Are You Ready for Summer?

Are You Ready for Summer?

Memorial Day is this weekend! With the holiday's arrival, marks the unofficial start of summer. As summer arrives, focus should shift towards herd maintenance issues. Taking the time to prep for herd health concerns will ensure a healthy cow herd through the duration of the hot, stressful summer months for cattle.

Some tips for cattle management throughout the summer months are:

• Water
• Provide constant fresh water source for cattle on pasture. Cattle require more water during the summer months than one may realize. Consider the minimum requirements for cattle at 90F. 
• 400 lb Calves: 9.5 gallons/min per day
• Lactating Cows: 16.2 gallons/min per day
• Mature Bulls: 20 gallons/min per day
• Mineral Program
• Cattle should continue to receive a high quality mineral supplement while on summer pastures. Consider the demands of hot weather, terrain, and lactation on cows; supplement accordingly for increased conception rates and herd heath.
• Fly Control
• With summer, comes the return of flies. Flies are a major nuisance for cattle and producers. Flies are able to spread pink eye and mastitis through the herd, as well as increase herd stress. Consider multiple options when seeking to control fly population. Methods that make a difference include fly control mineral supplements, fly tags, insecticide dispensing rubs for cattle, among others. Evaluate the needs of your herd for the most effective program to suit your needs. 

From everyone at the American Shorthorn Association, enjoy your holiday weekend!

Welcome to ASA, Rachel!

Monday marked the first day of Rachel Linder's summer internship at the American Shorthorn Association! After making the long trip from Louisville, Ohio, Rachel is settling into the office; she is already busy and hard at work with Jr. National entries and other tasks for the big event next month!

Rachel  is a dual major in Animal Sciences-Animal Industries and Agriculture Communications major at the Ohio State University. She is the daughter of Clifford and Julie Linder. Rachel was raised on a small Simmental farm. Growing up in agriculture and participation in 4-H livestock expositions sparked her interest in the livestock industry from a young age. Linder was an active participant in the Ohio and American Junior Simmental Associations. Rachel’s interests include showing cattle, spending time with her family and playing volleyball and softball.

When asked what she was most looking forward to during her internship, Linder commented that she is looking forward to “being totally immersed in a breed of cattle that I would normally not get to be around. I also look forward to meeting many new people and to gain new experiences in the industry.”

From all of us at the American Shorthorn Association, Welcome Rachel! 

Changes to ASA Genetic Testing Procedures

The American Shorthorn Association is transitioning to utilizing GeneSeek for all genetic testing. As a result of the change, there are several new forms and processes members should be aware of.

• GeneSeek Sample cards (hair or blood) will now be the only accepted cards for testing. Sample cards can be obtained by filling out the online request form at: http://shorthorn.org/registrations/genetictesting/gthowto_registrations.html or by contacting the American Shorthorn Association at (402) 393-7200.

• Samples returned on cards from other labs will be charged a $2 re-carding fee by the lab.

• All DNA samples (hair, semen, blood) must first be sent to the American Shorthorn Association with appropriate forms and fees. The association will make weekly shipments to the GeneSeek lab.

• Updated forms for use can be found online at : http://shorthorn.org/registrations/genetictesting/gthowto_registrations.html

• Forms available include the Genetic Testing Form to order any genetic testing desired and a parental testing form for verification of unknown parentage.

As always, if any questions arise, please contact Jake Alden at the American Shorthorn Association at (402) 393-7200. 

Shorthorn Spring

Spring has finally arrived. After a winter that seemed would never end and cold early spring weather, temperatures in the 70's and 80's are a welcome relief. It is always a highlight of the year to watch the trees and flowers wake up from their winter hibernation and bloom into their springtime beauty.

With spring comes the greening of pastures. Green grass pairs impeccably well with cows that are equally excited about the arrival of spring with an unquenchable hunger for fresh green grass. As cattle producers, springtime is an excellent time to check off important items off the herd “to do list.” As cattle will soon be turned out to pastures, taking the time to make sure all fencing is in top shape can save you lots of time this summer with fence repairs or chasing down pasture escapees. In May, you have either already started breeding season, or its arrival is quickly approaching. Take the time now to make sure all breeding bulls have been evaluated for breeding ability and that all AI supplies have been ordered and are ready for use.

Any way you look at it, spring is an exciting time for all! I love taking time to watch the calves playing together on nice spring days! I caught this calf taking a break after playing last weekend on my farm.

Happy Spring! 

Shorthorns on the Move

By: Megan Brehm

Hello Shorthorn World! My name is Megan Brehm, the Director of Communications and Marketing at the American Shorthorn Association. Since taking my position in February, I have been busy working to update promotional materials, social media, coordinating press releases, and more. The American Shorthorn Association and the beef industry are abuzz with energy and activity.

It is one of my goals to increase the presence of the American Shorthorn Association through social media and other agricultural publications. The more people see information about Shorthorns the better! I will continue to make regular blog posts to Shorthorn: Right Now. The blog will be an informal way to share happenings at the association, events within the beef industry, and the occasional post just for fun! 

For my first post, I would like to take the opportunity to take time to share some information about myself. I grew up in Southeast Nebraska near Talmage on my family’s farm. Growing up on the farm I was extremely active with our cattle herd of mostly Shorthorn composite cows. Since my early days preparing my 4-H steers and heifers, I have continually built more and more of a passion for Shorthorns. I am thankful for those early experiences and how they have shaped me to this day.

Several Shorthorns grab a bite of new green grass on an early April day in Nebraska.

I live near Syracuse, Nebraska with my husband Randy and four year old daughter Lauren. Our farm consists of raising corn and soybean crops, hay, and cattle. Our cattle herd consists of Randy’s Polled Herefords and my Shorthorns. We've compromised on red and white cattle-they are just marked a bit differently. Lauren is our number one helper. She is anxiously awaiting her chance to enter the show ring. Mom of course hopes that it is with a Shorthorn at side.

My family: Megan, Randy, and Lauren

I believe that it is an awesome time to be in the cattle industry. Shorthorns continue to experience increased demand as more cattlemen are realizing their value. Shorthorn cattle have many attributes that can add value to any producer’s program. As the ShorthornPlus program continues to gain momentum, it is my hope that commercial demand for Shorthorn cattle will increase exponentially in years to come. The American Shorthorn Association is driven to make this a reality. I couldn't be happier to be a part of it! 

Until Next Time...

By Audrey Hambright

Looking back I can hardly believe it has been three and a half years since I made the trip north to Omaha to start my summer internship with the American Shorthorn Association. Little did I know I when I started out in Omaha that summer with my trusty sidekick who was a summer intern for Ak-Sar-Ben at the same time, that it would have led me down the path that it did.

From my time with the ASA to the Shorthorn Country magazine and back to ASA again, I have had some great experiences, met many people along the way and have a suitcase full of memories to take with me everywhere I go. More than anything, it has truly been an unbelievable learning experience from start to finish.

Those of you who know me well, know that I’m partial to my home state of Kansas. I have a great opportunity to keep working in the beef industry, close to home no less! My new position is with the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University as the Communications Coordinator.

Everyone I have worked with at Shorthorn along the way has been nothing but supportive and great to work with. Some of them have become my closest friends. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors – and that Shirley continues to keep everyone at the Shorthorn office in line!

Myself, Jake Alden and Gwen Crawford at the  2012 CYT Sale.

I am very thankful for all of the Shorthorn events I had the opportunity to attend and the people I met along the way. There are many of breeders and/or members who I only had correspondence with by phone or email, but I feel like I would know just as well if I had the chance to meet them in person.

As I have told a few, this is only “good-bye” for now. I’m sure I’ll see many of you on down the road. I look forward to seeing where the Shorthorn breed goes in the future as well as the activities of the ASA staff and membership.

Until next time…

From the 2012-13 National Lassie Queen

Since I was crowned as your National Shorthorn Lassie Queen this past November at the North American International Livestock Exposition I have gained a lot of experience, friends, mentors, and memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  It’s hard to explain and summarize a whole year of my experience and gratitude in one small thank you article.  This time last year I would never have dreamed that I would be where I am today. 

I want to start off by thanking my amazing family.  Through this journey they have been with me every step of the way.  My mother and father have been a huge inspiration to me.  When I got discouraged I could always count on them to help me find my way and work through all of the planning, traveling, and finances.  I can never thank them enough for the countless hours they have spent with me on the road chaperoning me and assisting me when I needed it.  I also want to say thank you to my brothers and sister-in-law, David, Fran, and Jeffrey, for always being there for me and encouraging me, even when I didn’t think I needed it.  This experience has enabled me to become closer to you and I have loved every minute of it.  I love you all more than I can ever describe.   

Over the course of this year I have traveled to Denver, Colorado, Fort Worth Texas, The Kentucky Beef Expo, Junior Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa, The Missouri State Fair, The Kentucky state fair, Star Search Sale at Cates Farm in Modock, Indiana, The Keystone Show.   It’s hard to focus on one specific event I have been to, each trip has brought a new experience but the most influential trip I have taken this year was to the California Shorthorn Junior and Open show.  The hospitality from them was so warm and accepting.  This trip opened my eyes to a new side of the Shorthorn industry.  I had time to sit down and actually get to meet the breeders and exhibitors and learn of their hardships over the past year with the drought they have been experiencing.   

A few more people I want to be sure to mention are the wonderful breeders and members within the state of Kentucky.  You have been so generous and supportive of me on this journey.  I especially want to thank Faye Korthaus and Fran McCall.  You have both been there for me from the very beginning when I decided to become the Kentucky State Queen three years ago.  From the loaning of the tartan, to helping me with my crown, to advice on how to walk, talk, and even wave, you have been there and because of your help I have become the third National Queen to come from the state of Kentucky, which I consider to be a huge honor.   



I am sad to see this year come to an end, as I walk across the green shavings for the last time, in November.  I will soak in every moment and remember how blessed I am to have had this once in a lifetime opportunity.  No words can ever describe how honored, thankful, and greatful I am.     
I love you all so much,

Jessica McCall

2012- 2013 National Shorthorn Lassie Queen