News Update
July 8, 2011

Arizona Rancher Urges Congress to Pass Legislation to Strengthen Border Security

Gary Thrasher, rancher and veterinarian from southern Arizona, testified today, July 8, 2011, on behalf of the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, Public Lands Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association during a legislative hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources on H.R. 1505, the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act. Thrasher said H.R. 1505, introduced by Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), is an important piece of legislation needed to protect the “sovereignty and security of the border region, its federal lands and refuges, as well as the nation’s security.”

According to Thrasher, the situation is growing more serious in rural and remote stretches of the border between the United States and Mexico. He said the increasing deployment of border patrol personnel to the more easily accessed areas has driven border incursions toward less accessible trails in rural areas — areas that cross through ranches like his as well as national forests, national monuments, wilderness areas, reservations and wildlife refuges.

“Those of us who live and work in remote smuggling corridors are left the most vulnerable,” he said. “We are confronted with threats; damage and destruction of our property; theft; break-ins; and serious disruption of our necessary ranch work almost daily. Lethal violence is a daily menace we’re forced to live with and the senseless murders of our neighbors go unsolved.”

Thrasher said federal policies, regulations and border enforcement strategies are making a bad problem worse. He said the National Environmental Protection Act; the Federal Land Policy Management Act; the Endangered Species Act; and “perhaps a dozen other federal acts and regulations,” have effectively blocked the ability of border patrol agents to secure the border by either preventing completion of border enforcement infrastructure and blocking the ability of border patrol agents from using motorized vehicles on federal lands along the border.  

Currently, the U.S. Border Patrol is being prevented from maintaining a routine presence on portions of the 20.7 million acres of federal land located along the southern U.S. border region as well as 1,000 miles along the U.S. Canada border. Thrasher said the results have been not only life-threatening criminal activities, but also severe environmental degradation on these lands. The National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act would ensure that the environmental policies and regulations enforced by the Department of Interior or Department of Agriculture do not restrict or impede U.S. Border Patrol from having operational control of the border. The legislation would allow U.S. Border Patrol immediate access to federal lands and the ability to construct and maintain roads and place surveillance equipment in strategic areas to assist indetecting and apprehending criminals.

Thrasher closed his remarks and urged members of the committee to pass H.R. 1505.

He said, “I beg you to immediately and aggressively take whatever steps are needed to secure our border. H.R. 1505 is an important step in that direction.”

— Release by NCBA.

AgriLife Extension Expert: Cattle Market Outlook Positive

Even with drought and high input costs putting pressure on beef cattle inventory throughout the United States, the market outlook is positive over the next several years, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist.

“Current beef cow numbers nationally are way down, and economists are expecting calf prices to be high over the next three to five years,” Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, said. “Drought has caused a lot of producers to reduce their cow herd size. I think we are also pretty positive from a beef demand standpoint. Consumer demand, both domestic consumption and export markets, continues to be strong. Overall, things are looking really positive for the beef industry here on out.”

These issues and more will be covered at the 2011 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, sponsored by AgriLife Extension and scheduled for Aug. 1-3. The annual event is one of the largest beef education workshops in the country, attracting more than 1,300 cattle producers.

The general session Aug. 1 will feature a cattle market outlook by Brett Stuart, economist with Cattle-Fax.

“Another area that’s on the minds of producers is how to add value to a calf crop,” Cleere said. “We will be giving live cattle demonstrations, plus presentations on nutrition and supplemental feeding options.”

“The goal of the short course each year is to provide the most cutting-edge information needed by beef cattle producers, and this year is no exception,” he said.

Participants can receive a Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator’s license during the short course and can earn at least 10 pesticide continuing education units if already licensed, Cleere added.

An industry trade show will take place during the event, featuring more than 110 agricultural businesses and service exhibits.

Registration is $140 per person and includes educational materials, a copy of the 600-page Beef Cattle Short Course proceedings, trade show admittance, admission to the prime rib dinner, meals and daily refreshments.

Registration information and a tentative schedule were mailed to previous participants in June, but both items can also be found on the short course website at http://beef.tamu.edu.

Producers can register online at http://beef.tamu.edu or contact Cleere’s office at 979-845-6931.

— Release by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Today.

Manure Science Review Coming Aug. 16

Ohio’s annual Manure Science Review, featuring new and better ways to manage farm manure and wastewater, takes place in the state’s west on Aug. 16.

Speakers from Ohio agencies, the farming community, and Ohio State University highlight the program. Both morning presentations and afternoon field demonstrations are part of it.

Organizers say the event has a double focus: to put waste to good use — to fertilize crops, cut disposal costs and save farmers money — and keep water supplies safe.

New technologies and alternative methods are some of the topics, with an emphasis on reducing runoff risk and nutrient loss. Of note are sessions on separating dairy solids and on using those solids as alternative bedding for cattle.

The program takes place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Winner Family Farm, 4317 State Route 47 West, in DeGraff in Logan County.

Registration costs $30 by Aug. 8, $35 afterward and at the door, with members of the Midwest Professional Nutrient Applicators Association receiving a $5 discount. A continental breakfast, lunch and all materials are included.

Download the registration form at http://go.osu.edu/Dy4, or call 330-202-3533 to have a copy sent to you in the mail. Included with the registration form are the day’s schedule, directions, and the full list of topics and speakers.

Among the speakers:

• Alan Winner, owner of the host farm, a 400-cow dairy that separates its solids for greater efficiency;
• Tom Noyes, Wesley Haun and Amanda Meddles of Ohio State University Extension;
• Jocelyn Henderson and Terry Mescher of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR);
• Frank Gibbs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA);
• Christine Pence of the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA); and
• Steve Searson of the Logan Soil and Water Conservation District.

Participants are eligible for 5.5 hours of continuing education credit under ODA’s Certified Livestock Manager training program; 4.5 hours of Soil and Water Management credit in the Ohio Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Program; 1 hour of Nutrient Management credit, also in the CCA program; and 5.5 Professional Development Hours for Professional Engineers.

Sponsoring the event are OSU Extension, Ohio State’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, the Ohio Livestock Coalition, Ohio’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts, ODA, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and ODNR.

— Release by OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

NFU Supports Separation of Policy Organizations and Checkoff Program

National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a letter to Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) members and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advocating for the complete separation of policy organizations and the checkoff program.

“NFU has been very public with its support of a complete separation of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Beef Checkoff Program,” said Johnson. “It is impossible to build a firewall strong enough when you have one organization that picks the members of the committees that make all of the funding decisions for the checkoff and are also involved in program evaluations. The ongoing firewall breaches are no longer allegations, but have been proven in a compliance audit review that has uncovered multiple financial irregularities and misappropriations of checkoff funds.”

The letter urged USDA to move forward with plans to build a stronger firewall between NCBA and the CBB.

“NFU urges the CBB to continue and help maintain the integrity of the Beef Checkoff Program,” said Johnson. “We also believe that it is time for the USDA to step in before the program loses so much credibility that cattle producers simply refuse to support the checkoff program in its entirety. We believe the only viable solution at this time is to completely separate the national beef checkoff from any policy.”

— Release by NFU.

Youth Program Offered at Beef Cattle Short Course

A program featuring educational sessions specifically for youth will be offered in conjunction with the 57th Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course Aug. 1-3 at Texas A&M University.

The beef short course is sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

The program will feature a variety of educational sessions, ranging from beef evaluations and grading to beef advocacy, said Jason Cleere, conference coordinator and AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in College Station.

“Youth participants will also be able to attend the general session as well as the live demonstrations on Aug. 3,” Cleere said. “Competitions will be held for the students to exhibit their beef skills and awards will be given to the winners.”

Participants will learn about beef fabrication, carcass evaluation, beef quality and other topics. The youth program is for students ages 13 to 18.

“They must have an accompanying adult that is registered and attending the Beef Cattle Short Course,” Cleere said.

Only the first 50 student participants will be allowed. The youth course has a special registration rate of $50 and $75 after July 26. Registration forms and additional information can be found at http://animalscience.tamu.edu/ansc/BCSC/family.html.

For more information, contact Cleere at 979-845-6931, extansc@ag.tamu.edu, or Dan Hale, AgriLife Extension meat specialist in College Station, at 979-845-3935, dhale@tamu.edu.

— Release by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Today.

— Compiled by Katie Gazda, editorial intern, Angus Productions Inc.