BEEF_STOCKER TRENDS_ A Penton Media Property July 7, 2009 If you want to view this on the web go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/beef/v/809 NEWS --Two Million Extra Acres Of Corn Anyone despairing that old-fashioned fundamentals ride drag in the upended commodity markets had to smile last Tuesday. USDA announced corn producers had planted 2 million more acres than previously estimated; nearby futures plummeted limit-down. If producers have in fact planted 87 million acres, as last week's report suggests, that would represent the most acres planted to corn since 1946 (the record year was 2007). Besides the additional acres, crop condition is running ahead of last year, with the expectation that yields may move higher than previous estimates. To view the full article go to: http://beefmagazine.com/beefstockertrends/0707-two-million-extra-acres-corn STOCKER MANAGEMENT --Returning CRP Acres To Rangeland The same grasses used for High Plains crop and rangelands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in the mid 1980s can help producers as that ground returns to production. "About 10 years ago when we first started seeing people come out of the program, we realized we would not be making the same amount as with government payments. But, we know properly managed old world bluestem and weeping love grass can produce more beef per acre than native rangelands in the region," says Ted McCollum, Texas AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist. He explains those were the grasses primarily used on new CRP ground in the state's High Plains region. For producers renewing production of these native grass stands, McCollum suggests applying the same management practices recommended for maintaining the productivity and health of rangelands in the region. These include attention to forage utilization, maintaining adequate groundcover and residue, and seasonal deferment of grazing. Carrying capacity or stocking rate will possibly be somewhat higher than on rangeland. To view the full article go to: http://beefmagazine.com/beefstockertrends/0707-returning-crp-acres-rangeland --Wheat Stubble As Seedbed "No-till planting alfalfa, turnips or summer annual grasses into wheat stubble has many advantages," says Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension forage specialist. "Soil moisture is conserved, erosion is reduced, weed seeds remain buried, and tillage expenses are eliminated. But despite these advantages, many growers still experience spotty stands." Anderson explains one of the primary challenges is heavy residues that can limit drill operation and seed placement, or partially smother seedlings. "The best way to minimize this problem is to bale the straw and remove excess residue. And be sure to have a well-functioning drill," Anderson says. To view the full article go to: http://beefmagazine.com/beefstockertrends/0707-wheat-stuble-seedbed CROPS/WEATHER --World Hunger Growing "A dangerous mix of the global economic slowdown combined with stubbornly high food prices in many countries has pushed some 100 million more people than last year into chronic hunger and poverty," says Jacques Diouf, director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). "The silent hunger crisis -- affecting one-sixth of all of humanity -- poses a serious risk for world peace and security. We urgently need to forge a broad consensus on the total and rapid eradication of hunger in the world and to take the necessary actions. The present situation of world food insecurity cannot leave us indifferent." According to new FAO estimates, world hunger is projected to reach a historic high with 1.020 billion people going hungry every day. FAO officials say the most recent increase in hunger is being caused by the world economic crisis, which has resulted in lower incomes and increased unemployment. This has reduced access to food by the poor. To view the full article go to: http://beefmagazine.com/beefstockertrends/0707-world-hunger-growing EVENTS --Calendar Of Events July 13-17 -- Richard Mifflin Kleberg, Jr. Family Lectureship on Equine Science, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, Kingsville, TX; 361-593-5401 or krirm.tamuk.edu (http://krirm.tamuk.edu). July 15-19 -- National Cattlemen's Beef Association Summer Conference, Denver, CO; 303-694-0305 or www.beefusa.org (http://www.beefusa.org). July 21-22 -- Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition and South Dakota Grasslands Coalition Joint Bus Tour, Yankton, SD; jljessop@kennebectelephone.com (mailto:jljessop@kennebectelephone.com). July 27-31 -- Grazing Management Lectureship, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, Kingsville, TX; 361-593-5401 or krirm.tamuk.edu (http://krirm.tamuk.edu). To view the full article go to: http://beefmagazine.com/beefstockertrends/0707-calendar-events CONTACT --Send Questions & Comments To... Wes Ishmael, Contributing Editor, BEEF Stocker Trends, at wesleysink@aol.com (mailto:wesleysink@aol.com) Joe Roybal, Editor, BEEF magazine, at jroybal@beef-mag.com (mailto:jroybal@beef-mag.com) MORE ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER You are subscribed to this newsletter as #email# To subscribe to this newsletter go to: http://http://subscribe.beefmagazine.com/?tc=NLSUB To unsubscribe from this newsletter go to: http://http://subscribe.beefmagazine.com/?tc=NLSUB&cid=#message_id#&lid=#list_id#&email=#email# For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact our Customer Service Department at: US Toll Free: (866) 505-7173 International: (402) 505-7173 or mailto:beefmagazine@pbinews.com To get this newsletter in a different format (Text or HTML), or to change your e-mail address, please go to your profile page here: http://subscribe.beefmagazine.com/?tc=NLSUB&email=#email# Penton Media | 249 W. 17th Street | New York, NY 10011 Copyright 2009, Penton Media. All rights reserved. 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