News Update
January 10, 2013
Angus Cattlemen to Attend the 2013 Cattle Industry Annual Convention
Tampa, Fla., will host hundreds of Angus producers during the upcoming Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show Feb. 6-9.
Many of those producers will be setting the policy and priorities of the livestock industry while participating in the joint and individual meetings of five of the industry’s leading organizations: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB), American National CattleWomen Inc. (ANCW), CattleFax and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF).
For more information and the full release, click here.
NCBA Applauds USDA on Final Animal Disease Traceability Rule
With the publication of the final Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule in the Federal Register, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) compliments the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on creating a final rule that includes many of the comments submitted by NCBA on behalf of cattle producers across the country.
“We are encouraged that many of the priorities of cattlemen and women have been included in this final rule,” said NCBA Chief Veterinarian Kathy Simmons. “USDA APHIS listened to the voices of livestock producers when drafting this rule and the final product is one that will help reduce the number of animals involved in an investigation, reduce the time needed to respond and decrease the cost to producers.”
The final ADT rule establishes general regulations for improving the traceability of U.S. livestock moving interstate. The final rule follows a process in which NCBA and other livestock and agriculture stakeholders participated in a comment phase.
Now that it has been published, the rule becomes effective Mar. 11, 2013. Under the rule, unless specifically exempted, livestock moved interstate must be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements or brand certificates.
The final rule accepts the use of brands, tattoos and brand registration as official identification when accepted by the shipping and receiving states or tribes. Backtags will be accepted as an alternative to official eartags for cattle and bison moved directly to slaughter. Most important to cattle producers, according to Simmons, is the announcement by USDA APHIS that a separate rulemaking process will take place for beef cattle under 18 months of age. Currently, the final rule allows beef cattle under 18 months of age, unless they are moved interstate for shows, exhibitions, rodeos or recreational events, to be exempted from the official identification requirement.
For more information and the full release, click here.
EPA Provides Comments on Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
U.S. EPA Region 7 is providing comments on the draft Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy released Nov. 19, 2012. Karl Brooks, regional administrator, in a letter commends the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) for developing the strategy that embraces ambitious specific nutrient reduction targets.
“The EPA views the draft Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy as a great start to set in motion actions that will begin to yield measurable nutrient pollution reductions from point and nonpoint sources,” said Brooks. “EPA looks forward to working collaboratively with IDALS and IDNR on implementation of the strategy to achieve our mutual goals of water quality improvement in Iowa.”
Iowa based its draft strategy on EPA’s 2011 memorandum that dealt with how states should achieve long-term reductions in nitrogen and phosphorous pollution in water bodies.
Brooks’ letter notes that EPA supports states leading efforts to reduce nutrient loads from point and nonpoint sources but stresses that EPA is not mandating specific strategies or solutions. The draft strategy raised concerns about EPA’s ecoregional criteria, published in 2000. Since then, EPA and some states have identified a range of options that can be appropriately used for development and implementation of numeric nutrient criteria.
EPA does offer recommendations to strengthen the policy considerations and point and nonpoint source sections of the document. The agency makes a number of recommendations to be addressed during implementation of Iowa’s nutrient reduction efforts.
EPA’s letter provides a more detailed description of EPA’s comments. The letter is available at www.epa.gov/region7/water.
Beef Industry, Consumers to be Affected by Cattle Production Decreases in 2013
Beef production in the United States is expected to decrease 4.8% in 2013, the second largest year-over-year decrease in 35 years, trailing only the 6.4% drop in 2004.
The reason is a combination of mostly steady carcass weights and a projected 5% or more decrease in cattle slaughter, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension livestock marketing specialist.
“Many analysts expect the 2013 numbers to be followed by a 2014 decrease of 4.5% or more,” he said. “These two years would represent the largest percentage decrease since the late 1970s.”
Beef production in 2012 decreased by approximately 1.1% compared to 2011 with a 3.3% decrease in slaughter, which was partially offset by a 2.3% increase in carcass weights.
However, the effect on consumption of beef does not always match the change in production. Domestic per capita consumption will depend on production levels, but must be adjusted for beef imports and exports.
“In 2013, per capita beef consumption is expected to drop 3.5%, less than the production decrease because beef imports will increase and beef exports will decrease,” Peel said. “The decrease in per capita beef consumption in 2013 should be similar to the year-over-year decrease in 2011 compared to 2010.”
For more information and the full release, click here.
Wanted: More Market Farmers for Kansas City Area
Americans keep finding more and more reasons to eat locally-grown fruits, vegetables and other foods. Farmers’ markets — the most obvious link between producers and consumers — are in a decades-long comeback, growing another 17% just last year.
The Kansas City “food shed,” however, is behind on the farm production side, said Cary Rivard, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension horticulturist. That’s why the Growing Growers program of Kansas City is looking for a few good apprentices for the 2013 growing season.
“Everyone in the area will benefit if we can help develop our existing market farmers, while training a new generation to join their ranks,” Rivard said. “Market farming isn’t for everyone. It’s hard work, and it’s a business.”
“If you’re accepted as an apprentice, though, Growing Growers can help you decide if farming is a good fit. It can give you the basic skills and knowledge you need to get started. The program combines an on-farm experience with a whole series of take-home resources and classroom training. You don’t even need agricultural experience to qualify.”
Apprentices commit to being a March-November farm laborer. Host farms’ labor needs can range from four hours of volunteer help each Saturday to 40 hours of paid work per week. Growing Growers’ apprenticeship coordinator, Laura Christensen, helps host farmers and new apprentices find a good fit.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Second Annual Northeast Georgia Beef Cattle Shortcourse
The 2nd Annual Northeast Georgia Beef Cattle Shortcourse is right around the corner. The program is set for Feb. 1, and it will be hosted at the University of Georgia–Athens (UGA) Animal and Dairy Science Livestock Instructional Arena located at the end of South Milledge Avenue in Athens. This year’s program will include topics on mineral nutrition, weed control, reproduction, forage management, cattle handling, toxic algae in farm ponds and marketing.
Space is limited, so please contact your local Extension office or click here for registration information.
U.S. DDGS Exports to Japan in 2012 Hit Record
Last week, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), of which the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is a founding member, announced an important milestone in the growth of U.S. distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) exports. According to the Ministry of Finance Customs, Japan imported more than 384,000 metric tons of U.S. DDGS between January and October 2012, marking the highest imports on record.
“The growth of U.S. DDGS exports to Japan is exciting for a multitude of reasons,” said NCGA President Pam Johnson. “DDGS provide a high-quality feed ingredient while making efficient use of an ethanol coproduct. The rise in this product’s popularity in Japan, the largest export market for U.S. corn and a valued trade partner, reaffirms that, through innovations in both production and use, America’s corn farmers will continue to meet growing global demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
According to USGC Director in Japan, Tommy Hamamoto, imports are on track to reach 450,000 metric tons in calendar year 2012, far surpassing even the new record. Hamamoto also suggested that, provided that U.S. ethanol and DDGS production rebound, imports could increase even more in 2013 as Japanese nutritionists gain familiarity with the new low-fat DDGS.
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