November 2011 e-Newsletter from Working Ranch Magazine

e-Newsletter

November 2011

Issue No. 12

Quote of the Month

"Success is not final,
failure is not fatal;
it is the courage to continue that counts"

- Winston Churchill -

Check out the website of this talented cartoonist

Dr. Robert M. Miller

Click Here

News

Proposed rule could restrict child labor on ranches

Through December 1, 2011 the U.S. Department of Labor is taking comment on a proposed rule which could limit children ages 16 and younger from working on farms and ranches not owned by their parents. Restrictions included in the rule would make it illegal for hired kids to do such things as herd cattle on horseback and participate in livestock branding.

WTO rules on U.S. vs. Canada-Mexico COOL complaint

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has settled a complaint filed by Canada and Mexico against the U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) law. Canadian and Mexican cattle imports to the U.S. declined significantly subsequent to the 2008 implementation of the law. The WTO ruled against the U.S., finding that the law violated WTO rules, specifically Article 2.1 saying, "...because it affords imported livestock treatment less favourable than that accorded to like domestic livestock."

TB in South Dakota means testing for cattle before transport to Wisconsin

South Dakota's TB-free status has not been downgraded despite a recent discovery of bovine tuberculosis in the southeastern part of the state. Authorities are still working to determine if any other herds in South Dakota have been affected. Wisconsin State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt is requiring that all cattle from South Dakota meet TB testing requirements before crossing state lines. For more information on Wisconsin's requirements visit the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at datcp.wisconsin.gov.

Video of the Month

Click Here to view this video on our Working Ranch website!

Once there, select:

I am Angus: lost footage of 1941 Grand Champion Steer

from the Program Guide

Pick Your PVP

Process Verified Program, that is

- by Merridee Wells

Photo by Sage Pool
Consumers want to know the history of the beef they are consuming. We've got
a lot to be proud of; the real story of the care, mentorship and professionalism that goes into providing the nation's beef supply would make a darn good movie for city folks to watch.

Process Verified Programs, or PVP's as they are commonly called, are another of the many new-fangled phrases which are becoming commonplace in our cattle industry today. Breed associations draw them like a gun while marketing programs dazzle you with their PVP requirements and the auction companies brag on their value-added benefits.