BeefTalk: Good marketing essential to capture available dollars

Kris Ringwall, North Dakota State University Extension
Do not let big numbers fool you. With good marketing skills, heavy calves will capture more value. If there is one concept cow-calf producers have total control over, it is how they market their calves.
Do not assume a good, solid handshake and slap on the back means top dollar was achieved in marketing this year's calves. Public auction

Interpreting Data to Modernize Food Safety: Meet Dr. Joanna Zablotsky Kufel

Dr. Joanna Zablotsky Kufel discovered community and public health at Tufts University in Massachusetts. Afterwards, she worked in public health for a couple of years and then moved to Baltimore, Md., where she earned her Masters in 2003 and Ph.D. in 2009 at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “After learning all about food safety at the state and local level, I still wanted to

CDC map suggests U.S. is no veggie nation

Fred Wilkinson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recently released State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables 2013 provides state-by-state and other demographic information on fruit and vegetable consumption.
Its findings suggest Americans have a ways to go to reach the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “half your plate” fresh produce dietary standard. Or maybe Americans

Long-Term Agriculture Science Investment Pay-offs

Today, I am in Athens, Georgia, visiting the University of Georgia (UGA) and meeting with university leaders, faculty, and students to learn about the great work being done here to advance agriculture and solve some of our most pressing challenges.
NIFA has a long history of investing in agricultural science, and for much of the research it takes years to see the payoff. I’d like to highlight

Erosion Control Breakthrough

June through September is wildfire season in the United States and on June 18 there were already 16 active major fires consuming more than 102,000 acres. As much damage and destruction these fires cause, even more may be on the way when future rains cause mudslides from soil erosion on barren hills. That’s where “Woodstraw” comes in.

WoodStraw® is a wood-based erosion control product that was

Creating Modern Solutions to Environmental Challenges

Our farmers and ranchers are the most productive on earth, largely due to their innovation and their ability to adapt to new challenges. As new threats emerge for American agriculture, USDA will be there to provide assistance – and this week, we announced new steps to help producers create solutions to meet modern environmental threats.
We’re already seeing these new challenges emerge. Last

Desarrollos tecnológicos en la pigmentación de huevo y pollo

En algunos mercados, el color del pollo y la yema de huevo son de suma importancia para el consumidor. Además de afectar el color del pollo y huevo, los carotenoides también cumplen con diversos papeles metabólicos.

Conferencia presentada por Fernando Cisneros. DSM Nutritional Products. Suiza, durante el V Congreso CLANA, (Colegio Latinoamericano de Nutrición Animal) que tomó lugar en Puerto

Plows and Pitchforks/ Entre arados # 7

Dairy and Vanilla Spice



It was almost warm enough in the Midwest today to eat ice cream. June is celebrated each year as National Dairy Month in the U.S. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the recognition of the dairy industry began in 1937 as ‘National Milk Month’ as a way to get people to drink more milk.



When I think of dairy products, I usually place them in

Growing Rural Economies, Creating Jobs

This week is National Small Business Week. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), along with agencies across the Obama Administration, are hosting events in five cities. These events provide expert advice, mentoring and explore topics ranging from access to capital to exporting. Small businesses across the country can tune into these events via livestream at sba.gov.

America’s small

MONSANTO SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2013

Source: Monsanto news releaseMonsanto Company today released its 2012 Sustainability Report. The report focuses both on how the company operates its business and how it is working with partners to help with the challenge of feeding 9 billion people expected to inhabit Earth by 2050."Every day we are met with the challenges of a growing planet. We will need to produce more food while using natural

Bald Eagles Making a Comeback

The banded female “K-02” sits in a tree at Lake Hemet. She was born in captivity at the San Francisco Zoo and hacked at Catalina Islands as part of the bald eagle recovery program. When she left the island, she flew extensively around the pacific states and ultimately landed here at Lake Hemet.
Listed as an endangered species in 1967 and ultimately de-listed in 2007, the effort to recover

First Step to Avoid Wildland Fire Disaster is Acting Wisely

A large plume of smoke rises over Colorado Springs, Colo., that cast a wide, dark shadow over homes and businesses. Wildland fires burn intensely and creating a defensible space around your home can be the difference between a close call and complete destruction. (Adam Drake/Inciweb.org)
The pictures are poignant: house after house destroyed by a wildland fire. We look at these pictures

Plows and Pitchforks/ Entre arados # 6

Textiles: Wool vs. Petroleum.





“Sheep Farmer are ya? You won’t be eating here tonight” said our New Zealand host, from his hand-crafted seat at the head of his wooden table. I was part of a group of U.S. college students touring New Zealand agriculture. We were guests at a sheep and red deer farm in a hilly region of the South Island in the spring of 2001. Initially, I was excited to meet a

Goats Grazing for Fuels Reduction

Goats on the Cleveland National Forest nibble on vegetation to defend communities against wildfire by reducing regrowth. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
Recently, 1,400 goats reported for duty with the U.S. Forest Service. Their mission: Lend their appetites to the removal of fuels buildup on the Cleveland National Forest.
The goats were a part of a 100-acre forest-thinning project that begin in

Adapting to Climate Change and Drought Risk

Some regions of the United States seem to experience drought more often and more severely. Farmers in more drought-prone regions are adapting to their higher exposure. Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Economists working on climate change spend a lot of time trying to predict how farmers are going to adapt. Without knowing how farmers will react to higher average temperatures or different rainfall

Green: Vegetation on Our Planet (Tour of Earth)

Green: Vegetation on Our Planet (Tour of Earth) - YouTube

Underutilised “Story-Fish” – a New Frontier for Sustainable Seafood?

The first ever annual Sustainable Seafood Week has taken place in New York City. During the week, Village Fishmonger and Future of Fish hosted an exclusive hospitality industry round table at the Institute of Culinary Education to spark dialogue around how sustainable seafood – or “story fish” – can accelerate brand value, reports Øistein Thorsen, principal consultant of TheFishSites’s

K-State researcher develops novel feed supplement

Kansas State University
Kansas State University animal scientist Jim Drouillard, PhD, has developed and patented a new feed supplement that stimulates the growth, health and reproductive functions of cattle and other livestock, according to a K-State news release.
Drouillard discovered a specific combination of molasses, oilseeds and oilseed extracts that when heated and evaporated,

How Can Urban Agriculture Go From Niche To Food System?

Everyone loves a story of a plucky urban farm, but what steps do we have to take to make them a vital and integral part of how we feed our cities?




There are few upsides to the U.S. recession that left people across the country without jobs, and in some cases, homes. But if we had to pick one good thing that emerged from the economic mess, it would be the vacant land that is now being

Feeding The World or Feeding Our Habit

I attended a conference at which a professor from a major University spoke of the need for implants, antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers and other inputs to increase production so American farmers and ranchers can continue to feed the world. She argued that the 98% of people who aren’t involved in production agriculture just don’t get it. I think she’s right. If the 98% saw some of the

Bayer CropScience - Fungicide Necessity

Randy Myers, Bayer CropScience - YouTube

Cuando los bienes se convierten en males

Por: Bernardo M. Rivadeneyra Pérez, Presidente del Capítulo Peninsular del IMMPC.
Una de las mayores preocupaciones de un empresario es asegurar que su obra continúe y crezca. ¿Sabes cómo lograrlo?
El testamento es un excelente instrumento jurídico que permite la transmisión pacífica y ordenada de los bienes. Si bien, en ocasiones puede provocar un sentimiento de rechazo en el testador,

New enzymes increase ethanol production 5%

Novozymes on Monday introduced new enzyme technology to the general agricultural industry that has far reaching impact, according to the company. New enzymes used in an ethanol production facility can increase ethanol yield from corn by up to 5 percent, and the technology also can increase corn oil extraction by 13 percent, while saving 8 percent in energy costs, according to the company

Vendors can link with farmers markets through online Market Maker: Part 1

Agricultural producers can enhance their visibility by making business connections with the markets they serve using the online Market Maker.

Market Maker is a web-based resource that provides links between producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, farmers markets, food service providers and end-consumers within the food supply chain. Michigan State University Extensionrecommends the site,

Quit Beefing About Your Beef

One of my favorite activities during the summer is grilling. My second favorite summer activity is eating what I cook on the grill. My wife encourages this activity since it gives her a break from cooking dinner and, since I am doing it outside, I don’t mess up the kitchen too much. I have a stack of grilling books and magazines filled with a variety of recipes. Often these call for spices

Pasture Management - Knowing when it's time to move the animals

Pasture Management - Knowing when it's time to move the animals - YouTube

Three Beef Industry Challenges That Won’t Go Away Soon

We’ll not only have to deal with these animal welfare, nutrition and health issues on the farm, but at the regulatory and legislative levels as well.
From an animal health and welfare perspective, I would characterize the state of the beef industry as “challenging.” But, that’s the beauty of beef producers — we never back down from a challenge! Here are three challenges on which our industry

Fly Management Techniques

Measures for fly prevention on farms and control measures are outlined in 'Fly management: How to comply with your environmental permit' from the UK's Environment Agency.
In practice, successful fly management is likely to involve the co-ordinated use of a range of both non-chemical and chemical fly control techniques.The COSHH Regulations 2002 impose a requirement to consider using non-hazardous

Vendors can link with farmers markets through online Market Maker: Part 1

Agricultural producers can enhance their visibility by making business connections with the markets they serve using the online Market Maker.

Market Maker is a web-based resource that provides links between producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, farmers markets, food service providers and end-consumers within the food supply chain. Michigan State University Extensionrecommends the site,

Quit Beefing About Your Beef

One of my favorite activities during the summer is grilling. My second favorite summer activity is eating what I cook on the grill. My wife encourages this activity since it gives her a break from cooking dinner and, since I am doing it outside, I don’t mess up the kitchen too much. I have a stack of grilling books and magazines filled with a variety of recipes. Often these call for spices

Que deben saber los consumidores de como se producen los alimentos

What should the public know about agriculture? Cattle Chat Corner at NCBA 2013 - YouTube

3 Picks: Tree Power, Monsanto Wheat, Free Genomes

Scene from today’s garden.
(B.P.A. staff member “Nutkin” in foreground.)

Below, are today’s three chosen agricultural-related news picks.
1) U.S. Trees in Demand for European Power: The day after BBC news came out with an article explaining that to fulfill a green policy, Europeans are importing increasing volumes of wood pellets from America to burn in their power plants for electricity, the

Perspectivas de uso de agua y tierra para el 2050

Será posible la expansión de superficie en algunas regiones del mundo, como en África subsahariana y en América Latina



De acuerdo con información de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO, por su sigla en inglés), el nivel mundial de producción agrícola registrado en el 2009 tendrá que incrementarse en 70% hacia el 2050.
En este sentido, el

Evaluating the farmers market from a food safety perspective

Farmers markets are a great place to find healthy, wholesome food. To ensure the food purchased is as wholesome as it can be, customers may consider a few things when evaluating food safety practiced by growers at the farmers market.

Fresh produce is good for one’s health, and Michigan State University Extension says there are often economic and social benefits to buying the produce from a

Is The #FluffyCow Trend Good For The Industry?

When someone posted a photograph last week of a club calf bull owned by Lautner Farms on Reddit – a popular online forum – the media storm that followed was immediate and wide-reaching. From Yahoo, to TODAY, journalists wanted to know more about these “fluffy cows,” and what it takes to get that glossy coat of hair on those animals.
At first read, I had to chuckle. Who knew that the show ring

What should the public know about agriculture?

What should the public know about agriculture? Cattle Chat Corner at NCBA 2013 - YouTube

It Pays to Go Green

5 ways gypsum improves alfalfa yields

Gypsum applied to alfalfa fields can help growers increase tonnage and quality, says Ron Chamberlain, director of gypsum programs for Gypsoil/Beneficial Reuse Management, Chicago.

Here are five reasons gypsum is beneficial for alfalfa:

No. 1: Excellent sulfur source

As federal regulations require power plants burning coal to meet stricter regulations there’s less sulfur deposited on farm

Ixkati Casa Kobe

Ixkati Casa Kobe - YouTube

10 Favorite Ranch Life Memories

In the last couple of weeks, I dedicated not one but two blog posts to signs you might be having a bad day on the ranch. The response was so great that I couldn’t help but share some of the reader comments in a second blog. And, at the end of the day, it was nice to feel like other people could relate to my bad days, as I could relate to theirs.
In case you missed them...
15 Annoying Ranch

Why Grass Fed Beef is Better for You

Ranch Systems introduces updated wireless telemetry unit

Novato, Calif.-based Ranch Systems has introduced the RS300 universal telemetry node that can be configured for a wide range of agricultural uses.

Among those are weather and climate monitoring, soil moisture tracking, remote camera surveillance, and irrigation valve, pump and engine control, according to a news release.

The unit can be configured and expanded to users' requirements.







It

What is the biggest misconception about family farming?

What is the biggest misconception about family farming? - YouTube

Watch Out! There’s A New Consumer In Town

The sentiments in the old country song, “The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Rules the World,” have always been true. But now, more than ever, that truth is evident as a growingconsumer type – the hybrid consumer – rises to the fore. And those who produce, process and market food products ignore that truth at their own peril.
Hybrid consumers are those who shop at the extreme ends of the retail

To germinate, or not to germinate

University of York
Scientists at the University of York have uncovered new insights into the way seeds use gene networks to control when they germinate in response to environmental signals.Timing of seed germination is crucial for survival of plants in the wild and is also important for commercial seed production where there is a need to ensure uniform growth.
A cold environment can signal

Managing the impact of rain on your field crops

Now is a good time to evaluate the cropping system to see how well it stands up against the force of spring rains.


The spring of 2013 brought a lot of moisture. While the rains were welcomed as a means to restore soil moisture after last year’s drought, the force of many of the storms may have caused some additional problems.



Imagine hitting the ground going 20 miles per hour. Well,

Is the media shaping consumer perception about GMOs?

Is the media shaping consumer perception about GMOs? - YouTube

The Ranch Profitability Secret More Powerful Than Genetics

It seems many ranchers are more interested in their cattle than their land. I love animal breeding and can understand how many of us get caught up in trying to make our livestock better.

It’s very easy to fall into the “more” trap – more growth, more milk, more marbling, more muscle, etc. – with little regard for the unintended consequences and the costs. As a young manager, I, too, was caught

Africa, Opportunities for Livestock and Meat Investment

Increases in the demand for animal-sourced food are estimated extraordinarily high in Africa over the coming decades, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, writes Chris Harris.
By 2050, the meat market is projected at 34.8 million tonnes and that of milk about 82.6 million tonnes, an increase of 145 and 155 per cent respectively over 2005

What do satellites, fish kills and farming have in common?

Algae grows in a shallow freshwater bay. (Wikimedia Commons)
A new study being conducted by students at the University of Alabama in Huntsville could improve farming techniques, protect inland waterways, and prevent mass fish kills as well as algae blooms.

The study, unveiled recently by the university, will examine the relationship between aquatic vegetation growth and high agricultural

Soil Condition Matters: Don't Jump the Gun on Planting!

Corn School: Soil Condition Matters: Don't Jump the Gun on Planting! - YouTube

The Ranch Profitability Secret More Powerful Than Genetics

It seems many ranchers are more interested in their cattle than their land. I love animal breeding and can understand how many of us get caught up in trying to make our livestock better.
It’s very easy to fall into the “more” trap – more growth, more milk, more marbling, more muscle, etc. – with little regard for the unintended consequences and the costs. As a young manager, I, too, was caught in

Rural U.S. shrinks as young flee for the cities

Max Miller


As young men and women leave rural communities, the current aging population continues to dwindle and younger generations move to more populated and prosperous locations.
According to the Financial Times, “an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by the Department of Agriculture found that although population growth in America’s rural heartland has risen and fallen for decades with

Beef can help with weight management

In mid-April, 370 Registered Dietitians from across the country met in Indianapolis for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group symposium, where they heard from beef protein satiety researcher Heather Leidy, PhD, and weight management expert Molly Gee, MEd, RD, LD.

The hour-long educational session, funded by the beef checkoff, highlighted recent

Precision agriculture class

Ag Tech Class (4/27/13) - YouTube

Genomics Research May Make Bull Selection Easier

A team of researchers at Cornell University are applying genomics sequencing techniques previously used in corn to improve the quality of milk and meat in livestock and expedite bull selection for producers.
By using the Genotyping-by-sequencing technique first discovered by USDA Agricultural Research Service geneticist Rob Elshire, Cornell researcher Ikhide Imumorin, assistant professor of

En verano: baje las cargas

Hay un tema muy interesante que quiero tratar y a su vez mostrar cifras de mi programa de ganadería de ceba, esperando sirva para ser aplicado en sus esquemas ganaderos, mostrando como hacer manejos más eficientes y simples en los momentos que en nuestras fincas se nos presenten fuertes temporadas de verano.

Claro está que es muy importante tener en cuenta, como lo recalco en mis talleres,

How climate change affects farming practices

Farmers prepare their cattle for a dipping. With changes in weather patterns being experienced, such farmers have had to adapt their farming practices as well. File photo

By Lominda Afedraru



There is evidence that the world’s climate is changing and threatening the world’s environmental, social and economic development, including the agricultural sector.



In Uganda, climate change and

How short-term calf removal can promote rebreeding

Cow-Calf Corner (4/27/13) - YouTube

FAO urges end of malnutrition as priority

Social and economic costs of global malnutrition unacceptable


Denouncing the huge social and economic costs of malnutrition, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today called for resolute efforts to eradicate malnutrition as well as hunger from around the world. In a recorded statement marking the launch of FAO's flagship annual publication The State of Food and Agriculture(SOFA),

Go Big or Go Home: The Most Overweight Pets

Summer annuals can provide pasture or stored feed options

Beef cattle owners that are looking for supplemental forage options should consider summer annuals. June is the ideal time frame for planting a warm season summer annual crop. These forages thrive in summer heat, are drought tolerant, and can be used for either grazing or as a stored feed. Summer annuals include sorghum, sudangrass, sorghum x sudangrass hybrids, millet, teff, and corn. With

The importance of engaging the consumer

What Informs Consumer Opinions About Agriculture? - YouTube

Expectativas positivas para el sector avícola mundial

Un informe reciente de la Oficina de Estudios y Políticas Agrarias de Chile (Odepa) incluye datos muy positivos del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA) en cuanto a la producción y el comercio de carne de aves en 2013. No obstante, otro informe reciente del Rabobank indica que varios factores aún pueden influir de forma negativa, en particular lo que está ocurriendo en China

Should the World Keep Feeding Europe?

Western Europe is a major net importer of food averaging 59 million metric tonnes during the years 2001 to 2010. That amount is similar to the net imports of all of Africa - a region with 2.5 times as many people. On a per capita basis that represents 139 kg or 290 pounds per person per year. Global food demand is expected to require a 60% increase by 2050, and it will be a major challenge to

NIFA Ag Research Counts

To recognize the contribution that research in agriculture makes in our daily lives, we’re focusing this month’s Science Tuesday blogs on the successes that USDA science agencies have achieved for us all.

For over a century, USDA research has spurred innovation and created many great products for our families, but we haven’t done it alone. Partnering with a vast network of university

Challenges & Opportunities in Dairy

Challenges & Opportunities in Dairy -Charlie Arnot - YouTube

Providing More and Better Food by 2050

The world in 2050 is predicted to have 9 billion people, who will differ in almost every way but one: They will all need to eat on a daily basis.

Their nutritional needs will be similar, too. Nutrition means eating, eating means food, and food means agriculture.

Many people speak of the increased food needed for 9 billion, but in reality, the increased need is for nutrition. Thus, the world

Safety first this planting season

There are a number of factors that determine the length of farm workday — weather, soil conditions, livestock, equipment — and you may be working against any or all of them when timely planting is on the line. So it's not surprising that you often brush fatigue aside to get the job done.

But that's when injuries can sneak in, says Kent McGuire, an Ohio State University Extension ag safety

Food Waste: The Problem May be Bigger Than You Think

Think big. Think Sear’s Tower big and then multiply by 44.

That is approximately the volume of food that is lost from the U.S. food supply annually at retail food stores, restaurants, and homes combined.

Now think of all the labor, land, water, fertilizer, and other inputs that went into growing that food. It would take far more than a mega-city of skyscrapers to contain it all. Production

A formula for dry lot feeding, option for drought conditions

Dry Lot Cattle (4/27/13) - YouTube

Direct marketing of meat can provide farmers with a greater share of the profit

When direct marketing meat, it’s important to consider all of the costs involved.

In response to the growing demand from consumers for locally produced foods some livestock producers are considering direct marketing of meat products. While the retail price producers can receive directly from the consumer sounds attractive in comparison to commodity prices, there are a number of costs to

Going Green by Reducing Food Waste

At this very moment, an underappreciated tool for combating climate change may be hiding in your chiller drawer or at the back of your pantry. By keeping that limp carrot or dusty box of pasta out of our nation’s landfills, you can help reduce emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Calculating The Success Of An A.I. Program

In this neck of the woods, there is nothing better than having coffee shop bragging rights. However, in many cases those bragging rights leave out a few important details. These details are often overlooked, and while it is not intentional, knowing the difference between conception rate and pregnancy rate, will make or break many producers’ coffee shop bragging rights. In addition, when

Tips for Planting in Wet Conditions

Corn School - Tips for Planting in Wet Conditions - YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions about Bovine Tuberculosis

The diagnosis of four herds infected with bovine Tuberculosis in the first 5 months of 2013 is an reminder that all Michigan dairy and beef cattle producers should understand what they can do to reduce the risk of disease in their herd.

What causes Bovine Tuberculosis or TB?

TB is caused by an infection with the bacteria called Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). Infected animals may not show any

I’M CHRIS, AND I FEED MY KIDS FOOD MADE FROM GMO CROPS

In the run up to the March Against Monsanto, I, along with a few dozen of my colleagues, had our names and work phone numbers posted to the internet. Mine were probably lifted from a news release I distributed two jobs and seven years ago.


Predictably, this posting resulted in some calls. Interestingly, the first two callers both mentioned my kids. The first asked whether I feed my kids

10 Years Later, a Shelterbelt Proves to Be a Wise Investment

Ken Mouw created a shelterbelt 10 years ago on his Elk Point, S.D. as a way to fortify his farm against the harsh winter winds.


South Dakota’s harsh winters can be tough on a farm or ranch, and conservation improvements like a shelterbelt can help shield buildings, crops and livestock from the wind and snow. Ken Mouw, a CEO-turned-farmer, has used a shelterbelt—a band of trees and

Meat: the good, the bad, the complicated

meat-the-good-the-bad-the-complicated_50914763375a8.png (1158×807)

Fighting Mastitis

Fighting Mastitis - Dr Herman Barkema - YouTube

Pig Stress Syndrome Linked to Gene Defect

By Sandra Avant




A defect in a gene called dystrophin is the cause of a newly discovered stress syndrome in pigs, U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have found.

Stress-related issues like transportation cost the U.S. swine industry an estimated $50 million a year. Producers as well as researchers have long suspected that undetected stress-related syndromes are affecting the

How Germany is Restricting Harvest Losses

How Germany is Restricting Harvest LossGermany loses about 3.3 per cent of its wheat crop each year because of pests, bad handling and poor storage, writes Chris Harris.


Germany loses about 3.3 per cent of its wheat crop each year because of pests, bad handling and poor storage, writes Chris Harris.



According to a new report from the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer

Milk it for all its worth

What's Your Mobile Device Strategy?

Agnerds 17 - What's Your Mobile Device Strategy? - YouTube

Harvesting flies for animal feed wins innovation prize

A South African company has won the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) for developing a method of creating livestock feed from maggots.



AgriProtein Technologies beat ten other finalists from across the country and was awarded US$100,000.Jason Drew, cofounder of the company, explained the process “ After allowing flies to lay eggs in the bio-waste, the resultant larvae, or maggots, are

Construyendo una cultura emprendedora

“No podemos resolver los problemas que enfrentamos con el mismo nivel de pensamiento con el que fueron creados.”





-Albert Einstein



En un país como el nuestro en donde existe una población mayoritariamente joven, en donde se pueden ubicar las ganas y las ilusiones de un porvenir venturoso, en donde los sueños por alcanzar mayores estadíos de bienestar son palpables al igual que residentes

Preconditioning Plan Benefits Both Sides of Calf Industry

A preconditioning vaccination scheme is gaining momentum in the UK as consistent premiums, coupled with improved calf health, attract the attention of both calf buyers and sellers.

The scheme, SureCalf, had an estimated 5,000 calves enrolled last year, but whether or not the programme takes off in the rest of Europe remains to be seen.

This is according to Carolyn Hogan, a Vet at the

Putting the Creativity Back Into Weed Control

Putting the Creativity Back Into Weed Control - Mike Saxton - YouTube

Agricultura, tema de márgenes, no de precio

Buen día. Nuevamente saludándote con mucho gusto, y en el orden de cosas arrancamos el temario de commodities hablando de los agrícolas, que sin duda están en una evolución pocas veces vista.

Si tratamos de poner una perspectiva hablemos de las labores de siembra en Estados Unidos, que contra todo pronóstico el maíz se implantó recientemente, y si bien venían lentas las labores de campo, el

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea – Don’t bring it home

Swine herds have no immunity to new virus – Strict biosecurity is best method for prevention and control of PED.



An outbreak of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) has recently been confirmed in Indiana and Iowa with suspect cases in Illinois and Colorado. This is a new virus to Canada and the United States so it is expected that there is no immunity in North American swine herds. PED has been

Challenges of the U.S. Sheep and Lamb Industry

USDA is taking a multi-faceted approach to supporting the American sheep and lamb industry, working with researchers and market analysts to identify strategies and goals.


The U.S. sheep and lamb industry has been shrinking for decades as the numbers of sheep and producers have declined since World War II. Consolidation of the sheep packing industry, higher feed and energy costs,

FarmLink - How Do I Know When to Sell?

Ask FarmLink - How Do I Know When to Sell? - YouTube

Semilla del aguacate podría ayudar a combatir la Mastitis Bovina: UMSNH

La mastitis bovina es una enfermedad infecto-contagiosa de la glándula mamaria de la vaca, en la que la inflamación se produce como respuesta a la invasión

Un grupo de investigadores de la Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, estudia la aplicación de métodos alternativos para combatir la mastitis bovina, considerado el principal problema de la ganadería lechería. La mastitis bovina

Los emprendedores cambian al mundo

Por: Luis Ávila, Director Comercial para Ecosistema y Canales SAP México y Centroamerica





Once empresas emprendedoras enfrentan los más grandes retos sociales, educativos, y ambientales de nuestro tiempo mientras se embarcan en un viaje mar adentro durante 100 días, con el apoyo de SAP.



Contrario a como suena, el programa “Unreasonable at Sea“ refiere a la teoría de George Bernard Shaw

Estudios sobre la Función del MicroARN

Alltech le otorga la Medalla de Excelencia 2013 a la Dra. Eugenia Wang, Universidad de Louisville, por su trabajo pionero en el uso de tecnologías de procesamiento de datos de gran capacidad para explorar las rúbricas o firmas moleculares de la enfermedad de Alzheimer, otras patologías por demencia y enfermedad cardiaca. “Ha sido un gran honor recibir este premio de Alltech,” declaró la Dra

Bill Gates: Teachers need real feedback

Bill Gates: Teachers need real feedback - YouTube

The Tragedy of Foodborne Illness: Much Is Preventable

By Dr. Harlan Stueven


There is an incredible opportunity to make a difference in food safety and food handling.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[1] report that over 3000 people die each year in the U.S. from foodborne illness. That is an average of eight people per day. An estimated 128,000 people are hospitalized each year. That is an average of 350 people per day.

Organic 101: Can GMOs Be Used in Organic Products?

This is the thirteenth installment of the Organic 101 series that explores different aspects of theUSDA organic regulations.

The use of genetic engineering, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is prohibited in organic products. This means an organic farmer can’t plant GMO seeds, an organic cow can’t eat GMO alfalfa or corn, and an organic soup producer can’t use any GMO ingredients. To

Trust But Verify

The most challenging obstacles in many family businesses are dysfunctional relationships between family members. It is why ranches don’t make it from one generation to another and why the ranching “lifestyle” can be a lifestyle of resentment and misery for some.

I’ve met with ranching families who are so dysfunctional that they won’t even talk to one another. In one case, a family member

Social Media Just Another Tool for the Modern Farmer

Social Media Just Another Tool for the Modern Farmer - YouTube

Beta-agonists and Cattle: How Targeted Use Results in Leaner Beef

Myth: Beta-agonists cause cattle to grow unnaturally large and are bad for my health.


The Facts: Beta-agonists are animal feed ingredients that help cattle make the most of the food they eat resulting in more lean muscle instead of fat. They have been proven safe for cattle and humans.

Cattle farmers use them in targeted ways, only adding small amounts to the animals’ feed at a specific time

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is May 19-25. David Cappaert, Michigan State University.


In this case it is green, a brilliant emerald green, and it is chomping its way through America’s forests. The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, may look pretty, but it is killing our ash trees in our forests and backyards.

This is Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week (May 19-25) and the

Calculating The Success Of An A.I. Program

Kalyn Waters



In this neck of the woods, there is nothing better than having coffee shop bragging rights. However, in many cases those bragging rights leave out a few important details. These details are often overlooked, and while it is not intentional, knowing the difference between conception rate and pregnancy rate, will make or break many producers’ coffee shop bragging rights. In

How producers can get the most return when culling cattle

Culled Cows (5/4/13) - YouTube

Substitute vs. supplement: Tips to make the most of your summer pasture

Written by Jeff Hoffelt





Managing a pasture through the summer requires planning. A managed pasture can help keep cows in proper body condition and prevent summer lulls in pasture performance.



That’s according to Chad Zehnder, cattle consultant for Purina Animal Nutrition. He says that managed pastures can typically support the cow-calf herd from

Keeping Bacteria at Bay on Your Grilling Day

Thunderstorms, insects, and annoying relatives are not the only thing that could ruin a cookout. Many beloved summertime foods are susceptible to contamination by several foodborne bacteria.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reminds all cooks to follow four simple tips—clean, separate, cook and chill—for a safe cookout. Additional safe food handling and cooking tips are

Pest identification key to successful management

A good pest management program starts with the early identification. When pests are correctly identified early, there are more options. MSU Diagnostic Services can identify those pests and help save crops, time and money.



As crops emerge, our focus turns to protecting them from the threat of weeds, diseases and insects. The first step in an integrated pest management program is accurate

Realistic expectations for artificial insemination success rates.

Cow-Calf Corner (5/4/13) - YouTube

Weed control key to pasture and rangeland recovery

Written by DuPont Crop Protection



Mid-season pasture improvement tips



DuPont range and pasture specialists offer these regional strategies for making mid-season pasture and rangeland improvements:



North-Central Summary



In many parts of the country, pastures and rangeland are still recovering from several years of drought.



Lack of a

Reducing Food Waste is Money in the Pocket and Food on the Table for Families

What would you do with $390? I imagine that “throw it in the garbage” was not on your list of possibilities.

Nevertheless, throwing money in the garbage is what many of us do regularly when it comes to food. In 2008 the amount of uneaten food in homes and restaurants was valued at roughly $390 per U.S. consumer – more than an average month’s worth of food expenditures and almost three times

Our society takes too many things for granted

There is a very serious problem in Berkeley County and the rest of the country, too. Children are hungry. Some don't get a decent meal except at school. Packs of donated food are sent home every weekend, in hopes that a child will feed themselves when no one is around to serve a meal. Everywhere we turn, we hear the cry of people asking us for donations to help feed the children. This is a

Pain Mitigation In Beef Cattle

Beef Research School: Pain Mitigation In Beef Cattle - YouTube

#5 Plows and Pitchforks/ Entre arados - Health and GMO’s

Health and GMO’s.



June 2, 2013.



By Matt Bernau



I
could hear the angry whine of the airplane, and I smelled the chemical in the
air before I could see it. Scouting irrigation pivots for weeds and Northern
Corn Rootworm Beetles near Wellfleet, Nebraska can be a dangerous job. I
ascended higher up the hill to get a better view; the crop duster had turned
and was heading

Global Event Hatches Backyard Poultry Software

A screen shot from the winning app.


Coming one day to a smartphone or tablet computer near you: An application that helps backyard poultry farmers protect their birds from disease. It might even help make them profitable, if you want.

That’s the plan after a team of Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) officials announced the winner of NASA’s 2013 International Space Apps

15 questions to ask before purchasing farmland

Growing demand for farmland has driven land values to record highs in many areas. Whether you're considering using cash or borrowing money to purchase new farmland, the buying process should include a well-researched financial plan.

“Farmers should consult their banker throughout the land buying process, to ensure decisions made today best position them to prosper and obtain credit in the

From the Land of Kansas (YMCA Parody)

From the Land of Kansas (YMCA Parody) - YouTube

Importancia de vincular pequeños productores del sector primario a redes de valor #PreguntaleaFIRA

Durante los últimos años, ha existido un renovado interés por el papel que tienen las actividades agropecuarias sobre el proceso de desarrollo regional y la implementación de mecanismos que permitan atacar las causas estructurales que han impedido su avance. Para poder enfrentar seriamente estas causas, se requiere de un nuevo pensamiento, formas diferentes de relación entre los actores, una

10 of the Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S.

From the relatively exotic to the seemingly mundane, certain occupations carry an underlying danger that can reach up to 127 fatalities per 100,000 workers.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent figures, there were 4,693 fatal occupational injuries in 2011, 146 more than reported in 2010. The majority of these injuries occur in a handful of sectors representing the most

Online Systems Keeps Ag Exporters Abreast of Regulations in Foreign Markets

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) recently launched an online system that modernizes the way the agency informs the U.S. agricultural industry regarding changes in international food and agriculture regulations that could affect U.S. exports.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) requires member countries to submit notifications regarding proposed changes to their food regulations, enabling

Are young scientists afraid to work in the biotechnology industry?

Are young scientists afraid to work in the biotechnology industry? - YouTube

Olive-oil Milling Leftovers Scrutinized in New ARS Studies

By Marcia Wood





For every gallon of olive oil that's pressed from the ripe fruit, about 38 pounds of olive skins, pulp and pits are left behind. Known as pomace, these leftovers typically have low-value uses. But U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agricultural engineerRebecca R. Milczarek and her colleagues are working with olive growers and olive-oil processors in California—where

Los nuevos modelos de agronegocios #PreguntaleaFIRA

Es bien conocida la recurrencia de “crisis alimentarias”, “crisis de precios agropecuarios” y de la manifestación de la “crisis financieras”, en amplios sectores de la población y en muchos países, se ha expresado una cierta desilusión por los resultados obtenidos con los modelos económicos y de la apertura comercial impulsados durante las últimas dos décadas. La incapacidad de estos modelos de

Reducing stress at branding time

South Dakota State University Extension



Branding of livestock has served as an important method of permanent identification for thousands of years. Use of brands as identification is important to be able to determine ownership of an animal in public grazing land situations, on large acreages where cattle may be lost or mixed with other herds, and ranches that have cattle owned by more