Archive for May, 2010
CATTLE TODAY/Ranchers.net Newsletter for May 2010
Welcome to CattleToday.com/Ranchers.net FREE Newsletter!
Read on to find out the latest cattle news, useful tips, and what’s happening on the ‘net.
INTERESTING STUFF
With the thousands of links here it’s easy for your link to
get “lost” in the crowd. But not if your link is a Featured
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SEND DAD A CATTLE TODAY ONLINE GREETING CARD!
Father’s Day is June 20th. Don’t forget to let your Dad know how much you care! Send him an online greeting card!
HUNTIN’ DAYLIGHT – - BORDER WARS
I’ve known various ranchers along the southern border of the U.S. for more than two decades. I’ve always marveled at how they seem so sanguine in light of what has always seemed to me so unjust: you own property there, you try to milk a living from the land there, yet you do so with people you don’t know—illegal aliens—traipsing all over it, picking up the trash they leave, providing those in critical need with water, food or emergency medical assistance.
A.I. IS A COST EFFECTIVE MEANS OF GENETIC IMPROVEMENT
The statement “I have a ranch to run,” has rarely had as diverse of a meaning as it does today. These successful businessmen probably would give Donald Trump a run for his money (if they had his resources). Keeping track of all the daily activities leads to an organized operator looking to generate profit or cut expenses with every decision.
HANDLE CATTLE PROPERLY TO PREVENT STRESS
There are other stressors that affect the cow herd aside from environment. Two of the more prominent and extensively researched include handling – this can also include transportation, and disease or health.
PRODUCERS MUST MAKE OBVIOUS CULLING DECISIONS IN THE SPRING
With the annual cost of keeping a commercial cow at or around $400/year, it is critical to identify and cull those open cows as soon as possible.
EMBRYO TRANSFER ALLOWS PRODUCERS TO MAXIMIZE SUPERIOR GENETICS
Although fads and trends sometimes disguise what the industry is truly looking for, the goal of most cattlemen is to produce the best genetic specimen for the times.
AVOID HEAT STRESS WHEN MOVING OR WORKING CATTLE
Hot weather can be very hard on cattle, especially when humidity is high (which makes it more difficult for the animal to dissipate body heat), or when cattle exert and overheat.
DEVELOPING HEIFERS CORRECTLY ENSURES PRODUCTIVE LIFE
Management protocols often follow mission statements or
reflect something stated in an end-of-the-year financial
statement or lost market share to competitors. This business
world jargon may sound like a foreign language to some
ranchers; however, most realize, to succeed, these terms
need to become part of their production model.
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HOOTER MCCORMICK – - ROPE JUSTICE
“Just like a 50-pound sack of potatoes tossed from the hay loft.” That is how people described the sight and sound of Gatsby Charles Mayfair III landing belt loops-over-elbows in the dirt lot where parents parked the pickups and horse trailers.
SALACOA VALLEY FARMS – PROVEN GENETICS WITH A PURPOSE
Few people in the purebred cattle business today can match the commitment and experience of David Vaughan, owner of Salacoa Valley Farms in Fairmount, Ga.
Have you visited the CattleClub yet? It’s like FaceBook,
except for cattle people. It’s a great place to meet and
learn more about cattle producers in your part of the
country. You can also upload photos into your own Photo
Album. Or join or create a group for your breed. Have a live
chat with your friends. Give it a try. And did I mention
it’s free?
I don’t fly on the airlines any more but when I did I always tried to avoid talking with my fellow sufferers.
RECOVERING ECONOMY BOOSTS CATTLE INDUSTRY
A recovering world economy, lower feed prices, strong beef exports, low red meat supplies and shrinking retail beef prices have given the beef industry a much-needed price boost, said a Purdue University agricultural economist.
OPTIMUM COW SIZE IMPORTANT FOR EFFICIENCY
Over the past several decades the average cow on many
ranches has increased in frame size, and in recent years
some stockmen are realizing that their cattle have become
too large to be efficient.
Sometimes we forget that we are really grass farmers.
And a couple of our most powerful tools for growing quality
grass is the analysis of soils and forages.
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS…
But bad pictures of your cattle can cost you plenty! Many
potential customers cannot visit your ranch to view your
cattle in person, but when they see your cattle in your photo
album, a sale catalog, or in an advertisement in your breed
publication, CATTLE TODAY or on the Internet, you want their
first impression to be a good one. Here are some great tips
to improve your cattle pictures.
SEARCH CATTLE TODAY’S ARCHIVES
You can find articles you are looking for simply by using
the search box in the Archives. Searching for “artificial
insemination” found 16 articles about artificial
insemination. Go to:
CATTLE TODAY NEWSPAPER
PUREBRED REFERENCE ISSUE 2010! MARK IT DOWN!
If you are looking for a great way to promote your operation to over 14,000 cattle producers in the southeastern U.S. try advertising in CATTLE TODAY’s Purebred Reference Issue ’10. This special issue is one of our biggest and most requested throughout the year, and has become a reference for many of our readers. Don’t miss this important marketing opportunity. E-mail us today for more information. sales@cattletoday.com or editor@cattletoday.com. Published July 17th. Ad deadine is July 9th. We are offering a special discount on all ads placed before June 18th. Call or email today!
SITE OF THE MONTH
The North Carolina Gelbvieh Association website is informative and attractive. Visitors can use this site to learn more about Gelbvieh cattle, as well as find the directory of members right at their finger tips. Having this information available online makes it a great resource for members and for potential buyers interested in purchasing Gelbvieh genetics. Congratulation to the North Carolina Gelbvieh Association on a job well done!
J U N E SALE DATES
Cattle Today will be at the following sales in June:
June 5 — Cherokee Hills Romagnola Beef Bonanza Sale, Paris TN
June 12 — Salacoa Valley Farms Brangus Sale, Fairmount GA
Be sure to look us up and say “Hello.”
WINDOWS TIP OF THE MONTH
CAN’T FIND A DOWNLOADED FILE?
If, after downloading a file, you cannot find it, begin the
download procedure again from the web page, except do a
‘Save As’ and look to see what the default folder is. Cancel
the download, and open Explorer. Go to the folder identified
in the ‘Save As’, and your file will be located here.
or
Use Your Windows Key
The Windows logo key on the bottom row of most computer
keyboards is a treasure. Use it! Just hold it down and press
the letter shown at the same time. It is the shortcut anchor
for the following commands:
Windows: Display the Start menu
Windows + D: Minimize or restore all windows
Windows + E: Display Windows Explorer
Windows + F: Display Search for files
Windows + Ctrl + F: Display Search for computer
Windows + F1: Display Help and Support Center
Windows + R: Display Run dialog box
Windows + break: Display System Properties dialog box
Windows + shift + M: Undo minimize all windows
Windows + L: Lock the workstation
Windows + U: Open Utility Manager
FUN SITE OF THE MONTH
GOOGLE EARTH
Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places, and share with others. View your farm or ranch. Lots of fun to see your own house from the satellite’s point of view! Download is free!
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” – Rudyard Kipling
Submitted
by: Frances Ruth Harris, Kew Gardens, New York
Send us your favorite quotes! We will pick one each month to be
included in our Newsletter. (Be sure to include where you are from
in your e-mail!) Send quotes to:
editor@cattletoday.com
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Maybe they would like to subscribe!
Good Luck and see you next month.
Belinda
Ary
Editor
Macon Gravlee
WebMaster
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
We hope you find this newsletter useful. If you have any
suggestions, tips,
or comments, just drop me a note at webmaster@cattletoday.com
