Ag Alert. August 2, 2023

Researchers praise rancher for an enduring partnership

especially with the early and uncharted areas of cattle genetics.” After retiring from his Sacramento ophthalmology practice in the 1990s, Cowley settled in Montague in Siskiyou County, 246 miles north of the closest UC campus. There he met then-UCCE farm advisor Steve Orloff and Drake. Orloff advised Cowley on alfalfa production and pasture management while Drake offered counsel on animal health records, organizing breeding, animal nutrition and water issues. Drake explained to ranchers that by se- lectively breeding cows based on genet- ics, they could improve the production and quality of beef so that it’s healthier for humans. “My medical background helped me un- derstand animal genetics,” Cowley said. “We can modify the genetics to improve the quality of the beef to make it more heart-healthy.” In 2009, Drake introduced Cowley to UCCE specialist Alison Van Eenennaam, who studies animal genetics at UC Davis. “I was looking to set up a research tri- al where we would follow cattle from the ranch all the way through to the Harris Ranch processing plant in the Central Valley,” said Van Eenennaam, who worked

Siskiyou County rancher Jack Cowley, 91, recalls a special Christmas gift that delighted his seven children in the 1960s. Cowley, then a practicing eye doctor in Sacramento, and his late wife Barbara surprised the children with a white quar- terhorse, which they named Silver. “That’s how it all started,” Cowley said, reflecting on the gift horse that would lead him into ranching and a 40- year research collaboration with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Silver was the impetus for his fam- ily’s involvement with the 4-H Youth Development Program, a part of UC ANR. Cowley would later transition to a second career in raising beef cattle and collaborate with the UC Cooperative Extension on re- search projects ranging from weed control to cow genetics. Over the years, Cowley allowed UCCE scientists to study his cattle. He made it his mission to personally share information with scientists and cattle producers across the country and internationally. “It is important to foster exchange and linkages, said Dan Drake, UCCE farm advisor emeritus in Siskiyou County, who collaborated with Cowley for 30 years. “He went to so many meetings,

Beef cattle graze on Jack Cowley’s Siskiyou County ranch in Montague. The rancher has for years partnered with the University of California on research, including cow genetics and weed control.

with Cowley on a three-year project. Using DNA samples from Cowley’s cat- tle, they evaluated the data they received from processor Harris Ranch of beef char- acteristics such as tenderness to compare the different breeds. “I really thought I knew what I was doing, and my cattle graded terribly,” Cowley said. Since beginning the genetics project, his beef quality steadily improved. “We’re now up to where all of our

animals are graded anywhere from 20% to 40% Prime and the rest Choice,” Cowley said, adding that he stopped striving for higher grades because the buyer said there was a limited market for the more expen- sive meat. Cowley said he is proud of playing a part in contributing to developing breeding from the research he and UCCE conduct- ed. The results have been adopted globally by dairy farmers and beef ranchers.

See RANCHER, Page 19

Agricultural Market Review

2023 Health & Safety on the Farm and Ranch

Quotations are the latest available for the week ending July 28, 2023 Year Ago Week Ago Latest Week Livestock Slaughter Steers – 5-Area Average Select & Choice, 1150–1460 lbs., $ per cwt. 136-137 179-180 179-180 Hogs – Average hog, 51-52% lean, Iowa-Minn. market, $ per cwt. 112.42 103.30 103.59 Slaughter Lambs – $ per cwt. 125–175 lbs. National weekly live sales 135-194 150-225 180-225 Field crops – basis prompt shipment Barley – U.S. No. 2, $ per cwt. Truck, Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock No Quote No Quote No Quote Cotton – ¢ per lb., Middling 1 3/32” Fresno spot market 74.48 79.10 79.18 Corn – U.S. No. 2 yellow $ per bu. trucked 9.31 8.02 7.85 Alfalfa Hay – $ per ton, quality*, FOB Region 1, Northern Inter-mountain 350 (S) No Quote 290 (S) Region 2, Sacramento Valley No Quote No Quote No Quote Region 3, Northern San Joaquin Valley No Quote No Quote 250-300 (S) Region 4, Central San Joaquin Valley 450 (S) 320 (P/S) 350 (S) Region 5, Southern California 20-22 (per bale) 22 (P, per bale) 22 (P, per bale) Region 6, Southeast Interior 350-375 (P/S) 280 (G/P) 180 (G/P) Oat Hay – $ per ton, quality*, FOB Northern California, dairy No Quote No Quote No Quote Oats – U.S. No. 2 white, $ per cwt. Statewide, trucked price No Quote No Quote No Quote

California Farm Bureau is pleased to offer this year-long program of training sessions presented by Nationwide. Select topics will be presented in both English and Spanish. Members, enjoy access to free classes! Register for the upcoming training webinars. Trainings will be presented via Zoom. The Hazardous Agricultural Materials (HAM) training must be attended in person at a participating County Farm Bureau office or at the California Farm Bureau office in Sacramento. For a list of class dates and to register, visit cfbf.com/FBE or call (800) 698-FARM for assistance. You will receive a Zoom link and details two days prior to your selected webinar date.

Dry Beans – Grower FOB prices Baby Limas, $ per cwt, (sacked) Large Limas, $ per cwt. (sacked) Blackeye, $ per cwt. (sacked)

No Quote No Quote No Quote

Rice – Milled No. 1 Head, FOB No. Calif. mills Medium grain, $ per cwt. Wheat – U.S. No. 2 or better, winter, $ per cwt. 13% protein, Los Angeles, trucked price

58-62

70-72

No Quote No Quote Provided by the California Farm Bureau as a service to Farm Bureau members. Information supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market News Branch. * ADF=Acid detergent fiber; (S) = Supreme/<27%ADF; (P) = Premium/27-29; (G) = Good/29-32; (F) = Fair/32-35. No Quote

August 2, 2023 Ag Alert 15