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News Update

August 1, 2012

Nebraska Farm Bureau asks Delegation to Consider Livestock Disaster Relief

Nebraska Farm Bureau is asking members of Nebraska's Congressional delegation to consider separating livestock disaster assistance programs from the farm bill so they can be passed on their own.

"Our clear preference is for the House to pass its version of the farm bill and then work with the Senate to finalize a new, full five-year farm bill that provides certainty for Nebraska farmers. However, we recognize that polarized politics in Washington may prevent this from happening, and our livestock producers need access now to disaster assistance programs, due to the extreme drought that has left livestock producers with few options," Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson said July 31.

In a letter to the Congressional delegation, Nelson noted the federal crop insurance program is designed to aid crop farmers dealing with drought. However, assistance for livestock farmers is dependent on livestock disaster assistance programs. Funding for those programs expired toward the end of last year.

"While we would ideally like to see the livestock programs reauthorized as part of a new farm bill, Nebraska's livestock producers are facing life-altering decisions about the future of their farms and ranches," Nelson said.

According to Nelson, the carryover effect of hay and other forage being sent last year to Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas to assist with drought has left Nebraska with shortened supplies. This, coupled with the rapid deterioration of pasture and rangeland, has put many cow-calf producers in the position of scrambling to find expensive feed to retain their herds or in a position of reducing or even completely liquidating cow herds.

"These are very challenging times for those who raise livestock, and it's important we consider all available options to help our state's livestock farmers," Nelson said.

Farm Bureau's letter to the delegation was sent to share the organization's position on a proposed one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill that is expected to be discussed in the House on Aug. 1. Farm Bureau is opposed to the one-year extension proposed in the House.

— Adapted from a release by the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Federation of State Beef Councils Enhances Checkoff Program at Industry Summer Conference

Members of the Federation of State Beef Councils addressed changing industry and consumer landscapes during meetings at the 2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colo., July 25-28. As part of its efforts, the Federation approved changes to Joint Beef Checkoff Committees and awarded promotional grants to beef councils in states with a high consumer-to-cattle ratio.

Federation Chairman Craig Uden, a beef producer from Elwood, Neb., said the issue of declining checkoff resources and rising consumer expectations were particularly top of mind during the conference.

"As cattle numbers and checkoff collections are reduced, we're going to need to find ways of increasing efficiencies," Uden said. "At the same time, we can't lose sight of the fact that consumers are expecting more information and transparency from food producers. Our work is certainly cut out for us as we seek ways of doing more with less."

As part of its deliberations, the Federation executive committee awarded $46,500 in grants to five state beef councils for six promotional projects in the coming year. The awards were announced during the Federation Forum, July 26.

"Our Federation Initiative Fund awards the grants, which provide needed financial support to small beef councils who are trying to localize national programs and reach large numbers of consumers in their states," Uden said.

Grant awardees are:

— Release by the State Federation of Beef Councils.


USCA Kicks Off Five-State Summer Tour

The U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA) took to the road earlier this summer to meet with producers in West Virginia, Montana and Texas. USCA will now embark on an August tour, which will find USCA Executive Vice President Jess Peterson speaking at livestock markets and producer meetings in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Peterson will provide cattle producers updates on the continued efforts of USCA on their behalf in Washington, D.C.

USCA announces the following locations and dates for the upcoming tour:

Each forum will provide ample opportunity to both hear an update on all of the issues that concern your operation from Washington, D.C., as well as upcoming policies and regulations that could impact your ranch. Peterson noted the importance of these meetings stating, "USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, D.C., representing cattle producers and their interests around the clock; it is vital for us to get out to the heart of cattle country and visit with folks to make sure we are relaying producers' top concerns to the best of our ability. Ensuring that Congress passes a farm bill in 2012, preserving country-of-origin labeling (COOL) and addressing market competition and animal health issues are all critical matters to the industry. I look forward to meeting folks in each of these states and urge everyone to come receive an update about the policy issues that have an impact on their operations."

For questions or additional information regarding the upcoming USCA summer tour, contact Jess Peterson at 202-870-3867.

— Adapted release by the USCA.


Canadian Beef gets Access to Kazakhstan

Canada has secured market access to Kazakhstan for Canadian boneless beef, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced July 27.

Effective immediately, Kazakhstan will accept imports of Canadian boneless beef from animals over 30 months of age, Ritz said. The Canadian government also recently negotiated access for all beef from animals less than 30 months. The new market access could translate into $1 million annually for eligible exporters.

"We've enhanced our trading relationship with Kazakhstan by supplying world-class beef to a market of strategic importance, giving producers the opportunity to compete for sales in this country," Ritz said. "This government is working closely with industry to open new markets, increase prosperity for our producers, and build a stronger economy."

Canada also has successfully secured the same market access for Canadian beef as with Russia, and is currently negotiating new import requirements with the regional Customs Union, which includes Russia and Kazakhstan.

—Release by Meatingplace.com.


Spreadsheet Calculates Cost of CRP Hay and Grazing

With the announced Aug. 2 opening of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ground in all Iowa counties for emergency haying and grazing for certain practices, producers may be wondering whether to use their land for those purposes. The Iowa Beef Center (IBC) at Iowa State University (ISU) is offering a new spreadsheet that estimates hay cost per bale or ton and grazing cost per day for CRP forage.

CRP pasture and hay won't be high quality, but they can be used to extend other feed resource and help reduce pressure on other pasture and hay acres, according to ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Joe Sellers, who developed the spreadsheet.

"The actual yield and quality of CRP tracts will vary, but in surveys conducted in past years, the average nutrient content has been 9.7% crude protein and 50.9% TDN," Sellers said.

The spreadsheet calculates the forage cost per bale or ton of hay and the cost per grazing day, by accounting for the cost of 10% of lost CRP payment, the anticipated harvest cost and yields, he said. This tool will be useful in evaluating CRP as a feed alternative for cow-calf producers with short pastures and limited hay availability.

For more information and the full release, click here.

— Adapted from a release by the Iowa Ag Connection.


— Compiled by Kelli Fulkerson, intern, Angus Productions Inc.

 

 
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