News Update
December 22, 2014
USDA Chief Pulls Back Beef Checkoff Proposal
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack scrapped a proposal to establish another beef checkoff on top of the existing Beef Checkoff Program. The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) is pleased with Vilsack’s decision to listen to the outcry from the nation’s cattle farmers and ranchers.
“The secretary asked for comments and responded appropriately to the concerns expressed by those of us who invest our dollars into the Beef Checkoff Program. MCA considers this announcement to be good news,” said MCA President Jim McCann, who is a cattle rancher from Miller, Mo.
The new checkoff would have functioned under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996. The Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 governs the current beef checkoff. MCA expressed “vehement” opposition to the creation of a new beef checkoff under the 1996 Act.
According to MCA Executive Vice President Mike Deering, the secretary’s suggestion for a new beef checkoff under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 would have created inefficiencies and added confusion to a highly successful program. Deering said while the association is pleased with the announcement, MCA is disappointed that this idea was ever put forward.
“We are extremely disappointed that this proposal ever saw the light of day. The idea was a bad one and never should have been presented in the first place,” said Deering. “The Beef Checkoff Program was started by cattlemen for cattlemen with their money. We are not talking about government money. We are talking about cattlemen investing their money into their industry. We want less government intervention; certainly not more.”
North America Harvest Analysis Determines Mycotoxins Stealing Ruminant Returns
The results are in and this year’s North American corn silage crop contains a mixture of molds and mycotoxins, putting beef and dairy cattle at high risk for mycotoxin exposure and performance problems including a 3.5 pound (lb.) average loss in milk yield, according to a recent survey by Alltech.
A survey of 59 North American corn silage samples from across the United States and Canada from September to November 2014 tested for mycotoxin contamination through Alltech’s 37+™ mycotoxin analysis found an average 6.1 mycotoxins per sample. This year’s analysis took the information from the survey one step further, revealing the costs associated from mycotoxin contamination and what dairy and beef producers can save by utilizing Alltech Mycotoxin Management.
“Based on Alltech’s 37+ results of the 2014 harvest of corn silage, we see that the risk of mycotoxins to dairy cows is high. Scientific literature shows that at a similar risk level, cows may produce 3.5 lb. (1.6 liter) of milk per day less when consuming mycotoxins,” said Alexandra Weaver, Alltech Mycotoxin Management Team. “Additionally, milk somatic cell count (SCC) was shown to increase by 39%. With this loss of performance, the reduction in profitability per cow is an estimated decrease of $1.54 per day.”
Weaver examined more than 90 peer-reviewed papers on the cost implications mycotoxins can have on animal production. An analysis is still under way on the costs associated with mycotoxicoses in beef cattle.
“Deductions in milk yield and rising SCC numbers may not be observable on a daily basis, but producers will notice the difference in production at the milk tank,” Weaver said. “By utilizing Alltech’s 37+ mycotoxin analysis and the Alltech MIKO program, we can better identify mold and mycotoxins present in grains and stored feedstuffs and pinpoint potential risks to production and economic returns.”
For more information, please view the full release here.
Seven Join KLA’s 50-year Membership Club
Seven Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) members were recognized during the KLA Convention Dec. 3 for reaching 50 years of membership. This year’s honorees epitomize the diversity and commitment of the organization’s membership.
Those who joined KLA in 1964 are Gartrell Farms, Stockton; Geffert Herefords, Haven; Gilliland Cattle Co., Leon; Rex Headrick, Jewell; Stanley McCauley, Highland; Donald Montgomery, Sabetha; and Brad Tate, Lakin.
Attaining 60 years of membership this year are Adams Cattle Co., Plains; L.E. Fairbairn, Garden City; Edwin Lenkner, Coats; Jack MacNair, Dodge City; Keith Mull, Larned; Tony Renollet, Sterling; Leon Steffen, Burdett. Natalee Story, Winfield; J. Harold Carswell, Osborne; and Andy Schuler Jr., Chapman, were honored for reaching the 70-year mark.
“KLA effectively works to protect the business interests of Kansas ranchers and farmers every day,” said KLA President-elect Jaret Moyer, a rancher from Emporia. “This continued success would not be possible without the solid support of its members.”
These honorees bring the total number of KLA members who have belonged to the organization for 50 years or more to 93. The longest continuously held KLA membership belongs to Jansonius Farms of Prairie View, which joined the association in 1918.
KLA is a trade organization protecting the business interests of independent ranchers, feeders and dairy farmers. Members of the association are involved in all segments of the livestock industry, including cow-calf production, backgrounding, cattle feeding, swine, dairy and sheep. The association’s work is funded by voluntary dues dollars paid by its 5,000 members.
Register Now for the Northern States Beef Conference
The 2nd Annual Northern States Beef Conference will be Jan. 5-6, 2015, at the Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton, Minn. This program is a joint effort between South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension, University of Minnesota Extension, and North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service and is meant for cow-calf producers, feedlot operators and allied industry representatives.
The early registration rate is $135 per person ($90 for students). Regular registration will be $150 ($100 for students). Register online or you may contact Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension cow-calf field specialist 605.882.5140 or Julie Walker, SDSU Extension beef specialist 605.688.5458 for more information. Room reservations may be made at Jackpot Junction Hotel, 1-800-WIN-CASH.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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