This month in brief

In the latest installment of his series on heifer economics, “Market Advisor” columnist Harlan Hughes delves into the economic challenges of producing replacement heifers in the emerging biofuels era. In “Heifer economics — part 3,” on page 8, the business-management guru says developing 2005 and 2006 heifers into replacement females may be the wrong approach.

Grazing expert Jim Gerrish says the real difference he sees in farm and ranch managers' success isn't in their high-school or college education, but in how they continue to educate themselves after entering the working world. In “The value of education,” on page 11, Gerrish says opportunities for farmers and ranchers to continue their education have never been better.

Marketing clubs for cattlemen have changed over the years. They've morphed from being primarily tax-shelter investor havens into cooperative educational and marketing ventures, particularly for producers with smaller herds. Larry Stalcup provides some detail on such clubs, their functioning and tips for success in “Self Help” on page 16.

Few folks on the promotion side of U.S. beef have carried the gravitas and name recognition of a White River, SD, ranch wife named Pat Adrian. The South Dakota Beef Industry Council executive retired last month after 33 years of service, and Kindra Gordon details some of the promotional maven's thoughts in “Proud Promoter” on page 44.

Who would have thought 30 years ago that the roughest, cedar-infested grassland in the Flint Hills of Kansas would bring as much or more at sale than well-managed parcels? That's the question “Vet's Opinion” author Mike Apley, DVM, poses in “About to tip over,” on page 49. Apley delivers some insight into some similarly surprising trends on the horizon for the animal-health side.

This issue carries BEEF magazine's tenth annual update of its “Alliance Yellow Pages.” Compiled by Managing Editor Alaina Burt, the 2007 edition, on page A1, reflects the overall evolution of industry structure. While the numbers flowing through these alliances are increasing slowly over time, fewer alliances are accounting for more of the cattle.