 |
|
|
|
|
Those engaged in negotiations with Japan were increasingly
optimistic over the last year or so that the Japanese government was
moving to allow cattle imports on cattle 30 months of age or younger
rather than the current 20 months. This was expected to be a big boost
to getting export levels back to pre-BSE levels.
Unfortunately, as is often the case, things have changed.
Recent elections in Japan ushered in a new government and the new
leadership doesn’t appear to be inclined to change the 20-month rule
anytime soon. Thus, the process begins all over again.
For those who thought that a change in the Japanese age rule was
imminent and thus held off age-verifying your calves, it now appears
that the premium for age verification will remain strong.
-- Troy Marshall
|
 Checkoff Investment Highlights Now on YouTube
It’s not always easy to track all of the valuable returns your beef
checkoff investment delivers — until now. YouTube, a free
video-sharing Web site, now features brief and concise video interviews
highlighting how your checkoff investment helps build beef demand. From
beef exports and beef safety research to summer grilling and middle
meats — get to know your checkoff, go to http://www.youtube.com/BeefBoard.
|
|
In the last couple of weeks, I have tried my hand at some satire –
with some mixed results. So I thought it might be best to clarify.
For those who don’t know me or my philosophical bent, let me say that
I’m pretty far to the right of center when it comes to free markets,
free enterprise and reducing government’s involvement in the
marketplace. The last couple of weeks, however, I wrote editorials that
indicated that cap and trade might not be all bad for agriculture, and
that perhaps we ought to push for more government handouts like other
industries. I also wrote last week about trading in old cows for
younger, higher feed efficiency models – more environmentally friendly
cows, if you will. ("Why Not Cash For Clunker Cows?")
I think most readers understood that I was attempting to point out some
of the fallacies of the logic that is so pervasive, and also so
persuasive, today. The point with cap and trade was that it promises to
raise costs, lower standards of living and kill jobs; in fact, in the
countries where it’s been enacted, it’s failed miserably in even
reducing greenhouse emissions.
It is the mentality that “okay, the law is bad, the premise is flawed,
and the outcome something other than advertised but I’ll go along
because I might benefit from it” that has enabled so many of these bad
policies to be enacted without much opposition.
The cash for clunker cows editorial was meant to point out the fallacies
associated with the “what’s in it for me” mentality over an
aggregate positive or negative type of assessment. Most importantly, it
was meant to highlight how the philosophy – “If you can’t beat
them, join them” – while logical at first, leads to major problems
down the road.
This logic is essentially conceding that what is being done is wrong,
but if it is going to be done, I might as well benefit from it. The
farmer who does not avail himself of certain government programs based
on principle may soon find himself holding a competitive disadvantage
because of his refusal.
Thus, there is the paradox – if a program is put in place, then one is
literally forced to participate. But the focus shouldn’t be on
minimizing damage (which is very important) as much as it should be on
the programs themselves. There are principles worth standing and
fighting for.
So to clarify, I’m not supporting a cap-and-trade system that we
couldn’t afford 10 years ago, much less now. I’m not asking for the
government to provide millions to supplement producers with the view
that if they are going to redistribute wealth and selectively distribute
the bounty, that we had better get in line with our hands out.
Certainly, recent trends are undeniable, and part of the industry’s
strategy has to be to minimize damage and maximize the benefits from
legislation that can’t be stopped. But, at the same time, incremental
acceptance of more and more government involvement in the marketplace is
a dangerous precedent.
-- Troy Marshall
|
|
The Beef Board and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
(NCBA) did everything possible to head off the Aug. 31 TIME
magazine cover story, “The Real Cost of Cheap Food” by Bryan Walsh.
The story is literally so full of half-truths and full-out falsehoods
that it’s almost laughable if it weren’t for the fact that it will
be read by millions of people this week.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
|
|
Producers can avoid costly decisions if they go through the proper
steps to purchase a bull that fits both their budget and their
management and production needs, says Darrh Bullock, University of
Kentucky Extension beef cattle specialist.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Aimee Nielson, University of Kentucky
|
|
College juniors and seniors with a passion for the beef industry are
encouraged to apply for $9,000 in scholarships sponsored by Certified
Angus Beef LLC (CAB) and the Louis M. “Mick” Colvin Scholarship
fund.
Five students who demonstrate their commitment to the beef industry
through the pursuit of a degree in meat, food or animal science,
marketing, business, communications or other related degree will be
eligible for the scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 in value.
The winner of the $3,500 scholarship may be invited to a paid internship
with the company the following summer. The top two recipients will be
encouraged to attend the 2010 CAB® Annual Conference in Puerto Rico,
all-expenses paid. Students will have the opportunity to interact with
leaders of the beef production, packing, foodservice and retail industry
at the conference.
Students’ applications will be evaluated based on activities and
scholastic achievement, communication skills and reference letters. The
application deadline is Nov. 16.
For more info and an application, visit www.certifiedangusbeef.com/press/colvin/index.php
or contact Trudi Hoyle at 800-225-2333, ext. 211.
-- CAB news release
|
Preg-check time is really profit-check time. That’s why it’s so
important to keep your cows on CRYSTALYX®. Next to the bull himself,
it’s the best way to ensure high reproductive efficiency. Because when
the vet says, “She’s open”, it’s already too late. Click here to learn more.
|
|
An issue paper titled “Animal Productivity and Genetic Diversity
– Cloned and Transgenic Animals,” released by the Council on
Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) will be introduced in three
venues in Washington D.C. on Sept. 28.
The publication, eighth in a nine-part CAST series, looks at many of the
complexities surrounding the issue, including cloning farm animals for
breeding and direct food consumption, disease resistance in transgenic
animals, the use of transgenics for improved food safety and quality,
and others. To download the paper, go to www.cast-science.org.
-- CAST release
|
|
New DNA science could help trace the spread of brucellosis and lead
to better control and possible eradication, says Irish Minister of
Agriculture Michelle Gildernew.
Agri-Food and Bio-Sciences Institute (AFBI) scientists in Belfast, in
collaboration with Veterinary Laboratories Agency colleagues in Surrey,
have analyzed the DNA of bacteria from local brucellosis outbreaks. The
resulting DNA fingerprint provides a new tool with which to investigate
the spread of brucellosis. The technique is now being evaluated in the
field and initial results are encouraging, she says.
"Simply put, my veterinary officers, when determining the source and
spread of a brucellosis outbreak, previously had to rely mainly on their
on-the-ground investigations. Now, the DNA fingerprint of the
brucellosis bacteria can provide information on links to other breakdown
herds. It can confirm or exclude suspected links and identify
unsuspected connections," she explained.
"This new process allows my vets to explore in detail the contacts
between herds that the herd owners themselves may not have considered
relevant, particularly as DNA from new infections can now be checked
against material from previous brucellosis breakdowns, going back
several years."
-- fermanaghherald.com
|
|
Livestock producers who suffered excessive weather-related animal
deaths from Jan. 1, 2008, through July 12, 2009, have until Sept. 13 to
apply for payments under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
"Producers need to file a notice of loss and complete the application
for payment at the local county office of the Farm Service Agency
(FSA)," says Dwight Aakre, North Dakota State University (NDSU)
Extension Service farm management specialist. "A notice of loss can be
reported by the producer to the local FSA office by phone, fax, e-mail
or in person."
LIP compensates producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal
mortality rates because of adverse weather that occurred on or after
Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011. A disaster designation is not
needed to trigger payment eligibility for LIP. Payments will be based on
a producer's eligible losses due to adverse weather conditions.
Payment rates are per-head, type of livestock and weight range, Aakre
says, and are based on 75% of fair market value as determined by FSA.
Only weather-related losses in excess of normal mortality rates are
covered. Proof of livestock death must be provided and may include
verifiable records, producer records or third-party certification.
"Producers should talk to their county FSA staff to clarify the evidence
of loss that will be needed to substantiate their claim," Aakre says.
"Most important is that if producers think they may have a loss but are
uncertain, the producer needs to call the county FSA office before Sept.
13."
-- NDSU Agriculture Communication
|
 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
|
|
Fall is a critical time to maintain good grazing management
practices. The number-one rule is to not overgraze.
Cool-season pasture plants are perennials, says Rory Lewandowski, Ohio
State University Extension educator. They survive from year to year by
storing carbohydrates in stem bases and tiller bases, in rhizomes and
roots. These reserves are used to initiate new growth in the spring.
Over the winter, the leaf tissue dies but the buds and roots of the
plant remain alive and continue to respire and burn energy. This energy
comes from reserves stored in the fall of the year. If root reserves are
insufficient the plant may die over the winter or be very slow to start
growth the next spring.
The process by which plants produce the carbohydrates that are stored is
photosynthesis. In order for photosynthesis to take place, there must be
green leaf tissue. So again the message is; don’t overgraze pasture
plants in the fall. Make sure a residual height of at least 4 in. is
maintained after a grazing pass.
-- Rory Lewandowski, Ohio State University
Extension
|
|
My uncle once quipped to me that a see-through blouse was a lot like
a solar eclipse. You know what's there and you know it's interesting,
but you're not supposed to look at it. It seems our elected
representatives in Congress have the same philosophy where lawmaking is
concerned.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Joe Roybal
|
 Dudley Bros. 49th Annual Production Sale
October 15, 2009 located in Comanche, Texas
Selling 125 performance tested and range ready two-year old HEREFORD
bulls. The largest source of two-year old Hereford bulls in the
southwest United States.
Web site catalog: dudleybros@comanchetx.com
Call John Dudley mobile at 325-642-0745 or office: 325-356-2284
|
|
“As an investment, farmland stands the test of time,” according
to Murray Wise, CEO of Westchester Group, Inc., an agricultural real
estate and investment firm. “Agriculture is in a much stronger
position than many other world industries,” he says. “After we get
through the next two years, I see the agriculture industry prevailing
through the following three to 10 years.”
Wise has several key points leading to his optimistic outlook:
- The amount of grain needed to provide for all industries
continues to grow. The current driver for grain markets is the demand
for meat products in China.
- The U.S. monthly beef exports to Asia during the first quarter of
2009 almost doubled 2008 levels.
- Savings deposits in China are increasing as more of its citizens
move to the middle class. The first thing families do with more
disposable income is improve their diets, ultimately increasing
worldwide demand for food, particularly protein.
- Meat, poultry, eggs and edible oils – once luxuries in many
countries – are now part of daily diets.
- Farmland investments often provide competitive returns with less
volatility than common stocks and corporate bonds.
-- Westchester Group release
|
|
Texas A&M University will host a manure-management conference Sept.
29-30 in Austin, TX. “This conference is an excellent opportunity for
participants to learn about new advances in animal manure and animal
mortality management,” says Saqib Mukhtar, Texas AgriLife Extension ag
engineer. Participants will also look at new technologies being
developed that hold promise in producing energy from manure.
To register, go to www.peopleware.net/1542b.
More info is available at grovesite.com/tamu/tammi.
-- Texas A&M University release
|
|
Hay-drying conditions in the fall aren’t usually ideal. Thus, some
hay will be harvested at moisture contents higher than desirable. This
higher moisture causes bales to heat and possibly burn. Monitoring the
bale temperature can help avoid the disaster of a barn or storage shed
fire.
In fact, a Custer County, SD rancher lost 200 tons of hay (400 large,
round bales) to fire this week. Investigators speculate that the cause
may have been spontaneous combustion caused by improper curing prior to
baling.
One method for monitoring internal bale temp is with a spirit-filled
(not mercury) cooking thermometer. Drive a pipe or rigid electrical
conduit into the center of the bale and lower the thermometer, attached
to a string, down the tube. Leave the thermometer in the tube for 10-15
minutes before pulling it out to read (see chart below).
-- Marvin Hall, Pennsylvania State University
forage specialist
| |
Internal Bale Temperature |
| Action |
| | 150 degrees F |
| Beginning of the danger zone: Chemical
reactions occur and generate heat at a rapid rate. Check internal bale
temperature daily.
|
| | 160 degrees F |
| Dangerous: Measure internal bale
temperature every 4 hours and inspect stack.
|
| | 175 degrees F |
| Call the fire department: Wet hay
down, remove from barns or dismantle the stack away from buildings and
dry hay.
|
| | 185 degrees F |
| Hot spots and smoldering pockets
probable: Flames will likely develop when hay stack is dismantled and
hot hay is exposed to air.
|
| | 212 degrees F |
| Critical: Temperature rises rapidly
beyond this point. Hay will almost certainly ignite.
|
|
There are more tough times ahead for the beef industry but –
thanks to tightening supplies – the beginnings of a recovery are
possible late next year, says ag economist Jim Mintert of Purdue
University.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Mary Lou Peter, KSU Extension
|
|
Carbon sequestration, wildlife management and grazing technology are
among the fare of the 4th National Conference on Grazing Lands in Reno,
NV, Dec. 13-16.
Held every three years, the conference is co-hosted by the Grazing Lands
Conservation Initiative (GLCI) and the Society for Range Management
(SRM) and is designed to encourage more technical assistance for the
nation’s grazing lands, and to promote grazing lands research and
education.
The conference will focus on four general topic areas: Western grazing
issues, as well as Eastern, Midwestern and dairy grazing issues. Some of
the topics to be highlighted include the value of rotational grazing and
of riparian habitat, carbon sequestration and flexibility within grazing
systems. A conference highlight is the inclusion of producers on the
program; 50% of speaker presentations during the three-day event come
from successful producers.
More info is available at www.glci.org. Early-bird registration
ends Oct. 15.
-- GLCI news release
|
|
A new national commission, the One Health Commission, has been
established to spotlight the connections between human, animal and
environmental health, as well as the benefits of proactive and
collaborative approaches toward better health for all.
The commission represents a call for greater cooperation across multiple
disciplines at the local, national and global level to achieve optimal
health for people, domestic animals, wildlife and the environment. The
commission’s goals include developing an integrated public health
strategy, raising awareness of the value of “one health” nationally
and internationally, developing an interdisciplinary research agenda for
the “one health” movement, and implementing “one health”
principles into demonstration research and educational projects.
According to Ronald Atlas, board chairman who represents the American
Society for Microbiology, the One Health Commission brings together
eight of the major professional organizations involved in health
research, education, and practice.
Other board members represent the American Medical Association, American
Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Association of Academic Health
Centers, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Association of
American Veterinary Medical Colleges, American Public Health
Association, and the Association of American Medical Colleges. Roger
Mahr, AVMA past president and a long-time advocate for the “one
health” concept, will serve as the commission’s CEO.
“The convergence of human, animal and environmental health dictates
that we embrace the ‘one health’ concept now,” Mahr says. “We
live in a changing environment populated by humans and animals living
increasingly interconnected lives. This creates unique health challenges
which require integrated solutions and more collaboration across health
science professions, academia, government agencies, non-governmental
organizations and industry.”
For more info, visit www.onehealthcommission.org.
-- One Health Commission release
|
|
Falling for the third straight week (week ending Aug. 31), the U.S.
average price for regular gasoline dropped 1½¢ to $2.61/gal., or $1.07
below the year-ago price. Meanwhile, diesel was up for the sixth
consecutive week, though by less than 1¢, to $2.67.
Gasoline was down 1¢ on the East Coast to $2.60 and 3¢ in the Midwest
and Gulf Coast, to $2.52 and $2.46, respectively. The Rocky Mountain
region shed less than 1¢ to $2.61, and the West Coast added 1¢ to
settle at $2.96. California was up 1¢ to $3.04.
Despite a cumulative 18¢ increase over the past six weeks, the average
price of diesel remained $1.45 below the year-ago price. For the week,
the East Coast and Gulf Coast were down less than 1¢ to $2.69 and
$2.62, respectively, and the Midwest was up 1¢ to $2.65. The Rocky
Mountains and West Coast increased 2¢ to $2.69 and $2.80, respectively,
while California added 1¢ to hit $2.89/gal.
-- U.S. Energy Information Administration
|
|
Despite variations in the prospects for the Brazilian, Argentinean
and Uruguayan herds, the overall cattle inventory from these three main
South American exporters is expected to grow only 0.2% in 2009 to 237
million head, reports Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
The Brazilian herd is estimated to reach 173 million head this year, a
2% increase on 2008, after falling from 2005 to 2007 when low cattle
prices and profitability and increased export demand led to high
slaughter rates, especially of female cattle. Producers are currently
rebuilding the herd and retaining females. Cattle supply is forecast to
improve in 2010-11, later than initially expected as the financial
crisis has caused cattle prices to fall.
In contrast, the Argentinean and Uruguayan herds are expected to fall
this year, hit by a severe drought that hampered pastures and even
jeopardized the availability of drinking water for cattle. The drought
has caused calf production to drop and sent animals to slaughter as
producers decreased load rates. The Uruguayan herd is forecast to fall
2% to 11.5 million head in 2009 and even further in 2010, as calf
weaning is expected to fall 24% to 2.1 million head given the poor
pregnancy rates of around 64% this season.
The Argentinean Beef Industry Trade Chamber forecasts a 5% decrease to
the herd in 2009, with further shrinkage in the long term. While partly
fueled by drought, the drop is mostly the result of ongoing government
controls that forced herd liquidations as producers moved to more
profitable enterprises.
-- Muriel Elizabeth Hayes
|
|
“Every 30 days of grazing stockpiled forage provides a cost
savings that is nearly equivalent to increasing your calving rate by
8-10%,” explains Dennis Hancock, University of Georgia Extension
forage agronomist.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
article by Wes Ishmael
|
|
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC), asks the public for comments on the
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and has scheduled nine public
meetings from Sept. 15 through Oct. 8 to solicit comments.
Topics to be discussed at the public meetings include provisions dealing
with cropping history requirements, crop-rotation practices, contract
incentives, program enrollment terms and the CRP enrollment authority of
32 million acres established for the remainder of the 2008 farm bill.
USDA will consider each comment received at the public meetings and
during the comment period when preparing a Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement (SEIS). This statement will help USDA decision-makers
and the public with an analysis of the environmental benefits and
potential impacts associated with implementing various changes to CRP
consistent with the 2008 Farm Bill.
Meetings are set for:
- Sept. 15 – 5:30-7:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Spokane Airport,
Spokane, WA; 509-244-5866.
- Sept. 17 – 5-7 p.m., Hampton Inn Great Falls, Great Falls, MT;
406-453-2675.
- Sept. 21 – 5-7 p.m., AmericInn Lodge and Suites, Moorhead, MN;
218-287-7100.
- Sept. 23 – 5-7 p.m., Clarion Hotel, Manhattan, KS; 785-539-5311.
- Sept. 25 – 5-7 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Springfield, Springfield,
IL; 217-529-7171.
- Sept. 29 – 5-7 p.m., Oklahoma City Marriott Hotel, Oklahoma City,
OK; 405-879-7042.
- Oct. 1 – 5-7 p.m., La Quinta Inn and Suites, Clovis, NM;
575-763-8777.
- Oct. 6 – 5-7 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Albany, GA; 229-888-1590.
- Oct. 8 – 5-7 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott, Harrisburg, PA;
717-558-8544.
Public comments are due by Oct. 19 to be considered in the draft SEIS.
Submit comments at www.regulations.gov or e-mail
to: CRPcomments@tecinc.com.
Comments can also be mailed or hand-delivered to: CRP SEIS, c/o TEC
Inc., 8 San Jose Dr., Suite 3-B, Newport News, VA 23606. Fax comments
to: 757-594-1469. For more info, go to: www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=crp.
More info on CRP is available at FSA county offices or www.fsa.usda.gov.
-- USDA release
|
|
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's Ag Division will host a
Weaning and Stocker Cattle Processing Workshop, Sept. 17, from 9:30 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m., at the Noble Foundation Oswalt Road Ranch in Marietta,
OK.
A cornerstone of the workshop will be a session on low-stress cattle
handling techniques led by Kent Shankles, Noble Foundation stockman who
boasts more than 30 years of professional experience working cattle. The
workshop will also include sessions on the weaning of calves,
stocker-cattle processing, cowherd winterizing and cattle marketing.
The breakout session on weaning is a hands-on event, demonstrating the
best methods to administer vaccines and properly perform other animal
husbandry processes associated with the weaning of calves. A stocker
cattle breakout session will discuss receiving programs for effective
herd health. Other segments of the workshop will address cow nutrition
and herd health as well as marketing.
There is no registration fee for this workshop, but preregistration is
requested. For more info or to register, contact Tracy Cumbie at
580-224-6411 or tlcumbie@noble.org. Register
online at www.noble.org/agevents.
-- Noble Foundation release
|
|
|
|
|
|
You are subscribed to this newsletter as #email#
To unsubscribe from this newsletter go to: Unsubscribe
To subscribe to this newsletter, go to: Subscribe
For information on advertising in this newsletter, please contact: Bret
Kealy at bret.kealy@penton.com
Do you have comments or suggestions about BEEF Cow-Calf Weekly or its
content? Write to:
Joe Roybal, jroybal@beef-mag.com
Burt Rutherford, brutherford@beef-mag.com
Troy Marshall, troy@seedstockdigest.com
To get this newsletter in a different format (Text or HTML),
or to change your e-mail address, please visit your profile
page to change your delivery preferences.
For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact our
Customer Service Department at:
Customer Service Department
Beef Magazine
A Penton Media publication
US Toll Free: 866-505-7173
International: 847-763-9504
Email:beefmagazine@pbinews.com
Penton Media | 249 W. 17th Street | New York, NY 10011
Copyright 2008, Penton Media. All rights reserved. This article is
protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property
laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated,
transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly,
in any medium without the prior written permission of Penton Media
|
|
