News Update
Sept. 26, 2008

August Total Red Meat Production Below Previous Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.10 billion pounds (lb.) in August, down 5% from the 4.33 billion lb. produced in August 2007.

Beef production, at 2.27 billion lb., was 7% below the previous year. Cattle harvest totaled 2.91 million head, down 7% from August 2007. The average live weight was up 5 lb. from the previous year, at 1,284 lb.

Veal production totaled 11.2 million lb., 9% above August a year ago. Calf harvest totaled 79,200 head, up 21% from August 2007. The average live weight was down 23 lb. from last year, at 245 lb.

Pork production totaled 1.80 billion lb., down 2% from the previous year. Hog harvest totaled 9.27 million head, down 1% from August 2007. The average live weight was down 2 lb. from the previous year, at 261 lb.

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.3 million lb., was down 10% from August 2007. Sheep harvest totaled 200,700 head, 12% below last year. The average live weight was 132 lb., up 3 lb. from August a year ago.

January to August 2008 commercial red meat production was 33.4 billion lb., up 5% from 2007. Accumulated beef production was up 2% from last year, veal was down 4%, pork was up 9% from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 4%.

— Release provided by USDA.

High Plains Brush Management Symposium Scheduled Oct. 15

A brush management symposium for High Plains and Rolling Plains landowners is scheduled for Oct. 15 in Clarendon, said Texas AgriLife Extension Service county agents.

The High Plains Brush Management Symposium will begin with registration at 8 a.m. in the Bairfield Activity Center, located on the northwest corner of Clarendon College, said Brandon Dukes, AgriLife Extension agricultural agent in Roberts County.

Six continuing education units will be offered at the daylong symposium sponsored by the AgriLife Extension offices in the region. It will conclude at 4:30 p.m.

Dow AgroSciences, DuPont, the Panhandle Plains Land Bank, Precision Brush Control and other industry supporters will sponsor the noon meal.

This symposium will provide a comprehensive look at brush management practices, both chemical and mechanical, as well as provide economic perspectives on controlling brush, said Leonard Haynes, AgriLife Extension agricultural agent in Donley County.

Many leading experts in the industry will be on hand to answer questions and provide insight into the very best brush management strategies, Haynes said.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) will be discussed, as well as mechanical and chemical control of mesquite and cedar; precision brush management using global information systems; brush management in conservation reserve program (CRP) lands; yucca, cholla and broom snakeweed control; herbicide management of sand shinoak and other brush species; prescribed burning; biological control of saltcedar; and utilizing mesquite as a biofuel.

Advanced registration is requested by Oct. 7. To register or get more information, contact Haynes at 806-874-2141 or lhaynes@ag.tamu.edu.

— Release provided by AgNMore News.

House Passes Continuing Budget Resolution

This week, Congress passed H.R. 2638 – the “Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act.” The bill passed by a vote of 370-58, and included a Continuing Resolution (CR) for funding through March 2009.

Included in the legislation is nearly $22 billion in Disaster Assistance funding, including $1.433 billion in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Interior funding. From this funding, $910 million is allocated between Interior and USDA for Wildland Fire Management — including emergency suppression and burnt land rehabilitation.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) was appropriated $115 million and the USDA Rural Development Disaster Assistance Grant and Loan programs were appropriated $150 million.

The Senate expects to finish action on the CR tomorrow.

— Release provided by NCBA.

House Judiciary Passes Horse Slaughter Bill

On Sept. 23, 2008, the House Judiciary Committee passed, via a party line voice vote, H.R. 6598 — the “Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008.” An Amendment was attached by Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), which added a requirement that the U.S. Attorney General’s office work in consultation with USDA on this matter.

Once the Committee finalizes their report for submission to the Rules Committee the bill could come to a floor vote. NCBA will continue to work against this bill on the Hill with hopes to prevent it from being considered on the House floor.

NCBA is working to ensure that Congress and the public are aware that although the bill was introduced under the guise of protecting horse welfare, it will produce unintended and inhumane consequences. Since state laws have banned horse processing, the number of abandoned, neglected and starving horses has drastically increased.

What’s more, this bill would severely limit the rights of owners to manage their private property and subject horse owners to criminal prosecution should they sell their horses for processing.

NCBA continues to oppose this legislation, and has created a template for members to use when contacting members of Congress regarding this issue: http://capwiz.com/beefusa.

— Release provided by NCBA.

European Commission Raises BSE Testing Age to 48 Months

The European Commission (EC) has raised the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) testing age for cattle to 48 months from the current testing age of 30 months. Producers applauded the decision, saying it would reduce costs on ranchers.

Ulster Farmers Union president Graham Furey was quoted as saying, “If and when the decision is implemented in the UK (United Kingdom) it will mean farmers will not be charged the testing fee for cattle under 48 months and this should mean a saving per animal on kill charges.”

Cattle over 30 months of age that meet market requirements will no longer be discounted because of their age.

BSE cases in most EU (European Union) member states almost halved in 2007 and no new cases were registered in 14 of the 27 member states.

— Release provided by NCBA.

— compiled by Tosha Powell, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.