Last week a user placed a free State Ad in her state offering tractor attachments for sale.

Identifying the attachments by name would help the visitors to the ads know what they were.

PHOTO!!! Always put a photo in your ad! A photo helps an ad get noticed and read.

Today Martha Thompson of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension placed an employment ad for their service on RuralAds.com in the state of Kentucky.

Click to read the ad

Have a service you want to promote or a job openning? Place a State Ad.
The price is right, State Ads on our sites are FREE!

Yesterday when our developer was working on our sites he accidently made an error in the "place an ad" coding.

A cattleman from Iowa sent me an email that let know he could not get a semen ad placed. I sure appreciate him doing so.

This morning the problem is fixed and all is working.

If ever you run into a problem when using any of our websites please let me know.

visual symptoms of curly calf syndrome
Rodney Torell U of NV Beef Extension

Several coffee shop readers asked what are the visual symptoms of curly
calf syndrome? Curly calf syndrome is also known as Bovine Hereditary
Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (BHAMC).

The short answer: At birth the spine is bent and twisted in affected
calves (sounds like lupine or crooked calf syndrome doesn't it?). The
calves are small and appear thin due to limited muscle development. Legs
are often rigid and may be hyperextended (common in rear limbs) or
contracted. In some cases the rigid limbs result in calving
difficulties. Additional unique features are recognized during
laboratory examination.

A short search on the internet turned up this response from Dr Dehnholm
a knowledgeable researcher on the subject.

Most cases are stillborn, but occasional BHAMC affected calves are born
alive. All have arthrogryposis or fixation of the leg joints, usually
with fixed flexion of the forelimbs and fixed extension of the
hindlimbs. Most cases have severe kyphoscoliosis (twisting of the
thoracic and lumbar spine), torticollis (twisting of the neck) and a
marked lack of muscle development, leading to a bodyweight about half
normal (about 15 to 20 kg). Most are full-term calves with erupted
teeth, open eyelids etc. Some cases also have palatoschisis (cleft
palate), as reported in Charolais calves in Canada with heritable
congenital arthrogryposis.

This syndrome has also been reported in Hereford cattle (by Leipold from
Kansas University in 1974). It probably occurs in many Bos taurus breeds
and has been reported in Angus, Charolais and Herefords since the
1970's.

Hope this answers your question,

Ron Torell

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF CURLY CALF SYNDROME
SUMMARY
On September 5, 2008, the American Angus Association posted a notice on its website
(www.angus.org) in which it requested the assistance of its members and users of Angus genetics
in obtaining reports of any abnormal calves believed to fit the accompanying description of what
is currently described as “Curly Calf Syndrome”.
The following document includes:
• A notice from Dr. Jon Beever entitled “Likely Presence of Lethal Genetic Defect
in a Specific Line of Angus Cattle”
• An Open Letter to the Membership from the Board of Directors
- An introduction to the scientist, Dr. Beever, with whom the Association is
working at this time
- Primer on the basic science of genetics and how recessive genes are inherited
- Discussion of how a diagnostic test is developed
- Possible timetable for this situation
Between September 6 and September 15, 2008, the Association received written and verbal
reports of 48 calves previously born dead with physical characteristics consistent with the Curly
Calf Syndrome. Each report also included the recorded identities of the sire and dam of the
abnormal calf. The Association has provided Dr. Beever with this information as it has become
available. Based on the reports the Association has received since September 5, the following
tentative conclusions appear likely:
• Curly Calf Syndrome appears to most likely be caused by a simple recessive gene,
tentatively traced from the most recent common ancestor, GAR Precision 1680,
Registration 11520398 (“1680”). This tentative conclusion does not preclude other
ancestors of this bull, on either the sire or the dam side, from potentially being identified
as carriers at a later time;
• Forty-seven of those 48 calves identified to the Association contained “1680” genetics on
both sides of the abnormal calves’ pedigrees;
• With the assumption of a simple recessive inheritance pattern, the risk for producing a
calf affected with this syndrome can manifest itself when the recessive gene is found in
both the sire’s and dam’s pedigree.
As of yet, there does not appear to be any other mode of inheritance or reported environmental
factors that explains this specific syndrome in these reported calves. As soon as Dr. Beever
finds the mutation, he will turn to the important task of developing an accurate diagnostic test
that will allow potentially impacted animals to be tested to determine if they are free of or are a
carrier of this gene.
The Association urges every member to read this entire document carefully.

Ag groups want COOL loophole closed
Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 5:09 PM

by Bob Meyer Brownfield Network

National Farmers Union, R-CALF USA and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association have a problem with USDA’s interpretation of country of origin labeling. The three groups sent a letter to Ag Secretary Ed Schafer expressing concern with reports some meat processors plan to circumvent the intent of the law by labeling U.S. meat as coming from “Multiple countries”. The letter states, “To allow processors to label all products as if from multiple countries does not adhere to the spirit or intent of the
law, and only further denies consumers information they have been demanding for years.”

NFU president Tom Buis says, “The farm bill language explicitly states exclusively born, raised and processed U.S. animals cannot be used in the multiple country category.” He adds, “This is about truth in labeling.” The groups ask that the situation be clarified and remedied before COOL is implemented on October 1st

Today I got an email from a breeder that had 4 bulls he wants to sell.
"What does a National Ad cost and how long does it run?"

I emailed back that the cost is $35 and runs for 3 months. I also noted that as long as the ad was up it would be included in the site's monthly Newslletter.

The same holds true for National Ads on any of our sites.

Have a job opening?
You can place free emplyment ads in your state on RuralAds.com
Here is one placed by the U of Kentucky in Kentucky.

Farm Management Specialist I
This area specialist will be assigned to the Kentucky Farm Business Management Program (KFBM) to work with approximately 50 farmer-cooperators for 90% of his/her professional time. The principal responsibility will be providing farm financial record analysis and objective farm management counseling to farmer-cooperators. Under the leadership of the KFBM State Coordinator and in collaboration with other faculty, the specialist will assist in state-wide analysis of farm financial data collected from farmer-cooperators for applied research, enterprise analysis, and other studies.

As an Area Farm Management Specialist, this person will collaborate with other faculty, county agents for agriculture, and farm-related agencies to develop farm management educational programs for farmers who are not members of the Association, (10% of his/her professional time). This could include financial management, tax strategies, farm planning, enterprise analysis, estate planning and other topics, which are based on the lessons learned from the analysis and performance of the farmer-cooperators.

Area Specialists in Farm Management are evaluated on 1) input from Association Board members and farmer-cooperators; 2) the Association's membership and financial viability; 3) effectiveness of the farm management extension programming with county agents and other specialists; 4) coordination of professional work with the KFBM State Coordinator, other area farm management specialists and the Area Program Director; and 5) collaboration with faculty and staff in the Agricultural Economics Department.

Experience in this type of work and in farm management applications of micro computers is desirable. Ability to work effectively with farmers and specialists in Agricultural Economics and other subject matter areas is essential. A Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics or related field with a major interest in farm management. Experience in this type of work and in farm management applications of micro computers is desirable. Ability to work effectively with farmers and specialists in Agricultural Economics and other subject matter areas is essential.

Application deadline September 30, 2008, or until qualified candidate is found. Contact Jerry Pierce @ 270-737-4799 or jerry.pierce@uky.edu

Ag Secretary says ethanol too dependent on government subsidies
Janie Gabbett MeatingPlace.com

Signalling a possible shift in the administration's postion on ethanol subsidies, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said this week that cuts in government ethanol subsidies are needed, according to Reuters.

"The ethanol industry has incorporated the fact there are subsidies into their operational, financial models. I think that is a mistake," Schafer told reporters at a business journalism conference in Kansas City. "They are going to have to see a gradual ... step-down reduction in subsidies."

USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency will roll out a biofuels action plan within the next few weeks, Schafer said. The plan will lay out what elements of the biofuels industry the government sees as sustainable and outline the government's ability to support the industry.

Place your Calendar Ad early on any of our sites like the Missouri Red Angus Assn!

Their Spring Sale is not until April 18, 2009, but Dennis and Jo Ann Ory placed it today. Now that is being ORGANIZED!

The ad is free and will be up until the sale is over.

Click here to read the ad

Have a state event you need to advertise? You can do the same.

Paul,
Thank you for letting us post a free ad for the CHOTEAU SHEEP EXPO on SheepAds.com. We had a very succsessful sale this year and plan a big celebration next year for our 25th sale. We will be back to post it when the time comes.

Thanks again,
Bill McKay

Be sure to place a free State Calendar Ad in your state for any event you need to promote like Bill did. Do it early!

New research could lead to BSE testing on live animals
By Ann Bagel Storck on 9/8/2008
Meatingplace.com

The key to determining whether an animal has bovine spongiform encephalopathy could be in an unexpected place — its urine — according to scientists at the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory.

Working with scientists from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's BSE Reference Laboratories, the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health in Germany and the University of Manitoba, the researchers found that changed levels of a protein in cattle urine indicates the presence of BSE with 100 percent accuracy in a small sample set. It was also determined that changes in the relative abundance of a set of proteins corresponded with the advancement of the disease.

The discovery could lead to the ability to perform accurate BSE diagnostic tests on live animals; currently, BSE testing can only be done postmortem.

"We are hopeful that at some point in the future the knowledge gained from this study will make it possible to test live cattle," said David Knox, lead researcher on the study. "It also may be possible to develop similar tests for other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in other species, including humans."

Enough popcorn, give me steak
by Steve Kopperud, Brownfield Network

Conversations in DC these past few weeks have inevitably begun with "What did you think of the speech?" From Michelle Obama's "We're-just-like-you" oratory, to Sen. Barack Obama's cross of gold speech to the multitudes, to Gov. Sara Palin's "I'm-real-take me seriously" barnburner, to Sen. John McCain's "my road" speech, we in this town have been glued to C-SPAN, CNN, Fox and MSNBC.

I've joked with friends and colleagues that if Hollywood had scripted a presidential campaign, it couldn't be any more bizarre than this quadrennial horse race. But it's time to move beyond the theatrics and "rate-the-speech" game and start demanding substance.

The problem is, we can demand substance, but I'm afraid we're in for more of the same as both candidates worry too much about playing to the media mob. Both presidential candidates misstepped with the media in their veep choices, and the press is now looking for red meat on which to dine.

Obama's selection of Sen. Joe Biden (D, DE), the DC insider, gave lie to his quest for "change," but played to the folks who worry that Obama lacks the gravitas and experience to sit in the Oval Office. McCain, more bad boy than maverick in this case, picked "Sara who?" Palin, to shore up support among the far right wing of his party, while hoping to snag at least some part that golden undecided independent women's vote.

Both candidates poked the bear that is the national press corps with a very sharp stick. Having spent more than a decade as a reporter and editor, I can tell you that nothing ticks off a self-important media type than being bored or caught unprepared. When either condition sets in, there results general pettiness and muckraking,and we've seen it in spades.

What Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin must do now is redirect their energies and messages so that they're talking directly to the American people, not to the press gaggle. Force the press to cover what you're saying and what you stand for, not what you're wearing, who you dated in high school or how many houses you own. Forget about DC types -- we'll adapt to whomever sits in the White House; forget about the party leadership, they'll defend their candidate no matter what, and forget about the zealots out there of whatever political stripe. They made up their minds a long time ago and there's nothing that will change their opinion.

Part of the job of any political candidate is to draw contrasts with their opposition. I like this part of the campaign; it's the drama and comedy that keeps our interest. But for the first time in recent memory, I feel a real, deep need for information from both teams. There's a serious void in the substance category. I don't feel I've learned much more than soundbites about positions on the issues I care about like the economy, rural/ag/food issues, trade, energy and international relations. Like many, I'm not disposed -- nor should I have to be -- to spend hours searching the web or buying esoteric publications to get my information. I want to hear it straight from the horses' mouths. And the media is supposed to deliver.

The media is doing a crappy job of covering both teams. Most of the members of the Fourth Estate have allowed themselves to get down in the mud with the supermarket tabloids and chase rumor and innuendo. This is a betrayal of public trust -- such as there is these days -- and its counter to everything journalism is supposed to be.

To both campaigns and to the press corps, I offer again, a turn on an old campaign phrase:

"It's the issues, stupid."

A key issue facing the livestock industry, as federal country of origin labeling takes effect Sept. 30, is how to move required livestock origin information along the ownership chain. That issue was addressed in an unprecedented industry meeting recently organized by LMA, and co-hosted by the National Farmers Union and the National Meat Association. The result was the development of three universal “Country of Origin Affidavit/Declaration Statements.”

Read more on LMA Member InfoLink Press Releases.

MICHIGAN STATE CLAIMS WORLD'S FASTEST GROWING SHEEP
Aug. 27, 2008

American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) reports:


The Sheep Research and Teaching Facility at Michigan State University (MSU) reports what it believes to be the "World's Fastest Growing Sheep."

MSU 8130, a Suffolk ram, was born on Feb. 8, 2008, as a 20-pound single. He was weaned on April 16, at an age of 68 days, and weighed 120 pounds. At 120 days of age, MSU 8130 tipped the scales at 203 pounds with a post weaning 60-day growth rate of 1.6 pounds per day.

MSU 8130 was part of a research study at MSU evaluating growth rate and feed efficiency in Suffolk ram lambs. Rams are fed for 42 days post weaning using feed intake recording equipment. MSU 8130 had a feed conversion rate of 3.87 pounds of feed per pound of gain. At 96 days of age, weighing 163 pounds, MSU 8130 was scanned using ultrasound and was found to have a 12th rib fat measurement of 0.21 inches and a loin eye area of 3.71 square inches.

Another ram, MSU 8139, born as a 16-pound twin on Feb. 11, was weaned at 93 pounds at 65 days of age. At 120 days of age, MSU 8139 weighed 199 pounds with a post weaning 60-day growth rate of 1.91 pounds per day. MSU 8139 had a feed conversion rate of 3.39 pounds of feed per pound of gain. At 114 days of age, weighing 184 pounds, MSU 8139 was scanned using ultrasound and was found to have a 12th rib fat measurement of 0.21 inches and a loin eye area of 3.53 square inches.

Both rams were sired by Culham & Stevens 5BR155, the National Sheep Improvement Program Suffolk trait leading sire for both weaning weight and post-weaning gain.