Salers host show at American Royal

Forty-two breeders from 12 states paraded their best genetics at the American Royal Salers Livestock Show, Kansas City, Mo. on Oct. 28. The Open and Optimizer Shows were judged by Travis Pembroke, Fairview, Okla. In the Optimizer Heifer Show. [Read More]

Limousin, Lim-Flex parade in Kansas City

The American Royal's Limousin show was Oct. 30 in Kansas City, Mo. The American Royal is one of the North American Limousin Foundation's four major Medal of Excellence shows. In the Lim-Flex show, judge Brandon Callis, College Station, Texas, evaluated 18 females and eight bulls. [Read More]

New officers picked for SD Beef Industry Council

PIERRE, S.D. (AP)--After serving two terms as vice president, Merrill Karlen of Oacoma has been selected president of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council. Karlen has been a council director since 2003, representing the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association. Ed Blair of Vale, representing the South Dakota Farm Bureau, will serve as vice president of the beef industry council, which administers a $1 beef checkoff on cattle sold in South Dakota. [Read More]

Dairy farmers try to 'ride out storm'

MENNO, S.D. (AP)--Roger Guthmiller has spent his whole life working with dairy cattle. He's seen prices dip and jump, but he's never seen anything like the current situation that's kept him from breaking even for four months on his dairy farm outside of Menno. Even though the price is finally starting to approach the break-even point, Guthmiller said he's still working hard to keep costs as low as possible. [Read More]

SowBridge continues to offer distance learning flexibility and convenience

Nebraska The successful distance education program SowBridge begins its third year in January 2010. The program receives great reviews from a wide range of participants which helped solidify the decision to continue offering it, said Duane Reese, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension swine specialist. [Read More]

Hereford show awards presented in Kansas City

Hereford exhibitors were honored for showcasing their breeding programs at national and regional shows throughout the past year. Nov. 1 during the American Royal National Hereford Show in Kansas City, awards for champion Hereford show heifer, show bull and premier exhibitor were presented to recipients in each of four U.S. regions. To qualify for these prestigious bronzes, exhibitors must have accumulated points and shown at one national and one... [Read More]

Kansas Beef Expo offers new venue

Kansas The Kansas Beef Expo has had a long tradition in Kansas offering producers a venue to showcase and market their beef genetics. In continuing that tradition a new venue is being offered to enhance the market offering for producers. [Read More]

NMPF Chairman, President discuss actions taken to combat dairy crisis at annual meeting

In their joint address Nov. 11 to the membership at National Milk Producers Federation's 2009 Annual Meeting, NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney and President and CEO Jerry Kozak discussed the multitude of actions taken by the organization in the past year to counteract the economic recession facing dairy producers, and also provided updates on other industry issues. As they took turns speaking, Mooney and Kozak ... [Read More]

OPSU bull test update

Oklahoma The 85 head of beef bulls consigned to the 58th Annual OPSU Bull Test were weighed Nov. 7 after 28 days on the 112 day test. At the end of the test, measurements will be made on the frame score, scrotal circumference, semen characteristics, fat thickness, rib-eye area and marbling in the rib eye. [Read More]

Eklund recognized as Red Angus Personality of the Year

Texas John Eklund of Van Alstyne, Texas, was recognized as the Red Angus Personality of the Year at the National Red Angus Convention in Mahnomen, Minn., Sept. 16 to 19. Ken Bower of Forestburg, Texas, and Alyssa Looney of Denton, Texas, presented the award. "John is a great communicator," said Bower. [Read More]

Researchers study link between climate change, nutritional stress

Kansas State University's Joseph Craine, research assistant professor in the Division of Biology, and KC Olson, associate professor in animal sciences and industry, have teamed up with some other scientists from across the United States to look into the possible effects of climate change on cattle nutrition. Comparing grasslands and pastureland in different regions in the U.S., the study, published in Global Change Biology, ... [Read More]

Being lazier in your cow-calf operation might pay off in the long run

Weaning fall calves early the next spring might leave you doing more work and earning less money, according to a University of Missouri Extension forage specialist. Research is beginning to show that leaving calves with their mothers longer pays off, said Rob Kallenbach. "One thing we've noticed is when the calves are weaned in April, we're weaning and selling the calf right in front of the high-level forage production in ... [Read More]

Friday the 13th marks record losses for pork farmers, says MU swine economist

Missouri As of noon on Friday the 13th of November, pork producers have lost more money than they lost in the pork price disaster of 1998-99, said Ron Plain, University of Missouri Extension livestock economist. "Hog farmers are losing more money than they did in what they thought was a once-a-lifetime crunch just a decade ago," Plain said. [Read More]

Sherry Pope Smith chosen 2009 AHW Outstanding Hereford Woman

Sherry Pope Smith, Tulsa, Okla., was chosen the 2009 American Hereford Women Outstanding Woman. Each year the AHW recognizes and honors one woman for her achievements and dedication to the Hereford breed. Sherry has served the AHW and Hereford Women of Oklahoma in many ways including board member and president. [Read More]

Beeson Honored with Poll-ette of the Year Award

Bev Beeson, Wayne, Neb., was chosen the 2009 National Organization of Poll-ettes Poll-ette of the Year during the American Hereford Association Annual Meeting in Kansas City Oct. 31. Each year the NOP recognizes an outstanding member for her leadership, promotion of polled Hereford cattle and commitment to advancement of the breed. This award is symbolized by a custom-made gold medallion awarded to each recipient. [Read More]