News Update
April 1, 2014
Beef Prices Will Remain High
Until Herd Numbers Increase
Record cattle prices have caused a large uptick in beef prices at the grocery store. University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Ron Plain says those prices are likely to continue.
Live-weight steers reached $130 per hundredweight (cwt.) for the first time last October. January brought $140 per cwt. and in February prices cleared $150 for the first time. Those prices were enough to interest cattlemen in expanding their herds.
“Right now we’re seeing a reduction in heifer slaughter and a reduction in cow slaughter,” Plain says. “That’s part of the reason we’re setting these records for grocery store prices and live prices for slaughter steers. There is less beef available.”
Plain says the beef industry is at the start of a growth period. The question is how long it will last.
“Economics says it should last for a while, but if we get dry weather this summer and short pastures it will be tough to save heifers and expand the cow herd,” Plain says. “But if we do get rain, a good hay crop and adequate pasture, we’re probably going to save heifers for breeding all year long and do it again next year.”
Grain prices have dropped from the historic highs of a few years ago. That also plays a role in the high price of cattle.
“It affects people buying feeder cattle to go into a feedlot,” Plain says. “If corn prices are $2 a bushel cheaper, then what feeders can pay to buy young animals is a lot higher. We’ve seen some very strong prices for feeder cattle in the last five months or so.”
Because it is such a slow process to expand cattle numbers, Plain expects live cattle prices and beef prices at the grocery store to remain high.
Tips to Prepare For and Remain Safe
When Storms Might Arrive
You might not be able to tell exactly when a severe weather event will hit, but following weather updates, including watches and warnings, and being prepared for a weather disaster could help keep you and your family safe.
Chad Omitt, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Topeka, said educating people on how to develop a plan has helped save more lives in recent years.
“We just need to plan and be as prepared as we can,” Omitt said. “I think the easiest hazard to think about when we talk about having a plan is tornadoes. Ask yourself, ‘What would I do if a tornado warning was issued right now, wherever I’m at, at home, school or work? What is the plan to shelter from that tornado?’ ”
Getting as low as possible and either getting under something sturdy or covering up with something heavy are important, Omitt said. People should have a plan in place on where to go if a tornado arrives no matter where they are. They should also discuss the plan with family members.
One of the major things learned from the 2011 tornadoes that struck Joplin, Mo., Alabama and Mississippi, was that a high percentage of the people who were injured sustained head injuries, he said. Having bicycle helmets in the lowest level of the house or in an emergency disaster kit is a good idea.
“Because of the people who suffered from blunt force trauma to the head, a lot of doctors asked, ‘Are you emphasizing head protection, specifically helmets?’ ” Omitt said. “Before that, we hadn’t specifically emphasized how important that could be. Now, when we go out and do our safety training, we talk about a bike helmet as a part of your disaster kit or your plan.”
For more information, please view the full release here.
James Henderson Recognized at HLSR Intercollegiate
Meats Judging Contest Awards Breakfast
At the recent Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) Intercollegiate Meats Judging Contest Awards breakfast James Henderson and John Bellinger were honored for their years of service with the contest.
The HLSR has named its traveling trophy for the senior division the “James Henderson Award.” The A-division trophy (Junior College) was named for John Bellinger in 2012.
Henderson and Bellinger were instrumental in starting the HLSR Intercollegiate Meats Contest at HLSR 35 years ago. Henderson served as its superintendent for 32 years. This collegiate contest led the way for the HLSR 4-H and FFA contests to become established as well.
Since the inception of the Intercollegiate Meats Contest thousands of students have competed in the contest. Many of these students have become active in the livestock and meats industry and utilize their judging experience in their careers today.
James Henderson is an owner of Bradley 3 Ranch, Memphis and Clarendon, Texas, and works as the ranch’s operations and genetic manager. John Bellinger owns Food Safety Net Laboratories and Agri-West exporters, both based in San Antonio.
Aquaculture/Pond Management Workshops
Coming to Central Kentucky
With more than 200,000 ponds in Kentucky, the state has many aquatic systems that need proper management. To help landowners do this, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and Kentucky State University (KSU) are hosting two aquaculture programs in Central Kentucky.
An aquatic plant- and algae-control training program will take place from 10 a.m. EDT to 4 p.m. April 11 at the Franklin County office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
Forrest Wynne, William Wurts and Bob Durborow are presenters. All are KSU extension specialists for aquaculture. Discussion topics will include aquatic plant and algae identification, methods of control, and herbicide and algaecide use with a special emphasis on proper chemical selection, application techniques, applicator safety and recordkeeping.
Continuing education units for pesticide applicators are available including three specific hours in category 5 and two general hours in categories 10 and 12.
Wurts, Wynne and Durborow will present a second workshop on pond management from 8:30 a.m. EDT until noon April 12 at the Franklin County Extension Office.
“The workshop will provide a broad prospective about managing ponds for farm use and recreational fishing, as well as small-scale and recreational aquaculture,” Wurts said.
Both the workshop and training are free and open to the public. Preregistration is not required, but to ensure they receive workshop materials, potential attendees should contact either Wurts at 270-365-7541, ext. 200 or wwurts@uky.edu, Wynne at 270-247-2334 or fwynne@email.uky.edu or Keenan Bishop at 502-695-9035 or kbishop@uky.edu.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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