News Update
August 7, 2017
How Do You Compare?
What are your cow costs? What’s your calf revenue per head? How do your weaning weights compare to other producers?
Survey data collected by CattleFax from cow-calf producers across the country allow the opportunity to compare your operation to the survey averages. CattleFax analyst Ethan Oberst shared findings from the special survey in a CattleFax webinar that aired in May 2017. Oberst noted that producers responding to the survey account for nearly 700,000 cows across the country, which he indicated is a representative sample of the national herd.
Survey data represent 2016 numbers. CattleFax conducted a similar survey in 2015, which provides an opportunity for year-to-year comparisons.
The 2016 data revealed:
- Average herd size was 471 head per survey respondent.
- Average cow costs in 2016 were reported as $588. This was $17 per head less than the cow costs of $605 per head reported in the 2015 CattleFax survey. Oberst attributes the lower costs in 2016 to cheaper feed and fuel prices as well as bull prices being lower.
- Average calf revenue in 2016 was reported at $823 per head, which was down from the average of $1,281 per head reported by survey respondents in 2015
For more information, view the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
USMEF Statement on West Coast
Port Labor Contract Extension
On Aug. 4 the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) announced that its members have approved a three-year extension of the labor contract covering 29 West Coast ports. The contract between ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) now runs through June 30, 2022.
“USMEF is pleased that ILWU and PMA pursued this early contract extension, which is a positive development for U.S. exporters and for the entire U.S. economy,” said U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Philip Seng in an official statement. “The severe congestion we saw in the West Coast ports in 2014 and 2015 created major logistical problems for U.S. red meat exporters and prompted some international customers to seek alternative suppliers. The contract extension helps ensure that the United States will continue to live up to its reputation as a reliable red meat supplier. It is very good news for everyone in the supply chain — from farmers and ranchers to processors and traders — and for our customers in key Asian and Latin American markets.”
USDA and SCORE Launch Innovative Mentorship Effort
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Aug. 5 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with officials from SCORE, the nation’s largest volunteer network of expert business mentors, to support new and beginning farmers. Today’s agreement provides new help resources for beginning ranchers, veterans, women, socially disadvantaged Americans and others, providing new tools to help them both grow and thrive in agribusiness.
“Shepherding one generation to the next is our responsibility. We want to help new farmers, veterans, and people transitioning from other industries to agriculture,” said Perdue. “They need land, equipment and access to capital, but they also need advice and guidance. That’s what SCORE is all about.”
SCORE matches business professionals and entrepreneurs with new business owners to mentor them through the process of starting and maintaining a new business. USDA and its partners across rural America are working with SCORE to support new farming and ranching operations and to identify and recruit mentors with a wealth of agricultural experience.
Perdue announced the new partnership in Des Moines during the Iowa Agriculture Summit.
Read the full USDA news release online.
MU Keeps Reproduction Unit at Vet School
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) was a vocal opponent of a University of Missouri (MU) decision announced in June to eliminate the reproduction (theriogenology) specialty section from the veterinary teaching hospital. Last week, MCA members had reason to celebrate as their voices were heard with the decision to cut the program being rescinded.
“There was no logical reason for anyone to even consider cutting this specialty section,” said MCA President Butch Meier. “The bad decision was corrected by the new interim dean of MU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. With only one day on the job as the interim dean, Carolyn Henry recognized the need to keep the program intact and quickly solved a problem. This is the kind of leadership our future veterinarians deserve.”
MCA Executive Vice President Mike Deering said this section is responsible for teaching skills like pregnancy diagnosis, breeding management, bull breeding soundness examination and more.
“These students go on to become an integral part of the cattle production industry in Missouri,” said Deering, who also raises cattle in Montgomery City, Mo.
Learn more by visiting MCA’s website.
Join USCA at the 2017 Annual Meeting
and Cattle Producer’s Forum
The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) announced the 2017 Annual Meeting and Cattle Producer’s Forum, to be hosted Sept. 15-16 at the Big Horn Resort in Billings, Mon.
USCA will host its Annual Meeting Sept. 15 followed by the Forum on Saturday, Sept. 16. Building on the success of last year’s event, the 2017 Cattle Producer’s Forum will once again bring industry experts from Washington, D.C., and across the country to a shared stage in Billings to discuss the current state of the U.S. cattle industry. The Forum will feature panel discussions on: Bull or Bear? Trade Under the New Administration, The Next Big Thing is Already Here: How to Capitalize on a Changing Industry and much more. Attendees can expect to walk away from this year’s event having gained a better understanding of the forces shaping today’s industry.
“The USCA Annual Meeting and Producer’s Forum provide an ideal platform for discussion amongst U.S. cattle producers on issues facing today’s industry,” USCA’s Policy & Outreach Director Lia Biondo stated. “Last year’s combination of events brought industry experts and producers from across the country to have serious conversations about the state of the industry and the direction it was headed.”
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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