This is Julie Mais, Angus Journal editor, with the August 4, 2022, update from the AJ Daily. Today’s update contains strategies for controlling parasites in cattle operations, an announcement about an effort by Kansas State University to support the growth of meat processors in Kansas, and news about the release of climate-neutral products onto shelves.
Effective Strategies to Control Internal Parasites
Adapted from an article by Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University
Internal parasites impair production by increasing maintenance energy costs and diet digestibility, reducing feed intake, and increasing activity of the immune system. They affect profitability of beef cattle operations much more than most of us really think. Research shows weaning weights can be increased by more than 30 pounds and pregnancy rates by more than 10% by deworming cows in the spring and again in midsummer.
To read more, go to angusbeefbulletin.com/extra and select the health and nutrition tab.
K-State Launches Effort to Support Growth of Meat Processors in Kansas
Adapted from a release by Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension
A rush to locally produced meat partly necessitated more than two years ago by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has spawned consumer’s interest in direct-to-consumer processing businesses, said a group of Kansas State University experts.
Dustin Pendell, an agricultural economist with K-State Research and Extension, said that while consumers have always expressed an interest in locally processed meat, “Kansas has seen an increasing demand for local, direct-to-consumer meat processing businesses.”
Jessie Vipham, an assistant professor in K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, noted that from January 2020 to March 2022, the Kansas Department of Agriculture granted licenses to seven new custom meat processing facilities in the state.
Plus, she notes, “the KDA’s meat and poultry inspection staff have spoken with at least 82 individuals who have expressed interest in operating a new custom or inspected meat processing facility in Kansas.”
For more information, click on the link in this episode’s description.
First Movers Release Climate-neutral Products Onto Shelves
Adapted from an article by Rabobank
According to Rabobank’s latest beef report, companies are taking next steps to meet goals for reducing emissions. With consumers already paying more for beef, the big question is: Will the market be able to support a further lift in beef prices to offer a “premium payment” for net-zero-carbon beef?
Cattle prices across the seven major exporting countries remained strong through the first quarter of 2022. Low inventory and favorable seasons in Australia continue to support cattle prices, while firm consumer demand supports U.S. prices, despite the higher-than-expected production and cattle-on-feed numbers in the first quarter resulting from dry conditions.
To read more, go to angusbeefbulletin.com/extra and select the marketing tab.
Today’s AJ Daily was compiled by Heather Lassen, proofreader for the Angus Journal. For more Angus news, visit angusjournal.net.