Blunt Calls for Plan to Increase Value of Missouri Beef
Gov. Matt Blunt yesterday asked Missouri food and beef industry leaders to establish Missouri as a nationally known premium beef producer.
“Today we are charting a new course for Missouri beef, one that recognizes the full value of Missouri beef cattle,” Blunt said. “We have the potential to become the nation’s best and most profitable beef industry. When people think of quality beef they should think of Missouri.”
While at the Missouri State Fair, the governor met with industry leaders to discuss Missouri beef’s potential and the importance of branding Missouri beef as a premium, high-quality product. He called on industry leaders to develop a plan to create a Missouri Beef brand. The plan would consider how Missouri can best capitalize on the high-quality beef produced in the state, the types of marketing relationships that might be needed, potential key private sector partners and the state’s role.
Representatives with backgrounds in beef marketing, promotion, distribution, retailing, production and the beef cattle industry from across the state participated, including representation from the Missouri Restaurant Association, RPCS, Inc., University of Missouri Extension, Missouri Beef Industry Council, Circle Angus Ranch, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, PFG Middendorf, University of Missouri Animal Science Research Center and the Missouri Grocers Association.
Missouri is home to more than 67,000 beef producers and ranks second nationally in the number of cow/calf productions. The industry generates more than $3.7 billion in revenue each year. Missouri was also first in the nation to implement a statewide Quality System Assessment (QSA) program. The program verifies beef age and source and helps open the door to foreign markets, like Japan, whose beef buyers are already showing an interest in Missouri’s high-quality beef.
- The office of Governor Matt Blunt
NCBA Announces Departure of Dr. Gary Weber
NCBA’s Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs Gary Weber will depart his position effective August 31, 2006 to take on a new role as Chief Operating Officer of Harrison Ethanol, LLC. Dr. Weber, NCBA’s resident animal health scientist since 1994, has served cattlemen on public policy issues related to meat inspection, animal health, beef safety, research and education and has been a trusted expert on these issues working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and members of the U.S. Congress. Dr. Weber was NCBA’s lead spokesperson on BSE, often appearing on network television news programs and conducting interviews with print publications from across the globe. Earlier this summer, the Food and Drug Administration honored Dr. Weber with a “Special Citation” for his work in the animal health sector, specifically for helping to prevent the spread of BSE in the United States.
NCBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Jay Truitt says “Gary has served our industry through its toughest challenges as the face and voice of NCBA. In every case he has excelled in representing and leading our industry. Gary is a loyal friend, an excellent strategist, a relationship builder, a trusted adviser, a mentor to me, and many that have worked with him. Our entire staff, NCBA and the cattle industry will miss him greatly. He has assured me that we will continue to have him as an actively participating member of NCBA, and I am grateful for that.” - NCBA
Cooperative Conservation Listening Sessions Scheduled
Dates and locations for listening sessions on cooperative conservation and environmental partnerships were announced August 8 by the Secretaries of Interior, Commerce and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Discussion will focus on how the government can better work with local communities and landowners to protect the environment and promote conservation. In a joint statement, the agencies said they want to better respect the interests of people with ownership in land, water, and other natural resources. The session in Missouri will be held in Jefferson City on August 29 at 1:00 p.m. - NCBA
Economists
Release Results of Market Outlook Survey
Each year, economists
Ron Plain of the University of Missouri and David Miller with the Iowa Farm
Bureau survey their colleagues from the American Agricultural Economics
Association. Most of the respondents to the survey are university agricultural
economists whose responsibilities include market-outlook work. On average, the
respondents expect 2006 beef production to total 5.8 percent higher than last
year, and they project another 2.3 percent increase during 2007. Their average
forecast for fed-cattle prices during the third quarter of this year is about
$81 per cwt, with the outlook improving to $84.12 for the fourth quarter. The
economists project an average annual price of $83.20 for this year, and for
2007, a lower average of $81.82 with next year’s highest prices coming during
the first quarter. For more information,
click here. - Drover’s Alert by Drover’s Journal
Missouri Cattlemen’s Update
Legislators Grill at Beef House, Get Update on Drought
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association staff and leadership took the opportunity to brief several elected officials on the effect of the drought in Missouri during Legislative Day at the Missouri State Fair, Thursday, August 17. During the Governor’s Ham Breakfast, and during meals at the Beef House, Representatives, Senators and State Agency Directors heard from cattle producers about the effects of the drought on their operations.
Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, Senator Jim Talent, and Governor Matt Blunt all grilled steaks for the Thursday lunch crowd at the Beef House. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan grilled her annual Beef House steaks on Wednesday. Many State Representatives and Senators visited and ate at the Beef House during the fair.
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association urges cattle producers to contact your elected officials to emphasize the impact of the drought on the cattle industry and to report on conditions in your area.
Editor’s note: If you have not yet been to the Missouri State Fair, there are still two more days to see the sights and eat at the Beef House! The State Fair is open through Sunday, August 20. Because of the fair, Prime Cuts has been sent on Friday instead of Thursday for the past two weeks. Prime Cuts will again be sent at its regular time, on Thursday afternoon, beginning next week.
Mid Missouri Cattlemen’s Association plans Feedlot Tour, Chili Cook-off
Feedlot tour - In view of the successful feedlot and packing plant tour the Mid Missouri Cattlemen’s Association enjoyed in March, and by popular request, we have scheduled a 3-day, 2-night trip to Iowa on September 21-23. September 21 we will tour a feedlot located in Macona, Iowa and a Packing House on the 22nd with a cattleman’s dinner that evening. We plan on leaving the Miller County Regional Stockyards at 6:00 a.m. September 21 and will return on the 23rd. We would be happy to have any fellow Cattlemen join us. For reservations or questions, please phone (573) 392-5572 or (573) 636-6700.
Chili Cook-off - On October 21, the Mid Missouri Cattlemen’s Association will host a Men’s Chili Cook-Off. The event will be held at the Miller County Regional Stockyards, with serving from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Teams or individuals are welcome. Registration must be made by calling the Stockyards at (573) 392-5572. Entries will be judged and prizes will be awarded. Mike John, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association will be one of the judges and will speak following the meal.
Girls, dust off those cook books - you are invited to bring any baked goods to sell during the cook-off. The winner of the Browning Shotgun raffle will be drawn after the meal, tickets will be available up to the time of drawing from any board member or at the Stockyards.
- Mid Missouri Cattlemen’s Association
Mark Twain Grazing Council Tour scheduled for August 24
The Mark Twain Grazing Council (MTGC) will host a tour of alternative forages, stockpiling grass, solar pumping, fencing and rational grazing August 24.
The tour will be at David Birch Farm, Rt. B just south of Perry, Mo. at 6:00 p.m. A Beef meal co-sponsored by Monroe County Cattleman will be served at 7:00 p.m. at Perry Park. RSVP TO: Monroe County NRCS/SWCD OFFICE 660-327-4117 by August 21.
Calendar of Events
Aug. 22 Greene County Cattlemen – Golden Corral North, Springfield, 7:00 p.m.
Aug. 22 Lewis/Marion County Cattlemen’s Bus Tour
Aug. 26 Tri County Cattlemen – Art Bryant Farm, Richland, 5:00 p.m.
Sept. 21-23 Mid-Missouri Cattlemen’s Feedlot Tour to Iowa
For more cattle industry events, visit www.mocattle.com/calendar.htm
The Fine Print
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