New lines of power tools are now available from Bostitch and Porter Cable (PC). Designed for the professional and built to last, according to the company, the new Bostitch line includes corded and 18V cordless tools.

Researchers at the Southeast Dairy Foods Research Center at North Carolina State University conducted a large-scale sensory study on sour cream and found that flavor was the most important factor in purchase decisions followed by price, availability and brand.

Following three successful phases of Reward Volunteers (RV), the popular iPhone App and web widget that allows volunteers to track and share the time they spend volunteering, then earn prizes for their selfless work, Cabot Creamery Cooperative has launched phase four of the program.

For a few days in the month of August, the story concerning beta-agonist usage in cattle had an almost anxious feel to it. After some packers started dropping cattle finished on certain beta-agonist products, the impression grew quickly that all packers would do the same. Fortunately, that kind of panic never played itself out. Two of the nation’s largest packers have dropped beta-agonist usage in fed cattle; the other two have not.

With consumer interest in animal welfare on the rise, meat packers are adopting standards and auditing processes that go beyond those from government or industry, says Lily Edwards-Callaway, who oversees welfare programs for JBS, S.A., the beef company giant based in São Paulo, Brazil. Prior to joining the company, Edwards-Callaway earned her Ph.D. studying under Temple Grandin at Colorado State University and served on the faculty at Kansas State University.

In May 2011, I was asked by Angus Australia to begin investigating a phenotype that was being described as polymelia. The majority of calves exhibiting this trait are born with additional limbs, usually duplication of the front legs and originating from the neck or shoulder region.

In the last week, I have had three discussions about the future of professional development for farm owners and leaders. In each discussion, I have suggested that a part of their professional development in supervision, strategy and leadership should be outside of agriculture. Why would I make that suggestion?

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex is one of the most common diseases observed in feedlot cattle in the U.S. The USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) feedlot data from 2011 estimated that an average of $23.60 per case was spent to treat diseased cattle.

A feedlot has technology with numerous advantages for beef cattle production, with greater management costs and faster weight gains when compared to an extensive system.