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Workshop helps feedlots, producers hone skills, learn about COOLBy Kylene Orebaugh Cattle feeders and producers had a chance to learn, as well as to gauge how accurate their skills were at a cattle grading workshop Sept. 16, at Winter Livestock, Dodge City, Kan. Presentations were also made on country-of-origin labeling and new technologies in instrument carcass grading. Paul Peterson, director of commodity research and product development at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange discussed new procedures and requirements for delivering slaughter cattle. The changes will be implemented Oct. 1 because of COOL going into effect, Sept. 30. "It's not really nothing new," Peterson said. "There is some new paperwork though." According to CME, all cattle in the delivery unit must be born and raised exclusively in the United States. In addition, at the time of delivery, the seller must provide an affidavit attesting to the origin of the cattle being delivered. The changes take affect with October 2008 CME contracts. "We will continue to keep an eye on this (COOL) and see how it evolves," Peterson said. "We'll have to wait and see what the process is." There were also a few changes regarding the live graded deliveries and carcass deliveries, he said. For specifics, Peterson can be reached at 312-930-4587. Following the CME presentation, personnel from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service evaluated a number of cattle, explaining various characteristics to look for when grading live cattle. Attendees had a chance to score the cattle, and then see how their judging skills compared to the officials' evaluations. Single cattle and groups of several cattle were evaluated on muscling, fat cover and weight to determine yield grades, maturity, and quality grades. During the afternoon session, Marty O'Connor, chief of Standards, Analysis and Technology Branch of USDA, discussed several aspects of COOL, which is set to be implemented Sept. 30. According to www.ams.usda.gov/cool, the 2002 and 2008 farm bills have amended the Agricultural Marketing act of 1946 to require retailers to notify their customers of the origin of following: Beef (including veal), lamb, pork, chicken, goat, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, perishable agricultural commodities, peanuts, pecans, ginseng, and macadamia nuts. Since April 2005, COOL and the method of production have been required for fish and shellfish commodities sold at retail. In Aug. 2008, AMS issued an interim final rule which requested comments on setting the requirements for retailers and their suppliers for the mandatory COOL program. The comment period closes Sept. 30. "Comments are very important. It will give us a better basis on how we can change the regulations," O'Conner said. "I encourage you to make comments and suggestions." For information about making comments visit www.ams.usda.gov/cool or www.regulations.gov. O'Conner said, during the six month period following the effective date of the regulation, AMS will conduct an industry education and outreach program concerning the provisions and requirements of this rule. Sept. 17, AMS announced it will host three sessions about COOL for covered commodities sold at retail. According to the news release, these sessions will provide detailed information about the COOL program to growers, packers, suppliers, handlers, retailers, consumers and other interested parties. Sessions will be held: --Sept. 26, College Station, Texas, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Texas A&M University, Rudder Tower Complex, Room 601, College Station, TX 77843. --Oct. 7, Minneapolis-Lakeville, Minn., 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Minneapolis-Lakeville, 20800 Kenrick Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044. --Oct. 9, Los Angeles, Calif., 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT, Marriott Renaissance Montura Hotel Los Angeles Airport, 9620 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Details about the sessions, including registration forms and directions, can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool. Follow the link to Informational Sessions. For more information about the COOL sessions, contact Livestock and Seed Standards, Analysis and Technology Branch Chief Martin O'Connor at 202-720-4486. Kylene Orebaugh can be reached at 620-227-1804, or by e-mail at kscott@hpj.com. 9/29/08 Date: 9/25/08 Advertisement
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