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USDA's Cattle Inventory report was in alignment with expectations.
The two big numbers everyone tends to look at for a long-term view are
the total number of beef cows, which was down 1% compared to a year ago
at 32.6 million head, and the beef replacement heifer number, which was
down 4%.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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Colorado State University released a checkoff-funded report looking
at three attributes of taste -- flavor, juiciness and tenderness. Prior
research indicates tenderness is by far the most important of the trio
in regard to consumers' overall satisfaction ratings of the product.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Troy Marshall
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USDA's Ag Marketing Service (AMS) issued a notice in the Federal
Register that reopens and extends the comment period for the
proposed voluntary standard for a naturally raised marketing claim. The
notice requesting comments was originally published on Nov. 28, 2007
with the comment period ending Jan. 28, 2008. The comment period is now
reopened and extended until March 3, 2008.
AMS proposes to allow the claim of "naturally raised" to be used in
animals raised entirely without growth promotants and antibiotics and
have never been fed mammalian or avian by-products. The notice is
available at www.ams.usda.gov/news/025-08.htm.
-- Burt Rutherford
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President George W. Bush is proposing a record $3.1 trillion budget
for fiscal year 2009. It's estimated the deficit will reach $400 billion
for FY '09. The budget increases funding for defense, homeland security,
and international affairs by $44.9 billion over FY '08, or an 8.2%
increase. The non-security discretionary spending would increase by 0.3%
with cuts for six departments and the Environmental Protection
Agency.
The cuts include popular programs such as low-income heating assistance
with a proposed 17% cut. State and local law enforcement grants would be
cut by 61%. This budget will face a very difficult time on Capitol Hill
with Senate Budget Committee Chairman Ken Conrad (D-ND) saying, "This
budget will be quickly forgotten."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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After a three-week drop, the U.S. average retail price for regular
gasoline edged up 0.1¢ to $2.978/gal. as of Feb. 4, or 78.7¢
over a year ago. Meanwhile, the retail diesel fuel price gained
2.1¢ to $3.28 -- 84.5¢ higher than last year.
Regional gasoline prices were mixed. The East Coast shaved 2¢ to
$3.005, the Midwest added 4¢ to $2.962 (81.9¢ more than last
year), the Gulf Coast fell 0.3¢ to $2.872, and the Rocky Mountain
price rose 2.7¢ to $2.941. The West Coast shaved 3.1¢ to
$3.055/gal., while California fell 4.1¢ to $3.107.
Diesel was up across the U.S., with the East Coast adding 1.1¢ to
$3.338, the Midwest 2.5¢ to $3.243, the Gulf Coast 2.9¢ to
$3.247, and the Rocky Mountains 2.4¢ to $3.26. The West Coast added
2.4¢ to $3.325, while California jumped 3.1¢ to $3.377.
-- Energy Information Administration
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Five new checkoff-funded fact sheets dealing with product
enhancement topics are now available at www.beefresearch.org. Just click
on "Product Enhancement Research Fact Sheets."
The new fact sheets include:- "Beef Packaging" by Chance Brooks,
the functions and technology behind packaging techniques;
- "Color Changes in Cooked Beef" by James R. Claus, University of
Wisconsin-Madison -- beef color chemistry and cooking;
- "Ranking of Beef Muscles for Tenderness" by Chris R. Calkins and
Gary Sullivan, University of Nebraska -- muscle structure and factors
that influence tenderness;
- "Adding Enzymes to Improve Beef Tenderness" by Calkins and Sullivan
-- methods to improve tenderness of middle meats and upgrade other cuts.
"The checkoff-funded fact sheets are just one more way for the beef
industry to package this info together in an effort to assist producers,
processors and retailers with ways to improve product consistency," says
Paul Parker, vice chair of the Joint Industry Product Enhancement
Committee.
-- Cattlemen's Beef Board news release
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Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has resurfaced in California; this time in
a Fresno County dairy cow, reports the California Department of Food and
Agriculture (CDFA). The last known case of bovine TB in California was
in 2003.
The recent diagnosis was made after a cow with suspicious lesions was
found during routine slaughter inspection. Follow-up testing by state
and federal animal-health officials has thus far found infection present
in just one herd but the investigation and testing is ongoing, CDFA
says.
-- California Department of Food and Agriculture
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CNN founder and buffalo baron Ted Turner, who is the largest private
landowner in the U.S., tells the Omaha World Herald that once he
amasses 2 million acres in landholdings, he'll be done purchasing
farmland. He's currently about 40,000 acres shy of that goal.
In the article, the 69-year-old billionaire says he isn't interested in
free-standing ranches anymore, only "reasonably priced" parcels adjacent
to his current operations. He also boasts that if all his holdings were
laid end to end in one straight line and a mile deep, they would stretch
from New York to San Francisco.
-- Joe Roybal
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According to the USDA Cattle Inventory Report released last Friday,
the total number of cattle in the U.S. was estimated at 96.7 million
head, 0.3% below a year ago. Total beef cows were estimated at 32.6
million head, down 0.1% from last year, while heifers held back for beef
cow replacement were estimated at 5.7 million head, almost 5% below a
year ago. The 2007 calf crop was estimated at 37.4 million head, a 0.1%
decrease.
"At a time historically in the cattle cycle when we should be seeing
numbers growing sharply, we are seeing absolutely no growth and are
actually seeing a small constriction of numbers," according to Jim Gill,
market director at the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA).
Continuing drought and extremely high corn prices are the two main
culprits preventing ranchers from expanding their herds, Gill said.
"The reduction in heifers kept for beef cow replacements indicates that
there will not likely be any expansion during 2008."
-- TCFA Newsletter
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The corn market will dominate the attention of the U.S. beef
industry in 2008, Randy Blach, executive vice president of Cattle-Fax,
told attendees of the annual Cattle-Fax Outlook Seminar in Reno, NV,
this week. While the industry struggled to adjust to $3/bu. corn for
most of last year, prices exploded to over $5/bu. by January. Volatility
in the grain markets is sure to squeeze cattle feeders and limit prices
for feeder calves in the coming year.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
Cattle-Fax news release
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Whether you're out feeding in the cold or just looking out your
window at cows eating hay at a cost of $2/cow/day, it should be a
wake-up call for all of us. With out-of-control hay prices and prospects
for even higher costs in 2008, getting serious about extending the
grazing season has never been more important.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by Jim Gerrish (jrgerrish@custertel.net
or americangrazinglands.com)
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Over 40 ag and food organizations sent a letter to USDA Secretary Ed
Schafer requesting that he reevaluate USDA's position on the
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and allow for early opt-out of CRP
contracts. The organizations said, "We believe that by removing the
penalties for early opt-out of CRP contracts, USDA will provide the
flexibility necessary for the market to respond and meet these growing
commodity needs."
The letter stated, "We believe it is important that USDA continue to
evaluate the option of offering penalty-free early releases so
contract-holders can react to market forces. Given the supply tightness
in markets for certain crop production inputs and the higher market
risks involved in making crop decisions, there is increased urgency to
notify CRP contract-holders that USDA is willing to increase the
flexibility of contracts so market-driven needs can be met in a timely
manner."
Some of the organizations signing the letter were the Ag Retailers
Association, American Feed Industry Association, American Meat
Institute, National Chicken Council, National Grain & Feed Association,
National Oilseed Processors Association, National Pork Producers
Council, National Turkey Federation, and The Fertilizer Institute.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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The Beef Checkoff Program is working to enhance the beef brand in a
new way -- starting with a revamped advertising campaign. The goal is to
reinforce people's passion for our product, while emphasizing beef's
healthiness. This effort is called Powerful Beefscapes. "Beef. It's
What's For Dinner" tagline, begun in 1992, is still incorporated in
these ads, as is Aaron Copland's "Hoe Down" theme music.
However, you won't hear Sam Elliot's voice. No, a new spokesperson has
been named. Consumer response to the new voice has been positive, and
one enthusiastic woman said, "His voice is enough to make any woman
drool!" That mystery man is Texan Matthew McConaughey, named "Sexiest
Man Alive" by People magazine in 2005. He's also been the focal point in
Stetson cologne ads. Aside from his good looks, I wasn't so sure his
voice fit the part, nor did the cowman sitting next to me who whispered,
"He's sure no Sam Elliot."
But it doesn't matter what he or I think; we're not the target audience.
We're already one of the 93% of beef eaters who think beef tastes great.
But see for yourself, the ads, both print and radio, are available at:
www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/askexpert/default.asp
-- Alaina Burt
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For coverage of the 2008 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade
Show, visit www.4cattlemen.com. Hosted by
Angus Productions Inc., the site features news from the industry's
largest cattlemen's meeting. Themed "Rush to Reno," the convention
features the annual meeting of five beef industry groups, including the
National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion
and Research Board, Cattle-Fax, American National CattleWomen and the
National Cattlemen's Foundation.
-- Joe Roybal
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High nitrogen prices have many growers reconsidering forage nitrogen
management, say University of Missouri experts. High nitrogen prices
make over-application more costly, but hay and beef prices have also
increased, meaning the costs for under-application have increased. These
factors mean the value of good management has never been higher, they
say.
-- Click on headline to read the rest of this
story by eHay Weekly newsletter
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The Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO)
has Meat Plant Welfare Auditor Certification Training courses planned
for April 30-May 1 in Fremont and Schuyler, NE.
The first step on the way to becoming a certified meat plant welfare
auditor, the course will feature both classroom instruction and hands-on
experience at the plants of Hormel Foods in Fremont, and Cargill Beef in
Schuyler, NE. Instructors include: Temple Grandin of Grandin Livestock
Handling Systems; Jerome Lawler, professional auditor for Silliker,
Inc.; Kellye Pfalzgraf, Tyson Foods director of the Office of Animal
Well-Being; and Mike Siemens, Cargill beef program development director.
Visit www.animalauditor.org for
more info, or contact Mike Simpson at 402-403-0104 or mike@animalauditor.org.
-- PAACO news release
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Minnesota officials are preparing for a possible downgrading in the
state's bovine tuberculosis (TB) status following word that cattle from
a Roseau cattle operation tested positive for TB.
The newly detected beef herd was tested because of its proximity to an
operation that tested positive for bovine TB in 2005, says the Minnesota
Board of Animal Health (MBAH). The Roseau County herd tested negative in
2005 and 2006 but during a third round of testing earlier this month,
two animals tested suspect for bovine TB. Minnesota has now detected
bovine TB in 10 beef herds.
Bill Hartmann, MBAH executive director and state veterinarian, says if
another infected herd is found, Minnesota's TB status may be downgraded.
"Conversations are ongoing with USDA about Minnesota's future TB status
should we find one more herd," Hartmann said. "It's important that we
prepare for all possibilities and unfortunately, one scenario would see
the downgrading of our status from Modified Accredited Advanced to
Modified Accredited, the middle rung in an international five-tier
ranking system for cattle TB eradication."
More on bovine TB in Minnesota and the testing campaign can be found at
www.bah.state.mn.us.
Click on "Bovine Tuberculosis" under the "Hot Topics" menu.
-- Minnesota Board of Animal
Health
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Expected progeny differences (EPDs) from the spring 2008
international Limousin genetic evaluation are now available at www.nalf.org.
Users can employ the "Sire Selector" tool to specify EPD selection
criteria in searching qualified U.S. and Canadian Limousin and Lim-flex
bulls. The pedigree and EPD look-up allows cattlemen to search for
information about a particular animal. The new EPDs also are presented
for bulls and females listed for sale in the Limousin Exchange online
marketplace.
-- North American Limousin Foundation release
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Results from the 2007 National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality
Audit were presented at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention & Trade
Show in Reno tis week. The goal of the audit is to develop strategies
and tactics for improving quality and minimizing economic losses. For
beef operators, market cows and bulls (sometimes referred to as culls)
represent 10-30% of a beef operation's income (average: 16%).
Dan Hale and Ron Gill, both from Texas A&M University, offered these
seven points for producers to optimize the value of cull
cows:- Add weight to thin cows (Body Condition Score 3, or
less).
- Avoid geriatric candidates.
- Market crippled cattle direct to packing facilities.
- Sell cows before they get too fat.
- Sell cows during limited supply times (spring). (See "When It Comes
To Marketing, Timing Is Everything," Jan. 4, 2008, BEEF Cow-Calf
Weekly, (www.beefmagazine.com/cowcalfweekly/when-comes-marketing-timing/).
- Handle cattle with care.
- Observe withdrawal times for drugs.
--
Alaina Burt
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Many folks rent pasture. But what happens when drought lowers
pasture production below expectations? asks Bruce Anderson, University
of Nebraska Extension forage specialist.
Drought can really play havoc on pasture leases and, all too often,
pasture leases fail to include an appropriate plan to adjust to this
problem, he says. Without a plan, both the landowner and the tenant are
at risk.
"The landowner risks having the pasture become overgrazed, resulting in
future weed problems, reduced production, and lowered value. The tenant
risks poor performance or health of the livestock due to less forage and
lower quality feed," Anderson says. "This can lead to higher
supplemental feed costs or being forced to sell the cattle."
So, who decides when drought has lowered pasture production low enough
to remove the cattle? And, what should be the adjustment in the rent
payment?
A specific answer isn't possible, Anderson says.
"Instead, now is the time to discuss these issues as landlord and
tenant. Usually it's best to design the lease so both the landowner and
tenant share in the opportunity and risk associated with drought by
adding an appropriate escape clause due to drought," he says. "Be sure
to list the length of the grazing period and the lease. Also make sure
that stocking rates are specified in the lease, adjusting these stocking
levels for increased cow size if necessary. And get it all in writing to
avoid any misunderstandings later."
Drought can cause a lot of headaches. But if you've planned ahead,
making sudden adjustments to your pasture leases won't be one of them,
Anderson adds.
-- Bruce Anderson for "Hay & Forage Minute"
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Billed as the largest all-renewable energy gathering in history, the
Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) is slated
for March 3-7 in Washington, D.C. Energy ministers from more than 50
countries will be on hand, and 285 speakers will discuss wind, solar,
hydro, geothermal, biomass and biofuels. For more info, go to www.americanrenewables.org.
-- Burt Rutherford
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The Senate this week named its conferees for the farm bill. They
include:
Majority - Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) - chairman of the Senate Ag
Committee, Max Baucus (D-MT) -- chairman of the Senate Finance
Committee, Kent Conrad (D-ND) - chairman of the Senate Budget Committee,
Patrick Leahy (D-VT) - chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee,
Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
Minority -- Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) - Ranking Member of the
Senate Ag Committee, Dick Lugar (R-IN) - former Ag Chairman, Charles
Grassley (R-Iowa) -- Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee,
Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) -- Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations
Committee, and Pat Roberts (R-KS).
Baucus, Cochran, Conrad, Grassley, and Leahy are also members of the
Senate Ag Committee. The House of Representatives is expected to name
its conferees in the near future.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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The national meeting of Singles in Ag is planned for March 13-16 in
Stillwater, OK. The group, which has chapters in 12 states and members
in 41 states, was formed in 1986 to promote educational, recreational
and social opportunities for singles who have an ag background or
related occupation. For info on the national meeting, go to www.singlesinag.org.
-- Burt Rutherford
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For the first time in the 74-year history of the brucellosis
program, all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have
simultaneously achieved Class Free status. Texas is the last and final
state to be declared brucellosis free.
While lauding the accomplishment, Bruce Knight, under secretary for
USDA's marketing and regulatory programs, said the focus must now shift
to eradicating brucellosis from the free-ranging elk and bison
populations in the Greater Yellowstone Area as a means of protecting
against future outbreaks.
Class Free status is based on a state finding no known brucellosis in
cattle for the 12 months preceding designation as Class Free. A state's
Class Free status, however, can change. If brucellosis is found in more
than one herd of cattle in a brucellosis free state within a two-year
period, the state is downgraded to Class A status.
The presence of brucellosis in free-ranging bison and elk in Yellowstone
National Park and Grand Teton National Park still threatens the
brucellosis status of surrounding states. In May 2007, Montana
discovered brucellosis in a herd of cattle, potentially jeopardizing its
free status.
The classifications for brucellosis are as follows: Class Free, Class A,
Class B and Class C. Restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle
become less stringent as a state approaches or achieves Class Free
status. The Class C designation is for states or areas with the highest
rate of brucellosis. States or areas that do not meet the minimum
standards for Class C are required to be placed under federal
quarantine.
The interim rule declaring Texas as brucellosis free was published in
the Feb. 1 Federal Register and is effective upon publication.
Deadline for comments is April 1 (www.regulations.gov).
-- USDA
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USDA's proposed budget is estimated at $95 billion of which 76% ($72
billion) is for mandatory programs required by law such as nutrition
assistance, commodity programs, export promotion and certain
conservation programs. Discretionary programs account for 24% ($23
billion). These programs include the Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Program; rural development loans and grants; research and education;
soil and water conservation technical assistance; management of National
Forests; and domestic marketing assistance.
Some of the highlights from the proposed budget include:- Farm
Support Programs -- Farm programs would receive an estimated $10.5
billion. This compares to $20.2 billion in 2005 and 2006. The reduction
is the result of higher commodity prices.
- Food and Ag Defense Initiative -- $264 million for ongoing programs
to support the multi-agency Food and Ag Defense Initiative. The budget
provides for an $81-million increase for improving the safety and
security of the food supply and ag.
- Food Safety -- $1.1 billion is proposed for the Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS).
- Food Stamps -- Participation in the food stamp program is estimated
to increase by 200,000 individuals for a total of 28 million.
- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) -- The number of CRP acres is
estimated to decline from 36.8 million acres in 2007 to 34.8 million
acres in 2008. This is the result of expiring contracts that aren't
expected to be renewed.
- The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is proposed at
$1.05 billion. This would cover 43,000 producers and nearly 17.5 million
acres.
- Conservation Security Program (CSP) -- The budget provides $360
million for CSP in 2009 and would cover 25,400 participants in the
program.
- User Fees -- FSIS is proposing user fees for meat and poultry
inspection. The proposal would raise an estimated $92 million through a
licensing fee from all inspected plants. Congress will have to pass
legislation for this proposal to become effective.
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C.
correspondent
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USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has
proposed adding San Luis, AZ, as a port where Mexican cattle carrying
fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne diseases may be
imported into the U.S. In addition, APHIS is proposing that the rules be
amended that restrict such cattle to being imported only through six
ports on the Texas border.
According to the APHIS notice in the Federal Register, a new
facility to handle animals will be built on the Mexican side of the
border at the port of San Luis. It will be equipped with all the
equipment necessary for inspection, dipping and testing required before
"ticky" cattle from Mexico can enter the U.S. Comments are due by March
31. To submit comments and see those already submitted, go to
www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/compone.
-- Burt Rutherford
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USDA's National Ag Library has published the 2008 editions of its
"Ag Thesaurus" and "Glossary of Ag Terms" in both Spanish and English.
The 2008 update adds about 70 new definitions and expanded terminology,
as well as a new format presenting parallel English and Spanish language
interfaces. For more info, go to agclass.nal.usda.gov/agt/agt.shtml.
-- USDA release
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