Headline News
Missouri Farm & Food Preservation Act Passes in Senate Ag Committee
Cattle Producers Invited to Capitol on Monday; Urged to Contact Senators in Support of SB 364
The most important piece of legislation for Missouri agriculture in 2007 - The Missouri Farm & Food Preservation Act – was heard last night by the Senate Ag Committee. Family farmers and ranchers from across the state testified in support of the bill. More than five hours into the hearing, the Senate Ag Committee passed SB 364 by a vote of 6 to 2. The bill will now move on to the floor of the senate.
If you were unable to make it to yesterday’s hearing, don’t worry - there are more opportunities for you to make a real impact in the Capitol. This Monday, March 5, 2007, the opposition to SB 364 is holding a ‘local control’ rally in the Capitol.
The Missouri Farm and Food Preservation Coalition will host a luncheon for members beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 5th in House Hearing Room 2. We need as many cattlemen and women in attendance as possible; Monday is a very important day for this legislation.
Following the luncheon, we will make legislative visits. Agriculture needs as many farmers and ranchers there as possible to drown out the voice of the opposition. We would ask that if you can make it you let us know by Friday morning.
In addition, you can make a difference at home by contacting your county commissioners and asking them to join the Commissioners for Agriculture group headed up by Pettis County commissioners Rusty Kahrs and Larry Wilson. If you have a relationship with your commissioner, please let them know how you feel about this important issue.
Finally, calls and e-mails to your legislators are also effective tools. If you need contact information for your Senator or Representative, please contact McKenzie Disselhorst at (888) 499-9162 ext. 233 or mckenzie@mocattle.com.
The Missouri Farm & Food Preservation Act is MCA’s primary legislative priority for 2007. Involvement from farmers & ranchers across the state will be vital in passing this essential legislation. For more information on the coalition and the legislation, visit http://www.farmandfoodpreservation.org/ or call MCA at (888) 499-9162. We hope to see you in the Capitol soon!
Ferrell Resigns as Director of Missouri Department of Agriculture
Fred Ferrell, Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, resigned effective Monday, February 26, 2007. The statement released by Governor Blunt’s office follows:
Gov. Matt Blunt today requested the resignation of Fred Ferrell. Ferrell resigned his position as Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture effective immediately.
“When I first learned of this inappropriate behavior, I believed that through an apology, discipline, significant sensitivity training and a fine, it might be possible for the Director to continue in his position. Prior to this week, it was the general belief that the issues involving the Missouri Agriculture Director were being resolved in a manner consistent with the goals of all parties involved with these very disappointing events. It has now become apparent that he can no longer lead the department effectively and I have today asked for and accepted his resignation,” said Blunt.
The governor accepted Ferrell’s resignation and announced that Deputy Director Matt Boatright will serve as Interim Director. A search for a new director will begin immediately.
- The office of Governor Matt Blunt
Cattlemen’s News
OIE Panel May Upgrade BSE Rating for United States
A panel for the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is expected to recommending the United States be designated as a “controlled risk” region for BSE, a classification that should help convince U.S. trading partners that barriers to U.S. beef are unjustified and should be dropped.
In March 2005, NCBA asked USDA to apply to the OIE for a new BSE classification. Since June 1, 2004, the United States tested more than 750,000 high-risk animals as part of its enhanced BSE surveillance program and found only two native cases of BSE. More importantly, the United States has exceeded all OIE requirements in implementing BSE safeguards to ensure the safety of U.S. beef and prevent the spread of BSE in the U.S. cattle herd. “There is no other country in the world that has done more than the United States to analyze the risks of BSE as early as 1986 and take preventive actions dating back to 1989,” says NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Jay Truitt.
A “controlled risk” status – the classification expected by U.S. government and industry officials – is considered favorable in the international community and should help pave the way for trade in all U.S. beef and beef products regardless of age as long as specified risk materials (SRMs) are removed. The OIE will meet in May for its annual general session where OIE's 167 member countries will vote to approve or disapprove of the classification proposed.
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Weather
Pattern Shifting to La Niña
Officials at the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say that the short El Niño
period last year is shifting to a La Niña pattern this year. It will be a few
months before they know how strong it will be, but La Niña typically means more
hurricanes in the Atlantic, fewer in the Pacific, less rain and more heat in the
South and a milder spring and summer in the North, says NOAA administrator
Conrad Lautenbacher. You can read more on NOAA's forecast by
following this link.
– Drover’s Alert by Drover’s Journal
Missouri Cattlemen’s Update
Summer Internship Opportunity
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association is seeking an intern for a full-time, 12-week summer position, starting mid-May 2007.
The internship will provide the opportunity to gain experience within the following areas: junior programs, membership, county affiliate programs, producer communications, the Missouri Beef House, and event planning.
Intern candidates should have a strong interest in the Missouri Cattle Industry. Majors which would best fit the internship include Animal Science, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Business or Economics, and Agricultural Journalism or Communications, but consideration will be given to students with other majors who are interested in the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. The intern must be available to work full-time during the Missouri State Fair, August 9-19, 2007.
If you are interested in an internship with the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, please contact McKenzie Disselhorst by phone at (573) 499-9162 or by e-mail at mckenzie@mocattle.com. To apply, please send a resume to:
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association
Attn: McKenzie Disselhorst
2306 Bluff Creek Drive
Columbia, MO 65201
The deadline for applications is March 16, 2007.
Missouri Beef Industry Council Update
Activist Activity - According to the December 2006 edition of Animal People, the country’s largest animal rights activist group, the Humane Society for the United States, increased donations 62% in 2005, while overall donations to animal rights groups declined 2 percent.
Mizzou BBQ Team - The Mizzou BBQ Team represented Missouri quite well in their first national competition. Held in Las Vegas, the National Meat Processors Association contest was an invitation only event with seven collegiate teams asked to participate. The Mizzou BBQ Team developed a new beef entrée appropriately named “Tiger Steak”. The Tigers took second place with their efforts and will introduce their new product to the MBIC Board of Directors later this week! Watch for more details about “Tiger Steak” on the MBIC Blog at www.missouribeefcouncil.com.
- Missouri Beef Industry Council
MU Thompson Farm Hosts Beef Workshop
A nutrition and reproduction workshop will be at the University of Missouri (MU) Thompson Farm at 4:30 p.m., March 13.
The session will cover recent advances in beef breeding research conducted at the farm, said David Patterson, MU Extension beef specialist. The farm is part of the MU Agricultural Experiment Station. Patterson will discuss synchronizing cows and heifers to be artificially inseminated (AIed) in one day.
Daniel Schafer, of MFA livestock division, will report on the value of using proven sires in AI breeding. Chris Zumbrunnen, regional livestock specialist, Milan, Mo., will discuss using ethanol byproducts as supplemental feed for cows on winter pastures, while MU Extension farm business specialist Joe Koenen will discuss beef-cow economics.
The program will run from 4:30 to 8 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m., said David McAtee, manager of the Thompson Farm. The program is free; however, advanced registration is required. Call Tamie Carr at (660) 895-5121 at the MU Forage Systems Research Center at Linneus, Mo.
- University of Missouri
Regional Grazing School to be held in Warrenton
Have you thought in the past, “I sure would like to know more about that rotational grazing thing that everybody keeps talking about”? Now is your chance to learn! Montgomery and Warren County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Charrette Creek AgNPS and Elkhorn Creek AgNPS in cooperation with University Outreach and Extension (UOE) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are putting on a grazing school April 4th and 5th at the Warren County Extension Building in Warrenton MO. The two-day school will consist of classroom and field exercises. We have an excellent line-up of quality speakers.
Our guest speakers this year will be John Turner, NRCS Grassland Conservationist; Rich Hoormann, UOE; Wayne Shannon, UOE; Ken Bolte, UOE; and Tim Clapp, NRCS Grassland Conservationist. Morning refreshments and speakers meals for each day are sponsored by the Montgomery City MFA, Rhineland MFA, and the Warrenton MFA. The two-day grazing school is one of the eligibility components for the DSP-3 Planned Grazing System for state cost share. Cost of the two-day regional grazing school is $40 for one person or $50 per couple. Registration is limited to the first 25 registered participants. This cost includes one set of course materials. If you are interested in attending or would like more information please contact the Montgomery County SWCD office at (573) 564-3715, ext. 3.
- Warren Co. NRCS
The Missouri Better Beef Seminar Has Been Rescheduled
The Missouri Better Beef Seminar has been rescheduled for Friday, March 9. Due to inclement weather this past week, the 2nd Annual Missouri Better Beef Seminar had to be postponed. This Seminar will be held in Marshall at the Saline County Fairgrounds on March 9th. The seminar is dedicated to improving the consistency and genetics of Missouri cattle that are ultimately fed in our neighboring cattle feeding states such as Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The seminar is showcasing some of the beef cattle industry’s top leaders. Speakers from Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma will descend upon Marshall, speaking about topics such as the national beef quality audit, improving marketability of your cattle, replacement heifers and other topics to meet the demands of the consumers.
Speakers include: Dr. Brad Morgan of Oklahoma State University, who helped with the 2005 NCBA National Beef Quality Fed Audit, Dr. Patsy Houghton, General Manager and President for Heartland Cattle Company, Mr. Dan Dorn, Customer Recruitment and Cattle Procurement at Decatur County Feedyard—which is one of two feedyards that features a very sophisticated sorting system and last but definitely not least, Mark Harmon, Manager of Joplin Regional Stockyard’s QSA and Value Added Procurement program.
The cost of the seminar will be $10.00 and will include a meal catered by Smith Food Bank from Slater along with vendors and booths from several companies. Please register by March 7th to ensure an adequate headcount, however late registration will be accepted at $15.00. If you are a member of one of the sponsoring cattlemen’s association, please deduct $3.00 from your registration fee. Registration begins at 9:00, with the program starting promptly at 9:30. Dr. Rod Geisert, the new Division Head of Animal Sciences from the University of Missouri will welcome you to the seminar and provide an update on the MU Depart of Animal Sciences.
To register for the seminar or questions please contact MU Extension Livestock Specialists; Wendy Flatt at the Howard County Extension Office (660) 248-2272 or David Hoffman at the Cass County Extension Office (816) 380-8460. We of course want to thank our sponsors the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association; Clay, Howard, Lafayette, Pettis and Saline County Cattlemen’s; Deem’s Farm Equipment, Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, Elanco, Cass County SWCD, Saline Co. SWCD, MFA, Ralco Nutrition, Select Sires/KABA, MO Beef Industry Council, FCS Financial Services, Joplin Regional Stockyards, Heartland Cattle Company, Decatur County Feedyard, and the West Central Show-Me-Select Heifer Association.
- University of Missouri Extension
Topics Announced For Monett Beef Conference
The 38th Annual Monett Beef Cattlemen’s Conference will be held March 6 at the Monett National Guard Armory according to Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist. The event open with registration and trade show exhibits at 3:30 p.m.
Topics on this year’s program deal with policy issues facing the beef industry more than on production practices. Leading off at 4 p.m., Dr. Ron Plain, University of Missouri state extension livestock marketing specialist looks at the feeder cattle outlook with $4 a bushel corn prices.
Following that Joe Horner, an economist with University of Missouri Extension digs into the economics of ethanol production and ramifications of this growing industry.
Merrel Breyer, president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association from Richland will discuss political issues of the state and national association’s. Following his comments attendees will feast on the famous Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s blended chili. Members contribute around 25 gallons of chili that was made by that many cooks. Once at the armory the chili is blended together with some added spices to form an excellent meal.
After supper the program begins at 7 p.m. with Dr. Rod Geisert, director of the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri looking into the future with technology ideas that competitive cattlemen will want to try.
Concluding the program will be Bob Broz, state water quality specialist for University of Missouri Extension. Bob’s topic title is Paying the Price of Growth - Water Quantity and Quality.
Cole says the program is a cooperative effort of the Monett Chamber of Commerce, the Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, trade show exhibitors and University of Missouri Extension. The goal is to keep area cattle producers abreast of issues and new ideas that will help in their attempts to produce a high quality beef product that is profitable for them. There is no charge and advance registration isn’t required. More details may be available at 417-466-3102.
- University of Missouri Extension
Spring Forage Conference set for March 1 in Springfield
The 23rd annual Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference will be Thursday, March 1, 2007 at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Each year this conference attracts an increasing number of people interested in learning more about management strategies for forages and livestock.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Garry Lacefield. Garry has been a University of Kentucky Extension Forage Specialist since 1974. He provides statewide leadership in forage management, production, and utilization. Dr. Lacefield is well known throughout the country and the world for his extensive knowledge of managing forages, as evident in the number of awards, publications, articles, and lectures. His topic for the noon luncheon is called “Forage Improvement: Results Require Investment”.
The conference will also feature several breakout sessions both in the morning and the afternoon. Topics will include: native warm-season grass pasture, weed and brush control, forage fertility alternatives, New Zealand grazing concepts, weather outlook, herd health, alternative marketing, planning your grazing system, urban and rural interface, low stress weaning techniques, and dung beetles. There will be a question-and-answer session with Dr Lacefield in the afternoon. More than 30 companies and organizations will have exhibits, and will have representatives available to discuss their products and services.
Conference registration begins at 8 a.m., with sessions running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per person in advance or $35 at the door. A catered meal is included. To pre-register (by February 22nd) or to get more information, contact the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District at (417) 831-5246, extension 3. Conference information and a registration form are also available on the Internet at http://agebb.missouri.edu/sfc.
Calendar of Events
March 3 St. Charles County Cattlemen – Wright City Lion’s Club, 6:30 p.m.
March 5 Macon County Cattlemen – Lolli Livestock Market, Macon, 6:30 p.m.
March 8 Polk County Cattlemen – Smith’s Restaurant, 7:00 p.m.
March 9 Ray County Cattlemen – Eagleton Center, Richmond, 6:30 p.m.
March 15 Henry County Cattlemen – Clinton Country Club, 6:00 p.m.
March 15 Mid-Missouri Cattlemen – Miller County Regional Stockyards, 6:30 p.m.
March 17 Warren County Cattlemen – Holy Rosary Activity Center, Warrenton, 7:00 p.m.
March 19 Ralls County Cattlemen – Eastern Missouri Commission Co., Bowling Green, 6:30 p.m.
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.