This is Heather Lassen, special projects editor for the Angus Journal, with the May 5, 2023, update from the AJ Daily. Today’s update contains suggestions for preventing grass tetany in lactating beef cows, a report on cattle grading and Prime premiums, and an announcement about funding for fuel breaks to protect communities and firefighters in the West. 

Preventing Grass Tetany in the Lactating Beef Cow This Spring

Adapted from an article by Karla Wilke & Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska

As spring nears and grass begins to turn green, producers are anxious to get cows out to grass. However, cool-season predominant areas tend to have lush spring growth, which can lead to grass tetany in cows. While there are treatments for cows caught quickly enough, prevention is always the best policy.

Why are cows at risk of grass tetany in the spring?

Grass tetany occurs when circulating magnesium is low in the beef animal. Symptoms include staggering, convulsions, excitability and twitching, and can result in death. While it can affect growing cattle, it generally affects older, lactating cows. The magnesium requirement in the pregnant cow is 0.12% of the diet on a dry-matter basis. 

To read more, go to angusbeefbulletin.com/extra. 

Cattle Grading and Prime Premiums 

Adapted from a report by Len Steiner, Steiner Consulting Group

Fed-cattle weights have been running below year-ago levels for all of this year, and the latest USDA data put average steer carcass weights at 894 pounds, 15 lb. or 1.7% lower than a year ago. With weekly fed-cattle slaughter running about 6% lower than a year ago in April, the decline in fed-carcass weights has further reduced supply availability and helps explain the runup in wholesale beef prices going into Memorial Day. But the decline in weights appears to have had no significant effects on the quality of cattle coming to market. That’s impressive and reflects the effects of genetic improvements that have taken place during the last two decades. 

For the full report, visit dailylivestockreport.com. 

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $63M for Fuel Breaks to Protect Communities, Increase Firefighter Safety 

Adapted from a release by USDA

On May 4 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Biden-Harris administration is investing $63 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to expand wildfire barriers, known as fuel breaks, to protect communities and firefighters across the West.

Fuel breaks slow a fire’s spread, create a safe zone for firefighters to work, and a safer place to conduct hazardous fuel reduction treatments like prescribed burns.

This new round of investments will support projects in Colorado, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota and Wyoming to improve firefighter response, protect critical infrastructure and natural resources, ensure clean drinking water, support local timber industries, enhance rural economies, and create jobs.

For more information, click on the link in this episode’s description. 

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