Cattle Industry News

Cattle Industry News
NCBA President’s Letter: Summer 2004 - A Message from Jan Lyons

“Whatever else history may say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears.” – President Ronald Reagan

In recent months, I have been privileged to travel to many regional and state association meetings and I must say I am impressed and inspired. The energetic and enthusiastic leadership for our industry and for NCBA is infectious, and this passionate leadership is exactly what is needed as we face our future challenges. It is evident in the seasoned, as well as younger members, in every state in which I have traveled.

I was honored to be able to participate and travel with the Young Cattlemen’s College this year. And energetic leadership was abundant on the NCBA’s YCC tour. The 24-year old YCC program brings together up-and-coming cattle industry leaders who are nominated by their respective states. The group travels nationally for over a week and learns about cattle and beef production, cattle marketing and ag policy issues. Our days began early and ended late. One doesn’t get a lot of sleep on the YCC tour, but the rewards more than compensate for the weariness.

For me, YCC afforded me the opportunity to see the future of our industry in the eyes of these upcoming leaders. The enthusiasm and energy they show epitomizes what’s best about our great cattle industry.

The YCC tour ended in our nation’s capital, where NCBA’s Washington D.C. staff accompanied us on visits with top Congressional leaders and agency officials. It just so happened that the tour's Washington visit fell on the same days as the funeral events for President Ronald Reagan. For me, the experience of paying my respects to a former president would teach me a lesson about leadership and hope that was unexpected, but most memorable.

The official agenda for the YCC group ended around 10:30 on that Thursday evening. The opportunity to get to bed and catch up on some sleep was tempting. But this was the last night that President Reagan’s body would lay in state within the Capitol rotunda. Several YCC participants and NCBA staff decided if we got in line, we would likely get inside before the President was moved to the National Cathedral for his funeral service the following morning.

The seven hours standing in line on the Capitol lawn was tremendously moving. I watched the line snake slowly and somberly across the grass that grew wet with the new morning dew. I saw such a vast and patriotic cross-section of American society –thousands of people. They say over a hundred thousand visited him that week.

I could not believe the array of people waiting outside for hours upon end in the middle of the night – some people in wheelchairs, one man wearing a World War II hat, a blind man, children and babies in strollers, soldiers in military dress – but people who were united in their grief and desire to honor a man who had given so much of himself to honor America. I saw and spoke with people of all ages, races, young, old, black, white…I had time to reflect on Ronald Reagan’s leadership and what it meant to agriculture and this nation, as he inspired and restored pride and patriotism for us all.

At approximately 5:50 a.m., we finally entered the dimply lit rotunda. A quite hush sat heavy in the air as we walked past the military guards in their full dress uniforms and at attention. I saw the catafalque, which the casket laid upon, adorned with the very same black velvet draping used by Presidents Lincoln, Kennedy and others. I made my way toward the coffin, which was dressed with the American flag that flew in 1981 for Reagan’s inauguration. The solemnity, formality and tradition of the occasion was awe-inspiring.

As with everyone else who visited, I was humbled and thankful to have had a chance to pay my respects to a great American who in my mind embodies much of what is good in this nation and our industry. Ronald Reagan’s optimism and eternal hope inspired Americans to create a better tomorrow.

This is our obligation as cattle industry leaders. The Young Cattlemen’s College taught me how we have constant opportunities to “pass it on,” as we work with our children, grandchildren, young people, and others. We have a duty – not just to provide the leadership that this industry needs – but to lead as an example and pass our experiences to the next generation.

Because of bold leadership, we are thankful for a strong agricultural economy, record high beef prices, and negotiations that are moving forward on the reopening of export markets. Our industry has weathered BSE, and consumers remain loyal to our product. All of this was accomplished by our industry’s vision, bold leadership, and desire to take this industry forward.

What we can learn from President Reagan is to remain hopeful – not fearful – of the future… to work together with optimism and humor and to lead as an example for the leaders of tomorrow. These are qualities exemplified by our NCBA, our cattle industry, and our America.

Finally, I hope everyone is enjoying the summertime weather. I look forward to seeing many of you in Denver, Colorado at the 2004 Summer Conference, August 9-13. NCBA producer members are the voices of our industry and we all have a role to play. To join us in Denver or to learn how to get more involved, contact NCBA toll free at 1-866-BEEF-USA or visit us on the web at www.beefusa.org.

(July 14, 2004) “Today’s hearing before the House Government Reform Committee and House Agriculture Committee [regarding the USDA’s expanded BSE surveillance program] presents an opportunity to further engage in an open dialogue about these important animal health issues. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association supports this open communication and encourages questions about our collective commitment to maintaining the health of the U.S. cattle herd.

“While the focus of today’s hearing is on USDA’s expanded BSE surveillance program, it is important to point out actions taken in the U.S. since BSE was first identified in the United Kingdom in 1985. The U.S. has a history of being first when it comes to BSE prevention. The U.S. was the first country in the world without BSE to:

• ban the importation of cattle, beef and beef products from countries with BSE.

• develop a BSE surveillance program. Since 1989, this program has been supported by and expanded as deemed necessary by both Republican and Democratic administrations.

• ban the use of cattle feed ingredients that have been identified as capable of transmitting the BSE agent.

• conduct an independent analysis of the risk of BSE and the prevention measures that have been put in place. In 2001, following a comprehensive multi-year assessment, the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis concluded that ‘measures taken by the U.S. government and industry make the U.S. robust against the spread of BSE to animals or humans should it be introduced into this country.’

“In addition to the measures listed above, USDA’s expanded BSE surveillance program began on June 1, 2004, and represents an action recommended by the international review team (IRT) in response to the December 23, 2003 identification of BSE in a single cow in Washington state. The expanded surveillance program aims to find if the disease is present at a frequency of 1 in 10 million animals with a confidence level of at least 99 percent. NCBA supports this one-time, large scale testing program to estimate potential disease prevalence. NCBA also supports USDA’s efforts to conduct this program in a transparent manner.

“If the expanded surveillance program indicates our long-standing BSE prevention programs have been effective, then we believe staying on that course will sufficiently protect animal health in the U.S. If the data indicates our prevalence is other than expected, we’ll work to analyze the situation and determine what, if any, additional science- and risk-based measures may be needed to further protect animal health.”

- Gary Weber, Ph.D., Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs, National Cattlemen's Beef Association

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Last week was a disappointing week in the fed cattle market with prices $2 to $3 lower. Trade volumes were moderate in Nebraska and Texas, but light elsewhere. On a live basis, the bulk of the trade was collected at $86, with some at $85. Cattle selling dressed fetched mostly $135 to $136. Boxed beef prices drifted lower during the week on light movement. Demand was slow, even though production was pared back fairly significantly, witnessed by an estimated slaughter of only 529,000 this week. The replacement cattle market remained hot. Feeder cattle were
$2 higher, while calves and slaughter cows gained $1. Trade volumes were on the light side, as most cattle remain out on pasture. In Missouri, receipts of feeder cattle were at 9,655, down considerably from last week and last year. Several sales were not held due to the Independence Day holiday.

MCA member and First Vice President Howard Hardecke, Bolivar, was one of 42 beef producers taking part in the 25^th Annual NCBA Young Cattlemen’s Conference tour in June. The eight-day, nationwide tour exposed participants to all aspects of the beef industry, from lobbying and retail to production and processing. YCC participants visited eight states in as many days, meeting with industry leaders, government officials, and key public policy makers. Several participants, including Howard, also took part in memorial services for President Ronald Reagan while in Washington, D.C. The YCC tour is sponsored by NCBA, NCBA state affiliates such as the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Tyson Fresh Meats, Conti Beef, and John Deere.

July 12-17 National Junior Angus Show, hosted by Missouri Junior Angus Association –

July 20 Saline Co. Cattlemen REA Cook – Mathewson Building, Sedalia, 10:30 a.m.

July 22 Cole-Moniteau County Forage Day, Lincoln University Farm, Jefferson City

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