News Update
June 23, 2014
Pennsylvania Cattleman Urges EPA to Withdraw Anti-Conservation Rule
June 19, 2014, Andy Fabin, cattle producer and farmer from Indiana, Pa., testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, Commerce and Forestry, regarding the impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ “interpretive rule” on the Normal Farming and Ranching exemptions under Sec. 404 of the Clean Water Act.
“As a farmer, my willingness to implement voluntary conservation practices has been greatly diminished, despite my desire to improve and protect the waters on my farm,” said Fabin, who raises cattle and farms 3,500 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and rye. “If the interpretive rule remains in place, farmers and ranchers across the country will slow their adoption of conservation practices.”
Coupled with the proposed rule expanding the jurisdictional reach of the EPA and the Corps under the Clean Water Act, the interpretive rule will increase liability for farmers and ranchers. For property owners like Fabin, the ephemeral streams, ponds and ditches found across their pastures would fall under the EPA and the Corps’ jurisdiction and would require permits for any activities taking place on the land. While the agencies have exempted 56 farming and ranching practices, as long as they meet the specific Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) standards, any deviation from these standards can result in fines of up to $37,500 per day.
“EPA, the Corps and now even the NRCS would have me believe that, despite the expanded definition, all the activities that take place on my farm are exempted,” said Fabin. “This is, at a minimum, a negligent mischaracterization, and, more likely, an intentionally deceptive tactic being used to pacify the agricultural community. Not all agricultural activities are exempted under the Clean Water Act, and this proposal would expand the number of farming activities that need permits, requiring many farmers like myself to seek 402 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits or 404 Dredge and Fill permits.”
According to the EPA, the 56 exempted practices, including prescribed grazing, were chosen because they have the potential to discharge if they are done in a “water of the U.S.” This effectively makes grazing a discharge activity, and cattle producers will now be required to obtain a permit to graze unless they have an NRCS-approved grazing plan.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Higher Beef Prices Prompting Some Producers to
Consider Expanding
While the declining number of beef cattle nationwide has meant higher costs for consumers, the resulting higher prices that producers are fetching may likely encourage them to expand their herds, says a beef expert with the Ohio State University (OSU) College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
According to the recently released 2012 Census of Agriculture, the nation’s beef cow herds have dropped to 28.9 million head, a decline of 3.8 million from 2007, said John Grimes, beef coordinator for OSU Extension.
The number of farms with beef cows has also declined to 727,906 with an average herd size of 39.8 cows, compared to 764,984 farms with an average herd size of 42.9 in 2007, according to census data, Grimes said.
The decline in beef cattle is thanks, in part, to severe to exceptional drought conditions in much of the Southeast, he said. That’s led to a strong demand for young steers and heifers, also known as feeder cattle, which this month at one point were fetching $2.095 per pound (lb.) for August delivery on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
In addition, lower feed costs — and the fact that some older producers are taking advantage of the record cattle prices and dispersing their herds — are leading many producers to see these market signals as a sign to expand their herds, Grimes said.
“Recent data suggests that this is beginning to occur nationwide, as fewer heifers are being placed in feedlots and being retained as replacements,” he said.
While some producers may want to increase the size of their herds, the cost to do so is high, Grimes said.
“There is cautious enthusiasm among producers, but what holds us back is the long-term nature of livestock production. The lengthy production cycle of 15 to 18 months to get a calf from birth to market is what complicates the decision on herd expansion,” said Grimes.
Producers also have some concerns that high beef prices could cause consumers to cut back on beef spending. Beef prices hit a record-high $5.87 per lb. in April, an increase from $5.22 the same time last year.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Hay & Forage Expo June 25 & 26 Boone, Iowa
Come to central Iowa for the nation’s largest hay event, the Hay & Forage Expo. Located in Boone, Iowa, on the same grounds as the Farm Progress Show, the Hay & Forage Expo is the best place to see the latest hay and forage equipment.
Iowa State University (ISU) will sponsor educational programs during the lunch hour both days of the Expo.
On Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., Elwynn Taylor, ISU Extension climatologist, will present the weather outlook for 2014 and beyond.
On Thursday at 12:30 p.m., Matt Dar, ISU assistant professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, will discuss corn stover and what you need to know about managing and selling biomass to a cellulosic biorefinery. Darr’s research emphasis includes equipment development for enhanced densification and logistics for cellulosic biomass feedstock, optimized storage and material upgrading for long-term biomass feedstock stability, and machinery automation to support both biomass feedstock collection and optimal fertilizer placement.
The Hay & Forage Expo is a demonstration intensive event. Don’t miss this chance to compare equipment working in the fields.
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Fence Building, Cattle Working Demonstrations Featured at Beef Cattle Short Course
Cattle operations require good fences, and learning how to build and carry out their maintenance will be one of several featured demonstrations at the 60th Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, scheduled for Aug. 4-6 on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station.
The fencing demonstration will be one of five demonstrations scheduled Aug. 6, said Jason Cleere, conference coordinator and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist.
“Building new fence for a cattle operation is a time-consuming investment,” Cleere said. “This year’s short course will show attendees the different types of materials used in building a fence, how to get longevity out of a fence, and tips on stretching and tightening different types of wire.”
Also scheduled are cattle working demonstrations, which will focus on gathering cow-calf pairs, sorting calves and processing according to Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) principles. The session will demonstrate proper cattle handling practices, vaccination procedures, castration, dehorning and parasite control.
“Beef cattle producers can add even more profits on top of receiving current premium market prices by adopting simple things such as castration and vaccinating calves,” Cleere said. “This adds value to your investment, and you will be rewarded when you go to market these calves.”
Other sessions scheduled Aug. 6 include a Brush Busters demonstration, a beef carcass-quality demonstration and beef cattle business-management workshop. A private pesticide applicators training session is also scheduled.
R.C. Slocum, former Texas A&M head football coach and central Texas rancher, will be one of the featured speakers during the general session on Aug. 4. Slocum will discuss winning and losing in the cattle business, giving first-hand perspectives on the challenges of ranching in today’s economic climate.
Brian Bledsoe, meteorologist with Southern Livestock Standard, will provide a long-term weather outlook. Gary Smith, visiting professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M, College Station, will provide an overview of how the cattle business has changed in the past 25 years, while Bill Mies, visiting professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M, will discuss future opportunities for beef producers through 2025.
An industry trade show will be hosted during the event, featuring more than 130 agricultural businesses and service exhibits.
Registration is $180 per person and includes educational materials, a copy of the 600-page Beef Cattle Short Course proceedings, trade show admittance, admission to the prime rib dinner, lunches, breakfasts and daily refreshments.
Registration information and a tentative schedule was mailed to previous participants in May, but also can be found on the short course website at http://beef.tamu.edu.
Producers can also register by contacting Cleere’s office at 979-845-6931.
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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