South Dakota Cattle

at SDcattle.com

Animal identification has received increased attention lately in the United States. Recent animal disease outbreaks around the world have underscored the importance of animal identification and the need to track an animals’ location history and herd mate contacts. These incidents have led to a heightened awareness of the risks posed to our domestic livestock populations by the accidental or malicious introduction of a foreign disease or the emergence of a domestic disease of concern. Some animal diseases may also present a threat to the public health furthering the urgency to maintain animal health control. A significant animal disease outbreak could affect both our social and economic stability. The potential disruption that a large-scale disease occurrence could cause would go way beyond the suffering and loss to animal life. Leaders in the agriculture industry and government have recognized the need to have a universal animal identification system in place to help avoid the undesirable consequences our country could experience as a result of certain animal disease outbreaks. A reliable system of animal identification would greatly aid animal health officials by providing the information necessary to control and halt the spread of a disease and minimize the impact of such an event. Maintenance of public confidence in and continued marketability of food animal products are added benefits of an effective animal identification system for the industry. Through a collaborative effort, the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) has been developed. The USDA, APHIS (United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) introduced a voluntary system in 2004. The system is being implemented under a phased-in approach at the state level by each state’s animal health authority. As the infrastructure for the system is being assembled these state officials have the prerogative to customize the system to serve their unique needs while maintaining compatibility with the national system standards. Information compiled in the animal identification system will be used for animal disease control, surveillance, and eradication efforts. The focus of the NAIS is the health of the US livestock population and the goal is to support traceback of an animals’ history within 48 hours of disease confirmation. The NAIS is comprised of three major components: Premises registration, animal identification, and animal tracking. Premises registration is the foundation of the NAIS and as such is the first component to be introduced with animal identification and tracking to follow. The South Dakota Animal Industry Board is moving forward with the NAIS in South Dakota. The premises registration process has begun and is an important first step that you can take to protect your investment in the livestock business. Anyone who owns or is responsible for livestock are encouraged to register. Whether large or small, farm or ranch, production site, feed yard, livestock market, or processing plant, if you are involved in the livestock industry and are responsible for the handling, care, and movement of animals you are asked to register your premises. Non-producer participants who are associated with animals or the animal industry are encouraged to register as you are an important link in the livestock production chain and may be a source of vital information in the event of a disease traceback. The minimal information that you submit during the premises registration process will be kept confidential and be used only by state and national animal health officials to support disease control and animal health surveillance efforts. You will have access to your personal information by establishing your own user name and password. Your participation will support the capability to provide a timely response and minimize the impact in the event of an animal disease outbreak. ...More

Cattle Today
Articles about the production of beef cattle and livestock.

PROTECTING YOUNG BUCKS INCREASES HERD POTENTIAL
Mississippi State University research has found that protecting young bucks improves herd health and creates a better hunting experience.
GRID PREMIUMS SHOW BENEFITS OF VALUE-BASED MARKETING
When you get a bonus on grid cattle, sometimes it's easier to count your blessings than to ask why.
AUGUST PORK AND BEEF EXPORTS DOWN FROM 2008
While selected markets performed very well, the global pace of U.S. pork and beef exports lost ground in August compared to 2008, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
BEEF INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE FEED-EFFICIENCY DATA
Feed accounts for 65 percent to 80 percent of total beef-production costs. With grain prices at their highest levels ever, finding a way to lower those costs is important to cattle producers.
DEMAND FOR CAB HAS HELD UP WELL
When times are lean, sales of luxury items are typically the first to fall off. However, when it comes to beef, it appears that consumer demand for the higher quality and pricier Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB®) brand held up better than that for USDA Choice or lower grade beef.
RESEARCH PAPER LOOKS AT UPSWING IN QUALITY GRADES
Three years ago, a 30-year decline in beef quality grades was apparent, with only half of fed cattle grading USDA Choice. The Choice/Select spread hit record highs in 2006, but today the picture is much different. July figures show 60.1 percent of the harvest mix graded Choice the first half of this year, but why?
SECOND ANNUAL DUCK RIVER ANGUS CLASSIC HELD OCTOBER 17
The Second Annual Duck River Angus Classic was held October 17, 2009 in Columbia, Tenn.
AS COWS EAT, SO GROW THE CALVES
Your cowherd checklist might look pretty sparse after the calves are weaned and rebreeding is confirmed. Maybe the cows regained some condition and they're coasting now on crop residue. Next item would be, what, calving?
SOUTHERN SOURCE ANGUS SALE HELD SEPTEMBER 26
The Southern Source Angus Sale was held September 26, 2009 in Cullman, Ala.
CATTLE GRAZING BEHAVIOR CAN BE USED TO MANAGE CATTLE
Cattle are grazers and browsers, eating a wide variety of grasses, forbs and leaves/bark from shrubs and trees. Not having upper front teeth, cattle can't nip off plants as a horse does but use their flexible tongue to wrap around a "bite" and break it off with a movement of the head. They bite short grass with the lower teeth and hard upper palate, but cannot graze as closely as a horse or sheep.
CREATIVE ADVERTISING BENEFICIAL FOR TAX PURPOSES
Advertising and promotion are important for any ongoing business or service, even if you have significant good will and public recognition of your product or service. This is true for farmers, ranchers and horse owners just as in other businesses.
IT'S THE PITTS -- THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL
When I was a little boy my father put me on a chair and said, “Jump and I'll catch you.” I did and he didn't. As I gathered myself up off the floor he said in a stern voice, “Let that be a lesson to you. Don't ever trust anybody.”
MYCOTOXINS ARE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE IN GRAINS AND FEEDS
Every year about this time cattlemen are taking a serious look at how they are going to feed/supplement their cattle through the winter. In many if not all cases there is a focus on how this can be done as cheaply as possible.
COMMODITYINSITE.COM
The Gross Domestic Product report for the 3rd quarter showed US economic growth rising a brisk 3.5 percent. The data was above expectations and the best showing in two years.
HUNTIN' DAYLIGHT -- WAITING FOR THE ECONOMIC SUN
“Net returns have been pressured again in 2009, as input costs remain rather high compared to historical norms while calf prices have struggled,” say analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC). “Calf prices are forecast to be slightly higher in the fourth quarter of this year than in 2008, however for the year, calf prices will still be the lowest since 2003.”

USDA Livestock Market Report

Slaughter Cattle Report (Wed)

Sioux Falls Weekly Slaughter Cattle Summary (Thu)

Midwest Direct Slaughter Cow And Bull Carcass Report

Feeder Cattle Auction (Thu)

South Dakota Direct Feeder Cattle Summary (Fri)

Sioux Falls Hog Report

Sioux Falls Feeder Pig Auction (Tue)

Sioux Falls Sheep Report (Mon)

Sioux Falls Weekly Sheep Summary (Thu)

St Onge-Newell Sheep Yards Auction (Thu)

Faith Sheep Report (Mon Or Wed)

West Fargo Feeder Cattle Wtd Avg Report (Wed)

SD Livestock Sales Wtd Avg - Watertown (Wed)

Bales Continental Commission Co Wtd Avg - Huron (Tue)

St Onge Feeder Cattle Wtd Avg Report (Fri)

Presho Livestock Wtd Avg Report (Thu)

Faith Livestock Wtd Avg Report (Mon)

Hub City Livestock Auction Wtd Avg Report (Wed)

Ft. Pierre Livestock Wtd Avg Report (Fri)

Mitchell Livestock Wtd Avg Report (Mon)

Philip Livestock Wtd Avg Report (Tue)

Herreid Livestock Wtd Avg Report (Fri)

Jamestown Livestock Wtd Avg Report (Tue)

Stockmen's West Wtd Avg Report (Tue)

Kist Livestock Wtd Avg Report (Wed)

Napoleon Livestock Wtd Avg Report (Thu)

Stockmen's Livestock Exchange Wtd Avg Report (Thu)

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SDSU: South Dakota State University - You Can Go Anywhere From Here
South Dakota State University, located in Brookings, SD, is the region's leading higher education provider.
http://www.sdstate.edu/
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