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

NEWS

👈 A Step Backward

👈 A Step Backward - The Biden Administration's proposed rule change to the Packers and Stockyards Act has drawn criticism from the Meat Institute. While the USDA asserts the rule aims to clarify and strengthen protections for farmers and ranchers against unfair practices, the Meat Institute argues it could spur unnecessary litigation and restrict how producers market livestock to packers. Julie Anna Potts, CEO of the Meat Institute, contends that the rule undermines market dynamics and consumer demand signals, potentially increasing costs for producers and consumers alike.

🥩 More Better Beef - Recent advancements in technology and breeding practices have revolutionized operations, as illustrated by significant time savings with upgraded hay equipment for producers. Despite discussions around declining cattle numbers, productivity gains since 1980 have allowed the industry to achieve higher beef output while improving quality standards, notably in marbling. This evolution challenges misconceptions about industry decline, emphasizing strategic adaptation and continuous improvement as key drivers of success.

🐂 Crazy Cash for Cattle - In an atypical move for June, packers are actively bidding aggressively in the cattle market despite the usual summer slowdown in beef demand. Recent bids have soared to $1.89 per pound in Texas and up to $1.99 in Iowa, with heavy cattle weights showing a slight decline from previous weeks. Despite a bearish cattle-on-feed report, wholesale beef prices have reached new highs around $323 per pound. Analysts are divided on market trends, with some predicting a peak while others anticipate continued bullish momentum driven by reduced cow slaughter and favorable feed costs, suggesting potential for significant price increases into 2025.

🚫 Pest Prevention - In the past, cattle rarely had warbles due to organophosphate use, but today, they commonly face challenges from heel flies like Hypoderma lineatum and Hypoderma bovis in the U.S. Entomologist Kelly M. Loftin explains that heel flies lay eggs on cattle legs, with each female capable of depositing 500-800 eggs, though few survive. The larvae migrate through the animal's tissue, forming warbles on the back where they develop into adult flies. Effective control methods for heel flies are currently limited, highlighting the importance of managing immature stages to prevent future infestations.

🔥 Panhandle Impact - A recent report by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economists revealed that the Panhandle wildfires incurred record-breaking agricultural losses estimated at $123 million. Starting on February 26, the wildfires scorched over 1.2 million acres, marking Texas' largest wildfire to date. The damages include more than 12,000 cattle deaths, lost grazing values, and extensive costs for fence repairs and infrastructure like barns and windmills. AgriLife Extension is committed to aiding affected landowners and livestock producers through ongoing support efforts, emphasizing the long road to recovery ahead.

📈 Market Update - The USDA's June Cattle on Feed Report showed unexpected May placements, up 4.3% from last year, leading to a slight increase in total on-feed inventory. Despite a large calf crop last year, factors like extended feeding periods and higher harvest weights slowed marketings. The upcoming July report, detailing steers and heifers on feed, will be crucial in gauging future trends in cattle inventory and market conditions.

🚢 Maritime Export Issues - The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has halted contract talks with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), delaying negotiations for a new labor agreement set to replace the expiring contract by September 30. ILA claims the dispute revolves around concerns over increased automation at East and Gulf Coast ports. This impasse has raised significant apprehension, particularly among meat exporters and the broader U.S. agriculture sector. Dan Halstrom, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, emphasized the critical role of these ports in exporting frozen and chilled meat products globally, underscoring the urgency for resolution before the contract expires.

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

Prevent Pink Eye Through Autogenous Vaccines

Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek of Kansas State University highlights the success of personalized prevention programs for managing pink eye in cattle. He advocates for autogenous vaccines customized to farm-specific bacterial strains, which have proven effective in reducing outbreaks compared to standard commercial vaccines. Dr. Hanzlicek stresses the importance of early detection and proactive veterinary consultation to safeguard cattle from this debilitating eye disease, exacerbated by factors like pests and feeding practices.

Water Requirements in the Summer

Kansas State University's Beef Cattle Institute underscores the vital role of clean water accessibility for cattle's health, especially during hot summer months. Philip Lancaster notes that cattle need more water when eating dry hay and in hot weather, estimating about two gallons per 100 pounds of body weight daily. Bob Larson emphasizes the link between water quality and disease susceptibility, such as pneumonia. Joe Gerken suggests practical measures like fencing off ponds to maintain water quality and piping water to tanks to regulate temperature, ensuring both cattle health and environmental balance.

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RANCHING AROUND THE WORLD RECAP

🇨🇦 Comparing tame forages under grazing [Canadian Cattlemen]

🇬🇧 Farm's slurry lagoon plans approved [BBC]

CATTLE COMMUNITY

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

READER POLL

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

THOUGHTS FROM VOTERS

Large, Imminent

• “Such actions are a back door attack against our nation and our culture that our ancestors fought to create. The patients are running the asylum and such use of the government to promote their insanity has to be nipped in the bud. Nip it now!”

• “The disconnect between ag producers and urban dwellers becomes more evident each year. This kind of legislation is a symptom of that widening gap. Better communication with consumers is needed from every quarter of agriculture. Support from state and federal ag agencies is also needed.”

Concerning, Not Immediate

• “It’s a pretty scary situation for those of us that are older. All this government control and technology… grr, it’s overwhelming! I don’t like it!”

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