News Update
June 23, 2017
The Promise of Genomics
They promised a doubling of the accuracy of prediction for genetic merit. Looking back, it’s easy to see that some early advocates of genomics were somewhat overzealous in promoting a still underdeveloped technology. Yet, after getting off to a slow start, the science has advanced remarkably, and many of the early promises of genomics for improving genetic selection are being realized.
University of Georgia geneticist Daniela Lourenco recounted the history of genomics, as applied to selection of breeding animals, from early investigation of DNA to the latest method for calculating genomic-enhanced expected progeny difference (GE-EPD) values. She spoke during the first general session of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Symposium hosted May 31-June 3 in Athens, Ga.
While livestock DNA studies began in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was the human genome project that revealed some of the most valuable information.
Continue reading this Angus Media news article online.
USDA Halts Import of Fresh Brazilian Beef
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced June 22 the suspension of all imports of fresh beef from Brazil because of recurring concerns about the safety of the products intended for the American market. The suspension of shipments will remain in place until the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture takes corrective action which the USDA finds satisfactory.
Since March, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been inspecting 100% of all meat products arriving in the United States from Brazil. FSIS has refused entry to 11% of Brazilian fresh beef products. That figure is substantially higher than the rejection rate of 1% of shipments from the rest of the world. Since implementation of the increased inspection, FSIS has refused entry to 106 lots (approximately 1.9 million pounds (lb.) of Brazilian beef products due to public health concerns, sanitary conditions, and animal health issues. It is important to note that none of the rejected lots made it into the U.S. market.
For more information, read the USDA news release online.
Suit to Require Country-of-Origin Labeling on Meat Products
The Ranchers-Cattlemen Legal Action Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) and Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW) have filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington Monday, June 19, against the USDA.
The suit alleges that USDA regulations that allow beef and pork to be classified as “domestic products,” even when those meat products are imported from other countries, confuse consumers and harm American farmers.
Public Justice and the Terrell Marshall Law Group filed the complaint, arguing that the USDA regulations violate the text of the Meat Inspection Act. The Act requires that the more than 800 million pounds of beef born, raised and slaughtered annually in other countries and then imported to the United States should include labeling indicating the meat’s country of origin.
View the full R-CALF release online.
Record High Total Red Meat and Pork Production for May
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.28 billion pounds (lb.) in May, up 7% from the 4.00 billion lb. produced in May 2016.
Beef production, at 2.16 billion lb., was 6% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.75 million head, up 9% from May 2016. The average live weight was down 26 lb. from the previous year, at 1,307 lb.
Veal production totaled 6.3 million lb., 6% above May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,300 head, up 11% from May 2016. The average live weight was down 11 lb. from last year, at 276 lb.
Pork production totaled 2.10 billion lb., up 8% from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.95 million head, up 8% from May 2016. The average live weight was down 1 lb. from the previous year, at 282 lb.
Read the full National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) report online.
Brush Control, Chute-side,
Fencing Demonstrations in Beef Cattle Short Course
Live cattle working, fence building, tractor equipment and brush busters demonstrations are among several activities planned for the 63rd Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course scheduled Aug. 7-9 at Texas A&M University in College Station.
All demonstrations will be Aug. 9 at various locations. They will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at noon.
“The demonstrations offered at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course provide participants with live demonstration opportunities in a variety of beef cattle activities,” said Jason Cleere, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist, College Station, and conference coordinator.
The Brush Busters demonstration will cover how to manage prickly pear, mesquite, greenbrier, Chinese tallow trees, huisache and other species. A beef cattle business management workshop, beef carcass value determination workshop and live cattle-handling and chute-side demonstrations are also planned.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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