BEEF News Desk @ NCBA
Exclusive interviews, breaking news from the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show
NCBA lays out policy prioritiesBy Joshua Baethge
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced its policy priorities at the CattleCon trade show in Orlando. According to the NCBA executive committee, those priorities include advocating for a new farm bill, and protecting the cattle industry from what it considers to be federal regulatory overreach and “external attacks.”
“NCBA will continue pushing for passage of a farm bill that includes key animal health and voluntary conservation provisions, as well as hold the line against all federal policies that could damage the livelihoods of U.S. cattle producers,” NCBA President-Elect Mark Eisele says. “In the past year we have seen radical animal activists ramp up their attacks on our industry and our producer-funded Beef Checkoff that drives consumer demand and funds critical research. We will never let the same people that want to shut down family cattle operations, dictate how we promote our products.”
Specifically, the NCBA board is calling for reauthorization of the animal health provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill. The Association would also like to see more funding for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank to protect against Foot and Mouth Disease.
The NCBA vowed to stop efforts to eliminate the Beef Checkoff. It also said it would fight any “misguided Endangered Species Act rule” as well as any expansion of “bureaucratic red tape” under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Additionally, the Association said it is committed to preserving family farms and ranches by supporting additional tax relief for cattle producers.
“Despite our success last year in finally reducing the size and scope of the onerous Waters of the U.S. rule, many more misguided regulations have been proposed that undermine the voluntary conservation work of cattle producers,” Eisele says. “NCBA will stand strong against these rulemakings – setting the record straight on regulations that are not backed by science and would leave America’s rangelands in total disorder.”
The following is coverage from the 2024 CattleCon, including exclusive interviews from the show floor. Photos courtesy of NCBA.
CattleFax forecasts continued producer profitability
The smallest beef cow inventory in the last 50 years, coupled with historically strong demand, led to the highest average fed cattle and calf prices in 2023. As reduced cattle numbers and beef production continue over the next three years, leverage and profitability will continue to favor cattle producers, attendees of the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show learned during the popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar.
Despite record prices, expansion will likely be delayed once again. Lingering drought, high input costs, limited labor availability, high interest rates, and market uncertainty all serve as headwinds against growing the cowherd. The current cattle cycle anticipates slower and more prolonged expansion, with heifer retention causing a supply decline with expected lows in fed slaughter by 2026. Higher cattle prices and reduced feeding costs will continue to improve margins for cow-calf producers for the next several years, a much-needed improvement to drive expansion as weather patterns allow, according to CattleFax.
After several months watching El Niño’s influence on the global weather pattern, Meteorologist Matt Makens said the El Niño event that placed moisture on the South and Southeast is fading away and La Niña is showing signs of making a rapid return.
“During the next several weeks, we will continue to see strong and wet storm systems move across the central and southern states. Increased odds for snow and cold as far south as Texas will mean possible impacts on calving and wheat,” he said. “Take this moisture now and make the most of it; look for a good start to this grazing season overall but be mindful that drought conditions will increase for the Southern Plains during summer and fall as we see our pattern change quickly.”
As La Niña’s influence grows, increased heat and drought-related issues are expected for the Central and Southern Plains. The moisture pattern will favor the northern tier of states and the Ohio to Tennessee Valleys.
Kevin Good, vice president of market analysis at CattleFax, reported that U.S. beef cow herd declined 2% with inventories at 28.2 million head at the beginning of this year.
“Though drought conditions did improve in many regions, over a third of the cow herd was affected by drought in 2023, causing limited heifer retention and more liquidation in some regions. This will limit growth to the cow herd near-term,” Good said.
Cow and bull slaughter is forecast to be 6.5 million head in 2024, down around 800,000 head, from 2023. CattleFax predicted feeder cattle and calf supplies outside of feedyards will be 1 million head smaller than 2023 at 24.1 million head. Commercial fed slaughter in 2024 is forecast to decline by 750,000 to 24.8 million head.
Continue reading here.
Beef and cattle market outlook for 2024
What’s ahead for the cattle and beef market this year. Lance Zimmerman of Rabobank joins us from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn. trade show in Orlando to share his insights.
View our interview here.
2023 calf care survey sheds light on health protocols
In the fall of 2023, Axiota distributed the Multimin 90 calf care survey to cow-calf producers and stocker operators. Knowing the importance of herd health vaccination protocols in helping prevent both diseases and improving cattle health, Axiota wanted to hear what cow-calf producers and stocker operators thought on the subject. Tina Greiman, vice president marketing, joins us with insight on what the responses indicated.
Opportunities for cattle producers in 2024
Given the climbing calf prices and shrinking herd sizes, what opportunities will 2024 present for cattle producers? Mark Robbins, director of research and technical services for Ridley Block Operations fills us in and talks about why a solid nutrition program is so important.
Selenium deficiency impacts profitability
We talk selenium deficiency and how it can impact producer profitability with Neil Bumgarner, Director of Sales, Ridley Block Operations.
Tauramox (moxidectin) Injectable Solution is a game changer for producers
TauramoxTM (moxidectin) Injectable Solution is a game changer for cattle producers seeking a more affordable injectable parasiticide for cattle. We catch up with Dr. Eric Moore of Norbrook at NCBA to find out more.
Innovative feed additive solution for cattle naturally
Innovation and product quality are an essential part of AGOLIN, a next generation range of solutions for helping to optimize feed intake and gut health for livestock. During Cattle Con 2024, we catch up with Martha Baker of Alltech to find out more.
