News Update
June 11, 2010

Senate Allows EPA to Proceed with Greenhouse Gas Regualtions

The U.S. Senate failed to pass a resolution yesterday that would have prevented the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from moving forward with plans to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Defeat of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s resolution of disapproval gives the green light to EPA to unilaterally regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA). According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), as EPA moves forward with greenhouse gas regulations, there will be significant negative effects on the entire U.S. economy.

NCBA and the Coalition for Responsible Regulation have taken legal action to prevent EPA from proceeding with its regulatory proposal. The coalition filed petitions with the Washington, D.C., Court of Appeals in December 2009 challenging the science behind EPA’s finding that greenhouse gas emissions are a threat to human health and, therefore, eligible for regulation under CAA. Another appeal to stop EPA’s planned regulation of greenhouse gas emissions was filed by the coalition in April.

— Release by Kansas Livestock Association.

USDA to Host Red Meat Mobile Slaughter Unit Informations Session

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced it is hosting a red meat mobile slaughter unit information session on June 24. The goals of this information session are to educate farmers, ranchers and processors on how to set up mobile slaughter units, receive the federal grant of inspection and meet USDA food safety requirements.

"This session will educate small producers and processors on establishing mobile slaughter units and how to ensure the safety of the products so that they can receive the USDA federal mark of inspection," said Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Jerold Mande.

Mobile slaughter units are self-contained slaughter facilities that can travel from site to site. Typically, the units provide slaughter services to regional small producers at conveniently located host farms. FSIS inspected mobile slaughter units provide a feasible option for small livestock producers wanting to provide safe, wholesome meat product to local and interstate consumer markets.

The red meat mobile slaughter unit information session will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center in Boonsboro, Md. Livestock for these mobile units include cattle, hogs, goats and sheep.

To view the meeting agenda, go to: www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/.

For more information about assistance that is provided for small and very small plants, contact the Small Plant Help Desk. Inquiries can be made to the help desk by toll-free telephone or by email. The help desk is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. To speak to a staff specialist during this time, call 1-877-FSISHelp (1-877-374-7435). Customers may also contact the help desk by email at InfoSource@fsis.usda.gov.

— Release by USDA.

TSCRA offers free Cattlemen’s Field Day in Hopkins County

Ranchers in the Hopkins County area can attend a free Cattlemen's Field Day hosted by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA). The field day will take place Monday, June 21, at the Professional Agricultural Workers Building in Sulphur Springs.

Experts will present programs focused on bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), fetal programming and sustained nutrition and new cattle marketing strategies.

A complimentary lunch will be served at noon. The program begins at 1 p.m. and will conclude at 5 p.m. Participants with pesticide applicator licenses will receive two Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). Participants will also receive one beef quality credit. The full speaker schedule can be found here.

Participants should RSVP by June 17 to Stacy Fox at 1-800-242-7820 or e-mail sfox@tscra.org.

The Professional Agricultural Workers Building is located at 957 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs.

For more information including a map to the location, please visit www.tscra.org and click on Calendar of Events. The Sulphur Springs Cattlemen's Field Day is listed under educational events.

— Release by TSCRA.

It’s Hot. Don’t Forget to Stay Hydrated

The temperatures have heated up fast and with numbers soon to be in triple digits, it is important to remember to drink plenty of water.

When most people think about having a healthy diet, they think of what they eat. Including water into a diet is an essential component for a healthy lifestyle.

“Water is more critical to life than food,” said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cooperative Extension nutrition education specialist.  “Water is in every cell of the body.  About 60% of an adult’s body is water and even more of a child’s body weight is water.”

Water is essential because the body’s requirement for water is greater than its ability to produce it.  The body uses water for almost all its functions, including digestion, absorption, circulation, excretion, transporting nutrients, building tissues, maintaining blood vessels and maintaining body temperature.

Hermann said that most people usually underestimate how much water they need to refill body supplies.  Thirst is the primary way of indicating a need for water; unfortunately, the onset of thirst lags behind the body’s need for water.

The body’s water comes from three sources: first the body makes water and the rest comes from food and beverages.  Liquids are easy-to-recognize sources of water, but solid foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables also provide water.

“Adults need at least six to eight cups of water each day,” said Hermann.  “Water can be taken in many forms such as water, fruit juice, milk, soups, coffee, tea or soft drinks.”

During hot summer days, water is especially important because dehydration can be a major life-threatening problem.

While the body can stand to lose much of its fat and carbohydrate stores, a loss of only 5% of body water can result in some signs of heat exhaustion.  A loss of 10% of body water can lead to heat stroke and circulatory collapse, said Hermann.

During hot weather or physical activity, plain cool water is best for replacing body water because it can be absorbed quickly.

“Juices, soft drinks and other liquids containing more than 8% sugar may cause stomach cramps and diarrhea. Most sports drinks contain about 7% sugar, which is about half the amount of sugar in regular soft drinks,” she said. “It’s a good idea to spread out fluid replacement, drinking fluids before, during and after physical activity or time in the sun.”

Hermann also said a tip for replacing water lost through perspiration is to weigh before and after being physically active and use the guide of two cups of water to replace one pound lost.  If someone lost two pounds they would need four cups of fluid to replace the water lost.

— Release by OSU Cooperative Extension.

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