Friday, September 13, 2013
Simple Steps for Grilling Beef
Grilling season isn't over yet & grilling is one of the most exciting ways to enjoy beef. Whether cooking on a gas or charcoal grill, in the backyard or at a tailgate, this cooking method provides maximum flavor and optimal tenderness.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Cooking Demonstration Turned Education Opportunity
Last month, the Illinois Beef Association (IBA) participated
in numerous activities at the Illinois State Fair. I (Jill) had the privilege of
conducting a cooking demonstration on Wed., Aug. 14, at the Hobby Arts and
Crafts building for Lean Beef Day. For you livestock people, the Hobby, Arts,
and Crafts Building is on the “other side” of the fairgrounds. I am relatively
new to the cooking demonstration arena, but nonetheless packed up my utensils
and hoped for the best. I prepared East West Flank Steak Wraps – a simple,
delicious, and lean beef dish. I was allotted an hour for the demonstration,
however the recipe only takes 35 minutes to prepare. We decided to add a beef
trivia session to the end of the cooking demonstration to fill time and
encourage audience interaction. What, in my mind, was a simple beef promotion
effort turned into a great opportunity and moment of engagement. I was
fascinated by the pointed question and answer session this trivia game prompted.
I wanted to share with you the top questions I was asked.
What does the word “Choice” mean on a label?
What is the best way to defrost beef?
Should I feel bad about not being able to afford “Natural”
beef and why is it labeled “Natural”?
How can I save money when purchasing beef at the grocery
store?
How to beef farmers care for their cattle?
Why are cattle fed corn?
How do I choose the appropriate beef cuts?
Where can I find beef recipes?
How can I tell if beef is done cooking?
What I learned from answering these questions is that a vast
majority of people are concerned about price, animal welfare, and food safety,
and that consumers are genuinely excited and eager to learn more about beef.
Having a passion for the beef business, and being open and genuine in dealing
with people makes disarming skeptical or uneasy consumers simple.
Interaction with consumers is the only way to make a
connection and share our story. I understand that defending your livelihood can
be intimidating. But, if people have the opportunity to discover that it is
indeed other people that have the same values and concerns as they do producing
their beef, negative assumptions about beef production will dwindle.
Beefing up the State Fair Experience
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Cattle Fax - Weekly Recap
The fed cattle market ranged
from steady to $1.00 lower last week with the weakness in the North. In
the South, cattle traded at $123 with some as high as $123.50. The bulk of the
trade North was at $124 live and $195 to $196 on a dressed basis.
Boxed beef was modestly lower
last week as demand hit a lull due to hot weather in much of the country, as
well as buying for the holiday coming to an end. Feeder cattle values were
steady to $3.00 lower while calves traded in a wide range from $3.00 higher to
$3.00 lower.
Corn traded sharply higher
early in the week which hampered replacement cattle values. Overall volume
remained light. Slaughter cows were steady for the week. Trimmings are offering
little support to cow prices at this point.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
IBA Environmental Steward of the Year - Ted Krauskopf
 |
| IBA Environmental Steward of the Year - Ted Krauskopf |
Hickory Flat Cattle Co. is nestled in the rolling hills of
Madison County near Highland, Ill. Ted Krauskopf and his family have been
raising cattle on this farm since 1995.
“I worked for the steel mill and when I retired I established
a cooperator herd with Andras Stock Farm of Manchester, Ill. My operation
allows me to graze around 40 cows on 90 acres of pasture,” Krauskopf said.
Hickory Flat Cattle Co. sits just 30 miles from St. Louis,
so urban encroachment has become an issue. Several years ago, the Krauskopf
family made a long-term commitment to preserve part of their farm by placing it
in a permanent conservation easement, which forever protects the land from
development.
“We’re in a beautiful part of the state and urban sprawl is
getting closer. We’re using a management strategy to ensure this farm remains
in the family for generations and that the land base is preserved,” he said. “I
am also a member of the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District and
volunteer to monitor conversation easements.”
Krauskopf worked with United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop a best
management practices plan through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP). One key aspect of the plan was to put in place systems to protect
surface water from access by livestock. This includes installing fencing and
more than a mile of water lines.
“There are several environmental challenges in the area that
we operate in,” he said. “Our water here falls into the Kaskasia watershed and
it’s our responsibility to keep it clean. Our soil is also highly erodible and
we’re mindful to improve soil quality.”
The Krauskopf family added new systems for getting water to
cattle in pastures where it wasn’t available before. With the new water
systems, Hickory Flat Cattle Co. was able to implement a new pasture management
program which includes strip grazing.
The operation has, since 2007, significantly upgraded its
fencing infrastructure to enable a strip grazing system. This enabled them to
make the farm more productive by increasing the grazable land, while growing
healthier grasses with stronger roots and improved soil conditions.
“The cattle are grazed on half an acre per day and they
don’t spend much time trampling forage because they get fresh grass every day,”
he said. “Most people assume strip grazing is time consuming and labor
intensive, but it only takes me 20 to 30 minutes a day to take down the fence,
give the cattle a new strip of grass, and put the fence back up. My main piece
of equipment is a 4-wheeler.”
Krauskopf also credits strip grazing for making it through the
summer of 2012 drought without having to feed hay.
The farm’s EQIP plan includes a winter feeding station. This
100 foot long by 35 foot wide structure can hold 60-head of cattle and was
initially constructed as a covered facility to feed hay during the winter.
Krauskopf said it now serves several purposes including a cattle handling and
weaning facility and providing summer shade for cattle comfort.
Dan
Steinmann, USDA NRCS district conservationist said, “The Krauskopf’s farm is an
excellent example of conservation systems used on pastureland, cropland and
flooded bottom land fields. They planned and implemented conservation practices
and management tools that go beyond basic resource management.”
Hickory Flat Cattle Co.’s conservation plan has not only
helped increase the environmental integrity of the farm, but it also provided a
few unintended animal health improvements.
“By keeping cattle out of the pond and by making water more
readily available, the overall health of the cows and calves has improved,”
Krauskopf said. “We actually pay a water bill for the cows, but the cost is
offset by the improved health and higher weaning weights. They aren’t fighting
secondary infections picked up by drinking surface water and with cool, fresh
water available they drink more during the summer.”
Implementing a conservation plan benefits Krauskopf by
cutting down on his work load, inputs, and machinery costs. The cattle have
fresh water, green grass and a fence to hold them in – those are their three
main objectives.
“We’re very pleased in what we’ve accomplished in the way of
our stewardship initiatives,” Krauskopf said. “I view environmental stewardship
as both a gift and a responsibility. I look at the farm and have a sense of
gratitude and at the same time I feel a huge responsibility to continue its
upkeep to ensure the quality of the land for our use and for those around us.”
 |
| Krauskopf's main piece of equipment for his operation is an ATV. |
 |
| Krauskopf strip grazes his 40-head Red Angus cow herd on 90 acres of pasture. |
Monday, July 22, 2013
CattleFax - Weekly Recap
The fed cattle market was
steady last week as cattle in the South sold for $119, while in the North
trade was only thinly tested at $120 live and mostly $193 dressed. Boxed beef
prices continued to work lower for the week, hampered by a severe heat wave
that encompassed most of the Midwest and East Coast. As the weather moderates,
beef demand should at least see some improvement. Feeder cattle and calves were
steady to $5.00 higher for the week. Slaughter cows were steady to $1.00 lower.
Corn prices softened last
week as the weather forecast moderated as we entered pollination
stage. An On Feed report was issued by the USDA Friday afternoon. On Feed
was at 97% of a year ago, matching trade estimates. Placements were reported at
95%, pre-report estimates were 94.9%. Marketings was noted at 96%, the trade
was expecting 94.7%
Check out today's Chart of the Day. For recent
market news and analysis, visit CattleFax.com.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
House Failure to Pass Farm Bill
Statement from NCBA President Regarding Failure by the House to Pass 2013 Farm Bill
WASHINGTON (June 20, 2013) — The U.S. House of Representatives in a 195-234 vote failed to pass the 2013 Farm Bill (H.R. 1947) today. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Scott George, a dairy and beef producer from Cody, Wyo., issued the following statement:
“Passage of a 2013 Farm Bill remains the top priority for NCBA. That is why we are extremely disappointed in the failure of many members of the House for not recognizing the importance of a full five-year farm bill. In the midst of the struggling economy, rural America has been one of the few bright spots. This failure by the House places cattlemen and women behind the curve on having agriculture policy which not only provides certainty for producers nationwide, but also incorporates priorities important to the cattle industry.
“We were very close in this legislation to providing disaster programs for our producers, which would have extended disaster assistance for five years and would have covered losses in 2012 and 2013. These disaster programs are essential to equipping producers with the necessary tools to manage the risks associated with catastrophic weather events. After the historic drought which has plagued the countryside for the last few years, livestock producers needed these programs now more than ever.
“NCBA appreciates the efforts of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, and Ranking Member Collin Peterson of Minnesota in attempting to move the 2013 Farm Bill forward. We continue to support passage of this legislation by the House and will work to ensure that producers receive the certainty they deserve. This was not a perfect bill for any industry, but in the end cattlemen and women made sacrifices in order to support this bill. We expected members of the House to do the same.”
###
See how your representative voted here: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll286.xml
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)