🇺🇸 American Made

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NEWS

🇺🇸 American Made

🇺🇸 American Made - USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack announced the finalization of a rule aligning "Product of USA" labeling claims with consumer understanding, emphasizing trust and marketplace fairness. The rule mandates only meat, poultry, and egg products from animals raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States bear this label, effective by January 1, 2026. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association welcomed the move, aiming to close loopholes that allowed imported beef to be labeled as U.S.-made. Moving forward, focus will be on ensuring producer premiums and compliance during the implementation period, with the public invited to comment on the updated labeling guidance within 60 days.

📈 Market Update - Slaughter cow prices are climbing due to shrinking inventories and reduced slaughter rates, with boning cow prices in Oklahoma averaging $118.54/cwt. The surge is driven by record-high prices for 90% lean beef trimmings, hitting $317.36/cwt. Year-to-date, non-fed beef supply is down 12.7%, while wholesale ground beef prices have reached $281.28/cwt. Imports are expected to rise by 12-13% in 2024 to counter domestic supply shortages. With net cow culling down to 17.2% in 2023, further declines in slaughter are anticipated, especially if herd rebuilding gains momentum.

⚕️ Moooving Medicine - Researchers have achieved a major breakthrough with the creation of the world's first transgenic cow capable of producing human insulin in her milk. Lead researcher Matt Wheeler explains that by strategically targeting human DNA expression in mammary tissue, the cow efficiently produces insulin and proinsulin. While further testing and FDA approval are required, this development holds immense promise for addressing the scarcity and high costs of diabetes treatment, potentially revolutionizing insulin production on a global scale.

💉 Vaccines, Dead or Alive - Choosing between vaccines for calf vaccination is complex, with factors like efficacy, convenience, safety, and cost in play. Dr. Donal O’Toole suggests modified-live vaccines for viral agents, but caution with IBR products due to potential risks for pregnant cows. Killed vaccines are safer but require more boosters. Dr. Russ Daly adds that modified-live vaccines offer flexibility and cost savings but need careful handling, while killed vaccines ensure safety. Ultimately, consulting a veterinarian is crucial for tailoring vaccination programs to specific herd needs.

🏛 Policy Points - Last week's agricultural policy highlights include the release of a House report tackling the ag labor crisis, the approval of a $460 billion USDA budget by Congress, an announcement of a $2.3 billion investment in rural clean energy projects by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and the House Freedom Caucus opposing the EATS Act due to concerns about its impact on American farmers and states' rights.

💻 Smart Ranch - Dr. Luis Tedeschi from Texas A&M AgriLife Research advocates for precision livestock management using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and camera systems to monitor feeding behaviors and improve efficiency in livestock operations. With millions of cattle in Texas alone, Tedeschi emphasizes the potential of modern technology to revolutionize management practices and enhance sustainability. Through a USDA-funded project, he aims to integrate data streams from sensors and decision models to enable real-time management decisions benefiting producers of all scales.

🌾 To Hay or To Graze - Jeff Mosley from Montana State University highlights the drawbacks of haying on irregularly shaped fields, emphasizing delays in regrowth and increased weather risks. Randy Wiedmeier and Jim Gerrish showcase the benefits of intensive grazing, including higher dry matter production and improved soil fertility. Karin Lindquist suggests that grazing offers a sustainable alternative to haying, reducing the need for costly fertilizers. Ultimately, the decision between haying and grazing depends on individual management goals and resource availability, with many producers finding value in a combination of both practices to optimize land use and profitability.

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

How to Tube Feed Newborn Calves

Esophageal feeding, also known as tube feeding, offers a lifeline to ailing and weak calves during their most critical times. It is especially vital for delivering vital colostrum to newborns incapable of nursing and for addressing dehydration in sick calves. Watch this demonstration of the process of esophageal feeding calves, aiming not only to rescue lives but also to enhance the overall well-being of your livestock.

How 1031 Exchanges Work for Ranches and Farms

Interested in purchasing or selling property in 2024? Learn about utilizing 1031 exchanges for transactions involving ranches and farms. This strategic approach enables investors to postpone capital gains taxes while reinvesting in comparable properties, offering a distinct advantage in the real estate arena.

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