TheBeefSite Newsletter - 27 May 2009

Wednesday 27th May 2009

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Does Success Await in Ireland's â‚¬69m Investment Package?

Last week, Brian Cowen, Irish minister for the Department of Taoiseach, announced a â‚¬69m grant-aid investment for the beef and sheepmeat processing sector. The strategic investment plan is designed to eliminate expensive overcapacity and provide long-term sustainable employment in this critical industry.

Irish Farmers' Association President Padraig Walshe was quick to praise this as a positive development for Irish agriculture and agri-food exports, but he warned: the move must be matched with delivery by the processors of viable cattle and sheep prices for Irish farmers on a par with prices that pertain across EU markets.

Later it came to light that Dawn Meats is investing more than â‚¬35 million in these plants, of which â‚¬13.7 million comes for the Government aid package. The total proposed investment by Dawn Meats of â‚¬47.5 million represents the largest investment by any beef and lamb company in Ireland. Real confidence and good news at last.

Adam Anson

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 5 new features this week:

Animal Antibiotics, Resistance and Human Health
Antibiotics are a vital component to rearing healthy livestock, but many researchers argue that mismanaged use is having a detrimental effect on the industry, writes Adam Anson for TheCattleSite.

Ground Limestone in Beef Cattle Diets
The purpose of this article is to review existing scientific knowledge on the effect of limestone in ruminant diets, writes Lynne Dawson, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

Beef Cow Size, Efficiency and Profit
The search for the optimum beef cow is ongoing. Finding her is only somewhat less challenging than defining her, writes Scott P. Greiner, Ph.D., Extension Animal Scientist, VA Tech.

Coccidiosis in Beef Cattle - Frequently Asked Questions
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that affects cattle, sheep, goats, swine and poultry. This Alberta Government report gives answers to frequently asked questions.

Unwanted Calf Average Daily Gain
The Dickinson Research Extension Center is busy calving heifers. Thank goodness, the center only has one heifer left that is bred to a bull that will be called a noncalving ease sire, writes Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist of the North Dakota State University.