News Update
April 18, 2018
Market Update April 18
The fed-cattle trade last week saw an end to the precipitous price decline occurring over the previous 3-week period, when the live-steer price fell from $1.27 per hundredweight (cwt.) to $117 per cwt. Early week prices at $116 per cwt. anchored the average on the low side, but late Friday trading activity had packers paying as much as $122 per cwt. as they finally had to get competitive and fight to win bids to complete their weekly buy. When the dust settled, the average landed at $119 per cwt.
The 605,000 head harvested last week wasn’t a terribly large count, but decent considering Saturday packing-plant shift cancellations due to the brutal storm in the Northern Plains. Even so, the total packing base is now just a bit shorter in terms of product supplies as this week develops, positioning the boxed beef price for a possible move higher. Packers will be looking to expand their daily harvest but will have to find the cattle to do so.
Steer carcass weights are 6 pounds (lb.) lower in a week-to-week trend at an 872-lb. average, yet remaining 10 lb. heavier than a year ago. Heifer carcasses at 814 lb. are also 9 lb. heavier than a year ago.
Read more of CAB Insider online.
NCBA, PLC Express Concerns About
‘Recreation Not Red-Tape Act’
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) April 17 expressed reservations about H.R. 3400, the so-called “Recreation Not Red-Tape Act,” as the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee prepares to mark up the bill.
“We strongly support the principle of multiple use of public lands,” said Ethan Lane, executive director of the public lands council and NCBA’s federal lands. “That said, the federal government shouldn’t be in the business of favoring one use over another, and that’s what this legislation does as it’s currently written.”
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 requires multiple use on public lands. This means that every American has a place on public lands — whether a hiker, camper, cattle rancher or energy producer, Lane said.
The Bureau of Land Management’s definition includes managing public land resources for “a variety of uses, such as energy development, livestock grazing, recreation and timber harvesting, while protecting a wide array of natural, cultural and historical resources.”
Lane said that ranching is an essential element of multiple use because the practice easily coexists with other activities and does not preclude any of them from happening concurrently.
For more information, read the NCBA news release online.
Cattle Raisers Announce Change at
Chief Executive Position
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) April 17 announced a major staffing change with the expected retirement of current Executive Vice President and CEO Eldon White. Succeeding White will be TSCRA Executive Director of Government and Public Affairs Jason Skaggs.
White announced his planned retirement to the TSCRA Executive Committee during the 2018 Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo in late March. He will step aside Sept. 1, 2018, after which time he will continue to serve as executive vice president emeritus until his official retirement on Dec. 31, 2018, to aid in a smooth transition.
White joined TSCRA as executive vice president and CEO in May 2007. Throughout his 11-year tenure he has been a valuable asset to the association and cattle industry as a whole.
“I cannot praise Eldon enough for the tremendous job he has done as the chief executive for our association,” said Bobby McKnight, TSCRA president. “Eldon’s leadership has brought about very positive changes to TSCRA and his expertise has been beneficial for cattle raisers not just in Texas, but across the entire country.”
Read the full TSCRA news release online.
Texas Ranchers to Gather in Decatur April 26
The TSCRA will host a ranch gathering Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the NRS Ranch Store in Decatur, Texas. The event will provide an opportunity for local cattle producers to learn about TSCRA’s recent activities, discuss issues facing cattle raisers and connect with other cattle producers in the area. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by a complimentary beef dinner.
TSCRA Special Ranger John Bradshaw will provide an update on recent law enforcement activities in the area and discuss strategies to keep livestock and equipment safe and secure. Attendees will also receive updates on other topics of interest to cattle raisers and the community, including a briefing on recent governmental activities that impact Texas ranchers and landowners.
At 1 p.m., prior to the ranch gathering, Ron Gill will be giving a cattle-handling workshop at the NRS Training Center. Gill is well known for his expertise in low-stress cattle handling and offers cattle producers an opportunity to learn new techniques that keep cattle healthier and safer. Also at the workshop, Elanco will provide attendees with a demonstration of proper implanting techniques.
Learn more about this event online.
Registration Opens for Child Injury
Prevention Workshop, Aug. 14-15
A national workshop that will help America raise its next generation of farmers and ranchers has been scheduled for Aug. 14-15 in Marshfield, Wis.
The Child Agricultural Injury Prevention Workshop is all about working together to safeguard youth, said Marsha Salzwedel, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.
“By working with other organizations we can get the information and resources to farmers and ranchers, enabling them to implement safety strategies,” Salzwedel said. “Protecting our children needs to be a priority. A youth dies in an agricultural incident about every three days in the United States.”
The workshop will be limited to the first 60 registrants. Early bird deadline is July 1 ($199 registration fee). To register, go to www.marshfieldresearch.org/CAIP-Workshop. The workshop is designed for farm organizations, insurance professionals, healthcare providers, Extension, agribusiness, public health officials and media. The interactive workshop will enable participants to:
- understand the leading causes of injuries to children who are either working or playing on farms;
- describe interventions most likely to be effective in preventing childhood farm injuries; and
- identify their (and their organization’s) unique role in helping farm children grow up happy and healthy.
For more information please read the full release.
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