With rain in the forecast for later this week, now is a good time to get those bulls checked prior to breeding season. Remember, they are 50% of the reproductive equation, so don’t overlook the basics with them. See what SDSU says the cost of an infertile bull is…
I’m sure most of you are much more concerned about your beef production skills and financial management skills, than your people skills. But for any of you who have employees, you also need to put a little focus on those people management skills. Here’s a good article I read on evaluating your ability to manage your employees – both those you pay and those you don’t pay!!
Based on corn planting intentions of nearly 97.3 million acres (implied harvested acres for grain near 90.2 million) and a trend yield of 161.5 bushels, the 2013 season started with expectations of a record U.S. crop near 14.6 billion bushels. A crop of that size would be 1.5 billion bushels larger than the previous record crop of 2009 and the record large consumption during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 marketing years. See Dr. Darrell Good’s comments.
Iowa State University is conducting a nationwide survey of livestock producers’ use of feed-related coproducts from ethanol production.
“The feedback gained from the survey will be used to help improve coproduct quality, which can help livestock producers with their feed costs and livestock performance,” said Kurt Rosentrater, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, who is leading the effort.
The survey is focused on the beef, dairy, swine and poultry sectors. It is being funded by a coalition consisting of the Renewable Fuels Association, the Distillers Grains Technology Council, and the Corn Utilization Councils from Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.
Livestock producers are invited to take the survey online until June 19 at: http://humansciences.ethanolcoproducts.sgizmo.com/s3/.
Are you still looking for a new herd bull? If so, join us for
Bull Selection Clinic
Friday, May 3, 4:00 pm, Tama Livestock Auction
Understanding and using some simple tools can help cattle producers make the right selection for new herd bulls during upcoming bull sales. That’s why a bull selection clinic is scheduled prior to the Friday, May 3, bull sale held by Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) at the Tama Livestock Auction, Tama. There’s no cost to attend and no preregistration is necessary.
Dr. Patrick Gunn, the newest addition to the ISU Extension beef team and statewide cow-calf specialist, and I will break down the process of bull selection into simple steps and assist you with interpreting the EPD numbers in the catalog. We can help you evaluate your cow herd and determine the economically relevant traits that you want to emphasize. With that information, you can use the index EPDs and visually appraise the bulls to identify some options that will help you get the most benefit from your cow herd.
The sale will feature bulls that have been through ICA’s Bull Evaluation Program. Bulls that go through this 112-day test are evaluated for growth, carcass traits, yearling weight, disposition and scrotal circumference, and are some of the breed’s best pedigrees for calving ease, performance and carcass merit. The Tama sale will also include a group of replacement heifers for sale starting at 6 pm.
To learn more about ICA’s Bull & Heifer Program, including a listing of bulls that will be offered at the May 3 sale, go to http://www.iacattlemen.org/bullheifer.aspx
For more information on the bull clinic, contact me at dschwab@iastate.edu
