News Update

News Update
Aug. 11, 2008

Whole Foods Recalls Beef on E. coli Scare

Whole Foods Market has recalled much of its ground beef following a rash of E. coli illnesses in Massachusetts linked to a Nebraska facility that produced beef for the company.

On Aug. 8, Omaha, Neb.-based Nebraska Beef announced it would recall 1.2 million pounds (lb.) of beef following an investigation by state health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) identifying 31 cases of contamination in 12 states and Canada, according to Reuters. Recalled beef includes primal and subprimal cuts and boxed beef produced on June 17, June 24 and July 8, according to Reuters.

The processing facility has reportedly been in hot water with USDA in recent months, forcing the recall of 5.3 million lb. of beef just last month due to illnesses. The Washington Post reported Aug. 10 that Whole Foods’ beef came from Coleman Natural Foods, which had reportedly processed product at Nebraska Beef without Whole Foods’ knowledge.

Company officials were looking into the matter, according to the article, and customers who bought ground beef between June 2 and Aug. 6 should dispose of the meat and return the packaging or receipt to the store for a refund.

USDA Report Helps Small-Scale Producers with Marketplace

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released a report Aug. 8 focused on helping small- and medium-sized farmers take advantage of the shifts in today’s retail food marketplace.

Titled “Supply Chain Basics: The Dynamics of Change in the U.S. Food Marketing Environment,” the report is the latest link in the Supply Chain Basics series of reports that help farmers understand the changing nature of today’s food marketing environment. Other reports in the series focus on logistical technology (Technology: How Much — How Soon) and niche marketing (The Logistics of Niche Agricultural Marketing).

This report examines the changes in the retail marketing environment, especially as it affects the relationship between grocery stores and their vendors.

“Small farmers who are seeking alternative ways to market their products will find this report extremely useful,” AMS Administrator Lloyd Day said. “The report brings food producers up to speed on the evolving nature of the food marketing environment.”

“Supply Chain Basics: The Dynamics of Change in the U.S. Food Marketing Environment” is available online at www.ams.usda.gov/marketingservicespublications and will soon be available in print form on request from Shannon Ford, Marketing Services Division, Transportation and Marketing Programs, AMS, Room 2646-South, STOP 0269, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20250; by phone at 202-720-8317; fax at 202-690-0031; or e-mail to shannon.ford@usda.gov.

— Adapted from a release provided by AMS.

MU South Farm Hosts Beef Day Sept. 18

Technology that boosts efficiency in beef production will be highlighted at the University of Missouri (MU) South Farm’s third annual beef field day, Thursday, Sept. 18, at the farm’s Beef Research and Teaching Center.

“First thing in the morning we will present research behind feed efficiency, and then later we will show the technology,” said Justin Sexten, MU Extension beef nutritionist.

Producers will be able to go on a pasture walk, see vertical-mixer demonstrations and see biofuel coproduct feed storage and handling.

Other applied technology demonstrations are “Selecting and Using Growth Implants,” “Choosing Feed Additives,” “Sire Selection for Feed Efficiency” and “Keys to Reproductive Program Success.”

Industry vendors will open their exhibits at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.

The first talk, featuring Gene Felton from West Virginia University will begin at 9:15 a.m., and cover “Effects of Residual Feed Intake.”

Monty Kerley, MU beef nutritionist, will show how he uses an MU research barn equipped with feeders that automatically measure individual animal feed intake on a computer. The GrowSafe® feeders, which measure feed efficiency, are used in research at the MU Agricultural Experiment Station farms at Columbia and Mount Vernon, Mo.

John Lawrence of the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University will discuss “Economic Impacts of Pharmaceutical Technologies.” Sexten said the talk illustrates the economics of wormers, implants, ionophores and antibiotics.

During a free lunch, MU faculty will speak and there will be drawings for door prizes from vendors. During the day, MU graduate students will display posters of their research in progress.

Registration is free; however, attendees should make reservations for lunch by calling Angie Gallatin at 573-882-2829. Agribusinesses interested in exhibiting at the field day can call Phillip Brooks at the same number.

For more information, see http://animalsciences.missouri.edu/research/brtf/.

— Release provided by MU.

Farmershowcase.com Establishes Facebook Group

Farmershowcase.com, an agricultural product showcasing web site, has just launched a Facebook group to help market and connect with farmers internationally.

The “Farmershowcase.com” Facebook group was created to connect young and progressive farming leaders throughout the world. The purpose is for farmers to utilize the group by sharing stories, suggestions and strategies for the ag industry today and tomorrow. It is also a chance to share any photos, videos or other information about your farming and other rural activities.

Farmers and agribusiness professionals from all sectors utilize Facebook daily, which makes this group a perfect fit to interact over the Internet through discussion forums.

To date the Farmershowcase.com group consists of approximately 500 members ranging from livestock producers to crop farmers to agri-marketing professionals.

To join the group visit http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12197981137.

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