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The latest USDA crop report shows the percentage of acres planted at
78% nationwide, which is equal to the five-year average. The progress
report was a bit surprising, given that there are so many acres going
into corn production this year compared to past years.
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota were the only major
corn states significantly behind the five-year average in this latest
report. Corn emergence is above the five-year average, as well.
The beef industry will continue to watch weather conditions very closely
as it relates to hay and corn production, given the fact that there's
simply little room for error on the production front. The good news is
that weather conditions have been as close to ideal at this time as you
can get on a national basis.
-- Troy Marshall
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Fresh water on demand, 24 hours a day.
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Pick up any management or leadership book and you'll undoubtedly
read about the importance of innovation, of thinking outside the box,
stepping out of one's comfort zone, or taking a radical and bold
approach. Such authors will warn against incrementalism (doing what
you've always done, but just doing it a little better), and preach the
need to embrace creative destruction (where your goal is to destroy your
own business with superior products, services and marketing before
someone else has the chance to).
Click here to read more of this story by Troy
Marshall
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Perhaps it is just that I'm getting old, but the conversations among
my peers have changed. It used to be all about cows and the cattle
industry; now, it's about family and priorities.
I love self-help gurus like Stephen Covey and Zig Ziglar, and I've
always felt that one could live that truly balanced life they preach --
one that encompasses the spiritual, physical, social, mental and
financial parts of one's life. Yet, I've come to realize that if I spent
90 hours/week on just my family -- being the husband I want to be, the
father, the son, the cousin, grandson, etc. -- that I still wouldn't
have enough time, in even that area of my life.
Yes, there's definitely a more optimum balance, but there are times
(ebbs and flows) in our lives when certain areas will move to the top,
and then back again. At any one time, I doubt anyone has his or her life
in total balance.
The key seems to be that, over the course of one's life, to be able to
look back and have taken care of all those areas. And to look back and
say that, at the key junctures, your priorities were right.
I've come to believe all we can do is keep the commitments we make to
ourselves, whether they're in our personal or business life. Our
priorities change, and that isn't a bad thing.
There was a time when my only focus was on building a great cowherd. I
still want to build a truly great cowherd, but I'd gladly trade it for
three truly great and well-adjusted kids, and a wife who loves me when
I'm 85.
-- Troy Marshall
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BullShop.com. is a useful site to
anyone buying or selling breeding stock. Over the past five years, it
has grown into the largest, all breeds, breeding stock site serving the
cow-calf industry. The site is presented in a state-by-state format
making it easy for buyers and sellers to use.
Breeders can choose national or state ads in their marketing efforts.
The various free and paid ad categories include breeder ads, semen ads,
embryo ads, state ads, featured ads and sale ads. Click to visit www.BullShop.com. Click to checkout
the free ads you can post on BullShop at www.bullshop.com/show_page.php?id=38
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Just in time for Father's Day, you can enjoy "The Donald" in your
own back yard. Well, not in person, fortunately, but Donald Trump and
the Sharper Image Corporation have teamed up to allow beef lovers to
enjoy the same steaks at home that are served in "The Donald's"
restaurants.
Trump Steaks™ are exclusively Certified Angus
Beef® USDA Prime, and those who enjoy the very best in
life and have the money to pay for it can now order the steaks from the
Sharper Image catalog www.sharperimage.com/trumpsteaks/index.jhtml.
The Trump Steaks selections include the Classic Collection for $199, the
Country Club Collection for $349, the Resort Collection for $499, and
the Connoisseur Collection for $999.
-- Burt Rutherford
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The most precious thing any ranch produces is its next generation.
Keeping them safe and healthy is the goal of the Progressive Ag
Foundation, which will sponsor 350 "Safety Days" for children throughout
the U.S. and Canada this summer.
The workshops teach rural children and their parents how to stay safe
and healthy on the ranch, farm and at home. Sessions include all-terrain
vehicles, animal safety, bicycle safety, chemical safety, electrical
safety and machinery safety, among other things. For a list of dates and
locations, or to host an event in your area, visit www.progressiveag.org.
-- Progressive Ag release
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Your Traceability Solution Starts Here
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the industry's most innovative producers and organizations.
From data collection to secure data sharing and reporting to
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AgInfoLink's wide range of products allows us to design a solution to
meet your needs.
Take advantage of today's opportunities for Age and Source
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Pick up the phone and call AgInfoLink today to find out what we can do
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Phone: 800.287-8787
Email: info@aginfolink.com
Web: www.aginfolink.com
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The House Agriculture Livestock Subcommittee last week held a
hearing on the status of animal welfare in American agriculture and the
steps animal agriculture producers have implemented to improve animal
welfare, as well as new proposals related to these issues. Meanwhile,
the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) told the committee members that
the House Agriculture Committee hadn't conducted a "serious hearing on
animal welfare since 2000." HSUS says the U.S. has "fallen short as a
caring nation in providing the basic protections and are sorely and
embarrassingly lagging behind Europe on animal welfare."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved S. 987,
the "Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007." It
would increase the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to 36 billion gals. by
2022.
Starting in 2008, the new RFS will require 8.5 billion gals. of
renewable fuel, and increase gradually to 15 billion gals./year by 2015.
After 2015, a complementary "advanced biofuels" standard takes effect.
This requires 3 billion gals./year of advanced biofuels in 2016, and
increases to 21 billion/year in 2022.
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has raised concerns that this
new RFS requirement of 15 billion gals. of ethanol would require nearly
43% of all U.S. corn production to meet.
Meanwhile, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced the "Energy Independence
through Bio-Diesel Act," which would create a 2% national standard for
bio-diesel. Walberg said, "Creating a national standard for bio-diesel
will encourage the technology and economics of scale necessary to make
America the leader in renewable sources of energy."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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Vaccination critical before turning cattle out to summer
pasture
A cool and wet spring in many areas of the country has producers
scrambling to get everything done, including planting and moving cattle
to summer pastures.
Listen
as Dr. Kerry Barling weighs in on the importance of working cows and
calves prior to pre-breeding and turnout.
Don't forget to take the Producers Poll! Vote now to answer
this week's question:
How often do you review your herd health program with your
veterinarian?
- Every year
- Every other year
- Can't recall the last time
- Not often enough
Sponsored by Vira Shield 6+VL5 HB.
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House and Senate conferees reached an agreement on the FY '08 Budget
Resolution. A $20-billion reserve fund for agriculture is created, but
requires an offset (increased new revenues or reduction in spending) in
other areas. Thus, there is no new money for the farm bill at this time.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) introduced legislation that would require
country-of-origin labeling (COOL) to be in place before the U.S. can
import Canadian cattle over 30 months of age. Dorgan said, "There is no
longer any excuse for delaying implementation of COOL. Consumers have
the right to know where their meat is coming from, and to make their own
decision -- fully informed decisions -- about whether they want to be
putting beef from Canada on their dinner table, under the current
circumstances. It is clear that Canada has a continuing problem with Mad
Cow Disease, and American families have a right to know whether their
beef is coming from Canada."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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USDA is forecasting agricultural exports to reach $78 billion for
fiscal year 2007, an increase of $9.3 billion over last year, and the
fourth consecutive year of record exports. USDA now estimates the U.S.
world market share at more than 19%.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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The POWER of one BRAND can change your future in the beef
business.
Certified Angus Beef ®, the oldest, most
successful branded 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
beef business.
www.angus.org
Certified Angus Beef® and CAB® are
registered trademarks of Certified Angus Beef, LLC
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The House Agriculture Committee plans to begin moving the 2007 farm
bill forward next week. The conservation title of the farm bill will be
marked up by the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit,
Energy and Research. Also, the House Livestock Subcommittee will
consider livestock issues next Thursday. Other titles of the farm bill
will be considered by the various subcommittees after the Memorial Day
recess.
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), chairman of the House Agriculture
Committee, has indicated he'd like the farm bill to be considered by the
full House Agriculture Committee beginning the week of June 11.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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For the third consecutive week, gasoline prices were up, increasing
4.9¢ to $3.103/gal., as of May 14. Prices are 15.6¢/gal.
higher than this time last year and have now reached an all-time nominal
high. Meanwhile, retail diesel prices fell for the fourth consecutive
week, decreasing 1.9¢/gal. to $2.773/gal. Prices are 14.7¢
lower than at this time last year.
All regions reported gasoline price increases. East Coast prices for
regular grade, self-service were up 2.3¢ to $2.981/gal. In the
Midwest, prices jumped 9.8¢ to $3.172, while prices for the Gulf
Coast rose 4.5¢ to $2.915. The largest increase was in the Rocky
Mountains, a 10.3¢ jump to $3.193/gal., while West Coast prices
were up 0.5¢ to $3.378. The average price in California fell
1.1¢ to $3.45/gal., but is still 12¢ above last year's price.
For diesel, East Coast prices fell 2.3¢ to $2.758/gal., while the
Midwest was down 1.4¢ to $2.74, and the Gulf Coast fell 3.1¢
to $2.713. The only region to increase was the Rocky Mountains -- up
0.3¢ to $2.998/gal. West Coast prices fell 1.6¢ to $2.919,
while California diesel was off 2.2¢ to $2.952/gal., 29¢ lower
than at this time last year.
-- U.S. Energy Information Administration
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Regarding the May 11 article, "COOL More Valuable As A Non-Reality:"
If someone wants to buy foreign beef, give consumers the freedom to buy
it. If someone wants to "buy American," give him or her the freedom to
do it.
Those of you who fear freedom in the marketplace realize that if
consumers are given a chance to make informed, intelligent, free choices
they just might choose to buy a product not imported, processed or
branded by you. But that's what sometimes happens in a free society.
Referring to freedom as "populist" or "protectionist" sounds more than a
little ominous to me.
Joe Zwack
Dubuque, IA
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Thirty-seven agricultural and livestock organizations have written
USDA Secretary Mike Johanns asking him to reconsider his decision to not
allow producers to opt out of their Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
contracts for 2007 without penalty.
The groups wrote, "Even with a large crop in 2007, another substantial
increase in corn acreage will be required again in 2008 to meet the
rapidly increasing production of corn-based ethanol. Although
non-environmentally sensitive cropland in CRP cannot provide all the
additional cropland for corn next spring, this CRP acreage can,
nonetheless, provide a good measure toward meeting the anticipated,
necessary expansion of cropland for corn next year. Given the dynamic
challenges in the next 18 months, it is also critical the CRP not be
expanded through a general sign-up in 2007 and 2008, and we encourage
the department to limit new enrollments to targeted situations with the
highest environmental value."
Groups signing the letter included: American Bakers Association,
American Meat Institute, American Feed Industry Association, National
Chicken Council, National Grain and Feed Association, National Pork
Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, and The Fertilizer
Institute.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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The House of Representatives passed a $3.5-billion agricultural
disaster assistance package for producers recovering from
weather-related damage in recent years. The package includes assistance
for farmers who lost 35% or more of their crop in 2005-2007, and for
livestock producers in counties that experienced USDA-designated natural
disasters during that time.
Producers can apply for a disaster payment for only one of those three
years and, for the first time, only farmers who had insured their crop
are eligible for payments. The White House has threatened to veto this
disaster bill saying the "generous safety net" of the 2002 farm bill and
crop insurance makes the disaster bill "unnecessary and
unwarranted."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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Residents of the area surrounding Greensburg continue to recover
from a devastating tornado several weeks ago, and several cattle
organizations have come together to help producers affected by the
storm.
The Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) and the Texas Cattle Feeders
Association each donated $5,000 to help relief efforts initiated by the
Livestock Marketing Association. The money will be used to buy fence
supplies to help cattlemen repair and replace fences destroyed by the
tornado.
According to KLA's Matt Teagarden, most of the stray cattle have been
gathered, but emergency management officials say help is still needed
from fencing crews and in picking up debris from wheat and other crop
fields. Those who wish to help storm victims with a donation can do so
by mailing a check to KLA at 6031 S.W. 37th, Topeka, KS 66614. Specify
in the check's memo line that the contribution is for the Greensburg
relief effort. If you can help with fence building or picking up debris,
call Jeff Scott with the Stafford County Emergency Management office at
620-546-6304 to coordinate efforts.
In addition, the Kansas 4-H Foundation has established a fund to help
affected 4-H youngsters. Call the Foundation office at 785-532-5881 for
more info.
-- Burt Rutherford
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The Administration and Congressional Democrats reached an agreement
that will require -- in the text of trade agreements -- participating
countries to adhere to certain labor standards. The agreement makes
reference to the International Labor Organization's 1998 declaration of
five core labor standards that will be included in the text of trade
agreements. A key issue for Congressional Democrats, the agreement will
let Congress move forward on the Peru and Panama Free Trade Agreements.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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The National Institute for Animal Agriculture's ID-INFO EXPO is Aug.
28-30 at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City. The meeting will focus
on animal traceability issues, country of origin labeling, food safety
and consumer demand. Visit www.animalagriculture.org
for more info.
-- NIAA Release
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A study released this week estimates that increased corn prices
"driven by rapidly expanding" U.S. ethanol production have increased
U.S. retail food prices by $14 billion annually. The study also
projected the following U.S. commodity impacts if season-average corn
prices over a 10-year period ending in 2016 increased to $4.42/bu.
(which the study projects would occur if crude oil prices range from
$65-70/barrel), compared to the $2/bu. corn price that existed in
mid-2006:
Click here to read more of this story by P. Scott Shearer,
Washington, D.C. correspondent
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The Texas Senate last week approved a bill on the duties and
regulations of the Texas Animal Health Commission that contained an
amendment saying animals tested by the Commission would be exempt from
the state agriculture code that bans the sale of horsemeat for human
consumption.
The Senate bill was sent to the state House, where a similar measure was
passed that did not contain the horse-slaughter language. With the clock
winding down on the regular session, it's unclear whether the measure
will pass.
"That debate will continue throughout the session. We've got several
weeks left," says Sen. Glenn Hegar (R-Katy), who inserted the amendment.
"Who knows when we'll have final conclusion on this issue."
Earlier this year, a U.S. Appeals Court halted operations at two Texas
horse-processing plants after the Humane Society of the U.S. sued under
a 1949 Texas law originally intended to prevent beef processors from
adding horsemeat to their products.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Senate went the opposite direction this week,
voting to ban horse-slaughter in the state. The Illinois House
overwhelmingly passed a similar bill last month. Illinois Governor Rod
Blogojevich promised to sign the measure. Upon his signature, Cavel
International of DeKalb, IL, which is the third horse-processing plant
in the U.S., will be out of business.
-- Burt Rutherford
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All hay stored on farms as of May 1 totaled 14.99 million tons, down
30% from the 21.35-million-ton total of the previous year. It's the
lowest hay stocks figure since 1950, USDA reports, with 38 of the 48
reporting states indicating they had lower May 1 hay stocks than a year
ago.
May 1 stocks are down dramatically in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa,
Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North and South
Dakota and Oklahoma. Stocks are up in Wisconsin and in most of the
northern Atlantic Coast states, including New York and Pennsylvania.
-- USDA release
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