Complete Fall Armyworm Update: Lots to Share

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has unveiled a new interactive tool for cattlemen and hay producers to use in locating available armyworm sweep nets and also to track the emergence of armyworms across Alabama.


Almost all county extension offices in the state have sweep nets available for use, as well as all Regional Animal Science and Forage Extension agents, and many cattlemen throughout the state. To see which cattlemen have nets, please go to:
http://maps.acesag.auburn.edu/Alabama_Armyworm_Watch/default.aspx 
There is a little "i" button on the top menu bar.  Click that, then click on the county you are interested in, and you will see the cattlemen who have sweep nets. In the future, this map will reflect where armyworms have been detected.

The you tube video on how to use a sweep net is ready, it can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qwg3TP9INo

The next step: making sure we communicate where fall armyworm problems have been found, so everyone  will be aware they need to get out and start looking for armyworms. When you hear of where and when an armyworm infestation has been located, please relay that information to Extension Entomologist Dr. Kathy Flanders at Auburn University (334-844-6393 or flandkl@auburn.edu)


The first installment of a two part article on fall armyworms appeared in the Alabama Cattleman magazine in June, with part two to be published in the upcoming July issue.


Current chemicals registered for fall armyworm can be found in the forage IPM Guide:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0500-A/VOL1-2011/forage.pdf 
or in the fall armyworm circular:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1019/ 
The IPM guide lists one insecticide, a premix of Karate and Coragen called VOLIAM XPRESS, which is NOT available in Alabama.  That premix will be marketed under a different name in Alabama, but the state label is still pending.




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Meat Myths Debunked

Ever been asked a tough question about antibiotic or hormone use in the beef industry? Do you want to know how a real expert would respond?

Good news! The American Meat Institute and the American Meat Science Association have teamed up to produce a series of videos in a campaign titled, "Meat Myth Crushers". For more information, visit: www.meatmythcrushers.com

Below are a couple of examples of some of the great videos that are a result of this effort:

Antibiotic Use in Livestock Production


Hormone Use in Beef Production

Grain Fed vs. Grass Fed Beef

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Governor Proclaims "Beef for Father's Day"

Following the proclamation by Governor Robert Bentley that June 19^th is officially “Beef for Father’s Day” in Alabama, the men and women of Alabama’s beef industry are encouraging all Alabamians to serve beef to the men in their life on Father’s Day.

"Not only is beef America's favorite protein for its flavor, tenderness and convenience, it's also a terrific building block in planning a healthy diet because it offers an excellent combination of zinc, iron, and protein," says Evelyn Brown of Cullman, President of the Alabama Cattlewomen's Association.

The zinc in beef helps maintain a healthy immune system while iron helps deliver oxygen throughout the body and the protein in beef helps grow strong muscles and maintain metabolism. In fact, studies suggest that the protein in beef may help prevent many chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes and osteoporosis.

It’s especially important that young children and older folks get sufficient protein. Children need the high-quality protein, iron and zinc in beef in order to develop their minds, as well as their bodies. Older adults can benefit from the protein in beef to help prevent loss of muscle mass and strength as they age.

For more information on the health benefits of beef, great Father’s Day recipes, or details on beef’s farm to fork journey, visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com

Also, visit the link below to read the official proclamation:

http://www.governor.state.al.us/news/news_detail.aspx?ID=5230

Below are pictures from the proclamation signing:

2011 Beef Quality Audit Underway

Cattle producers are being asked to provide their input to the 2011 National Beef Quality Audit by taking a short survey at www.cattlesurvey.com.  The survey can be completed in approximately 10 minutes.

The 2011 NBQA, led by scientists from Colorado State University and Texas A&M University, is designed to collect and analyze information from cooler audits in the packing sector, face-to-face interviews with beef supply chain partners and for the first time cattle producers including feeders, stockers, cow-calf operators, and seedstock producers will be surveyed. According to Dr. Tom Field, Executive Director of Producer Education, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, producer input is being sought to strengthen the measurement of quality-based practices implemented on farms and ranches that support consumer confidence in beef products and production systems. 

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AJCA Round-Up Registration Now Online

For the first time in 2011, AJCA members can go online to enter all contests as well as the cattle show to be held July 22-24 at the 5th Annual AJCA Round-Up. This means you can not only pay online with a credit card but you can also save on postage and avoid that last minute scramble to the post office. To visit the AJCA webpage, click here.

The AJCA Round-Up is open only to AJCA members. To join and pay online, click here.



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Southeast Cattle Producer Survey

The Mississippi State Extension Service is conducting a survey of beef producers in the Southeastern United States. The survey should take approximately 25 minutes (depending on your connection speed). If you would like to assist with these efforts please click the link that best describes your operation:


If you own or manage both cow-calf and stocker/backgrounder cattle, please click here.

If you only own or manage a stocker/backgrounder operation, please click here.

If you only own or manage a cow/calf operation, please click here.


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