LivestockDigest

LivestockFEBRUARY 15, 2011 • www. aaalivestock . com Volume 53 • No. 2

“The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.”

– JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

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DigestRiding Herd

by Lee Pitts

Afew months ago a pastPresident of the NCBAcontacted the publisher ofthis newspaper and

warned if Lee Pitts didn’t tonedown his criticism of the NCBAthat he was going to cancel hissubscription to the Digest.

You think I enjoy writingabout the NCBA? I’d really liketo write about other things butthe NCBA keeps kicking every-thing else off the front page withtheir questionable behavior. Forexample . . .

The Firewall Fell DownYou may recall that a year ago

the NCBA was trying to takeover the part of the checkoff,which they didn’t already get tospend, with their much bally-hooed governance restructuring.But when the details of therestructuring became public theNCBA was forced to back off.Then a couple days before theNCBA got together in Denverfor their annual summer confer-ence the Cattlemen’s Beef Boardsaid their review of NCBA’scheckoff spending had uncov-ered about $37,000 in expensesthat the NCBA mistakenly billedto the checkoff during the 29-month period covered by thereview. One example of the mis-use of checkoff funds was travelcosts totaling $3,592 for the

checkoff spending and NCBApolicy spending. In response tothat preliminary report theNCBA merely said that “somerebuilding of the ‘firewall’ is nec-essary.” As if only a brick or twowere loose.

At the time, CBB officialswere quick to point out that theirreport was a preliminary one andwas only based on a small sampleof NCBA expenses. They saidthey expected to uncover more

misallocated funds with a morethorough audit. Why, if the CBBhad an inkling there wereshenanigans going on at theNCBA, hadn’t they conducted aCompliance Review of theNCBA since 2005?

The results of the more thor-ough audit were issued in Janu-ary, about a month before theBeef Board and the NCBA gottogether for their annual lovefest. One wonders why thesebombshells keep popping upright before major industry con-fabs. Don’t they know it will ruinthe karma at their convention?Oh well, maybe it gives themsomething to talk about. Andboy, did they have something totalk about this year! Like themore than $216,000 in your beefcheckoff dollars the more thor-ough audit found the NCBAhad, excuse me, misallocated.

See what we mean about the

spouse of a “senior staff mem-ber” to travel to New Zealand forthe Five Nations Beef Confer-ence. This same “senior staffmember” also had the travel paidfor his spouse and child to travelto San Antonio for the annualconvention.

The conclusion of that firstpreliminary audit was that theNCBA had breached the finan-cial firewall that was supposed tohave existed between NCBA

Under The Rug

An acclaimed elk herd in YellowstoneNational Park took a major hit last year,with biologists saying almost one in fourof the animals were lost, mainly to pred-

ators and hunters.As recently as 1994, the northern Yellowstone

elk herd was the largest in North America withalmost 20,000 animals that migrated betweenthe park and parts of southern Montana.

But those numbers have plummeted sharplysince wolves were reintroduced 15 years ago,adding to threats that already included moun-tain lions and grizzly bears.

Figures released in early January 2011showed the Yellowstone herd down to a mini-mum of 4,635 elk. That’s a 24 percent dropfrom last winter, and wildlife officials said thedecline was unexpected because the herd inrecent years showed signs of stabilizing.

“Either we counted them poorly this year,predator effects were stronger, the big snowevent made us miss more elk, or more elk wereharvested,” said Park Service biologist DougSmith. “Usually the best answer in ecology is allof the above.”

He said there was no reason to suspect acontinued decline, and that a smaller herd ishealthier in some ways because it gives the ani-mals room to thrive.

Bill Hoppe, an outfitter near Gardiner, said

“Every path has a few puddles.”

continued on page four

Famous Yellowstone elk herd suffers decline

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Communities of Strangers

Newspapers tell usthe news, theyaren’t supposedto be in the news.Sadly, that’s the

case as I read more andmore pundits predictingthe end of newsprint.Many newspapers, itseems, won’t even bearound to carry their ownobituaries.

Supposedly we’re goingto do all our reading onour cell phones and elec-tronic tablets, and compa-nies like Google andNokia are already dancingon the graves of thenewsprint dinosaurs. I caneasily do without televi-sion but I can’t even beginto imagine breakfast with-out a newspaper. It painsme to see once big citygreat daily newspapers,the grand dames of pub-lishing, shrinking in sizeand status. But before werelegate all newspapers tothe scrap heap of historyI’d suggest we considerthe many things thatnewspapers can do thatthe Internet can’t, and I’mnot talking about swattingflies, lighting kindling orlining the bird cage.(When your face has beenpooped on by a parakeetyou know you’ve arrived asa syndicated columnist.)

There was never a lot ofextra cash laying aroundour house but my momalways found the moneyto subscribe to the localpaper. My mother was asmart woman and sheknew that newspaperskept her children and hercountry better educatedand free. She also knewthat our community news-paper was what gave us asense of community.Today we hear aboutFacebook and other Inter-net “communities”, butthey are communities ofstrangers. “Friends”who’ve never met.

Readers of a communi-ty newspaper know eachother. Our local newspa-per keeps us informed ofwhat is going on, whodied, who needs our helpand where to shop. I can

harsh weather in the park in late Novemberpushed many of the animals to lower elevationsin Montana. He estimated several hundred bullelk from the herd were killed by hunters in thelast part of the season — one of the most suc-cessful harvests in years.

Yet in the 1990s, several thousand elk werekilled in some years. Hoppe believes the herd’sbest days are gone, and a local hunting industrythat already was ailing will collapse.

“There’s coyotes and there’s wolves andthere’s bears and there’s mountain lions. (Theelk) may come back, but it’s going to be slow,”said Hoppe, who is also president of a groupcalled the Friends of the Northern YellowstoneElk Herd.

The Park Service has no set population tar-get for the herd, but the latest count falls belowthose of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.

The state’s elk management plan calls for3,000 to 5,000 elk in parts of Montana justnorth of the park, said Fish, Wildlife and Parksspokesman Ron Aasheim. This year’s countincluded 2,236 outside the park.

Aasheim said state officials would reviewwhether hunting restrictions need to be tight-ened in future years to help bolster the herd.Yet it’s uncertain how much could be done.

continued on page three

continued on page two

Page 2 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

NCBA forcing everything else offthe front page. I suppose we’velost the ex-NCBA President as asubscriber for good now.

Shovel And Shut UpIf you want to raise your

blood pressure get your handson the 23-page report that docu-mented NCBA’s misuse ofcheckoff dollars. The discrepan-cies ranged from the misde-meanor-like $125, to the$10,000 felony-type rip-offs. Thetotal includes $12,477 from2008; $89,716 from 2009; and$114,751 from 2010. See a pat-tern developing here? With eachyear the NCBA got more brazenin their skullduggery.

In the past year we haveapplauded the Beef Board’sactions in this matter andthought that they were trying tomake things right on yourbehalf, but their recent actionsare more suspect. After the CBBmade public NCBA’s misuse ofcheckoff dollars they, and theNCBA, quickly sent a joint let-ter to USDA’s Agricultural Mar-keting Service, which overseesthe Beef Checkoff. The letterindicated their desire to resolvethe discrepancies by having theNCBA repay about $217,000 tothe CBB.

That’s it. Done. No handslapping, public humiliation orfurther audits.

We can understand why theNCBA wanted this embarrassingchapter swept under the rug assoon as possible. Their CEO,Forest Roberts said, “It’s time toget this review behind us andcontinue to focus on the businessof building a sustainable futurefor the U.S. beef industry.”

But why would the CBB be insuch a hurry to shovel this stink-ing mess in a deep dark hole andbe done with it? Are they tooembarrassed that their oversightwas so lax, or are they just wor-ried that NCBA’s misdeedsmight do the checkoff irrepara-ble damage? It will surely beharder now to get the beefcheckoff raised to two bucks ahead when the ranchers knowthe NCBA is cheating, siphon-ing off part of it to implementtheir agenda which, we believe,is not always rancher friendly.

Now here’s the really sadnews. The USDA also had to behumiliated, for they were incharge of oversight. They, too,were in such a hurry to get thisall behind them that they quicklyaccepted the solution jointly pro-posed by the CBB and theNCBA.

It was on Friday, January 7,2011, that the CBB and theNCBA quietly and quickly sub-mitted their solution regardingNCBA’s misuse of your checkoffdollars. On the following Mon-day, January 10, 2011, less thanone business day later, USDAsent a letter approving the reso-lution regarding NCBA’s cheat-ing. Everything was all nice andtidy and everyone could go abouttheir business . . . except for onething.

Violating Your TrustOn January 17, R-CALF

USA sent a letter to USDA, theUSDA Office of Inspector Gen-eral, and the U.S. Department ofJustice demanding the immedi-ate suspension of NCBA’s con-tract with the checkoff programand a full investigation intoNCBA’s misuse checkoff dollars.

Although there have beensome media reports that TheAgricultural Marketing Servicesaid they would reexamine theagreement as a result of R-CALF’s actions, the AMS hasmade it clear that, at the timethis is being written, they haveno intention of delving into thematter any further. They appearto be operating under the “whatyou don’t know can’t hurt you,”theory of oversight.

So, before we do as theNCBA and CBB want us to doand “move on” we’d like you tohear what R-CALF PresidentMax Thornsberry had to sayabout NCBA’s actions.

� “These serious violationsrepresent disrespect and disdainby NCBA for its legal obliga-tions to the Checkoff and to thehundreds of thousands of cattleproducers required to pay intothe Checkoff. The CBB foundthat NCBA used thousands ofCheckoff dollars to: 1) pay legalfees to maintain NCBA; 2) payNCBA’s credit card fees; 3) payemployee’s time for non-Check-off activities; 4) pay for employ-ees to participate in NCBA’scharity golf tournament; 5) payfor spouses’ travel; 6) pay formeetings, travel, and speakercosts for non-Checkoff activi-ties; and, 7) pay for expensesincurred by NCBA’s policy divi-sion, which is the non-Checkoffdivision that advances the orga-nization’s political and policyobjectives.”

� “The supporting documentsalso reinforce what many cattleproducers believe – that the Fed-eral Government is subsidizingNCBA’s political and policyagenda with Checkoff dollars.”

� ”The reimbursement pro-posed in the final resolutionwould appear to constitute a no-interest bearing loan to NCBAby the Checkoff for severalimproper expenditures.”

� “We note NCBA is inti-mately involved in federal elec-tion campaign politics as evi-denced by the attached (to theoriginal letter) political advertise-ments in direct opposition toU.S. Senator Michael Bennetand several former U.S. repre-sentatives. The approval of thefinal resolution, particularly theproposal to take no remedialaction regarding NCBA’s long-standing application of a 50/50travel expense allocationbetween the Checkoff andNCBA’s policy division forNCBA officers, will ensure thatthe Federal Government’s subsi-dization of NCBA included pro-viding NCBA a sizable subsidyto assist it in defeating federalpolitical candidates.”

� “The NCBA has violated

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Under the Rug continued from page one

February 15, 2011 “America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Page 3

the trust of every U.S. cattle pro-ducer required to pay into theCheckoff. The final resolutionshows NCBA has committednumerous wrongful and unlawfulacts of charging the Checkoff forimproper and ineligible activi-ties. Strong action must now betaken to restore confidence inthe Checkoff for U.S. cattle pro-ducers.”

� “We urge you to immediate-ly suspend NCBA’s contract withCBB pending a full and completeinvestigation into NCBA’s mis-use of Checkoff dollars.”

Fore!The NCBA charged the

checkoff $7,666 for legal workon NCBA trademarks and otheritems “to maintain (NCBA’s)existence.” They billed thecheckoff for $15,922 in creditcard charges without makingclear what exactly it was for. TheFederation of state beef councilscharged the checkoff $59,598and $28,082, respectfully, for a“senior staff member’s time andexpenses not approved” by thecheckoff. And here’s one thatreally galls. The NCBA spent$6,919 in checkoff money tocover fees to a charity golf eventsponsored by none other thanthe NCBA.

A spokesman for the NCBA,Mike Deering, said, “The auditfound nothing out of the norm.They allege that we spent check-off dollars on lobbying issues,but there have been no accusa-tions of fraud from the USDA.”

If this is the “norm”, as hesays, they are even better filchersthan we thought.

The NCBA spokesman saidthat this wasn’t a case of theft

but simply nothing more than“improper financial entries.” Ohyeah? Let’s take a closer look atthat golf tournament. Of threeNCBA employees who attendedthe NCBA Charity Golf Tourna-ment one employee codedhis/her time entirely to theCheckoff program, one codedtime to the Federation, and onecoded time to the overhead costpool. You can’t tell this reporterthat wasn’t a deliberate attemptat hiding the theft of checkofffunds.

It took real creative thinkingand a deliberate plan to massagethe expenses like that. We seethe same pattern when anNCBA officer and his wifeattended tours in Hawaii for$250. They expensed half oftheir tours to the Federation andhalf to the Policy Division. Needwe remind everyone that check-off funds are supposed to beused for education promotionand research, not tours inHawaii and golf tournaments.

Getting back to Deeringscomments. If all these transgres-sions on the part of the NCBAwere merely innocent mistakesin allocating $217,000 in timeand expenses, the least that canbe said is that the NCBA are ter-ribly inept bookkeepers.

The NCBA just doesn’tunderstand that the checkoff wasnever intended to be their slushfund to keep an otherwise brokeorganization in business so theycan defend the packers and bigcattle feeders. When confrontedwith why a senior staff member’sspouse’s travel was paid to NewZealand, they merely said it waspart of the “employment agree-ment” they signed with the

staffer to provide for spouse trav-el. But here’s the rub: do theynot know that paying for travelfor the spouse of a checkoffemployee is against the law? Arethey stupid, corrupt or feel theyare above the law? And if theanswer is “yes” to any of thosechoices, do we really want themin charge of the lion’s share ofthe checkoff’s eighty million dol-lars per year?

Common Thievery?Forrest Roberts, NCBA’s

CEO said in a statement aboutthe audit. “We appreciate the(USDA’s) rapid response andapproval of the agreed-upon-procedures review.”

We bet they do. Who wantspeople reading about your mis-use of funds when you’re tryingto make life easier for the bigpackers by stopping the GIPSAproposal to rein in the big meat-

packers. Roberts maintained inhis statement that, “Not onepenny of the amount in questionis related to the firewall betweenlobbying activities in Washing-ton, D.C., and the checkoff.”

It’s just too bad the BeefBoard didn’t do a more com-plete forensic audit of NCBA’sactivities so we’d know for sure.While the NCBA says it wouldnever intentionally violate thefirewall separating checkoff andpolicy spending how can youtrust an organization that firstsays the checkoff is a producercontrolled program and thenchanged their story in front ofthe Supreme Court and said itwas a government controlledprogram.

That sounds like lying to us,and NCBA’s abuse of the check-off sounds like common thievery.If you doubt it next time you fileyour taxes mistakenly make some

“improper financial entries” tothe tune of $216,000 to loweryour tax bill. In the very leastyou’ll be hauled into court, andyou could go to jail. The NCBAgot off without even a publicspanking. As R-CALF’s BillBullard says, “If you or I cheatedwith hundreds of thousands ofgovernment dollars, USDAwould call it a felony. The institu-tion that has all but destroyedour U.S. cattle industry is tryingto keep this quiet. It’s fundamen-

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Yellowstone continued from page one

Harvest limits for reproducing female elk were down to just afew dozen north of the park this year, versus almost 3,000 aseason at their peak.

Park biologist Smith said the long-term decline was indis-putable, with 70 percent of the herd gone since wolves werereintroduced to the park from Canada in 1995.

Conservationists credit wolves with helping restore balanceto the ecosystem, in part by reducing the size of a herd somehad said was far too large at its peak.

Smith declined to weigh in, saying that was before his timeat Yellowstone. But he pointed out controversy has long fol-lowed the northern Yellowstone herd.

“Yellowstone is one of the most predator rich environmentsin North America and that has an effect on elk,” he said. “Butthe biggest criticism when I got here in 1994 was there weretoo many elk. Now we’re getting criticism there’s too few elk.The Park Service does not specifically target a population size.”

continued on page four

Page 4 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

son has to do on the Internet tobecome a writer is start “blog-ging.” Most of it isn’t worth thepaper it’s NOT written on. Anewspaper makes money by hiringcompetent reporters with a nosefor news and then selling thatnews to folks with a need to know.Are we really going to trade thatfor gangs of Internet bloggers?

My favorite parts of any news-paper are the letters to the editorand the obituaries. I love it thatanyone with a bone to pick or anax to grind can get their name inthe paper by writing a letter tothe editor. Be advised though,“It’s never smart to get into afeud with someone who buys inkby the barrel.” That old bromidereminds me of the fellow who,years ago, wrote to a small towneditor that the only use for his

The U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency is mak-ing data publicly availablefrom a two-year study of air

emissions from animal feedingoperations (AFOs). AFOs,which house large numbers ofanimals for production of meat,dairy products and eggs, were

monitored for the following airpollutants: ammonia, hydrogensulfide, particulate matter andvolatile organic compounds.

The data available today arefrom the National Air EmissionsMonitoring Study, which resultedfrom a 2005 voluntary complianceagreement between EPA and theAFO industry. The study wasfunded by industry and conductedby Purdue University researcherswith EPA oversight. Throughoutthe studies, participating AFOsmade their operations available

for monitoring and worked closelywith the researchers, industryexperts and EPA.

Researchers monitored emis-sions at AFOs that raise pigs andbroiler chickens, at egg-layingoperations, and at dairies, with atotal of 24 monitoring sites innine states. A separate industrystudy monitored emissions from abroiler chicken operation in Ken-tucky. EPA will use data from thestudies to help develop improvedmethodologies for estimatingAFO emissions. Such methodolo-

gies are commonly used to esti-mate emissions from industrieswhere site-specific monitoringdata are not available.

At the request of the agricul-ture industry, EPA also is issuinga Call for Information seekingdata from other monitoring stud-ies of AFO emissions. Submit-ting this information is notrequired; however, it will helpthe agency ensure that its emis-sions estimating tools are basedon the best scientific data avail-able.

EPA is requesting quality-assured data on emissions ofammonia, hydrogen sulfide, par-ticulate matter and volatileorganic compounds, along withinformation about how animalsare housed or managed, and how

manure is stored and treated atthe monitored operations. Theagency is asking for this informa-tion for operations that raisepigs, chickens, turkeys and beefcattle, and for egg-laying anddairy cattle operations. Once theCall for Information is publishedin the Federal Register, there willbe a 45-day comment period.

EPA will make draft method-ologies available for publicreview and comment on a rollingbasis, beginning in spring 2011.

Information on:

� Submitting data and data from theNational Air Emissions Monitoring Study:http://www.epa.gov/airquality/agmonitoring/index.html

� The voluntary air compliance agree-ment: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/agreements/caa/cafo-agr.html

distinctly remember the firsttime I ever got my picture in theSanta Paula Daily Chronicle. Ithought what greater accom-plishment could there possiblybe? My grandmother disseminat-ed that clipping far and wide.

The best writing I’ve ever readwas in newspapers. Don’t forget,Mark Twain got his start writingfor the Territorial Enterprise news-paper. I grew up reading asportswriter named Jim Murrayand I believe he’s the reason I’ma writer today.

When you write for a newspa-per you’d better get your factsstraight or you’ll hear about it.That’s not so with the Internet. Ilearned real quick not to trust it asa source. Writers for newspaperspay their dues and must provethey can write, whereas all a per-

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newspaper was as a replacementfor the corn cobs in his out-house. To which the editorreplied, “Keep doing that andyour behind will know more thanyour head ever will.”

That’s exactly the way I feelabout Internet news.

I’ll admit I’m partial to news-papers because I voraciouslyread them and delivered them ona bicycle as a child growing up.They kept me fiscally and physi-cally fit. Sure, I admit that news-papers do occasionally get all wetin the rain, leave ink on your fin-gers and that I-Pad news mightsave trees. But life without news-papers? I hope I’m not aroundwhen the only news you can readis on some tiny cell phonescreen, for I believe that if com-munity newspapers do die, sotoo will the real communitiesthey serve.

Under the Rugcontinued from page three

tally wrong to administer acheckoff program in this way.”

As a result of the USDAaudit, NCBA’s Roberts says hisgroup now has “new administra-tive guidelines that will help theorganization minimize the possi-bility of mistakes in the future.”In other words, now that we’vebeen caught, we’ll try to be morecreative in appropriating yourbeef dollars in the future.

Ag columnist Alan Guebertsaid it best when he remindedeveryone that “32 out 33 U.S.cattle producers voluntarilychoose NOT to be NCBA mem-bers?” He asks, “Why then ispint-sized NCBA essentiallycontrolling 50 percent of allcheckoff cash?”

Why indeed?

February 15, 2011 “America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Page 5

PRNEWSWIRE-USNEWSWIRE

Dairy farmers who say attor-neys representing them arenot looking out for theirbest interests have filed

opposition to the proposed settle-ment submitted in the classaction antitrust lawsuit in theU.S. District Court in Burlington,Vt. Acting on behalf of its dairyfarmer owners, Dairy Farmers ofAmerica, Inc. (DFA), togetherwith Dairy Marketing Services,LLC (DMS), also has filed objec-tions to this settlement.

DFA and DMS’ filing on Jan-uary 18 joins at least 24 dairyfarmers — representing diversecooperative members and inde-pendent producers — who sub-mitted their own affidavits chal-lenging the fairness of thesettlement.

“We objected on behalf of ourmembers because the attorneysfor the entire class of dairyfarmer plaintiffs have favoredone segment of the class while itpenalizes another segment,” saidBrad Keating, chief operatingofficer for DFA’s NortheastArea. “As the milk marketingentity representing many of themembers of this class, we have aresponsibility to ensure theirinterests are fully considered.”

In its filing, DFA and DMScite concerns that the settlementcreates both winners and losers inthe class of dairy farmers repre-sented by a single law firm by tak-ing market access from one groupof dairy farmers at the expense ofanother within the same class.The filing also describes how, ifthe settlement is approved, dairyfarmers stand to incur financialdamages by receiving a lower payprice for their milk.

A provision in Dean Foods’proposed settlement would allowthe dairy processor to determine,in its sole discretion, the compet-

itive market price at which it willpurchase up to 60 millionpounds of milk per month fromnon-DFA and non-DMS sourcesfor a period of 30 months.

DFA’s filing recognizes thebusiness rationale for DeanFoods to manage its ingredientcosts. However, if approved, thissettlement is likely to create adownward ripple effect on cur-rent pricing for milk purchasesfrom DFA, DMS and other milksuppliers in the Northeast. Inturn, other customers will makedemands for price equality.

The result is price erosion forall dairy farmers.

“This provision seems toundercut the very reasons whywe at St. Albans decided to joinDMS in the first place — towork together with other co-opsto make sure that we were ableto serve an increasingly consoli-dating marketplace, and to do soin a way that will protect pricesand premiums for dairy farmers,”said Ralph McNall, president ofthe board for St. Albans Cooper-ative Creamery and a dairyfarmer who independently filedopposition to the settlement.

An additional component ofthe proposed settlement calls fora payment of $30 million in dam-ages (less $10 million in attorneyfees) to be paid to dairy farmerswho produced raw Grade A milkin Federal Order 1 and pooledraw Grade A milk in FederalOrder 1 from January 1, 2002,through December 9, 2010.

“This $30 million settlementhas been touted as a real win fordairy farmers,” said Greg Wick-ham, DMS general manager.“We believe the per-farmer awardhas been highly exaggerated, butmore importantly, we believe thebenefit of a small one-time cashpayment is far over-shadowed bythe long-term negative impact onfarmers’ wallets.”

After the money is dividedamong the approximately 13,000dairy farmers who pooled milk inOrder 1 (based on the most cur-rent Market Administrator’sAnnual Statistical Bulletin, as of2009), the average farmer standsto receive approximately $1,500.

If the market is disruptedsuch that there is even a meagerreduction in milk price, theimpact to farmers’ milk checkswould be swift and substantial,Wickham said. For example, a 5-cent-per-hundredweight reduc-tion in pay price would cost afarmer milking 300 cows asmuch as $3,400 in lost revenuesin a single year.

“The proposed settlementthat these class representativesand their lawyers have negotiat-ed takes sales away from dairyfarmers, turns those sales over tosomeone else, threatens to helpundercut our organization, andpits farmer against farmer withthe end result that prices arebound to fall,” McNall said.

Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) is anational dairy marketing cooperative thatserves and is owned by nearly 17,000 memberson more than 9,500 farms in 48 states. GlobalDairy Products Group, a division of DFA, is oneof the country’s most diversified manufactur-ers of dairy products, food components andingredients, and is a leader in formulating andpackaging shelf-stable dairy products. Formore information, call 1-888-DFA-MILK (332-6455) or visit www.dfamilk.com.

Dairy Marketing Services (DMS) is a milkmarketing joint venture between DairyleaCooperative Inc., Dairy Farmers of America,Inc. and St. Albans Cooperative Creamery.Annually, DMS markets approximately 16 bil-lion pounds of raw milk produced from morethan 8,000 Northeastern U.S. farms. DMS con-tinually works to increase efficiency on milkassembly, hauling and administration.

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TO RECEIVE A CATALOG CONTACT: Bill Morrison: 575/482-3254 • C: 575/760-7263TO CONSIGN TOP FEMALES CONTACT: Gayland Townsend: 580/443-5777 • C: 580/380-1606

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MEN TO RUN THEPRICE UP!

by JOHN CRABTREE / Center for Rural Affairs

In order for the West’s ruralcities and small towns to con-tribute fully to the nation’seconomic recovery, we must

enable small, mainstreet busi-nesses to build a better future forthemselves, their community,state and nation.

Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) andRep. Wally Herger (R-CA) haveintroduced legislation to do justthat. Their Rural MicrobusinessInvestment Credit Act (HR5990) is the first federal tax cred-it designed to meet the needs ofsmall business in rural areas. Itwould provide a 35 percent taxcredit — up to $10,000 — tostart or expand owner-operatedbusinesses with five or feweremployees.

In rural America, creating yourown job is a way of life. Duringrecession, the reluctance of largebusinesses to add workers makes

small businesses and self-employ-ment even more important. Dur-ing the 2000 to 2003 recession,microenterprise employment inNew Mexico grew by 18 percent,while larger firms were still shed-ding jobs. Microenterprise led theeconomy out of recession. It canhappen again, but entrepreneursneed and deserve the support offederal policy as much as largerbusinesses.

The rural micro tax credit istailor made to encouragemicroenterprise investment dur-ing recession. Qualifying busi-nesses could receive refunds onprior year returns if they are notmaking enough in the currentyear to owe taxes, which is criti-cal during tough times or duringstartup when most are lucky tobreak even. A refund of prioryears’ taxes is an investmentincentive that works in goodyears and bad, for new or estab-lished businesses.

Northeast Dairy Farmers Attack Settlement ProposalDFA, DMS Join Local Farmers in Filing Objection to Dean Foods Settlement

Small Business Economic Backbone of Rural West

Page 6 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

Frank DuBois, Las Cruces,received the Bruce andAlice King Memorial Serv-ice Award, presented by the

New Mexico Cattle Growers’Association (NMCGA) duringthe recent Joint Stockmen’s Con-vention held in Albuquerque.

“Frank has gone above andbeyond on behalf of our state’s

agriculture industry over theyears, and this honor is well-deserved,” said Bert Ancell,NMCGA President, Las Vegas.“We appreciate his friendship,his dedication, and his years ofservice.”

DuBois is the second recipi-ent of the Bruce and Alice KingMemorial Service Award, estab-

lished by the NMCGA in 2009recognize those both within andoutside of the agricultural indus-try who exhibit the qualities, likeleadership, generosity and com-munity service, that the Kingswere known for. “For decades,the Kings had a tremendousimpact on our state. We honortheir memory with this annual

award,” Ancell said.DuBois started his career in

agriculture as an egg inspector,then went to Washington, D.C.,as a staffer for Senator PeteDomenici before serving as NewMexico’s Secretary of Agricul-ture and leading the New Mexi-co Department of Agriculture toa position of prominence, Ancellsaid.

DuBois is currently very

involved with People for Protect-ing Our Western Heritage, agroup formed in opposition toongoing efforts to designate alarge wilderness area in DoñaAna County that would not onlyharm the range livestock industryin New Mexico but would com-promise national security due toits proximity to the internationalborder with Mexico. In his“retirement” DuBois also pub-lishes a daily blog summarizingthe news and issues important tothe range livestock industry,Ancell continued. “His effortsinfluence the public, the mediaand mostly importantly congres-sional staffers in the most posi-tive way for all of us every day.”

Dominguez Honored by Cattle Industry

Larry Dominguez, LasCruces, received the 2010Ayudando Siempre AlliAward from the New Mexi-

co Cattle Growers’ Association(NMCGA) at the recent JointStockmen’s Convention held inAlbuquerque.

“Although we as ranchers liketo think of ourselves as strongand independent, it’s impossibleto attend all of the hearings andmeetings where decisions thatimpact our industry are madeand take care of business athome,” said Bert Ancell, NMC-GA President, Las Vegas. “Wedepend on, and greatly appreci-ate people like Larry, who helprepresent agriculture and makesure we as producers stayinformed.”

Dominguez, Director ofIndustry and Agency Programsfor the New Mexico Departmentof Agriculture (NMDA), hasboth personal and professionalknowledge of the ranching,which makes him a valuablefriend to the industry, Ancellsaid. “Like many people, he livesand works in town because theeconomics of ranching don’tallow him to stay on the familyranch. Fortunately for us, his“day job” includes working onagriculture’s behalf, while hespends many weekends and daysoff helping his family maintainthe ranch.”

The Ayudando Siempre AlliAward (Always There Helping) isgiven by the Association each yearto an individual who has given oftheir time and talents on behalf ofthe industry, but is not necessarilyactively involved in cattle produc-tion. Past winners includebankers, elected officials, an attor-ney, an artist and a publisher. Theaward is sponsored by FarmwayFeed Mills, Las Vegas, N.M.

The NMCGA has represent-ed the beef industry in NewMexico and the West since 1914and has members in all 33 of thestate’s counties as well as some14 other states. The Associationparticipates in venues necessaryto protect beef producers andprivate property rights includinglitigation, state and federal legis-lation and regulatory affairs.

DuBois Receives King Memorial Award

February 15, 2011 “America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Page 7

Syngenta is proud to sup-port the National FFAOrganization and recog-nize its importance with-in local communities and

to the future of the agricultureindustry. As part of the Weedingout Hunger™ with Halex® GT

campaign, Syngenta is givingFFA chapters nationwide theopportunity to communicatetheir contributions to both theirlocal communities and agricul-ture by competing in the FFAVideo Challenge. The competi-tion offers participating chap-ters a chance to win up to$3,000 by creating a video thatexplains the chapter’s role atschool, in the community and inagriculture.

“At Syngenta, we understandthe passion FFA has for agricul-ture and the sense of pride mem-bers feel each time they put ontheir blue jacket,” said DavidPiñon, senior communicationsmanager, Syngenta. “However,

not everyone understands justhow important FFA and agricul-ture are in terms of serving theircommunities and providing food,fiber, feed and fuel to the nation.We hope the video challengeserves to explain that connectionand bring more awareness to thecontributions of the FFA.”

To participate in the competi-tion, chapters must submit theirvideos using the newly createdWeeding out Hunger Facebookpage between February 1 andMarch 31, 2011. The public willbe invited to view and vote fortheir favorite videos beginningApril 1, 2011.

Public online voting willdetermine five regional finalists

who will advance to a final roundof judging, conducted by a panelselected by Syngenta. The panelwill select a Grand Championwho will receive the top prize of$3,000, and a Reserve Champi-on who will receive $1,500. Theyalso will choose three best-of-category winners who willreceive $500 each.

To participate in the competi-tion, students must be activemembers of an FFA chapter andsponsored by a chapter advisor.Additional information about thecompetition including officialrules and project guidelines canbe found on the Weeding outHunger Facebook page on thetab titled FFA Video Challenge.

Syngenta created Weedingout Hunger with Halex GT in2010 to help alleviate hunger infarming communities acrossAmerica. By donating a portionof Halex GT sales as well as non-perishable food items collectedat various events, Weeding outHunger has donated more than$100,000 and nearly 5 tons offood to 78 food banks in 24states.

For more information on HalexGT and Weeding out Hunger, visitwww.weedingouthunger.com and“like” the new Facebook page athttp//:www.facebook.com/weedin-gouthunger. To receive real-timeupdates, follow the campaign onTwitter at http://www.twitter.com/weedouthunger.

Join Us for Cattleman’s Weekend in Prescott, ArizonaNEW DATES! Fri. & Sat., March 18-19, 2011 at Prescott Livestock Auction in Chino ValleySelling 75 Bulls of All Breeds, 35 Ranch-Raised Horses & Yearlings, and 200 Replacement Heifers

Featured Events:37th Annual Arizona Hereford Association Bull Sale11th Annual Arizona Angus Association Bull Sale

23rd Annual Prescott All Breed Bull Sale13th Annual Invitational Ranch Remuda Sale

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19th Annual Commercial Heifer Sale20th Annual Cattleman’s Trade Show, and More!

For more information contact:Richard Smyer, Prescott Livestock Auction, Sale Manager, P.O. Box 5880, Chino Valley, AZ 86323928/445-9571,

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Scuse named acting undersecretary

Michael Scuse will take theposition of acting under-secretary for farm andforeign agricultural serv-

ices when Jim Miller leaves theundersecretary post to return toCapitol Hill as an aide to SenateBudget Committee ChairmanKent Conrad (D-ND). Scuse hasbeen serving as deputy undersec-retary for almost two years.

Conrad announced in mid-January that Miller, who workedfor him on the 2008 farm bill,would be returning to his staff.An aide said Miller was expectedto stay at USDA for throughJanuary.

The office of Agriculture Sec-retary Tom Vilsack informedUSDA employees that Scusewould becoming acting under-secretary. In that role, Scuse willoversee the Farm Service Agency(FSA), which distribute farmsubsidies, the Foreign Agricultur-al Service (FAS), which analyzesproduction in other countriesand promotes U.S. agriculturalsales overseas, and the Risk Man-agement Agency (RMA), whichoversees crop insurance.

Scuse was Delaware agricul-ture secretary from May 2001until September 2008, whenGovernor Ruth Ann Minner, aDemocrat, named him as herchief of staff. From 1996 to 2001,Scuse served as both chairman ofthe Kent County, Delaware,Regional Planning Commissionand chairman of USDA’s FarmerService Agency state committee.Before that, he was Kent Countyrecorder of deeds.

While he was agriculture sec-retary of Delaware, Scuse servedas a vice president of the Nation-al Assoc. of State Departmentsof Agriculture and as presidentof the Northeast Assoc. of StateDepartments of Agriculture.

Scuse was appointed to theUSDA post in April 2009, atwhich time Vilsack said in a newsrelease that he brought twoimportant strengths to the role:“He has extensive knowledge ofagriculture and a solid manage-ment background. Having servedas Delaware’s agriculture secre-tary and vice president of theNational Association of StateDepartments of Agriculture,Michael knows U.S. agriculturefrom both state and national per-spectives. He also understandsfarming first-hand. For 35 years,he and his brother have run asuccessful grain operation intheir home state.”

No announcement has beenmade about a possible permanentsuccessor to Miller. The positionrequires Senate confirmation.

FFA Chapters Invited to Join the Fight Against Hunger

Page 8 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

Camelina, an oilseed crop,could provide a partial solu-tion to the suffering agri-cultural economy of north-

eastern New Mexico, accordingto Manny Encinias, Extensionbeef cattle specialist at NewMexico State University’s(NMSU) Clayton LivestockResearch Center (CLRC).

As fuel, fertilizer, and cornprices were rising to record levelsin 2008, business and communi-ty leaders in northeastern NewMexico’s Union County turnedto researchers at the Clayton sci-ence center to find a way to off-set the impacts of these priceson their rural, agriculturally-based economy.

The county’s economy is driv-en by the beef industry. Morethan half a million cattle grazethe native grasslands of north-eastern New Mexico. Prior tothe skyrocketing oil prices in2008, feed lots in Union Countyalso fed 150,000 head.

While financial damage is dif-ficult to quantify precisely, thevolatility in the oil and grain

commodity markets resulted in arippling crash of the county’seconomy.

“Rising fuel and feed priceshave cost our local economy mil-lions of dollars since 2008,”Encinias said.

“Fuel associated with trans-porting animals and feed areimportant parts of the equation,”Encinias said. “When these typesof components to your economicequation get out of line in ourpart of the world, we see theeffects across the board, fromour retail service industry to ourschools.”

Responding to the increase inprice for petroleum products,Union County business leaderssaw a potential local, cost-savingand economic developmentopportunity in establishing abiodiesel plant in their area.

Clayton is located on USHwy. 64, a major corridorbetween Texas and Colorado.The area is a major thorough-fare for diesel-powered vehicles,which would enhance the viabili-ty of a local plant. The plant

would also presumably provide alower cost diesel product forlocal consumption.

While biodiesel can be pro-duced from many different typesof plant feedstock, the oilseedCamelina sativa surfaced as thecrop of choice to evaluate. Theplant, which is a member of themustard family, produces a seedthat ranks among the highest infat content among oilseed crops.

Not only does it producemore oil, the oil is cleaner,requiring less refining, and it per-forms better in cold weatherbecause it has a lower freeze orgel point. This is a beneficialproperty for diesel engines oper-ating in cold temperatures.

“This property in particularhas caused the U.S. Departmentof Defense, particularly the AirForce, to become interested incamelina oil-based biofuel as acomponent for jet fuel,” Enciniassaid.

Camelina is recognized as alow input crop because it has rel-atively low irrigation require-ments. Compared to wheat andcorn, which require 25 to 30inches of irrigation, Encinias andagronomists from the ClovisAgricultural Science Center havedemonstrated that camelinaraised at the Clayton LivestockResearch Center can be grownwith eight inches of irrigation.

“This work, which is part of athree-year study funded by theRio Grande Basin Initiative, is aplus for raising crops like cameli-na in those areas like UnionCounty where the ground waterstores are rapidly depleting,”Encinias said.

The plant also demonstrates ahigh weed and pest resistance,and is highly adaptive to dry cli-mates, while exhibiting high tol-erance for cold and frost.

Researchers at NMSU agri-cultural science centers in Clovisand Farmington have studiedcamelina oilseed in small-scaleresearch plots. The 60-acrecamelina planting in Clayton wasdesigned to determine the feasi-bility of raising camelina innortheastern New Mexico, andto produce enough yield of seedand feedstock to evaluate multi-ple objectives of the researchproject.

Since one of the major objec-tives of the Clayton LivestockResearch Center is beef cattlenutrition research, Encinias’ per-sonal research interest in thecamelina study is focused onevaluating the feeding value ofbyproducts of the oil extractionand biodiesel processes for rangeand feedlot cattle.

“Camelina meal is a high-pro-tein, high-fat feedstuff that canbe used in range beef cattle sup-plements,” Encinias said. “Andthe glyercin produced during thebiodiesel process can replacecorn in high-energy diets fed tocattle in the feedlot.”

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continued on page nine

February 15, 2011 “America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Page 9

Apopular breed across theSouthwest, Angus cattle areknown for their carcassqualities, disposition and

manageable size. Producers acrossthe spectrum of the cattle businesshave found that Angus fit well intotheir operation — and good resultsare hard to dispute.

From the mountains:For seedstock producer Carl

Whitney and his family, of BullRun Ranch near Datil, Angus cat-tle are the focus of both the regis-tered and commercial sides of thebusiness.

The Whitneys, whose operationincludes registered Angus and RedAngus herds in addition to theircommercial cattle, bought theirfirst registered Angus cattle fromthe Heckendorns near Tucumcarififteen years ago. “Our main focusis genetics,” Carl said. “When westarted with the registered cattle,our goal was to better our com-mercial cattle herd.”

Carl and his wife Lora, alongwith their son Cody, his wife Sara,and granddaughters Hanna andHayley focus on raising registeredbulls and heifers for sale to com-mercial cattlemen. Although themajority of sales are done privatetreaty at the ranch, they do sellsome cattle through different bullsales.

The commercial cattle are bredto registered Angus bulls, as well.Cody and his family manage theRed Angus herd separately on adifferent part of the ranch. “We’vestayed with the black Angusbecause of their value,” Carlexplained. “We get higher weaningweights and a uniform calf crop aslong as the cattle are bred closetogether. The breed has high car-cass value, with Certified AngusBeef (CAB) advertised throughoutthe fast food and restaurant busi-ness. The benefits of using Angusare pretty self explanatory.”

The Whitneys run their cattle inthe mountains of western NewMexico, at elevations ranging from

7,500 feet at headquarters up toabout 8,500 feet in some pastures.They start calving in February andwean calves twice a year — earlycalves in September and latecalves in January. The cattle do getsome supplemental feed in thewinter, depending on how harshconditions are. “It’s tough country,and the Angus have acclimatedwell,” he said. “Our registered cat-tle run on pasture just like thecommercial cattle, the show cattleare the only ones that get any spe-cial treatment.”

Artificial insemination (AI) isone tool the Whitneys use to focuson genetics in their operation. “Wereally look at the data, usingexpected progeny differences(EPDs), and select for low birth-weights and high weaning andyearling weights.”

Showing their cattle is also a bigpart of the operation, Carl noted.They travel to Arizona for shows atboth the Arizona State Fair andArizona National, and he serves asOpen Beef Superintendent at bothshows. For the past four years, Bull

Run Ranch has won the NewMexico Bred Angus Bull andHeifer Shows at the New MexicoState Fair. “Lora does all of theshow cattle work and is as valuableas I am on the ranch,” heexplained.

In addition, the Whitneys sellcalves for kids to show through 4-H and FFA, and support thosecustomers throughout the year.Carl has developed a custom mixfeed for his own show cattle usinghis background as a former feednutritionist for Purina, and pro-vides that feed and hay to the kidsat cost, he noted. Finally, “Lorahelps them get the calves fitted upand ready for show.”

For Carl, the breed’s gentle dis-position is an important trait. “Weadvertise our cattle as being gentle,so when we take someone out in

the pasture to look at a bull, wedon’t want the herd running acrossthe pasture. You can go out andwalk around all of our cattle, theymight move away from you butthey aren’t going to run off,” hesaid. “We don’t keep any that arehigh-headed. Wild cattle just don’tdo as well, and there are manystress factors when they’re upset.

Preserving the family operationis important to Carl. “The ranch isfamily owned and operated, whichfor me is a big thing. It’s our way oflife and the way we make our liv-ing. We do a lot of work horse-back, we really enjoy it.”

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late winter 2011, Enciniasand his coworkers at theClayton LivestockResearch Center will focustheir efforts on under-standing the levels that thecamelina meal and glycerincan be included in beefcattle diets.

Early indications fromthe Clayton research arethat raising camelina innortheastern New Mexicocould be a win-win situa-tion that could help theagricultural industry andeconomy of the area inmany ways.

Oilseedcontinued from page eight

continued on page ten

The Versatile Angusby CALLIE GNATKOWSKI-GIBSON

February 2011

7 – New Mexico Cattle Growers’Association Board of DirectorsMeeting, Santa Fe, NM8 – Ag Fest, La Fonda Hotel, Santa Fe, NM9 – Arizona Cattle Growers’ Assoc.Winter Meeting, Phoenix, AZ 10 – Sunset Angus Farms Bull &Female Sale, Beaver, OK12 – Bradley 3 Ranch Annual BullSale, Estelline, TX

Page 10 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

New Mexico, is using Angusgenetics to improve the commer-cial cattle on the ranch owned andoperated by the Pueblo of Isleta.

When the Pueblo purchased theranch twelve or thirteen years ago, itwas purchased as a working cattleranch with the existing Herefordcattle herd, Martin explained. Sincehe started as ranch manager almostfour years ago, they have used regis-tered Angus bulls raised by Bob andKay Anderson on the commercialcows, which are a mix of Herefordand Angus. “The ranch is gettingresults due to the quality of bulls weare using,” he noted. “As the yearspass, and the Herefords are culleddue to age, we are replacing themwith Angus heifers raised here onthe ranch and gradually workingtowards an all-Angus herd.”

“The quality of our cattle hasimproved significantly since westarted using Angus genetics, even

our Pueblo Governor has com-mented on the quality,” Martincontinued. “There is still room forimprovement, but eventually willget where we want to be.”

The ranch headquarters are 18miles west of Belen, in desertcountry, and the Angus handle itwell, he said. The cattle are supple-mented with liquid feed in the win-ter months. “We have had reallygood results. When I took overfour years ago, our weaningweights were between 400 and 450pounds. This fall, our weaningweights are between 550 and 650pounds. This year is a really goodyear for moisture, but a big part ofthat improvement is because ofour improved genetics.”

“We spend between $2,000 and$2,500 per bull buying qualitybulls,” he continued. “That invest-ment has been very beneficial tothe operation and has paid off.”

Calves are marketed differentlyfrom year to year, from buyerscoming in to look at the calves tothe sale barn to Superior LivestockAuction, depending on the market.In 2009, the Comanche Ranchcalves topped the market at a spe-cial sale held in La Junta, Colo.

In addition to his ranch respon-sibilities, Martin has also recentlytaken over management of thepueblo’s farming operation. Asranch and farm manager, he willbe looking at crops and methodsthat can be used to benefit both.“This will give us more options,and opportunities to expand intoother feed supplements that will bebetter utilized.”

Martin said that life experiencedrew him to the Angus breed. “Iwas raised with Angus cattle. Mydad ran Hereford cattle thenswitched to Angus, and I saw thedifference in the quality and wean-ing weights. Plus, the market forblack cattle is always a little better.”

The breed’s carcass attributes

and yield, in addition to the meatquality, are important strengths. “A long-term goal is to get intosome of the marketing programsoffered by the American AngusAssociation (AAA), like CertifiedAngus Beef, that help producersget added value for their product,”he explained. “In time, I hope toimprove our product to the pointthat we can serve our beef in thetribal casino and market beefraised on our ranch to other NewMexico casinos as tribal beef. “

He also cites the breed’s dispo-sition, but said that the way youhandle cattle makes all the differ-ence. “Most of our cattle are prettygentle, but that really depends onthe handlers,” he pointed out.“This year, the cattle look and feelso good, they are a little harder towork — they’re acting like feedlotcattle. We do everything on horse-back, so the cattle learn to respectthe horses and work pretty goodfor us. We do have to rope onenow and then, but aren’t rough

with them.”Calving ease is another strength

of the Angus breed. “We use lowbirthweight bulls on our first calfheifers, and don’t have any prob-lems,” Martin explained. “Wehaven’t had to pull a calf since I’vebeen with the ranch, which makesthings a lot easier on the heifersand on us.”

And, he said, the hard work ispaying off. “We are starting to getrecognition from other producersfor the progress we’ve made. Byimproving the quality of our prod-uct, we are building a reputationfor the ranch and working to builda name for tribal beef.”

And Back:Registered Angus producers

Bob and Kay Anderson, of ALazy 6 Ranch near Villanueva,focus on raising bulls suited to theneeds of the commercial producer.They started out with the breed inMontana about 35 years ago, andhave been in New Mexico foralmost 20 years.

“Angus are good producers andpopular in the feedyard,” Kay said.

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Calendar ofEVENTS

February 15, 2011 “America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Page 11

“When you use Angus in a cross-breeding program, hybrid vigorhelps put more pounds on thecalves, and usually, black calves areworth a little more.”

“We just liked the Angus,” Bobsaid. “We have tried quite a fewbreeds through the years, andfinally decided we needed to goback to the genetics of the Angusbreed. We started out raising com-mercial Angus bulls and our herdbulls came from Kenny Hass ofLaGrange, Wyoming.”

The Wyoming producerremains the Anderson’s source forthe majority of their herd bulls,and they also use artificial insemi-nation (AI) on their herd. “We goall over to try to find the bestAngus bulls we can, and thinkHass produces some of the bestAngus in the country,” he contin-ued. “We have also raised one ortwo of our own herd bulls.”

Meeting the needs of commer-cial producers is their goal, heexplained. “We want to raise lowbirthweight bulls that a producercan use on his first calf heifers,then later use on his cows to pro-

duce six weight calves. Our bullsare affordable and are not overfed.When the bulls go to work theydon’t lose a lot of weight and spendtime standing around water, theyget out and cover the country.”

“Even though our cattle are reg-istered, they are not babied a lot,”Kay agreed. “They have to get outand work if they are going to stay inthe herd.” In addition to bull sales,they market bred heifers in the fall,and this year will have replacementheifer calves available. All sales areprivate treaty at the ranch.

For the past two years, theAndersons have participated inthe bull test and sale held at theValles Caldera National Preservein northern New Mexico, whichtests cattle’s performance at ahigh altitude. “We’re trying todevelop bulls and heifers that peo-ple in the high country can use,and have had some success,” Bobnoted. “This year, we have somePAP tested heifers, and plan totest some bulls in the fall forspring delivery.”

Cattle at high altitudes can suf-fer from pulmonary arterial hyper-

12 – Best in the West Brangus Sale, Marana, AZ14 – Deadline for applications forDirector of the New MexicoDepartment of Agriculture21 – Weaver Ranch Annual Sale, Ft. Collins, CO22 – The Brand That Works Production Sale, Manhattan Commission Co., Manhattan KS22-23 – 19th Annual New MexicoAg Expo, Portales25 – 20th Annual Pot of Gold BullSale, Olathe, CO25 – Hubbell Ranch Annual Sale –Belen NM26 – Profit Maker Bull Sale, Ogallala, NE26 – 20th Annual Roswell BrangusBull & Female Sale, Roswell, NM

March 2011

1 – Wedel Red Angus ProductionSale, Leoti, KS1 – Bar W Ranch Inc. 15th Annual Private Treaty Sale –Carrizozo NM4 – Laflin Ranch Annual Reg.Angus Sale, Olsburg, KS5 – New Mexico Angus & HerefordBull & Heifer Sale, Roswell, NM5 – Clovis Livestock Auction Spring Horse Sale, Clovis NM12 – Porter Angus Innagural Bull & Heifer Sale, Mule Creek, NM14 – Black Angus Ready For WorkSale, Belen, NM14 – 35th Annual Willcox Livestock Auction All Breeds Bull Sale, Willcox, AZ

16 – Wagonhammer Ranches Production Sale, Albion NE17 – Roundhouse Feed & Showcase, Capitol Rotunda, Santa Fe, NM17 – Musick’s Business Bull Sale,Tucumcari, NM18 – 50th Annual Tucumcari BullTest Sale, Tucumcari, NM18-19 – Cattlemen’s Weekend –Prescott Livestock Auction,Prescott, AZ19 – Four States Ag Expo 3rdAnnual All Breeds Bull & HeiferSale, Cortez, CO19 – 16th Annual Bull & Heifer Sale, Hales Angus Farm, Canyon, TX19 – 28th Annual Reynolds Ranch Limousin Production Sale – Sanford, CO 23 – Express Ranches New Mexico Bull Sale, 12 mileswest of Conchas Dam, NM

April 2011

2 – 27th Annual DeBruyckerCharolais Sale, Dutton, MT9 – Red Doc Farm 2011 Bull Sale, Belen, NM9 – Bar T Bar Breaking TraditionsBull Sale, Yerington, NV10 – Redd Ranches High AltitudeBull Sale, Paradox, CO14 – Beckton Stock Farm AnnualProduction Sale, Sheridan, WY28 - 30 – New Mexico Women’s AgLeadership Conference – AmericanNational Cattlewomen’s Region VIMeeting, Albuquerque, NM

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tension, commonly known asbrisket disease. The pulmonaryartery pressure (PAP) test looks atan animal’s susceptibility to thedisease by measuring internalblood pressure.

A good disposition is a priority,Kay said. “One person on horse-back can usually move our cattle.We don’t want to sell wild cattle,and try not to keep anything that isnot gentle. We spend a lot of timein the pens with the bulls, gentlingthem and getting to know them.”

“My wife runs the ranch by her-self 50 percent of the time and canmove the cattle around as sheneeds to,” Bob pointed out. “Wedon’t keep the wild ones, all a wild

cow does is cost you money.”Adaptability is another impor-

tant strength, he said. “We movedhere from Watrous about threeyears ago. This is rough canyoncountry, and the cattle have adapt-ed and are holding up well.”

Bob is also proud of his cus-tomers’ results. “We started sellingto the Comanche Ranch aboutthree years ago. Since then, theirweaning weights have increased by100 pounds — I like to brag aboutthat. They run on dry, desert coun-try, and to be able to wean sixweight calves off of that is prettygood.”

A reputation for meat and car-cass quality is one of the biggest

advantages of Angus genetics, henoted. “As a consumer, when yougo into a restaurant or grocerystore, you see Certified AngusBeef. That certification is done bythe packing houses, which recog-nize the marbling in Angus beef.Other breeds market brandedbeef, but their certification is doneby the breed associations.”

The cattle business is nothingnew to the Andersons, whoseMontana ranch had been in thefamily for 100 years. The Ander-sons also operate a heavy equip-ment and heavy haul trucking busi-ness, and both are family

continued on page thirteen

Page 12 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

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CHB® is not the first brandedbeef product and it is certainly notthe largest of the breed-specificbranded beef offered, but itsunique marketing style and highquality make it a winner. NewMexico’s beef industry was at theforefront in recognizing that if theindustry is to survive, the producermust be sold along with the prod-uct. Consumers want to know andrespect those producing theirfood. Animal rightists/environ-mentalists want to paint agricul-ture as an evil empire that rapesand pillages Mother Nature.

The New Mexico Beef Council(NMBC) and New Mexico beefcheckoff dollars stepped up over adecade ago with their “FamilyFaces Campaign” introducing thestate’s ranching families to urbanpopulations via billboards as wellas television and radio advertisingand signage at the State Fair andnumerous other events. Unfortu-nately as cattle numbers have con-tracted and costs have escalated,there haven’t been enough check-off dollars to keep the campaigngoing.

It was a pleasant surprise to seeCHB® taking up the same themein their in-store advertising. Thisforward thinking by CHB® car-ries on the tradition of the Here-ford breed in innovating andadapting to meet the currentneeds of the industry and the con-sumer. Nearly 300 years ago,farmers in Herefordshire, Eng-land, founded the breed inresponse to demand created byBritain’s Industrial Revolution.Efficiency, high yield and soundreproduction were of utmostimportance.

Henry Clay, Kentucky states-man, brought Herefords to theU.S. in 1817. A true Herefordidentity was not established in thestates until a breeding herd wasbuilt in Albany, New York in1840. A few early breeders cametogether in Chicago on June 22,1881. The result was the founda-tion of the American HerefordCattle Breeders’ Association, laterrenamed the American HerefordAssociation (AHA). Its purposewas two-fold: to keep the breed’srecords and to promote the inter-ests of its breeders.

Seven years later Warren Gam-mon noticed naturally hornlessHerefords at the Trans-Mississip-pi World’s Fair in Omaha,Nebraska. He decided to selectfor the hornless trait using the bullGiant and 11 Hereford females.In 1910 the American PolledHereford Association (APHA)was founded.

The two Hereford associationsmerged in 1995, keeping theAHA title. The AHA now regis-ters horned and polled Herefords.

Livestock shows and fairs con-tributed greatly to Hereford popu-larity. The breed’s doing ability,coupled with early maturity, revo-lutionized American beef produc-tion. To achieve this desired earlymaturity, breeders in the 1930sand 1940s sought short, low-set,wide and deep-bodied cattle. Suc-cess eventually became a downfall.

Compact, fat cattle continuedto lead in the show ring into the1950s. However, beef packerswere starting to pay less for overlyfat cattle. The American diet wascalling for leaner, more heavilymuscled carcasses. Herefordbreeders stepped up to the chal-lenge.

Beginning in the 1960s, breed-ers focused their attention ontools such as performance testing,artificial insemination, objectivemeasures, embryo transfer andsire evaluation. These toolsallowed the rapid genetic changeneeded to bring Herefords insynch with consumer and industryexpectations. A broad geneticbase allowed Hereford breeders toselect stock comparable in sizeand performance to competing“exotic” European breeds.Although major changes weremade, breeders didn’t lose sight offundamental Hereford traits, par-ticularly fertility and docility.

A new goal was established inthe late 1980s — formal docu-mentation of Hereford perform-ance in the feedlot and on the rail.Colorado State University animalscientists conducted tests for theAHA from 1991 to 1993. Superi-ority was noted in average dailygain, feed conversion and cost ofgain. Further studies in the early1990s demonstrated the quality ofHereford beef. Regardless of mar-bling, Hereford steers consistentlyexcelled in tenderness, juiciness,flavor and palatability.

These findings led to the for-mation of a branded beef productknown as CHB®. In 1994 theAHA, Midland Cattle Co. and itsaffiliate, Mid-Ag, came togetherto market CHB®. Mid-Ag, laterrenamed Red Oak Farms, waslicensed as the first exclusive sellerof CHB®. Greater Omaha Pack-ing Co. was licensed as the secondcompany to produce and marketCHB® in November 1999. Thefollowing October, the AHAformed a limited liability corpora-tion, CHB LLC, for managementof the CHB® program.

So how did this product find

its’ way into a New Mexico retailgrocery chain? John BrooksSupermart has been serving NewMexico since 1978 “specializing inthe freshest meats, produce anddairy in the state” and “offeringquality and reliable service shop-pers can count on.” As the brand-ed beef trend began to catch on,John Brooks General ManagerBreck Stewart started to look forsomething that would set thechain, including locations fromSanta Fe to Ruidoso and Milan toAlbuquerque, apart from othergrocery outlets.

“It took over a year to find theright product for us,” he said. “Wewanted a signature product thatprovided quality, consistency andsupport behind the program.”

That program was CHB®.“Certified Hereford Beef has beenabove and beyond our expecta-tions,” Stewart noted. “We havenever had a complaint from a cus-tomer or a meat manager.”

In terms of pricing, CHB® hasallowed the Brooks stores tomaintain their profit margin withwhat it was when they sold com-modity beef. The CHB® pricepoint is close to commodity beef,he explained.

“And people don’t mind a littlehigher price if they know the meatis going to be good,” he stated.Stewart is also pleased with thesupport that Brooks have gottenfrom the ranching community.They often come in to buy theirgrilling steaks from us, he said.

“It is good to know your suppli-ers, first-hand,” Stewart pointedout. “The program has been a realsuccess for us.”

But about those Paul Harveypieces this writer is particularlyfond of, Stewart said they getmixed reviews. “Some people real-ly like them,” he admitted, “butothers don’t like hearing whatthey consider to be commercialswhile they are shopping.”

While CHB® hasn’t brokenstrongly into the restaurant trade,the product is available throughnational meat suppliers as well asvia mail order on the web athttp://www.herefordbeef.net. Theprogram has recently developed anew brand, Nuestro RanchoTM,a marinated product aimed at theHispanic consumer providingbeef from a service case cut justthe way they like it. The brand hasjust been picked up by a regionaldistributor covering a 1,600-storechain, according to Dale Micheli,Micheli Ranch, Ft. Bridger,Wyoming, a member of theCHB® Board and the AHABoard.

~HEREFORD~The Breed of the Past and Present . . .

and for the Futureby CAREN COWAN

Just imagine strolling (or frantically running as the case may be) down your local grocery store aisle lis-tening to the sage voice of the late Paul Harvey . . . extolling the virtues of BEEF. Not just any beef, butCertified Hereford Beef (CHB®). If you live in New Mexico and probably lots of other places, you cando just that. In addition to learning about the lean, tender and delicious beef, you can hear about thepeople who raise Herefords, their family ethic and the stewardship they apply to the land and wildlife.

February 15, 2011 “America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Page 13

“The meat business is alwayschallenging,” he pointed out, “andthe economy has caused people tochoose cheaper proteins in thepast couple of years, but thatseems to be turning around.”

CHB® has recently won 10out of 11 taste tests in competi-tion with other branded products,Micheli noted.

Meanwhile back at the ranch,the Hereford breed hasn’t beenstanding still either. Like the restof the industry there have beensome tough times for Herefordbreeders, but that isn’t always abad thing, according to Micheli.

“Because we have been forcedto cull, we have gotten rid of thebottom end,” he said. “We haven’treally gotten into the bull sale sea-son in our country, but the salesacross the nation have beenstrong this year.”

The Hereford breed has alsorefocused on one of the key traitsthat have long made it a favoriteof commercial cattlemen — docil-ity. A recent National Cattlemen’sBeef Association (NCBA) studyfound that docility is the numberone thing cattlemen look for,Micheli reported.

“Having just worked two setsof cows of two different breeds,”he explained, “I can tell you thatthe Herefords were the easierones to handle.”

The breed has also taken ahard look at heterosis and the val-ue of crossbreeding Herefordswith other breeds includingAngus. Two separate studies havedocumented the value Herefordsadd, said Micheli.

In the Harris Ranch heterosisproject, a controlled study meas-uring the impacts of crossbreed-ing, thus far Hereford-influencedcattle dominated Angus cattle innearly every aspect. The study wasconducted by California StateUniversity, Chico, in cooperationwith the AHA. Other cooperatorswere Lacey Livestock, HarrisFeeding Co. and Harris RanchBeef Co., all of California.

The objective was to compareHereford and Angus bulls underreal-world commercial conditionsby evaluating the progeny of theHereford bulls and Angus bullswhen crossed on Angus-basedcows. For the steers, differencesin weaning performance, feedlotperformance, carcass value andoverall profitability were meas-ured.

Phase I results showed a $78advantage in profitability to theHereford-sired steers over theirAngus counterparts. The heifermates to these steers calved in2008 and showed a seven percentadvantage in conception ratesover the straight Angus heifers.

After the second calf crop washarvested and evaluated, theHereford-influenced steers boast-ed a $45 advantage compared tothe Angus steers.

“The baldie females are thebiggest pay off for us participatingin the project,” says Mark Laceyof Lacey Livestock. “It is allowingus to get some heterosis back inour cow herd. In the cattle busi-ness, fertility and longevity arewhat makes us money.”

Mark says the Laceys will con-tinue to use the Hereford bulls

that remain in their bull battery.He also artificially inseminated hisblack replacement heifers, nearly250, to two calving-ease Herefordbulls.

“We want to continue to pro-duce more baldie females,” Marksays. “As range cows go, I think theHereford female is a superior rangecow and makes a great mother.”

In 2007 Circle A Ranch,Iberia, Missouri, agreed to partic-ipate in a research project withthe AHA designed to determineand measure the advantages ofusing Hereford genetics on com-mercial Angus cows.

Circle A used 10 Herefordbulls with the goal of comparingthe best of its Angus herd to thebest of the Hereford-Angus cross.Throughout the project, weaningweight and economically relevanttraits such as feedlot gain, feedefficiency and fertility of the blackbaldie females were all measuredand compared to straight com-mercial Angus cattle. Dan Moser,associate professor of genetics atKansas State University, analyzedand interpreted the collected data.

Results from the project docu-mented the Hereford efficiencyadvantage. With a seven percentincrease in conception rate, alongwith improved feed efficiency andaverage daily gain, Herefordswere proven the right choice forcommercial producers today.

Vern Pierce, University of Mis-souri associate professor of agri-cultural economics, evaluated theperformance differences betweenthe Hereford and Angus groupsincluding birth, weaning and feed-lot growth and carcass data on thesteer calves, and pregnancy ratesfrom the female progeny of thesire groups. He developed an eco-nomic model projecting the addedvalue of Hereford heterosis over a10-year period and found thatusing Hereford bulls on Angus-based females would add $514net over the life of a cow orapproximately $51 per cow peryear to a rancher’s bottom line.

Economic models also predict-ed that after 10 years, due toincreased fertility and longevityHereford-sired females wouldgenerate a 20 percent advantagein herd size versus the straightAngus commercial cows due toincreased calving and replacementoptions

According to Pierce, if a ranch-er with Angus-based cows usesHereford bulls compared to usingAngus bulls he will have improvedcash flow, increased herd size andmore calves to sell over a 10-yearperiod.

Circle A Ranch is a 32,000-acre, 10,000-head seedstock andcommercial cow-calf operationheadquartered in Iberia, with satel-lite operations in Stockton andHuntsville, and Lineville, Iowa,owned by the Dave Gust Family.

Circle A markets more than400 black and Red Angus bullsand 500 Angus females annually.The 9,000-head commercial herdhas provided a great, “real life”testing ground for the registeredseedstock herd. Circle A has donemore than any beef seedstockoperation in the world to accu-rately describe genetic differencesfor both output and input costs

and develop a true profitabilityindex.

As founders of the Angus SireAlliance and partners with ABSGlobal, Circle A has aggressivelytested the Angus breeds mostpromising genetics in their 9,000head commercial herd and thenrapidly multiplied the most prof-itable genetics in their high-quali-ty registered herd.

Some of us may remember the1966 Jimmy Stewart and Mau-reen O’Hara movie, The RareBreed, which depicts the hardinessof the Hereford breed in movinginto the U.S. It is worth watchingand remembering the place theHereford breed has in today’sbeef industry. �

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Anguscontinued from page eleven

operations. Bob and Kay’sson, Mike Anderson, lives onthe ranch. Their daughterJoEllen Meeks lives in LasVegas, about 40 miles away,with her husband Terry andfour-year-old son Tanner,and they help out when pos-sible. “It’s hard to keep Tan-ner away from the ranch,” hesaid. “He’s probably the onewho will take all of this overwhen Kay decides she hashad enough.”

Page 14 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

When words of advice orpearls of wisdom comefrom the mouth of ahusband, it’s easy for the

wife to ignore or discount thosewords. When those same pearlscome from Heather SmithThomas, they should be etched ingranite and the wife should admitthat the husband was right afterall. Some lessons need not belearned the hard way. Every con-ceivable aspect of raising beef cat-tle is addressed in depth by Ms.Thomas from her 40 plus years ofexperience, complete with excel-lent illustrations and photographs.

This book is so fundamentallywise, yet basic in its content, thatneither novice nor career beef pro-ducer should be without a copy. Itis pertinent whether the raising ofa herd of cattle is for a means ofmaking a living or is for the enjoy-ment of a way of life. No matterthe size of an operation, there iseverything one needs to know inthis newest version of Storey’sGuide to Raising Beef Cattle.

Again, I have to give “the oldman” credit. Ms. Thomas’s beginsher “guide” in the same mannerthat customers of the Cross MLonghorn Ranch received . . .What is your plan? What are yourgoals? What kind of cattle are suit-ed for your area? What is the mar-ket in your area? What traits doyou desire in your cattle? This booklists the characteristics establishedand standardized by all the beefbreed registries with an emphasison hybrid vigor, the combining oftraits to produce even better off-spring through crossbreeding. Shestresses that only the best animalsshould reproduce, then gives thereader in depth guidance on howto proceed to breed and raisesuperior livestock.

Instructions on how to handleand move cattle are extremelyhelpful in understanding how cat-tle behave, to avoid injury, both tothe animal and the handler. Illus-trations of proper equipment, sup-plies, facilities, pastures and fenc-ing also add to the health andsafety of both. Covered are tips forbuying and selling cattle, what to

look for in a bull and what to lookfor in a cow. An understanding ofthe reproductive system of both isrecommended and diagrammed.Proper care and nutrition of thereproducing animals is discussed,to help ensure sound offspring.Once the calf hits the ground, feedand health tips, including vaccina-tion techniques, help the producerinsure that calf’s best chance tomake a profit for the breeder onceit is weaned. The weaning tipsalone would have been quite help-ful early in the Cross M operation.Cows running around Belen look-ing for their calves that weremoved to Cedar Crest could havebeen avoided.

While this book emphasizesestablishing a good initial relation-ship with an experienced veteri-narian, it also illustrates in greatdetail how the breeder canaddress problems such as healthissues, various diseases or weedpoisonings, plus calving/birthingdifficulties. How to “pull” a calf isdemonstrated; however, this neednot be a badge of honor with cat-tle breeders. As long as the home-work provided by Ms. Thomas inthis guide has been done andattention has been paid to thebreeding female’s age, overall careand health, and attention hasbeen paid to a bull’s record ofprogeny, calving problems can beavoided and the raising of beefcattle can be profitable and pleas-urable.

This book is easily read andhighly recommended.

175 is a calving ease bull that adds growth, maternal, pigment and loads of eye appeal. He sires top sons and outstanding daughters. 175’s dam was a top cow, she was a Dam of Distinction andhad a perfect udder. GB L1 DOMINO 175E isstill very athletic and sound at close to 10years of age. Owned with Pedretti Ranches ofEl Nido, California. Semen is available througheither owner or Accelerated Genetics.

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February 15, 2011 “America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Page 15

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

Occasionally the stockmanencounters a difficult calv-ing situation caused by anabnormality in the fetus or

dam. As stated by Dr. DavidSteffen, Diagnostic Pathologistand Professor, School of Veteri-nary Medicine, University ofNebraska, the most commonproblem is discrepancy betweensize of the calf and pelvic area ofthe dam. This type of calvingproblem can be eliminated orminimized by using bulls thatsire calves small to moderate sizeat birth and making sure heifersare well grown, with adequatepelvic area.

Other problems are less sim-ple. When checking a cow orheifer that’s not progressing inlabor, keep in mind the possibili-ty of an abnormality. There maybe unusual circumstances inwhich positional adjustments willstill not allow delivery. Some sit-uations may be due to a congen-ital (present at birth) or genetic(inherited) defect in the calf oran abnormality in the dam thatmay be hindering birth progressor making it impossible for thecalf’s legs to be re-positioned toallow delivery.

Congenital defects“Defects in the fetus that may

cause dystocia are usually attrib-uted to those causing dramaticeffects on the muscular or skele-tal systems,” says Steffen. Somecongenital defects are due toaccidents in fetal development.Others are caused by teratogens.Terotogens are defined as anyfactors that cause abnormality ina developing embryo or fetus.Teratogens include drugs, hor-mones, chemicals, viruses, toxicplants, high body temperature,etc. Some of the resulting abnor-malities may cause dystocia.

Many factors influence embry-onic and fetal development. Vul-nerability of the developing calfvaries at different stages of gesta-

tion. Each organ and structurehas a critical period of develop-ment during which it can bealtered by harmful external influ-ences. “Dose, duration and timingare the main factors that deter-mine the outcome, and whether ateratogen will produce a birthdefect. The higher the dose, thelonger the period of exposure,and the time of gestation will bekey factors,” explains Steffen.

“One of the most disturbingsyndromes is schistosomareflexus,” says Steffen. “Thespine is U-shaped and the top ofthe tail is close to the head, andthe fetus is turned inside out.”The chest and abdomen areincompletely formed, exposinginternal organs.

“When you reach into the cowto try to determine what’s hold-ing up progress, you find all fourfeet presented, and may get ahandful of intestines. You maysuspect the uterus is rupturedand think the intestines are fromthe cow,” he says. Most of thesemalformed fetuses will not fitthrough the birth canal and mustbe removed by fetotomy (cuttingthe fetus into pieces) or C-sec-tion. Schistosomus calves frompurebred cattle should be sam-pled and reported.

Lupine calves are anotherinstance in which the fetus ismalformed. Usually it’s the legjoints and limbs, but occasionallyyou’ll see a calf with a cleftpalate. Often the legs arecrooked or joints are fused andfixed so the legs don’t moveproperly, but you can usuallydeliver these calves through thebirth canal — unless the defor-mity is severe.

These defects are caused bycertain alkaloids, if the cow eatslupine between 40 and 70 days’gestation. The alkaloids affect thebrain and act as a sedative, andthe fetus doesn’t move enough.Legs and joints become stiff orfixed in abnormal locations. Thismay affect one or more joints orlimbs, or the spine.

“Most body structures areformed during early gestation.The palate closes at about 55-60days of gestation. If the fetus isaffected by lupine or anothertoxic plant alkaloid at that point,the tongue isn’t moving aroundand forms a physical obstructionas the palate plates move towardone another. The tongue is in theway and prevents those platesfrom coming in from the sidesand fusing,” explains Steffen.

“We see similar defectscaused by other plant toxinssuch as hemlock. Any kind ofplant alkaloid or toxin can affectthe nervous system, and someviruses can cause these abnor-malities. In order for legs andjoints to be mobile and developnormally there must be an intactnervous system. Anything distalto that injury will contract as themuscles atrophy,” he says.

“If there’s spina bifida, hydro-cephalus, or calves are missing alarge part of the brain, they oftenhave stiff, crooked legs as aresult. If there is no function, nomotion during development, thejoints tend to become fixed.”

Some hydrocephalic calves willnot fit through the birth canalbecause the forehead is too large.“Spina bifida calves can also cre-ate dystocia. In many of thosecalves the hind legs are in fixedposition, curled underneath thebelly,” he says. Any time thejoints cannot flex and move therewill be difficulty getting the calfextracted through the birth canal.

Sometimes a normal fetus hasan abnormal twin attached tothe fetal membranes. This fetal“monster” is usually a mass ofconnective tissue with skin andhair. Other abnormalities thatmay hinder birth include calveswith two heads or extra legs.

Hormonal abnormalities canalso cause birth problems. Hor-mones produced by the calf as itreaches full term are the signalsthat trigger onset of parturitionin the dam. In some instance thefetus may have an abnormalitythat interferes with appropriatesignaling. “Labor isn’t triggered

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Abnormalities that May Impede the Birth Process

Page 16 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

at the proper time and the fetusjust gets bigger. Eventually ittriggers, but the calf may then betoo large for normal birth. Attimes we’ve seen giant calves inembryo transfer programs. Idon’t know if anyone has figuredout why, but it may be an abnor-mality in the signaling betweenthe embryo and the cow. I’veseen some monster-size fetusesthat were otherwise normal, buthuge,” he says.

Genetic defectsCertain malformations of the

fetus are inherited, and many ofthese are simple recessives. Thedefective gene must come fromboth sire and dam in order forthe defect to show up in the calf.

“Double muscled” calves arenormal in most aspects exceptfor excessive bulk of certain mus-cles, which makes it more diffi-cult for these calves to be born.This is an inherited trait in cer-tain breeds.

In Angus calves with Arthro-gryposis Multiplex (AM), oftencalled curly calf syndrome, legsare crooked and twisted in differ-ent directions. “Whether or notthis type of fetus can be deliv-ered will vary with size of thecalf. Many arthrogryposis calvesare small and even thoughthere’s a dystocia you can usuallymanipulate the legs and get thecalf out. With the larger ones, itcan be a problem.”

Another inherited defect inAngus and Angus-cross cattle isContractural Arachnodactyly(CA), formerly called Fawn Calf

Syndrome. A University of Illi-nois research team recently iden-tified the mutated gene causingthis defect, which is inherited asa simple recessive. Affectedcalves have skeletal abnormali-ties that include a long, archedback, with very short underlineand long leg bones (elbows andstifles may be almost touching,beneath the belly), and long,weak pasterns. Even thoughsome of these calves are unableto stand without help at first,many do survive. In someinstances the skeletal/limb mal-formations may cause dystocia.

Calves with Pulmonary Hypo -plasia Anascara (PHA) have beenseen in Maine Anjou and Short-horn cattle. “These are generallylarge, heavy calves that can’t bedelivered normally. They don’thave proper lymph node struc-ture, so their bodies fill with fluid.They are huge and heavy becauseof all that fluid,” says Steffen.

Other inherited defects thatsometimes cause dystociainclude anchondroplastic or bull-dog dwarfism, and calves withedema (fluid/swelling) in legsand head (sometimes seen inAyrshires). Head and neckswelling can also be an effect ofdystocia, however — the result ofbeing in the birth canal too long.“Some big bulldog dwarf calvescan create a delivery problembecause of their compactnature,” says Steffen.

“Some bulldog dwarf calvesalso have cleft palates. The head,back and legs are too short, yetthey still have full muscle mass.The tongue is still full size butthe head is short, so duringdevelopment the tongue gets inthe way and the palate plates

can’t get closed and fused likethey should,” he says.

Each breed has its own genet-ic problems. “Some recessivedefects hide in a carrier cow linefor a long time and the cowsdon’t produce any affectedcalves because the stockman isalways using an unrelated, cleanbull, and that specific gene nevergets doubled up. Eventually,however, someone produces agood bull by a son or grandsonof one of those carrier cows andif that bull gets line bred or intoan AI stud, pretty soon the genefrequency is high enough that itwill be noticed,” he says.

Most conscientious producerstry to learn enough about theircattle to avoid problems, if possi-ble. “If a breeder has an abnor-mal calf, I encourage them tocontact their breed association,if it’s a purebred herd, or even ifit’s a crossbred and you know thesire. When breeders try to keepdefects quiet, it just delays solu-tions and it all blows up a year ortwo later,” he says.

The majority of cases he seesare not genetic. “It pays to inves-tigate them, however, and besure of that affirmation, as itallows you to keep using thatbull and cow without worry, or tomarket heifers by that bull andbe confident that the person whobuys them won’t have problems,”he says.

Abnormalities in the damThe most common problem

on the maternal side is a too-small pelvis for delivery of a too-big calf, but sometimes there arestructural or hormonal abnor-

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Abnormalitiescontinued from page fifteen

February 15, 2011 “America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Page 17

malities in the dam that wouldhinder birth.

Occasionally a heifer has anunusual situation or defect thatwill not allow for ease of birth.For instance, an abnormal bonyprotrusion at the top of herpelvis might not allow the calf’shead to fit through.

In any breed, sometimes thereare instances in which hormonesignals don’t work properly atparturition and the cervix maynot dilate. Oxytocin release andprogesterone changes are neces-sary for relaxation, preparing thebirth canal for passage of thefetus. If something goes wrongwith these hormonal signals itmay be impossible to deliver thecalf normally.

“Nutritional status of the damcan play a role as well, especiallycalcium levels in heifers — togenerate the muscle contractionsthat assist in pushing the calf out.If calcium is marginal and the calfis big, or it’s a young heifer thathas never been dilated before,and she starts straining hard, shebecomes exhausted more quicklyand it may be difficult to get thecalf out,” explains Steffen.

The key to resolving mostproblems is watching cows close-ly at calving, knowing when theyare due, and giving early inter-vention if there is a problem. If aperson can detect a problem ear-ly and assist — even if the calfmust be removed by C-sectionor a fetotomy — you’ll end upwith a live cow, even if the fetusis too abnormal to save.

“Often cows do better (andmay have a reproductive future)with a clean C-section than witha fetotomy or forced extraction.You can do more damage to thepelvic canal with the latter situa-tions. With a clean surgical inci-sion you can get the calf outwithout stressing the cow orheifer,” says Steffen.

“I had a classmate comparepost-delivery performance ofheifers that came into feedlotsbred. He found that C-sectionheifers returned to feed andgained weight faster than the

The Corn Attack!

In the last few years we havewatched an increasing attackon corn. The skewed reason-ing is: corn syrup is available,reasonably priced, and good

for the average person, therefore;it must be bad! This is the kindof logic that has been applied tofarmed salmon, Big Macs, lowertaxes, capitalism and pasteurizedmilk.

I’m sure this same kind of rea-soning was applied to earlier“civilizing” discoveries such as airconditioning, the steam engineand fire. In the book The Omni-vore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pol-lan, © 2006 it was noted that“too much” corn syrup can makeyou fat, reduce the popularity ofcompeting vegetables like beetsand wheat straw, AND someonecan make a profit on it!

In the book FIRE, © 5286

BC, the author noted that “toomuch” fire could cause globalwarming, reduce your ability towithstand the cold, and someonecould likely invent matches andmake a profit!

Too often, in the long-estab-lished profession of the Lud-dites, Nay-Sayers, and, otherwiseunemployed columnists, theirmotives can be found by “follow-ing the money.” To sell a book ortheory, wacko as it may be, youmust first find a trend, discovery,or product that is well-knownand well-liked. Then you make apersuasive observation castingdoubt on the safety, ecologicalimpact, availability and/or themorality of its use. The purposeis to create a problem wherenone exists; i.e., wild horses, hor-mone implants, preservatives, oildrilling the tundra, pesticides,irradiation of food, hog confine-ment sheds, Alar in apples and

antibiotics in cattle. Look atwhat a waste of common senseand money has resulted from thediscovery of BSE . . . in one cowin the United States! It was afear monger’s feast!

So while lettered experts,authorized “mullers”, activists,and writers are trying to portraycorn syrup as some evil sub-stance, others of their kind aresearching for easy prey so theycan be the “nay-sayer de jour”. . . Potential headlines:

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“People who lean have a ten-dency to fall over!”

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“Could bovine dewlap berelated to snood shrinking inturkeys?”

“Should Holsteins sue theDairy Improvement Associationfor the Chick-Fil-A ads?”

“Is Tractor Fantasy Danger-ous?”

“Can Tolstoy save your Mar-riage?”

“Packers blame the tennis ballshortage in New Zealand for thedrop in the beef market!”

The corn attack has stimulat-ed discourse on why we eat sogood, have so much cheap food,and can feed the world’s hungryif need be. The majority of thisdiscussion has been among non-producers, non-scientist andjournalists, wherein commonsense, economic impact, scientif-ic validity, and overwhelmingacceptance are not on the table.

Michael Pollan in his bookThe Omnivore’s Dilemma caused aripple. He put corn syrup on thestage for its fifteen minutes offame. But, as Lincoln said whenhis dog swallowed an Indianhead penny, “This too shallpass.”

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Abnormalitiescontinued from page sixteen

Page 18 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

Southeastern N.M. Ranches For Sale

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MAHONEY PARK: Just 10 miles southeast of Deming, N.M. The property consists of approx. 800 acres Deeded, 560acres State Lease, and 900 acres BLM. This historic property is located high up in the Florida Mountains and fea-tures a park like setting, covered in deep grasses with plentiful oak and juniper covered canyons. The cattle al-lotment would be approx. 30 head (AUYL). Wildlife includes deer, ibex, javalina, quail and dove. This rare jewelwould make a great little ranch with views and a home site second to none. Priced at $600,000.

SAN JUAN RANCH: Located 15 miles south of Deming, N.M. east of Highway 11 (Columbus Highway) on CR-11.Approximately 24,064 acres consisting of approximately 2684 acres Deeded, 3240 State Lease, 13,460 BLM, and4,680 uncontrolled. The cattle allotment would be approx. 183 head (AUYL). There are 6 solar powered stockwells with metal storage tanks and approximately 6-1/2 miles pipeline. The ranch has a very diverse landscapeconsisting of high mountain peaks, deep juniper & oak covered canyons, mountain foothills and desert grasslands.There is plentiful wildlife including deer, ibex, javalina, quail and dove. A truly great buy at $600,000.

212 ACRE FARM BETWEEN LAS CRUCES, N.M. AND EL PASO, TEXAS:Hwy. 28 frontage with 132 acres irrigated, 80acres sandhills, full EBID (surface water) plus a supplemental irrigation well, cement ditches and large equipmentwarehouse. Priced at $1,868,000.

50.47-ACRE FARM: Located on Afton Road south of La Mesa, NM. Paved road frontage, full EBID (surface water)plus a supplemental irrigation well with cement ditches. Priced at $13,000/acre ($660,400).

OTHER FARMS FOR SALE: In Doña Ana County. All located near Las Cruces, N.M. 8, 11, and 27.5 acres.$15,000/acre to $17,000/acre. All have EBID (surface water rights from the Rio Grande River) and several havesupplemental irrigation wells. If you are interested in farm land in Doña Ana County, or ranches in SouthwestNew Mexico, give me a call.

www.zianet.com/nmlandman

Lassen County: 11,725 acres, all deeded. 970 acres irrigated, flood and 4 pivots. Alfalfa, grain, grass. BLM permits, 500 cows, organic hay. Lots of potential for more farm ground. Priced at $5,375,000.

Tehama County, Cottonwood, Calif.: 1,850 acres, winter range. Large barn, 1 bdrm. apt., horse stalls, tie stalls, tack room, shop. Deluxe 400x200 ft. roping arena. All new fences and steel corrals. Hunting and fishing. Priced at $2,200,000.

Tehama County, Cottonwood, Calif.: 556 acres, winter range, two small houses, corrals, chute, small barn. Good hunting and fishing. Price reduced — $775,000.

Tehama County, Cottonwood, Calif.: 80 acres, winter range and a custom built appx. 3,000 sq. ft. beautiful home. Large barn, tack room, shop roping arena, round-pen — a real crown jewel. Many amenities. A roper’s dream. Priced at $1,400,000.

——— CALIFORNIA RANCHES ———

Properties and Equities

R.G. DAVIS, BROKERCell: 530/949-1985

19855 S. Main St., P.O. Box 1020Cottonwood, CA 96022

Ofc.: 530/347-9455 • F: 530/347-4640homeranchr@sbcglobal.net

Idaho-OregonCall 208/345-3163

for catalog.

KNIPE

LAND CO.RANCHES

FARMSCOMMERCIAL

Established 1944

��������������

1002 Koenigheim, San Angelo, TX 76903 • www.llptexasranchland.com • llp@wcc.net

LEE, LEE & PUCKITTASSOCIATES INC.

KEVIN C. REED

Office: 325/655-6989Cell: 915/491-9053

RanchersServing

Ranchers

Texas andNew Mexico

RANCHSALES &APPRAISALS

Chas. S. Middletonand Son

1507 13th ST. • LUBBOCK, TEXAS 79401

(806) 763-5331

RANCH SALES &APPRAISALS

SERVING THE RANCHING INDUST RY SINCE 1920

THE LIVESTOCK MARKET DIGEST

RealEstateGuide

Chas. S. Middletonand Son

1507 13th ST. • LUBBOCK, TEXAS 79401

(806) 763-5331

RANCH SALES &APPRAISALS

SERVING THE RANCHING INDUST RY SINCE 1920

To list your propertieshere, contact Debbie

Cisneros at debbie@aaalivestock.com;

New Mexico office:505/243-9515, ext. 30; or Colorado office:

720/242-8032 (direct line)

February 15, 2011 “America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” Page 19

Mike White re-electedas Western Region representative for AFBF board

Michael White, a farmerfrom Dexter and presi-dent of the New Mexi-co Farm & Livestock

Bureau (NMFLB), was re-elect-ed to the board of directors forthe American Farm Bureau Fed-eration as a Western Regionalrepresentative.

White grows alfalfa, barleyand corn for dairies on the eastside of the state and has a longhistory with the American FarmBureau Federation, havingserved for five years previously asa regional representative for thenations’ largest farm and ranchorganization. As a regional rep-resentative he also sits on theAFBF International Trade Advi-sory Committee.

“The thirteen Western stateregion of AFBF has very crucialand distinct issues that affect ouragriculture industry, and beingselected to be one of the fiverepresentatives from the West onthe AFBF Board is an honor thatis very humbling, and I look for-ward to the challenges ahead,”says White.

He is a member of the boardof directors of the Chaves Coun-ty Farm and Livestock Bureauand has served as president ofthat organization. He has been amember of the N.M. CottonAdvisory Committee at New

Mexico State University and wasan alternate to the National Cot-ton Board. He served for 12years on the Dexter Consolidat-ed School Board and was electedpresident of that body. Mr.White was also on the board ofdirectors for the AlbuquerqueProduction Credit Association.He is treasurer of the MidwayAssembly of God Church and ison the board of the MidwayYouth and Family DevelopmentCenter.

As President NMFLB Whitespearheads the organization’slegislative agenda in New Mexi-co and in the U.S. Congress. Hepresides over an organizationwith 30 county affiliates andmore than 15,300 family-mem-bers statewide.

Ag Women To Gather —Seek Nominations forthe next “Diamond in the Rough”

Innovation and Collaborationwill be the theme of the ninthWomen in Agriculture Lead-ership Conference (WALC),

to be held in Albuquerque, April27-29, 2011. The 2011 WALCwill be held in conjunction withthe American National Cattle-Women (ANCW) Region VIMeeting with participants fromCalifornia, Arizona, New Mexi-co, Utah, Hawaii, and Nevada.Over 200 women from acrossthe Southwest’s agriculturalindustry are expected to cometogether to discuss currentissues, network, and honor out-

standing women in the group.The “Diamond in the Rough”

award was created to recognizean outstanding woman in NewMexico agriculture and highlighther efforts and contributions.Initiated by the WALC and itsvarious sponsors, the award (pre-viously called the CorazonAward) has been given at each ofthe previous conferences duringa special awards ceremony.Nominations are currently beingaccepted for those women that,through their actions, strive tomake New Mexico’s agricultural

P BAR RANCH: Rates at 1,350 AU’s including 900 mother cows outside year round – WINTER RANGE – 11,750 deeded acres plus BLM, 300 irrigated – background lot for calves – 3 homes – good improvements –CAN SPLIT – $6,000,000.

LYMAN RANCH: Rated at approximately 225 hd. year long –MEADOW RANCH – 850± deeded with 670± irrigated – FREE WATER –several interior pastures for easy management of cattle – over 1-1/2 MILERIVER THRU RANCH – would make great stocker operation for about 800 hd. – modest improvements including great shipping facilities andscales – asking $1,530,000 Rae at 208/761-9553.

LINSON CREEK: 400/500 HD. WINTER (11/5 – 5/1) with less than 1/2-ton on normal years – 1,938 deeded plus BLM – great stock water – UP-LAND GAME BIRDS, MULE DEER, ELK, FISHING – Washington/ PayetteCounties, ID – modest improvements – $1,475,000 with SELLER FINANCE.

LANDRETH: Malheur County, OR – 780 deeded acres with 180± irrigated– 1/2-MILE RIVER – quality improvements – upland game birds, waterfowl, mule deer, bass ponds – PRICE REDUCED – $980,000.

FARM/FEEDLOT: 500± deeded acres with 280 irrigated row crop – CAFO at 850-1,000 hd. – good improvements – great stocker and/or dairy hfrs. – $1,580,000.

QUARTER CIRCLE DIAMOND: Gilliam County, OR – 6,148 deeded acres with 1,078 dry farm – in addition running 125 mother cows year long– includes 40% interest in potential power generation – siting for 17 TURBINES – mule deer, elk, chukar, quail – $1,750,000 Rae at 208/761-9553 Jack at 541/473-3100.

AGRILANDS Real Estatewww.agrilandsrealestate.com

Vale, Oregon • 541/473-3100 • jack@fmtcblue.com

“EAGER SELLERS”

Ken Ahler Real Estate Co., Inc. www.SantaFeLand.com1435 S. St. Francis Drive, Suite 210 • Santa Fe, N.M. 87505O: 505/989-7573 • Toll Free: 888/989-7573 • M: 505/490-0220E-mail: kahler@newmexico.com

Capulin Ranch, Separ, N.M. – 21,640 acres total, 7,785 deeded acres and13,835 leased acres. 350 auyl operation has excellent fences, 8 pastures, 2traps, 10 wells and drinkers, forage is in excellent condition. Good popula-tions of mule deer, antelope, big cats, javalina and quail. HQ home is SWstyle with pool. Guest home, equip storage, rail cars, pens and scales at HQlocation. Price is $4,000,000La Cueva Ranch, Las Vegas, N.M. – 3,334 deeded acres on Apache Mesa 20minutes from Las Vegas, NM. Caves, rimrock, canyons, grassy mesa tops andtall pines. Smaller parcels available. Very scenic area. Priced at $1,779,000 Trigg Ranch Parcels, Las Vegas, N.M. – 720 acre and 360 acre parcelslocated on Apache Mesa at $612,000 and $216,000 respectively. 180 acreparcel located on Hwy 84 has stunning views, several building sites on thisparcel. Priced at $298,000

NEVADA RANCHES and FARMS

Bottari RealtyPAUL D. BOTTARI, BROKER

www.bottarirealty.com • paul@bottarirealty.com

Ofc.: 775/752-3040Res: 775/752-3809 • Fax: 775/752-3021

Out West Realty Network Affiliate

MASON MOUNTAINRANCH

Nothern Elko County ranch with 3700 deededacres and a small BLM permit. Great summer pasture with free water from springs, creeks and seeps. No power but land line phone.

The ranch received 1 landowner Elk Tag this year.The irrigation reservior on Mason Creek is stockedwith Red Band trout. Several useful buildings including home with gravity flow water andpropane lights, water heater and refrigerator. The ranch should run 300 pair for the season.

Price: $1,575,000.

CALL JORDAN OR NICK FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Farmers & Stockmens BankP.O. Box 431, Clayton, N.M. 88415 • 575/374-8301

IRRIGATED FARM NEAR SEDAN, N.M.

960 total acres, 770 irrigated acres, brick home, large barns, grain bins, etc. Good livestock operation.

Favorable financing and terms available to qualified buyers.

FOR SALE

See all my listings at: paulmcgilliard.murney.com

PAUL McGILLIARDCell: 417/839-5096

1-800/743-0336MURNEY ASSOC., REALTORSSPRINGFIELD, MO 65804

Missouri Land Sales� Horse Training / Boarding Facility: New, state-of-the-art, 220x60horse facility with 20 stalls, back to back, offset with bull pen at end ofthe barn. Two large pipe outside paddocks. 3-4 BR, 3 BA, 2,000+ sq. ft.home. All on 18+ acres. Just 5 miles north of I-44 Bois D’Arc exit. MLS#1017424. Call Paul for your private showing.� 675 Acres Grass Runway, Land your own plane: Major Price Re-duction. 3 BR, 2 BA home down 1 mile private land. New 40x42 shop,40x60 livestock barn, over 450 acres in grass. (Owner runs over 150cow/calves, 2 springs, 20 ponds, 2 lakes, consisting of 3.5 & 2 acres. Bothstocked with fish. Excellent fencing. A must farm to see. MLS #1010371� 483 Acres, Hunter Mania: Nature at her best. Don’t miss out on thisone. Live water (two creeks). 70+ acres open in bottom hayfields and uplandgrazing. Lots of timber (marketable and young) for the best hunting and fish-ing (Table Rock, Taney Como and Bull Shoals Lake) Really cute 3-bd., 1-bastone home. Secluded yes, but easy access to Forsyth-Branson, Ozark andSpringfield. Property joins Nat’l. Forest. MLS#908571

Thank You Paul McGillard “Our Realtor of the Month”

“Thanks Livestock Market Digest. I advertise monthly as I get results

and great customer service from the LMD!” — Paul Mc Gillard

TEXAS & OKLA. FARMS & RANCHES

Joe Priest Real Estate1205 N. Hwy 175, Seagoville, TX 75159

972/287-4548 • 214/676-69731-800/671-4548www.joepriest.com

joepriestre@earthlink.com

• Magnificent 90 Hunting – Cattle/Horse Ranch50 miles E. of Dallas, 35 miles W. of Tyler, Whitepipe fence along FM Hwy. 3,700 sq. ft. elabo-rate home, flowing waterway, l ake. Has it all.• 532-acre CATTLE & HUNTING, NE TX ranch,elaborate home, one-mile highway frontage.OWNER FINANCE at $2,150/ac.• 274 acres in the shadow of Dallas. Secludedlakes, trees, excellent grass. Hunting & fishing,dream home sites. $3,850/ac. • 1,700-acre classic NE TX cattle & huntingranch. $2,750/ac. Some mineral production.• Texas Jewel, 7,000 ac. – 1,000 per ac., runcow to 10 ac.• 256 Acre Texas Jewel – Deep sandy soil, high-rolling hills, scattered good quality trees, & ex-cellent improved grasses. Water line on 2 sidesrd., frontage on 2 sides, fenced into 5 pastures,5 spring fed tanks and lakes, deer, hogs &ducks. Near Tyler & Athens. Price $1,920,000.• 146 horse, hunting cattle ranch N. ofClarksville, TX. Red River Co. nice brick home,2 barns, pipe fences, good deer, hogs, ducks,hunting priced at $395,000.• 535 ac. Limestone, Fallas, & Robertson coun-ties, fronts on Hwy. 14 and has rail frontagewater line, to ranch, fenced into 5 pastures, 2sets, cattle pens, loamy soil, good quality trees,hogs, & deer hunting. Priced at $2,300 per ac.

Ben G. Scott, Krystal M. Nelson, Brokers1301 Front St., Dimmitt, TX 79027 • 1-800/933-9698 day/night

www.scottlandcompany.com

—— TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO ——This ad is just a small sample of the properties that we currently have for sale.

Please check our website: scottlandcompany.com and give us a call! We need your listings both large and small, all types of ag properties (ESP. RANCHES).

LONE WOLF RANCH – EASTERN, N.M.: Approx. 30 sectionsmostly deeded some BLM and State, employee housing and twosets of steel pens, county maintained, all weather road. Mild climateyear round.

HEART OF THE PLAINS: 8 section ranch with new set of pens,concrete bunks, truck/cattle scale and commodity barn, mobilehome, watered by subs, mill and pipeline, on pavement, hour fromLubbock, Texas, mule deer and quail.

RANCH & FARM REAL ESTATE

INTEREST RATES AS LOW AS 3%. PAYMENTS

SCHEDULED ON 25 YEARS

�������������

JOE STUBBLEFIELD & ASSOCIATES13830 Western St., Amarillo, TX

806/622-3482 • cell 806/674-2062Drew Perez Assocs.

Nara Visa, NM • 806/392-1788

industry a prosperous, viablecomponent of the Land ofEnchantment.

This conference draws womenfrom all types of agriculture.“Today’s agricultural women areintegral parts of their families’agricultural operations and agri-business, in addition to their tra-ditional roles,” said Shacey Sulli-van, Conference Co-Chair.

Nomination forms for the award as well asregistration information on the conference canbe found at www.nmagriculture.org orwww.nmfarmbureau.org and must bereceived by April 1, 2011 to be considered.

Page 20 Livestock Market Digest February 15, 2011

by PHIL TAYLOR, E&E REPORTER

Rep. Don Young, chairmanof a new House subcom-mittee on American Indi-an and Alaska Native

affairs, says he will battle federallaws such as the EndangeredSpecies Act that have derailedenergy and economic develop-ment on tribal lands.

The Alaska Republican, wholast week took the gavel of theNatural Resources Committee’snew Indian and Alaska NativeAffairs Subcommittee, said hewould ensure federal environ-mental laws do not obstruct ener-

gy development for the nation’s565 federally recognized Indiantribes and that federal agencieslive up to their trust obligationswith native communities.

“They have not been ade-quately served by the federal gov-ernment when it comes to tryingto encourage their advance-ment,” Young said in an inter-view with E&E Daily. “They’vebeen deprived of developing theirlands if they wish to do so.”

Action is needed to loosenfederal regulations and eliminatepermitting steps that have stifledenergy and economic develop-ment for tribes, Young said.

“Let’s say you have a cattleranch and you’re supposed to beable to provide for your peopleon a reservation. The [gray] wolfis put on the EndangeredSpecies Act and they’re killingyour cattle,” Young said. “Wait aminute, that’s great for someonein New York or California, butnot for the tribe that wants toprotect their cattle herd.”

Young also criticized what hecalled duplicative federal regula-tions on Indian lands andaccused federal agencies ofemploying regulators simply forthe sake of creating jobs. Law-makers on both sides of the aislehave complained for years thatthe Interior Department permit-ting process often slows energydevelopment and discourages

possible business investment.“[Tribes] ought to be able to

[develop energy] without what Icall restrictions that are reallyuncalled for, or doing the doubledipping as far as federal control,”Young said. “We have so manypeople involved in these offices,and really, what are they doing?They are implementing regulato-ry law that is not voted upon thatdetermines how people live.”

The 20-term congressmanand former full committee chair-man would not elaborate on anyspecific legislative plans but saidhis chairmanship would be guid-ed by the philosophy that tribeshave not gotten a fair shake fromthe federal government.

He did, however, promise toreintroduce a controversial billthat would allow the transfer ofthousands of acres of the Ton-gass National Forest to a south-east Alaska native corporationfor possible timber development.Proponents say the deal is themost equitable way for the feder-al government to meet itsremaining obligations under a1971 settlement ordering thereturn of about 375,000 federalacres to Sealaska, but criticsargue that privatization of thelands will undermine efforts toshift forest management awayfrom old-growth logging.

Tribal reactionAttorneys for tribal organiza-

tions said they hope Young willpursue legislation that will helpunlock major troves of renewableenergy on reservations, as well asclear hurdles for development ofconventional oil and gas.

“The old trust system creates alot of red tape when trying to doany economic transaction,” saidJohn Dossett, general counsel forthe National Congress of Ameri-can Indians. “Businesses just don’twant to wait around for threeyears while the Bureau of IndianAffairs gets its business done.”

Dossett cited legislation fromthe last Congress that wouldallow tribes to oversee part of thesurface leasing approval processnormally reserved for Interior anda sweeping draft package by for-mer Senate Indian Affairs Chair-man Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.)that aimed to address some of theregulatory inequities tribes face inspurring development.

“Tribes now have a lot morecapacity and they don’t need thesecretary to review every leasing

operation,” which include stan-dard subleases in tribal officebuildings, Dossett said.

Paul Moorehead, an attorneyfor Drinker Biddle & Reath LLPin Washington, D.C., said thatwhile tribes are sovereign nations,they are also subject to environ-mental laws including ESA andthe National Environmental Poli-cy Act, which requires federalstudies and public involvementfor any energy project to takeplace.

“For the private surfacelandowner across the street fromthe tribe, NEPA doesn’t apply,”Moorehead said.

Moorehead, a former chiefcouncil for the Senate IndianAffairs Committee, citedincreased fees for drilling permitson public lands as another road-block impeding energy develop-ment on tribal lands.

“Taken together they presenta pretty formidable challenge toenergy development on Indianlands,” Moorehead said. “Theyare precisely the types of thingsthat we hope Don Young’s sub-committee will deal with in thenext year or so.”

Dan Kish, a senior vice presi-dent for policy at the Institutefor Energy Research who workedfor the Natural Resources Com-mittee under Young’s chairman-ship, said the congressman has“always believed the governmentshould live up to its obligation toIndians, but he’s also a strongbeliever in self-determination.”

“He also brings to this a cer-tain sensitivity, a feeling bothabout the government’s obliga-tion to first Americans, if you will,as well as a belief that a lot ofwhat we’ve been doing has beencounterproductive,” Kish said.

Young’s late wife was NativeAlaskan, and he has two Nativechildren and 14 native grandchil-dren. He taught fifth grade at aNative Alaskan school in the1960s in Fort Yukon.

“Don has unique and personalexperience with Native affairsover his many years serving thestate of Alaska and his reputa-tion in tribal communities andNative villages is well estab-lished,” said Natural ResourcesChairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) in a statement late lastmonth. “He brings a wealth ofknowledge to this position andwill ensure that tribal issuesreceive the proper focus andattention.”

CLUBCALVES

The Winning Kind!Spring andFall Born

MYRON BENES • www.wagonhammer.comAlbion, NE 68620 • Phone 402/395-2178 or 402/395-6962

WAGONHAMMERRANCHES

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Western Legacy Alliance Research SpursCongressional Action on ExposingTaxpayer Funded Lawsuit Racket of Radical Environmentalists

YOU CAN HELP —JOIN TODAY!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

I am/our organization is committed to protecting the open spaces, private property, private businesses and ensuring the responsible use of public lands. Please list me/my organization as a member of the Western Legacy Alliance.

I have included my membership dues and my $____________ additional contribution.

Individual Membership $25 � Association Membership $500 � Corporate Membership $1,000 � Other $____________

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Young vows to fight enviro laws he says hurt tribal energy development

hard pulls. If you pull a big (or malformed) calf out through thepelvic canal, you crush a lot of tissue and may separate thepelvis. This tissue damage may take longer to heal; you cause alot more injury, even though it doesn’t bleed.” There can be lesstrauma to the cow with a C-section.

Hydroallontois (excess fluid in the outer water sac) orhydramnios (extra fluid in the amnion sac surrounding the calf)are rare conditions that hinder normal birth. The calf itself isoften abnormal and may be small for its stage of gestation, butthe cow develops a huge belly due to extra fluid. Many of thesecows cannot make it to term because they have trouble gettingup and down. The cow may become weak because there isn’troom for much food in her gut, and the huge uterus puts pres-sure on her digestive tract and lungs.

Abnormalities continued from page seventeen