News Update
December 12, 2012
Cattle Producers Can Cut Costs
by Proper Post-Drought Management
University of Missouri (MU) Extension livestock specialist Daniel Mallory said producers face many conditions beyond their control, but they can control costs by using effective management tools.
Mallory said agriculture producers have been hard hit by rising feed, fertilizer and fuel prices following the drought of 2012. But producers can counteract these increased costs by examining herd health, nutrition, genetics and marketing.
Learn more in the December issue of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, which will be sent next Thursday, Dec. 20. You can subscribe for email inbox delivery at angusbeefbulletin.com/extra, and by entering your email in the top right corner.
U.S. Officials Call on Russia to Suspend New Testing Requirements for U.S. Meat Exports
United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk today, Dec. 12, issued the following statement in response to Russia’s new requirements that U.S. beef and pork exports to Russia be tested and certified free of the feed additive ractopamine:
“The United States is very concerned that Russia has taken these actions, which appear to be inconsistent with its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The United States calls on Russia to suspend these new measures and restore market access for U.S. beef and pork products. The United States sought, and Russia committed as part of its WTO accession package, to ensure that it adhered rigorously to WTO requirements and that it would use international standards unless it had a risk assessment to justify use of a more stringent standard. Especially in light of its commitment to use international standards, this is an important opportunity for Russia to demonstrate that it takes its WTO commitments seriously.”
Mark Calendars for Feb. 15
Ag Stewardship Conference in Overbrook, Kansas
Farm operators and landowners face a myriad of decisions, set against the backdrop of drought, an uncertain farm bill picture and other challenges. Those topics and others are on the agenda at the “Ag Stewardship Conference — People Helping People” planned for Friday, Feb. 15 in Overbrook, Kan.
The one-day conference, to be at Grace Community Church, 310 E. 8th Street (Highway 56) in Overbrook, is open to all farmers, ranchers and landowners. It is coordinated by K-State Research and Extension, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Conservation Districts in Douglas, Franklin, Osage and Shawnee counties.
Topics to be addressed include Kansas leasing, fencing and eminent domain laws, estate and tax planning, and marketing, as well as drought-related decisions and the most recent update on the 2012 Farm Bill. Speakers include K-State Research and Extension specialists; an attorney who specializes in estate and tax planning for farm families; and a representative of Kansas Farm Bureau.
The conference is sponsored by the coordinating organizations, as well as Frontier Farm Credit and AM580-WIBW Radio.
The conference is free to all attendees, but space is limited. Preregistration is required by Feb. 8 by contacting the Conservation District in Lyndon at 785-828-3458.
Kinney County Brush Management
and Livestock Update Workshop set for Dec. 19
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Kinney County will present a brush management and livestock update from 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 19 in the Kinney County Civic Center in Brackettville.
“This workshop is meant to update area producers on some of the applied research demonstration work going on here and to catch them up on some things they’ll need to know in the livestock business,” said David Price, AgriLife Extension agent in Kinney County.
Robert Lyons and Rick Machen, AgriLife Extension range and livestock specialists, respectively, from Uvalde, are the scheduled speakers.
“Area land managers know the challenges presented by huisache, mountain laurel and coyotillo, as these aggressive plant species either limit forage production or present toxicity issues,” Price said. “All should find an interest in Dr. Lyons’ talk and the demonstration work he’ll discuss that’s being done locally to control these tough invaders.”
“Dr. Machen will discuss a variety of issues, ranging from the new cattle traceability rules, which go into effect January 1, to what markets may be in light of depleted herds and the ongoing drought. He’ll also offer some thoughts on how to best spend your dollar to meet livestock nutritional requirements this winter.”
For more information and the full release, click here.
Farmland Value Projected to Increase in 2013
Cropland values in Ohio increased in 2012 and are expected to continue on an upward trend in 2013, despite the drought that devastated growers this year, an Ohio State University Extension expert said.
Ohio cropland value rose 13.6% this year, with bare cropland averaging $5,000 an acre, said Barry Ward, production business management leader for OSU Extension. Ward, citing statistics from the Ohio Agriculture Statistics Service, expects the trend to continue next year, with “projected budgets for Ohio’s primary crops for 2013 showing the potential for strong profits.”
This is true, he said, in spite of the drought of 2012, which devastated growers and producers across the country, particularly in the Midwest including Ohio.
“We’re expecting the potential for profitability (next year) with corn looking like it will be king again,” Ward said. “We’ll have farmers with strong balance sheets, which will drive land values as well.
“With those strong balance sheets in spite of the drought, many farmers will continue to be in the land buying mode.”
For more information and the full release, click here.
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