Angus Productions Inc.

 

American Angus Association

 

Certified Angus Beef (CAB)

 

American Angus Auxiliary

 

Angus Foundation

 

Angus Genetics Inc.



Angus Productions Inc.
Copyright © 2015
Angus Journal



The Angus Journal Daily, formerly the Angus e-List, is a compilation of Angus industry news; information about hot topics in the beef industry; and updates about upcoming shows, sales and events. Click here to subscribe.

News Update

October 15, 2014

Forty-five Cattlemen’s’ Associations
Tell USDA: Don’t Hijack the Checkoff

On Oct. 14, 45 state cattlemen’s’ associations representing more than 170,000 cattle breeders, producers and feeders sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, urging him not to issue an order for a supplemental beef checkoff under the 1996 General Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act. Bob McCan, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president and Victoria, Texas, cattleman says the strong turnout of signatories to this letter demonstrate the concern across the country with Vilsack’s stated intention.

“Our state affiliates sent a clear message to the secretary that they do not want a supplemental checkoff under the 1996 Act,” said McCan. “NCBA stands firmly behind our grassroots producer organizations, and we will do everything we can to support their efforts. The checkoff belongs to cattlemen, not to the USDA or any administration.”

Grassroots producers have been the cornerstone of the Beef Checkoff Program since it was first enacted in 1985. There is no required element of the 1996 Act that increases grassroots influence in national checkoff efforts. Furthermore, the 1996 Act assures no protection to state beef councils and gives much greater power to the federal government.

“The Beef Checkoff is a non-political, non-partisan structure designed by cattle producers to increase and support beef demand,” said McCan. “The Beef Checkoff serves all beef producers, nationwide, and the recent efforts by Secretary Vilsack do not serve the interests of producers, they only serve to politicize and polarize the industry. We are focused on how the Beef Checkoff can do more to support cattlemen and women; the administration has focused on how they can use the Beef Checkoff for political spoils and to increase the control of the federal government.”

More information can be found at www.beefusa.org and producers can sign a petition directing the administration to abandon their efforts to take over the checkoff by clicking here.

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Semi-finalists Named in First National Rural
Entrepreneurship Challenge

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) together with Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative and the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative’s StartupHoyas announced Oct. 14 the 10 national semi-finalists of the first-ever Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. The challenge provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations being developed in rural regions of the United States.

AFBF President Bob Stallman made the announcement at the National Summit on Rural Entrepreneurship at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. The following semi-finalist businesses, chosen from more than 200 applicants, will advance to the next phase of the challenge.

For more information, please view the full release here.

— Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Ranchers Hear Key Factors to Growing Forage
at Rebuilding Beef Herd Symposium

Ranchers should be mindful of three important components of pasture health when considering restocking beef cattle, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist in College Station, said water, fertilizer and protection are important factors to growing and maintaining forages in pastures. Redmon was one of several featured speakers at the recent beef herd-rebuilding symposium at Camp Cooley Ranch near Franklin, Texas.

“The recent 2014 U.S. Drought Monitor map is looking better, but we still have parts of the state in drought,” he said. “The long-range forecast has much of the state improving and starting to ease back into higher production. As you are making your decisions to restock, we may not be out of the woods completely. Climatologists say these drought cycles typically last for 22-25 years. Just be cautious before testing the waters.”

Redmon said water is the No. 1 important factor for growing forage. Next, for Bermuda grass or any hay field, is fertilizer. He warned about managing winter pastures when overseeding warm-season perennial grass fields.

“You want to remove winter pasture before green-up,” he said. “If you don’t, the winter pasture can inhibit photosynthesis. For example, an ungrazed ryegrass pasture will intercept the light and prevent warm-season grasses from being able to grow as they break winter dormancy. Bermuda grass begins active growth when nighttime temperatures are consistently 60° F, and all winter pasture should be removed prior to that time.”

Redmon said to remove the winter grass, ranchers have the options of either grazing it out or baling it.

Fertility was another important factor discussed. Redmon stressed to attendees to get a soil sample to determine what deficiencies there are in their soils. This can save money when it comes to purchasing fertilizer by making sure to purchase only the recommended amounts and buying blends that are appropriately needed for the pasture.

Finally, protection is important, as well. Having ample stands of forage residue on the ground helps protect the soil from erosion and allows water and nutrients to be captured and infiltrate the soil.

For more information, please view the full release here.

— Adapted from a release by Blair Fannin, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.

Beef and Pork Prices Push Kentucky Retail Food Costs
Higher in Third Quarter of 2014

According to the Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Federation’s latest Marketbasket Survey, the rising cost of beef and pork products at supermarkets across the state led to an overall 3.9% jump in retail food prices during the third quarter of the year. The survey, conducted in September 2014, identified the total cost of 40 basic grocery items as $127.00, compared to $122.23 in the previous quarter.

September’s Marketbasket Survey total was $4.77, or 3.9%, higher than the cost for the same list of items reported in the second quarter, and the fifth consecutive quarter with an increasing price total. These latest results also show Kentucky’s grocery prices rising by 5.8% overall in 2014, moving from $120.08 at the end of 2013 to $127.00 today. This price shift outpaces the overall 2.5% to 3.5% increase in food cost that the USDA forecasted for the year.

At the same time, national trends reported in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) reveal that its food-at-home prices have also risen steadily all year. The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) points out that while it does anticipate food prices to return to normal inflation rates by the end of the year, the CPI’s food-at-home prices increased more in the first six months of 2014 than they did in all of 2013. Current CPI data reports prices for food-at-home increasing nationally by a total of 2.9% during the last 12 months.

Marketbasket Survey specifics:
Of the six food groups recorded in the most recent survey — beef, pork, poultry, dairy, grains, and fruits and vegetables — the beef category showed the largest total gain with an average price jump of 10.1% (+$3.38). Pork was not far behind with an average increase of 6.1% (+$1.21). This is also the third consecutive quarter in which beef and pork prices have climbed, and both categories are at all-time highs in the Marketbasket Survey’s history. Overall, 22 of the 40 items recorded in this survey experienced increases in average price during the third quarter.

When compared to the previous quarter, the only food group categories to experience reductions in average cost were poultry (-$0.29, or -2.9%) and fruits and vegetables (-$0.44, or -2.2%).

The Marketbasket Survey’s top three average price increases reported for items in the third quarter of 2014 were:


  June 2-14 September 2014 Price Increase
Ribeye Steak $10.24 lb $11.26 lb. +$1.02 lb. / +10.0%
Chuck Roast $4.57 lb. $5.29 lb. +$0.72 lb. / +15.8%
Sirloin $5.06 lb. $5.68 lb. +$0.62 lb. / +12.3%

 

For more information please view the full release here.

— Adapted from a release by the Kentucky Farm Bureau.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Journal.

                                   
                                                 

 

 
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.