Is reinstatement of horse slaughter in the U.S. a good thing?

• Yes, it is best for both horse owners and humane animal treatment. : 24%
• No, these animals shouldn't be killed for food, no matter how much neglected horses suffer. : 75%
• Don't know. : 0%

Do you test for BVD PI calves in your herd?

• Yes, we feel testing is an important tool, along with vaccination and good herd biosecurity. : 16%
• No, we don't test for BVD PI calves. : 81%
• No opinion. : 2%

Which protein do you plan to have on your Thanksgiving table?

• Turkey: 66%
• Beef: 25%
• Neither: 7%
• Don't Know: 0%

Do you agree with USDA’s revised GIPSA rule?

• Yes. The original version would have harmed the industry's progress in value-based marketing. : 49%
• No. The watered-down rule doesn't protect smaller producers. :31%
• Don’t know. : 16%

As a beef producer, do you favor the U.S. ban on horse slaughter?

• Yes, it's inhumane and people shouldn’t be eating horses. : 55%
• No, the ban is bad for both horses and horse owners. : 44%
• Don’t know: 0%

To reduce deficits, should state and federal governments sell off selected public lands to raise revenue and stoke the tax base?

• Yes. These lands would be more productive under private ownership. : 75%
• No. These lands are for everyone. : 23%
• Don’t know.: 1%

Are the proposed cuts to agriculture programs a good idea?

• Yes, all sectors must play a part to help with our nation’s financial situation. : 63%
• No, agriculture underpins the health and security of the nation. : 33%
• Don’t know. : 2%

Should the U.S. government require labeling of genetically modified organisms in food and beverages?

• Yes. Consumers have a right to know. : 40%
• No. It’s a waste of money; there’s no difference between GMO and non-GMO products. : 53%
• Don’t know. : 6%

Should government regulate food choices for citizens?

• Yes, government needs to protect citizens, who can’t do it alone. : 2%
• No, it’s up to adults and parents to decide. : 95%
• I don’t know. : 1%

How much support is there among U.S. beef producers for the GIPSA marketing rule as currently proposed?

• 75-100% of producers support it: 25%
• 50-74%: 12%
• 25-49%: 16%
• 0-24% : 44%

“If the drought were to end in six months, how long will it take Texas’ cattle industry to fully recover from the drought?”

• Five years or more: 47%
• Less than five years: 39%
• Most of the cattle won't come back: 13%

Of these selected candidates, “Who do you most prefer to take on President Barack Obama in November 2012?

• Rick Perry: 36%
• Mitt Romney: 15%
• Michelle Bachmann: 4%
• Herman Cain: 12%
• Ron Paul: 18%
• None of these: 11%

Should Obama submit to Congress for approval the FTAs with South Korea, Colombia and Panama signed before he came into office?

• Yes. We need those markets: 75%
• No. We need more protections for displaced US. workers.: 20%
• Don’t know: 4%

How do you feel about USDA’s proposed rule for mandatory livestock ID?

• I favor it; we need to move forward on traceability: 41%
• I oppose it; it’s unnecessary: 54%
• Don’t know : 4%

What do you think weaned-calf (500-600 lbs.) prices will average this fall?

• $100/cwt. or less: 2%
• $101 to $149/cwt.: 62%
• $150/cwt. or higher: 30%
• Don’t have a clue: 5%

“If you had to liquidate cattle this year because of flooding or drought, what do you plan to do with the proceeds?

• Restock with cows when conditions improve: 47%
• Restock but change production models (e.g., buy stockers rather than cows): 9%
• Keep the cash; leave the business: 26%
• Reinvest the cash in another non-livestock ag enterprise: 5%
• Don’t know : 11%

What’s your opinion on the debt ceiling measure signed by President Obama?

• Happy: 3%
• Dissapointed: 87%
• Neutral: 7%
• Don't know: 2%

How do weather conditions this summer rank with your lifetime experience?

• They’re the worst I can recall: 46%
• They're bad, but I've experienced hotter summer heat waves: 32%
• This summer isn't bad at all: 17%
• We could use more heat: 3%

• In the past year, have you made direct contact with your state or federal elected officials via telephone, letter, email or social media on behalf of your beef business or industry?

  • Yes: 76%
  • No: 23%

  Should the U.S. raise its debt ceiling above the current $14.3 trillion?

  • Yes. The future of the U.S. and world economy is at stake. : 11%
  • Yes. But only with significant spending cuts. : 21%
  • No. The country must live within its means.: 66%
  • Don’t know.: 0%

  Does Barack Obama merit a second four-year term as U.S. President?

  • Yes: 8%
  • No: 90%
  • Don't know: 1%

  Have you examined or rethought your animal handling practices as a result of surreptitious videos depicting animal abuse?

  • Yes, and we found our practices are fine. : 47%
  • Yes, and we made some changes. : 31%
  • No.: 21%

  Have Extension budget cuts impacted you?

  • Major impact: 43%
  • Some impact: 23%
  • No impact: 32%

  How much impact do you think biofuels have had on your operational expenses?

  • Major impact: 76%
  • Some impact: 17%
  • No impact: 5%

  Should the U.S. beef industry be more aggressive in promoting the use of food irradiation?

  • Yes, it’s proven to be an effective, cost-effective, final step. : 88%
  • No, let’s continue to spend money finding other interventions. : 7%
  • Don’t know : 3%

  How important do you believe international beef trade is to U.S. cattle prices?

  • Essential: 76%
  • Important: 16%
  • Somewhat important: 2%
  • Not at all important: 3%

Does the mandatory U.S. COOL law constitute a trade barrier for Mexican and Canadian cattle into the U.S.?

• Yes, it’s unnecessary and just adds cost. : 49%
• No, we’re just informing consumers about their food.: 48%
• Don’t know. : 1%

What should USDA do with its GIPSA rule?

• Propose a revised rule: 2%
• Reopen the comment period once the economic analysis is released: 5%
• Go with what we’ve got: 7%
• Dump the whole thing: 82%
• Don’t know: 1%

What’s the worst thing about being in the cattle business?

• Calving season : 2%
• Winter: 9%
• Government overreach : 28%
• High fuel and feed prices : 41%
• Nothing – I love it regardless of the challenges. : 17%

What’s the best thing about being in the beef business?

• Being stewards of animals and nature: 9%
• Great lifestyle in which to raise a family: 20%
• I’m feeding the world: 2%
• I’m my own boss: 10%
• All the above: 56%

USDA is considering dropping the hot-iron brand as an official animal ID method for traceback purposes. Is this a:

• Good idea: 30%
• Bad idea: 59%
• Don't know: 2%
• Don't care: 8%

Can the U.S. livestock industry self regulate when it comes to animal treatment?

• Yes, the few sensational cases of abuse are very isolated incidents that no system would catch: 40%
• Yes, but the industry could do more. BQA certification for every producer is a start.: 45%
• No, some third-party oversight is needed.: 11%
• Don’t know. : 1%

Does your operation have an Emergency Action Plan for severe weather?

• We have a comprehensive written plan that includes personal safety and property.: 58%
• We have a plan that only focuses on property: 0%
• We have a plan that only focuses on personal safety.: 9%
• We don’t have a plan; we don’t think it’s necessary.: 6%
• We haven’t ever thought about developing a plan.: 25%

Are you planning any changes in your forage and hay program this year?

• Grow less hay, buy more: 16%
• Grow more hay, buy less: 42%
• Plan to pasture cattle year round: 18%
• No change from last year: 22%

Do you consider genomics (DNA marker data) when buying herd bulls?

• Yes, it is the main consideration: 16%
• Yes, but EPDs are still more important: 39%
• No, I don’t consider genomics data. I only look at EPDs.: 32%
• No, I don’t consider any genetic information (EPDs, genomics data, ultrasound): 11%

If you supplement stocker cattle with ionophores, how do you typically deliver it?

• As part of a total mixed ration: 34%
• As part of a pelleted supplement: 9%
• As part of a free-choice mineral mix: 36%
• As part of lick block: 14%
• Other: 4%

Do you agree or disagree with the rule?

• I’m a stocker operator and I agree: 35%
• I’m a stocker operator and I disagree: 18%
• I’m not a stocker operator and I agree: 16%
• I’m not a stocker operator and I disagree: 29%

When do you think cattle prices will return to pre-recession levels?

• This year: 40%
• Next year: 23%
• 3-5 years: 22%
• Don’t know: 14%

As the new Obama administration and Congress begin their work, do you think the costs of doing business as a U.S. beef producer will:

• Go up: 77%
• Go down: 7%
• Stay the same: 8%
• Don't know: 5%

Should USDA’s National Animal Identification System (as currently proposed) be:

• mandatory: 19%
• voluntary: 4%
• scrapped : 76%

Do you believe enactment of a law banning packer ownership of cattle and forward contracts (as proposed in the “Livestock Marketing Fairness Act”) would be:

• Good for the U.S. beef industry: 40%
• Bad for the U.S. beef industry: 49%
• Will have no effect: 2%
• Don’t know: 7%

The cost of fertilizer reached record-high levels in 2008. Will the current price of fertilizer affect how you apply it on your operation?

• Yes: 89%
• No: 10%

The Department of Justice and USDA are conducting joint workshops to discuss competition and regulatory issues in the ag industry. In your opinion, will the final result be:

• Positive for the U.S. beef industry: 14%
• Negative for the U.S. beef industry: 76%
• Don’t know: 8%

In the last year have you procured more direct-source, non-commingled calves for your stocker operation than normal?

• Yes: 38%
• No: 20%
• Doesn't apply to me: 41%

Are cattlemen or processors most responsible for controlling E. coli O157:H7 contamination in beef?

• Cattlemen: 3%
• Processors: 71%
• Both: 23%
• Don't Know: 2%

What has been the effect of ethanol-production subsidies and mandates on the U.S. cattle industry?

• Overall, it's been positive : 21%
• Overall, it's been negative : 62%
• Neutral : 10%
• Don't know: 6%

Do you agree or disagree with the rule?

• I’m a stocker operator and I agree: 3%
• I’m a stocker operator and I disagree: 18%
• I’m not a stocker operator and I agree: 14%
• I’m not a stocker operator and I disagree: 63%