BEEF Magazine

2012 Food Trends To Watch

djohnson — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:51:27 +0000

Source: Food, Nutrition And Science

2011 brought us higher food prices at unprecedented levels, crops and livestock destroyed by global weather catastrophes, nations at war over the lack of food supplies and more food recalls from unique points of origin.

Are Family Farms Dying?

AmandaRadke — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:58:29 +0000

KSPR 33

The family farmer is a dying breed, according to USDA. Every year the agency reports a decline in the number of farming operations across the country, and it's a problem in Missouri, too. Between 2009 and 2011, Missouri lost 1,500 farms and 200,000 acres of farmland.

Earning Her Keep, Cow Has Quadruplets

AmandaRadke — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:18:05 +0000

Daily Republic

If there were a lottery for cattle producers, Keith Sistad just won it.
One of the Red Angus beef cows on his ranch near Fosston, MN, gave birth to four calves, all of which are healthy.

“I’ve never heard of quads before in cattle,” says Sistad. “And to have all the calves doing well makes it so much better.”

East Coast Group Ranks South Dakota Least Humane State

AmandaRadke — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:49:01 +0000

Rapid City Journal

The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) considers South Dakota the least humane state in the nation, partly because the state does not have a number of recommended farming restrictions.

Do You Support McDonald’s Stance On Gestation Crates?

AmandaRadke — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:38:21 +0000

As a cattle producer, I’m proud that today’s beef industry looks much the same as it did 100 years ago. Cattle drives are still commonplace. Ranchers still rely on horses to work the herd. Cattle spend much of their time on rolling pastures. And, the cowboy spirit is alive and well.

BEEF Daily

Significant Changes Coming In Estate Taxes

jmay — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:43:03 +0000

Unless Congress does something to change it by Dec. 31, the per-person exemption from estate taxes is set to take a big plunge in 2013. Individual exemptions will drop from $5 million to $1 million.

Smaller Yards Selling Corn Rather Than Feeding Cattle

jmay — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:36:28 +0000

Reflecting on the January 1 cattle numbers released by USDA, analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) said last week that further downsizing of the cattle feeding sector is expected in 2012.

Prices Could Delay Beef Industry Expansion

jmay — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:18:21 +0000

“Despite a very positive outlook from the cow-calf producers’ perspective, it is not clear that larger cattle inventories are in fact economically sustainable from an overall industry profit perspective,” say USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) analysts in last week’s monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook.

Reasons for the ERS assessment include negative margins for cattle feeders and beef packers, as well as potential consumer resistance to higher retail beef prices.

Wary Optimism Prevails In Cattle Markets

jmay — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:09:49 +0000

Bullish cattle futures Thursday and Friday, as well as the brisk upturn in fed cattle prices Friday should ofer some firm underpinning to the start of the week. At the same time, there continues to be plenty of wariness about the whereabouts of "too high."

NCBA President J.D. Alexander Praises Implementation Of KORUS FTA

jmay — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:41:09 +0000

National Cattlemen's Beef Association

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced Tues., Feb. 21, 2012, that the free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea (KORUS FTA) will be implemented on March 15, 2012. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President J.D. Alexander praised the announcement.