News Update

News Update
June 6, 2008

Farm Bill Passes, Again

An error omitting the Trade Title from the final Farm Bill necessitated full re-passage of the 2007 Farm Bill. While the House had quickly passed the entire bill for a second time on a vote of 306-110, action in the Senate was delayed due to objections from two members.

Nevertheless, the Senate also re-passed the Farm Bill yesterday by a margin of 77-15. This clears the way for the bill to once again be sent to the President — this time complete with all 15 titles, according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

NCBA officials say the result is likely to be the same as it was last month — veto by the President, followed by a Congressional override.

S.D. Brand Board to Take Over Inspection Program Soon

The South Dakota Brand Board has denied three different brand inspection contracts offered by the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA), says SDSGA President Larry Nelson, Buffalo, S.D.

“The Stockgrowers have managed brand inspection for over 100 years and it’s always been our goal to provide a quality service at a reasonable price. We had hoped that this could continue, in order that producers could continue to depend on an efficient and effective program at the lowest cost possible,” Nelson said.

None of the SDSGA proposals suggested an increase in the inspection fee, he added. The current contract expires July 1, which will be the S.D. Brand Board’s first day of carrying out the brand inspection program, SDSGA reported.

AVMA Launches Animal Welfare Web Section

To help veterinarians and the general public understand the complexity and passion behind animal welfare issues, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has launched its first web section devoted entirely to animal welfare information.

“This new section of the AVMA web site will play an important role in helping people understand the AVMA’s science- and ethics-based approach to animal welfare,” explains Dr. Gail Golab, director of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division. “Ultimately, as it grows and evolves, we envision an in-depth resource that people will return to, again and again to gain issue-based knowledge and an appreciation for how complex animal welfare decision-making can be. Material already available in our new web section presents a convincing argument for considering a multitude of factors and input from a variety of experts and stakeholders when deciding on best approaches to animal care.”

The new web section went live June 4. It offers links to brochures, policy statements, commentary on regulatory and legislative proposals, backgrounders, the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia, press releases and journal articles, information about the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee, a meeting calendar and contact information for staff in the Animal Welfare Division.

“This new section of our web site will provide an invaluable resource on one of the most complex and challenging issues in veterinary medicine — animal welfare. Information is very powerful. If we can raise awareness about animal welfare, it’s reasonable to expect that humane treatment of animals — as pets, in the wild, in zoos and on farms — will improve,” says Dr. Ron DeHaven, executive vice president of the AVMA. “Animal welfare assurance involves both science and philosophy, making the issues complex and difficult to understand. What’s more, most people have strong convictions about animal welfare issues, making them inherently controversial. This new web section provides a unique opportunity for the AVMA to answer questions, educate and serve the profession and the public as a leader on animal welfare issues.”

For more information, please visit www.avma.org. To visit the new AVMA Animal Welfare web page visit www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/default.asp.

— Release provided by AVMA.

Trienniel Stocker Conference Planned

The Triennial Stocker Conference is scheduled for Aug. 15 in Auburn, Ala. Registration, which is set at $50, will begin at 7: 30 a.m., followed by presentations, a producer panel, lunch and a discussion session. Topics include vaccine decision making, receiving programs, nutrition programs for southeastern stocker cattle, forage options and more.

For more information visit www.ag.auburn.edu.

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