Livestock

U.S. beef exports posted one of the best months on record in November, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). November was also a strong month for pork exports, which already surpassed the full-year volume and value records set in 2019.

“Demand for U.S. beef in the global retail sector has been outstanding and we expect this to continue in 2021,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “Unfortunately, foodservice continues to face COVID-related challenges. We expect a broader foodservice recovery this year, especially from mid-2021, but will likely still see interruptions in some markets. For U.S. pork, it’s great to set new records with an entire month to spare, but especially gratifying to see a diverse range of markets contributing to U.S. export growth. USMEF still expects strong pork demand from China in 2021, but we’re seeing a much-needed rebound in other regions, especially in Western Hemisphere markets.”… Continue reading

Two equine online courses planned for spring semester are horse health and disease, and horse breeding and selection through online equine courses at Ohio State ATI in Wooster. Horse health and disease is a study of equine disease, lameness, and emergency first aid with emphasis on preventative health care and the manager’s role with the veterinary professional.

Horse breeding and selection teaches the principles of equine breeding management with emphasis on applied equine reproductive physiology, breeding methods, breeding stock management, and basic genetics and selection. Both courses include a hands-on lab that will meet every other week in Wooster; however, students have the option of enrolling as a continuing education student (a student who is not pursuing a degree) and taking part in the online portion only. 

Classes begin Jan. 11, 2021, and there is still time to enroll. For more information about these and other spring semester courses, contact ATI’s Office of Business Training and Educational Services at 330-287-7511 or visit ati.osu.edu/spring21… Continue reading

By Mike Estadt, Ohio State University Extension Educator

Temple Grandin, Professor at Colorado State University and world renown animal welfare specialist and contributor to Forbes Magazine recently authored an article “Alternative business models that farmers should consider.”  The full article can be found at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/templegrandin/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=follow&cdlcid=5eb5ad3af414222e4126b169&sh=cebb10433a73.

First and foremost, small processing plants will never, let me repeat that, never compete with the large plants on cost efficiency. But a series of smaller plants will be less susceptible to the disruptions that happened in the spring of 2020. Grandin offers the following points that have been synthesized into a few sentences.

Use the craft beer industry as a model: Go niche

During the restrictions placed upon restaurants and bars, craft brewers innovated and moved their dining outside so they could still sell their draft beers. More importantly craft brewers have been able to coexist with the Anheuser-Busch InBevs because they offer beers that the large brewers do not. That… Continue reading

Just before Christmas, the head of an anti-meat extremist group posed as the CEO of a major pork producer during a national television interview, making outrageous and false claims about the U.S. pork industry and challenges it faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Taking advantage of this black swan event to drive an anti-meat, anti-livestock agriculture agenda is reprehensible. These radical extremist groups who typically work shrouded in secrecy and false identities — frequently while breaking the law — are only able to propagate their false narrative by hoodwinking journalists and posing as credible sources,” said Howard “AV” Roth, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president.

Meanwhile, despite enormous challenges this year, hundreds of thousands of committed farmers and others employed in the pork production industry remain dedicated to keeping Americans and consumers around the world supplied with affordable, nutritious protein.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused record numbers of Americans to be food insecure,” Roth said.… Continue reading

By Glen Arnold, CCA, Ohio State University Extension

Some Ohio livestock producers will be looking to apply manure to farm fields frozen enough to support application equipment. Permitted farms are not allowed to apply manure in the winter unless it is an extreme emergency, and then movement to other suitable storage is usually the selected alternative. Thus, this information is for manure from non-permitted livestock operations.

In the Grand Lake St Marys watershed, the winter manure application ban from Dec. 15 to March 1 is still in effect. Thus, no manure application would normally be allowed from now until March 1. The ban also prohibits surface manure application anytime the ground is frozen or snow-covered in that watershed.

In the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) watershed, the surface application of manure to frozen and snow-covered soils require there to be a growing crop in the field. This could be a pasture, alfalfa, clover, wheat, or a ryegrass crop.… Continue reading

As members of the Ohio Pork Council (OPC), Ohio pig farmers representing Kalmbach Swine Management of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Hord Family Farms of Bucyrus, and Heimerl Farms of Johnstown, Ohio, are pleased to provide the Mid-Ohio Food Collective with a holiday ham donation.  

The Sugardale ham donation, which will feed approximately 9,690 people, is fully funded by a collaborative t-shirt fundraiser established by the farms, in partnership with the Ohio Pork Council and Decal Impressions of Cincinnati, Ohio. JH Routh Packing Company of Sandusky, Ohio, also contributed to the fundraiser. Each t-shirt sold raised enough money to feed a family through OPC’s Pork Power Program, which has provided more than 1 million meals since its inception in 2009. 

“Thanks to the success of our t-shirt fundraiser, the Ohio Pork Council, along with three Ohio pig farms, are able to put wholesome protein on the tables of those in need just in time for Christmas,” said Cheryl Day, Ohio Pork Council executive vice president.… Continue reading

This year between January and March in 2021, the Pastures for Profit curriculum will be offered as a virtual course. One live webinar will be offered per month along with “work at your own pace” videos and exercises that accompany each webinar. The Pastures for Profit program is a collaboration between Ohio State University Extension, Central State University, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council.

Each webinar will be offered live on Zoom at 7 P.M. and feature three presentations in a 90-minute span. Attendees will be able to interact with the speakers and ask questions in real time. Once registered, attendees will be granted access to the online course including the webinars and complementary resources. Participants that attend all three webinars will have the opportunity to earn a certificate of completion. Registered participants will also receive their choice of a curriculum binder or USB drive by mail.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg,

There are roughly 10 million dairy (breed) milk cows in the U.S. Dairy Herd. The bull calves born from this dairy herd make-up a significant portion of the animals slaughtered for beef each year. Over the last several years, the idea of breeding dairy breed cows with beef breed bulls has gained momentum, and is known as “Beef on Dairy.”

“It is estimated that by the end of December 2020, nearly two million beef on dairy calves will have been born for the year,” said Bill Tom, Executive Vice President for Livestock Marketing at United Producers, Inc. “This is an increase over the 2019 numbers. Estimates are that just under three million beef on dairy calves will be born in 2021, and that number could increase to between five and six million beef on dairy calves born annually by 2025.”

To serve their members, and address this growing industry trend, United Producers, Inc.… Continue reading

In an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, the Trump administration announced its intention for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to have primary oversight over gene-edited livestock.

The decision applauded by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Gene editing is a promising new technology that can help farmers breed healthier, more resilient animals. NPPC was the leading advocate for USDA regulatory oversight over the last two years when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was claiming jurisdiction.

Gene editing is used to make specific changes within an animal’s own genome. Gene editing will allow U.S. farmers to produce animals that are more disease-resistant, require fewer antibiotics and have a reduced environmental footprint. Many changes made through gene editing could be achieved through conventional breeding. However, the cost and timeframe for approval of these type of edits is prohibitive under the FDA. Notwithstanding its significant promise, U.S. agriculture had been in a holding pattern, as USDA and the FDA were locked in a regulatory tug of war over authority on gene editing in livestock.… Continue reading

By Daphne Hedgecock, Ohio Make It with Wool Coordinator

This year has been a real roller coaster and even though it has been a little crazy, the Make It with Wool contest was held on Nov. 7 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus Showcasing beautiful outfits and accessories using wool. Luckily, it was a beautiful day so that gave people the opportunity to go outside and enjoy a few minutes of sunshine and a moment without a mask. Joining us as commentators for the fashion show were Emma Preston the Ohio Wool Ambassador and Charlotte Waldron, National Senior Winner from Ohio. They both provided a presentation about their experiences over the past several months.

This year’s competition might have been smaller in number than we are used to, but the quality was everything you would expect of Ohio. We had four preteen contestants who made everything from skirts to jumpers to sweatshirts. They… Continue reading

Frontline meat and poultry workers should be amongst the first to be vaccinated after health care workers and those in long-term care facilities, according to federal guidance approved today by the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Priority (ACIP).

Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts applauded ACIP’s guidance and urged state governments to follow CDC’s decision.

“Priority access to vaccines is a critical step for the long-term safety of the selfless frontline meat and poultry workers who have kept America’s refrigerators full and our farm economy working,” Potts said. “Meat Institute members stand ready to support vaccination for our diverse workforce, which will also deliver wide-ranging health benefits in rural and high-risk communities. Meat and poultry leaders may also be able to aid vaccination for all Americans, for example by offering state-of-the-art cold storage for these precious vaccines.”

The 1.5 billion in COVID-19 preventions and supports implemented since the earliest days of the pandemic have reversed COVID-19’s impact on meat and poultry workers.… Continue reading

By Roger A. High, executive director, Ohio Sheep and Wool Program

The Ohio Sheep and Wool Program, which is Ohio’s sheep and wool check-off program (OSWP), is investing over $49,000 into sheep and wool promotion, education, research, and producer and youth programs in fiscal year 2020-21. OSWP received 13 requests for proposals with 11 of these proposals approved for full or partial funding by the board during its October meeting.

These programs are primarily collaborative efforts that will increase visibility of the Ohio sheep and wool industry to the consumer as well as improve the knowledge and research base of our sheep, lamb and wool producers. The OSWP Board of Directors is committed to assuring every segment of the industry is represented in the funding since every segment of the sheep, lamb and wool industry contributes to the program.

OSWP assesses one-half of one percent based on the value on any sheep or lamb sold by an Ohio producer and $0.01 per pound of wool produced by an Ohio producer.… Continue reading

By Chris Zoller, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Tuscarawas County, The Ohio State University

Dairy farm labor is one of the major costs of production, and farm labor is regularly described as an area of concern by dairy farmers. Ohio State University is providing a certificate course to assist dairy farm owners and managers with labor management on farms. This course provides opportunities for participants to examine labor costs, define labor needs, examine hiring processes, promote relationships among farm workers, increase retention, and identify ways to promote employee well-being.

Structure

This five-week course will be held weekly on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:00 pm in January and February 2021.

All attendees will be registered with ScarletCanvas, an online platform by The Ohio State University. Materials relative to each topic will be posted there for use by attendees. Because of its virtual format, you do not have to travel to participate and learn very important topics by experts in the dairy and associated industries.… Continue reading

Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist, OSU Extension

What a year 2020 has been. Are you looking to improve herd efficiency and profitability to weather the storm? Look no further than the slate of winter programming to be offered by the OSU Extension Beef Team. Programs planned for early 2021 are designed to provide valuable information for all segments of Ohio’s beef industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge to the beef industry to say the least, and the effects will continue to linger for some time. One thing we have learned this year is there continues to be need for gained efficiency and improved management within all segments of our beef cattle industry. This winter’s Ohio State Extension Beef School series will focus on both of those topics. Given current university policies regarding COVID-19, this years Beef Schools will be offered as a virtual series of programs.

What was originally planned as two on-farm face-to-face Cow-Calf Management Schools has now been redesigned as a series of 6 consecutive two hour webinar programs.… Continue reading

By Leisa Boley Hellwarth, a dairy farmer and attorney near Celina

It’s always about the money. Always.

         Here’s a current example. In March of 2018, Dean Foods notified over 100 dairy farmers across 8 states that they were terminating their contracts, effective end of May, 2018. Dean Foods blamed an oversupply of raw milk, a decrease in fluid milk consumption and Walmart’s new 250,000-square-foot milk processing facility in Indiana. Sadly, some of these dairy farms went out of business when they were unable to locate a new processor.

         In what seemed like karma, Dean Foods filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 on Nov. 12, 2019. When they sought bankruptcy protection, Dean Foods was the largest milk processor in the US. Dean Foods explained they intended to use the Chapter 11 proceedings to keep running the business and address debt and unfunded debt obligations as it sought to sell the company.… Continue reading

By Roger A. High, executive director, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association

Even with the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, the OSIA LEAD Council created another successful year. Although 2020 certainly was NOT normal, the memories will always stay with us. Thanks to all the sponsors, directors, adults and of course youth that made 2020 such a tremendous success.

Both market lamb and breeding sheep youth were recognized at the OSIA LEAD Council Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony with an even larger presence than in years past. This year, the OSIA LEAD Council Awards and Banquet committee decided to create a fun experience for the LEAD youth and held the OSIA LEAD Council Banquet and Awards Program at the Kalahari Resort facility in Sandusky. Many families took advantage of this opportunity to enjoy a water filled evening prior to the program. 

There were approximately 185 parents, LEAD directors, sponsors and youth in attendance at the 2020 OSIA LEAD Council Banquet and Awards Ceremony.… Continue reading

U.S. pork exports posted broad-based gains in October, solidifying 2020’s record pace, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef muscle cut exports were also higher than a year ago in October, though lower variety meat volumes pushed total beef exports slightly below last year.

October pork exports were up 8% year-over-year to 242,536 metric tons (mt), with value also increasing 8% to $641.1 million. Exports to Mexico, Japan, China/Hong Kong, Canada and the Philippines were substantially higher than a year ago while shipments to Central and South America were the largest since March. Through the first 10 months of the year, pork exports were 15% ahead of last year’s record pace at 2.46 million mt, with value up 16% to $6.33 billion. With Mexico as the top volume destination, October muscle cut exports posted double digits gains at 201,723 mt (up 11%), with value up 10% to $551.8 million.… Continue reading

While 2020 has had no shortage of disappointments, Ohio State University staff and students have been making the best of the situation with a variety of virtual contests to stay involved with their various niches of the livestock industry.

“As the powerhouse cow shows of the United States fell like dominoes, so did our opportunities for dairy judging contests. Without contests, some could assume that we would give in to the 2020 trauma. I am pleased to let you know that we did sustain dairy judging. As a small group and outside at farms, we made provisions to practice and learn,” said Bonnie Ayars, dairy program specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University. “Since July, some of us coaches kept discussing an online contest using classes at livetockjudging.com. Was it perfect and like real cows? Absolutely not, but we did come together to offer a secondary approach to students who have been waiting and planning for their opportunity.… Continue reading

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for a program that focuses on establishing productive warm season forages to improve livestock production and provide large areas of prime habitat for ground nesting birds and other wildlife.

Ohio’s Northern Bobwhite in Grasslands project is part of a national Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) partnership, a collaborative approach to conserving habitat for declining species on farms and working forests. NRCS works with partners and private landowners to focus voluntary conservation efforts on working landscapes.

The Northern Bobwhite in Grasslands project is designed to help bring back the quail that were once an integral part of Ohio’s farming way of life. Leading researchers have documented the wildlife benefits of managed grazing on native summer forages, concluding that this approach enhances the habitat for the ground nesting birds while improving livestock weight gains.

NRCS utilizes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to offer technical and financial assistance to eligible livestock producers to implement conservation practices to address habitat loss without taking their land out of production.… Continue reading

By Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

I often talk about upcoming grazing conferences this time of year. Right now, meetings in person are scarce and perhaps rightly so. I still encourage you to continue learning whether it’s from watching YouTube videos, reading books or articles, or attending a virtual meeting or conference.

It is also the time of year when I start thinking more about finding a comfortable chair, a warm blanket and some good reading material — especially when the snow flurries start. Winter is a great time for me to catch up on reading after checking on livestock in the cold, as long as I don’t get too warm and nod off. But, that said, winter chores still must be done! I’m never mentally prepared for winter, but that won’t stop it from happening. What’s a perfect winter to me? It includes stockpiled forages lasting for as long as possible, dry or frozen ground and as little hay needed to be fed.… Continue reading