Category: Ag News

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 15:02:08 CDT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture are now putting the Daily Cash Grain Report into a PDF format – we are saving that PDF and archiving them for today’s specific report. To see today’s update, click on the PDF report link at the bottom of this story.

In addition to the PDF of the daily report, you can also listen to the Cash Grain Report by calling 405-621-5533. Push 2 for the grain report.

Click here:

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 15:00:37 CDT

Click here to listen to audio

Listen to today’s report with Justin Lewis, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN bar

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 11:50:35 CDT

Pork producers are invited to register and tune in as experts share insights generated from menu modeling research funded by Pork Checkoff dollars.

Webinar: Insights from Food Modeling Research — Putting the Thrifty Food Plan into Practice

When: Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. CT

Can’t make it? Register anyway, and we’ll share a recording afterwards.

To register, click here.

With food inflation, hunger and nutrition insecurity at all-time highs, low-income families are challenged to keep nutritious meals on home menus while staying within their budgets.

In August of 2021, the USDA announced a 21% increase in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The extra benefits are based on USDA’s review of the Thrifty Food Plan, which estimates the cost of a healthy diet to feed a family of four.

This means more families will have better access to foods that satisfy their nutritional needs. NPB is working to ensure protein-packed pork is at the top of their grocery lists.

Pork has a huge role to play as a high-quality, affordable and nutrient-dense protein that satisfies many taste and cultural preferences.

NPB has assembled experts with roles in academia, government-adjacent organizations, and non-profits in the food policy sector to update dietitians and others in health professions.

They’ll talk about what it takes to put an optimized, affordable and nutrient-dense eating plan into practice and what this increase in benefits means for their patients and clients.

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 10:28:43 CDT

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is now accepting applications for ReConnect Program loans and grants to expand access to high-speed internet for millions…

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 10:22:45 CDT

Markus Miller is working with groups from Australia and Ireland to identify the genetic qualities of high-grade beef.

Why are consumers willing to pay high prices for steaks?

A research project from Texas Tech University’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, in collaboration with groups in Ireland and Australia, is trying to answer that question.

The project started with a simple idea from a doctoral candidate, who wanted to know why consumers would pay $75 for a steak when much cheaper options were available. It has evolved into L GEN 2000, a collaborative genomics project funded by a $603,960 grant from the University of New England, that seeks to relate the genetic differences in the culinary quality of various beef cattle.

“We discovered the part of the brain stimulated when you have your best experience in life – first kiss, first love, marriage, children, whatever it is – gets turned on when you eat a high-quality piece of beef,” said Markus Miller, a professor and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo chair of meat science, food processing and preservation in the Department of Animal & Food Sciences.

“Why would people want to eat beef when in every country on the planet, it’s the most expensive protein? The reason is because of what it does to you physiologically. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy. You feel happy, you feel good about yourself. And food does that to everybody.”

The L GEN 2000 project will collect data from consumers across three countries with different methods of raising beef cattle, compile that data and try to isolate the genes that give consumers the best dining experience.

In the U.S., consumers in the test project will eat steaks from 100% grain-fed beef. The beef produced for the tests in Ireland will be 100% grass-fed and the beef in Australia will be a mixture of the two, with the goal being to find out if the different methods of raising beef cattle produce different genetics.

“This genomics project will look at beef in different production systems and relate it to the genome of the beef animal,” Miller said. “It may be that we have the same genetics everywhere and there’s no genetic difference, but we need to know.

“Understanding the differences, or lack of differences, allows us to know how to manage feeding and production. It will help us maximize the quality and healthfulness of beef in relation to all outputs like methane, carbon and water use.”

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 09:58:10 CDT

Dr. Wade Shafer, Bozeman, Montana is a recipient of the 2022 World Simmental-Fleckvieh Federation Golden Book Award, which is the American Simmental Association’s (ASA) highest honor. Selected by the ASA Board of Trustees, recipients of this award are lifelong promoters of the Simmental breed. Shafer was recognized during ASA’s Fall Focus event, on Saturday, August 27, in Roanoke, Virginia.

In 2013, Shafer became the sixth executive vice president of the American Simmental Association, joining Dale Lynch, Don Vaniman, Earl Peterson, Brian Kitchen, and Jerry Lipsey. He has maintained a legacy of management that has enabled the organization to continue its leadership within the beef cattle industry.

Shafer grew up on his parents’ Shoestring Ranch located near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the oldest child and only boy in a family that included his four sisters. Shoestring Ranch began a half-century affiliation with the Simmental breed in 1972.

He matriculated at nearby North Dakota State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in animal science; then enrolled at Colorado State University where he earned a master’s and PhD in animal breeding and genetics, while concentrating on quantitative genetics and bio-economics simulation modeling. Returning home to manage the ranch, he expanded what had been a hobby farm to 500 head and added cooperators representing around 500 head. During that period, up to 200 bulls were marketed annually. The herd was dispersed in 2001.

A life-long fascination and understanding of science led him to accept a position with the ASA under Dr. Jerry Lipsey. When Lipsey retired in 2013, Shafer was the obvious choice to move into the EVP position.

Now in his ninth year at the helm, he has reinforced and enhanced a continued emphasis on beef cattle science, which has been the lifeblood of the Association since its inception. He has assembled a staff of industrious, dedicated professionals who worked tirelessly to support members and keep the organization on an even keel during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic.

Under his watch, International Genetics Solutions (IGS) has grown beyond expectations to include over 20 beef cattle organizations from four countries, and is now the largest genetic evaluation of beef cattle in the world. Significantly, Shafer also directed the creation and integration of ASA’s economic indexes and oversaw changing of the field staff model.
In addition, Shafer engineered sale of the original ASA headquarters, resulting in enough capital to build a new, modern building, while providing an infusion of funds for the ASA treasury. Shafer and his wife Kathy have four children and four grandchildren.

Founded in 1968, the American Simmental Association is headquartered in Bozeman, MT. 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.

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 09:05:11 CDT

Although parvovirus is a severe and highly contagious disease, it is highly preventable with proper and complete vaccines, said Dr. Barry Whitworth, Oklahoma State University Extension veterinarian and food animal quality and health specialist.

“Parvovirus can be a threat to all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are at the greatest risk,” Whitworth said. “And despite their vaccination status, puppies in that age range do have a window in which they are susceptible to the virus.”

Parvovirus is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces. The virus can also contaminate water and food bowls, collars, leashes and the hands and clothing of humans who have handled an infected animal.

Signs of parvovirus include:

• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Fever or low body temperature
• Vomiting
• Severe and often bloody diarrhea

It’s important for pet owners to be aware of persistent vomiting and diarrhea as this can lead to rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock. Most canine deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of symptoms. Whitworth said it’s critical to get a symptomatic dog to the veterinarian immediately.

In the cases of the dogs in Michigan, a report from the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory indicated those animals did not have a history of complete vaccination.

“There have been no reports of parvovirus on the scale Michigan just experienced, and we don’t want to sound the alarm in Oklahoma; however, occurrences such as this highlight the importance of proper animal care and the preventative measures that should be taken by pet owners,” Whitworth said.

Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, OSU Extension veterinarian and director of continuing education for the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said proper and complete vaccination and good hygiene play pivotal roles in preventing the disease.

“Many pet owners enjoy taking their dogs to the local dog park or other places, such as doggy daycare, obedience classes and groomers. Multiple opportunities for your dog to come into contact with other dogs should be a big motivator to ensure your pet is vaccinated,” Biggs said. “Talk with your veterinarian about the proper vaccination schedule for your pet.”

Young puppies are very susceptible to parvovirus because the natural immunity provided in their mother’s milk may wear off before the puppy’s own immune system is mature enough to provide protection. A puppy exposed to infection during this gap period has a higher chance of becoming infected.

It is recommended puppies start parvovirus vaccines between six and eight weeks old and receive a booster every three to four weeks until they are 16 weeks when antibodies from their mother’s milk have faded. Once the initial series of vaccines have been given, a booster vaccine should be administered one year later, then repeated every three years thereafter or as directed by your veterinarian.

“It’s important to know that in spite of proper vaccination, a small percentage of dogs don’t develop protective immunity and remain susceptible to infection,” Biggs said. “Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions about exposure, symptoms and treatment of parvovirus.”

OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state’s 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 08:17:07 CDT

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) is now accepting nominations for the second cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program. Nominations are due November 1.

I…

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 08:13:35 CDT

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative delegates are looking forward to an effective week on Capitol Hill as they participate in the 2022 National Farmers Union (NFU) Fall Legislative Fly-In Sept. 11-…