Sex sells.

That's why the hard-core environmental movement is out to end beef production.

"When you have anti-animal people like Pam Anderson touting her message, it's sexy. And sex sells," said Jude Capper, Ph.D., assistant professor of dairy science at Washington State University.

Capper was the keynote speaker at the annual International Livestock Congress, held recently at Denver as part of the National Western Stock Show.

Capper presented her research showing that consumers often perceive that the modern beef production system has an environmental impact far greater than that of historical systems, with improved efficiency being achieved at the expense of greenhouse gas emissions.

Capper said books like "The Omnivore's Dilemma" are "twisted truth" that make her want to "want to reach for something strong to drink because it will raise your blood pressure." This is because the authors have no idea of what it will take to feed 9.5 billion people by 2050. This will require 70 percent more food than is produced now, since the population's income will improve as well.

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Swine study results could save industry $10M annually

Researchers at Texas Tech University and Iowa State University found that the pork industry can generally use less bedding year-round than it currently does when transporting swine.

The change could improve overall animal well-being and could save the industry an estimated $10.1 million per year. The study was funded by the Pork Checkoff.

For about 4 percent of the 100 million pigs transported annually to butchering day, the efficiency of U.S. meatpackers and swine processors goes haywire. But something as simple as adequate bedding matched to the weather goes a long way in improving animal survival, said John McGlone, a professor in Texas Tech's Department of Animal and Food Science.

Depending on transport conditions, swine can overheat, experience unneeded stress, or even death, McGlone said. High stress levels can increase lactic acid buildup in the muscles of the pig, which causes the meat from the animal to be dry and pale. This, along with an increased death rate, can result in more losses for all parties, he said.

"More than 400,000 pigs have a negative experience," McGlone said. "It's one reason why we focused on defining transport bedding requirements for pigs in commercial settings during three separate conditions: cold, mild and warm weather."

South American crop production affects U.S. corn, soybean prices

Corn and soybean prices declined sharply in mid-November and remained at the lower level through mid-December. From mid-December through early January, the cash price of corn in central Illinois increased by 78 cents while the cash price of soybeans increased by $1.21 per bushel, said University of Illinois agricultural economist Darrel Good.

"One factor that has contributed to higher prices is adverse weather in parts of Argentina and southern Brazil during a critical phase of crop development. Periods of extremely high temperatures and well below average levels of precipitation in December have threatened both the corn and soybean crops in those areas," Good said.

The adverse weather followed very favorable weather conditions in November. The weather pattern in those areas has been similar to that of 2008-2009 when corn and soybean production was substantially reduced in Argentina, he said.

"Some beneficial rainfall in the dry areas is expected this week, but the forecast calls for a return of hot, dry weather next week. It is difficult to assess potential corn and soybean production in Argentina and Brazil, but the pattern of production estimates in 2008-2009 might provide some guidance," he noted.

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