NEWS BRIEFS...
USDA Forecasts Higher Beef Output, Lower U.S. Meat Production
Total U.S. meat production for 2009 is forecast lower this month as a slight increase in beef output is more than offset by lower pork and poultry production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released April 9.
According to the report, the beef production forecast is raised from last month due to a combination of heavier expected steer and heifer weights and higher expected cow slaughter. The pork production forecast, however, was lowered since hog harvest to date has been lower than expected. Broiler, turkey and egg production forecasts are also lower, according to the report.
Export forecasts for 2009 for major meats were lowered slightly. Exports of beef and turkey were forecast lower, but the pork export forecast was raised. Broiler exports remained unchanged. Beef imports were raised, but imports for pork were unchanged.
The cattle price forecast remained about unchanged from last month. Hog prices were raised due to expected tighter hog supplies. Broiler prices were lowered since demand is expected to remain weak.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced early April a delay in the implementation of the final rule of a feed ban titled “Substances Prohibited From Use in Animal Food or Feed,” or more commonly referred to as the 2008 BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) final rule.
The final rule, which would have gone into effect April 27 is now delayed 60 days to June 26, according to Drovers. The agency is taking this action in response to comments from affected parties expressing concerns about their ability to fully comply with the rule by the April 27 effective date.
K-State Research Shows Potential in Feeding Cull Cows
Deciding which cows to cull from the beef herd is a decision that all producers make from time to time. Recent studies by Kansas State University (K-State) scientists indicate that once the decision is made, it may be worth a producer's time and money to keep those cows a bit longer before sending them off to market.
K-State scientists found that by putting cows on concentrated feed for 70 to 90 days before sending them to market, much like younger heifers and steers in feedlots, producers can add enough value to the animal to make the practice economically worthwhile, depending on the price of feed and the market for cows. In one study, the value of the cull cows was increased from $54.50 per hundredweight (cwt.) to $77.00 per cwt. The cost of gain averaged $80 per cwt.
For more information visit www.oznet.ksu.edu.
Caterer Promotes Carbon Footprint Through Less Beef
Palo Alto, Calif.-based Bon Appétit Management Co., a catering company that creates 80 million meals a year by serving 400 cafés at colleges, universities and corporations in 29 states, released a news release saying it has reduced its beef purchases by 25% as part of its effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the foods it sells.
According to Meatingplace.com, Bon Appétit said it exceeded its carbon footprint goals for the year by reducing beef purchases by 25%, cheese by 10%, tropical fruit by 50% and total food waste by 20%.
According to Meatingplace.com, the company plans to publicly celebrate its second annual Low-Carbon Diet Day April 22. For the day, cheeseburgers are off the menu in favor of what it says are lower carbon options like turkey burgers with spicy guacamole. Cheese pizzas are also expected to be replaced.
ACRE Program Enrollment Opens April 27
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced April 9 that producers can elect and enroll in the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program beginning April 27, 2009. ACRE is a provision of the 2008 Farm Bill.
“The Average Crop Revenue Election program is an innovative alternative to the traditional farm safety,” Vilsack said. “This new option presents an opportunity for producers to review both programs and decide which one will work best for their operation.”
Producers have until Aug. 14, 2009, to make their decision for the 2009 crop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will not accept any late-filed applications.
Producers who elect the ACRE program for a farm agree to:
- forgo counter-cyclical payments;
- accept a 20% reduction of the direct payments; and
- accept a 30% reduction in loan rates for all commodities produced on the farm.
Commodities eligible for ACRE payments are wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, long-grain rice, medium- and short-grain rice, peanuts, soybeans, sunflower seed, canola, flaxseed, safflower, mustard seed, rapeseed, sesame seed, crambe, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas and large chickpeas.
The ACRE program was created in the 2008 Farm Bill to give producers an option in lieu of traditional counter-cyclical payments. Producers may elect and enroll in ACRE for the 2009 crop year even if they have already accepted advance direct payments under the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program.
To elect ACRE for a farm, producers must complete Form CCC-509 ACRE, which irrevocably elects ACRE for the farm through crop year 2012. Form CCC-509, the contract to participate in ACRE, must then be completed each year the producer intends to participate and receive benefits.
For more information about the ACRE program please visit your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.
Readers submit viewpoints, win prizes
In an attempt to shape the future direction of both the Angus Journal and Angus Beef Bulletin, Angus Productions Inc. (API) initiated two important readership surveys last fall.
The multiple-question surveys were conducted in association with the University of Arkansas and were inserted in the September 2008 Angus Journal and October 2008 Angus Beef Bulletin. As an additional incentive to filling out the survey, API awarded several lucky winners Angus apparel. In addition, four lucky winners — two from each survey — were randomly selected to win cash prizes. They include the following:
John Crawford, Lanes Creek Farms, Marshville, N.C.; Erika Murphy; Andy Wright, Dike, Texas; and Zada Steidl, Windsor, Colo.