Ag-Visors

And here we are at the threshold of the New Year.

Livestock owners are permitted to take depreciation deductions on their farm to offset gross income, as well as to deduct reasonable costs of operating a livestock breeding operation or activity from other income.

The Tax Court has recognized that horse racing or breeding is a highly speculative venture, but that “an opportunity to earn a substantial ultimate profit in a highly speculative venture is ordinarily sufficient to indicate that the activity is engaged in for profit even though losses or only occasional small profits are actually generated.”

With the price of cattle staying high, even with another case of BSE or Mad Cow showing up in California, I have quite a few calls about bottle raising calves again.

Well, we are in the middle of spring calving. I have seen and delivered some very large calves. So far the biggest was approximately 180 pounds of a set of twins. Most of us put all of the responsibility of large calves on the bull. Now, it is true that bulls can change your herd very fast and improve your herd the fastest. But, half of the genetics in the calf comes from its mother.

Being prepared for a disaster is not an exact science. “You can’t be prepared for all disasters,” explained Dr. Rick Blubaugh, D.O., Emergency Department. “You can however have a few things stored on hand to serve you for the first few hours.” Inside Dr. Blubaugh’s Emergency Preparedness Pack you’ll find: basic bandages – to stop bleeding, a notebook with important phone numbers and contact information, flashlight, extra batteries, radio – to learn where triage and help centers are located, soap and water – infection greatly decreases when you treat wounds quickly, emergency blanket or parka to stay dry, early planning also ensures you have necessary medical information when you need it. “An emergency situation, whether an accident you have suffered or a natural disaster that has you leaving your home on a moment’s notice, is not the time to try and organize this information,” explained Cindy Gaddie, director, Skaggs Quality Improvement. “You should have it organized and ready should you or your family members need it immediately.” Your medical record creates the foundation for planning your care and treatment; serves as a means for doctors, nurses and others caring for you to communicate about your needs; is a legal document describing the care you received; and is a tool for you or your insurance company to verify that services billed were actually provided. Start with the most current medical information and work back. “Tell emergency contacts (family or friend) where they can quickly find this information,” explained Gaddie. “Update your information anytime you have a change, such as a surgery, change in medication or allergies, etc.”