News Update
Oct. 9, 2009

Raising Grass-Fed Beef Profitably on Arid Rangeland is Focus of Workshop

Ranchers can learn about the benefits and challenges of producing grass-fed beef on arid ranchlands in New Mexico and adjoining states at a workshop Oct. 16-17 at New Mexico State University (NMSU).

The workshop, “Grass-fed in the Desert Southwest: Nutritional and Behavioral Considerations for Grass-fed Livestock,” is a joint effort among NMSU, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Southwest Grass-fed Livestock Alliance.

The workshop will be a forum for NMSU and USDA researchers to provide scientific knowledge and for livestock producers to discuss the real-world challenges they face raising cattle on arid ranchlands. This exchange of knowledge will allow scientists to learn firsthand from ranchers about their needs and to tailor future research to meet those needs.

Ed Fredrickson will open the workshop Oct. 16 with introductory remarks, followed by Laurie Bower, Southwest Grass-fed Livestock Alliance’s executive director, who will discuss the marketing and profitability of grass-fed beef.

The meeting will also focus on ruminant nutrition, rangeland forage and animal behavior — essential factors for successfully producing grass-fed beef in the desert Southwest.

On Oct. 16, Clint Loest, NMSU associate professor and ruminant nutritionist, will discuss the fundamentals of ruminant nutrition.

Sergio Soto-Navarro, NMSU associate professor, ruminant nutritionist and forage specialist, will talk about forages; and Derek Bailey, NMSU associate professor and a specialist in range livestock and nutrition, will talk about range forages and stocking rates. Anibal Pordomingo from Argentina, one of the world’s leading experts in grass-fed beef production, will discuss fattening cattle on grass.

Grass-fed beef producer Rick Kingsbury, of Pecos Valley Grass-fed Beef, will close the day’s meeting with a discussion and question-and-answer session from a producer’s perspective.

The Oct. 17 meeting will feature Andres Cibils, NMSU associate professor, rangeland livestock behavioral specialist and nutritionist, who will talk about cattle behavior. Then, Bailey will discuss breeds and stress, followed by Dean Anderson, USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) animal scientist at the Jornada Experimental Range, who will talk about multi-species grazing.

Following lunch, Fredrickson will discuss future considerations and possibilities for grass-fed beef production in the desert.

Kingsbury will close the workshop with a final discussion from the producers’ perspective, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16 and from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 in Wooton Hall on the NMSU campus at 2995 Knox St.

The registration fee is $65 for Southwest Grass-fed Livestock Alliance members and $85 for others; the fee includes lunch both days. To register and for more information, contact Bower at 970-390-5597 or send e-mail to info@grassfedlivestock.org.

Funding and support for this project was provided by the Washington State University Western Center for Risk Management Education, the USDA Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES), New Mexico State University, the USDA Jornada Experimental Range, and the Southwest Grass-fed Livestock Alliance.

— Release provided by NMSU Extension.

NCBA Statement on Canadian WTO Complaint Against U.S. COOL Law

The following is a statement from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) regarding the announcement that the Canadian government will formally proceed with a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement process against U.S. mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL).

“Canada’s decision to move forward with their complaint against U.S. COOL regulations is unfortunate, due to the potential retaliatory action that could be taken against U.S. beef. Since COOL was first proposed, we’ve continued to have concerns about its potential implications on our relationship with our top two trading partners — not to mention its impact on domestic feeder-cattle markets at our borders to the North and South.

“The U.S. imports and adds value to Mexican and Canadian livestock through our feedlots, processing and infrastructure; and we export this value-added finished product back to Mexican and Canadian consumers. Any disruptions to either of these markets will have a significant economic impact on our industry. Unfortunately, it’s becoming clear that COOL has damaged these critically important trading relationships, and is not putting any additional money into the pockets of cattlemen.”

In order to gain a better understanding of COOL’s effects on the entire beef chain, NCBA has asked the USDA to reinstate a joint Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)/Economic Research Service (ERS) study entitled, “Economic Analysis of Country of Origin Implementation Costs for Producers and Processors in the Beef, Pork and Lamb Industries” that was to be completed in cooperation with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC). Unfortunately, the fiscal year (FY) 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill did not direct USDA to reinstate the funding for this purpose. NCBA is continuing to urge USDA to prioritize this project.

Canada and Mexico are our top two trading partners, together accounting for 59% of total U.S. beef, beef variety meat and processed beef product export revenues last year. It is likely that Mexico will join Canada in proceeding with a formal WTO dispute settlement process. For more information, click here.

— Release provided by NCBA.

Livestock Producers Face Explosion Hazards with Manure Pumping

News reports have surfaced again detailing flash fires and explosions in livestock buildings while liquid pit manure was being agitated and pumped. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension agricultural engineers say these episodes highlight the caution needed when agitating and pumping manure from pits beneath buildings.

Liquid manure in pits undergoes slow decomposition, which creates several gases, including methane and hydrogen sulfide, both of which are flammable. The rate of gas release from the manure can be drastically increased when the manure is agitated (stirred) during pumping. This increase is especially true for hydrogen sulfide, which can have a lethal paralyzing effect in addition to being flammable.

To minimize risk of injuries and flash fires, manure handlers should follow these steps:

• Review your emergency action plan with all workers and have emergency contact numbers available at the site.
  
• Prior to agitation or pumping, turn off electrical power to any non-ventilation equipment, and extinguish any pilot lights or other ignition sources in the building.
  
• Fully open all ventilation curtains or ventilation pivot-doors, but leave walk-in doors locked to prevent human entry.
  
• Run ventilation fans at maximum speed.
  
• Ensure that all people are out of the building and clearly tag all doors noting that the building is unsafe for entry during agitation and pumping.
  
• Agitate the manure, keeping the jet of pressurized manure below the liquid surface. Don’t let the jet of manure strike walls or columns in the pit.
  
• Stop agitation when the manure level does not allow agitation below the liquid surface.
  
• Continue maximum ventilation for 30 minutes after pumping has ended before re-entering the building.
  
• Never enter a building or manure storage structure when liquid manure is being agitated or pumped.

Manure gases are an unavoidable byproduct of liquid manure storage. Strict safety protocols along with proper ventilation and agitation practices can minimize the risk of flash fires and explosions during manure pumping.

— Release provided by ISU Extension.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.