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Sure, there have been books written on the power of group think.
And, with the global economy heading in the wrong direction, there’s a
whole lot more pessimism than optimism out there. However, I would argue
that when one looks with any form of long-term outlook at this cattle
business, it’s nearly impossible to be anything but bullish.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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“Buy low and sell high.” There’s likely no sounder economic
advice. It especially rings true in the cattle business with its
cyclical nature. We’ve all seen the wisdom of that advice played out
time and time again.
When everyone is heading for the exits, it’s often the time to jump in
with both feet. Still, as simple as that advice is, it’s often
difficult to implement.
The axiom named in honor of the particle physicist Werner Heisenberg is
called the Heisenberg Unpleasantness Principle. It states: “Observing
a market pattern makes it stop.” Profits lead to losses and losses
lead to profits. Grizzled veterans have the perspective to understand
that when things look tough, they’re usually poised to get better; and
when they look great, they’re likely due for a correction.
Free-market dynamism always leads to improved conditions if allowed to
run its course. That doesn’t mean one shouldn’t re-evaluate when
conditions are tough.
Einstein’s definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and
over again, and expecting different results. But, keep in mind that what
separates those who succeed in agriculture and those who don’t often
boils down to who kept swinging even when they were down in the count.
Usually they don’t embrace radically different business models,
instead focusing on that which they do best.
It’s amazing how many times luck is credited for success when it was
really persistence that created the luck.
-- Troy Marshall
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USDA announced county loan rates for 2009 crops of wheat, corn,
grain sorghum, barley, oats, soybeans and other oilseeds (sunflower
seed, flaxseed, canola, rapeseed, safflower, mustard seed, crambe and
sesame seed). Loan rates per bushel are: wheat – $2.75; corn –
$1.95; grain sorghum – $1.95; barley – $1.85; oats – $1.33; and
soybeans – $5.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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 Good news for beef exports
The U.S. Meat Export Federation reported that for 2008, export volumes
increased 28% to nearly 2.2 billion pounds, while values jumped 38% to
$3.6 billion. Canada and Mexico were the top two destinations for U.S.
beef. Get to know your checkoff — learn
more about how your investment continues to build beef demand around
the world.
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Winterkilled alfalfa appears quite common north of the Platte River
this spring, says Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension
forage specialist. But if you find significant winterkill but decide to
keep the stand anyway, he offers this advice to increase forage
production:
- For fields planted last year, interseed more alfalfa in thin
spots.
- For older fields, autotoxicity and other problems make interseeding
alfalfa risky. But other species can be added.
Annuals like oats and Italian ryegrass can be interseeded right away; or
plant summer annual grasses after first cutting. Meanwhile, perennials
like orchardgrass, festulolium and red clover can bring long-term help
but won’t add much to this year’s production.
If you do interseed, competition by the remaining alfalfa for sunlight
will be a serious threat to success; it only takes about one week of
shading by a full alfalfa canopy to kill seedlings below. About the only
way to open up that canopy once it develops is to harvest the alfalfa
extra early. This will lower first harvest-yield and may further weaken
already stressed alfalfa plants. But it’s the only way to get enough
sunlight to the new seedlings.
It might be better to wait until late summer to interseed. Alfalfa cut
by early September regrows more slowly than spring alfalfa, thus causing
less competition. So interseeding right after that harvest has a better
chance of succeeding, provided adequate moisture is available.
-- Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska
Extension
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A new website – www.bvdinfo.org – on bovine
viral diarrhea (BVD) offers info on the disease and its diagnosis,
prevention and control. Designed by the National Cattlemen's Beef
Association’s BVD Working Group and the Academy of Veterinary
Consultants’ ad hoc BVD Committee, the site contains a section for
peer-reviewed manuscripts divided by topic, non-peer reviewed articles,
and links to external sites with pertinent info, says Brad White, Kansas
State University DVM.
Articles listed contain info regarding vaccination programs, diagnostic
testing programs to identify persistently infected calves, herd
management and biosecurity programs, economics of BVD control and
mitigation, and info on BVD in other species. The site also houses
software tools that help make decisions associated with BVD virus
testing or control programs.
-- Kansas State University release
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 Right Then. Right Now.
Actual feedlot performance data clearly shows performance always pays.
Recent data on over 100,000 head of steers demonstrates today’s ideal
steer gains 3.5 lbs. or more per day, finishes at 1,400 lbs. and
qualifies for additional premiums paid for high quality carcasses.
To read the entire white paper, click here. >>>
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Click
here to see a map depicting the results of the Canadian
Cattleman’s Association survey of U.S. beef packers regarding which
firms will or won’t be buying Label C (i.e., Canadian-fed) cattle.
Three Midwestern plants and one in Michigan have been identified that do
not plan to purchase Label C cattle, while several others plan to buy C
cattle but will buy only limited numbers and may impose price
discounts.
Some U.S. pork and beef packers are still making decisions about how
many labels they will place on meat products they sell, reports the CME
Group’s Daily Livestock Report for April 30. Writers Steve
Meyer and Len Steiner say that decision will determine whether they will
buy animals with ties to Canada. And the sum of the companies’
decisions will determine where cattle and pigs get slaughtered. It
won’t necessarily be the closest plant or even the one that a
particular producer has historically sold to, the duo says.
Under the mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) law:
- Label A refers to “Product of the U.S.,” which will be
comprised of animals born, raised and slaughtered in the U.S. plus a few
Canadian-born animals if they are needed to fill out a Label A shift.
- Label B is “Product of the U.S. and X” where the source animal
is born in country X but raised and slaughtered in the U.S.
- Label C is “Product of X and the U.S.” where the source animal
is born and raised in country X and slaughtered in the U.S.
-- CME Group
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Canada is proceeding with a WTO complaint against the U.S. over
mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) on Canadian meat products
exported to the U.S. Indications are that Canadian pork exports to the
U.S. have declined by over 40% this year and cattle exports have fallen
by 25%.
Canadian officials have indicated that when USDA first announced the
COOL regulations there was flexibility that addressed Canada’s
concerns. However, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s request to the meat
industry to voluntarily incorporate stricter COOL requirements has
caused uncertainty for Canadian producers and Canada wants the
administration to clarify its position.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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 Fresh water on demand, 24 hours
a day.
From a single horse Stall Fount to fountains that water up to 500 head
of cattle, Ritchie fountains are top quality. The Omni and CattleMaster
families feature a new, domed valve cover designed to reduce dirt and
grime accumulation in the water seal groove. All products feature
stainless steel, heavy-duty polyethylene or a combination of both and a
10-year limited warranty.
For more information or a distributor near you, contact Ritchie
Industries at 800-747-0222 or visit www.ritchiefount.com
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The use of antimicrobials in cattle production is the focus of the
International Conference on the Use of Antimicrobials in Cattle
Production, set for May 27-29 at the Kansas State University (KSU)
Student Union in Manhattan.
"The conference is designed to educate consumers, producers and
veterinarians about the use of antimicrobials in cattle production,"
says Mike Apley, DVM. "We tend to hear about this issue through sound
bites with varying levels of accuracy, so we put together a conference
where anyone can become more advanced in their ability to understand and
interpret information on the subject."
The conference will begin with the basic scientific principles related
to approving antimicrobials and evaluating their effects. Multiple
presenters will provide data and their interpretation of what these data
reveal about the effects of antimicrobial use in cattle. Attendees will
have the opportunity to listen and participate in discussions between
scientists at the forefront of antimicrobial issues in food animals,
Apley says.
A wide range of speakers also will address the topic of antimicrobials
and their uses in cattle production. Invited speakers include
veterinarians, academics, industry leaders and international experts on
the issue.
Learn more at www.icuacp.beefcattleinstitute.org.
-- KSU news release
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The World Animal Health Organization (OIE) in a statement this week
said, “Given there is no case of infection in animals confirmed in the
zones where cases of human infection have been detected, it is not
necessary to introduce specific measures for international trade in
swine or their products nor to consider that consumers of pork products
are at risk of infection.”
However, a number of countries have placed restrictions on imports of
pork from the U.S. or certain states in the U.S. These include Russia,
China, Ecuador, Honduras, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Croatia,
Macedonia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Indonesia, Ukraine,
Philippines and Thailand.
The administration is urging all trading partners to base any food
safety measures taken on scientific evidence in accordance with their
international obligations. U.S. Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk said,
“Restrictions on U.S. pork or pork products or any meat products from
the U.S. resulting from the recent outbreak do not appear to be based on
scientific evidence and may result in serious trade disruptions without
cause. To our trading partners, I would say again that our pork and
pork products are safe.”
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack continues efforts to keep markets open and
reopen markets for U.S. pork.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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The June edition of Mike Baker’s Beef Cattle Comments from
Cornell University carried an item on temperament rating of cattle.
Sarah Core, a University of Guelph master’s student, reported on a
study evaluating use of the amount of white in cattle eyes as a measure
of temperament.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
release from Cornell University Beef Cattle Letter
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Senate Bill 18, a bill to reform the process of eminent domain in
the state of Texas, is on its way to the Senate floor for a vote.
Lauding Senate Bill 18’s focus on “fair compensation and a more
balanced condemnation process," Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers
Association (TSCRA) president Dave Scott said the legislation “levels
the playing field for property owners through good faith condemnation
negotiations and offers fair compensation for property loss.”
SB 18 prohibits condemnation of land for private use. It improves
procedures to initiate eminent domain proceedings by requiring any
actions by governmental entities to be done in public and by a record
vote. The bill also would require a bona fide offer by the condemning
entity. If no bona fide offer is made, SB 18 would require the condemnor
to pay all fees incurred by the property owner.
The bill would also allow for a property owner to be compensated for a
material impairment of direct access on or off the remaining property if
it affects the market value of the remaining property. It goes further
to define "direct access" as ingress or egress on or off a public road,
street or highway at a location or locations where the remaining
property adjoins that road, street or highway.
The bill allows for a property owner or heirs to repurchase the property
at the price paid to the owner when the property was acquired if the
land is not used for public use in a timely manner.
-- Southwest Farm Press
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Historically, producers have done their own thing, raising whatever
they wanted. The biggest difference between what any two producers got
for their calf crop often had more to do with timing than product.
Today, we're moving toward multi-tiered marketing channels where calves
will be qualified into these various channels. It will require effort to
learn how to meet specific protocols. While it will take time,
ultimately the reward will be there; you will add real value to your
calf crop.
-- To read this article by John Peirce, DVM, go
to:
beefmagazine.com/business/
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The national average price for regular gasoline dropped 1¢ to
$2.05/gal. for the week ending April 27. Diesel was down by 2¢ to
$2.20.
The gasoline price is $1.55 under the year-ago price. For the week, the
East Coast shed a half-cent to $2.04, the Midwest almost 2¢ to $1.99,
and the Gulf Coast a similar amount to $1.95. The Rocky Mountains rose
2¢ to $2.07, and the West Coast and California were unchanged at $2.28
and $2.34, respectively.
Diesel was $1.98 below the year-ago price, and all regions were lower
for the week. The East Coast shed more than 2¢ to $2.24/gal., the
Midwest was at $2.14, the Gulf Coast $2.17, and the Rocky Mountains
$2.27. The West Coast registered $2.32, and California $2.32.
-- U.S. Energy Information
Administration
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On grasslands of the western Great Plains, livestock grazing
typically outranks conservation efforts for rangeland managers. But
these two conflicting issues could have a mutually beneficial solution.
An article in the current issue of Rangeland Ecology &
Management, published by the Society for Range Management, examines
how prevailing livestock management methods tend to limit vegetation
structure and undermine conservation goals, and how alternative
livestock management approaches can be used to reverse this trend.
Historically, patchy or uneven grazing and other disturbances have
increased vegetation heterogeneity. “Interactions of large grazers,
fire, drought, and prairie dogs created and maintained distinctly
different plant communities in the western Great Plains resulting in a
mosaic of vegetation structure and composition,” the authors write.
In order to increase vegetation heterogeneity, current grazing
management practices must mimic these patch disturbances. However,
current management practices have emphasized the opposite approach, the
even distribution and use of vegetation by livestock. This has caused
conflicts with conservation efforts because it has limited vegetation
structures that provide habitats for diverse species.
The authors say livestock managers in the Great Plains could modify
animal distribution and vegetation use by varying grazing intensities,
species of livestock, location of supplemental feeding sites and water
sources. Patch prairie burning within and between pastures also will
promote vegetation heterogeneity while maintaining livestock production.
“Conflicts between livestock producers and conservationists can be
reduced if regionally appropriate grazing management strategies can be
identified that use the engineering abilities of livestock to enhance
grassland bird habitat,” they write. “Using livestock as ecosystem
engineers to achieve conservation grazing objectives and outcomes
provides land managers with the opportunity to reduce conflicts between
conservation and livestock production goals on these lands.”
To read the article, visit: www.allenpress.com/pdf.
-- Rangeland and Ecology & Management release
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Grazing cool-season grasses in spring should be easy, says Bruce
Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension forage specialist. After all,
there’s typically plenty of grass and the animals do well. The problem
is that often there’s so much grass that by early summer much of the
pasture has gone to seed. This lowers feed value and reduces calf gains.
Anderson offers the following tips to avoid this problem:
- Graze early, especially if you have many smaller paddocks.
Don’t wait until pastures are 6-8 in. tall; begin grazing soon after
full green-up.
But be sure to keep hay available during early spring grazing. Less
scouring and rumen problems will occur as cows adjust to the new, green
feed. Once accustomed to the pasture, cows will eat very little hay.
- Rotationally graze through pastures very rapidly. Some folks
suggest grazing every paddock twice within the first 40-45 days. Too
much rest during fast, early grass growth just allows plants get stemmy.
Instead, let animals top off the pasture as best they can to keep as
many plants from forming seedstalks as possible.
If it’s too difficult to rotate animals rapidly through all your
paddocks, put some animals in each paddock if possible or open the
gates. And if you’re certain you’ll have excess growth anyhow, fence
off some pasture and cut it for hay before returning it to grazing.
- Finally, as grasses start to elongate, begin slowing rotational
grazing to ration out remaining grass and to guarantee that plants get
enough rest for regrowth.
-- Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska
Extension
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The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association (MSCA) is seeking an
executive director. The position requires an in-depth understanding of
Minnesota’s beef industry, excellent communication skills and superior
financial management ability, says Dale Lueck. The director is
responsible for day-to-day management of association activities,
including promotion of MSCA mission and goals, supervision of its
financial operations and coordination of promotions on behalf of the
industry.
MSCA is accepting proposals through May 22. To receive an application,
contact Lueck at dklueck@embarqmail.com or
218-927-2495. It can also be downloaded at www.mnsca.org.
-- MSCA news release
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President Barack Obama has announced his intent to nominate Edward
M. Avalos as USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs.
Avalos has spent 29 years at the New Mexico Department of Ag and also
worked at the Texas Department of Ag.
Meanwhile, Pearlie Reed was nominated as assistant secretary of
administration. Reed served as USDA’s chief of the Natural Resources
and Conservation Services (NRCS) from 1998 to 2002.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of Doug Caruso as
administrator of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). Caruso was the state
FSA Executive Director in Wisconsin from 1993-2001.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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Although residual feed intake (RFI) has been shown to be moderately
heritable, heifers sired by bulls with low RFI merit performed no
differently than heifers sired by bulls with high RFI merit, says
Jennifer Bormann, a Kansas State University (KSU) Research and Extension
researcher.
RFI is the difference between what an animal eats, and what it is
predicted to eat, based on its size and growth. Animals with negative or
low RFI eat less than expected for their level of production, and are
more efficient than animals with a high RFI. A low RFI is more desirable
because that animal can more efficiently and inexpensively turn feed
into beef.
Previous research has shown RFI is moderately heritable. So Bormann,
along with colleagues Dan Moser of KSU and Twig Marston of the
University of Nebraska, studied how heifers sired by bulls with high and
low RFI ratings would fare when it came to their own RFI ratings.
To begin the study, bulls with low or high genetic merit for RFI were
selected from the Australian Angus Association sire summary and mated to
Angus-cross commercial cows. "There were no significant differences
between heifers sired by low or high RFI EBV (estimated breeding values)
system bulls in RFI, feed intake, feed conversion ratio or gain,"
Bormann says.
Heifers in the study were developed at a relatively low rate of gain,
she notes. Genetic differences in RFI calculated in growing bulls may
not have been expressed on the lower plane of nutrition of the
developing heifers.
Heifers sired by low RFI bulls in the study also had more rump fat and
tended to have more ribeye area and intramuscular fat. "Our results
indicated that selection for RFI should not negatively impact carcass
quality," she says.
There’s no doubt, Bormann says, that a producer would prefer to breed
for animals that are as efficient as possible at converting feed to
high-quality beef. But there is much still to be learned about selecting
for RFI in beef breeding programs.
"The bottom line," Bormann says, "is that as selection for RFI becomes
more adopted by the industry, the relationships between diet, growth
rate, body composition, and RFI in heifers need to be better
understood."
-- KSU release
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The National Cattlemen’s Foundation, in cooperation with the
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), is launching a disaster
relief effort to assist farm and ranch families impacted by catastrophic
flooding and blizzards in North Dakota.
Family farm and ranch operations across the state have been devastated
by flooding caused by spring blizzards and near-record snowfall. Many
families have been displaced from their homes; others remain without
power, potable water, and other utilities.
Livestock losses are estimated to be nearing 100,000 head. Spring
planting has already been delayed, which could lead to a shorter growing
season, decreased yields and disease. Downed fences and other property
damage have also added to the battle with Mother Nature, as hundreds of
farmers and ranchers struggle to make repairs while keeping their
operations functional.
“One of the greatest needs besides feed and hay right now is fencing
materials. Disaster relief funds can be utilized to assist producers in
securing posts, wire and clips and rebuilding their infrastructure,”
says Julie Ellingson, executive vice president of the North Dakota
Stockmen’s Association.
Every dollar contributed will directly assist families struggling to
keep their farms and ranches operating under these difficult conditions.
In conjunction with the foundation, the North Dakota Stockmen’s
Association will manage distribution of all funds donated.
Contributions by check can be made payable to National Cattlemen’s
Foundation, with “disaster relief” included on the memo line. Send
checks to: National Cattlemen’s Foundation, 9110 East Nichols Ave.,
Suite 300, Centennial, CO 80112. Online contributions can be made by
going to the foundation’s website at www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org;
select “Contribute Now” on the left-hand side of the screen.
Donations are tax-deductible.
Meanwhile, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday extended emergency use
of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land for North Dakota livestock
producers facing losses from continued flooding in the Red River Valley
and other areas of the state. USDA also agreed to support North Dakota
livestock producers by granting the state $750,000 to help provide for
livestock feed and is instituting other measures to help ranchers in the
Red River Basin.
-- NCBA release
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Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced this week his switch in
political parties from Republican to Democrat, which gives Democrats 59
seats in the U.S. Senate. Specter is in his fifth-term. Democrats are
hoping the Minnesota Senate race is finalized soon to give them 60 seats
with the election of comic Al Franken. This will make it much easier for
them to deal with filibusters.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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Many people have such a strong sensory response to both the smells
and practice of barbecuing outdoors that it stirs actual emotions –
especially feelings of connections to family, nature and joyous
childhood memories, a checkoff-funded survey says.
Last summer, consumers in Denver, Chicago and Tampa, FL, maintained
grilling diaries and logged their sensory responses to grilling food,
especially beef. Among the most common sentiments were:
- Grilling creates a sense of harmony and togetherness.
- It’s a way to express culture or personality, through the use of
ethnic flavors, favorite cuts, secret ingredients and pride in grilling
skills.
- It represents freedom, relaxation and enjoyment of being outdoors.
A lot of the hubbub is over beef. In fact, this survey and another from
the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) found beef (burgers,
82%; steak, 79%) topped the list of favorite grilling foods. The HPBA
survey found that consumers grill because it tastes good, cleanup is
easy, it’s an easy way to entertain, fits with a love of being
outdoors, it’s a great way to cook and eat a good piece of meat, and
it keeps cooking odors and heat outdoors.
For complete details on outdoor grilling, savory recipes, food safety
and preparation techniques, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.
-- Checkoff release
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With the latest worldwide health scare – this time not SARS or
West Nile virus or avian influenza or BSE, but swine flu (H1N1) –
modern technology has proven its efficiency and curse. True, technology
means responses and tracking of disease are quicker and those tasked
with keeping it under control are better equipped. But despite
technology’s ability to provide almost up-to-the-second info on
outbreaks, too often that info is simply wrong.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by David Bennett, Farm Press
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United Nations experts estimate the world will require a 100% jump
in food production to feed the global population of 2050. The challenge
will be to meet such a production level from virtually the same land
area as is farmed today. Thus, science-based technologies and
innovations are the answer to wringing more production out of each acre.
“The consequences of failing to use these science-based technologies
and innovations will be disastrous,” says Jeff Simmons in a new white
paper entitled “Technology’s Role in the 21st Century: Food
Economics and Consumer Choice” (see the paper at: www.aquariumdigital.com/).
In the white paper, the president of Elanco Animal Health delves into
why agriculture needs technology to help meet a growing world demand for
safe, nutritious and affordable food. Simmons says technology such as
advances in nutrition, disease and pest control, and livestock
management are humankind’s ace in the hole to increase productivity.
“Having said that, it’s imperative that we use only those
innovations that have a neutral or positive effect on the environment;
to do otherwise is to sacrifice our long-term survival in favor of
short-term gains,” he adds.
Optimizing land use for agriculture in the coming decades, however, will
require not only minimizing the environmental effects of heightened
production but balancing the need of grains for both feed vs. biofuels.
When U.S. ethanol production began ramping up in 2005, corn was less
than $2/bu., he points out. Within two years, the price had doubled to
$4 and peaked a year later at $8/bu. USDA projects that about one-third
of the 2009 U.S. corn crop will be converted into ethanol.
“Can we raise enough food to feed the world while helping the U.S. and
other nations achieve a higher level of energy independence?” Simmons
asks. “Yes, but only as long as we continue to invest in the
technologies necessary to make ethanol production, grain production and
food production even more efficient.”
Simmons contends that an ultimate “win” is possible if societies
focus on creating these five key achievements:
- Improving the affordability of food by using new and existing
technologies, and optimal productivity practices.
- Increasing the food supply by instituting a vastly improved degree
of cooperation throughout the entire global food chain.
- Ensuring food safety via a combination of technological innovation,
and high-quality standards and systems, along with more worldwide
collaboration.
- Increasing sustainability through highly productive, efficient
systems that simultaneously protect the environment through sensitive,
efficient use of natural resources.
- Producing more biofuels to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while
creating no negative effect on global food supplies
“Food producers in industrialized and developing nations alike require
technology to ensure a sustainable supply of safe, nutritious,
affordable grains and animal protein to satisfy the rapidly growing
demand. That is why we all share the responsibility to make sure new
agricultural technologies — as well as those proven safe and effective
for decades — continue to be available,” Simmons says.
-- Joe Roybal
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Texas cattle producers can do nothing but wait in the aftermath of
last week’s announcement by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
that preliminary tests indicate a dairy in West Texas is infected with
cattle tuberculosis (TB).
“Animals from the 2,600-head dairy were being prepared for sale and
some reacted to TB skin tests. The follow-up blood tests on these
animals were also positive,” says Bob Hillman, Texas state vet and
TAHC executive director.
Samples were collected for additional testing from two of the cattle
slaughtered and the tissues were submitted to the National Veterinary
Services Laboratory in Ames, IA. “The final confirmation is based on a
culture, which may take several weeks,” Hillman says. “An
epidemiological investigation is being launched to determine the source
or possible spread of the disease.”
Texas regained its TB-free status in fall 2006. Hillman notes that one
TB-infected herd won’t affect the state’s TB status, but two
infected herds within a 48-month period will result in a loss of its
TB-free status.
-- TAHC release
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“Tobacco, Beef and More” is the theme of a June 25 field day
sponsored by the University of Tennessee Highland Rim AgResearch and
Education Center in Springfield. Highlighted will be new research,
management and production strategies for the region’s tobacco and beef
cattle producers.
Registration begins at 7 a.m., with field tours beginning a half-hour
later and ending at 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided and will feature a
discussion on animal welfare issues facing livestock production.
Beef cattle tours will cover animal health, successful vaccination
programs and factors affecting a herd’s reproductive success. Forage
topics will explore new annual and perennial forage varieties under
development, and the potential for grazing warm season grasses.
The event is free. Learn more by calling 615‐382‐3130 or visit highlandrim.tennessee.edu.
-- Highland Rim AgResearch & Education Center
release
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USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released
its “Benefit-Cost Analysis of the National Animal Identification
System” this week. The 442-page study provides a comprehensive
assessment of benefits and costs of adopting a National Animal
Identification System (NAIS). Access it at: animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/naislibrary/documents/.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
release from USDA reports
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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack stated this week that U.S. pork is safe
as he addressed the growing global concern over the outbreak of H1N1 flu
in Mexico. Vilsack said, “I want to reiterate that U.S. pork is safe.
While we in the U.S. are continuing to monitor for new cases of H1N1
flu, the American food supply is safe. There is no evidence or reports
that U.S. swine have been infected with this virus.
"USDA is reminding its trading partners that U.S. pork and pork products
are safe and there is no basis for restricting imports of commercially
produced U.S. pork and pork products. This is not an animal health or
food safety issue. This discovery of the H1N1 flu virus is in humans.
Any trade restrictions would be inconsistent with World Organization for
Animal Health (OIE) guidelines.
"According to OIE, because the current H1N1 flu related human health
event has been described as swine influenza, OIE announced there has
been no infection in animals confirmed in the zones where cases of human
infection have been detected. Therefore, it is not necessary to
introduce specific measures for international trade in swine or their
products, nor are consumers of pork products at risk of infection,” he
said.
A number of Congressional hearings were held this week concerning the
flu outbreak in Mexico.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS),
told the National Association of Farm Broadcasters this week that his
group is unfairly portrayed by ag groups and the ag media. He believes
his organization is a voice nationally to speak for dignity of animals
– to make sure that all animals are treated humanely and that they
have "a chance to live a decent life."
Pacelle says HSUS policy is set by the group’s board of directors, and
he told farm broadcasters that sound science research isn’t considered
when they set policy for how they want animals to be cared for. Pacelle
promised HSUS wasn’t going away and the group would continue to pursue
an agenda on the confinement of livestock across the country.
To hear Pacelle’s remarks, go to oklahomafarmreport.com.
-- Ron Hays, Radio Oklahoma Network
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