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It’s one of those pointless games, trying to guess who will be
appointed to various jobs in a new government administration. But if one
compares the leading candidates and who is selected for the various
posts, it provides a good idea of the new administration’s general
direction and focus.
Four candidates have been widely mentioned as possible candidates for
the USDA Secretary’s job: Charles Stenholm, Tom Buis, Collin Peterson
and Tom Vilsack. As President-elect Barack Obama has pledged not to use
lobbyists in key posts, which would seemingly eliminate former Texas
Rep. Stenholm from contention, as well as Tom Buis, president of the
National Farmers Union.
Vilsack is a former two-term governor of Iowa and 2008 Democratic
hopeful for president who endorsed Obama after he dropped out of the
race. Plus, Iowa is one of the nation's most important ag states, and a
state that came through for Obama in the Democratic primary season.
Meanwhile, Collin Peterson, if the rumor mill is correct, may be the
odds-on favorite for the job. His selection also would signal the least
amount of change from an ag-policy standpoint. But he indicated to
Minnesota ag leaders in late October that he wasn’t interested in the
job. (Instead, he listed his top choices as Buis, Stenholm, Sen. Ken
Salazar (D-CO) and Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) .
We’ll have to see if Obama holds to his no-lobbyist pledge. It’s one
of those promises that sound very good on the campaign trail, but ends
up potentially eliminating a lot of good people.
-- Troy Marshall
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At last week’s BEEF Quality Summit, Burton Eller and Terry
Stokes from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) discussed
the impacts of the election on issues relative to the beef industry. It
was clear from an NCBA standpoint that the organization is making a very
dedicated effort to be involved with the transition team, and ensuring
cattlemen have a seat at the table.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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Some producers who sold their calves this summer or early fall are
delivering calves right alongside salebarn calves for as much as a $200
difference! It’s an interesting time – sellers aren't willing to
sell significant numbers at these reduced prices, and buyers haven't
been overly aggressive buyers either.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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Democrats so far have gained six U.S. Senate seats – Colorado, New
Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia. There are
still three Senate races that haven’t been decided, but it’s
conceivable that Democrats could attain their goal of a 60-seat,
filibuster-proof majority.- Georgia: Having failed to receive 50%
of the vote, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), ranking member of the Senate
Ag Committee, is forced into a Dec. 2 runoff election under state law.
- Minnesota: Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) is leading comedian Al Franken
by about 200 votes. Minnesota will now conduct a mandatory recount.
- Alaska: Votes are still being counted and as of Thursday, Anchorage
Mayor Mark Begich was leading Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) by less than 1,000
votes.
The Democrats have picked up 22 seats in the House of Representatives,
and six House races are still undecided.
The House and Senate caucuses will meet next week to choose their
leaders for the 111th Congress.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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 Beef producers can’t be everywhere…
While you’re busy at home, your beef checkoff dollars are helping
build beef demand throughout the world. Chefs from Mexico to Moscow are
learning more about U.S. beef through checkoff-supported training.
It’s one reason why exports are up 39 percent. Check out your checkoff
— and learn more about seminars for Russian chefs.
www.beefboard.org/foreign/checforeignmarketing.asp
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Texas and New Mexico Extension will hold their fifth annual
Southwest Beef Symposium, Jan. 13-14 at the Horseshoe complex in
Midland, TX.
Consisting of three educational sessions and a trade show, sessions will
target current world and national issues, feed costs at the ranch, and
beef-system efficiency.
Highlighting the first day’s macroeconomic view will be Jason
Henderson, U.S. Federal Reserve Bank executive vice president, who will
discuss the world energy outlook. Other first-day topics will focus on
the new Obama administration, the current grain and cattle outlooks, and
animal welfare’s impact on ag.
The second day will focus on how input costs balance with herd
performance. Other topics include how to value and best utilize range
forage, ideas on minimizing both protein and mineral supplementation,
and low-cost heifer development.
The final session deals with beef-system efficiency. Topics include the
cost-benefit of purchased genetics, cow efficiency and environment, and
a look at how lightweight vs. heavyweight feeder calves perform. A panel
discussion of ranchers discussing the changes their operations have made
to survive rising input costs will close out the program.
Registration is $50 and includes a prime rib dinner, lunch, refreshments
and proceedings. Pre-registration by Jan. 3 is requested. For more
info, call 432-336-8585, 505-646-8022 or visit cahe.nmsu.edu/ces/swbeef.
-- Southwest Beef Symposium release
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USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released
the 2007 U.S. Animal Health Report, which provides a national overview
of domestic animal health in the U.S.
The report addresses the many components of the U.S. animal health
infrastructure; approaches to animal disease surveillance, control and
eradication; animal population demographics and new initiatives. In
addition, the report describes significant epidemiologic events that
occurred in 2007.
The 2007 report includes a chapter devoted to a number of strategic
areas specific to the veterinary services mission, including emergency
planning and preparedness; avian influenza surveillance; aquatic health;
national animal ID and comprehensive, integrated animal-health
surveillance. New to the report this year is a chapter on animal health
diagnostics and veterinary biologics. This chapter describes in detail
the fundamental components of the veterinary services infrastructure and
how they enhance animal health in the U.S.
The 2007 U.S. Animal Health Report is available at www.aphis.usda.gov/
-- APHIS release
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Animal agriculture faces a single, common enemy and if it is
successful, livestock producers are, as Steve Kopperud bluntly put it,
“screwed and tattooed.”
That enemy, says Kopperud, is the Humane Society of the U.S. It's big,
with an annual budget of around $130 million, successful and patient.
Plus, it's totally committed to putting you out of business.
“This isn’t just a beef issue,” Kopperud, with Policy Directions,
a Washington D.C. lobbying firm, says of the threat that animal rights
activists pose to agriculture. “This is an issue that affects all
segments of animal agriculture. It’s time to put away our product
differences. It’s time to put away our other issue differences.
Because I assure you, if they take down the poultry industry, if they
take down the pork industry, they will take down beef.”
Kopperud says complacency has no place in the issue. “Talk to your
legislators. Everyone who has a freshman going into Congress, whether
it’s a Senator or Representative, your first order of business is to
call or make an appointment, somehow educate their field office that
this is an issue for you and your family. We unite, we defend, we get
proactive. It’s the only way we survive.”
-- Burt Rutherford
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Australian beef exports to South Korea in October increased by 41%
over September, with 13,213 tons of Australian grain-fed beef moving
into the Pacific Rim country for the month – 1,964 tons of chilled
beef and 11,249 tons of frozen beef. The performance is particularly
impressive given that U.S. beef is now back in the Korean market.
Meanwhile the Russia trade in export beef has come to a standstill. And
it’s rumored that some Australian beef is, in fact, en-route back to
Europe, as payment wasn’t secured in Russia.
-- Muriel Elizabeth Hayes, Argentina
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China’s trade surplus rose to US$35 billion in October, hitting a
record for the third month in a row. The surplus rose 20% from September
to October, according to Beijing’s Customs Department. But despite the
rise, there were signs that foreign demand for Chinese goods was
beginning to slow amid the downturn.
The Central Bank of China expects growth to slow down to 8-9%, which is
still amazing when compared to the rest of the world.
Separate data showed inflation fell to a 17-month low, increasing the
chance of further interest-rate cuts, as China acts to boost the
economy. China has set out a US$586 billion economic stimulus package to
counter foreign demand by boosting domestic spending. The plan announced
earlier this week is aimed at increasing domestic growth by cutting
taxes and investing in infrastructure.
China is the world’s fourth-largest economy, driven by exports mainly
to the U.S. and Europe. Exports have been growing at an annual rate of
20% in recent years.
China is said to be currently holding $2 trillion in international
reserves, which could see them emerge from this crisis as the world’s
leading economy.
-- Muriel Elizabeth Hayes,
Argentina
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The National Farmers Union (NFU) has called on Congress to hold
hearings to re-examine the cause of high food prices. Congress held
hearings this spring on high food prices and high commodity prices.
NFU said, “It’s clear that contrary to claims of food processors,
retailers and others quick to criticize agriculture commodities,
commodity prices have very little impact on the American consumers’
cost of food. It’s equally clear processors and retailers are
pocketing the economic benefit of declining farm commodity prices and
reduced energy costs without passing those savings on to the
consumer.”
In a letter to the Congressional Joint Economic Committee and the House
Small Business Committee, NFU reminded the committee leadership that
some groups testified earlier this year that increased retail food
prices were the result of the rising cost of ag commodities and
renewable fuels. NFU said, “This portrayal of retail food prices is
finally being proven inaccurate by recent market conditions.”
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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The U.S. average price for regular gasoline at retail tumbled
another 17.6¢ to $2.224/gal., for the week ending Nov. 10, $1.89 off
the all-time high set on July 7. Meanwhile, the U.S. average price for
diesel fell below $3/gal. for the first time since Sept. 17, 2007,
decreasing 14.4¢ to $2.944.
For gasoline, the East Coast slumped 17.7¢ for the week to $2.272, the
Midwest 17.7¢ to $2.06, the Gulf Coast 13.2¢ to $2.096, the Rocky
Mountains 22.5¢ to $2.257, and the West Coast 20.6¢ to $2.534.
California fell 22.8¢ to settle at $2.555.
Diesel was down across the nation, with the East Coast shaving 15.9¢ to
$3.06/gal., the Midwest 13¢ to $2.888, the Gulf Coast 13.8¢ to $2.895,
the Rocky Mountains 19.3¢ to $2.964, and the West Coast 14.2¢ to
$2.91. California fell 14.4¢ to $2.913/gal.
-- Energy Information Administration
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The deadline for getting the reduced hotel room rate for the Ninth
Genetic Prediction Workshop (GPW) is Nov. 16. GPW is set for Dec. 8-10
in the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.
The meeting will address current topics in the prediction of genetic
merit of animals for selection, including economically relevant traits,
estimation of molecular breeding values, and integration of molecular
info with pedigree and performance data for prediction of EPDs. The
workshop is sponsored by the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) and the
National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium.
Registration is $150 and includes two lunches, all breaks and meeting
materials. BIF will provide financial assistance of $100 toward the
registration fee for 20 graduate students (contact Susan Herbert at
607-255-4416 or shh4@cornell.edu).
Prior to the GPW meeting, the NCERA-199 (Implementation and Strategies
for National Beef Cattle Genetic Evaluation) will hold its annual
meeting (Dec. 8, 8-11:30 a.m.). Cost is $18/person and the meeting's
focus will be on incorporating marker info into genetic evaluation.
To learn more, contact Susan H. Herbert at 607-255-4416 or shh4@cornell.edu; or visit www.nbcec.org/nbcec/.
-- Susan Herbert
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Cattlemen wanting to reduce their grazing expenses by extending
their grazing season and reducing fertilizer costs should attend the
Grazing Workshop in Corning, IA on Nov. 24. Set for 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at the St. Patrick’s Parish Center, the workshop and lunch are free.
The featured speaker is Ron Morrow, Arkansas State Grassland
Conservationist and co-founder of the Missouri Grazing School. Sponsored
by the Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee (SIFLC) with
assistance from the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, Iowa State
University Extension, and USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation
Service, an RSVP is not required but is requested for planning purposes.
Contact Melissa Maynes at 641-322-3184.
-- SIFLC news release
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U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)Susan Schwab met in Brussels on
Tuesday with European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton to
discuss a number of bilateral trade issues. Among them were EU import
restrictions relative to growth promotants in beef production and
poultry treatments in the context of their role in successfully
concluding world trade talks.
"With leadership and determination, a Doha deal is within our grasp as
the details of a final agreement could be agreed within weeks," Ashton
said in a statement issued by USTR. Schwab said, "At this critical time,
it is all the more important that we not only avoid retrenchment in
market opening, but move ahead with an ambitious and balanced Doha Round
that creates new trade flows and generates economic opportunities
worldwide."
Turning up the heat on the longstanding EU ban on beef from animals
administered certain growth-promoting hormones, Schwab announced last
week that USTR is considering modifying the list of European products
subject to increased tariffs, as allowed by the World Trade Organization
(WTO) settlement rulings in the EU beef hormones dispute. "We have been
trying to resolve this dispute with the EU without changing the
composition of tariffs," Schwab said at the time. "It’s now time to
revisit those tariffs to see if modifications would be appropriate."
-- Ron Hays, Radio Oklahoma Network
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"Breeds of Cattle," 2nd Edition, offers a unique look at the history
of beef and dairy breeds throughout their development. This unique
volume contains histories of 45 major breeds of beef and dairy cattle.
And essays provide historic information on the origin and phenotype of
each breed, as well as current statistics compiled from the breed
registries of the nation's top cattle breeders' associations.
The 21st anniversary commemorative edition is hardcover with dimensions
of 12 x 12 x 1.5 in., and 400 pages, with more than 400 images. It
retails for $110. Free domestic shipping is being offered in November
and December.
To learn more, visit www.breedsofcattle.net or
call 1-888-530-3322, 417-768-0252.
-- Breeds Of Cattle release
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If you’re looking for a convenient Christmas gift, consider a
limited-edition art print mailed directly to your door. BEEF
magazine has a number of limited-edition art prints, signed and numbered
by some of America’s top western artists, including Tim Cox, Mick
Harrison, Jack Sorenson, Jim Rey, Bill Owens, Steve Devenyns, Craig
Tennant, Harold Lyon and Jim Norton. Each print is available for $100
and is printed with high-quality inks on acid-free paper. Take a look at
the offerings at: beefmagazine.com/images/Printad2pg1106.pdf.
-- BEEF magazine
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USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to amend
the livestock provisions of the National Organic Program. The revisions
are intended to provide greater detail for livestock regulations of
pasture and ruminant animals.
According to the proposed rule, "By specifying in greater detail that
producers are to provide ruminants with pasture, recognize pasture as a
crop, and incorporate pasture into their organic system plan, producers
will have better records and tools for managing pasture and
demonstrating compliance with the livestock regulations. Certifying
agents will have better tools for measuring compliance with the
livestock regulations ... [The] proposed rule would also clarify the
replacement animal provision for dairy animals ..."
Deadline for public comments on the proposed rule is Dec. 23.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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A massive federal takedown of a Mexican drug cartel resulted in 41
individuals being charged and hundreds of kilos of drugs being seized.
Among the arrested was a livestock hauler who used a hidden compartment
under the livestock and a pulley system to store more than $13 million
in drug proceeds.
On Oct. 28, federal prosecutors in Atlanta charged 41 people with
alleged ties to a large-scale drug distribution and money laundering
scheme in Georgia and Texas. Among those tied to the organization were a
Georgia sheriff’s deputy who tried to use his badge to get out of a
traffic stop.
“During this long-term investigation, we took away from the
organization about $22 million in drug money – a record amount for an
Atlanta case – and hundreds of kilos of the organization’s cocaine
and marijuana. We have now indicted dozens of its alleged members who
face long sentences in federal prison,” says U.S. Attorney David
Nahmias.
-- Charlie Morasch, landlinemag.com
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While tough economic conditions are taking their toll on virtually
every business sector, McDonald’s Corp. seems to be thriving. The firm
reports sales rose 8.2% for the month of October, with U.S. sales
increasing by 5.2%.
There was an exceptional strong growth in the UK, France and Russia. But
Middle East, Asia and Australian operations also saw 12% growth for the
month.
The firm is far outpacing analysts’ predictions by reducing the size
of meals, rather than increasing the prices, in order to combat global
price increases for raw materials.
-- Muriel Elizabeth Hayes, Argentina
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A New York retirement fund, Westchester Putnam Counties Heavy and
Highways Laborers Local 60 Benefit Funds (union pensions),has sued Sadia
SA, the Brazilian pork and poultry giant, over shareholder losses. The
class action was filed in the U.S. District Court of Manhattan.
The company announced in September it had lost more than US$350 million,
in foreign currency exchanges. The losses caused the sacking of the
financial director and resignation of the CEO of the Sadia group. Making
matters worse was the fact that its competitor, JBS SA, made more than
US$400 million profit during the same period on similar exchanges, which
were obviously far better managed.
In essence the suit claims Sadia was speculating in the money market in
the hope of making additional cash, which backfired causing the
unnecessary losses.
-- Muriel Elizabeth Hayes, Argentina
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Grasses and legumes are normally planted in early spring, but
planting during the dormant season can be nearly as successful, says
Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension forage specialist.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension Forage
Specialist
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Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle is the focus of the
Robert E. Taylor Memorial Symposium 2008 set for Fort Collins, CO, Dec.
2-3. Staged in the Hilton Fort Collins, the symposium will focus on
estrus synchronization, management and nutrition, fertility-related
factors, and advances and health-related issues.
Sponsored by Colorado State University and the Beef Cattle Reproduction
Task Force, registration before Nov. 17 is $150/head, and $75 for
students. All registrations are $200/head after that date. For program
details and registration, visit www.CSUBeef.com.
-- Joe Roybal
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According to the Unilever 2008 Winning Shoppers in Turbulent Times
study, the economy is affecting many aspects of grocery store customers'
lives. Fear and uncertainty about the economy are the current motivators
behind customer shopping approaches.
More than 43% of U.S. primary shoppers say that they feel worse off
economically than one year ago. In response, more than 30% are eating at
home more and dining out less as one way to save money.
While an overwhelming 93% of consumers worry about rising food prices,
the fresh meat and seafood category demonstrates a loyalty rate of more
than 98%, indicating that customers won't stop purchasing fresh meat,
even during tough times. More than 72% are ready to reduce spending, and
while consumers agree that meat is one of the categories they may reduce
spending in, it falls to the bottom of the list.
For more info, go to www.beefretail.org/.
-- Beef Checkoff Beef Briefs
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The Obama transition has begun with the selection of Rep. Rahm
Emanuel (D-IL) to serve as President-elect Barack Obama’s chief of
staff. Prior to being elected to Congress, Emanuel served in the Clinton
White House where he was in charge of securing Congressional passage of
the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Obama will soon be naming transition teams for each of the departments.
USDA Secretary Ed Schafer said, “Over the past several months, federal
departments, including USDA, began preparing for the Presidential
transition. Earlier this year, President Bush charged members of his
administration to commence the most comprehensive effort ever in
transition preparation to ensure the President-elect has complete
cooperation from the current Administration for a smooth, seamless
transfer of authority.”
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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Planting delays and other weather problems experienced in several
major growing regions last spring may be impacting crop yields.
According to USDA’s Nov. 10 crop production report, production
declined slightly from last month’s outlook for every major U.S. crop.
Corn production is forecast at 12 billion bu., down slightly from the
October forecast and 8% below 2007. Based on Nov. 1 conditions, yields
are expected to average 153.8 bu./acre, down 0.1 bu. from October but
2.7 bu. above last year. If realized, this will be the second-highest
yield (behind 2004), and production will be the second largest, behind
last year.
Forecasted yields are higher than last year across the northern half of
the Great Plains and northern and central Corn Belt. Yield prospects are
lower than last year in the southern half of the Great Plains and Delta.
Meanwhile, soybean production is forecast at 2.92 billion bu., down less
than 1% from the October forecast but up 9% from last year. If realized,
this will be the fourth-largest production on record, with yields
expected to average 39.3 bu./acre, down 0.2 bu. from Oct. 1, and down
2.4 bu. from 2007.
Compared with Oct. 1, soybean yields are forecast lower or unchanged
across the Corn Belt and Great Plains, with the exception of Illinois,
Indiana and Missouri. Yields increased from the Oct. 1 forecast in
Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, New York and Virginia. Area for harvest in
the U.S. is forecast at 74.4 million acres, unchanged from Oct. 1 but up
16% from 2007.
U.S. sorghum production for 2008-09 is forecast 7 million bu. lower this
month than last.
-- Elton Robinson, Farm Press
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Fall rainfall is good for the next growing season but it can take a
toll on corn stalk quality by reducing its feed value in combined fields
in several ways. Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension forage
specialist, says the most easily noticed is how fast stalks get soiled
or trampled into the ground when fields are muddy.
But less noticeable are nutritional changes. Heavy rain soaks into dry
corn stalk residue and leaches out some soluble nutrients. Most serious
is the loss of sugars and other energy-dense nutrients, which lowers the
total digestible nutrients (TDN) or energy value of the stalks. These
same nutrients also disappear if stalks begin to mold or rot in the
field, or especially in the bale. Then palatability and intake also
decline.
While there’s little you can do to prevent these losses, Anderson says
graziers can begin to supplement a little earlier than usual. Since
weathering by rain reduces TDN more than it reduces protein, consider
the energy value of your supplements as well as protein content.
“Weathered corn stalks still are economical feeds. Just supplement
them accordingly,” he says.
-- Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska
Extension Forage Specialist
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