Cattle Industry News

Fellow Producers Need Our Help - Hurricane Charley Cripples the Florida Cattle Industry

NCBA and state affiliate associations are working in conjunction with the Florida Cattlemen’s Association to aid in relief efforts for Florida cattle producers.  As fellow cattle producers, we are asking for your help.  Sixty-three percent of Florida’s ranches were devastated by Hurricane Charley, affecting over 1.2 million head of beef cattle in that area.  The storm destroyed fencing and caused damage to farm structures and sale barns on approximately nine million acres.  Twenty-five counties have been designated as disaster areas; fourteen of those twenty-five counties are home to the state’s largest cattle population.

NCBA is currently working to help cattlemen in Florida secure financial support from the Farm Service Agency of USDA.  NCBA also spoke with officials from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trying to secure additional relief for Florida's producers.  However, those funds are not available for these types of agriculture damages in this situation.  Overall, because of the severity of the damage and the fact that much of agriculture's needs are exempt from natural disaster relief funding, the producers of central Florida will be left on their own to rebuild from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Charley.

Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) and Florida’s State Emergency Management Animal Industries Division have teamed up with county extension agents from some of the hardest hit counties to organize staging centers to distribute donated materials to ranchers in need.  NCBA is working in partnership with these groups to help secure and distribute needed supplies. 

“The most immediate needs we have are to repair perimeter fences to keep cattle off of major roadways, debris clean-up, structural repairs and gathering stray cattle. It is shipping time for the majority of the cattle in our state and it is critical that we have an infrastructure in place to facilitate the processing of these cattle. For many of the 1.2 million head of cattle living in this area, this structure no longer exists and must be replaced in order to ship cattle out of the state," stated Mike Milicevic, FCA President and producer from one of the hardest hit areas in Florida. 

You can help in many ways - through the donation of needed materials, time and labor, and financial contributions.  FCA has identified a list of materials and equipment needed (see below).  There is also a need for experienced fencing crews to help rebuild and repair exterior fencing and working pens.  Those interested in helping with time and labor must realize that conditions in Florida are still dismal and hotel space is limited.  FCA has secured housing at a nearby 4-H camp and will try to accommodate as many volunteers as possible.

Those interested in getting together groups to provide time and labor or if you have materials or equipment you would like to donate or loan to these rebuilding efforts you may call the NCBA office toll free at 1-866-BEEF-USA and we will coordinate with FCA.  Financial donations can be made directly to Florida Cattlemen’s Association at 800 Shakerag Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744.

As producers, we know the importance of the basic necessities and now is a time when we can show our support to those in need in our industry.  For decades, one of the driving factors that has set those in agriculture apart from the rest of the nation was our ability to understand, support and respond to those in need.  Now is one of those times… cattle producers have always been very self sufficient and don’t often ask for help. 

Your support and generosity are deeply appreciated and Florida’s cattlemen are thankful for your efforts.

For more information on how you can help contact NCBA toll free at 1-866-BEEF-USA.

Fencing Material Needs
•Barbed Wire •Stays •Fencing Staples 1/1/2” to 13/4” •3-31/2” round pressure treated posts 61/2’ long •6-8” round pressure treated posts 8’ long •Rough cut 2x6” or greater corral lumber •Plywood for mineral boxes •Tin for corrals and mineral boxes •Portable corrals •Portable loading chutes •Hammers •Fencing Pliers •Fence Stretchers

Fencing Labor
Need experienced fencing crews to help repair and rebuild exterior ranch fence lines.  Crews will need to bring their own fencing equipment including chain saws and generators.  Heavy equipment is also in short supply.                                                                          -National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Cattle- Fax Market Update

Market Highlights - The fed market was $2 to as much as $3 higher last week in a light to moderate trade. The bulk of the cattle sold mid-week at $87 to $88 live and $136 to $137. Bids faded later in the week and a limited trade was noted at $86 to $86.50 in Kansas at that point. Boxed beef was higher. Movement started the week active, but slowed after mid-week. Feeder cattle prices were $1 to $2 higher, continuing their recent advance, while calves were fully $ 1higher. Movement continues to slowly increase. Slaughter cows were quoted $1 to $2 lower.                                                                         -To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News

Animal ID Listening Session Scheduled for August 27

Are you concerned about national animal identification?  If so, here is your chance to have your opinion heard:  a national animal identification listening session will be held August 27, 2004 at Joplin Regional Stockyards near Carthage, Mo.  United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks will discuss animal identification and is interested in hearing from cattle producers regarding the development, structure and implementation of a National Animal Identification Plan for all livestock. 

“These sessions will provide public forums to discuss the national animal identification program,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks. “A national animal identification program will help the government and industry more quickly control outbreaks of a variety of animal diseases and reduce the economic impacts on the market.”

“It is extremely important that all cattle producers make an effort to attend the August 27^th listening session,” said MCA President Rusty Kahrs.  “This will be the one and only time producers have the opportunity to express concerns and ask questions about a national identification system.” 

Those interested in commenting on the development, structure or implementation of a national animal identification plan will need to register at 2 p.m. on August 27 at the sign-in booth in the Stockyards.  The session will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude at 5:30 p.m.  For more information or directions, contact Joplin Regional Stockyards at (417) 548-2333 or the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association at (888) 499-9162. 

MCA Board of Directors Vote to Endorse Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond

The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association recently announced the endorsement of Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond for re-election, citing his strong commitment to the Missouri cattle industry. 

“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.  Their friendship, support, and advice are invaluable to me as we fight for the tradition and economic viability of the Missouri cattle industry,” said Senator Bond.  “Missouri is a proud cattle state, and the beef industry is a major cornerstone of the economy, bringing in more than two billion dollars annually.  The members of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association work hard to put top quality Missouri beef on table and deserve our thanks and appreciation.”  Missouri is the top seedstock producing state and is second only to Texas in the number of beef cows.

“After an extensive nomination process, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association is pleased to give its whole-hearted endorsement of Senator Bond,” said MCA President Rusty Kahrs.  “Both the state board of directors and our county cattlemen’s associations overwhelmingly voted in favor of the endorsement of Senator Bond.” 

 To date, Senator Bond is the only candidate endorsed by the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association in the 2004 election cycle. 

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Beef House Celebrates Success

The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Beef House experienced great success during the 2004 Missouri State Fair.  The Beef House broke records on all but 3 days, set a record for most beef meals served on a single day (3,580 meals on Saturday, August 14), and served over 25,000 great beef meals to fairgoers during the eleven days of the 2004 Missouri State Fair.

Thank you to each and every one of our 600-plus volunteers, as well as the Beef House staff.  Your hard work, dedication, and positive attitude helped to make 2004 the most successful year in Beef House history!  Read Prime Cuts next week for more coverage of the Beef House and the Missouri State Fair. 

2004 Missouri Beef Tour Features Variety of Production Topics

Bull development, handling facilities, the Premier Beef Marketing program, contract embryo implanting, the Show-Me-Select Heifer Replacement Program, feeding cattle in Missouri, and financing cattle-feeding operations are just a few of the topics to be discussed during the 2004 Missouri Beef Tour on August 27. 

The 2004 Missouri Beef Tour will feature four operations in Northeast Missouri: Hopewell Farms, Paris, operated by Bob and Lynn Fodge and son Bobby; Kenny and Imogene Latimer’s farm north of Hunnewell; Bob and Charles Vannoy’s farm east of Shelbyville; and the Ricketts Feedout/Buckman Feedlot just east of Shelbina. The final tour stop includes a beef dinner prepared by members of the Lewis/Marion and Monroe County Cattlemen’s Associations at the American Legion Hall in Shelbina. 

The Beef Tour begins at 1:30 p.m. on August 27 at the Hopewell Farm, located near Paris in Monroe County.  There is no cost for those wishing to participate in the tour. For more information, contact Al Kennett, MU Regional Extension Livestock Specialist, at (573) 985-3911 or kennetta@missouri.edu. 

Sponsors of the 2004 Missouri Beef Tour are the Lewis/Marion and Monroe County Cattlemen’s Associations, local beef organizations, agribusinesses and individuals, MU Extension and the Commercial Agriculture Program, and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.   

                                                                                                            - Information provided by Commercial Agriculture

Calendar of Events

Aug. 27             USDA Animal ID Listening Session – Joplin Regional Stockyards

Aug. 27             Missouri Beef Tour – Shelby and Monroe Counties

Aug. 27             Johnson County Cattlemen’s Tractor Pull – Johnson Co. Fairgrounds, 7 p.m.

Aug. 28             American Hereford Association Breed Improvement 101 - Litton Hall, University of Missouri – Columbia

Aug. 30             Benton Co. Cattlemen – Water Tower Park, Cole Camp, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 9-11         Carroll County Cattlemen’s Tractor Cruise

Sept. 11            Audrain Co. Cattlemen – Twin Lakes Lodge, 4:00 p.m.

Sept. 16            MCA Board of Directors Meeting - Columbia

The Fine Print

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