The Angus Journal is a monthly magazine known for in-depth coverage of American Angus Association programs and services; the Angus business; herd management techniques; and advertising reflecting genetics herd philosophies.
Issue link: http://angusjournal.epubxp.com/i/435083
158 n ANGUSJournal n January 2015 Livestock slaughter: red-meat production down 4% from last year According to the Livestock Slaughter report released by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural Statistics Board Nov. 20, 2014, commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.32 billion pounds (lb.) in October, down 4% from the 4.51 billion lb. produced in October 2013. Beef production, at 2.17 billion lb., was 6% below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.64 million head, down 9% from October 2013. The average live weight, at 1,355 lb., was up 28 lb. from the previous year. Veal production totaled 7.7 million lb., 22% below October a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 43,300 head, down 38% from October 2013. The average live weight was up 59 lb. from last year, at 304 lb. Pork production totaled 2.13 billion lb., down 2% from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.95 million head, down 4% from October 2013. The average live weight was up 8 lb. from the previous year, at 286 lb. Lamb and mutton production, at 13.4 million lb., was up 2% from October 2013. Sheep slaughter totaled 207,700 head, slightly below last year. The average live weight was 129 lb., up 3 lb. from October a year ago. January to October 2014 commercial red- meat production was 39.5 billion lb., down 4% from 2013. Accumulated beef production was down 6% from last year. Learn more by viewing the Nov. 21, 2014, Angus Journal Daily archive at www.api-virtuallibrary.com/eList-archive/. Source: USDA-NASS. More than 200 groups urge Congress to continue supporting COOL On Dec. 2, 207 groups representing farm, ranch, consumer and manufacturing groups, joined in a letter that urges U.S. Senate leaders to continue supporting the U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law that is currently under attack by the governments of Canada and Mexico at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The group's letter specifcally urges Congress not to weaken, suspend or rescind COOL in the upcoming legislation to provide funding for the federal government in FY 2015. The group's letter follows on the heels of a bipartisan letter sent by 32 Senators that likewise urged Senate leaders not to weaken or suspend COOL in the FY 2015 appropriations process. Canada and Mexico challenged the U.S. COOL law at the WTO, alleging that livestock from their respective countries were being treated less favorably than domestic livestock under the new requirement that muscle cuts of meat be labeled so consumers will know where the animal from which the meat was derived was born, where it was raised and where it was harvested. In October, the WTO agreed with Canada and Mexico and concluded that some U.S. meatpackers were either opting not to purchase foreign livestock or they were discounting foreign livestock. The Offce of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) appealed the WTO ruling. A decision on the appeal is not expected until well into 2015. Source: R-CALF USA. USDA announces new support to help schools purchase more food from local farmers Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Dec. 2 more than $5 million in grants for 82 projects spanning 42 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands that support the USDA efforts to connect school cafeterias with local farmers and ranchers through its Farm to School Program. The program helps schools purchase more food from local farmers and ranchers in their communities, expanding access to healthy local food for school children and supporting local economies. According to USDA's frst-ever Farm to School Census released earlier this year, school districts participating in farm-to- school programs purchased and served more than $385 million in local food in school year 2011-2012, with more than half of participating schools planning to increase their purchases of local food in the future. Farm to School projects will serve more than 4,800 schools and 2.8 million students, nearly 51% of whom live in rural communities. USDA's Farm to School grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition Beef Business @ A look at current issues affecting the cattle industry. Compiled by Paige Nelson, feld editor I N D U S T R Y Cattle on feed in the United States up slightly Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on Nov. 1, 2014. The inventory was slightly higher than Nov. 1, 2013 (see accompanying table). Placements in feedlots during October totaled 2.36 million, 1% below 2013. Net placements were 2.26 million head. During October, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 lb. were 690,000; 600-699 lb. were 570,000; 700-799 lb. were 462,000; and 800 lb. and greater were 635,000. For the month of October, placements were the second lowest since the series began in 1996. Marketings of fed cattle during October totaled 1.69 million, 8% below 2013. October marketings are the lowest since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 97,000 during October 2014, 28% above 2013. Learn more by viewing the Nov. 24, 2014, Angus Journal Daily archived at www.api-virtuallibrary.com/eList-archive/. Source: USDA-NASS. 2013 2014 % previous Item ------------- 1,000 head ------------- year On feed Oct. 1 10,110 10,058 99 Placed on feed during Oct. 2,378 2,357 99 Fed cattle marketed during Oct. 1,827 1,685 92 Other disappearance during Oct. 76 97 128 On feed Nov. 1 10,585 10,633 100