ISSUE DATE: 11/07/2011
By Lesa Teer
After a brutal summer, pastures in the southern and High Plains states are beginning to look a lot alike--dead, dry, dusty and burnt. Cows out to pasture are growing thin, both in numbers and nutrition, and producers are selling out at an alarming rate.
Mark Bechthold of Booker, Texas, has already sold 220 head of his cow herd. "I'll probably end up selling about 90 percent," he said. "I've got a few left that are bred but I'll probably end up selling them also."
With little relief in the way of summer rainfall, pasture conditions are declining rapidly, leaving many producers with culling or feeding as their only options. Some, like Bechthold, have Conservation Reserve Program grazing land to fall back on--but even that isn't a long-term option.
"I've relied on the CRP because my native grass never did grow any over the summer due to the drought," Bechthold said. "The CRP is coming close to being over with and I didn't want to have to feed them all winter."
NEWS
AFBF heralds Obama's signing of trade pacts Ag committees recommend $23B cut AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program seeks its second class American Farmland Trust releases assessment America's Farmers Grow Communities applications due Nov. 30 Beginning Farmer Program webinars available Bill aims to prevent EPA dust regulation Exporting natural gas FCA Board approves charter for new service corporation Food for Thought to feature Miss America Teresa Scanlan Funds awarded to UNL Food Processing Center Grain elevator explosion claims 6 lives Kansas Bioscience Authority Board of Directors approves investments Kansas receives USDA grants to promote healthy eating, physical activity K-State entomology graduate student honored Landshire expands Nike sandwich recall Make sure lenders, tax prepares stay up-to-date NASS reduces agricultural estimation programs National Weather Service honors Extension center NCBA, PLC praise EPA dust decision New CAB website designed for producers NIH awards grant for food safety training Northern Beef plant now set for Dec. opening OSU presents Sarkeys Distinguished Professor Award Phillips-Rooks District Extension to host fall programs Plant and Soil Sciences eLibrary offered Predicting grassland wildfires President signs FTAs with Colombia, Panama and South Korea Prevent spread of listeria bacteria Producers encouraged to sign up for conservation dollars Proposed regulations may mean big changes for farm youth labor Report identifies challenges, opportunities for local food system Researchers examine rice genes for rice blast resistance Sen. Blunt applauds passage of appropriations bill Summer flood is still a hot topic along Missouri River SURE sign-up begins Nov. 14 The news no one wanted Treating fire ant mounds Triumph of Ag Expo set for early 2012 USDA terminates several agriculture surveys Vilsack to keynote 2012 Commodity Classic Wind Power Conference announces keynote speakers CROPS
Aluminum toxicity may cause poor wheat growth, vigor Booms for John Deere sprayers increase productivity Check canola for effectiveness of seed treatments on aphids Corn, soybean input costs expected to climb Extension agents weigh in on wheat crop condition Extension experts: Sprinkler audits a must Grains breeder to give IANR Heuermann Lecture Hay directory connects producers and buyers Iowa Commodity Challenge launches in mid-November KDA, K-State to host sessions on water rights in drought Maintain quality of corn with proper storage management Measure to fund watershed, flood prevention programs passes National Wheat Improvement Committee selects leaders New broccoli breeds packed with health benefits Panhandle Farm and Ranch Management Symposium set for Nov. 30 Precision Ag 2.0 conference set for February 2012 Registrations approved for alfalfa weevil control Resource helps 'spell out' economic variables of irrigation systems Soybean Board to meet, elect officers Turfgrass trials focus on drought, salinity stress tolerance Using a strip-till, legume-cover crop system Water Right Transition Assistance Pilot Project Program open Wheat growers urge quick implementation of FTAs Workshop to address future of Colorado ranching LIVESTOCK
American Royal rodeo nominated for award Association promotes bison advantage at FFA convention AYHC reminds horse owners to give extra care during cold, wet weather Beef Board helps state beef councils with compliance reviews Calling young sheep entrepreneurs Cattle producers prepare for another dry winter Cattleman selects Salers for crossbreeding program Cattlemen's meeting will introduce new specialist Certified Angus Beef brand records high marks Champions parade in American Royal Gelbvieh Show County Horse Council to host town meeting Expert: Hay test can lead to more efficient feeding during drought Grant to focus on integration of sheep in organic farming systems Hungry cattle turn to acorns, face poisoning Internship offered for Red & White junior members ISU renames swine teaching farm for long-time manager Keystone Hereford champions named Livestock Symposium features variety of speakers Looking at the beef industry in 2012 and beyond Meeting will cover feeder cattle evaluation MSGA to host convention, trade show in December NCBA offers travel fellowships to young producers Poultry litter prices rise Project investigates effects of targeted grazing Ranch Practicum team receives grant to aid beginning ranchers Reward offered in cattle mutilation case Sheep center issues grants Sheep study could shed light on human pregnancies Symposium to feature sheep and meat goat experts Test herd for trich Top cowboys hope to rope 2011 world title USDA selects veterinary school loan repayment awardees UW Horse Judging Team member claims overall honor, team second Veterinary science resources give kids early start on animal health careers Waste not, want not when feeding hay to cattle Weathering the drought Youth show champion livestock, earn scholarships EDITOR
Brownback: Expanding trade one handshake at a time Silent spring or duplicative permitting? Vilsack: Farm bill priorities COLUMNS
Everywhere you look is a friend Good intentions gone bad? It is bacteria versus people Just a scoop full Just a scoop full New hybrids debut in 2012 Sharing power with China MARKETS
Aberdeen livestock auction report Ada livestock auction report Amarillo livestock auction summary Apache livestock auction report Arkansas livestock auction summary Bloomfield feeder cattle auction Clovis livestock auction report Colorado feeder cattle auction summary Cooler weather brings topsoil moisture concerns Dalhart livestock auction report Dodge City cattle sales report Dodge City livestock sales report Dry conditions continue as harvest finishes Dry days and cold nights affect winter wheat crop Ericson livestock auction report Fall weather helps crop progress Georgia cattle auction summary Grain bids close lower Grain market close Harvest progress nearly complete Hay trade moderate Hay trade mostly moderate to steady Heavy snow in southeast High Plains slaughter news Joplin livestock auction report Lexington livestock auction report McAlester livestock auction report Missouri corn harvest nearly complete Much of row crop harvest completed Newell sheep sales report North Arkansas livestock auction report Ogallala livestock auction report OKC West livestock market report OKC West livestock sales report Pratt 3 p.m. cattle sales Pratt livestock auction report Range conditions mostly very poor Salina livestock auction report San Angelo livestock auction report Snow halts harvest Springfield livestock auction report Texas Direct feeder cattle summary Tulia livestock auction report Tulsa livestock auction report West Plains regional cattle sales report Wheat and canola in fair condition Winter wheat crops progress due to recent rainfall Woodward livestock auction report Wyobraska cattle sales report RANGE
Huron cattle sales report FAMILY
Apples a plenty Avoid costly mistake when buying car, truck Be aware of sodium levels in foods Beef checkoff promotes summer grilling with retailers Boy Scouts receive community investment donation CAB offers $20K in beef scholarships Calculate net worth to evaluate financial health Choose a contractor for seasonal heating and cooling checks Dutiful defrosting helps keep foods safe during thaw Extension program will cover MyPlate, healthy eating Fall and winter beauty in the garden Fall chores can make healthy lawns I love him, but I don't like him Include health care directives in estate plan Landscaping for Landscapers workshop offered Learning from the kids Meditation for 11-7-11 National 4-H Council receives grants for mentoring programs NMSU Extension home economists host national conference Pack school lunches safely Plant trees, shrubs this fall for best results Prepare houseplants for winter Prepare strawberry plants for winter Putting the garden and landscape to bed for winter Recommendations for cleaning siding have changed Soup's on Staples teams up with Food Bank Network to combat hunger Trenton 1 mixes contemporary, rambler style Winterizing your lawn
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