News Update
February 1, 2016
Blach Summarizes CattleFax Outlook
Who knew it would happen so fast? Even CattleFax market analyst Randy Blach was surprised by how rapidly the cattle market correction came. He said as much during the annual CattleFax Outlook Seminar, hosted in conjunction with the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention in San Diego, Calif.
“We anticipated that increased supplies of cattle would move the market lower,” said Blach. “Boy, it happened quick!”
In his presentation, Blach reviewed what he called the third-largest market rally in history. That was in 2014-2015, when prices climbed 37% in 15 months.
“In the last 12 months, we’ve seen the third-largest break in prices — a drop of 32% ,” he said. “For some, $500- to $600-per-head profits shifted to $500 to $600 losses.”
Blach said the contributing factors included a staggering increase in U.S. protein supplies — not just beef, but record-large pork and poultry production, too. Exports struggled through 2015, meaning more product needed to be consumed here at home, and domestic beef demand softened.
To read more, access the full story online at www.angus.media.
Beef Talk: Maternal Breed Indexes
The various breed association websites are really hidden treasures for beef producers. They are the doorways to better understanding the performance of the cattle available within each breed.
One fairly new addition to sire summaries is the selection index, available from several breed associations. The selection index allows a producer to select bulls based on multiple traits through a single value that includes expected progeny differences (EPDs) and other bioeconomic factors. The selection index value can meet maternal cow-calf selection or terminal beef production objectives.
The bull registration numbers are the keys that open the door to lots of information and provide a simple approach to review these available selection indexes within a breed. These indexes help group various traits, establish a relative importance for each trait and present the answer as a single value for a particular bull for that particular trait.
For more information, please view the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA online.
Continuous Improvement
Advancing sustainable agriculture and continuous improvement in the health and well-being of crops and livestock were recurring themes during Blackland Income Growth Conference sessions hosted recently at the Waco Convention Center in Texas.
The 54th conference, one of the largest regional conferences in the Blacklands area that attracts farmers, ranchers and landowners with agricultural enterprises, provided the latest in new technology and how to better deal with weather risks such as drought or excessive moisture.
“You deal with so many uncertain risks,” said Blackland Income Growth Program President Robin Liebe of Waco during the noon luncheon. “I want to thank all of you for what you do in producing a product that feeds the world.”
Producing more food and fiber will continue to be a challenge, especially as the world population reaches 12 billion people by 2050, said Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market, the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture based in Washington.
For more information, please view the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA online.
Texas Youth Cattle Conference Announced
The Texas Beef Council (TBC) is proud to announce the inaugural Texas Youth Cattle Conference has been set for June 13 - 15 in San Antonio and South Texas regions. The conference is designed for youth who have a desire to expand their knowledge about the Texas beef industry.
Attendees will explore the beef industry by focusing on beef’s role in the food industry, nutrition, beef cattle science, management and marketing. Students will hear from industry experts and have the chance to learn through hands-on activities throughout the conference.
This checkoff-funded program is free of charge. Students will only be responsible for their travel to and from San Antonio. Texas youth involved in junior cattle breed associations are encouraged to apply online at www.texasbeefcheckoff.com/texasyouth.
USA Beef's Role in Feeding the World
The 2016 International Livestock Congress (ILC)-USA will bring together an elite group of international livestock and meat industry leaders to discuss a variety of proactive strategies that address the ever-changing beef industry.
The ILC-USA will be hosted March 3-4 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas.
The ILC is a unique global event hosted each year by the International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation to discuss issues of international importance affecting the future of animal agriculture. This year’s program will feature make-or-break issues regarding “Beef's Role in Feeding the World.”
Cost to attend is $150. Student registration is $50, and media $75. Register online at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ILC.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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