News Update
July 20, 2010

NCBA Summer Conference to Address Shrinking U.S. Cattle Herd

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will be hosting its Summer Conference July 28 through Aug. 1, 2010, in Denver, Colo. According to NCBA President and Illinois cattle producer Steve Foglesong, cattle producers attending the event will receive firsthand information pertaining to issues affecting the beef industry.

“The Summer Conference is more than determining NCBA’s policies,” Foglesong said. “The event is a portal of excellent information for cattle producers. For example, the shrinking U.S. cattle population is concerning to this organization and to me, personally, as a producer. We have a panel of the industry’s finest to address the beef cattle population and offer any predictions for the future.”

Foglesong is referring to NCBA’s first ever “Rebuilding the Herd” panel that specifically addresses the shrinkage in the U.S. cattle herd. Beyond that, Gregg Doud, NCBA chief economist, said the panel is also about rebuilding the people involved in the industry. Doud said it is more important than ever to engage younger generations in farming and ranching.

“The future of this industry depends on sustaining farms and ranches for younger generations,” Doud said. “In order to make that possible, we have to address issues that serve as potential barriers for the future of this industry. The one we will be focusing on during this unique panel discussion is rebuilding the U.S. cattle herd.” The panel will feature Mike Thoren, president and CEO of Five Rivers Cattle Feeding; Kevin Good, senior market analyst with Cattle-Fax; Ben Neale, The Beef Connection and NCBA Young Producer’s Council (YPC) vice chairman; and Jack Reich, president of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA). Doud said there will be lively conversation and an array of perspectives.

“The shrinking cattle herd is a major issue and one that is too often left out of the discussion,” Doud said. “We’ve shrunk the beef cow herd for 12 of the last 14 years even though the average cow-calf producer has made money in all but three of these years. We want to extend this discussion beyond what it takes to retain and develop heifers and the cattle cycle. There are obviously other factors at work here, and this discussion is an attempt to flesh out these challenges to the future growth of our industry.”

Foglesong said another panel at the meeting will focus on the trade relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. Salvador Alvarez, Secretary (vice president) of Mexico’s Confederation of National Livestock Organizations (CNOG); Alejandro Gomez, CNOG legal consultant; Steve Foglesong, NCBA president; and Jay Whetten, Chihuahua Cattlemen’s Association.

For more information about NCBA’s Summer Conference visit www.beefusa.org.

— Release by NCBA.

AVMA Testifies in Support of Judicious Use of Antimicrobials In Food Animals

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) today cautioned against federal bans on certain uses of antimicrobials in animal agriculture.

Testifying before members of the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, the AVMA’s Christine Hoang reiterated the AVMA’s stance that such bans can have far-reaching impacts on both animal and human health. Hoang also emphasized the veterinarian’s duty in promoting both public health and protecting animal health and welfare.

“With that comes the responsibility to be cognizant of the potential human impacts that may occur as a result of any decision we make,” Hoang told the subcommittee. “The veterinarian must always consider the individual animal; other animals and humans in contact with that animal; and, if it is a food animal, we must ultimately consider the people who consume the end product.”

Hoang reassured members of Congress that veterinarians share the same concerns as their human health counterparts.
“Yet,” she said, “we also have additional concerns that must be considered, such as impacts on animal health and welfare, and even negative impacts on human health that are often unrealized.”

The AVMA’s Antimicrobial Use Task Force, Hoang testified, recently concluded that veterinarians should be involved in the decision-making process for the use of all antimicrobials in animals, whether the drugs are obtained through prescriptions, Veterinary Feed Directives or over-the-counter.

“Without exception, the AVMA is supportive of measures to mitigate risks to human health associated with the use of antimicrobials in agricultural animals,” she said. “To avoid potential diversion of resources away from more appropriate disease-control measures, we encourage a regulatory strategy that is based on science, risk-and-benefit analysis, risk management that is commensurate with the level of risk, and cooperation with all relevant stakeholders.

“The AVMA is committed to providing consumers with the safest food possible and to protect human health against the current risks without compromising the health of food animals.”

For an AVMA FAQ on the judicious use of antimicrobials in food animals, click here.

— Release by AVMA.

Weather Serving Up a Triple Threat to Kansas Livestock

Extreme temperatures coupled with high humidity and low wind speeds have led to losses of feedyard cattle in parts of the state. This hot weather pattern started July 16 and is forecast to last through the middle of this week, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

Management strategies for dealing with extreme heat in feedyards are limited. Research has shown the most effective practices include providing adequate shade, spraying with water, careful monitoring and proper feeding and watering. Discuss specific alternatives with your veterinarian and nutritionist to develop a strategy for your operation.

Overnight lows higher than 74 degrees do not allow cattle to adequately cool, requiring heightened observation and possibly intervention the following day. Livestock heat stress forecast maps are produced daily through a partnership of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) and the National Weather Service. More information on heat stress forecasts and tips for managing such emergencies can be found by clicking here. 

USDA’s livestock indemnity program (LIP) can compensate producers for animals lost during extreme weather events, including heat. LIP will pay on a per head basis for losses exceeding an established baseline loss percentage. For non-adult beef cattle over 800 lbs., the baseline death loss percent is 1.1% and the payment rate is $654.60 per head. For cattle between 400 and 799 lbs., the program will pay on losses over 1.9% at a rate of $432.59 per head. Cattle under 400 lbs. will be compensated at $302.58 per head over 2.7%. Producers will be required to notify the county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office that maintains their farm records within 30 days of the loss and then file an application for payment by Jan. 30, 2011. A producer must have an adjusted gross non-farm income of $500,000 or less on their tax return to qualify for payments. The program is capped at $100,000 per producer. Documentation of inventory and livestock losses will be necessary as part of the application process.

— Release by the Kansas Livestock Association.

Texas Budget Woes Cause AgriLife Extension Service Job Losses

Officials have completed the difficult task of notifying employees whose jobs with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service will end between now and Oct. 31.

The personnel cutback affects 94 jobs — 31 vacant positions that will not be filled and 63 occupied positions that will be eliminated agencywide. The downsizing results from a 5% state budget reduction, according to Ed Smith, AgriLife Extension director.

Leaders of the state agency, which has offices in 250 Texas counties, said their decisions were based on maintaining core programs statewide.

AgriLife Extension is part of a national community-based adult and youth education system.

“We delayed restructuring as long as we could, because we hoped that economic conditions would improve,” Smith said. “But that has not happened and we regret that we have to take these steps.” One-fourth of the staffing cut is at the agency’s College Station headquarters. The rest is throughout Texas.

“To keep positions strategically distributed, we will refill some vacancies,” said Kyle Smith, AgriLife Extension executive associate director. “So displaced personnel may find other internal job opportunities.”

He stressed that the agency has long maintained a presence in each county. That will continue.

“Counties currently being served by a single Extension agent or through a shared position will not be impacted by the new staffing plan,” said Darrell Dromgoole, AgriLife Extension associate director for county programs. “We looked most closely at counties where we had three or more positions, especially if more than one employee supported the same subject matter,” said Dromgoole.

Dromgoole said all county Extension personnel contribute to 4-H, AgriLife Extension’s youth program, and will share full responsibility for that program where needed.

“Youth programming remains a strong emphasis of our agency,” he said.

— Release by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

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