News Update
November 29, 2017
USRSB Unveils Sustainability Tools
for the Beef Community
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) announced Nov. 15 the release of USRSB Sustainability Metrics, the latest tool helping those who raise, buy and sell beef understand ways to balance and improve their environmental impact, social responsibility and financial bottom line.
“The USRSB Sustainability Metrics are a result of two years of work from the entire beef community, and I am proud of the results,” said Nancy Labbe of World Wildlife Fund, a member of the USRSB. “I believe these metrics are where we need to start. They address areas that are truly important in the beef sustainability conversation.”
As part of volunteer leadership, Labbe helped guide more than 100 members as they developed USRSB Sustainability Metrics, a process that allowed each sector of the beef value chain to oversee their own metric development while receiving feedback from all members.
In 2016 the USRSB released High Priority Indicators to address areas of sustainability most important to the beef industry. USRSB Sustainability Metrics accompany High Priority Indicators and will serve as a self-assessment tool to aid the beef community as they examine their sustainability footprint and share their personal story.
Continue reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Beef Production, Management Online Course
Offered by Penn State Extension
Individuals who want to learn about profitably operating a beef business from the comfort of their own homes now have the opportunity to take an online course offered by Penn State Extension.
“Beef Production and Management,” which is designed specifically for beginning farmers just entering business, is also aimed at beef cow-calf producers who are interested in improving their production practices and ultimately the profitability of their operations. Participants will learn how to best choose and maintain their herd animals, while wisely managing their business.
The course consists of seven sections: basic production and management, selection principles, reproduction, nutrition, health, marketing, and financial issues.
At the end of the course, participants should be able to understand the basics of beef production; select the type of cattle that best meet their needs; identify how to feed to meet the nutritional needs of beef cattle; understand the reproductive process in beef cattle and implement appropriate management strategies; identify the health needs and issues of beef cattle and utilize ways to correct health problems; describe effective ways to market their cattle; and handle financial issues related to beef cattle production.
Learn more and register for the course online.
TAHC Releases Jim Wells County Fever Tick Quarantine Area
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and The USDA’s Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program (CFTEP) released the Jim Wells County Fever Tick Control Purpose Quarantine Area (CPQA) on Nov. 22, 2017.
The 51,590-acre CPQA was established by TAHC and USDA CFTEP in July 2015 after cattle fever ticks were discovered on two calves at a South Texas livestock market. The calves originated from a premises located in Jim Wells County. An epidemiological investigation and follow-up inspection of the premises found additional cattle and wildlife to be infested with fever ticks.
The release of the Jim Wells County CPQA comes after two years of systematic treatment and inspections. The release rescinds all movement restrictions, inspections and treatment requirements for livestock and wildlife in the area.
“Though the fever tick outbreak is gaining ground along the Texas-Mexico border, TAHC is pleased to see the successful eradication of cattle fever ticks in Jim Wells County,” said Andy Schwartz, TAHC executive director. “This is a small but significant step forward in our fever tick eradication efforts.”
For more information, read the full news release online.
Low Grain Prices Bad for Farmers
but Good for Livestock Producers
Plentiful grain supplies likely mean low crop prices for farmers but lower costs for livestock producers looking for feed options through winter, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.
Mark Welch, AgriLife Extension grains marketing economist, College Station, said the expected drier weather pattern through winter could cause problems for cattle producers’ winter pastures and potential grazing. However, abundant supplies of grains and subsequent low prices could mean lower feed costs for all livestock.
Corn prices should remain low and steady, he said, following heavy yields at harvest for U.S. and Texas producers.
“There was a whale of a corn crop this year,” he said. “Acreage was down, but with the varieties we have now and the techniques that farmers employ, those acres brought unprecedented yields.”
Sorghum, another important grain that creates feed, fuel and food for Texas and U.S. markets, also had a banner production year but is expected to garner low prices, he said. Corn and sorghum acres were lower in 2017 compared to the year before, but above-average yields contributed to high supply numbers and, therefore, lower price trends.
Read more of this AgriLife news release online.
2018 Southwest Beef Symposium Set for January
The 2018 Southwest Beef Symposium hosted jointly by the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is set for Jan. 17-18, 2018. The event will take place in the MCM Elegante – Odessa, at 5200 E. University Ave., Odessa, Texas.
This educational forum is tailored for beef producers and was established to provide timely information annually about current industry issues and practical management. The event’s location alternates between Texas and New Mexico.
Speakers and topics include:
- Cattle Market Outlook; Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.,
- International Market Outlook and Source Verification; Lee Ann Saunders, IMI Global, Castle Rock, Colo.,
- What We Use for Business Planning: Budgets and Profit/Loss Estimates and Marketing Options for Cattle Type; Dennis Braden, Swenson Land Cattle Company, Stamford, Texas, and many more.
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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