State Fair Beef Show – The junior show continues today with beef breeds competing in the show arena.

Fairgoers of all ages are enjoying the Hot Beef Sundae and Cattlemen’s Ribeye Steak Sandwich at this year’s State Fair. In spite of unseasonably warm temperatures, crowds have been large and sales at the Beef Barn have set new records.

MJCA – Mississippi Junior Cattlemen’s Association members met Sunday to elect directors for the coming year. 2007-2008 directors are: Brooke Thomas, Brittany Housley, Reagen Melton, Justin Brown, Olivia Frazier, Katie Mitchell, Brett Magee, Laura Sikes, Emma Collins, and Cory Ladner.

Beef Day at the Fair – Volunteers at the Beef Barn assembled grills in preparation for Tuesday’s Celebrity Grilling Contest. Teams from Jackson’s three television stations and Miss 103 Radio will compete for bragging rights as the best steak cooks at the fair.

MJCA Officers – Newly elected officers are: Laura Sikes President, Cory Ladner, Vice President, and Cheyenne Stewart, Secretary.

State Fair Schedule
Tuesday, Oct. 9
Beef Day at the Fair, Celebrity Grilling Contest
Thursday, Oct. 11
Dairy Quiz Bowl
Friday, Oct. 12
Open Dairy Show, 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 13
Junior Dairy Show, 8:30 a.m.

Cattle Market Notes, Friday, October 5, 2007, Dr. John Anderson, Mississippi State University - In light trade, cash fed cattle prices were down significantly from last week, with dressed prices in Iowa and Nebraska off from $5 to $8 compared to last week (mostly $142 to $143 dressed).  Live sales in those regions were at $90 to $91. The pace of cattle slaughter remains pretty brisk despite a lot of talk about weak packer margins.  Cattle slaughter is expected to be up again this week to 672,000 head, up from 650,000 head last week and 635,000 head a year ago.  The real story this week may be hog slaughter.  Dow-Jones newswire noted on Friday afternoon that an anticipated large Saturday kill could push weekly hog slaughter to a new record this week.  USDA estimates hog slaughter this week at 2,321,000 head.
Calf prices were mixed this week.  At Oklahoma City, feeder and stocker steer prices were steady to $1 higher.  Feeder heifer prices were steady in a light test; stocker heifer prices were steady to $3 lower.  At Lexington, Kentucky, feeder steer and heifer prices were steady to $1 higher.  Prices on stocker steers and heifers were steady to $2 lower (though a few instances of $2 higher on 6-weight steers were noted). 
At Georgia auctions this week, prices on feeder steers were $1 to $3 lower; prices on feeder heifers, $1 to $2 lower.  Prices on stocker steers were steady to $3 lower, and prices on stocker heifers were steady to $2 lower.
At Mississippi auctions this week, feeder steer prices were called $5 higher, and prices on heifers were called $ to $5 higher.  Steer prices at Mississippi auctions this week were reported as follows: 250-300 pounds, $140-$150; 300-350 pounds, $130-$140; 350-400 pounds, $125-$130; 400-500 pounds, $115-$125; 500-600 pounds, $105-$115; 600-700 pounds, $95-$105; 700-800 pounds, $92-$95.  Slaughter cow prices were $1 to $5 lower this week.  For the week: breakers, $38-$40; boners, $40-$45; lean (850-1,200 pounds), $38-$43.
Live Cattle futures moved lower pretty much all week, with just a brief respite on Thursday.  A lackluster wholesale beef market and virtually non-existent cash business contributed to the week’s losses, with the sharpest declines coming on Friday.  Live Cattle futures closing prices on Friday (with change from last Friday’s close in parentheses) were as follows: October $93.67 (-3.28); December $96.12 (-3.68); February $98.20 (-3.30); April $98.22 (-3.03); June $94.47 (-2.55).
Feeder cattle futures also moved fairly steadily lower this week.  Any support that the market may have been getting from lower feed grain prices this week was overwhelmed by the effect of weakness in Live Cattle futures.  Feeder Cattle futures closing prices on Friday (with change from last Friday’s close in parentheses): October $113.95 (-2.35); November $113.50 (-3.12); January $112.82 (-2.50); March $111.77 (-1.35).
Corn futures prices eroded still further this week.  Various popular press outlets this week have drawn attention to the noticeable slowdown in the expansion of ethanol production capacity.  This is obviously not a situation that developed overnight, but it is one that has only recently begun to get widespread attention.  Another major feature in the market this week was a rebound in the value of the dollar.  A weakening dollar has allowed grain exports to remain high despite the fact that prices have increased significantly.  December Corn closed on Friday at $3.42 ¼, down 30 ¾ cents from last week’s close – back down to about the same level as at the beginning of September.  November beans closed on Friday at $9.40 ½, down 56 ¾ cents from last Friday’s close. Dr. Anderson’s complete report can be accessed from www.mscattlemen.org

Cargill Meat Solutions Co. has recalled about 845,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties produced at its Butler, Wis., location and distributed nationwide because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, USDA announced on Saturday.
The recall comes only a week after the 22-million-pound ground beef recall that put Topps Meats Co. out of business.
The Minnesota Departments of Health and Agriculture discovered the problem while investigating three illnesses. Cargill is voluntarily recalling the products based on a preliminary analysis of epidemiological data.
Wal-Mart-owned Sam's Club said it pulled the product from its U.S. locations after learning the illnesses being investigated may be linked to frozen ground beef patties manufactured by Cargill and purchased from Sam's Club beginning August 26, 2007 at its Eagan, Maple Grove and White Bear Lake locations.
USDA said the frozen ground beef patties were produced on various dates from Aug. 9 through Aug. 17, 2007, and were distributed to retail establishments, restaurants and institutions nationwide. Each label bears the establishment number "Est. 924A" inside the USDA mark of inspection. 

Recall Impact Closes Topps - Saying the financial loss resulting from one of the largest beef recalls in U.S. history is too much to overcome, Topps Meat Co. on Friday announced the closure of its Elizabeth, N.J. plant.
"This is tragic for all concerned," CEO Anthony D'Urso said in a press release. "In one week we have gone from the largest U.S. manufacturer of frozen hamburgers to a company that cannot overcome the economic reality of a recall this large.
Last week, Topps Meat Co. expanded its nationwide recall to include 21.7 million pounds of frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
"We sincerely regret the impact this will have on our employees, our customers and suppliers and the community," he added. "Most of all, we regret that our products have been linked by public health agencies to recently reported illnesses. We hope and pray for the full recovery of those individuals."
Fallout from the Topps recall has been widespread. Less than 24 hours earlier, USDA officials were explaining to the press why it took them more than a week to pull the trigger on the Sept. 25 recall. Though complexities associated with the illnesses and tests needed to confirm their cause contributed to the delay, officials admitted the agency's inspection systems needs improvement.
"We want to thank our loyal employees and customers who have supported us throughout the 67 years in which Topps Meat has been in business," D'Urso said. "Topps always prided itself on providing the utmost quality and safety, and never had a recall in our history until now. This has been a shocking and sobering experience for everyone." from meatingplace.com

We Care – Checkoff-funded consumer advertising supports the “We Care” program in promoting a positive image of the U.S. beef industry worldwide. In Japan, the beef “We Care” caravan recently visited 10 retail outlets in Tokyo, Nakayama and Hiroshima, serving bite-sized grilled U.S. meat samples from the We Care kitchen car outside of stores and promoted U.S. beef at meat counters inside. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, U.S. beef sales jumped 170 percent during the week of the caravan visits.

Opening Opportunities in the Middle East – Toward opening new avenues for low-cost, high-profit U.S. beef from underutilized cuts, more than 150 chefs, foodservice personnel and importers/distributors attended checkoff-funded seminars in Cairo, Beirut and Dubai. Texas Beef Council Consultant Chef Jay McCarthy introduced a variety of new U.S. beef cuts, such as shoulder clod, chuck-eye roll, top butt sirloin, tri-tip, flank steak, brisket and short ribs, demonstrating that these cuts can be as good as traditional middle meats and even more profitable for any foodservice operation. Sales of middle meats in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are on the rise.

Interstate Meat Shipping Becomes Political Football - Whether or not state-inspected meat plants are able to ship across state lines was a hot topic of debate last week.  Provisions included in the House Farm Bill would allow state-inspected meat to be shipped to other states.  Partially due to increased media scrutiny surrounding a recent ground beef recall, some Senators appear poised to strike that provision when they consider the Farm Bill. 
Currently, a stand-alone bill in the Senate, the New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of 2007 (S. 1150) would overturn an outdated provision which prevents interstate shipment of state-inspected meat. The measure is being championed by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).  
Federal law requires USDA to inspect all meat products. In the 1960s Congress created state inspection programs that are mandated to be “at least equal to” the federal inspection program.  Perishable products – including milk and other dairy items, fruit, vegetables, and fish – are freely shipped across state lines after state inspection. But standard meat products, like poultry, beef, and pork, are prohibited from interstate commerce, despite decades of meeting or surpassing the federal inspection standards. This legislation would remove that prohibition.
“State inspection programs are proven to be as thorough as Federal programs, yet state-inspected meat can’t be shipped even from Utah to Colorado,” says Hatch. “We need to update this unnecessary, unjust ban that puts our small businesses at such a disadvantage.”
NCBA policy supports the legislation as a way for state-regulated businesses to compete in interstate commerce and sees it as a great opportunity for cattle producers and small local businesses to market branded beef products. “We see this as an opportunity to foster entrepreneurship and add new competition in the processing sector,” says Jay Truitt, NCBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs. “In addition, this would create more access for consumers to get the kinds of meat products they want.”

Tax Relief for Drought - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued its guidance publication on the deferral of capital gains taxes from drought-related sales of livestock.  NCBA has continually worked for changes to Section 1033 (e) of the Uniform Tax Code to extend the tax deferment period for weather-related sales of livestock – known as involuntary conversions.  Last fall, the IRS announced it will extend tax relief for ranchers who were forced to sell off large portions of their breeding stock as a result of drought conditions.
“This action by the IRS provides continued relief to cattle producers who have dealt with drought over an extended period of time, says NCBA’s Manager of Legislative Issues Jason Jordan.  “These changes to the tax code will help cattle producers in drought-impacted areas of our country sustain their operations through a difficult time.”
To read or download the guidance document and to see a list of eligible counties, click on this link on the IRS website:  http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-07-80.pdf.

Peru Trade - The White House sent up implementing legislation to Congress on September 27th for the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement.  President Bush said, “The Agreement will create significant new opportunities for American workers, farmers, ranchers, businesses, and consumers by opening new markets and eliminating barriers.” 
Since the White House has submitted the formal language to Congress, the House now has 45 legislative days (in which Congress is in session) to move it through committee, or it will move to the floor automatically. The bill must then come before the full House in 15 session days. The Senate Finance Committee must report the bill within 15 days of the House action, or it is automatically discharged. The Senate must then vote on the bill within 15 days.
NCBA is working with a coalition of ag industry groups in support of this agreement which presents a great opportunity for America’s cattlemen.  Under the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement:
- U.S. Choice and Prime beef will have immediate duty-free access.
- 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.
- Peru has committed in writing to specific Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) terms.
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.  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.

ADA Meeting - NCBA’s Director of Food Policy Phyllis Marquitz just returned from Philadelphia where she participated in the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo, September 29-October 2.  While in Philadelphia, Phyllis and the NCBA team promoted the 29 lean beef cuts and beef’s naturally nutrient-rich qualities (visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/nutrition for more info!). 
Phyllis also attended a number of dietetic and nutrition sessions dealing with health trends in food products.  One session of note was presented on “Nutrient Density: Applying Developing Science to Improve Public Health” highlighting the MyPyramid concept of Americans getting more nutrients for their calories.   NCBA participates in the Nutrient Rich Foods Coalition (visit http://www.nutrientrichfoods.org) and we are excited to educate dietetics professionals about the benefits of beef as part of a healthy diet.  More information on the conference is available on ADA’s website at www.eatright.org or by clicking on this link:  http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/7539_ENU_HTML.htm.

Don't Miss NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen - On this week’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, beginning at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 9th, Cattlemen to Cattlemen reports on the Topps Meat Company ground beef recall. Dr. Bo Reagan, NCBA VP of Research and Knowledge Management discusses the beef industry’s efforts to fight E. coli contamination, and the importance of using best practices developed by the Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCO).
Reporter Todd McCartney joins Dixon County Feeders in Nebraska and experts from Fort Dodge Animal Health to look at maximizing the value of calves. We’ll also visit the Oak Knoll Ranch in Missouri to meet another regional ESAP winner, and Brian Baxter provides an update on the latest line of Beef Value Cuts.
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