News Update

News Update
May 31, 2006

Coalition Considers Enhancements to Beef Checkoff

A broad coalition of beef industry leaders met in Kansas City, Mo., May 22-23 to address opportunities to enhance the beef checkoff and what potential changes to its operating procedures might strengthen the program in the future.

The 17-member Industry-Wide Beef Checkoff Task Force established its mission as: “To review, study and recommend enhancements to the Beef Act and Order for the purpose of strengthening the checkoff for the common good of the beef industry.” In its first meeting, members identified key issues facing the checkoff and analyzed both the strengths and the weaknesses of the current system.

Task Force members unanimously agreed the current checkoff has succeeded in helping build beef demand and move product. New product development efforts and work to change consumer perception of beef’s healthful properties were recognized by the group. In addition, the significant contributions and program coordination of state beef councils was acknowledged.

The Task Force will embark on an information-gathering process before meeting again at the end of July.

Eleven national organizations are represented on the Task Force, as are six states. The independent group was created at the request of the Federation of State Beef Councils, various beef organizations and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). It will conduct its efforts through October.

National organizations represented on the Task Force are American Farm Bureau Federation, American Veal Association, American Meat Institute, Livestock Marketing Association, Meat Importers Council of America, NCBA Livestock Marketing Council, National Livestock Producers Association, National Meat Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Farmers Union and Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA). The six state representatives on the Task Force are from California, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Tennessee and Texas. The facilitator for the Task Force is John Huston, Chicago, Ill.

— provided by Drovers

For more information visit www.drovers.com

What if the Weather Conditions Remain Dry?

Conditions continue to be dry across Kansas, which is particularly troublesome for producers anxious to get animals out to grass. Drought forces management changes, some of which are not very palatable to producers. Consider these general strategies now to help cope with current and future low-precipitation issues.

Develop a drought management plan so that if conditions decline to certain levels the plan already outlines the course of action. Consider effects on pastures, harvested forages and water supplies. The plan can reduce stress for family members and facilitate timely action.

Wean early. It is much more efficient to feed the calf directly than to feed the cow to increase milk production. Calves older than 90 days of age and/or heavier than 200 pounds can be weaned with minimal consequences. Protein and energy requirements of the cow are decreased 30% or more depending on stage of lactation at weaning. Water requirements of the cow also drop 60% with weaning. Young cows particularly benefit from early weaning since they are still growing.

Hauling water is more expensive with today’s gas prices. Make sure it is an economically viable option.

Shorten the breeding season, use early pregnancy diagnosis and remove open cows and bulls from the pasture. Develop a culling list starting with dry, ornery, old or otherwise problematic cows.

Feeding cows on pasture is very hard on the pasture. If this approach is used, carefully consider which pasture to sacrifice. Fencing off a portion of the pasture for feeding may reduce pasture-wide damage.

Drought resources can be found on the web at www.oznet.ksu.edu/drought/ or www.angusjournal.com/drought.

— provided by Kansas State University Research and Extension Beef Tips
For more information visit www.asi.ksu.edu/beeftips.

— compiled by Micky Wilson, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.