The Carolina Cattle Connection - Volume 35, Issue No. 8 (AUGUST 2021) by CarolinaCattleConnection

CC C

arolina attle onnection AUGUST 2021 •

Vol. 35, Issue No. 8

Spotlight on

SIMMENTAL

Performance Plus ration is designed to be a multi-purpose feed for the cow/calf producer. Its primary role is for the creep feeder where a producer wants to feed his calf crop to help increase average daily gain. This product works well in hand feeding programs to develop heifers and also to feed brood cows and bulls. Performance Plus is the most versatile of all the feeds.

Performance Hi-Mag Mineral is a free choice mineral containing 14% Magnesium which is essential in controlling grass tetany in cattle on vegetative forage.

Hi Mag Mineral with Clarify to also assist with Fly Control

We also have altosid, clarifly, and cinnamon garlic as additives to feeds for fly control

Performance Extra Calf is a very palatable blended feed designed for the producer who wants more texture in their feed product. Cattle start on Extra Calf quicker than with a straight pellet. This product consists of Whole Cottonseed, Soybean Meal, and the 16% Performane Extra Pellets.

ONNECTION 2021 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts ..................................................................... page 58 A Message from the CEO — Have We Lost Our Minds?!, by Colin Woodall ............... page 42 ABS Global News ........................................................................................................................ page 53 Agribusiness and Natural Resources Leadership Program Now Accepting Applications .............................................................................................. page 48 Alltech News ............................................................................................................................... page 60 Amazing Grazing — How Good is Your Hay?, by Marcel Wallau, Doug Mayo, and Chris Prevatt …..................................................... page 16 American Angus Association News ........................................................................................ page 24 American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges News .......................................... page 50 American Gelbvieh Association News ................................................................................... page 42 American Hereford Association News .................................................................................. page 37 Ashley’s Beef Corner — Jon G’s BBQ Named N.C. Beef Backer, by Ashley W. Herring ............................................................................................................. page 14 Beef Checkoff News .................................................................................................................. page 46 Beef Cuts and Recommended Cooking Methods ................................................................ page 44 Beef Improvement Federation News .................................................................................... page 59 BioZyme Incorporated News .................................................................................................. page 54 Boehringer Ingelheim News .................................................................................................... page 65 Carolina Cooking — Beef and Couscous Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers ................................ page 14 Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary ................................................................ page 66 Certified Angus Beef News …................................................................................................... page 32 Clemson University Livestock Feed Ration Calculator ...................................................... page 66 CoBank News .............................................................................................................................. page 45 Director’s Report — Role Models, by Bryan K. Blinson ........................................................... page 3 Dr. Boyd Parr Honored Upon Retirement ........................................................................... page 48 E.B.’s View from the Cow Pasture — Something for Bull Keepers, Hopefully, by E.B. Harris ........................................................................................................................... page 18 Farm Credit News ...................................................................................................................... page 40 Federation of State Beef Councils Update ............................................................................ page 63 From the Desk of the SCCA President, by Roscoe Kyle ........................................................ page 49 Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef News ..................................................................... page 23 Kentucky Beef Book Available Online .................................................................................... page 28 N.C. Angus News — Windy Hill Farms Hosts N.C. Angus Field Day, by Sharon Rogers .................................................................................................................... page 30 N.C. Weekly Livestock Report ................................................................................................ page 55 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2021 Policy Priorities .......................................... page 57 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News ...................................................................... page 56 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President’s Report — Steadfast on the Road Ahead, by Jerry Bohn ......................................................... page 39 New NCCA Members for 2021 ................................................................................................. page 40 North American Limousin Foundation News ...................................................................... page 38 North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ............................................................ page 33 On the Edge of Common Sense — Ted’s Big Steer, by Baxter Black .................................... page 21 Public Land Council News ......................................................................................................... page 18 S.C. Beef Council News, by Roy Copelan ................................................................................. page 50 S.C. Charolais News, by Georgeanne Webb ................................................................……….. page 22 South Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices ............................................................ page 38 Students Tell Story of 44 Farms International Beef Academy ........................................... page 41 They are Called Pests for a Reason .......................................................................................... page 22 Trends in Food & Beef ................................................................................................................ page 62 You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden ............................................................................................. page 20

N.C. Cattlemen’s Association President KARL GILLESPIE 860 Corbin Road • Franklin, NC 28734

Vice Presidents BURON LANIER 2877 Piney Woods Road • Burgaw, NC 28425

The Carolina Cattle Connection Vol. 35, No. 8 AUGUST 2021 Sales & Publication Office

SCOTT WEST 489 Panacea Springs Road • Littleton, NC 27850

2228 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

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Phone: 919-552-9111 Fax: 919-552-9216 Email: mail@nccattle.com Website: www.nccattle.com

Immediate Past President JEREMY LEE 5153 Battle Run Drive • Catawba, NC 28609 NCBA Policy Division Director - FRED SMITH, JR. NCBA Federation Division Director RALPH BLALOCK, JR. Beef Board Director - ROBERT CRABB Secretary/Treasurer - EVERETT JOHNSON Directors At Large MATT POORE • NEIL BOWMAN • TODD SEE

The Carolina Cattle Connection

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Manager, N.C.

STAFF

BRYAN BLINSON

Manager, S.C. TRAVIS MITCHELL Executive Director BRYAN K. BLINSON 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Editor & Advertising Director N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council Director of Consumer Information ASHLEY W. HERRING Administrative Assistant - KIM BURDGE

S.C. Cattlemen’s Association

CASEY L. HINNANT

Assistant Editor & Proofreader KIM BURDGE N.C. Circulation

KIM BURDGE

Executive Director - TRAVIS MITCHELL S.C. Circulation To Be Announced P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138 Phone: 803-609-2828 Material in The Carolina Cattle Connection Email: twmitch@clemson.edu is not to be reproduced in total or in part Website: www.sccattlemen.wildapricot.org without the written permission of the Editor. All Executive Committee submissions become property of The Carolina President - Roscoe Kyle Cattle Connection, but we make every effort to 1st Vice President - Timmy Benton return items such as photographs and artwork as nd 2 Vice President - Joe Oswald IV requested. Secretary - Carol Hendrix Treasurer - Eric Seymour Past President - Thomas Legare

William Brigman, Latta • Joe Oswald, IV, Allendale Roscoe Kyle, Inman • Terry Kirkland, Batesburg Eddie Evans, Easley • Cecil Eaddy, Manning Thomas Legare, Johns Island • Richard Sox, Lexington Carol Hendrix, Westminister • Clay Alexander, Starr Timmy Benton, Walterboro • Michael Bailey, Lancaster Bonnie Cann, Abbeville • Thomas Jones, Marion Lee Haddon, Gaffney • Jack Ferguson, York Drake Yon, Ridge Spring • Gene Crim, St. Matthews

S.C. Beef Council

Executive Director - ROY COPELAN P.O. Box 11280 • Columbia, SC 29211 Phone: 803-917-1119 Email: scbeef@scda.sc.gov Website: www.sccattle.org

The Carolina Cattle Connection, the official publication of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association is published monthly by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. A complementary subscription is included with membership to each state’s association. Nonmember subscriptions are $30 per year.

All address changes for NCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 All address changes for SCCA members to: The Carolina Cattle Connection P.O. Box 207 • Saluda, SC 29138

GELBVIEH

American Simmental Assocation News … page 11 Bangma Farms — Settling Down at Last, by Jennie Rucker … page 6

Hardrock Beef Cattle — A Red Hot Breed Combination, by Jennie Rucker … page 4 North Carolina Youth Serving Our Nation — Spotlight on Cara Smith, by April Bowman … page 12

SimAngus Solution Sale — Changing to Benefit Their Buyers, by Jennie Rucker … page 8 The Simmental Trail, by Jennie Rucker … page 10

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

Director’s Report By BRYAN K. BLINSON Executive Director, NCCA

Role Models “She will be competing against her role model,” was a headline I heard on the news this week concerning a young Olympic swimmer from our area, and it sparked my idea for this column. There is no one among us who has not been influenced by role models. As youth who have participated in any competitive arena know, there are always those who we tended to try to imitate. It may be the stance in the batter’s box, the way we wore our hat, or held a show stick. The older I get, the more I realize that role models never stop existing but rather get even more important to what we do, how we think, and how we interact with others. Most consider role models to be famous people from the world of sports, entertainment, or other notable professions. Certainly, these folks may influence clothing styles, music trends, or other surface level things, but that is where this column takes a different path. I contend that role models are everywhere, and as I ponder this, I realize that we continue to be influenced by them every day. Therefore, it is important that we choose them wisely. I have been blessed with many great role models in my life. Like most of us, my parents were the most influential of my role models and, by all means, have shaped who and what I am today. They were very wise in that they did not dictate my future but laid a groundwork that encouraged my interests and helped me succeed, and maybe more importantly,

allowed me to fail as I pursued my interests. They taught me to work, to achieve, and to treat others the right way, not by telling me what to do but by setting those examples as role models. Recently I received an invitation to a birthday celebration for another of my role models, and I am honored to have been asked to emcee his 90th birthday get together. I could never have dreamed to have been capable of or, for that matter, worthy of being someone invited to help lead the celebration of the 90 years of the life and service of Clint Reese. Many of you are reading this column who I am sure have been influenced in a very positive way by this iconic role model, and I am certainly thankful that he was one of mine. Clint led this association with class and innovation and laid a tremendous framework for the things we are able to do today. For that, we should all be very grateful. I had not thought of this until writing this column, but when asked a question and needing time to think of the most appropriate answer, a slow expression of “Well,” and a rub of my hand over my mouth is often my first response. I don’t even know if Clint knew he did it, but I learned it from him, and it has served me well. We usually consider role models as someone older than us, wiser than us, or who we presume to have reached greater achievements than us. I believe that this could not be further from the truth. I think that role models can come in all ages, with all aptitudes, and with

BE A WINNER!

Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state or regional breed association.

all levels of accolades. Role models are examples that we can follow regardless of our pursuits and often have no idea that they are having an impact on us. They are the folks who hold the door for you and smile even if they don’t know you, that prompts you to do the same later that day for someone who may really need a kind gesture. They may be the person who speaks up for something you believe in, which gives you the courage to speak up yourself. They may be the person who steps outside of the box to try something new on their farm that, when copied, researched, and perfected, can change what we all do for the better. Popular culture would have us believe that role models wear certain uniforms, stage attire, or cutting edge fashion. I beg to differ. We had the opportunity this past week to visit a young farming family that is pretty special to us as there is a grandson involved. It occurred to me that the most

important uniform of a role model does not include a number or a designer label. The markings of a true role model’s uniform may have a small designer patch of leather on the right rear pocket and start with a W. They are often decorated with grease from the tractor, mud from the cattle pens, or blood from a healing procedure. But the strongest symbol of the iconic uniform of a farmer role model, dad or mom, are the holes in the knees of those faded denim superhero uniforms that are worn from fixing what is broken, doctoring what is hurting, and most importantly, praying that the one behind little eyes that look up to them will be able to find their way to help feed us all. Remember that role models are all around us. I know you have yours; I have mine, and based on my knowledge of the folks who read this publication, I am confident that you see someone’s role model first thing every morning when you look in the mirror.

2021 Spotlight Issues Schedule Most of the breed associations in North and South Carolina have stepped forward and renewed their contracts for Spotlight sections in The Carolina Cattle Connection for 2021. If your breed is not featured as a Spotlight section and you would like to inquire on any open months please feel free to contact me. Below is the tentative schedule for the upcoming year.

2021 Reserved Spotlight Issues

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

CHAROLAIS FORAGES ANGUS PEST MANAGEMENT BRAHMAN HEREFORD GELBVIEH SIMMENTAL SANTA GERTRUDIS ----------------------------SHORTHORN RED ANGUS

For more information about your breed’s Spotlight Issue, contact:

The Carolina Cattle Connection 2228 N. Main Street • Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 919-552-9111 • mail@nccattle.com The Carolina Cattle Connection

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Spotlight on

SIMMENTAL

Section f

Hardrock Beef Cattle — A Red Hot Breed Combination By JENNIE RUCKER Ronnie Holman, of Hardrock Beef Cattle, is probably best known for his Red Angus cattle, but he has also become one of the top producers of red Simmental genetics in North Carolina. Hardrock Beef Cattle was the third top North Carolina producer in Simmental registrations for 2020. Hardrock Beef Cattle is a cooperator herd with Red Hill Farms of Lafayette, Tennessee. Red Hill Farms is also most known for their Red Angus, but they also have a growing presence with their Simmental genetics and have recently introduced Charolais cattle. The Simmental breed fits into Ronnie’s program very well, and he is a true believer of what Simmental and Red Angus genetics can do for anyone’s program. Approximately 75 percent of his herd is now Simmental X Red Angus cattle.

Ronnie Holman of Hardrock Beef Cattle has built a good Simmental Red Angus herd.

The top ⅓ of his calves always go to Red Hill Farms to be developed as bulls and sold in either the “More Than a Bull Spring Sale” in March or the “Bulls and Females of Fall” sale in October there on the farm in Tennessee. Ronnie does not have space to develop bulls, and this partnership works perfectly for him. The SimGenetics bulls averaged $5,275, with the second top selling bull in the sale bringing $21,500 to Leachman Cattle Company and Tulloch Agriculture. This red bull is sired by CDI Secret Agent 407C, and Ronnie just laughs as he says, “I wish that bull was one of mine that sold.” Ronnie bid on this bull for quite a while but noted his pockets weren’t quite that deep. As it turns out, the contending bidder was one of the large A.I. studs. “Red Hill Farms does a great job marketing red (and black) bulls, and they are selling at premium prices for bulls

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east of the Mississippi, but they are also selling solid value,” states Ronnie. Red Hill Farms also develops the top third of Ronnie’s replacement heifers. They are sent to Red Hill after weaning and then developed and bred by artificial insemination and end up back at Ronnie’s farm in Granite Falls, N.C., to calve as two-year-olds. Ronnie keeps them at a pasture near his house so he can check on them regularly. They will start calving in September and finish up in 45–50 days. This tight calving season is necessary because the mature cow herd is on land Ronnie leases 55 miles away in Rutherfordton. He drives there once a day to check his mature cows during the calving season, and with that long of a drive, he says, “You don’t want to prolong the calving season any longer than necessary.” At times the middle third of the calf crop at Hardrock Beef Cattle is sold where they are typically finished on grass and slaughtered for farm to table businesses, some local and some as far away as Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Sometimes Ronnie retains ownership of these calves to be able to see how they grade on the rail and add that data to his records. The bottom third of his calves, or what he calls “the dinks,” are almost always retained to be grazed on summer annuals or in the local mountains and are then moved to Eastern North Carolina for finishing. There they usually graze

Ronnie points out some specifics about his cattle.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

on a “Dukes” mixture of winter annuals in the form of cover crops. The range of weight for the finished animals ranges from 950-1,350 pounds. This usually hangs a 500-700 pound carcass. The small carcass animals are sold to local direct customers while the larger carcass animals go to the local farm to table customers. Ronnie says, “These cattle usually finish on grazed forages at 20 months of age, which is very efficient.” He gets his local customers from word of mouth advertising from other satisfied customers.

This is a beautiful sight. Red cows on good green grass.

The majority of his breeding is done with artificial insemination. The virgin heifers that are at Red Hill are developed on grass, but in October, the nutrition value is increased by feeding some stored feeds so that all the heifers are cycling by late November or early December and ready to be bred. His mature cows are synchronized with CIDRs, and this year, they will be using the 14 day protocol that is recommended by the University

This is Ronnie’s new bull, a son of Redhill Allabrd 5a 25E.

of Missouri animal scientist Dr. Justin Thomas. The first calf heifers are also synchronized and bred the day before the cow herd is bred. A team of three to five people works with Ronnie to breed, which expedites the process and keeps the timed A.I. within the recommended breeding times. Future plans are to build a double breeding box to speed the process along, and so the cattle being bred will hopefully remain calmer without being restrained and less stressed due to the reduction in processing time. Ronnie has been in partnership many times with good friend and fellow Red Angus breeder, Johnny Rogers. They have owned a few Red Angus and SimAngus bulls together. “That helped both of us to be able to buy better bulls. The only problem we ran into was that we are both fall calvers and he won’t change!” laughs Ronnie. This year Ronnie purchased a percentage Simmental bull from Red Hill, Redhill 25E 269D 218G. He is a son of the good REDHILL ALLABRD 5A 25E, owned by Leachman Cattle of Colorado. He ranks in the top 4 percent for Terminal Index and Backfat and is in the top two percent for yield grade and ribeye area! He was the lead off 18-month-old bull in this spring’s More Than a Bull Sale. When Ronnie gets a sale catalog, he picks out three or four bulls that he is interested in. Then the first thing he does is go find the mammas of those bulls on the farm. He must be assured that the bull comes from a performance brood cow, and he likes them to be slick. Hair coat shedding is important to Ronnie, especially on fescue pastures. He knows there will be a hair score EPD in the future because he participated in a hair coat study done

e Special by the University of Missouri. He has already seen the EPDs on his herd. Since he has been selecting cattle for that trait, his younger cattle do shed better now. Ronnie is the President-elect of the American Forage & Grasslands Council and has always put a huge emphasis on his pastures and forages. “I know that I could redo my pastures and get away from Kentucky 31 fescue but most of our customers are on Kentucky 31. With that understanding it isn’t right to sell someone an animal that is naïve to KY31 fescue. We would have done everyone a disservice if we did that,” says Ronnie. It is important to him to see the animals that perform well with KY31. He also grins as he says, “The best things about Kentucky 31 fescue are January, February, and March.”

It’s plain to see that these red cows have Got Milk!

When his calves hit the ground, Ronnie always tags and weighs them, and he may pull DNA samples then. At the same time, he grades his cows on feet, udder, teats, hair score, and the very important disposition. “Ronnie is a stickler for paperwork and data,” says his wife, Donna. That’s one reason he really liked the American Simmental Association’s genetic database and their Total Herd Enrollment program. All the bulls sold through Red Hill Farms sales have genomically enhanced EPDs. “Almost all of these cattle are also inside the top 50 percent of the breed for many important traits and many are inside the top 10 percent,” says Ronnie. Ronnie also likes that he has been able to register his commercial cows and breed up to become a percentage Simmental in a few generations with the American Simmental Association. Almost all the other breed associations do not make it easy for a producer to quickly

Spotlight on

SIMMENTAL

create an animal of a known and market desired composite breed, SimAngus. “The ASA has enabled me to do a lot more by letting me register my grade cows with them,” states Ronnie. “By adding Simmental genetics to my program, it is definitely helping raise the average yield and has not hurt grade at all.” “Some of my cattle are probably too small to suit some people but I have many of them that wean calves that are 55-60 percent of their body weight. A lot of those cows are Simmental-Red Angus crossbred,” says Ronnie. “The truth is that a number are too small to suit me also, but they keep breeding back, so they just keep buying their ticket to hang around for another year.” Red genetics are harder to find now, and red Simmental genetics are seeing an increase in popularity. Ronnie says, “I appreciate good cattle of any color but if you want to sell black cattle, then you are just swimming in the sea of sameness with everyone else.” Ronnie’s herd has reds that are deep red and those that are almost a yellow. Ronnie actually favors the lighter shade and says, “If we preach that red cattle are more heat tolerant, then wouldn’t it follow that the lighter red or yellow cattle are even more heat tolerant?”

Section f

using exclusively Simmental clean up bulls on all his females in the future. He is that pleased with the percentage Simmental-Red Angus cattle. He says that the Simmental have definitely improved the feet and legs of his herd. His farm is called Hardrock because that was the nickname that his grandfather gave to Ronnie. “My grandfather was a very hard worker but he was also a lot of fun,” recalls Ronnie. In fact, Ronnie bought his very first cow from his grandfather. It was a commercial cow that probably weighed 1,400-1,500 pounds and hadn’t had a calf in a while. His grandfather was getting frustrated with

the cow and said he ought to get rid of her. Ronnie spoke up and said he would buy her, so he bought her for a couple hundred dollars, and not long after, she had a calf. Ronnie has been in the cattle business ever since! “It’s a little harder to market these red cattle but if you find someone wanting red, they have fewer choices of where to buy locally,” says Ronnie, and Red Hill Farms has helped in that aspect. If anyone is interested in this Simmental x Red Angus program, they are welcome to give Ronnie a call at 828-302-8659. He is a busy man, but he is always ready to talk about good cattle!

The cow is a granddaughter of Shear Force, and the calf is a 25E son.

In addition to his large cattle herd, Ronnie is President of RPM Specialty Products Group, a segment of RPM International. He has been working primarily from his home since the pandemic, but he used to travel extensively with his job. He is glad to spend time now closer to home with his wife and their grandkids and the cattle. He is a member of the Red Angus of the Carolinas, but he also plans to join the N.C. Simmental Association and possibly consign some red cattle to the Fall Harvest Sale. He can really see himself

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Bangma Farms — Settling Down at Last By JENNIE RUCKER It is both a literal and figurative winding road that has led Donald and Michele Bangma to their Wilkes County farm in Thurmond, North Carolina. Their home sits on top of the hill and is surrounded by fenced acreage where Simmental and SimAngus cattle graze. Donald began his life working on their third generation dairy farm in Massachusetts. This dairy operation had become a very large milk-to-retail product business. They were milking 150 head and retailing all of the product themselves, including 2,000 home deliveries and a farm store. Donald worked on the dairy from the time he was a child. He owned it in a partnership for 15 years. His wife, Michele, worked on the books for the dairy and even did milk deliveries if needed. Eventually, the stress of running a family business and the headache of managing 15 employees caused the Bangmas to rethink their lifestyle. The last straw came when Michele, even with her broken foot in a cast, had to go make milk deliveries. Donald sold his share of the dairy to his brother, and he states, “Selling out was the best thing to happen to our family.” The Bangma family moved to Indiana, and Donald again worked on a dairy. It was in Indiana that Donald became acquainted with Simmental cattle and went to a consignment sale where Hudson Pines Farm was selling some cattle. Donald purchased his first Simmental

there 16 years ago and has been raising good Simmental cattle ever since. The Bangmas moved two times while they lived in Indiana, but the winters there can get fairly brutal, so the Bangmas decided to move their family and cattle to Tennessee. Donald had 100 head of cattle on a 90 acre farm in Leoma, Tennessee. Michele is a registered nurse, so she was able to work full time wherever Donald chose to farm.

This bred heifer has a little chrome on her forehead.

Donald is quick to point out that as the family moved to different places, he has always seen “God’s Infinite Plan at work in his life and the lives of his children.” His son and his wife live in Massachusetts, and two of his children found their significant others in Indiana. Daughter Christina found her boyfriend and her passion for living in Indiana. As a side note, Christina went from being a pregnant teenager through a broken marriage to bounce back and become the 2017 World Light Weight Champion

Donald Bangma and some of his bred heifers.

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Strong Man. She now owns a gym with her boyfriend where they train for Strong Men competitions. (You can see her amazing talent carrying the 200 pound Husafell stone and other feats of strength by searching Christina Bangma on YouTube) Family is the reason the Bangmas moved to North Carolina. Daughter Brianne lives with her husband and children in Statesville, so Donald and Michele are happy they found a farm less than an hour away. The farm had some fenced pastures and a barn, but Donald had to clear more land and put up more fences and put a new roof on the barn. He has his bred heifers in the upper pasture right near the house.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

This is a daughter of Hooks Broadway out of EKCC Red Jewel 760.

Donald breeds entirely by artificial insemination. He doesn’t have a bull on the place. Of course, as a dairyman, he has been breeding cattle using A.I. since he was 19 years old. His conception rate is very high, but then he heat checks these cattle all the time. His cattle are extremely docile since they are used to being handled and checked daily. Breeding is done 100 percent using artificial insemination. “I don’t have a bull on the place,” states Donald. Since his market is primarily selling good performance females, 75 percent of the semen he uses is sexed semen. Donald says that ST Genetics has done a great job in improving the conception rate of sexed semen, and also, the price has come down considerably. He did say that he has found conception to also increase by breeding cattle 16-20 hours after seeing standing heat versus the usual 12 hours after standing heat. The sires he is using with sexed semen are HILB Oracle, KLER Promoter, and GEFF County O.

This 11-year-old cow is still a strong producer for Donald Bangma. She is sired by SVF Steel Force S701.

Also, as an ex-dairyman, Donald knows how to feed his cattle to get optimum performance out of them. His cattle are always ready to go in tip top shape. While he was in Indiana and Tennessee, Donald was involved with the 4-H clubs and with people like Stan and Bubba Tinin, who were very active in the show cattle industry. He really enjoyed raising show cattle, but in his own words, “Couldn’t clip a cow to save my life!” He spent many an hour washing and blowing out cattle, going to a show or a sale. He laughs as he says, “I was like a 60-year-old 4-H kid, learning a lot from the old guys!”

This is a daughter of CCR Santa Fe.

He is pretty glad to be done with the clipping, washing, and blowing work. Now he studies genetics and pedigrees and works hard to raise the best cattle he can. He laughs as he says, “Raising registered cattle is a sickness and I can’t get away from it.” He enjoys going to sales, and now that there are so many online sales, he shakes his head as he says, “Now I have found another passion, buying cattle online!” Recently, he was able to purchase a daughter of W/C Executive Order 8543B through an online sale. It just so happens that he was the contending bidder on this

e Special female twice. “The first time she was a bred heifer and I tried to buy her but I was outbid. This time I was the contending bidder on her for $2,800. The guy called me and said the top bidder couldn’t come up with the money so now I finally own her after two years trying to buy her!” That female is TX Melania, and she is coming back to North Carolina this time by way of Georgia. Moving cattle from state to state has taught Donald a thing or two. He says cattle have a harder time adjusting when they moved from Indiana, a more northern state, to Tennessee, a southern state. “This fescue grass is a shock to their system,” he says. He also did embryo transfer when in Tennessee, but he hasn’t done it since moving to North Carolina. He moved about 14 cattle to North Carolina from Tennessee. Right from the beginning, Donald consigned cattle to the N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale and became a strong member. He also joined the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and has gotten

Spotlight on

SIMMENTAL

This red cow is also an SVF Steel Force S701 daughter and a granddaughter of Lazy H Burn Baby Burn34.

to know several local cattlemen. His friendly demeanor and fun attitude have always been an asset to him as he moved and traveled around. “But you don’t want to make me mad,” Donald says with a smile. This year Donald is consigning two bred heifers that should calve within a month after the September sale. These heifers are from top notch bloodlines with excellent EPDs. Studying pedigrees is another passion of Donald’s. He knows

Section f

bloodlines and doesn’t want holes in any of his cattle’s pedigrees. Looking at conformation, Donald always goes to the udder first. “I can’t help it, I’m a dairyman,” he says. He looks at teat and udder quality, then looks at feet and legs. But good conformation has to go hand in hand with good pedigrees. Any cattle that come from Bangma Farm are the complete package of both conformation quality and pedigrees to be proud of. Advice he would give to anyone wanting to get into the registered cattle business is to wait a year and study pedigrees. Find out what bulls are popular and what bulls work. Donald says he jumped right into the business and learned the hard way. But he still laughs as he says, “This business is a sickness and it got a hold of me.” Most of his herd is purebred Simmental, and about ⅓ of the herd is SimAngus. He still keeps some good red Simmental, but most of his herd is black cattle. He uses Ultra Boss for fly control and

always has his cattle on a good vaccination program. He believes that vaccinating cattle is money well spent. Again he learned the hard way back in the dairy business when IBR went through the herd. He never wants to go through that again. Back in Massachusetts, Donald did custom butchering on the side. He still has all his equipment for that, and it is set up on one side of his garage. He just does his own butchering now, and that came in very handy during the pandemic when processing finished cattle became almost impossible. Other people have asked him about doing it, but he politely refuses. Donald and Michele have come a long way, both in miles and experience, from where they started. They hope to continue to grow their herd in quality up in these Wilkes County hills. For information on their cattle and especially the two bred heifers in the Fall Harvest Sale, give Donald a call at 508-735-7241. He would love to talk cattle with you!

The Carolina Cattle Connection

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e Special

Spotlight on

SIMMENTAL

Section f

SimAngus Solution Sale — Changing to Benefit Their Buyers By JENNIE RUCKER Good changes are coming to the SimAngus Solution Sale held annually in Burlington, North Carolina. Jonathan and Melissa Massey, along with Johnny Massey, have restructured their sale to make it more beneficial for both buyers and for themselves as hardworking producers. This year will be their 13 th annual sale, and they have come a long way from holding the sale at their best friend and neighbor Frank Bell’s barn. They have held the sale several years at their own place, and it really helps with not having to transport the bulls to another location. The very first thing to put on your calendar about the sale is that the date has changed. This year it will be the very first Saturday in November, which

is November 6. Make sure you make a note about that change! Also, this year the bulls will be sold by individual lots, not the “pick of the pen” like they have done in the past. They will videotape each bull and female in the sale, and that video will be running as buyers bid on that animal.

testing. Each bull we sold in our 2020 sale was run through the Right Choice DNA test and we used Right Mate to breed our registered cow herd last fall.”

Little Jonathan and the very first calf he owned, MD7.

Jonathan and Melissa Massey with Johnny Massey in the background.

The Masseys have worked with Marty Ropp of Allied Genetics for years. He had purchased some females and several bulls for the Masseys when they were unable to attend certain sales. Two years ago, Marty talked with them about a new direction that Allied was going called All Beef LLC. The Masseys bought into this program and became All Beef owners shortly after that talk. By becoming All Beef owners, the Masseys have the opportunity to purchase semen on the hottest new sires even before they actually go into stud services. Since Marty goes all over the country with his job, he sees the best genetics that are available anywhere in the United States. “All Beef actually owns several bulls in partnership with some of the most well known Simmental and SimAngus producers in the country as well as some of the larger stud services,” says Jonathan. “Also by being All Beef owners we get the opportunity to tap into some of the newest data driven testing available such as the Right Mate and Right Choice

Jonathan Massey welcomes everyone to the SimAngus Solution Sale.

The Masseys still have a fall calving herd, starting August 15 and pushing to get their registered herd all calving by the end of October. “We really want them finished by October 15,” says Jonathan. “We service each female artificially one time, then they are turned in with one of our three herd sires.” Their three herd sires are currently Gibbs Declaration, which is a Gibbs Statement son, TJ Main Street 443F, which is a son of TJ Main Event, and FSCR Fast Forward, sired by IR Capitalist. The Fast Forward bull is owned in partnership with Fred Smith Company Ranch in Clayton, N.C., and was the top selling bull at the 2020 Extra Effort Sale. This past fall, the cows were bred to the A.I. sires EGL Fireman, TJ Franchise, Gibbs Stonewall, and TJ Nebraska. For this year’s sale, bulls and females

Just some of the excellent bulls that have sold in past SimAngus Solution Sales.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

Spotlight on

SIMMENTAL

Frank Bell is a constant friend and mentor to the Massey family.

will be sired by TJ Franchise, Gibbs Mountaineer, TJ First Cut, TJ Diplomat, and some of their excellent herd sires. When the Masseys select bulls, they look for growth from birthweight to weaning weight and growth from weaning weight to yearling weight. They like their bulls to have added marbling capabilities and high ranking API and TI. It is very important that the bulls they use come from proven cow families with proven genetics. The bulls that will be offered in the SimAngus Solution Sale will all have passed a Breeding Soundness Exam. They have been vaccinated against Pinkeye, clostridium, and all the respiratory diseases and dewormed. All these health practices are administered using Beef Quality Assurance guidelines. They are developed on fescue pastures, fescue hay, and a customized high fiber, low energy feed ration. If you have attended a SimAngus Solution Sale in the past, you know they are always spectacular looking bulls and very docile since they are used to being handled and checked on daily. The Masseys took advantage of the “Cow Herd Round-Up” that the American Simmental Association was running a few years ago, and every cow in the herd was DNA tested, which was a total of 68 cows at that time. Due to the extensive recordkeeping on six different traits, their farm has qualified as a Performance Advocate, which is a program from the American Simmental Association that recognizes dedicated and driven data reporting producers. The Masseys are also dedicated to their customers. When they became owners with All Beef LLC, they also are able to offer their customers some

added benefits. “Being involved with All Beef and Allied gives our customers the opportunity to market their feeder calves sired by our bulls through Superior Livestock with the Allied logo due to the known genetics on the sire side of those calves,” states Jonathan. In fact, they are currently planning an Open House Customer Appreciation Day which will include some more information from All Beef and Allied Genetics along with other educational talks. This event will happen on the farm sometime later this summer or early fall. For more information on this event, contact Jonathan at 336-260-2565 or Johnny Massey at 336-214-4144.

Little Jonathan and Johnny feeding and checking the bulls.

Both Jonathan and Johnny Massey are very welcoming people, and they enjoy showing their herd to anyone who may be considering purchasing a bull from their sale. Melissa Massey is also very knowledgeable about the bulls and can also answer questions anyone may have, but the star of the show is little Jonathan, who is eight years old but he is as involved with everything as his parents and grandfather. He is ready to go feed or check on the bulls anytime. He even played a big part in the sale last year when he very willingly ran the tickets with the buyer’s information to the clerk’s tent. As young as he was then, he kept at this job until the sale was over. Then he helped in any other way he could. The SimAngus Solution Sale is a family effort, and this family is backed by years of experience and now has the added benefit of being All Beef Owners. To find out how that can benefit you as a bull buyer, attend their Open House and come to their sale on November 6. These changes the Massey family has made will benefit everyone!

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q AUGUST 2021

PAGE 9

THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL

By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association NCSA Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the N.C. Simmental Association will be held on September 3 at 6:00 p.m. at the Shuffler Sale Facility in Union Grove. We will be serving a beef dinner for only $10 a plate. Everyone is welcome to attend. You can come early and view the cattle for the Fall Harvest Sale, then stay for the dinner and meeting. We will hold a short business meeting, then we really have fun. This year we are holding a raffle for a Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss Chainsaw. This chainsaw is being donated by Pinkston’s Lawn Mower of Wadesboro, North Carolina. We really appreciate Preston and Erin Beth Pinkston’s generous donation of this chainsaw to help our association. Your chance to own this chainsaw is only a $2 raffle ticket, or buy three chances for $5. You can contact any

N.C. Simmental Association member or send a check for any amount of tickets to N.C. Simmental Association, 1341 Highway 21, Hamptonville, NC 27020. You do not have to be present to win. We will make sure that the winner receives the chainsaw. We also have our famous fundraising auction. Members bring items to donate to this auction, which helps build up our general treasury and the Jim Graham Scholarship Fund. Many great things have been sold in the past, including chickens, puppies, baskets full of handmade goodies, quilts, feed, minerals, and the list could go on and on. There will also be some great homemade cakes for your bidding (and eating!) pleasure. Teresa Swisher of Crescent Goodies usually donates one of her wonderful cakes, often the much requested German

chocolate cake. It is worth the visit to our annual meeting just to see what cakes are available! It is always a lot of fun to see what everyone brings and what sells for the most money. Following the auction, we will draw for the winners of the raffle. We will also auction off the back cover ad of the next year’s Simmental directory and the full page ad on the inside back cover of next year’s Fall Harvest Sale catalog. Make plans to attend this annual meeting. Both members and interested people can attend. NCSA Fall Harvest Sale. This year’s Fall Harvest Sale looks like it will be an excellent opportunity to purchase some quality females and bulls. There should be 70 lots of purebred Simmental and SimAngus cattle. Many of our regular consignors will be showcasing their best, such as Shuffler Farms Simmentals, JBB Simmentals, the Fred Smith Company Ranch, Bangma Farms, and TX Enterprises. We will also have some great out-of-state consignors, such as Smith Reasor, Virginia Tech, and Katie’s Simmentals of Virginia. We will also have several embryo lots from some of the country’s top Simmental producers. The sale will be held on September

4 at 12:00 noon at the Shuffler Sale Facility at 444 Union Grove Road, Union Grove, North Carolina. The N.C. Junior Simmental Association will be selling ribeye steak sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs for lunch. For more information on this sale, please visit our Facebook page at N.C. Simmental or call 336-468-1679 for a sale catalog. You can also send an email to ncsa@yadtel.net to request a sale catalog. Make plans to be there! Bidding can also be done on DV Auction. Visit either the DV Auction website at www.dvauction. com or the DP Sales Management website at www.parkelivestock.com for information on how to bid on the great cattle in this sale. AJSA Eastern Regional Results. Five North Carolina juniors attended the AJSA Eastern Regional held on June 2–5 in Cookeville, Tennessee. These juniors were Evie and Hagan Jones from Shelby, Shelby Candler from Weaverville, Nate Bowman from Germanton, and of course, our AJSA President, Cara Smith from Pleasant Garden. These kids all worked very hard, exhibited their cattle, and competed in many different events, including the judging sontest, sales talk, and public speaking.

47 th An Fall Har nual vest Sept Sale emb er 4 • Unio n Gr 12:00 n o ove, For a ca NC on ta log 336- , contac ncsa 468-167 t NCSA @ya 9 dtel. net

N.C. Simmental Association 1341 US Hwy 21 • Hamptonville, NC 27020 336-468-1679 • www.ncsimmental.com • NCSA@yadtel.net Like us on Facebook! PAGE 10

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

American Simmental Association 1 Genetics Way • Bozeman, MT 59718 406-587-4531 • www.simmental.org

Evie Jones won 9th place in junior showmanship, Nate Bowman was 9th in junior genetic evaluation, and Cara Smith placed 7th in the senior cattleman’s quiz. With the animals that they exhibited, several were selected by judge Joe Seale of San Augustine, Tex., to be in the top ten of their specific group. Cara Smith had two flush mate bulls that were shown in the bred-and-owned purebred bull category. The 3rd overall was SC5/Mid-

Am Classic Fortune J10, sired by ACLL Fortune 393D. His flush mate, SC5/MidAm Classic Fortune J06, was selected as 5th overall bred-and-owned purebred bull. Shelby Candler also exhibited the 10 th overall owned percentage heifer. This heifer is GHC Blackcap Fergie 91H1 sired by Profit. Congratulations to all these juniors and their parents for representing North Carolina at the regional level!

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These North Carolina juniors competed in the AJSA Eastern Regional. Nate Bowman, Shelby Candler, Hagan Jones, Cara Smith, and Evie Jones.

Simmental News ASA Fall Focus 2021 Registration Now Open. Focus on You. Focus on Success. Focus on Profit. The 2021 American Simmental Association board meeting and educational symposium will be held in Denver, Colo., on August 27-31. Registration is free but required to help with meal planning. Get the schedule, area information, and register at www.fallfocus.org. Colorado Simmental Association welcomes all to see the progress of the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) renovation, live demonstrations of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) collection, foot/leg scoring, a cattle display from Colorado Simmental breeders, and a delicious brisket dinner. All events and dinner will be in the hill cattle stalling area of NWSS’ Hall of Education. Watch for gate entrance and parking information in future announcements. Live PA P Measurement Demonstration - Dr. Tim Holt, a world expert in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) measurements and high altitude disease, will give a live demonstration on August 27 during the evening events at the National Western Stock Show

facilities and yards. Feet/Leg Scoring Demonstration - Interested to learn more about how to score feet and legs? Come hear Lane Giess give a demonstration on live cattle during the Friday evening events at the yards. Lane will host two demonstrations, one at 5:00 p.m. and a repeat at 6:00 p.m. using live cattle provided by Colorado State University. Leave feeling more confident to determine a claw shape of a 3 from a 6, knowing what age of cattle are best to score, and tips for a successful day of scoring. Other speakers include: • Randy Moody - Chairman, ASA Board of Trustees • Jonathan Wallace - Denver Nuggets • Milt Thomas, Ph.D. - Colorado State University • Mark Enns, Ph.D. - Colorado State University • Scott Speidel, Ph.D. - Colorado State University • Steve Williams - JBS • Tony Bryant, Ph.D. - Five Rivers Cattle Feeding • Randie Culbertson, Ph.D. - ASA/ IGS

540-810-4605

• Wade Shafer, Ph.D. - ASA/IGS • Alison Van Eenennaam, Ph.D. University of California–Davis Sponsorship contributions may be made to the American SimmentalSimbrah Foundation. Designation made to the Fall Focus. For more information about sponsoring Fall Focus 2021, please contact Bill McDonald at 540-230-6225 or mcdonaldfarms.bulls@gmail.com. It was a Grand Slam National Classic. If you’ve ever been on a traveling tournament team, you know the unique situation we find ourselves in at AJSA Classics. We are competing against one another, but we’re also part of a team, and we want to see our teammates succeed. This summer alone, we traveled to Cookeville where it was Simmental Time in Tennessee, then we went Surfing With Simmentals in Springfield, Mo., and finally, we went Showing in the Selkirks – and it was worth the drive to Northern Idaho. While I don’t know how to surf, especially with a Simmental, it turns out that it’s Simmental Time everywhere and that AJSA is always worth the drive. After seven Grand Slam days in Nebraska, it is apparent: the Simmental breed, our AJSA, is a championship team! Some of our recent highlights include: being named Best of the Breeds by ShowTimes, having the largest of all breed shows at the inaugural Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, seeing Simmental influenced cattle become the

most sought-after in nearly every cattle market, and hosting the largest ever AJSA National Classic – with 872 cattle entries and 542 contestants checked in. We won the pennant! We are a championship team. We found ourselves at the bottom of the ninth. This was the moment everyone had been working and waiting for all year. It was major league excitement at the Grand Slam AJSA National Classic. We had a great week watching some of the world’s most talented young people excel in their sport. Show season has no offseason, and all junior exhibitors put in the effort it takes to become the best and to win the title. No matter what pitch was thrown their way, all handled it with poise and confidence, and everyone gave it their best and absolutely knocked it out of the park. At the end of the fun-filled week, it was a pleasure to announce our All-Star Lineup and Overall Champions of the 2021 AJSA National Classic. About the American Simmental Association. Founded in 1968, ASA is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. ASA is committed to leveraging technology, education, and collaboration to accelerate genetic profitability for the beef industry. In keeping with its commitment, ASA, along with its partners, formed International Genetic Solutions — the world’s largest genetic evaluation of beef cattle. Learn more at www. simmental.org.

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Youth of the Carolinas Serving Our Nation By APRIL BOWMAN

Spotlight on Cara Smith The evening of July 2, 2021, will always stand out in the memory of Cara Smith. It’s the night she gave her farewell speech and ended her term as the American Junior Simmental Association Trustee, a position she was elected to serve in July of 2019 by her peers. In July of 2020, she was elected to serve as the 2020-2021 American Junior Simmental Association President. Smith said, “Serving as an AJSA Trustee and the President has taught me to work with everyone, to delegate different tasks, to plan face-to-face or conference call board meetings, and to work on new projects with the entire board. Everything we do in life has all kinds of opportunities, so don’t be scared to put yourself out there and try something new. The choices you make will have an impact on your life, and most of the time, it is way more influential than we could have imagined. Having the opportunity to represent a national junior association and the junior membership is a huge privilege, and it’s so rewarding to see juniors grow and learn throughout the time spent with them.

Cara with Lauren Trauernicht of Nebraska.

Elaine, and younger brother Thomas. Craig’s dad Jim, also known as PawPaw, lives right up the road and is instrumental in helping them around the farm. He looks after the stock when the family is gone to a show and helps them in the hayfield.

Cara was elected to serve by her fellow board. She never considered herself for the position, but the board thought that she was a great fit. “Having their support was amazing and unexpected.” She resides on her family farm, Steeple Creek, with her dad Craig, mom

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Smith started out showing Angus cattle because of the junior involvement within the N.C. Junior Angus Association. In 2014, she started showing Simmentals when a blaze heifer caught her eye, and ever since then, she has been hooked. Her family’s farm goal has changed a little, and now they focus more on raising SimAngus cattle because of their excellent maternal characteristics, growth rates, and the popularity of the breed in surrounding areas. She continued showing Angus cattle as well and in 2019 had the opportunity to place third overall in showmanship at the National Junior Angus Show, her biggest achievement in the show ring, as you are only allowed to show in showmanship at nationals once in your lifetime!

In 2011, Smith and her brother joined the Go-Getter 4-H and the Guilford County 4-H Livestock Clubs and stayed involved until aging out in 2017. Her 4-H club leaders Kay Coltrane and Rhonda Ingram, and fellow 4-H members, the Beesons, helped them to start showing cattle in 2012. During her time in 4-H, she participated in many community service activities. Smith said, “Being a part of 4-H made me a more well rounded individual and helped prepare me for my future leadership roles.”

When asked what she would tell someone who was thinking about showing cattle, she replied, “Showing cattle can be a big commitment, but it taught me lots of things such as time management, hard work, and responsibility. Showing cattle will teach you how to win and lose. You will make friends across your county, state, and country, which will allow you to spend time with people who share the same passion for agriculture as you. She recommends attending a livestock show so that they can get a better idea of what all is involved in showing cattle, get involved with their

Cara, far right, with her Trustee Board at the 2021 AJSA Classic.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

local 4-H club, FFA chapter, or state junior association for the breed they are interested in showing. Any member of these clubs or associations would be more than happy for you to reach out to them and ask questions about showing cattle.

Cara addressing the attendees for the 2021 AJSA Classic.

Cara with her mom and dad after winning third overall in showmanship at the National Junior Angus Show in 2019. The North Carolina delegation at the 2021 Classic, from left to right - Nate Bowman, Cara Smith, Hagan, and Evie Jones.

Cara with her dad Craig; mom Elaine; and brother Thomas, at the 2020 American Junior Simmental Association Classic following Cara’s election to the Board of Trustees.

The Smith’s cattle on Steeple Creek Farm.

Smith is 22 years old and will be graduating this December with a degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in nutrition and wellness. After graduating, she plans to pursue a career related to her field. She looks forward to giving back to the associations that helped develop her into the young adult she is now. She’s already started by serving as the chair of the Welcoming Committee and as a member of the Scholarship and Gift/Awards committees for the 2021 Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show. She plans to continue growing and raising her own herd of Angus and Simmental cattle.

Cara showing her bred-and-owned purebred bull at the 2021 Classic. He is out of the first heifer that she purchased in 2014.

Find out more about 4-H and your local N.C. Cooperative Extension Center by visiting www.ces.ncsu.edu/. You can also enroll in 4-H at www.v2.4honline.com/.

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Ashley’s Beef Corner

Jon G’s BBQ Named N.C. Beef Backer

Their hard work has not gone unrecognized, and they proudly received notoriety as the best barbecue in Charlotte for three years in a row. Other article features and accolades line the wall inside

By ASHLEY W. HERRING Director of Consumer Information N.C. Cattlemen’s Beef Council With roots on his family’s cattle farm, Garren “Jon G” Kirkman and his wife Kelly pursued restaurant ownership in a unique path. After leaving his corporate job, Garren operated a Texas style barbecue food truck for two years. At the beginning of 2020, the Kirkman’s opened their first brick and mortar location in Peachland, North Carolina.

Their wildly successful first year during a challenging time demonstrates the quality of their process and care given to each customer’s experience. Open just one day a week, they regularly sell out with customers traveling from all over the eastern seaboard.

their restaurant. We are sure there will be more to come, so plan a visit to Jon G’s BBQ on Saturdays starting at 11:00 a.m. Jon G’s BBQ is located at 116 Glenn Falls Street in Peachland, North Carolina.

Carolina Cooking Beef and Couscous Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers Total Time - 1 hour, 15 minutes

After customer satisfaction, the star of the show is brisket, of course. Smoked all night, it is described this way by one loyal patron, “My mouth started watering as each slice of brisket fell over the other on the cutting board...it made the most perfect beef brisket boo.”

Regular copy deadline is AUGUST 5 for the SEPTEMBER issue Spotlight material is due

AUGUST 1 for the

SEPTEMBER issue PAGE 14

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

1 pound ground beef 15 baby sweet bell peppers (about 2½ to 3 inches long, about 1¼ pounds) ⅔ cup regular or spicy 100% vegetable juice ½ cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry ¼ cup uncooked whole wheat or regular couscous 2 teaspoons minced garlic ½ teaspoon dried oregano leaves ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ cup reduced fat shredded parmesan, Monterey Jack, white cheddar, or Italian blend cheese Heat oven to 400°F. Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; remove seeds and membranes, but not stem. Place peppers, cut sides up, on two shallow rimmed baking sheets. Cook’s Tip: Two broiler pans may be substituted for baking sheets. Five medium bell peppers (any color), cut lengthwise into sixths, may be substituted for mini peppers. Continue as directed in step 2. Combine ground beef, vegetable juice, spinach, couscous, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Spoon beef mixture evenly into peppers. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, in 400°F oven 25-30 minutes or until instant read thermometer inserted into the center of

pepper registers, 160°F and peppers begin to brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Cook’s Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness. Makes 30 servings.

Beef and Couscous Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers

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PAGE 15

By MARCEL WALLAU, DOUG MAYO, and CHRIS PREVATT University of Florida

How Good is Your Hay? The first thing we do when shopping for dry feed is to ask “how much crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) it has,” right? How come we never ask that about hay? It’s about time we are all putting hay up for next winter, and our main goal is to get that barn filled (I hope you all have a barn, as it really pays off fast, just counting

PAGE 16

on the losses on hay stored outside). But what most of us don’t generally consider is how good that hay is. I understand we have too many cows to feed, and we need quantity first, and we can adjust the nutrition later with supplement. But does it really pay off? What is the cost of that poor quality hay? And what does it mean when commodity prices are so high?

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

Figure 1. A tale of three hayfields: how difference in hay quality and cost can influence cost of winter feeding? (picture: Doug Mayo).

Hay feeding plays a major role in cow/calf operations in the southeast, if only to feed between the last grazing of the summer pastures and the first of the cool season grasses, or as the base of a whole winter feeding program. The fact is, hay quality often gets neglected. Knowing the digestibility or TDN and crude protein of the hay is key to determine how much supplement we need to achieve the desired productivity goals. Overfeeding is expensive because we are wasting money; underfeeding is expensive because our animals are not performing adequately. But there is much more to that. Low quality hay can reduce total intake because of gut fill, increase waste (i.e., animals are trying to sort out in hope for better forage), both reducing performance and increasing cost. We take for granted that cows (especially dry cows) can eat just about anything. The famous “cow hay” can be a trap, reducing performance (loss of body condition score, lower pregnancy rates, etc.) and result in less profit. Hay can be an expensive product based on nutrient content, and investing in quality often pays off. Let’s take a look at some numbers. Below is a basic economic example. It isn’t all inclusive but gets us close to analyzing the economics of winter feeding systems. Considering three sources of hay (Figure 1), a well managed Tifton 85 bermudagrass, a fertilized Tifton 9 bahiagrass, and unfertilized costal/bahiagrass mix, at $60, $50, and $45 per 800 lb bale (Table 1). The cost per lb of protein on the hay goes from $0.54 on the high quality hay to $0.94 on the low quality hay! Considering soybean meal at an approximate cost of $346/ton as fed with 50% CP and 84% TDN, then it costs $0.39/lb of CP and $0.23/lb of TDN on a dry matter basis. Now let’s plan a diet of a dry, 1,100 lbs beef cow in midto late-gestation, requiring a maintenance diet containing 7% CP and 47% TDN. The nutrient CP and TDN requirements of the dry cow are met with the T85 hay, not needing supplementation. However,

our cost goes up 20¢ per day per cow when we feed low quality hay and need to provide 6.8 lb/day of soybean meal to those cows (~0.6 percent of body weight). And this is not considering the extra labor. Turning the table, what if we are producing and selling hay rather than feeding? Managing your hayfield properly can result in more biomass production, and if you are able to market hay based on quality, there are significant advantages here! Table 2 brings a simple example with the same three hay types mentioned above from a seller’s perspective. With good care (i.e., proper cutting management, fertilization, and weed control), pastures can produce more biomass of greater nutritive value, which can bring higher profit. How to make your hay better? First, let’s see what factors affect hay quality the most: • Forage species and cultivar - some forages just have better nutritive value than others. Legumes, for example, are higher in protein than perennial grasses, and bermudagrass is generally higher in TDN and CP than bahiagrass. Within species, different cultivars or hybrids may have large differences. Tifton 85 is around ten percent more digestible than coastal bermudagrass and has greater biomass production. When planting your hayfields, take that into consideration. • Cutting interval, regrowth period, or maturity - this is the most important factor when cutting hay. The more mature the pasture is, the lower the nutritive value. Some species have a steeper decrease in nutritive value compared to others. There is always the compromise between quantity and quality. Longer regrowth periods (but not excessively long) will result in greater biomass production, but that comes in detriment of nutritive value. Thus, hay producers do not want to cut it too early because the yields are too low. • Drying process - the faster the forage is dried, the smaller the nutrient losses. Those come in two ways:

Table 1. Nutritive value, nutrient requirements, and cost of feeding a 1,100 lbs cow at maintenance, using three different sources of hay.

allow for bailing “wet hay” as haylage, reducing the risk of losses from rain. • Testing - the only way to tell the quality of a hay is to get a hay test! This is important to gauge your performance, understand the effect of management practices on quality, and plan your winter feeding supplementation needs. Reference Haag, E. 2007. Bailing strategy cuts losses. Angus Journal October 2007. Pp. 282-285 How good is your hay? Prove your hay is the best by entering the Southeastern Hay Contest, an educational initiative, and partnership between 13 land grant universities in the Southeast, presented by Massey Ferguson and Sunbelt Ag Expo! For over 16 years, we have been recognizing the best hay producers in the region. Enter your hay or haylage in one of the seven categories, gauge your performance, and compete for multiple cash prizes and recognition. • Warm Season Perennial Grass Hay • Alfalfa Hay • Perennial Peanut Hay • Cool Season Perennial Grass Hay

respiration, which reduces soluble carbohydrate content and reduces digestibility, and rainfall, which causes carbohydrates and other nutrients to leach and also delays the drying process. Summer rains can make the drying process difficult, so wrapping wet hay (haylage) can be an interesting alternative for reducing nutrient losses. • Storing - if you consider that the outer 4 inches of a 5 foot bale contain about 25 percent of the total volume of the bale (Haag 2007), that’s how much

• Mixed Annual Grass or Other Hay • Grass Baleage • Legume Baleage To find out more about the SE Hay Contest, check our webpage at www. sehaycontest.com, and follow us on Facebook (@SEHayContest) and Twitter (@SEHayContest). Contact your local extension agent for sampling your hay and entering the contest. Important Deadlines: • All entries must be received by September 1 • Winners will be notified by October 1 • Awards will be presented during Sunbelt AgExpo on October 19

you can lose from leaving the bales in wet ground our without cover, especially if stored under trees. Other than the biomass lost, the nutritive value will decline, and mold will grow, increasing the chances for mycotoxins. • Fertilization - generally, we focus on nitrogen fertilization, although other nutrients are also important. Nitrogen will increase biomass production and improve protein content, but not digestibility. • Equipment - mowers equipped with conditioners can facilitate drying. Wrappers

Table 2. Productivity, cost of production, and estimated profit from three different hayfields.

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E.B.'s View from the Cow Pasture By E.B. HARRIS

Something for Bull Keepers, Hopefully I thought I would share an idea with you that might help you on your farm. It works here on our family farm. We have a bull pasture here behind the house, and that’s where the bulls stay when they are not out with the cows. We have bulls going and coming just about every week. As you well know, there is a pecking order in the bull stance. There seem to be a few bulls that are pretty docile and laid back. Then there seem to be some bulls that don’t want to get along with anybody as far as the other bulls go. As far as human interaction, we are always cautious around any of them. I am not intentionally going to keep a bull that comes to you and wants to fight. He has a short lived term here on our farm. We don’t tolerate a bull that’s hunting a fence, especially when it comes to people, but that’s all right with other bulls. It’s just part of mother nature if they want to tussle among themselves. When new bulls come back to the old inventory, the first thing they will do when they step out of the trailer is call up what I call a case of whip butt. It’s either they whip someone else’s butt, or they get their butt whipped. They just can’t come

in, be quiet, and walk on out in the herd. The first thing they will do is just start blowing and carrying on. Every bull out in the pasture will come up to check them out and do whatever needs to be done. Here is an idea that works for us. I am passing it on to you, and maybe it will help you. The first thing I am going to tell you is something told to me by my good friend, Jim Smith of Stem, North Carolina. Jim used to participate in N.C. BCIP Performance Tested Bull Sales. He told me this little trick. It worked then, and I guess the same principle works now. He told me that before you put new bulls together, pour on some Warbex. I don’t think they make Warbex anymore, but all of you who used it know it smelled to the high clouds. It just had a strong smell to it. We always made sure we were in a well ventilated space when using it. Now we have something else that works for us. We keep a former deworming jug/gun with apple cider vinegar in the barn. When the bulls come in, I walk up beside the trailer, take the apple cider vinegar, and squirt it on them. They say six ounces, but I give them about ten to

twelve. I put it on the head, down the back, and on the tail bone. When the bulls come out, they continue to call up the other bulls. They kind of stand around and bow up to one another, but the fight is gone. You might see them a week or two later out in the pasture doing some tussling, but overall when the new deal comes in, they are not throwing one another into the fence and causing us to have to do fence repair when they first come in. I hope this will help you some. Try the apple cider vinegar on your bulls when you mix them together. Another story on apple cider vinegar. My friend, the late Jim Stocker from Warsaw, and I were talking about apples. He had some apple trees at the farm. He said his brother was into apple trees back at his home in Grundy County in Tennessee. The first apple trees that were brought into this country when the settlers first came to America were planted to make apple cider vinegar. This makes sense – that was one of the preservatives the settlers used when preserving food

PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL NEWS Registration Now Open for 2021 Public Lands Council Annual Meeting. Recently, the Public Lands Council (PLC) opened registration for its 53rd Annual Meeting to be held September 8-10 in Seaside, Oregon. PLC is the only national organization dedicated solely to representing the interests

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and perspectives of cattle and sheep producers who utilize federal lands and grazing permits as part of their operations. Each year, the PLC Annual Meeting brings these producers together and provides a forum for them to discuss current issues and emerging opportunities with federal agencies, industry partners, and Congressional leadership. This year’s conference combines policy priorities with fun in the sun as attendees craft policy solutions that will shape the future of the industry. This year, attendees may select between in-person or virtual registration. In-person registration for the full, three day event is $275, and virtual registration is $150. Single day, in-person registrations are also available. Young producers are also eligible to receive a discounted registration rate. To r e g i s t e r, visit w w w. publiclandscouncil.org. Questions may be directed to PLC Operations Director Allie Nelson at anelson@beef.org. About the Public Lands Council. PLC represents public lands ranchers in Washington, D.C. Since 1968, PLC has worked with Congress and the federal land management agencies to maintain a stable business environment in which livestock producers can conserve the West and feed the nation and world. Visit www. publiclandscouncil.org to learn more.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2021

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You Decide! By DR. MIKE WALDEN

William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus N.C. State University You Decide: What Are The Issues In Today’s Tax Rate Debate? Tax policy is always a controversial issue, and we’re about to have another round of debate over taxes. At the national level, there are proposals to increase a variety of tax rates. Here in North Carolina, the discussion is about the opposite idea – to reduce some tax rates. In this column, I’ll focus on the North Carolina tax rate debate! There are two reasons tax rate reductions are now being considered in North Carolina. First, thanks to the generous federal fiscal assistance during the pandemic, North Carolina is flush with money and tax revenues. Once completed, the federal money flowing to North Carolina will be fifteen times greater than the income lost from the COVID-19 induced recession. This will help boost the state’s General Fund revenues by billions of dollars above previous forecasts. Some want to send part of these gains back to taxpayers. Others want more spending on a variety of programs. Yet, there’s a potential problem with either big tax reductions or large spending increases. If the current gains in tax revenues are temporary, then making decisions based on short-term revenue spikes could lead to future problems when state revenues return to more normal levels. Alternatively, instead of permanent

tax reductions or spending increases, one time tax rebates or temporary salary bonuses or spending initiatives – like infrastructure – could be used. The second reason for considering tax rate cuts is embedded in a decade long battle over the best way to use tax policy to stimulate North Carolina’s economy. One side argues tax rate cuts make North Carolina more attractive to business investment and job creation, thereby increasing the “economic pie.” Some supporters of tax rate cuts think the economic pie could be enlarged so much as to produce more tax revenues than before the rate cuts. The opposing side wants to keep current tax rates and spend more on education, job training, and other related public programs. This viewpoint argues these initiatives generate economic growth in the long run by making workers more productive and valuable to businesses. The idea of using tax rate cuts to boost the economy follows an economic philosophy called “supply side economics.” While popularized in the 1980s, supply side economics is not a new idea. In fact, it’s part of the very simple economic principle of incentives. If you want more of something, increase the incentive for providing it. In this case, if you want more economic production (“supply”), then increase the incentive

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

for businesses and workers to make more. By reducing tax rates, companies and workers keep more of what they earn, thereby increasing their motivation to increase production. One of the crucial issues in supply side economics is whether more tax revenue is collected after the rate cut than before the cut. If the answer is “yes,” then it’s like – as my late mother used to say – “having your cake and eating it too.” As a simple example, say a ten percent tax rate brings in $1 billion. If a cut to five percent collects $2 billion, then clearly, both sides of the debate win. Those who want to stimulate the economy win, but those who want more funds for government programs also win. This is why the tussle over tax rate cuts is, in part, an empirical issue where two questions need to be answered. First, do tax rate reductions boost the economy? Second, do tax rate cuts create even more tax revenue? Several studies at the national level have addressed these questions, and the answers appear to be “yes” to the first question and “no” to the second. Tax rate cuts do result in more economic growth, at least temporarily. For example, after the 2017 federal tax rate reductions, economic growth jumped in 2018, but then in 2019 returned to growth rates existing prior to the rate cuts. Still, the additional production and jobs generated in 2018 weren’t lost. It’s just that the rate of increase in production and jobs slowed in 2019. Regarding tax revenues, there’s a strong consensus in the national studies that tax rate reductions don’t produce more tax revenues; instead, they lose tax revenues in total. However, there is some recovery due to faster economic growth. So, for example, say a tax rate is reduced from 10 percent to five percent. With no additional economic growth, tax revenues would fall by 50 percent. Based on the national studies, tax revenues would still fall, but by a rate closer to 30 percent. Several years ago, I replicated the national studies for North Carolina. Interestingly, I found close to the same results for the state as other studies did for the nation. Lower tax rates – especially for the individual income tax and the sales tax – motivate more business activity; that is, the cuts grow the state economy. But total tax revenues fall, even after accounting for the revenues generated from new economic growth. Both tax issues – whether we have too much tax revenues today due to the size of federal COVID-19 help, and whether we need tax rate cuts to stimulate the economy – come down to the same question: how do we want spending to be

split between the private sector and the public sector? Is spending best done by individuals, households, and businesses, because they know what they want and value? Or is there spending that is needed and can only be done by the government? I think most of us would agree that both types of spending are needed. The question is, where do we draw the line between private and public spending? That’s a big, big you decide! You Decide: Which Economic Scenario - Good Or Bad - Will Emerge? Mark Twain once said, ‘It’s difficult to make predictions, particularly about the future.’ Economists like me often use the comment as an opening line in our public presentations. The reasons are, the quote is funny, and it’s usually very true. Actually, right now, forecasting the immediate future appears to be easy. We are coming back from the deep drop in the economy a year ago due to the pandemic. The economy was doing reasonably well prior to the pandemic, so it was expected it would rebound rather rapidly once the virus was contained. We have already seen strong economic growth, and the strength is expected to continue into next year. It’s beyond next year where the uncertainty begins. The farther away a forecast is from the present, the more that unknown factors can enter to make the forecast wrong. As cleverly articulated by the late Donald Rumsfeld, these unknown factors are of two types. One is ‘known unknowns,’ meaning you know you don’t exactly know something. An economic example would be future inflation rates. The second, and more troubling, type is ‘unknown unknowns.’ These are factors we don’t know but don’t know; we don’t know them. In other words, we are blind to them. Inventions are a great example. Twenty years ago, did anyone have the ability to predict the impacts that smartphones, the internet, and social media would have on today’s economy? The point is, long term economic forecasts are plagued by both types of unknowns, and therefore those forecasts should be viewed with a large number of grains of salt. Rather than trying to pinpoint the economic future, it may be more useful to look at forecasts for the extremes – the optimistic future and the pessimistic future. This is exactly what I’ll do here. Indeed, with the disruption to the economy from the pandemic and with major disagreements over policy initiatives, the gulf between the optimistic and pessimistic futures appears to be quite wide. Let’s start with the optimistic scenario. Optimists see a future of strong growth, low unemployment, modest

inflation and interest rates, and a broader range of beneficiaries participating in this positive future. A combination of private and public initiatives will generate this bright outlook. The private sector will continue creating new innovations. Many of these will be in the technology sector. The innovations will make life better and work more productive. However,

the innovations will be disruptive to the labor market, destroying some jobs but creating others. Fast and effective worker retraining will help move workers from discarded jobs to new ones. Interestingly, this optimistic outlook can be predicted by groups on both sides of the political spectrum, but for different reasons. Left-of-center groups see the economy improving only with

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On the edge of common sense Ted’s Big Steer

Ted and his dad needed some cows to stock their little ranch in Oklahoma, and they needed ‘em right away. A local trader solved their problem and injected a couple of loads into them. By fall Ted began to notice one calf that stood taller than the rest. Must’ve had some Chianina blood coursing through his veins. They called him Alf. They got the big calf castrated and branded and watched him grow like a weed. After several months Ted gathered a bunch to ship. But Alf ducked back. Ted shook out a loop and gave chase. “Let ‘im go!” said Dad, “We’ll get him next time!” Early spring, they went to feedin’ cake to the herd. Alf was now a yearlin’. Ted kept thinkin’ he’d get a rope on him, but Alf was too smart. He’d hang back ‘til the truck pulled forward, then he’d hit the cake. “Yer better off just lettin’ him go,” said Dad. “We’ll get him eventually.” Over the next two years, Ted became a master of the bait - trap - ambush sneak attack methods of capturing a wild beast. He actually tricked Alf into a set of corrals only to see him clear the 4½ foot board fence like a hunter jumper. His last fall, Alf was big as an army ambulance. He let himself get gathered with the cows knowing he could escape at will, but Bwana Ted had reinforced his alleys, making them too high for Alf to jump out of. Ted sorted off all the cows but one, leaving her in the alley with Alf. You could almost hear the chalk squawkin’ on the blackboard inside Ted’s brain. He

backed a closed top stock trailer into one end of the alley and opened the tailgate. He figgered he would take both to the sale if both accidentally loaded. Sure ‘nuf, one loaded. The cow, of course! Alf was circlin’ like a hammerhead shark in the shallow end of the pool. Rust and metal filings flew out Ted’s ears as he plotted his next move. With Dad’s help as a diversion (bait, some would say), Ted snuck into the back end of the alley, driving the tractor with the loader bucket six feet in the air. Suspended from the bucket with chains was an eight foot steel panel. It just cleared the sides of the alley. Ted drove slowly down the alley until Alf was six feet from the open trailer tailgate. Alf was bouncing off the boards and metal. Splinters flew, welds broke, bolts came loose, cannons boomed, flags fluttered, palm trees bent, and waves crashed as Alf turned the earth into a whale wallow! Ted invoked the cowboy spirit and leaped up into the loader bucket. His eyes blazed with fury, his body tensed, his mind temporarily left the scene of the impending wreck. He was almost eyeball to eyeball with the raging behemoth. Alf paused in surprise. Ted rose to his full height and screamed at the top of his lungs! Alf tucked his tail and loaded like a milk pen calf. When he crossed the scale at the sale the next day, he weighed 1,750. Brought nearly a thousand dollars. Dad’s still trying to talk Ted into getting’ some more like him.

a strong dose of public spending. They think it is essential to have initiatives for both physical infrastructure (roads, bridges, electric grid, internet) and human infrastructure (a stronger social safety net, expansion in education and training expenditures) to realize the economic growth needed for a brighter future. Conversely, right-of-center groups are more skeptical of large scale increases in public spending and taxes, worrying they may impede economic growth. These groups prefer lower taxes and fewer regulations as ways to grow the economy. The pessimistic scenario for the economic outlook has two sources. One is the status of the economy prior to the pandemic. Although the economy was expanding, the growth rate was significantly lower than in previous decades. Even the massive 2017 tax cuts couldn’t elevate the growth trajectory. A falling birth rate, lagging educational improvements, and disappointing gains from tech inventions are some of the reasons given for the subpar growth. At best, pessimists say we will return to the lukewarm pre-pandemic economic growth rates. However, some pessimists think the “excesses” associated with

the pandemic will make the economy even worse. In their view, the excesses include massive spending and borrowing, excessively low interest rates, substantial money creation by the Federal Reserve, an unsustainable stock market boom, and the possibility of significantly higher tax rates. Economies often react negatively to excesses, leading some pessimists to forecast a severe economic recession on the horizon. There may be a middle ground between the optimistic and pessimistic forecasts. It relies on improving economic efficiency. If workers, businesses, and even the government can improve outputs relative to inputs, then the economy could grow fast enough to absorb the recently created excesses. Of course, we’d want these efficiency gains to be broad based to all segments of the economy while also not creating more environmental degradation. This is a tall order and could be the biggest challenge of the century. Meanwhile, there will be continuing debates about the alternative paths of the future economy. And at the individual level, maybe you’ll decide what Mark Twain said about predicting was true!

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They are Called Pests for a Reason Summer is here, and with the warmer weather, unwanted pests are making an appearance. Flies and internal parasites are more than nuisances; they make animals uncomfortable, transmit disease, and can impact profitability. Although eradication is not feasible, management is possible. During a recent National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattlemen’s Webinar Series event, speakers shared proactive solutions and practices that producers can put to work on their operations to manage pests and keep animals and the bottom line healthy. “Our goal as producers is to manage cattle effectively so they utilize available forage and convert it into more profitable products like meat,” said Paul Kropp, national accounts manager for Central Life Sciences. “Flies create stress and discomfort in our animals, hindering performance. Maximizing herd efficiency and comfort are keys to improving revenue potential.” According to Dr. Sonja Swiger, associate professor and veterinary/ medical extension entomologist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, external parasites cost the U.S. beef cattle industry $2.4 billion annually, with $1 billion of that cost attributed to horn flies alone. When each horn fly takes 30-40 bloodmeals per day, cattle spend their time switching their tails and kicking their bellies, creating stress and negatively impacting performance. Horn flies are known to be vectors for at least 65 diseases, including pink eye and mastitis, and their biting behavior can lower milk quality, affect pregnancy rates, lower body condition scores, and decrease weaning weights. According to Kropp, increased stress, blood loss, and reduced grazing caused by biting flies can result in losses up to $40 per animal.

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Kropp suggests that 200 horn flies per animal is the economic threshold where animals will perform up to their potential. Over that amount, efficiency and productivity can start to decline. Although there is no one “silver bullet” to manage the fly problem, various options exist, such as insecticide ear tags, liquid pour-ons, and feed-through fly control. “Ear tags have some limitations since the insecticide begins to dissipate within 70-75 days,” said Kropp. “Feed-through fly control works through the entire season, and we’ve seen increased weight gains in cattle fed fly control solutions.” Kropp’s biggest advice is to get ahead of fly emergence, limit animal stress, and don’t let flies steal the gains. External insects such as flies are easy to see and identify as a problem; however, other pests such as internal parasites can be more difficult to diagnose even though their impact on animal health is just as detrimental. “Parasitic diseases caused by roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms, and liver flukes can impair the health, reproduction, growth, and productivity of cattle,” said Swiger. “In order to effectively control internal parasites, producers first need to know which ones they are dealing with.” Dr. Megan Schnur, technical service veterinarian for Norbrook, agrees, stressing the importance of diagnostics, such as using fecal egg counts, to determine the parasite and then select the “right drug for the bug.” According to Schnur, cattle can tolerate and naturally fight off a certain number of parasites, but when the number gets too high, animal health is impacted. Understanding the parasite, host, and environment, as well as the interaction among the three, is important to managing

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

parasites. “Producers should consider animal age as well as immune system and nutritional status when selecting treatment products, in addition to understanding the parasite’s life cycle,” said Schnur. There are two major classes of deworming products: macrocyclic lactones (ivermectins) and benzimidazoles, also known as white dewormers. Each has a different mode of action, and while ivermectins have some extended effect on parasites, white dewormers only work in the gut with no longer term effects, according to Schnur. Schnur provided some deworming protocol options. “If you are rotating dewormers, be sure to use products in different classes, not different dewormers in the same class,” she said. “Another option is concurrent or combination deworming, administering more than one dewormer at the same time, which offers a broader spectrum of protection and has shown increased efficacy and a slower development of resistance.” Treatment timing also plays a critical role, selecting the right product, the right dose at the right time. Schnur’s advice is to monitor the success of the treatment program, evaluate and make changes as necessary. “Producers should consider best practices and practical realities of herd management when developing a well-rounded parasite control program,”

she said. “Consider ease of application, cost effectiveness and withdrawal times as well.” Effective pasture management with rotational grazing is another way to reduce parasite infestations. Larvae only move up 2-4 inches on blades of grass, so if cattle are moved before grass is grazed shorter, they are less likely to consume the larvae. Resting pastures also allows sunlight and heat to kill the larvae. Basic hygiene practices such as cleaning up feeding areas and spreading manure also help with internal and external pest management. There are a lot of options when it comes to pest control, and all speakers stressed the importance of establishing a relationship with local veterinarians and extension agents to understand unique geographic and environmental pest factors and to provide diagnostic services and treatment options. “Producers want to maximize pounds of beef per acre, and in order to reach an animal’s full genetic potential and increase efficiency, managing pests is critical. Spending money up front on pest control results in positive returns on investment,” concluded Kropp. To view recordings from the Cattlemen’s Webinar Series and learn about upcoming webinars, click on the Producers tab at www.NCBA.org.

S.C. Charolais News By GEORGEANNE WEBB S.C. Charolais Association

The Charolais folks are busy getting ready for the Southern Connection Sale to be held on the new date, October 9, at the Knoxville Livestock Barn in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Georgia folks decided to move to Knoxville because we get more consignors and buyers when they sell from that barn. We are going to have a lot of cattle in this sale, and with the outlook for cattle in better shape for the fall, this would be a good time to take advantage of quality cattle. Dennis Adams is going to travel around and screen this time so you can rest assured that you can obtain top quality. I am consigning three heifers and several breeding age bulls, including my ET Cigar son that I am pulling off my herd. The first of October will be a nice time to travel through the mountains for a sale. We are all busy getting ready for fall hay season and the upcoming Junior

Beef Round-Up at Clemson to be held in August. Along with weaning spring calves and getting ready for the sale, it is a busy time for purebred breeders. There is no bad news to report this month (hooray). As far as I know, no one is sick or having any problems. I have not forgotten about pushing “the powers that be” to help get large animal vets in the area, but it will probably be November or December before I can get things progressing. I will be sending out letters to the “powers that be” to come up with a solution. I have been called twice this month to come help pull a calf for folks as they couldn’t find a vet. We lost one of the calves. There has got to be a solution, and I intend to get a ball rolling somewhere. The heat is brutal this time of year so check on your friends and neighbors, especially the elderly.

Global Roundtable announces commitment to reduce net global warming impact of beef 30 percent by 2030 through global sustainability goals. Recently, the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) announced the launch of its global sustainability goals – commitments to advance and improve the sustainability of the global beef value chain. Established by GRSB, the goals will be led and implemented by members of the Roundtable. Many consider one of the biggest challenges facing the world today is climate change, and the global beef industry has a key role to play in mitigating it. Through its worldwide network of members, GRSB intends to power progress in sustainable beef by setting ambitious goals around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving land use, and enhancing best practices in animal welfare. The three key areas of focus outlined in these goals have been carefully identified to reflect priority areas for advancement and improvement. GRSB’s mission is to ensure that beef maintains a sustainable global supply chain and solidifies its role as part of a sustainable food system. Climate: Reducing global warming impact on a pathway to climate neutrality - GRSB aims to globally reduce by 30 percent the net global warming impact of each unit of beef by 2030 on a pathway to climate neutrality. In order to support the urgent global ambition of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5ºF by 2030, GRSB members will implement and incentivize climate smart beef production, processing, and trade, while safeguarding and building upon the carbon stores in soil and landscapes. Reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases requires both emissions reduction and carbon sequestration, making agriculture a key player in positively sequestering carbon in soils – the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that grasslands alone could sequester 54-216 million tonnes of carbon annually by 2030. Many GRSB members, including all processors and major retailers, and several producer organizations, have already set goals that align with the broader GRSB goal. Roundtable members are also committing to investing in research and development of climate smart practices, tools, and knowledge. Investment has already been made in areas including detailed analysis of carbon sequestration – members will now look beyond how to manage carbon sequestration and how it can be more

News

effectively measured on an ongoing basis. Land Use: Ensuring the beef value chain is a net positive contributor - By 2030, GRSB and its members will ensure the beef value chain is a net positive contributor to nature. The Roundtable’s belief is that sustainable beef production can and should have a net positive impact on nature. In order to achieve this goal, GRSB will work with national and regional roundtables to establish measurement metrics to effectively measure, track, report, and verify progress. Many producers and farmers are already net positive contributors to nature. GRSB members will finance, source, develop, support, and share practices throughout the entire value chain that are designed to sustain and restore grazing lands, enhance resilience, conserve forests, grasslands, and native vegetation, increase biodiversity, and help reverse ecological decline. GRSB is working with its members and key stakeholders to eliminate illegal deforestation and illegal conversion as a priority. Beef farmers and ranchers will have access to greater financing from members within the Roundtable and recognition where no contribution to additional deforestation is made. It is widely recognized that scientific developments will play a huge factor across each goal, hence the investment in research and development. GRSB’s members will encourage adoption of science based land management practices that will maintain healthier soils, generate additional carbon sequestration, promote efficient water use, and increase biodiversity – protecting flora and fauna. Animal Health and Welfare: Providing cattle with a good quality of life - Sustainable beef means providing cattle with an environment in which they can thrive – health and welfare are the major contributors to doing so. GRSB members will focus their efforts on continuing to improve the quality of life for cattle, achieved through increased adoption of best practices in disease prevention, treatment measures, cattle handling, and appropriate genetics. Roundtable members will work together, and alongside beef farmers and ranchers, to encourage continuous learning and adoption of best practices across the beef supply chain that will improve welfare and increase the ability of cattle to thrive in accordance with the World Organization for Animal Health. Increasing training opportunities by 25

percent (based on 2020 levels) will help ensure responsible practices, such as ensuring comfort, allowing animals to express normal patterns of behavior, and pain mitigation, are implemented. GRSB members will develop or adopt practical tracking of the effectiveness of the training while continuing to focus their efforts on minimizing morbidity and mortality with measurable improvements for each. All value chain partners, from farm to plate, will be encouraged to support and invest in the continuous improvement of cattle’s health and well being. Ruaraidh Petre, Executive Director of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, said, “The world relies on beef, and the industry relies on a healthy world to produce it. That’s why there is growing momentum in the industry to protect and nurture the earth’s natural resources. “The conversation around beef sustainability is more important now than ever, and we recognize the need for beef to be more environmentally sound, more socially responsible, and more economically viable. “The goals which we have launched are a commitment from the global beef industry, articulating the role and responsibility that we are taking together towards achieving a more sustainable ecosystem. “Our goals are ambitious, and we may not yet have all the solutions to achieve them. By focusing our efforts, we aim to inspire research and investment in

science and innovation that will unlock their potential impact.” Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, fourth generation rancher and Director at The Calgary Stampede, said, “Beef is not only part of a vital food system, but a hundredbillion-dollar industry that supports farmers, ranchers, families, and communities in almost every country all around the world. “Much is already being done to preserve grasslands, adopt regenerative practices, protect forests, enhance carbon sequestration, and optimize resources, but there is strong recognition of the need and opportunity to do more. “The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is a worldwide network of the people and organizations leading this positive change, and these goals represent our aim to safeguard the natural world.” About the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) is a worldwide network of the people and organizations powering progress in sustainable beef. Across its global roundtable and 12 regional roundtables, GRSB has over 500 members working in 24 different countries. Collectively, its members are responsible for more than ⅔ of cross border beef trade. GRSB powers progress in sustainable beef by setting ambitious goals around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving land use and animal welfare. To help achieve these goals, GRSB champions best practice facilitates the exchange of knowledge and fosters a collaborative approach.

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ANGUS NEWS Celebrating legendary progress with passion, innovation, and achievement. The Angus family heads to Fort Worth, Tex., November 6-8 for the 2021 Angus Convention. Passion, innovation, and achievement represent the Angus breed. Angus breeders, beef cattle enthusiasts, and feeders of the world are all passionate about the work they do day in and day out. In celebration of the past and to continue legendary progress, the American Angus Association invites Angus members, commercial producers, and beef industry professionals to the 2021 Angus Convention and Trade Show hosted in Fort Worth, Tex., on November 6-8. The 2021 Angus Convention will be three days of making connections, finding solutions, and being inspired to foster operational growth and personal leadership. Being innovative is second nature to cattlemen as the industry strives to raise the highest quality product in the most efficient and effective manner. When passion and innovation are coupled, achievement is bound to take place. After a year of virtual events, the power of in-person events will be a highlight of this year’s Angus Convention. Cattleman can network with old and new friends throughout the trade show,

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educational sessions, and convention tours. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with others during several of the receptions featuring Certified Angus Beef (CAB®) brand meals. When attendees aren’t participating in hallway conversations, there will be several educational sessions taking place throughout the three day event. From cattle handling to the latest in genomics, no topic is left uncovered. Take advantage of learning from industry professionals during Angus University sponsored breakout sessions and watch hands-on education by attending a session in the cattle demonstration area. Providing tangible information is a goal for the Association; however, listening to keynote sessions will inspire passion in cattlemen to achieve more and innovate their business. “Regardless of whether you are a member or not, there is value for everyone,” says Mark McCully, American Angus Association CEO. “I invite you to enjoy the company of great friends while listening and learning from the most respected industry professionals.” The Association also invites commercial producers to attend the Angus Convention. Participants will gain perspective from commercial industry leaders on the future of the feeder cattle

marketplace by attending the Capturing Value session. The first-of-its-kind panel will provide insight from video auction representatives, feedyard operators, seedstock producers, and industry professionals alike. “The AngusLink team was excited to offer this opportunity to commercial producers for the first time ever,” says Troy Marshall, director of commercial industry relations for the Association. “We invite producers to attend all educational sessions, but we created the Capturing Value panel to help directly benefit those in the feeder calf business.” The 138 th Annual Convention of Delegates for the American Angus Association will also convene this year, where representatives from each state will elect new members and officers to the Board of Directors and look to the future for the Angus breed. Registration for the 2021 Angus Convention and Trade Show is now open. Learn more about the convention sessions, speakers, tours, and more on www.angusconvention.com. Angus breeders engage in premiere education at Beef Leaders Institute (BLI). Young Angus breeders gather for a week of producer education and development. Staying progressive takes work and assuming a consistent posture to learn. On June 14-17, 16 young American Angus Association members from across the country gathered for the 2021 Beef Leaders Institute hosted by American Angus Association and funded by the Angus Foundation and Certified Angus Beef. The program’s goal is to provide the complete pasture to plate experience from the selection of genetics to breeding,

45 First Calf Heifers

• Preg checked • Calving from mid to late October through December (maybe January)

42 Ready to Work Heifers • First calf already weaned...second baby in the womb • Preg checked after weaning • Cows available on farm after weaning in September

*Black Commercial Cattle

•All heifers sired by Future Focus • Yon calving ease bull genetics on all calves

registration, packing, and retail. “We believe there is no better learning opportunity than through handson learning,” said Caitlyn Brandt, events and industry partnership manager at the American Angus Association. “BLI is a great opportunity for young cattlemen and women to network and really get to learn about how the moving parts of the industry intertwine.” Starting June 14, participants began the program at the American Angus Association in Saint Joseph. While at the Association, the BLI class had the chance to meet with staff and learn about various departments and programs offered at 3201 Frederick Avenue. From visiting with Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) president, Kelli Retallick-Riley, and learning about the genetic evaluation, to meeting with the director of verification services, Ginette Gottswiller, and learning how to add value to your commercial herd, the education spanned to cover each sector of the beef industry. “This week was an incredible deep dive and allowed me to catch up on the current state of technology and breeding of Angus cattle,” said Bradley Wolter of Aviston, Illinois. “I am aware of significantly more resources available to me as a breeder and looking forward to leveraging those and pushing them to customers.” Participants had the chance to hear from professionals on the retail side of the industry and dive into how the Certified Angus Beef brand brings extra value to producers. While at the brand headquarters in Wooster, Ohio, the onstaff meat scientist communicated how to fabricate wholesale cuts and the in-house chef prepared an eating experience fit for a king. A huge benefit of BLI is the networking opportunities the experience offers. Attendees from all regions of the United States brought their individual skill sets and knowledge together to learn from each other. “Networking was huge. The opportunity to spend a full week with some of the most talented up-and-coming breeders was second to none,” Wolter said. “What makes the beef industry so unique is we are creating this protein from a diverse set of producers. “The participants in the group were every bit as important of resources as the Association was.” Providing continued education for the Angus membership is a priority of the Association. BLI is designed to provide members ages 24-45 with the resources to seek insight into all segments of the beef

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American Angus Association News continued from page 24 industry. Attendees will be stronger, more effective leaders for the Angus breed and beef industry now and in the future. For more information on BLI and applying to be a part of the Class of 2022, visit www. angus.org/Event/BLIEntryForm. Look for the 2022 application to be available in early November. Vote for Delegates Now. Signed ballots must be received by August 10 to be counted. State and district ballots were mailed on July 9 to eligible voting members to elect delegates and alternate delegates to represent each state or district at the 2021 American Angus Association Annual Convention of Delegates. Signed ballots must be received in the Association office no later than 5:30 p.m. on August 10 to be counted. Each active life and active regular Association membership that qualified as an eligible voting member should receive a ballot in the mail and may vote for no more than the number of delegates allowed for the state or district. Details of the entire election process can be found in the Association’s Breeder’s Reference Guide, which is available online at www.angus.org. Elected delegates will conduct Association business at the 138th Annual Convention of Delegates during the National Angus Convention & Trade Show. If a delegate cannot attend, an alternate delegate can then vote. Members can mail their ballots to Association headquarters at 3201 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64506 in the self addressed envelope included with the ballot. Learn more about the upcoming National Angus Convention online at www.angusconvention.com, including details on world class education, entertainment, and an expansive trade show. Passion and achievement displayed by Angus breeders. Angus members receive recognition at the 2021 Beef Improvement Federation Convention. Improving or bettering an operation or industry is never an easy task, but the members of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) take on this challenge with honor and pride. Beef cattle enthusiasts, breeders, researchers, and industry professionals gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, for the 2021 BIF Research Symposium and Convention held on June 22-25. From the young producer’s symposium to industry leading research, participants were well educated. The American Angus Association was also proud to have several members being

recognized. Providing leadership and direction for an organization takes passion, energy, and time. Fortunately, the Association has members that are willing to go above and beyond to help and serve the industry. The BIF Board consists of both Association staff and Angus members. Troy Marshall, director of commercial industry relations, and Kelli Retallick-Riley, president of Angus Genetics Inc., continue to serve another year. Matt Perrier of Eureka, Kan., took on the role of president of the BIF board of directors, and Joe Epperly of Albion, Neb., is now the vice president. Perrier and Epperly are Association members and Angus cattlemen. Academically, two of the three scholarships were awarded to Angus members. Past Miss American Angus, Eva Hinrichsen, received the Roy Wallace Scholarship for her commitment and service to the beef cattle industry. Hinrichsen is a junior at Oklahoma State University, where she is an animal science undergraduate student who is highly involved in agricultural and university activities. Maci Mueller, a Nebraska native and University of California-Davis graduate student, was the award winner for the Baker/Cundiff scholarship. Mueller wrote the winning essay titled “Gene Editing as a Tool for Genetic Improvement of Beef Cattle.” Aside from encouraging the younger generation, BIF presents a Pioneer Award to honor those who have paved the way and made lasting contributions to the improvement of the beef industry. During the symposium, Angus breeder Galen Fink of Randolph, Kan., was one recipient of this award. Dave Nichols presented the award and shared that Galen has “never been afraid to take risks, dream big, and look for opportunities that no operations have done.” Additionally, Dr. Gene Rouse and Dr. Doyle Wilson were the other recipients of the BIF Pioneer Award. Dr. Rouse and Dr. Wilson played an integral role in the research and implementation of ultrasound scan data on breeding cattle. Their work made profound impacts on the way cattle are evaluated today. The Association congratulates Galen Fink, Dr. Gene Rouse, and Dr. Doyle Wilson for their leadership and service to the entire beef industry. Nominating a BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year and a Commercial Producer of the Year was also a highlight for the Association when both Angus nominees were named finalists. Jim and Missy Moore of Moore Cattle Company

in Charleston, Ark., were nominated by the Association for the Commercial Producer of the Year Award. The Moores believe in raising high caliber cattle to increase demand for quality beef and a memorable eating experience. Their philosophy is: Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Woodhill Farms of Viroqua, Wis., is also focused on quality and beef improvement as they were conominated as Seedstock Producer of the Year by the Association. Brian McCulloh manages Woodhill Farms and has been highly involved over the years with the Angus breed and beef cattle industry. Spending three days in Des Moines, Iowa, was filled with industry trends, new research, and plenty of networking time. More than that, the Association is proud of the members who continue to step up to the plate and face industry challenges. To join the family and learn more about registered Angus cattle, visit www.Angus. org or call the Association office in St. Joseph, Mo., at 816-383-5100.

The Angus Foundation holds Annual Golf Tournament. The Angus Foundation held its 20th Annual Golf Tournament in Grand Island, Nebraska. The Angus Foundation teed off the Annual Angus Foundation Golf Tournament at the Indianhead Golf Club in Grand Island, Neb., on July 13, in conjunction with the 2021 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). This year’s tournament was the largest to date with 24 teams and raised over $31,000 to help continue the Foundation’s mission of education, youth, and research. With the cancellation of the 2020 tournament, this year marked the 20th golf tournament for the Foundation. “The Angus Foundation Golf Tournament is a great opportunity to bring together adults and juniors to support the efforts of the Angus Foundation,” said Thomas Marten, Angus Foundation,

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American Angus Association News continued from the previous page Executive Director. “We were so excited to be able to host the annual event again this year.” This year’s tournament winners include: Flight A – Scott Grass, Cole Greiman, Jess Recknor, and Jay Steenhoek Flight B – Kevin Dahn, Matt Jordan, Joe Mather, and Craig Moffitt Flight C – John Allen, Charlie Brunker, A.J. Rogers, and Chance Stout This year, the tournament was sponsored by ABS Global Inc., a cattle genetics and technology company. The luncheon and Event Hole Flags were sponsored by NEOGEN. The Club House sponsors were Connealy Angus from Whitman, Neb., and Heritage Farm from Shelbyville, Kentucky. The Beverage Cart sponsor was Brinkley Angus Ranch from Milan, Missouri. Tee Box sponsors included: • American Angus Association Regional Managers • Burns Angus - Oxford, Iowa & Curran Cattle Promotions – Chariton, Iowa

• The Cozzitorito Family – Olathe, Kansas • Deer Valley Farm - Fayetteville, Tennessee • Groveland Farm, Chuck & Ruth Grove – Forest, Virginia • Heritage Farm – Shelbyville, Kentucky • Craig & Gayle Jones of Jones Angus – Benson, North Carolina • Bill & Cheryl Fairbairn of Lisnageer Farm – Coatesville, Pennsylvania • Olson Land & Cattle – Hereford, Texas • Pennsylvania Junior Angus Association • Garrett D. Pohlman, M.D., Prostate Health Podcast – Kearney, Nebraska • Turner Meadow Ranch – Wills Point, Texas • Ward Brothers Livestock – Plattsburg, Missouri • Wood Angus – Willow Spring, North Carolina Hole sponsors included: • BUB Ranch LLC – Koshkonong, Missouri

Wilkes Livestock Exchange 106 Armory Road • PO Box 2146 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 Phone: 336-838-3442 • Fax: 336-838-3591 Weekly Sales - Wednesdays - 1:30 p.m. Take-up Tuesday Evenings

Catching and Hauling Services Available

Shelmer Blackburn, Jr.

919-270-1522 • shelmerblackburn@hotmail.com

Seth Church

336-927-5370 • sethchurch@charter.net PAGE 28

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• Joe, Susan, & Truman Byergo of Byergo Beef Genetics, LLC – Dearborn, Missouri • David, Jeanene, & Dawson Dal Porto of Dal Porto Livestock – Oakley, California • Double Diamond Angus – Chrisman, Illinois • Dyar Angus - Crossville, Alabama • Kurt & Tina Greiman of G5 Cattle Company – Perry, Iowa • Kansas Junior Angus Association • Lazy JB Angus – Montrose, Colorado • R&B Feeds, LLC – Atlantic, Iowa • Rogen Angus – Brandon, South Dakota • Doug, Cathy, & Daniel Rohrbaugh – Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania • Shaw Family Angus – Hodgenville, Kentucky • Sunny Okanogan Angus – Omak, Washington • Taylorville FFA Chapter – Taylorville, Illinois • Loran B. Wilson & Family Angus – Orleans, Indiana • Wisconsin Junior Angus Association Flag sponsors included: • Harry H. Bachman Auctioneer – Annville, Pennsylvania • Brandt Farms – Corning, Iowa • Eddie Burks – Park City, Kentucky • Greiman Family Angus – Garner, Iowa

• Hinman Angus – Malta, Montana • Rance Long – Vinita, Oklahoma • Midwest Marketer – Corning, Iowa • Andy Mack Penny Farms • Tuckwiller Brothers Farm – Lewisburg, West Virginia About the Angus Foundation. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth, and research. The organization has distributed more than $2.9 million in youth scholarships since 1998 and has also invested more than $1.3 million in beef cattle research throughout the past decade. For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or visit www.angusfoundation.org. Angus Means Business. The American Angus Association ® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by nearly 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers, and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers. For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.

Kentucky Beef Book Available Online Beef cattle have been a major part of Kentucky’s rich agricultural history for more than two centuries. The most recent beef cattle inventory counted more than 2.16 million head, making Kentucky’s beef herd the eighth largest in United States and the largest east of the Mississippi River. The beef integrated resource management team for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment recently put their popular, comprehensive Kentucky Beef Book online to benefit as many producers as possible. “This book is a great resource for the state’s many beef producers,” said Les Anderson, UK extension beef specialist in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. “Moving the publication online will allow for easy access to a wealth of knowledge about beef production in Kentucky.” The book contains the history of cattle production in Kentucky and details beef educational programs UK provides. The digital book covers every aspect of beef production and includes chapters on forages, environmental compliance, care and handling facilities, managing reproduction, planning the genetics program, health and management techniques, end product and food safety, beef cattle marketing concepts, management skills, and record keeping for management decisions. To view or download ID-108: The Kentucky Beef Book, visit www2.ca.uky. edu/agc/pubs/ID/ID108/ID108.pdf. Additionally, cattle enthusiasts may view a full listing of all UK Beef Extension publications at www.afs.ca.uky.edu/beef/ publications.

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ANGUS

NORTHCAROLINAANGUSASSOCIATION

NEWS

and Kim Starnes – Treasurer. The afternoon featured speaker was Dr. Lee Duckworth III of Grassy Valley Angus in Greeneville, Tennessee. Dr. Duckworth discussed the history of Grassy Valley Angus and how the farm and cattle have progressed over the last 45 years. He stressed the need for consistency in the total operation of

By SHARON ROGERS, NCAA Executive Secretary

Windy Hill Farms Hosts N.C. Angus Field Day Windy Hill Farms in Ramseur, N.C., served as host for the 2021 N.C. Angus Association Field day and annual business meeting. Mike Moss and his son Will had a wonderful location for the event. Angus members and cattle producers from across the state came out to learn more about marketing Angus genetics and to view Windy Hill Farms.

Reese Tuckwiller, AAA Regional Manager, discussing pictures and videoing.

location, and best equipment for getting the perfect shot. The second session featured Mark Wilburn of Uwharrie Ridge Farms and Charlie Thomas of TX Enterprises. Their topic was getting cattle ready for a sale with proper nutrition and grooming. Mark gave tips on feeds and

NCAA Vice President Mike Moss presents outgoing NCAA President Dr. Eugene Shuffler with his President’s Recognition of Service to the N.C. Angus Association.

The 2020 Annual Meeting of the N.C. Angus Association was held after lunch. Committee reports were presented, but due to COVID-19, many of the normal association events were canceled or postponed last year. A special presentation was made to outgoing President Dr. Eugene Shuffler for his dedication and service to the N.C. Angus Association for the last two years. During Reese demonstrating the best hardware for pictures and videos.

Windy Hill Farms heifer calves. A nice, uniform set of females.

Mike Moss welcomes everyone to Windy Hill Farms and the NCAA Field Day.

To kick off the day, Mike Moss welcomed everyone and gave a brief history of the farm. Bryan Blinson, Executive Director of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, then presented an overview of current cattle industry topics. Next, the group moved out to the farm for two educational sessions. The first session featured Reese Tuckwiller, AAA Regional Manager, and Zach Moffitt of Zach Moffitt Marketing discussing how to effectively capture quality videos and photos of sale cattle. Carolina Scarlett presented her heifer as Reese and Zach discussed the time of day,

Teresa Swisher checking in attendees.

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Mark Wilburn and Charlie Thomas explain the best methods for feeding and grooming cattle for sales.

feeding timelines to have cattle in optimal condition for any sale. Charlie discussed clipping and grooming to make cattle look their best for sale day. Jonathan Scarlett provided a heifer for Mark and Charlie to use during their discussion.

the meeting, a new group of NCAA board members were selected by the membership. Greg Collins, Louis Fulcher, Scott London, Roy Swisher, and Michael Wyatt were elected to serve on the NCAA board for three years. The board of directors also held a brief business meeting during the event to elect new officers. New officers are Mike Moss – President, Callie Carson – Vice President,

the farm, from the cattle they produce to how they interact with their customers. Grassy Valley held its 28 th Annual Production Sale in April of 2021, so the Duckworth family has a strong understanding of marketing Angus cattle, and we really appreciated him sharing his years of experience. All of the presenters then gathered for a panel discussion to summarize the topics of the day. Attendees asked lots of questions, and it was a great way to conclude the educational sessions. A very informative tour of Windy Hill Farms rounded out the day. Mike and

N.C. Junior Angus Association served lunch.

The N.C. Junior Angus Association served a wonderful beef brisket lunch, and attendees were able to interact with the event sponsors during this time. A special thank you to the sponsors: Carolina Farm Credit, Cape Fear Farm Credit, Ag Carolina, Sink Farm Equipment, Clifton Seed Co., Carolinas Animal Health, Deal-Rite Feeds, Purina, and The Barn Loft.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

NCAA Officers and Board of Directors. First row – Sharon Rogers, Executive Secretary and Mike Moss, President; second row – Eugene Shuffler, Immediate Past President, Callie Carson, Vice President, James Britt, and John Smith; third row – Zach Moffitt, Michael Wyatt, Greg Collins, Henry Vines; fourth row – Kim Starnes and Mark Wilburn.

North Carolina Angus Association ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling. All presenters gathered for a Question and Answer session.

Will took the group around the farm, and everyone was able to see their outstanding cattle, facilities, and draw some valuable knowledge on pasture management from Mike, who has a Ph.D. from N.C. State University in plant pathology. Thank you to the Moss family for working so hard to host a wonderful field day. Also, thank you to the annual meeting committee chairman Roy Swisher for pulling together all the presenters for the day. It was a great field day, and everyone left with new knowledge to take home and incorporate into their operations.

4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 info@tarheelangus.com 455 GORE FAMILY ANGUS Mark & Lori Gore Tabor City 702-401-8005 455goreangus@gmail.com www.455farms.com BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) robinbackcreek@att.net Facebook: Back Creek Angus

Dr. Lee Duckworth III of Grassy Valley Angus in Greenville, Tenn., explains their system of marketing Angus genetics.

BB ORGANIC FARM NC, LLC Bob & Elissa Miller Louisburg 919-414-7753 BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com BRIDGES BEEF CATTLE Eddie, Cindy, John, & Crystal Bridges Shelby 704-692-2978 bridgesbeefcattle@gmail.com BRITT FAMILY FARMS James Britt Calypso 919-738-6331 jrb4070@hotmail.com

Windy Hill Farms bull calves being developed for the 2021 Southeast Bull Expo and Sale.

C-CROSS CATTLE COMPANY Duane Strider Asheboro 336-964-6277 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com G&G FAMILY FARMS Darren & Paul Gore Tabor City 843-458-2970 goreangus1@gmail.com goreangusfarms.com GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 jennham@bellsouth.net HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 gmhill@uga.edu JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com

The Carolina Cattle Connection

KNOLL CREST FARM The Bennett Family Red House,VA 434-376-3567 knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com www.knollcrestfarm.com LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Gates 252-357-1279 ritalane@embarqmail.com PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 sandjfarms2013@gmail.com SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Alex Askew Louisburg 919-880-9062 (Phil) 910-260-2899 (Alex) philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 greg.little@ATImetals.com UWHARRIE RIDGE FARMS Mark Wilburn Asheboro 336-953-0521 uwharrieridgefarms@gmail.com VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 keaton@vandemarkfarms.com WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 michaelmoss@rtmc.net WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 winslowgen@gmail.com WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com

Sharon Rogers

NCAA Executive Secretary 336-583-9630 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org

q AUGUST 2021

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Certified Angus Beef News Certified Angus Beef interns join for the summer. Classroom knowledge is important, but cultivating skills happens through applied, hands-on learning. Two carnivore college students connect their passion and crafts this summer as Certified Angus Beef interns. Paige Holbrooks, producer communications intern, is putting her learned skills to practice serving cattlemen. Her upbringing on a cow/calf operation in West Texas makes pursuing an agricultural career natural for Holbrooks. The senior in agriculture media and communication at West Texas A&M University will create content for cattlemen, including social media posts, feature stories, website copy, photos, and video. “In high school, I participated in 4-H and FFA. I discovered sharing stories about agriculture was my calling,” Holbrooks says. “I didn’t know what that would look like then or that it would lead me to Ohio.” While in college, she wrote for the Lamesa Press Reporter, a local paper near her hometown, and was a Texas Beef Council ambassador. These past experiences and her ranch background provide a solid foundation for Holbrooks to build on in sharing information for farmers and ranchers. “I am confident that what I learn this summer will prepare me for any job I hold in the industry,” she says. Holbrooks will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in Spring 2022 and plans to pursue a career in ag journalism. Kalyn Blue, digital marketing intern, is working to support the brand’s consumer communications team. Blue attributes her passion for beef to tagging along with her dad and grandfather at an early age. Her farm experience led her to The Ohio State University, where she is currently a junior studying agriculture communications and meat science. “Coming from an agriculture background has led me to my passion, and I couldn’t see myself in any other field,” Blue says. After serving as the Fulton County 4-H program assistant last summer and participating in 4-H and FFA throughout her youth, Blue will build on her past experiences while at the brand. “I am looking forward to this opportunity of growth, both personally

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and professionally, while growing my network,” she says. In her role, Blue will create content for the brand’s social platforms and develop skills in creative copywriting. Blue plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in the spring of 2023 and hopes to find a job where she can continue to promote the quality products that the beef industry has to offer. Not all good days are warm and sunny. When it’s hot and sunny, cattle seek shade. If they can’t find any, it could cost you money. In 2003, scientists estimated heat stress cost the U.S. beef industry $369 million a year. The condition occurs when an animal can’t dissipate heat as fast as it’s incurred. Providing shade when needed is one way to mitigate stress and produce high quality beef. Stress of any kind affects performance and health, but also wellbeing and behavior, a special focus for Colorado State University (CSU) animal scientist Lily Edwards-Callaway. Her team’s literature review found shade benefits vary by location, structure type, and weather. Uncovering more questions than answers, the study lays out a basis for updating previous work with results from modern production at feedyards and packing plants. “Cattle management practices have progressed and technology has changed,” Edwards-Callaway says. “I’m sure producers have a lot of innovative, cost effective ways to shade cattle to improve performance. I think there’s a great need to dig a little deeper.” The key indicators within shade studies vary, but no matter the production system, results favor shaded groups. Weather variation over time makes it complicated. Places with hot and humid summers have a greater need for protection, says Edwards-Callaway, “but we just don’t know how much people are really using shade.” Feedyard economics adds to the complexity. Seasonal and annual weather shifts influence how long a shade structure can endure. Those features become less expensive the longer they can be maintained. “Variability in the climate really skews the data we looked at,” adds Daniel Clark, meat scientist with the Certified

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

Angus Beef brand and collaborator in the research. “A big takeaway is to just be prepared.” A 1995 heat event in Iowa led to a 4.8 percent death loss in non-shaded feedyard pens, compared to 0.2 percent in shaded pens. Those are likely conservative estimates today with recent temperature extremes, Edwards-Callaway says. Weather fluctuation affects final carcass quality, too, but Clark says the extent of mild and severe weather events varies. More predictably, extreme heat brings high mortality. “If you’re trying to gain every benefit of high quality beef that you can, then you probably need to think about adding some shade and protecting cattle for when there is a major weather event,” he says. Animal welfare is connected to

every outcome, Edwards-Callaway says. Addressing basic health and production factors ensure cattle perform to their highest potential. She’s already working with packing plants to see what kind of effect shade may have right before slaughter. This ongoing project is looking at distance cattle travel to the plant, along with time waiting to unload and reach the point of harvest. It’s also tracking pen density, weather, and their effects on mobility, bruising, and carcass characteristics. “Do producers think shade is important?” she asks. “What factors dictate whether cattlemen want to use shade or not?” Finding answers to these and other questions will affect beef ’s image, Edward-Callaway says, as well as

N.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of JUNE 2021 Cattle Receipts: 18.647

•

Previous Month: 16,790

Feeder supply - 34% steers • 41% heifers • 25% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,387 $70.24 Boner 1,160 $69.42 Lean 981 $59.16

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,530

$94.59

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $139.40 $588.27 450-500 471 $144.84 $682.20 500-550 521 $137.57 $716.74 550-600 575 $138.67 $797.35 600-650 622 $133.57 $830.81 650-700 672 $130.28 $875.48

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 422 $142.24 $600.25 450-500 473 $130.73 $618.35 500-550 521 $130.13 $677.98 550-600 572 $123.41 $705.91 600-650 620 $120.06 $744.37 650-700 670 $110.48 $740.22

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 424 $127.89 $542.25 450-500 473 $126.73 $599.43 500-550 523 $122.99 $643.24 550-600 571 $121.20 $692.05 600-650 618 $115.21 $712.00 650-700 670 $113.91 $763.20

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156

productivity and profitability for the entire supply chain. Find the paper, “Impacts of shade on cattle well-being in the beef supply chain,” in the February 2021 Journal of Animal Science. Or read it online at www. cabcattle.com/impacts-of-shade-on-cattlewell-being-in-the-beef-supply-chain. Backgrounding can add value, flexibility. How backgrounding may boost feeder calf value. Getting maximum value when marketing cattle is a constantly evolving process that takes careful planning. USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 2017 data reports 70 percent or more of beef calves are born in the spring. Come fall, this leaves the glut of 550 pound calves at a pricesdisadvantage compared to their contemporaries that are held and sold after the first of the year. Backgrounding calves can open gates to new revenue paths, though not without risk. When more cattle are sent to the grazing fields or grow yards, there’s a shift in the seasonal pattern of the market and more opportunity to take advantage of better prices. Weight adds dollars - Even for just a couple of months, backgrounding can add

weight and gross income without using limited grazing resources year round to stock more cows. Adding weight may boost income, but requires strategy, says Dan Loy, director of the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University. He suggests backgrounding the lighter half of steers to reach heavier average sale weights. “If you market the heavier ones direct from weaning, and have done that for years, you’ll have a more uniform group,” he says. “That in itself may help the price on those heavier calves.” If it seems overwhelming to add a backgrounding enterprise, don’t be afraid to hire expertise, says Chad Cargill of Cargill Ranch LLC, Medicine Lodge, Kansas. He provides services for larger cattle feeders at his custom yard, with help from a nutritionist, veterinarian, and environmental consultant, plus pharmaceutical representatives. Every producer has different needs, but the staples are the same. Bunk space with some kind of concrete apron or a grass trap on which feed can be delivered with a mixer wagon is necessary, as are a chute and working facilities to vaccinate or treat sick calves. “These resources are a substantial

investment but necessary for successful backgrounding,” advises Dale Blasi, extension beef specialist at Kansas State University. Time boosts health - Calf health is often the highest concern for feedyards, so this also gives calves’ immunity time to get through the most stressful event in their lives. “To me, backgrounding should include preconditioning,” Loy says. “That verifies health and lets the vaccines kick in, plus getting calves eating out of a bunk and drinking from new waterers.” The dollar advantage of weaning is well clear. According to the 2020 Iowa Precondition Sales data, Loy says preconditioned calves vaccinated for respiratory and clostridial disease, treated for parasites, and weaned for 45 days brought at least $50 per head more than unweaned contemporaries. “One issue is easy to handle, but those things together add up to bigger issues,” Cargill says. As calves mature, their immunity improves. That’s important as natural beef labels and other process verified programs become popular. The biggest challenge for those kinds of programs is ensuring calves’ health, so they aren’t disqualified

due to antibiotics. Yesterday’s most valuable feeder calf may only be average moving forward. That’s because buyers still look for groups with uniform weight and hide color, but verification is gaining importance. The market may soon require certified pre-weaned and vaccinated; age, source, and genetics verified; records for performance; and carcass history, along with animal welfare claims. When it’s time to head down a new road of marketing, learn from others who have made the trip before you, Blasi suggests. Those are the lessons from peers and mentors, he adds. Participate in a marketing network, or join local and state beef association meetings to learn from each other. About the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. World renowned for its exceptional quality and generous marbling, the Certified Angus Beef brand is the original brand of premium beef. Created in 1978, it is still owned today by family ranchers who are determined to bring the best Angus beef to the table. Ten exacting standards ensure superior taste and tenderness in every bite. Learn more at www.CertifiedAngusBeef.com.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection

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• Join one of the largest mineral buying groups in the Southeast • Trial opportunities available • Delivery available in most areas of North Carolina • Make your own buying group in your area

THE BARN LOFT

1475 National Highway • Thomasville, NC 27360 Store - 336-886-1737 • Cell - 336-250-0572 www.thebarnloft.com PAGE 36

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

Lessons from BIF. “There are no shortcuts in the genetics business,” explained Jim Pullen of Pullen Family Farms during the recent Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium. “Creating competitive genetic progress is not a high tech, difficult to understand formula. It is created by disciplined data collection on a large scale, accurate ranking of animals, selecting and retaining the best and culling based on data. There are no secrets in the genetics business,” says Jim Pillen of Pillen Family Farms in Columbus, Nebraska. “What differentiates suppliers is the discipline of implementing the fundamentals. Championship teams master the fundamentals and execute them every play. The same is true in a genetic program and one must believe this and stay focused. It is the fundamentals that create the opportunity for applying technology when it makes sense to do so. Not implementing the fundamentals 100 percent of the time results in second place, at best.” Pillen shared insights at the recent Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Research Symposium in Des Moines. His presentation title: Lessons in Genetics from the Pork Industry. Pillen, a veterinarian, began farming with his father in 1983, a 60 sow farm. A decade later, he formed Pillen Family Farms. In 2003 Pillen purchased a swine genetics supplier, currently known as DNA Genetics. It is the second largest genetic supplier in the United States and Canada and the only family owned, producer

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owned pig genetics supplier. Pillen’s genetics are at the forefront of the industry wide transition toward using Duroc sires. He estimates Duroc lines produce more than 80 percent of all market pigs; more than half of those stem from Pillen genetics. As recently as 2003, Duroc lines represented about 30 percent of pork production in the U.S. and Canada. “Just remember, the best pig wins, keep it simple, but do what it takes, and keep looking ahead to stay in front,” Pillen says. Most recently, Pillen Family Farms became a partner in WholeStone Farms pork processing plant in Fremont, Neb., which completes the final piece of vertical integration for the business. “Producing food for the world is the noblest of professions,” Pillen says. “At a time when so much of what we believe in and do every day appears to be under attack, it is important that we persevere, educate, and continue to produce food in a sustainable manner. Being involved in packing, production, and genetics has been humbling, but also has given us a unique and comprehensive viewpoint to leverage and create value for the industry. At no time in our history of producing food have we produced so much abundance, with so small of input.” More than 400 beef producers, academia, and industry representatives attended this year’s BIF Research Symposium. Another 250 registered to participate online. Participants from 14 countries participated virtually. Look for more details about lessons shared at BIF in the August issue of Hereford World. For more information, visit w w w. b i f c o n f e r e n c e . c o m / b i f 2 0 2 1 / Proceedings/02-Pillen.pdf. About the American Hereford Association. The AHA, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The notfor-profit organization, along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI), and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth, and research. For more information about the Association, visit www.Hereford.org.

Check out the

North Carolina Hereford Advantage at

www.nchereford.com 4B FARMS, LLC Shelby, NC Bryson, Wren, Beau, Belle, Bonnie & Bennet Westbrook 980-230-4868 • brysonw@thewestbrookco.com

McCOY CATTLE FARM Cove City, NC Myron & Charlie McCoy 252-229-4602 mccoycattlefarms@gmail.com

4K RANCH Nelson, VA Rick & Linda Kern 919-272-6124 4kranch@bellsouth.net

MITCHEM’S FARM 3C Vale, NC Wayne, Crystal, Regan & Jordan Mitchem 704-472-4369 mitchemsfarm@bellsouth.net

AWC CATTLE COMPANY Winston-Salem, NC Andie & Wes Carpenter 336-970-1655 • jcarpenter@alphagraphics.com www.windmillacresfarms.com

NORTH PINO LAND & CATTLE COMPANY Mocksville, NC Kevin Robinson 336-940-2547 • kevrob1@aol.com

BLINSON POLLED HEREFORDS Lenoir, NC Keith & Peggy Blinson - 828-310-4526 Bryan & Beth Blinson - 919-422-9108

TAYLOR’S MILL FARM Zebulon, NC J. Brent Creech 919-801-7561 tmfherefords@icloud.com

DOUBLE J FARM Traphill, NC • Earlysville, VA John Wheeler 910-489-0024 • doublejfarmllc@yahoo.com www.doublejfarmllc.com

TERRACE FARM Lexington, NC Jim, Linda & Chad Davis 336-247-1554 jgdavis101@yahoo.com

FIVE J’S BEEF & CATTLE COMPANY Clayton, NC Jody & Angela Standley Kim Prestwood (Manager) • 828-320-7317 - Kim jodystandley@gmail.com

TRIPLETT POLLED HEREFORDS Statesville, NC James Triplett 704-902-2250 triplettmarble@bellsouth.net

GRASSY CREEK FARM Bullock, NC Scott, Pam, Hailee, Lillee & Elizabeth Bissett 919-482-1176 Bissettsp1@gmail.com

W&A HEREFORDS Providence, NC George, Tammy, William, & Andy Ward 434-251-3637 waherefordfarm@comcast.net

HEREFORD HILLS Greensboro, NC Bill Kirkman III 336-382-9635 ST Genetics Representative

NCHA Secretary/Treasurer

LOOKABILL FAMILY LIVESTOCK Lexington, NC Reggie, Patty, Tyler & Noah Lookabill 336-240-2142 rlookabill6015@gmail.com The Carolina Cattle Connection

Myron McCoy

252-637-4995 nchereford@yahoo.com www.nchereford.com

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Maternal Traits Matter. The Limousin breed has repeatedly earned admiration and lauds for its high meat quality. Not only is this pleasing for the consumer’s palate, but it’s also beneficial for the bottom line of farms and ranchers. For these beef producers, there is another breed characteristic that stands out – strong maternal traits and qualities. The profitability of maternal strengths is not as immediately obvious when compared to the terminal carcass traits. However, the maternal attributes of both

the dam and sire are absolutely crucial for getting that end product as they are aimed at a healthy and prolific calf. These traits alone are what has made Limousin cattle and genetics attractive to cow/calf producers who have struggled in this area. Not only has the breed proven itself for its mothering and calving abilities, but Limousin dams also repeatedly produce calves that are robust and ready to work – helping farmers and ranchers earn more with less work. Due to the strong genetic component of this nature, herds looking

S.C. Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices for the Month of JUNE 2021 Cattle Receipts: 10,316

•

Previous Month: 8,711

Feeder supply - 36% steers • 40% heifers • 24% bulls SLAUGHTER CLASSES

Avg. Wt. Price Cows - % Lean Breaker 1,491 $70.74 Boner 1,205 $72.00 Lean 947 $65.20

Bulls - Yield Grade 1-2

1,612

$94.39

FEEDER CLASSES

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $147.87 $625.49 450-500 476 $144.65 $688.53 500-550 524 $138.46 $725.53 550-600 568 $137.37 $780.26 600-650 619 $129.70 $802.84 650-700 671 $125.39 $841.37

FEEDER BULLS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 423 $139.52 $590.17 450-500 469 $137.76 $646.09 500-550 520 $132.51 $689.05 550-600 567 $130.31 $738.86 600-650 622 $125.14 $778.37 650-700 665 $122.07 $811.77

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Wt. Range Avg. Wt. CWT Avg. Price 400-450 425 $129.33 $549.65 450-500 471 $127.33 $599.72 500-550 526 $126.26 $664.13 550-600 566 $123.44 $698.67 600-650 617 $117.12 $722.63 650-700 658 $115.50 $759.99

Source: S.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Columbia, S.C. - 803-737-4491

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to boost their maternal EPDs and traits can benefit from adding Limousin genetic influence. Here is a rundown of some of the key maternal attributes and why they matter to your herd’s bottom line. Calving ease - Calving ease is an essential trait for a sire to have when servicing vulnerable first calf heifers. However, dams with a more favorable calving ease component are also excellent as the likelihood of them having issues during parturition and needing assistance is unlikely. This is a crucial advantage for operations with limited help or is more report with limited calving check abilities. According to the most recent International Cattle Evaluation run, Limousin and Limflex sires and dams average +11 for the calving ease direct EPD. Robust calves - Thanks to both maternal qualities and vigor, Limousin calves are known for their robust nature and enthusiastic nursing characteristics. While there are many ways to look at and evaluate the strength of calves, one of the most important determinants is how the calf behaves in the first few hours of life. From the moment a calf hits the ground, the clock begins ticking on maximal antibody absorption from colostrum. The longer it takes a calf to drink (and the less amount it drinks), the less ability the gut has to absorb the dense immunoglobulins. Naturally lethargic calves, in severe cases, will need human assistance to rebound, adding to time and cost of labor. In no small part due to vigor, calves with Limousin parentage also tend to have very desirable weaning, birth, and yearling weights as these are all very closely correlated. Notably, across breeds, Limousins average +2.0 above the industry baseline for birthweight. Active Limousin sires also have an average weaning and yearling weights of 61 and 88 lbs. with highs of 104 and 169 pounds.

Maternal Milk - Of course, healthy calves would not be possible without the exceptional maternal capabilities of Limousin and Limflex cows. The milkability of the Limousin breed has been well known; in fact, it is what attracts many producers to incorporating Limousin crosses into their herds. Active Limousin dams and sires currently average +21 and +22 for maternal milk, respectively. Research has shown that hybrid vigor, as in the case of Limflex herds, rapidly increases lactation averages, making crossbreeding a way to quickly increase milk production. And besides boosting weaning weights and yearling weights, maternal milk has also been shown to have a notable impact on marbling later in life. These growth effects of milk output also help create heifer replacements that will grow and reach puberty quickly. Docility - The North American Limousin Foundation is proudly the very first breed association to create an EPD for docility. Giving this tool to breeders and producers allowed them to maximize their selection for more docile offspring, a trait that is just as beneficial for terminal purposes as well as replacement heifers. According to a 2009 study conducted in Iowa, feedlot cattle with a high docility score had an average daily gain of 0.26 more than animals with a more aggressive score. Docile animals also significantly outperformed their aggressive peers in percentage grading prime and choice. Research has also found that more docile heifers are more likely to have higher fertility rates when it comes to rebreeding. The Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute noted that the anxiety of heifers brought into the chute for A.I. service was correlated to how quickly they would exit the chute and higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, making them much less likely to settle after the service. National Center for Beef Excellence Welcomes Dr. Samantha

Cunningham. Dr. Tonya Amen has retired from NCBE and has taken a position with ABS. We are sad to see her go as she has done much for the Limousin breed in bringing about the BOLT system for EPDs and thank her for her service. Dr. Amen is being replaced by Dr. Samantha Cunningham. Samantha (Sam) Cunningham, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University, where she teaches undergraduate Animal Science courses with an emphasis on hands-on learning and livestock experience. Sam currently coordinates the CSU Seedstock Program that involves students in the merchandising and management of the University’s Angus and Hereford cow herds. Students enrolled in the seedstock management and merchandising courses will spend time in the classroom analyzing with

data and marketing materials, time on the university’s teaching farm working with livestock, time in the field networking with producers and industry professionals, as well as working to plan and execute the CSU Annual Bull & Female Sale. These students are also eligible to participate on the CSU Seedstock Team, where they are involved in managing show cattle that are exhibited in The Yards during the National Western Stock Show, coordinating and managing a booth at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Annual Convention and Trade Show, working with the Colorado beef industry, as well as planning and executing an on-campus production sale each spring. Sam grew up on her family’s farming/ ranching operation in Western Nebraska, where the primary production focus at that time was purebred Gelbvieh seedstock with the integration of corn, wheat, and

NCBA

President’s Report By JERRY BOHN

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Steadfast on the Road Ahead The road ahead seems daunting for producers right now, dealing with the challenging dynamic brought on by uncertainty in the market and black swan events, private property protection, tax issues, and weather. While cattlemen and women are the ultimate optimists, running our operations can sometimes feel like the ultimate gamble. We understand your challenges and concerns at NCBA, and we are steadfast, focused on the road ahead to protect our members’ interests in Washington, D.C. For the first time in what seems like a long time, I had the pleasure, as did my fellow NCBA officers, to attend several state affiliate conventions and summer meetings over the past month. While challenges and concerns are always

part of the discussion, I was encouraged by the positivity, appreciation for fellowship, and great discussions I heard throughout the country. Our friends in Florida were encouraged by NCBA’s work on transportation. Producers have to ship calves quite a distance to feedyards which is why NCBA worked hard to deliver much needed regulatory flexibility for livestock haulers. The addition of the backend 150 air-mile exemption from hours-of-service, crucial language pulled from the HAULS Act, was adopted into the larger Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 by a bipartisan vote. We strongly support efforts to give livestock haulers the flexibility they need to maintain the highest level of safety for drivers on the roads, transport livestock humanely, and ensure grocery stores remain stocked with beef. We will

hay production. Today, they continue to produce corn and hay, although the cowherd has taken a commercial focus. While at home, she showed cattle, sheep, and hogs and judged livestock in 4-H; and was very active in state and national junior Gelbvieh associations. A livestock judging career at Clarendon College and Texas Tech inspired her to pursue graduate degrees in Animal Breeding and Beef Production from Texas A&M. Following graduate school; she spent time working in industry managing data and registrations for a large seedstock producer in Texas. Prior to teaching at CSU, she was on faculty at Western Illinois University, where she taught Animal Sciences courses, managed an on-campus bull test, and coordinated the school’s beef cattle teaching herd. Since coming “home,” Sam has been able to play more of a contributing role

in her family’s operation and continues to be active in the agriculture and beef industries. We are excited to welcome Dr. Cunningham and begin our working relationship with her as we continue to improve our breed. Dr. Cunningham can be reached by email at Samantha@nalf. org or by phone at 979-220-5681. About the North American Limousin Foundation. The North American Limousin Foundation, headquartered in Englewood, Colo., provides programs and services, including the documentation of more than 25,000 head of cattle annually, for approximately 4,000 members and their commercial customers. The Limousin breed and Lim-Flex® hybrid offer industry leading growth and efficiency while being an ideal complement to British breeds. For more information about NALF, please visit www.nalf.org.

continue to work on transportation issues that will benefit producers across the country. Other issues discussed at events I attended focused on two topics: concern about President Biden’s America the Beautiful Plan and concerns with packing capacity and labor issues. Following the release of the administration’s preliminary report on their “Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful” plan to conserve 30 percent of lands and waters in the United States by the year 2030, NCBA convened regional forums to discuss the administration’s efforts and receive grassroots producer feedback. We continue to work with the administration in an effort to help guide its conservation work and to ensure these large frameworks recognize and incorporate the good things cattle producers already do. It’s also critical that we’re at the table to avoid any unintended consequences for our businesses, lands, waters, and communities. When looking at the continued challenges that plague the cattle market, we’re seeing additional dynamics come into play. The supply of fed cattle is greater than the available packing plant capacity, coupled with issues packers are having getting the full workforce to come to work every day. NCBA has several items in the works on the Hill to address processing capacity, and it’s my hope that the fed cattle supply is going to get closer in line with available hook space soon.

One of the caveats to that hope is the fact that we have quite a bit of drought in the western half of the country. I’ve heard from several producers that continued drought, especially in the West, is a serious concern, and we’ve already seen some increased cow liquidation in places like North Dakota. NCBA is hard at work addressing these items and won’t let up in the fight to ensure our members are represented. As we look ahead to the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, I’m looking forward to seeing NCBA in action. This meeting is where our statenational partnership is most present, and it’s a goal of mine to continue to forge a strong bond between our state and national associations as we work to improve the business climate for U.S. cattle producers. We need our members to help guide the association as we work through these tough issues. In our businesses, most of us make decisions after considering all accessible information, and then we chart a course of action that we believe will be of greatest benefit to us as we go forward with our operations. That’s exactly what we accomplish with the state-national partnership and member driven grassroots policy process during the convention.

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New NCCA Members for 2021 In 2007, members of the Membership Committee passed a resolution to recognize all NEW members of the NCCA in The Carolina Cattle Connection at the NCCA Annual Conference in Hickory. A new member is defined as someone who has never been a member or someone who has rejoined after a brief break in membership. The new members are identified in this new members section by name and county of residence. Below is a list of NCCA’s new members for the last month: Buncombe County Abby Anderson Autumn Barnes Frances Cancio-Guzman Emma Dadmun Haleigh Daves Gavin Jones Krista Kelly Jessica Moll Hailey M. Naifeh Haley Oliver Heather Poppy Leighanne Redmond Amanda Rose Cheyenne Summerall

Catawba County Johnathan Lutz Chatham County Ricky Smith – Double H Duplin County Shane Kennedy – Shenandoah Farms Franklin County Debra Thomas – Bute Farm LLC Randall Thomas – Bute Farm LLC Henderson County Leighann Devore Angelia Feick Erin Milford Lincoln County Ruben Barkley – Wright Family Farm Macon County Morgan Fish Madison County Annabelle Beaman Rutherford County Jack Kennedy – Skull Farms Cattle Co.

Farm Credit News Application Period Open for AgCarolina Farm Credit Ag Biz Programs. AgCarolina Farm Credit is accepting applications for their Ag Biz programs through August 6. AgCarolina offers two programs with a focus on assisting participants and their families with business planning, among other key financial and money matters related to an agricultural operation. • Ag Biz Basics – designed for Young, Beginning, Small, and Veteran individuals who are thinking about or in the beginning stages of starting a farming operation. • Ag Biz Planner – designed for Young, Beginning, Small, and Veteran individuals who are already farming. This course is more in-depth and offers participants the opportunity to create a business plan specifically for their farming operation. The application and program information are available via our website at www.agcarolina.com/resources/ educational-programs, and the program will begin on August 30 and will conclude with a final conference in January 2022. Applications will be accepted through August 6. Individuals selected for the program will be notified. “AgCarolina Farm Credit supports these Ag Biz programs because we believe in education as a way to guide individuals to become better managers of their operations,” states President and CEO Dave Corum. “The continued investment in young, beginning, small, and Veteran farmers is our way to ensure the agriculture industry in North Carolina remains a cornerstone of our economy.” AgCarolina Farm Credit employees donate to Kaylee’s Legocy. AgCarolina Farm Credit is proud to announce a $3,000 donation to Kaylee’s Legocy, an organization with a mission to

provide Lego sets to children in hospitals, allowing them and their families a creative outlet together in their fight against cancer. Employees have the option to participate in “A Cause a Quarter” each quarter. The quarterly campaign requires a $25 donation from participating employees to a non-profit voted on by all employees of the association. Participants are able to wear jeans each Friday of the quarter in which they participate. Chosen by employees for the second quarter of 2021 was Kaylee’s Legocy. With employee and Association contributions, the total donation amount is $3,000. “ A g C a r o l i n a F a r m C r e d i t ’s employees have a heart for giving,” said AgCarolina CEO Dave Corum. “A Cause a Quarter is the product of an employee suggestion and has been a great way for our team to understand how we can all work together to make an impact. There are many great organizations throughout eastern North Carolina doing great things like the folks with Kaylee’s Legocy. AgCarolina is proud to provide these funds to Kaylee’s Legocy as they seek to make life a little better for families in the battle of pediatric cancer.” About Ag Carolina Farm Credit. AgCarolina Farm Credit is a farmer owned financial cooperative with headquarters in Raleigh. They are the leading provider of credit to farmers in central and eastern North Carolina. AgCarolina Farm Credit has over $1.5 billion in loans and commitments outstanding to nearly 3,400 North Carolina farmers. Loans are made to finance land, homes, farm buildings, operating expenses, livestock, and equipment, as well as other purposes. Credit life insurance, appraisal services, and leasing are also available through AgCarolina Farm Credit.

Pictured (left to right) - Travis Hicks, AgCarolina Farm Credit Loan Officer; Ryan Rios, Kaylee’s Legocy; Darlene Rios, Kaylee’s Legocy; Anna Riggs, AgCarolina Farm Credit Member Support Specialist,;and Antoine Moore, AgCarolina Farm Credit Loan Officer.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

Students Tell Story of 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy Members of the 2020-2021 class reflect on the program’s value to their beef operations. For cattle producers enrolled in the 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy (IBCA), learning is a lifelong pursuit. Participants from South Africa and Texas explain the impacts the program has had on their cattle operations and why members of the beef industry should consider applying. Getting back in the game in South Africa - South African veterinarian Dr. Michael Magondo applied for IBCA after inheriting his father’s cow/calf operation. Having spent 20 years away from livestock, Magondo realized his training in veterinary medicine alone did not prepare him to handle every aspect of cattle management. “A training in veterinary medicine might give you the clinical diagnostic capabilities, but it definitely doesn’t equip you on the husbandry side,” says Magondo. Magondo initially considered only taking a few courses instead of pursuing the certificate, which requires a minimum of six courses. He changed his mind after realizing the impact the entire certificate program would have on his operation.

“I look back, and I think the certificate was definitely worthwhile because of the interrelatedness of the material,” says Magondo. The program has allowed Magondo to evaluate his operation and define objectives to achieve his goals. Components of the courses have also provided him insight into what operations outside of his country can achieve and how he could apply similar practices to his cattle. “There’s been a lot of valuable, practical application that was reinforced by the theory that was covered. The information has made my life a lot easier and given me the confidence to make strategic decisions about what we do on the operation,” says Magondo. Customized learning in Texas First generation Texas rancher Jonathan Toups is evidence that even students with limited experience in the cattle industry can find significant benefit from participating in IBCA. When Toups started Maysfield Farms, a Beefmasters seedstock operation in central Texas, he was overwhelmed by the large quantity of information available on cattle management practices.

“I couldn’t believe there was that much detailed work that needed to be done constantly,” says Toups. “After the first year of reading, I noticed the resources I was following were publishing pretty much the same information.” Toups realized the IBCA program was not the repetitive content he had been reading elsewhere. As a first generation cattle owner, he appreciated how the program’s instructors presented the research-based evidence behind production practices in an exclusive and customized learning experience. “Where else do you have access to people that have dedicated their lives to being the best in the field and with one of the best universities in the world in the agricultural sector?” says Toups. “This class puts both of those together.” While Toups has not been in the cattle business long, the IBCA course structure allowed him to soak in a breadth of information in manageable segments. The online program enables students to watch videos as their schedules permit and collaborate once a week with an instructor. “I can wholeheartedly say this is like

a lifetime of experience rolled up into one year of class time,” says Toups. Apply now for classes starting in September - Like Toups and Magondo, anyone involved in the beef cattle industry is eligible to apply for IBCA. An ideal student candidate is eager to learn and is passionate about driving the industry forward. Applications for the 2021-2022 class are open now and close on August 9. Scholarships covering up to 70 percent of tuition costs are available for interested individuals. To be considered for a scholarship, complete the IBCA application and provide the information required for a scholarship request. Scholarships are limited and will be awarded based on student profile and potential contribution to the IBCA goal: advancing knowledge to enhance beef production and quality across the globe. The next academy begins in September and continues through August 2022. Apply today at www.animalscience. tamu.edu/ibca/ or email ibca@tamu.edu for more information.

Contact these RAAC members to learn more about Red Angus genetics and how they can fit into your herd. HARDROCK BEEF CATTLE Ronnie & Donna Holman 4613 Hickory Nut Ridge Road • Granite Falls, NC 828-302-8659 ronnie@hardrockbeefcattle.com JK RED ANGUS Jeff Banfield & Madison Adams 331 Tee Jay Farm Road • Aberdeen, NC 910-315-3821 jkredangus@gmail.com LANGDON RED ANGUS & SIMMENTAL John & Eileen Langdon 7728 Raleigh Road • Benson, NC 919-796-5010 johnlangdon5@gmail.com ROGERS CATTLE COMPANY Johnny & Sharon Rogers 945 Woodsdale Road • Roxboro, NC 336-504-7268 rccbeef@gmail.com PRESNELL RED ANGUS Jonathan & Jacob Presnell 368 Whitaker Road • Shelby, NC 704-473-2627 (Jonathan) • 704-616-8775 (Jacob) BULL HILL RANCH Jim & Alvina Meeks • Raymond Prescott, Manager 1986 Trinity Church Road • Gray Court, SC 864-682-3900 • 864-682-2828 bullhill2@mindspring.com

Terry Boyles, President - twinbfarm1@gmail.com

The Carolina Cattle Connection

COUNTRY BOY FARMS David Miller 316 Key Road • Edgefield, SC 706-840-3709

q AUGUST 2021

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A Message from the CEO By COLIN WOODALL

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Have We Lost Our Minds?! That is the response I have received from many NCBA members when they hear that we have been working with President Biden and his administration. It is time we set party affiliation aside and focus on the fact that they are in charge and poised to set policy that will have far reaching implications for our industry. Just last month, I talked about how the world belongs to those who show up, and there have been many times where I have referenced former NCBA President J.D. Alexander’s oft used quote that “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” Both mindsets are applicable to our interaction with the Biden administration. NCBA’s reputation in Washington, D.C., as being the trusted leader and definitive voice of the U.S. cattle and beef industry, comes from our ability to work with both sides of the political aisle. It comes as a surprise to many of you when I talk about the number of solid supporters we have in the Democratic party. Equally as surprising is when you learn that we have many Republicans who do not have our best interests in mind. Given the state of politics in the United States today, it is easy to think the worst. It is important to keep in mind that it takes time for every

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administration to get to the point where their priorities are being passed into law by Congress or implemented through the administrative rule making process. Now is the critical point where we can help shape what these actions ultimately look like. A great example is President Biden’s “America the Beautiful” plan, formerly known as “30x30,” that proposes to conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030. Some have characterized this as a land grab and tried to get our industry up in arms about the plan. Let’s take a quick breath before we let emotion influence our response. The easy approach is to immediately cast stones at this plan and use the media to inflame the situation. After spending two decades in Washington, I know that emotional response may provide some immediate gratification, but it rarely helps you succeed in getting what you want. Did you know that the plan incorporated several ideas and provisions provided by NCBA’s team in D.C.? Did you know the Biden administration has made it clear they want more of our input and feedback? That is how you make things happen. By now, you have heard that EPA Administrator Regan has announced his

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plans to replace the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which was the replacement of the original Obama Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Again, the knee-jerk reaction is to get hopping mad. Believe me, that was our reaction behind closed doors, but given the relationships we have built with EPA thus far, we know that Administrator Regan wants us at the table to develop his version of the rule. We are going to take him up on his offer to make sure the new rule protects both water quality and private property rights. Last month, USDA announced that the old GIPSA rule was going to be back up for consideration. We spent years killing that proposal, but like many of the “zombie” issues we deal with, it has returned to life. Yet, this is another example of where our work in building new relationships and renewing old ones with the Biden administration will ensure

that we will also be at the table to discuss how this rule might be constructed. Before you get too mad about this, the discussion about revisiting the GIPSA rule actually started in the Trump administration. The new team is just picking up where they left off. Back to the headline question of whether we have lost our minds in trying to work with President Biden. No, we have not, but we are also fully prepared to fight tooth and nail to defend our positions if we cannot steer these discussions in the right direction. Our mantra is to keep the government out of our business, but we are also good at reading the political tea leaves. We are employing all our strategies to win and reminding policymakers in Washington that when we engage in an issue, we can be your best friend and biggest ally unless you ultimately infringe on our rights. Then, we become your single biggest hurdle to success.

GELBVIEH NEWS

Vanderbur Joins AGA as Data Services Coordinator. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is excited to welcome Megan (Meg) Vanderbur into the role of data services coordinator. Vanderbur began her role with the Association on June 15 and is excited to serve the membership. Vanderbur will assist AGA members and customers with DNA testing and registry services. She will also play a role in AGA’s member education efforts. “My biggest goals coming into this position,” she shares, “is making connections and helping the [AGA] membership as much as I can. Because of my background,

and working with breed associations, I have a love for serving members – being able to assist them with their herds and any issues that may arise. I was so excited to find the position opening and felt like I would be a great fit in this role.” Growing up in Greensburg, Ind., Vanderbur is no stranger to farming and livestock; however, it wasn’t until she joined 4-H that her family began to focus on building their cow herd. She showed cattle throughout her ten years in 4-H and continued showing as a junior on the Indiana Beef Cattle Association circuit. Following high school, Vanderbur enrolled at Purdue University, where she was an active member of the Block and Bridle Club and pursued internships within animal sciences outreach and breed association work. In December 2020, Vanderbur completed a bachelor of science in animal science from Purdue University. “We are fortunate for the opportunity to add Meg to our AGA staff “ says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “She brings a well suited set of talents and experience that make her a great fit for this role where she will work closely with AGA members and customers.” Vanderbur will work out of the AGA headquarters office in Lincoln, Neb., and can be reached at 303-465-2333 or via email at meganv@gelbvieh.org. About the American Gelbvieh Association. AGA is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance oriented total herd reporting system.

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CHUCK

SHANK

CHUCK

BRISKET

RIB

PLATE

RIB

LOIN

SIRLOIN

ROUND SHANK

FLANK

LOIN

SIRLOIN

LEAN

ROUND

INGEDIENT CUTS

LEAN

BRISKET LEAN

LEAN

PLATE & FLANK LEAN

LEAN

KEY TO RECOMMENDED COOKING METHODS GRILL or BROIL PAN BROIL/ SKILLET

BRAISE/ POT ROAST

LEAN

These cuts meet the government guidelines for lean, based on cooked servings, visible fat trimmed

ROAST

INDIRECT GRILLING

SKILLET TO OVEN

* MARINATE BEFORE COOKING FOR BEST RESULTS

A cut of cooked fresh meat is considered ‘lean’ when it contains less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, andless tahn 95 mg of cholesterol per 100 grams(3½ oz) and per RACC (Reference Amount Customarily Consumed), which is 85 grams (3 oz.)

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STIR-FRY

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NEWS CoBank Quarterly: Change is Coming for U.S. Food and Agricultural Businesses. Challenges brought on by COVID-19 will hasten automation throughout supply chains. The widely anticipated summer economic boom is well underway, and U.S. consumers are spending on services again. Jobs are abundantly available, but workers are scarce as the labor market is healing more slowly than most economists expected. According to a new Quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, labor challenges felt during the pandemic and continuing today will incentivize businesses throughout the food supply chain to rapidly increase automation within their operations. “The most significant and lasting impact from COVID will be an acceleration in automation,” said Dan Kowalski, vice president of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange division. “And it will affect the entire supply chain from field to grocery and restaurants. It won’t be an overnight transformation, but much larger investments in technology now will lead to a much more automated supply chain over the next few years.” Commodity price inflation has been a boon to many ag producers over the past year. But increases in raw material and transportation costs, combined with higher wages, are causing retailers to push those higher costs on to consumers. U.S. consumers have benefited from very low food inflation for much of the past decade, but higher prices are a near certainty for the next year. Grocers and restaurants are anxious to learn what and how consumers will want to eat in the new equilibrium. The coming adjustments will look quite different for each segment of the food supply chain. But the acceleration in change will be meaningful, and strategic steps to build more resilient businesses are coming sooner than previously believed. Grains, Farm Supply, and Biofuels Grain prices entered a new phase of extreme price volatility in the second quarter of 2021. Corn, soybean, and wheat prices climbed to a nine year peak before shifts in non-commercial, speculative buying activity pulled prices down as fears of runaway inflation subsided. Elevated price volatility will continue in the months ahead as mixed weather forecasts, and moisture deficits threaten yields during critical stages of the current growing season. Export demand for U.S. grains remains strong. Farm supply cooperatives enjoyed a strong spring agronomy season, as

rising grain prices gave U.S. crop farmers confidence to increase input spending. Fertilizer supplies remain plentiful in North America, and retailers that bought extra inventory early in 2020 should be able to re-sell at attractive margins. Fertilizer prices were up 17 percent in Q2 and are within ten percent of 2012 peak prices. Retail inventories of crop protection products are currently full, although sourcing agrochemicals from Asia could become a near term challenge that would impact the entire U.S. grain complex. The U.S. fuel ethanol sector outperformed expectations during the past quarter and appears well positioned for the second half of 2021. Overall economic growth and seasonal driving demand pushed up fuel ethanol production and operating margins in Q2. The regulatory and policy environment remains dynamic, however, and it’s unclear where biofuels, fossil fuels, and electric powered vehicles will fit in under a final infrastructure package. Animal Protein, and Dairy - Meat and poultry prices hit record highs in mid-May as food service and retail grocery pipelines were primed for post COVID consumer activity and summer celebrations. Foodservice sales reached pre-COVID levels in April, hitting an all time monthly high of $75.3 billion. More illuminating, however, is that overall retail grocery sales growth is up 7.3 percent from a year ago and 15.3 percent from 2019, providing evidence of longer term changes in consumer behavior. Chicken industry margins have markedly improved from the worst of 2020, and profitability should remain strong through the end of 2021. However, the well publicized issues with chicken breeding stock changes in the past couple of years have limited short term expansion potential. Pork has been one of the highest rising commodities in 2021, with lean hog futures topping out at $122 in mid-June. Strong consumer demand for meat, tight supplies of competing meats, and declining pork production in the second half of the year are all tailwinds for pork prices for the remainder of 2021. However, Chinese pork prices have dropped 65 percent since the beginning of the year, signaling a significant reduction of U.S. pork exports to China in the second half of the year. Despite beef prices being at or near record highs, cattle ranchers and feeders are currently facing limited national slaughter capacity, high feed costs, and the liquidation pressures of exceptional drought hitting the western United States. With packer margins

reportedly hitting $1,000/head earlier in the year, it is not surprising that producer organizations have pressured Congress to intervene. The national beef herd is already in contraction due to weak cow/calf profitability going back as far as 2015. Milk production in the U.S. continues to chart record highs despite the surge in feed costs and hot temperatures. In May, milk production topped 19.85 million pounds for the first time, with daily output up 4.6 percent year-over-year. Exports of U.S dairy products — currently at record highs — continue to be the key release valve amid the supply surge. However, the risk of a stronger U.S. dollar could threaten the export pace in the months ahead. Cotton, Rice, and Specialty Crops U.S. cotton prices remained strong in Q2, as Chinese demand continued unabated following steady purchases earlier in the marketing year. Total U.S. cotton shipments are running 9 percent ahead of last year, drawing down U.S. inventories. Global shipping delays and logistical disruptions have delayed some cotton purchases around the world. The loss of Iraq as an export market for U.S. rice has been a major blow for the U.S., which now faces limited alternative exporting options amid abundant global supply. Rice’s slower export pace continues to be a depressing factor in prices. Concern over significant rice crop losses across the U.S. Delta and Southeast due to historic flooding drove a sharp recovery in rough rice futures late last quarter. The U.S. sugarbeet crop is expected to deliver strong yields this fall following nearly ideal planting conditions that allowed for strong crop establishment. Domestic sugar deliveries are improving, but sugar demand for use in food and beverages remains uncertain as the economy recovers in the months ahead. The historic drought conditions in the Western U.S. intensified last quarter with water allocations to some agricultural irrigators cut to zero in California. Growers are adjusting by fallowing crop acreage and allocating scarce water to permanent plantings rather than field crops. Prices for fruits and vegetables are rising for consumers, but not necessarily for growers. Rising transportation and warehousing costs have been noted as the key drivers for rising produce prices. Power, Water, and Communications - Over the past quarter, the Biden administration has outlined ambitious plans to aid rural Americans returning to the post-COVID workforce. The administration envisions the American

Jobs Plan bringing new employment opportunities to rural communities via infrastructure investments. Those investments include $20 billion for rebuilding rural water infrastructure and supporting rural electric cooperatives as they invest in clean energy transition. The Biden administration has also established bipartisan support for $65 billion in broadband funding. Coupled with existing programs, that would bring total federal broadband funding to approximately $100 billion. Merger and acquisition activity in the communications industry remains robust, with rural cable operators gaining tremendous interest from strategic buyers and investors. Deployments of Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) networks are starting to ramp up across the nation, including among the 75 organizations that received licenses to serve rural areas. About CoBank. CoBank is a $160 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing, and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water, and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 75,000 farmers, ranchers, and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure, and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

The Carolina Cattle Connection

Regular copy deadline is AUGUST 5 for the

SEPTEMBER issue!

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Beef Checkoff News Cattlemen’s Beef Board to Mark Beef Checkoff ’s 35 th Anniversary, Launch New Visionary Award at Cattle Industry Convention. The Beef Checkoff program became a reality 35 years ago. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB), the organization responsible for overseeing Beef Checkoff collection and program funding, will celebrate the program’s anniversary during the upcoming Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville on August 10-12. Established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill, the Beef Checkoff is funded by producers and beef importers who pay a $1 per head assessment on animals they market or import. The national marketing and research program has one primary goal: driving demand for beef. For more than three decades, the Checkoff and its contractors have been the force behind many beef industry milestones that have influenced how beef is purchased and consumed. A timeline featuring some of the Checkoff ’s most noteworthy successes over the past 35 years is available on the CBB’s website, www. DrivingDemandForBeef.com. “Thanks to the farmers and ranchers who’ve funded this program over the years, we’ve been able to help improve beef quality and shelf life, identify and control pathogens like E. coli and launch many memorable beef marketing campaigns,” said Hugh Sanburg, 2021 Chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “All of those accomplishments and many others continue to contribute to beef’s ongoing popularity in the competitive protein marketplace.” At the Cattle Industry Convention, the CBB will host a number of activities to mark the Beef Checkoff ’s 35 th anniversary, including a video montage of the program’s history and achievements during the convention’s Opening General Session on August 10. At that time, the CBB will also announce the recipient of the first ever Checkoff Visionary Award, an honor that will go to someone in the beef industry who has demonstrated exemplary support of and commitment to the Checkoff’s goals and vision. On August 11, the CBB will host a Checkoff 35th Anniversary Celebration Reception following a day of committee meetings. “This anniversary has shined a spotlight on how different the beef

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industry would be if the Beef Checkoff had never come to fruition,” said Greg Hanes, CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “Certainly, the Checkoff has united producers, beef industry organizations, and other stakeholders together with the common purpose of driving beef demand. With their ongoing support, we believe that the Beef Checkoff can continue to positively impact the beef industry for many more years to come.” For more information about the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, the Beef Checkoff, and its programs – promotion, research, foreign marketing, industry information, consumer information, and safety – visit www. DrivingDemandforBeef.com. Program Increases Beef Quality and Consumer Confidence. As the Beef Checkoff celebrates its 35th anniversary, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is shining a light on the successful promotion and research programs that drive the demand for beef. Here, we feature the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, which has improved beef quality and increased consumer confidence for more than 30 years. Managed by NCBA, the Checkoff funded voluntary BQA program ensures U.S. beef is produced under stringent animal care standards to provide safe, high quality meat. The BQA program trains farmers and ranchers on best practices and cattle management techniques to ensure their animals and the environment are cared for within a standard set of guidelines across the U.S. beef industry. “The BQA program exemplifies what we, as beef farmers and ranchers, have always cared about - a commitment to caring for our animals and providing families with the safest and highest quality beef possible,” said Chris Jeffcoat, Pennsylvania producer and co-chair of the Safety & Product Innovation Checkoff Committee. “Consumers can feel good knowing there’s a national program in place that sets consistent animal welfare and care standards across the beef industry.” BQA is a comprehensive management program that incorporates responsible production practices in all phases of raising beef cattle. The program couples common sense cattle husbandry techniques

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with accepted scientific research to help farmers and ranchers raise cattle under optimum conditions. Cattle farmers and ranchers can become BQA certified by either attending classroom training taught by a network of state BQA coordinators and trainers or completing a series of robust online courses. BQA programs have evolved to include best practices around good record keeping and protecting herd health, which can result in more profits for producers. When better quality cattle leave the farm and reach the marketplace, the producer and consumer benefit. And, when better quality beef reaches the supermarket, consumers are more confident in the beef they are buying, and this increases beef consumption. For example, beef graded in the top USDA grades of Prime or Choice has increased 31 percent since the BQA program started.1 And, with more than 85 percent of the beef supply in the U.S. today coming from a BQA certified farmer or rancher, consumers should have the utmost confidence in the beef they purchase.2 Over the years, BQA has expanded to include Transportation and Stockmanship & Stewardship programs. The proper handling and transport of cattle can reduce sickness in calves, prevent bruises, and improve the quality of the meat from these animals, saving the beef industry millions of dollars each year. When a livestock hauler participates in the program, they are also showing consumers they are ready to take every step possible to keep cattle as healthy and safe as possible. Stockmanship and Stewardship is a unique two day educational experience featuring low stress cattle handling demonstrations, educational sessions, facility design sessions, and the events provide an opportunity for attendees to become BQA certified. To celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding beef producers, marketers, and educators that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations, the National BQA Award was developed. These annual awards recognize those who demonstrate a strong desire to continually improve BQA on their operations while encouraging others to implement the producer education program. The BQA program will continue to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of both producers and consumers, but it will always be focused on the goal of producing the highest quality cattle and providing consumers with the best possible eating experience because “The Right Way is the Only Way.” For more information, visit www.bqa.org. Resources

1www.ams.usda.gov/reports/meatgrading 2 BQA Certification Database Raising the Next Generation of Beef Advocates. In this installment, we look forward to the future by developing the next generation of beef advocates through the Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program. Unlike 150 years ago, when most families lived an agrarian lifestyle, today, fewer than two percent of the U.S. population resides on a farm or ranch.1 These changing demographics have resulted in a large gap between where food is produced and where it is consumed. Now more than ever, it is vital for producers, consumers, and all engaged members of the agriculture community to share their stories instead of relying on someone else to do it for them. The Checkoff funded MBA program was developed in 2009 to bridge the widening chasm between producers and consumers and to help farmers and ranchers share their stories and advocate knowledgeably for the beef industry. It is a free, self guided online course that provides farmers, ranchers, service providers, students, consumers, and all members of the beef community the tools and resources to answer questions about beef and raising cattle. “Every producer has a story to tell, which is the foundation of becoming a powerful voice for beef,” said NCBA Federation Division Chair Clay Burtrum. “Sharing my ranch experiences and how I raise animals is vital to connecting producers and consumers. We promote a lifestyle that raises a wholesome, nutritious product that is also sustainable as we constantly improve our methods of preserving natural resources and caring for our animals.” The online lessons address sustainability, beef nutrition, animal welfare, and beef safety while taking participants through the beef lifecycle, from pasture to plate. The course also offers historical context on the evolution of the U.S. beef industry from the time 1

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Deadline is 5th of month prior to issue!

the first cattle were brought to North America to today. Upon completion of five interactive online lessons, graduates are equipped with the communication skills and information to be confident in sharing beef stories on social media and in communities to help others better understand how cattle are raised and how beef is part of healthy sustainable diets. Graduates gain access to a variety of continuing education resources ranging from online courses that delve deeper into specific topics to in-person training and more. They are also invited to join the MBA Alumni Facebook group, a virtual community to ask questions and get connected to the latest advocacy resources. Producers across the United States have been joining the conversation and engaging in critical discussions surrounding the beef community, backing their beliefs and systems of thought through social media, writing editorial pieces, posting live videos, and continuing their education through programs such as MBA. With more than 19,000 graduates of the program, MBA continually adapts to meet the changing needs of both producers and consumers. “MBA is always making enhancements to improve the educational experience and include topics that are top-of-mind for both producers and consumers,” Burtrum said. “It will continue to be a cornerstone program educating future generations of beef advocates.” For more information and to apply to participate in the MBA program, visit www.MastersofBeefAdvocacy.com. Resource 1 U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2017). Census of Agriculture. Retrieved from www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/ AgCensus/2017/index.php Nutrition Research Improves Public Perception of Beef. Consumers today are more open to the nutritional benefits of beef than at any other time since the Checkoff began more than three decades ago, but getting here was not easy and required consistent long term investment in nutrition research to turn the tide. The Beef Checkoff was implemented at a time when U.S. Dietary Guidelines encouraged Americans to limit beef in their diet and reduce their intake of fat and cholesterol. This coincided with Americans’ growing interest in healthy lifestyles, and it quickly became clear that nutrition and health concerns could be a potential barrier to consumers eating beef. In order to address the concerns and further understand beef’s role in health, the Checkoff began funding nutrition research. Through the years, the Checkoff has made significant contributions to the

scientific understanding about beef’s role in health. And now, The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) recommend introducing solid foods, like beef, to infants and toddlers, in order to make every bite count with protein, iron, zinc, and choline.1-2 “I’ve seen firsthand the evolution of nutrition behavior over the years,” said Becky Walth, South Dakota producer and member of the Nutrition & Health Checkoff Committee. “The Beef Checkoff has been ahead of the curve, conducting research to demonstrate the importance of beef in a balanced diet.” Two landmark studies reinforce that beef not only fits heart healthy diets but may also help decrease risk of cardiovascular disease when included in heart healthy diets. The Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) study found that people can enjoy 4-5½ ounces of lean beef daily as part of a heart healthy lifestyle to lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. 3 The Mediterranean style eating pattern study found that eating a Mediterranean diet that included 7-18 ounces of lean red meat per week can improve cardiometabolic disease risk factor profiles.4 The Checkoff has done more than just defend beef’s position in heart healthy diets using a strong foundation of science. In fact, nutrition research has been helping people discover the benefits of beef to health across the life span, starting with protein. Recent studies have focused on the power of protein and its impact on physical and emotional strength. While other research has shown the importance of high quality protein for the aging population, as well as demonstrating beef’s critical role in growth and development, especially as a high quality source of iron for older infants, women, and girls. Because of Checkoff funded nutrition research, beef can now be Americans’ protein of choice in any gold standard heart healthy diet, and beef is consistently recommended by scientists, physicians, and registered dietitians. In addition, 75 percent of consumers agree that beef is nutritious.5 New challenges are on the horizon as the nutrition and public health community grapples with how to ensure everyone has access to sustainable healthy food. A key part of this will be maximizing nutrition with fewer calories making nutrient density an important cornerstone of how the world defines a healthy, sustainable diet. NCBA and the Beef Checkoff are already conducting research in these areas to help keep beef as a healthy choice for the center of the plate. Checkoff funded research has not only added to the scientific database but

has also accelerated scientific discovery from others in a wide variety of areas related to the nutrients found in beef and beef’s role in overall health. In the past, nutrition may have been a barrier to consumers eating beef; however, with help from the Checkoff, nutrition has now become the reason people want to include beef in their diets. For more information, visit www.beefresearch.org. Resources 1 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. 2020. Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: Advisory Report to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Washington, D.C. 2 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/ fdc-app.html#/food-details/170208/ nutrients

Roussell M.A., et al. Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet study: effects on lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:9-16. 4 O’Connor L.E., et al. A Mediterranean style eating pattern with lean, unprocessed red meat has cardiometabolic benefits for adults who are overweight or obese in a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2018;108:33-40.ii. 5 Consumer Beef Tracker, JanuaryDecember 2020. About the Beef Checkoff. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50¢ on the dollar and forward the other 50¢ per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

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Dr. Boyd Parr Honored Upon Retirement Retired state veterinarian, Clemson adjunct professor, awarded Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest honor. Recently retired state veterinarian

and director of Clemson Livestock Poultry Health, Boyd Parr, was awarded the Order of Palmetto recently at the South Carolina Farm Bureau Executive

Agribusiness and Natural Resources Leadership Program Now Accepting Applications A program that identifies and cultivates leaders for South Carolina’s agribusiness, forestry, and natural resources industries is accepting applications for its second cohort of participants. Palmetto Leadership Program for the Environment, Agriculture, and Forestry – or Palmetto LEAF – is a two year intensive instructional and experiential learning and networking program designed for agribusiness, forestry, and environmental professionals who want to take their careers to the next level. Through Palmetto LEAF, participants gain insights from top leaders and network with each other and agribusiness industry influencers. They also get the opportunity to visit and interact with industries in neighboring states and learn strategies for achieving work-life balance. Palmetto LEAF is facilitated by Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences. “Every impactful industry needs a pipeline of leaders who are passionate about shaping the future. This is particularly important in our industry where the average age of South Carolina farmers has been trending upward for 30 years. Not only is agribusiness and forestry the state’s top industry, but it is also responsible for stewarding the state’s recreational lands and sustainably feeding, clothing, and sheltering a growing South Carolina and global population. Palmetto LEAF is designed to identify and cultivate leaders who are passionate and innovative in accomplishing that mission,” said Kirby Player, Palmetto LEAF director. Palmetto LEAF is designed in part to help sustain the state’s agribusiness and natural resource industries for future generations by preparing the next generation for advancement and succession within their organizations and ensure sustained momentum for the agriculture, forestry, and environmental industries of South Carolina, Player said. The first cohort of Palmetto LEAF participants included 22 men and women from diverse industries, including agribusiness owners and executives, business development leaders, engineers, lenders, and members of state and federal agencies with an array of educational backgrounds, including MBAs, biological sciences, veterinary sciences, and even film and television. The cohort includes Ben Setzler, owner of Triple Creek Farm in Newberry and chairman of Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District. “This is the only program that I’m aware of that bridges every aspect and level of agriculture in South Carolina. It’s been an honor and privilege to be part of this first cohort and I’m excited to see how this program continues to craft leaders for every aspect of our diverse industry,” Setzer said. Palmetto LEAF applicants should be South Carolina residents fully engaged in South Carolina agriculture, forestry or natural resources, or environmental stewardship. Participants will be chosen based on their leadership potential, career stage, and characteristics such as communication skills, integrity, growth potential, and analytical skills. Applicants must be at least 28 years old by January 15, 2022. Applicants from Georgia and North Carolina will be considered if space allows. Applications for Class II (January 2022-December 2024) must be completed and submitted or postmarked no later than September 15. For online application, to nominate a potential applicant and to learn more about Palmetto LEAF and applicant eligibility, visit www.clemson.edu/cafls/palmetto-leaf/.

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Committee meeting. Parr still serves as an adjunct professor in the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences at Clemson University. “Boyd has had a significant positive impact on Clemson Cooperative Extension during his years of service,” said Thomas Dobbins, director of the Clemson University Extension Service. “From his work with dairy farmers to supporting 4-H youth with projects and judging competitions, he’s been an integral part of our community and continuously provided direction and leadership.” The Order of the Palmetto is South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, recognizing individuals for their extraordinary achievements, service, and contributions to the state. A once in a lifetime achievement, the award is presented only to natives or residents of the state. Growing up on a dairy farm in Newberry, S.C., Parr has spent his life actively involved in the agriculture community. He earned his Bachelor of Science in pre-professional studies from Clemson University and received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia before returning to South Carolina. Prior to joining Clemson in 2004, Parr was in private veterinary practice engaging in bovine production medicine serving clients in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina, with a focus on dairy and cow/

calf operations. “I’m grateful for my time and experiences at Clemson and the opportunity to meet, work with and serve so many South Carolinians. It has been a great honor to serve our state, and I want to thank everyone who has played a role in my career,” said Parr. “Going from being a pre-vet undergraduate to the South Carolina State Veterinarian and director of livestock poultry health has been an amazing journey and the experience of a lifetime.” His career has been dedicated to service, serving two terms on the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health for USDA and the past president of the U.S. Animal Health Association and the Southern Animal Health Association. Parr also served in the AVMA House of Delegates for eight years representing South Carolina and is currently a member of the SCAV Executive Committee. Parr’s work has been recognized by the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians as Veterinarian of the Year in 2012 and Distinguished Veterinarian of the Year in 2019. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the S.C. Pork Board in 2015 and 2021 and the Rowland P. Alston Sr. Award for Excellence in Public Relations in 2019. In 2017, he was inducted into the S.C. Dairy Hall of Fame, and in 2020, he was awarded the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award.

You shouldn’t have to have a gun held to your head to take advantage of the expert A.I., superior genetics, the best in purebreds and outstanding farm supplies featured in the Classifieds in this issue!

From the Desk of the SCCA President By ROSCOE KYLE Hopefully, we are all still well and looking forward to the end of the dog days of summer in the South. It has been a hot one in most of the state. By the time this gets to you, Dr. Boyd Parr will hopefully be well on his way to enjoying retirement from his duties as state vet for South Carolina and being with his grandchildren. I hope I can speak for all of the state’s cattlemen and women when I say Dr. Parr will be missed. He has done a great deal for the cattle industry in our state and across the Southeast in his efforts to improve the industry. The S.C. Cattlemen’s Association and I wish Dr. Parr a long and enjoyable retirement. This past June, the SCDA, along with S.C. Farm Bureau, hosted the boards of the SCCA, S.C. Dairymen, and S.C. Beef Council at a reception at the Governor’s mansion in recognition of Beef and Dairy Month. I personally attended the function and got to see a lot of friends who I have not seen in months! It was well attended and represented by all groups, and the beef was great! As the sitting president of the SCCA, I am also the NCBA representative. That organization has been hard at work on the frontlines in taking on major concerns of the producers in our industry. Currently, they are deeply involved with the Transparency Bill along with committee meetings on the use of Product of USA labeling. The labeling is something I foresee will help the cattle industry to level the playing field. It will probably contain information for the consumers on

where the animal was born, raised, and harvested. I know some people are not members, but please remember that we could not do all that NCBA does for our industry on our own. Please join so we can fight the fights together. On a sadder note, the upstate lost one of our own in a tragic accident in Oconee County. The gentleman was out bush hogging a field, and some young people were playing with a .22 caliber rifle and struck the man in the back, resulting in his death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. It is always sad when we lose a loved one, but knowing that they are in a better place makes it a little more comforting. On the opposite end of that kind of news is the arrival of a new generation of long time cattle producers. I would like to congratulate the LeMaster clan from Chesnee County on the new arrival of Christopher III in the first part of July. As we all are getting back to inperson meetings, please remember to be careful and just use common sense when we are in a group. I hope everyone who wanted to was able to attend the SCCA Annual Convention held on August 6 at the T. Ed Garrison Livestock Complex. Since this is being written before the fact, I will report on results next time. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. Remember, “North is only a direction, but SOUTH is a way of life.” Everyone stay healthy. As always, I remain respectfully yours.

Be a winner! Join your local cattlemen’s association AND your state cattlemen’s association!

t S LA ! L L A C WHAT:

2021 South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting WHEN:

August 6, 2021 WHERE:

Garrison Livestock Arena Clemson, S.C.

Registrations for the conference can be found online at www.sccattlemen.org. ◆ Exhibitor Registration ◆ Sponsor Registration ◆ Individual Registration For more information about the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Conference,contact:

TRAVIS MITCHELL • 803-609-2828 The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2021

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A m e r i ca n A s s o c i a t i o n o f Vete r i n a r y M e d i ca l C o l l e g e s

NEWS

AAVMC/APLU Gene Editing Task Force Recommends ‘Remodeling’ Federal Regulatory Landscape. Gene editing in agricultural animals has the potential to unleash enormous gains in productivity. But in order for those gains to be realized, “a remodeling of the federal regulatory landscape is needed.” That’s the conclusion of a panel of experts convened by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and the Association of Public and Land grant Universities (APLU) that spent the past 18 months studying the issue. The “AAVMC/APLU Gene Editing in Agriculture Task Force Report” suggests current regulatory protocols have not kept up with technological change and must be modernized in order for society to realize the many benefits of new scientific capabilities. Regulatory reform will help address the food security and sustainability needs of a global population expected to reach ten billion people by 2050. “For the promises of applying gene editing in livestock to be realized, federal regulatory approval and monitoring processes that are rooted in science and streamlined with the pace of development, as well as public acceptance of food derived from gene edited animals, are essential,” authors say in the report. “Thus, a remodeling of the federal regulatory landscape is needed for the U.S. to sustain its place as a global leader and innovator in the animal agriculture sector and keep pace with the exponentially expanding global human population.” Currently, the Food and Drug Administration regulates genetic work on food animals as an “animal drug” under protocols developed during the early phases of the Biotechnology Revolution. The USDA regulates these technologies with crops. The report contains several specific recommendations for regulatory officials and lawmakers to consider as they envision “what a modernized and progressive framework for the regulation of gene edited livestock in the United States” should be: 1. Update the existing FDA regulatory framework (currently based upon processes established for transgenic technologies that are out of step with state-of-the-art gene editing technologies)

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and develop a coordinated, streamlined, fact based, and cost effective assessment and approval process between the USDA and FDA to ensure safe food. 2. Develop an evidence and logic based decision making protocol for gene editing applications that is regulated separately from transgenic based GMOs which result from the integration of recombinant DNA. 3. Develop streamlined assessment and approval processes that categorize gene editing applications based on: a) the type of genomic change being created, b) the method used for creating the genomic change, c) the impact on the welfare of the animal, and d) the potential for negative impact on the environment. 4. Develop a regulatory channel for approval of gene edited agricultural animals with genomic structures that could have arisen in nature as safe for human consumption. “Gene editing has the capacity to create transformational change in our food production systems,” said Dr. Noelle Cockett, president of Utah State University, a renowned geneticist, and chair of the task force. “But in order to realize those benefits in production and safety, we need a regulatory structure that has kept pace with technology. Our task force has thoughtfully and carefully considered many different aspects of this issue, including perspectives from the scientific and agricultural communities, and we have made our recommendations. We hope this work will meaningfully inform the work of government officials as they develop the best public policy in this area.” For more than 10,000 years, humans have been using selective breeding in domesticated animals to achieve desired characteristics like improved growth and resiliency, according to the report. While it has been useful over the centuries, selective breeding is time consuming and requires multiple generations before results can be achieved. The advent of biotechnology substantially advanced those capabilities. Following the invention of recombinant DNA technology, scientists were able to quickly produce generations of animals with desired characteristics by fusing

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

strands of DNA that coded for those changes through a process known as transgenesis. The genomic structure of transgenic animals could not occur in nature through normal mutagenic processes, and transgenic animals were eventually regulated by the federal government as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Public attitudes regarding the safety of GMOs have wavered from uncertainty to negative, which has impaired the widespread use of that

technology. Meanwhile, scientific advancements led to the development of CRISPR technology (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats), which enables scientists to precisely “edit” existing strands of DNA in a way that immediately generates the desired genomic characteristics. Importantly,

Continued on page 52

S.C. Beef Council News By ROY COPELAN August is here, and the summer months continue to fly. Before too long, schools will be back in session, the days will become shorter, and our schedules will be busy with shows, sales, fairs, football, and other events! I can hardly wait. We have begun our in-store beef promotions but at a slower pace. Beef promotions will continue around the state through December, usually on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Do you know of food retailers or foodservice operators that could use a beef promotion? Let me know, and I will set up a schedule. Even with higher beef prices, our beef consumers continue to enjoy your great protein and always have questions. The S.C. Beef Council has a new and refreshed website. Visit us at www.sccattle.org. Also, we are featured on Facebook and Twitter. These pages have the latest beef promotions, beef recipes, and industry information. Let’s use the tools to aid and assist in telling our beef story to the consumers. Also, McGill, the traveling cow, is available for promotional activities, community events, etc. Call me to make arrangements. The Annual NCBA Convention and Trade Show will be held on August 1012 in Nashville. Come join others and participate in the largest cattle industry meeting. Over 8,500 cattle producers will be attending. Hopefully, South Carolina will have a large group participating. I hope to see you in Nashville. Also, the annual S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up will be held in Clemson on August 6-8. Come out and support our juniors on this great cattle weekend. Finally, the S.C. Beef Council will hold a quarterly board meeting here in Columbia on August 19 at 10:00 a.m. Meetings are open. Stay cool, safe, and healthy. Check on others in your community. Until next month.

Beef Promotion and Research Program

PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM Information is required by (7 CRF 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential (7 CRF 1260.203).

Today’s Date: ________________ Seller’s Name: ____________________________

Buyer’s Name: ____________________________

Address: _________________________________

City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ______

Seller’s Signature: _________________________

Buyer’s Signature: _________________________

Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Beef Promotion & Research Board.

Total Number of Cattle Sold: ___________________ x $1.50 Per Head = $ _______________________ Date of Sale: __________________

Person remitting assessment form:

Seller

Buyer

* State of Origin of Cattle: ______________________

* If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.

Send Report and Remittance to:

SOUTH CAROLINA BEEF COUNCIL P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211 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 1.8 minutes 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, gender, religion, age, disbility, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or protected genetic information. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges News continued from page 50 these genetic changes can and do occur naturally in the world through normal mutagenic processes. “Both the technical science and intended outcomes of gene editing are substantially different compared to transgenesis,” according to the authors. “As such, regulatory statutes should not be applied as a ‘one size fits all’ model; rather, contextual categorizing of the genetically altered animals that allows for fluidity and applying logic based decision making, while still ensuring safety, is needed.” The expert panel also outlined a series of steps that could pave the way for fully reaping the potential benefits of gene editing technology: • Establish a national coalition of scientific experts, bioethicists, and engagement specialists from APLU and AAVMC member institutions to serve as a sounding board and think tank related to the modernization of the existing federal regulatory framework. • Engage with federal legislators,

staffers, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and inform them on key issues related to regulatory approval and monitoring processes for gene editing applications in livestock. • Distribute the task force report to stakeholder organizations and agencies like U.S. Land-grant universities, the FDA, the USDA, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the Gates Foundation, and others. • Establish a University Research Consortium of scientific experts developing gene editing applications in livestock that will facilitate collaborative research and educational initiatives. AAVMC/APLU Gene Editing in Agriculture Task Force members include Cockett, Dr. Jon Oatley of Washington State University, Dr. Bhanu Telugu of the Universities of Missouri and Maryland, Dr. Londa Nwadike of Kansas State University and the University of Missouri, Dr. Jonathan Beever of

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

the University of Tennessee, Dr. Rex Dunham of Auburn University, and Dr. James Murray of University of California, Davis; Dr. Kathy Simmons of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; and Clint Nesbitt of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). The task force was staffed by AAVMC Director for Governmental Affairs, Kevin Cain. “We’re pleased to partner with the APLU on a project that has such vast implications for agricultural productivity and food security,” said AAVMC CEO Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. “Working closely with other stakeholders and thought leaders and using evidence based facts, scientists working in our member institutions have been able to make an important contribution in a converging area of science, technology, and public policy that needs to be addressed.” “Gene editing is a key tool in our effort to foster greater food security across the world and produce healthier, more sustainable food,” APLU President Peter McPherson said. “Having a regulatory framework to ensure the safety and integrity of such food is important, but the current system is outdated and not constructed to deal with the modern state of gene editing technology and processes. In partnering together, our nation’s public and land-grant universities and veterinary colleges have charted a path forward that will allow this field to advance while maintaining appropriate and effective oversight.” The APLU and the AAVMC decided to take action in this area following inquiries from members of Congress to then Food and Drug Administration Acting Commissioner Norman E. Sharpless concerning current regulatory processes. That provided the impetus for the AAVMC and the APLU to organize a fall 2019 symposium for leading scientists and other scholars called “Gene Editing in Livestock: Looking to the Future.” During that event, 23 of the nation’s leading experts from academia, government, industry, and professional groups gathered to examine a series of questions ranging from the nature and safety of this promising technology to its ethical implications. Symposium participants concluded that work with animal and plant genomes has vast potential for limiting disease and increasing productivity but agreed that appropriate regulatory processes should be thoroughly considered and structured. That led to the formation of the task force. Journal of Veterinary Medical

Education Now Using a Hybrid Open Access Model. The AAVMC and the University of Toronto Press are pleased to announce that beginning in July 2021, the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (JVME) has adopted a hybrid print and online publishing model which incorporates open access of all published content. As of July 1, all JVME content is published with a 12 month open access embargo, and all issues published up to and including volume 47 issue 3 (June 2020) are now open access at www.jvme. utpjournals.press. This change expands access to important developments in veterinary medical education. JVME’s transition to a hybrid publishing model amplifies its global reach to veterinary medical practitioners, educators, researchers, prospective and current veterinary medical students, and other stakeholders. Under the new model, JVME will maintain a rolling 12 month embargo on new issues. Based on the date of issue publication and at no cost to authors, all articles will become open access directly on the journal’s website 12 months after publication. During the first 12 months of publication, content will remain available to members of the AAVMC and by subscription to both library and individual customers. Faculty and students of AAVMC member institutions and subscribing libraries have access to all content available by subscription. As an additional option, authors may choose, with payment of a fee, to publish individual manuscripts using the gold open access model, whereby the manuscripts will be published open access immediately after acceptance, without an embargo. The journal’s Advance Online feature will be maintained under the new model. Shifting the JVME to a hybrid model will foster AAVMC’s goals of building public awareness of the ways veterinary medicine is advancing global health and well being; promoting careers in veterinary and biomedical research among students, applicants, and preapplicants; and supporting engagement, sharing, and collaboration among AAVMC member institution research administrators. Increased visibility and more timely access to the research presented in JVME will also promote interprofessional collaboration and improve outreach to the media and policy makers, further increasing the impact of JVME and its authors on international veterinary medicine.

While addressing the rapidly changing world of veterinary medicine, JVME remains strongly committed to ensuring that the highest ethical standards are honored in all areas of published research. Rigorous peer review processes will maintain the high quality trusted research for which JVME is known and respected. This move is the latest effort in JVME’s mission to continuously improve its service to the academic veterinary medical community. In 2020, JVME increased the annual number of issues published from four to six in response to the steady increase of high quality scholarly manuscripts and the need for rapid access to crucial research within the veterinary medical education field. About the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. Published bi-monthly by the AAVMC and the University of Toronto Press, the JVME provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, research, and discoveries about veterinary medical education. This exchange benefits veterinary faculty, students, and the veterinary profession as a whole by preparing veterinarians to better perform their professional activities and to meet the needs of society. The journal’s areas of focus include best practices and educational methods in veterinary

education; recruitment, training, and mentoring of students at all levels of education, including undergraduate, graduate, veterinary technology, and continuing education; clinical instruction and assessment; institutional policy; and other challenges and issues faced by veterinary educators domestically and internationally. To sign up to receive important news relating to the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, visit www. bit.ly/JVMEnews. About the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. The member institutions of AAVMC promote and protect the health and wellbeing of people, animals, and the environment by advancing the profession of veterinary medicine and preparing new generations of veterinarians to meet the evolving needs of a changing world. Founded in 1966, the AAVMC represents more than 40,000 faculty, staff, and students across the global academic veterinary medical community. Our member institutions include Council on Education (COE) accredited veterinary medical colleges and schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as departments of veterinary science and departments of comparative medicine in the United States.

News

ABS Global and Genus R&D Welcome 2021 Internship Class. Out of more than 600 applications, 33 students rose to the top as a new generation of leaders, innovators, and pioneers. This year, ABS Global and Genus R&D sorted through more than 600 applications to select this year’s class of 33 diverse, talented, and eager interns. Many business functions throughout ABS, R&D, and product development offer internship positions. Meet the interns here www.startingatgenus.com. “We’re excited for another group of future leaders to spend their summer with ABS and Genus R&D this year,” said Christina Bleifuss, Student Program Manager at ABS Global. “During their time with us, they set specific goals, immerse themselves within our teams, and participate in group learning sessions throughout the summer.” The North America Summer

Internship Program provides ABS and Genus R&D with the next generation of leaders, innovators, and pioneers. The three month summer program is available throughout North America, offering a range of positions across various departments. Recruiting for Summer 2022 will begin again this September and new positions will be listed on our website to apply. About ABS Global. Headquartered in DeForest, Wis., ABS Global is the world leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, artificial insemination technologies, and udder care products. Marketing in more than 70 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. The experience of ABS runs 80 years deep, 70 countries wide, and 1,600 colleagues strong. ABS Global is a division of Genus plc.

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NEWS Four Tips for Marketing Stocker Cattle. Pocketing the most profit potential is the goal of producers, but staying profitable can be challenging. Programs exist to give producers the most opportunities to reach the greatest potential. John Jeffrey, BioZyme Inc. FeedlotStocker Business Development Manager, and Jason Barber, Superior Livestock Purebred Division Manager, recently discussed some marketing tips on a recent Gain Smart Money Savings Minute. Read on for the advice they shared. Build Relationships - Having a marketing outlet that you trust is imperative. As Barber points out, Superior Livestock specializes in facilitating commerce between buyers and sellers of load lots, or 50,000 pounds at a time. Superior has 8,500 active buyers across the country looking for cattle to fit their needs.

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Regardless of if you have a load lot to sell on Superior or if you have ten head to sell at your local auction market, you need to build and cultivate relationships with your marketing outlet and potential buyers. If you don’t have enough cattle to make a load lot, establish a relationship with your local auction market or with a feeder who might want to buy your stockers. Know if the auction market has special sales that might offer premiums for specific genetics or health programs that you are participating in. Another option is to build a relationship with a neighbor or relative that might also have a smaller group of cattle. Perhaps together, the two of you can put together a load lot to maximize your selling potential. Keep the Consumer in Mind Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how their food is raised and more concerned with where their food

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

comes from, making animal welfare a bigger priority than ever. Barber said that they see more dollars come in for cattle on sale day for calves that have been raised naturally and are not treated with hormones, as the consumers will pay more for marketing labels like “organically raised” and “all natural.” “If you look at the cattle that sell on Superior right now, if they are verified natural beef, NHTC or GAP, they are consistently above the market, regardless of what sale it is. As we’ve seen this year, the market ebbs and flows really well,” Barber said. Get on a Program - With the consumer preferences in mind and the premiums that Barber said they have seen for cattle on a value-added program, it makes sense to get your calves on a program that will pay premiums. A variety of programs are available through Superior, several breed associations, and other outlets to help feeders verify genetics, source, age, and health and nutrition history. Information is power, and the more information a buyer has for a group of cattle, the more they will typically pay.

Nutrition Matters - In response to the premiums generated for value added programs, BioZyme created the first nutrition programs that Superior Livestock recognized in its long line of value added programs. The Gain Smart Verified and VitaFerm Raised programs are going into their fifth year of identifying calves either backgrounded on the Gain Smart mineral program or weaned from a cow fed VitaFerm for at least 45 days. Buyers take advantage of those emblems because they know the cattle have been fed a quality nutrition program that includes Amaferm and got a strong start on their health while being efficient gainers. “Amaferm is a precision prebiotic that impacts intake, feed digestibility and nutrient absorption for optimum gain, and the Amaferm advantage is what sets apart Gain Smart from other nutrition programs. It’s even going to be more important for folks to utilize Gain Smart to help them become more efficient, especially if they are going to be participating in these all natural or NHTC programs where they are not allowed to use some of the technologies like

ionophores and they can’t use implants. If they’re forced to use an antibiotic, then that animal drops out of that program,” Jeffrey said. “When it comes to selling cattle on Superior with good genetics and they have good health behind them, we have the buyer base to create the best potential to create a premium on sale day. The more logos (programs) those cattle have on them on sale day, the more money they bring,” Barber said. When it comes to marketing your stockers, you need a plan. Get them on a good nutrition program that can get them and keep them in a value added program. Think about the preferences of the consumers, who ultimately drive the market, and build a relationship with the outlet that can get your cattle sold to the buyers who are willing to pay a premium. To learn more about caring for and marketing your stockers, visit www. gainsmart.com. Four Steps to Getting Market Animals Ready for Their Final Shows. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. This rings true if you are in a job interview, on a first date, or leading or driving your favorite animal into the ring. Sure, you and your family have had the opportunity to spend hours, even days studying structure, muscle, condition, hair, and skin on your animal. However, at this animal’s final show, the judge is going to take moments, maybe less than a minute, to determine if he or she will pull you into line or pen you for one more look. Getting a market animal ready for their target show, whether that is a state fair, junior expo, or other endpoint, doesn’t happen overnight, the last two weeks, or even in 30 days. It is a science and an art that takes effort in nutrition, exercise, health care, and appearance that should start as soon as you get your animal brought into your barn. Feeding Regimen - Blaine Rodgers, Western U.S. Area Sales Manager & Show Livestock Manager for BioZyme Inc., said that the most important thing for livestock exhibitors and feeders to understand is their timeline from start to finish of their project. They should know their final show dates, calculate the number of days the animals will be on feed, and ultimately feed so the animal won’t need to be pushed too hard or held too much toward the end of the project, which can have a negative impact on structure and muscle shape and composition. “Having a good game plan and strategy and being prepared and having your animal in the right spot is really important so you can coast along and don’t have to feed them excessively or

put a lot of weight gain on them at the last minute, things that effect soundness and structure, two of the most important things to an animal. People try to push animals way too hard for what their skeleton is capable of,” Rodgers said. Once you know your days on feed until your final show, calculate your projected average daily gain and what it will take to get your animal to its desired endpoint. If you are newer to feeding an animal, visit with the breeder of your animal, a livestock nutritionist, a 4-H leader, or an FFA advisor in your area for advice. Also, be sure you know your final show’s weight minimums and maximums. Finally, Rodgers stressed that free choice water is vital to the overall well being of the animal. Make sure your animal, regardless of species, has plentiful fresh, clean, cold water, especially in the summer. Water intake directly correlates to appetite. Supplement Savvy - Although feeding doesn’t always work out as planned, and animals do sometimes go off feed or are more efficient in their gain, there are ways to supplement your livestock to help achieve their goals as they reach the last few weeks. If an animal appears too over conditioned and needs to be hardened up or leaned up, you can feed it protein. Likewise, if an animal is too thin or needs some mass, try one of several fat supplements to help it appear more market ready. Supplements not only help your animals grow, but they also fulfill other needs. If you do have an animal that you are pushing to gain and you are worried about its structural integrity or if you simply have an animal that might have some issues with its movement, Rodgers suggests Sure Champ Joint Juice. This product lubricates joints and naturally restores synovial fluid to alleviate joint discomfort. Sure Champ Joint Juice contains MHB3 Hyaluronan, the most highly researched and proven hyaluronic acid available. It is carefully crafted to naturally support, promote and enhance joint and soft tissue health. Joint Juice is not a “quick fix,” according to Rodgers, but it is meant to be more of a preventative product, working to keep joints sound as the skeleton grows and develops muscle mass. Ideally, cattle should be on Joint Juice for 90-100 days, and smaller animals like sheep, goats, and hogs should use Joint Juice for 60 days in order to receive the full benefits. Keeping your animals healthy should be a priority, and overall health starts with their digestive health. Sure Champ and Vita Charge also offer supplements to help keep their digestive system in check and keep your livestock eating

and drinking through the summer heat and other stress that showing and hauling involve. Products like Sure Champ Extreme, Sure Champ Cattle, and Vita Charge Liquid Boost offer the Amaferm advantage to promote appetite and digestive health. Each product also offers other benefits to help your show livestock excel in the ring. Exercise Importance - Exercise is vital to building lean muscle mass, especially in small ruminants like sheep and goats. However, it benefits all species at various levels. Remember when it is the summertime, and high heat and humidity exist at the peak of the day, you will want to exercise your animals in the early morning or later in the evening when the temperatures cool off to help keep your animals comfortable and to avoid unnecessary heat stress. In addition to building muscle shape in livestock, Rodgers reminds that exercise offers some other secondary benefits as well. In cattle, it helps to keep their structure loose and helps to build their appetite, especially when they are typically kept tied inside a small, climate controlled area most of their day in an effort to grow hair. For pigs, exercise is important to help build their lung capacity and endurance when they might be asked to drive in a hot show ring for 15-20 minutes at a time. Not every state fair show ring is air conditioned, so train your pigs to walk outside in the heat and gradually work them up to walking 20-30 minutes at a time, so they don’t pant or show signs of being tired. Products like the Vita Charge Climate Control Gel or Sure Champ Extreme will help any species help maintain their normal body temperatures. Make ‘em Shine - Remember that first impression you want to make? That all comes down to what the judge will see when you enter the ring, and that is the outward appearance of your animal. “When you hit the ring, you want your animal to be presented like a champion,” Rodgers said. That first impression will likely come from a combination of skin and hair and how they are presented – showmanship. Therefore, you will want to focus on these areas daily. “As competitive as the junior livestock arena has become, it is a game of inches,” Rodgers said. Taking care of your animals’ appearances comes down to daily washing or rinsing, conditioning, and brushing. There are many protocols out there, and you should follow the one best suited for you and your animals. Practicing showmanship can often be done while exercising or after

exercising. It is important so your animal is comfortable with you – the exhibitor – and the two of you can make that great first impression. With cattle, sheep, and goats, it is often the duo that is set up correctly first that makes the best first impression. When driving a pig, you want to make the judge say “wow” with an easy striding hog that has it’s head up. You only get a small amount of time to make an initial impression. Keeping structure and soundness in mind with a feeding regimen and the proper use of supplements is paramount. Round that off with a good exercise program and daily hair and skin work while practicing showmanship skills. Your first impression at your animal’s last show will help you find your way to the backdrop. For more information about the Amaferm advantage or to find the Sure Champ or Vita Charge products near you, visit www.surechamp.com. About BioZyme ® Inc. BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health, and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral, and protein supplements for a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. BioZyme brands include Amaferm®, VitaFerm®, Vita Charge®, Sure Champ®, Vitalize ®, DuraFerm ®, and Backyard Boost™. With headquarters in St. Joseph, Mo., the company reaches a global market of customers that stretches into countries across five continents. For more information about BioZyme, visit www. biozymeinc.com.

N.C. Weekly Auctions Report

(Week ending JULY 01, 2021) Feeder Cattle - Medium and Large 1-2 Kind Avg. Wt. $/lb Steers 300-400 $124.00 - 161.00 400-500 $126.00 - 159.00 500-600 $121.00 - 151.00 600-700 $115.00 - 146.50 700-800 $113.00 - 137.00 800-900 $117.50 - 132.00 Heifers

The Carolina Cattle Connection

300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 700-800 800-900

$124.00 - 145.00 $116.00 - 141.00 $112.00 - 134.00 $100.00 - 128.00 $77.00 - 129.00 $80.00 - 89.00

Slaughter Cows: (over 850 lbs) Breakers (70-80% lean) $62.00 - 77.00 Boners (80-85% lean) $54.50 - 76.00 High Dressing (70-85% lean) $66.00 - 86.00

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services - USDA Market News, Raleigh, N.C. • 919-707-3156

q AUGUST 2021

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NCBA News

Kansas Rancher and NCBA Member Testifies Before Senate Agriculture Committee on Cattle Market Concerns. Recently, Mark Gardiner, the owner-operator of Gardiner Angus Ranch and an NCBA member, testified before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee on key market challenges that have long threatened the profitability of cattle and beef producers. He was joined by leading industry economists with who NCBA has worked closely to explore solutions to the current unsustainable market dynamics. The hearing titled “Examining Markets, Transparency, and Prices from Cattle Producer to Consumer” addressed a wide range of issues, including the urgent need for robust price discovery and differing industry views on how to achieve it, greater market transparency and oversight, and expanded beef processing capacity. “As we stated in our written testimony today, the wide ranging market challenges our producers are facing cannot be remedied with a single solution overnight,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “We must address the issues preventing our members from securing their share of the beef dollar, but we must do so in a way that respects the voices of all cattle producers, regardless of how they choose to market their cattle. We thank Mr. Gardiner for his insights, and we thank Chairwoman Stabenow, Ranking Member Boozman, and other Senators on the committee for the investment they’ve demonstrated in the issues facing America’s cattle producers. We appreciate the care taken by both the majority and minority to consult and select a witness panel that can speak to the current market dynamics from multiple angles.” The hearing comes on the heels of the growing conversation about cattle markets both in Congress and across the country. Earlier this month, NCBA led a letter with the support of 37 affiliate state cattle organizations urging the leadership of the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committees to address critical areas of concern in the cattle and beef industry. Multiple lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have written the U.S. Department of Justice calling for the swift conclusion of their investigation into whether or

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not anti-competitive practices have taken place in the meatpacking sector. NCBA was also at the forefront in 2019 of calling for an investigation after the “black swan” market event of a fire at Tyson Foods’ Finney County beef plant in Holcomb, Kansas. Recent industry meetings in Phoenix, Ariz., and Kansas City, Mo., have also brought together economists, associations, and market participants to discuss industry led solutions. In his opening remarks, Gardiner confirmed the importance of solutions that put producers in the driver’s seat. “Please do not create regulations and legislation that have the unintended consequence of harming value based marketing. Doing so would undo many years of progress for producers such as my family and those of our customers,” said Gardiner. “Onerous legislation has the potential to result in a reversal of quality that is simply unacceptable to consumers.” Background - Cattle producers have long witnessed the decline of negotiated fed cattle trade, and NCBA has been the leading industry voice discussing how to increase opportunities for producer profitability in this landscape. The supply of cattle and the demand for U.S. beef are both strong, but the bottleneck in the middle caused by a lack of hook space has stifled producer profitability and created unsustainable market dynamics. While the use of formulas and grids help cattle producers manage risk and capture more value for their product, these methods depend upon the price discovery that occurs in the direct, buyer-seller interactions of negotiated transactions. Current academic research has shown that more negotiated trade is needed to achieve “robust” price discovery within the industry. NCBA’s grassroots policy — formed through debate and discussion among members from every sector of the supply chain — states that “NCBA supports a voluntary approach that 1) increases frequent and transparent negotiated trade to regionally sufficient levels… and 2) includes triggers to be determined by a working group of NCBA producer leaders.” The policy further states, “If the voluntary approach does not achieve robust price discovery…and triggers are

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

activated, NCBA will pursue a legislative or regulatory solution determined by the membership.” NCBA Thanks Representatives Johnson and Spanberger On Critical Processing Capacity Bill. Recently, NCBA secured the introduction of the Butcher Block Act in the U.S. House, a bipartisan bill that would provide critical funding to expand capacity for small, regional, and independent processing facilities. The bill is the latest in a long line of efforts by NCBA to create more opportunities for cattle producers to get their cattle processed and capture more of the beef dollar. Introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), the legislation would establish a stand alone loan program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help processors expand capacity, improve marketing options for cattle producers, and encourage competitive markets and pricing for live cattle. The legislation would also authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a grant program that would support a range of research and training efforts aimed at strengthening the workforce to meet labor needs and helping processors become federally inspected. “When there’s not enough capacity to process the current supply of live cattle, our producers lose leverage in the market. Expanding capacity is an essential component of the multifaceted effort to increase the opportunities for profitability for cattle producers, and we’ve been hearing for months that the two biggest obstacles standing in the way of that are lack of capital and lack of labor,” said NCBA President Jerry Bohn. “The Butcher Block Act addresses both of those hurdles, and would go a long way to alleviating the bottleneck that is depressing live cattle prices for our farmers and ranchers. We thank Congressman Johnson and Congresswoman Spanberger for their bipartisan work on this urgent need.” The supply of live cattle and the demand for U.S. beef are both strong, but a lack of processing capacity or “hook space” has stifled producer profitability and created unsustainable market dynamics. The urgency of this need for more hook space has been underscored by recent “black swan” market events, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019 fire at a Tyson Foods plant in Holcomb, Kansas. A recent study by Rabobank found that under the current dynamics of supply and demand, the industry could economically accommodate an additional 5,700 hooks per day of

processing capacity, or processing roughly 1.5 million additional head per year. However, access to capital is a major barrier. The average start up cost for a beef processing facility is roughly $100,000 per hook, which means that someone trying to open a modest 25-hearper-day facility has to secure $2.5 million in financing just to turn on the lights. USDA recently announced the creation of two new grant funding opportunities for small, regional, and independent meat processors using funds that NCBA fought hard to secure during December 2020 negotiations over the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. NCBA has also actively engaged with USDA to ensure that increased processing capacity is a component of the $4 billion Build Back Better initiative. NCBA has been the industry’s most vocal proponent for a swift, transparent U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into whether or not anticompetitive practices have contributed

Any news from your county? Be sure to share your meetings, sales, field days, etc., with your fellow cattlemen through the Connection!

to a persistent imbalance in the cattle markets. NCBA Commends USDA for Prompt Action on “Product of the USA” Label Concerns. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a top-to-bottom review of the “Product of the USA” (POTUSA) label, which will inform a forthcoming rule making on this topic. NCBA has long advocated for voluntary labels that meet consumer demand and allow producers to distinguish their products in the marketplace and recently filed a petition with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to eliminate the use of POTUSA and other broad U.S. origin labeling claims for beef products. NCBA commends USDA for the prompt action to address industry concerns regarding the misleading nature of this generic label. “The ‘Product of the USA’ label is not subject to source verification, is not tied to any kind of food safety standard, and is applied by packers and retailers in a manner that does not deliver value back to the cattle producer. This label not only misleads consumers, it is yet another barrier to producers gaining leverage and distinguishing their product in the marketplace,” said NCBA President Jerry Bohn. “NCBA members have voiced concerns about the potentially misleading use of the label and we thank USDA for responding to those concerns and recognizing that non-source verified labels are a disservice to producers and consumers alike. We look forward to working with USDA to find labeling solutions that represent investments made by producers to continually improve their product and meet consumer demand.” USDA’s announcement came after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public hearing on FTC-20200056, Made in USA Rulemaking, Matter No. P074204. The Commission voted 3-2 in favor of the final rule, to take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The new rule will strengthen FTC’s authority to enforce “Made in USA” labels. NCBA submitted comments on the proposed rule in 2020. NCBA’s comments reminded the FTC that USDA has primary jurisdiction over all meat food product oversight activities, including the approval and verification of geographic and origin labeling claims. While the FTC and USDA announcements may have similarities, NCBA believes that USDA is the best equipped agency to properly oversee beef labeling, and we support USDA’s continued jurisdiction over labeling of meat food products. NCBA’s grassroots policy supports

a more appropriate generic label, such as “Processed in the USA.” In addition, NCBA stands ready to work with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to proactively educate cattle producers, processors, and retailers about the various opportunities that exist to develop voluntary, verifiable origin marketing claims that deliver tangible benefits to cattle producers without violating rules of trade. NCBA Thanks President Biden, Secretary Vilsack for Taking Vital Steps to Strengthen Cattle and Beef Supply Chain. Recently, President Biden signed an executive order which initiates several federal rulemakings and commits $500 million to expanding processing capacity in the beef industry. NCBA thanked President Biden and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack for acting rapidly to address key concerns impacting cattle and beef producers. NCBA welcomed the announcement of rulemakings to improve the accuracy of the “Product of the USA” beef label and implement a $500 million strategy to expand processing capacity as vital steps toward a more resilient industry supply chain. “NCBA’s top priority in Washington is pushing for policies that strengthen the business climate for our producers,” said Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “We thank President Biden and Secretary Vilsack for the leadership and swift action they’ve shown on some of the top issues impacting our producers, including ‘Product of the USA’ labeling and grants to expand regional, independent processing capacity. Today’s executive order is a vital next step toward securing a steady beef supply chain, and increasing opportunities for profitability for our producers. We have actively engaged the administration on these issues thus far, and we will continue to advocate for the needs of American cattle producers as the rulemaking processes begin.” The Executive Order includes several provisions specifically aimed at key concerns in the cattle and beef industry, including: • Directs USDA to consider issuing new rules defining the “Product of the USA” label on beef, so consumers have accurate, transparent information at the grocery store. • Directs USDA to develop a plan to increase opportunities for producers to sell their product in fair, transparent, and competitive markets. • Directs USDA to consider issuing new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act, making it easier for

producers to bring claims. NCBA Notes Introduction of Misguided Agriculture Bill from Senator Booker. Recently, NCBA noted the introduction of misguided legislation entitled the Farm System Reform Act by Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane gave the following response. “In the past week, Democrats in Washington have put forward two starkly different proposals for strengthening the future of American cattle farmers and ranchers. One of these paths, namely the recent announcement from Secretary Vilsack, offers practical, long term progress for our producers. The alternative, introduced today in Congress, is the kind of broad, jumbled mess you get when you’re more focused on Twitter and talking points than the sound legislating rural Americans need. “Some 95 percent of cattle raised in the United States visit a feedyard. Feeding operations aren’t antithetical to small, family owned farms and ranches — they’re part and parcel of the same, symbiotic supply chain that produces the

most nutritious, sustainable beef in the world. Cattle feeders respond efficiently to meet a wide range of consumer demands, and that efficiency is one of the main reasons why the United States has had the lowest beef GHG emissions intensity in the world for 25 years. As our food supply chain is taxed by a growing number of mouths to feed at home and abroad, this efficient production system will be more vital than ever. “NCBA has long been on the forefront of issues like accurate ‘Product of the USA’ labeling, competitive and transparent markets, and a more resilient supply chain. While it is positive to see some of these key producer concerns receiving attention from two new members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, we’re also frustrated to see them buried in such a sprawling, misguided package.” NCBA Welcomes Court Decision on Navigable Waters Protection Rule. Recently, the U.S. District Court in South Carolina dismissed a challenge to

Continued on the next page

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q AUGUST 2021

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NCBA News continued from the previous page the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) and granted a remand without vacatur, ensuring the rule remains in effect until the Biden Administration finalizes a new rule. NCBA, along with other agricultural groups, are engaged in litigation across the country to defend the NWPR and are pleased with this key legal victory. “The NWPR is a major improvement to the widely overreaching 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule,” said NCBA Chief Environmental Counsel Scott Yager. “NCBA has long fought to protect private property rights and oppose the unnecessary expansion of federal jurisdiction over isolated and temporary water features. This decision is a victory for America’s cattle producers, ensuring regulatory certainty while the Biden Administration moves through the lengthy rulemaking process. NCBA opposes any federal action that hinders producers’ ability to make investments in their land and care for their cattle. Moving forward, NCBA will continue engaging with the Biden Administration, Congress, and the Courts to protect cattle producers’ property rights.” Sustainability General Session Added to 2021 Cattle Industry Convention Agenda. Extra Session Adds Even More Education and Value. Cattle producers from across the country will descend upon Nashville, Tenn., on August 10-12, for the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. The annual event is well known for its educational content, motivational speakers, and hot topics. New for this year is an additional general session on the final day of the convention entitled “Sustainability: Opportunity or a Bunch of Bull.” “Our connection and dependence on natural resources is the reason we

must lead and tackle sustainability head on,” says National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall. “We added this session specifically to provide information about consumer trends, offer the latest science and to discuss whether sustainability could be the cattle industry’s greatest opportunity.” Cattlemen and women have been conserving natural resources, contributing to the economy, and engaging with communities for generations, so sustainability is not a new concept. Sponsored by Roto-Mix, LLC, sustainability session speakers will discuss how the cattle industry offers solutions to the climate change conversation. The session will include presenters Marty Smith, immediate past president of NCBA; Dr. Jason Sawyer, associate professor and research scientist with the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management; Shawn Darcy, NCBA’s senior director of market research; as well as a panel discussion with retail and foodservice leaders. Panelists Kristine Young, manager of sustainability at Darden; Kyle Kinnard, vice president and divisional merchandise manager of meat and seafood at Sam’s Club; and David Norton, president of Sysco’s specialty meat business across North America, will discuss current consumer trends related to sustainability and the programs their companies are putting in place to share the sustainability story. Smith believes the industry is in a position to promote how cattle positively impact the environment, economy, and social fabric in the United States. “In addition to stewarding our natural resources and leading the world on environmentally sustainable beef

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production, cattlemen and women are also focused on maintaining and building operations that are economically sustainable,” he says. The additional session not only brings even more educational content to this year’s convention but it also adds value for convention participants who are attending in person or virtually. A virtual ticket option is available for those who can’t attend the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention in person. CattleCon Remix attendees will be able to stream general sessions, various Cattlemen’s College sessions, demonstration arena events, and the NCBA Trade Show, and sessions will be made available on-demand following the event. NCBA Announces National Anthem Contest Winner. Nebraska Producer Will Perform During Annual Convention. NCBA is pleased to announce that Carrie Behlke is the winner of the 8th Annual National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook. Behlke will sing the National Anthem at the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention’s Cowboy’s Night at the Opry event on August 12. Behlke grew up in Ohio, where her family raised Charolais cattle, and she served as an Ohio FFA Officer and was Queen for the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. After college, she worked for the American Shorthorn Association and later for The Show Circuit magazine. Today, Behlke, her husband, and two daughters split their time between the family ranch in southwest Nebraska, where they raise cattle and corn, and High River, Alberta, where her husband is a feedlot veterinarian. In addition to being a cattlewoman, she is a professional quilter and does freelance graphic design work. Behlke was raised in a musical family and grew up performing in church. She began studying piano at the age

2021 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts March

April

May

June

308

1,104

919

726

1,454

1,090

581

2,432

1,283

866

1,433

1,194

1,325

1,964

1,593

1,373

1,892

830

786

1,123

1,187

959

1,066

Saluda

2,056

1,355

3,094

2,482

2,324

3,099

Williamston

2,812

1,313

2,792

2,255

1,949

1,884

Orangeburg

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

July

August

September

of seven and started playing the guitar and singing in high school. As a college student, her part time job was teaching piano lessons, and she also played the trumpet in a jazz band. “I’m looking forward to celebrating my Midwest roots and sharing my pride as an American by singing the National Anthem in August,” says Behlke. “My great love is classic country music, so I’m particularly excited to be singing in Nashville at the Opry, which is hallowed ground to me.” As the winner of the National Anthem Singing Contest, Behlke will receive round trip airfare for two to Nashville, convention registration for two, a hotel room for four nights during the convention, and western wear from Roper and Stetson. Online voting by the public determined the winner. NCBA Trade Show Spans More Than Seven Acres Inside and Out. It’s Time to Reconnect Through Networking and Education. The NCBA Trade Show during the annual Cattle Industry Convention is an event in itself where attendees can network, learn, shop, dine, and connect with friends, both old and new. The NCBA Trade Show is a solutions center spanning more than seven acres, including 350 exhibitors that can help producers with animal health products, equipment, irrigation technology, software, trailers, and so much more. This year’s show features even more outdoor space, including exhibitors, displays, and the Chuckwagon Café, where attendees can enjoy lunch each day. In addition to finding the right product or service to solve any problem, there will be a variety of educational opportunities within the show. Learning Lounge sessions offer valuable educational tips through classroom sessions where busy attendees can

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enjoy informal face-to-face talks and education right on the trade show floor. The Stockmanship & Stewardship Demonstration Arena will feature well known clinicians Dr. Ron Gill and Curt Pate offering live animal handling and horsemanship demonstrations. Back by popular demand is the Chutes and Scales Showdown, where producers can watch cattle run through chutes side-by-side, then get hands-on experience with the equipment. This is an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the top manufacturers in the industry, learn about new technology on both manual and hydraulic chutes, and find the right piece of equipment to fit your ranch needs. Campfire Chats provide attendees the opportunity to engage with fellow producers and industry leaders in interactive roundtable discussions. Attendees can have open discussions in an intimate setting on a wide variety of topics, including animal health, nutrition, genetics, grazing, and more. It’s also not too early to think about shopping for the holidays. Find unique gifts for family and friends at the trade show’s retail marketplace, which offers everything from clothing and boots to artwork and jewelry. When each day comes to a close, the trade show experience doesn’t end. Networking activities such as the Whiskey Tasting reception on Wednesday and Pups & Suds Yappy Hour on Thursday continue into the evenings. If you are looking for a refreshing beverage and a little puppy love, this is the place to be. “The NCBA Trade Show offers a unique experience that combines

networking, education, and a place where you can find the products and services you need for your operation and your family,” says Kristin Torres, NCBA executive director of meetings and events. “We are so excited to bring everyone together in person so they can reconnect, learn, and have fun.” A virtual ticket option is available for those who can’t attend the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention in person. CattleCon Remix attendees will be able to stream general sessions, various Cattlemen’s College sessions, demonstration arena events, and the NCBA Trade Show, and sessions will be made available ondemand following the event. Virtual trade show attendees will find an online solutions center where they can find product information, watch videos, and engage with exhibitors. The annual Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA trade show is the oldest and largest convention for the cattle business and features meetings and events from the NCBA, Cattlemen’s Beef Board, CattleFax, National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and the American National CattleWomen. For convention information, visit www.convention.ncba. org. About 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 866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.

Have you forgotten something? Make sure your cattlemen friends are members of your state association!

Beef Improvement Federation

NEWS

2021 BIF Symposium In the Books. Iowa hosts 53rd Annual Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium & Convention. Nearly 400 cattlemen, academia, and industry affiliates gathered June 22-25 at the Des Moines Convention Center, Des Moines, Iowa, for the 2021 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Research Symposium & Convention. The 2½ day event featured a full day of tours in addition to educational programming focused on beef cattle breeding and genetic improvement. Each full day featured a morning general session focused on broader issues, followed by an afternoon of technical breakout sessions focusing on beef production and genetic improvement organized by BIF’s working committees. Angus Media provided online coverage of the event at www.BIFconference.com, providing summaries of the sessions along with links to the recorded presentations in the Newsroom, as well as photos and announcements of this year’s award winners on the Awards page. The site also features an Archive to coverage since 2002. Symposium highlights - This year’s event kicked off on June 22 with a Young Producer Symposium designed for networking and to equip young cattle producers with essential knowledge to grow their role in the business. Ranching for Profit School Instructor John Locke offered insights on profitability, and Ranch House Designs’ Rachel Cutrer provided tips on building a brand. Brian McCulloh moderated a panel composed of three fellow cattlemen — Steve Radakovich, Bart Jones, and Mary Ann Kniebel — to address “Breeding for Profitability: Keeping Balance for the Long Haul.” The National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) symposium examined the increase in “beef-on-dairy” programs, in which dairy cows are bred to beef bulls or implanted with beef embryos. Alta Genetics’ Don Trimmer gave an overview of current artificial insemination (A.I) statistics. Lynn Boadwine of Boadwine Farms Inc. shared how and why his dairy is using the beef-on-dairy strategy. Randall Grimmius of Grimmius Cattle Company shared insights on his calf rearing/ bull service program for dairy producers. The first general session — “Beef Industry: Where is it going?” — featured presentations by Michael Uetz, Midan Marketing; Jim Pillen, Pillen Family Farms; and Dan Thomson, Iowa State University Department of Animal Science chair. Uetz shared consumer research pre- and post-pandemic, offering insight into

five categories of beef consumers. Pillen offered a detailed look at how the now large integrated swine operation makes genetic progress. Thomson shared opportunities for increasing beef demand and selling more beef in today’s marketplace. The following general session focused on precision livestock technology, with Alison Van Eenennaam starting the day with a discussion of gene editing and its role in the future. Precision Livestock Analytics’ Justin Sexten addressed the broader role of technology in the beef industry, then moderated a panel of three individuals with specific examples of new technologies being applied. Pat Wall, Iowa State University Extension specialist, shared a smart feed system being used to collect feed efficiency and animal health information in a research setting. Reiss Bruning of Bruning Farms provided insights on an individual animal monitoring system to record animal behaviors, and Cody Jorgensen of Jorgensen Land and Livestock shared his farms’ experience with a virtual fencing system. BIF committees presented six technical breakout sessions, covering topics ranging from “Milk: Benefit or Burden” to “Low pass Sequencing Reveals Functional Genomics Affecting Cow Weight and Productivity.” Angus Genetics Inc. President Kelli Retallick presented the ramifications of ultrasound on body composition expected progeny differences in the Advancements in End Product Improvement breakout. For comprehensive coverage of the event, visit www.BIFconference.com. For more information about BIF, visit www. beefimprovement.org. About the Beef Improvement Federation. Founded in 1968, BIF’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation. BIF was formed as a means to standardize programs and methodologies and to create greater awareness, acceptance, and usage of performance concepts in beef production. The organization’s three leaf clover logo would come to represent Industry, Extension, and Research, just as its annual symposium would become the industry’s premier forum bringing industry segments together to discuss and evaluate performance topics. To develop cooperation among all segments of the beef industry in the compilation and utilization of performance records to improve efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of beef production.

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NEWS Alltech ONE Ideas Conference launches with exclusive access to insights from agri-food experts. Virtual conference attracts registrants from 99 countries. The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference launched virtually to unite thought leaders and change makers for an exploration of the power of science, sustainability, and storytelling. Now in its 37 th year, Alltech’s flagship event continues to be an invaluable industry resource, with unmatched content and innovative ideas, inspiration, and motivation from world class speakers. Registrants from 99 countries have access to a virtual platform that includes on-demand tracks, streaming keynote presentations, live workshops, and an interactive networking experience, allowing attendees to connect around the world. “We are on the brink of a new beginning, and I don’t believe that is just a new beginning for Alltech. I think it’s a new beginning and a new golden

era for agri-food, and it’s led by what we believe is a bold vision,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, in his opening remarks. “We want to deliver smarter, more sustainable solutions for our customers and for all of agri-food.” Anna Rosling Rönnlund, vice president and head of design and user experience at Gapminder and co-author of “Factfulness,” was one of the opening keynote speakers. Rönnlund designed the user interface of the famous animated bubble chart tool Trendalyzer, which helps people better understand global development trends. The tool was eventually acquired by Google and is now used by millions of students across the world. Along with her Gapminder cofounders, Rönnlund co-wrote the book “Factfulness,” sharing insights on the ten instincts that distort our perspective of the world and prevent us from seeing the truth. “A lot of things are actually improving, but we’re very bad at seeing these slow trends on a global level,” said

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Rönnlund. “We need to have a fact based worldview, and we need to remember that we need to keep upgrading our worldview, because the world changes, and so has our facts about it.” As a professional photographer, filmmaker, and former photojournalist for National Geographic, Dewitt Jones has made a career of storytelling through images and has traveled the world on a mission to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. Through his compelling stories and captivating photography, Jones shared how changing your lens can change your life. “These are turbulent times, and the waves of change seem to threaten our very survival. So, what will your vision allow you to see?” Jones asked during his keynote presentation. “Will you look out at a dim, half colored world where dreams disappear in the distance — a world where goals don’t even seem worth striving for? Or will your vision allow you to see a world still full of beauty and joy and possibility?” Acutia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alltech, launches supplement to support cognitive health, brain function. Acutia Brain Health is the second supplement to be released, following the company’s initial launch of Acutia Selenium in March. Acutia has announced the expansion of its product line with the launch of Acutia Brain Health. By combining selenium, vitamin C and omega-3 DHA, the supplement supports cognitive health and brain function while also providing antioxidant benefits and essential nutrients. R e f l e c t i n g t h e c o m p a n y ’s commitment to sustainability, the product’s unique packaging system helps to reduce waste, while carbon emissions from shipping are offset through a partnership with Nori. “We are excited to announce the highly anticipated launch of Acutia Brain Health,” said Nikki Putnam Badding, a registered dietitian nutritionist and director of Acutia. “This new offering furthers our commitment to helping people sustain their own well being and the health of the planet we share.” The announcement of the launch was made during a virtual Q&A session at the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference. Putnam Badding shared that Acutia Brain Health is now available for shipment to most regions of the world. Acutia’s product line also includes Acutia Selenium, which provides immune system support, antioxidant benefits, and essential nutrition and helps maintain healthy thyroid function. The selenium found in Acutia Selenium and Acutia Brain Health is

made from a specialized, high quality strain of brewer’s yeast to optimize the quality, absorption, safety, and efficacy of the products. Acutia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alltech, launched on March 24 when Alltech, a global leader in the animal health industry, announced that it would begin applying its more than 40 years of scientific innovation and proven nutrition expertise to human health. Acutia combines science and sustainability to provide high quality supplements that enhance everyday nutrition and improve long term wellness. “Maintaining optimum brain health is imperative to our ability to live our lives to the fullest,” said Dr. Mark Lyons. “Acutia Brain Health empowers people to supplement their nutritional needs today while supporting their long term wellness for the future.” Acutia products are backed by the Alltech Life Sciences division, which conducts research on digestive health, cognitive health, brain function, and cellular health. In 2019, researchers with Alltech Life Sciences achieved a breakthrough that offers those living with diabetes a possible alternative to current insulin treatments. Acutia Digestive Health will round out the initial offering from Acutia with an expected launch slated for later this year. CRYSTALYX launches new supplementation app for livestock producers. Developed by Ridley Block Operations, part of the Alltech Feed Division, the makers of CRYSTALYX Brand Supplements have launched a new supplementation app to make product selection for livestock easier than ever. “Livestock producers have many choices of Crystalyx supplements to feed, and it can be overwhelming, so this app offers a handheld, convenient solution on your cell phone to help narrow down the choices,” said Mark Robbins, director of research and technical services at Ridley Block Operations. Whether they are supplementing cows, heifers, calves, bulls, sheep, goats, or horses, producers can simply make their selections in the new app by answering a brief series of questions designed to help narrow down their options to the products that will best fit their needs. The app is a convenient tool that can compare product nutrients, filter by product name and number, and pinpoint CRYSTALYX products with specific additives and levels of fortification.

Continued on page 63

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

Federation of State Beef Councils Update Pediatrician Outreach Extends Beef in the Early Years Content. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Women Infants and Children’s Program, and now for the first time ever, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend introducing solid foods, like beef, to infants and toddlers, in order to pack in every bite with protein, iron, zinc, and choline. Yet, many physicians lack awareness of the latest science, and many parents still need practical tips for how to introduce beef safely and nutritiously into their young child’s diet. “Parents rely on their pediatricians for nutrition guidance for infants and toddlers,” says Executive Director of Nutrition Science, Health & Wellness at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Shalene McNeill, Ph.D., RDN. “When we provide health professionals with science based information about beef as an early complementary food, physicians then share that information with parents.” Beef in the Early Years is a campaign that is focused on educating physicians and other health professionals on the importance of feeding beef to babies as an early complementary food and providing them with tools to support parents with the introduction of beef. With support from the Federation of State Beef Councils and several individual state beef councils, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is providing an educational toolkit and parent resources to a nationwide network of pediatrician offices and childbirth centers. The toolkits include the Beef in the Early Years research brief, detailing beef as an important complementary first food, and a new consumer brochure that highlights the beneficial role of beef’s nutrients during the early years. These toolkits also offer simple infant and toddler feeding tips, providing practical takeaways for parents and caregivers. The toolkits will be delivered to over 2,300 pediatrician offices and childbirth centers in more than 20 states across the country. To develop deeper relationships within the network of health professionals, participating offices will receive follow-up communications offering future educational opportunities from the Beef Checkoff. Following the effort, results, including estimated traffic and impressions along with

market coverage, will help evaluate the program’s reach and success. An independent audit of participating locations will also collect information about the usefulness of materials and help evaluate whether health professionals are more likely to recommend or discuss beef with their patients. To further extend educational information to health professionals, an advertorial entitled “Make Every Bite Count with Nutrient Dense Foods” will also be placed in leading physician magazines, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians. For more information about Beef in the Early Years, visit www. beefitswhatsfordinner.com/nutrition/beefin-the-early-years. If you would like to share the latest science and best practices on feeding beef in the early years with a health professional you know, visit the Beef Nutrition Education Hub at www. beefnutritioneducation.org/. Program Fills Chefs’ Desires for Continuing Beef Education. NCBA promoted beef to chefs through a partnership with Chef’s Roll, a peer-topeer network for working professional cooks, chefs, and foodservice decision makers. In May, beef took center stage on Chef’s Roll’s new social sharing platform, “Ask the Butcher,” where a different cut of beef was featured in recipes each week and shared with social media followers. Subscribers also had the opportunity to ask Bridget Wasser, NCBA’s senior executive director of product quality and education, questions about the different cuts, recipes to use them in, and beef in general. “While chefs are extremely educated about food and meat, they always want to learn more,” says Wasser. “This was a great way for us to connect with chefs and explain how to utilize beef in different recipes, and we found the audience really enjoyed that.” The unique program provided an opportunity to directly engage with food service professionals. The Chef’s Roll platform allowed Wasser to interact with chefs and culinary students who were interested in learning how to showcase each cut in their restaurants and for larger consumer audiences. Wasser’s detailed description of the various cuts and explanation of carcass fabrication allowed the audience to

imagine new ways to feature beef on their menus and promote dishes to customers. Following the presentation, participants requested cooking tips and methods for specific cuts, inquired about the anatomy location and differences of cuts and wanted to know where to find featured cuts.

Videos featuring ribeye filet, ribeye cap, strip steak, and outside skirt steak were viewed on Facebook, Instagram, and the Chef’s Roll community. Overall, the month long promotion reached more than 765,370 and resulted in 16,503 total engagements.

Alltech News continued from page 60 To determine which self fed supplement to use via the new app, producers can start by selecting the type of livestock being fed, followed by the quality of the forage being fed, the desired level of fortification, and, finally, the extra additive options they are interested in. Answering these questions will either pinpoint a recommended CRYSTALYX supplement or will allow the producer to compare several recommended options. Other features of the app include: • A comprehensive list of CRYSTALYX products available in both the United States and Canada for beef cattle, sheep, goats, and equine. • The ability to filter CRYSTALYX products by name and/or product number. • Built-in calculators to help producers manage their herds’ nutrition program: ◦ Intake Calculator - Calculate herd supplement intakes, suggested supplement replacement dates, and supplement cost per head per day. ◦ Purchase Calculator - Calculate how much supplement is needed per pasture based on headcount, CRYSTALYX product fed, intake levels, and days to supplement. ◦ Feeding Reminder Calculator Receive notification reminders for when barrels need to be replaced based on pasture group, number of cattle, and the CRYSTALYX product fed in a pasture. The app also includes a CRYSTALYX dealer locator, allowing users to type in their zip code and learn

where CRYSTALYX is available nearby. For more information and to download the CRYSTALYX supplementation app, visit www.crystalyx.com/producer-tools/ crystalyx-supplementation-app/ and www. Crystalyx.com. About Alltech. Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our products improve the health and performance of plants and animals, resulting in better nutrition for consumers and a decreased environmental impact. We are a global leader in the animal health industry, producing additives, premix supplements, feed, and complete feed. Strengthened by more than 40 years of scientific research, we carry forward a legacy of innovation and a unique culture that views challenges through an entrepreneurial lens. Our more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide share our vision for a Planet of Plenty™. We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet, but it will take all of us working together, led by science, technology, and a shared will to make a difference. Alltech is a private, family owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and maintain focus on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Ken., Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For more information, visit www.alltech.com

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NEWS Four Ways to Reduce Parasite Resistance on Your Operation. “We cannot continue to rely on today’s deworming products to solve all parasite problems, because parasite resistance is real and it’s going to outpace the development of new cattle dewormers,” said Ray Kaplan, DVM, University of Georgia. As scientists continue researching the possibility of new parasiticides, the cattle industry must look for ways to preserve the efficacy of those already on the market. “You used to be able to administer a dewormer, and regardless of whether cattle got the full dose or not, or if it was administered incorrectly, worms were so susceptible to the product that it didn’t matter,” said Dr. Kaplan. “As parasites continue to evolve and become resistant to dewormers, adhering to deworming best practices will be more important than ever.” D.L. Step, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim, couldn’t agree more. “It’s imperative that the cattle industry takes

proactive measures now to maximize the effectiveness and value of dewormers for years to come.” Implementing a more sustainable deworming program on your operation can lead to increased herd productivity, reduced risk of parasite resistance, and lasting dewormer efficacy. To achieve these benefits, Drs. Kaplan and Step encourage producers to work with a local veterinarian to implement four key protocols: 1) Diagnostic testing - Performing routine diagnostic tests will help you assess the effectiveness of your deworming program and determine the number of animals to leave untreated. Your veterinarian can advise you on the proper method, assist you with conducting these tests, and help decipher test results. 2) Combination treatment - Using two dewormers from different drug classes has been proven to reduce fecal egg counts in cattle herds by nearly 99 percent.1 When high efficacy like this is achieved, there

are also fewer resistant parasite survivors to cause trouble down the road. “If you’re looking to boost cattle performance and productivity, combination treatment can be a great option,” said Dr. Step. “By administering a parasiticide from two different classes at the same time, you maximize efficacy and control more parasites — reducing the risk of developing parasite resistance in your herd.”

Commonly used cattle dewormers can be divided into two categories, depending on their chemical structure (see Figure 1), and combination treatment requires using one dewormer from each: • Macrocyclic lactones (endectocides) come in both injectable and pour on formulations. The active ingredients within these dewormers cause nerve paralysis of internal and external parasites. Macrocyclic

Figure 1. Commonly used cattle dewormers can be divided into two classes, depending on their chemical structure.

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The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

lactones provide longer duration control of parasites compared to benzimidazoles. • Benzimidazoles (white dewormers) are administered orally and act as a purge dewormer to internal parasites. These dewormers interfere with the microtubules of the parasites, which depletes the energy supply and eventually causes death of the parasite. Benzimidazole dewormers are usually in and out of the system within a couple of days. Dr. Kaplan adds that there is one caveat to combination treatment that producers should be aware of. “You don’t want to use combination treatment in a low refugia situation because it will promote rapid multiple drug resistance. The simplest way to not worry about this issue is to leave a group of animals untreated every time you deworm.” 3) Refugia - Refugia, where a percentage of the herd is selectively not dewormed, is recognized as the single most important factor in delaying the onset of parasite resistance. Leaving a portion of the parasite population in “refuge” from dewormers reduces the drug resistance selection pressure caused by the dewormer. “A common question I get asked is ‘how much refugia is enough?’ and unfortunately the answer is different for every producer,” said Dr. Kaplan. “The percentage of animals to leave untreated is totally dependent on the efficacy of the deworming product you’re using. This is where diagnostic testing and working with your veterinarian become especially important.” 4) Pasture management - Limiting

overgrazing, maintaining appropriate forage heights, and rotating pastures are all ways to reduce parasite loads in your pastures and to limit the number of parasites that get ingested by the cattle. “The way we manage our pastures and forages in terms of grazing has a significant impact on how much exposure to parasites our cattle are going to have,” said Dr. Kaplan. “If cattle are grazing on pasture that’s very low to the ground, they’re going to be ingesting many more parasites since most of the parasites are in the bottom two inches of the forage.” “Following sustainable deworming best practices will benefit your cattle herd and the future of our industry,” concluded Dr. Step. “Be sure to consult with your herd veterinarian to evaluate and customize a deworming program to your individual operation.” Reference 1 Paras K., Georgia M., Howell S., et al. Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode resistance to ivermectin anthelmintics on beef cattle operations in Georgia. In Proceedings: 2017 AABP Annual Conference: 201. About Boehringer Ingelheim. Improving the health and quality of life of patients is the goal of the research driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The focus in doing so is on diseases for which no satisfactory treatment option exists to date. The company, therefore, concentrates on developing innovative therapies that can extend patients’ lives. In animal health, Boehringer

Ingelheim stands for advanced prevention. Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world. We are committed to creating animal well being through our large portfolio of advanced, preventive

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary (Weeks ending JUNE 1 & JUNE 15, 2021)

Carolina Video and Load Lot Monthly Summary of Southeast Livestock Exchange and Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, JUNE 1 2021, and MidAtlantic Cattle Sales ending Tuesday, JUNE 15, 2021. All cattle in this report are located in North Carolina and South Carolina. Prices FOB the farm or local scale and many weighed with a 0-2 percent shrink and sold with a 5-12¢ per pound slide on the heavy side only.

Cattle Receipts: 2,072

Many thanks to Kendall Kirk at the Edisto REC for his hard work in the development of this tool! For more information, contact Scott Sell at gsell@clemson.edu or 912-682-9590.

Last Month: 2,766

Feeders made up 100 percent of the offering. The feeder supply included 54 percent steers and 46 percent heifers. Nearly 86 percent of the run weighed over 600 pounds. Head totals are based on load lot estimate of 49,500 pounds.

Clemson University Livestock Feed Ration Calculator We are excited to announce the development and release of a new online calculator for livestock feed rations. Please share this with any livestock producers you know. The web app calculates nutritional analysis and generates mix sheets for custom mixes of over 500 feed ingredients. You can even email the outputs to yourself so that you can print the results and/or revisit the site to make adjustments to batch weights. We hope you will find this new tool useful. If you have any questions on its use or suggestions for improvements, please let us know. Find the Livestock Feed Ration Calculator at https://precisionag. sites.clemson.edu/Calculators/Livestock/ RationCalculator/. Other Precision Agriculture information and calculators can be found at www.clemson.edu/ extension/agronomy/PrecisionAgriculture/.

healthcare products and services. With net sales of $4.4 billion and around 10,000 employees worldwide, we are present in more than 150 markets. For more information, visit www.boehringeringelheim.com/animal-health/overview.

Head 75

Wt. Range 650-650

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 650 $165.50 $165.50

Head 75 84 32 78 78 33 69 69 67 67 65 115

Wt. Range 450-450 575-575 600-600 620-620 625-625 660-660 700-700 700-700 725-725 725-725 750-750 840-845

FEEDER STEERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 450 $154.00 $154.00 575 $147.00 $147.00 600 $148.75 $148.75 620 $151.00 $151.00 625 $159.00 $159.00 660 $144.75 $144.75 700 $147.50 $147.50 700 $151.50 $151.50 725 $144.00 $144.00 725 $160.50 $160.50 750 $133.75 $133.75 842 $143.75-$154.75 $149.20

Head 48 58 52

Wt. Range 775-775 850-850 925-925

FEEDER STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 775 $135.75 $135.75 850 $129.50 $129.50 925 $121.00 $121.00

Head 57

Wt. Range 845-845

DAIRY STEERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 845 $100.00 $100.00

Head 76

Wt. Range 635-635

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price Delivery 635 $144.25 $144.25 July Value Added

Head 102 21 154 20 135 72 69 95

Wt. Range 475-475 500-500 620-635 640-640 650-650 670-670 700-700 810-825

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price 475 $135.75 $135.75 500 $138.75 $138.75 627 $129.50-$130.25 $129.88 640 $132.75 $132.75 650 $127.25-$128.00 $127.67 670 $137.00 $137.00 700 $124.00 $124.00 816 $133.50-$137.00 $135.71

Head 20 66 63 57

Wt. Range 610-610 750-750 785-785 845-845

Delivery Value Added Delivery Unweaned Unweaned Split Loads Value Added Split Loads Natural Value Added Natural Value Added Delivery Split Loads

Delivery

Delivery Unweaned Split Loads Guaranteed Open Split Loads Guaranteed Open Natural Natural Value Added

FEEDER HEIFERS (Medium and Large 1-2) Avg. Wt. Price Range Avg. Price Delivery 610 $129.75 $129.75 Split Loads 750 $123.50 $123.50 Guaranteed Open 785 $121.25 $121.25 845 $127.00 $127.00 Natural

Source: N.C. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA Market News Service, Raleigh, N.C. - 919-707-3156

The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2021

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PAGE 66

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SEPTEMBER ISSUE by AUGUST 1!

NDEX OF 13th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale ................... 27 2021 S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting ............ 49 4K Farms/Tarheel Angus ....................................................... 66 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale ....... 21 47th Annual North Carolina Fall Harvest Sale ......................... 13 All Natural Feeder Calf Marketing Options ............................ 53 American National Insurance — The Josey Agency ............... 66 Apple Brandy Prime Cuts ....................................................... 60 Back Creek Angus .................................................................. 66 BioZyme Incorporated .......................................................... 55 Black Crest Farm ................................................................... 66 Black Grove Angus ................................................................ 66 Brubaker Family Angus ......................................................... 66 C-Cross Cattle Company ........................................................ 66 Carolinas Animal Health ....................................................... 66 Châtel Farms Fall Bull Sale 2021 ............................................ 26 Conquest Insurance Agency, Inc. ........................................... 42 CPC — Weather Pro ................................................................ 61 Double J Farms ...................................................................... 66 Dura•Cast ............................................................................... 8 E.B. Harris Auctioneers, Inc. ................................................. 66 First Choice Insurance — Donna Byrum ................................ 18 Forage Tour ........................................................................... 16 Fowken Farms ....................................................................... 66 Fred Smith Company Ranch .................................................. 66 Generac Home Standby Generators ...................................... 33 HD3 Cattle — Cattle For Sale .................................................. 17 Hay-B-Gone Hay Mover/Un-Roller ......................................... 24 Howard Brothers Farms ........................................................ 66 Hunt’s H+ Brangus ................................................................ 66 Hutton & Sons Herefords ...................................................... 66

For Your Advertising Needs, Contact: The Carolina Cattle Connection 919-552-9111 • mail@nccattle.com The Livestock Advertising Network 859-278-0899 • info@livestockadvertisingnetwork.org

DVERTISERS John Deere ........................................................................... 34 Kuhn Equipment Company ..................................................... 7 N.C. Angus Association Directory …...................................... 31 N.C. Cattlemen’s Association Membership Application ........ 40 N.C. Hereford Association Directory ..................................... 37 N.C. Meat Suite ..................................................................... 47 N.C. Simmental Association .................................................. 10 National Beef Checkoff/North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment ............................................ 15 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ......................................................... 66 Nationwide® AgriBusiness Insurance — The Wills Agency ........................................................... 2 Pearson Livestock Equipment .............................................. 11 Piedmont Custom Meats ....................................................... 66 Red Angus Association of the Carolinas Directory ................ 41 Rusty Thomson & Family Cattle Fencing and Equipment ...... 19 SimAngus Solution ............................................................... 66 South Carolina Private Treaty Sale Checkoff Investment Form .............................................. 51 Southeast Livestock Exchange — Upcoming Sale Schedule ............................................. 57 Springfield Angus ................................................................. 66 The Barn Loft — Purina Wind & Rain ..................................... 36 The Carolina Cattle Connection 2021 Spotlight Schedule ........ 3 The Carolina Cattle Connection Advertising Rates & Sizes ............................................... 29 Vetericyn Animal Wellness ...................................................... 9 Virginia Herd Health Management Services — Pat Comyn, DVM .......................................................... 52 Watauga Butchery .................................................................. 5 Wax Company — Marshall Ryegrass ..................................... 35 West End Precast — Feed Bunks ............................................ 23 West End Precast — Feed Bunks & Troughs ........................... 65 Whitehall Beefmasters ......................................................... 66 Wilkes Livestock Exchange ................................................... 28 Yon Family Farms Fall Sale .................................................... 25 The Carolina Cattle Connection

q AUGUST 2021

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IGHTER This guy is dining alone in a fancy restaurant and there’s a beautiful redhead sitting at the next table. He’s been sneakily checking her out ever since he arrived but doesn’t have the courage to start talking to her. Suddenly she sneezes, and her glass eye comes flying out of its socket toward the man. His reflexes kick in and he reaches out, plucks it out of the air, and hands it back to her. The redhead is mortified. “Oh my, I am so sorry,” she says as she pops her eye back into place. “Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you.” So he joins her table, and they enjoy a wonderful meal together. Afterwards they go to the theatre followed by drinks at a bar. They talk, they laugh, she shares her deepest dreams, and he shares his. She listens. After paying for everything, she asks him if he would like to come to her place for a nightcap. He says yes and they return to her place. They stay up late into the night talking. The guy is amazed at how everything has been so perfect and how incredible this woman is. He can’t believe his luck. As he’s getting ready to leave, to he says, “You know, you are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy you meet?” “No,” she replies, “you just happened to catch my eye.”

Two guys are walking through the woods one day when they stumble across a big deep hole. The first guy peers into it and says, “Wow! That looks deep.” The second guy says, “It sure does. Let’s throw a few pebbles in there and see how deep it is. We’ll be able to tell the depth by how long it is before we hear the noise of the pebbles landing.” So they pick up a few pebbles and throw them in and wait. Nothing. There’s no noise. The first guy says, “Jeeez. That is really deep. I know, let’s throw one of these great big rocks down there. Those should make a noise.” So they pick up a couple football-sized rocks and toss them into the hole and wait… and wait… Again, nothing. They look at each other in amazement. Then the first guy gets a determined look on his face and says, “Hey, over here in the weeds, there’s a railroad tie. Help me carry it over. When we toss that sucker in, it’s gotta make some noise.”

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So the two of them drag the heavy tie over to the hole and heave it in. Once again, not a sound comes from the hole. Suddenly, out of the nearby woods, a goat appears, running like the wind. It rushes toward the two men, then right past them, running as fast as it’s legs will carry it. Suddenly it leaps in the air and into the hole. The two men are astonished with what they’ve just seen and look at each other in amazement. Then, out of the woods comes a farmer who spots the men and ambles over. He asks them, “Hey, you two guys seen my goat out here?” The first guy says, “You bet we did! Craziest thing I ever saw. It came running like crazy and just jumped into this hole and disappeared!” “Nah”, says the farmer, “That couldn’t have been my goat. My goat was chained to a railroad tie.”

ANGUS Oct. 9 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Oct. 30 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Nov. 1 — Châtel Farms Fall Bull Sale, Reidsville, Ga. Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4— Black Grove Angus 60th Anniversary Female Sale, Newberry, S.C. 2022 Jan. 1 — 13th Annual EBS Farms Select Bull & Female Sale, Norwood, N.C. Feb. 12 — Black Crest Farm Annual Bull and Female Sale, Sumter, S.C. Feb. 19 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C.

A young guy called Tommy bought a horse from a farmer for $250 and the farmer agreed to deliver the horse to Tommy the following day. The next day though, the farmer turned up at Tommy’s house and said, “Sorry son, but I have some bad news, the horse died.” Tommy replied, “Well, then just give me my money back. That’s fine.” The farmer said, “Sorry, I can’t do that. I went and spent it already.” Tommy then said, “Okay, then, just bring me the dead horse.” The farmer was surprised and asked Tommy, “Why? What ya gonna do with him?” Tommy replied, “I’m going to raffle him off.” The farmer laughed and said, “You can’t raffle off a dead horse! Who’d buy a ticket?” Tommy answered, “Sure I can, just watch me. I just won’t tell anybody the horse is dead.” A month later, the farmer met up with Tommy again and asked, “What happened with that dead horse in the end. Did you raffle him off?” Tommy said, “I sure did. I sold 500 tickets at $5 a piece.” The farmer said, “Didn’t anyone complain?” Tommy smiled and said, “Just the guy who won. So I gave him his $5 back.”

Charolais Nov. 6 — Brands of Recognition Sale, Columbia, Tenn.

The Carolina Cattle Connection q AUGUST 2021

BRANGUS Oct. 30 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Nov. 6 — Brands of Recognition Sale, Columbia, Tenn.

GELBVIEH Oct. 30 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. 2022 Feb. 19 — Yon Family Farms Spring Sale, Ridge Spring, S.C. HEREFORD Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. 2022 Mar. 26 — 54th Annual N.C. Hereford Classic Sale, Statesville, N.C. red ANGUS Nov. 6 — Brands of Recognition Sale, Columbia, Tenn. SIMMENTAL Sep. 3 — N.C. Simmental Association Annual Meeting, Union Grove, N.C. Sep. 4 — 47th Annual N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale, Union Grove, N.C. Oct. 16 — Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Bull & Female Sale, Clayton, N.C. Oct. 30 — Yon Family Farms Fall Sale,

Ridge Spring, S.C. Nov. 6 — 13th SimAngus Solution Sale, Burlington, N.C. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. OTHER EVENTS Aug. 3 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Aug. 5 — Weaned Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Aug. 6 — S.C. Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting, Clemson, S.C. Aug. 6-8 — S.C. Junior Beef Round-Up, Clemson, S.C. Aug. 7-8 — N.C. Junior Beef Round-Up, Fletcher, N.C. Aug. 10 — Forage Tour, Cleveland, N.C. Aug. 10-12 — NCBA Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, Nashville, Tenn. Aug. 17 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Aug. 24-25 — 16th Annual Feeding Quality Forum, Fort Collins, Colo. Sep. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Sep. 9 — Weaned Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood, N.C. Sep. 21 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 5 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Oct. 19 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 2 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Nov. 6 — Brands of Recognition Sale, Columbia, Tenn. Nov. 16 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 3 — Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, Va. Dec. 4 — 46th Annual Union County Performance Tested Bull Sale, Monroe, N.C. Dec. 4 — N.C. BCIP Waynesville Bull Test Sale, Canton, N.C. Dec. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction Dec. 21 — N.C. BCIP Butner Bull Test Sale, Oxford, N.C. 2022 Mar. 12 — March Madness Cattle Sale of the Carolinas, Chester, S.C.

The Carolina Cattle Connection - Volume 35, Issue No. 8 (AUGUST 2021)

Articles inside

Alltech News

Boehringer Ingelheim News

Beef Improvement Federation News

2021 South Carolina Sale Barn Cattle Receipts

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association News

Beef Checkoff News

N.C. Weekly Livestock Report

BioZyme Incorporated News

ABS Global News

CoBank News

Students Tell Story of 44 Farms International Beef Academy

From the Desk of the SCCA President, by Roscoe Kyle

American Angus Association News

North Carolina Cattle Receipts, Trends, and Prices

Certified Angus Beef News

by Marcel Wallau, Doug Mayo, and Chris Prevatt

Steadfast on the Road Ahead, by Jerry Bohn

You Decide!, by Dr. Mike Walden

American Hereford Association News

by Sharon Rogers