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Last November, I sat in on several presentations that discussed what
the new administration and new Congress would mean to agriculture. The
first answers were obvious and have been borne out in terms of more
taxes, more regulation and less of a free-market bent. But the scope of
change has been more dramatic than anyone had anticipated back then.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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 Trimble’s EZ-Guide 250 and EZ-Guide 500 lightbars can now
provide record-keeping, tracking and feature mapping of your liquid and
dry manure applications. Combine this new technology with Trimble’s
proven guidance capability in order to more easily fulfill EPA and DNR
manure handling record-keeping requirements. Visit trimble.com/agriculture to
find a dealer near you.
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Not so long ago, sophisticated marketers were looking at planning
horizons of 1-5 years or more, projecting supply and demand to create
marketing strategies and tactics. They were using things like seasonal
tendencies to create market-timing strategies and they were quite
successful.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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Last week’s widespread rains were desperately needed, especially
in South Texas, an area that had surpassed the critical stage in terms
of moisture. The recent precipitation sure doesn’t bring the drought
to an end, but it does provide some sorely needed relief.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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The Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) has approved
investment of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) fiscal year 2010 budget
of $42.3 million on a total of 30 national checkoff programs. Funded are
promotion, research and information programs designed to build demand
for beef using national checkoff funds.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
release by CBB news
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People who want to learn about beef cattle production systems in
Argentina and Brazil can sign up through Sept. 30 for the 2010 Beef
Study Tour to South America. The Feb. 2-15 tour is sponsored by the
Montana Beef Quality Assurance (MBQA) program and BEEF magazine.
"In today's global marketplace, cattlemen need to know what the
competition is up to and how they're doing it," says Clint Peck of
Billings, MT, MBQA director. "We've developed an itinerary that will
give beef producers around the U.S. the best possible look at beef
systems in these two ag powerhouses."
Peck and Burt Rutherford, BEEF Senior Editor from Amarillo, TX,
will lead the tour along with travel coordinator Renata Stephens of
Brazilian Liaison. Stephens is a Brazil native with extensive experience
in South American ag excursions.
Tour participants will visit a variety of cattle ranching and feeding
operations in Brazil's west-central subtropical cattle farming regions
and in Argentina's temperate climate. Highlights will include an
Argentine cattle-feeding operation and a Brazilian meatpacking plant.
Among the other stops will be a federal beef cattle research center and
a high-tech cattle seedstock operation.
"The purpose is to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing
South American ranchers as competitors in international markets," Peck
says. "Participants will have a firsthand look at their strengths and
weaknesses – as well as their lives and lifestyles."
Tour participants will visit world-class tourist sites in Buenos Aires,
Argentina and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Tour cost is estimated at $5,500/person (double occupancy and based on
25 participants), which includes all international airfare, in-country
air and motor coach transportation, 12 nights of business-class lodging
and most meals – along with local guides and translators.
For more info, contact Renata Stephens at renata@brazilianliaison.com
or call (763) 972-8080. A tour itinerary can be viewed at www.brazilianliaison.com.
-- Clint Peck, Montana Beef Quality Assurance
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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.
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USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published proposed
regulations to implement a new voluntary cooperative program under which
select state-inspected establishments will be eligible to ship meat and
poultry products in interstate commerce. The new program was created in
the 2008 farm bill to supplement the existing federal-state cooperative
inspection program to allow state-inspected plants with 25 or fewer
employees to ship products across state lines.
Currently, 27 states operate state meat or poultry inspection programs,
and FSIS verifies that the state programs are implementing requirements
that are "at least equal to" those imposed under federal inspection
acts. For these programs, FSIS provides up to 50% of the state's
operating funds and provides oversight and enforcement of the program.
Under the proposed rule, selected establishments will receive inspection
services from federally trained and supervised state inspection
personnel who will verify that all federal food safety requirements are
met. Meat and poultry products produced under the voluntary cooperative
program will bear an official USDA mark of inspection, thereby enabling
interstate shipment of the products.
State-inspected establishments not selected for the voluntary
cooperative program, including state-inspected establishments with more
than 25 employees, are only eligible to sell and ship their products
within their state.
Comments must be received on or before Nov. 16 through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov; or by
mail to: FSIS Docket Room, USDA, FSIS, OPPD, Docket Clearance Unit, 5601
Sunnyside Avenue, Stop 5272, Beltsville, MD 20705. All comments must
identify FSIS and the docket number FSIS-2008-0039. Comments will be
available for viewing online at www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies.
-- FSIS release
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The first-ever greenhouse gas (GHG) limits for vehicles are included
in a new proposal offered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The proposed national
program would apply to vehicles in model years 2012 to 2016.
By model year 2016, vehicles would be required to meet an estimated
combined average emission level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide/mile,
according to a joint EPA/DOT news release. EPA and DOT say such a
standard would be equivalent to 35.5 mpg if the automotive industry were
to meet the CO2 level by fuel-economy alone. If this occurs, Congress'
fuel economy goal of 35 mpg by 2020 will be met four years ahead of
schedule.
While EPA and DOT say the plan would reduce GHG emissions by nearly 950
million metric tons, critics worry of its effect on the national
economy. According to Carbon Control News, Sen. James Inhofe
(R-OK) believes the plan will make cars more expensive and less safe and
could trigger EPA regulation of other sources including agriculture.
Inhofe is the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee.
EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are providing
a 60-day comment period that begins with publication of the proposal in
the Federal Register. The proposal and information about how to
submit comments are available at www.epa.gov/otaq/climate
or www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal
-- TCFA Newsletter
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 The Alliance Yellow Pages is the industry's
most complete listing of marketing options for your calf
crop.
The annual listing of industry alliances is categorized by consumer
based programs, where the focus is on finding, feeding and marketing
cattle according to predefined consumer product specifications, or
calf-based programs, where calves are procured to fit specific value
requirements. The listings provide the contact information and
specifications for the industry's top value-based marketing programs.
The Alliance Yellow Pages are sponsored by Elanco Animal Health.
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The U.S. average price for regular gasoline at retail dropped for
the sixth week in a row (week ending Sept. 21), dipping 2½¢ to
$2.55/gal., or $1.17 less than a year ago, reports the U.S. Energy
Information Administration. Meanwhile, the national average price for
diesel declined for a third straight week, dropping 1¢ to $2.62, or
$1.34 below the price a year ago.
Gasoline has lost a total of 10¢/gal. in the past six weeks. For the
week, the East Coast shed 4¢ to $2.50, the Midwest 2¢ to $2.45, the
Gulf Coast 2¢ to $2.36, and the Rocky Mountains 2¢ to $2.57. The West
Coast shaved 1¢ to $3.03, and California was down 1¢ to $3.14.
Diesel also was down across the country, losing 2¢ on the East Coast
($2.63), 1¢ in the Midwest ($2.60), and 1¢ on the Gulf Coast ($2.54).
The Rocky Mountains remained unchanged at $2.68, the West Coast dipped
1¢ to $2.78, and California shed 2¢ to $2.83.
-- U.S. Energy Information Administration
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The De-Go-La Resource Conservation and Development Inc., a nonprofit
agency based in Victoria, TX, and serving 16 counties, including Nueces,
Live Oak, Bee, and San Patricio County, has organized a hay-lift program
to help bring hay to South Texas at a reasonable price. This is an
effort to assist the 16-county area during a time of disaster by
purchasing large amounts of hay at an affordable cost. The hay could be
of the following types: Bermuda mix, Kansas bluestem, coastal mix or
bahia mix, and will be 1,000+lb. bales at a price of $49/bale.
“A lot of pastures in our area are really in tough shape because of
the drought,” says Jerry Pearce, coordinator of the program.
“We’ve had a little rain in the last few weeks. But we estimate we
could get 2-3 rains/week from now until the end of the year and it will
still be six months to a year before pastures are fully recovered.
Getting enough hay for the winter feeding season is going to be a
challenge for many people.”
Hay will be delivered in a typical truck load of 38 bales/truck; buyers
must commit to one full truckload and provide the equipment and manpower
to unload it. Those wanting less than a truckload can split the load
with a neighbor, but the delivery point will be to one location.
Purchasers will be notified within 24 hours of the delivery date. The
hay must be delivered to one of the De-Go-La counties and hay purchased
in this program is not for resale.
Payment must be received in advance with a completed order form, with
payment in the form of a cashier’s check or money order; no personal
checks will be accepted. Prior to placing your order, check with the
local Nueces County Soil & Water Conservation District Office at
361-387-2533 for any exact cost of the hay order. Only one truck load
per order will be accepted in an effort to help as many livestock
producers as possible.
Order forms for the hay may be obtained at the NRCS Office or Nueces
County Extension Office in Robstown, and payment and order forms must be
submitted to the Nueces County Soil & Water Conservation District Office
in Robstown. The cashier’s check or money order should be made payable
to De-Go-La RC&D. Orders will be filled on a first come, first served
basis.
To contact Pearce, phone 361-570-7138 or email jerry.pearce@tx.usda.gov.
-- Farm Press
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 Social Networking For Beef Industry
Professionals
BEEF content is available on Facebook, a social networking tool
increasingly used by beef industry professionals. Interact with readers
and editors, participate in discussions and keep up-to-date with
industry happenings. Become a
fan of BEEF!
BEEF is also on Twitter, a micro-blogging site that provides
brief status updates on people, groups or organizations. Users can
"follow" people or groups, including news organizations that they want
to keep up-to-date with. Follow BEEF on
Twitter!!
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Novartis Animal Health announces nationwide availability of its
Healthy Heifer™ heifer-management program. Designed specifically to
maximize the long-term value of beef replacement heifers through
established health and management protocols, Healthy Heifer is a
veterinarian-verified management program that enables replacement
heifers to reach their full genetic and reproductive potential by
minimizing disease challenges, Novartis says.
The response has been very positive, says Doug Scholz, DVM, director of
vet services for Novartis Animal Health. “We’re all familiar with
the concept of a preconditioned (PC) calf; the Healthy Heifer program
applies the same concept to the replacement female in the beef herd.
Everyone sees the value in a PC calf and the question is, ‘Why
haven’t we as an industry applied that concept to the cow base when
it’s the biggest investment we make in the cow business?” he says.
The program emphasizes prevention, rather than treatment, in order to
reduce the risk of disease and other health setbacks that frequently
inhibit heifer growth and reproductive performance. Healthy Heifer also
focuses on proactively addressing environmental and management factors
that directly affect heifer development and performance.
The Healthy Heifer program focuses on five key management areas
including prenatal care, colostrum management, nutrition, vaccination,
and growth and development. Producers enrolled in Healthy Heifer are
provided with established protocols that include respiratory and
reproductive vaccinations, parasite control, mineral supplementation,
pregnancy checking and other best management practices.
Veterinarians play an integral role, working closely with producers to
customize protocols so they fit within established standard operating
procedures and meet the specific needs of individual operations.
Following implementation of Healthy Heifer, the herd veterinarian
verifies that animals have been managed in accordance with program
protocols. Distinctive pink ear tags will mark heifers enrolled in the
program and will denote the veterinarian-verified status of the animals.
For more info, visit: www.healthyheifer.com.
-- Novartis Animal Health
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JBS SA, the largest beef processor in the world and, through JBS
USA, the third-largest beef and third-largest pork processor in the
U.S., will delay until January its initial public offering of JBS USA
shares, reports bloomberg.com.
The offering, planned for this month, was to total $US2 billion.
JBS SA says it wants to incorporate its acquisition of majority
ownership in Pilgrim's Pride Corp., the huge U.S. poultry processing
group, into JBS USA before proceeding with the share sale. JBS SA is
headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil; its group sales totaled $US12.7
billion for fiscal 2008, bloomberg.com says.
Meanwhile, mercopress.com
reports that JBS-SA says Bertin’s accountants have completed the
merger process between both companies. Bertin shareholders agreed to
transfer 73.1% of their shares to the new holding. With the acquisition
of 64% of Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. shares by JBS US, JBS SA will become
the third-largest non-financial Brazilian company with publicly quoted
shares. The result of the mergers will provide JBS-SA with a net income
of $28.8 billion (US).
The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) is
supportive of the JBS-Bertin merger calling it “very positive” as it
will result in “the biggest animal protein producer in the world, with
great potential in the generation of synergies.” BNDES participation
in the resulting company will be 22.4% of the overall business.
At least one Brazilian producer group, however, warns of “dangerous
concentration.” Ricardo Merota, president of the National
Feedloters’ Association says the JBS-Bertin enterprise will slaughter
19% of Brazil’s cattle. A better solution would have been to have
Bertin “acquired by some other group, even from abroad,” he says.
-- Muriel Elizabeth Hayes
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A Michigan restaurant has claimed the Guinness Book of World Records
title for the biggest burger ever sold. The burger sold at Mallie's
Sports Grill and Bar in Southgate, MI, weighed 182 lbs. and cost $499.
The Associated Press reports that the bun was baked for eight hours, and
the burger for 15 hours, before being topped with lettuce, tomato and
cheese, and wheeled into the restaurant on a trolley.
-- foodnavigator-usa.com
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The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation has teamed with Micro Beef
Technologies to age- and source-verify the organization’s Integrity
Beef Program.
The Noble Foundation’s Integrity Beef Program is a comprehensive
management system that assists participants in producing consistent,
high-quality beef cattle by addressing herd establishment, animal health
and forage management. Participants are required to follow and implement
specific criteria, including maintaining appropriate stocking rates;
administering a veterinarian-approved herd health program; maintaining
animal health and management records; and achieving Beef Quality
Assurance (BQA) certification.
By producing healthier, more uniform cattle, Integrity Beef participants
are better positioned to create a competitive advantage in the
marketplace. Micro Beef Technologies will provide the Process
Verification Program (PVP), verifying the age and source of the cattle
within the program, the Noble Foundation says.
Additionally, the information collected by Micro Beef Technologies can
be used to help producers make informed decisions about managing herd
health programs, culling cattle and keeping tabs on the overall economic
viability of their operation.
-- Noble Foundation release
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USDA’s monthly Cattle On Feed report, released last Friday, shows
continuing lower inventories of cattle in U.S. feedlots and somewhat
larger-than-expected August placements.
U.S. feedlots with capacities of 1,000 head or more held 9.882 million
head of cattle on Sept. 1; that’s 1.2% lower than last year and 2.5%
higher than the revised figure (9.637 million, adjusted downward
slightly from 9.644 million) for Aug. 1. The month-to-month increase was
a bit larger than the normal seasonal pattern.
August placements of 2.11 million head were 2.4% larger than last year
and 1.5% higher than the average of analysts’ pre-report estimates.
And the cattle placed in August were heavy by historical standards; the
average weight was 717.7 lbs., 3.1 lbs. lower than last year but more
than 20 lbs. heavier than the 2003-2007 average. High placement weights
in 2008 were primarily a function of high feed costs.
While still significantly higher than the historical average, it is
pretty hard to blame feed costs for this year’s August surge. More
likely responsible was that moderate summer temps and better-than-normal
pasture conditions contributed to excellent growth rates for yearlings
on pasture this summer, driving placement weights higher.
These heavy cattle placed in August will keep slaughter weights high in
the first quarter of 2010 – much like this year’s first quarter when
both steers and heifers averaged more than 40 lbs. heavier than the
2003-2007 average.
This report also contained one item that is strictly a function of the
bloodletting that’s occurred in the cattle-feeding sector – no
state-level data was included in the September report for New Mexico.
The reason is that several New Mexico feedyards have closed. The
state’s cattle feedyards were held in just a few hands to start with
and the closures mean that data from New Mexico no longer meet USDA’s
confidentiality conditions.
-- CME Daily Livestock Report 9/18/09
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Interested in seeing demographic depictions of your U.S. beef
industry? How about proposing an article for coverage in BEEF
magazine? These are two new features offered at beefmagazine.com.
BEEF magazine has been running a series of maps depicting various
demographics of the U.S. beef industry generated from the latest USDA Ag
Census data. The August issue carried a map depicting beef cows in
inventory by county, as well as a listing of the top 500 counties for
beef cows in the U.S. Our September issue depicted fed cattle sold, and
our upcoming October issue covers stocker cattle sold. The maps,
available at beefmagazine.com/maps/,
depict USDA data but are more complete than the data the U.S. releases
to the public.
BEEF research manager Scott Grau says that for reasons of
privacy, data for some counties with a small number of producers is
omitted in published USDA information. “For instance, of the data
depicted on the cow-inventory map, information on 750 (24%) out of the
total of 3,141 counties was not released by USDA. By using proprietary
methods, we can arrive at a more complete and accurate picture than that
provided publicly by USDA, and that's what we've done in these cases,”
Grau says.
Meanwhile, do you have a good idea for an article you'd like to see in
BEEF magazine? Is there a hot topic you'd like you read about?
Submit your suggestions to BEEF editors by going to: beefmagazine.com/article-proposal/.
Your article suggestion will be forwarded to the BEEF editorial
team for review. They will decide whether or not the topic is
appropriate for publication in the magazine. All submissions will be
carefully reviewed, but we can’t promise that your suggestion will
ultimately result in an article. But we’d like to hear from you.
-- Joe Roybal
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New research on calf weaning along with proven practices from years
past will make up the fare of the “Weaning Calf Management Workshop”
set for Oct. 15 from 5-8 p.m. at the University of Missouri (MU) Forage
Systems Research Center in Linneus.
Rob Kallenbach, MU Extension forage agronomist, and Justin Sexten, MU
Extension beef nutritionist, will talk about weaning and receiving
calves, with emphasis on pasture weaning vs. dry lots to reduce stress
and illness. All the tips aim to make the old problem of separating
calves from their mamas easier.
The workshop is free, but attendees should pre-register by calling
660-895-5121. For more info, go to aes.missouri.edu/fsrc.
-- University of Missouri news release
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Some folks are forecasting lots of snow this winter. Whether you
believe the prediction or not, it’s best to be prepared for what
comes, 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
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Livestock producers in areas with a history of anthrax cases should
take measures to protect their animals from the disease, North Dakota
animal health officials advise. Meanwhile, North Dakota State University
Extension Service veterinarian Charlie Stoltenow also urges producers to
get livestock vaccinated. Anthrax vaccine is effective and available,
but it takes about a week to establish immunity, and it must be
administered annually.
Anthrax is a concern because it can be a long-term problem. Spores of
the bacteria that cause it can survive in the soil for many decades,
Stoltenow says. An outbreak in 2005 in the upper Midwest and Manitoba
claimed more than 1,000 head of cattle, bison, horses, sheep, llamas and
farmed deer and elk in North Dakota alone.
Cases of anthrax develop in the region almost every year, officials say.
However, favorable weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, flooding
or drought, may make the disease more widespread. Rain and flooding can
raise the spores to the ground's surface. Drought conditions can lead to
soil erosion, which also allows spores to resurface. When animals graze
or consume forage or water contaminated with the spores, they are
exposed to the disease.
-- NDSU Agriculture Communication
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“Human Resource Management on Modern Ranches” is the theme of
the Sixth Annual HOLT CAT® Symposium in Excellence in Ranch
Management. Set for Oct. 29-30 in the Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Memorial Student Union Building, the symposium is hosted each year by
the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM), part of the
university’s Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture,
Natural Resources and Human Sciences. Early registration is $150 through
Oct. 16, and $200 thereafter.
“While we don’t often think of “people” as a ranch resource,
doing a good job managing the employees on a ranch can be a high
leverage point for achieving overall ranch success,” says Barry Dunn,
KRIRM executive director. “Our symposium speakers will address the
application of successful human resource management to modern
ranches.”
Topics covered at the symposium include performance reviews, personality
evaluations, behavioral interviewing, 360 evaluations, benefits and
rewards systems, team building, employee motivation, delegating
responsibility, calculating the value of compensation packages and
communication skills.
The keynote speaker is Bernie Erven, Ohio State University professor
emeritus of ag economics, who will talk about “People Management:
Strength or Headache.” Other highlights include:
- Dan Oedekoven, South Dakota State University Extension
specialist in community innovation and leadership, “It’s All About
People.”
- K. Erik Jacobsen, AgReserves Inc. vice president and general
manager, “Getting People on the Job.”
- Wayne Fahsholtz, president and CEO of Padlock Ranch, Ranchester, WY,
“Keeping People on the Job.”
- Robert A. Milligan, Dairy Strategies LLC senior consultant,
“Special Challenges in HR.”
- Entertainment will be provided by humorist and poet Baxter
Black.
In addition, a pre-symposium will be held from 8 to 11:15 a.m. on Oct.
29 at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center. Entitled “Economic Changes
and Ranches,” speakers include Michael D. Boehlje, Purdue University
economist, and John Lawrence, director of the Iowa State University’s
Iowa Beef Center. Cost is $50.
Learn more or register at krirm.tamuk.edu, call 361-593-5401
or e-mail krirm@tamuk.edu.
-- King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management
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Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®), the world’s largest
branded beef program, set repeat records in July and August for the most
product sold in a single month since the inception of the program in
1978. Licensed restaurants and retailers marketed 60 million lbs. in
July, and then bested that mark in August by another 2 million lbs.
“Historically these are big months with the summer grilling season,
and retailers always carry most of that weight,” says Clint Walenciak,
CAB director of packing. Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays help
drive sales. “Combine that with the economy that had more people going
to the grocery store, and it added up to back-to-back chart-topping
months.”
He also credits long-time partners with stepping up their efforts to
push the higher quality beef. One of those is Price Chopper, a 120-store
grocery chain in the Northeast.
“Our steak sales are just terrific,” says Larry Ritzert, vice
president of meat merchandising for Price Chopper. “The conventional
wisdom would be that things are tough so people are going to move down
from middle meats to a tougher steak or to burgers. If you thought that,
you’d be wrong this time.
“We’re seeing an influx of people buying steaks,” he says.
“It’s the people who want to have a good eating experience – if
they’re spending money they want to enjoy it.”
-- CAB news release
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As Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts expire, those acres
may need to be put back into production. But, CRP acres to be used as
pasture or hay often need several preparation steps before they meet
growers’ needs. These include removing old litter, thickening stands,
and developing fence and water, says Bruce Anderson, University of
Nebraska Extension forage specialist.
The fastest and most effective way to remove dead litter and thicken
grass stands is with prescribed burning in the spring, he says.
Obviously, the fire tool should only be used where it can be handled
safely and legally, and where it won't cause other potential problems
like wind erosion. Local Extension and Natural Resource Conservation
Service offices can offer information and advice.
Another way to reduce dead litter, Anderson says, is by haying, if you
haven’t already done so due to drought releases or as allowed in the
contract. This can be challenging if the terrain is rough or the amount
of dead growth is great or if pocket gophers have built many mounds that
plug equipment. Plus, hay removed will have low forage quality; if fed
to livestock, it will need both protein and energy supplements, he adds
“Better yet might be a technique called ‘flog grazing’,”
Anderson says. “Flog grazing involves placing a large number of cows
on a small area for a brief time period, usually 1-7 days. With high
stock density, animals recycle nutrients as they trample dead litter
into the ground and open the soil for new seedlings and tillers.”
But, you can get a similar result by using your CRP as a calving
pasture, getting the trampling, the nutrient recycling, and excellent
bedding all at the same time, he says.
-- Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska
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A group of ranching and conservation organizations have formed a
broad-based coalition to enhance ranching practices that consider
important conservation issues throughout the West. The Coalition for
Conservation Through Ranching (CCR) is a multi-stakeholder partnership
between national conservation-minded groups that share an interest in
promoting open space for ranching and healthy landscapes.
Steering committee members of the coalition include the Public Lands
Council, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), National
Association of Conservation Districts, Environmental Defense Fund,
Family Farm Alliance and the World Wildlife Fund. Other member
organizations include American Farmland Trust, American Forage and
Grassland Council, California Farm Bureau Federation, Society for
Rangeland Management, Wild Sheep Foundation, and the Wilderness Society.
The Bureau of Land Management serves as advisor to the group.
CCR aims to support ranching on public and private lands in the West
that is conducted in an ecologically sustainable way. This collaborative
conservation effort will provide for a more efficient use of resources,
increased outreach opportunities, and a holistic approach to problem
solving, the group says. It will also help to increase the understanding
of complex issues between ranching and conservation and provide a forum
to discuss the interaction between natural resource management and
ranching.
-- NCBA release
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