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Friday’s
(1/29) USDA cattle inventory report showed
declines in total cattle numbers, the beef
cowherd, dairy cow numbers, replacement
heifers and other key indicators. The
Kansas
cattle inventory followed the herd
reduction trend.
The report estimated total U.S. cattle numbers on January 1, 2010, at 93.7
million head, down 1% from a year earlier.
Beef cow numbers were down 336,000 head or
1% from January 1, 2009. The number of
beef replacement heifers, as of January 1,
stood at 5.4 million, down 2% from a year
earlier. Total dairy cows numbered 9.1
million, down 3%. The
U.S.
calf crop fell to 35.8 million head, down
1% from 2008. All
cattle and calves in
Kansas
totaled 6 million, down 5% from a year
earlier. The Kansas beef cow inventory was down 5%, beef
replacement heifer numbers were down 6%
and total dairy cow numbers were down 7%.
According to Kansas Ag Statistics, the
state’s 2009 calf crop, at 1.39 million
head, was down 3% from 2008. CattleFax analysts told those attending last week’s Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio they expect cattle numbers to fall again in 2010. Executive Vice President Randy Blach said despite smaller supplies, “demand remains the biggest challenge for the beef industry in 2010.” He said the bullish supply situation will only lead to higher prices if beef demand stabilizes.
# # # NEW
NCBA STRUCTURE BUILT TO BETTER DEFEND
INDUSTRY, MEMBERS
NCBA
members have adopted a new governance
structure designed to make the
organization more responsive to new
challenges facing the industry and pro
“There
are entities across the country seeking to
keep us from succeeding as cattlemen and
women,” said Lyons. “The changes we have recommended make
it easier for us to move quickly against
those groups and ensure consumers know the
facts about the great beef we produce and
the people who produce it.”
The
organizational changes will include a
29-member NCBA Board of Directors. A House
of Delegates will elect 26 of the board
members. The House of Delegates will
include 106 votes for state beef councils,
106 votes for NCBA state affiliates and 38
for industry and breed organizations, as
well as the allied industry/product
council. Committees approved by the board
will make proposals to the House of
Delegates. The delegate body will forward
policy to the board for final
consideration.
Lyons
said she and the 20 other task force
members sought to maintain grassroots
input and control of the organization.
This was accomplished through the
operations and structure of the House of
Delegates and the committee system.
Task
force co-chairman John Queen said the
smaller board will be more efficient and
accountable to the membership. All of this
will be accomplished while maintaining
strict firewalls between checkoff and dues
dollars. Legal counsel and USDA concur the
new structure complies with the beef
checkoff act and order. Working groups will be established to develop by-laws, investment schedules and a transition timeline. If proposed by-law changes are approved by the current board during the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in July, implementation of the new structure would begin at that time. # # # News from Wednesday, February 3 DAIRY FEE BILL ON KLA RADAR
A bill that would increase fees to fund the state dairy inspection program is among those KLA is tracking at the state Capitol. KLA lobbyist John Donley testified last week in favor of SB 395 before the Kansas Senate Agriculture Committee. The bill would increase fees paid by dairy processors in Kansas to fund the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) dairy inspection program. KLA opposed a measure last year that would have increased fees on milking operations because dairy producers believed KDA could create more internal efficiency. In the past 12 months, the department has shifted to performance-based inspections at the request of KLA. These efficiencies and a different fee proposal make SB 395 a better alternative than last year’s bill. State inspection is necessary in order to ship Grade A milk across state lines. SB 395 and other bills with a potential impact on the livestock industry will be discussed by members during the February 16 KLA Legislative Meeting in Topeka. KLA members will have an opportunity to form positions that will guide actions of the KLA Legislative Affairs staff on proposed legislation. The legislative meeting will begin with a complimentary lunch at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, followed by the bill review. Members will interact with their legislators and other government decision-makers during the social and dinner starting at 6:00 p.m. To make reservations for dinner, call the KLA office at (785) 273-5115. # # # News from Thursday, February 4 INDUSTRY
ON HEIGHTENED ALERT FOLLOWING
PHARMACEUTICAL THEFTS
A
KLA Cattle Feeders Council member in
southwest
Because
the theft occurred at a KLA member
feedyard, the association is offering a
reward up to $2,500 for information
leading to the arrest and conviction of
the person(s) responsible for the theft.
Anyone with information should immediately
contact local authorities or the KLA
office.
All KLA members are encouraged to be alert
to what appears to be an increase in the
number of pharmaceutical thefts. Products
only should be purchased from reputable
dealers. Be aware of any items that may
have been stolen.
KLA has raised the issue of pharmaceutical
and livestock theft with the # # # Friday, February 5
USDA
MOVES TO MAKE ANIMAL I.D. MORE FLEXIBLE,
COST EFFICIENT
U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a change of direction for animal disease traceability in the U.S. The new framework will apply only to animals moved in interstate commerce. States and tribal nations will administer the program to provide more flexibility. Lower-cost animal identification technology will be encouraged. Changes in the program are based on input gathered during last year's listening tour featuring stops at 15 locations. Vilsack said following these meetings, it was apparent a new strategy was needed.
"I've
decided to revise the prior policy and
offer a new approach to animal disease
traceability with changes that respond
directly to the feedback we heard,"
said Vilsack.
One
of USDA’s first steps will be to convene
a forum of state and tribal nation animal
health leaders. The meeting will be used
to initiate dialogue that leads to a
flexible, coordinated approach to animal
traceability for disease purposes. USDA
also will reportedly address limiting
animal owner liability and maintaining
producer confidentiality.
HBO
AIRING MOVIE ON LIFE OF ANIMAL HANDLING
EXPERT
HBO
is airing a movie based on the life of
renowned animal handling expert Temple
The movie will debut February 6 at 7:00 p.m. Other air dates and times on HBO are February 6 - 10:45 p.m.; February 7 - 4:45 p.m.; February 10 - 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.; February 14 - 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.; February 18 - 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; February 20 - 1:00 p.m., February 22 - 2:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; and February 27 - 11:00 a.m. # # # |
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ducers.
The NCBA Board of Directors approved
recommendations from a special governance
task force by a 201 to 13 margin during
last week’s Cattle Industry Convention
in San Antonio. Manhattan
rancher Jan Lyons
served as task force co-chair throughout
the 18-month process of gathering rancher
and feeder input as a basis for the new
governance structure.