Beef Production in the New Era of Higher Prices and Higher Costs:

Beef Production in the New Era of Higher Prices and Higher Costs:

Do the Old Rules Apply?

John D. Lawrence, Extension Livestock Economist, and Director, Iowa Beef Center Iowa State University

Genetic progress in multiple traits is difficult when the goal is clearly defined. It is even more difficult if the goal is a moving target due to changing consumer preferences or producer-cost structure. Commercial beef producers recognize that genetic decisions should be based on long-term profitability, but they live in a short-term world where profitability varies widely from year to year due to fluctuations in input and output prices. Fed cattle prices averaged under seventy dollars from 1988-2002 and averaged over eighty-seven dollars during 2003-2008.

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2009 Range Beef Cow Symposium Dec. 1-3

2009 Range Beef Cow Symposium Dec. 1-3

The Cattle Business Weekly

Dates for one of the premiere production beef cattle symposiums in the country have been set.

This year’s XXI Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS) is Dec. 1-3 at the Casper Events Center, said Steve Paisley, University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service beef cattle specialist.

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BeefTalk: Opinions Count, But So Do Numbers

BeefTalk: Opinions Count, But So Do Numbers

Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

Variability of Net Return in the Beef Business Variability of Net Return in the Beef Business

Opinions aside, the bottom line remains the knowledge gathered from numbers.

The beef business never has been short on opinions. Good opinions and the willingness to share those opinions are the core to any dynamic, independent business.

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Trichomoniasis control

Trichomoniasis control

Bob Larson

Angus Journal

Trichomoniasis or “trich” is a disease of cattle, and although historically considered more common in the western U.S., it is an important cause of early pregnancy loss and open cows in all parts of the country.

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Neb. rancher now facing 149 animal cruelty counts

Neb. rancher now facing 149 animal cruelty counts

Capital Press

Morrill County Attorney Jean Rhodes has filed an amended complaint against a western Nebraska rancher, charging him with 149 felony counts of abandonment and cruel animal neglect resulting in injury or death.

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A new marketing information tool

A new marketing information tool

The Cattle Business Weekly

CattleCo Marketing and Promotions has launched a new marketing information tool for buyers and consignors to easily source information on a livestock markets website. Local livestock auctions, usually conducted on a weekly basis, are the backbone of a local farming and ranching community.

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Checkoff’s Producer Website Aims to Inform

Checkoff’s Producer Website Aims to Inform

Cattle Today

When it comes to their own operations, producers largely believe the checkoff program has benefited them, and about seven in 10 think that the checkoff helped contribute to their profitability over the years. That’s according to a checkoff-funded producer attitude survey conducted by an independent research company in January. One key to success? Ongoing communications to producers about programs funded by their beef checkoff investment.

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Ohio FB Plans Animal Dialog

 Ohio FB Plans Animal Dialog

Illinois Farm Bureau

Today, the debate over animal welfare is about emotion, emotion, emotion, according to Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) Executive Vice President Jack Fisher.

OFBF hopes to bring reason to the debate while exploring emotions associated with consumers and their food. Fisher reported the organizations new Center for Food and Animal Issues plans to engage in discussion, public relations, awareness about these issues by bringing together livestock producers, consumers, pet and horse owners, medical researchers, sports enthusiasts, zoo supporters, hunger advocates, and animal welfare groups.

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Struggling beef farmers told to reconsider career path if they’re not making money

Struggling beef farmers told to reconsider career path if they’re not making money

HARRY SULLIVAN

The Truro Daily News

Telling struggling beef farmers they should leave the industry if they cannot make a profit was not exactly the news they wanted to hear.

But that is precisely the message some participants at an agriculture candidates’ forum at the cattle auction facility in Murray Siding came away with after listening to outgoing Colchester Musquodobit Valley MLA Brooke Taylor.

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U.S. beef industry supports Korea FTA

U.S. beef industry supports Korea FTA

The Korea Herald

The U.S. beef industry said Thursday that it supports the ratification of a pending free trade deal with South Korea, as Seoul’s current ban on shipments of beef from older cattle does not undermine U.S. marketing in the East Asian nation, according to Yonhap News.

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It’s Beef Month in Iowa

It’s Beef Month in Iowa

The Messenger

Gov. Chet Culver has officially proclaimed May as Beef Month in Iowa.

For many of us, every month is a time to partake of a food that ranks high on the list of culinary favorites.

It’s no secret that Americans have a love affair with beef. That’s been true for generations and the demand for this tasty and healthy product is on the rise – up about 15 percent in the last decade.

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Carroll County couple builds farm, family

Carroll County couple builds farm, family

Kristy Foster

Farm and Dairy

The story of one family’s cattle farm started when two college sweethearts met through their love of agriculture.

Todd and Kim Davis first met at the American Royal, a national livestock show held in Kansas City, Kan., while both were in high school and then they reconnected while attending The Ohio State University.

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Keeping cows happy and still eat [organic grassfed] beef

Keeping cows happy and still eat [organic grassfed] beef

Natalie Rotunda

Examiner.com

When I was a kid growing up in Illinois, six nights a week my Mom served us delicious dinners of chicken, pork, beef roasts, and hamburgers. She met meat, loved it, and passed on the love to my siblings and me.

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Wyoming Indian tribe selling beef to Whole Foods

Wyoming Indian tribe selling beef to Whole Foods

CATHERINE TSAI

Dallas Morning News

The Northern Arapaho Tribe has agreed to sell beef raised on its 595,000 certified organic acres in Wyoming to Whole Foods Market Inc., its first major retail customer.

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Normal Calving & The Three Stages Of Parturition

Normal Calving & The Three Stages Of Parturition

cattlenetwork.com

If the calf is normally presented (Figure 1) and the pelvic area is large enough, the vast majority of animals will give birth without assistance. Recognizing a normal calving is just as important as knowing when a calving is abnormal. This way you will not give help when it is not needed.

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