BeefCast Update for March 4, 2010, Increasing your AI pregnancy rate in cows

In the last update I sent you, I spoke about the resilience of newborn calves to overcome the many obstacles they face. While that is still impressive, undoubtedly as the calving season rolls on I often encounter at least one calf that enters this world either extremely weak or otherwise unable to jump up and grab a hold of the opportunities of life. This year is no different.

So after spending numerous hours convincing a new calf that life is a great option, I am reminded that sometimes life truly is though. But the outcomes are always worth the fight. The fights that we in the beef community face on a daily basis are often many: animal activists agendas, volatile input prices, sluggish demand, etc. Today, I know the fights are worth it.

BeefCast^® Conversations

Former Ag Sec has strong words for Japan in wake of Toyota recalls

MP3 file Mike Johanns, Former Secretary of Agriculture and current senator from Nebraska, speaks firmly to Japan regarding beef trade barriers during a recent congressional hearing focused on Toyota recalls.

Increasing your AI pregnancy rate in cows

MP3 file Dr. Cliff Lamb helps build upon the recent conversations focusing on heifer pregnancy rates, by sharing how we can increase our artificial insemination pregnancy rates in our cows. Part 1 and Part 2.

Agriculture Telling its Story

Farmers Answer Consummers' Food Questions Farmers address consumer questions around food quality, organics, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the use of herbicides/pesticides/fertilizers on crops.

Farming Your Online Community: Social Networks and Beyond Michele Payn-Knoper, Cause Matters Corp., says "If you do not learn how to use social media to tell your story in agriculture, others will, and possibly already are!"

Beef brief: What is on your mind?

Over the last several months BeefCast ran a series of surveys and here are the top issues on your mind: Cost of inputs, Climate change issues / Cap & Trade Legislation, Other environmental regulations. Lower interest: Estate taxes.

BeefCast^® Headliners

Orlando Gil

The 2010 Census – Helping Your Community by Helping Latinos Be Counted Spread the word about the 2010 Census. Tell your Latino employees about their right to privacy and how important their response is. Tell them that it is safe to fill out the form and that it is important to be counted.

Meggie Foster

NAIS is Out, Animal Disease Traceability is in – Translate, Please! It’s no secret that the USDA’s National Animal ID System (NAIS) has encountered its fair share of critisism during its first six years on the drawing board. In fact, following hearing sessions hosted by the USDA last year, industry buffs called the program unworkable and unnecessary. Hence, in its current form, NAIS has been called off and USDA officials have rallied to create a new, more flexible framework for Animal Disease Traceability in the United States.

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