News Update
Feb. 11, 2010

Cattle Supply Decline to Continue in 2010, According to Cattle-Fax

Cattle supplies in 2010 should decline another 1% to 1.5% in 2010, Randy Blach, CEO for Cattle-Fax, told attendees of the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas. At the same time, beef demand will continue to be affected by a weak economy and high unemployment.

Nevertheless, 2010 overall “should be a better year for the beef industry,” Blach said, with beef exports expected to rise and fed cattle harvest totals expected to decrease. “Demand remains the biggest challenge for the beef industry in 2010,” Blach said. “Though the supply situation is very bullish, demand must stabilize in order for prices to turn significantly higher.” Read more.

AVMA Seeks Member Input to Shape Strategic Plan

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is asking for input from its members to help shape the future of the association and the profession.

The AVMA is initiating this “Future Critical Issues Scan” as part of its ongoing effort to reevaluate and revise its strategic plan, which was last approved by the AVMA Executive Board in April 2008. The AVMA hopes this scan will produce feedback from all segments of its diverse membership, which encompasses more than 80,000 veterinarians in private practice, government, industry, academia, research and uniformed services.

“The input and active participation of our membership has gotten us to the strong position we are in today,” Larry Corry, president of the AVMA, said. “We need the continued input and participation of our members to get us to an even stronger position tomorrow.”

Members of the AVMA can provide their feedback online by visiting www.avma.org/about_avma/governance/strategicplanning/scan. There, they will be asked to describe what they feel are the three most important issues facing the veterinary profession over the next five years.

Comments submitted by March 20, 2010, will be included in the April 2010 AVMA Executive Board discussion of the AVMA Strategic Plan. Comments received after that date will be included in future board discussions.

To learn more about AVMA strategic planning, view the AVMA’s current Strategic Plan, and to access a link to the Future Critical Issues Scan, visit www.avma.org/about_avma/governance/strategicplanning.

For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA media relations assistant, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell), or msanfilippo@avma.org.

— Release by AVMA.

Tools for Improving Manure Management Workshop Offered March 4

A March 4 University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Extension Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP) team workshop on “Tools for Improving Manure Management” will be at the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The workshop will help those who assist livestock producers put to use several manure management planning software programs, said Leslie Johnson, UNL CNMP coordinator. The one-day class targets those who work closely with livestock operations and their nutrient management plans.

The computer tools include the Feedlot Nutrient Management Program, the Nebraska Odor Footprint tool and the Purdue Manure Management Planner. It also will include research updates and an update on recent regulation changes. An application for Certified Crop Adviser credits has been submitted.

For additional information, contact Johnson at 402-584-3818, or e-mail at ljohnson13@unl.edu. Space is limited to 35 participants. Preregistration is required and can be done by calling Johnson. The registration fee is $75 per participant. The use of a computer with Microsoft Excel is necessary; please bring your laptop as there will only be a few extra computers. Participants will receive a CD with the software tools upon arrival.

These workshops are sponsored by the UNL Extension CNMP team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better use the state’s manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits.

For additional information and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit the web site at Livestock Manure Management.

— Release by UNL Extension.

Herd Health Focus of San Juan Basin Extension Beef Cattle Symposium

The 27th annual San Juan Basin Extension Beef Cattle Symposium will be Tuesday, March 2, at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave., Durango, Colo.

The event is co-sponsored by New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) San Juan County Cooperative Extension Service office and Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service offices in La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma and Dolores counties.

“The San Juan Basin Extension Beef Cattle Symposium has become a tradition in Northwest New Mexico and Southwest Colorado. Education programs are important to help us sustain this way of life,” said Mike Larsen, NMSU agriculture agent in San Juan County. “This year’s program will primarily focus on disease, nutrition and herd health. There will be something of interest for everyone who is involved in or planning to be involved in beef production.”

Presentation topics include marketing price risks; beef cattle nutrition and applied reproduction; herd health issues affecting cattle in New Mexico; diseases affecting cattle in Colorado; troublesome toxic plants such as locoweed and larkspur in the Four Corners area; and new developments in both native and introduced rangeland grasses.

The workshop fee is $20 per person if registering before Feb. 25. Registration after Feb. 25 is $25. The fee includes workshop materials and lunch. However, lunch and materials cannot be guaranteed for those registering after Feb. 25. For more information, contact the Archuleta County Extension office at 970-264-5931.

— Release by NMSU Cooperative Extension.

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