Cattle Industry News

United States will Offer Grading System to Verify Cattle Age to Japan

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has nearly finished its 45-day study and will submit a proposal to Japanese agriculture authorities for a new approach to verifying the age of cattle exported there. The system, which a USDA spokesperson said is new only in use as an age-verification system, is based on USDA's longtime method of grading meat quality.

The task force developing the report slaughtered cattle whose age could be verified, then examined the quality of the meat. The report will contend that age can be determined by meat quality.

According to the Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a letter is on the way from Washington, D.C., explaining the proposed method and including an outline of the upcoming report. The Japanese Agriculture Ministry will then enlist local experts to assess the effectiveness of that method.

"While maturity factors are grading considerations, grading has not in the past been used specifically to determine age," Julie Quick, spokesperson for the USDA, told Meatingplace.com.

However, the United States may have tough sledding convincing the Japanese to adopt the measure. According to the Canada Beef Export Federation, the Japanese technical mission was impressed with Canada's animal identification system and its ability to verify age of individual animals. "We are in the fortunate position of having a national cattle identification system that is in place, that has proven itself and that can be enhanced to meet Japan's requirements," said Ben Thorlakson, chairman of the CBEF.

- Pete Hisey for Meatingplace.com on 12/14/04

Cattle- Fax Market Update

The fed cattle market plummeted $5 last week, as the bulk of the live trade was collected at $85. On a dressed basis, sales were noted mostly at $135. Trade volumes were moderate at best. Boxed beef values matched the losses noted on the fed side, with movement termed moderate. Larger slaughter rates resulted in building inventories at the packer level as the week progressed, pressuring prices. Feeder cattle prices were $2 lower, reflecting concern about the lower fed cattle market. Calf prices were primarily steady as demand for grazing programs remains very strong. Slaughter cow prices dropped $1; demand for cows is slowing as the holidays approach.

-To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News

Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show a Huge Success

Thank you to all attendees, sponsors, and trade show exhibitors of the 2004 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show for making the event a huge success!  Check our website at www.mocattle.com for a complete list of sponsors and trade show exhibitors.  Watch for complete convention coverage, including award winners and Top Hand recruiters, in next week’s Prime Cuts. 

Missouri Beef Cattle Industry Contributes Over $1.5 Billion to Missouri’s Economy

The Missouri Beef Audit, the most comprehensive study of Missouri’s beef cattle industry, has just been completed by University of Missouri’s Extension Commercial Agriculture program, funded by the Beef Checkoff through the Missouri Beef Industry Council.  Producers and investors will find this information invaluable as they look at future growth opportunities.

According to MU’s Commercial Agriculture program director Dr. Rex Ricketts, the Missouri Beef Audit is “a major report, probably the most in-depth report ever done on the Missouri cattle industry.”

“In this audit, we looked at the scope of the industry, how we fit nationally, what our strengths are, where the animals are located and what the opportunities are in the future,” said Dr. Ricketts. 

The audit found conclusively that the Missouri beef industry is one of Missouri’s largest agricultural industries, and it is second only to Texas nationally in numbers of beef cattle produced.  Almost two-thirds of Missouri’s 107,000 farms have cows, generating more than $1.5 billion worth of economic activity in the state, primarily in rural areas. 

“The other interesting thing in this report is that we do have that industry in all 114 counties in the state of Missouri, and we have listed each county and what the economic impact is in each,” said Ricketts.

The report includes a historical analysis of the industry in Missouri for the past 20 years, an analysis of the current competitive position of the state’s industry, and an evaluation of future opportunities and challenges for the industry.  The complete Missouri Beef Audit is available on-line at http://agebb.missouri.edu/commag/beef/audit/index.htm or through a link on the Missouri Beef Industry Council website www.mobeef.org.                       - Contributed by Missouri Beef Industry Council

What is the Current Status of the Nation’s Cattle Herd?

Many in the cattle industry are trying to determine what the current size of our cattle herds are after the extended period of above average prices. Are producers building herds? Have we reached the bottom of the long decline in our cow inventory? Are producers holding back heifers to add to their breeding herd?

Beginning around January first, the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service will begin the task to answer these and other questions. Nearly 2,000 of the state’s 60,000 cattle producers will be asked to participate in the January 1 Cattle & Calf Survey.  Missouri data will be combined with similar information from other states to give producers the facts on their industry nationwide.

Accurate responses to this survey are vital to our industry. Knowing where we are as a growth industry indicates what we can expect for the future. Stability of our markets rests on many variables including the actual size of our industry.

The concern over the confidentiality of what you report should not be questioned! The USDA statisticians protect your data from all parties outside their agency and use your report ONLY to reach state and national results. Confidentiality is guaranteed by law!

When you receive your mail request or that evening phone call from the statisticians, please respond with accuracy as the future of our industry and the stability of our markets are depending on good, sound, accurate information. If you have questions about the survey, feel free to contact Gene Danekas, State Statistician at 573-876-0950.

                                                - Contributed by Gene Danekas, Missouri Ag Statistics

Calendar of Events

Dec. 25             Merry Christmas from the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association!

The Fine Print

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