This is Heather Lassen, special projects editor for the Angus Journal, with the August 18, 2023, update from the AJ Daily. Today’s update contains a story on keeping cattle calm, comments from the American Farm Bureau Federation about the U.S. trade representative’s establishing a dispute panel regarding Mexico’s biotech corn import ban and additional comments from Farm Bureau about the EPA’s rejection of two petitions seeking stricter regulation of animal feeding operations, and reasons for optimism on the part of cattle producers.
K-State Beef Cattle Experts Share Advice on How to Keep Cattle Calm
Adapted from an article by Lisa Moser, K-State Research and Extension
In ag circles, it’s often jokingly said that to test the strength of a marriage, just work cattle together. Anyone who has helped move cattle can attest processing time is often stressful, for the animals as well as the people.
To minimize everyone’s stress, the team of experts at the Kansas State University (K-State) Beef Cattle Institute have some advice to keep things running smoothly on processing day.
K-State Veterinarian Bob Larson says, “Pick the right people to help with the cattle handling, meaning that the helpers need to move the cattle at appropriate speeds without yelling.”
Following up on that advice, K-State Beef Cattle Nutritionist Phillip Lancaster says it is important helpers are familiar with concepts of flight zone and point of balance.
For the full story, visit angusbeefbulletin.com/extra and select the management tab.
Mexico Must Live Up to its USMCA Commitments
Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented August 17 on the U.S. Trade Representative establishing a dispute panel in Mexico’s biotech corn import ban.
“AFBF appreciates U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai for her continued commitment to ensuring Mexico lives up to its responsibilities under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement by allowing fair trade from the United States.
“Mexico’s ban on bioengineered corn is not only a clear violation of USMCA (United States, Mexico Canada Agreement), it also ignores science and denies families in Mexico safe and affordable food. America’s farmers are upholding their obligations by meeting demand while achieving important sustainability goals. Mexico must do the same.”
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American Farm Bureau Federation Appreciates Environmental Protection Agency’s Rejection of Unfair Petitions
Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation
Duvall commented Aug. 17 on the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to reject two petitions seeking stricter regulation of animal feeding operations.
“America’s farmers are committed to growing safe and affordable food while protecting the resources they’re entrusted with. AFBF appreciates EPA for recognizing those efforts by rejecting attempts to unfairly target farmers who take care of herds and ultimately help meet America’s nutritional needs.
“As EPA moves forward with plans to study the issue further, we urge the agency to carefully consider the benefits animal feeding operations provide in America’s sustainability efforts.”
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Consumer Demand and High Prices Prompt Cattle Producer Optimism
Adapted from a release by Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife
Optimism greeted beef cattle producers from around the country attending the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course recently for two primary reasons — high cattle prices and continued consumer demand, despite the higher beef prices.
Unlike in previous decades, Americans today eat higher-grade beef and pay a premium for it. Beef cattle producers broke out their timelines at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course to see where their industry had been, where it is today and where it might be headed.
David Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock market specialist and professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Agricultural Economics, set the mood for the first day of the Short Course with his analysis of today’s market and a forecast.
The full article is available at the link in this episode’s description.
The AJ Daily is compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor for theAngus Journal. For more Angus news, visit angusjournal.net.