News Update
February 4, 2016
Election 2016
Colin Woodall kicked off his election update session at the National Beef Cattle Association’s (NCBA) Cattlemen’s College® by saying he needed to manage some expectations right out of the gate.
“When you leave here, you are not going to know who is going to be the next president,” the senior vice president of government affairs for the NCBA said. The room filled with laughter, like it did often when the witty lobbyist delivered a line. Yet, he is the first to tell you this election year is serious business, for cattlemen and for America.
While most associate Nov. 8, 2016, with the presidential election, Woodall says that’s only one piece of the puzzle. There are some very important house and senate races, as well. Then there are the hot-button policy issues at the moment — all of which could go in cattlemen’s favor or not depending on who is in Washington.
There’s the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is being negotiated by the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, Canada and Mexico. Then there’s the Waters of the United States, more commonly known as WOTUS. The Endangered Species Act is also important to cattle raisers.
For more information, please view the full Angus news article online.
Outlook for 2016 Exports
The USDA’s January World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) provide updated expectations for beef supplies and prices. Beef production for 2015 was revised up to 23.7 billion pounds (lb.). Production in 2016 was expected to increase by nearly 900 million lb. from last year at 24.6 billion lb. Per capita consumption is expected to also be higher at 54.5 lb. per person, due to increased production and lower anticipated prices.
Beef exports for 2016 are expected to be 212 million lb. higher than a year ago — positive news for beef cattle producers who’ve otherwise witnessed a rough start to 2016 markets.
For more information and to see a full interview with Derrell Peel, watch this week’s episode of The Angus Report. You can also catch the show at 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday, 7:30 a.m. CST Monday and 5 p.m. CST each Wednesday on RFD-TV.
R-CALF USA Responds to TPP Testimony
During a formal hearing convened recently by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), representatives of the world’s largest multinational meatpackers praised the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement. Hearing witnesses representing U.S. livestock and meat industries included R-CALF USA, NCBA, Cargill Inc., the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association, an affiliate of the North American Meat Institute (NAMI, formally AMI).
R-CALF USA was the only livestock industry representative that opposed the TPP during the hearing.
“I don’t represent the beef industry,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard, adding, “I represent the cattle industry. Our members sell cattle to beef industry packers. The TPP will impact the cattle industry very differently than it impacts the beef industry.”
For more information, please view the full R-CALF news release online.
FCS Financial Returns $12.5 Million
As they enter their 100th year of business helping farmers, ranchers and rural communities in Missouri succeed, FCS Financial is returning more than $12.5 million to their member-owners in cash patronage for the 2015 calendar year. Plus, they will be giving 21 lucky member-owners 0% interest on one loan up to $100,000 for 100 days during their annual Customer Appreciation Day event.
“FCS Financial is celebrating our 100th year anniversary in 2016, and we are excited to share this with our members. Returning more than $12.5 million in patronage demonstrates the strength and success of the cooperative they have helped build over the past century,” says David Janish, FCS Financial CEO. “In recognition of our 100th year, a drawing for 100 days of 0% interest on a loan up to $100,000 will be held in each of our field offices.”
For more information, please view the full FCS news release online.
Livestock Facility Workshops
“Good Ventilation Equals Good Cattle Performance” is the theme of a new livestock facility workshop to be hosted March 8 in Lena, Ill., and March 10 in Effingham, Ill. The workshops will focus on the interaction of ventilation and herd health issues for beef and dairy cattle buildings. If you are not getting the performance you expect from a building or you are planning to build a new one, attend one of the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. workshops hosted by University of Illinois (U of I) Extension.
Featured speaker on herd health, U of I veterinarian Cliff Shipley will set the stage with a presentation on “Disease Development and Transmission via Aerial Methods.” Ines Bixquert, a U of I Dairy Focus Lab team member, will use the team’s evaluation of several barns across the state to focus the ventilation discussion on real-world examples.
For more information, view the news release online.
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