Cattle Industry News
Litigation is the Wrong Answer for Conservation
(October 22, 2004) - Cattlemen applaud the Bush Administration’s strong support for conservation programs enacted as part of the 2002 Farm Bill. The cattle industry and the Administration agree that the best way to implement effective private land resource conservation is through participation in the policy development process made available through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) state technical committees.
Attempts by litigation-eager groups to continually resort to our legal system to pursue their agenda do little to achieve real conservation goals and impair the programs we have in place which actually benefit our land.
Just this week, an environmental group and six of its state affiliates filed suit against the Bush Administration claiming USDA failed to provide the public adequate notice of policy regarding haying and grazing during bird nesting season, on private lands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). But, the haying and grazing policy in each state is developed by a USDA state technical committee on which the public, including environmental and agricultural interests, may participate.
Development of these policies is completely transparent. The open democratic process for conservation policy development allows the public to participate on technical committees in each state. The state-by-state committees make official policy through this process. It’s unproductive for groups to participate in the policy development process at the state technical committee level and then threaten lawsuits when they don’t like the agreed-upon results.
Those truly concerned with benefiting the land understand that real conservation will only occur with the participation and concurrence of all stakeholders. Litigation only serves to drive wedges between people who should be working together, and reduces funding available for valuable conservation programs.
- Statement from Jeff Eisenberg, Executive Director, Public Lands Council and Director of Federal Lands for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Twenty $1,500 Beef Industry Scholarships Available
DENVER (Oct. 19, 2004) – The National Cattlemen's Foundation (NCF) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) are offering $30,000 in scholarship monies to college students pursuing careers in the beef industry. The 2005 CME Beef Industry Scholarship program will award 20 students each a $1,500 scholarship. The top winner will also receive an all expense paid trip to the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 2-5.
Students applying for the scholarship may pursue careers in agricultural education, communications, production, research, or any area involved with the beef industry. To be eligible, a student must: 1) be enrolled as an undergraduate student in a four-year institution for the entire 2005-2006 academic year; 2) write a brief letter expressing future career goals in the beef industry; 3) write a 750-word essay describing an issue confronting the beef industry and offer a solution; 4) obtain two letters of reference from current or former professor or industry professionals; 5) prepare a cover sheet to include name, current mailing address and phone number, email, school name, year in school, permanent mailing address and phone number; and 6) submit materials in a single envelope to: Chairman Bob Josserand, National Cattlemen’s Foundation, 9110 E. Nichols Ave., Centennial, CO 80112.
Essays will be judged on the basis of clarity of expression, persuasiveness, originality, accuracy, relevance of topic and the solutions offered. Applications must be postmarked by Nov. 28. Winners will be announced at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention in February. For a scholarship brochure, go to www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org. - NCBA
Cattle- Fax Market Update
Market Highlights – Once again, a late week trade developed in the fed cattle market. Producers, however, were rewarded for their patience, as the bulk of the trade was collected $2 to $3 higher. This resulted in a trade of $85 to $86 live and $134 dressed. Trade volumes were moderate on the week. Boxed beef values moved sharply higher, led in many cases by middle meats. Volume on that side was moderate at best. Feeder cattle values were mostly steady on the week, while calves started soft, but rallied past mid-week to close steady as much as $2 higher. Cheap corn and rain in the winter wheat areas buoyed buyer attitudes. Slaughter cows were $1 to $2 lower. The big news of the week was a USDA report this week that called for an 11.6 billion bushel crop, by far the biggest crop on record. -To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News
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.
Reports of Missouri Cattle Theft on the Rise
MCA members and producers are reminded to be on the look out for suspicious activities. There has been an increase in cattle thefts in Missouri over the last few months. If you are aware of a recent cattle theft from an MCA member or nonmember, please notify the MCA office. Work with your neighbors to watch for suspicious activity and unfamiliar vehicles and trailers. By working together, we can help solve the recent crimes and prevent cattle theft from occurring in the future. Please call Brent Bryant at (888) 499-9162 with information regarding cattle theft.
Reward Offered for Information on Stolen Cattle in Camden County
MCA member Randall Pemberton of Richland, MO had 21 head of cattle stolen the evening of October 13, 2004. The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association offers a reward of $2000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft of cattle belonging to an MCA member. The Pemberton family is offering an additional $3000 reward, making a total of $5000 available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.
The cattle were stolen near Stoutland, MO on Highway H and included 11 head of mixed color steers weighing between 650-675 lbs and 10 mixed color heifers weighing around 600 lbs. All cattle have a large “U” notched in left ear.
If you have information, please contact: Randall Pemberton at 573-765-5516 or the Camden County Sheriff’s Dept. at 573-346-2243.
Voting – the Privilege and Responsibility of Every Cattleman and Woman
Every day you make several important decisions that affect your cattle operation, your business, your lifestyle. Perhaps the most important decision you will make this fall, however, is the decision to vote. With several important races – from local offices to the presidential race – there has never been a more important time to vote than 2004.
Make the most out of your privilege to vote – research the candidates. Research their policy on the issues that affect you most – agricultural, environmental, taxes, etc. Every vote counts!
Calendar of Events
Oct. 25 Benton County Cattlemen – Classic’s, east of Cole Camp, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 Please take time to exercise your right to vote!
Nov. 3 Warren County Cattlemen – Loretta’s Place, Marthasville, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 Tri-County Cattlemen – Shady Dell Community Center, Richland, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 8-9 Missouri Forage & Grassland Council Annual Meeting, Holiday Inn, Lake Ozark
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.