life-changing scholarships totaling approximately $200 million. Rooney is also a Class A member of the PGA and has founded two nationally ranked golf clubs in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus.
CattleCon 2025 attendees will begin the week with inspirational speakers and will end on a high note with an unforgettable evening at Cowboys’ Night at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on Thursday, Feb. 6. This bucket-list-worthy event perfectly blends the thrill of rodeo action with the best of country music.
Kick off the evening with heart-pounding performances featuring top rodeo athletes then stay tuned for a special country music performance by Scotty McCreery to end the night. A North Carolina native, McCreery won season 10 of American Idol, which kick-started his country music career. He was recently inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Getting to San Antonio is made easier with discounted flights on United, a registration payment plan, and free Thursday trade show registration for FFA and 4-H members. Cattle producers attending CattleCon 2025 are also eligible to apply for the Rancher Resilience Grant, which provides reimbursement for registration and up to three nights hotel. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.
A variety of registration options are available, including super saver rates for those who register early. For more information and to register and reserve housing, visit convention.ncba.org.
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