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It's been known for quite some time that the leadership of
Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) was divided in its vision.
Some wanted a mainstream organization focused on a wide range of issues;
others wanted to retain the focus on a narrow range of market issues.
Click here to read more of this story by Troy
Marshall
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Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) have introduced
the "Transparency for Independent Livestock Producers Act." The
legislation would require that 25% of a packer's daily kill come from
the spot market. Grassley said, "We know what's going on. When the price
is high, the packers kill their own livestock; and when the price is
low, the packers fill their slots with cheap livestock. This
essentially cuts out the independent producer. Our legislation would
help give livestock producers a fair shake at the farm gate."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.,
correspondent
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USDA is estimating that agricultural exports will reach a record $78
billion for fiscal year 2007. Two-thirds of the increase is attributed
to the grain and oilseed sectors. USDA Secretary Mike Johanns says
several trends are driving the rise in export value. These include the
demand for corn due to increased ethanol production, reduced competition
for wheat, and only moderate growth in South American oilseed
production. Livestock and poultry product exports are expected to
increase $1.2 billion.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.,
correspondent
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As of midweek, South Korean and U.S. negotiators continued at
impasse in resolving differences over U.S. beef imports to South Korea.
The Yonhap News says South Korea remains steadfast that the U.S.
respect last year's agreement that allows the import into Korea of only
boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age.
The South Korean market was shut to U.S. beef in late 2003 upon
discovery of BSE in the U.S. An agreement was forged early last year to
allow only boneless U.S. beef as a move to reopen the market, with the
U.S. expectation that further liberalization would follow. The first
U.S. product arrived in South Korea last fall but the discovery of small
bits of bone in a few packages of three shipments totaling 22.3 tons
have essentially reimposed the market closure.
Seoul says it will maintain its current stance until it can be
scientifically proven that bone chips are harmless to humans, though it
will allow packages that don't contain bone chips to be sold in the
country in the future, the Yonhap News reports.
-- Joe Roybal
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Kansas State University Research and Extension is offering a cattle
risk-management workshop at multiple locations in the coming weeks.
Dates, locations and contact numbers include:
- March 13, Hoxie, 785-675-3268.
- March 14, Anthony, 620-842-5445.
- March 15, Chanute, 620-244-3826.
- March 20, Emporia, 620-341-3220.
- March 21, Wilson, 785-472-4442.
- March 26, Sublette, 620-675-2261.
- March 27, Dodge City, 620-227-4542.
-- Joe Roybal
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What they don't teach you in AniSci 101.
The Charolais-influence in your crossbreeding program adds an
exceptional boost of heterosis, economic value and cowherd
predictability. Charolais-influence adds value in virtually every
segment in the U.S. beef industry.
You choose your end-use target. Use Charolais genetics to get
there!
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The POWER of one BRAND can change your future in the beef
business.
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beef program in the industry returned more than $50 million in grid
premiums in 2003. The demand for CAB® brand products translates into
fed cattle premiums of $2-$5/cwt. Source-verified, high-percentage Angus
replacement females often top auctions by selling for $50-$100 per head
above cash market. Sale barn surveys conducted at nine auction markets
indicated premiums are paid, not for black-hided cattle, but for
high-percentage-Angus cattle.
One brand, one breed--the power of one can change your future in the
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Certified Angus Beef® and CAB® are registered trademarks of
Certified Angus Beef, LLC
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The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) says mandatory country-of-origin
labeling (COOL) for seafood is failing to deliver the benefits as
promised. According to FMI, COOL hasn't increased sales of U.S. seafood,
while the supermarket industry's cost to comply with the law is up to
"10 times higher" than USDA's estimate.
FMI said, "Proponents of mandatory COOL are nonetheless urging Congress
to implement the law for producer, meat and peanuts sooner than Sept.
30, 2008. This move would be extremely unwise given the industry's 2 1/2
years of experience labeling seafood under this law."
Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) and Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) have introduced
legislation to move implementation for mandatory COOL to Sept. 30, 2007.
Current law requires implementation on Sept. 30, 2008.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.,
correspondent
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Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been diagnosed in a dairy cow in
southeast New Mexico and a connection with a positive animal in Colorado
has been made with a beef herd in northeastern New Mexico.
Two cases of TB were found in New Mexico in 2003, resulting in the state
losing its TB-Free status, meaning all breeding-age animals leaving the
state must be tested. However, the New Mexico Livestock Board was able
to recognize just a small area in eastern New Mexico where producers
must comply with the testing requirements. The new case, however, has
the potential to drop the state to Accredited Modified Advanced status
and trigger testing statewide.
Both herds are being fully tested and it will be 30 days before the
final decision is made on whether TB-Free status will be lost.
-- Burt Rutherford
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Ranchers in southeastern Colorado got some good news this week when
they learned the IRS will waive possible tax penalties for those unable
to pay their tax bills on time because of the December blizzards. Tax
returns were due March 1.
Affected ranchers can apply for the IRS waiver by filling out Form
2210-F, and filing it with their income tax returns. The statement,
"Request for Waiver Due to Winter Ice Storms," should be attached to the
form explaining the reasons for the request. Download the form from
IRS.gov or call
800-829-3676.
Meanwhile, Farm Aid says it will help producers in Cimarron County, OK,
in the Oklahoma Panhandle, hit hard by the same winter storms. To
support local relief efforts, Farm Aid will donate $9,000 to the High
Plains Resource Conservation & Development Council, located in Buffalo,
OK. The money will be used to help defray trucking costs for hay that
was bought or donated.
-- Burt Rutherford
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Gasoline prices rose sharply again, increasing 12.2¢ to
$2.505/gal. for the week of March 5; 17.4¢/gal. over this time last
year. Meanwhile, retail diesel increased 7.5¢/gal. to
$2.626¢/gal., 8.1¢/gal. more than a year ago, reports the
Energy Information Administration.
All regions reported gasoline price increases, with the East Coast
registering the largest -- 15.4¢ -- to an average price of
$2.491/gal. Midwest prices rose 9.5¢ to $2.465/gal., and the Gulf
Coast logged a 13.3¢ increase to $2.367. Rocky Mountain prices rose
10.4¢ ($2.353), and the West Coast was up 10.1¢/gal. ($2.765).
California was up 10.1¢ ($2.897/gal.), 41.7¢/gal. higher than
last year.
All regions also reported upticks on diesel fuel, with the East Coast
rising 7.8¢/gal. to $2.604, and the Midwest up 8.3¢ to $2.606,
while the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountains rose 9¢ to $2.587 and
$2.658/gal., respectively. Prices on the West Coast saw just a
1/2¢ increase to $2.795, with California falling 1.4¢ to
$2.897/gal., still 15.8¢/gal. higher than at this time last year.
-- Energy Information Administration
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Concerned about the rapid expansion of the ethanol industry and its
effects on the pork industry, delegates to the National Pork Producers
Council's (NPPC) convention last week adopted the following resolutions:
- Support allowing the 51¢/gal. ethanol blender's tax credit
and the 54¢ tariff on imported ethanol to expire. The blender's
credit is set to expire Dec. 31, 2010; the import tariff Dec. 31, 2008.
- Support -- should the blender's credit be extended -- development of
a countercyclical blender's credit system based on the price of oil.
- Support the increased use of biodiesel as a renewable fuel source.
- Seek and support incentives for capturing and digesting methane from
swine farms as an alternative energy source.
- Urge the federal government to appropriate funds for research on the
use of biofuel coproducts for swine feed rations and for research on
swine utilization of dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) and
their impact on meat quality and animal health.
- Support the findings of a Center for Agricultural and Rural
Development study on the impact of corn-based ethanol production on the
livestock industry and asks they be considered during formulation of the
2007 farm bill.
- Support the incremental early release -- without penalty -- by USDA
of Conservation Reserve Program acres back into crop
production.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.,
correspondent
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USDA and Mexico have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to
re-establish the U.S.-Mexico Consultative Committee on Agriculture
(CCA). This committee will be used as a forum for important trade issues
related to market access, sanitary and phytosanitary measures,
biotechnology and animal and plant health.
USDA Secretary Mike Johanns said, "The CCA has proven to be an important
venue for addressing and resolving issues that arise between our
countries. It provides a mechanism to work out problems before they
become larger, more formal disputes. This renewed CCA will help maintain
the close working relationships that have developed between our leaders
and trade facilitators."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.,
correspondent
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The Kansas State University Ag Research Center-Hays (ARCH) will hold
its annual beef cattle Research Roundup April 5. Registration begins at
11:30 a.m., with lunch set for noon. Among the program topics are:
- Cattle research summaries on odor mitigation, remote sensing for
early identification of illness, and effects of dietary vitamin A level
on carcass quality.
- Health and management of early-weaned calves.
- Survivability of cool-season grasses.
- Effect of finishing-diet composition on odor compounds in manure.
- Distiller´s byproducts for beef production.
Go to www.wkarc.org/news/ARCH_2007Roundup.htm for more
info or call 785-625-3425.
-- Joe Roybal
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Ranch business-management guru Harlan Hughes wraps up his four-part
series on ranch accounting in the March issue of BEEF. "Analyzing
2006 Performance" is available at www.beef-mag.com, along with the previous three
installments of the "Good accounting" series the North Dakota State
University emeritus professor has detailed in his monthly "Market
Advisor" column.
In addition, you'll find the latest edition of Texas Tech emeritus
professor Rod Preston's "Typical Composition Of Feeds For Cattle &
Sheep," a reference on more than 300 byproduct feeds; and our annual
directory of fencing product manufacturers and new product
introductions. Also in the March issue, learn how -- with a little study
and pencil work -- distiller's grains might work as a supplement for
first-calf heifers on range, in "Subbing On Supplement."
-- Joe Roybal
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The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) is
offering training to help cattlemen become more competitive by adopting
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) production practices. The free class is
offered April 3 in Graham, TX.
The Texas Beef Quality Producer Program teaches BQA principles. "In
addition, the program updates ranchers on changes occurring in the
industry and what we must do to increase demand for our cattle," says
TSCRA President Dick Sherron. "It clearly demonstrates how a producer's
actions on the ranch have a huge impact on the final beef product."
Although the program is free, people planning to attend are asked to
RSVP by March 27. Call Mark Perrier at 800-242-7820 or e-mail mperrier@texascattleraisers.org.
-- Burt Rutherford
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Looking to become a better boss? Then consider the "Effective
Employee Management in Agribusiness" conference, April 3-4 in Lubbock,
TX. The conference features experts from around the country who will
address problems of hiring, retaining and terminating employees, as well
as the issues involved with dealing with a multi-cultural workforce.
Registration is $125/person prior to March 19. For more info, go to
mastermarketer.tamu.edu or call Margaret Freeman
at 806-677-5600.
-- Texas A&M University Release
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The Successful Agricultural Management School is scheduled for April
18-20 in Huntsville, TX. The school caters to those new to ranching and
wanting to learn more about the basics of livestock production.
Cost is $350/participant. To register, go to www.shsu.edu/agr
and click on "SAM School Registration."
-- Texas A&M University Release
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The March 2 article, "Cowboy Obestetrics: Assisting With Birth,"
states: "the calving area should be 12 sq. ft. minimum, covered, well
lit and well bedded." I say the minimum calving area should be 120 sq.
ft. (10ft. x 12ft.), not 12 sq. ft. (3ft. x 4ft.).
The article also advises to: "never rupture the sac." I'm not aware of
any published work that indicates that manual rupture of the sac
(amnion) in cows in third-stage labor (actively calving) affects calving
outcome. In fact, 20+ years of personal clinical experience indicates it
has no affect.
-- Rich Linhart, DVM
Simpsonville, KY
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