Twin Lakes Cattle Association holds quarterly meeting

The Twin Lakes Cattle Assn. of Albany, Ky held their regular quarterly meeting on April 26, 2016 at the RECC building in Clinton County. A good crowd of 50 people attended this informative meeting that included a presentation by Beau Ochsner of Genex Cooperative and personnel from the Ky. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The meeting opened with a superb ribeye steak dinner with baked potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, and homemade banana pudding prepared by the cooking team of Paul Conner and Carl Sasser. The ribeyes were purchased at IGA in Albany and sponsored by Genex.

Ochsner began the educational part of the program by discussing different protocols used in the artificial insemination of cattle. Genex, headquartered in Shawano, Wisconsin, is one of the world’s largest suppliers of animal genetics, progressive reproductive solutions, and innovative services to members and customers.

“The total cost per live A.I. calf is about $69. Compared to a bull purchased at $6,000 and used for four years, plus maintenance costs and depreciation, the total cost per live calf is $71. Granted, everybody is not using a $6,000 bull on commercial cows but the point remains A.I. is a very viable solution to quickly improving herd genetics at a reasonable cost,” Ochsner explained to the group. He went on to add, “some of the advantages of artificial insemination include increased marketing opportunities, shorter calving period, consistent calf crop, and improving herd genetics.”

Ochsner, who lives in Pall Mall, Tennessee, is the Beef Area Marketing Manager for Kentucky. He can be reached at 931-265-3093 or by email at bochsner@crinet.com

Next on the program, the TLCA welcomed Greg Johnson the Commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. Johnson, who has been the Commissioner for a little over two years, greeted the members and encouraged landowners to seek opportunities to include wildlife planning in their livestock operations. The KDFW has recently been doing some research work in Kentucky involving the co-existence of cattle and quail. This meeting served as a pilot test to offer an opportunity to bring the message out to farmer groups.

Tom Edwards and Chris Mason, both local biologists with the KDFWR, gave a power point presentation of actual results obtained from quail populations in rotationally grazed cattle operations. The results showed when warm season grasses are included in the management practices, cattle gains increased opposed to straight continuous grazing systems. In addition, as a side benefit, quail numbers not only maintained, but actually increased.

Locally there are several programs available to landowners and many of these offer cost-share assistance in establishing components. Local producers can contact either Joe Russell or Danny Hughes with the NRCS in Albany and Monticello at 606-387-5196, extension 3. Either will gladly meet with landowners to discuss available options and cost-share programs.

As a special guest, the association welcomed Gary Ford of Lebanon, Kentucky, who is the Region 5 Vice-President of the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association. Ford took the opportunity to mention this year the KCA has already achieved over 10,000 members and continues to grow. He also encouraged the local group to look for opportunities to promote beef throughout the community. He mentioned last year the Marion County Cattle Association purchased over $84,000 worth of beef products from Kroger stores to cook at fundraisers.

The meeting concluded with a short business session called by Steve Peddicord, president. Jim Delk read the minutes from the prior meeting and Dr. Charles Daily gave the treasurer’s report plus the local vet report. Under business, the group discussed a fall group mineral order for members only, a summer beef tour that will be in late August to Virginia, and promoting beef by cooking at the 127 Yard Sale in August.

The next quarterly meeting will be held on July 26. Performance Feeds Inc. of Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee will be sponsoring the meal, participating in the program, and doing the cooking.

Anyone that would like to join the Twin Lakes Cattle Association is welcome and can do so by contacting Dr. Charles Daily at the Albany Animal Clinic at 387-5680.

Till next time, keep putting on the pounds!

Steve

Tom Edwards of the Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources explains to the local cattleman’s group some of the advantages of incorporating wildlife into livestock operations. The Association also heard from Greg Johnson, Commissioner of the KDFWR, who explained to the members the importance of establishing quail habitat in hay land and pasture fields.

Brad Ochsner of Genex Cooperative describes to the local cattleman’s group some of the advantages of using artificial insemination to improve herd genetics.