Feed Lot

APR 2013

Feedlots and cow/calf operations in the beef industry who feed 500 or more has annually on grains and concentrates; maintain 500 or more beef cows; backgrounder, stocker/grower, preconditioner; veterinarian, nutritionist, consultant

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EDITOR���S DESK F BY undamentals of change Things are changing in the beef industry. Some of these changes are brought about by drought, corn prices and market fundamentals. Other changes are generational, as more baby boomers reach retirement age, Generation Xers reach their stride as major managers and researchers and Millennials come of age. Each generation has shown to have different tastes, preferences and time to enjoy a good meal. The ethnicity of our nation is also evolving, which changes the popularity of certain cuts of meat. By 2050, Hispanics are expected to make up 30 percent of the U. S. population, and Asian consumers are predicted to double, from five to nine percent. Today���s cattlemen are faced with the challenge of responding to the desires of the evolving consumer marketplace while balancing the circumstances that Mother Nature has provided. Neither are easy, but both are necessary. In this issue of FEED-LOT magazine, we take a look at some new ideas or considerations that might help producers in today���s changing beef market. First, in our Feedlot Focus section, Mark Roth looks at how the cattle feeding industry is beginning to adjust. Smaller supplies are definitely having an affect on feedyards and packers. But with no expansion on the horizon due to the continued drought, it���s a path our industry must take. Also in our feedlot section, Terri Queck-Matzie visits with a Nebraska feedyard who redesigned their working facilities with cowboy safety in mind. The new system has not only sped JILL J. DUNKEL up processing, it���s cut worker���s compensation claims, and that���s a change for the better. In our stocker section, we examine the idea of using nutrition to aid in the decrease of respiratory disease. Research is studying certain naturally occurring compounds that can help reduce stress in cattle, thus also reducing illness. And for our cow-calf readers, two new ideas are brought to the table ��� using ionophores to increase feed efficiency in the cow herd and exploring the use of transfer factor as a way to prevent disease. The beef industry has evolved for decades. The use of technologies and thinking outside the box will keep the industry in business for many more years to come. But one���s ability to accept and implement change could determine if he or she will be around to see it. FL Innovative Cattle Services LLC, is excited to release its exclusive cattle app. Designed to give serious cattle breeders a unique and very useful tool for producing quality cattle that will bring top dollar when selling. Select the bull and the cow you want, then the app will give you the probable offspring you could come up with. This is the first version; with EPD's and other breeds coming soon to allow for even more results! Available Now: Available Soon: Android is a trademark of Google Inc., Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc., Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc. Circle No. 102 on Reply 4 Circle No. 103 on Reply FEED���LOT April/May 2013

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