TheBeefSite Newsletter - 28 September 2011

Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Lighter Cattle Reflects Smaller Calf Crop

The USDA's cattle on feed inventory showed sharp declines compared to previous estimates.

Although placements were lower, cattle marketings in August were 6.5 per cent more than a year ago.

Whilst the number of lightweight cattle has increased significantly compared to this time last year, there was a large decline in the number of heavier cattle placed on feed.

Market analysts put this down to producers placing cattle on feed a lot earlier than normal - reflecting the smaller calf crop.

Declining US corn yield forecasts are expected to put continuing upward pressure on North American feedgrain prices.

With each month the USDA has been dropping the forecast lower and spectators doubt that the US corn crop will be over 150 bushels per acre.

This uncertainty has increased the value of all cereals in North America, says Stuart McMillan from the Canadian Wheat Board.

Draft proposals for the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) fall short of improving animal welfare, says Eurogroup for Animals.

The group says that the Commission does not respect its commitment from 2005 to stop granting subsidies for live cattle exports to third countries, and therefore associated welfare problems caused by long distance travel will continue.

In Italy there has been 13 outbreaks of anthrax in the region of Basilicata. To date 38 cattle have died. The source of the disease is unknown however strict movement controls have been put in place to prevent further outbreaks.

Charlotte Johnston

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 5 new features this week:

Effects Of Southern Plains Drought On Cattle Industry
The southern plains states have been stricken with a severe drought and the liquidation of cattle out of Texas, Oklahoma and other dry southern states has made some extra ordinary impacts on the cattle markets, writes Shane Ellis, Department of Economics, Iowa.

A Urine Creatinine Excretion Model For Beef Steers
Researchers from the University of New England have developed a more efficient model to predict creatinine excretion from lightweight beef steers, to help assess their metabolic state.

Variables That Influence Outcomes Of AI Programmes
Sandy Johnson from K-State Research and Extension looks at what factors can impact a cow's ability to respond with high fertility to synchronisation protocols.

Canadian Cattle Statistics Second Quarter 2011
The Canadian cattle herd is down 0.8 per cent for the second quarter of 2011, in comparison to the same quarter in 2010, reports Statistics Canada.

Australia – Livestock and Products Annual 2011
Australia appears to have fully recovered from the severe drought which started in 2002 and began to end with widespread, soaking rains on Christmas day 2009, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Company News

Focus On BVD ‘Eradication Dividend’, Not Difficulties
UK - National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) president, Nigel Miller, has urged cattle breeders and feeders to focus on the dividends of bovine viral diarrhea (BVDv) eradication rather than its difficulties.

KenoTsan: Deep Cleaning & Strong Adherence Power
BELGIUM - KenoTsan combines a deep cleaning and extremely strong adherence power at very low concentrations. The new and unique technology ensures an unprecedented cleaning in all circumstances.

Asia Distributors Gather For Annual Meeting
SINGAPORE - The annual distributor meeting of Asia took place in the vibrant city of Singapore in August 2011.

Global Beef Cattle Industry News