TheBeefSite Newsletter - 4 April 2012

TheBeefSite Weekly Newsletter

Wednesday 4th April 2012

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Feed Prices - A Major Concern

It has never been more true that cost effective feed is critical to livestock production. With over 70 per cent of total input costs relating back to feed in the cattle herd, feed prices have a huge impact on livestock businesses.

In Spain, drought has pushed feed prices up in the first quarter of 2012.

A lack of grass has seen feed prices increase by 12 per cent, however, the opposite is happening to the milk price paid to Spanish producers, which is decreasing.

Drought in Southern Europe is so severe that it is estimated that only 30 per cent of EU cereals will be harvested. An estimation that has left many producers worried about what effect this will have on feed prices.

In the US, an increase in corn estimated to be planted this year has led some to believe that feed costs might see a slight decline. However, planting costs have increased and as yet it is unknown how this might affect feed prices.

A number of mergers have been seen in the feed industry this week. ForFarmers Group, a Dutch company, has acquired UK company BOCM Pauls.

Feed additive company, Anpario, has acquired Meriden Animal Health Limited in the UK.

The feature "300 Days of Grazing - Reduce Supplement Needs" this week looks at how extending the numbers of days grazing, can help producers save money and increase efficiency. It also suggests stockpiling forage for when there are shortages due to drought.

Charlotte Johnston

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 4 new features this week:

300 Days of Grazing - Reduce Supplement Needs
Researchers at Arkansas University have put together an intensive programme to help producers get 300 days out of pasture. To date it has resulted in about $200,000 in direct savings to producers enrolled in the programme, reports Charlotte Johnston, TheCattleSite editor.

Developing Grass and Clover Varieties
April 2012 marks the beginning of the final year of research being undertaken on four exciting grass and clover ‘Breeding LINK’ projects at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences IBERS (Aberystwyth University). 'Breeding LINK' comprises four projects funded under the Defra Sustainable Livestock Production (SLP) LINK programme.

Dietary Sulfur on Rumen pH & Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Concentration
Using different sources of sulfur in cattle diets does not change the potential for sulfur toxicity, according to research carried out by the University of Iowa.

Bridging the US China Trade Gap
The growing US trade imbalance with China has been a major cause of concern for US policy makers, according to a study by Xiuzhi Wang, Edward A. Evans, and Fredy H. Ballen for the University of Florida.

Market Reports

» AHDB UK Market Survey - 30 March 2012
» AHDB European Market Survey - 30 March 2012

Company News

Kick-Start Respiratory Vaccination at Turnout
US - Using an intranasal vaccine at branding or summer turnout can help producers prepare calves to kick-start their fight against bovine respiratory disease (BRD), according to Dr Michael Nichols, DVM, Cattle and Equine Technical Services, Pfizer Animal Health.

Convenient Way to Grow Heavier Cattle
US - Ionophore feed additives provide a useful tool for cattle producers when added to an existing non-medicated energy, protein or mineral supplementation program. Regardless of season, including an ionophore as part of a nutritionally complete pasture supplementation program promotes increased average daily gain (ADG) — a benefit that pays off in heavier cattle.

Anpario Acquires Meriden Animal Health Limited
UK - Anpario plc, one of the leading suppliers of natural high performance feed additives to enhance health, growth and sustainability in global agriculture and aquaculture markets, has acquired Meriden Animal Health Limited.

Merial Acquires Newport Laboratories
FRANCE & US – Merial, the Animal Health division of Sanofi, has announced that it has acquired Newport Laboratories, a privately held company based in Worthington, Minnesota, and a leader in autogenous vaccines with a focus on swine and bovine production markets.

Global Beef Cattle Industry News