News Update
April 6, 2018
A Place to Start Pasture Renovation
Weed management should be the beginning point of renovating a pasture — even before fertilizing or replanting species, according to Scott Flynn, a field scientist with Dow AgroSciences. “If you don’t deal with the weeds, they’ll take up fertilizer and real estate,” explains Flynn.
When you are ready to manage weeds, “You shouldn’t mow to control,” adds Flynn. “Mowing is like kicking the can down the road,” he says of the lack of weed control it produces. He notes that mowing creates a windrow that suppresses other forage growth, and it can expose bare ground, which is an invitation for weed seeds to establish. Moreover, he reports that it can cost $15-$25 per acre to mow, which is equivalent to one herbicide application.
Of the importance of investing in pasture weed control, Flynn observes, “Producers get really tied up in genetics and animal health — and those things are important, but the grass under your feet represents the biggest opportunity.”
Pat Burch, also a field scientist with Dow AgroSciences, adds, “You don’t need to buy new land, you just need to make what you have better.”
Continue reading this " target="_blank">Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
USDA Implements $2.36 Billion
to Help Ag Producers after 2017 Hurricanes, Wildfires
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the USDA will make disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion, as provided by Congress, to help America’s farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes and wildfires. The funds are available as part of the new 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP). Sign-up for the new program, authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, will begin no later than July 16.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will make these disaster payments to agricultural producers to offset losses from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and devastating wildfires.
The 2017 calendar year was a historic year for natural disasters, and this investment is part of a broader suite of programs that USDA is delivering to rural America to aid recovery. In total, the Act provided more than $3 billion in disaster relief by creating new programs, and expediting or enhancing payments for producers.
“America’s farmers feed our nation and much of the world, and throughout history they have known good years and bad years. But when significant disasters strike, we are ready to step in and provide the assistance they need,” Perdue said.
For more information, read this " target="_blank">USDA news release online.
NCGA Grant Supports State Educational Events
for Beef Producers
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is stepping up to support the education of U.S. beef producers in states around the country. The assistance is being provided through a grant program offered to state affiliates of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) that conduct Cattlemen’s Education Series events.
The Cattlemen’s Education Series is a collaborative effort to advance grassroots education on topics that improve cattle production efficiency, profitability and sustainability. The partnership builds on other successful programs currently in NCBA’s Producer Education portfolio, such as Stockmanship & Stewardship, Cattlemen’s College and the Cattlemen’s Webinar Series. The Cattlemen’s Education Series provides grants for state affiliates to host timely and relevant education sessions for their local members.
“Corn plays an important role in the cattle industry, and NCGA is excited about this opportunity to help enhance cattle operations through the Cattlemen’s Education Series,” according to Bruce Peterson, chairman of NCGA’s feed fuel and industrial action team. “Partnering with NCBA on this project will not only provide a benefit to cattle producers, it will also provide an opportunity to share research on the value corn and corn-based feed ingredients provide within feed rations.”
Learn more in the NCBA news release online.
Robust Beef and Pork February Exports
Both the volume and value of U.S. meat protein exports was higher in February. The possibility of a trade war with China could quickly change that trajectory, hence the volatility in futures markets. Exports of all proteins were higher in February and, more importantly, the value of U.S. exports rose sharply. Below are some of the key highlights:
Beef: Total shipments of U.S. fresh/frozen and cooked beef in February were 74,554 metric tons (mt), 9.5% higher than a year ago. The increase came despite a decline in U.S. exports to Japan, which remains the top market for U.S. beef. Shipments to Japan in February were 17,264 mt, 13% lower than a year ago. But exports to Hong Kong at 10,216 mt., were 38% higher than a year ago, offseting the lost sales to Japan. South Korea demand remains very strong and exports there were 14,789 mt, 23% higher than a year ago. The Japanese safeguard tariff, which was raised to 50% last summer, went down to 38.5% on April 1. The lower tariff and the decline in U.S. fed cattle prices should bolster U.S. exports to this market in Q2.
Read the full report online at www.dailylivestockreport.com.
Cattlemen Respond to ‘Ill-Conceived’
Endangered Species Act Lawsuit
Earlier this week, an organization called Friends for Animals launched a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, asking for the agency to give a herd of non-native, feral horses in Montana protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Friends for Animals is proceeding with the lawsuit despite the fact that rapidly exploding feral horse populations are starving on the range, damaging Western landscapes, and causing irreparable harm to native flora and fauna.
“The organizations pushing ill-conceived actions on feral horses are willfully ignoring the facts,” said Dave Eliason, president of the Public Lands Council. “The science is crystal clear: There are no wild horses in North America, and haven’t been for 10,000 years. If we continue to allow the least informed among us to lead the debate, the plight facing these feral horses will worsen and the health of our rangelands could be lost beyond repair.”
On April 3, 2018, Friends of Animals filed a complaint against Ryan Zinke and Greg Sheehan in their official capacities, challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for declaratory and injunctive relief by failing to list the Pryor Mountain wild horse population as threatened or endangered.
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