News Update

March 1, 2016

Animal Antibiotic Regulations

Animal agriculture is under increased pressure while more consumers question how livestock producers use antibiotics. At the heart of the issue is antibiotic resistance and its source — and mainstream reports that vary in accuracy.

In California, producers are under even more scrutiny and have worked with their state legislators to draft legislation that works for both lawmakers and producers and introduces a phase-in period for new antibiotics standards. Dave Daley of the California Cattlemen’s Association explains that his home state has taken antibiotic regulations a step further than the federal Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) mandate.

“SB27, Senate bill 27,…shows the public we do use our antibiotics appropriately, still provides the tools we need, but it does take out that opportunity for someone that, say, has no quality assurance training can walk into Tractor Supply and buy sulpha or tetracycline or penicillin and use that without any training whatsoever,” he says.

Daley says the combination of the federal mandate and California’s state law are a win for California cattlemen because it allows them to work more closely with their veterinarians and gives consumers peace of mind.

Watch Daley’s full interview on this week’s episode of The Angus Report. You can also catch the show at 5 p.m. CST Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday or 7:30 a.m. CST every Monday on RFD-TV.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

How Will New State Checkoff Funds be Used?

The Missouri Beef Industry Council, which is comprised of cattle producers from all regions of the state elected by cattle producers, has put in writing how the new checkoff dollars will be distributed.

They determined the funds would be best utilized in the following four categories and they set goals for each of the priority areas — promotion (35%), education (35%), research (20%) and marketing (10%). You can find complete details and outlined goals in each of the priority areas online.

Remember to register to vote in the Missouri Beef Checkoff referendum by March 4.

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

National Groundwater Awareness Week

If you value your life, you should value groundwater, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) said in recognition of National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 6-12. Quite literally, life as we know it would not be possible without groundwater.

“In times of drought or groundwater contamination — when people are noticeably affected — the value of groundwater becomes clear,” said NGWA Director of General Public Outreach Cliff Treyens. “The principle behind what Benjamin Franklin said two centuries ago remains true today: ‘When the well runs dry, we shall know the value of water.’”

It is estimated that groundwater makes up an estimated 99% of all fresh water in the world. At a national level, the United States uses 76 billion gallons of groundwater a day (bgd) for all purposes.

To read more, please view the full news release online.

— Adapted from a release by The Groundwater Association.

TSCRA Remains Active on State Issues

The 85th Texas legislative session will convene Jan. 10, 2017, in Austin. This date may seem like a long time from now; however, it will be here before we know it. We must keep in mind that pre-filing of legislation starts in November. It is for this reason that the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) is working hard during the interim to keep a pulse on important issues facing ranchers and landowners.

Many interim committee charges have been announced by the Speaker and Lieutenant Governor. As we analyze the priorities they set for their committees in the House and Senate, it is obvious many issues we have focused on in the past remain on the front burner today. It probably isn’t a surprise to most of you that some of these top issues include water, private property rights, transportation and property taxes.

For more information, please view the full TSCRA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Pete Bonds, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Approval of the Chairman’s Mark on Biotech Labeling Bill

Bipartisan action March 1 by the Senate Agriculture Committee in approving the chairman’s mark on a biotech labeling solution is a key step forward to preventing a crazy quilt patchwork of state genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling laws and the increased consumer food prices that would result. This bill injects common sense, uniformity and transparency to the debate over this issue. At the same time, the bill would also create a program to better communicate with the public about GMOs.

“The need for action is clear — companies will soon start making changes in their supply chains to comply with the Vermont GMO labeling law this summer. A recent study shows that food prices could increase $1,000 a year per family as a result. Delaying action on this legislation any further is a luxury that we can no longer afford as a nation.”

Read more in the complete news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

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

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