News Update
Nov. 9, 2009

The Genetic Effect

Genetic change in the cattle business is a slow and steady process, but evidence shows it’s happening, and that it’s positive for beef quality.

A recent research review notes, “Quantifying the genetic impact is difficult, but it is definitely a factor in the trend toward higher quality grade.”

That paper, written by Larry Corah and Mark McCully of Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB), examines the factors that have driven quality grades up, ending a 30-year decline. By this summer 60.1% of cattle in the nation’s harvest mix were grading Choice, a 7.5-percentage-point leap in just two years. Read more.

Boyle Defends Food Safety Progress on Good Morning America

The meat industry has made great strides during the past decade in reducing E. coli-related illnesses, says American Meat Institute (AMI) President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle, who appeared on “Good Morning America” today.

The segment, which focused on E. coli in ground beef, was the first in a three-part series, “What’s in Your Food?”

“You have to recall we are dealing with a fresh product,” Boyle said. “But as we have tried to comply with zero-tolerance standards, we’ve made enormous progress over the last 10 years.”

During the segment, six packages of 100% ground beef patties purchased at major supermarket chains in Seattle were taken to IEH Laboratories, one of the meat industry’s largest independent testing labs. Lab tests reported that meat from at least four cows had been found in each hamburger patty tested.

Boyle then proceeded to explain the reason that hamburger often contains meat from multiple sources.

“Our ground beef supply is a combination of different types of meat in proportion to certain levels of fat,” Boyle said. “So one has to have multiple sources of the raw material to make the finished product that Americans enjoy so much.”

Also appearing in the segment was Elizabeth Hagan, chief medical officer with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) who said the key to preventing E. coli-related illness is in the cooking.

“The safest way to ensure that your meat is properly cooked is to use a meat thermometer,” Hagen said.

To view the segment in its entirety, click here: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/meat-safe-ecoli-dr-richard-besser-tips/story?id=9029942.

— Release by AMI.

Profitable Strategies to Highlight Cattlemen’s Update

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) will host its annual Cattleman’s Update from Jan. 4-8 in various Nevada communities and through interactive video.

The workshops, also sponsored by the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), Pfizer Animal Health and the Nevada Cattleman’s Association, will focus on beef cow management strategies that help ranchers improve their bottom line while maintaining quality.

The featured speaker for the three-hour workshops will be Tom Geary, a USDA animal scientist who will discuss nutritional and reproductive management of beef cows. David Thain, a veterinarian with Cooperative Extension, will discuss animal health strategies for beef cattle and UNCE beef specialist Ben Bruce will discuss range management strategies that help boost profits. Ron Torell, a UNCE livestock specialist, will discuss management strategies of beef cows that pay and adhere to the standards of the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. Incoming Cattlemen’s Association president Ron Cerri will also speak briefly on current issues affecting the beef industry in Nevada. At most locations, a local veterinarian will be on hand to discuss animal health issues of community concern.

“I encourage ranchers to bring their entire crew to the program, including spouse and working-age children, and anyone who wants to learn more about management strategies for beef cattle that pay and are BQA friendly,” Torell said.

Torell said the information presented will help Nevada ranchers remain successful in “a global market, which is currently experiencing turbulent economic times.

“Business as usual will not keep your operation above water in the future,” Torell said. “Sound management is the key to survival and the information presented here may help you stay afloat through this tumultuous period.”

Here are the dates, times and locations for the workshops:

• Monday, Jan. 4, 10 a.m., Washoe County Extension Office, Reno.
  (Interactive video sites: Eureka Extension Office; Caliente Extension Office; Tonopah Extension Office; Logandale Extension Office, Lovelock Extension Office and Klamath Falls, Ore., Extension office. All sites are tentative. Please call Thain for verification at 775-784-1377.
  
• Monday, Jan. 4, 6 p.m., Multipurpose Building, Fallon.
  (Refreshments sponsored by Churchill County Cattlewomen and Lahontan Valley Veterinary Clinic.)
  
• Tuesday, Jan. 5, 5 p.m., White Pine County Convention Center, Ely.
  (Dinner compliments of local sponsors.)
  
• Wednesday, Jan. 6, 12:30 p.m., Elko Convention Center, Elko.
  (Social hour follows, compliments of local sponsors.)
  
• Thursday, Jan. 7, 10:30 a.m., Humboldt County Extension Office, Winnemucca.
  (Lunch sponsored by Rose Feeds and Livestock supply and Humboldt County Cattlewomen.)
  
• Friday, Jan. 8, 10 a.m., Wellington Community Hall, Wellington.
  (Lunch and hall sponsored by Pinenut Livestock Supply and Snyder Livestock.)

Other program sponsors include Intermountain Farmer’s Association, Stockman’s Supply, Pinenut Livestock Supply, Rose Feeds and Livestock Supply, American AgCredit, Neff Mill, Snyder Livestock, Intermountain Beef Producers, Ivesco Animal Health, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Anipro, Norvartis Animal Health, TriMerit-GAM, Nevada Department of Agriculture, Lahontan Valley Veterinary Clinic and Churchill and Humboldt County Cattlewomen.

A $20 per-ranch registration fee at the door includes the popular “Red Book” and refreshments. For more information, contact program coordinators Ron Torell at 775-738-1721 or torellr@unce.unr.edu, David Thain at 775-784-1377 or Ben Bruce at 775-784-1624.

— Release by UNCE.

NCBA Urges EPA To Use Sound Science

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is criticizing flawed and inconclusive science in an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter (i.e., dust). The study was done as part of a required review of the coarse particulate matter standards.

According to NCBA Chief Environmental Counsel Tamara Thies, coarse particulate matter is nothing more than the dust kicked up by cars or trucks traveling on dirt roads, a tractor tilling a field, or cattle moving around on dirt. She said studies do not show rural dust is a health concern and regulating it would limit cattle producers’ ability to raise livestock.

EPA is suggesting a level of 12 to 15 micrograms of dust per cubic meter of air, which is below naturally occurring levels of dust throughout many Western states. Thies said if EPA were to set air standards at this level, much of the country would be over the limit. NCBA is urging EPA to reject the study and refrain from setting an air quality standard for dust lower than naturally occurring levels.

— Release by Kansas Livestock Association.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.