Join us at Ozark Fall Farmfest!

The Missouri Cattlemen's Association will be promoting membership and the upcoming convention at the Ozark Fall Farmfest, held this weekend in Springfield, Mo. Ozark Fall Farmfest is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 8 at the Missouri Entertainment and Event Center (formerly the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds) in Springfield. There is sure to be something for everyone, and the weather forecast looks bright, so make your way to Farmfest and be sure to stop by the MCA booth!

Headline News: Additional Arrests Made for Cattle Theft
Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the arrest of Lewis J. Bowers Jr., 35, and Deanna K. Bowers, 28, both of Centralia, MO. The Bowers were arrested in Audrain County on October 3, 2006, for the theft of 90 head of cattle in that county. The Bowers are being held in the Audrain County Jail where charges are pending.

The arrests were made by officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Water Patrol. Assisting agencies include the Governor’s Cattle Theft Task Force, Audrain County Sheriff’s Department, and the Missouri Information Analysis Center. The estimated value of the animals exceeds $ 75,000. Efforts are being made to return the cattle to the original owner.
The investigation continues. The success of this investigation can be attributed to the collective effort and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the Missouri cattle industry.

The above charges for which Louie Bowers and Deanna Bowers were arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

-          Missouri State Highway Patrol

Cattle Industry News

Japan Says ‘No’ to Easing Rule, U.S. Packers Leery Over South Korea

Japan’s new agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka told reporters last week that he doesn’t plan to ease the country’s import rule on U.S. beef from 20-month-old animals to those 30 months and older, Meatingplace.com reports. Like Minister Nakagawa, Matsuoka said the U.S. beef industry must first convince Japanese authorities it is capable of meeting current export regulations before they are eased.

In related news, Meatingplace.com reports that due to South Korea’s extensive bone fragment restrictions, few U.S. packers are willing to ship to the country. Although Korea’s ban ended in early September, no U.S. beef had been exported to South Korea as of Sept. 21, according to the web site.

                                    - Angus e-List/Angus Productions Inc.

Johanns Announces DCP Sign-Up

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced Sept. 29 that enrollment for the 2007 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program (DCP) was to begin Oct. 1. Sign-up continues until June 1, 2007. Johanns encouraged farmers to sign up for the program through the online DCP sign-up service.

Following the June 1, 2007, deadline, USDA will accept late applications through Sept. 30, 2007, with a $100 late fee. While DCP participants must sign DCP contracts annually, producers can choose not to participate in the program in any given year.

Producers can visit any USDA Service Center or their administratively assigned center, to complete their 2007 DCP contract. Additionally, sign-up can be done online, allowing producers to choose payment options, assign crop shares, and sign and submit their contracts from any computer with Internet access.

The electronic service is available by going to www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=online&subject=landing&topic=dcp and clicking on “Access eDCP Service.” To access the service, producers must have an active USDA eAuthentication Level 2 account, which requires filling out an online registration form at www.eauth.egov.usda.gov followed by a visit to the local USDA Service Center for identity verification.

-          Angus e-List/Angus Productions Inc.

Mike John Participates in Five Nations Beef Conference

Missouri cattle producer and NCBA President Mike John and NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doug are in New Zealand and Australia this week to attend the Five Nations Beef Conference. Attending the conference will be the cattle producer organizations from the world’s largest beef producing nations: Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States. Leaders from the five nations will discuss key industry issues such as international trade reform, animal ID, food safety, and harmonization of animal health standards.                         - NCBA

NCBA Urges Producers to Research Candidates for Upcoming Elections

The 2006 mid-term Congressional elections are just about a month away, and if you’re undecided about candidates in your state, the time is NOW to research their background and voting record. The polls are continuing to show a possible rebalance in both houses of Congress. U.S. cattle producers should be urging 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.

This year, we’ve made it especially easy for you to find out about the candidates in your state online. Just go to http://capwiz.com/beefusa and 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

Cattle-Fax Market Update

October 5 – Fed cattle trade failed to develop on Thursday.  Packer inquiry continued to be light and the only bids noted were in South at $89 live.  Asking prices remain at $94-95 live and $148-150 dressed.  Live cattle futures closed higher across the board with October up $0.97 at $91.35 and December up $0.82 at $90.10.  Feeder cattle futures followed suit with moderate gains.  The October contract gained $0.52 at $113.45 and the November contract gained $0.72 at $111.60.  Boxed beef values were mixed with slight changes.  Choice gave up $0.02 at $142.39 and Select gained $0.18 at $134.72.  Volume was moderate at 322 loads.  December corn dropped 2 1/2 cents to close at $2.71 3/4. 

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

Missouri Cattlemen’s Update

Governor Blunt Asks for Drought Disaster Declaration

On Sept. 15, Gov. Matt Blunt sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns requesting 96 counties in Missouri be declared natural disaster areas for agricultural loss due to drought. 

Based on crop damage assessment reports finalized by the USDA Farm Service Agency, Blunt requested a natural disaster area be declared in Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Camden, Carter, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Daviess, DeKalb, Dent, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Gentry, Greene, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Howard, Iron, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Laclede, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Livingston, McDonald, Madison, Maries, Marion, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Osage, Ozark, Pettis, Phelps, Pike, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, Reynolds, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Warren, Washington, Webster, Worth and Wright Counties.

-          Missouri Department of Agriculture

Livestock Assistance Grant Program Offering Missouri Producers Funds for Drought Recovery

On Sept. 5, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be providing Missouri with $2.7 million in Livestock Assistance Grants to help some Missouri producers partially recover forage production losses due to certain drought conditions.  MDA is currently in the planning process of distributing these funds to 30 Missouri counties.  Applications will become available to producers in mid-October.  Stay tuned to the MDA Drought Information Web page at http://www.mda.mo.gov/drought/index.html for more details. Eligible counties in Missouri include Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Camden, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Cooper, Dade, Greene, Henry, Hickory, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lafayette, Lawrence, McDonald, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Newton, Pettis, Polk, Ray, St. Clair, Saline, Stone and Vernon.

                                    - Missouri Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Scholarships Available; Deadlines Rapidly Approaching

National Cattlemen’s Foundation/Chicago Mercantile Exchange Scholarships

Applications are being accepted for the 2007 Beef Industry Scholarship Program, sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). All entries must be postmarked by October 10, 2006.

Twenty scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to young people pursuing careers in the beef industry. The program welcomes applications from talented and thoughtful students who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in the beef industry, either through classes, internships or life experience. Graduating high school seniors or full-time undergraduate students enrolled at a two-year or four-year college for the 2006-2007 academic school year are encouraged to apply.

Applications must include a 750-word essay that identifies a key issue confronting the beef industry and suggests a solution.  Applicants must also submit a letter expressing future career goals, and two letters of recommendation. A full description the scholarship program and submission requirements can be found at the National Cattlemen’s Foundation website: www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org/scholarship.aspx , or by calling 303-850-3388.  

In addition to a scholarship, the first-place winner will receive airfare and lodging to attend the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn., January 31 – February 3, 2007.

The Beef Industry Scholarship Program is a cooperative effort of the CME and NCF that was launched in 1989 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Live Cattle Futures Contract on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  The CME has been a leader in the live cattle market since 1964, and the Beef Industry Scholarship Program exemplifies CME’s commitment to the beef industry. 

Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Scholarships

The Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Scholarship applications are available on line at www.mostatefair.com. Applications must be postmarked by October 15. The scholarships are available to FFA and 4-H high school seniors who have exhibited at the Missouri State Fair.

Beef Field Day scheduled for October 7 at MU South Farm

A full day of beef research results and farm demonstrations will be offered Saturday, Oct. 7, at the University of Missouri South Farm.

"We will show an array of beef research and extension programs conducted at the farm," said Bob Weaber, MU Extension geneticist. "We have timely information on beef cattle nutrition, reproduction, management and genetics for beef producers."

Speakers will discuss ethanol byproduct feeds, animal identification, beef sire selection, and the value of genetic, source and process verification.

Luncheon talks will include a cattle market update by Ron Plain, MU Extension economist. Mike John, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, will give an update on beef industry issues. Fred Ferrell, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, has been invited to discuss the importance of beef in the Missouri economy.

"The farm has recent upgrades and renovations to support the educational programs," said Phillip Brooks, South Farm manager. "This is the first field day in many years to be held at the farm."

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m., the practical demonstrations begin. Free lunch will be served at noon; advance registration for the meal is required. Register by calling Judy Burton at 573-882-7327.

Speeches in the main tent begin at 9:30 a.m. Those will be repeated in the afternoon starting at 2 p.m. The program ends at 4:30 p.m.

The talks include: "Use of Dried Distillers Grain Solubles for Cow-Calf Herds and Backgrounding," by Jim Williams, MU researcher; "Missouri Perspective on animal ID," by Taylor Woods, assistant state veterinarian; "Tools and Tips for Beef Sire Selection," by Bob Weaber; "Value of Genetic, Source and Process Verification," by Kent Haden, head of the livestock division of MFA, Inc.

Demonstrations include artificial insemination, nutrition, management and genetic technologies.

Beef exhibits and equipment displays from the ag industry will be open for viewing throughout the day. There will be a farm animal exhibit area and other activities for children.

Pasture walks will showcase renovated and newly re-fenced grazing paddocks. MU livestock specialists will be available for answering questions in addition to the Q&A sessions after each talk. The MU farm is located 2.6 miles south of the AC exit on Highway 63 (south of Columbia, Mo.). It is on Old Millers Road, behind the KOMU-TV tower.                                                                                                            - University of Missouri

Mid Missouri Cattlemen’s Association plans Chili Cook-off

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. A meal and meeting will follow.

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

Calendar of Events

Oct. 6-8                        Ozark Fall Farm Fest – Springfield, Mo.

Oct. 10             St. Clair County Cattlemen – Blue Inn, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 12             Polk County Cattlemen – Smith’s, 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 13             MU Collegiate CattleWomen Hayride

Oct. 14             Crawford County Cattlemen – Fall Social, Wallis Farm, Bourbon, 3:00 p.m.

Oct. 17             Henry County Cattlemen – Membership Dinner, Windsor High School, 6:00 p.m.

Oct. 21             Mid-Missouri Cattlemen – Chili Cook-off (see details above)

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.    

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