For the 10th straight year, we will be at the Beef Cattle Short Course taking place at the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas on August 2-4. This 3-day course is an incredible opportunity to learn more about cattle production, hear from industry experts and meet your fellow cattle producers.

Come visit with Ken and Nathan at the booth on Monday and Tuesday, then join us all on Wednesday morning at the Business session.

Again this year we will host a hands-on CattleMax workshop Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 (upon completion of the Short Course activities). A light lunch will be served – be sure to attend and have your CattleMax questions answered!

Read more about the Beef Cattle Short Course

It’s always interesting to hear about rancher’s backgrounds and their start in the cattle industry. For Carl Andersen, cattle ranching had always been an interest and, after a career of teaching at Texas Tech University, this became a reality. Now, with his son Mark, the pair depend on CattleMax to help them keep their cattle records in order.

Carl says “I bought the program with some excitement, but that was as far as it went. When I got home and started entering data, I simple bogged down – and quit.” After seeing CattleMax presented again a few years later, “This time I took the time to enter all my cattle properly. From that time on, CattleMax has been my record. It is simple to use, has many useful components and gives me the tax information I need. I can also print paper lists to take with me to the field. In a word – I love it!”

Read the full interview of Andersen Cattle Co

Gov. Dolph Briscoe (Source: Wikipedia.org)

I was saddened today to learn that Gov. Dolph Briscoe had passed away at the age of 87.  I remember meeting him several years ago at the TSCRA Convention & Tradeshow while I was working our tradeshow booth.

It wasn’t uncommon for attendees to walk by our booth and see an empty chair and sit down and rest for a few minutes.  I remember an older gentleman walked up and asked if he could sit down for a few minutes and I of course obliged.

Never one to meet a stranger, I shook the gentleman’s hand and introduced myself. He said “Hi, I’m Dolph Briscoe and I’m from Uvalde“.  I couldn’t believe such an important person to Texas and cattle ranching was at my booth.  The only thing I could think of to say was “Oh yes sir, I know who you are.  I read about you in my Texas History books when I was a kid.”  We had a nice chat for a few minutes and then he left for a meeting.

CATTLE RAISERS MOURN THE LOSS OF GOV. DOLPH BRISCOE Fort Worth, Texas - “Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) is saddened by the loss of Gov. Dolph Briscoe. The cattle industry benefited from Gov. Briscoe’s leadership and we will miss him greatly,” said Dave Scott, rancher and TSCRA president. Briscoe was elected to the TSCRA board of directors in 1950 and served as TSCRA president from 1960 to 1962. Among numerous accomplishments as president of TSCRA, Briscoe headed a group in 1960 that raised more than $3 million in voluntary contributions to encourage the federal and state government to launch a screwworm eradication program in Texas and the southwest. The success of this program is considered by cattle raisers to be one of the most important and beneficial developments in the history of the cattle industry and has saved cattle raisers millions of dollars each year. The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 133-year-old trade organization. As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.

TSCRA-67-2010

Last month, several South African cattle producers were in the Bryan/College Station, Texas, area and stopped by to visit us. We enjoyed talking with them about the CattleMax cattle software and learning more about their management practices. Walking around our ranch afterwards was a great way to see what cattle raising is like in Texas! Dr James McGrann and Dr Steve Wikse, retired Extension specialists from the Texas A&M University system, were great to visit with as well.

(pictured left to right: Cobus Van Zul, Willie Anderson, Dr. Steve Wikse, Dr. Jim McGrann, Terrell Miller of Cattlesoft and Theo Van Zul.)

Is grass-fed beef healthier than grain-fed beef? It’s a question that’s frequently asked and debated in the cattle industry.

The specific health traits of grass-fed beef vs grain-feed beef was the topic of a recent Texas AgriLife Research study.

“There really were no negative effects of feeding ground beef from the pasture-fed cattle,” Dr Stephen Smith, AgriLife Research meat scientist said. “We did see many positive effects in men that consumed ground beef from corn-fed cattle. The ground beef from the USDA Prime cattle increased HDL cholesterol and LDL particle diameter. Both effects are protective against cardiovascular disease. The Prime ground beef also decreased insulin, so it may have some protective effect against type II diabetes.”

Read the complete article:
Study shows ground beef from grain-fed cattle healthier than grass-fed

What do you think? Click the Comments link, or let us know at the CattleMax page on Facebook.

Now through May 31st, buying electronic ID tags comes with an additional benefit. With your purchase of any Allflex Half Duplex (HDX) EID tags, you’ll receive a matched visual tag FREE.

“Matched visual tag” means that the 15 digit EID number is printed onto the visual tag, along with the animal’s management number/code. Having the EID printed on the tag provides a secondary identification, and also makes it easier to pair EID numbers with the corresponding animal. The CattleMax software has complete interface options with Allflex EID tags and equipment.

If you have any interest in adding electronic ID tags to your herd, this is the ideal time to buy. Go ahead and stock up now so you’ll be ready!

Most of the combinations are just $2.84 per set – savings of at least $1 per set.

Learn more about the Matched Pair promotion at CattleTags.com

(Texas AgriLife Research photo by Blair Fannin)

Dr Jim McGrann was recently recognized for his years of commitment and service to Agricultural Economics by being inducted into the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry at Texas A&M University.

Dr McGrann has provided tremendous insight and support to many in the cattle industry, and also developed a variety of decision aids to help producers make sound and educated financial decisions.

Dr. John P. Nichols, department head said:

“We are extremely proud of Dr. McGrann’s accomplishments throughout his career. Jim left a legacy upon retiring in 2004. He set a high standard for farm and ranch Extension programming. Most importantly, he was an innovator in developing analytical tools and decision aids for farmers and ranchers.”

On a personal note, Dr McGrann provided us with incredible support and advice when we started the CattleMax software over 10 years ago. Even today, he still continues to have a great influence on us and the software.

Read the full article “McGrann inducted into Texas A&M ag economics Tyrus Timm Honor Registry”

Congratulations Dr McGrann!

Want to improve your herd’s performance and increase marketing options for your cattle? If so, keeping complete and accurate records can help.

This month, we feature Fourche River Farm and Cattle Company in Harvey, Arkansas about their cattle herd and use of the CattleMax software. The Hickl family focuses strictly on raising grass fed cattle, so keeping accurate and detailed records is important.

Greg and Lavonne Hickl say “We wonder what we did without CattleMax. You can only keep track of so much information in your head . . . then you forget. CattleMax doesn’t forget!”

Read more about Fourche River Farm and Cattle Company

Did you know there are runners in marathons and races who are showing their support of beef as an important part of their diet? The Beef Checkoff program highlights 12 runners who are with Team BEEF for this month’s Boston Marathon.

Learn about the members of Team BEEF for the race

What a great way to promote beef! Have you seen the runners or know of any interesting ways beef is being promoted?

For those who may not be familiar with Temple Grandin, she is a best-selling author and consultant to the livestock industry in animal behavior. Her website also describes her as “the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world”.

HBO Films just released a movie on her life. I haven’t seen the movie yet, however, Jeff at Cattle.com had a good writeup.

For those who do not subscribe to HBO, don’t worry because you can still get the movie on DVD. HBO has the movie listed in their DVD store so it looks like you should be able to order it when it’s released in April. For more information on the DVD, visit HBO Store – Temple Grandin DVD. I’ve already signed up to be notified when it’s available.

Here are a few additional links about her:

• Temple Grandin’s Livestock Page
• Dr. Temple Grandin’s Official Autism Website
• Wikipedia Article on Temple Grandin