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GPS cattle
tracking tested
The Agriculture Department is funding a trial program for
tracking cattle in Kansas.
Animals will be given an
identification number as they are loaded onto trucks, and cattle shipments will
be tracked using GPS, cellular and radio frequency technologies while
in transit.
Source: AFBF; Executive
Newswatch; Jan. 27, 2005
Wind power
blows on
The American Wind Energy Association reports that 389 megawatts of new generating equipment was added nationally in 2004. This amounts to enough energy generation for more than 100,000 average homes. Total generating capacity in the country reached 6,740 megawatts.
The federal wind energy production tax credit provided by Congress is scheduled to expire at the end of 2005. Farm Bureau supports comprehensive energy legislation to address the nation's energy needs.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Jan. 28, 2005
Beef retail price
hits record high
Consumers demonstrated an impressive willingness to shell out the bucks for beef last year.
The annual retail price climbed to an all-time record: $4.06 a pound for USDA grade choice, 9 percent greater than year 2003 and 17 percent more than the three-year average.
Yet the larger spending pie was certainly not equally divided along the line from cow-calf to meat counter. On one hand, farm share last year averaged 45.1 percent, down from 48.4 percent in 2003 and 45.9 percent basis the three-year average.
Packers fared even worse, earning a share of only 8.6 percent, down from 11.1 percent in 2003 and 10.9 percent basis the three-year average. On the other hand, retailers took a much better slice of consumer spending, 46.3 percent versus 40.6 percent in 2003 and 43.1 percent basis the three-year average.
Source: DTN; Livestock; Window on Livestock, Page 8; Jan. 24, 2005
President appoints tax reform panel
President Bush has appointed an Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform. The nine-member panel is charged with recommending revenue neutral policy options for reforming the Federal Revenue Code. Policy options are expected to meet the following guidelines:
•Reduce the costs and administrative burden of tax compliance.
•Be progressive and recognize the importance of home ownership.
•Promote long-run economic growth and job creation and encourage work effort, saving and investment so as to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in global markets.
At least one of the policy options is to use the current federal income tax system as the base for recommended reforms.
Source: AFBF; Public Policy Bulletins; Jan. 27, 2005
Science creates
a better steak
Consistently tender steaks may be more readily available at restaurants and supermarkets in the future, thanks to technology developed by Agriculture Department scientists in Nebraska and used by beef processors.
Observations at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb. indicate meat is tender after slaughter, then toughens before starting to become tender again. Accordingly, the scientists believe steaks shouldn't be sold before they've aged for 14 days, to make sure the meat has undergone maximum tenderization. A majority of beef processors are already following this procedure.
Scientists also have discovered an enzyme—calpaina—and the variation of the protein called calpastatin, both of which have a major impact on meat tenderness.
Calpastatin determines how much calpaina is active and how tender the steak will be. Since calpaina requires calcium for activity, the team has developed a process for injecting calcium into meat in order to make it tender.
The scientists are also studying cattle genetics and they have released a DNA test that accurately identifies which cattle will likely provide tender steaks, so producers can use those animals for breeding.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Feb. 4, 2005
Nebraska corporate
farm ban challenged
Another lawsuit challenging Nebraska’s constitutional amendment that bans most corporate farming operations has been filed, this time by a state senator who also is a rancher. The ban was enacted in 1982, but has been the center of debate since that time. State Sen. Jim Jones is party to the latest challenge. State Sen. John DeCamp filed a similar case in May.
Midwestern states with corporate farming bans of one type or another include Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. The Nebraska constitutional provision is similar to the South Dakota ban that was struck down by the courts in 2003.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Jan. 6, 2005
