This is Andy Blumer, Angus Media web services team lead, with the October 2, 2023, update from the AJ Daily. Today’s update contains tips to help you decide whether to keep or sell heifers, a story about how to decode the definitions of adjusted gross income and actively engaged in farming for payment eligibility requirements, an opportunity to register for the Ranch Management University to be hosted in College Station later this month, and a story about a special lot being offered in the Missouri Ladies of Autumn Sale to benefit the Brian Meier Family Fund.
Deciding to Keep or Sell Heifers
Adapted from an article by Lisa Moser, K-State Research and Extension news service
When making a big life decision, many people turn to making a list of pros and cons to help them logically work through the process. In agriculture, that often leads to creating a spreadsheet to calculate costs, depreciation and potential for a return on the investment, say cattle experts at Kansas State University.
One of the decisions that many cow-calf producers face at fall weaning is determining which heifers to keep and which ones to sell. This was the topic of a recent Cattle Chat podcast, produced through the Beef Cattle Institute at K-State.
Dustin Pendell, K-State ag economist, said, “Every operation is going to be a little different, but when deciding whether to keep or sell replacement heifers, producers need to assess if they have the labor and resources available to raise them.”
To read more, go to angusbeefbulletin.com/extra and select the management page.
Decoding the Definitions of Adjusted Gross Income and Actively Engaged in Farming for Payment Eligibility Requirements
Adapted from a Market Intel article by Betty Resnick, American Farm Bureau Federation
Paperwork is often an unwelcome chore for farmers and ranchers. To participate in payment programs through USDA, farmers must meet several eligibility thresholds, which vary slightly from program to program. In this Market Intel, we’ll dive into the criteria for two of the more complicated eligibility requirements: adjusted gross income and actively engaged in farming.
Adjusted gross income
To participate in payment programs through the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, participants must complete USDA’s CCC-941 Average Adjusted Gross Income Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information. The form attests that farmers have a three-year average AGI of under $900,000.
For the full story, go to fb.org.
Ranch Management University Set for Oct. 23-27 in College
Adapted from a release by Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications
The award-winning Ranch Management University, scheduled Oct. 23-27 at Texas A&M University in Bryan-College Station, is open for registration with seating limited to the first 50 enrolled.
During the five days, participants will learn about a variety of ranch management topics ranging from soil fertility to forage and weed management to livestock and wildlife management.
The Ranch Management University is designed to give new or inexperienced ranchers and landowners a crash course on a lot of different subjects, said Larry Redmon, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences associate department head and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program leader, Bryan-College Station.
Registration is $625, and the deadline to register is Oct. 13. For more information or to register, click on the link in this episode’s description.
A Special Female for a Special Function
Adapted from a release by Missouri Angus Association
Lot 1 in the Missouri Angus Ladies of Autumn Sale, Oct. 22, 2023, has graciously been donated with all proceeds going to the Brian Meier Family Fund. Brian Meier, 44, was a 5th-generation Angus breeder who had a passion for the Angus breed. In a 2016 Angus Journal article, he was quoted saying, “I hope to see Angus cattle continue to prosper into the future, long past my time.” Brian passed away Sept. 4, 2023, after a battle with brain cancer. A fund has been established to help support his wife and three children. More information is available at the links in this episode’s description.
The AJ Daily is compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor for theAngus Journal. For more Angus news, visit angusjournal.net.