Ozarks Farm & Neighbor Newspaper – written for, by & about farmers

Stress induced meat quality problems such as dark cutters cause large monetary losses to the livestock industry. The National Beef Quality Audit estimates that dark cutters cost the beef industry $5 for every fed animal slaughtered. Dark cutting beef is darker and drier than normal and has a shorter shelf life. Good quality beef has a final pH value close to 5.5. At pH values of 5.8 and above, both the tenderness and keeping quality of the fresh chilled meat is adversely affected. High pH meat is unsuitable for the premium trade in vacuum-packed fresh meats, and, depending on the commercial use of the product, dark-cutting meat may be discounted by 10 percent or more. High meat pH is caused by an abnormally low concentration of lactic acid. Post mortem production of lactic acid requires an adequate content of glycogen in the muscles at slaughter. Ante mortem glycogen breakdown is triggered by increased adrenaline release in stressful situations, or by strenuous muscle activity.

When you walk into a grocery store, you’re surrounded by choices of several branded beef lines. This is a relatively new development that's been most apparent in just the past 10 years.

The Center for Rural Affairs, a non-profit corporation located in Lyons, Neb., created the national program Land Link. Land Link offers computer database matching and consulting services, retirement planning, beginning farmer financing, farm business and environmental assessment information assists in transferring family operations to new generations. The program matches new farmers' or rancers' interests with for sale or otherwise available farms and ranches in their database. Users will receive a description of those farms/ranches along with contact information.

roducers need to plan way ahead of the time period when they will start weaning, while also paying attention to their calves throughout the production system,” said Max Irsik, Extension veterinarian at the University of Florida. Watching indicators like the cow condition, range quality and general calf health can help producers decide on the best time to wean.

You can’t blame cattlemen for feeling they’ve been victims of circumstances – from BSE scares that cut off export demand, to a recession that sapped domestic consumption, to droughts that have prevented herd rebuilding.

You have seen the commercials on TV, or read the billboards along the highway:  Have you been in an accident? Call the Law Office of…