This Week's Agricultural News

Agriculture News from HPJ - Your Ag News Source

Actions speak louder than words of gratitude

Sometimes there just aren't enough words to say "thank you."

Farmers and ranchers in Kiowa County, Kan., and surrounding counties and communities have spent the past year trying to find the words, but nothing can describe how grateful they are for the help their friends and neighbors offered in the wake of last May's tornadoes.

On May 4, 2007, the first recorded category EF-5 tornado demolished the town of Greensburg, Kan. For weeks following the storm the people of Kiowa, Stafford, Pratt, and other surrounding communities had to deal with the immediate clean-up of Mother Nature's wrath. For farmers and ranchers, the cleanup efforts were monumental.

Costa Rican consumption of U.S. wheat growing

It's tough to improve upon a 100 percent market share.

Yet, U.S. Wheat Associates knows that it can't rest on that track record in Costa Rica and must continue to develop relationships with the Costa Rican wheat market leaders.

On March 31, the U.S Wheat Associates Trade Team toured mills and bakeries in San Jose, Costa Rica. They discovered that despite cultural attachments to rice and beans, many Costa Ricans are developing a growing taste for wheat breads and pastas and U.S. wheat is helping suppliers fill that demand.

Farm Ranch Management

This Week's Ag News in the High Plains Journal


Costa Rican consumption of U.S. wheat growing COSTA RICAN FLOUR--A trailer gets loaded with wheat flour at the Molcrisa flour mill in San Jose, Costa Rica. Yet, U.S. Wheat Associates knows that it can't rest on that track record in Costa Rica and must continue to develop relationships with the Costa Rican wheat market leaders. Bakers are learning to use the hard red winter wheat flour, and may decide to continue to use hard red winter wheat flour even if the price of spring wheat comes down.
USDA publishes final order creating National Sorghum Checkoff "Now is the time to invest in sorghum," said National Sorghum Producers President Dale Murden. The assessment for grain sorghum will be 0.6 percent of net market value and 0.35 percent of net market value for sorghum forage, sorghum hay, sorghum haylage, sorghum billets and sorghum silage. The NSP Board and sorghum producers nationwide have worked during the past two years to establish a National Sorghum Checkoff and producers will have the opportunity to vote in a referendum within three ...
Most hay sales steady Premium alfalfa-grass mix, in large bales, $165, in small squares, $230-$235, Premium grass, in small squares, $215-$220; good, in large bales, $145-$150. Panhandle: Premium/supreme alfalfa, in small squares, delivered, $230-$250; premium/supreme, $180-$200; supreme, in large squares, delivered, $200-$240; good/premium, $200-$230, $6-$7/bale; good/premium, $140-$180; fair/good, $120-$135; fair, $110-$120. North/central/east: Premium/supreme alfalfa, in small squares, delivered, new crop, $...
Small farm loans are big business for banks The banking industry provides the most credit to agriculture with $114.2 billion in total farm loans outstanding at the end of 2007, according to the American Bankers Association's Center for Agricultural & Rural Banking's annual "Farm Bank Performance" report. Farm banks, which ABA defines as community banks with more than 14 percent of their total loans dedicated to agriculture, had another strong year in 2007. At the end of 2007, nearly 48 percent of all farm loans at farm banks financed...
Critics call for short-term fixes on food, feed prices If only corn-based ethanol would go away, they argue that feed prices would drop, the livestock sector would be able to make more money and food prices would decline dramatically. Over the long run, one cannot drive price below the cost of production, so in the long run average corn price would have increased even without ethanol. The argument that higher corn prices will cause meat prices to increase is a stronger argument because feed is a major cost of meat production.
Petroleum, not corn, is the chief cause of food inflation Just 18 months ago, the price paid to farmers for corn in Bureau County, Ill., was only $1.88 per bushel. The ethanol mandate, which requires us to use a certain quantity of ethanol per year, is not a factor in driving ethanol production since production has been well above the mandate since its enactment by President Bush in August 2005. As a corn farmer, I'll be the first to tell you that corn-based ethanol is not the best answer, but it is the best answer we have right now.
Report- Corn prices not primary driver of higher food costs Many are quick to blame high-priced corn for escalating food prices, but the primary catalysts are $100-plus crude and higher overall production costs. Economists with the center, part of Texas AgriLife Research and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, found the underlying force driving change throughout the agricultural industry is more directly related to high energy and production costs--though corn does play a role in some higher food costs. Source: Agricultural and Food Policy Center, ...
USDA to buy pork for aid programs amid hog market woes But what the U.S. Department of Agriculture failed to mention in making the May 1 announcement was that the move was just what the National Pork Producers Council had urged Schafer to do two weeks earlier to reduce sow numbers--ultimately driving up pork prices for all consumers. Hog industry leaders asked Schafer to purchase an additional 50.5 million pounds of pork sausage at roughly 99 cents a pound for federal food programs. When hog prices plummeted in 1998 and 1999, the agency bought ...
Selling pressure pushed wheat bids lower Grain inspected for export for week ending May 1: Wheat totaled 19.5 million bushels, up 340 thousand; corn 30.7 million bushels, down 5.1 million bushels; sorghum 2.3 million bushels, down 1.5 million bushels; and soybeans 11.9 million bushels, down 3.3 million bushels compared to a week ago. Year to date: Wheat totaled 1145.1 million bushels up 334.3 million; corn 1680.4 million bushels up 257.5 million; sorghum 225.6 million bushels up 125.2 million and soybeans 920.2 million down 21.2 ...
Intervet introduces delayed release combination implant The new implant, Revalor-XS, is a one-time implant that reduces stress on the cattle and reduces the labor required to process feedlot cattle. "It takes the proven performance of Revalor that cattle feeders depend on and removes the hassle of re-implanting." According to information from the quarterly CattleFax implant strategy survey, in cattle weighing 500 to 700 pounds when they were placed on feed, 90 percent of the heifers and 92 percent of the steers were implanted twice.
Meatpacker ban rejected WASHINGTON (AP)--Farm bill negotiators have rejected an attempt to prevent meatpackers from owning cattle more than two weeks before slaughter, a disappointment for ranchers in the Midwest and northern plains who have been pushing for the ban for many years. Many other parts of the massive bill--including increased subsidies for some crops, country of origin labeling for meats and a permanent farm disaster program--are favorable for the farm belt, however. Negotiators are still finalizing ...
Grain market close 1 hard red winter wheat, ordinary protein, rail, $9.16, down 5 1/4 cents; No. 1 hard red winter wheat, ordinary protein, northwest Colorado was 8 cents higher. 2 yellow corn in north central Colorado was mostly 12 cents higher and $5.56 to $5.95 per bushel.
Downer cattle ban could cost dairy farmers WASHINGTON (AP)--Dairy farmers stand to lose income if the government honors congressional demands for a total ban on downer cattle after a California slaughterhouse failed to keep them out of the food supply. Jim Schaub, an economist who heads the USDA's Office of Risk Assessment and Cost Benefit Analysis, said dairy farmers would feel the hit of a total ban. Baur also argued that a clearer ban on downers would provide an incentive for dairy farmers to take better care of their animals.
Take dining-in outside Blend corn syrup, sugar, milk, lime peel and lime juice on medium speed in blender until smooth. Cook corn syrup and sugar in large pan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Mix corn syrup, sugar, lemon juice and anise extract together in small bowl until sugar dissolves.
Hay trade slow Demand is moderate to strong for grinding alfalfa, alfalfa pellets and dairy alfalfa, moderate for prairie hay and stock cow quality hay, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, May 6. Prices given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted. For the week ending April 26, 13,593 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,926 tons of dairy alfalfa were delivered. Dairy/grinding alfalfa and alfalfa pellets steady.
UNL research- Vitamin E can offset beef oxidation on grocery store shelves Steaks from beef cattle fed a diet heavy in wet distillers grains may develop an off-color or off-flavor sooner in the grocery store, but the addition of vitamin E to cattle's feed appears to reduce the problem, according to University of Nebraska-Lincoln research. "Distillers grain is a great feed for cattle," said UNL meat scientist Chris Calkins. However, UNL research found that wet distillers grains increase the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids--PUFAs--in beef.
Tick riders- Guarding U.S. from deadly pest But lately, the tick has managed to migrate beyond the 862-square mile permanent quarantine zone, an area from which cattle can't be removed unless they are free of ticks. The eradication program received $5.2 million in emergency funding to fight the tick spread in the temporary quarantine zones. In recent decades, the fever has caused few deaths because tick riders have been able to keep ahead of it, said Ed Bowers, director of field operations for the tick eradication program.
Sizzling commodities market puts the heat on farmers Some grain buyers, wary of the market volatility, are limiting contract dealings with growers, effectively cutting farmers off from top prices at a time when production costs have soared, insiders say. Meanwhile, total futures and options markets for major commodities like corn, wheat and soybeans grew from about $85 billion to $222 billion. If prices rise beyond his agreement, the farmer can sell the contract on the spot market and pocket the higher profit.
ICBA- FCA final rule appears deeply flawed The proposal permits Farm Credit System lenders to circumvent requirements that entities borrowing from the FCS have at least 50 percent farmer ownership. The final rule allows FCS institutions to lend to entities that are merely farmer influenced and dilutes FCS's focus on serving farmers and farmer-owned businesses and cooperatives. "FCA's new regulation allows FCS to utilize its government-derived advantages to finance many investor-owned or privately held non-farm businesses now well ...
Wildebeest herd to be killed after spreading virus to cattle The Robertson County cattle ranch is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, officials said. Ranch President Mark Cowan said the ranch reported the infection to the Texas Animal Health Commission after a veterinarian made the diagnosis. When infectious diseases are discovered, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service routinely works to quarantine the facility and euthanize any infected animals, said service spokeswoman Karen Eggert.
Western Iowa plants corn, oats Topsoil moisture rated zero percent very short, zero percent short, 50 percent adequate, and 50 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated zero percent very short, zero percent short, 49 percent adequate, and 51 percent surplus. Pasture and range condition rated three percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 40 percent good, and eight percent excellent.
Parents can educate kids in the kitchen with cookbook from Chef Gald Gand In celebration of its 35th anniversary, the Wheat Foods Council May 1 unveiled Food for Thought from Parents to Children, an educational cookbook featuring recipes from celebrity chef and mother of three, Chef Gale Gand, and parents across America. The cookbook, available at www.wheatfoods.org, showcases wheat-based recipes and addresses the importance of nutrition education for children, emphasizing a parent's role in a child's healthy diet. Food for Thought from Parents to Children ...
Farm bill deal could cut programs WASHINGTON (AP)--Kansas officials are concerned about a tentative deal on a new farm bill that boosts nutrition programs at the expense of crop subsidies. Kansas Rep. Jerry Moran says the proposed cuts are not favorable to Kansas farmers who rely on safety net programs. Kansas Farm Bureau President Steve Baccus says the deal comes at a tough time for farmers when costs for fuel and fertilizer are soaring.
AFBF- Food price rise result of complex issues, biofuels only small part Rising food costs in the United States and overseas are receiving a great deal of attention, and a range of complex factors are behind this relatively new phenomenon, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. Farm Bureau analysis of the costs of food production and marketing shows petroleum-based energy is the primary factor driving domestic food prices. The larger portion of the consumer's food dollar goes to pay for processing, transporting and marketing food ...
Tractors, pigs invade Jersey capitol to protest plan to cut ag Farmers say the agriculture department gives them a voice in government, enables them to get federal grants and preserve their land, helps future farmers get training and helps established ones learn new techniques. New Jersey would be the third state to eliminate the state agriculture department, joining Alaska and Rhode Island, according to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. "We came out here to support all the farmers and keep the Department of Agriculture ...
Dry weather helps fieldwork progress Corn planting continued in the Northern High Plains, while corn was emerging in the Northern Low Plains. Sorghum planting continued in parts of the Plains, while Sorghum planting neared completion in South Texas. Sorghum planting continued in the some of the Plains, and Sorghum planting continued to come to a close in South Texas.
Just a scoop full (There is another neighbor of ours who normally has wheat that looks as good as anybody's wheat in our area.) I said I noticed this neighbor had sprayed his wheat and killed it. Probably a little jealous of his brother going to the zoo, he tells the youngest that the red container looks like a girl's.
Visit St. Louis for free, well almost for free Admission is free for the Art Museum, Science Center, and Missouri History Museum. The list of free admission attractions in St. Louis includes the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and Interpretive Center. Other free attractions in and around St. Louis are the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Laumeier Sculpture Park, the historic Old Courthouse downtown, and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
Commitment from G. Richard Johnson will create first endowed de The first endowment for a department chair at Iowa State University will be established with a $2 million bequest from alumnus G. Richard "Dick" Johnson of Urbana, Ill. Johnson's commitment will create the Wilbert A. Russell Endowed Department Chair in Agronomy in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Johnson chose to honor Wilbert Russell, a former Iowa State agronomy professor, by naming the endowed chair after him. "We're extremely grateful for Dr. Johnson's commitment to create ...
USDA implements key strategy from NAIS business plan The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service April 15 announced that it has implemented a key strategy from its Business Plan to Advance Animal Disease Traceability by providing National Animal Identification System compliant "840" radio frequency eartags to animal health officials for use in the bovine tuberculosis control program. NAIS utilizes premises registration, animal identification and animal tracing components to both locate potentially diseased ...
Food vs. fuel vs. common sense Competing letters were sent to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding that agency's implementation of the Renewable Fuels Standard or "ethanol mandate" as it's most commonly referred. Not long afterward, Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and 23 of her colleagues sent a similar letter to EPA citing growing environmental concerns surrounding corn ethanol production and competition between food and fuel. Like the farm bill debate, the food versus fuel ethanol debate quickly became ...
To feed or not to feed? Grazing consists of searching for forage, selecting it and grasping and taking the selected forage into the mouth. If they are grazing in large groups, it is very normal and forage is adequate, if they are all grazing individually, forage may be limited. If you don't really notice the cattle resting, and grazing for extended periods of time, chances are forage is very limited and supplemental feeding may be required.
Radcliffe business wins Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Mo Mirenco has been named the Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month winner for April. The Renew Rural Iowa program is an Iowa Farm Bureau initiative that combines an innovative mentoring model for entrepreneurs with a rural vitality investment fund. The Renew Rural Iowa Award is a designation which honors leading entrepreneurs as a testament to the vitality, creativity and cooperation of Iowa's rural communities.
Cattlemen oppose expansion of federal water jurisdiction Smith, of Glen, Mont., appeared in opposition to a legislative proposal that would greatly expand the federal government's jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. Senate Bill 1870 would strike the word "navigable" from the Clean Water Act's definition of "waters of the United States"--thereby expanding the reach of the Clean Water Act to even the smallest and most isolated bodies of water. "NCBA and MSGA do not agree that this bill 'restores' Congressional intent regarding the extent of ...
Pueblo to host AJSA Western Regional Colorado will be hosting this summer's American Junior Simmental Western Regional at Pueblo. The multi-state youth event, 2008 Plains to Peaks Regional, is much more than a cattle show. Competitions include sales talk, where youth role play with a prospective cattle buyer; herdsmanship quiz, where the kids are tested on beef industry knowledge as well as their ability to read and understand EPDs; showmanship contest; judging contest; and public speaking; plus the Simmental cattle show ...
Flood of insects may spell problems for farmers, communities Recent flooding along Arkansas rivers is likely to result in a flood of insects affecting major crops and people living in communities near flooded areas, say extension experts with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Meanwhile, major delays in planting crops caused by the flooding could set farmers up for big insect problems in late summer, said Dr. Gus Lorenz, extension entomologist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Many problem insects migrate into ...
Chickens come home to roost One man within the ranks of agriculture who found a mainstream outlet willing to print the real story about the farmers' effect on food prices is the current President of the Utah Farm Bureau, Leland Hogan. In reality transporting, processing and packaging food and agricultural products cost significantly more today than in recent years. One must only look at the cost of raw agricultural products compared to food that has been further processed.
Beef processors cited for humane violations WASHINGTON (AP)--Two of the nation's largest beef processors were slapped with humane handling violations during a government review of meat providers to the National School Lunch Program, records show. Audits by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service resulted in "noncompliance" determinations for a National Beef Packing Co. plant in Dodge City, Kan., and a Cargill Meat Solutions plant in Fresno, Calif., according to information obtained by The Associated ...
Cattlemen converge on Capitol Hill for NCBA Spring Legislative About 250 cattlemen from across the United States are in the nation's capital this week for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Spring Legislative Conference. Ross explained the issues and factors that will shape the department's examination of the proposed acquisitions of Smithfield Beef and National Beef by JBS Swift. Later in the day, cattlemen met with several officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer.
Actions speak louder than words of gratitude RETURN TO NORMALCY--The Dunn Family, St. John, Kan., posed for this file photo after the May 4, 2007, tornadoes that swept through Kiowa, Stafford and Pratt counties. Brian, Jan and Leon Dunn and their family have nearly fully recovered from the effects of the storms. "We had a lot of 4-Hers and FFA members who came out to help us pick up debris and clean up the damage from the storm," explained Leon Dunn.
USDA-NRCS hosts grazing management workshop Landowners and producers will receive valuable grazing information at the first Blackland Prairie Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Coalition's Grazing Management Workshop, which will be held at the 77 Ranch located in Blooming Grove on May 16. In 2007, the 77 Ranch received the Leopold Conservation Award for their achievements in conservation and land stewardship. Sponsors for the grazing management workshop include NRCS, Texas Agrilife Extension, Dow AgroSciences, Navarro County Soil ...
Fast and furious thunderstorms leave hail, tornado damage Rye heading was at 95 percent, up 19 points from the previous week; 14 percent of the crop was in the soft dough stage. Sorghum seedbed prepared was at 61 percent and sorghum planted was at 13 percent, six points behind the five-year average. Watermelons planted were at 46 percent, doubling from the previous week's 23 percent planted, but still eight points behind normal.
Colorado feeder cattle sale Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $2 higher, instances of $3 higher. The supply was made up of 46% feeder steers, the balance was feeder heifers, with about 60% of total feeder supply over 600 pounds. Feeder heifers: Medium and large frame 1, 400 to 450 lbs., 117.00 to 117.50; 450 to 500 lbs., 108.00 to 117.50; 500 to 550 lbs., 106.00 to 111.00; 550 to 600 lbs., 100.00 to 107.00; 600 to 650 lbs., 96.00 to 105.00; 650 to 700 lbs., 96.00 to 102.00; 730 lbs., 95.00...
Wyobraska cattle sales report Steers: Auctions, Medium and large frame 1, 500 to 550 lbs., 117.00 to 134.00; 550 to 570 lbs., 117.00 to 124.00; 600 lbs., 120.50; 660 to 675 lbs., 106.00 to 115.50; 730 to 775 lbs., 99.00 to 108.25; 850 to 900 lbs., 94.00 to 101.75; 910 to 960 lbs., 93.75 to 97.25. Heifers: Auctions, Medium and large frame 1, 420 to 440 lbs., 114.50 to 119.00; 450 to 475 lbs., 103.00 to 117.50; 500 to 520 lbs., 109.00 to 115.50; 550 to 600 lbs., 105.00 to 112.25; 600 to 650 lbs., 104.50 to 107.25; 650 to ...
Questions about Colorado agriculture? "This is an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions, ask their questions, and just learn more about Colorado agriculture," said Commissioner of Agriculture, John Stulp. Members of the Colorado Agricultural Commission will also be participating. For more information on the Colorado Department of Agriculture, visit www.colorado.gov/ag.
Producers disagree over proposed changes in milk labeling TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)--Proposed changes in milk labels have Kansas producers at odds over whether the alterations are needed. The issue arose earlier this year, when legislators were considering a bill to prohibit producers from putting labels on milk saying it's free of artificial hormones. Agriculture officials have proposed allowing milk producers to continue stating on their bottles that the product is free of artificial hormones.
Iowa Cattlemen salute Earth Day and recognize 2008 Environmenta In observation of Earth Day, the Iowa Cattlemen's Association announces the winner of the 2008 Iowa Environmental Stewardship Award--Guge Family Farms of Estherville, Iowa. "Every day is Earth Day for Iowa's beef producers," said Mark Guge. "The Guges will be great representatives of the Iowa cattle industry in the national Environmental Stewardship Award program," he concluded.
Dunlap livestock sales report The Dunlap feeder cattle auction, Dunlap, Iowa, reported receipts of 3,354 head May 2, compared to 1,283 head two weeks ago, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News, Des Moines, Iowa. The trend compared to the last special feeder cattle sale held two weeks ago was $1 to $2 lower on the lighter steer calves and $2 to $6 higher on the heavier steer calves-yearlings, and $2 to $4 higher on the lighter heifer calves and $2 to $5 higher on the heavier calves-yearlings. ...
Broadleaf herbicide will help wheat growers manage resistance Dr. Dallas Peterson, Extension Weed Scientist at Kansas State University, said the product addresses several key weed-control concerns on the plains. Huskie provides good control of these species and with a different mode of action for broadleaf weed control." Huskie also provides supplemental weed control for some weed species several weeks following application, suppressing later weed flushes.
Soil moisture remains low across state Winter wheat was 71 percent jointed and 9 percent headed this week with the crop rated in mostly poor to fair condition. Spring wheat was 56 percent planted, 25 percent emerged, and in mostly fair condition. The 2008 corn crop was 38 percent planted and 3 percent emerged last week.
Salina cattle auction report Feeder steers: Medium and large frame 1, 350 to 400 lbs., 126.00 to 126.50 (126.35); 6 head, thin 362 lbs., 133.00, 400 to 450 lbs., 125.00 to 129.00 (127.36); 28 head, thin 411 to 445 lbs., 132.00 to 135.00 (134.32); 450 to 500 lbs., 125.00 to 129.00 (128.05); 500 to 550 lbs., 123.00 to 128.00 (124.16); 21 head, thin 515 lbs., 131.50; 550 to 600 lbs., 119.00 to 123.75 (121.97); 600 to 650 lbs., 118.00 to 119.85 (118.81); 650 to 700 lbs., 111.50 to 113.00 (112.15); 700 to 750 lbs., 107.50 to ...
RFD-TV to broadcast special on auctioneer championship LMA President Jim Santomaso said the Association was looking forward to bringing the contest--"an outstanding example of competitive marketing in action"--to the 31 million homes served by RFD-TV. Behind-the-scenes interviews with the contestants, past champions, market owners, livestock consignors, LMA officials and others will also be featured. LMA is North America's largest membership organization dedicated to supporting, representing and communicating with/for the entire livestock ...
Pratt 3 p.m. cattle sales Compared with last week, feeder steers 750 to 1000 pounds were $1 to $5 higher, heifers 600 to 900 pounds were $1 to $4 higher. Feeder steers: Medium and large frame 1, 29 head, 701 lbs., 111.00; 750 to 800 lbs., 106.50 to 107.75; 800 to 850 lbs., 105.00 to 107.25; 850 to 900 lbs., 102.85 to 105.50; 900 to 950 lbs., 101.75 to 104.00; 950 to 100 lbs., 95.25 to 98.00. Feeder heifers: Medium and large frame 1, 600 to 650 lbs., 105.00 to 108.00; 650 to 700 lbs., 103.00 to 105.00; 700 to 750 lbs....
Huron cattle market report Feeder steers: Medium and large frame 1, 5 head, 529 lbs., 125.00; 574 to 585 lbs., 120.00 to 123.00 (121.17); 606 to 628 lbs., 118.00 to 122.00 (119.83); 666 to 678 lbs., 115.00 to 120.00 (118.84); 701 to 707 lbs., 115.00 to 117.75 (117.10); 751 to 795 lbs., 107.75 to 112.85 (110.17); 803 to 834 lbs., 105.25 to 108.85 (107.45); 893 to 895 lbs., 101.00 to 104.25 (103.62); 914 to 948 lbs., 96.00 to 97.00 (96.55); 984 to 994 lbs., 94.10 to 98.50 (97.21); 7 head, 1040 lbs., 92.25; 1060 to 1078 ...
"Hoof it to Havre" for Stockgrowers Mid-Year Summer Meeting For the first time in years the Montana Stockgrowers Association will travel back to Havre for their Mid-Year Summer Meeting. In the evening June 13, a special Beef Quality Assurance team cattle handling and processing competition is scheduled for all MSGA members. June 14 will begin with a Ranch Tour or choose to play a round of golf at the Cow Pasture Scramble Golf Tournament at the Beaver Creek Golf Course.
Favorable weather allows for planting progress Wheat conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 8 percent excellent, above last year's 61 percent good or excellent condition. Alfalfa conditions rated 6 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 6 percent excellent, well above last year's 47 percent good or excellent condition. Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 5 percent excellent, below last year.
Clovis cattle auction report Steers: Medium and large frame 1, 250 to 300 lbs., 140.00 to 146.00; 300 to 400 lbs., 132.00 to 140.00; few 400 to 450 lbs., 131.00 to 132.00; packages 532 to 533 lbs., 117.00; package 737 lbs., 106.00. Medium and large frame 1 to 2, 250 to 300 lbs., 141.00 to 144.00; 400 to 450 lbs., 124.00 to 127.00; 450 to 500 lbs., 116.00 to 122.00; 500 to 600 lbs., 112.50 to 117.00; 600 to 700 lbs., 106.00 to 110.50; package 737 lbs., 104.00; lots 818 to 819 lbs., 102.00 to 102.50. Feeder bulls: Medium ...
Changes to the checkoff? There has been much discussion within the beef industry about potential improvements to the Beef Checkoff Program. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials recently spoke with Cattlemen's Beef Board officers about their responsibility to develop and recommend changes to the Beef Promotion and Research Act and Order to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Over the coming months, the Beef Board will request suggested improvements from more than 100 national industry organizations, state beef ...
Argentine farmers suspend strike, reprieve for president GUALEGUAYCHU, Argentina (AP)--Argentine farmers April 2 suspended a 21-day national strike over export taxes that had stripped store shelves of produce and meat. She offered concessions, including transport subsidies for distant farmers, new credits for dairy farmers and tax rebates for small soybean farmers--but the strikers had refused to back down. The government instead has offered smaller concessions to benefit at least 62,000 small farmers, including transport subsidies, credits for ...
Aberdeen cattle sales report Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $2 higher. Feeder steers: Medium and large frame 1, 14 head, 598 lbs., 129.00; 653 to 677 lbs., 113.00 to 120.00 (116.38); 753 to 783 lbs., 107.00 to 113.50 (108.68); 805 to 838 lbs., 102.50 to 109.20 (105.93); 853 to 890 lbs., 101.75 to 107.40 (104.97); 912 to 930 lbs., 97.75 to 103.50 (102.24); 950 to 987 lbs., 94.75 to 98.75 (96.10); 1003 to 1040 lbs., 94.00 to 95.80 (94.34); 54 head, 1014 lbs., 96.50 fancy; 1062 to 1069 lbs....
Staples awards $1 million to remove, control feral hogs The Texas Department of Agriculture recently awarded Texas AgriLife Extension Service $1 million for the agency's new Texas Feral Hog Control Program: Moving Towards A Long-Term Abatement Strategy. Texas is home to more than 2 million feral hogs, the largest feral hog population in the U.S., and their numbers continue to increase due to high reproductive potential and the lack of natural predators. The pilot program was administered by Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Tech ...
Springfield to host National Junior Salers Show American Salers juniors are making plans to have a kickin' good time at the 2008 American Salers Junior Association Junior National. The Missouri and Arkansas Salers Associations will host the ASJA Junior National June 24 to 28. Salers junior enthusiasts from across the country will be "Kickin' It Up In The Ozarks" at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield, M. This year's event is packed full of junior and family fun events for everyone. The ASJA is a junior association for the American ...
0512 LatAm costaRica cutlines jml -weo- COSTA RICAN FLOUR--A trailer gets loaded with wheat flour at the Molcrisa flour mill in San Jose, Costa Rica. PACKING PASTA--A worker packs lasagna noodles at the Pasta Roma Prince factory in San Jose, Costa Rica. SHIPPING PASTA--Cases of pasta sit in the Pasta Roma Prince warehouse, waiting for shipment.
0409IowaGetawaysStoryJB A world capital in northwest Iowa is unbelievable, but this world capital will make everyone happy--the Ice Cream Capital of the World. Sioux City holds much history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and has several stops around the city to remind visitors of the voyage that took place over 200 years ago. Commemorating the heroic rescue efforts shown by the Sioux City community after the crash, a memorial was built on Sioux City's riverfront.
KCA board elects new officers At a recent meeting of the Kansas Cattlemen's Association Board, The Board of Directors elected David Pfrang, as President. Pfrang is the immediate past KCA vice president and has previously held the title of treasurer. The Board elected Lee Robbins of Yates Center as Vice President, and Daryl Larson of McPherson was re-elected for his second term as Secretary/Treasurer.
Warm weather helps farmers return to fields Subsoil moisture rates 2 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus, with some slight dryness in the east central district. Winter wheat condition for the state is rated 6 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 5 percent excellent, a slight deterioration from last week. Pasture condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 6 percent excellent.
Upcoming KSU ag events Kansas State University Research and Extension is offering the following area and statewide agricultural conferences and field days to all interested persons. For more information about these, as well as more localized events, check with your local K-State Research and Extension office. --Dec. 16 and 17: Kansas Income Tax Institute, Pittsburg, 785-532-1504.
Tulsa livestock auction report Medium and large frame 2, 7 head, 300 to 345 lbs., 100.00 to 123.00 (115.45); 13 head, 370 to 390 lbs., 108.00 to 1204.00 (281.82); 403 to 445 lbs., 101.00 to 116.00 (110.56); 452 to 478 lbs., 105.00 to 113.00 (109.76); 500 to 535 lbs., 95.00 to 111.50 (106.58); 8 head, 570 to 585 lbs., 104.50 to 106.00 (104.69); 8 head, 615 lbs., 105.00; 6 head, 708 to 730 lbs., 98.00 to 103.00 (100.51). Feeder bulls: Medium and large frame 1, 13 head, 460 to 485 lbs., 110.00 to 116.00 (113.93); 11 head, ...
South Korea says U.S. beef safe amid protests SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--The South Korean government tried to assuage fears Friday over the safety of U.S. beef, while thousands of people rallied in Seoul against the coming resumption of imports. Seoul suspended U.S. beef imports in late 2003 after BSE was discovered in Washington state, cutting off what was then the third-largest overseas market for American beef. South Korean farmers have vigorously opposed imports of U.S. beef as well as the free-trade deal, fearing cheaper imports will ...
Snow hinders spring planting, livestock care The U.S. Drought Monitor continues to rate 11.6 percent of South Dakota in severe drought conditions. Planting of small grain continues to accelerate with a 26 percentage point increase in barley, to 60 percent planted; a 26 percentage point increase in oats, to 73 percent planted; and a 25 percentage point increase in spring wheat, to 75 percent planted. Corn planted, this week estimated at 10 percent, remains well behind last year and the five-year average, at 24 percent and 32 percent, ...
Snow, cool temperatures, wind prevail Range and pasture conditions decreased 1 point with 32 percent rated good and 4 percent excellent, compared with 33 percent good and three excellent last year. Eighty-two percent of the farm flock sheep and 60 percent of the range flock sheep had been shorn, about 13 points behind the five-year average. Stock water supplies were rated 75 percent adequate or better, 17 points above the five-year average when only 58 percent was adequate.
K-State professor publishes book that helps vet students learn A Kansas State University professor is co-author of a book that helps students of veterinary medicine learn about laboratory tests used to evaluate domestic mammals, from cats to cattle. Steven L. Stockham, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology at K-State, and co-author Michael A. Scott, an assistant professor at Michigan State University, have written a second edition of "Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology" available now from Blackwell Publishing. Stockham teaches ...
June tours showcase eco-friendly manure treatment systems A University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension tour June 3 or 5 will highlight how Nebraska livestock producers are minimizing their risk to the environment by installing vegetative treatment systems to handle livestock waste. Next the bus will travel to Adams to view two systems--a gravity vegetative treatment system and a sprinkler vegetative treatment system. Other project partners include: Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service, Little Blue Natural Resources District, Nebraska ...
FFA announces risk management essay winners Ten students from across the nation were named winners in the 2008 National FFA Organization Risk Management Essay Contest. The contest is offered by the National FFA Organization in partnership with the Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education.
Extension program to focus on fly control The Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Parmer County will conduct an Animal Pest Control Meeting beginning at 10 a.m. May 27 in the Bovina EMS Building. "Warm weather plus feedlots equals fly-time in our area," said Benji Henderson, AgriLife Extension agent in Parmer County. "This meeting's purpose is to bring producers and feedlot operators information on the latest and most cost-effective fly control treatments for cattle confinement lots and for fly control in general."
Cattlemen urge Congressional approval of U.S.-Colombia trade ag The National Cattlemen's Beef Association supports swift passage of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, as urged in early April in President Bush's correspondence with Congress. In 2006, Colombia agreed to open its market to all U.S. beef and beef products. The U.S.-Colombia TPA is one of the be