Arkansas has a new state director. Tom Jones, Johnson County, Arkansas resident is serving as a director from Arkansas to A*L*O*T along with James Brown of Doddridge, Arkansas.

Tom is a graduate of the Johnson County schools and the University of the Ozarks with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. After graduation he began working for the Arkansas Department of Health and has worked for them for 34 years. His job is Environmental Health Enforcement and as an Environmental Health Specialist, he works to improve the environmental health of Arkansas and currently is leading the Arkansas Marine Sanitation Program for the state. He inspects boats for the whole state (about 6000/year) as well as leading the Public Swim Beach Program which involves safety inspections and water samplings. His wife, Meredith, is a microbiologist for the state, working for the Arkansas Department of Health on the Tuberculosis Program.

Tom says he began his cattle operation about 28 years ago because he got tired of bush-hogging and decided that a better way to do business would be to graze the pastures instead. He began with black baldies bred to Brahman and Red Poll. This worked well so he sold all cross-bred and bought pure-bred Limousin, full blood and black polled.

He sold this herd in 1994. In 1995, he began his herd of Black Angus cattle by purchasing a cow from an A*L*O*T sale (Alpha Lucy 727(Trav 23-4 granddaughter—still have her and is a “recip” currently for a EXT X Corks Elga Erica 8104 embryo). Embryo transplants convinced his wife he could make money with cattle so she bought into the operation. Currently he is partnering with Murle Gilbreath (XXG)-Summers, AR and Dana Williams (Three Forks, Montana) on Black Angus and breeding, flushing embryos, bringing weaned calves and eggs to Arkansas. Tom does the AI. Currently on the farm at Piney, AR on the AR River, he is participating in a program with NRCS on cell grazing, permanent electric fence, automatic watering devices, irrigation, and building a more manageable and environmentally conscious cattle operation. The intent is to maximize land usage and have a more manageable operation to raise good registered Black Angus.

Tom was just recently elected to 2 year term with Arkansas Angus Association and to Sale Committee for Go Black Angus.

WELCOME!

A*L*O*T: It is Time to Vote

It is time to vote, and yes, we do have some important issues to vote on. Not only are we in the middle of the presidential campaign for President of the United States, we are about to begin the nomination process for Delegates to the American Angus Association‘s Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. The nomination forms were mailed out to you the last week in March.

A*L*O*T is always well represented in the Four-States Area and we want to be well represented on the National level. Decisions are made at annual meetings that effect all of us in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Our delegates need to be in attendance so our voices may be heard.

The best way to let your voice be heard is to participate. To participate you must vote. When the forms are received to nominate a delegate, nominate yourself, a member of A*L*O*T from your state, or your neighbor who is a member of AAA. But please do nominate someone who will attend the meeting in November. Nominees are listed on the state ballot, in order, by earliest postmark . Your name will appear higher up on the list the earlier you send in your nomination. The names of everyone nominated appear on your state’s ballot and will be mailed to you in June. Watch for your nomination form. Last year many threw the form away not realizing what it was. Look carefully at your mail. You will not be sorry you participated through nomination or by being the delegate. This is the time to vote!

Poor Calf Health is a Disease to Profitability

The Bottom Line: Post-weaning calf disease can devastate producer profitability, accounting for as much as $200 per head in lost revenue. While the most dramatic losses are realized as increased death loss and treatment costs, lingering reductions in feedlot gain and quality grade also jeopardize the bottom line. Regardless if a producer retains ownership through the feedlot or sells calves at weaning, managing for improved calf health can add value and protect profit potential.

Summary Facts:

• Healthy cattle returned $201.16 per head more than cattle treated twice for disease. Increased death loss and treatment accounted for up to $148.47 per head in lost revenue, while reductions in performance and carcass merit further reduced net return by an additional $52.69 per head.

• 17.5% of all calves (2,334 head) were treated as a primary result of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

• Double treatments for BRD significantly reduced percent Prime by 44%, Premium Choice by 33%, Low Choice by 18%, and increased Standard by more than three fold, when compared to non-treated calves.

• Sick cattle lost three to four times more dollars from inferior quality grade than were returned for lower yield grade.

• Mortality rate was 100 times higher for cattle treated twice compared to non-treated cattle.

As quality grade grid premiums increase, nearing $200 million for Certified Angus Beef ® alone since 1998, managing for improved calf health will allow cattlemen to get their share.

Materials & Methods:

• Data represents 13,321 calves from 12 states fed at eight Iowa feedlots during 2002-04.

• Vaccination, implant, and nutritional programs were consistent across participating feedlots.

• Calf health status was classified as non-treated (0), single treatment (1), or treated two or more times (2).

• Calves were harvested when visually evaluated to have 0.4 inch of external fat.

• Dollar amounts were based on the 2003-04 average weekly grid values for Kansas and Texas.

BLACK INK BASICS - Data Source: Iowa Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity.

A*L*O*T Angus Association Winter Bull Sale
A*L*O*T Angus Association Winter Bull Sale
February 23, 2008
Titus County Livestock Pavilion, Mt. Pleasant, TX
Auctioneer: Lakin Oakley, DeKalb, TX.

• Gross Sales: $126,250
• 57 Bulls averaged $2,215.

• Lot 37, Roden 3X27 6119, Reg # 15643928, consigned by Roden Angus, Grandview, TX and purchased by Chosen Few Ranch, Soper, OK for $4400.

• Lot 67, PAF Bruno 6060, Reg # 15415565, consigned by Circle G Ranch & Cattle Co., LLC, Okemah, OK and purchased by Chosen Few Ranch, Soper, OK for $3900.

• Lot 46X, Roseneath EXT 6106 585, Reg # 15395865, consigned by Roseneath Plantation, Gloster, LA and purchased by Lee & Patty Warren, Sulphur Springs, TX for $3600.

• Lot 66, Circle C Objective 242L W86, Reg # 15797493, consigned by Circle C Angus, Oologah, OK and purchased by Russell Farms, Mt. Pleasant, TX for $3400.

• Lot 11, CD Hi Flyer 0602, Reg # 15299758, consigned by Cimarron Dunes, Stillwater, OK and purchased by Gene Mayfield, Rusk, TX for $3000.

• A*L*O*T BOD voted to send $250.00 each to all four states’ Junior Angus Associations each year.

• Junior Angus Associations are getting ready for the state shows. TJAA will have their state show in Brenham, Texas June 6-8, 2008.

• The American Angus Association along with the Iowa Junior Angus and Angus Associations are hosting the 2008 National Junior Angus Show, "Christmas in July", on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, July 14 - 19. This event started in 1969 and is now the world largest single beef breed cattle show. This year we anticipate more than 1,300 head of cattle will be shown. In addition, there are multiple life skills contests and competitions in which the junior members compete. I.e. public speaking, team sales, photography contest, writing, graphic design, judging, cook-off, livestock, judging, quiz bowl and more. We estimate that 4,000 people will be in attendance from nearly 40 states. There will also be a Trade Show with commercial exhibits.

• The Junior Activities Department of the American Angus Association was started in 1956. Its purpose then was to encourage young people to become involved with Angus steer and heifer projects and to help them do a better job with their projects. Today that purpose has been expanded to include more projects and programs that help juniors develop their skills and character.

• There are presently more than 11,000 active junior members from all parts of the United States and Canada. There are also about 65 state, regional, and local Junior Angus Associations active throughout the country. These groups, with the assistance of the American Angus Association, meet regularly, sponsor shows and field days, and take an active part in the Angus business and promotion of the breed. Each year more junior members join the American Angus Association than any other cattle organization. They are our strong foundation for expansion and improvement for the Angus breed in the future. For more information on this and other activities please see your American Angus Journal or go to the website, www.angus.org and click on NJAA in the side directory.

• Junior Angus Leadership Conference Set in Big Sky Country. Developing personal leadership skills is one of the most valuable benefits of being a member of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). One event that allows members to develop their leadership skills while building friendships to last a lifetime is the annual NJAA Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference. This year’s LEAD is set for Aug. 1-4 in Billings, Montana

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