Economies of scale are an important consideration for any business and can lead to greater profitability. However if that greater scale principle is applied to individual cow weights on the ranch we quickly find out that bigger is not better.
Variation in individual cow weights in the U.S. is up to 1,000 pounds. It is not uncommon to see variation of this magnitude in any given herd, even relatively small herds. Kris Ringwall of North Dakota State University recently reported in Beef Talk that the mature weight of 102 cows in two herds at the Dickinson Research Extension Center in Dickenson, ND ranged from 856 to 1935 pounds. These cattle are actually in two herds with average weights of 1216 and 1571 pounds, respectively and are likely representative in size of not only cattle in North Dakota but the entire U.S.
Dr. John Paterson found similar magnitude in the variation in cow size among the Montana ranches participating in the Montana Beef Network. One of the ranches we visited near Big Timber had an average cow weight of well over 1300 pounds. The heaviest cow was just over 1900 pounds. To their surprise when they weaned her calf it weighed 305 pounds. That is not a heavy enough calf to pay that cow’s winter-feeding bill let alone the entirety of her annual expenses. Not surprisingly the ranch manager punched her ticket for a trip on the first truckload of cull cows to the cow processor. Frankly we have countless cows across the U.S. that are high-cost and inefficient that need to be removed the production system.
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Riding horses specifically for therapeutic purposes has helped kids with diverse disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, eating disorders and substance abuse. Riding can improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development and emotional well-being.
When a therapist uses the horse’s movement to address impairments, functional limitations and disabilities in patients these children advance in a variety of ways. Putting children who are bent, unbalanced and malformed on a horse stretches and tones their muscles. People with multiple sclerosis or spin bifida or who’ve lost limbs or experienced traumatic brain injuries are among candidates for therapeutic riding, even ifthey can’t walk or stand. Nonverbal children may feel empowered learning to say "Whoa" and "Go" to direct a horse. Being in control of a large animal and caring for another creature can have emotional and self-esteem benefits, too.
Wine is a mild natural tranquilizer, serving to reduce anxiety and tension. As part of a normal diet, wine provides the body with energy, with substances that aid digestion, and with small amounts of minerals and vitamins. It can also stimulate the appetite. In addition, wine serves to restore nutritional balance, relieve tension, sedate and act as a mild euphoric agent to the convalescent and especially the aged.
Regular moderate wine drinking was discovered to be the one consistency. Studies in England and Denmark found the occurrence of coronary disease to be much higher in heavy or binge drinkers and (surprise!) even higher in abstainers. It is very important to note that Europeans generally drink wine and water with their meals, while Americans drink milk, iced tea, soft drinks, or coffee.
Moderate consumption of red wine on a regular basis may be a preventative against coronary disease and some forms of cancer. The chemical components thought to be responsible are catechins, also known as flavanoids and related to tannins . Catechins are believed to function as anti-oxidants, preventing molecules known as "free-radicals" from doing cellular damage. One particular form of flavinoid, called oligomeric procyanidin, recently proved to prevent hardening of the arteries.
A land-grant college or university is an institution that has been designated by its state legislature or Congress to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890. The original mission of these institutions, as set forth in the first Morrill Act, was to teach agriculture, military tactics, and the mechanic arts as well as classical studies so that members of the working classes could obtain a liberal, practical education.
Over the years, land-grant status has implied several types of federal support. The first Morrill Act provided grants in the form of federal lands to each state for the establishment of a public institution to fulfill the act's provisions. At different times money was appropriated through legislation such as the second Morrill Act and the Bankhead-Jones Act, although the funding provisions of these acts are no longer in effect. Today, the Nelson Amendment to the Morrill Act provides a permanent annual appropriation of $50,000 per state and territory.