News Update
November 28, 2016
CattleFax Shares Market Update
Disruptive cattle markets have caused concern for the overall beef industry in recent months; that leaves many producers wondering what the future may bring. Now, while prices have experienced decline, it is important to understand the market forces responsible for those adjustments.
According to CattleFax’s Mike Murphy, the next two to three years will be tight for the nation’s cattle producers, but there’s opportunity for those who set high genetic standards.
“The market correction here in 2016, as we came off of record prices in 2014, there were some key things that drove that,” Murphy said. “Obviously we had real short supply driven by drought, but also the protein supply shortage with pork and poultry.”
Growth in all three protein supplies has led to the market correction, Murphy explains, and he encourages producers to remain optimistic about what the future may bring.
“We’ve got to keep in mind that we’re going to get more global access. China made an announcement that they’re going to look at opening beef sometime soon. So don’t panic about this depressed calf market today, just recognize that better things are going to come,” Murphy said.
Watch more of Murphy’s interview on this week’s The Angus Reportonline. You can also catch the show at 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday and 7:30 a.m. CST each Monday morning on RFD-TV.
Veterinary Feed Directive and Beyond
The matter has been discussed ad nauseam in veterinarian Randall Spare’s opinion, but he fears some livestock producers still don’t get it. They need to understand that once the veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule becomes effective in 2017, some widely used animal health management practices will become illegal. While producers and their veterinarians often bristle at the idea of increased regulation, Spare said an attitude adjustment regarding the use of antibiotics is warranted.
A large-animal veterinarian practicing in Ashland, Kan., Spare shared that opinion while discussing the coming VFD requirement with cattle producers attending the 2016 Angus Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. He reminded his audience that, as of Jan. 1, a VFD written by a licensed veterinarian will be required in order to obtain feed-grade antibiotics defined as “medically important.”
Practically speaking, the VFD rule means certain classes of antibiotics that also are used to treat humans can only be added to livestock feeds upon the order of a veterinarian with whom a producer has an ongoing professional relationship. The rule also prevents veterinarians from authorizing extra-label use of any feed-grade antibiotics to which the rule applies.
Continue reading the Angus Media news article online.
Summer Internships Available at Select Sires
Select Sires Inc. has announced plans to offer summer internships at its headquarters facility in Plain City, Ohio, during the summer of 2017. Positions are available within the sales and marketing, communications, information systems and veterinary departments.
College students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in dairy science, animal science, agricultural economics, agricultural communications, information systems or related agricultural fields may apply for these internships.
Dairy-marketing interns must have experience working with cattle and the ability to clip and prepare animals for still or video photography. Those applying for the communications internship are encouraged to have completed basic journalism or public relations coursework and possess desktop design program knowledge and skills. Individuals interested in food animal medicine may apply for the veterinarian internship, which provides experience working with herd health, biosecurity and treatment of bulls.
For more information, view the Select Sires news release online.
USDA 2017 Agricultural Outlook Forum
Registration is now open for the USDA 2017 Agricultural Outlook Forum. To view Forum information go to www.usda.gov/oce/forum. To register for the Forum go to USDA 2017 Agricultural Outlook Forum Registration.
This year’s theme is “A New Horizon: The Future of Agriculture.” The two-day meeting will be hosted at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va., Thursday and Friday, Feb. 23-24, 2017.
The 93rd Agricultural Outlook Forum is the USDA’s largest annual meeting, attracting 1,800 attendees. It offers 30 sessions with more than 80 speakers and a host of agriculture related exhibitors.
Early registration for this year’s Agricultural Outlook Forum is available through Jan. 26, 2017.
For more information, view the USDA news release online.
Multi-County Brush and Forage Conference
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Wilson, Comal, Gonzales and Guadalupe counties will present the Multi-County Brush and Forage Conference Dec. 13 in Seguin.
The conference will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Guadalupe County at 210 E. Live Oak. Registration will be from 8:30-9 a.m. with presentations to follow.
Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units — three general, one integrated pest management and one laws and regulations — will be offered for commercial, non-commercial and private applicators. The $25 program cost includes lunch and handouts. Attendance is limited to the first 90 people to preregister.
For more information, access the complete announcement online.
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