News Update
August 30, 2013
Leading Ag Groups Push for Veto Override of S.B. 9
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) supports a veto override on S.B. 9. The bill was passed by the Missouri House and the Senate, but fell victim to a veto in July by Governor Jay Nixon.
Leading ag organizations, including MCA, penned a letter to all elected leaders of the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate. The letter made clear that the majority of leading agricultural organizations support the veto override of S.B. 9.
“From our perspective, the Governor signed many bills that will help grow and sustain family farming in our state and ensure agriculture has the ability to feed Missourians and stimulate the state’s economy,” the letter states. “However, there was one bill directly related to agriculture that was erroneously vetoed that we are asking you to review. ...”
According to the letter, the animal trespass portion of S.B. 9 would have provided a much-needed correction to the current animal abuse and neglect law. As the animal abuse and neglect law currently stands, a farmer can receive a hefty fine or even imprisonment because their livestock got out of their confines. The letter states that animal abuse should not be taken lightly, but the law should not make criminals out of innocent farmers.
Cattle rustling, which is a constant problem throughout the state and most severe in southwest Missouri, was addressed in S.B. 9, as well. The new language would have made the penalties for cattle rustling tougher by making the first offense a felony in most cases.
“The veto of S.B. 9 also ruins hopes of strengthening penalties for cattle rustling. This is not at all the same as stealing an object. It is even more than stealing someone’s livelihood. Stealing cattle is animal abuse at its worst,” the letter states.
“Instead of criminalizing farmers for cows getting out because a tree fell or a creek bed went dry, let’s punish people who have no regard for animal care or for the livelihood of Missouri farmers.”
The veto override session will take place Sept. 11. MCA is encouraging its members to contact their elected leaders to push for an override of S.B. 9.
Sept. 5 Webinar to Address New Rangeland Herbicides
New rangeland herbicides will be the subject of a Sept. 5 webinar conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
The webinar will focus on “what’s available now and what’s on the horizon,” said Robert Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist in Uvalde.
Lyons said he will also provide information on new herbicide packaging.
This webinar is part of the Texas Range Webinar Series conducted monthly by AgriLife Extension’s ecosystem science and management unit. Each webinar is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., according to Brittany Grube, webinar coordinator in College Station.
Participants seeking Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units must pay a $10 fee on the website. For all others, there is no fee, Grube said. Licensed agricultural private pesticide applicators participating in this webinar can earn one general continuing education unit.
This webinar and others in the series can be accessed at http://naturalresourcewebinars.tamu.edu.
Continuing education units for archived webinars will only be available for one month following the live version of the webinar. After the month has passed, the webinar will still be available to watch, but participants will not be able to register for or receive credits.
For more information on the webinars, contact Grube at Brittany.grube@agnet.tamu.edu.
China’s Growing Beef Appetite Creates Opportunities
for Key Suppliers
Beef consumption in China has risen steadily over the last few years. According to a new report from the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness (FAR) Research and Advisory group, rising incomes, dietary shift and urbanization are driving the increasing Chinese appetite for beef. The report, “The Dragon’s Appetite for Beef: Rising Opportunity for Key Beef Suppliers,” finds that with local production unable to grow fast enough to meet increasing demand, the Chinese market provides a great opportunity for exporters from the key beef-producing countries.
Beef is a niche product in China, accounting for only 8% of per capita meat consumption, in contrast to 22% for poultry and 65% for pork. It is generally considered more of an item for special occasions, rather than an everyday meal option. More than 60% of total beef consumption takes place outside the home, with the major options for eating away from home including ‘hot pot’ canteens at work, Western-style restaurants and quick service restaurants (QSRs) such as McDonald’s and KFC.
While demand has been growing at a reasonable pace, Chinese beef production has stagnated since 2006. To correct the market imbalance, imports will remain on the rise over the coming years. This will offer great opportunities for exporters from the key beef-producing countries, most notably Australia, which is not only geographically closer, but is also positioned to supply a variety of beef products to meet different segments in China’s market. However, other important exporter countries are also likely to benefit, and no specific country is expected to dominate the market, given that China is expected to provide or increase access to more countries wishing to enter its beef market.
Southeast Select Sires Inc. Announces
Artificial Insemination School
Southeast Select Sires Inc. has scheduled an Artificial Insemination (AI) School for Oct. 7-9, 2013, at the Calhoun Stockyard on Hwy. 53 near Calhoun, Ga. The class will begin at noon Monday and will finish at noon Wednesday.
The cost is $350 per person. If you plan to attend, please mail your $150 deposit to Southeast Select Sires Inc., 3789 Old Port Royal Rd., Spring Hill, TN 37174. The deadline for this application is Sept. 25, 2013.
The training course will consist of classroom sessions and lab sessions on live cattle. Some of the topics that will be covered in the class include anatomy and physiology, AI technique, semen handling, heat detection and estrus synchronization. You will need to bring rubber boots and coveralls.
For additional details, please contact Mike Bailey at 404-353-7497 or mike.bailey@southeastselectsires.com.
Please include your name, address, phone, email, breed of cattle, herd size, and whether you intend on breeding your cattle once you’ve completed the course.
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