News Update

January 4, 2013

Wholesale Beef Demand Sends Signals

Producing the most nutritious food in the world doesn’t count for much if you don’t have any buyers. Luckily for cattlemen who target high-quality beef, that’s clearly not an issue.
Those who purchase meat for foodservice and retail outlets say they want the highly marbled beef, because that’s what their customers want.

“We sell to people who are going to cook product and please guests — they’re not buying for themselves and they’re not shopping for price,” says Mort Kent, U.S. Foods of Denver, Colo. “They have a reputation to uphold and their customers expect consistency and quality, and they’re willing to pay for it.”

A recent analysis of Urner Barry wholesale beef pricing data supports that claim. During the two years from July 2010 to July 2012, the value difference between USDA Choice and Select grade beef was $62.31 on an average 830-pound (lb.) carcass.

The wholesale price for the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand over Select was more than double that at $127.10. That’s $15.31 per hundredweight (cwt.). The analysis is part of an updated “Black Ink Basics” technical report from CAB.

For more information and the full release, click here.

— Adapted from a release by the American Angus Association.

Deadline Approaching To Apply For Angus Foundation's
YCC Sponsorship

The Angus Foundation will again nominate and sponsor an American Angus Association member between the ages of 25 and 50 to attend the 2013 Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) — the beef industry and tour sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

Sponsorship and program nomination is granted to an active Association and NCBA member using an application process. Applications for the conference are now available by clicking here and should be returned to the Angus Foundation no later than Jan. 7, 2013. Learn more about the YCC and the program’s educational and networking opportunities at www.beefusa.org.

— Adapted from a release by the Angus Foundation.

UNL Extension Mid-Plains BEEF Session Jan. 31 Focuses on Drought

University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Extension’s Mid-Plains BEEF Educational Series will conduct a special Jan. 31 session on pasture and forage drought-management tips for cow herds at the UNL Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead, Neb.

The 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. session will draw on the expertise of Rick Rasby, UNL extension beef specialist; Bruce Anderson, UNL extension forage specialist; and Monte Vandeveer, Lindsay Chichester, Jessica Jones, Darci Pesek, Monte Stauffer and Steve Tonn, UNL extension educators; to share their farm management and beef cattle expertise with participants.

The program is designed for producers, veterinarians or others involved in the beef industry. This special session will deal with how to manage pastures and forages through the drought, management options for cow herds in dealing with the drought and the use of pasture insurance as a risk management tool.

Participants will learn more about managing drought-stressed cool- and warm-season grass pastures, pasture weed management strategies, fertilizing pastures, pasture insurance as a risk management tool, culling cows, early weaning calves, and pregnancy checking cows.

Time will also be allotted to visit with the speakers on an individual or small group basis.

Registration of $60, which covers educational materials, noon meal and breaks is requested by Jan. 24.

— Adapted from a release by University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension.

K-State’s Ag Profitability Conferences to Cover Range of Topics

A range of topics, from beef cattle profitability to crop insurance to employee management and more will be covered during Kansas State University’s Ag Profitability Conferences planned for several locations around the state in January and February.

Presentations vary by location, and include such topics as beef and cattle economic market outlook; crop profitability outlook for 2013; human resources: managing employees; update on 2012 farm bill; crop insurance and the 2012 drought; 2012-2013 farmland cash rental rates in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado; and many others.

For specific information on the agenda at each location or to register, go to Ag Profitability Conferences or contact the extension agent listed for your preferred location.

For dates, locations and contact information for each site, click here.

— Adapted from a release by the K-State Research and Extension News

When Do Farmers Need Energy Audits on Their Farms?

In general, it’s a good idea for farmers to look at energy use on their farm every five years and consider opportunities to reduce energy consumption, says Don Day, energy extension associate for University of Missouri Extension.

However, the need for an energy audit may vary from farm to farm, Day said. For example, if you already had an energy audit conducted on your farm, even if it was five or more years ago, it will continue to provide accurate information regarding potential energy savings until you make changes that affect energy usage.

“A new audit may also be in order if energy prices change or there is an additional energy alternative that a farmer is considering using that was not addressed initially,” he said.

Changes in energy prices can alter payback periods, he added. “We have seen changes in the relative prices of energy sources over the past few years that will change what fuel a farmer might use.” However, he notes, it generally doesn’t pay to change the type of fuel you are using unless a piece of equipment such as a furnace or an engine needs to be replaced.

For more information and the full release, click here.

— Adapted from a release by University of Missouri Extension.

— Compiled by Kelli Fulkerson, intern, Angus Productions Inc.