Audio Feature: AgriTalk interview with HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle

Audio Feature: AgriTalk interview with HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle

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Auction barn owner arrested for alleged cattle theft

Auction barn owner arrested for alleged cattle theft

Cattle Business Weekly

A 52-year-old Pierz, Minnesota man has been charged with Aggravated Grand Theft after almost 200 head of cattle were stolen from a Watertown, South Dakota auction barn earlier this year. Joe Varner was arrested Tuesday, June 23, 2009 and taken to the Ottertail County, Minnesota Detention Center. Varner was released after posting $100,000 bond.

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Baxter Black: Independence Day, The Promise of Hope

Baxter Black:  Independence Day, The Promise of Hope

July 4th. Independence Day in the United States of America; the more it changes, the more it stays the same. Our prosperity, armory diplomacy, generosity and faith in democracy is on display around the world as it has been for a hundred plus years. Iraq has stabilized but Afghanistan’s kettle still boils; every week the newspaper prints the names of soldiers who have given their lives. Sacrifice…all in the name of freedom.

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A Glimpse at the Future: 7 driving force

A Glimpse at the Future: 7 driving forces

The Cattle Business Weekly

By the year 2050, the world population, estimated to top 9 billion, will require twice as much food as today, and water demand will double – possibly stretching the "carrying capacity" of the planet. As a result of this, a second "Green Revolution" will be necessary to meet the needs of a burgeoning population, says Erik Peterson, senior vice President, Center for Strategic and International Studies.

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Researcher Looks at the Genetic Aspects of Marbling

Researcher Looks at the Genetic Aspects of Marbling

Cattle Today

Marbling drives value-based beef marketing. How to infuse enough of this quality-grade potential into herd genetics – or even how much is enough – has remained something of a mystery.

That’s partly because of the wide range of research results and advice, along with a segmented supply chain and erratic market signals.

Producers selecting for quality may already know marbling is “moderately to highly heritable,” averaging near 45 percent. Heritability is the part of the variance in an observed trait after allowing for environmental factors.

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Beef summer school in session

Beef summer school in session

Drovers

The bell rang and class was in session at Texas Tech University where over 20 students recently participated in the first-ever Beef 706 designed entirely for Texas youth. The checkoff-funded class provided an overview of the beef industry and a hands-on learning experience on beef quality.  For 20 years the program has been educating producers about the factors impacting the safety and quality of beef.

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Re-think Approach to National Animal ID

Re-think Approach to National Animal ID

Jim Dickrell, editor Dairy Today

Beef Today

In a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, two Minnesota ag authorities are urging that the discussion be re-shaped with states, rather than USDA, taking the lead on animal identification. 

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Harvesting quality hay

Harvesting quality hay

Ivan G. Rush

Tri State Livestock News

Rain, rain and more rain in much of the country seems to be the story which is great to see after 8-10 years of drought. The rains have been great for pastures and many comment it is the best pasture conditions they have seen in the last 15-20 years. It is also great to see that there should be ample irrigation water as the reservoirs are at a good level for this time of year.

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New campaign promotes Benefits of conventional beef production

New campaign promotes Benefits of conventional beef production

Tri State Livestock News

A group of animal health manufacturing executives is launching a marketing campaign touting the economic and environmental benefits of conventional beef production, over those of grass-only or natural beef production systems. The Growth Enhancement Technology Information Team (GET IT) said the program will provide beef producers with facts about the “eco-friendly and economical” benefits of conventional beef production.

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For Farmers, Cap and Trade is a Permanent Drought Season

For Farmers, Cap and Trade is a Permanent Drought Season

The Heritage Foundation

Economists at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Data Analysis are digging deeper into the effects of the Waxman-Markey climate change legislation that includes a cap and trade plan to reduce carbon dioxide by 17 percent below 2005 levels in 2020 and by 83 percent below 2005 levels in 2050. Today’s victim: Farmers.

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New building ‘feeds’ beef cattle research

New building ‘feeds’ beef cattle research

A combination of academic, industry and legislative efforts have created a premier research cattle feeding facility at the Texas AgriLife Research and U.S. Department of Agriculture complex near Bushland.

The $450,000 facility was dedicated on June 29.

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Auction raises $7,300 for Beef to Schools program

Auction raises $7,300 for Beef to Schools program

ED MERRIMAN

Baker City Herald

Nearly 250 ranchers and townspeople came together for a dinner and auction Friday that raised $7,300 for the Baker County Livestock Association’s Beef to Schools program.

“We couldn’t have been any more pleased with the community support. A lot of business people around town donated things for the auction and bought things to help us raise $7,300,” said Dan Forsea, Livestock Association president.

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NE Farm Bureau requests federal help for livestock farmers

NE Farm Bureau requests federal help for livestock farmers

Ken Anderson   
Brownfield Network

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is calling on USDA to take steps to help struggling beef, dairy and pork producers.

Among their requests is that USDA make meat commodities the main target for export sales, through the Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs.  Another request is to use unobligated funds to increase Farm Service Agency loan guarantees for livestock producers, giving them access to private capital to remain in business.

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Farm Groups Still Wrangle with Climate Bill

Farm Groups Still Wrangle with Climate Bill

Jeanne Bernick,

AGWEB.com

A sweeping climate change bill that passed in the House of Representatives last Friday remains a source of contention among some agricultural groups.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 will require major U.S. sources to reduce carbon emissions by 17% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels and allows farmers to fully participate in a carbon offset program, which permits payment for farm activities that help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

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Confidentiality is major NAIS concern

Confidentiality is major NAIS concern

Ken Anderson Brownfield Network

The 14^th and final National Animal Identification System (NAIS) listening session was held just outside of Omaha Tuesday.  As with previous sessions, there was very little support for a mandatory program.

One of the major objections to NAIS is confidentiality.   Ken Pruismann of Rock Valley, Iowa, president of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, says it’s a big concern with his group’s members.

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