The series of issue update meetings for cattle producers, hosted by Nebraska Cattlemen and University of Nebraska Extension, that began Aug. 18 in Hebron will continue through Nov. 1 at Tecumseh (visit www.nebraskacattlemen.org to see NC’s master calendar). Priority topics addressed at the meetings include Trich, COOL and Dealing with High Input Costs.

Most ranchers are aware that they do not want trichomoniasis, or trich, in their herd. The greatest threat comes from across the fence, neighbor to neighbor. Cattle don’t just get trich; it must be introduced into a herd. Most likely this will happen in one of these two ways. Either your bull jumps the fence and breeds a trich-positive cow, then is put back into the proper pasture where he infects your cows. Or, a positive bull will jump into your pasture with your cows and infect them prior to you putting him back where he belongs. Bulls don’t infect bulls and cows don’t infect cows; it’s transmitted by sexual contact. Trich causes significant economic loss.

The interim final rule on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 1 and will become effective Sept. 30. Nebraska Cattlemen will present information that answers questions such as who is covered, who is not, record keeping for producers, as well as questions which remain unanswered by USDA.

Rising input costs for ranchers and feeders and price volatility has change standard business practices. University of Nebraska specialists will address options cattle producers have for dealing with the economic challenges.

Meetings are scheduled for:

Sept. 5 - Trich, 7:00 p.m., Gordon Livestock Market. Contact Melody Benjamin (308) 760 6464.

Sept. 8 - Trich, 7:00 p.m., Crawford Livestock Market. Contact Melody Benjamin (308) 760 6464.

Sept. 9 - COOL and Beef Quality Assurance, 6:30 p.m., North Platte Livestock. Contact Drew Gaffney (308) 872-1105. Sponsor Schering Plough/Intervet. 

Sept. 15 - NC Region 7 Roundup, Wonderlich’s in Columbus, 6:00 p.m. social, 7:00 p.m. dinner. Program: COOL and NC updates, Market Outlook, and Dealing with the high input costs. RSVP for meal by noon Sept. 12. Contact Chad Settje at (402) 285-9013 or (402) 784-3153.

Sept. 16 - COOL and Dealing with the high input costs, Wisner Community Center. Contact Melody Benjamin (308) 760 6464. Sponsor Global Animal Management.

Sept. 16 - COOL, Trich and Dealing with the high input costs, Neligh, Imperial Steakhouse, 7:00 p.m. Contact Melody Benjamin (308) 760 6464. Sponsor Global Animal Management.

Sept. 17 - COOL, Trich and Dealing with the high input costs, noon, Elyeria, Country Neighbor. Contact Melody Benjamin (308) 760 6464. Sponsor Global Animal Management.

Sept. 17 - COOL, Trich and Dealing with the high input costs, Box Bar in Lexington, 6:30 social. Contact Melody Benjamin (308) 760 6464. Sponsor Global Animal Management.

Sept. 18 - COOL, Trich, Dealing with the high input costs, noon at Chances “R” in York. Contact Melody Benjamin (308) 760 6464. Sponsor Global Animal Management

Three additional meetings are being planned for Sept. 23 in Thedford, Oct. 2 in North Platte and Nov. 1 in Tecumseh. Location and times for these meetings will be posted to www.nebraskacattlemen.org as soon as possible.

The Nebraska Cattlemen association serves as the representative for the state’s beef cattle industry and represents professional cattle breeders, ranchers and feeders, as well as 48 county and local cattlemen’s associations. Its headquarters are in Lincoln and a second office in Alliance serves cattlemen in western Nebraska. This and other Nebraska Cattlemen information is available at www.nebraskacattlemen.org.