This is Andy Blumer, Angus Media web services team lead, with the September 7, 2022, update from the AJ Daily. Today’s update contains strategies to avoid prussic acid poisoning after drought-time rains, an announcement from the American Farm Bureau Federation about a new book about the work of Norman Borlaug, a report on the effects of avian influenza, and a market update from Paul Dykstra.
Seven Ways to Avoid Prussic Acid Poisoning After Drought-time Rains
Adapted from a release by Marilyn Cummins, Noble Research Institute
Both summer and fall are important times for ranchers to keep an eye on cattle that graze where Johnsongrass is present, due to the risk of prussic-acid toxicity.
Clark Roberts, manager of Noble Research Institute’s Coffey Ranch at Marietta, Oklahoma, says drought conditions put him on high alert for two reasons.
“Anything that physically stresses Johnsongrass, such as drought in summer or freezing in the fall, can increase the amount of prussic acid in this invasive forage plant,” he says. “Secondly, with rain after drought, or warm temperatures after a frost, the fresh, green growth is one of the first things the cows will go after. That’s the danger, because those young leaves are higher in prussic acid.”
To read more, go to angusbeefbulletin.com/extra and select the health and nutrition tab.
Feeding Minds Press Shares Achievements of Norman Borlaug With Next Generation
Adapted from a release by American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
A new generation of learners can be freshly inspired by Norman Borlaug, the “father of the green revolution,” thanks to the newest title from Feeding Minds Press, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s publishing venture.
Hero for the Hungry tells the story of Borlaug, who dedicated his life’s work to ending world hunger. Written by Peggy Thomas and illustrated by Sam Kalda, this is the first chapter book from Feeding Minds Press, ideal for middle-school readers.
Daniel Meloy, executive director of the Foundation, says, “We’re excited to introduce today’s youth to Norman Borlaug. With Hero for the Hungry, we hope Norman Borlaug’s story of science and true American grit inspires young readers to explore how they, too, can help solve hunger issues.”
For more information go to fb.org.
Avian Influenza
Adapted from a release by Len Steiner, Steiner Consulting Group
It was our hope that we would not have to give another avian influenza update this year. Unfortunately, with a number of cases in California and an outbreak in the Midwest, it appears this disease may continue to affect poultry and egg supplies going forward. The most recent cases have largely affected turkey production. The turkey industry already had lost more than 5 million birds before USDA reported a number of outbreaks in California. Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 1, USDA reported outbreaks in Tuolumne and Sacramento counties, affecting some 387,000 birds.
California was spared from the outbreak earlier this year, but with the disease now spread throughout the United States, it was unfortunately just a matter of time before it affected commercial operations in the state.
For the full report, go to dailylivestockreport.com.
CAB Insider: Market Update
Adapted from a release by Paul Dykstra, Certified Angus Beef
Federally inspected cattle slaughter was off 40,000 head last week compared to the prior week. The major difference was Saturday, when packers primarily kept their plants dark in observation of the long Labor Day weekend. Just 11,000 head of steers and heifers were harvested Saturday, vs. 46,000 head the previous Saturday.
Last week’s fed-cattle trade was also smaller as packers were buying for the current short holiday week. The price range in the trade narrowed quite a bit more than we’ve seen in multiple weeks as Southern feedyards closed the gap on the North. Texas saw the low end at $140 per hundredweight, while the high in the North was $145 per hundredweight Packers weren’t as aggressive in the market as they had some cattle inventory to work with and, again, were buying for a short week.
To read more, go to cabcattle.com and select CAB Insider under the News tab.
The AJ Daily is compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor for the Angus Journal. For more Angus news, visit angusjournal.net.