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

NEWS

🪖 DoD Ditches Fake Meat

🪖DoD Ditches Fake Meat - NCBA announced a victory in its campaign to keep ultra-processed, lab-grown protein out of the diets of American servicemembers. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed it will not pursue lab-grown protein projects for military consumption. NCBA, the sole cattle group to spotlight and oppose this funding, worked with Congressional allies to introduce amendments ensuring only high-quality, traditional beef will be provided. NCBA expressed gratitude to key lawmakers and the DoD for their responsiveness, emphasizing that U.S. farmers and ranchers can reliably supply nutritious protein for the military.

📉 Market Update - As of July 1, the total supply of cattle on feed was 11.304 million head, a decrease from the previous month but a slight increase from last year. While feedlot inventories typically decline in summer as cattle are marketed and fewer are placed, the current supply remains higher than a year ago due to earlier placements. Preliminary data suggests heavier fed cattle weights in late July and August. Regional inventory variations are notable: Kansas saw a 7.5% decrease in cattle on feed, while Texas experienced a 2.6% increase. Inventories in Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Idaho rose significantly. The proportion of heifers on feed is at 39.6%, indicating less focus on herd rebuilding compared to past years, amidst ongoing low cattle inventories.

🧑‍⚖️ Glyphosate in the Clear - Grower groups have praised the Federal Court's ruling that glyphosate is safe when used as directed. The decision dismissed a class action claiming glyphosate caused cancer, aligning with Australia’s APVMA and international assessments. Glyphosate remains vital for sustainable agriculture, aiding in weed control while preserving soil health.

📲 Double-Check the Facts - In the age of rapid information sharing, it's alarming how quickly misinformation can spread, as seen with recent political events and a misleading TikTok video about cattle prices. This trend highlights the importance of scrutinizing data carefully, especially during volatile times like droughts. Accurate market analysis and informed strategies are essential for spotting genuine opportunities and avoiding the pitfalls of sensationalism.

☀️ Solar Energy, Solution or Competition? - The rise in solar energy projects is driving up farmland leasing rates in the Midwest, with offers ranging from $500 to $4,500 per acre. This lucrative alternative to traditional farming is increasing land values and cash rents but raises concerns about long-term land use and community impacts. Solar leases, often spanning up to 40 years, are reshaping agricultural practices and introducing new financial incentives and challenges for farmers.

🌎 Export Efforts - Canada is a major market for U.S. beef and pork, ranking in the top five for both exports. Despite efforts to simplify the export process through the Public Health Information System (PHIS) Export Module, U.S. exporters face ongoing documentation challenges. PHIS was designed to reduce paperwork and errors, but issues persist, prompting the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to work with Canadian authorities to streamline procedures. In 2023, U.S. pork exports to Canada reached nearly 220,000 metric tons, valued at over $875 million, while beef exports totaled 103,500 metric tons, also worth around $875 million. Efforts are underway to address regulatory hurdles and enhance trade efficiency.

🥩 Prices Down, Grades Up - Last week, the fed cattle market was pressured by declining boxed beef values and a weak futures market, with North cattle trading at $196 per cwt. on average, down $2. Carcass weights for steers rose slightly to 916 lbs., but a summer dip may be emerging. Boxed beef prices fell, particularly for middle meats, while ground beef demand remains strong. Texas saw improved carcass quality, with a rising Prime grade share, although it still lags behind national averages.

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

Antibiotic Uses in Cattle

In a recent Cattle Chat podcast, Kansas State University's Beef Cattle Institute experts discussed the nuanced decision-making behind antibiotic use in cattle. Veterinarians Brian Lubbers and Bob Larson explained that antibiotics work by disrupting bacterial growth through various mechanisms, such as interfering with cell wall formation, protein synthesis, or DNA replication. They emphasized that antibiotic selection involves multiple factors, including resistance concerns, human health impacts, and withdrawal times to ensure meat safety. For a deeper understanding, they recommend consulting product labels and local veterinarians.

Prussic Acid Toxicity

Cattle producers are facing unexpected losses from cyanide (prussic acid) toxicity despite an overall wet spring, due to localized drought and high temperatures. Stress on plants, especially those in the sorghum family, can increase prussic acid levels, which is highly toxic to cattle. Clinical signs include muscle tremors, excitement, and asphyxiation. Producers should prevent toxicity by avoiding grazing hungry cattle on new pastures, properly fertilizing, grazing mature plants, and rotating pastures. Immediate veterinary care is crucial if prussic acid toxicity is suspected. For detailed guidance, consult local experts or review resources from Oklahoma State University.

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RANCHING AROUND THE WORLD RECAP

🇿🇦 Prairie forecast: Heatwave coming to an end [Canadian Cattlemen]

🇦🇺 USMEF, Meat Institute working to remove obstacles for exports to Canada [BEEF Magazine]

🇨🇦 New project to improve access to quality veterinary products in sub-Saharan Africa [The Cattle Site]

🇨🇦 Growing focus on sustainability in AA Co’s AGM presentations [Canadian Cattlemen]

CATTLE COMMUNITY

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

READER POLL

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

THOUGHTS FROM VOTERS

Yes

• “I've lost a lot of leased land to development. It's very hard to find new ground to lease for grazing. So much development and so many acres of solar panels in SW Florida. Less grazing, so fewer calves for feed lots and less fruit and vegetables being grown here.”

• “Driving prices up so high you can not afford to expand.”

No

• “We are lucky in that regard. However, we live in a very scenic area with many types of outdoor recreation. People with a lot of money can, and do, buy farm and ranch land for outrageous prices because they want to live in such an area. It’s not urbanization, but the end result is similar.”

• “Some insurance companies don't understand how to insure solar assets.”

Not Yet

• “We are at risk due to state land lease - we are great stewards of the land but the mission of the state land department is to sell the land for the highest profit, so if a developer wants to bid, we could not compete no matter how well we manage it better for land or cattle production.”

• “Plans for a new turnpike within one mile of the main operation and HQ. Once complete, it is anticipated housing expansion will occur along the roadway corridor.”

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