Beginning Ranchers Educational Program Draws Lots Of Questions, Interest In Expanding Operations

Jun 26, 2015

More than 70 beginning ranchers new to the cattle business heard in-depth discussions on methods to produce and market cattle during a two-day workshop held at Texas A&M University in College Station.

The workshop was sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Beef Council and Prairie View A&M.

“We have seen a lot of individuals out there who have made the decision to get into the cattle business recently or over the past decade,” said Dr. Tom Hairgrove, AgriLife Extension livestock and food animal systems coordinator, College Station. “We wanted to host a program of this type to reach out to these folks and provide them a broad overview of different marketing opportunities that they may not be aware of.”

Dr. Joe Paschal, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist, Corpus Christi, discusses cattle breeds and marketing at the recent Beginning Ranchers Educational Program held at Texas A&M University, College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Greg Goudeau, president of Navasota Livestock Auction Co., discusses what types of cattle buyers are looking for the recent Beginning Ranchers Educational Program held at Texas A&M University, College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Dr. Joe Paschal, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Corpus Christi, provided an overview of the different types of marketing options for cattle producers in Texas. They range from cow-calf producers who market their cattle directly to auction markets to those who have retained ownership and graze their calves to specific weights.

There are also freezer beef operations that sell live animals to customers.

“That might be weaned calves from 600-800 pounds,” Paschal said. “The starting price would be what you would get at the auction market, then adding any processing costs and profit. A lot of people from large urban areas are looking to buy this type of beef or form cooperatives where a number of families are buying farm-raised together at a certain price per pound.”

Jesse Carver, region executive officer with the Livestock Marketing Association, provided an overview of livestock auction markets as a method for cattle producers to market their livestock.

He asked attendees, “‘Why sell your cattle at the auction market?’ It helps producers receive the highest prices possible for their animals. There’s a competition between multiple bidders by bringing a volume of livestock to one place.”

Among those multiple bidders are cattle dealers or order buyers, he said. Carver said order buyers act as agents for packers, feeders, etc. Carver said all cattle received at the auction are back tagged, sorted by size, sex, body score and color. All livestock markets have a licensed veterinarian checking for disease or adding value to the livestock by performing palpation.

“Auction markets are bonded and have to guarantee you payment,” he said. “This ensures that you as the seller will get your check that same day of sale.”

Click here to see more...

Video: How farmers are protecting the soil and our food security | DW Documentary

For a long time, soil was all but ignored. But for years, the valuable humus layer has been thinning. Farmers in Brandenburg are clearly feeling the effects of this on their sandy fields. Many are now taking steps to prepare their farms for the future.

Years of drought, record rainfall and failed harvests: we are becoming increasingly aware of how sensitively our environment reacts to extreme weather conditions. Farmers' livelihoods are at stake. So is the ability of consumers to afford food.

For a few years now, agriculture that focuses solely on maximum yields has been regarded with increasing skepticism. It is becoming more and more clear just how dependent we are on healthy soils.

Brandenburg is the federal state with the worst soil quality in Germany. The already thin, fertile humus layer has been shrinking for decades. Researchers and farmers who are keen to experiment are combating these developments and looking for solutions. Priority is being given to building up the humus layer, which consists of microorganisms and fungi, as well as springtails, small worms and centipedes.

For Lena and Philipp Adler, two young vegetable farmers, the tiny soil creatures are invaluable helpers. On their three-hectare organic farm, they rely on simple, mechanical weed control, fallow areas where the soil can recover, and diversity. Conventional farmer Mark Dümichen also does everything he can to protect soil life on his land. For years, he has not tilled the soil after the harvest and sows directly into the field. His yields have stabilized since he began to work this way.

Isabella Krause from Regionalwert AG Berlin-Brandenburg is convinced after the experiences of the last hot summers that new crops will thrive on Brandenburg's fields in the long term. She has founded a network of farmers who are promoting the cultivation of chickpeas with support from the scientific community.