Blake B. Anderson Visalia, California Senior Vice President New Business Development California Dairies Inc.

Everyone in the beef chain seems to agree we need more of it. That’s the simple explanation for a trend that shows hot carcass weights (HCW) have increased 200 pounds in four decades. But for all the opportunities that presents, there are many challenges.

Short-term calf removal is the term that describes the temporary physical separation of the calf from its mother. This removes the nursing stimulus from the cow for about two days.

The American Shorthorn Association (ASA) board of directors has announced Montie Soules as the new executive secretary/CEO of the American Shorthorn Association in Omaha, Nebraska, effective this month.

A northwest Kansas rancher has dropped a lawsuit claiming the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is illegally using beef checkoff funds for lobbying. St. Francis feed yard operator Michael Callicrate filed a notice of voluntary dismissal April 11 in federal court in Kansas.

Tracey Ericson, the marketing vice president for Certified Angus Beef LLC has been inducted into the Women of Influence in the Food Industry group. This award is designed to recognize women who make a major impact on the market and the industry.

At the end of March, the quarterly Grain Stocks report looked like just what the doctor ordered for an ailing feeder cattle market. News of larger-than-anticipated corn stocks sent corn prices tumbling. This, in turn, stimulated a sharp rally in feeder cattle futures. The April Feeder Cattle contract surged from just over $138 right before the report to almost $146 in very short order.  

Center for Dairy Excellence staff recently traveled to the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania, where the Marcellus Shale gas industry is rapidly taking over. What they found transcends to other regions of the U.S. Despite the external pressures of the gas industry, many dairy producers are still very excited about their future in dairy. They’re setting a course to take advantage of the opportunities that await. PD Click here to read the full column at the CDE website.

Kevin Leahy, PhD, PAS California Dairy Technical Service Specialist Diamond V

Bill Conrad Loveland, Colorado Area Sales Manager Nutrition Physiology Company LLC