MJCA Meeting – Mississippi Junior Cattlemen’s Association members will hold their annual meeting and election of officers Sunday, October 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the Dixie Sale Arena. Juniors interested in joining MJCA are encouraged to attend.

Screwworm Detected in Mississippi - On Thursday, September 21, the National Veterinary Services  Laboratory confirmed that larvae removed from a canine that had just been imported from Trinidad to Hancock County was Cochliomyia hominivorax, or the New World Screwworm.  Screwworms are flesh-eating fly larvae (maggots) that can infect any warm-blooded mammal, including humans. Left untreated, screwworm infestation can be fatal.
The dog, a 16 year old Pompel has a history of diabetes, heart murmur, glaucoma, blindness and long-term eye drainage problems.  The group of veterinarians involved in this case discussed the case and suspected screwworm infection so they promptly contacted the State Veterinarian who submitted them to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
Since Screwworm has been eradicated from the United States since 1964, there is concern that re-introduction of this pest could occur through importation of infected animals from screwworm endemic areas.
The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that if a re-infestation became established in the US, livestock losses would be in excess of $844 million/year.  The last identification of screwworm importation occurred in Florida in 2000.  In this case a private practitioner found screwworm larvae on a horse imported from Argentina.
Prompt reporting and response prevented re-infestation.
Many thanks to Drs. Kevin Smith, Warren Martin, Amanda Foxworth, and Blythe Odom, whose quick thinking and prompt reporting prevented this from becoming a much bigger problem.  This incident serves as a reminder of how important the local veterinarian’s role is in preventing devastating diseases from affecting the safety and health of the animals and citizens of the US.

 State Fair Schedule
Friday, Oct. 5
Simmental/Simbrah Open Show, 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 6
4-H & FFA Judging Contest, 8:00 a.m.
Steer Show, 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 7
Beef Showmanship, 1:00 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 8
Junior Beef Breeding Show, 8:30 a.m., commercial heifers followed by registered breeds

Cattle Market Notes, Friday, September 21, 2007, Dr. John Anderson, Mississippi State University –  Last week cash fed cattle gained a dollar or two after a couple of weeks of lower prices.  Last week’s 5-Area average price worked out to $93.71, up a little over $1 from the prior week.  On Friday in the Southern Plains, prices were $2 higher at about $96 live in Texas and Kansas.  Nebraska prices were mostly $95.50 live (up $1.50) and $150 dressed ($3 to $4 higher) on Friday.  Cattle slaughter is expected to be up again this week: 654,000 head this week compared with 645,000 head last week and 636,000 head last year.
Calf prices were generally no better than steady this week, with prices at some locations down considerably.  At Oklahoma City, prices on all classes were called steady.  At Arkansas auctions, prices were noted to be very uneven this week, though the bulk of sales were called steady to $2 lower. 
At Mississippi auctions this week, feeder steer prices were steady, and prices on heifers were $3 to $5 lower.  Steer prices at Mississippi auctions this week were reported as follows: 200-300 pounds, $145-$154; 300-350 pounds, $135-$145; 350-400 pounds, $125-$135; 400-450 pounds, $115-$125; 450-500 pounds, $110-$115; 500-600 pounds, $100-$110; 600-700 pounds, $195-$100; 700-800 pounds, not reported.  Slaughter cow prices were $1 to $3 higher this week.  For the week: breakers, not reported; boners, $42-$50; lean (850-1,200 pounds), $38-$44.
Live Cattle futures closing prices on Friday (with change from last Friday’s close in parentheses) were as follows: October $96.95 (+0.25); December $99.80 (-0.37); February $101.50 (-0.07); April $101.25 (no change); June $97.02 (-0.05).
Feeder cattle futures knocked around a good bit this week, finishing up strong on Friday as corn futures tumbled.  Earlier in the week, surging grain futures made for a pretty challenging environment for feeder cattle.  By Friday, though, all contracts managed to post modest gains compared with last week.  Feeder Cattle futures closing prices on Friday (with change from last Friday’s close in parentheses): October $116.30 (+0.10); November $116.62 (+0.25); January $115.32 (+0.35); March $113.12 (+0.35).
Corn futures were very volatile this week.  With corn exports for the 2006/07 marketing year about in line with expectations, the larger-than-expected ending stocks figure reflects a shortfall in expected feed use, ethanol use, or both.  December Corn closed on Friday at $3.73, down 3 ¾ cents from last week’s close – but down 13 ¾ cents on the day.  Soybean futures also soared this week before dropping on Friday after the Grain Stocks report.  Even with Friday’s break, prices held over the $10 mark on all contracts from January through August 2008.  November beans closed on Friday at $9.97 ¼, up 18 ¼ cents from last Friday’s close. Dr. Anderson’s complete report can be accessed from www.mscattlemen.org

Hamburger Recall - Topps Meat Co. announced Saturday it massively expanded its nationwide recall to include 21.7 million pounds of frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 as health officials investigate 27 illnesses in eight states.
The recall represents all products produced by Elizabeth, NJ-based Topps with a "sell by date" or "best if used by date" between September 25, 2007 and September 25, 2008. Last week the company recalled 331,582 pounds of ground beef produced on specific dates in June and July. USDA said the recall is being expanded based on an additional positive product sample reported by the New York Health Department, reported illnesses and findings from a food safety assessment conducted by FSIS at the establishment.
USDA is investigating which suppliers Elizabeth, N.J.-based Topps Meat Co. purchased beef from that might be responsible for the E. coli contamination.
"We are looking at the suppliers and trying to figure out where it came from," Eamich said, but added she could not release supplier names.
Meanwhile, USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Richard Raymond went on national television Monday to allay consumer fears. "I think the American meat supply is the safest in the world," he said on CBS's "The Early Show".
Industry officials also said the size of the recall (27.1 million pounds is the largest recall in recent years) doesn't precisely correlate with the size of the problem.
"When you see these huge numbers, it's because USDA is going to err on the side of consumer health, which we agree with, and make absolutely certain everything has been taken out of commerce," Dr. James Marsden, senior science advisor for the National Association of Meat Processors, told Meatingplace.com. "No one believes there is E. coli in all that meat."
NAMP is working closely with USDA on what steps the industry can take to decrease E. coli instances and, just last week, sponsored a conference focusing on E. coli prevention.

S. Korean Imports of U.S. Beef on the Rise - South Korean imports of U.S. beef rose tenfold in the past two months, and the products are quickly penetrating Seoul's market, according to government data cited in local news reports.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry indicated that U.S. beef imports have increased tenfold since July 16, compared with the prior two-month period.
Following South Korea's resumption of U.S. beef imports in late April, the country has, as of Sept. 19, received 13,376 tons of the products.
South Korea received some 246,595 metric tons of U.S. beef in 2003, before the discovery of the first U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy late that year, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. from meatingplace.com

Industries Press for Trade Agreement Passage - NCBA, along with other ag industry representatives and Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner, participated in a press conference last week to discuss the benefits of four pending free trade agreements.
NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Jay Truitt spoke on behalf of NCBA and cattlemen across the nation in support of the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement and other agreements currently before Congress.  “This agreement presents a great opportunity for cattlemen,” said Truitt.  “Not only does it allow immediate duty-free access for our Choice and Prime beef, but this agreement also sets the precedent for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) terms.”
In addition under the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement:
- All tariff rate quotas will be eliminated within 12 years. 
- Peru has committed to recognize the U.S. meat inspection system as equivalent to its own, thereby allowing imports from facilities approved by USDA. 
- Provisions contained within the agreement will give U.S. producers the ability to compete aggressively against Argentinean and Brazilian beef.
“Beef comprises less than 8 percent of Peru’s total agriculture gross domestic product, making it an exceptional export growth opportunity for U.S. beef,” said Truitt.  In 2003, Peru was a $6 million export market for U.S. beef, beef variety meats and beef products. This improved access could amount to roughly $15 million a year, about half the value of Peru's current total beef imports.

Mark Your Calendars For Annual Convention! - The 2008 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held February 6-9 in Reno, Nevada.  The meeting will feature joint and individual meetings by NCBA, Cattlemen's Beef Promotion & Research Board, American National CattleWomen, Inc., Cattle-Fax and the National Cattlemen's Foundation.
At the NCBA Trade Show, more than 250 companies will offer attendees a chance to see the latest products and services while networking with other cattle producers. In addition, many booths will feature giveaways, games and prize drawings. Whether you are looking for farm vehicles, fencing, feed supplies, animal health products or the latest in technology, you'll find it right here under one roof.
Education, information and networking are the cornerstones of Convention.  But it's not all business, there will be lots of time to kick back, relax and enjoy your mini-vacation in Reno. Bring your family along!  Additional details and schedule updates are posted at http://www.beefusa.org/convcattleindustryannualconventionandncbatradeshow.aspx

Don't Miss NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen - On this week’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, beginning at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 2nd, we cover the resignation of U.S Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.  Also, Randy Blach of Cattle Fax discusses an issue that is taking a real economic toll on cattlemen across the country, land prices.  We’ll visit the Yolo Land and Cattle Company, winners of the Region VI Environmental Stewardship Award.  Plus, we’ll take you to Maine to learn how the IRM Red Books are produced.
Fort Dodge Animal Health and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation are teaming up to provide five legacy scholarships for students interested in animal science and large animal veterinary medicine.  On the next episode, we’ll visit Kansas State University to learn more about the shortage of students working to become large animal veterinarians.  Plus, learn how you can contribute to the Fort Dodge Animal Health Legacy Scholarship Program.
The show will be rebroadcast Wednesday at 3:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and Saturdays at 9 a.m. Make sure YOU tune into NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen on channel RFD-TV. For more information or to check out past episodes, visit www.cattlementocattlemen.org.

Oct 3-14                  Mississippi State Fair
Oct 11                     Neshoba CCA
Oct 13                     Marshall CCA Field Day
Oct 18                     Oktibbeha CCA
Oct 22                     7L Sale
Oct 25-27                AI School, MSU
Oct 27                     Lincoln CCA Field Day
Oct 30                     Nutrition Shortcourse, Distance Ed Sites

Mississippi Cattlemen's Association
680 Monroe Street, Suite A
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 354-8951
missca1@bellsouth.net