Cattle group fears retaliation | NCBA estimates the cost to implement new rules at $100 million
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The battle against country-of-origin labelling is not lost, says the president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, even if the U.S. farm bill is now law. “We are going to continue to work on this issue and we are getting more support,” Scott George said in an interview during the NCBA convention […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Merck plans feedlot testof Zilmax
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Merck Animal Health is looking for 240,000 feedlot animals on which to test the effects of Zilmax. The company voluntarily stopped sales of its growth enhancer last August after reports about lameness in finished cattle. Tyson Meats had earlier an-nounced it would no longer accept cattle that were fed the product because […] Read more
Ground beef tops shoppers’ lists
Less demand for quality cuts | The cattle industry needs to adjust feeding regime to stay profitable
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A quick glance in the average shopper’s grocery cart is likely to show more hamburger and fewer steaks. That change in consumer choice should encourage the beef industry to rethink the kind of products being offered, said an agricultural economist with Rabobank International. “We are seeing a growing imbalance between what consumers […] Read moreU.S. beef industry works to overcome challenges
Lost opportunities | Losses seen from poor feed efficiency and reproductive performance, but some improvements noted
DENVER, Colo. — The once mighty North American beef industry may soon become a shadow of its former self if changes are not made soon. “We may be the next lamb industry, and we damn sure don’t want that to happen,” said Bo Reagan, chair of the International Stockman’s Foundation, during the recent International Livestock […] Read moreSome skeptical on U.S. beef export deal with China
2006 deal fell through | China is the world’s biggest beef importer but the U.S. has been shut out since the BSE crisis in 2003
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — China could import beef from the United States by summer, but analysts warn nothing is certain until the first container ship sets sail. “We had some commitment that they will allow beef in China before the middle of the year,” said Al Almanza, administrator of the U.S. Food Safety inspection Service’s meat, […] Read moreRancher watches grass fry, soil blow
May need to reduce herd | Snowpack won’t fill rivers needed to irrigate 1,000 acres of land
DENVER, Colo. — Randy Davis doesn’t need the experts to tell him about drought. He has been living with it at his New Mexico ranch for 10 years. Grass is sparse, the soil is blowing away and Davis’s family has downsized their cow herd from 1,500 to 600 Hereford and Angus females. “As a rancher, […] Read more
Cattle producers welcome relief from high corn prices
Lower prices may bring a switch to soybeans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cheaper corn prices are expected to improve profitability in the U.S. livestock feeding industry and support cattle expansion in 2015. “There is certainly a lot less anxiety out there in terms of worrying about the impact the price of corn will have on our margins than there was in the last 12 […] Read moreTwo Alberta Red Angus win at Texas show
Two Canadian Red Angus breeders walked away with the top prizes at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas Feb. 2. Northline Angus of Ardrossan, Alta., owned by Hector Schneider and family, won grand champion female with Red Northline Plush 122Z, a summer heifer yearling. The female is co-owned with TNF […] Read more
Stampede looks for unusual horse stories
The Calgary Stampede is looking for stories about horses and their unusual companions. At the Stampede, a thoroughbred chuck wagon horse has a miniature horse buddy, while a Dalmatian dog rides with a team of Clydesdales that pull a stagecoach at the grandstand each evening. Stories and accompanying pictures or videos will be shared on […] Read more
PED virus found on Montana farm
A case of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus was confirmed at a Montana hog farm yesterday. The Montana department of livestock is working with the farm but details on its location have not been released, said a news release from the state. State veterinarian Dr. Marty Zaluski said the department is working with the producer, attending […] Read more
