CME Plans to Buy CBOT
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange has agreed to buy the Chicago Board of Trade for $8 billion. This move will create a global derivatives exchange with average trading volume approaching 9 million contracts per day, representing approximately $4.2 trillion in value. The combined company will be named CME Group, a CME/Chicago Board of Trade Co. According to the announcement, it "will provide customers efficient, global access to a wide array of benchmark exchange-traded derivatives based on U.S. interest rate yield curve, equity indexes, foreign exchange, agricultural and industrial commodities, energy and alternative investment products such as weather and real estate." To read more, go to drovers.com.                                 - Drover’s Alert by Drover’s Journal

American Simmental Association Introduces SimChoice Program

The end-product value of Simmental and SimAngus genetics will be enhanced and promoted through an agreement reached between the American Simmental Association (ASA) and eMerge Interactive.

Called SimChoice, the cooperative program includes radio frequency identification (RFID) and visual tagging options available through ASA, followed up by data management and on-site verification of age and source by eMerge Interactive. Producers may choose either Simmental or SimAngus ear tags.

“Simmental crossbreds, especially Simmental x Angus, have become the most highly sought-after Continental x British feeder and fed cattle in the nation. SimAngus crossbreds offer maximum genetic value for Choice carcasses, and protect feedyards and packers from discounted yield grade 4s,” said ASA Executive Vice President Dr. Jerry Lipsey.

In addition to data management, CattleLog offers USDA-approved age and source verification through its USDA-approved Process Verified Program, as well as options for natural verification. Cattle verified through the SimChoice program can also be advertised on the CattleLog Listing Service, along with seller information and selling dates.

Additional information on the SimChoice program may be obtained by contacting ASA Director of Field Services Marty Ropp at 406-581-7835 or by visiting www.simmental.org.

-          American Simmental Association

USDA Releases 2005 U.S. Animal Health Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Oct. 10 released the 2005 U.S. Animal Health Report, a national overview of domestic animal health in the United States.

The report addresses the many components of the U.S. animal health infrastructure, animal population demographics, approaches to foreign animal disease surveillance and new initiatives. As an annual publication, the U.S. Animal Health Report is updated and refined each year. It provides a valuable method to communicate with stakeholders and the public about the status of animal health in the United States.

Animal health initiatives highlighted in the 2005 U.S. Animal Health Report include the following.

The national aquatic animal health plan (NAAHP), developed in cooperation with industry, state and local governments. NAAHP’s purpose is to foster and support effective and efficient aquaculture, protect the health of wild and cultured aquatic resources in the United States, and meet national and international trade obligations.

The revisions to the national veterinary accreditation program. This program emphasizes the lifetime education of accredited veterinarians through training modules that provide the latest information on the transmission, recognition and reporting of exotic diseases and emerging diseases and updates on program policy and procedures. The 2005 U.S. Animal Health Report is available on the APHIS web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2006/10/ahr2005.shtml. - USDA

NCBA Convention Registration is Open Online 

NCBA members did not receive the 2007 convention registration brochure with their National Cattlemen mailing last week as planned (and as reported in Prime Cuts). NCBA encourages all members to visit the Web site  for full convention coverage.  Members planning to attend are also encouraged to make their hotel reservations as soon as possible online or by calling the NCBA Housing Bureau toll-free at 877/259-4716. Complete hotel information, including the list of official hotels, is included on our Web site. Click here to register for convention online.                                            - NCBA

NCBA Urges Producers to Research Candidates for Upcoming Elections

The 2006 mid-term Congressional elections are just about a month away, and if you’re undecided about candidates in your state, the time is NOW to research their background and voting record. The polls are continuing to show a possible rebalance in both houses of Congress. U.S. cattle producers should be urging friends, family and neighbors to get out and vote for the candidates that understand agriculture, support our livelihood, and will stand up for cattle producers in Washington D.C.

This year, we’ve made it especially easy for you to find out about the candidates in your state online. Just go to http://capwiz.com/beefusa and click on the “Election” section! If you have any questions about which candidates are best for the cattle industry, do not hesitate to contact our D.C. office, at 202-347-0228.                                 - NCBA

Cattle-Fax Market Update

October 25 - Fed cattle trade was quiet on Wednesday with limited packer inquiry in the major feeding regions.  Some light trade in Iowa did occur at $136 in the beef.  Asking prices are $91-92 live and $143 or better dressed, while bids of $85 were renewed in the South.  Live cattle futures opened lower and closed mixed with prices ranging from firm to slightly lower.  At the close, October was up $0.17 at $89.40 and December gained $0.22 to close at $88.57.  Feeder cattle futures traded sharply lower during today's session, but firmed into the close, ending mostly $0.37-1.00 lower.  At its lowest point today, the March 2007 contract was down $2.45.  While the October contract was unchanged at the close, the November contract was $0.37 lower at $104.45.  Corn prices which were up nearly $0.10 at one point pressured the feeder cattle market, but retreated to close steady to $0.04 higher. The December corn contract closed up 2 3/4 at $3.27.  Boxed beef values were steady to weak with Choice down $0.45 at $148.04 and Select down $0.01 at $137.62.  Movement picked up to an active pace at just over 400 loads for the day.                          -To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525

 Missouri Cattlemen’s Update

Department of Agriculture to Distribute Drought Assistance to Livestock Owners

Livestock Assistance Grant Program Applications Available

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that it will begin accepting applications for the Livestock Assistance Grant Program on Monday, Oct. 16. This grant program is designed to assist Missouri livestock producers partially recover forage production losses due to certain drought conditions in 2006.

“The drought adversely effected most of the counties in Missouri this year and we are happy that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing funding to 30 of our counties that suffered the most forage loss,” said Fred Ferrell, director of MDA. “We are doing everything we can to try to help our producers during this time of need.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in late August funding to help agricultural producers deal with the drought. The package included a $50 million state block grant program to aid livestock producers suffering from the effects of the 2006 drought. As part of this program, Missouri was allocated $2.7 million to distribute to producers.

MDA will have a month-long application period from Oct. 16-Nov. 17, 2006. Producers will not receive any direct notification of this program from MDA; however, applications will be available from the following sources:

• Online at www.mda.mo.gov, under “Drought Information”
• Missouri Farm Service Agency offices located in the qualified counties
• University of Missouri Extension offices located in the qualified counties

Eligible livestock owners must have had their livestock located within the 30 counties identified for the program. The counties are: Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Camden, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Cooper, Dade, Greene, Henry, Hickory, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lafayette, Lawrence, McDonald, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Newton, Pettis, Polk, Ray, St. Clair, Saline, Stone and Vernon. Eligible livestock include: adult beef cows, adult dairy cows, adult sheep ewes, adult goat does, adult equine mares, adult elk cows and adult bison cows.

Producers with questions regarding the application or the program are encouraged to contact MDA at (573) 526-4727 or via email at lagp@mda.mo.gov. More information is also available on MDA’s drought website at http://www.mda.mo.gov/drought/index.html.                         - Missouri Department of Agriculture

Make plans to attend the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show

Plans are shaping up for the 2006 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, December 7-9, 2006 at the University Plaza Hotel and Springfield Expo Center in Springfield, Missouri.

For cattle producers, regardless of the size or scope of their farm or ranch, this is an excellent opportunity to help shape the policy of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association for the upcoming year, to take part in a wide range of educational programs, to visit hundreds of trade show exhibits, and to enjoy the food, fun, and fellowship of the Convention.

2006 Cattlemen’s College - a “Don’t Miss” Program

With the most outstanding line-up of speakers ever featured, one of the highlights of the 2006 Convention is sure to be the Cattlemen’s College program. Cattlemen’s College will take cattle producers from “Gate to Plate,” highlighting the latest innovations and changes in the industry, while focusing on how the changes affect your operation and your bottom line. Speakers include: Troy Marshall, BEEF Cow-Calf Weekly and Seedstock Digest; Larry Corah, Certified Angus Beef; Dr. Gary Smith, Colorado State University; and more.

Cattlemen’s College registration is only $75 for the first person and $50 for each additional person from the same household or business. Registration includes a bottle of Dectomax, lunch, and all materials. Student registration is only $20 and is available to current high school and college students. Be sure to register early - after the Nov. 27 early deadline, Cattlemen’s College registration increases to $100 (first person) and $75 (each additional person), and $25 for students. Registration information is available by calling (888) 499-9162, visiting www.mocattle.com, and will also be in the October and November issues of Missouri Beef Cattleman magazine. If you have not participated in Cattlemen’s College in the past, this is a great year to attend! The Cattlemen’s College is sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health and lunch is sponsored by U.S. Premium Beef.

Increased Exhibit Space Creates More Opportunities for Vendors and Attendees

Whether you’re in the market for a product or service, or trying to market your products or service, the Trade Show at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade show is the perfect place for you. Businesses – the 2006 convention will be a great place for you to showcase your products and services to cattle producers from Missouri and surrounding states. The Springfield Expo Center is a top-of-the-line facility, with plenty of space for all kinds of exhibits – from large equipment and machinery to live cattle.

Cattle producers – from trailers and chutes to animal health products and feed, our trade show has it all!  Live cattle will be on display, and the entire family will enjoy our wide variety of exhibits, from jewelry and accessories to BBQ sauce and coffee. Educational seminars and demonstrations will run throughout the trade show, with topics ranging from basic cattle production to cooking. Activities for youth will also take place in the trade show.

Make your Hotel Reservation Now!

To take advantage of the University Plaza Hotel’s special discounted rate for the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, call (417) 864-7333. Rates are $79/night plus tax.

For more information on the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, keep reading Iowa Farmer Today – Missouri Edition, call the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association at (888) 499-9162, or visit www.mocattle.com.

Attention Cattle Producers - Save your Ralgro Wheels for “Wheels for Bucks” Program

Program Benefits both MCF and MCA Educational and Junior Programs

From now until December, please make an effort to collect empty Ralgro wheels and Magnum strips from your friends, neighbors, and business associates.  For every 10 empty Ralgro wheels and for every 5 empty magnum strips, we will receive one wheel of Ralgro to be auctioned Friday, Dec. 8 during the Foundation Auction at convention.  This is a wonderful fundraising opportunity and it goes to a great cause – half the proceeds benefit Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation and the other half benefit MCA’s educational and youth/junior programs. Last year, the Wheels for Bucks program raised more than $16,000 for MCF and MCA.

Wheels and strips can be brought to the MCA office prior to convention or directly to the convention. Both county associations and individual producers are encouraged to participate and help Missouri’s youth!  The Wheels for Bucks program is sponsored by Schering-Plough.  Please take time to thank your local Schering-Plough representative for bringing back a great program!

Turn $100 into additional CA$H for YOU and Help Enhance the Lives of Missouri Kids

Reverse Draw Down Dinner

Saturday, November 4, 6 - 9:30 p.m.

Cooper County Fairgrounds, Boonville

Located on the south side of I-70, accessed via overpass off Old US Hwy 40,

between Exit 98 (north on Hwy 135) or Exit 101 (north on Hwy 5)

$100 admits two adults to this fun and relaxing evening.  Only 150 tickets will be sold; fifty percent of the total will be given away in cash!  Throughout the night, numbers will be drawn out and prizes awarded along the way.  The last person whose number is pulled out will take home a big chunk of cash!

Hosted by the Cooper County Cattlemen’s Association, the proceeds of the Reverse Draw Down Dinner benefit the programs of the Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation: Children’s Fund (for youth with special needs); scholarships; and farm safety & youth education programs.  Need not be present to Win! For more information, contact Darla Eggers at (573) 449-4923.

                                                                            - Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation 

Calendar of Events

Nov. 4               Tri-County Cattlemen – Shady Dell Community Center, Richland, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 4               Benton County Cattlemen – Cole Camp High School Gym, 4:00 p.m.

Nov. 6               Macon County Cattlemen – Lolli Livestock Market, Macon, 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 7               Southwest Cattlemen – Freistatt Lions Building, 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 8               Ralls County Cattlemen – Mark Twain High School Cafeteria, 6:00 p.m.

Nov. 9               Warren County Cattlemen – Warrenton Fire House (near fairgrounds), 6:00 p.m.

Nov. 16             Henry County Cattlemen – Golden Corral, Clinton, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 19             Johnson County Cattlemen – Johnson Co. Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m.

For more cattle industry events, visit www.mocattle.com/calendar.htm

The Fine Print

This newsletter is a publication of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. All rights reserved – this newsletter may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without permission of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Did someone forward this message to you? To subscribe yourself, send an email to cattleinfo@mocattle.com.    

Do you have questions, comments or suggestions?

Would you like to advertise in our newsletter? 

If so, please contact McKenzie Disselhorst at (573) 499-9162 or mckenzie@mocattle.com.