Cattle Industry News
USDA Certifies Seven Additional BSE Testing Labs
Because of its expanded BSE surveillance program, the United States Department of Agriculture has certified seven additional laboratories across the United States. The additional labs, located in California, Colorado, Texas, Wisconsin, Georgia, New York and Washington state, will help in testing hundreds of thousands of cattle for BSE. The state labs will use rapid tests, which allow officials to determine within hours if a cow is infected. Previously, the only facility authorized to test for BSE in the United States was the USDA lab in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa lab will conduct confirmatory testing should any tests return positive, since it uses a much more accurate test that requires several days for completion.
NCBA to Hold Live Satellite Town Hall Meeting Tonight
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association will host a satellite town-hall meeting from Capitol Hill tonight, April 1, 2004, in conjunction with its spring policy conference. The 90-minute live broadcast will include updates on NCBA's legislative and regulatory efforts, including export issues following the BSE discovery. The Satellite Town Hall will provide cattlemen from around the nation the opportunity to call in to a telephone number provided on-screen with their own questions or comments. The meeting will broadcast live on RFD-TV from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Central Time. A tape of the show will be rebroadcast three times on the RFD-TV channel at six-hour intervals, following the start of the initial broadcast. The program will also be broadcast on Saturday, April 3, at 3 p.m., Central Time.
Cattle-Fax Market Update
The fed cattle market was $3 to $4 lower in a moderate trade the week ending
March 26. On a cash basis, cattle sold for mostly $83, with a few late at $82 in
the South. The bulk of the dressed trades occurred at $132 to $133. Boxed beef
sold lower as well, pressured in particular by end cuts, while middles held near
steady. Volume on the boxes was moderate early, but slowed late. Feeder cattle
prices were steady to $1 lower, as limited supplies offset the lower fed cattle
market. Calves, on the other hand, were steady to $1 higher. Grass fever remains
strong going into turn-out time. Slaughter cows were steady to $1 lower. The
trimmings market was under pressure early in the week, adding to the price
decline. Actual numbers of available cows remain seasonally tight.
In Missouri, 32,879 feeder cattle were reported sold with mixed price trends.
Most auction markets reported steady to lower prices, in some cases as much as
$6 lower.
-To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News
Help Beef Up Missouri Troops in Iraq
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Beef Industry Council, Missouri Association of Meat Processors, and the Missouri Farm Bureau are teaming up to send beef to Missouri troops in Iraq. The plan, set forth by the Missouri Association of Meat Processors (MAMP), calls for one pound of Missouri Beef Jerky to be sent to every Missouri National Guardsman in Iraq. Missouri’s troops include 1175 soldiers in 9 units. Donations of both cattle and money are needed to make this program a success.
MCA members, county associations, and businesses are encouraged to donate cattle, preferably lean cows, which may be delivered to any participating USDA plant that belongs to MAMP. Cash donations are also needed to help cover the cost of postage. Find out how you can help our Missouri troops eat beef by contacting Brent Bryant at (573) 499-9162 or Ronnie and Roger Alewel at (660) 827-0005.
Membership & Recruiting Update
MCA Membership Continues to Grow – over 880 new members in six months! In addition to our dedicated recruiters, direct mail campaigns have been successful in increasing awareness of MCA and bringing in new memberships. For those of you keeping track, here are the top five counties and recruiters as of 4/1/04:
Top 5 Counties (New members since 10/1/03):
Top 5 Recruiters (New members recruited since 10/1/03): Wayne Seider, Macon County Junior Cattlemen’s Association, David “Blue” Geier, Sam Hostetler, and . . . a new addition to the top 5 list. . .Tim Love.
Congratulations!
Calendar of Events
April 3 CMSU Steer & Heifer Show, Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia
April 4 Holden FFA Alumni Preview Show, Holden City Park
June 12-13 MCA All-Breeds Junior Cattle Show – State Fairgrounds, Sedalia
June 15 MCA Board of Directors meeting, followed by MCA fundraising dinner – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia
June 16 Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament - Lake of the Woods Golf Course, Columbia
June 17 Missouri Cattle Women Board of Directors meeting - Columbia
County Meeting Notices
4/1/04 St. Charles County – VFW Hall, New Melle, 6:00 p.m.
4/5/04 Macon County – Lolli Livestock Market, Macon, 7:00 p.m.
Vernon County – Home Ec Building, 7:30 p.m.
4/6/04 St. Clair County – Wheeler & Sons Livestock Auction, 7:00 p.m.
4/10/04 Tri-County Cattlemen – Shady Dell Community Center, 7:00 p.m.
The Fine Print
This newsletter is a publication of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. All rights reserved – this newsletter may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without permission of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Did someone forward this message to you? To subscribe yourself, contact Luke Burbank or McKenzie Keedy at (573) 499-9162 or send an email to cattleinfo@mocattle.com.
Do you have questions, comments or suggestions? Would you like to advertise in our newsletter? If so, please contact McKenzie Keedy at mckenzie@mocattle.com.
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