Forage Specialist Dr. Don Ball will be on hand each day with a presentation that will help improve your pasture and hay program.
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Dr. Dan Scruggs, Zoetis Senior Veterinarian, will discuss herd health issues at this year's events.
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Call to Action
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) recently proposed an expansion of their federal authority over "waters of the U.S."
The EPA/Corps WOTUS Definition is Unlawful.
The agencies have proposed to redefine the definition of "Waters of the United States," and that new definition would require cattle ranchers to get the permission of the federal government anytime they needed to expand, do maintenance, or perform routine activities like driving a tractor through a pasture.
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Cattlemen's College
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NCBA President Bob McCan will be among the speakers at Cattlemen's College.
He will join Dr. Dan Scruggs, Jennifer Houston, Dr. Don Ball, and Dr. Rocky Lemus for an informative program on August 27 in West Point and August 28 in Brookhaven.
Register online today!
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Homeplace Board Sale
Approximately 760 head sold in 11 loads at last week's Homeplace Producers Feeder Calf Board Sale in Hattiesburg.
The cattle sold for an average price of $1,497.57 per head.
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Replacement Heifer Sale
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The 12th annual Southern Producers Replacement Heifer Sale will be held August 30 at Hattiesburg Stockyard.
Producers will offer 250 bred heifers with pelvic measurements and a complete health program.
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Copiah Scholarships
Copiah County Cattlemen's Association awarded scholarships to Libby Tyson, Jace McCardle, and Marley McCardle.
Seventy-five members attended last week's meeting.
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Beef Promotion at Sam's
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 CattleWomen's Association members from the Mississippi State University chapter as well as state members continued the summer-long beef promotion at Sam's locations in Hattiesburg and Meridian last Friday and Saturday. Mississippi is part of a national campaign in 200 Sam's locations.
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Beefin' up the Rebels!
 | | Beefin' up the 2014 Rebels |
The new SEC Network camera crews were on hand as Lafayette County Cattlemen's Association, Mississippi Land Bank and the Beef Council sponsored a steak dinner for the Ole Miss football team and coaches.
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USDA Farm Ownership Loans
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Mississippi Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Michael R. Sullivan, announced that farmers and ranchers still have time to apply for low interest 2014 loans available through FSA's direct farm ownership program. The deadline to submit applications is Sept. 30, 2014. Eligible producers can borrow up to $300,000 in direct farm ownership loans to buy or enlarge a farm, construct new farm buildings or improve structures, pay closing costs, or promote soil and water conservation and protection. The interest rate on select loans can be as low as 1.5 percent with up to 40 years to repay. "This is an extraordinary opportunity for more farmers and ranchers to get low-interest loans to start their first farm, or expand an existing family farm," said Sullivan. "There are no backlogs or waiting for funding. If you've dreamed about starting a farm, or if you're looking to strengthen your farm, we want to help." FSA encourages all interested applicants to apply for direct farm ownership loans. For more information about the program and other loans administered by FSA, visit any FSA county office or www.fsa.usda.gov.
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Cattle Market
Notes
Dr. John Michael
Riley
August 8, 2014
Cash Cattle:
Negotiated cash trade fell this week. Late week trade volume was light as a result of the futures market dive. The five-area weighted average steer price for the week ended Friday was $160.75, down $2.22 from the previous Friday, and dressed steers averaged $253.47, down $4.67. Very few negotiated transactions took place in Texas at $160 for live cattle. In Kansas limited sales were reported at $160. Similarly in Nebraska trade was at $160 and $250-$252 for live and dressed, respectively. Western Cornbelt trade was reported at $157-$160, live, and $248-$252, dressed, but again volume was light.
Feeder steers were lower this week in Mississippi auctions mostly down $2-$5, steer calves were $10-$15 higher. Feeder heifers were $6 lower and heifer calves were down $2-$5. Cull cows and bulls were steady to $2 lower. Feeder steers in Oklahoma City's auction were $2-$5 higher and calves were $6-$10 higher.
Futures:
Fed and feeder futures took a hit this week. Russia announced late Wednesday that they were banning all agricultural products from the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Norway. While the U.S. has not sent large quantities of beef to Russia for several months now, the ban sent livestock prices spiraling downward. When the impactions for both pork (the more pivotal player) and beef, coupled with the numerous countries involved provided enough sour news to the market. A summary of beef and pork exports to Russia can be found HERE. Prior to the announcement of the ban, fed and feeder prices were largely holding steady. Corn prices steadied this week. Most trading was posturing ahead of Tuesday highly anticipated crop report and supply/demand report. This will be the first of the year to include field data. Drought in China was reported late in the week and may provide support. Beef:
Wholesale choice boxed beef prices continue to set new records, though the pace slowed this week, while Select slipped pushing the spread higher. Choice boxes averaged $262.26, up $19. Select boxes ended the week at an average of $255.75, down $3.39.
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Hay Contest
Entries are being accepted for the 2014 Hay Contest at Mississippi State. Classes for 1. warm-season perennial grass hay, 2. mixed, annual, or other hay, and 3. Grass baleage. First place winners in each category will be recognized with a Belt Buckle. Second place and third place winners will receive a plaque. See the Mississippi Forages webpage for details, |
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