Hardee Rancher
Beef and Forage Newsletter



Hardee County Extension Service
507 Civic Center Drive
Wauchula, Florida 33873
(863) 773-2164
Fax (863) 773-6861
E-mail lagary@mail.ifas.ufl.edu


Summer 2005


Calendar Of Events
July
9Meat Goat Training Course (Part 1) - Florida A&M University Research and Extension Center, 4259 Bainbridge Hwy. (267 North) Qunicy, FL - 850-875-8557
30Meat Training Course (Part 2) - Florida A&M University Research and Extension Center, 4259 Bainbridge Hwy. (267 North) Qunicy, FL - 850-875-8557
August
TBAGrand Opening of the Arcadia Stockyards
4Selection and Management Tools to Improve Your Calf Crop - Dallas B Townsend Ag Center, 1085 Pratt Blvd., LaBelle, FL 33935 - 7:00-9:00 PM
6Meat Goat Training Course (Part 3) - Florida A&M University Research and Extension Center, 4259 Bainbridge Hwy. (267 North) Quincy, FL - 850-875-8557
27Meat Goat Training Course (Part 4) - Florida A&M University Research and Extension Center, 4259 Bainbridge Hwy. (267 North) Qunicy, FL - 850-875-8557
September
1-2Florida Cattlemen's Association Quarterly Meeting, Port St. Lucie, Holiday Inn - 800-459-5044
October
13-141st Annual Quail Management Shortcourse - Turner Center Exhibit Hall - Arcadia, FL
November
4Cowboy "Chute" Out - Location TBA


- Selection and Management Tools to Improve Your Calf Crop -

This program is sponsored by the South Florida Beef/Forage Program of the University of Florida's Extension Service. It is designed to give producers a better understanding of Expected Progeny Differences (EPD's) when selecting bulls for the cow herd as well as testing bulls to increase pregnancy rates. Furthermore, the development, structure and implementation of the national animal identification program for beef producers will be discussed.

7:00 PM Welcome - Sonja Crawford, Hendry County CED

7:05-7:35 Utilizing Expected Progeny Differences (EPD's) in Seedstock Selection - Jim Selph, DeSoto County CES

7:35-8:00 Achieving Higher Pregnancy Rates by Bull Testing - Lockie Gary, Hardee County CES

8:00-8:30 National Animal ID, another Government Regulation or a Good Management Tool, Brantley Ivy, Polk County CES

- Poll Says Animal ID Could Boost Consumer Confidence -

A recent survey, sponsored by Global Animal Management Inc., examined how implementation of a mandatory National Animal Identification System would influence consumer confidence in beef safety. More than 37 percent of respondents to the poll said their current meat safety confidence is high - at least 8 on a 10-point scale. Only 10 percent of respondents rated their confidence as low. Overall, current consumer confidence in the meat supply averaged 6.5 on a 10-point scale. Implementation of the NAIS would, according to the poll results, boost the average to 7.4. Nearly 55 percent of those polled said their confidence would be high with the NAIS in place, and those who said their confidence will remain low declined to less than 4 percent. Congressman Bob Goodlatte, (R - Virg.), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, said this week a national ID system needs to be running "as soon as possible." The government's goal is to have a mandatory tracking system in place by January 2009, but he believes the industry could create a system more swiftly. Source: - Greg Henderson, Drovers editor - Drovers Alert Thursday, June 30, 2005, Vol. 5, Issue 26

- USDA's BSE Testing Results to Date -

Since June 2004, the U.S. BSE Enhanced Surveillance Program has tested 400,691 targeted animals at highest risk for BSE and has found only this latest case. You can track the testing program and read more on the firewalls in place to prevent BSE at www.BSEinfo.org

- BSE Test for Live Animals -

The Vacci-Test Corporation announced last week that it has created a test to detect BSE in live cattle. Utilizing a single drop of blood, the Vacci-Test BD can identify the presence of Protein 14-3-3 - the marker for brain infections, including BSE. The test will go through a validation process before becoming commercially available. Estimated cost is about $20 per animal. Source: - Greg Henderson, Drovers editor - Drovers Alert Thursday, June 30, 2005, Vol. 5, Issue 26

- BSE Case Shouldn't Affect Negotiations with Japan -

Japanese government officials say the latest U.S. case of BSE should not affect the timeline for resumption of beef imports. According to an article in the Japan Times, officials from Japan's Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said the possibility of a second case of BSE was taken into account when Japan agreed with the U.S. last October to work on resuming imports. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi also said the latest case will not change Japanese policy over U.S. beef imports, according to the article.

- Land Prices Continue Higher -

Farm and ranch real estate values remain strong during the first half of 2005, according to Farmers National Company, the nation's largest farm and ranch management and Real Estate Brokerage Company. FNC says high quality farm ground has been in the highest demand by both investors and farmers. Sale prices of $3,500 to $5,000 per acre are common in the central and eastern Corn Belt, with prices of $2,500 to $3,500 per acre in the western Corn Belt. Demand for recreational land continues to have a significant impact on rural land values. Lee Vermeer, FNC vice president of real estate operations, says, "Properties with waterfowl hunting opportunities have seen the highest buyer activity, particularly if they are within one or two hours of a large metropolitan area." Source: - Greg Henderson, Drovers editor - Drovers Alert Thursday, June 30, 2005, Vol. 5, Issue 26.

- Meat Goat Training Course -

Florida A&M University Research and Extension Center, 4259 Bainbridge Hwy. (267 North) Qunicy, FL is hosting a series of educational programs for producers of Meat Goats.

Part 1: Establishing the meat goat facility and markets for meat goats.

Part 2: Selecting and evaluating breeding stock and reproductive management of meat goats.

Part 3: Nutrition management, pasture management and Bio-Security and Bio-terrorism on the farm.

Part 4: A hands-on training will be provided on hoof trimming, administering medication, body condition scores, microscopic examination of parasites, FAMANCHA and much more.

Part 5: Herd health, identifying poisonous plants to livestock and developing a record keeping system.

- First Annual Cowboy "Chute" Out -

Four man ranch teams will work a group of four calves administering vaccinations, pour-on products, implants, ear tags, injectable de-wormers and dehorning if calves require it and complete a processing map for the calf group. Judging will be based on quality assurance issues such as: proper product use and placement, cleanliness and use of application equipment and safety in handling of cattle.

Tentative agenda:

9:00 AM "Chute" Out Competition

11:30 AM Lunch

12:30 PM Beef Quality Assurance Issues Presentation - Dr. Todd Thrift

2:00 PM Presentation of Awards

Contact your local South Florida Beef-Forage Program Extension Agent for more information.

For questions or comments regarding this publication contact Lockie Gary

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