For the last seven years, National Livestock Corporation has sponsored a donated calf auction sale at the Oklahoma City National Stockyards each December to help raise money for the All-American Beef Battalion. The proceeds of which go directly, and entirely, to feed troops returning from deployment a ribeye steak dinner. I caught up with National Livestock's CEO Robert York this week during the sale, who believes participating in this charitable event each year is the least he and his company can do to show appreciation to our service men and women.


"I just have a soft spot in my heart; a patriotic spot for the troops that serve us and take care of our country and provide safety for us," York said. "I never served and it's the way I can give back a little bit."


York said his interest in getting involved with AABB was first piqued after meeting Bill Broady, who founded the nonprofit. And since it was established, AABB has raised approximately $325,000 and served roughly 32,500 soldiers at about $10 a head to feed.


"Most incredible industry in the world is the cattle people," York exclaimed. "This has been a really tough year for a lot of producers with the market doing what it's done. But, again I'm blown away by the amount of money that we've raised."


York contends that AABB is an extremely unique charity in the fact that there is essentially no overhead or administrative costs and pats Broady on the back for managing the funds in a way that go directly to the cause. This year's sale brought a total of $53,000 dollars to go toward feeding troops returning home.

To listen to my entire conversation with York, or to learn how you can make your own contribution to this worthwhile cause, click here.

The National Corn Growers Association announced yesterday the winners of its 52nd Annual National Corn Yield Contest. It remains NCGA's most popular program for members with 7,972 entries just this year. Astonishingly, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.


"The contest provides farmers more than just an opportunity for friendly competition; it generates data that impacts future production practices across the industry," said Brent Hostetler, chair of NCGA's Stewardship Action Team. "The techniques first developed by contest winners grow into far-reaching advances, helping farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations. Our contest emphasizes innovation both from growers and technology providers, thus enabling us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber."


The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 375 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 175.3 bushels per acre in 2016. While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers over all production categories topped out at 521.3968.

Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies.

Click here to read more about the winners of this year's Corn Yield Contest.

The more stringent Veterinary Feed Directive, scheduled to take effect at the beginning of next month, is expected to benefit animal health and welfare, as well as food safety. 


Specifically, the FDA's focus is on reducing growth promotion uses of antimicrobials, said David White, associate dean for research at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and former FDA chief science officer.


"When you look at the way those antimicrobials are being used, there's no infectious disease being managed or treated. It's for growth promotion or improving feed efficiency of the animals," White said. "Unfortunately, you're having negative consequences of those uses in developing antimicrobial-resistant bacteria that can potentially contaminate meat, the environment and even produce, then subsequently transfer to humans."


White said while the risk may tough to see, based on the series of events that must play out, it is there and so is the research to back up the concern.


"There's plenty of science to show that antibiotic use in animals selects for bacteria. But it gets a little grayer as you start moving from contaminating meat to causing infection to then being treated with an antibiotic and you don't get better," he said. "I think a lot of it is better stewardship on the farm. It's making sure antibiotics are used to treat a defined illness and you're using it for the labeled dose and duration."

Click here to continue reading more about VFD and the science behind it, or for a chance to watch a video featuring White explaining more about VFD.

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Assn. (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and United Egg Producers have made available an updated economic impact study that highlights the positive impact the poultry industry has on jobs, wages and federal and state revenue in the U.S.


"We are pleased to be able to provide this valuable tool across the industry that demonstrates the positive economic impact the poultry industry has on our nation and communities," John Starkey, president of USPOULTRY, said.


A dynamic and integral part of the national economy, the 6,344 firms that raise or convert poultry and eggs into products in the U.S. poultry industry provides 1.682 million jobs, $96 billion in wages, $441.15 billion in economic activity and $34 billion in government revenue.

To learn more about the economic impact of the poultry industry and for a more detailed breakdown of the numbers, click here to continue reading.

"It is generally accepted that adequate supervision at calving has a significant impact on reducing calf mortality," Dr. Glenn Selk wrote in his most recent contribution to the weekly Cow/Calf Corner newsletter. "Adequate supervision has been of increasing importance with the higher price of live calves at sale time. On most ranching operations, supervision of the first calf heifers will be best accomplished in daylight hours and the poorest observation takes place in the middle of the night.


"The easiest and most practical method of inhibiting nighttime calving at present is by feeding cows at night; the physiological mechanism is unknown, but some hormonal effect may be involved. Rumen motility studies indicate the frequency of rumen contractions falls a few hours before parturition. Intraruminal pressure begins to fall in the last 2 weeks of gestation, with a more rapid decline during calving. It has been suggested that night feeding causes intraruminal pressures to rise at night and decline in the daytime.


"The concept is called the Konefal method. A Canadian rancher, Gus Konefal reported his observations in the 1970's In a follow-up Canadian study of 104 Hereford cows, 38.4% of a group fed at 8:00 am and again at 3:00 pm delivered calves during the day, whereas 79.6% of a group fed at 11:00 am and 9:00 pm. In a more convincing study, 1331 cows on 15 farms in Iowa were fed once daily at dusk, 85% of the calves were born between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm."

Click here to continue reading Dr. Selk's article for a better understanding of how to implement and execute the Konefal method in your herd.

Building healthy economies with local and regional food systems will headline the topics presented at the 36th Annual Horticulture Industries Show in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This year's theme is "Local Foods, Farms, Gardens and Success."


Slated Jan. 13-14, the HIS has continually provided growers and the public with the latest information on vegetable and fruit production, Christmas trees, farmers market crops, Master Gardeners Volunteer programming and public gardening issues. The conference is open to the public and will take place at the Chancellor Hotel, 70 N. East Ave., in downtown Fayetteville.

The conference will provide attendees with educational programs and trade show activities for individuals with horticultural interest in Oklahoma, Arkansas and surrounding states.

For additional information on the speakers and workshops being featured, or for information on entry fees and how to register for the event, click here.

 

We are yet another day closer to Christmas- and the forecast for December 25th seems to be shaping up as a possible weather event by that evening.

Here's the latest nine day forecast for central and western Oklahoma from Jed Castles of News9:



Saturday and Sunday are shaping up to be very mild-almost balmy compared to this past weekend. Jed says those Sunday storms could be severe.