ELECTION DAY COUNTDOWN - Make Sure Your Voice is heard TUESDAY

NCBA Urges Cattle Producers to Research Candidates and Vote

Election Day 2006 is Tuesday, November 7.  This mid-term election has created many close races, and control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and many state legislatures is up for grabs. This could mean big changes that could impact your community and your business.  If you’re undecided about candidates in your state, research their background and voting record, and urge friends, family and neighbors to get out and vote for the candidates that understand agriculture, support our livelihood, and will stand up for cattle producers in Washington, D.C. NCBA members can visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa to find out more about the candidates in their district.  Click on the “Election” section.  If you have any questions about which candidates are best for the cattle industry, do not hesitate to contact our D.C. office at 202-347-0228.                                       - NCBA

Superfund Legislation to Take Spotlight after Elections 

The Superfund legislation, which is being supported by NCBA and 226 members of Congress (H.R. 4341 and S. 3681), will expire at the end of the 109^th Congressional session if no action is taken before they adjourn.  To make the most of the time we have left in the 109th Congress, now is the time for cattlemen to step-up communications on this issue.  “It’s crucial that your legislators understand this issue and how it could affect our nation’s family farms and ranches,” says Jay Truitt, NCBA’s vice president of government affairs.  “I know we’ve been saying this all along, but now is the time to tell Congress that manure shouldn’t be subject to Superfund regulations.  The clock is ticking, and we want to get this done before we’re out of time.”

These bills are aimed at clarifying that manure is not a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA/Superfund regulations).  Without Congressional clarification, every farm and ranch operation in the country that spreads manure potentially could be declared a Superfund site and subject to penalties and enormous clean-up costs.             

In the Senate, S. 3681 currently has 36 co-sponsors.  In the House, H.R. 4341 currently has 190 co-sponsors!  Visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa to see a full list of co-sponsors.  If your Senator or Representative has not yet signed on as a supporter, send a message to them asking them to sign on and communicate to them about the importance of this issue!                             - NCBA

CME to Offer Electronic Options Trading on Livestock Futures

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) announced on November 1 that it will launch electronic trading of options on CME Live Cattle and Lean Hog futures beginning December 4. The new functionality will provide a direct trading opportunity for traders who specialize in trading price volatility and for hedgers who are interested in purchasing price protection.

The new electronic livestock options will include a market marker program with the ability for mass quoting of options prices. Trading will take place during the same hours as the livestock options traded in open outcry for side-by-side trading from 9:05 a.m. to 1:02 p.m. for Live Cattle options Chicago time.

Electronically traded options on livestock futures enable customers to receive immediate trade execution notification. The functionality provides automated bookkeeping with instantaneous clearing account balances, market transparency and request for quotes.  “I think producers will find this to be a useful enhancement to an important risk management tool,” says Mike John, NCBA president and Missouri cattle producer.  For more information, visit www.cme.com.                           - NCBA

Iowa State University says Verification Pays
Researchers at Iowa State University, working with USDA market reporters, collected data from 105 Iowa sales between October 2005 and February 2006. They evaluated sale prices on over 20,000 lots of cattle, with an average lot size of five head. Among other factors, they looked at the value differences between five levels of preconditioning ranging from no weaning or vaccination claims to certification of vaccination and at least 30-days weaning. Based on estimated costs for weaning and vaccinations, the researchers estimate the additional pay weight and premium for third-party verification result in a $35 per head profit advantage. Follow this link to view the complete report (PDF file).       - Drover’s Alert by Drover’s Journal

Cattle-Fax Market Update

November 2 - Fed cattle trade developed this morning at steady to $1 lower values.  Prices in the South were at $89-89.50 live and mostly $88-89 in the North.  Dressed trade ranged from $138-140.  Trade came to a halt after bids were reduced.  Overall volume for the week has been moderate and clean-up trade is expected on Friday.  Live cattle futures closed with mixed results as December lost $0.80 at $86.75 and February declined $0.57 to close at $90.10. Some of the back-month contracts closed $0.10-0.40 higher.  Feeder cattle futures were sharply lower, pressured by big gains in corn futures.  November feeders closed $2.42 lower at $101.97 and January closed limit-down, or $3 lower at $98.42.  Boxed beef values were mixed, widening the spread to $12.49. Choice was up $0.09 at $147.79 and Select down $0.19 at $135.30 on light to moderate movement of 349 loads.

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

Missouri Cattlemen’s Update

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 Allied Industry Award.  The awards will be presented at the 2006 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, which will be held December 7-9, 2006 at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Mo. 

Officer Applications – The nominating committee is currently taking applications for the 2007 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 7-9, 2006 in Springfield. 

For more information, to apply for an office, or to make a nomination, please contact McKenzie Disselhorst or Brent Bryant at (888) 499-9162 or e-mail mckenzie@mocattle.com or brent@mocattle.com. 

Make plans to attend the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show

Hotel Rate Guaranteed until Nov. 20; Early Registration due Nov. 27

Plans are shaping up for the 2006 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, December 7-9, 2006 at the University Plaza Hotel and Springfield Expo Center in Springfield, Missouri.

For cattle producers, regardless of the size or scope of their farm or ranch, this is an excellent opportunity to help shape the policy of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association for the upcoming year, to take part in a wide range of educational programs, to visit hundreds of trade show exhibits, and to enjoy the food, fun, and fellowship of the Convention.

2006 Cattlemen’s College - a “Don’t Miss” Program

With the most outstanding line-up of speakers ever featured, one of the highlights of the 2006 Convention is sure to be the Cattlemen’s College program. Cattlemen’s College will take cattle producers from “Gate to Plate,” highlighting the latest innovations and changes in the industry, while focusing on how the changes affect your operation and your bottom line. Speakers include: Troy Marshall, BEEF Cow-Calf Weekly and Seedstock Digest; Larry Corah, Certified Angus Beef; Dr. Gary Smith, Colorado State University; and more.

Cattlemen’s College registration is only $75 for the first person and $50 for each additional person from the same household or business. Registration includes a bottle of Dectomax, lunch, and all materials. Student registration is only $20 and is available to current high school and college students. Be sure to register early - after the Nov. 27 early deadline, Cattlemen’s College registration increases to $100 (first person) and $75 (each additional person), and $25 for students. Registration information is available by calling (888) 499-9162, visiting www.mocattle.com, and will also be in the October and November issues of Missouri Beef Cattleman magazine. If you have not participated in Cattlemen’s College in the past, this is a great year to attend! The Cattlemen’s College is sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health and lunch is sponsored by U.S. Premium Beef.

Increased Exhibit Space Creates More Opportunities for Vendors and Attendees

Whether you’re in the market for a product or service, or trying to market your products or service, the Trade Show at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade show is the perfect place for you. Businesses – the 2006 convention will be a great place for you to showcase your products and services to cattle producers from Missouri and surrounding states. The Springfield Expo Center is a top-of-the-line facility, with plenty of space for all kinds of exhibits – from large equipment and machinery to live cattle.

Cattle producers – from trailers and chutes to animal health products and feed, our trade show has it all!  Live cattle will be on display, and the entire family will enjoy our wide variety of exhibits, from jewelry and accessories to BBQ sauce and coffee. Educational seminars and demonstrations will run throughout the trade show, with topics ranging from basic cattle production to cooking. Activities for youth will also take place in the trade show.

Reserve your Hotel Room NOW!

To take advantage of the University Plaza Hotel’s special discounted rate for the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, call (417) 864-7333. Rates are $79/night plus tax; the special rate is guaranteed until November 20, 2006.

For more information on the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, call the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association at (888) 499-9162, or visit www.mocattle.com.

Editor’s note: Watch for a special edition of Prime Cuts next week, devoted exclusively to convention.

The special edition will include information about educational programs and demonstrations, which will take place in the trade show area and are new additions to the convention schedule!

Attention Cattle Producers - Save your Ralgro Wheels for “Wheels for Bucks” Program

Program Benefits both MCF and MCA Educational and Junior Programs

From now until December, please make an effort to collect empty Ralgro wheels and Magnum strips from your friends, neighbors, and business associates.  For every 10 empty Ralgro wheels and for every 5 empty magnum strips, we will receive one wheel of Ralgro to be auctioned Friday, Dec. 8 during the Foundation Auction at convention.  This is a wonderful fundraising opportunity and it goes to a great cause – half the proceeds benefit Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation and the other half benefit MCA’s educational and youth/junior programs. Last year, the Wheels for Bucks program raised more than $16,000 for MCF and MCA.

Wheels and strips can be brought to the MCA office prior to convention or directly to the convention. Both county associations and individual producers are encouraged to participate and help Missouri’s youth!  The Wheels for Bucks program is sponsored by Schering-Plough.  Please take time to thank your local Schering-Plough representative for bringing back a great program!

Calendar of Events

Nov. 4               Tri-County Cattlemen – Shady Dell Community Center, Richland, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 4               Benton County Cattlemen – Cole Camp High School Gym, 4:00 p.m.

Nov. 4               Texas County Cattlemen – Raymondville Community Building, 6:00 p.m.

Nov. 6               Macon County Cattlemen – Lolli Livestock Market, Macon, 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 7               Southwest Cattlemen – Freistatt Lions Building, 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 8               Ralls County Cattlemen – Mark Twain High School Cafeteria, Center, 6:00 p.m.

Nov. 9               Warren County Cattlemen – Warrenton Fire House (near fairgrounds), 6:00 p.m.

Nov. 9               Polk County Cattlemen – McClellen’s Dining Hall at SBU, 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 9               Dallas County Cattlemen – Grace Community Methodist Church, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 11             Pettis County Cattlemen – Beef House, Missouri Sate Fairgrounds, 6:00 p.m.

Nov. 14             Bates County Cattlemen – Mo-Kan Livestock Market, 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 16             Henry County Cattlemen – Golden Corral, Clinton, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 16             Johnson County Cattlemen – Johnson Co. Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 7-9            Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show – University Plaza Hotel & Springfield Expo Center

For more cattle industry events, visit www.mocattle.com/calendar.htm

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.    

Do you have questions, comments or suggestions?

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