Page 3 - MWC 9-14-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · September 14, 2023 · P3

September 14, 2023 Volume 29 No. 8

COULD CATTLE PRICES SOAR THROUGH NEXT YEAR? CHECKOFF REACHES DOCTORS
THAT’S WHAT ECONOMISTS THINK, AND IT COULD WITH BEEF MESSAGE
COMPLETELY CHANGE THE INDUSTRY In a world where ommended beef to
By Tyne Morgan opinions on what to patients and 95%
The U.S. beef cow herd is and other pressures, the Au- eat are so diverse, of consumers have
now the lowest since 1962, gust Ag Economists’ Monthly many consumers find prepared or plan to
and with the majority of ag Monitor revealed it could also themselves relying prepare meals that
economists not expecting re- cause massive consolidation on the recommenda- include beef since
building to take place until Q2 in the cattle industry, not only tions of doctors and receiving the mate-
of 2024 or later, that means with cattle producers, but also medical profession- rials.
even higher cattle prices could meat processors. als for their individ- A ddi tio nal ly,
be ahead. Ag economists say The August survey is the ual health and that of their heart health cookbooks were
as the U.S. cattle herd contin- third survey of the Ag Econo- children. With this in mind, delivered to 854 family prac-
ues to shrink due to drought mists’ Monthly Monitor, a joint the checkoff works to ensure tice and cardiology profes-
effort between the these trusted professionals sionals nationwide. Within
University of Mis- are well informed about lean those cookbooks were a let-
souri and Farm beef’s role in a balanced diet. ter to health professionals
Journal. The Recently, a beef toolkit fo- written by the cookbook au-
first-of-its-kind cused on school-aged and ad- thor in collaboration with
survey collects olescent nutrition was deliv- the beef nutrition team, a
insights from ag ered to 3,324 family practice beef research booklet, and
economists across and pediatric health profes- pamphlets on lean beef in a
the U.S. Near- sionals across 48 states. The heart-healthy diet that med-
ly 60 economists toolkit materials included ical professionals could share
are asked each a letter, a MyPlate teaching with their patients. Respons-
month to provide tool and beef tips and recipes es to this effort were also
their forecasts for parents. positive, with 76% of medical
and views. They Following delivery of the professionals and consum-
The August survey also asked economists when they think represent a wide toolkits, a post-program sur- er respondents saying they
cattle herd expansion will start to take place. The majority vey was sent to medical pro- found the cookbook to be
think cattle contraction will continue for at least another fessionals and consumers valuable.
year. A smaller percentage think it could happen in the second
quarter of 2024. (Lindsey Pound / FJ) continued on page 12 to measure the success. Re- KLA
sponses showed 91% of pro-
FIRE DESTROYS ARKANSAS SALE BARN fessionals have already rec-
By Paige Carlson EPA’S NEW WOTUS RULES: WHAT PRODUCERS
A north central NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
Arkansas sale By Jenna Hoffman
barn suffered a
devastating fire, The Environmental Pro- EPA to expeditiously develop
affecting many tection Agency (EPA) an- a rule to incorporate chang-
producers in the nounced new Waters of the es required as a result of the
area as well as U.S. (WOTUS) rules, follow- Supreme Court’s decision,”
the local economy. ing a May Supreme Court said Michael L. Connor, As-
The blaze is ruling in Sackett v. EPA, that sistant Secretary of the
believed to have required EPA to revise the Army for Civil Works. “With
started in the WOTUS definition. this final rule, the Corps can
kitchen of the “We have worked with continued on page 16
Wilf's Cleburne A north central Arkansas sale barn suffered a devastating fire,
County Livestock affecting many livestock producers and the local economy with
Auction in Heber the loss of a long-standing amenity in the area. Coming Sales-38
Springs, Ark., ac- (Arkansas Farm Bureau) Life is Simple-5
the sale barn in Clinton, Ark.
cording to local reports.
Blake Wilf, the barn’s After a few hours of cooling Market Report-8
co-owner, told a local news off and some water, the cattle Agribusiness
source, it was all hands on began selling later that day, Directory-36
Wilf says.
deck moving the cattle out of
the area as quickly as possi- Meanwhile, when Brian
ble, transporting the cattle to continued on page 9