News Update
Feb. 16, 2010

Industry to Offer Input on USDA’s New Framework For Animal Disease Traceability

Following U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement that his department is changing its approach to developing a national animal identification system, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has announced it will dedicate a portion of its annual meeting, scheduled to take place in Kansas City, Mo., March 15-17, to having industry representatives and participants offer needed input to State and Tribal officials as they begin the task of developing identification programs that will be compatible across state and tribal boundaries.

As announced on Feb. 5th, the USDA is changing its course from developing a national system to providing the “framework for animal disease traceability” in which States and Tribes will determine their own specific programs and, presumably, their own standards. As part of the announcement Sec. Vilsack indicated State and Tribal animal health officials will hold a two-day forum in Kansas City March 18-19 to initiate a dialogue about the possible ways of achieving the flexible, coordinated approach to animal disease traceability USDA envisions.

Immediately preceding the forum, the NIAA Animal Identification and Information Systems Committee is convening a panel of animal agriculture representatives to discuss what this new approach will mean to their sector of the industry as well as offer input to the State and Tribal officials to incorporate into their later discussions.

“The USDA’s announcement that it will no longer pursue the NAIS strategy is something that has left many in animal agriculture asking for answers,” said Michael Coe, co-chair of the committee. “Given the new direction, there are many questions as to what producers, marketers, and processors of livestock in the U.S. should expect as a result of the shift in policy.”

The committee’s panel will include a representative from each of the major food animal sectors as well as livestock auctions and processors. “We anticipate there will be a substantial amount of discussion that will provide valuable input to USDA, the States and the Tribal Nations on the concerns and ideas from these representatives,” Coe added. The committee’s meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“NIAA has been very involved in convening such panels and conferences over the past two decades in order to assist in developing consensus across animal agriculture on animal identification issues,” states Leonard Bull, chairman of the NIAA board of directors. “This is yet another opportunity for NIAA to provide the needed forum for animal agriculture to proactively work toward a positive solution to a very difficult and contentious issue.”

NIAA’s annual meeting will take place at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo., with a block of rooms reserved at a special nightly rate of $130 per room, single or double occupancy. To receive this special rate, rooms must be reserved by Friday, Feb. 19, by calling 816-474-4400 and specifying that you are with the National Institute for Animal Agriculture.

— Release by NIAA.

Farmers have to deal with varying weather conditions, but few know how to build that experience into a marketing plan. Two one-day courses will help producers do that, as well as use other advanced marketing tools, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service economist.

The two short courses, “Identifying Weather Risk and Incorporating it into Your Marketing Plan” and “Advanced Marketing Tools and Strategies for Producers,” will take place Feb. 23 and Feb. 26, respectively, at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Amarillo, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd.

“There are just two chances left to attend some of the best educational programming in risk management programs I have ever put together,” said Steve Amosson, AgriLife Extension economist in Amarillo.

Both courses run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The registration fee is $75 for each course, which includes the cost of instruction, materials, lunch and breaks. Registration is limited to 50 participants on a first-come basis, so preregistration is required, he said.

“This is a great opportunity to gain some market insights from nationally known experts,” Amosson said. “They are two of the most popular speakers on the Master Marketer program. I guarantee that attendees will leave impressed and fascinated by what they have to say.”

On Feb. 23, Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension climatologist, will provide insight into weather patterns and how to integrate weather expectations into marketing plans.

Weather is always a critical factor in the success of a farm operation, Amosson said. In Taylor’s course, participants will gain a better understanding of how to identify long-range weather patterns and their potential effects on crop yields.

Taylor will share his unique approach to incorporating weather and market risk into a marketing strategy, Amosson said. Yield trends, a balance sheet approach and the use of growing degree days will be discussed, as will the effect of high temperatures, low precipitation and evaluating stress impact.

“Elwynn is recognized as one of the leading climatologists dealing with agriculture,” Amosson said. “I know participants will be fascinated when he explains long-run weather cycles and how you can predict weather events.”

The final course offering in the Advanced Topic Series will be  Feb. 26 and taught by a popular Master Marketer speaker, Darrell Holaday, a private marketing and management strategist from Kansas.

“In Holaday’s course, you will learn some of Darrell’s favorite marketing strategies and gain an understanding of how and when to utilize some advanced marketing tools such as covered calls, storage hedges, synthetic options and index-funds swaps to improve your marketing,” Amosson said.

In addition, Holaday will spend time improving attendees’ understanding of the intricacies of the new marketplace including money flow, participants and the effect of electronic trading, Amosson said. Finally, he will discuss flexible marketing strategies and selective hedging.

“Darrell was manager of the Kansas Ag Marketing Association for Farm Bureau before starting his own firm. He brings in a world of experience and people will be impressed with his knowledge and passion for marketing,” Amosson said.

For more information and the registration brochure, go to the Master Marketer web site, http://mastermarketer.tamu.edu or contact Jane Planchon at 806-677-5600 or JAPlanchon@ag.tamu.edu.

Checks and money orders should be made payable to Texas AgriLife Account #222100-60021 and sent to Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, attn: Jane Planchon, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79106-1796. For credit card payments, go online to register at http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu.

— Release by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

UK Applied Master Grazer Program Offers Hands-on Learning

Kentucky livestock producers can get hands-on field experience in grazing concepts, practices and techniques through the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Applied Master Grazer program.

The new program, developed by specialists in the UK College of Agriculture, differs from the traditional Master Grazer program, which was largely lecture based. Applied Master Grazer offers two field sessions in addition to one classroom session. The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board provides funding for the program.

In the field sessions, producers will tour area farms where UK Cooperative Extension agents and farm managers will discuss what does and does not work in their operations, ways to improve problem areas and new strategies and techniques. Many of the farms on the tours are demonstration farms, where producers received cost-share dollars to do such things as improve watering systems and grow different forage varieties. The demonstration farms are spread across the state.

“Our goal is not to set up a grazing system for them, but to give them the tools they need to be comfortable to incorporate applicable principles into their operations,” said Steve Moore, agriculture and natural resources Extension agent in Henry County.

Beginning March 18, Moore and agents in Shelby, Oldham and Trimble counties will host the state’s first program. Participants in those counties will visit a demonstration farm as well as a non-demonstration farm, where they will use the knowledge they gained from the program to develop plans to increase the farm’s grazing efficiency.

“Ultimately, we hope this program allows producers to incorporate more of a forage base into their programs and increase their bottom lines,” said Adam Probst, UK Master Grazer Program coordinator.

Program topics will vary between counties depending upon the needs and interests of area producers and the types of farms featured. Those wanting more information about Applied Master Grazer should contact their county’s Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources.

— Release by UK College of Agriculture.

Livestock Producers Gathered in Topeka to Review Proposed Legislation

Ranchers, feeders and dairymen from across the state of Kansas are in Topeka today, Feb. 16, for the annual Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Legislative Meeting and Dinner. KLA members will hear a review of pending legislation at the state Capitol. The KLA Legislative Affairs staff will explain the legislation for the benefit of members, who then will decide whether to take positions on the bills. Bills dealing with the elimination of certain sales tax exemptions, additional funding for the Kansas Animal Health Department, water rights and air quality regulations are among those KLA members are considering for policy action.

KLA staff are at the Capitol protecting the business interests of members every day throughout the legislative session. Weekly analysis of legislative issues important to livestock producers is featured in the KLA newsletter and in a new video clip on www.kla.org.

— Release by KLA.

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