Cattle Economics

[PORKER]

We have an important opportunity right now to get the Department of Justice to investigate the handful of companies that control much of the food system. Can you take action to encourage the Department of Justice to break the monopolies?

How bad are things right now?
- Four companies process more than 85% of U.S. beef cattle.
- Two companies sell 50% of U.S. corn seed.
- One company controls 40% of the U.S.milk supply.
- Five firms dominate the grocery sector, ensuring that low prices paid to farmers aren't passed along to consumers at the store.

After decades of government officials looking the other way, regulators are finally acknowledging there might be a problem. Tomorrow, Food & Water Watch staff are participating in the first of several hearings being held by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to hear about the state of competition in agriculture markets.

[andybob]

Are there still enough local private abattoirs in the USA and Canada to be able to direct market your beef? preferably by networking with neighbours.
I started an on farm shop when I was in the UK previously, selling "free range" beef and pork from the farm, and selling "free range" eggs, chicken, turkeys and lamb for neighbours.
I had started marketing beef when in NC, when I began my herd there, I had access to the local stores' butchery which was only being used for packing bought in meat, I had to buy in steers as the demand for the products I was producing as my promotional sales outstripped my potentia production by about two years of herd building, nobody felt they had time to take over the fledling business when I had to leave, an opportunity lost in my opinion!
In my present position, we have an on site abattoir, shop, sell on the internet, and have negotiated sales through the top food stores in the UK.
http://www.laverstokepark.co.uk/

[PORKER]

Secretary Vilsack Announces Cattlemen's Beef Board Appointments
by USDA
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 4:18PM EST

SOOO ARE they going to make a DIFFERENCE
WASHINGTON - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced 36 appointments to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board. All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning immediately.

"These appointees represent a cross section of the beef industry and I am confident that beef producers and importers of cattle, beef and beef products will be well served by them," said Vilsack.

In 2009, according to USDA statistics, there were an estimated 950,000 farms with cattle representing approximately 93.7 million head of cattle at the beginning of 2010. Top producing states included Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, California and Oklahoma.

Newly appointed members representing cattle producers are: Barbara S. Jackson, Ariz.; Willem Bylsma, Calif.; Darrel C. Sweet, Calif.; Robert W. Buck, Colo.; Jeffrey L. Clausen, Iowa; Dean A. Black, Iowa; Daniel P. Herrmann, Kan.; Larry M. Olten, Kan.; Genevieve D. Lyons, La.; Andrew B. Salinas, Mich.; John C. Schafer, Minn.; David M. McCormick, Miss.; Kevin H. Frankenbach, Mo.; Kristy L. Lage, Neb.; Judith A. Reece, Neb.; Annalyn Settelmeyer, Nev.; Tamara A. Ogilvie, N.M.; Ernest B. Harris, N.C; Thomas A. Woods, Okla.; James C. Kesler, S.C.; Danni K. Beer, S.D.; Linda J. Gilbert, S.D.; Robert J. Reviere, Jr., Tenn.; Larry B. Pratt, Texas; Andrea W. Reed, Texas; D. Rudolph Tate, Texas; Bruce D. Dopslauf, Texas; Laurie L. Munns, Utah; Jane E. Clifford, Vt.; Larry D. Echols, W.VA; Martin A. Andersen, Wis.; Randall A. Geiger, Wis.; and Spencer A. Ellis, Wyo.

Newly appointed members representing importers are: Alberto J. Senosiain, Fla.; Andrew Banchi, Penn.; and Scott A. Hansen, Va.

The Board oversees collection of $1-per-head on all cattle sold in the United States, and $1-per-head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products. In addition, the Board contracts with established national, non-profit, industry-governed organizations to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications.

The 106-member Board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The secretary selects the appointees nominated by beef, veal, dairy and importers certified organizations.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees operations of the Board.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Source: USDA

[mrj]

Whether or not they "make a difference" depends upon what you mean by "make a difference" doesn't it?

Previous CBB members have been very welcoming of suggestions from cattle producers. Hopefully that will not change. Hopefully, more cattle producers will share their concerns and suggestions with the board.

My main concern, as one who has worked very hard for many years, first to get the Beef Checkoff, and since then to keep it and to support it, is whether or not ALL members of CBB and all the staff and leaders make decisions in accord with the law and uphold the letter of the law creating and governing the Beef Checkoff.

mrj