Cattle Industry News
Cattlemen Look
Ahead to 109th Congress
As the 109th Congress prepares for its new session, cattlemen across the country
wonder what that agenda holds. President Bush has already said he wants Congress
to tackle tax code reform, energy legislation and tort reform.
Tax code reform and the permanent extension of the president’s tax cuts will take the spotlight, and will be heavily debated. Fuel prices will continue to drive the urgency for an Energy Bill, and discussions will focus on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and development of alternative fuels including ethanol. In addition, the president and Congress will continue to try to pass tort reform in an attempt to curb frivolous lawsuits.
Specific to agriculture, we’ll see action in both the Senate and House Ag Committees. Budget reconciliation will top congressional agendas this spring. In this process, agriculture programs will be reviewed and evaluated by Congress, and the House and Senate Ag Committees will be responsible for adjusting program funding to reconcile the budget. This process will be deeply affected by the new makeup of both Agriculture Committees.
Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) is in line to take over as chairman of the Senate Ag Committee, but he may choose to keep his chairmanship of the Intelligence Committee. If that is the case, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) will take the seat. In addition, the Committee lost three members: Peter Fitzgerald (R-Ill.), Zell Miller (D-Ga.), and Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), which will produce more changes within the Committee.
On the House side, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) will remain chairman, but Democrats will have a new ranking member. Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) is next in line to be ranking member, but that will not be confirmed until the new Congress organizes itself. The House Ag Committee will need to replace Nick Smith (R-Mich.), Doug Ose (R-Calif.), Max Burns (R-Ga.), Charlie Stenholm (D-Texas), Cal Dooley (D-Calif.), Baron Hill (D-Ind.), and Anibal Acevedo-Vila (D-PR).
The committees will also lay the groundwork for discussions on the next Farm Bill. The current Farm Bill doesn’t expire until 2007, but debates on the programs will begin early and can easily last for several years. - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Daschle Defeat Could Lead to Voluntary COOL
The defeat
of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) gives the food industry hope
that a voluntary country-of-origin labeling program may be instituted to replace
the mandatory program currently slated for implementation, according to Tim
Hammonds, president and CEO of the Food Marketing Institute.
Daschle strongly opposed
voluntary COOL.
COOL on all food
products is required by September 30, 2006, but Hammond believes the election of
GOP Representative John Thune may allow for a "renegotiation" of those rules.
In general, Hammond
contends that the election of Thune is good for the food industry. "In a broader
context, Daschle was a leading opponent of anything the administration or the
Republican Congress chose to put forward as part of the strategy to run in this
election," Hammond said.
- Deborah Silver on 11/12/04 for Meatingplace.com
Chandler Keys Resigns His Post at NCBA
After dedicating 20 years of service to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Chandler Keys announced Nov. 4 that he will be leaving NCBA effective Dec. 31. Keys accepted a position with Swift and Company as senior vice president of Government and Industry Affairs, and will be heading up Swift’s Washington office beginning the first of the year.
– National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Cattle- Fax Market Update
Market Highlights – Another late week trade resulted in fed cattle falling mostly $3. On a live basis, cattle traded for mostly $82 live and $129 to $130 dressed. Trade volumes were light to moderate due in large part to the lower prices. Boxed beef quotes were sharply lower on the week, with trade volumes moderate at best. Feeder cattle values were also lower, with the bulk quoted $1 to $3 softer. Mounting losses in the feedyards and adverse winter weather in the Texas yards combined to push values lower. Calf prices fared slightly better, with most of the calves selling steady to $1 lower. Excellent winter grazing conditions throughout most of the country supported values. Slaughter cow prices were primarily steady on the week. In Missouri, auction sales of 21,522 feeder cattle were reported last week with 548-lb steers averaging $118.76. Calf prices were steady to $2 higher in most parts of the state. -To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News
Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show – December 9-12, 2004
Schedule, Registration Form Now Available Online
Make plans now to attend the 2004 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, held December 9-12 at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, MO. In addition to the annual meetings of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and Missouri CattleWomen, convention attendees can participate in a wide range of activities. Some of this year’s highlights include:
In addition to the great activities planned, Tan-Tar-A has several amenities for your enjoyment including a spa, bowling alley, arcade, pool and fitness center, and the Timber Falls Indoor Water Park. Tan-Tar-A is also very affordable, with room rates of only $72 per night (plus tax) for four people. Tan-Tar-A offers convention-goers a special discount pass to the indoor water park for only $12 per person for a day pass. For a complete schedule and registration information, please call (888) 499-9162 or visit our MCA Convention Information Website
MCA Seeking Award Nominations and Officer Applications
Award Nominations - Do you know someone who deserves recognition for the hard work they do for the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association? Someone who works tirelessly to improve the Missouri cattle industry? Do you know someone who has paved the way for those of us in the business? If so, nominate that person for one of the following awards: Cattleman of the Year, Pioneer, or Industry. The awards will be presented at the 2004 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, which will be held December 9-12, 2004 at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach.
Officer Applications – The nominating committee is currently taking applications for the 2005 MCA officer team. This is an excellent leadership opportunity for members with the desire to become more involved. Interviews and the announcement of the new officer team will also take place at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, December 9-12, 2004 at Tan-Tar-A.
For more information, to apply for an office, or to make a nomination, please contact McKenzie Keedy or Brent Bryant at (888) 499-9162 or e-mail mckenzie@mocattle.com or brent@mocattle.com.
Calendar of Events
Nov. 15 Pettis County Cattlemen – Elk’s Lodge, Sedalia, 6:00 p.m.
Nov. 16 Cass-Jackson Cattlemen – Partners Restaurant, Harrisonville, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 16 Bates County Cattlemen – MO-Kan Livestock Market, 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 18 Johnson County Cattlemen – Johnson County Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 9-12 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show – Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO
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.