Alltech’s Ridley Inc. feed divisions join relief efforts to support cattle producers and ranchers in fire-scarred states

Ridley Inc. operating divisions, Hubbard Feeds, a leading provider of researched-based, animal nutrition products, and Ridley Block Operations, a recognized leader in the block supplement market, have teamed together to provide livestock feed relief to fire-stricken cattle producers and ranchers in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
More than 1,500 square miles of agricultural grazing land burned in early March, amid a series of devastating wildfires. Thousands of cattle perished and countless homes, buildings and fences were destroyed, as wind-swept flames scorched pastures, turning generations of hard work and dreams into ash. In several cases, ranchers died trying to save livestock.
To support these cattle producers and ranchers, Hubbard Feeds and Ridley Block Operations are donating Range Cubes, CRYSTALYX® products, dry feed calf pellets and milk replacer to producers in each of the four affected states. Also, they are working with transportation companies who are donating delivery of product from several of Ridley’s U.S. manufacturing facilities.
“Hubbard Feeds and Ridley Block Operations stand united in helping the many beef cattle producers who were so significantly impacted by the loss of their herds, grazing land and structures in these tragic fires,” said Kevin Levi, president of Ridley’s U.S. Feed Operations.
“The unyielding spirit of these ranchers has inspired us. They reinforce our pride in the agricultural community, and we’re proud to support them,” said Mark Nelson, president of Ridley Block Operations (RBO).
Hubbard Feeds and Ridley Block Operations are donating Range Cubes, CRYSTALYX® products, dry feed calf pellets and milk replacer to producers in each of the four fire-stricken states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

About Ridley and Alltech:
Ridley Inc. is an Alltech company. Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech discovers and delivers solutions for the sustainable nutrition of plants, animals and people. With more than 100 manufacturing sites globally, Alltech is a leading producer and processor of yeast and organic trace minerals, and our flagship algae production facility in Kentucky is one of only two of its kind in the world.
Our guiding ACE principle seeks to develop solutions that are safe for the Animal, Consumer and the Environment. Our more than 5,000 team members worldwide put this purpose to work every day for our customers.
Alltech is a family-owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to emerging customer needs and to stay focused on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, USA, Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For further information, visit www.alltech.com/news. Join us in conversation on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

NCBA President Testifies on Cattlemen’s Priorities for 2018 Farm Bill

Courtesy of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

In testimony on Capitol Hill today, Craig Uden, a fourth-generation cattle producer from Nebraska and the president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, called on Congress to authorize $150 million a year over five years for a “stronger and more adequate foot-and-mouth disease (FMB) vaccine bank” as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. Uden testified before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
“Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious and has the potential to spread widely and rapidly, debilitating our herds,” Uden warned subcommittee members in his oral testimony.  “Analysts estimate that an FMD outbreak in the United States could potentially cost our nation’s livestock producers billions of dollars in the first 12 months alone. An FMD outbreak has the potential to cause enormous economic losses to not only livestock producers, but also to auction markets, slaughterhouses, food processors and related industries.”   
Uden also testified that the vast majority of cattlemen oppose the federal government’s involvement in determining how their cattle are marketed – whether through vehicles like Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA’s) interim final rule on competitive injury or through mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL.)
“Our analysis of the (GIPSA) rule leads us to believe that if this rule is implemented, the packers will offer one price for all cattle, regardless of quality,” Uden testified. “We believe this rule would eliminate value-based marketing programs and negatively impact producers, making it more difficult to provide the types of beef products that consumers are clamoring for.”
Uden continued on the issue of mandatory, government-dictated, country-of-origin labeling: “Repeal of the previous mandatory program was necessary since, after six and a half years of implementation, it provided no market benefit to beef producers or consumers.  On top of that, it also violated trade agreements with two of our largest and vital trading partners.”
Uden concluded his Farm Bill testimony by stressing the importance of international trade to the American beef industry.
“Trade is vital to the beef industry, and protecting trade promotion programs such as the Foreign Market Development and Market Access Programs within the 2018 Farm Bill are important,” Uden said. “Ninety-six percent of the world’s consumers reside outside U.S. borders. We recognize that the growth and profitability of the U.S. cattle and beef industry is closely tied to our ability to market our products to those consumers.”

RAFI accepting donations to aid in wildfire recovery

By Beth Gaines

The recent wildfires in Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado have caused considerable financial loss and the devastation of livestock, homes and equipment. The Red Angus Foundation Inc. is rising to the occasion to accept and distribute donations that will assist our fellow friends, neighbors and cattlemen in their recovery efforts.  
Pasty Krause, fundraiser for RAFI, said that helping aid in recovery is the ultimate goal. “We know some of the ranch families that were affected by the recent outbreak of wildfires lost everything, including their homes,” said Krause. “Hundreds of miles of fence were laid flat.  Many ranchers are literally starting from ground zero to rebuild their livelihoods.”
RAFI is a 501(c)(3) charity organization. All donations sent to RAFI designated to fire relief will be channeled directly to qualified recipients in the Red Angus community and to other approved relief organizations that benefit those affected by the fires.  
In surveying the damage, the loss and injury to livestock is staggering. Some ranches lost nearly everything, while others lost homes, barns, grazing pastures, equipment and fences.  Some of these operations were generations in the making, and the recovery will be a slow, arduous process.
To assist the recovery in the best way possible, Krause encourages those who are able to support this relief measure to donate to RAFI. RAFI is collecting numerous types of donations, including gifts of animals and semen, although financial contributions provide the greatest flexibility.
If you wish to donate fencing materials, contact Krause and she will provide a tax receipt for your contribution. If you wish to gift livestock or semen, RAFI will be arranging online auctions to turn your donation into cash.  
“Whatever resources you can donate to help these cattlemen in need is greatly appreciated,” Krause said.

Please mail cash donations via check to RAFI, 4201 N. Interstate 35   Denton, TX 76207. Please write “Fire Relief” in the memo. If you have questions about other contributions call Patsy Krause, RAFI Fund Raiser, at 406-599-2852 or email her at patsy@redangus.org.

New Hillco Air Flow Systems for Case-IH & New Holland Tier 4A & 4B Tractors

Hillco Technologies, Inc. has introduced Air Flow Systems (AFS) for Case IH and New Holland Tier 4A & 4B tractors.  The AFS accommodates 2011 and newer Magnum, Steiger, Genesis & T9 tractors. This system allows farmers who operate in dusty and dirty conditions to extend their air filter’s life, reducing expenses and downtime. The self-cleaning design requires no maintenance and will reduce the amount of dirt entering your tractor’s air filter.
The AFS replaces the original air intake tube with a steel tube that has a centrifugal force precleaner mounted to it.  The engine draws air through the precleaner causing the impeller in the pre-cleaner to spin.  The centrifugal force of the spinning impeller expels the heavy “dirty” particles out of the discharge louver.  The clean air then enters the intake.

Benefits include:
• Extended Air Filter Life
• Reduced Downtime
• Increased Engine Life
• Increased Fuel Efficiency
• Simple and Quick Installation
• Maintenance Free
• Water Tight Design

This product has been tested and is recommended by CNH.

If you would like more information about this product please call our sales department at 1-800-937-2461, email us at sales@hillcotechnologies.com, or visit our website at www.hillcotechnologies.com