News Update
May 13, 2015
Cattle Handling’s Economic Impact
Proper cattle handling can be the difference between a good day on the ranch and a train wreck. Research has proven low-stress cattle handling actually makes an economic footprint on the balance sheet. Todd McCartney, rancher near Throckmorton, Texas, explains some basic reasons to incorporate low-stress handling on the ranch.
“There are multiple benefits to good stockmanship. Good handling, sometimes called low-stress cattle handling. Obviously, the first thing is we reduce the stress on the animal. That has an economic impact,” McCartney says. “When we can reduce the stress and keep them healtheir, we can keep the cows breeding back better. We can keep weight gain going on in those yearlings. Without stress, a lot of good things happen.”
Good handling not only leaves the end consumer satisfied about the product they’re purchasing, but it also increases the quality of life of the rancher, he adds.
Watch McCartney’s full interview along with other top news items in this week’s The Angus Report episode. You can also tune in at 5 p.m. CDT each Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. CDT on Saturdays and 7:30 a.m. CDT Monday mornings on RFD-TV.
House Passes WOTUS Legislation
On May 12, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman spoke in support of H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Act of 2015. The bill, which would force the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers to stop moving forward with the proposed “Waters of the United States” rule, passed the House by a vote of 261-155.
Conaway said in a statement: “What makes the rule ambiguous is the claim made by EPA and the Army Corps that the rule is not all encompassing, yet the agencies also declared they will use their best professional judgment on when they will regulate a water and when they will not. These vague statements hold little comfort for farmers and ranchers who will face steep civil fines for any violation.”
According to Stallman, added regulation is not the answer for preserving the nation’s water supply.
“Farmers and ranchers know all about the importance of protecting water, and they will continue to put that belief into practice. Through cooperative conservation measures, we have helped cut land erosion by more than 50% in just the last 20 years,” Stallman said. “We have reduced pesticide use and today use technology to apply just the right amount of fertilizer at just the right time. We look forward to a new water rule that recognizes the enormous work we have done and honors the limits authorized by Congress and the Supreme Court.”
Bob Petersen Announces Retirement
Bob Petersen, who has served as the American Royal’s president and CEO, has announced that he will retire at the end of 2015. He joined the Royal on an interim basis in 2010 and was formally named to its top staff post in January 2011.
Petersen commented that, “we have enjoyed many successes over the last five-plus years, but I firmly believe the American Royal’s best days lie ahead.”
John M. Mitchell, Jr., chairman of the American Royal said the Royal will soon begin a search process for Petersen’s successor and hope to have that person on board in time for at least some of the fall season. Petersen said he won’t be retiring completely and that he looked forward to re-engaging in his consulting business, which manages several agricultural nonprofit associations. He said he will also take some time to simply enjoy life with friends and family.
Read the full news release online.
Farm Foundation Initiative on
Voluntary Phase Out of Antibiotic Use in Food Animals
Farm Foundation NFP is leading a new initiative designed to support efforts by U.S. livestock producers and veterinarians to voluntarily phase out the use of medically-important antibiotics for food production purposes in food animals.
Many producers and businesses across the entire food and agricultural value chain have already taken action to reduce the use of medically-important antibiotics in food animal production. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued two Guidance for Industry (GFI) documents related to the use of antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals. FDA is also proposing amendments to the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). Successful implementation of the practices is critical to public health, food prices and the future viability of animal agriculture in the United States.
Over the next six months, Farm Foundation will convene 10 regional meetings with livestock producers and veterinarians across the country. The intent is to help producers and veterinarians gain a comprehensive understanding of the FDA GFIs, and help regulators understand the challenges of implementing these practices.
Learn more about the Farm Foundation’s initiative on its website.
AgriLife Extension’s Ranchers Roundup
set for May 20 in Sonora
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the multi-county event, “Ranchers Roundup — Enhancing Range and Livestock Production,” beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Sutton County Civic Center in Sonora, Texas. Participating counties include Sutton, Edwards, Schleicher and Irion.
Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent in Sutton County, said timely rains have benefited the region’s rangeland and provided much-needed optimism, but the much improved rangeland conditions also raise questions.
“Will the rains produce a flush of toxic plants?” Hernandez asked. “Should I buy cows or replacement heifers? How do I select cows that’ll make money? And how can I best take advantage of the positive, but somewhat volatile sheep and goat market trends?
“The annual Ranchers Roundup will address those questions and more. It’s a time of cautious optimism that we hope our producers will be able to profit from wisely.”
Topics include a beef industry update, sheep and goat industry outlook, reducing livestock losses to toxic plants, and antibiotics and hormones in animal production.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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