Latest USDA Cattle Inventory Report: Fewest Head On Hand Since 1952 

The USDA Cattle Inventory Report released Friday shows a continuing slide in cattle numbers. 

As of January 1, 2013, there were 89.3 million cattle and calves in the U.S., a decline of two percent from January 1, 2012. 

This is the lowest January 1 inventory of all cattle and calves since the 88.1 million on hand in 1952.

All cows and heifers that have calved, at 38.5 million, were down 2 percent from the 39.4 million on January 1, 2012.

This is the lowest January 1 inventory of all cows and heifers that have calved since the 36.8 million head in 1941.

Click here to listen to an analysis of the USDA report with Tom Leffler of Leffler Commodities.  You'll also find a link to the full Cattle Inventory Report. 

R-CALF USA, US Cattlemen Applaud Senate COOL Letter 

R-CALF USA nad the United States Cattlemen's Association applauded the action by a group of 31 U.S. Senators led by Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Tim Johnson (D-SD), and Charles Grassley (R-IA). who sent a joint letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk informing them that it was Congress' intent to provide reliable information to consumers "about where their meat and seafood comes from" when Congress enacted the mandatory country-of-origin-labeling (COOL) law after more than 10 years of deliberation.

With that introduction, the Senators proceeded to urge Vilsack and Kirk to focus only on a regulatory solution to address the recent ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the United States must change how COOL is implemented.  In addition to calling only for a regulatory fix to the rules that implement the COOL statute, the Senators urged Vilsack and Kirk to work with industry stakeholders and to ensure "that a regulatory fix provides accurate information about the origin of all meat cuts to consumers."

"We are very pleased that this large group of U.S. Senators has stepped to the plate to defend COOL," said R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chair Mike Schultz.  Click here for more of Schultz's comments.   

USCA President Jon Wooster said, "USCA will continue to work with USTR and the Administration to ensure preservation of the original intent of the COOL law. The changes necessary to bring implementation of the rule into compliance with the WTO ruling can be accomplished outside of the legislative arena and we are confident that record-keeping and recording measures may be eased through simple regulatory action."  You can read more of Wooster's response by clicking here.

 

CME Group Backs Off on Trading Hour Expansion

CME Group Inc., which controls the world's largest grain market, said in a letter to its customers this week that it will reduce trading hours for its grain and oilseed futures and options contracts.

The move represents a reversal from a decision in May 2012 to extend electronic trading hours from 17 to 21 hours per day. However, CME said that after customer feedback and a formal survey of market participants that is still underway, "we have enough of your responses to be able to decide to reduce trading hours for our grain and oilseed markets."

The letter, signed by CME Group President Terrence Duffy and CEO Phupinder Gill, said more specifics on the revised hours will arrive within the next few weeks and that the exchange is "continuing to vet alternatives," because "there were varying opinions on what the reduced hours should be." 

You can read more of this story by clicking here.

 

USDA Preserves $4 Billion in Agricultural Exports in 2012 by Knocking Down Barriers to Trade

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) resolved dozens of export issues in 2012, freeing up an estimated $4 billion in U.S. agricultural and forestry exports and protecting roughly 30,000 American jobs in the process. The work is highlighted on Performance.gov, a resource for demonstrating how the Obama Administration is improving performance and accountability for the American people and businesses.

"As consumers around the world demand high-quality, American-grown products, USDA staff are monitoring more than 160 markets to ensure an open system of trade, free from unwarranted and unjustified barriers," said Vilsack. "Since 2009, USDA has acted to remove hundreds of unfair barriers to trade for American companies and is providing businesses with the resources they need to reach new markets. These efforts have resulted in the most successful period in the history for American agriculture and a boon for America's rural economies and agriculture-related businesses."

Click here for more.

 

Corn Refuge Compliance Report Shows Increased Compliance in 2012

The National Corn Growers Association is pleased to announce that the enhanced Compliance Assurance Program, which includes on-farm refuge assessments, an online survey and IRM education and awareness, is seeing strong success and an increase in the number of growers planting their corn refuge.

The CAP is designed to improve compliance with Insect Resistance Management requirements. The Agricultural Biotechnology Stewardship Technical Committee, a consortium of Bt corn registrants, submits an annual CAP report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describing industry-coordinated compliance assurance efforts for Bt traits.

In 2011, ABSTC launched a new IRM on-farm assessment program that focuses more assessments on growers who may not have purchased sufficient refuge seed according to their purchase records.

"The on-farm assessment process has proven to be an effective mechanism to identify Bt corn growers who are not following refuge requirements and provide assistance so that they can achieve compliance. The vast majority of growers found out of compliance in 2011 were found to be complying with the IRM requirements during the 2012 season," said Mike Smith, ABSTC IRM subcommittee co-chairman.

You can read the rest of this story by clicking here.

A Biosecurity Plan Can Reduce Losses from Diseases

This article by Deke Alkire appears in the latest newsletter from the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

Infectious diseases cost cattle producers millions of dollars each year through decreased performance, treatment costs and death loss. While not all losses can be avoided, many can be prevented with a good biosecurity plan. 

Each group of animals will have a different level of risk. For example, a virgin bull from a reputable breeder with a complete vaccination and treatment record would pose less threat to your herd than a freshly weaned stocker calf from the sale barn. In addition, a mostly closed herd that produces its own replacements could be at a higher risk than operations that frequently introduce purchased animals. Even healthy animals can be carriers of a disease that could affect naïve herds.

Consider the economic impact of various pathogens and be sure that animals are vaccinated prior to purchase, or be prepared to manage them accordingly to minimize the impact. In any case, gather as much information as possible about the health management and vaccination history before purchasing animals, semen or embryos from an outside source. If possible, have your veterinarian contact the seller's veterinarian prior to purchase.

Click here to read more of this story.