Headline News
MCA Recruits 500 New Members!
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association has reached a milestone! Since October 1, 2003, MCA members across the state have been busy recruiting new members – with great success! On Wednesday, February 11, 2004 – just four months later – new membership number 500 arrived in the MCA office. The 500th new members are . . . . Don and Debbie Groebl of Blue Gate Farms in Hermann. The Groebls were recruited by Jeff and Tracy Mueller, also of Hermann. In celebration of the 500th new member, the Groebls and the Muellers will receive MCA hats – congratulations!
Cattle Industry News
BSE Investigation Comes to a Close
On Monday, February 9, 2004, Dr. Ron DeHaven, Deputy Administrator of Veterinary Services for USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, announced that the field investigation of the case of BSE in a cow in the State of Washington is complete. America's cattlemen applaud USDA, and especially the staff at USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), for conducting the BSE investigation in a very thorough, open and transparent manner. More than 75,000 animals on 189 premises were investigated by USDA in their search.
As expected, all 255 'animals of interest' tested negative for BSE. This includes 14 of the 25 'birth cohort' - the animals born either one year before or one year after the index cow - deemed by international standards to be animals we should target. Though 11 of the 25 animals were not found, they represent a very low risk of BSE, according to the USDA and the International Review Team.
NCBA is continuing its own analysis of the situation, and is evaluating the recommendations contributed by the International Review Team and other experts, including government authorities and the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis.
In addition, NCBA is actively pursuing the development of a national animal ID system, which will enhance disease surveillance and traceback efforts in the future. NCBA is part of the U.S. Animal Identification Plan (USAIP) team- that along with other industry groups, government officials and members of the academic community- has been working on an ID plan for over two years.
“With the investigation complete, we want to move forward, and we are confident we can resume trade with our international partners consistent with guidelines established by the Office of International Epizootics (OIE).” – Gary Weber, NCBA
Cattle-Fax Market Update
Fed cattle prices were lower again last week. Moderate trade occurred in the South at $75 and in the North at mostly $76-76.5 live and $122-124 dressed. The cutout also fell with the Light Choice dropping $9.70 to $128.47 and the Light Select closing down $7.58 at $122.53. Feeder cattle prices were $1-2/cwt. lower while calf prices were steady to $1 lower. Commercial cow and bull prices were steady to $1 higher. -To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525
Grill a Steak for Your Valentine
Did you forget to make dinner reservations for Valentine’s Day? Don’t worry – grill your Valentine a steak! For mouth-watering steak recipes and grilling tips, visit http://www.beef.org/dsp/dsp_locationContent.cfm?locationId=2. ♥
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News
MCA Launches State-Wide Junior Cattlemen’s Association
An outstanding opportunity for young people interested in the cattle industry is one step closer to becoming a reality in the state of Missouri. The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association has formed a task force of youth leaders to start up a state-wide Junior Cattlemen’s Association. The task force will represent Missouri during the Youth Beef Industry Congress (YBIC) in College Station, Texas, this March. The junior association will provide educational and leadership opportunities to youth interested in the industry. The first meeting will be held June 13, 2004 in conjunction with the MCA Junior Show in Sedalia. Interested young people can find out more by contacting Luke Burbank at (573) 499-9162 ext. 231 or luke@mocattle.com.
Nominees
Needed for Environmental Stewardship Awards Program
Attention
Cattlemen!
Are you proud of your environmental stewardship practices? Does someone you
know deserve recognition for their stewardship practices? If you answered
yes to either of these questions, please contact the MCA office! We are looking
for an MCA member that employs good environmental stewardship on his or her
operation to nominate for the NCBA Environmental Stewardship Awards Program (ESAP).
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association is eligible to nominate one individual or business that raises or feeds cattle. Nominees need not be NCBA members, but they must support National Cattlemen's Beef Association's mission: A dynamic and profitable beef industry, which concentrates resources around a unified plan, consistently meets global consumer needs and increases demand.
If you are interested in being nominated, or if you know someone who would be a good nominee, please contact McKenzie at (573) 499-9162 ext. 233 or mckenzie@mocattle.com. The MCA office will assist the Missouri ESAP nominee through all steps of the nomination process – we will even fill out the application for you!
For more information on the ESAP program, visit hill.beef.org/esap.
Calendar of Events
March 10 MCA Board of Directors Meeting – Columbia, 10:00 a.m.
March 16-18 MCA County Leadership Conference - Columbia
March 20 Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation Cattlemen’s Roundup – St. Joseph
County Meeting Notices
2/12/04 Polk County – Polk County Fairgrounds, 7:00 p.m.
2/16/04 Andrew County – Rosendale Community Building, 6:30 p.m.
2/19/04 Johnson County – Johnson County Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m.
Ray County – Old Towne Restaurant, Richmond, 6:30 p.m.
2/21/04 Carroll County – Rupe Community Center, 6:30 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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