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August 20, 2012


MARKETING...

In The Cattle Markets

Assessing and coming to grips with drought response decisions.

As discussions about deteriorating pasture conditions and escalating prices for feedstuffs continue, stakeholders throughout the industry are contemplating a host of drought-response alternatives for their operations. When producers simply have nothing available to feed their livestock, their options are limited, and the survival-based decisions they make are understandable. However, what is not often talked about, but is certainly important to appreciate, is that "cutting the right costs" is critical in the grand scheme of things. Read more.


Quality Beef By the Numbers

Quality Beef By the Numbers is a new project to boost producer profits.

Quality Beef by the Numbers is the official name of a University of Missouri (MU) and industry joint project to boost the quantity of Prime and Choice grade beef produced in Missouri and neighboring states. Read more.


CAB Mythbusters

What they thought they knew that just ain't true.

We think your breed choice should be more about data and solid facts than tradition.
The real kicker that gets me is when people think "generic black" is as good as Angus. I could go into a whole series of myths related to that statement, but I've picked out the one we probably hear the most.

Myth — As long as they're black, it doesn't matter how much Angus influence they have. They'll grade just the same. Read more.


Luring Locavores

A study by a Kansas State University researcher could help farmers better serve a niche market.

Sarah Bernard, who recently earned her master's degree in agribusiness, studied consumers' motivations behind buying local beef. She found that farmers should be marketing more to female and older consumers because they are more likely to buy local products, and that farmers should promote local agriculture in their marketing messages. Read more.


The Source

Making the best of a tough situation.

My summer vacation this year was quite an experience. I joined several young Boy Scouts on the ultimate outdoor challenge: 10 days at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Equipped with only what we could carry on our backs, we adventured through nearly 75 miles of wilderness. It was an incredible learning opportunity for the boys and for me.

We learned to rely on each other, stay focused and adapt to our surroundings. Sometimes it was frustrating to leave behind our daily routines — running water, air conditioning and a nice steak dinner. You come to appreciate being able to adjust and make the best of a situation.

Make the best of it — sounds similar to what's been going on in the cattle business lately. Read more.


Market Still Positive

The drought last year was devastating, but the drought this year has hit the Corn Belt and is more widespread, Kevin Good, senior market analyst for CattleFax, told participants of the second general session at the 2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference.

Last year 65% of the country was in moderate drought. This year, that has increased to 70%, and the extreme to exceptional drought percentage is up to 27%, Good said. With 70% of the U.S. cattle inventory located in regions of drought, beef producers are trying to salvage and allocate their resources. Read more.


USDA to Purchase Meat for
Federal Food Assistance Programs

Secretary Vilsack announces meat purchase to assist livestock producers affected by drought; bolster federal nutrition programs.

As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to do everything it can to help farmers, ranchers, small businesses and communities being affected by the nation's persistent drought, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA's intent to purchase up to $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks. USDA says the purchase will help relieve pressure on American livestock producers during the drought, while helping to bring the nation's meat supply in line with demand while providing high-quality, nutritious food to recipients of USDA's nutrition programs. Read more.


Government Buy Affects Markets

USDA announced Aug. 13 that it would purchase up to $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken and catfish for federal food programs.

In a press release, available in this issue of the EXTRA, the purchase was characterized "as part of the Obama Administration's commitment to do everything it can to help farmers, ranchers, small businesses and communities being impacted by the nation's persistent drought."

The purchase breaks down as up to $100 million of pork, $10 million of catfish, $50 million of chicken and $10 million of lamb. Some of this product may go to food banks. At least one story also mentioned that the Department of Defense would look at the possibility of pulling forward some purchases and store product for later use. Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group Lean Hogs futures traded up more than $1 per hundredweight (cwt.) mostly across the board at times on Monday, but only October and December were able to hold those gains. Read more.


Angus Calendar

To view the Angus Calendar, a complete list of Angus sales, click here.




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