Nebraska Farm Bureau News
JANUARY 18, 2012
19
Tight Livestock Outlook Affects Meat Prices for Consumers Honolulu — Consumers should expect little relief in the price of a T-bone steak as cattle producers continue to decrease their herds because of soaring feed prices and a weak economy, Dr. James Mintert, professor of Ag Economics and assistant director of Extension at Purdue University, said at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93rd Annual Meeting Jan. 9. High demand for ethanol has forced the price of corn to nearly double in the past few years, driving livestock production costs up and putting cattle producers in the red. They’ve responded by raising fewer cattle, according to Mintert. FEWER POUNDS = HIGHER PRICES “Beef producers are recouping production costs by putting less meat on consumers’
Little relief is expected in the price of a T-bone steak. plates,� Mintert said. “Fewer pounds of meat mean higher prices throughout the system.� From 1925 to 1975, the beef industry was relatively healthy, Mintert explained, as
demand and production grew with the population and income growth. The span from 1975 to 2011 looks a lot different, as the number of cattle dropped from 132 million head to 90 million in 2011. “That’s the picture of an industry shrinking because of a lack of profitability,� Mintert said. “This is an industry that has struggled to make money for a long time.� EXPORT MARKET IS VITAL A saving grace for the beef industry is the export market, which has rebounded from the lows in 2004 when a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered in a U.S. cow. The United States is now a net beef exporter. “That has really helped hold down the
number of pounds we put in front of consumers,� Mintert said. The pork industry, on the other hand, is much healthier, as production has increased 30 percent during the last 20 years in the United States and Canada. Pork producers face the same challenges as beef concerning feed costs, and like beef producers, are putting fewer pounds of pork on consumer plates. The difference is pork exports. Today, almost one pound of pork in four goes to the export market. “Export growth has helped pork see steady increases over a long period of time,� Mintert said. “Pork exports were up 15 percent this year over last year. They are up 54 percent compared to 2007.�
Sec. Vilsack Praises Agriculture, Farm Bureau Members Honolulu — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack delivered a clear message to farmers and ranchers attending the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93rd Annual Meeting. “Agriculture and rural America matter, and no group understands that better than the men and women who lead Farm Bureau,� Vilsack said Jan. 9. Vilsack also had high praise for agriculture as being responsible for one in every 12 jobs in America, and he focused on the need to address challenges facing the United States and the world. Last year, American agricultural exports amounted to $137.4 billion, which led to a $42 billion farm trade surplus, and direct support for more than 1 million American jobs, according to Vilsack. The secretary pledged to Farm Bureau members that USDA would continue to listen to their concerns and would work with other federal departments and agencies on regulatory issues with potential impacts on rural America, including dust and youth labor rules. USDA is working as agriculture’s partner on a wide range of essential services across the board, Vilsack said, ranging from resource
conservation and agricultural financing to crop insurance and rural development. AG KEEPS THE NATION STRONG Vilsack praised agriculture for its role in keeping the nation strong, saying that “the unemployment rate is dropping more quickly in rural America than any other sector of our country.â€? To help keep agriculture robust, Vilsack outlined several essential points that he considers vital to the next farm bill, including: • Providing an adequate safety net when it is needed most, with a combination of provisions including crop insurance and some form of revenue protection program. • A continued focus on stewardship and conservation programs, with added flexibility and the ability to leverage federal funds to the fullest extent possible. • Provisions to continue promoting and expanding international trade for agriculture. • A well-funded research effort to continue a trend that saw agriculture rank second in productivity gains among all economic sectors since 1980. • Better support programs for beginning farmers, including programs to expand local
REBUILT INDUSTRIAL HYDRAULIC SCRAPERS Rebuilt to industrial specs with top quality heavy industrial cylinders, hoses and fittings for years of trouble-free service. We carry the full line of industrial and ag scrapers. All sizes from 4 to 20 yds. Also used scraper tires. Trades welcome. Looking to buy Cable Scrapers
Buying semi loads of alfalfa hay picked up at your farm or delivered to us in Kansas. Paid in full at scales
LEVER HOLDINGS INC.
1-620-285-1278 or 1-620-285-6971
Box 194, Muenster, SK SOK 2YO Shop Ph. (306) 682-3332 • lever@sasktel.net
Factory Direct Pricing I-Beam Steel Building We Can Erect! All Sizes Available
1-800-369-3882
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke to farmers and ranchers at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93rd annual meeting on Jan. 9. “Agriculture and rural America matter, and no group understands that better than the men and women who lead Farm Bureau,� Vilsack said. and regional food systems. Vilsack said agriculture and rural America are only barely skimming the surface in making a positive impact on the nation. He called for a focus on bio-based economies for rural communities, which he said offered “unlimited potential� for rural America.
USDA WORKFORCE DECREASE While emphasizing USDA’s continued commitment to America’s farmers and ranchers, Vilsack announced a reallocation of USDA facilities and resources in light of the government’s budget challenges. That includes a workforce decrease of more than 7,000 employees, streamlining of services and the consolidation and closing of 250 USDA offices across the country. Of those offices, 131 are Farm Service Agency offices, Vilsack said. Of those, 35 already had no staffing and the remainder had either one or two employees and all were within 20 miles of another FSA office capable of handling farmer and rancher clients. He expressed optimism that providing service online would become a more viable option and assured farmers and ranchers that USDA service would not be sacrificed. He closed by commending those who call rural America home. He cited the example of 50 percent of the U.S. military force hailing from rural America, while only 16 percent of the nation’s population lives in rural areas. He called rural America “an extraordinary place� to which the rest of the nation “owes a debt of gratitude.�
800-554-8715
NORTHERN AGRI-SERVICES
COMPLETE GRAIN HANDLING & IRRIGATION SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS.
Nebraska’s GSI/DMC Warehouse
Pump & Irrigation Experts! Custom Pipe Fittings • Water Meters Celebrating Over 50 Years Of Service! Cel
919 Rd. B, Henderson, NE • www.northernagriservices.com
www.toplinebuildings.com
9500 Series
Designed for the toughest environments, the 9500P is the most durable member of the Zimmatic pivot series.
8500 Series
Incredible value and structural strength in a lighter pipeline machine that provides consistent irrigation for many years.
7500 Series
Cost-effectively irrigates smaller ďŹ elds up to 60 acres and features full clearance for taller crops.
MORE CHOICES. BETTER OPTIONS. A CUSTOM FIT FOR YOUR FIELD. A WIDE RANGE OF PIVOTS & LATERALS ZimmaticÂŽ by Lindsay offers proven systems and products that are built to be strong, long lasting, durable and easy to use for growers who need highly efficient irrigation choices. With the Lindsay Advantage, you can mix and match components to build your own unique system. Choose your pivot point, spans, tower structure, driveline, control panel and add-ons for a complete solution that fits your field. XXX MJOETBZBEWBOUBHF DPN
5P MFBSO NPSF BCPVU PVS TFSJFT PG QJWPUT BOE MBUFSBMT DPOUBDU ZPVS MPDBM EFBMFS PS WJTJU XXX [JNNBUJD DPN ASK YOUR DEALER ABOUT THESE MONEY- SAVING OFFERS: t )VHF QFS UPXFS DBTI BMMPXBODF t 'JSTU QBZNFOU EVF +BO
BELVIDERE WILLIAMS DRILLING COMPANY, INC 800-477-3745 402-768-6098
GRAND ISLAND THE PIVOT MAN, INC. 800-949-5345 Palmer 308-894-2155
Š 2011 Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic is a registered trademark of the Lindsay Corporation. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Certain restrictions and conditions apply. See your local Zimmatic by Lindsay dealer for complete details. www.zimmatic.com
O’NEILL KRACL IRRIGATION CO. 402-336-4437
AURORA TROESTER FARMS 402-694-9205 Lee Stump (402) 631-7812
PETERSBURG TEMME SEED, LLC 402-386-5672 Cell (402) 843-8440
VALPARAISO TAG INC. 402-784-2987 CELL (402) 560-8508