News Update
October 12, 2017
Understanding Feeder-cattle Price Slides
Feeder-cattle prices depend on the weight of the cattle, with lightweight cattle typically having the highest price per pound (or hundredweight) and lower prices for heavier cattle. Not only do prices vary across cattle weights, but the size of the price adjustment depends on the weight of the cattle. Price slides are a measure of the amount of price adjustment as weight changes from a base weight.
Price slides have a number of uses, the most common of which is adjusting the price of forward-contracted cattle if actual weight is different from the specified base weight. Price slides are also useful for producers to evaluate price changes for the weight gain of calves in a preconditioning or short backgrounding program, or perhaps the additional weight from creep-feeding calves.
Prices slides are often stated in terms of traditional rules of thumb, e.g., a 10¢ slide on calves or a 6¢ slide on yearlings. The price volatility of recent years has shown that these rules of thumb using absolute levels are inadequate to accurately capture price adjustments over a wide range of price levels.
Continue reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
PLC, NCBA Praise Mark-up of
National Monument Creation and Protection Act
The Public Lands Council (PLC) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Oct. 11 praised Chairman Rob Bishop and the House Natural Resources Committee for marking-up H.R. 3990, the National Monument Creation and Protection Act. H.R. 3390 would bring long-overdue reform to the national monument designation process by setting clear parameters for the appropriate size of designations, giving voice to local residents and business owners, and requiring environmental studies before sweeping designations can be made. A mark-up is an initial step in the legislative process that allows a bill to move forward for further consideration.
“Previous presidents consistently ignored original congressional intent for monument designations to be the ‘smallest area compatible’ with conservation objectives,” said Dave Eliason, president of the PLC. “Repeated abuse of executive authority under the Antiquities Act harmed local economies and communities in rural areas across the country.”
The Antiquities Act — a mere four paragraphs — has been used to lock up over 500 million acres of land and water without local input or economic analysis.
“H.R. 3390 adds critical details to original, vague legislation regarding the creation and management of national monuments,” said Craig Uden, president of the NCBA.
Learn more in the NCBA news release online.
Ranch Group Urges Perdue
to Keep GIPSA a Stand-Alone Agency
In comments sent to the office of the U.S. Agriculture Secretary over the weekend, Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) urged that the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) not be demoted by folding it into its sister agency, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Secretary Perdue had proposed this change in his reorganization plan for the USDA issued in September.
The group’s comments assert the principle role of GIPSA is to promote fair business practices and competitive markets, foster fair competition, and guard against deceptive and fraudulent practices. Perdue, the group states, has a statutory duty to “strengthen the family farm system” of agriculture.
According to the group, GIPSA’s role in protecting the competitiveness of markets is perhaps “the most important function that Congress has assigned to the USDA to strengthen the family farm system of agriculture.”
The problem, the group points out, is that GIPSA has not properly carried out its statutory function for decades, which has allowed multinational meatpackers to act with impunity to reduce, if not vanquish, competition in U.S. livestock markets.
Read the R-CALF news release online.
Tips on Using Alternative Grain Storage
High corn and soybean yields, a large carryover from 2016 and transportation challenges have combined to put pressure on grain markets this fall. Many farmers are looking at every available storage option. Some have added grain bins to their existing system in recent years, while others are looking at alternative storage, such as equipment storage buildings, covered outdoor piles, grain bags or other structures.
The USDA’s September crop report predicts a U.S. corn crop of 14.2 billion bushels (bu.) and record soybean production at 4.4 billion bu. Projections for Kentucky are 215 million bu. for corn and a record 98.3 million bu. for soybeans, according to the Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Service.
Farmers who plan to store grain in alternative structures this fall should remember some key factors to minimize grain spoilage.
“A producer’s job really isn’t done until grain has passed grade at the elevator and is sold,” said Sam McNeill, extension agricultural engineer in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “The diligence spent scouting fields during the growing season should transfer over to managing stored grain.”
For more information, read more online.
Voting on Oklahoma Beef Checkoff Happening Now
Early voting is currently under way in an Oklahoma referendum for beef producers. The vote will give producers the opportunity to approve a $1-per-head state beef checkoff assessment in addition to the current U.S. Beef Checkoff program. If approved, the funds would be used to market, promote and educate consumers about beef and beef producers. Oklahoma would also join 15 other states, including Texas, who have already adopted a state-level beef checkoff program.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) has been a strong supporter of both the U.S. and Texas Beef Checkoff programs, and is now voicing its support for the Oklahoma measure.
“Texas cattle raisers have already seen an immense benefit from their state-level checkoff program, and I hope that same success can be continued in Oklahoma,” said TSCRA president Richard Thorpe. “I encourage every eligible producer to vote in favor of the checkoff, and make an investment in the future of our industry.”
A 2014 economic study conducted by Harry Kaiser of Cornell University reaffirmed that “immense benefit.” The study concluded that current checkoff programs yield an $11.20 return for every dollar invested.
View the TSCRA news release online.
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