News Update
July 18, 2007

Feed Outlook Released

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) released its feed outlook report Monday, noting an expected record feed grain production.

According to the ERS report, farmers increased plantings of most feed grains, except oats, in 2007-2008, boosting forecasted supplies. U.S. feed grains production is projected to reach a record 343.6 million metric tons, up 11.2 million from a month ago and up 63.6 million from 2006.

Feed and residual use in 2007-2008 is expected to total 152.8 million metric tons, accounting for 45% of total use. Corn is estimated to account for 89% of the feed and residual use, down from 93% forecast for 2006-2007. Increased production and feed use of distiller’s grains are expected to offset decreased feed and residual use of the four feed grains plus wheat, ERS reports.

For the full report, visit  http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1273.

Preparing for Disaster

Fires, floods, hurricanes. Sometimes the best way to survive a disaster — natural or otherwise — is to get out of its way.

But evacuation plans shouldn’t be spur-of-the-moment, said Janie Harris, Texas Cooperative Extension housing and environment specialist. Routes, meeting places and contacts should all be mapped out ahead of time and shared with everyone in the family.

But what if you don’t have a vehicle or have some physical or medical condition that limits your ability to take care of yourself? Call 2-1-1, said Harris, who also is co-chair of an Extension emergency management steering committee.

“2-1-1” was designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide health and human services information and referral, said Deborah Ballard, development specialist with 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network. It is also useful during emergency situations.

Not all states have 2-1-1 services, but Texas has offered it since 2004, Ballard said. According to its web site at www.211texas.org, 2-1-1 Texas “is a free, easy-to-remember phone number connecting callers with health and human services in their community.”

This service is available at all times — not just in emergencies — to provide information on such community resources as rent and utility assistance, food, emergency shelters, employment help, medical and mental health services, transportation, and suicide intervention counseling, according to the web site. Information on affordable child care, caring for an aging relative and disaster recovery is also provided.

Anyone who will require assistance if an evacuation is necessary can register with 2-1-1 ahead of time, Harris said. That includes anyone who will need transportation assistance, help with routine activities, or who has disabilities such as blindness, hearing impairment, amputation or mental retardation. Those who are under daily nursing care or are monitored by equipment will also require assistance in evacuations, as will children younger than 18 who have no adult supervision.

The service is handled through 23 information centers throughout the state, Harris said. Anyone who might require this kind of assistance should register now, she said, because even though hurricane season — which started June 1 — has been quiet so far, there’s no guarantee it will remain that way.

— Adapted from a release provided by Texas A&M University.

Mycotoxin Information Web Site Launched

A new, comprehensive mycotoxin information web site, www.knowmycotoxins.com, produced in conjunction with Alltech was launched July 16. The web site is aimed at educating various market segments in the animal feed industry that are continuously faced with the challenge of overcoming the repercussions of mycotoxins in animal feed and ultimately on their livestock performance.

The interactive web site allows the audience to participate in discussion forums and web casts with industry experts. It is targeted to all levels in the industry such as animal producers, nutritionists and veterinarians to ensure it provides them with all they need to know to identify and deal with the growing mycotoxin issue.

Mycotoxins can have a detrimental effect on the health of an animal, as well as costing the industry millions of dollars every year in lost grains.

For further information, visit www.knowmycotoxins.com or contact a local Alltech representative.

China Suspends Pork, Poultry Shipments

China has suspended seven U.S. plants from exporting pork and poultry products following the discovery of salmonella-contaminated chicken and other products with growth agents or other additives, Reuters reports.

The American Meat Institute (AMI) Monday released a statement saying China’s actions are not based upon sound science.

“Products produced by the plants suspended by China were inspected and passed as wholesome and safe by U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors,” AMI President J. Patrick Boyle said.

According to AMI, like all raw agricultural products, raw poultry products can contain low levels of bacteria, including salmonella. As AMI suggests, this is normal and is allowed under USDA rules because the products are intended to be cooked.

K-State Debuts New Beef Cattle Institute

A new targeted Kansas State University (K-State) effort, the Beef Cattle Institute, will focus on the cattle business, its role in the state’s economy and the need to provide safe, nutritious beef products to the state, region and world.

The interdisciplinary initiative will include teachers, researchers and subject specialists from several of K-State’s colleges, including the colleges of Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Business and Education. From those colleges, researchers from several departments will be involved, said Daniel Thomson, a K-State veterinarian tapped to lead the new collaborative effort.

The goal is to centralize teaching, research and outreach related to the beef business, Thomson said. While not a new building or visible center, the institute concept will offer a platform for faculty from complementary disciplines to integrate their expertise and maximize potential benefits from that expertise, Thomson said.

Chris Reinhardt, assistant professor in feedlot nutrition in K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, and Deanna Retzlaff, assistant professor in the university’s Food Science Institute, will serve as co-principal investigators to coordinate the effort, which also will likely draw on other sources.

The Institute’s collaborators plan to develop online undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in beef cattle production and an online master’s degree in beef cattle production. Other emphases will focus on a producer service center and the development of an online English/Spanish training program for people working in beef production.

K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute will be funded by a $490,000 grant from a Targeted Excellence Program initiated by former K-State Provost Jim Coffman.

More information on the new Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute is available by contacting Thomson at 785-532-4254. 

— Release provided by K-State Research and Extension. 

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.