Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
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The Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns (CCC) is a weekly report from Washington, D.C., giving an up-to-date summary of top policy initiatives concerning the cattle industry; direct from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). Please feel free to reprint in full or in part. If you would like to include NCBA's logo, contact us at 303-694-0305. | |
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NCBA Supports Transparency in Nutrition Labeling
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments today in support of a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to require nutrition labeling of meat products.
"As an industry, it's our responsibility to provide accurate information about the nutritional value of our products-because consumers have a right to make educated decisions about the food they purchase for their families," said Steve Foglesong, NCBA president. "Cattlemen and the beef industry have a great story to tell, especially when it comes to the nutritional value of our product, and we're fully committed to transparency as we continue to meet growing consumer demand for high-quality beef."
If finalized, the rule would amend the federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to require nutrition labeling of major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products. FSIS specifically requested comments on "lean percentage" labeling requirements and point-of-purchase vs. product labels.
NCBA supports the mandatory inclusion of both "lean percentage" and "fat percentage" on all ground meat labels. The Beef Checkoff has funded consumer research that indicates both designations are important to consumers as they decide which ground beef products to purchase. NCBA also supports requiring nutrition information to be displayed on ground beef packages, rather than at the point-of-purchase. Fat content is often hard to visualize in ground products which is why beef producers believe it's most beneficial to have the nutrient content easily accessible on the Nutrition Facts Panel on the package.
NCBA continues to encourage FSIS to work with all stakeholders as this rule moves forward in being finalized and implemented in the marketplace. Cattlemen have long supported the inclusion of beef's complete nutrient profile on beef products, as the information is helpful for consumers to make educated purchasing decisions. NCBA's comments continue to encourage FSIS to include nutrient information on the label that is helpful to consumers.
Calorie for calorie, beef is one of the most naturally nutrient-rich foods there is. A three-ounce serving of lean beef is considered an excellent source of: protein, zinc, vitamin B, selenium and phosphorus; and a good source of niacin, vitamin B, iron, choline and riboflavin. Twenty-nine cuts of beef meet government guidelines for lean, with less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3-ounce serving. Research also suggests that high-quality protein plays an increasingly important role in weight management, muscle development and maintenance, and disease prevention.
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What's With This Cattle Market?
By Gregg Doud, NCBA chief economist
Slowly, methodically and seemingly without fanfare, the cattle market has been rising since about Thanksgiving. As of late, however, the continuation of this "run" in cattle prices has started to gather attention and it has several asking how, why, and more importantly, will it continue? Fortunately, this situation is less about speculators speculating and more about the fundamentals of both supply and demand that are underpinning this rally.
On the supply side, cattle feeders placed four percent fewer cattle in feedlots for March-April-May 2010 delivery, versus the same period in 2009; and each carcass is six pounds lighter than last week and 26 pounds compared to a year ago. These lighter weights are the result of one of the longest and most difficult Midwest winters in a long time. We've also seen about two percent fewer culls cows and bulls coming to market so far in 2010. The combination of these factors means that, although year-to-date U.S. beef production is flat, we should see beef supplies tighten for the balance of the spring. This suggests that cattle feeders will pull market- ready inventories forward to take advantage of these improved marketing opportunities, giving them an opportunity to improve their negotiating position with processors into the summer months.
On the demand side, the situation has improved mightily from the global economic doldrums of 2009. The lower value of the U.S. dollar and strong economic growth in Asia is producing a welcome revival of U.S. beef exports. Year-to-date beef export sales appear to be up by roughly 20 percent and wholesale prices for exported items such as short plate, outside skirt and chuck rolls are driving the wholesale beef "cutout" value higher. Another development has been rain in Australia that appears to be encouraging heifer retention after roughly a decade of drought in that country. In fact, too much rain in some parts of the country appears to be exacerbating the situation by preventing cattle from coming to market. The result is a whopping 50 percent year-to-date reduction in total Australian beef exports. U.S. imports of lean trim (for grinding and blending to make food service hamburger) from Australia are down about 40 percent so far in 2010.
For most of the past two years, cattle prices have struggled due to a soft U.S. economy and domestic beef demand. However, in recent days it now appears that retailers have entered the demand picture as well. With the end of lent approaching and some spring time weather at long last, retailers are anticipating that folks are ready to get their grills fired up. Goodness knows that beef producers are ready for spring as well and for the first time since 2007, this spring is seeing the end of red ink flowing in the cattle feeding sector and profitability across all segments of the beef industry. Come on spring!
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Public Lands Council Announces New Executive Director
Dustin Van Liew has been named as the new Executive Director of the Public Lands Council (PLC), and Director of Federal Lands for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). Van Liew has been with PLC as a lobbyist since January, 2008, most recently serving in the role of interim director.
"Dustin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, and-most importantly-a passion for this great industry and the people who work in it," said Skye Krebs, PLC president. "He has been an invaluable asset to the association over the past two years, and I'm excited to have him on board in this new leadership role."
In his new position, Van Liew will seek to grow the presence of PLC both in the West and in Washington, DC to ensure a profitable business environment for America's ranchers.
Van Liew comes from Woodland, Calif., where he is the seventh generation to work in livestock and production agriculture. He attended Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo where he received a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business with a policy concentration. While at Cal Poly he was a member of the livestock judging team, competing in contests across the nation. After finishing at Cal Poly, Van Liew moved to College Station, Texas to attend Texas A&M University where he received a Masters degree in Agricultural Economics. His thesis focused on the economics of range management.
"PLC and NCBA have been strong allies over the years, and I'm looking forward to having Dustin at the helm as we continue to build upon this important partnership," said Colin Woodall, NCBA vice president of government affairs.
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PLC to Hold Annual Legislative Conference Next Week in DC
Public Lands Council (PLC) members representing 11 western states will head to Washington, DC next week for the annual legislative fly-in. During the conference, March 22-23, members will meet with agency and congressional representatives to discuss legislative and regulatory issues affecting public lands ranchers, including: sage grouse and wild horse and burro management; Equal Access to Justice Act reform; federal land-management agency decisions; and death tax relief.
The conference will include briefings by Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey; Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White; Arizona Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain; and other agency and legislative representatives.
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Don't Miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen!
Don't miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen, March 23-27! We'll talk with Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health about how implants can help make your ranch profitable and sustainable. We'll also take a look at what this year's Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show had in store for the kids who attended.
NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen debuts Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., and airs again Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. (all times Eastern). Don't forget, you can watch NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen online anytime by visiting www.CattlemenToCattlemen.org. Follow us on Twitter at NCBA C2C and become a fan of the show on Facebook by searching NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen.
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NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20004 | | Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns - March 11, 2010 (3/11/2010) Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns - March 4, 2010 (3/4/2010) Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns - February 25, 2010 (2/25/2010) Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns - February 18, 2010 (2/18/2010) Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns - February 4, 2010 (2/4/2010) Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns - January 21, 2010 (1/21/2010)
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