News Update
Dec. 13, 2010

AngusSource® Calves Earn More

Enrolling Angus-sired cattle in AngusSource® helps cattlemen capture added value from their herds — that’s according to the latest data from Superior Livestock Auction video sales conducted between June and September 2010.

According to Superior, age- and source-verified calves sold through AngusSource earned significantly higher prices in the auction market’s video sales compared with calves not age- and source-verified.

Calves enrolled in the American Angus Association’s program, which documents source, group age and Angus genetics, brought 91¢ more per hundredweight (cwt.) than other age- and source-verified programs; and $2.58 more per cwt. than non-verified calves. Read more.

Congressional Leaders Push Back on Government Overreach

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Steve Foglesong is relieved and encouraged by congressional leaders committing to “rein in” regulatory agencies. He said from “unprecedented” regulatory overreach from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) proposed rule on livestock marketing, this administration has created substantial challenges for U.S. cattlemen and women. 

“This administration needs to stand up and look carefully at the unintended consequences occurring in rural America as a result of the unnecessary and burdensome regulations that lack science and a cost benefit analysis,” said Foglesong. “The administration sits idle while more and more regulations are proposed and implemented. It is refreshing to see the tables turning and real leaders who understand the reality of agriculture standing firm on their commitment to protect America’s farmers and ranchers.”

Most recently, on Dec. 9, 2010, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) discussed the long list of regulations with Ramona Emilia Romero during a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing to consider her nomination as the general counsel for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“We write legislation here and work very hard to produce a farm bill or any other bill and then all of a sudden it goes to some federal agency and it has happened in many administrations. And whatever pops out of the woodwork in the Federal Register doesn’t resemble the intent that we think should be the case. That’s a continued sort of an arm wrestling contest,” said Sen. Roberts. “But on GIPSA, we really have strong feelings about that. And I’m glad ranking member Sen. Chambliss (Sen. Saxby Chambliss R-Ga.) brought up the situation with Mr. Butler (GIPSA Administrator J. Dudley Butler). He ought to recuse himself, and I feel pretty strongly about that. And with your background, I think you can take a hard look at that.”

During a live episode of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, on Dec. 7, 2010, incoming House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) spoke firmly about his commitment to thoroughly review the whole host of regulations being put forth by various departments and agencies. Specifically, he discussed the proposed GIPSA rule. He said the way the rule is put together will likely result in a “tremendously devastating” impact on the livestock sector. He said the proposed rule includes language that was defeated in the three previous farm bills.

“Congress wouldn’t give them authority. It’s a set of rules that they tried to go through the courts to force implementation and a half a dozen court cases rules against them. So, if you can’t get the elected officials to do it, and you can’t get the courts to implement it, then you use the rulemaking process and that’s where we are right now,” said Rep. Lucas. “We had a hearing back in July in the livestock subcommittee where, in a very bipartisan way, we attempted to get the administration and USDA’s attention: Don’t do this. They’ve gone forward anyway and they are continuing that process. The GIPSA rule is contrary to the will of Congress. It is contrary to the opinion of the courts in past cases. And I just don’t think it’s good for us.” 

— Release by NCBA.

USDA Introduces an Online Tool to Assist Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers  

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the Department has established an online tool that can link retiring farmers who have expiring Conservation Reserve Program contracts with beginning farmers or ranchers who are interested in bringing the land into production. The new online resource, TIP Net, is a website provided by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Through the Transition Incentives Program (TIP), producers with land for sale or lease are introduced to qualified beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who want to buy or rent land for their operations.

“The interest in TIP during the first six months of implementation has far exceeded our expectations,” said Vilsack. “This tool should make TIP even more effective in facilitating the transition of land to our next generation of farmers.”

TIP provides up to two additional Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) annual rental payments to a retired or retiring owner or operator with an expiring CRP contract. To qualify, the landowner must sell or lease the CRP land to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher so the new operator can convert some or all of the land to production using sustainable grazing or crop production methods.

As of Nov. 30, TIP participation included 372 contracts on more than 52,000 acres, with nearly $5 million obligated for TIP annual rental payments.

For beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers who cannot qualify for conventional credit, FSA offers financing as well. FSA makes direct loans and guaranteed loans made by conventional farm lenders to finance the purchase and operation of a farm. Each fiscal year, the agency targets a significant portion of its direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loan funds to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. In the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010, FSA made or guaranteed 18,700 loans totaling $1.975 billion to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. In addition to the funding reserves, FSA operates a special “down payment” loan program to assist socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers in purchasing a farm. Like TIP, this program can help retiring farmers transfer their land to future generations.

Additional information on FSA farm loan programs is available online at www.fsa.usda.gov or from any FSA office. TIP Net can be found online at www.fsa.usda.gov/tipnet.

— Release by USDA.

Drought Leaves Beef Producers in Need of Forage Supplements

Heavy spring rains and late summer drought were the perfect storm for the forage issues that now plague Indiana’s beef producers.

Forages are in short supply in some parts of the state and of low quality in others, leaving beef producers to deal with the high prices of alternative feeds to meet the energy and protein needs of their herds, said Ron Lemenager, Purdue Extension beef specialist.

“We’re getting a number of calls from producers who are asking questions about a short forage supply, either because they had to start feeding hay earlier than normal, or because they didn’t get a second or third cutting in during the growing season,” Lemenager said. “Some producers have a carryover of hay from the previous year, but that hay is more weathered and lower quality.”

To help beef producers answer these questions, Lemenager and Purdue Extension Forage Specialist Keith Johnson will present a webinar at 7 p.m. (EST) Dec. 16. The program will be broadcast to host sites at local Purdue Extension offices. Those interested in attending should contact their county Extension office.

— Release by Purdue Extension.

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