CALF_News_October_November_2021

32 CALF News • October | November 2021 • www.calfnews.net Gudmundson Sandhills OPEN HOUSE Continuing Education for Nebraskans The Gudmundson Sandhills Lab is located north of Whitman, Neb. By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor T he University of Nebraska (UNL) forged ahead with their annual open house Aug. 25, hold- ing an on-site meeting. Fortu- nately, a virtual option was also available, making convenient attendance for many at home. Two hundred people attended in person, and 40 tuned in online. Four- teen speakers, experts in their respective fields, were on hand to lecture, discuss and demonstrate various topics. Corporate sponsor, Elanco, was part of the annual commercial exhibit. The small trade show is an annual opportu- nity for ranchers to get some one-on-one time in a clean and open setting with a variety of equipment dealers. The low- pressure atmosphere will sometimes find folks sitting in the grass, visiting. Morning Coffee Morning sessions always begin indoors, with six speakers at the 2021 event. UNL Livestock Marketing Spe- cialist Elliot Dennis, Ph.D., kicked off the day’s program, reviewing the “black swan” events that have marred the cattle industry over the past two years. He gave a thorough outlook, viewing positive marketing opportunities in the future. Jason Sawyer, Ph.D., traveled from Texas’ King Ranch Institute of Ranch Management (KRIRM) to speak about “Sustainability at the Ranch Level.” He focused mainly on sound succession plans, leaving a legacy to the next genera- tion, and staying in business. His advice was to always look ahead, realizing we may not be here tomorrow, and your ranch must have a purpose or known goal to work toward. Sawyer emphasized the importance of knowing the three pillars of success – profitability, environmental soundness and social responsibility. Everyone’s perspective is different on these issues. Ranchers are most concerned about profitability, while our consumers say they are more worried about social responsibility (animal welfare) and the environment. They are, however, behaving with a higher level of economic concern. He stressed the importance of diver- sification, flexibility and resilience in our ability to complete a thriving succession plan. He also noted that family busi- nesses seldom have human resource poli- cies. Physical safety and fair treatment of employees must not be overlooked; most employees are more concerned about being treated fairly than about money. We were reminded never to use a ranch as hard as you can; this figures into the environmental/climate genre. Although it seems a major concern to consumers, it is primarily for your ranch’s own good. Elanco Sponsor, Leah Byer We may, as ranchers, not be tuned in to our urban shoppers. Elanco tests consumer concerns every three to five years. The most recent research indi- cates consumers are most worried about animal welfare and sustainability. Their watchwords are “natural and healthy.” The bombardment of plant-based “fake foods” now includes dairy products and fish. They are being pushed by such prominent people as Bill Gates, who is now the largest farmland owner in the United States. Is there an ulterior motive? Gates currently makes the most negative media posts on meats, generat- ing a great deal of conversation among consumers. Elanco’s research finds that these events peak, drop and go away. Byer’s takeaway was that many of these foodie events are fads, and con- sumers go back to comfort food, which is always the “real” thing. She reminded the audience that packaging is sometimes more important than the food it con- tains. COVID changed many of those who were previously unwilling to cook into foodies. Social media posts buzzed with steak preparation, spicy recipes and ethnic foods. Ground beef is an excep- tional favorite. Another popular byprod- uct of the pandemic is the popularity of YouTube recipes and tutorials that demonstrate cooking techniques. Byer’s presentation was unique and well received, an unexpected treat to the ranchers fresh from the hayfield. Immunity and Immunization Bruce Hoffman, DVM, Elanco techni- cal consultant, presented “Calf Vaccina- tion Before Weaning.” He spoke about immunity development, risk factors and problems caused by over-vaccinating