Headline News

Mexico Expected to Open Borders to U.S. Beef in a “Matter of Days”

Although there has been no official announcement, both USDA Chief Economist Keith Collins (congressional testimony) and SAGARPA (Mexico's Ag Ministry) Director of Safety and Inspection Javier Trujillo (wire report) earlier this week publicly characterized the opening as being "in a matter of days" rather than weeks.

• Secretary Veneman has spoken with SAGARPA Secretary Usabiaga and USDA believes it has met all of Mexico's information requirements.
• Despite some reports earlier in the week, Mexico is not linking the "bird flu" (or any other) situation with the beef issue.
• A Mexican Health Ministry (SALUD) delegation is scheduled to visit U.S. processing facilities in the near future. Their interest seems to be specifically related to the Advanced Meat Recovery (AMR) process which occurs in some facilities. Although there is some uncertainty, there is not reason to believe that an announcement will be delayed until after this team's visit.

Cattle Industry News

MCA and NCBA Leadership Discuss Animal ID with Senator Talent

Talent to Hold Agriculture Subcommittee Hearing to Examine National Animal ID Plan

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Brent Bryant, President Rusty Kahrs, and Past President Ken Disselhorst, along with Missouri cattleman and newly elected NCBA Vice President Mike John, met with United States Senator Jim Talent (R-Mo.) to discuss animal identification last Thursday, February 19, 2004, in Springfield, Missouri.  Talent serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Marketing, Inspection and Product Promotion of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.  During the meeting, MCA leadership provided input on how to move forward with an Animal ID plan that will work for Missouri cattlemen.  Critical points include confidentiality, minimal cost to producers, liability shields, and implementation in a manner that does not interfere with current trade and commerce efficiencies, or the way cattle are handled and marketed. 

“For many years, the industry has been working to develop a national identification program, BSE was a major catalyst,” said Senator Talent.  “After the discovery, livestock producers across the country acknowledged the need for a national identification program, however it is important that we are cautious.  I’ve been meeting with Missouri agriculture leaders on the issue and I am committed to working with the administration and the industry to develop an animal identification program that works for our producers.”

Talent will hold a hearing to examine the development of a national animal identification program to trace livestock from farm to market on Thursday, March 4, 2004, at 2:00 p.m., in 216 Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.  Expected witnesses include Bill Hawks, Undersecretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs for USDA, and Mike John.

Quick Facts: The Impact of BSE on the Marketplace

• U.S. Beef exports equal approximately 10 percent of total U.S. production.
• The loss of 90 percent of our exports has dropped fed cattle prices about $14/cwt, or about $165 to $190 per head.
• The loss of the export markets puts 45 to 48 million additional pounds of beef in the domestic market each week.  This is equal to about 60,000 head of cattle. 
• For the industry to stay current, slaughter levels need to be near 650,000 head per week.  Last month, carcass weights were an average of 10 pounds lighter compared to one year ago.  If slaughter levels do not stay current, it would take just over a month for carcass weights to exceed the average of one year ago (based on an average daily gain of 3 lbs.). 

NCBA Announces Plans for Spring Conference in Washington, D.C.

NCBA is preparing for its 2004 Spring Conference in Washington, March 29-April 3. Hundreds of cattlemen from across the country will be in the national’s capital for this important event. Attendees will hear directly from top policymakers, meet face-to-face with key Congressional offices, government agency influencers and have the opportunity to articulate policy priorities for today’s cattle industry. NCBA has invited Vice President Cheney and other top officials to speak with members. For more information, go to http://hill.beef.org/spring.

Cattle-Fax Market Update

Fed cattle prices were $78 to $79 last week.  Southern trade was expected to place at $78 to $79 while Northern values were $78 to $79 live and $125 to $126 dressed.  Trade volume was light.  The cutout was higher through last Thursday.  Light Choice improved $2.84 to $128.13 and the Light Select rose $3.80 to close at $121.70.  Feeder cattle prices were up $1 and calf values were up $1-2.  Commercial cow and bull prices ranged from steady to $2 higher.                                                                                                             -To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News

MCA Membership Continues to Grow

Only two weeks ago, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association reached a milestone by recruiting 500 new members.  Since reaching that milestone, MCA members have continued to work hard and recruit new members.  As of February 26, 2004, MCA has over 620 new members (since 10/1/03).  Keep working hard, keep recruiting new members, and keep sharing the MCA story!   

Attention County Leaders! 
Don’t forget to submit the names of your county’s delegates for County Leadership Conference to the MCA office!  County Leadership Conference, which will be held March 16-18 in Columbia, is right around the corner.  This is an excellent opportunity to meet with key leaders in the legislative and public policy arena, learn more about the Missouri beef industry, and to network with other county leaders from across the state.  This year’s program is new and improved – and includes a valuable workshop entitled “The Successful County Cattlemen’s Association,” which will cover county meetings, leadership, recruitment, and beef promotions, just to name a few.  In addition, delegates will have the opportunity to participate in an intensive Media Training session on Wednesday afternoon, presented by the Cattlemen’s Spokesperson Network.  Media Training is critical for leaders at all levels of the beef industry, especially when our industry is faced with issues such as BSE. 

County Leadership Conference is a great opportunity for county leaders and/or young people with strong leadership potential.  For more information, or to sign up your county’s delegates, contact McKenzie Keedy at (573) 499-9162 ext. 233 or mckenzie@mocattle.com.

Calendar of Events

March 10         MCA Board of Directors Meeting – Columbia, 10:00 a.m.

                        Missouri CattleWomen Board of Directors Meeting – Columbia

March 13         Missouri Youth Livestock Grading and Judging Contest & Workshop -

                        University of Missouri – Columbia, Trowbridge Livestock Center

March 16-18    MCA County Leadership Conference – Columbia

March 20         Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation Cattlemen’s Roundup – St. Joseph

County Meeting Notices

2/26/04            Newton County – Crowder College Agriculture and Science Building, 6:30 p.m.

3/2/04              Henry County – Benson Convention Center, Clinton, 6:30 p.m.

                        Southwest Missouri Cattlemen – SW Missouri Center, Mt. Vernon, 7:00 p.m.

3/4/04              Audrain County – 4-H Center, Mexico, 6:00 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. 

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