Agriculture and Natural Resources s18

February 6, 2004

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Increase Consistency in Beef Cattle

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Avoiding Germs

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

4-H’s Supply Developmental Needs

*** Increase Consistency in Beef Cattle

Source: Darrh Bullock

Uniformity in cattle production gives you higher prices at the sale barn and a higher percentage of correctly finished cattle in the feedlot. Lack of beef consistency is a major problem, according to a National Cattlemen’s Beef Association beef quality audit. If you’re a commercial cow/calf operator, you’re looking for management practices to add overall consistency to your calf crop. Let’s review some practices you can use to boost phenotypic consistency, or measurable traits such as calf weaning weights. Management practices are most effective in reducing calf variation. The most effective tool to increase calf weaning weight uniformity is to have a limited breeding season. For example, if calves approaching weaning gained two pounds a day, it would take a difference of just 50 days in their birth dates to result in calves with 100 pounds difference in weaning weight. To have a large number of calves born early, it’s important to have cows and heifers in good health and condition going into the breeding season. Using estrous- synchronization programs may help tighten the breeding and calving season even more. In addition to uniformity in the calf crop, producing more calves earlier in the calving season gives you more pounds to sell. It’s important to sort cattle either going into or coming out of the feed yard to harvest them at the appropriate end point. Ultrasound technology is useful to project the expected finishing date of cattle to help you sort cattle into feeding pens. When choosing sires, don’t try to select individual bulls to reduce variation. This practice has little chance of success because many genes are involved to produce most traits of economic importance. Using bulls that are related is one possible way to reduce variation in commercial herds where multiple sires are used. The closer the bulls’ relationship, the less variation you expect to see in the calf crop. By mating the cow herd to bulls that are relatives, the cow crop will have a portion of its genetic makeup in common. On the downside, buying related bulls that cost more than non-related bulls of similar quality generally isn’t cost effective. Some commercial producers might be concerned that crossbreeding could increase variation. Research indicates that crossbreeding doesn’t adversely affect phenotypic, or trait, variation. However, it may slightly increase genetic variation. It’s important to correctly implement crossbreeding systems to increase consistency. Don’t use breeds with large production differences in your crossbreeding system, because this is likely to increase cow-herd variability and ultimately lead to inconsistency in calves. Harvesting more cattle at the appropriate end time should boost consistency in several carcass traits, ultimately increasing consumer acceptance of beef. It’s vital to produce a consistently tender product to increase the market share of beef. While there’s no “quick fix” to achieve uniformity, you can produce a consistently acceptable beef product by recognizing differences among those breeds and breed types available and managing cattle based on their potential. For more information, contact your (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. -30-

Avoiding Germs

Sources: Health Education Through Extension Leadership, other universities and Soap and Detergent Association

Colds and flu viruses thrive in cold, dry air. It’s much easier to spread these to other people during the winter and early spring because we tend to spend more time indoors when temperatures drop. Germs and viruses can persist on common surfaces we touch such as doorknobs, telephones, counters, faucet handles, toys, pens or pencils, a deck of cards, money and office equipment. In fact, cold germs can last up to three hours on many surfaces. This contamination is a primary means colds and flu spread, particularly colds. It’s a good idea to avoid touching your face with your hands, because germs tend to hitchhike on hands and can be easily absorbed through the mucus membranes when you rub your eyes and touch your nose or mouth. One of the best ways to avoid cold and flu germs is to thoroughly wash your hands often. To ensure that you do a good job of washing your hands, wet them with warm water and apply soap. Lather and wash for a minimum 10 to 15 seconds, paying close attention to the areas between fingers, beneath nails and under and around jewelry. (To gauge washing time, sing “Happy Birthday,” or say a short nursery rhyme, to yourself.) Rinse with warm water and thoroughly dry. Other times it’s important to wash your hands are before touching, serving or eating food; performing first aid; and visiting senior citizens and young children. Also, thoroughly wash your hands after using the rest room, leaving high-risk locations such as the doctor’s office, child-care center, high-traffic areas or playgrounds, wiping someone’s nose, changing a baby’s diaper, playing with pets, handling raw meat, poultry or fish, and touching garbage. Public restrooms are a breeding ground for germs. When washing your hands in these areas, first turn on the faucet to wet your hands and then apply soap; rinse your hands, dry them with a paper towel, and use it to turn off the faucet. If you still become sick, keep tissues handy to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze to keep from spreading germs to others. Also, wash your hands before you touch another person. If someone in your family is ill, use a virus-killing disinfectant to clean surfaces such as kitchen counters, bathroom sinks and faucet handles. A solution of one part bleach mixed with 10 parts water is effective if you don’t have a commercial product. There are several other preventive measures to help you avoid cold and flu germs. Don’t share cups, glasses or utensils with others. Use a paper tissue, rather than a handkerchief to keep from spreading germs to yourself. Immediately dispose of the tissue. Avoid people who have a cold or the flu. To help your immune system fight germs that cause illnesses, eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, reduce stresses and regularly participate in physical activity. Good nutrition is a foundation for good health so eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods. Because it’s easier for germs to latch onto dry mucous membranes in your mouth, nose and throat, drink at least 64 ounces of fluids such as water, juice, soup and non-caffeinated beverages each day to keep you hydrated. One way to track the amount of fluids is to drink eight eight-ounce cups. Most people need seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Sleep deprivation can reduce your immune system’s effectiveness and cause depression; so be sure to get adequate sleep. Excessive stress can impair the body’s immune functions. Thirty minutes of physical activity most days is a great stress reliever. Exercise also stimulates the body’s disease-fighting cells Although we can’t escape stress, we can learn to manage it better by developing health ways to respond to stressors and changing our lives to eliminate unnecessary stress. A circle of good friends and doses of humor will boost your immune system. For more information on avoiding illness-causing germs, contact the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service or visit our home page at (fill in address here). Health Education Through Extension Leadership (HEEL) is another source of information. To contact HEEL, call 859-257-2968. You also can find general health information at http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/fcs/HEEL/heel. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. -30-

4-H’s Supply Developmental Needs

Source: Joe Kurth

In a recent column, we discussed what the H’s (head, hands, heart and health) symbolize on our 4-H Youth Development emblem. Now, we’re going to delve into this topic further by taking a look at some youth development traits these H’s represent. Head represents mastery; hands, generosity; heart, belonging, and health, independence. Mastery: Learn by doing is a primary tenant of the 4-H Youth Development program. Youth can learn many things by choosing projects from among the hundreds and hundreds available. Often, working on 4-H project work supplements and enhances school subjects. It also might lead to hobbies, part-time jobs and possibly a career choice. As part of their 4-H educational experiences, members also take part in competitive activities at the county, area, state (including Kentucky State Fair) and national levels. 4-H camps provide another opportunity for members to learn more about their specific interests and develop new ones. These camps include theme-based (fine arts, health, natural resources and technology) and residential, day-long and overnight ones on a number of topics. Through 4-H Youth Development, members master a number of important skills including leadership, communications, citizenship, self-reliance, socialization and teamwork. (Other skills will be mentioned later in this article.) Generosity: 4-H Youth Development gives members opportunities to become capable, competent and caring citizens. They serve as catalysts for positive changes to meet the needs of a diverse and changing society. Based on their leadership experiences in 4-H, some youth seek state offices; others may serve on 4-H, other youth-related or community councils. Members also initiate and take part in service projects that benefit communities across Kentucky. As a result of their learning experiences in 4-H Youth Development, current and former members frequently become volunteers for local programs or donate expertise for special interest clubs. These clubs include Afterschool, shooting sports, horse, sewing, and photography, among others. Belonging: Membership in a 4-H Youth Development program creates an extended family. It gives members opportunities to interact in Kentucky and elsewhere with diverse groups of youth and teenage and adult volunteers. These associations with other youth and adults provide many valuable experiences. Members often develop lifelong friendships with other youth and volunteers through 4-H Youth Development programs. Independence: 4-H members learn a number of qualities that help them develop into self-starting, independent-thinking citizens who make significant contributions to their communities, both by example and by doing. These traits include responsibility, self-discipline, tenaciousness, persistence, research tactics, making decisions, logical thinking, and setting and achieving short-and long-term goals. Many 4-Hers gain more self-esteem through their participation and achievements in the 4-H Youth Development program. Both our youth and communities gain many benefits from the (County Name) 4-H Youth Development program. For more information about becoming a member or serving as a volunteer, contact me at the Cooperative Extension Service office. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. -30-