Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Reestablishment

Federal Register Volume 75, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 29, 2010)

Notices
Page 81965
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [http://www.gpo.gov/]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Reestablishment
AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Notice to reestablish committee.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Agriculture has reestablished the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the Advisory Committee is necessary and in the public interest.

Researchers Study Benefits of Barley as a Biofuel Crop

By Ann Perry

December 21, 2010

The benefits of using barley for bioenergy production don't stop at the gas pump, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) studies.

Scientists with USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have found that barley grain can be used to produce ethanol, and the leftover byproducts-barley straw, hulls, and dried distillers grains (DDGS)-can be used to produce an energy-rich oil called bio-oil. The bio-oil could then be used either for transportation fuels or for producing heat and power needed for the grain-to-ethanol conversion. ARS is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency, and these results support the USDA priority of developing new sources of bioenergy.

Ranch Manager Postion at Research Station Available

Ranch Manager
Nancy M Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center
Open for Recruitment:
December 10, 2010 - Open until further notice
Announcement #: 16604058649
Salary Range: $40,000.00 + DOE + House
Full or Part Time: Full Time
Location: Salmon
Materials Required: Online Application (click to apply) Job References Letter of Qualification Resume

Application Procedures: To be considered, complete the online application including a letter of qualification that addresses the minimum and desireable qualifications, resume and a list of references. Review of application will begin January 3, 2011 and continue until a suitable applicant has been identified. Questions may be directed to John Hall at jbhall@uidaho.edu or (208) 756-2749.

Five Cattle Market Factors to Watch in 2011

COW/CALF CORNER
The Newsletter
From the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
December 13, 2010
Five Cattle Market Factors to Watch in 2011
Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

Cattle prices across the board are expected to post year over year increases in 2011. Cattle prices are approaching record levels in several markets at the end of 2010 and will likely take cattle prices into uncharted waters in the coming year. Any number of external factors could impact cattle markets in the coming year but the following market factors are expected to have the biggest impact on market prices.

USDA Scientists Develop Recirculating Systems for Warm-Water Marine Fish

By Sharon Durham
December 2, 2010

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have developed water recirculating systems for warm-water marine fish that have a number of advantages over pond systems. Using recirculated water optimizes fish growth and reduces the incidence of pathogens and disease, conserves water and removes animal wastes. These systems can potentially provide a continuous supply of fresh, healthy fish to consumers near or far from coastal areas.

New prion discovery reveals drug target for mad cow disease and related illnesses

EurekAlert

December 1, 2010

The joy of a juicy hamburger could make a comeback thanks a new discovery by scientists from the University of Kentucky. In a new research report in the December 2010 print issue of The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org/), scientists found that a protein our body uses to break up blood clots speeds up the progress of prion diseases. This substance, called plasminogen, is a new drug target for prion diseases in both humans and animals.

Cattle Market Signals Become More Pronounced

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

If allowed to work freely, markets will provide whatever signals are needed to take care of any market situation. Right now, cattle markets are providing increasingly dramatic signals to address several needs in the industry. Cattle and beef markets across the board have jumped sharply in the past two weeks and both Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures prices suggest that we are in for an extended period of largely unprecedented cattle prices.

Innovation Engineering: Knowledge, Tools & Inspiration for Young Entrepreneurs December 9th

Mark your calendars! The eXtension Entrepreneurship webinar series airs monthly on the second Thursday at 2:00pm (ET); 1:00pm (CT); 12:00pm (MT); 11:00am (PT).

On Thursday, December 9, 2010 we return to our youth entrepreneurship theme with a presentation on Innovation Engineering: Knowledge, tools and inspiration to become an innovator and entrepreneur. Our presenter will be Renee Kelly, Co-Director of Programs, Operations and Outreach, at the Foster Center for Student Innovation at the University of Maine. Tune in to learn about the work that is incubating our next generation of entrepreneurs.

In order to be future leaders, students need to know how to innovate. They need to know how create unique ideas, communicate them effectively and implement them, whether they want to start their own business or work in an established organization. The Foster Center for Student Innovation at the University of Maine has developed an academic minor for students from all majors to learn a variety of tools and methods for a systematic approach to innovation. The Foster Center has begun outreach to adapt this program to younger students including a summer camp for youths from grades 3-8, workshops for high school students, after school programs and partnerships with K-12 schools to integrate concepts into their curriculum.

Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching: On-line course registration is now open!

This course on Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching guides participants to realistically evaluate their goals and resources, and provides the tools to evaluate the feasibility of starting a sustainable small acreage enterprise. Course topics include whole farm planning, resource evaluation, site appropriate production practices, enterprise budgets, market analysis and risk management/food safety assessment. Upon course completion, project participants will have the knowledge and skills to engage in whole farm planning.

Do you want money in your pocket this tax season?

 Check out the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to see if you qualify. Both the EITC and Child Tax Credit are refundable tax credits for eligible working individuals and families. You must file for the credits with your tax return! As an example, a family with three or more qualifying children who earn less than $48,362 (married filing jointly) may be eligible for a refund of up to $5,666. These tax credits do not count as income in determining eligibility for public benefits like food stamps, SSI, Medicaid, TANF, and public housing.

HOW TO APPLY

Cow Camp Chatter: The Ranch Boneyard

 by Ron Torell, Long-Standing Educator and Advocate of Agriculture

It certainly works like an loading chute!
Photo by Ron Torrel

We’ve all heard the old cliché that one man's junk is another man's treasure. Nowhere is this more evident than when strolling through a ranch boneyard. The ranch boneyard is a place where worn-out haying equipment, old automobiles, damaged panels, manual chutes, and basically any other piece of ranch equipment, scrap metal or wooden object that was ever used, lie in wait to be called into service again. An old, worn-out piece of junk might one day be restored to its original form or transformed into something new and useful. In this issue of Cow Camp Chatter lets discuss the importance of the ranch boneyard and how being frugal is essential to the economic survivability of ranching.

New Website Gives Information on Coccidiosis

Kansas Farmer
October 27, 2010

An Oklahoma veterinarian and an animal nutritionist have teamed up to launch a new website designed to give cattle producers detailed information on how to manage their weaning and stocker calves to control and prevent coccidiosis.

Veterinarian Bruss Horn, who has been in practice 29 years and Dennis White, who holds PhD in beef cattle nutrition and recently retired from a major animal health company after 22 years in beef cattle research and technical service, have launched the site coccidiosistreatment.com.

The site features information about products for prevention and treatment and management practices to help minimize the disease. Pictures of animals with coccidiosis are shown so the producer can more easily identify the symptoms of the disease.

Full text: http://tinyurl.com/2btbpup

Idaho Weed Control Association Offers Scholarships

The Idaho Weed Control Association offers scholarships every spring for University of Idaho and Treasure Valley Community College students. Preference is given to students majoring in plant or crop sciences, entomology, range resources or other associated fields.


Deadline to apply is December 10, 2010.

Please forward to anyone who might be interested.

http://www.idahoweedcontrol.org/scholarship.html

UI Extension Releases New Bulletin on Lawn Care

Univeristy of Idaho Extension publications has recently released BULLETIN  875,  "Lawn Care in Short-Season, High-Altitude Zones".  It is available on-line (only) at: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edComm/pdf/BUL/BUL0875.pdf

Free Poultry Health Webinar November 5

Space is limited.  To register, go to

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/706836102

for more information go to:

http://healthybirds.usda.aphis.gov/

Latest Alfalfa Variety Information Available

The latest edition of the the Nation Alfalfa and Forage Association flyer comparing alfalfa varieties for fall dormancy, winter hardiness, insect resistance and disease resistance is now available.  The flyer can be found on the associations website, at the address below.

http://alfalfa.org/pdf/2011NAFAVarietyLeaflet_small.pdf

Roving slaughter trailers blaze new path for meat processing

By Candace Krebs

Ag Journal
October 19, 2010

FT. COLLINS, Colo - Livestock are routinely trucked to slaughter plants. Now agricultural leaders are looking into whether another option would be for mobile slaughter trailers to travel to them.

The idea has people talking around the country.

"At the National State Departments of Agriculture Convention recently, this topic came up more than once," said John Stulp, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture. "I really think it's a niche that can grow."

Canola on its way to becoming a first-class crop

Winter canola might soon be the crop of choice for Pacific Northwest farmers, thanks to studies by an ARS agronomist and others who have shown that, with slightly different management practices, this annual plant can be used to control weeds, supplement animal feed, and even produce biodiesel. (10/12) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/101012.htm

Tester Seeks to Amend Food Safety Bill

By Molly Priddy
Flathead Beacon
October 4, 2010

Montana's U.S. Sen. Jon Tester introduced an amendment to exempt certain small farm operations from regulations in the upcoming Food Safety Bill.

S.D. must build animal research center

Rounds: S.D. must build animal research center [edited]
Input sought from experts in industry
Kelly Thurman
The Argus Leader
September 29, 2010

A new biotech animal research facility could be in the future for South Dakota.

Gov. Mike Rounds announced Tuesday his intentions to build such a facility in the state during the Livestock Biotech Summit at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

The summit is the first national industrywide conference on genetically engineered animal technologies and drew about 200 people from as far as South Korea and New Zealand.

"Because biotech is so important in creating disease-free animals, South Dakota is taking the first steps in building a new biotech animal research facility," Rounds said.

Idaho "Herd Quitter" Meetings in October

We have a couple of great educational opportunites for cattlemen in central idaho, eastern Idaho and northern Utah.  Jim Gerrish, well known grazing consultant, and Kit Pharo, outspoken advocate for putting profitablity back in the cow buisness will be holding "Herd Quitter" meetings in May, Idaho and Pocatello, Idaho.  Follow this link to learn more about them and see the flyers.
See the brochure: Herd Quitter Brochure

http://centralidahoextension.blogspot.com/2010/09/herd-quitter-meetings-in-idaho-and.html

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Pilot Program- Rainfall and Vegetation Index Plans online course

New online course available from RightRisk which has several, very good, on-line offerings:

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Pilot Program: Rainfall and Vegetation Index Plans, is a free, online course just posted to the RightRisk web site and is available for access by the general public. This is an important risk management tool for states and counties where it is available. Fall sign-up dates are quickly approaching.

Course materials cover:

Blocking E. coli Bacteria Before They Move In

By Rosalie Marion Bliss
September 7, 2010

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist and his colleagues have discovered key gene and chemical interactions that allow Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 bacteria to colonize the gut of cattle. The animals not only host, but can shed the deadly human pathogen.

"Herd Quitter" Meetings in Idaho and Southern Montana



Jim Gerrish



In October, my friend and colleague, Jim Gerrish, is co-sponsoring and co-presenting several "Herd Quitter" meetings in Idaho and southern Montana, in cooperation with Kit Pharo of the Pharo Cattle Company.   They will be focusing on the same things that we discuss in the Lost Rivers Grazing Academy, but the programs will be only one day long. 

Kit Pharo

The overall theme is (still) putting profit back into ranching by focusing on the things we talk about at LRGA: solar energy, water cycle, nutrient cycle, diversity, adapted genetics, extending the grazing season, etc.  Kit has been working on these same things, with an emphasis on greater efficiency through small cows and developing cattle that do well grazing.

Meetings are free and open to the public, but with lunch on your own. American GrazingLands Services, Jim's consulting service,  is covering meeting room & refreshment expenses.

Here is a schedule for a series of meetings through out our area.

Oct 6 May, ID

Herd Quitter Meeting with Kit Pharo & Jim Gerrish

Time: 9:30AM to 4 PM

Location: Cowboy Up Cafe, May, ID

Oct 7 Pocatello, ID

Herd Quitter Meeting with Kit Pharo & Jim Gerrish

Time: 9:30AM to 4 PM

Location: Ameritel Inn, 1440 Bench Rd, Pocatello, ID (I-15 Exit 71 )

Oct 8 Dillon, MT

Herd Quitter Meeting with Kit Pharo & Jim Gerrish

Time: 9:30AM to 4 PM

Location: U of Montana-Western, Mathews Hall, Lewis & Clark Room

For more information contact: Dawn Gerrish 208-876-4067, 208-940-1702(cell)  or Dawn@americangrazinglands.com.

There is still a little time to get into the fall session of the Lost Rivers Grazing Academy, September 14-17th on the Eagle Valley Ranch in Salmon, Idaho.  Click here to see the BROCHURE.  You can also follow the Academy on Facebook at http:\\facebook.com/lostriversgrazingacademy.  The LRGA is a 4-day, boots on the ground workshop that covers the basics of management-intensive grazing, taught by the Univeristy of Idaho.  In addition to presentations on the principles of MiG, participants get to manage small herds of cattle and recieve and are graded on meeting their "grazing assignment".  The food is great, and participants generally gain at an "industry-acceptable" rate!

Call me at 208-527-8585 or mailto:208-527-8585ccheyney@uidaho.edu or Scott Jensen at 208-896-4105mailto:208-896-4105scottj@uidaho.edu.

The Pharo Cattle Company also has newsletters and an on-line presents.  You can contact them at:

Pharo Cattle Co.

Cheyenne Wells, CO

Phone: 1-800-311-0995

Email: Kit@PharoCattle.com

Website: http://www.pharocattle.com/

American GrazingLands Services can be reached at:

American GrazingLands Services LLC

2222 Pahsimeroi Road
May Idaho 83253

Jim & Dawn Gerrish

Tel: 208-876-4067
Fax: 208-876-4067

Jim’s email:jrgerrish@americangrazinglands.com

Dawn’s email: dawn@americangrazinglands.com

3. Livestock competition comments to be considered in proposed GIPSA rule

Sally Schuff
Feedstuffs
August 27, 2010

USDA will make all remarks made at the Ft. Collins livestock competition workshop part of the official comments to be considered on the proposed GIPSA rule, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said this morning.

2,000 attend meat industry hearings with Vilsack at CSU [edited]

By Bill Jackson, Greeley, Colo.
The Fence Post
August 28, 2010

FORT COLLINS - A goal of creating a fair and competitive market for the livestock industry.

That was the intent of a meeting at Colorado State University Friday hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Agriculture, but by mid-day it became apparent that the livestock industry is a highly complicated one and finding a one-fit solution will not work.

Ranchers split over new animal ID plan: USDA officials say proposal will be ready by April

By Matthew Weaver
Capital Press
August 26, 2010

PASCO, Wash. -- USDA officials say they hope by April to introduce a proposed rule laying out the states' roles in a new system for tracing animal diseases.

The department held its final public hearing on the new traceability plan -- formerly called the animal ID plan -- Aug. 24 in Pasco, Wash.

About 40 industry members and Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives were on hand, with most of the discussion focusing on cattle.

Neil Hammerschmidt, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service animal disease traceability program manager, said the department will evaluate feedback received through August, and he hopes to have a proposed rule published in April.

Giving native grasses a helping hand against invaders

USDA reseachers have found that controlling juniper trees by cutting them down and burning them where they fall keeps invasive cheatgrass at bay and allows native perennials to become re-established, according to findings by ARS scientists. (8/27)

See the rest of the story at  http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100827.htm

Test finds E. coli in beef faster, could better trace outbreaks

By Drovers news source
August 30, 2010

Infrared spectroscopy can detect E. coli faster than current testing methods and can cut days off investigations of outbreaks, according to a study at Purdue University.
Lisa Mauer, an associate professor of food science, detected E. coli in ground beef in one hour using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, much less than the 48 hours required for conventional plating technology, which requires culturing cells in a laboratory. Mauer said spectroscopy could be done in the same laboratories, just in much less time.

CDC Report Looks at Foods and Foodborne Agents Associated with Outbreaks in the United States

PRNewswire
August 12, 2010

ATLANTA -- A total of 1,097 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported in 2007 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a CDC analysis. State investigators reported 21,244 illnesses and 18 deaths as a result of these outbreaks. The report also provides the most recent data on how many illnesses were linked to specific types of foods.

"Knowing more about what types of foods and foodborne agents have caused outbreaks can help guide public health and the food industry in developing measures to effectively control and prevent infections and help people stay healthy," said Chris Braden, acting director of the CDC's Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases.

Blending Wind and Solar Meets Peak Energy Demands

By Don Comis
August 12, 2010

In parts of Texas and California, a good match between renewable energy production and peak energy demands could be obtained by combining wind power with solar power, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist.

A better blending of solar and wind power, combined with a way to store excess energy, should increase the use of renewable energy for California, Texas and the rest of the nation, according to a study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) agricultural engineer Brian Vick at the agency's Renewable Energy and Manure Management Research Unit in Bushland, Texas. ARS is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency.

For the rest of the story go to: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100812.htm

University of Nevada Searching for Livestock Specialist for NE Nevada

Follow this link for position description and information for application
https://www.unrsearch.com/postings/8301

National goat conference to be held in Florida in September

By LUISA YANEZ

Miami Herald
August 10, 2010

Goat meat production is recognized as one of the fastest growing areas of the livestock industry in the United States, as a diverse ethnic population has created a greater demand for it.

So it's fitting the marketing of goat meat would get its own conference.

FSA launches investigation into offspring of cloned cow entering the food chain [UK - edited]

The Telegraph
August 4, 2010

The Food Standards Agency has launched an investigation into how the offspring of a cloned cow entered the food chain, it has been confirmed.

The FSA , the food industry watchdog, said two bulls born in the UK from embryos harvested from a cloned cow had been slaughtered, one of which "will have been eaten", while the other was stopped from entering the food chain.

NCBA Lifetime Achievement Award to Temple Grandin

CattleNetwork.com
August 1, 2010

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) awarded Temple Grandin its coveted Lifetime Achievement Award on July 31, 2010, at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colo. Grandin is a world-renowned designer of livestock handling facilities; a professor of animal science at Colorado State University; and one of the world's most functioning autistics. The HBO production on Grandin's life afforded her the opportunity to make many appearances in Hollywood. She said the public's curiosity about livestock handling is an opportunity for ranchers to tell their story.

Emerging E. coli Strain Causes Many Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections in U.S.

Infectious Diseases Society of America Press Release
July 30, 2010

A new, drug-resistant strain of E. coli is causing serious disease, according to a new study, now available online, in the August 1, 2010 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

The new strain, ST131, was a major cause of serious antimicrobial-resistant E. coli infections in the United States in 2007, researchers found. This strain has been reported in multiple countries and encountered all over the United States. In the study, researchers analyzed resistant E. coli isolates collected during 2007 from hospitalized patients across the country. They identified 54 ST131 isolates, which accounted for 67 percent to 69 percent of E. coli isolates exhibiting fluoroquinolone or extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance.

The Next Garden Plague: Cabbage Loopers

By Charles Cheyney, University of Idaho Extension Educator

In this county ,it doesn’t seem to matter too much what you want to grow, there always seems to be a pestiferous or climatologically reason that makes it hard to work out well! Two weeks ago, the early-instar grasshoppers started moving into fields, yards and gardens from the desert and waste areas. This week it looks like the cabbage loopers are moving in to work over one of the easier to grow and store vegetables in our area.

Payette Forest Decision Cuts Sheep Grazing by 70 Percent

The acres available for domestic sheep grazing on the Payette National Forest will be reduced by nearly 70 percent according to Payette Supervisor Suzanne Rainville who issued a record of decision this week. It will cost four sheep ranchers at least half if not all of their grazing rights on that forest and affects thousands of domestic sheep. This decision follows years of federal court rulings sought by the anti-livestock group Western Watersheds Project.

The decision will result in the number of acres where domestic sheep will be allowed to graze to shrink from about 100,000 acres to just over 31,500 acres in three years. According to a Forest Service analysis, the grazing reductions could lead to the loss of 28 jobs.

"This decision is obviously devastating to sheep production in Idaho and to the producers that are going to be affected by this result. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the Payette Forest finding that is going to protect the bighorn sheep," commented Ken Wixom, president of the Idaho Wool Growers Association. "If this issue were truly about the protection of the bighorn, they would not take those who have the highest level of incentive to help resolve the problem off the forest and out of the equation."

Payette Forest officials contend this move will balance uses, protect bighorns, honor tribal rights and live up to federal law.

Groups seeking to remove all livestock grazing from federal lands are using bighorn sheep habitat as a surrogate to remove domestic sheep grazing allotments from the forest.

The record of the decision and the final environmental impact statement are posted www.fs.fed.us/r4/payette/publications/big_horn/index.shtml.

David S. Thain, DVM
State Extension Veterinarian
Dept. of Animal Biotechnology
CABNR, UNR
Mail Stop 202
Reno, NV 89557
Phone 775-784-1377
Fax 775-784-4087
Email dthain@cabnr.unr.edu

Over $20,000 to be Awarded in the 2010 World Forage Analysis Superbowl

Madison, WI.--In conjunction with the World Dairy Expo, the 27th Annual World Forage Analysis Superbowl will aware over $20,000 in cash prizes.  Special thanks goes to Mycogen Seeds, the contest's Platinum Sponsor.  Case IH is the contest's newest sponsor and will awarded the Grand Champion Forage Producer with a check for $2500.  The Grand Champion First Time entrant will receive $1500 from Kuhn North America.  Each of the six categories will receive a check for $1500

Scripps research study shows infectious prions can arise spontaneously in normal brain tissue

EurekAlert
July 26, 2010

JUPITER, FL - In a startling new study that involved research on both sides of the Atlantic, scientists from The Scripps Research Institute in Florida and the University College London (UCL) Institute of Neurology in England have shown for the first time that abnormal prions, bits of infectious protein devoid of DNA or RNA that can cause fatal neurodegenerative disease, can suddenly erupt from healthy brain tissue.

How to Control Grasshoppers in Your Garden

Chad Cheyney, Extension Educator

My yard backs up on the desert behind my house and this weekend, while I was mowing the lawn, I noticed that I was disturbing a cloud of ½” long grasshopper, which were moving into my vegetable garden in search of a free meal as the desert begins to dry up. If I have them, then probably somebody else does too. Sure enough! The very first call Monday morning was: “HOW CAN I CONTROL GRASSHOPPERS IN MY YARD AND GARDEN?”. So here are some suggestions from Diane Alston USU Extension entomologist.

How to Control Grasshoppers in Your Garden
by Diane Alston, Utah State University Extension entomologist

There are two keys to success in combating grasshopper infestations in the yard and garden:
1) work together as a neighborhood to treat as broad of an area as possible as soon as grasshoppers begin to move into yards from nearby open fields and rangelands, and
2) initiate control while grasshoppers are young. When grasshoppers become adults, they eat much more per day and can fly over treated areas.

PLANT TURNIPS FOR WINTER GRAZING

by Bruce Anderson, Extension Forage Specialist, University of Nebraska

Interested in a high quality pasture for late fall and winter grazing? Then plant turnips into wheat or oat stubble this year. Click below to learn more.

Cow Camp Chatter: Pet Peeves

Ron Torell, Long-Standing Educator and Advocate of Agriculture

According to Webster’s dictionary a pet peeve is a minor annoyance that can instill extreme frustration in an individual. Typically each person has several pet peeves that irritate them. What is an annoyance to one may be viewed by others as trivial. Whatever they may be, our pet peeves often find their way in to the conversation. In this month’s issue of Cow Camp Chatter I would like to discuss a number of pet peeves I have that are related to working cattle.

At the top of my list is bringing too many cattle at one time to the tub for processing. Typically it is the young, inexperienced cattle handler that does this. By bringing too many animals at one time, cattle ball up with noses in the air. Usually cattle are pointed in the wrong direction for entrance into the lead-up alley leaving no room for them to turn around. Soon the whips and hot shots come out and human tempers flare. Cattle are juiced up when they reach the squeeze chute and remember the chute experience as a painful one.

'Temple Grandin' Earns 15 Emmy Nods, Including Best Movie

CattleNetwork.com

July 8, 2010

Temple Grandin, the HBO movie which paints a picture of Grandin's perseverance and determination while struggling with the isolating challenges of autism, has been nominated for 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Best Made for Television Movie, Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie (Claire Danes), Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie (David Strathairn), and Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie (Julie Ormond and Catherine O'Hara).

FDA sets out new direction on antibiotics use in livestock

Sally Schuff
Feedstuffs
June 28, 2010

The Food & Drug Administration released a draft guidance document this [Monday] morning laying out new policy goals for the use of antimicrobials in livestock production.

FDA deputy commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein told reporters that the documents lay out three key principles FDA will use in developing future strategies to prevent antimicrobial resistance. He said the principles could include potential regulations as well as voluntary actions by the industry.

USDA Announces Proposed Rule to Increase Fairness in the Marketing of Livestock and Poultry

Release No. 0326.10
Contact: USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2010—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that on June 22, 2010 USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) will publish a proposed rule, as required by the 2008 farm bill and through existing authority under the Packers and Stockyards Act, that would provide significant new protections for producers against unfair, fraudulent or retaliatory practices.

“Concerns about a lack of fairness and commonsense treatment for livestock and poultry producers have gone unaddressed far too long,” said Vilsack. “This proposed rule will help ensure a level playing field for producers by providing additional protections against unfair practices and addressing new market conditions not covered by existing rules.”

Why Does the U.S. Both Import and Export Beef?

COW/CALF CORNER
The Newsletter
From the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
June 4, 2010

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

The job of markets is to seek out the highest value for products produced and encourage the most efficient use of resources to facilitate that production. Keeping this in mind helps explain current production and trade relationships in the U.S. beef industry. The U.S. is the largest producer, the largest consumer, the third largest exporter and the largest importer of beef in the world. I get many questions about U.S. beef trade and particularly why we need to import beef.

Backpack and Spot Treatment Calibration Guidelines

TechNotes
Welcome to TechNotes!

As part of your TechLine subscription you may receive periodic, helpful and timely tips for invasive plant management. This issue provides a simple, six-step method for calibrating your single-nozzle backpack or other spot-treatment spray equipment.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to share this important information with a friend or colleague.
Sincerely,
Celestine Duncan and Melissa Brown, TechLine Co-editors
**************************************************

Backpack and Spot Treatment Calibration Guidelines

How do I make the most of my herbicide spot treatments?

Accurate timing, careful measurements of herbicide and uniform spray motions are essential to proper, economical application. Consistent spray motions can help obtain good coverage of troublesome weeds. Soaking scattered weeds rather than using regular spray motions may result in excessive rates that could injure desirable species.

How much herbicide do I put in my tank?

The mix amount is dependent on your spray volume and your application rate. Therefore, this question cannot be answered until we know the volume that is being applied with your particular spraying style in gallons per acre (GPA). The following step-by-step procedure will allow you to calibrate your spray volume (see answer at end).

Pasture Available in Lakeview

I have Organic pasture available in Lakeview, OR. It can be for yearlings or cow/calf pairs. Depending on the time frame it will handle 180 yearlings or 100 to 125 cows depending on weights.

Thanks,

Pete Talbott

541-219-1404

Why Does the U.S. Both Import and Export Beef?

COW/CALF CORNER
The Newsletter
From the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
June 4, 2010

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

The job of markets is to seek out the highest value for products produced and encourage the most efficient use of resources to facilitate that production. Keeping this in mind helps explain current production and trade relationships in the U.S. beef industry. The U.S. is the largest producer, the largest consumer, the third largest exporter and the largest importer of beef in the world. I get many questions about U.S. beef trade and particularly why we need to import beef.

Backyard Poultry A Growing Trend Throughout US - USDA Offers Pointers on Keeping them Safe

June 2, 2010

Raising chickens in the backyard is growing more popular as Americans seek a direct connection to their food. But as the number of backyard chickens increases, so does the need to educate owners about keeping their flocks healthy. That's why the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (USDA/APHIS) Biosecurity for Birds campaign is renewing its efforts to provide concise and helpful tips to prevent the spread of infectious bird diseases such as avian influenza (AI).

Hawaii Issues Alert Over Serious Animal Disease

For those of you who have ever watched one of the episodes of "All Creatures Great and Small", you may remember the devastation and despair created by foot  and mouth disease in the UK by this disease.  This disease is easily transmitted on footwear and clothing, and it has been diagnosed in Japan....one of the
US 's significant trading and tourism partners.......

Foot And Mouth Disease Outbreak In Japan
KITV.com
May 28, 2010

HONOLULU -- State veterinarian James Foppoli says an outbreak of the highly contagious Foot and Mouth disease in Japan is something travelers need to be aware of.

The disease affects animals like cattle, swine and, sheep, not humans. The virus however, can be easily transmitted through clothing and shoes. Unsuspecting travelers can transport the disease quickly.

New Legislation Proposed to Regulate Rare Strains of E. coli

By Debra J. Groom
The Post-Standard [Syracuse]
May 27, 2010

Washington, D.C. -- New legislation is being introduced today (Thursday May 27) in the U.S. Senate to regulate six unregulated strains of E. coli known to cause food-borne illnesses.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified these six rarer strains and estimates these strains cause 36,700 illnesses, 1,100 hospitalizations and 30 deaths in America each year.

CWT Announces Another Dairy Buyout --- Watch the Cull Market in July and August

Cooperatives Working Together  (CWT) has announced another dairy buyout event.  Although it does not look like it will draw down the dairy herd very much, the cull cows will probably be sold during the traditional lull  (and high price) in the cull cow market.  If your marketing strategy for your culls involves marketing them in July or August, you may wish to read the news release (below) and keep and eye on what is going on in the cull market.
Chad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jim Tillison
CWT ANNOUNCES HERD RETIREMENT

Extension Seeks Cooperator to Evaluate Value of N from Alfalfa

I am looking for alfalfa growers who are interested in plowing down a portion of a small field (or small section of the field, shooting for an acre total) in the fall and another portion in the spring. Below is a brief summary of the CIG proposal that I am working on, which is dependent on cooperators for alfalfa tissue and soil samples. If you know of anyone who would be willing to work with us on this project, please let me or your local extension educator know asap. Thanks!

Amber Moore
Assistant Professor - Extension Soil Specialist

Head Wrangler position needed at Girl Scouts summer camp in Salmon

Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council is looking for a qualified Head Wrangler for summer camps! Starts Soon!!!!
Wrangler must have extensive knowledge and ability to instruct children on horse basics and trail riding. Background in 4-H or Horse Club strongly preferred. Will also include horse related maintenance such as: tack maintenance, feeding and watering of animals, and ground and trail maintenance.

Minimum age- 21
Employment Dates- June 7th – July 11th, 2010 in beautiful Salmon, Idaho.
• Location: Salmon Idaho
• Compensation: $500-575 per week + room/board and meals included
• This is at a non-profit organization.
• Please send resume and contact information to KC Driscoll at kdriscoll@girlscouts-ssc.org

No-Till Farming Improves Soil Stability

By Don Comis
May 11, 2010
       A joint Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-multi-university study across the central Great Plains on the effects of more than 19 years of various tillage practices shows that no-till makes soil much more stable than plowed soil.
       No-till stores more soil carbon, which helps bind or glue soil particles together, making the first inch of topsoil two to seven times less vulnerable to the destructive force of raindrops than plowed soil.

Read the entire article.

APPLY FOR CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM BY JUNE 11

BOISE, Idaho, May 19, 2010 – The Natural Resources Conservation Service wants to reward good agriculture land stewards; the Conservation Stewardship Program offers monetary incentives to encourage producers to maintain existing and take on new conservation practices. Producers must sign up before June 11, 2010 to qualify for 2010 funds.

LIMITATIONS OF UREA AS A NITROGEN SOURCE

By Brad Brown, Extension Cereal Specialist, Parma R&E Center

Urea’s high N analysis and easy handling have made it the most popular dry N source for southern Idaho. Our reliance on urea in-creased with 9-11, and the loss of ammonium nitrate from the market-place.

While urea has much to recom-mend it as a dry N source, it has its limitations. There is potential for loss of ammonia N from urea applied as a top-dress to soils, particularly if sub-sequent rainfall is sufficient to dissolve urea but not enough to move it beyond the surface and into the soil. A number of factors affect ammonia loss including soil surface pH, clay content, organic matter, temperature, and soil moisture to name a few. A Montana publication, “Management of Urea Fertilizer to Minimize Volatilization” Montana State University Extension Bulletin EB173 covers many of the principles involved with ammonia volatilization from urea. The publication is available online for downloading at http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/EB0173.pdf.

Eliminating Weeds Could Put More Cows on the Pasture

By Don Comis April 28, 2010

An online weed calculator developed by an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist tells ranchers the number of additional cows they could raise if they eliminated one or two widespread exotic invasive weeds.

Rangeland ecologist Matt Rinella at the ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory in Miles City, Mont., created a computer model that predicts weed impacts on forage production.

Data for developing the model came from 30 weed researchers working throughout the western United States. In addition to developing the calculator so that ranchers can calculate what weeds are costing them on any given site, Rinella used the data to estimate what weeds are costing ranchers in a 17-state region. He calculated that if leafy spurge were eliminated, ranchers in that entire region could graze up to 200,000 or more cows a year and save tens of millions of dollars.

To see the whole story go to: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100428.htm

ARS Scientists Study Effects of Grazing on Grouse Habitat

By Ann Perry
April 30, 2010
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists at the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center in Burns, Ore., are taking a careful look at how grazing cattle affect sage-grouse habitat on high desert rangelands.

Cattle share this habitat with sage-grouse, which are chicken-sized birds that are notorious for the showy commotion they create during mating season. But the sage-grouse numbers have declined throughout their range, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has added the species as a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection. FWS will review the status of the sage-grouse annually to determine whether it warrants more immediate attention for being listed as an endangered species.

For the whole story go to : http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100430.htm

Idaho Forage and Hay Resources

Dr. Glenn Shemaker has put together a web page to provide Idaho forage inforamtion resources on online.  Follow the links below to find alfalfa variety informaiton and variety selection informaiton. 

For University of Idaho alfalfa variety trial information:
Select the “Variety Trials” text on the left frame of the following page:
http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/forage/
For information on all alfalfa varieties:
http://www.alfalfa.org/

Then select “Education” and “Alfalfa variety leaflet”

Repetitive Cattle Deworming May Cause Drug Resistant Worms

From: CattleNetwork.com
April 21, 2010

Dewormers have provided effective parasite control, which has resulted in returns to farmers between $20 to $200/hd. The cost of these products is reasonable when compared to potential productions gains provided. Sheep and goat farmers have long battled with drug resistant worms, however until recently there has not been evidence of this is occurring in beef cattle. In fact, some of the first evidence of worm resistance in cattle was found in Wisconsin in 2002, when a backgrounder, who acquired calves from the Southeast, experience lower than expected weight gain during the fall.

Alfalfa Autotoxicity: Why you shouldn’t overseed alfalfa into an existing stand.

by Glenn E. Shewmaker
Extension Forage Specialist, University of Idaho

Alfalfa can be overseeded into a new seeding within about one year. After one year of a stand, overseeding is usually not successful. The factors that cause the overseeding failure are 1) competition for light, water, and nutrients; 2) autotoxicity; and 3) disease. New alfalfa seedlings are slow to establish and thus have difficulty competing with larger plants and weeds. Moreover, new alfalfa plants are stunted in growth. This is because alfalfa creates autotoxicity. Autotoxicity is a process in which established alfalfa plants produce chemicals that move into the soil and reduce establishment and growth of adjacent new alfalfa. A similar term, allelopathy, is the direct or indirect harmful effects of one plant on another through the production of chemical compounds that escape into the environment.

Editor Needed for the "Progressive Cattleman"

Progressive Cattleman magazine is actively searching for an editor to help our team produce a national monthly magazine focused on the beef industry. Our future editor will join a successful agriculture publishing team in our Idaho office.

Missouri House of Representatives OKs Horse Slaughter Bill

Associated Press
KOAMtv.com
April 1, 2010

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri House has approved legislation designed to allow the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

Vet challenges "anyone anywhere to make argument that we can erradicate any disease without traceablity"

Rod Smith
Feedstuffs
March 31, 2010

Disease like bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis, foreign animal diseases and emerging diseases "cannot be eradicated without adequate traceability, and I would challenge anyone anywhere to convince me that we can eradicate any disease without traceability," Dr. Richard Breitmeyer emphatically said.

Horse owners should protect now against West Nile

Yakima Herald-Republic
March 30, 2010

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The state veterinarian wants horse owners to vaccinate their livestock against the West Nile virus, which can cause a potentially fatal disease. Washington led the nation the past two years for equine cases of the disease.

Beef Cattle Production Interns Sought for UI Station

The Nancy M Cummings Research and Extension Center of the Univerity of Idaho is seeking several interns for the summer.  Successful applicants will have a ten week appointment and recieve a stipend of $3500.  Applications are due by April 15th, and high school seniors could be successful applicants.

Follow the link below for more complete information.
Click here for internship announcement!

ARS Publishes Guide for Remote Solar Water Pumps

When the electricity grid’s a long way away:
ARS scientists have drawn from 31 years of testing stand-alone water pumps to put together an on-line guide to choosing the right water pump for remote (off-grid) sites, whether the need is watering livestock or keeping water flowing to farm households.  Check it out at the link below where the link to the guide is located.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100326.htm

Idaho Alfalfa Trial Results Available

It won’t be long now until the phone starts to ring with the question of spring! "What’s the BEST variety of alfalfa to plant?"...........Well the answer to that question is,"It depends."

Alfalfa varieties are now tested for a wide variety of traits from fall dormancy and winter hardiness to resistance to aphids and a host of diseases. Much of this information is available fsor the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance in a brochure which the update annually. Check it out at http://www.alfalfa.org/publications.html. If you know what kind of pest and disease pressure you have, you will be in a good position to rule out varieties that are not appropriate for your situation.

Is My Alfalfa Stand Good Enough to Keep?

Dr. Glenn Shewmaker recently forwarded the following links showing how to evaluate alfalfa stands, including a video!

To evaluate winter survival of alfalfa, see the following YouTube movie by Dan Undersander.

Dr. Dan Undersander, UWEX forage agronomist, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Agronomy department visits an alfalfa field and demonstrates steps you can take to answer this question. Is this stand good enough to keep? For more in-depth information, including how to use stem count to estimate current yield potential, please see UWEX publication A3620 here: http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/A3620

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jujW3-FE4zE

Cereal Yeild Trials Available

I recently received the 2005-6, 2006-7 and 2007-8 Idaho Wheat Yield Reports (Progress report 385 and 386). Stop in; send me an email or phone call if you would like some information out of these reports. i am trying to determine if they are on line somewhere as well.

The SW Idaho Yield reports are on line at http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/scseidaho/sgr/SGR_index.htm.

On-Line Modular Course on Estrous Synchronization

Dr. Hall, superintendent of the NMCREEC, shared this new website with members of the beef topic team.  Check it out if you have questions about estrous synchronization, or call Dr. Hall at the number below. Chad

Beef Team,
Our colleagues at the University of Missouri have developed a on-line modular course dealing with estrous synchronization. It is a very good program and uses much of the information that the Beef Reproductive Task Force developed. You may find this useful for your clients or as a review for yourself. The link below will take you to the home page for the course.
http://animalsciences.missouri.edu/extension/beef/estrous_synch/

John
John B. Hall, Ph.D., PAS
Extension Beef Specialist & Superintendent
UI Nancy M. Cummings REEC
16 Hot Springs Ranch Road
Carmen, ID 83462

DORMANT SPRAY FOR ALFALFA WEEDS

reproduced form "Hay and Forage Minutes" by Bruce Anderson, Nebraska Forage Specialist

In just a few weeks, warmer spring weather will green up your alfalfa. Before that happens, though, maybe you should do a little weed control. More in a moment.

USDA Announces Risk Protection for Specialty Types of Barley

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Contact: Jo Lynne Seufer, (509) 228-6320
jo.lynne.seufer@rma.usda.gov

USDA Announces Risk Protection for Specialty Types of Barley and
Reminds Farmers and Ranchers of Multi-Peril Crop Insurance Program Dates

SPOKANE, Wash. February 22, 2010—Effective for the 2010 Crop Year, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) is offering insurance coverage based on contract prices for all practices of certain specialty types of barley (as reflected in the Special Provisions of Insurance).

You Don't Owe Your Kid A Job

We don' often think of our cows as our employees, and whether they should have a job description, or if we should continue their employment.  Likewise, we often assume that our children should work on the ranch until they inherit it.  Here is a provocative article about employing family and ranch succession.  I was a farm consultant in Solano and Yolo Counties when Dave was a Farm Advisor (county agent) there many years ago.  His California Grazing Academy, developed with Roger Ingram, has provided some inspiration for our Lost Rivers Grazing Academy.  Dave currently runs the Ranching for Profit schools...Chad

by Dave Pratt, Ranch Management Consultants, Inc. (reproduced with permission.)
http://www.ranchmanagement.com/index.html
Additional contact information at the end of the article.

How do you select employees for your ranch? If your ranch is like most ranches your candidate pool consists of your gene pool. That may work for the royal family, but if you want to make a profit, it's no way to pick an employee.

Don’t Blame Cows for Climate Change

University of California, Davis
January 2010
(Paritally reprinted from CA&ES E-news)

Despite oft-repeated claims by sources ranging from the United Nations to music star Paul McCartney, it is simply not true that consuming less meat and dairy products will help stop climate change, says a University of California authority on farming and greenhouse gases.

UC Davis air quality specialist Frank Mitloehner says that McCartney and the chair of the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ignored science when they launched a European campaign called "Less Meat = Less Heat." The launch came on the eve of the major international climate summit in Copenhagen in December.

For the full text of the article:  http://caes.ucdavis.edu/NewsEvents/e-news/2010/don2019t-blame-cows-for-climate-change?utm_source=UC+Davis+CA%26ES+E-News&utm_campaign=c782c44e87-CAES_E-News_JanFeb_2010&utm_medium=email

Winnemucca Bull Sale Catalog and Ranch Hand Rodeo Weekend Mar 3-7

I am forwarding you the link to the Winnemucca Bull Sale Catalog. The bull sale is being held in conjunction with our Ranch Hand Rodeo Weekend March 3 - 7, 2010.

Lemhi Begins "Lemhi Link"

LEMHI LINK: FIRST EDITION FEBRUARY, 2010

Welcome to the first edition of the Lemhi Link. This newsletter is brought to you by the Lemhi
County Extension Team and is meant to give you the latest and greatest news.

CONTENTS
Section 1 AFTER SCHOOL YOUTH HELP ENDANGERED SPECIES  page 1
Section 2 4-H ENROLLMENT page 2
Section 3 MARRIAGE DINNER PARTNERS WITH HORIZONS page 3
Section 4 “GET YOUR SLED ON” AT FAMILY FUN NIGHT, WINTER OLYMPICS page 3
Section 5 LEMHI LEADERSHIP page 4
Section 6 NOXIOUS WEED WORKSHOP page 4
Section 7 GEARING UP FOR 4-H IN 2010 page 4
section 8 4-H RECORD BOOK REQUIREMENTS page 5
Section 9 FUN 4-H PROJECTS YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN NOW!!! page 6
Section 10 COLOSTRUM IS KEY page 7
section 11 TRY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX IN 2010 page 8
Section 12 ABUNDANT. AFFORDABLE. AMAZING. page 8
Section 13 IMAGINATION AT WORK page 9
Section 14 UPCOMING EVENTS. page 10
Additional Information page 11
CLICK FOR LEMHI LINK

COLUSTRUM IS KEY

by Shannon Williams, from the "Lemhi Link"

Colostrum is the first milk produced by the cow. It is required for complete maturation of the calf’s immune system and has an effect on the calf for its entire life. The amount of colostrum varies from cow to cow, heifer to heifer and breed to breed. The amount decreases with each milking. Research done by the University of Wisconsin – Madison determined that the first milking has 6% colostrum and by the fifth milking is only .1%. Production of colostrum by the cow decreases 73% within 12 hours of calving.

4-H Assistant Position Open in Lemhi County

Position: Lemhi County 4-H Assistant Position

Overview: The Lemhi County 4-H Assistant provides the organizational framework for 4-H programs within Lemhi County and coordinates local 4-H activities by recruiting and managing 4-H volunteers and members, providing resources, and coordinating and marketing 4-H programs and activities. The 4-H Assistant works as a team member with Extension faculty, office staff, 4-H Leader’s council, 4-H leaders and 4-H youth to provide educational programs through various venues. The 4-H Assistant will focus on developing and maintaining non-livestock projects and programming.

2009 Ag Week Pictures

2009 Ag Week Reports and Activities

National Agriculture Week Celebrated
Shannon Williams, Lemhi County Extension Educator

“Celebrate Agriculture” was the theme March 16-20 as people participated in a range of activities spotlighting agriculture during National Agriculture Week.

All week citizens enjoyed the wonderful quilt displays in the downtown businesses. The quilts were past quilts completed by Lemhi County Cattlewomen and raffled off each year for their scholarship fund. The quilts represent the many ranches in Lemhi County. Businesses had opportunities to dress to the theme and then be entered in for a goodie basket sponsored by the Cattlewomen. Monday’s basket was won by Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Project; Tuesday’s was won by the Stage Stop; Wednesday’s by Marie Freitas,; and Thursday’s by Sensations. Citizens also had the opportunity to answer radio trivia and be entered for a gift basket each day of $100 value and sponsored by the Cattlewomen. Monday’s winner was Kathy Casey, Tuesday’s was Debbie Bielby, Wednesday’s was Carey Schwarz and Thursday’s winner was Sandy Schuff.

Enablers and Computer Illiteracy

In a recent survey of livestock and forage operators in the Lost Rivers Valley, I found only one respondent that read their email everyday.  Most indicated that they read it "occassionally", and it was all down-hill from there in terms of using there computers....

The Enablers –
by Kit Pharo and Reprinted with Permission from PCC Update 2/10/10.


I have been led to believe that several enablers receive our weekly emails. What is an enabler? The term “enabler” is most often used to describe people who allow loved ones to behave in ways that are destructive. For example, an enabler wife of an alcoholic will make it possible for her husband to continue hurting himself with excessive use of alcohol. A person might be an enabler of a gambler or compulsive spender by lending him or her money to get out of debt.

The enablers that I am referring to, however, are wives who enable their husbands to remain computer illiterate.

Ranch Assistant Needed Near Elko

Position: Ranch Assistant


Overview: The ranch assistant will work with manager irrigating, haying, working on machinery, fencing and riding the range during the summer months. They must be willing to work long hours during haying season in exchange for shorter hours the other times of the year. Fall and winter work will involve processing and sorting cattle, feeding and calving.

Northeastern Minnesota's moose population continues to decline - Climate not Wolves Blamed.

By Doug Smith Minneapolis Star Tribune February 8, 2010

Northeastern Minnesota's moose population continues to decline, based on the latest aerial survey this winter by the Department of Natural Resources.

Wildlife researchers estimate that there were 5,500 moose in that region of the state. With a 23 percent margin of error, the estimate is not statistically different from last year's estimate of 7,600, but it supports other evidence that the moose population is declining.

Registration Dead-Line for Butte-Custer Master Gardener Program Feb 18th

Master Gardener classes will begin February 25th in Arco and February 26th in Challis if an adequate number of persons are registered at each location. The Master Gardner Program provides in-depth training to interested persons who are willing to participate in community projects and/or help their neighbors with horticultural issues. The cost of the program will be $55 in Arco, which includes the cost of the book. Addition cost will be born by the Horizons community development program and the county office.


There will be a $10 per session charge for individuals wishing to attend for their personal information. Four of the workshops will also provide Idaho Department of Agriculture pesticide re-certification credits. Persons attending these programs for re-certification credits only will also pay a $10 fee.

Check these documents for information about the class, registration forms and specific class agenda:
Flyer
MG Program
MG Advertisement
MG Registration

For additional information contact the Butte County Extension office at 527-8587 or ccheyney@uidaho.edu or the Custer County Extension Office at 879-2344 or custer@uidaho.edu.

Ranch Assistant Need in Lemhi County

Position: Ranch Assistant

Overview: The ranch assistant will work with owner/operator irrigating, haying, working on machinery, fencing and riding the range during the summer months. They must be willing to work long hours during haying season in exchange for shorter hours the other times of the year. Fall and winter work will involve processing and sorting cattle, feeding and calving.

HBO Film on the Life of Temple Grandin Debut on Feb 6th

By Steve Porter
Northern Colorado Business Report
January 29, 2010

It's been a long time coming, but it looks like it was well worth the wait.

HBO Films will debut "Temple Grandin" on Feb. 6, a movie based on the life of the renowned designer of humane animal-handling facilities who also teaches at Colorado State University.

New Issue of the Cereal Sentinel with Barley Variety Information

Volume 53 of the Cereal Sentinel
Volume 53 of the Idaho Cereal Sentinel is now available. The Sentinel is the newsletter of the Southwest Idaho Cereals program of Brad Brown. Brad is the extension cereal specialist at the Parma Research and Extension Center.

This issue includes data on cereal performance. Brad found the Millennium a USU variety which had been evaluated in his environment for 9 years to out yield Steptoe and be 2-3 inches shorter. In two-row barleys, IdaGold, a Coors feed barley, is 6-7 inches shorter than Baroness and has out yielded Steptoe in most trials. For a complete evaluation, follow the link at the bottom of this article.

BQA Workshop at the Y-Inn Monday, January 25th

You are invited to attend the upcoming Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) workshop scheduled for Monday, January 25th at the Y-Inn in Challis, Idaho.

• 6:00 pm – Social hour, view the life-size, hands-on BQA Display, and mingle with other beef producers.

• 7:00 pm – Certification program.

• Attendees of this FREE program will receive a copy of the 32-page Idaho BQA manual, become BQA-certified, and learn how to implement management practices that will improve their bottom line.

Click here to see flyer for more details.

Please pass this message onto to anyone who may be interested.

Thank you!

Watch out for bad, fradulent and misleading information on the internet!

from a post to the Extensioncoffee shop by Ron Torrel for some Nevada cattlemen.

"Apparently “Craigslist” is an internet site where information can be posted, items bought or sold. I understand this site is very popular. Since the running of this post “Craigslist” pulled the listing, obviously because it was a hoax. The contact number they listed is from what I am told is that of Senator Ensign’s office not the Carson City BLM number as indicated."

RECENTLY POSTED ON (and removed from) "CRAIG'S LIST"
___________________________________

FERAL / UNBRANDED CATTLE HUNT THIS WEEKEND (FALLON)

Industry News - AM---CBS to air story on antibiotic use in livestock and poultry

By Rita Jane Gabbett on 1/21/2010

The CBS Evening News plans next week to air a story on antibiotic use in livestock and poultry production, according to Tribune Co.'s The Morning Call Web site.

Private Pesticide Applicator Training Announced by Fort Hall, Bingham, and Bannock County Extension

February 18-19, 2010

University of Idaho Fort Hall, Bingham, and Bannock County Extension are holding a Private and/or Professional Applicator License Training program at the Bannock County Extension Conference Room located at 130 N 6th Ave., Ste. B, Pocatello, Idaho, Thursday, February 18, 2010. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with class beginning at 9:00 a.m. Review and testing to receive a license will take place Friday, February 19 at 8:30 a.m. Individuals who have the need to use chemicals for weed or other pest control are encouraged to participate in the program. If you apply or supervise the application of restricted-use chemicals for weed or other pest control, you must be licensed. To enroll, participants must pre-register for this course and obtain training materials from your extension office by February 12, 2010. We must have a minimum of 20 applicants to conduct this training, so it is absolutely necessary that you pre-register by the February 12 deadline.

How to Warm a Calf –

PCC Update
January 13, 2010

by Kit Pharo
Email: Kit@PharoCattle.com
http://www.pharocattle.com/


Susan Francis, a PCC customer from Western Kansas, shared the following article with the PCC Discussion Group. She said, “Gives me the chills, just thinking about it. Does anyone care to go back to doing things this way? This article appeared in the Cattle Network newsletter.”
_________________________________________
How To Warm A Calf
01/07/2010 02:54PM

Debt Landscape for U.S. Farms Has Shifted

Fewer farm operators rely on borrowed funds, but farm debt is increasingly concentrated in larger farms.

J. Michael Harris   Robert Dubman   Robert Williams     John Dillard
AIS-87, USDA, Economic Research Service, November 2009.

Disruptions in U.S. credit markets have heightened concerns about the level of farm debt and the financial structure of U.S. farm businesses. These credit issues, combined with prospects for tightened cash flows and declining land values, have resulted in concerns about farmers’ ability to handle debt obligations. Growth in debt levels may be perceived as drawing down agriculture’s credit reserves and hastening debt repayment problems should farm financial conditions worsen. But if a firm has favorable long-term earnings prospects, debt financing may also be viewed as a way to invest in and grow a business.

See the entire article at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December09/Features/DebtLandscape.htm

Back to Basics: Self-Discipline and Ranch Management

Ron Torell, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Livestock Specialist

With the New Year upon us perhaps we should all make a resolution to be more disciplined in 2010 and beyond. In large part the future of our farms and ranches depends on it. Discipline is truly a tough order to follow.

Bill Backs Horse Slaughterhouses [MO]

CattleNetwork.com

January 12, 2010

A Greene County lawmaker wants to make the slaughtering of horses for human consumption legal in Missouri.

But state Rep. Jim Viebrock has a lot of hurdles to clear.

Viebrock, R-Republic, is sponsoring state legislation aimed at bypassing a federal ban on meat inspectors working in horse slaughtering plants by getting processors to pay for the inspections.

Farmers fight back against animal-rights groups

By The Associated Press
Drovers
January 13, 2010

It's little wonder that farmers fret about the future of the livestock industry. In the past two years, feed costs skyrocketed, pork and dairy prices plummeted, and animal-rights groups stepped up efforts to improve living conditions for farm animals.

Some farmers are hoping to strike back with proactive efforts to ward off unwanted legislation and boost the struggling industry.

Remote Control Cows?!

High tech on the range:
By: Scott Cotton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Educator

In 2001 and 2002 I had a brief opportunity to collaborate with the Dean Anderson at the USDA ARS Jornada Research Station near Las Cruces, New Mexico, on a project the tracked cattle with solar-powered satellite collars which could send low voltage "buzzes" to cattle and direct where they grazed. This research allowed the Jornada Station (over 28,000 acres) to remove most of the internal fences and control cow movement, bunching at breeding and avoidance of poisonous plants by checking and sending signals to the cattle via a satellite.

Doc and Connie Hatfield Ag Connection Award Tribute

Thought this might be kinda inspirational to some.....

SRM Joins with IRR and IRLS to Present "Congress on Western Rangland" Jan 13-14

The annual meeting of the Idaho Section of the Society for Range Management will combine forces with the Intermountain Rangeland Livestock Symposium and the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission to offer our 2010 “Congress on Western Rangelands”.

This event will be held at the Boise Centre on January 13th and 14th, 2010.

Idaho Irrigation Equipment Show is January 7, 2010 in Nampa

The latest information about irrigation equipment will be on display at the Idaho Irrigation Equipment
Show & Conference on Thursday, January 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Nampa Civic Center,
Nampa, Idaho.

More than 55 irrigation equipment manufacturers, dealers, and distributors of landscape and agricultural irrigation products will be at the show to display their latest equipment and services.

Farmers should make a skin check a priority

Provided by the American Academy of Dermatology

Farming has plenty of challenges, but probably one of the hazards that farmers worry about the least are the dangers from working in the sun year-round. As the harvest concludes and winter sets in, farmers should pay attention to the condition of their skin.

"More than 11,000 Americans die each year from skin cancer," says Dr. David M. Pariser, a dermatologist and president of the American Academy of Dermatology. "But when detected early, skin cancer has a cure rate of 99 percent. Since research shows farmers are among the least likely workers to receive a skin examination by a physician, it's important that farmers perform regular skin self-examinations, which could mean the difference between life and death."

Economy Forces Land-Grant Universities to Reshape Extension Work

from: The Chronicle of Higher Education 1255 Twenty-Third St, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037
http://chronicle.com/article/Economy-Forces-Land-Grant/49456/
December 13, 2009

By Karin Fischer

The extension budgets of many land-grant universities are taking big hits in the current economic downturn, accelerating changes in how public institutions deliver and finance their outreach services. To close budget gaps, extension officials are paring back less-popular programs, seeking outside grants and private financial
support, and shuttering local offices in favor of a regional approach
to outreach work.

Go to the link above to see the complete article.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

Study finds prions evolve despite lacking DNA

By John Fauber
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

December 31, 2009

Though they are believed to be "lifeless," the infectious agents known as prions that cause a variety of fatal brain diseases in people and animals, including chronic wasting disease in deer, are capable of evolving like living organisms, according a new study.