🔒 Strengthening Security

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NEWS

🔒 Strengthening Security

🔒 Strengthening Security - The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), tasked with safeguarding national security, now extends its focus to food security, including foreign acquisitions of agribusinesses. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) advocated for adding the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS, ensuring agricultural representation. This step reinforces the link between national and food security, with NCBA continuing to advocate for the recognition of food security as national security. 

🎥 The Space Between Us - Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma Beef Councils partnered for a successful campaign, yielding nearly 4 million views at the NFR. Themed "The space between us brings us together," the campaign celebrated beef producers and consumers. Molly McAdams, TBC's EVP, highlighted reaching non-agricultural consumers. Using a TV ad with Red Steagall's voiceover and digital marketing, the campaign showcased beef's heritage and recipes. 

🐄 No Bird Flu in Beef - The Meat Institute assures the public of beef safety after USDA confirms Avian Influenza in dairy cows. Julie Anna Potts, Meat Institute's CEO, cites CDC and USDA experts confirming beef safety. They pledge support for disease prevention and urge adherence to international standards. The Meat Institute ensures food safety through rigorous programs, and USDA's surveillance tracks Avian Influenza. 

🇲🇽 Made in Mexico - The U.S. cattle and beef trade with Mexico has transformed over the years, with Mexico now a major source of beef imports. Live cattle imports from Mexico, mainly feeder cattle, have remained steady, averaging over 1 million head annually for 40 years. In 2023, imports surged by 43% from a low in 2022, influenced by factors like cattle numbers, prices, and market conditions. Relative to the U.S. calf crop, Mexican cattle imports average around 3.2%. The U.S. exports live cattle to Mexico, primarily breeding animals.

💉 Vaccine Victory - Louisiana State University researcher Dr. Shafiqul Chowdhury has engineered a revolutionary vaccine against bovine respiratory disease (BRD), a major threat to the U.S. cattle industry. Unlike current vaccines, this single-virus approach offers enhanced safety and efficacy, addressing the shortcomings of existing treatments. The new vaccine is cost-effective, avoids adverse effects, and eliminates the risk of vaccine virus circulation in cattle populations. Chowdhury's patents, backed by LSU, signal a potential game-changer for the industry.

💻 Beefing Up Productivity - The growing mature weight of beef cows in the U.S. prompts a focus on efficiency and sustainability in cow-calf production. Sire selection for mature cow size, influenced by heritable traits, is key. Additionally, crossbreeding programs exploit heterosis to boost fertility and maternal performance. Well-designed systems can increase pounds of calf weaned by up to 25%. Effective management is vital for maximizing benefits. Strategic breeding decisions offer a path to enhancing both mature cow size and productivity in beef cattle operations.

💰 EID Endowment - A $15 million funding allocation for electronic identification tags for cattle has garnered praise from industry leaders. This initiative aims to enhance traceability efforts without imposing financial burdens on producers. Emphasizing data protection, Wilkinson assures that information collected will be solely used for disease traceability purposes. The funding underscores the industry's commitment to preventing industry shutdowns during outbreaks, highlighting the importance of a voluntary national traceability system endorsed by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA).

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

CattleMax Team Calving Kit

'Tis the season! Be ready for all your calving needs with a well thought out calving kit. But what should that include? Find out what tools the CattleMax team recommends.

The Four Pathogens Behind BRD

Understanding Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) and its pathogens is crucial for effective management, reducing costs, and maintaining calf health. BRD is caused by four main pathogens: Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis. Recognizing their distinct clinical signs empowers producers to safeguard their herds effectively, according to Nathan Meyer, PhD, DVM, of Boehringer Ingelheim.

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