News Update
May 9, 2018
Manage for Marbling
Animal scientists know hormone implants affect marbling distribution in the muscles of cattle. For higher quality grades, nutritionists may advise delayed or no implants, but adding value later must be weighed against the near-term payoff of $25 or more per head.
As new implants become available for use earlier and earlier in the calf’s life, forgoing that technology may seem like an economic sacrifice, even for those who will retain ownership and market finished cattle on a packer grid.
Should producers have to choose between high growth and premium quality grade? What are the best options?
Brad Johnson, meat scientist and muscle biologist at Texas Tech University, says the latest generation of implants first introduced in 2007 can help cattlemen capture more growth on the front end without sacrificing quality grade later, if managed properly.
The key to having your cake and eating it, too, is the right combination of nutrition, hormone dose and implant timing, especially if the plan calls for re-implanting.
Johnson’s team published two research papers that showed trenbolone acetate (TBA), a powerful anabolic steroid used in implants, is more detrimental to marbling than estrogen-based alternatives.
Read this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
China Curbing Purchases of U.S. Soybeans
Farmers in Ohio have begun planting soybeans just as the trade war with China, the world’s largest consumer of the crop, has reached another nerve-racking point.
Last week, Bunge, the world’s largest oilseed producer, told Bloomberg News that China has essentially stopped buying U.S. soybeans and instead is purchasing soybeans mostly from Brazil. U.S. soybean sales to China are down compared to last year’s total, according to the USDA.
In recent years, China’s demand for soybeans has been strong. China is the second-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, and the country is Ohio’s most important soybean export market. In 2017, soybeans were Ohio’s largest agricultural export, totaling $1.8 billion.
“China picked a commodity that would do maximum damage to U.S. agriculture and could do political damage to the administration,” said Ian Sheldon, an agricultural economist, who serves as the Andersons Chair in Agricultural Marketing, Trade and Policy with the Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
In April, China threatened to impose a 25% tariff on U.S. soybeans and tariffs on 105 other American products.
For more information, read this OSU news release online.
Amarillo Announces $69 Million Investment in
Veterinary School to Meet Regional and Global Demand
On May 8 the Amarillo City Council approved an amendment to a 2016 agreement between the Texas Tech University System and the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) to fund up to $69 million to ensure the construction of the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine (TTU SVM) in Amarillo, Texas, and the creation of 95 new direct jobs and more than 270 indirect jobs.
“The investment in a veterinary school in Amarillo has huge economic implications and enhances our educational opportunities for generations to come,” said Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson. “Amarillo sees the return that will come on this investment. Our community has the determination and drive to make this educational and economic opportunity a reality.”
The TTU SVM will be the only veterinary school in the country co-located with a pharmacy and medical school on the same campus, thus expanding opportunities to combine research efforts impacting both human and animal health.
“The veterinary school will provide our community and our region with decades of economic growth,” said AEDC Board of Directors Chairman Brian Heinrich.
Learn more in the full news release online.
Free Beef Quality Assurance Training Offered
in Mount Pleasant
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) would like to invite beef producers to attend a free training to help them raise consumer confidence by offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry. The Texas Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program will be hosted Tuesday, May 22, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Priefert Manufacturing in Mount Pleasant, Texas.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. and a complimentary lunch will also be served.
The Texas BQA program will cover BQA principles, recordkeeping, environmental stewardship and proper management practices associated with genetic selection, cattle handling, culling, vaccination, medicinal treatment and other important topics.
If planning to attend, please register by calling 800-242-7820, ext. 192 or visiting www.texasbeefquality.com.
The event will be located at 409 FM 4000, Mount Pleasant, TX 75455.
The Texas BQA program is a collaborative effort of the TSCRA Texas Beef Council and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
The Texas BQA program is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
Secretary Perdue Commits to Prioritizing Food Waste Solutions
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hosted a food waste roundtable with Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-1) and David Young (IA-3), food industry leaders, and nonprofit groups at the USDA May 8. This roundtable, the first of many USDA public events on food waste, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness while discussing solutions with leaders throughout the entire food supply chain.
Following the roundtable, Perdue said:
“Our nation’s agricultural abundance should be used to nourish those in need, not fill the trash. So many people work on food waste issues in their own spheres, but it’s time to change the culture and adopt a holistic approach to get everyone working together and sharing ideas. I commend Reps. Pingree and Young for addressing this issue on Capitol Hill and for their desire to find collaborative, commonsense solutions. USDA remains committed to helping reduce food waste, and we are excited to work with all stakeholders from farm to fork to further elevate this effort and fulfill our motto, to ‘Do right and feed everyone.’ ”
While food loss and waste eats up nearly 40% of the food supply in the United States, millions of Americans need access to safe, wholesome, affordable food.
Read this USDA news release online.
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