Headline News

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Celebrates 1000^th New Member

The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association reached a significant milestone Friday, May 7^th, when the 1000^th new membership arrived in the mail.  Willie Schrock of Buffalo, Missouri, is the 1000^th new member recorded since the start of the 2004 membership year, which began October 1, 2003.  Schrock was recruited by Sam Hostetler, also of Buffalo.

“The arrival of the 1000^th new member is an achievement of great significance for the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association,” said Executive Vice President Brent Bryant.  “Our growth this year has been fantastic.  We have a twenty-four percent increase in membership compared to last year, with five months still remaining in the membership year.” 

“Membership is the heart and soul of our association,” said David Moore, Second Vice President and Membership Chair of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.  “Missouri cattle producers realize the role the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association plays in the success of their business.” 

Both Schrock and Hostetler will receive a special prize for their role in helping MCA reach 1000 new members.  

Cattle Industry News

Funding Available to Missouri Producers for Johne’s Disease Testing

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is seeking producers to participate in the National Voluntary Bovine Johne’s Disease Control and Test-Negative Status Program.  This program identifies test-negative herds to serve as sources of replacement stock for beef cattle operations and provides funding for producers interested in testing their herd.  Here are some common questions regarding Johne’s Disease and the Testing Program:

1. What is Johne’s Disease?

Johne’s Disease is a chronic bacterial disease in ruminants that causes loss of production and starvation due to intestinal damage.  It is a challenge to manage because animals may be infected for many months or even years before showing signs of the disease.  Infected animals pass the disease to herd mates and offspring through contamination of their environment, feed, and water sources.  Johne’s Disease costs affected herds thousands of dollars in lost production and early culling costs. 

2. What is covered in the testing program and what is the cost?

Federal grants make the testing program available to most producers at no cost.  Funds are available for producers to work with veterinarians to conduct risk assessments on their farms and to perform blood tests on up to 30 head of mature cattle to determine if the disease exists within the herd.  Should any of the blood tests return with a positive result, the veterinarian is also paid to return to the herd and collect fecal samples from the blood-test positive animals to determine if that animal is truly infected.  All laboratory expenses are paid as well.  If the producer’s herd is tested negative, he/she is eligible to enroll in the test-negative status program.  Enrollment in this program may be used as a marketing tool for qualifying herds. 

3. How can I participate in the Johne’s Testing Program?

There are over 250 participating veterinarians in the state of Missouri, each of whom has completed a special training seminar on Johne’s Disease and the testing program.  To participate in the testing program, or for more information, contact your local veterinarian or Dr. Bretaigne Jones, program coordinator, at (573) 291-7707 or bretaigne.jones@mda.mo.us.  Producers may take advantage of funds available for Johne’s testing through June of 2005. 

 

 

U.S. Border Status 101

As of last week, the following twenty-one countries have open borders for U.S. beef products: Albania, Bahrain, Caribbean-Anguilla, Caribbean-Aruba, Caribbean-Bahamas, Caribbean-Bermuda, Caribbean-BVI, Caribbean-Curacao & St. Maarten, Caribbean-St. Lucia, Caribbean-St. Thomas, Caribbean-St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Hungary, Iraq, Latvia, Lithuania, Nicaragua, Poland, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, Tahiti. In addition, the following countries have partially opened their borders to specified beef products (such as boneless beef products): Bulgaria, Canada, Caribbean-Antigua & Barbuda, Caribbean-Barbados, Caribbean-Cayman Islands, Caribbean-Dominican Republic, Caribbean-Grenada, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Romania, Sri Lanka. The fact is that 135 countries never closed their borders to U.S. beef as a result of the single BSE cow in Washington state, 15 countries closed and are now open or at least partially open and 49 countries remain closed to U.S. beef.

 - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

 

Consumers Confident in Safety of U.S. Beef

Despite high awareness of the issue, Americans remain strongly confident that U.S. beef is safe from BSE.  In a recent survey, 89 percent of Americans said they were confident that U.S. beef is safe, virtually identical to the 90 percent confidence level measured in mid-January and the 88 percent confidence in September 2003. This independent, national consumer survey conducted April 27-29, 2004, by IPSOS U.S. Public Affairs. The survey, conducted for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and commissioned by the NCBA, is a national, random sample of 1,000-plus U.S. adults with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percent. On a final note, the percentage that said they are “extremely” confident in the safety of U.S. beef has actually risen from 29 percent in September 2003 to 45 percent in both January and April.                                                                                          - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

 

Cattle-Fax Market Update

The cattle markets enjoyed another strong week. The fed cattle market improved by $3 to $5, closing at $91 to $92 live and $146 to $148 dressed. The North continues to enjoy a slight price premium to the South. Trade volumes were moderate to mostly active as buyers sought to add to already ample inventories. Slaughter levels have also picked up in recent weeks, and packers will need more inventory on hand. Boxed beef prices were modestly higher on the week with moderate movement. Feeder cattle prices were $3 to $4 higher as strong profitability at the feedlot sector is starting to be passed back to the replacement classes. Calf prices were $1 to $2 higher, supplies on that end remain tight. Slaughter cow prices closed the week mostly $1 higher.  Last week in Missouri there were 25,218 feeder cattle marketed through auctions. Average price for 544-lb steers was $120.86.                                                    

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

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News

 

Make Reservations Now for First Annual Cattlemen’s Steak Fry

Join fellow cattlemen and women for a great evening of steak, camaraderie, and fun.  The first annual Cattlemen’s Steak Fry, hosted by Past Presidents of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, will be held June 15, 2004.  Events start with a social at 4:00 p.m. and a ribeye steak dinner with all the fixings will be served at 6:30 p.m.  Following dinner, two very special items will be offered at auction.  Advance reservations are only $25 per person or $40 per couple, which includes dinner and all beverages.  Tickets may be purchased at the door for only $30 per person or $50 per couple.  To make reservations, please call Luke Burbank at (573) 499-9162 ext. 231.    

  

 

Beef Month Feature:  101 Hamburger Ideas
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the hamburger with 101 new ideas to build a better burger!  Here are a few delicious samples: 

1. Pepperoni Pizza Burger: grilled burger covered with pepperoni, Mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce.
15. Cowboy Burger: grilled mushrooms, grilled onion, bacon and Monterey Jack cheese on a flavorful beef patty.
28. Trattoria Burger: grilled beef burger layered with roasted red bell peppers, pesto mayonnaise, and Mozzarella cheese, served on focaccia bread.
35. The Beefster: grilled hamburger patty topped with roast beef, horseradish and Muenster cheese, served on an onion roll.
91. The Islander Burger: beef patty smothered with thousand island dressing, with lettuce, tomato and pickle.

To see all 101 burger ideas, visit http://www.mobeef.com/mbic_releases/100burgerideas.htm

 

Membership & Recruiting Update

MCA Membership has reached a milestone – over 1000 new members have joined in the 2004 membership year, which began October 1, 2003.  Thank you to all MCA members who have recruited new members and helped in achieving this goal.  Keep up the good work – there are five months and many more records to set in the 2004 membership year!   

 

Top Ten Recruiters (New members recruited since 10/1/03): 

            10. St. Clair County Cattlemen

            9. Lewis and Marion County Cattlemen

            8. David Moore

            7. Ken Disselhorst

            6. Vernon County Cattlemen

            5. Tim Love

            4. David “Blue” Geier

            3. Macon County Junior Cattlemen

            2. Sam Hostetler

            1. Wayne Seider

 

Top Ten Counties (New members since 10/1/03):

10. St. Clair County (30)

9. Vernon County (31)

8. East Central Cattlemen (32)

7. Johnson County (33)

6. Pettis County (34)

5. Moniteau County (37)

4. Macon County (40)

3. Dallas County (47)

2. Audrain County (50)

And the number one county is. . . . .

1. Bates County, with 64 new members!  Congratulations!

 

Calendar of Events

June  12-13     MCA All-Breeds Junior Cattle Show – State Fairgrounds, Sedalia

 

June 15           MCA Board of Directors Meeting – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia

                        Cattlemen’s Steak Fry, hosted by MCA Past Presidents – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia

 

June 16           MCA Allied Industry Meeting with special program on Animal ID – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia

Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament - Lake of the Woods Golf Course, Columbia

 

June 17           Missouri Cattle Women Board of Directors Meeting - Columbia

 

County Meeting Notices

May 13 Polk County – Polk County Fairgrounds, 7:00 p.m.

May 18 Boone County – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia, 7:00 p.m.

May 26 Carroll County – Carrollton Fire Station, 8:00 p.m.

 

MCA Points Sanctioned Shows

May 15 Pettis County Cattlemen’s Classic, Sedalia

May 16 Moniteau County Cattlemen’s Preview Show

For more information, please visit: http://mocattle.org/Word%20Documents/2004/2004%20Point%20Sanctioned%20Shows.pdf

                       

 

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, send an email to cattleinfo@mocattle.com. 

 

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If so, please contact McKenzie Keedy at (573) 499-9162 or mckenzie@mocattle.com. 

 

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