MCA Prime Cuts September 7, 2006

Beef Field Day scheduled for October 7 at MU South Farm

A full day of beef research results and farm demonstrations will be offered Saturday, Oct. 7, at the University of Missouri South Farm.

"We will show an array of beef research and extension programs conducted at the farm," said Bob Weaber, MU Extension geneticist. "We have timely information on beef cattle nutrition, reproduction, management and genetics for beef producers."

Speakers will discuss ethanol byproduct feeds, animal identification, beef sire selection, and the value of genetic, source and process verification.

Luncheon talks will include a cattle market update by Ron Plain, MU Extension economist. Mike John, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, will give an update on beef industry issues. Fred Ferrell, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, has been invited to discuss the importance of beef in the Missouri economy.

"The farm has recent upgrades and renovations to support the educational programs," said Phillip Brooks, South Farm manager. "This is the first field day in many years to be held at the farm."

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m., the practical demonstrations begin. Free lunch will be served at noon; advance registration for the meal is required. Register by calling Judy Burton at 573-882-7327.

Speeches in the main tent begin at 9:30 a.m. Those will be repeated in the afternoon starting at 2 p.m. The program ends at 4:30 p.m.

The talks include: "Use of Dried Distillers Grain Solubles for Cow-Calf Herds and Backgrounding," by Jim Williams, MU researcher; "Missouri Perspective on animal ID," by Taylor Woods, assistant state veterinarian; "Tools and Tips for Beef Sire Selection," by Bob Weaber; "Value of Genetic, Source and Process Verification," by Kent Haden, head of the livestock division of MFA, Inc.

Demonstrations include artificial insemination, nutrition, management and genetic technologies.

Beef exhibits and equipment displays from the ag industry will be open for viewing throughout the day. There will be a farm animal exhibit area and other activities for children.

Pasture walks will showcase renovated and newly re-fenced grazing paddocks. MU livestock specialists will be available for answering questions in addition to the Q&A sessions after each talk. The MU farm is located 2.6 miles south of the AC exit on Highway 63. It is on Old Millers Road, behind the KOMU-TV tower. - University of Missouri

Cattle Industry News

Major Australian beef processor shuts down until '07

Queensland-based Teys Brothers, Australia's second-largest beef processor, says that shortages of both cattle and labor have forced it to close down for the year, about three months earlier than it normally would have. The company normally closes for a month in December due to the rainy season, the company said. About 160 workers will be idled by the move, although the company will try to relocate them to smaller slaughter facilities further south. - Pete Hisey for Meatingplace.com

Five Japanese retailers to resume U.S. beef sales

C.G.C. Japan Co., a cooperative buying organization for supermarkets, indicated that five member companies will resume sales of U.S. beef as early as this week, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Friday edition.

Although most Japanese supermarkets remain cautious about carrying the meat, the five retailers indicated they are responding to requests from customers. The operators are located in Tokyo, Chiba, Miyazaki and Ishikawa prefectures. C.G.C. Japan reportedly secured about 1.2 tons of beef from Kansas City, Mo.-based National Beef Packing Co. that arrived by sea via a domestic trading house.

- Pete Hisey for Meatingplace.com

Cattle-Fax Market Update

Yesterday (September 6) – Fed cattle trade was quiet on Wednesday, although packer inquiry improved in the South with bids up to $89 live. Asking prices in the South are mostly $95 or better live and $94 to $95 live in the North. Feeders are asking $150 or better dressed. October live cattle futures ended $0.07 lower at $94.45 and December was unchanged at $93.85. February '07 through February '08 contracts were steady to marginally higher. Feeder cattle futures were $0.80 to $1.30 higher with September up $1.30 at $118.97 and October up $1.15 at $119.10. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was higher for the 3rd day in a row at $118.30, up $0.69. Boxed beef values were higher with Choice gaining $1.05 at $148.06 and Select up $0.57 at $138.86. Movement was very active with over 560 loads as buyers anticipate higher boxed beef values ahead.

Last Week - Fed cattle trade began in the North Thursday evening and fully developed in all regions by Friday morning. Prices were sharply higher with trade in the South $3-5 higher at $90-92.75 live. Dressed trade at $145-145.50 was $6 higher. Fed cattle trade in the North was $4-5 higher at $92-92.50 live and $142-143 dressed. Trade volume was adequate considering showlists were smaller this week and feedlots remain current amid tightening supplies. The feeder cattle market was steady to $2 higher this week. Calf prices were mostly steady with a softer market tone noted in some areas. Market cow prices were unevenly steady, from $1 higher to $2 lower. Boxed beef trade volume was light to moderate with the Choice cutout down $1.12 at $145.28 and Select down $0.72 at $135.39 through Thursday.

Congratulations to Pat Wood from District 1, Leon James from District 2 and Gerald Campbell from District 3 for being elected to the Missouri Beef Industry Council Board of Directors! Their terms begin in October. - MBIC

The Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation is again offering $1,000 to high school seniors and current college students. Last year 20 scholarships were awarded. Applicants must be nominated by a current Missouri Cattlemen’s Association member. Previous recipients are ineligible to re-apply.

Applications are available from each Missouri Extension office and FFA chapter; most state colleges and universities; county cattlemen’s association presidents and state directors; or the MCF office. Applications must be in the MCF office or postmarked by September 30 to qualify.

The Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Scholarship applications are available on line at www.mostatefair.com. Applications must be postmarked by October 15. The scholarships are available to FFA and 4-H high school seniors who have exhibited at the Missouri State Fair.

Applications for the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Memorial scholarships are due Sept. 15. Four $1,250 scholarships and two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to members of the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) to assist in financing their college education. These scholarships are made possible to NJHA members by Bill and Jo Ellard, EE Ranches Inc.; Bob and Dolores Call, CBY Polled Herefords; Foundation Female Donors; and through contributions to the HYFA.

The Gary Bishop Memorial Scholarship applications are also due Sept. 15. Two $1,000 scholarships are available to NJHA members. For more information, contact Chris Stephens at (816) 842-3757.

Looking for tickets to the Zimmer Radio Group’s Tailgate for Mizzou Football? FREE pre-game food and drink is a sure hit! We have 50 tickets reserved for beef producers- and are giving away tickets for consumers on the website www.mobeef.org. If you’re interested in having some tailgate tickets (sorry, none for the actual game), please contact Dawn Thurnau at MBIC at dawn@mobeef.com or 573-817-0899 ext. 223. - MBIC

The Mizzou football team is set to build on its 2005 Independence Bowl Championship and Missouri Cattlemen’s Association members are invited to join in the fun!

The Tigers are teaming up with the MCA to offer significant savings off select regular ticket prices. Members can take advantage of big discounts, for three upcoming games at Faurot Field on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia.

The games will feature the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, September 9^th, the Ohio Bobcats on Saturday, September 23^rd and Big 12 rival Kansas on Saturday, November 25^th.

MCA members can purchase tickets to the Mississippi game for just $30 each. Tickets to the Ohio game are only $20. And you can witness the annual Border Showdown with Kansas for just $35 (a savings of $10 per ticket for each game).

There is no limit on the number of tickets you can purchase for each game (subject to availability). For more information or to order by phone call 1-800-CAT PAWS and ask for the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association promotional offer.

This special discount offer is also available online! Simply visit mutigers.com and follow these instructions (internet fees apply);

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association promotional tickets MUST be purchased in advance of the game date. Tickets will be mailed until 10 days prior to the game date. All orders received inside of 10 days prior to the game will be placed at the Will Call ticket window at Faurot Field in Columbia.

Feedlot tour - In view of the successful feedlot and packing plant tour the Mid Missouri Cattlemen’s Association enjoyed in March, and by popular request, we have scheduled a 3-day, 2-night trip to Iowa on September 21-23. September 21 we will tour a feedlot located in Macona, Iowa and a Packing House on the 22nd with a cattleman’s dinner that evening. We plan on leaving the Miller County Regional Stockyards at 6:00 a.m. September 21 and will return on the 23^rd. We would be happy to have any fellow Cattlemen join us. For reservations or questions, please phone (573) 392-5572 or (573) 636-6700.

Chili Cook-off - On October 21, the Mid Missouri Cattlemen’s Association will host a Men’s Chili Cook-Off. The event will be held at the Miller County Regional Stockyards, with serving from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Teams or individuals are welcome. Registration must be made by calling the Stockyards at (573) 392-5572. Entries will be judged and prizes will be awarded. A meal and meeting will follow.

Girls, dust off those cook books - you are invited to bring any baked goods to sell during the cook-off. The winner of the Browning Shotgun raffle will be drawn after the meal; tickets will be available up to the time of drawing from any board member or at the Stockyards.

Sept. 21 Henry County Cattlemen – Artesian Park Shelter #2, Clinton, 5:30 p.m.

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.

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