On a hot summer day, people often dress in light clothing, drink more water than normal, and seek shade to minimize the impacts on the body from heat and humidity. Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute experts said cattle need many of those same strategies for maximum performance over the summer.
Talking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, veterinarians Bob Larson, Brian Lubbers, and Brad White and nutritionist Phillip Lancaster agreed that providing plenty of water and shade are two keys to success in keeping cattle comfortable.
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March was a record-breaking month for U.S. beef and pork exports. The U.S. Meat Export Federation released a report compiled from USDA data that the exports continued the momentum in April.
"Looking back at April 2020, it was a difficult month for red meat exports as we began to see COVID-related supply chain interruptions and foodservice demand took a major hit in many key markets," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "While it is no surprise that exports performed much better in April 2021, we are pleased to see that global demand continued to build on the broad-based growth achieved in March."
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Recently introduced legislation would create greater price discovery and transparency within the cattle market, while giving producers more tools and useful information. The Farm Bureau-backed Optimizing the Cattle Market Act of 2021 would direct USDA to create a cattle formula contracts library and increase the reporting window for “cattle committed” from seven to 14 days.
The bill would also require USDA, in consultation with the department’s chief economist, to establish mandated minimums for regional negotiated cash and negotiated grid live cattle trade.
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Four Cowgirls and two Cowboys from the McNeese State University rodeo team have qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo and will head to Casper, Wyoming, to compete June 13-19.
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) crowns both individual event and team champions. Over 400 students from more than 100 universities and colleges representing 11 regions will compete at this year’s competition.
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June is the month where we in the cow/calf business need to make some marketing decisions for our calf crop. Do we sell our Fallborn calves this month or next or do we hold on to them until midSeptember? Our Spring-born calves have some flexibility. We can sell them in August/September (no later than early October) or we can put them on ryegrass and sell them next year (better talk to your tax person before you do this).
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A notorious Russia-linked hacking group is behind the cyberattack against JBS SA, according to four people familiar with the assault who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The cyber gang goes by the name REvil or Sodinokibi.
While it’s unclear if all of REvil’s hackers operate in Russia, the group’s public face, a user on the dark web cybercrime forum XSS who goes by the name “Unknown,” exclusively publishes in Russian. REvil typically uses a darkweb blog called “Happy Blog” to name victims when they decline to engage in ransom negotiations. REvil has yet to post a blog item dedicated to JBS.
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President Biden will meet President Vladimir Putin as planned on June 16 “as a vital part of defending America’s interests,” said a White House spokeswoman on Tuesday, after holding Russia culpable for the ransomware attack that crippled meatpacker JBS. “The White House is engaging directly with the Russian government on this matter and delivering the message that responsible states do not harbor ransomware criminals.”
JBS, the world’s largest meat processor, was hit by the attack in North America and Australia, but it said “the vast majority of our beef, pork, poultry, and prepared foods plants will be operational” on Wednesday, given the progress of its cyber-security teams. “Our systems are coming back online, and we are not sparing any resources to fight this threat,” said Andre Nogueira, chief executive of JBS USA.
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The annual Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show brings together cattlemen and women from across the country for education, entertainment, and excitement. This year the importance of gathering in person is even more evident after the uncertainties in 2020. It is time to “Tune in to Tennessee” Aug. 10 to 12, 2021, for a convention filled with activities for the entire family.
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The Hill released an article on May 24 reporting that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, backs an investigation into the virology lab in Wuhan, China, to explore the origins of the COVID-19 virus. Fauci went so far as to say he is “not convinced” the virus was a natural occurrence and that he would like a thorough investigation into it.
This transformation is a 180-degree turn from March 2020, when scientists concluded that it was “improbable” that the coronavirus, specifically SARS-CoV-2, was created through manipulation in a lab. Since then, however, the public has learned that three researchers at a Wuhan lab fell sick in the fall of 2019. Biden, too, has been prompted to ask the intelligence community to “redouble” its investigatory efforts into the virus’s origins.
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