Cattle Industry News
NCBA Economist: 100 Percent BSE Testing Would Create Large Cost to Cattle Producers
Loopholes for Individual Companies put Industry on "Slippery Slope"
Costs of $30 per head or more would be borne by U.S. cattle producers if 100 percent testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) became the standard, according to Gregg Doud, the chief economist for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). And, he says, if an exception was provided to allow one company to export 100 percent BSE-tested product to Japan, it would become the standard for all export markets, and most likely the domestic market, as well. Providing food safety standards for international trade isn't about free enterprise," says Doud. "It's about creating a science-based framework, government-to-government, under which trade can be conducted.”
"All beef, regardless of its intended market, must be safe. But BSE testing addresses animal health surveillance and does nothing to improve safety," says Doud. "Furthermore, it's basic economics that says with any new cost in an agricultural commodity, it's the producer of that commodity that will pay the majority of the cost. Producers can see that very plainly when the price of corn goes up. That cost is reflected in the decreased price of feeder cattle - not in the increased price of fed cattle."
All U.S. beef sold, either domestically or abroad, is BSE free, so testing every animal for the disease would be meaningless. A false perception of increased food safety might be created through 100 percent testing, though, so all processors could be forced into the practice. Doud says it's for those reasons - the economic suffering of all cattle producers as the result of closed borders to U.S. beef, and the lack of need for this kind of testing - that NCBA opposes any loopholes in international trade for Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, even though NCBA's members are sympathetic to Creekstone's plight.
"Cattlemen and companies in the beef industry are suffering from the closing of the Japanese market to U.S. beef," says Doud. "But it has always been and should be the government's role to ensure animal health, food safety and international trade. Our members insist that the government be firm in its role to oversee these issues and establish trade standards across borders that are based on science and recognize the safety of the U.S. beef supply.
"We think the answer to the dilemma is for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work with their counterparts in the Japanese government to demonstrate why they can be confident in the systems we have in place to produce a safe product."
Doud says tests would cost $30 per animal or more when all costs, such as the kits, labor, shipping, holding, laboratory facilities and others, are included. The expense would increase processing costs and be factored into what a plant offered producers for cattle. In other words, Doud says, lower prices across the board.
In addition, letting individual companies test for BSE would increase the chance that false positive results could become public, causing tremendous volatility in cattle markets and hurting cattlemen financially, according to Doud.
NCBA officers and members recognize the need for international trade, and have made opening the borders their highest priority, according to Jan Lyons, a beef producer from Manhattan, Kan., and NCBA president. However, "we are all about putting more money in the pockets of our producers and protecting their livelihoods," she says. "We don't believe it's in the long-term best interests of our producers to add to their costs when those costs won't be reflected in either safer beef or improved markets for their cattle."
Doud says if we start allowing individual U.S. companies to use marketing strategies to determine trade policies we're entering onto a "slippery slope," creating opportunities for non-science based regulations. "The result would be different rules for every country, which would be chaos and limit U.S. beef exports," says Doud. "The NCBA maintains that we need to establish international trade policies that are based on science. If we start putting them on other foundations, we could lose our reputation for providing high quality, safe and wholesome U.S. beef."
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News
First Annual Cattlemen’s Steak Fry Planned for June 15
Join fellow cattlemen and women for a great evening of steak, camaraderie, and fun. The first annual Cattlemen’s Steak Fry, hosted by Past Presidents of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, will be held June 15, 2004. Events start with a social at 4:00 p.m. and the ribeye steak dinner with all the fixings will be served at 6:30 p.m. Following dinner, two very special items will be offered at auction. Advance reservations are only $25 per person or $40 per couple, which includes dinner and all beverages. Tickets may be purchased at the door for only $30 per person or $50 per couple. Check Prime Cuts next week for more information.
Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament – Hit the Greens for a Great Cause
The days are longer and warmer; the grass is getting green – it’s time to dust off the golf clubs and head to the course. Here is a great excuse to break out the clubs and help a worthwhile cause: The 7th annual Missouri Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament will be held June 16 at Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Columbia. All the proceeds benefit the Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation programs – scholarships, farm safety and disabled children.
The registration fee is just $75 per person and includes green fees, cart and a delicious lunch grilled to perfection by the Cooper County Cattlemen’s Association. The tournament will be a 4 person scramble; 18-hole shotgun start. There will be two divisions – Cattlemen’s Class (3 of 4 must be cattlemen) and Open Class. Prizes will be awarded to two flights in each division. Entry deadline in May 26. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, contact: Darla Eggers at (573) 449-4923 or darla@mocattle.com.
Help Beef Up Missouri Troops in Iraq – Cull Cows Needed
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 for processing and money for postage 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.
Governor Holden Declares May as Beef Month
MCA President Rusty Kahrs accepted the official May is Beef Month proclamation from Governor Bob Holden on Thursday, April 22 in a ceremony held in the Governor’s office at the Capitol. Kahrs, Brent Bryant, and Jean Riffle, President of the Missouri CattleWomen, represented Missouri’s beef industry. “We are happy Governor Holden recognizes the importance of the cattle industry to Missouri and all Missourians,” said Kahrs. The Governor encouraged all Missourians to eat beef during Beef Month.
May is Beef Month
May is Beef Month in Missouri! This year, the Missouri Beef Industry Council will be using checkoff generated funds to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the hamburger during Beef Month, and all Summer Long. Activities include a competition for Missouri’s Best Burger Joint, a promotion covering all of Southern Missouri at select grocery chains, a burger recipe contest, and, of course, coordinated promotions with county groups across the entire state. MBIC is offering up to $500 to County Cattlemen’s and Farm Bureau groups wishing to extend Beef Month Promotions. The allotment may be used for newspaper or radio ads, grocery store promotions, health awareness functions or any promotional materials to extend the efforts of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. Approval forms may be obtained by contacting Dawn Thurnau at the Missouri Beef Industry Council at 800-4416242 ext. 223 or dawn@mobeef.com.
Membership & Recruiting Update
MCA Membership Continues to Grow – over 950 new members since October! The countdown to the 1000th new member is on! For those of you keeping track, here are the top five counties and recruiters as of 4/22/04:
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, Sam Hostetler, David “Blue” Geier , and Tim Love.
Congratulations!
Calendar of Events
June 12-13 MCA All-Breeds Junior Cattle Show – State Fairgrounds, Sedalia
June 15 MCA Board of Directors meeting – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia
Cattlemen’s Steak Fry, hosted by MCA Past Presidents – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia
June 16 Allied Industry Council Meeting - Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia
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
4/26/04 Benton County – Classic Grill, Cole Camp, 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.
To unsubscribe, send a reply e-mail with “unsubscribe” in the subject line.