The National Pork Board last week awarded former Iowa State University animal science professor at Tom Baas the Distinguished Service Award during the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City. The award is presented each year to recognize an industry leader’s lifelong contribution to the pork industry. “Tom has provided extraordinary leadership to the pork industry,” said National Pork Board …
Meet the 2018 Pig Farmers of Tomorrow
America’s Pig Farmer Leon Sheets had the pleasure of introducing the new Pig Farmers of Tomorrow at the National Pork Forum this week, appropriately on National Pig Day, March 1. Adam Krause from South Dakota and Emma Lasco and Christine Snowden, both from Iowa, have been named for the honor, which recognizes farm leaders, ages 18-29, who intend to make …
Pork Forum Panel Focuses on Gene Editing
The science of gene editing and its potential for the pork industry took center stage Wednesday at the opening session of the annual Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City. Journalist and author Michael Specter keynoted the session and moderated the panel on gene editing, which included University of Missouri animal scientist Kevin Wells, The Maschhoffs president Bradley Wolter, NPPC director …
Blueprint Solutions for Beef Cattle Nutrition
Earlier this year, Alltech launched the premium Blueprint® beef nutrition program for the CRYSTALYX® and Hubbard Feeds brands. The 2018 Cattle Industry Convention was a perfect spot for us to get the scoop. We caught up with Mark Robbins, Ridley Block Operations who said Blueprint Solutions is more than a simple supplement program. “It’s the total replacement of inorganic trace …
Alltech Tests EPNIX Benefits on the Farm
Alltech’s EPNIX has moved past the proof of concept stage and on to large-scale field demonstrations on the efficacy of the product. We caught up with Dr. Vaughn Holder, Alltech’s Ruminant Research Director, at the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention to get an update. “We have multiple locations throughout North America, Canada and Mexico evaluating the technology on farms to see …
Understanding Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus
Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus is a devastating disease in cattle. But many producers may not realize that Type 1b is the most common subtype of the disease. Dr. Steve Foulke with Boehringer Ingelheim said many vaccines do not even cover Type 1b. “The vaccines that are out there on the market contain Type 1a and Type 2a in them, …
Fighting Bovine Respiratory Disease
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the leading cause of calf death after weaning. Boehringer Ingelheim takes a holistic approach when helping producers fight the disease, said Professional Services Veterinarian Dr. Rich Linhart. “We look at everything on the ranch, from personnel to feed bunk space to mud to wind to the way pens are set up, and cattle flow,” said …
Farm Credit at #CattleCon18
During #CattleCon18 I visited with Farm Credit to learn what they are offering to cattle ranchers. I talked with Todd Moore (pictured), Farm Credit Mid-America, first and asked him what the message is for those attending. He says that with the volatility in cattle prices lender are talking to their customers and asking questions like, “Do they have a risk …
Ag Policy Update: Farm Bill, Budget Deals & Trade
The Missouri Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference took place over the weekend. I was able to attend with my husband and had great intentions to not ‘work.’ But when I heard topics being discussed that are timely and others might learn from, I couldn’t help but pull out my recorder and gather some content. Missouri Farm Bureau’s Director …
The Crystalyx BioBarrel Focuses on Environment
The Crystalyx BioBarrel was on display in the Alltech booth during the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. This unique barrel allows for optimal mineral intake and is environmentally friendly. “Crystalyx products are unique because they are a low moisture block. They are a dehydrated molasses product which is continuously looking for moisture to soften. Cattle consume by …
