April Georgia Cattleman

official magazine of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association • April 2010

Farming Records and the IRS, p. 26 • Culling Decisions This Spring, p. 60 • Tifton Awards & Highlights, p. 72

Forage-related events calendar, page 41.

Annual forage featurebegins on page 36

2 April 2010 • G E O R G I A C AT T L E M A N

Tuesday, April 20, 201012:30 P.M.

Tifton Bull Evaluation CenterIrwinville, Georgia

Seventeen progressive breeders entered heifers in this year’s TiftonHERD program. All heifers were born between 9/01/08 - 11/30/08 andare all safe to calving ease bulls.

MCC Daybreak was the primary AI

sire used this year.

Georgia Cattlemen’s AssociationP.O. Box 24510

Macon, GA 31212Phone: 478-474-6560

Dr. Robert StewartExtension Animal Science

University of GeorgiaP.O. Box 748 • Tifton, GA 31793

[email protected] Cannon: 229-386-3683 • ([email protected])

Or Contact Your Local Extension AgentThe test center is located 14 miles northeast of Tifton on Georgia Hwy. 125 or 12 miles east of I-75 (Exit 78) on Georgia Hwy 32 near Irwinville.

To receive a catalog or other information contact:

Data Available:

Pelvic Area, Frame Score,

Disposition Score, Reproductive Tract Maturity Score, WDA, ADG

www.tifton.uga.edu/pc-web

Georgia Heifer Evaluation andReproductive Development (HERD) Sale

SELLING APPROXIMATELY 85 HEIFERS

Lunch will be available at 11:30

G E O R G I A C AT T L E M A N • April 2010 3


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ContentsContentsVolume 38 / Number 4 / April 2010

GEORGIA CATTLEMAN (USPS 974-320, ISSN 0744-4451) is published monthly by the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, 100 Cattlemen’s Drive, P.O.Box 24510, Macon, Georgia 31212. Subscription rate of $45.00 per year. Periodical Postage Paid at Macon, GA, and additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER — Send address changes to GEORGIA CATTLEMAN, 100 Cattlemen’s Drive, P.O. Box 24510, Macon, Georgia 31212. For advertisinginformation, contact Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, P.O. Box 24510, Macon, GA 31212. Phone: 478-474-6560.

GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’SASSOCIATION100 Cattlemen’s Drive / P.O. Box 24510Macon, GA 31212Phone: 478-474-6560 / Fax: [email protected] / www.gabeef.org

GCA & GEORGIA BEEFBOARD STAFFExecutive Vice President: Josh White, [email protected] of Operations:Michele Creamer, [email protected] of Industry Information:Ashley Hughes, [email protected] of Communications & Youth Activities:Katlin Mulvaney, [email protected] and facilities coordinator:Sherri Morrow, [email protected] administrative program specialist:Patricia Combes, [email protected] Administrative assistant:Stephanie D. Sims, [email protected]

MAGAZINE STAFFEditor: Josh White, [email protected]: Stephanie D. Sims, [email protected]: Sherri Morrow, [email protected] editorial: Katlin Mulvaney, [email protected] Editor: Ashley Hughes, [email protected]: Katlin Mulvaney, [email protected] Graphic artist: Gayla Dease, [email protected]

THE GEORGIA CATTLEMANThe April 2010 cover photo features cattleenjoying lush grazing. Compliments to Dr. DennisHancock for submitting the photo for the GeorgiaCattleman's use in the Forage Feature. The Georgia Cattleman magazine and theGeorgia Cattlemen’s Association reserve theexclusive right to accept or reject advertising oreditorial material submitted for publication. Theeditorial content contained in this magazine doesnot necessari ly represent the views of theGeorgia Cattleman magazine or the GeorgiaCattlemen’s Association.

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Association reports6 GCA President’s Report by Bill Nutt 9 GCA Executive Vice President’s Report by Josh White

10 GCA Leadership 43 Georgia Beef Board Annual Report50 Georgia CattleWomen’s Report by Carla Kelsoe62 Junior Cattlemen’s Report by Chris Campbell

Industry news14 Local Weather Conditions in Your Pasture22 UGA and GCA Developing Quality HERD Programs23 “Doing It Right” In Monroe County26 Farming Records and the IRS38 Thoughts on Hay Storage by Don Ball39 Meet Dennis Hancock, Your Forage Specialist41 Calendar of Forage-Related Events52 Berry College Students Oversee Angus Enterprise66 NCBA Update67 GCAF: Building the Future while Preserving the Past68 Hall of Fame: Dr. Glenn W. Burton72 Tifton Awards and Highlights84 GCA Leadership Attends Legislative Breakfast

Reader services7 Letters To and From the Editor

18 Food Animal Vet Services - Under-Served Georgia Areas32 Adopt A Farmer by Baxter Black49 Cooking BEEF with Ashley!55 New Members79 Industry Obituaries81 County Connections82 Local Market Reports 86 Advertising Index 87 Calendar of Events

Expert advice12 Fuel, Fertilizer and Forages: Makers and Takers of Profit

by Dr. Curt Lacy36 Reducing Losses and Getting High Quality Forage

by Dennis Hancock60 Make Those Obvious Culling Decisions This Spring

by Ted G. Dyer

GCA MISSIONSTATEMENT

The mission of theGeorgia Cattlemen’sAssociation is to unitecattle producers toadvance the economic,

polit ical and social interests ofGeorgia’s cattle industry.

Member Since 2000

Forage Feature, pages 36-42

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GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATIONLOCAL PRESIDENTS

ABAC......................................Riley HulseyAmicalola...............................Janice HayesAppalachian ......................Charles RobertsBaldwin-Jones-Putnam ....Ricky YarbroughBanks..................................Eddie HickmanBarrow .................................Linda CrumleyBen Hill-Irwin....................................VacantBerrien .................................Joe Allen KentBlue Ridge Mountain.................Bob KinnieBrooks........................................Jeff MooreBurke ......................................Ellis GodbeeCarroll ......................................Doug SmithChattahoochee Valley ............Scott BickleyClarke-Oconee........................Ric GraysonColquitt ...........................Thomas ColemanCook.........................................Sean RestaCoweta.....................................Jay DuncanCrawford Area ............................Jim HorneDecatur ...................................Stuart GriffinElbert ..........................................Ron WardFloyd ..................................... Keith MicklerFranklin ..............................Charles TawzerGrady .....................................Caylor OuztsGreene Area...........................Lanis AdamsHall .................................Steve Brinson, Jr.Haralson ...........................Stanley WilliamsHarris ................................... Steve LennonHart ....................................Larry BramblettHeard.....................................Keith JenkinsHeartland................................Tony RogersHenry ......................................Marvin RoseHouston.................................Wayne Talton Jackson......................................Cole ElrodJefferson..................................Arthur RiderJohnson Area.....................Jimmy HarrisonL.T.D.....................................Brian GoolsbyLaurens ......................................David HallLincoln ................................Chris GoldmanLittle River ................................. Billy MaysLowndes ..................................Andy CarterLumpkin ............................Anthony GrindleMacon ....................................Carlton JinksMadison ............................Randy FordhamMeriwether........................Harvey LemmonMid-Georgia...................................Ed TriceMitchell ..............................J. Dean DanielsMiller.....................................Trent Clenney Morgan .................................Zeke LambertMurray.................................Michael BallewNorth Georgia ................Wade CastleberryNortheast Georgia................Curtis LedfordNorthwest Georgia .............David HolcombOcmulgee.............................Raleigh GibbsOgeechee .................................Jody BurnsOglethorpe .............................Fred GretschPachitla.............................B.J. Washington Peach......................................Willis BrownPiedmont................................Todd TeasleyPiney Woods............................Chris Taylor Polk ...................................Glenn RobinsonPulaski................................D. J. Bradshaw Red Carpet .............................Wes MitchellSouth Georgia....................Maxwell WilcoxSoutheast Georgia..............Mickey CarnesStephens...................................Tony SmithTattnall............................Jessie J. DriggersTaylor .....................................Wayne SmithThomas.........................Charles R. ConklinThree Rivers...........................Neal StanleyTift .........................................Buck AultmanTri-County .....................Roy Lee StricklandTri-State ............................... James BurtonTroup....................................Ross HoffmanTurner ....................................Randy HardyUniversity of Georgia................Katie SmithWalton...............................Sammy MaddoxWashington ............................Timothy MayWayne ....................................Jonny Harris Webster ...................................Andy PayneWilkes ..................................David VanHartWorth ..................................Donald Gilman

Ending Term with Same Optimism


by Bill Nutt

GCA President’s Report

Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like the toad,bears yet a precious jewel in its head, at least as stated byShakespeare. (Ancient legends recognized that toads were notpretty, but they were thought to carry jewels in their head.)

This is my last article as your Georgia Cattlemen’s Association President andprovides an opportunity to reflect on the many varied experiences of the year!This has indeed been a year with more than a normal share of adversity for yourGCA. The world economic problems, coupled with the lingering effects of thelongterm drought and record-high costs of production, were with us and remainas challenges for our beef industry. The number of cattle in the U.S. is now at thelowest level since 1947. The number of cattle and cattle operations in Georgia isdown, as is GCA membership. At the same time, the external threats to our indus-try from animal rights activists, regulatory agencies, uninformed public opinionpressures fed by less than objective media coverage of events and demographicchanges continue to intensify. USDA figures indicate that somewhere less than2 percent of the U.S. population is now involved in production of food and fiberthat helps to feed the world, and the other 98 percent has little or no understand-ing of what is involved in these key operations. This places an added challenge forour agricultural sector and us as individuals to speak up for our industry and shareour views and perspectives with the other 98 percent.

I began the year convinced it was the time for optimism and positive think-ing tempered with realism, and I continue to hold this view. The drought seems tobe over, the national and international economies are beginning to turn around,operational input costs have generally come down, and we look forward toimproved demand for beef, which can only improve the prices we receive for ourcattle. We have had opportunities to improve and update our operations to bemore competitive as we rebuild.

Your GCA has moved forward positively in the face of the adversities we havefaced and dealt with. The restructuring and revitalization that began last year con-tinues. We have reorganized our office staff approach and continue to improve theresponsiveness and efficiency of our Macon office. Our magazine continues toevolve and is focused on providing useful information to our members whileencouraging two-way communications and more member involvement. We havemade a great deal of progress! At the same time, our operations are a work inprogress and we continue to face challenges of membership levels, operatingcosts, and meeting the challenges of representing the interests of Georgia cattleoperations in the dynamic and changing environment we live in.

Our expectations are for continued improvements in the efficiency of ouroperations. We as members have every right to expect and demand that GCA willoperate efficiently and responsively on a sound business basis to serve all ourmembers and that our staff will carry out the policies of GCA members as estab-lished by our elected leadership. We must continue our restructuring to ensure thatwe do so. We are currently operating with one less fulltime staff member than wewould like due to budget constraints, and the ability of the office to continue todo everything we have done in the past may be in question. Revenue increases areclearly in order, along with control of expenses as we serve our members and ourvarious partners.

A number of issues will need to be faced as we go forward. As examples, Ihear many members questioning the wisdom of continuing to hold our annualconvention in combination with the Beef Expo. Another is the challenge of main-taining a balanced approach to all facets of the beef industry in our operations. I

BILL NUTT

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Continued on page 7

Faithful Magazine ReaderEncourages More CountyConnections Submissions

IT’S YOUR TURN!

Send your letter of 500 words or less to the editor [email protected].

Letters may be edited due to space limitations.

Letters�to the Editor

R E A D E R S E R V I C E S

GCA President’s Report, continued from page 6


am fully confident that our elected leadership will deal withthese and other issues.

I have enjoyed the year as your GCA President.Probably the best part of the year has been the opportunityto get around the state and see the great local activities thatare the heart of GCA and, in the process, meet new friendsand see old friends. I have driven many miles and each tripwas great! I thoroughly enjoyed serving as Editor of thismagazine and feel proud of the improvements our magazineteam put in place. I probably get more comments on theimproved magazine approach than anything else in my con-tacts with members. My special thanks to the subject matterexperts on our magazine team who stepped up when askedand who continue to provide timely and useful articles foreach issue. I firmly believe the primary purpose of our mag-azine is to serve our members and that the very welcome rev-enue generated by ads is secondary!

I would like to thank all those on our GCA team fortheir efforts during this year. I also want to express my appre-ciation to Janet and my friends in Cedartown for their help,support and encouragement during the year. It would havebeen tough to make it through the year without them!

Finally, my thanks go to all GCA members for theopportunity to serve as your President for this year. GC

Dear Editor,We really enjoy the monthly magazine from the Georgia

Cattlemen’s Association and we particularly enjoy the“County Connections” articles. I have noticed there are onlya couple each month. I love to get new ideas of fundraisersand we particularly love photos of 4-H and FFA partner-ships within each county.

The use of digital cameras and e-mail has made it soeasy to share photos with the magazine. I encourage you toplease take the time and share with others. You may feel thatyour group doesn't do anything different, but it may be justwhat we are looking for.

Paula Myers, SecretaryBlue Ridge Mountain Cattlemen

GCA Working Hard forGeorgia Cattle Producers

Joining the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association is a solidinvestment in the future of the cattle business. GCA serves asthe only statewide voice dedicated solely to the promotion ofGeorgia’s beef industry. Since it was established in 1961, GCAhas continually worked to promote and develop the multi-million dollar cattle industry in Georgia.

The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association prides itself on being agrassroots organization owned and controlled by Georgia cattleproducers. With nearly 5,000 members and 70+ affiliated localassociations, GCA is the largest single commodity farm organi-zation in the state. The local associations are the lifeblood of theorganization. They carry out programs that promote beef andprovide education on a local level. In addition these chaptersdevelop leaders and support.

If you are not yet a GCA member, use the form below tojoin. If you ARE a member, use this form to renew, or clip andshare it with a fellow producer.

GCA-GJCA-GCWAMEMBERSHIP FORM

Complete and mail this form to:

Georgia Cattlemen’s Association100 Cattlemen’s Drive

P.O. Box 24510Macon, GA 31212

478-474-6560 • Fax 478-474-5732Email: [email protected]

� New Member � Renewal

Name _____________________________________

Address____________________________________

City _______________________________________

State____________ Zip_______________________

Phone _____________________________________

E-mail _____________________________________

GCA Chapter________________________________

Sponsored by _______________________________

Birthday (juniors only)________________________

GCA Dues, 1 year _______________________$ 50

GJCA Dues, 1 year_______________________$ 15

GCWA Dues, 1 year______________________$ 15

Additional Local Dues, 1 year ______________$___

TOTAL PAYMENT $ ___Thank you ... for your membership!

Membership dues entitle you to receive a one-year subscription to theGeorgia Cattleman magazine. Payment of GCA membership dues is tax-deductible for most members as an ordinary business expense. Complyingwith tax laws, GCA estimates 5% of the dues payment is not deductible as abusiness expense because of direct lobbying activities. Also, charitablecontributions to GCA are not tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.

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Nourishing the Grassroots

This issue of Georgia Cattlemanfocuses on successful forage produc-tion. Growing grasses and legumesrequires the proper pH, sunlight, nutri-ents, temperature, soil type and ofcourse the right amount of water. Toomuch or too little of any of theseimportant ingredients yields poorresults. Several years ago I sat in a sem-inar presented by University of Georgiaextension forage specialist Dr. DennisHancock, who included the informativeillustration below.

I was impressed not only by theeffects of too much soil acidity on for-age production, but also by the corre-sponding lack of root development.Wise farmers and ranchers know thatthe abundant production of lush forageabove the ground is dependent on anextensive, deep network of rootsunderneath.

Many of these same principlesapply to the health and growth of theGeorgia Cattlemen’s Association. As Ihave said in previous columns, I firmlybelieve that the viability of our associa-tion lies in the health of our local chap-ters – the “grassroots” of our organiza-tion.

I am encouraged as I visit localchapters and see our mission statementbeing lived out on the local level. Thestaff and state leadership remain com-mitted to finding the right mix of ingre-dients to support the growth of ourassociation. Some of the nutrients weare working with include increased com-

munication with members, more “grass-roots” involvement at the state level,development of more effective tools formembers and local chapters to advancethe GCA mission, and better member-ship recruitment tools to help you signup your neighbors and get membershipnumbers moving in a positive direction.

Our current President, Bill Nutt,has encouraged more member inputand we appreciate those members thathave submitted letters to the editor andthose local chapters that are sharingtheir successes with us through themagazine. The last several months wehave been urging members to go towww.gabeef.org and sign up for oure-mail update service. We are using theservice weekly to inform members ofbreaking news that is relevant toGeorgia’s cattle industry.

President Nutt, President-Elect BillBryan and I have been working to re-staff and re-energize GCA committeesto bring more “grassroots” influenceback into the fabric of the organization.While not abandoning national cattlenews coverage, we have refocused ourmagazine around Georgia experts,news and producers.

A new membership brochureshould be available at Convention, andwe hope this will be a useful tool incommunicating the mission of GCA tonon-members in a way that will compelthem to join. The Web site is beinggradually updated to make it a moreuseful tool for members as well. Theseare just a few of the ingredients that weare using to strengthen the “grassroots”of our Association.

GCA staff and volunteer leadersare here to serve you and we value youropinion. One of our best “forage analy-sis” tests to determine if we are gettingour nutrient mix right is the feedbackyou provide to us, so please keep com-municating what you think is workingand what we can do better.

Developing Stories…As you read through this issue, you

will notice that it has been a very activemonth for your Association, from par-ticipating in the Tifton Bull Sale activi-ties to promoting Georgia’s cattle indus-try at the State Capitol. The spring saleseason is well under way, and priceshave been up the past month throughthe whole industry, from wholesale beefall the way down to feeder calves.Hopefully these trends will continue.

As I’m finishing up this month’scolumn, there is a large amount ofbreaking news, including several exportmarkets potentially opening further toU.S. beef and a case of BSE in Canada.The new animal identification and trace-ability framework continues to be dis-cussed and redeveloped, with GCA veryinvolved in the discussions. We hope tohave more detailed information in thenext few months.

You should be receiving this issueright at our annual Convention time,and I hope I’ve had the chance to visitwith each of you at Convention thisyear. If you’ve missed Convention,make plans to attend the Grazing LandsConservation Coalition Field Day nearOdum, Ga., on April 10 (page 42) or theMountain Beef Cattle Field Day inBlairsville on April 21 (page 64).

My 7-year-old daughter Claireattended the Bricton bull sale with me afew weeks ago and has decided shemight want to be a ring man when shegrows up. She enjoyed the excitement,commenting as the first lot wentthrough the ring, “What are theydoing?” I guess she couldn’t remembersales she’d been to when she wasyounger. I told her I’d sell her an ad inthe magazine when she was ready tooffer her services.

I continue to enjoy meeting mem-bers throughout the state and appreciateyour hospitality and kindness to me andmy family. As always, if you’d like to talkabout the cattle business, give me a callat the office or send a message [email protected]. GC

Executive Vice President’s Report

[Josh White is GCA and Georgia Beef BoardExecutive Vice President.]

�JOSH WHITE


Photo courtesy of Auburn University's College of Agriculture,Department of Agronomy and Soils.

Key to Greener Pastures

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chap Cromley, Brooklet, 912-842-9427, [email protected]

Ernie Ford, Edison, 229-835-2873,[email protected]

David Gazda, Athens, 706-227-9098,[email protected]

Jonny Harris, Screven, 912-586-6585,[email protected]

Chuck Joiner, Carrollton, 770-832-7299, [email protected]

Paul Thompson, III, Buchanan, 770-646-2026, [email protected]

GCA REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

Region 1: Fred Kerce, 706-291-7811

Region 2: Robert Harkins, [email protected]

Region 3: Ron Ward, [email protected]

Region 4: Bill Cline, [email protected]

Region 5: Alan Verner, [email protected]

Region 6: Ray Copelan, 706-453-7707

Region 7: Gilbert Andrews, [email protected]

Region 8: Danny McLeod, [email protected]

Region 9: Mike Burke, [email protected]

Region 10: Bobby Lovett, [email protected]

Region 11: Emory Seay, 229-362-4735

Region 12: Dr. Jim Strickland, [email protected]

Region 13: John Moseley, Jr., [email protected]

Region 14: Terry Harris, [email protected]

Region 15: Randy Franks, [email protected]

GCA Immediate Past President: Mike [email protected] Williamson Road, Bowdon, GA 30108770-258-9411

NCBA Director:Bill Hopkins, Thomson, [email protected]

Foundation President:Dr. Frank Thomas, Alamo, 912-568-7743,[email protected]

CattleWomen’s President:Carla Kelsoe, Calhoun, [email protected]

GCA PAST PRESIDENTS1961-1963 Ben T. Smith, Atlanta1963-1966 Henry Green, Sr., St. Simons1966-1968 Dr. Jack Tuttle, Barnesville1968-1970 J.W. Trunnell, Cochran1970-1971 K.J. Hodges, Blakely1971-1972 Edward B. Pope, Washington1972-1974 George Berner, Warm Springs1974-1976 Dr. O.E. Sell, Milner1976-1978 Joe Gayle, Perry1978-1980 Sam Hay, Covington1980-1981 Lee Campbell, Carrollton1981-1982 Charles Baker, Calhoun1982-1983 Webb Bullard, Camilla1983-1984 Bobby Rowan, Enigma1984-1985 Harvey Lemmon, Woodbury1985-1986 Don Griffith, Buchanan1986-1987 Gene Chambers, Douglas1987-1988 Mike Peed, Forsyth1988-1989 Sam Payne, Calhoun1989-1990 Bobby Miller, Lula1990-1991 Newt Muse, Carrollton1991-1992 Howard T. Jones, Foley, AL1992-1993 Mark Armentrout, Roswell1993-1994 Ralph Bridges, Lexington1994-1995 Lane Holton, Camilla1995-1996 Jim Goodman, Temple1996-1997 Dr. Frank Thomas, Alamo1997-1998 Joe Duckworth, Milledgeville1998-1999 Betts Berry, Chickamauga1999-2000 Curly Cook, Crawford2000-2001 Chuck Sword, Williamson2001-2002 Robert Fountain, Jr., Adrian2002-2003 Louie Perry, Moultrie2003-2004 Tim Dean, Lafayette2004-2005 John Callaway, Hogansville2005-2006 Bill Hopkins, Thomson2006-2007 Dr. Jim Strickland, Glennville2007-2008 Evans Hooks, Swainsboro2008-2009 Mike McCravy, Bowdon

GGeeoorrggiiaa CCaatt tt lleemmeenn’’ss AAssssoocciiaatt iioonn


BILL NUTT President

1418 6th Street Road,Cedartown, GA 30125770-748-6424

BILL BRYANPresident-Elect

2830 E Armuchee Road, Summerville, GA 30747706-397-8219

STEVE BLACKBURNVice President

PO Box 179, Waynesboro, GA 30830706-554-1993

STEVE BARFOOTTreasurer

2125 Rebie Road, Dudley, GA 31022478-676-3035

JOSH WHITEExecutive V.P.

100 Cattlemen’s Drive /P.O. Box 24510,Macon, GA 31212478-474-6560

GCA LEADERSHIP TEAM

Email: [email protected]





Your GCA leadershipteam is here to serve you.Contact us with your ideasabout our association or tovisit about the cattle industry.

IntroductionCattle producers are looking for-

ward to a better 2010. Most indicatorsare that calf prices should be improvedin 2010; as a result, profits should behigher, right? Maybe, maybe not.Profits in 2010 will depend not only oncalf sales prices, but also on inputprices.

Fertilizer Price OutlookFor years, fertilizer prices were rel-

atively stable (Figure 1). However, in

recent years, fertilizer prices haveincreased rather dramatically. For theremainder of 2010, fertilizer prices areexpected to remain stable to increasing.

Demand for fertilizer, especiallynitrogen, is expected to increase in2010. All indications are that there willneed to be more acres of corn plantedto satisfy ethanol production andexport needs. As a result, forage grow-ers should be prepared to see nitrogenprices increase 5 to 10 percent in thecoming months.

While phosphorous is also impor-tant, potash is usually a more limitingmacronutrient, especially for hay pro-ducers. Even though potash pricesexperienced a major retracement in2009, producers should not expect arepeat in 2010. Most fertilizer industryanalysts predict an increase of 2 to 7percent in 2010.

One factor that certainly impactsfertilizer prices is the exchange rate.While a weak dollar is good for exports,it is not desirable for imports. That isbecause a weak dollar means it takesmore of our dollars to purchase someinternationally traded goods. This isespecially problematic for us as it relatesto fertilizer because we import overone-half of our domestic fertilizerneeds. As a result, changes in the dol-lar’s relative strength can have signifi-cant impacts on fertilizer prices.

Fuel Price OutlookFuel prices are another significant

part of most cattle operations’ inputs.Not only do fuel prices impact the costof production, but they also affect theprices that we receive for our cattle.

In recent years, fuel prices also

EXPERTADVICE

Fuel, Fertilizer and Forages:Makers and Takers of Profits

By Dr. Curt Lacy, UGA Extension Economist-Livestock


Most indicators are that calf prices should be improved in 2010; as aresult, profits should be higher, right? Maybe, maybe not. Profits in

2010 will depend not only on calf sales prices, but also on input prices.

Figure 1. Fertilizer Prices from 1997-February 2010

increased rather dramatically due toincreased demand (Figure 2).

The U.S. Energy InformationAgency (EIA) forecasts diesel prices toincrease by about $0.50 per gallon in2010 and by another $0.20 in 2011 asthe domestic and global economiesbegin to recover.

Implications for Cattle Producers

Obviously, increasing fertilizerprices will increase the cost of produc-tion for cattle producers, but to whatextent? Table 1 contains forecasts ofvariable and total costs for cow-calfand hay producers under varying levelsof increases of fuel and fertilizer prices.Sales prices for 500- to 600-poundsteers are expected to average between$102 and $111 for 2010, with good-quality bermuda hay expected to aver-age right around $70/ton. The costs of thehay production are included in the cost of thecalves, as this budget assumes a hay producermaking his own hay with fairly new equip-ment.

Basically, if fuel and fertilizer main-tain their current levels, then cattlemenshould be able to cover their out-of-pocket expenses, but covering theirtotal costs will be a different story. Asinput prices increase, the odds of mak-ing a profit decrease considerably. Iffuel and fertilizer increase by 25 per-cent, then most producers likely won’thave anything to pay toward overhead.The changes in profitability are indicat-ed by various gray tones in the table.Medium gray cells indicate profits, darkgray cells indicate losses and light graycells indicate the transition areas.

For cattle producers making theirown hay, the news is less than encour-

aging. All of the cells in Table 1 relat-ed to hay production are dark, indicat-ing that production costs are greaterthan sales prices. Stated another way,assuming one will have opportunitiesto purchase hay, in 2010 they can like-ly purchase it cheaper than they makeit.

The big-picture consideration isthat producers will need to stayfocused on ways to keep costs low.

Finding ways to reduce fertilizer andhay costs should remain a priority.Suggestions include soil testing, incor-porating legumes in their pastures,storing and managing their hay suppliesand reducing hay wastage. Reducingstocking rates, thus decreasing feedneeds and the necessity for putting uphay, should also be a consideration. Ifresources allow, now may also be thetime to pre-purchase fertilizer and fuelneeds for the coming year.

Conclusions2010 holds the possibility of prof-

its for cattlemen. However, concernsabout input prices place these profits atrisk. To paraphrase a line from one ofmy favorite movies, “the quest standson the edge of a knife.” As a result, cat-tlemen need to be vigilant in searchingfor ways to minimize their fertilizer andfuel needs.

Figure 2. Bulk Diesel Fuel Prices 1997-2010

Table 1: Projected Breakeven Variable and Total Costs for Cow-Calf andHay Producers Under Varying Degrees of Input Price Increases


NOTES: * 500 pound calf prices expected to range from $102 to $111* Good quality Bermuda hay expected to average $65 to $75/ton in 2010 * Fixed costs for hay based on all equipment less than 5-years-old and cow herd of 100 cows

GC

The big-picture consideration is that produc-ers will need to stay focused on ways to keepcosts low. Finding ways to reduce fertilizer

and hay costs should remain a priority.


The weather always seems to be on peo-ple’s minds, especially with the recent

extreme events,such as theflooding this falland extreme lowtemperature thiswinter in associ-

ation with unusual snow storms. Unfortunately, we are not in a position

where we can control the weather. However,weather does play an important role in yourdaily decisions.

Many of you are probably not aware ofa local weather resource that has been devel-oped by the College of Agricultural andEnvironmental Sciences of the University ofGeorgia (UGA). It is called GeorgiaAutomated Environmental MonitoringNetwork (AEMN), a network of automatedweather stations located across Georgia. Thenetwork has grown from three stations in1991 to 79 stations in 2009. Most of theweather stations are operational in localregions in Georgia where agriculture is

important rather than in cities nor-mally seen in local weather reports.

The ultimate dream is to have atleast one station in each county.

Each weather station moni-tors air temperature, rela-

tive humidity, rainfall,barometric pressure,

wind speed anddirection, solar

radiation, soil tem-perature and soil

moisture.Each ofthese

weather variables is recorded every secondand then summarized at 15-minute intervals.At midnight each station also calculates thedaily extremes, such as maximum and mini-mum temperature, and daily totals, such asrainfall. Each weather station is self-con-tained and operates on a battery that isrecharged by a solar panel. We communicatewith each weather station through dedicatedtelephone lines and modems or cell phones.A central computer located on the UGA-Griffin Campus calls each station, processesthe data and pushes the data to a Web serverfor dissemination to Georgia producers. Youcan access the information from the Website www.Georgiaweather.net.

Once you have selected a station fromthe map on the Web site, you can obtain thelocal current weather conditions, with anupdate at least every 30 minutes. You canalso obtain yesterday’s weather data or thedata from the past 30 years. In addition tothe weather data, the Web site provides manyweather-based tools. A rainfall calculator willshow you total rainfall since the beginning ofthe year and a comparison with previousyears’ records. There is a degree-day tool thatallows you to calculate the number ofdegree-day hours above a critical thresholdvalue – an indication of how quickly yourgrass is developing.

If you feel that extreme low tempera-tures have affected your pasture, you can usethe cold-duration calculator to obtain thenumber of hours below 32 degreesFahrenheit. The first frost date in the fall orthe last frost date in the spring are also avail-able for the period of record of each station.There is a drought map that shows the distri-bution of the rainfall to date as well as thedifference from normal, which we define asthe average rainfall recorded from 1961through 2000. Most of the information pro-vided is relevant to forages as well as cattle,as the health of both crops and animals isaffected by the local weather conditions. Ifyou have a need for information not provid-ed on the Web site, please do not hesitate tocontact us. Our main goal is to provide use-ful and relevant information to Georgia pro-ducers.

For further information about AEMN,contact Gerrit Hoogenboom, Department ofBiological and Agricultural Engineering [email protected] or www.Georgiaweather.net.

Local Weather Condi t ions in Your Pasture: Closer Than You Think Compiled by Katlin Mulvaney and Gerrit Hoogenboom

“You canobtain the localcurrent weatherconditions, with

an update atleast every 30

minutes.

”

Figure 1. Location of the weather stationsof the Georgia Automated EnvironmentalMonitoring Network.


In 2005, a survey identified 42 Georgiacounties that did not have a resident mixedveterinary practice within their borders.However, when a 25-mile zone was plottedaround each known mixed veterinary prac-tice, the number of farm production ani-mals in under-served areas was reduced.Some of these counties are served by vet-erinarians from adjacent counties. A fewcounties or areas do not have enough foodanimals or a human population to supporta production farm animal veterinary prac-tice. Most of the Georgia under-servedcounties and areas are south of I-20.

In final analysis, it was determined that25 under-served counties/areas could pos-sibly support a mixed veterinary practice.To produce a competitive living, it takesabout a 65 percent companion animal clien-tele to support a 35 percent farm produc-tion animal veterinary practice, unless thereare several dairies or there is a relativelyhigh number of horses in the practice area.Most of these food animal under-servedcounties already have an established com-panion animal veterinary practice; however,they do not offer farm animal veterinaryservice. Unless the established companion

animal practice would expand its service toinclude farm production animals, it wouldbe difficult for a separate mixed veterinarypractice to become established in most ofthese counties. A veterinarian would find itdifficult to make a competitive living prac-ticing just farm animal emergency medicine.

Dr. David Reeves, UGA College ofVeterinary Medicine, has developed a com-puter program that takes local, census andother data and can evaluate a county or areato determine if the area would support amixed veterinary practice. Anyone interest-ed in having a review made should ask theirCounty Extension Agent to contact Reevesat (706) 542-9330.

Most veterinary students have over$100,000 in educational debt to service whenthey graduate from veterinary college. Tobuild/rent and equip a veterinary hospitalwould require another $200,000-$700,000 ormore investment. In the meantime, he/shemust provide for their families, pay businessexpenses and service the educational debtwithout an established client base, if they goto an under-served area.

Add to this the fact that over 75 per-cent of veterinary students are female from

metropolitan areas with little to no farmanimal experience before enteringVeterinary College. They have little desireto move to a rural area. In addition to thefinances, being on call 24/7, unproductivetravel time lost going from office to farm,less than optimum working conditions,physical danger and the fact that he/she canmake a better living in other phases of vet-erinary medicine make rural mixed farmanimal practice less attractive.

I recently received a recruitment letterfrom a company that has more than 720companion animal veterinary practices inthe United States. They offered a base salaryplus a production bonus. (The average com-pensation for this company in Georgia for2008 was $97,107.) The work required 40hours per week with no night or weekendduties. I would have access to the latest inequipment, practice a high level of medicineand have assistants to help me with myduties. Additional benefits offered, worth$20,000, were: paid medical/prescriptioninsurance, life insurance, vacation and holi-day time off, liability/malpractice insurance,health savings account, and flexible sched-ules. DEA, state, continuing education andassociation fees would be paid, plus otherbenefits. My family would have access toexcellent schools, human medical services,educational and recreational opportunities.

If your son or daughter was graduatingfrom veterinary college with $100,000 edu-cational debt and had to choose between arural mixed practice and the above offer,what would you advise?

To help offset some of these disad-vantages, the UGA College of VeterinaryMedicine and College of Agricultureestablished the Food Animal VeterinaryIncentive Program (FAVIP) that will allowup to five seniors in high school from ruralcounties, who are interested in food animalmedicine, to enroll in a pre-vet program inthe College of Agriculture Animal ScienceDepartment. If the students maintain a3.2 GPA scholastic record and meet otherrequirements, they will be guaranteedadmission into the College of VeterinaryMedicine upon completion of the pre-vetprogram. This program recruits studentsfrom rural areas with a farm animal back-ground who are more likely to return andbe happy to live in rural under-servedareas.

COWTOONS

�In My OpinionFood Animal Veterinary Services –

Under-Served Georgia Areas By Dr. Charles N. DobbinsDr. Dobbins is retired from the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine faculty

GC


What to Do About

By Dr. John W. Worley

After dealing with several years of drought, Georgiaand the Southeast have been blessed this winter witha new problem to deal with – mud. In recent years

we had almost forgotten how much of a problem mud canbe, but we have been brought back to reality by this cold, wetwinter.

For beef cattle producers, this problem usually manifestsitself in the form of deep muddy areas around feeding andwatering locations. These conditions discourage cattle fromeating and drinking and cause cattle to burn energy trying tonavigate the mud. Thesefactors result in poorerperformance and possibleanimal health issues.

So what can we doabout it? For feeders, onesolution is to move thefeeders from place toplace as needed to mini-mize muddy areas. Hayrings and many feedtroughs are fairly portable,making this managementtool a feasible option insome situations. Wateringtroughs are more difficult. While some producers have usedportable waterers connected by hoses so they can be movedaround, most waterers must be permanently located.

Another possible solution is to pour a concrete padaround the feeder or watering trough. This gives animalssolid footing and encourages them to eat and drink more;however, there are two drawbacks to this solution:

1. Concrete is expensive, and getting more expensiveeach year.

2. A concrete pad tends to simply move the mud to anew location – at the edge of the concrete. The obvious rea-son for this is that all rainfall that falls on the pad, along withany leakage from watering troughs, runs off to the edge ofthe pad and encourages the development of a mud holethere.

An option that has become increasingly popular inrecent years is the use of a geotech fabric (a heavy porousplastic fabric) and gravel to stabilize the soil. Commonlycalled “Heavy Use Areas,” these areas can be stabilized forone-third to one-half the cost of a concrete pad. Also,unlike concrete, these areas are somewhat permeable, whichmeans that some of the rain that falls on the area will soakthrough the pad rather than running off. You may still havesome mud at the edge, but the problem is typically not asmuch of a problem as experienced with concrete pads.

An excellent publication on the use and construction of

these surfaces is available from the University of Kentuckyat: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/aen/aen79/aen79.pdf

The idea originated in the road construction industry forstabilizing dirt roads. The principle of heavy-use-area con-struction is to stabilize the soil underneath the top layer sothat it does not move, settle, and form mud holes. Puttingdown gravel helps to stabilize mud for a while, but eventual-ly the gravel works its way down into the soil and loses itseffectiveness. Putting down a layer of geotech fabric underthe gravel prevents it from moving either vertically or hori-

zontally, and thereforestabilizes the soil for amuch longer time. Onemethod is to place a 4- to6-inch layer of coarse(typically #3 or 4) gravelon top of the geotechfabric. Then a 2- to 3-inch layer of fine materi-al is placed at the surface(“coarse grade,” “roadmix” or fly ash are someof the materials that havebeen used). The fine sur-face layer improves ani-

mal comfort, and helps keep muddy hooves from picking uprocks. Alternatively, some producers have successfully useda 6- to 8-inch layer of “crusher run,” a mix of coarse and fineaggregate.

It is very important that the edges of the fabric be buriedso that they cannot be easily exposed. If curious cows canget to the edges, they will try to pull the fabric up, which willendanger the effectiveness of the site. Generally, a trench isdug about 1 foot deep around the edge of the protected area,and the edge of the geotech fabric is buried in the trench.Seams where two pieces of fabric meet should have at leasta foot of overlap. It is also important that the area have aslight slope to prevent ponding of water.

In some cases, producers can get help paying for theseimprovements through USDA’s EQIP program; but in orderto receive funding, construction must be done under thesupervision of the USDA NRCS.

The same techniques can be used to stabilize walkwayswhere cattle move back and forth from pasture to water, etc.It is important to fence the edges of any walkways to forcethe cattle to walk on the stabilized soil. If they have a choice,they will many times go back and forth between mud andgravel and thus pick up gravel with their muddy hooves,causing sore feet.

Nothing will eliminate mud, but this method of soil sta-bilization will help make life easier for cattle and cattlemen.

WATERING TROUGH ON HEAVY USE AREA (Photo courtesy of NRCS)


University of Georgia and Georgia Cattlemen’sAssociation Developing Quality HERD Programs

By Ted G. Dyer, Patsie T. Cannon and Robert L. Stewart, UGA faculty at the Animal & Dairy Science Department

Slightly over a decade ago, a group of ExtensionAgents and Extension Beef Specialists began brain-storming about how to add value to weaned heifers.

Traditionally, heifers receive a discount as feeder calveswhen compared to steers. Many of those heifers could bedeveloped into attractive bred females if best managementpractices were utilized to develop and evaluate them. Thuswas the beginning of the University of Georgia HeiferTeam. In addition to the Extension Agents and Specialists,the team grew to include the Georgia Cattlemen’sAssociation as well as members from the UGA College ofVeterinary Medicine.

The Heifer Evaluation and Reproductive Development(HERD) program has accomplished many goals. The obvi-ous is the success of the central evaluation centers at Tiftonand Calhoun. The heifer team developed evaluation toolsand minimum acceptable thresholds for deeming heifersacceptable. Those measurements include actual pelvic area,reproductive tract maturity score, target weight, frame scoreand disposition score.

Heifers are fed a ration that is based on hay and sup-plements available to cattle producers in Georgia. TheHERD program is not a gain test, but allows the heifers todevelop at a moderate rate of gain, reaching their targetweight (65 percent of mature weight) by the time they areapproximately 15 months of age in order to calve at the ageof two years. Heifers are synchronized for estrus utilizingthe latest protocols, bred AI to superior bulls, then pastureexposed to calving-ease clean-up bulls.

The success story began with Tifton’s HERD program.The program celebrates its 11th year of production with133 heifers enrolled this year. Tifton heifers were heat-syn-chronized during November and December and artificiallyinseminated (AI’d) on Dec. 13-14 to a calving-ease Angusbull.

Following artificial insemination, the heifers wereexposed to a clean-up bull for 52 days. Those heifers thatare pregnant are sale-eligible. Consignors have the optionof selling their pregnant heifers or retaining them asreplacements in their respective programs. The 11th annu-al Tifton HERD Sale will be held on April 20, 2010 (12:30

p.m.) at the Tifton Bull Evaluation Centerlocated near Irwinville, Ga.

Modeled after the Tifton HERD program,Calhoun soon evolved... and is thriving today.Both HERD programs are sponsored by theAnimal & Dairy Science Department of theUniversity of Georgia College of Agricultural &Environmental Sciences and the College ofVeterinary Medicine, and Georgia Cattlemen’sAssociation with the hands-on assistance ofGeorgia County Extension Agents.

The 10th annual Calhoun HERD Sale iscoming up on June 2, 2010 (12:30 p.m.) at theNorthwest Georgia Research and EducationCenter Pavilion in Calhoun, Ga. A true testimo-ny of success is having 161 heifers enrolled ontest. Heifers being offered in the sale were heat-synchronized and artificially inseminated (AI)on March 7-8 to a calving ease Angus bull.Following AI, the heifers will be exposed to aclean-up bull for 45 days. Those heifers that

become pregnant will be sale-eligible. The ultimate success is producing sound females who

breed to calve unassisted at an acceptable age, thereforeadding value. The HERD program has been an example ofhow to achieve that goal. Success can also be observedwhen cattle producers adopt those management practices intheir herds. A prime example is the Monroe County HERDprogram, which celebrates its fifth sale on May 6th (see arti-cle on the next page). Extension Agents report that manycattle producers all over Georgia are adopting many of thepractices when developing heifers for both replacements aswell as marketing as bred heifers.

Congratulations to the Heifer Team for an exemplarydemonstrational program. The HERD program hasbecome a model not only in Georgia, but in all parts of theeastern United States. GC

G E O R G I A C AT T L E M A N • April 2010 23G E O R G I A C AT T L E M A N • April 2010 23

Working together to improvethe reputation of the beefindustry in Monroe County

and Middle Georgia is the main objec-tive of H.E.R.D producers whobelong to the Monroe CountyCattlemen’s Association. This group’spassion is to raise exemplary commer-cial cattle while improving their indi-vidual herds.

It all began in 2004 at a regularMonroe County Cattlemen’s meetingwhere several of the H.E.R.D ownersin attendance were looking for ways tomarket their extra heifers. Directed bytheir county extension agent, JohnPope, producers compared notes, anddecided to unite and sell their prof-itable animals at their own heifer sale.

“We found we had too many goodheifers to keep in our herds. So whynot offer them for sale to help buildstronger herds in the area,” says pro-ducer Jim Lynch, Shadydale Farm.

Pope then took it a step further bychallenging the group to develop anon-farm producer program modeledafter the highly successful Universityof Georgia heifer development pro-grams currently conducted in bothCalhoun and Irwinville, Ga.

“John has been the glue that holdsthe program together,” says Phil Ham,

chairman of the program. ThroughPope’s efforts, Monroe County hasseen steady improvement in the qualityof its cattle as well as the profitabilityof its cattle production operationsover the past 20 years.

His foresight several years ago leddirectly to the development ofMonroe County’s own HeiferEvaluation and ReproductiveDevelopment Program (H.E.R.D.).

Those individuals involved in theprogram’s inception designed it toaddress the following objectives:

1. To serve and educate the beefindustry in the Middle Georgia area.

2. To demonstrate feeding andhealth programs that result in replace-ment heifers reaching target weightsrequired for successful breeding per-formance.

3. To provide a method of evalu-ating heifers, including performance,reproductive traits and disposition.

4. To develop heifers that aresource identified and geneticallyverified.

5. To demonstrate the benefits ofcooperative efforts involving cattleproducers, animal health professionals,the Monroe County Cattlemen’sAssociation and the Monroe CountyExtension.

Members of the program can takeadvantage of substantial cost savingsby joining forces. One area of particu-lar significance is in artificial insemina-tion. Ham is responsible for obtainingbids from each of the major A.I. com-panies. The selected company is usedexclusively in every herd belonging tothe program.

Ham states, “We look at bulls that

“Doing It Right” In Monroe CountyBy Charlene McCauley, Promotions Coordinator for Accelerated Genetics in Baraboo, WI

“”

We found we hadtoo many good heifersto keep in our herds.So why not offer themfor sale to help buildstronger herds in the

area.Jim Lynch,

Shadydale Farm

Continued on page 25

CURRENT MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN THE MONROE COUNTYH.E.R.D. PROGRAM include (l-r): John Pope (CEA), Cody Ham, JimHam, Charles Floyd, Jimmy Smith, Phil Ham (Chairman), BarryPeters, Robert Whitacre (Regional Beef Specialist, AcceleratedGenetics), Jim Lynch and Bill Waldrep.

Monroe County has seen steadyimprovement in the quality of its cattleas well as the profitability of its pro-duction operations over the past 20years.

SELLING 80+ BRED HEIFERS

Data Available:• A.I. Breeding

& Sire EPD’s• Pelvic Area• Frame Score• Disposition Score• Weight per Day of Age• Guaranteed Pregnant

All heifers will sell confirmed safe in calf to calving ease Angus Bulls. All heifers were bred A. I. at least once to

Sinclair Net Present Value (BW -1.8, WW +47, YW +86, Milk +32)For more information or to receive a catalogue, call the Monroe County

Extension at (478) 994-7014. Web info at http://www.ugaextension.com/monroe/

Email at [email protected] • Type HERD in the subject line.

ON MAY 6, 2010 12:30 p.m.

Sleepy Creek Farm near Forsyth, GA


are high-accuracy, proven calving easebulls for the heifers. We also look forabove-average bulls in growth, milkand carcass traits as well for our‘heifer’ bull. We also bid out ‘cow’bulls that are also proven for growth,milk, etc., but not necessarily calvingease for mature cows.”

Not only is the bid based on bullcriteria, but Ham also considers theservice that is provided along with theproduct.

This cooperative purchasingpower among the producer membersalso includes products to aid in herdhealth, such as vaccines, and feed andnutrition products.

The hard work of producing thatperfect sale animal culminates eachspring when the heifers are offered tothe public in a Heifer Evaluation andReproductive Development Sale. Thisyear marks the fifth year of this suc-cessful sale to be held May 6, at SleepyCreek Farm near Forsyth, Ga., begin-ning at 12:30 p.m.

Each heifer that enters the sale isrun through a battery of tests toensure reproductive soundness and ispregnancy tested. These tests are per-formed by Dr. Jeff Davis, DVM, whohas played an integral part in the plan-ning and operation of the H.E.R.D.program. Every heifer that comes tothis sale is guaranteed pregnant on saleday. In addition, each heifer has beenevaluated for pelvic area, frame, dispo-sition and structure.

These Monroe County Cattlemenalso pay particular attention to keepingthe Association in the public eye. Theyplace tremendous emphasis on “givingback” to the community. Every year,they sell rib-eye steak sandwiches as afundraiser at the Forsythia Festival,held in early March. The money that israised is used to help purchase heifer-raising equipment, such as a calf tableor working chute, that aids in the safehandling of their animals.

The Monroe County Cattlemen’sAssociation boasts that it is the first ofits kind in the area to “do thingsright.” They work together in thecommunity to provide a safe productfor you and your families and a prof-itable animal for your herd.

Continued from page 23

GC

The accuracy and businesslike nature of records issomething that the IRS has been scrutinizing more andmore in recent years. The IRS expects all taxpayers to main-tain canceled checks, invoices, credit card statements andsimilar items needed to substantiate amounts claimed asbusiness deductions and to help prepare one’s tax returns.

In addition, people in the farming, ranching and horseindustries are expected to maintain a variety of day-to-daybusiness records to show the businesslike nature of theiractivities – in order to withstand scrutiny under the IRShobby loss rule. The IRS will take the position that if youhave a significant history of losses, you are not engaged ina trade or business, and that you are simply taking businessdeductions to reduce your taxable income from othersources.

What sort of records are appropriate or helpful in thisregard for farmers and ranchers? First of all, it has beenincreasingly important, according to recent Tax Court deci-sions, for taxpayers to have some sort of written businessplan. The purpose of a business plan is to set forth yourstrategy for making a profit in your farm, livestock or horseventure. Business plans can be simple or complex, and usu-ally should have financial projections. There are manybooks and Internet resources to help people prepare a for-mal business plan, and often people will turn to profession-als to help draft the plan. Your plan should be modifiedperiodically to show that you are responsive to changed cir-cumstances that make it prudent to modify your direction.

In addition to examining the records you keep, the IRSmay want to visit your farm or ranch to see whether itappears to be conducted in a professional, businesslikemanner.

For owners of horses, cattle and other animals used inthe venture, it is important to maintain files identifying thenumber of animals owned and, to the extent possible, thedates of purchase, sale prices, breeding data, horse showentry dates, racing results, and so on. And of course recordsof sales, promotional efforts, copies of advertising, andother information pertaining to sales should be maintained.

It is helpful to maintain records to show consultationswith experts in the farming or ranching industry and actiontaken as a result. Consultations, for instance, to implementa fertilizing program, to prevent soil erosion, or other meas-ures taken to improve soil quality, should be documented.

The IRS also may inquire about animals that are notproductive or that are not being used for breeding,

showing or racing purposes. For example, if an animal hasbecome ill and has incurred significant veterinarian fees,the question is whether this animal is going to be laid upfor a long time, and whether it might be prudent to sell theanimal or donate it to a school or other equine charity. Bydoing so, you are showing that you are mindful of thecosts of keeping an animal that might not be productive,and that you are reducing your costs by culling the animalfrom your inventory.

It is important to keep signed copies of all documents,such as leases, sales agreements, contracts, partnershipagreements, and so forth, rather than unsigned or draftcopies. Also, it is important to keep some kind of log thatshows the amount of time you expended in the activity ona weekly basis. This can be something as simple as a deskcalendar, or a more complex computer format. It should bekept as current as possible. Often the IRS will question howsomeone who has a full-time occupation – such as a physi-cian, investment broker, lawyer or other professional – canafford to put in time to attend to the activity, and keeping alog will help substantiate and prove the fact that you put ina certain number of hours per week.

Another type of record that is extremely importantconsists of appraisals of farmland. This is helpful inshowing that improvements and other elements havehelped the property increase in value, and is a factor con-sidered in the hobby loss rule. Appraisals should be madeof bloodstock used in the venture – for instance, theincrease in value of broodmares or stallions should bedocumented. The appraisal should be from a bloodstockagent or a trainer.

[John Alan Cohan is a lawyer who has served the farming, livestock andhorse industries since 1981. He serves clients in all 50 states, and can bereached by telephone at (310) 278-0203 or via e-mail [email protected], or visit his website at www.JohnAlanCohan.com.]

Farming Records and the

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law

GC



We now have Purebred Braunvieh Bullsand Cows available. Traditional or

Black and Polled. Affordably priced!!Visitors are always welcome. Call and come see us today!

David Manley (706) 218-4475 Home (706) 695-4475

Manley Farms1808 Hwy 52 Alt • Chatsworth GA 30705

Jan Manley (706) [email protected]

Manley Farms1808 Hwy 52 Alt • Chatsworth Ga. 30705“Full-blood & Purebred Braunvieh”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed its17th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a 72-month-old beef cow from Alberta. No part of the animal enteredthe human food or animal feed systems. CFIA’s BSE informationis available online at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/bseesb/bseesbindexe.shtml.

The animal’s birth farm has been identified, and aninvestigation is underway. The age and location of the infectedanimal are consistent with previous cases detected in Canada. Thiscase was detected through Canada’s national BSE surveillanceprogram, which continues to play an important role in Canada’sstrategy to manage BSE. The feed cohort, birth cohort and allfeed to which the animal may have been exposed early in its lifewill be investigated.

Canada carries the same international BSE status as the UnitedStates. Both are categorized as Controlled Risk for BSE by theOIE. The U.S. and Canada currently have in place multiple andappropriate firewalls to protect animal and human health; and thesefirewalls have proven effective.

This disease is fast approaching eradication worldwide. Lastyear, there were just two cases of BSE diagnosed outside Europe(one in Canada and one in Japan) and just 60 cases total (comparedto more than 37,000 in the United Kingdom alone during peakoccurrence in 1992).

If you receive questions about U.S. animal health or humanfood safety from BSE, please refer to the key messages below orthe BSE scientific resource at www.BSEInfo.org.

Funded by The Beef Checkoff:Experts in human and animal health agree that U.S. beef

is safe from BSE because of the progressive steps taken bythe U.S. government over the past two decades.

• As America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, our No. 1 pri-

ority is raising the safest beef possible. Our livelihood depends onit, and that’s why we have worked with the government and top sci-entists for more than two decades to build, maintain and expandthe BSE safeguards that protect our cattle and our consumers.

Because of the strong measures in place, the risk of BSEin the United States is approaching zero.

• The BSE risk in this country is extremely low, in part,because of a progressive series of strong actions taken by the U.S.government. Actions such as removal of materials that would mostlikely carry BSE, banning animals that show signs of the neurolog-ical disease and the effective feed ban ensure the very low risk ofBSE in the United States.

o Since 1997 all tissues in which BSE infectivity is known toconcentrate have been prohibited from ruminant feed, and since2008, in all animal feed. Even in countries with a higher BSE risk,removing potential BSE infective material from feed prevents morethan 99 percent of any potential BSE infectivity from entering thefeed system.

o Since 2004, all tissues in which BSE infectivity is knownto concentrate are removed from every animal processed forhuman consumption.

BSE is extremely rare in the United States and worldwideincidence has dramatically decreased.

• Over the past two decades, industry and government haveworked together to put in place science-based measures which haveproven successful in preventing and reducing the spread of BSE inthe United States.

• The incidence of BSE worldwide has dramaticallydecreased due to the many measures put into place, including aseries of interlocking safeguards and science-based mitigationpractices.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Confirms BSE Case in Cow from Alberta

I N D U S T R Y N E W S

GC


Purebred & FullbloodLimousin Club Calves

PINEYWOODS FARMSLOUIE PERRY & SONS

ROUTE 6 • MOULTRIE, GEORGIA 31768(229) 324-2245 324-2433 324-2796

T.L.C. RANCH

(706) 742-2369931 Hargrove Lake RoadColbert, Georgia 30628

Nila Corrine Thiel Paul Thiel, HerdsmanOwner Steven Thiel, Herdsman

“Leaner cattle for today’s beef industry”

WHITE ACRES LIMOUSIN FARM

Josh & Erin White167 White DriveStockbridge, GA 30281(770) 474-4151

Using today’s top AIsires to produce

quality Red & BlackPolled Bulls & Heifers

Visitors always welcome!

GEORGIA LIMOUSIN ASSOCIATION

Big D Farms, Inc.Limousin Cattle

Chemilizer Medicators

ALLEN LIMOUSIN FARMS

Polled Percentage CattleP.O. Box 1182 • Social Circle, Georgia 30025

J. DAVID ALLEN, DDS, OwnerHome: (770) 270-1338Office: (770) 981-9400Farm: (770) 464-3421

Donnie Davis971 Hwy 221 NEWinder, GA 30680

Home 770-867-4781Cell 770-868-6668

visit us online atwww.georgialimousin.org

for cattle for sale, news,calendar of events and more

PRESIDENT: Larry Walker266 Silver Dollar RoadBarnesville, GA 30204

[email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT: Skyler Davis971 Hwy 211 NE

Winder, GA 30680770-307-7036

[email protected]/TREAS.: Lillian Youngblood

330 Youngblood RoadAshburn, GA 31714

229-567-4044229-567-1584 (cell)

WWW.MINCHEWLIMOUSIN.COMYour Georgia Connection for Limousin Cattle!

Minchew FarmsCalvin and Brenda Minchew

9001 Hawkinsville RoadMacon, GA 31216

478-781-0604 • [email protected]

HOWARD LIMOUSINFARM

using all top AI siresLarry and Joyce Howard

1350 Old Chattanooga Valley Rd.Flintstone, GA 30725

706-931-2940 • cell 423-596-3819

Bulls, Heifers, Cows & EmbryosFor Sale At All Times!

AI sires used

extensively in our AI &

EmbryoTransplantPrograms

Nathan & Morris Williams6160 Broadwater Trail Cumming, GA 30040Home: 770-887-3708Cell: 404-886-8003www.williamslimousinfarm.com

Registered Purebred, Fullblood & LimFlex Cattle

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Georgia Limousin Association AnnualMeeting will be held July 23

in conjunction with the GeorgiaLimousin Association Annual

Field Day (Jr. Heifer/Steer Show) July 23-24, in Athens, Ga.

For more information, contact Lillian Youngblood

Sayer & SonsFarm

“Your trusted source of quality Limousin for over 30 years”Jimmie Sayer

12800 Bowens Mill Rd., Ambrose, GA 31512 912-359-3229 • cell 912-592-1904

Dexter and Nicholas Edwards209 Willard Edwards Road • Beulaville, North Carolina 28518

910/298-3013 • Fax: 910/298-6155 • Nicholas, mobile 910/290-1424email: [email protected] • Nicholas, email: [email protected]

THIS SPACEIS

RESERVED FOR YOU!CALL

GEORGIA CATTLEMAN478-474-6560


THE BEEF CHECKOFFTHE BEEF CHECKOFFIt’s the law - no one is exempt!

DID YOU KNOW?• Every time you sell a bovine animal, regardless of age, sex, breed,

purpose, or number a dollar-per-head is due.

• The dollar is to be collected by the buyer from the seller, although

both parties are responsible.

• The checkoff is designed so that everyone pays their fair share.

HOW ARE CHECKOFF DOLLARS BEING USED?• Beef and veal television, radio and print advertising.

• Food safety, health and nutritional research.

• Product technology and development.

• Educating consumers and children about beef’s role in a healthy diet.

• Refuting issues that could negatively impact the industry.

WHO PAYS?• When cattle are sold, the buyer of the cattle must withhold $1 per head

from the seller’s purchase price. Failure to do so is a violation of the

law and may be subject to a $5,500 penalty.

HOW DO YOU PAY?• Complete a remittance form and send it with your

check to the Georgia Beef Board, PO Box 116797,

Atlanta, GA 30368-6797. For more forms, call the

Georgia Beef Board at 877-444-BEEF.

Beef Promotion & Research Program

Private Treaty SalesCheckoff Investment Form

Date:

Seller:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Seller’s signature:

Total # Sold: X $1 per head = $

Dale of Sale:

State of Origin:

Buyer:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Buyer’s Signature:

Person remitting assessment:


As the percentage of farmers con-tinues to decrease in proportion to thepopulation, it seems the harder theANTIs (HSUS, PETA, Sierra Club,name one) try to increase America’sdependence on foreign food, just asthey have done with manufacturing,energy, timber and steel. They have theforesight of a mayfly.

If farmers were a race, we’d be aminority smaller than the NationalLeft-Handed-Americans for a FairShake!

So, I’m thinkin’ there must be more opportunities for farm-ers to elevate our reputation. The Hare Krishna and FarmSanctuary drew attention with their Adopt a Heifer fundraiser.The BLM has Adopt a Mustang. Freeways have sold Adopt aMile. How ’bout Adopt a Farmer? We could have a spinoff ofThe Dating Game. Three farmers could sit behind a curtain whilea Real American Consumer (RAC) could ask questions of asheepherder, a corn farmer and a horse whisperer.

RAC: “Which one of you enjoys long walks, can cook mut-ton and appreciates privacy?”

“Baaaaaah…”RAC: “Do any of you enjoy long winters by the fire and a

good book?”“Shore,” says the corn farmer, “if you mean in the shop. I’ve

read Golfing for Dummies!”RAC: “I have a very nice horse property but I need someone

to listen to me!”

“Ma’am,” says the cowboy, “Does that include a credit card?”What could a RAC expect if they adopted a farmer? The

opportunity to enjoy working outside in all kinds of weather! Avague understanding of tractor parts. Long drives to town on dirtroads through mud and snow. The chance to partake in thereplacement of a uterine prolapse, chopping ice, pulling a deadcalf, stacking hay, holding the flashlight or driving the oldest graintruck on the farm.

Maybe as a means of impressing the urban majority of us, wecould hold our own “American Farmer Idol”! To qualify as a con-testant, you just have to have your place mortgaged, have a wifewith a job in town, or have an addiction to springtime planting,all verifiable by your wife and/or bank lender.

As a matter of fact, a virtual Farmer Idol contest was held bythe Delmarva Peninsulites, and the finalists included:

a) a soybean farmer who sculpts tofu.b) a sheep producer who can knit their wool into the shape

of a coyote while they are still unshorn! And...c) a chicken farmer who put Tabasco sauce in his pullet

feed to stimulate ‘hot wings’.But the winner was an Illinois River fish farmer who invent-

ed the Asian Carpcake, Carplegs, the Carp-apple tree, even carp-grass for your lawn!

His theme song was “I’ve got Carp, You’ve got Carp,Everybody’s got the Carp!” It was actually his second attempt atwinning the American Farmer Idol. He tried the year beforewhen he was a crab fisherman in Maryland. He was disqualifiedwhen the judges heard his theme song! GC

[Baxter Black is a cowboy poet and author. Visit his site at www.baxterblack.com.]

Adopt a Farmer

BAXTER BLACK, DVM


www.svfbrangus.com

Char-No FarmRegistered Brangus and Ultrablacks

Black Simmental /Angus Composites

C.E. (CHUCK) & NORMA SWORD545 Scott RoadWilliamson, GA 30292(770) 227-9241• 770-468-3486 (cell)www.charnofarm.com • [email protected]

HollonvilleHighway 36212 Miles West

of Griffin

PERFORMANCE TESTEDREGISTERED

BRANGUSAllen Mebane, Owner

Rt. 1 Box 266, Aliceville, AL 35442

205/373-2269 • 205/373-6686 FAX

B R A N G U S

David and Susan VaughanBen Spitzer, General Manager

706-337-2295 Office864-723-3779 [email protected]

PO Box 185Fairmount, GA 30139

www.svfbulls.com

Emmett C. Harrison3637 Old 179 South, Whigham, Ga. 39897

(229) 872-8164

RESIDENT HERD SIRES

ECH Jackson

ECH Cadence

Sugar Ray of Brinks 512K3

Sir Loin of 895K4

CERTIFIED HERD 242 - JOHNES LEVEL 2 GAJ 0017

RegisteredBrangus Cattle

NNVV BBrraanngguuss FFaarrmm

300 Falling Springs RdRydal, GA 30171

770-796-4163 - Home770-547-6291 - Cell

Steve, Rena, Stephen and Sarah Vaughan

For the best inREGISTERED & COMMERCIAL BRANGUSMike Coggins • Lake Park, GA 31636229/559-7972 Office • 229/559-6097 Fax888/237-9120 Cell • Email: [email protected] located just off I-75, on the Georgia-Florida line.

BLACKWATER CATTLE CO.C

Georgia Brangus Breeders

THIS SPACEIS



THIS SPACEIS




Registered Beefmasters

3C BEEFMASTERS385 Stokes Store Road, Forsyth, Georgia 31029

L. Cary Bittick John Cary Bittick

(478) 994-5389 (478) 994-0730

GEORGIABEEFMASTERS

DANFOWIN FarmBalanced PerformanceSimmentals

Edwin FosheeP.O. Box 331Barnesville, GA 30204(770) 358-2062

D F W

Georgia Simmental-Simbrah BreedersGeorgia Simmental/Simbrah Association

Gail Hilley, Sec.-Treas.8881 Hwy. 109 West • Molena, GA 30258

(770) 567-3909

Hat Creek SimmentalsFull-Blood

Full-FleckviehCattle and

SiM-Angus Crossbreds

661 Uly White Rd., Hartwell, GA 30643

Nick, Angie &Audrey McGee

706-376-6012 home706-436-6662 cell

8881 Hwy. 109 WestMolena, Georgia 30258

770-567-3909Email: [email protected]

THIS SPACEIS



Visit us online at www.mabmg.net

The BBU Board of Directors is meeting in Calhoun, GA in conjunction with this sale. Come meet your BBU

Directors. There will be a dinner Friday night, April 16,featuring Beefmaster beef. Everyone is welcomed!

Dinner sponsored by Paul Hill and Michael Landers of the Greener Burger Company, Rome, GA.

Perhaps this long winter is finallydrawing to a close. I don’t thinkI have ever wanted spring to

come so badly, and I know you areanxious for it too. The silver lining isthat this past winter has reminded usof several things. First, high-qualityhay is necessary to keep flesh on cowsthat are weathering low temperatures,cold rains and mud. Secondly, storagelosses in hay are a major issue affectingour beef cattle industry. In previousarticles and as I speak to cattlemen allaround the state, I have providedinformation about each of these sub-jects. But in this month’s article, Ihope to present an option that can killboth of those birds with one stone:baleage.

What is Baleage?Round bale silage (or baleage) is

simply baled forage that has beenensiled. The process of makingbaleage includes cutting the foragecrop with conventional hay-harvestingequipment, allowing the forage to wiltto 50 to 65 percent moisture, balingthe forage into dense and well-formedbales, and quickly wrapping the balesin plastic so that oxygen is excluded.In the absence of oxygen, the wet for-age in the bale does not rot. Instead, itgoes through an ensiling processwhere microorganisms (mainlyLactobacillus sp.) ferment the feed andstabilize it by forming lactic acid and

other mild organic acids. These acidsgive the bales the sweet smell of silageand, more importantly, inhibit thegrowth of other microorganisms(mainly yeasts and mold) that cause rotand deterioration.

Baleage Reduces Total Forage Loss

The ensiling process uses up someof the carbohydrates in the forage, butthis loss is inconsequential relative tothe savings made as a result of sub-stantial reductions in the losses associ-ated with making, storing and feedinghay (Table 1). Because baleage is pre-pared from moist forage, it has muchless risk of leaf shatter losses and raindamage (as it usually is cut one after-noon and baled and wrapped the nextday). Further, the forage is wrapped inplastic, which prevents losses due toweathering or rot. Finally, cattle usuallydo an excellent job of eating all of theavailable baleage that they are givenand feeding losses are minimal. As aresult, the total losses associated withproducing, storing and feeding baleageare typically far less than that of eitherhay system.

The estimates of total loss inTable 1 enable one to compare thecosts associated with these losses ineach of the systems. In Table 2, I havelisted the amount of total loss that Ibelieve to be typical for these threesystems in Georgia. From this, I calcu-lated the value of these losses for for-age valued from $80 up to $140/dryton. This table reinforces the conceptthat no hay storage system is cheap!

But this table also allows one to betterunderstand the value of baleage.

One could take this a step furtherby examining Table 2 a little closer.

EXPERTADVICE

RReedduucciinngg LLoosssseess aanndd GGeettttiinngg HHiigghh QQuuaalliittyy FFoorraaggee

By Dennis Hancock, UGA Forage Extension Specialist

Table 1. The typical losses of dry matter associated with producing, storing, andfeeding grass hay and baleage.

Table 2. The value of typical total dry matter losses associated with producing,storing, and feeding grass hay and baleage in Georgia.


FORAGE & HAY

Let’s say that the cost of production is$100/ton. If the only option a produc-er has is to store the forage outside(i.e., barn storage is not an option),then the baleage system will prevent$35 worth of losses per ton of storedforage relative to hay stored outside onthe ground (i.e., $50 to $15 = $35).This would suggest that as long as thebaleage system added less than$35/ton to the cost of production, itmay be a feasible alternative to storinghay outside on the ground. Of course,these calculations include very broadgeneralizations and cannot account forall the differences between hay andbaleage production systems. Thus,each producer should thoroughlyexamine the potential impact of thisproduction change using a partialbudget analysis.

Baleage Allows TimelyHarvesting of High Quality Forage

The second major advantage tobaleage is that it allows harvests to bevery timely. A good example of this,particularly in the context of the cur-rent time of the year (April), is theharvest of excess annual ryegrass. It is

frequently difficult for producers inGeorgia to cut annual ryegrass at theproper maturity (early boot stage)because hay-drying conditions are very

poor at that time of year. Ourresearch crew at the NorthwestGeorgia Research and EducationCenter’s facility in Red Bud has helpedDr. Lawton Stewart and I evaluate thepotential of ryegrass baleage in feedingreplacement heifers. Last spring, theycut a pasture of ryegrass that wasextra, took part of it off as ryegrassbaleage, and let the remainder dry outfor hay. We then compared the foragequality and average daily gain (ADG)of weanling replacement heifers pro-vided either the ryegrass baleage, rye-grass hay, or a good crop of ‘Russell’bermudagrass hay that was harvestedlater in the summer. The results aresummarized in Table 3.

The rye-grass hay wassubstantiallylower in qualitythan thebaleage. This islargely theresult of twolight showers(total of ~0.5inches) that itunexpectedlyreceived whilewe attemptedto dry the hay to a moisture levelappropriate for hay storage. Of course,this is a quite common occurrencewhen attempts are made to make rye-grass hay in the Southeast. By usingbaleage, the ryegrass was successfullyharvested in a way that was mostlyindependent of the rainfall. Plus, thegains that these replacement heifersmade without any supplementation arequite remarkable.

Baleage is NOT for EveryoneThere certainly are a number of

benefits to utilizing baleage as a systemfor conserving forage. However, it isimportant to recognize that baleage isNOT appropriate for everyone. The

costs associated with baleage can bequite substantial, and a certain amountof scale is necessary for one to makethe system cost-effective. Adoptingbaleage as a production practiceshould be done only after a thorougheconomic analysis has shown it to becost-effective and practical in the farmoperation.

Learn More About BaleageThere will be two events in April

that will allow one to better under-stand how baleage fits within theirfarm operation.

Baleage will be discussed at lengthat UGA’s Hay Production School onApril 8-9 in Moultrie at the Sunbelt Ag

Expo site. We will also be discussingand demonstrating baleage as part ofthe Annual Ryegrass Field Day onSaturday, April 10, 2010, at GreenviewFarms (Mr. Jonny Harris) near Odum,Ga. Registration and program detailsare available for both of these eventson the “Upcoming Events” page onwww.georgiaforages.com.

Of course, you also are encour-aged to learn more about baleage as analternative forage conservation methodby visiting our Web site atwww.georgiaforages.com or by con-tacting your local University ofGeorgia Cooperative Extension officeat 1-800-ASK-UGA1.

There certainly are a number of benefits to utilizing baleage as a system forconserving forage. But baleage is NOT appropriate for everyone. Adoptingbaleage as a production practice should be done only after a thorough economicanalysis has shown it to be cost-effective and practical in the farm operation.

Table 3. The forage quality and average daily gain (ADG) ofreplacement heifers fed bermudagrass hay or ryegrassbaleage or hay (unpublished data, Calhoun, Ga. 2009).


GC

FORAGE & HAY

production season is just around the cor-ner. Numerous factors affect hay yield and quality, but oneof the primary reasons that much of the hay fed to beefcattle in the South has poor nutritive value is that it is most-ly packaged in large round bales and usually stored outside,often under poor storage conditions that result in substan-tial weathering losses that are of huge economic impor-tance.

There are three causes of losses during hay storage:(1) respiration; (2) microorganisms; and (3) leaching. In hayproduction, respiration is the continuation of normal plantprocesses, even after plants have been cut in preparation forbaling. The rate of respiration loss declines sharply as themoisture content of the plants drop, especially after itdeclines to 40 percent or less. However, low levels of respi-ration will continue even at moisture levels of 20 percent orless.

Microorganisms are typically the cause of the greatestlosses during hay storage, both in terms of dry matter andforage quality. Microorganism activity is also responsiblefor the heating of hay immediately after baling, which insome cases can be great enough to actually result in a fire.It is normally recommended that for safe storage small rec-tangular bales should be no more than 20 percent moistureand large round bales should be no more than 18 percentmoisture.

Another source of loss during storage is leaching,which is simply the washing of nutrients out of hay alongwith water moving through it. In general, the more highlydigestible nutrients are, the more easily they are leachedfrom hay. Thus, though the leaching loss is a relativelysmall percent of the dry matter, it constitutes a valuablecomponent of hay.

The extent to which each of these three types of lossesoccurs is correlated with moisture. The higher the moisturecontent of hay when it is baled, the higher respiration andmicroorganism growth will be, though losses are relativelyinsignificant if hay is baled at the recommended moisturelevel and protected thereafter. However, even if hay isbaled at a near ideal moisture, subsequent exposure tomoisture can result in increased damage from each of thesethree types of losses, but especially from microorganisms.

Weathering is favored by high rainfall, frequent rainfall,high humidity, and high temperatures, all of which occur inthe Southeast. Studies have shown that the dry matter lossalone of unprotected hay stored outside for several monthsin our region with no protection can often exceed 30 per-

cent! In addition, forage quality of the weathered portionsof the remaining hay is much lower, plus animals wastemuch more hay because of lower palatability. Given thehigh cost of producing or purchasing hay, it is not difficultto see that profit-oriented livestock producers need to seekways to minimize hay losses.

Numerous factors can impact on the extent of haylosses, one of which is the type of baler used. In particular,if hay is to be stored outside without protection from rain,a baler should be selected that produces a high-density(tight) bale that sheds water well. Furthermore, other thingsbeing equal, there is less loss from large diameter bales thanfrom smaller diameter bales because the percent of lossfrom a given depth of spoilage declines as bale diameterincreases.

If hay is to be stored outside, it should be placed in awell-drained site. Research has shown that with most typesof hay, over half the weathering loss typically occurs at thebottom of bales as a result of moisture “wicking up” intothe hay from the soil. Thus, elimination of hay/soil contactby placing bales on railroad ties, crushed rock, wooden pal-lets, old tires, or other objects can often greatly reduce haystorage loss.

Bale orientation within the storage site can also make adifference. Bales should be tightly pushed against oneanother with the flat sides touching. The rows of balesshould be placed in a north-south direction and should beat least three feet apart to allow good air flow betweenthem. The rows should also be facing down slope so as toallow water to drain away from the bales.

Bales should not be stored with the rounded sidestouching, because this creates an area for moisture to linger,which favors weathering. Bales should not be stored undertrees, because reduced air flow slows drying time after rains,and moisture from the trees drips on the bales, keepingthem wet for a longer period of time.

Various types of wrappings or covers can be used toprotect hay stored outside, and these vary in effectivenessand economic feasibility. The single most effective way toprevent storage losses is to place hay under a shelter such asa barn. The economic feasibility of building a hay barn isaffected by the normal amount of loss sustained duringoutside storage, the value of the hay, and other factors.However, it is clear that many producers who store hay out-side could easily justify the expense of erecting a barn toprotect it.


Thoughtson HayStorage

By Don BallExtension Forage Crop

Agronomist, Auburn University

FORAGE & HAY

Meet Dennis Hancock, Your

SpecialistShare about your background andwhere you were raised.

I was born on July 11 in a town inwestern Kentucky called Dawson Springs,

which is about 1 ½ hours northwest ofNashville, Tenn. We had a small cow-calf operation on twofarms (~100 acres). Later, in my high school years, my dadalso started a business spreading lime, fertilizer and gravelin that area. Between cutting, raking, balingand feeding hay and keeping our spreadertrucks going, my dad was able to keep meout of too much trouble.

What degrees do youhave?

I have a Bachelor ofScience in agriculture

from Berea College (a smallcollege in eastern Kentucky where

you work 20 hours/week and get tuitionwaived), a master’s degree in crop sciencefrom the University of Kentucky and adoctorate in plant and soil sciences from UK.

What made you passionate aboutpursuing forages?

Well, for starters, my backyard play-ground was our front pasture. So I’ve always

loved studying why cattle do what they do in apasture, whether that is their grazing patterns, herd behav-ior or ability to perform better on some forages than onothers. I distinctly remember making a conscious decisionin the 8th grade that agriculture was the industry I wantedto be in. The truth is, I was given an assignment in Englishclass to write an essay on something I enjoyed. I wroteabout the virtues of modern farm equipment and receivedmy first ‘A’ grade on an essay (turned out it was the only Ain English that I ever got, but I did well in everything else).This primed my interest going into high school, where myVo-Ag teacher, Dewayne Vinson, changed my interest intoa passion for agriculture. He showed me my avocationcould be a vocation.

Once at Berea College, one of my professors set me up

on an internship with a former student of his, Dr. MonroeRasnake, and Dr. Garry Lacefield (one of the co-authors ofthe book ‘Southern Forages’). At the end of that summer,Dr. Lacefield gave me a copy of ‘Southern Forages’ he andthe other co-authors, Dr. Don Ball, of Auburn University,and Dr. Carl Hoveland, of the University of Georgia, hadsigned.

As a little boy from western Kentucky, I had neverknown anybody that had written a book, much less gotten asigned copy of their book.

That convinced me. I knew at that very moment Iwanted to be a Forage Extension Specialist and wanted tobe at one of those three universities (UK, Auburn orUGA). Sometimes, with a lot of hard work, a little farmboy’s dreams do come true.

How did you get from Kentucky toGeorgia?

When I was finishing up my doctorateprogram at UK, I presented my research

findings in a graduate student competition atthe American Forage and Grassland Council’s annual meet-ing. Dr. Carl Hoveland happened to be in the audience andapparently was impressed with my research and presenta-tion skills. I guess others were impressed, too, because I


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FORAGE & HAY


ended up winning the contest. By that time, I had appliedto UGA for this position. I found out later that Dr.Hoveland went back and convinced the screening com-mittee to interview and, ultimately, hire me.

Summarize the responsibilities andduties you have as ForageExtension Specialist.

My number-one job is to reinforceand support the Extension efforts of the

County Extension Agents around the state. I pro-vide them with up-to-date information on the latest in theforage-based livestock industry. As such, I work closelywith Dr. Lawton Stewart, extension animal scientist, andDr. Curt Lacy, extension livestock economist, to writeExtension publications, news articles and other sources ofinformation for agents to disperse throughout the state. Ido a lot of county programs and regional trainings inconjunction with our Extension Agents. For example, inmy first three years, I gave over 190 presentations. I alsohelp our agents to troubleshoot problems and respond toquestions from producers. These Extension efforts occu-py about 75 percent of my time, with the other 25 per-cent being spent conducting research directly related toissues or questions raised by producers in Georgia. Someexamples of my research efforts include new fertilizersand fertilization techniques, studies of new forages undergrazing, forage variety trials, etc.

What is your availability to traveland speak about forages to coun-ty chapters?

That is the part of my job I enjoy themost. I’m always anxious to present at cat-

tlemen’s meetings around the state. Even though I’ve onlybeen here a little over three years, I have made presenta-tions to just about every county chapter. In fact, I’ve beento a good many of them three times or more. However,because Georgia is such a big state and state funds fortravel have been cut to zero, I have had to begin limitingthe number of these speaking engagements that I do. I’vebeen using research grant money to “rob Peter to payPaul,” and so far I’ve been able to make it work.Nonetheless, I would be happy to try to schedule a meet-ing with any county chapter that would like to have me. Ionly have two requests: 1) schedule the meeting throughyour County Extension Agent, and 2) provide me specifictopics that your chapter needs information about (other-wise I talk about what I want to talk about and I’ll keepyou way too long).

What research is being conductedregarding the future of forages?

There are a lot of new innovations inthe forage world producers will be seeing

more and more of in the next several years.

The key theme has been increased efficiency. Some exam-ples include the use of slow- or controlled-release N fer-tilizers, more efficient grazing systems, innovations inrotational grazing that reduce labor and cost, and a widerarray of herbicides to control broadleaf and grassy weeds.Additionally, there are a number of new varieties beingdeveloped that will come to market in the next two to fiveyears. It appears that at least five new novel endophyte tallfescue varieties will be offered soon, and this should helpalleviate the cost of this technology. I’m also excitedabout the research that is going into the development ofbroadleaf herbicide resistance in some clover and otherlegume varieties.

Tell us about your family. I have the most patient, loving and

understanding woman I’ve ever known asmy wife. Stephanie and I have been mar-

ried for 14 years this July. She’s only threat-ened to put my face on a milk carton once during my 11years in the Extension Service. She knows how passionateI am about my service to the beef industry and the otherforage-based industries that I serve. Plus, she has givenme four wonderful and incredibly smart kids: Ethan (11),Andy (7), Logan (3) and Jessie Mae (16 months). We havea houseful, but they each are true blessings.

What is your favorite forage andwhy?

That’s a tough question. It’s like pick-ing which of your kids is your favorite. I’d

say most folks would assume that any forageguy’s favorite would be alfalfa, the so-called “Queen ofthe Forages.” But, although it has the prettiest flower, itisn’t my favorite. Perhaps some might guess that it wouldbe tall fescue, and it is high on my list (mainly for the sen-timental reason that KY-31 was found just a few milesdown the road from where my wife is from in MenifeeCounty, Kentucky). But my real favorite forage is ‘Tifton85’ bermudagrass. It is my favorite because it is incrediblyproductive, highly digestible, and stands as a testament tothe life’s work of one of our greatest forage scientists, Dr.Glenn Burton.

What are the best forages in theSoutheast and why?

At the risk of sounding like an econ-omist, the answer is, “it depends.” There

are over 60 forage species that can workwell in the Southeast. Of these, the two forage speciesbest adapted are tall fescue in the Upper South and hybridbermudagrasses (like ‘Tifton 85’) in the Deep South. Thereason these are the best is because they are so well adapt-ed, highly productive, persistent and can be managed forhigh quality.

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FORAGE & HAY


2010 Hay Production School April 8-9, 2010

This year marks the third annual HayProduction School in Georgia. If you areunfamiliar with it, the HPS is rather unique inthe Southeast (and perhaps in the UnitedStates). It is essentially the only opportunityfor those who are serious about commercialhay production to get an A-to-Z coverage ofthe subject from university specialists. Thisyear’s event will be held on April 8-9, 2010,in Moultrie at the Sunbelt Ag Expo site,beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the 8th, and willinclude 1 ½ days of learning and interactingwith experts and professional hay producers.The registration fee for this year's event hasbeen kept the same as last year’s at $75 perperson ($35 for each extra person from thesame farm).

Thanks to some grant support and gen-erous sponsors, we are also able to providea discount to some producer groups. If theperson is a beef cattle producer in Georgiaor a member of the Perennial PeanutGrowers’ Association, they will receive $50OFF the registration fee if they complete reg-istration by March 31. The registration feecovers the Hay Production School book, aweed identification book and many other ref-erence materials. Lunch on both days is alsoincluded in the registration fee.

The Web-based registration system hasjust come online, and we wanted to makesure you are aware of this opportunity. More

information about this year’s Hay ProductionSchool program can be accessed online viathe University of Georgia’s forage manage-ment Web page, www.georgiaforages.com.You may also access it by this direct link:http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/forages/events/HPS10/HPS10.html

This page also has a link to the regis-tration form, agenda and suggested hotelaccommodations. The registration form isWeb-based, but you can print out the formand mail in a check if you prefer.

Annual Ryegrass Field Day April 10, 2010

The Region XV Georgia Cattlemen’sAssociation, the Wayne County CooperativeExtension and the Georgia Grazing LandsConservation Coalition will be putting on anAnnual Ryegrass Field Day on Saturday,April 10, 2010 (9:30 a.m. until about 2:30p.m.). The field day and demonstration willtake place near Odum, Ga., on the farm ofJonny Harris. Topics to be discussed include:1) ryegrass variety and fertilization trialresults; 2) storage methods for forage: dryhay, baylage and bagged silage; 3) compari-son of seeding rates and varieties; 4) nutri-ent application and harvesting methods; and5) new USDA programs to assist with forageproduction, grazing management and bestmanagement practices for agriculture. Thisevent is free, but in order to properly plan forfood needs, we ask that those interested in

attending R.S.V.P. by Monday, April 5, toShanda Thompson at (912) 427-2502, ext. 3,or email: [email protected].

Directions to Jonny Harris’ farm and aflyer for use in advertising the program canbe found on the Upcoming Events page ofwww.georgiaforages.com or you may alsoaccess it by this direct link:http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/forages/events/misc/ARGfieldday.htm

Legume Management Field DayMay 13, 2010

This year, Georgia hosts the first annualGA/SC Piedmont Forage and GrasslandCouncil’s Field Day and Pasture Walk onMay 13, 2010. This event will be held at theCentral Georgia Research and EducationCenter near Eatonton, Ga., and the focus ofthis program will be “Legume Managementin the Southeast.” The field day’s registrationinformation and agenda will be posted soon!We anticipate that registration for this fieldday will be free, but we may have to chargefor the food. We are optimistic that we will beable to get enough sponsorship to operate itwithout any charge.

Please check the Upcoming Eventspage of www.georgiaforages.com for moredetails and program information in the com-ing weeks.

FORAGE & HAY

U p c o m i n g G e o r g i a G r a z i n g L a n d s C o n s e r v a t i o n

C o a l i t i o n ( G G L C C ) 2 0 1 0 M o d e l F a r m P r o j e c t

GGLCC will provide cost-share funding to a limited number of live-stock producers who wish to improve the environmental and economicsustainability of their operations. These “Model Farms” will then be usedas outdoor classrooms where what has been learned can be shared withneighbors. GGLCC has identified 13 priority management areas that willbe funded, including improving soil health, extending the length of thegrazing season, and developing alternative land-use and on-farm incomesources. Unlike past programs, hay barns and other similar structures willnot be considered for funding. Additional Model Farm Project informa-tion and application material will be available beginning April 5, 2010.Check with your local NRCS Field Office, County Extension Office, oron-line at www.gglcc.com after April 5th for application details.

G G L C CForage Field DaySaturday, April 10th

At Joe B. Harris’ Pond House (4.5 miles West of Odum, Odum-Screven)

Registration Opens at 8:30 a.m.

Come learn first hand:

• Ryegrass Variety Trial Results

• Ryegrass Fertilization Trial Results

• Storage Methods Analyzed Comparing Dry Hay,

Baylage, and Bagged Silage

Georgia Grazing Lands Conservation CoalitionGeorgia Cattlemen’s Association

Georgia Soil & Water Conservation CommissionGreenview Farms, Inc.

UGA Cooperative Extension ServiceGeorgia Milk Producers

Seven Rivers RC&DSatilla Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Sponsored by:

Contact: Jonny Harris • 912-427-5965RSVP: Shanda Thompson • 912-427-2502, Ext: 3 • [email protected]


FORAGE & HAY


Pasture Bid SaleSaturday, April 24, 2010 – Bids close at 5 p.m.

Cattle available for viewing after April 1, 2010.

Cow-calf pairs • Bred heifersMany show-calf prospects • Bulls

Call for Sale Information:

Doug (229) 860-0320 • Derek (229) 315-0986

Visit our Web site at www.turnpikecreek.com

David T. Williams& Sons

Black Angus and BlackSimmental

1555 Workmore-Milan Road,Milan, GA 31060

Sinclair Donna 6V46 3P84Sire - EXT

Dam - Sinclair Donna 3P84 0S51 * Has a 11-30-09 heifer calf by Sitz Valubull 9346 *

Turnpike Forever Lady 8048Bred Heifer

Sire - DHD Traveler 6807Dam - Boyd Forever Lady 1002

Turnpike Empress 9040DOB 09-01-09

Sire - Dream OnDam's Sire- OCC Hercules

Turnpike Blacktop 9110DOB 12-02-09

Sire - BC Lookout Dam - Mr. V F EXT 900

Cooking

BEEFwithAshley!By Ashley Hughes

Cooking BEEF with Ashley!

Sante Fe SoupTotal Recipe Time: 2 ½ hours

Makes: 6 to 8 servingsINGREDIENTS1 lb lean ground beef1 large onion1 envelope ranch dressing mix1 envelope taco seasoning mix1 can corn, drained2 cups water1 can black beans, undrained1 can pinto beans, undrained1 can kidney beans, undrained1 can diced tomatoes, undrained1 can diced tomatoes with chiles, undrained

INSTRUCTIONS1. Brown ground beef in skillet. Drain and rinse beef to remove excess

fat. Cook onion in same skillet until tender. In a stockpot, addremaining ingredients, including onion and beef, mixing well. Bringto a boil, reduce heat and simmer for two hours. Serve and enjoy!

2. Top individual servings with grated cheddar cheese, sour cream,sliced green onions and tortilla chips.

Recipe courtesy of Peggy Storey and Sylvia Waldron. �


... and oh, how the good Lord hasblessed us with showers! I absolutely love agood thunderstorm, especially when I amon the inside looking out; but with thislong, cold winter behind us, I have beenpraying for sunshine!

While the rain pours outside my win-dow, I have found myself curling up with awarm bowl of soup, chili or stew. Likemost people I know, I have been gettingready for the summer, aka bathing suit sea-son, and am starting to limit my caloricintake and exercising as time allows. SantaFe Soup is my new favorite meal to makeAND to eat. Not only is it, by far, theEASIEST recipe I have featured in“Cooking BEEF With Ashley,” but byusing lean ground beef that has the fatrinsed off, it is also super-healthy!

This meal is packed with tons of pro-tein from the beef as well as from thebeans. Did you know that a 3-ounce serv-ing of beef gives you 51 percent of thedaily recommended value for protein? Itseems like America is obsessed with pro-tein these days. You can find protein-enhanced water, protein-enhanced granolabars and even protein-enhanced brownies!Why not get “true” protein from the best-tasting source there is – BEEF?!

Because beef is an animal-based pro-tein, when it is broken down, it is moreeasily absorbed by your body compared toplant-based proteins, which may be boundin some of the plant fibers; thus, you maynot be getting all of the great benefits pro-tein provides. After eating a meal, protein isthe compound that keeps you satiated orfeeling full, thus reducing your hunger dur-ing the day and, hopefully, keeping yourhand out of the cookie jar!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much aswe did here in the office! I

wish you happy April show-ers with hopes of beautifulMay flowers – and always,

EAT MORE BEEF!

April showersbring May flowers...

�

GEORGIA CATTLEWOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONwww.gabeef.org/gcwa

OFFICERSPresident: Carla KelsoeP.O. Box 246Calhoun, GA [email protected]

President Elect: Brenda Brookshire6179 State Hwy 60Suches, GA 30572706-747-3693

Vice president: Nanette Bryan2830 E Armuchee RoadSummerville, GA 30747706-397-8219

Secretary: Paula Myers1290 Gumlog RoadYoung Harris, GA 30582706-745-5760

Treasurer: Cynthia Douglas5500 Barnesville HighwayThe Rock, GA 30285706-647-9414

Past president: Linda Crumley1343 Hog Mountain RoadWinder, GA 30680770-725-7804

Parlimentarian: Peggy Bledsoe

Directors: Pat Bobo, Rachel Austin, Ruth Hice,Betty Copelan, Ann Payne, Betty Nash

AMERICAN NATIONAL CATTLEWOMENPO Box 3881, Centennial, CO 80112303-694-0313, fax: 303-694-2390

CattleWomen’s Report

A Labor of LoveBy Carla Kelsoe

KELSOE

SICILIAN BEEF SHORT RIBSTotal recipe time: 2 to 3 hours

Makes 4 to 6 servings2009 National Beef Cook-off Finalist Recipe –

‘Teens Cooking with Beef’ Category

Hello. Once again I hope that thisarticle finds everyone in good spiritsand warmer spring weather. As this ismy final article, I can’t help but think ofthe past two years as GeorgiaCattleWoman Association President.The CattleWomen have worked hard topromote beef, and I have had the pleas-ure of representing CattleWomen atmany events throughout my term.

One of my favorites is the ProStartEvent for High School CulinaryStudents. This is a large trade showgeared around the foodservice industry.Both years that I attended, the BeefBoard Exhibit was one of the mostpopular draws. I thoroughly enjoyedhelping at the beef cuts identificationgame both years. We had a contest onwho could get the board answered cor-rectly the fastest last year, and theyoung man who won came up to methis year and asked if I rememberedhim, which I did. He had told mebefore he played the beef cuts identifi-cation game that he had not worked orcooked with beef before so he took acuts sheet home and studied it for along time. This year he told me he hadstudied his cuts sheet before he came andwas ready to play. I am proud to say hegot all of the cuts right. I believe thisyoung man is proof of the time andwork we put into promoting and edu-cating the public about our industry. Tome, seeing how one life can be changedis worth it.

Another one of my favorite eventsis the Georgia Cattlemen’s AnnualConvention. This will be the 49thannual Convention and, as always,GCWA will be there in full stride. TheCattleWomen will have a great educa-tional seminar and dessert social. Ihope to see y’all there.

I would like to thank the state stafffor helping the CattleWomen andmyself throughout my term. They havedone a great job on preparing forConvention and the future success ofGeorgia Cattlemen’s Association. Tothe GCWA Board, y’all have been thedriving force behind this association

and I thank y’all for your time, support,dedication and, most of all, yourfriendship.

I also want to thank my local chap-ter, Red Carpet CattleWomen, who arealways there for support.

I couldn’t end my last article with-out thanking my parents, Sam and AnnPayne. I thank them for their supportthat they have given me all my life, butmostly I would like to thank them forinstilling in me at a young age the valueof our industry, the love of our landand the importance of standing up andbeing a voice for agriculture.

I’m a true believer in our world –the agricultural world – because notonly are you a producer, but you haveto be a promoter and educator, whichis what we as the Georgia CattleWomendo because of our love for the industry.I encourage everyone to get involved! Iwill leave the GCWA in the capablehands of Brenda Brookshire.

INGREDIENTS:3 pounds beef short ribs, cut into 4x2x2-inch pieces1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper1 cup diced onion3 cloves garlic, minced1 can (14 to 14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium beef broth1 cup grape juice 1 cup ketchup2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley (optional)Pasta:1 package (12 ounces) extra-wide egg noodles1 teaspoon salt1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Italian-style stewed or diced tomatoes,

undrained1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

INSTRUCTIONS1. Heat stockpot over medium heat until hot. Brown beef short

ribs, in batches if necessary, on all sides. Pour off drip-pings. Season beef with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.

2. Return beef to stockpot. Add onion and garlic. Combinebroth, juice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and soy saucein medium bowl. Pour over beef; bring to a boil. Reduceheat; cover tightly and simmer 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours or untilbeef is fork-tender.

3. Meanwhile, prepare Pasta. Cook noodles in boiling waterwith 1 teaspoon salt according to package directions; drain.Return noodles to pan; stir in tomatoes and thyme. Cover;keep warm over low heat.

4. Remove beef; discard any loose bones. Skim fat fromcooking liquid; stir in thyme. Bring to a boil; reduce heat tomedium-high. Cook 15 to 20 minutes or until sauce isreduced and thickened.

5. Place noodle mixture on serving platter; top with beef.Spoon sauce over beef and noodles. Garnish with parsley,if desired.

Nutrition information per serving, 1/6 of recipe: 505 calories; 14 g fat (6 g saturated fat; 5g monounsaturated fat); 119 mg cholesterol; 1433 mg sodium; 64 g carbohydrate; 2.8 gfiber; 31 g protein; 6.0 mg niacin; 0.3 mg vitamin B6; 2.2 mcg vitamin B12; 5.8 mg iron; 14.6mcg selenium; 6.0 mg zinc. This recipe is an excellent source of protein, niacin, vitaminB12, iron, selenium and zinc; and a good source of fiber and vitamin B6.

GC

CARLA KELSOEat last year’s GCA Convention



Cattle Enterprises1230 Reeves Rd., Midville, Ga. 30441-9998

Tommy Mead(706) 554-6107 • Fax: (706) 544-0662

www.meadcattle.com

301 Dennis Station Rd., SWEatonton, Georgia 31024

(706) 484-1799cell phone: 706-473-1374

WHALEY POLLED HEREFORDSA Program to Watch

A Name to RememberOwners: Truman and Starr Whaley

2634 River Bend Road

Dalton, GA 30720

Res. (706) 277-3240; Office (706) 277-3993

“Home of Great Victors”

POLLED HEREFORDS1095 Charles Smith Rd., Wadley, Ga. 30477

CSR Polled HerefordFarm

Steve RobertsRt. 1, Box 4260

Alapaha, Ga. 31622Phone: 229-532-7963

Herd Certified and Accredited.

Whitey & Candler HuntP.O. Box 488, 255 W. Jefferson St.

Madison, GA 30650706/342-0264 (off.) 706/342-2767 (home)

www.innisfailfarm.com

PlantationSam and Pat Zemurray

477 Honey Ridge RoadGuyton, GA 31312-9661

Office: 912/772-3118 Night: 912/234-7430

Charles E. Smith, owner(478) 252-5622

LEONARD POLLEDHEREFORDSSherman LeonardP.O. Box 280 706/695-8351 dayChatsworth, GA 30705 706/695-2008 night

Private treaty cattle for sale at all times.

Herd Certified & Accredited

VISIONARY CATTLERay, Debbie & Carole Hicks

660 Seaburn Vickery Rd.Statesboro, GA 30461

Phone: 912-865-5593

email: [email protected]

DOUBLE FARMBBRegistered Polled Herefords

Bobby Brantley 478-552-93281750 Wommack-Brantley Road Tennille, Georgia 31089

Cows & Bulls

For Sale at

Private Treaty

Herd Certified

& Accredited

No. 127

Georgia Hereford Association

farm manager: Bryan Massengale

home 770-599-3302; barn 770-599-1157

P.O. Box 275, Senoia, GA 30276

certified and accredited herd No. 114

owners:

Ed and Delores Davidson

home 770-599-8342

office 404-888-6805

1298 S Main St., Jasper, GA 30143Phil and Loy Mullinax 706-692-9358 or 706-692-9139

Herd Manager: Joe Chastain, 770-894-1998VISITORS WELCOME! Semen, embryos and cattlefor sale at all times. Herd certified and accredited.

1651 Deep South Farm Rd.Blairsville, GA 30512

Line breeding Neil Trask Plato Dominos for over 40years with Felton blended in. Thick Muscled. Grass

Performers. Complete Program. Full Records.

Phone and fax706-745-5714

BUD HILL

660 Seaburn Vickery Road, Statesboro, GA 30461 • 912-865-5593

The Wesley Rakestraw Family401 Butler Industrial Drive • Dallas, GA 30132

Tom & Tammy Boatman770-354-4195 OR 404-372-6754

www.jwrlandandcattle.com

[email protected]

478-553-8598

Quality Polled HerefordsAt Affordable Prices

525 District Line RoadAmericus, GA 31709

(229) 924-0091Cell (229) 337-0038 or (229) 886-7465

J. TAYLOR NEIGHBORSPOLLED HEREFORDS

J. TAYLOR NEIGHBORSPOLLED HEREFORDS

Pat Neligan437 Milledgeville Road,

Eatonton, GA 31024706-485-8373

Bob Neligan485 Milledgeville Road, Eatonton, GA 31024706-485-9577 • 706-318-0068 cell

Hereford-

The MaternalBreed

Since 1960

Johnson Polled HerefordsRegistered Polled Herefords

Thomas R. Johnson, OwnerCows & Bulls

For Sale atPrivate Treaty

Herd Certifiedand Accredited

No. 205

7731 Bastonville Road • Warrenton, Georgia 30828Home: 706-465-2421 • Cell: 706-339-4607

HEREFORDS

Home of “The Ugly Bull”PO Box 254 • Watkinsville GA 30677

BlackHatRanch.com

Hunter Grayson (706) 206-1824

1968 Burton’s Ferry Hwy.Sylvania, GA 30467

James912-863-7706

912-690-0214 cell

Greenview Farms, Inc. Winton C. & Emily C. Harris & Family

Jonny and Teri Harris

(921) 586-6585

Cell (912) 294-2470Performance & Quality from Grazing Since 1942

Square & Round:Bermuda Grass Hay, and Quality Polled

Hereford & Braford Cattle

“Breeding cattle since 1959”

• L ine 1 ca t t l e f or sa l e •


Students working at Berry College’sRollins Ruminant ResearchCenter have long valued the first-

hand experience they gain tending to theneeds of the large beef and dairy herdsmaintained on site. The opportunity towork with and study these animals pro-vides the perfect complement to a well-respected animal science program thatroutinely sends a high percentage ofqualified students to veterinary school.

Now some of these same studentsare adding real-world business experi-ence to their resumes, thanks to a newcollege program designed to encourageand support the development of stu-dent-operated businesses on the 26,000-acre campus just north of Rome. One ofthe early success stories for this new ini-tiative is The Berry Farms Angus Beef, astudent-operated enterprise that overseesthe production and sale of individualcuts of Berry-raised black Angus beef.

“We’re giving our students a chanceto explore, to learn and to take a few

risks,” explained Rufus Massey, assistantvice president for enterprise develop-ment. “The overall goal is to enhanceand promote the student work experi-ence program at Berry for the benefit ofour students.”

Idea to ActionThe Rollins Center has a strong rep-

utation as a seed-stock producer, usingartificial insemination to ensure a highlevel of genetic value among its own cat-tle while also producing purebred bullsand heifers that are made available forpurchase by off-campus farms. The facil-ity maintains a herd of approximately100 purebred Angus cows for teachingand research purposes, along with small-er herds of commercial cows and sheep,all of which are cared for by the students.

In addition to the seed-stock opera-tion, the Rollins Center also has soldsteers live on the hoof to be used asmeat, but on a much more limited basis.Recently, beef herdsman Nathan

Clackum and his colleagues began study-ing the idea that selling individual cuts ofmeat would provide a greater return oninvestment. At the same time, Masseybegan soliciting potential business plansfor student-operated campus enterprises.It didn’t take long for the Rollins staff torecognize the opportunity the enterprisedevelopment program presented. Theyimmediately began looking for studentswho were up to the challenge.

Team BuildingJoshua Baker has two interests –

animals and entrepreneurship. As gener-al manager of The Berry Farms AngusBeef, he gets to indulge both.

“The main thing that I bring to thetable is my passion for agriculture,” theChattooga County native explained. “Ihave always enjoyed raising cattle andattempting to manipulate their environ-ments so that they can thrive andbecome marketable.”

Although his academic major is mar-

Berry College Students Oversee ProMarketing and Sale of Angus Beef

Photo by Amy ClackumPhoto by Alan Storey

Photo

by J

an G

oshu

rn


keting rather than animal science, pastexperience working at the Rollins Centerand with a commercial herd operationmade Baker a natural fit for the newenterprise. As general manager, he over-sees the operation from top to bottom,providing leadership for the other stu-dents and working closely with Clackumto be sure the operation runs smoothly.

Joining Baker are South Knight,Stephenie Blythe and Caleb Martin, a trioof animal science majors who jumped atthe chance to complement their academ-ic studies with real-world business expe-rience. Knight, a junior from Jefferson, isthe cattle manager for the group, over-seeing the health and well-being of theanimals in their care. Blythe serves asdata analyst manager. Martin, theyoungest member of the team, is atrainee who will eventually take on theduties of accounting/marketing manag-er, Baker’s former position.

Together, these four students areresponsible for all aspects of the

operation. The steers are purchasedfrom the Rollins Center at weaning, thencared for and maintained until they reacha weight of approximately 1,000-1,100pounds, at which time they are taken toan off-campus processer. The resultingcuts of meat are then marketed and soldby the students.

“I really like that I amgaining valuable skills notonly with cattle but alsowith operating a business,”said Martin, a freshman fromChatsworth who one dayhopes to become a veterinari-an. “I think these skills will beuseful when I start my ownpractice.”

Like Martin, Blythe alsodreams of starting her own vet-erinary practice, and she feels theexperience she is gaining with The

Berry Farms Angus Beef will help her toachieve that goal.

“The most rewarding part of beinginvolved with Berry Angus is theability to work with people,” theAcworth native stated. “We’veaccomplished so much, like get-ting our label approved by thestate. This was a long and stress-ful process, but we got it done.The business plan and budgetwere also difficult because every-one had their own ideas and

opinions, but we finally reached agree-ment on both. It has just been so reward-ing to see our perseverance pay off.”

Clackum has been very impressedwith the performance of all the students,noting, “They’re stretching themselves,and they’re learning, and that’s really thefocus.”

Taste of SuccessAlthough the business has only been

in operation a short time, it has alreadydeveloped a strong following amongBerry faculty and staff. Because supply islimited, customers know that they haveto respond quickly when they receive e-mail notification about a planned sale ofthe all-natural beef, which is raised with-out added hormones.

“We can’t meet the demand with thesupply we have to work with,” saidClackum, explaining that the enterprise ismarketing 20 steers this year, 10 of whichare processed into individual cuts whilethe others are sold as wholes, halves andquarters. “That’s a challenge for the stu-

dents because we have people calling allthe time who want meat, and we justdon’t have it. It’s a good problem, but it’sstill a problem.”

While most of the individual cutsproduced by Berry Angus are sold to on-campus customers, the enterprise alsohas been able to showcase its product toa wider audience, thanks to farmers’ mar-kets hosted by the Berry EnterprisesStudent Team. Baker enjoys telling peo-ple that “our beef sells like wildfirespreads,” and the empty shelves at thosefarmers’ markets lend credence to hisstatement.

“We have new people calling all thetime,” Clackum exclaimed. “We’ve built agood customer base with tons of repeatbusiness. Even during the offseason,people who have heard about it fromtheir friends will just come by the officeor call wanting the product.”

One thingthat has surprised Baker isthe public’s willingness to pay for a pre-mium product, even in a down economy.

“Consumer behavior is a major partof marketing,” the student managerexplained, referring back to his academicmajor. “Through Berry Angus, I havebeen able to see how consumers react toa premium product offering. From thebeginning, we focused our marketingstrategy around the quality of our beefand tried to assure consumers that itwould be well worth it for them to atleast try the product. We knew that afterthey tried it they would be hooked.”

Current plans call for inventory toincrease to 30 steers for 2011. In futureyears, the potential for growth could beeven greater.

“I think this business could sustain-ably grow as large as the school wants it,”Clackum stated.

In the meantime, the student staffers

roduction,f By Rick Woodall

Photo

by A

my C

lacku

m

Photo by Alan Storey

TEL-O SALE 2010 CALENDAR

P.O. BOX 1306WAYNESVILLE, NC 28786

828-454-0267 OFFICE828-454-0268 FAX

[email protected]

SERVICES OFFERED:CATTLE MARKETING • HERD HEALTH PROGRAMS

NUTRITIONAL PROGRAMS • FARM VACCINATION PROGRAMSRECORD KEEPING

Tuesdays at 10:00 AM

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.selex-video.com

OWNERS/OPERATORSJohn Queen480 Queen Cove RoadWaynesville, NC 28785828-421-3446

Evans Hooks79 Highway 57 EastSwainsboro, GA 30401770-316-9611

� April 6, 2010� May 4, 2010� June 1, 2010� July 6, 2010� August 3, 2010

� September 7, 2010� October 5, 2010� November 2, 2010� December 7, 2010

Chianina Bulls Make

the Difference

rseFARMS, INC.

P.O. Box 330Stephens, GA 30667

Roddy Sturdivant Rob Postinmobile phone: (770) 372-0400 home: (706) 759-2220office phone: (770) 921-3207 barn: (706) 759-2209

GeorgiaChianina

P.O. Box 330 • Stephens, GA 30667

706/759-2220

Chiangus & Chiford Cattle

Wayne & Jill Miller, Owners

email: [email protected]

P.O. Box 68 • Talmo, GA 30575

Phone: (706) 693-4133 or FAX: (706) 693-4359 SPONSOR

Show Steers & HeifersBreeding Bulls

Tim & Judy Gilstrap1355 Wrights Mill Rd.

Commerce, GA 30530706-335-7448

TTAALLMMOORRAANNCCHH

K & MIrish Durham Polled Shorthorns

• Calving Ease• Milking Ability• Gentleness

Ken & Marilyn Bridges • Ph. 706-768-3480

1030 Richard Bridges Rd. • Commerce, GA 30529

OSBORN FAMILY

SHORTHORNSRegistered Shorthorn CattleCharles, Vickie, Kelli, Kristi & Katie

2700 Greensboro Hwy.

Watkinsville, GA 30677

706-769-4336

GEORGIAPOLLED SHORTHORN

BREEDERS

will focus their attention on serving theneeds of current customers and workingto build awareness on campus and in the

local community. They also are chargedwith recruiting new team members totake over once they graduate.

“At the last sale of the season,customers showed up 30 minutes early toreserve their place in line,” Baker recalled.“It’s a good feeling to know that thesepeople are showing up to purchase aproduct that we had a hand in producing.”

For more information about TheBerry Farms Angus Beef, call 706-368-6972 or e-mail [email protected] other student-operated enterpris-es also involve students at the RollinsCenter.

To learn more about them, visit theBerry Enterprises Student Team Web siteat www.berrystudententerprises.com.

About Berry:Berry College is an independent,

coeducational institution located on anamazing 26,000-acre campus midwaybetween Atlanta and Chattanooga.Recognized as one of the nation’s leadingliberal arts colleges, Berry challenges itsapproximately 1,900 students to embrace acomprehensive education that combinesstrong academic programs with opportuni-ties for meaningful on-campus work experi-ence, spiritual and moral growth, and signif-icant service to others. Visit www.berry.edufor more details.

GC



Directions: I-75 To Exit 41, Easy Calving, Smooth PolledRight Onto Roundtree Br. Rd., Charolais With An Emphasis4 Mi. To Farm Sign On Right On Milking Ability

LITTLE RIVER CHAROLAISMarshall & Mary Beth Bennett Buck & Jean BennettP.O. Box 406 1175 EM Rogers RoadAdel, Georgia 31620 Adel, Georgia 31620Phone: (H) 229-219-0486 Phone: 229-549-8654

(O) 229-896-4517

Tony WaldenRegistered Charolais

office: 334-527-3021

home: 334-527-8704

fax: 334-527-8774

P.O. Box 24 Brantley, AL 36009

Georgia-Florida Charolais AssociationFor information on the Georgia-Florida Charolais Association,

contact Emmett Callahan, President, 7050 Stonebridge Road, Carnesville, GA 30521706-384-4235 • [email protected]

Polled Charolais CattlePerformance Testing for over 35 years

Ted A. Collins693 Old 179 South

Whigham, GA 39897

Oak Hill FarmHome of Bennett Charolais

Wayne & Lois BennettBarn: 770-893-3446Home: 770-893-2674Cell: 770-826-9551

1779 Holcomb RoadDawsonville, GA [email protected]

www.oakhillfarmga.comCattle for Sale Private Treaty

Collins & SonHerd Certified& Accredited

229-762-4259

Plan to attendThe Fall Sale -

Oct. 16, 2010

AgSouth Farm Credit, Griffin, Ga.

Glenn Argroves, Greenville, Ga.

Timothy Bohannon, Oxford, Ga.

Marshall Boyce, Cassatt, S.C.

Shane Boyer, Madison, Ga.

Roger J. Brown, Chauncey, Ga.

John H. Buckman, Philomath, Ga.

Thomas Butler, Eatonton, Ga.Travis Bunch, Surrency, Ga.Dave Carpenter, Fort Valley, Ga.Phil Coley, Ashburn, Ga.Zachary Cowart, Douglasville, Ga.Julius Cox, Damascus, Ga.Darrell Cronic, Winder, Ga.Michael Davis, Murphy, N.C.Larry Dean, Dublin, Ga.Lamar Echols, Carlton, Ga.Hoyt Evans, Crawford, Ga.Scott D. Everett, Calhoun, Ga.

Doug Floyd, Carnesville, Ga.Gayle Floyd, Carnesville, Ga.Johnathon Cody Foster,

Carrollton, Ga.Robert M. Gibson, Woodland, Ga.Westly Griffin, Maysville, Ga.David Harmon, Winder, Ga.Timmy Holloway, Carrollton, Ga.Danny Hugya, Doerun, Ga.Harold Hyatt, Warthen, Ga.Lee Johnson, Colquitt, Ga.Jack Jones, Cochran, Ga.

Sherry Jones, Cochran, Ga.Jay Kitchens, Cochran, Ga.Mark Linkesh,

Gainsville, Ga.Tom Mahaffey,

Lagrange, Ga.Evans Martin,

Waynesboro, Ga.Robert C. McIntosh,

Lexington, Ga.Mose Mock,

Springfield, Ga.Mike Reed, Rebecca, Ga.Shane Stuart, Baxley, Ga.

Stuart Reeves, Baxley, Ga.Carl Sercer, Rochelle, Ga.Dee Thompson, Harrison, Ga.Trailers Direct Factory Outlet,

Commerce, Ga.Cale Veal, Tennille, Ga.David Ward, Woodbury, Ga.Mark Webb, Bremen, Ga.Lindsay Wilkinson, Madison, Ala.Kristy Wilkins, Morgan, Ga.Steve Wilson, Winder, Ga.Nick Wingate, Waynesboro, Ga.

Welcometo

GCA!

GCA Welcomes New Members!

We are glad you decided to join us!


Promising New Research Shared at Annual Beef Safety Summit

The essential oils in orange peeland pulp kill E. coli O157:H7 andSalmonella according to research pre-sented at the 2010 Beef Industry SafetySummit.

This ongoing study is looking atthese natural byproducts, created bymaking juice, as a potential feed ingre-dient for cattle. More than 200 expertsfrom every sector of the beef industrymet in Dallas last month to shareresearch and identify farm-to-fork solu-tions for improving beef safety.

Developing on-farm safety solu-tions is one area of focus at the eighthannual Safety Summit, hosted by theBeef Industry Food Safety Council(BIFSCo).

Since its founding in 1997, BIFSCohas led the implementation of impor-tant post-harvest safety innovations.Adding safety hurdles at the pre-har-vest level is the next step in advancingU.S. beef safety.

“Research continues to find newways beef producers can make the foodchain even safer and reduce the risk offoodborne illnesses. This is importantwork, and it’s why leaders from all seg-ments of beef production gather at thisSummit each year to discuss the latestresearch, share their best practices andset goals for the future,” said James O.Reagan, Ph.D., chairman of BIFSCoand senior vice president of research,education and innovation for theNational Cattlemen’s Beef Association,a contractor to the Beef CheckoffProgram.

The citrus research is one of 13safety studies funded by cattle farmersand ranchers in 2009. Lead researcherTodd Callaway with USDA’sAgricultural Research Service foundthat dietary orange peel and pulpreduced Salmonella populations in theintestinal tract of sheep. Callawayexpects the next phase of the study toyield similar results for reducing E. coliO157:H7.

This year’s Summit also includedsessions about traceability, recall les-sons and subprimal interventions. Firstheld in 2003, the Beef Industry Safety

Summit has emerged as the mostimportant meeting of the year for col-laboratively discussing solutions toexisting and emerging beef safetyissues.

“We know that the number of beefrecalls has declined in recent years, butthe folks at this meeting remain com-mitted to eliminating E. coli O157:H7from the food supply,” said Reagan.

Experts Hear How Feeding Citrus Reduces E. coli; Discuss Extending Safety Solutions to Farm LevelCitrus research is one of 13

safety studies funded by cattle farmers and ranchers in 2009.

GC



Windell & Lawanda Gillis (478) 374-48682891 Hawkinsville Hwy. Eastman, GA 31023

Cell 478-231-8236

• Accredited• Certified

• No Creep• Est. 1979

• AHIR

WYNDER SMITHANGUS

2186 Pete Smith Rd.Wynder • 478/252-5905

Charles Smith • 478/252-5622

AHIR HerdEstablished 1982

Source of Great Females6585 Jett Rd., Dawsonville, GA 30534HILLSIDE Angus Farm

See our menu for success atwww.hillsideangusfarm.com

Jay Tinter, owner Billy Kidd, Manager404-316-4969 Terrell Higgins, [email protected]

MULE CREEK CATTLE CO.

Phone: 478-956-2288 Cell: 478-396-4474

Black Angus

Clint, Kim, Will & Samuel SmithP.O. Box 820

Wadley, GA 30477(478) 252-0292

Clint’s Cell: (706) 551-2878

Smitty, SuzAnne, Tatum &Beau Brinson Lamb

(229) 386-0491Smitty’s Cell:

(229) 392-1409

• Accredited • Certified • AHIRJohne’s Level 2 Test Negative

Throne Stock FarmChris, Julie, Katherine, Haley

& Hank Throne111 Duck Pond Rd.

Lexington, GA 30648706-302-2675

Angus • Sim-Angus • Club Calves

BARNETT ANGUS FARMSINCE 1947

Specializes in raising bulls on forage.

Marion Barnett, Jr. 1685 Lexington RoadWashington, GA 30673

Office: 706-678-2890Cell: 706-202-8435

®

6133 Peach Pkwy • Byron GA 31008

MMaattuurree CCooww HHeerrdd DDiissppeerrssaall,, MMaayy 11,, 22001100

Georgia Angus Breeders

Custom Built Since 1982Home of Hillside Juniatti ND 598 (Third Generation Pathfinder® Cow)

Hillside Georgina ND 6475 (Second Generation Pathfinder® Cow)

Hillside Dividend 47 (Second Generation Pathfinder® Cow)

For more information on GAA activities, contact:Christy Page

638 Lake Crest DriveJefferson, GA 30549

706/[email protected] • www.georgiaangus.org

Dues - $35 per year

For more information on GJAA activities, contact:David & Carolyn Gazda, Jr. Advisors

1985 Morton Rd.Athens, GA 30605

706/[email protected]

Jr. Dues - $10 per year

Turnpike Creek FarmsReg. Blk. Angus & Blk. SimmentalCertified & Accredited Herd #152

David T. Williams & Sons

1555 Workmore-Milan Rd.Milan, GA 31060

Sale date: April 24, 2010

Bids close at 5 p.m.David (229) 362-4716Doug (229) 860-0320Derek (229) 315-0986

Visitors

Always

Welcome

BullsForSale

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Georgia Beef Expo Southeastern AngusShowcase Sale

Friday, April 2, 2010Georgia National Fairgrounds

Perry, GA

Southern National Junior and Open AngusShows

June 4-5, 2010Perry, GA

** Entry information will be available in April


Cloud Brothers Angus

PERFORMANCE TESTEDREGISTERED ANGUS

Clark and Wally

155 Stover Drive • Canton, GA 30115

Herd Certified & Accredited AHIR

770/479-5947 (Wally)

COCHRAN ANGUS FARM2505 GA Highway 198

Baldwin, GA 30511

Richard Cochran706/677-3917

Farm located on GA Hwy. 198 south of Baldwin

BRIDGES ANGUS FARM119 Ralph Bridges Road

Lexington, GA 30648Ralph Bridges (706) 743-5517

Alan Bridges, manager

home 706-743-5817 mobile, 706-340-1421

TIM SULLENS, Manager706-864-7885

VIRGINIA WHITNEROwner

404-255-4459

WHITNER AND LEWIS ANGUS FARM

Route 1Dahlonega, GA 30533

570 Chestnut Hall Lane NWAtlanta, GA 30327

IAFIdone Angus Farm

Chuck & Dot Idone469 Pioneer RoadMacon, GA 31217

478-986-6819www.idoneangus.comHerd Certified & AccreditedAHIR

PERFORMANCE IS NOT AN OPTION

Benny BowenP.O. Box 449 • Swainsboro, GA 30401

Farm: (478) 237-6825 Home: (478) 237-8459

REGISTEREDANGUS CATTLE

DREW & KAYLAR HOWARD2576 BELL ROAD SYCAMORE, GEORGIA 31790

(229) 567-2344 Fax (229) 567-2352 [email protected]

~ Pedigree and Performance ~We have Registered Angus Cattle that combine both elite

pedigrees and strong performance. Bulls are available.

1651 Deep South Farm Rd.Blairsville, GA 30512

Line breeding with GRAHAM ANGUS Genetics.Following GRAHAM’S Program begun over 45 years ago.

Best of stock. Complete records.

Phone and fax706-745-5714

BUD HILL

Jarrell AngusJohn Jarrell

348 West Old Wire RoadButler, GA 31006 • 770-468-4812

2200 Centennial Church RoadWhite Plains, GA 30678

Robert Lanier, Owner

Cattle that Work154 McKaig Loop • Rising Fawn, GA 30738

[email protected]

Ted Dyer

(423) 605-1034

Jeremy Dyer

(423) 605-2431

Clay Bussell - Herdsman (478) 232-8729

Wasdin Angus RanchCattle and Hay AvailableOwners: Ed & Dot Wasdin

Ranch: 229-769-3964Cell: 229-873-1230********************

"Quality and customers come first!"

BRANCH & LAKE CATTLE FARM

3935 Johnson Lake Rd.Cedartown, GA 30125

Bobby Harrington,Owner

404-634-1040Hal Ridgeway,

Farm Mgr.404-403-2261

Owners: 229 Cook RoadArnold & Susan Brown Griffin, Ga. 30224

(770) 228-5914

Registered Angus

2020 Mt. Moriah • Dallas, GA 30132www.poefarms.net

All Natural Beef

Mickey & Patricia PoeOWNERS

404-697-9696

Jason JohnsMANAGER

678-796-3239

Visitors Make Us Happy!C.L. & Joyce Cook

1185 Highway 11 SouthSocial Circle, GA 30025

(770) 787-1644C.L.’s Cell (678) 910-4891

Chris Wallace, Manager, Cell (678) 313-1594Bulls for Sale at the Farm

PO Box 539 • Woodbury, GA 30293706-553-5455 Office • 706-553-5456 Fax

Roland Starnes, Managing Partner • 706-601-0800James Stice, Customer Service • 863-899-4869

Dan Beckham, Owner • 415-830-0509www.kensingtoncattlecompany.com

“Keeping Business in the Business Breed”

The CABE FamilyCarnesville, GA 30521706-384-7119 home706-988-0018 [email protected]

www.cabebrothers.com

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EXPERTADVICE

Make those Obvious CullingDecisions this Spring

By Ted G. Dyer, UGA Extension Animal Scientist

With the annual cost of keeping acommercial cow at or around$400/year, it is critical to identify andcull those open cows as soon as possi-ble. Each day they remain in your herd,it costs you more than $1/day.

Therefore, several dollars can be savedby using the most basic trait (REPRO-DUCTION) to make culling decisions– determining whether females breedor not. Heifers should calve at twoyears of age and raise a calf to weaning.Cows should rebreed and calve every365 days or less under the environmentin which they are maintained with aminimum of supplemental feed.

Open cows are the greatest con-tributor to a low weaning percentage(# calves weaned / # cows exposed at

breeding). On the average, a cow thatdoes not breed one time will lose 15 to20 percent of her lifetime productionpotential. Furthermore, it will take thenet return from two or three productivecows to pay for the maintenance of the

open cow. Finally, thepercent calf crop weanedhas an impact on theculling/selection pro-gram by altering the num-ber of heifers needed asreplacements to maintaina constant herd size (seeTable 1). A lower per-centage of open cowsresults in less cows leav-ing the herd and moreheifer calves to selectreplacements from.

Identify Open Cows This SpringAfter the end of the breeding sea-

son, examine all cows and heifers forpregnancy. Because heifers should bebred first, they can be examined earlierthan cows. Pregnancy checking ofheifers can be done by rectal palpationafter 35 to 90 days, by ultrasound exam-ination after 30 to 90 days, or by bloodanalysis after 30 days. A blood test canalso determine pregnancy in cows; itshould be conducted 30 days post-

breeding plus 90 days post-calving todetermine pregnancy. Commercial labsare now available in Georgia to testblood for pregnancy. Keep in mind thatthe blood test can determine pregnancyonly. It will not indicate the stage ofpregnancy.

For rectal palpations and ultra-sound examinations you should use askilled, experienced individual – usuallya large-animal veterinarian. Knowledgeof the female reproductive tract anato-my and the physiological changes asso-ciated with various stages of pregnancyis necessary to become competent atdetermining pregnancy status.

SummaryFailure to become pregnant

accounts for about 75 percent of calfcrop reductions. Open cows and heifersshould be culled from the herd as soonas possible in the spring or after thebreeding season. If a cow is open atweaning time, that means she will notwean another calf for two years. Thissame period could be used to put aheifer calf into production. Researchhas shown that heifers that fail to breedthe first year and are held over have anaverage lifetime calf crop of 55 per-cent, compared to 86 percent for herdmates that become pregnant the firstyear.

Make your COW HERD moreEFFICIENT – IDENTIFY ANDCULL THOSE OPEN HEIFERSAND COWS EARLY IN THESEASON.

BLOOD COLLECTED from under tail for lab todetermine pregnancy.

10 90 22 24 2710 80 25 28 3110 70 29 32 36

15 90 33 37 4115 80 38 42 4715 70 43 48 54

20 90 44 49 5520 80 50 56 6220 70 57 63 71

25 90 56 63 7025 80 64 70 7925 70 71 79 89

Table 1. Percent of heifer calves to be retained to maintain constant herdsize at various reproductive and culling rates.

Cow HerdCulling Rate %

Calf Crop Weaned %

100%Pregnant

90% Pregnant

80% Pregnant

Heifers Needed for Replacement - %

GC

Rectal palpation todeterminepregnancy –performed byveterinarian.


www.santagertrudis.com

GEORGIA SANTAGERTRUDIS BREEDERS

Georgia Santa Gertrudis Associationwww.gasga.org

3175 Bridgeshaw DriveCumming, GA 30040Phone: 678.852.7301


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ADAMS RANCHRegistered Red Brahman Cattle

Quality, gentle bulls andheifers for sale. Also haveSimmental and Simbrah.

3837 Stateline Road Cliff AdamsBowdon, Georgia 30108 770-258-2069

GEORGIABRAHMANBREEDERS

Georgia Red Angus Breeders706-882-7423

Registered Red AngusSince 1965

ANGEL FARMS2445 Gadsden Road S.W.Cave Spring, GA 30124

R.L. (Bob) Angel • (706) 777-3968

CAMP’S RED ANGUSRegistered I-A

Rogeal & Sue CampHome: (770) 466-8094 3599 Marce Camp Rd.Mobile: (404) 210-3965 Loganville, GA 30249

“Red, A Step Ahead”

Jim & Alvina Meeks, owners Raymond Prescott, mgr.803 Phillips Road 1986 Trinity Church Rd.Greer, SC 29650 Gray Court, SC 29645(864) 682-3900 (864) 682-2828

[email protected]

McLean Red AngusJim and Alynda McLean206 Morningside Drive

Alma, GA 31510(912) 632-7985, (770) 595-3542

[email protected] Red Angus since 1970

Lazy S FarmRED ANGUS

Mike and Debbie Smith2699 West Grantville Rd.

Newnan, Ga. 30263OFFICE 770-253-7099

FAX 770-253-1468

JanBil FarmsRed Angus & Red Simmental

Red Power for Ultimate Beef Quality & Profitability

Janet & Bill Nutt 1418 Sixth Street Road,Cedartown, GA 30125

770-748-6124 • [email protected]

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Dr. R.E. “Bob” Wagner1495 Parkview Blvd., Stone Mountain, GA 30087

AGNER

ERFORMANCE

ATTLE

(678) 684-3725

GELBVIEH ~ BALANCER ~ ANGUS

Dr. R.E. “Bob” Wagner1495 Parkview Blvd., Stone Mountain, GA 30087

AGNER

ERFORMANCE

ATTLE

(678) 684-3725

GELBVIEH ~ BALANCER ~ ANGUS

HADDEN FARMSRoute 1 • Gibson, GA • 30810

Larry & Holly Hadden

800-348-2584 • 706-831-1679

Breeders of Purebred Cattle Since 1952

Georgia Gelbvieh Breeders

Rocky Ford Red AngusSam & Georgia Thurmond

706-335-6441

2412 Waterworks RoadCommerce, GA 30529

“Since 1968”

Commercial Cattle

WARTHEN, [email protected]

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Chances are if you are reading thismagazine, you are related to the beefindustry in some way. Although most ofus are familiar with the beef industry oftoday, how many of us know where thecattle business began? ChristopherColumbus, as we all know, made the firstvoyage to the New World in 1492, buton his second trip in 1493 he broughtcattle. After a 3,400-mile sail, he setanchor in Hispaniola and unloaded hissmall herd of cattle. The cattle wereresilient in this terrain.

About 25 years later, HernandoCortez took offspring of these cattle toMexico and started ranches. These cattleroamed wild and eventually made theirway into America via Texas andCalifornia. By the time these cattle madetheir way to America, a beef industryhad already started to form in what isnow Florida. These cattle were known asFlorida Scrubs. Weighing between 600and 800 pounds, they flourished in theclimate and are still around to this day.

In 1611, more cattle arrived inAmerica and were unloaded inJamestown. At the time, Gov. ThomasDale made a public announcement

telling everyone that no cattle would bekilled, because of attempts to conservethe longevity of cattle in town. Thanks

to his conservation efforts, cattlebecame established in Virginia and by1639 there was an estimated 30,000head.

During all of this, cattle fromEngland arrived in New York. A wallwas built on Manhattan Island to protectthe Dutch commune from Indians andwild animals. This is the wall responsiblefor the famous Wall Street we all knowabout today! Between the mid-1600s andthe late 1800s the cattle industry flour-ished. How many cattle a person ownedwas in direct relation to his status in thecommunity. The more cattle an individ-

ual owned, the more power he had with-in the community.

The major difference in the cattleindustry today is the age at which theanimals are harvested. It used to be thatanimals were not taken to market untilthey were four to five years old. Cattlewere put on trains and shipped to feedlots, where they were finished on grassand then harvested. In today’s industry,it is about efficiency. We have raised thedesired size of market steers and theefficiency of our feeding regimens, pro-ducing quality products in less time. Butas you all now know, our livelihoodwould not be possible without the manwho discovered our country.

I hope this article shed some lighton any questions you may have had! Ialso wanted to remind all of you juniormembers of the 2010 GeorgiaCattlemen’s Beef Expo in Perry. I hopeyou plan on attending the great eventsGJCA has planned. We will have theBeef Ambassador Contest, PhotographyContest and a “Western Round-Up”party Friday at 7 p.m. We will have a din-ner and dance. I hope to see you allthere! Have a blessed day!

Junior Cattlemen’s ReportThe History of Beef

By Chris Campbell

“Survivors: Get Down

and Get Dirty.”

GC

Juniors:Don’t Miss Out!

Go to www.gabeef.org/gjca

Click on the GJCA mailinglist box shown below:

Sign up online now!

Click on � GJCA, Then click on anyadditional topics of emails you wish

to receive from GCA. Fill in allrequired contact information. Click Save Profile Changes.

Don’t miss importantreminders for junior events.Also, Junior Newsletters willbe sent electronically in the

near future.

BISC Official Entry FormEntry Deadline: April 15, 2010

Team Name: ________________________________________________________________________Team Coach:________________________________________________________________________Address: ____________________________________________________________________________Phone: __________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________

Student Name*: Grade**: County and State:____________________________ ________ ___________________________________________________________ ________ ___________________________________________________________ ________ _______________________________

_______$200/ team (GA residents*) ______$250/team (non-GA residents)_______$100/team (Junior team-Freshman and Sophomore students)

*Georgia residents must be current GJCA member

**Grade as of Jan. 1 of contest year

Make check payable and return to:Georgia Junior Cattlemen’s Association • P.O. Box 24510, Macon, Ga. 31212

(478) 474-6560 • [email protected]

Beef Industry Scholarship ChallengeJune 11-12, 2010

University of Georgia • Athens, Ga.ARE YOU A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND THINKING ABOUT COLLEGE? Do the large dol-lar amounts of tuition, books and living expenses worry you? BISC is an awesome programdesigned to offer scholarship money to passionate high school students, while engaging you inhands-on, real world scenarios beef cattle producers deal with every day. This two-day event willbe packed FULL of exciting learning opportunities that will prepare YOU for your future!

• Handling and Health• Nutrition• Marketing• Seedstock Merchandising with

Keep-Cull Replacement Heifers• Credit and Finance• Job Interview

• Beef Management Challenge • Reproduction• Beef Industry Issues• NEW Meat Identification

10 Stations (25 minutes/ station):

�



MARK THE DATE!

Mountain Beef Cattle Field Day

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Georgia Mountain Research and

Education Center

Blairsville, Georgia

MORNING SESSIONGEORGIA MOUNTAIN

REC AUDITORIUMPresiding - Stephen Patrick

9:00 AMRegistration & Refreshments

9:45 AMWelcome - Joe Garner

9:50 AMFertilizer is a World’s Resource; Where

Do We Go From Here? - Bill Epps10:20 AM

Stockers as a Beef EnterpriseDr. Lawton Stewart10:50 AM Break

11:00 AMThe Key to Prognosis is Diagnosis

Dr. Hugh McCampbell11:30 AM

Short Term and Supplemental Forages Dr. Dennis Hancock12:00 PM Lunch

Courtesy of AgGeorgia Farm CreditGeorgia Cattlemen’s Association Update

Josh WhiteAFTERNOON SESSION

BEEF CATTLE UNITPresiding - Justin Tyson

1:30 PMStocker Research Feeding Results

Dr. Lawton Stewart2:00 PM

Live Animal Evaluation Dr. Estes Reynolds

2:30 PMAgritourism -

Should You Consider it for Your Farm?Dr. Kent Wolfe


Expanding Trade Markets is Critical to U.S. Job Growth With other countries rapidly moving

forward on trade agreements, expandingU.S. market opportunities is more criticalthan ever to maintaining U.S. competi-tiveness in the international marketplace.

NCBA and nearly 60 national andstate food and agricultural associationsrecently called on Congress to move for-ward on steps necessary to achievingPresident Obama’s pledge of doublingU.S. exports within five years.

In a March 1 letter to House andSenate leadership, the group cited promptpassage of the pending free trade agree-ment (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama andSouth Korea as the most effective meansof reaching this goal.

NCBA is also encouraging membersof Congress to sign on to a letter, beingcirculated by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), asking President Obama to moveforward on passage of the pendingFTAs. In a Feb. 25 Dear Colleague letter,Goodlatte says passage of the pendingFTAs will “encourage domestic jobcreation and infuse our economy withincreased capital.”

U.S.-Mexican Trade Dispute:Tariffs Continue to Impact U.S. Agriculture, Manufacturing Jobs

March 10 marked the one-yearanniversary of an ongoing trade disputewith Mexico that continues to put U.S.jobs at risk. The dispute began whenCongress terminated funding for theU.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking pilotprogram in the FY2009 OmnibusAppropriations Act – a move whichfailed to meet U.S. commitments underNAFTA, and prompted Mexico toimpose damaging retaliatory tariffs onU.S. agriculture and manufacturing goods.

“This dispute has been going on forfar too long,” said Steve Foglesong, pres-ident, National Cattlemen’s BeefAssociation. “It’s time for theAdministration to take action before thecritical relationship with our top tradingpartner is further compromised, puttingagriculture exports and imports, andAmerican jobs, at risk.”

Although Congress addressed theissue by removing the prohibition on thetrucking program within FY10 appropri-ations, the Administration has yet tomake progress with Mexico in removingthe tariffs. The U.S. Chamber of

Commerce estimates as many as 25,000U.S. jobs could be lost as a result of theimpasse.

Mexico is the top export destinationfor U.S. beef, dairy, poultry, rice, soybeanmeal and oil, corn sweeteners, cotton,apples and dry edible beans. The U.S.exported a record $1.4 billion in beef andbeef variety meats to Mexico in 2008, anda total of $910 million in 2009 (as a resultof the economic crisis). Mexico is also amajor market for pork, corn, soybeans,eggs, vegetable oils, fresh U.S. potatoes,snack foods and other consumer-orientedagricultural goods. Trucks move morethan 70 percent of the value of U.S.-Mexico trade.

“Escalating trade retaliations hurteveryone,” Foglesong continued. “We livein a global society and our economy isinextricably linked to our ability to docommerce with key trading partners likeMexico.”

Earlier this month, a bipartisangroup of more than 50 Members of theHouse sent a letter to U.S. TradeRepresentative Kirk and TransportationSecretary LaHood expressing concernabout the Administration’s lack ofprogress in resolving this year-long issue.You may access the letter at:

http://www.beefusa.org/uDocs/ustrdotmexicantariffs3110807.pdf

Beef Trade Issues Raised DuringCongressional Hearings

During a recent Finance Commit-teehearing on the Administration’s 2010trade agenda, U.S. Trade Representative(USTR) Ron Kirk indicated that USTR ispleased with the progress being made onbeef trade with Korea, and is aggressive-ly working to resolve issues with Taiwanand all of our trading partners in Asia.

During a Commerce, Science andTransportation Committee hearing toinvestigate Toyota’s safety issues andrecall, Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb), a for-mer agriculture secretary under GeorgeW. Bush, said, in reference to theJapanese government banning imports ofU.S. beef after a case of BSE in 2000, thathe wondered how the Japanese would likeit if the U.S. likewise banned imports ofJapanese cars until the Japanese govern-ment proved they are safe.

Japan’s restriction on beef productsfrom cattle over 21 months is limitingU.S. cattle producers to about 25 percent

of the potential market in that country,which translates to about $1 billion in lostexports each year.

NCBA Continues to Work forPermanent Estate Tax Reform

NCBA and its partners in the FamilyBusiness Estate Tax Coalition (FBETC)are continuing to call on Congress to passpermanent tax reform legislation as soonas possible.

In a letter sent March 3 to House andSenate leadership, the groups stated, “Theuncertainty of the current law has leftmany family-owned businesses and farmsguessing about their estate tax liabilitiesand unable to make prudent businessdecisions.”

As of Jan. 1, the estate tax has tem-porarily zeroed out for the year. But ifCongress does nothing, in 2011 the taxwill revert to a staggering 55 percent taxon estates worth only $1 million or more.While a full repeal is not likely in the cur-rent political environment, NCBA sup-ports reform that grants the greatest reliefto agriculture and small businesses.

Antibiotics Resources AvailablePending breaking news, CBS

“Evening News with Katie Couric” wasexpected to air short segments about theuse of antibiotics in the livestock indus-try. One segment was expected to focuson the use of antibiotics in the U.S. pork(and possibly poultry) industry. Anothersegment was expected to focus on theDanish experience of eliminating antibi-otic use in their livestock industry. Thesegments also were to be available on theCBS Web site. If you receive media orconsumer questions about antibiotics,www.ExploreBeef.org houses two con-sumer fact sheets, Antibiotic Use inCattle Production and AntibioticApproval Process. Additionally, an antibi-otic leave-behind and a one-pager aboutthe Preservation of Antibiotics forMedical Treatment Act can be found onBeefUSA.org.

We have been in close contact withour counterparts at the National PorkBoard (NPB) and at the National PorkProducers’ Council about the CBS seg-ment. Should you receive pork-relatedinquiries about antibiotics, please directthem to Cindy Cunningham, NPB’s assis-tance vice president of communications,at 515/223-2600. GC

I N D U S T R Y N E W S / N C B A U P D A T E S


The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Foundation wasestablished in the mid-1990s as a way to receive tax-deductible funds to support the cattle industry. It is recog-nized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. These fundsmay be given in memory or honor of a person who lovedthe cattle industry, or for a specific pur-pose. The use must be in accordancewith the purpose of the Foundationsuch as scholarships, education pro-grams, research, etc. These funds helpsupplement programs that ultimatelysupport the cattle industry for whichfunds are lacking.

The mission statement of theGCAF is a charitable foundation establishedto educate and build leaders and advocates forthe cattle industry and to promote the historyand heritage of this industry in Georgia.GCAF accomplishes this by being a vital resource forGeorgia’s beef cattle industry. The Foundation supportsyouth leadership development by regularly providing fund-ing for 4-H, FFA, and Georgia Junior Cattlemen’sAssociation activities. GCAF has also identified educationas a key element in developing the beef industry leaders oftomorrow and has committed to funding many undergradu-ate college scholarships. A new focus of the Foundation

has been offering scholarship opportunities for students inthe University Of Georgia College Of VeterinaryMedicine’s Food Animal Veterinary Incentive Program(FAVIP). FAVIP is a partnership between the College ofAgricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Veterinary

College to provide opportunities forundergraduates who are passionateabout becoming food animal veterinari-ans. GCAF also recently committed toproviding financial assistance to a UGAgraduate student working on beef cattleor forage related research projects.

In addition to these exciting leader-ship development activities, theFoundation also provides funding andguidance in preserving the heritage ofour industry through the GCA Hall ofFame, historical magazine features and

the regular magazine obituary page.All of these important activities are funded through

tax-deductible donations from GCA members and beefindustry supporters. A donation to the GCAF helps pre-serve the past while providing meaningful leadership devel-opment to insure the future vitality of Georgia’s beef cattleindustry.

Georgia Cattlemen’s Association FoundationBuilding the Future while Preserving the Past

GCAF is a charitablefoundation established to

educate and build leaders andadvocates for the cattle

industry and to promote thehistory and heritage of this

industry in Georgia.

Please send an acknowledgement to:

Name: _______________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

City: ________________ State: ____ Zip:________

Name: _______________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

City: ________________ State: ____ Zip:________

By contributing to the Georgia Cattlemen’s Foundation, you willhonor and preserve the memory of a special person while providingimportant funding toward long-term goals, including scholarships,educational research programs and youth activities. And, like thememories you share with your loved ones, this is a gift that will lastforever. Each gift will be acknowledged and contributions are tax deductible.

Memorialize or honor someone today!

Please mail form and donation to the

Georgia Cattlemen’s Foundation,

P.O. Box 24510, Macon GA 31212

Enclosed is my gift of _____$25 _____$50 _____$100 _____$__________

____ In memory of _______________________________ In honor of _____________________________Name of person to be remembered (please print):____________________________________________

GC

Dr. Glenn W. Burton - 1997Glenn W. Burton (May 1910-November 2005)

enjoyed a 62-year career as a United States Department ofAgriculture-ARS Plant Geneticist, located at the CoastalPlain Experiment Station, Tifton Campus, Tifton, Ga.

He was born inwestern Nebraska andmoved to Tifton in1936, after completinghis doctorate degree atRutgers University,New Jersey. Most cat-tlemen in the southernU.S. recognize hisfamous grasses releasedover the decades. Thegrasses are a continuinglegacy and tribute to thededication, innovativeplant breeding and

selection work completed by Burton. Among numerouspopular cultivars developed and released by Burton, thegrasses have been used in temperate regions fromCalifornia to the Carolinas, Florida to Kentucky, and inmany countries around the world. Some of the cultivarsinclude: Coastal, Tifton 44, Tifton 68, Coastcross-1,Suwannee, Tifton 78, and Tifton 85 bermudagrass.

Many additional bermudagrasses were developed byBurton, and some were released by experiment stations inother states (‘Midland’ in Oklahoma, ‘Brazos’ in Texas,‘Grazer’ in Louisiana and ‘Florikirk’ in Florida). Thesecultivars were successfully adapted over a wide regionbecause of his systematic procedure involving green-house, small-plot experiments, IVDMD quality analyses,final persistence and digestibility and animal performance

with grazed forages over a number of years. He releasedMerkeron napiergrass (elephant grass) used in tropicalcountries, summer annuals including Georgia 337 andTift sudangrasses, and Gahi, Tiflate, Gahi 3 and Tifleaf 1pearl millet. He released Tifhi 1, Tifhi 2 and Tifton 9bahiagrasses. He was active in turf breeding, releasingseveral varieties, including Tifway II and Tifton 10. Hereceived international recognition for his work with grainpearl millets, which were adapted in India and in Africancountries as low-input, low-water-requiring grain cropsfor humans.

Burton traveled to more than 55 countries, and hisname is known in countries around the world where someof his forage and grain varieties still thrive today.Interestingly, there are more than 4,000,000 acres of Tifton85 in Brazil and only a fraction of this has been estab-lished in the U.S. Burton released Coastal in 1943, thesame year Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue was released; Tifton85 bermudagrass was released in 1993. This was 50 yearslater. Burton was still actively working for USDA-ARS at83-years-old.

He received a raft of awards, citations and recogni-tions over the years from prominent state, national andinternational associations and research and journal-pub-lishing societies; including appointment to the NationalAcademy of Science, and the U.S. Presidential Award forDistinguished Federal and Civilian Service, Washington,D.C. He was one of only two scientists to ever receive acitation for 60 years of distinguished service to USDA-ARS. The forages we use today that were developed byBurton have greatly improved livestock performance andreflect his outstanding and long-term forage breedingsuccesses.

Submitted by: Dr. Gary M. Hill, Professor, The University of Georgia, Animal & Dairy Science

Department, Tifton Campus, Tifton, Ga.

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Please help us as we build feature articles

for the future. Please complete this form or

email the relevant information to GCA at

[email protected]. Help us showcase the

producers, operations and cattle industry events

that you remember helping shape the industry.

Whether they are producers or operations we

have already lost, or if they are “Living

Legends”, we have to be sure all of our associa-

tion is aware of their contributions.

Industry Leaders: ____________________

__________________________________

Farms: ____________________________

__________________________________

Events: ____________________________

__________________________________

Contact information:__________________

__________________________________

Mail to GCA, P.O. Box 24510, Macon, GA 31212or email information to [email protected]

PEOPLE, PLACES AND EVENTS THAT SHAPED OUR INDUSTRY

Getting to Know Your Hall of FameSince it was created in 1976, only 20 individuals have been inducted into the GCA Hall of Fame. It was established to honor individ-

uals who have made a significant contribution to Georgia's cattle industry. Inductees may be nominated by any GCA member or chapter.Please enjoy this ongoing series about our Hall of Fame members.

GC



Thanks to all of our

2010 Convention

Sponsors! Please support the companies

who support our organization!


to these vendors for participating

in the GCA Convention &

Trade Show April 1-3, 2010

T H A N KY O U

A G Daniel CompanyABS Global

Accelerated GeneticsADM Alliance Nutrition

AgriBuckleAgridyne-Mix 30 Liquid Feed

AllflexAlltech

American Angus AssociationAmerican Romagnola Association

Athens Seed CompanyAtlantic and Southern Equipment

Barenbrug USABayer Animal Health

Berry CollegeBlueGrass Stockyard

Boehringer IngelheimCattle South

Circle R Ranch & LivestockEquipment

Crystalyx - Ridley Block OperationsDupont Crop Protection

Easy Way Cattle CareFlint River Mills, Inc.

Florida Mineral Salt & AgriculturalProducts, Inc.

Fuller Supply CompanyFurst McNess Company

Georgia CattleWomen’s AssociationGenex

Georgia Angus AssociationGeorgia Club/Calf Producers

Georgia Department of AgricultureGeorgia Development Authority

Georgia Farm BureauGeorgia Grazing Lands Coalition

Georgia Hereford AssociationGeorgia Red Angus Association

Georgia Santa GertrudisAssociation

Georgia Simmental AssociationGeorgia/FL Charolais AssociationGiant Rubber Water Tanks, Inc.

Godfrey's FeedGold Standard Labs

Haymaster SouthHitch Feeders II

Intervet /Schering Plough AnimalHealth

Ivey's Outdoor & FarmsJudy's Designs

KMG Chemicals

MerialMitchell Co Development Authority

Moseley Cattle Auction, LLCNovus International

Pasture Management SystemsPerfect Equipment Company

Pfizer Animal HealthPurina Mills

Quail Ridge Milling, Inc.Southeast Livestock Exchange, LLC

Southeast Select SiresSouthern Silage

Stay Tuff Fence ManufacturingSunbelt Ag Expo

Sweetlix - Ridley Block OperationsThe Caribbean Cargo Company

The Georgia Farm CreditAssociations

The Wax CompanyTR Ag Products

Trailers Direct Factory Outlet USDA, NASS

Vigortone Ag Products, Inc.Welcome Booth

Z TagsZeeland Farm Services


Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Executive VicePresident Josh White congratulates James W.Fordham on having the Top Indexing SimAngusand Top Indexing bull overall.

Bill Nutt, GCA president, presents Billy Martin,owner of Sunset Ridge Farm, with the TopIndexing Hereford bull award.

Georgia Angus Association representative MelvinPorter presents the award for Top Indexing Angusand Top Indexing bull overall to Brown’s Twin Oaks.

GCA President Bill Nutt presents the Top IndexingSimmental bull award to Muddy Pond SimmentalFarm.

The top Indexing Limousion bull award was award-ed to Sayer and Son Farm. Shown presenting theaward is Bill Nutt, GCA president.

TIFTONAWARDS &

HIGHLIGHTS

LUKE MOBLEY, Cattle TodayField Representative andDavid Gazda, Southeast

Regional FieldRepresentative for AmericanAngus Association, actively

take bids from Tifton buyers.The sale averaged $1,820

with 84 lots offered.

WITH MORE THAN 400 PEOPLE at the

52nd Tifton Bull Sale in Irwinville, Ga.,

the sale had buyers from three states.

52nd Year!

Georgia Heifer Evaluation and

Reproductive Development

(HERD) Sale

10th Annual Calhoun HERD Program Wednesday, June 2, 2010 @ 12:30 p.m.

Northwest Georgia Research and Education CenterLivestock Sales Pavilion, Calhoun, Georgia

GPS Location: 1286 Hwy 53 Spur SW, Calhoun, GA

To receive a catalog or other information contact:

Georgia Cattlemen’s AssociationP.O. Box 24510

Macon, GA 31212478-474-6560

[email protected]

Or Contact Your Local Extension Agent • 1-800-ASK-UGA1

www.tifton.uga.edu/pc-web

Ted G. DyerExtension Animal Scientist - Beef

NW Georgia Research and Education CenterP.O. Box 640 / 1 McDaniel Station Road

Calhoun, Georgia 30703706-624-1403 or 706-624-1398

[email protected]

a Georgia tradition.

SELLING APPROXIMATELY 125 HEIFERS

All heifers were born between 12/01/08 and 2/28/09 and are all safe to calving-ease bulls.

MCC Daybreak was the primary AI sire used this year.

DATA AVAILABLE:Pelvic Area • Frame Score • Disposition Score

Reproductive Tract Maturity Score • WDA • ADG


MIKE JONES

PUREBRED LIVESTOCKAUCTIONEER GAL #978

19120 GA Hwy 219West Point, GA 31833

Ph. 706/884-6592www.mikejonesauctioneer.com

SoutheasternSemen Services, Inc.

• Semen Collection • Semen Storage

• Semen Shipping • Semen Sales

• Storage Tanks • Custom BreedingScott Randell

16878 45th Rd. • Wellborn, FL 32094

386-963-5916

Conveniently Located For Accessbility To All Southern States

Randy Daniel348 Daniel RoadColbert, GA 30628706/788-2533

Daniel LivestockService

Distributors for:Pearson ChutesRiverode Galvanized Equip.Paul ScalesStoll TrailersBarrett Trailers

AUCTIONEERS

LIVESTOCK SERVICES

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTSfor more information or to advertise, call 478-474-6560

LIVESTOCK FEED

Martin’s Cattle Serviceswww.martinscattleservices.com

Bill & Stephanie MartinP.O. Box 683, Jefferson, GA 30549, (706) 367-8349

Distributor: Titan West Livestock Handling EquipmentC.U.P. Certified Carcass Ultrasound

Embryo Transfer ServiceRUSS PAGE, PhD

(706) 769-0797

On-Farm Semen Collection Embryos and Semen For Sale

Pregnancy Ultrasounding Synchronization and Breeding

Sexing Pregnancies Semen Testing Bulls

One Company For All Your Cattle Reproductive Needs

Reproductive Progress - 1201 Sunset Ridge • Watkinsville, GA 30677

REPRODUCTIVE PROGRESS

www.gabeef.org

LIVESTOCK SERVICES

Embryo Transfer Ultrasounding for Early PregnancySynchronization & Breeding ProgramsFetal Sexing

DEAVER BEEFALOBEEFALO ARE FORAGE

EFFICIENT AND EASY CALVING

Bulls, Cows, Semen and Meat for Sale

O.E. “CORKY” DEAVER1088 Liberty Hill Rd. • Blairsville, GA 30512

706/374-5789 Visitors Welcome

Jim Cumming706-342-3740

Cell 706-318-8844D. J. Bradshaw

Cell 478-957-5208

CATTLE FOR SALE

HAY

Bermuda RectangularBales for Sale

Call Lee BaileyPinehurst, GA229-239-0537

Bermuda Hay Bales4'w x 3'h x 8'l

Sheltered & WellFertilized

Fertility testing BullsA-I training

WayneAnsley

1369 J. Warren Rd.Cornelia, GA 30531

Home: (706) 778-1445Cell: (706) 499-3869

* Authorized Representative ** 35 years experience *

CHICKEN LITTER

TRIPLE E POULTRYEstablished 1976

Delivered In Bulk 25 Ton Loads.243 TALKING ROCK DR. N

BOB EDWARDS JASPER, GA 30143(706) 692-5149 CELL: (404) 408-3709

You are enjoying the currentissue of the Georgia Cattleman.

Call 478-474-6560to advertise in the next issue

of this magazine.

Georgia Cattleman

HIGHVIEW FARMSBreeding Cattle Since 1973 • Williamson, GA

Hereford, Angus and BaldiesFor Sale Private Treaty

Call Harold Leo Corley at 770-567-3942 or 678-333-3509

$5,895 $10,995

TRAILERS ~ FENCING ~ ETC.

Gene Roberts • 1-800-241-8794Lori Roberts: 706-988-8327 • Joey Roberts: 706-318-8848

132 N. McIntosh Street, Elberton, GA 30635www.rockinrtrailers.com

LAND FOR SALE

Working Cattle RanchFor SALE by Owner

Located in Centre, AL in Cherokee County

$1.8 million

770-459-5013

435 acres• Improved pastures• Fenced and cross

fenced• Large barn with

living quarters• Shop building• Two LARGE hay

barns


Beef Management Calendar for the Month of April

STOCKYARDS

Dugger Tent Inc.• Colorful Tents, All Sizes • P.A. & Lighting Equip.

• Complete Corral & Pen Systems • Chairs & Tables• Auction Platform & Sale Ring • Bleachers

Bob Dugger • 205/594-59311848 Slasham Rd. • Ashville, Alabama 35953

Office (229) 776-7588Fax (229) 776-3509www.tysonsteel.com

361 Doerun RoadDoerun, GA [email protected]

TRAILERS ~ FENCING ~ ETC.

MISCELLANEOUS


THIS SPACEIS



GENERAL• Keep a close watch on pasture

conditions. Continue supplementalfeeding until grass is plentiful.

• Fertilize permanent pasturesaccording to soil tests if not donepreviously.

• Start watching for flies. Order flycontrol products to be ready whentreatment warrants. Consider thetype tags or sprays used last year.Change from organophosphate topyrethroid or vice versa.

• Use all outside stores of hay; cleanout hay storage areas for new hay.

SPRING CALVINGJanuary, February, March

• For calves to begin hitting theground around January 10, bullsneed to go into pastures on April 1.

• Check condition of bulls duringthe breeding season. Providesupplemental feed if needed.

• Be prepared to remove bullsfrom heifers after a 45-60 daybreeding season. Spot checkheifers for activity now to see ifthey are breeding.

• Cows need to be in moderate togood condition to rebreed.Provide supple-mental feed ifspring pastures are slow to grow.

FALL CALVINGOctober, November, December

• To precondition for shipment,

through March 31 calving dates. These datesare not necessarily the best dates for all pro-ducers but were chosen because they are rea-sonably close to what many producers use.

Establish calving dates based on yourfeed resources and availability of labor. Acow’s energy and protein requirements increasegreatly at calving and remain high throughbreeding season. It is best to plan breeding sea-son for the time of year when forage quality isat its best.

With good winter grazing, fall calving isa good option. If cows are wintered on hay,spring pasture offers the best feed for breedingseason and spring calving is a better choice. Ifyour calving season is different, adjust man-agement practices accordingly.

calves should be vaccinated forrespiratory diseases 45 days priorto shipment. Check with thelocal veterinarian now for prod-uct recommendations so thesevaccines can be ordered.

• Heifer calves should be calfhoodvaccinated for brucellosis at 4 to8 months of age.

• Pregnancy check heifers 45-60days after the end of breedingseason.

• Brand or otherwise establish per-manent IDs for bred heifers.

Editor’s Note: This Beef Manage-mentCalendar is provided by the CooperativeExtension Service / University of GeorgiaCollege of Agricultural and EnvironmentalSciences/Athens.

Each monthly list is divided into threesections: general, fall calving and spring calv-ing. Management practices in the general cate-gory are seasonal and apply to most cattle pro-ducers in Georgia.

The fall calving list is based on October1 through December 20 calving dates, and thespring calving list is based on January 10

GC

Start watching for flies. Order fly control products tobe ready when treatment warrants. Consider the type

tags or sprays used last year. Change fromorganophosphate to pyrethroid or vice versa.

COLLINS FARMSProducing Functional Cattle Since 1944

110 Angus Bred Heifers

For sale at the Farm after May 1st

• Home-raised Angus heifers

• Ultra-sounded birth dates

• Many with sexed embryos

1070 Co. Rd. 481 Cusseta, ALJimmy Collins 334-559-3227

Jim Collins 478-957-6572www.collinscattle.com

Look for our consignments at theTifton HERD sale April 20th

Tenderloin Members ($600+)AgGeorgia Farm CreditAgSouth Farm CreditSouthwest Georgia Farm CreditFPL Food, Shapiro Packing CompanyFuller Supply CompanyIntervetMerialPennington SeedsPurina MillsSouthern States

T-Bone Members ($300-$599)Athens Seed Co., WatkinsvilleCallahan Charolais Farm, CarnesvilleFranklin County Farm Bureau, CarnesvilleGeorgia Development Authority, MonroeUnited Bank, BarnesvilleWare Milling Co., Waycross

Rib-Eye Members ($150-$299)Aden’s Minit Market, DouglasBB&T Bank, DainelsvilleCatoosa County Farm Bureau, RinggoldFirst Georgia Banking Company, JeffersonFlint River Mills, BainbridgeManor Cattle Company, ManorMurray Mix Concrete Inc., ChatsworthNovartis Animal Health,

Crystal River, Fla. Pasture Management Systems,

Mount Pleasant, NCRidley Block Operations, Montgomery, ALSunbelt Ag. Expo, Moultrie

Sirloin Members ($75-$149)Abercrombie Garage, DahlonegaAgGeorgia Farm Credit, DublinAgGeorgia Farm Credit, RoystonAgPro Industries, Eastman Amicalola EMC, JasperB & M Metals Cedartown, CedartownB B & T Bank Dahlonega, Dahlonega Bank of Camilla, CamillaBank of Hiawasse, Blairsville, Blue Ridge,

and HiawasseBanks County Farm Bureau, HomerBartow County Farm Bureau, CartersvilleBekaert Corp., DouglasBerry Angus Beef, Mount BerryBlue Sky Ag Marketing, CalhounBraswell Cattle Company, AthensBurke Truck and Tractor, WaynesboroC & B Processing, MilledgevilleCarroll E.M.C., CarrolltonChattooga Farm Bureau, SummervilleCircle R Ranch & Livestock Equipment,

Ft. Meade, Fla.Citizens Bank Washington County,

SandersvilleColony Bank Wilcox, Rochelle

Dahlonega Chiropractic Life Center, Dahlonega

Dogwood Veterinary Hospital, NewnanDosters Farm Supply, RochelleEastonollee Livestock Market, EastonolleeEnterprise Banking Company, Abbeville Farm and Garden Inc., CorneliaFarm Touch Inc., Dewey RoseFarmers State Bank, LincolntonFields Auto Parts, ComerFirst Benefits, Inc., MaconFloyd County Farm Bureau, RomeFort Creek Farm, SpartaGerald A. Bowie, Auctioneer, West PointGlennville Bank, GlennvilleGreg’s Meat Processing, ComerHarris County Farm Bureau, HamiltonHartford Livestock Insurance, WatkinsvilleHenry County Farm Bureau, McDonoughHoney Farm & Ranch, Inc., RockmartDavid Hilliard, CPA, McRaeIvey’s Outdoor and Farm, AlbanyJ&B Tractor Company, WaynesboroJackson Brothers Farm, Round OakJackson EMC, HullJames Short Tractors & Equipment, Inc.,

CarnesvilleJasper Banking Company, JasperLasseter Implement Co., LLC, OcillaLaurens Co. Farm Bureau, DublinMacon Co. Veterinary Hospital, MontezumaMadison County Chamber of Commerce,

DanielsvilleMadison County Farm Bureau, DanielsvilleMadison Co. Hardware, DanielsvilleMartin and Martin Cattle Company,

Williamston, SCMason Tractor and Equipment Company,

Blue RidgeMerchants and Citizens Bank, McRaeMerchants and Farmers Bank, ComerMeriwether County Farm Bureau, GreenvilleNortheast Georgia Livestock, AthensOconee County Chamber of Commerce,

WatkinsvilleOconee County Farm Bureau, WatkinsvilleOconee State Bank, WatkinsvilleOconee Well Driller, WatkinsvilleOwens Farm Supply, ToccoaPalmetto Creek Farm, HamiltonPickens County Farm Bureau, JasperPolk County Farm Bureau, Cedartown Rhinehart Equipment Company, RomeRollin-S-Trailers, MartinR.W. Griffin Feed, DouglasR. W. Griffin, LLC, RochelleSilver Creek Feeders, Treynor, IowaSouthern States, CarrolltonSouthern States, GriffinSouthern States, RoystonSouthern States, Woodstock

Stokes Farm, CovingtonStovall Dairy, DanielsvilleThompson Appraisals, SopertonTroup County Farm Bureau, LaGrangeUnion County Bank, BlairsvilleUnion County Farm Bureau, BlairsvilleUnited Community Bank, CarrolltonUnited Community Bank, ClevelandUnited Community Bank, Dahlonega Wallace Farm & Pet Supply, Bowdon

JunctionWards Service Center, Inc., DexterWayne Chandler Plumbing & Well,

DanielsvilleWhite County Farmers Exchange, ClevelandWhitfield County Farm Bureau, DaltonWhitner and Lewis Farm, AtlantaWilcox Co. Farm Bureau, RochelleWilkes County Stockyard, Washington

Each month, the GCA Associate Members section recognizes GCA’s allied-industry and business members.To become an associate member, complete the form on the bottom of the page or call 478-474-6560.GCA members are encouraged to use the services of these industry-supporting professionals.



ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Georgia Cattlemen’s Association100 Cattlemen’s Drive / P.O. Box 24510

Macon, GA 31212-4510(478) 474-6560 • Fax (478) 474-5731


� New Member � Renewal

Business Name _________________

Contact _______________________

Address _______________________

City___________ State___ Zip_____

Phone_________________________

FAX___________________________

E-mail_________________________

Chapter _______________________

Sponsored by___________________

MEMBERSHIP LEVEL� Tenderloin Member $600 or more

� T-Bone Member $300 - $599

� Rib-Eye Member $150 - $299

� Sirloin Member $ 75 - $149

Contribution Amount __________

Thank you ... for your membership!

Membership dues entitle you to receive a one-year sub-scription to the Georgia Cattleman magazine. Payment ofGCA membership dues is tax-deductible for most GCAmembers as an ordinary business expense. Complying withtax laws, GCA estimates 5% of the dues payment is not tax-deductible as a business expense because of direct lobby-ing activities. Also, charitable contributions to GCA are nottax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.

�


A. SENIOR INDIVIDUALS1. Tye Wynn –

Colquitt County FFA2. Lillie Williams –

Baconton Charter FFA3. Gary Jones –

Newton County FFA

B. JUNIOR INDIVIDUALS1. Zachary Weaver –

Screven County FFA2. Daniel Weaver –

Screven County FFA

C. SENIOR TEAMS1. Coffee County FFA –

Karen RobertsMitchell McIverMekayla McIver

2. Perry FFA –Brent GentryMorgan StricklandHeath Whiddon

3. Cass High FFA – Bailey ArringtonLevi SouthernCharlotte Frady

D. JUNIOR TEAMS1. Colquitt FFA –

Alex KimbrellBen HegwoodMacie Chitty

2. Colquitt FFA– Murdock WynnJustin BassJake Hart

Frank Malcolm, CLU & Lin Malcolm

[email protected]

MALCOLM FINANCIAL GROUP“Since 1974”

LEGACY PLANNING& INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS

MEMBERS: PIEDMONT AND MORGAN COUNTYCATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS

www.georgiaretirementcouncil.com

2010 State Beef GroomingContest Winners Recognized

A B

DCCongratu

lations!


I N D U S T R Y O B I T U A R I E S

Former Georgia Cattlemen Members Among Recent Losses in Cattle IndustryCharles (“Chuck”)

Joseph Idone, 70, MaconCharles (“Chuck”) Joseph Idone, 70,

died Saturday, February 20, 2010. Funeralservices were held at 2 p.m. February 23at the Church of God of Prophecy.Burial was in Glen Haven MemorialGardens, with the Rev. Clinton Fieldsofficiating.

Idone was born in Huntington, LongIsland, N.Y., and was retired from RobinsAir Force Base after more than 25 yearsof service as a program manager. He wasa United States Air Force veteran and aflying enthusiast. He was a member ofthe Church of God of Prophecy, theAdult Sunday School Class teacher, for-mer owner of Idone Angus Farm, formerpresident of the Jones County FarmBureau, past president of the GeorgiaCattlemen’s Association, and a memberand past president of the Georgia AngusAssociation.

Idone is survived by his devotedwife, Dot Idone of Macon; son, Rick(Michelle) Idone of Kathleen; daughters,Michelle (Bryan) Craddock of Macon,Elaine (Scott) Hammock of Macon,Sherrill Steffanini of Macon; eight grand-children; six great-grandchildren; broth-ers, Christopher Idone of New York,Philip Idone of New York, Marc Idoneof Pennsylvania, Peter Idone ofWashington State; sister, Carol AnneIdone of Switzerland; numerous niecesand nephews.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral andCremation Services, Pio Nono Avenue,was in charge of arrangements. Thosewho wish may make donations to FairHavens Ministries, c/o Church of Godof Prophecy, 6055 Houston Road,Macon, GA 31216.

James S. Johnson, 87,Gallilee Community

James S. “Jimmy” Johnson, 87, life-long farmer, former Jackson CountyCommissioner, church and civic leader,World War II veteran and avid privatepilot, died Friday, November 13, 2009, athis residence.

Born in the Galilee community, thecommunity in which he lived at the timeof his death, he was the son of the lateJames Augustus and Emma CarltonJohnson. He was married February 15,1948, in Atlanta, to the former RuthCopeland of Manchester.

He was born and raised on the fami-

ly cattle, hog, crop and poultry farm andoperated it for most of his life. Looking todiversify the original cotton and ginningoperation started by his father, Mr.Johnson began a purebred Angus cattleherd as an FFA project in high school in1938. His herd is one of the earliest start-ed and longest continuous herds in thestate. In the late 1950s, Johnson built thefirst poultry houses and planted pine treesto further diversify and complement thecattle and crop businesses. He was alwayslooking for ways to improve his livestockand farming practices and conserve soiland water, said family members. He plant-ed hybrid Bermuda grass in the 1940s andartificially bred his cows before it was acommon or even accepted practice.

He was a leader in state and commu-nity agricultural organizations. He hadbeen a director and past president of theJackson County Cattlemen’s Associationand the Northeast Georgia Cattlemen’sAssociation; was twice president of theGeorgia Angus Association; helpedorganize the Georgia Cattlemen’sAssociation and was a past director;served as a supervisor for the OconeeRiver Soil and Water ConservationDistrict for 37 years; was appointed bythree governors to serve on the State Soiland Water Conservation Committee; andwas recognized by the Jackson CountyFarm Bureau for 25 years service on itsboard of directors.

Johnson served as a member of theJackson County Board of Commissionersfor six years.

He was also a church and civic leader,having been a member of Galilee ChristianChurch for 77 years and having served as aSunday School superintendent and as adeacon for 25 years. He was a past directorof the Jackson County Area Chamber ofCommerce, was a director of the FirstNational Bank of Jackson County, and wasa past Rotary Club member.

Johnson saw active military duty dur-ing World War II as an infantry machinegunner and assisted in liberating Nazideath camps.

He was an avid private pilot, havinglearned to fly a J3 Cub in 1941 beforeWorld War II. In his log book, he record-ed: “Japs attacked Pearl Harbor while Iwas up. All civilian planes groundedDecember 7, 1941.” After the war, hedelighted many people by taking them upon his plane off the grass strip on hisfarm.

Johnson is survived by his wife; onedaughter, Shirley Ruth Johnson,Jefferson; two sons, Dewey and RandyJohnson, both of Jefferson; five grand-children, Eli and Laura Underwood,Audrey Stell, J.T. Johnson, and NathanJohnson; and one great-grandson, SamUnderwood.

He was preceded in death by adaughter, Linda Underwood Banks.

Funeral services were held Sunday,November 15, 2009 at Galilee ChristianChurch with Minister Tom Plankofficiating. Interment followed in thechurch cemetery.

Memorials may be made to theGalilee Christian Church Building Fund,2191 Galilee Church Rd., Jefferson, GA30549. Online condolences may be madeat www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com.

William Raymond Williams, 87,Snellville

Raymond Williams, 87, of Snellville,Ga., died February 14, 2010. He is sur-vived by his wife of 64 years, ChristineMinor Williams; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Jane Williams, David andConnie Williams, Phyllis Oliver (the lateRalph), Becky and Keith Odom; grand-children, Taylor and Garrett Williams,Mary, Abby and Clay Williams,Christopher and Ashley Oliver, Christineand Camille Odom; sister, Ruth WilliamsSharp; sister-in-law, Rebecca Minor, andbrother-in-law, Horace Minor.

Williams was an Army veteran and amember of First Baptist Church inSnellville, where he served as Chairmanof Deacons and Chairman of the boardof trustees. He was one of two longest-standing members in the church.

He was a Gwinnett County PTAPresident, served on the city council inSnellville and was Chairman of SnellvilleHealth Association. Williams also servedwith New Church Foundation and retiredafter 35 years from working at JohnDeere.

Funeral services were February 16 atSnellville First Baptist Church at 2 p.m.,with the Revs. Steve Foster and ChuckAllen officiating. Interment followed atSnellville Historical Cemetery.

Please make donations to FirstBaptist Church in memory of RaymondWilliams. Cards of sympathy may be sentto David and Connie Williams, Family;441 Elder Road; Bishop GA 30621. GC


Grand Prize

Contest ends November 30, 2010

2010Chapter Membership

To the chapter with the largest membership increase.

Birmingham, Alabama

1010 North 24th Street

Birmingham, Alabama 35201

Phone: (205) 323-4431

1-800-633-4960

Dothan, Alabama

(334) 794-7812

1-800-633-7533

Douglas, Georgia

(912) 384-8104

1-800-241-7702

Montgomery, Alabama

(334) 263-7316

1-800-782-5739

1-800-527-8616

Previous

winner:

2008

Lumpkin County Chapter

SPONSORED BY:


PINEY WOODS CATTLEMEN’SASSOCIATION members JonnyHarris, Chris Taylor and Jerry Baxley wel-comed Tim Marshall (third from left), deanof Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College,to its meeting in Baxley, Ga., Feb. 11.Marshall gave a presentation on selectingreplacement heifers and presented someof the challenges to raising your ownreplacement cattle. Jonny Harris, ofGreenview Farms, was recognized forreceiving the Environmental StewardshipAward for Region II. Marvin and ScottThien were recognized for becomingmembers of the American AngusAssociation. The father-son team hasbeen in the cross-bred business and isnow developing a purebred Angus herd.

See new feature, “Meet Your Specialist”,on page 39, to learn more about Dr. Dennis Hancock’sthoughts on forages.

ROBERT CASON, longtime member and treas-urer for 27 years, was honored as OutstandingMember of the Year for 2009 for the PiedmontCattlemen’s Association.

TODD TEASLEY, president of the PiedmontCattlemen’s Association, awards Chris Wallace ofBricton Farms as Purebred Breeder of the Yearfor 2009.

C O U N T Y

THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN CATTLEMEN met on Feb. 23, 2010 at the Universityof Georgia Research Center. Dr. Dennis Hancock, forage extension specialist at theUniversity of Georgia, spoke to cattlemen about forages being tested in Blairsville forimproved pastures used for grazing. Pictured: Dr. Hancock speaking about specific for-ages being tested in Blairsville.

Piedmont Cattlemen’s Awards Night, January 21, 2010

TODD TEASLEY, president of the PiedmontCattlemen’s Association, awards Frank Malcolmfrom Newborn and owner of Windy Ridge Farmthe Commercial Breeder of the Year for 2009.

LUCY RAY, county agent for Jasper County,awards Frank Malcolm of Windy Ridge Farm firstplace in the Hay Contest for Warm SeasonPerennial Grasses.

JUNIOR ELLIS was awarded first place in the HayContest for Cool Season Perennial Grasses.

FFA MEMBER RONNIE FEW was recognizedfor identifying the winners of the Hay Contest inorder of quality.

Not Pictured: Wayne Allen of Little Springs Farm won first place for the Cool Season Annual Grasses.



GEORGIA LIVESTOCK MARKET NEWS

Local Sale ReportsUniversity of Georgia

18th Annual Focus on EPD’s Bull SaleAthens, GA

Feb. 11, 201027 Angus bulls averaged $1,7723 Limousin bulls averaged $1,0675 Lim-Flex bulls averaged $1,8101 Angus Safe-In Calf Cow $1,0502 Angus Safe-In Calf Heifers $1,2002 Open Angus Heifers $9505 Limousin Safe-In Calf Heifers $1,410

4 Commercial Open Heifers $72549 Total lots grossed $75,400There were 23 buyers from Georgia.

Tifton Bull Evaluation Center 52nd AnnualSale, Irwinville, GA

March 3, 201084 bulls sold grossed $152,900 Sale average=$1,82059 buyers from Florida, Georgiaand Tennessee

Feeder Cattle Sale ReportsMosley Cattle Auction, Blakely, GA

Feb. 16, 2010Load Lots of Steers:

820 lbs. (1 load-Lot 11) $92.90850 lbs. (1 load-Lot 12) $93.10

Load of Heifers:700 lbs. (1 load-Lot 3) $89.00700 lbs. (1 load-Lot 4) $91.50700 lbs. (1 load-Lot 5) $91.80700 lbs. (1 load-Lot 6) $92.00


720 lbs. (1 load-Lot 7) $89.20740 lbs. (1 load-Lot 8) $88.70750 lbs. (1 load-Lot 9) $87.50820 lbs. (1 load-Lot 10)$86.70

Split loads (Heifers-Steers):500-515 lbs. (1 load-Lot 1) $100.10(heifers) $107.10 (steers)650-685 lbs. (1 load-Lot 2) $90.00(heifers) $97.00 (steers)

Mosley Cattle Auction, Blakely, GA

Feb. 23, 2010

Load Lots of Steers:735 lbs. (1 load-Lot 8) $90.10860 lbs. (1 load-Lot 9) $89.80865 lbs. (1 load-Lot 10) $92.70860 lbs. (1 load-Lot 11) $91.00

Load Lots of Heifers:710 lbs. (1 lot-Lot 4) $89.60725 lbs. (1 load-Lot 5) $89.10825 lbs. (1 load-Lot 6) $89.70820 lbs. (1 load-Lot 7) $90.80

Split Loads (Heifers-Steers)500-550 lbs. (1 load-Lot 1) $102.25 (heifers) $110.25 (steers)615-630 lbs. (1 load-Lot 2) $93.20 (heifers) $100.20 (steers)715 lbs. (load-Lot 3) $87.50 (heifers) $93.50 (steers)

Red Carpet Cattlemen’s Association,Yearling Steer and Heifer

Tele-Auction Sale, Calhoun, GAMarch 9, 2010

355 Yearling Steers SoldGroup 1-1: 120 Steers, 900-925 lbs $91.40

Group 1-2: 60 Holstein Steers, 900-925 lbs.$72.95

Group 2-1: 117 Steers, 910-935 lbs. $91.00Group 2-2: 58 Steers, 900-925 lbs. $89.00

Southeast Livestock Exchange,Swainsboro, GA

Heifers 810 lbs. $85.00Heifers 450 lbs. $104.501 Load Steers 725 lbs.

Saddle Creek Farms GA $100.501 Load Heifers 700 lbs.

Saddle Creek Farms GA $94.751 Load Steers 775 lbs.

Magruder Farms GA $93.85Split Load Steers 800 lbs. Studstill Farms GA $96.25Heifers 750 lbs. $91.251 Load Steer 775 lbs.

W.P.Smith & Sons GA $93.60

1 Load Steers 825 lbs. Sweat Farms GA $94.501 Load Heifers 725 lbs. Sweat Farms GA $89.00Heifers 650 lbs. $89.00

Split Load Steers 675 lbs. Canoochee Farm GA $97.75

Heifers 625 lbs. $92.75Split Load Steers 685 lbs. Lakeview Farms GA $97.00

Heifers 635 lbs. $92.00Heifers 650 lbs. $88.751 Load Heifers 650 lbs. Ronnie Mathis GA $91.601 Load Heifers 750 lbs. Tyson Ranch GA $88.501 Load Heifers 750 lbs.

Oak Valley Farm GA $87.751 Load Heifers 690 lbs. J & P Farms GA $88.751 Load Steers 650 lbs.

Jeff Gay GA $91.251 Load Heifers 550 lbs.

Jeff Gay GA $89.001 Load Heifers 630 lbs.

Jeff Gay GA $85.00Split Load Steers 530 lbs.

Jeff Gay GA $92.25 Heifers 530 lbs. $86.25

ATTENTION PRODUCERS:

Do you need updatedweekly or daily market

data?

The information you need isjust a click away! Followthese quick steps online toget current data right nowfrom the Livestock Market

News Service:

GO TOhttp://www.secattleadvisor.com

CLICK “Local Market Reports”

on left side of page.

CLICK “Georgia”

CLICK on your Auction

Market of choice.

T I M E L Y M A R K E TD A T A


DONATION HEIFERSelling at the GA Beef Expo

Commercial Heifer Sale 4/2/2010 at 3 PM

• Proceeds to Benefit the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association• Angus cross bred heifer AI’d to B/R New Design 878

• Donated by Waylan Cheney Farms, Edison, GA


LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST. From left to right: Dr. Carter Black, state veterinarian, Billy Moore, GCA LegislativeCommittee member, Gene Maddox, House Agriculture committee member and state representative, Bill Nutt, GCA pres-ident and Jay Duncan, Coweta County Cattlemen's president.

RURAL CAUCUS INTERN David Cromley visits withDr. Joe Broder, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs forthe University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture CAES,about specific areas in the beef industry that are beingfocused on, in order to secure a sustainable future.

LEGISLATORS, including House Agriculture Committeemember Kevin Levitas, discuss the changes in the beefcattle industry.

GCA MEMBERS enjoy the juicy tenderloin steak biscuitsponsored by Phizer and GCA.

The Georgia Cattlemen’sAssociation Tenderloin-Biscuit breakfastMarch 9, 2010 was intended to reach outto members of the General Assemblyand their staff, thanking them for theircontinued support in dealing with themany issues affecting our members’interests. Sen. John Bulloch, Senate agri-culture committee chairman, and Rep.Tom McCall, House agriculture commit-tee chairman, were among those whotook time from their busy day to drop by.

We have many friends in the Capitoland are most grateful for their interestand knowledge of our industry andthank them for their willingness to helpin dealing with issues. We appreciatePfizer’s support for this event and theefforts of our members, staff and indus-try friends who attended the event. Thisis not the first time GCA has been in theCapitol seeking understanding and sup-port on items affecting our cattle indus-try nor will it be the last.

GCA Leaders ReachOut to Legislators


Magazine and online advertising is available. Call 478-474-6560.

Accelerated Genetics 540-247-4282 ................................ 25, 74

Adams Ranch 772-461-6321 .............................................8

Agri-Steel Structures, Inc. 800-359-8613 ..........................................74

Alltech-“Sel-Plex”.....................................69American-International Charolais

Assoc. 816-464-5977 .............................55Ball Clover

978-575-0272..........................................64Braunvieh Bagley Farms

706-280-7733...........................................15Bridges Angus Farm, LLC

706-340-1421 ..........................................29Bull Whisperer

478-397-7201...........................................74Calhoun H.E.R.D. Heifer Sale

706-624-1403 ..........................................73Callaway Farms

706-318-5444 .........................................16Cattlemen’s Choice Simmental Sale

859-421-6100...........................................57Classified Ads .....................................74, 75Collins Farms

334-559-3227 ..........................................75Commercial Cattle ...................................61Daniel Livestock Service

706-788-2533 ..........................................74Deaver Beefalo

706-374-5789 .........................................74Dugger Tent Inc.

205-594-5931 ..........................................75Edwards Land & Cattle Company

910-298-3012 ..........................................84F-R-M Feeds 800-841-8502 ...............17Farm Credit Associations of Georgia

800-673-0405............................................2Floyd Farms Feed & Supply

706-498-2136 ..........................................74Fuller Supply/Priefert ............................80Genex Cooperative, Inc.

706-318-8844 ..........................................74Georgia Angus Breeders

706-387-0656 ..................................58, 59Georgia Beef Board Check-off

Annual Report ................................43-46Georgia Beefmasters ................................35Georgia Brahman Breeders .....................61Georgia Brangus Breeders ......................32Georgia Chianina Breeders

706-759-2220 .........................................54Georgia-Florida Charolais Breeders

706-384-4235..........................................55Georgia Gelbvieh Breeders ....................61Georgia Grazing Land Coalition..........42 Georgia Mountain Beef Cattle

Field Day .................................................64

Georgia Tifton H.E.R.D. Sale 229-386-3683 ............................................3

Georgia Hereford Breeders 912-865-5593...........................................51

Georgia Limousin Breeders 229-567-4044 ................................... 28

Georgia Polled Shorthorn Breeders ...................................................54

Georgia Red Angus Breeders706-882-7423 ..........................................61

Georgia Santa GertrudisBreeders 678-852-7301 ..................... 61

Georgia Simmental-SimbrahBreeders 770-567-3909.......................35

Grace Meadows Sale ...............................77Hay for Sale

229-239-0537..........................................74Highview Farms

770-567-3942..........................................74Hitch Feed

580-338-8576 ..........................................65John Deere

www.deere.com ....................................47Jones, Mike

706-884-6592 ........................................74JWR Land & Cattle

404-372-6754 .........................back coverKMG

850-934-5589 .........................................65Land for Sale

770-459-5013 ..........................................74Lone Oaks Angus

731-376-0417 ..........................................56Malcolm Financial Group

800-844-4820.........................................78Manley Braunvieh Farms

706-218-4475 ..........................................27MidAtlantic Beefmaster

Spring Roundup 706-629-8133.........35Monroe County HERD Sale

478-994-7014..........................................24NCBA Region II........................................34Ogeechee Farms

706-551-2878.............................................5Pasture Management Systems

980-581-0755 ..........................................64P.H. White Company

800-344-0115 ..........................................30Pine Ridge Simmentals

859-421-6100...........................................33Quintin Smith Angus

615-207-0830 ..........................................35Reproductive Management Services

229-881-9711............................................74 Reproductive Progress

706-769-0797 ..........................................74Rockin’ R Trailers

800-241-8794..........................................74

Santa Gertrudis Breeders Int’l 361-592-9357 ...........................................61

Shady Brook Angus Farm 931-242-1843 ............................................11

Southern Cattle Company 334-685-7286....................................20, 21

Southeast AgNet 850-492-7196 ..........................................78

Southeast Angus Classic 662-837-1776 ..........................................85

Southeast Livestock Exchange828-454-0267 .........................................54

Southeastern Semen Services, Inc.386-963-5916 ..........................................74

Triple E Poultry 706-692-5149.........................................74

Turnpike Creek Farms 229-315-0986..........................................48

Tyson Steel 229-776-7588 ..........................................75

Upper Cumberland Angus Sale 931-239-9785 ...........................................31

Vermeer Corporation 800-370-3659 ..........................................15

Wilkes County Stockyard 706-678-2632 ..........................................75

For the General Classified Ad section see pages 74 and 75


Call GCA at 478-474-6560 for rates & information about these upcoming

Georgia Cattlemanadvertising opportunities:

� MAY: New GCA PresidentHighlight / Junior Spotlight /American Breeds /Chianian & Chi-Influence

� JUNE: Beef MonthFeature, Grilling, RetailBeef Sales

� JULY: Livestock MarketingIssue/Commercial CattleSpotlight/Simmental

� AUGUST: Angus Feature� SEPTEMBER: Brangus

Feature, Sales/SaleCalendar

� OCTOBER: CanoocheeForage Bull DevelopmentSpotlight/Bull Power GroupSpotlight


March 27, 2010Southern Tradition SaleAlapaha, GACall 229-532-7963[see advertisement, March page 5]

March 27, 2010Southern Cattle Company Female SaleMarianna, FLCall 334-685-7286[see advertisement, March page 21and April pages 20-21]

March 27, 2010Kensington Cattle CompanyFemale SaleWoodbury, GACall 706-553-5455[see advertisement, March page 31]

March 27, 2010SE Red Angus Association“Grasstime” AuctionCullman, ALwww.seraa.org [see advertisement, March page 101]

March 27, 2010State 4-H Livestock Judging ContestAthens, GA

March 27, 2010Deer Valley Farm Spring Angus Bull SaleFayetteville, TN

April 1-3, 2010GCA Convention and Beef Expo-Perry, GACall 478-474-6560 for more information

April 2, 2010E6 Beefmaster CommercialReplacement Female SaleGeorgia Beef ExpoCall 706-884-6592[see advertisement, March page 25]

April 2, 2010GA Beef Expo Commercial Replacement Female AuctionGeorgia Beef ExpoCall 706-884-6592[see advertisement, March page 63]

April 2, 2010Southeastern Angus Showcase SaleGeorgia Beef ExpoCall 706-387-0656[see advertisement, March page 54]

April 3GA Hereford Association SaleGeorgia Beef ExpoCall 706-339-1144[see advertisement, March page 39]

April 3, 2010Black Hereford RanchClub Calf SaleSalado, TXCall 580-309-0711[see advertisement, March page 67]

April 3, 2010GCCPA 12th Annual Club Calf SaleGeorgia Beef ExpoCall 912-690-1727[see advertisement, March page 66]

April 3, 2010Southeastern Brangus Association SaleGeorgia Beef ExpoCall 336-998-8125[see advertisement, March page 29]

April 3, 2010Southern Classic Charolais SaleGeorgia Beef ExpoCall 859-744-8909[see advertisement, March page 71]

April 6, 2010SLE Tel-O SaleCall 828-454-0267[see advertisement, page 54]

April 8-9, 2010UGA Hay Production SchoolMoultrie, GA

April 10, 2010GGLCC Forage Field DayOdum, GACall 912-427-5965[see advertisement, April page 42]

April 10, 2010Smith Brothers Farms & CattleSouthern Showcase VIIIPavo, GACall 229-672-0680[see advertisement, March page 65]

April 10, 2010Davis Farms SaleDoerun, GA

April 10, 2010Southern Heritage SaleAt Pine Ridge SimmentalsValdosta, GA

April 10, 2010Ray Cattle Company SaleHackleburg, AL

April 10, 2010Shady Brook Angus FarmLeoma, TN[see advertisement page 19]

April 11, 2010BoBo Angus SaleArdmore, AL

April 13, 2010Red Carpet Cattlemen’s Tele-AuctionCalhoun, GACall 423-413-3124[see advertisement, March page 93]

April 15, 2010Beef Industry Scholarship DeadlineCall 478-474-6560/www.gabeef.org/gjca[see advertisement, page 63]

April 16, 2010Britt Angus Female SaleHartwell, GACall 770-318-9809[see advertisement, March page 26]

April 17, 2010J&A Farms Club Calf SaleGreenville, FL

April 17, 2010Edwards Land & Cattle Co.Mature Cowherd Dispersalof Registered Limousin & Lim-FlexClinton, NCCall 910-298-3012[see advertisement, March page 24and April page 84]

April 17, 2010Bricton Farm 15th Annual Georgia Genetics SaleSocial Circle, GACall 770-787-7644[see advertisement, March page 30]

April 17, 2010MidAtlantic Beefmaster MarketingGroupSpring Roundup Calhoun, GACall 706-629-8133[see advertisement, April page 35]

April 18, 2010John Morgan Angus Farm7th Annual Female Production SaleMystic, GACall 229-468-9492[see advertisement, March page 35]

April 19, 2010Three Trees Ranch Female SaleSharpsburg, GA

April 20, 2010Georgia Tifton HERD SaleIrwinville, GACall 229-386-3683[see advertisement, March page 89and April page 3]

April 21, 2010UGA Mountain Beef Cattle Field DayBlairsville, GA[see advertisement, page 64]

April 22-24, 2010State FFA Convention Macon, GA

April 23-24, 2010NCBA Region II Annual MeetingJackson, MSCall 601-354-8951[see advertisement, page 34]

April 24, 2010Turnpike Creeks Farms Angus SaleMilan, GACall 229-315-0986[see advertisement, April page 48]

April 24, 2010UGA Bulldog BonanzaBenefit Horse SaleAthens, GACall 706-542-9092

April 24, 201013th Annual Spring Time Select SaleUpper Cumberland AngusAssociationCookeville, TNCall 931-239-9785[see advertisement, page 31]

April 24, 2010Crimson Classic SaleHanceville, AL

April 26, 2010Lone Oaks Angus SaleMiddleton, TNCall 731-376-0417[see advertisement, page 56]

April 30, 2010Sunshine Farms 3rd Annual Strawberry Classic Sim-AngusFemale SaleCall 205-755-4203[see advertisement, March page 71]

May 1, 2010JWR Land & Cattle Company “Blending the Best Sale”Rockmart, GACall 404-372-6754[see advertisement, back cover]

May 1, 2010Ogeechee FarmsMature Angus Cow Herd DispersalWadley, GACall 706-551-2878[see advertisement, page 5]

May 1, 2010Cattlemen’s Choice SimmentalColbert, GA[see advertisement, page 57]

May 1, 2010Deer Valley Angus Female SaleFayetteville, TN

May 4, 2010SLE Tel-O-SaleCall 828-454-0267[see advertisement, page 54]

May 5-7, 201059th Annual Florida Beef CattleShort CourseGainesville, FLCall 352-392-2390[see advertisement, March page 53]

May 6, 2010Monroe County HERD SaleForsyth, GACall 478-994-7014[see advertisement, March page 15and April page 24]

May 8, 2010Grace MeadowsJohnson City, TN[see advertisement, page 77]

May 8, 2010Bridges Angus Farm SaleLexington, GACall 706-340-1421[see advertisement, page 29]

May 8, 2010Callaway Farms SaleRayle, GACall 706-318-5444[see advertisement, page 16]

May 11, 2010Red Carpet Cattlemen’s Tele-AuctionCalhoun, GACall 423-413-3124[see advertisement, page 93]

R E A D E R S E R V I C E S�

May 1, 201011 a.m. EDT

at the farm near Rockmart, GA

OFFERING

The Wesley Rakestraw family, ownersTom and Tammy Boatman, managers404-372-6754 OR [email protected]

191U - Sired by TundraReady for service

“Blending the Best” VIII“Blending the Best” VIII

• Fancy Fall Heifer Calves

• Powerful Spring Yearling Heifers

• Fall and Spring Calving Cows

• Bulls Ready For Service

• Top Genetic Embryo Packages

www.jwrlandandcattle.com

086U - Sired by KeynoteReady for service

Donor B64Sired by 4009Sells OPEN

Ready to FLUSH

074P - Sired by P606Sells Bred to Nitro 071W - September show prospect

Sired by Nitro

028W - Sired by TundraFebruary 4, 2009

022W - Sired by SonoraFebruary 2, 2009

074W - September show prospectSired by Stamina

139W - November show prospectSired by P606

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April Georgia Cattleman

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