LMD March 2010

Livestock “The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.”

MARKET

Digest I

www. aaalivestock . com

Volume 52 • No. 3

Crying Uncle

by Lee Pitts

fter wasting $142 million over six years and only getting a third of this nation’s ranchers to register their premises, the USDA finally threw in the towel on its mandatory national animal identification program. Or so they say. Pardon us for being a bit skeptical but this is, after all, the same agency that first said it was a voluntary program to aid in disease control and then morphed it into a mandatory program in which health and welfare seemed to be almost an afterthought.

Much to his credit, USDA Secretary Vilsack did something his predecessor never did. He admitted that the USDA earned “a failing grade” in trying to implement NAIS. Depending on how much you trust the USDA and the politicians in Washington, DC, Vilsack’s waving of the white flag could either be total capitulation and the death of a mandatory national ID system for livestock, or it could be just another smokescreen. It could be that the meatpackers, and the politicians they have in their pocket, will try to get what they want through even more sinister methods than they used in trying to implement NAIS in the first place. Knowing the USDA like

NEWSPAPER PRIORITY HANDLING

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by LEE PITTS

Better Off Dead

– JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL MARCH 15, 2010 •

Riding Herd

“The best sermons are lived, not preached.” we do, on this the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain’s death, we are reminded of his words when contemplating the supposed end of NAIS: “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

If It’s Dead, Why Not Bury It? Amidst all the whooping and hollering and back-patting following the alleged end to NAIS, cynics like Doreen Hannes smell a rat. “What about all the people who are in the Premises Database with PIN’s already? They stay in that database,” said the activist for small scale and traditional farming rights. “How about animals that are already identified with the “840” tags for

NAIS? They also stay in the database. What about the “840” tags themselves? Well, the USDA and states will keep using them. Are they going to halt further registrations into the NAIS database?

Heck no! They’ll keep registering properties and will also be using a ‘unique location identifier’ for this kinder, gentler NAIS that the States will run for us.”

As opponents of NAIS celebrate what they see as a major victory, Hannes asks the nagging question, “If NAIS is dead, why not allow the database to be annihilated?”

Good question.

Ever since NAIS was first introduced during the Presidency

of George Bush, the NAIS was sold as a way to track every head of livestock in this country using a 15-digit number. Gadget geeks, technology buffs and bureaucrats wanting to expand their turf, envisioned a world in which all your livestock would be implanted with an electronic chip and their every move would be kept track of in a huge database run by the USDA, that would enable it to immediately track down potentially diseased animals within 48 hours. Cynics suggested it could also do other, more sinister things. It could also serve as an inventory control tool by advocates of captive supply, or by the IRS to nail a rancher in tax court.

Of course, the USDA said they’d never allow such abuse, but this comes from the same agency that first U.S. Supreme Court.

NAIS forged feelings of fear, loathing and even laughter amongst ranchers who only knew their government as one that can’t even use its own database to keep known-terrorists off airplanes. And the bumbling and fumbling USDA was going to keep track of every cow, horse, pig and sheep in this country?

That’s a real leg slapper!

Besides, hadn’t the USDA ever heard the old bromide that you never ask a rancher how continued on page two

Environmental Litigation Abuse A Nationwide Problem

by KAREN BUDD-FALEN, Attorney, Cheyenne, Wyo.

This is an installment of a multi-part series of articles regarding the attorney fees litigation gravy train perpetrated by the environmental groups using taxpayer dollars. In addition to uncovering more fees paid for environmental litigation, this memorandum exposes the fallacy between “non-profit” and “for-profit” attorney fee requesters. I have joined forces with Western Legacy Alliance (WLA) to continue this research and to find solutions to these astronomical abuses.

Western Legacy Alliance can be reached at P.O. Box 162, Moreland, ID 83256, www.westernlegacyalliance.org; e-mail: westernlegacyalliance@ gmail.com; phone: 208/206-7309. The research in this and other stories is open to anyone seeking a solution to this abuse of the system.

t is not only western based environmental groups that have found litigation against the federal government to be a profitable source of funding. Consider that the Friends of the Earth filed 113 district court cases against the federal government in the last approximately ten years and the Environmental Defense Fund filed 67. Even greater is The Wilderness Society with 150 cases, the National Wildlife Federation with 233 cases, the Natural Resources Defense Council with 488 cases and topping the list is the Sierra Club. Between 1989 and 2009, the Sierra Club filed 983 cases against the federal government. All totaled, these five groups have filed 2,034 cases. If you add the “western envi-

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continued on page four

t is said that the only two sure things in life are death and taxes. To which I would add a third certainty: that the government will use your death as an excuse to increase your taxes. Here’s an installment of “Ask The Tax Man” that might help your heirs keep some of your cash when you keel over.

Q: My ungrateful son just informed me that 2010 is a great year to die. How so?

A: If you die in 2010 your child will inherit 100 percent of your estate whereas if you wait to die until 2011 the government will grab 55 percent of it. I’d watch my back if I were you.

Accidents will happen, you know what I mean?

Q: Doesn’t this create an incentive for people to die this year?

A: Of course. Thousands of wealthy people on life support will be unplugged this year by their kids, suicide hot lines will heat up, charities will spring up to find a cure for metabolism, and Oprah will do a show on the best ways to off yourself.

Q: I’m a 92 year-old female worth in excess of 100 million dollars that my four husbands worked very hard to amass. I would like to leave my spoiled stepkids all my money but I don’t believe in suicide. Isn’t there some way around this ridiculous rule?

A: Start living dangerously. Take up skydiving, trade in your Rolls for a murder-cycle, start smoking four packs of cigarettes a day and don’t get a flu shot.

In the past I would have suggested committing a crime so bad that you’d end up sharing a prison cell with Dr. Kervorkian, but I think he’s out on bail now.

Besides, if your crime wasn’t heinous enough you could just end up doing 500 hours of community service.

Q: I love my kids but I worry that all the money in my estate is just too tempting. Are there any precautions I should take?

A: Absolutely. Trade in your Chihuahua for a bomb continued on page four

www.LeePittsbooks.com

Livestock Market Digest

Page 2

March 15, 2010

Crying Uncle many acres he owns or head of cattle he runs? Apparently not.

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When the USDA said the program would be voluntary, some well meaning ranchers willingly signed up their premises, but when the USDA started talking about making the program mandatory, groups as diverse as R-CALF and the Amish joined forces to expose the program for what it really was: a tool for the big packers to further industrialize and globalize the American beef business and to wipe out the smaller cattlemen. After all, Mom and Pop would be forced to register every animal, while the big boys would only have to keep track of groups of animals.

It never was a fair fight. The USDA handed out big grants to at least one breed association, Indian tribes and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, part of the NCBA, who received over $2.1 million from the federal government in 2008 to promote NAIS. But Goliath was brought down by an army of relentless opponents who shivered at the thought of the feds knowing their every move.

At first glance it looked like the freedom-lovers were victorious when Agriculture Secretary Vilsack waved the flag of surrender in February and announced he was going to pursue a new approach to animal traceback.

Going even further, the Ag Secretary added a big bright bow to his package of good news by also announcing that the U.S. “must strengthen its import controls to prevent the introduction of animal diseases at our borders. This is a high priority for independent cattle producers who intrinsically understand that we cannot continue importing diseases like BSE, bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis if we desire to maintain our industry’s reputation of producing the healthiest cattle in the world.”

Wow, a bad idea is buried and we finally have an Ag Secretary who understands?

It may be too good to be true.

At the same time he buried NAIS, Vilsack spoke of a new ID program and of starting all over again. Vilsack said the USDA “is refocusing its efforts on a new, flexible framework that will apply only to animals moved in interstate commerce and encourage the use of “lower-cost” technology. He also said the new program would “be implemented “transparently” through federal regulations and the full rulemaking process.”

This was music to the ears of R-CALF who has been lobbying for such changes. It may also confirm our suspicion that R-CALF has more sway in Washington and in the Obama administration than does the NCBA, who was pushing for a national ID program.

“The Secretary has signaled he is going back to the drawing board to develop a new system

continued from page one

that does not infringe upon the rights and privileges of U.S. cattle farmers and ranchers as did NAIS,” said Dr. Max Thornsberry, R-CALF’s President. “This is exactly what we’ve been urging USDA to do for the past five years. Our organization has expended considerable resources trying to put a halt to NAIS, and we’re pleased that our members’ efforts have finally come to fruition.”

Thornsberry said NAIS was conceived and supported by international trade organizations, ear tag manufacturers and multinational meatpackers, and was all about controlling cattle farmers and ranchers and cattle markets, not about controlling and preventing animal diseases.

“This announcement is a major victory for independent cattle producers, as it marks the first time in a very long time that USDA did not suppress the interests of cattle producers in order to accommodate the selfinterests of the dominant meatpackers and their allies,” concluded Thornsberry.

Devil In The Details While we believe Vilsack means well, the devil will be in the details. The Ag Secretary said that he has no intention of trying to implement the old program “through the back door” and we believe he means what he says. Vilsack shows every sign of being a man of integrity. On the other hand, he said that the USDA would convene a forum “to initiate dialogue” about how to develop a new system. A program which, by the way, will be mandatory. USDA plans to have a proposed rule published by next year at this time, with a 90day comment period to follow.

Doreen Hannes asks, “If NAIS is no more then why are they re-using the first two prongs of NAIS? Aside from the unstated fact that they are using them because they have to use them to be compliant with OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) guidelines, they say it’s because of the tremendous amount of money spent developing NAIS already, even though it is unconstitutional.

“Why couldn’t the USDA do the only truly Constitutional thing with this internationaltrade driven program and let those who want to deal in international markets do this to themselves through the Export Verification Services department of the USDA?” asks Hannes.

The answer to Hannes rhetorical question is that if the USDA did that, not only would they have to be fully open and transparent, they would need to let the public in on the big secret that the United States is no longer in charge of its own policies, rather they are obligated to follow the directives of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“And why has the USDA taken to calling it ‘disease traceabilcontinued on page three

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

March 15, 2010

Crying Uncle ity’ instead of animal identification?” asks Hannes. “Because they only have authority over the diseases! The FDA has authority over live animals on the farm, even though the majority of people don’t know this, and it is a very useful poker chip in the globalization game. It is called misdirection, and those of us who have been deeply involved in the fight against the NAIS are very aware of this agency’s use of misinformation, disinformation, subterfuge and general sneakiness in foisting upon us their WTO driven desire that will create captive supply for export of the entire domestic livestock population.”

Hannes concludes, “They should tend the borders, control and actually inspect the imports, run the disease programs that worked and were not massive consolidations of power in federal hands, and for cryin’ out loud INSPECT the packing plants and stop trying to make consumers believe that farmers and ranchers are responsible for sloppy slaughtering!”

If the USDA did all that, now that would really be something to get excited about!

Moving Out Of The Global Village Just as they were successful in gutting COOL legislation, the meatpackers have already started jockeying for yet another national ID system that may be different from the last one in name only. After Vilsack’s announcement regarding the scuttling of NAIS, the Big Three unleashed their talking-heads who said Vilsack’s actions would cripple the U.S. cattle industry. They said that without a national animal

continued from page two

ID program importing countries will be quick to stop beef imports from the U.S. when animal diseases erupt in the U.S. They say that if livestock ID is left up to the states, as Vilsack wants, the process will become too cumbersome. But USDA’s Bruce Knight slipped up and said what really is behind the move for a national ID system: “We want NAIS in the United States so the U.S. will be in compliance with OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) export regulations by 2010.”

In other words, we must jump through all these hoops and follow the lead of the meatpackers or else we won’t be able sell our beef in the global marketplace.

Darol Dickinson, who probably did more than any other single individual to stop NAIS, isn’t buying it. He recalls that in January 2006 Japan said it would refuse to resume beef purchases from the U.S. until the NAIS system was 100 percent operational. Japan later resumed trade with U.S. beef processing plants without such a system in place.

“South Korea also resumed beef trade without any NAIS mandatory requirement,” says Dickinson. “During the same period Australia lost 17 percent of their Korean beef market while having a fully operational animal ID system called NLIS. The two largest purchasing countries of U.S. beef are Mexico and Canada and they do not require NAIS. It now appears certain that NAIS is not, and has never been a factor in U.S. beef export requirements,” says Dickinson.

As usual, Dickinson gets right to the heart of the matter by asking, “Why are we basing our beef business on the global model in

the first place?” Ken Stielow, Chairman of the Cattleman’s Beef Board, has said, “Exports are key to the future of the US beef industry.” NCBA feels the same way. Yet according to the government’s own figures, in 2009 we imported live beef and meat worth $4,016,508,132 and we exported $2,625,467,545 worth. In other words, if we just took care of our customers at home and said to heck with the global market we’d be better off.

The NASS data shows that the average price per pound in U.S. dollars paid for imported beef, live and processed, is $2.39. The average price received for each exported pound of beef, live and processed, is $1.60. So each exchange of a pound of beef produces a net 79 cent loss, according to Dickinson. “As beef cow numbers annually decrease in the USA the need will increase for more imported beef. During 2009, for every $1 increase in beef exports, the US consumer will require $3 worth of beef to be imported from a country with lower quality beef, less herd health and lower inspection standards than USA. This factor will increase in 2010 and even more in 2011. Billions have been spent on U.S. beef export promotion,” Dickinson says, “yet seldom, if ever, has anyone considered the cost or return on this investment.

As globalization gets more of the blame with each passing day for causing our current worldwide recession, maybe the time has come to be less concerned with jumping through all the hoops to export our product and, instead, spend more time and money protecting the best beef market in the world - our own.

Perhaps the time has come to move out of the global village.

Page 3

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Arizona Game & Fish corrects inaccuracies in NPR jaguar story rizonans may have heard a story on National Public Radio in mid Feburary that includes some factual errors regarding a recent U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Inspector General (IG) report about the capture and handling of the jaguar known as Macho B. “If you listened to this morning’s NPR report and you think you know the story of Macho B, you’ve been misled,” said Gary Hovatter, deputy director of the Arizona Game & Fish Department (Department).

As part of a larger story about jaguar conservation, the reporter makes this inaccurate statement: “A recent congressional investigation concluded [the capture] wasn’t incidental at all, but a bungled intentional operation.”

The Department would like to correct the factual errors in this statement by noting the following: The report NPR refers to was issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior Inspector General — it is not a “congressional report” at all.

Nowhere in the IG report does it state that

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the capture was a “bungled intentional operation.”

The Department believes the IG report is inaccurate and draws conclusions from unsubstantiated allegations and hearsay statements of unidentified persons. It is important (and disappointing) to note that the IG’s office never contacted the Arizona Game and Fish Department during the IG investigation. No Department employees were interviewed and no Department documentation was requested by IG investigators during the course of their investigation.

The Department continues to cooperate in an ongoing Federal law enforcement investigation and is conducting its own internal administrative investigation. The Department stands by its previous statements that it did not direct any Department employee to capture a jaguar.

Should the outcome of the ongoing Federal or Department investigations demonstrate that any employee acted contrary to the Department’s understanding of the facts, the Department will take appropriate disciplinary action.

It is important (and disappointing) to note that the IG’s office never contacted the Arizona Game and Fish Department during the IG investigation.

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March 15, 2010

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ronmental organizations” of Oregon Natural Desert Association, Western Watersheds Project, Center for Biological Diversity, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, and Forest (or now WildEarth) Guardians, that number rises to some 2,875 cases have been filed against the federal government for “enforcement” of environmental statutes. This does not include appeals to the circuit courts or cases where environmental groups intervene.

The location of the litigation is also interesting. The obvious “winner” in the eastern United States is the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia with 589 cases filed against the federal government by major environmental groups. The next states, in order, are Florida, New York, Texas, Minnesota, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Louisiana, Maine and Illinois.

Even though the state locations are different, the result is still the same. Compare the litigation filed by the Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”) in the State of Washington Federal District Courts and in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. In the Eastern and Western District Courts in Washington State, CBD has filed 12 cases. These cases include challenges under the ESA for failure to timely respond to petitions to list the giant Palouse earthworm, the killer whale, a butterfly species and the woodland caribou; challenges against the EPA’s ESA section 7 consultation with regard to certain pesticide and fungicide use on crops (although interestingly home lawn use was exempted from the injunction); a challenge to soft wood trade agreement between U.S. and Canada; a challenge for violations of Clean Water Act, specifically to protect ocean waters from threat of acidification, and others.

Of the 12 cases filed, four are still pending, and of the completed eight cases, no attorneys fees were paid in two cases. The total amount of attorneys fees paid for the six cases is $941,332.

In the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, the CBD has filed 50 total cases and has received attorneys fees in 32 of those cases. There was only one case where the federal government opposed the payment of fees — all other fee requests were settled. In five cases, the court documents show that attorneys fees were paid, but no amount was disclosed to the public. In other words, even though taxpayer money was used to pay the CBD’s attorney fees, the taxpayers do not know how much of our money was used. The great majority of these cases dealt with the process required by the Endangered Species Act such as responding to petitions to list or designate critical habitat for a butterfly species in New Mexico, a dragon fly, several plants, some penguin species, polar bears, grey wolves, the Canadian lynx, a

continued from page one

Montana bird, a Puerto Rican frog, and many other species, none of whom reside in Washington, D.C. The total attorneys fees paid in the 32 cases was $1,043,454.

in these kinds of cases), a for-profit company with a net worth over $7,000,000 is ineligible to recover attorney fees for litigation against the federal government. However, a group that has been tagged as a “non-profit” by the IRS is not bound by this restriction. Thus, even though tax documents show

. . . even though tax documents show that these groups are worth far in excess of $7,000,000, they can receive attorney fees.

Through Western Legacy Alliance, we have been working on other attorneys fees analyses as well. In the Federal District Court for the District of Montana, the Alliance for the Wild Rockies has been awarded $220,700, and the Defenders of Wildlife for that same court has received $350,164. Oregon Natural Desert Association in the Oregon Federal District Court has received $519,258.00. In the U.S. District Court in Arizona, the CBD has received $865,015.

Thus, adding CBD’s “winnings” in Washington State, the District of Columbia and Arizona, CBD has been funded at a total of $2,849,801 in those three courts alone.

While the environmental groups are claiming that if the federal government “did its job,” there would be less litigation, I do not believe this claim. I believe that environmental litigation is big, profitable business, pure and simple. Consider this: under the Equal Access to Justice Act (one of the favorite fee shifting statutes

Riding Herd

that these groups are worth far in excess of $7,000,000, they can receive attorney fees. For example, the IRS 2007 non-profit tax return for the Sierra Club showed its net worth to be $56,527,055.

Yet the Sierra Club, because it is “non-profit” receives attorneys fees from the federal government in environmental cases. That is simply unfair.

The news programs entitled “Fleecing of America,” “That’s Outrageous” and other programs that expose millions and billions of unaccounted American taxpayer dollars have nothing on the taxpayer dollars being paid by the federal government to environmental groups to sue the federal government. In other memorandums, I have opined that I have only found that an iceberg exists with regard to the payment of litigation fees; but with the most recent research, the size of that iceberg is starting to grow. I hope you will join with Western Legacy Alliance in spreading this research, looking for solutions and in fighting back.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

sniffing dog. Have your butler, maid or hired hand start your car for you, and stay away from family gatherings. Don’t eat cookies sent to you in the mail, don’t let your children pick your Doctors for you, don’t have any elective surgeries, and hire a bodyguard immediately.

Q: 55 percent! To heck with growing old gracefully!

What’s the best way to die now?

A: Normally I don’t think much of dying but in this case there’s something to be said for it. I’d suggest going to meet Saint Peter with a smile on your face by dying at the hands of a jealous spouse.

Q: Shame on you for making fun of a ridiculous situation.

This isn’t funny!

A: I agree. There’s nothing funny about working all your life to save up something for your kids and then having to sell the ranch just to pay death taxes. I know you can’t take it with you but at least you ought to be able to give it to your kids. Just think, you worked all those years just to pay outlandish pensions for politicians, build bridges to nowhere, and buy preserves for fairy shrimp and three legged salamanders.

Q: Surely Congress will fix this idiotic law. Do you expect them to take action before the end of this year?

A: I sure do. I expect them to keep the death taxes at 55 percent in 2011, EXCEPT for all government employees and Congressmen who will, of course, be exempt.

Q: You’re passing out lots of advice. Are you a CPA? A: No, but I am a CPA-LITE . . . Citizen Paying A Lot In Taxes Endlessly.

Q: I’m not about to kill myself just to make my spoiled kids rich. But isn’t there something else I can do to make sure the government doesn’t get all my money?

A: Start living extravagantly now so that when you go on your last journey there won’t be anything left to pack. Pay your last income taxes with a check that bounces, and since breathing produces carbon dioxide, and you won’t be breathing any more, sell your carbon credits to Al Gore before you go.

March 15, 2010

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

Bee sting more deadly than antibiotic risk

by GENI WREN, DROVERS

n mid February the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric aired a two-part series on antibiotics in animal agriculture (view Segment One — http://tinyurl.com/ydluceu; Segment Two http://tinyurl.com/yac93k2).

According to livestock industry, veterinary and scientific experts, the information presented about the use of antibiotics in livestock was fraught with misinformation, speculation, and inaccuracies.

“The CBS report was rather short on facts and science and long on speculation,” said Dr. Richard Carnevale, veterinarian and vice president, Regulatory, Scientific and International Affairs, Animal Health Institute, in a media conference call on Feb. 11.

“The segment failed to portray that antibiotics used in livestock are FDA approved and monitored for residues and bacterial resistance,” Carnevale explained. “They undergo a rigorous approval process and all are subject to surveillance. The implication was that antibiotic-resistant bacteria freely flow between people and animals, but there are numerous layers of protection. Bacteria do not fly and cause human infection despite what the PEW spokesman said in the CBS interview. I am dismayed the FDA commissioner did not discuss this.”

Carnevale noted that the CBS segment did not differentiate between the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections that can occur in people and animals. “The CDC and

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FDA have recognized they are two different strains,” he said, “and that hospital-acquired and human MRSA infections have no animal connection. MRSAs in animals are not the same as in hospital infections, but that’s what CBS focused on. The story was short on these key facts.”

On the media call, Dr. Scott Hurd, senior epidemiologist, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University and former Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety, USDA, spoke about risk assessments for antibiotic resistance. “The actual risk assessments that have been and quantified the steps in the causal chain to get from on-farm to sick humans say there is virtually no risk at all. You are more likely to die from a bee sting than have a few extra days of illness from products that are used on the farm.” Hurd noted that there are so many steps between the farm and the fork, that by the time you get meat products in the kitchen, there are very few pathogenic bacteria and very, very few are resistant bacteria.

Banning antibiotics for use in food animals can also lead to other unwanted problems. “If you ban the antibiotics there won’t be any improvement in public health,” Hurd stated. “Research and published papers show that if antibiotics are not used in animals at all, there are small changes in animal health, a few more subclinically infected animals go to market, and there’s an increase in pathogen load, which means they probably will have Salmonella or Campylobacter on the carcass.

Hurd noted that this has been modeled out in poultry and the end result would be more human illness days when you ban antibiotics than you have now. “The Danes have shown that Salmonella rates in humans have not gone down after antibiotics were banned,” he said. “The World Health Organization concluded there was no benefit in public health and there was an increased cost of pig production.”

Hurd has posted a point-bypoint response to Segment One of the CBS show at: http://

Page 5

tinyurl.com/yfz3mux. He is currently working on his response to Segment Two (find it at www.vetmed.iastate.edu ).

Dr. Liz Wagstrom, assistant vice president of science and technology for the National Pork Board was interviewed by Couric for the CBS show. “Pork producers have a closer relationship with their veterinarians to strategically place antibiotics at a time in the animals’ life when they may be at risk,” she said on the media call.

“For over 20 years with the Pork Quality Assurance Program we have focused on responsible use and residue avoidance. A transition to the PQA-Plus program

now also looks at regulations regarding residues and also the responsible use of antibiotics to protect animal and human health.”

Wagstrom explained that the on-farm assessment for producers requires them to show they have a valid veterinarian-client-patientrelationship, records and decision-making strategies. “It’s just one tool they use to protect animals and produce safe food. Other tools include hygiene, vaccination, ventilation, and keeping them warm, clean, dry and safe.

All of these are part of a continuous process to raise healthy animals and produce safe food.”

The green jobs myth reen jobs” have become a central underpinning of the Obama Administration’s rationale to promote clean energy. Consequently, the President has taken nearly $4 billion in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to build the smart grid, with much of this to be spent installing close to 20 million digital “smart meters” over the next five years, says Sunil Sharan, a director of the Smart Grid Initiative at GE from 2008 to 2009.

Nearly 40 million smart meters have been deployed worldwide, mostly in Europe. Jobs created in this industry can be broadly classified into four categories: installation, manufacturing, research and development, and IT services, says Sharan.

How many installation jobs will be created?

It typically takes a team of two certified electricians half an hour to replace the old, spinning meter.

In one day, two people can install about 15 new meters, or about 5,000 in a year.

Were a million smart meters to be installed in a year, 400 installation jobs would be created.

It follows that the planned U.S. deployment of 20 million smart meters over five years, or 4 million per year, should create 1,600 installation jobs.

Unless more meters are added to the annual

“G

deployment schedule, this workforce of 1,600 should cover installation needs for the next five years.

How many other jobs will be created?

Although a surge of new digital meters will be produced, the manufacturing process is highly automated.

And with much of it accomplished overseas, net creation in domestic manufacturing jobs is expected to be only in the hundreds.

In R&D and IT services, high-paying white-collar jobs are on the horizon, but as with manufacturing, the number of jobs created is forecast to be in the hundreds or low thousands.

Now let’s consider job losses: In five years, 20 million manually read meters are expected to disappear, taking with them some 28,000 meter-reading jobs, says Sharan.

Instead of creating jobs, smart metering will probably result in net job destruction. This should not be surprising because the main method of making the electrical grid “smart” is by automating its functions. Automation by definition obviates the need for people, says Sharan.

Source: Sunil Sharan, “The green jobs myth,” Washington Post, Feb. 26, 2010.

Livestock Market Digest

Page 6

March 15, 2010

Tofu can harm environment more than meat, finds WWF study

by Ben Webster, Environment Editor, TIMESONLINE

ecoming a vegetarian can do more harm to the environment than continuing to eat red meat, according to a study of the impacts of meat substitutes such as tofu.

The findings undermine claims by vegetarians that giving up meat automatically results in lower emissions and that less land is needed to produce food.

The study by Cranfield University, located in the United Kingdom, commissioned by the environmental group WWF (World Wildlife Fund), found

B

that many meat substitutes were produced from soy, chickpeas and lentils that were grown overseas and imported into Britain.

It found that switching from beef and lamb reared in Britain to meat substitutes would result in more foreign land being cultivated and raise the risk of forests being destroyed to create farmland. Meat substitutes also tended to be highly processed and involved energy-intensive production methods.

Lord Stern of Brentford, one of the world’s leading climate change economists, caused uproar among Britain’s livestock farmers last October when he

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claimed that a vegetarian diet was better for the planet. He told The Times: “Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. It puts

The report rightly demonstrates the many environment benefits to be had from grazing pasture land with little or no other productive use. enormous pressure on the world’s resources. A vegetarian diet is better.”

However, the Cranfield study found that the environmental benefits of vegetarianism depended heavily on the type of food consumed as an alternative to meat. It concluded: “A switch from beef and milk to highly refined livestock product analogues such as tofu could actually increase the quantity of arable land needed to supply the UK.” A significant increase in vegetarianism in Britain could cause the collapse of the country’s livestock industry and result in production of meat shifting overseas to countries with few regulations to protect forests and other uncultivated land, it added.

Donal Murphy-Bokern, one of the study authors and the former farming and food science

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friendliness but they are not necessarily the badge of merit people claim. Simply eating more bread, pasta and potatoes instead of meat is more environmentally friendly.”

Liz O’Neill, spokeswoman for the Vegetarian Society, said: “The figures used in the report are based on a number of questionable assumptions about how vegetarians balance their diet and how the food industry might respond to increased demand.

“If you’re aiming to reduce your environmental impact by going vegetarian then it’s obviously not a good idea to rely on highly processed products, but that doesn’t undermine the fact that the livestock industry causes enormous damage and that moving towards a plant-based diet is good for animals, human health and the environment.”

The National Farmers’ Union said the study showed that general statements about the environmental benefits of vegetarianism were too simplistic.

Jonathan Scurlock, the NFU’s chief adviser for climate change, said: “The message is that no single option offers a panacea.

The report rightly demonstrates the many environment benefits to be had from grazing pasture land with little or no other productive use.”

The study also found that previous estimates of the total emissions of Britain’s food consumption had been flawed because they failed to take account of the impact of changes to the use of land overseas.

Salad days ■ About a quarter of the world’s population eat a predominantly vegetarian diet ■ There are 3.7 million vegetarians in Britain ■ Only 2 per cent of the French population don’t eat meat ■ There is a longstanding myth that Adolf Hitler was vegetarian but recent research suggests that he ate at least some meat

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lawsuit pushed by a consortium of animal rights groups that included the deceptive Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The groups alleged that Feld Entertainment (the parent company of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus) mistreated elephants in violation of the Endangered Species Act, but in December a judge tossed out the lawsuit. Now the plot thickens: The circus is suing HSUS, two HSUS lawyers, and a number of other animal rights organizations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. (The lawsuit is exclusively available at HumaneWatch.org.)

The original animal rights lawsuit, filed more than nine years ago, was based on information provided by a former Ringling elephant “barn helper” named Tom Rider. After Rider left his circus job, he was paid by animal rights groups to testify about the supposedly “bad” treatment of elephants there. In all, the original lawsuit’s plaintiffs paid Rider more than $190,000 — his sole source of income for years — while the litigation made its way through the court system.

Sound a bit like pay-for-play?

As Judge Emmet Sullivan noted in his December ruling that dismissed the animal rights groups’ lawsuit: “The Court finds that Mr. Rider is essentially a paid plaintiff and fact witness who is not credible, and therefore affords no weight to his testimony . . . [T]he primary purpose [for the payments] is to keep Mr. Rider involved with the liti-

gation . . .”

Based on Judge Sullivan’s finding, Feld is suing everyone who played a part in this collaborative scheme (hence the “racketeering” aspect). This includes Rider and a nonprofit “Wildlife Advocacy Project” charity that the Washington, DC law firm of Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal allegedly used to launder money between their plaintiff clients and Rider.

One of these clients putting up dough to support Rider was the Fund for Animals, which merged with HSUS in 2004.

Feld is leveling bribery, fraud, obstruction of justice, and money laundering charges against HSUS and two of its corporate attorneys, three other animal rights groups, Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal, and all three of that firm’s named partners. It’s an earth-shattering lawsuit.

Today we’re telling the media: America’s farmers, ranchers, hunters, fishermen, research scientists, fashion designers, and restaurateurs have seen for decades how the animal rights movement can behave like a mobbed-up racket. But it’s still shocking to see the evidence laid out on paper. In a treble-damage lawsuit like this, a jury could actually do the humane thing and finally put HSUS out of business completely.

Read the full, 135-page lawsuit over at HumaneWatch. If these allegations are proven true, HSUS employees might be finding themselves walking the same breadline they’ve tried to put so many others in.

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

March 15, 2010

Page 7

Extending productive life of bulls pays dividends

by CLIFFORD MITCHELL

attlemen have always been interested in one number; in particular with their financial reports, the bottom line.

Speculation quickly turns to fact if it is in red or black ink, but how that figure came to be has been a mystery for some. Financials often tell a simple direct story, where the operation was successful and where the operation failed. By nature, the word failure is not in most veteran cowboy’s vocabulary. Sure most will accept bumps in the road, but will not settle for mediocrity.

Studying these statements is often the first step in the planning process for the upcoming year. These figures give way to the preparation of a budget, which is nothing more than a plan as to how the operation is going to function. At the same time, ranchers, through careful evaluation, may find ways not to cut corners, but to invoke practical management aspects to trimming the budget to add profit to the bottom line.

Bull power is often one of the most debated topics a management team discusses. Each operation has a certain amount earmarked for purchase or maintenance of herd bulls that can “walk the walk and talk the talk.” For some, the plan is to replace these calf producers at a certain age; others evaluate each sire in hopes to extend the useful life of top bulls.

“The advantage to keeping a mature bull rather than introduc-

C

ing a new sire is you’re dealing with a known quantity. There is a history and you know he’s going to produce good calves and be able to cover more cows than a younger alternative,” says Dr. Matt Hersom, Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, University of Florida.

“Make sure your genetics are good enough to extend his productive life. If he’s not meeting production goals, it’s definitely time to trade him in. Data will help you decide how long to keep those bulls,” says Dr. Jane Parish, Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, Mississippi State University.

“A lot of people are keeping some older bulls. If you are trying to extend the productive lives of these bulls, they need to be taken care of in the off season,” says Eric Brast, Texas Christian University Ranch Management Program.

Many factors can fall into the decision to keep or cull bull power. Most operations have settled into a specific system rather than trying different breeds of bulls every time new sires are purchased. Firm’s reactions to tighter margins and specific goals will also dictate when change is needed. Weighing these advantages and disadvantages helps the decision-making process.

“The main disadvantage for producers extending the productive life of a herd sire is you are deferring the opportunity for genetic progress for another year,” Hersom says. “Another advantage is you can afford to spend more on a bull if you can

spread it out over a longer useful life. Mature bulls will service more cows. They already know how to go to work and get the job done.”

“If cows are getting settled and he is of superior genetics then you should extend his useful life,” Parish says. “There is no excuse with all the tools we have today for producers to be turning out inferior bulls.”

Much like it is for athletes in any sport, the off-season is a critical time for the ranch’s sire power. Maintaining and preparing the bull battery for the next breeding season correctly, will not only increase useful life, but also pay other dividends.

“When you pull bulls at the end of the season, it’s an excellent time for that first evaluation because you already have them up,” Parish says. “Go over those bulls and eliminate the bulls with noticeable injuries or problems.

Preg check your cows within 30 to 60 days, if a particular pasture or group has low conception rates, it’s time to get concerned.

Some bulls just don’t have the needed libido when they get older to get the job done.”

“If you are considering retaining that bull for another year of service, make sure he’s sound and there are no visible structural problems,” Hersom says. “Make sure he’s physically able to mount and service the cow herd.”

Management will also dictate that off-season conditioning program for this group of athletes.

Additional supplementation may be required to get bulls ready to

go to work and defined breeding seasons help plan this protocol.

“For most producers bulls are the most forgotten group from a nutritional standpoint. Quality forage, a little feed for a long time and a defined breeding season can help get them prepared for breeding season,” Hersom says.

“We have to equip bulls with the necessary tools to be successful.

Proper maintenance and spot evaluations need to be performed far enough in advance. You won’t have a lot of feed issues with longer periods of supplementa-

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Genetically modified alfalfa held hostage

P

Ready alfalfa, which has been modified to resist an herbicide called glyphosate.

But a federal district judge in San Francisco determined that new seeds can’t be sold until USDA completed an environmental impact assessment as required by NEPA. The USDA issued its environmental impact statement (EIS) in December, and it states unequivocally that biotech and conventional alfalfa can co-exist peacefully.

Furthermore, because glyphosate is not harmful to anything but plants and biodegrades quickly once it’s sprayed, the Environmental Defense Fund calls it among the most ecologically benign herbicides ever developed.

Nonetheless, the Center for Food Safety has launched a campaign to continue delaying the use of Roundup Ready Alfalfa by submitting anti-biotech comments on the environmental impact statement to the USDA. It has become clear that crop biotechnology holds substantial promise for improving the foods we eat and lightening agriculture’s environmental footprint.

Source: Gregory Conko, “Use of Genetically Modified Alfalfa Unnecessarily Held Hostage,” Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, Feb. 9, 2010. National Center For Policy Analysis

15th ANNNUAL

rotecting the environment in the 21st century will require the adoption of sophisticated agricultural technologies including biotechnology and genetically modified crops, according to a study by the Royal Society, England’s most prestigious scientific body.

That’s welcome news for America’s farmers and consumers. For most of the last two decades the United States has been the undisputed leader in the development and adoption of biotech crops, says Gregory Conko, a senior fellow with the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

Ironically, as an increasing number of farmers in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America take up these innovative varieties, burdensome regulations here at home have raised development and approval costs and kept many potentially important products from reaching the market.

Two years ago activists and farmers sued the USDA, claiming the department’s scientists didn’t follow, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when they approved a biotech crop called Roundup Ready alfalfa.

Roughly 5,500 farmers in 48 states have planted more than a quarter million acres of Roundup

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Livestock Market Digest

Page 8

Extending Productive Life tion, rather than short periods of a high energy ration.”

“Spring calving herds should think about supplementing bulls when we have some green grass in the off-season. A little heavier supplementation, earlier in the off season, before we get too far into winter will help add needed body condition prior to trying to maintain him in cold, wet weather,” Brast says. “Protein and energy values are important, but producers can get by with a few pounds of supplement while there still is some green forage around and save money long term, if they are willing to supplement these bulls for longer

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continued from page seven

periods of time.”

“Operations with a controlled breeding and calving season have a better opportunity to get bulls conditioned and ready to work.

Each bull has a minimum threshold from a condition and weight standpoint. Know your target weight and allow yourself enough time to reach that goal before breeding season,” Parish says.

“Bulls need to be exercised and in good condition for turn out. Sudden diet shifts, a lot of feed in short periods of time, could hurt these bulls in the long run.”

“Producers can’t skimp on nutrition. High quality winter forages could be the answer to

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adding weight and condition,” Parish says. “Find a feed resource that will fit your budget because there is some variation in price.

Sometimes you can lock in a quality feed resource that will carry these bulls through the down time at a lower cost.”

“We want bulls to be focused on breeding cows when we turn him out. Paying attention to that bull and providing a long period of nutrition gives you time to adjust the plan,” Hersom says. “If you have access to high quality forages the less alternative feed you’ll need. You can achieve great results with good quality forage and low cost by product feeds. We can ask bulls to work dual seasons, just realize you are working him harder and more maintenance is required.”

Pre-planning has often been associated with successful businesses. Knowing a timetable for exact management procedures will help map out the supervisory process and position bulls for success in the pasture.

“When you pull bulls, if there is a problem, evaluate each bull and make a decision before resources are wasted if he’s unfit for service. Test bulls for venereal diseases such as trich,” Brast says. “A breeding soundness exam at least 90 days before breeding season is a must. A bull

March 15, 2010 has to have a certain quality and quantity of semen to get the job done. This also gives us another chance at a physical evaluation to make sure he’s okay.”

“Producers have to realize even though he had passed a breeding soundness exam at purchase, it’s not a one time deal.

Invest money in your herd bulls with a breeding soundness exam in the off-season, make sure he’s physically sound from a reproductive standpoint and can settle cows,” Parish says. “Even with a good fertility exam, it’s no guarantee. Observe those bulls; watch if cows are coming back in heat, because there’s always a risk. He could get hurt or have a reproductive injury that inhibits his ability to get cow bred. Go over those bulls 45 to 60 days prior to breeding season with a fine-tooth comb. There are some times of the year when more high quality bulls are available and this will help producers find good replacements.”

Performing timely evaluations and fertility tests could also bring other benefits to the operation.

Observing bulls during breeding and the off-season can also provide red flags for producers. Salvage value is often overlooked from a management standpoint, but increasing this value could provide a good nest egg for

future purchases.

“If a bull has gotten to the point where he can’t maintain condition and weight during the off-season it’s time for him to go.

He’s not going to gain weight and condition when he’s working,” Hersom says. “If he fails his breeding soundness exam and he’s improved body condition, that bull will hopefully reward us for preparing him for the breeding season with increased salvage value.”

“If you can get through your cows on a regular basis and a bull is lying under a tree, letting other bulls do the work, he doesn't have the needed libido or is injured and probably needs to be replaced,” Brast says. “There are opportunities to get into better markets by doing tests and making culling decisions early. If you have a problem there is also time to go find replacements, get them bought and acclimated to the program.”

“Anywhere from 15 to 20 percent of a firm’s income may be generated from salvage value of cull cows and bulls. Condition plays a role in market price and you may be able to capture a little more with some added weight,” Parish says. “These markets usually follow a trend, but continued on page thirteen

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This invites ongoing gambling at public expense by any business or entity that can reasonably expect a bailout. Moreover, this is a prescription for fiscal insolvency, which could culminate in hyperinflation, says Laurence J. Kotlikoff, an economics professor at Boston University and a senior fellow with the National Center for Policy Analysis.

AIG was effectively national-

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Since AIG's nationalization, the government has engaged in a massive and potentially more expensive policy. The policy entails providing systemic risk insurance to the financial sector — that is, insurance against system-wide collapse. Indeed, the federal government has already handed out, or publicly committed to hand out, more than $12 trillion to the financial sector, says Kotlikoff.

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(TARP).

■ The Treasury’s $400 billion in actual plus potential pledges of monies to cover Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac’s losses.

■ The Federal Reserve’s $301 billion guarantee of Citigroup’s troubled assets.

■ Nearly $200 billion spent by the Federal Reserve on AIG (with hundreds of billions more likely to come).

■ The $118 billion guarantee of Bank of America’s poison securities.

■ The $29 billion spent by the Federal Reserve on Bear Stearns' toxic assets.

The $12 trillion spent by the federal government bailing out the financial sector is close to one year’s gross domestic product — that is, the value of all the final goods and services produced by over 130 million Americans working an entire year, notes Kotlikoff.

Systematic reform of the U.S. financial sector is critical. Along with the financial market meltdown, trust in a system that routinely borrows short and lends long, guaranteeing repayment yet investing at risk, has evaporated and will not be regained.

What is needed is a system that doesn’t gamble with the taxpayers’ chips, but instead lets the public make their own risk-taking decisions based on securities that are transparent and whose properties are fully disclosed, says Kotlikoff.

Source: Laurence J. Kotlikoff, “Financial Crisis: The Fall of the House of Cards,” National Center for Policy Analysis, Brief Analysis No. 692, February 18, 2010. National Center For Policy Analysis

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

March 15, 2010

The Tale of Yellow Tail Gets Longer

By GARY TRUITT, Hooser Ag Today

recently wrote a column about Yellow Tail wine, the Australian wine that became public enemy No. 1 overnight after donating $100,000 to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). After a few lame efforts to defend themselves and to ignore the overwhelming criticism the company was receiving, it finally did the right thing and admitted its mistake. The company promised not to make future donations to the radical animal rights organization. What was especially interesting is that much of the condemnation came from the public and from people outside of agriculture. While farmers and farm groups were a part of the chorus, the depth of dislike for HSUS to — say nothing of the sheer numbers of people enraged by the action — was a major factor in the decision by Yellow Tail to tuck its tail between its legs and run. As I write, history looks to be repeating itself as yet another corporation seems to be committing suicide by donating to HSUS. In the wake of the Yellow Tail incident, a web site was set up to monitor the activities of HSUS. Created by the Center for Consumer Freedom, long time foe of animal extremist groups, the site has publicized a great deal of information embarrassing to HSUS. They recently published a list of “corporate supporters” who had contributed money to HSUS. This information was obtained directly from the HSUS

I

web site. On the list were some familiar names including Xerox and Microsoft, companies with a long history of giving money to nutcase causes. One name, however, that has generated a great deal of customer outrage is that of Pilot Travel Centers.

HSUS are truckers, dog breeders, and just plain consumers who are holding companies responsible for the charitable donations they make. In the very competitive world of retail fuel sales, Pilot has put itself in a difficult spot.

. . . many of those incensed by Pilot’s support of HSUS are truckers, dog breeders, and just plain consumers who are holding companies responsible for the charitable donations they make.

According to its web site, “Pilot Travel Centers LLC (PTC) is the nation’s largest operator of travel centers and largest seller of over-the-road diesel fuel. It owns and operates over 300 travel centers in 41 states.” But within hours of the posting by Humane Watch, the Pilot Facebook fan page was slammed by irate customers.

Comments like “So many better ways to help animals than donating to H$U$ . . . guess I’ll have to take my business elsewhere and inform all the truckers that haul my livestock and feed to do the same” and “when is the last time an H$U$ truck pulled into a pilot versus livestock farmers . . .” and “I do a lot of interstate traveling and have frequently used Pilot in the past. Those days are over. You folks won‘t be giving any of my money away to H$U$” became common.

As with the Yellow Tail case, many of those making comments are farmers, but many are not. In the case of Pilot, many of those incensed by Pilot’s support of

According to the Pilot web site, “Pilot takes seriously its commitment to its customers.”

Time will tell if this includes listening to their customers’ dissatisfaction with their corporate donations. Speaking of corporate donations, Pilot states that “Pilot has a history of corporate citizenship and feels strongly that it is important to serve the community philanthropically in time and resources.” So, if this is its philosophy, why did Pilot donate to a group that spends less than one half of one percent of their funds actually helping animals but instead engages in lobbying and litigation?

Ignorance — Pilot had no idea what HSUS was really all about. So they were caught totally unaware by the backlash of their customers. Recently the company issued this statement: “We sincerely regret any actions that led to the misperception of our support of this organization.

Pilot Travel Centers is a strong supporter of agriculture interests in our home state of Tennessee

and across the country.” According to Pilot, the money they sent to HSUS was not a corporate donation, but rather funds from a collection box placed in their stores. “Since 2007, less than $52,000 in voluntary donations from customers and employees were collected in stores as part of an employee-driven charity event. The money went to three specific areas: rural animal veterinary care services, disaster relief, and a foreclosure fund to help rescue animals left behind in homes during the foreclosure crisis.” According to the statement, this program has been canceled: “In order to avoid any further misunderstandings, employees will immediately cease collections of donations to HSUS. Pilot corporate has never matched a single dollar of these donations and will not support any organization that has an agenda that works against agriculture interests.”

For the second time in as many weeks, shining the spotlight of publicity on who gives money to HSUS has resulted in a change in policy by supporters of this anti-animal agriculture group.

Again, the rapid dissemination of information via the social media networks has played a role.

These small victories are not going to put HSUS out of business, but it has shown how HSUS can be hurt and how individuals can have an impact. I truly hope this becomes a trend and that people, both inside and outside of agriculture, will take an interest in who supports radical activist groups. I cannot say it enough: stay informed and get involved.

You can make a difference.

Page 9

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Page 10

March 15, 2010

EAJA Reform Welcome News for New Mexico Agriculture Groups egislation that would bring oversight and accountability to payments made under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) is gaining broad support in New Mexico and across the country.

The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA), New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc. (NMWGI), New Mexico Federal Lands Council (NMFLC), Dairy Producers of New Mexico (DPNM) and AZ/NM Coalition of Counties (Coalition) are joining producers nationwide in support of the Open EAJA Act of 2010 (H.R. 4717), introduced by Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and co-sponsored by Representa-

L

tives Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and Rob Bishop (R-UT).

The EAJA was passed by Congress in the 1980s as means to protect the rights of non-profits, small businesses and individual citizens from unreasonable government actions. Along the way, however, it has been coopted by special interest and environmental groups, who use the law to get paid after suing the federal government.

“When the EAJA was passed, it was meant to protect people like family ranchers and others from the federal government,” said Bert Ancell, NMCGA President, Bell Ranch. “Today, these activist groups are using our tax dollars to sue the federal government and

try to put us out of business.

According to the only research to date, activist environmental groups have gotten paid $42 million dollars to sue the federal government in the last decade.”

The Open EAJA Act of 2010, brought about by the efforts of the Western Legacy Alliance, www.westernlegacyalliance.org , and the research of attorney Karen Budd-Falen, Cheyenne, Wyoming would bring accountability and transparency to payments made under the EAJA. Specifically, the bill requires an accounting of how attorneys’ fees are being awarded under EAJA, an annual report to Congress outlining the number, stature and amount of the

awards, and a Government Accounting Office (GAO) audit of the uses of EAJA funds over the past 15 years.

Every year, activist groups file thousands of motions and petitions with various government agencies across the country. The resulting paperwork keeps the agencies from actually getting any on the ground work done, and guarantees that a deadline will eventually be missed by the agency, opening the door for a lawsuit. Rather than go to court, the federal agencies settle the suit with the activist group, and typically agree to pay them for their attorneys’ fees under EAJA. “These lawsuits keep the agencies in turmoil, and have a big

impact on our operations,” said Jim Cooper, NMWGI President, Arabela. “Our tax dollars fund the government agencies and their attorneys. To make sure our rights as landowners and producers are protected, we have to intervene in the lawsuit, spending our own money on attorneys and court costs. Then, the government pays these groups’ attorneys’ fees — using our tax dollars again — giving them money for the next lawsuit.”

New Mexicans have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past 15 years in an attempt to protect natural resources users who make up the custom, culture and economy of the state, according to Louise Peterson, Hatchita, President of the Arizona/New Mexico Coalition of Counties.

“On rare occasions we have been reimbursed for some of the actual expenses incurred in protecting New Mexico families,” she said. “But it is shocking to see that $300,000 was paid on a single case — that was not even decided in favor of the Forest Guardians and the Center for Biological Diversity.”

What the public doesn’t know is that not only are these suits keeping federal agencies from doing their jobs in terms of conserving wildlife and lands, but they are driving at the heart of the nation’s food supply, notes Al Squire, Hagerman, DPNM President.

“Americans pay less than ten percent of their disposable income for the most abundant and safest food supply in the world,” says Squire. “While we are producing that cheap and wholesome food under government controlled caps, so that we cannot pass along increased production costs, we are paying up to three times for litigation that is aimed at eliminating us.”

Congresswomen Lummis and Herseth Sandlin and Congressman Bishop deserve the support, praise and heartfelt appreciation of nature resources users — which includes every member of the public who eats, drives a car, and uses utilities like water and electricity, points out Don L. “Bebo” Lee, Alamogordo, NMFLC President.

“As a nation we have come to expect that electricity is automatic when we flip a switch, that water is magically in the tap when we turn it and that our grocery stores will always be stocked with all the food we want or need,” Lee comments. “Many don’t realize that the production of these necessities of life are the fruits of the land — and that someone has to have the ability to work that land.”

The DPNM, Coalition, NMCGA, NMFLC, and NMWGI are asking the New Mexico Congressmen Ben Lujan, Harry Teague and Martin Heinrich to co-sponsor and support H.B. 4717. They are also asking for other groups and individuals to join with them in this effort.

For further information call 505/247-0584, 575/622-1646, or 505/379-9243.

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

March 15, 2010

Charolais:

by CAROL WILSON

oggy. No, it doesn’t mean a wet calf. It is a term of appreciation, applied by a cowman when a calf is a big-boned scale popper. To a cowman, the word is also synonymous with “good”, “big” and “heavy”.

It is a term often applied to Charolais calves, whether the calf just won the purple ribbon at the county fair or is seen out in the pasture. Cattlemen also use terms like “thrifty” and “good-doing” when they talk about Charolais.

They like the fact that Charolais bulls have lots of bone and lots of muscle and pass that trait on to their offspring. They also appreciate the low maintenance of a herd of Charolais cattle, and the fact that Charolais cows almost always produce a good, thrifty calf that weighs well.

S

Cattlemen also use terms like “thrifty” and “good-doing” when they talk about Charolais.

They like the fact that Charolais bulls have lots of bone and lots of muscle and pass that trait on to their offspring.

MANNY TARANGO MADE HIS DREAMS COME TRUE

at Eastern New Mexico University on tennis scholarships. One daughter now teaches in Dallas, Texas; another teaches in Carlsbad; the third is a psychology major in college and the youngest also plans on being a teacher. “When they come home, they like to help with the cattle,” Manny stated. “We just like being around them.”

“We sure had fun when the girls were growing up,” commented Manny. “They kept me pretty busy.” The eleven grandchildren now growing up are also keeping Manny and Margie active. Manny’s fondest dream that is that some of the newest generations of

the family will also want to show livestock at the fairs. “I’d love to help them with show cattle,” he commented. “The oldest is now 13. We will see. Maybe some of them will want to show.”

A select group of the Tarango males are sold each year as bulls.

Manny has also sold young heifers as replacement females and reports that his buyer is happy with the resultant cows. “I’d say the Charolais are average mamas, but the bulls are real gentle,” he noted.

“All my cows and calves are gentle.

Margie went with me out there to load up some calves and she was impressed that I could just push

the calves into a trailer. They didn’t kick or anything.”

This year, Manny bred a portion of his Charolais cows back to a Charolais bull and put another group under a Maine Anjou bull.

“The calves look good, so far,” he reported. “But right now, I’m just experimenting.”

Many southwestern cattlemen who experimented with the Charolais have stayed with the breed because they like the way the cattle perform in the arid regions of the West. They say, also, that the white hided cattle that hustle for meals in the drought are true standouts when they go to sell the calves. And they keep Charolais because, on New Mexico ranges, Charolais cattle have just become known for functional, good-doing cattle that really perform.

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— Selling 500 Bulls — In fact, some cowmen say that by the time you figure the inputs and longevity of Charolais cattle, the Charolais crosses will put more money in your pocket than any other type of cattle.

One of those cowmen is Manny Tarango. When he was just a lad, Manny knew that he wanted cows, and not just any cows. He wanted to own Charolais cows. The young boy with a dream made it happen and at the ripe old age of 14, Manny became the proud owner of two cream colored cows and a horse.

The son of a Pecos farmer, Manny continued to prefer livestock to raising crops. He married his sweetheart, Margie, in 1967, and moved to Portales, where he helped build a gymnasium. He decided he liked the construction business and soon found a hidden talent for working cement. In 1972, Manny quit his job and opened his own cement pouring business. Margie went to work for the Portales schools, where she has been for 30 years and now serves as personnel coordinator.

For years, the Tarango cows were run on leased acreage just south of Portales. When the owner of the land decided to move to Texas, Manny bought the land.

Then he leased another quarter section. Now he has 45 purebred Charolais cows which he claims are just “scattered all over the country.”

The Tarangos thrived in Portales and Manny and Margie’s four daughters grew up showing livestock, playing baseball and volleyball, and starring on the tennis courts. All four girls went to college

Page 11

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Page 12

TABLE 1. Least squares means for growth performance traits SIRE TYPE

CHAROLAIS-SIRED

Charolais Advantage Evident in CSU Research Study

SOURCE: CSU

BRITISH-SIRED

Bull Calf Birth weight (lbs.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84.1 Steer Calf Weaning Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 584 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 498 Pre-weaning ADG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.24 Weight at start of finishing period (lbs.) . . . . . . . 733 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648 Final weight (lbs.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,442 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,315 Finishing ADG (lbs.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.96 Feed consumed during finishing (lbs.) . . . . . . . . 3,631 . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,348 Feed conversion during finishing (F:G, lbs.) . . . 5.16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.02 Cost of Gain during Finishing ($/cwt.) . . . . . . . . . . 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

TABLE 2. Least squares means for carcass traits SIRE TYPE

CHAROLAIS-SIRED

March 15, 2010

recent study incorporating Charolais genetics was conducted by Colorado State University at the Eastern Colorado Research Center (ECRC) located at Akron, CO. The ECRC 250-cow herd cowherd consists of Angus, Polled Hereford, Red Angus and Red Angus crossbred genetics.

These British-based females were mated to one of three Charolais sires or one of five Angus or Red Angus compos- ites. The females were divided by sire groups into terminal (Charolais) and maternal (British). Steer calves were

A

SOURCE: CSU

BRITISH-SIRED

Adjusted Fat Thickness (inches) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6 Dressing Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.6 Hot carcass wt (lbs.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 893. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 813 Ribeye Area (square inches) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.9 Percentage Kidney, Pelvic, & Heart Fat . . . . . . . . 2.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.24 Percentage QG of Choice or Higher . . . . . . . . . . 60.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.5 Percentage YG-1 and YG-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.5 Percentage YG-4 and YG-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.0

sorted off and the heifer mates were retained in the herd as replacements. The terminal vs. maternal study followed a total of 80 steer calves from birth to harvest to compare the effects of growth performance, carcass characteristics and net return per head.

The Charolais steers weighed slightly more at birth, yet were still considered to be moderate birth weight calves.

The Charolais steers had 86 more pounds of growth at weaning. Finish weights of the Charolais steers were 127 pounds heav-

ier than their British counterparts.

Feed conversion for Charolais was slightly better while cost of gain was virtually the same among all steers.

Carcass data collected on the groups was equally as revealing.

Quality grades did not differ significantly between the two sire groups. The Charolais steers had slightly better dressing percentages. Carcass weight on the Charolais steers posted a marked improvement of 80 pounds with .4 sq. in. larger ribeye areas. continued on page thirteen

Extending Productive Life of Bulls

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80 Herd Sire Prospects will remain on test in our feedlot until March. In this bull pen our next breed changing sire will make himself known, like the Herd Sires below.

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continued from page eight

sometimes that trend can be affected by some unusual happenings. Make sure you know your market. In our area, producers are getting together and marketing loads of cows and bulls direct, which will help increase salvage value.”

The most important evaluation may not come at the end of or during a bull’s career as a herd sire, but at time of purchase.

Appraising not only the value this genetic package would bring to the operation from a calf producing stand point, but also estimate the future benefits a sound relationship with a seedstock supplier could bring to the table.

“Buy bulls that have been developed correctly. Make sure these bulls come with documentation of good herd health and tested free of diseases like trich and BVD. Insist on a fertility test.

Bulls that are sound and have been managed correctly are worth the investment,” Parish says. “Buy these bulls early to give them time to acclimate to your management program before you turn them out. There is a lot of data available today to help producers find bulls that will work in their herd and environment.”

“Matching a bull to your environment is paramount for longevity in your program, no matter how good you take care of him.

Producers need to have some knowledge of the type and breed of bull that they’re using,” Brast says. “Pay attention to things like how much hair he’s carrying, libido and will he get out and travel, don’t just be color blind. Bulls can last a long time when matched to their environment.”

“Some bulls are developed on high-powered, fast gaining rations.

If you take them home and turn them out right away these bulls are going to look rough because they haven’t been conditioned to handle nutritional changes and the workload,” Hersom says.

“Adapting young bulls off that high energy ration is a challenge because you still have to give them enough energy to grow and maintain. Bulls need to be successful in

March 15, 2010 There was a 20 percent difference in the number of YG-1 and YG-2 steers, with 52.5 percent of the Charolais steers grading YG1 and YG-2.

Carcass weight on the Charolais steers posted a marked improvement of 80 pounds with .4 sq. in. larger ribeye areas.

As always, getting to the bottom line tells the real story. The study calculated the returns two ways: 1) returns if calves were sold at weaning and 2) returns for retained ownership through finishing. Net return for the

a forage environment. Make sure you give yourself enough time to change their nutritional environment and acclimate them to your management style.”

Off-season maintenance for the herd bull battery is not much different than maintaining equipment or other essentials needed to successfully operate. Tradition, lack of time or thought process could explain some theories why bulls are often forgotten when the work is done. Genetic improvement has long been documented and quality bulls help firms accomplish production goals.

Taking care of this asset will help produce positive results on that important figure most outfits cherish when financial statements arrive, the bottom line.

Extending the life of productive sires could be one answer to budget concerns in times of tight margins. One extra year of service could extend profitability figures well into the future.

“Most producers need to change their mentality. If you have 100 cows and two to five bulls how much management will those bulls need? Producers need to realize the value of that bull through his genetics,” Hersom says. “Invest in multiple calf crops through that herd sire. You wouldn’t ignore the cow herd in the off-season, you definitely can’t ignore that bull and he’ll reward you for proper management.”

“A lot of people kind of look at bulls as being “bullet proof” and just assume he’s okay,” Brast says. “We have to get away from the practice of just blooming him up right before we turn him out.

Treat him on an animal unit basis and give him some groceries throughout the down time.”

“Most producers have 20 to 30 times as many cows as bulls from a numbers standpoint. Some think selecting for longevity is letting him fend for himself and whichever ones survive we’ll turnout again.

He’s like an athlete that has all the potential in the world, but for him to reach it, he has to be managed and cared for,” Parish says. “Producers need to treat him as an investment in genetic improvement over the course of his productive life. If you do that, I think you’ll take care of him.”

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” There have been countless research projects and studies conducted throughout the history of the beef industry. Data compiled in the last half century that considers the impact of Continental genetics is compelling and constant regardless

Net return for the calves sold at weaning was $202.65 per head for the Charolais steers compared to $163.13 per head for the British calves . . . calves sold at weaning was $202.65 per head for the Charolais steers compared to $163.13 per head for the British calves, yielding nearly a $40 per head advantage for Charolais. Net return for the retained ownership Charolais calves was $349.11 per head compared to $265.45 per head for the British steers, resulting in an $83.66 per head Charolais advantage.

No doubt, the beef industry will never be a “one size fits all” business model. of the cycle of the industry or other uncontrollable economic factors. More recent data specifically analyzes Charolais’ influence and the profit margin improves even more. The advan-

tage of Charolais genetics shows up time and time again whether calves are sold at weaning or retained through the feedlot.

No doubt, the beef industry will never be a “one size fits all” business model. Folks get in the cattle business for a variety of reasons — some realistic, some, well not so much. For serious beef producers, the need to have access to objective, reliable genetic and economic information using a real world business model is crucial. It is equally important for those same beef producers to have access to timetested, proven genetics from seedstock suppliers with their best interest in mind. When that happens we all save money, make money and produce a better product.

Page 13

Creating Greater Rancher Returns SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 11 FOR SPRING SALE PRIVATE TREATY

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Livestock Market Digest

Page 14

March 15, 2010

The Gelbvieh Edge

by CALLIE GNATKOWSKI-GIBSON

or producers looking to increase the fertility and milking ability in their cattle, Gelbvieh genetics may be the answer. Developed in Germany, Gelbvieh cattle first came to the United States in the early 1970s. Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics are proving to be very effective for Southwestern cattle producers looking for options in today’s ever-tightening economy.

Bob and Judy Prosser have raised Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh cross cattle on the Bar T Bar Ranch in northern Arizona for over 25 years. The Prossers run registered Gelbvieh, Angus and Balancers, a Gelbvieh/Angus composite breed, as well as commercial Gelbvieh/Angus cross cattle.

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g•u•i•d•e To list your herd here, please contact Debbie Cisneros: 505/332-3675, or email: debbie@aaalivestock.com

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Angus would make the cattle just a little better.”

Balancers combine the best of both breeds, Judy said, the carcass quality of Angus and the milk, fertility and disposition of Gelbvieh. “We are very selective about the Angus we use, and make sure they complement our Gelbvieh genetics,” she explained. “We focus on low birthweights, marbling and carcass qualities, because if the Gelbvieh do have a flaw it is on marbling.”

The Prossers run their cattle between Winslow and Flagstaff, wintering the cattle on State Trust and private land in the high desert near Winslow. In the summer, they move the cattle to a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) grazing allotment near Flagstaff, which is rougher, higher country.

“Our summer country is hilly,

Data on the breed’s fertility and growth from the Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) first interested them in the breed, Bob said. “We had tried a number of different crosses on our Hereford cattle. After looking at that data, and our own results, we were sold.”

“When Bob and I moved back, Herefords were running on the ranch,” Judy agreed. “We had good results crossbreeding with Charolais, but decided we needed to look for something a little different — not quite so big, a little more docile, a little more maternal. We tried Gelbvieh, and really liked the cattle.

The Hereford/Gelbvieh cross worked well, but we eventually phased out the Herefords.”

When Judy’s father, Ernest Chilson, decided to retire, Bob and Judy came back to the ranch with a handful of their own cattle. “Over time, we set about to breed up the percentage of Gelbvieh in the existing cattle herd,” she noted. “We got to where we had a lot of half-blood Gelbvieh, then through artificial insemination bred up to purebred status.

Finally, we decided that a little

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rocky country, there’s a rock on every square foot,” Judy pointed out. “The cattle have to be sound. If they have any structural issues, they just don’t make it.”

Bob and Judy market their registered red and black Balancer, Gelbvieh and Angus bulls by private treaty. Commercial producers across the Southwest and into Mexico make up the majority of their bull customers. The Prossers sell females as bred heifers, some they raise themselves and some are bought back from bull customers, Bob explained.

“We have a big customer base for low birthweight cattle, especially low birthweight bulls,” Judy said. “Ours aren’t the highest performing Gelbvieh but they work well for us and for our customers. We select middle of the road, optimum type cattle.”

On the commercial side, they sell calves to Caprock Feeders.

“We have sold calves to Caprock for the last ten years and are involved in their added value program,” Bob said. “Caprock tracks calves’ growth and feed efficiency, and collects carcass data. The top ten percent receive an additional check, and I don’t think there has been a year that we haven’t been in that top 25 percent.”

The Prossers also market calves through Country Natural Beef, founded by Doc and Connie Hatfield in Oregon. The marketing cooperative has members across the country, and harvests 60,000 head of cattle a year, he said. “It is a unique bunch of people. They have an honest dedication to providing a quality product to the public and do it in a manner that has sustained over time. All of the other natural beef programs I’ve seen have been bought out by the big corporations, but Country Natural Beef has stood the test of time.”

You just can’t go wrong with continued on page fifteen

March 15, 2010

The Gelbvieh Edge continued from page foutreen

Gelbvieh, Bob said. “We chose the breed based on profitability, on facts and figures from our own ranch. We use those same processes when we select and raise bulls to sell. They are a unique breed, it’s hard to beat the fertility, marketability and growth of Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh cross cattle. They increase the milk production in your cattle without decreasing fertility.

The Prossers place a big emphasis on stewardship of the land, and have approached it in a very unique and successful way.

In 1993, they and the Metzler family, neighbors on the Flying M Ranch, founded a collaborative land management group called the Diablo Trust. The group includes members from agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Arizona Game & Fish Department, academic representatives and the environmental community. “Anyone who is interested is welcome to come and participate,” Judy said.

The group developed the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the ranches’ grazing permits, and just finished a fire plan, which includes rangeland fire as a management tool. “It will be the first grassland burn in the Coconino National Forest in almost 60 years. It’s a slow process, but at the end of the day we have all of those groups on the same page to propose an action, which is a pretty big accomplishment,” Bob noted.

In 2006, the Trust received a Regional Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the USFS National Rangeland Management Award.

It is also active in other community activities. “Our goal is to acquaint as many people as possible with public lands ranching, and to remind them where their food comes from,” Judy explained.

Both Bob and Judy’s families have been part of the agriculture industry for generations. Judy’s grandfathers were both ranchers in Arizona, and today’s Bar T Bar is part of country they once owned. Bob grew up in Colorado, where his father imported the first Limousin cattle into the United States. “We’re both ranch people and proud of it,” Judy said. Bob and Judy’s two sons, Warren and Spencer, grew up on the ranch. They both graduated from Colorado State University and got married last year, and are off doing their own thing, Judy said.

International Appeal Performance was also the deciding factor for Ray Rodriguez, PhD, who runs Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle on two ranches in northern Sonora, Mexico. “Gelbvieh is one of the few continental breeds that has managed to excel in fertility, milk and meat,” Ray said. “Most breeds lack one or the other, to

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper” keep all three traits together is very hard to do.”

A Puerto Rico native, Ray received his doctorate in animal genetics from the University of Florida at Gainesville. His career in managing large, corporate ranches brought him to Arizona.

In 1982, he retired and started his own cattle import/export business, which brought him into contact with Gelbviehs.

them as our calves move through the process. The feedlot has been very happy with the performance and carcass data. This year, because of the drought, we sold our calves in October, about a month earlier than usual. We were able to get ten cents more than the average price at the border because the buyer knew what he was getting.”

Gelbvieh genetics have added

They increase the milk production in your cattle without decreasing fertility.

“I bought bulls to send to Mexico, including some Gelbviehs. At the end of the season, I took the remaining bulls to my ranch and used them on my own cattle, and was very impressed with the results,” he explained.

Ray and his partner Manuel Molina Elias run purebred Gelbvieh, Balancer and Fleckvieh Simmentals on the Cieneguita Ranch across the border south of Sierra Vista, Arizona, named for the headwaters of the San Pedro River which are partly on the ranch. Juan (Chapo) Varela and Ray run a breeding up to Balancer program, using bulls from La Cieneguita, at El Valle Ranch, just south of the Gray Ranch in southwest New Mexico.

The credit for the breed’s unique makeup goes to its developers.

Rodriguez and Manuel Molina are working to get recognition for the Balancer breed in Mexico. “We are working with the Mexican Gelbvieh Association to be able to register the cattle, and are making good progress.

The cattle are very well accepted, we just don’t have recognition of Balancers as a breed, just yet.”

Rodriguez and his partners focus on producing quality bulls and females for commercial producers in Mexico, since intact breeding animals cannot be imported into the United States due to animal health concerns.

The majority of customers use Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls on their crossbred cattle to increase fertility, moderate frame size and add color, Ray said.

“Over time, the cattle in Northern Mexico have become too large for the country. The Gelbvieh influence gives producers a way to increase the fertility which has been lost due to frame size. Our bulls have proven to be very popular in improving the things that the cattle were lacking,” he explained. “Now, we are building a nucleus of other breeders in northern Mexico who are breeding bulls for their own customers.”

The commercial calves, and purebreds that aren’t sold for breeding, are exported to the United States as steers and spayed heifers. “We send calves to Red Rock Feeding in Arizona every year, and work closely with

a year of productivity to his females, Ray said. Because of tough range conditions, he had always bred heifers to have their first calves as coming three year olds. Three years ago, he bred 30 heifers as yearlings. All calved unassisted, and 75 percent bred back. “In the past four years, we have started breeding yearling heifers successfully, which we were never able to do in the past.

Fertility is one of the breed’s biggest strengths, Ray noted.

“Their fertility in range conditions is the best we have seen.

Something else we have noticed is that they will breed with a lower body condition score. We have had years that the cattle don’t look good at all in May, but when we palpate in November, we have excellent fertility.”

The credit for the breed’s unique makeup goes to its developers. “We have to thank the Germans for most of our success. Rather than single trait selection, they selected for three traits — milk, fertility and meat — on an index with all three traits weighted by different factors,” he explained. “In most cases, when you select for one trait, you lose another. Using index selection, they were able to improve all three traits in the cattle simultaneously.”

Ray likes Bar T Bar bulls because they are raised in an environment similar to his. “I’ve been importing American cattle into Mexico since 1973. With other breeds, our main problem was the bulls would just melt under range conditions. We would have to buy enough bulls to rotate them on and off of the range to maintain their condition.”

Gelbvieh and Balancers are a different story, he said. “We bring them home, turn them out and they stay out. They live on the range like the cows, we never have to bring them back in.

Newer generations have taken to the country even better and have increased the do ability of the cattle.”

“The steer calves do well as feeders, yet their sisters make really good cows for our environment which is a claim very few breeds can make. With Gelbvieh and Balancers, we have females that we can be proud of and that do well in Sonara’s range conditions. If you look at the combination of moderate size and fertility, plus their ability to breed back at a lower body condition score, that is what is selling them in the northern Mexico environment.”

Page 15

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“I prefer to buy all Continental-British cross cattle.

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School choice: polluting our planet? new study published in Environment Science and Technology analyzes the environmental impact of school choice policies in St. Paul, Minn. The authors found that eliminating school choice would lower emissions rates 3 to 8 times and curb the “significant environmental consequences” of

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providing more educational opportunities for children.

The authors arrived at their conclusion by analyzing the travel patterns for 803 survey respondents and then applied those findings to the entire St. Paul school district: Students attending the school assigned to them by the state

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were more likely to walk or have a short commute to school.

Students participating in schools of choice programs, however, traveled on average a longer distance to school and thus contributed to the emission of more pollutants into the atmosphere.

Fortunately, school choice programs can offset these “significant environmental consequences” with significant educational consequences, says Michael Van Beek, director of education policy with the Mack-

inac Center: Nine out of 10 scientific studies link school choice programs to higher student achievement.

In fact, a brand new study of the Milwaukee voucher system, which operates on less than half the per-pupil funding of Milwaukee Public Schools, found that participating students are 12 percent more likely to graduate than nonparticipating ones.

The study of St. Paul did not analyze the environmental impact of homeschoolers.

Source: Michael Van Beek, “School Choice: Polluting Our Planet?” Mackinac Center, National Center For Policy Analysis

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Olympic Distraction ou know the inmates have taken over the asylum when you’re turning to PETA as the voice of reason! These are the animal rights extremists who compared eating chicken to the Holocaust, compared the murdering cannibal Jeffery Daumer to butchering hogs, and once proclaimed that it would be great if Foot and Mouth Disease infected animals in the U.S. A sidebar to the Vancouver Winter Olympics was the saga of an American skater named Johnny Weir who wore fur during his skating routine. According to his agent he was harassed, received hate mail and death threats from animal rights activists. The “corporate factory animal rights groups” including PETA and Friends of Animals denied complicity, although they said they were pleased with the result.

Where were the Canadian Mounties? Did the Olympic Committee condemn the threats? Did our State Department or President defend their countryman’s right to wear fur?

If the Aryan Nation had threatened him because of his race or Al Qaida had threatened him because of his religion, do you think there would have been an outrage on both sides of the border? But animal rights terrorists threatened to kill an athlete because he wears fur. In Canada, no less! After they kill the fur wearers in Vancouver, is the next step to move north and start killing Eskimos?

Picture an American skater being attacked by lunatic animal rights extremists and nobody raising a finger to help. Picture the lone peasant in Tiananmen Square facing the Communist Chinese Army tank. Picture the Ayatollah’s Revolutionary Guard surrounding an Iranian protester.

Picture Johnny Weir.

My question is “how did we let something like this happen?”

Canada and the United States are the bastions of freedom in

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the world. They are the bright lights that beckon people to come and achieve their dreams.

If this Olympic incident had happened in Columbia and the Cocaine Mafia had threatened an athlete, we would not be shocked. If the sons of Saddam had attacked a visiting soccer player for displaying an American flag, we would not be surprised. If North Korea had kidnapped American tourists . . . wait a minute . . . they did. And if some penny-ante animal-rights thugs had threatened to kill a contestant if he wore fur. . . ?

The animal rights people had a party. They think they won. But we as a country, both Canada and the United States, as a people sit here uncomfortable in our shame. We allowed our skater, a free man, one of us, to be verbally attacked and coerced and threatened and we stood by hoping it would go away.

To our credit as a nation we are finally seeing public figures stand up to the animal rights intimidation. Mike Rowe — star of Dirty Jobs, Dean Koontz — a popular novel author, and the Zac Brown Band — 2010 Best New Country Artist winners, have told the looneys to “take a hike.” We learned after 9/11 that the animal rights contention that “A Rat is a Pig is a Dog is a Boy”’ is goofy. And those who preach that philosophy that human life has no more value than the life of an animal, have a screw loose.

Regarding Johnny Weir and the Olympics, does anyone really take seriously that a group of quasi-religious ideologues would really kill him for wearing fur?

Remember September 5, 1972?

Five terrorists climbed the fence surrounding the Olympic Village in Munich, Germany, attacked and killed 11 Israeli athletes.

Why? Because they did not believe the same thing the killers did.

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March 15, 2010

T HE L I V E S T O C K M A R K E T D I G E S T

Real Estate

Consider Getting an ‘MBA’ (Master of Beef Advocacy)

by BRUCE B. CARPENTER, Livestock Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension, Ft. Stockton

GUIDE C See pages 17, 18 and 19 for this months’ Real Estate Listings

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Page 17

attle people and cowboys are some of the most accomplished, talented people I know. Hard work and modesty is the usual rule. It is just not in their nature to “toot their own horn” — most just weren’t raised that way.

It’s unfortunate that this quality we might call humility, could prove to be a liability. In the age of instant information, if we don’t speak up for our product, and do it quickly, someone else most surely will. It might be an activist group with a hard driving agenda, like ending all animal agriculture, or it might be an inquisitive journalist simply trying to access the best information he or she can.

Some of this really came into focus for me recenty. A friend sent me a link to an electronic blog article at the New York Times on fed beef production (just one tiny article). I took time to reply in the posts at the end, and in doing so, learned a lot more.

First, the author was definitely not “anti-beef”; he was just misinformed when it came to how and

why cattle are fed. Intentional or not, the result was pretty much the same: many of his readers went away with an inaccurate picture of our industry. This further set the stage for negative or misunderstood information put forth by people posting comments at the end of the article. In just one day, there were 128 posts. They commented on either the article, or the beef industry in general. As near as I could tell, only about three or four of the commenters had any agricultural background at all. The majority of the posts were negative and filled with un-truths and misinformation. The fact is, there are vastly more people with opinions about food than there are people with knowledge about how it is produced, cared for and marketed. Still, opinions about food are understandable: we all eat.

Those who actually know about agriculture, how beef is produced, the quality of the product, how cattle are cared for, etc. — can make a difference — even if we sometimes have to do it one person at a time. All that is needed is the motivation, tools, and skills to effectively present our message.

One opportunity to be such a

spokesperson for the beef industry, and to learn more, is a new program called the Master of Beef Advocacy (MBA). It is offered through the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and funded through the national beef check-off. It is a self-directed, online educational program that teaches how to deliver consumer messages on modern beef production. You might learn how to give a speech to a local civic or consumer group, give a media interview, post to online sites, or simply to twitter or flicker from your cell phone. NCBA says there are about 700 graduates today who are active in the global online community. And while beef producers are certainly key, not all MBA graduates are producers. Other stake holders include chefs, veterinarians, food companies and more. Currently there are about 1,700 students enrolled in the program. It consists of six, 1-hour core courses: beef safety, beef nutrition, animal care, environmental stewardship, modern beef production and the beef check-off.

MBA graduates have mobilized with letters to the editor continued on page eighteen

WAHOO RANCH:– Approximately 39,976 acres: 10,600 deeded, 6,984 BLM, 912 state, 40 uncontrolled and 21,440 forest. Beautiful cattle ranch located on the east slope of the Black Range Mountains north of Winston, N.M., on State Road 52. Three hours from either Albuquerque or El Paso.The ranch is bounded on the east by the Alamosa Creek Valley and on the west by the Wahoo Mountains ranging in elevation from 6,000' to 8,796'. There are 5 houses/cabins, 3 sets of working corrals (2 with scales) and numerous shops and outbuildings. It is very well watered with many wells, springs, dirt tanks and pipelines. The topography and vegetation is a combination of grass covered hills (primarily gramma grasses), with many cedar, piñon and live oak covered canyons as well as the forested Wahoo Mountains. There are plentiful elk and deer as well as antelope, turkey, bear, mountain lion and javelina (49 elk tags in 2008). Absolutely one of the nicest combination cattle/hunting ranches to be found in the SW. Price reduced to $8,500,000.

SAN JUAN RANCH: Located 10 miles south of Deming off Hwy. 11 (Columbus Hwy) approximately 26,964 total acres consisting of 3,964± deeded, 3,800± state lease, 14,360± BLM and 4,840± Uncontrolled.

The allotment is for 216 head (AUYL). There are 278± acres of ground water irrigation rights (not currently being farmed) as well as 9 solar powered stock wells and metal storage tanks and approx. 6½ miles pipeline. The ranch begins on the north end at the beautiful Mahoney Park high up in the Florida mountains and runs 5½ miles down the mountains to their south end. It continues another 7½ miles south across their foothills and onto the flats. The ranch has a very diverse landscape with plentiful wildlife including quail, dove, rabbits, deer and ibex. Lots of potential and a good buy at $1,200,000.

REDROCK CANYON RANCH: Located in Redrock, N.M. Approx. 7,268 total acres consisting of 1,908± private, 1,040± state, 4,320± BLM, 120-head grazing permit and 24 acres of farm land. 3½ miles of the Gila river runs thru the middle of the ranch. Deer, javalina, quail and great fishing. Topography consists of large hills and mesas, bi-sected by the cottonwood lined Gila River Valley. Very well fenced and watered. Priced Reduced to $1,750,000 212 ACRE FARM BETWEEN LAS CRUCES, N.M. AND EL PASO, TEXAS: Hwy. 28 frontage with 132 acres irrigated, 80 acres sandhills, full EBID (surface water) plus a supplemental irrigation well, cement ditches and large equipment warehouse. Reasonably priced at $2,000,000.

118.8 ACRE FARM: Located on Afton Road south of La Mesa, N.M. Paved road frontage, full EBID (surface water) plus 2 supplemental irrigation wells with cement ditches. Will divide into 2 tracts — 50.47 acres and 68.32 acres. Priced at $14,500/acre — $1,722,600.

BEAUTIFUL 143.81-ACRE NORTH VALLEY FARM located in Las Cruces, N.M. next to the Rio Grande River. Great views of the Organ Mountains. Cement ditches, 2 irrigation wells and EBID. Two older houses and shed sold “as is”. Priced at $13,212/acre — $1,900,000. Will consider dividing.

OTHER FARMS FOR SALE: In Doña Ana County. All located near Las Cruces, N.M. 8, 11, 14, and 27.5 acres. $11,111/acre to $17,000/acre. All have EBID (surface water rights from the Rio Grande River) and several have supplemental irrigation wells. If you are interested in farm land in Doña Ana County, give me a call.

DAN DELANEY R E A L E S TAT E , L L C

318 W. Amador Ave. • Las Cruces, N.M. 88005 (O) 575/647-5041 • (C) 575/644-0776 nmlandman@zianet.com • www.zianet.com/nmlandman

Livestock Market Digest

Page 18

March 15, 2010

Masters of Beef Advocacy

KEVIN C. REED Ranchers Serving Ranchers Texas and New Mexico

LEE, LEE & PUCKITT ASSOCIATES INC.

RANCH SALES & APPRAISALS Office: 325/655-6989 Cell: 915/491-9053

1002 Koenigheim, San Angelo, TX 76903 • www.llptexasranchland.com • llp@wcc.net

Kern Land, Inc. NEW LISTING: SANTA ROSA, N.M. – The beautiful 1,093acre San Ignacio Ranch is 13 miles west of Santa Rosa in the mesa country south of I-40. The ranch is a wide valley with 300' mesas on 2 sides with piñon pine and juniper trees throughout. Excellent recreational opportunities for the hiker, horseman and hunter. Recently surveyed and new boundary fence in place.

CLAYTON, N.M. – El Valle Escondido Ranch is 10,000 acres located in the gorgeous, rim-rock and canyon country of the Cimarron River, 30 miles north of Clayton. Good mix of protective canyon land with cottonwood bottoms and strong grama grass country above the canyon rims. Has been running 190 cow/calf pairs. Two small, but nice, homes and three sets of good pipe pens. Mule deer, elk, antelope and turkey live on the ranch.

SOLD: MOSQUERO CANYON RANCH – 2,600-acre cattle operation in northeast New Mexico near the village of Mosquero — SOLD!!!

See Brochures at: www.kernranches.com Billy Howard Cell: 575/799-2088

575/762-3707

Dave Kern Cell: 575/760-0161

NEVADA RANCHES and FARMS This should be a great investment property ideal for a 1031 exchange!

Deeded sheep base in Elko Co: 10,960 deeded acres plus a 29 percent public BLM permit in the mountains just northeast of Elko. Fifty percent of the mineral rights included. Good summer spring and summer range for sheep or cattle. Annual lease income, plus inexpensive ag taxes. Price: $1,425,800.

Dawley Creek Ranch — located in one of the most beautiful ranching valleys of the West: Ruby Valley: Set at the foot of the majestic Ruby Mountains with approx. 1,100 acres of lush meadows and good private pasture. This ranch has approx.

6,000 deeded acres. Approx. 700 acres are currently being cut for meadow hay plus two 110 acre piviots with alfalfa/orchard grass hay. This ranch runs approx. 500 pair plus heifers and bulls year long and around 30 head of horses. No water fights in this case as the water doesn’t run off the ranch but rather fills a snow water lake called Franklin Lake. This ranch has been a target for conservation easements. Priced at $4,500,000. And contingent upon being able to complete a 1031 exchange into another acceptable property.

Waddy Creek Ranch: located in a remote Nevada ranching valley called Charleston which sits at the foot of the Jarbidge Wilderness which is part of the Humboldt National Forest. The ranch is bounded on two sides by forest. There is no power in the valley but there is land line phone. Two creeks provide irrigation water for approx. 138 acres of historic meadow. This property has Quaken aspen groves and is quite beautiful. Access is on a county road. There is a BLM grazing permit attached to the ranch for 71 head. Price: $500,000. Terms considered.

Indian Creek Ranch: White Pine County, Nevada. This is a great property for a hunter as it is surrounded by public lands and has plentiful mule deer, antelope and elk. There is a large spring arising on high ground that could provide pressure for hydro power, or gravity flow domestic or irrigation water. This is an old historic ranch base and can provide summer pasture for cattle or horses and includes approx. 200 acres in three separate parcels. Piñon pine and Utah juniper plus some cottonwood, willows and Quaken aspen.

Very scenic. Approx. ½ mile off county maintained road. Price: $425,000.

Bottari Realty Out West Realty Network Affiliate

PAUL D. BOTTARI, BROKER www.bottarirealty.com • paul@bottarirealty.com

Ofc.: 775/752-3040 Res: 775/752-3809 • Fax: 775/752-3021

and online blogs when inaccurate information has been printed or aired. The example has been given that if 40 students took 10 minutes a day to be an advocate online or in other media, that is the equivalent of a full time staff person being an advocate for the beef industry.

The good news is that the vast majority of consumers believe in the quality and wholesomeness of beef. But, they also very much want to know YOU. They want good information about where their beef comes from and who raised it. In a recent survey 74 percent indicated that they were either ‘very’, or ‘somewhat’ inter-

continued from page seventeen

ested in knowing this. The bad news is that more and more activist groups, who count millions of members, would like nothing more than to use either traditional or new media venues to take these consumers and change their minds. These groups are vocal, passionate, and extremely well funded.

Remember that only 3 percent of American households derive income from producing food or fiber. Just 5 percent of Americans say they’ve been on a farm or ranch in the last five years. Only 20 percent say they know the beef industry well or somewhat well.

It is exciting to see what some

Wild West Properties, L.L.C.

7400 Gila Rd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87109

THE GOLDEN RULE ISN’T JUST A RULE; IT’S A WAY OF LIFE.

Give me a call or see our website for the following properties:

Extraordinary 39,000 Deeded Acre Hunting Ranch 474-Acre Hunting Paradise near Luna, NM (under contract) 66-Acre MRGCD irrigated farm south of Veguita, NM 145-Head Cattle Ranch near Magdalena, NM 2,800-Acre Cattle Ranch near Quemado, NM (pending offer)

SOLD

9,400-Acre Ranch next to Capitan, NM 14-Acre MRGCD irrigated farm near Las Nutrias, NM 190-Acre Irrigated Horse Ranch near Ruidoso, NM 500-Head Cattle Ranch near Trinidad, CO. 3,200-Acre Ranch near Marquez, New Mexico

RANDY J. WOOD, Qualifiying Broker • O: 505/980-8019 • F: 505/823-2262 Email: rjwood5@comcast.net • www.wildwestproperties.com

beef producers are doing to let consumers know who they are.

Ann, a Nebraska rancher and small feeder, uses YouTube to connect with people all over the country and world to tell how she — “a city kid from Palm Beach and a Dartmouth graduate”— married a rancher, and now helps raise a family, care for animals, and produce wholesome beef. See: http://www.youtube. com/beefpasturetoplate . Using a blog spot, Kim Brackett shows pictures and answer questions for some very interested readers.

She illustrates her daily life on a western ranch: helping newborn calves in the winter; her husband in the shop, helping their kids build a school project; pictures of elk and song birds along with some information on how they steward the habitat; and other activities. See: http://www.beefmatters.com/ The next time you hear or see something negative about our industry, think about how you can prepare yourself to respond in a positive and helpful manner.

To learn more about the MBA program, contact dwilliams@ beef.org or call the NCBA at 303/850-3046 or see: http:// www.beefboard.org/news/08_10 10News_MBApressRelease.asp.

THE LIVESTOCK MARKET DIGEST

Real Estate Guide Continued from page 17

TEXAS & OKLA. FARMS & RANCHES

Properties

and Equities

CALIFORNIA RANCHES FOR SALE Crane Creek Ranch: Tehama County, 556 acres. Two small homes, winter range. West of Red Bluff.

Priced at $975,000.

Wilson Ranch: Modoc County, 487 acres, house, barn, summer range. Surprise Valley, Calif. Priced at $950,000.

Willow Springs Ranch: Shasta County, 1,470 acres, barn, two homes, Cottonwood Creek frontage. Make offer.

Pasture Ranch: Modoc County, 427 acres, nice home, 400 acres irrigated.

2.5 miles Pit River frontage, priced at $1,600,000.

Fisher Ranch: Modoc County, 2,808 acres, 465 irrigated, USFS and BLM permits, older nice home, 200 cows included. Priced at 2,999,000.

Hooker Creek Ranch: Tehama County, 1,023 acres, winter range, large ponds, recreation, electric, well, septic, telephone. Priced at $1,095,000.

19855 S. Main St. P.O. Box 1020 Cottonwood, CA 96022 Office: 530/347-9455 Fax: 530/347-4640 homeranchr@aol.com

R.G. DAVIS, BROKER

Rubicon Ranch: Tehama County, 2,082 acres, Hunting Ranch, pigs, deer, quail dove. Ponds and creek. Priced at $1,350,000.

Spring Meadow Ranch: Shasta County, 160 acres, water rights, 50 acres irrigated, large home, swimming pool, barn, shop. Priced at $699,000.

Trinity River Ranch: Trinity County, 117 acres, 5,000 ft. Trinity River frontage, excellent trout fishing.

Priced at $665,000.

Kelley Ranch: Modoc County, 658 acres, 156 acres irrigated, three houses, barn, shop. Priced at $900,000 Paskenta Ranch: Tehama County, 487 acres, house, corrals, barns. Approx.

200 acres, class one soil. New well, nursery-orchard. Priced at $1,795,000 Horse Ranch: Tehama County. 26+ acres, 14 acres irrigated, house, corrals, 120x200 covered arena. 140 ft. cutting arena, 16-stall barn, Cottonwood Creek frontage. Priced at $1,350,000

• 503 Ac. So. Navarro Co., Texas.

It’s got it all. $1,950/ac.

• 632-acre CATTLE and HUNTING, N.E. Texas ranch, elaborate home, one-mile highway frontage.

OWNER FINANCE at $2,200/ac.

• 274 acres in the shadow of Dallas.

Secluded lakes, trees, excellent grass. Hunting and fishing, dream home sites. $3,850/ac.

• 126 ac. jewel on Red River, Tex. – Nice river frontage, irrigation well, excellent soils for crops, nursery stock, cattle grazing, you name it! $3,250/ac.

• 1,700-acre classic N.E. Texas cattle and hunting ranch. $2,750/ac. Some mineral production.

• Texas Jewel, 7,000 ac. – 1,000 per ac., run cow to 10 ac.

• 126 ac. – Red River Co., Tex. Home, barns, pipe fence. $225,000.

Joe Priest Real Estate 1205 N. Hwy 175, Seagoville, TX 75159

972/287-4548 • 214/676-6973 1-800/671-4548 www.joepriest.com joepriestre@earthlink.com

“America’s Favorite Livestock Newspaper”

March 15, 2010

PREMIER RANCH FOR SALE 12,000 acres, Terrell County, Texas.

Southwest of Sheffield, southeast of Fort Stockton. Excellent hunting ranch, mainly deer (whitetail and mule) and turkey. New hunter’s lodge and walk-in freezer. Surface rights only; no minerals. Principals only. $400/acre, cash.

billkalil@juno.com • 432/683-0990 • 432/349-8448

Cattle Ranch For Sale

L

ocated in Southeastern New Mexico approximately 25 miles west of Jal, N.M. along and on both sides of N.M. State Hwy. 128 situated in both Eddy and Lea Counties. 28,666 total acres with 2,250 deeded. BLM grazing permit for 370 AUYL. Eleven pastures and traps. No cattle since March, excellent grass. Headquarters with residence, shop, hay barn and shipping pens with scales. Price: $985,000

Bar M

Contact: Scott McNally, Qualifying Broker, 575/622-5867

REAL ESTATE

www.ranchesnm.com

P.O. BOX 4 28 • ROSWELL, N EW MEXIC O 88202

5 Acres – Log home. Price Decrease: 3,800 sq. ft. log home, 6 br, 4 BA on 6 acres m/l. 35 x 68 bunkhouse/classroom heated and 1 BA. 1/2 mile from Gasconade River and Wetstone Creek. Many possibilities for this property.

Mountain Grove schools. Asking $170,000. MLS#814022 483 Acres, Hunter Mania: Nature at his best. Dont miss out on this one. Live water (two creeks). 70+ acres open in bottom hayfields and upland grazing. Lots of timber (marketable and young) for the best hunting and fishing (Table Rock, Taney Como and Bull Shoals Lake) Really cute 3-bd., 1-ba stone home. Secluded yes, but easy access to ForsythBranson, Ozark and Springfield. Property joins National Forest. MLS#908571 90 Acres: Just north of Phillipsburg off I-44. 80 percent open, pond and a well. Build your dream home and enjoy.

MLS#910997 See all my listings at: pmcgilliard.murney.com

PAUL McGILLIARD Cell: 417/839-5096 • 1-800/743-0336

I have been advertising with the Livestock Market Digest for over 20 years. I continue ls, because I get return cal nt me est inv at gre a d an on my advertising dollars. Prices are reasonable.

Debbie Cisneros is very personable. She goes out of her way to help me with my advertising needs — more than any other ad rep.

MURNEY ASSOC., REALTORS SPRINGFIELD, MO 65804

— Thank you — PAUL McGILLIARD

U.S. District Court Upholds COOL; Implications for Canada’s and Mexico’s WTO COOL Complaints n a memorandum sent February 12 to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), R-CALF USA explained that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington (Court) recently issued an order that addresses a principal argument contained in the complaints filed at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the U.S. country-oforigin labeling (COOL) law by Canada and Mexico. The order stems from the lawsuit that Easterday Ranches Inc. (Easterday)

I

To place your Real Estate Guide Lisings here, contact Debbie Cisneros at 505/332-3675, or email debbie@aaalivestock.com.

Idaho-Oregon Call 208/345-3163 for catalog.

KNIPE

RANCHES FARMS COM’L.

LAND CO.

Established 1944

Scott Landco.

1301 Front St. Dimmitt, TX 79027

Ranch & Farm Real Estate

TUESDAY, MARCH 30 • 1PM 5 Tracts Ranging from 640 to 2,560 Acres

6,880± Deeded Acres 320± Leased Acres • 120± BLM Acres • Excellent Hunting • Unlimited Recreational Opportunity • Beautiful Mountain Views • Hunting Lodge

Call For Auction Brochure 800-607-6888 Schrader Real Estate & Auction Co., Inc. 260-244-7606 in association with Exit Realty Southwest 505-898-8899

visit our website: www.westchester-auctions.com

filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding the U.S. COOL law.

In that litigation, Easterday argued that the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s marking rules, established to implement the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), provide that beef derived from the slaughter of imported cattle in the U.S. market is entitled to be designated as a product of the USA. Easterday further argued that as a result of these preexisting marking rules (NAFTA marking rules), the COOL law improperly requires beef from such imported cattle to be labeled as a product of both countries — Canada and the US. The Court disagreed. In its Feb. 5, 2010, order the Court found that the COOL law can coexist with, and does not repeal, the preexisting NAFTA marking rules because these rules are for purposes of tariff designation in a customs setting, while the COOL law applies to retail products, and because the COOL statute neither covers the whole subject matter of the NAFTA marking rules nor does the COOL law present an irreconcilable conflict with those rules.

“We believe this U.S. Court decision will help in the defense

This ad is just a small sample of the properties that we currently have for sale. Please check our website: scottlandcompany.com and give us a call!

Ben G. Scott, Krystal M. Nelson–Brokers • 800/933-9698 day/night • www.scottlandcompany.com

We need your listings both large and small, all types of ag properties (ESPECIALLY CRP).

READY TO RANCH and DEVELOP (wind energy, comm., res.) Potter Co., TX – 4,872.8 acres of beautiful ranch country four miles north of loop 335, Amarillo, TX, pavement on four sides. Well watered by pumps powered by solar energy (state-of-the- art). Deer, quail and dove.

EASTERN N.M.: Approx. 30 sections mostly deeded some BLM and State, employee housing and two sets of steel pens, county maintained, all weather road. Your cows will think they are in Florida!

LAND AUCTION 7,320 ACRES JRL WILDLIFE RANCH • LINCOLN COUNTY Near Corona, NEW MEXICO

Page 19

Auction Location: Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino 287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero, NM 88340 (just south of Ruidoso, NM) Information Dates: Tuesday, March 2 – 12noon to 2:00pm Tuesday, March 16 – 12noon to 2:00pm We invite you to meet a Westchester representative at the Cabin on Tract 1 to view the property and pick up additional information. A short informative presentation will begin at 1:00. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss any questions regarding the properties or the auction process. Lunch will be provided.

of our COOL law against Canada’s and Mexico’s attack at the WTO,” said R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chair Mike Schultz.

“Much like the Easterday complaint filed in the U.S., both Canada’s and Mexico’s complaints filed at the WTO are seeking the same protection,” he continued. “And like Easterday, Canada and Mexico want to continue hiding the true origins of their foreign beef in the U.S. marketplace.

“The actions by Canada and Mexico truly are repugnant to U.S. consumers who deserve to know the origins of their food and whose government — our U.S. government — has passed a law under our U.S. Constitution to give those consumers the right to know where their food is grown and produced,” Schultz added.

R-CALF USA’s memorandum states the group is hopeful that this Court decision will help USTR in its defense of COOL at the WTO. The memorandum states that the U.S. Court’s sound reasoning in opposition to Easterday’s argument, based on the NAFTA marking rules, should likewise apply to any international authority cited by Canada and Mexico “in their ongoing effort to mask the origins beef derived from their respective country’s cattle.”

“Canada and Mexico should immediately drop their complaints at the WTO before they further damage the integrity and reputation of their respective cattle industries,” Schultz concluded. “It is indefensible for these foreign countries’ cattle producers to assert that U.S. consumers do not deserve to know the true origins of the beef that they feed their families.”

Buena Vista REALTY

VIEW THE WEBSITE FOR FULL PICTURES AND DETAILS ON THESE AND OTHER LISTINGS: WWW.BUENAVISTA-NM.COM

521 W. 2nd, Portales, NM 88130 • 575/226-0671 • Fax 575/226-0672

What a Place! Only 320 acres but really improved.

2 brick homes, several large barns, well-watered with 2 wells. Excellent turf, very accessible. Horse friendly.

Very Nice Smaller Ranch – Has brick 3 bedroom, 2 bath home plus a smaller hand house, shop building, hay barn, livestock scales, large steel pens with some feed bunks, working chutes, overhead bulk feed storage, outside fencing (mostly new 5-wire steel post), 1141 acres of excellent turf, and 2 pastures cross-fenced with drinkers. In all, this is a great opportunity for someone.

GIVE US A CALL OR STOP BY. LET US WORK FOR YOU!

Qualified Broker: A.H. (Jack) Merrick Sales Agents: Charles May, Koletta Hays, Kercida Merrick

Livestock Market Digest

Page 20

March 15, 2010

Scholarships available from the American Shorthorn Association ach year, there are several scholarships sponsored by The Shorthorn Foundation as well as the American Shorthorn Association (ASA) available to American Junior Shorthorn Association (AJSA) members. The ASA and the Foundation find offering college support to the youth of the association greatly important as they are the future of the industry and the Shorthorn breed.

AJSA members are eligible to apply for one of five different college scholarships: Mike Dugdale Memorial Scholarship, John C. “Jack” Ragsdale Scholarship, Don Longley Memorial Scholarships, Lyle and Katharyn DeWitt

E

Memorial Scholarship, and new in 2010 is the Jesse M. & Jennie S. Duckett Memorial Scholarship.

■ Mike Dugdale Memorial Scholarship: The $1,000 Dugdale Scholarship is awarded to a collegiate upperclassman who is an active AJSA member with a sincere interest in bettering the beef cattle industry after college.

■ John C. “Jack” Ragsdale Scholarship: The $1,000 Jack Ragsdale Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or college freshman who is an active AJSA member with a sincere interest in learning how to evaluate livestock and an appreciation for the purebred livestock industry.

■ Don Longley Memorial Scholarships — applicants may also apply for Lyle & Katharyn DeWitt Memorial Scholarship: There are four $1,000 Longley Memorial Scholarships awarded each year. The scholarships are sponsored by The Shorthorn Foundation and awarded to high school seniors or college freshmen based upon Shorthorn involvement, grades, need, and participation in other activities.

■ Lyle and Katharyn DeWitt Memorial Scholarship — applicants may also apply for Don Longley Memorial Scholarships: New this year is the one $1,000 Lyle and Katharyn DeWitt

Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is sponsored by The Shorthorn Foundation and awarded to high school seniors or college freshmen based upon Shorthorn involvement, grades, need, and participation in other activities.

■ Jesse M. and Jennie S. Duckett Memorial Scholarship: New this year is the one $1,000 Jesse M. & Jennie S. Duckett Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship is sponsored by The Shorthorn Foundation and awarded to high school seniors or college freshmen based upon the applicants’ involvement in Agriculture, educational background, ACT scores, and high school and/or college GPA.

Applications for the scholarships are available at www.shorthorn.org or by contacting the ASA at 877/272-0686 or amandar@shorthorn.org. Please send completed applications to The American Shorthorn Association, Attn: Scholarship Application, 8288 Hascall Street, Omaha, NE 68124 by May 3, 2010.

All scholarship recipients will be announced during the 2010 Shorthorn Junior National Show & Youth Conference, in East Lansing, Mich., June 25, 2010.

The Summit — National Shorthorn Sale he American Shorthorn Association’s (ASA) National Shorthorn Sale — “The Summit” was a success averaging $4,324 and bringing in a gross $198,900 on 48 lots including a donation lot to the American Junior Shorthorn Association (AJSA). The sale took place during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS), and included a mixture of open and bred females, bulls, semen, embryos, pregnancies and flushes.

The sale was kicked off with the donation lot by Trans Ova Genetics for production and freezing of ten units of sexed semen. Jared Knock, Trans Ova Genetics Marketing Representative, and the AJSA board of directors were in attendance to present the certificate to the purchaser. Robert Duis, Grant Park, Ill. purchased the sexed semen for $2,250. The funds will go directly to the AJSA to help promote the youth of the Shorthorn industry.

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Zac Brown Responds To PETA Challenge he Zac Brown Band have responded to an email they received from People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. After being challenged by the animal rights group to remove the animal products from its pre-show menu, the “Chicken Fried” hit makers made no apologies for their eating habits.

“Dear PETA, Plants are living creatures too . . . Bacon had a mother, but so did Pickle. It takes life to support life — welcome to the planet,” the Grammy-winning group wrote on their Twitter page.

The 2010 Best New Artist winners apparently still plan on offering animal products at their pre-show rituals, where they welcome lucky fans backstage to “eat and greet” with the band.

The challenge from PETA came in February when the organization sent an open letter to country music website TheBoot.com that was addressed to the band, saying, “If PETA has its way, the ‘Chicken Fried’ singers will be hosting an all-vegan edition of their celebrated ‘eat and greets’ for fans.”

T