Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama and all the
newly elected US Senators, Representatives, and state office
holders across this nation.

We hope amidst the many, difficult challenges our newly elected
officials face, they will come together and work to solve
the multiple problems facing our nation.

Be sure to vote today.
I will be out of the office today. Will check emails and phone calls tonight.
Have a good day America!

Here are two of our grand children getting ready for the big night.

Yesterday Ev and I drove 2 hours south to Freeborn County where we both grew up. We removed the flower urns from the graves of our families at the Moscow and Oakland Lutheran Cemeteries.

After that, we attended the Lutefisk Dinner at the Oakland Church. Ev is the fish eater in the family. I sample the fish, but mostly eat the meatballs and potatoes.
It was a good chance to see many of the people we grew up with. There just isn't anything like long time friends!

They usually serve about 500 at the dinner. I noticed how well 6 or 7 of the guys were washing dishes. I came to the conclusion they were doing a great job because they had all milked cows and washed a lot of milking equipment. They know how to get things clean!

For the next few days I will be out of the office attending the Minnesota Beef Expo. I will be checking my email and phone messages in the morning and evening. We will have a booth at the show featuring our cattle website www.BullShop.com If you happen to attend the show, stop by and say Hi!

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

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

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

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

Click to read the ad

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

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

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

This morning the problem is fixed and all is working.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope this answers your question,

Ron Torell

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

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

by Bob Meyer Brownfield Network

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to read the ad

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