This is Heather Lassen, special project s editor, with the April 21, 2023, update from the AJ Daily. Today’s update contains considerations for using sacrifice pastures to promote forage production, comments from R-CALF USA addressing mRNA concerns and mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, and news from Animal Agriculture Alliance about the release of its Sustainability Impact Report. 

‘Sacrifice Pastures’ Spare Best Cattle Grazing Pastures

Adapted from an article by the University of Missouri Extension

So-called “sacrifice pastures” might be needed to help promote forage production the rest of this cattle grazing season, according to Patrick Davis, a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist based in Stockton, Mo.

Davis says, “Cattle producers welcome the rain, but it leads to muddy pastures, and with limited forage resources following the drought, proper management is needed for optimum grazing the rest of the year.” 

“The drought has led to thin pasture stands, so cattle producers need to evaluate their pastures, find those thin stands that need renovation and consider using those pastures as sacrifice pastures,” he says. 

Davis urges consultation with local Extension agronomy specialists to grade pastures and help make decisions on the pastures that need to be renovated.

To read more, go to angusbeefbulletin.com/extra and select the management tab. 

Cattle Group Addresses mRNA Concerns; Concludes mCOOL for Beef Is Needed 

Adapted from a release by R-CALF USA

On Monday, following a meeting he had with medical doctors and a molecular biologist, R-CALF USA Animal Health Committee Chair, Max Thornsberry, veterinarian, briefed the R-CALF USA board on the status of mRNA injections in the global protein supply chain. Thornsberry reported that some researchers have found that mRNA and its coded virus is likely passed from an injected human to a noninjected human, and to humans who have consumed dairy products or meat from an mRNA-injected animal. He said that because the research on mRNA is still in its infancy, no one really knows the full effects it has on either humans or animals, particularly its long-term effects. 

For more information, visit r-calfusa.com. 

Animal Agriculture Alliance Releases Updated Sustainability Impact Report in Advance of Earth Day 

Adapted from a release by Emily Solis, Animal Agriculture Alliance

The Animal Agriculture Alliance released its updated Sustainability Impact Report ahead of Earth Day on April 22. The U.S. farm and food community continues to be a global leader in sustainability efforts. The updated report highlights these advancements and includes a new section on the animal feed community’s role in environmental stewardship. 

The annual Sustainability Impact Report provides the latest data on the nutritional benefits of meat, dairy, poultry, eggs and seafood. It also details U.S. animal agriculture’s achievements in modern environmental stewardship, animal care, judicious antibiotic use and food safety. These achievements contribute to reaching the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 

To read more, go to animalagalliance.org.  

The AJ Daily is compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor for theAngus Journal.  For more Angus news, visit angusjournal.net.