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Feed Bunk Management (submitted by Ron Torell University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Livestock Specialist) Ed and Paul Sarman of Lamoille, Nevada designed a labor saving method to freshen up feed bunks. They feed long hay along a manger in the mornings. By mid day the replacement heifers have sorted through the hay and have pushed much of the un-eaten long hay out of muzzle range. After lunch Ed and Paul simply lower the side delivery rake wheels on their modified pickup ranch truck and make one pass by the bunk. This pushes the hay back into the feed bunk area. Heifers associate the modified ranch truck with fresh feed. Site of the vehicle brings them to the bunk in mid day for additional feed consumption. Previous to using the modified side delivery rake the Sarman brothers spent one hour per day with a pitch fork pushing the hay back into the bunks. The system was built entirely with junk parts in the ranch shop with labor being their only out of pocket cost. ...More Cattle Today Articles about the production of beef cattle and livestock. TOOLS FOR GENETIC PREDICTION HAVE EXPLODED If you long for the good old days when a keen eye and perhaps a basic knowledge of cow families was more than enough to sort bulls, you're not alone. Though genetic selection is more accurate than ever, it can also seem more complex than the Tax Code. A.I. IS BEEF INDUSTRY'S MOST UNDERUSED TOOL This article will review the value that AI has to offer to the beef cattle producer and attempt to illustrate some of the production and economic benefits of this powerful resource. Hopefully we'll see some converts. RIDGEFIELD FARM NAMED BREEDER OF THE YEAR Ridgefield Farm, Brasstown, N.C. was selected as the 2009 Braunvieh Association of America (BAA) Breeder of the Year at the BAA 25th anniversary annual meeting, national show and sale in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show, Denver Colo., January 13-15. NCBA STRUCTURAL CONCEPT ADOPTED AT CONVENTION In preparation for key battles it foresees for the beef industry in coming years, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Board of Directors voted to adopt a report and governance structure concept by a Governance Task Force that would lead to significant structural changes to the organization. LITTLE CREEK FARM HOSTS MAGNOLIA CLASSIC SALE The winter storm that rolled through the South in early January brought rain, snow, ice, blustery winds and tem¬peratures that dropped into the teens in Starkville, Miss. In spite of the conditions, a good crowd arrived at the Little Creek Farms Sale Facility on January 9 to appraise the offering of Full Fleckvieh Simmental and Red Angus cattle. HEREFORD FEMALE SELLS FOR $38,000 TO BENEFIT YOUTH FOUNDATION A big supporter of youth in the beef industry made a sizeable contribution to the future of the Hereford breed Jan. 16 in the Beef Palace Auction Arena at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. EXTENDING PRODUCTIVE LIFE OF BULLS PAYS DIVIDENDS Cattlemen have always been interested in one number; in particular with their financial reports, the bottom line. Speculation quickly turns to fact if it is in red or black ink, but how that figure came to be has been a mystery for some. IT'S THE PITTS--THE MISSING MIDDLE The middle class has gone missing in this country. In America today it seems like we have the super wealthy and we have the poor, with the middle class nowhere to be found. THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HOOTER MCCORMICK--OLD FRIENDS-OLD ACQUAINTANCES Hooter ran through his mental list one more time as he started his pickup. GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS OFFER PRODUCERS MOST FLEXIBILITY At one point or another, most cattle operations form a partnership with another person or entity. Perhaps it is a partnership on a single head of cattle (e.g., a flush cow, a bull in a stud, a show heifer) or perhaps it is a more long-term partnership where profits and losses will be shared among family members or cattle operations. BE AWARE OF BREEDING GUARANTEES WHEN BUYING BULLS Run enough bulls long enough and it's not a matter of whether one will become unusable; it's a matter of when and how many. EXPORT MARKETS OPEN UP NEW MARKETING POSSIBILITIES Marketing plans often take many shapes or forms depending on the firm's overall goals. Developing untapped resources often adds another option for these outfits to make a profit. As production costs continue to rise, market diversity will sometimes help defray expense. SPITZER RANCH MAKES FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR BULL SALE All performance data from birth through yearling, all gain test data and all Ultrasound Carcass scans have been reported to the Brangus Association on the 101 bulls being developed for the February 2010 bull sale. CARCASS DATA MAINTAINS PRODUCER FOCUS The humbling nature of the beef business has changed more than one rugged, tough cowboy. As cattlemen work away from authoritarian into more of a listening mode, most try to soak up each nugget of information that may help establish future production parameters. The elusive word profitability always tied to most of this information. VOLATILITY CAN CREATE PROFITABILITY IN CHAOTIC TIMES During recent years, beef producers have repeatedly heard market analysts advise careful attention to risk management. The reason cited is market volatility. However, volatility also creates opportunity to improve profitability when savvy producers apply some time-tested business tools.
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