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COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER
2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
Pleasant Hill Farms’
THE BEGINNING IS NOW...
9th Annual Production Sale Saturday, October 10, 2020 1:30pm cst, at the farm in Rockfield , Kentucky
For LiveAuctions.tv information, contact: Brooklyn Graham (812) 530-0748 brooklyn@liveauctions.tv
Selling 60 Lots of Angus, Simmental, & SimAngus Genetics Show Heifer Prospects, Bred Heifers, Cow/Calf Pairs, Embryos & Semen PHF Dixie Erica 627, AAA 19664403
BCA Abigale 419 , AAA 18182377
H Vance out of a Rito 1I2. Sells bred to Square B Class Action for a fall calf.
SAV First Class out of an SAV Pioneer. Sells AIed to SAV Elation for a fall calf.
PHFC Miss 504C, ASA 3070390
Carter’s Vallee E216, AAA 18870323
PHF Blackbird 7002, AAA 19098619
SVF A65 out of an LF Dream Doctor. Sells bred to WAGR Catalyst for a fall calf.
SAV Renown out of an SAV Net Worth. Sells AIed to HA Cowboy Up for a fall calf.
H Vance out of an SAV First Class. Sells AIed to HA Cowboy Up for a fall calf.
Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles 508 Richpond Rockfield Road Rockfield, Kentucky 42274 (270) 843-9021 or (270) 791-3526 cell Email: pleasanthillfarms@twc.com Corbin Cowles (270) 991-2534 Harvey Mast (270) 791-6873
For your free reference sale booklet, contact anyone in the office of the sale managers, Tom Burke, Kurt Schaff, Jeremy Haag, AMERICAN ANGUS HALL OF FAME at the WORLD ANGUS HEADQUARTERS, Box 660, Smithville, MO 64089. Phone 816-532-0811. Fax 816-532-0851. Email: angushall@earthlink.net. www.angushall.com
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
3
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S CO L U M N I STS
7 Steve Dunning: President’s Thoughts 8 Ryan Quarles: Commissioner’s Corner 11 Dave Maples: From Dave’s Desk 12 Baxter Black: Just Words 14 Nathan Lawson: Kentucky Stockyards: Critical Infrastruc- ture 16 Chris Teutsch: Tips for Stockpiling Tall Fescue: You Want Me To Do What?! 26 Candice Smith: Are Your Employees Entitled to Overtime Payments? 28 Dr. Michelle Arnold: Traceability and RFID Are Back! 70 Jeff Lehmkuhler: Corn or Cattle or Both?
FEAT U R E STO R IE S 20
The DGAC Conundrum: Is Committee Confusing Average Ameri-
cans? 22
Asian Longhorned Tick Found in Kentucky
30
Mid-Year Cattle Inventory: Thoughts on Heifer Retention and Feeder
Cattle Outside of Feedyards
33
Kentucky State Board of Agriculture Searching for New State Veteri-
narian 36
More Profit with Fewer Cows
38
Price Protection Can Help Cattle Producers in Volatile Markets
40
NCBA Summer Conference
44
USDA Provides Update on Investigation Following 2019 Tyson Beef
Plant Closure and COVID-19 Pandemic
46
Why Farmers Face Unique Threats from Stress
48
Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles Sounds Alarm on Unsolic-
ited Foreign Seeds
56
To Spray or Not To Spray
64
United We Steak
66
APHIS Awards RFID Ear Tag Contracts 18 NCBA Legislative Update 24-25 Economic & Policy Update 50-51 Membership 52-53 Kentucky Beef Council 54-55 Kentucky Beef Network 59 Kentucky Angus Association News 68 Calendar of Events 68 Advertisers Index 69 Market Report 69 Classifieds
4
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER
2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
What Is Your Comparative Advantage? To be profitable in today’s cow-calf market, you must have a comparative advantage. There is not enough margin to throw average cattle out there and do an average job taking care of them. What can you do better than anyone else? I am not talking about that you can put up a big pretty roll of hay that your neighbor says looks good from the road. What do you do that makes you produce weaned calves at a lower cost of production than everyone else? Do you get more of your cows bred because of genetic selection for fertility? Do you live close to a distillery and haul off free slop? Do you have gentle cattle and good stockmanship that allows you to lease a farm others couldn’t? Do you have the ability to graze cover crops or corn stalks? Every one of these things allows you to produce calves at a lower cost of production and makes you more profitable. My educational background is not in animal science or agronomy. It is in economics. I have both undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics. I have 8 generations of beef cattle production in my resume but only about 12 college hours of ag classes. One thing I did learn in school that is missed in most ag curriculum is comparative advantage and the price taking model. No matter the quality of your calves, you are still a price taker. The only way you are setting your price is if you are selling beef direct to the consumer. Your double vaccinated 90 day weaned calves are certainly worth more than that single 500 lb yearling that went through the ring earlier, but they have one thing in common. Someone else assigned their value other than the owner. I don’t care what the sale barn manager told you, but your 7 weight steers are not any more special to the feedlot that bought them than any of the other loads of 7 weight steers he bought from 10 other sale barns that week. They know what they can sell them for to the packer, and they know what they can afford to pay for them. It costs the same to feed a good cow as it does a bad cow. Investment in genetics that will produce better replacement females is the best way to develop a profitable cow herd. I am not talking about looking at a cow and saying she is pretty and will make a good replacement. I am talking about data driven maternal selection for cows that show up to work every single year and pay their way on fescue pastures. My cows breed at 97% in 60 days and two-year old cows breed back for their second calf at 95% while producing heavy calves that fit the market. Those percentages will keep you in business. We have the data and EPDs to prove we have the most profitable cow herd. Our bulls and replacement females will pass along those traits of economic inportance to your calves and replacement females. Visit with us this fall, and we will be happy to help you find your comparative advantage in the marketplace.
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
OAK HOLLOW
PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS CATTLE
FALL BULL SALE AND FEMALE OPEN HOUSE MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2020 FREE DELIVERY 42ND ANNUAL FIRST CHOICE BULL SALE MONDAY, MARCH 29TH, 2021
Kenneth D. Lowe (270) 202-7186 Joe K. Lowe II (270) 202-4399 www.OakHollowAngus.com Smiths Grove, KEntucky
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
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K E N T U C K Y CAT T L E M E N ’ S AS S O C I AT I O N 2 0 2 0 L E A D E R S H I P KCA REGIONAL DIRECTORS: REGION 1
Daniel Hayden, VP*.................(270) 570-2815 Buddy Cook.............................(270) 275-1274 Gary Woodall...........................(270) 725-0819 Ricky Haynes............................(270) 945-9057 Don Pemberton........................(270) 889-3885 Don Clements...........................(270) 389-0527 Mark Heimgartner...................(270) 875-2585 Jeremy Armstrong...................(270) 668-2056 John (JJ) Tucker....................(270) 617-0301 Dennis Wilson.........................(270) 952-1714 Caleb Jenkin............................(270) 952-0767
REGION 2
KCA 2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS: PRESIDENT
Steve Dunning 8200 Antioch Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240 (270) 498-8180
PRESIDENT ELECT Chris Cooper 2140 Tates Creek Road Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 200-7711
TREASURER
Ken Adams 90 E Horseshoe Ave. Upton, KY 42784 (270) 734-1443
PAST PRESIDENT Tim White 3664 Military Pike Lexington, KY 40513 (859) 509-5401
VICE PRESIDENT Cary King 250 Bright Leaf Drive Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (859) 734-2173
KCA PROGRAM CHAIRMAN Jeff Pettit 5745 US Highway 41 S Seebree, KY 42455
(270) 836-2963
KBC CHAIRMAN
Andy Bishop 6135 High Grove Road Cox’s Creek, KY 40013 (502) 350-7609
KBN CHAIRMAN
6
REGION 3
Danny Cooper, VP*...................(606) 782-4809 Wanda Hawkins.......................(502) 321-5602 Alan Bryant..............................(502) 548-1379 Maynard Stetten......................(502) 609-4986
Cary King 250 Bright Leaf Drive Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (859) 734-2173
KCA’S PAST PRESIDENTS: 1972-73 1974-77 1978-79 1980-82 1983-85 1986-87 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Joe Lowe, VP*.........................(270) 202-4399 Craig Thompson......................(270) 590-5174 Trent Jones.............................(270) 590-5266 Chuck Crutcher.......................(270) 272-6269 Alison Brockman....................(270) 403-3205 Steven Green..........................(270) 528-1720 Mike Bullock..........................(270) 792-9644 Dr. Kenneth Green...............(270) 589-7175 Adam Maulden.......................(270) 590-1005 Kirk Cecil.................................(270) 692-7698 Hunter Galloway....................(731) 332-0098 Rayetta Boone..........................(270) 230-5488 Adam Estes..............................(270) 537-3761 Phyllis Gentry..........................(502) 331-1146 Don Reynolds...........................(270) 528-5239 Andy Joe Moore.......................(270) 646-2458
Jere Caldwell† - Boyle Smith T. Powell† - Lincoln Larry Lovell - Union John Masters† - Mason Seldon Hail† - Laurel Bob Vickery† - Wayne Glenn Mackie - Bourbon Dale Lovell - Muhlenberg Steve Henshaw† - Union Jerry Fraim - Grayson Glen Massengale† - Wayne Dell King - Christian Kenneth Lowe - Warren Dr. J.L.Cole - Monroe Harvey Mitchell - Mercer Jim Naive† - Spencer Shelby Hughes - Logan Hoppy Lovell - Barren Charles Miller - Jessamine Larry Clay - Perry
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Jack Kimbrough† - Shelby Mark Williams - Crittenden Paul Napier - Lincoln Eddie Young - Washington Greg Ritter† - Barren Don Pemberton - Christian Billy Glenn Turpin - Madison Scotty Parsons - Christian Corinne Kephart - Shelby Greg Robey - Mercer Mike Bach - Bath Don Reynolds - Hart Steve Downs - Marion Gary Woodall - Logan David Lemaster - Clark Chuck Crutcher - Hardin Bobby Foree - Henry Tim White - Fayette
†(Deceased)
COW COUNTRY •
Jerry Oak.................................(502) 525-7248 John Allison.............................(502) 220-3170 Lincoln Clifford........................(859) 954-0102 Allen Phillips............................(502) 829-5652 Phillip Douglas.........................(502) 845-4620 Amanda Hall............................(859) 333-5001 Nicole Goecke..........................(606) 782-2263
REGION 4
Randy Warner, VP*................(859) 771-5280 Lisa Baesler.............................(859) 509-5020 David Lemaster.......................(859) 749-0258 Ron Ray...................................(859) 825-8516 Donovan Pigg..........................(859) 749-9675 Danielle Harmon.....................(606) 748-8059 Ronnie Lowe...........................(606) 782-5058 Jason Crowe............................(859) 582-0761 Amy White..............................(859) 227-2552 Bruce Witt...............................(859) 585-8889 Brandon Sears.........................(502) 777-0738
REGION 5
Phillip Reese, VP*......................(859) 339-0450 Herman Benge.........................(606) 862-6451 Steve Downs...........................(859) 805-1278 Brent Woodrum......................(859) 397-1078 Anne Bays................................(615) 478-8450 Danny Ray Spalding................(859) 336-0444 Adam Chunglo.........................(859) 613-2985 C. Mike Spalding.....................(270) 669-6587 Brent Ware...............................(606) 379-5711 Gary Ford..................................(270) 402-2194 Aaron Burke..............................(859) 265-1172 Jared Foley...............................(270) 858-3900 * Denotes member of Executive committee
VOLUME 33 • ISSUE 9 176 PASADENA DRIVE • LEXINGTON, KY 40503 • PHONE: (859) 278-0899 FAX: (859) 260-2060 • WWW.KYCATTLE.ORG • INFO@KYCATTLE.ORG Executive Vice President Dave Maples
KBC Director of Consumer Affairs Anna Burnett
Director of Kentucky Beef Council Nathan Lawson
Membership Coordinator Nikki Whitaker
Staff Accountant Kelly Tucker
Publication Coordinator Carey Brown
Director of Kentucky Beef Network Becky Thompson
Graphic Designer Todd Brown
KBN Industry Coordinator Dan Miller
Office Manager Mackenzie Miller
KBC Director of Education Niki Ellis
Video Production Specialist Danny Coy
KBC Director of Product Development Katelyn Hawkins
National Advertising Sales, Livestock Advertising Network, Debby Nichols (859) 321-8770, Cathy Campbell (609) 581-7644
COW COUNTRY NEWS is published monthly by THE KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any material which he feels is unsuitable for the publication. Although the highest journalistic ethics will be maintained, the KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION limits its responsibilities for any errors, inaccuracies, or misprints in advertising or editorial copy. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all content of advertisements made against the publisher. SEPTEMBER
2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
PRESIDENT’S THOUGHTS STEVE DUNNING Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association President
Not much to report on the weather other than it is Kentucky normal, hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms, known in the weather world as diurnal convection. I don’t recall ever seeing a July weather trend quite like this year’s, with the wind out of the north on a daily basis. Nightime lows were sometimes in the sixties and one night my temperature gauge registered 59 degrees farenheit for a low. In the western part of the state it rained every day while the Lexington area was under drought conditions. 2020 will be remembered for several reasons including the weather. On the farm we are cutting our second round of hay between rain showers. The pastures are really taking advantage of all the extra rain and the hay is fair to good. Still, clipping pastures and weedeating consumes most of our time.
NCBA held the summer business meeting in Aurora, Colorado the first week of August. Although Kentucky leaders made a decision not to attend because of COVID-19, the attendance was still fair. I traveled to Lexington and watched most of the meetings with Dave Maples and the KCA staff on a webinar session in Dave’s office. Not quite the same as attending in person, but still informative. The Check-off funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program was certified by United States Department of Agriculture as complying with the ISO Animal Welfare Management specifications. This means that BQA aligns with the principles of the world organization for animal health (OIE) and ensures the welfare of cattle across the supply chain. This designation illustrates BQA’s continued evolution and it will help with international
trade discussions in showing our commitment to animal health and welfare.
still top shelf in my home. Baked, fried, or grilled.
In 2014, my good friend Steve Downs from Marion County, while serving as president of KCA, took a lot of heat and good intentions ribbing after making a statement that he really enjoyed mutton or lamb meat. Let me go on record now stating that I love barbecued mutton, chicken cooked any kind of way and being raised on pork, also enjoy a good pork chop, and of course a ham and biscuit for breakfast and bacon is essential any time.
I mention that I was raised on pork. The reason for that being pork was inexpensive in the 50’s and 60’s and my famly did their own butchering. Beef was a “treat”, a delicacy usually baked in the oven as a beef roast and occasionally we would have a cookout with hamburgers on the grill. I did not have my first beef steak until I was 18 years old at my brother’s house. (My sister-in-law Carol thought I was deprived.) It was the best thing I had ever eaten and then she introduced me to A1 sauce. WOW!
That same year, Steve, myself and my wife Julie ate at an Irish steak house in Denver, Colorado, all enjoying a delicious lamb dinner. Why is our president telling us this you ask? For the same reason my family doctor constantly tells me...”everything in moderation”. Not every meal can be a porterhouse (my favorite) but beef is
So as summer winds down and possibly (hopefully) the kids return to school, fire up those grills and put on your favorite cuts of good lean, nutritious beef. Are you hungry yet?? Cowboy Up.
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FALL SALE • October 26 • Monday 12:30pm at the farm 25 Registered bulls (12 to 19 months of age) 25 Fall Calving Commercial Cows 50 Commercial Bred Heifers due to start calving March 1, 2021. All qualify for Cost Share Lick Tanks also available!
& Ready to Move!
CED
BW
WW
YW
Milk
+3
+2.7
+56
+101
+17
Stone Gate Escort 3867
SONS SELL
GIVE DARREL A CALL FOR ALL OF YOUR FEED BIN AND CATTLE HANDLING EQUIPMENT NEEDS!
DARREL EASTRIDGE • 270-469-5389 COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
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COMMISSIONER’S CORNER
CENTRAL KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION Ladies Day 2020 Sale
RYAN QUARLES Commissioner of Agriculture By the time you read this, we will have almost concluded the 2020 State Fair, which looks much different from what the agriculture community have come to know and love. Months ago, I and the Kentucky State Fair Board worked together to propose a plan to the Governor’s Office to proceed with a 2020 State Fair that followed the latest Centers for Disease Control guidance. That’s why we were disheartened to learn on August 13 that the Governor and his advisors did not believe the fair could proceed under the plan originally approved by the Administration and implemented a plan to impose further restrictions on the fair. Of course, we believe public health is paramount, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that the Kentucky agriculture community was disappointed in that decision. I am glad that key agricultural components like our youth livestock shows and the World Championship Horse Show were able to occur with mod-
ifications to accommodate guidelines and live-stream those events. Youth livestock shows honor our agricultural roots and traditions. Children and families learn together about the importance of animal health and well-being, thoughtfulness, positive judgement, of setting a goal, and seeing it to completion. We owed it to our kids to give them this opportunity to participate in the culmination of all their work at the Kentucky State Fair.
Saturday • September
12, 2020 • 1 PM (EDT)
Central Kentucky Angus Sales Pavilion • Danville, KY To allow proper social distancing, the sale will be conducted in the open sided show arena. GPS Address: 2286 Fork Church Road, Lancaster, KY 40444
Selling 75 Head - 55 Lots Registered Angus Cattle
Featuring an outstanding selection of pedigrees, numbers and performance!
This pandemic is weighing on everyone – including me. Like a late night infomercial, every day 2020 seems to say to us, “But wait! There’s more!” I know that our farm families are working hard to make sure the world has the food and fiber it needs to thrive. I and all of Kentucky is incredibly grateful to you. My prayer is that this pandemic will soon end and we can all get back to our lives as we once knew it.
20 Cow/Calf Pairs: Including many 3-n-1 packages 16 Bred Cows: 11 due this fall, 5 in spring of 2021 12 Bred Heifers and 7 Open Heifers: Foundation female quality in this group
2 ET Heifer Pregnancies:
Tehama Tahoe X Boyd Abigail 4168
461 straws of semen & 1 tank: Including Jindra Double Vision (10), Hoff Limited Edition (19), Woodhill Foresight (8)
Consignments from these leading breeders: Anne Patton Schubert Tom Auxier B & K Angus Black Gold Genetics Blugrass Angus Brier Creek Angus Cliffside Farm D & D Longview Double G Angus Green Oaks Farm
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY This two-row forage head is a real treasure. Minimal Investment and huge returns. High performance and low maintenance. Stake your Claim!
C a l l C h a r l i e a t (8 5 9) 6 0 8 - 9 74 5 redbarnandassociates.com
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COW COUNTRY •
SALE MANAGER:
Heritage Farm Hidden Springs Lochmann Angus McDonald Angus Popplewell Farms Raab’s Ray of Hope Rose Lane Farm Smithland Angus Toll Angus Farm Tricklin Creek Farm
Tim Dievert 478 Dry Fork Road Danville, KY 40422 Office: 859-236-4591 Mobile: 859-238-3195
E-mail: tdievertdievertsales.com Details and online catalogs available at www.dievertsales.com, www.angus.org or www.topshelf-auctions.com after 8-20-20
Lot 1 Heritage Forever Lady 763 -19053931
AUCTIONEER: Eddie Burks 270-991-6398 SALE DAY PHONES: 859/238-3195 or 859/583-0364
LIVE INTERNET BIDDING TOP SHELF-AUCTIONS WWW.TOPSHELF-AUCTIONS.COM DAN WELLS 740.505.3843
Catalogs mailed upon request only SEPTEMBER
2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
BEEFMAKER Fall Edition
OCTOBER 19, 2020
Open House Private Treaty Bull And Female Sale Bulls And Females Will Be Price And Ready For Your Selection Starting 10 AM • At Barnes Sale Facility 1644 Piedmont Hwy • Cedar Town, GA 30125
GENETICS THAT MATTER 80 - Coming 2 Year Old Bulls 50 - F1 Commercial Female 25 - Whiteface Baldies 15 - Brahman • 10 - Black
RMB 247D 831D WHITLOCK 680G CED
BW
WW
YW
DMI
SC
SCF
Milk
M&G
CEM
MCW
+3.3
+2.4
+61
+98
+0.5
+1.0
+17.3
+38
+68
+3.9
+100
UDDR
Teat
CW
FAT
REA
MARB
BMI$
BII$
CHB$
+1.30
+1.30
+90
+0.083
+0.67
+0.05
+$ 381
+$ 455
+$ 122
Roy and Marie Barnes, Owners 447 Whitlock Ave. I Marietta, GA 30064 Kevin Atkins (256) 706-9405 1644 Piedmont Hwy I Cedar Town, GA 30125 kevinatkins01@gmail.com www.barnesherefords.org
w
WHITE HAWK RANCH
WHR 4013 800C BEEFMAKR 838F ET
COW COUNTRY •
CED
BW
WW
YW
DMI
SC
SCF
Milk
M&G
CEM
MCW
+0.4
+3.7
+73
+115
+0.5
+1.2
+18.8
+31
+67
+4.6
+103
UDDR
Teat
CW
FAT
REA
MARB
BMI$
BII$
CHB$
+1.40
+1.30
+91
+0.083
+0.56
+0.42
+$ 426
+$ 538
+$ 129
SEPTEMBER 2020
Gary R. Hedrick (678) 858-0914 g.hedrick@whitehawkinc.com Ben Hedrick (404) 216-4274 Herdsman, Diego Gutierrez (678) 629-1804 James Atkins (404) 922-6508 www.whitehawkbeefmakers.com
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No matter the job, we will always be absolutely level with you. The new John Deere Mechanical Self-Leveling Loader option. This new loader option starts level and stays level from start to finish. The 20% to 40% greater lift capacity, when compared to our non-self leveling loaders, is well grounded too. The option is available on John Deere 1 Series, 2 Series and 3E Tractors with John Deere 120R, 220R and 300E Loaders. Talk to your John Deere Dealer today. NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE™. RUN WITH US. Search “John Deere Mechanical Self-Leveling Loaders” for more
To be absolutely level with you, there is no way a house of cards could remain balanced and upright lifted up and down on a pallet. Doesn’t change the fact that our Mechanical Self-Leveling Loader stays level from it’s lowest point to its highest. And vice versa. Now, that’s level. Refer to your John Deere Operator’s Manual for specific instructions for your Compact Utility Tractor and add ballast as recommended in your John Deere Loader Operator Manual.
JohnDeere.com/MSL
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10 79946_MSL_Bridge_Full Page Print_Rd05.indd 1
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER
2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N 8/5/20 3:44 PM
FROM DAVE’S DESK DAVE MAPLES Executive Vice President Just about every day the topic of more robust price discovery comes up. Our office has participated in several ZOOM calls on this topic. The conversation is mostly centered around the cattle feeding states from Texas to Iowa. The discussion point of a more robust price discovery system is either voluntary or by a legislative or regulatory mandatory means. Neither form would guarantee high prices. As you watch what is going on with cattle prices what you are really looking at is a supply and demand situation. You have seen it over and over. If the supply of cattle is high the price is low and when there is a shortage of cattle the price is high. Most often the market will correct itself if you give it time. Today there are two, possibly three, main ways that fat cattle are sold including the traditional cash trade, negotiated base price for a grid, and then the fed cattle exchange. The fed cattle exchange just sold and is under new management. Producers are hoping with additional investment this internet form of trading will improve cattle marketing. The beef industry is not an easy game. Not only are we competing with other protein sources but we are competing with each other. We compete for pasture land to lease with our neighbor and we compete with the different sectors within the beef industry. The University of Kentucky beef extension program did a survey this past month of Kentucky beef producers and extension agents with questions regarding needs within the industry and marketing was by far the most mentioned topic. That was the same high priority topic of conversation in the KCA strategic plan last year and the Beef industry long range plan that was rolled out last month. The industry has called together some of the most well studied and respected beef economists in the country to study the topic of a robust price discovery system. There is also a group from our industry that includes feedlot owners as well as the cow calf sector that will be looking at ways to improve the price discovery issue. I hope the groups will look up and down the chain not just when the cattle move from a feedlot to a packing plant. But look
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
at retail and food service all the way back to stocker operators and to the cow calf level and all points in between. I get many calls about packer consolidation and I can see it happening but I can’t stop it and neither can you. It is happening at the feed lot level, the stocker level, the auction barn level, and at the farm level. But it is also happening at the retail and food service level that we don’t often see. We hardly ever talk about concentration at the further processing level. This is where the meat goes after it leaves the packing plant and before it goes to a retail store or restaurant. Earlier in the year JBS announced on February 18th its plans to purchase Empire Packing Company for $238 million dollars. The transaction includes Empire’s case-ready production facilities and Ledbetter branded retail products. Empire is comprised of five processing facilities located in Cincinnati and Mason, Ohio; Denver; Memphis, Tenn.; and Olympia, Wash. The reason that I was interested in this acquisition was because of the $100 million dollar Mason, Ohio plant that is a further processing plant for Kroger’s. In addition to the Empire acquisition, JBS made the announcement last week that they agreed to acquire Plumrose USA, a subsidiary of Danish Crown A/S, in a deal valued at $230 million. The acquisition expands the JBS portfolio to include the prepared foods and value-added categories. JBS will take over operations at two processing plants in Iowa as well as three others in Mississippi, Vermont and Indiana. The deal also includes two distribution centers in Indiana and Mississippi. For those that think they want to run a packing plant just know that it includes a lot more than the packing plant itself but further processing plans and distribution facilities and marketing agreements with national and international food companies and it takes hundreds of millions of dollars to play the game. As an industry we either need to try to understand what we are dealing with and how to fit into the system or build a new system. Which would be the more logical choice?
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ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE
16th Annual Gateway Regional Bred Heifer Sale Friday, October 23rd, 2020 • 6:30PM
JUST WORDS
Bluegrass Stockyards East • 3025 Owingsville Rd. Mt. Sterling
BAXTER BLACK, DVM
SELLING 140 Spring Bred Heifers.
W W W. B A X T E R B L A C K . C O M
They were just words. “Tear down the Berlin Wall!” Reagan to Gorbachev at the Brandenburg Gate, 1987 “Chance of rain.” Weatherman in Louisiana before Hurricane Katrina, 2005. “Give me liberty or give me death.” Patrick Henry, 1775 “I wish I’d never read this book... so I could read it again for the first time”. Dan Trimble about Hemingway’s “Old Man and the Sea”. 1992 “The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank.” Erma Bombeck. 1976 We often underestimate the value of words. “Good job, son.” “Best cobbler I ever ate.” “Did you paint that yourself?” “I’m really proud of you.” “Thank ya, Love.” We underestimate their power. “You shouldn’t a let that kid beat ya.” “Maybe you should lose some weight, Hon.” “You should’a tried harder.” “Not again, they’ve heard those stories before.” “You do that everytime!” There are people whose opinions we truly value. There are people whose praise we’d die for. They are often two different things. Sometimes we genuinely would like to improve ourselves. “Yer lettin’
your rope go too soon.” “Give him his head.” “Always check the hind feet when you set him up.” Sometimes we just need encouragement. “You did the best you could.” “You looked like you won from where I sat.” “It sure runs better after you worked on it.” Most everyone is the most important person in someone’s life. It is no small responsibility. It should be a crime if we don’t realize and recognize that importance because what you say can have such long lasting effect. “I believe you got the makin’s of a world champion.” Kaycee Field’s dad. “I know you can do it, but be careful.” Gus Grisham’s wife, Apollo 13 crew. “Believe in yourself.” Martin Luther King’s Sunday School teacher. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country...” JFK “Write about what you know.” My college English professor after giving me an F on a poem I wrote for a class assignment. “You’ll never amount to anything.” Too many of us, too many times.
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Heifers have completed extensive spring and fall health programs. All Heifers meet requirements for Kentucky Phase 1 CAIP Cost Share and Tennessee program. All are examined safe in calf by a competent veterinarian through palpation or ultrasound All service sires are calving ease acceptable bulls. Heifers are guaranteed BVD-PI negative, and are EID tagged. Heifers have been screened by Kentucky Department of Agriculture graders for structure, frame, muscle, disposition, and any imperfections Sold in uniform groups by breed, frame, and expected calving due dates Free delivery of ten or more purchased up to 200 mile radius
These heifers excel in quality and have exceptional future earning potential. For More Information Contact: John McDonald • (859) 404-1406 Email: johnk.mcdonald@ky.gov Catalogs available 2 weeks prior to sale Sale Day/Stockyard Phone: 859-498-9625 • Jeff Copher: 859-229-7587
Anderson County Conservation District
SUPERVISORS Roy Toney James R. Smith Marna Bollinger Randy Chrisman Don Sayre Mike Wilson Susan Burge
1067 Corporate Drive | Lawrenceburg, KY 40342 Phone: (502) 604-6101
Administrative Secretary Beverly McElwain
Join us for a
Farm Tour
Words... like burrs under a blanket, like nails in a coffin.
Tuesday, September 15 5:30 p.m. 1521 Ballard Road Lawrenceburg, KY
Like a single match in a sea of gasoline.
The Anderson County Conservation District, along with the Ky. Division of Water, has completed a 319(h) project in the Cheese Lick Watershed to improve water quality. The tour includes the farms of: Ricky Stratton Stanley Searcy Don Sayre Jody Hughes
Improvements include: Fencing Heavy Use Areas In-line Fence Feeders Watering Systems
RAIN OR SHINE
Box lunches will be served at 5:30. To reserve yours, call 502-604-6101 before
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COW COUNTRY •
S E P T E M B E R September 2 0 2 0 • 9. A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
COW COUNTRY •
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CHECKING ON THE CHECK-OFF
KENTUCKY STOCKYARDS: CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NATHAN LAWSON Director of Kentucky Beef Council Our daughter Addison recently turned fourteen. We’re so proud of the young lady she is becoming! As she and her siblings continue to grow, I have to remind myself that now is the time for making memories, providing valuable life experiences, having fun together and enjoying our lifestyle, as a family planted in agriculture. Recent visits to several of Kentucky’s stockyards have reminded me of memorable trips to a sale barn with the kids, the cat-walks are their favorite. I remember Addison’s first visit to the old Blue Grass Stockyards in Lexington. She’ll never forget walking around that yard with a birds-eye view of the pins of
cattle, a truly great memory for she and I! Similarly, our younger two Jayden and Journey, have experienced the fun of a lap or two around the cat-walk at the Washington County Livestock Center. Great experiences, priceless memories and simple fun in the everyday life of our family! Stockyards play a critical role in the beef industry, from memory making to profit taking, Kentucky families need strong points of sale to sustain a living in the cattle business. These facilities provide marketing opportunities, jobs, and networking, connecting buyers and sellers in the development of strong
relationships to help facilitate the marketing process. The Beef Council serves a similar purpose as we strive to connect beef consumers (buyers) to beef producers (sellers), as ambassadors for Kentucky beef. There are over 23 auction market locations across the state. On any day, save Sunday, you can find a place to sell cattle in Kentucky. As critical infrastructure, our stockyards have remained open to serve and support their customers and our industry as a whole, keeping cattle moving as a vital link in the beef supply chain. Much like foodservice and retail grocery workers, the team members at your local sale barn have continued to work hard, in spite of the risks. These men and women truly become friends over the years as you communicate and interact in the process of marketing your cattle. From the office staff to the buyers, the work they do is so valuable. At the Beef Council we recognize how important these markets are to the work that we do as well. Upon a recent
visit to western Kentucky, KBC staff had the pleasure of meeting the folks at the Kentucky-Tennessee Livestock Market in Guthrie. Mr. John Boulden has worked at the Guthrie market for nearly 30 years. Faithfully stationed at the unloading gate, Mr. Boulden was writing lot tickets assisting those delivering cattle for the day’s sale when we met. He’s already retired once from a previous career, and has continued working nearly thirty years at KY-TN Livestock Markets. Nearly 90 years young, he was the first person I met when we arrived to visit. It’s difficult to deny a man like Mr. Boulden a hand shake when he extends his arm to make a new friend. The Mr. Boulden’s of our world are great examples of what’s right and good in our industry. Relationships are the key. Whether making family memories, marketing cattle, or advocating to consumers on behalf of beef, all are rooted in the people and purpose of seeing others succeed. We’re in this together.
Get everything you need to build your farm fence from Pasture Management.
www.pasturemgmt.com
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2020
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Congratulations to Donna Gribbins of Shelbyville for winning the 2020 Derby Burger Challenge with her Bourbon Blackberry Glazed Bacon Cheeseburger Get the recipe at kentuckycattlemensbeef.com
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
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FORAGES
T I P S F O R S TO C K P I L I N G TA L L F E S C U E
YO U WA N T M E TO D O W H AT ? ! CHRIS D. TEUTSCH UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, Princeton, Kentucky
Grazing stockpiled grass during the winter months costs about one-third to one-half as much as feeding hay. Extending grazing 60 days could save a 40-cow operation between $2,400 to $4,800. While that won’t buy you a new truck, it could fund a nice getaway for your family! In all seriousness, in years where cattle prices are down, this may be the difference between breaking even and losing money.
stockpiling forage for winter grazing is feeding hay in September and October. The neighbors will drive by and say, “that guy (or gal) has blown a gasket, he has plenty of grass and he is feeding hay”. However, feeding hay during this critical period gives cool season pastures a chance to grow as temperatures moderate and rain comes. This growth can then be grazed December and January.
Stockpiling is simply allowing forage growth to accumulate during one part of the year and grazing it later. In transition zone states like Kentucky, this is most commonly done during late summer. One of the most crucial and yet overlooked management practices for
Choose a strong tall fescue sod in a field that is well drained. To get the maximum yield response to nitrogen applications you will need a healthy stand of tall fescue. Choosing a field that is well-drained will help to ensure that the stockpile can be grazed with minimal pugging damage
Stockpiling Tips
during the wet winter months. Clip pastures that will be stockpiled to 3-4 inches prior to applying nitrogen. Clipping pastures removes old growth and increases the forage quality of the stockpiled grass. Apply 60-80 lb of nitrogen per acre in mid to late August. Applying nitrogen too early can stimulate summer annual weed growth, while applying nitrogen too late decreases dry matter yield. Allow growth to accumulate until midDecember before grazing. If limited grazing is available, feed hay during this accumulation period rather than the winter months.
Graze stockpiled pastures that contain legumes first. Legumes deteriorate at a faster rate than grass and should be grazed first to minimize losses. Strip graze tall fescue to maximize grazing days. Allocating only enough stockpiled grass for 2-3 days will increase grazing days per acre by 30 to 40%. Frost seed legumes on grazed areas. Closely grazed stockpile provides an excellent opportunity to establish legumes in grass dominated pastures. Broadcasting the seed as the pasture is being grazed can enhance soil-seed contact and increase overseeding success. For more information on stocking visit your local extension office.
17th Annual
FEMALE PRODUCTION SALE September 26, 2020 n 6 PM At the farm • Hillsboro, Ohio
STOCKYARDS
FFall all BBred r ed H eifersSales Sales Heifer East—Gateway Regional Heifer Sale Friday, October 23, 2020 6:30 PM
Maplecrest Blackcap F5247 18471681
SELLING 70 LOTS OF ANGUS FEMALES
Richmond—Top of the Crop Bred Heifer Sale Tuesday, October 27, 2020 6:00 PM
6 Elite Fall Yearlings from the Top of our Fall Replacements 39 Bred Heifers n 16 Spring Bred Cows n 9 Fall Pairs n 6 Spring Pairs Females bred to GAR Ashland, GAR Quantum, Connealy Emerald, GAR Drive, GAR Combustion, GAR Method, GAR Dodge, GAR Storm, GAR Phoenix, GAR Home Town, SS Niagara Z29, GAR Inertia, and more.
Maysville—Herd Builder Bred Heifer Sale Saturday, October 31, 2020 2:00 PM Lexington—Blue Ribbon Bred Heifer Sale Thursday, November 5, 2020 6:30 PM
Watch the sale and bid live online.
Call or email for your free sale book!
bgstockyards.com
John & Joanie Grimes n Lindsey & Adam Hall n Lauren & Will Coor n 2594 State Route 73, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 MaplecrestAngus@gmail.com n John: (937) 763-6000 n Adam Hall: (740) 336-8142 Cris Sprague: (740) 525-2593 n Will Coor: (919) 723-6399 n www.MaplecrestFarms.com
16 MCF FS 4.625x4.625 bw-Cow Country News.indd 1
C O W C O U N T R Y • 8/6/20 SEPT E MPM BER 3:29
2020
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Fencing Tip: Use a high quality geared reel. High quality reels are an essential part of temporary fencing systems. They should be constructed of UV stabilized plastic, have insulated handles, and a positive locking mechanism. Geared reels are ideal since they make wire retrieval much faster. It is tempting to save a few dollars on “economy” reels, however, these reels rarely last more than a season or two.
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Quintin Smith Family/Lanning/ Guests Angus Sale
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This month’s featured publication is: “Extending grazing and reducing stored feed needs” by Don Ball. Ed Ballard, Mark Kennedy, Garry Lacefield, and Dan Undersander. It can be accessed at the link below or you can find it at your local extension office. https://bit. ly/2QgsHJP
N NTI SMIT I U
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This month’s featured video is “Why you should be out of the hay business” by Jim Gerrish. This presentation was given at the 2019 Kentucky Grazing Conferences held in Boone and Christian Counties on October 30 and 31. https://youtu.be/1eiaaXmhOUU
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• October
11, 2020 • 1 PM
At the Horn Springs Sale Facility 2135 Lebanon Road • Lebanon, TN
Quintin & Vicki Smith 5171 Cainsville Road Lebanon, TN 37090 (615) 444-8701 H (615) 207-0830 C www.quintinsmithfamilyangus.com
Featuring the Quintin Smith/Papa Ganoush Partnership Dispersal
200+
Head Sell
Forage Management Tips • • • • •
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Soil sample pastures and apply needed P, K, and lime. Plant perennial cool season grasses and legumes. Harvest hay as needed. Do NOT harvest alfalfa after mid-September. Exclude livestock and apply 60 lb N/A in mid to late August for stockpiling. Allow pastures that are being stockpiled to accumulate growth. This can be accomplished by feeding hay in September and October. Do not overgraze pastures during late summer. Pasture plants store energy during this period that will be used to survive during the winter months and to fuel growth in the spring. Use UKY variety testing results to select varieties that will be planted in the fall. Rest warm-season grass pastures until after frost to enhance winter survival and spring growth.
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
CHAMPION HILL GEORGINA 6174 Progeny WR 4@114 • This proven producer is the top-selling female of a past Champion Hill Sale and a granddaughter of the National Western Grand Champion Female Champion Hill Georgina 2121. She sells along with her progeny!
150 Females 50 Bulls, Embryos The 2014 ROV Reserve Cow of the Year named the 2013 AllAmerican Grand Champion Cow/ Calf and Grand Champion Udder award winner, and the 2013 American Royal Reserve Grand Champion Cow/Calf. Her progeny sell!
The reigning 2018 Atlantic National Grand Champion Cow. Also named the Reserve Grand Champion Cow and Reserve Grand Champion Udder award winner at the 2018 AllAmerican. Her progeny sell!
DS LADY PEAK DOT 0354
QVS GEORGINA 2031
Auctioneer: Mike Jones, TN Lic# 1807 For your free reference sale booklet, contact anyone in the office of the Sale Managers, TOM BURKE/KURT SCHAFF/JEREMY HAAG, AMERICAN ANGUS HALL OF FAME at the WORLD ANGUS HEADQUARTERS, Box 660, Smithville, MO 64089-0660. Phone (816) 532-0811. Fax (816) 532-0851. email: angushall@angushall.com • www.angushall.com
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE NCBA COMMENDS TRANSPORTATION DEPT. & FMCSA FOR EXTENSION OF HOS EXEMPTION WASHINGTON (August 12, 2020) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (DOT-FMCSA) announcement of a 30 day extension to the Hours of Service (HOS) exemption for livestock and feed haulers: “Livestock haulers are crucial to keeping beef moving through the supply chain and on to grocery store shelves. We thank DOT and FMCSA for extending this exemption and giving crucial relief to critical infrastructure,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs, Allison Rivera. “While this is a win for the cattle industry, more still needs to be done. NCBA will continue to work with Congress and the Trump Administration, to find a permanent fix for Hour of Service regulations. Background FMCSA issued an emergency declaration at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to exempt livestock haulers from burdensome Hours of Service regulations. The most recent 30 day extension to that declaration was set to expire on August 14, 2020. Now the exemption runs through September 14, 2020.
NCBA ADDRESSES CHECKOFF REFERENDUM PETITION
makes it very clear that cattle producers have a say in the continuation of the checkoff through a grassroots petition process. “NCBA fully supports the producers’ right to have their voices heard on the future of the checkoff. However, we also believe the petition and signature gathering processes should be transparent and conducted with integrity. NCBA trusts cattle producers to make the right decisions for our industry, so if some producers feel they need to sign a petition calling for a vote on the Beef Checkoff, then they should sign. If enough sign, then we should vote. We are confident that a vote by those who invest and direct their hard-earned dollars will again show strong support for this program and will finally allow our industry to put this issue behind us. “For more than three decades, cattle producers have accomplished great things for the industry by working together to direct these investments. From improvements in beef safety, successful marketing programs to new product development, the Beef Checkoff has a long track record of solid returns for each dollar invested. Beef producers should be proud of that work and we believe that a majority of cattlemen and women stand behind the program.”
Organizations in the Food Supply Chain. The ISO specification was developed in 2016 to provide a path for programs to show they are aligned with the principles of the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code and ensures the welfare of farm animals across the supply chain. “USDA’s affirmation that the program complies with ISO specifications is an important recognition of U.S. cattle producers’ continued commitment to delivering a safe, high quality beef supply while maintaining the highest animal welfare standards,” said Dr. Julia Herman, Beef Cattle Specialist Veterinarian for NCBA. Developed more than 30 years ago, the BQA program has become the industry standard for delivering education and resources to cattle producers. More than 85 percent of the U.S. beef supply today is managed by BQA-certified farmers and ranchers, according to the National BQA Database. By partnering with state programs across
To earn certification with the animal welfare standards, the BQA program underwent a thorough audit process which evaluated the program’s principles, guidelines and standards across its many resources, including the BQA National Manual and Self-Assessments. This recognition will mean the BQA program is listed on USDA’s Quality Assessment Division website as being compliant with the ISO specification. “BQA’s recognition by USDA of ISO compliance clearly shows that animal welfare is a top priority for America’s cattle producers and global consumers can rest assured that the American beef they consume is produced in accordance with the highest animal welfare standards in the world,” said Kent Bacus, NCBA senior director of international trade and market access.
BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM EARNS COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS
CENTENNIAL, CO (July 27, 2020) -- The Checkoff-funded National Beef Quality DENVER (July 27, 2020) - Today, NCBA Assurance (BQA) Program, managed by President Marty Smith, a Florida cattle the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association producer, released the following statement (NCBA), is now recognized as an industryabout the Beef Checkoff referendum leading animal welfare program. The petition launched in July. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) “In the 1980s, NCBA was instrumental in has reviewed and certified that the BQA the initial passage of the Beef Promotion program complies with the International for Standardization and Research Act and the resulting Organization referendum that established the Beef (ISO) Animal Welfare Management/ Checkoff as we know it today. The Act General Requirements and Guidance for
Eby Aluminum Trailers
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER
Gooseneck steel and aluminum trailers
HAYES TRAILER SALES INC Russellville, Kentucky 800-766-7034 hayestrailersales.com
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEFUSA or membership@beef.org.
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the country, the program reaches cattle producers on operations of all sizes, in all corners of the nation, with digital and inperson training and certification.
2020
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SEPTEMBER 2020
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FEATURE
THE DGAC CONUNDRUM
I S C O M M I T T E E C O N F U S I N G AV E R A G E A M E R I C A N S ? The Dietary Guidelines saga, begun in the 1970s by Sen. George McGovern, has been a thorny problem for animal agriculture from the start. Originally drafted by a staffer who didn’t like the cattle business or cattlemen; had no experience with science, nutrition or health and is alleged by some to be a vegetarian, it has been a struggle for all animal-derived foods for going on five decades. On the glass half full side of the ledger, lean meat has stayed on the approved list for both the 2015 and 2020 Dietary Guidelines. That was a struggle in 2015. This time, it was still no small feat, given the philosophical and political leanings of the Committee members. It is likely in some part due to a lot of research findings and data provided in comments to the Committee from industry groups we’re all familiar with and nutrition groups more influenced by evidence than conventional “wisdom.” In 2020 discussions, it seemed the attack on animal products was more indirect than overt, focusing on saturated fats and cholesterol. It was a Committee member nominated by one of our key cattlemen’s groups that pressed the presenter during the draft discussion meeting to clarify that permissible “lean meat” included beef. It was also noted that some of the studies reviewed included both red and white meat in their studies without always distinguishing between types. On the glass half empty side of the ledger, not only was there increased attacks on saturated fats and cholesterol, but the DGAC has gotten increased criticism from nutrition professionals for explicitly ignoring research on low carbohydrate diets. While the Committee did admit the fact that 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, they stuck to their standard “eat more fruit, vegetables, nuts and fiber” recommendation and lower consumption of red meat and processed meat. They
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see
the
overconsumption
of
“energy,” i.e. calories, as a problem of eating too much from the categories of “burgers and sandwiches” and “added sugars.” Carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables are not regarded as problematic. While the eating trends of Americans have been to eat less protein and fewer fruits and vegetables, the less protein trend is a longstanding one of decades and the fruit and vegetable trend is more recent. More consumption is coming from added sugars and sugared beverages. It is somewhat insulting, nutritionally speaking, that meat gets lumped in with those categories, given the protein, minerals and nutrient density of our products. The recommendations on dietary patterns managed to denigrate red meat twice in one paragraph but added to the confusing advice by recommending lean meat and poultry. The list of dietary patterns associated with positive health outcomes includes higher intake of “lean meat and poultry” and low consumption of red and processed meats. Negative health outcomes were characterized by higher intake of red and process meats. The same recommendations are repeated in the “Dietary Fats” section. But examine those words “lean meat and poultry.” If lean meat is not poultry, then “lean meat” has to be red meat, either beef or pork. Yet they want Americans to eat less red meat? Is anyone critically proofreading their words? The Committee doesn’t seem up-todate on America’s dietary trends, either. The report says “the American dietary landscape has not changed appreciably over time.” But looking at USDA data tells a different story. Red meat consumption has declined, yet total meat consumption is up because of increased poultry consumption. Even consumption of fruits and vegetables has changed in recent years, declining appreciably. The DGAC report states that Americans overconsume “total energy, saturated
COW COUNTRY •
fat, sodium, added sugars, and for some consumers, alcoholic beverages.” Notice what company the Committee lumps saturated fats with, categorizing all but energy per se and alcohol as “food components of public health concern.” The report does not inspire confidence in providing accurate information to consumers about animal products in the future. There are glimmers of hope yet contradictory directions in the report. It mentions some Americans not getting enough protein and iron, for example, or B12 or calcium. Young and pregnant women in particular are not getting enough protein nor enough iron, something readily available and easily digestible in red meat. B12 is only available in animal products. Older Americans also tend to eat too little protein. That points out the puzzle revealed elsewhere in the meeting, that red meat is one of those “crossover” foods that is on both sides of the dietary debate. In addition, many animal foods and eggs themselves contain both saturated and unsaturated fats, yet the DGAC wants to lower the 10 percent limit on saturated fats, wants to increase unsaturated fats and says there is “no biological requirement” for saturated fats. How does the average American sort that out? To complicate matters, the Committee seems to be channeling the last century. They seem unaware that the link between dietary cholesterol and serum cholesterol has been largely discredited and likewise the connection between serum cholesterol and heart disease. They are worried that “in adults 20 years and older, the overall prevalence of high total cholesterol is still more than 10 percent.” Ten percent. In other words, the DGAC would change the entire population’s diet for the 10 percent whose bodily feedback mechanism is faulty, overproduces a crucial bodily compound and causes no problems for average humans.
SEPTEMBER
2020
To further muddy waters, the Committee notes that “because dietary cholesterol is found only in animal-source foods that are typically also sources of saturated fat, the independent effects of dietary cholesterol on CVD [cardiovascular disease] are difficult to assess.” If 50-plus years of research and the Committee’s own review has not provided accurate evidence, why is the Committee recommending consumption limits? One gets the distinct feeling that rather than scientifically clarifying advice to American consumers, the DGAC is adding to the confusion. Not having enthusiastically utilized the very logical recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, one also gets the impression that conclusions from various subcommittees were not well reconciled in the Final Report. You remember the old saw about the camel is a horse assembled by a committee? While the 2015 Committee had been admonished to stay out of non-nutrition topics, this year’s Committee didn’t read the memo. The 2020 Committee’s Report stressed certain topics were important and USDA and HHS should examine them: the food environment, the overall food system and strategies to support behavior change. To us, that sounds like they’re thinking that our American food production system is faulty, they would like to tell us how to fix it but know they aren’t supposed to, we’re making the wrong foods look too good to people and we need to figure out how to make people eat what the DGAC thinks we should eat and not eat what they think we shouldn’t. That would include figuring out how to make Americans quit eating too many “burgers and sandwiches.” We certainly do not feel comfortable at having beef categories classified as “food components of public health concern.” Comments on the Final Report were due by August 13.
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KENTUCKY
Second Annual
Fall Showcase Saturday • 1 PM ET • September 19, 2020
Vi ew & B i d O nl i n e!
Reality Farms • Campbellsburg, Kentucky Special Offering of 65 Charolais Lots
New Location!
Cow-Calf Splits • Cow-Calf Pairs • Bred Heifers • Bred Cows • Open Heifers • Bulls • Genetics
Fall Calving Bred Heifer ROR Ignition x WDZ Northern Wind x WDZ Skittles Bred to CCC Resolution 101F LT Rushmore x Fire Water x WCR Miss L06 5078
Show Heifer Prospect Maverick x Fire Water x D&D Ms Kennedy 1430 DOB: 10/10/19 • Halter Broke
Cow-Calf Split Wrangler x WCR Miss Duke 7402 P Heifer Calf by M6 New Standard 842 P Request your catalog today!
Contact Sale Manager: JWC MARKETING
WES CHISM 281-761-5952 WES@JWCMARKETING.COM
PO BOX 1368 PLATTE CITY, MO 64079
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
Cow-Calf Split Rhinestone x Game On x Nitro Heifer Calf by SHF Power Up 1677 • Halter Broke
Fall Calving Bred Heifer Milestone x Cigar x WCR Miss YL06 3313 Bred to OHF Bells & Whistles 0400
Fall Calving Cow Ledger x WC Passion 1215 • DOB: 7/14/14 ET Mating Due October 5, 2020 Rhinestone x TR PZC Ms Unlimited 0791ET (Fire Water x 0641)
(Bells & Whistles x M6 Ms New Nancy 277 P ET )
Sponsored by: KENTUCKY CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION President: Jacob Miller 502-507-4987 Sale Committee: Chuck Druin 502-321-1160 Jeff Harrod 502-330-6745
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FEATURE
AS I AN LO N G H O R N E D T IC K F O U N D IN KENTUCKY Katie Pratt, Pratt, Extension Professor
The Asian longhorned tick, which preys on a variety of hosts including humans and wild and domestic animals, has been found in Kentucky. This new tick is known to attack animals in large numbers and will be a concern to livestock producers, wildlife enthusiasts and pet owners. “This tick is an aggressive biter and frequently builds intense infestations on domestic hosts that can cause stress, reduced growth and severe blood loss,” said Jonathan Larson, UK extension entomologist in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “One reason for their rapid buildup is that the female ticks can lay eggs without mating. It only takes a single fed female tick to create a population of ticks. Potentially, thousands can be found on an animal.” The tick has been found in small numbers on elk in Martin County and black bear in Floyd County. It was found in large 22
numbers on a bull in Metcalfe County in the south-central part of the state. “The Metcalfe County ticks were submitted by a veterinarian who answered a call about a bull so infested that it was showing signs of severe fatigue,” said Anna Pasternak, UK entomology graduate student who manages the Kentucky Tick Surveillance Program. “The tick samples that the veterinarian submitted for identification to the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory contained Asian longhorned ticks.” Pasternak and Monica Cipriani, a student in the UK College of Public Health, sampled the Metcalfe County field and found more Asian longhorned ticks. “With the first two findings being in Eastern Kentucky, the Metcalfe County finding is particularly troubling as it means the tick may have already spread COW COUNTRY •
farther across the state,” Pasternak said. A native of Asia, the tick was first found in 2017 in the United States. In addition to Kentucky, it has been confirmed in Arkansas, Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. In addition to cattle, black bear and elk, it preys on deer, raccoons, opossums, cats, dogs, coyotes, foxes, sheep, goats, groundhogs, horses, Canada geese, chickens, cottontail rabbits, red-tailed hawks and skunks. As it gets further established in the state, the tick is expected to have adverse effects on the state’s deer and wildlife population. Humans also are a host. The tick is small and reddish-brown with no distinctive markings to make it easy to identify. Making detection more difficult, unfed Asian longhorned adults are smaller than other common adult ticks found in Kentucky. It is also a known or
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suspected vector of several important livestock viral, bacterial and protozoan agents. Scientists are conducting tests on ticks collected in the United States, and it is likely that some ticks will contain germs that can be harmful to animals. Individuals who find a usually large number of ticks on their pet or livestock should contact their local veterinarian. Those who find single ticks they think might be an Asian longhorned tick should work with their county extension agent for agriculture and natural resources to submit the sample to UK entomologists for positive identification. Additional information on tick bite prevention and proper tick removal is available in UK entomology’s ENTFACT 618: Ticks and Disease in Kentucky. It is available online at https://entomology. ca.uky.edu/ef618 or by contacting a local extension office.
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
H DONORS H ELITE HEIFER CALVES H SPRING PAIRS H H FALL PAIRS H EMBRYOS PACKAGES H
CW
+73
MARB
+.88 RE
+.85 $M
+81 $W
+95
CW
+70
$B
MARB
+1.13 RE
+.79
CED
BEPD
WEPD
YEPD
MILK
+11
-.7
+82
+150
+32
Boyd Eisa Erica 9116 Lot 2
Dear Valley Growth Fund x KG Solutions 0018 A female who will move any program forward in terms of superior EPDs blended with exceptional style.
+182 $C
+317
$M
+77 $W
+85 $B
CED
BEPD
WEPD
YEPD
MILK
+9
+.4
+82
+148
+23
+193
CW
$C
+63
+327
MARB
+.17
Boyd Isabel 0008 – Lot 1
SydGen Enhance x GAR Prophet One of the most intriguing young donor prospects ever produced at Boyd Beef Cattle is this exceptional individual who ranks at the top of the breed for $B and $C and is produced from a dam who is a full sister to Baldridge Beast Mode and a maternal sister to Baldridge Isabel C235.
RE
+1.05 $M
+34 $W
+66 $B
CW
CW
+69
+70
MARB
MARB
+.58
+.39
RE
RE
+.89
+1.06
+61
+77
+72
+94
+176
+154
$M
$M
$W
$W
$B
CED
BEPD
WEPD
YEPD
MILK
+6
+1.4
+73
+138
+25
Boyd/Myers Butterfly 8207
$C
+289
Hoover No Doubt x Sitz Upward 307R Big time donor potential in this valuable two-year two-year old who is one of two females from the Butterfly family to sell. She will sell with a calf at side by E&B Plus One. SALE MANAGED WITH Rance Long (918) 510-3464 510-3464 Hall of Fame (916) 532-0811 532-0811
$B
CED
BEPD
WEPD
YEPD
MILK
+5
+2.0
+89
+152
+27
$C
+277
SEPTEMBER 2020
BEPD
WEPD
YEPD
MILK
+1
+3.2
+84
+154
+18
+143 $C
+219
Boyd Abigale 9008 – Lot 7
JVC Cavalry V3326 x SAV Pioneer 7301 One of three direct daughters of Boyd Abigale 0001 to sell is this individual who is one of the most curve bending daughters of Calvary to sell.
Boyd Blackcap May 8110 – LOT 25
GAR Prophet K263 x Boyd Signature 1014 An impeccable EPD combination in two year old who pushes all of her EPDs to the limit. Will sell with a calf at side by SydGen Enhance.
Call or Email to Request a Sale Book! 606-584-5194 or cboyd2@maysvilleky.net
www.boydbeef.com
Boyd_9_20_KYCowman.indd 1
COW COUNTRY •
CED
6077 Helena Rd. • Mays Lick, KY 41055 Charlie Boyd II (606) 763-6418, cell (606) 584-5194 Blake Boyd (606) 375-3718 E-mail: cboyd2@maysvilleky.net
8/18/20 12:11 PM
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ECONOMIC AND POLICY UPDATE
2020 LAND VALUES REPORT Steve Isaacs, Extension Professor The 2020 Land Values Summary was released by USDA on Thursday, August 6. This annual report indicates the average value of all land and buildings on farms in the US, and by state and region. Three categories are measured: Farm Real Estate Value, Cropland Value, and Pasture value.
Farmland values continue to show resilience in the face of weak commodity prices. From a financial standpoint, this is important as 83% of the asset side of the national farm balance sheet is land and buildings. Erosion of land values (as happened in the 80s) would adversely affect the solvency of farms.
At the national level, all three categories were unchanged from 2019 with an average real estate value of $3,160/acre. Cropland average value was $4,100/acre and pasture value was $1,400 per acre.
Note that the values in this report are “averages” and should be interpreted as such. Local land values are driven by a number of factors including productivity, development pressure, local demand, and a range of other attributes. These are useful averages for indicating broader trends, but ultimately all land value is “local.”
For Kentucky, all three categories increased in average value over 2019. Average real estate value in Kentucky was $3,920/acre an increase of 2.6% from last year. Kentucky cropland value averaged $4,400/acre an increase of 2.3%, and pasture value was $3,060/ acre, up 0.7% from 2019.
Table 1: Average Farmland Value in US and Kentucky, 2020
The Land Values Summary is released every August and is available here: https://bit.ly/3g9uRoI
BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE IN HARD FINANCIAL TIMES Tarrah Hardin, KFBM Area Extension Specialist When facing hard financial times, like the ones we are currently facing, it is very easy to sit back and let the cards fall and hope that they are in your favor. This approach is very risky and most of the time will not end the favor of the one being reactive to the situation. The past two years have made many producers face some hard decisions about their operation and moving forward. This year has not helped matters any when it comes to farm finances and looking forward to 2021 does not seem to be the bright spot we all need. Yet, looking forward and being proactive about where you stand financially can help. One way producers can be proactive is to start looking at their outstanding debt. With interest rates being an all-time 24
low, now is the time to capitalize on the opportunity to refinance debt. Not only will refinancing your debt help in the current year but will also help you save money in the future and will help with cash flow. For most, this is also not the time to take on new debt considering how tight farm finances are. The goal right now with debt should be to pay down when possible and restructure so that you put yourself in the best position you can moving forwarding. If refinancing debt is something that might help you, start with good communication with your lender! Lenders are more than happy to work with people if they know upfront what the situation is. Being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to debt is better for everyone that is involved. COW COUNTRY •
In the past couple of years, producers have seen their equity decrease each year. This happens when total assets decreases and total liabilities either stay the same or increase. For each business, there is a certain amount of time that they have to go through their equity, which can be calculated. With the current conditions, producers will be facing a hard decision as to how much equity they are comfortable with burning through. There are ways to slow down the burn rate but they need to be proactive on this. Most people have worked hard over the years to build the equity they have and most have been farming off their equity for the past couple of years. There will come a point that producers will have to decide at what point do they exit farming
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with what equity they can. In current conditions, it is never too early to start thinking about the year ahead. No one expected to have this many hard financial years in a row and it has certainly taken a toll on everyone in the industry. Moving forward producers need to be proactive with their situation, do not wait until it is too late to do something about your financial standing. Lenders will have more flexibility if you come to them early on rather than waiting until it is just too late. If you need help with your farm records, Kentucky Farm Business Management can help with this. There are 4 Associations across the state with Specialists willing to help producers that need guidance.
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ECONOMIC AND POLICY UPDATE
CROP INSURANCE: A TOOL FOR MANAGING FARM RISK Jerry Pierce, KFBM Program Coordinator Crop insurance was authorized by Congress in the 1930s on an experimental basis to insure against crop loss from “unavoidable perils beyond the farmer’s control.” It was made permanent with the passage of the Federal Crop Insurance Act of 1980. More recently, products combining price and yield coverage have been introduced to make it a major risk management tool. This article illustrates the importance of crop insurance as a risk management tool using data from crop farms participating in the Kentucky Farm Business Management (KFBM) program for 2010-2019. Figure 1 illustrates the importance of crop insurance as a tool for managing financial risk to the farm. Crop insurance proceeds made up 40% or more of Net Farm Income (NFI) for the average crop farm in three out of the last ten years: 2012, 2014, and 2016. Total contribution to the average farm totaled $519,373 for
those years combined. For comparison, the average annual NFI for these farms was $314,894 for the period. Average total proceeds from crop insurance for the 10 years is $857,853. The aggregate impact of crop insurance on NFI for KFBM farms has been reduced in recent years by relatively large government payments and decent crop yields. The number of farms receiving proceeds from crop insurance is a good indication of crop damage and market price risk on insured crops for the year. Figure 2 shows the percentage of farms receiving payments each year. About 97% of KFBM crop farms participated in crop insurance programs during the 10-year period. Ninety-six percent of them collected from crop insurance in 2012. In an average year, 74% of the farms received some payment. Most crop insurance policies contain
provisions for yield loss and revenue protection. Figure 3 illustrates yield loss for grains and tobacco, represented by corn and burley. Crop damage and yield loss combined to create a spike in crop insurance proceeds in 2012. Corn yields fell to an average of 78 bushels/acre at a time when price received reached a high of $6.50/bushel. Grain yield loss was also a factor in 2010 and 2014, as was tobacco yield loss in 2016. In general, higher commodity prices contributed to higher proceeds from revenue protection prior to 2014. Lower commodity prices, less fluctuation in prices, and generally stable yields have reduced the dollar amounts of payments for losses from yield and price, but claims have remained steady. Part of the reason is the effect of local weather on individual farm yields, especially wheat (2018) and double-crop soybeans (2019). Figure 4 compares cost and proceeds for
crop insurance as well as the net gain. Note that cost, proceeds, and net gain are expressed in terms of tillable acres – not insured acres. All values are reported on the accrual basis for each year of production, not for the year reported for taxes. Cost of insurance increased during 20102013, peaking at $21.25/tillable acre in 2013. Cost then declined following the drop in commodity prices, settling in the $16.55 range for 2018-2019. Average cost for the last seven years has been $18.53 tillable acre. Crop insurance proceeds received during 2010-2019 averaged $35.80 per tillable acre. Payments to farmers have averaged $20.40 per tillable acre for the last seven years. Net gain, the difference between insurance cost and proceeds, was $17.55 acre per year for the average KFBM farm over the 10-year period. The average farm received $40,970 more than the cost of crop insurance during that time. Crop farms netted an average $6,822 over the last seven years – about $1.87/ tillable acre. Note that, while 2016 was an “average” year with proceeds of $20.31/tillable acre and net gain of $6,416, total revenue was so low that crop insurance proceeds made up 40% of NFI. That is the role crop insurance plays in farm risk management to provide financial stability in face of those “unavoidable perils beyond the farmer’s control.”
The Agricultural Economics Department publishes the Economic and Policy Update towards the end of each month. Each issue features articles written by extension personnel within the department and other experts across the country. Topics will vary greatly but regularly include marketing, management, policy, natural resources, and rural development issues. If you would like to recieve this newsletter by email, please contact Kenny Burdine at kburdine@ uky.edu. You can also view current and past issues online at https://bit.ly/2PoHsZj Co-editors: Kenny Burdine, Alison Davis, and Greg Halich
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LEGAL NEWS
ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES ENTITLED TO OVERTIME PAYMENTS? CANDACE SMITH Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC
In addition to complying with state wage laws, many farms could be subject to federal wage requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (the “FLSA”). A recent decision from a federal court in Iowa explains how courts determine if an employer is required to pay overtime to its employees and how the traditional idea of an “agricultural employee” is changing as farming techniques evolve. Bills v. Cactus Family Farms, LLC, No. 19-CV-3021-CJW, 2020 WL 3642264 (N.D. Iowa July 6, 2020). The FLSA applies to certain types of employers whose employees are engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce. 29 U.S.C. § 207(a) (1). If an employer is subject to the FLSA, the “covered employees must be paid one-and-one-half times their regular hourly rate for hours worked in excess of forty per week.” Bills, 2020 WL 3642264, at *6. If the employer is required to pay overtime and fails to do so, the employer could face penalties, fines, and even jail time. 29 U.S.C.A. § 216. However, there are certain jobs that are exempt from the FLSA and do not qualify for overtime pay, including certain employees who are employed in agriculture. Bills, 2020 WL 3642264, at *5. Whether an employee is “employed in agriculture” depends on whether the employee’s job fits within the meaning of “agriculture” as defined in the FLSA and accompanying regulations and as interpreted by the courts. Importantly, the understanding of what constitutes a job in agriculture under the FLSA can change as the nature of agriculture changes and develops. Under the FLSA, the term “agriculture” broadly encompasses “farming in all its branches,” including specific activities like raising livestock or poultry, cultivation of soil, dairying, and growing and harvesting agricultural 26
commodities. 29 U.S.C.A. § 203(f). It also, and more generically, includes “any practices . . . performed by a farmer or on a farm as an incident to or in conjunction with such farming operations.” 29 U.S.C.A. § 203(f). Although the term agriculture is broad, it is not limitless, and courts must determine when the agricultural exemption applies. To decide if an employee fits within the agricultural exemption, courts look at the employee’s actual job responsibilities. In the Bills case, the employee worked as an Animal Care Auditor for a pork production company. The employee spent most of his time conducting load assessments; therefore, the court considered whether the employee “provided general care for the animals” when he performed that task. Bills, 2020 WL 3642264, at *9. The court determined that the employee provided general care for the animals because his job included things like checking for sharp edges to prevent the pigs from being injured, observing load crews to ensure they did not excessively shock the animals, and monitoring the crew members’ vocal tones to prevent the pigs from becoming stressed. At times, the employee intervened to ensure the crew provided better care for the animals. Overall, the purpose of the load assessments was to ensure the well-being of the pigs and to protect them from harm. The court explained that, although this “care was not provided in a traditional sense of feeding and watering the animals. . . the nature of agriculture has changed such that there are many ways an individual can provide general care for an animal.” Id. Therefore, the employee was an “agricultural employee” and was not entitled to overtime payments.
which employees qualify for overtime is ever-changing as the agricultural industry evolves. As a result, a job position that might not have been a traditional part of the farming process may now fall within the agricultural exemption, or vice versa. An attorney
can help you navigate rules like the FLSA to determine, among other things, whether your employees are entitled to overtime payments, and to help you avoid the penalties, fines, and even imprisonment that could result from violating such rules.
These materials are public information and have been prepared solely for educational purposes. These materials reflect only the personal views of the authors and are not individualized legal advice. It is understood that each case is fact-specific, and that the appropriate solution in any case will vary. Therefore, these materials may or may not be relevant to any particular situation. Thus, the authors and Steptoe & Johnson PLLC cannot be bound either philosophically or as representatives of their various present and future clients to the comments expressed in these materials. The presentation of these materials does not establish any form of attorney-client relationship with the authors or Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. While every attempt was made to ensure that these materials are accurate, errors or omissions may be contained therein, for which any liability is disclaimed.
The Bills case is a helpful reminder that certain employees must be paid overtime, and the rules for determining COW COUNTRY •
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• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
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COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
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FEATURE
TRACEABILITY AND RFID ARE BACK! MICHELLE ARNOLD DVM-Ruminant Extension Veterinarian, University of Kentucky
In October 2019, the article, “Goodbye Metal Tags, Hello RFID” appeared in the monthly edition of Cow Country News. Shortly afterwards, on Oct. 25th, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced it had suspended its plan to phase-in the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) electronic ID tags for cattle and bison. APHIS said in a statement the policy shift was in response to executive orders that highlighted the need for transparency and communication of issues “before placing any new requirements on American farmers and ranchers.” Although 2019 was not very long ago, it seems like decades in the midst of a pandemic. With the public’s heightened awareness of health issues such as rapid virus transmission and “contact tracing” to locate individuals possibly exposed to Covid-19, there is a new appreciation among beef producers for what traceability is and how it could affect the cattle industry. APHIS is currently seeking public comments on a proposal to make RFID the only official ear tag for use when moving cattle interstate, the first step in making lifetime cattle traceability a reality. The following is from the APHIS announcement: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on a proposal where APHIS would only approve Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as the official ear-tag for use in interstate movement of cattle that are required to be identified by the traceability regulations. An official ear-tag is defined as an identification tag approved by APHIS that bears an official identification number for individual animals. Regulations allow APHIS to approve tags that can be used as official identification, and both metal and RFID tags are current options. A transition to RFID tags would support 28
APHIS’ ongoing efforts to increase animal disease traceability by more accurately and rapidly allowing animal health officials to know where affected and at-risk animals are located. While this would not prevent disease outbreaks, it would allow animal health officials to more quickly contain outbreaks early before they can do substantial damage to the U.S. cattle industry. Public comments will be accepted through October 5, 2020 at the following site: https://www.federalregister. gov/d/2020-14463. After reviewing all comments, APHIS will publish a follow up Federal Register notice. This notice will respond to any such comments, announce the decision whether to only approve RFID tags as the only official identification devices for cattle, and, if so, provide the timeline for such a transition.”
Figure 1: National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) Metal Tag (“Silver” or “Brite” tag)
When you visit the link provided above to the federal register, there is a summary of the proposal and why RFID is important to increase the speed and accuracy of tracing disease movement, whether it is a fast-moving virus such as Foot and Mouth or a slow, progressive disease such as bovine tuberculosis. After this explanation, APHIS addresses the need to establish a timeline for these changes to take place. From the Federal Register: “We recognize that, in addition to whether to transition to RFID identification devices, the timeline for such a transition is also important. Accordingly, we also request specific public comment on the following timeline, if, based on the comments received, USDA were to engage in such a transition: • Beginning January 1, 2022, USDA would no longer approve vendors to use the official USDA shield in production of metal ear tags or other ear tags that do not have RFID components. • On January 1, 2023, RFID tags would become the only identification devices approved as an official ear tag for cattle COW COUNTRY •
Figure 2: Examples of Official 840 Animal Identification Number (AIN) RFID Tags
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and bison pursuant to § 86.4(a)(1)(i). • For cattle and bison that have official USDA metal clip tags in place before January 1, 2023, APHIS would recognize the metal tag as an official identification device for the life of the animal.” The RFID tag technology can be either low (LF) or ultrahigh frequency (UHF)—whichever the State, producer or industry sector prefers. Tags must be approved by USDA and meet standards for quality and performance, be tamper proof, contain a unique ID, and display the U.S. official ear tag shield (Figure 3). RFID identification devices using UHF technology appear to be faster at reading tags and can perform at longer distances which will be necessary to read official ID numbers at the speed of commerce. In situations where cattle are handled in chutes or in close confinement, UHF has no advantage over LF. The question of which frequency to use will become more important as the industry moves toward electronic ID implementation since the equipment to read the tags differs depending on the frequency. Which cattle are required to have “official identification” when moving interstate? As a reminder, animals that move interstate and fall into specific categories need official, individual ear tags. If this proposal is approved, beginning January 1, 2023, the ear tags will have to be RFID ear tags. The requirement for individual identification does not include feeder cattle, nor any cattle or bison moving directly to slaughter. Beef Cattle (and Bison) that currently require official ID: -All sexually intact beef cattle and bison 18 months of age or over; - Cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreational events; and -Cattle and bison of any age used for shows or exhibitions. Dairy Cattle that currently require official ID: -All female dairy cattle of any age and all dairy males born after March 11, 2013; Specifically, dairy cattle are defined as all cattle, regardless of age or sex or current use, that are of a breed(s) used to produce milk or other dairy products for human consumption, including, but not limited to, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, Milking COW COUNTRY •
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accepted after 1/1/2023.
to the manufacturer’s instructions.
What must be on an official ear tag?
In summary, take the time to comment in the Federal Register if you feel strongly about the need for RFID tags to become the only official tag recognized by APHIS. When traceability issues are discussed, there are always questions that arise such as “who will pay for the new tags” and “how will the information be managed” that have not yet been answered. However, if the proposal is passed, these questions will be the next hurdle to address on the long road to traceability.
USDA Official Ear tags (Figure 3) are designed for one-time use (tamper evident) and imprinted with: - A unique animal identification number or “AIN” which is a 15-digit number starting with 840; - Official Ear tag Shield - The words “Unlawful to Remove”; - Manufacturer’s Logo or Trademark (printed or impression of)
Figure 3: Example of an Official Tag Shorthorn, and Red and Whites. What types of ear tags are now considered “official identification”? Official, individual tags have historically been the metal NUES tags (Figure 1), commonly referred to as “silver” or “brite” tags, used for disease testing, interstate movement, and change of ownership by veterinarians and also distributed to producers through State and Tribal authorities. Another acceptable form of official identification is the Brucellosis Vaccination metal tag, an orange metal tag that indicates the animal was calfhood vaccinated for Brucellosis (Bangs Disease). The orange Brucellosis metal tags are only available to federally accredited veterinarians. If this proposal is passed, as of January 1, 2023 RFID ear tags (Figure 2) will be required for beef and dairy cattle and bison moving interstate that are included in the specific categories of cattle required to have individual identification. For animals previously tagged with official metal ear tags, APHIS would recognize the metal tag as an official identification device for the life of the animal. Buyer beware: Tags containing numbers with the prefix “USA” or a numeric manufacturer code are not considered official identification but these tags are still available for purchase and, in many cases, cannot be returned or exchanged for the correct tags. APHIS only recognizes tags beginning with numeric country codes (“840” for the United States) as official. Bear in mind that there are 840 visual panel tags available that do not contain RFID technology that will not be
- Tags with RFID technology (referred to as AIN RF tags) must have all 15 digits of the AIN printed on the tag pieces that contain the transponder. The Official Ear tag Shield and text, “Unlawful to Remove” must be printed on the other piece. - AIN RF tags, when applied, are to be attached to the animal’s left ear according
Additional Information: Animal Disease Traceability - General Standards (July 2019-Version 2.8): https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability/downloads/ adt-standards.pdf Animal Disease Traceability USDA Website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/ animalhealth/SA_Traceability
West Kentuck y Select BRED HEIFER SALE Selling 225 Spring Calving Bred Heifers
Saturday, November 21, 2020 12:00 noon CT
Kentucky-Tennessee Livestock Market Guthrie, Kentucky For more information contact: Kevin Laurent, University of Kentucky (270) 365-7541 ext. 226 Mark Barnett, KY-TN Livestock Market (270) 483-2504
See these heifers at: www.kyheifersale.com All heifers are guaranteed bred to bulls with known EPDs and have met stringent requirements for health, quality and pelvic measurements. All heifers qualify for KY Cost Share Most qualify for TN Cost Share
WEST KENTUCKY SELECT BULL SALE
Selling 12 Angus bulls—24 months old Immediately following the West Kentucky Select Bred Heifer Sale.
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FEATURE
MID-YEAR CATTLE INVENTORY:
THOUGHTS ON HEIFER RETENTION AND FEEDER CATTLE OUTSIDE OF FEEDYARDS Kenny Burdine, Associate Extension Professor, University of Kentucky In late July, USDA-NASS released their mid-year estimates of U.S. cattle inventory. Consistent with the January report, the cowherd is shrinking, but the decreases have been small thus far. Beef cow numbers were estimated to be down just under 1% from July of 2019. As expected, this lined up with a smaller estimation for the 2020 calf crop, which is a crucial first step in seeing improvement in calf prices. Most culling of cows occurs in the fall and early winter, so changes from January to January are usually more insightful than changes in this mid-year report. I always like to review the heifer development number, which was estimated to be flat from last year. Given that beef cow numbers were down slightly this year, comparable heifer retention would suggest continued contraction of the cowherd is likely. Figure 1 expresses this number as a percent of beef cow inventory each year, which is actually my preferred way to think about it. The blue line tracks this for each mid-year report back to 1973, while the black line is simply the average from all those years. There was no estimate in 2016, which is why the gap exists. Note that both 2019 and 2020 are about 1% below that long-run average. The other interesting piece of this report related to the backlog of cattle that was created due to processing plant shutdowns and slowdowns this spring. After aggressive fed cattle marketings in March, cattle-on-feed reports showed marketings way down for both April and May, but moving into line with last year in June (we won’t have July estimates until later this month). Of course, this is the same pattern as cattle slaughter during this time. As would be expected, feedlot placements were not off as much as marketings, and actually moved back to 2019 levels for the month of May. Total on-feed numbers went from running about 2% above year-ago levels at the first of the year, to running more than 5% below year-ago levels for April and May, and are now running right at 2019 levels. There is a larger than usual share of cattle that have been on feed longer than 90 days, but even that number has come down from June. I said all that to come back to the July cattle inventory report. With long fed cattle moving through the system as we speak and on-feed inventory stabilizing, the next question really turns to the number of cattle that are likely to be placed on feed in the coming months. If I take all the heifers and steers from the inventory estimates below and subtract beef heifer retention, dairy heifer retention, and on-feed inventory, I am left with an estimate of calves and feeders outside of feedlots. That calculation for 2020 is 300,000 head higher than 2019. While that is a big number, when put in percentage terms, it’s less than a 1% increase. I do think that almost all of that increase is in the heavy feeder cattle category since the 2020 calf crop was estimated to be smaller than 2019. But, this does paint a much less pessimistic picture going into the fall and is partially why heavy feeder cattle have found some significant support over the last few weeks. A full summary of the July 1, 2020 inventory report can be seen in Table 1. 30
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2020
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2020
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FEATURE
KENTUCKY STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE SEARCHING FOR NEW STATE VETERINARIAN APPLICATION DEADLINE IS SEPT. 9 The Kentucky State Board of Agriculture (SBA) has launched a national search for the position of Kentucky State Veterinarian following the retirement announcement of Dr. Robert Stout. Prior to joining the KDA as the Homeland Security Coordinator in 2003, Dr. Stout had been an equine and large animal veterinarian since 1973. He was appointed Kentucky State Veterinarian by the SBA in February 2004. “I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Stout for serving as mentor and advisor to me during my time at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture,” Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles said. “Farmers and other agriculture-related representatives that make up the State Board of Agriculture have the authority to hire the State Veterinarian of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The State Board of Agriculture and the KDA look forward to casting a broad net to fill this critical animal health position.” The Office of the State Veterinarian enforces state and federal regulations on livestock movement, administers animal health programs, responds to disease outbreaks, licenses stockyards and livestock dealers, and performs numerous other duties. The State Board of Agriculture appointed members from across the agricultural spectrum to serve on the search committee. The committee will consist of two employees of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture; four Kentucky State Board of Agriculture members; and one representative each from the Kentucky Cattlemen Association, the Kentucky Pork Producers Association, the Kentucky Poultry Federation, the Kentucky Dairy Development Council, the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, and the state’s equine industry. COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
The State Veterinarian is the chief executive agent of the State Board of Agriculture and leads the KDA’s Office of State Veterinarian in its statutory and regulatory activities to prevent, control, and eradicate communicable diseases in the agricultural animal health sector. Specific duties of the State Veterinarian include: • Represent the State Board of Agriculture as its chief executive agent; • Serve as the Executive Director of the Office of State Veterinarian; • Oversee all functions of the Office of State Veterinarian; • Ensure that statutes and regulations are enforced; • Participate on the Commissioner of Agriculture’s executive team; • Advise the Commissioner on issues involving animal health and other issues as requested; • Testify to legislative committees as requested; • Serve as a liaison to livestock and poultry organizations and leaders; and • Participate on the Board of Directors of the United States Animal Health Association, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, Southern Animal Health Association, and other animal health organizations. The State Board of Agriculture requires that the successful candidate must have at least five (5) years of experience in the practice of veterinary medicine and maintain current licensure with the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners, USDA-APHIS Category II Accreditation, and a valid driver’s license. Preference may be given to candidates with regulatory experience in the management of animal health programs, epidemiology, emergency management/response, foreign animal
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Applications will be accepted until September 9, or until the position is filled. Dr. Stout intends to stay with the department until his successor is named. The proposed timeline for naming a replacement is the end of October. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to: Mark White Director, Division of Human Resources Kentucky Department of Agriculture 107 Corporate Drive Frankfort, KY 40601 Mark.White@ky.gov
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PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM State and National Beef Promotion and Research Programs Information is required by 7 CRF 1260.201. Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential per 7 CRF 1260.203.
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Send Report and Remittance to: Kentucky Beef Council 176 Pasadena Drive Lexington, KY 40503 For additional information: call 859-278-0899 or email beef@kycattle.org According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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2020
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Town Creek Farm Bull Sale & Commercial Brangus Bred Heifer Sale AT THE RANCH NEAR WEST POINT, MISSISSIPPI
Saturday, October 17, 2020 • 12 noon 150 TOWN CREEK FARM BULLS Johnes-Free, Trich, BVD Tested. Brangus, Ultrablack and VigorMax™ Half-Blood, 3/4 Blood Bulls. Large selection FULL 2-year old bulls (DOB: Fall 2018). Powerful, practical, functional bulls developed on a POWERFUL BULLS FROM A PROVEN PROGRAM high roughage, forage-based ration. Bulls sell guaranteed Johnes-free and BDV-PI and Trich tested. g Select bulls from proven g Maternal bulls to develop Large selection of user-friendly and calving ease bulls. Brangus, Ultrablacks, superior, fertile, long-lasting
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Tim Dievert 478 Dry Fork Rd. • Danville, KY 40422 Office:859/236-4591 (C)859/238-3195 • tdievert@dievertsales.com www.dievertsales.com
Catalogs or more information available by contacting Tim Dievert. Ladies Day 2020: September 12, 2020 A high quality offering. Look for detailed ad in the September issue of Cow Country.
replacement heifers good udders. Selection of calving ease heifer bulls. User Friendly bulls. Bulls are hard, ripped and toned; ready for breeding pastures. Managed to be disease free. ALL bulls out of Johnes-free cows. Environmentally adapted and acclimated bulls that withstand heat and humidity. Longevity – of bulls and their daughters.
57th Annual Fall Sale: November 14, 2020 New for 2020: Selling registered Angus bulls & commercial females Call Tim for consignment information
3 Quality Assurance always comes first. HE SELLS 4861G2 – 4.78% IMF.
Since 1993
Go to our website or call to request a sale catalog and join our mailing list.
Bid and Buy On-Line. Real-time bidding and buying will be available through DV Auction on sale day. Buyers must pre-register by calling (402)316-5460 or go on-line at www.DVAuction.com. Town Creek Farm bull lots will be available for on-line viewing October 5, 2020. Bred heifers lots in groups of five available on-line Friday, October 16, 2020.
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TOWN CREEK FARM
Milton Sundbeck, Owner • Office 662.494.5944 32476 Hwy. 50 East, West Point, Mississippi 39773-5207 Joy Reznicek Sundbeck 205.399.0221 • Joy@TownCreekFarm.com Clint Ladner 662.812.8370 • Cladner@TownCreekFarm.com www.TownCreekFarm.com
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FEATURE
MORE PROFIT WITH FEWER COWS Greg Halich, Associate Extension Professor In May 2019, I was on a farm visit east of Lexington with a number of county agents and NRCS specialists. Our goal was to help a cattle farmer who had about five years of experience come up with a long-run plan for improved infrastructure (water, fencing, etc.) as well as guide him in the short-run to improve the profitability of the farm. It was quickly clear that the farm was significantly overstocked. It was midMay and the pastures looked more like what you would expect in late July or August, not like what pastures should look like at their peak production. The pasture was one large unit without any subdivisions and was being continuously grazed by the cattle. We found out later that he had about 95 acres of open pasture acres (after subtracting out woods and brush) and around 45 cows. This put his stocking rate at just over 2 acres of pasture per cow. Two acres of pasture per cow is sometimes used as a rule-of-thumb as what is needed to support a beef cow in Kentucky. However, the soil quality of those acres, as well as management intensity are important factors that also need to be considered. Two acres of gently rolling Maury Silt loam in central Kentucky combined with well-managed rotational grazing will provide a lot more grazing than two acres of steep hillside Eden Shale clay combined with continuous grazing. Cow size will also have an impact. You can run a lot more moderate-framed 1200 lb cows on a given farm then you can 1600 lb behemoths. Moreover, the two-acre per cow generalization does not define what “supporting” a cow means. Does it mean being able to graze through December on an average year, or does it mean the farmer will start having to feed hay by early October in an average year, and late summer if there is even a mild drought? I would contend that with more typical soils and management found in Kentucky, the two-acre stocking rate generalization would more likely than not result in the later hay feeding situation. The farm 36
we were visiting was comprised mostly of steep Eden Shale clay, was being continuously grazed by the cattle, and was feeding over 150 days of hay per year. We spent over two hours touring the farm and had a discussion in the shade before leaving. There were a lot of suggestions about ways to improve the farm, and most of these the farmer agreed with. However, when I mentioned that one of his fundamental issues on the farm was that he was overstocked, and that by reducing the number of cows he could increase his profitability quicker than just anything else we suggested, he seemed perplexed. Paraphrasing what he said only slightly: “How could having fewer cows, and selling less calves possibly make you more money?” He was of course, focused on the revenue side of the profit equation. What he was not considering is how much the cost side of the equation could go down by stocking at a lower rate. The biggest cost that decreases with a lower stocking rate is hay cost: not just overall hay cost ($ for the entire farm), but also the hay cost per cow. By having fewer cows, you will be able to graze further into the fall or winter, as well start grazing a little earlier in the spring. Thus, hay cost per cow would go down. Having fewer cows (compared to an overstocked farm) also results in better quality forage, on average, going into the rumen of the cow, both during the grazing season and during those days where the overstocked farm is feeding hay while the farm with the lower stocking rate is still grazing. This improved forage quality has two positive effects on performance: 1) Increased conception/weaning rates, and 2) Increased weaning weights for the calves. Greg Brann, retired Tennessee NRCS grazing specialist (now doing consulting work related to grazing and soil health) noticed how drastically these performance measures improved on farms with lower stocking rates based on the thousands of cattle farms he visited in Tennessee and surrounding states. He also said most people never considered COW COUNTRY •
them as possible benefits of reduced stocking rates. Getting back to the cattle farm east of Lexington, how many cows should this famer reduce his herd by to be most profitable? It was clear that reducing his stocking rate from the current level would help with profitability, but at what point should he stop? Would he be most profitable at 2.5 acres per cow, 3 acres per cow, or 4 acres per cow? I have been working on this question the last few years. One thing that I learned is that you cannot answer the stocking rate question directly. As mentioned earlier, two acres of pasture is not always equivalent to another two acres of pasture. Management styles differ considerably, and two different farms on the same type of ground may need different stocking rates to achieve the same grazing goals. Thus, the question needs to be framed slightly differently: Instead of trying to determine the most profitable stocking rate for all farms, we need to instead determine the most profitable number of hay feeding days. If for example the most profitable hay feeding days turned out to be three months, that might be equivalent to 2.5 acres of pasture per cow on one farm, and 3.5 acres of pasture per cow on another farm. You would have to estimate what actual stocking rate would get you to that hay-feeding rate based on the management and productivity of each farm. The basic tradeoff in estimating the optimal hay feeding days is this: by reducing the stocking rate, we sell fewer calves, but at the same time we also reduce our costs/cow, as well as increasing the revenue per calf slightly (through the higher weaning rates and weaning weights). The other two major factors that impact the decision are hay cost and the overall cattle market. If the cost of hay is high, the optimal hay feeding days will shift downward (you will want a lower stocking rate). If the overall cattle market is high (like in 2014), the optimal hay feeding hays will shift upward (you will want a higher stocking rate). In other words, if we knew we were going to be able to sell calves for $2.50/ lb, the reduced costs from lowering our stocking rate would not likely outweigh selling fewer calves and giving up $10001200 per head. Results: Table 1 shows the results for the
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most profitable hay feeding days given an estimated net hay cost. This assumes a cattle market that is slightly above current levels, where a 525 lb steer/heifer average calf is selling for $1.50/lb. Net hay cost is the cost or value of the hay minus the net fertilizer value. For example, a 5’x5’ bale is typically around 1000 lbs or half a ton. If the cost per bale was $35, the cost per ton would be $70. The net nutrient value will vary substantially, from $0-25 per ton based on how and where it was fed. Most farms are probably in the $510 per ton range. Thus if we valued the nutrient value at $10 per ton, the net hay price for this farm (hay minus nutrient value) would be $70 – $10, or $60 per ton. For more detail on how to estimate the nutrient value of the hay fed on your farm go to the following article: https://www.progressiveforage.com/ forage-production/management/ fertilizer-value-of-hay-feeding Depending on the estimated net hay cost, the most profitable hay feeding ranges from 0 – 120 days. The net hay cost for most farms in Kentucky will probably be at or slightly above the $60/ton level. Given this likely net hay cost, the most profitable number of hay feeding days will be in the 60-90 day range, or two to three months of hay feeding for the average Kentucky farm. For further details of the analysis, see the following article in Progressive Forages: https://www.progressiveforage.com/ forage-production/management/ picking-apples-off-the-grazing-tree-partiii-the-stocking-rate-hay-feeding-tradeoff
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FEATURE How do these results conform to the majority of beef cattle farms in Kentucky? Acknowledging that we do not have official statistics on hay feeding days, I do regularly ask county agents what their guess is for their county. The usual response is around 120 days or four months of hay feeding, with the range somewhere between 100-150 days. If these estimates are accurate, we are feeding a lot more hay then we should be, and thus have a lot of room to improve profitability.
magazine and heard at conferences that grazing is always cheaper than feeding hay. My results contradicted the message that you should strive for feeding no hay on your cattle farm. I asked him how he was going to get to the point of not feeding any hay on his farm. He said he was told to just keep grazing through the winter and to not feed hay! I tried to tell him in as kind words as I could find that this was wishful thinking, and that wishful thinking will not provide grass for the cows to eat on a cold, windy February day.
I have been criticized by hard-core grazing proponents for not providing a unified message promoting less hay feeding, even though for the average farm in Kentucky that is exactly what I have been advocating. While most farms are probably feeding too much hay, there are also farms that are not feeding enough hay and have pushed the “grazing is cheaper than hay feeding” envelope too far.
This young cattle farmer seemed just as perplexed as the farmer on those steep Eden Shale slopes. He did not understand the hay-feeding and stocking-rate tradeoff, and thought he could continually reduce his winter hay feeding without at some point reducing his stocking rate, and consequently (if successful in feeding no hay) would end up with a stocking rate that was too low. The farmer east of Lexington also did not understand the hay-feeding and stocking-rate tradeoff, but was on the other side of the proverbial misinformation fence. Consequently, he was stocked way too high.
I presented on this topic at the Tennessee Grazing for Profit conference a few years ago and a young cattle farmer came up to me after the presentation. He seemed confused: he had read in a grazing
The two-acre per cow rule of thumb may have had a purpose and may have been useful one or two generations ago. Possibly cattle prices were considerably higher relative to hay costs at that time, thus increasing the number for profitable hay feeding days. Possibly the average cow size was a lot smaller. I do not know for sure. However, in our current era, there are few soil-management-cow size combinations in Kentucky that I believe two acres per cow will be anything close to the most profitable stocking rate and will instead, likely lead to a steady flow of losses. I would rather not have a rule-ofthumb for anything that is as variable as stocking rates. If someone new to cattle is seeking guidance on how many cows their 100 acre farm can handle, I would rather not tell them a specific number without additional explanation. I think it is better to initially say something like: “whatever the number of cattle your farm can handle to keep your total hay feeding days in the 2-3 month range”. That might involve starting out with 3-4 acres per cow (25-33 cows on the 100
acre farm) and seeing what it results in, and slowly adjusting the stocking rate to reach and stay in that optimal hay feeding range. It will not necessarily be a static number. Improvements over time in grazing management and/or soil quality will allow for an increase in stocking rates while keeping the same number of hay feeding days. Given Kentucky’s unique forage base and climate, we have the potential to be one of the lowest cost producers of calves in the country. That was a gift bestowed on us by a higher order. How we choose to take stewardship of that gift is up to each of us. Will we be lean and mean, or shiny and bloated? The quickest way for most farms in Kentucky to get back on the path of low cost production is to base their stocking rate on profitability, not bragging rights based on maximum production. For most of our farms that will mean feeding less (but not zero) hay. Getting rid of the two-acre per cow ruleof-thumb and aiming for 60-90 days of hay feeding will get most farms pointed in the right direction.
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SEPTEMBER 2020
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FEATURE
PRICE PROTECTION CAN HELP CATTLE PRODUCERS IN VOLATILE MARKETS Dan Childs, Senior Agricultural Economics Consultant, Noble Foundation Many risks are ever present for agricultural producers. To attempt a listing of all the risks would likely be somewhat surprising and quite lengthy. The risks that come to mind quickly are weather risk and price risk. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has created ways to help many producers — both grain and livestock — manage both of these risks. Before the Coronavirus Managing weather risk has been an ongoing concern of producers. However, the interest in managing price risk has been more sporadic. Producers, being generally optimistic, are reluctant to lock in a certain price that eliminates the opportunity of a higher price if by chance the market offers it later in the production cycle. The pandemic has reminded producers of and heightened the interest in price risk management. If you are a cattle producer, think back to the outlook for cattle prices in late January 2020. On Jan. 1, the U.S. cattle inventory report estimated beef cow numbers to be down from the previous year by 1.2%, the first decline since 2014. The calf crop was estimated to be down 0.9%. In a market where supply and demand determine prices, the fundamentals were in place to support stronger prices. Projections in the fall for purchased stocker calves or retained home-raised calves indicated a profit when sold at heavier weights in the spring. Few producers who owned yearling cattle thought much about price protection at the time. Supply and Demand Disrupted Then the pandemic caused huge disruptions to both the supply and demand for many food items, including beef. Consumers changed their buying behavior due in part to many working from home and eating more meals at home. The food service (primarily restaurants) demand dried up almost overnight and panic buying ensued at the retail level. Some cattle processors darkened plants
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due to surging cases of COVID-19, while others had to reduce capacity because workers felt unsafe at work and stayed home. Food service products could not easily be retrofitted for the retail market. With reduced processing capacity and a product shortage, a much stronger beef demand was created at the retail level and boxed beef prices skyrocketed. At the same time, feedyards with ample cattle ready for harvest were unable to move those cattle to processing facilities since the processing capacity had been reduced. So live cattle prices adjusted by approximately 25%, and the price softness was felt down the production chain to yearling cattle and calves. No one in January would have ever thought the cattle market would experience this kind of decline. Price Protection Has Potential The chain of events that created the lower prices caused cattle producers to think back and wish they would have done some kind of price protection. Nothing can be done for what has already happened, but producers can learn from the experience and consider ways price protection can be COW COUNTRY •
used in the future. Fortunately, there are several choices a cattle producer has to help with price protection. Some of these products have been around for a long time, while others have been available for only about 20 years. Hedging Hedging on the futures market by selling a futures contract is very popular. This strategy locks in a certain price with no opportunity for any upside potential. Typically, the only reason a producer would experience a different price would be that the actual basis was different than projected. The reason many producers do not like hedging is margin calls. Large margin calls can shake the emotions of the calmest producer. Purchasing options on futures contracts is attractive because of the potential for a higher price. A “put” option provides a minimum floor price and leaves the upside open. No margin calls are required. The reluctance by some producers to use options is premium cost. If a “strike” price close to the underlying futures contract is
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chosen, premium cost could be considered pricy, especially in volatile markets. Many strategies exist as to ways producers can pick and choose combinations of put and call options to achieve a higher floor. Livestock Risk Protection Around the turn of this century, RMA created a product they named Livestock Risk Protection (LRP). RMA provided a 13% subsidy on the premium, hoping it would entice producers to use it. The product is sold and serviced by private insurance agents. The use of the product has been disappointing. Effective July 1, 2020, the subsidy has been increased to 20-35% depending on the level of coverage chosen. One of the more attractive features of LRP is that any size group of cattle less than 3,000 head can be protected. Options Are Available If the recent fluctuations in the cattle markets have made you interested in price protection, please become informed of the products available. We at Noble are available to discuss these products with you.
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NCBA SUMMER CONFERENCE meet the needs of their members, all of whom agree that our industry needs more robust price discovery. This policy provides all players in the industry the opportunity to achieve that goal without seeking government mandates,” said Smith. “Everyone who took the time to participate in this process over the past several months and throughout this week’s meetings is to be commended.”
policy positions for the next year. These are policies designed by and for America’s cattle producers. I am proud to see that even with all of the challenges of 2020, we have had nearly 600 cattle producers join us in Denver.”
NCBA unveiled the Beef Industry’s Long Range Plan (LRP) during General Session, which includes industry priorities and the vision for promoting Beef, America’s The policy passed by the Live Cattle premiere protein, over the next five years. STRONG TURNOUT OF CATTLE Marketing Committee and approved by a Idaho rancher Kim Brackett and chair PRODUCERS SETS IMPORTANT vote of the NCBA Board of Directors can of the LRP Task Force, presented the POLICIES FOR THE FUTURE new plan and NCBA’s Board of Directors be viewed here. LIVE CATTLE MARKETING COMMITTEE The Cattle Industry Summer Business will vote on the proposed plan at the Wednesday board meeting. UNANIMOUSLY PASSES POLICY TO Meeting also included a full slate of both INCREASE CASH TRADE LEVELS policy and checkoff committee meetings. Summer Business Meeting will also DENVER (July 29, 2020) - A capacity This week’s checkoff meetings help set feature important policy committee crowd of cattle producers worked for the plan of work for fiscal year that starts meetings like the Live Cattle Marketing more than six hours today to identify a Oct. 1, as well as providing an opportunity Committee, which will consider several policy that would help resolve concerns for cattlemen and cattlewomen to review policies of importance to the industry. about live cattle marketing issues and current contractor campaigns, including “I’m honored and excited to be working lead the industry to more robust price a very successful launch of the popular with all our attendees and I want to thank discovery. The National Cattlemen’s United We Steak campaign. everyone who has volunteered their time Beef Association’s Live Cattle Marketing “The past several months have been to make these next three days a success Committee considered several proposals, challenging for everyone, but they’ve and engage in important conversations each aimed at encouraging greater been particularly difficult for America’s on the state of the beef industry,” Smith volumes of cash cattle trade. After intense cattle farmers and ranchers,” said added. debate, the committee and the NCBA Smith. “This week’s meetings provided Board of Directors unanimously passed a crucial opportunity for us to come a policy that supports voluntary efforts together—safely and with plenty of social NCBA ADOPTS POLICY TO to improve cash fed cattle trade during distancing—to resolve the issues of the SUPPORT U.S. CATTLETRACE the next 90 days with the potential for past several months. However, it has also National Cattlemen’s Beef mandates in the future if robust regional provided an opportunity for a reset and The cash trade numbers are not reached by chance to refocus on the priorities that Association (NCBA) board of directors adopted a new policy in support of U.S. the industry. haven’t gone away as we battled through CattleTrace and its mission of advancing “The policy decisions we made this week this crisis. We’re thankful we had the disease traceability in the U.S. cattle truly show the grassroots policy process opportunity to do just that during this industry. The policy resolution was at work. We had tremendous turnout week’s meetings.” brought forward by state cattlemen’s for this year’s summer meeting, clearly associations in Florida, Kansas, demonstrating that cattle producers Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas NCBA’S ANNUAL SUMMER needed the opportunity to meet in and Washington. BUSINESS MEETING person to hammer out solutions to these “The NCBA policy process starts with COMMENCES important issues,” said NCBA President Marty Smith. “Despite the issues going DENVER, CO (July 28, 2020) — The individual producers – it’s a true on in the world today, we had more than National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s grassroots process. To see this policy 600 people turn out, the vast majority in (NCBA) Annual Summer Business resolution receive unaminous support person, to find solutions for issues facing Meeting began today in Denver, where through the committee process and with the board of directors further our industry.” more than 500 cattle producers, industry demonstrates that U.S. CattleTrace is Smith noted that the work of the Live partners, and stakeholders gathered, a producer-led, industry-driven effort Cattle Marketing committee caps months both in-person and virtually, for policy to advance disease traceability,” said of working group efforts to find industry- development, education, and long-range Callahan Grund, U.S. CattleTrace and market-driven solutions to increase planning. executive director. “We thank NCBA for price discovery without government “Summer Business Meeting is a perfect its support and are excited to work with mandates. example of NCBA’s grassroots, member the organization going forward. Support “The policy we passed today is the result driven, policy-making process in action,” from NCBA, individual cattle producers of every state cattlemen’s association NCBA President Marty Smith said. from across the country, and our coming together to work through their “This event is about bringing producers partners throughout the industry will be differences and finding solutions that together to learn, discuss, vote, and adopt paramount to the success of achieving 40
COW COUNTRY •
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a robust animal disease traceability system in the United States.” The policy resolution calls for NCBA to support the expansion of U.S. CattleTrace and directs the organization to encourage and help facilitate state affiliate support and educational efforts. Animal disease traceability is a priority in the U.S. beef cattle industry and has been included in both the 2016-2020 and the 2021-2025 Beef Industry Long Range Plans. In 2016, the plan called for a feasibility study, which has been a guiding document for U.S. CattleTrace, and the newly released plan supports aggressive animal disease traceability growth and expansion targets. “We are humbled to have NCBA’s support and partnership,” said Brandon Depenbusch, U.S. CattleTrace Board of Directors chairman. “To truly achieve a nationally significant animal disease traceabilty system in the United States we need partners across the industry – individual producers in all segments, industry organizations, like NCBA, technology, data and identification companies, and privatesector traceability organizations. This new partnership is a critical step in the expansion of U.S. CattleTrace and disease traceability.” In August 2018, CattleTrace Inc. was formally established as a private, not-forprofit corporation to securely maintain and manage the data collected as part of the disease traceability pilot project. A board of directors with representatives from cow-calf, livestock market and cattle feeding sectors was named to lead CattleTrace Inc. In January 2020, the board voted to change the name to U.S. CattleTrace Inc. to formally establish the multi-state initiative to advance disease traceability. To learn more about U.S. CattleTrace or receive information on how to participate, visit www. uscattletrace.org
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Two Sales! One Day!
The Complete Dispersal of Oak Ridge Farms & Seedstock Plus Showcase Sale XV September 19, 2020 * 1 p.m. Kingsville Livestock, Kingsville, MO
Oak Ridge Farms was originally scheduled to disperse in May as the ‘Opportunity Knocks’ sale but was postponed to fall. We will also offer the elite consignments from the Seedstock Plus members as the Showcase portion of the sale! Offering 3 Herd Sires from Oak Ridge Farms * Reds & Blacks! * Open heifers, Bred heifers & Pairs * Picks of the herd * Purebred Gelbviehs & Balancers! * Videos of sale cattle at www.seedstockplus.com or www.dvauction.com
THESE FEMALES ALL SELL!
Fall Bull & Female Sale October 17, 2020 * 12 noon
Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, MO
Selling 150 - 18 month old BLACK Gelbvieh, Angus & Balancer bulls & BLACK females registered & commercial
RED REWARD ‘Fall Edition’ Bull & Female Sale November 7, 2020 * 12 noon
Wheeler Livestock Auction, Osceola, MO Selling 40 RED Gelbvieh, Balancer bulls & RED females - registered &commercial!
Bid & Buy at:
DVAuction
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REQUEST YOUR CATALOGS TODAY * 877-486-1160 john@seedstockplus.com 41
JANUARY 14 & 15, 2021
2021
Owensboro Convention Center 501 West 2nd Street Owensboro, KY 42301
KENTUCKY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION COVID-19 STATEMENT Many of our members and exhibitors have questions in regard to the potential cancellation of 2021 Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention and Trade Show due to ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19. The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) has been navigating the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on the well-being and safety of the convention participants. KCA is still planning to hold Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show January 14 & 15, 2021 in person. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will follow the advice and recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Governor Andy Beshear. We are hopeful that business operations will have been re-established by the opening of the convention. We will continue to gather information and observe the current landscape and provide updates as necessary.
Room Blocks Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront 401 W 2nd Street Owensboro KY 42301 270-685-2005 Holiday Inn & Suites 701 West First Street Owensboro KY 42301 270-683-1111
Should you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Becky Thompson by email at bthompson@ kycattle.org or by phone at 859-278-0899.
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43
FEATURE
USDA PROVIDES UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION FOLLOWING 2019 TYSON BEEF PLANT CLOSURE AND COVID-19 PANDEMIC
BURNS FARMS & FRIENDS
Female Sale
Saturday, September 19th
12 NOON CDT @ BURNS FARMS, PIKEVILLE, TENNESSEE 60 POWERFUL LOTS OF SUPERIOR HEREFORD GENETICS! SPRING ETs, SPRING BRED HEIFERS, SPRING COW/CALF SPLITS, FALL YEARLINGS, FALL HEAVY BREDS
Presented by Burns Farms & Our Friends… COPPER CREEK FARM • LAZY J HEREFORDS PAQUETTE HEREFORD RANCH • PHILLIP WILLIAMS
(Washington, D.C., July 22, 2020) – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report on its ongoing boxed beef and fed cattle price spread investigation. “The closure of the Tyson beef packing plant in Holcomb, Kansas, after a fire at the facility, and the COVID-19 pandemic clearly disrupted the markets and processing systems responsible for the production and sale of U.S. beef,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “The report examines these economic disruptions and the significant increase in the spread between boxed beef and fed cattle prices that resulted from them. While we’re pleased to provide this update, we assure producers that our work continues in order to determine if there are any violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. If any unfair practices are detected, we will take quick enforcement action.” Background: The report, prepared by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service in coordination with the Office of the Chief Economist, summarizes market conditions, fed cattle prices, boxed beef values and the spread before and after the fire and plant closure at the Tyson Holcomb plant, and before and during 44
VOLUME V
BF L1 DOMINETTE 25F ET
CED
BF GIRL POWER 868
44163457 • DOB: 4/1/18 • Horned CL 1 Domino 215Z 5 Ribeye 88X Due spring 2021 to KJ BJ 58Z Contender D56 ET.
P44164563 • DOB: 2/17/18 • Polled JCS 4641 Icon 6110 5 WLB Winchester Powerball 27A Due spring 2021 to KJ BJ 58Z Contender D56 ET.
4.9, BW 2.3, WW 68, YW 102, MM 24, REA .34, MRB .39, CHB 121
CED
AHA:
BF RACHAEL 8241
P43991117 • DOB: 10/5/18 • Polled DPH LH BF Launch 1310 ET 5 TH 122 71I Victor 719T Due spring 2021 to HQ Cuda 864F. AHA:
CED
3.0, BW 2.1, WW 63, YW 93, MM 36, REA .54, MRB .01, CHB 114
AHA:
4.3, BW 2.4, WW 64, YW 106, MM 22, REA .43, MRB .10, CHB 103
CED
BF UNIQUE 040
44161339 • DOB: 2/16/20 • Horned KJ BJ 58Z Contender D56 ET 5 Golden Oak Outcross One of several outstanding open heifer prospects. AHA:
CED
3.7, BW 2.8, WW 57, YW 89, MM 28, REA .60, MRB .05, CHB 109
BF LAURA 9110 ET
P44052929 • DOB: 3/10/19 • Polled TH Frontier 174E 5 KCF Bennett Influence Z80 Due spring 2021 to HQ Cuda 864F. AHA:
1.8, BW 3.3, WW 70, YW 120, MM 22, REA .63, MRB .09, CHB 101
BF INFLUENCER 13H ET
P44162205 • DOB: 3/22/20 • Polled H FHF Authority 6026 ET 5 DM BR Sooner Granddaughter of Beth 1L, full sister to P606. AHA:
CED
–1.6, BW 3.4, WW 60, YW 96, MM 32, REA .56, MRB .09, CHB 119
SALE CATALOGS MAILED ON REQUEST & ALSO AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ON OUR WEBSITE. BULL SALE DATE: NOVEMBER 7. Herefords Since 1952
DAVID BURNS (615) 477-5668 • burnsfarms@msn.com 12733 Old State Hwy 28, Pikeville, TN 37367
burnsfarms.com
TAL 6690; TFL 5818
Dustin N. Layton • (405) 464-2455 laytond@yahoo.com Andee Marston • (785) 250-4449 laytonauction.com
Visit burnsfarms.com/sales to complete the Catalog Request form.
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2020
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the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also discusses several policy considerations in light of the desire by many market participants for improved price discovery, reinvigorated competition, and a more transparent relationship between the prices for live cattle and the resulting products.
Considerations include potential updates to Livestock Mandatory Reporting to reduce instances of non-reporting and increase percentages of negotiated cash transactions, risk management outreach, education and product improvements for small and medium-sized producers, small to very small meat processor outreach
and opportunities, and enhancements to the Packers and Stockyards Act investigative and enforcement tools. While the report does not examine potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, USDA staff have maintained a cooperative relationship with the staff of the Department of Justice
Fall Bred Heifers Sales STOCKYARDS
(DOJ) Antitrust Division and have discussed allegations of anticompetitive practices in the meat packing industry. Should USDA find a violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act, it is authorized to report the violation to DOJ for prosecution.
East—Gateway Regional Heifer Sale Friday, October 23, 2020 6:30 PM Richmond—Top of the Crop Bred Heifer Sale Tuesday, October 27, 2020 6:00 PM Maysville—Herd Builder Bred Heifer Sale Saturday, October 31, 2020 2:00 PM Lexington—Blue Ribbon Bred Heifer Sale Thursday, November 5, 2020 6:30 PM
Albany—Campbellsville—East-Mt. Sterling—Maysville—Lexington—Richmond—South-Stanford
KY Certified Hereford Influence Sale Sullivan Charolais KY Simmental Sale Blue Grass South-Stanford Spirit of the Bluegrass
Saturday September 12, 2020 1:00 PM
BG South Fall Holstein Sale Monday October 26, 2020 10:30 AM
Saturday October 17, 2020 1:00 PM
KY Hereford Assoc Sale
At BG Lexington Saturday December 5, 2020
Thursday, December 3, 2020 10:30 AM
For more information, call the barn at 606-365-0665.
CPH Sales Richmond December 8, 2020 For more information or to schedule your cattle, call the barn at 859-623-1280. Lexington December 9, 2020 5:30 PM For more information or to schedule your cattle, call the barn at 859-255-7701.
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FEATURE
WHY FARMERS FACE UNIQUE THREATS FROM STRESS Suicide in Farm Country A December 2017 front page story in The Guardian brought to America’s attention a harsh reality about its farmers: people working in agriculture in the U.S. — including farmers, farm laborers, ranchers, fishers and lumber harvesters — take their lives at a rate higher than any other occupation. The article highlighted a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which found that the suicide rate for farmers and ag workers is nearly five times higher than that of the general population.
the issue and creating public campaigns to encourage farmers to manage stress and seek mental health care. During the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, social services and rural churches played a major role in supporting and counseling farmers and ranchers. Some of the mental health programs that were designed to help distressed farm and ranch families at that time are still operating.
Today, mental health support services — both professional and church- and community-based — are less available and accessible in rural areas than they were in the 1980s, due to factors such as fewer people attending church, fewer community-building events in which people can interact/establish relationships in rural areas, and a decrease in overall population in rural
In June 2018, the CDC retracted the study results after the methodology was questioned. Farm Aid issued a statement, which said in part: “Increased calls to Farm Aid’s hotline and our work with partners around the country confirm that farmers are under incredible financial, legal and emotional stress. Bankruptcies, foreclosures, depression and even suicide are some of the tragic consequences of these pressures. America’s family farmers — reduced in numbers since the Farm Crisis of the 1980s — have approached endangered status. Net income for farmers is estimated to be more than 50 percent lower in 2018 than it was in 2013. Rural families, particularly those in agricultural communities, are suffering, no matter which way you slice the data. It is also deeply concerning that farmworkers are so vulnerable to suicide. That points to an urgent need for Congress to pass sound immigration reform policy that addresses the on-theground needs of farmers and the needs and rights of farmworkers.”
Mental Health in Rural America and the Unique Stressors Among Farmers In general, rural residents have higher rates of depression, substance abuse and completed suicide. However, farmers face additional challenges to maintaining their mental health. Mental health professionals point to the nature of farming as one likely cause — it is a business largely influenced by factors that are beyond farmers’ control, including weather, disease, pests, prices and interest rates, and which can come and go without warning. Farmers can be isolated, geographically and socially, since they often work alone. They are self-reliant, independent and can be unlikely to ask for help. Many come from a tradition of not sharing their challenges, choosing instead to tough them out on their own. They work long, hard days and may de-prioritize their own health and well-being to get the job done. Stress as a concept may be seen by farmers as something that urban office dwellers experience. Farming itself is unique, and many clinicians don’t “get it.” Farmers cannot be advised to take a vacation or search for a less stressful job. Farmers feel a tremendous weight at the possible loss of their land–the possibility that they could be the one to lose something that has been in their family for generations. Their role as a farmer is at the root of their identity; it’s their culture, not just a job. Due to the nature of their work, farmers often lack health insurance coverage, or have minimal coverage that covers catastrophic injury only, rather than comprehensive care. If they do have insurance, behavioral health services may be considered “out of pocket.” As people who often keep their personal struggles to themselves, farmers worry about their privacy; it can be a challenge to seek care and maintain anonymity in small, rural communities.
The Risk Is Not New, and It Is Widespread While this peril to farmers came to light through the compelling stories shared in the December 2017 Guardian article, it has been a threat since Farm Aid started in 1985. The suicide rate has been higher for farmers than for the general population for decades. It’s also a global phenomenon, and other countries, particularly the UK, New Zealand and Australia, are ahead of the U.S. in terms of bringing awareness to 46
areas.
To further complicate matters, farmers and rural Americans face barriers to accessing mental health care. Ninety million people live in designated Mental COW COUNTRY •
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Health Professional Shortage Areas, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and a majority of those areas (61 percent in 2011) are in non-metropolitan areas. About 4,000 to 6,000 new mental health professionals are needed to fill that gap nationwide. A dramatic illustration of this shortage can be seen in the state of Iowa, where there are 123 psychiatrists, 122 nurse practitioners and 33 physician assistants that specialize in psychiatry, statewide. That equates to one trained professional for every 11,151 Iowans. Right now, as farmers struggle with a 50 percent decrease in net farm income since 2013, the incidence of farmer stress is reaching a high point. In 2018, the median net farm income was a loss of $1,548, and prices are not expected to rise in the near future. More than half of U.S. farm households have lost money in recent years. The number of farmers filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy protection has risen to a level not seen since the 2008 recession. Meanwhile, production expenses and interest rates are increasing, putting family farmers in a vise that is forcing many to call it quits, or consider worse.
Hope on the Horizon There are some promising developments that may be of assistance. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), which was created by the 2008 Farm Bill but was never funded. The re-authorization and allocation of $10 million in annual funding from 2019-2023 will enable the FRSAN to provide grants to extension services and nonprofit organizations that offer stress assistance programs to individuals engaged in farming, ranching and other agriculture-related occupations. Farm Aid is proud to support this important legislation. “With net farm income cut in half over the last five years, rural stress levels are dangerously high. We cannot afford to lose one more farmer. This bill is a crucial first step to create a strong safety net for America’s family farmers,” said Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar. Promising clinical developments include the integration of primary and mental health care; telemedicine, whereby rural residents can interact with health care professionals from a distance; and reducing the perceived discrimination
against seeking mental health care by training farmers to recognize signs of stress and manage their symptoms proactively. The U.S. agricultural community is taking the threat seriously, with many farm organizations and conferences offering training in recognizing the signs of suicide and in preventing suicide. What Farm Aid is Doing At Farm Aid, we believe it’s essential to bring attention to the unique stressors that family farmers face; call for increased mental health resources for rural America; and show farmers they are not alone, and there is help. In fact, managing farm stress is just as important as managing the farm. Since 1985, we have answered our farmer hotline, 1-800-FARM-AID, to provide a listening ear and resources to farmers in crisis. Our farmer advocates and all Farm Aid staff members have undergone training so that all staff are prepared in the event they are called upon. Ensuring farmers have access to mental health care is one leg of the stool to address the current farm economy. The other two legs are financial and legal resources. Farmer stress is usually
rooted in the economic and legal challenges a farmer faces; it can often be managed once steps are in place to address the root problem. Farm Aid’s priority is to connect farmers to all of these services to address farm stress holistically and practically. All three areas of service to farmers have suffered since the Farm Crisis, chipped away over the decades by funding cuts and a systemic lack of investment in rural America. We are at a crisis point once again, and it is essential to reinforce the safety net for farmers and rural Americans. Resources for Farmers in Crisis If you’re a farmer who needs to talk to someone directly (or someone who is worried about a farmer), we are here to listen. You can call our farmer hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243). Farmer Services staff answer the hotline Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time. If you are please call Prevention someone at 2433).
considering suicide, the National Suicide Lifeline to talk to 1-800-SUICIDE (784-
48TH ANNUAL
PRODUCTION BULL SALE
Saturday •
SELLING:
85 - 2 yr old Hereford Bulls 10 - Yearling Hereford Bulls 20 - Open Hereford Heifers 100 - Commercial Heifers
COW COUNTRY •
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SEPTEMBER 2020
October 24, 2020 • 12:00 Noon At the farm, Horton, Alabama
4134 County Hwy 30 • Horton, Al. 35980 Glynn Debter (205) 429-2040 Perry Debter (205) 429-4415 John Ross Debter debterfarm@otelco.net • www.debterherefordfarm.com
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
7/30/20 9:14 PM
47
FEATURE
AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES SOUNDS ALARM ON UNSOLICITED FOREIGN SEEDS
At the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, we are powered by people. Since 1973, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association has served as a resource for information and education for producers, consumers, and the industry. Our membership is growing and we need you to help us stay strong.
Join or renew your KCA membership today!
FRANKFORT (July 27, 2020) – Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles is sounding the alarm about reports of foreign seeds being shipped unsolicited to Kentuckians across the Commonwealth. Kentucky is the fourth state known to receive suspicious packages of seeds that appear to have originated from China. “It is incredibly important that if you receive a package of foreign or unfamiliar seeds, you report it to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture immediately,” Commissioner Quarles said. “At this point in time, we don’t have enough information to know if this is a hoax, a prank, an internet scam, or an act of agricultural bio-terrorism. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive and introduce unknown diseases to local plants, harm livestock or threaten our environment. If you have received such a package, do not plant the seeds and immediately contact the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.” Over the weekend, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) was notified of several Kentucky residents who
(859) 278-0899 48
COW COUNTRY •
had received unsolicited seed packets that appear to have originated by China. The types of seeds are unknown and may be harmful. The packages were sent by mail. “I want to reiterate: do not plant the seeds,” Commissioner Quarles said. “We don’t know what they are, and we cannot risk any harm whatsoever to agricultural production in the United States. We have the safest, most abundant food supply in the world and we need to keep it that way.” Individuals who have received suspicious packages with seeds should put them in an airtight bag and ship them to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s division of Plant Protection Quarantine at USDA-APHIS PPQ, P.O. Box 475, Hebron, Kentucky 41048. Individuals are also encouraged to contact the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at (502) 573-0282 or e-mail ag.web@ ky.gov.
In a video public service announcement, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles asks Kentuckians to report unsolicited seeds to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at (502) 573-0282 or e-mail ag.web@ky.gov. SEPTEMBER
2020
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CONTACT: ZACH BURRIS 270.576.7001 COW COUNTRY •
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49
MEMBERSHIP DIVISION 3 (UP TO 75 MEMBERS)
THE 2020 KCA MEMBERSHIP YEAR ENDED WITH
10,738 MEMBERS!
THE 2021 MEMBERSHIP YEAR BEGINS OCTOBER 1ST.
VALLEY
Be sure to renew your membership
and sign up a friend with the application on page 51.
2020
2019
Difference
Mountain
93
75
18
Webster
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72
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Muhlenberg
81
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Twin Lakes
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-4
Taylor
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Union
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5
Pendleton
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Nelson
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Out of State
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Rockcastle
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53
6
Woodford
58
55
3
Mason
56
46
10
Robertson
56
32
24
Oldham
55
53
2
Ohio
55
63
-8
Whitley
54
50
4
54
39
15
DIVISION 1 (151+ MEMBERS)
2020
2019
Difference
Barren
525
496
29
Laurel
156
149
7
Lewis
Shelby
338
361
-23
Allen
146
132
14
Todd
51
63
-12
50
45
5
DIVISION 2 (76-150 MEMBERS)
2020
2019
Difference
Breckinridge
336
410
-74
Metcalfe
142
136
6
Montgomery
Adair
315
317
-2
Daviess
135
136
-1
Hancock
49
55
-6
128
6
Wayne
49
41
8
Bath
302
277
25
Franklin
134
Marion
295
302
-7
Pulaski
132
101
31
Simpson
46
33
13
Scott
117
105
12
Knox
45
67
-22
Trimble
114
108
6
Carroll
45
44
1
Anderson
113
97
16
Estill
40
49
-9
39
44
-5
Grayson
281
250
31
Madison
272
265
7
Lincoln
239
249
-10
Hart
228
263
-35
Christian
225
178
47
Clark
224
251
-27
Logan
213
248
-35
Jessamine
203
215
-12
Washington
201
193
8
Boyle
91
Casey
194
187
7
Trigg
90
Hardin
187
195
-8
Northeast Area
88
Bracken
179
193
-14
Fayette
-21
Bourbon
Meade
172
193
Garrard
106
79
27
Highlands
Fleming
99
122
-23
McCreary
38
35
3
38
42
-4
Caldwell/Lyon
98
117
-19
Nicholas
Jackson
93
112
-19
Butler
33
29
4
33
35
-2
Edmonson
92
93
-1
Clay
Louisville Area
91
78
13
Calloway
30
22
8
95
-4
Hopkins
29
31
-2
104
-14
Livingston
27
25
2
113
-25
Bullitt
26
38
-12
87
78
9
McLean
26
32
-6
84
77
7
Crittenden
23
26
-3
20
18
2
Larue
166
172
-6
Russell
77
78
-1
Menifee
Warren
165
168
-3
Owen
77
94
-17
Henderson
13
12
1
8
4
4
Harrison
160
152
8
Northern Kentucky
159
153
6
Green
158
151
7
Mercer
156
165
-9
Monroe
149
157
-8
Henry
148
157
-9
Purchase Area
75
78
-3
Gallatin
Campbell
74
78
-4
Magoffin
8
10
-2
-9
Powell
8
8
0
River Hills
7
7
0
Eastern Foothills
5
4
1
Bell
3
1
2
Pike
3
5
-2
Harlan
1
1
0
Clinton-Cumberland
Totals as of: July 31, 2020
67
76
2020
2019
Difference
10,738
10,775
-37
If you need anything for membership, please contact Nikki Whitaker at (859) 278-0899 or nwhitaker@kycattle.org 50
C O W C O U N T R Y • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 • A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
2020-21 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION * MEMBERSHIP YEAR 10/1/20– 9/30/21
NAME
SPOUSE NAME
FARM NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
COUNTY
RECRUITED BY
PHONE
FAX
ZIP
*Payments of KCA membership dues are tax deductible for most members as an ordinary and necessary business expense. However, charitable contributions of gifts to KCA are not tax deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. Due to new IRS regulations, $2.24 of your dues would not be deductible. Approximately $12 of your dues will go towards the monthly publication Cow Country News. PLEASE CHECK THE MEMBERSHIP(S) YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN: KCA MEMBERSHIP ($30/YR) Membership dues are $30 unless otherwise listed below
NEW
RENEWAL
NEW
RENEWAL
KCA COUPLE MEMBERSHIP To add your spouse, please add $15 to your KCA Membership KENTUCKY JUNIOR CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION ($10/YR)
I WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE YOUNG PRODUCER’S COUNCIL TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: KCA
KJCA
$
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS: CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION DONATION (voluntary)
$
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: ALL DONATIONS TO KCF ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
$
Allen ................................$40 Anderson ........................$25 Bourbon ..........................$20 Boyle ...............................$35 Bullitt ...............................$20 Butler ..............................$25 Franklin ...........................$25 Highlands .......................$20 (Boyd, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, & Martin)
Hopkins ...........................$35 Laurel ..............................$35 Lewis ..............................$35 Lincoln ............................$25 Louisville Area ................$20 (Jefferson, & Spencer) McCreary ........................$25 Magoffin ..........................$20 Menifee ...........................$25
Mountain........................$25 (Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Morgan, Owsley, Perry & Wolfe) Oldham ...........................$35 Taylor ..............................$20 Twin Lakes ......................$20 Warren ............................$40 Wayne .............................$25 Whitley ............................$25 Woodford ........................$25
IF YOU WOULD ALSO LIKE TO JOIN THE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION The NCBA is now a State Marketing Partner with the KCA. You can pay your dues to both organizations with one check, at the same time. # HEAD 1-100
$
COUNTY DUES Dues are $30 except for the counties listed below.
DUES $150
# HEAD 1,001-1,250
DUES $1,150
101-250
$300
1,251-1,500
$1,400
251-500
$450
1,501-1,750
$1,650
501-750
$650
1,751-2,000
$1,900
751-1000
$650
> 2,000
$1,900 + .38/HD
Complete and return to: Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association 176 Pasadena Drive • Suite 4 • Lexington, KY 40503 For faster service, join online at www.kycattle.org
C O W C O U N T R Y • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 • A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
51
KENTUCKY BEEF COUNCIL ANNA BURNETT KBC Director of Consumer Affairs
UNITED WE STEAK “United We Steak” celebrates not only a shared tradition of grilling delicious steaks, but also what makes each state unique when it comes to this beloved pastime. The idea comes to life at UnitedWeSteak.com with an interactive map of the United States made from 50 hand-cut state-shaped steaks. The interactive map is packed full of grilling spirit, state-specific recipes and fun facts that can help consumers nationwide “beef up” grilling season this summer. Kentucky has featured Kentucky themed recipes, Kentucky producers and fun facts about our state. This campaign has been launched on social media, online advertising, and through billboards. Next time you are coming into Kentucky from Indiana on i64, be sure to check out the digital billboard on your right for a United We Steak campaign message with our Kentucky steak. MEDIA RELATIONS Now more than ever our relationship with the media is so valuable. This summer has opened up new opportunities to share positive beef messages and beef recipes. From June-August twice a week on WKYT beef recipes have been cooked by myself or one of the anchors. The recipes have been posted on wkyt.com and shared by many of the anchors on their personal pages. We have continued to make appearances on Hey Kentucky and other local news stations. August 10-16th was Louisville Burger Week, where we promoted burgers on social media and traditional media such as Listens Live with John Ramsey. We are also starting new collaborations with iheartradio in Lexington and Louisville to continue to bring beef messaging in fresh and unique ways. Some of these projects in include collaboration with country artists, virtual tailgates and Feeding Kentucky initiatives.
2020 KY STATE FAIR While there were some changes to the Kentucky State Fair, KBC still attended to support our youth showman in the state. Shirts were passed out to all market animal showman as well as meal tickets to Kentucky Cattlemen’s food stands. Educational opportunities were provided for participants, which entered them to win giveaways. Stay tuned for a larger update and photos from fair!
52
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER
2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
KENTUCKY BEEF COUNCIL VIRTUAL COOKING CLASSES Cooking classes are one of the best ways to promote beef and foster beef cooking skills. Our goal with live cooking demonstrations is sparking curiosity in a new recipe or explaining how to cook beef better, leading to consumers purchasing beef to try these new recipes or skills. Last month we took these classes digital, cooking a beef dinner with participants right in their own kitchens. We provided a grocery and supply list a week before, and they joined us on a Thursday night to cook step by step with us. Honestly, we found some ways we love doing classes this way- being able to answer questions in real time and having hands on participation. We are planning on having more of these in the upcoming months focused around tailgating, getting kids in the kitchen and holiday cooking. As we are able, we are planning and striving to be able to do these hands-on demonstrations in person soon.
ROAST BEEF, HERBED CREAM CHEESE, AND FIG JAM CROSTINIS
BALSAMIC BEEF STEAK PASTA INGREDIENTS 1 beef Top Sirloin Steak, 3/4 inch thick (about 1 pound) 1-1/4 cups balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided 1/2 cup minced shallot 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 fresh red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 5 cups cooked penne pasta (about 8 ounces uncooked) 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Chopped fresh basil (optional) COOKING • Bring vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer over medium heat 12 to 15 minutes or until reduced to 3/4 cup. Stir in sugar; set aside.
INGREDIENTS 1 French baguette (white or whole wheat) 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1 cup herbed cream cheese (I used Boursin, light kind) 1 cup fig jam 1 cup fresh arugula 1 pound thinly sliced roast beef (good quality) COOKING • Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. • Meanwhile, cut the baguette into 1/2 inch thick slices. One whole baguette should yield about 20 pieces. Add olive oil and a little garlic salt to each slice of bread. • Toast the bread slices for 5 minutes in the oven, or until crispy and slightly golden brown. Let cool slightly. • To each crostini, spread about a tablespoon of garlic spread, a tablespoon of fig jam, a few pieces of arugula, and a slice of roasted beef (more or less of spread and jam depending on your own personal preference). Repeat until all the crostini’s are assembled. • Serve and enjoy!
• Season beef Top Sirloin Steak with 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and garlic powder. Place steak on rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 2 to 3 inches from heat. Broil 9 to 12 minutes for medium rare (145°F) doneness, turning once. Carve steak into thin slices; keep warm. • Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon oil in medium saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add shallot and garlic; cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in asparagus and bell pepper; cook 8 minutes until vegetables are al dente. • Add cooked pasta, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt to vegetables; cook 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables and pasta are heated through; toss in parmesan cheese. Serve sliced steak over pasta mixture; drizzle with balsamic glaze. Garnish with basil, as desired.
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
53
Post Weaning Value Added Program KENTUCKY BEEF NETWORK
E D E N S H A L E FARM UP DAT E
BECKY THOMPSON KBN Director
Dan and I want to thank our two interns Ty Wilks and Gregory Magsam for their efforts at the farm. Having two extra people around to help with the bustling work of summer sure does make thing go a lot smoother. If you are interested or know someone who is interested in participating in our intern program please reach out to the KCA office or email kbn@kycattle.org.
My name is Gregory Magsam and I’m from Sadieville, Kentucky. I am currently studying Agronomy at Purdue University and plan on working as an agronomist in central Kentucky post graduation. At Eden Shale I am very excited to learn about the pasture management and utilization to be as efficient as possible.
My name is Marshall Wilks, and I live in Lancaster, Kentucky. I spend most of my time riding horses and roping with my father. In my down time you can find me on the water fishing with my friends. I attend Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma where I am studying Ranch Management and Ag Business, and I am also apart of the rodeo team. I am looking forward to learning about how much it takes to run a farm with quality cattle, figuring out what is the best hay for the cows, and how to properly raise cattle to become quality cattle. 55 44
DAN MILLER KBN Industry Coordinator
It is a Monday morning in August and edenshalefarm.com/bull-barn-flooring. outside a steady rain is falling. We have html been blessed this year with good rainfall We housed 38 steers in the barn over the all summer. At Eden Shale we had 6.5 winter in total confinement. Now that the inches in July and a good bit of it came pens have been cleaned I want to share The Post Weaning Value Added Program slow. But, if its going(PVAP) to be 90+encourages degrees howcow-calf each pen’s flooring performed. for extended periods of time you better producers to retain ownership and capture added value for their investment Pen 1 was the concrete blocks turned have some rain to go along with it. on their sides and back filled with in beef cattle genetics and BQCA certification through diversified Late July offered us some time to get densemarketing grade gravel. Dr. Higgins tested our winter hay feeding facilities cleaned the blocks ability to absorb water, and strategies. Two options are offered: up and the manure spread. This means the results showed that they could we finally cleaned out the bull barn and hold approximately one gallon each. We will be launching the allowed us check out how the different OPTION 1: OPTIONThis 2: means this pen can absorb a large session videos the week of flooring options held up over the winter. amount of water, but that they also will PRECONDITION FEEDLOT - PVAP September 14 through our- PVAP As you remember, Dr. Higgins trap moisture and possibly not dry out renovated this barn last summer and the as fast as the other treatments. Once blog and youtube channel. Ownership retained through feedlot phase Ownership retained post weaning, renovations included 4 different types of cleaned, this pen appeared to hold up flooring in the barn. and You sold can review in Iowathose good the first year. However, the trapped preconditioned and sold in KY flooring treatments here: https://www. moisture in the blocks weakened the For home raised calves weaned on the farm
VIRTUAL WEANING 101 WORKSHOP
TOPICS
For home raised weaned calves retained on the farm for 45-120 days prior to
Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity
•
Vaccination marketing Protocols
•
Only producers who have never weaned Implanting Strategies
•
and preconditioned calves on the farm are Feeding Weaned Calves eligible
using CPH-45 protocol, then enrolled in the Cooperative in Lewis, IA Only producers who have never retained ownership through a commercial feedlot
•
Management Efficiency
are eligible
•
Feeder Cattle Grading
Up to $750 incentive payment
•
Marketing Options
Up to $1,000 incentive payment
Interested in the PVAP program? Contact your local County Extension Agent or KBN Facilitator for more info!
Pen 1 concrete blocks breaking down where the skid steer turned C CO OW W C CO OU UN NT TR RY Y •• S SE EP PT TE EM MB BE ER R 22 00 22 00 •• A A P PU UB B LL II C C AT AT II O ON N O OF F T TH HE E K KE EN NT TU UC CK KY Y C C AT AT T T LL E EM ME EN N ’’ S S A AS SS SO OC C II AT AT II O ON N
KENTUCKY BEEF NETWORK concrete slightly and the skid steer was grinding the blocks down some when turning on the floor. Other than that, the floor looked the same as when we installed it. Pen 3 was the Mechanical Concrete (tires back filled with dense grade gravel). This pen held up well under the intense use of the skid steer. Turning the skid steer on this floor did not seem to tear up any of the floor. This pen also drained well while the cattle where in it. I will also note that this pen was the cheapest and easiest to install. Pen 2 & 4 were the Geo Grid and 4” Geo Cell respectfully. Both of these treatments performed well with the cattle present, and were extremely easy to clean. They hold up well to the skid steer and look to have the longest life of the four treatments we installed. Of all four options, I think the best was the honeycombed shaped Geo Grid.
Considering the cost, ease of installation, performance, and maintenance it looks to be the best long term choice for livestock flooring inside a building. I also liked the Mechanical Concrete (tires) however they will require some additional gravel at select intervals. The concrete blocks will require the most maintenance and/ or complete replacement the quickest and they retain moisture making them my least favorite application. I will note that all four treatments did have a huge advantage over the existing dirt floor that was previously in the barn. I want to thank Dr. Higgins for continually working to improve the cattle industry through simple, effective practices like these. They have improved the production efficiency at Eden Shale Farm and could become a part of your operation as well. For more information, check out the Producer Resources tab on our website at www.edenshalefarm.com
K E N T U CK Y B E E F N E T W O R K F ACI L I T AT O R S
Ben Lloyd
Whitesville, KY (270) 993-1074 strridge@aol.com
Charles Embry
Cave City, KY (270) 646-5939 dale.embry@yahoo.com
Jacob Settles
Springfield, KY (859) 805-0724 jacob.settles4@yahoo.com
Ron Shrout
Winchester, KY (606) 205-6143 ronshrout@bellsouth.net
C CO OW W C CO OU UN NT TR RY Y •• S SE EP PT TE EM MB BE ER R 22 00 22 00 •• A A P PU UB B LL II C C AT AT II O ON N O OF F T TH HE E K KE EN NT TU UC CK KY Y C C AT AT T T LL E EM ME EN N ’’ S S A AS SS SO OC C II AT AT II O ON N
Jeff Stephens
Ewing, KY (606) 782-7640 stephensbeef@gmail.com 55 55
FEATURE
TO S P R AY O R N OT TO S P R AY Jimmy Henning, Extension Professsor, Livestock Forage Specialist, University of Kentucky something I call the clover dilemma. How do you decide if the infestation is bad enough? How much clover does it take to withhold the herbicide and live with the weeds? Certainly it does depend on the weed and the extent of the infestation. And it depends on the type and amount of clover. A vigorous, thick stand of red clover would be worth protecting in all but the worst infestations. A stand of small, white dutch clover probably not. And remember that some new herbicide formulations will take out broadleaves without killing clover. Proclova ® is one example. Annuals
Would you spray this field? Tough question to weigh the value of a good stand of vigorous red clover (18 inches tall) compared to freedom from ironweed (24 inches tall). The decision to spray is a subjective process depending on many factors, including weed pressure, invasiveness and/or toxicity of the weed, cost of the control measure, forage value of the weed and its life cycle, and the ability to restore the pasture stand. ‘Should I spray this field?’ is such a common question, it should be easy to answer, right? Turns out, it is not. I was recently looking at an excellent orchardgrass/red clover pasture (with occasional ironweed and Queen Anne’s lace) when the producer asked me if he should spray the field. I think he was surprised when I said no. Spraying was not warranted for several reasons, but mainly because spraying to kill the problem broadleaf weeds would completely take out the clover, which was significant. Here are some guidelines that help me formulate a weed control plan. I will be the first to admit this is a highly subjective set of guidelines or suggestions. Weed management chemical control.
is
more
than
Farmers have other options besides spraying herbicides. Sometimes the best approach is to use agronomic or 56
grazing management to strengthen the forage crop and deal with the weed. Johnsongrass is a classic example of a weed that can be managed by grazing but it is very problematic in a hay field. Mowing is another tool for weed management. Mowing annual or biennial thistles after they bolt (put up a seed head) but before they make seed is a good way to prevent the spread of these weeds. Timely mowing of cockleburs can prevent seed production as well. The UK publication AGR 207 ‘Controlling Broadleaf Weeds in Kentucky Pastures’ evaluates the effectiveness of mowing as a weed management tool for many of our problem pasture weeds. DETERMINING IF A SPRAY THRESHOLD HAS BEEN REACHED The Clover Dilemma Controlling broadleaf weeds usually means killing the clover present, COW COUNTRY •
With annual weeds, it is usually best to first try to thicken up the stand of the forage. Annuals are opportunistic; they germinate and grow when forage stands get sparse. Addressing lime, P and K needs and strategic use of nitrogen fertilizer are some of the most powerful tools to shift the advantage to the desirable forage. Implementing rotational grazing and maintaining good residual heights on the base grass will help suppress the onset of these weeds. Managing toxic and invasive plants Toxic and invasive weeds will often necessitate the use of herbicides. The cost/benefit ratio of using chemical control is influenced greatly by the threat of loss of livestock and the loss of value due to their presence in hay. An infestation of hemp dogbane, which contains toxic glycosides cause one farm owner to avoid using that field for horse hay and used it for cattle after he had sprayed it. The harvest interval for the herbicide he used was 14 days, which means he had to wait 14 days after spraying to cut for hay. The harvest intervals for many common forage herbicides are found in AGR 172 ‘Weed management in grass pastures, hayfields and other farmstead sites.’ Cash hay vs pasture Some weeds can be tolerated or even be beneficial in pasture that would warrant herbicide application in a cash hay crop. For example, johnsongrass and crabgrass
SEPTEMBER
2020
are highly palatable forages that benefit summer pastures but are not welcome in hay intended for high end horse markets. Estimating the spray threshold Quantifying the area of the pasture covered by weeds can help assess the spray threshold. Assuming these weeds are not palatable, they will reduce the expected yield on the field by the proportion of weeds present. Infestations of ironweed have been shown to reduce pasture yield by 25% or more. If the expected yield for the field is 2 tons per acre, then the ironweed infestation would ‘cost’ you 0.5 tons per acre. At $50 value per ton of forage yield, the ironweed could be said to ‘cost’ you $25 per acre, which is close to the cost of spraying. Weed growth stage matters. Weeds are most easily controlled when they are vegetatively and actively growing. Ironweed in full flower in August is very hard to control. For that reason, late summer may be a poor time to try to control weeds even though they may be very visible at this time. For perennials like ironweed, initiate herbicide applications when plants are young and vegetative. Often that means timely mowing in mid-summer to knock them back and following up with herbicide in two or three weeks. A replant strategy is needed A plan to spray almost always requires a plan to replant because when the weed is gone, mother nature will insert another one. I find the various replant schedules and labels confusing. For this reason, I refer often to the label for the proper reseeding interval. The decision to spray herbicide on pastures and hayfields is complicated. The decision to spray is a subjective process depending on many factors, including the visual assessment of the weed pressure, the invasiveness and/ or toxicity of the weed, the cost of the control measure, the forage value of the weed and its life cycle and the ability to restore the pasture stand. Don’t forget that the best first step is to thicken up the existing stand of forage. The best weed control is a thick, dense stand of the desired species in a pasture or hay field. Happy foraging. (first published in August 6th issue of Farmer’s Pride)
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
KENTUCKY
GELBVIEH
AA LAND & CATTLE
Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers Cynthiana, KY Luke Arthur (859) 298-8323 luke.arthur93@gmail.com Bulls • Show Prospects • Embryos Bulls sell with GE EPD’s • Show Prospects
BAR IV LIVESTOCK
Barry, Beth & Ben Racke • Brad Racke
7416 Tippenhauer Rd. • Cold Spring, KY 41076 Phone (859) 635-3832 • Barry cell (859) 991-1992 Brad cell (859) 393-3677 • Ben cell (859) 393-3730 Fax (859) 635-3832 • bar4@twc.com
A S S O C I AT I O N
William McIntosh, President.......................(502) 867-3132 Luke Arthur, Vice President........................(859) 298-8323 Pat Tilghman, Secretary/Treasurer.............(270) 670-8449
LARRY CLARK & SONS LLC
Registered Gelbvieh Cattle 106 Clark Houk Road • Greensburg, KY 42743 Larry Clark, Owner & Operator (270) 299-5167 • (270) 405-6848 Lpclarkandsons@msn.com
CLIFFORD FARMS
3459 KY HWY 1284E Cynthiana, KY 41031 Since 1937 (859) 234-6956
Cattle for sale at all times.
BRIAN W. DYER, DVM
BEE LICK GELBVIEHS
Eddie Reynolds 277 Old Bee Lick Rd. Crab Orchard, KY 40419 606-379-2281(H) 606-305-1972(C) Bulls & Females for sale
Owner/Manager GELBVIEH/BALANCERS 2050 Glasgow Road Burkesville, KY 42717 Brian, Lauren, Kristen Barry, Emily & Julia (270) 864-5909
FULL CIRCLE FARMS
Registered Gelbvieh Cattle Brad Burke 989 Metcalf Mill Road • Ewing KY 41039 (H) 606-267-5609 • (C) 606-782-1367 gbb789@windstream.net
CD FARMS
Clayton & Debbie Cash 1214 Ottawa School Road Brodhead, KY 40409 (606)-308-3247 • (606)-758-8994 Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls & Heifers For Sale by Private Treaty
KILBOURNE GELBVIEH
East Bernstadt, KY 606-843-6583 cell 606-309-4662 Black Replacement Heifers & Bulls Available Embryo transplant & AI sired calves
MOCKINGBIRD HILL FARMS
Registered Gelbvieh Cattle Shane Wells 10172 Provo Rd. Rochester, KY H: 270-934-2198 C: 270-791-8196 swells@logantele.com
Meeting modern industry demands: • Added Fertility • Increased Efficiency • More pounds of calf weaned American Gelbvieh Association 303-465-2333 | www.gelbvieh.org JOIN KENTUCKY GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION Mail to: 690 Lick Branch Road, Glasgow, Kentucky 42141 FARM NAME
YOUR NAME
ADRESS
CITY, STATE
PLEASANT MEADOWS FARM
Gary & Pat Tilghman Lindsey Tilghman Jones Family Carrie & Daryl Derossett Family 690 Lick Branch Road Glasgow, KY 42141 270.646.7024 • pleasantmeadowsfarm@hotmail.com
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
ZIP
PHONE
Dues are $25/year, payable to Kentucky Gelbvieh Association
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
57
SS BREED KENTUCKY ANGUS SWEEPSTAKES SHOW & SALE • MARCH 6th & 7th, 2020
ANGUS THE BUSINESS BREED
) 375-3718
Ridgeview
BOYD BEEF CATTLE 6077 Helena Road HIGHVIEW FARMS Mayslick, KY 41055 Charlie Boyd II: (606) 584-5194 Blake Boyd: (606) 375-3718 827•West Main Street www.boydbeef.com • cboyd2@maysvilleky.net
Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718 Ben T. Cox DVM BRANCH VIEW ANGUS (270) KY 469-5517 927 Old Liberty Pike • Hustonville, 40437 Registered Angus Cattle (859) 238-0771 • www.branchviewangus.com James S. & LuAnn Coffey, Donald & Donna Coffey Annual Production Sale- 2nd Saturday in April
HILL VIEW FARMS Jimmy Gilles BURKS CATTLE CO. 5160 Lee Rudy Road 531 Rick Rd. Park City, KY 42160 Owensboro, KY 42301 Eddie Burks • (270) 991-6398 (270) 686-8876 www.burkscattle.com (270) 929-537
BURTON & SONS ANGUS Joe D. or Karen Burton • Bryan Carman, Partner, Ridgeview Angus 480 Hominy Hill Rd. Nancy, KY 42544 Joe: (606) 305-3081 • Bryan:JOHNSON (606) 875-3453 FARMS ANGUS Angus Located 15 miles West of Somerset Angus Bulls & Females klburton01@windstream.net
Slaughters, KY CARDINAL HILL FARMSKeith: (270) 635-0723 405 Cedar Grove Rd. • Glasgow, KY 42141 Reese: (270) 635-1137
Bulls & females sold private treaty. Inquiries Welcome. Sell only what we would buy.
Elmore: only what weMike would buy. (270) 404-6589
om
k.com
President: Jason Crowe
HERITAGE FARM RAGS ANGUS FARM Vice President: Henry B Smith Tom McGinnis Richard and Glenda Stallons Secretary/Treasurer: Anne DeMott 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY 1240 Dogwood Kelly Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240 (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work Home: (270) 885-4352 Cell: (270) 839-2442 64TH KENTUCKY ANGUS SWEEPSTAKES SHOW & SALE • MARCH 6th & 7th, 2020 (502) 655-0164, cell rstallons@bellsouth.net
Bob Johnson: (270) 427-1410 cardinalhillfarms.com • mike@cardinalhillfarms.com
LEGACY FARMS
COFFEY ANGUS FARMS Daniel and Lindsey Reynolds 661 Hopewell Road 1709 South Jackson Highway Liberty, KY 42539 Matt Coffey: (270) 799-6288Hardyville, KY 42746 Dewey Coffey: (606) 787-2620 (270) 528-6275/(270) 528-6120 Genetics for Maximum Profitability since 1984
www.legacyfarmsangus.com
COOL SPRINGS CREEK FARM Guy & Aline Babin MILLERS RUN FARM 269 Paul Coomer Rd Gradyville, KY 42742 William N. Offutt IV (270) 205-1669 3790 Paris Road Georgetown, www.coolspringscreekfarm.com • gdbabin@outlook.com
PLEASANT HILL FARMS Gil, Mary, Corbin, Caroline, and Catherine Cowles Rockfield Richpond Road ASANT HILL SHAW FAMILY 500 ANGUS PLE Rockfield, KY 42274 f a r m s Jim & Cathy Shaw(270) 843-9021 • Fax (270) 843-9005 935 Miller Road •Located Hodgenville, 42748Green, 1/2 mile off Hwy 68/80 7 miles westKY of Bowling
HAINES ANGUS FARMS 5294 Park City- Glasgow Rd. Park City, KY 42160 Kenneth Haines, Jr.: (270) 749-8862
(270) 769-8260 RAGS ANGUS FARM www.shawfamilyangus.com Richard and Glenda Stallons Quality Registered Angus Cattle sinceHopkinsville, 1975 1240 Dogwood Kelly Road KY 42240
HAMILTON ANGUS FARMS Eddie Hamilton 2142 Stilesville Road Science Hill, KY 42553 edjohami@aol.com (606) 271-1286 Bulls and Females for Sale
Home: (270) 885-4352 Cell: (270) 839-2442 rstallons@bellsouth.net
SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM SHAW FAMILY ANGUS JimRussell & Cathy Shaw 5202 East Hwy 80, Springs, KY 42642 935 Miller Road • Hodgenville, KY 42748 Charles “Bud” & (270) Pam769-8260 Smith: (270) 866-3898 Henry & Melissa www.shawfamilyangus.com Smith: (270) 866-2311
HERITAGE FARM Tom McGinnis 1024 Hinkle Lane • Shelbyville, KY (502) 633-1634, home • (502) 633-5100, work (502) 655-0164, cell
Quality Registered Angus Cattle since 1975
HIGHVIEW FARMS 827 West Main Street Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718 Ben T. Cox DVM (270) 469-5517 Registered Angus Cattle
SMITHLAND ANGUS FARM
ST. CLAIR FARMS 5202 REGISTERED East Hwy 80, Russell ANGUS Springs, KY 42642 Eric & Sherry St. Charles Clair “Bud” & Pam Smith: (270) 866-3898 Henry & Melissa Smith: (270) 866-2311 13433 Falls of Rough Road • Falls of Rough, KY 40119 Home: (270) 257-2965 • Cell: (270) 617-1079 ST. CLAIR FARMS REGISTERED ANGUS www.stclairangus.com Eric & Sherry St. Clair 13433Bull Falls& of Rough Road • Falls of Rough, Performance Tested Female Sale April 2016KY 40119
HILL VIEW FARMS Jimmy Gilles 5160 Lee Rudy Road Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 686-8876 (270) 929-537
Home: (270) 257-2965 • Cell: (270) 617-1079 www.stclairangus.com Performance Tested Bull & Female Sale April 2020
TAMME VALLEY FARM TAMME VALLEY FARM Jacob Tamme, Owner-Operator Jacob Tamme, Owner-Operator (859) 583-7134 (859) 583-7134 jacob.tamme@gmail.com jacob.tamme@gmail.com www.tammevalley.com & Find us on Facebook! www.tammevalley.com & Find us on Facebook!
JOHNSON FARMS ANGUS Angus Bulls & Females Slaughters, KY Keith: (270) 635-0723 Reese: (270) 635-1137 MT. MORIAH ANGUS FARMS Bob, Kathy, and Rob Clark (859) 748-5558 1446 Kennedy Bridge Rd. Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Bob: (859)339-2610 • Rob: (859)612-1594 40324mtmoriahfarms1@gmail.com www.mtmoriahangus.com
KY (859) 533-2020 • millersrunfarm@aol.com MILLERS RUN FARM D&D LONGVIEW ANGUSwww.millersrunfarm.com William N. Offutt IV Danny & Debbie Burris Heifers for sale 3790 Paris Road Georgetown, KY 40324 550 Willie Nell Road
TWIN CREEK FARM Shawn, Melissa, Devin & Dylan Gibson TWIN CREEK FARM (270) 337-3072 or (270) 692-5304 Dennis &&Emily Shawn, Melissa, Devin Dylan Gibson or 270/402-4338 (270) 337-3072 or270/337-2128 (270) 692-5304 Watch for us in Branch View Production Sale in April
Dennis & Emily FARM 270/337-2128 or WHITE 270/402-4338 Tim and Amy White Watch for us in Branch View Production Sale in April 3664 Military Pike • Lexington, KY 40513
Columbia, KY 42728 (270) 348-5766 • (270) 250-3701 • (270) 250-1277
(859) 533-2020 • millersrunfarm@aol.com www.millersrunfarm.com Heifers for sale
DAVIS BEND FARMS 10 Oak Hill Drive 2315 Davis Bend Road Russellville, KY 42276 Canmer, KY 42722 Wayne Johnson: (270) 303-6354 timmothyljeffries@gmail.com www.davisbendfarms.com Gary Johnson: (270) 498-7208 Tim: (270) 528-6605 • Leslie: (270) 528-6435
MUD RIVER ANGUS 10 Oak Hill Drive Russellville, KY 42276 Wayne Johnson: (270) 303-6354 Gary Johnson: (270) 498-7208
FALL CREEK ANGUS 448 Corder Farm Road Monticello, KY 42633 Ronnie Corder (606) 348-6588
FARM NAME FOUR KINGS ANGUS 250 Bright Leaf Dr. • Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Cary & Kim King 40330 Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com Cary Cell: (859) 613-3734 • Colby Myers - Purebred Manager ADDRESS
MUD RIVER ANGUS
Home: (859)223-0326 Tim: (859) 509-5401 • Amy (859)227-2552 whitefarm4@twc.com
KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION NAME
38th Annual Sale • April 25, 2020 www.greatmeadowsangus.com Paul Bradshaw (502) 817-7502
370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716 Kenley Conner 270/358-8057 Registered Angus Cattle
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COW COUNTRY •
PLEASANT HILL FARMS
KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
NAME
FARM NAME
FOUR KINGS ANGUS 250 Bright Leaf Dr. • Harrodsburg, KY Cary & Kim King Carymking@yahoo.com • fourkingsangus.com GREAT MEADOWS ANGUS ASSOCIATION Cary Cell: (859) 613-3734 • Colby Myers - Purebred Manager OLD BARK FARM OLD BARK FARM 370 Ferrill Hill, Buffalo, KY 42716 Kenley Conner 270/358-8057 Registered Angus Cattle
n
n
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
PHONE 1
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Return to: Anne DeMott • 1220 Angus Trail • Lexington, Kentucky 40509 • Annaul Dues $35
SEPTEMBER
2020
• PHONE A P U1B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K YPHONE C AT2T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
KENTUCKY ANGUS ASSOCIATION NEWS Anne Stewart DeMott, Secretary/Treasurer www.kentuckyangus.org • kyangusassociation@gmail.com •
@kyangusassoc •
@kyangusassoc •
@kyangusassociation
KAA Fall Field Day (pending COVID recommendations) October 3rd, Heritage Farm, Shelbyville, KY
Sponsors: Neogen, KNS Mineral, and Boehringer Ingleheim. KAA members, watch social media and your mail for more information! National Junior Angus Show Contest Winners Announced
CCC Saras Dream 85581 won late senior heifer champion at the 2020 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 22-24 in Tulsa, OK. Jacob Marksbury, Buffalo, KY, owns the winning heifer. Photo by Pearls Pics, on behalf of the American Angus Association.
These outstanding showmen won top fifteen finalists at the 2020 National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest, held in conjunction with the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 21-22 in Tulsa, OK. Pictured from left are Josh Jasper, Nicholasville, KY; Elizabeth Voight, Fredericksburg, PA; Madelyn Gerken, Cashion, OK; Mattie Harward, Richfield, NC; Lauryn Mool, Lexington, IL; Corrie Falleur, Gearhart, OR; Kassidy Bremer, Redfield, IA; Vada Vickland, Longmont, CO; Kinsey Crowe, Eaton, OH; Shelley Rowlett, Martin, TN; Madison Cox, Eagle Point, OR; Megan Pelan, Jefferson, MD; Julia Weaber, Harrodsburg, KY; Austin Ertzberger, Carnesville, GA; and Tyler Coleman, Modesto, CA. Photo by Pearls Pics, on behalf of the American Angus Association.
Angus Foundation Grants Record Scholarships, Awards Angus youth received $230,000 in scholarships and awards at 2020 NJAS
R & K Insight 179 won bred-and-owned reserve intermediate champion bull at the 2020 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 22-24 in Tulsa, OK. Kalli Flanders, Buffalo, KY, owns the winning bull. Photo by Pearls Pics, on behalf of the American Angus Association.
As higher education costs continue to rise, the Angus Foundation continues to raise the bar on its investment in the next generation. Through the generosity of Angus Foundation donors, academic scholarships will offset the cost of undergraduate and graduate degrees for National Junior Angus Association members. A record 97 scholarships and LEAD conference awards were earned by Angus youth totaling $230,000 in a July 25 virtual presentation during the 2020 National Junior Angus Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “We received an unprecedented number of applications this year,” Thomas Marten, Angus Foundation executive director said. “We are thankful for our generous Angus Fund and endowment donors. Year after year, they step forward to encourage our Angus youth in their studies as well as in leadership and career development programs and cutting-edge research to advance the breed.”
Voyager Georgina 869 won fourth overall bred-and-owned champion female at the 2020 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 22-24 in Tulsa, OK Ellee Marksbury, Buffalo, KY, owns the November 2019 daughter of Colburn Primo 5153. She first claimed late calf champion. Brian McCulloh, Viroqua, WI, judged bredand-owned heifers, cow-calf pairs, and bred-and-owned bulls; Joe Myers, Harrodsburg, KY, assisted in judging bred-and-owned bulls; John Rayfield, Wolfforth, TX, judged owned heifers; Travis Pembrook, Fairview, OK, assisted in judging owned heifers; and Amanda Schnoor, Chowchilla, CA., judged steers. A total of 861 entries were shown. Photo by Pearls Pics, on behalf of the American Angus Association.
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
A five-member committee consisting of industry experts, Foundation board members, Angus breeders and National Junior Angus Association board members evaluate the applications. The committee considers involvement, participation, leadership, service, career goals and other criteria set forth in the scholarships’ fund agreements. Since 1998, the Angus Foundation has awarded more than $3.1 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships. For more news, information and to support the mission of the Angus Foundation, please visit AngusFoundation.com. A list of scholarship winners follows. Undergraduate Angus Foundation General Scholarship - $5,000 Caroline Cowles - Rockfield, KY 2012 NJAS – In a League of Their Own Scholarship - $500 Kalli Flanders - Buffalo, KY Joe Bill Meng Memorial Angus Scholarship - $1,000 Kalli Flanders - Buffalo, KY
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
Angus youth from across the country competed in the contest portion of the National Junior Angus Show, held July 20-24 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The contests are designed to develop practical skills for National Junior Angus Association members. “Going virtual with many of this year’s events did not discourage these talented kids from competing in the contests they have come to know and love,” said Jaclyn Upperman, director of Events and Education for the American Angus Association. Below is a list of winners in each category of the contests: Graphic Design Junior Division First Place: Adam McCauley, Cynthiana, Ky. Auctioneering Contest Senior Division First Place: Josh Jasper, Nicholasville, Ky. Second Place: Bradon Burks, Park City, Ky. Gold Awards Caroline Cowles, Rockfield, KY Kalli Flanders, Buffalo, KY Greetings from the Kentucky Angus Association and the Board of Directors. Hope this finds you and your family well. The time many wait for all year is here....fall in the commonwealth. Newborn calves being born and the hope it brings for an even brighter tomorrow. Harvests are being gathered all across the nation and here in Kentucky your local Angus breeders have gathered their harvest as well! The fall sale season in Kentucky is here and the qualityis as impressive as anywhere you can go. These producers have worked for years to bring these cattle to you so be sure to go and support them if you are in the market for Angus seedstock. We have a Kentucky Angus Field Day planned for October 3rd at Heritage Farms. Thanks to the McGinnis family for volunteering to be the hosts of this event. In light of all that’s going on around us please check the website and Facebook page for any updates or changes to the event. It should be a great event with lots of information you can take home and use on your operations. If myself or any of the other officers and directors can be of assistance feel free to let us know. We’re here to help you in any way we can. See you downthe road. Jason Crowe Kentucky Angus Association President
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10,80010,800
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2020
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COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
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FLEECE VEST (BLACK)
S
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2X
HOODIE (GREY)
A P PA R E L
3X
MENS LADIES $27
$27
$27
$27
$29
$31
WINDBREAKER (NAVY BLUE)
S
M
L
XL
2X
1/4 ZIP PULLOVER (BLACK)
3X
QTY $25
$25
$25
$27
$28
TOTAL APPAREL TOTAL
M
L
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2X
3X
$25
$25
$25
$25
$27
$28
S
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L
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2X
KJCA PULLOVER (NAVY BLUE)
3X
QTY $25
S QTY
S
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3X
$27
$27
$27
$27
$29
$31
ADULT $27
$27
$27
$27
$29
$31
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Mail PAYMENT and COMPLETED FORM to: Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association • 176 Pasadena Drive • Lexington, Kentucky 40503 Or Fax: (859) 260-2060 Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! Visit http://bit.ly/KCAstore (case sensitive) to order and pay online!
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COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER
2020
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
Kentucky Hereford Association KHA Invites any Hereford Breeder to Become a Member! Dues are $25. Send to 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 Join the Kentucky Hereford Association today! Call Earlene Thomas for more information. Wells Farm
KHA Officers
President: Steve Green Secretary/ Treasurer: Earlene Thomas 859-623-5734 thomasep@roadrunner.com www.dogwoodherefords.com
-HEREFORDS -
Codee Guffey • 1815 Grassy Springs Road Versailles, Kentucky 40383 (502) 598-6355 rockridgeherefords@gmail.com www.rockridgeherefords.com
Boyd Beef Cattle
6077 Helena Road • Mayslick, KY 41055 Charlie Boyd II · 606-584-5194 Annual Bull Sale second Saturday in March Hereford and Angus Bulls
Polled Hereford and Gelbvieh Cattle 3459 KY Hwy. 1284 E. Cythiana, KY 41031 (859) 234-6956 Ben, Jane, Shelby and Lincoln
Tony & Kathy Staples 992 Knotts Road Brandenburg, KY 40108 (270) 422-4220 tstaples@bbtel.com
Thomas Farm
Windy Hills Farm
“Cattle for sale at all times”
WOLF FARM
Registered Polled Herefords Bulls & Females for sale Tim & Peggy Wolf 12939 Peach Grove Rd. Alexandria, KY 41001 Home: 859-635-0899 Cell: 859-991-3484
Peyton’s Well Polled Herefords
The Lowell Atwood Family 133 Edgewood Drive Stanford, KY (606) 365-2520 home/fax (606) 669-1455 cell
Victor- influenced cattle bred for performance on grass.
“Black cows need a good Hereford Bull”
Jackie D. Perkins II 367 Mt. Pisgah Rd. • Bremen, KY 42325 (270) 543-3586 Breeding to produce good cows since 1981
Paul L. Hancock 8559 KY 56 Owensboro, KY 42301 270-771-4194
L.W. Beckley D.V.M 284 Pyrse Lane Irvine, KY 40336 Cell: 859-779-1419 Clinic: 606-726-0000
www.beckleyherefords.com
Old Fall Creek Farms
AHA & KHA member • Proven bloodlines Private treaty sales • Visitors always welcome 1874 Old Fall Creek Road Monticello, KY 42633 Reed Bertram (606) 348-7486 David Bertram (606) 278-3630 www.ofcfarms.com
SEPTEMBER 2020
K3CATTLE@YAHOO.COM
198 HICKS PIKE CYNTHIANA, KY 41031
Registered Polled Herefords 8103 Bill Moss Road White House, TN 37188 Home/Fax: 615-672-4483 Cell: 615-478-4483 billymjackson@aol.com “Farming the Same Land Since 1834”
Pile Stock Farm
WCN Polled Herefords Since 1961
Registered Polled Herefords
Hansell Pile, Jr. 12045 St. John Rd. Cecilia, KY 42724 270-735-5192•270-862-4462 12 miles West of Elizabethtown
859-588-4531
Jackson Farms
Chambliss Hereford Farms Brad, Carla, Clay and Clint Chambliss 916 Winchester Blvd. Elizabethtown, KY 42701 Home (270) 982-3905 • Cell (270) 668-7126 fax 270-735-9922 www.chamblissherefordfarms.com
BECKLEY HEREFORDS L. Wayne Beckley 1420 Fitchburg Rd. Ravenna, KY 40472 Home: 606-723-3021 Cell: 859-779-0962
K3 CATTLE REGISTERED HEREFORDS KYLE BUSH
Registered Polled Herefords
Bill & Libby Norris 2220 Celina Road Burkesville, KY 42717 Phone (270) 433-7256 Cell (270) 433-1525 “Every calf needs a white face”
TS
F
TS TS Tucker Stock Farms F F
“Registered Angus and Polled Herefords”
TUCKER STOCK FARMS TUCKER STOCK FARMS
TUCKER STOCK FARMS
“Breeding Polled Herefords for over 58 Years” John Tucker “Registered Angus and Polled “Registered AngusHerefords” andIIPolled Herefords” 1790 Hidden Valley Lane Breeding cattle for sale at all times. John A. Tucker II John A. Tucker II Hudson, KY 40145 HiddenHerefords” Valley Lane 1999 Walnut Hill Rd. • Lexington, KY “Registered 40515 1790 Hidden Valley Lane Angus and 1790 Polled 270-617-0301 Hudson, KY 40145 Hudson, KY 40145 (859) 271-9086 • cell (859)533-3790 (270) 257-8548 (270) 257-8548 Offi 257-8167 Office for (270) 257-8167 John A. Tucker IIce (270) “Bulls always Sale”
1790 Hidden18-month-old Valley 18-month-old AngusLane & Polled Hereford Bulls For Sale Angus & Polled Hereford Bulls For Sale Hudson, KY 40145 (270) 257-8548 WATSON Office (270) 257-8167
LAND & CATTLE
Matt, Melinda, Harlee, & Wyatt Watson 18-month-old Angus & Polled 6196 Hereford Bulls For Sale Mount Sterling Rd LINEBRED VICTOR DOMINO CATTLE Flemingsburg, Kentucky LINEBRED VICTORMulti-Trait DOMINO CATTLE Selection Fertility Calving Ease melindawatson8660@gmail.com Multi-Trait Selection Milking Ability Danny MillerDisposition Matt - 606-748-1600 Fertility Calving Ease 4850 Caldwell Ridge Rd. Disposition Milking Ability Melinda - 859-625-8660 jmspolledherefords.com Knifley, KY 42753
270-465-6984 • 270-566-2694 4850 Caldwell Ridge Rd. 270-465-6984
Knifley, KY 42753 270-465-6984
COW COUNTRY •
Contact Earlene Thomas for more information: (859) 623-5734 www.kentuckyhereford.org
MPH Farms
TK4 Herefords
Eric & Ronnie Thomas 2396 Union City Rd. Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 623-5734 • Eric’s Cell (859) 314-8256
Polled Herefords 439 Flatwoods Frozen Camp Road • Corbin, KY 40701 Kevin, Angela, Bobby & Brenda Wells Kenlea & Kyler Murray 606-523-0569 - Home 606-528-1691 - Home 606-344-0417 - Cell 606-682-8143 - Cell wells_farm@yahoo.com
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
CATTLE FOR SALE AT ALL TIMES
63
FEATURE
Colin Woodall, NCBA While Labor Day may be approaching faster than any of us are prepared for, it is important we remember that one-third of summer grilling season still remains. “United We Steak” is the cornerstone of the checkoff-funded summer grilling promotion NCBA manages, and we are thrilled with the results. If you haven’t seen NCBA’s latest checkoff-funded campaign, head on over to www.unitedwesteak.com to check it out. The first thing you’ll see is a map of the United States where each state is cut out of steak. That isn’t a computergenerated image, but rather the result of diligent work by the NCBA team to handcut each of those steaks. Have you ever tried to cut the shape of Maryland out of a steak? Not an easy task, but it shows the innovative spirit of this campaign.
What’s For Dinner. promotions from NCBA. Yep, you read that right, from NCBA, which is home to the Federation of State Beef Councils. The councils were critical partners in this campaign. Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. is the beef brand we manage as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. This checkofffunded tagline is inarguably one of the most successful marketing efforts in history because of its uncanny ability to take
Dinner. As a society, though, we aren’t sitting around the TV on Sunday nights waiting for Mitchum’s iconic voice. The way Americans watch TV these days is much different. Fewer and fewer people are watching live TV. Many use a digital video recorder so they can watch at their convenience and fast-forward through the commercials. Digital TV platforms are growing in popularity and that is why we have evolved o u r
We truly took this launch prime time. The campaign was also rolled out to key food bloggers, chefs, retailers, and foodservice operators to help them support and promote beef. If you haven’t seen the campaign yet, don’t worry because it is headed your way. It’s another in the long line of Beef. It’s 64
While NCBA may be the creativity behind these campaigns, we can only do it because of the checkoff financial investment. We have to earn the checkoff dollars we use. Contrary to the belief of some, these dollars are not “given” to us. The Beef Promotion Operating Committee is made up of cattle producers who decide which programs presented by contractors get funded. It is then up to us to deliver on our commitment, or we don’t get reimbursed, and we don’t get funded again. Most producers don’t appreciate that we do this work on a cost recovery basis. In short, we only get paid AFTER we’ve made the investment and done the work. If the work doesn’t pass muster from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, we’re on the hook for the costs. That is a measure of accountability that few appreciate.
United We Steak is more than just a unique graphic designed to get your attention. It’s meant to be a multi-pronged approach that draws our customers to the recipes and producer stories, and then leaves them with a passion to fire up their grills. The roll out of United We Steak included a satellite media tour where NCBA’s very own meat scientist Bridget Wasser started at 3:00 a.m. doing live interviews from the NCBA Culinary Center, funded by the Beef Checkoff, with media outlets across the country. We also put the steak map on one of the larger-than-life billboards in Times Square in New York City.
times.
We must defend our use of checkoff investments at multiple levels, and we are happy to do it because we have nothing to hide. On their first day at NCBA, each employee is schooled on compliance to the rules we must follow as a contractor, and that focus on compliance is a constant part of our work. sizzling images of beef, combine them with Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown” music, instantly make mouths water.
and
promotional campaigns to take advantage of today’s technology.
It’s also a brand that must evolve to stay relevant. Now, I’m personally partial to the television ads from the early 90s voiced by Robert Mitchum. To me, that will always be Beef. It’s What’s For
The video of sizzling steaks is still there. The “Hoedown” music is still there. The distinctive voice is still there. Just the format has changed. We will continue to look at ways to keep Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. famous and relevant to the
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER
2020
In my role, I will not compromise the integrity of NCBA or the integrity of the checkoff. The work is too important, and your trust in us is at the heart of all we do. Let me be clear: checkoff money does not pay for any of our policy efforts… period. So, share your support of the checkoff with your friends, neighbors, and fellow cattle producers because… United We Steak!
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COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
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FEATURE
A P H I S AWA R D S R F I D E A R TAG C O N T RAC T S The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently awarded contracts to purchase up to eight million low-frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags, which will help increase overall animal disease traceability in cattle and bison. The contract allows APHIS to purchase additional tags each year for up to five years. “USDA continues its commitment to protecting our Nation’s animal agriculture by increasing traceability in the cattle and bison sectors, in this case by providing free RFID tags to interested producers,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach. “This will not only help offset
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the costs of switching to RFID tags, but also help us more quickly respond to potential disease events.” USDA believes that RFID devices will provide States and the cattle and bison industries with the best opportunity to rapidly contain the spread of high economic impact diseases. Use of RFID tags better positions the livestock industry, State and Federal veterinarians to accurately and quickly trace animals exposed or infected with potentially devastating diseases before they can do substantial damage to the U.S. livestock industry. These RFID tags will be provided to animal health officials and will be distributed for use in replacement
COW COUNTRY •
breeding cattle and bison at no cost to the producer. RFID low frequency official calfhood vaccination (OCV) button tags are available for brucellosis-vaccinated animals, and official “840” white button tags are available for non-vaccinated heifers. Free metal National Uniform Eartagging System tags will remain available as USDA continues to receive comments and evaluate next steps on its proposed RFID transition timeline. The proposal is available for review and public comment through October 5, 2020. Contracts for the RFID tags were awarded to three American tag companies, all compliant with the Buy American Act– Allflex (Dallas, TX), Datamars (Temple, TX), and Y-Tex (Cody, WY). Contracting
SEPTEMBER
2020
with all three manufacturers will allow USDA to procure the number of tags needed to meet an industry volume equivalent to the number of replacement heifers in the United States. As part of its overall effort to increase traceability in cattle and bison, APHIS distributed more than 1.1 million RFID tags to 38 states between January and July 2020. Each state veterinarian distributes the tags in a way that best serves their industry. For more information on availability and distribution of tags, producers can contact their State Veterinarian’s office. Producers can also purchase RFID tags for their animals by contacting any of the companies approved to manufacture official identification RFID tags.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS General September 10 CPC Fall Field Day, Fountain Run, KY September 15 Anderson County Conservation District Farm Tour, Lawrenceburg, KY (pg. 12) October 1 Beef Bash, Princeton, KY (pg. 42) October 2-4 Kentucky Junior Cattleman’s Fall Classic, Morehead, KY (pg. 32) January 14-15 Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Convention, Owensboro, KY (pg. 42) February 3-5 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, Nashville, TN
Gelbvieh September 19 Showcase Sale XV & Complete Dispersal of Oak Ridge Farms, Kingsville, MO (pg. 41) October 10 SoKY Select Gelbvieh Sale, Bowling Green, KY October 17 Fall Bull and Female Sale, Carthage, MO (pg. 41) November 7 Red Reward Fall Edition Bull & Female Sale, Osceola, MO (pg. 41)
Angus September 5 Graber’s Angus Farm 2nd Annual Production Sale, Montgomery, IN September 12 CKAA Ladies Day Sale, Danville, KY (pg. 8) September 12 Crazy K Ranch Fall Female Opportunity Sale, Michie, TN September 25 Bluegrass Trifecta Production Sale, Carlisle KY September 25 Pelphrey/Ward Ratliff Sale, Lexington, KY September 26 Boyd Beef Cattle Maternal Matters Angus Female Sale, Mays Lick, KY (pg. 23) September 26 Maplecrest Farms 17th Annual Female Production Sale, Hillsboro, OH (pg. 16) October 10 Isaacs Angus Fall Sale, Horse Cave, KY (pg. 33) October 10 Pleasant Hill Farms 9th Annual Fall Production Sale, Rockfield, KY (pg. 3) October 11 Quintin Smith Family/Lanning/Guests Angus Sale, Lebanon, TN (pg. 17) October 24 Great Meadows Angus Association Sale, Campbellsburg, KY October 25 Four Sons Farm Inaugural Sale, Cynthiana, KY October 26 Oak Hollow Fall Bull Sale and Female Open House, Smiths Grove, KY (pg. 5) October 26 Stone Gate Farms Fall Sale, Flemingsburg, KY (pg. 7) November 6 Frank Turner & Sons Sale, Caneyville, AL November 6 Ward-Ratliff Sale, Lexington, KY November 14 CKAA Annual Fall Sale, Danville, KY December 4 Knoll Crest Farm Fall Sale, Red House, VA March 29 Oak Hollow 42nd Annual First Choice Bull Sale, Smiths Grove, KY (pg. 5) Brangus October 17 Town Creek Farm Fall Sale, West Point, MS (pg. 35) Charolais September 19 Second Annual Kentucky Fall Showcase, Campbellsburg, KY (pg. 21) October 30 Myers Circle Farm Bull Sale, Trenton, KY (pg. 37)
AD INDEX
Hereford September 7 Walker Polled Herefords Foundations for the Future Sale, Morrison, TN September 19 Burns Farms & Friends Female Sale, Pikeville, TN (pg. 44) October 19 White Hawk Ranch & Barnes Hereford Annual Fall Bull Sale, Cedar Town, GA (pg. 9) October 24 Debter Hereford Farm 48th Annual Production Bull Sale, Horton, AL (pg. 47) December 3 Kentucky Certified Hereford Influence Sale, Stanford, KY Limousin October 3 ACH Holdings Foundation VI Sale, Bowling Green, KY (pg. 13) Multi-Breed October 23 16th Annual Gateway Regional Bred Heifer Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY (pg. 12) October 27 Top of the Crop Bred Heifer Sale, Richmond, KY (pg. 16) October 31 Herd Builder Bred Heifer Sale, Maysville, KY (pg. 16) November 5 Blue Ribbon Bred Heifer Sale, Lexington, KY (pg. 16) November 21 West Kentucky Select Bred Heifer Sale, Guthrie, KY (pg. 29) December 3 CPH Sale, Owensboro, KY December 8 CPH Sale, Guthrie, KY December 8 CPH Sale, Richmond, KY December 9 CPH Sale, Lexington, KY February 2 CPH Sale, Guthrie, KY February 10 CPH Sale, Lexington, KY May 12 CPH Sale, Lexington, KY Red Angus September 26 Shady Bottom Ranch Herd Reduction Sale, Crossville, TN (pg. 19) October 31 Red Hill Farms Bulls & Females of Fall Sale, Lafayette, TN (pg. 11) Simmental September 12 Kentucky Simmental Sale, Lexington, KY
ACH Holdings..........................................................13 ADM Animal Nutrition...........................................15 Alltech............................................................27 AgCentral Co-Op.................................................... 49 AGCO......................................................................39 Anderson County Conservation District...............12 ArrowQuip...............................................................31 Baumalight...............................................................72 Beef Bash................................................................. 42 Blue Grass Stockyards......................................16, 45 Boyd Beef Cattle..................................................... 23 Burkmann Nutrition................................................ 4 Burns Farms & Friends.......................................... 44 Central Kentucky Angus Association..................... 8 CPH 45.....................................................................71 Debter Hereford Farm............................................47 Dievert Sales Service............................................. 35 Duracast.................................................................. 26 Farm Credit Mid-America..................................... 32 Gateway Regional Bred Heifer Sale......................12 Green River Livestock...............................................7 Hayes Trailer Sales..................................................18 Isaacs Angus........................................................... 33 Jackson Marketing Solutions................................ 33 Joe B. Houchens Auctioneers, Inc........................37 John Deere...............................................................10 JWC Marketing.......................................................21 Kentucky Angus Assoc.................................... 58, 59 Kentucky Gelbvieh Assoc.......................................57 Kentucky Hereford Assoc...................................... 63 Kentucky Salers Assoc........................................... 68 Kentucky Simmental Assoc....................................61 KJCA Fall Classic.................................................... 32 Maplecrest Farms....................................................16 MultiMin USA.........................................................43 Myers Circle Farm...................................................37 Oak Hollow................................................................5 Pasture Management Systems...............................14 Pleasant Hill Angus...................................................3 Quintin Smith Family Angus................................. 17 Red Barn & Associates............................................. 8 Red Hill Farms........................................................ 11 Seedstock Plus........................................................41 Schaeffer Manufacturing Company...................... 32 Shady Bottom Ranch..............................................19 Stone Gate Farms......................................................7 Town Creek Farm................................................... 35 Walters Buildings....................................................12 Wax Company........................................................... 2 West KY Select Bred Heifer Sale........................29 White Hawk Ranch.................................................. 9
SALERS
The Balanced Breed STRINGER FARMS Bruce Stringer 128 Teresa Avenue Somerset, KY 42501 606-875-3553 68
DIAMOND J SALERS Donald Johnson 11660 N. Hwy 1247 • Eubank, KY 42564 606-379-1558 COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER
2020
WILLIS FARMS • Danny Willis 964 Johnson Rd • Frankfort, KY 40601 502-803-5011 • drwc21@aol.com Matt Craig, Farm Mgr. 502-604-0821
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CLASSIFIEDS REGISTERED BLACK SIMMENTAL BULLS Excellent EPD’s. Semen Tested. Delivery Available. Maximize your profit with proven performance. All bulls qualify for new CAIP cost-share. Adam Wheatley 502-349-2665
PERFORMANCE TESTED PUREBRED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE Call 270-202-7186 for more info or check out www.oakhollowangus.com for current availability.
OVER 15 BREEDING AGE HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE Over 60 years of Line 1 Hereford Genetics. Also selling 15 open and 15 bred heifers. Chambliss Hereford Farms. 270-668-7126
FOR SALE 19-20 month old Polled Hereford bulls. Good selection. Low birthweight, medium frame. Free Delivery Available. JMS Polled Herefords, Knifley, KY Danny 270-566-2694 Trent 270-566-2000
COMPREHENSIVE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLANS (CNMPS) Livestock manure management planning, manure storage facility planning, and water quality BMPs implementation. Ben Koostra - Professional Engineer and NRCS Technical Service Provider Lexington - 859-559-4662
FOUNDATION SALE VI October 3, 2020 United Producers, Bowling Green, KY Selling FULLBLOOD & PUREBRED LIMOUSIN Genetics For info call : A C H Holdings, LLC Stephen Haynes 270-799-8685
JOHN DEERE 5065M - 4WD-LOADER. $29,000 New Holland 790 Harvestor- 2 row- $9000 John Deere 3950 - 2 row $10,000 Artex SB 200 spreader- $24,000 New Holland 513- manure spreader$5000 Miller pro 8015 dump cart- call 420 Cloverdale TMR mixer - 20,000 John Deere 3975- processor- $26,500 ESCH hay tedders- in stock Farmco Feeders- over 20 in stock Call Charlie 8596089745 www.redbarnandassociates.com
BLACK WHITE FACE SIMMENTAL AND SIM/ ANGUS YEARLING BULLS. Qualify for heifer acceptable, high productivity, and carcass merit with the Ag Development program. 502-604-1757 or 502-839-6651
RED ANGUS FOR SALE Bulls: Yearlings and 2-year-olds. Open Heifers. Show Heifer Prospects. Contact: Johnnie Cundiff 606-305-6443 or 606-871-7438
SORTING POLES - PADDLES - FLAGS Poles with your 8” decal. $6.20 each per 50. Sorting flag, $11.25. Sorting paddles $9. Ear tag cutters, Hook Doctors $50. Kerndt Livestock Products 800-207-3115
LUCCHESE BOOTS - THE BEST NAME/ QUALITY IN BOOTS Estate Sale, Size 11 - In Excellent Condition Variety of Leathers - Ostrich, Anteater, Goat, Lizard, Gator and more Only 12 Pair Available - Open to All Offers Won’t Last, Call 859-519-6745 REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE 1 and 2 years old. Semen tested, DNA tested and trich tested. Qualify for cost share program. Hickory Grove Farm, Brandon Weaver 270-622-9708, hickorygrovefarm@nctc.com REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE 20-21 months old. AI sired. All have low Birth Weights. Qualify for cost-saving share program. Larry Tuttle. Happy Valley Farm. Cynthiana, KY 859-234-3390
REGISTERED RED ANGUS BULLS AND FEMALES FOR SALE * FREE DELIVERY * FOUR WINDS FARM
New Castle, Kentucky
(502) 296-1044
LOST BRIDGE CATTLE COMPANY LIVESTOCK HAULING Indiana Kentucky Ohio Tennessee
Ryan Gries: 513-678-1042
MARKET REPORT
SOUTHEAST FEEDER CATTLE PRICES 14 AUGUST 2020 weights
STEER
HEIFER
AL
AK
FL
GA
KY/TN
LA/MS
9-10
115-121
122-128
111-117
114-120
120-126
116-122
8-9
119-127
128-136
116-124
119-127
128-136
120-128
7-8
125-133
136-144
121-129
125-133
134-142
6-7
131-141
144-154
126-136
130-140
5-6
144-156
151-163
135-147
4-5
157-171
160-174
156-170
weights
AL
AK
FL
GA
KY/TN
LA/MS
129-137
112-120
121-129
111-119
113-121
119-127
114-122
144-154
133-143
119-129
130-140
115-125
116-126
130-140
123-133
137-149
147-159
141-153
123-135
133-145
118-130
118-130
132-144
125-137
152-166
153-167
155-169
134-148
142-156
128-142
129-143
136-150
130-144
COWS AL
AK
FL
GA
LA/MS
KY/TN
UTIL
57-66
55-64
59-68
58-67
60-69
57-66
CN/CUT
50-59
51-60
51-60
52-61
52-61
50-59
BULLS
86-94
82-90
86-94
88-96
92-100
86-94
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
Feeder cattle traded mostly steady to $4 higher. Calves ranged from $1 to $5 higher. Market cows traded $2 to $4 lower on the week.
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FEATURE
TIMELY TIPS FOR SEPTEMBER
CORN OR CATTLE OR BOTH? JEFF LEHMKUHLER University of Kentucky
Early in my career I worked with several Midwestern farmer-feeder cattle operations. The corn belt provides access to grain, land to spread manure and take advantage of nutrient recycling, and access to processing facilities. This was before the second ethanol boom; urea and soybean meal were still the standard protein sources with the occasional linseed and cottonseed meal when prices worked. At this point in time, farmerfeeders looked at adding value to their corn crop by finishing cattle. In the 1970’s, it was reported that close to 5 million cattle were marketed from Iowa which took advantage of readily available feeds. Finishing rations were not that complex at the time and often included corn silage as a source of roughage, corn for energy, urea supplied the protein and the balance was a mineral and vitamin pack. Corn and corn silage could comprise up to 95% of the diet dry matter in some instances. Yearling cattle brought in could be turned in about 150 days. Seven weight steers would often finish around 1200-1250 pounds with gains 3.5-3.8 pound/day. Based on an average dry matter intake of 25 pounds, 50-60 bushels of corn was fed to finish a steer. In the early 2000’s, corn yields were reported to have averaged in the 130-140 bushels/acre range while average yields today are near 170-180 bushels. Twenty years ago an acre of corn could finish two yearling steers and today it is closer to three. According to USDA, Kentucky grew approximately 1.45 million acres of corn with an estimated average yield of 169 bushels per acre. Whoa, slow down this doesn’t mean we could finish over 4 million head of cattle here in the state. We need to consider the grain that goes to the ethanol plant, the poultry and swine industry, local feed mills for the equine industry and other markets. Commonwealth Agri Energy reported on their website they utilized about 15 million bushels of corn annually or about 6% of last year’s crop. My point is that 70
access to grain is not a limitation to finishing cattle in the state. Iowa State agricultural economists looked at historical data from 19881997 to evaluate the value added to corn when fed to finishing cattle. They looked at several corn pricing scenarios in the analyses. They found a $0.22$0.56/bushel advantage to feeding cattle compared to selling corn at harvest time in October. However, there were months when cash corn price was better than feeding cattle and if corn was stored to be marketed in those months it would improve returns. Additionally, market volatility today is greater than the time these analyses were performed. Lastly, this was also before the dramatic increase in corn demand for ethanol production providing another marketing opportunity. Finishing cattle may provide a method to diversify grain marketing. Before grain producers start feeding cattle there are several factors to consider. Labor resources must be evaluated as cattle will have to be tended to every day of the week. There must be a commitment to caring for the livestock, building sufficient facilities to protect water and land resources as well as providing a high standard of management to maintain cattle health and well-being, and learning how to effectively utilize economic risk management tools. Today professional services are provided by consultants that can assist with buildings and facilities, nutrition, animal health protocols, and economic risk tools. However, learning about these production and business practices is essential to making informed decisions. Currently, there is strong interest in expanding finishing of cattle here in the Commonwealth. Grain access and cattle sources are not limitations. One of the challenges is our weather and feeding cattle in an environmentally friendly way which will increase fixed costs due to investments in confinement buildings.
COW COUNTRY •
SPRING-CALVING COW HERD Bulls should have been removed from the cow herd by now! They should be pastured away from the cow herd with a good fence and allowed to regain lost weight and condition. It is a good time to evaluate physical condition, especially feet and legs. Bulls can be given medical attention and still have plenty of time to recover, e.g., corns, abscesses, split hooves, etc. Don’t keep trying to get open spring cows bred – move them to fall calving or sell them when they wean this year’s calf. If you don’t have a bull pen and want to tighten up the calving season, remove the bull and sell him. Plan on purchasing a new bull next spring. Repair and improve corrals for fall working and weaning. Consider having an area to wean calves and retain ownership for postweaning feeding rather than selling “green”, lightweight calves. Plan to participate in CPH-45 feeder calf sales in your area. Limited creep feeding can prepare calves for the weaning process since they can become accustomed to eating dry feed. This will especially benefit those calves which you are going to keep for a short postweaning period – like the CPH-45 program. It’s time to start planning the marketing of this year’s calf crop. Begin evaluating heifer calves for herd replacements – or culling. Each time you put them through the chute you can evaluate them for several traits, especially disposition. Consider keeping the older, heavier heifers will reach puberty before the onset of the breeding season and have higher conception rates. This has generally been a reasonably good year for pastures but many parts of the state have been a bit dry. Evaluate moisture condition and consider stockpiling some fescue pastures. It’s not too late to apply nitrogen for stockpiling fescue if moisture conditions have improved. Stresses associated with weaning can be minimized by spreading-out other activities commonly associated with weaning – like vaccinations, deworming and, perhaps, castration and dehorning (which should have already been done!). Therefore, this month is a good time to do a “preweaning” working of cows and calves. When planning the preweaning working, consult with your veterinarian for advice on animal health products and procedures. One procedure that can be done now are pregnancy checking cows. Early pregnancy diagnosis will allow time to make culling decisions prior to weaning time. The remainder of the work, like booster shots, can be done at weaning time.
FALL-CALVING HERD Fall-calving should start this month. Get your eartags ready. Cows should be moved to a clean, accessible pasture and be watched closely. Tag calves soon after they are born and record dam ID and calf birthdate, etc.
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2020
Castration is less stressful when performed on young animals and calves which are intended for feeders can be implanted now, too. If you haven’t started calving quite yet, then it’s time to get ready. Be sure you have the record book, eartags for identification, iodine solution for newborn calf’s navel, calf puller, castration equipment
STOCKERS Calves to be backgrounded through the winter can be purchased soon. A good source is Kentucky preconditioned (CPH-45) calves which are immunized and have been preweaned and “boostered”. Plan your receiving program. Weanling calves undergo a great deal of stress associated with weaning, hauling, marketing, and wide fluctuations in environmental temperature at this time of year. Plan a program which avoids stale cattle, get calves consuming water and high quality feed rapidly. Guard against respiratory diseases and other health problems.
GENERAL Keep a good mineral mix available at all times. The UK Beef IRM Basic Cow-Calf mineral is a good choice. Do not give up on fly control in late summer, especially if fly numbers are greater than about 50 flies per animal. You can use a different “type” of spray or pour-on to kill any resistant flies at the end of fly season. Avoid working cattle when temperatures are extremely high – especially those grazing high-endophyte fescue. If cattle must be handled, do so in the early morning. Provide shade and water! Cattle will need shade during the hot part of the day. Check water supply frequently – as much as 20 gallons may be required by high producing cows in very hot weather. Plan the winter feeding program. Take forage samples of hay you will feed this winter. Request protein and TDN analysis so that supplemental feed needs may be estimated. Don’t wait until you run out of feed in February to purchase extra feed. Plan to minimize hay storage and feeding losses because feed is too expensive to waste. If you have adequate moisture, stockpiling fescue might be a viable option. Nitrogen application to fescue pastures can be made now and allow them to grow and accumulate until November, or when other sources of grazing have been used up. To make best use of this pasture, put fall-calvers, thin springcalvers, or stockers on this pasture and strip graze. Don’t graze sorghum or sudan pastures between the first frost and a definite killing frost because of the danger of prussic acid poisoning. Johnsongrass in stalk fields can also be a problem after a light frost. Grazing can resume after the sorghum-type grasses have undergone a killing frost and dried up.
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Additionally, transportation costs associated with getting cattle to processing facilities is another added expense. Over the next few months, I am certain there will be lots of
discussion on expanding the number of cattle fed in the state. Be prepared to sharpen your pencil and push the numbers to determine if feeding cattle can provide an opportunity to
add value to your grain crop. Also, consider what barriers need to be tore down for this to occur and have discussions with your commodity associations if there appears to be
opportunities to improve profit margins. Until next time, stay healthy and hoping your hay yields are above average.
S A L E D AT E S : A u g u s t 1 3 : O w e n s b o r o • D e c e m b e r 3 : O w e n s b o r o • D e c e m b e r 8 : G u t h r i e • D e c e m b e r 8 : R i c h m o n d December 9: Lexington • February 2: Guthrie • February 10: Lexington • May 12: Lexington
COW COUNTRY •
SEPTEMBER 2020
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1-866-820-7603 | BAUMALIGHT.COM Dan Thorne 615-948-1406 | dan@thornesales.com MFG OF A VARIETY OF ATTACHMENTS INCLUDING BRUSH MULCHERS | ROTARY BRUSH CUTTERS | STUMP GRINDERS | PTO GENERATORS AUGER DRIVES | TRENCHERS | DRAINAGE PLOWS | TREE SPADES | TREE SAWS & SHEARS BOOM MOWERS | TREE PULLERS | FELLER BUNCHERS | EXCAVATOR ADAPTERS | SCREW SPLITTERS