HOW BIG ARE COWS TODAY?

Mike Mallett, CEA in Lampasas Co. collected figures last year to get a handle on this question. Mike recorded information on eight sale days at the Lampasas Auction from January to December. The average weight of cows was 1079 lb, and average Body Condition Score was 4.42. Adjusting to medium condition of BCS 5 resulted in average weight of 1127 lb. Assuming that some individuals were probably not yet mature, the average frame score was approximately 5. This is probably about optimum for most production conditions in Central Texas.

NEW PRODUCTS AND PUBLICATIONS

Add another name to the growing list of ivermectin products. Phoenix Scientific, Inc., is now marketing ivermectin as Phonectin^TM Pour-On. Two new extension publications are now available, "Reproductive Diseases in Cattle" (L-5223) and "Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis" (L-5224). These can be obtained from Texas Ag. Ext. Serv. Distribution and Supplies, PO Box 1209, Bryan, TX 77896 or accessed on the internet at "http://tcebooksthore.org".

GENETIC RESISTANCE TO PARASITES

USDA researchers report that cattle genetics plays a major role in parasite transmission and development of immunity. Most cattle become resistant to parasites, reducing egg output. But some individuals remain susceptible, continuing release of large numbers of eggs and ensuring continued pasture contamination. Heritability of resistance is estimated at around 30 %. Other research has shown some difference between genetic types in parasite resistance, Bos indicus (Brahman-type) tending to be more resistant.

A DIFFERENT PRICE HEDGE

Ever noticed how meat prices don't track live cattle prices. When cattle get cheap, meat prices don't go down much. Of course, the reverse is true also, but we really don't want to admit that. Pete Bonds, Saginaw cattleman, says he realized several years ago there was an easy way to combat the effect of wide fluctuations in live prices. He simply owns stock in one of the large meat packers. When cattle are cheap his stock goes up, and vice-versa. Owning both usually doesn't make him more money, he says, but it does even out his income from one year to the next.

BRAVE NEW WORLD

Japanese researchers have succeeded in producing cloned calves, and they did it very efficiently. Out of 10 embryos, 8 calves were born. First sheep, then mice, now cattle. Can humans be very far behind?