ASI Research Update Podcast: Drought Risk Management
With much of the United States suffering through drought conditions in 2021, sheep producers are scrambling to develop a plan to deal with the lack of quality grasses and feed. And that’s why the ASI Research Update Podcast turned to Oklahoma State University’s JC Hobbs to provide insight on dealing with Mother Nature during these difficult times.
“When we hear the term ‘drought’ that might not mean the same thing to everybody,” said podcast host Jake Thorne of Texas A&M AgriLife.
Hobbs said drought can be defined in two ways when it comes to livestock production: shortage of pasture due to dry conditions or shortage of water. Drought can affect livestock productions in both the short and long term, including through increased operating costs (purchasing additional feed, hauling water, renting additional pasture) as well as through decreased revenues (lower weight gains, reduced conception, wool production, milk production).
“When it comes to experiencing drought or other problems, the advice of others – experts in the field – is a great place to start,” Hobbs said. “Those resources are there, so utilize them.”
Click Here to listen to the podcast.
Input Needed on Targeted Grazing Survey
The American Sheep Industry Association is writing a second volume of the Targeted Grazing Handbook that was first published in 2006. The purpose of this volume is to provide practical information to individuals considering the use of targeted grazing either in their personal operation or as a service to others. In addition, it will help all targeted grazing providers with information on the efficacy and use of targeted grazing to market the use of livestock as a scientifically proven land management option.
Please share the link to this survey with targeted graziers that were not on our mailing list. Unless you choose to provide contact information, this survey is confidential and not associated with the name of the respondent. Thank you for taking time to assist in this project by completing the survey.
Click Here for the survey.
Superior Farms Hiring Manager for Sheep Discovery Center
Superior Farms is launching a new feeding and sheep production operation utilizing innovative technology, top genetics and high-nutrient feed sources producing a large number of lambs throughout the year and is searching for an operations manager. The position will be based in Nephi, Utah.
Initially, the manager will oversee the site development, build-out, equipment installation, land and building, etc. to include working closely with vendors, contractors, producer/partners and other individuals or entities to ensure the operation’s timely opening. Once fully operational, the manager will oversee all aspects of the operation to include innovative care and feeding of lambs/ewes/rams, equipment maintenance, feed procurement, advanced automation in animal care and feed production, and management of personnel.
Click Here for the full job description and to apply for the position.
Dr. Logan to Retire as Wyoming State Vet
The Wyoming Livestock Board announced at its meeting on June 9 that it had accepted the upcoming resignation and retirement of State Veterinarian Jim Logan, DVM.
Dr. Logan has served the Wyoming Livestock Board and producers as state veterinarian through two appointed terms (1997-2004 and 2009 to present). He also served as assistant state veterinarian (2007-2009), and as a member of the Livestock Board (1993-1997).
A few of the honors received by Dr. Logan during his career include: National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials Award, University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agriculturist of the Year Award and Wyoming Stockgrowers Association Guardian of the Grasslands Award.
Dr. Logan has served many local, state and national organizations, including serving as Chairman of the Riverton Memorial Hospital Board, Wyoming Wool Growers Association and the American Sheep Industry Association.
“Dr. Logan is a staple of Wyoming, and his absence will leave a thoughtful and wise hole in many arenas,” said Wyo. Gov. Mark Gordon. “His dedication to the veterinary profession, agriculture and his consistently fair approach to the challenges that face our producers, wildlife managers and citizens is beyond compare. Jim’s work will be held up as the example of what the state vet should be for years to come. I’m grateful for his work and wish him nothing but happiness going forward. Most of all, Jim deserves a very large ‘thank you’ from everyone and I’m happy to extend my thanks for his many years of service.”
“My experience with Jim Logan is that of a man who is committed to the protection and progression of the livestock industry in both the state and national arenas,” said WLSB Board President and sheep producer Shaun Sims. “His work and dedication will be used as an example of what a state veterinarian should be both now and in the future. Thank you, Jim, for your years of service.”
Source: Wyoming Livestock Board
AWEX Receives Australian Traceability Grant
The Australian Federal Government has announced the outcomes of the second round of the Traceability Grants Program. David Littleproud, minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management made the announcement as part of the Government’s commitment to advancing traceability in agriculture.
AWEX was successful in its application to further advance the work already underway with AWEX’s eBale project. The benefits include: improved on-farm data collection, better information flow from farm to mill, potential logistics automation and management benefits resulting in less errors in shipments/deliveries and provenance. Efficiencies in supply chain traceability – including the rapid identification of wool bales, e.g. in the event of an exotic animal disease outbreak or lost bales – will be enhanced.
AWEX’s eBale project has been conducted with the direct involvement of wool pack manufacturers, an RFID tag supplier, growers, classers, warehouses, brokers, exporters and overseas processors.
EBale utilizes RFID and QR Code technology giving each wool bale a unique number which is captured in-shed using AWEX’s WoolClip software. The combination of eBale and WoolClip creates a conduit between the wool shed and the grower’s selling agent of choice. AWEX registers wool pack manufacturers/importers and wool classers, monitoring their performance against the Australian standards. AWEX also manages the NWD and its Integrity Program on behalf of the Australian wool industry to build pipeline and consumer confidence in Australian wool. These base elements are integral to wool’s provenance and integrity story.
To complete e-Bale & WoolClip, the project activities will focus on the gaps related to the full testing of a traceability system prior to industry approval and potential commercialization. AWEX will work closely with industry stakeholders to create greater awareness of the tremendous opportunity presented in receiving this grant and garner support for the project.
Source: AWEX
Australian Wool Market Continues to Rise
The Australian wool market continued its climb this week, recording overall increases for the fifth consecutive series. After not selling in the previous week, the Fremantle region returned this week. This return – combined with last week’s price increases enticing more sellers to the market – pushed the national quantity up to 42,496 bales.
The larger offering received excellent buyer support from the opening lot and pushed prices higher. This support continued to the final hammer and resulted in a steady increase of price levels as the sale progressed. All Merino types and descriptions – across the entire micron spectrum – enjoyed rises. The individual Merino fleece Micron Price Guides in the Eastern centers added between 45 and 129 cents for the series. The Southern 16.5 MPG indicator has now rallied for 11 consecutive selling days, adding 365 cents during this period. This run of gains is a new record for this indicator since it was introduced in 2006.
As the Fremantle region did not enjoy the large increases of the previous series, the rises in the Western MPGs were even more significant. The Western MPGs added between 94 and 132 cents. The gains in the Merino fleece MPGs across the country – combined with increases in all other sectors – helped push the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator up by 55 cents, closing the week at 1,448 Australian cents. The EMI has now risen for 6 consecutive selling days, adding 142 cents across these sales. The skirtings also recorded strong gains. General price rises of between 60 and 120 cents were realized with wool finer than 18 micron most affected.
Increases were not as generous in U.S. dollar terms, thanks to a drop in the value of the Australian dollar.
Fremantle does not sell again next week. With only Melbourne and Sydney in operation, the national offering has fallen to 34,600 bales.
Source: AWEX
Ag Committee Leaders Fear Impact of Tax Changes
Republican leaders of agriculture committees in Congress are highlighting a new study that confirms proposed changes to taxes on inherited property will have a devastating impact on the next generation of family farmers and ranchers.
Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, ranking member of the House Committee on Agriculture, and Sen. John Boozman, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, requested the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University to analyze two pieces of legislation introduced in the Senate that would change the tax liabilities of family members when farm and ranch estates are passed from generation to generation.
AFPC’s study confirms that if enacted, the two bills analyzed – the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion Act, which proposes to eliminate stepped-up basis upon death of the owner, and the For the 99.5 Percent Act, which would decrease the estate tax exemption – would have a devastating impact on the hardworking families that own and operate farms and ranches.
“The livelihoods of American farmers are on the chopping block with proposed changes to stepped-up basis and the estate tax. Many Democrats love to talk about taxing the richest of the rich, but in reality, their proposals would hurt Main Street far more than Wall Street,” said Thompson. “The economic harm that will inevitably fall onto on our farmers, ranchers and producers is too great a burden to gamble with, even with proposed carve-outs and exemptions. The report released today from the Agricultural and Food Policy Center underscores what the industry has known for years – new taxes on farmers are more than just an annoyance, they’re a generational threat to farm families.”
Click Here for the full press release.
Source: Rep. Glenn Thompson