Ranching.com is your weekly dose of trending news, seasonal tips, and community content put together by our team of ranchers.

NEWS

⊕ Ag in the Crosshairs

⊕ Ag in the Crosshairs - Agriculture faces new threats from anti-animal farming groups. California’s Proposition 12, which bans the sale of pork from hogs confined "in a cruel manner," has disrupted the industry. Upcoming ballot initiatives in Denver and California, like Denver's proposed slaughterhouse ban and Sonoma County's Measure J to prohibit large livestock operations, could further harm agriculture. These moves are part of a broader effort to end what activists call “factory farming” nationwide within ten years.

⚕️Pinkeye Eradication Efforts - Marcus McCaskill, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln student enrolled in the accelerated veterinary medicine program at Iowa State University, is dedicated to eradicating pinkeye in cattle, a costly disease for the beef industry. His research focuses on identifying pathogens linked to pinkeye using an eye swab test, highlighting the prevalence of Moraxella bovis bacteria in infected cattle. McCaskill emphasizes the economic impact of pinkeye, which reduces meat production and increases treatment costs. He aims to mitigate disease spread to support the health and economic stability of Nebraska's ranching industry.

📱Breeding Tech - Beef producers face critical challenges during breeding season, requiring meticulous monitoring of heat cycles and synchronization protocols. This process demands skilled labor and significant time investments, especially for smaller operations. However, advancements like HerdDogg's technology, featuring Bluetooth-enabled ear tags for remote monitoring, offer efficiencies by continuously tracking cattle health and estrus cycles. Andrew Uden, CEO of HerdDogg, highlights how these innovations streamline operations, cut costs, and enhance breeding accuracy, crucial for improving overall efficiency in cattle production.

📈 Prices Up, Production Down - Global beef production is declining while cattle market prices vary by region. North American prices are near record highs, driven by strong U.S. demand and high carcass weights. Mexico's herd expansion supports the market, but drought poses a risk. Brazil's beef exports hit a record in April. Europe shows strong demand despite high production. Conversely, China and Japan face weak demand and high inventories. Climate disclosure rules and scope 3 emissions reporting present challenges for the global beef industry.

🏛 “Get Realistic” About the Farm Bill - During an interview with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on AgriTalk, the focus was on farm bill negotiations. Vilsack highlighted that differences between Republicans and Democrats stem from funding constraints, with Republicans proposing over $50 billion in additional resources, which Democrats oppose due to cuts in nutrition assistance. He emphasized the need for realistic expectations and mentioned Senator Stabenow’s more feasible approach. Vilsack also discussed the potential for reallocating conservation resources from the IRA, the challenges of utilizing the CCC for savings, and the promising revenue streams from climate-smart practices and renewable energy for farmers.

🥩 US Demand for AUS Meat - Strong demand from the U.S. has driven a surge in Australian lamb and beef exports, according to Meat and Livestock Australia. In May, Australian lamb exports hit a record 36,703 tons, with the U.S. as the largest market, followed by China and the Middle East. Beef exports also grew significantly, increasing 9% from April and 25% year-over-year to 113,923 tons, the highest since December 2019. This growth was fueled by a 74% year-on-year increase in exports to the U.S., which now accounts for 27% of total beef exports. The robust export market offers opportunities for Australia to expand its market share.

🐂 Market-Ready Maintenance - A recent study from Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences shows that market-ready steers can maintain high-quality beef even when fed lower-cost maintenance diets for longer periods, which is crucial during market uncertainties like the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, conducted in collaboration with the University of São Paulo, found no significant differences in meat quality when steers were transitioned to different diets for 60 days before harvesting. This resilience in beef quality despite dietary changes suggests potential flexibility for producers in managing market challenges without compromising meat quality standards.

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

Mitigating Risk with Cattle Buildings: 4 Key Considerations for Success

With rising input and acreage costs, beef production faces tighter margins and increased business risks. To mitigate these challenges, many producers are adding cattle buildings for a more controlled environment. Read this article from Accu-Steel, Inc., to find out what you should consider!

Benefits of Shade

Providing shade in pasture-based grazing systems offers several benefits despite reduced feed intake when cattle congregate under it. Research shows that shade can significantly improve weight gain, fertility, and pasture use, and enhance water quality. Weight gain improvements of up to 60% have been observed, while conception rates and overall pregnancy rates also increase with shade. Shade encourages even grazing patterns, reducing overgrazing near water sources. Options for shade include natural trees, permanent structures, and portable, low-cost shade structures. Effective shade placement and maintenance can mitigate heat stress and boost production, making shade a valuable investment for cattle producers.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Did you read a great ranching article last week? See a solid cattle social media post that caught your eye? We want to know!

Submit articles, social posts, podcasts, and more to be featured in next week’s newsletter. Submissions should focus on tips, tricks, and industry news related to agriculture, cattle, farming, ranching, and similar topics.

RANCHING AROUND THE WORLD RECAP

🇨🇦 Bovine bird flu reports still at zero in Canada [Canadian Cattlemen]

🇦🇺 An opportunity to redefine how methane emissions are predicted [Meat & Livestock Australia]

🇦🇷 Inflation, recession force Argentines to eat less beef [Reuters]

CATTLE COMMUNITY

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

READER POLL

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

THOUGHTS FROM VOTERS

Very Closely

• “I am involved in cattle production in Belize and export from Belize to Mexico.”

• “I’m on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board International Marketing Committee and, therefore, very interested in that information.”

Moderately Closely

• “U.S. trends directly impact CDN prices, so we like to be aware, at the very least.”

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