Geni Wren

Beef industry’s “boundless potential”

When you listen to economic futurist Lowell Catlett, PhD, you can’t help but be inspired. Speaking to over 1,000 attendees at the 2013 Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association meeting in Tampa this week, Catlett did not disappoint. ... Full story.

Commentary: Talk about hormones responsibly

Last week, while I was attending the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s 2012 Antibiotic Symposium in Columbus, Ohio, I joined some of the other attendees for a lovely dinner at a high-end steakhouse. When the server came out with a beautiful platter of plastic-wrapped pieces of steak to show us our choices, she started to describe the beef that the restaurant used. ... Full story.

Pay attention to weaning diets

Chris Reinhardt, PhD, Kansas State University, offers tips to get calves weaned, eating starter rations and getting off to a good start before the fall weather hits. ... Full story.

Watch for poisonous plants

Drought has claimed a lot of good forage this year and hungry cattle will graze undesirable plants, including toxic weeds, flowers and more. ... Full story.

Beware of prussic acid poisoning

Many areas of the country that experience drought this summer are now being relieved with some rain, which can bring its own special issues with regrowth of lush grass. ... Full story.

Defacing the Butter Cow

Last week at the Iowa State Fair, the iconic Butter Cow was temporarily defaced by an animal activist group with a taped-on “go vegan” sign that fell off after a couple of hours. ... Full story.

Early weaning tips and health effects 

Bob Larson, DVM, PhD, discusses early weaning of beef calves and some of the health effects of cows and calves caused by the recent drought. ... Full story.

If you see something, say something

Agriculture can take a lesson from new DHS theme, "If you see something, say something." ... Full story.

I am not a factory

Anne Burkholder is proud of the cattle she produces at her feedlot and embraces the term CAFO as she explains its meaning to consumers. ... Full story.

'HSUS Revealed!' video gets 34,000 hits 

The newly launched Missouri Farmers Care Web site encourages people to find out more about farmers and how food gets from field to plate, and offers stories from farmers around the state who farm because they care. The group recently released a YouTube video, “HSUS Revealed!” which has already garnered 34,000 hits. ... Full story.

AABP scholarships and awards deadlines approaching

There is still time to nominate beef and/or dairy veterinarians for AABP awards as well as apply for AABP scholarships if you are a veterinary student. ... Full story.

Jaax discusses agroterrorism, NBAF 

At the 4th FBI International Symposium on Agroterrorism in Kansas City, Mo., this week, Jerry Jaax, DVM, ACLAM, Associate Vice President for Research Compliance and veterinarian at Kansas State Unviersity, discussed agroterrorism and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) that is planned for Manhattan, Kan. ... Full story.