📍 Tracking Traceability

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NEWS

📍 Tracking Traceability

📍 Tracking Traceability - The USDA finalized a traceability rule requiring electronic ID tags for certain groups of cattle to improve disease outbreak tracing. APHIS Administrator Michael Watson stressed the benefits, including faster response times and market preservation. The rule, amending a 2013 requirement, affects 11% of the U.S. cattle herd and allows six months for implementation preparation.

🍔 Hungry for More - Consumer beef demand remains strong in the U.S. despite supply challenges, with record prices and high demand in the first quarter of 2024. Favorable feeding conditions have boosted cattle performance, while imports surged by 32%. Drought impacts have reduced Canada's cattle inventories to their lowest levels since 1989, while Mexico has increased cattle exports to the U.S. Analysts expect continued support for beef prices amid supply shortages and increased reliance on imports.

🌾 Forage Foresight - Understanding the primary grass species consumed by livestock is vital for effective grazing management. Different species have distinct growth patterns and nutritional content, affecting optimal grazing times. Grazing before grasses reach readiness stages can reduce herbage production significantly. Strategies to optimize forage production include delaying grazing until readiness, monitoring grazing use, and providing supplemental forage if necessary. Early grazing, especially after drought, can have long-term impacts on forage production and plant health, highlighting the importance of strategic grazing management.

🥩 Silver Linings - U.S. beef exporters face challenges due to lower production and tighter supplies, but U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom sees opportunities in underutilized cuts. With support from USDA and the Beef Checkoff Program, USMEF is exploring new markets for these cuts, maximizing the value of every animal. Successes have been seen in markets like Taiwan, Korea, Mexico, and Central America, particularly with cuts from the round primal and variety meats. Halstrom emphasizes that these opportunities will persist even as beef production rebounds, allowing the industry to focus on maximizing carcass value and diversifying into multiple markets.

🏛 Cowboys at the Capitol - NCBA wrapped up its successful Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., bringing together cattle producers nationwide to engage with federal agencies and elected officials. Over 300 producers participated in 170 meetings on Capitol Hill, advocating for issues ranging from animal health and disaster relief to regulatory reform and safeguarding the Beef Checkoff program. NCBA emphasized its grassroots leadership and role as a member-driven organization, showcasing the importance of policymakers listening to real cattle producers. Discussions also centered on priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill, including animal health, disaster relief, risk management, and voluntary conservation programs.

💵 Maximizing Profits - Cattle prices are at record highs, but University of Missouri's Eric Meusch warns against complacency. He advises producers to maintain strict management practices, emphasizing essentials like consistent calving, preparing calves for market, and watching input costs. Meusch suggests investing in infrastructure and genetics for future productivity. He stresses the importance of prudent management to seize current opportunities and prepare for market changes.

🥇 Goal Setting Success - Effective goal setting is crucial for personal and professional success, providing checkpoints to assess progress and maintain momentum. Jon Acuff's "All It Takes Is A Goal" outlines three types of goals - easy, middle, and guaranteed - each contributing to the achievement of larger aspirations. These goals create a roadmap for progress and self-improvement. Learn more about upcoming webinars to help you set your goals.

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

Processing & Branding Best Practices

Discover expert tips for efficient calf processing and branding. From establishing tailored health protocols to minimizing vaccine mishandling, we've got you covered. Learn how to maintain low-stress handling practices, maximize efficiency during this crucial stage, optimize your operation and ensure the well-being of your herd.

Selecting Sires to Create Replacements

In a recent Cattle Chat podcast, experts from K-State University’s Beef Cattle Institute emphasized informed sire selection for beef producers. They highlighted the importance of using comprehensive data, including calving ease direct EPD and selection indexes, to choose bulls suitable for first-calf heifers and generating replacement heifers. Dr. Bob Weaber stressed the value of selection indexes over single-trait data points, while Dr. Bob Larson advocated for selecting bulls with high maternal indexes.

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